JP6165604B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

  As a background art of this technical field, there is Japanese Patent No. 3998563 (Patent Document 1). Claim 2 of Patent Document 1 states that “a door that is openable and closable at the front opening of the main body, a pocket that stores food inside the door, and whether or not food is stored in the pocket. Or a food detection means for detecting a load applied to the door by the weight of the stored food, a handle switch provided on the door or main body for detecting a user's operation, the handle switch, and the food detection means A detection signal is provided to detect a user's operation with the handle switch, and when the detected weight of the food detection means is greater than a predetermined weight, the detected weight detected by the food detection means is greater than the predetermined weight. And a control means for duty-controlling the drive source by setting a duty value higher than that in a small case.

Japanese Patent No. 3998563

  However, the hinge part, which is the pivot axis of the door, has different frictional resistance depending on the individual differences of parts, variation in assembly manufacturing, and the surrounding environment where the refrigerator is placed such as temperature and humidity. The required force is different. Further, the force required to open the door differs depending on whether the food stored in the pocket is disposed at a position close to the hinge portion serving as the rotation shaft or not.

  In patent document 1, since it is the structure which detects only whether the foodstuff is accommodated, or the structure which detects the load concerning a door by the weight of the foodstuff accommodated, fully consider the other load concerning a door. Not.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a refrigerator capable of controlling the opening amount and opening speed of the door to a predetermined value regardless of the load applied to the door.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the refrigerator of the present invention controls, as an example, a door that opens and closes a storage chamber by rotating around a rotation axis, a door opening device that opens the door, and the door opening device. And a door sensor that detects an open / closed state of the door, and the door opening device includes a drive mechanism and an extrusion member that pushes out the door by power transmitted from the drive mechanism, The drive mechanism includes a motor, and the control unit detects a current value of the motor when the push-out member pushes out the door, and controls an energization rate of the motor according to the detected current value. Then, either or both of the opening amount and the opening speed of the door are controlled, and the drive mechanism includes a first detection switch and a second detection switch for detecting the position of the pushing member. , The second detection switch detects The current value of the motor is detected for a predetermined time after a predetermined time elapses, an average value of the current values for the predetermined time is calculated, a power supply rate to the motor is controlled according to the average value, and the first detection When the switch detects it, the power supply to the motor is stopped .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the refrigerator which can control the opening amount and opening speed of a door to predetermined | prescribed irrespective of the load concerning a door can be provided.

It is a front view of the refrigerator in embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional side view which shows typically the AA cross section of FIG. It is the top view of the refrigerator seen from the B direction of FIG. (A)-(c) is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the closer of a refrigerator. It is a top view of a door opening device. It is CC sectional drawing of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the refrigerator in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the opening operation | movement of a door. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the position of the door in each step in the opening operation | movement by a door opening apparatus, the timing which performs pushing load detection, and a motor energization rate. It is the figure which showed the example of calculation of a motor energization rate. (A) is a perspective view of a detection switch operation part provided with a switch lever and a detection switch, (b) is an exploded perspective view of a detection switch operation part. It is arrangement | positioning explanatory drawing of the cam part and switch lever in a door opening apparatus. (A) to (f) is a plan view schematically showing a positional relationship among a large gear, an intermittent drive gear, and a switch lever in the door opening device. It is a figure explaining the rotation operation of a cam part at the time of opening operation of a left door with a door opening device, and the ON / OFF state of a detection switch. It is a top view of the door opening apparatus which shows the state in which the left side extrusion member is protruding. FIG. 16 is a plan view of the door opening device after a predetermined time has elapsed from FIG. 15 showing a state in which the left pushing member is protruding. It is a top view of the door opening apparatus which passed for the predetermined time from FIG. 16 which shows the state in which the left extrusion member is protruding. FIG. 18 is a plan view of the door opening device after a predetermined time has elapsed from FIG. 17 showing a state in which the left pushing member is protruding. It is a top view of the door opening apparatus which passed the predetermined time from FIG. 18 which shows the state in which the left extrusion member is protruding. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure which opens the left door by the structure which has a detection switch. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the position of the door in each step in the opening operation | movement by the door opening apparatus which has a detection switch, the timing which performs pushing load detection, and a motor energization rate.

  Hereinafter, an example for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In each figure, common portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. Further, in the following description, the vertical and horizontal directions are based on the vertical and horizontal directions shown in FIG. 1, and the front and rear directions are based on the front and rear directions shown in FIG.

  First, the whole structure of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

≪Overall configuration of refrigerator≫
FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator in an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment includes a refrigerator compartment 2 (storage compartment), an ice making compartment 3 and an upper freezer compartment 4, a lower freezer compartment 5, and a vegetable compartment 6 arranged from the top to the bottom. And have. In addition, as an example, the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 6 are storage rooms in a refrigerator temperature zone of about 3 to 5 ° C. Further, the ice making room 3, the upper freezer room 4, and the lower freezer room 5 are storage rooms in a freezing temperature zone of approximately −18 ° C.

  The refrigerating room 2 includes a so-called French-type refrigerating room door 2a and a refrigerating room door 2b which are divided into left and right sides and have a double door opening on the front side (front side in FIG. 1). The refrigerator compartment doors 2a and 2b rotate around the hinges 17a and 17b. In order to close the gap between the left and right refrigerator compartment doors 2a, 2b, a rotating partition 18 is provided along the side of the refrigerator compartment door 2a adjacent to the refrigerator compartment door 2b.

  The ice making room 3, the upper freezing room 4, the lower freezing room 5, and the vegetable room 6 include a drawer type ice making room door 3a, an upper freezing room door 4a, a lower freezing room door 5a, and a vegetable room door 6a, respectively. . In the following description, left and right refrigerator compartment doors 2a and 2b, ice making compartment door 3a, upper freezer compartment door 4a, lower freezer compartment door 5a, and vegetable compartment door 6a are simply door 2a, door 2b, door, respectively. 3a, door 4a, door 5a, and door 6a.

  The refrigerator 1 includes a door sensor (not shown) that detects the open / closed states of the doors 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a, and 6a, and these doors 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, and 5a. , And the door 6a when the state determined to be open is continued for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute or longer), an alarm (not shown) for notifying the user of that, and refrigeration A temperature setting device (a control panel 40 shown in FIG. 1 including a predetermined operation unit, a display unit, and the like) is provided for setting the temperature of the chamber 2, the upper freezing chamber 4, the lower freezing chamber 5, and the like.

  The refrigerator door 2a is provided with a left opening switch 48a, and the refrigerator door 2b is provided with a right opening switch 48b. The left opening switch 48a and the right opening switch 48b are configured to form a flat surface with a glass material or a resin material constituting the front surfaces of the doors 2a and 2b. That is, it is composed of a capacitive touch switch. In addition to this configuration, when the front surfaces of the doors 2a and 2b are formed of steel plates, they are configured by a mechanical switch mechanism. In addition, the left opening switch 48a and the right opening switch 48b can employ any other switch configuration such as a piezoelectric element, an electric element, and a mechanical element.

  FIG. 2 is a side sectional view schematically showing the AA section of FIG. 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the outside of the refrigerator 1 and the inside of the refrigerator 1 are separated by a heat insulating box 10 formed by filling a foam heat insulating material (foamed polyurethane) between the inner box 10a and the outer box 10b. ing. Moreover, the heat insulation box 10 of the refrigerator 1 is mounted with a plurality of vacuum heat insulating materials 14.

  In the warehouse, a plurality of storage chambers arranged in different vertical directions in different temperature zones are adiabatically partitioned by heat insulating partition walls 11a and 11b. That is, the upper heat insulating partition wall 11a separates the refrigerating room 2 that is a refrigerating temperature zone storage room from the upper freezing room 4 and the ice making room 3 (see FIG. 1) that are refrigerating temperature zone storage rooms. . Further, the lower heat-insulating partition wall 11b separates the lower freezing room 5 that is a storage room in the freezing temperature zone and the vegetable room 6 that is a storage room in the refrigerating temperature zone.

