JP7321946B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to refrigerators.

Conventionally, in a refrigerator in which a pair of left and right double doors are rotatably supported by hinges provided on both left and right sides of a refrigerator body to close the front opening of the storage compartment, the gap between the left and right doors is filled. For this reason, a rotatable partition is provided on the inner side of the cabinet on the side opposite to the pivot support of one of the two doors.

This rotating partition is provided with an anti-condensation heater that prevents condensation due to the temperature difference between the outside air and the inside of the refrigerator. Refrigerators have been proposed that control the amount of heat generated by an anti-condensation heater based on the outside temperature and the inside temperature (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 below).

JP-A-2004-353972 JP 2012-26592 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-349659

However, kitchens, in which refrigerators are often installed, often become hot and humid temporarily during cooking operations. Moreover, the temperature and humidity in the space where the refrigerator is installed may change rapidly due to the operation of air conditioners such as air conditioners and humidifiers. When the humidity and temperature of the environment in which the refrigerator is installed changes rapidly, even if the calorific value of the anti-condensation heater is controlled based on the temperature outside and inside the refrigerator as described above, an appropriate calorific value suitable for the installation atmosphere of the refrigerator can be obtained. It is difficult to set For this reason, the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater must be set larger than necessary so that dew condensation does not occur even when the temperature or humidity changes abruptly, increasing power consumption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator capable of suppressing power consumption and preventing dew condensation on a rotating partition.

The refrigerator according to this embodiment includes a double door that is rotatably supported on both the left and right sides of a front opening of a storage compartment and closes the opening, and a rotating door that closes the space between the doors from the inside of the compartment. a partition, an anti-condensation heater provided on the rotary partition to prevent condensation, a controller for controlling the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater, and a humidity sensor for detecting the humidity of the atmosphere in which the refrigerator is installed. The controller controls the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater based on the detected value of the humidity sensor and the change rate of the detected value of the humidity sensor.

Front view of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the refrigerator in FIG. Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the refrigerator shown in FIG. A table showing the energization rate of the anti-condensation heater according to the humidity of the installation atmosphere in the refrigerator shown in FIG. A diagram showing the relationship between the humidity of the installation atmosphere and the energization rate of the anti-condensation heater in the refrigerator shown in FIG. A table showing the energization rate of the anti-condensation heater according to the outside temperature of the installation atmosphere in the refrigerator shown in FIG.

(First embodiment)
A refrigerator 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(1) Configuration of refrigerator 10 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator 10 according to the present embodiment has a storage space formed inside a refrigerator main body 12 in the shape of a heat-insulating box that opens to the front, and the storage space is insulated. A partition wall 14 divides the space into an upper refrigerating space 16 and a lower freezing space 18 .

The refrigerating space 16 is further partitioned vertically by a partition 20, a refrigerating chamber 22 having a plurality of stages of mounting shelves is provided in the upper space, and a vegetable storage container provided in two upper and lower tiers is arranged in the lower space. A chamber 24 is provided. Behind the refrigerating space 16, a refrigerating cooler 44, a refrigerating fan 46, and a duct 48 for cooling the air in the refrigerating space 16 are provided. In addition, a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 32 that detects the internal temperature of the refrigerator compartment 22 is provided on the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment 22 .

A freezer space 18 arranged below the vegetable compartment 24 is a space cooled to a freezing temperature. , and a second freezer compartment 30 is provided therebelow. A freezing cooler 50 for cooling the air in the freezing space 18, a freezing fan 52, and a duct 53 are provided behind the freezing space 18. - 特許庁A freezer compartment temperature sensor 34 for detecting the internal temperature of the second freezer compartment 30 is provided on the back surface of the second freezer compartment 30 .

A front opening of the refrigerating compartment 22 is closed by a pair of left and right double-door refrigerating compartment doors 23 that divide the opening in the width direction. The refrigerating compartment door 23 is rotatably supported by hinges 37 provided on both left and right sides of the refrigerator body. It has become.

