JP5986539B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a function of notifying a change in the state of the refrigerator to the outside by changing the illumination state of an illumination means such as an interior lamp that illuminates the inside of the refrigerator.

  In general refrigerators, when an open / close door is opened, interior lamps such as incandescent lamps and LEDs are turned on to make the interior easier to see. However, if the door is opened for a long time, the interior lamp will also be lit for a long time, and the temperature rise of the interior lamp will cause the resin product around the interior lamp to be deformed or deteriorated. . There is also a problem of increased power consumption.

  Therefore, when the refrigerator door is left open for a long time, a refrigerator that recognizes the open / closed state of the door with a door switch or the like and warns with a buzzer or the like is known (Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-130917 A

  However, even if a warning is given by a buzzer or the like, the interior lamp will continue to light unless the user notices it due to absence or other circumstances, so the resin product around the interior lamp due to the temperature rise of the interior lamp The inconvenience of deformation and deterioration cannot be resolved. In addition, increase in power consumption cannot be prevented.

  In addition, the method of generating a warning sound as in Patent Document 1 has a great mental problem caused by surprise of a user near the refrigerator. Therefore, a warning method with less shock is desirable.

  For example, if a buzzer sounds during sleep due to a door switch failure or forgetting to close the door, the buzzer will not sound until the door switch is repaired or the door is closed. There is a big problem. Also, in a living environment where the boundary with the neighborhood is approaching, such as in a housing complex, a buzzer is not a recommended warning method because it can also be a noise to neighboring residents.

  In addition, if the door open state is not improved even after issuing a warning for a certain period of time, measures are taken to shift to a state of lower power consumption to avoid further waste of power consumption. desirable.

  The present invention has been created based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can employ a notification method with less mental shock to the user when notifying the user of changes in the state of the refrigerator.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a refrigerator comprising illumination means for illuminating the interior of the refrigerator and illumination control means for controlling the illumination means, wherein the illumination control means is adapted to the illumination according to the state of the refrigerator. It is comprised as a refrigerator which changes the illumination state of a means.

  There are various possible states of the refrigerator, but the length of the opening time of the door that opens and closes the refrigerator is an example. In this case, the lighting control means is configured so that the door is not less than a predetermined time. When the open state continues, it is conceivable that the illumination means blinks, the illumination color is changed, or the brightness of the illumination means is lowered.

  As another example of the state of the refrigerator, the number of times of opening and closing the door that opens and closes the refrigerator within a unit time can be considered. In this case, the lighting control means causes the lighting means to blink, change the lighting color, or change the lighting means when the number of times the door is opened and closed within the unit time exceeds a predetermined number. The brightness may be reduced.

  By neglecting the change in the refrigerator state due to such a change in the lighting state with little stimulation, it is possible to prevent the user from sleeping or causing inconveniences that cause damage to the local residents. .

  In the refrigerator as described above, a refrigerator provided with a defrosting device and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the warehouse is generally popular. In this case, when the internal temperature detected by the temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined temperature while the defrosting device is operating or within a predetermined time after the defrosting operation, It is desirable to blink the illumination means, change the illumination color, or reduce the brightness of the illumination means.

  Further, in the case of a refrigerator having a mechanical part such as a compressor and a fan motor provided in the refrigerator and having a timer for measuring the operation time, the operation time measured by the timer has a predetermined lifetime. When the time is exceeded, it is desirable to blink the illumination means, change the illumination color, or lower the brightness of the illumination means.

  Furthermore, if the lighting control means further reduces the brightness of the lighting means after continuing the control for changing the lighting color by flashing the lighting means or changing the color of the lighting, Power consumption can be further reduced.

  Further, in the case of the present refrigerator, by providing manual setting means for manually setting the change state of the lighting state by the lighting means, the user can arbitrarily set the lighting color, and the lighting color desired by the user can be set. And the utility value of the refrigerator is improved.

