WO2012060055A1

WO2012060055A1 - Refrigerator, defrosting control device, and defrosting control method

Info

Publication number: WO2012060055A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/005738
Authority: WO
Inventors: 和典栗本; 元城中村; 敏辻村; 中谷　直史; 甲田　哲也; 俊久池田; 吉村　康男
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2010-11-02
Filing date: 2011-10-13
Publication date: 2012-05-10
Also published as: JP2012097970A

Abstract

Provided are: a refrigerator that can reduce electricity costs charged for the amount of electricity consumed by performing defrosting; a defrosting control device; and a defrosting control method. The refrigerator (10a) is provided with: a defrosting heater (8) that defrosts by heating; a defrosting-period predicted-value acquisition unit (24) that acquires a predicted value for the defrosting period, which represents the period in which defrosting is performed by means of the defrosting heater (8); an electricity-fee-information acquisition unit (25) that acquires electricity-fee information representing an electricity fee that changes over time; a defrosting time calculation unit (26) that computes a defrosting start time on the basis of the defrosting-period predicted value and the electricity-fee information so that the electricity costs charged for the amount of electricity consumed by performing defrosting becomes no greater than a predetermined fee; and a defrosting control unit (28) that controls the defrosting heater (8) on the basis of the defrosting start time computed by the defrosting time calculation unit (26).

Description

Refrigerator, defrost control device and defrost control method

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, a defrosting control device, and a defrosting control method that control the time to start defrosting.

In a conventional refrigerator defrost control device, each chamber is cooled by a compressor and a cooler, and after the operation of the compressor is stopped, a defrost heater is energized to remove frost adhering to the cooler (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

The defrosting control device of Patent Document 1 is a temperature-sensitive switch that detects the outside temperature by switching and controlling the energization to the cooling compressor and the defrosting heater that are energized by the interior temperature adjustment switch. Thus, it is selected whether to energize the timer via the internal temperature adjustment switch according to whether or not the external temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature.

By the way, there are countries that have adopted the real-time pricing system in regions where solar power generation devices and wind power generation devices are spreading. This is because midnight power contracts reduce the electricity bill at a fixed time between 11 pm and 7 am every day, while real-time pricing is real-time depending on the amount of power generated by the solar and wind power generators. The power charge fluctuates depending on the day even in the same time zone.

In the above conventional defrost control device, the defrost control is uniformly performed according to the outside temperature, and the fluctuation of the power rate is not taken into consideration. For this reason, when defrosting is performed during a time period when the power rate is high, the electricity bill charged is high.

Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 2-53707

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem, and can provide a refrigerator, a defrost control device, and a defrost control that can reduce the electricity bill charged for the amount of power consumed by performing defrosting. It is intended to provide a method.

The refrigerator which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention is the heater which defrosts by heating, the defrosting period estimated value acquisition part which acquires the predicted value of the defrosting period showing the period which defrosts with the said heater, and every time A power rate information acquisition unit that acquires power rate information indicating a changing power rate, a predicted value of the defrost period acquired by the defrost period prediction value acquisition unit, and the power acquired by the power rate information acquisition unit Based on the charge information, a calculation unit that calculates a defrosting start time at which an electricity bill charged for power consumption consumed by performing defrosting is equal to or less than a predetermined rate, and the calculation unit calculated by the calculation unit And a control unit that controls the heater based on the defrosting start time.

According to this configuration, the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit acquires the predicted value of the defrosting period that represents the period during which the heater performs defrosting. The power charge information acquisition unit acquires power charge information indicating a power charge that changes with time. And a calculating part is the power consumption consumed by performing defrosting based on the predicted value of the defrosting period acquired by the defrosting period predicted value acquisition part, and the power rate information acquired by the power rate information acquisition part. A defrosting start time at which the electricity bill charged for the amount is equal to or less than a predetermined charge is calculated. The control unit controls the heater based on the defrosting start time calculated by the calculation unit.

According to the present invention, based on the predicted value of the defrost period and the power rate information, the defrosting start time at which the electricity bill charged for the power consumption consumed by defrosting is equal to or less than the predetermined rate is calculated. And since a heater is controlled based on the calculated defrosting start time, the electricity bill charged with respect to the power consumption consumed by performing defrosting can be reduced.

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the refrigerator which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the defrosting operation | movement of the refrigerator in this Embodiment 1. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the calculation process of the defrosting start time in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the refrigerator which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the defrosting operation | movement of the refrigerator in this Embodiment 2. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the calculation process of the defrosting start time in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the refrigerator which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the defrosting operation | movement of the refrigerator in this Embodiment 3. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the calculation process of the defrosting start time in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the refrigerator which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the defrosting operation | movement of the refrigerator in this Embodiment 4. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the calculation process of the defrosting start time in Embodiment 4 of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: It is not the thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. A refrigerator 10a shown in FIG. 1 includes a refrigerator body 1, a freezer compartment 2, a heat insulating wall 3, a freezer compartment door 4, a hinge 5, a compressor 6, a cooler 7, a defrost heater 8, an outside air temperature detector 9, and a controller 20a. .

The freezer compartment 2 is provided in the refrigerator main body 1 and is partitioned by a heat insulating wall 3 and a freezer compartment door 4. The freezer compartment door 4 is fixed to the refrigerator main body 1 by a hinge 5.

