JP7375297B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a frozen storage method.

Freezing is effective for long-term preservation of food. Patent Document 1 describes a refrigerator that can freeze and preserve food in a state where it can be divided into smaller portions. The refrigerator described in Patent Document 1 includes a vacuum container, and freezes food in a state where it is easy to break apart by varying the pressure inside the vacuum container.

Patent No. 4821565

The above-mentioned refrigerator described in Patent Document 1 requires a vacuum container and a mechanism for varying the pressure within the vacuum container. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, there are problems such as a complicated mechanism of the refrigerator and an increase in the size of the refrigerator.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to freeze and preserve food in a state where it can be divided into smaller portions using a device with a simpler structure.

The refrigerator according to the present invention includes an insulated box body in which a space for storing food is formed, and a first cooling process, a second cooling process, and a third cooling process to store the food inside the insulated box body. a cooling means for adjusting the temperature of the space in which the food is stored to a set temperature; a start condition setting means for setting conditions for starting the second cooling process; and a cooling means for setting the conditions for starting the second cooling process; A division detection means is provided for detecting that one food mass is divided into a plurality of second food mass after the first food mass is made into a state that can be divided by human hands in a frozen state through a second cooling step. The second cooling process and the third cooling process are performed after the first cooling process. The set temperature in the first cooling step is a first temperature lower than the temperature at which the food freezes. The set temperature in the second cooling step is a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature and allows food to be divided into portions in a frozen state by hand without using any tools. The set temperature in the third cooling step is a third temperature that is lower than or equal to the second temperature. The cooling means is configured to execute the second cooling step when the condition set by the start condition setting means is satisfied. The second temperature is included in the temperature range from -4°C to 0°C. The third cooling step is started according to the detection result of the division detection means.
Further, the frozen preservation method according to the present invention includes a first cooling step of freezing a food that can be divided into portions by hand without using any tools in an unfrozen state to generate a first food mass, and a first food mass. A second cooling process in which the frozen food can be divided into small portions by human hands without the use of tools; a dividing step of subdividing the first food mass into a plurality of second food mass; a third cooling step of freezing and preserving the plurality of second food mass; and a start condition for setting conditions for starting the second cooling step. A setting step is provided. Then, the second cooling step starts when the conditions set in the start condition setting step are satisfied. The temperature of the space in which the first food mass is stored in the second cooling step is within the temperature range of -4°C to 0°C.

According to the refrigerator and frozen preservation method of the present invention, food can be frozen and preserved in a state where it can be divided into portions using a device with a simpler structure.

1 is a front view showing the configuration of the refrigerator of Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the refrigerator of Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a switching chamber included in the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first example of changes over time in the set temperature of the switching chamber, the internal temperature of the switching chamber, and the temperature of food stored in the switching chamber in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second example of changes over time in the set temperature of the switching chamber, the internal temperature of the switching chamber, and the temperature of food stored in the switching chamber in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first example of the relationship between the temperature of the first food mass and the load at which the first food mass breaks according to the first embodiment. It is an image diagram showing how cooked rice maintained at a second temperature is divided into portions by hand. It is an image diagram showing cooked rice that is divided into a plurality of portions in a frozen state. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second example of the relationship between the temperature of the first food mass and the load at which the first food mass breaks according to the first embodiment. 3 is a functional block diagram of a control device 8 according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a control flow diagram showing an example of the operation of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the number of times the switching room door is opened and closed and time according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a control flow diagram showing an example of the operation of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in each figure indicate the same or corresponding parts. In this disclosure, overlapping explanations will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. Note that the present invention may include all modifications and all combinations of the configurations disclosed by the following embodiments without departing from the spirit thereof.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of a refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. In the present disclosure, in principle, each direction is defined based on the time when the refrigerator 1 is installed in a usable state. Further, the dimensions, positional relationships, shapes, etc. of each member constituting the refrigerator 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may not necessarily completely match the actual ones. The configuration of the refrigerator 1 is not limited to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Refrigerator 1 of this embodiment has a heat insulating box 90. The heat insulating box 90 is composed of an outer box, an inner box, and a heat insulating material. The outer box is made of steel, for example. The inner box is made of resin, for example. The inner box is placed inside the outer box. Examples of the heat insulating material include urethane foam and vacuum heat insulating material. The space between the outer box and the inner box is filled with a heat insulating material.

The front of the heat insulating box 90 is open. A storage space is formed inside the heat insulating box 90. The storage space is a space where stored items such as food are stored. The storage space formed inside the heat insulating box 90 is divided into a plurality of storage chambers for storing and storing food by one or more partition members.

As an example, the refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator compartment 100, a switching compartment 200, an ice making compartment 300, a freezing compartment 400, and a vegetable compartment 500, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The refrigerator compartment 100, the switching compartment 200, the ice making compartment 300, the freezing compartment 400, and the vegetable compartment 500 are examples of storage compartments. Each of the storage chambers described above is formed inside the heat insulating box 90. In this embodiment, each of the storage chambers described above is arranged in four stages in the vertical direction.

The refrigerator compartment 100 is arranged at the top of the inside of the heat insulating box 90. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of shelf boards are provided inside the refrigerator compartment 100, for example. The inside of the refrigerator compartment 100 is vertically partitioned into a plurality of spaces by these shelf boards.

The switching chamber 200 is arranged below the refrigerator compartment 100 on one side of the left and right sides. The temperature zone in the switching chamber 200 can be selectively switched to any one of a plurality of temperature zones. The plurality of temperature zones that can be selected as the temperature zone in the switching chamber 200 are, for example, a freezing temperature zone, a refrigerating temperature zone, a chilled temperature zone, a soft freezing temperature zone, and the like. The freezing temperature range is, for example, a temperature range of about -18°C. The refrigeration temperature range is, for example, a temperature range of about 3°C. The chilled temperature zone is, for example, a temperature zone of about 0°C. The soft freezing temperature range is, for example, a temperature range of about -7°C.

The ice making chamber 300 is arranged adjacent to the side of the switching chamber 200. As described above, the switching chamber 200 is arranged below the refrigerator compartment 100 on either side of the left or right side. The ice-making compartment 300 is arranged below the refrigerator compartment 100 on the left and right sides.

Freezer compartment 400 is arranged below switching compartment 200 and ice making compartment 300. Freezer chamber 400 is used to freeze and preserve stored items for a long period of time. The vegetable compartment 500 is arranged below the freezer compartment 400. The vegetable compartment 500 is arranged at the lowest stage inside the heat insulating box 90. The vegetable compartment 500 stores, for example, vegetables and large-capacity plastic bottles.

A refrigerator door 7 for opening and closing the refrigerator compartment 100 is provided at the front of the refrigerator compartment 100 . The refrigerator compartment door 7 is, for example, a double-opening rotary door. The double-opening refrigerator compartment door 7 includes a right door 7a and a left door 7b. An operation panel 6 is provided on the outer surface of the refrigerator compartment door 7. The operation panel 6 is provided, for example, on the left door 7b. The operation panel 6 is used to set the cold storage temperature of each storage compartment and display various information such as the temperature of each storage compartment.