  A plurality of door pockets 13 (door storage portions) are provided on the inner side of the doors 2a and 2b. The refrigerator compartment 2 is partitioned into a plurality of storage spaces in the vertical direction by a plurality of shelves 12.

  In the upper freezer compartment 4, the lower freezer compartment 5, and the vegetable compartment 6, storage containers 4b, 5b, 6b are respectively provided behind the doors 4a, 5a, 6a provided in front of the respective storage compartments. The storage containers 4b, 5b, and 6b can be pulled out by placing a hand on a handle portion (not shown) of the doors 4a, 5a, and 6a and pulling it out toward the front side. Similarly, in the ice making chamber 3 shown in FIG. 1, a storage container (indicated by reference numeral 3b in FIG. 2) is provided behind the door 3a, and the handle 3 (not shown) of the door 3a is put on a hand and pulled out to the front side. Thus, the storage container 3b can be pulled out.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the doors 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a, and 6a are provided with door packings 15 around the doors 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a, and 6a. The inside of the storage space (the refrigerator compartment 2, the ice making compartment 3, the upper freezer compartment 4, the lower freezer compartment 5, and the vegetable compartment 6) is closed and sealed by closely adhering to the peripheral edge of the front opening of the refrigerator 1. This prevents the leakage of cold air from the storage space.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cooler 7 is disposed in a cooler storage chamber 8 provided substantially at the back of the lower freezing chamber 5. The cooler 7 is configured by attaching a large number of fins (not shown) to the cooler pipe 7d so that heat can be exchanged between the refrigerant and the air in the cooler pipe 7d.

  Above the cooler 7, an internal fan 9 (for example, a motor-driven fan) is provided. The air cooled by heat exchange in the cooler 7 (hereinafter, this cooled low-temperature air is referred to as “cold air”) is blown into the refrigerator compartment air duct 22, the vegetable compartment air duct 25, and the ice making room by the internal fan 9. Via the duct 26a, the upper freezer compartment air duct 26b, and the lower freezer compartment air duct 27, it is sent to the storage rooms of the refrigerator compartment 2, the vegetable compartment 6, the ice making room 3, the upper freezer compartment 4, and the lower freezer compartment 5. It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the upper surface side of the ceiling wall of the refrigerator 1, a control board 41, which is a control unit on which a CPU, a memory such as a ROM or a RAM, an interface circuit, and the like are mounted as a control unit. The refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator temperature sensor 44 that detects the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 2, a vegetable compartment temperature sensor 45 that detects the temperature of the vegetable compartment 6, a freezing temperature zone (the ice making chamber 3, the upper freezer compartment 4, and the lower freezer compartment). Temperature sensors such as a freezer temperature sensor 46 that detects the temperature of 5) and a cooler temperature sensor 47 that detects the temperature of the cooler 7 are provided, and the detected temperature is input to the control board 41. .

  The control board 41 includes a door sensor (not shown) that detects the open / closed state of the doors 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a, and 6a, and the control panel 40 (see FIG. 1) provided on the door 2a. The left opening switch 48a (see FIG. 1) provided on the doors 2a and 2b and the right opening switch 48b (see FIG. 1) are connected.

  The control board 41 individually drives the ON / OFF of the compressor 51 and the control of the rotational speed, the refrigeration temperature zone cool air control means 20 and the refrigeration temperature zone cool air control means 21 by the program previously installed in the ROM. Control of each driving motor (not shown), ON / OFF of the internal fan 9 and control of the rotational speed, ON / OFF of an alarm (not shown) for notifying the door open state, operation of the door opening device 60, etc. By performing this control, the operation of the entire refrigerator can be controlled.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a door opening device 60 is provided adjacent to the front surface of the upper surface of the ceiling wall of the refrigerator 1, that is, the doors 2 a and 2 b.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the refrigerator as viewed from the direction B of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the door opening device 60 includes extrusion members 61 a and 61 b corresponding to the door 2 a and the door 2 b, respectively. The pushing members 61a and 61b operate so as to protrude toward the doors 2a and 2b from the state accommodated in the door opening device 60, and push the doors 2a and 2b by pushing the vicinity of the upper ends of the refrigerator compartment doors 2a and 2b.

  The door opening device 60 will be described in more detail later.

  Here, a suitable angle when opening the door 2a will be described using the door 2a as an example.

The door 2a opened at the maximum opening angle _θdmax when the _pushing member 61a of the door opening device 60 acts on the left door 2a by the maximum protruding amount H2 is indicated by a broken line in FIG.

If the distance from the hinge 17a of the pushing member 61a is Rda and the maximum protruding amount of the pushing member 61a is H2, the opening angle θ _dmax of the refrigerator compartment door 2a when the pushing member 61a protrudes most is θ _dmax = arctan (Maximum protruding amount H2 / distance Rda), which is determined by the protruding amount of the pushing member 61a of the door opening device 60 and the distance from the hinge 17a.

Next, a preferable angle of the operation opening angle θ _dmax will be described.

  First, a closer as a closing means provided in each of the doors 2a and 2b will be described.

  The refrigerator 1 includes a closer that prevents the doors 2a and 2b from being completely closed by energizing the doors 2a and 2b in a closing direction before the doors 2a and 2b are completely closed. Yes. As will be described below, this closer, when the doors 2a and 2b are closed, temporarily deforms a resin leaf spring member to accumulate elastic strain energy, and in the direction to close the doors 2a and 2b by the accumulated energy. It has a configuration to be energized. Since these closers have the same structure except that the left and right doors 2a and 2b are symmetrical to each other, only the closer of the left door 2a will be described in detail here. The description of the closer of the door 2b is omitted.

  FIGS. 4A to 4C are explanatory views of the operation of the refrigerator closer, and are views showing the door viewed from the lower side of the refrigerator.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the closer 37 is provided at the lower end of the hinge 17a of the door 2a. A fixed closer bracket 38a is attached to the refrigerator 1, and a cam portion 38b formed in a smooth curved surface is provided at a part thereof.

  The door 2a is provided with a closer elastic body 39a having a deformed portion 39b made of an elastic material such as resin.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, when the door 2a rotates counterclockwise CCW around the hinge 17a and is closed to the angle ψ1, the deformed portion 39b of the closer elastic body 39a becomes the cam portion 38b of the closer bracket 38a. To touch. And the deformation | transformation part 39b of the closer elastic body 39a bends in response to the reaction force of the arrow Fa direction.

  This force acts in the clockwise direction with respect to the hinge 17a of the door 2a, that is, the direction in which the door 2a is opened, so that the user feels that the reaction force from the door 2a being closed becomes heavier from the middle.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, when the door 2a is closed and the opening angle becomes ψ2, and the contact point between the closer elastic body 39a and the cam portion 38b is on the same line as the hinge 17a of the door 2a (positioned at the neutral point). Then, the force Fb between the closer elastic body 39a and the cam portion 38b is directed toward the rotation fulcrum, so that the moment becomes zero. Therefore, the door 2a balances and does not receive any force of opening and closing.

  The closer elastic body 39a bends and accumulates elastic strain energy until the contact point between the closer elastic body 39a and the cam portion 38b reaches the neutral point.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the door 2a is further closed even if the contact point between the closer elastic body 39a and the cam portion 38b passes the neutral point, the closer elastic body 39a has an arrow from the cam portion 38b. A force in the Fc direction is applied. This force forms a moment in the direction of closing the door 2a (counterclockwise CCW in this figure) with respect to the pivot point of the door 2a, so that the door 2a is closed by this moment and biased in the direction. Become.

