KR100867462B1 - Lighting apparatus for refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A lighting device of refrigerator is provided to gradually increases luminance of the inside of the refrigerator and to control in order to correspond to the property of desiring luminance of the inside of the refrigerator. A lighting device of refrigerator comprises as the follows. An electric supply route supplies the driving voltage in a plurality of emitting devices mounted to the refrigerator. An emitting element driving unit(70) supplies and cuts off the driving voltage into a plurality of emitting devices according to the control signal. A control signal generating unit produces the control signal maintaining in the reduced speed range according to the speed range and the time in which the light of the emitting device the change rate is constant by adjusting the time to supply and cut off the driving voltage to/from the emitting device in order to make the luminance of the emitting device reach the target light after the base time.

Description

Lighting device for refrigerators {LIGHTING APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATOR}

1 is a block diagram of a lighting apparatus of a refrigerator according to the prior art.

2 is a flowchart of a lighting method of the refrigerator according to FIG. 1.

3a to 3c are schematic diagrams of the first to third embodiments of the lighting system of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

4 is a configuration diagram of a lighting device of the refrigerator of FIG. 3.

5 are signal graphs processed by the lighting apparatus of FIG. 4.

6 is a first embodiment of the lighting apparatus of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a second embodiment of the lighting device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating changes in light intensity of the light emitting device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is another embodiment of a graph of advertisement change of the light emitting device of FIG. 4.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

40: main control unit 50: door open / close detection switch

60: light emitting element controller 70: light emitting element driver

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a lighting device of a refrigerator that applies a light emitting device to the interior lighting of a refrigerator, and adjusts the brightness so that a user can easily recognize objects in the refrigerator.

In general, a refrigerator is a device for storing food and the like freshly for a long time in a low temperature state by keeping the freezer and the refrigerating compartment at a low temperature by using cold air.

Such a refrigerator includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant into a gas refrigerant having a high temperature and high pressure, a condenser for condensing the refrigerant passing through the compressor with a high temperature and high pressure liquid refrigerant, and an expansion valve for reducing the refrigerant passing through the condenser with a low temperature and low pressure liquid refrigerant. And a refrigerating cycle having an evaporator as a basic component that absorbs heat in the freezing compartment or the refrigerating compartment and keeps the temperature inside the freezing compartment or the refrigerating compartment at a low temperature while evaporating the refrigerant passing through the expansion valve to a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant.

Of course, the refrigerator is installed so that the door can be opened and closed in the body formed so that the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment is partitioned therein, a refrigeration cycle is built into the inner wall of the body to maintain the inside of the refrigerator at a low temperature through heat exchange between the evaporator and the air in the refrigerator. Do it.

Since the interior of the refrigerator or the freezer compartment of the refrigerator is dark because no light is made from the outside, when the user stores or withdraws food from the inside of the refrigerator or freezer compartment, a separate lighting device to illuminate the interior is required.

1 is a block diagram of a lighting apparatus of a refrigerator according to the prior art. 1 is a configuration diagram for explaining only the lighting apparatus, and descriptions and illustrations of other components (compressor, cooler, microcomputer, etc.) are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting device 10 includes a power supply device 11 for rectifying and converting a commercial AC power supplied to a home or the like into a driving voltage (for example, 12V) used in a refrigerator, and a refrigerator. The door switch 12 is opened and closed as the door (not shown) is opened and closed, and the halogen lamp 13 is supplied with a driving voltage by opening and closing the door switch 12.

Here, since a halogen lamp 13 having a rated voltage of usually 12 V is manufactured, the halogen lamp 13 can be mounted and used without changing the circuit design of the power supply device 11 or the like of the refrigerator.

2 is a flowchart of a lighting method of the refrigerator according to FIG. 1.

In detail, in step S21, when the door is in the closed state, since the door switch 12 is in the off state, it is kept in the standby state, and when the door is in the open state, the door switch 12 is in the on state. Proceed to step S22.

In step S22, the driving voltage from the power supply 11 is applied to the halogen lamp 13, so that the lighting is provided in the refrigerator compartment.

In step S23, when the door is in the open state, the door switch 12 is continuously on, so step S22 is performed. When the door is in the closed state, the door switch 12 is in the off state. Proceed to S24.

In step S24, the supply of the drive voltage from the power supply 11 is cut off.

The halogen lamp 13 operates by supplying and cutting off power, and the brightness in the refrigerator is increased from 0 to the target brightness at a time, thereby stimulating the user's vision and at the same time. There is difficulty in recognition. In addition, the lighting device according to the prior art can only be turned on / off, there is no adjustment and control means for the brightness in the refrigerator.

