JP7387024B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator with a compressor.

Conventionally, refrigerators have been known that have a function of restarting the compressor when an abnormality in the compressor is detected. Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator that detects an abnormality in a compressor based on a current value flowing through a motor of the compressor, and stops and restarts the compressor. The refrigerator of Patent Document 1 permanently stops the compressor when restarting the compressor is repeated a predetermined number of times.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-331187

However, in the refrigerator of Patent Document 1, an event in which an abnormality does not appear in the value of the current flowing through the compressor motor, such as a lack of lubricating oil inside the compressor, cannot be detected as an abnormality in the compressor. If a compressor continues to operate without lubricating oil, its internal parts will wear out quickly. As a result, in the refrigerator, abrasion powder from the internal parts of the compressor may clog the piping, causing a malfunction that is difficult to repair.

Furthermore, in the refrigerator of Patent Document 1, the compressor is permanently stopped when restarting the compressor is repeated a predetermined number of times. As a result, the refrigerator loses its cooling capacity completely until the compressor is repaired.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a refrigerator that improves the accuracy of detecting compressor abnormalities and maintains its cooling capacity even when compressor abnormalities are detected. This is what we provide.

A refrigerator according to the present disclosure includes a casing in which a storage chamber is formed, a compressor provided inside the casing, a cooler connected to the compressor via piping, and a temperature control system for controlling the temperature of the cooler. The controller includes a temperature measuring device that measures the temperature, and a control device that controls the compressor, and the control device determines when the refrigerator is used and when it is not used, and controls the compressor based on the temperature of the cooler measured by the temperature measuring device. If an abnormality is detected in the compressor during the usage period, the compressor will be stopped, the compressor will remain stopped during the usage period, and the compressor will be restarted during the non-use period. let

According to the refrigerator of the present disclosure, by detecting an abnormality in the compressor based on the temperature of the cooler, the accuracy of detecting an abnormality in the compressor can be improved, and when an abnormality in the compressor is detected, Cooling capacity can be maintained by operating the compressor during periods of non-use.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a refrigerator 1 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. 5 is a time chart for explaining control of the compressor 42 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a method for determining a use time period and a non-use time period according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for the compressor 42 according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for the compressor 42 according to the first embodiment. 3 is a time chart for explaining control of the compressor 42 according to Comparative Example 1. FIG. 3 is a time chart for explaining control of the compressor 42 according to Comparative Example 1. FIG.

Embodiment 1.
Hereinafter, the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the refrigerator 1 in FIG. 1 taken along the AA direction. The configuration of the refrigerator 1 will be explained using FIGS. 1 and 2. The refrigerator 1 has a housing 2 and a door. The housing 2 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box in which a plurality of storage chambers are formed and each storage chamber is open at the front. The housing 2 has a refrigerator compartment 21a, a switching compartment 21b, an ice making compartment 21c, a freezing compartment 21d, and a vegetable compartment 21e as storage compartments. The refrigerator 1 has a plurality of doors, and the plurality of doors are attached to the housing 2 so as to cover the front surface of each storage compartment. Further, an operation panel 4 is provided on the door. Details of the operation panel 4 will be described later.

The housing 2 includes an outer box 11 constituting an outer shell, an inner box 12 provided inside the outer box 11, and a heat insulating material 13 filled between the outer box 11 and the inner box 12. The outer box 11 is made of steel, for example. The inner box 12 is made of, for example, thin and hard ABS resin. The heat insulating material 13 is, for example, hard urethane foam. Inside the housing 2, an air passage 41 is formed behind the plurality of storage chambers.

The refrigerator compartment 21a is formed at the uppermost position as a storage compartment. In the refrigerator compartment 21a, foods and the like are cooled and stored. The refrigerator compartment 21a is maintained at, for example, about 3°C. In the refrigerator compartment 21a, shelves 22a are installed in the horizontal direction. Food and the like are placed on the shelf 22a. A refrigerator compartment door 3a is provided in front of the refrigerator compartment 21a. The refrigerator compartment door 3a is a double door that opens and closes the refrigerator compartment 21a. A temperature measuring device 31a is provided in the refrigerator compartment 21a. The temperature measuring device 31a measures the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 21a. The temperature measuring device 31a is, for example, a thermistor. The refrigerator compartment door 3a is provided with a door opening/closing detection device 32a. The door opening/closing detection device 32a is a sensor that detects whether the refrigerator compartment door 3a is opened or closed based on vibrations applied to the refrigerator compartment door 3a.

The switching chamber 21b is formed below the refrigerator compartment 21a. The switching chamber 21b is maintained at a temperature set from, for example, about -18°C, about -7°C, about 0°C, or about 3°C. A storage case 22b is installed in the switching room 21b. Food can be stored in the storage case 22b. A switching chamber door 3b is provided in front of the switching chamber 21b. The switching room door 3b is a pull-out type door. A temperature measuring device 31b is provided in the switching chamber 21b. The temperature measuring device 31b measures the temperature of the switching chamber 21b. The temperature measuring device 31b is, for example, a thermistor. The switching room door 3b is provided with a door opening/closing detection device 32b. The door opening/closing detection device 32b is a sensor that detects whether the switching chamber door 3b is opened or closed based on vibrations applied to the switching chamber door 3b.