According to such a closer 37, the door 2a is closed when the open angle, which is a neutral point, is less than ψ2. Therefore, it is desirable that the angle θ _{d at} which the door 2 a is opened by the door opening device 60 is larger than ψ 2 (θ _d > ψ 2). That is, if the opening angle is in the relationship of θ _d > ψ2, the door 2 a opened by the door opening device 60 is not biased by the closer 37 in the closing direction. Incidentally, in the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, the opening angle of the door 2a is, for example, if it is about .psi.2 = 10 °, open angle theta _d of the door 2a by door opening device 60 is about 20 ° from 15 ° It is desirable to set. Further, if the opening angle θ _d is set to be larger than ψ1 (θ _d > ψ1) so that the cam portion 38b and the deforming portion 39b do not act, the door opening operation by the door opening device 60 is further ensured. It is more desirable because it is done. As for the right door 2b, like the door 2a, than the angle open angle theta _d by the door opening device 60 acts in closer 37 large (θ _d> ψ2, preferably θ _d> ψ1) to be Is preferred.

≪Opening device≫
Next, the refrigerator door opening device 60 in the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the door opening device. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG.

  The front / rear / up / down / left / right directions in the following description of the door opening device 60 are the same as the front / rear / up / down / left / right directions of the refrigerator 1 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) to which the door opening device 60 is attached. Based on left and right directions.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the door opening device 60 of the present embodiment includes a motor 82 and a reduction gear in a housing formed by a case 62 as a lower half and a cover 69 as an upper half. The main assembly includes a row 83, a large gear 76, a pair of intermittent drive gears 78a and 78b, and a pair of push-out members 61a and 61b.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 5, a state in which the pushing members 61 a and 61 b do not protrude from the inside of the case 62 toward the outside thereof may be referred to as an “initial state” of the door opening device 60. Further, the positions of the reduction gear train 83, the large gear 76, the intermittent drive gears 78a and 78b, and the pushing members 61a and 61b in the door opening device 60 in the “initial state” may be referred to as “origin positions”. .

  The type of the motor 82 is not particularly limited as long as the rotary shaft rotates in both forward and reverse directions. As the motor 82 in the present embodiment, for example, a brush type direct current motor, which can rotate in both the forward direction and the reverse direction by reversing the polarity of the voltage applied to the terminal is assumed. doing.

<Reduction gear train>
The reduction gear train 83 transmits the power to the large gear 76 while reducing the rotation of the motor 82.

  The reduction gear train 83 in this embodiment includes a worm gear 84, a worm wheel 85, a second gear 87, a third large gear 88a, a third small gear 88b, and a fourth large gear 90a. And a fourth small gear 90b.

  6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the worm gear 84 is provided on the rotating shaft of the motor 82 and meshes with the worm wheel 85 that is the first gear. The second gear 87, which is a spur gear, is provided integrally with the worm wheel 85, and both the worm wheel 85 and the second gear 87 are rotatably supported around the worm wheel shaft 86.

  The second gear 87 meshes with the third large gear 88a (see FIG. 5), and this third large gear 88a is integrated with the third small gear 88b (see FIG. 5) to form a third support. It is rotatably supported around a shaft 89 (see FIG. 5). The third small gear 88b (see FIG. 5) meshes with the fourth large gear 90a. The fourth large gear 90a is pivotally supported around the fourth support shaft 91 integrally with the fourth small gear 90b. The fourth small gear 90 b meshes with teeth 76 A and 76 B described later of the large gear 76.

  That is, the reduction gear train 83 is configured to transmit the rotational force of the motor 82 to the large gear 76 while reducing the rotational force as described above.

  An example of the rotation direction of each gear when the motor 82 is rotated is indicated by an arrow in FIG.

  As an example, the rotation direction of the worm gear 84 is indicated by a solid line arrow in a direction in which the worm wheel 85 provided in the worm gear 84 is engaged with the worm wheel 85 in a counterclockwise direction in a plan view shown in FIG. For example, when the teeth of the worm gear 84 are left-handed spirals that are opposite to general screws, the motor 82 may be rotated clockwise as viewed from the front end side of the worm gear 84. Such a rotation direction is referred to as a “forward rotation direction”.

  A case where the worm gear 84 is rotated in the reverse direction by reversing the polarity of the voltage applied to the motor 82 is indicated by a broken-line arrow. In this embodiment, such a rotation direction is referred to as a “reverse direction”. Shall.

  Needless to say, “forward rotation” and “reverse rotation” are for convenience of description of the present embodiment, and are not limited to such expressions.

<Extruded member>
As shown in FIG. 5, the extrusion members 61 a and 61 b are elongate rods having a polygonal cross section such as a quadrangle or a circular cross section, and are formed by an upper half cover 69 and a lower half case 62. It arrange | positions along each of the left side and the right side in the said housing.

  The push-out members 61a and 61b are slidably supported on the guide rails 66a and 66b via the connecting plates 65a and 65b so as to be movable along the front-rear direction of the door opening device 60.

  Further, the front ends of the pushing members 61a and 61b face the outside of the housing through openings 63a and 63b (see FIG. 5) provided on the front surface of the housing so as to straddle the case 62 and the cover 69. The push-out members 61a and 61b are configured to return to their original positions after protruding toward the doors 2a and 2b.

<Control system block diagram>
Next, the configuration of a control system for controlling the door opening device 60 will be described.

  As described above, the control board 41 (see FIG. 2) is attached to the upper surface side of the ceiling wall of the refrigerator 1.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the door opening device. As shown in FIG. 7, a control board 41 as a control unit is connected to a power source 42 that generates a direct current of a predetermined voltage from a commercial power source. The control board 41 is connected to a control panel 40 that includes an operation means 43a such as a push button switch for adjusting temperature and a display means 43b such as an LED.

  The control board 41 includes temperature sensors 44, 45, 46, 47, a cold air control means including a refrigeration temperature zone cold air control means 20 and a freezing temperature zone cold air control means 21, a compressor 51, a door opening device 60, and The door sensor 49 is also connected and configured to drive and control the door sensor 49. As described above, the control panel 40 is disposed on the front surface of the door 2a. Thereby, when a user changes or confirms various functions, the usability is good.

  The control board 41 is connected to the left door switch 48a and the right door switch 48b. As described above, the left door switch 48a and the right door switch 48b are provided on the doors 2a and 2b. When the user operates the left door switch 48a or the right door switch 48b, the signal is transmitted to the control board 41.

  The control board 41 is connected to the motor 82 of the door opening device 60 and the detection switches 95a and 95b.

  The control board 41 is connected to motor drive means 50a for driving the motor 82 of the door opening device 60, motor current detection means 50b for detecting the current of the motor 82, and motor current detection means 50b. The control means 50c for calculating the motor current detection result and calculating the motor energization rate is mounted. Electric power necessary for driving the control board 41 is supplied from a power source 42. The motor 82 and the motor driving means 50a may be collectively referred to as “driving mechanism”.

  The control panel 40 is provided with notifying means for notifying the user that the door is not completely closed, that is, a so-called half-door state. Examples of the notification means include a buzzer and a lamp.

<Description of operation>
Next, the operation when the door opening device 60 opens the left door 2a will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the door opening operation. When the user operates the left opening switch 48a, the control board 41 (control unit) executes a door opening program for the left door 2a. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the position of the door at each stage during the opening operation by the door opening device, the timing for detecting the pushing load, and the motor energization rate. In this embodiment, a method of detecting the current value of the motor 82 is used as a means for detecting the pushing load.