The compressor 6 compresses the refrigerant. The cooler 7 cools the inside of the freezer compartment 2. The defrosting heater 8 removes frost adhering to the freezer compartment 2 by heating. The outside air temperature detector 9 detects the outside air temperature.

The control unit 20a includes a compressor operation unit 21, a defrosting period storage unit 23, a defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24, a power rate information acquisition unit 25, a defrosting time calculation unit 26, a defrosting time storage unit 27, a defrosting control unit 28, and a defrosting heater. A drive unit 29 is provided.

The compressor operation unit 21 drives the compressor 6. The defrosting period storage unit 23 stores in advance table data in which an outside air temperature is associated with a defrosting period indicating a period for performing defrosting.

The defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24 acquires a predicted value of the defrosting period that represents a period during which the defrosting heater 8 performs defrosting. The defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24 refers to the table data stored in the defrosting period storage unit 23, and acquires the defrosting period associated with the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection unit 9 as a predicted value. .

The power rate information acquisition unit 25 acquires power rate information indicating a power rate that changes every hour. The power rate information is provided from, for example, an electric power company. For example, the power charge information acquisition unit 25 acquires the power charge information of the day on the previous day and stores it in the internal memory. The power rate information represents a change in power rate per 1 kWh for 24 hours. The electric power charge fluctuates according to time, for example, every hour. This is due to the fact that electricity supply sources such as solar cells and fuel cells are installed in homes with home appliances, and that the electricity supply system to homes changes significantly due to the installation of storage batteries. It reflects the changing real-time pricing.

Real-time pricing generally indicates power rate information notified from an electric power company in advance. Real-time pricing is created not only from information on electricity charges from electric power companies, but also from past results of household appliances such as power supply sources and storage batteries, information on purchased electricity charges, and information on electricity sales. In some cases, the power rate information is displayed.

As described above, the power rate information is applied only to a certain home created not only from the power rate information from the power company but also from the past performance of the device operation information, the power purchase fee information and the power sale fee information. It may be power rate information. In short, it is only necessary to know a power rate that fluctuates depending on time, and the method of obtaining the information is not limited.

The defrosting time calculation unit 26 is consumed by performing defrosting based on the predicted value of the defrosting period acquired by the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24 and the power rate information acquired by the power rate information acquisition unit 25. The defrosting start time at which the electricity bill charged for the power consumption is equal to or less than a predetermined charge is calculated. The defrosting time storage unit 27 stores the defrosting start time calculated by the defrosting time calculation unit 26.

The defrosting control unit 28 controls the defrosting heater driving unit 29 based on the defrosting start time stored in the defrosting time storage unit 27. That is, the defrosting control unit 28 outputs a start signal to the defrosting heater driving unit 29 when the current time reaches the defrosting start time stored in the defrosting time storage unit 27, and controls to start driving the defrosting heater 8. In addition, when driving the defrosting heater 8, the defrosting control unit 28 outputs a stop signal for stopping the operation of the compressor 6 to the compressor operation unit 21. When the compressor operation unit 21 receives the stop signal from the defrosting control unit 28, the compressor operation unit 21 stops the compressor 6. The defrost heater driving unit 29 energizes the defrost heater 8 and drives the defrost heater 8.

Next, the defrosting operation of the refrigerator in the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the defrosting operation of the refrigerator in the first embodiment.

First, in step S 1, the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24 refers to the table data stored in the defrosting period storage unit 23, and is associated with the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection unit 9. Is obtained as a predicted value.

Next, in step S 2, the power charge information acquisition unit 25 acquires power charge information indicating a power charge that changes with time. The power rate information acquisition unit 25 reads out the power rate information stored in advance in the internal memory. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and the power rate information acquisition unit 25 calculates the defrosting start time. Alternatively, an external server operated by an electric power company may be accessed to obtain power rate information from the external server.

Next, in step S3, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 is based on the predicted value of the defrosting period acquired by the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24 and the power rate information acquired by the power rate information acquisition unit 25. A defrosting start time at which the electricity bill charged for the power consumption consumed by defrosting is the lowest is calculated. Specifically, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 superimposes the predicted value of the defrosting period on the time change of the power rate for a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) from the current time, and starts the period when the electricity bill is the cheapest Is calculated as the defrosting start time. The defrosting time calculation unit 26 outputs the calculated defrosting start time to the defrosting time storage unit 27.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the calculation process of the defrosting start time in the first embodiment of the present invention.

3, the horizontal axis represents time, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents power rate Y (t) (yen / kWh).

At the current time ta, the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24 acquires the defrosting period predicted value. The timing at which the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24 acquires the defrosting period predicted value is, for example, a predetermined time of the day or after a predetermined period has elapsed since the previous defrosting was performed.

Next, the power charge information acquisition unit 25 acquires power charge information (power charge Y (t) shown in FIG. 3) indicating a power charge that changes with time.

Next, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 calculates the electricity bill charged for the power consumption consumed by defrosting based on the predicted defrosting period and the power rate information (power rate Y (t)). The defrosting period Tx that is the cheapest is calculated, and the defrosting start time tb is calculated based on the defrosting period Tx.

The defrosting time calculation unit 26 uses the following equation (1) to calculate the electricity bill charged when the refrigerator defrosts. That is, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 calculates a value obtained by multiplying the power charge Y (t) by time by the power consumption P (t) required for the refrigerator to defrost the operation period from the operation start time t1 to the operation end time t2. It is possible to calculate the electricity bill to be charged by integrating at.

