US20200263921A1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Refrigerator Download PDF

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Publication number
US20200263921A1
US20200263921A1 US16/762,476 US201816762476A US2020263921A1 US 20200263921 A1 US20200263921 A1 US 20200263921A1 US 201816762476 A US201816762476 A US 201816762476A US 2020263921 A1 US2020263921 A1 US 2020263921A1
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Prior art keywords
refrigerator
temperature sensor
cpu
compartment
temperature
Prior art date
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Abandoned
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US16/762,476
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English (en)
Inventor
Tohru Kawanami
Fumiaki Kato
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Sharp Corp
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Sharp Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sharp Corp filed Critical Sharp Corp
Assigned to SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA reassignment SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KATO, FUMIAKI, KAWANAMI, TOHRU
Publication of US20200263921A1 publication Critical patent/US20200263921A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D11/00—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
    • F25D11/02—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators with cooling compartments at different temperatures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • F25D17/062—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators
    • F25D17/065—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators with compartments at different temperatures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2600/00—Control issues
    • F25B2600/02—Compressor control
    • F25B2600/025—Compressor control by controlling speed
    • F25B2600/0251—Compressor control by controlling speed with on-off operation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2600/00—Control issues
    • F25D2600/02—Timing
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
    • F25D2700/12—Sensors measuring the inside temperature
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
    • F25D2700/12—Sensors measuring the inside temperature
    • F25D2700/121—Sensors measuring the inside temperature of particular compartments
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
    • F25D2700/12—Sensors measuring the inside temperature
    • F25D2700/123—Sensors measuring the inside temperature more than one sensor measuring the inside temperature in a compartment
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
    • F25D2700/14—Sensors measuring the temperature outside the refrigerator or freezer

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a technique directed to refrigerators and, in particular, to a technique for efficiently controlling the refrigerators.
  • a typical refrigerator includes a compartment temperature sensor measuring a compartment temperature of the refrigerator.
  • the refrigerator starts a cooling operation when the temperature measured by the compartment temperature sensor rises above a first predetermined temperature (e.g., 4° C.), and suspends the cooling operation when the temperature measured by the compartment temperature sensor falls below the first predetermined temperature (e.g., 3° C.).
  • a first predetermined temperature e.g. 4° C.
  • Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H01-234781
  • the above configuration might either excessively cool, or not be able to appropriately cool, the compartment of the refrigerator as illustrated in FIG. 19 , depending on positions of the compartment temperature sensor and of foods and beverages newly placed in the refrigerator.
  • a not-cold object that is, for example, a canned beverage brought close to a warm room temperature
  • the temperature measured by the compartment temperature sensor rises inevitably high.
  • a place away from the canned beverage is highly likely to be cooled more than necessary.
  • the temperature measured by the compartment temperature sensor falls inevitably low even if a not-cold food or beverage is put somewhere else.
  • the temperature of a place away from the place of the cold canned beverage could exceed a temperature appropriate for the food and beverage.
  • Patent Document 1 discloses a technique to forcefully suspend cooling a refrigerated room if the refrigerated room is cooled for a predetermined time period or longer to prevent the refrigerated room from being overcooled.
  • an overcooling prevention technique which merely involves forcefully suspending cooling in the predetermined time period, is difficult to apply to foods and beverages that the refrigerator stores in various states.
  • the above technique is not applicable to a countermeasure to insufficient cooling.
  • a refrigerator includes: at least one temperature sensor; a memory storing controls for a plurality of levels; and a processor selecting a control, from among the controls, based on a temperature measured by the temperature sensor.
  • the present invention provides a refrigerator capable of efficient control over various storage conditions.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating a typical refrigerator.
  • FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating variation in compartment temperature according to a first embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a refrigerator 100 according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an operation level table 121 according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating control processing according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing for setting an operation level according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing for setting an operation level according to a second embodiment.
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an operation level table 122 according to a third embodiment.
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating control processing according to the third embodiment.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing for setting an operation level according to the third embodiment.
  • FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating a first variation in compartment temperature according to the third embodiment.
  • FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an operation level table 122 after a first user-adjustment according to the third embodiment.
  • FIG. 13 is a graph showing a first variation in compartment temperature according to a fourth embodiment.
  • FIG. 14 is a graph showing a second variation in compartment temperature according to a fifth embodiment.
  • FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an operation level table 123 according to a sixth embodiment.
  • FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating processing for setting an operation level according to the sixth embodiment.
  • FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating sensor canceling processing according to a seventh embodiment.
  • FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating sensor cancelling processing according to an eighth embodiment.
  • FIG. 19 is a graph showing a variation in compartment temperature of a typical refrigerator.
  • a technique according to this embodiment is applicable to a typical refrigerator 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 .
  • the technique is applicable to, for example, a refrigerator including a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, a refrigerator including a refrigerator compartment alone, and a refrigerator including a vegetable compartment and a chilling compartment.
  • the refrigerator according to this embodiment is directed to effective use of foods, beverages, and compartment air of the refrigerator which have already been cooled, while avoiding excessive influence of foods and beverages newly stored in the refrigerator.
  • a refrigerator basically repeats a cooling operation based on a level selected from among multiple stages of level settings.
  • the refrigerator repeats such an operation previously programmed.
  • the refrigerator sets an upper limit of the compartment temperature of the refrigerator higher (e.g., 10° C.) than usual, and a lower limit of the compartment temperature of the refrigerator lower (e.g., 1° C.) than usual.
  • the refrigerator controls a compressor and a damper.
  • the refrigerator continues the cooling operation regardless of the program setting until approximately five twenty in the morning at which the temperature of the compartment temperature sensor falls below the upper limit (10° C.).
  • the refrigerator can suspend the cooling operation regardless of the program setting when the temperature of the compartment temperature sensor falls below the lower limit.
  • the compartment temperature sensor is additionally used to reduce the risk of excessive rise and fall of the compartment temperature of the refrigerator while avoiding over-control.
  • the refrigerator according to this embodiment (i) sets the level setting for cooling the compartment of the refrigerator high if a temperature of the compartment temperature sensor is higher than the upper limit at a predetermined time point, and, on the contrary, (ii) sets the level setting for cooling the compartment of the refrigerator low if the temperature of the compartment temperature sensor is lower than the lower limit at a predetermined time point.
  • the refrigerator 100 mainly includes, for example: a central processing unit (CPU) 110 mounted on a control board; a memory 120 ; a display 130 for displaying various kinds of text and images in response to a signal from the CPU 110 ; a controller 140 receiving various commands from a user; a timer 150 measuring an elapsed time period from a time and a predetermined time point; a compressor 160 ; a fan 170 ; a damper 180 ; a compartment temperature sensor 191 ; and an ambient temperature sensor 192 .
  • CPU central processing unit
  • memory 120 for displaying various kinds of text and images in response to a signal from the CPU 110
  • a controller 140 receiving various commands from a user
  • a timer 150 measuring an elapsed time period from a time and a predetermined time point
  • a compressor 160 a fan 170 ; a damper 180 ; a compartment temperature sensor 191 ; and an ambient temperature sensor 192 .
  • the memory 120 stores an upper-limit temperature (e.g., 10° C.) and a lower-limit temperature (e.g., 1° C.) of the compartment temperature sensor 191 in the refrigerator compartment. Moreover, the memory 120 stores an operation level table 121 as illustrated in FIG. 4 .
  • the operation level table 121 according to this embodiment stores a combination of a cooling-ON time period and a cooling-OFF time period for each of the operation levels.
  • the operation level table 121 shall not be limited to the above configuration. Alternatively, as described later, the operation level table 121 may store, for each operation level, a rotation speed of the compressor 160 , a rotation speed of the fan 170 , and a combination of the rotations speeds.
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating how the CPU 110 according to this embodiment processes information.
  • the CPU 110 When a power supply turns ON, the CPU 110 reads an ON time period and an OFF time period, of a set operation level, from the operation level table 121 , sets the compressor 160 , the fan 170 , and the damper 180 for the ON time period and the OFF time period as an ON time-period timer and an OFF time-period timer, and starts to measure the OFF time period (Step S 102 ).
  • the CPU 110 determines whether the OFF time-period timer reaches a set value (Step S 104 ).
  • Step S 108 the CPU 110 sets an operation level (Step S 108 ).
  • the previous operation level is stored in the memory 120 .
  • the CPU 110 executes operation level setting processing to be described later based on the previous operation level, and sets a current operation level.
  • the operation level setting processing will be described later.
  • the previous operation level in a factory setting may be an intermediate operation level to be preliminarily set.