On one front face of the refrigerator compartment door 23, there is provided an operation panel 19 having a display unit for displaying the settings of the refrigerator 10, an audio unit for generating a buzzer sound and voice, and an operation unit for adjusting the temperature inside the refrigerator. there is Further, a humidity sensor 38 for detecting the humidity of the installation atmosphere of the refrigerator 10 and an outside temperature sensor 40 for detecting the temperature of the installation atmosphere (external temperature) of the refrigerator 10 are provided on the lower surface of one of the left and right refrigerator compartment doors 23. and are provided.

A gasket 42 having a magnet inside is attached along the entire peripheral edge of the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door 23, and seals the inside of the refrigerator compartment 22 by coming into contact with the opening edge of the refrigerator body and the rotating partition 70. ing.

The rotating partition body 70 is mounted on the opposite side of the refrigerating compartment door 23 (the right side of the left refrigerating compartment door 23 in this embodiment) facing the pivoted side of one of the refrigerating compartment doors 23 via mounting members provided at the upper and lower ends. It is arranged on the inner door plate 23a) forming the surface. As the refrigerating chamber door 23 closes, the rotatable partition 70 rotates so as to come into contact with the gasket 42 provided on the refrigerating chamber door 23 to close the space between the pair of left and right refrigerating chamber doors 23 from the inside of the refrigerator. Then, as the refrigerating compartment door 23 opens, it rotates in the direction opposite to the door closing operation and hides behind one of the refrigerating compartment doors 23 .

In this rotary partition 70, a planar anti-condensation heater 72 for suppressing the occurrence of dew condensation is provided between the steel plate partition that constitutes the attracting surface of the magnet of the gasket 42 and the heat insulating member that forms the heat insulating layer. is provided.

The openings of the vegetable compartment 24 , the ice making compartment 26 , the first freezer compartment 28 and the second freezer compartment 30 are closed by drawer doors 25 , 27 , 29 and 31 . A storage container is held by a pair of left and right support frames fixed to the back side of each drawer type door 25, 43, 45, 47, and is configured to be drawn out of the storage when the door is opened.

The refrigerating cooler 44 and the freezing cooler 50 include a compressor 56, a condenser (not shown), a switching valve 58 (see FIG. 3), and a capillary tube provided in a machine room 54 partitioned at the lower back of the refrigerator body 12. (not shown) constitutes a refrigerating cycle, and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 56 is alternately supplied by switching the refrigerant flow path with the switching valve 58 .

A control unit 60 disposed in the machine room 54 includes, for example, a microcomputer and memory, and as shown in FIG. A compressor 56, a refrigerating fan 46, a freezing fan 52, a switching valve 58, and an anti-condensation heater 72 are connected. The operation of the compressor 56, the refrigerator fan 46, the freezer fan 52, and the anti-condensation heater 72 is controlled based on, and the overall operation of the refrigerator 10 is controlled.

(2) Cooling control of refrigerator 10 The control unit 60 controls the compressor 56, the refrigerator fan 46, the freezer fan 52, and the switching valve 58 based on the internal temperature detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 32 and the freezer compartment temperature sensor 34. is alternately switched between a refrigerating mode for cooling the refrigerating compartment 22 and the vegetable compartment 24 and a freezing mode for cooling the ice making compartment 26, the first freezing compartment 28 and the second freezing compartment 30.

When executing the refrigerating mode, the control unit 60 drives the compressor 56 and the refrigerating fan 46 while controlling the switching valve 58 to supply the refrigerant to the refrigerating cooler 44, thereby maintaining the temperature at about -10 to -20°C. of cool air.

The cool air cooled by the refrigerating cooler 44 is blown upward on the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment 22 through the duct 48 by the refrigerating fan 46 and is supplied to the refrigerating compartment 22 through the air outlet 49 . The cold air supplied to the refrigerating compartment 22 flows through the refrigerating compartment 22 while cooling the refrigerating compartment 22 , and then flows into the vegetable compartment 24 through a through hole (not shown) provided in the partition 20 . Cooling. Thereby, the refrigerator compartment 22 and the vegetable compartment 24 are cooled so that the temperature detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 32 provided in the refrigerator compartment 22 becomes a predetermined temperature.

