JP5607595B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a plurality of control boards each equipped with a control device, and particularly to a refrigerator in which the control devices communicate with each other.

  In recent refrigerators, not only the functions related to cooling and the basic functions such as turning on the lamp in the cabinet, but also, for example, display units such as liquid crystal and LEDs and mode setting operations can be performed on the opening and closing door side such as a refrigerator compartment In addition to various switches, many sensors such as temperature sensors are mounted. Thus, when there are many functions on the door side, the main control device for controlling the basic function and the sub control device for controlling the function on the door side are individually mounted, that is, one unit. As a refrigerator, a plurality of control devices are mounted. The main purpose of such a structure is to reduce the wiring from the control board mounted on the refrigerator side to the door side, thereby making the structure simple.

  However, as described above, when one refrigerator is equipped with a plurality of control devices, when the refrigerator is considered as one system, each control device shares information and issues a control command to the other control device. Need arises. For example, mode information that can be set on the door side is shared with the main control device, or if any abnormality occurs in the refrigerator, a control command is issued to the door-side sub-control device to display on the door-side display unit Etc.

  In general, when a plurality of control devices share information or perform a control command to a counterpart control device, communication is performed by providing a communication circuit between the control devices. , Power consumption occurs. That is, when always communicating, power consumption is always generated, and large power is consumed depending on the transmission distance, transmission method, or required signal strength.

  However, in the information handled by the sub-control device on the refrigerator door side, for example, the mode setting information does not need to be transmitted to the main control device if there is no change, and it is meaningless to always communicate. is there. Similarly, no abnormality is detected in the refrigerator, that is, even when the refrigerator is operating normally, there is no need to transmit a signal including a control command from the main control device to the sub-control device on the door side.

  Here, as a prior art, although different from the refrigerator related to the present invention, in connection with the electric rice cooker, the following Patent Document 1 stops communication in order to reduce power consumption due to unnecessary communication. After that, it has already been proposed that the control function of the sub-control device is stopped until a special return signal is transmitted from the main control device to the sub-control device.

JP 2009-268488 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, in particular, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, as in the refrigerator system, that is, when the temperature sensor for constantly monitoring is mounted on the sub-control device, The temperature sensor information cannot be taken into the main controller. In particular, when the state of the temperature sensor is used for control of the refrigerator, the main control device cannot update the information of the temperature sensor and cannot control the original refrigerator.

  That is, in a system such as a refrigerator in which a temperature detection sensor or the like is installed in addition to a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or an LED, a mode setting switch, etc. It is necessary to share control device information and user setting mode information. At this time, in the conventional communication method, since communication between the control devices is constantly performed, power consumption is always generated. In addition, in the method of completely stopping communication that has been proposed in order to prevent this, information cannot be shared when communication is stopped, and operation control as a refrigerator is hindered.

  In this case, the information of the temperature sensor cannot be taken into the main control device, and when the state of the temperature sensor is used for the control of the refrigerator, the main control device cannot update the information of the temperature sensor. I cannot control the refrigerator.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems in the prior art, and its purpose is to reduce the power consumption generated by communication signals and to provide information such as temperature sensors that need to be constantly monitored. Is to provide a refrigerator that can be taken into the main controller.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, according to the present invention, a refrigerator equipped with a plurality of control boards, comprising a switch capable of mode setting operation, a temperature detection unit, and a control unit that controls a display unit. A control circuit is constituted by a control board on which a control object and a sub-control apparatus are mounted and a control board on which a main control apparatus that controls a control object other than the above is mounted, and between the main control apparatus and the sub-control apparatus. When a communication signal is transmitted / received at, a mode in which the next transmission / reception is started immediately after the completion of one transmission and reception communication cycle, and the communication is stopped after one communication cycle, and after a predetermined time has elapsed or transmitted. By switching and controlling the mode in which communication is performed only when there is an update of power information, the number of times of transmission / reception of communication signals per unit time is reduced, and control accuracy is not reduced. It makes it possible to reduce the power consumption caused by Shin.