In the present embodiment, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 calculates the electricity cost assuming that the power consumption per hour when the refrigerator 10a performs defrosting is 1 kWh. As a result, the defrost period during which the electricity bill charged for the predicted value of the power consumption consumed by defrosting is the lowest is obtained without acquiring the actual power consumption consumed by defrosting. Tx can be calculated.

In addition, when a plurality of defrosting start times are calculated, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 may select the defrosting start time closest to the current time or the defrosting start time farthest from the current time. Moreover, when the time interval which performs defrosting is predetermined, the defrosting time calculation part 26 may select the defrosting start time nearest to the time which passed the said time interval after performing last defrosting.

Further, in this embodiment, the electricity cost is calculated without obtaining the actual power consumption consumed by defrosting, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and the defrost time calculation unit 26 may acquire a predicted value of the power consumption actually consumed by performing defrosting and calculate the electricity cost.

In this case, the defrosting period storage unit 23 stores in advance table data in which the outside air temperature is associated with the defrosting period indicating the defrosting period and the power consumption consumed by performing the defrosting. The defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24 acquires a predicted value of a defrosting period that represents a period during which defrosting is performed by the defroster heater 8 and a predicted value of power consumption consumed by performing defrosting. The defrosting time calculation unit 26 uses the above equation (1) to calculate the predicted value of the defrosting period acquired by the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24 and the power consumption acquired by the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24. Based on the predicted value and the power rate information (power rate Y (t)) acquired by the power rate information acquisition unit 25, the scheduled operation period in which the electricity bill is the cheapest is calculated, and based on the scheduled operation period. Calculate the defrosting start time.

Next, in step S4, the defrosting time storage unit 27 stores the defrosting start time calculated by the defrosting time calculation unit 26.

Next, in step S5, the defrosting control unit 28 determines whether or not the current time is the defrosting start time stored in the defrosting time storage unit 27. If it is determined that the current time is not the defrosting start time stored in the defrosting time storage unit 27 (NO in step S5), the standby state is entered, and the current time is stored in the defrosting time storage unit 27. The determination process of step S5 is repeated at a predetermined timing until the defrosting start time is reached.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the current time is the defrosting start time stored in the defrosting time storage unit 27 (YES in step S5), the defrosting control unit 28 starts the operation of the defrosting heater 8 in step S6. Control to do. At this time, the defrosting control unit 28 controls to stop the operation of the compressor 6.

In the present embodiment, the defrosting control unit 28 outputs a stop signal to the defrosting heater driving unit 29 when the defrosting period acquired by the predicted defrosting period acquisition unit 24 has elapsed from the defrosting start time. Control is performed to stop the driving of the defrosting heater 8. At this time, the defrosting control unit 28 outputs an operation start signal to the compressor 6 and controls to start driving the compressor 6.

Thus, based on the predicted value of the defrosting period and the power rate information, the defrosting start time at which the electricity bill charged for the power consumption consumed by performing defrosting is equal to or less than the predetermined rate is calculated, Since the defrosting heater 8 is controlled based on the calculated defrosting start time, it is possible to reduce the electricity bill charged for the power consumption consumed by performing the defrosting. Further, since the defrosting start time at which the electricity cost during the defrosting period is minimized is calculated, the electricity cost charged for the power consumption consumed by performing the defrosting can be further reduced.

In the present embodiment, the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24 refers to the table data stored in the defrosting period storage unit 23 and is associated with the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection unit 9. Although the defrost period is acquired as a predicted value, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, the defrosting period storage unit 23 may store the defrosting period of the previous day, and the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24 may acquire the defrosting period of the previous day stored in the defrosting period storage unit 23 as a predicted value. The defrosting period storage unit 23 stores a history of past defrosting periods, and the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24 acquires an average of past defrosting periods stored in the defrosting period storage unit 23 as a predicted value. May be.

Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the defrost control part 28 has stopped the drive of the defrost heater 8 when the defrost period acquired by the defrost period prediction value acquisition part 24 passed from the defrost start time, The present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, the refrigerator 10a further includes a cooler temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the cooler 7, and the defrosting control unit 28 determines that the temperature detected by the cooler temperature detection unit is not attached with frost. When the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature (for example, 10 ° C.) or higher, the driving of the defrosting heater 8 may be stopped.

In addition, in order to recognize the time such as the defrosting start time, the refrigerator may have a clock function. For example, the power rate information is periodically acquired from an external server or the like at 0:00, and the acquired time is set to 0:00. Since the calculation and control can be realized with only the timer function, the refrigerator may not have the clock function.

(Embodiment 2)
Then, the refrigerator which concerns on Embodiment 2 is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. A refrigerator 10b shown in FIG. 4 includes a refrigerator body 1, a freezer compartment 2, a heat insulating wall 3, a freezer compartment door 4, a hinge 5, a compressor 6, a cooler 7, a defrost heater 8, an outside air temperature detector 9 and a controller 20b. . In addition, in the refrigerator 10b which concerns on Embodiment 2, description is abbreviate | omitted about the same structure as the refrigerator 10a which concerns on Embodiment 1, and only a different structure is demonstrated.

The control unit 20b includes a compressor operation unit 21, a defrosting period storage unit 23, a defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24, a power rate information acquisition unit 25, a defrosting time calculation unit 26, a defrosting time storage unit 27, a defrosting control unit 28, and a defrosting heater. The drive part 29 and the defrost cycle acquisition part 30 are provided.

