JPH0552464A - Method and device for sealing door of refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To extend the life of a compressor and save consumption power by closing a door with a solenoid when a user cannot recognize even if a state where the door of a refrigerator is open is reported to the user by a buzzer. CONSTITUTION: A control means 10 compares the temperature of a refrigeration chamber and a freezer in a refrigerator with a reference temperature and totally controls an entire system according to the result. A temperature-sensing means 20 senses the temperature in the refrigeration chamber and the freezer of the refrigerator and then inputs it into the control means 10 to judge whether a compressor can be driven or not and the refrigeration chamber door or the freezer door in the refrigerator can be opened or not. A door closure sensing means 30 judges whether the refrigeration chamber door can be opened or not for inputting to the control means 10, and an alarm generation means 40 compares a sensing temperature being detected by the temperature-sensing means 20 with a reference temperature and is driven when it is judged that the refrigeration chamber and freezer doors are open and generates a buzzer sound. Then, when the door is open at least for a specific amount of time, it is closed by the door drive means 10.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to a refrigerator and a freezer compartment for detecting the changing temperature of the refrigerator compartment and determining whether the refrigerator compartment door or the freezer compartment door is opened. Generates a buzzer sound a predetermined number of times so that it can be recognized by the user.If the user cannot recognize the buzzer sound a predetermined number of times and the door continues to open, the door is forced by a solenoid. The present invention relates to a refrigerator door sealing method and apparatus that protects the life of a compressor and reduces power consumption by closing the door.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional refrigerator, after the temperature in the refrigerator is sensed by the temperature sensing means, the sensed temperature is compared with the reference temperature set in the control means (for example, a microcomputer). When the temperature is higher, the compressor is driven to lower the temperature in the refrigerator to the reference temperature in order to keep the temperature in the refrigerator normal. In addition to this, the control means determines the door state through the door switch sensing means for a predetermined time to determine whether the door is open, and it is determined that the refrigerator door remains open for the predetermined time. Then, an alarm sound is generated through the alarm generation means to notify the user that the refrigerator door is open.

[0003]

However, in the conventional refrigerator having such a function, even if a warning sound is generated when the door is judged to be open and the user cannot recognize it, the inside of the refrigerator is not recognized. In order to maintain the temperature, the compressor is continuously driven, which not only shortens the life of the refrigerator but also consumes electric power, and there is a problem that the freshness of food is deteriorated because stable temperature adjustment is impossible.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, according to the present invention, when the refrigerator compartment door or the freezer compartment door of the refrigerator is open, the solenoid is forced to close the door unless the door is closed within a predetermined time, thereby forcibly driving the compressor. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for sealing a refrigerator door that prevents the above and stabilizes the temperature of the refrigerator. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for sealing a refrigerator door that reduces power consumption and improves reliability by forcibly closing the refrigerator door with a solenoid.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A refrigerator door sealing method according to the present invention provides an interval when a door open state is sensed and when it is determined that the door state is open and a predetermined time has elapsed. The door sealing device consists of a step of continuously detecting the state of the door while issuing an alarm sound and a step of forcibly closing the door of the refrigerator by the door driving means if the door is still open after the alarm is issued. Control means for controlling peripheral devices, temperature sensing means for sensing refrigerator temperature, door state sensing means for sensing whether or not the refrigerator door can be closed, and alarm when it is determined that the refrigerator door is open for a predetermined time or longer. When the temperature of the freezing room and the refrigerating room sensed by the temperature sensing means is higher than a predetermined temperature, the compressor for driving the compressor to reach the reference temperature. And Ssa driving means, when the door is opened more than a predetermined time, and a door driving means for such refrigerator door is forcibly closed.