  According to the present invention, the illumination state of the illumination means can be changed according to the state of the refrigerator. For example, even if the user knows that the internal temperature has risen, a well-known method with strong irritation such as a buzzer Because it changes the lighting state of the lighting means without using a light, it can receive a warning in a psychologically calm state, and it does not disturb the neighbors even when the user goes to bed or late at night Therefore, the use value of the refrigerator can be improved.

The schematic diagram explaining schematic structure of the refrigerator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the illumination control part in the refrigerator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the control procedure of an illumination control part. The flowchart which shows an example of the control procedure of the illumination control part in the refrigerator which concerns on one Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the control procedure of the illumination control part in the refrigerator which concerns on the other Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the control procedure of the illumination control part in the refrigerator which concerns on the other Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the control procedure of the illumination control part in the refrigerator which concerns on the other Example of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention can be understood. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

  First, the schematic configuration of the refrigerator X according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described using the schematic diagram of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator X according to this embodiment includes an interior light 2 as an illumination means for illuminating the interior of the refrigerator X, a door 3, a door switch 4 that detects opening and closing of the door 3, and the interior of the interior And an illumination control unit 5 as an example of illumination control means for controlling the lamp 2.

  Also, 7 is a compressor, 8 is a fan motor, 6 is an automatic defroster, 9 is a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside the refrigerator, the refrigerator X has a refrigerator room 10, a freezer room 11, a vegetable room 12, etc. Well known components are provided.

  The illumination control unit 5 changes the illumination state of the interior lamp 2 according to the state of the refrigerator X.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the outline of the illumination control unit 5.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the illumination control unit 5 is mainly configured by a control circuit such as a CPU.

  Signals from the door switch 4 and the temperature sensor 9 are input to the input unit of the illumination control unit 5.

  Further, information such as a drive signal from a compressor drive unit 13 that drives the compressor 7 and information such as a drive signal from a fan motor drive unit 14 that drives the fan motor 8 are input to the input unit. The

  A touch panel 15 having a numeric keypad for inputting various information such as a set temperature and other input keys is provided on the surface of the door 3, and the touch panel 15 is further provided at the input unit of the illumination control unit 5. Input data from is input.

  A drive circuit (not shown) of the interior lamp 2 and the automatic defrosting device 6 is connected to the output unit of the illumination control unit 5.

  Various states of the refrigerator X are conceivable. For example, the opening time of the door 3 detected by the door switch 4 or the number of times the door 3 is opened and closed within a unit time. It is.

  Furthermore, in the refrigerator X according to this embodiment, the lighting control unit 5 blinks the interior lamp 2 when the door 3 is continuously opened for a predetermined time or more. The door 3 is opened to the user in a manner that does not cause a surprise such as a buzzer by changing the illumination color or lowering the brightness of the interior light 2 by reducing the energization rate to the interior light 2. Warning of wasteful power consumption due to open or frequent opening.

  Since the state change of the refrigerator can be notified by such a method with less stimulation such as a change in the lighting state, for example, even when notifying the user that the internal temperature has risen, a well-known method with strong stimulation such as a buzzer Because it changes the lighting state of the lighting means without using a light, it can receive a warning in a psychologically calm state, and it does not disturb the neighbors even when the user goes to bed or late at night Therefore, the use value of the refrigerator can be improved.

  Next, referring to the control flow chart of FIG. 3, the lighting control unit 5 blinks the interior lamp 2 or brightness according to the length of time the door 3 is open as detected by the door switch 4. An embodiment will be described in which power consumption is wasted while reducing power consumption, and reducing power consumption. In the following description, S1, S2,... Are identification symbols for control procedures (steps).

  The lighting control unit 5 first determines whether the door 3 is open for a predetermined time (for example, 15 seconds) or more based on an input signal from the door switch 4 (S1). For the passage of time, time measurement data by a timer T provided in the illumination control unit 5 is used.

  If it is determined that it is open, the interior light 2 (for example, LED) is turned on and the elapsed time from that point is counted (S2). At this time, the energization rate to the interior lamp 2 is controlled to 100%.

