JPH0694344A - Freezer refrigerator and communication system used in the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To restrict an increasing of electrical wiring, shorten its length and facilitate its fixing by a method wherein a sub-control part for controlling a temperature adjusting means in response to a signal got from a temperature measuring means and a main control part for use in controlling the sub-control part are connected by a communication means in such a way that they may be interactively operated. CONSTITUTION:A freezer refrigerator is constructed so that a freezer chamber 2, a refrigerator chamber 3 and a vegetable chamber 4 are arranged within an inner box 1. In turn, a compressor 15 for refrigerant, a condensing fan 16 and a heater 17 and the like are installed outside the inner box 1. In this case, various devices such as an electrical fan 10 or an electrical damper 14 and the like are controlled by the sub-control part 25 in response to a signal got from a thermistor 8a for measuring a temperature within the freezer chamber 2. Then, the sub-control part 25 is controlled by the main control part 20 installed outside the inner box 2. Each of the control parts 20 and 25 is connected by a communication electrical line 36 in such a way that they may be interactively connected and concurrently they are electrically connected by a plurality of electrical supplying lines 18. In addition, the main control part 20 is provided with a power source circuit 21 for converting an AC current into a DC current.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator / freezer and a communication system used therein.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, devices such as refrigerators and freezers have been equipped with a large number of sensors and actuators in accordance with their multi-functionality and high functionality. A schematic configuration including a communication system in a conventional refrigerator-freezer will be described below with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 17, in a conventional refrigerator-freezer, a control unit 101 is arranged above the refrigerator-freezer.
In the freezer compartment 148, the refrigerator compartment 149, and the vegetable compartment 150,
Alternatively, at a predetermined position outside the inner box 136, a compressor 122 that supplies a refrigerant to an evaporator (not shown), a heater 144 that removes frost adhering to the evaporator, and cool air generated in the evaporator 148, 149, and 150 in each chamber. Electric fan 14 to circulate
5 and various output devices (actuators) such as an electric damper 146 provided in a cold air passage between the freezing compartment 148 and the refrigerating compartment 149, and thermistors 141, 142.1.
Sensors such as 43 are arranged. In addition, the control unit 10
Since most of the 1 and the above-mentioned various output devices are electrically connected to each other in a one-to-one manner, one output device has two or more wirings 115 ... And these control unit 101 and many wirings 115 ... A communication system is configured with.
The wirings 115 ... And the power supply line 123 are arranged on the back surface of the inner box 136.

The control unit 101 includes a power supply circuit 102,
A microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer) 103 that is the center of control, an input circuit 109 that receives signals from sensors, and a driver circuit 11 for various output devices.
0, a drive device 111 that drives various output devices, and a connector 140 that electrically connects the wirings 115 connected to the various output devices to the microcomputer 103 and the like. An AC current is supplied to the power supply circuit 102 from an AC power supply (not shown) via a power supply line 123, where a part of the voltage is stepped down and rectified and converted into a DC current. Then, this direct current is applied to the driver circuit 1 described above.
While being supplied to various output devices via 10 and the drive device 111, the voltage is further reduced and supplied to the microcomputer 103 and the like.

Then, the microcomputer 103 controls the various output devices described above through the driver circuit 110 and the drive device 111 based on the signals from the sensors received through the input circuit 109, and each room. 148/149/15
The temperature of 0 is adjusted appropriately.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the control unit 101 and various output devices and sensors are directly and electrically connected in a one-to-one manner. I / O units must be provided as many as the devices and sensors. Further, there are problems that the number of wirings 115 for connecting the control unit 101 to various output devices and sensors is very large, and noise is likely to occur when controlling the various output devices.

When the number of wirings is large, for example, when manufacturing a device such as a refrigerator and a refrigerator, the wiring mounting process is complicated and the mounting time is long. Also, if the length of the wiring becomes long (for example, the total length is 100 m or more),
Failures due to disconnection are likely to occur, and there is also a problem that the weight of the device increases and the cost of the device increases.

Moreover, since the above wiring is generally arranged in a heat insulating material provided between an inner box and an outer box of the apparatus, when the number of wirings increases, the thickness of the heat insulating material is reduced by that amount. However, in a refrigerator, for example, there is a problem in that the volumetric efficiency is lowered.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional communication system, for example, when performing the opening / closing test of the electric damper 146, the temperature of the thermistor 8b must be actually lowered by spraying a quenching agent or the like on the thermistor 8b. There is a problem that it takes time and effort to confirm the operation.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a freezer-refrigerator and a communication system used therefor in which the number of wires does not increase even when various output devices and sensors increase. I am trying. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator-freezer in which volume efficiency does not decrease even when the number of output devices and sensors increases, and the noise caused by control hardly occurs. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a communication system that can easily confirm the operation of various output devices and sensors.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a refrigerating refrigerator according to the invention as set forth in claim 1 measures temperature inside the storage room and temperature inside the storage room. In the freezer-refrigerator provided with a measuring unit for controlling the temperature adjusting unit based on the measurement result of the measuring unit, the control unit is provided in the vicinity of the temperature adjusting unit, and It comprises a sub-control unit for receiving the signal and controlling the temperature adjusting unit, a main control unit for controlling the sub-control unit, and a communication unit for connecting the main control unit and the sub-control unit so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. Is characterized by.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the refrigerating refrigerator of the present invention according to claim 2 is the same as the refrigerating refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the main control section includes a conversion circuit for converting an alternating current into a direct current. The main control unit and the sub control unit include a pair of direct current power supply lines for supplying a direct current from the main control unit to the sub control unit, a pair of alternating current power supply lines, and both the main control unit and the sub control unit. In addition to being connected with a single communication wire that enables bidirectional communication, the pair of alternating current power supply lines electrically connects a power source and each of the control units via temperature adjusting means. Is characterized by.

In order to solve the above problems, the refrigerating refrigerator according to the third aspect of the present invention is the freezing refrigerator according to the first or second aspect, wherein the sub-control unit is formed on a substrate made of a metal plate. And the back surface of the substrate is exposed to the front surface of the case.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the refrigerating refrigerator of the present invention according to claim 4 is the same as the refrigerating refrigerator according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the sub-control unit receives an input from a measuring means. Each of the main control unit has a plurality of ports and an output port for transmitting a signal to the temperature control unit, and the main control unit transmits a signal for initializing the temperature control unit to the sub control unit and is connected to the measurement unit. Input port,
A conversion port for converting an analog signal from the measuring means into a digital signal is designated, while an instruction for an initial operation of the temperature adjusting means is given to an output port connected to the temperature adjusting means.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a communication system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is provided in an apparatus having an input means for inputting predetermined information and an output means for performing a predetermined operation. And a sub-control unit for controlling the output unit based on the signal, a main control unit for controlling the sub-control unit, and a two-way communication between the main control unit and the sub-control unit. A communication system including a communication unit to be connected, wherein at least one of the main control unit and the sub-control unit includes a storage unit that stores the signal and a control result of the output unit, and the storage unit stores the signal. A reading means for reading out the stored signal and control result by bidirectional communication is detachably provided on the communication means.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a communication system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is provided in an apparatus having an input means for inputting predetermined information and an output means for performing a predetermined operation. And a sub-control unit for controlling the output unit based on the signal, a main control unit for controlling the sub-control unit, and a two-way communication between the main control unit and the sub-control unit. A communication system comprising a communication means to be connected, wherein the signal and the control result of the output means are read out by bidirectional communication, and a read storage means for storing the signal and the control result is detachably attached to the communication means. It is characterized by being provided in.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a communication system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is provided in an apparatus having an input means for inputting predetermined information and an output means for performing a predetermined operation. And a sub-control unit for controlling the output unit based on the signal, a main control unit for controlling the sub-control unit, and a two-way communication between the main control unit and the sub-control unit. In the communication system including a communication unit to be connected, a reading unit for reading out the signal and the control result of the output unit by bidirectional communication is detachably provided to the communication unit, and the reading unit is a power line carrier. It is characterized in that it is connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communication with a management device that manages the manufacture of the device body by communication.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a communication system according to the present invention is provided in an apparatus having an input means for inputting predetermined information and an output means for performing a predetermined operation. And a sub-control unit for controlling the output unit based on the signal, a main control unit for controlling the sub-control unit, and a two-way communication between the main control unit and the sub-control unit. A communication system comprising a communication unit to be connected, wherein the main control unit, a detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of a response signal from the sub-control unit,
It is characterized in that initialization means is provided for initializing the sub-control unit when the response signal is not detected by the detection means.