The defrost cycle acquisition unit 30 acquires a defrost cycle that represents a time interval from the end of the previous defrost to the start of the next defrost. The defrost cycle acquisition unit 30 acquires a preset defrost cycle.

The defrosting time calculation unit 26 specifies a scheduled time for performing the next defrosting based on the defrosting cycle acquired by the defrosting cycle acquisition unit 30, and defrosts within a time shift period having a predetermined time width including the scheduled time. The defrosting start time at which the electricity bill charged for the power consumption consumed by performing the above is less than or equal to a predetermined charge is calculated. The time shift period represents a period during which the defrosting start time can be shifted. For example, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 uses the three hours before and after the scheduled defrosting time as the time shift period, and calculates the defrosting start time at which the electricity bill is cheapest within the time shift period.

In the second embodiment, the predetermined time before and after the scheduled defrosting time is the time shift period, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto, and the predetermined time before the scheduled defrosting time may be the time shift period. Moreover, it is good also considering the predetermined time after defrosting scheduled time as a time shift period.

Next, the defrosting operation of the refrigerator in the second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the defrosting operation of the refrigerator in the second embodiment.

Since the processes of steps S11, S12, S15 to S17 are the same as the processes of steps S1, S2, S4 to S6 shown in FIG.

In step S13, the defrost cycle acquisition unit 30 acquires a preset defrost cycle. For example, the defrost cycle is preset to 13 hours.

In addition, the defrost cycle acquisition unit 30 may determine the defrost cycle according to the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detector 9. For example, the defrost cycle acquisition unit 30 may determine the defrost cycle as 10 hours when the outside air temperature is 19 ° C. or lower, and may determine the defrost cycle as 13 hours when the outside air temperature is higher than 19 ° C. The defrost cycle acquisition unit 30 acquires a defrost cycle that becomes shorter as the outside air temperature becomes lower.

Further, the defrosting cycle acquisition unit 30 may determine the defrosting cycle according to the state of the load in the storage such as the amount of food in the storage and the number of times of opening and closing the door. When the internal load is large, the amount of attached frost increases, so the defrost cycle is shortened. When the internal load is small, the amount of attached frost decreases, so the defrost cycle is lengthened.

Furthermore, the refrigerator 10b further includes a freezer compartment temperature detection unit that detects the temperature in the freezer compartment 2, and the defrost cycle acquisition unit 30 determines the defrost cycle according to the temperature detected by the freezer compartment temperature detector. Also good. That is, the defrost cycle acquisition part 30 determines a defrost cycle to predetermined time, for example, 4 hours, when the temperature in the freezer compartment 2 becomes 11 degrees C or less, for example.

Next, in step S 14, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 specifies a scheduled time for the next defrosting based on the defrosting cycle acquired by the defrosting cycle acquisition unit 30, and has a predetermined time width including the scheduled time. Within the time shift period, the defrosting start time at which the electricity bill is the cheapest is calculated.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the calculation process of the defrosting start time in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

6, the horizontal axis represents time, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents power rate Y (t) (yen / kWh).

At the current time ta, the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24 acquires the defrosting period predicted value. Next, the power charge information acquisition unit 25 acquires power charge information (power charge Y (t) shown in FIG. 6) indicating a power charge that changes with time.

Next, the defrost cycle acquisition unit 30 acquires a preset defrost cycle Tc. In FIG. 6, the time when the defrosting is finished is the current time, and the defrosting cycle Tc is 13 hours. When the time at which the defrosting is completed is different from the current time, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 calculates a scheduled time for the next defrosting from the current time based on the defrosting cycle Tc.

Next, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 specifies a scheduled time for performing the next defrosting based on the defrosting cycle Tc acquired by the defrosting cycle acquisition unit 30, and sets 3 hours before and after the scheduled time as the time shift period Ts. . And the defrosting time calculation part 26 calculates the defrosting period Tx in which an electricity bill becomes the cheapest in the time shift period Ts based on defrosting period predicted value and electric power rate information (electricity rate Y (t)), and the said defrosting concerned A defrosting start time tb is calculated based on the period Tx.

Thus, since the defrosting start time is calculated in consideration of the time interval from the end of the previous defrosting to the start of the next defrosting, the defrosting start time can be set to an optimum time.

(Embodiment 3)
Then, the refrigerator which concerns on Embodiment 3 is demonstrated. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. A refrigerator 10c shown in FIG. 7 includes a refrigerator body 1, a freezer compartment 2, a heat insulating wall 3, a freezer compartment door 4, a hinge 5, a compressor 6, a cooler 7, a defrost heater 8, an outside air temperature detector 9, and a controller 20c. . In addition, in the refrigerator 10c which concerns on Embodiment 3, description is abbreviate | omitted about the same structure as the refrigerator 10a which concerns on Embodiment 1, and only a different structure is demonstrated.

The control unit 20c includes a compressor operation unit 21, a defrosting period storage unit 23, a defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24, a power rate information acquisition unit 25, a defrosting time calculation unit 26, a defrosting time storage unit 27, a defrosting control unit 28, and a defrosting heater. A drive unit 29 and a power generation period prediction unit 31 are provided.

