WO2023127411A1 - Refrigerator, refrigerator control system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a refrigerator capable of maintaining the cooling performance of the refrigerator for a long time during a power failure even without using an external power source.　This refrigerator is equipped with a cooler and comprises: a defrosting operation execution unit that executes defrosting operation to melt frost on the cooler each time a first condition is satisfied; a mode shifting unit that, when a forecast related to a cause of a power failure is announced for an area including the installation location of the refrigerator, shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator from a first mode to a second mode that is different from the first mode; and an operation control unit that adjusts the internal temperature of the refrigerator in the second mode to be lower than the internal temperature of the refrigerator in the first mode. In the second mode, if the operation control unit has started lowering the internal temperature of the refrigerator, the defrosting operation execution unit executes the defrosting operation given that not only the first condition but also a second condition differing from the first condition is satisfied.

Description

Refrigerators, refrigerator control systems, and programs

The present disclosure relates to refrigerators, refrigerator control systems, and programs.

Patent Document 1 discloses a building power supply system that can preserve food in a refrigerator during a power outage. This building power supply system includes a power supply vehicle connectable to a predetermined building, and a refrigerator. When a power failure occurs in the predetermined building, the power supply vehicle supplies power to the refrigerator.

JP 2018-078689 A

The present disclosure provides a refrigerator, a refrigerator control system, and a program that can maintain the cooling capacity of the refrigerator over a long period of time without using an external power supply.

A refrigerator according to the present disclosure is a refrigerator including a cooler, and includes a defrosting operation execution unit that performs a defrosting operation to melt frost on the cooler each time a first condition is satisfied, and installation of the refrigerator. a mode transition unit for transitioning an operation mode of the refrigerator from a first mode to a second mode different from the first mode when a forecast related to a cause of a power outage is announced for an area including a location; an operation control unit that makes the temperature inside the refrigerator lower than the temperature inside the refrigerator in the first mode in the second mode, and the defrosting operation execution unit controls the operation in the second mode. When the unit starts lowering the internal temperature of the refrigerator, the defrosting operation is not executed unless the second condition different from the first condition is satisfied even if the first condition is satisfied.

Further, a refrigerator control system according to the present disclosure is a refrigerator control system including a refrigerator having a cooler and an information processing device communicating with the refrigerator, wherein the information processing device is located in an area including an installation location of the refrigerator. On the other hand, when a forecast related to the cause of a power outage is announced, a transmission unit for transmitting to the refrigerator shift instruction information for shifting the operation mode of the refrigerator from the first mode to the second mode different from the first mode. The refrigerator includes a defrosting operation execution unit that performs a defrosting operation to melt frost on the cooler each time a first condition is satisfied, and a reception unit that receives the shift instruction information from the information processing device. a mode transition unit that transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator from the first mode to the second mode when the reception unit receives the transition instruction information; an operation control unit configured to make the temperature lower than the temperature inside the refrigerator in the first mode; When the decrease starts, the defrosting operation is not executed unless the second condition different from the first condition is satisfied even if the first condition is satisfied.

Further, the program according to the present disclosure comprises a processor of a refrigerator provided with a cooler, a defrosting operation execution unit configured to perform a defrosting operation to melt frost on the cooler each time a first condition is satisfied; a mode transition unit that shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator from a first mode to a second mode different from the first mode when a forecast related to a cause of a power outage is announced for an area including the installation location of In the second mode, the temperature inside the refrigerator is made lower than the temperature inside the refrigerator in the first mode. When the controller starts lowering the internal temperature of the refrigerator, the defrosting operation is not executed unless the second condition different from the first condition is satisfied even if the first condition is satisfied.
This specification includes all of Japanese Patent Application/Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-211924 filed on December 27, 2021.

The refrigerator, refrigerator control system, and program according to the present disclosure can reduce the temperature inside the refrigerator before a power failure occurs, and can reduce the number of defrosting operations performed after the temperature inside the refrigerator starts to decrease. can be reduced. Therefore, the cooling capacity of the refrigerator can be maintained for a long period of time without using an external power supply.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerator control system according to Embodiment 1; 2 is a block diagram showing configurations of a refrigerator, a refrigerator control server, and a terminal device according to Embodiment 1; FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing changes in internal temperature of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing changes in internal temperature of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing changes in internal temperature of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment; FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system according to Embodiment 2; FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system according to Embodiment 3; FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator control system according to Embodiment 4; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator control system according to Embodiment 4;

(Knowledge, etc. on which this disclosure is based)
At the time when the inventors came up with the present disclosure, there were refrigerators that performed a defrosting operation to melt frost on coolers. In general, the defrosting operation increases the internal temperature of the refrigerator. Therefore, if a power outage occurs when the defrosting operation causes the internal temperature to rise, there is a risk that the cooling capacity at the time of the power outage cannot be maintained for a long period of time. The inventors have discovered this problem, and have come to constitute the subject matter of the present disclosure in order to solve the problem.
Further, in Patent Document 1, the inventors discovered the problem that it is necessary to use an external power supply such as a power supply vehicle while maintaining the cooling capacity of the refrigerator at the time of a power failure. have come to form the subject matter of this disclosure.
Therefore, the present disclosure provides a refrigerator, a refrigerator control system, and a program that can maintain the cooling capacity of the refrigerator over a long period of time during a power failure without using an external power supply.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially the same configurations may be omitted.
It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to allow those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter thereby.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 will be described.
[1-1. composition]
[1-1-1. Configuration of refrigerator control system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerator control system 1000. As shown in FIG.
A refrigerator control system 1000 is a system that controls the refrigerator 1 .

A refrigerator control system 1000 includes a refrigerator 1 .
In FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 is installed in the home H of the user P. As shown in FIG. A refrigerator 1 has a main box body 10 with an open front surface. A refrigerator compartment 11 , an ice making compartment 12 , a fresh freezing compartment 13 , a freezing compartment 14 and a vegetable compartment 15 are formed in the main box body 10 . The front opening of the refrigerator compartment 11 is provided with a rotary left door 11A and a rotary right door 11B. The ice making compartment 12, the fresh freezing compartment 13, the freezing compartment 14, and the vegetable compartment 15 are respectively provided with drawers 12A, 13A, 14A, and 15A capable of accommodating articles. It should be noted that the article in the present embodiment is food, a container containing food, or the like. The refrigerator 1 is connected for communication with a communication device 2 installed in the home H of the user P, and communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 via the communication device 2 .
Home H corresponds to the “installation location” of the present disclosure. The refrigerator control server 3 in this embodiment corresponds to the "information processing device" of the present disclosure.

The communication device 2 connects to the communication network NW and communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 via the communication network NW. The communication network NW is a network composed of a public line network, a leased line, other communication lines, and various communication facilities, and is not limited to specific aspects. For example, the communication network NW may be a wide area network. The communication network NW may be configured to include at least one of a wireless communication circuit and a wired communication circuit. The communication device 2 functions as an interface device for connecting the refrigerator 1 and the terminal device 4 to the communication network NW.

The terminal device 4 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer) such as a smartphone or tablet terminal. A refrigerator control application 411 is installed in the terminal device 4 . The refrigerator control application 411 is an installable application program for controlling the refrigerator 1 .

In FIG. 1, the user P who is at home is indicated by a solid line, and the user P who is out of the home H is indicated by a dotted line. The terminal device 4 communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 via the communication device 2 or not via the communication device 2 by the function of the refrigerator control application 411 when used by the user P who is at home. Further, when the terminal device 4 is used by the user P who has left home H and cannot establish a communication connection with the communication device 2 , the function of the refrigerator control application 411 enables the refrigerator control server to operate without the communication device 2 . Communicate with 3.

The refrigerator control system 1000 includes a refrigerator control server 3. The refrigerator control server 3 is a server device that controls the refrigerator 1 , connects to the communication network NW, and communicates with the refrigerator 1 , the terminal device 4 , and the weather warning server 5 .

The weather warning server 5 is a server device that provides information on the presence or absence of an announcement. The weather warning information is information indicating whether or not a weather warning has been issued for the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1 . Weather warnings are warnings related to causes of power outages, such as storms, blizzards, heavy rains, heavy snows, storm surges, floods, and waves.
A weather warning corresponds to a "forecast related to a cause of a power outage" of the present disclosure.

It should be noted that the area of the warning information provided by the weather warning server 5 may be any area that includes the location where the refrigerator 1 is installed, and may be, for example, a primary subdivision area, a secondary subdivision area, or another area.