[0019]

According to the structure of the present invention, the control means is provided in the vicinity of the temperature adjusting means, receives the signal from the measuring means, and controls the temperature adjusting means, and the sub controlling section. Since it is composed of a main control unit that controls the main control unit and a communication unit that connects the main control unit and the sub control unit in a bidirectionally communicable manner, for example, even if there are a plurality of temperature adjusting units and measuring units, respectively, The main control unit and the sub control unit can be connected by a communication unit regardless of the number of these units.

As a result, for example, the number of wires for connecting the temperature adjusting means and the measuring means to the main control section is not increased, so that the wiring attaching process is simplified when manufacturing a refrigerator-freezer. Installation time is shortened. Also, because the length of the wiring can be shortened,
It is possible to provide a freezer-refrigerator that is less likely to cause a failure due to disconnection and does not cause an increase in weight, a decrease in volumetric efficiency, an increase in cost, and the like.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the main control unit includes a conversion circuit for converting an alternating current into a direct current, and the main control unit and the sub control unit send the direct current from the main control unit to the sub control unit. A pair of direct current power supply lines for supplying, a pair of alternating current power supply lines, and a single communication wire enabling bidirectional communication between the main control unit and the sub control unit are connected, and Since the AC current supply line electrically connects the power source and each of the control units through the temperature adjusting means, the AC current is not directly supplied from the power source to the main control unit and the sub control unit.

As a result, the AC current supply line can be made thinner than before, and noise is less likely to occur when controlling the temperature adjusting means. Also, since the direct current is supplied to the sub control unit from the main control unit via the direct current power supply line, there is no need to provide a conversion circuit in the sub control unit, and a refrigerator-freezer that does not cause a reduction in volumetric efficiency is provided. It becomes possible to do.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the sub control unit is formed on the substrate made of a metal plate and accommodated in the case, and the back surface of the substrate is exposed on the front surface of the case.

This makes it possible to easily release the heat generated inside the case to the outside and prevent the generation of noise when controlling the temperature adjusting means.

According to the structure of claim 4, the sub-control unit has a plurality of input ports for receiving signals from the measuring means and a plurality of output ports for transmitting signals to the temperature adjusting means, and the main control unit is , While sending a signal for initial setting of the temperature control means to the sub-control unit, the input port connected to the measuring means, while specifying the conversion port for converting the analog signal from the measuring means into a digital signal, Since an instruction for the initial operation of the temperature adjusting means is given to the output port connected to the temperature adjusting means, for example, even if there are a plurality of temperature adjusting means and measuring means, respectively, regardless of the number of these means, The main control unit and sub control unit can be simplified and downsized.

As a result, an increase in weight, a decrease in volumetric efficiency,
It is possible to provide a freezer-refrigerator that does not increase costs.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the main control unit and the sub control unit is provided with a storage unit for storing a signal from the input unit and a control result of the output unit. A reading means for reading out the stored signal and control result by bidirectional communication is detachably provided to the communication means that connects the main control unit and the sub control unit so as to enable bidirectional communication.

Thus, for example, the user of the apparatus can easily and quickly recognize the signal from the input means and the control result of the output means via the reading means, and the reading means can be used. Through this, it is possible to easily confirm the operation of the output means and the input means.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the read storage means for reading out the signal from the input means and the control result of the output means by bidirectional communication and storing the signal and the control result is provided in the main control section and the control section. The sub-control unit is detachably attached to a communication unit that connects the sub-control unit so as to enable bidirectional communication.

With this, for example, the user of the apparatus can easily and quickly recognize the signal from the input means and the control result of the output means via the read storage means, and at the same time, the read storage means. The operation of the output means and the input means can be easily confirmed through the means.

According to the structure of claim 7, the reading means for reading out the signal from the input means and the control result of the output means by the bidirectional communication connects the main control section and the sub control section so that the bidirectional communication is possible. It is detachably attached to the communication means,
The above-mentioned reading means is connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communication with a management device that manages the manufacture of the apparatus main body by power line carrier communication.

As a result, the management device can read the signal from the input means and the control result of the output means through the reading means. Therefore, when manufacturing the main body of the apparatus, the management device is based on the signal and the control result. Can control the manufacturing process of the device. Therefore, the device can be efficiently manufactured.

According to the structure described in claim 8, the main control unit is provided with a detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of the response signal from the sub control unit, and the sub control unit when the response signal is not detected by the detection unit. Since the initialization means for initialization is provided, for example, the sub-control unit can be initialized when some abnormality occurs in the sub-control unit and the response signal is not detected.

As a result, the reliability of the communication system can be improved.

[0035]

【Example】

[Embodiment 1] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The explanation is based on the following.

As shown in FIG. 1, the freezer-refrigerator according to the present embodiment has a freezer compartment 2 serving as a storage compartment, a refrigerating compartment 3 and a vegetable compartment 4 inside the inner box 1 and outside the inner box 1. A main controller (control means) 20 is provided at a predetermined position. In addition, at a predetermined position outside the inner box 1, a compressor 15 for compressing the refrigerant,
A condenser fan 16, a heater 17 and the like for condensing the vaporized refrigerant are provided.

The freezer compartment 2 has an interior lamp 6 for indoor lighting.
a, a door switch 7a that is turned on and off by opening and closing a door (not shown), a thermistor (measuring means) 8a that measures the temperature in the freezer compartment 2, and an evaporator (not shown) that evaporates the refrigerant. It is provided with a heater 9a for defrosting the frost adhering to the evaporator, an electric fan 10 for circulating the cold air generated in the evaporator in the room, and the like.
A door switch 7 is installed in an ice making chamber (not shown) provided inside.
d, a thermistor (measuring means) 8d for measuring the temperature in the ice making chamber, an ice removing motor 11 for taking out ice from an ice making device (not shown), and the like.

