JP7480500B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a refrigerator.

It is known that refrigerators are provided with a means for controlling the air quality (oxygen concentration and carbon dioxide concentration) within the sealed freezer or refrigerated storage space, and the air quality control means operates when fruits and vegetables are stored in the storage compartment, but does not operate during ripening (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-139387 A

However, in a refrigerator such as that shown in Patent Document 1, if the air quality control means is operated during long-term storage of fruits and vegetables, the fruits and vegetables can be kept fresh for a longer period of time, but the user must guess from the appearance, hardness, etc. of the fruits and vegetables when they will be ripe to eat. Even if the air quality control means is not operated during ripening of the fruits and vegetables, the user must still guess from the appearance, hardness, etc. of the fruits and vegetables when they will be ripe to eat. This causes considerable difficulty in adjusting the degree of ripening of the food, i.e., the time when it will be ripe to eat, to match the time when the user plans to use the food.

This invention was made to solve these problems. Its purpose is to provide a refrigerator that allows the user to easily adjust the best time to eat a food item to match the time when the food is to be used.

The refrigerator of the present invention comprises a storage compartment for storing food, a cooling means for cooling the inside of the storage compartment, a control means for controlling the cooling means in accordance with a set temperature of the storage compartment, and a setting means capable of setting a planned time for using the food in the storage compartment, wherein the control means changes the set temperature of the storage compartment in accordance with the planned time for using the food in the storage compartment , and the control means sets the set temperature of the storage compartment to a first temperature in accordance with the planned time for using the food in the storage compartment before the planned time for using the food in the storage compartment, and sets the set temperature of the storage compartment to a second temperature lower than the first temperature after the planned time for using the food .

The refrigerator according to this invention has the advantage that the user can easily adjust the time when the food is best eaten to match the time when the food is to be used.

1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of a switchable compartment of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control system of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an operation panel provided in a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of storage temperature and changes in freshness and ripeness of food over time. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of storage temperature and changes in freshness and ripeness of food over time. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between storage temperature and the time it takes for food to reach a ripe state to eat. A figure showing an example of changes over time in storage temperature and freshness and ripeness of food in a refrigerator according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. A diagram showing another example of the storage temperature and the change over time in freshness and ripeness of food in the refrigerator of embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a control flow diagram showing an example of the operation of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of a switchable compartment showing a modified example of a refrigerator according to embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. A block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control system illustrating a modified example of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 13 is an example of an image display in a modified example of the refrigerator according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of a switchable compartment of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. A block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control system of a refrigerator according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. A figure showing an example of the storage temperature, electric field, and changes in freshness and ripeness of food over time in a refrigerator related to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are appropriately simplified or omitted. In the following description, for convenience, the positional relationship of each structure may be expressed based on the illustrated state. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and the embodiments may be freely combined, any of the components of each embodiment may be modified, or any of the components of each embodiment may be omitted, within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

Embodiment 1.
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 14. Fig. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the refrigerator. Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the switchable compartment and its surroundings in the refrigerator. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control system of the refrigerator. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation panel provided in the refrigerator. Figs. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing an example of the storage temperature and the change in freshness and ripeness of food over time. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the storage temperature and the time it takes for the food to reach the ripeness of the food. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the storage temperature and the change in freshness and ripeness of food over time in the refrigerator. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the change in storage temperature and the change in freshness and ripeness of food over time in the refrigerator. Fig. 11 is a control flow diagram showing an example of the operation of the refrigerator. Fig. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the switchable compartment and its surroundings showing a modified example of the refrigerator. Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control system showing a modified example of the refrigerator. And Fig. 14 is an example of an image display in the modified example of the refrigerator.

In the following, in principle, each direction is defined based on when refrigerator 1 is installed in a usable state. Furthermore, the dimensions, positional relationships, shapes, etc. of each component constituting refrigerator 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 may not necessarily completely match the actual ones. The configuration of refrigerator 1 is not limited to that shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment has an insulated box 90. The insulated box 90 has an outer box, an inner box, and a thermal insulation material. The outer box is made of steel. The inner box is made of resin. The inner box is placed inside the outer box. The thermal insulation material is, for example, urethane foam, and fills the space between the outer box and the inner box. The storage space formed inside the insulated box 90 is divided by one or more partition members into multiple storage chambers for storing and preserving food.

The front (front face) of the insulated box 90 is open. A storage space is formed inside the insulated box 90. The storage space is a space in which food and other stored items are stored. The storage space formed inside the insulated box 90 is divided into multiple storage compartments for storing and preserving food by one or more partition members. As an example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the refrigerator 1 has a refrigerator compartment 100, a switchable compartment 200, an ice-making compartment 300, a freezer compartment 400, and a vegetable compartment 500 as multiple storage compartments. Each of these storage compartments is arranged in four vertical tiers in the insulated box 90.