The cold air that has cooled the vegetable compartment 24 is taken into the return duct from the suction port provided on the rear surface of the vegetable compartment 24 and returns to the refrigerator cooler 44 .

When executing the freezing mode, the control unit 60 drives the compressor 56 and the freezing fan 52, and controls the switching valve 58 to supply the refrigerant to the freezing cooler 50. of cool air.

The cold air cooled by the freezer cooler 50 is supplied to the ice making compartment 26, the first freezer compartment 28 and the second freezer compartment 30 through the duct 53 by the freezer fan 52 to cool the compartments 26, 28 and 30. Thereby, the ice making compartment 26, the first freezing compartment 28 and the second freezing compartment 30 are cooled so that the temperature detected by the freezing compartment temperature sensor 34 provided in the second freezing compartment 30 becomes a predetermined temperature.

The cool air that has cooled the ice making compartment 26 and the first freezer compartment 28 joins the cool air that has cooled the second freezer compartment 30 , and joins the cool air that has cooled the second freezer compartment 30 together with the air intake provided on the back surface of the second freezer compartment 30 . It is taken into the return duct from the mouth and returns to the freezer cooler 50 .

(3) Control of anti-condensation heater 72 The control unit 60 acquires the humidity of the installation atmosphere of the refrigerator 10 detected by the humidity sensor 38 every predetermined time (for example, every two minutes), The detected value (humidity) H of the sensor 38 and the rate of change of the detected value of the humidity sensor 38 (that is, the difference ΔH between the detected value H0 at the point in time preceding a predetermined time ΔT from the present point in time and the detected value H1 at the present point in time (ΔH=H1 −H0) divided by the predetermined time ΔT, the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 provided in the rotary partition 70 is controlled based on ΔH/ΔT.

Specifically, the control unit 60 determines whether the change rate ΔH/ΔT of the detected value of the humidity sensor 38 is a predetermined value R or more (for example, the increase in the detected value for 10 minutes is 5% or more). If it is less than R, the first mode is executed, and if it is equal to or greater than the predetermined value R, the second mode is executed.

The control unit 60 controls the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 according to the detection value H of the humidity sensor 38 according to the table illustrated in FIG. In this table, the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72, which is set when the detection value H of the humidity sensor is the same, is larger in the second mode than in the first mode.

For example, when the change rate ΔH/ΔT of the detection value of the humidity sensor 38 is less than the predetermined value R, the control unit 60 determines that the detection value H of the humidity sensor 38 is less than 40% (H<40%), 40% or more and 50%. % (40%≦H<50%), 50%≦H<60% (50%≦H<60%), 60%≦H<70%), 70%≦H<80% (70%≦H<80%), 80% or more (80%≦H), the energization rate of the anti-condensation heater 72 is set to 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, and 75%. to execute the first mode.

The energization ratio indicates the ratio of the actual output of the anti-condensation heater 72 when the output when a predetermined current value for heating the anti-condensation heater 72 is applied for a unit time is assumed to be 100%. In this embodiment, all current values are the same, and the magnitude of the energization rate is changed by changing the time ratio of the applied voltage, that is, the duty ratio of the time during which the voltage is applied. For example, when the energization rate of the anti-condensation heater 72 is 60%, the controller 60 applies the voltage for 60% of the unit time at a predetermined current value heated by the anti-condensation heater 72, and the remaining 4 Control that does not apply time is repeatedly performed.

Further, when the rate of change ΔH/ΔT of the detection value of the humidity sensor 38 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value R, the control unit 60 controls the detection value H of the humidity sensor 38 to be less than 40% (H<40%), 40% or more50 % (40%≦H<50%), 50%≦H<60% (50%≦H<60%), 60%≦H<70%), 70%≦H<80% (70%≦H<80%), 80% or more (80%≦H), the energization rate of the anti-condensation heater 72 is set to 58%, 63%, 68%, 73%, 78%, and 83%. to execute the second mode.

