JP5565919B1 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a refrigerator in which correct timing is taken over even when an event such as replacement of a control board occurs.
A refrigerator includes a main board and a sub board. The main board 30 is provided with a control device of the refrigerator 1 constituted by the microcomputer 31 and a first storage device 40. A second storage device 60 is provided on the sub-board 50, and a timing device including a timer 37 is provided on one of the main board 30 and the sub-board 50. The microcomputer 31 records the timing data measured by the timer 37 in the first storage device 40 and the second storage device 60 at a predetermined timing, and the power supply is temporarily cut off in at least one of the main board 30 and the sub board 50. When an event that power supply is restored later occurs, the time data in the first storage device 30 and the time data in the second storage device 50 are compared, and the time data with the smaller value is overwritten with the time data with the larger value. To do.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

  In recent years, smart home refrigerators have also been promoted. For example, in the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1, the user is notified by display or voice when the refrigerator or a part constituting the refrigerator reaches the end of its life. In the event of a failure, the service center is automatically contacted. Refrigerators have also appeared that let you know when a certain number of years have passed since the start of use.

JP 2000-121238 A

  In the case of a refrigerator equipped with a clocking function such as clocking the number of years after the start of use, if the control board is replaced due to a failure or the like, the clocking is reset and does not match the actual elapsed years. For example, when the control board is replaced two years after the start of use, the notification may only be “one year has passed” even though the usage period of the refrigerator body has reached three years.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which timing data up to that time is inherited even if an event such as replacement of a control board occurs.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a refrigerator including a main board and a sub board, wherein the main board is provided with a control device and a first storage device of the refrigerator, and the sub board includes a first board. Two storage devices are provided, and a timing device is provided on one of the main board and the sub-board, and the control device is configured to store the timing data measured by the timing device at a predetermined timing. 2 When recording in the storage device and at least one of the main board and the sub-board causes an event that the power supply is restored after the power supply is once interrupted, the timing data of the first storage device and the second data The time data in the storage device is compared, and the time data having the larger value is overwritten with the time data having the larger value.

  In the refrigerator configured as described above, the predetermined timing is preferably when a predetermined event occurs in the refrigerator or at a fixed time.

  In the refrigerator configured as described above, the predetermined event preferably includes communication between the main board and the sub board.

  In the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, it is preferable that the refrigerator includes a notification device that notifies that when the time measurement data reaches a predetermined value.

  In the refrigerator configured as described above, the time measurement data is preferably an elapsed time from the start of use of the refrigerator.

  When the main board or the sub board is replaced, the power supply to the board is temporarily cut off and then restored. At that time, the control device compares the timing data in the first storage device with the timing data in the second storage device, and overwrites the timing data having the smaller value with the timing data having the larger value. As a result, the timing data of the board on the side that has not been replaced with the board that has just been replaced and for which the timing data has not been recorded in the storage device is transplanted, and the timing data up to that time is transferred to the replaced board. Become.

It is a front view of a refrigerator. It is an enlarged view of the operation panel part of a refrigerator. It is a disassembled perspective view of the hinge cover of the door for refrigerator compartments. It is a bottom view of the hinge cover of the door for refrigerator compartments. It is a block block diagram of a refrigerator. It is a 1st flowchart explaining recording of timing data. It is a 2nd flowchart explaining recording of timing data. It is a 3rd flowchart explaining recording of timing data.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a refrigerator. The left side and the right side in FIG. 1 are expressed as “left” and “right” in the following description.

  The front of the refrigerator 1 is covered with a total of six doors. There are double doors 11 and 12 at the top, and the back is a refrigerated room. The doors 13, 14, 15, and 16 below the doors 11 and 12 are all attached to a drawer-type container (not shown), and when the doors 13, 14, 15, and 16 are pulled out, the inner container is also pulled out together. It has become. Needless to say, such a mechanism is generally used as a home refrigerator, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The pull-out container at the back of the door 15 is used as a freezing room, and the pull-out container at the back of the door 16 is used as a vegetable room. The drawer-type container at the back of the door 13 is used as a second freezing room, and the drawer-type container at the back of the door 14 is used as a storage room for intermediate temperatures between the refrigeration temperature and the freezing temperature, or as a storage room for which the purpose of use can be switched. ,used. In addition, the internal division of the refrigerator 1 demonstrated here is a mere illustration, and does not limit invention.

