WO2016000466A1

WO2016000466A1 - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2016000466A1
Application number: PCT/CN2015/075150
Authority: WO
Inventors: 丰嶋昌志; 尾花范昭
Original assignee: 海尔亚洲国际株式会社; 青岛海尔股份有限公司
Priority date: 2014-06-30
Filing date: 2015-03-26
Publication date: 2016-01-07
Also published as: JP6378950B2; CN105408709A; JP2016011798A; CN105408709B

Abstract

A refrigerator (10) comprises: a refrigerator main body (12), a storage room being defined in the refrigerator main body (12); a door (24), pivotally supported in an opening portion of a front surface of the refrigerator main body (12) in an open or closed manner, and used for covering the opening portion of the front surface; an opening and closing apparatus (32), configured to open or close the door (24) relative to the refrigerator main body (12); and an angle detection apparatus, configured to detect the angle of opening or closing the door (24) by the opening and closing apparatus (32). The opening and closing apparatus (32) changes, according to the angle detected by the angle detection apparatus, the speed of opening or closing the door.

Description

refrigerator

Technical field

The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a front surface opening portion pivotally supported by a refrigerator main body and an opening for covering a front surface opening portion.

Background technique

In the prior art, the door of such a refrigerator is usually manually opened and closed to access food or the like in the storage compartment. However, in the case of a large-sized refrigerator, there is a problem that the door opening operation is laborious for children and the elderly who are less powerful because of the increased weight of the door and the food and the like stored in the storage rack inside the door. For this reason, it is known that the refrigerator is provided with an opening and closing device that automatically opens and closes the door with respect to the main body of the refrigerator by operating an operation member such as a switch (for example, refer to Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-23249).

In the above-described refrigerator, the motor of the opening and closing device can be rotated in the forward and reverse directions by the operating member, and the rotation of the motor output can be transmitted to the pivot mechanism of the door via the reduction transmission mechanism, so that the door can be automatically opened and closed. In addition, by providing a clutch mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the motor output, the door can be manually opened and closed even in the event of a power failure.

Further, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei No. 3-295991) discloses a technique of measuring the angle at which the door is opened in the case where the refrigerator door is opened. Referring to Figure 9 of the document and its illustrative portion, the light sensor 9 is used to measure the opening angle of the door 2R.

However, in the invention described in the above Patent Document 1, the mechanism for automatically opening and closing the door is provided. However, since the member for adjusting the opening and closing speed is not provided, the smooth opening and closing of the door is not always possible.

Further, in the invention described in Patent Document 2, when the opening angle of the door is detected by the photosensor, if the opening angle of the door is large, the opening angle of the door may not be measured because the light is difficult to be sensed.

Summary of the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which has different opening and closing speeds according to an opening angle of a door, thereby enabling the door to be smoothly opened and closed smoothly.

The refrigerator of the present invention comprises: a refrigerator main body, the inside of which defines a storage compartment; the door, the openable and closeable pivot a front surface opening portion of the refrigerator main body for covering the front surface opening portion; an opening and closing device configured to open and close the door with respect to the refrigerator main body; and an angle detecting device configured to be paired The opening and closing device detects an angle at which the door is opened and closed; wherein the opening and closing device changes an opening and closing speed of the door according to the angle detected by the angle detecting device.

According to the present invention, since the opening and closing speed of the door is changed based on the detection of the door opening angle by the angle detecting device, the opening and closing operation of the door by the opening and closing device can be made smoother.

DRAWINGS

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a refrigerator of the present invention, wherein (A) is a perspective view showing the entire refrigerator, and (B) is a partially enlarged perspective view showing an upper end portion of the refrigerator.

Fig. 2 is a view showing a refrigerator of the present invention, wherein (A) is a plan view showing the opening and closing device, and (B) is a perspective view showing the opening and closing device.

Fig. 3 is a view showing the refrigerator of the present invention, wherein (A) and (B) are perspective views showing gears in the opening and closing device, and (C) to (E) are perspective views showing the gears in a combined state.

Fig. 4 is a view showing the refrigerator of the present invention, wherein (A) to (F) are plan views showing a process of opening and closing the door by the opening and closing device.

Fig. 5 is a view showing a refrigerator of the present invention, showing a block diagram of a control device for controlling an opening and closing device.

