JP5709705B2 - Freezer refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator-freezer.

  In recent years, household refrigerator-freezers have been increasing in capacity and power consumption. In addition, with the growing trend toward power saving, there is an increasing need to save electricity by devising how to use refrigerator-freezer users.

  As a method for solving such a problem, it is known that the temperature of each storage room is set to be high, and it is also proposed to provide a setting for turning off cooling of the refrigerating room (for example, Patent Documents). 1). In other words, the cool air flow switching means for switching the cool air flow channel supplies the cold air generated by the cooler to both the refrigeration temperature zone chamber and the freezing temperature zone chamber, and the cold air is supplied only to the freezing temperature zone chamber. In order to switch off the cooling of the refrigerator compartment, select the mode to supply cold air only to the freezer temperature zone and control not to supply cold air to the refrigerator compartment. Yes.

JP 2004-251515 A

However, in the conventional refrigerator-freezer, once the cooling control is stopped, the cooling stop state continues until the user cancels the setting even if the temperature of the storage room where the cooling control is stopped abnormally increases . food that had been stored in the yield paid room there was a problem of deterioration.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a refrigerator-freezer capable of realizing food protection in a storage room set to stop cooling control.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the refrigerator-freezer according to the present invention includes a plurality of partitioned storage chambers and cooling that generates cool air that cools the surrounding air and supplies it to each of the storage chambers. , An air passage for allowing the cool air generated by the cooler to flow into the storage chambers, an air volume adjusting unit for adjusting an inflow amount of cold air from the air passage to the storage chambers, and a temperature of the storage chambers A temperature detection unit for detecting each of the storage chambers, a cooling stop setting unit capable of individually setting a cooling control stop of each storage chamber, and a storage chamber set to stop the cooling control by the cooling stop setting unit For the air flow adjustment unit, the air flow adjustment unit stops cooling air flow to stop the cooling control, and the temperature detection unit sets an abnormal temperature that is a temperature equal to or higher than a preset first temperature for a predetermined time. If you continue to detect Even during the setting to stop the cooling control, the control for stopping the inflow of the cold air into the storage chamber by the air volume adjusting unit is canceled, and the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit is higher than the first temperature. And a control unit that performs cooling control until the temperature returns to a low temperature that is lower than a preset second temperature.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that food protection in the storage room set to stop the cooling control can be realized.

1 is a front view showing an example of a refrigerator-freezer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the refrigerator-freezer of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of the refrigerator-freezer of FIG. FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator-freezer. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the switching chamber of the refrigerator-freezer according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the weight and the detection voltage. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the switching chamber of the refrigerator-freezer according to Embodiment 5. FIG. 12 is another diagram showing an example of the configuration of the switching chamber of the refrigerator-freezer according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the distance and the detection voltage. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a display panel in Embodiment 6. FIG. 15 is a time chart showing the operation of the seventh embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a refrigerator-freezer according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a front view showing an example of a refrigerator-freezer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the refrigerator-freezer of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of the refrigerator-freezer of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator-freezer 1 is configured to include a plurality of compartmented compartments. Specifically, for example, a refrigerator compartment 100 provided with a pair of left and right front doors of a double door type, An ice making chamber 200 and a switching chamber 300 arranged side by side under the refrigerator compartment 100, a vegetable chamber 400 provided under the ice making chamber 200 and the switching chamber 300, and a freezing chamber provided under the vegetable chamber 400 500. Here, the ice making room 200, the switching room 300, the vegetable room 400, and the freezing room 500 are each provided with a front door. The switching chamber 300 is a storage chamber capable of temperature switching. On the door surface of the refrigerator compartment 100, there is provided an operation panel 5 capable of adjusting the setting of each storage compartment. As will be described later, the operation panel 5 is provided with a button (operation unit) capable of stopping and setting cooling control for all or part of the storage chamber of the refrigerator 1. The left and right door partitions of the refrigerator compartment 100 are provided with a heat retaining heater 42 for preventing dew.

