Refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that can suppress a delay in cooling of a stored object.SOLUTION: A control unit of a refrigerator is configured to repeat a stop and start cycle in which cooling is stopped when an inside-refrigerator detected temperature is below a cooling stop threshold value which is lower than a preset temperature, and cooling is started when the inside-refrigerator detected temperature is above a cooling start threshold value which is higher than the preset temperature. The control unit is configured to measure a temperature increase time from when cooling is stopped due to the inside-refrigerator detected temperature being below the cooling stop threshold value to when cooling is started due to the inside-refrigerator detected temperature being above the cooling stop threshold value, and when a stop and start cycle in which the temperature increase time is shorter than a predefined first time occurs a predefined number of times, to execute a forced cooling mode, in which a cooling unit is continuously driven only for a predefined second time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator configured to cool contents. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a portable refrigerator. This refrigerator repeats a stop-start cycle in which cooling stops when the temperature of the storage compartment drops below a set temperature by a predetermined value and starts when the temperature of the storage compartment rises above the set temperature by a predetermined value. Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose refrigerators in which kimchi is stored as an item in the storage compartment and the storage compartment is cooled by a refrigerant supplied from a compressor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 172773 [Patent Document 2] Korean Patent Publication No. 100650746 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-081816 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to the inventor's findings, when a container with low thermal conductivity, such as water, is placed in a container with high thermal conductivity, such as metal, and placed in the storage chamber, the control disclosed in Patent Document 1 detects the temperature of the container surface, which is colder than the contents, as the temperature inside the storage chamber before the temperature of the contents drops to the set temperature, and cooling may stop. This results in a problem in that the stop-start cycle is repeated many times until the temperature of the contents reaches the set temperature, and it takes a long time for the temperature of the contents to reach the set temperature.

[0005] In the refrigerator of Patent Document 2, the compressor operation time is measured from when the detected temperature of the storage compartment exceeds the operation start threshold and the compressor starts operating until the detected temperature of the storage compartment falls below the cooling stop threshold and the compressor stops, and if the compressor operation time exceeds a predetermined time, it determines that the kimchi (the stored item) is not sufficiently cooled, reduces the cooling stop threshold, and continues operating the compressor. However, this type of control does not address the case where the temperature of the container surface, which is colder than the stored item, is detected as the internal temperature, and does not solve the above problem.

[0006] In the refrigerator of Patent Document 3, in the initial operating state, the compressor is continuously operated until a certain time has passed. However, control that unconditionally continuously operates the compressor until the certain time has passed may result in excessive cooling of the contents.

[0007] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the following problems 1 and 2. ·Problem 1...To provide a refrigerator that can suppress delays in cooling stored items. ·Problem 2...To provide a refrigerator that can prevent stored items from being cooled too much. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a refrigerator. a containment chamber configured to contain an item; a cooling unit configured to cool the accommodation chamber; a temperature detection unit provided in the accommodation chamber; a control unit that controls the cooling unit; A refrigerator comprising: The control unit a stop / start cycle is repeated in which the cooling unit is stopped when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit falls below a cooling stop threshold that is lower than a set temperature, and the cooling unit is started when the detected temperature exceeds a cooling start threshold that is higher than the set temperature, a temperature rise time is measured from when the detected temperature falls below the cooling stop threshold and the cooling unit is stopped to when the detected temperature exceeds the cooling start threshold and operation of the cooling unit is started, and when a predetermined number of stop-start cycles in which the temperature rise time is shorter than a predetermined first time period occur, the cooling unit is continuously operated for a predetermined second time period. It is characterized by:

[0009] The present invention may be expressed as a "refrigerator / heater" or "electrical equipment", and such expressions are also valid aspects of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, at least one of the above problems 1 and 2 can be solved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the front upper side, with a first lid 6 open. [Figure 2] 2A is a partial perspective view of the state where the partition plate 70 is removed from FIG. 1; FIG. 2B is a partial perspective view of the state where the second cover 7 is open in FIG. 1; and FIG. 2C is a partial perspective view of the state where the battery pack 29 is removed from FIG. 2B. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the refrigerator 1 seen from the upper right rear side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the interior of the refrigerator 1 seen from the upper right rear. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of the interior of the refrigerator 1, with the heating mechanism 50 omitted. [Figure 6] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the assembly of a bottom member 15, a right side member 16, a left side member 17, and a rail member 18 in a refrigerator 1. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of the mechanical configuration of refrigerator 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a front view of the interior of refrigerator 1. [Figure 9]32(A) is an external view of the setting unit 60 of the refrigerator 1. (B) is a diagram showing an example of the display 61 of the setting unit 60 in a two-room mode in which the temperatures of the first storage compartment 9 and the second storage compartment 10 are individually controlled. (C) is a diagram showing an example of the display 61 in a large-room only mode in which the temperature of only the first storage compartment 9 is controlled. (D) is a diagram showing an example of the display 61 in a small-room only mode in which the temperature of only the second storage compartment 10 is controlled. (E) is a diagram showing an example of the display 61 in a one-room mode in which the temperatures of the first storage compartment 9 and the second storage compartment 10 are collectively controlled. (F) is a diagram showing an example of the display 61 in a two-room mode in which the set temperature of the first storage compartment 9 is set to 0°C and the set temperature of the second storage compartment 10 is set to 60°C. (G) is a diagram showing an example of the display 61 after the set temperature of the second storage compartment 10 is automatically changed to 50°C when the set temperature of the first storage compartment 9 is changed to -10°C from the state shown in FIG. 32(F). [Figure 10] Circuit block diagram of refrigerator 1. [Figure 11] 1 is a control flowchart of refrigerator 1. [Figure 12] 12 is a graph showing an example of changes over time in temperature of stored items, detected temperature inside the refrigerator, and cooling operation when the control shown in FIG. 11 is performed in the refrigerator 1. [Figure 13] 10 is a graph showing an example of changes over time in temperature of stored items, detected temperature inside the refrigerator, and cooling operation when control according to a comparative example in which the refrigerator 1 does not have a forced cooling mode is performed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] (Overall composition) This embodiment relates to a refrigerator 1. The refrigerator 1 is a portable refrigerator / warmer with cooling and heating functions, and has a configuration similar to that of the refrigerator / warmer of Patent Document 1. Figure 1 and other figures define the mutually orthogonal front-to-rear, up-down, and left-to-right directions of the refrigerator 1. The front-to-rear direction is the depth direction (short side direction) of the refrigerator 1, the left-to-right direction is the width direction (longitudinal direction) of the refrigerator 1, and the up-to-down direction is the height direction of the refrigerator 1.

[0013] The refrigerator 1 includes a main body 2. The main body 2 has a first main body portion 3 and a second main body portion 4 that is separate from the first main body portion 3.

[0014] The first main body 3 has a left outer box 12. The left outer box 12 is, for example, a resin-molded body that is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped with an open top. The second main body 4 has a right outer box 13. The right outer box 13 is, for example, a resin-molded body that is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped with an open top and left side. The right outer box 13 is fixed and integrated with the right side surface of the left outer box 12 by screws or the like.

[0015] The main body 2 has a main frame 11. The main frame 11 is, for example, a resin molded body, and is a frame that straddles the upper parts of the first main body portion 3 and the second main body portion 4.

[0016] The refrigerator 1 includes a lid 5. The lid 5 is provided on top of the main body 2 and can be opened and closed relative to the main body 2. The lid 5 includes a first lid 6 that opens and closes the first main body 3, and a second lid 7 that opens and closes the second main body 4.

[0017] 3, the first cover 6 is rotatably connected to the rear end of the main frame 11 by a first hinge mechanism 25. The second cover 7 is rotatably connected to the rear end of the main frame 11 by a second hinge mechanism 26.

[0018] The refrigerator 1 has a USB terminal 27 and a power input terminal 28 on the second main body 4. The refrigerator 1 can supply charging power to devices connected to the USB terminal 27. The refrigerator 1 can input DC power from an external source via the power input terminal 28. The refrigerator 1 operates using the DC power or power from a battery pack 29.

[0019] The first main body portion 3 has a storage chamber (storage section) 8. The storage chamber 8 can store a metal container containing liquid. The storage chamber 8 has a first storage chamber 9 which is a large right-hand room and a second storage chamber 10 which is a small left-hand room. The first storage chamber (first storage section) 9 and the second storage chamber (second storage section) 10 are adjacent to each other and separated (divided) by a removable partition plate 70.

[0020] The first main body 3 has a bottom surface member 15, a right side surface member 16, a left side surface member 17, and a rail member 18 shown in FIG. 6, which are components of the storage chamber 8. The bottom surface member 15 is, for example, a resin molded body, and forms the bottom surface of the storage chamber 8. The right side surface member 16 and the left side surface member 17 are each made of metal (metal plate) such as aluminum, and are U-shaped when viewed from the top and bottom. The right side surface member 16 forms the side surface of the first storage chamber 9. The left side surface member 17 forms the side surface of the second storage chamber 10.