  At this time, when there is an update of information to be transmitted, a dedicated line or bidirectional communication circuit is provided, so that communication can be resumed without any problem regardless of whether a change in information occurs in the main controller or the sub controller. It is possible to do. In addition, this communication control mode is performed after a certain period of time has elapsed since the end of some operation that the user performs on the refrigerator, such as opening and closing of the door and operation mode setting, and should be canceled when the user performs the operation again. And so on. Also, in a refrigerator with human detection means, the frequency of communication is increased when it is detected that a person has approached the refrigerator, and communication is stopped when it is detected that a person has left the refrigerator. When the user uses the refrigerator, it is possible to quickly detect temperature fluctuations and reduce power consumption generated by transmission / reception of communication signals only when the user is in a stable state not using the refrigerator.

  In addition, information on the opening / closing of the door of the refrigerator is held in the control device, and from the information on the opening / closing of the door, the refrigerator user's refrigerator usage time zone (the door opening / closing time zone) and the refrigerator unused time zone (the door opening / closing time) Without opening or closing, or when there is very little time), the communication frequency is increased in the refrigerator usage time zone, and communication is stopped in the refrigerator unused time zone so that no human detection means is used. In addition, it is possible to reduce power consumption generated by transmission and reception of communication signals when the user is in a stable state not using the refrigerator.

  More specifically, in order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a housing having a refrigerator compartment formed therein, a door attached to the front side of the housing so as to be openable and closable, and a part of the housing A refrigeration cycle attached to the housing, wherein a part of the housing is mounted with a control board that controls at least the operation of the refrigeration cycle, and a part of the door has a mode. In addition to the switch capable of setting operation, the temperature detection means, and the display unit, an operation control board for controlling the operation of the mode setting operation switch, temperature detection means, and display part is mounted, and the control board The operation control boards share information held by performing transmission and reception of communication signals with each other, and thus constitute a control circuit that controls the operation of the refrigerator. Refrigerator has a function of changing the frequency of transmission and reception of the communication signal in per much time is provided.

  According to the present invention, in the refrigerator described above, the control circuit may change the frequency of transmission / reception of the communication signal per unit time in stages, including stoppage, or The frequency of transmission / reception of the communication signal per unit time may be changed corresponding to the input of the switch capable of mode setting operation. Furthermore, the refrigerator described above further includes means for detecting opening / closing of the door, and the control circuit is configured to detect the communication signal per unit time based on a detection signal from the door opening / closing detection means. The frequency of transmission / reception may be changed, or further provided with a human sensor for detecting the proximity of a person to the refrigerator, and the control circuit per unit time based on a detection signal from the human sensor The frequency of transmission / reception of the communication signal may be changed. In addition, the human sensor may be an illuminance sensor.

  In the present invention, in the refrigerator described above, the circuit may change the frequency of transmission and reception of the communication signal per unit time based on a time zone in which the refrigerator is used, At this time, it is preferable that a relationship between a time zone in which the refrigerator is used and a frequency of transmission / reception of the communication signal per unit time is set in advance.

According to the above-described present invention, in the refrigerator having a plurality of control boards, the operation of the refrigerator with respect to the power consumption generated when information is shared between the main control device and the sub-control device and the control command is sent to the other control device. An effect of reducing power consumption can be obtained without any problem in control. This can contribute to the reduction of CO ₂ emissions due to the reduction of electricity charges generated when using the refrigerator and the reduction of power consumption. That is, it is possible to provide a refrigerator that can reduce power consumption generated by a communication signal and that can take in information such as a temperature sensor that needs to be constantly monitored into the main controller.

It is a front view explaining an example of the refrigerator which becomes one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structural example of the operation panel which is a part of said refrigerator. It is a figure explaining an example of arrangement | positioning of the board | substrate in the said refrigerator. It is a block diagram explaining the circuit structure of the refrigerator control circuit which becomes Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating control of the communication interval in the said refrigerator control circuit. It is a block diagram explaining the circuit structure of the refrigerator control circuit which becomes Example 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart figure for demonstrating control of the communication interval using the illumination intensity sensor in the said Example 2. FIG. It is a flowchart figure explaining the process of the sub control part in Example 3 of invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the change of the communication interval in this invention. It is a figure explaining the principle of the change of the communication interval by the door opening / closing time in Example 4 of invention. It is a flowchart figure explaining the process in the said Example 4. FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiment, an example of control for changing the number of transmissions / receptions of communication signals per unit time (hereinafter, communication interval) between the main control unit and the sub-control unit will be described.