The ice making chamber 21c is formed on the side of the switching chamber 21b. Ice is manufactured and stored in the ice making room 21c. The ice making compartment 21c is maintained at, for example, about -18°C. An ice-making compartment door 3c is located in front of the ice-making compartment 21c. The ice making compartment door 3c is a pull-out type door. A temperature measuring device (not shown) is provided in the ice making compartment 21c. The temperature measuring device measures the temperature of the ice making compartment 21c. The temperature measuring device is, for example, a thermistor. The ice-making compartment door 3c is provided with a door opening/closing detection device (not shown). The door opening/closing detection device is a sensor that detects that the ice-making compartment door 3c is opened from vibrations applied to the ice-making compartment door 3c.

The freezing chamber 21d is formed below the switching chamber 21b and the ice making chamber 21c. In the freezer compartment 21d, foods and the like are frozen and stored. The freezer compartment 21d is maintained at, for example, about -18°C. A storage case 22d is installed in the freezer compartment 21d. Food can be stored in the storage case 22d. A freezer compartment door 3d is located in front of the freezer compartment 21d. Freezer compartment door 3d is a pull-out type door. A temperature measuring device 31d is provided in the freezer compartment 21d. The temperature measuring device 31d measures the temperature of the freezer compartment 21d. The temperature measuring device 31d is, for example, a thermistor. A door opening/closing detection device 32d is provided on the freezer compartment door 3d. The door opening/closing detection device 32d is a sensor that detects that the freezer compartment door 3d is opened from vibrations applied to the freezer compartment door 3d.

The vegetable compartment 21e is formed below the vegetable compartment 21e. Vegetables are mainly stored in the vegetable compartment 21e. The vegetable compartment 21e is maintained at, for example, about 6°C. Moreover, the humidity in the vegetable compartment 21e may be adjusted in addition to the temperature. A storage case 22e is installed in the vegetable compartment 21e. Food can be stored in the storage case 22e. A vegetable compartment door 3e is located in front of the vegetable compartment 21e. The vegetable compartment door 3e is a pull-out type door. A temperature measuring device 31e is provided in the vegetable compartment 21e. The temperature measuring device 31e measures the temperature of the vegetable compartment 21e. The temperature measuring device 31e is, for example, a thermistor. The vegetable compartment door 3e is provided with a door opening/closing detection device 32e. The door opening/closing detection device 32e is a sensor that detects that the vegetable compartment door 3e is opened from vibrations applied to the vegetable compartment door 3e.

In addition, in the following description, the temperature measuring device 31a provided in the refrigerator compartment 21a, the temperature measuring device 31b provided in the switching compartment 21b, the temperature measuring device (not shown) provided in the ice making compartment 21c, and the freezing compartment 21d The temperature measuring device 31d provided in the vegetable compartment 21e and the temperature measuring device 31e provided in the vegetable compartment 21e may be collectively referred to as the temperature measuring device 31. Additionally, a door opening/closing detection device 32a provided in the refrigerator compartment 21a, a door opening/closing detection device 32b provided in the switching compartment 21b, a door opening/closing detection device (not shown) provided in the ice making compartment 21c, and a door opening/closing detection device (not shown) provided in the freezing compartment 21d. The door opening/closing detection device 32d provided in the vegetable compartment 21e and the door opening/closing detection device 32e provided in the vegetable compartment 21e may be collectively referred to as the door opening/closing detection device 32.

An operation panel 4 is provided on the refrigerator compartment door 3a. The operation panel 4 includes an operation section 61 on which operations such as setting the temperature of each storage chamber are performed, and a display section 62 that displays the temperature and the like of each storage chamber. The operation unit 61 includes, for example, a plurality of switches. The display unit 62 is, for example, a liquid crystal whose surface is covered with glass and displays characters, icons, and the like. The display section 62 lights up when the operation section 61 is being operated, and displays characters, icons, and the like. Further, the display section 62 is turned off when the operation section 61 is not operated, and does not display characters, icons, etc.

The refrigerator 1 includes a compressor 42 , a condenser (not shown), an expansion section (not shown), a cooler 43 , a blower fan 44 , a damper 45 , and a control device 5 . The compressor 42, the condenser, the expansion section, and the cooler 43 are connected by piping. The compressor 42 is provided at the rear and lower part of the housing 2. The compressor 42 takes in a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant, compresses the sucked refrigerant, converts it into a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant, and discharges the refrigerant. The condenser exchanges heat between the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant and the air around the refrigerator 1. The expansion section is a capillary tube, a pressure reduction valve, or an expansion valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant and expands it. The cooler 43 is provided within the air passage 41. The cooler 43 serves as an evaporator and exchanges heat between a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant and the air inside the refrigerator, thereby cooling the air inside the refrigerator. The cooler 43 is provided with a temperature measuring device 51 that measures the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the cooler 43. The temperature measuring device 51 is, for example, a thermistor. The blower fan 44 blows cold air generated by the cooler 43 into the plurality of storage rooms. The damper 45 controls the amount of cold air sent to the refrigerator compartment 21a by adjusting its opening degree.

