WO2023233777A1 - Refrigerator control system and refrigerator control method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a refrigerator control system that suppresses a situation in which implementation of a particular function of a refrigerator is impeded by execution of defrosting operation.　A refrigerator control system includes an estimated defrosting time calculating unit that calculates an estimated defrosting time at a point in time of judging necessity/non-necessity of defrosting, by an estimation model, a defrosting operation control unit that executes defrosting operation when the estimated defrosting time at the point in time of judging necessity/non-necessity of defrosting is a threshold value or higher, a non-use time slot recognizing unit that recognizing a non-use time slot that is a time slot regarding which estimation is made that the likelihood of a particular function of a refrigerator being used is low, and a threshold value setting unit that sets a plurality of the threshold value relating to judging whether or not to execute the defrosting operation.

Description

Refrigerator control system and refrigerator control method

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator control system and a refrigerator control method that control a refrigerator that performs a defrosting operation.

Patent Document 1 discloses a defrosting device for a refrigerator that determines whether to extend the defrosting start timing when the cumulative operating time of a compressor reaches a certain time. If the door is not open and forced operation is not being performed, and the estimated outside temperature is within the predetermined temperature range, the defrosting device determines that defrosting is not necessary and starts defrosting. To postpone the timing by a certain amount of time. In addition, if the door is not opened and forced operation is not being executed at the defrost start timing at the end of the extended operation, the defrost device further postpones the defrost start timing by a certain period of time for a predetermined number of times. Execute only.
Patent Document 2 discloses a refrigerator in which the start of defrosting operation is delayed so that defrosting operation is not performed at peak power load times.
Patent Document 3 discloses a refrigerator in which the start of defrosting operation is determined based on whether the heat load is equal to or higher than a heat load threshold so that defrosting operation is not performed when priority should be given to cooling.
Patent Document 4 discloses a refrigerator in which defrosting is not performed when specific cooling control (low-temperature cooling control) is executed, and the refrigerator is switched to a power saving mode in response to a user's operation.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-239168 European Patent No. 2335125 JP 2021-060158 Publication JP2020-094712A

The present disclosure provides a refrigerator control system that suppresses execution of specific functions of the refrigerator from being hindered by execution of defrosting operation.

This specification includes all contents of Japanese patent application/Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-089292 filed on May 31, 2022.
The refrigerator control system according to the present disclosure acquires operating status data indicating the operating status of the refrigerator, which is detected by a detection unit provided in the refrigerator at a predetermined sampling period, and stores the operating status data in a first storage unit. and when a defrosting operation is executed in which the heating section of the refrigerator is activated to remove frost attached to the cooler of the refrigerator, the current defrosting operation starts from the time when the previous defrosting operation was completed. Until the operation is executed, learning data including a predetermined feature quantity and the time required for the current defrosting operation is generated based on the driving status data indicating the driving status detected by the detection unit. a learning data acquisition unit that acquires and stores the learning data in a second storage unit; and input data relating to the feature amount based on the driving situation data indicating the driving situation detected by the detection unit based on the learning data. On the other hand, the estimated defrosting time is calculated by using an estimation model that outputs the estimated required time of the defrosting operation as the estimated defrosting time assuming that the defrosting operation is executed. A calculation unit, a defrosting operation control unit that executes the defrosting operation when the estimated defrosting time is equal to or greater than a threshold value at the time of determining whether or not a predetermined defrosting is necessary, and a specific function of the refrigerator may be used. a non-use time period recognition unit that recognizes a non-use time period that is a time period in which the defrosting operation is estimated to be low; and a threshold value setting unit that sets a plurality of the threshold values related to the necessity of determining whether or not to execute the defrosting operation. Be prepared.

A refrigerator control method according to the present disclosure is a refrigerator control method executed by a computer, and includes, at a predetermined sampling period, operating status data indicating the operating status of the refrigerator detected by the detection unit provided in the refrigerator. When the step of acquiring operating status data to be stored in the first storage unit and the defrosting operation of activating the heating unit to remove frost attached to the cooler are executed, the previous defrosting operation is completed. A predetermined feature amount based on the driving status data indicating the driving status detected by the detection unit between the time and the time when the current defrosting operation is executed, and the amount of time required for the current defrosting operation. a learning data acquisition step of storing learning data including time in a second storage unit; and the feature amount based on the driving situation data indicating the driving situation detected by the detecting unit based on the learning data. Calculating the estimated defrosting time using an estimation model that outputs the estimated time required for the defrosting operation, assuming that the defrosting operation is executed in response to the input data. a defrosting operation control step of executing the defrosting operation when the estimated defrosting time is equal to or greater than a threshold at a predetermined time of determining whether or not defrosting is necessary; and a specific function of the refrigerator. a non-use time period recognition step for recognizing a non-use time period which is a time period in which it is estimated that there is a low possibility that the defrosting operation will be used; a configuration step.

According to the refrigerator control system of the present disclosure, an estimated defrosting time is calculated according to the actual operating status of each refrigerator using an estimation model generated based on learning data that has learned the operating status of each refrigerator. The defrosting operation is executed when the estimated defrosting time is equal to or greater than the threshold value. Further, a plurality of threshold values are set to determine whether or not to perform a defrosting operation so that the defrosting operation is more likely to be performed during a non-use period when a specific function of the refrigerator is less likely to be used. Thereby, when the user wants to use a specific function of the refrigerator, it is possible to prevent the implementation of the specific function from being hindered by the defrosting operation.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a mode of control by a refrigerator control system in an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view for explaining the configuration of the refrigerator in the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the refrigerator control system in the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of learning data generation processing in the embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the estimation formula generation process in the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the non-use time zone recognition process in the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a first flowchart related to processing on the refrigerator side in the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a second flowchart related to processing on the refrigerator side in the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart related to processing on the server device side in the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a timing chart of defrosting operation in the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a timing chart of threshold switching in the embodiment.

(Findings, etc. that formed the basis of this disclosure)
At the time when the inventors came up with the present disclosure, defrosting in a refrigerator was performed at an execution timing determined according to the cumulative operating time of the compressor or the opening/closing time of the door using the same estimation formula common to each refrigerator. It was being executed.

However, if the same estimation formula is used for each refrigerator, it will be difficult to estimate whether the refrigerator is used by a single person, DEWKs (Double Employed With Kids), DINKS (Double Income No Kids), or a large family. Defrosting is performed without taking into consideration the type and amount of food stored in the refrigerator, the opening/closing time of the door, etc., and the influence of the surrounding environment of the refrigerator. Therefore, defrosting is performed more frequently than necessary, which increases the power consumption of the refrigerator and may increase the effect of temperature fluctuations on the food inside the refrigerator. Additionally, if the refrigerator is equipped with a specific function (for example, a quick freezing function) that increases the cooling capacity of the freezer compared to normal operation, the user may not use the specific function while defrosting operation is being performed. The inventors discovered a problem in which the use of a specific function is prevented even if the user wants to do so, and in order to solve this problem, the subject of the present disclosure was constructed.
Therefore, the present disclosure provides a refrigerator control system that can suppress the defrosting operation from being performed more frequently than necessary and prevent the use of specific functions of the refrigerator from being hindered by the execution of the defrosting operation. I will provide a.

Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid making the following description unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.
Note that the drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

(Embodiment)
Examples of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11.
[1. Mode of control]
First, with reference to FIG. 1, a mode of controlling the refrigerator 10 in the refrigerator control system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a mode of control by a refrigerator control system 1 in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The refrigerator control system 1 includes a refrigerator 10 to be controlled and a server device 100. The refrigerator 10 is installed in a house H, for example, and is configured to communicate with the server device 100 via the gateway 5 and the communication network 200.

Here, in FIG. 1, only one refrigerator 10 is shown for convenience of explanation, but the server device 100 may be configured to be able to communicate with a plurality of refrigerators. . In this case, a refrigerator control system 1 is configured by the server device 100 and each of the plurality of refrigerators.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the refrigerator 10 in the refrigerator control system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator 10 of the refrigerator control system 1 of this embodiment includes a refrigerator compartment 11, a switching compartment 14, an ice making compartment 16, a freezing compartment 18, and a vegetable compartment 20. A rotary right door 12 and a left door 13 are provided at the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 11. Moreover, drawers 15, 17, 19, and 21 are provided in the switching compartment 14, the ice making compartment 16, the freezing compartment 18, and the vegetable compartment 20, respectively.

A control unit 60 included in the refrigerator 10 controls the operation of the refrigerator 10. The control unit 60 also has a function as a detection unit that detects the operating status DRS of the refrigerator 10 at a predetermined sampling period (for example, 5 minutes). Further, the control unit 60 transmits driving status data indicating the detected driving status DRS to the server device 100. Further, the control unit 60 also has a function as a defrosting operation control section that executes a defrosting operation to remove frost attached to the cooler 51, which will be described later. Further, the control unit 60 transmits actual defrosting time data indicating the time required to execute the defrosting operation (actual defrosting time RDFT) to the server device 100.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the refrigerator control system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the server device 100 calculates the estimated time required for the defrosting operation based on the learning data generated from the operating status data and the actual defrosting time data, assuming that the defrosting operation is executed. An estimation formula for calculating (estimated defrosting time EDFT) is generated. Then, the server device 100 or the control unit 60 of the refrigerator 10 calculates the estimated defrosting time EDFT (tm) at the predetermined defrosting necessity determination time tm using an estimation formula. In FIG. 1, a case is illustrated in which the server device 100 calculates the estimated defrosting time EDFT (tm) and transmits it to the refrigerator 10.

The estimation formula is customized for the refrigerator 10 by learning operating status data that reflects the usage status of the refrigerator 10 in the house H. The control unit 60 of the refrigerator 10 executes the defrosting operation when it is determined that the estimated defrosting time EDFT (tm) is equal to or greater than the threshold value. In this case, the estimated defrosting time EDFT (tm) is calculated by an estimation formula based on driving status data that reflects the actual usage status of the refrigerator 10. Therefore, depending on the usage status of each refrigerator 10, the estimated defrosting time EDFT (tm), which is estimated to indicate that the amount of frost adhering to the cooler has exceeded the amount required for defrosting, is greater than or equal to the threshold value. Defrosting operation can be performed at the appropriate timing.

[2. Refrigerator configuration]
With reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the refrigerator 10 of the refrigerator control system 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the refrigerator 10 seen from the right side when the refrigerator 10 is viewed from the front. The refrigerator 10 includes the above-mentioned control unit 60, a compressor 50 which is an auxiliary machine that constitutes a refrigeration cycle, a cooler 51, a condenser 52, and a cooling fan 53. The refrigerator 10 also includes a defrost heater 55 that heats the cooler 51 and a cooler temperature sensor 43 that detects the temperature of the cooler 51, which are provided near the cooler 51. The defrosting heater 55 corresponds to the heating section of the present disclosure.

The refrigerator compartment 11 is provided with a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 40 that detects the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 11, an opening/closing sensor 30 that detects opening/closing of the right door 12, and an opening/closing sensor 31 that detects opening/closing of the left door 13. . The right door 12 includes an outside temperature sensor 42 that detects the temperature outside the refrigerator 10 (temperature of the room where the refrigerator 10 is placed, etc.), and an outside temperature sensor 42 that detects the outside temperature of the refrigerator 10 (temperature of the room where the refrigerator 10 is placed, etc.) and the illuminance outside the refrigerator (the illuminance of the room where the refrigerator 10 is placed, etc.). ) is provided with an outside illuminance sensor 44 that detects the

The switching chamber 14 is provided with an opening/closing sensor 32 that detects whether the drawer 15 is opened or closed, and the ice making compartment 16 is provided with an opening/closing sensor 33 that detects whether the drawer 17 is opened or closed. The freezer compartment 18 is provided with an open/close sensor 34 that detects whether the drawer 19 is opened or closed, and the vegetable compartment 20 is provided with an open/close sensor 35 that detects whether the drawer 21 is opened or closed.

The refrigerator compartment 11, the switching compartment 14, the ice making compartment 16, the freezing compartment 18, and the vegetable compartment 20 correspond to the storage compartment of the present disclosure. The opening/closing sensors 30 to 35 correspond to opening/closing sensors that detect opening/closing of the opening of the storage chamber of the refrigerator 10 of the present disclosure. The outside illuminance sensor 44 detects the illuminance around the refrigerator 10 (the illuminance of the room where the refrigerator 10 is placed, etc.).

[3. Refrigerator control system configuration]
The configuration of the refrigerator control system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of learning data generation processing in the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of estimation formula generation processing in the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining non-use time zone recognition processing in the embodiment of the present disclosure. The control unit 60 of the refrigerator 10 includes a refrigerator processor 70 and a refrigerator memory 80. Control unit 60 communicates with server device 100 by wireless communication using refrigerator communication section 90 . The control unit 60 is connected to the opening/closing sensors 30 to 35, the refrigerator temperature sensor 40, the vegetable compartment temperature sensor 41, the outside temperature sensor 42, the cooler temperature sensor 43, and the outside illuminance sensor 44, and the detection by these sensors A signal is input to control unit 60. Further, the control unit 60 is connected to the refrigeration cycle auxiliary machines 50 to 53 and the defrost heater 55, and controls the operation of the refrigeration cycle auxiliary machines 50 to 53 and the defrost heater 55 by control signals output from the control unit 60. do. Refrigerator memory 80 corresponds to the first storage unit of the present disclosure.

