WO2019142311A1

WO2019142311A1 - Refrigerator, refrigerator control method, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2019142311A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/001553
Authority: WO
Inventors: 小林　史典
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2018-01-19
Filing date: 2018-01-19
Publication date: 2019-07-25
Also published as: CN111566423A; JP6987156B2; JPWO2019142311A1

Abstract

A refrigerator comprising: a refrigeration chamber provided with two blowout ports for separately blowing cooled air toward two interior regions, and an intake opening into which the interior air is drawn in; a first downstream damper (13) and a second downstream damper (14) for adjusting the flow rate of the air respectively blown toward the two regions from the two blowout ports; and a control unit (114) for determining a flow rate of the air respectively blown toward the two regions from the two blowout ports, in accordance with a temperature difference that reflects the thermal load of products to be stored which are arranged respectively in the two regions, and controlling the first downstream damper (13) and the second downstream damper (14) such that the flow rate of the air blown from the two blowout ports matches the flow rate that has been determined.

Description

Refrigerator, refrigerator control method and program

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, a refrigerator control method and program.

In the refrigerator, the temperature of the storage chamber is preset by controlling the operation of the fan based on the temperature in the storage chamber detected by the thermistor provided in the storage chamber while circulating cool air into the storage chamber by the fan. It is common to maintain the temperature. As a refrigerator of this type, a refrigerator is proposed that adjusts the cooling rate of the storage room by controlling the operation of the cooling device according to the heat load of the storage object immediately after placing the storage object in the storage room (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2017-89919, A

However, in the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1, in order to control the cooling device according to the heat load of the entire storage room, for example, when storage objects having different heat loads are arranged in a plurality of areas in the storage room, The amount of cold air flowing into each of the regions may not be an appropriate amount according to the heat load of the storage objects disposed in each region. That is, there is a possibility that the amount of cold air is insufficient in the region where the storage object having a large heat load is disposed, and the amount of cold air is excessive in the region where the storage object having a small heat load is disposed. As described above, when the amount of cold air flowing into each area does not correspond to the heat load in each area, the time required to cool all storage objects stored in the storage chamber becomes long, and the storage object There was a possibility that the cold storage property of the thing might fall. In addition, by cooling the storage object more than necessary, the power consumption of the refrigerator may be increased.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator, a refrigerator control method, and a program capable of reducing power consumption while enhancing the cold storage property of a storage object.

In order to achieve the above object, the refrigerator according to the present invention is
A storage chamber provided with a plurality of outlets for storing objects to be stored and blowing out the cooled air separately to each of the plurality of inner regions, and an inlet for sucking the air present inside;
A flow rate adjustment unit configured to adjust a flow rate of air blown out from each of the plurality of outlets to the plurality of areas;
The flow rate of air blown out from each of the plurality of outlets to each of the plurality of regions is determined according to the physical quantity reflecting the thermal load of the storage object disposed in each of the plurality of regions, and the plurality of outlets are determined. And a control unit configured to control the flow rate adjustment unit such that the flow rate of the air blown out from the air flow becomes the determined flow rate.

According to the present invention, the control unit determines the flow rate of the air blown out from each of the plurality of outlets to the plurality of regions according to the physical quantity reflecting the heat load of the storage object arranged in each of the plurality of regions. The flow rate control unit is controlled so that the flow rate of the air blown out from the plurality of outlets becomes the determined flow rate. As a result, the flow rate of the air blown out from each of the plurality of outlets into the plurality of regions can be made an optimal flow rate according to the heat load of the storage object disposed in each of the plurality of regions. Accordingly, the shortage or excess of the flow rate of the air blown into each of the plurality of regions is suppressed, so that it is possible to reduce the power consumption while enhancing the cold storage property of the storage object.

The perspective view of the refrigerator concerning an embodiment Sectional view of the refrigerator according to the embodiment Sectional view of a freezing room according to the embodiment Block diagram of control device according to the embodiment The flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the refrigerator control processing which is executed by the control control equipment which relates to the form of execution The flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the refrigerator control processing which is executed by the control control equipment which relates to the form of execution Sectional view of a freezing room according to a modification A partial enlarged view of a cross section of a freezing room according to a modification Sectional view of a freezing room according to a modification Block diagram of control device according to modification The flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the refrigerator control processing executed by the control device concerning a modification

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The refrigerator according to the present embodiment includes a storage for storing objects to be stored, and a control device for controlling the refrigerator. The storage is provided with a plurality of outlets for blowing the cooled air separately into the plurality of regions inside the storage, and a suction port through which the air present inside is sucked. In addition, the refrigerator includes a flow rate control unit that controls the flow rate of the air blown out from the plurality of outlets into the plurality of areas inside the storage. Here, the control device performs heat exchange with the temperature of the air blown out from the outlet and the storage object, which is a physical quantity reflecting the heat load of the storage object arranged in each of the plurality of areas inside the storage Calculate the temperature difference with the temperature of the air warmed by Then, the control device determines the flow rate of air blown out from each of the plurality of outlets to the plurality of regions according to the temperature difference reflecting the calculated thermal load of the storage object. Then, the control device controls the flow rate adjusting unit such that the flow rate of the air blown out from the plurality of outlets becomes the determined flow rate.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment includes a heat insulating box 1a having a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and a door 121 attached to each of five openings provided in front of the heat insulating box 1a. And 122, 123, 124, 125. The heat insulation box 1a is a rectangular box-like outer box formed of metal, resin, etc., an inner box formed of metal, resin etc. and having an outer dimension smaller than the outer box, and between the outer box and the inner box And a heat insulating member enclosed. And, inside the heat insulation box 1a, for example, a refrigerating room 131 for refrigerating food, an ice making room 132 for containing an ice making machine, and a switching room capable of switching the room to a temperature at which ice can be made and other temperatures. 133, a freezing room 134 for storing frozen food and freezing the frozen food, and a vegetable room 135 for containing vegetables are provided. Note that in FIG. 1, when viewed from the front side of the refrigerator 1, the horizontal direction is the X axis direction, the vertical direction is the Z axis direction, and the direction orthogonal to the X axis direction and the Z axis direction is the Y axis direction.