  • the CPU 110 Based on the current operation level, the CPU 110 causes the compressor 160 , the fan 170 , and the damper 180 to start the cooling operation in accordance with the operation level table 121 (Step S 110 ).
  • the CPU 110 starts measuring the ON time period (Step S 112 ).
  • the CPU 110 determines whether a cooling end condition is met (Step S 114 ). In this embodiment, the CPU 110 determines that the cooling end condition is met if the ON time-period timer determines that a set stand-by period has passed, and a temperature measured by the compartment temperature sensor 191 is a predetermined upper limit temperature of, for example, 10° C. or below.
  • Step S 114 If the cooling end condition is met (Step S 114 : YES), the CPU 110 suspends the cooling operation of the compressor 160 , the fan 170 , and the damper 180 (Step S 116 ). The CPU 110 starts the OFF time-period timer (Step S 118 ).
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation level setting processing executed by the CPU 110 .
  • the CPU 110 determines whether an operation-level-down condition is satisfied (Step S 1081 ).
  • the CPU 110 determines that the operation-level-down condition is satisfied when the temperature, measured by the compartment temperature sensor 191 at the suspension of the previous cooling operation (Step S 116 ), is a predetermined lower limit temperature of, for example, 1° C. or below. If the operation-level-down condition is satisfied (Step S 1081 : YES), the CPU 110 determines that the refrigerator 100 is overcooled, and turns down the operation level for one stage (Step S 1082 ).
  • the CPU 110 further determines whether an operation-level-up condition is satisfied (Step S 1083 ).
  • the CPU 110 determines that the operation-level-up condition is satisfied when a current temperature; that is, the temperature measured by the compartment temperature sensor 191 at the start of the current cooling operation (Step S 108 ) is the predetermined upper limit temperature of, for example, 10° C. or above. If the operation-level-up condition is satisfied (Step S 1083 : YES), the CPU 110 determines that the refrigerator 100 is not sufficiently cooled, and turns up the operation level for one stage (Step S 1084 ). The CPU 110 proceeds to the processing in Step S 110 of FIG. 5 .
  • the cooling operation in this embodiment is not sequentially controlled with the value measured by the compartment temperature sensor 191 .
  • the cooling operation is controlled and the operation level settings are changed based on the upper limit temperature, the lower limit temperature, and the compartment temperature at a predetermined time point.
  • the operation level setting processing shall not be limited to the one in the above embodiment.
  • the CPU 110 may turn the operation level down for one stage (Step S 1082 ), omitting determination of the operation-level-up condition.
  • the CPU 110 may turn the operation level up for one stage (Step S 1084 ), omitting determination of the operation-level-down condition.
  • the operation level setting processing may further involve determining an operation level based on an ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 .
  • the memory 120 stores an operation level table 122 as illustrated in FIG. 8 .
  • the operation level table 122 according to this embodiment stores, for each of the operation levels, a corresponding relationship between a condition of an ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 , a cooling-ON time period, and a cooling-OFF time period.
  • the CPU 110 obtains from the ambient temperature sensor 192 an ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 (Step S 106 ).
  • the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 measured by the ambient temperature sensor 192 is obtained immediately before the compressor 160 starts the cooling operation.
  • Such a feature allows the operation level setting processing to be less likely affected by a variation in the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 caused by the cooling operation, such as by heat from the compressor 160 .
  • Step S 108 of FIG. 10 the CPU 110 identifies an operation level, based on a temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor 192 , with reference to the operation level table 122 . Then, in Step S 110 , the CPU 110 causes the compressor 160 , the fan 170 , and the damper 180 to start cooling operation, based on the identified operation level, with reference to the operation level table 122 .
  • Such features make it possible to reduce the risk that the compartment temperature of the refrigerator 100 excessively rises or falls because of a variation in the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 11 .
  • the cooling operation is controlled, based on the identified operation level, with reference to the operation level table 122 as seen in the first embodiment.
  • Such a feature makes it possible to reduce the risk, and the degree, that the compartment temperature excessively rises or falls.
  • the refrigerator 100 may allow a determination criterion of the operation levels to be customized by a user through the controller 140 .
  • the CPU 110 may receive a setting command to uniformly raise by 2° C. a condition of the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 for each operation level, and store information on the setting command in the memory 120 as illustrated in FIG. 12 .