In the refrigerator control system 1 of the present embodiment, the refrigerator processor 70 reads and executes the refrigerator program 81 stored in the refrigerator memory 80, thereby controlling the operation status data acquisition section 71, the defrosting operation control section 72, and the threshold value setting. It functions as a section 73, an estimated defrosting time calculation section 74, and a non-use time zone recognition section 75. The driving status data acquisition section 71, the defrosting operation control section 72, the threshold value setting section 73, the estimated defrosting time calculation section 74, and the non-use time zone recognition section 75 are independent processors, respectively, apart from the refrigerator processor 70. It may be realized by a memory, a program, etc. The operating status data acquisition unit 71 detects the operating status of the refrigerator 10 every time a predetermined sampling period (for example, 5 minutes) elapses.

As shown in FIG. 4, the operating status data acquisition unit 71 collects the refrigerator compartment temperature PcT detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 40, the exterior temperature AtT detected by the exterior temperature sensor 42, and the vegetable compartment temperature sensor 41. the temperature VcT of the vegetable compartment, the right door 12, the left door 13, the drawer 15 of the switching compartment 14, the drawer 17 of the ice making compartment 16, the drawer 19 of the freezing compartment 18, and the drawer 19 of the freezing compartment 20 detected by the opening/closing sensors 30 to 35. The time DrO (total time in each sampling period) during which any of the drawers 21 was opened and the rotation speed CpR (total rotation speed in each sampling period) of the compressor 50 are detected as the operating status DRS.

Then, the driving situation data acquisition unit 71 stores the driving situation data indicating these driving situations DRS in the refrigerator memory 80. In FIG. 3, the driving status data stored in the refrigerator memory 80 is shown as driving status data 82. Further, the driving situation data acquisition unit 71 transmits the driving situation data to the server device 100. The rotation speed of the compressor 50 may be detected by a rotation speed sensor (not shown) that detects the rotation speed of the compressor 50. It may also be used as a detected value of the rotation speed. Here, the configuration that detects the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 40, the vegetable compartment temperature sensor 41, the outside temperature sensor 42, the opening/closing sensors 30 to 35, and the rotation speed of the compressor 50 corresponds to the detection unit of the present disclosure.

The defrosting operation control unit 72 operates the defrosting heater 55 to remove the frost attached to the cooler 51 when it is determined that the estimated defrosting time at the time of determining the necessity of defrosting is greater than or equal to the threshold value. Execute defrosting operation to remove. The defrosting operation control unit 72 completes the defrosting operation when the temperature detected by the cooler temperature sensor 43 becomes equal to or higher than the defrosting end temperature. The defrosting end temperature is set to, for example, 10° C. or higher, assuming the temperature at which the frost attached to the cooler 51 is completely melted. The defrosting operation control unit 72 transmits actual defrosting time data indicating the time required for the defrosting operation (actual defrosting time RDFT) to the server device 100.

The time to determine whether or not defrosting is necessary is when a first predetermined time (e.g., 24 hours) has elapsed from the completion of the previous defrosting operation, or a second predetermined time (e.g., 2 hours) from the completion of the previous defrosting operation. is set at a time point every time a third predetermined time (for example, one minute) has elapsed. The estimated defrosting time is the time required for the defrosting operation assuming that the defrosting operation is executed, and is calculated by the estimated defrosting time calculation unit 74. The estimated defrosting time calculation unit 74 calculates the estimated defrosting time EDFT (t _m ) at the defrosting necessity determination time point t _m using estimation formula (1) described later. Details of estimation formula (1) will be described later.

The non-use time recognition unit 75 recognizes a time when the quick freezing function (corresponding to the specific function of the present disclosure) provided in the refrigerator 10 is unlikely to be used as a non-use time. . The specific function may be any function that is prevented from being implemented by executing the defrosting operation, and is not limited to the quick freezing function. The quick freezing function is a function that increases the cooling capacity more than during normal operation, and specifically, processes such as increasing the rotational speed of the compressor 50 than during normal operation are executed. Here, with reference to FIG. 6, the non-use time slot recognition process by the non-use time slot recognition unit 75 will be described.

The non-use time zone recognition unit 75 detects the opening/closing status of the right door 12, left door 13, and drawers 15, 17, 19, and 21 at a predetermined sampling period using the opening/closing sensors 30 to 35. The non-use time zone recognition unit 75 detects the right door 12 in hourly time zones (for example, 0:00 to 1:00, 1:00 to 2:00, ..., 23:00 to 24:00, etc.). , the left door 13, and the drawers 15, 17, 19, and 21 are measured, and the number of openings and closings for each hour is totaled for each week.

In the present embodiment, the non-use time zone recognition unit 75 refers to measurement data of the number of openings and closings detected by the opening and closing sensors 30 to 35 for the past three weeks for each day of the week. FIG. 6 shows measurement data of the number of openings and closings detected by the opening/closing sensors 30 to 35 for the past three weeks on a certain day of the week, and the time period in which the number of openings and closings is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 2 times) is shaded with diagonal lines. It shows. The non-use time zone recognition unit 75 identifies continuous time zones in which the number of openings and closings is less than a predetermined value (for example, from 1:00 to 7:00 in the example shown in FIG. 6) from the measurement data for the past three weeks. ) is recognized as a non-use time period. Note that the measurement data referred to by the non-use time zone recognition unit 75 is not limited to the past three weeks' worth of measured data, but may be the past one month's worth, three months' worth, or the like. Further, the non-use time slot recognition unit 75 may recognize a plurality of consecutive time slots in which the number of times of opening and closing is less than a predetermined value, and may prioritize the plurality of non-use time slots. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, 1:00 to 7:00, which is the time period with the least number of openings and closings, is set as the first priority for non-use time, and 0:00 to 7:00 is the first priority. The period from 23:00 to 7:00 is placed as the 3rd priority. A second threshold Lv2 is set by the threshold setting unit 73 (to be described later) so that the defrosting operation is more likely to be performed during the non-use time slot with a high priority among the plurality of non-use time slots recognized by the non-use time slot recognition unit 75. may be set.

Note that the non-use time zone recognition unit 75 detects the opening/closing status of the right door 12, left door 13, and drawers 15, 17, 19, and 21 by the opening/closing sensors 30 to 35, or in addition to the opening/closing status of these. The non-use period may be recognized based on the illuminance around the refrigerator 10 detected by the outside illuminance sensor 44. In this case, the non-use time recognition unit 75 detects a situation in which the illuminance detected by the external illuminance sensor 44 is below a predetermined illuminance (for example, it is nighttime and the lights in the room where the refrigerator 10 is placed are turned off). A time period in which a situation in which the device is in use) continues for a predetermined period of time or more is recognized as a non-use time period.