An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device and a lighting method of a refrigerator that gradually increases the high light intensity of the refrigerator.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a lighting apparatus and a lighting method of a refrigerator for adjusting and controlling the high brightness of the refrigerator to correspond to a desired characteristic.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device and a lighting method of a refrigerator for adjusting and controlling the brightness in the refrigerator in response to the user's use of the refrigerator.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by taking a refrigerator as an example based on the embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings.

3A to 3C are configuration diagrams of the first to third embodiments of the lighting system of the refrigerator according to the present invention. The lighting system of the refrigerator applies a light emitting device as an lighting device, and controls and controls the brightness of the light emitting device.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the lighting system 100 includes a main control unit 40 which performs refrigeration and freezing control of the refrigerator, a door open / close detection switch 50 that detects opening and closing of the door of the refrigerator, and a height of the refrigerator. And a light emitting element control unit 60 and a light emitting element driver 70 for operating the light emitting elements 60a and 70a mounted therein. The main controller 40 is electrically connected to the light emitting device controller 60 by a power transmission path and a signal transmission path, and is electrically connected to the light emitting devices 60a and 70a by a power transmission path.

First, the main controller 40 controls the overall refrigeration and freezing of the refrigerator, and is generally mounted on the upper side of the refrigerator. The power supply unit 41 is connected to an external commercial power source, and rectifies, smoothes, and transforms a driving power source (for example, 12V) required for the applied external commercial power source.

The control unit 42 of the main control unit 40 stores a control algorithm for such control, and controls to correspond to the state and situation of the refrigerator. The control unit 42 operates by receiving driving power from the power supply unit 41 (here, a voltage reducing function (12V to 5V reduced pressure) is provided, or an additional power supply unit for generating a use voltage (for example, 5V) is provided. May be).

The door open / close detection switch 50 receives a driving voltage from the power supply unit 41, and applies a detection signal according to the user's door open / close to the light emitting device controller 60. For example, when the door is closed, a detection signal of 0V (close signal) is applied, and when the door is open, a detection signal of 12V (open signal) is applied. When a detection signal of 0 V is applied, the light emitting device controller 60 may determine that the detection signal has not been received.

The light emitting device controller 60 generates a control signal Ec for controlling the on / off time of the used power applied to the light emitting device 60a according to the detection signal (receiving the detection signal). That is, the light emitting device controller 60 controls the rate of change of the brightness of the inside of the refrigerator by the light emitting device 60a according to the control signal Ec, thereby gradually increasing the brightness. The light emitting element controller 60 generates a control signal Ec, which is, for example, a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. The light emitting device controller 60 includes a light emitting device driver (not shown) therein, and the light emitting device driver controls the on / off time of the light emitting device 60a by the control signal Ec. The control signal Ec is described in detail below.

One end of the light emitting device 60a is connected to a power transmission path from the power supply unit 41, and the other end thereof is connected to the light emitting device driver. That is, the light emitting device 60a receives a driving voltage from the power supply unit 41, but the current is conducted or blocked by the operation of the light emitting device driving unit by the control signal Ec. Therefore, the light divergence (on time) and cutoff time (off time) of the light emitting element 60a are controlled, so that control is possible until the high luminous intensity of the refrigerator reaches the target luminous intensity. The light emitting element 60a may be composed of, for example, a plurality of LEDs.

Unlike the light emitting device control unit 60, the light emitting device driver 70 does not have a function of generating a control signal Ec. As described above, the light emitting device driver 70 allows a driving voltage to flow to the light emitting device 70a, thereby providing a light emitting device. It has only the on / off drive function of 70a.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the lighting system 100a includes a main control unit 40a corresponding to the main control unit 40 of FIG. 3A, and the control unit 42 of the main control unit 40a includes a door open / close detection switch ( The main control unit 40 of FIG. 3A is different in that the sensing signal is directly received from 50a. In addition, the light emitting device controller 80 corresponds to the light emitting device controller 60 of FIG. 3A, but does not apply a detection signal to the controller 42a. The light emitting device controller 80 generates a control signal Ec and applies it to the light emitting device driver 70, and also controls the light emitting device 80a.