The refrigerating compartment 3 has the interior light 6b, a door switch 7b, a thermistor (measuring means) 8b for measuring the temperature in the refrigerating compartment 3, a deodorizing fan 12 for deodorizing the indoor odor, and an igniter 13. And so on. Further, a cold air passage (not shown) for sending cold air from the freezing compartment 2 to the refrigerating compartment 3 is provided between the freezing compartment 2 and the refrigerating compartment 3, and an electric damper 14 is provided in this cold air passage. The electric damper 14 shuts off the flow of cold air by closing the cold air passage. The vegetable compartment 4 includes a thermistor (measuring means) 8c for measuring the temperature in the vegetable compartment 4.

The main control section 20 includes a power supply circuit (conversion circuit) 21 to which an AC current is supplied from an AC power supply (not shown) through a pair of AC current supply lines 18, and a CPU / ROM.
A micro computer (hereinafter referred to as a main control unit side microcomputer) 22 which is composed of a RAM or the like and serves as a control center
And a peripheral circuit 23 including an oscillation circuit and a reset circuit
And a communication interface circuit (communication means, hereinafter referred to as main control unit side I) that performs bidirectional communication with a sub-control unit 25 ...
/ F circuit) 24 and a node address setting circuit (not shown). In addition, a pair of direct current power supply lines 35 are electrically connected to the power supply circuit 21,
The main control unit side I / F circuit 24 has a communication wire (control means,
A communication means) 36 is electrically connected. A part of the AC current supplied to the power supply circuit 21 is insulated and stepped down, rectified and converted into a DC current, and the electric current is supplied to the electric fan 10 and the electric damper 14 via a pair of DC current feed lines 35. While being supplied to various devices inside the inner box 1, the pressure is further reduced and supplied to the main control unit side microcomputer 22 and the like.

The negative side power supply line of the DC current supply line 35 is a ground line. Further, the electric fan 10, the electric damper 14, the evaporator (not shown), the heater 9a, the compressor 15, the condensing fan 16 and the like constitute a temperature adjusting means. Further, the main control unit 20, the sub control unit 25, the communication electric wire 36, and the like constitute a communication system.

The AC current supply line 18 is the plug 18
A power supply line for high allowable current is used in a portion from a to the compressor 15 having a large current capacity, and a power supply line for low allowable current is used in a rear portion from the compressor 15.

A predetermined number of sub-control units (control means) 25 housed in a case 40 (FIG. 3) are installed in the inner box 1 near a place where the above-described various devices are concentrated. . As shown in FIG. 2, each sub-control unit 25 is composed of a DC power supply circuit 26 to which a DC current is supplied via a DC power supply line 35, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. A computer (hereinafter referred to as a sub-control unit side microcomputer) 27, a peripheral circuit 28 including an oscillation circuit, a node address setting circuit 29, an input circuit 30 to which signals from various devices are input, and various devices. A drive circuit 31 for driving and a communication interface circuit (communication means, hereinafter referred to as a sub-control unit side I / F circuit) 32 that performs bidirectional communication with the main control unit 20 are configured.

The sub-control unit side microcomputer 27 has a plurality of input ports 27b for receiving signals from various devices and a plurality of output ports 27c for outputting signals to various devices, respectively. It also has an A / D (analog / digital) conversion port 27a. Then, the sub-control unit side microcomputer 27 uses the node address setting circuit 29 described above.
When the voltage generated at 1 is applied to the A / D conversion port 27a, for example, this voltage is judged by dividing it into 8 parts to recognize its own node address. Further, the input port 27b can be switched to an A / D conversion port as described later.

Various devices such as the ice-breaker motor 11 which are connected to the sub-control units 25 and are controlled and driven are DC loads, and DC current is supplied through the DC current feed line 35. Therefore, the DC power supply circuit 26 of each sub-control unit 25 does not need to supply a DC current to various devices, and the sub-control unit 25 does
It suffices to supply a direct current to various circuits inside. As a result, the DC power supply circuit 26, that is, the sub control unit 25 ... Can be simplified and downsized.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main control unit 20 and each sub-control unit 25 include one communication wire 36 for bidirectional communication between the control units 20 and 25, the above-mentioned pair. The DC current supply line 35 and the AC current supply line 18 are connected by a total of five electric wires, and these electric wires 18, 35 and 36 are
It is arranged along the back surface 1a of the inner box 1. The ends of the electric wires 18, 35, 36 on the side of the sub-control unit 25 are bundled into one, and the female connectors 37 ... Are attached, while
As shown in FIG. 3, a case 40 accommodating the sub control unit 25.
Is electrically connected to the sub-control unit side I / F circuit 32,
Male connector 41 attachable to and detachable from the female connector 37
Is provided. Further, the female connector 37 is provided near the installation position of the sub control unit 25 on the back surface 1a of the inner box 1.
The hole for passing through is opened. Therefore, the female connector 37 is attached to the male connector 41 through the above hole, and the female connector 37 and the male connector 41, that is,
Main controller side I / F circuit 24 and sub controller side I / F circuit 32
Are electrically connected via a communication electric wire 36.

The case 40 is provided with a connecting section 42 for connecting the drive circuit 31 of the sub control section 25 and the above-mentioned various devices. Each circuit 26 in the sub-control unit 25
On the substrate 43a, which is a copper face plate in which copper is coated on the surface of a metal plate made of aluminum or the like,
Further, it is formed on a substrate 43b made of a copper face plate in which the surface of a resin plate made of paper / phenol resin, epoxy resin or the like is coated with copper. For example, the drive circuit 31 is provided on the substrate 43a. The male connector 41, the sub-control unit side microcomputer 27, and the like are formed on 43b. Further, the back surface of the substrate 43a is exposed on the surface of the case 40, so that the heat generated inside the case 40 can be easily released to the outside, and the generation of noise when controlling various devices can be prevented. It has become. Also,
The sub-control unit 25 does not need to be provided with a power supply circuit for converting an alternating current into a direct current, so that the volume efficiency of the refrigerator-freezer is not reduced.

Next, the main controller side I / F circuit 24 and the sub controller side I / F circuit 32 will be described. Since the above-mentioned both I / F circuits 24 and 32 have the same configuration, the sub-control unit side I / F circuit 32 will be described below.
Will be taken as an example.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sub-control unit side I / F circuit 32 includes five resistors 32a to 32e and a capacitor 3.
2f and a PNP type transistor 32g. The resistor 32a and the capacitor 32f are connected in parallel to the communication wire 36, and the resistor 32a and the capacitor 32f are connected in parallel.
The capacitor 32f is grounded. Further, the communication electric wire 36 and the medium voltage input buffer 27d of the sub-control unit side microcomputer 27 are connected via a resistor 32b for input protection. On the other hand, the emitter of the transistor 32g is connected to the positive side power supply line of the DC current power supply line 35, and the collector is connected to the communication wire 3 via the resistor 32c.
Connected to 6. Further, the emitter and the base of the transistor 32g are connected via a resistor 32d, and the base is further connected via a resistor 32e to the medium withstand voltage Nch open drain output buffer (hereinafter, referred to as a sub-control unit side microcomputer 27). It is connected to the drain of the output buffer 27e). In addition, A of the microcomputer 27 of the sub-control unit side
A node address setting circuit 29 including resistors 29a and 29b is connected to the / D conversion port 27a.

Main control unit 2 in the refrigerator having the above-mentioned structure
0 and the control operations of the sub-control units 25 ... Will be described below.