Fig. 6 is a view showing a refrigerator of the present invention, wherein (A) is a perspective view showing a structure of an opening and closing device and a resistor, and (B) is a graph showing a relationship between an opening angle of the door and a resistance value.

Fig. 7 is a view showing the refrigerator of the present invention, showing an operation flow chart for opening and closing the door by the opening and closing device.

Fig. 8 is a view showing the refrigerator of the present invention, showing an operation flow chart for opening and closing the door by the opening and closing device.

Fig. 9 is a view showing a refrigerator of the present invention, showing a speed graph in which a door is opened and closed by an opening and closing device.

The reference numerals used in the figure are as follows:

10-refrigerator, 12-insulation box, 14-refrigerator, 16-resistor, 17-turn,

18-upper freezer, 20-lower freezer, 22-vegetable room, 24-door, 26-gate, 28-door,

30-door, 32-opening device, 34-opening device, 35-power transmission mechanism, 36-motor,

37-spring, 38-first gear, 40-second gear, 42-third gear, 44-fourth gear,

46-fifth gear, 48-first connecting plate, 49-abutment, 50-second connecting plate,

51- abutment, 52-third connection plate, 53-abutment, 54-fourth connection plate,

55-abutment, 56-clutch mechanism, 57-pushing portion, 58-concave portion, 60-concave meshing portion,

62-convex engaging portion, 64-inclined surface, 66-inclined surface, 68-inclined surface, 70-inclined surface,

72-support plate, 74-switch, 76-microphone, 78-camera, 80-position sensor,

82-control device, 84-load sensor, 86-electromagnetic coil,

V0, V1, V2, V3-speed.

detailed description

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(A) in Fig. 1 is a perspective view integrally showing the refrigerator 10, and (B) in Fig. 1 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing an upper end portion of the refrigerator 10.

In the following description, the structure and action of each component will be described using the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction, wherein the X direction represents the width direction of the refrigerator 10, and the Y direction represents the front and rear direction (depth direction) of the refrigerator, and the Z direction. The up and down direction of the refrigerator 10 is indicated.

Referring to (A) of FIG. 1, the refrigerator 10 has a heat insulating box 12 as a refrigerator main body, and a storage compartment for storing foods and the like is formed in the heat insulating box 12. The interior of the storage compartment can be divided into a plurality of storage compartments depending on the storage temperature and the use. The uppermost layer is the refrigerating compartment 14, the lower layer is the upper freezing compartment 18, the lower layer is the lower freezing compartment 20, and the lowermost layer is the vegetable compartment 22.

The front surface of the heat insulating box 12 is opened, and an openable door 24 or the like is provided in each opening corresponding to each storage chamber. The door 24 is for closing the front surface of the refrigerating chamber 14, and the upper and lower sides of the +X side end portion of the door 24 are rotatably supported by the heat insulating box 12 by a pair of upper and lower pivot mechanisms.

Further, the door 26, the door 28, and the door 30 are drawer type doors that are respectively supported by the heat insulating box 12 so as to be able to be pulled in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 10.

The heat insulation box 12 is composed of an outer box, an inner box and a heat insulating material, wherein the outer box is made of steel plate, the inner box is made of synthetic resin and has a gap with the inner side of the outer box, and the heat insulating material is foamed. A polyurethane which is filled in a gap between the outer box and the inner box by a foaming process. The door 24 or the like can also adopt the same heat insulating structure as the heat insulating box 12.

Referring to (B) of Fig. 1, an opening and closing device 32 is provided on the side of the pivoting mechanism of the door 24 at the upper portion of the heat insulating box 12, and an opening device 34 is provided on the opening end side of the door 24.

As will be described in detail below, the opening and closing device 32 has a door 24 according to the needs of the user. The function of opening and closing, the opening device 34 has a function of assisting the initial operation of the opening operation of the door 24 in accordance with the needs of the user. In the refrigerator 10 of the present embodiment, the door 24 can be manually opened and closed by operating the handle; and the door 24 can be automatically opened and closed by using the opening and closing device 32 and the opening device 34. Further, if the opening and closing operation of the door 24 can be realized only by the opening and closing device 32, the opening device 34 can be omitted. Here, the opening and closing device 32 is covered by a cover which is molded into a box shape by a plastic material or the like.