Moreover, the refrigerator 1 is provided with the cooler chamber 16 and the machine chamber 18 connected to the cooler chamber 16 via the drain pipe 17, as shown in FIG. The cooler room 16 is connected to the refrigerating room 131, the ice making room 132, the switching room 133, the freezing room 134, and the vegetable room 135 through

air ducts

15A and 15B. A cooler 162 and a fan 161 are accommodated in the cooler chamber 16. Further, in the machine room 18, a compressor 40 for compressing the refrigerant flowing from the cooler 162 is accommodated. The refrigerator 1 includes a condenser (not shown), a pressure reducing part (not shown) and a suction pipe (not shown) in addition to the cooler 162 and the compressor 40, and the compressor 40, the condenser, The pressure reducing unit, the cooler 162, the suction pipe, and the compressor 40 are connected in this order via a refrigerant pipe (not shown) so that the refrigerant circulates. Here, the condensing unit condenses the refrigerant flowing in from the compressor 40, and the pressure reducing unit decompresses and expands the refrigerant flowing in from the condensing unit to evaporate a part of the refrigerant, thereby evaporating the refrigerant into two phases of liquid and gas. It will be in the state. The cooler 162 cools the air around the cooler 162 in the cooler chamber 16 by utilizing the heat absorption function when the refrigerant in the liquid state of the two-phase refrigerant flowing from the pressure reducing section evaporates. Further, the suction pipe exchanges heat with a capillary tube (not shown) that constitutes a part of the pressure reducing section, thereby raising the temperature of the refrigerant flowing from the cooler 162 to its condensation temperature.

When the fan 161 operates, the air cooled in the cooler chamber 16 (hereinafter referred to as "cold air") passes through the air duct 15A, and the cold room 131, the ice making room 132, the switching room 133, the freezing room 134 and the vegetable room 135 is supplied to each of them (see arrow AR10). Cold air supplied toward the refrigerator compartment 131, the switching compartment 133, the freezing compartment 134 and the vegetable compartment 135 is blown out inward from the

outlets

131a, 133a, 134a, 134b, 135a provided in the respective compartments. In addition, cold air supplied toward the ice making chamber 132 is also blown out inward from a blowout port (not shown) provided in the ice making chamber 132. As a result, the food disposed inside each of the cold storage room 131, the ice making room 132, the switching room 133, the freezing room 134, and the vegetable room 135 is cooled. Moreover, the air warmed by the storage object which exists in the refrigerator compartment 131, the switching compartment 133, the freezer compartment 134, and the vegetable compartment 135 is an air duct from the

suction ports

131b, 133b, 134c, and 135b provided in each compartment. It flows into the cooler chamber 16 through 15B. Similarly, the air present in the ice making chamber 132 also flows into the cooler chamber 16 through the air passage duct 15B from the suction port (not shown) provided in the ice making chamber 132. In this manner, cold air circulates through the

air ducts

15A and 15B between the cooler chamber 16 and the refrigerator room 131, the ice making room 132, the switching room 133, the freezing room 134 and the vegetable room 135.

In addition, upstream dampers (for example,

upstream dampers

1511, 1513, 1514, 1515) are provided in connection portions of the air passage duct 15A with the refrigerating chamber 131, the ice making chamber 132, the switching chamber 133, the freezing chamber 134 and the vegetable chamber 135, respectively. It is done. Each upstream damper opens and closes separately. When the upstream damper is in the open state, cold air flows into the refrigerating chamber 131, the ice making chamber 132, the switching chamber 133, the freezing chamber 134, or the vegetable chamber 135 corresponding to the upstream damper. For example, when the upstream damper 1514 is in the open state, cold air flows into the freezer compartment 134 corresponding to the upstream damper 1514. On the other hand, when the upstream damper is in the closed state, the inflow of cold air to the refrigerating chamber 131, the ice making chamber 132, the switching chamber 133, the freezing chamber 134 or the vegetable chamber 135 corresponding to the upstream damper is blocked. For example, when the upstream damper 1514 is in the closed state, the inflow of cold air to the freezer compartment 134 corresponding to the upstream damper 1514 is blocked.

As shown in FIG. 3, the freezing chamber 134 has two

outlets

134a and 134b for blowing cold air into the two inner areas A1 and A2, respectively, and an inlet 134c for receiving the warmed air present inside. And are provided. Further, the upper case 21 is disposed on the upper side in the freezing chamber 134, and the lower case 22 is disposed on the lower side in the freezing chamber 134. The cool air blown out from the blowout port 134a flows into the upper case 21 located in the area A1 (see an arrow AR11 in FIG. 3). The cool air having flowed into the upper case 21 is transferred from the air stored outside the refrigerator 1 and the heat stored in the storage object disposed in the upper case 21 into the freezer compartment 134 through the wall of the heat insulation box 1a. It is warmed by the heat that has invaded. Then, the air in the upper case 21 is discharged from the return port 21 a provided in the upper case 21 and flows out of the area A1. Here, the amount of heat entering the freezer compartment 134 from the air existing outside the refrigerator 1 can be regarded as constant unless the temperature in the freezer compartment 134 changes significantly. Therefore, as the heat stored in the storage object is larger, the temperature of the air discharged from the return port 21a is increased accordingly.

Further, the cold air blown out from the blowout port 134b flows into the lower case 22 (refer to the arrow AR12 in FIG. 3) and exchanges heat with the storage object disposed in the lower case 22 located in the area A2. It is warmed. Then, the air in the lower case 22 is discharged from the return port 22a provided in the lower case 22 and flows out of the area A2. The air discharged from the return port 21a of the upper case 21 and the return port 22a of the lower case 22 is returned to the suction port 134c of the freezing chamber 134 (see arrow AR13 in FIG. 3), and the cooler chamber is Flow to 16

In the freezing chamber 134, the temperature of the blowout temperature measurement unit 9 for measuring the temperature of the air blown out from the blowout port 134a, and the temperature of the air discharged from the return port 21a of the upper case 21 and returned to the suction port 134c. A return temperature measurement unit 10 is provided. Furthermore, in the freezing chamber 134, the temperature of the air discharged from the return port 22a of the lower case 22 and returned to the suction port 134c is measured. A return temperature measurement unit 12 is provided. Hereinafter, the temperature measured by the blowout temperature measurement unit 9 is a first blowout temperature, the temperature measured by the return temperature measurement unit 10 is a first return temperature, the temperature measured by the blowout temperature measurement unit 11 is a second blowout temperature, The temperature measured by the return temperature measurement unit 12 is referred to as a second return temperature. Further, the freezer compartment 134 is provided with a door open / close detection unit 8 for detecting the open / close state of the door 124.