The power generation period prediction unit 31 predicts a period during which power is generated by natural energy. The refrigerator 10c is connected to a natural energy power generation device 11 provided in the home. Thereby, the refrigerator 10c is supplied with electric power from the commercial power supply and also supplied with electric power from the natural energy power generation device 11. The natural energy power generation device 11 is composed of, for example, a solar power generation device and a wind power generation device.

When the defrosting period from the calculated defrosting start time to the defrosting end time is not included in the power generation period predicted by the power generation period prediction unit 31, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 is configured so that the defrosting period is included in the power generation period. Change the defrosting start time.

Next, the defrosting operation of the refrigerator in the third embodiment will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the defrosting operation of the refrigerator according to the third embodiment.

The processing of steps S21 to S23 and S28 to S30 is the same as the processing of steps S1 to S3 and S4 to S6 shown in FIG.

In step S24, the power generation period prediction unit 31 predicts a power generation period in which power is generated by natural energy. When the natural energy power generation device 11 is a solar power generation device, the power generation period prediction unit 31 acquires prediction information related to the weather, specifies a clear time zone based on the acquired prediction information, and specifies the specified clear time The belt is predicted as the power generation period. In addition, when the natural energy power generation device 11 is a wind power generation device, the power generation period prediction unit 31 acquires prediction information about wind power, and specifies a time zone in which wind power that can be generated is obtained based on the acquired prediction information. The time zone when the specified wind power that can be generated is obtained is predicted as the power generation period.

Next, in step S25, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 determines whether or not the power generation period is predicted by the power generation period prediction unit 31. If it is determined that no natural energy is obtained and the power generation period is not predicted (NO in step S25), the process proceeds to step S28.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the power generation period is predicted (YES in step S25), in step S26, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 determines that the defrosting period from the calculated defrosting start time to the defrosting end time is the power generation period prediction unit 31. It is determined whether it is included in the power generation period predicted by. If it is determined that the defrosting period is included in the power generation period (YES in step S26), the process proceeds to step S28.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the defrost period is not included in the power generation period (YES in step S26), in step S27, the defrost time calculation unit 26 changes the defrost start time so that the defrost period is included in the power generation period. To do.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the calculation process of the defrosting start time in the third embodiment of the present invention.

9, the horizontal axis represents time, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents power rate Y (t) (yen / kWh).

Next, the power charge information acquisition unit 25 acquires power charge information (power charge Y (t) shown in FIG. 9) indicating a power charge that changes with time.

Next, the power generation period prediction unit 31 predicts a power generation period Tn that is generated by natural energy. Next, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 determines whether or not the power generation period Tn is predicted by the power generation period prediction unit 31.

In FIG. 9, the power generation period Tn is predicted, and the defrosting period Tx is not included in the power generation period Tn. Therefore, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 changes the defrosting start time so that the defrosting period is included in the power generation period Tn. As shown in FIG. 9, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 changes the defrosting period Tx in which the electricity bill is the cheapest to the defrosting period Ty included in the power generation period Tn, and sets the start time of the defrosting period Ty as the defrosting start time tb ′. And

In this way, defrosting is performed using electric power generated by natural energy instead of electric power supplied from a commercial power supply, so the electricity bill charged for the power consumption consumed by defrosting is reduced. Can be reduced.

In addition, when it is better to sell the power generated by natural energy than to perform defrosting within the power generation period Tn, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 does not change the defrosting start time, and the defrosting that reduces the electricity bill is the cheapest. The beginning time of the period is the defrosting start time.

(Embodiment 4)
Then, the refrigerator which concerns on Embodiment 4 is demonstrated. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. A refrigerator 10d shown in FIG. 10 includes a refrigerator body 1, a freezer compartment 2, a heat insulating wall 3, a freezer compartment door 4, a hinge 5, a compressor 6, a cooler 7, a defrost heater 8, an outside air temperature detector 9, a refrigerator compartment 12, and a refrigerator. The room door 13, the vegetable room 14, the vegetable room door 15, the opening / closing sensor 16, and the control part 20d are provided. In addition, in the refrigerator 10d which concerns on Embodiment 4, description is abbreviate | omitted about the same structure as the refrigerator 10a which concerns on Embodiment 1, and only a different structure is demonstrated.

The opening / closing sensor 16 detects the opening / closing of each door provided in the refrigerator, counts the number of times each door is opened, and counts the opening time when each door is opened.

The control unit 20d includes a compressor operation unit 21, a defrosting period storage unit 23, a defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24, a power rate information acquisition unit 25, a defrosting time calculation unit 26, a defrosting time storage unit 27, a defrosting control unit 28, and a defrosting heater. The drive part 29, the use condition acquisition part 32, and the outside temperature predicted value acquisition part 33 are provided.

The usage status acquisition unit 32 acquires the usage status of the refrigerator 10d. More specifically, the usage status acquisition unit 32 acquires, as usage status, the number of times each door is opened and the opening time during which each door was opened, which are counted by the open / close sensor 16.

The outside air temperature predicted value acquisition unit 33 acquires a predicted value of the outside temperature. More specifically, the outside air temperature predicted value acquisition unit 33 acquires the average outside air temperature during the daytime (for example, from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm) as the outside air temperature predicted value.

The defrosting time calculation unit 26 acquires the defrosting acquired by the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24 according to the usage status acquired by the usage status acquisition unit 32 and the predicted value of the outside air temperature acquired by the outside air temperature predicted value acquisition unit 33. Change the forecast value for the period.