As shown in FIG. 3C, in the lighting system 100b, the door open / close detection switch 50b transmits a detection signal only to the main controller 40b. The control unit 42b generates the control signal Ec according to the reception of the detection signal and applies the control signal Ec to the light emitting device drivers 71 and 72 so that the light emitting devices 71a and 72a are turned on / off accordingly. To adjust the high brightness. The controller 42b is a case where the control signal Ec generating function of the light emitting device controller 80 is provided together.

3A and 3B, the controllers 42 and 42a only receive a detection signal from the light emitting device controller 60 or the door open / close detection switch 50a and do not transmit it to other components. Therefore, the controller 42 and 42a do not need to be configured or controlled for transmitting the detection signal to other components. Since the number of connection terminals of the door open / close detection switch 50 of FIG. 3A is smaller than that of the door open / close detection switch 50a of FIG. 3B, it is advantageous in terms of terminal connection and cost. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the door open / close detection switches 50 and 50a directly apply a detection signal to the light emitting device controllers 60 and 80 so that the light emitting device controllers 60 and 80 quickly. It will perform the lighting function.

In the lighting system 100b of FIG. 3C, all the controls (including the control of the light emitting device) are integrally managed by the control unit 42b, and the light emitting devices (that is, the light emitting device driving units 71 and 72) are controlled by the control signal Ec. It only needs to receive and perform driving corresponding thereto. In the case of Fig. 3C, only the control unit 42b needs to employ a microprocessor, and the light emitting element drivers 71 and 72 need only employ a low cost light emitting element driver.

4 is a configuration diagram of a lighting device of the refrigerator of FIG. 3A. The lighting apparatus includes a light emitting device 60a and a light emitting device controller 60, but a power transmission path and a signal transmission path are omitted.

The oscillator 61 generates a pulse signal S1 having an ON section and a LOW section of a predetermined width, and applies the pulse signal S1 to the counter 62.

The counter 62 counts the edge (falling point) of the applied pulse signal S1 and applies the signal S2 corresponding to the number of pulses to the comparator 64.

The storage unit 63 controls the on / off time of the light emitting device 60a, and stores a pulse width setting value Ps for adjusting and controlling illuminance in the refrigerator. The pulse width setting value Ps defines a pulse width which is an on period and an off period of the control signal Ec applied to the light emitting element driver 66. The pulse width is a pulse generated by the oscillator 61. Corresponds to a multiple (e.g., integer multiple) of the individual pulses of the signal S1. For example, the pulse value set value Ps consists of the number of pulses (set value), such as 3, 5, 4, 5. The storage unit 63 sequentially transmits these setting values one by one to the comparator 64, but initially applies an initial setting value, and thereafter, the storage unit 63 receives the next setting value by a signal from the generation unit 65. The comparison unit 64 is applied.

The pulse width set value Ps is such that the high luminous intensity reaches the target luminous intensity within a reference time (for example, 5 seconds and 6 seconds), and at the same time, the rate of change of the luminous intensity by the light emitting element 60a is constant or gradually. By minimizing the disturbance caused by light divergence in the user's vision, the error is minimized.

In addition, the pulse width setting value Ps corresponds to the on time and the off time of the light emitting device 60a in sequence, and the light intensity of the light emitting device 60a is variable, thereby realizing the brightness characteristics desired by the manufacturer or the user. do. Each set value sequentially corresponds to an on time and an off time, and the pulse width set value Ps is adjusted to an on duty ratio or an off duty ratio of the light emitting device 60a. The pulse width setting value Ps may be a set of setting values at which an increase in the on duty ratio therefor is made so that the speed of changing the brightness of the light emitting device 60a is constantly increased. Alternatively, the speed of changing the brightness of the light emitting device 60a is gradually decreased after the start of the lighting operation, so that the brightness of the light emitting device 60a is performed until the light intensity reaches the target brightness, so that the brightness of the user is gradually increased. Make sure there are no obstacles in your vision.

The comparison unit 64 compares the signal S2 applied from the counter 62 with the setting value from the storage unit 63, and when the comparison result is the same as the signal S2 and the setting value, the resultant signal ( For example, the HIGH signal (first result signal) is applied to the generation unit 65. When the signal S2 is different from the set value, a result signal (for example, LOW) (second result signal) may be applied to the generation unit 65. That is, the generation unit 65 reacts only to the result signal (first result signal) when the signal S2 and the set value are the same.

The generator 65 inverts the current pulse when it receives the first result signal from the comparator 64. That is, in the case of the current HIGH section, the display section changes to the OFF section in response to the reception of the first result signal, and returns the current OFF section in accordance with the reception of the first result signal. Change to Accordingly, the generation unit 65 generates a control signal Ec which is a pulse width modulation signal having an on period and an off period corresponding to the pulse width setting value Ps.