The heat removal amounts Q1 and Q2 due to cold air in the upper case 21 and the lower case 22 are represented by the following formulas (1) and (2), respectively.
Q1 = F1 × ρ × C _p × (T 1 _in −T 1 _out ) (1)
Q2 = F2 × ρ × C _p × (T2 _in -T2 _out ) (2)
Here, F1 and F2 indicate the air volume [m ³ / sec] of cold air blown out to the upper case 21 and the lower case 22 respectively, ρ indicates the density of cold air [kg / m ³ ], and Cp indicates the cold air Constant pressure specific heat [J / (kg · K)], T1in is the first outlet temperature [K], T1out is the first return temperature [K], T2in is the second outlet temperature [K], T2out is the second return temperature [K ] Is shown.

The larger the amount of heat removal Q1 and Q2 required for the objects to be stored disposed in the upper case 21 and the lower case 22, the larger the heat load. Then, when the heat load of the objects to be stored disposed in the upper case 21 and the lower case 22 becomes large, the amount of heat received by the cold air increases by the above-mentioned equations (1) and (2). The return temperature T1out and the second return temperature T2out rise. Then, the absolute value of the temperature difference between the first blowout temperature T1in and the first return temperature T1out and the absolute value of the temperature difference between the second blowout temperature T2in and the second return temperature T2out respectively increase. From these, the temperature difference between the first blowout temperature T1in and the first return temperature T1out and the temperature difference between the second blowout temperature T2in and the second return temperature T2out are respectively in the upper case 21 of the area A1 and in the area A2. It can be said that the physical quantity reflects the heat load of the storage object disposed in the lower case 22.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a main storage unit 102 including volatile memory, an auxiliary storage unit 103 including non-volatile memory, an interface 104, and a damper drive unit. And 105, a fan drive unit 106, a compressor drive unit 107, and a bus 109 connecting the respective units. Examples of the non-volatile memory include magnetic disks and semiconductor memories. The auxiliary storage unit 103 stores a program for executing a refrigerator control process described later. The interface 104 is connected to the first blowout temperature measurement unit 9, the first return temperature measurement unit 10, the second blowout temperature measurement unit 11, the second return temperature measurement unit 12, and the door open / close detection unit 8. The interface 104 converts the signal input from the door open / close detection unit 8 into door open / close information indicating the open / close state of the door 124 and notifies the CPU 101 of the door open / close information. Further, the interface 104 converts the signals input from the first blowout temperature measurement unit 9, the first return temperature measurement unit 10, the second blowout temperature measurement unit 11, and the second return temperature measurement unit 12 into temperature information and converts the signals into the CPU 101. To notify.

The damper driving unit 105 drives the upstream damper 1514, the first downstream damper 13, and the second downstream damper 14 based on control information input from the CPU 101. The damper driving unit 105 also drives each upstream damper other than the upstream damper 1514. The other upstream dampers are omitted in FIG. The fan drive unit 106 has a motor (not shown) for rotating the fan 161 and a motor control unit (not shown) for controlling the motor based on control information input from the CPU 101. The compressor drive unit 107 includes a motor (not shown) for driving the compressor 40 and a motor control unit (not shown) for controlling the motor based on control information input from the CPU 101. The bus 109 connects the CPU 101, the main storage unit 102, the auxiliary storage unit 103, the interface 104, the damper drive unit 105, and the fan drive unit 106 to one another.

The auxiliary storage unit 103 stores a reference database (hereinafter referred to as "DB") 1031 for storing information related to the determination reference, and parameter information indicating the opening degree of each of the first downstream damper 13 and the second downstream damper 14 And a parameter DB 1032. The reference DB 1031 stores temperature information indicating the upper limit management temperature Tup and the lower limit management temperature Tlow of the cold storage room 131, the ice making room 132, the switching room 133, the freezing room 134, and the freezing room 134, respectively. The reference DB 1031 is a difference threshold indicating a difference threshold that is a threshold for the difference between the temperature difference between the first blowout temperature and the first return temperature and the temperature difference between the second blowout temperature and the second return temperature. Store information

The parameter DB 1032 stores information indicating a unit change amount when changing the opening degree AP1 of the first downstream damper 13 and a unit change amount when changing the opening degree AP2 of the second downstream damper 14. The parameter DB 1032 includes initial opening information indicating the initial opening AP1i of the first downstream damper 13 and the initial opening AP2i of the second downstream damper 14, the upper limit opening AP1max of the first downstream damper 13, and the second downstream damper And upper limit opening information indicating the upper limit opening AP2max of 14. Here, the initial openings AP1i and AP2i are set, for example, in accordance with the volumes of the regions A1 and A2 into which cold air blown out from the

blowout ports

134a and 134b in the freezing chamber 134 flows. Further, the upper limit opening degrees AP1max and AP2max are set based on, for example, the operation guaranteed range with respect to the respective opening degrees of the first downstream damper 13 and the second downstream damper 14, and are set to, for example, 90%.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the CPU 101 reads out the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 to the main storage unit 102 and executes the program to determine the first blowout temperature, the second blowout temperature, the first return temperature, and the second return temperature. The temperature acquisition unit 111 to acquire, the temperature difference calculation unit 112 that calculates the temperature difference between the first blowout temperature and the first return temperature, and the temperature difference between the second blowout temperature and the second return temperature, the determination unit 113, and the control unit 114 Act as. The temperature acquisition unit 111 acquires, via the interface 104, temperature information indicating the temperature measured by the blowoff

temperature measurement units

9 and 11 and temperature information indicating the temperature measured by the return

temperature measurement units

10 and 12. .