The threshold value setting unit 73 sets the threshold value in a time period other than the non-use time period to the first threshold value Lv1, and sets the threshold value in the non-use time period to a second threshold value Lv2 (<Lv1) indicating a time shorter than the first threshold value Lv1. ). The first threshold Lv1 is based on the data on the required time (actual defrost time) and the interval of the defrosting operation executed in the past so that the interval at which the defrosting operation is executed is a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours). Set based on The threshold setting unit 73 sets the first threshold Lv1 according to the size of the cooler 51, the capacity of the defrosting heater 55, the temperature detected by the outside temperature sensor 42, the electricity rate system of the house H, and the like. The first threshold Lv1 is set to, for example, 40 minutes. Further, the threshold value setting unit 73 sets the priority order so that the defrosting operation is likely to be executed during the non-use time slot with a high priority among the plurality of non-use time slots recognized by the non-use time slot recognition unit 75. The second threshold Lv2 for a high non-use time period may be set lower (shorter time (for example, 35 minutes)) than the second threshold Lv2 for a non-use time period with a lower priority.

The threshold value setting unit 73 may set the second threshold value Lv2 by learning past driving status data (execution date and time of defrosting operation, actual defrosting time RDFT, etc.). For example, when the second threshold Lv2 is set to 38 minutes, the defrosting operation is not performed during the non-use time, and the specific function of the refrigerator 10 is likely to be used outside the non-use time. When the defrosting operation is being executed and the second threshold Lv2 is set to 35 minutes, the threshold value setting unit 73 determines that the defrosting operation is being executed during the non-use period based on the past driving situation. The second threshold value Lv2 may be set to 35 minutes by learning from the data so that the defrosting operation is more likely to be performed during non-use periods.

Additionally, the threshold value setting unit 73 may update the second threshold value Lv2 at a predetermined update timing (for example, every three months) based on the temperature detected by the outside temperature sensor 42, etc.

Further, when the defrosting operation control section 72 executes the defrosting operation in a time zone other than the non-use time zone, the threshold value setting section 73 sets , the second threshold Lv2 may be set to a shorter time.

The server device 100 is a computer system including a server processor 110, a server memory 120, a server communication unit 130, and the like, and the server communication unit 130 communicates with the refrigerator 10 via the communication network 200. In the refrigerator control system 1 of this embodiment, the server processor 110 functions as the learning data acquisition section 111 and the estimated model generation section 112 by reading and executing the server program 121 stored in the server memory 120. The learning data acquisition unit 111 and the estimated model generation unit 112 may be realized by independent processors, memories, programs, etc., separately from the server processor 110. Server memory 120 corresponds to a first storage section and a second storage section of the present disclosure.

The learning data acquisition unit 111 sequentially stores the driving status data and actual defrosting time data transmitted from the refrigerator 10 in the server memory 120 (in FIG. 3, the driving status data transmitted from the refrigerator 10 is stored in the driving status data 122). , the actual defrosting time data is shown as actual defrosting time data 123). In this embodiment, the learning data acquisition unit 111 obtains the learning data TRD based on the driving situation data indicating the driving situation DRS and the actual defrosting time data stored in the server memory 120, as shown in FIG. It is generated and stored in the server memory 120. In FIG. 3, learning data stored in the server memory 120 is shown as learning data 124.

As shown in FIG. 4, the learning data TRD is generated every time a defrosting operation is performed, and includes the execution date and time of the defrosting operation, a feature amount, and an actual defrosting time RDFT. In this embodiment, the feature values include an average refrigerator temperature value PCC, an average outside temperature value ATC, an average vegetable compartment temperature value VCC, an integrated door opening time value DOOR, and an integrated compressor rotation speed value CMP. .

The refrigerator compartment temperature average value PCC is the average of the refrigerator compartment temperatures PcT acquired by the operating status data acquisition unit 71 in each sampling period from the completion of the previous defrosting operation to the start of the current defrosting operation. It is a value. The average outside temperature ATC is the average outside temperature AtT acquired by the operating status data acquisition unit 71 in each sampling period from the completion of the previous defrosting operation to the start of the current defrosting operation. It is a value. The vegetable compartment temperature average value VCC is the average of the vegetable compartment temperatures VcT acquired by the operating status data acquisition unit 71 in each sampling period from the completion of the previous defrosting operation to the start of the current defrosting operation. It is a value.

The door opening time integrated value DOOR is the right door 12 and left door acquired by the operating status data acquisition unit 71 at each sampling period from the completion of the previous defrosting operation to the start of the current defrosting operation. 13. It is the integrated value of the time DrO during which any of the drawer 15 of the switching compartment 14, the drawer 17 of the ice making compartment 16, the drawer 19 of the freezing compartment 18, and the drawer 21 of the vegetable compartment 20 was opened. The compressor rotational speed integrated value CMP is the rotational speed of the compressor 50 acquired by the operating status data acquisition unit 71 at each sampling period from the completion of the previous defrosting operation to the start of the current defrosting operation. It is an integrated value of several CpR.

As shown in FIG. 5, the estimated model generation unit 112 generates each model based on the learning data 124 (a plurality of learning data TRD1, TRD2, ...) generated by the learning data acquisition unit 111 and stored in the server memory 120. An estimation formula (estimation model) is generated that outputs the estimated defrosting time EDFT in response to the input data FQD related to the feature amount. Furthermore, the estimation model generation unit 112 updates the estimation formula when the update timing is reached (for example, once a month).

In this embodiment, the estimation model generation unit 112 calculates the coefficients ( By calculating A, B, C, D, and E (inclination), the following estimation formula (1) is generated. Note that weighting may be performed between the coefficients A to E.
EDFT(t)=A×PCC(t)+B×ATC(t)+C×VCC(t)+D×DOOR(t)+E×COMP(t)+F ・・・・・・(1)
However, t: estimated time, PCC (t): average temperature of the refrigerator compartment corresponding to the period from the completion of the previous defrosting operation to t, ATC (t): from the completion of the previous defrosting operation to t. Average value of outside temperature corresponding to the period of , VCC (t): Average value of vegetable compartment temperature corresponding to the period from the completion of the previous defrosting operation to t, DOOR (t): Completion of the previous defrosting operation COMP(t), an integrated value of the door open time corresponding to the period from time to t: an integrated value of the rotation speed of the compressor corresponding to the period from the completion of the previous defrosting operation to t, and F: Adjusted value.

The estimation model generation unit 112 transmits estimation equation data including the values of the parameters of the generated estimation equation (in estimation equation (1), coefficients A to E and adjustment value F) to the refrigerator 10. The estimated defrosting time calculation unit 74 of the refrigerator 10 receives the estimation formula data transmitted from the server device 100 and stores it in the refrigerator memory 80. In FIG. 3, the estimated formula data stored in the refrigerator memory 80 is shown as estimated formula data 83.