  Next, the internal structure of the refrigerator-freezer 1 is demonstrated using FIGS. 1-3. An air passage 4 extends in the vertical direction on the back side in the refrigerator 1, and the air passage 4 communicates the freezer compartment 500 and the refrigerator compartment 100. In the air passage 4, a cooler 3 that cools ambient air and generates cool air to be supplied to each storage chamber, and cool air that is disposed, for example, above the cooler 3 and is generated by the cooler 3. A fan 2 (air blowing unit) for circulation is provided. The cooler 3 and the fan 2 are arrange | positioned at the back side of the vegetable compartment 400, for example. In addition, a compressor 7 that compresses the refrigerant is disposed in the lower part on the back side in the refrigerator 1. The cooler 3 constitutes a refrigeration cycle together with the compressor 7.

  In the refrigerator 1, a damper as an air volume adjusting unit that adjusts the amount of cold air flowing directly or indirectly from the air passage 4 is provided in each of the refrigerator room 100, the ice making room 200, the switching room 300, and the vegetable room 400. It is provided for each storage room. Specifically, a refrigeration room damper 21 is provided at the upper end of the air passage 4 with respect to the refrigerating room 100, and the cold air flowing directly into the refrigerating room 100 from the air passage 4 by opening and closing the refrigerating room damper 21. The inflow is adjusted. For the ice making chamber 200, an ice making damper 24 is provided in an air passage 25 a that communicates the ice making chamber 200 and the air passage 4, and the ice making chamber damper 24 is opened and closed to directly open the ice making chamber 200 to the ice making chamber 200. The amount of inflowing cold air is adjusted. Further, the ice making chamber 200 is provided with a refrigeration chamber return path 8 having one end communicating with the refrigeration chamber 100 and the other end communicating with the vegetable chamber 400. The return path 8 for the refrigerator compartment constitutes a return air passage for the cool air sent to the refrigerator compartment 100 by the fan 2. An ice making machine 210 is provided in the ice making chamber 200. For the switching chamber 300, a switching chamber damper 22 is provided in an air passage 25 b that connects the switching chamber 300 and the air passage 4, and the switching chamber damper 22 is opened and closed to directly open the switching chamber 300 from the air passage 4 to the switching chamber 300. The amount of inflowing cold air is adjusted. The switching chamber 300 is also provided with a refrigeration chamber return path 8 having one end communicating with the refrigeration chamber 100 and the other end communicating with the vegetable chamber. For the vegetable room 400, a vegetable room damper 23 is provided on the return path 8 for the refrigeration room in the ice making room 200 and the switching room 300, and the vegetable room damper 23 is opened and closed to indirectly open the air path 4. Thus, the amount of cool air flowing into the vegetable compartment 400 is adjusted. The vegetable room return path 9, which is an air path that connects the vegetable room 400 and the freezing room 500, constitutes a return air path for the cold air sent to the refrigerator room 100 by the fan 2. Although not shown, a freezer compartment damper can be provided in the air passage 4, and the inflow amount of cold air flowing directly into the freezer compartment 500 from the air passage 4 can be adjusted by opening and closing the freezer compartment damper. can do. Further, the air volume adjusting unit may be other than the damper as long as it can adjust the inflow amount of the cold air from the air passage 4 to each storage chamber.

  A heat retaining heater 41 is provided in the vegetable room 400 and is used to adjust the room temperature to an appropriate temperature. The pipe 61 for pouring water from the water supply tank 110 to the ice making machine 210 is provided with a heat retaining heater 43 for the purpose of preventing freezing.

  A temperature measuring unit is provided in each storage chamber of the refrigerator 1. That is, the freezer compartment thermistor 34 in the freezer compartment 500, the vegetable compartment thermistor 33 in the vegetable compartment 400, the icemaker thermistor 35 in the icemaker 200, and the switching compartment thermistor 32 in the switching compartment 300, A refrigerator compartment thermistor 31 is provided in the refrigerator compartment 100.

  A door switch (door open / close detection unit) provided in each storage room detects the open / closed state of the door of each storage room. That is, the refrigerator compartment door switch 11 outputs a signal to the control board 6 according to the open / close state of the refrigerator compartment door. The same applies to the switching room door switch 12, the vegetable room door switch 13, the freezer room door switch 14, and the ice making room door switch 15. The control board 6 is provided on the back surface of the refrigerator-freezer 1.

  Next, the outline of cooling of the refrigerator-freezer 1 is demonstrated using FIGS. 1-3. The cooler 3 is cooled by circulating the refrigerant when the compressor 7 is operated and exchanging heat with the surrounding air. By applying wind to the cooled cooler 3 with the fan 2, the cold air passes through the air passage 4 and circulates in the refrigerator compartment 100, the ice making room 200, the switching room 300, the vegetable room 400, and the freezer room 500. The storage room is cooled. At this time, the return path 8 for the refrigerator compartment and the return path 9 for the vegetable compartment constitute a return air path for the cool air sent by the fan 2.