  First, FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes various refrigerator rooms and freezer rooms (hereinafter simply referred to as “refrigerator rooms”) including a vegetable room and a vacuum refrigerator room. The cabinet of the freezer compartment refrigerator is shown, 12a and 12b show the door of the refrigerator compartment attached to the front side of the case so that opening and closing is possible, and 13 is attached to a part of the door. A display panel capable of mode setting operation is shown. Reference numeral 14 denotes an ice making room door equipped with an ice maker, 15a and 15b denote freezer room doors, and 16 denotes a vegetable room door.

  FIG. 2 is a detailed front view of the display panel indicated by reference numeral 13 in FIG. In this display panel 13, operation is performed with the switch unit 21 (21a to 21e) capable of mode setting operation, and the display unit 22 illuminates characters corresponding to the current setting with the LED, thereby changing the setting state. This is for easy display to the user.

  Furthermore, FIG. 3 is a figure explaining the position where a control board and an operation control board are installed in the refrigerator compartment mentioned above.

  In the refrigerator, an internal control board 31 for controlling a load described later connected to the refrigerator main body and an operation control board 32 for controlling the operation panel 13 are installed. In particular, the former internal control board 31 controls a load that requires a relatively large amount of electric power, such as a compressor constituting a refrigeration cycle. There is a fear. Therefore, the internal control board 13 is arranged, for example, at the upper rear of the refrigerator main body so that the user cannot easily touch it.

  On the other hand, the latter operation control board 32 is arranged, for example, on the front surface of the refrigerator compartment so that the user can easily perform switch input, that is, the user can easily operate. More specifically, the operation control board 32 is particularly preferably attached to the back side of the display panel 13 shown in FIG. The internal control board 31 and the operation control board 32 described above are connected by a communication line 33 between them, thereby realizing the sharing of the information of each by performing communication alternately. .

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the refrigerator control circuit described above, and illustrates the configuration of the control circuit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the above-described internal control board 41 (denoted by reference numeral 31 in FIG. 3) includes, for example, a main control unit 43, a damper control unit 44, a cool air blower fan control unit 45, and a cooling fan control configured by a CPU or the like. Part 46, so-called compressor control part 47 forming a refrigeration cycle, temperature sensor 48, and door opening / closing detection sensor 49.

  The damper control unit 44 controls the inflow of cold air by opening and closing the passage of cold air to each room of the refrigerator, and controls the opening and closing of the damper that performs temperature adjustment. Moreover, the cool air blowing fan control part 45 controls the fan which blows cold air to each room (for example, refrigerator compartment, freezer room, ice making room, vegetable room) of a refrigerator. The cooling fan control unit 46 controls a fan for cooling a load (for example, a compressor) that generates heat. The compressor control unit 47 controls the operation of the compressor on / off and the rotational speed. A plurality of temperature sensors 48 are attached to each detection target, and thereby detect the temperature of each room of the refrigerator, the temperature of the compressor, and the temperature of the evaporator that performs cooling. The door open / close detection sensor 49 detects the open / closed state of the door of each room of the refrigerator.

  Further, the above-described operation control board 42 (indicated by reference numeral 32 in FIG. 3) includes, for example, a sub-control unit 50, a display control unit 51, a buzzer output unit 52, an outside temperature sensor 53, and a switch 54 configured by a CPU or the like. Etc.

  The display control unit 51 controls a display unit that informs the user of mode setting information that is currently set. Further, the buzzer output unit 52 outputs a sound for notifying the user that a switch input made by the user has been accepted or that the door has been opened for a long time. The outside temperature sensor 53 detects the temperature outside the refrigerator. The switch 54 is an input for the user to change on / off of the temperature control mode and additional functions (for example, a mode for rapidly cooling the refrigerator compartment, a mode for rapidly cooling the freezer compartment, and a mode for shortening ice making time). I do.

  The sub-control unit 50 is connected to the main control unit 43, the display control unit 51, the buzzer output unit 52, the outside air temperature sensor 53, and the switch 54. The switch 54 receives input from the user, and then performs internal processing. To determine the current mode setting. Thereafter, the display control unit 51 or the buzzer output unit 52 is controlled to notify the user of the temperature adjustment mode and the additional function operation mode setting.