[0006]

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a control circuit for a refrigerator according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a detailed circuit diagram of FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 is a control unit that compares the temperature of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment of the refrigerator with a set reference temperature, and controls the overall system based on the result of the comparison. After sensing the temperature in the refrigerating compartment, it is input to the control means 10 so as to determine whether the compressor can be driven and whether the refrigerator compartment door or the freezer compartment door of the refrigerator can be opened.
Reference numeral 30 is a door state sensing means for determining whether the refrigerator door can be opened and inputting it to the control means 10. Reference numeral 40 is a refrigerating unit for comparing the sensed temperature sensed by the temperature sensing means 20 with a reference temperature. It is an alarm generating means for emitting a buzzer sound under the control of the control means 10 when it is determined that the compartment and freezer compartment doors are open.

Reference numeral 50 is a compressor driving means for driving the compressor when the temperature inside the refrigerator is equal to or higher than the reference temperature set by the control means 10 so as to be suitable for the reference temperature. Further, reference numeral 60 is a door driving means for forcibly closing the door when the control means 10 determines that the door is open for a predetermined time or more.

FIG. 2 is a detailed circuit diagram of the above-mentioned structure. The control means 10 has input terminals 11 and 12 and output terminals P1 and P.
2 and P3 and operated by the power supply voltage VCC, the temperature sensing means 20 is composed of resistors 21, 22, 23 and a thermistor 24 whose resistance value changes depending on the temperature coefficient, and the door state sensing means 30 is a micro switch 31 and a capacitor. 32, transistor 33, and resistors 34, 35, 36, 37
The alarm generating means 40 is composed of a buzzer 41, a resistor 42, a transistor 43 and an electrolytic capacitor 44, and the compressor driving means 50 is an inverter 51.
And relay 52, compressor 53 and spark killer 5
4 and the door driving means 60 is a photocoupler 61.
a, 61b, diodes 62, 63, a solenoid 64, and a resistor 65.

On the other hand, the photocoupler of the door driving means 60 is a kind of optical coupler and is composed of a light emitting portion 61a and a light receiving portion 61b, and when the light emitting portion 61a receiving an electric signal from the control means 10 emits light. The light receiving unit 61b receives the light and operates, so that the solenoid 64 is driven.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the refrigerator to which the solenoid used in the present invention is attached, and FIG. 4 is shown in FIG.
5 is a side perspective view of FIG. 5, FIG. 5 (A) is a detailed structural view of a P part when the door in FIG. 4 is closed, and FIG. 5 (B) is a P structure when the door of the refrigerator in FIG. 4 is open. It is a detailed structural diagram of a part.

In FIGS. 3 to 5B, 10 is a refrigerator body composed of a freezing compartment 106 and a refrigerating compartment 107, 102 is a freezing compartment door, 103 is a freezing compartment door handle, and 104 is a refrigerating compartment door. Reference numeral 105 is a refrigerator door handle. On the other hand, the freezing compartment 106 and the refrigerating compartment 107 are divided by the plate 108, the intermediate plate 109, and the lower plate 110.

Further, 111 is a plunger fixed to the inner side surfaces of the upper end portions of the freezer compartment door 102 and the refrigerating compartment door 104 by screws 112 and 113 respectively. The upper plate 108 and the intermediate plate 1 of the refrigerator body 101
The groove 09 is formed at a portion corresponding to the position of the plunger 111, and the solenoid 64 is provided in the groove.

Here, the solenoid 64 is the bracket 11
5, and is fixed by upper and lower screws 116 and 117. On the other hand, in the bracket 115 formed integrally with the solenoid 64, a groove 118 that matches the plunger 111 is formed. When the chamber door 104 is closed, the plunger 111 is inserted into the groove 11 of the bracket 115.
8 is inserted.

The refrigerator door closing device according to the present invention will be described below. When the control means 10 determines whether the door of the freezer compartment or the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator is open for a long time based on the data detected by the temperature sensing means 20, the control signal of the control means 10 causes the buzzer 41 to operate. If a warning sound is emitted and the user cannot recognize the above warning sound to close the door,
By forcing the door to be closed by the solenoid, the compressor 53 is prevented from being forcedly driven, and the temperature inside the refrigerator is stabilized. Thereby, power consumption can be reduced.