  Since the temperature of the cooler blowout is generally as low as −20 ° C. or lower, when the cold air is fed into each storage chamber as it is, the storage chamber (refrigeration chamber 100, vegetable) that keeps the inside temperature at 0 ° C. or higher. The room 400 and the switching room 300 set to the refrigeration temperature zone cannot be controlled to the set temperature, and the food freezes. In order to prevent this, the cold room damper 21, the switching room damper 22, the vegetable room damper 23, and the ice making damper 24 are controlled to open and close to adjust the inflow amount of cold air from the air passage 4 or to keep warm. The heater 41 is kept at an appropriate temperature by energizing it. Appropriate temperatures are, for example, about 4 ° C. for the refrigerator compartment 100 and about 7 ° C. for the vegetable compartment 400. In addition, in the case of a freezing temperature zone storage room (ice making room 200, freezing room 500, and switching room 300 set in the freezing temperature zone) that keeps the inside temperature at a temperature of 0 ° C. or less, the appropriate temperature is For example, about -18 ° C.

  FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator-freezer 1. The control board 6 includes microcomputers 51 and 52. The microcomputer 51 receives the temperature of each storage room obtained by the cold room thermistor 31, the switching room thermistor 32, the vegetable room thermistor 33, the freezing room thermistor 34, and the ice making thermistor 35. The room temperature is detected. The microcomputer 51 opens and closes dampers of each storage room (refrigeration room damper 21, switching room damper 22, vegetable room damper 23, ice making room damper 24, etc.) based on the obtained temperature of each storage room. Control of the rotational speed of the fan 2, control of the rotational speed of the compressor 7 by giving a command to the microcomputer 52 which is a compressor driver, and control of the heat retaining heaters 41 to 43, etc. I am in control. Further, the microcomputer 51 opens and closes the doors of the respective storage rooms by inputting signals from the refrigerator compartment door switch 11, the switching compartment door switch 12, the vegetable compartment door switch 13, the freezer compartment door switch 14, and the ice making compartment door switch 15. It is possible to detect the state and the door opening / closing frequency. That is, the microcomputer 51 has a function of counting the number of times the door is opened / closed based on an output signal from each door switch, and thus the door opening / closing frequency can be obtained as the number of times the door is opened / closed within a certain period.

  In addition, the operation panel 5 is provided with a button (cooling stop setting unit) capable of stopping and setting the cooling control of all the storage rooms or a part of the storage rooms of the refrigerator 1 and by operating the buttons. The input information is sent to the microcomputer 51, and the refrigerator-freezer 1 is controlled in accordance with the setting for stopping the cooling control. Specifically, when the setting for stopping the cooling control of the storage chamber is made, the microcomputer 51 closes the damper capable of adjusting the cold air flowing into the storage chamber.

  Next, in the refrigerator 1 of this Embodiment, the operation | movement at the time of stopping cooling of the storage room of a freezing temperature zone is demonstrated. Here, the case where the cooling of the ice making chamber 200 is stopped as an example of the storage chamber in the freezing temperature zone will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present embodiment.

  First, the microcomputer 51 determines whether or not there is a cooling stop setting (S1). The presence / absence of the cooling stop setting can be determined according to the setting information input from the operation panel 5. That is, the microcomputer 51 determines that there is a cooling stop setting when the cooling stop setting is made via the operation panel 5, and determines that there is no cooling stop setting otherwise. If the result of determination is that cooling stop has not been set (S1, No), the microcomputer 51 controls to continue normal operation (S2). On the other hand, when the cooling stop of the ice making chamber 200 is set (S1, Yes), the microcomputer 51 determines whether or not the abnormal temperature continues for a certain time T1 by the input of the temperature information from the ice making thermistor 35. Determine (S3). Here, the abnormal temperature is defined as a temperature equal to or higher than a preset temperature θ1 (first temperature), and θ1 is set from the viewpoint of protecting food in the storage room. As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the abnormal temperature does not continue for a certain time T1 (S3, No), the microcomputer 51 continues the cooling stop control and keeps the ice making room damper 24 closed. (S5).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the abnormal temperature continues for a certain time T1 (S3, Yes), the microcomputer 51 opens the ice making room damper 24 and resumes cooling (S4). Subsequently, the microcomputer 51 determines whether or not the temperature of the ice making chamber 200 has decreased to a temperature θ2 (second temperature) or less (S6). Here, θ2 is set in advance as a temperature lower than θ1, and is a normal temperature different from the abnormal temperature. When the temperature of the ice making chamber 200 is reduced to θ2 or less (S6, Yes), the microcomputer 51 closes the ice making damper 24 and returns to the cooling stop control (S5). On the other hand, when the temperature of the ice making chamber 200 has not decreased to θ2 or less (S6, No), the process returns to S1. T1, θ1, and θ2 are, for example, T1 = 10 minutes, θ1 = 0 ° C., and θ2 = −10 ° C.