The above-described opening and closing device 32 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a view showing the opening and closing device 32, and FIG. 3 is a view showing a part of the members constituting the opening and closing device 32.

Referring to (A) of FIG. 2, the opening and closing device 32 includes a power transmission mechanism 35 mounted to the refrigerator main body, a motor 36 rotatable in the forward and reverse directions, which applies a driving force to the power transmission mechanism 35, and a clutch mechanism 56. The motor 36 and the power transmission mechanism 35 are connected or disconnected in a controlled manner; and the first connecting plate 48 and the like are connected at one end to the door 24 (see (B) in FIG. 1) and at the other end to the power transmission mechanism.

The power transmission mechanism 35 is constituted by a plurality of gears such as the first gear 38, and is used for decelerating the rotation of the output of the motor 36, and transmits the rotation to the first connecting plate 48 or the like.

The first gear 38 is coupled to a motor that is formed with helical teeth on the surface of the drive shaft whose axis extends in the Y direction. That is, the first gear 38 is a so-called screw in this embodiment; as can be understood by those skilled in the art, the screw can also be considered as a special gear. The second gear 40 (movable gear) has teeth on its outer circumference that mesh with the first gear 38. The third gear 42 rotates in synchronization with the second gear 40 in the operating state, and has a tooth on the outer circumference and a portion that meshes with the second gear 40 in the inside. The outer circumference of the fourth gear 44 has teeth that mesh with the teeth of the third gear 42. Further, the lower portion of the fourth gear 44 further has teeth not shown, and the teeth (not shown) mesh with the teeth of the fifth gear 46. The fifth gear 46 has a larger diameter than the fourth gear 44, and the outer circumference thereof is formed with teeth for meshing with the fourth gear 44. In addition, one end of the first connecting plate 48 is fixed near the center portion of the upper surface of the fifth gear 46 to rotate the first connecting plate 48 together with the fifth gear 46.

The connecting plate of this embodiment is composed of a first connecting plate 48 to a fourth connecting plate 54.

The +X side end of the first connecting plate 48 is rotatably coupled to the fifth gear 46, and the -X side end is rotatably coupled to the second connecting plate 50. Further, an abutting portion 49 for restricting the rotation of the first connecting plate 48 and the second connecting plate 50 is formed at an end portion on the -X side of the first connecting plate 48.

The end on the -Y side of the second connecting plate 50 is rotatably coupled to the first connecting plate 48. In addition, An end portion on the -Y side of the second connecting plate 50 is formed with an abutting portion 51 for restricting rotation. Thereby, as the opening and closing device 32 starts to operate, the first connecting plate 48 rotates counterclockwise, and when it is rotated to a certain angle, the abutting portion 49 comes into contact with the abutting portion 51, the first connecting plate 48 and the second connecting plate The angle between the 50 at the joint is limited to a specified angle. This will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 4.

The end on the -X side of the third connecting plate 52 is rotatably coupled to the end of the second connecting plate 50. The end of the third connecting plate 52 on the +X side is rotatably coupled to the fourth connecting plate 54. Further, an end portion of the third connecting plate 52 on the +X side is formed with an abutting portion 53, and an end portion on the -X side of the fourth connecting plate 54 is formed with an abutting portion 55. Thereby, at the time of operation, by the contact of the abutting portion 53 and the abutting portion 55, the rotation of the connecting portion between the third connecting plate 52 and the fourth connecting plate 54 is restricted within a predetermined angle.

The end on the -X side of the fourth link plate 54 is rotatably coupled to the third link plate 52, and is also rotatably coupled to the upper surface of the door 24 (see (B) in Fig. 1). The end of the fourth connecting plate 54 on the +X side is fixed to the door 24.

Referring to (B) of FIG. 2, the second gear 40 and the third gear 42 are coaxially disposed, and the third gear 42 is disposed below the second gear 40. Further, a spring 37 as a pressing member is provided between the second gear 40 and the third gear 42. The spring 37 is, for example, a coil spring. In the use state, the second gear 40 is biased by the spring 37 toward the +Z direction side.

The clutch mechanism 56 has, for example, an electromagnetic coil having a function of moving the second gear 40 in the +Z direction in accordance with the condition to release the connection state of the power transmission mechanism 35. Specifically, the second gear 40 is moved upward by the clutch mechanism 56, and the meshing of the second gear 40 with the third gear 42 can be released, and the meshing of the second gear 40 with the first gear 38 is also released. Conversely, the second gear 40 is moved downward by the clutch mechanism 56, and the gears are brought into an engaged state. The details of the clutch mechanism 56 will be described below with reference to FIG.

