JP6591090B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator capable of notifying that a door of a storage room is forgotten to be closed.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a refrigerator that notifies an alarm sound that a user has forgotten to close a door of a refrigerator storage room. In such a refrigerator, an unnecessary alarm may sound during storage of storage items in the storage room or removal of storage items from the storage room, which may cause annoyance to the user. is there.

  Patent Document 1 as an example of the prior art discloses a refrigerator that can change an alarm to an off setting.

JP 2011-158234 A

  However, according to the above prior art, when the alarm is changed to the OFF setting, the alarm does not sound even when the door is actually forgotten to be closed. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to prevent forgetting to close the door.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a refrigerator that notifies a user when a door is forgotten to be closed while preventing unnecessary alarm sounds.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the refrigerator according to the present invention has a temperature of the storage chamber after a predetermined time has elapsed since the opening state of the door that opens and closes the opening of the storage chamber is detected. When the temperature is equal to or higher than the set temperature and there is no change in the weight in the storage chamber, the door is forgotten to be closed and the user is informed that the door is forgotten to close. It is characterized by.

  The refrigerator according to the present invention has an effect that the user can be notified when the door is forgotten to be closed while preventing unnecessary alarm sounds.

The figure which shows the front of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment The figure which shows the II-II cross section in FIG. The figure which shows the control block in embodiment Control flowchart in the embodiment

  Below, the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated in detail based on drawing. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

Embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the front of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view showing a II-II cross section in FIG. In FIG. 2, the configuration existing on the II-II cross section and the configuration not existing on the II-II cross section but arranged at the same position are separated by commas. As an example, the switching chamber 2c that exists on the II-II cross section and the ice making chamber 2b that does not exist on the II-II cross section but are arranged at the same position are separated by a comma.

  The refrigerator 1 includes a box 3 provided with a plurality of storage chambers 2 partitioned from each other. Here, the plurality of storage chambers 2 are a refrigerator compartment 2a capable of storing stored items, an ice making chamber 2b capable of manufacturing and storing ice, a switching chamber 2c capable of switching temperature, and a freezer chamber capable of storing stored items in a frozen state. 2d and a vegetable room 2e capable of storing vegetables. An example of stored items is food. The refrigerator 1 is a refrigerator-freezer.

  The refrigerator compartment 2 a is provided in the upper stage than the other storage compartments 2. An opening 4a is provided on the front surface of the refrigerator compartment 2a. The refrigerator 1 includes a pair of double doors 5a that can open and close the opening 4a. The refrigerator 1 includes a door switch 6a that can detect the open / closed state of the pair of doors 5a. The door switch 6a is turned on or off according to the open / closed state of the pair of doors 5a, and outputs a signal according to the open / closed state of the pair of doors 5a. As an example, the door switch 6a is turned on when the door 5a is opened and outputs a door opening signal, or the door switch 6a is turned on when the door 5a is closed and outputs a door closing signal.

  The ice making room 2b is provided in the lower stage of the refrigerator compartment 2a. An opening 4b is provided on the front surface of the ice making chamber 2b. The refrigerator 1 includes a drawer-type door 5b that can open and close the opening 4b. The refrigerator 1 includes a door switch 6b that can detect the open / closed state of the door 5b. The door switch 6b is turned on or off according to the opened / closed state of the door 5b, and outputs a signal according to the opened / closed state of the door 5b. As an example, the door switch 6b is turned on when the door 5b is opened and outputs a door opening signal, or the door switch 6b is turned on when the door 5b is closed and outputs a door closing signal.

  The switching chamber 2c is provided at the same height next to the ice making chamber 2b in the lower stage of the refrigerator compartment 2a. An opening 4c is provided on the front surface of the switching chamber 2c. The refrigerator 1 includes a drawer-type door 5c that can open and close the opening 4c. The refrigerator 1 includes a door switch 6c that can detect the open / closed state of the door 5c. The door switch 6c is turned on or off according to the open / closed state of the door 5c, and outputs a signal according to the open / closed state of the door 5c. As an example, the door switch 6c is turned on when the door 5c is opened and outputs a door opening signal, or the door switch 6c is turned on when the door 5c is closed and outputs a door closing signal.