The switching compartment 200, the ice making compartment 300, the freezing compartment 400, and the vegetable compartment 500 are each opened and closed by a pull-out door, for example. These pull-out doors can be slid in the depth direction of the refrigerator 1 along rails formed horizontally on the left and right inner wall surfaces of each storage compartment. The user of the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment can open and close the switching compartment 200, the ice making compartment 300, the freezing compartment 400, and the vegetable compartment 500 by sliding the pull-out door.

A switching compartment storage case 201 and a freezing compartment storage case 401 that can store food and the like are stored inside the switching compartment 200 and the freezing compartment 400, respectively. The switching compartment storage case 201 and the freezing compartment storage case 401 are provided so as to be freely drawn out. Similarly, in the vegetable compartment 500, a vegetable compartment storage case 501 that can store food and the like is stored in a drawable manner.

The switching room storage case 201 is supported by a frame provided on a door that opens and closes the switching room 200. The switching room storage case 201 is pulled out in conjunction with the door that opens and closes the switching room 200. Freezer compartment storage case 401 is supported by a frame provided on a door that opens and closes freezer compartment 400 . The freezer compartment storage case 401 is pulled out in conjunction with the door that opens and closes the freezer compartment 400. Similarly, the vegetable compartment storage case 501 is supported by a frame provided on a door that opens and closes the vegetable compartment 500. The vegetable compartment storage case 501 is pulled out in conjunction with the door that opens and closes the vegetable compartment 500.

Note that the number of storage compartments provided in the refrigerator 1, the arrangement of the storage compartments, the configuration of the door for opening and closing the storage compartments, etc. are not limited to the above example. For example, the door for opening and closing the refrigerator compartment 100 may be of a sliding type. Further, the doors for opening and closing the switching compartment 200, the ice making compartment 300, the freezing compartment 400, and the vegetable compartment 500 may be rotary. Two or more switching compartment storage cases 201, two or more freezer compartment storage cases 401, and two or more vegetable compartment storage cases 501 may be provided.

The refrigerator 1 includes a compressor 2, a cooler 3, a blower fan 4, an air passage 5, and the like as means for supplying cooled air to each storage compartment. The compressor 2 and the cooler 3 constitute a refrigeration cycle circuit together with a condenser, a throttle device, etc., which are not shown. The compressor 2 compresses and discharges the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle circuit. The condenser condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2. The throttling device expands the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser. The cooler 3 cools the air supplied to each storage chamber by the refrigerant expanded by the expansion device. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the compressor 2 is arranged at the bottom of the back side of the refrigerator 1.

The air passage 5 is for supplying air cooled by the refrigeration cycle circuit to each storage room. The air passage 5 is formed inside the heat insulating box 90. The air passage 5 is arranged, for example, on the back side of the refrigerator 1. A cooler 3 constituting a refrigeration cycle circuit is installed within this air passage 5. Further, a blower fan 4 is also installed in the air passage 5 to send air cooled by the cooler 3 to each storage room.

When the blower fan 4 operates, air cooled by the cooler 3, that is, cold air, is sent to the freezer compartment 400, switching compartment 200, ice making compartment 300, and refrigerator compartment 100 through the air path 5. This cools the inside of each storage chamber. In addition, cold air that has passed through the refrigerator compartment 100 is introduced into the vegetable compartment 500 via an air path (not shown). Thereby, the inside of the vegetable compartment 500 is cooled. The air that has passed through the vegetable compartment 500 is returned into the air passage 5 where the cooler 3 is installed. The air returned into the air passage 5 is cooled again by the cooler 3. As described above, cold air circulates within the refrigerator 1.

Further, dampers are provided at intermediate locations leading from the air passage 5 to each storage room. These dampers are not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. By changing the opening/closing state of each damper, the amount of cold air supplied to each storage compartment is adjusted. The amount of cold air supplied to the storage room is also adjusted by controlling the operation of the blower fan 4. Further, the temperature of the air supplied to each storage chamber is adjusted by controlling the operation of the compressor 2.

A thermistor is installed in each storage compartment to detect the temperature inside the storage compartment. These thermistors are omitted from illustration in FIGS. 1 and 2. The damper, blower fan 4, and compressor 2 described above are controlled based on the detection results of the thermistor. The damper, the blower fan 4, and the compressor 2 are controlled so that the temperature in each storage chamber reaches a preset temperature. In this embodiment, the refrigeration cycle circuit including the compressor 2 and the cooler 3, the blower fan 4, the air passage 5, and the damper are examples of cooling means for cooling the inside of the storage room.

Furthermore, the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment includes a control device 8. The control device 8 is provided, for example, at the upper part of the back side of the refrigerator 1, as shown in FIG. The control device 8 has a function of controlling the compressor 2, the blower fan 4, the damper, etc., which are examples of cooling means. The control device 8 is equipped with a control circuit and the like for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1. Each function of the control device 8 is realized by this control circuit.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the periphery of the switching chamber 200 included in the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the switching chamber 200 stores, for example, cooked rice, ground meat, cut vegetables, and the like. Cooked rice, minced meat, and cut vegetables are examples of "foods that can be portioned by human hands at room temperature" in the present disclosure.

"Normal temperature" here means a temperature higher than the freezing temperature of each food. Cooked rice, minced meat, and cut vegetables can be divided into portions by hand without using tools at temperatures higher than freezing temperatures. It can also be said that cooked rice, minced meat, and cut vegetables are foods that can be divided into small portions by hand without using tools when they are not frozen, that is, when they are not frozen. In summary, in the present disclosure, "food that can be portioned by human hands at room temperature" refers to "food that can be portioned by human hands without the use of tools at temperatures higher than freezing temperatures" or "foods that can be portioned by human hands without the use of tools at room temperature" or "foods that can be portioned by human hands without the use of tools at temperatures higher than freezing temperatures" It can also be said to be food that can be divided into small portions by human hands without the use of food. In addition, in the present disclosure, "foods that can be divided into portions by hand without using tools at temperatures higher than the freezing temperature" include, for example, vegetables and mushrooms that form a group of multiple small pieces, and various types of food after cooking. This also applies to foods and dishes.

The door that opens and closes the switching room 200 is referred to as a switching room door 9 with a reference numeral in FIG. 3 and the following description. Further, the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment includes a door opening/closing detection switch 10 for detecting the opening/closing state of the switching chamber door 9, as shown in FIG. The door opening/closing detection switch 10 is an example of an opening/closing detection means for detecting opening/closing of the switching room door 9.

