JPH0415476A - Door open alarm controller of refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a harmful influence upon foods in a compartment by a method wherein an alarm is issued when the temperature rise gradient of the difference between the compartment temperatures detected at the beginning of opening a door and after a specified time period is over the set temperature rise gradient or when a specified time period elapses after the door is opened even though there is no output of alarm. CONSTITUTION:When a door opening detectors 1 and 2 of a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment judge that a door is opened, the initial temperatures TF21 and TP21 in the freezing and refrigerating compartments and the outside tempera ture Ta are immediately detected by temperature detectors 4 and 5 of the freezing and refrigerating compartments, and stored in a RAM 10. Then, when the door opening time period reaches 10 seconds, the freezing and refrigerating compartment temperatures TF22 and TP22 detected by the detectors 4 and 5 are stored in the RAM 10. Next, the temperature rise gradients alphaF2 and alphaP2 and the temperature rise gradient alphaa determined by the outside temperature are stored in the RAM 10, and when the gradients alphaF2 and alphaP2 are not less than the gradient alpha a, the output signal is transmit ted from a control circuit 3 to an oscillation circuit 7 to bring an alarm 8 in action. And, when the door opening time period integrated by a door timer 13 exceeds 30 seconds, the alarm 8 is forcibly brought in action.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a control device used for warning of opening of a refrigerator.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, this type of refrigerator door open warning control device is as follows:
For example, there is one shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-81477.

The configuration of this conventional refrigerator door open warning control device will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

In FIG. 3, reference numerals 41 and 42 are open/close detectors for detecting the opening and closing of the doors of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment, respectively, and output signals to the control circuit 43. Temperature detectors 44 and 45 detect the respective temperatures of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment, and output signals to the control circuit 43. 46 is an oscillation circuit, which operates based on the output signal from the control circuit 43. 47 is a warning device and oscillation circuit 4
It operates with the signal from 6. The control circuit 43 includes a microcomputer (CPtJ) 48 and a RAM/19.
ROM50. 1 to Atimer A5 for accumulating door open time
1. The door timer A5 issues a command to detect the temperature of each room every certain period of time when the door is opened (for example, every 10 seconds).
52 is for issuing a warning command after a certain period of time (for example, 30 seconds) after the door is opened, and ROM 50 stores a program that determines the order of operation confirmation and the next operation based on the state at that time. . In addition, door timer A5
1. The function of the door timer B52 can also be achieved by using a single door timer.

Next, the operation will be explained with reference to FIG.

When the power is turned on, each status of the freezer compartment door open/close detector 41, refrigerator compartment door open/close detector 42, freezer compartment temperature detector 44, refrigerator compartment temperature detector 45, door timer A51, and door timer B52 is inputted in step 61. S,RA,
Store in M49. Next, the states of the freezer compartment door opening/closing detector 41 and the refrigerator compartment door opening/closing detector 42 are read from the RAM 49, and it is determined in step 62 whether or not the door is open. Note that the following description will be made assuming that the door remains open.

If the freezer compartment door opening/closing detector 41 and the refrigerator compartment door opening/closing detector 42 determine that the door is open in step 62, the RAM 49 determines whether the warning device 47 is operating in step 63, and if not, step 64 RA
Judging from M49, if it is in a clear state, that is, at the moment the door is opened, in step 65, the freezer compartment temperature sensor 4
4 and the refrigerator temperature sensor 45 detect the initial freezer temperature T1, □ and the initial refrigerator temperature T, □,
Store in 9. Then, in step 66, a door timer A5] and a door timer B5 for integrating the door open time.
Turn on 2. Then, in step 67, the one-hair timer B52 integrates, for example, 30 seconds and determines whether it is time to start the door open warning. At this time, if the door open warning start time has not been reached, the process proceeds to step 68, and it is determined whether the door timer A, 5] has accumulated, for example, 10 seconds, and if it has not reached 10 seconds, steps 61 to 64 Since the door timer A51 is already ON in step 64, the process proceeds to step 66, then steps 67 and 68, and then returns to step 61, and steps 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67 , 68 are repeated. When the door opening time reaches 10 seconds after repeated clicks 1 to 1, the door timer A51 indicates 10 seconds in step 68, and as a result, in step 69, the RAM 49 detects the temperature in the freezer. The refrigerator temperature detector 44 and the refrigerator temperature detector 45 detect the freezer compartment temperature TF□ and the refrigerator compartment temperature T.
, 2 is detected and stored. Then, in step 70, (freezer room temperature TF2 - initial freezer room temperature TF□) and (refrigerator room temperature T, 2 - initial refrigerator room temperature T, □) are calculated, and the respective results α1. α2, that is, the temperature increase in 10 seconds when the door is opened α1. α, is stored in RAM49.

Then, in step 71, the temperature increase gradient α.