That is, in this example, when the detection value of the humidity sensor 38 is the same, the energization rate of the anti-condensation heater 72 set in the second mode is a certain amount ( In this example, 8%) is set large.

Next, the control of the anti-condensation heater 72 will be described taking as an example the case where the detected value H of the humidity sensor 38 changes as shown in FIG.

First, the change rate ΔH/ΔT of the detection value of the humidity sensor 38 is less than the predetermined value R, and the detection value of the humidity sensor 38 is less than 40%. % to run the first mode. After that, when the detected value of the humidity sensor 38 becomes 40% or more and less than 50%, the controller 60 sets the energization rate of the anti-condensation heater 72 to 55%.

Then, when the change rate ΔH/ΔT of the detected value of the humidity sensor 38 reaches or exceeds the predetermined value R, the control unit 60 energizes the anti-condensation heater 72 even though the detected value of the humidity sensor 38 is 40% or more and less than 50%. Run the second mode by increasing the rate from 55% to 63%.

After that, while the rate of change ΔH/ΔT of the detected value of the humidity sensor 38 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value R, the controller 60 changes the energization rate of the anti-condensation heater 72 to 63% or 68% according to the detected value of the humidity sensor 38. , 73% to execute the second mode.

Although the detected value of the humidity sensor 38 is 60% or more and less than 70%, when the change rate ΔH/ΔT of the detected value of the humidity sensor 38 becomes less than the predetermined value R, the controller 60 energizes the anti-condensation heater 72. Run the first mode by reducing the rate from 73% to 65%.

After that, while the rate of change ΔH/ΔT of the detected value of the humidity sensor 38 is less than the predetermined value R, the control unit 60 sets the energization rate of the anti-condensation heater 72 according to the detected value of the humidity sensor 38 to set the first run mode.

When the change rate ΔH/ΔT of the detected value of the humidity sensor 38 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined value R again in a state where the detected value of the humidity sensor 38 is less than 40%, the controller 60 switches from the first mode to the second mode. , and the energization rate of the anti-condensation heater 72 is increased from 50% to 58%.

Thereafter, when the rate of change ΔH/ΔT of the detection value of the humidity sensor 38 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value R as described above, the controller 60 sets the energization rate of the anti-condensation heater 72 according to the detection value of the humidity sensor 38. If the change rate ΔH/ΔT of the detection value of the humidity sensor 38 is less than the predetermined value R, the energization rate of the anti-condensation heater 72 is set according to the detection value of the humidity sensor 38, and the second mode is executed. 1 mode.

In the refrigerator 10 of the present embodiment as described above, the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 is controlled based on the detection value H of the humidity sensor 38 and the rate of change ΔH/ΔT of the detection value H of the humidity sensor 38. The humidity of the atmosphere in which the refrigerator 10 is installed suddenly changes at the start of cooking work, such as the start of operation of home electric appliances such as a rice cooker and an electric pot, and the start of operation of air conditioners such as air conditioners and humidifiers. However, the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 can be changed to follow the change. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 to be larger than necessary, and it is possible to prevent dew condensation on the rotating partition 70 while suppressing power consumption.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first mode and the second mode are set depending on whether the rate of change ΔH/ΔT of the detected value H of the humidity sensor 38 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value R. It is possible to change the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 by following a rapid humidity change in the installation atmosphere.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In the first embodiment described above, the case where the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 is controlled based on the detected value H of the humidity sensor 38 and the rate of change ΔH/ΔT thereof has been described. In this embodiment, in addition to the detection result of the humidity sensor 38, the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 is controlled based on the detection value S of the outside temperature sensor 40 and its rate of change ΔS/ΔT.

Specifically, the control unit 60 acquires the humidity of the installation atmosphere of the refrigerator 10 detected by the outside temperature sensor 40 at predetermined time intervals (for example, every two minutes), and the detection value of the outside temperature sensor 40 (outside temperature rate of change of temperature) S (that is, a value obtained by dividing the difference ΔS (ΔS=S1−S0) between the detected value S0 at a time point a predetermined time ΔT before the current time and the current detected value S1 by a predetermined time ΔT) ΔS/ ΔT is calculated.