Further, in the switching chamber 200, as shown in FIG. 3, a switching chamber thermistor 11 is provided. The switching chamber thermistor 11 is an example of a temperature detection means that detects the temperature of the switching chamber 200. Furthermore, the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment includes a switching chamber damper 12, as shown in FIG. The control device 8, which is an example of a control means, controls the switching chamber damper 12 based on the detection result of the switching chamber thermistor 11. Thereby, the temperature within the switching chamber 200 is adjusted.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. The control circuit of the control device 8 includes, for example, a processor 8a and a memory 8b. The control device 8 controls the refrigerator 1 by executing preset processing by the processor 8a executing a program stored in the memory 8b.

The processor 8a is also referred to as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. Examples of the memory 8b include nonvolatile or volatile semiconductor memories such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM, or magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, minidisks, and DVDs.

Note that the control circuit of the control device 8 may be formed as dedicated hardware, for example. A part of the control circuit of the control device 8 may be formed as dedicated hardware, and the control circuit may include a processor 8a and a memory 8b. Control circuits that are partially formed as dedicated hardware include, for example, single circuits, composite circuits, programmed processors, parallel programmed processors, ASICs, FPGAs, or combinations thereof.

A signal is input to the control device 8 from a thermistor that detects the temperature inside each storage chamber. In this embodiment, a signal containing temperature information of the switching chamber 200 is inputted to the control device 8 from the switching chamber thermistor 11 . The control device 8 controls the compressor 2, the blower fan 4, the switching chamber damper 12, etc., based on the signal input from the switching chamber thermistor 11, so that the temperature in the switching chamber 200 is maintained at the set temperature. .

Further, the operation panel 6 of this embodiment includes, as an example, an operation section 6a and a display section 6b, as shown in FIG. The operation unit 6a is composed of switches and the like for setting the temperature setting of each storage compartment and the operation mode of the refrigerator 1. The display section 6b includes a liquid crystal display, an LED lamp, and the like that display various information regarding the refrigerator 1. Note that the operation panel 6 may include a touch panel that serves as both the operation section 6a and the display section 6b. Further, the operation panel 6 may be equipped with a speaker or the like that provides audio notification.

A signal from the operation section 6a of the operation panel 6 is input to the control device 8. The operating section 6a outputs a signal to the control device 8 according to the operation of the operating section 6a by the user. Further, a signal from a door opening/closing detection switch 10 is also input to the control device 8 . The control device 8 executes processing based on signals input from the operating section 6a and the door opening/closing detection switch 10. The control device 8 also controls the operation of the display section 6b of the operation panel 6.

Next, the functions and operational characteristics of the refrigerator 1 configured as described above will be explained. The refrigerator 1 of this embodiment is characterized by having a function of freezing and preserving food stored in the switching chamber 200 in a state where it can be divided into portions.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first example of changes over time in the set temperature of the switching chamber 200, the internal temperature of the switching chamber 200, and the temperature of the food stored in the switching chamber 200 in the first embodiment. With reference to FIG. 5 and the like, the function of freezing and preserving food stored in the switching chamber 200 in a state where it can be divided into portions will be described. In FIG. 5, the set temperature of the switching chamber 200, the internal temperature of the switching chamber 200, and the temperature of the food stored in the switching chamber 200 are indicated by a broken line, a thin solid line, and a thick solid line, respectively.

The compressor 2, ventilation fan 4, and switching chamber damper 12, which are examples of cooling means, are configured to be able to perform a freezing process, a divided temperature maintenance process, and a storage process. The freezing process is a process of generating a first food mass by freezing "food that can be divided by hand at room temperature." The freezing process is an example of the first cooling process according to the present disclosure.

The dividing temperature maintenance step is a step in which the first food mass produced in the freezing step is kept in a frozen state so that it can be divided into portions by hand. The divided temperature maintenance process is an example of the second cooling process according to the present disclosure. The user of the refrigerator 1 subdivides the first food mass, which has been made into a state that can be divided into portions by hand in a frozen state through the division temperature maintenance step, into a plurality of second food mass portions by hand without using any tools. can do. Note that the step in which the user manually divides the first food mass into a plurality of second food mass is an example of the dividing step according to the present disclosure.

Moreover, the preservation process is a process for freezing and preserving food. The preservation step in this embodiment is an example of a third cooling step in which the second food mass divided into portions in the dividing step is frozen and preserved. In summary, the compressor 2, the blower fan 4, and the switching chamber damper 12 in this embodiment are an example of a cooling means configured to be able to perform a first cooling process, a second cooling process, and a third cooling process. .

When the food stored in the switching chamber 200 is frozen and stored in a state where it can be divided into small portions, all three steps of the above-mentioned freezing step, divided temperature maintenance step, and preservation step are executed, as shown in FIG. Ru. Among the freezing process, divided temperature maintenance process, and storage process, the freezing process is performed first. The divided temperature maintenance step and the storage step are performed after the freezing step.

The refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the time point at which the above-mentioned divided temperature maintenance process starts can be changed. By operating the operation section 6a of the operation panel 6, the user can set the time point at which the divided temperature maintenance process starts at an arbitrary time point. For example, the user operates the operation unit 6a to input information on the start time TS. The control device 8 of the present embodiment has a function of setting the time point at which the divided temperature maintenance process starts based on information on the start time TS input by the user by operating the operation unit 6a.

As shown in FIG. 5, the freezing process is performed for a first time ΔTL, for example. When the first time ΔTL has elapsed from the start of the freezing process to time TL, the freezing process ends. The example shown in FIG. 5 is an example where the start time TS is input as a time later than the time TL at which the freezing process ends.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, a first preservation step and a second preservation step are performed. The first storage step is performed before the divided temperature maintenance step. The first storage step is executed from the end of the freezing step until the start time TS. The second storage step is performed after the divided temperature maintenance step is completed. The first preservation step is a step of freezing and preserving the first food mass produced by the freezing step. The second preservation step is a step of freezing and preserving the second food mass divided into portions in the dividing step.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 5, the freezing step, divided temperature maintenance step, and storage step will be described in more detail. In this embodiment, the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 in the freezing step, the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 in the divided temperature maintenance step, and the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 in the storage step are set to different temperatures, respectively, as shown in FIG. Set.

The set temperature of the switching chamber 200 in the freezing process is set to the first temperature θL. The first temperature θL is set as a temperature lower than the freezing temperature θf, which is the temperature at which food freezes. The freezing temperature θf and the first temperature θL are included in, for example, a temperature zone of 0° C. or lower or a temperature zone of less than 0° C. The first temperature θL is, for example, -20°C.

The set temperature of the switching chamber 200 in the divided temperature maintenance step is set to the second temperature θS. The second temperature θS is set higher than the first temperature θL, and is set at a temperature that allows the food to be divided into portions by hand in a frozen state. The second temperature θS is included in a temperature range of 0° C. or lower, for example. The second temperature θS is, for example, -2°C.