Although the refrigerator control server 3 is represented by one block in each figure, this does not necessarily mean that the refrigerator control server 3 is composed of a single server device. For example, the refrigerator control server 3 may be configured including a plurality of server devices with different processing contents. Also, in each figure, the weather warning server 5 is represented by one block, but this does not necessarily mean that the weather warning server 5 is composed of a single server device. For example, the weather warning server 5 may be configured including a plurality of server devices with different processing contents. Also, in each drawing, the refrigerator control server 3 and the weather warning server 5 are illustrated as separate server devices, but the refrigerator control server 3 and the weather warning server 5 may be configured as the same server device. .

[1-1-2. Configuration of refrigerator, refrigerator control server, and terminal device]
Next, configurations of the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator control server 3, and the terminal device 4 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing configurations of the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator control server 3, and the terminal device 4. As shown in FIG.

First, the configuration of the refrigerator 1 will be described.
The refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator control section 16 , a refrigerator communication section 17 , a sensor section 18 , a cooling section 19 and a defrosting section 20 .

The refrigerator control unit 16 includes a refrigerator processor 100 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a refrigerator storage unit 110 . Refrigerator control unit 16 controls each unit of refrigerator 1 by reading and executing control program 111 stored in refrigerator storage unit 110 by refrigerator processor 100 . Refrigerator control unit 16 includes refrigerator communication control unit 101, mode transition unit 102, operation control unit 103, defrosting operation execution unit 104, first determination unit 105, and second determination unit 106 as functional units. By executing the control program 111, the refrigerator processor 100 functions as a refrigerator communication control unit 101, a mode transition unit 102, an operation control unit 103, a defrosting operation execution unit 104, a first determination unit 105, and a second determination unit 106. Function.
Refrigerator processor 100 corresponds to the “processor” of the present disclosure. The control program 111 corresponds to the "program" of the present disclosure. The refrigerator communication control unit 101 corresponds to the "receiving unit" of the present disclosure.

The refrigerator storage unit 110 includes a memory that stores programs executed by the refrigerator processor 100 and data processed by the refrigerator processor 100 . Refrigerator storage unit 110 stores control program 111 executed by refrigerator processor 100 and other various data. Refrigerator storage unit 110 has a nonvolatile storage area. Refrigerator storage unit 110 may include a volatile storage area and constitute a work area of refrigerator processor 100 .

The refrigerator communication unit 17 is a communication interface that includes a configuration related to communication, such as a communication circuit conforming to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 according to the predetermined communication standard. The communication standard used by the refrigerator communication unit 17 may be a wireless communication standard (for example, IEEE802.11a/11b/11g/11n/11ac, Bluetooth (registered trademark)) or a wired communication standard.

The sensor unit 18 includes various sensors, and outputs the detection value of each sensor to the refrigerator control unit 16 . The sensor unit 18 includes a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 121 , a freezer compartment temperature sensor 122 and a cooler temperature sensor 123 .
Refrigerating compartment temperature sensor 121 detects the internal temperature of refrigerating compartment 11 .
The freezer compartment temperature sensor 122 detects the internal temperature of the freezer compartment 14 .
Cooler temperature sensor 123 detects the temperature of cooler 134 . The cooler temperature sensor 123 detects the temperature of a predetermined position such as the surface of the cooler 134 or the inside of the cooler 134 as the temperature of the cooler 134 .

The cooling unit 19 includes a compressor 131, a condenser 132, a capillary tube 133, a cooler 134, a cooling fan 135 that sends the cold air generated by the cooler 134 to each housing chamber, and divides the cold air sent by the cooling fan 135. A mechanism for cooling each housing chamber of the refrigerator 1, such as a damper 136, is provided. Cooling unit 19 cools each storage chamber of refrigerator 1 under the control of refrigerator control unit 16 .

The defrosting section 20 includes a heater 141 that heats the cooler 134 . Defrost unit 20 is connected to refrigerator control unit 16 . Heater 141 heats cooler 134 under the control of refrigerator control unit 16 . The cooler 134 is thereby defrosted.

As described above, refrigerator processor 100 functions as refrigerator communication control unit 101, mode transition unit 102, operation control unit 103, defrosting operation execution unit 104, first determination unit 105, and second determination unit 106.

The refrigerator communication control unit 101 communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 via the refrigerator communication unit 17. The refrigerator communication control unit 101 also performs processing related to communication with the refrigerator control server 3 .

The mode transition unit 102 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to the normal operation mode or the power outage precooling operation mode. For example, the mode transition unit 102 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 by describing in the setting data of the refrigerator 1 whether the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the normal operation mode or the blackout precooling operation mode. After shifting the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 , the mode transition unit 102 transmits information on the shifted operation mode to the operation control unit 103 , the defrosting operation execution unit 104 , the first determination unit 105 , and the second determination unit 106 . Output.

The normal operation mode is an operation mode in which the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 is higher than in the blackout precooling operation mode.
The blackout precooling operation mode is an operation mode in which the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 is lower than that in the normal operation mode except during the defrosting operation. In the power outage precooling operation mode, temperature decreasing operation and temperature maintaining operation are performed. The temperature lowering operation is an operation for lowering the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 . The temperature maintenance operation is an operation for maintaining the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 lowered by the temperature lowering operation. In the blackout precooling operation mode, the inside temperature may be lowered for all types of insides, or for an arbitrary inside such as only the refrigerator compartment 11, for example, the inside temperature may be lowered. good.
The normal operation mode corresponds to the "first mode" of the present disclosure. The blackout precooling operation mode corresponds to the "second mode" of the present disclosure.

The operation control unit 103 sets the state of the compressor 131 to a high rotation state to increase the amount of cooling inside the refrigerator 1 in the temperature decreasing operation of the power failure precooling operation mode.
The operation control unit 103 maintains the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 by setting the compressor 131 to a low rotation state in the temperature maintenance operation in the power failure precooling operation mode. The low rotation state is a state in which the rotation speed is lower than in the high rotation state and higher than in the stop state.
In the normal operation mode, the operation control unit 103 sets the state of the compressor 131 to a state in which the stop state and the low rotation state are repeated, and makes the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 higher than the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 in the blackout precooling operation mode. .

The defrosting operation executing unit 104 executes a defrosting operation to melt frost on the cooler 134 . The defrosting operation executing unit 104 energizes the heater 141 to heat the heater 141 in the defrosting operation. Thereby, the heat of the heater 141 is transferred to the cooler 134, and the frost on the cooler 134 melts. The defrosting operation executing unit 104 ends the defrosting operation when the defrosting operation is started and a predetermined trigger occurs. Examples of the predetermined trigger include elapse of a predetermined time after the defrosting operation is started and temperature detected by the cooler temperature sensor 123 reaching a predetermined temperature.

The defrosting operation executing unit 104 executes the defrosting operation each time the first condition is satisfied in the normal operation mode. In the present embodiment, the first condition is the arrival of a predetermined period (for example, 13 hours). The defrosting operation execution part 104 performs a defrosting operation when the 2nd conditions different from a 1st condition are satisfied in blackout precooling operation mode. In other words, the defrosting operation executing unit 104 does not execute the defrosting operation in the blackout precooling operation mode unless the second condition is satisfied even if the first condition is satisfied with the arrival of the predetermined cycle. In the present embodiment, the second condition is at least either that the internal temperature of refrigerator compartment 11 exceeds the first temperature or that the internal temperature of freezer compartment 14 exceeds the second temperature. The first temperature is a temperature higher than the second temperature, eg, 10°C. The second temperature is -18°C, for example.

When the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is shifted to the blackout precooling operation mode, the first determination unit 105 determines whether or not the first predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation. The first predetermined time is, for example, four hours. The starting point from the previous defrosting operation may be the timing at which the previous defrosting operation ends or the timing at which the previous defrosting operation starts. The first determination unit 105 outputs determination results to the defrosting operation execution unit 104 and the operation control unit 103 .

The second determination unit 106 determines whether or not the second predetermined time has elapsed since the previous defrosting operation when the power failure precooling operation mode ends. The second predetermined time is, for example, 13 hours. Here, the starting point from the previous defrosting operation may be the timing at which the previous defrosting operation ends or the timing at which the previous defrosting operation starts. The second determination unit 106 outputs the determination result to the defrosting operation execution unit 104 and the operation control unit 103 .

Next, the configuration of the refrigerator control server 3 will be described.
The refrigerator control server 3 includes a server control section 30 and a server communication section 31 .