  The freezing room 2d is provided in the lower stage of the ice making room 2b and the switching room 2c. An opening 4d is provided on the front surface of the freezer compartment 2d. The refrigerator 1 includes a drawer-type door 5d that can open and close the opening 4d. The refrigerator 1 includes a door switch 6d that can detect the open / closed state of the door 5d. The door switch 6d is turned on or off according to the opened / closed state of the door 5d, and outputs a signal according to the opened / closed state of the door 5d. As an example, the door switch 6d is turned on when the door 5d is opened and outputs a door opening signal, or the door switch 6d is turned on when the door 5d is closed and outputs a door closing signal.

  The vegetable room 2e is provided in the lower stage of the freezing room 2d. An opening 4e is provided on the front surface of the vegetable compartment 2e. The refrigerator 1 includes a drawer-type door 5e that can open and close the opening 4e. The refrigerator 1 includes a door switch 6e that can detect the open / closed state of the door 5e. The door switch 6e is turned on or off according to the open / closed state of the door 5e, and outputs a signal according to the open / closed state of the door 5e. As an example, the door switch 6e is turned on when the door 5e is opened and outputs a door opening signal, or the door switch 6e is turned on when the door 5e is closed and outputs a door closing signal.

  In the following description, when the doors 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, and 5e are not distinguished, the doors 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, and 5e are collectively referred to as the door 5. When the openings 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e are not distinguished from each other, the openings 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e are collectively referred to as the opening 4. When the door switches 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e are not distinguished from each other, the door switches 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e are collectively referred to as the door switch 6.

  The refrigerator 1 includes an operation panel 7 provided on the door 5a. The operation panel 7 is a user interface for setting the refrigerator 1 according to the operation content of the user.

  The refrigerator 1 includes an alarm 10. The alarm 10 generates an alarm sound. The alarm 10 is a notification unit that notifies the user by an alarm sound that the door 5 has been forgotten to be closed. The alarm sound includes sound. The alarm 10 is provided in the upper part of the front surface of the refrigerator 1.

  The refrigerator 1 includes a control board 25. The control board 25 is provided on the back side of the upper surface of the refrigerator 1.

  Here, the internal configuration of the refrigerator 1 will be briefly described. An air passage 15 is provided in the box 3 on the back side of the refrigerator 1. The air path 15 connects the freezer compartment 2d and the refrigerator compartment 2a. A cooler 16 that generates cold air and a fan 17 that circulates the cold air are provided in the air passage 15. The refrigerator 1 includes a compressor 19 in a machine room 18 provided on the back side of the refrigerator 1. The compressor 19 and the cooler 16 are part of the components of the refrigeration cycle, and the illustration of other components of the refrigeration cycle is omitted here.

  When the compressor 19 is driven, the refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration cycle. The cooler 16 exchanges heat between ambient air and the refrigerant, and the air is cooled to generate cold air. The cold air passes through the air passage 15 by the rotation of the fan 17, and further passes through the box 3 by passing through the refrigerator compartment 2a, the return passage 20, the ice making compartment 2b, the switching compartment 2c, the freezer compartment 2d, and the vegetable compartment 2e. Circulate. The flow rate of cool air into the storage chamber 2 is adjusted by the dampers 21 and 21a. The cooling function of the refrigerator 1 is adjusted by the rotation speed of the compressor 19 and the rotation speed of the fan 17.