The set temperature of the switching chamber 200 in the storage process is set to the third temperature θF. The third temperature θF is set as a temperature equal to or lower than the second temperature θS. As an example, the third temperature θF is set as a temperature lower than the second temperature θS. The third temperature θF is, for example, -7°C. That is, in this embodiment, the first temperature θL is the lowest among the first temperature θL, the second temperature θS, and the third temperature θF. Further, among the first temperature θL, the second temperature θS, and the third temperature θF, the second temperature θS is the highest.

The food before being stored in the switching chamber 200 is in an unfrozen state. By storing unfrozen food in the switching chamber 200, the user can store the food in a frozen state. As described above, the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 in the freezing process is the first temperature θL lower than the freezing temperature θf. The internal temperature of the switching chamber 200 in the freezing process is the same as the first temperature θL or a temperature close to the first temperature θL. As shown in FIG. 5, the unfrozen food stored in the switching chamber 200 is rapidly cooled during the freezing process. The temperature of the food stored in the switching chamber 200 drops rapidly during the freezing process.

In the freezing process, the temperature of the food stored in the switching chamber 200 and rapidly cooled eventually reaches the freezing temperature θf. Then, the temperature of the food becomes equal to or lower than the freezing temperature θf. Foods that are rapidly cooled to below the freezing temperature θf temporarily become supercooled. The supercooled state is a state in which freezing does not occur even if the temperature is below the freezing temperature θf. The unstable supercooled state is quickly resolved. In the freezing process, the food stored in the switching chamber 200 and rapidly cooled begins to freeze after passing through a supercooled state. In the freezing process, ice crystals are finally generated all over the food stored in the switching chamber 200. The food stored in the switching chamber 200 becomes a first food lump by being completely frozen.

As mentioned above, the freezing step is performed for a first time ΔTL. When the first time ΔTL has elapsed since the start of the freezing process and time TL is reached, the freezing process ends. The first time ΔTL is, for example, 120 minutes.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, when the freezing step ends, the first preservation step begins. When the first storage step starts, the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 is switched from the first temperature θL to the third temperature θF. The compressor 2, the ventilation fan 4, and the switching chamber damper 12, which are examples of cooling means, operate so that the internal temperature of the switching chamber 200 is maintained at the third temperature θF. In the first storage step, the temperature of the first food mass is maintained at the same temperature as or close to the third temperature θF.

When the start time TS, which is set according to the user's operation of the operating section 6a, comes, the first storage step ends and the divided temperature maintenance step starts. When the divided temperature maintenance process starts, the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 is switched from the third temperature θF to the second temperature θS. The compressor 2, the ventilation fan 4, and the switching chamber damper 12, which are examples of cooling means, operate so that the internal temperature of the switching chamber 200 is maintained at the second temperature θS. In the divided temperature maintenance step, the temperature of the first food mass is maintained at the same temperature as the second temperature θS or a temperature close to the second temperature θS. As a result, the first food mass remains frozen and can be divided into portions by hand.

The divided temperature maintenance step is performed for a second time ΔTS, as shown in FIG. The second time ΔTS is, for example, 4 hours. The user takes out the first food mass from the switching chamber 200 at an arbitrary time T1 while the dividing temperature maintenance process is being performed, and divides it into portions by hand. The first food mass is subdivided into a plurality of second food mass. The plurality of second food lumps are returned to the switching chamber 200 again at an arbitrary time T2. Thereafter, when the second time ΔTS has elapsed since the start of the divided temperature maintenance process and reaches time T3, the divided temperature maintenance process ends.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, when the divided temperature maintenance step ends, the second storage step starts. When the second storage step starts, the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 is switched from the second temperature θS to the third temperature θF. The compressor 2, the ventilation fan 4, and the switching chamber damper 12, which are examples of cooling means, operate so that the internal temperature of the switching chamber 200 is maintained at the third temperature θF. In the second storage step, the temperature of the plurality of second food lumps is maintained at the same temperature as the third temperature θF or at a temperature close to the third temperature θF. The plurality of second food lumps are stored frozen at the same temperature as the third temperature θF or at a temperature close to the third temperature θF.

Furthermore, the user may set "the divided temperature maintenance step to be performed immediately after the freezing step" by operating the operating section 6a. That is, the information input through the operation unit 6a does not necessarily have to be information about the start time TS. The operation unit 6a in this embodiment is used to set conditions for starting the divided temperature maintenance process. The control device 8 has a function of setting conditions for starting the divided temperature maintenance process based on various information input by the user by operating the operation unit 6a. The divided temperature maintenance process starts when the conditions set by the operation unit 6a and the control device 8 are satisfied.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second example of changes over time in the set temperature of the switching chamber, the internal temperature of the switching chamber, and the temperature of food stored in the switching chamber in the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the divided temperature maintenance step is performed immediately after the freezing step. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the split temperature maintenance step begins at the end of the freezing step. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the storage step is performed after the divided temperature maintenance step. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the storage step is not performed before the split temperature maintenance step. The preservation step in the example shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to the second preservation step in the example shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the first storage step in the example shown in FIG. 5 is not performed.

Furthermore, if the start time TS input by the user using the operation unit 6a is before the time TL at which the freezing process ends, the display unit 6b notifies the user, for example. If the start time TS input by the user using the operation unit 6a is before the time TL at which the freezing process ends, the display unit 6b displays, for example, a message prompting the user to reset the start time TS. . Note that the various notifications performed by the display unit 6b are not limited to the display of characters, and may be made by, for example, voice or lighting of a lamp.

Further, for example, if the start time TS input by the user through the operation unit 6a is before the time TL at which the freezing process ends, the divided temperature maintenance process starts at the end of the freezing process, as shown in FIG. You may. That is, if the start time TS input by the user through the operation unit 6a is before the time TL at which the freezing process ends, the time at which the divided temperature maintenance process starts is set as the time TL at which the freezing process ends. It's okay. In this case, the display unit 6b displays, for example, "the input start time TS is before the time TL at which the freezing process ends" and "the divided temperature maintenance process is executed immediately after the freezing process", etc. It is best to display it in text.

Next, a specific example of the second temperature θS, which is the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 in the divided temperature maintenance step, will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a first example of the relationship between the temperature of the first food mass and the load at which the first food mass breaks according to the first embodiment. The example shown in FIG. 7 is an experimental result when cooked rice was used as the first food mass. It has been confirmed from experimental results that when a frozen food mass can actually be divided manually, the breaking load of the food mass is approximately 15 kgf. It was confirmed from the experimental results that when the breaking load of frozen cooked rice is 15 kgf or less, the temperature of frozen cooked rice is −4° C. or higher, as shown in FIG. 7.