As for the flow of the refrigerant, first, the refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 42, is compressed by the compressor 42, and is discharged in a high temperature and high pressure gas state. The high temperature and high pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor 42 flows into the condenser. The refrigerant that has flowed into the condenser exchanges heat with the air around the refrigerator 1, radiates heat, condenses, and liquefies. The refrigerant in a liquid state flows into the expansion section, is decompressed and expanded, and becomes a refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state at low temperature and low pressure. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the cooler 43, which acts as an evaporator. The refrigerant that has flowed into the cooler 43 exchanges heat with the air inside the refrigerator, evaporates, and gasifies. At this time, the inside of the housing 2 is cooled by the cooled air. Thereafter, the evaporated low temperature and low pressure gaseous refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 42.

The control device 5 is provided at the rear and upper part of the housing 2. The control device 5 is composed of a CPU (also referred to as a central processing unit, a central processing unit, a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a processor) that executes a program stored in dedicated hardware or a storage device. . When the control device 5 is dedicated hardware, the control device 5 is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. is applicable. Each of the functional units implemented by the control device 5 may be implemented using separate hardware, or each functional unit may be implemented using a single piece of hardware.

When the control device 5 is a CPU, each function executed by the control device 5 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. Software and firmware are written as programs and stored in a storage device (not shown). The CPU implements each function by reading and executing programs stored in a storage device. Here, the storage device is, for example, a nonvolatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM. Note that some of the functions of the control device 5 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and some of them may be realized by software or firmware.

The control device 5 controls the rotation speed of the motor of the compressor 42 and the blower fan 44 so that the temperature of each storage compartment reaches a target temperature programmed in advance at the time of manufacture of the refrigerator 1 or a target temperature set from the operation panel 4. The rotation speed of the damper 45 and the opening degree of the damper 45 are controlled. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 5 includes a main control section 71 and a compressor control section 72 as functional sections. The main control unit 71 controls the refrigerator 1 as a whole. Further, the main control section 71 transmits control information to the compressor 42 when an abnormality of the compressor 42 that cannot be detected by the compressor control section 72 occurs. The compressor control unit 72 functions as an I/F that communicates information between the main control unit 71 and the compressor 42. Further, when an abnormality in the compressor 42 that can be detected by the compressor control unit 72 occurs, the compressor control unit 72 transmits control information to the compressor 42 from itself rather than from the I/F.

The main control unit 71 receives information indicating the temperature of each storage compartment from the temperature measuring device 31 provided in each storage compartment. The main control unit 71 receives information indicating the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the cooler 43 from the temperature measuring device 51 provided in the cooler 43 . The main control unit 71 receives information indicating that each storage compartment has been opened or closed from the door opening/closing detection device 32 provided in each storage compartment. The main control unit 71 receives information indicating the rotation speed from the blower fan 44 . The main control unit 71 also transmits control information for controlling the start, stop, and rotation speed of the blower fan 44 to the blower fan 44 . The main control unit 71 receives information indicating the opening degree from the damper 45. The main control unit 71 also transmits control information for controlling the opening degree of the damper 45 to the damper 45.

Main control section 71 communicates with compressor control section 72 . Thereby, the main control unit 71 indirectly receives information indicating the motor rotation speed, current value, etc. of the compressor 42 from the compressor 42 via the compressor control unit 72 . Further, the main control unit 71 indirectly transmits control information for controlling the start and stop of operation of the compressor 42 and the motor rotation speed to the compressor 42 via the compressor control unit 72.

The compressor control unit 72 directly receives information indicating the motor rotation speed, current value, etc. of the compressor 42 from the compressor 42 . Then, the compressor control unit 72 directly transmits control information for controlling the start and stop of operation of the compressor 42 and the motor rotation speed to the compressor 42.

Here, control of the compressor 42 by the control device 5 when the compressor 42 is operating normally will be described. When the main power of the refrigerator 1 is turned on, the main control section 71 transmits control information to the compressor control section 72 instructing the compressor 42 to start operating at a predetermined motor rotation speed. As a result, the compressor control unit 72 transmits control information to the compressor 42 instructing the start of operation at a predetermined motor rotation speed, and the compressor 42 starts operation at a predetermined motor rotation speed.