  As described above, the positions of the reduction gear train 83, the large gear 76, the intermittent drive gears 78a and 78b, and the pushing members 61a and 61b in the “initial state” door opening device 60 are “origin positions”, The members 61a and 61b have not yet protruded. At this time, since the pivot door is not operating, the door packing 15 is in close contact with the opening peripheral edge of the front surface of the refrigerator 1, and the closer is acting (point A in FIGS. 9 and 10). ).

  Here, when the user operates the left door switch 48a, the control board 41 (control unit) executes a door opening program for the left door 2a (Yes in step S121 in FIG. 8).

  The energization rate of the motor 82 undergoes a soft start in which the energization rate is gradually increased from 0 to a predetermined energization rate a in order to prevent overcurrent due to sudden energization at the start of energization. When the large gear 76 and the cam portion 99 are rotated clockwise from the “origin position” (see FIG. 13A) by driving in the forward direction at a predetermined energization rate a (step S122 in FIG. 8), the large gear The recessed portion 76Da of 76 is in a state of being close to the stopper portion 80a of the intermittent drive gear 78a (see FIG. 13B). In this state, the large gear 76 is not yet engaged with any of the intermittent drive gears 78a and 78b, and the left and right pushing members 61a and 61b have not yet protruded (point B in FIGS. 9 and 10).

  After energization of the motor 82 is started (step S122 in FIG. 8), measurement of a time t1 set in advance as a time during which the current of the motor 82 is not detected is started (step S123 in FIG. 8).

  Further, when the motor 82 is driven in the forward rotation direction and the large gear 76 and the cam portion 99 are rotated clockwise from the “origin position”, the intermittent drive gear 78a is meshed with the large gear 76 and is rotated counterclockwise. Start (see FIG. 13C). The rotating plate 73a integrated with the intermittent drive gear 78a also rotates counterclockwise (see FIG. 13D). As a result, the connecting plate 65a meshing with the rotating plate 73a is pushed forward. The pushing member 61a connected to the connecting plate 65a starts to project forward. Thereby, the door opening operation of the left door 2a is started.

  Further, when the motor 82 is driven in the forward direction until the time t1 elapses (Yes in step S124 in FIG. 8) and the large gear 76 and the cam portion 99 are rotated clockwise from the “origin position”, the connecting plate 65a is Further, the door is pushed forward, the door packing 15 moves away from the opening peripheral edge of the front surface of the refrigerator 1, and the rotating door operates to a position where the closer does not act (point C in FIGS. 9 and 10).

  In addition, the time t1 set beforehand as the area which does not detect the electric current value of the motor 82 cancels | releases the contact | adherence state of the door packing 15 closely_contact | adhered with the opening peripheral part of the front surface of the refrigerator 1, and the position where a closer does not act. It is important to set the time for the door to rotate. When releasing the close contact state of the door packing 15 with respect to the opening peripheral edge of the front surface of the refrigerator 1, the greatest force is required in the opening operation of the door 2a. For example, the door packing 15 is configured to have a magnetic material (not shown) such as a permanent magnet inside a flexible member (not shown) made of resin, and the outer shell of the refrigerator 1 is based on iron such as a steel plate. It consists of an alloy. In this configuration, when the door packing 15 is brought close to the opening peripheral edge of the front surface of the refrigerator 1, the magnetic body of the door packing 15 is attracted to the opening peripheral edge by a magnetic force and closely contacts.

  That is, until the door 2a actually starts to open, a load caused mainly by the door packing 15 being in close contact with the peripheral edge of the opening by the magnetic force acts on the pushing member 61a. In other words, at the start of the opening operation of the door 2a (between points B and C in FIG. 9), the load for releasing the close contact state of the door packing 15 is more dominant than the load of the door storage unit. Therefore, during the time t1, the motor 82 is driven at a predetermined energization rate a without detecting the current value of the motor 82. It should be noted that during the time t1, the current value of the motor 82 may be detected. In this case, the energization rate of the motor 82 is not controlled based on the detected current value, but is the motor 82 operating normally? Suitable for checking.

  Furthermore, when the rotating door is moved to a position where the closer does not act, the pushing load applied to the pushing member 61a becomes a load amount due to the load of the door housing portion and the friction of the hinge, and compared with a state where the stress of the closer is received, It is possible to detect a stable load.

  The sampling of the current value of the motor 82 is started by the motor current detecting means 50b mounted on the control board 41 from the point C at which the time t1 has elapsed and a stable load can be detected (step S125 in FIG. 8). .

  After step S125 when sampling of the current value of the motor 82 is started, measurement of a time t2 set in advance as a time for sampling the current value of the motor 82 is started (step S126 in FIG. 8).

  Further, the motor 82 is driven in the forward direction while continuing sampling of the current value of the motor 82 until the time t2 elapses (Yes in step S127 in FIG. 8). As a result, the push-out member 61a continues to protrude forward, and the door opening operation of the left door 2a is continued.

  In the sampling of the current value of the motor 82, the average value of the results obtained by sampling the motor current for the time t2 (C point-D point interval in FIGS. 8 and 9) preset as the motor current sampling time is calculated and calculated. Based on the average value of the current values, calculation is performed by the control means 50c, and the motor energization rate b for energizing the motor after point D is calculated (step S128 in FIG. 8).

  An example of a method for calculating the motor energization rate is shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a calculation example of the motor energization rate. In this calculation example, the energization rate b is increased as the current value of the motor 82 increases. As in this calculation example, by setting the minimum energization rate and the maximum energization rate, the driving force according to the range of loads assumed when the push-out member 61a operates the door 2a in the opening direction is set. It is possible to prevent an excessive current from flowing through the motor 82 while securing the current.

  Based on this calculation result, after the point D, the motor drive means 50a is used to operate with the motor conduction rate b increased or decreased (step S129 in FIG. 8).

  Further, the motor 82 is driven in the normal rotation direction at the power supply rate b for a time t3 (D point-E point section in FIGS. 8 and 9) set in advance as the time for driving at the power supply rate b. The protruding operation is continued toward the front, and the opening operation of the left door 2a is continued.

  In addition, after step S129 in which the driving of the motor 82 is started at the energization rate b, measurement of a time t3 set in advance as a time for driving at the energization rate b is started (step S130 in FIG. 8).

  When the time t3 elapses and the time t3 preset as the time for driving at the energization rate b elapses (Yes in step S131 in FIG. 8), the energization of the motor 82 is stopped and the left door 2a is opened. The operation ends (step S132 in FIG. 8, point E in FIGS. 8 and 9).

  The operation when the door opening device 60 in the present embodiment opens the right door 2b is the same as the operation when the left door 2a is opened, and the rotation direction of the motor 82 is reversed. In addition, more stable control becomes possible by providing each energization rate and each set time which are set to the left and right doors 2a and 2b individually for each door. For example, when the size and weight of the door are different between the right door 2a and the left door 2b, the distances from the hinges 17a and 17b, which are rotating shafts, to the positions where the pushing members 61a and 61b are in contact with the doors 2a and 2b are different. In this case, the load on the door varies depending on the presence or absence of the rotating partition 18 and the storage capacity of the door pocket 13 which is the door storage unit. Therefore, the energization rate and the set time corresponding to the assumed load range are set for each door. It is preferable to provide it.

  In this embodiment, the actual pushing load applied to the pushing members 61a and 61b during the opening operation of the rotating door is detected from the current value of the motor 82. The energization rate b for driving the motor 82 is set to a large energization rate when the extrusion load is large, and is set to a small energization rate when the extrusion load is small. In this way, by making the energization rate of the motor 82 variable during the door opening operation in accordance with the load, it is possible to always control the opening degree and opening speed to be a predetermined amount regardless of the magnitude of the door load.