The operation will be described with reference to the detailed circuit diagram shown in FIG. First, the thermistor 24 of the temperature sensing means 20 senses the temperature in the freezer compartment or the refrigerator compartment of the freezer. That is, the distribution voltage of the power supply voltage VCC is changed by the thermistor 24 whose resistance value changes according to temperature, and the voltage thus distributed is supplied to the control means 10 via the current limiting resistor 23.
Is input to the input terminal I1 and converted into digital data.

The digital data is the control means 10
When the sensed temperature in the freezer compartment or the refrigerator compartment is higher than the reference temperature as a result of comparison with the reference temperature data set in the freezer compartment or the refrigerator compartment set to, the compressor driving means 50 is operated so as to be in the reference temperature range. .. That is, when the control means 10 sends a high level signal to the compressor driving means 50 via the output terminal P2, the high level signal is converted into a low level signal by the inverter 51. Then, the voltage VCC is applied to the relay 52 by the low level signal changed by the inverter 51,
When the operation of the relay 52 is turned on, the compressor 53 is activated.

When the temperature of the freezer compartment or the refrigerating compartment is brought into the reference temperature range by the operation of the compressor 53, the control means 1
0 outputs a low level signal to the output terminal P2 and interrupts the operation of the compressor 53. By the way, it operates when the freezing room of a normal refrigerator is below -10 ° C while keeping the temperature of -15 ° C to -21 ° C.
It operates when the temperature is 5 ° C or higher while keeping the temperature of -1 ° C.

On the other hand, the control means 10 is the temperature sensing means 2
While the sensing data of 0 is inputted through the input terminal I1, the door state sensing means 30 signal is also inputted through the input terminal I2. That is, when the refrigerator door is open and the micro switch 31 of the door state sensing means 30 is turned off, the voltage VCC is not applied to the transistor 33, the transistor 33 is turned off, and the collector voltage of the transistor 33 changes to the control means 10. Is inputted as a high level signal to the input terminal I2, and the control means 10 judges that the refrigerator door is open.

As described above, when the refrigerator door is judged by the detection signal of the temperature sensing means 20 and the signal of the door state sensing means 30, the control means 10 controls the compressor 53 so that the temperature inside the refrigerator meets the reference temperature. At the same time, a high level signal is sent to the warning generating means 40 via the output terminal P1. Then, the high level signal is the resistance 4
The voltage VCC is applied to the base terminal of the transistor 43 via 2 to make the transistor 43 conductive, and as the transistor 43 is made conductive, the voltage VCC is applied to the buzzer 41 connected to the collector terminal of the transistor 43 to emit a warning sound.

If the user cannot recognize the warning sound generated by the buzzer 41 and does not close the door within a predetermined time, the control means 10 outputs a high level signal via the output terminal P3. The high level signal is converted into a low level by the inverter 51. Therefore, the voltage VCC is applied to the light emitting portion 61a of the door driving means 60 to emit light. Then, in the light receiving section 61b, the light emitting section 61 is
The AC power supply AC2 voltage is half-wave rectified by the diode 62 to drive the solenoid 64 by operating the light emitted by a, and the plunger 110 provided on the door of the refrigerator is sucked by the suction force generated by driving the solenoid 64.
04 is closed.

On the other hand, when the user recognizes the warning sound and closes the door within a predetermined time, and when the door is closed by the solenoid 64, the micro switch 31 of the door state sensing means 30 is turned on and the voltage is changed. VCC is resistance 34,3
Transistor 33 through 5, 36 and capacitor 32
Is applied to the resistor 33 to make the transistor 33 conductive, the collector voltage of the transistor 33 is 0.2 V
A low level signal is input to the input terminal I2 of the control means 10 via 7, 36, and the control means 10 determines that the door is closed.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation sequence for temperature control in the refrigerator according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the door sealing method according to the present invention. In FIG. 6, first, when the refrigerator is operated, the temperature sensing means 20 senses the temperature in the freezing compartment 106 and the refrigerating compartment 107 of the refrigerator (S1), and the control means 10 controls the temperature of the freezing compartment 106 to 10 degrees. It is determined whether or not the temperature is equal to or lower than 0 ° C. and whether or not the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 107 is equal to or lower than 5 ° C. below freezing (S2).