The generation unit 65 may set the initial state to the LOW section to emit light after the light emitting device 60a has a predetermined delay time after the door is opened. This delay time is for the opening time of the door after the user starts to open the door (for example, to allow the user to store an object in the refrigerator, withdraw the product from the refrigerator, or to observe the inside of the refrigerator). Time, and there is a time to bend the waist or approach the inside of the refrigerator for access to the refrigerator.

In addition, when the generation unit 65 receives the comparison signal as a result signal, the generation unit 65 applies an output signal to the storage unit 63 to cause the storage unit 63 to apply the next set value to the comparison unit 64. The reset signal is applied to the counter 62 so that the counter 62 performs a count corresponding to the next set value. However, the reset signal and the output signal may be directly applied by the comparator 64 to the counter 62 and the storage 63 so that the above-described reset function may be performed.

The light emitting device driver 66 allows current to flow to the light emitting device 60a in the on period of the control signal Ec, and cuts off the current to the light emitting device 60a in the off period, so that the luminous intensity of the light emitting device 60a is achieved. Adjust the rate of change. However, the current may be cut off in the on period of the control signal Ec and the current may flow in the off period.

The oscillator 61, the counter 62, the comparator 64, and the generator 65, described above, can be programmed with a kind of control algorithm, embedded in a microprocessor, and the storage 63 is micro It may correspond to a storage means provided in the processor. In addition, the oscillator 61 may be implemented in hardware. When the oscillator 61, the counter 62, the comparator 64, and the generator 65 are constituted only of circuit hardware, the desired control signal Ec is actually due to an error (tolerance) of components in each circuit. It becomes difficult to produce, thereby making it difficult to control and control the brightness of the light emitting elements.

5 are signal graphs processed by the lighting apparatus of FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 5, the pulse signal S1 is a signal consisting of a pulse train having a constant on and off period (a pulse having a constant duty ratio).

The signal S2 is a signal that counts the number of pulses of the pulse signal S1.

When the pulse width set value Ps consists of set values such as 3, 5, 4, for example, the set value 3 is first applied to the comparator 64. When the signal S2 corresponding to the set value 3 is applied by the comparator 64, the resultant signal is applied to the generation unit 65, so that the control signal Ec is an off state (that is, off set time) which is an initial set value. Is maintained for the set value 3, and is changed to the HIGH section according to the reception of the result signal.

In addition, when the resultant signal is applied to the generation unit 65, the reset signal and the output signal from the generation unit 65 are applied to the counter 62 and the storage unit 63, respectively, and the signal of the counter 62 is generated. (S2) is reset, and the next setting value (ie, setting value 5) of the storage section 63 is applied to the comparison section 64. The reset of the counter 62 and the application of the next set value of the storage 63 may have a short delay period.

After the set value 5 is applied to the comparator 64, when the signal S2 from the counter 62 becomes equal to the set value 5, the comparator 64 applies the result signal to the generator 65. do. Accordingly, the generation unit 65 generates the control signal Ec changed to the OFF section according to the result signal after the ON section (that is, the ON setting time) is maintained by the set value 5.

The control signal Ec corresponding to each set value of the pulse width set value Ps is sequentially generated. The control signal Ec has a duty ratio (on duty ratio, off duty ratio) according to the pulse width setting value Ps.

6 is a first embodiment of the lighting apparatus of FIG. 4. 6 is an embodiment of a light emitting element controller 60 and a light emitting element 60a.

The lighting device includes paths P1 and P2 receiving a driving voltage through a power transmission path with the power supply 41, a path P3 constituting a signal transmission path to the light emitting device driver 70, and a door open / close detection switch ( A path P4 for reception of the detection signal from 50 and a path P5 for transmission of the detection signal to the control unit 42 of the main control unit 40. These paths P1 to P5 (or connection parts or connection points) are bundled and mounted in a module unit (female / male connector) in the form of a connector, and the power supply part 41 and the light emitting element driving part 70 are provided through wirings formed inside the refrigerator. ), The door open / close detection switch 50 and the control unit 42 may be connected to each other. The paths P1 to P5 of the module unit are a kind of connection interface, so that the assembly can be performed more quickly and conveniently.