The server control unit 30 includes a server processor 300 that is a processor such as a CPU, and a server storage unit 310 . The server control unit 30 controls each unit of the refrigerator control server 3 by causing the server processor 300 to read and execute the control program 311 stored in the server storage unit 310 . The server control unit 30 includes a server communication control unit 301 as a functional unit. The server processor 300 functions as a server communication control unit 301 by executing a control program 311 .
In this embodiment, the server communication control unit 301 corresponds to the "transmitting unit" of the present disclosure.

The server storage unit 310 includes a memory that stores programs executed by the server processor 300 and data processed by the server processor 300 . The server storage unit 310 stores a control program 311 executed by the server processor 300, a refrigerator control DB (database) 312, and various other data. The server storage unit 310 has a non-volatile storage area. The server storage unit 310 may comprise a volatile storage area and constitute a work area of the server processor 300 .

The refrigerator control DB 312 is a database that stores various information related to the control of the refrigerator 1. One record R stored in the refrigerator control DB 312 has refrigerator communication information 3121 , terminal communication information 3122 , and installation location information 3123 . Note that one record R stored in the refrigerator control DB 312 may further have one or more different types of information.

The refrigerator communication information 3121 is information for communicating with the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator communication information 3121 includes, for example, address information of the refrigerator 1 and security information.

The terminal communication information 3122 is information for communicating with the terminal device 4 used by the user P of the refrigerator 1 corresponding to the refrigerator communication information 3121 associated with the same record R. The terminal communication information 3122 includes, for example, address information and security information of the terminal device 4 .

The installation location information 3123 is information indicating the installation location of the refrigerator 1 . In the present embodiment, the installation location of refrigerator 1 is home H of user P, so installation location information 3123 indicates the address of home H and the like.

The server communication unit 31 is a communication interface having a configuration related to communication such as a communication circuit according to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with the refrigerator 1, the terminal device 4, and the weather warning server 5 according to the predetermined communication standard.

As described above, the server processor 300 functions as the server communication control section 301.

The server communication control unit 301 communicates with the refrigerator 1, the terminal device 4, and the weather warning server 5 via the server communication unit 31. Also, the server communication control unit 301 performs processing related to communication with the refrigerator 1 , the terminal device 4 , and the weather warning server 5 .

Next, the configuration of the terminal device 4 will be described.
The terminal device 4 includes a terminal control section 40 , a terminal communication section 41 and a touch panel 42 .

The terminal control unit 40 includes a terminal processor 400, which is a processor such as a CPU, and a terminal storage unit 410, and controls each unit of the terminal device 4. The terminal control unit 40 controls each unit of the terminal device 4 by reading and executing a control program stored in the terminal storage unit 410 by the terminal processor 400 . A refrigerator control application 411 is installed in the terminal device 4 . Terminal processor 400 functions as application execution unit 401 by reading and executing refrigerator control application 411 .

The terminal storage unit 410 includes a memory that stores programs executed by the terminal processor 400 and data processed by the terminal processor 400 . The terminal storage unit 410 stores a refrigerator control application 411 and various other data. Terminal storage unit 410 has a non-volatile storage area. The terminal storage unit 410 may also include a volatile storage area and configure a work area for the terminal processor 400 .

The terminal communication unit 41 is a communication interface equipped with a communication-related configuration such as a communication circuit conforming to a predetermined communication standard. The terminal communication unit 41 communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 according to a predetermined communication standard by the functions of the refrigerator control application 411 . The communication standard used by the terminal communication unit 41 is a wireless communication standard, but may be a wired communication standard.

The touch panel 42 includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel, and a touch sensor provided over the display panel or integrally therewith. The display panel displays various information under the control of the terminal control unit 40 . The touch sensor detects touch operations and outputs them to the terminal control unit 40 . The terminal control unit 40 executes processing corresponding to the touch operation based on the input from the touch sensor.

As described above, the terminal processor 400 functions as the application execution unit 401.

The application execution unit 401 communicates with the refrigerator control server 3 via the terminal communication unit 41. In addition, the application execution unit 401 causes the touch panel 42 to display various information. The application executing unit 401 also receives input from the user P via the touch panel 42 .

[1-2. motion]
Next, the operation of refrigerator control system 1000 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of refrigerator control system 1000 . In FIG. 3, a flow chart FA shows the operation of the refrigerator control server 3, and a flow chart FB shows the operation of the refrigerator 1. As shown in FIG.

At the start of the flowchart FB shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the normal operation mode. Further, in the flowchart FA shown in FIG. 3, the server processor 300 of the refrigerator control server 3 processes one record R among the records R stored in the refrigerator control DB 312 .

As shown in the flowchart FA, the server communication control unit 301 determines whether or not a weather warning has been issued for the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1 (step SA1).

The server communication control unit 301 sends information to the weather warning server 5 to inquire whether a weather warning has been issued for the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1 . The server communication control unit 301 makes this inquiry every predetermined time (every 15 minutes, for example). The information transmitted to the weather warning server 5 upon inquiry includes the installation location information 3123 of the record R to be processed. The weather warning server 5 determines whether or not a weather warning has been issued for an area including the installation location indicated by the installation location information 3123 included in the received information. determined based on a predetermined database. When the weather warning server 5 determines that a weather warning has been issued, the weather warning server 5 transmits to the refrigerator control server 3 issuance information indicating that a weather warning has been issued as a response to the inquiry. When the weather warning server 5 determines that no weather warning has been issued, the weather warning server 5 transmits to the refrigerator control server 3 issuance information indicating that no weather warning has been issued as a response to the inquiry. If the received weather warning information indicates that a weather warning has been issued, server communication control section 301 makes an affirmative determination in step SA1. On the other hand, if the received weather warning information indicates that no weather warning has been issued, server communication control section 301 makes a negative determination in step SA1.

When the server communication control unit 301 determines that no weather warning has been issued for the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1 (step SA1: NO), the process of step SA1 is performed again.

On the other hand, if it is determined that a weather warning has been issued for the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1 (step SA1: YES), the server communication control unit 301 detects the refrigerator corresponding to the refrigerator communication information 3121 included in the record R to be processed. 1 (step SA2).
The transition instruction information is information for instructing transition to the power outage precooling operation mode.

Next, the server communication control unit 301 determines whether or not the weather warning has been issued (step SA3).

The server communication control unit 301 inquires of the weather warning server 5 whether or not a weather warning has been issued for the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1 . If the weather warning information received from the weather warning server 5 as a response to the inquiry indicates that a weather warning has been issued, the server communication control unit 301 makes a negative determination in step SA3, indicating that no weather warning has been issued. , the affirmative determination is made in step SA3.

When the server communication control unit 301 determines that the weather warning has not been canceled (step SA3: NO), the process of step SA3 is performed again.

On the other hand, when the server communication control unit 301 determines that the weather warning has been canceled (step SA3: YES), the end instruction information is sent to the refrigerator 1 corresponding to the refrigerator communication information 3121 included in the record R to be processed. Send (step SA4).
The end instruction information is information for instructing the end of the power failure precooling operation mode.

As shown in the flowchart FB, the refrigerator communication control unit 101 determines whether or not the shift instruction information has been received from the refrigerator control server 3 (step SB1).

When the refrigerator communication control unit 101 determines that the shift instruction information has not been received (step SB1: NO), the determination of step SB1 is performed again.

On the other hand, when the refrigerator communication control unit 101 determines that it has received the shift instruction information (step SB1: YES), the mode shift unit 102 shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode to the power outage precooling operation mode ( Step SB2).

Next, the first determination unit 105 determines whether or not the first predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation (step SB3).

When the first determination unit 105 determines that the first predetermined time has not passed since the previous defrosting operation (step SB3: NO), the refrigerator processor 100 performs the process of step SB5.

When the first determination unit 105 determines that the first predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation (step SB3: YES), the defrosting operation executing unit 104 executes the defrosting operation (step SB4 ).

After the defrosting operation in step SB4 is completed, or if a negative determination is made in step SB3, the operation control unit 103 starts the temperature lowering operation (step SB5).

Next, the operation control unit 103 determines whether or not a shift trigger has occurred to shift the operation in the power failure precooling operation mode to the temperature maintenance operation (step SB6). The transition trigger is, for example, the elapse of a predetermined period of time after starting the temperature lowering operation. Further, for example, the transition trigger is that the internal temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 has decreased to the target temperature and the internal temperature of the freezer compartment 14 has also decreased to the target temperature.