It is determined whether α is, for example, 10 or more, and if it is 10 or more, an output signal is sent from the control circuit 43 to the oscillation circuit 46 in step 72, the warning device 47 is activated, and step 6
Return to step 1, go through steps 62 and 63, and go to step 61
Repeat. Further, in step 71, the temperature increase gradient α1
．． If it is determined that α is less than 10, the door timer A51 is cleared in step 73, the process returns to step 61, and the above operation is repeated. At this time, the temperature increase gradient is calculated every 10 seconds to determine the operation of the warning device 47, but when the door timer B52 determines step 67, when the 1~lua cumulative time exceeds, for example, 30 seconds, the process proceeds to step 72. Then, the warning device 47 is forcibly activated. Further, if it is determined in step 62 that the door is closed regardless of whether the warning device 47 is activated or not, the warning device 47 is activated or not in step 74.
7 is set to OFF.

Furthermore, in step 75, 1 to timer A51. The door timer B72 is cleared, and in step 76, the initial freezer temperature TF+, +initial refrigerator temperature T, . . ., the freezer compartment temperature TP2. The memory of the refrigerator compartment temperature T,2 is canceled and the process returns to step 61.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) Such conventional door open warning devices do not issue a door open warning when the temperature inside the refrigerator rises above a preset internal temperature increase gradient while the door is open. Ta. However, since the temperature rise gradient inside the refrigerator must be set in advance,
For example, if you set a large increase rate for this temperature inside the refrigerator,
Even though the temperature inside the refrigerator increases when the door is opened in a cold region, the temperature inside the refrigerator does not increase so much that a door opening warning is not issued. Therefore, it has the disadvantage of affecting the food, and if the temperature rise gradient inside the refrigerator is set small, the temperature rise inside the refrigerator when the door is opened in a warm region will be the same as the temperature rise gradient inside the refrigerator immediately after the door is opened. Since the temperature rises by 1 at this point, a door opening warning is issued.

As a result, a warning is issued as soon as the user opens the door, making it difficult to use.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks, and aims to provide a new refrigerator with a built-in opening warning control device.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides temperature detectors for the freezer compartment, refrigerator compartment, and outside air, door opening/closing detectors for the freezing compartments 1 to 1A and refrigerator compartments 1 to 1A, and door opening/closing detection The temperature rise gradient of the difference between the initial internal temperature of the freezer and refrigerator compartments when the door is opened and the internal temperature after a certain period of time is the outside temperature. The present invention is equipped with a control circuit that outputs a door open warning when the temperature rise gradient is equal to or higher than the temperature rise gradient, or after a certain period of time when the door is opened, even if the door open warning is not output due to the temperature rise gradient.

(Function) With the above-described configuration, the present invention can reduce the temperature inside the refrigerator while the door is open.
If the temperature rise gradient exceeds the temperature rise gradient set by the outside air temperature, a door opening warning is issued, so that the food inside the refrigerator can be prevented from being affected in advance.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, numerals 1 and 2 are door opening/closing detectors for detecting opening/closing of the doors of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment, respectively, and output signals to the control circuit 3. Temperature detectors 4, 5, and 6 detect the respective temperatures of the freezer compartment, refrigerator compartment, and outside air, and output No. 46 to the control circuit 3. Reference numeral 7 denotes an oscillation circuit, which operates with an output signal from the control circuit 3. 8 is a warning device, which is operated by a signal from the oscillation circuit 7. The control circuit 3 includes a microcomputer (CI) 9 and a RAM l.
0. ROM], 1. Door timer A12 for accumulating door open time. It is formed by a door timer 813 and the like.

1 to timer] 2 issues a command to detect the temperature of each room at fixed intervals (for example, every 10 seconds) from when the door is opened, and door timer T313 issues a warning command after a fixed time (for example, 30 seconds) after the door is opened. It is also a ROM
II stores a program that determines the next operation based on the confirmation order of operations and the state at that time. Note that the door timer A12. Door timer B], 3 can also be used as a single door timer to perform its functions.

Next, the operation will be explained with reference to FIG.

When the power is turned on, the freezer compartment door open/close detector 1, refrigerator compartment door open/close detector 2, freezer compartment temperature detector 4, refrigerator compartment temperature detector 5, outside air temperature detector 6, door timer A, 12, and door timer B13 are activated. The state is inputted as step 21 and stored in RAM10.

Next, the states of the freezer compartment door opening/closing detector 1 and the refrigerator compartment door opening/closing detector 2 are read out from the RAM 10, and it is determined in step 22 whether or not the door is open.