First, when a power switch (not shown) of the refrigerator-freezer is turned on, the main controller 20 and the compressor 15 are turned on.
An alternating current is supplied to an alternating current load such as, and this alternating current is converted into a direct current by the power supply circuit 21 of the main control unit 20. While the above DC current flows through the DC current feed line 35 to each sub-control unit 25, various devices such as the electric fan 10, it also flows to the emitter of the transistor in the main control unit side I / F circuit 24, and the main control is performed. After the voltage is further reduced by the unit side I / F circuit 24, the main control unit side microcomputer 22 and the peripheral circuit 23
Flow to. When a direct current flows through the main control unit side microcomputer 22, the main control unit side microcomputer 22 starts communication with each sub control unit 25. First, the main control unit side microcomputer 22 selects an arbitrary sub control unit 25 among the sub control units 25 ... And the node address of this sub control unit 25 and the initialization command are described above by the method described below. It is transmitted to the sub control unit 25.

That is, the communication electric wire 36 is connected to the main control unit side I /
It is at a low level because it is discharged by the resistor of the F circuit 24. To transmit signals such as the initial setting command, turn on the transistor by turning on the output buffer of the main control unit side microcomputer 22. , The electric wire 36 for communication is made high level. The communication electric wire 36 can transmit a signal by turning on and off the output buffer. Further, whether or not to read the above signal in each sub control unit 25 is determined by the input level of the signal input to the input buffer 27d of the sub control unit side microcomputer 27. Therefore, for example, even if the output buffer 27e of the sub control unit side microcomputer 27 of a certain sub control unit 25 is OFF,
If the output buffer 27e of the sub-control unit side microcomputer 27 of the other sub-control unit 25 is ON, the communication wire 36 is at a high level, but the communication between each sub-control unit 25 and the main control unit 20 is a signal. Is performed by reading the input level of the signal input to the input buffer 27d while transmitting the signal. Therefore, each sub-control unit 25 can read only the corresponding signal. In this way, bidirectional communication is performed between the sub-control units 25 and the main control unit 20 by the so-called baseband method.

Next, the DC current supplied to each sub-control unit 25 through the DC current supply line 35 is stepped down by the DC power supply circuit 26 and then supplied to the sub-control unit side microcomputer 27 and the like. When a direct current flows, the sub-control unit side microcomputer 27 takes in the voltage set by the node address setting circuit 29 at the A / D conversion port 27a, judges it, and stores it as its own node address. After that, the sub control unit side microcomputer 27 reads the node address transmitted from the main control unit side microcomputer 22 via the sub control unit side I / F circuit 32 and compares it with the stored node address. These two
If the two node addresses are the same, the sub-control unit side microcomputer 27 receives a signal such as an initial setting command and performs the next processing. That is, the sub-control unit side microcomputer 27 initializes the input ports 27b ... And the output port 27c ... In accordance with the initial setting command, and thereafter, based on the bidirectional communication with the main control unit side microcomputer 22, the electric fan 10 and the electric fan Damper 14
Control various devices such as. On the other hand, if the two node addresses are different, the above-mentioned signal is not received, and the standby state is set to wait for another node address to be newly transmitted.

Signals such as the above initialization command are transmitted, for example, in ascending order of node address. However, if the number of sub control units 25 ... Is large, the main control unit side microcomputer 22 and each sub control unit side microcomputer are. The program capacity of 27 must be increased, and the communication time and the bit length for transmitting the node address also increase. Therefore, in the refrigerator-freezer in this embodiment, the maximum number of sub-control units 25 ... Thereby, the node address can be designated by 3 bits.

Next, the control procedure of the main controller 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the following description, the sub-control unit side microcomputer 27 has four input ports 27b ₀ , 27b ₁ , 27b _2.
27b ₃ and output ports 27c ₄ 27c ₅ 27
c ₆ and 27c ₇ and have input ports 27b ₁ and 2
7b aforementioned thermistor 8a · ... etc. ₂ is assumed to be connected.

First, when a power switch or a reset switch (not shown) of the refrigerator-freezer is turned on (S
1) Send a header indicating the start of signal transmission (S
2) Then, the node address is transmitted (S3). The above node address is, for example, "000" for the sub control unit 25 having the node address No. 0, and the node address is
For the No. 1 sub-control unit 25, "001" may be set.
The rightmost bit in "" is the least significant bit.

Next, the input port 27b of each sub-control unit 25
_0, ... and perform the output port 27c ₄ · ... settings. Of the input ports 27b ₀ , ... Of the sub-control unit 25 designated by the node address, the A / D conversion port is designated for the input ports 27b ₁ , 27b ₂ to which the thermistors 8a, ... Then, for the other input ports 27b ₀ · 27b ₃ , the input initial value (1 or 0) input at the initial stage is designated. Further, among the output ports 27c ₄ , ..., For the output ports to which the above-described various devices are connected, an instruction for the initial operation of the various devices is given.

Then, a command for instructing initial setting is transmitted (S4), and "0110" is transmitted in 4 bits to specify the A / D conversion port (S5). That is, the sub control unit 2
For 5, declare "1" as an A / D conversion port. Next, the input initial value (1 or 0) input at the initial stage is designated for the input ports 27b ₀ ... (S6). Here, for example, when a switch (not shown) is connected to the input port 27b ₀ and nothing is connected to the input port 27b ₃ , “0xx1” is transmitted by 4 bits. Thus, the input of the switch is declared to be a "1" in the initial state, also, the input port 27b ₃ is pulled down. The above "x" is the input port 27 at S5.
Since b ₁ and 27 b ₂ are declared as A / D conversion ports, it indicates that the input initial value is not specified here.

Next, the initial output data is instructed to the output ports 27c ₄ , ... (S7). For example, the above-mentioned various devices are connected to the output ports 27c ₄ · 27c ₅ · 27c ₆ , and when “x101” is transmitted in 4 bits, the device is connected to the output ports 27c ₄ · 27c ₆ . The various devices are turned on by "1", and the various devices connected to the output port 27c ₅ are turned off by "0".

As described above, the initialization command, for example, if the command is transmitted in 4 bits, 3 bits are transmitted for the node address, 4 bits are transmitted for the A / D conversion port designation,
It consists of 4 bits for transmitting the input initial value and 4 bits for transmitting the output data, for a total of 19 bits.

Then, after the initial setting command is transmitted, if a response from the corresponding sub control unit 25 is received (S8), it is determined whether or not the initial setting of all sub control units 25 ... Has been completed (S9). ). If there is no response from the corresponding sub-control unit 25 in S8, or if the initialization of all sub-control units 25 ... Is not completed in S9, the process proceeds to S2 and the above S2 to S9. Repeat the operation of. Then, when the initial settings of all the sub-control units 25 ... Are completed in S9, various commands are transmitted to each sub-control unit 25 and responses from each sub-control unit 25 are received (S10). As described above, by transmitting the initial setting command, various commands in S10 can be transmitted.