  The above description is the same when the cooling of the freezing room 500 or the switching room 300 set in the freezing temperature zone is stopped.

  In the refrigerator 1, the cooling of the storage room in the refrigeration temperature zone may be stopped, and similarly controlled according to the flowchart of FIG. 5. For example, when the cooling of the refrigerator compartment 100 is stopped, T1 = 10 minutes, θ1 = 15 ° C., and θ2 = 4 ° C. can be set.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the abnormal temperature continues for a certain period of time in the storage room set to stop the cooling control, even if the cooling control is being set to stop, Since the cooling control is performed until the damper is unblocked and returned to the normal temperature, food protection in the storage room set to stop the cooling control can be realized. Here, the storage room in which the cooling control can be stopped is the freezing temperature zone, the refrigeration temperature zone, or both. In particular, it is possible to obtain a large power saving effect of about 10% or more by stopping the cooling of the storage room in the freezing temperature range where the temperature difference from the ambient temperature of the freezer is large. On the other hand, in the conventional refrigerator-freezer, since the cooling control is stopped only for the storage room in the refrigerated temperature zone, the temperature difference between the temperature of the storage room and the ambient temperature of the refrigerator-freezer is small, and a large power saving effect cannot be obtained. It was.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present embodiment. In addition, since the structure of the refrigerator-freezer 1 of this Embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. Below, with reference to FIG. 6, the operation | movement in case cooling control of the vegetable compartment 400, the ice-making room 200, or the refrigerator compartment 100 is stopped is demonstrated, for example.

  First, the microcomputer 51 determines whether or not there is a cooling stop setting (S11). If the result of determination is that cooling stop has not been set (S11, No), the microcomputer 51 controls to continue normal operation (S12).

  When the cooling stop is set (S11, Yes), the microcomputer 51 determines whether or not the cooling control of the vegetable compartment 400 is stopped (S13). That is, as described in Embodiment 1, it is determined whether or not the vegetable compartment 400 is in a cooling stop state by closing the vegetable compartment damper 23. As a result of the determination, when the vegetable compartment 400 is stopped from cooling control (S13, Yes), the microcomputer 51 turns off the heat retaining heater 41 (S14). That is, the energization of the heat retaining heater 41 is stopped. Instead of stopping energization, the energization may be weakened. The reason why the energization of the heat retaining heater 41 is stopped or weakened is that in the storage room set to stop the cooling control, the room temperature rises by closing the damper, and therefore it is not necessary to heat using the heat retaining heater. is there. When the vegetable room 400 is not stopped for cooling control (S13, No), the process proceeds to S15.

  Next, the microcomputer 51 determines whether or not the cooling control of the ice making chamber 200 is stopped (S15). As a result of the determination, when the ice making chamber 200 is stopped from cooling control (S15, Yes), the microcomputer 51 turns off the heat retaining heater 43 (S16). That is, the energization of the heat retaining heater 43 is stopped. Instead of stopping energization, the energization may be weakened. When the ice making chamber 200 is not stopped for cooling control (S15, No), the process proceeds to S17.

  Next, the microcomputer 51 determines whether or not the cooling control of the refrigerator compartment 100 is stopped (S17). If the result of determination is that cooling control of the refrigerator compartment 100 is stopped (S17, Yes), the microcomputer 51 turns off the heat retaining heater 42 (S18). That is, the energization of the heat retaining heater 42 is stopped. Instead of stopping energization, the energization may be weakened. When the refrigerator compartment 100 is not stopped for cooling control (S17, No), the process returns to S11.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a greater power saving effect is obtained by controlling to turn off the heat retaining heater that does not require heating in accordance with the storage chamber set to stop the cooling control. It becomes possible. Needless to say, the present embodiment can be applied to any storage room provided with a heat retaining heater. Other operations and effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present embodiment. In addition, since the structure of the refrigerator-freezer 1 of this Embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. Below, with reference to FIG. 7, the operation | movement in case cooling control of the ice making chamber 200 is stopped is demonstrated, for example.