The temperature difference calculation unit 112 calculates a temperature difference ΔT1 between the first outlet temperature T1in and the first return temperature T1out, and a temperature difference ΔT2 between the second outlet temperature T2in and the second return temperature T2out. The temperature difference calculation unit 112 corresponds to a physical quantity calculation unit that calculates temperature differences ΔT1 and ΔT2, which are physical quantities reflecting the heat loads of the storage objects respectively disposed in the two areas A1 and A2.

The determination unit 113 determines whether the first blowout temperature or the first return temperature is equal to or less than the upper limit temperature management value and equal to or more than the lower limit temperature management value. Further, the determination unit 113 determines the open / close state of the door 124 based on the door open / close information input from the door open / close detection unit 8 via the interface 104. Furthermore, the determination unit 113 calculates the difference absolute value between the temperature difference ΔT1 and the temperature difference ΔT2 and determines the magnitude relationship between the difference threshold value indicated by the difference threshold information stored in the reference DB 1031 and the calculated difference absolute value. Do. Further, the determination unit 113 determines the magnitude relationship between the temperature difference ΔT1 and the temperature difference ΔT2.

The control unit 114 controls the damper driving unit 105 to change the opening degree AP1 of the first downstream damper 13 and the opening degree AP2 of the second downstream damper 14 according to the determination result by the determination unit 113. Further, the control unit 114 controls the damper driving unit 105 to change the open / close state of the upstream damper 1514 according to the determination result of the open / close state of the door 124 by the determination unit 113. Furthermore, the control unit 114 controls the fan drive unit 106 so that the fan 161 operates in response to power being supplied to the refrigerator 1.

Next, a refrigerator control process performed by the control device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The refrigerator control process is started, for example, after the user has closed all the

doors

121, 122, 123, 124, and 125 of the refrigerator 1 and turned on the power to the refrigerator 1, and then a predetermined standby time has elapsed. Ru. This standby time is set to, for example, a time longer than the time until the temperatures of the refrigerating chamber 131, the ice making chamber 132, the switching chamber 133, the freezing chamber 134 and the vegetable chamber 135 become stable after the refrigerator 1 is powered on. Be done. Further, the control unit 114 controls the fan drive unit 106 and the compressor drive unit 107 so as to start the operation of the fan 161 and the compressor 40 in response to power being supplied to the refrigerator 1. Further, the control unit 114 controls the damper driving unit 105 so as to open all the upstream dampers including the upstream damper 1514. Furthermore, the control unit 114 refers to the initial opening degree information stored in the parameter DB 1032, and the opening degree AP1 of the first downstream damper 13 is the initial opening degree AP1i, and the opening degree AP2 of the second downstream damper 14 is the initial opening degree AP2i. The damper drive unit 105 is controlled so that

First, the temperature acquisition unit 111 acquires temperature information indicating the first blowout temperature T1in measured by the blowout temperature measurement unit 9, and temperature information indicating the first return temperature T1out measured by the return temperature measurement unit 10. (Step S101).

Next, the determination unit 113 determines whether the first blowing temperature T1in is higher than the upper limit management temperature Tup or the first return temperature T1out is higher than the upper limit management temperature Tup (step S102). If it is determined by the determination unit 113 that the first blowout temperature T1in is equal to or lower than the upper limit management temperature Tup and the first return temperature T1out is equal to or lower than the upper limit management temperature Tup (step S102: No), processing of step S105 described later Is executed.

On the other hand, it is assumed that the determination unit 113 determines that at least one of the first blowing temperature T1in and the first return temperature T1out exceeds the upper limit management temperature Tup (step S102: Yes). In this case, the control unit 114 determines whether or not one of the opening degree AP1 of the first downstream damper 13 and the opening degree AP2 of the second downstream damper 14 is the upper limit opening degree AP1max or AP2max (step S103). ). If it is determined by the control unit 114 that either the opening degree AP1 of the first downstream damper 13 or the opening degree AP2 of the second downstream damper 14 is the upper limit opening degree AP1max or AP2max (step S103: Yes) The process of step S108 described later is executed as it is.

On the other hand, it is assumed that the control unit 114 determines that one of the opening degree AP1 of the first downstream damper 13 and the opening degree AP2 of the second downstream damper 14 is not the upper limit opening degrees AP1max and AP2max (step S103: No). In this case, the control unit 114 controls the damper driving unit 105 so as to increase the opening degree AP1 of the first downstream damper 13 and the opening degree AP2 of the second downstream damper 14 by a preset size, respectively (Step S104). Specifically, the control unit 114 controls the damper drive unit 105 so that, for example, the opening degree AP1 of the first downstream damper 13 and the opening degree AP2 of the second downstream damper 14 are each raised by 5%. Subsequently, the process of step S108 described later is performed.

In addition, it is assumed that the determination unit 113 determines that the first blowing temperature T1in is equal to or lower than the upper limit management temperature Tup and the first return temperature T1out is equal to or lower than the upper limit management temperature Tup in step S102 (step S102: No). In this case, the determination unit 113 determines whether the first blowing temperature T1in is less than the lower limit management temperature Tlow or the first return temperature T1out is less than the lower limit management temperature Tlow (step S105).

If the determination unit 113 determines that the first blowout temperature T1in is equal to or higher than the lower limit management temperature Tlow and the first return temperature T1out is equal to or higher than the lower limit management temperature Tlow (step S105: No), the process of step S108 described later is performed. To be executed. On the other hand, it is assumed that the determination unit 113 determines that at least one of the first blowing temperature T1in and the first return temperature T1out is less than the lower limit management temperature Tlow (step S105: Yes). In this case, the control unit 114 determines whether or not both the first downstream damper 13 and the second downstream damper 14 are in the closed state (step S106). If it is determined by the control unit 114 that both the first downstream damper 13 and the second downstream damper 14 are in the closed state (step S106: Yes), the process of step S108 described below is performed as it is.