  As is clear from the arrows in the figure, communication is performed between the main control unit 43 and the sub-control unit 50 described above, whereby the current state of the refrigerator is displayed on the display control unit 51. , The user is notified by outputting to the buzzer output unit 52. In addition, the additional function operation mode controlled by the main control unit 43, the open / closed state of the doors of each room of the refrigerator, the abnormality detected by the main control unit 43 (for example, the cooling fan is not locked and driven, the temperature sensor A value (eg, 90 ° C.) that is out of the temperature range (eg, −50 to 40 ° C.) that has failed and is conventionally used is transmitted to the sub-control unit 51. Further, the sub-control unit 51 transmits information on the temperature adjustment mode and additional function operation mode currently set by the user, and information on the outside temperature sensor 53 (described later) connected to the sub-control unit 11 to the main control unit 3. And share information. Further, the target value of the temperature is calculated based on the input from the temperature sensor 48 and the door opening / closing detection sensor 49 and the currently set temperature adjustment mode and additional function operation mode received from the sub-control unit 50. In addition, by controlling the damper control unit 44, the cool air blower fan control unit 45, the cooling fan control unit 46, and the compressor control unit 47, control is performed so that the temperature of each room in the refrigerator compartment becomes a target value.

  Next, FIG. 5 illustrates a process in which the sub control unit 50 controls a communication interval of communication performed between the main control unit 43 and the sub control unit 50 in the configuration of the control circuit according to the first embodiment described above. It is a flowchart figure explaining these. Here, in the communication between the main control unit 43 and the sub control unit 50, the main control unit 43 is a master and the sub control unit 50 is a slave (always, the main control unit 43 first transfers to the sub control unit 50). A case will be described in which data is transmitted and the sub-control unit 50 transmits data to the sub-main control unit 43 in response to data reception.

  First, in STEP 01, the sub control unit 50 determines whether or not the current operation is normal by communication performed with the main control unit 43. If it is “abnormal”, the fact that an abnormality has occurred or the fact that it has returned to normal is immediately communicated by communication, so control for shifting to STEP02 is not performed. On the other hand, if the state is “normal”, the process proceeds to STEP02.

  In STEP02, it is determined whether any one of the refrigerator compartment door, the freezer compartment door, the vegetable compartment door, and the ice making compartment door of the refrigerator has been opened by the user, or whether the switch has received an input from the user. If the door is closed or the switch is not receiving input, the process proceeds to STEP03. If the door is opened or the switch receives an input from the user, the process proceeds to STEP07.

  In STEP 03, it is determined whether or not the timer A that counts the time during which all the doors of the refrigerator are closed is currently being counted. If the count is not performed, the process proceeds to STEP 04. On the other hand, when counting is being performed, the process proceeds to STEP 05.

  In STEP 04, the timer A starts counting, and the counting of the time when all the doors of the refrigerator are closed and no switch input is received from the user is started. Thereafter, the process proceeds to STEP01.

  In STEP 05, it is determined whether or not the time when all the doors of the refrigerator are closed has passed a certain time (for example, 5 minutes) and the timer A has finished counting. If a certain period of time (for example, the above 5 minutes) has not elapsed and the count has not ended, the process proceeds to STEP 01 and either of the doors of the refrigerator is opened or the switch is input from the user Until a certain time (for example, the above-mentioned 5 minutes) has elapsed and the timer A has finished counting, the above-mentioned steps 01 to 05 are repeated. When a certain time (for example, the above 5 minutes) has elapsed and the timer A has finished counting, the routine proceeds to STEP06.

  In STEP 06, the communication interval between the main control unit 43 and the sub control unit 50 is as shown in the attached FIG. 9A, that is, from the communication interval in which communication is always performed, FIG. As shown by, the communication interval is changed to stop communication until there is a change in information to be transmitted. This is because after the time has elapsed since the door was closed, the user is away from the refrigerator, so there is a high possibility that the user is not using it. Therefore, during this period, the switch operation is performed. The possibility is low, and by stopping communication, it is possible to reduce the power consumption generated by performing communication to the maximum.

  Furthermore, in STEP07, the timer A that has counted the time during which all the doors of the refrigerator are closed is reset, and the process proceeds to STEP08.