Then, the control unit 60 sets the energization rate to be added to the amount of heat generated (energization rate) of the anti-condensation heater 72 determined based on the detected value H of the humidity sensor 38 and the rate of change ΔH/ΔT as in the first embodiment. , from the detected value S of the outside temperature sensor 40 and its rate of change ΔS/ΔT according to a table such as that shown in FIG. In this table, the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 added when the detection value S of the outside temperature sensor 40 is the same is calculated when the change rate ΔS/ΔT of the detection value of the outside temperature sensor 40 is less than the predetermined value U. is larger when the value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value U.

For example, when the change rate ΔS/ΔT of the detection value S of the outside temperature sensor 40 is less than a predetermined value U, the control unit 60 determines that the detection value S of the outside temperature sensor 40 is less than 10° C. (S<10° C.). , 10° C. or more and less than 30% (10%≦H<30%), and 30% or more (30%≦H), the energization rate added to the anti-condensation heater 72 is set to 0%, 5%, or 10%. do.

Further, when the change rate ΔS/ΔT of the detection value S of the outside temperature sensor 40 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value U, the control unit 60 controls the detection value S of the outside temperature sensor 40 to be less than 10° C. (S<10° C.). , 10° C. or more and less than 30% (10%≦H<30%), and 30% or more (30%≦H), the energization rate added to the anti-condensation heater 72 is set to 10%, 15%, or 20%. do.

In the refrigerator 10 of the present embodiment as described above, in addition to the detection result of the humidity sensor 38, the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 is controlled based on the detection value S of the outside temperature sensor 40 and its rate of change ΔS/ΔT. Therefore, the outside temperature of the refrigerator 10 may increase at the start of cooking work such as meals, at the start of operation of home electric appliances such as a rice cooker and an electric pot, and at the start of operation of air conditioning equipment such as an air conditioner and a humidifier. Even if there is a sudden change, the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 can be changed to follow the change. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 to be larger than necessary, and it is possible to prevent dew condensation on the rotating partition 70 while suppressing power consumption.

Other configurations and effects are the same as those of the above-described first and second embodiments, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the invention will be described.

In the first and second embodiments described above, dew condensation prevention is performed based on the detected value H of the humidity sensor 38 and its rate of change ΔH/ΔT, and the detected value S of the outside temperature sensor 40 and its rate of change ΔS/ΔT. The case of controlling the amount of heat generated by the heater 72 has been described. In this embodiment, in addition to the detection results of the humidity sensor 38 and the outside temperature sensor 40, the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 may be controlled based on the detection results of other sensors, the operating conditions of the refrigerator 10, and the like. .

That is, in the present embodiment, in addition to the detected value H of the humidity sensor 38 and its rate of change ΔH/ΔT and the detected value S of the outside temperature sensor 40 and its rate of change ΔS/ΔT, the refrigerator temperature sensor 32 and the door When a predetermined condition based on the detection result of various sensors such as sensor 17 and the operating condition of refrigerator 10 is satisfied, the amount of heat generated by anti-condensation heater 72 may be increased compared to when the predetermined condition is not satisfied. As a result, the anti-condensation heater 72 can be set to an appropriate calorific value according to the operating conditions of the refrigerator 10 and the like.

For example, when the detected value of the refrigerating compartment temperature sensor 32 is constant or increases, the detected value H of the humidity sensor 38 and its rate of change ΔH/ΔT as in the above-described first and second embodiments, The amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 is determined based on the detected value S of the temperature sensor 40 and its rate of change ΔS/ΔT. Compared to the case where the detection value of the temperature sensor 32 is constant or increases, the energization rate of the anti-condensation heater 72 may be increased to increase the amount of heat generated. As a result, the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 can be set high when the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 22 is low and the temperature difference from the temperature outside the refrigerator compartment 22 is large, and dew condensation tends to occur on the rotating partition body 70. Dew condensation on the rotating partition 70 can be prevented.