  The left end of the door 12 is an operation panel 17 that extends in a vertical band. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper portion of the operation panel 17 is a display unit 18, which includes “power saving mode”, “ion release”, “clean”, “strong deodorization”, “ice making”, “ice size”, “islow”, “normal / stop” "Refrigeration / Temperature" "Frozen / Temperature" "Strong" "Medium" "Weak" "Frozen Function" "Hot Things" "Oisori" "Low Temperature Freezing" "Iceplate Cleaning" etc. 1 from top to bottom It is lined up in a row. The operation panel 17 is made of a material that transmits light, and a display element such as an LED (light emitting diode) is arranged on the back side of the display. When the display element is turned on, a display necessary when necessary is provided. Is a mechanism that emerges. The display element is turned on when the door 12 is opened, and is turned on for a while without being immediately turned off even when the door 12 is closed.

  A lower part of the operation panel 17 is a touch key unit 19, in which a plurality of touch keys are arranged in one row. The touch keys are “menu determination” and “return” keys, and selection keys symbolized by an upright triangle and an inverted triangle. The configuration of the operation panel 17 as described above is merely an example and does not limit the invention.

  The doors 11 and 12 are each supported by a hinge structure. The hinge structure of the door 11 is at the left end of the door 11, and the hinge structure of the door 12 is at the right end of the door 12. The part which becomes the framework of the hinge structure is made of a metal member, and a hinge cover made of synthetic resin is combined therewith. In the refrigerator 1, the hinge cover 20 at the top of the door 12 is used as a speaker mounting member that conveys various messages to the user by voice.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a speaker holder 21 made of synthetic resin is arranged inside the hinge cover 20. The speaker holder 21 is inserted into the hinge cover 20 through the opening on the lower surface of the hinge cover 20, and is fixed to the hinge cover 20 with attachment means such as screws and engaging claws. The speaker holder 21 has a tray shape, and a speaker 22 and a speaker substrate 23 for driving the speaker 22 are attached to the upper surface. The speaker 22 is arranged in a circular enclosure 21 a formed on one side of the speaker holder 21, and the speaker substrate 23 is arranged outside the enclosure 21 a, and both are sandwiched between the speaker holder 21 and the hinge cover 20.

  Since the speaker 22 is arranged so that the circular cone is horizontal, the space in the height direction is not so required. That is, the hinge cover 20 need not be enlarged.

  Since the speaker 22 is incorporated in the speaker holder 21 together with the speaker substrate 23 and the speaker holder 21 is attached to the hinge cover 20, it is not necessary to attach the speaker 22 directly to the hinge cover 20.

  The hinge cover 20 is often attached to the housing of the refrigerator 1 with several engagements in order to facilitate maintenance of the hinge structure. With such an attachment structure, when sound is output from the speaker 22, the hinge cover 20 may resonate with vibration of the speaker 22, making it difficult to hear the sound. If the speaker 22 is incorporated in the speaker holder 21, the entire resonance of the speaker holder 21 can absorb the resonance, and the output sound can be clarified.

  By making the speaker 22 and the speaker substrate 23 into a unit by the speaker holder 21, the attachment to the hinge cover 20 is facilitated. Since the speaker holder 21 can be a non-speaker model simply by not attaching the speaker holder 21 to the hinge cover 20, the productivity of the refrigerator 1 is improved.

