JPH04217769A - Electric refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an electric refrigerator which is announced that an object to be cooled, e.g. canned beer, contained in a chamber is cooled to a given temperature, for example, 0 deg.C. CONSTITUTION:Based on an open air temperature Tr detected by an open air temperature thermistor 8 (at S2), cooling capacity (q) of the chamber of an electric refrigerator 1a is determined (at S3). Based on temperature Tf (at S6) in a chamber increased because of an object to be cooled being contained in a chamber and temperature T1 in a chamber when the object to be cooled is cooled to, for example, a given temperature T0, cooling capacity Q required for cooling the object to be cooled to the given temperature T0 is determined (at S7 and S8). Based on the (q) and Q, a time in which the object to be cooled is cooled to the given temperature T0 is determined and is announced to a user (at S9-S15).

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to the improvement of electric refrigerators such as freezers, refrigerators, and refrigerator-freezers, and more specifically, the present invention relates to the improvement of electric refrigerators such as freezers, refrigerators, and refrigerator-freezers. This invention relates to an electric refrigerator that can notify that it has been cooled.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 shows a refrigerator-freezer which is an example of the electric refrigerator described above and is the background of the present invention. This refrigerator-freezer 1 is capable of storing objects to be cooled, such as frozen foods, for example, at a temperature of about -18 cm.
There is a freezer compartment 2 for freezing storage at ℃, a refrigeration compartment 3 for storing various foods such as ham at, for example, 3 to 5 degrees Celsius, and a refrigerator room 3 for storing various foods such as ham at a temperature of, for example, -3 to 1 degrees Celsius without losing flavor. Ice-temperature storage chamber 4 for storage (commonly known as partial or chilled)
It is equipped with.

In this refrigerator-freezer 1, a refrigeration cycle (not shown) is driven by a predetermined operation such as turning on the power, and as shown in FIG. They are sent to the refrigerator compartment 3, etc., and the objects to be cooled, such as the various foods mentioned above, are cooled to the respective temperatures mentioned above. Incidentally, objects to be cooled, such as canned beer, bottled beer, or canned juice, are normally stored and cooled in the refrigerator compartment 3 in order to prevent them from freezing, damaging, or expanding.

However, in order to cool the canned beer etc. at a higher speed, it is better to store the canned beer etc. in the freezer compartment 2, where the internal temperature is the lowest, than to store it in the refrigerator compartment 3. Efficient. Therefore, conventionally, during extremely hot weather such as summer, users store the canned beer etc. in the freezer compartment.
The drink is placed inside the bottle and taken out when the desired drinkable temperature (for example, 0°C) is thought to have been reached. In this case, the predicted time is determined based on human experience, intuition, etc. However, the predicted time varies depending on the outside air temperature at that time, the opening time of the door of the freezer compartment 2, etc., and cannot be easily predicted based on the above-mentioned experience.

[0005]

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] Therefore, in the conventional method of rapidly cooling the canned beer, etc. in the freezer compartment 2, the canned beer, etc. taken out from the freezer compartment 2 may not be sufficiently cold yet. On the other hand, there were cases where canned beer, etc., was too cold and did not taste good. Alternatively, there are cases where the user inadvertently forgets the predicted time or the fact that canned beer or the like was stored in the freezer compartment 2, and the beer freezes and becomes undrinkable.

Therefore, the present invention provides an electrical system that can accurately predict and notify that an object to be cooled, such as a can of beer, has been cooled to a predetermined temperature (for example, 0° C.) by measuring the outside air temperature. It was created for the purpose of providing refrigerators.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an outside temperature detection means for detecting outside air temperature in an electric refrigerator for cooling objects to be cooled stored in the refrigerator to a predetermined temperature. Based on the temperature detection signals of the refrigerator temperature detection means for detecting the temperature inside the refrigerator, the outside temperature detection means, and the refrigerator temperature detection means, the predetermined temperature is set from the time when the object to be cooled is put into the refrigerator. A first cooling prediction time calculation means for calculating the predicted cooling time until reaching the cooling time, and based on the cooling prediction time calculated by the first cooling prediction time calculation means,
The electric refrigerator is configured as an electric refrigerator characterized in that it includes a first notification means for calculating a time to notify that the object to be cooled placed in the refrigerator has reached the predetermined temperature.

