JP5316674B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator (50) provided with: a storage compartment for storing storage items, the compartment being partitioned by an insulating wall and an insulating door; a storage volume estimation unit (23) for estimating the storage volume of the storage compartment; and a memory unit (64) for recording the estimation result of the storage volume estimation unit (23). The refrigerator is further provided with a calculation controller (22) for calculating a storage change volume on the basis of the previous estimation result of the storage volume recorded in the memory unit (64) and the estimation result of the storage volume estimation unit, and controlling the output operation of electrical function components. The calculation controller (22) compares a preset threshold and the storage change volume, determines that the storage volume has changed when the storage change volume exceeds the threshold, and controls the output operation of the electrical function components.

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator provided with a means for detecting the storage amount of a storage room.

  As a method for cooling a domestic refrigerator in recent years, an indirect cooling method in which cold air is circulated in the refrigerator with a fan is generally used. Such a conventional refrigerator has a refrigerator temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerator compartment and a freezer temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the freezer compartment in the refrigerator. Moreover, the conventional refrigerator is keeping temperature in a warehouse at appropriate temperature by carrying out temperature control control according to the detection result output from these sensors.

  For example, there is a refrigerator provided with a movable cold air discharge device as a refrigerator that keeps the inside temperature uniform (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 34 is a front view of a main part of a conventional refrigerator 100, and FIG. 35 is a diagram schematically illustrating the behavior of components such as a temperature sensor of the conventional refrigerator 100.

  As shown in FIG. 34, in a conventional refrigerator 100, a movable cold air discharge device 102 provided in a refrigerator compartment 101 supplies cold air to the left and right to make the inside temperature uniform.

  As shown in FIG. 35, in the conventional refrigerator 100, the compressor is driven when the temperature detected by the freezer temperature sensor rises to a predetermined temperature (ON temperature), and the refrigerator temperature sensor detects the temperature. If the temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (opening temperature), an operation of “closed to open” the refrigeration room damper is performed to drive the cooling fan (hereinafter, this operation is referred to as “cooling room freezing room simultaneous cooling a”). ").

  Thereafter, when the temperature detected by the refrigerating room temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature (closed temperature), the refrigerating room damper is operated to be “open → closed”, and only the freezing room side is cooled. (Hereinafter, this operation is referred to as “freezer compartment cooling b”).

  Thereafter, when the temperature detected by the freezer temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature (OFF temperature), the compressor is stopped (hereinafter, this operation is referred to as “cooling stop c”).

  And the conventional refrigerator 100 repeats a series of operation | movement of the refrigerator compartment simultaneous cooling a, the freezer compartment independent cooling b, and the cooling stop c in order during the normal driving | operation.

  In the refrigerator 100 having the freezer damper, an operation of driving the compressor and the cooling fan with the refrigerator compartment damper being “open” and the freezer damper being “closed” is added to the above series of operations (hereinafter referred to as “refrigerator 100”). This operation is called “cooling room single cooling d”).

JP-A-8-247608

However, the conventional refrigerator 100 does not always store the stored items at the optimum temperature even when the inside temperature is made uniform. This is because the refrigerator 100 detects the ambient temperature or the return air temperature in the cabinet by a temperature sensor that is a temperature detection means, and does not include a means for directly detecting the temperature of the stored item.

  That is, there is a difference between the ambient temperature in the refrigerator 100 and the actual temperature of the stored items. For example, a transient period is assumed from when the temperature in the refrigerator 100 rises, such as immediately after the storage is turned on, after a long door opening, or immediately after the defrosting operation, until the interior is cooled and reaches the set temperature. To do. During this period, a temperature difference depending on the amount of the stored item, the specific heat of the stored item, and the heat capacity is generated between the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means arranged in the warehouse and the temperature of the stored item. For this reason, the time required to reach the optimum storage temperature varies depending on the storage amount. Specifically, when the storage amount is large, the cooling time until reaching the optimum storage temperature is generally long, and therefore, the cooling operation may be performed.

  In addition, after a sufficient time has passed after cooling and the temperature of the stored item is stabilized at a low temperature, the stored item maintains its temperature by its own heat capacity. However, when the amount of storage is large, there is a high possibility that the stored item is placed near the discharge port, and the cold air directly hits the stored item and tends to be too cold. Furthermore, since the heat capacity increases as the storage amount increases, the temperature difference between the air and the food becomes smaller than in the case of the normal storage amount, which tends to cause overcooling. For this reason, in the conventional cooling control, the stored item tends to be “too cold”, and it is difficult to cool the stored item at an optimum temperature. Further, during this time, the refrigerator 100 performs a cooling operation while consuming excess energy, and waste occurs.

  In recent years, the working style has changed and the number of double-income households has increased. In addition, shopping opportunities at large supermarkets are increasing. Thereby, the number of people who buy food for one week at a time on holidays is increasing, and the storage amount of the refrigerator 100 tends to change more than ever. On the other hand, stored items such as food are often not added on weekdays, and the life patterns of ordinary households are changing.

  In addition, when the storage amount greatly increases, in the conventional refrigerator 100, temperature control is performed according to the detection result of the temperature sensor disposed in the refrigerator, so that the temperature sensor detects an increase in temperature from the insertion of the stored item. There will be a time difference until This is due to the fact that the temperature sensor is usually molded with resin and is difficult to follow a rapid temperature change. For this reason, it takes time until the rapid cooling operation such as increasing the rotational speed of the compressor or the cooling fan is started after the stored items are charged. That is, since the time for cooling the stored items up to the optimum storage temperature becomes longer, there is a problem that the freshness of the food is lowered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an easy-to-use refrigerator with improved freshness while improving energy saving performance.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the refrigerator of the present invention delimits the cooler, a storage chamber that is partitioned by a heat insulating wall and a heat insulating door and stores stored items, a cooler that cools the storage chamber, and the cooler. A defrosting unit, a door opening / closing detection unit that detects opening and closing of the heat insulation door, a storage amount estimation unit that estimates a storage amount in the storage chamber, a storage unit that stores an estimation result of the storage amount estimation unit, and A calculation control unit that calculates a storage change amount based on an estimation result of the storage unit up to the previous time and an estimation result of the storage amount estimation unit, and controls an output operation of the defrosting unit, and the calculation control unit Controls the interval for the next operation of the defrosting unit from the calculation result of the door opening / closing detection unit and the storage change amount in the storage chamber , and the calculation control unit operates the operation of the defrosting unit. When the period during which the heat insulating door is not opened or closed after the end is over a certain period of time Alternatively, if the door opening and closing detection unit accommodating variation of the storage chamber also detects the opening and closing of the door is less than that predetermined value is more than a certain time, which prolong the interval for operating the defrost unit It is.

  Thereby, when there is no change in the storage amount or when it is small, the defrost cycle is extended, so that the energy saving performance corresponding to the use situation can be improved.

  The refrigerator of the present invention can improve the energy saving performance according to the use situation by extending the defrost cycle when there is no change in the storage amount or when it is small, and the usability improves the freshness while improving the energy saving performance. A good refrigerator can be provided.

Front view of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of the present invention 2-2 line sectional drawing in FIG. 1 of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Control block diagram of refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Refrigeration storage state detection operation explanatory diagram in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The figure which shows the temperature change with respect to time which shows the operation | movement of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the temperature change with respect to time which shows the operation | movement of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the storage amount detection control of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the cooling driving | operation determination control using the storage amount detection control of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the other example of the cooling operation determination control using storage amount detection control of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows another example of the cooling driving | operation determination control using the storage amount detection control of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the control which performs cooling operation determination after temperature detection control of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the relationship between the storage amount change and temperature change of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and cooling operation determination. The figure which shows the relationship between the storage amount change and temperature change of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and cooling operation determination. The figure which shows typically the temperature behavior of the temperature sensor at the time of throwing in the stored item at the time of simultaneous cooling of the refrigerator compartment freezer compartment of Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows typically the temperature behavior of the temperature sensor at the time of throwing in the stored item at the time of independent cooling of the freezer compartment of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows typically the temperature behavior of the temperature sensor at the time of throwing in the stored item at the time of cooling stop of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure for demonstrating the prediction of the life pattern using the learning function of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the start end timing of power-saving driving | operation The flowchart which shows the learning driving | operation control of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure for demonstrating "Bulk buying date" determination by the learning function of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure for demonstrating the prediction of the life pattern using another learning function in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the start end timing of power-saving driving | operation The flowchart which shows the learning driving | operation control in another form in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Explanatory drawing of the storage amount detection operation in Embodiment 3 of the present invention Explanatory drawing of the storage amount detection operation in Embodiment 3 of the present invention Explanatory drawing of the storing amount detection operation in Embodiment 4 of this invention Front view of the refrigerator in the fifth embodiment of the present invention Front view of the refrigerator in the sixth embodiment of the present invention Sectional view taken along line 25-25 in FIG. 24 of the refrigerator in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing of the light quantity detection operation | movement in Embodiment 6 of this invention. Control block diagram of refrigerator in Embodiment 6 of the present invention Control flowchart at power-on of refrigerator in embodiment 6 of the present invention Control flowchart of outing detection A of the refrigerator in the sixth embodiment of the present invention Control flowchart of refrigerator usage status determination A in Embodiment 6 of the present invention Control flowchart of outing detection B of the refrigerator in the sixth embodiment of the present invention Control flowchart of refrigerator usage status determination B in Embodiment 6 of the present invention Control flowchart of refrigerator usage status determination C in Embodiment 6 of the present invention Control flowchart of another example in outing detection B of the refrigerator in the sixth embodiment of the present invention Control flow chart of refrigerator usage status determination D in Embodiment 6 of the present invention Operation image diagram of basic defrosting timing of the refrigerator in the sixth embodiment of the present invention Operation image diagram of defrosting timing when the refrigerator returns home in Embodiment 6 of the present invention Operation image diagram when there is time safety in the defrosting time of the refrigerator in the sixth embodiment of the present invention In the refrigerator in Embodiment 6 of this invention, the operation image figure at the time of becoming absent during defrosting Operation image diagram of defrost timing in Embodiment 7 of the present invention Control flowchart according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention Control flowchart according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention Control flowchart according to embodiment 8 of the present invention Control flowchart according to embodiment 8 of the present invention Control flowchart according to Embodiment 9 of the present invention Control flowchart according to Embodiment 9 of the present invention Front view of main parts of conventional refrigerator The figure which shows typically the behavior of components, such as the temperature sensor of the conventional refrigerator.

The invention according to claim 1 is a storage chamber that is partitioned by a heat insulating wall and a heat insulating door and stores stored items, a cooler that cools the storage chamber, a defrosting unit that defrosts the cooler, and the heat insulation. A door opening / closing detection unit for detecting opening / closing of the door, a storage amount estimation unit for estimating a storage amount in the storage room, a storage unit for storing an estimation result of the storage amount estimation unit, and an estimation up to the previous time of the storage unit A calculation control unit that calculates a storage change amount based on a result and an estimation result of the storage amount estimation unit and controls an output operation of the defrosting unit, and the calculation control unit includes the door opening / closing detection unit And a calculation interval of the storage change amount in the storage chamber to control the next operation interval of the defrosting unit. The calculation control unit opens and closes the heat insulating door after the operation of the defrosting unit is completed. If there is no period more than a certain time, or the door open / close detection unit If the storage amount of change in the storage chamber also detects the opening and closing of Kitobira is smaller than that predetermined value is a predetermined time or more is to extend the interval for operating the defrost unit, according to the operating conditions An energy-saving property can be improved, and an easy-to-use refrigerator with improved freshness can be provided while improving energy efficiency.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the storage chamber is provided, and the arithmetic control unit has a certain time elapsed after the operation of the defrosting unit. When the temperature fluctuation of the storage room is below a predetermined value with the base point as the starting point, the interval for operating the defrosting part is extended, and the energy saving performance according to the usage situation including the internal temperature is improved. be able to.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the calculation result of the storage change amount in the storage chamber is in the decreasing direction of the storage amount, the calculation control unit performs the next time of the defrosting unit. The operation interval is extended, and the energy saving performance according to the usage situation can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator 50 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 50 includes a refrigerator body 11. The refrigerator main body 11 is a heat insulating box, and an outer box mainly using a steel plate, an inner box formed of a resin such as ABS, and a space between the outer box and the inner box are provided with a heat insulating material such as urethane. It has a structure that is insulated from the surroundings.

  The refrigerator main body 11 is thermally partitioned into a plurality of storage rooms. A refrigeration room 12 is provided at the top, and an ice making room 13 and a switching room 14 are provided side by side at the lower part of the refrigeration room 12. A freezing room 15 is disposed below the ice making room 13 and the switching room 14, and a vegetable room 16 is disposed at the bottom.

  A door for partitioning with the outside air is formed in the front opening of the refrigerator main body 11 on the front surface of each storage room. In the vicinity of the central portion of the refrigerator compartment door 12a of the refrigerator compartment 12, there is an operation section 17 for setting the temperature inside the compartment, ice making, rapid cooling, etc., and various information to the user. And a display unit 91 which is an example of the notification means.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator 50 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, taken along line 2-2 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of storage shelves 18 are provided in the refrigerator compartment 12, and some of the storage shelves 18 are configured to be movable up and down.

  Also, in the refrigerator compartment 12, an illumination state 19 composed of a lamp, a plurality of LEDs, etc., and a storage state detection composed of a light emitting unit 20, such as LEDs, and a light amount detection unit 21, such as an illuminance (light) sensor. Is provided.

The illumination unit 19 is on the left side so as to be located in front of half of the depth dimension in the refrigerator and in front (front) of the front end of the storage shelf 18 when viewed from the front side of the door opening side in the refrigerator 50. It arrange | positions in the vertical direction at the wall surface and the right wall surface, respectively. Further, the light emitting unit 20 is disposed adjacent to a position close to the illumination unit 19, and the light amount detection unit 21 is disposed at a rear position in the refrigerator compartment 12.

  In addition, arrangement | positioning of the light quantity detection part 21 is not limited to the above-mentioned example, The light irradiated by the light emission part 20 can be received through the stored object 33 (refer FIG. 4) and the structure in a warehouse. As long as it is arranged at the position, it may be arranged at any position in the warehouse.

  The machine room formed in the uppermost rear region in the refrigerator compartment 12 houses the compressor 30 and high-pressure side components of the refrigeration cycle such as a dryer for removing moisture.

  A cooling chamber for generating cold air is provided on the back surface of the freezing chamber 15. The cooling chamber is provided with a cooler and cold air that is cooling means cooled by the cooler, the refrigerator compartment 12, the switching chamber 14, and the ice making chamber. 13, The cooling fan 31 (refer FIG. 3) which ventilates the vegetable compartment 16 and the freezer compartment 15 is arrange | positioned. Further, a radiant heater (defrosting unit 68 (see FIG. 3)), a drain pan, a drain tube evaporating dish, and the like are configured to defrost frost and ice adhering to the cooler and its surroundings.

  The refrigerated room 12 is usually temperature-controlled at 1 ° C. to 5 ° C. with the temperature not frozen as a lower limit for refrigerated storage, and the lowermost vegetable room 16 is equal to or slightly higher than the refrigerated room 12 at 2 ° C. to 7 ° C. The temperature is controlled.

  In addition, the freezer compartment 15 is set in a freezing temperature zone and is normally temperature-controlled at −22 ° C. to −15 ° C. for frozen storage, but for example, −30 ° C. to improve the frozen storage state. In some cases, the temperature is controlled to a low temperature of −25 ° C.

  The ice making chamber 13 is an ice storage container disposed in the lower part of the room by making ice with water supplied from a water storage tank (not shown) in the refrigerator compartment 12 by an automatic ice maker (not shown) provided in the upper part of the room. Store in (not shown).