In the lighting apparatus, the paths P1 and P2 constituting the power transmission path have at least one ground GND, and the paths P1 and P2 provide power transmission and ground to the lighting apparatus. In particular, the protection circuit section 21 is provided on the paths P1 and P2 to prevent at least one of electrostatic discharge, noise and reverse voltage. The protection circuit section 21 is provided between the varistors RV1 connected in parallel to the paths P1 and P2, between the capacitors C1 and C2 connected in parallel to the varistors RV1, and the capacitors C1 and C2. It is made of a diode (D1) connected to. The varistor RV1 is an element that is turned on when a predetermined voltage or more is applied to the paths P1 and P2, and prevents an abnormal voltage from being applied to the paths P1 and P2, and also performs an antistatic function. Capacitors C1 and C2 remove noise included in the applied driving voltage, and diode D1 prevents the reverse voltage from the lighting device from flowing to power source 41.

The driving voltage applied through the protection circuit section 21 is applied to the first power supply section 22a. For example, a 12V input is decompressed (transformed) to a 5V output (used voltage) and applied to the light emitting device driver 25. do. For example, Fairchild's LM7805 may be applied to the first power supply unit 22a, and the capacitor C10 is mounted because the power supply unit 41 and the first power supply unit 22a are separated from each other by a predetermined distance or more. C11) is mounted for stability of the voltage used. One operating voltage of the first power supply unit 22a is applied to the transistor Q2 through the resistor R5 and is also applied to the input terminal VCC of the light emitting device driver 24.

In addition, the driving voltage applied through the protection circuit unit 21 is applied to the transistor Q1 through the resistor R2. The transistor Q1 is turned on / off by the detection signal from the door open / close detection switch 50. That is, the detection signal of the door open / close detection switch 50 is applied through the resistor R1, but the transistor Q1 is turned on when the detection signal corresponding to the open signal of the door (for example, HIGH) is turned on and driven. When a voltage is applied to the second power supply 22b and the detection signal corresponding to the closing signal of the door (for example, LOW) (or when the detection signal is not received), the transistor Q1 is turned off and driven. The voltage is not applied to the second power supply 22b. Resistor R1 decompresses the detection signal. In addition, the transistor Q3 is turned on and off in the same manner as the transistor Q1, so that the controller 42 can receive the detection signal. Zener diode D2 and capacitor C3 maintain stable driving of transistors Q1 and Q3.

The second power supply 22b is configured in the same manner as the first power supply 22a, and the capacitors C4 and C5 perform the same functions as the capacitors C10 and C11 described above.

The second power supply unit 22b operates according to the reception of the detection signal of the door open / close detection switch 50, and this operation applies the operating voltage to the microprocessor 23 so that the microprocessor 23 is driven.

The microprocessor 23 performs a function including the counter 62, the storage unit 63, the comparison unit 64, and the generation unit 65 as described above, and outputs the control signal Ec to the output GP0. Is authorized through. When the second power supply unit 22b is driven to generate the use voltage, the use voltage is applied to the terminal VDD of the microprocessor 23, so that the microprocessor 23 will not operate. The operation of the second power supply unit 22b and the microprocessor 23 is sequentially performed in conjunction with the reception of the detection signal of the door open / close detection switch 50. As the microprocessor 23, for example, a PIC12F629 chip manufactured by Microchip may be used.

The resistor R3 and the capacitor C6 are RC oscillators, and apply a pulse signal having a constant pulse width to the input terminal GP5 / OSO1. The microprocessor 23 performs a function as shown in FIG. 4 according to the input pulse signal and outputs a control signal Ec. When the control signal Ec is the HIGH signal, the transistor Q2 is turned on. When the control signal Ec is the LOW signal, the transistor Q2 is turned off. Through the on / off operation of the transistor Q2 by such an operation, a voltage of two different sizes is applied from the first power supply unit 22a to the terminal OE of the light emitting device driver 24 through the node N1. Thus, the operation of the light emitting element 25 is controlled. The use voltage applied through the node N1 corresponds to a signal corresponding to the control signal Ec (a signal opposite to the control signal Ec) (hereinafter, used as the control signal Ec '). The use voltage of the node N1 (that is, the control signal Ec ') is applied to the other light emitting device driver 70 by the path P3.

The control signal Ec ′ applied through the node N1 is applied to the terminal OE of the light emitting device driver 24, and the capacitor C9 is applied to remove noise that may be included in the control signal Ec ′. Are connected in parallel. In particular, the capacitor C9 includes a plurality of light emitting device drivers 70, and a control signal Ec is applied to the light emitting device drivers 70 to increase wiring to control the light emitting devices. Since noise can be applied to the terminal OE by the control of such a light emitting element and the wiring accordingly, it should be mounted to remove such noise. Since the control signal Ec 'has a low DC voltage of HIGH (5V) and LOW (0V), the voltage level of the control signal Ec varies even with little noise, so that the light emitting device driver 24 controls incorrectly. Since it can be driven by the signal Ec ', the removal of noise is required. In addition, since the resistor R6 is provided together with the capacitor C9, the noise of the high frequency band is removed. By removing such noise, the on / off operation of the light emitting device corresponding to the control signal Ec 'is performed.