Thus, the following effects are brought about by employ | adopting the structure which attaches the speaker 22 using the hinge cover 20. FIG.
a. Since it is not necessary to provide the speaker 22 in the refrigerator 1, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the internal volume.
b. In the case where the speaker 22 is provided on the housing or the door, a small and thin speaker must be used so as not to deteriorate the heat insulation, but such a speaker tends to obscure the sound. If the speaker 22 is arranged inside the hinge cover 20, a speaker with good output characteristics can be used, and the output sound becomes clear.
c. Since the speaker 22 is arranged on the outer shell side instead of the inner shell in the casing of the refrigerator 1, the sound is good. Also, the sound is not vivid.
d. Since the speaker 22 is disposed outside the housing of the refrigerator 1, no condensation occurs on the speaker 22. Further, since the speaker 22 is placed in the hinge cover 20 at the upper part of the door 12, the water dripping from the inside of the cabinet does not get on the speaker 22 and the speaker 22 gets wet.
e. The speaker 22 can be attached simply by adding the speaker holder 21 to the hinge cover 20 necessary for the design of the refrigerator 1.
f. Since the speaker 22 is attached outside the casing of the refrigerator 1, the work is easy.

  The structure of the control part of the refrigerator 1 is shown in FIG. The control unit includes a main board 30 and a sub board 50. A microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as “microcomputer”) 31 is mounted on the main board 30, and a microcomputer 51 is mounted on the sub board 50. The main board 30 is arranged in the machine room of the refrigerator 1 where a compressor or the like is placed, and the sub board 50 is arranged on the back side of the operation panel 17 of the door 12.

  The microcomputer 31 of the main board 30 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter abbreviated as “CPU”) 32. In addition to the CPU 32, the microcomputer 31 includes a random access memory (hereinafter abbreviated as “RAM”) 33, a voltage drop detection unit 34, an input unit 35, an output unit 36, a timer 37, and a communication unit 38.

  The following elements are connected to the microcomputer 31. A first storage device 40 is connected to the CPU 32. The first storage device 40 is configured by a memory that can hold data even when power is not supplied to the main board 30, for example, an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory). The first storage device 40 may be mounted on the microcomputer 31.

  Power supply voltage data is transmitted from the power supply 41 for the main board 30 to the voltage drop detection unit 34.

  An input circuit 42 is connected to the input unit 35. A signal indicating whether the door is open or closed is transmitted to the input circuit 42 from a door switch 43 provided on the door selected from the doors 11 to 16.

  An output circuit 44 is connected to the output unit 36. The output circuit 44 drives the compressor 45 of the refrigerator 1.

  A communication circuit 46 is connected to the communication unit 38. The communication circuit 46 communicates with the sub board 50.

  A clock 47 is connected to the CPU 32. The clock 47 transmits time information to the CPU 32.

  The microcomputer 51 of the sub board 50 has a CPU 52. In addition to the CPU 52, the microcomputer 51 includes a RAM 53, a voltage drop detection unit 54, an input unit 55, a display unit 56, and a communication unit 57.

  The following elements are connected to the microcomputer 51. A second storage device 60 is connected to the CPU 52. Similar to the first storage device 40, the second storage device 60 is configured by a memory, such as an EEPROM, that can hold data even when power is not supplied to the sub board 50. The second storage device 60 may be mounted on the microcomputer 51.

  Power supply voltage data is transmitted from the power supply 61 for the sub board 50 to the voltage drop detection unit 54.

  An input circuit 62 is connected to the input unit 55. A signal is transmitted to the input circuit 62 from the touch key unit 19 of the operation panel 17.

  A display circuit 63 is connected to the display unit 56. The display circuit 63 controls lighting of the display element 64 provided in the display unit 18 of the operation panel 17. There are a plurality of display elements 64.

  A communication circuit 65 is connected to the communication unit 57. The communication circuit 65 performs communication with the communication circuit 46 of the main board 30.

  The microcomputer 51 preferably has a power saving function such as a sleep mode. If such a function is provided, the power consumption of the refrigerator 1 can be reduced by setting the microcomputer 51 in the sleep mode when the function of the operation panel 17 is not necessary.