  In STEP 08, the communication interval between the main control unit 43 and the sub-control unit 50 is again returned to the normal communication interval as shown in FIG. If the door is open, the user is using the refrigerator, so it is likely that the switch will change to an additional function operation mode such as changing the temperature control mode or rapid cooling, and changing the mode immediately. Is transmitted to the main control unit 43.

  Next, as Example 2 of the present invention, in order to detect the usage state of the user's refrigerator, the proximity of the human to the refrigerator is detected, and the brightness is monitored by the illuminance sensor as one of so-called human sensors. Thus, an example of changing the above-described communication interval will be described. In addition, here, in order to avoid duplication about the same component as Example 1 mentioned above, while giving the same referential mark, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. In the second embodiment, in particular, the illuminance at the place where the refrigerator is installed is measured to change the communication interval.

  First, FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the control circuit of the refrigerator, similar to FIG. 4 described above. In this figure, in addition to the block diagram of FIG. The sensor 75 is connected.

  In addition, this illumination intensity sensor 75 is attached to the front surface of the refrigerator, and detects the illumination intensity of the operation part of a refrigerator.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the communication interval between the main control unit 43 and the sub control unit 50 is controlled by the illuminance on the front surface of the refrigerator in the second embodiment. In this figure as well, the same steps as those shown in FIG. 5 are given the same reference numerals in order to avoid duplication, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In the second embodiment, in particular, in STEP 12, whether or not the illuminance on the front surface of the refrigerator detected by the illuminance sensor 75 is dark compared to the set value recorded in the sub-control unit 50, or the switch 54 is It is determined whether the input from is received. As a result, when it is determined that the illuminance on the front surface of the refrigerator is dark or the switch 54 has not received input from the user, the process proceeds to STEP03. On the other hand, when the illuminance on the front surface of the refrigerator is bright or the switch 54 does not accept input, the process proceeds to STEP07.

  According to this, in general, when the place where the refrigerator is installed is dark, there are many cases where the user does not operate, so at a timing earlier than the case where the opening and closing of the door is monitored in the first embodiment described above. Communication can be stopped, that is, power consumption can be reduced at an early timing.

  Subsequently, Example 3 of the present invention will be described below. In the third embodiment, the communication time is changed step by step, and the control circuit thereof is the same as that shown in FIG. 6, so the description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 8 shows the communication circuit in the control circuit of the refrigerator according to the third embodiment by performing communication between the main control unit 43 and the sub control unit 50 in combination with the first embodiment and the second embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process to change automatically.

  In the process shown in FIG. 8, in STEP 19, it is determined whether or not the door close timer is counting up. As a result, if it is determined as “not yet”, the communication interval is set (changed) to “normal” (see FIG. 9A) in STEP23.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the door close timer count-up is “completed”, in step 20, the illuminance detected by the sensor is higher (brighter) or lower (darker) than the set value. Determine whether. If it is determined as “high” as a result, the communication interval is set (changed) to “long” (see FIG. 9B) in STEP22. If it is determined as “low”, the communication interval is set (changed) to “stop” (see FIG. 9C) in STEP 21.

  According to this, when a certain period of time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed without opening and closing the door, the communication interval is once increased by one step as shown in FIG. 9B (in this example, However, if the illumination intensity on the front surface of the refrigerator is low, it is possible to predict a situation in which the refrigerator is not used because the user is sleeping, etc. As indicated by C), the communication interval is changed to stop communication until there is a change in information to be transmitted. That is, according to this, according to the usage condition of a refrigerator, it becomes possible to reduce the electric power consumed in communication in steps.

  Furthermore, Example 4 which changes communication time with the frequency | count of opening and closing of a door is demonstrated below. In the fourth embodiment, the control circuit is the same as that shown in FIG. 4, and the description thereof is omitted here. In Example 4, a time zone in which the refrigerator is used is set in advance.