In the light emitting device driver 24, a resistor R7 for controlling the current flowing through the light emitting device 25 is connected to the terminal R-EXT, and the resistor R11 is connected to an individual light emitting device connected in series in the light emitting device 25. ) To (R15) are each connected. The light emitting device driver 24 may be driven by receiving the operating voltage from the first power supply unit 22a to the terminal VCC. The unused outputs OUT0 to OUT10 are grounded, and a capacitor C8 is connected in parallel to a path to which a use voltage from the first power supply unit 22a is applied. As the light emitting element driver 24, for example, Macroblock's MB1816 driver may be used.

In addition, the driving voltage applied through the protection circuit unit 21 is applied to the light emitting element 25. However, current conduction to the light emitting element 25 is made by the control of the light emitting element driver 24. That is, the light emitting element driver 24 can be driven by the voltage used by the first power supply 22a, and the current conduction of the light emitting element 25 is performed in accordance with the control signal Ec 'applied through the terminal OE. That is, current conduction time) is controlled to adjust and control the brightness of the light emitting element 25. For example, when the control signal Ec 'is the off signal (LOW signal), the light emitting device driver 24 causes the driving voltage applied to the light emitting device 25 to be connected to the terminal R-EXT so that the current is generated. In the case of the ON signal HIGH, the current may be prevented by shorting the terminal R-EXT and the light emitting element 25. The on / off section of the light emitting device 25 is the same as the control signal Ec.

The light emitting element 25 of FIG. 6 corresponds to the light emitting elements 60a and 80a described above.

FIG. 7 is a second embodiment of the lighting device of FIG. 4. 7 is an embodiment of the light emitting device driver 70 and the light emitting device 70a of FIG. 3A. The light emitting device driver 33 of FIG. 7 basically performs almost the same function as the light emitting device driver 24 of FIG. 6.

In the lighting apparatus of FIG. 7, paths P1 ′ and P2 ′ for connection to a power transmission path with the power supply unit 41 are formed, and a protection circuit unit 31 is provided for the driving voltage applied from the power supply unit 41. . This protection circuit part 31 is the same as the protection circuit part 21 of FIG.

The third power supply unit 32 depressurizes (transforms) the driving voltage applied through the protection circuit unit 21 to the use voltage and applies it to the light emitting device driver 33. In addition, the driving voltage through the protection circuit unit 21 is applied to the light emitting element 34.

The light emitting device driver 33 receives the control signal Ec 'from the light emitting device controller 60 through a path P3' connected to a signal transmission path receiving the control signal Ec '. In addition, the path P3 'is connected with a resistor R1' and a capacitor C5 'for removing the above-mentioned noise.

The resistor R2 'is connected to the terminal R-EXT of the light emitting device driver 33, and the resistors R3' to R5 'are connected to each of the individual light emitting devices connected in series of the light emitting device 34, respectively. The amount of current flowing through the light emitting device is adjusted.

Similar to the light emitting device driver 24 of FIG. 6, the light emitting device driver 33 may be driven by a used voltage applied from the third power supply 32, and according to the control signal Ec ′, the light emitting device 34 may be used. Control the conduction of the current to (i.e., the conduction time of the current). The conduction time of this current is directly related to the luminous intensity of the light emitting element 34.

In addition, the paths P1 'to P3' (or a connection part or a connection point) are bundled and mounted in a module unit in the form of a connector, and are respectively connected to the power supply part 41 and the light emitting device control part 60 through wirings formed inside the refrigerator. Can be connected. The paths P1 'to P3' of the module unit are a kind of connection interface, so that the assembly can be performed more quickly and conveniently.

FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating changes in light intensity of the light emitting device of FIG. 4.

The light emitting element driver 66 is driven by the control signal Ec generated by the generating unit 65 of the light emitting element control unit 60, and the light emitting element 60a is turned on / off, thereby irradiating light into the refrigerator compartment. Will be made. As described above, the control signal Ec generated by the pulse width control causes the increase rate of the duty ratio corresponding to the on driving of the light emitting element 60a to be constant or reduced.

