JPH08285431A - Controller for refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a controller for a refrigerator capable of setting in-chamber desired temperatures in a time zone of low frequency in use during the night and the like to a level higher than preset temperatures and reducing power consumption. CONSTITUTION: A controller for a refrigerator comprises an in-chamber temperature detecting means 1 for detecting temperatures in a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, an in-chamber temperature setting means 4 for setting in-chamber desired temperatures, an in-chamber temperature regulating means 14 for regulating in-chamber temperatures to desired temperatures, a low use frequency time zone determining means 8 for determining a time zone of low frequency in use during the night and the like, and a preset temperature changing means 11 for changing the desired temperatures in the time zone determined by the low use frequency time zone determining means 8 to a level higher than the in-chamber desired temperatures set by the in-chamber temperature setting means 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator-refrigerator control device for reducing power consumption by setting a high target temperature in a refrigerator during low-frequency use such as nighttime.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a freezer-refrigerator, temperature control is performed so that foods stored in a refrigerating room and a freezing room are stored at low temperatures of about -18 ° C and 3 ° C, respectively.

In such a refrigerator-freezer, when the temperature inside the refrigerator rises, a refrigerating cycle composed of a compressor, an evaporator, a capillary tube, a condenser and the like is operated,
The cold air generated by the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator is circulated in the inside by the internal fan to control the temperature so as to reduce the internal temperature to the target temperature.

Further, as a conventional example of the technique for changing the target temperature, there is Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 64-19879. Actual Kaisho 6
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-19879 discloses an inside temperature detector for detecting the inside temperature, an outer temperature detecting means for detecting an outer peripheral atmosphere temperature, an inside temperature adjusting device for adjusting the inside temperature to a target temperature, and an outer temperature. Is lower than the reference outer peripheral temperature, the target temperature is higher than the reference target temperature, and when the outer peripheral temperature is higher than the reference outer peripheral temperature, the correction means for correcting the target temperature lower than the reference target temperature, and the storage detected by the inside temperature detector. Comparing the internal temperature and the target temperature corrected by the correction means, and comprising a comparison drive means for driving the internal temperature adjustment device, to keep the food temperature in the refrigerator constant even if the outside temperature changes, It is intended to prevent adverse effects on stored food.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, when the outside temperature is higher than the reference ambient temperature, the target temperature is set low, so that the operation rate of the refrigerating cycle becomes high and the freezing / refrigerating system consumes less energy. There was a problem that the power was increased.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a control device for a freezer-refrigerator capable of reducing the power consumption of the freezer-refrigerator while suppressing adverse effects on stored foods as much as possible.

[0007]

In order to achieve this object, a control device for a refrigerator / freezer according to the present invention comprises an inside temperature detecting means for detecting an inside temperature of the refrigerator and a refrigerator for setting a target inside temperature. A temperature setting means, an inside temperature adjusting means for adjusting the inside temperature of the freezer-refrigerator to a target temperature, a low use time zone determining means for determining a time zone in which the freezer-refrigerator is rarely used, such as at night, and the low temperature The set temperature changing means changes the target temperature in the time zone judged by the use time zone judging means to a temperature higher than the target inside temperature set by the inside temperature setting means.

The low use time zone judging means is composed of a time means and a night time judging means for judging the nighttime time zone to be a time zone with a low use frequency by the time means.

Further, the low use time zone judging means determines the illuminance detecting means for detecting the illuminance in the room where the refrigerator is installed, and the time zone in which the illuminance detected by the illuminance detecting means is below a predetermined value. It is configured by a low illuminance determining unit that determines a small time period.

Further, the low use time zone judging means is a 24-hour timer, a time zone dividing means for dividing 24 hours a day into a plurality of time zones, and an opening / closing detecting means for detecting opening / closing of a refrigerator / freezer door. The opening / closing number counting means for counting the number of times the door is opened / closed for each time slot by the opening / closing detection means, the opening / closing count storage means for storing the opening / closing times for each time slot, and the low opening / closing time slot are used. And a low opening / closing frequency time zone determination means for determining a time zone with a low frequency.