  The switching chamber 14 has a refrigeration temperature zone set to 1 ° C to 5 ° C, a vegetable temperature zone set to 2 ° C to 7 ° C, and a freezing temperature zone usually set to -22 ° C to -15 ° C. The temperature can be switched to a preset temperature range between the refrigeration temperature range and the freezing temperature range. The switching chamber 14 is a storage chamber provided with an independent door, which is provided in parallel with the ice making chamber 13, and often includes a drawer-type door.

  In the present embodiment, the switching chamber 14 is a storage chamber that can be adjusted to a temperature including the temperature range of refrigeration and freezing, but the refrigeration function is in the refrigeration room 12 and the vegetable room 16, and the freezing function is It is good also as a storage room specialized in switching to the freezer compartment 15 only in the temperature zone of the middle of refrigeration and freezing, respectively. Moreover, it is good also as a storage room fixed to freezing in connection with a specific temperature range, for example, the demand for frozen foods increasing in recent years.

  The operation | movement and effect | action are demonstrated about the refrigerator 50 comprised as mentioned above.

  FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of refrigerator 50 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerator 50 includes a light amount detection unit 21, a temperature sensor 61, a door opening / closing detection unit 62, a calculation control unit 22, a light emitting unit 20, a compressor 30, a cooling fan 31, a temperature compensation heater 32, a damper. 67, a defrosting unit 68 and a display unit 91 are provided.

In order to measure the external environment, an outside temperature sensor 63 and an outside illuminance sensor 72 may be further provided, but are not essential.

  Further, the calculation control unit 22 includes a storage amount estimation unit 23, a temperature information determination unit 70, a door opening / closing information determination unit 71, a comparison information determination unit 24, a change information determination unit 25, a storage unit 64, an operation start determination unit 65, and an operation. An end determination unit 66 is provided.

  In the refrigerator 50 according to the present embodiment, when the door opening / closing operation is performed, the door opening / closing detection unit 62 detects the opening operation or the closing operation, and inputs the signal to the arithmetic control unit 22 configured by a microcomputer or the like to open / close the door. The information determining unit 71 determines the door opening / closing operation. When it is determined that the door is closed, the arithmetic control unit 22 sequentially operates the light emitting units 20 according to a predetermined program.

  The light amount detection unit 21 detects the amount of light in the vicinity, inputs the information to the calculation control unit 22, and the storage amount estimation unit 23 obtains storage information such as the storage amount and the position of the storage item.

  The obtained storage information is compared by, for example, the storage information before and after the door opening / closing operation by the comparison information determination unit 24, and as a result, comparison information is obtained.

  Next, the change information determination unit 25 compares the comparison information with a predetermined threshold value to obtain storage information change information such as the storage amount and the position of the storage item.

  Then, the operation start determination unit 65 of the arithmetic control unit 22 performs start determination of the power saving operation / rapid cooling operation based on the obtained change information, and the compressor 30, the cooling fan 31, the temperature compensation heater 32, the cooling operation, The operations of the damper 67, the defrosting unit 68, and the display unit 91 are determined, and the operation is started. Further, the operation end determination unit 66 of the arithmetic control unit 22 determines the end of the power saving operation / rapid cooling operation, and ends the operation of each component described above.

  Here, operations of the light emitting unit 20 and the light amount detecting unit 21 constituting the storage state detecting unit will be described in detail.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a storage state detection operation of the refrigerator 50 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  Irradiation light 34 a output from the light emitting units 20 disposed on the left and right wall surfaces of the refrigerator 50 irradiates the refrigerator 33 and the stored items 33 stored in the refrigerator 12. Further, a part of the irradiation light 34 a is incident on the light amount detection unit 21 disposed in the refrigerator compartment 12. FIG. 4 shows a region A in which the irradiated light 34a from both the left and right wall surfaces is shielded by the presence of the stored object 33 when the stored object 33 is stored in the refrigerator compartment 12, either one of the irradiated light 34a. Shows a state where a region B where the light is blocked and a region C where neither the left or right irradiation light 34a is blocked are generated.

  In this case, the light quantity detector 21 is in the region B where any one of the irradiation lights 34a is shielded, and detects and outputs the corresponding light quantity. In addition, when the amount of the stored item 33 is large, the area A that is shielded together increases, and thus the amount of light detected by the light amount detector 21 decreases.

  In addition, when the storage amount is small, the area C in which any irradiation light 34a is not shielded increases, and thus the amount of light detected by the light amount detector 21 increases.

  Thus, by detecting the change in the amount of light caused by the presence of the stored item 33 and the difference in the amount of the stored item 33, the light amount detecting unit 21 detects the detection result using a predetermined threshold value set in advance. It is possible to classify the amount (for example, whether it is large or small) of the stored items 33 in the warehouse.

  In addition, the light emission part 20 is used as the illumination part 19 provided in the refrigerator 50, or a new light source and material are provided by using the board | substrate of the light emission part 20 and the board | substrate of the illumination part 19 as well. In addition, the storage state can be detected with a simpler configuration.

  Next, the temperature control operation of the storage chamber of the refrigerator 50 will be described.

  FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are diagrams showing the temperature change with respect to time, showing the operation of the refrigerator 50 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  FIG. 5A shows the temperature change of the refrigerator 50 when the increase amount of the storage amount is larger than the standard, and FIG. 5B shows the temperature change of the refrigerator 50 when the increase amount of the storage amount is smaller than the standard. In addition, a continuous line shows the temperature of the stored item 33 in the store | warehouse | chamber in this Embodiment, and the representative temperature of a storage room, and a broken line shows the temperature of the stored item 33 in the case of performing control of the conventional refrigerator, and the representative temperature of a storage room Shows the time dependency of.

  The set temperature Ko is a preset storage temperature of the stored item 33. It is assumed that the calculation control unit 22 switches the operation state of the refrigerator 50 based on the determination result of the storage amount in the storage amount estimation unit 23 when the increase amount of the storage amount is larger or smaller than the standard. In addition, in order to simplify the description, the types of the storage items 33 are the same. Further, the criterion for “large / standard / low” increase in the storage amount varies depending on the size, configuration, and control method of the refrigerator, and is not limited to the examples shown in the present specification.

  In FIG. 5A, in order to store the stored item 33 in the storage room, it is assumed that the door of the refrigerator 50 is opened, and the stored item 33 such as food is put into the storage room and the door is closed. Then, when the same type of stored items 33 are stored in a larger amount than the standard, the light amount detected by the light amount detection unit 21 is reduced as compared with the standard case. The change information determination unit 25 determines that the amount of increase in the storage amount is large based on the degree of decrease in the detected light amount. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5A, in the conventional cooling operation (broken line), the stored item has a large heat capacity, and in the conventional temperature detection means, a time delay or the like occurs, so the amount of cooling rapidly increases. I can't let you. For this reason, the temperature rises to some extent, and then the cooling amount increases and turns to cooling, and approaches the set temperature Ko. However, since the cooling amount increases, a certain degree of overcooling occurs, and then the temperature stabilizes at Ko.

  On the other hand, the refrigerator 50 of the present embodiment can quickly detect the amount of food input when the door is closed. For example, when an increase over a certain storage amount is detected, the cooling amount is rapidly increased. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the internal temperature and to cool the charged storage article 33 rapidly. In order to prevent overcooling, the amount of cooling can be reduced if the temperature reaches the vicinity of the set temperature. Thereby, an overcooling state can be prevented and power saving can be achieved.

  In addition, when the increase amount of the storage amount is smaller than the standard amount, the detected light amount of the light amount detection unit 21 increases as compared with the standard case. Based on the degree of increase in the detected light amount, the change information determination unit 25 determines that the increase amount of the storage amount in the warehouse is small.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the conventional cooling operation (broken line), the time until the stored item 33 reaches the set temperature is early, and the cooling operation may be performed by consuming more power than necessary. . Moreover, the amount of cooling may be increased by a signal such as door opening / closing, resulting in an overcooled state.

Therefore, the calculation control unit 22 automatically switches to the power saving operation by suppressing the rotational speed of the compressor 30 or reducing the circulation amount of the cold air so that the set temperature is reached within a predetermined time. As a result of this operation, an energy saving effect can be obtained by slowing down the temperature behavior in the cabinet, and noise reduction such as suppression of the rotation speed of the cooling fan 31 can be achieved.

  Next, the storage amount detection control using the light emitting unit 20 and the light amount detection unit 21 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the storage amount detection control of the refrigerator 50 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 6, the arithmetic control unit 22 confirms that the door is closed (S102) when the door opening / closing operation is detected from the normal main control (S100) (S102). If so, the storage amount detection control (S103) is started.

  In the storage amount detection control (S103), the plurality of light emitting units 20 are sequentially turned on (S104), and each time the light amount detection unit 21 detects the light amount and the illuminance and outputs them to the arithmetic control unit 22 (S105).

  Then, storage information of the storage room is obtained by the storage amount estimation unit 23 (S106). Then, the comparison information determination unit 24 compares the storage information before and after the door opening / closing operation, before and after the door opening / closing operations of the past several times, or before and after a certain period of time to obtain comparison information (S107). Then, the change information determination unit 25 obtains storage state change information based on the storage information obtained in step S106 and the comparison information obtained in step S107 (S108). Then, the storage state change information obtained is stored in the storage unit 64 (S109), and a database for a certain period is constructed.

  And based on the database, the calculation control part 22 performs discrimination control of cooling operation (S110).

  Next, a specific example of performing the cooling operation control based on the above-described storage amount detection control will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the cooling operation determination control using the storage amount detection control of the refrigerator 50 in the first embodiment of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 7, a relative evaluation of the storage amount of the storage item 33 is performed.

  In FIG. 7, during the main control (S110), when the door opening / closing operation is detected (S111), the storage detection control (S112) is started.

  Specifically, as shown in steps S104 to S109 in FIG. 6, storage state change information is obtained based on the storage information and the comparison information.

  Next, the arithmetic control unit 22 performs threshold determination for the storage change amount data A obtained from the change information (S113). When it is determined that the storage change amount data A exceeds the preset reference storage change amount B (Yes at S114), the operation start determination unit 65 performs a rapid cooling operation (S116). In the rapid cooling operation, for example, the amount of refrigerant circulation is increased by increasing the number of rotations of the compressor 30, the amount of cooling is increased, the number of rotations of the cooling fan 31 is increased, and the amount of air is increased. An operation such as increasing the opening degree of the damper 67a is performed.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the storage change amount data A is equal to or less than the reference storage change amount B set in advance (S114, NO), the arithmetic control unit 22 sets the reference for the storage change amount data A set in advance. It is determined whether or not the storage change amount C (C <B) is smaller. When the storage change amount data A is smaller than the reference storage change amount C set in advance (S115, YES), the operation start determination unit 65 performs a power saving operation (S117). In the power saving operation, for example, the refrigerant circulation amount is reduced by reducing the rotational speed of the compressor 30 to reduce the cooling amount, the rotational speed of the cooling fan 31 is reduced, the air volume is reduced, or the cold room damper 67a. The operation such as reducing the opening of is performed. In other cases (S115, NO), normal operation is continued (S118).

  If the process proceeds to step S117 or step S118, the process proceeds to temperature detection control (S119). The reference storage change amount B and the reference storage change amount C satisfy the relationship (C <B).

  Further, as the storage change amount data A obtained from the storage amount change information, the absolute change amount, the relative change amount, the change rate, or the change of the received light amount related to the illuminance attenuation in the light amount detection unit 21 before and after the door opening / closing operation. A pattern can be used. When judging based on the change pattern, the storage amount is classified into multiple stages such as “Large / Medium / Small”, for example, and the storage amount before and after opening / closing the door is changed from “Small → Large” or “Small → Medium” It can be determined that the change has occurred, and the arithmetic control unit 22 can adjust the cooling amount in accordance with the storage change pattern.

  In the above-described example, the refrigerator 50 includes the refrigerator compartment 12 which is a storage chamber for storing the stored items 33, which is partitioned by a heat insulating wall and a heat insulating door. The refrigerator 50 includes a storage amount estimation unit 23 that estimates the storage amount in the storage room, and a storage unit 64 that stores the estimation result of the storage amount estimation unit 23. The refrigerator 50 calculates the storage change amount based on the previous storage amount estimation result stored in the storage unit 64 and the storage amount estimation unit 23, and controls the output operation of the electrical functional component. An arithmetic control unit 22 is provided. The arithmetic control unit 22 compares a predetermined threshold value with the storage change amount, determines that the storage amount has changed when the storage change amount exceeds the threshold value, and controls the output operation of the electrical functional component. .

  In this example, when the storage change amount (relative value) exceeds the threshold, it is determined that the storage amount has changed, and output control is performed. As a result, the operating rate is conscious of energy saving (in other words, when the change in storage amount is small, the power-saving operating state with a higher set temperature is maintained), and the energy saving performance during actual use can be improved. . Further, by using the threshold value, chattering of the output operation of the electrical functional component due to frequent ON / OFF operation and tripping phenomenon of the compressor 30 can be prevented. Furthermore, by comparing the predetermined threshold value with the storage change amount and determining that the storage amount has changed when the threshold value is exceeded, it is possible to absorb a specific variation that the storage amount estimation unit 23 potentially has, The output side can be controlled appropriately.

  Further, when the storage change amount does not exceed the threshold value, the calculation control unit 22 may be configured not to change the output operation of the electrical functional component. According to this configuration, when the storage change amount does not exceed the threshold, it is determined that there is no change in the storage amount, and the storage amount of the storage unit 64 before the estimation result of the storage amount estimation unit 23 is maintained. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately cope with small changes (subdivision storage).

  Furthermore, the electrical functional component can include at least one of the cooling fan 31, the damper 67, and the compressor 30 that change the cooling amount in the storage chamber. As a result, it is possible to improve the operation rate in consideration of energy saving, improve the energy saving performance during actual use, and detect the rise in the internal temperature when cooling capacity is required due to increased storage capacity. In comparison, it can catch quickly in real time, and it is possible to suppress the rise in food temperature by quickly increasing the cooling capacity. Furthermore, overshoot (too cold) at the time of load reduction can be suppressed, and energy saving can be improved.

  As specific cooling capacity increase, the rotation speed of the compressor 30 is increased, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 31 is increased, or the opening degree of the damper 67 in the duct is increased.

  Further, when the storage amount increases, it is necessary to increase the condensation capacity of the refrigeration cycle in response to the increase in cooling capacity, and it is desirable to increase the rotation speed of the condenser fan.

  In addition, when the storage amount increases, the temperature in the cabinet also temporarily rises, so a sweating prevention heater or the like provided in the front opening of the refrigerator may reduce the heat generation amount as the storage amount increases. . In this case, further energy saving can be achieved.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of the cooling operation determination control using the storage amount detection control of the refrigerator 50 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the example of FIG. 8, an absolute evaluation of the storage amount of the storage item 33 is performed.

  In FIG. 8, when the door opening / closing operation is detected (S121) during the main control (S120), the storage amount detection control (S122) is started. In the storage amount detection control, storage information is obtained by the storage amount estimation unit 23. In this example, comparison information and change information are not calculated. Therefore, in this example, the comparison information determination unit 24 and the change information determination unit 25 are not necessarily required.

  Next, the arithmetic control unit 22 performs threshold determination on the storage amount data G obtained from the storage information (S123). When it is determined that the storage amount data G is larger than the preset reference storage amount H (S124, YES), the operation start determination unit 65 performs a rapid cooling operation (S126).

  On the other hand, when the storage amount data G is equal to or smaller than the preset reference storage amount H (S124, NO) and the storage amount data G is smaller than the preset reference storage amount I (S125, YES), The operation start determination unit 65 performs power saving operation (S127). In other cases (S125, NO), normal operation is continued (S128). When the process proceeds to step S127 or step S128, the process proceeds to temperature detection control (S129). It is assumed that the reference storage amount H and the reference storage amount I satisfy the relationship I <H.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing still another example of the cooling operation determination control using the storage amount detection control of the refrigerator 50 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  FIG. 9 also shows an example in which an absolute evaluation of the storage amount of the storage item 33 is performed.