On the other hand, it is assumed that the control unit 114 determines that at least one of the opening degree AP1 of the first downstream damper 13 and the opening degree AP2 of the second downstream damper 14 is not in the closed state (step S106: No). In this case, the control unit 114 controls the damper driving unit 105 so as to reduce the opening degree AP1 of the first downstream damper 13 and the opening degree AP2 of the second downstream damper 14 by a preset size, respectively (Step S107). Specifically, the control unit 114 controls the damper driving unit 105 so as to decrease, for example, the opening degree AP1 of the first downstream damper 13 and the opening degree AP2 of the second downstream damper 14 by 5%, respectively. Further, when one of the opening degree AP1 of the first downstream damper 13 and the opening degree AP2 of the second downstream damper 14 is in the closed state, the control unit 114 presets only the other opening degree. The damper drive unit 105 is controlled so as to reduce the speed.

Thereafter, the determination unit 113 determines whether the door 124 has been opened based on the door open / close information input from the door open / close detection unit 8 via the interface 104 (step S108). If it is determined by the determination unit 113 that the door 124 is in the closed state (step S108: No), the process of step S101 is performed again.

On the other hand, when the determination unit 113 determines that the door 124 is in the open state (step S108: Yes), the control unit 114 controls the damper drive unit 105 to close the upstream damper 1514 corresponding to the freezing chamber 134. (Step S109). As a result, the supply of cold air from the cooler chamber 16 to the freezer compartment 134 through the air duct 15A is shut off.

Next, the determination unit 113 determines whether the door 124 is closed again based on the door open / close information input from the door open / close detection unit 8 via the interface 104 (step S110). Determination unit 113 repeats the process of step S110 as long as door 124 is maintained in the open state (step S110: No).

On the other hand, if the determination unit 113 determines that the door 124 is in the closed state (step S110: Yes), the control unit 114 causes the damper drive unit 105 to open the upstream damper 1514 corresponding to the freezing chamber 134 again. It controls (step S111). Thereby, cold air is again supplied from the cooler chamber 16 into the freezer compartment 134 through the air duct 15A.

Next, the control unit 114 controls the damper driving unit 105 so that the opening degree AP1 of the first downstream damper 13 and the opening degree AP2 of the second downstream damper 14 become the upper limit opening degrees AP1max and AP2max (step S112). . As a result, the amount of cold air supplied into the freezing chamber 134 is maximized, and the storage objects disposed in the freezing chamber 134 are rapidly cooled.

Subsequently, the temperature acquisition unit 111 acquires temperature information indicating each of the first blowout temperature T1in and the second blowout temperature T2in measured by the blowout

temperature measurement units

9 and 11. Further, the temperature acquisition unit 111 acquires temperature information indicating each of the first return temperature T1out and the second return temperature T2out measured by the return temperature measurement units 10 and 12 (step S113).

Thereafter, the temperature difference calculation unit 112 calculates the temperature difference ΔT1 between the first outlet temperature T1in and the first return temperature T1out, and the temperature difference ΔT2 between the second outlet temperature T2in and the second return temperature T2out. (Step S114).

Next, the determination unit 113 calculates a difference absolute value between the temperature difference ΔT1 and the temperature difference ΔT2, and acquires difference threshold information from the reference DB 1031. Then, the determination unit 113 determines whether the calculated difference absolute value is larger than the difference threshold value indicated by the difference threshold information (step S115). If the determination unit 113 determines that the calculated difference absolute value is less than or equal to the difference threshold (step S115: No), the determination unit 113 executes the process of step S119 described later.

On the other hand, when determining unit 113 determines that the calculated difference absolute value is larger than the difference threshold (step S115: Yes), it determines whether temperature difference ΔT1 is larger than temperature difference ΔT2 (step S116). . If determination unit 113 determines that temperature difference ΔT1 is larger than temperature difference ΔT2 (step S116: Yes), control unit 114 determines the opening degree of first downstream damper 13 with respect to opening degree AP2 of second downstream damper 14 The damper drive unit 105 is controlled such that the ratio AP1 / AP2 of AP1 increases by a preset ratio (step S117). Specifically, for example, the controller 114 decreases the opening degree AP2 of the second downstream damper 14 in a state where the opening degree AP1 of the first downstream damper 13 is set to the upper limit opening degree AP1max, for example, the ratio AP1 / AP2 The damper drive unit 105 is controlled to be raised by 5%. Subsequently, the process of step S119 described later is performed.

On the other hand, when the determination unit 113 determines that the temperature difference ΔT1 is equal to or less than the temperature difference ΔT2 (step S116: No), the control unit 114 determines that the first downstream damper 13 with respect to the opening degree AP2 of the second downstream damper 14 The damper driving unit 105 is controlled so that the ratio AP1 / AP2 of the opening degree AP1 decreases by a preset ratio (step S118). Specifically, for example, the controller 114 decreases the opening degree AP1 of the first downstream damper 13 in a state where the opening degree AP2 of the second downstream damper 14 is set to the upper limit opening degree AP2max, for example, the ratio AP1 / AP2 The damper drive unit 105 is controlled to decrease by 5%.

Thereafter, the temperature acquiring unit 111 acquires temperature information indicating the first blowout temperature T1in measured by the blowout temperature measurement unit 9 and temperature information indicating the first return temperature T1out measured by the return temperature measurement unit 10. (Step S119).

Next, the determination unit 113 determines whether the first blowing temperature T1in is equal to or lower than the upper limit management temperature Tup and the first return temperature T1out is equal to or lower than the upper limit management temperature Tup (step S120). If determination unit 113 determines that at least one of first blowout temperature T1in and first return temperature T1out is higher than upper limit management temperature Tup (step S120: No), the process of step S113 is performed again. On the other hand, when determination unit 113 determines that both first blowout temperature T1in and first return temperature T1out are equal to or lower than upper limit management temperature Tup (step S120: Yes), the process of step S101 is performed again.