[0011]

The control device for a refrigerator / freezer of the present invention changes the target temperature to a temperature higher than the normal target temperature during a time when the refrigerator / freezer is rarely used, such as at night, while suppressing adverse effects on stored foods as much as possible. The power consumption of the refrigerator / freezer can be reduced.

Further, by changing the target temperature to a temperature higher than the normal target temperature during the nighttime by the time means, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the refrigerator / freezer while suppressing adverse effects on the stored food as much as possible. .

Further, by determining the time zone in which the illuminance detected by the illuminance detecting means is a predetermined value or less as a time zone in which the frequency of use is low, and changing the target temperature to a temperature higher than the normal target temperature, the stored food is preserved. It is possible to reduce power consumption of the refrigerator / freezer while suppressing adverse effects as much as possible.

Further, 24 hours a day is divided into a plurality of time zones, and the number of times of opening and closing for each time zone is stored, and the time zone with a small number of times of opening and closing is determined to be the time zone with a low frequency of use, and the target temperature is set to a normal value. By changing the temperature to a temperature higher than the target temperature, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the refrigerator / freezer while suppressing adverse effects on the stored food as much as possible.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of a control device for a refrigerator-freezer according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an inside temperature detecting means, which comprises a refrigerating room temperature detecting means 2 for detecting the temperature inside the refrigerating room and a freezing room temperature detecting means 3 for detecting the temperature inside the freezing room.
The temperature detecting element is composed of a thermistor.

Reference numeral 4 denotes an inside temperature setting means, which comprises a refrigerating room temperature setting means 5 for setting a target temperature of the refrigerating room and a freezing room temperature setting means 6 for setting a target temperature of the freezing room.

The refrigerating room temperature setting means 5 is "strong",
It is configured by three kinds of switching SWs of "medium" and "weak", and is set by the user selecting one of them.
It is set to 2 ° C. for “strong”, 3 ° C. for “medium”, and 4 ° C. for “weak”.

The freezer temperature setting means 6 is "strong",
It is configured by three kinds of switching SWs of "medium" and "weak", and is set by the user selecting one of them.
20 ° C for "strong", 18 ° C for "medium", "weak"
In the case of, it is set to 16 ° C.

Reference numeral 7 denotes an energy saving mode selecting means, which is composed of a switching switch for selecting an energy saving mode or a normal mode. Reference numeral 8 is a low use time zone judging means, which comprises a time means 9 and a night time judging means 10. The nighttime determination means 10 determines from 22:00 to 4:00 the next morning as a low use time zone (nighttime). Reference numeral 11 is a set temperature changing means, which comprises a refrigerating room temperature changing means 12 and a freezing room temperature changing means 13.

The refrigerating room temperature changing means 12 sets the refrigerating room temperature to 1 in the energy saving mode and in the low use time zone (nighttime).
℃ up. For example, in the case of "medium" setting, the setting is 4 ° C. The freezer compartment temperature changing means 13 increases the set temperature of the freezer compartment by 1 ° C. in the energy saving mode and in the low use time zone (nighttime). For example, in the case of "medium" setting, the setting is 17 ° C. Reference numeral 14 denotes an inside temperature adjusting means, which is composed of a refrigerating room temperature adjusting means 15 and a freezing room temperature adjusting means 16.

The refrigerating compartment temperature adjusting means 15 compares the refrigerating compartment temperature with the refrigerating compartment set temperature and controls the opening / closing of the refrigerating compartment damper 17 provided in the cold air introducing passage for introducing the cool air from the freezing compartment to adjust the refrigerating compartment temperature. To do. The freezer compartment temperature adjusting means 16 compares the freezer compartment temperature with the freezer compartment set temperature and controls ON / OFF of the compressor 18 and the internal fan 19 to adjust the freezer compartment temperature.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the refrigerator-freezer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, 20 is a freezer-refrigerator main body, 21 is a refrigerating room, and 22 is a freezing room. The refrigerating compartment 21 detects the refrigerating compartment temperature by means of the refrigerating compartment temperature detecting means 2, and when the temperature is equal to or higher than the set temperature, the refrigerating compartment damper provided in the cool air introducing passage 23 is opened to guide the cool air to the refrigerating compartment 21. On the contrary, when the temperature is lower than the set temperature, the refrigerator damper is closed to shut off the cool air.