  • Such a feature allows the user to set the compartment temperature of the refrigerator to a desired one. For example, as described above, if the user provides a setting command to uniformly raise by 2° C. a condition of the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 for each operation level, the compartment temperature of the refrigerator can be raised by approximately 1° C.
  • the CPU 110 utilizes data measured by the ambient temperature sensor 192 to determine the most suitable of all the operation levels.
  • the CPU 110 may utilize data measured by the compartment temperature sensor 191 to determine the most suitable of all the operation levels.
  • the operation level settings in the above embodiments may be combined together.
  • the CPU 110 may provisionally determine an operation level with the processing in FIG. 10 , and then increase or decrease the operation level with the processing in FIGS. 6 and 7 .
  • an operation level of four is determined based on the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 between five o'clock and six o'clock in the morning.
  • the operation-level-up condition is met.
  • the CPU 110 corrects the operation level to read five.
  • an operation level of five is determined based on the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 between three o'clock and four o'clock in the afternoon.
  • the operation-level-down condition is met.
  • the CPU 110 corrects the operation level to read four.
  • an operation level of four is determined based on the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 between four o'clock and five o'clock in the morning. At the end of the previous cooling operation, the operation-level-down condition is met. However, the operation-level-up condition is met at the start of the current cooling operation. Hence, the CPU 110 determines the operation level to read four.
  • the CPU 110 may allow the refrigerator 100 to continue the cooling operation until the rising temperature falls below the lower limit temperature.
  • an operation level to be set may include an open-close control of a damper and a rotation speed of a compressor.
  • the operation level table 123 in this embodiment stores, for each operation level, a corresponding relationship between a condition of an ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 , a damper opening time period, a compressor-ON time period, a compressor-OFF time period, a rotation speed of the compressor in a normal condition, and a rotation speed of the compressor after defrost.
  • the CPU 110 in this embodiment determines, with reference to the timer 150 , whether the OFF time-period timer reaches a set value (Step S 104 ).
  • Step S 104 If the OFF time-period timer determines that a set cooling period has passed (Step S 104 : YES), the CPU 110 obtains from the ambient temperature sensor 192 an ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 (Step S 106 ).
  • the CPU 110 sets an operation level based on the operation level table 123 and results of measurement by various sensors (Step S 108 ).
  • the CPU 110 causes the compressor 160 to start operating (Step S 1100 ).
  • the CPU 110 determines a rotation speed of the compressor 160 with reference to the operation level table 123 .
  • the CPU 110 starts an ON timer of the compressor 160 (Step S 1101 ).
  • the CPU 110 opens a damper (Step S 1102 ).
  • the CPU 110 starts a damper-open timer (Step S 1103 ).
  • the CPU 110 determines whether the damper-open timer reaches a set value (Step S 1104 ). If the damper-open timer reaches the set value (Step S 1104 : YES), the CPU 110 closes the damper (Step S 1105 ).
  • the CPU 110 determines whether the compressor-ON timer reaches a set value (Step S 1106 ). If the compressor-ON timer reaches the set value (Step S 1106 : YES), the CPU 110 suspends the operation of the compressor 160 (Step S 1107 ).
  • the CPU 110 determines whether a defrost condition is satisfied (Step S 1108 ). If the defrost condition is satisfied (Step S 1108 : YES), the CPU 110 performs a defrost operation (Step S 1109 ). When the defrost operation ends, the CPU 110 starts the OFF time-period timer (Step S 118 ).
  • the temperature of the freezer compartment is expected to rise after the end of the defrost operation.
  • the rotation speed of the compressor may be set higher than usual.
  • the OFF time-period timer may be set shorter than usual.
  • the refrigerator 100 may include a mode to cancel the compartment temperature sensor 191 .
  • Canceling the sensor specifically means that the communication between the sensor and the CPU 110 , or the power to be supplied to the sensor, is shut down.
  • the compartment temperature sensor 191 is connected not through the control board but through the wiring.
  • the compartment temperature sensor 191 is exposed to an environment in which temperature and humidity significantly vary. That is why the compartment temperature sensor 191 have more reasons to fail than an element soldered on the control board does.
  • the refrigerator 100 receives a command to transit to a mode to cancel the compartment temperature sensor 191 ; that is, a command to transit to, for example, a first service mode.
  • the CPU 110 may determine whether the compartment temperature sensor 191 is in failure, based on data measured by the compartment temperature sensor 191 . If the CPU 110 determines that the compartment temperature sensor 191 is in failure, the refrigerator 100 may transit to the first service mode to cancel the compartment temperature sensor 191 . In this case, the refrigerator 100 may include a display mechanism to notify the user of the transition to the service mode.