  First, the microcomputer 51 determines whether or not there is a cooling stop setting (S21). If the result of determination is that cooling stop has not been set (S21, No), the microcomputer 51 controls to continue normal operation (S22).

  When the cooling stop of the ice making chamber 200 is set (S21, Yes), the microcomputer 51 counts the door opening / closing frequency of the ice making chamber 200 (S23). That is, the microcomputer 51 counts the number of times the ice making chamber 200 is opened and closed within a certain time T2 based on the output signal from the ice making chamber door switch 15, and obtains the door opening and closing frequency from this. Here, the fixed time T2 is a preset time.

  Subsequently, the microcomputer 51 determines whether or not the door opening / closing frequency within the predetermined time T2 is less than N1 (S24). Here, N1 is a preset natural number. If the result of determination is that the door opening / closing frequency is N1 or more (S24, No), the microcomputer 51 controls to continue normal operation (S22). On the other hand, when the door opening / closing frequency is less than N1 (S24, Yes), the microcomputer 51 counts the cumulative door opening / closing frequency. That is, the microcomputer 51 obtains the total number of door opening / closing times from a certain reference time, and determines whether or not the number is less than N2 times (S25). Here, N2 is a preset natural number. As a result of the determination, if the cumulative door opening / closing count is N2 or more (S25, No), the microcomputer 51 controls to continue normal operation (S22). If the cumulative door opening / closing count is less than N2 (S25, Yes), the microcomputer 51 continues the cooling stop control (S26). In the above, for example, N1 = 3 times, N2 = 10 times, and T2 = 1 hour.

  Moreover, when cooling of the refrigerator compartment 100, the switching room 300, the vegetable compartment 400, or the freezer compartment 500 is stopped, it is similarly controlled according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the door opening / closing frequency of the storage room set to stop the cooling control is measured, and when the door opening / closing frequency is high, the cooling control is being stopped. However, since the control is performed to return to the normal operation control, food protection in the storage chamber can be realized. Other operations and effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. Moreover, this Embodiment and Embodiment 2 can also be combined.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the switching chamber 300 of the refrigerator-freezer 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, a storage case 302 separated from the switching chamber door 301 is disposed in the switching chamber 300. The storage case 302 is disposed on the partition 303 via the weight sensor 71. That is, the weight sensor 71 is installed between the bottom of the storage case 302 and the partition 303, and the weight sensor 71 and the storage case 302 are in contact with each other. A food 81 is stored in the storage case 302. The weight sensor 71 measures the weight of the storage case 302 including the food 81. In addition, the other structure of the refrigerator-freezer 1 of this Embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1.

  FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the weight measured by the weight sensor 71 and the detection voltage. The output from the weight sensor 71 changes as shown in FIG. 9 according to the weight of the measurement target of the weight sensor 71. In FIG. 9, the weight of the storage case 302 when the food 81 is not contained is m0, and the detection voltage at this time is V0. M1 is the minimum weight that can be detected when the food 81 is in the storage case 302, and the detection voltage at this time is V1. m2 is the weight when an arbitrary food 81 is put, and the detection voltage at this time is V2. Thus, the presence or absence of the food 81 in the storage case 302 can be determined from the detection voltage of the weight sensor 71.

  The detection voltage of the weight sensor 71 is input to the microcomputer 51 of the control board 6, and the microcomputer 51 detects the weight based on the relationship between the weight and the detection voltage as shown in FIG. The presence or absence of the food 81 is detected.

  Next, in the refrigerator 1 of this Embodiment, the operation | movement at the time of stopping cooling of the switching chamber 300 in which the foodstuff 81 is accommodated is demonstrated with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present embodiment.