The related structure of the second gear 40 and the like included in the above-described opening and closing device 32 will be described below with reference to Fig. 3 . (A) in Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the third gear 42, and (B) in Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the second gear 40, and (C) and (D) in Fig. 3 are the second gears. A cross-sectional perspective view of the connection structure of 40 and the third gear 42, and (E) in Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the clutch mechanism 56 and the like.

Referring to (A) of FIG. 3, a plurality of teeth are formed on the outer circumference of the third gear 42. Further, an annular engagement portion 60 that is recessed in the -Z direction is formed inside the third gear 42. Further, a plurality of inclined faces 64 and inclined faces 66 are alternately formed in the circumferential direction on the bottom surface of the concave engaging portion 60, wherein the inclined faces 64 are surfaces inclined from the X-Y plane, and the inclined faces 66 are inclined from the X-Y plane, A surface opposite to the inclined surface 64.

Referring to (B) of FIG. 3, a plurality of teeth are formed on the outer circumference of the second gear 40. Further, the second gear 40 is further formed with a convex engaging portion 62 that protrudes in a substantially cylindrical shape in the -Z direction. An inclined surface 70 and an inclined surface 68 are alternately formed in the circumferential direction at the end portion on the -Z side of the male engaging portion 62. Here, the inclined surface 64 and the inclined surface 66 formed on the third gear 42 coincide with the number, size, shape, and the like of the inclined surface 68 and the inclined surface 70 formed on the second gear 40.

Referring to (C) of FIG. 3, when the transmission of the driving force is interrupted, the lower end portion of the convex engaging portion 62 of the second gear 40 is separated from the bottom surface of the concave engaging portion 60 of the third gear 42. Thereby, the meshing between the two gears is released.

Referring to (D) of FIG. 3, when the driving force is transmitted, the second gear 40 is moved in the -Z direction, so that the lower end of the male engaging portion 62 is in contact with the bottom surface of the concave engaging portion 60 of the third gear 42. . Thereby, the contact between the surface between the inclined surfaces formed on the two gears and the surface can efficiently transmit the driving force of the second gear 40 to the third gear 42.

Referring to (E) of FIG. 3, the movement of the second gear 40 described above is achieved by the clutch mechanism 56 and the support plate 72. Specifically, the support plate 72 may be a metal plate whose main surface is parallel to the X-Y plane, which meshes with the concave portion 58 of the second gear 40 (refer to (B) of FIG. 3) near the end on the -X side. The clutch mechanism 56 has, for example, an electromagnetic coil that moves in the vertical direction, and moves the second gear 40 in the -Z direction via the support plate 72 during operation. Therefore, without applying an operation signal to the clutch mechanism 56, the second gear 40 is biased to the +Z direction side by the action of the spring 37, and the driving force is not transmitted from the second gear 40 to the third gear 42. On the other hand, if an operation signal is applied to the clutch mechanism 56, the second gear 40 is urged by the support plate 72 to move in the -Z direction. Thereby, as shown in (D) of FIG. 3, the second gear 40 and the third gear 42 become in an engaged state, and the driving force is transmitted from the second gear 40 to the third gear 42.

The operation of the above-described opening and closing device 32 and the like will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 4 . Each of the drawings in Fig. 4 is a plan view of the refrigerator of this embodiment as viewed from above. Specifically, (A) and (B) in FIG. 4 show a state in which the door 24 is slightly opened, and (C) and (D) in FIG. 4 show a state in which the opening angle of the door 24 reaches 45 degrees, (E) and (F) of 4 show a state in which the opening angle reaches 135 degrees (full open).

Referring to (A) and (B) of Fig. 4, when the door 24 is closed, if the user performs an operation to open the door 24, the opening device 34 pushes the open end of the door 24 in the +Y direction. Specifically, the rod-shaped pressing portion 57 is turned toward the driving member such as a motor housed in the opening device 34. The +Y direction is moved, and the front end portion of the pressing portion 57 pushes the vicinity of the opening end of the door 24, thereby separating the door 24 from the heat insulating box 12. Since the door 24 and the heat insulating box 12 are in close contact with each other by magnetic force, a certain degree of driving force is required to separate the two, and by using the opening device 34 having such a configuration, the two can be easily separated.