The estimated defrosting time calculation unit 74 of the refrigerator 10 described above calculates each feature value (PCC, ATC, VCC, DOOR) corresponding to the period from the completion of the previous defrosting operation to the current defrosting necessity judgment time _tm . , COMP) is substituted into the estimation formula (1) to calculate the estimated defrosting time EDFT(t _m ).

[4. Processing on the refrigerator side]
Processing on the refrigerator 10 side of the refrigerator control system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a first flowchart related to processing on the refrigerator 10 side in the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a second flowchart related to processing on the refrigerator 10 side in the embodiment of the present disclosure. The control unit 60 of the refrigerator 10 repeatedly executes the processes illustrated in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8 while the refrigerator 10 is in operation.

In step S1, the driving status data acquisition unit 71 determines whether a predetermined sampling period (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed, and when it is determined that the predetermined sampling period has elapsed (YES in step S1). Then, the process proceeds to step S2. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1 that the predetermined sampling period has not elapsed (NO in step S1), the driving status data acquisition unit 71 continues step S1 until it is determined that the predetermined sampling period has elapsed. repeat. In step S2, the driving status data acquisition unit 71 stores driving status data indicating the driving status detected in the current sampling period in the refrigerator memory 80, and transmits it to the server device 100.

Further, in step S10, the defrosting operation control unit 72 determines whether or not the defrosting necessity determination time point t _m has arrived, and when it is determined that the defrosting necessity determination time point t _m has been reached (step S10 (YES), the process advances to step S11. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the defrosting necessity determination time point _tm has been reached (NO in step S10), the defrosting operation control unit 72 determines that the defrosting necessity determination time point _tm has been reached. Step S10 is repeated until the The defrosting necessity determination time t _m is set, for example, to the time when a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) has elapsed from the completion of the previous defrosting operation. The predetermined time related to the defrosting necessity determination time point _tm may be set based on the operating status data of the refrigerator 10, the execution status of the defrosting operation of the refrigerator 10, and the like. Note that step S10 may be executed after step S12. In step S11, the estimated defrosting time calculation unit 74 calculates the estimated defrosting time from the driving status data corresponding to the driving status detected between the completion of the previous defrosting operation and the current defrosting necessity determination time _tm . Input data FQD(t _m ) related to each feature quantity at the current defrosting necessity determination time point t _m is calculated.

In step S12, the estimated defrosting time calculation unit 74 calculates the estimated defrosting time EDFT by substituting the input data FQD(t _m ) related to each feature amount into estimation formula (1). In step S13, the defrosting operation control unit 72 determines whether the estimated defrosting time EDFT(t _m ) is equal to or greater than a threshold value at a predetermined defrosting necessity determination time point t _m . Here, the threshold value that is referred to when the predetermined defrosting necessity determination time point t _m is within a time zone other than the non-use time zone is the first threshold Lv1, and the predetermined defrosting necessity determination time point t _m is within a time zone other than the non-use time zone. The threshold value referred to when it is within the non-use time zone is the second threshold value Lv2.

Then, in step S13, the defrosting operation control unit 72 determines that the estimated defrosting time EDFT( _tm ) is equal to or greater than the threshold at the predetermined defrosting necessity determination time point _tm (YES in step S13). ), the process advances to step S30. On the other hand, when it is not determined that the estimated defrosting time EDFT (t _m ) is less than the threshold value at the predetermined defrosting necessity determination time point t _m (NO in step S13), the process proceeds to step S14 (see FIG. 8). Proceed with the process. In step S30, the defrosting operation control unit 72 executes a defrosting operation. In step S31, the defrosting operation control unit 72 transmits actual defrosting time data indicating the time required for the defrosting operation (actual defrosting time RDFT) to the server device 100, and the process proceeds to step S3.

As shown in FIG. 8, in step S14, the defrosting operation control unit 72 determines whether a predetermined holding time (for example, 1 minute) for holding the execution of the defrosting operation has elapsed, and sets the predetermined holding time When it is determined that the period has elapsed (YES in step S14), the process advances to step S15. As a result, execution of the defrosting operation is suspended until the predetermined suspension time elapses. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined holding time has not elapsed (NO in step S14), the defrosting operation control unit 72 repeats step S14 until it is determined that the predetermined holding time has elapsed. In step S15, the estimated defrosting time calculation unit 74 generates driving status data according to the driving status detected from the completion of the previous defrosting operation to the next predetermined defrosting necessity determination time tm _+1. From this, input data FQD(t _{m+ 1 ) relating to each feature amount at the next predetermined defrosting necessity determination time point t m+1} is calculated.

In step S16, the estimated defrosting time calculation unit 74 substitutes the input data FQD(t _m+1 ) related to each feature quantity into the estimation formula (1), and calculates the time at the next predetermined defrosting necessity judgment time point t _m+1. Estimated defrosting time EDFT(t _m+1 ) is calculated. In step S17, the defrosting operation control unit 72 determines whether the estimated defrosting time EDFT(t _m+1 ) is equal to or greater than a threshold value at the next predetermined defrosting necessity determination time point t _m+1 .

Then, the defrosting operation control unit 72 determines that the estimated defrosting time EDFT (t _m+1 ) is equal to or greater than the threshold value at the next predetermined defrosting necessity determination time point t _m+1 (YES in step S17). , the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the defrosting operation control unit 72 executes a defrosting operation. In step S19, the defrosting operation control unit 72 transmits actual defrosting time data indicating the actual defrosting time RDFT to the server device 100, and advances the process to step S3 (see FIG. 7).

On the other hand, at the next predetermined defrosting necessity determination time point t _m+1 , when it is determined that the estimated defrosting time EDFT (t _m+1 ) is less than the threshold value (NO in step S17), the defrosting operation control unit 72 Then, the process returns to step S14 (see FIG. 8). In this case, execution of the defrosting operation is further suspended until the next predetermined suspension time elapses.

In step S20 of FIG. 7, the estimated defrosting time calculation unit 74 determines whether or not the estimation formula data transmitted from the server device 100 has been received, and it is determined that the estimation formula data has been received from the server device 100. (YES in step S20), the estimation formula data is stored in the refrigerator memory 80 and the process proceeds to step S3. Using the estimation equation data received from the server device 100, the estimation equation (1) used to calculate the estimated defrosting time EDFT is updated. In FIG. 3, the estimated formula data stored in the refrigerator memory 80 is shown as estimated formula data 83. On the other hand, when it is determined that the estimation formula data has not been received from the server device 100 (NO in step S20), the estimated defrosting time calculation unit 74 continues until it is determined that the estimation formula data has been received from the server device 100. Step S20 is repeated.