[0008]

[Operation] In this electric refrigerator, when an object to be cooled, such as a can of beer, is put into the refrigerator, the first cooling prediction time calculation means is based on the temperature detection signal of the outside temperature detection means and the inside temperature detection means. A predicted cooling time is determined until the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature (for example, 0°C), and further, based on the calculated predicted cooling time, the first notification means causes the object to be cooled placed in the refrigerator to reach the predetermined temperature. A time is calculated to notify that the temperature has been reached.

[0009] Therefore, this electric refrigerator can accurately notify when the object to be cooled, such as the canned beer, reaches the predetermined temperature, so that the well-cooled and delicious canned beer can be delivered at the right time. It can be taken out from inside the refrigerator.

0010

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Examples embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings to provide an understanding of the present invention. still,
The following examples are examples embodying the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention. Here, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a control circuit of a refrigerator-freezer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a cooling process of the refrigerator-freezer, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the interior of the refrigerator-freezer. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a control circuit of a refrigerator-freezer according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of cooling processing of the refrigerator-freezer according to another embodiment of the present invention. . Further, the same reference numerals are used for elements common to the conventional refrigerator-freezer shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and suffixes are added to distinguish elements that are common to the refrigerator-freezer but have different functions.

[0011] This refrigerator-freezer 1 is an example of an electric refrigerator.
As shown in FIG. 1, the control circuit of a is mainly composed of a control section 7 consisting of a microcomputer CPU, etc.
This control unit 7 includes an outside temperature thermistor 8 (see FIG. 7), which is an example of outside temperature detection means for detecting outside air temperature, and a freezer compartment 2.
An internal thermistor 10 (see FIG. 7), which is an example of an internal temperature detection means for detecting the internal temperature, and an input for inputting that an object to be cooled, such as a can of beer, is stored in the freezer compartment 2. A switch 11 (see FIG. 6), a relay circuit 14 for forcibly operating the compressor 12 and the blower 6 of the refrigerator-freezer 1a based on the input signal of the input switch 11, and a relay circuit 14 housed in the freezer compartment 2. A relay circuit 16 and the like is connected to operate a buzzer 15 to notify that the object to be cooled, such as canned beer, has reached a predetermined temperature (for example, 0° C.).

[0012] In this refrigerator-freezer 1a, as in the conventional case,
By a predetermined operation such as turning on the power, the compressor 12 is activated, and the objects to be cooled stored in the freezer compartment 2, refrigerator compartment 3, etc. are cooled to the respective temperatures mentioned above. However, in this refrigerator-freezer 1a, the input switch 11
When a predetermined operation is performed, the object to be cooled, such as the canned beer, is cooled, unlike the conventional method, as will be described later.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, an example of a procedure for cooling an object to be cooled, such as the above-mentioned canned beer, in the refrigerator-freezer 1a will be described in the order of steps S1, S2, . . . . In this refrigerator-freezer 1a, when the canned beer or the like is stored in the freezer compartment 2 and the input switch 11 is operated in a predetermined manner (S1), the outside air temperature Tr is detected by the signal from the outside temperature thermistor 8. (S2, Figure 3 (
stomach)). Then, the cooling capacity q [Kcal/h] of the freezer compartment 2 corresponding to the outside air temperature Tr stored in the memory M of the control section 7 is read out (S3).

Furthermore, by turning on the relay circuit 14 and closing the contacts of the relay circuit 14, the compressor 12 and the blower 6 are forcibly driven (S4, FIG. 3(A)). Then, when a predetermined time ΔT has elapsed since the input switch 11 was operated in a predetermined manner (S5), the temperature Tf in the freezer compartment 2 is detected by the internal thermistor 10 (S6, (b)). As mentioned above, the temperature Tf inside the freezer compartment 2 is detected after a predetermined time ΔT from when the input switch 11 is operated in a predetermined manner. This is to ensure that temperature fluctuations within the freezer compartment 2 due to differences in temperature of the objects themselves are detected.

[0015] Suppose that the canned beer etc. is at a predetermined temperature T.
0 (e.g. 0°C), the predicted temperature T1 in the freezer compartment 2 (e.g. -2 shown in FIG. 3(E))
0℃) and the above detected temperature Tf (=Tf −
T1) is calculated (S7). Further, the required cooling capacity Q [Kcal] for bringing the temperature Tf in the freezer compartment 2 to the predicted temperature T1 is calculated, for example, by the following equation (S8). Q=αθ where α: Cooling proportionality constant of the air in the freezer compartment 2, objects to be cooled, etc. based on actual measurement data stored in the memory M in advance.