  In FIG. 9, when the door opening / closing operation is detected during the main control (S130) (S131), the reference storage amount data J is read from the storage unit 64 (S132).

  At this time, it is assumed that the storage unit 64 stores storage amount data for a certain period (for example, for three weeks). The storage amount data is calculated to calculate the reference storage amount data J.

  Next, storage amount detection control is started (S133), and storage information is determined. Then, threshold determination is performed on the storage amount data K obtained from the storage information (S134). When the storage amount data K is larger than the value obtained by multiplying the reference storage amount data J by a coefficient α (for example, 1.15) (S135, YES), the operation start determination unit 65 performs the rapid cooling operation (S137). . On the other hand, when the storage amount data K is equal to or less than a value obtained by multiplying the reference storage amount data J by a coefficient α (eg, 1.15) (S135, No), the storage change amount data K is the reference storage amount data. When it is smaller than the value obtained by multiplying the quantity data J by a determined coefficient β (for example, 1.05) (S136, YES), the operation start determination unit 65 performs power saving operation (S138). In other cases (S135, NO), normal operation is continued (S139). If the process proceeds to step S138 or step S139, the process proceeds to temperature detection control (S140).

  Here, the coefficient α and the coefficient β satisfy the relationship β <α.

  In the above-described example, the refrigerator 50 includes a storage room that is partitioned by a heat insulating wall and a heat insulating door to store storage items, and a storage amount estimation unit 23 that estimates a storage amount in the storage room based on a reference value that is held in advance. doing. Moreover, based on the estimation result of the storage amount estimation part 23, the calculation control part 22 which calculates the storage amount in a storage chamber and controls the output operation | movement of an electrical functional component is provided. Then, the arithmetic control unit 22 controls the output operation of the electrical functional component based on the predetermined threshold value and the storage amount.

  Thereby, only the part suitable for storage amount estimation can be used for calculation, and optimization of output operation can be achieved. In addition, since an absolute amount can be output, there is no need to take into account variations that occur in time series or relative comparison.

  Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of threshold values are held, the storage amount in the storage chamber is determined into a plurality of groups based on the plurality of threshold values, and the output operation of the electrical functional component is controlled.

  Thereby, the storage amount in the storage chamber can be determined and output to a plurality of groups based on a plurality of threshold values, and the control can be simplified and the usability of the display function can be improved.

  Next, the temperature detection controls S119, S129, and S140 described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing control for determining the cooling operation after temperature detection control in refrigerator 50 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 10, when the temperature detection control is started, it is confirmed whether a predetermined time has elapsed (S141). If it has not elapsed, the system waits until it elapses (S141, NO).

  When the predetermined time has elapsed (S141, YES), the temperature in the refrigerator is detected by the temperature sensor 61 (see FIG. 3). Temperature information is determined by the temperature information determination unit 70 (S143), the determined information is stored in the storage unit 64, and a database for a certain period is constructed (S144).

  Next, a threshold determination is performed on the temperature information data D obtained from the temperature information (S145). When the temperature information data D is higher than the reference temperature E set in advance (S146, YES), the operation start determination unit 65 performs a rapid cooling operation (S148). On the other hand, when the temperature information data D is equal to or lower than the preset reference temperature E (S146, No), and when the temperature information data D is lower than the preset reference temperature F (S147, YES), the operation is performed. The start determination unit 65 performs a power saving operation (S149). In other cases (S147, NO), normal operation is continued (S150). Note that the reference temperature E and the reference temperature F satisfy the relationship E> F.

  With the above operation, automatic rapid cooling and automatic power saving cooling operation corresponding to changes in food storage amount at the time of shopping and usage of the refrigerator can be realized.

  Next, the cooling operation determination based on the determination result of the storage amount change and the temperature change will be described.

  11A and 11B are diagrams showing the relationship between the storage amount change and temperature change of the refrigerator 50 and the cooling operation determination in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIGS. 11A and 11B, normal operation is performed between the reference storage change amount B and the reference storage change amount C, and between the reference temperature E and the reference temperature F, and is not shown. Yes.

  In addition, as shown to FIG. 11A, the storage amount change before and behind door opening / closing is detected and determined, for example, when the obtained storage change amount data A is larger than the reference storage change amount B set in advance. Is cooled rapidly.

  On the other hand, when the obtained storage change amount data A is smaller than the preset reference storage change amount B and the preset reference storage change amount C, the power saving operation is basically performed.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, temperature information obtained by the temperature sensor 61 is detected and determined. For example, when the obtained temperature information data D is larger than a preset reference temperature E, a rapid cooling operation is performed. On the other hand, when the obtained temperature information data D is smaller than the reference temperature E set in advance and the reference temperature F set in advance, the power saving operation is performed.

  The reference storage change amount B, the reference storage change amount C, the reference temperature E, and the reference temperature F may be set for each outside air temperature or storage amount. For example, when the outside air temperature is low, the inside temperature is difficult to rise even when the door is opened or closed or food is put in. Therefore, the reference temperature E or the reference temperature F is increased, and the reference storage change B or the reference storage change C. Energy savings can be realized by setting a large value to make it easier to enter power-saving operation. Conversely, when the outside air temperature is high, the inside temperature rises by opening / closing the door or inserting food, so the reference temperature E or the reference temperature F is set low, and the reference storage change B or the reference storage change C is set small. By making it easy to enter the rapid cooling operation, it is possible to achieve high freshness of the stored items.

  Further, when the amount of storage in the refrigerator 50 is large, the temperature inside the refrigerator is not easily raised even when the door is opened or closed or the food is put in due to the cold storage effect of the food. Energy saving can be realized by setting a large amount of change B or reference storage change C to facilitate power saving operation. On the contrary, when the storage amount in the refrigerator 50 is small, the internal temperature increases by opening / closing the door or inserting food, so the reference temperature E or the reference temperature F is lowered, and the reference storage change B or the reference storage change C. It is possible to realize a high freshness of the stored items by setting a small value and facilitating the rapid cooling operation.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, the setting of the reference temperatures E and F or the reference storage change amounts B and C may be changed in accordance with the storage change amount or the temperature rise in the warehouse.

  For example, the rapid cooling operation is performed when the amount of storage greatly increases due to bulk purchase or when the amount of storage is small but the temperature in the refrigerator 50 is greatly affected, such as storing cooked food after heating in a refrigerator. In addition, although the amount of storage before and after opening and closing the door is small, such as when food is divided into small portions and stored in the refrigerator 50, the temperature in the refrigerator 50 gradually changes, or when the temperature in the refrigerator 50 changes gradually, the refrigerator 50 can be used for a long time. The rapid cooling operation is also performed when the temperature in the refrigerator 50 changes greatly due to the opening of the door. As a result, the stored item 33 is cooled to the optimum storage temperature in a short time, so that high freshness of the stored item 33 can be realized.

  On the other hand, for example, when only checking the contents stored in the refrigerator 50, or when the change in the storage amount is small, such as taking out or returning a drink, and the temperature change in the refrigerator is small, the power saving operation is performed. It can prevent “too cold” and realize optimal cooling operation according to the lifestyle pattern of each household.

In the above-described example, the refrigerator 50 estimates the amount of storage in the storage room, the storage chamber partitioned by the heat insulating wall and the heat insulating door, and storing the stored items, the temperature sensor 61 that is the temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the storage room. And a storage amount estimation unit 23. In addition, the refrigerator 50 is based on input data from the storage unit 64 that stores the estimation result of the storage amount estimation unit 23, the cooling unit that cools the storage room, the temperature sensor 61, the storage amount estimation unit 23, and the storage unit 64. And an arithmetic control unit 22 for controlling the cooling unit. The arithmetic control unit 22 controls the output operation of the cooling unit based on the temperature of the temperature sensor 61 during normal operation, and when it is determined that the storage amount in the storage chamber has changed, the arithmetic control unit 22 has priority over the temperature change. Control part.

  As a result, it is possible to quickly detect the change in the storage amount in real time as compared to the case where only the thermistor is detected, and it is possible to suppress the temperature rise of the food by quick cooling capacity control. In addition, overshoot (overcooling) at the time of load reduction can be suppressed, and energy saving can be improved.

  Next, details of the rapid cooling operation and the power saving operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating the temperature behavior of the temperature sensor 61 when a stored item is charged during simultaneous cooling of the refrigerator 50 in the refrigerator 50 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating the temperature behavior of the temperature sensor 61 when a stored item is charged during cooling of the freezer compartment alone, and FIG. 14 illustrates the temperature sensor 61 when the stored item is charged when cooling of the refrigerator 50 is stopped. It is a figure which shows typically the temperature behavior of.

  There are two methods for rapid cooling operation. One is a method of increasing the air volume in the refrigerator compartment, and the other is a method of reducing the discharge air temperature of the refrigerator compartment. As the first specific means, the cooling fan 31 is rapidly rotated by increasing the rotational speed of the cooling fan 31 or increasing the opening degree of the damper 67 of the refrigerator compartment 12 to increase the air volume of the refrigerator compartment 12. Thereby, since the rotation speed etc. of the cooling fan 31 can be optimized according to the storage condition of each household, power consumption can be suppressed. On the other hand, as the latter specific means, by increasing the rotation speed of the compressor 30, the refrigerant circulation amount is increased, the discharge air temperature of the refrigerator compartment is lowered, and the rapid cooling operation is performed.

  In the power saving operation, the refrigerant circulation rate is decreased by lowering the rotation speed of the compressor 30, and the temperature of the discharged air into the refrigerator is increased. Thereby, since the rotation speed etc. of the compressor 30 can be optimized according to the storage condition of each household, power consumption can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the stored items are charged during the simultaneous cooling a of the freezer compartment, the conventional refrigerator (broken line) has a time difference from when the stored items are detected until the temperature sensor 61 detects an increase in temperature. After the temperature rise is detected, the rotational speed of the compressor 30 is gradually increased, so that it takes time to cool the stored items to the target temperature.

  In addition, the temperature of the cooler rises when the return air (warm air) of the refrigerator compartment 12 returns to the cooler, and the temperature inside the freezer compartment 15 also rises when the temperature of the discharge air heat-exchanged by the cooler rises. Also, there is a problem that the freshness of stored items is lowered.

  The refrigerator 50 according to the present embodiment calculates a storage amount change amount before and after the door opening / closing operation. If the storage amount increase amount is larger than a predetermined threshold value, first, the cooling pattern identification unit of the calculation control unit 22 first performs the cooling pattern at that time. Is the simultaneous cooling a in the freezer compartment, and immediately after that, the rotational speed of the compressor 30 is increased. As a result, the refrigerant circulation rate increases, the cooling capacity increases, and the discharge air temperature of the refrigerator compartment 12 decreases immediately after the storage item 33 is charged. Therefore, the stored material 33 is charged in a shorter time than the conventional refrigerator. Can be cooled to the optimum storage temperature.

  In the refrigerator 50 having the freezer damper 67, the storage amount change amount before and after the door opening / closing operation is calculated, and if the storage amount increase amount is larger than a predetermined threshold, the freezer damper 67 is immediately opened. “Closed” is performed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent warm air from the refrigerator compartment from flowing into the freezer compartment 15 due to the input of stored items. Then, after a certain time, or when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 61 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, or when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 61 of the freezer compartment 15 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. The damper 67 is “closed → opened”.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13, when the stored item 33 is charged during the freezer compartment single cooling b, the conventional refrigerator has a time difference from when the stored item is charged until the temperature sensor 61 detects an increase in temperature. Therefore, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 61 of the freezer compartment 15 may reach a predetermined OFF temperature and the compressor 30 may stop before the temperature sensor 61 of the refrigerator compartment 12 detects an increase in temperature. . After that, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 61 of the refrigerator compartment 12 reaches the open temperature, the damper 67 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is controlled to be “closed → open”. As a result, the compressor 30 and the cooling fan 31 are driven to cool the thrown storage article 33, and it takes time to cool the thrown storage article 33 to the target temperature.

  On the other hand, the refrigerator 50 according to the present embodiment calculates the storage amount change amount before and after the door opening / closing operation, and if the storage amount increase amount is larger than the predetermined threshold, first, the cooling pattern identifying means of the calculation control unit 22 The cooling pattern is identified as “freezer compartment cooling b”, and immediately after that, the damper 67 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is controlled to be “closed → open” to increase the rotation speed of the compressor 30. Thereby, since discharge air flows into the refrigerator compartment 12, the thrown-in storage thing 33 can be cooled to the optimal preservation | save temperature in a short time rather than the conventional refrigerator 50. FIG.

  In the refrigerator 50 having the damper 67 of the freezer compartment 15, the storage amount change amount before and after the door opening / closing operation is calculated, and if the storage amount increase amount is larger than the predetermined threshold, the damper 67 of the freezer compartment 15 is immediately set to “ By performing the control of “open → closed”, it is possible to prevent warm air from the refrigerator compartment 12 from flowing into the freezer compartment 15 due to the loading of the stored items 33. Then, after a certain time, or when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 61 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, or when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 61 of the freezer compartment 15 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. The 15 dampers 67 are operated to be “closed → open”.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 14, when the stored item 33 is inserted at the time of cooling stop c, the conventional refrigerator has the compressor 30 until the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 61 of the freezer compartment 15 reaches the ON temperature. Does not drive. After that, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 61 of the refrigerator compartment 12 reaches the open temperature, the damper 67 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is controlled to be “closed → open” to drive the compressor 30 and the cooling fan 31. Then, since the input storage item is cooled, it takes time to cool the input storage item 33 to a target temperature. On the other hand, the refrigerator 50 according to the present embodiment calculates the storage amount change amount before and after the door opening / closing operation, and if the storage amount increase amount is larger than the predetermined threshold, first, the cooling pattern identifying means of the calculation control unit 22 If the compressor 30 is stopped after a certain period of time (for example, 10 minutes), the compressor 30 is increased regardless of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 61. Driven by rotation, the damper 67 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is operated to be “closed → open”. Thereby, since the refrigerator compartment 12 can be cooled rapidly, ensuring the startability of the compressor 30, the stored goods 33 thrown in in a short time rather than the conventional refrigerator can be cooled to optimal storage temperature.

In the refrigerator 50 having the damper 67 of the freezer compartment 15, when the compressor 30 was stopped, the damper 67 of the refrigerator compartment 12 was “open” and the damper 67 of the freezer compartment 15 was “closed” and adhered to the cooler. Cooling with frost may be performed. At this time, when the increase in the storage amount is detected, the damper 67 of the freezer compartment 15 is kept “closed”, the compressor 30 is started while ensuring startability, and the refrigerator compartment 12 is operated alone. The stored items 33 put in a shorter time than the conventional refrigerator can be cooled to the optimum storage temperature. However, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 61 of the freezer compartment 15 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the operation of setting the damper 67 of the freezer compartment 15 to “closed → open” is performed.

  In addition, in the refrigerator 50 having the damper 67 of the freezer compartment 15, when a stored item is put in during the refrigerator compartment single cooling d, a storage amount change amount before and after the door opening / closing operation is calculated, and the storage amount increase amount from a predetermined threshold value. If there is a large amount, first, the cooling pattern identification unit of the arithmetic control unit 22 identifies that the cooling pattern at that time is the cooling room single cooling d, and then immediately after the cooling room freezing room simultaneous cooling a. The rotation speed of the compressor 30 is increased. Thereby, since the discharge air temperature of the refrigerator compartment 12 falls, the stored goods 33 thrown in in a short time rather than the conventional refrigerator can be cooled to optimal storage temperature. Then, after a predetermined time, or when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 61 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, or when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 61 of the freezer compartment 15 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. The damper 67 is controlled to be “closed → open”.

  The rapid cooling operation described above is canceled by the operation end determination unit 66 after the elapse of a certain time, after the compressor 30 is stopped, or when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 61 of the refrigerator compartment 12 falls below a predetermined temperature. Then, normal operation or automatic power saving cooling operation is started.

  By the above operation, the optimum automatic rapid cooling and automatic power saving cooling operation can be realized according to the cooling pattern of the refrigerator 50.