The refrigerator compartment 100 is disposed on the topmost level of the insulated box 90. As shown in FIG. 2, as an example, multiple shelves are provided inside the refrigerator compartment 100. The interior of the refrigerator compartment 100 is vertically divided into multiple spaces by these shelves.

The switchable compartment 200 is located on one of the left and right sides below the refrigerator compartment 100. The temperature zone within the switchable compartment 200 can be selectively switched to one of multiple temperature zones. The multiple temperature zones selectable as the temperature zone within the switchable compartment 200 include, for example, the freezer temperature zone, the refrigerated temperature zone, the chilled temperature zone, and the soft freezer temperature zone. The freezer temperature zone is, for example, a temperature zone of about -18°C. The refrigerated temperature zone is, for example, a temperature zone of about 5°C. The chilled temperature zone is, for example, a temperature zone of about 0°C. The soft freezer temperature zone is, for example, a temperature zone of about -7°C. In addition, the switchable compartment 200 can be set to a ready-to-eat mode, which will be described later, in the refrigerated temperature zone.

The ice-making chamber 300 is disposed adjacent to the side of the switchable chamber 200. The ice-making chamber 300 is disposed in parallel with the switchable chamber 200. That is, the ice-making chamber 300 is disposed on the other side of the left or right below the refrigerator chamber 100. The freezer chamber 400 is disposed below the switchable chamber 200 and the ice-making chamber 300. The freezer chamber 400 is used when storing items in a frozen state for a relatively long period of time. The vegetable chamber 500 is disposed below the freezer chamber 400. The vegetable chamber 500 is disposed at the bottom of the insulated box 90. The vegetable chamber 500 is used to store, for example, vegetables and large-capacity plastic bottles.

A refrigerator compartment 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 revolving door. The double-opening refrigerator compartment door 7 is composed of 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. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the operation panel 6 is provided on the left door 7b.

The switchable compartment 200, ice-making compartment 300, freezer compartment 400, and vegetable compartment 500 are each opened and closed, for example, by a drawer-type door. These drawer-type doors can slide in the depth direction of the refrigerator 1 along rails formed horizontally on the left and right inner wall surfaces of each storage compartment. A user of the refrigerator 1 in this embodiment opens and closes the switchable compartment 200, ice-making compartment 300, freezer compartment 400, and vegetable compartment 500 by sliding the drawer-type doors.

Inside the switchable compartment 200, a switchable compartment storage case 201 capable of storing food and other items is stored so that it can be pulled out freely. Inside the freezer compartment 400, a freezer compartment storage case 401 capable of storing food and other items is stored so that it can be pulled out freely. Similarly, inside the vegetable compartment 500, a vegetable compartment storage case 501 capable of storing food and other items is stored so that it can be pulled out freely.

The switchable compartment storage case 201 is supported by a frame provided on the door that opens and closes the switchable compartment 200. The switchable compartment storage case 201 is pulled out in conjunction with the door that opens and closes the switchable compartment 200. The freezer compartment storage case 401 is supported by a frame provided on the door that opens and closes the 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 the 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.

The number of storage compartments provided in the refrigerator 1, the arrangement of the storage compartments, the configuration of the doors for opening and closing the storage compartments, etc. are not limited to the examples described above. For example, the door for opening and closing the refrigerator compartment 100 may be a sliding door. Furthermore, the doors for opening and closing the switchable compartment 200, ice-making compartment 300, freezer compartment 400, and vegetable compartment 500 may be rotating doors. Two or more of each of the switchable compartment storage cases 201, freezer compartment storage cases 401, and vegetable compartment storage cases 501 may be provided.

The refrigerator 1 includes a compressor 2, a cooler 3, a blower fan 4, and an air duct 5 as a refrigeration mechanism for cooling the air to be supplied to each storage compartment. The compressor 2 and the cooler 3, together with a condenser and a throttling device (not shown), constitute a refrigeration cycle circuit. 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 that flows out from the condenser. The cooler 3 cools the air to be supplied to each storage compartment with the refrigerant expanded by the throttling device. The compressor 2 is disposed, for example, at the lower part on the rear side of the refrigerator 1 as shown in FIG. 2.

Air passage 5 is for supplying air cooled by the refrigeration cycle circuit to each storage compartment. Air passage 5 is formed inside heat-insulating box 90. Air passage 5 is arranged, for example, on the rear side of refrigerator 1. Cooler 3, which constitutes the refrigeration cycle circuit, is installed in this air passage 5. Also installed in air passage 5 is a blower fan 4 for sending air cooled by cooler 3 to each storage compartment.