In step S40 of FIG. 7, the non-use time zone recognition unit 75 determines whether or not the non-use time zone recognition timing has arrived, and when it is determined that the non-use time zone recognition timing has arrived (step S40 (YES), the process advances to step S41. The recognition timing of the non-use time zone is set, for example, once every three weeks. On the other hand, when it is not determined that the non-use time slot recognition timing has been reached (NO in step S40), the non-use time slot recognition unit 75 continues to Step S40 is repeated. In step S41, as described above with reference to FIG. The non-use time zone data indicating the non-use time zone is stored in the refrigerator memory 80, and the process proceeds to step S3. In FIG. 3, the non-use time zone data stored in the refrigerator memory 80 is shown as non-use time zone data 84.

In step S50 of FIG. 7, the threshold value setting unit 73 determines whether the update timing of the threshold values (first threshold value Lv1, second threshold value Lv2) has arrived, and when it is determined that the update timing of the threshold values has been reached ( If YES in step S50), the process proceeds to step S51. The update timing of the threshold value is set, for example, once every three weeks. On the other hand, when it is determined that the threshold value update timing has not been reached (NO in step S50), the threshold value setting unit 73 repeats step S50 until it is determined that the threshold value update timing has been reached. In step S51, the threshold value setting unit 73 sets the first threshold value Lv1 and the second threshold value Lv2 based on the most recent past driving situation data, as described above. Note that the threshold setting unit 73 may update only one of the first threshold Lv1 and the second threshold Lv2. The threshold setting unit 73 stores threshold data indicating the updated threshold in the refrigerator memory 80. In FIG. 3, the threshold data stored in the refrigerator memory 80 is shown as threshold data 85.

[5. Processing on the server device side]
Processing on the server device 100 side of the refrigerator control system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flowchart related to processing on the server device 100 side in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Server device 100 communicates with refrigerator 10 and repeatedly executes the process illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 9 .

In step S100, the learning data acquisition unit 111 determines whether or not the operating status data and actual defrosting time data transmitted from the refrigerator 10 have been received, and determines whether the operating status data and actual defrosting time data have been received. When it is determined (YES in step S100), the process advances to step S101. The learning data acquisition unit 111 stores the driving status data and the actual defrosting time data in the server memory 120 in step S101. In FIG. 3, the driving status data and actual defrosting time data stored in the server memory 120 are shown as driving status data 122 and actual defrosting time data 123, respectively. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S100 that the driving status data transmitted from the refrigerator 10 has not been received (NO in step S100), the learning data acquisition unit 111 receives the driving status data transmitted from the refrigerator 10. Step S100 is repeated until it is determined that.

Further, in step S100, the learning data acquisition unit 111 determines whether or not the operating status data and actual defrosting time data transmitted from the refrigerator 10 have been received, and When it is determined that frost time data has been received (YES in step S100), the process advances to step S111. The learning data acquisition unit 111 generates learning data from the driving situation data and the actual defrosting time data in step S111, stores the generated learning data in the server memory 120, and advances the process to step S112. In FIG. 3, learning data stored in the server memory 120 is shown as learning data 124.

In step S112, the estimated model generation unit 112 determines whether it is the timing to update the estimation formula (1), and when it is determined that the timing to update the estimation formula (1) has arrived (YES in step S112). , the estimated model generation unit 112 advances the process to step S113, and updates estimation formula (1) in step S113. The update timing of estimation formula (1) is set, for example, once a month. The estimated model generation unit 112 updates the estimated formula (1) by the process described above with reference to FIG. 5 based on the learning data for the past three months from the time when the update timing has arrived.

In step S114, the estimated model generation unit 112 transmits the updated data of estimation formula (1) to the refrigerator 10, and advances the process to step S102. On the other hand, when it is not determined that it is the timing to update the estimation formula (1) (NO in step S112), the estimation model generation unit 112 continues in step S112 until it is determined that the timing to update the estimation formula (1) has come. repeat.

[6. Execution timing of defrosting operation]
An example of the execution timing of the defrosting operation will be described with reference to FIG. 10 . FIG. 10 is a timing chart of defrosting operation in the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 shows the execution timing of the defrosting operation using a common time axis t, the defrosting necessity determination time t _m , and the value of the estimated defrosting time EDFT (t _m ) at the defrosting necessity determination time t _m This is shown together with

In FIG. ₁₀ , estimated defrosting times EDFT _{( t 11 ) and} EDFT ( _{t 12} ), EDFT(t ₁₃ ), EDFT(t ₁₄ ), and EDFT(t ₁₅ ) are respectively illustrated. Further, in FIG. 10, a predetermined time Tw from the completion of the defrosting operation to the next predetermined determination of the necessity of defrosting, and a predetermined holding time Th for suspending the defrosting operation are illustrated.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, at the defrosting necessity determination time point _t11 , the estimated defrosting time EDFT( _t11 ) is equal to or greater than the threshold value, so the defrosting operation is being performed. On the other hand, at the defrosting necessity determination time point _t12 , the estimated defrosting time EDFT( _t12 ) is less than the threshold value, so the execution of the defrosting operation is performed at the next predetermined defrosting necessity determination after the suspension time Th has elapsed. The defrosting necessity determination time t _m+1 is suspended until t ₁₃ . In the example shown in FIG. 10, the estimated defrosting time EDFT (t ₁₃ ) is less than the threshold even at the time t ₁₃ when determining the necessity of defrosting, so the execution of the defrosting operation is continued until the predetermined hold time Th has elapsed. The defrosting process is further suspended until the defrosting necessity determination time _t14 , which is the next predetermined defrosting necessity determination time point.

At the time _t14 when determining the necessity of defrosting, the estimated defrosting time EDFT( _t14 ) is equal to or greater than the threshold value, so the defrosting operation is being performed. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 10, the interval between defrosting operations is extended from Tw to Tw+Th×2. In this way, by extending the interval between defrosting operations, the frequency of defrosting operations can be reduced. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress an increase in the power consumption of the refrigerator 10 and a rise in the temperature inside the refrigerator 10 due to frequent execution of the defrosting operation.

[7. Threshold switching timing]
With reference to FIG. 11, the switching timing of the first threshold value Lv1 and the second threshold value Lv2 will be described. FIG. 11 is a timing chart of threshold switching in the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 shows the switching timing of the threshold value along with the defrosting necessity determination time tm, the execution time of the defrosting operation, and the non-use time period on a common time axis t.

In FIG. 11, the defrosting necessity judgment time points t ₂₁ , t ₂₂ , t ₂₃ , t ₂₄ , t ₂₅ , t ₂₆ as an example of the defrosting necessity judgment time point tm are the estimated defrosting time EDFT(t ₂₁ ), EDFT (t ₂₂ ), EDFT (t ₂₃ ), EDFT (t ₂₄ ), EDFT (t ₂₅ ), and EDFT (t ₂₆ ) are each illustrated. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the non-use time zone is set from 1:00 to 7:00, and in the time zone other than the non-use time zone from 7:00 to 1:00 the next day, the threshold value is set to the first threshold. It is set to Lv1. The threshold value in the non-use time zone is set to a second threshold value Lv2 (<first threshold value Lv1) that is shorter than the first threshold value Lv1.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, the estimated defrosting time EDFT (t ₂₁ ) at t ₂₁ within the non-use time zone is equal to or greater than the second threshold Lv2, so the defrosting operation is being performed. On the other hand, at the defrosting necessity judgment time points t ₂₂ and t ₂₃ within the time period other than the non-use period, the estimated defrosting times EDFT(t ₂₂ ) and EDFT(t ₂₃ ) are lower than the second threshold Lv2. Since it is less than the first threshold value Lv1 set for a long time, the defrosting operation is not performed.