As can be seen from the above experimental results, when storing cooked rice in a frozen state where it can be divided into small portions, the second temperature θS is set to fall within the temperature range of -4°C to 0°C. good. By setting the second temperature θS to be included in the temperature range from -4°C to 0°C, the internal temperature in the refrigerator in the divided temperature maintenance step is included in the temperature range from -4°C to 0°C. As a result, the temperature of the cooked rice stored in the switching chamber 200 falls within the temperature range from -4°C to 0°C in the divided temperature maintenance step. By setting the second temperature θS to be within the temperature range from −4° C. to 0° C., the user can easily divide the cooked rice into portions by hand while it remains frozen.

FIG. 8 is an image diagram showing how cooked rice maintained at the second temperature θS is divided into portions by hand. FIG. 9 is an image diagram showing cooked rice divided into a plurality of portions in a frozen state.

The cooked rice is stored in the switching chamber 200, for example, in a plastic bag or wrapped in a cling film. The cooked rice stored in the switching chamber 200 is completely frozen by the freezing process to become the first rice lump 20a. The first rice lump 20a is maintained at the second temperature θS by the division temperature maintenance process, and becomes ready to be divided into portions by hand.

As shown in FIG. 8, the user can manually divide the first rice lump 20a without using a tool such as a knife. As shown in FIGS. 8(A), 7(B), and 7(C), the user can divide the first cooked rice lump 20a into smaller portions by folding it in the frozen state. The bent first rice lump 20a is divided into a plurality of second rice lumps 20b, as shown in FIG. 7(D). As shown in FIG. 8, the user can divide the first rice lump 20a into any number of second rice lumps 20b. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the user can divide the cooked rice into portions while it is stored in a plastic bag or wrapped in a cling film, for example.

Note that the user may divide the first rice lump 20a into small pieces by loosening it into pieces or by tearing it into small pieces. The first rice lump 20a may be divided, for example, by being crushed or peeled.

Note that the second temperature θS is not limited to the temperature included in the temperature range from −4° C. to 0° C., which is the above-mentioned example. The second temperature θS can be arbitrarily set depending on the environment in which the refrigerator 1 is used. Further, the second temperature θS can be arbitrarily set depending on the type of food to be frozen and stored in a portioned state. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second example of the relationship between the temperature of the first food mass and the load at which the first food mass breaks according to the first embodiment. The example shown in FIG. 9 is an experimental result when a heated and cut leafy vegetable was used as the first food mass.

As described above, when a frozen food mass can actually be divided manually, the breaking load of the food mass is about 15 kgf. When the breaking load of the leafy vegetables that have been heated and cut and then frozen to become the first food mass is 15 kgf or less, the temperature of the leafy vegetables is - as shown in FIG. It was confirmed from the experimental results that the temperature was 10°C or higher.

In addition, the breaking load of leafy vegetables that are heated and cut and then frozen to become the first food mass is as follows: It was confirmed from the experimental results that the breaking load was higher than that of vegetables. In other words, leafy vegetables that have been cut in a raw, unheated state and then frozen as the first food mass cannot be divided by hand if the temperature of the leafy vegetables is -10°C or higher. can.

Further, the contact area between small pieces of cut root vegetables and fruit vegetables is smaller than the contact area between small pieces of cut leafy vegetables. Small pieces of cut root vegetables and fruit vegetables are tougher than small pieces of cut leafy vegetables. Therefore, the first food mass formed by cut root vegetables and fruit vegetables can be divided with a smaller force than the first food mass formed by cut leafy vegetables.

As shown above, the first food mass formed by cut vegetables can be divided manually if the temperature of the first food mass is −10° C. or higher. These vegetables include many types, such as raw leafy vegetables, cooked leafy vegetables, root vegetables, and fruit vegetables.

When the cut vegetables are frozen and stored in a divisible state, the second temperature θS is preferably set to a temperature within the temperature range from -10°C to 0°C. By setting the second temperature θS to a temperature included in the temperature range from -10°C to 0°C, the internal temperature in the refrigerator in the second step is included in the temperature range from -10°C to 0°C. As a result, the temperature of the cut vegetables stored in the switching chamber 200 falls within the temperature range of -10°C to 0°C in the divided temperature maintenance step. By setting the second temperature θS to a temperature within the temperature range from −10° C. to 0° C., the user can easily divide the vegetables by hand while they remain frozen.

In this way, with this embodiment, the user does not need to subdivide the food before freezing it, and can subdivide the food into any number of second food chunks of any size after freezing. . The user can take out from the refrigerator 1 only the amount he/she wants to use out of the plurality of second food lumps and use it.

Further, according to this embodiment, the user can manually divide the food into portions in a frozen state without using a tool such as a kitchen knife. This eliminates the need to wash tools for dividing food into small portions. According to the present embodiment, a highly convenient refrigerator 1 that can freeze and store food in a state that can be divided into portions is obtained.

Cooked rice is too soft when not frozen, making it difficult to divide it by hand as shown in FIG. Moreover, cut vegetables do not form food lumps in an unfrozen state. With this embodiment, the user can easily divide various foods into a plurality of food chunks. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the food is rapidly cooled and frozen in the freezing process, so the time required for the food to become ready for portioning is short.

When storing foods in a frozen state for a long period of time, it is preferable that the temperature of the foods is as low as possible. In the embodiment described above, the third temperature θF is lower than the second temperature θS. By setting the third temperature θF to a lower temperature, it becomes possible to freeze and preserve the subdivided second food mass for a longer period of time. Furthermore, when the divided temperature maintenance step is completed, the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 is switched from the second temperature θS to the third temperature θF, so that the preservability of foods other than the second food mass stored in the switching chamber 200 is improved. The impact on the environment is also suppressed.

Note that, for example, the second temperature θS and the third temperature θF may be set to the same temperature. When the second temperature θS and the third temperature θF are set to the same temperature, the user can divide the food into portions in the frozen state at any time after the freezing process is completed. In particular, when the food is cut vegetables, the food is preferably stored frozen at a temperature suitable for freezing and at which it can be divided by hand, such as -7°C.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 in the first preservation step and the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 in the second preservation step are both set to the third temperature θF. The set temperature of the switching chamber 200 in the first preservation step and the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 in the second preservation step may be different temperatures. For example, the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 in the first storage step may be set as a fourth temperature different from the third temperature θF.

As described above, the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment is characterized in that the time point at which the divided temperature maintenance process starts can be changed. The control device 8 has a function of setting conditions for starting the divided temperature maintenance process. As a specific example, the control device 8 has a function of setting the time at which the divided temperature maintenance process starts based on information input by the user by operating the operation unit 6a. Further, the control device 8 has a function of controlling the compressor 2, the ventilation fan 4, and the switching chamber damper 12, which are examples of cooling means. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of the control device 8 of the first embodiment. An example of a functional configuration of the control device 8 for realizing various functions of the control device 8 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 and the like.