  • Step S 302 when receiving the command to transit to the first service mode, the CPU 110 shuts down the communication with, or the power supply to, the compartment temperature sensor 191 (Step S 302 ). Then, when receiving a command to finish the first service mode (Step S 304 : YES), the CPU 110 restores the communication with, or the power supply to, the compartment temperature sensor 191 (Step S 306 ).
  • the CPU 110 does not make determination on the upper limit value or the lower limit value in the cooling end condition of S 114 .
  • the refrigerator 100 may include a mode to cancel the ambient temperature sensor 192 .
  • the refrigerator 100 receives a command to transit to a mode to cancel the ambient temperature sensor 192 and the compartment temperature sensor 191 ; that is, a command to transit to, for example, a second service mode.
  • the CPU 110 may determine whether the ambient temperature sensor 192 is in failure, based on data measured by the ambient temperature sensor 192 . If the CPU 110 determines that the ambient temperature sensor 192 is in failure, the refrigerator 100 may transit to the second service mode to cancel the ambient temperature sensor 192 and the compartment temperature sensor 191 .
  • the second service mode may involve canceling the ambient temperature sensor 192 and maintaining the communication between the CPU 110 and the compartment temperature sensor 191 .
  • the CPU 110 may preferably cause the memory 120 to store a temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor 192 .
  • the memory 120 may store the latest temperature measured, or the highest temperature measured for the last 24 hours, or the average temperature measured for the last 24 hours.
  • the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 may be obtained from the server last time.
  • a predicted ambient temperature previously obtained from the server is used as the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 .
  • the ambient temperature to be obtained from the server may be an ambient temperature measured by another electric appliance placed near the refrigerator 100 , or a temperature, of an area in which the refrigerator 100 is installed, to be obtained through the Internet.
  • the CPU 110 when receiving the command to transit to the second service mode, the CPU 110 shuts down the communication with, or the power supply to, the ambient temperature sensor 192 and the compartment temperature sensor 191 (Step S 402 ).
  • the CPU 110 determines whether the OFF time-period timer reaches a set value (Step S 404 ).
  • Step S 404 If the OFF time-period timer determines that a set cooling time period has passed (Step S 404 : YES), the CPU 110 obtains from the memory 120 a previously obtained ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 (Step S 406 ).
  • the CPU 110 sets an operation level (Step S 108 ).
  • the processing succeeding the setting of the operation level is identical or substantially identical to that in the above embodiments, and therefore will not be repeated.
  • Such features make it possible to prevent the refrigerator 10 from performing an abnormal cooling operation even if the compartment temperature sensor 191 and the ambient temperature sensor 192 are in failure. Moreover, the operation level is set with a temperature recently measured by an ambient temperature sensor. Hence, even in a period in which a temperature sensor is not available, the compartment temperature can be maintained at an appropriate temperature.
  • the refrigerator 100 including: at least one temperature sensor 191 , 192 ; a memory 120 storing controls for a plurality of levels; and a processor 110 selecting a control, from among the controls, based on a temperature measured by the temperature sensor 191 , 192 .
  • the at least one temperature sensor 191 , 192 may include a first sensor configured to measure a compartment temperature of the refrigerator.
  • the processor 110 may select a control, from among the controls, for a high level if the temperature of the compartment temperature sensor 191 rises above an upper limit, and to select a control, from among the controls, for a low level if the temperature of the compartment temperature sensor 191 falls below a lower limit, the high level and the low level being included in the levels.
  • processor 110 may continue a cooling operation until the temperature of the compartment temperature sensor 191 falls below the upper limit.
  • the processor 110 may cancel the selection of the controls for the upper limit and the lower limit.
  • the at least one temperature sensor 191 , 192 may include a second sensor measuring an ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 .
  • the processor 110 may select the control based on a past ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 .
  • the processor 110 may select the control based on a past ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
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JP2017-253767 2017-12-28
JP2017253767A JP2021042861A (ja) 2017-12-28 2017-12-28 冷蔵庫
PCT/JP2018/032575 WO2019130661A1 (ja) 2017-12-28 2018-09-03 冷蔵庫

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US20220242647A1 (en) * 2019-09-18 2022-08-04 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Transport container

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