After the compressor 42 starts operating, for example, if the temperature detected by the temperature measuring device 31d of the freezer compartment 21d becomes less than a predetermined temperature, the main control unit 71 transmits control information to stop the operation of the compressor 42. It is transmitted to the compressor control section 72. Thereby, the compressor control unit 72 transmits control information for stopping the operation to the compressor 42, and the compressor 42 stops the operation. After the compressor 42 is stopped, if the temperature inside the refrigerator rises and the temperature detected by the temperature measuring device 31d of the freezer compartment 21d exceeds a predetermined temperature, the main control unit 71 will again operate the motor at the predetermined rotation speed. control information that instructs the compressor 42 to start operation is transmitted to the compressor control unit 72. As a result, the compressor control unit 72 instructs the compressor 42 to start operating at a predetermined motor rotation speed, and the compressor 42 starts operating at a predetermined motor rotation speed.

Furthermore, control of the compressor 42 by the refrigerator 1 when an abnormality occurs in the compressor 42 will be explained. Abnormalities that occur in the compressor 42 include events that can be detected by the compressor control unit 72, such as when the current value flowing through the motor is not within the standard range, and cases where there is a lack of lubricating oil inside the compressor 42. There are events that cannot be detected by the compressor control unit 72, such as.

When an abnormality that can be detected by the compressor control unit 72 occurs in the compressor 42, the control device 5 controls the compressor 42 as follows. First, the compressor control unit 72 detects that an abnormality has occurred in the compressor 42 based on the current value flowing through the motor of the compressor 42, and stops the compressor 42. Then, the compressor control unit 72 restarts the compressor 42 after a predetermined restart prevention time has elapsed.

FIG. 4 is a time chart for explaining control of the compressor 42 according to the first embodiment. When an abnormality that cannot be detected by the compressor control unit 72 occurs in the compressor 42, the control device 5 controls the compressor 42 as shown in FIG. First, the main control unit 71 determines a usage time period and a non-use time period based on the number of door opening/closing times detected by the door opening/closing detection device 32. The usage time period is the time period during the day when the user is expected to use the refrigerator 1. The non-use time period is a time period during the day when the refrigerator 1 is not used by the user. The period of non-use is mainly at night. A method for determining the use time period and non-use time period will be described later.

The main control unit 71 detects an abnormality in the compressor 42 based on the temperature of the cooler 43 detected by a temperature measuring device 51 provided in the cooler 43 . Specifically, the main control unit 71 controls the first cooler temperature Temp_C1 to be equal to or higher than the first stop temperature Temp_S1 after the first standby time T_W1 has elapsed since the start of the compressor 42 during the operating hours of the refrigerator 1. In this case, an abnormality in the compressor 42 is detected. The first cooler temperature Temp_C1 is the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the cooler 43 measured by the temperature measuring device 51 provided in the cooler 43 after the first standby time T_W1 has elapsed since the compressor 42 was started. The first standby time T_W1 is the time required, when the compressor 42 is operating normally, until the operation of the compressor 42 becomes stable and the temperature of the cooler 43 falls sufficiently to cool the air inside the refrigerator. corresponds to The first waiting time T_W1 is, for example, 10 minutes. The first stop temperature Temp_S1 is set to a temperature at which it is impossible to reduce the temperature of the internal air to a temperature below the target temperature of the freezer compartment 21d. The first stop temperature Temp_S1 is, for example, -16°C. If the first cooler temperature Temp_C1 is equal to or higher than the first stop temperature Temp_S1, it is determined that the compressor 42 is unable to compress the refrigerant due to an abnormality, and the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the cooler 43 has not decreased sufficiently. . In addition, if the first cooler temperature Temp_C1 after the first standby time T_W1 has elapsed since the start of the compressor 42 is less than the first stop temperature Temp_S1, the main control unit 71 sets the first number of stops Num_S1 to 0 times. Reset to .

When the main control unit 71 detects an abnormality in the compressor 42 during the usage period, it instructs the compressor 42 to stop operating via the compressor control unit 72, and adds the first number of stops Num_S1. Note that the main control unit 71 does not add the first number of stops Num_S1 when the compressor 42 stops due to a reason other than an abnormality. After the compressor 42 is stopped due to an abnormality, if the first number of stops Num_S1 is less than the first limit number of times Num_L1, the compressor 42 is restarted during the usage period after the first restart prevention time T_P1 has elapsed. . Further, when the first number of stops Num_S1 is equal to or greater than the first limit number of times Num_L1, the main control unit 71 maintains the stopped state of the compressor 42 during the use time, and restarts the compressor 42 during the non-use time. let

The first number of stops Num_S1 is a number of times greater than or equal to zero. The first number of stops Num_S1 is 0 when the main power of the refrigerator 1 is turned on, and is accumulated during the usage period. The first limit number of times Num_L1 is a number of times greater than or equal to 1, and is, for example, 5 times. When the first number of stops Num_S1 is equal to or greater than the first limit number of times Num_L1, the control device 5 determines that the abnormality cannot be improved even by restarting the compressor 42. The first restart prevention time T_P1 is the time from when the compressor 42 is stabilized in a stopped state until the abnormality can be expected to be corrected when restarted. The first restart prevention time T_P1 is, for example, 10 minutes.