  Also, the amount of storage in the door storage unit, the location of the stored items, individual differences in the components of the refrigerator, variations in frictional resistance when the door rotates due to variations in assembly manufacturing, temperature and humidity in the refrigerator installation environment, etc. Regardless of the above factors, it is possible to control the opening amount and opening speed of the rotating door to a predetermined range at any time, and it is possible to realize a door opening operation that is suitable for the user.

<Switch lever and detection switch>
In addition to the above-described embodiment, a configuration using detection switches 95a and 95b capable of detecting the protruding positions of the pushing members 61a and 61b will be described. The detection switches 95a and 95b enable door opening control with higher accuracy.

  FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a detection switch operation unit including a switch lever that engages with a large gear and a detection switch. FIG. 11B is a perspective view showing a state in which the large gear is looked up obliquely from below. It is a disassembled perspective view of a detection switch operation part. FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of the arrangement of the cam portion and the switch lever in the door opening device. 11A and 12 show the state of the switch lever related to the large gear at the origin position.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the detection switch operating portion includes switch levers 96a and 96b that engage with the cam portion 99 of the large gear 76, a detection spring 97, and detection switches 95a and 95b. And is mainly configured.

  The switch levers 96a and 96b are formed of a pair of symmetrical lever members, and shaft support portions 98 and 98 are formed at substantially central portions in the longitudinal direction, respectively. The shaft support portions 98, 98 are supported by a common shaft member (not shown), so that the switch levers 96a, 96b are individually rotatable around the shaft member.

  As shown in FIG. 11 (b), on one end side of the switch levers 96a, 96b in the longitudinal direction, spring protrusions 96Ba, 96Bb (the switch lever 96b in FIG. A spring projection 96Bb on the side is not shown). A detection spring 97 which is a compression spring is hung between the spring protrusions 96Ba and 96Bb.

  Further, on one end side of the switch levers 96a and 96b, the switch protrusions 96Aa and 96Ab (on the switch lever 96a side in FIG. 11B) are arranged on the surface opposite to the side where the spring protrusions 96Ba and 96Bb are formed. The protrusion 96Aa is formed with an unillustrated).

  The switch protrusions 96Aa and 96Ab are provided with a detection switch 95a and a detection switch 95b facing each other. The detection switches 95a and 95b are constituted by tact switches, for example. That is, when the switch protrusion 96Ab of the switch lever 96a comes into contact with the detection switch 95a, the switch is turned on, and when it is separated, the switch is turned off. Further, when the switch protrusion 96Ab of the switch lever 96b contacts the detection switch 95b, the switch is turned on, and when it is separated, the switch is turned off.

  Further, on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the switch levers 96a and 96b, switch lever tip portions 96Ca and 96Cb are formed on the surface where the switch levers 96a and 96b face each other. The switch lever tip portions 96Ca and 96Cb are driven by a cam portion 99 (see FIG. 11A) of a large gear 76 (see FIG. 11A) described below by the repulsive force of the detection spring 97 arranged on one end side of the switch levers 96a and 96b. (See FIG. 11A).

  As shown in FIG. 11A, a cam portion 99 is formed on the lower surface of the large gear 76 coaxially with the large gear 76 (large gear central shaft 77). The cam portion 99 is a substantially disk-shaped member having two peripheral surfaces with different diameters and having a thickness. The first peripheral surface 99a has a large diameter, and the first peripheral surface 99a has a smaller diameter than the first peripheral surface 99a. And a double circumferential surface 99b.

  When the cam portion 99 rotates together with the large gear 76, the switch lever tip portions 96Ca and 96Cb are in sliding contact with the first peripheral surface 99a and the second peripheral surface 99b.

  That is, when the switch lever tip 96Ca slides on the first peripheral surface 99a, the switch protrusion 96Ab of the switch lever 96a is separated from the detection switch 95a and turned off. When the switch lever tip 96Ca slides on the second peripheral surface 99b, the switch protrusion 96Ab of the switch lever 96a contacts the detection switch 95a and the switch is turned on.

  When the switch lever tip 96Cb slides on the first peripheral surface 99a, the switch protrusion 96Ab of the switch lever 96b is separated from the detection switch 95b and turned off. When the switch lever tip 96Cb is slidably contacted with the second peripheral surface 99b, the switch protrusion 96Ab of the switch lever 96b comes into contact with the detection switch 95b and the switch is turned on.

  That is, the first peripheral surface 99a of the cam portion 99 forms an OFF surface, and the second peripheral surface 99b forms an ON surface.

  At the origin position shown in FIG. 11 (a), the switch lever tip portions 96Ca and 96Cb are both in contact with the first peripheral surface 99a (OFF surface), and the switch levers 96a and 96b have moved in the direction indicated by solid arrows. In this state, the switch protrusions 96Aa and 96Ab push and contract the detection spring 97 and are displaced in a direction away from the detection switches 95a and 95b, so that both the detection switches 95a and 95b are turned off.

  When the large gear 76 rotates from the origin position and the switch lever tip portions 96Ca and 96Cb move from the first peripheral surface 99a (OFF surface) to the second peripheral surface 99b (ON surface), the switch levers 96a and 96b are detected springs. The switch projections 96Aa and 96Ab push the detection switches 95a and 95b to turn on both the detection switches 95a and 95b.

  In the present embodiment, the action of pressing the two switch levers 96a and 96b against the respective detection switches 95a and 95b to turn them on can be realized by the single detection spring 97.

  That is, when the large gear 76 is rotated, the cam portion 99 is rotated, so that the switch levers 96a and 96b are rotated, and the detection switches 95a and 95b can be turned ON / OFF according to the rotation angle of the large gear 76.

  Next, the positional relationship among the large gear 76, the intermittent drive gears 78a and 78b, the cam portion 99, and the switch levers 96a and 96b will be described.

  FIGS. 13A to 13F are plan views schematically showing a positional relationship among the large gear, the intermittent drive gear, and the switch lever in the door opening device. 13A to 13F, the large gear 76 is rotated clockwise to rotate the left intermittent drive gear 78a, and the left pushing member 61a is projected to open the left door 2a. The operation | movement which performs door operation | movement is shown. 13A to 13F, only the sliding surface 76C of the large gear 76, the recess 76D, and the tooth 76A of the portion related to the driving of the intermittent drive gear 78 are shown.

  FIG. 13A shows a state of “origin position”, and the intermittent drive gears 78a and 78b are in a state where the tips of the stopper portions 80a and 80b are fitted and locked with the sliding surface 76C. The switch lever tip portions 96Ca and 96Cb are in contact with the first peripheral surface 99a (OFF surface) of the cam portion 99, and the detection switches 95a and 95b are both OFF (hereinafter, this state is referred to as “detection”. It may be referred to as “switch A / B = OFF / OFF”).

  FIG. 13B shows a state of “moving outside the origin” in which the large gear 76 has rotated clockwise by an angle θ1 from the “origin position”. The intermittent drive gears 78a and 78b have the tips of the stopper portions 80a and 80b at the tips. The sliding surface 76C is fitted and locked. Further, the switch lever tip 96Ca is in contact with the first peripheral surface 99a (OFF surface) of the cam portion 99, and the detection switch 95a is OFF. The switch lever tip 96Cb moves from the first peripheral surface 99a (OFF surface) of the cam portion 99 to the second peripheral surface 99b (ON surface), and the detection switch 95b is switched from OFF to ON. That is, the position in FIG. 13B indicates the boundary portion of the “origin range”. Here, the recess 76Da moves to a position close to the stopper end 80Aa in the stopper 80a of the intermittent drive gear 78a (hereinafter, this state may be referred to as “detection switch A / B = OFF / ON”). .