  As for the automatic rapid cooling and automatic power saving cooling operation in the refrigerator 50 of the present embodiment, it is possible to prioritize functions according to the user's will, such as changing the internal temperature setting or the quick freezing function. .

  The life pattern prediction by the learning function and the start / end timing of the power saving operation in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining life pattern prediction using the learning function of the refrigerator 50 and the start / end timing of the power saving operation in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The learning function in the present embodiment accumulates the obtained temperature information, door opening / closing information, storage information, or storage state change information in the storage unit 64 for a certain period (for example, three weeks), thereby obtaining a certain pattern. The calculation control unit 22 determines that the lifestyle is present. The start and end timings of the power saving operation are determined based on the prediction based on the learning result, and the compressor 30, the cooling fan 31, the temperature compensation heater 32, the damper 67, the defrosting unit 68, the display unit 91, and the like, which are electronic load parts, are determined. Power-saving operation that automatically controls the operation.

  Generally, on holidays, doors are frequently opened and closed, and the heat load in the refrigerator 50 is large. On weekdays, the doors are not opened and closed during working hours, especially in a double-working household, and the heat load in the refrigerator 50 is small. .

  In the example shown in FIG. 15, one hour is considered as one section, and if it is further grouped in 24 sections, it corresponds to one day, and if it is grouped in 168 sections, it corresponds to one week (7 days).

The time during which the internal temperature has continued above the reference temperature E for a certain period of time for one section and the time when the increase in the storage amount has detected the reference storage change amount B or more is stored. Then, the learning results of one week before, two weeks before, and three weeks before the measurement date are extracted, and 2/3 or more of the three weeks is a time zone in which the internal temperature has continued for a certain time above the reference temperature E, Alternatively, if the increase in the storage amount is a time zone in which the reference storage change amount B or more is detected, the time zone is determined and learned as “a large heat load time”. In addition to the internal temperature and the increase in the storage amount, the door opening / closing frequency may be learned. In this case, from the learning result, 2/3 or more of the three weeks is a time when the total number of door opening / closing of the refrigerator compartment 12 and the freezer compartment 15 is a certain number of times or more (for example, 5 times or more) between one section. The time zone can be determined and learned as “large heat load time”.

  Moreover, since the temperature difference between the freezer compartment 15 and the outside of the refrigerator compartment 15 is larger than that of the refrigerator compartment 12 and the temperature inside the compartment is likely to rise by opening and closing the door, 2/3 or more of the three weeks are between one section. Thus, if the total number of times the door is opened and closed in the freezer compartment 15 is a certain number of times or more (for example, twice or more), the corresponding time zone may be determined as the “large heat load time”.

  A general household often lives in a certain pattern on a single day, and also frequently lives on a certain life pattern on the same day of the week as a unit. Considering these, it is very effective to perform the cooling operation of the refrigerator 50, which leads to power saving. The data rewriting is preferably updated in one section time (unit time: for example, 60 minutes), but may be in units of one day or one week.

  And the start end timing of a power-saving driving | operation is determined from the prediction result of a user's life pattern. The power saving operation is performed during the time other than the time zone determined as the “large heat load time” based on the learning result, and the power saving operation is shifted to the normal operation when the “large heat load time” is reached.

  However, as the transition time from the power saving operation to the normal operation, the power saving operation is actually ended and switched to the normal operation before a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour) when the “large heat load time” starts. This is because in the “large heat load time”, for example, it is assumed that the temperature in the refrigerator 50 increases due to frequent opening and closing of a door during cooking time, storage of warm cooked products, and the like. Thereafter, if the internal temperature is equal to or lower than the reference temperature E at the end of the “large heat load time”, the power saving operation is started again.

  Next, a control flowchart of learning operation control will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the learning operation control of the refrigerator 50 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 16, when the learning operation control is started, it is confirmed that the operation is normal operation (S151), and then it is determined whether or not the end time of the “large heat load time” determined from the learning result has been reached (S152).

  When it is determined that it is the end time of the “large heat load time” (S152, YES), it is determined whether or not the current temperature in the refrigerator 50 is equal to or lower than the reference temperature E (S153).

  In step S153, when it is determined that the internal temperature is equal to or lower than the reference temperature E, the normal operation is switched to the power saving operation (S154). On the other hand, if it is not the end time of the “large heat load time” in step S152 (S152, NO), or if it is determined in step S153 that the internal temperature exceeds the reference temperature E (S153, NO), normal operation is performed. (S151).

  Then, it is confirmed that the operation is power saving (S154), and it is determined whether or not a predetermined time before the start of the “large heat load time” has been reached (S155). When it is determined that it is a predetermined time before the start of the “large heat load time” (S155, YES), the power saving operation is switched to the normal operation (S151). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S155 that it is not a predetermined time before the start of the “large heat load time” (S155, NO), the power saving operation is continued (S154).

By the above operation, it is possible to virtually detect the day of the week by patterning and learning the food storage amount change at the time of shopping, the storage status and usage environment of each household, and dividing the data every seven days, for example. Thus, the normal operation is performed only on the day / time on which the heat load of the refrigerator 50 is assumed to be large, and the rotation number of the compressor 30 and the cooling fan 31 is determined on the day / time on which the heat load on the refrigerator 50 is assumed to be small Can be suppressed to prevent “too cold”. Thus, energy saving can be realized automatically according to the lifestyle pattern of each household.

  Next, another example of the life pattern prediction by the learning function and the start / end timing of the power saving operation will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the “bundling purchase date” determination by the learning function of the refrigerator 50 in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 18 uses another learning function in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the prediction of the life pattern which had been, and the start end timing of power-saving driving | operation.

  In the example shown in FIG. 17, the day when the storage amount has increased by the standard storage change amount B or more is determined for each day.

  The number of times of shopping is assumed to be, for example, twice a week due to the increasing tendency of bulk buying in recent years. In this case, as an example, the storage amount increases once on weekdays and once on holidays and is used for cooking on other days, so the storage amount in the refrigerator compartment 12 changes in a decreasing direction to some extent. To do.

  On the bulk purchase date, it is assumed that the temperature in the warehouse becomes higher due to an increase in the storage amount in the refrigerator compartment 12. For this reason, by predicting and learning the “Bulk Purchase Date”, the amount of cooling can be increased on the day predicted as the “Bulk Purchase Date”, and the stored item 33 can be cooled to the optimum storage temperature in a short time. A high freshness of 33 can be realized. In addition, the power saving operation is performed by reducing the cooling amount on the day predicted to be other than the “summary purchase date”. As a result, the amount of cooling can be adjusted in accordance with the storage status and the usage status, so that “too cold” can be prevented, and energy saving can be realized by performing an optimal cooling operation according to the lifestyle pattern of each household.

  Here, a method for determining the “collective purchase date” will be described. For example, if one day is considered to be one section, and further grouped into seven sections, it corresponds to one week (7 days). In the meantime, the day when the storage amount increased by the reference storage change amount B or more is stored. Then, the learning results of one week before, two weeks before, and three weeks before that day are extracted, and if 2/3 or more of the past three weeks is the day when the storage amount increased by the standard storage change amount B or more, The relevant day of the week is determined and learned as a “Bulk Purchase Date”. In the example illustrated in FIG. 17, it is determined that Wednesday and Saturday are “collective purchase dates”.

  Further, the “collective purchase date” may be determined and learned from the amount of decrease from the average storage amount. In this case, the storage amount at regular intervals is stored, the average storage amount of each home is learned from the data for the past three weeks, and the storage amount at that time is greater than the learned average storage amount (for example, 10 %), The next day of the day is memorized, and if 2/3 or more of the past three weeks are applicable, the day of the week is determined as “collective purchase date” and learned.

  In addition, when learning the “Bulk Purchase Date”, it is necessary to divide the period from morning to the next day or from night to the next day as one day. If a clock function is added to the refrigerator 50, it is easy to divide a day, but there is a disadvantage that leads to an increase in cost.

Therefore, it is possible to divide the day by arranging the outside illuminance sensor 72 (see FIG. 3) outside the refrigerator 50 and determining the night from the detection result of the outside illuminance sensor 72. For example, the time when the average illuminance for one hour is less than or equal to a specified value (for example, 5 Lx or less) is determined as the time when bedtime started, and from that time the average illuminance returns to the specified value or more, and the average illuminance is again the specified value The time until the following time is determined as one day.

  By determining in this way, one day can be divided inexpensively and accurately. In addition, since it is assumed that the refrigerator 50 is used less frequently at night and the door opening / closing frequency is small, the determination result is learned by combining the detection result of the door opening / closing detection unit 62 and the detection result of the outside illuminance sensor 72. This makes it possible to divide the day with higher accuracy. It is also possible to detect a change in temperature between day and night using the outside air temperature sensor 63 and calculate one day, and in this case as well, when the outside illuminance sensor 72 is used, the day is divided accurately. Is possible.

  Assuming a “collective purchase date”, it is considered that the user often stores the food in the refrigerator 50 immediately after returning home after shopping. For this reason, the “unused time” when the refrigerator 50 is not used can be determined and learned from the number of times the refrigerator 50 is opened and closed. Thereby, the amount of cooling can be increased from the predetermined time before the “unused time”, and the stored items 33 can be cooled to the optimum storage temperature in a short time. Thereby, the high freshness of the stored item 33 is realizable.

  Next, a method of determining “unused time” will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the number of times the door is opened and closed in one section is stored, for example, the time when the door was opened and closed a certain number of times or less (for example, once or less) in one hour. From the learning results of 3 weeks before the week, if it is a time zone that has only a certain number of times of opening and closing doors per hour in 2/3 or more of the 3 weeks, the corresponding time zone is determined as “unused time” ,learn.

  It should be noted that by arranging the outside illuminance sensor 72 outside the refrigerator 50 and storing the detection result of the outside illuminance sensor 72, the determination accuracy of “unused time” can be further increased. Since it is possible to detect whether the surrounding area where the refrigerator 50 is installed is bright or dark from the output of the outside illuminance sensor 72, it is daytime when the user is likely to be active or less likely You can tell whether it is nighttime.

  The illuminance around the refrigerator 50 is detected by the outside illuminance sensor 72, and the information is output to the arithmetic control unit 22. For example, the time when the average illuminance in one section is less than a specified value (for example, 5Lx or less) is stored. From the learning results one week before, two weeks before, and three weeks before that day, the average illuminance in one section was less than or equal to a specified value (for example, 5 Lx or less) in 2/3 or more of the three weeks. If it is a time zone, the corresponding time zone may be determined as “unused time” and learned.

  As described above, the start and end timings of the power saving operation are determined from the prediction result of the user's life pattern. According to the learning results, on the day determined to be other than “Bulk Purchase Date”, the power saving operation is performed during the time period other than the learned “Large Heat Load Time”, and when the “Large Heat Load Time” is reached, the power saving operation is changed to the normal operation. Transition. This is because the “large heat load time” is assumed to be a high temperature in the refrigerator 50 due to frequent opening and closing of the door during cooking time, storage of warm cooked food, and the like. .

  However, as the transition time from the power saving operation to the normal operation, the power saving operation is actually ended and switched to the normal operation before a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour) when the “large heat load time” starts. Thus, on the day determined to be other than the “Bulk Purchase Date”, the normal operation is performed only during the time when the heat load on the refrigerator 50 is assumed to be large, and the time when the heat load on the refrigerator 50 is assumed to be small is In addition, the number of rotations of the cooling fan can be suppressed to prevent “too cold”. Thus, energy saving can be realized automatically according to the lifestyle pattern of each household.

In addition, on the day determined as “Bulk Purchase Date” based on the prediction result of the user's life pattern, power-saving operation is performed in the learned “unused time” zone, and when the “unused time” ends, power-saving operation is performed. To normal operation. This is because it is highly likely that the user stores the purchased item in the refrigerator 50 immediately after returning home from shopping, and the temperature in the refrigerator 50 is assumed to increase at that time. However, as the transition time from the power saving operation to the normal operation, the power saving operation is actually ended and switched to the normal operation before a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour) after the “unused time” ends. As a result, on the day judged as “Bulk Purchase Date”, in addition to frequent opening and closing of doors during cooking time, etc., as well as temperature rise in the refrigerator due to storage of warm cooked products, etc. As the temperature inside is assumed to be high, compared to the day determined to be other than the “Bulk Purchase Date”, it reduces power-saving operation and secures a sufficient amount of cooling to achieve high freshness of the stored items. be able to.

  Next, a control flow diagram of the learning operation control in the case of learning “Bulk Purchase Date” will be described using FIG.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the learning operation control in another form in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 19, when the learning operation control is started, it is determined from the learning result whether the day is a “collective purchase date” (S 160).

  If it is determined that it is a “collective purchase date” (S160, YES), it is confirmed that the operation is normal (S162).

  Then, it is determined whether the start time of “unused time” determined from the learning result has been reached (S163). When it is determined that it is the start time of “unused time” (S163, YES), it is determined whether the current temperature in the refrigerator 50 is equal to or lower than the reference temperature E (S164).

  When it is determined that the internal temperature is equal to or lower than the reference temperature E (S164, YES), the normal operation is switched to the power saving operation (S165). On the other hand, if it is not the start time of “unused time” in step S163, or if it is determined in step S164 that the internal temperature exceeds the reference temperature E, normal operation is continued (S162).

  When it is confirmed that the operation is power saving (S165), it is next determined whether or not a predetermined time before the “unused time” ends (S166). When it is determined that it is a predetermined time before the end of the “unused time” (S166, YES), the power saving operation is switched to the normal operation (S162). On the other hand, if it is determined in step 166 that it is not a predetermined time before the “unused time” ends, the power saving operation is continued (S165).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S160 that the day is not a “collective purchase date” (S160, NO), the normal operation is confirmed (S172), and the “large heat load time” determined from the learning result is set. It is determined whether the end time has come (S173). If it is determined that it is the end time of the “large heat load time” (S173, YES), it is determined whether the current temperature in the refrigerator 50 is equal to or lower than the reference temperature E (S174).

  When it is determined that the internal temperature is equal to or lower than the reference temperature E (S174, YES), the normal operation is switched to the power saving operation (S175). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S173 that the end time of the “large heat load time” is not reached or the reference temperature E is exceeded in step 174, normal operation is continued (S172).

When it is confirmed that the power saving operation is performed (S175), it is then determined whether or not a predetermined time before the start of the “large heat load time” is reached (S176). When it is determined that it is a predetermined time before the start of the “large heat load time” (S176, YES), the power saving operation is switched to the normal operation (S172). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S176 that it is not a predetermined time before the start of the “large heat load time” (S176, NO), the power saving operation is continued.

  As described above, the refrigerator 50 according to the present embodiment increases the amount of cooling in the time zone in which the storage status and the temperature in the refrigerator 50 are expected to change greatly due to bulk purchases, etc. It can be cooled to the optimum storage temperature in a short time. Thereby, while being able to implement | achieve the high freshness of the storage thing 33, and the amount of cooling can be adjusted according to a storage condition or a use condition, "over-cooling" is prevented and it is in the lifestyle pattern of each household. Energy savings can be realized through optimal cooling operation.

  In addition, a life pattern is predicted from the information stored in the storage unit 64, and a change in the amount of storage in the refrigerator 50 and a temperature increase in the refrigerator 50 are predicted to be small in the life pattern. Determines that the use of the refrigerator 50 is small and the heat load is small. And when this time zone comes, power saving operation is automatically started. Thereby, since the rotation speed of the compressor 30 and the cooling fan 31 is suppressed and “too cold” is prevented, energy saving can be automatically realized according to the lifestyle pattern of each household.

  Furthermore, a life pattern is predicted from the information stored in the storage unit 64, and it is determined that the heat load is large in the time zone in which the increase in the storage amount in the refrigerator 50 is predicted in the life pattern. The power saving operation is automatically terminated before a predetermined time. Thereby, since the thrown-in storage material 33 is cooled to the optimal preservation | save temperature in a short time, the high freshness of the storage material 33 is realizable. In addition, for example, when storing a cold cooked product or the like in the refrigerator 50, or during cooking that frequently opens and closes the door of the refrigerator 50, the amount of cooling is increased by learning and predicting these time zones. Since the cooling operation is performed in accordance with the life pattern, high freshness of the stored items 33 can be realized.