[0021] The first side surface 9a of the first storage chamber 9 is the right side surface of the first storage chamber 9. The second side surface 9b of the first storage chamber 9 is the front and back surfaces of the first storage chamber 9. The first side surface 10a of the second storage chamber 10 is the left side surface of the second storage chamber 10. The second side surface 10b of the second storage chamber 10 is the front and back surfaces of the second storage chamber 10.

[0022] 6, the right side surface member 16 has outwardly bent portions 16a at each of a pair of left ends, and the left side surface member 17 has outwardly bent portions 17a at each of a pair of right ends. The outwardly bent portions 16a, 17a each extend in the vertical direction.

[0023] The pair of rail members 18 have grooves 18c and 18d into which the outer bent portions 16a and 17a fit (engage). The rail member 18 is fixed and integrated with the right side member 16 and the left side member 17 (to the outer bent portions 16a and 17a) by screws or the like, with the outer bent portions 16a and 17a fitted into the grooves 18c and 18d. The rail member 18 has cutouts 18a for screwing to the main frame 11. The rail member 18 is fixed to the main frame 11 by screws (not shown) that pass through the cutouts 18a and screw into bosses (not shown) of the main frame 11. The rail member 18 has a recess (recessed groove) 18b extending in the vertical direction. The recess 18b forms a recess on the inner surface of the storage chamber 8 and serves as a guide when attaching or detaching the partition plate 70.

[0024] The combined right side surface member 16, left side surface member 17, and rail member 18 are fitted from above into the bottom surface member 15 to form the inner box of the first main body portion 3. A heat insulating material (not shown) is filled between this inner box and the left outer box 12. This heat insulating material hardens after filling, and therefore serves to fix the inner box to the left outer box 12 and also to fix the main frame 11.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 6 , the refrigerator 1 includes a first thermistor 55 and a first holder 57 that holds the first thermistor 55, and a second thermistor 56 and a second holder 58 that holds the first thermistor 56. The first holder 57 is fixed to approximately the center of the right side surface of the right side member 16 by screwing or the like. The first thermistor 55 detects the temperature inside the right side member 16, i.e., the temperature inside the first storage compartment 9. The second holder 58 is fixed to approximately the center of the left side surface of the left side member 17 by screwing or the like. The second thermistor 56 detects the temperature inside the left side member 17, i.e., the temperature inside the second storage compartment 10.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 2(C), the second main body portion 4 has a battery pack storage chamber 22. The battery pack storage chamber 22 has two battery pack attachment sections 22a (battery pack connection sections). As shown in Fig. 2(B), a battery pack 29 can be detachably attached (connected) to each battery pack attachment section 22a. The battery pack 29 is, for example, a battery pack for a power tool with a rated output voltage of 18V.

[0027] 5, the refrigerator 1 includes a cooling unit 40. The cooling unit 40 can cool the storage compartment 8 using DC power input from the outside via a power input terminal 28 or power from a battery pack 29. The cooling unit 40 is a heat pump type, and includes a compressor 41, a condenser 42, a refrigerant pipe 44, and a regulating valve 47.

[0028] Compressor 41 is an output part of refrigerator 1 and has a motor. It compresses the refrigerant and discharges it as a high-temperature, high-pressure gas. Driving (operating) compressor 41 corresponds to performing cooling, and stopping compressor 41 corresponds to stopping cooling. Condenser 42 releases heat from the refrigerant discharged from compressor 41 and discharges the refrigerant as a liquid. Refrigerant pipe 44 forms a path through which the refrigerant discharged from condenser 42 passes around storage chamber 8 and returns to compressor 41. As the refrigerant passes around storage chamber 8, it absorbs heat from storage chamber 8 and evaporates, becoming a gas. Adjustment valve 47 is provided in refrigerant pipe 44, in the part of the refrigerant pipe where the refrigerant flows from around storage chamber 8 back to compressor 41, i.e., where the refrigerant flows in a gaseous state.

[0029] The refrigerant pipe 44 includes a first refrigerant pipe 45 and a second refrigerant pipe 46. The refrigerant pipe 44 extends as a single pipe inside the first main body portion 3 and branches into two pipes, the first refrigerant pipe 45 and the second refrigerant pipe 46, at a branching portion 44a near the back surface of the right side member 16, as shown in FIG.