When the number of times each door of the refrigerator 10d is opened increases and when the opening time during which each door of the refrigerator 10d is opened becomes long, the temperature in the freezer compartment rises. When the temperature in the freezer compartment rises, a load is applied to the compressor 6 and the amount of attached frost increases. Therefore, when the frequency | count that each door of the refrigerator 10d was opened increases, and when the opening time when each door of the refrigerator 10d was opened becomes long, the estimated value of a defrost period is lengthened.

Also, if the outside air temperature is predicted to rise, the temperature in the freezer compartment is also expected to rise. When the temperature in the freezer compartment rises, it is predicted that a load is applied to the compressor 6 and the amount of attached frost increases. Therefore, when it is predicted that the outside air temperature will rise, the predicted value of the defrosting period is lengthened.

Next, the defrosting operation of the refrigerator in the fourth embodiment will be described.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the defrosting operation of the refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment.

Since the processing of steps S31, S32, and S36 to S39 is the same as the processing of steps S1 to S6 shown in FIG.

In step S 33, the usage status acquisition unit 32 counts the number of times each of the freezer compartment door 4, the freezer compartment door 13, and the vegetable compartment door 15 is counted, which is counted by the open / close sensor 16, and the freezer compartment door 4 and the freezer compartment door. 13 and the open time in which each of the vegetable compartment doors 15 was opened are acquired as usage conditions.

Next, in step S34, the outside air temperature predicted value acquisition unit 33 acquires the average temperature of the daytime outside air temperature as the outside air temperature predicted value. In the present embodiment, the outside air temperature predicted value acquisition unit 33 acquires the outside air temperature predicted value from an external server. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the outside air temperature predicted value input by the user is acquired. May be. Moreover, the outside air temperature predicted value acquisition unit 33 may acquire the daytime outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection unit 9 in the day before as the outside air temperature predicted value.

Next, in step S 35, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 acquires the defrosting period predicted value according to the usage status acquired by the usage status acquisition unit 32 and the predicted outside air temperature value acquired by the predicted outside air temperature value acquisition unit 33. The predicted value of the defrosting period acquired by the unit 24 is changed. For example, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 calculates a value obtained by multiplying the opening time (seconds) of the vegetable compartment door 15 by a coefficient “1”, and a value obtained by multiplying the opening time (seconds) of the refrigerator compartment door 13 by a coefficient “2”. The value obtained by multiplying the opening time (seconds) of the freezer compartment door 4 by the coefficient “3” and the number of times each of the freezer compartment door 4, the refrigerator compartment door 13, and the vegetable compartment door 15 are opened are added. This added value is a numerical value indicating the degree of temperature rise in the refrigerator, that is, a numerical value indicating the degree of load applied to the compressor 6, and is estimated to be proportional to the degree to which frost adheres. Therefore, if the above addition value is large, it is estimated that a lot of frost is attached, and the predicted value of the defrosting period is lengthened.

The defrosting time calculation unit 26 stores the added value and an extended period indicating how much the predicted value of the defrosting period is extended in advance in association with each other. The defrosting time calculation unit 26 reads out the extension period associated with the calculated addition value, and adds the read out extension period to the predicted value of the defrosting period acquired by the defrosting period prediction value acquisition unit 24.

Furthermore, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 stores the predicted outside air temperature and the extended period indicating how much the predicted value of the defrosting period is extended in advance in association with each other. The defrosting time calculation unit 26 reads the extension period associated with the acquired predicted outside air temperature, and adds the read extension period to the predicted value of the defrosting period acquired by the defrosting period prediction value acquisition unit 24. For example, the defrost time calculation unit 26 adds 0.5 hours to the predicted value of the defrost period when the average daytime outside temperature (outside temperature predicted value) is 15 degrees, and calculates the average outside temperature during the daytime. When the (outside air temperature predicted value) is 35 degrees, 1.5 hours is added to the predicted value of the defrost period.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining the calculation process of the defrosting start time in Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

12, the horizontal axis represents time, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents power rate Y (t) (yen / kWh).

At the current time ta, the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24 acquires the defrosting period predicted value. Next, the power charge information acquisition unit 25 acquires power charge information (power charge Y (t) shown in FIG. 12) indicating a power charge that changes with time.

Next, the usage status acquisition unit 32 counts the number of times each of the freezer compartment door 4, the freezer compartment door 13, and the vegetable compartment door 15 opened by the open / close sensor 16, and the freezer compartment door 4 and the freezer compartment door 13. And the opening time when each of the vegetable compartment doors 15 was opened is acquired as the usage status. Next, the outside air temperature predicted value acquisition unit 33 acquires the average temperature of the daytime outside air temperature as the outside air temperature predicted value.

Next, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 is acquired by the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24 based on the usage status acquired by the usage status acquisition unit 32 and the predicted outside air temperature value acquired by the predicted outside air temperature value acquisition unit 33. The predicted defrost period is changed. In FIG. 12, the defrosting period predicted value Tp acquired by the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24 is extended and changed to a defrosting period predicted value Tp ′.

Next, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 charges the power consumption consumed by defrosting based on the changed predicted defrosting period Tp ′ and the power rate information (power rate Y (t)). The defrosting period Tx in which the electricity bill is the cheapest is calculated, and the defrosting start time tb is calculated based on the defrosting period Tx.