As described above, according to the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment, the temperature difference calculation unit 112 calculates the heat load of the storage object disposed in the upper case 21 of the area A1 and the lower case 22 of the area A2. The reflected temperature differences ΔT1 and ΔT2 are calculated. Then, the control unit 114 is blown out from the

blowout ports

134a and 134b to the upper case 21 of the area A1 and the lower case 22 of the area A2 according to the temperature differences ΔT1 and ΔT2 calculated by the temperature difference calculation unit 112. The flow rate of the air is determined, and the first downstream damper 13 and the second downstream damper 14 are controlled such that the flow rate of the air blown out from the

outlets

134a and 134b becomes the determined flow rate. Thus, the flow rates of the air blown out from the

blowout ports

134a and 134b to the upper case 21 and the lower case 22 of the area A2 are arranged in the upper case 21 of the area A1 and the lower case 22 of the area A2. The flow rate can be optimized according to the heat load of the storage object. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the flow rate of the air blown out to the upper case 21 of the area A1 and the lower case 22 of the area A2 from being insufficient or excessive, so power consumption can be improved while improving the cold storage property of the storage object. It can be reduced.

By the way, conventionally, when it is detected that the door has changed from the open state to the closed state or that the temperature in the freezer compartment has risen to a preset reference temperature width or more, the number of revolutions of the fan or compressor is fixed for a predetermined time There has been provided a refrigerator that performs control to increase the cooling rate only by raising it. In the refrigerator of this configuration, by adjusting the cooling rate in accordance with the heat load of the entire freezer compartment, it is possible to suppress the wasteful cooling of the storage object and reduce the power consumption of the refrigerator. However, the difference in the heat load of the storage objects arranged in each of the plurality of regions in the same freezing chamber has not been taken into consideration.

On the other hand, in the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment, the heat load of the storage objects disposed in the upper case 21 of the region A1 and the lower case 22 of the region A2 in the same freezing chamber 134 is different. Then, the flow rate of the air blown out to the upper case 21 and the lower case 22 is set to the optimal flow rate. Therefore, there is an advantage that power consumption can be reduced as compared with the above-mentioned conventional refrigerator. Further, the amount of cold air flowing into the upper case 21 or the lower case 22 may be insufficient or excessively large with respect to the heat load of the storage target disposed in the upper case 21 or the lower case 22. It can be suppressed. Furthermore, the object to be stored is an increase in power consumption due to the time required for cooling until the temperature in the freezing chamber 134 falls below the upper limit management temperature Tup or an increase in the time required for heat removal of the storage object It is also possible to suppress the decrease in cold storage ability of

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to above-mentioned embodiment. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the refrigerator includes a flow rate control unit having a movable wind adjustment plate 2013 disposed at a joining portion 2134f of

blowout ducts

2134d and 2134e communicating with the blowout ports 2134a and 2134b, respectively. It may be one. In FIG. 7A, the same components as in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. The flow rate adjuster changes the ratio of the cool air flowing into the

blowout ducts

2134 d and 2134 e by changing the inclination of the baffle plate 2013 as shown by an arrow AR 21 in FIG. 7B. The flow rate adjusting unit may be, for example, one in which the wind adjustment plate 2013 can completely close any one of the two

blowout ducts

2134 d and 2134 e. In this case, the flow rate adjusting unit changes the time average value of the amount of cold air blown out from the blowout ports 2134a and 2134b by changing the ratio of time during which the baffle plate 2013 closes the

blowout ducts

2134d and 2134e. It may be

According to this configuration, the configuration of the flow rate adjusting unit can be simplified.

In the embodiment, an example in which the refrigerator 1 includes the first blowout temperature measurement unit 9, the first return temperature measurement unit 10, the second blowout temperature measurement unit 11, and the second return temperature measurement unit 12 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a refrigerator may be provided with a heat flux sensor 3011 attached to the bottom wall of the upper case 21.

The heat flux sensor 3011 detects a heat flow value indicating the size of the heat flux flowing between the upper case 21 and the lower case 22 and the flow direction of the heat flux, and corresponds to the detected heat flux size and flow direction Output voltage. When the thermal load of the storage object disposed in the upper case 21 is large compared to the thermal load stored in the lower case 22, a heat flux is generated toward the lower case 22 through the bottom wall of the upper case 21. At this time, the heat flux sensor 3011 attached to the bottom wall of the upper case 21 outputs a voltage signal according to the heat flux flowing from the upper case 21 toward the lower case 22. The heat flow value corresponding to the voltage signal output from the heat flux sensor 3011 is, for example, the temperature of the air in the upper case 21 and the temperature of the air in the lower case 22 when the storage object disposed in the upper case 21 is high. The greater the temperature difference with the The higher the temperature of the storage object, the greater the heat removal, ie, the heat load, of the storage object. From this, it can be said that the heat flow value obtained by the heat flux sensor 3011 is a physical quantity reflecting the difference in the heat load of the storage objects disposed in the upper case 21 and the lower case 22 respectively.

The control device 3100 according to the present modification has the same hardware configuration as that of the embodiment as shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, the same components as those of the control device 100 according to the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. The interface 104 is connected to the first blowout temperature measurement unit 9, the first return temperature measurement unit 10, the heat flux sensor 3011, and the door open / close detection unit 8. The interface 104 converts the voltage signal input from the heat flux sensor 3011 into heat flow information indicating a heat flow value, and notifies the CPU 101 of the heat flow information. Here, for example, the absolute value of the heat flow value indicates the magnitude of the heat flux detected by the heat flux sensor 3011, and the positive or negative heat flow value indicates the flow direction of the heat flux. For example, if the heat flow value is positive, it indicates that the heat flux flowing from the upper case 21 to the lower case 22 is generated, and if the heat flow value is negative, the heat flux flowing from the lower case 22 to the upper case 21 is Indicates that it is occurring.

The reference DB 3131 stores, together with temperature information indicating the upper limit management temperature Tup and the lower limit management temperature Tlow, heat flow threshold information indicating the heat flow threshold | Qf | th, which is a threshold for the absolute value of the heat flow value Qf.