Next, a reception procedure in which the sub-control unit 25 receives the above-mentioned initialization command and the like will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, when a power switch (not shown) or a reset switch of the refrigerator-freezer is turned on (S1
1), the sub-control unit side microcomputer 27 recognizes and stores its own node address based on the voltage generated in the node address setting circuit 29. Next, when the header and the node address transmitted from the main control unit 20 are received (S1
2) It is determined whether the received node address is the same as the stored node address (S13). If these two node addresses are different, the process proceeds to S12 to receive another header and node address, while if the two node addresses are the same, the command,
The main control unit 2 indicates that the signal of the initialization command including the A / D conversion port designation, the input initial value and the output data is received (S14) and the reception of the above signal is completed (that is, a response).
0 (S15) to perform initial setting. Then, when the initialization is completed, various commands transmitted from the main control unit 20 are received, and after the commands are executed, the completion of the commands (that is, a response) is transmitted to the main control unit 20 (S1).
6).

Incidentally, in S16, the sub control unit 25
When a signal different from the initial input value is received at the input ports 27b ₀ , ..., The fact that the above signal is received is transmitted to the main controller 20, while the main controller 20
Outputs a signal based on the signals transmitted from these input ports 27b ₁・ 27b ₂ by instructing the input ports 27b ₁・ 27b ₂ that have declared that they are A / D conversion ports. Various commands are transmitted to the ports 27c ₄ , ...

As described above, the refrigerator-freezer according to the present embodiment is provided near the various devices inside the inner box 1 including the electric fan 10 and the electric damper 14, and is provided in the thermistor 8a.
··· Sub-control unit 25, which receives signals from ... and controls various devices, main control unit 20, which controls these sub-control units 25, and the main control unit 20 and sub-control unit 25.
Since the control means is composed of the communication electric wire 36 for connecting the two in a bidirectional communication manner, various devices and the thermistor 8a
Irrespective of the number of ..., Main control unit 20 and sub control unit 25
Can be connected to each other via a communication electric wire 36 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, and the main control unit 20 and the sub control unit 25 can be simplified and downsized. Further, the main control unit 20 and the sub-control units 25 ... Are electrically connected by the DC current supply line 35 and the AC current supply line 18, and the main control unit 20 converts the AC current into the DC current. Since the AC current supply line 18 is connected to the compressor 15 and the like and then to the main control unit 20, the AC power supply line 18 is directly connected from the power source to the main control unit 20 and the sub control unit 25. No current is supplied.

As a result, various devices and thermistors 8a
Since the number of communication wires or the like that connect the main controller 20 and the main control unit 20 is not increased, the step of installing the communication wires is simplified and the installation time is shortened when manufacturing the refrigerator-freezer. In addition, since the length of the communication wiring can be shortened, it is possible to provide a refrigerating refrigerator that is less likely to cause a failure due to disconnection and does not cause an increase in weight, a decrease in volumetric efficiency, an increase in cost, or the like. Becomes
Furthermore, the AC current supply line 18 can be made thinner than before, and noise is less likely to occur when controlling various devices. Further, since the direct current is supplied from the main control unit 20 to the sub-control units 25 through the direct-current power supply line 35, it is not necessary to provide the sub-control units 25 with a power supply circuit.
It is possible to provide a freezer-refrigerator that does not reduce the volumetric efficiency.

[Embodiment 2] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12. For convenience of description, members and configurations having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, in the following description, the case where the communication system is applied to a refrigerator-freezer will be taken as an example.

In the refrigerator-refrigerator communication system according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the ends of the communication electric wire 36, the pair of direct current power supply lines 35 and the alternating current power supply line 18 are bundled into one, and the connector is connected. (Communication means) 50 is attached. Further, the compressor 15, the condensing fan 16 and the heater 17 are connected to a sub-control unit 25 provided near the vegetable compartment 4.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the main control unit 20 and the sub-control units 25 ... Are electrically connected by a communication wire 36, a pair of direct current power supply lines 35, and an alternating current power supply line 18. In order to bring the communication wire 36 to a high level, the main control unit side I / F circuit 24 or the sub control unit side I / F circuit
The transistor 51 of the F circuit 32 may be turned on. As a result, the voltage of the communication electric wire 36 becomes, for example, 12 V, and this state is continued for a predetermined time to make the signal "1". Further, by turning on the transistor 52 of the main control unit side I / F circuit 24 or the sub control unit side I / F circuit 32 with the transistor 51 turned on, the communication electric wire 36 is obtained.
Voltage becomes 0V, and this state is maintained for a predetermined time to make the signal "0". Then, the signal is received by the main control unit side I / F circuit 24 and each sub control unit side I / F circuit 3.
2 through the inverter 53. The main controller 20
Is provided with a DC power supply control circuit 39 for performing power-on / clear of the sub-control units 25 .... The electric damper 14 and the like are driven via the transistor 54, the relay 55, and the like of the drive circuit 31.

As shown in FIG. 9, a terminal device (reading means) 60 is detachably attached to the connector 50. The terminal device 60 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM.
In addition to incorporating a microcomputer (not shown) (hereinafter referred to as a terminal device side microcomputer) configured by
A communication interface circuit (hereinafter, referred to as a terminal device side I / F circuit) 61 for performing bidirectional communication with the main control unit 20,
A keyboard 62 for instructing the main control unit 20 to transmit various data, a display unit 63 for displaying various data transmitted from the main control unit 20, and a drawing for printing the various data on recording paper (not shown) Not equipped with a printer, etc.

The RAM (storage means) (not shown) of the main control unit side microcomputer 22 is used for each of the compartments 2, 3 and 4 of the refrigerator / freezer.
It has a function as a recording register that stores the room temperature, the control states of various devices by the main control unit 20 and the sub control unit 25, and the like. Then, the main controller side microcomputer 22
Are various devices (output means) inside the inner box 1 such as the electric fan 10 and the electric damper 14, the thermistor 8a ...
Addresses are preset in (input means), and various data such as control states of these various devices and signals from the thermistors 8a ... Are recorded every predetermined time, for example, every one hour. Then, the main control unit 20 and the sub control unit 2 described above
5, communication wire 36, terminal device 60 and the like constitute a communication system. Other members and configurations are the same as those of the refrigerator-freezer of the first embodiment.

In the above recording method, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, in various devices, the ON state or the open state is set.
1 "is recorded, and the OFF or closed state is recorded as" 0 ", while the thermistor 8a ... records a signal, that is, room temperature with 8 bits. The leftmost bit in the figure) is the measured temperature ±
"0" indicates +, and "1" indicates-. Also,
The RAM of the main control unit side microcomputer 22 is adapted to record the above-mentioned various data at three time points, one hour before and two hours before, for example. In addition, the time interval for recording various data, or the number of recording points, is the above-mentioned hourly
The time is not limited to three points, and can be changed as appropriate.

Next, with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 11, a reading procedure for reading the above various data by the terminal device 60 will be described. First, the terminal device 60 is connected to the connector 50 (S21), and the key operation of the keyboard 62 is performed to read various data (S22). Based on the above key operation, the terminal device side microcomputer transmits a header, a node address and a command to the main control unit 20 to instruct transmission of various data (S23). Next, when various data transmitted from the main control unit 20 is received (S2
4) The reception of the above various data is completed (that is,
(Response) is transmitted to the main control unit 20 and edited for display on the display unit 63 (S25). Then, when the editing is completed, while displaying the above various data on the display unit 63,
If necessary, various data is printed on the recording paper by the printer (S26).