  The functional parts and sensors of the operation panel 17 can be mounted on the sub board 50. Further, the function of the sub board 50 can be realized without using the microcomputer 51.

  The “control device” described in the claims is composed of the microcomputer 31, and the “timer” is composed of the timer 37 and the clock 47. A feature of the present invention is that the microcomputer 31 performs the following control operation. First, the microcomputer 31 records the time data counted by the timer 37 or the clock 47 in the first storage device 40 and the second storage device 60 at a predetermined timing.

  When at least one of the main board 30 and the sub board 50 has an event that the power supply is restored after the power supply is once interrupted, the microcomputer 31 stores the time measurement data recorded in the first storage device 40 and the second memory. The timing data recorded in the device 60 is compared, and the timing data with the larger value is overwritten with the timing data with the larger value. The time-measurement data that is the comparison target and overwrites the other is the time-measurement data timed by the timer 37 or the time-measurement data timed by the clock 47. As a result, when an event of interruption and restoration of power feeding occurs in one of the main board 30 and the sub board 50 for board exchange, the side that has just been exchanged and has not been exchanged for a board for which timing data is not recorded in the storage device The timing data of the other board is transplanted, and the previous timing data is transferred to the replaced board.

  “Time data until then” is not necessarily equal to “usage time” of the refrigerator 1 (in this specification, “time when the refrigerator is connected to a commercial power source that is not out of power” is defined as “usage time”). Absent. The timing data recorded in the first storage device 40 or the second storage device 60 does not exceed the usage time. Of the time-measurement data recorded in the first storage device 40 and the second storage device 60, the one with the larger value can be regarded as close to the actual use time because the data accumulation is less interrupted by the power off. The “overwrite” has a meaning.

  The control operation of the microcomputer 31 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. In the present specification, the description will proceed assuming that the operation of FIG. 6 is the first embodiment, the operation of FIG. 7 is the second embodiment, and the operation of FIG. 8 is the third embodiment.

  The flow of the first embodiment is characterized by “writing backup data every time the power is turned off”.

  When the refrigerator 1 is first connected to the commercial power source, when the power failure state occurring in the commercial power source is restored, or to replace the main board 30 or the sub board 50, the plug of the power cord of the refrigerator 1 is once plugged into the commercial power source. In the case where the main board 30 and the sub board 50 are both turned off, and the plug is inserted into the outlet again after the board is exchanged, both the main board 30 and the sub board 50 are in the “power ON” state.

  In step # 101, the timing data held in the second storage device 60 is transmitted from the communication circuit 65 of the sub board 50 to the communication circuit 46 of the main board 30. Communication between the communication circuit 65 and the communication circuit 46 may be wired communication or wireless communication.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the timing data held in the second storage device 60 is expressed as “sub data”, and the timing data held in the first storage device 40 is expressed as “main data”. In the following description, the names “sub data” and “main data” are used.

  In step # 102, it is checked whether the communication circuit 46 of the main board 30 has received the sub data. If received, the process proceeds to step # 103. If not received, the process returns to step # 102.

  When the process proceeds to step # 103, the microcomputer 31 compares the value of the main data with the value of the sub data. If the values of the main data and the sub data are equal, or if the value of the main data is larger than that of the sub data, the process proceeds to step # 105. If the sub data has a larger value than the main data, the process proceeds to step # 104.

  That the value of the sub data is larger than that of the main data means that the main substrate 30 is replaced without replacing the sub substrate 50. In this case, in step # 104, the main data is overwritten with the sub data. As a result, the timekeeping data accumulated so far is transferred to the first storage device 40.

  The timer 37 measures the usage time of the refrigerator 1. Needless to say, the main board 30 and the sub board 50 are powered on during use. The data measured by the timer 37 is stored in the microcomputer 31 or in the RAM 33 and recorded in the first storage device 40 and the second storage device 60 at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is “when a predetermined event occurs in the refrigerator 1”, and the predetermined event in the first embodiment is “when power supply to the main board 30 and the sub board 50 is cut off”.