The freezer compartment 22 detects the freezer compartment temperature by the freezer compartment temperature detecting means 3, and when the temperature is higher than the set temperature, the compressor 18 is used.
Then, the internal fan 19 is turned on and the cool air generated in the evaporator 24 is sent to the freezer compartment 23. On the contrary, when the temperature is lower than the set temperature, the compressor 18 and the internal fan 19 are turned off.

FIG. 3 is a piping diagram of the refrigerating cycle of the refrigerator / freezer of the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 25 denotes a refrigerating cycle, which includes a compressor 18, a condenser 26, a capillary tube 27, and an evaporator 24. Evaporator 2
The cold air generated in 4 is sent to the inside by the internal fan 19.

An operation example of the above configuration will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the first embodiment of the present invention.

In step 101, it is determined whether the energy saving mode is set. If the energy saving mode is set, the current time is input in step 102. In step 103, it is determined whether or not the current time is between 22:00 and 4:00 (night), and if it is night, the process proceeds to steps 104 and 105 to raise the freezer compartment set temperature by 1 ° C. and the refrigerator compartment set temperature by 2 ° C.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 101 that the mode is not the energy saving mode, or if it is determined in step 103 that it is not nighttime, the process proceeds to step 106, and the freezer compartment set temperature and the refrigerator compartment set temperature are returned to the original set temperatures.

As described above, the present embodiment is provided with the low use time zone determining means 8 including the time means 9 and the night time determining means 10 and the energy saving mode selecting means 7, and in the energy saving mode, the low use time zone (at night). ), The refrigerating room set temperature is changed to 1 ° C. and the freezing room set temperature is changed to 2 ° C. higher than the normal set temperature.

However, the temperature is returned to the normal set temperature during times other than the low usage time (nighttime). As a result, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the refrigerator / freezer while suppressing the adverse effects on the stored food as much as possible.

A second embodiment of the control device for a refrigerator-freezer according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 28 is a low usage time zone judging means, which comprises an illuminance detecting means 29 provided on the front surface of the refrigerator-freezer 20 for detecting the brightness of the room, a 1-hour timer 30, and a low illuminance judging means 31.

The low illuminance judging means 31 has a predetermined value of the brightness of the room corresponding to nighttime, and if the indoor illuminance detected by the illuminance detecting means 29 is below the predetermined value, the one-hour timer 3
When the count of 0 is started and the brightness below the predetermined value continues for 1 hour, it is determined to be a low usage time zone (nighttime).

An operation example of the above configuration will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the second embodiment of the present invention.

In step 201, it is judged whether the mode is the energy saving mode. If the mode is the energy saving mode, the indoor illuminance is detected in step 202. In step 203, it is determined whether the illuminance is continuously lower than a predetermined value for 1 hour or more and is in a low use time zone (night). Increase by 2 ℃ only.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 201 that the mode is not the energy saving mode, or if it is determined in step 203 that it is not nighttime, the process proceeds to step 206 and the freezer compartment set temperature and the refrigerator compartment set temperature are returned to the original set temperatures.

As described above, in this embodiment, the illuminance detecting means 2
9 and 1 hour timer 30 and low illuminance determination means 31 is provided with a low usage time zone determination means 28 and an energy saving mode selection means 7, and the refrigerating room set temperature is set in the energy saving mode during a low usage time zone (night). 1 ℃, change the freezer setting temperature by 2 ℃ to a temperature higher than the normal setting temperature.

However, the temperature is returned to the normal set temperature during times other than the low usage time (nighttime). As a result, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the refrigerator / freezer while suppressing the adverse effects on the stored food as much as possible.