The CPU 101 reads out the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 to the main storage unit 102 and executes the program to obtain the first blowout temperature and the first return temperature, and the heat flow detected by the heat flux sensor 3011 It functions as a heat flow value acquisition unit 3112, a determination unit 3113, and a control unit 114 that acquires information indicating the heat flow value and the flow direction of the bundle. The heat flow value acquisition unit 3112 acquires heat flow value detected by the heat flux sensor 3011 and heat flow information indicating the flow direction of the heat flux via the interface 104.

The determination unit 3113 determines the magnitude relationship between the heat flow threshold indicated by the heat flow threshold information stored in the reference DB 3131 and the absolute value of the heat flow value indicated by the heat flow information. Further, the determination unit 3113 determines the information indicating the heat flux flow direction, that is, the positive or negative of the heat flow value.

Next, a refrigerator control process performed by the control device 3100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 10, the same processes as the refrigerator control process according to the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 5 and 6. First, after the processing from step S101 to step S112 is performed, the heat flow value acquiring unit 3112 acquires heat flow information indicating the heat flow value Qf from the heat flux sensor 3011 via the interface 104 (step S201).

Next, the determination unit 3113 obtains heat flow threshold information from the reference DB 3131, and determines whether the absolute value | Qf | of the heat flow value Qf indicated by the heat flow information is larger than the heat flow threshold | Qf | th indicated by the heat flow threshold information. It determines (step S202). If the determination unit 3113 determines that the absolute value | Qf | of the heat flow value Qf is less than or equal to the heat flow threshold value | Qf | th (step S202: No), the process of step S119 described above is performed as it is.

On the other hand, when the determination unit 3113 determines that the absolute value | Qf | of the heat flow value Qf is larger than the heat flow threshold | Qf | th (step S202: Yes), the heat flow value Qf is larger than 0, that is, positive. It is determined whether or not it is (step S203). When the determination unit 3113 determines that the heat flow value Qf is positive (step S203: Yes), the process of step S117 described above is performed. On the other hand, when the determination unit 3113 determines that the heat flow value Qf is 0 or less (step S203: No), the process of step S118 described above is performed. After that, the process after step S119 is performed.

By the way, in the configuration in which the temperature sensor is attached to the bottom wall of the upper case 21 instead of the heat flux sensor 3011, the temperature of the bottom wall of the upper case 21 can be measured, but between the upper case 21 and the lower case 22 The flow direction of the heat flux generated by can not be identified. For example, when the storage subject having a large heat load is disposed in the lower case 22, the air around the storage subject warmed by the storage subject reaches the bottom wall of the upper case 21 and the bottom wall of the upper case 21. May heat up. Therefore, even if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor attached to the bottom wall of the upper case 21 rises, is it due to the increase in the thermal load of the storage object disposed in the upper case 21, the lower case It can not be determined whether it is due to the increase in the heat load of the storage object placed in the G.22.

On the other hand, in the present configuration, the heat flux value of heat flux generated between the upper case 21 and the lower case 22 is obtained by the heat flux sensor 3011 to be disposed in the upper case 21 and the lower case 22 respectively. The magnitude relation of the heat load of the storage object is accurately determined. Then, according to the present configuration, the flow rate of the air blown out to the upper case 21 and the lower case 22 is optimized in accordance with the magnitude relation of the thermal load of the storage objects disposed in the upper case 21 and the lower case 22 respectively. Set to flow rate. As a result, the shortage of the amount of cold air supplied to the upper case 21 or the lower case 22 or the excess of the amount of cold air supplied to the upper case 21 or the lower case 22 is suppressed.

In the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment, the first blowout temperature measurement unit 9 is provided in the vicinity of the blowout port 134a of the freezing chamber 134, and the second blowout temperature measurement unit 11 is in the vicinity of the blowout port 134b of the freezing chamber 134. The example provided is described. However, the configuration for measuring the temperature of the cold air blown out into the freezing chamber 134 from the

blowout ports

134 a and 134 b of the freezing chamber 134 is not limited to this. For example, the refrigerator may be provided with a temperature measurement unit that measures the temperature existing in the air duct 15A or in the vicinity of the cooler 162. In this case, the refrigerator is provided with a temperature estimation unit for estimating the temperature of the air blown out from the

outlets

134a and 134b from the temperature of the air existing in the air duct 15A or near the cooler 162 measured by the temperature measurement unit. It should be provided. This temperature estimation unit blows out the temperature obtained by adding, for example, the temperature rise due to the heat exchange with the air passage duct 15A to the measured temperature of the air existing in the air passage duct 15A or in the vicinity of the cooler 162. It is estimated that the temperature of the air blown out from the

ports

134a and 134b. The temperature increase width may be set based on, for example, the temperature difference between the temperature of the air in the vicinity of the cooler 162 and the temperature of the air blown out from the

outlets

134a and 134b, which are obtained in advance.

According to this configuration, the number of necessary temperature measurement units can be reduced, and accordingly, the configuration of the refrigerator 1 can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

In the embodiment, the refrigerator 1 is provided with two

outlets

134a and 134b in the freezing chamber 134, and one outlet is provided in each of the refrigerating chamber 131, the ice making chamber 132, the switching chamber 133 and the vegetable chamber 135. explained. However, the storage chamber in which the plurality of outlets are provided is not limited to the freezing chamber 134. It may be a refrigerator in which a plurality of outlets are provided in one or more and five or less storage rooms selected from the refrigerating room 131, the ice making room 132, the switching room 133, the freezing room 134 and the vegetable room 135.

In the embodiment, an example in which the two blowing

outlets

134 a and 134 b are provided in the freezing chamber 134 has been described, but the number of the blowing outlets is not limited to two. For example, the refrigerator may be a refrigerator in which three or more outlets are provided in the freezing chamber 134 and cold air is separately blown to cases disposed in three or more regions in the freezing chamber 134, respectively. In addition, the refrigerator may be provided with three or more outlets in a storage room of one or more and four or less selected from the refrigerating room 131, the ice making room 132, the switching room 133 and the vegetable room 135.