  First, the microcomputer 51 determines whether or not there is a cooling stop setting (S31). If the result of determination is that cooling stop has not been set (S31, No), the microcomputer 51 controls to continue normal operation (S32). Here, since it is assumed that the switching chamber 300 has been cooled (S31, Yes), the process proceeds to S33, and the microcomputer 51 measures the weight of the switching chamber 300. That is, the microcomputer 51 detects the weight of the storage case 302 based on the detected voltage, which is an output from the weight sensor 71 (food detection unit), and the relationship between FIG.

  Subsequently, the microcomputer 51 determines whether or not the detected weight is less than m1 (S34). If the detected weight is less than m1 (S34, Yes), the microcomputer 51 performs cooling stop control (S35). On the other hand, when it is m1 or more (S34, No), the microcomputer 51 returns to normal operation control (S32). That is, even if the microcomputer 51 is set to stop the cooling control, when the food 81 is stored in the switching chamber 300, the microcomputer 51 cancels the setting to stop the cooling control and sets the cooling control. I do. For example, even when the food 81 is not stored in the switching chamber 300 at the beginning, when the food 81 is newly stored in the switching chamber 300 after that, the cooling stop setting of the switching chamber 300 is canceled and the cooling is performed. Control is implemented.

  In addition, also when cooling of the refrigerator compartment 100, the ice-making room 300, the vegetable room 400, or the freezer compartment 500 is stopped, it is controlled according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 by applying the same configuration.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the weight of the storage chamber can be measured even when the storage chamber for which cooling is stopped is set in error or when food is stored in the storage chamber while the cooling stop is set. Since the food in the storage room is detected and controlled to return to the normal control, food protection in the storage room can be realized.

  Further, in the present embodiment, it may be notified by display on the display panel 5, for example, that the control has returned to normal control, or as a means for obtaining the same effect, notification that there is food in the storage room. good. Other operations and effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. Further, the present embodiment can be combined with the second and third embodiments.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
In the fourth embodiment, the weight sensor is used as the food detection unit that detects the presence or absence of food. However, the presence or absence of food may be detected using a distance sensor.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the switching chamber 300 of the refrigerator-freezer 1 according to the present embodiment, and is a diagram when no food is present in the storage case. FIG. 12 is another diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the switching chamber 300 of the refrigerator-freezer 1 according to the present embodiment, and is a diagram when food is present in the storage case. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the present embodiment, a distance sensor 72 is provided at the bottom of the back surface of the storage case 302. The distance sensor 72 radiates infrared rays and detects the presence or absence of food by measuring the time until the infrared rays are reflected and returned. That is, the time until the infrared ray radiated from the distance sensor 72 is reflected and returns to the distance sensor 72 varies depending on the presence or absence of food. The distance sensor 72 outputs a detection voltage corresponding to the measurement time. 11 and 12, the same components as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Moreover, the other structure of the refrigerator-freezer 1 of this Embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1.

  FIG. 13 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the distance measured by the distance sensor 72 and the detected voltage. In FIG. 13, d0 is a distance (distance from the distance sensor 72 to the front surface of the storage case 302) detected by the distance sensor 72 when no food is contained in the storage case 302. The detected voltage at this time is V0. d1 is the maximum distance that can be detected when the food 81 is in the storage case 302, and the detection voltage at this time is V1. d2 is a case where the distance from the distance sensor 72 to the food 81 is an arbitrary distance, and the detection voltage at this time is V2.

  The detection voltage of the distance sensor 72 is input to the microcomputer 51 of the control board 6, and the microcomputer 51 detects the distance based on the relationship between the distance and the detection voltage as shown in FIG. The presence or absence of the food 81 is detected.

  The operation of the present embodiment is the same as that of the fourth embodiment. Specifically, in the flowchart of FIG. 10, “weight measurement” is replaced with “distance measurement” in S33, and “weight is less than m1?” Is replaced with “distance is greater than d1” in S34.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the storage chamber for which the cooling is stopped is erroneously set or when the food is stored in the storage chamber while the cooling stop is set, the food is determined from the reflection time of the distance sensor 72. Since 81 is detected and control is performed to return to normal control, food protection in the storage room can be realized. Other operations and effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the fourth embodiment.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the display panel 5 in the present embodiment. The display panel 5 includes an operation unit (buttons and the like) that can be set in various ways and a display unit that can display the operation results and the like. As described in the first embodiment, the display panel 5 has a function as a cooling stop setting unit. However, in this embodiment, the setting for stopping the cooling control is performed or the setting for stopping the cooling control is in progress. In such a case, lighting or blinking display as shown below is performed on the display unit. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the display of the cooling stop setting and the display of the storage room set for cooling stop are turned on or blinking on the operation panel 5 to indicate that the cooling stop is being set and which storage room is cooled. It is made to perceive whether it is stopped.