Further, the main control unit 71 controls the temperature when the second cooler temperature Temp_C2 after the second standby time T_W2 has elapsed from the start of the compressor 42 is equal to or higher than the second stop temperature Temp_S2 during the non-use time of the refrigerator 1. An abnormality in the compressor 42 is detected. The second cooler temperature Temp_C2 is the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the cooler 43, as measured by the temperature measuring device 51 provided in the cooler 43 after the second standby time T_W2 has elapsed since the start of the compressor 42. The second waiting time T_W2 corresponds to the time until the operation of the compressor 42 becomes stable and the temperature of the cooler 43 falls sufficiently to cool the air, when the compressor 42 is operating normally. do. The second waiting time T_W2 is, for example, 10 minutes. The second stop temperature Temp_S2 is set to a temperature at which it is impossible to cool the internal air to a temperature below the target temperature of the freezer compartment 21d. The second stop temperature Temp_S2 is, for example, -15°C. It is considered that the temperature inside the refrigerator is less likely to rise during periods of non-use than during periods of use, and it is easier to maintain a low temperature, so the second stop temperature Temp_S2 is set higher than the first stop temperature Temp_S1. ing. If the second cooler temperature Temp_C2 is equal to or higher than the second stop temperature Temp_S2, it is determined that the compressor 42 is unable to compress the refrigerant due to an abnormality, and the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the cooler 43 has not decreased sufficiently. . Furthermore, if the second cooler temperature Temp_C2 after the second standby time T_W2 has elapsed since the start of the compressor 42 is less than the second stop temperature Temp_S2, the main control unit 71 sets the second stop number Num_S2 to 0 times. Reset to .

If the main control unit 71 detects an abnormality in the compressor 42 during the non-use period, it instructs the compressor 42 to stop operating via the compressor control unit 72, and adds a second number of stops Num_S2. . Note that the main control unit 71 does not add the second number of stops Num_S2 when the compressor 42 stops due to a reason other than an abnormality. After the compressor 42 is stopped due to an abnormality, if the second number of stops Num_S2 is less than the second limit number of times Num_L2, the compressor 42 is restarted during the non-use period after the second restart prevention time T_P2 has elapsed. let Further, when the second number of stops Num_S2 is equal to or greater than the second limit number of times Num_L2, the main control unit 71 maintains the stopped state of the compressor 42 during the non-use time zone.

The second number of stops Num_S2 is a number of times greater than or equal to zero. The second number of stops Num_S2 is 0 when the main power of the refrigerator 1 is turned on, and is accumulated during the non-use time period. The second limit number of times Num_L2 is 2 or more times, for example, 5 times. If the second number of stops Num_S2 is equal to or greater than the second limit number of times Num_L2, the control device 5 determines that the abnormality cannot be improved even by restarting the compressor 42. The second restart prevention time T_P2 is the time from when the compressor 42 is stabilized in a stopped state until the abnormality can be expected to be corrected when restarted. The second restart prevention time T_P2 is, for example, 10 minutes.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method for determining a use time period and a non-use time period according to the first embodiment. A method by which the main control unit 71 determines the use time period and the non-use time period will be explained using FIG. 5. First, the main control unit 71 stores the number of times DUni of door opening/closing per unit time. The unit time is, for example, one hour. As shown in the unit time rows in FIG. 5, the day is divided into hourly units from left to right, such as 0:00 to 1:00, 1:00 to 2:00, . . . 23:00 to 24:00. Furthermore, the main control unit 71 stores an average number of door opening/closing times DAvg obtained by averaging the door opening/closing times DUni for each unit time during a predetermined number of days. The predetermined number of days is, for example, one week. In FIG. 5, for example, the average number of door openings and closings DAvg from 0:00 to 1:00 in the most recent week is 0, and the average number of times DAvg of door openings and closings from 12:00 to 13:00 is 6.

Then, the main control unit 71 calculates the total number of door openings and closings DTtl for each unit time as the sum of the average number of door openings and closings DAvg stored in a predetermined period of time up to and including the unit time. The predetermined time is, for example, 6 hours. That is, the main control unit 71 performs an operation of summing up the average number of door opening/closing times DAvg stored in six consecutive unit times and calculating the total number of door opening/closing times DTtl in the last unit time among the consecutive unit times. Do this every hour. In FIG. 5, for example, the total number of door openings and closings DTtl from 0:00 to 1:00 in the most recent week is the sum of the average number of door openings and closings DAvg from 19:00 to 1:00 in the most recent week, and is 4.