Here, in the case where the instruction of the above-described opening operation is not performed, referring to (B) of FIG. 2, since the second gear 40 is located above the third gear 42, it does not mesh with the first gear 38 and the third gear 42. Therefore, the power transmission mechanism 35 and the motor 36 are not linked. Therefore, in this case, the user can manually perform the opening and closing operation of the door 24 without being affected by the opening and closing device 32.

Referring to (B) of Fig. 4, basically, the opening and closing device 32 disposed at the support end of the door 24 also operates while the opening device 34 is operating. Specifically, referring to (B) of FIG. 2, by operating the clutch mechanism 56, the second gear 40 moves downward and meshes with the first gear 38 and the third gear 42. Then, the motor 36 is rotated in a predetermined direction. The driving force generated by the motor 36 is transmitted to the first connecting plate 48 via the power transmitting mechanism 35. Specifically, in the order of the first gear 38, the second gear 40, the third gear 42, the fourth gear 44, and the fifth gear 46, the gears mesh and rotate to transmit the rotational force to the first connection while decelerating Board 48.

The first connecting plate 48 fixed to the fifth gear 46 is rotated counterclockwise such that the driving force in the counterclockwise direction is transmitted to the door via the second connecting plate 50, the third connecting plate 52, and the fourth connecting plate 54 constituting the link mechanism. twenty four.

Next, referring to (C) and (D) of FIG. 4, the first connecting plate 48 is rotated counterclockwise by the power transmitting mechanism 35 by further continuously operating the motor 36 shown in (B) of FIG. Accordingly, the door 24 is pressed by the fourth connecting plate 54 attached to the front end to further perform the opening operation.

When the above opening operation is continued, the fully open state shown in (E) and (F) of Fig. 4 is obtained. Here, the fully open state means that the door 24 has reached a state in which the door 24 cannot be further opened even by the operation of the user or the operation of the opening and closing device 32.

Referring to (F) of FIG. 4, when each of the connecting plates is rotated to a predetermined angle by the above opening operation, contact is formed between the abutting portions formed at the end portions of the respective connecting plates, so that the operation of the opening and closing device 32 is The limit, the position in the fully open state is determined accordingly. Specifically, referring to (A) of FIG. 2, the above opening operation is continued, and the abutting portion 49 of the first connecting plate 48 is in contact with the abutting portion 51 of the second connecting plate 50, so that the connecting portions of the two cannot be Further open. Further, the contact portion 53 of the third connecting plate 52 is in contact with the abutting portion 55 of the fourth connecting plate 54, so that the connecting portions of the two cannot be further opened. The position at the time of the fully open state is defined by the above-described related structure.

Here, when the door 24 is caused to perform the closing operation, the operation opposite to that described above is performed. That is, if the user performs an operation to instruct the closing operation, referring to (B) in Fig. 2, the motor 36 is rotated in the opposite direction to that described above, and the fifth gear 46 is rotated clockwise. Thus, the first web 48 will also be rotated clockwise to perform the closing operation in the order of (F), (D) and (B) in Fig. 4.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a related structure of a control device 82 for controlling an opening and closing device. The control device 82 controls the opening and closing operation of the door 24. A switch 74, a position sensor 80, a motor 36, and an electromagnetic coil 86 are connected to the control unit 82.

The switch 74 receives an instruction from the user to open and close the door, which is disposed, for example, at the front surface of the door 24. As the switch 74, for example, a button or a touch panel can be employed. When the user operates the switch 74 to instruct opening and closing of the door 24, the control device 82 drives the motor 36 and energizes the electromagnetic coil 86. Thereby, the motor 36 is rotated, and the clutch mechanism 56 is connected, thereby opening and closing the door 24.

Further, a microphone 76 that inputs a user's voice or the like may be provided instead of the switch 74 or additionally. Thereby, the opening and closing of the door 24 can be instructed by the sound from the user. By having such a function, the user can open and close the door 24 even when it is difficult to carry out the operation by hand when the hands are held by the hands.