When the operation control unit 103 determines that the transition trigger has not occurred (step SB6: NO), it makes the determination in step SB6 again.

On the other hand, when the operation control unit 103 determines that a transition trigger has occurred (step SB6: YES), it switches the operation in the power failure precooling operation mode from the temperature reduction operation to the temperature maintenance operation, and starts the temperature maintenance operation (step SB7).

Next, the defrosting operation executing unit 104 determines whether or not the second condition is satisfied (step SB8).

When the defrosting operation execution unit 104 determines that the second condition is satisfied (step SB8: YES), it executes the defrosting operation (step SB9). When the defrosting operation of step SB9 ends, the refrigerator processor 100 returns the process to step SB5, and performs the processes after step SB5 again.

On the other hand, when the defrosting operation execution unit 104 determines that the second condition is not satisfied (step SB8: NO), the refrigerator communication control unit 101 determines whether end instruction information has been received from the refrigerator control server 3. Determine (step SB10).

When the refrigerator communication control unit 101 determines that the termination instruction information has not been received (step SB10: NO), the refrigerator processor 100 returns the process to step SB8, and performs the processes after step SB8 again.

On the other hand, when refrigerator communication control unit 101 determines that end instruction information has been received (step SB10: YES), second determination unit 106 determines whether a second predetermined time has elapsed since the previous defrosting operation. Determine (step SB11).

When the second determination unit 106 determines that the second predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous defrosting operation (step SB11: NO), the refrigerator processor 100 performs the process of step SB13.

When the second determination unit 106 determines that the second predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation (step SB11: YES), the defrosting operation executing unit 104 executes the defrosting operation (step SB12 ).

After the defrosting operation executed in step SB12 ends, or when a negative determination is made in step SB11, the mode transition unit 102 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the power failure precooling operation mode to the normal operation mode (step SB13). ).

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing changes in temperature inside the refrigerator 1 in the power failure precooling operation mode. FIG. 4 exemplifies the internal temperature of the freezer compartment 14 as the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 . Note that the internal temperature of storage chambers other than the freezer compartment 14 changes in the same manner as the temperature change shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 shows changes in the internal temperature when the defrosting operations of steps SB4 and SB12 are executed and the second condition is not satisfied in the power failure precooling operation mode.

At timing T1, the mode transition unit 102 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode to the power outage precooling operation mode. At timing T1, it is assumed that the first predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation. In this case, the first determination unit 105 makes an affirmative determination in step SB3, and the defrosting operation executing unit 104 executes the defrosting operation after timing T1. As a result, after timing T1, the internal temperature of the freezer compartment 14 rises from −20° C., which is the internal temperature in the normal operation mode. Note that the internal temperature of the freezer compartment 14 in the normal operation mode is not limited to -20.degree.

When the defrosting operation ends at timing T2, the operation control unit 103 starts the temperature lowering operation at timing T2. As a result, the internal temperature of the freezer compartment 14 decreases after timing T2.

When a transition trigger occurs at timing T3, the operation control unit 103 starts temperature maintenance operation at timing T3. As a result, after the timing T3, the internal temperature of the freezer compartment 14 is maintained at −26° C. at the timing T3. Note that the internal temperature of the freezer compartment 14 maintained by the temperature maintenance operation is not limited to -26.degree.

At timing T4, the refrigerator communication control unit 101 receives end instruction information. At timing T4, it is assumed that the second predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation. In this case, the second determination unit 106 makes an affirmative determination in step SB11, and the defrosting operation executing unit 104 executes the defrosting operation after timing T4. As a result, after timing T4, the internal temperature of the freezer compartment 14 rises from -26.degree.

When the defrosting operation ends at timing T5, the mode transition unit 102 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the blackout precooling operation mode to the normal operation mode at timing T5.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the refrigerator 1 performs the defrosting operation before the temperature decreasing operation when the first predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the heat exchange efficiency of the cooler 134 after the start of the temperature lowering operation, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the heat exchange efficiency of the cooler 134 after the start of the temperature lowering operation. It is possible to suppress the establishment of the second condition after the start. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 can maintain the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 for a longer period of time during a power failure.

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the refrigerator 1 performs the defrosting operation before shifting to the normal operation mode when the second predetermined time has elapsed since the previous defrosting operation. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the heat exchange efficiency of the cooler 134 after shifting to the normal operation mode. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 can appropriately cool the inside after the transition from the blackout precooling operation mode to the normal operation mode.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing changes in temperature inside the refrigerator 1 in the power failure precooling operation mode. In FIG. 5 , the internal temperature of the freezer compartment 14 is exemplified as the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 . Note that the internal temperature of storage compartments other than the freezer compartment 14 changes in the same manner as the temperature changes shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows changes in the internal temperature when the defrosting operation of step SB12 is executed and the second condition is not satisfied in the power failure precooling operation mode.

At timing T6, the mode transition unit 102 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode to the power outage precooling operation mode. At timing T6, it is assumed that the first predetermined time has not passed since the previous defrosting operation. In this case, since the first determination unit 105 makes a negative determination in step SB3, the operation control unit 103 starts the temperature lowering operation at timing T6 without executing the defrosting operation. As a result, after timing T6, the internal temperature of the freezer compartment 14 drops from -20.degree.

When a transition trigger occurs at timing T7, the operation control unit 103 starts temperature maintenance operation at timing T7. As a result, after timing T7, the internal temperature of refrigerator 1 is maintained at −26° C. at timing T7.

At timing T8, the refrigerator communication control unit 101 receives end instruction information. At timing T8, it is assumed that the second predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation. In this case, the second determination unit 106 makes an affirmative determination in step SB11, and the defrosting operation executing unit 104 executes the defrosting operation at timing T8. As a result, the internal temperature of the freezer compartment 14 rises from -26° C. after timing T8.

When the defrosting operation ends at timing T9, the mode transition unit 102 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the blackout precooling operation mode to the normal operation mode at timing T9.

As exemplified in FIG. 5 , if the first predetermined time has not passed since the previous defrosting operation when shifting to the blackout precooling operation mode, the refrigerator 1 does not perform the defrosting operation. to lower the temperature inside the refrigerator. As a result, the refrigerator 1 can quickly lower the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 after shifting to the blackout precooling operation mode, and can promptly respond to power failure. In addition, the refrigerator 1 can suppress an increase in power consumption in the blackout precooling operation mode.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing changes in temperature inside the refrigerator 1 in the power failure precooling operation mode. FIG. 6 exemplifies the internal temperature of the freezer compartment 14 as the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 . Note that the internal temperatures of storage compartments other than the freezer compartment 14 change in the same manner as the temperature changes shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows changes in the internal temperature when the defrosting operation of step SB4 is executed and the second condition is not satisfied.

At timing T10, the mode transition unit 102 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode to the power outage precooling operation mode. At timing T10, it is assumed that the first predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation. In this case, the first determination unit 105 makes an affirmative determination in step SB3, and the defrosting operation executing unit 104 executes the defrosting operation after timing T10. As a result, after timing T10, the internal temperature of freezer compartment 14 rises from -20.degree.

When the defrosting operation ends at timing T11, the operation control unit 103 starts the temperature lowering operation at timing T11. As a result, the internal temperature of the freezer compartment 14 decreases after timing T11.

When a transition trigger occurs at timing T12, the operation control unit 103 starts temperature maintenance operation at timing T12. As a result, after timing T12, the internal temperature of freezer compartment 14 is maintained at -26° C. at timing T12.

At timing T13, the refrigerator communication control unit 101 receives end instruction information. At timing T13, the second predetermined time has not passed since the previous defrosting operation. In this case, the second determination unit 106 makes a negative determination in step SB11, and at timing T12, the mode transition unit 102 transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the blackout precooling operation mode to the normal operation mode.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 shifts to the normal operation mode without executing the defrosting operation when the second predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous defrosting operation. As a result, the refrigerator 1 can quickly transition to the normal operation mode, and can suppress an increase in power consumption in the power failure precooling operation mode.

[1-3. effects, etc.]
As described above, refrigerator 1 includes cooler 134 . The refrigerator 1 has a defrosting operation execution unit 104 that executes a defrosting operation each time the first condition is satisfied, and an operation mode of the refrigerator 1 when a weather warning is issued for an area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1. A mode transition unit 102 that shifts from the normal operation mode to the power failure precooling operation mode, and an operation control unit 103 that makes the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 lower than the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 in the normal operation mode in the power failure precooling operation mode, Prepare. In the power failure precooling operation mode, when the operation control unit 103 starts lowering the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1, the defrosting operation execution unit 104 determines that even if the first condition is satisfied, the second condition different from the first condition is not satisfied. The defrosting operation is not executed unless the condition is satisfied.