  As described above, the refrigerator 50 includes the storage room partitioned by the heat insulating wall and the heat insulating door to store the storage items, the storage amount estimation unit 23 that estimates the storage amount in the storage chamber, and the estimation results of the storage amount estimation unit 23. And a storage unit 64 for storing. In addition, the arithmetic control unit 22 functions as a storage amount change prediction unit that predicts a change in the future storage amount in the storage room from the data in the storage unit 64, and also predicts future storage amount change data of the storage amount change prediction unit. The output operation of the electrical functional component is controlled based on the above. Further, the arithmetic control unit 22 controls the output operation of the electrical functional component based on the predicted storage amount change data of the storage amount change prediction unit. Thereby, the freshness improvement of the food according to the shopping schedule date and energy saving can be improved.

  Further, the arithmetic control unit 22 determines the storage amount increase prediction date and time of the user based on the storage amount data for a certain period stored in the storage unit 64 and the predicted storage amount change data of the storage amount change prediction unit. presume. And the control which raises the cooling amount in a storage room is performed from the predetermined time before storage date increase prediction date. Thereby, the freshness improvement of a foodstuff can be aimed at reliably by raising the cooling amount in a storage chamber from the predetermined time before storage date increase prediction date (shopping date and time).

  In addition, it is desirable not to increase the amount of cooling (pre-cooling operation) for a certain period after that when the storage amount change larger than the threshold is detected once at the scheduled shopping date and time. Thereby, a power saving operation rate can be raised.

Further, the calculation control unit 22 further stores the internal temperature change data, and based on the storage amount change prediction data of the storage amount change prediction unit and the internal temperature change data, the output of the electrical functional component The operation may be controlled. This makes it possible to predict future changes in the storage amount with higher accuracy.

  Further, when the storage amount estimation unit 23 determines that the storage amount in the storage room is unchanged after a predetermined time after the storage amount increase prediction date and time, the arithmetic control unit 22 decreases the cooling amount in the storage room. Thereby, energy saving property and the freshness improvement of a foodstuff can be made compatible.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the storage state detection unit is provided in the refrigerator compartment 12 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and the refrigerator compartment 12, the ice making chamber 13, the switching chamber 14, and the freezer compartment 15 are provided. And at least one of the vegetable compartments 16.

  In addition, this Embodiment is not necessarily limited to the structure of the refrigerator 50 shown in FIG. 2, The machine room is provided in the rear region of the lowermost store room of the heat insulation box which was common in the past, and the compressor 30 It is also possible to apply to a refrigerator of the type in which

  The refrigerator 50 includes a storage room that is partitioned by a heat insulating wall and a heat insulating door and stores stored items, a deodorizing and sterilizing unit that deodorizes or sterilizes the storage room, and a storage amount estimation unit 23 that estimates the storage amount in the storage room. You may do it. Further, the storage change amount is calculated based on the storage unit 64 that stores the estimation result of the storage amount estimation unit 23, the estimation result of the storage amount estimation unit 23, and the storage unit 64, and the output operation of the deodorization sterilization unit is controlled. An arithmetic control unit 22 may be provided. The arithmetic control unit 22 changes the deodorizing and sterilizing ability of the deodorizing and sterilizing unit when it is determined that the storage amount in the storage chamber has changed.

  Moreover, it is also possible to use the electrostatic atomizer which sprays mist in a storage chamber as a deodorizing sterilization part.

  Thus, by quickly catching a change in the storage amount and performing deodorization sterilization control, it is possible to improve the sterilization / deodorization function according to the change in the storage amount and to optimize the humidity control.

  Moreover, since the electrostatic atomizer can raise the humidity in a store | warehouse | chamber, it can arrange | position in a vegetable room, for example, and can improve a deodorizing sterilization function, raising the humidity in a vegetable room. Furthermore, by arranging it near the cool air return air passage in the vegetable room, nanoe particles with enhanced deodorizing sterilization function can be sent from the cold air return air passage in the vegetable room to all the rooms of the refrigerator via the cooler. The deodorizing and sterilizing function can be enhanced while increasing the overall humidity.

  Moreover, you may provide the deodorizing catalyst and ultraviolet LED with which the cool air circulation path | route which ventilates cool air in a store | warehouse | chamber as a deodorizing sterilization part. And you may control the driving | operation of the ventilation fan or damper which controls the ventilation in a cold air circulation path | route according to storage amount change. Specifically, when the storage amount increases, it is possible to increase both the deodorizing capability and the internal cooling capability by increasing the rotational speed or operating rate of the blower fan. In addition, you may control the opening degree of a damper instead of a ventilation fan.

  In addition, an air path to the deodorizing catalyst provided in the cold air circulation path may be installed in parallel, and the air path may be switched by a damper or the like to control the deodorizing ability.

  Further, a corona discharge device may be used instead of the electrostatic atomizer. In this case, it is possible to improve the sterilization / deodorization function according to the change in the storage amount by deodorizing and sterilizing action by ozone.

The refrigerator 50 further includes a door opening / closing detection unit 62 that detects opening / closing of the heat insulating door. Based on the detection result of the door opening / closing detection unit 62, the arithmetic control unit 22 determines in advance a storage change amount after the heat insulation door closing operation is performed with respect to a storage amount before the heat insulation door opening operation is performed. When the threshold value is exceeded, the output operation of the electrical functional component is controlled.

  Thereby, the storage amount change can be grasped more reliably by comparing the storage amounts before and after the door is opened and closed.

  Further, when the storage change amount does not exceed the threshold value, the storage amount of the storage unit 64 may be maintained and the output operation of the electrical functional component may not be changed.

  In this case, if the threshold value is not exceeded, it is determined that the storage amount has not changed, and the storage amount of the storage unit 64 before the estimation result of the storage amount estimation unit 23 is maintained. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately cope with a small change in the storage amount (subdivision storage).

  Note that the electric functional component whose output is controlled may be a cooling fan or a compressor that changes the cooling amount in the storage chamber.

  Thereby, the operation rate conscious of energy saving can be increased, and the energy saving property at the time of actual use can be improved.

  In the above description, the storage state detection unit has been described as having a configuration including the light emitting unit 20 and the light amount detection unit 21, but the storage state detection unit of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it is possible to use means for detecting the storage status using the inclination of the internal temperature, the current change during the operation of the cooling functional component, or the like.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the present embodiment, only the portions different from the configuration and technical idea described in detail in the first embodiment will be described in detail. In addition, the same parts as those described in detail in Embodiment 1 and the parts that do not cause problems even when the same technical idea is applied can be applied in combination with this embodiment, and detailed description will be given. Omitted.

  The refrigerator 50 according to the second embodiment includes the door opening / closing detection unit 62 that detects the open / closed state of the refrigerator 50, and is described in the first embodiment within a period during which the door is closed. A series of operations of the light emitting unit 20, the light amount detection unit 21, the calculation control unit 22, and the storage amount estimation unit 23 are activated.

  By this operation, the door open / close state detection of the refrigerator 50 is performed, and the light emitting unit 20 and the light amount detection unit 21 are operated after a certain period of time when the door is in the closed state. The influence can be easily avoided.

  When the storage amount changes, first, a series of operations in which the user first opens the door, stores or takes out food, and finally closes the door is always accompanied. For this reason, the storage amount may be detected only after the door is opened and closed. That is, by providing the door opening / closing detection unit 62, the minimum detection operation is sufficient, and the power consumption used by the light emitting unit 20 and the like can be reduced.

  Moreover, in a household refrigerator, door opening / closing detection and interior lighting are associated with each other, and lighting / extinguishing control of the lighting unit 19 in the warehouse is performed according to door opening / closing. By sharing the door open / closed state detection function in this control, it can be realized with a simple configuration without adding new parts.

In the present embodiment, the calculation control unit 22 calculates a predetermined time after the door opening / closing detection unit 62 detects the closing operation of the heat insulating door, and controls the output operation of the electrical functional component.

  Thereby, the storage amount change can be grasped more reliably by comparing after the door is closed and after being stabilized.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  20 and 21 are explanatory diagrams (a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2) of the storage amount detection operation in the third embodiment of the present invention.

  Also in the present embodiment, in the configuration of the refrigerator 50 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, detailed description of the portions to which the same configuration and technical idea can be applied is omitted. Further, the structure described in Embodiments 1 and 2 can be implemented in combination with this embodiment.

  In FIG. 20, the illumination unit 19 is provided on the left and right wall surfaces that are located on the front side of the depth of the storage shelf 18 in front of the half of the depth dimension in the refrigerator as viewed from the front side of the door opening side in the refrigerator. Each is arranged vertically.

  Moreover, the light emission parts 20a-20d are arrange | positioned at equal intervals in the vertical direction at the illumination part 19, and can irradiate uniformly from the upper part in the refrigerator compartment 12 to the lower part. Furthermore, the light quantity detection parts 21a-21d are arrange | positioned in the back position in the refrigerator compartment 12, and detect the light quantity attenuation | damage by the shielding of the light by the stored article 33 mainly. The light quantity detection unit 21 e is disposed on the top surface of the refrigerator compartment 12 and detects light quantity attenuation mainly due to reflection of light by the stored item 33. As the light quantity detection units 21a to 21e, an illuminance sensor, a chromaticity sensor capable of identifying chromaticity (RGB) in addition to illuminance, or the like is used.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 21, even if the light emitting unit 20e is provided on the top surface of the interior and the light amount detecting unit 21f is provided below, the stored amount can be detected with high accuracy. The light emitting part 20e on the top surface is installed on the front side of half of the interior depth dimension when viewed from the door opening side in the refrigerator 50. Furthermore, in this Embodiment, the light emission part 20e of the top | upper surface is arrange | positioned in the back side rather than the door shelves 27a-27c attached to the door rather than the front-end | tip of the storage shelf 18. FIG. By arranging in this way, the front surface (in the optical axis direction) of the light emitting part 20e on the top surface is not shielded by the storage items 33 to the storage rack 18 and the door racks 27a to 27c.

  For the same reason, the lower light amount detection unit 21f is also arranged on the door side with respect to the front end of the storage shelf 18 and on the back side with respect to the door shelves 27a to 27c attached to the door. It is arrange | positioned at the height below the storage shelf 18 of. In addition, the installation surface of the lower light amount detection unit 21f may be any surface such as a side surface or a lower surface inside the warehouse. Further, the positional relationship between the light emitting unit 20e on the top surface and the light amount detecting unit 21f below may be reversed.

  In this way, by irradiating the interior from the top surface and detecting the amount of light below, the light passes to the storage shelf 18 and the door shelves 27a to 27c, so the storage amount is accurately detected. be able to.

  In a storage room that is long in the height direction, such as the refrigerator compartment 12, the light from the light emitting unit 20e on the top surface is difficult to reach the storage items below, so the lower light emitting unit such as the light emitting unit 20d is also used. It is desirable to irradiate the entire chamber.

  In addition, as long as arrangement | positioning of the light quantity detection parts 21a-21f is arrange | positioned in the position irradiated by the light emission parts 20a-20d via the storage thing 33 and the structure in a warehouse, it will be any position in a warehouse. May be arranged. In addition, when high accuracy is not required for the storage amount estimation, it is not necessary to install a plurality of light amount detection units 21, and only one may be used.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of the storage amount detection operation in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  Also in the present embodiment, in the configuration of the refrigerator 50 in the above-described first to third embodiments, detailed description of portions to which the same configuration and technical idea can be applied is omitted. In addition, the structure described in Embodiments 1 to 3 can be implemented in combination with this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 22, in the present embodiment, the air volume adjustment units 28 a to 28 d are arranged at a rear position in the refrigerator compartment 12. The irradiation light 34a output from the light emitting units 20a to 20d irradiates the refrigerating chamber 12 and the stored items 33 stored in the refrigerating chamber 12.

  Further, a part of the output light 34b is incident on the light quantity detectors 21a to 21e arranged in the refrigerator compartment 12, and the light quantity detection result is discriminated based on a predetermined threshold value, whereby the inside of the refrigerator is determined. The amount of the stored items 33 can be classified.

  At this time, a difference occurs in the amount of light detected by each of the storage status detection units 21a to 21e depending on the storage status. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, when the stored item 33 is inserted into the storage shelf 18b, the light amount detected by the light amount detection unit 21a before and after the storage item 33 is input is detected by the other storage state detection units 21b to 21e. It becomes smaller than the light quantity to be. As a result, it is detected that the stored item 33 has been put into the storage shelf 18b, and the amount of the stored item 33 is classified. Thereafter, the air volume adjusting unit 28a adjusts the air volume according to the detected increase in storage, and performs a rapid operation.

  This rapid cooling operation is canceled after a certain period of time, after the compressor is stopped, or when the temperature detected by the refrigeration room sensor falls below a predetermined temperature, and normal operation or automatic power saving cooling operation is performed. Start.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by providing the air volume adjusting units 28a to 28d, it is possible to efficiently cool the surroundings of the stored items, and thus it is possible to realize an optimal automatic quenching cooling operation. .

  In addition, the position of the air volume adjusting units 28a to 28d is not limited to the example of the present embodiment, and may be arranged at any position in the warehouse.

(Embodiment 5)
Next, Embodiment 5 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 23 is a front view of refrigerator 50 in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator 50 of the present embodiment has the functions described in the first to fourth embodiments.

In FIG. 23, the refrigerator main body 11 composed of the inner box 11a and the outer box 11b has a refrigerator compartment 12, an ice making room 13, a freezer compartment 15, and a vegetable compartment 1 in an inner box 11a provided via a heat insulating wall from above.
6 and a switching chamber 14 that can switch the room to multiple temperatures is provided on the side of the ice making chamber 13.

  The refrigerating room 12 with the highest use frequency of storage / removal and the large storage capacity has its front opening blocked by a refrigerating room door 12a which is a double door revolving door pivoted on both sides by hinges. The ice making room 13, the switching room 14, the vegetable room 16 and the freezing room 15 are each provided with a drawer type door.

  The refrigerating room 12 divides the room maintained at the refrigerating temperature vertically by a plurality of storage shelves 18 provided at appropriate intervals, and a water tank for supplying ice making water to the refrigerating room 12 or a chilled temperature is maintained at the bottom. A low temperature chamber 12b is provided.

  Specifically, the upper space of the storage shelf 18 is a storage space for storing food, and in this embodiment, the storage shelf 18a for mounting food stored in the storage space formed in the uppermost stage as the storage shelf 18; A storage shelf 18b for placing food to be stored in the second storage space from the top and a storage shelf 18c for placing food to be stored in the storage space immediately below the storage shelf 18b are provided. The compartment is provided with a water supply tank and a low temperature chamber 12b that maintains the chilled temperature.

  The refrigerator compartment 12 is provided with an illuminating section 19 in which a plurality of LEDs are incorporated at equal intervals in the vertical direction on the front side of the side surface of the storage compartment. On the back side of the storage chamber, a light amount detection unit 21 including an illuminance sensor is installed. A light amount detector 21a is provided above the storage shelf 18a on which food to be stored in the storage space formed in the uppermost stage is placed and on the back wall below the top box 11a. A light amount detector 21b is provided on the back wall above the storage shelf 18b on which the food stored in the second storage space from the top is placed and below the storage shelf 18a.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, the state in which the stored item 33 which is a foodstuff is put on the storage shelf 18b is shown.

  Further, the cool air discharge port 4 is provided above the light amount detection unit 21, and in the vicinity of the upper storage state detection unit 21a, in the vicinity of the cool air discharge port 4a and the lower storage state detection unit 21b. Each is provided with a cold air outlet 4b.

  About the refrigerator 50 comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated below.