The main control unit 71 defines a predetermined length of time starting from the unit time with the smallest total number of door opening/closing times DTtl in one day and ending with the unit time excluding the unit time as a non-use time period. decide. The predetermined length is, for example, 6 hours. Furthermore, the main control unit 71 determines the time period of the day excluding the non-use time period as the use time period. In FIG. 5, for example, the total number of door opening/closing times DTtl is the smallest during the day from 3:00 to 4:00, and the non-use time period is from 21:00 to 3:00. The operating hours are from 3:00 to 21:00.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for the compressor 42 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for the compressor 42 according to the first embodiment. A procedure in which the control device 5 controls the compressor 42 after starting the compressor 42 will be described using FIGS. 6 and 7. First, as shown in FIG. 6, after starting the compressor 42, the control device 5 determines whether an abnormality in the compressor 42 is detected by the compressor control unit 72 (S1). When the compressor control unit 72 detects an abnormality in the compressor 42 (S1: YES), the compressor control unit 72 instructs the compressor 42 to stop (S2). If the compressor control unit 72 does not detect any abnormality in the compressor 42 (S1: NO), it is determined whether the processing timing is within the usage time period (S3). If the processing timing is within the usage time zone (S3: YES), it is determined whether the first cooler temperature Temp_C1 is less than the first stop temperature Temp_L1 (S4).

If the first cooler temperature Temp_C1 is lower than the first stop temperature Temp_L1 (S4: YES), the main control unit 71 instructs the compressor 42 to continue operating via the compression control unit (S5 ). If the first cooler temperature Temp_C1 is equal to or higher than the first stop temperature Temp_L1 (S4: NO), the main control unit 71 instructs the compressor 42 to stop operation via the compression control unit (S6) . Next, the main control unit 71 determines whether the first number of stops Num_S1 is less than the first limit number of times Num_L1 (S7).

If the first number of stops Num_S1 is less than the first limit number of times Num_L1 (S7: YES), the main control unit 71 instructs the compressor 42 to restart during the usage period via the compression control unit. (S8). If the first number of stops Num_S1 is equal to or greater than the first limit number of times Num_L1 (S7: NO), the main control unit 71 causes the compressor 42 to maintain the stopped state during the operating time via the compressor control unit 72. and instructs the computer to restart during a non-use period (S9).

As shown in FIG. 7, when the processing timing is in the use time zone (S3: NO), the main control unit 71 determines whether the second cooler temperature Temp_C2 is lower than the second stop temperature Temp_L2. (S10).

If the second cooler temperature Temp_C2 is lower than the second stop temperature Temp_L2 (S10: YES), the main control unit 71 instructs the compressor 42 to continue operating via the compression control unit (S11 ). If the second cooler temperature Temp_C2 is equal to or higher than the second stop temperature Temp_L2 (S10: NO), the main control unit 71 instructs the compressor 42 to stop operation via the compression control unit (S12). . Next, the main control unit 71 determines whether the second number of stops Num_S2 is less than the second limit number of times Num_L2 (S13).

If the second number of stops Num_S2 is less than the second limit number of times Num_L2 (S13: YES), the main control unit 71 causes the compressor 42 to restart during the non-use time via the compressor control unit 72. (S14). If the second number of stops Num_S2 is less than the second limit number of times Num_L2 (S13: NO), the main control unit 71 causes the compressor 42 to maintain the stopped state throughout the entire time period via the compression control unit. (S15).

(Comparative example 1)
In the refrigerator of Comparative Example 1, an abnormality in the compressor is detected only by the compressor control unit. That is, the refrigerator of the comparative example differs from the first embodiment in that the main controller does not detect abnormality of the compressor using the temperature of the cooler. Furthermore, in the refrigerator 1 of Comparative Example 1, when an abnormality is detected, the operation of the compressor is repeatedly stopped and restarted an unlimited number of times.

FIG. 8 is a time chart for explaining the control of the compressor by the refrigerator 1 according to Comparative Example 1. FIG. 8 shows a case where an abnormality has occurred in the compressor that can be detected by the compressor control unit. As shown in FIG. 8, in the refrigerator according to Comparative Example 1, the compressor control unit detects an abnormality in the compressor and restarts the compressor. However, the compressor does not recover from the abnormality even after being restarted, so it is repeatedly stopped and restarted.

In this way, in the refrigerator 1 of Comparative Example 1, even if the compressor has an abnormality that can be detected by the compressor control unit, the internal parts of the compressor can be removed by repeatedly stopping and restarting the compressor. There is a risk of accelerated wear. Wear of the internal parts of the compressor progresses significantly, particularly when there is a manufacturing defect such as dimensional variation in the internal parts of the compressor. As the internal parts of the compressor progress to wear, wear particles may flow into the refrigerant pipes of the refrigerator 1, potentially causing troubles that are difficult to repair, such as pipe clogging.