According to this, the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 can be lowered before the power failure occurs. Moreover, since the defrosting operation is not performed unless the second condition different from the first condition is satisfied, the number of times the defrosting operation is performed after the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 starts to decrease can be reduced. Therefore, even without using an external power supply, the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 can be maintained for a long period of time in the event of a power failure.

The refrigerator 1 includes a first determination unit 105 that determines whether or not a first predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation when the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 shifts to the blackout precooling operation mode. The defrosting operation execution part 104 performs a defrosting operation, when the 1st determination part 105 determines with the 1st predetermined time having passed. When the first determination unit 105 determines that the first predetermined time has passed, the operation control unit 103 lowers the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 after the defrosting operation execution unit 104 executes the defrosting operation.

According to this, the refrigerator 1 executes the defrosting operation before the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 is lowered when the first predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the heat exchange efficiency of the cooler 134 after the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 starts to decrease, and it is possible to suppress the establishment of the second condition. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 can maintain the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 1 for a longer period of time during a power failure.

The defrosting operation executing unit 104 does not execute the defrosting operation when the first determination unit 105 determines that the first predetermined time has not elapsed. The operation control unit 103 lowers the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 when the first determination unit 105 determines that the first predetermined time has not elapsed.

According to this, the refrigerator 1 can quickly lower the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 after shifting to the power failure precooling operation mode, and can quickly respond to power failure. In addition, the refrigerator 1 can suppress an increase in power consumption in the blackout precooling operation mode.

The refrigerator 1 includes a second determination unit 106 that determines whether or not a second predetermined time has elapsed since the previous defrosting operation. When the defrosting operation execution unit 104 determines that the weather warning for the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1 has been canceled and the second determination unit 106 determines that the second predetermined time has passed, the defrosting operation is performed. to run. When the mode transition unit 102 determines that the weather warning for the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1 has been canceled and the second determination unit 106 determines that the second predetermined time has passed, the defrosting operation execution unit After the defrosting operation is executed by 104, the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is changed from the blackout precooling operation mode to the normal operation mode.

According to this, the refrigerator 1 executes the defrosting operation before shifting to the normal operation mode when the second predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the heat exchange efficiency of the cooler 134 after shifting to the normal operation mode. Therefore, when the power failure precooling operation mode is shifted to the normal operation mode, the refrigerator 1 can appropriately cool the interior.

When the second determination unit 106 determines that the weather warning for the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1 has been canceled and the second predetermined time has not elapsed, the defrosting operation execution unit 104 performs the defrosting operation. do not run When the second determination unit 106 determines that the weather warning for the area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1 has been canceled and the second predetermined time has not elapsed, the mode transition unit 102 switches the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 to from power failure precooling operation mode to normal operation mode.

According to this, the refrigerator 1 can quickly shift to the normal operation mode, and can suppress an increase in power consumption in the power failure precooling operation mode.

The first condition is the arrival of a predetermined cycle. The second condition is at least either that the internal temperature of the refrigerating compartment 11 of the refrigerator 1 exceeds the first temperature, or that the internal temperature of the freezing compartment 14 of the refrigerator 1 exceeds the second temperature. .

According to this, in the configuration in which the defrosting operation is performed at predetermined intervals, in the blackout precooling operation mode, it is possible to prevent the defrosting operation from being performed even if the predetermined interval has arrived. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 can reduce the number of times the defrosting operation is performed in the blackout precooling operation mode in a configuration that performs the defrosting operation at predetermined intervals.

A refrigerator control system 1000 includes a refrigerator 1 having a cooler 134 and a refrigerator control server 3 communicating with the refrigerator 1 . The refrigerator control server 3 transmits to the refrigerator 1 shift instruction information for shifting the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode to the blackout precooling operation mode when a weather warning is issued for an area including the installation location of the refrigerator 1. A server communication control unit 301 is provided. The refrigerator 1 includes a defrosting operation executing unit 104 that executes a defrosting operation each time the first condition is satisfied, a refrigerator communication control unit 101 that receives shift instruction information from the refrigerator control server 3, and a refrigerator communication control unit 101. A mode transition unit 102 for shifting the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode to the power failure precooling operation mode when the transition instruction information is received, and an operation control unit 103 that lowers the internal temperature of the refrigerator. In the power failure precooling operation mode, when the operation control unit 103 starts lowering the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1, the defrosting operation execution unit 104 determines that even if the first condition is satisfied, the second condition different from the first condition is not satisfied. The defrosting operation is not executed unless the condition is satisfied.

According to this, the same effect as that of the refrigerator 1 described above can be obtained.

The control program 111 controls the refrigerator processor 100 to perform a defrosting operation execution unit 104 that executes a defrosting operation each time the first condition is satisfied, a mode transition unit 102 for shifting the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 from the normal operation mode to the power failure precooling operation mode; It functions as the operation control unit 103 . When the operation control unit 103 starts lowering the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 in the blackout precooling operation mode, the defrosting operation executing unit 104 performs defrosting if the second condition is not satisfied even if the first condition is satisfied. Do not drive.

According to this, the same effect as that of the refrigerator 1 described above can be obtained.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, Embodiment 2 will be described.
In Embodiment 2, the same components as those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[2-1. composition]
The refrigerator control system 1000 of the second embodiment includes a terminal device 4 in addition to the refrigerator 1 and the refrigerator control server 3 as compared with the refrigerator control system 1000 of the first embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the terminal device 4 corresponds to the "information processing device" of the present disclosure. Also, in the present embodiment, the application executing unit 401 corresponds to the “transmitting unit” of the present disclosure.

[2-2. motion]
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation of refrigerator control system 1000 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 7 , a flowchart FC shows the operation of the terminal device 4 , a flowchart FD shows the operation of the refrigerator control server 3 , and a flowchart FE shows the operation of the refrigerator 1 .

In FIG. 7, the same step numbers are assigned to the same steps as in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

It is assumed that the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the normal operation mode at the start of the flowchart FE shown in FIG. In the flowchart FD shown in FIG. 7, the server processor 300 of the refrigerator control server 3 processes one record R among the records R stored in the refrigerator control DB 312 .

As shown in the flowchart FD, when determining that a weather warning has been issued (step SA1: YES), the server communication control unit 301 sends the terminal device 4 corresponding to the terminal communication information 3122 included in the record R to be processed, Send the command information (step SD1).
The issued information is information indicating that a weather warning has been issued.

As shown in the flowchart FC, the application executing unit 401 determines whether or not the command information has been received (step SC1).

When the application execution unit 401 determines that the command information has not been received (step SC1: NO), the determination of step SC1 is performed again.

On the other hand, when the application execution unit 401 determines that the issue information has been received (step SC1: YES), it gives a push notification that a weather warning has been issued in a manner in which the information is displayed on the touch panel 42 (step SC2).

Next, the application executing unit 401 determines whether or not an instruction to start the blackout pre-cooling operation mode has been received from the user P (step SC3). For example, the application executing unit 401 can display on the touch panel 42 a user interface for accepting an instruction to start the blackout pre-cooling operation mode. The application executing unit 401 makes a determination in step SC3 based on whether or not an instruction to start the power outage precooling operation mode has been received via the user interface.

When the application execution unit 401 determines that the instruction to start the power failure pre-cooling operation mode has not been received (step SC3: NO), the process proceeds to step SC5.

On the other hand, when the application executing unit 401 determines that the instruction to start the blackout precooling operation mode has been received (step SC3: YES), the application execution unit 401 transmits shift instruction information to the refrigerator control server 3 as a response to the received command information (step SC4). ).

As shown in the flowchart FD, the server communication control unit 301 determines whether or not the migration instruction information has been received (step SD2).

When the server communication control unit 301 determines that the migration instruction information has not been received (step SD2: NO), the server processor 300 performs the process of step SD4.

On the other hand, when determining that the migration instruction information has been received (step SD2: YES), the server communication control unit 301 causes the refrigerator 1 corresponding to the refrigerator communication information 3121 included in the record R to be processed to receive the information from the terminal device 4. Then, the transfer instruction information is transmitted (step SD3).

At step SD4, the server communication control unit 301 determines whether or not the weather warning has been canceled (step SD4).