As described above, the microcomputer on the terminal device side of the terminal device 60 connected to the communication system of the refrigerator / freezer according to this embodiment is controlled by the microcomputer 22 on the main control unit side via the I / F circuit 61 on the terminal device side. Read the above various data,
The data is displayed on the display unit 63, and if necessary, various data is printed by a printer on recording paper (not shown) as shown in FIG. Thereby, the user of the terminal device 60 can easily and quickly recognize the operating state of the refrigerator / freezer by using the communication system.
The example of printing various data shown in FIG.
Shows the continuous operation, the door switch 7a is always turned on, the room temperature of the freezer compartment 2 rises, etc., and the user of the terminal device 60 indicates from these various data that the cause of the room temperature rise of the freezer compartment 2 is It is possible to easily recognize that the door of the room 2 is normally opened or that the door switch 7a is in failure.

[Third Embodiment] The following description will explain still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. For convenience of explanation, members and configurations having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of the second embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Although not shown, the terminal device (read-out storage means) connected to the communication system of the refrigerator / freezer according to the present embodiment has a RAM of the microcomputer on the terminal device side, and the room temperature of each room 2, 3, 4 of the refrigerator / freezer. It also has a function as a recording register for storing the control states of various devices by the main control unit 20 and the sub control unit 25. Then, the terminal device-side microcomputer sets addresses in advance to the various devices and thermistors 8a ... In the inner box 1 including the electric fan 10 and the electric damper 14, and controls the states of these various devices and the thermistors 8a. Various kinds of data such as signals from are recorded every predetermined time, for example, every one minute. In addition, the terminal device can be detachably connected to an inspection device (not shown) including a computer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.

The above-mentioned inspection apparatus reads various data recorded in the terminal-side microcomputer, for example, in each room 2.
The quality of the freezer-refrigerator is judged by analyzing various data, such as calculating the freezing capacity of the freezer-refrigerator from changes in room temperature of 3.4. Then, the main control unit 20, the sub control unit 25, ..., The communication electric wire 36,
A communication system is composed of the terminal device and the like. The other members and configurations are the same as those of the refrigerator / freezer, the communication system, and the terminal device 60 of the above-described second embodiment.

The above-mentioned terminal device is used, for example, after assembling a refrigerator / freezer, and then various devices for the refrigerator / freezer and the thermistor 8a.
It is used when performing operation tests, performance tests, etc. Therefore, the terminal device side microcomputer determines, for example, whether the performance of the refrigerator / freezer is good, that is, the defective product, from the operating state such as the operating rate of the compressor 15 and the temporal change of the room temperature of each room 2, 3, 4. The various data described above is recorded, for example, every one minute so that it can be performed. The time interval for recording various data is not limited to the above-mentioned one minute, and can be changed as appropriate.

Next, with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 13, a reading procedure for recording the above various data in the terminal device and reading out the various recorded data by the inspection device will be described. First, connect the terminal device to the connector 50 (S3
1) The key operation of the keyboard 62 is performed to record various data (S32). The terminal device side microcomputer records various data in the RAM by the above key operation (S
33). Then, various data is recorded every predetermined time, for example, every one minute (S34 / S35) until a key operation for ending the recording is performed, and after the predetermined time elapses, in S34,
When the key operation for ending the recording is performed, the recording of various data is ended (S36). Next, the terminal device is removed from the connector 50, and the terminal device is connected to the inspection device (S3
7) The key operation of the keyboard 62 is performed to send various data to the inspection device (S38), and various data is sent to the inspection device (S39).

As described above, the terminal device connected to the communication system of the refrigerator / freezer according to this embodiment can read and record the above various data from the terminal device side microcomputer. Also, by connecting the terminal device to an inspection device (not shown), it is possible to analyze the various data described above. This allows the user of the terminal device to easily and quickly determine whether the performance of the refrigerator / freezer is good or bad, from the above-described analysis result obtained using the communication system.

[Fourth Embodiment] The following description will explain still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. For convenience of explanation, members and configurations having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of the second embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Although not shown, a terminal device (reading means) connected to the communication system of the refrigerator / freezer according to this embodiment.
Is to arbitrarily control the operation of various devices of the refrigerator / freezer by operating the keys of the keyboard 62, that is,
It is possible to test the operation of various devices. Then, the main control unit 20, the sub control unit 25, ..., The communication electric wire 3
6, a terminal device, and the like constitute a communication system.
The other members and configurations are the same as those of the refrigerator / freezer, the communication system, and the terminal device 60 of the above-described second embodiment.

Next, the test procedure for the operation test of various devices will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, the terminal device is connected to the connector 50, and the keys of the keyboard 62 are operated to test the operation of various devices (S41). For example, when the operation test of the electric damper 14 is desired, the node address of the sub-control unit 25 to which the electric damper 14 is connected, the preset address of the electric damper 14, and the electric damper 14 are operated by the above key operation. Actions to be performed on (i.e., from the open state to the closed state or from the closed state to the open state)
Can be input sequentially. Then, the terminal device side microcomputer causes the main control unit 20 to carry a header,
The node address and command are transmitted, and the main control unit 20
The sub-control unit 25 is instructed to perform the above-described operation test via (S42), and a response is received (S43).

Next, the user of the terminal device confirms, for example, visually whether or not the above operation is performed correctly (S
44) After that, key operation is performed in order to return the various devices to the state before the operation test (S45). The above key operation may be performed in the same manner as S41. Then, the terminal device-side microcomputer transmits the header, the node address and the command to the main control unit 20 based on the above key operation, instructs the sub control unit 25 to end the operation test (S46), and receives the response (S46). S47).

As described above, the terminal device connected to the communication system of the refrigerator / freezer according to this embodiment can perform the operation test of various devices of the refrigerator / freezer by operating the keys of the keyboard 62. Has become. Therefore,
The user of the terminal device can easily confirm the operation of the refrigerator-freezer using the communication system.

[Fifth Embodiment] The following description will explain still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. For convenience of explanation, members and configurations having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of the second embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 15, the terminal device connected to the communication system of the refrigerator / freezer according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, is a communication interface for performing bidirectional communication with a management device (not shown) that controls the manufacture of the refrigerator / freezer by a computer. A circuit (hereinafter, referred to as a management device I / F circuit) 70 is provided. The management device I / F circuit 70 includes a pair of commercial alternating current power supply lines 80, 80 for supplying power to the management device.
And a terminal device-side microcomputer, which is a modem including constant voltage circuits 71 and 72, a modulator 73 having an oscillator 73a, a demodulator 74, a photocoupler 75, and the like.

The demodulator 74 includes an amplifier circuit, a waveform shaping circuit,
It has a low-pass filter and the like, and also has an oscillator 73a.
For example, it oscillates a pulse of 50kHz. The photo coupler 75 is a commercial alternating current power supply line 80.
80 and the terminal-side microcomputer are electrically insulated.
Further, the management device I / F circuit 70 is a terminal device side I / F.
A so-called power line carrier communication for modulating or demodulating a baseband carrier signal, which is a direct current 0/1 signal of 40 kHz, for example, transmitted from the circuit 61 and transmitting it to a management device via a commercial alternating current power supply line 80 Is supposed to do. The main control unit 20, the sub-control unit 25, the communication wire 36, the terminal device, and the like constitute a communication system. The other members and configurations are the same as those of the refrigerator / freezer, the communication system, and the terminal device 60 of the above-described second embodiment.