  The refrigerator 1 includes thermistors 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, and 8e. A thermistor 8a that detects the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 2a and outputs temperature information is provided in the refrigerator compartment 2a. A thermistor 8b that detects the temperature in the ice making chamber 2b and outputs temperature information is provided in the ice making chamber 2b. In the switching chamber 2c, a thermistor 8c that detects the temperature in the switching chamber 2c and outputs temperature information is provided. A thermistor 8d that detects the temperature in the freezer compartment 2d and outputs temperature information is provided in the freezer compartment 2d. A thermistor 8e that detects the temperature in the vegetable compartment 2e and outputs temperature information is provided in the vegetable compartment 2e.

  The refrigerator 1 includes weight sensors 9a1, 9a2, 9b, 9c, 9d, and 9e. In the refrigerator compartment 2a, weight sensors 9a1 and 9a2 for detecting the weight of the stored items in the refrigerator compartment 2a and outputting weight information are provided. In addition, the weight sensor 9a1 is provided in the lower stage in the refrigerator compartment 2a, and the weight sensor 9a2 is provided in the upper stage in the refrigerator compartment 2a. In the ice making chamber 2b, there is provided a weight sensor 9b that detects the weight of the stored item in the ice making chamber 2b and outputs weight information. In the switching chamber 2c, a weight sensor 9c that detects the weight of the stored item in the switching chamber 2c and outputs weight information is provided. In the freezer compartment 2d, there is provided a weight sensor 9d that detects the weight of the stored items in the freezer compartment 2d and outputs weight information. In the vegetable compartment 2e, a weight sensor 9e that detects the weight of the stored items in the vegetable compartment 2e and outputs weight information is provided.

  The refrigerator 1 detects the weight of stored items in each room while detecting the temperature in each room by the thermistors 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e and the weight sensors 9a1, 9a2, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e. Can do.

  In the following description, the thermistors 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, and 8e are collectively referred to as the thermistor 8 when the thermistors 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, and 8e are not distinguished from each other. When the weight sensors 9a1, 9a2, 9b, 9c, 9d, and 9e are not distinguished, the weight sensors 9a1, 9a2, 9b, 9c, 9d, and 9e are collectively referred to as the weight sensor 9.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control block in the present embodiment. The control board 25 is a board provided with a control circuit, and includes a microcomputer 26 and a clock 27. The microcomputer 26 is a control unit that controls the refrigerator 1, and includes a processor 26a and a storage circuit 26b. The processor 26a executes a program stored in the storage circuit 26b, and executes a control method described in the program. An example of the processor 26a is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and an example of the storage circuit 26b is a semiconductor memory. The clock 27 outputs time information to the microcomputer 26.

  The door switch 6a outputs an open / closed state signal indicating the open / closed state of the door 5a of the refrigerator compartment 2a to the microcomputer 26. The door switch 6b outputs an open / closed state signal indicating the open / closed state of the door 5b of the ice making chamber 2b to the microcomputer 26. The door switch 6c outputs an open / closed state signal indicating the open / closed state of the door 5c of the switching chamber 2c to the microcomputer 26. The door switch 6d outputs an open / closed state signal indicating the open / closed state of the door 5d of the freezer compartment 2d to the microcomputer 26. The door switch 6e outputs an open / closed state signal indicating the open / closed state of the door 5e of the vegetable compartment 2e to the microcomputer 26. The open / close state signal is an open signal or a close signal.

  The thermistor 8a outputs temperature information in the refrigerator compartment 2a to the microcomputer 26. The thermistor 8b outputs temperature information in the ice making chamber 2b to the microcomputer 26. The thermistor 8c outputs temperature information in the switching chamber 2c to the microcomputer 26. The thermistor 8d outputs temperature information in the freezer compartment 2d to the microcomputer 26. The thermistor 8e outputs temperature information in the vegetable compartment 2e to the microcomputer 26.