If it is determined that the weather warning has not been canceled (step SD4: NO), the server communication control unit 301 returns the process to step SD2, and performs the processes after step SD2 again.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the weather warning has been canceled (step SD4: YES), the server communication control unit 301 transmits cancellation information to the terminal device 4 corresponding to the terminal communication information 3122 included in the record R to be processed. Send (step SD5).
The cancellation information is information indicating that the weather warning has been cancelled.

As shown in flowchart FC, the application executing unit 401 determines whether or not release information has been received (step SC5).

When the application execution unit 401 determines that the release information has not been received (step SC5: NO), the process returns to step SC3, and the process of step SC3 is performed again.

On the other hand, when the application execution unit 401 determines that the cancellation information has been received (step SC5: YES), the application execution unit 401 gives a push notification that the weather warning has been canceled in a manner in which the information is displayed on the touch panel 42 (step SC6). .

Next, the application execution unit 401 determines whether or not an instruction to terminate the power failure pre-cooling operation mode has been received from the user P (step SC7). For example, the application executing unit 401 can display a user interface for receiving an instruction to terminate the power failure pre-cooling operation mode on the touch panel 42, and receives an instruction to terminate the power failure pre-cooling operation mode via the user interface.

When the application executing unit 401 determines that an instruction to terminate the power failure pre-cooling operation mode has not been received (step SC7: NO), the determination of step SC7 is performed again.

On the other hand, when the application executing unit 401 determines that it has received an instruction to terminate the power outage precooling operation mode (step SC7: YES), it transmits termination instruction information to the refrigerator control server 3 as a response to the received cancellation information (step SC8). ).

As shown in the flowchart FD, the server communication control unit 301 determines whether or not end instruction information has been received (step SD6).

When the server communication control unit 301 determines that the termination instruction information has not been received (step SD6: NO), the determination of step SD6 is performed again.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the end instruction information has been received (step SD6: YES), the server communication control unit 301 causes the refrigerator 1 corresponding to the refrigerator communication information 3121 included in the record R to be processed to receive the information from the terminal device 4. End instruction information is transmitted (step SD7).

[2-3. effects, etc.]
According to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained. Further, according to Embodiment 2, the blackout precooling operation mode is started and ended by the instruction of the user P, so it is possible to prevent the blackout precooling operation mode from starting and ending at timings not intended by the user P.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, Embodiment 3 will be described.
In Embodiment 3, the same components as those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[3-1. composition]
The refrigerator control system 1000 of the third embodiment includes a terminal device 4 in addition to the refrigerator 1 and the refrigerator control server 3, like the refrigerator control system 1000 of the second embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the terminal device 4 corresponds to the "information processing device" of the present disclosure.
Also, in the present embodiment, the application executing unit 401 corresponds to the “transmitting unit” of the present disclosure.

[3-2. motion]
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the operation of refrigerator control system 1000 according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 8 , a flowchart FF shows the operation of the terminal device 4 , a flowchart FG shows the operation of the refrigerator control server 3 , and a flowchart FH shows the operation of the refrigerator 1 .

　In FIG. 8, the same step numbers are assigned to the same steps as in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

It is assumed that the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the normal operation mode at the start of the flowchart FH shown in FIG. In the flowchart FG shown in FIG. 8, the server processor 300 of the refrigerator control server 3 processes one record R among the records R stored in the refrigerator control DB 312 .

As shown in flowchart FF, the application execution unit 401 determines whether or not an instruction to start the power failure precooling operation mode has been received from the user P (step SF1). For example, the application executing unit 401 can display on the touch panel 42 a user interface for accepting an instruction to start the blackout pre-cooling operation mode. The application executing unit 401 makes a determination in step SF1 based on whether or not an instruction to start the power outage precooling operation mode has been received via the user interface.

When the application executing unit 401 determines that the instruction to start the power outage precooling operation mode has not been received (step SF1: NO), it ends this process.

On the other hand, when the application executing unit 401 determines that the instruction to start the blackout precooling operation mode has been received (step SF1: YES), the application execution unit 401 transmits transition instruction information to the refrigerator control server 3 as a response to the received command information (step SC4). ).

As shown in Flowchart FG, when it is determined that the weather warning has been canceled (step SD4: YES), the server communication control unit 301 causes the refrigerator 1 corresponding to the refrigerator communication information 3121 included in the record R to be processed. , to transmit end instruction information (step SG1).

[3-3. effects, etc.]
According to the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained. Further, according to Embodiment 3, since the power failure pre-cooling operation mode is started by an instruction from the user P, it is possible to prevent the power failure pre-cooling operation mode from being started at a timing not intended by the user P. Further, according to Embodiment 3, the power failure pre-cooling operation mode is automatically ended, so it is possible to prevent the power failure pre-cooling operation mode from being continued for an unnecessarily long period.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, Embodiment 4 will be described.
In Embodiment 4, the same components as those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[4-1. composition]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of refrigerator control system 1000 according to the fourth embodiment.
In Embodiment 4, the refrigerator control server 3 corresponds to the "information processing device" of the present disclosure. Moreover, in Embodiment 4, the server communication control unit 301 corresponds to the “transmitting unit” of the present disclosure.

In Embodiment 4, the server processor 300 functions as a server communication control section 301, a third determination section 302, a fourth determination section 303, and a fifth determination section 304. In Embodiment 4, refrigerator processor 100 does not function as first determination unit 105 and second determination unit 106 .

Further, the defrosting operation executing unit 104 of Embodiment 4 does not determine whether or not the second condition is satisfied in the power failure precooling operation mode. The defrosting operation executing unit 104 of Embodiment 4 executes the defrosting operation when the refrigerator communication control unit 101 receives the defrosting operation instruction information in the blackout precooling operation mode. In other words, the defrosting operation executing unit 104 of Embodiment 4 prevents the refrigerator communication control unit 101 from transmitting the defrosting operation instruction information even if the first condition is satisfied after the predetermined period arrives in the power failure precooling operation mode. Defrosting operation is not executed unless it is received.

Also, in Embodiment 4, one record R stored in the refrigerator control DB 312 further includes date and time information 3124 . The date and time information 3124 is information indicating the most recent date and time when the refrigerator 1 performed the defrosting operation. The date and time indicated by the date and time information 3124 may be the date and time when the defrosting operation was started or the date and time when the defrosting operation was finished. Date and time information 3124 is appropriately updated each time refrigerator 1 performs a defrosting operation.

The third determination unit 302 determines whether or not the first predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation. The third determination unit 302 determines whether or not the first predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation, based on the date and time indicated by the date and time information 3124 included in the record R to be processed. The third determination unit 302 outputs determination results to the server communication control unit 301 .

The fourth determination unit 303 determines whether or not the second predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation. The fourth determination unit 303 determines whether or not the second predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation, based on the date and time indicated by the date and time information 3124 included in the record R to be processed. The fourth determination unit 303 outputs determination results to the server communication control unit 301 .

The fifth determination unit 304 determines whether or not the second condition is satisfied. The refrigerator communication control unit 101 according to Embodiment 4 transmits temperature information detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 121 and temperature information detected by the freezer compartment temperature sensor 122 to the refrigerator control server 3 in the power failure precooling operation mode. do. Based on the temperature information received by the server communication control unit 301, the fifth determination unit 304 determines whether the second condition is satisfied. The fifth determination unit 304 outputs determination results to the server communication control unit 301 .

When the determination result output by the third determination unit 302 indicates that the first predetermined time has elapsed, the server communication control unit 301 according to Embodiment 4 performs the defrosting operation indicating an instruction to perform the defrosting operation. The instruction information is transmitted to the refrigerator 1, and the defrosting operation instruction information is not transmitted to the refrigerator 1 when the determination result indicates that the first predetermined time has not elapsed.
Further, the server communication control unit 301 of Embodiment 4 transmits the defrosting operation instruction information to the refrigerator 1 when the determination result output by the fourth determination unit 303 indicates that the second predetermined time has passed. However, when the determination result indicates that the second predetermined time has not elapsed, the defrosting operation instruction information is not transmitted to the refrigerator 1 .
Further, when the determination result output by the fifth determination unit 304 indicates that the second condition is satisfied, the server communication control unit 301 of Embodiment 4 transmits the defrosting operation instruction information to the refrigerator 1 and When the determination result indicates that the second condition is not satisfied, the defrosting operation instruction information is not transmitted to the refrigerator 1 .