  During normal operation, a predetermined power supply voltage (for example, 5 V) is supplied to the microcomputers 31 and 51. When the commercial power supply fails or the power cord plug of the refrigerator 1 is pulled out from the outlet of the commercial power supply, an event “power supply to the main board 30 and the sub board 50 is cut off”, that is, “power OFF” Will occur. At this time, the microcomputer 31 is a voltage drop detector 34 and the microcomputer 51 is a voltage drop detector 54 to detect that the power supply voltage has dropped.

  A reset voltage (for example, 3 V) is set in the microcomputers 31 and 51. When the power supply voltage drops due to the power supply being turned off, an interrupt is generated at a voltage higher than the reset voltage of the microcomputers 31 and 51 (for example, 3.6 V), and the backup data is transferred to the first storage device 40 before the microcomputer reset occurs. Write to the second storage device 60. This interruption is expressed as “voltage drop interruption” in the flowchart. Note that specific numerical values such as 5V, 3V, 3.6V, etc. are merely examples, and do not limit the invention.

  In step # 105 for the main board 30 and in step # 109 for the sub board 50, it is checked whether or not a voltage drop interrupt has occurred.

  If it is confirmed in step # 105 that a voltage drop interruption has occurred, the process proceeds to step # 106. In step # 106, backup data is written to the first storage device 40. Then, the process proceeds to step # 107.

  In step # 107, main data is transmitted from the communication circuit 46 to the communication circuit 65. Thereafter, the main board 30 stands by in a standby state in preparation for power supply restoration, that is, power ON.

  If occurrence of a voltage drop interrupt is not confirmed in step # 105, the process proceeds to step # 108. In step # 108, the timer 37 counts the usage time. Then, the process returns to step # 105.

  If it is confirmed in step # 109 that a voltage drop interrupt has occurred, the process proceeds to step # 110. In step # 110, the backup data is written to the second storage device 60. Thereafter, the sub board 50 stands by in a standby state in preparation for power supply restoration, that is, power ON.

  If occurrence of a voltage drop interrupt is not confirmed in step # 109, the process proceeds to step # 111. In step # 111, it is checked whether or not the communication circuit 65 has received main data from the communication circuit 46. If reception of the main data is confirmed, the process proceeds to step # 112. If reception of the main data is not confirmed, the process returns to step # 109.

  In step # 112, the sub data is overwritten with the main data. Thereby, the 1st memory | storage device 40 and the 2nd memory | storage device 60 share the timing data of the same value. Then, the process returns to step # 109.

  In step # 104, the main data is overwritten with the sub data. Therefore, even if the main board 30 is replaced, new usage time data can be accumulated in the previous usage time data. In step # 112, the sub data is overwritten with the main data. Therefore, even if the sub board 50 is replaced, the sub board 50 can hold the use time data having the same value as the use time data of the main board 30.

  In the standby state following step # 107, the microcomputer 31 is in the sleep state. In the standby state following step # 110, the microcomputer 51 is in the sleep state. The microcomputers 31 and 51 have a function capable of returning from the sleep state when an interrupt occurs due to a power supply voltage drop even in the sleep state. Therefore, the microcomputers 31 and 51 can back up data when restarting after detecting a voltage drop.

  As described above, the backup data is written to the first storage device 40 and the second storage device 60 each time a voltage drop interrupt occurs when the power is turned off. Therefore, the first storage device 40 and the second storage device 60 The timekeeping data of the usage time is always kept securely. If the data in the first storage device 40 and the second storage device 60 is read when the power is restored, the usage time can be accumulated and timed.

  According to the flowchart of FIG. 6, when the main board 30 and the sub board 50 are turned off and then turned on again, the timing data recorded in the second storage device 60 is transmitted to the main board 30, The time data of the first storage device 40 and the time data of the second storage device 60 are compared on the main substrate 30 side, and the larger value is selected. This division of roles may be changed so that the sub-board 50 side compares and selects the timing data in the first storage device 40 and the timing data in the second storage device 60.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, the predetermined timing at which the data measured by the timer 37 is recorded in the first storage device 40 and the second storage device 60 is “when a predetermined event occurs in the refrigerator 1” The event was “when power supply to the main board 30 and the sub board 50 was cut off”. In the second embodiment, other events also have predetermined timing.