The carrier signal is a signal for transmitting various data of various devices of the refrigerator / freezer to the management device. Further, the management device can perform bidirectional communication with a plurality of terminal devices by, for example, a polling / selecting method, and thus can collectively manage the manufacture of a plurality of refrigerators / freezers.

As described above, the terminal device connected to the communication system of the refrigerator / freezer according to this embodiment transmits the carrier signal to the management device via the commercial AC current power supply lines 80, 80, so-called power line carrier communication. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated communication wire between the terminal device and the management device, and the management device can collectively read various data of various devices. With this, the management device can read and analyze the various data described above using the communication system via the terminal device.
When manufacturing a freezer-refrigerator, the manufacturing process of a freezer-refrigerator can be managed based on the above-mentioned various data. Therefore, it becomes possible to efficiently manufacture the refrigerator-freezer.

[Sixth Embodiment] The following description will explain still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. 16 and FIG. 8 used in the description of the second embodiment. For convenience of explanation, members and configurations having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of the second embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The main control unit 20 of the communication system of the refrigerator / freezer according to this embodiment is the main control unit side microcomputer (detection means).
The counter 22 is provided with a counter (not shown) including a management timer (so-called watchdog timer) for preventing the main controller 20 from hanging up. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the main controller 20 includes a DC power supply control circuit (initializing means) 39 for initializing the sub controllers 25. When the main control unit 20 performs bidirectional communication with a plurality of sub control units 25 ... By the polling / selecting method, the main control unit side microcomputer 22 confirms the presence or absence of a response signal from the polled sub control unit 25. In addition, when there is no response signal, the number of non-responses is counted by the counter. Further, when the number of times of non-response of the polled sub control unit 25 reaches a predetermined number, for example, four times, the main control unit side microcomputer 22 determines that some abnormality or runaway has occurred in the corresponding sub control unit 25. Then, the DC power supply control circuit 39 initializes the sub-control units 25 ...

The DC power supply control circuit 39 is a so-called power-on / clear circuit, and turns off the transistor 39a in the circuit 39 for a predetermined time, for example, 1 second, so that the sub-control unit is connected via the DC current supply line 35. The voltage of the direct current supplied to 25 ... Is temporarily set to 0 V, and the transistor 39a is turned on again to restore the voltage. As a result, the sub-control units 25 ... Are power-on-cleared, that is, initialized. The main control unit 20, the sub-control unit 25, the communication electric wire 36, and the like constitute a communication system. The other members / structures are the same as those of the refrigerator / freezer and the communication system of the second embodiment.

Next, the control procedure of the main controller 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First,
When a signal is received from the thermistor 8a ... (S5)
1), the header, the node address, and the command are transmitted to the corresponding sub control unit 25 (S52 to S5).
4). After transmitting the command, the corresponding sub-control unit 2
When the response from 5 is received (S55), the count value of the counter is set to 0 (S56), various commands are transmitted to the sub control unit 25, and the response from the sub control unit 25 is received (S57).

On the other hand, if there is no response from the corresponding sub-control unit 25 in S55, the count value of the counter is incremented by 1 (S58), and if the counter value is less than 4 (S5).
9), shift to S52 and repeat the above-described operations of S52 to S59. When the counter value becomes 4 in S59, that is, the response from the corresponding sub-control unit 25 is 4 consecutive times.
If not, it is determined that some abnormality has occurred in the sub control unit 25, and the DC power supply control circuit 39 causes the sub control unit 2 to operate.
5 is initialized (S60), the sub-control unit 25 is initialized again (S61), and the process proceeds to S52. Incidentally, S6
Since the initial setting performed in step 1 has been described in detail in the second embodiment, it will be omitted here.

As described above, in the communication system of the refrigerator / freezer according to the present embodiment, the main control unit side microcomputer 22 counts the number of non-responses when the response signal is not received, and the sub control unit 25. Since the DC power supply control circuit 39 for initializing the sub-control unit is provided, the sub-control unit 25 can be initialized when the sub-control unit 25 does not transmit a response signal due to some abnormality. This makes it possible to improve the reliability of the communication system.

In the first to sixth embodiments described above, the case where the communication system is applied to a refrigerator-freezer has been described as an example, but the communication system is, of course, applied to various devices other than the refrigerator-freezer. It is possible to Also,
The first to sixth embodiments described above, of course, do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0097]

The refrigerator-freezer according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises:
As described above, the control means is provided in the vicinity of the temperature adjusting means, receives a signal from the measuring means and controls the temperature adjusting means, and a sub controller, and a main controller that controls the sub controller. The main control unit and the sub control unit are configured to include a communication unit that connects them so as to enable bidirectional communication.

As a result, for example, the number of wirings for connecting the temperature adjusting means and the measuring means to the main control section is not increased, so that the wiring attaching process is simplified when manufacturing a refrigerator-freezer. Installation time is shortened. Also, because the length of the wiring can be shortened,
It is possible to provide a freezer-refrigerator that is less likely to cause a failure due to disconnection and does not cause an increase in weight, a decrease in volumetric efficiency, an increase in cost, and the like.

As described above, in the refrigerator-freezer according to the second aspect of the present invention, the main control unit includes the conversion circuit for converting the alternating current into the direct current, and the main control unit and the sub-control unit are connected from the main control unit. A pair of direct current power supply lines for supplying a direct current to the sub control unit, a pair of alternating current power supply lines, and a single communication wire that enables bidirectional communication between the main control unit and the sub control unit. In addition to being connected, the pair of alternating current power supply lines is configured to electrically connect the power source and the respective control units via the temperature adjusting means.

As a result, the AC current supply line can be made thinner than before, and noise is less likely to occur when controlling the temperature adjusting means. Also, since the direct current is supplied to the sub control unit from the main control unit via the direct current power supply line, there is no need to provide a conversion circuit in the sub control unit, and a refrigerator-freezer that does not cause a reduction in volumetric efficiency is provided. There is an effect that it becomes possible to do.

In the refrigerator-freezer according to claim 3 of the present invention, as described above, the sub-control unit is formed on the substrate made of a metal plate and accommodated in the case, and the back surface of the substrate is exposed on the front surface of the case. It has a structure.

As a result, the heat generated inside the case can be easily released to the outside, and noise can be prevented from occurring when controlling the temperature adjusting means.

In the refrigerator-freezer according to claim 4 of the present invention, as described above, the sub-control unit has a plurality of input ports for receiving signals from the measuring means and a plurality of output ports for transmitting signals to the temperature adjusting means. The main control unit transmits a signal for initializing the temperature adjusting unit to the sub control unit, and converts an analog signal from the measuring unit into a digital signal to an input port connected to the measuring unit. While the conversion port is designated, the output port connected to the temperature adjusting means is instructed for the initial operation of the temperature adjusting means.

As a result, the main control unit and the sub control unit can be simplified and downsized, and it is possible to provide a refrigerator-freezer which does not cause an increase in weight, a decrease in volumetric efficiency, an increase in cost, and the like. Play.

A communication system according to claim 5 of the present invention comprises:
As described above, at least one of the main control unit and the sub control unit is provided with the storage unit for storing the signal and the control result of the output unit, and the signal and the control result stored in the storage unit are bidirectionally stored. The reading means for reading by communication is detachably attached to the communication means.