FIG. 9 is a time chart for explaining the control of the compressor by the refrigerator 1 according to Comparative Example 1. FIG. 9 shows a case where an abnormality has occurred in the compressor that cannot be detected by the compressor control unit. In the refrigerator 1 according to Comparative Example 1, an abnormality in the compressor is detected only by the compressor control unit, and therefore an abnormality in the compressor that cannot be detected by the compressor control unit cannot be detected. An example of a compressor abnormality that cannot be detected by the compressor control unit is a lack of lubricating oil inside the compressor. If there is a lack of lubricating oil inside the compressor, the compressor may be able to continue operating while the current flowing through the motor remains within the standard range, although the sliding properties of internal parts may deteriorate. The compressor control unit cannot detect an abnormality. As shown in FIG. 9, in the refrigerator 1 of Comparative Example 1, when an abnormality that cannot be detected by the compressor control unit occurs in the compressor, the compressor continues to operate without abnormally stopping. As a result, a difficult-to-repair failure occurs in the refrigerator 1 earlier than if the compressor had an abnormality that could be detected by the compressor control unit.

According to Embodiment 1, the refrigerator 1 maintains the stopped state of the compressor 42 during the usage time when the first number of stops during the usage time is equal to or greater than the first limit number of times. Thereby, the refrigerator 1 can limit the number of restarts of the compressor 42 and suppress the progress of difficult-to-repair failures such as pipe clogging.

Further, according to the first embodiment, in addition to the compressor control unit 72 detecting an abnormality in the compressor 42, the main control unit 71 detects an abnormality in the compressor 42 based on the temperature of the cooler 43. It also performs detection. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 can detect abnormalities that cannot be detected by the compressor control unit 72 alone, and can improve the accuracy of abnormality detection.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the refrigerator 1 restarts the compressor 42 when the first number of stops is less than the first limit number of times. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 can maintain its cooling capacity during the usage period.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the refrigerator 1 restarts the compressor 42 during the non-use time when the first number of stops during the use time is equal to or greater than the first limit number of times. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 can maintain its cooling capacity during the non-use period. Furthermore, especially during non-use hours, the number of times the door is opened and closed is small, so the compressor 42 is required to operate at a minimum capacity. Therefore, by restarting the compressor 42 during the non-use time, the refrigerator 1 can further suppress the progression of difficult-to-repair failures compared to restarting the compressor 42 during the use time. .

Further, according to the first embodiment, the refrigerator 1 maintains the stopped state of the compressor 42 during the non-use time when the second stop count during the non-use time is equal to or greater than the second limit number of times. . Thereby, the refrigerator 1 can limit the number of times the compressor 42 is restarted during the non-use time period, and can suppress the progression of difficult-to-repair failures such as pipe clogging.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the refrigerator 1 restarts the compressor 42 when the second number of stops is less than the second limit number of times. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 can maintain its cooling capacity during the non-use period.

The above is the description of the refrigerator 1 in the embodiment, but the refrigerator 1 of the present disclosure can be modified in various ways other than the configuration disclosed in the embodiment.

For example, the refrigerator 1 may not include the switching chamber 21b or the ice making chamber 21c. Moreover, the form of the refrigerator 1 is not limited, such as the position of the freezer compartment 21d and the position of the vegetable compartment 21e being reversed. Furthermore, a plurality of storage cases 22e, shelves 22a, etc. may be provided in each storage room, taking into consideration the capacity of the refrigerator 1.

The main control section 71 and the compressor control section 72 may be divided and implemented in a plurality of control devices 5 instead of one control device 5.

Further, in the first embodiment, the control device 5 controls the compressor 42 based on the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device 31d provided in the freezing compartment 21d. The compressor 42 may be controlled based on the provided temperature measuring device 31.

Further, in the first embodiment, the first number of stops Num_S1 is reset to 0 when the first cooler temperature Temp_C1 is less than the first stop temperature Temp_S1. Further, the second number of stops Num_S2 is reset to 0 when the second cooler temperature Temp_C2 is less than the second stop temperature Temp_S2. However, the first number of stops Num_S1 does not have to be reset to 0 even when the first cooler temperature Temp_C1 is less than the first stop temperature Temp_S1. That is, the first number of stops Num_S1 may be such that a numerical value is added each time the compressor 42 stops due to an abnormality. Similarly to the first number of stops Num_S1, the second number of stops Num_S2 does not need to be reset to 0 even if the second cooler temperature Temp_C2 is less than the second stop temperature Temp_S2.

Further, the control device 5 does not need to set the first limit number of times Num_L1 and the second limit number of times Num_L2. In this case, if the first cooler temperature Temp_C1 becomes less than the first stop temperature Temp_S1 even once, the control device 5 maintains the stopped state of the compressor 42 during the use time period, and maintains the compressor 42 during the non-use time. The compressor 42 is then restarted. Further, if the second cooler temperature Temp_C2 becomes less than the second stop temperature Temp_S2 even once, the control device 5 maintains the stopped state of the compressor 42 during the non-use time zone.