Thus, since the amount of frost attached changes according to the usage status of the refrigerator, the accuracy of the defrosting period can be increased and time shifted by changing the predicted value of the defrosting duration according to the usage status. , Electricity charges can be reduced. In addition, since the amount of frost attached changes according to the outside air temperature, the defrosting can be reliably performed by changing the predicted value of the defrosting period according to the outside air temperature.

In the fourth embodiment, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 extends the predicted value of the defrosting period acquired by the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto, and the defrosting is performed. The predicted value of the defrosting period acquired by the period predicted value acquisition unit 24 may be shortened. For example, when the number of times each door of the refrigerator is opened is low or when the predicted outside air temperature is low, it is estimated that frost is unlikely to adhere, so the defrosting period acquired by the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit 24 Reduce the predicted value.

In the fourth embodiment, the defrosting time calculation unit 26 predicts the defrosting period according to the usage status acquired by the usage status acquisition unit 32 and the predicted outside air temperature acquired by the outside air temperature predicted value acquisition unit 33. Although the predicted value of the defrosting period acquired by the value acquisition unit 24 is changed, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and the defrosting time calculation unit 26 is only used in the usage status acquired by the usage status acquisition unit 32. Accordingly, the predicted value of the defrosting period acquired by the predicted defrosting period acquisition unit 24 may be changed, and the defrosting period prediction according to only the predicted value of the outside air temperature acquired by the outside air temperature predicted value acquisition unit 33. The predicted value of the defrosting period acquired by the value acquisition unit 24 may be changed.

The specific embodiments described above mainly include inventions having the following configurations.

Therefore, based on the predicted value of the defrosting period and the power rate information, the defrosting start time at which the electricity bill charged for the power consumption consumed by performing defrosting is equal to or less than the predetermined rate is calculated and calculated. Since the heater is controlled on the basis of the defrosting start time, it is possible to reduce the electricity bill charged for the power consumption consumed by defrosting.

Moreover, in the refrigerator described above, it is preferable that the calculation unit calculates a defrosting start time at which the electricity cost during the defrosting period is minimized.

According to this configuration, since the defrosting start time at which the electricity cost during the defrosting period is minimized is calculated, the electricity cost charged for the power consumption consumed by performing the defrosting can be further reduced. .

Moreover, in said refrigerator, the defrosting cycle acquisition part which acquires the defrosting cycle showing the time interval after the last defrosting is complete | finished until it starts the next defrosting, and the said calculating part are acquired by the said defrosting cycle acquisition part. Based on the defrost cycle that has been performed, the next scheduled defrosting time is specified, and the defrosting start time at which the electricity bill is less than or equal to a predetermined charge is calculated within a time shift period having a predetermined time width including the scheduled time. It is preferable to do.

According to this configuration, the defrost cycle acquisition unit acquires a defrost cycle that represents a time interval from the end of the previous defrost to the start of the next defrost. Then, the calculation unit specifies a scheduled time for performing the next defrosting based on the defrosting cycle acquired by the defrosting cycle acquiring unit, and the electricity bill is determined within a time shift period having a predetermined time width including the scheduled time. Calculate the defrosting start time that is below the charge.

Therefore, since the defrosting start time is calculated in consideration of the time interval from the end of the previous defrosting to the start of the next defrosting, the defrosting start time can be set to an optimum time.

The refrigerator further includes a power generation period prediction unit that predicts a power generation period generated by natural energy, and the calculation unit calculates a defrosting period from the calculated defrosting start time to the defrosting end time. When it is not included in the power generation period predicted by the unit, it is preferable to change the defrosting start time so that the defrosting period is included in the power generation period.

According to this configuration, the power generation period prediction unit predicts a power generation period in which power is generated by natural energy. Then, when the defrosting period from the calculated defrosting start time to the defrosting end time is not included in the power generation period predicted by the power generation period prediction unit, the calculation unit starts defrosting so that the defrosting period is included in the power generation period. Change the time.

Therefore, defrosting is performed using electric power generated by natural energy, not electric power supplied from a commercial power supply, so that the electricity bill charged for the power consumption consumed by performing defrosting is reduced. be able to.

Moreover, in said refrigerator, it is further provided with the use condition acquisition part which acquires the use condition of the said refrigerator, and the said calculating part is the said defrosting period estimated value acquisition part according to the said use condition acquired by the said use condition acquisition part. It is preferable to change the predicted value of the defrosting period acquired by.

According to this configuration, the usage status acquisition unit acquires the usage status of the refrigerator. And a calculating part changes the predicted value of the defrosting period acquired by the defrosting period estimated value acquisition part according to the usage condition acquired by the usage condition acquisition part.

Therefore, since the amount of frost attached varies depending on the usage state of the refrigerator, the defrosting can be reliably performed by changing the predicted value of the defrosting period depending on the usage state.

The refrigerator may further include an outside air temperature predicted value acquisition unit that acquires a predicted value of the outside air temperature, and the calculation unit may be configured according to the predicted value of the outside air temperature acquired by the outside air temperature predicted value acquisition unit. It is preferable to change the defrosting period acquired by the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit.

According to this configuration, the outside air temperature predicted value acquisition unit acquires the outside air temperature predicted value. And a calculating part changes the defrosting period acquired by the defrosting period estimated value acquisition part according to the predicted value of the outside temperature acquired by the outside temperature predicted value acquisition part.

Therefore, since the amount of frost attached changes according to the outside air temperature, the defrosting can be surely performed by changing the predicted value of the frost removing period according to the outside air temperature.