  The illumination unit 19 is turned on with the refrigerator compartment door 12a closed. In the warehouse, the light from the illumination unit 19 reaches the light amount detection unit 21a that detects the illuminance of the uppermost storage space via the air. In the middle storage shelf 18b, a part of the light from the lighting unit 19 passes between the storage items 33 and reaches the storage state detection unit 21b that detects the illuminance of the second storage space. Some of the other light rays are absorbed by the storage object 33, and some are reflected and scattered. For this reason, the amount of light on the side opposite to the illumination unit 19 of the stored item 33, that is, the back side of the stored item 33 that becomes a shadow, is dark.

  The higher the stored item 33 is, and the larger the stored amount of the stored item 33 is, the more the light of the illumination unit 19 is blocked. Therefore, the amount of light reaching the light amount detecting unit 21 at the rear decreases. To do.

  Therefore, the light quantity detection part 21 which consists of this illumination intensity sensor functions as a detection part which detects the empty space in the storage space in the storage room without contact.

Then, the amount of light is detected by the light quantity detection unit 21 in this way, and the fact that there is a space that can be stored in the upper stage relative to the middle stage of the storage shelf 18 is displayed on the outer surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12a that is a door. This is displayed on the part 91 (see FIG. 1).

  That is, the display unit 91 that is a recognition unit that displays on the outer surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12a provided on the front side of the refrigerator compartment 12 that is a storage compartment provided with the light amount detector 21 allows the user to store the inside of the refrigerator compartment 12 within the refrigerator compartment 12. The state of the stored items can be notified.

  The user confirms the display shown on the display unit 91 as the recognition means, opens the refrigerator compartment door 12a, and stores in the uppermost storage space where there is little storage 33 displayed without hesitation. Food can be placed on the shelf 18a and the refrigerator compartment door 12a can be quickly closed.

  Moreover, as shown in the storage shelf 18b, the case where the stored item 33 which is a food is stored in the front side of the cold air discharge port 4b, or the case where the stored item 33 is excessively packed is assumed. In such a case, when the light amount detected by the light amount detection unit 21 in the vicinity of the cold air outlet 4 is lower than a predetermined value, the storage space detected by the corresponding illuminance sensor is displayed on the display unit 91 on the outer surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12a. It is displayed that the power increase operation is caused by overloading.

  Here, when the stored items 33 are excessively packed, or when the stored items 33 are stored in the vicinity of the cold air discharge port 4, the stored items 33 become the ventilation resistance of the cold air, and the cold air circulation per unit time. The amount decreases and the time to cool down increases. Further, when the amount of cool air circulation is reduced, the air volume of the evaporator is reduced and the heat exchange amount is reduced, so that the evaporation temperature is lowered and the compressor input is also increased due to the expansion of the high / low pressure differential pressure of the refrigeration cycle.

  In order to maintain the cooling time, it is necessary to increase the number of rotations of the fan that circulates the cool air or increase the rotation of the compressor 30, which also causes a power increase.

  Therefore, by informing the user of the power increase tendency that the amount of power consumption increases, and urging the optimal arrangement of the storage items 33, energy saving can be achieved in actual use of the refrigerator 50. The refrigerator 50 that achieves energy saving can be provided to consumers, which can contribute to CO2 reduction.

  From the above, the opening time of the refrigerator compartment door 12a is shortened, high temperature outside air flowing from the refrigerator compartment door 12a can be suppressed, and energy saving can be achieved. Moreover, since the temporary temperature rise in the refrigerator compartment 12 is also suppressed, the temperature increase of the foodstuff which is the storage thing 33 can also be suppressed, and quality degradation can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since it can be notified by the display part 91 which is a recognition means that it will become electric power increase driving | operation, a user can be alerted to encourage energy saving driving. In addition, as a recognition means, it is not limited to the display part 91, For example, the structure which calls attention with an audio | voice is also possible.

  In particular, the configuration of the present embodiment is more effective than the conventional case when there is a possibility that a wide variety of foods may be stored, such as a household refrigerator.

  The refrigerator 50 according to the present embodiment includes a storage room that is partitioned by a heat insulating wall and a heat insulating door to store storage items, a storage amount estimation unit 23 that estimates a storage amount in the storage chamber, and an estimation result of the storage amount estimation unit 23. And a storage unit 64 for storing. Moreover, the calculation control part 22 which calculates storage change amount based on the estimation result until the last time of the memory | storage part 64 and the estimation result of the storage amount estimation part 23, and controls the output operation | movement of an electrical functional component is provided. Moreover, the arithmetic control part 22 alert | reports the driving | running state of the refrigerator 50 to a user by an alerting | reporting means, when it is judged that the storage amount in the storage chamber changed.

Accordingly, based on the storage amount estimation, for example, the user can be informed of power saving by notifying the user of the state in which the power saving operation is performed (operation state of the refrigerator) or the like.

  Note that the storage amount information may be displayed on the display unit 91 with an indicator such as “packed too much”. When displaying the storage amount in the cabinet, the absolute value estimation of the storage amount by the storage amount estimation unit 23 is suitable.

  Moreover, when displaying the storage amount change in a store | warehouse | chamber, the relative value estimation of the storage amount by the storage amount estimation part 23 is suitable. Thereby, usability can be improved.

(Embodiment 6)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 24 is a front view of refrigerator 150 in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 24, the refrigerator 150 has a refrigerator main body 151.

  The refrigerator main body 151 is a heat insulating box, and has a structure in which an outer box mainly using a steel plate, an inner box formed of a resin such as ABS, and a heat insulating material such as urethane is provided in a space between the outer box and the inner box. And it is insulated from the surroundings.

  The refrigerator main body 151 is heat-insulated into a plurality of storage rooms, and a refrigerator compartment 152 is provided at the top. Below the refrigerating room 152, an ice making room 153 and a switching room 154 are provided side by side. A freezing room 155 and a vegetable room 156 are arranged below the ice making room 153 and the switching room 154, respectively.

  In order to partition the front of each storage room from the outside air, each door is configured as a front opening of the refrigerator main body 151. In the vicinity of the center of the refrigerator compartment door 152a of the refrigerator compartment 152, an operation unit 157 for setting the interior temperature of each compartment, ice making, rapid cooling, and the like is disposed.

  FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along line 25-25 in FIG. 24 of refrigerator 150 according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 25, a plurality of storage shelves 158 are provided in the refrigerator compartment 152, and some of the storage shelves 158 are configured to be movable up and down.

  In the refrigerator compartment 152, there are an illumination unit 159 composed of a lamp, a plurality of LEDs, etc., a light emitting unit 160 such as an LED, which is a means capable of detecting the storage status, and a light quantity detection unit 161 such as an illuminance (light) sensor. It is configured.

  The illumination unit 159 is vertically disposed on the left wall surface and the right wall surface that are located in front of the depth of the interior of the refrigerator 150 and in front of the front end of the storage shelf 158 as viewed from the front side of the door in the refrigerator 150. Arranged in the direction.

  In addition, the light emitting unit 160 is disposed adjacent to a position close to the illumination unit 159, and the light amount detection unit 161 is disposed at a rear position in the refrigerator compartment 152.

  In addition, as long as the light quantity detection part 161 is arrange | positioned in the position irradiated by the light emission part 160 via the stored object 173 (refer FIG. 26) and the structure inside a warehouse, It may be arranged at a position.

In addition, in this embodiment, the matter relating to the main part of the invention described below is a type in which a machine room is provided in the rear region of the lowermost storage room of the heat insulation box, which has been generally used, and the compressor 170 is disposed. You may apply to the refrigerator main body 151. FIG.

  The machine room formed in the uppermost rear region in the refrigerator compartment 152 houses the compressor 170 and high-pressure side components of the refrigeration cycle such as a dryer for removing moisture.

  A cooling chamber for generating cold air is provided on the back surface of the freezing chamber 155. In the cooling chamber, a cooling fan 171 (see FIG. 27) that blows the cooler and the cool air cooled by the cooler to the refrigerating chamber 152, the switching chamber 154, the ice making chamber 153, the vegetable chamber 156, and the freezing chamber 155. Reference) is arranged. In addition, a radiant heater, a drain pan, a drain tube evaporating dish, etc., as a defrosting unit 195 (see FIG. 27) are configured to defrost frost and ice adhering to the cooler and its surroundings.

  The refrigerator compartment 152 is normally set at 1 ° C. to 5 ° C. at the lower limit for freezing for refrigerated storage, and the lowermost vegetable compartment 156 is set at 2 ° C. to 7 ° C., which is equal to or slightly higher than the refrigerator compartment 152. It is set. The freezer compartment 155 is set in a freezing temperature zone, and is usually set at −22 ° C. to −15 ° C. for frozen storage. However, in order to improve the frozen storage state, for example, −30 ° C. It may be set at a low temperature of -25 ° C.

  The ice making room 153 creates ice with water supplied from a water storage tank (not shown) in the refrigerating room 152 by an automatic ice making machine (not shown) provided at the upper part of the room, and an ice storage container ( (Not shown).

  The switching chamber 154 has a refrigeration temperature zone set at 1 ° C. to 5 ° C., a vegetable temperature zone set at 2 ° C. to 7 ° C., and a freezing temperature zone normally set at −22 ° C. to −15 ° C. The temperature can be switched to a preset temperature range between the refrigeration temperature range and the freezing temperature range. The switching chamber 154 is a storage chamber having independent doors arranged in parallel with the ice making chamber 153, and often has a drawer type door.

  In the present embodiment, the switching chamber 154 is a storage chamber including the temperature range of refrigeration and freezing. However, refrigeration is performed by the refrigerator compartment 152 and the vegetable compartment 156, and freezing is performed by the freezer compartment 155, respectively. It is also possible to use a storage room specialized for switching only between the temperature range between the freezer and the freezer. In addition, as the demand for frozen food increases in a specific temperature range, for example, in recent years, it may be a storage room fixed to freezing.

  About the refrigerator 150 comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of the light amount detection operation in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  The operations of the light emitting unit 160 and the light amount detecting unit 161 constituting the means capable of detecting the storage status will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  Irradiation light 174 a output from the light emitting units 160 disposed on the left and right wall surfaces of the refrigerator 150 irradiates the stored items 173 stored in the refrigerator compartment 152 and the refrigerator compartment 152. Further, a part of the irradiation light 174 a is incident on the light amount detection unit 161 disposed in the refrigerator compartment 152.

  In FIG. 26, when the stored item 173 is stored in the refrigerating chamber 152, the region A in which the irradiated light 174a from both the left and right wall surfaces is shielded by the presence of the stored item 173, either one of the irradiated light 174a. Shows a state where a region B where the light is shielded and a region C where neither the right nor left light is shielded are generated.

  In this case, the light quantity detection unit 161 detects and outputs the corresponding light quantity because any one of the irradiation lights 174a is in the area B where it is shielded. In addition, when the amount of the stored item 173 is large, the area A that is shielded together increases, and thus the amount of light detected by the light amount detector 161 decreases. In addition, when the storage amount is small, the area C where any irradiation light 174a is not shielded increases, and thus the detection light amount of the light amount detection unit 161 increases.

  As described above, the light amount change due to the presence of the storage item 173 and the difference in the storage amount of the storage item 173 is detected by the light amount detection unit 161, and the light amount detection result is determined based on a predetermined threshold value. It is possible to classify the amount of the stored item 173 (eg, whether it is large or small).

  Note that the light emitting unit 160 may be used as the illumination unit 159 that is normally provided in the refrigerator 150, or a new light source and material may be provided by using the substrate of the illumination unit 159 also as the substrate of the light emitting unit 160. In addition, the storage state can be detected with a simpler configuration.

  Next, the control operation of the refrigerator 150 will be described.

  FIG. 27 is a control block diagram of refrigerator 150 in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the refrigerator 150 includes a light amount detection unit 161, a temperature sensor 191, a door opening / closing detection unit 192, a calculation control unit 163, a light emitting unit 160, a compressor 170, a cooling fan 171, a temperature compensation heater 172, a damper. 193 and a defrosting part 195 are provided.

  The calculation control unit 163 includes a storage amount estimation unit 162, a storage unit 194, and a timer 196.

  The refrigerator 150 sequentially operates the light emitting units 160 according to a predetermined program after the door is closed, and each time the light amount detection unit 161 detects the light amount in the vicinity. Then, the light quantity information is input to the calculation control unit 163 to perform calculation, and the output value is estimated as the storage amount in the storage chamber and stored in the storage unit 194 as needed.

  And based on the data memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 194, the arithmetic control part 163 performs timely arithmetic processing, and determines the operation timing of the defrosting part 195.

  For example, when the detection output by the light amount detection unit 161 does not change for a certain period or the change width is less than a predetermined threshold, the arithmetic control unit 163 determines that the refrigerator 150 is not used, and performs normal removal. Control is performed so that the defrosting operation is performed at a period longer than the frost period. In addition, using the output data of the other temperature sensors 191 and door opening / closing detection unit 192, the arithmetic control unit 163 further grasps the living state of the person, and the compressor 170, the cooling fan 171, the temperature compensation heater 172, and the like. The damper 193 and the like are operated in a timely manner to perform an energy saving operation, and the defrosting operation is also controlled.

  This will be specifically described below.

  FIG. 28A is a control flowchart at the time of power-on of the refrigerator 150 according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention, FIG. 28B is a control flowchart of the outing detection A of the refrigerator 150, and FIG. FIG. 28D is a control flowchart for going out detection B of the refrigerator 150.

FIG. 28E is a control flowchart of the usage status determination B of the refrigerator 150 according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention, FIG. 28F is a control flowchart of the usage status determination C of the refrigerator 150, and FIG. FIG. 28H is a control flowchart of usage status determination D of the refrigerator 150. FIG.

  In FIG. 28A, when the power of the refrigerator 150 is turned on (S201), as an initial preparation, an initial value (for example, A = 0, B = 0) is set to Flag A and Flag B for determining a defrost cycle based on a storage change. Is set, the timer tc is set to 0, and the defrost cycle td0 is set to a predetermined value (S202).

  Next, it transfers to step S203 and a cooling operation is started and the storage chamber of the refrigerator 150 is cooled to the preset temperature range.

  Next, in step S204, it is determined whether or not the defrosting operation time (defrost cycle td0) has been reached. That is, if the cooling operation time tc after turning on the power has not elapsed td0 time (S204, NO), the normal cooling is continued. On the other hand, when the cooling operation time tc has elapsed td0 hours (S204, YES), the defrosting operation is started (S205). However, at this time, in order to suppress the rise in the storage room temperature due to the inflow of warm air into the storage room assumed after the completion of the defrosting, cooling is continued for a certain period of time before the start of the defrosting to ensure a lower internal temperature than usual. May be.

  In step S205, when the defrosting is started, the compressor 170 is stopped, and for example, the defrosting unit 195 applies heat to the frost attached around the cooler to melt and liquefy it. The liquefied defrost water flows to the lower surface of the cooling chamber and is drained outside the warehouse. Further, when the temperature of the cooler itself rises and the detected temperature of the temperature sensor attached to the cooler or its surroundings detects a predetermined temperature or higher, the defrosting is finished (S206), and step S207 is performed. The process shifts to “outing detection A” which is the normal control.

  Next, “outing detection A” will be described with reference to FIGS. 28B and 28C.

  When entering the normal cooling mode and entering the “outing detection A” mode, as preparations, for example, Flag A for determining the defrost cycle corresponding to the change in the storage amount is set to “1” and the timer tc is set to “0”, respectively. The defrost cycle td1 is set to a predetermined value. Next, in step S213, the cooling operation is started, the timer tc is started, and the process proceeds to the “use state determination A” process in step S214.

  Here, a control flowchart of “use state determination A” will be described with reference to FIG. 28C.

  When the usage status determination A starts, it is determined in step S232 whether or not FlagA is “1”. If Flag A is “1” (S232, YES), it is determined that there is no change in the storage amount during the period, and the process proceeds to step 233. If Flag A is other than “1” (S232, NO), it is determined that the storage amount has changed during the period, and the storage amount change determination is not performed, and the usage status determination A is terminated.