Further, the above-described components may be replaced or the image pickup device 78 may be additionally provided. Further, the control device 82 can analyze the image information input from the imaging device 78, and can open and close the door 24 based on the predetermined image analysis information. For example, when the user performs a predetermined operation, the user can recognize the operation and open and close the door 24.

Further, as a means for instructing the above-described opening operation, a remote controller or the like (not shown) may be used.

The position sensor 80 is a position detecting member for detecting the position of the door 24. The control device 82 controls the rotation of the motor 36 based on the position information of the door 24 detected by the position sensor 80. Specifically, the control device 82 calculates the moving speed of the door 24 or the like based on the position information detected by the position sensor 80, thereby determining the rotational speed of the motor 36 and the like. In the present embodiment, for example, the resistor 16 described later can be used as the position sensor 80.

Further, the control device 82 has a load sensor 84 serving as a power load detecting means for detecting the electric load of the motor 36. Specifically, the load sensor 84 detects the voltage and current of the motor 36. Further, the control device 82 determines whether or not the motor 36 is overloaded based on the electric load information of the motor 36 detected by the load sensor 84, thereby determining whether or not to stop the rotation of the motor 36.

A mechanism for detecting the opening angle of the above-described door 24 will be described below with reference to FIG. Figure 6 (A) is a perspective view showing a structure in which the resistor 16 is attached to the opening and closing device 32, and (B) is a graph showing a relationship between the opening angle of the door and the resistance value.

Referring to (A) of Fig. 6, in the present embodiment, the resistor 16 is used as an angle detecting means for detecting the opening angle of the door 24. The resistor 16 is provided with a rod-shaped rotating portion 17 that protrudes upward, and an upper end portion of the rotating portion 17 is fitted to the center of the fifth gear 46. The front end portion of the rotating portion 17 inserted into the center of the fifth gear 46 is formed into a cylindrical shape in which the partial peripheral wall is a flat surface. Therefore, the rotating portion 17 is fixed with respect to the fifth gear 46 in the rotational direction of the fifth gear 46, so that the rotating portion 17 of the resistor 16 can be synchronously rotated together with the fifth gear 46. Here, the rotation of the fifth gear 46 drives the first link 48 or the like to open and close the door 24. Therefore, measuring the angle of rotation of the fifth gear 46 with the resistor 16 corresponds to measuring the opening angle of the door 24. The change in the resistance value measured by the resistor 16 is transmitted to the control device 82 shown in FIG.

In the graph shown in (B) of FIG. 6, the horizontal axis represents the opening angle of the door 24, and the vertical axis represents the resistance value measured by the resistor 16. As shown, the opening angle θ of the door 24 has a specific correspondence with the resistance value, so the opening angle of the door 24 can be measured by measuring the resistance value of the resistor 16.

Next, the opening and closing operation of the door 24 of the refrigerator 10 will be described based on the flowcharts shown in Figs. 7 and 8 and the graphs shown in Fig. 9 with reference to the above respective drawings. Here, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show the opening and closing operation of the door 24 of the refrigerator 10. In the graph of Fig. 9, the horizontal axis represents the opening angle of the door 24, and the vertical axis represents the opening speed of the door 24. Further, the following operations can be controlled by the control device 82 shown in FIG. 5.

First, the refrigerator 10 is energized to be activated (the determination result in steps S10 and S11 is "YES"). Next, it is judged whether the opening angle θ of the door 24 of the refrigerator 10 is the fully open state or the fully closed state (step S12). Here, referring to (B) of FIG. 2, since the clutch mechanism 56 is in the off state, the meshing between the second gear 40 and the first gear 38 and the third gear 42 is released, so the power transmission mechanism 35 is also disconnected. status.

If the opening angle θ is not the fully open state or the fully closed state (YES in step S12), the door 24 is started in the direction before the power failure (step S13). Specifically, information indicating that the power source is in the off state of the front door operation direction is stored in advance in the storage device such as the E2ROM by the instruction of the control device. Then, in this step, the information is read and the action indicated by the information (opening action or closing action) is performed. Further, as an initial operation, the door 24 is caused to open or close at a slower speed V0 (Fig. 9). Here, the speed V0 is faster than the following V1, V2, V3 are still slower. Regardless of the opening angle of the door 24, by causing the door 24 to start operating at such a slower speed, the operation of the door 24 can be smoothed. Further, when the door 24 is started to operate in the following steps, even if the opening angle θ of the door 24 is larger than θ1 (FIG. 9) or θ2, the opening and closing operation of the door 24 is performed at the speed V0.