As a result of the above determination, the temperature of the freezer compartment 106 is 10
When the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 107 is 5 ° C. or lower (freezing)
In the case of es), since the temperatures of the freezing compartment 106 and the refrigerating compartment 107 are kept normal, the compressor drive means 5
When the compressor 53 is turned off via 0 (S3) and the temperature of the freezer compartment 106 is not lower than 10 ° C or the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 107 is not lower than 5 ° C below freezing (in the case of NO),
The freezer compartment 106 or the refrigerator compartment 10 via the compressor 50
7 The compressor 53 is driven until the temperature becomes normal.

Next, referring to the flow chart of FIG. 7, the method of sealing the door of the refrigerator according to the present invention will be described. First, in the method of sealing the freezer compartment door 102, the control means 10 is initialized (S1), and the temperature state inside the freezer compartment 106 is sensed by the temperature sensing means 20 (S2).

Next, the temperature of the freezer compartment sensed by the temperature sensing means 20 and the microswitch state sensed by the door state sensing means 30 are determined (S3), and as a result, the temperature inside the freezer compartment 106 is 10 ° C. which is the reference temperature. When the micro switch 31 is turned off despite the above (yes)
In the case of), it is determined that the freezer compartment door 102 is in the open state, and 5 seconds is counted (S4).

Then, it is determined whether or not 5 seconds have passed (S5), and if it has not passed (NO), the freezer compartment door 102 of the refrigerator has been closed by the user, so the operation is terminated, When 5 seconds have passed (in the case of yes), the freezer compartment door 102 of the refrigerator is not closed, and therefore the buzzer 41 emits a warning sound three times so that the user can recognize it (S6).

After the warning sound is emitted, 10 seconds are counted (S7), and it is determined whether 10 seconds have elapsed (S8). As a result of this determination, if 10 seconds have not elapsed (NO), the user recognizes that the freezer compartment 102 is open,
Since the freezing compartment door 102 is closed, the operation is terminated, and when 10 seconds have elapsed (in the case of yes), the freezing compartment door 102 is still open, and the buzzer 41 is again opened.
Causes a warning sound for 10 seconds (S9).

After the warning sound is generated for 10 seconds, the apparatus waits for 10 seconds (S10), and then it is determined again whether 10 seconds have elapsed (S11). As a result of this determination, if 10 seconds have not elapsed (NO), the user has recognized that the freezer compartment door 102 is in the open state and is in the closed state, so the operation ends, If 10 seconds have passed (if yes)
Until then, the user could not recognize the open state of the freezer compartment door 102, so that the compressor 53 was prevented from being forcedly driven, and the solenoid 64 was driven to prevent power consumption, so that the freezer compartment door 102 was closed. To (S
12). On the other hand, in the method for sealing the refrigerator compartment door 104, the control means 10 is initialized (S1), and the refrigerator compartment 10 is closed.
The temperature state inside 7 is sensed by the temperature sensing means 20 (S
2).

Next, the temperature inside the refrigerating compartment 107 sensed by the temperature sensing means 20 and the microswitch state sensed by the door status sensing means 30 are determined (S3). As a result of the determination, the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 107 is the reference temperature. When the micro switch 31 is turned off while the temperature is 5 ° C. or above (yes
In the case of s), it is determined that the refrigerator compartment door 104 is open and counting is performed for 5 seconds (S4).