  FIG. 13C shows a state where the large gear 76 is further rotated to an angle θ2 (> θ1). That is, when the stopper portion 80a of the intermittent drive gear 78a enters the recess 76Da, the locked state is released, and the large gear 76 can be engaged with the intermittent drive gear 78a ("intermittent gear meshing" state). ). As a result, the intermittent drive gear 78a starts to rotate counterclockwise. At this time, the switch levers 96a and 96b are not changed from the state of FIG. 13B, the detection switch 95a remains OFF, and the detection switch 95b remains ON (detection switch A / B = OFF / ON).

  FIG. 13D shows a state where the large gear 76 is further rotated to an angle θ3 (> θ2), and the intermittent drive gear 78a meshes with the large gear 76 and continues to rotate counterclockwise. . Further, since the rotating plate 73a integrated with the intermittent drive gear 78a also rotates, the pushing member 61a protrudes forward through the connecting plate 65a (“during a protruding operation”). Thereby, the pushing member 61a performs a door opening operation. The switch levers 96a and 96b remain unchanged from the states shown in FIGS. 13B to 13C, the detection switch 95a remains OFF, and the detection switch 95b remains ON (detection switch A / B = OFF / ON). ).

  FIG. 13E shows a state in which the large gear 76 is further rotated to an angle θ4 (> θ3), and the push-out member 61a protrudes to near the maximum value of its operating range (“protrusion”). Just before completion "state). The intermittent drive gear 78a is at a position that is rotated to the maximum. The switch lever tip 96Ca moves from the first peripheral surface 99a (OFF surface) of the cam portion 99 to the second peripheral surface 99b (ON surface), and the detection switch 95a is switched from OFF to ON. The detection switch 95b does not change and remains ON. It is detected that the detection switch 95a is switched from OFF to ON (hereinafter, this state may be referred to as “detection switch A / B = ON / ON”). At this time, if energization of the motor 82 is stopped, the motor 82 stops while decelerating.

  FIG. 13F shows a state in which the large gear 76 has further rotated to an angle θ5 (> θ4), the motor 82 stops, and the pushing member 61a completes the projecting operation and stops (“projection completion stop”). "State). The large gear 76 and the intermittent drive gear 78a are in the most rotated position. The switch levers 96a and 96b remain unchanged from the state shown in FIG. 13E, and both the detection switches 95a and 95b remain ON (detection switches A / B = ON / ON).

  Thereafter, the door opening device 60 reverses the motor 82 and rotates the large gear 76 in the counterclockwise direction, thereby performing the reverse operation from FIG. 13 (f) to FIG. 13 (a). Return to the “origin position” again.

  Next, the rotation operation of the cam portion 99 and the ON / OFF states of the detection switches 95a and 95b when the left door 2a is opened will be described more specifically.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the rotation operation of the cam portion and the ON / OFF state of the detection switch during the left door opening operation of the door opening device. FIG. 14 is an equivalent representation of the rotational motion of the cam portion 99 of the large gear 76 converted into a linear motion with the horizontal axis as an angle. A rectangular protrusion that moves the cam portion 99 to the left and right. It is shown as a part.

  In FIG. 14, the leftward movement in the figure is equivalent to the clockwise rotation (CW direction) of the large gear 76 or the cam part 99, and the rightward movement in the figure is counterclockwise (CCW direction). It is drawn to be equivalent to rotation.

  Each state shown in FIGS. 14A to 14F corresponds to each state in FIGS. 13A to 13F.

  The state of FIG. 14A indicates “origin position”. The rotation angle θ of the large gear 76, that is, the cam portion 99 is 0 (θ = 0), and the cam portion 99 is in a position that is symmetrical with respect to the center line (center). The width of the cam part 99 is a width corresponding to the angle φ2 in FIG. 12, and the detection switches 95a and 95b are arranged with a width corresponding to the angle φ1 in FIG. Further, in the “origin position”, the detection switches 95 a and 95 b are arranged at positions that are symmetric with respect to the center line (center), like the cam portion 99. Further, θ1 in FIG. 12 corresponds to θ1 in FIG.

  Next, the door opening operation (left door opening operation) of the left door 2a will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the column of “(a) Origin position” in FIG. 14, the detection switches 95a and 95b (notations in FIG. 14 are detection A and detection B), the switch lever tip portions 96Ca and 96Cb corresponding to both are convex of the cam portion 99. Part (first peripheral surface 99a (OFF surface)). That is, as described above, the detection switches 95a and 95b are on the convex portion (the first peripheral surface 99a (OFF surface)) of the cam portion 99, and indicate that both are in the OFF state (detection). A / B = OFF / OFF).

  In the column of “(b) movement outside the origin” in FIG. 14, the cam portion 99 rotates clockwise (CW direction) by an angle θ1 in correspondence with FIG. 13B and is outside the “origin range”. The shifted state is shown. In the column “(b) Movement outside the origin” in FIG. 14, the change in the detection switch 95 b (detection B) from OFF to ON is indicated as a change in position from a black circle to a white circle.

  Since the detection switch 95b (detection B) has changed from OFF to ON, it can be confirmed that the large gear 76 is rotating out of the “origin range” and rotating clockwise (detection A / B = OFF / ON).

  In the column of “(c) Intermittent gear meshing” in FIG. 14 and the column of “(d) Projecting operation” in FIG. 14, as in the states shown in FIGS. 13 (c) and 13 (d), respectively. It shows that the cam portions 99 continue to rotate clockwise (CW direction) from the angles θ2 to θ3, respectively. That is, the intermittent drive gear 78a meshes with the large gear 76 and rotates, and the pushing member 61a performs a protruding operation. The pushing member 61a opens the left door 2a, and the detection switches 95a and 95b maintain the OFF / ON state (detection A / B = OFF / ON).

  In the column “(e) Immediately before completion of protrusion” in FIG. 14, the large gear 76 is further rotated clockwise (CW direction) to an angle θ4 (> θ3) as in FIG. The state immediately before completion is shown, and the door opening operation is almost completed. Since the detection switch 95a is turned from OFF to ON, the power supply to the motor 82 is cut off and stopped. The detection switches 95a and 95b are turned ON / ON (detection A / B = ON / ON).

  In the column “(f) Projection completion / stop” in FIG. 14, as in FIG. 13 (f), the large gear 76 further rotates clockwise (CW direction) to the angle θ5 (> θ4) which is the maximum operating angle. It shows a stopped state. The motor 82 is stopped and the protruding operation is completed. The detection switches 95a and 95b are kept ON / ON (detection A / B = ON / ON). The maximum operating angle θ5 is set smaller than the rotation angle range θ6 of the large gear 76 set by the large gear stopper 76E and the mechanical stopper by the cover stopper 71 (θ5 <θ6).

  Next, the relationship between the operation of the left and right push members 61a and 61b and the detection switches 95a and 95b when the door opening device 60 in the present embodiment opens the left door 2a will be described.

  In the door opening device 60 at the “origin position” (see FIG. 13A), as shown in FIG. 8, the large gear 76 is not meshed with any of the intermittent drive gears 78a and 78b, and the right and left push-out members 61a. , 61b has not yet protruded. Detection switches 95a and 95b (detection A / B)) are OFF / OFF (see FIG. 14A).

  15 to 19 are plan views for explaining the protruding operation of the left pushing member. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the door opening device showing a state in which the left pushing member is in a protruding operation. FIG. 16 is a plan view of the door opening device after a predetermined time has elapsed from FIG. 15 showing a state in which the left pushing member is protruding. FIG. 17 is a plan view of the door opening device after a predetermined time has elapsed from FIG. 16 showing a state in which the left push-out member is in a protruding operation. FIG. 18 is a plan view of the door opening device after a predetermined time has elapsed from FIG. 17 showing a state in which the left pushing member is protruding. FIG. 19 is a plan view of the door opening device after a predetermined time has elapsed from FIG. 18 showing a state in which the left pushing member is protruding.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the motor 82 is further driven in the forward rotation direction from the state of the “origin position” (θ = 0) (see FIG. 13A), and the large gear 76 and the cam portion 99 are When rotating clockwise from the “origin position” to an angle θ1 (see FIG. 13B), the concave portion 76Da of the large gear 76 comes close to the stopper portion 80a of the intermittent drive gear 78a. In this state, the large gear 76 is not yet engaged with any of the intermittent drive gears 78a and 78b (see FIG. 13A), and the left and right pushing members 61a and 61b have not yet protruded.