Further, in the first embodiment, the control device 5 uses the first standby time from the start of the compressor 42 or the second standby time after the cooler 43 as a reference for detecting an abnormality in the compressor 42. temperature was used. However, the control device 5 may detect an abnormality in the compressor 42 using other criteria, such as the time from the start of the compressor 42 until it reaches a predetermined temperature. However, the main controller 71 uses the temperature measuring device 31 provided in the storage room instead of the temperature measuring device 51 provided in the cooler 43, or alternatively or additionally, the compressor controller 72 It may be configured to detect an undetectable abnormality in the compressor 42. At this time, the first stop temperature Temp_S1, the second stop temperature Temp_S2, etc. are adjusted as appropriate in consideration of the temperature of the storage room.

In addition, the method for determining the use time period and the non-use time period does not have to be the method using the number of door opening/closing times DUni, the average number of door opening/closing times DAvg, and the total number of door opening/closing times DTtl per unit time, as described in Embodiment 1. good. For example, a use time period and a non-use time period may be set by the user.

Further, the operation panel 4 may display information that notifies the user that an abnormality has occurred in the compressor 42.

In addition, the first standby time T_W1, the first restart prevention time T_P1, the first stop temperature Temp_S1, and the first limit number of times Num_L1 in the use time zone, the second standby time T_W2 in the non-use time zone, The second restart prevention time T_P2, the second stop temperature Temp_S2, and the second limit number of times Num_L2 may be the same value or different values.

1 Refrigerator, 2 Housing, 4 Operation panel, 5 Control device, 3a Refrigerator compartment door, 3b Switching compartment door, 3c Ice making compartment door, 3d Freezer compartment door, 3e Vegetable compartment door, 11 Outer box, 12 Inner box, 13 Heat insulation material, 21a refrigerator compartment, 21b switching compartment, 21c ice making compartment, 21d freezing compartment, 21e vegetable compartment, 22a shelf, 22b storage case, 22d storage case, 22e storage case, 31, 31a, 31b, 31d, 31e, 51 temperature measurement Device, 32, 32a, 32b, 32d, 32e Door opening/closing detection device, 41 Air path, 42 Compressor, 43 Cooler, 44 Blow fan, 45 Damper, 61 Operation unit, 62 Display unit, 71 Main control unit, 72 Compression Machine control section.

Claims (11)

A casing with a storage chamber formed inside;
a compressor provided inside the housing;
a cooler connected to the compressor via piping;
a temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of the cooler;
A control device that controls the compressor,
The control device includes:
Decide when to use the refrigerator and when not to use it.
Detecting an abnormality in the compressor based on the temperature of the cooler measured by the temperature measuring device,
If an abnormality in the compressor is detected during the use time period, the compressor is stopped, the compressor is maintained in a stopped state during the use time period, and the compressor is restarted during the non-use time period. Refrigerator. The control device includes:
If the first number of times the compressor is stopped due to an abnormality during the use time period is equal to or greater than the first limit number of times, the compressor is maintained in a stopped state during the use time period, and the compressor is stopped during the non-use time period. restart the
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the compressor is restarted during the usage time when the first number of stops during the usage time is less than the first limit number of times. The control device includes:
The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein during the usage time period, if the temperature of the cooler after a first standby time has elapsed from the start of the compressor is equal to or higher than a first stop temperature, the compressor is detected as abnormal. . The control device includes:
In the usage time period, if the temperature of the cooler after the first standby time has elapsed from the start of the compressor is lower than the first stop temperature, the first number of stops is set to 0 times. The refrigerator according to item 3. The control device includes:
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein if an abnormality in the compressor is detected during the non-use time period, the compressor is stopped. The control device includes:
The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein when the second number of times the compressor is stopped due to an abnormality during the non-use time is equal to or greater than a second limit number of times, the compressor is maintained in a stopped state during the non-use time. The control device includes:
The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the compressor is restarted during the non-use time when the second number of stops during the non-use time is less than the second limit number of times. The control device includes:
In the non-use time zone, if the temperature of the cooler after a second standby time has elapsed from restarting the compressor is equal to or higher than a second stop temperature, the compressor is detected as abnormal. Refrigerator as described in. The control device includes:
In the non-use time zone, if the temperature of the cooler after the second standby time has elapsed from the start of the compressor is lower than the second stop temperature, the second number of stops is set to 0 times. The refrigerator according to claim 8. a door covering the front surface of the housing;
Further comprising a door opening/closing detection device for detecting opening/closing of the door,
The control device includes:
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the use time period and the non-use time period are determined based on the number of times the door is opened and closed detected by the door opening/closing detection device. The control device includes:
Memorize the number of openings and closings of the door for each unit time of each day,
storing an average number of times the door is opened and closed, which is obtained by averaging the number of times the door is opened and closed per unit time over a period of a predetermined number of days;
Calculating for each unit time a total number of door openings and closings, which is the sum of the average number of door openings and closings stored in a predetermined time up to the unit time,
Determining a time period of a predetermined length up to the unit time in which the total number of door openings and closings is the smallest in one day as the non-use time period,
The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein a time period in one day excluding the non-use time period is determined as the use time period.

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