The control device 8 of this embodiment includes, as an example, a control section 8c, a storage section 8d, a time setting section 8e, a time measurement section 8f, and a determination section 8g. The control unit 8c has a function of controlling the compressor 2, the blower fan 4, and the switching chamber damper 12. The control section 8c is an example of a control means that controls the cooling means. The storage unit 8d is an example of a storage unit that stores various information for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1. For example, information such as the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 is stored in advance in the storage unit 8d.

The time setting section 8e has a function of setting the time at which the divided temperature maintenance process starts based on information input by the user by operating the operation section 6a. Note that in the present disclosure, the time at which the divided temperature maintenance process starts, which is set by the time setting unit 8e, may also be referred to as a "set time."

The operating section 6a and the time setting section 8e in this embodiment are an example of a start condition setting means for setting conditions for starting the second cooling process. Further, the operation unit 6a is an example of a start time input unit that inputs information on the time at which the second cooling process is started in response to an operation from a user. The time setting section is configured to set a set time in accordance with information input through the operation section 6a, which is an example of a start time input section.

The time measuring section 8f has a timer function for measuring time. The time measurement unit 8f measures, for example, the elapsed time after the set time is set. Further, the time measurement unit 8f measures, for example, the elapsed time since the freezing step is started and the elapsed time since the divided temperature maintenance step is started.

Further, the determination unit 8g has a function of making various determinations for the processing executed by the control device 8. The determination unit 8g determines, for example, whether the current time has reached the time set by the time setting unit 8e. The determination unit 8g in this embodiment is an example of a determination unit that determines whether the conditions set by the start condition setting unit are satisfied.

The compressor 2, the blower fan 4, and the switching chamber damper 12, which are examples of cooling means, perform the second cooling process when the conditions set by the operation unit 6a and the time setting unit 8e, which are examples of start condition setting means, are satisfied. It is configured to execute a divided temperature maintenance step, which is an example. As described above, the operations of the compressor 2, the blower fan 4, and the switching chamber damper 12, which are examples of cooling means, are controlled by the control section 8c, which is an example of control means.

Each function of the control section 8c, storage section 8d, time setting section 8e, time measurement section 8f, and determination section 8g of the control device 8 is realized by a control circuit installed in the control device 8. As shown in FIG. 4, the control circuit includes, for example, a processor 8a and a memory 8b. Further, the control circuit may be formed as dedicated hardware, as described above. The control circuit can implement the functions of the control section 8c, storage section 8d, time setting section 8e, time measurement section 8f, and determination section 8g using hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

Next, an example of the operation of the refrigerator 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 12 is a control flow diagram showing an example of the operation of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. Note that the operation example shown in FIG. 12 is an operation example when the first storage step and the second storage step are executed like the example shown in FIG. 5. That is, the example of operation shown in FIG. 12 is an example of operation when the time when the divided temperature maintenance process starts is after time TL.

A series of controls for executing the freezing process, the divided temperature maintenance process, and the storage process are started, for example, by the user operating the operating section 6a. In this embodiment, the user first operates the operation unit 6a to input information on the start time TS. The operation unit 6a inputs information on the start time TS to the control device 8 in response to a user's operation (step S101). In step S101, the display unit 6b displays, for example, information on the start time TS input through the operation unit 6a to the user in characters such as “split at TS”.The user checks the display unit 6b. While doing so, operate the operation unit 6a to input information on an arbitrary start time TS. The process of step S101 in this embodiment is an example of a start condition setting process according to the present disclosure.

After the process in step S101, it is determined whether the start time TS is after time TL (step S102). The process of step S102 is performed by the determination unit 8g. If the start time TS is earlier than the time TL, the display unit 6b displays an error message prompting the user to reset the start time TS. The display unit 6b displays an error message, for example, until the start time TS becomes after the time TL. The process of step S101 is repeated until the start time TS becomes after the time TL. When the start time TS becomes after the time TL, the start time TS is set as the set time (step S103).

When the setting of the set time is completed, time measurement is performed by the time measuring section 8f. The time measurement unit 8f of this embodiment has a function of measuring two elapsed times in parallel. When the setting of the set time is completed, the time measuring unit 8f starts measuring the first elapsed time by setting the first timer T=0 (step S104). In parallel with the measurement of the first elapsed time, the time measuring unit 8f starts measuring the second elapsed time by setting the second timer t=0 (step S105). Moreover, the compressor 2, the ventilation fan 4, and the switching chamber damper 12 are controlled by the control part 8c so that a freezing process may be started with the process of step S105.

In the freezing process, the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 is set to the first temperature θL (step S106). The determination unit 8g determines whether the second timer t has reached a preset first time ΔTL while the freezing process is being performed (step S107). The determination unit 8g continues the determination in step S106 until the second timer t reaches the first time ΔTL.

When the determination unit 8g determines that the second timer t has reached the first time ΔTL, that is, when the freezing process is performed for the first time ΔTL, the control unit 8c determines that the freezing process has ended and the first time ΔTL has been reached. The compressor 2, the blower fan 4, and the switching chamber damper 12 are controlled so that the storage process starts. In the first storage step, the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 is set to the third temperature θF (step S108).

While the first storage step is being executed, the determination unit 8g determines whether the current time has reached the set time set in step S103, according to the measurement result of the first timer T (step S109). . The determination unit 8g continues the determination in step S109 according to the measurement result of the first timer T until the current time reaches the set time.

When the current time reaches the set time, the control unit 8c controls the compressor 2, the ventilation fan 4, and the switching chamber damper 12 so that the first storage process ends and the divided temperature maintenance process starts. The time measurement unit 8f resets the second timer t at the start of the divided temperature maintenance process. The time measurement unit 8f measures time by setting the second timer t=0 at the start of the divided temperature maintenance process (step S110). In the divided temperature maintenance step, the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 is set to the second temperature θS (step S111).

As an example, the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment is configured to notify the user that food can be divided while the dividing temperature maintenance step is being executed. After the process in step S111, the display unit 6b displays in text or the like that the food is divisible (step S112). Thereby, the user can easily and immediately recognize the timing at which the first food mass can be divided into smaller portions. The display section 6b of this embodiment is an example of a notification means that provides various notifications to the user. The operation of the display section 6b, which is an example of a notification means, is controlled by, for example, a control section 8c, which is an example of a control means.

The determination unit 8g determines whether the second timer t has reached a preset second time ΔTS while the freezing process is being performed (step S113). The determination unit 8g continues the determination in step S113 until the second timer t reaches the second time ΔTS.

When the determination unit 8g determines that the second timer t has reached the second time ΔTS, that is, when the divided temperature maintenance process is performed for the second time ΔTS, the control unit 8c terminates the divided temperature maintenance process. The compressor 2, the ventilation fan 4, and the switching chamber damper 12 are controlled so that the second storage step is started. In the second storage step, the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 is set and maintained at the third temperature θF (step S114).