  The detection switch 95a remains OFF (see FIG. 14B), and the switch lever tip 96Cb moves from the first peripheral surface 99a (OFF surface) of the cam portion 99 to the second peripheral surface 99b (ON surface). Then (see FIG. 13C), the detection switch 95b is switched from OFF to ON (see FIG. 14B).

  As shown in FIG. 16, the motor 82 is further driven in the forward rotation direction from the above state (see FIG. 15), and the large gear 76 and the cam portion 99 are rotated clockwise from the “origin position” (θ = 0). When rotating to θ2 (see FIG. 14C), the intermittent drive gear 78a meshes with the large gear 76 and starts to rotate counterclockwise. The rotating plate 73a integrated with the intermittent drive gear 78a also rotates counterclockwise. As a result, the connecting plate 65a meshing with the rotating plate 73a is pushed forward. The pushing member 61a connected to the connecting plate 65a starts to project forward. Thereby, the door opening operation of the left door 2a is started.

  The detection switch 95a is OFF and the detection switch 95b is ON (see FIG. 14C).

  As shown in FIG. 17, the motor 82 is further driven in the forward rotation direction from the above state (see FIG. 16), and the large gear 76 and the cam portion 99 are rotated clockwise from the “origin position” (θ = 0). When rotating to θ3 (see FIG. 13D), the intermittent drive gear 78a and the rotating plate 73a further rotate counterclockwise. The rotating plate 73a integrated with the intermittent drive gear 78a also rotates counterclockwise. Thereby, the connecting plate 65a is further pushed forward, and the pushing member 61a continues to project forward.

  The detection switch 95a is OFF and the detection switch 95b is ON (see FIG. 14D).

  As shown in FIG. 18, the motor 82 is further driven in the forward rotation direction from the above state (see FIG. 17), and the large gear 76 and the cam portion 99 are rotated clockwise from the “origin position” (θ = 0). The intermittent drive gear 78a and the rotating plate 73a further rotate counterclockwise by rotating so as to be θ4 (see FIG. 13E). As a result, the connecting plate 65a is pushed further forward, and the pushing member 61a reaches just before the preset completion position.

  The switch lever tip 96Ca of the switch lever 96a moves from the first peripheral surface 99a (OFF surface) to the second peripheral surface 99b (ON surface), and the detection switch 95a is switched from OFF to ON. That is, both the detection switches 95a and 95b (detection A / B) are turned on (see FIG. 14E). If the detection switch 95a is turned from OFF to ON, it can be confirmed that the opening operation of the left door 2a is almost completed, and thus the energization to the motor 82 is stopped.

  When energization of the motor 82 is stopped in the above state (see FIG. 18), the motor 82 stops while decelerating. Until the motor 82 stops, the large gear 76 and the cam portion 99 continue to rotate.

  As shown in FIG. 19, in the state (see FIG. 18), the energization of the motor 82 and the cam portion 99 between the stop of energization of the motor 82 and the stop of the motor 82 are the “origin position” ( Rotate clockwise from θ = 0) to an angle θ5 (see FIG. 13F). The intermittent drive gear 78a and the rotating plate 73a rotate counterclockwise. Accordingly, the left pushing member 61a further protrudes from the above state (see FIG. 18) and reaches the maximum protruding amount H2.

  The outputs of the detection switches 95a and 95b are both ON (see FIG. 14 (f)).

  When the door opening device 60 performs the door opening operation of the left door 2a by the series of operations shown in FIGS. 15 to 19, the detection switches 95a and 95b are set to “detection A / B = OFF / OFF”, “ The detection is switched in the order of “Detection A / B = OFF / ON” and “Detection A / B = ON / ON”.

  The door opening device 60 ends the door opening operation of the left door 2a through the series of steps from FIG. 15 to FIG.

<Description of operation>
Next, the operation when the door opening device 60 opens the left door 2a when the above-described detection switch is used will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21. FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for opening the left door in a configuration having a detection switch. When the user operates the left opening switch 48a, the control board 41 (control unit) executes a door opening program for the left door 2a. FIG. 21 is an operation explanatory view showing the relationship between the position of the door at each stage during the opening operation by the door opening device 60 having the detection switch, the timing for detecting the pushing load, and the motor energization rate.

  As described above, the positions of the reduction gear train 83, the large gear 76, the intermittent drive gears 78a and 78b, and the pushing members 61a and 61b in the opening device 60 in the “initial state” are “origin positions” (FIG. 13A). , See FIG. 15), and the left and right pushing members 61a and 61b have not yet protruded. Detection switches 95a and 95b (detection A / B)) are OFF / OFF (see FIG. 14A). At this point, the closer is operating because the pivot door is not operating (point A).

  Here, the user operates the left door switch 48a, and the control board 41 (control unit) executes the door opening program for the left door 2a (Yes in step S141 in FIG. 20).

  The energization rate of the motor 82 undergoes a soft start in which the energization rate is gradually increased from 0 to a predetermined energization rate a in order to prevent an overcurrent due to sudden energization at the start of energization (see FIG. 21). When the large gear 76 and the cam portion 99 are rotated clockwise from the “origin position” (see FIG. 13A and FIG. 15) by driving in the forward direction at the energization rate a (step S142 in FIG. 20), The concave portion 76Da of the large gear 76 is in a state of being close to the stopper portion 80a of the intermittent drive gear 78a (see FIGS. 13B and 16). In this state, the large gear 76 is not yet engaged with any of the intermittent drive gears 78a and 78b, and the left and right pushing members 61a and 61b have not yet protruded. Thereafter, the detection switch 95b is switched from OFF to ON (Yes in step S143 in FIG. 20, point B in FIGS. 20 and 21).

  When it is confirmed that the detection switch 95b is switched from OFF to ON, measurement of a time t4 set in advance as a time during which the current of the motor 82 is not detected is started (step S144 in FIG. 20).

  Further, when the motor 82 is driven in the forward rotation direction and the large gear 76 and the cam portion 99 are rotated clockwise from the “origin position”, the intermittent drive gear 78a is meshed with the large gear 76 and is rotated counterclockwise. Start (see FIG. 13C and FIG. 15). The rotating plate 73a integrated with the intermittent drive gear 78a also rotates counterclockwise. As a result, the connecting plate 65a meshing with the rotating plate 73a is pushed forward. The pushing member 61a connected to the connecting plate 65a starts to project forward. Thereby, the door opening operation of the left door 2a starts (see FIG. 13D and FIG. 16).

  Further, when the motor 82 is driven in the forward rotation direction until the time t4 elapses (Yes in step S145 in FIG. 20) and the large gear 76 and the cam portion 99 are rotated clockwise from the “origin position”, the connecting plate 65a is Further, the revolving door is pushed forward and operates to a position where the closer does not act (point C in FIGS. 20 and 21).

  It should be noted that the time t4 set in advance as a time during which the current of the motor 82 is not detected is released until the door packing 15 that is in close contact with the opening peripheral edge of the front surface of the refrigerator 1 is released and moved to a position where the closer does not act. The time when the moving door operates. The reason for this has already been described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, but at the start of the opening operation of the door 2 a (between points B and C in FIG. 21) This is because the load for releasing the contact state becomes dominant. Therefore, during the time t4, the motor 82 is driven at the predetermined energization rate a without detecting the current value of the motor 82. It should be noted that during the time t4, the current value of the motor 82 may be detected. In this case, the energization rate of the motor 82 is not controlled based on the detected current value, but is the motor 82 operating normally? Suitable for checking.