  Next, the illumination control unit 5 determines whether or not the elapsed time has passed a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) (S3). If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to S4 to determine whether the door 3 is closed. If the door 3 is closed, the process proceeds to S13. If it is not closed, the process returns to S2, and energization of the interior lamp 2 with the energization rate 100% is continued.

  In S3, when the opening time of the door 3 has passed the predetermined time (1 minute) (Yes in S3), the interior lamp 2 is blinked (for example, ON and OFF every second), and thereafter (Or simultaneously) The energization rate to the interior lamp 2 is reduced to 90%. As a result, the load on the interior lamp 2 is suppressed and power consumption is reduced (S5). In this case, the illumination control unit 5 further reduces the brightness of the interior light 2 after continuing the control for blinking the interior light 2 or changing the illumination color for a predetermined elapsed time. It may be.

  Further, in S6, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) has elapsed, and if it has not elapsed, it is determined whether or not the door 3 is closed (S7). Returns to S5, waits for the elapse of time (2 minutes) while repeating blinking, and if it is determined that it is closed, proceeds to S13.

  In S6, when it is determined that 2 minutes have passed, the energization rate to the interior lamp 2 is set to a predetermined energization rate (for example, 80%) determined in advance while maintaining the blinking state every second. The flashing state is maintained (S8).

  Thus, when the open state of the door 3 is prolonged, since the energization rate to the interior lamp 2 is reduced, the power consumption is further reduced.

  Further, in S9, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) has elapsed. If not, it is determined whether the door 3 is closed (S10). Returns to S8, waits for the elapse of time (3 minutes), and if determined to be closed, proceeds to S13.

  In S9, when it is determined that 3 minutes have passed, the energization rate to the interior lamp 2 is set to a predetermined energization rate (for example, 70%) set in advance while maintaining the blinking state every second. The flashing state is maintained (S11).

  Further, in S12, it is determined whether or not the door 3 is closed. If the door 3 is closed, the process proceeds to S13. If the door 3 is not closed, the process returns to S11, and the blinking is repeated while maintaining the energization rate of the interior lamp 2 at 70%.

  In S13, since the door 3 is closed, the interior lamp 2 is turned off and the timer T count is cleared.

  According to the above embodiment, the energization rate decreases as the state where the door 3 is opened continues for a long time, so that the power saving effect is more strongly achieved and the deterioration and deformation of surrounding members are prevented.

  Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrated the case where LED was used about the interior lamp 2, even if it is an incandescent lamp, a situation does not change. Moreover, although the blinking process of the interior lamp 2 and the reduction of the energization rate were performed as the power saving process, the luminance may be decreased and the heat generation may be suppressed by reducing the applied voltage to the interior lamp 2.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the flashing of the interior lamp 2 and the adjustment of the energization rate are performed as alarms. In addition to this, a buzzer can be sounded.

  In this case, it is preferable to determine whether or not a specific time zone such as midnight is present and to stop the buzzer for the specific time zone.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the door 3 is continuously opened for a predetermined time or more, the power to the interior lamp 2 is limited to prevent overheating of the interior lamp 2. However, as in the embodiment described below, overheating of the interior lamp 2 may be prevented according to the number of times the door 3 is opened and closed within a unit time. In the following embodiments, the illumination color of the interior lamp 2 is changed as a method for preventing the interior lamp 2 from being overheated or as a method for warning the situation where the door 3 is open. In this case as well, it is needless to say that not only the illumination color is changed, but also it is blinked or the brightness of the interior light 2 is lowered.

  The control block diagram shown in FIG. 2 can be used.

  In the following embodiment, a variable color interior lamp 2 is provided in the refrigerator compartment 10 of the refrigerator X provided with the door 3, and the light color of the interior lamp 2 is controlled by the illumination control unit 5. The interior lamp 2 is a combination of LEDs as a light source capable of changing the light color. For example, the interior light 2 includes a plurality of types of LEDs of white, yellow, orange, and red as light colors. The interior lamp 2 is controlled so as to have a predetermined light color.