  In the second embodiment, the control operation is performed according to the flowchart of FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 7, step # 107 existing in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is eliminated, and steps # 120 to # 124 are newly added. The flow of the second embodiment is characterized in that “backup data is written every time the power is turned off and transferred every time an event occurs”. In the following, portions that have changed from the flowchart of FIG. 6 will be described.

  If it is confirmed in step # 105 that a voltage drop interruption has occurred, the process proceeds to step # 106. In step # 106, backup data is written to the first storage device 40. And the main board | substrate 30 will be in a standby state.

  If it is confirmed in step # 109 that a voltage drop interrupt has occurred, the process proceeds to step # 110. In step # 110, the backup data is written to the second storage device 60. Then, the sub board 50 enters a standby state.

  If occurrence of a voltage drop interrupt is not confirmed in step # 105, the process proceeds to step # 108. In step # 108, the timer 37 counts the usage time. Then, the process proceeds to step # 120.

  In step # 120, it is checked whether or not the door provided with the door switch 43 is changed from the closed state to the open state. If “YES”, the process proceeds to step # 123, and if “NO”, the process proceeds to step # 121.

  In step # 121, it is checked whether or not the door provided with the door switch 43 is changed from the open state to the closed state. If “YES”, the process proceeds to step # 123, and if “NO”, the process proceeds to step # 122.

  In step # 122, it is checked whether or not the compressor 45 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state. If “YES”, the process proceeds to step # 123, and if “NO”, the process returns to step # 105.

  In step # 123, the backup data is written to the first storage device 40. Then, the process proceeds to step # 124.

  In step # 124, the main data is transmitted from the communication circuit 46 to the communication circuit 65. Whether the transmitted main data is received by the communication circuit 65 is checked in step # 111. If reception of the main data is confirmed, the process proceeds to step # 112, and the sub data is overwritten with the main data. As a result, the first storage device 40 and the second storage device 60 share the same value of data.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the data measured by the timer 37 is recorded in the first storage device 40 and the second storage device 60 even when the door is opened or closed or the compressor 45 is started.

  In the second embodiment, when the power supply to the refrigerator 1 is cut off, only the independent operation of the main board 30 and the sub board 50 (recording inside the microcomputer or RAM and EEPROM << the storage device is composed of EEPROM) Therefore, it is possible to lighten and shorten the process in the state where the power supply is uncertain that power supply is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost by reducing the capacity of the capacitor for maintaining the power supply voltage when power supply is stopped. Nevertheless, data retention of the first storage device 40 and the second storage device 60 can be ensured.

  Compared to the first embodiment, since the use time from the last event occurrence at the time of energization to the power supply stop is not counted, the difference from the actual use time, that is, the error becomes large. However, the situation where power supply to the refrigerator 1 is stopped rarely occurs. Further, if transmission is performed from the main board 30 to the sub board 50 in response to the start of the compressor 45, the compressor 45 repeats start and stop many times a day. The value is extremely small compared to the usage time, and no substantial problem occurs.

<Third Embodiment>
In the third embodiment, the control operation is performed according to the flowchart of FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 8, step # 106 and step # 110 that existed in the flowchart of FIG. 7 are eliminated. That is, the flow of the third embodiment is characterized by “writing backup data when an event occurs”.

  If it is confirmed in step # 105 that a voltage drop interrupt has occurred, the main board 30 immediately enters a standby state. If it is confirmed in step # 109 that a voltage drop interrupt has occurred, the sub board 50 immediately enters a standby state.

  If occurrence of a voltage drop interrupt is not confirmed in step # 105, the process proceeds to step # 108. In step # 108, the timer 37 counts the usage time. Then, the process proceeds to step # 120.