  The weight sensor 9a1 outputs the weight information of the lower storage item in the refrigerator compartment 2a to the microcomputer 26. The weight sensor 9a2 outputs the weight information of the upper storage item in the refrigerator compartment 2a to the microcomputer 26. The weight sensor 9b outputs the weight information of the items stored in the ice making chamber 2b to the microcomputer 26. The weight sensor 9c outputs the weight information of the items stored in the switching chamber 2c to the microcomputer 26. The weight sensor 9d outputs the weight information of the items stored in the freezer compartment 2d to the microcomputer 26. The weight sensor 9e outputs the weight information of the stored items in the vegetable compartment 2e to the microcomputer 26.

  The microcomputer 26 includes outputs from the door switches 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e, outputs from the thermistors 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, and 8e, outputs from the weight sensors 9a1, 9a2, 9b, 9c, 9d, and 9e. The alarm 10 is controlled based on the above. That is, the microcomputer 26 outputs an alarm signal to the alarm 10 when it is determined that the door 5 of the storage chamber 2 is in a state where it is forgotten to be closed, and does not output an alarm signal to the alarm 10 in other cases. The alarm 10 to which the alarm signal is input sounds an alarm sound.

  FIG. 4 is a control flowchart in the present embodiment. When the user operates the operation panel 7 to set an alarm set temperature that is a temperature at which the alarm 10 is sounded, the process is started. Note that the alarm set temperature may be set to one temperature in the refrigerator 1, but the refrigerator compartment 2a, ice making room 2b, switching room 2c, freezer room 2d, and vegetable room 2e have appropriate temperatures. Because of the difference, it is preferable to set the alarm set temperature for each room.

  First, when the process is started, the microcomputer 26 detects the output of the door switch 6 (S1). Next, the microcomputer 26 determines whether or not the door 5 of the storage chamber 2 is in an open state from the output of the door switch 6 (S2). When the door 5 is not in the open state (S2: No), it is not necessary to sound the alarm 10, and the process returns to S1. When the door 5 is in the open state (S2: Yes), the microcomputer 26 detects the output of the weight sensor 9 in the storage chamber 2, that is, measures the first weight information M1 (S3) and measures the time. Start (S4).

  The microcomputer 26 again detects the output of the door switch 6 (S5), and determines whether or not the door 5 of the storage chamber 2 is in the closed state from the output of the door switch 6 (S6). If the door 5 is in the closed state (S6: Yes), it is not necessary to sound the alarm 10, and the process returns to S1. If the door 5 is not in the closed state (S6: No), whether or not the time since the start of time counting in S4 is equal to or longer than the alarm set time, that is, whether or not the open state of the door 5 continues for the set time or longer. Is determined (S7). Here, the alarm setting time is a predetermined time. If the time since the start of time measurement is not equal to or longer than the alarm set time (S7: No), it is not necessary to sound the alarm 10 at this point, and the process returns to S5. If the time since the start of time measurement is equal to or longer than the alarm set time (S7: Yes), the microcomputer 26 detects the output of the thermistor 8 in the storage chamber 2 (S8), and whether or not the alarm set temperature is exceeded. Is determined (S9). If the temperature information that is the output of the thermistor 8 is not equal to or higher than the alarm set temperature (S9: No), the temperature in the storage chamber 2 can be maintained, and it is not necessary to sound the alarm 10, so the process returns to S1. When the temperature information that is the output of the thermistor 8 is equal to or higher than the alarm set temperature (S9: Yes), the microcomputer 26 detects the output of the weight sensor 9 in the storage chamber 2, that is, the second weight information M2 is obtained. Measure (S10).

  Next, the microcomputer 26 determines whether or not the first weight information M1 and the second weight information M2 are equal (S11). When the first weight information M1 and the second weight information M2 are different (S11: No), the microcomputer 26 stores the stored item in the storage chamber 2 or takes out the stored item from the storage chamber 2. It determines with it being in, and returns to S1, without sounding the alarm 10. When the first weight information M1 and the second weight information M2 are equal (S11: Yes), the microcomputer 26 determines that the door 5 is in a state where it is forgotten to close and outputs a signal to the alarm 10. The alarm 10 is sounded (S12), and the process is terminated.