[0016] Based on the above-mentioned required cooling capacity Q and the cooling capacity q obtained in above-mentioned S3, the object to be cooled, such as the above-mentioned canned beer, is stored in the above-mentioned freezer compartment 2 (that is, for example, A predicted cooling time T from when the input switch 11 is operated in a predetermined manner until reaching the predetermined temperature T0 (for example, 0° C.) is determined by the following equation (S9). T=Q/q From data such as q and Q calculated based on the above-mentioned outside air temperature Tr and temperature Tf inside the freezing compartment 2, it is determined that the object to be cooled, such as beer, is stored in the freezing compartment 2. The means for realizing the function of calculating the predicted cooling time T from the time until the predetermined temperature T0 is reached is an example of the first predicted cooling time calculating means.

[0017] In this refrigerator-freezer 1a, the relay circuit 16 is activated a predetermined time t1 (for example, 15 minutes) before the predicted cooling time T obtained in the above S9 (S10), and its contacts are closed for a predetermined time. ΔT1 (for example, 10 seconds) is closed, and the buzzer 15 is turned on during this ΔT1 time (S11, S12, S13, Fig. 3 (c) to (d)).
). It should be noted that the buzzer 15 may be replaced with, for example, a synthetic voice generator, and the voice may be emitted during the ΔT1 time, for example, "It's about 15 minutes left." An example of the first notification means is a means for realizing a function of calculating a time for notifying that the object to be cooled, such as canned beer, has reached the predetermined temperature.

Thereafter, when the predicted cooling time T has elapsed since the input switch 11 was operated in a predetermined manner (S1
4) Again, the buzzer 15 is intermittently turned on for a predetermined period longer than the ΔT1 time (S15, FIG.
(e) ~) (an example of the first notification means), the forced operation state of the compressor 12, etc. is canceled (S16, FIG. 3 (e) ~)
. As mentioned above, in this refrigerator-freezer 1a, the freezer compartment 2
The buzzer 15 accurately informs you of the time when the object to be cooled, such as canned beer, stored in the freezer compartment 2 reaches the predetermined temperature. It can be taken out from.

In the refrigerator-freezer 1a, the required cooling capacity Q is calculated based on the detected temperature Tf in the freezing compartment 2 and the predicted cooling temperature T1 in the freezing compartment 2, but the required cooling capacity Q can be calculated more accurately. In addition, as shown by the broken line in FIG.
The refrigerator-freezer 1b shown in FIG. 4 may be configured by providing a cooled object thermistor 18 for detecting the temperature of canned beer, etc. FIG. 5 shows an example of a procedure for cooling objects to be cooled in the refrigerator-freezer 1b. Note that processing steps that are the same as those shown in FIG. 2 are given the same step numbers, and a portion of their explanation will be omitted.

In this refrigerator-freezer 1b, in step P1 corresponding to S2 in FIG. (
(See Figure 3 (a)). The object to be cooled thermistor 18 or the like which detects the temperature Tb of the canned beer or the like is an example of the object to be cooled temperature detecting means.

[0021] Then, step P corresponding to S8 in FIG.
2, the Tf calculated in step S7 and T1
temperature difference θ (=Tf - T1), the temperature Tb of the canned beer etc. detected at P1 above, and the predetermined temperature T0
Based on this, the required cooling capacity Q is calculated, for example, using the following equation. Q=βθ+γ(Tb −T0) where β: Cooling proportionality constant for objects to be cooled other than canned beer, etc. and air in the freezer compartment 2 based on actual measurement data stored in the memory M in advance. γ: Cooling proportionality constant for the canned beer, etc., based on actual measurement data stored in the memory M.

[0022] Similarly to the above, the predicted cooling time T from when the object to be cooled, such as the canned beer, is stored in the freezer compartment 2 until it is cooled to the predetermined temperature T0 (for example, 0°C). is calculated (S9). The outside air temperature T mentioned above
r, the temperature inside the freezing room Tf, and the temperature T of canned beer, etc.
b, etc., the means for realizing the function of calculating the predicted cooling time T from the time when the canned beer, etc. is stored in the freezer compartment 2 until it is cooled to the above-mentioned predetermined temperature T0 is the second predicted cooling time calculation means. This is an example.