[0030] The first refrigerant pipe 45 is provided on at least a side surface of the first storage chamber 9 and cools the first storage chamber 9. The second refrigerant pipe 46 is provided on at least a side surface of the second storage chamber 10 and cools the second storage chamber 10. The first refrigerant pipe 45 is provided to mainly cool the first storage chamber 9, and the second refrigerant pipe 46 is provided to mainly cool the second storage chamber 10.

[0031] The adjustment valve 47 is connected to the first refrigerant pipe 45 and the second refrigerant pipe 46, and is capable of individually adjusting (opening and closing) the flow of refrigerant in the first refrigerant pipe 45 and the second refrigerant pipe 46. As shown in Fig. 7, the adjustment valve 47 includes a first adjustment valve 47a provided in the first refrigerant pipe 45 to adjust the flow of refrigerant in the first refrigerant pipe 45, and a second adjustment valve 47b provided in the second refrigerant pipe 46 to adjust the flow of refrigerant in the second refrigerant pipe 46. The first adjustment valve 47a and the second adjustment valve 47b are, for example, solenoid valves.

[0032] In the refrigerator 1, the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor 41 flows in a liquid state into the refrigerant pipe 44 through the condenser 42 and the capillary tube 43, branches into the first refrigerant pipe 45 and the second refrigerant pipe 46, absorbs heat from the first storage chamber 9 and the second storage chamber 10, and vaporizes, passes through the first adjustment valve 47a and the second adjustment valve 47b in a gaseous state, and returns to the compressor 41.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 8, the refrigerator 1 has a fan 49. The fan 49 generates fan airflow that cools the cooling unit 40 (particularly the condenser 42) and the control circuit board 80 (FIG. 10). An air intake port 23 for taking in the fan airflow is provided on the front surface of the right outer casing 13. An air exhaust port 24 for expelling the fan airflow is provided on the rear surface of the right outer casing 13. The fan airflow flows in the front-to-rear direction from the air intake port 23 to the air exhaust port 24. The front-to-rear relationship of intake and exhaust may be reversed.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 8, the refrigerator 1 is equipped with a heating mechanism 50 capable of heating the first storage compartment 9 and the second storage compartment 10. The heating mechanism 50 has a first heating unit 51 and a second heating unit 52. The first heating unit 51 is provided on the outer surface of the right side member 16 and is capable of heating the first storage compartment 9. The second heating unit 52 is provided on the outer surface of the left side member 17 and is capable of heating the second storage compartment 10. The first heating unit 51 and the second heating unit 52 are, for example, wire heaters and are provided to cover the first refrigerant pipe 45 and the second refrigerant pipe 46, respectively.

[0035] The refrigerator 1 is equipped with a partition plate 70 that serves as a heat insulating wall. When the partition plate 70 is attached to the main body 2 as shown in Fig. 1, the partition plate 70 divides the storage compartment 8 into a first storage compartment 9 and a second storage compartment 10. A user can attach and detach the partition plate 70 to and from the storage compartment 8 along the recessed portion 18b of the rail member 18 (Fig. 6).

[0036] The refrigerator 1 includes a setting unit 60. The setting unit 60 is provided at the upper right front end of the main body 2 and faces upward toward the front. The user can use the setting unit 60 to set the temperatures of the first storage compartment 9 and the second storage compartment 10 individually.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 9(A), the setting unit 60 has a display unit 61, a right room temperature setting button 62, a left room temperature setting button 63, a mode switching button 64 (room switching button), a power button 65, a USB device power switching button 66, and an execute button 67. The display unit 61 includes a battery level indicator 61a, an external power connection indicator 61b, a USB device power indicator 61c, an error indicator 61d, a right room temperature indicator 61e, and a left room temperature indicator 61f. The displays on the display unit 61 are controlled by a microcomputer 81 shown in FIG. 10. The operation of each button is transmitted to the microcomputer 81.

[0038] The right room temperature display unit 61e displays the set temperature or current temperature of the first storage chamber 9. The left room temperature display unit 61f displays the set temperature or current temperature of the second storage chamber 10. For example, the set temperature can be displayed by flashing and the current temperature by lighting, so that the set temperature and the current temperature can be displayed separately on the same display unit.

[0039] The right room temperature setting button 62 is an operation unit that allows the user to change the set temperature of the first storage compartment 9. The left room temperature setting button 63 is an operation unit that allows the user to change the set temperature of the second storage compartment 10. For example, the initial set temperature is 10°C, the maximum set temperature is 60°C, and the minimum set temperature is -18°C.