  The microcomputer 26 monitors the outputs of the door switches 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e, and executes the above-described control process on the doors 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, and 5e.

  According to the present embodiment, the alarm sound of the alarm 10 is not sounded during the storage of the storage item in the storage chamber 2 or the removal of the storage item from the storage chamber 2, and the door 5 is in a state where the door 5 is forgotten to be closed. Alarm 10 sounds.

  In other words, according to the present embodiment, the alarm 10 does not sound while the stored item is being stored in the refrigerator 1 or when the stored item is being taken out from the refrigerator 1, and the user can use the unnecessary alarm during use of the refrigerator 1. You don't feel bothered by the sound. Further, even if it takes time to store the storage items in the storage chamber 2 or take out the storage items from the storage chamber 2, the temperature in the storage chamber 2 may be maintained in a cold region or winter. Many. In the present embodiment, since it is assumed that it is determined whether or not the temperature in the storage chamber 2 can be maintained, an unnecessary alarm sound is generated when the temperature in the storage chamber 2 can be maintained. Can be prevented.

  In addition, arrangement | positioning, the number, and kind of the some storage chamber 2 are not limited to the example of illustration.

  In this embodiment, the alarm sound informs that the door 5 is forgotten to close, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the alarm display indicates that the door 5 is forgotten to close. You may notify a user. This alarm display may be displayed on the operation panel as an example.

  In addition, although the operation panel is provided in the user interface in the refrigerator of this Embodiment, this invention is not limited to this, It replaces with the operation panel and may be provided with the operation button. Alternatively, instead of the operation panel or together with the operation panel, a terminal capable of wireless communication with the refrigerator may be used for the user interface. Such an interface may be collectively referred to as an operation unit.

  In addition, the pair of doors 5a is a double-spread type, and the doors 5b to 5e are pull-out types, but the present invention is not limited to this opening / closing method.

  The configuration described in the above embodiment shows an example of the contents of the present invention, and can be combined with another known technique, and can be combined with other configurations without departing from the gist of the present invention. It is also possible to omit or change the part.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator, 2 Storage room, 2a Refrigeration room, 2b Ice making room, 2c Switching room, 2d Freezing room, 2e Vegetable room, 3 box, 4,4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e Opening part, 5,5a, 5b , 5c, 5d, 5e Door, 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e Door switch, 7 Operation panel, 8, 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e Thermistor, 9, 9a1, 9a2, 9b, 9c, 9d , 9e Weight sensor, 10 alarm, 15 air path, 16 cooler, 17 fan, 18 machine room, 19 compressor, 20 return path, 21, 21a damper, 25 control board, 26 microcomputer, 26a processor, 26b memory circuit 27 clocks.

Claims (3)

When a certain period of time has elapsed since the opening state of the door that opens and closes the opening of the storage chamber has been detected, the temperature in the storage chamber is equal to or higher than a set temperature, and the weight in the storage chamber does not vary, A refrigerator that determines that the door has been forgotten to close and informs the user that the door has been forgotten to close. A storage room;
A door for opening and closing the opening of the storage chamber;
A door switch that detects opening and closing of the door and outputs an open / closed state signal;
A thermistor that detects temperature in the storage chamber and outputs temperature information;
A weight sensor for measuring the weight of the stored item in the storage chamber and outputting weight information;
A control unit to which the open / close state signal, the temperature information and the weight information are input;
A notification unit whose operation is controlled by the control unit,
The controller is
From the open / closed state signal, a set time or more has elapsed since the door was detected to be open,
From the temperature information, the temperature in the storage chamber is equal to or higher than a set temperature,
From the weight information, if the weight of the stored item has not changed after the set time has elapsed since it was detected that the door is in the open state, it is determined that the door has been forgotten to close. ,
The said alerting | reporting part is a refrigerator which alert | reports to a user that the said door is in the state which forgot to close. A plurality of the storage chambers;
The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the set temperature is different for each storage chamber.

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