Further, when door sensor 17 detects opening/closing of refrigerating compartment door 23, the amount of heat generated by anti-condensation heater 72 may be increased until a predetermined time elapses after refrigerating compartment door 23 is closed. Immediately after opening/closing of the refrigerator compartment door 23, the refrigerator mode is executed and the rotating partition body 70 is likely to be exposed to cold air and dew condensation is likely to occur on the rotating partition body 70. An appropriate calorific value can be set by increasing the calorific value of .

Further, the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 may be increased from the start of the refrigeration mode by activating the compressor 56 and the refrigeration fan 46 to the end of the refrigeration mode. As a result, by increasing the energization rate of the anti-condensation heater 72 immediately after the refrigeration mode is started, the anti-condensation heater 72 can be set to an appropriate heat generation amount.

Further, the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 may be increased while the refrigerator fan 46 is driven regardless of whether the compressor 56 is in operation. When the refrigerating fan 46 is driven, the rotating partition 70 is likely to be exposed to the air in the refrigerating compartment 22, and dew condensation is likely to occur on the rotating partition 70. By increasing the amount, the anti-condensation heater 72 can be set to an appropriate calorific value.

Further, when the operation of the operation panel 19 by the user is accepted, the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 may be increased until a predetermined period of time has elapsed. If refrigerator 10 is equipped with a human sensor such as an infrared sensor that detects people around refrigerator 10, anti-condensation heater 72 is turned on while the human sensor detects people. may increase the calorific value of When there is a user near the refrigerator 10, there is a high possibility that the humidity of the atmosphere in which the refrigerator 10 is installed changes rapidly. An anti-condensation heater 72 can be set. Further, by increasing the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 when the user is near the refrigerator 10, dew condensation on the rotating partition 70 can be reliably prevented, thereby eliminating the fear of giving the user anxiety. .

Predetermined conditions for increasing the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 include a decrease in the internal temperature of the refrigerating chamber 22, detection of opening and closing of the refrigerating chamber door 23, execution of the refrigerating mode, 46, when the operation panel 19 is operated by the user, and when the motion sensor detects a person, the heat generation of the anti-condensation heater 72 is performed by combining these conditions singly or in combination. amount can be determined.

Further, when combining a plurality of predetermined conditions for increasing the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72, the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 may be increased for each condition, or even if a plurality of conditions are satisfied at the same time, The amount of heat generated by the dew heater 72 may be increased only once.

Further, when combining a plurality of predetermined conditions for increasing the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72, the amount of increase for increasing the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 when the conditions are satisfied may be set to be the same for all conditions. , or may be different for each condition. When the amount of increase in the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 is different for each condition, the amount of increase to be increased while the refrigeration fan 46 is being driven is determined when the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 22 drops or when the refrigerator compartment door 23 is opened or closed. It is preferable to make the amount of increase larger than when other conditions are satisfied, such as when

Other configurations and effects are the same as those of the above-described first and second embodiments, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Modified example of the third embodiment)
In the above-described third embodiment, the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater 72 is increased when a predetermined condition based on the detection results of various sensors such as the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 32 and the door sensor 17 and the operation status of the refrigerator 10 is satisfied. has been described, the predetermined value R may be changed when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

That is, when the internal temperature of the refrigerator compartment 22 drops, when the opening and closing of the refrigerator compartment door 23 is detected, when the refrigerator mode is being executed, when the refrigerator fan 46 is driven, or when the operation panel 19 is operated by the user. If the predetermined condition is not satisfied, such as when the motion sensor detects a person, the control unit 60 determines that the rate of change ΔH/ΔT of the detection value of the humidity sensor 38 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value R ( For example, it is determined whether the increase in the detected value for 10 minutes is 5% or more), and if it is less than the predetermined value R, the first mode is executed, and if it is the predetermined value R or more, the second mode is executed.