A third embodiment of the control device for a refrigerator-freezer according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 32 denotes a low usage time period determination means, which is a 2-hour timer 33 and a 24-hour day is 12 hours every 2 hours.
Time zone dividing means 34 for dividing into blocks, opening / closing detecting means 35 for detecting opening / closing of a refrigerator or freezer door, opening / closing number counting means 36 for counting the number of times of opening / closing of each block, and each block In addition, the opening / closing frequency storing means for storing the number of times of opening / closing of the door for the last 10 days, the averaging means for each time zone 38 for averaging the opening / closing times for 5 days for each block, and each averaged It comprises a low opening / closing number time zone determination means 39 for determining a low opening / closing number time zone from the number of opening / closing times for each block. Low opening / closing frequency time zone determination means 39
Is low usage when there are 3 or more low open / closed blocks with an averaged open / closed number of 1 or less for each block in 3 consecutive blocks or more, and the current time block is 1 block among them. Determined as a time zone (night).

An operation example of the above configuration will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the third embodiment of the present invention.

First, in step 301, 24 hours is divided into 12 blocks every 2 hours, and in step 302, the counting of the 2 hour timer of the first block is started. Next, at step 303, it is determined whether the door of the refrigerating room or the freezing room is opened or closed. If the door is opened or closed, the number of times the door of the first block is opened / closed is counted up (integrated) once at step 304. If it is not opened or closed, the process proceeds to step 305. Step 305
At step 306, it is determined whether or not the count of the two-hour timer has ended. If it has ended, the number of times of opening and closing the door of the target first block is stored, and if it has not ended, the routine proceeds to step 309.

At this time, the memory of the number of times of opening and closing the door of the same block 5 days before is abandoned, and the number of times of opening and closing the door for the last 5 days is stored.

Then, in step 307, 5 in the same block
Calculate and store the average number of times the doors are opened / closed per day
At 08, the 2-hour timer of the second block, which is the next block, starts counting.

In step 309, it is determined whether or not the energy saving mode is set. If the energy saving mode is set, in step 310, the current target block has the averaged number of times of opening and closing the door consecutively 3.
1 out of blocks with a low opening / closing frequency of more than 1 block and less than 1 block
It is determined whether or not the block is in a low use time zone (nighttime), and if it is nighttime, the process proceeds to steps 311, 312 to increase the freezer compartment set temperature by 1 ° C. and the refrigerator compartment set temperature by 2 ° C.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 309 that the mode is not the energy saving mode, or if it is determined in step 310 that it is not nighttime, the process proceeds to step 313, and the freezer compartment set temperature and the refrigerator compartment set temperature are returned to the original set temperatures.

As described above, this embodiment uses the 2-hour timer 3
3, a time zone dividing means 34 for dividing 24 hours a day into 12 blocks every 2 hours, an opening / closing detecting means 35 for detecting opening / closing of a refrigerator or freezer door, and a number of times the door is opened / closed for each block. The opening / closing frequency counting means 36 for counting, the opening / closing frequency storing means for storing the opening / closing frequency of the door for each block for the last 10 days, and the time period for averaging the opening / closing frequency for 5 days for each block 32, which includes an averaging means 38 and a low opening / closing frequency time zone determining means 39 for determining a low opening / closing frequency time zone from the averaged opening / closing times for each block, is a low usage time zone determination means and energy saving. Equipped with mode selection means 7 for energy saving mode and low use time (night)
In order to change the setting temperature of the refrigerating room to 1 ° C. and the setting temperature of the freezing room to 2 ° C.

However, the temperature is returned to the normal set temperature during the time period other than the low use time period (nighttime). As a result, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the refrigerator / freezer while suppressing the adverse effects on the stored food as much as possible.

[0049]

As described above, the control device for a refrigerator / freezer according to the present invention comprises: an inside temperature detecting means for detecting the inside temperature of the refrigerator / freezer; an inside temperature setting means for setting a target inside temperature; Inside temperature controlling means for adjusting the inside temperature of the freezer-refrigerator to a target temperature, low use time zone determining means for determining a time zone in which the use of the freezer refrigerator is low, such as night, and low use time zone determining means Since it is composed of a set temperature changing means for changing the target temperature of the time zone determined in 1. to a temperature higher than the target inside temperature set by the inside temperature setting means, the frequency of use of the refrigerator-freezer at night, etc. By changing the target temperature to a temperature higher than the normal target temperature during a time period in which the temperature is low, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the refrigerator / freezer while suppressing the adverse effect on the stored food as much as possible.