  When the process proceeds to step S233, whether the storage change amount ΔM, which is the difference between the reference storage amount stored in the storage unit 194 and the latest storage amount, is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold Mc. Determined.

When it is determined that the storage change amount ΔM is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value Mc (S233, YES), the process proceeds to step S234. In step S234, since the storage change amount is equal to or less than the threshold value, it is determined that the storage amount has not changed because there is no human life (absence), and Flag A is set to “1” as it is, and the usage status determination A Exit. On the other hand, if the storage change amount ΔM is larger than the predetermined threshold Mc (S233, NO), the process proceeds to step S235, where it is determined that the storage amount has changed, that is, the user is at home. Then, Flag A is set to “0”, and the usage status determination A is terminated.

  By distinguishing the change in the storage amount in this way, it is possible to determine whether the user is at home or not, and to make a database of this, thereby determining the absence for a long period of time.

  Returning to FIG. 28B, when the process proceeds from “Usage status determination A” in step S214 to step S215, it is determined whether or not the defrost timing has been reached (S215). If it is determined that the timer tc has exceeded the defrost cycle td1 (S215, YES), the process proceeds to step S216 and the defrost operation is started. Specifically, the arithmetic control unit 163 stops the compressor 170 and starts energization to the defrosting unit 195. When the defrosting is started, the defrosting unit 195 heats and melts and liquefies the frost adhering around the cooler. And the frost adhering to a cooler melt | dissolves and liquefies, and defrost water flows from a cooler to a cooling chamber lower surface. Further, when the temperature of the cooler itself rises and a temperature sensor attached to the cooler or its surroundings detects a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the defrosting is terminated (S218).

  Even during the defrosting operation, the “use state determination A” process described above is operated to determine a change in the storage amount (S217).

  After the defrosting is completed, the process proceeds to step S219, where it is continuously determined that the storage change amount ΔM is less than the threshold, and when FlagA is set to “1” (S219, YES), the absence state continues. The process proceeds to the “outing detection B” process in step S220. On the other hand, if it is determined that the storage amount change amount ΔM is larger than the threshold value Mc and “0” is set in FlagA (S219, NO), the process proceeds to the “outing detection A” process in step S221. In this case, the “outing detection A” process described above is performed again.

  Next, the “outing detection B” process for determining the extension of the defrost cycle will be described with reference to FIGS. 28D to 28F.

  As the condition for shifting to the “outing detection B” process, as described in the control flowchart described above, the storage amount change ΔM after the end of the previous defrosting is smaller than the threshold value Mc, and there is no human life and is absent. It is assumed that there is little change in storage.

  When the “outing detection B” process is started, in step S252, as preparation, an initial value “1” and a timer tc “0” are set in FlagB for determining the defrost cycle determined by the storage change. In step S253, the cooling operation is started, and in step S254, the “use state determination B” process is controlled.

  Here, the “use state determination B” process will be described with reference to FIG. 28E. When the process proceeds to the “use state determination B” process, the process proceeds to step S272, where it is determined whether FlagB is “1”. If FlagB is “1” (S272, YES), it is determined that there is no change in the storage amount in the past, and the process proceeds to step S273. On the other hand, if FlagB is other than “1” (S272, NO), it is determined that there has been a change in the storage amount in the past, and the storage state change determination is not performed, and the usage status determination B is terminated.

When the process proceeds to step S273, it is determined whether or not the storage change amount ΔM between the reference storage amount and the latest storage amount stored in the storage unit 194 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold Mc. The If the storage change amount ΔM is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold Mc (S273, YES), the process proceeds to step S274, and FlagB is “1” as it is (FlagA is also “1”). B "process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the storage change amount ΔM is larger than the predetermined threshold Mc (S273, NO), the process proceeds to step S275, where there is a change in storage, that is, the user is at home (returns home) and the refrigerator 150 It is determined that there has been a change in storage due to the use of the flag, flag A and flag B are set to “0”, and the use status determination B is terminated.

  In this way, when the storage state in the storage chamber is detected and the storage change does not continue (less), it can be determined that there is no storage change because the refrigerator is not used due to the absence, and by accumulating these information Long absence can be determined.

  Returning to FIG. 28D, when the “use state determination B” process in step S254 ends, it is determined in step S255 whether or not the defrost timing has been reached. If the timer tc exceeds the defrost cycle td1 (S255, YES), the process proceeds to step S256. On the other hand, when the timer tc is equal to or shorter than the defrost cycle td1 (S255, NO), the “usage status determination B” (S254) process is repeatedly performed.

  If the timer tc exceeds td1 in step S255, the process proceeds to step S256, and it is determined whether FlagB is “1”. If Flag B is “1”, it is determined that there is no change in the storage amount and the absence state continues, and the process proceeds to step S257. In step S257, the defrost cycle td1 is extended to td2 (for example, what was normally 14 hours is extended to 26 hours, etc.).

  On the other hand, if Flag B is other than “1” in step S256, it is determined that there has been a change in storage after the start of “outing detection B” control, that is, the home state has been changed, and the process immediately proceeds to step S265. To start defrosting. And after defrosting normally, defrosting is complete | finished by step S266, and it transfers to the "outing detection A" process of step S267.

  When the defrost cycle is extended in step S257, the process proceeds to the “use state determination C” process in step S258.

  Here, the “use state determination C” process will be described with reference to the control flowchart of FIG. 28F. When the process proceeds to the “use state determination C” process, is the storage change amount ΔM between the reference storage amount and the latest storage amount stored in the storage unit 194 equal to or less than a predetermined threshold Mc in step S282? It is determined whether or not. When the storage change amount ΔM is equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold Mc (S282, YES), the usage status determination C is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the storage change amount ΔM is larger than the predetermined threshold Mc (S282, NO), the process immediately proceeds to step S284, the defrosting operation is performed, and after completion (S285), the “outing detection A” process (S286).

  In the above description, the defrosting has been described as a control that immediately performs the defrosting operation. However, if the cooling capacity of the cooler is estimated and there is some remaining capacity even if the defrosting is not performed immediately, the start of the defrosting is performed. As it is, it may be extended to the timing of the defrost cycle td2.

  Returning to FIG. 28D, when the “use state determination C” process in step S <b> 258 ends, the arithmetic control unit 163 determines whether or not the timer tc exceeds the defrost cycle td <b> 2. If not exceeded (NO at S259), the “use status determination C” process is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the timer tc exceeds the defrost cycle td2, the process proceeds to step S260 and the defrost operation is started. During defrosting, the process proceeds to step S261 in FIG. And if defrosting is complete | finished by step S262, it will transfer to step S263. In step S263, it is determined whether FlagB is “1”.

  If Flag B for determining the defrost cycle determined by the change in the storage amount is “1” (S263, YES), it is determined that the absence is continuing, and the process proceeds to “outing detection B” processing. On the other hand, if Flag B is other than “1” (S263, NO), it is determined that the absence state has been resolved, and the process proceeds to “outing detection A” processing (S267).

  Regarding “outing detection B” processing, FlagB is set, but program design using only FlagA is also possible. Next, the control will be described using the control flowchart of FIG. 28G.

  When it is determined that the user is absent due to the determination in step S219 in FIG. 28B and the process proceeds to the “outing detection B” process, the process proceeds to the control flow in FIG. 28G.

When the “outing detection B” process is started, the timer tc is set to “0” and the defrost cycle td2 (defrost cycle when going out) is set to a predetermined value in step S302. (FlagA is set to “1” from the previous routine)
Next, when the cooling operation is started in step S303, the “use state determination A” process described in FIG. 28C is performed (S304).

  Next, in step S305, the timer tc and the normal defrost cycle td1 are compared. If the timer tc does not exceed the defrost cycle td1 (S305, NO), the “usage status determination A” process (S304) continues. If the timer tc exceeds the defrost cycle td1 (S305, YES), the process proceeds to the “use state determination D” process in step S306.

  Here, the “use state determination D” process in step S306 will be described with reference to FIG. 28H.

  When the process proceeds to “usage status determination D”, it is determined in step S322 whether or not Flag A for determining the defrost cycle determined by the storage change is “1”.

  When Flag A is “1” (S322, YES), the process proceeds to step S323. In step S323, it is determined whether the storage change amount ΔM between the storage amount stored in the storage unit 194 and the latest storage amount is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold Mc.

  If the storage change amount ΔM is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold Mc (S323, YES), the “use state determination D” process is terminated. If the storage change amount ΔM is larger than the predetermined threshold value Mc, the process proceeds to step S325, the defrosting operation is performed, and after completion (S326), the process proceeds to the “outing detection A” process (S327).

  If Flag A is other than “1” in Step S322 (S322, NO), it is determined that there is a change in the storage amount, the process proceeds to Step S325, a defrosting operation is performed, and after completion (S326), “Outing detection A "Transfer to processing.

  Returning to FIG. 28G, when the “use state determination D” process ends, the process proceeds to step S307, and it is determined whether or not the timer tc exceeds the defrost cycle td2.

  If the timer tc does not exceed the defrost cycle td2 (S307, NO), the “usage status determination D” process is repeated. On the other hand, when the timer tc exceeds the defrost cycle td2 (S307, YES), the process proceeds to step S308 and defrosting is started.

  In step S308, defrosting is started, and in step S309, “usage status determination A” processing is performed until defrosting is completed in step S310.

  After the completion of the defrosting in step S310, the process proceeds to step S311 and it is determined whether or not FlagA for determining the defrosting cycle determined by the storage change is “1”. When Flag A is “1” (S311, YES), it is determined that the absence state continues, and the process proceeds to “Outing detection B” (S312). On the other hand, if Flag A is not “1” (S 311, NO), it is determined that the absence state has been resolved and the user is at home, the process proceeds to step S 313, and the process goes to “outing detection A” process.

  As described above, according to the refrigerator 150 of the present embodiment, if there is little change in storage, the frequency of use of the refrigerator is low even if a person is not living, that is, absent or at home. It is judged that there are few, and the state continues for a predetermined time. In addition, when it is judged that there is little frost attached to the cooler and there is sufficient cooling capacity, the defrosting operation is automatically cut (reduced) to reduce the power consumed by the heater and the like and increase the internal temperature. Can be prevented. Thereby, energy conservation can be achieved, and furthermore, the freshness can be improved by suppressing temperature fluctuation.

  Next, the operation image of the defrosting timing will be described with reference to FIGS. 29A to 29D. FIG. 29A is an operation image diagram of the basic defrosting timing of the refrigerator 150 according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention, FIG. 29B is an operation image diagram of the defrosting timing when the refrigerator 150 returns home, and FIG. FIG. 29D is an operation image diagram when there is a time safe in the defrosting time of the refrigerator 150, and FIG. 29D is an operation image diagram when the refrigerator 150 is absent during the defrosting.

  When a person goes out on a trip or homecoming, it can be assumed that the refrigerator doors are opened and closed and food is taken in and out before departure. For this reason, a certain amount of frost adheres to the cooler, and in some cases, a large amount of frost that impedes cooling may adhere. Assuming that the trip has started at point A in FIG. 29A, the storage amount change after that is extremely small, and the door is not basically opened and closed until the user returns home. When a certain period of time has elapsed, defrosting is started at point B, and the defrosting heater that is the defrosting unit 195 is energized and heated to melt and drain the frost. After the defrosting at point B, the cooler returns to a state without frost.

  Next, the cooling operation is performed between the BC points. During this time, since the user is absent, the door is not opened and closed, and the amount of frost adhering to the cooler is extremely small. However, the interval between the points AB is extremely short, and if there is a lot of food input or door opening / closing before defrosting, the storage room temperature after defrosting at point B is relatively high, The amount of water vapor contained in the storage chamber is also large. For this reason, although it is sufficiently cooled to the set temperature in the cooling operation after point B, most of the water vapor dehumidified and cooled in the storage chamber may adhere to the cooler as frost.

  For this reason, after the cooling operation between the BC points, if the normal defrost cycle is reached, the defrost operation is performed as usual, and the remaining frost is removed. If the absence state continues at this point C, the inside temperature can be sufficiently cooled, and the cooler can be cooled to point D while maintaining sufficient cooling performance by cooling operation between points CD. It can be carried out.

  When the absence state continues between the CD points and the defrost timing D point is reached, the refrigerator 150 of the present embodiment continuously detects that there is no change in storage, and thus the absence state continues. If it is determined that the cooling capacity is sufficient, the defrosting operation at point D is cut. By continuing the cooling operation, the heater input can be reduced and the rise in the internal temperature due to defrosting can be suppressed. Thereby, energy saving can be achieved, and cooling performance can be reliably ensured by reliably performing the defrosting operation at the extended E point.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 29B, when the user returns home somewhere between the DE points and then detects that the storage amount of the refrigerator 150 has changed, the defrosting operation is immediately performed at the X point. The cooling amount is secured, the defrosting operation is performed after returning to the normal defrost cycle td1 and reaching the point Y.

  However, when the cooling capacity is still sufficient at the point X and there is little possibility of insufficient cooling, the defrosting operation may be postponed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 29C, some extremely high load may enter the storage room before departure or a large amount of frost may adhere to the cooler. At this time, there is no door opening / closing after the point A ′ of the departure from the trip, but there is already a large amount of frost formation, and in the defrosting at the point B ′, an upper limit value of a predetermined defrosting time (for example, 60 minutes) However, the predetermined temperature may not be reached and defrosting may end. In this case, for example, the next defrost cycle can be set to tds shorter than td1, and the cooling operation can be performed up to the point C ′.

  Next, the defrosting operation is performed at the point C, and when the defrosting time is finished within the determined time, the cooling operation is performed again at the normal cycle td1. Then, the defrosting operation is performed again at the point D ′, and the defrosting operation is continued twice, and when the storage amount change is small, the defrosting cycle is changed to td2 and the cooling operation is continuously performed. Do.

  If there is a door opening / closing before the point E ′, the defrost cycle is returned to td1, and the defrosting operation is performed when the point E ′ is reached. If there is a change in storage between the points E′F ′, the defrosting operation is immediately performed when the storage change is detected. If there is no storage change up to the point F ′, the defrosting operation is performed at the timing of the point F ′. That is, energy saving is achieved by cutting the defrosting operation normally performed at the point E ′.

  Furthermore, as shown to FIG. 29D, when a user departs for a trip during defrosting, there is a possibility that food was thrown into the door opening / closing or storage room during defrosting. In such a case, the defrosting operation is normally performed twice at the points B ″ and C ″, and when it is determined that the absence is continuing, the defrosting operation at the next D ″ point is cut and the cooling is performed. Continue driving.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the amount of frost attached to the cooler is small and energy saving is achieved by suppressing the defrosting operation performed with a high heater input or the like despite having sufficient cooling capacity. be able to. Moreover, since a temperature rise can be prevented, freshness can be improved.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, the frequency | count of a defrost can be reduced and temperature fluctuation can also be suppressed by extending a defrost period. As a result, the freshness is improved and the number of operations is reduced, so that the temperature increase of the defrosting unit 195 and peripheral members can be reduced, and the reliability is also improved.

  In this embodiment, the storage change is detected and the defrosting operation is controlled to save energy. For example, slow cooling is performed by reducing the rotation speed of the compressor 170 and the rotation speed of the cooling fan 171. It is possible to further save energy by performing the above or by reducing the number of times the compressor 170 is turned on / off.

  Furthermore, when the user is absent, it is considered that there is no increase in the temperature of the food due to the opening and closing of the door, so it is possible to set the set temperature of the storage room higher than usual (about 1K higher), This can further save energy.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although a user's absence detection is performed using storage amount change, this invention is not limited to this example. For example, if the output value of the illuminance sensor installed on the exterior of the door, such as a door opening / closing operation or an indoor illuminance change, suddenly changes, human actions such as lighting or opening a curtain When it is detected, the absence state may be detected by a change in the temperature sensor of the installation environment due to turning on the air conditioner. In this case, it is possible to more accurately detect human lifestyle.