[4-2. operation etc.]
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation of refrigerator control system 1000 according to the fourth embodiment. 10, a flowchart FI shows the operation of the refrigerator control server 3, and a flowchart FJ shows the operation of the refrigerator 1. As shown in FIG.

　In FIG. 10, the same step numbers are assigned to the same steps as in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

At the start of the flowchart FJ shown in FIG. 10, it is assumed that the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 is the normal operation mode. Further, in the flowchart FI shown in FIG. 10, the server processor 300 of the refrigerator control server 3 processes one record R among the records R stored in the refrigerator control DB 312 .

As shown in the flowchart FI, the third determination unit 302 determines whether or not the first predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation (step SI1).

When the third determination unit 302 determines that the first predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous defrosting operation (step SI1: NO), the server processor 300 performs the process of step SI3.

When the third determination unit 302 determines that the first predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation (step SI1: YES), the server communication control unit 301 transmits defrosting operation instruction information to the refrigerator 1. (step SI2).

As shown in the flowchart FJ, the refrigerator communication control unit 101 determines whether or not the defrosting operation instruction information has been received (step SJ1).

When the refrigerator communication control unit 101 determines that the defrosting operation instruction information has not been received (step SJ1: NO), the refrigerator processor 100 performs the process of step SB5.

When the refrigerator communication control unit 101 determines that it has received the defrosting operation instruction information (step SJ1: YES), the defrosting operation execution unit 104 executes the defrosting operation (step SJ2).

As shown in the flowchart FI, the fifth determination unit 304 determines whether or not the second condition is satisfied (step SI3).

When the fifth determination unit 304 determines that the second condition is not satisfied (step SI3: NO), the server processor 300 performs the process of step SI5.

On the other hand, when the fifth determination unit 304 determines that the second condition is satisfied (step SI3: YES), the server communication control unit 301 transmits defrosting operation instruction information to the refrigerator 1 (step SI4). .

As shown in the flowchart FJ, the refrigerator communication control unit 101 determines whether or not the defrosting operation instruction information has been received (step SJ3).

When the refrigerator communication control unit 101 determines that the defrosting operation instruction information has not been received (step SJ3: NO), it performs the processing of step SJ5.

On the other hand, when the refrigerator communication control unit 101 determines that it has received the defrosting operation instruction information (step SJ3: YES), the defrosting operation execution unit 104 executes the defrosting operation (step SJ4).

As shown in the flowchart FI, the server communication control unit 301 determines whether or not the weather warning has been issued (step SI5).

When the server communication control unit 301 determines that the weather warning has not been canceled (step SI5: NO), the server processor 300 returns the process to step SI3, and performs the processes from step SI3 onwards again.

On the other hand, when the server communication control unit 301 determines that the weather warning has been canceled (step SI5: YES), it transmits end instruction information to the refrigerator 1 (step SI6).

As shown in the flowchart FJ, the refrigerator communication control unit 101 determines whether end instruction information has been received (step SJ5).

When the refrigerator communication control unit 101 determines that the end instruction information has not been received (step SJ5: NO), the refrigerator processor 100 performs the processes from step SJ3 onward.

On the other hand, when the refrigerator communication control unit 101 determines that the end instruction information has been received (step SJ5: YES), it performs the process of step SJ6.

As shown in the flowchart FI, the fourth determination unit 303 determines whether or not the second predetermined time has elapsed since the previous defrosting operation (step SI7).

When the fourth determination unit 303 determines that the second predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous defrosting operation (step SI7: NO), the server processor 300 terminates this process.

On the other hand, when the fourth determination unit 303 determines that the second predetermined time has passed since the previous defrosting operation (step SI7: YES), the server communication control unit 301 sends the defrosting operation instruction information to the refrigerator 1 (step SI8).

As shown in the flowchart FJ, the refrigerator communication control unit 101 determines whether or not the defrosting operation instruction information has been received (step SJ6).

When the refrigerator communication control unit 101 determines that the defrosting operation instruction information has not been received (step SJ6: YES), the refrigerator processor 100 performs the process of step SB13.

On the other hand, when the refrigerator communication control unit 101 determines that it has received the defrosting operation instruction information (step SJ6: YES), the defrosting operation execution unit 104 executes the defrosting operation (step SJ7).

[4-3. effects, etc.]
According to the fourth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, the above embodiments and modifications have been described as examples disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can also be applied to embodiments with modifications, replacements, additions, omissions, and the like. Further, it is also possible to combine the constituent elements described in the above-described embodiment and modification to form a new embodiment.
Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

In each of the embodiments described above, the arrival of the predetermined period is exemplified as the first condition. However, the first condition is not limited to the arrival of the predetermined cycle. The first condition may be a condition that is different from the second condition and has a looser constraint on establishment than the second condition. For example, when the second condition is that the internal temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 has exceeded the first temperature, the first condition may be that the internal temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 has exceeded the third temperature. Here, the third temperature is a temperature that is lower than the first temperature and higher than the average temperature in the normal operation mode, eg, 8°C. Further, for example, when the second condition is that the internal temperature of the freezer compartment 14 has exceeded the second temperature, the first condition may be that the internal temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 has exceeded the fourth temperature. Here, the fourth temperature is lower than the second temperature and higher than the average temperature in the normal operation mode, eg -19°C.

Also, in each of the above-described embodiments, the second condition is the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 11 and the freezer compartment 14 . However, the second condition may also relate to the internal temperature of other storage chambers. In addition, the second condition is not limited to conditions related to the internal temperature. The second condition may be any condition that is different from the first condition and has a stricter constraint on its establishment than the first condition. For example, if the first condition is the arrival of a 13-hour period, the second condition may be the arrival of a 24-hour period.

In each of the above-described embodiments, in step SA1, server communication control unit 301 is configured to determine whether or not a weather warning has been issued for an area including the installation location of refrigerator 1. may be determined whether or not received. In this configuration, the server communication control unit 301 communicates with the weather warning server 5 and receives issue information from the weather warning server 5 . Here, the issuing information is information indicating that a state in which no warning has been issued has shifted to a state in which a warning has been issued. Also, the installation location information 3123 may be registered in the weather warning server 5 in advance. In this case, the server communication control section 301 may transmit the installation location information 3123 to the weather warning server 5 in advance. The weather warning server 5 stores whether or not a weather warning has been issued for an area including the installation location indicated by the installation location information 3123, for example, in a predetermined database in which the area and whether or not a weather warning has been issued are associated with each other. decision based on The weather warning server 5 transmits the issuing information to the refrigerator control server 3 . When the server communication control unit 301 receives the command information, it makes an affirmative determination in step SA1.

In each of the embodiments described above, in steps SA3, SD4, and SI5, the server communication control unit 301 determines whether or not the weather warning has been issued. It may be determined whether or not it has been received. In this configuration, the server communication control unit 301 communicates with the weather warning server 5 and receives cancellation information from the weather warning server 5 . Here, the cancellation information is information indicating that the state in which the warning has been issued has changed to the state in which the warning has not been issued. Also, the installation location information 3123 may be registered in the weather warning server 5 in advance. In this case, the server communication control section 301 may transmit the installation location information 3123 to the weather warning server 5 in advance. The weather warning server 5 stores whether or not a weather warning has been issued for an area including the installation location indicated by the installation location information 3123, for example, in a predetermined database in which the area and whether or not a weather warning has been issued are associated with each other. decision based on Weather warning server 5 transmits cancellation information to refrigerator control server 3 . When receiving the release information, the server communication control unit 301 makes an affirmative determination in steps SA3, SD4, and SI5.

In the first embodiment described above, the refrigerator control server 3 determines whether to issue a weather warning or to cancel the issuance. good. In the case of this configuration, the refrigerator 1 communicates with the weather warning server 5 and receives information on the presence or absence of an issuance from the weather warning server 5 . Further, in the refrigerator control system 1000 included in the refrigerator 1 and the refrigerator control server 3, one or two of the weather warning issuance determination, the satisfaction of the second condition, and the weather warning cancellation determination are performed by the refrigerator. 1 may perform the determination, and the refrigerator control server 3 may perform other determinations.