A defrosting control device according to another aspect of the present invention changes every hour with a defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit that acquires a predicted value of a defrosting period that represents a period during which defrosting is performed by a heater that performs defrosting by heating. A power rate information acquisition unit that acquires power rate information indicating a power rate, a predicted value of the defrosting period acquired by the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit, and the power rate information acquired by the power rate information acquisition unit And a calculation unit that calculates a defrosting start time at which the electricity bill charged for the power consumption consumed by performing defrosting is equal to or less than a predetermined charge, and the defrosting start calculated by the calculation unit And a controller that controls the heater based on time.

The defrosting control method according to another aspect of the present invention is a defrosting period predicted value acquisition step that acquires a predicted value of a defrosting period that represents a period during which defrosting is performed by a heater that performs defrosting by heating, and changes every time. A power rate information acquisition step for acquiring power rate information indicating a power rate, a predicted value of the defrosting period acquired in the defrosting period predicted value acquisition step, and the power rate information acquired in the power rate information acquisition step And a calculation step for calculating a defrosting start time at which the electricity bill charged for the power consumption consumed by performing the defrosting is equal to or less than a predetermined charge, and the defrosting start calculated in the calculation step And a control step of controlling the heater based on time.

According to this configuration, in the defrosting period predicted value acquisition step, the predicted value of the defrosting period indicating the period during which the heater performs defrosting is acquired. Next, in the power charge information acquisition step, power charge information indicating a power charge that changes with time is acquired. Next, in the calculation step, consumption consumed by performing defrosting based on the predicted value of the defrost period acquired in the predicted defrost period acquisition value and the power rate information acquired in the power rate information acquisition step A defrosting start time at which the electricity bill charged for the amount of power is equal to or less than a predetermined charge is calculated. Next, in the control step, the heater is controlled based on the defrosting start time calculated in the calculation step.

It should be noted that the specific embodiments or examples made in the section for carrying out the invention are merely to clarify the technical contents of the present invention, and are limited to such specific examples. The present invention should not be interpreted in a narrow sense, and various modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The refrigerator, the defrosting control device, and the defrosting control method according to the present invention can reduce the electricity bill charged for the power consumption consumed by performing defrosting, and control the time for starting defrosting. It is useful for a defrost control device and a defrost control method.

Claims

A heater that defrosts by heating,
A defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit that acquires a predicted value of a defrosting period that represents a period during which defrosting is performed by the heater;
A power rate information acquisition unit that acquires power rate information indicating a power rate that changes with time;
Based on the predicted value of the defrosting period acquired by the predicted defrosting period acquisition unit and the power rate information acquired by the power rate information acquisition unit, the power consumption consumed by defrosting A calculation unit for calculating a defrosting start time at which the electricity bill charged for the charge is equal to or less than a predetermined charge;
A refrigerator comprising: a control unit that controls the heater based on the defrosting start time calculated by the calculation unit.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit calculates a defrosting start time at which the electricity cost during the defrosting period is minimized.
A defrost cycle acquisition unit for acquiring a defrost cycle representing a time interval from the end of the last defrost to the start of the next defrost,
The calculation unit specifies a scheduled time for performing the next defrosting based on the defrosting cycle acquired by the defrosting cycle acquiring unit, and within the time shift period having a predetermined time width including the scheduled time, The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a defrosting start time at which a bill is equal to or less than a predetermined charge is calculated.
A power generation period prediction unit for predicting a power generation period generated by natural energy;
When the defrosting period from the calculated defrosting start time to the defrosting end time is not included in the power generation period predicted by the power generation period prediction unit, the calculation unit is configured so that the defrosting period is included in the power generation period. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the defrosting start time is changed.
It further comprises a usage status acquisition unit that acquires the usage status of the refrigerator,
The arithmetic unit changes the predicted value of the defrosting period acquired by the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit according to the usage status acquired by the usage status acquisition unit. The refrigerator in any one of.
It further includes an outside air temperature predicted value acquisition unit that acquires an outside air temperature predicted value,
The said calculating part changes the predicted value of the said defrost period acquired by the said defrost period predicted value acquisition part according to the predicted value of the said outside temperature acquired by the said outside temperature predicted value acquisition part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
A defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit that acquires a predicted value of a defrosting period that represents a period in which defrosting is performed by a heater that defrosts by heating,
A power rate information acquisition unit that acquires power rate information indicating a power rate that changes with time;
Based on the predicted value of the defrosting period acquired by the defrosting period predicted value acquisition unit and the power rate information acquired by the power rate information acquisition unit, the power consumption consumed by performing defrosting A calculation unit for calculating a defrosting start time at which the electricity bill charged for the charge is equal to or less than a predetermined charge;
A defrosting control apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the heater based on the defrosting start time calculated by the calculation unit.
A defrosting period predicted value acquisition step for acquiring a predicted value of a defrosting period that represents a period during which defrosting is performed by a heater that performs defrosting by heating,
A power rate information acquisition step of acquiring power rate information indicating a power rate that changes every hour;
Based on the predicted value of the defrosting period acquired in the defrosting period predicted value acquisition step and the power rate information acquired in the power rate information acquisition step, the power consumption consumed by performing defrosting A calculation step for calculating a defrosting start time at which the electricity bill charged for the charge is equal to or less than a predetermined charge;
And a control step of controlling the heater based on the defrosting start time calculated in the calculation step.