  The interior light 2 changes the light color so that the user is aware of the condition of the refrigerator, so that it changes from a normal white color to a warm color such as yellow, orange, red, etc. .

  For example, when the door switch 4 is turned on / off, the lighting control unit 5 changes the light color of the interior lamp 2 to orange when a predetermined time, for example, the number of times the door is opened / closed a predetermined number of times or more per day. Change the system. The control procedure at this time is shown in FIG.

  In this example, the process starts from the process of resetting the day counter (timer) (S21).

  When the timer is reset, the open / close counter C (see FIG. 2) that is activated by turning on and off the door switch 4 is reset (S22). In this initial state, the illumination color of the interior lamp 2 is set to white (S23).

  Next, the illumination control unit 5 receives the signal of the door switch 4 and determines whether the door 3 has changed from closed to open (S24). If it is changed to open, the timer T for integrating the opening time of the door 3 is reset and a new count is started (S25), and 1 is added to the value of the open / close counter C (increment) (S26). .

  Then, the illumination control unit 5 determines whether or not the value of the open / close counter C exceeds a predetermined number of times (S27), and if it exceeds, changes the illumination color of the interior lamp 2 to orange. (S28). If not, the time when the door 3 is open is read from the value of the timer T, and it is determined whether or not it is greater than a predetermined value (for example, 15 seconds) (S29).

  If the value of the timer T is greater than 15 seconds, the process proceeds to S1 shown in FIG. 3 to shift the process to the blinking process of the interior lamp 2, and returns to S24 when the process in FIG.

  If it is not longer than 15 seconds, it is determined whether the door is currently closed (S30). If it is open, the process returns to S29 to determine whether it is open for 15 seconds or longer.

  If it is determined in S30 that the door 3 is closed, the timer T is cleared and the process returns to S24.

  If it is determined in S24 that the door 3 has not been opened, it is determined in S32 whether or not the day counter (timer) has passed a day. If not, the process is performed again in S24. If it is determined that one day has passed, the process returns to S21 in the initial stage.

  In the refrigerator X, since the defrosting process is performed, the temperature in the refrigerator X may increase excessively, and in that case, it is necessary to warn in the same manner as when the door is open.

  That is, when the automatic defrosting device 6 is in operation or when the internal temperature detected by the temperature sensor 9 exceeds a predetermined temperature, the internal light 2 is blinked and the illumination color is changed. It is desirable to use a notification method that weakens the stimulus and reduces the user's mental load, such as changing the brightness or lowering the brightness of the interior light 2.

  Therefore, in the following embodiment, the freezing chamber 11 has the automatic defrosting device 6 and the temperature sensor 9, and the automatic defrosting device 6 is operating or within a predetermined time after the defrosting operation. When the temperature of the freezer compartment 11 rises due to the defrosting operation and is −10 ° C. or higher, the lighting control unit 5 blinks the interior lamp 2 or changes the light color of the interior lamp 2 to yellow. Furthermore, the brightness of the interior light is lowered. The operation procedure for changing the light color to yellow during the defrosting operation is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, this process is started from a process (S41) of setting the illumination color of the interior lamp 2 to white initially.

  Next, the illumination control unit 5 refers to a drive unit (not shown) of the automatic defroster 6 to determine whether or not the automatic defroster 6 is operating (S42).

  If it is in operation, the illumination color of the interior lamp 2 is set to yellow and the process returns to S42 (S43).

  If it is determined in S42 that the automatic defrosting device 6 is not operating, it is determined whether or not the interior lamp 2 is set to yellow (S44). If not, the process returns to S42. . If it is yellow, it is determined whether or not the temperature in the freezer compartment 11 exceeds −10 ° C. with reference to the signal from the temperature sensor 9, and if it exceeds, the process returns to S42 (ie, Whether the automatic defrosting operation is in progress is determined). If not, the process returns to S41 to return the illumination color to white.

  The above operation may be performed after elapse of a predetermined time after completion of the defrosting operation as described above.