  In the present embodiment, the value of Flag is set to “0” or “1”, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, “1” indicating no change, “2” indicating increase, and “0” indicating decrease may be set. In this case, the cooling operation can be performed more finely.

  In the present embodiment, Flag is set to “0” or “1”, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, it is good also as an analog detection output value (For example, the value which converted the voltage value of 0-5V). In this case, since the storage level can be detected more finely, fine control according to the amount of food and the amount of change becomes possible.

  In this Embodiment, a human behavior pattern is estimated, the use condition of a refrigerator is estimated, and a defrost cycle and an applied voltage are changed according to it. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the freshness of the stored item 173 by setting an optimum defrosting cycle and an applied voltage of the defrosting unit 195, reducing wasteful heating, saving energy, and suppressing temperature fluctuation. it can.

  In addition, when the change in the storage amount is smaller than a predetermined threshold, the interval for operating the defrosting unit 195 is extended. In this case, it is determined that there is little human motion, that is, absence, and the defrost cycle is extended when this state is maintained for a certain period or longer. Thereby, useless heating of the defrosting part 195 can be reduced, energy saving can be achieved, temperature fluctuation can be suppressed, and freshness can be maintained.

  Furthermore, when the door is not opened or closed for a certain period of time after the operation of the defrosting unit 195, the defrosting unit 195 is changed when the storage amount during that period is less than the predetermined threshold. Extend the operating interval. As a result, the human behavior pattern can be grasped and predicted with higher accuracy, and the absence can be determined with higher accuracy, so that further energy saving can be achieved.

  In addition, the temperature fluctuation of the storage room is below a certain threshold value after a certain period of time has elapsed after the operation of the defrosting unit 195, or the storage amount changes from the predetermined threshold value during that time. When there is little, the space | interval which operates the defrosting part 195 is extended. As a result, by grasping the heat load that is inherently important for the refrigerator 150, it is possible to grasp the usage status with higher accuracy. Therefore, when it is absent, the defrost cycle can be extended to further save energy.

  Furthermore, the storage status detection means is composed of a light source and an optical sensor installed in the storage chamber. As a result, the light emitted from the light source is repeatedly reflected in the storage room and travels throughout the interior and enters the optical sensor, so that the storage state can be detected with a simple configuration with a small number of components.

  Further, when the light source of the storage state detection means is also used as interior lighting, the storage state can be detected with a simple configuration without providing a new light source.

  Furthermore, when the light source of the storage state detection means is composed of a plurality of LEDs, high-luminance light enters the optical sensor, so that the detection sensitivity of the optical sensor depending on the storage state can be increased. Further, by turning on a plurality of LEDs at different positions, the detection value of the optical sensor changes depending on the housed state and the LED to be turned on, so that the housed state can be estimated in more detail.

  Refrigerator 150 in the present embodiment includes a storage chamber that is partitioned by a heat insulating wall and a heat insulating door and stores stored items, a cooler that cools the storage chamber, and a defrosting unit 195 that defrosts the cooler. . The refrigerator 150 includes a storage amount estimation unit 162 that estimates the storage amount in the storage room, and a storage unit 194 that stores the estimation result of the storage amount estimation unit 162. The storage unit 194 includes a calculation control unit 163 that calculates the storage change amount based on the previous estimation result of the storage unit 194 and the estimation result of the storage amount estimation unit 162 and controls the output operation of the defrosting unit 195. . The calculation control unit 163 controls the interval at which the defrosting unit 195 is operated next time from the calculation result of the storage change amount in the storage chamber.

  In addition, when the storage change amount in the storage chamber does not exceed a predetermined threshold value within a predetermined time, the arithmetic control unit 163 determines that the storage amount does not change and the defrosting unit 195 operates next time. Is extended.

  Thereby, when a storage amount change is small, a defrost cycle can be extended and energy-saving property can be improved.

  The refrigerator 150 includes a door opening / closing detection unit 192 that detects opening / closing of the heat insulating door. The calculation control unit 163 extends the interval at which the defrosting unit 195 is operated when the period during which the heat insulation door is not opened and closed is longer than a certain time with the operation after the defrosting unit 195 as a base point.

  Thereby, detection accuracy improvement can be aimed at by using door opening and closing as a trigger.

  The refrigerator 150 includes a temperature sensor 191 that is a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the storage room. Arithmetic control part 163 extends the interval which operates defrosting part 195 when the temperature change of a storage room is below a predetermined value on the basis of when a fixed time passes after operation of defrosting part 195.

  Thereby, the detection accuracy can be further improved by considering the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means.

  Moreover, the calculation control part 163 can also extend the space | interval which makes the defrosting part 195 operate | moving next time, when the calculation result of the storage change amount in a storage room is the reduction direction of storage amount.

  As a result, when the calculation result of the storage change amount in the storage chamber is in the decreasing direction of the storage amount, it is determined that the load is reduced. Further improvement can be achieved.

  Although the present embodiment has been described assuming the absence of travel or the like, the same applies to a case where the frequency of refrigerator use at a temporary home is low (the door is opened and closed slightly but the amount of storage is small). Arithmetic control can be performed. As a result, it is possible to cope with the case where there is no door opening / closing by the door opening / closing detection unit and there is little change in the amount of storage although there is some door opening / closing, and further energy saving is improved. Can do.

(Embodiment 7)
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 30 is an operation image diagram of the defrosting timing in the seventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 31A and 31B are control flowcharts in the same embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, detailed description will be made mainly on parts different from the configuration described in the above-described sixth embodiment, and a portion having the same configuration as that of the sixth embodiment and a portion to which the same technical idea can be applied. Detailed description is omitted. Further, the structure described in Embodiment 6 can be implemented in combination with this embodiment.

  Generally, when a house is absent due to travel or homecoming, the amount of food in the refrigerator 150 tends to decrease during the process up to the departure date. This is because foods have a shelf life, and if they are absent for a long period of time, food that exceeds the shelf life is more likely to be stored and must be discarded. In order to prevent this, the tendency to use up food efficiently before going out is remarkable, so that the food stored in the storage room tends to be less than usual.

  Therefore, during the period of normal use, the storage amount is sequentially detected and calculated, and the result is stored in the storage unit 194 and converted into a database to calculate the reference storage amount Ms.

  Then, for example, when there is a long-term absence such as overseas trip, homecoming, long-term business trip, etc., the storage amount in the storage room is detected to be a storage amount Mb smaller than the amount normally used before that.

  At this time, the difference ΔMd between the storage amount Mb and the reference storage amount Ms and a predetermined outing determination storage amount Mo (for example, a fixed value. Or a value obtained by multiplying the reference storage amount Ms by α (for example, 0.8)). ) And the difference ΔMe in the reference storage amount Ms. At this time, if ΔMd is larger than ΔMe, it is determined that there is a possibility of going out, and the process proceeds to “outing detection” processing. In other cases, the cooling operation is performed as usual. When the “outing detection” process is performed, energy saving can be achieved by performing the defrosting control described above and cutting the defrosting operation.

  Here, description will be given using the control flowcharts of FIGS. 31A and 31B. Since the outline has been described with reference to FIG. 28B and FIG. 28C, the description of the overlapping portion is omitted, and only the detailed portion will be described.

  In the “outing detection A” process of FIG. 31A, various parameters are set in step S212. Next, in step S213, the timer tc is started, and the process proceeds to step S222.

  In step S222, the difference ΔMd between the current calculated storage amount Mb and the reference storage amount Ms is compared with the difference ΔMe between the current calculated storage amount Mb and the outing determination storage amount Mo. If ΔMd is larger than ΔMe (S222, YES), it is used differently from normal operation, and FlagA remains “1” because there is a high possibility of going out (S223).

  On the other hand, if ΔMe is greater than or equal to ΔMd (S222, NO), it is determined to be a normal usage method and at home, and FlagA is set to “0” (S224). Step S214 and subsequent steps are the same as those described in Embodiment 6 with reference to FIG. 28B.

  Another processing flow will be described with reference to FIG. 31B.

  In FIG. 31B, when usage status determination A starts, it is determined in step S232 whether Flag A is “1”.

  When Flag A is “1” (S232, YES), the process proceeds to step S239. In step S239, the difference ΔMd between the current calculated storage amount Mb and the reference storage amount Ms is compared with the difference ΔMe between the current calculated storage amount Mb and the outing determination storage amount Mo. If .DELTA.Md is larger than .DELTA.Me (S239, YES), the usage is different from normal, and it is determined that the user is likely to have gone out, and the routine proceeds to step S233, where the amount of change in storage .DELTA.M. Is equal to or less than the preset threshold value Mc, FlagA remains “1” in step S234. If ΔMe is equal to or greater than ΔMd (S239, NO), and if the change amount ΔM of the storage amount is larger than a preset threshold value Mc (S233, NO), it is determined that the user is at home by the normal usage method. Then, the process proceeds to step S235, FlagA is set to “0”, the “use state determination A” process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the main routine.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by calculating and standardizing the normal storage status, it is determined that the storage status is reduced from the assumed storage status, and the defrosting is performed. Energy saving can be achieved by controlling operation and the like.

(Embodiment 8)
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  32A and 32B are control flowcharts in Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

  Note that the structure described in Embodiments 6 and 7 can be implemented in combination with this embodiment.

  When the process proceeds to the “outing detection A” process of FIG. 32A, various parameters are set in step S332. Specifically, the door opening / closing number Dn is set to “0”, FlagA is set to “1”, the timer tc is set to “0”, and the defrost cycle td1 is set to a predetermined value. Next, the process proceeds to step S213, the timer tc is started, and the process proceeds to the “use state determination A” process in step S214.

  The “use state determination A” process in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 32B.

  When the “use state determination A” process is started, it is determined in step S232 whether Flag A is “1”. If Flag A is “1” (S232, YES), the process proceeds to step S333.

  In step S333, it is determined whether the storage change amount ΔM is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value Mc, or whether the door opening / closing number is “0”. When the storage change amount ΔM is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold Mc or when the door opening / closing number is “0” (S333, YES), it is determined that the user is absent. FlagA is kept “1” (S234).

  On the other hand, when the storage change amount ΔM is larger than Mc or the door opening / closing number is not “0”, it is determined that the user may be at home, and FlagA is set to “0” in step S235. , “Usage status determination A” processing is terminated, and the routine proceeds to the main routine.

By these controls, in addition to the storage change, the door opening / closing number can also be used as a determination index of “present” or “absent” of the user. As a result, the outing can be detected with higher accuracy and energy saving can be achieved.

  In addition, a more accurate going-out state can be detected by combining a human sensor or an illuminance sensor that detects the illuminance around the refrigerator.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, there is a period during which the door is not opened or closed based on the operation after the defrosting unit as a base point, and the storage amount during that period changes from the predetermined threshold value. Do not operate the defroster when there is little. Thus, when the storage amount is reduced from the assumed storage state, it is determined that the storage state is out, and energy saving can be achieved by controlling an appropriate defrosting operation or the like.

(Embodiment 9)
Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  33A and 33B are control flowcharts in Embodiment 9 of the present invention. Note that the structure described in each of Embodiments 6 to 8 can be implemented in combination with this embodiment.

  When the process proceeds to the “outing detection A” process of FIG. 33A, various parameters are set in step S342. Specifically, FlagA is set to “1”, the timer tc is set to “0”, and the defrost cycle td1, the refrigerator temperature fluctuation TPC, and the freezer temperature fluctuation TFC are set.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S213, the timer tc is started, and the process proceeds to the “use state determination A” process in step 214.

  The “use state determination A” process of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 33B.

  When the usage status determination A is started, it is determined in step S232 whether or not FlagA is “1”. If Flag A is “1” (S232, YES), the process proceeds to step S343.

  In step S343, the storage change amount ΔM is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value Mc, the refrigerator temperature fluctuation TPC is smaller than the predetermined fluctuation range TPCS, or the freezer temperature fluctuation TFC is predetermined. It is determined whether it is smaller than the fluctuation range TFCS. If any one of the relations is satisfied (S343, YES), it is determined that there is no thermal load such as food input or door opening / closing, the user is determined to be absent, and Flag A remains “1” (S234), The “use status determination A” process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the storage change amount ΔM is larger than the threshold value Mc and the refrigerator temperature fluctuation TPC and the freezer temperature fluctuation TFC are equal to or larger than the predetermined fluctuation ranges TPCS and TFCS, the user may be at home. Is determined. In this case, in step S235, Flag A is set to “0”, the “use state determination A” process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the main routine.

  Through the processing described above, temperature fluctuations in addition to housing changes can also be used as a determination index for the user's presence / absence. As a result, the outing can be detected with higher accuracy and energy saving can be achieved.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the temperature fluctuation of the storage room is equal to or lower than a certain threshold value, based on when a certain time has elapsed after the operation of the defrosting unit, or a predetermined threshold value during that time. When the change in the storage amount is smaller than that, the interval for operating the defrosting unit is extended. Thereby, further energy saving can be achieved.

  As described above, the refrigerator of the present invention can increase the energy saving performance according to the use situation by extending the defrost cycle when there is no change in the storage amount or when it is small, There is an extraordinary effect that an easy-to-use refrigerator with improved freshness can be provided. Therefore, it is useful as a household refrigerator or a commercial refrigerator that has a storage amount detection function and switches the operation mode to a power saving operation or the like using the detection result.

4, 4a, 4b Cold air outlet 11, 151 Refrigerator body 11a Inner box 11b Outer box 12, 152 Refrigerated room 12a, 152a Refrigerated room door 12b Low greenhouse 13,153 Ice making room 14, 154 Switching room 15, 155 Freezer room 16, 156 Vegetable room 17,157 Operation part 18a-18d, 158 Storage shelf 19,159 Illumination part 20,20a-20e, 160 Light emission part 21,21a-21f, 161 Light quantity detection part 22,163 Calculation control part 23,162 Storage amount Estimator 24 Comparison information determiner 25 Change information determiner 27a-27c Door shelf 28a-28d Air volume adjuster 30, 170 Compressor 31, 171 Cooling fan 32, 172 Temperature compensation heater 33, 173 Storage 34a, 34b, 174a Irradiation Light 50,150 Refrigerator 61,191 Temperature sensor 62,192 Door open / close detection Unit 63 Outside temperature sensor 64, 194 Storage unit 65 Operation start determination unit 66 Operation end determination unit 67, 193 Damper 68, 195 Defrosting unit 70 Temperature information determination unit 71 Door open / close information determination unit 72 Outside illuminance sensor 91 Display unit 196 , Tc timer

Claims (3)

A storage room that is partitioned by a heat insulating wall and a heat insulating door and stores stored items, a cooler that cools the storage room, a defrosting unit that defrosts the cooler, and a door open / close detection that detects opening and closing of the heat insulating door parts and an accommodation amount estimating unit for estimating the amount of storage of the storage chamber, wherein a storage unit for storing a estimation result of the storage amount estimation unit, estimation results estimated in the storage amount estimating section up to the previous of the storage unit A calculation control unit that calculates a storage change amount based on the result and controls an output operation of the defrosting unit, and the calculation control unit is configured to control the storage change amount in the door opening / closing detection unit and the storage chamber. When controlling the interval at which the defrosting unit is operated next time from the calculation result , the calculation control unit has a period in which the heat insulating door is not opened and closed after the operation of the defrosting unit is over a certain time, Alternatively, even if the door opening / closing detection unit detects opening / closing of the door If the storage amount of change of the serial storage chamber is less than that predetermined value is more than a certain time, a refrigerator, characterized in that to extend the interval for operating the defrost unit. A temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the storage chamber is provided, and the calculation control unit has a temperature fluctuation of the storage chamber that is less than or equal to a predetermined value based on a certain time after the operation of the defrosting unit. If refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that to extend the interval for operating the defrost unit. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein when the calculation result of the storage change amount in the storage chamber is in a decreasing direction of the storage amount, the calculation control unit extends a next operation interval of the defrosting unit. .

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