The next predetermined defrosting necessity determination time point t ₂₄ , which is the defrosting necessity determination time point t _m+1 , is within the non-use time zone, and in the example shown in FIG. 11, the estimated defrosting time EDFT (t ₂₄ ) is the 2 threshold value Lv2 or more, the defrosting operation is being executed. At the subsequent defrosting necessity judgment time points t ₂₅ and t ₂₆ within the time period other than the non-use period, the estimated defrosting times EDFT(t ₂₅ ) and EDFT(t ₂₆ ) have become less than the first threshold Lv1. Defrosting operation is not being performed.

In this way, by setting the threshold value (second threshold Lv2) in the non-use time period to a shorter time than the threshold value (first threshold value Lv1) in the time period other than the non-use time period, the defrosting operation is performed during non-use. This makes it easier to execute the defrosting operation within the time slot, and it is possible to avoid executing the defrosting operation during a time slot other than the non-use time slot. As a result, if a specific function of the refrigerator (for example, quick freezing function) is requested to be executed at a time other than the non-use period, it will conflict with the execution timing of the defrosting operation, and the specified function will be specified by executing the defrosting operation. It is possible to prevent the use of the function from being hindered.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technical idea disclosed in this application. However, the technical idea in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can also be applied to embodiments in which changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Therefore, other embodiments will be illustrated below.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the estimated defrosting time calculation unit 74 is provided in the refrigerator 10, but the estimated defrosting time calculation unit 74 may also be provided in the server device 100. In this case, data on the estimated defrosting time calculated by server device 100 is transmitted from server device 100 to refrigerator 10 . Further, the non-use time zone recognition unit 75 may be provided in the server device 100. In this case, the data of the non-use time zone recognized by the server device 100 is transmitted from the server device 100 to the refrigerator 10.

When the estimated defrosting time calculation unit 74 is provided in the server device 100, if a communication failure occurs between the refrigerator 10 and the server device 100, the estimated defrosting time cannot be recognized on the refrigerator 10 side. In this case, the defrosting operation control unit 72 on the refrigerator 10 side sets the defrosting necessity determination time t _m to the time when a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) has elapsed from the completion of the previous defrosting operation. In this case, when the next defrosting necessity determination time comes, the defrosting operation is executed without determining whether the estimated defrosting time EDFT is greater than or equal to the threshold value.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, an example has been described in which the server device 100 includes the learning data acquisition section 111 and the estimated model generation section 112. Good too.

In the embodiment described above, the feature values for calculating the estimated defrosting time EDFT include the refrigerator compartment temperature average value PCC, the outside temperature average value ATC, the vegetable compartment temperature average value VCC, the cumulative door opening time value DOOR, and the compression Although the machine rotational speed integrated value CMP is shown as an example, the feature quantity for calculating the estimated defrosting time EDFT may be any feature quantity that is highly related to the time required for defrosting operation, and any feature quantity other than the above five features may be used. Feature quantities may also be used. Further, the feature quantity to be adopted may be selected depending on the usage status of each refrigerator.

In the embodiment described above, the estimation model generation unit 112 generated estimation formula (1) by multiple regression analysis. As another embodiment, the estimation model generation unit 112 performs machine learning using AI (Artificial Intelligence) using learning data TRD as teacher data to generate an estimation model for estimating the estimated defrosting time EDFT (t _m ). You may.

In the above embodiment, the process executed by the driving status data acquisition unit 71 corresponds to the driving status data acquisition step in the refrigerator control method of the present disclosure, and the process executed by the estimation model generation unit 112 corresponds to the process executed by the refrigerator control method of the present disclosure. This corresponds to the estimation model generation step in the control method. The process executed by the estimated defrost time calculation unit 74 corresponds to the estimated defrost time calculation step in the refrigerator control method of the present disclosure, and the process executed by the defrost operation control unit 72 corresponds to the step of calculating the estimated defrost time in the refrigerator control method of the present disclosure. This corresponds to the defrosting operation control step in . The process executed by the non-use time zone recognition unit 75 corresponds to the non-use time zone recognition step in the refrigerator control method of the present disclosure, and the process executed by the threshold value setting unit 73 corresponds to the step of recognizing a non-use time zone in the refrigerator control method of the present disclosure. Corresponds to the configuration step.

The controller (the control unit 60 of the refrigerator 10, the server processor 110 of the server device 100) constituting the refrigerator control system 1 of the present disclosure may be any controller as long as it can control the operation of the refrigerator control system 1 of the present disclosure. When expressing the subject matter of the invention, in addition to the controller, the term "control means", "control unit", or words similar thereto may be used to control the operation of the refrigerator control system of the present disclosure. The controller can be implemented in various ways. For example, a processor may be used as the controller. If a processor is used as a controller, various processes can be executed by having the processor read a program from a storage medium storing the program and executing the program by the processor. Therefore, since the processing content can be changed by changing the program stored in the storage medium, the degree of freedom in changing the control content can be increased. Examples of the processor include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit). Examples of storage media include hard disks, flash memories, and optical disks. Further, wired logic whose program cannot be rewritten may be used as the controller. Using wired logic as a controller is effective in improving processing speed. Examples of wired logic include ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Further, the controller may be realized by combining a processor and wired logic. If a controller is realized by combining a processor and wired logic, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in software design and improve processing speed. Further, the controller and a circuit having a function different from that of the controller may be composed of one semiconductor element. Examples of circuits having other functions include an A/D/D/A conversion circuit. Further, the controller may be composed of one semiconductor element or may be composed of a plurality of semiconductor elements. When the controller is composed of a plurality of semiconductor elements, each control described in the claims may be realized using different semiconductor elements. Furthermore, the controller may be configured to include a semiconductor element and passive components such as a resistor or a capacitor.