  For example, when the cooling of the ice making chamber 200 is stopped, the cooling stop display (“cooling stop”) and the ice making chamber display (“ice making”) are turned on or blinked. At this time, the “ECO” display may be turned on or blinked in order to notify that power is being saved.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily recognize that the cooling stop is being set and which storage chamber is stopped. Further, by turning on or blinking the ECO display, it is possible to easily recognize that power is being saved. In addition, the other structure of this Embodiment, an operation | movement, and an effect are the same as that of Embodiment 1-5.

Embodiment 7 FIG.
FIG. 15 is a time chart showing the operation of the present embodiment. Below, with reference to FIG. 15, the operation | movement at the time of stopping cooling control of the ice making chamber 200 is demonstrated, for example. In addition, the structure of the refrigerator-freezer 1 of this Embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1.

  As shown in FIG. 15, when the cooling stop of the ice making chamber 200 is set at time t = t1, the damper (ice making chamber damper 24) is closed to stop the cooling of the ice making chamber 200. This makes it possible to reduce the cooling capacity of the ice making chamber 200 by the volume, so that the rotational speed of the fan 2 is decreased from f3 to f1, and the rotational speed of the compressor 7 is decreased from F3 to F1. Further, the heat retaining heater 43 in the ice making chamber 200 is also turned off because heating is unnecessary. The temperature of the ice making chamber 200 at this time is defined as θ11.

  When the temperature of the ice making chamber 200 that has stopped cooling rises to θ13 at time t = t2, the damper (ice making chamber damper 24) is opened by the food protection control. At this time, the rotation speed of the fan 2 is increased from f1 to f2, the rotation speed of the compressor 7 is increased from F1 to F2, and the ice making chamber 200 is rapidly cooled again. When the temperature of the ice making chamber 200 becomes θ12 or less at time t = t3, the damper (ice making chamber damper 24) is closed again, the rotation speed of the fan 2 is changed from f2 to f1, and the rotation speed of the compressor is changed from F2. Reduce to F1. The main body of the control is the control circuit 6 (microcomputer 51). Further, for example, f1 = 800 rpm, f2 = 1000 rpm, f3 = 1200 rpm, F1 = 18 rps, F2 = 30 rps, F3 = 40 rps, θ11 = −20 ° C., θ12 = −7 ° C., and θ13 = 0 ° C.

  In the above description, the ice making chamber 200 is taken as an example, but the same applies to the case where the cooling of the refrigerator compartment 100, the switching chamber 300, the vegetable compartment 400, or the freezer compartment 500 is stopped. When the cooling of the refrigerator compartment 100 is stopped, the heat retaining heater 42 is turned off, and when the cooling of the vegetable room 400 is stopped, the heat retaining heater 43 is turned off.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the number of rotations of the fan 2 and the number of rotations of the compressor 7 are reduced in accordance with the storage chamber where the cooling is stopped, so that a greater power saving effect can be obtained. It becomes.

  In addition, after reaching the food protection temperature (abnormal temperature) θ13, the rotation speed of the fan 2 and the rotation speed of the compressor 7 are increased to quickly cool the food, so that the food can be protected more reliably. .

  In addition, although Embodiment 1-7 demonstrated the case where the cooling control of any one storage chamber was stopped, you may stop cooling control simultaneously about two or more storage chambers. In this case, a greater power saving effect can be obtained.

  The present invention is useful as a power saving technique for a refrigerator-freezer.

1 Freezer refrigerator 2 Fan
3 Cooler
4 wind paths
5 Operation panel 6 Control board 7 Compressor 8 Return path for refrigerator compartment 9 Return path for vegetable compartment 11 Refrigerator compartment door switch 12 Switching compartment door switch 13 Vegetable compartment door switch 14 Freezer compartment door switch 15 Ice making compartment door switch 21 For refrigerator compartment Damper 22 Damper for switching room
23 Damper for vegetable room 24 Damper for ice making room 31 Refrigerated room thermistor
32 Switching room thermistor 33 Vegetable room thermistor 34 Freezer room thermistor
35 Ice Making Thermistor
41-43 Thermal insulation heater 51, 52 Microcomputer
71 Weight sensor 72 Distance sensor 81 Food 100 Refrigerating room 110 Tank 200 Ice making room 210 Ice making machine 300 Switching room
301 Switching room door 302 Storage case 400 Vegetable room 500 Freezer room