Note that the operation of the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited to that shown in the control flow diagram of FIG. 12, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The example shown in FIG. 12 is, as described above, an operation example when the first storage step and the second storage step are executed. For example, the process of step S102 may not be executed. If the start time TS input by the user through the operation unit 6a in step S101 is earlier than the time TL, the set time at which the divided temperature maintenance process starts may be set as the time TL at which the freezing process ends. .

Furthermore, the information input by the user in step S101 does not necessarily have to be information on the start time TS. As described above, the user may operate the operation unit 6a to set "the divided temperature maintenance step to be performed immediately after the freezing step". Further, the user may set "to start the divided temperature maintenance process T4 hours from now" in step S101. The display unit 6b displays text information such as "T4 hours later" to the user, for example. In this case, the set time is set as the time T4 hours after the information is input through the operation unit 6a.

Further, the user may operate the operation unit 6a to arbitrarily set the second time ΔTS, which is the time during which the divided temperature maintenance step is executed. The user may operate the operation unit 6a to arbitrarily set the period during which the divided temperature maintenance process is performed. For example, the user may operate the operation unit 6a to set the period during which the divided temperature maintenance process is performed, such as "from start time TS to end time TS2." In other words, the operating section 6a and the time setting section 8e in this embodiment may be configured to be able to set the period during which the divided temperature maintenance process is executed.

The processes from step S101 to step S104 in FIG. 12 may not be performed before the freezing process. That is, the time point at which the operation of the operating unit 6a for setting the time when the divided temperature maintenance process starts and the process of the control device 8 for setting the set time are performed may not be before the freezing process. The operation of the operating unit 6a for setting the time when the division maintenance process starts and the processing of the control device 8 for setting the set time may be performed, for example, during execution of the freezing process. Further, if the set time has not been set at the time when the freezing step is completed, the first preservation step may be automatically started. The operation of the operation unit 6a for setting the time when the division maintenance process starts and the processing of the control device 8 for setting the set time may be performed during the execution of the first storage process. . Furthermore, when the set time is set once, the divided temperature maintenance step may be executed at the set time every day from the next day onward.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, there is a time lag between the change in the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 over time and the change in food temperature over time. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the food temperature reaches the second temperature θS after a certain period of time has passed since the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 reaches the second temperature θS. The setting time may be set in consideration of the above time lag. For example, the set time at which the divided temperature maintenance step starts may be set as a time that is a predetermined period of time earlier than the start time TS input by the user. Thereby, the food temperature at the start time TS can be more reliably set to the second temperature θS. As an example, the set time at which the divided temperature maintenance step starts is set as 30 minutes before the start time TS input by the user.

In consideration of the above-mentioned time lag, the process of step S112 in FIG. 12 may be performed after a certain period of time after the divided temperature maintenance process starts. As an example, the display unit 6b displays that the food can be divided 30 minutes after the division temperature maintenance step starts. Thereby, the user can more reliably divide the first food mass into smaller portions. Moreover, the switching chamber thermistor 11, which is an example of a temperature detection means, may be configured to be able to detect the temperature of food in the switching chamber 200, for example. In addition to the switching chamber thermistor 11, the switching chamber 200 may be provided with temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the food in the switching chamber 200. The process of step S112 in FIG. 12 may be performed when the temperature of the food detected by the temperature detection means reaches the second temperature θS.

Furthermore, the refrigerator 1 may have a function of automatically setting the set time at which the divided temperature maintenance process starts according to the frequency of use of the switching chamber 200. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the number of times the switching room door 9 is opened and closed and time according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is an example showing the cumulative number of times the switching room door 9 is opened and closed in a predetermined period of time for each hourly block.

The opening and closing of the switching room door 9 is detected by a door opening/closing detection switch 10, which is an example of an opening/closing detection means. The control device 8 stores the number of times the switching room door 9 is opened and closed in a predetermined period, for example, each day of one week, based on the detection result of the door opening/closing detection switch 10. Information on the times when the switching room door 9 was opened and closed on each day is stored in the storage unit 8d as time series data as shown in FIG. 13, for example. The time setting section 8e sets the set time based on the data stored in the storage section 8d. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the time setting unit 8e sets, as the set time, the start time TS of the time zone during which the switching room door 9 is frequently opened and closed during the day. Further, the time setting unit 8e sets the time from the start time TS to the end time of the time period in which the switching room door 9 is frequently opened and closed as the second time ΔTS. In this example, the period during which divided temperature maintenance is performed is automatically set as appropriate depending on how the user uses the refrigerator 1.

With the refrigerator 1 that executes the freezing step, divided temperature maintenance step, and preservation step shown in the above embodiments, food in a state that can be divided into portions can be frozen and stored without requiring a complicated structure. Furthermore, according to the frozen preservation method that includes a freezing step, a preservation step, and a divided temperature maintenance step, food that can be divided into portions can be frozen and preserved using equipment with a simpler structure.

The refrigerator 1 and the above-described frozen preservation method freeze-preserve the food in a state where it can be divided into smaller portions by changing the temperature of the food. The refrigerator 1 and the frozen storage method described above freeze or thaw the surface layer of the food, thereby preserving the food in a state where it can be divided into smaller portions. According to the present embodiment, there is provided a refrigerator 1 and a freezing preservation method that allow food to be easily divided into portions by hand in a frozen state, and which can be stored for a long period of time without deteriorating the quality of the portioned food. can get. According to the refrigerator 1 and the frozen preservation method according to the present embodiment, a user can freeze and preserve food in a convenient state.

Further, in this embodiment, the time point at which the divided temperature maintenance step is started is set by the user. This reduces the possibility that the user will forget to portion the food. Furthermore, the possibility that the user will not be able to divide the food into portions without noticing that the dividing temperature maintenance step is being performed is reduced. According to this embodiment, a refrigerator 1 that is highly convenient for the user can be obtained.

Further, since the time point at which divided temperature maintenance is started is set by the user, the second time ΔTS during which the divided temperature maintenance step is performed can be set as the minimum necessary time. That is, in this embodiment, the period during which the temperature inside the refrigerator is kept at the second temperature θS can be minimized, and the temperature inside the refrigerator is set at the third temperature θF, which is a temperature lower than the second temperature θS. The period can be extended. According to this embodiment, the food stored in the switching chamber 200 can be stored at the third temperature θF for a longer period of time. This allows food quality to be maintained for a longer period of time.

Embodiment 2.
Next, a second embodiment will be described. Descriptions of parts that are the same as or correspond to those in Embodiment 1 will be simplified and omitted. The refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment is basically configured in the same manner as the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the operation unit 6a is configured to be able to input a start instruction for starting the divided temperature maintenance process in response to an operation from the user. The operation unit 6a in this embodiment is an example of a start instruction input unit. In the present embodiment, the time setting section 8e is configured to set a set time when a start instruction is input through the operation section 6a.

FIG. 14 is a control flow diagram showing an example of the operation of the refrigerator 1 according to the second embodiment. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 14 etc., the characteristics of the operation of the refrigerator 1 according to the second embodiment will be explained.