Thus, for example, the user of the apparatus can easily and quickly recognize the signal from the input means and the control result of the output means via the reading means, and the reading means can be used. Thus, it is possible to easily confirm the operation of the output unit and the input unit through the above.

A communication system according to claim 6 of the present invention comprises:
As described above, the signal and the control result of the output means are read out by the bidirectional communication, and the read / write means for storing the signal and the control result is detachably provided in the communication means.

Thus, for example, the user of the apparatus can easily and quickly recognize the signal from the input means and the control result of the output means via the read / write means, and at the same time, read / store. It is possible to easily confirm the operation of the output means and the input means via the means.

A communication system according to claim 7 of the present invention comprises:
As described above, the reading means for reading the signal and the control result of the output means by the bidirectional communication is detachably provided in the communication means, and the reading means manages the manufacture of the apparatus main body by the power line carrier communication. It is configured so as to be capable of bidirectional communication with the device.

As a result, the management device can read the signal from the input means and the control result of the output means through the reading means. Therefore, when manufacturing the main body of the apparatus, based on the above-mentioned signals and control results. Can control the manufacturing process of the device. Therefore, there is an effect that the device can be efficiently manufactured.

A communication system according to claim 8 of the present invention comprises:
As described above, the main control unit includes the detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the response signal from the sub control unit and the initialization unit that initializes the sub control unit when the response signal is not detected by the detection unit. This is the configuration provided.

As a result, the reliability of the communication system can be improved.

[0113]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic internal configuration of a refrigerator-freezer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a sub-control unit of the refrigerator-freezer.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the sub control unit is housed in a case.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a sub-control unit side I / F circuit of the sub-control unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a main controller of the refrigerator-freezer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a reception procedure of the sub control unit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a communication system of a refrigerator / freezer according to another embodiment of the present invention together with a schematic internal configuration of the refrigerator / freezer.

FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit diagram of the communication system.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a terminal device connected to the communication system.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the main control unit side microcomputer of the communication system records various data.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a reading procedure of the terminal device.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the terminal device prints various data on recording paper.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a reading procedure of the terminal device connected to the communication system in still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a test procedure of an operation test of various devices by a terminal device connected to a communication system in yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an I / A for management device provided in a terminal device connected to a communication system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
It is a schematic circuit diagram of an F circuit.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a main control unit of a communication system in still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a communication system of a conventional refrigerator-freezer together with a schematic internal configuration of the refrigerator-freezer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Freezing room (storage room) 3 Refrigerating room (storage room) 4 Vegetable room (storage room) 8a / 8b / 8c / 8d Thermistor (measuring means) 9a Heater (temperature adjusting means) 10 Electric fan (temperature adjusting means) 14 Electric Damper (Temperature adjusting unit) 15 Compressor (Temperature adjusting unit) 16 Condensing fan (Temperature adjusting unit) 18 AC current supply line 20 Main control unit (Control unit) 21 Power supply circuit (Conversion circuit) 22 Main control unit side microcomputer (Detection) 24) Main control unit side I / F circuit (communication means) 25 Sub control unit (control means) 27 Sub control unit side microcomputer 27b Input port 27c Output port 29 Node address circuit 32 Sub control unit side I / F circuit (communication) 35) DC current supply line 36 Communication wire (control means, communication means) 39 DC power supply control circuit (initialization means) 40 Case 50 Connector (communication means) 60 terminal device (reading means) 61 terminal device side I / F circuit 70 management device I / F circuit

Front page continued (72) Inventor Yasunari Uramoto 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A temperature adjusting means for adjusting the room temperature of the storage room, a measuring means for measuring the room temperature of the storage room, and a control means for controlling the temperature adjusting means based on the measurement result of the measuring means. In the refrigerator-freezer provided with, the control means is provided in the vicinity of the temperature control means, receives a signal from the measurement means, controls the temperature control means, and controls the sub control section. A refrigerator-freezer characterized by comprising a control unit and a communication means for connecting the main control unit and the sub control unit so as to enable bidirectional communication. 2. The main control unit includes a conversion circuit for converting an alternating current into a direct current, and the main control unit and the sub-control unit include a pair of direct currents for supplying a direct current from the main control unit to the sub-control unit. A current feed line, a pair of AC current feed lines, and one communication wire that enables bidirectional communication between the main control unit and the sub control unit are connected, and the pair of AC current feed lines is The refrigerator / freezer according to claim 1, wherein a power source and each of the control units are electrically connected to each other via a temperature adjusting means. 3. The sub-control unit is formed on a substrate made of a metal plate and accommodated in a case, and the back surface of the substrate is exposed on the front surface of the case. Freezer refrigerator. 4. The sub-control unit has a plurality of input ports for receiving signals from the measuring means and a plurality of output ports for transmitting signals to the temperature adjusting means, and the main control unit includes a sub-control unit for controlling the temperature. It sends a signal for initial setting of the adjusting means and designates a conversion port for converting an analog signal from the measuring means into a digital signal to the input port connected to the measuring means, while it is connected to the temperature adjusting means. The refrigerator / freezer according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein an instruction for an initial operation of the temperature adjusting means is given to the output port which is provided. 5. A device provided with an input means for inputting predetermined information and an output means for performing a predetermined operation, receives a signal from the input means, and outputs the output means based on the signal. What is claimed is: 1. A communication system comprising: a sub-control unit that controls the main control unit, a main control unit that controls the sub-control unit, and a communication unit that connects the main control unit and the sub-control unit so as to enable bidirectional communication. Further, at least one of the sub control unit is provided with a storage unit that stores the signal and the control result of the output unit, and a reading unit that reads out the signal and the control result stored in the storage unit by bidirectional communication,
A communication system, wherein the communication means is detachably attached to the communication means. 6. A device provided with an input means for inputting predetermined information and an output means for performing a predetermined operation, receives a signal from the input means, and outputs the output means based on this signal. A communication system comprising a sub-control unit for controlling, a main control unit for controlling the sub-control unit, and a communication means for connecting the main control unit and the sub-control unit so as to enable bidirectional communication, A communication system, characterized in that read-out storage means for reading out the control result of the output means by bidirectional communication and storing these signals and control result is detachably provided in the communication means. 7. An apparatus provided with an input means for inputting predetermined information and an output means for performing a predetermined operation, receives a signal from the input means, and outputs the output means based on the signal. A communication system comprising a sub-control unit for controlling, a main control unit for controlling the sub-control unit, and a communication means for connecting the main control unit and the sub-control unit so as to enable bidirectional communication, A reading means for reading out the control result of the output means by the bidirectional communication is detachably provided on the communication means, and the reading means can perform the bidirectional communication with the management apparatus for controlling the manufacture of the apparatus main body by the power line carrier communication. A communication system characterized by being connected. 8. An apparatus provided with an input means for inputting predetermined information and an output means for performing a predetermined operation, receives a signal from the input means, and outputs the output means based on the signal. What is claimed is: 1. A communication system comprising: a sub-control unit that controls the main control unit, a main control unit that controls the sub-control unit, and a communication unit that connects the main control unit and the sub-control unit so as to enable bidirectional communication. In addition, a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a response signal from the sub-control section, and an initialization means for initializing the sub-control section when the response signal is not detected by the detection means are provided. Communication system.