Claims (10)

A plurality of partitioned storage rooms;
A cooler that cools ambient air and generates cool air to be supplied to the storage chambers;
An air passage through which the cool air generated by the cooler flows into the storage chambers;
An air volume adjusting unit that adjusts an inflow amount of cold air from the air path to the storage chambers;
A temperature detector for detecting the temperature of each storage chamber;
A cooling stop setting section capable of individually setting a stop of the cooling control of each storage chamber;
It is determined whether or not the cooling stop setting unit is set to stop the cooling control. If the cooling stop setting unit is not set to stop the cooling control, control is performed to continue normal operation, and the cooling stop is performed. When the setting of the cooling control is set to be stopped by the setting unit, for the storage chamber that is set to stop the cooling control by the cooling stop setting unit, inflow of cold air into the storage chamber by the air volume adjusting unit Is set to stop cooling control when the temperature detection unit continuously detects an abnormal temperature that is equal to or higher than a preset first temperature for a certain period of time or more. Even when the air flow is adjusted, the control for stopping the inflow of cool air into the storage chamber by the air volume adjusting unit is canceled, and the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit is lower than the first temperature. And a control unit that performs cooling control until returning to below a second temperature which is fit set,
A refrigerator-freezer comprising the above. At least a part of the plurality of storage chambers includes a heat retaining heater for increasing the temperature or preventing freezing or condensation due to a decrease in temperature,
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops or weakens energization of the heat retaining heater when the setting to stop the cooling control is performed for the storage chamber including the heat retaining heater. Freezer refrigerator. A door opening / closing detector for detecting opening / closing of the door of each storage room;
The control unit has a function of counting the number of door opening and closing based on the output from the door opening and closing detection unit,
For the storage room set to stop the cooling control, the control unit counts the door opening and closing frequency of the storage room as the number of door opening and closing times within a predetermined time, and the door opening and closing frequency is a predetermined number of times set in advance. In the above case, the setting for stopping the cooling control is canceled even during the setting for stopping the cooling control. At least a part of the plurality of storage rooms includes a food detection unit capable of determining whether food is stored in the storage room,
Whether or not food is stored in the storage room based on an output from the food detection unit when the control unit is set to stop the cooling control for the storage room provided with the food detection unit. 4. When food is stored in the storage room as a result of the determination, the setting for stopping the cooling control is canceled and the cooling control is performed. The refrigerator-freezer of description.   When the storage room is in a state in which the cooling control is stopped, when a new food is stored in the storage room, the control unit detects that the new food is based on an output from the food detection unit. 5. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 4, wherein the refrigerator is controlled by detecting that it is stored in the storage chamber, canceling the setting of cooling stop of the storage chamber, and performing cooling control.   The cooling stop setting unit, when the cooling stop setting of the storage chamber is canceled by the control unit and the cooling control is started, notifies that the cooling stop setting has been canceled. 5. The refrigerator-freezer according to 5. The cooling stop setting unit includes an operation unit capable of setting cooling stop and a display unit capable of displaying the operation result.
When the setting for stopping the cooling control is performed or the setting for stopping the cooling control is in progress, the cooling stop setting unit displays the cooling stop setting on the display unit and the display of the storage room where the cooling stop is set. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator is turned on or blinked. A compressor constituting a refrigeration cycle together with the cooler;
A fan for circulating the cold air generated by the cooler;
With
The controller is configured to reduce the number of rotations of the compressor and the number of rotations of the fan when setting is made to stop cooling control of all or some of the plurality of storage chambers. The refrigerator-freezer of any one of Claims 1-7. The plurality of storage rooms are composed of a storage room in a refrigeration temperature zone that keeps the temperature in the warehouse at a temperature of 0 ° C or higher, and a storage room in a freezing temperature zone that keeps the temperature in the warehouse at a temperature below 0 ° C
9. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 1, wherein the cooling stop setting unit enables a setting to stop cooling control for a storage room in the freezing temperature zone.   10. The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 1, wherein the cooling stop setting unit enables a setting to simultaneously stop cooling control for two or more storage rooms.

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