Note that the following description will be made assuming that the door remains open. When the freezer compartment door opening/closing detector 1 and the refrigerator compartment door opening/closing detector 2 determine that the door is open in step 22,
In step 23, it is determined from RAM10 whether the warning device 8 is in operation, and if it is not in operation, in step 24, it is determined from RAM10 whether the door timer A1.2, which integrates the door open time, is in a clear state, and in the clear state, that is, the door is opened. If it is instantaneous, in step 25, the freezing room temperature sensor 4 and the refrigerator room temperature sensor 5 detect the initial freezing room temperature 1.1. □ and the initial refrigerator temperature T, and 21 and the outside air temperature Ta are detected and stored in RAMl0. And step 26
Then, door timer A12 and door timer B], 3 which integrate the door open time are turned on. And step 2
Step 7, the door timer 1313 integrates, for example, 30 seconds and determines whether it is time to start the door open warning. At this time, if the door open warning start time has not been reached, step 2
8, it is determined whether hair timers 1 to A12 have accumulated, for example, 10 seconds, and if 10 seconds have not been accumulated, steps 2] to 24 are repeated; Since it has already been turned on, the process proceeds to step 26, proceeds to steps 27 and 28, returns to step 21, and proceeds to step 21. , 22.23°24
, 26.27.28. When the door open time reaches 10 seconds after repeated calls to 1,
At step 28, the door timer A1.2 indicates 10 seconds, and as a result, at step 29, the freezer compartment temperature detector 4 and the refrigerator compartment temperature detector 5 detect the freezer compartment temperature Tl-22, The refrigerator room temperature TP is detected and stored.

Then, in step 30, (freezer room temperature "rFZ2 - initial freezer room temperature TF2□), (refrigerator room temperature 'J" 27.-
The initial refrigerator temperature Tp21) is calculated, and each result α
F2+ α, 7. In other words, the temperature in 10 seconds when the door is opened is ``1 rising slope αF21 αF2, and the outside air temperature T
The temperature increase gradient α8 determined in step a is stored in RAM10. Then, as Step 3], the temperature increase gradient αF21
It is determined whether α,2 is equal to or greater than α8, and if it is equal to or greater than α8, an output signal is sent from the control circuit 3 to the oscillation circuit 7 in step 32, the warning device 8 is activated, and the process returns to step 2]. .23, repeat to step 21. Further, in step 31, the temperature increase gradient αF2+ αP
If it is determined that 7 is less than α8, in step 33, 1
~Clear the timer A1.2, return to step 21, and repeat the operation 1. At that time, the temperature will be increased every 10 seconds.
- Calculates the ascending slope and determines the operation of the warning device 8, but when the 1-hair timer I3]3 determines in step 27 that the 1~lua cumulative time, for example 30 seconds, has passed, the process proceeds to step 32, and the forced Activate the warning device 8 accordingly. Furthermore, if it is determined in step 22 that the door is closed regardless of whether the warning device 8 is activated or not, the warning device 8 is turned off in step 34. Further, in step 35, the door timer A12 and door timer 313 are cleared, and in step 36, the initial freezer temperature TF21 in the RAM 10 is cleared. Initial refrigerator temperature TP 21. + Freezer room temperature T F221 Refrigerator room temperature T P 2°, outside air temperature 'T-'' a is cleared from memory, and the process returns to step 21.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, when the temperature inside the refrigerator is set at the outside air temperature and rises at a temperature higher than the temperature increase gradient while the door is open, a door opening warning is issued, so that the food inside the refrigerator is not affected. can be prevented in advance.

In addition, the door opening warning is repeatedly completed within the door opening time or the door opening warning start time, and even if the actual temperature inside the refrigerator is rising to the dangerous range, the door opening warning is issued based on the temperature rise gradient. It is possible to issue a warning to prevent food from being affected in the true sense of the word, and its practical effects are great.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the refrigerator door open warning control device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart 1-1 of FIG. 1, and FIG. The block diagram, FIG. 4, is flowchart 1 to FIG. 3. Sat - Freezer compartment door open/close detector, 2 Refrigerator compartment door open/close detector, 3 Control circuit, 4 Freezer compartment temperature detector,
5. Refrigerator room temperature detector, 6. Outside air temperature detector, 7.
・Oscillation circuit, 8...Warning device, 9- CPU, 1
0-RAM, ]l-ROM, 12-door timer A,
13. Door timer B.

Claims (1)

[Claims] It has temperature detectors for the freezer compartment, refrigerator compartment, and outside air, door opening/closing detectors for the freezing compartment door and the refrigerator compartment door, and a timer that operates based on a signal from the door opening/closing detector when the door is opened, and the door When the temperature increase gradient of the difference between the initial internal temperature of the freezer and refrigerator compartments when they are opened and the internal temperature after a certain period of time is greater than or equal to the temperature increase gradient set by the outside air temperature, the door A door open warning control device for a refrigerator, comprising a control circuit that outputs a door open warning after a certain period of time when the door is opened even if the open warning is not output.