  First, the principle of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram in which the number of opening and closing of the refrigerator door is actually totaled and divided every hour during a period of one week. According to this total result, as shown in the lower part, based on the cumulative number of times of opening and closing, the time zone of the day (0 o'clock to 24 o'clock) is divided into a plurality of areas, It is classified into one of “time zone in which the refrigerator is used”, “time zone in which the refrigerator is hardly used”, and “time zone in which the refrigerator is not used”. Then, in the “time zone in which the refrigerator is frequently used”, the communication interval is set to “normal” (see FIG. 9A), and the “time zone in which the refrigerator is hardly used” is continuously set. In the continuing time zone, the communication interval is “long” (see FIG. 9B), and in the time zone where “the time zone when the refrigerator is not used” continues continuously, the communication is “ “Stop” (see FIG. 9C).

  According to this, like Example 2 and 3 mentioned above, it is possible to implement | achieve cheaply, without using a new illumination sensor etc., and communication when a user is not using the refrigerator It becomes possible to reduce the power consumption due to.

  An example of processing for realizing the fourth embodiment is shown in the flowchart of FIG. This process may be executed about once per hour, for example. In this process, first, in STEP 31, the time zone in which the refrigerator is currently used is determined. This can be easily realized by using, for example, a clock signal of a CPU constituting the sub control unit 50. Thereafter, in STEP 32, a communication interval corresponding to the determined time zone is set, and the process ends. For example, in the memory of the CPU constituting the sub-control unit 50, communication intervals set in a plurality of areas in the above-mentioned day time zone (0 to 24:00) are stored in advance as a table, for example. In addition, the sub-control unit 50 can easily realize by referring to this table.

  In addition, a plurality of communication intervals set in a plurality of areas in the above-described time zone (0 to 24:00) are prepared by changing the pattern, and the user selects a desired pattern from these. It would be possible to be able to configure. Further, by providing the main control unit 43 or the sub-control unit 50 with the function of counting the number of times the refrigerator door is opened and closed, the optimum communication interval corresponding to the time zone is set in the same manner as described above. It would be possible to do that.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Refrigerator housing, 12 ... Cold room door, 13 ... Operation panel, 14 ... Ice making room door, 15 ... Freezer room door, 16 ... Vegetable room door, 21 ... Switch, 22 ... Display, 31 ... internal control board, 32 ... operation control board, 33 ... communication line, 41 ... internal control board, 42 ... operation control board, 43 ... main control part, 44 ... damper control part, 45 ... cool air blower fan control part, 46 ... Cooling fan control unit, 47 ... Compressor control unit, 48 ... Temperature sensor, 49 ... Door open / close detection sensor, 50 ... Sub control unit, 51 ... Display control unit, 52 ... Buzzer output unit, 53 ... Outside temperature sensor, 54 ... Switch, 75 ... Illuminance sensor

Claims (5)

A housing having a plurality of storage chambers formed therein;
A plurality of doors attached to each of the plurality of storage chambers so as to be openable and closable ;
A refrigerator comprising a refrigeration cycle attached to a part of the housing,
A part of the housing is mounted with a control board that controls at least the operation of the refrigeration cycle, and a part of the door has a switch capable of mode setting operation, a temperature detection means, and a display unit, further, an operation control board for the operation of the mode setting operable switch and the temperature sensing means and the display unit and the control target mounted, and the operation control board and the control board, through the communication line with each other by transmitting and receiving communication signals at a predetermined frequency per unit time, in which share information that each have, it has to constitute a control circuit for controlling the operation of the refrigerator,
The control circuit determines the frequency of transmission and reception of the communication signal when all of the plurality of doors are closed for a predetermined time or more, and the communication signal when one of the plurality of doors is open. A refrigerator characterized by having a function of reducing the frequency of transmission / reception . 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit further sets the frequency of the transmission / reception of the communication signal when the input of the switch capable of mode setting operation is not input for a predetermined time or more, and the switch capable of mode setting operation. The refrigerator has a function of reducing the frequency compared to the frequency of transmission / reception of the communication signal when the input is within a predetermined time . 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit has a function of changing the frequency of transmission / reception of the communication signal in stages including stoppage . 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator includes a human sensor that detects the proximity of a person, and the control circuit further detects a human proximity based on a detection signal from the human sensor. A refrigerator having a function of reducing the frequency of transmission / reception of the communication signal when no human detection is detected . 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit further includes a function of reducing a frequency of transmission and reception of the communication signal in a time zone in which the refrigerator is not used compared to a time zone in which the refrigerator is used. refrigerator, characterized in that is.

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