On the other hand, when the predetermined condition as described above is satisfied, the control unit 60 changes the predetermined value R to a predetermined value R' (for example, the increase in the detected value for 10 minutes is 2%), and the humidity sensor 38 detects If the value change rate ΔH/ΔT is less than the predetermined value R', the first mode is executed, and if it is equal to or greater than the predetermined value R', the second mode is executed.

As described above, in determining the first mode and the second mode based on the rate of change ΔH/ΔT of the detected value of the humidity sensor 38, when the internal temperature of the refrigerator compartment 22 is lowered, when the refrigerator door 23 is opened or closed. is detected, the refrigerating mode is being executed, the refrigerating fan 46 is being driven, the operation panel 19 is operated by the user, the human sensor detects a person, etc. When the condition is satisfied, the predetermined value R is changed to R′ to make it easier to shift to the second mode, so that the anti-condensation heater 72 can be set to an appropriate amount of heat generated according to the operating conditions of the refrigerator 10 and the like.

(Other embodiments)
Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Refrigerator 12... Refrigerator main body 14... Thermal insulation partition wall 16... Refrigerating space 17... Door sensor 18... Freezing space 19... Operation panel 20... Partition body 22... Refrigerating compartment 23... Refrigerating compartment door , 24... vegetable compartment, 26... ice making compartment, 28... first freezer compartment, 30... second freezer compartment, 32... refrigerator compartment temperature sensor, 34... freezer compartment temperature sensor, 36... refrigerator compartment door, 37... hinge, 38 Humidity sensor 40 Outside temperature sensor 42 Gasket 44 Refrigeration cooler 46 Refrigeration fan 48 Duct 50 Refrigeration cooler 52 Refrigeration fan 54 Machine room 56 Compressor , 58... Switching valve, 60... Control unit, 70... Rotating partition, 72... Anti-condensation heater

Claims (9)

A double door that is rotatably supported on the left and right sides of a front opening of a storage compartment to close the opening, a rotatable partition that closes the space between the doors from the inside of the storage, and the rotatable partition. An anti-condensation heater that is provided on the body to suppress the occurrence of condensation, a control unit that controls the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater, and a humidity sensor that detects the humidity of the atmosphere in which the refrigerator is installed,
The control unit controls the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater based on the detection value of the humidity sensor and the change rate of the detection value of the humidity sensor. The control unit controls the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater when the rate of change in the detected value of the humidity sensor is less than a predetermined value, and the first mode controls the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater when the rate of change in the detected value of the humidity sensor is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. a second mode for controlling the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater when
2. An amount of heat generated by said anti-condensation heater is set in said second mode so as to be larger than an amount of heat generated by said anti-condensation heater set in said first mode when the detected value of said humidity sensor is the same. Refrigerator as described. Equipped with an external temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the atmosphere in which the refrigerator is installed,
3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the amount of heat generated by said anti-condensation heater is controlled based on the change rate of the detection value of said outside temperature sensor. An internal temperature sensor that detects the temperature in the storage chamber,
4. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller increases the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater when the detected value of the internal temperature sensor decreases. A door sensor that detects opening and closing of the door,
5. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said control unit increases the amount of heat generated by said anti-condensation heater when said door sensor detects opening and closing of said door. A cooler that generates cold air for cooling the storage chamber, and a compressor that supplies refrigerant to the cooler,
6. The controller according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit increases the amount of heat generated by the anti-condensation heater when the refrigerant is supplied from the compressor to the cooler and an operation for generating cold air for cooling the storage chamber is started. Refrigerator as described above. A cooler that generates cool air for cooling the storage compartment, and a fan that blows the cool air generated by the cooler to the storage compartment,
7. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said control unit increases the amount of heat generated by said anti-condensation heater when said fan is driven. Equipped with a human sensor that detects the approach of a person,
8. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said controller increases the amount of heat generated by said anti-condensation heater when said human sensor detects an approach of a person. Equipped with an operation unit that accepts input from the user,
9. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said control unit increases the amount of heat generated by said anti-condensation heater upon receiving an input from said operation unit.

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