  In step # 120, it is checked whether or not the door provided with the door switch 43 is changed from the closed state to the open state. If “YES”, the process proceeds to step # 123, and if “NO”, the process proceeds to step # 121.

  In step # 121, it is checked whether or not the door provided with the door switch 43 is changed from the open state to the closed state. If “YES”, the process proceeds to step # 123, and if “NO”, the process proceeds to step # 122.

  In step # 122, it is checked whether or not the compressor 45 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state. If “YES”, the process proceeds to step # 123, and if “NO”, the process returns to step # 105.

  In step # 123, the backup data is written to the first storage device 40. Then, the process proceeds to step # 124.

  In step # 124, the main data is transmitted from the communication circuit 46 to the communication circuit 65. Whether the transmitted main data is received by the communication circuit 65 is checked in step # 111. If reception of the main data is confirmed, the process proceeds to step # 112, and the sub data is overwritten with the main data. As a result, the first storage device 40 and the second storage device 60 share the same value of data.

  In the third embodiment, when power supply to the refrigerator 1 is cut off, backup data is not written to the storage device, and time keeping data for usage time is not transmitted / received. Therefore, power supply is stopped as compared with the first and second embodiments. The burden on the microcomputer can be further reduced. Accordingly, the capacity of the capacitor for maintaining the power supply voltage when power supply is stopped can be further reduced, and the cost can be further reduced. Nevertheless, data retention of the first storage device 40 and the second storage device 60 can be ensured.

  In the third embodiment, timing data is recorded in the first storage device 40 and the second storage device 60 each time an event occurs. Compared to the first and second embodiments, the number of times of writing to the first storage device 40 and the second storage device 60 is increased. However, since writing is not performed at any time, this is not a big problem.

  In the third embodiment, when the sub board 50 receives the time measurement data of the usage time from the main board 30, the microcomputer 51 may directly record the data in the second storage device 60 without recording the data in the RAM 53. it can.

  It is also possible to omit the microcomputer 51 from the sub-board 50 and substitute the microcomputer 51 by combining an EEPROM controller with the “display (+ operation)” interface. In this way, the cost of the sub board 50 is reduced.

<Others>
In the second and third embodiments, the following can be added to the “predetermined event”.
a. When communication is performed between the main board 30 and the sub board 50 b. When the door 12 is opened and the display element 64 is lit c. When acquiring information from the sensor provided on the sub-board 50

  When the microcomputer 51 of the sub board 50 has a power saving function such as a sleep mode, the usage time is recorded in the second storage device 60 when the main board 30 and the sub board 50 communicate with each other. For example, it is not necessary to return the microcomputer 51 of the sub-board 50 from the sleep mode only to record the usage time in the second storage device 60, and power can be saved.

  As can be said in common from the first embodiment to the third embodiment, data recording, that is, rewriting to the first storage device 40 and the second storage device 60 is limited to when a predetermined event occurs. Therefore, even if the number of rewrites is reduced and the EEPROM is used as the storage device, the period until the limit of the number of rewrites is reached can be greatly extended.

  The “predetermined timing” can include not only “when a predetermined event occurs” but also “fixed time”. For example, “when clock 47 points to midnight” can be used. By recording the usage time data measured by the timer 37 in the first storage device 40 and the second storage device 60 at a fixed time, an error accumulated value between the actual usage time and the recorded usage time can be obtained. It can be managed within a certain value. For example, if the setting is “every 24 hours”, the error in use time when the power supply to the refrigerator 1 is cut off can be managed within 24 hours at the maximum.

  It is desirable that the usage time data measured by the timer 37 is notified to the user at an appropriate timing, for example, when the usage time reaches a predetermined value. A speaker 22 can be used as the notification device. Alternatively, a liquid crystal panel may be provided on the display unit 18 and notification may be given on a liquid crystal screen.

  The notification timing can be set when the user first opens the door and the door switch 43 operates after the usage time exceeds a predetermined value. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which notification starts when the user is absent.