In the case of the graph S1, it has a constant change rate during the reference time (for example, 4 seconds) until the luminous intensity of the light emitting element 60a reaches the target luminous intensity. That is, it is a case where the increase rate of the duty ratio of the control signal Ec is constant.

In the case of the graph S2, the rate of light intensity change gradually decreases during the reference time (for example, 4 seconds) until the light intensity of the light emitting element 60a reaches the target light intensity. That is, the increase rate of the duty ratio of the control signal Ec decreases. As shown, the rate of change of brightness in the interval of 1 to 2 seconds is smaller than the rate of change of brightness in the interval of 1 to 2 seconds, and the rate of change of brightness in the period of 2 to 3 seconds is the rate of change of advertisement in the range of 1 to 2 seconds. Is less than That is, the luminous intensity changes in the form of a parabola whose target luminous intensity is a vertex.

FIG. 9 is another embodiment of a light intensity change graph of the light emitting device of FIG. 4. 9 is a point different from the graph S2 of FIG. 8 having a delay period (0 to 0.4 second interval) of a predetermined time. This delay period allows for little or no light irradiation from the light emitting element 60a, taking into account the time taken by the user to move into the refrigerator compartment.

In addition, FIG. 9 includes a non-irritating period (0.4 to 2 seconds) similar to the graph S2 of FIG. 8. This non-irritating segment has a parabolic shape, but the vertex corresponds to a luminance smaller than the target luminance. The location of the non-irritating section at the beginning of the reference time allows the brightness change to minimize the stimulus to the user's vision after the user starts to look inside the refrigerator.

In addition, FIG. 9 includes a stimulation section (2 to 4 seconds), and after the non-irritating section is finished, the light intensity change speed is gradually increased so that the light intensity in the refrigerator quickly reaches the target light intensity. Since the user's vision is accustomed to the lighting inside the refrigerator during the non-irritating period, it may be included because it does not stimulate the user's vision even if the brightness change in the stimulus period is large.

9 is a result performed according to the duty ratio as shown in Table 1.

Time in seconds Duty ratio corresponding to the on driving of the light emitting element 60a 0 to 0.4 1% (constant duty) One 30% (variable duty) 2 43% (variable duty) 3 70% (variable duty) 4 100% (constant duty)

For example, in the delay period (0 to 0.4), the duty is kept constant at a small value. In the non-irritating period (0.4 to 2), the duty is varied, but gradually decreased, and the duty is also reduced in the stimulation period (2 to 4). Variable, but gradually increase. After 4 seconds of reaching the target brightness, a constant duty is maintained.

However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the above embodiments and drawings.

In the following, various aspects of the claimable invention are described. The following description forms a part of the detailed description of the present invention, and can be understood from various viewpoints and examples of the lighting device and the lighting method of the refrigerator according to the present invention. It should be understood as a minimum description and not as a boundary limiting the present invention.

The lighting apparatus of the refrigerator according to claim 1 of the present application includes a power supply path for applying a driving voltage to a plurality of light emitting elements mounted in the refrigerator, and light emission for supplying and blocking a driving voltage to the plurality of light emitting elements according to a control signal. In the element driving unit and the luminous intensity of the light emitting device to reach the target luminous intensity after the reference time, by adjusting the time that the driving voltage is supplied to the light emitting device and cut off during the reference time, the speed range of the luminous intensity change of the light emitting device and A control signal generation unit for generating a control signal for maintaining between speed regions that decrease with time is provided so as to naturally adjust the brightness of the light without stimulating the user's vision.

The control signal generation unit according to claim 2 of the present application generates a control signal having a partial section in which the rate of change of light intensity of the light emitting element increases with time before the light intensity of the light emitting element reaches the target light intensity. In addition to controlling the brightness of the light, the non-irritating area after the stimulus area is controlled to reach the target brightness quickly.

The control signal generator according to claim 3 of the claim is included in a waveform generator for generating a reference pulse having a constant pulse width, a counter for counting a reference pulse from the waveform generator, and prestored pulse width setting information. When the set value and the number of reference pulses counted by the counter match, a comparator for generating a result signal and a control signal having a pulse width according to the pulse width set value according to the result signal from the comparator. By the generation unit, the pulse width is controlled according to the set value so that the desired brightness change is made.

The pulse width setting information according to claim 4 of the filed claim is made up of at least one setting value such that the driving voltage is increased or decreased with time due to the increase in the duty ratio included in the control signal supplied to the light emitting device. The brightness adjustment is performed by controlling the duty ratio.