The communicator (refrigerator communication unit 90, server communication unit 130) provided in the refrigerator control system 1 of the present disclosure may be any communicator as long as it enables communication between the refrigerator control system 1 of the present disclosure and external devices. When expressing the subject matter of the invention, in addition to a communicator, communication means or a communication unit may be used as a device that enables communication between external devices and components such as the server device 100 that constitute the refrigerator control system 1 of the present disclosure. Alternatively, it may be expressed as a transmitting/receiving means, a transmitting/receiving unit, or similar wording. The communicator can be implemented in various ways. Examples of the communicator include a wireless connection with an external device via a base station or the like, or a direct wireless connection with an external device. Wireless connections with external devices via base stations etc. include, for example, IEEE802.11 compatible wireless LAN that wirelessly communicates with WiFi (registered trademark) routers, 3rd generation mobile communication systems (commonly known as 3G), and 4th generation mobile communication systems. There are mobile communication systems (commonly known as 4G), WiMax (registered trademark) compatible with IEEE 802.16, and LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). Using a communicator that directly wirelessly connects components such as the server device 100 constituting the refrigerator control system 1 of the present disclosure with an external device is effective in improving communication security, and is also effective in improving communication security. ) Even in a place where there is no relay device such as a router, components such as the server device 100 that constitute the refrigerator control system 1 of the present disclosure can communicate with external devices. As a communicator that directly wirelessly connects components such as the server device 100 constituting the refrigerator control system 1 of the present disclosure with an external device, for example, communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field) via a loop antenna, etc. communication, infrared communication, etc.

Note that the above-described embodiments are for illustrating the technical idea of the present disclosure, and therefore various changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. can be made within the scope of the claims or equivalents thereof. .

The present disclosure provides a refrigerator control system that suppresses an increase in power consumption of the refrigerator and a rise in temperature inside the refrigerator due to defrosting operation of the refrigerator being performed when it is not necessary. Therefore, in addition to refrigerators installed in homes and commercial refrigerators, the present invention is applicable to various types of cooling equipment that perform defrosting operations.

1 Refrigerator control system 5 Gateway 10 Refrigerator 11 Refrigerator compartment 12 Right door of the refrigerator compartment 13 Left door of the refrigerator compartment 14 Switching compartment 15 Drawer of the switching compartment 16 Ice making compartment 17 Drawer of the ice making compartment 18 Freezer compartment 19 Drawer of the freezing compartment 20 Vegetable compartment 21 Vegetable compartment drawer 30 Right door opening/closing sensor 31 Left door opening/closing sensor 32 Switching compartment opening/closing sensor 33 Ice making compartment opening/closing sensor 34 Freezer compartment opening/closing sensor 35 Vegetable compartment opening/closing sensor 40 Refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 41 Vegetable compartment temperature Sensor 42 Outside temperature sensor 43 Cooler temperature sensor 44 Outside illuminance sensor 50 Compressor 51 Cooler 52 Condenser 53 Cooling fan 55 Defrost heater 60 Control unit 70 Refrigerator processor 71 Operating status data acquisition section 72 Defrost operation control section 73 Threshold value setting section 74 Estimated defrosting time calculation section 75 Non-use time period recognition section 80 Refrigerator memory 81 Refrigerator program 82 Operating status data 83 Estimation formula data 84 Non-use time period data 85 Threshold data 100 Server device 110 Server processor 111 Learning data Acquisition unit 112 Estimated model generation unit 120 Server memory 121 Server program 122 Operating status data 123 Actual defrosting time data 124 Learning data 200 Communication network W House

Claims (5)

1. a driving status data acquisition unit that acquires driving status data indicating the driving status detected by a detection unit provided in the refrigerator at a predetermined sampling period, and stores the acquired driving status data in a first storage unit;
   When a defrosting operation is performed in which a heating section of the refrigerator is operated to remove frost attached to a cooler of the refrigerator, the current defrosting operation is executed from the time when the previous defrosting operation is completed. The learning data including a predetermined feature amount and the time required for the current defrosting operation based on the driving situation data indicating the driving situation detected by the detection unit is a learning data acquisition unit that stores the data in the storage unit;
   Based on the learning data, the defrosting operation is assumed to have been performed in response to input data related to the feature amount based on the driving situation data indicating the driving situation detected by the detection unit. an estimated defrost time calculation unit that calculates the estimated defrost time using an estimation model that outputs the estimated time required for defrosting operation as the estimated defrost time;
   a defrosting operation control unit that executes the defrosting operation when the estimated defrosting time at a predetermined time of determining the necessity of defrosting is equal to or greater than a threshold;
   a non-use time period recognition unit that recognizes a non-use time period that is a time period in which it is estimated that a specific function of the refrigerator is unlikely to be used;
   a threshold value setting unit that sets a plurality of threshold values related to the necessity of determining whether to execute the defrosting operation;
   Refrigerator control system with.
2. The plurality of threshold values include a first threshold value and a second threshold value,
   The threshold value setting unit sets the threshold value in a time period other than the non-use time period to the first threshold value, and sets the threshold value in the non-use time period to the second threshold value,
   The refrigerator control system according to claim 1, wherein the threshold setting unit sets the second threshold to a value indicating a shorter time than the first threshold.
3. The threshold value setting unit is configured to perform the next defrosting operation when the predetermined defrosting necessity judgment time point at which the defrosting operation was executed by the defrosting operation control unit was not within the non-use time zone. The refrigerator control system according to claim 2, wherein the second threshold value is changed so that the defrosting operation control unit executes the defrosting operation within the non-use time period.
4. The non-use time zone recognition unit is configured to detect the opening/closing status of the opening by an opening/closing sensor provided in the refrigerator and detecting opening/closing of the opening of the accommodation chamber of the refrigerator, or to detect the opening/closing status of the opening of the storage chamber of the refrigerator. The refrigerator control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-use time period is recognized based on the illuminance around the refrigerator measured by an outside illuminance sensor that detects illuminance.
5. an operating status data acquisition step of acquiring operating status data indicating the operating status of the refrigerator, which is detected by a detection unit provided in the refrigerator at a predetermined sampling period, and storing it in a first storage unit;
   When a defrosting operation is performed in which a heating section of the refrigerator is operated to remove frost attached to a cooler of the refrigerator, the current defrosting operation is executed from the time when the previous defrosting operation is completed. obtaining learning data including a predetermined feature amount and the time required for the current defrosting operation based on the driving situation data indicating the driving situation detected by the detection unit, a step of acquiring learning data to be stored in a second storage unit;
   Based on the learning data, the defrosting operation is assumed to have been performed in response to input data related to the feature amount based on the driving situation data indicating the driving situation detected by the detection unit. an estimated defrosting time calculation step of calculating the estimated defrosting time using an estimation model that outputs the estimated time required for defrosting operation as the estimated defrosting time;
   a defrosting operation control step of executing the defrosting operation when the estimated defrosting time at a predetermined time of determining whether or not defrosting is necessary;
   a step of recognizing a non-use time period, which is a time period in which it is estimated that a specific function of the refrigerator is unlikely to be used;
   a threshold value setting step of setting a plurality of threshold values related to the necessity of determining whether to execute the defrosting operation;
   Refrigerator control method including.
   

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