Further, the low use time zone judging means of the control device for the refrigerator / freezer of the present invention comprises the time means and the night time judging means for judging the night time zone by the time means to be a time zone of low use frequency. Therefore, by changing the target temperature to a temperature higher than the normal target temperature during the night time by the time means, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the refrigerator / freezer while suppressing the adverse effect on the stored food as much as possible. You can

Further, the low usage time period judging means of the control device of the refrigerator / freezer of the present invention is an illuminance detecting means for detecting the illuminance in the room where the refrigerator / freezer is installed, and the illuminance detected by the illuminance detecting means is predetermined. Since it is composed of a low illuminance determination means for determining a time zone below a value as a time zone with a low frequency of use, a time zone where the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means is a predetermined value or less is a time zone with a low frequency of use. By determining that the target temperature is higher than the normal target temperature, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the refrigerator / freezer while suppressing the adverse effect on the stored food as much as possible.

Further, the low use time zone judging means of the control device for the refrigerator / freezer of the present invention is a 24-hour timer, a time zone dividing means for dividing 24 hours a day into a plurality of time zones, and a door of the refrigerator / freezer. An opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing, an opening / closing count means for counting the number of times the door is opened / closed for each time zone by the opening / closing detection means, and an opening / closing count storage means for storing the opening / closing count for each time zone. , A low opening / closing frequency time zone determining means for determining a low opening / closing frequency time zone as a time zone of low use frequency. Therefore, 24 hours a day are divided into a plurality of time zones. By storing the number of times of opening and closing, it is determined that the time zone with a small number of times of opening and closing is a time zone with a low frequency of use, and by changing the target temperature to a temperature higher than the normal target temperature, while suppressing adverse effects on stored food as much as possible, Freezer refrigerator It is possible to reduce power consumption.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the refrigerator-freezer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a piping diagram of the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator / freezer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Storage temperature detection means 4 Storage temperature setting means 8, 28, 32 Low usage time zone determination means 9 Time means 10 Night time determination means 11 Set temperature changing means 14 Storage temperature adjustment means 29 Illuminance detection 31 Low illuminance determination means 33 2-hour timer 34 Time zone dividing means 35 Opening / closing detecting means 36 Opening / closing frequency counting means 37 Opening / closing frequency storing means for each time zone 39 Low switching frequency time zone determining means

Front page continued (72) Inventor Yasuki Hamano 4-2-5 Takaida Hondori, Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Refrigerator Co., Ltd. (72) Shinichi Kanaoka 4-5-2 Takaida Hondori, Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture No. Matsushita Refrigerator Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshitaka Kubota 4-5 Takada Hondori, Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Refrigerator Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kenichi Morishita 4-Chome Takaidamoto-dori, Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture No. 5 inside Matsushita Cold Machinery Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An inside temperature detecting means for detecting an inside temperature of a refrigerator / freezer, an inside temperature setting means for setting a target inside temperature, and an inside for adjusting the inside temperature of the refrigerator / freezer to a target temperature. Temperature control means, low use time zone determination means for determining a time zone in which the refrigerator / freezer is less frequently used such as nighttime, and target temperature in the time zone determined by the low use time zone determination means are set to the inside temperature. And a set temperature changing means for changing the temperature to a temperature higher than the target internal temperature set by the means. 2. The low usage time zone judging means is a time means,
2. The refrigerator-freezer control device according to claim 1, further comprising nighttime determination means for determining the nighttime time zone to be a time zone with a low frequency of use by the time means. 3. The low usage time period judging means includes an illuminance detecting means for detecting illuminance in a room in which a refrigerator-freezer is installed,
The refrigerator / freezer control device according to claim 1, further comprising: a low illuminance determination unit that determines a time period in which the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value, as a time period in which the frequency of use is low. 4. The low use time zone determination means includes a 24-hour timer, a time zone division means for dividing 24 hours a day into a plurality of time zones, and an opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of a refrigerator / freezer door. The opening / closing number counting means for counting the number of times the door is opened / closed for each time slot by the opening / closing detection means, the opening / closing count storage means for storing the opening / closing times for each time slot, and the low opening / closing time slot are used. 2. A low opening / closing frequency time zone determination means for determining a time zone with a low frequency.
The control device for the refrigerator-freezer described.