When the blower fan 4 operates, the air cooled by the cooler 3, i.e., the cold air, is sent through the air passage 5 to the freezer compartment 400, the switchable compartment 200, the ice-making compartment 300, and the refrigerator compartment 100. This cools the interiors of the freezer compartment 400, the switchable compartment 200, the ice-making compartment 300, and the refrigerator compartment 100. In addition, the cold air returning from the refrigerator compartment 100 is introduced into the vegetable compartment 500 through an air passage not shown. This cools the vegetable compartment 500. The air that passes through the vegetable compartment 500 is returned to the air passage 5 in which the cooler 3 is installed. The air returned to the air passage 5 is cooled again by the cooler 3 and circulates inside the refrigerator 1.

In addition, dampers are provided at points midway from the air passage 5 to each storage compartment. These dampers are not shown in Figures 1 and 2. The amount of cold air supplied to each storage compartment is adjusted by changing the open/close state of each damper. The amount of cold air supplied to each storage compartment is also adjusted by controlling the operation of the blower fan 4. In addition, the temperature of the air supplied to each storage compartment is adjusted by controlling the operation of the compressor 2.

A thermistor is installed in each storage compartment to detect the internal temperature. This thermistor is not shown in Figures 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, blower fan 4, and compressor 2 are controlled so that the temperature inside each storage compartment becomes a preset temperature. In this embodiment, the refrigeration cycle circuit including the compressor 2 and cooler 3, the blower fan 4, the air duct 5, and the damper provided as described above are an example of a cooling means for cooling the inside of the storage compartment.

The refrigerator 1 of this embodiment also includes a control device 8. The control device 8 is provided, for example, at the top of the rear side of the refrigerator 1, as shown in FIG. 2. The control device 8 includes a control circuit for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1. Each function of the control device 8 is realized by this control circuit.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the configuration of the switching compartment 200 provided in the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment will be described. In FIG. 3 and the following description, the door that opens and closes the switching compartment 200 is referred to as the switching compartment door 9 with a reference symbol. As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment is provided with a door opening/closing detection switch 10, a switching compartment thermistor 11, a switching compartment damper 12, and a heater 13. The door opening/closing detection switch 10 is an example of an opening/closing detection means that detects the opening and closing of the switching compartment door 9. The switching compartment thermistor 11 is provided in the switching compartment 200. The switching compartment thermistor 11 is an example of a temperature detection means that detects the temperature of the switching compartment 200, which is a storage compartment. The switching compartment damper 12 is one of the dampers described above. By changing the opening degree of the switching compartment damper 12, the amount of cold air supplied to the switching compartment 200, which is a storage compartment, can be changed. The heater 13 is provided, for example, at the bottom of the switching compartment 200. The heater 13 is an example of a heating means for heating the inside of the switching chamber 200.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control system of the refrigerator 1 according to this 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 called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 8b includes, for example, RAM, ROM, flash memory, non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as EPROM and EEPROM, or magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, mini disks, DVDs, etc.

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 be provided with a processor 8a and a memory 8b. Examples of control circuits partly formed as dedicated hardware include a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination of these.

The operation panel 6 includes an operation unit 6a and a display unit 6b. The operation unit 6a is an operation switch for setting the cold storage temperature of each storage compartment, etc. The display unit 6b is a liquid crystal display unit that displays various information such as the temperature of each storage compartment. The operation panel 6 may include a touch panel that serves as both the operation unit 6a and the display unit 6b. The operation unit 6a outputs a signal in response to the operation of the operation unit 6a by the user to the control device 8. The control device 8 receives a signal from the operation unit 6a of the operation panel 6. The control device 8 also outputs a display signal to the display unit 6b of the operation panel 6 and controls the operation of the display unit 6b.

A signal is input to the control device 8 from a thermistor that detects the temperature inside each storage compartment. A signal is also input to the control device 8 from the door open/close detection switch 10. Based on the input signal, the control device 8 executes processing to control the operation of the compressor 2 and the blower fan 4, as well as the opening degree of each damper, so that the inside of each storage compartment is maintained at the set temperature. Such a control device 8 is an example of a control means that controls the aforementioned cooling means according to the set temperature of the storage compartment.

In this embodiment of the refrigerator 1, the operation panel 6 can be operated to set not only the set temperature of the storage compartment, but also the planned time for using the food in the switchable compartment 200. Next, with reference to FIG. 5, an example of the configuration of the operation panel 6 for setting the planned time for using the food in the switchable compartment 200 will be described. In the configuration example described here, the operation panel 6 has a touch panel that serves both as an operation section 6a and a display section 6b. The setting screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on this touch panel, as an example. On this setting screen, a target storage compartment designation section 6c, a schedule input section 6d, a ripe eating mode button 6e, and a setting button 6f are displayed.