Here, the above-described action of step S13 may be changed according to the elapsed time from the power failure to the restoration of the power supply. Specifically, if the time for restoring the power supply is within a certain period of time (for example, 5 minutes), the door 24 can be operated in the direction in which the door is operated before the power failure in the above-described step S13. On the other hand, if the time for restoring the power supply is longer than the predetermined time, the action direction can be reset to cause the door 24 to move in the closing direction. Thereby, it is possible to suppress an increase in the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 14 due to the door 24 being opened for a long time.

Referring to (B) of Fig. 2, the power transmission mechanism 35 is brought into a connected state by the clutch mechanism 56 (step S14). That is, the second gear 40 is moved downward by turning on the clutch mechanism 56, thereby engaging the third gear 42 and the first gear 38 with the second gear 40.

Thereafter, the clutch mechanism 56 brings the power transmission mechanism 35 into a connected state, and after a predetermined time (for example, one second) elapses, changes the opening speed of the door (step S15).

Specifically, if the opening angle θ of the door 24 is smaller than the predetermined angle θ1 (for example, 10 degrees), the opening angle of the door 24 is set to the predetermined speed V1 (refer to FIG. 9). That is, since the door 24 is at the initial stage of the opening operation, in order to smoothly perform the opening and closing operation of the door 24, it is necessary to slow down the opening and closing speed.

Further, when the angle θ is θ1 or more and smaller than the angle θ2 (for example, 110 degrees) larger than θ1, the speed of the door 24 is made V2 (refer to FIG. 9). Here, the speed V2 is a speed faster than V1. By increasing the opening and closing speed of the door 24 in the middle of the opening and closing operation, the opening and closing time of the door 24 can be shortened as a whole.

Further, when the angle θ is θ2 or more and less than θ3 (for example, 120 degrees) in the fully open state, the opening speed of the door 24 is made V3 (refer to FIG. 9). Here, the speed V3 is a speed slower than the above V2, and may be the same speed as V1. Thus, by slowing down the opening speed V3 of the door 24 at the final stage of the opening operation, the opening and closing operation can be smoothed.

If the door 24 is in the fully open state or the fully closed state (the determination in the step S12 is "NO"), the clutch mechanism 56 and the motor 36 shown in (B) of Fig. 2 are turned off (step S16).

Thereafter, if the user operates the refrigerator 10, an instruction to open the door 24 is issued (step S17). If the result of the determination is "YES", the door 24 is started in the opening direction (step S18). This command can be input using the switch 74, the microphone 76, etc. as explained with reference to FIG. Referring to (B) of FIG. 2, the specific operation includes moving the second gear 40 downward by operating the clutch mechanism 56. Thereby, the first gear 38 and the third gear 42 mesh with the second gear 40, and the power transmission mechanism 35 is in a connected state. By rotating the motor 36 in this state, the first link 48 fixed to the fifth gear 46 is moved to perform the opening operation of the door 24.

Thereafter, the opening speed of the door 24 is changed (step S19). Specifically, the opening speed can be changed according to the opening angle θ of the door 24, which is the same as the aforementioned step S15.

When the opening operation of the door 24 is performed and the door is brought into the fully open state, the opening operation is ended and the clutch mechanism 56 as shown in (B) of FIG. 2 is disconnected, and the second gear 40 is moved upward, thereby releasing the second gear. Engagement between 40 and first gear 38 and third gear 42. Further, the motor 36 is also powered off to stop the rotation (step S20).

Further, when the user issues an instruction to close the door 24 to the refrigerator 10 (YES in step S21), the power transmission mechanism 35 is placed in a state in which power can be transmitted by operating the clutch mechanism 56. Here, the closing command issued by the user is the same as the above-described step S17, and can be performed, for example, by the switch 74 or the like shown in FIG. 6.

Thereafter, the door 24 is started in the closing direction (step S22), and after a certain period of time, the speed at which the door is closed is changed in accordance with the opening angle of the door 24 (step 23). In this step 23, the method of changing the speed is the same as that in the aforementioned step S15.

After that, if the door 24 is in the fully closed state, the power supply between the clutch mechanism 56 and the motor 36 shown in (B) of Fig. 2 is turned off (step S24) as in the above-described step S20.