The generation unit described in claim 5 at the time of filing resets the counter according to the result signal, so that the pulse width modulation corresponding to the set value is performed.

The generation unit described in claim 6 of the claim is applied so that the set value included in the pulse width setting information is sequentially applied to the comparison unit according to the result signal, so that the pulse width modulation according to the set value is sequentially performed.

The control signal generation unit according to claim 7 of the present application is driven in conjunction with an open signal and a closed signal of the door open / close detection switch of the refrigerator to provide convenience to the user.

After receiving the open signal, the control signal generator according to claim 8 generates a control signal for turning off the light emitting element for a set time included in the reference time, and performs a predetermined delay time, thereby allowing the user to Make sure the lights are on after you move.

The method of illuminating the refrigerator according to claim 9 of the present application includes detecting the opening of the refrigerator door and adjusting the brightness change rate of the light emitting device in the refrigerator to be constant or decreased during the reference time according to the detection step. And a second control step of maintaining the luminous intensity of the light emitting element as the target luminous intensity when the luminous intensity of the light emitting source reaches the target luminous intensity.

The illumination method according to claim 10 of the filed claim includes the step of maintaining the light emitting element in the off state for a set time according to the result of the sensing step before the first control step.

The first control step according to claim 11 of the filed claim is characterized in that it comprises a lower control step for adjusting the rate of change of the luminous intensity of the light emitting element increases with time before the luminous intensity of the light emitting element reaches the target luminance. How to illuminate the refrigerator.

The present invention of such a configuration has the effect of increasing the internal brightness of the refrigerator constantly or gradually increasing so as not to stimulate the user's vision.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of adjusting and controlling the high brightness of the refrigerator to correspond to the desired characteristics.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of adjusting the interior light intensity of the refrigerator in response to the user's use of the refrigerator, so that the observation inside the refrigerator is convenient.

Claims (11)

A power supply path for applying a driving voltage to a plurality of light emitting devices mounted in the refrigerator; A light emitting device driver for supplying and blocking a driving voltage to the plurality of light emitting devices according to a control signal; In the brightness of the light emitting device to reach the target brightness after the reference time, by adjusting the time that the driving voltage is supplied to the light emitting device during the reference time, the rate of change of the brightness of the light emitting device is reduced with a constant speed region and time And a control signal generator for generating a control signal to maintain the speed region. The method of claim 1, And a control signal generator generates a control signal having a partial section in which the rate of change in intensity of the light emitting element increases with time before the light intensity of the light emitting element reaches the target luminance. The method of claim 1, The control signal generator includes a waveform generator for generating a reference pulse having a constant pulse width, a counter for counting the reference pulses from the waveform generator, a set value included in the pre-stored pulse width setting information, and a counter counted by the counter. When the number of reference pulses coincide, the refrigerator comprises a comparator for generating a result signal and a generator for generating a control signal having a pulse width according to the pulse width set value according to the result signal from the comparator. Lighting equipment. The method of claim 3, The pulse width setting information is a lighting device of a refrigerator, characterized in that the driving voltage is composed of at least one or more setting values such that the degree of increase in the duty ratio included in the control signal supplied to the light emitting device is constant or decreases with time. The method according to claim 3 or 4, The generating unit of the control signal generator, the lighting device of the refrigerator, characterized in that for resetting the counter according to the result signal. The method according to claim 3 or 4, The generating unit of the control signal generating unit is a lighting device of the refrigerator, characterized in that the set value included in the pulse width setting information is sequentially applied to the comparison unit according to the result signal. The method of claim 1, The control signal generator is driven in conjunction with the open signal and the closing signal of the door open / close detection switch of the refrigerator lighting device of the refrigerator. The method of claim 7, wherein And a control signal generator generates a control signal for turning off the light emitting device for a set time included in the reference time after receiving the open signal. Detecting the opening of the refrigerator door; A first control step of adjusting, according to the result of the sensing step, the rate of change of the brightness of the light emitting element in the refrigerator compartment during the reference time to be constant or reduced; And a second control step of maintaining the luminous intensity of the luminous means at the target luminous intensity when the luminous intensity of the luminous means reaches the target luminous intensity. The method of claim 9, The lighting method includes the step of maintaining the light emitting element in the off state for a predetermined time according to the result of the sensing step before the first control step. The method of claim 9, The first control step includes a lower control step of controlling so that the rate of change in brightness of the light emitting device increases with time before the light intensity of the light emitting device reaches the target light intensity.

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