The target storage room designation section 6c allows the user to designate the storage room for which temperature, operation mode, etc. are to be set. The schedule input section 6d allows the user to input schedules, etc. The ripe eating mode button 6e is displayed when the switchable room 200 is designated as the setting target in the target storage room designation section 6c. By operating the ripe eating mode button 6e, the operation mode of the switchable room 200 can be changed to the ripe eating mode described below.

When the ripe-to-eat mode is set, the user can operate the schedule input unit 6d to input the planned time of use of the food in the switchable compartment 200. For example, the schedule input unit 6d displays each day for one month in a calendar format. The schedule input unit 6d displays the day that corresponds to "today" in a manner that makes it possible to distinguish it from other days, for example by changing the color and highlighting it. The user can also specify the planned time of use of the food in the switchable compartment 200 by touching and selecting a date on the calendar in the schedule input unit 6d. At this time, only one day can be specified as the planned time of use, or two or more consecutive days can be specified. The day specified as the planned time of use is displayed in a manner that makes it possible to distinguish it from the aforementioned "today" and other days, for example by changing the color and highlighting it.

When the user operates the setting button 6f with the planned use time specified in the schedule input section 6d, the control device 8 sets the period specified in the schedule input section 6d as the planned use time. The operation panel 6 and control device 8 configured in this way are setting means that can set the planned use time of the food in the switching compartment 200, which is a storage compartment.

In the refrigerator 1 configured as described above, focusing on the switching compartment 200 in particular, the control device 8 controls the operation of the compressor 2, the blower fan 4, and the heater 13, as well as the opening degree of the switching compartment damper 12, etc., so that the temperature in the switching compartment 200 is maintained at the set temperature based on signals input from the operation panel 6, the door open/close detection switch 10, and the switching compartment thermistor 11. In other words, the control device 8, which is the control means, controls at least the cooling means and the heating means according to the set temperature of the switching compartment 200, which is the storage compartment. Then, when the operation mode of the switching compartment 200 is set to the ready to eat mode, the control device 8 controls to change the set temperature of the switching compartment 200 according to the planned time of use of the food in the switching compartment 200, which is set by the setting means.

Next, this ripe-to-eat mode will be explained. The ripe-to-eat mode is an operating mode that controls the ripening of food in the switchable compartment 200 by adjusting the temperature inside the switchable compartment 200 so that the food will be ripe when it is planned to be used. Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams showing an example of the change in freshness and ripeness of food over time when stored at a constant storage temperature θR. The foods in question here are vegetables, fruits, meat, etc. that are subject to ripening. The storage temperature θR is the temperature in the refrigerated temperature zone of the switchable compartment 200, for example 5°C.

As can be seen from these figures, the freshness of food decreases over time. In contrast, the ripeness of food increases over time. Depending on the balance between a food's freshness and ripeness, a period during which it is ripe to eat is determined within the edible period. Here, a food is ripe when both its freshness and ripeness are 70% or higher. However, the definition of ripeness is not limited to this.

Conventionally, users had to guess when a food was ripe to eat based on its appearance, hardness, etc. before using it. For this reason, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, there was often a discrepancy between the time when the food was ripe to eat and the time when it was intended to be used. Note that Figure 6 shows an example of a case where the time when the food was intended to be used has passed its ripeness. Also, Figure 7 shows an example of a case where the time when the food was intended to be used is before its ripeness.

Figure 8 shows an example of the relationship between storage temperature and the time it takes for food to reach its ripeness. As shown in the figure, the time it takes for ripening food to reach its ripeness is generally longer at lower storage temperatures and shorter at higher storage temperatures. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the time it takes for food to reach its ripeness when the temperature inside the switchable compartment 200 is constant at θR is T0. As mentioned above, θR is, for example, 5°C. The time it takes for food to reach its ripeness when the temperature inside the switchable compartment 200 is constant at θL is T1. θL is a temperature lower than θR, for example, 1°C. T1 is longer than T0. The time it takes for food to reach its ripeness when the temperature inside the switchable compartment 200 is constant at θH is T2. θH is a temperature higher than θR, for example, 10°C. T2 is shorter than T0.

The refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment utilizes the relationship shown in Figure 8 to control the temperature in the switchable compartment 200 to adjust the ripening of food and to adjust the time it takes for the food in the switchable compartment 200 to reach ripeness. Next, with reference to Figures 9 and 10, an example of setting temperature control of the switchable compartment 200 according to the planned use date of the food in the switchable compartment 200 in ripe-to-eat mode will be described.