In the second embodiment described above, the refrigerator control server 3 determines whether to issue a weather warning and cancel the issuance, and the terminal device 4 determines whether or not to perform mode transition, and transmits transition instruction information and termination instruction information. However, the terminal device 4 may determine whether to issue a weather warning and cancel the issuance. In the case of this configuration, the terminal device 4 communicates with the weather warning server 5 and receives information on the presence or absence of an issuance from the weather warning server 5 . In the refrigerator control system 1000 including the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator control server 3, and the terminal device 4, the terminal device 3 determines whether to issue a weather warning or to cancel the weather warning. , the refrigerator control server 3 or the refrigerator 1 may make other determinations. In the refrigerator control system 1000 including the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator control server 3, and the terminal device 4, the refrigerator 1 or the refrigerator control server 3 may determine whether the second condition is satisfied.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 shifts from the normal operation mode to the power outage precooling operation mode is exemplified, but the operation mode of the shift source is not limited to the normal operation mode, and the power outage precooling operation mode. Any other operation mode may be used. Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the operation mode of the refrigerator 1 shifts from the power failure precooling operation mode to the normal operation mode is exemplified, but the operation mode to be shifted to is not limited to the normal operation mode. Any operation mode other than the operation mode may be used. Note that the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 in operation modes other than the normal operation mode is higher than the internal temperature of the refrigerator 1 in the blackout precooling operation mode.
Operation modes other than the blackout precooling operation mode correspond to the "first mode" of the present disclosure.

Further, in another embodiment, in addition to setting the compressor 131 to a high rotation state, the cooling fan 135 may be rotated at a higher rotation speed than in the other operation modes in the temperature reduction operation.
Also, in another embodiment, the cooling fan 135 may be rotated at a higher speed in the temperature decreasing operation than in other operation modes.

In each of the above-described embodiments, a weather warning was exemplified as an alarm related to the cause of a power outage. An alarm other than an alarm may be used. In this case, the cause of the power outage is a factor other than the weather. In this case, instead of or together with the weather warning server 5, a server device that provides information indicating whether or not a warning other than a weather warning is issued is connected to the communication network NW. Inquires whether an alarm has been issued for the device.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the refrigerator 1 starts the blackout precooling operation mode with the issuance of a warning as a trigger, but the trigger is not limited to the warning, and may be a warning related to the cause of the power outage. There are various types of warnings such as heavy rain warnings and flood warnings, and among them, lightning warnings, which are likely to lead to power outages, may be used as triggers. Further, the trigger is not limited to warnings and warnings, and may be forecasts related to other causes of power outages. In this case, instead of or together with the weather warning server 5, a server device that provides information indicating whether or not a forecast is issued is connected to the communication network NW. Inquires whether or not it has been announced. In this case, instead of or together with an alarm server other than weather alarms, a server device that provides information indicating the presence or absence of an announcement of a forecast is connected to the communication network NW, and the refrigerator control server 3 is connected to the server device. Inquires whether a forecast has been released for

For example, the number of types of rooms formed in the main housing 10 of the refrigerator 1 may be more or less. Also, the number of doors provided at the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 11 may be one.

For example, the refrigerator processor 100, the server processor 300, and the terminal processor 400 may be composed of a single processor, or may be composed of multiple processors. Refrigerator processor 100, server processor 300, and terminal processor 400 may be hardware programmed to implement corresponding functional units. That is, the refrigerator processor 100, the server processor 300, and the terminal processor 400 are configured by, for example, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

The configurations of the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator control server 3, and the terminal device 4 shown in FIGS. 2 and 9 are examples, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. In other words, it is not always necessary to mount hardware corresponding to each part individually, and it is of course possible to adopt a configuration in which one processor executes a program to realize the function of each part. Further, part of the functions implemented by software in the above-described embodiments may be implemented by hardware, or part of the functions implemented by hardware may be implemented by software. In addition, the specific detailed configurations of other units of the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator control server 3, and the terminal device 4 can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the present disclosure.

The operation step units shown in FIGS. 3, 7, 8, and 10 are divided according to the main processing content in order to facilitate understanding of the operation. The name does not limit the action. It may be divided into more steps depending on the processing contents. Also, one step unit may be divided to include more processes. Also, the order of the steps may be changed as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

The control program 111 executed by the refrigerator processor 100 can also be realized by recording the control program 111 on a portable information recording medium. Examples of information recording media include magnetic recording media such as hard disks, optical recording media such as CDs, and semiconductor storage devices such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) memories and SSD (Solid State Drives). It is also possible to use

It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. can be made within the scope of the claims or equivalents thereof.

As described above, the refrigerator, refrigerator control system, and program according to the present invention can be used to maintain the cooling capacity of the refrigerator during a power failure.

1 refrigerator 3 refrigerator control server (information processing device)
4 Terminal device (information processing device)
100 refrigerator processor (processor)
102 Mode transition unit 103 Operation control unit 104 Defrosting operation execution unit 105 First determination unit 106 Second determination unit 111 Control program (program)
134 cooler 301 server communication control unit (transmitting unit)
401 application execution part (sending part)
1000 Refrigerator control system H Home (installation location)

Claims (6)

1. A refrigerator comprising a cooler,
   A defrosting operation execution unit that executes a defrosting operation to melt frost on the cooler each time a first condition is satisfied;
   A mode transition unit that shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator from a first mode to a second mode that is different from the first mode when a forecast related to a cause of a power outage is announced for an area including the installation location of the refrigerator. and,
   an operation control unit that lowers the internal temperature of the refrigerator in the second mode than the internal temperature of the refrigerator in the first mode,
   The defrosting operation execution unit,
   In the second mode, when the operation control unit starts lowering the internal temperature of the refrigerator, even if the first condition is satisfied, if the second condition different from the first condition is not satisfied, the removal is performed. not perform frost operation,
   refrigerator.
2. A first determination unit that determines whether a first predetermined time has elapsed since the previous defrosting operation when the operation mode of the refrigerator has shifted to the second mode,
   The defrosting operation execution unit executes the defrosting operation when the first determination unit determines that the first predetermined time has elapsed,
   When the first determination unit determines that the first predetermined time has elapsed, the operation control unit reduces the internal temperature of the refrigerator after the defrosting operation execution unit executes the defrosting operation. do,
   Refrigerator according to claim 1.
3. A second determination unit that determines whether a second predetermined time has elapsed since the previous defrosting operation,
   The defrosting operation execution unit executes the defrosting operation when the announcement of the forecast for the area is canceled and the second determination unit determines that the second predetermined time has elapsed,
   When the mode transition unit determines that the announcement of the forecast for the area has been canceled and the second determination unit determines that the second predetermined time has elapsed, the defrosting operation execution unit performs the defrosting shifting the operation mode of the refrigerator from the second mode to the first mode after executing the operation;
   The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2.
4. The first condition is that a predetermined cycle arrives,
   The second condition is at least one of a temperature inside a refrigerating compartment of the refrigerator exceeding a first temperature, and a temperature inside a freezer compartment of the refrigerator exceeding a second temperature.
   The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2.
5. A refrigerator control system comprising a refrigerator having a cooler and an information processing device communicating with the refrigerator,
   The information processing device is
   Shift instruction information for shifting the operation mode of the refrigerator from a first mode to a second mode different from the first mode when a forecast related to a cause of a power outage is announced for an area including the installation location of the refrigerator. to the refrigerator,
   The refrigerator is
   A defrosting operation execution unit that executes a defrosting operation to melt frost on the cooler each time a first condition is satisfied;
   a receiving unit that receives the migration instruction information from the information processing device;
   a mode transition unit that transitions the operation mode of the refrigerator from the first mode to the second mode when the reception unit receives the transition instruction information;
   an operation control unit that lowers the internal temperature of the refrigerator in the second mode than the internal temperature of the refrigerator in the first mode,
   The defrosting operation execution unit,
   In the second mode, when the operation control unit starts lowering the internal temperature of the refrigerator, even if the first condition is satisfied, if the second condition different from the first condition is not satisfied, the removal is performed. not perform frost operation,
   refrigerator control system.
6. a processor in a refrigerator with a cooler,
   A defrosting operation execution unit that executes a defrosting operation to melt frost on the cooler each time a first condition is satisfied;
   A mode transition unit that shifts the operation mode of the refrigerator from a first mode to a second mode that is different from the first mode when a forecast related to a cause of a power outage is announced for an area including the installation location of the refrigerator. and,
   In the second mode, functioning as an operation control unit that makes the internal temperature of the refrigerator lower than the internal temperature of the refrigerator in the first mode,
   The defrosting operation execution unit,
   In the second mode, when the operation control unit starts lowering the internal temperature of the refrigerator, even if the first condition is satisfied, if the second condition different from the first condition is not satisfied, the removal is performed. not perform frost operation,
   program.

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