Then, it is judged whether or not 5 seconds have elapsed (S
5) In the case of no elapse (NO), the operation ends because the refrigerator door 104 of the refrigerator is closed by the user, and in the case of 5 seconds (yes), the refrigerator room Since the door 104 is not closed, a warning sound is emitted through the buzzer 41 three times so that the user can recognize it (S6). After issuing this warning sound, 10 seconds are counted (S7), and it is determined whether 10 seconds have elapsed (S8).
As a result of this determination, when 10 seconds have not elapsed (in the case of NO), the user recognizes that the refrigerating compartment 104 is open and closes the refrigerating compartment door 104.
When the operation is completed and 10 seconds have elapsed (in the case of yes), the buzzer 41 again emits a warning sound for 10 seconds because the freezer compartment door 104 is still open (S9).

After the warning sound is generated for 10 seconds and after waiting for 10 seconds (S10), it is determined again whether or not 10 seconds have elapsed (S11). As a result of this determination, when 10 seconds have not elapsed (in the case of NO), the user recognizes that the refrigerator compartment door 104 is in the open state and is in the closed state, so the operation is terminated, If 10 seconds have passed (if yes)
Until then, the user could not recognize the open state of the refrigerating compartment door 104, so that the compressor 53 was prevented from being forcedly driven, the solenoid 64 was driven to prevent power consumption, and the refrigerating compartment door 104 was closed. To

Although more specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is obvious that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, in the above description, only a refrigerator with two doors was described,
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can be achieved by attaching a solenoid to each door of a refrigerator having two or more doors. Further, in the present invention, the temperature, the count, the alarm sound generation time and the like are specifically described, but these can be increased or decreased normally. Further, the solenoid and the plunger can be installed regardless of the position where the force of the refrigerator acts, and the structure is not limited to the specially described embodiment, and can be configured in a plane.

[0033]

As described above, in the refrigerator door sealing method and device according to the present invention, when the user cannot recognize the open state of the refrigerator door by the buzzer, the door is closed by the solenoid. Prevents excessive driving of the compressor,
Excellent effects such as extending the life of the refrigerator and preventing power consumption can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control circuit of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed circuit diagram of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of FIG. 3.

5 is a detailed structural diagram of a P portion in FIG.
(A) is the case where the door is closed, and (B) is the case where the door is open.

FIG. 6 is a first half of a flow chart of a refrigerator door sealing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a second half of a flow chart of a method for sealing a door of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Microcomputer 20 Temperature Sensing Section 30 Buzzer Driving Section 40 Door Switch Sensing Section 50 Compressor Driving Section 60 Door Driving Means

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A step of detecting an open state of a door,
If it is determined that the door state is open and a predetermined time has elapsed, a step of continuously detecting the door state while emitting an alarm sound at an interval, and if the door is still open after the alarm is issued, A door closing device forcibly closing the door of the refrigerator by means of a door driving means. 2. A door closing device for a refrigerator, wherein the open state of the door is determined by the temperature inside the refrigerator sensed by the temperature sensing means and the state of a micro switch of the door state sensing means. 3. A temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature in the refrigerator, and a freezer compartment for driving the compressor to drive the compressor to a reference temperature when the freezer compartment sensed by the temperature sensing means is above a predetermined temperature. Means, a door state detection means for detecting whether the refrigerator door is open / closed, an alarm generation means for emitting an alarm sound when the door state detection means determines that the refrigerator door has been opened for a predetermined time or longer, and a temperature A control means for determining the open state of the door based on the temperature sensed by the sensing means, and issuing a control signal if the door is continuously opened even after the alarm sound is generated by the alarm generation means, and the above control. And a door driving means for forcibly closing the refrigerator door in response to a control signal from the means. 4. The door closing device for a refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein whether the door is opened or not is determined by a door state detecting means and a temperature detecting means. 5. The door driving means includes a port coupler operated by the control means, a solenoid that is interlocked with the port coupler to generate a suction force, and a plunger that is sucked by the solenoid and closes the door of the refrigerator. The door sealing device for a refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein: 6. The door closing device for a refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the solenoid is integrally formed with the bracket. 7. The door sealing device for a refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the bracket is formed with a groove having an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of the plunger. 8. The door closing device for a refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the plunger is fixed to an inner surface of the refrigerator door, and a suction force of a solenoid is applied to the plunger.