  When the revolving door is moved to a position where the closer does not act, the push-out load becomes the load due to the door storage door load and the friction of the hinge, which can detect a stable load compared to the situation where the closer is under stress. Is possible.

  The sampling of the current value of the motor 82 is started by the motor current detecting means 50b mounted on the control board 41 from the point C at which the time t4 has elapsed and a stable load can be detected (step S146 in FIG. 20). .

  After S146 when sampling of the current value of the motor 82 is started, measurement of a time t5 set in advance as a time for sampling the current value of the motor 82 is started (step S147 in FIG. 20).

  Further, while the sampling of the current value of the motor 82 is continued until the time t5 elapses (Yes in step S148 in FIG. 20), the motor is driven in the forward rotation direction. As a result, the push-out member 61a continues to protrude forward, and the door opening operation of the left door 2a is continued.

  In the sampling of the current value of the motor 82, the current value of the motor 82 was sampled during a time t5 (C point-D point interval in FIGS. 20 and 21) preset as the motor current sampling time. Calculate the average of the current values. Based on the average value of the calculated current values, calculation is performed by the control means 50c, and a motor energization rate b for energizing the motor after point D is calculated (step S149 in FIG. 20).

  The motor energization rate b has a calculation example described based on FIG. From this calculation result, after the point D, the motor driving means 50a is used to operate at the motor energization rate b (step S150 in FIG. 20).

  Further, the motor 82 is driven at an energization rate b, and the pushing member 61a continues to project forward, and the left door 2a continues to open, but the pushing member 61a has a preset projecting completion position. Then, as described above, the detection switch 95a is switched from OFF to ON (step S151 in FIG. 20, Yes, point E in FIGS. 20 and 21).

  That is, both the detection switches 95a and 95b (detection A / B) are turned on (see FIG. 14E). If the detection switch 95a is switched from OFF to ON, it can be confirmed that the opening operation of the left door 2a is almost completed, so that the power supply to the motor 82 is stopped and the operation for opening the left door 2a is completed. (Step S152 in FIG. 20).

  The operation when the door opening device 60 in the present embodiment opens the right door 2b is the same as the operation when the left door 2a is opened, and the rotation direction of the motor 82 is reversed. In addition, more stable control is attained by providing each energization rate and each setting time which are set to the left and right doors 2a and 2b individually for each door.

  By using the detection switches 95a and 95b for detecting the protruding positions of the push-out members 61a and 61b, the time for detecting the current value and calculating the average value after driving the motor 82 (in FIGS. 20 and 21). Since the timing of time t5) (timing of transition from time t4 to time t5) can be set with high accuracy, the doors 2a and 2b can be opened more stably.

  According to the present invention described in the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, a door that opens and closes the storage chamber by rotating around a rotation axis, a door opening device that opens the door, and a control unit that controls the door opening device, the door opening device is driven And a pushing member that pushes out the door by the power transmitted from the drive mechanism, and the control unit detects a load when the pushing member pushes out the door, and based on the detected load The door is opened while controlling the power. As a result, the amount of storage items stored in the door storage unit, the location of the storage items, individual differences in the components of the refrigerator, variations in frictional resistance during door rotation due to assembly manufacturing variations, and refrigerator installation environment A stable door opening operation can be performed without being affected by factors such as temperature and humidity. That is, it is possible to provide a high-value-added refrigerator that not only simply opens the door, but also gives a high-class feel to the way of opening in consideration of the characteristics of the refrigerator door.

  Further, the control unit detects a load applied when the pushing member pushes out the door, and controls either the opening amount and the opening speed of the door while controlling the power based on the detected load. Control both. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the door opening amount and the opening speed from being varied due to the load during the door opening operation, and to perform the door opening operation stably.

  The drive mechanism includes a motor, and the control unit detects a current value of the motor when the push-out member pushes out the door, and controls a power supply rate of the motor according to the detected current value. Thus, either or both of the opening amount and the opening speed of the door are controlled. As a result, the door is opened suddenly or slowly because the door is gradually opened while increasing / decreasing the energization rate of the motor while the load applied to the pushing member is converted into the current value of the motor and fed back. Without opening, the door can be opened by controlling a predetermined opening amount or opening speed at each stage of the door opening operation.

  Further, the control unit detects a current value of the motor after a predetermined time has elapsed since the motor is energized when the pushing member pushes out the door, and calculates an average value of the current values during the predetermined time. It calculates and controls the energization rate to the motor according to the average value. Accordingly, the door can be opened by controlling a predetermined opening amount or opening speed at each stage of the door opening operation while suppressing the number of increase / decrease of the energization rate of the motor.

  The drive mechanism includes a detection switch for detecting the position of the pushing member, detects a current value of the motor for a predetermined time after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection switch detects, and detects a current value of the predetermined time. An average value is calculated, and the energization rate to the motor is controlled according to the average value. As a result, it is possible to set the timing to calculate the current value and increase / decrease the driving force after the motor is driven after detecting the protruding position of the pushing member with high accuracy, so the door opening operation is more stable. The opening amount or opening speed of each stage can be controlled.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this, It can employ | adopt with a various form.

  In the present embodiment, the door opening device 60 that opens the doors 2a and 2b among the doors 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a, and 6a of the refrigerator has been described, but is not limited thereto, and is adjacent to each other vertically and horizontally. It may open the doors that meet each other. Further, these doors are not limited to double doors and may be a single door.

  In the embodiment, the brush type DC motor has been described as an example of the motor 82 whose rotating shaft rotates in both forward and reverse directions, but the present invention is not particularly limited as long as the motor rotates in both forward and reverse directions. For example, a pulse motor or the like can be used.

  Note that the door opening device or the door opening operation of the present embodiment is not limited to the refrigerator, and can be applied to a structure including a plurality of doors. For example, building doors and windows, system kitchen storage doors, automobile doors and windows, household electrical appliances with doors, lids and windows, medical equipment with doors, lids and windows, doors and lids It can be applied to all structures such as office equipment equipped with windows and windows, various racks and cabinet doors.

1 Refrigerator 2 Cold room (storage room)
2a Cold room door (first door)
2b Cold room door (second door)
18 Rotating partition 37 Closer 40 Control panel 41 Control board (control unit)
48a Left door switch 48b Right door switch 60 Door opening device 61a Extruding member (first extruding member)
61b Extruded member (second extruded member)
65a connecting plate 65b connecting plate 73a rotating plate 73b rotating plate 76 large gear 78a intermittent drive gear (first intermittent drive gear)
78b intermittent drive gear (second intermittent drive gear)
82 Motor (drive mechanism)
83 Reduction gear train 95a detection switch 95b detection switch

Claims (1)

A door that pivots about a pivot axis to open and close the storage chamber;
An opening device for opening the door;
A control unit for controlling the opening device;
A door sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the door ,
The door opening device
A drive mechanism;
An extrusion member that pushes out the door by the power transmitted from the drive mechanism,
The drive mechanism includes a motor,
The control unit detects a current value of the motor when the push-out member pushes out the door, and controls an energization rate of the motor according to the detected current value. Controlling either or both of the opening speeds,
The drive mechanism includes a first detection switch and a second detection switch for detecting the position of the push member,
The current value of the motor is detected for a predetermined time after the elapse of a predetermined time from the detection by the second detection switch, the average value of the current value for the predetermined time is calculated, and the motor is energized according to the average value. The refrigerator controls the rate and stops energization of the motor when the first detection switch detects it .