Next, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, if the door 24 is not in the fully closed state (YES in step S25), the user has not operated to issue an open command or a close command (the judgment result in step S26 is "Yes". "), and is not in an abnormal state (YES in step S27), the door 24 is started in the closing direction (step S28). Here, the abnormal state is a state in which, for example, a foreign matter such as a food is caught by the door 24, and the door 24 cannot be closed.

In this step S28, the door 24 is caused to be closed to prevent the problem that if the door 24 is kept open, the cold air of the refrigerating compartment leaks to the outside, causing the temperature of the refrigerating compartment to rise. Further, in the middle of the closing operation of the door 24, the speed of movement of the door 24 can be changed according to the angle at which the door 24 is opened. The specific details here are the same as the aforementioned step S15.

In addition, in the middle stage of the operation of the motor 36 for the opening and closing operation of the door 24 (step If the result of the determination in S30 is "YES", if the abnormality is detected (step S31), the clutch mechanism 56 and the motor 36 are turned off ((B) in Fig. 2). Specifically, by bringing the clutch mechanism 56 into the open state, the second gear 40 is moved upward to bring the power transmitting mechanism 35 into the open state, and the motor 36 is stopped by the power-off state.

Next, the process of recovering from the abnormal state is entered (the determination result of step S33 is "YES"). If the angle of the door 24 is not the fully closed state or the fully open state when an abnormality occurs (YES in step S34), the door 24 is caused to start in the opposite direction to the time when the abnormality occurs (step S35). That is, if an abnormality occurs in the middle of the opening operation, the door 24 is started in the closing direction, and if an abnormality occurs in the middle of the closing operation, the door 24 is started in the opening direction. It is conceivable that if an abnormal stop occurs in the middle of the closing operation, foreign matter such as food may be caught between the door 24 and the refrigerator main body. Therefore, in this case, the operation of the door 24 in the opening direction can suppress the problem of foreign matter jamming. On the other hand, if an abnormal stop occurs in the middle of the opening operation, there is a risk that the door 24 is caught by foreign matter. Therefore, in this case, the door 24 can be moved away from foreign matter by causing the door 24 to close.

Then, the clutch mechanism 56 shown in FIG. 2(B) is brought into a connected state to operate the power transmission mechanism 35 in the engaged state (step S36), and the opening and closing speed is changed according to the angle of the door 24. (Step S37). The specific details of this step 37 are the same as the above-described step S15.

Thereafter, when the door 24 is in the fully open state or the fully closed state (step S38), the operation of the door 24 by the opening and closing device 32 can be ended.

The above embodiment can also be changed as follows.

Referring to Fig. 6, in the above embodiment, the opening angle of the door 24 is determined based on the detected resistance value of the resistor 16, however, the above angle is also determined by using other electrical characteristic values. For example, the angle may be determined by means or means for measuring other electrical characteristic values such as a current value and a voltage value which vary with the rotation of the fifth gear 46.

Claims

A refrigerator comprising:

a refrigerator body having a storage compartment defined therein;

a door pivotally openable and closable to a front surface opening portion of the refrigerator body for covering the front surface opening portion;

An opening and closing device configured to open and close the door relative to the refrigerator body;

The angle detecting device is configured to detect an angle at which the door opens and closes the opening and closing device;

Wherein the opening and closing device changes the opening and closing speed of the door according to the angle detected by the angle detecting device.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein

The opening and closing device,

Opening and closing the door at a first speed if the angle of the door is less than the first angle;

In a case where the angle of the door is greater than or equal to the first angle and less than a second angle greater than the first angle, the door is opened and closed at a second speed faster than the first speed ;

In a case where the angle of the door is greater than or equal to the second angle, the door is opened and closed at a third speed that is slower than the second speed.
The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein

When the opening and closing device restarts the opening and closing operation of the door stop, the door is started at a slower speed than the first speed.
A refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

The opening and closing device includes: a motor; a gear driven to rotate by a driving force of the motor; and a connecting plate having one end connected to the gear and the other end connected to the door;

The angle detecting means measures the angle at which the door is located based on a change in electrical characteristic value generated with the rotation of the gear.
A refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein

The angle detecting means is a resistor that rotates in synchronization with the gear, and the electrical characteristic value is a resistance value of the resistor.