[0023] In this refrigerator-freezer 1b, the buzzer 15 is turned on for ΔT1 time (S11, S12, S13, Figure 3 (c)
~(d)). An example of the second notification means is a means for realizing a function of calculating a time to notify that the object to be cooled, such as the above-mentioned canned beer, has been cooled to the above-mentioned predetermined temperature T0.

[0024] Then, P3 and P corresponding to S14 in FIG.
In step 4, when the detected temperature of the object to be cooled such as canned beer (P3) reaches the predetermined temperature T0 (for example, 0°C) (P4), the process moves to step S15, and the buzzer 15 is activated as described above. Similarly, it is turned on intermittently (Figure 3 (e))
~reference). As mentioned above, in this refrigerator-freezer 1b,
Since the buzzer 15 accurately informs that the object to be cooled, such as the canned beer, has been cooled to the predetermined temperature T0, the delicious canned beer, etc. at the predetermined temperature can be taken out from the freezer compartment 2 in a timely manner. be able to.

In the above embodiments, the buzzer 15 is activated both at the predetermined time t1 before the predicted cooling time T and at the elapse of the predicted cooling time T (when the temperature of the object to be cooled, such as canned beer, reaches the predetermined temperature T).
Although the buzzer 15 is activated twice (when the temperature reaches 0), the same buzzer 15 may be activated other times, for example, three times (or only once when the predicted cooling time T has elapsed). Furthermore, in all of the above embodiments, the compressor 12, etc. was switched to the forced operation state in S4, but even before this switching, the temperature inside the freezer compartment 2 may change due to the opening of the door of the freezer compartment 2, etc. When the S
4, it is not necessary to switch the compressor 12 and the like to the above-mentioned forced operation state. In this case, of course, the process of S16 is also unnecessary. In the above embodiment, the predetermined temperature T0 was 0°C, but the predetermined temperature may be, for example, 15 to 17°C or 5 to 6°C.
It may be ℃ or the like. Or, usually, the above predetermined temperature T
0 varies depending on people's preferences, etc., so the same predetermined temperature T0
The refrigerator-freezer 1a (1b) may further be provided with a setting means for setting the .

[0026]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it is possible to accurately predict and notify that the object to be cooled, such as canned beer, has been cooled to a predetermined temperature.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a control circuit for a refrigerator-freezer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the cooling process of the refrigerator-freezer.

FIG. 3 is a temperature graph showing an example of internal temperature changes, etc. of the refrigerator-freezer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a control circuit for a refrigerator-freezer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a cooling process of the refrigerator-freezer.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigerator-freezer, which is an example of an electric refrigerator that is the background of the present invention.

[Fig. 7] A schematic diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the refrigerator-freezer.

[Explanation of symbols]

1a, 1b... Freezer refrigerator (electric refrigerator) 2... Freezer compartment 7... Control unit 8...
Outside temperature thermistor (outside temperature detection means) 10... Inside thermistor (inside temperature detection means) 11... Input switch
15... Buzzer 16... Relay circuit 18... Cooled object thermistor (cooled object temperature detection means) M
…memory

Claims (2)

[Claims] [Claim 1] An electric refrigerator for cooling objects to be cooled stored in the refrigerator to a predetermined temperature, comprising: an outside temperature detection means for detecting the outside air temperature; an inside temperature detection means for detecting the inside temperature; A first cooling prediction for determining a predicted cooling time from when the object to be cooled is put into the refrigerator until it reaches the predetermined temperature based on the temperature detection signals of the outside temperature detection means and the refrigerator temperature detection means. A first notification that calculates a time to notify that the object to be cooled placed in the refrigerator has reached the predetermined temperature based on the predicted cooling time obtained by the time calculation means and the first predicted cooling time calculation means. An electric refrigerator comprising: means. [Claim 2] An electric refrigerator for cooling objects to be cooled stored in the refrigerator to a predetermined temperature, comprising: an outside temperature detection means for detecting the outside air temperature; an inside temperature detection means for detecting the inside temperature; Based on the temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the object to be cooled, and the temperature detection signals of the outside temperature detection means, the internal temperature detection means, and the temperature detection means of the object to be cooled,
a second predicted cooling time calculation means for calculating a predicted cooling time from when the object to be cooled is put into the refrigerator until it reaches the predetermined temperature; and a cooling predicted time calculated by the second predicted cooling time calculation means. An electric refrigerator comprising: second notification means for calculating a time to notify that the object to be cooled placed in the refrigerator has reached the predetermined temperature based on the predicted time.