First, Figure 9 shows a case where the start time Tp of the planned period of use of the food is set later than the time T0 at which the food will be ready to eat when stored at a storage temperature θR. The start time Tp of the planned period of use of the food is set by the setting means described above in response to a user's operation. In this case, the control device 8 sets the set temperature θS of the switchable compartment 200 to θL, which is lower than θR. In this way, the food can be stored at θL, and the time at which it will be ready to eat can be delayed to T1, which is later than T0. Therefore, it is possible for the food to be ready to eat at the start time Tp of the planned period of use of the food.

Next, Figure 10 shows a case where the start time Tp of the planned use period of the food is set before the time T0 at which the food will be ready to eat when stored at a storage temperature θR. In this case, the control device 8 sets the set temperature θS of the switchable compartment 200 to θH, which is higher than θR. In this way, the food can be stored at θH, and the time at which it will be ready to eat can be brought forward to T2, which is before T0. Therefore, it is possible for the food to be ready to eat at the start time Tp of the planned use period of the food.

Then, at the start of the planned use period Tp, the control device 8 sets the set temperature θS of the switchable compartment 200 to θL, which is lower than θH. In this way, food that has reached a ripeness is stored at θL, and the rate at which the ripeness and freshness of the food changes is slowed down. Therefore, the condition of food that has reached a ripeness can be maintained, and the period during which the food is ripe can be extended.

In the refrigerator 1 configured as described above, the control device 8 changes the set temperature of the switchable compartment 200 according to the planned time of use of the food in the switchable compartment 200 set by the setting means described above. This allows the user to easily adjust the time when the food is best eaten to match the planned time of use of the food.

Also, as in the example described with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the control device 8 first sets the set temperature of the switchable compartment 200 to a first temperature corresponding to the planned use time before the start time Tp of the planned use time of the food in the switchable compartment 200. Then, the control device 8 sets the set temperature of the switchable compartment 200 to a second temperature after the start time Tp of the planned use time of the food. The second temperature is a temperature equal to or lower than the first temperature. The first temperature and the second temperature are set within a range of, for example, 0°C or higher and 10°C or lower. In the example of FIG. 9, the first temperature and the second temperature are both θL. In the example of FIG. 10, the first temperature is θH and the second temperature is θL. In this way, the food can be made ripe to eat according to the planned use time, and the food can be maintained in a ripe-to-eat state for a longer period of time.

Although the above describes an example of control in which food is ripe to eat at the beginning of the planned use period, this is not limited to this. For example, if the planned use period is long, the first and second temperatures may be set so that the food is ripe to eat at least halfway through the planned use period.

Next, an example of the operation of the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment in the ready-to-eat mode will be described with reference to FIG. 11. When the user operates the operation panel 6 to set the operation mode of the switchable compartment 200 to the ready-to-eat mode, first, in step S101, the control device 8 causes the operation panel 6 to display the calendar of the schedule input section 6d in response to the operation of the operation panel 6. Then, in step S102, when the planned date for using the food in the switchable compartment 200 is set, the process proceeds to step S103.

In step S103, the control device 8 calculates the time Tp from "today", i.e., the present, until the scheduled date of use of the food product set in step S102. In the following step S104, the control device 8 determines whether the time Tp until the scheduled date of use calculated in step S103 is shorter than the time T2 until the food product is ready to eat when stored at the storage temperature θH. If the time Tp until the scheduled date of use is shorter than T2, the process proceeds to step S105. In step S105, the control device 8 displays a message on the operation panel 6 indicating that the scheduled date of use is too early for the food product to be ready to eat, and prompts the user to set a later scheduled date of use. In other words, T2 here is a preset value and serves as the lower limit of the time Tp until the scheduled date of use. After step S105, the process returns to step S102 and waits for the scheduled date of use to be reset.

On the other hand, if the time Tp until the scheduled date of use is equal to or longer than T2 in step S104, the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, the control device 8 determines whether the time Tp until the scheduled date of use calculated in step S103 is shorter than the time T0 until the food is ready to eat when stored at the storage temperature θR. If the time Tp until the scheduled date of use is shorter than T0, the process proceeds to step S107. In step S107, the control device 8 sets the set temperature θS of the switchable compartment 200 to θH. After step S107, the process proceeds to step S113.

On the other hand, if the time Tp until the scheduled date of use is equal to or longer than T0 in step S106, the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, the control device 8 determines whether the time Tp until the scheduled date of use calculated in step S103 is shorter than the time T1 until the food is ready to eat when stored at the storage temperature θL. If the time Tp until the scheduled date of use is shorter than T1, the process proceeds to step S109. In step S109, the control device 8 sets the set temperature θS of the switchable compartment 200 to θR. After step S109, the process proceeds to step S113.