  The warning due to the change in the illumination color of the interior light 2 (or the warning due to blinking) can also be used to notify the user that the machine part has reached the end of its life.

  In the refrigerator X, for example, the compressor 7 and the fan motor 8 are provided as mechanical parts for cooling the refrigerator X. Since these machine parts have a life in operation time, the operation time of these machine parts is measured and stored by a timer (not shown), and when the operation time exceeds a predetermined operation life, the lighting control unit 5 To change the light color system of the interior lamp 2 to red. A flowchart of this operation is shown in FIG.

  In this case, it is assumed that the illumination control unit 5 is provided with a timer (not shown) that integrates the drive times of these mechanical components with reference to the compressor drive unit 13 and the fan motor drive unit 14 at all times. .

  When the power is turned on for the first time (S51), the lighting control unit 5 refers to a memory or the like not shown in the figure to determine the predetermined lifetime of the mechanical parts such as the compressor 7 and the fan motor 8. Read (S52).

  Next, the lighting control unit 5 determines whether or not the machine component is currently operating, and if it is operating, adds the operation time of the machine component to the value of the timer (S54), and the integrated timer It is determined whether or not the value of exceeds the operating life time read in S52 (S55). When the lifetime is exceeded, the illumination control unit 5 changes the illumination color of the interior light 2 to red (S56) to notify that the machine part is at the end of its lifetime. If it is determined that the lifetime has not been exceeded, the process returns to S53 to continue adding the timer value.

  If it is determined in S53 that the machine part is not in operation, the lighting control unit 5 determines whether or not the timer for integrating the operation time of the machine part is in operation (S57). If not, the process returns to S53. If it is in operation, the operation of the timer is stopped (S58), the time measured by the timer at that time is saved (S59), and the process returns to S53.

  In the above example, the illumination color of the interior lamp 2 is changed, but the interior lamp 2 may be blinked or the brightness of the interior lamp 2 may be reduced.

  It is desirable that the light color of the interior lamp 2 that displays each state can be arbitrarily set manually by the user. Such a light color change selection function will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. FIG. 7 shows a process for determining the priority when there are a plurality of light color setting instructions.

  In the refrigerator X, a mode in which the illumination color of the interior lamp 2 is changed and a mode in which the illumination color of the interior lamp 2 is not changed according to the state of the refrigerator X can be switched by input from the touch panel 15.

  In the process, the illumination control unit 5 determines whether or not it is in a mode state in which the illumination color of the interior lamp 2 is changed according to the state of the refrigerator X (S61).

  If it is determined that the mode state changes the illumination color, the input from the touch panel 15 is referred to and it is determined whether there is an input that uses red, yellow, or orange illumination color (S62). To S64), if any input is made, the illumination color of the input color is set (S65 to S67).

  The present invention can be applied to a refrigerator provided with an interior lamp.

X ... Refrigerator C ... Opening / closing counter T ... Timer 2 ... Interior light 3 ... Door 4 ... Door switch 5 ... Lighting control unit 6 ... Automatic defrosting device 7 ... Compressor 8 ... Fan motor 9 ... Temperature sensor 10 ... Refrigeration room 13 ... Compressor drive unit 14 ... Fan motor drive unit 15 ... Touch panel S1, S2 ... Processing procedure (step) number

Claims (3)

And interior light illuminating the storage chamber is disposed in the storage compartment, a door for opening and closing the storage compartment, the refrigerator having a lighting control means for controlling the in-compartment lamp,
The lighting control means has a mode in which the brightness of the interior lamp is lowered and a mode in which the door is not lowered according to a state in which the door is continuously opened for a predetermined time or more,
The refrigerator which can be switched by the user's operation between the mode to be lowered and the mode which is not lowered. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein in the reduction mode, the power to the interior lamp is limited to reduce the brightness of the interior lamp , thereby saving power compared to the non-decrease mode.   The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mode to be lowered and the mode not to be lowered are switched by an input from a touch panel provided on a surface of the door.