In this embodiment, the freezing process is started, for example, by the user operating the operating section 6a. The time measuring unit 8f measures time by setting the timer t=0 at the start of the freezing process (step S201). In the freezing process, the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 is set to the first temperature θL (step S202). The determination unit 8g determines whether the timer t has reached the first time ΔTL while the freezing process is being performed (step S203). The determination unit 8g continues the determination in step S203 until the timer t reaches the first time ΔTL.

When the determination unit 8g determines that the timer t has reached the first time ΔTL, the freezing process ends. When the freezing process ends, it is determined whether a start instruction has been input through the operation unit 6a (step S204). When the start instruction is input, the time setting unit 8e sets a set time (step S205). The time setting unit 8e sets the time when the start instruction is input or the time immediately after the start instruction is input as the set time. That is, the divided temperature maintenance process is started when a start instruction is input.

The time measurement unit 8f measures time by setting the timer t=0 at the start of the divided temperature maintenance process (step S206). Steps S206 to S208 in FIG. 14 correspond to steps S110 to S112 in FIG. 12. A detailed explanation of steps S206 to S208 will be omitted.

The refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that when the user operates the operation unit 6a after subdividing the first food mass into a plurality of second food mass, the division temperature maintenance process ends and the preservation process starts. has been done. As an example, the operation unit 6a has a division completion button. The division completion button is a button that the user presses after dividing the first food mass into a plurality of second food mass. As shown in FIG. 14, after step S208, the determination unit 8g determines whether the division completion button has been pressed by the user (step S209). If the division completion button is not pressed in step S209, the same process as step S113 in FIG. 12 is performed (step S210).

In step S210, when the timer t reaches the second time ΔTS, the divided temperature maintenance process ends and the storage process starts. Furthermore, even if no start instruction is input in step S204, the storage process starts. When the storage process starts, the set temperature of the switching chamber 200 is set and maintained at the third temperature θF (step S211).

In this embodiment, during the execution of the storage process, it is determined whether a start instruction has been input through the operation unit 6a (step S212), similar to step S204. The determination in step S212 is performed by the determination unit 8g. If the start instruction is not input in step S212, the process in step S211 is continued, that is, the storage process is continued. Furthermore, if a start instruction is input in step S212, the process in step S205 is executed, and the divided temperature maintenance process is started.

According to this embodiment, the user can start the divided temperature maintenance process at any time after the freezing process by operating the operation unit 6a and inputting a start instruction. Also in this embodiment, as in Embodiment 1, the start time of the divided temperature maintenance process can be set by the user.

The division completion button in this embodiment is an example of division detection means that detects that the first food mass has been subdivided into a plurality of second food mass. The division detection means for detecting that the first food mass has been subdivided into a plurality of second food mass may be, for example, the door opening/closing detection switch 10. The control device 8 may execute the process by regarding the time when the switching chamber door 9 is opened and closed as the time when the first food mass is subdivided into a plurality of second food mass. Further, the division detection means may be constituted by a device that detects changes in the shape of the food, such as an infrared sensor and a camera.

Moreover, the process of step S208 may be performed after a certain period of time after the divided temperature maintenance process starts, similarly to Embodiment 1. The process in step S208 may be performed, for example, after a predetermined period of time after the start instruction is input.

Note that this embodiment and Embodiment 1 can be combined as appropriate. For example, the time setting section 8e has a function of setting a set time based on the start time TS input by the user by operating the operation section 6a, and a function of setting the set time when a start instruction is inputted through the operation section 6a. It may have any two or more of the function and the function of setting the set time based on the detection result of the door opening/closing detection switch 10.

1 Refrigerator, 2 Compressor, 3 Cooler, 4 Blow fan, 5 Air path, 6 Operation panel, 6a Operation unit, 6b Display unit, 7 Refrigerator door, 7a Right door, 7b Left door, 8 Control device, 8a Processor , 8b memory, 8c control section, 8d storage section, 8e time setting section, 8f time measurement section, 8g judgment section, 8h start instruction input section, 9 switching room door, 10 door opening/closing detection switch, 11 switching room thermistor, 12 switching chamber damper, 20a first rice lump, 20b second rice lump, 90 insulation box, 100 refrigerator compartment, 200 switching compartment, 201 switching compartment storage case, 300 ice making compartment, 400 freezing compartment, 401 freezing compartment storage case, 500 vegetables Room, 501 Vegetable compartment storage case

Claims (10)

an insulated box body with a space formed inside for storing food;
A cooling means that executes a first cooling process, a second cooling process, and a third cooling process to adjust the temperature of the space in which food is stored inside the heat-insulating box to a set temperature;
Starting condition setting means for setting conditions for starting the second cooling step;
The first food mass produced by freezing the food in the first cooling step is made into a state that can be divided into portions by human hands in the frozen state in the second cooling step, and then a plurality of second food mass is produced. division detection means for detecting that the division has been subdivided into;
Equipped with
The second cooling step and the third cooling step are performed after the first cooling step,
The set temperature in the first cooling step is a first temperature lower than the temperature at which the food freezes,
The set temperature in the second cooling step is a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature and allows the food to be divided into portions in a frozen state by human hands without using tools,
The set temperature in the third cooling step is a third temperature that is lower than or equal to the second temperature,
The cooling means executes the second cooling step when the condition set by the start condition setting means is satisfied,
The second temperature is included in a temperature range of -4°C to 0°C ,
The third cooling step is started in the refrigerator according to the detection result of the division detection means . The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the third temperature is lower than the second temperature. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a notification unit that provides notification when the second cooling step is being performed. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the notification means notifies that the food can be divided. Any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the space in which the food is stored in the second cooling step and the space in which the food is stored in the third cooling step are spaces within the same storage chamber. Refrigerator as described in. The start condition setting means includes:
a start time input unit for inputting information on the time at which the second cooling step is to be started in response to an operation from a user;
a time setting unit that sets a set time according to the time information input by the start time input unit;
has
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cooling means executes the second cooling step at the set time set by the time setting unit. The start condition setting means includes:
a start instruction input unit for inputting a start instruction for starting the second cooling process in response to an operation from a user;
a time setting unit that sets a set time when the start instruction is input by the start instruction input unit;
has
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cooling means executes the second cooling step at the set time set by the time setting unit. a door that opens and closes the storage room;
Further comprising: opening/closing detection means for detecting opening/closing of the door; and the start condition setting means:
a storage unit that stores information on times when the door was opened and closed based on the detection results of the opening/closing detection means;
a time setting unit that sets a set time from the time information stored in the storage unit;
has
The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the cooling means executes the second cooling step at the set time set by the time setting section. 9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the food is cooked rice. 10. The refrigerator according to claim 9 , wherein the cooked rice is stored in a plastic bag or wrapped in a cling film.

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