On the other hand, if the time Tp until the scheduled date of use is equal to or longer than T1 in step S108, the process proceeds to step S110. In step S110, the control device 8 determines whether the time Tp until the scheduled date of use calculated in step S103 is shorter than T3. T3 is a time that is preset as the upper limit of the time Tp until the scheduled date of use. As shown in FIG. 8, this upper limit T3 is longer than the time T1 to reach the ready-to-eat state when stored at the storage temperature θL.

If the time until the planned use date Tp is equal to or longer than T3, the process proceeds to step S112. In step S112, the control device 8 causes the operation panel 6 to display a message indicating that the planned use date is too late for the food to be eaten, and prompts the user to set an earlier planned use date. After step S112, the process returns to step S102 to wait for the planned use date to be reset.

On the other hand, if the time Tp until the scheduled use date is shorter than T3 in step S110, the process proceeds to step S111. In step S111, the control device 8 sets the set temperature θS of the switching compartment 200 to θL. After step S111, the process proceeds to step S113. In this manner, the set temperature θS set in step S107, step S109, or step S111 corresponds to the first temperature described above.

In step S113, the control device 8 resets the timer variable T to 0 and starts timing. Then, in step S114, the control device 8 keeps the set temperature θS of the switching compartment 200 at the first temperature set in step S107, step S109, or step S111 until the timer variable T reaches the time Tp until the scheduled date of use, that is, until the time Tp until the scheduled date of use has elapsed. If the timer variable T reaches Tp in step S114, the process proceeds to step S115.

In step S115, the control device 8 sets the set temperature θS of the switchable compartment 200 to θL. The set temperature θS set in step S115 corresponds to the second temperature described above. The control device 8 sets the set temperature θS of the switchable compartment 200 to the second temperature, which is lower than the first temperature, to slow down the rate of change in ripeness and freshness of the food. When the processing of step S115 is completed, the series of operations in the ripe food mode is completed.

Next, a modified example of the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 12 to 14. As shown in Fig. 12, in this modified example, a first heater 13a and a second heater 13b are provided as heaters 13 on the bottom surface of the switching compartment 200. In the configuration example described here, the first heater 13a is disposed on the front side of the bottom surface of the switching compartment 200. The second heater 13b is disposed on the back side of the bottom surface of the switching compartment 200. The control device 8 can independently control the operation of the first heater 13a and the second heater 13b. Therefore, the interior of the switching compartment 200 can be divided into areas corresponding to the first heater 13a and the second heater 13b, and the temperature can be controlled.

An interior camera 14 is also provided in the switchable compartment 200. The interior camera 14 is attached, for example, to a corner between the back and top of the switchable compartment 200. The interior camera 14 photographs the food stored in the switchable compartment 200 from above. The interior camera 14 is also integrated with a light source that illuminates the inside of the switchable compartment 200. As shown in FIG. 13, the control device 8 controls the photographing operation of the interior camera 14. For example, when the door open/close detection switch 10 detects the opening and closing of the switchable compartment door 9, the control device 8 activates the interior camera 14 to photograph the inside of the switchable compartment 200.

Figure 14 shows an example of an image captured by the interior camera 14. The image of the interior of the switchable compartment 200 captured by the interior camera 14 can be displayed on the display section 6b of the operation panel 6. The user can select food on the image of the interior of the switchable compartment 200 displayed on the operation panel 6 and set the planned time of use of the selected food. If the operation panel 6 is equipped with a touch panel, food can be selected by touching the food on the image. Other methods of selecting the location of the relevant food by operating a button, etc. may also be used.

The control device 8 identifies the storage location of the selected food. The control device 8 may highlight the image of the part corresponding to the selected food or location, for example by changing the color. The control device 8 then controls the temperature of the area corresponding to the storage location of the selected food according to the planned time of use of the food, by controlling the operation of the compressor 2, the blower fan 4, the first heater 13a, and the second heater 13b, as well as the opening degree of the switching chamber damper 12, etc.

Furthermore, in this modified example, the refrigerator 1 is equipped with a communication device 15, as shown in FIG. 13. As shown in the figure, the communication device 15 is communicatively connected to an electric communication line 30. The communication device 15 is capable of communicating with the outside of the refrigerator 1 via the electric communication line 30. The communication device 15 is connected to the control device 8. Therefore, the communication device 15 allows the control device 8 to communicate bidirectionally with the outside of the refrigerator 1 via the electric communication line 30.

The telecommunications line 30 refers to a communication line for digital or analog signals, such as a power line, infrared, non-infrared, wireless, public telephone line, subscriber-only communication line, optical cable, the Internet, or a satellite line. The communication format between the communication device 15 and the telecommunications line 30 may be wired or wireless. The communication device 15 is an interface capable of sending and receiving digital or analog signals. When performing wired communication, the communication device 15 includes, for example, a serial interface or driver. When performing wireless communication, the communication device 15 includes, for example, a communication module compatible with a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

In FIG. 13, mobile information terminals 40 such as mobile phones including smartphones and tablet terminals are shown as examples of communication targets outside the refrigerator 1. Other examples of communication targets outside the refrigerator 1 include personal computers and HEMS controllers.