In the embodiment, the determination unit 113 compares the first outlet temperature or the first return temperature with the upper limit management temperature in step S102 of the refrigerator control process, and determines the first outlet temperature or the first return temperature in step S105. An example of comparing is described. However, targets to which the determination unit 113 compares the upper limit control temperature and the lower limit control temperature are not limited to these. For example, in the refrigerator control processing at step S102 and step S105, the determination unit 113 selects one to four temperatures and upper limit management selected from among the first blowout temperature, the second blowout temperature, the first return temperature, and the second return temperature. The temperature may be compared with the lower control temperature.

In the embodiment, the upstream dampers are provided in connection portions with the cold room 131, the ice making room 132, the switching room 133, the freezing room 134, and the vegetable room 135 in the air duct 15A. However, dampers for controlling the introduction of cold air to the cold storage room 131, the ice making room 132, the switching room 133, the freezing room 134, and the vegetable room 135 are not limited to this. For example, dampers may be provided in connection portions with the refrigerating chamber 131, the ice-making chamber 132, the switching chamber 133, the freezing chamber 134, and the vegetable chamber 135 in the air duct 15B.

The various functions of the control device 100 according to the present invention can be realized using a computer system without using a dedicated system. For example, in a computer connected to a network, a program for performing the above operation can be read from a non-transitory recording medium (flexible disc, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory), DVD, etc. readable by the computer system). The control device 100 may be configured to execute the above-described processing by storing and distributing in (Digital Versatile Disc), MO (Magneto-Optical Disc) or the like, and installing the program in a computer system.

Also, the method of providing the program to the computer is arbitrary. For example, the program may be uploaded to a server of the communication line and distributed to the computer via the communication line. Then, the computer starts this program and executes it under the control of the OS (Operating System) like other applications. Thus, the computer functions as the control device 100 that executes the above-described processing.

The present invention is capable of various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the embodiment described above is for describing the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is indicated not by the embodiments but by the claims. And, various modifications applied within the scope of the claims and the meaning of the invention are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is suitable for a refrigerator provided with a case for storing objects to be stored in each of a plurality of areas in a storage room.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 refrigerator, 1a heat insulation box, 8 door opening / closing detection part, 9 1st blowing temperature measurement part, 10 1st return temperature measurement part, 11 2nd blowing temperature measurement part, 12 2nd return temperature measurement part, 13 1st downstream Damper, 14 second downstream damper, 15A, 15B air duct, 16 cooler room, 18 machine room, 21 upper case, 21a, 22a return port, 22 lower case, 40 compressor, 100, 3100 controller, 101 CPU , 102 main storage unit, 103 auxiliary storage unit, 104 interface, 105 damper drive unit, 106 fan drive unit, 107 compressor drive unit, 111 temperature acquisition unit, 112 temperature difference calculation unit, 113, 3113 determination unit, 114

control unit

121, 122, 123, 124, 125 doors, 131 cold storage rooms, 131a, 133a, 1 4a, 134b, 135a Air outlet, 131b, 133b, 134c, 135b Suction port, 132 ice making room, 133 switching room, 134 freezing room, 135 vegetable room, 161 fan, 162 cooler, 1031, 3131 Reference DB, 1032 Parameter DB , 1511, 1513, 1514, 1515 upstream damper, 2013 air conditioning plate, 2134d, 2134e blowout duct, 3112 heat flow value acquisition unit, A1, A2 area

Claims

A storage chamber provided with a plurality of outlets for storing objects to be stored and blowing out the cooled air separately to each of the plurality of inner regions, and an inlet for sucking the air present inside;
A flow rate adjustment unit configured to adjust a flow rate of air blown out from each of the plurality of outlets to the plurality of areas;
The flow rate of air blown out from each of the plurality of outlets to each of the plurality of regions is determined according to the physical quantity reflecting the thermal load of the storage object disposed in each of the plurality of regions, and the plurality of outlets are determined. And a control unit that controls the flow rate adjustment unit such that the flow rate of the air blown out from the air flow becomes the determined flow rate.
refrigerator.
A blowout temperature measurement unit that measures the temperature of air blown out from the plurality of blowout ports;
A return temperature measurement unit that measures the temperature of air that is warmed by heat exchange with the storage objects disposed in each of the plurality of regions and then flows out of the plurality of regions and is returned to the suction port;
And a physical quantity calculation unit that calculates the physical quantity.
The physical quantity calculation unit calculates a temperature difference between the blowout temperature measured by the blowout temperature measurement unit and the return temperature measured by the return temperature measurement unit as the physical quantity.
The refrigerator according to claim 1.
The heat flow value acquiring unit further acquiring, as the physical quantity, a heat flow value indicating the magnitude of heat flux between the plurality of regions.
The refrigerator according to claim 1.
The storage chamber further comprises an opening for taking in and out the storage object,
A door attached to the opening;
And an open / close detection unit that detects the open / close state of the door,
The control unit is configured to control the plurality of the plurality of storage targets disposed in each of the plurality of regions after the open / close detection unit detects that the door has changed from the open state to the closed state. Determining the flow rate of air blown out from the respective blowout ports to the plurality of areas,
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A plurality of outlets for storing the objects to be stored, and blowing out the cooled air separately to the plurality of inner areas, and a plurality of storage rooms provided with suction ports for sucking the air present inside, and the plurality And a flow rate control unit for controlling a flow rate of air blown out from the respective blowout ports to the plurality of areas, the refrigerator control method of the refrigerator,
Determining the flow rate of air blown out from each of the plurality of outlets to the plurality of regions according to the physical quantity reflecting the thermal load of the storage object disposed in each of the plurality of regions;
Controlling the flow rate adjusting unit such that the flow rate of the air blown out from the plurality of outlets is the determined flow rate.
Refrigerator control method.
Computer,
A plurality of outlets for storing the objects to be stored and blowing out the cooled air to the inner plurality of regions respectively, and the plurality of outlets provided with the inlets for sucking the air present inside. The flow rate of air blown out from each of the plurality of outlets to the plurality of regions is determined according to the physical quantity reflecting the thermal load of the storage object arranged in each region, and the plurality of outlets are blown out. A control unit that controls a flow rate adjustment unit that adjusts the flow rate of air blown out from each of the plurality of outlets to the plurality of regions so that the flow rate of the air being flowed becomes the determined flow rate;
Program to function as.