  The notification of the usage time can be set so that notification is performed every year, for example.

  You may change the content of alerting | reporting according to elapsed years. For example, a message such as “Thank you for using the year ○” may be used until 10 years have passed, and a message that prompts the user to replace the refrigerator 1 may be output after 10 years. As a result, the user can recognize the years of use of the refrigerator 1 to be familiar, and can be made aware of replacement before making the user feel inconvenient due to performance deterioration or failure due to long-term use.

  The user may be notified based on the time data by the clock 47 instead of the use time data measured by the timer 37. For example, you may make it alert | report the elapsed time from the time of a use start. For this purpose, the date / time information that the user decides to record as the use start date / time of the refrigerator 1 is recorded in both the first storage device 40 and the second storage device 60. The time obtained by subtracting the use start date from the current date indicated by the clock 47 is the elapsed time from the start of use.

  For example, when January 1 is recorded as the use start date and time, even if the power supply to the refrigerator 1 is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the year of use can be notified on January 1 every year. The user can be conscious of it like a birthday. The notification timing can be the time when the user first opens the door and the door switch 43 operates after the service life exceeds a predetermined value. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which notification starts when the user is absent.

  When a user sets a specific day as an anniversary and opens the door of the refrigerator 1 or performs an operation for the first time on the day, the user may be notified of the set anniversary.

  When the usage time is measured by the clock 47, the time of the clock 47 needs to be adjusted. If the user does not set the time after the power is turned on again, such as when there is a power failure or the refrigerator 1 is turned off for repair, the usage time cannot be correctly reported. Even in such a case, since the use time is counted by the timer 37 separately from the clock 47, the years of use can be notified to the user based on the accumulated data of the use time measured by the timer 37.

  When the refrigerator 1 has two types of usage time data, that is, the usage time measured by the clock 47 and the usage time measured by the timer 37, the same message (for example, "1 from the start of use" There is a possibility that it will be announced twice. In this case, it is possible to notify only when one of the usage times reaches a predetermined value first, and not to notify when the other usage time reaches the predetermined value.

  By using the above, for example, when the user sets the time of the clock 47 simultaneously with the start of use of the refrigerator 1, the usage time measured by the timer 37 is calculated from the time information from the clock 47. You won't be overwhelmed by how much time you've used since the start. Therefore, the function of the clock 47 can be used to notify the user of the accurate usage time. If the user does not set the time of the clock 47 at the same time as the start of use of the refrigerator 1 but is performed later, the usage time counted by the timer 37 first reaches a predetermined value, so the notification content is It will be far from the actual usage time, and the user will be prevented from feeling uncomfortable.

  One or both of the timer 37 and the clock 47 may be provided on the sub-board 50 side.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  The present invention can be widely used for refrigerators.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 11-16 Door 17 Operation panel 18 Display part 19 Touch key part 30 Main board 31 Microcomputer 37 Timer 40 1st memory | storage device 47 Clock 50 Sub board | substrate 51 Microcomputer 60 2nd memory | storage device

Claims (5)

A refrigerator having a main board and a sub board,
The main board is provided with a control device of the refrigerator and a first storage device that holds data even when power is not supplied,
The sub-board is provided with a second storage device that holds data even when no power is supplied,
In addition, a timing device is provided on one of the main board and the sub board,
The control device includes:
While recording timekeeping data timed by the timekeeping device at a predetermined timing in the first storage device and the second storage device,
If at least one of the main board and the sub board has an event that power supply is restored after power supply is cut off, the time data of the first storage device is compared with the time data of the second storage device. A refrigerator characterized by overwriting time-measured data having a smaller value with time-measured data having a larger value.   The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined timing is when a predetermined event occurs in the refrigerator or at a fixed time.   The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined event includes communication between the main board and the sub board.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a notification device that notifies that when the time measurement data reaches a predetermined value.   The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the time measurement data is an elapsed time from the start of use of the refrigerator.

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