The mobile information terminal 40 has one or both of the functions of the operation section 6a and the display section 6b of the operation panel 6. In other words, by operating the mobile information terminal 40, commands can be transmitted to the control device 8 of the refrigerator 1. In addition, the mobile information terminal 40 can receive information about the refrigerator 1 and display the information about the refrigerator 1 on the display of the mobile information terminal 40.

Therefore, for example, by displaying the operation screen shown in FIG. 5 on the mobile information terminal 40, the user can operate the mobile information terminal 40 to set the temperature of the storage compartment, set the ready-to-eat mode of the switchable compartment 200, and set the planned use time of the food stored in the switchable compartment 200. In addition, an image of the inside of the switchable compartment 200 taken by the interior camera 14 can also be displayed on the mobile information terminal 40. The user can then operate the mobile information terminal 40 to select food on the displayed image and set the planned use time of the selected food.

At this time, the control device 8 can identify the storage location of the selected food by transmitting information on the selected position or selected area in the image captured by the interior camera 14 from the mobile information terminal 40 to the control device 8. Also, the mobile information terminal 40 may generate an image in which the selected position or selected area is superimposed on the image captured by the interior camera 14, and transmit this generated image to the control device 8.

In the configuration of the above modified example, the interior of the switching compartment 200 is divided into a number of pre-set areas. The setting means described above can set the planned use time of food for each of the multiple areas in the switching compartment 200. A heater 13, which is a heating means, is provided for each of the multiple areas, and the control device 8 controls the heater 13 for each of the multiple areas according to the planned use time of the food for each of the multiple areas. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the progress of aging in parallel for multiple foods that have different planned use times and/or ripeness within one storage compartment.

Furthermore, this modified configuration includes an interior camera 14, which is a photographing means for photographing food in each of a number of areas, and a display unit 6b, which is a display means for displaying the images photographed by the interior camera 14. The setting means described above can specify the food for which the planned use date is to be set on the image displayed on the display unit 6b. Therefore, with the configuration of the modified configuration described above, the user can adjust the ripeness date of the desired food according to the planned use date while checking the image inside the storage room. Also, since the ripeness mode and the like can be set using the mobile information terminal 40 even from a location away from the refrigerator 1, convenience can be improved.

Embodiment 2.
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 15 to Fig. 17. Fig. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the switchable compartment and its surroundings in a refrigerator. Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control system in the refrigerator. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the storage temperature, electric field, and changes over time in freshness and ripeness of food in a refrigerator.

The second embodiment described here is similar to the first embodiment described above, except that instead of changing the set temperature of the storage compartment depending on when the food is to be used, an electric field is applied to the space within the storage compartment. The refrigerator according to the second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Configurations that are not described are basically the same as those of the first embodiment. In the following description, configurations that are the same as or correspond to those of the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a pair of electrodes 16. In the configuration example described here, the pair of electrodes 16 is a first electrode panel 16a and a second electrode panel 16b. In the description of this embodiment, the first electrode panel 16a and the second electrode panel 16b are collectively referred to as "electrodes 16". The first electrode panel 16a is provided on the bottom surface of the switching compartment 200. The second electrode panel 16b is provided on the ceiling surface of the switching compartment 200. Therefore, the pair of electrodes 16 are provided on opposing wall surfaces of the switching compartment 200, which is a storage compartment. Each electrode 16 is made of a metal plate such as stainless steel or aluminum. Note that in the configuration example shown here, a heater 13 is not provided.

As shown in FIG. 16, the refrigerator 1 is equipped with an oscillator 17. The oscillator 17 is an example of a power supply unit that applies a voltage between a pair of electrodes 16 provided in the switching compartment 200. The oscillator 17 is equipped with a power supply device (not shown). The oscillator 17 receives power from the power supply device and applies an AC voltage of a preset frequency between the pair of electrodes 16. By applying an AC voltage between the electrodes 16 by the oscillator 17, an electric field can be generated in the switching compartment 200. By applying an electric field to food stored in the switching compartment 200, the ripening and deterioration rates of the food can be slowed down.

In this embodiment, the control device 8 also controls the voltage application operation between the electrodes 16 of the oscillator 17. The control device 8, which is the control means, changes the voltage application operation of the oscillator 17, which is the power supply unit, depending on the planned use time of the food in the switching compartment 200, which is the storage compartment. Specifically, if the planned use time of the food, set by the setting means described above, is later than the time at which the food would be ripe to eat if stored at the set temperature of the switching compartment 200, the control device 8 causes the oscillator 17 to apply a voltage between the electrodes 16. Note that the ripening of the food may be adjusted by combining both the adjustment of the set temperature of the switching compartment 200 and the application of an electric field by the oscillator 17 and the electrodes 16.

Next, with reference to FIG. 17, an example of application of an electric field according to the planned use time of the food in the switchable compartment 200 in the ready-to-eat mode will be described. In the example shown in the figure, the set temperature of the switchable compartment 200 is θR. As mentioned above, θR is, for example, 5°C. In the example shown in the figure, the start time Tp of the planned use period of the food is set to be later than the time T0 at which the food will be ready to eat if stored at the storage temperature θR. In other words, if the food continues to be stored in the switchable compartment 200 at the storage temperature θR, the food will be ready to eat before the planned use period of the food.

In such a case, the control device 8 first calculates the time difference ΔTs between the start date Tp of the food's planned use period and the time T0 at which the food will be ready to eat if stored at the storage temperature θR. The control device 8 causes the oscillator 17 to apply a voltage between the electrodes 16 until the time corresponding to this time difference ΔTs has elapsed. Then, once the time corresponding to the time difference ΔTs has elapsed, the control device 8 causes the oscillator 17 to stop applying a voltage between the electrodes 16. In this way, an electric field is applied to the food, slowing down the ripening and deterioration rates, and delaying the time at which the food will be ready to eat beyond T0. Therefore, it is possible for the food to be ready to eat at the start date Tp of the food's planned use period.

The refrigerator 1 configured as described above includes a storage compartment for storing food, a cooling means for cooling the inside of the storage compartment, a pair of electrodes provided on opposing walls of the storage compartment, a power supply unit for applying a voltage between the electrodes, a control means for controlling the cooling means and the power supply unit, and a setting means for setting the planned time of use of the food in the storage compartment, and the control means changes the voltage application operation of the power supply unit according to the planned time of use of the food in the storage compartment. That is , the control device 8 changes the voltage application operation of the oscillator 17 according to the planned time of use of the food in the switching compartment 200, and applies an electric field to the food between the electrodes 16, thereby adjusting the ripening speed and deterioration speed of the food. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the time when the food is ripe to eat can be easily adjusted according to the planned time of use of the food desired by the user.

REFRIGERATION COMPONENTS 1 Refrigerator 2 Compressor 3 Cooler 4 Blower fan 5 Air passage 6 Operation panel 6a Operation section 6b Display section 6c Target storage compartment designation section 6d Schedule input section 6e Ready-to-eat mode button 6f Setting button 7 Refrigerator compartment door 7a Right door 7b Left door 8 Control device 8a Processor 8b Memory 9 Switchable compartment door 10 Door open/close detection switch 11 Switchable compartment thermistor 12 Switchable compartment damper 13 Heater 13a First heater 13b Second heater 14 Interior camera 15 Communication device 16 Electrode 16a First electrode panel 16b Second electrode panel 17 Oscillator 30 Electrical communication line 40 Portable information terminal 90 Insulated box 100 Refrigerator compartment 200 Switchable compartment 201 Switchable compartment storage case 300 Ice making compartment 400 Freezer 401 Freezer storage case 500 Vegetable compartment 501 Vegetable compartment storage case

Claims (6)

A storeroom for storing food;
A cooling means for cooling the inside of the storage chamber;
A control means for controlling the cooling means in accordance with a set temperature of the storage chamber;
A setting means for setting a planned time for using the food in the storage compartment,
The control means changes a set temperature of the storage compartment in accordance with a planned time of use of the food in the storage compartment ,
The control means
setting a set temperature of the storage compartment to a first temperature corresponding to a planned time of use of the food in the storage compartment before the planned time of use of the food;
The refrigerator sets the set temperature of the storage compartment to a second temperature lower than the first temperature after the scheduled time of use of the food . Further comprising a heating means for heating the inside of the storage chamber,
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the cooling means and the heating means in accordance with a set temperature of the storage compartment. The storage chamber is divided into a plurality of predetermined areas,
The setting means is capable of setting a scheduled use time of food for each of the plurality of areas,
The heating means is provided for each of the plurality of areas,
3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the control means controls the heating means for each of the plurality of areas in accordance with a planned time of use of food for each of the plurality of areas. An imaging means for imaging the food in each of the plurality of areas;
A display unit that displays the image captured by the image capture unit,
4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the setting means is capable of designating a food for which a scheduled use time is to be set on the image displayed on the display means. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first temperature and the second temperature are set within a range of 0°C or more and 10°C or less. The setting means is
Dates can be displayed as a calendar,
6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the current day and the planned use date of the food in the storage compartment are each displayed on the calendar in a manner that makes them distinguishable from other days.

Images