[0040] The mode switching button 64 is an operation unit that allows the user to switch the operation mode of the refrigerator 1. The operation modes include a two-room mode that controls the temperatures of the first storage compartment 9 and the second storage compartment 10 individually, a large-room only mode that controls the temperature of only the first storage compartment 9, a small-room only mode that controls the temperature of only the second storage compartment 10, and a one-room mode that controls the temperatures of the first storage compartment 9 and the second storage compartment 10 collectively. For example, the initial operation mode is the two-room mode, and each time the mode switching button 64 is pressed, the mode transitions to the large-room only mode, the small-room only mode, and the one-room mode.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 9(B), in the two-room mode, the right room temperature display 61e and the left room temperature display 61f display the set temperature or current temperature of the first storage compartment 9 and the second storage compartment 10, respectively. As shown in FIG. 9(C), in the large room only mode, the right room temperature display 61e displays the set temperature or current temperature of the first storage compartment 9, while the left room temperature display 61f is turned off. As shown in FIG. 9(D), in the small room only mode, the right room temperature display 61e is turned off, while the left room temperature display 61f displays the set temperature or current temperature of the second storage compartment 10. As shown in FIG. 9(E), in the one-room mode, the right room temperature display 61e displays the set temperature or current temperature of the first storage compartment 9 and the second storage compartment 10, while the left room temperature display 61f is turned off. The large room only mode and the single room mode are distinguished by whether or not the dividing line between the right room temperature display section 61e and the left room temperature display section 61f is lit, as shown in Figures 9(C) and (E) (lit: large room only mode, unlit: single room mode).

[0042] The power button 65 is an operation unit that allows the user to switch between starting and stopping the refrigerator 1. The USB device power switch button 66 is an operation unit that allows the user to switch between supplying charging power to a device connected to the USB terminal 27 and not supplying charging power. The execute button 67 is a button that allows the user to confirm the current set temperature and start operation at that set temperature. Note that the execute button 67 may be eliminated, and the refrigerator may be configured to start operation at the set temperature in conjunction with the user's operation of the operation unit.

[0043] Fig. 10 is a circuit block diagram of the refrigerator 1. In Fig. 10, two battery packs 29 are distinguished as battery packs 29a and 29b. A control circuit board 80, which is equipped with an internal circuit surrounded by a dashed line in Fig. 10, has a function of controlling the cooling unit 40 and a function of controlling charging of the battery packs 29.

[0044] The DC power supply 90 is, for example, an AC adapter, which is connected to an external AC power supply (not shown), converts AC power to DC power (for example, 12 V DC), and supplies the DC power to the power supply input terminal 28 of the refrigerator 1. Alternatively, the DC power supply 90 is, for example, an on-board power supply (on-board battery), and supplies DC power to the power supply input terminal 28.

[0045] The refrigerator 1 has a control circuit board 80 including a microcomputer 81 as an operation control unit, a microcomputer 82 as a charge control unit, a control power supply 83, a rotation speed setting circuit 84, a shunt resistor 85, a charge circuit 88, and a shunt resistor 89. The microcomputers 81 and 82 function as control units that control the power supply to the compressor 41. The microcomputers 81 and 82 do not need to be separate units and may be a single microcomputer (microcontroller). The control power supply 83 converts an input voltage from a DC power supply 90 or battery pack 29a or 29b into a power supply voltage (e.g., 5V) for the microcomputers 81, 82, etc., and supplies the voltage to the microcomputers 81, 82, etc.

[0046] The microcomputer 81 controls the overall operation related to cooling and heating of the refrigerator 1. The microcomputer 81 controls the on / off of the switching element Q3 provided in the current path of the compressor drive circuit 48, and controls the driving and stopping of the compressor 41. The microcomputer 81 sends a rotation speed determination signal to the compressor drive circuit 48 via the rotation speed setting circuit 84, and controls the rotation speed of the compressor 41.

[0047] The microcomputer 81 receives operations on the setting unit 60 as electrical signals and controls the display on the setting unit 60 (the display on the display unit 61). The microcomputer 81 controls the opening and closing of the first adjustment valve 47a and the second adjustment valve 47b, thereby controlling the flow of refrigerant in the first refrigerant pipe 45 and the second refrigerant pipe 46. The microcomputer 81 controls the on / off of switching elements Q4 and Q5 provided in the current paths of the first heating unit 51 and the second heating unit 52, respectively, to control the operation of the first heating unit 51 and the second heating unit 52. The microcomputer 81 detects the temperatures of the first storage chamber 9 and the second storage chamber 10 (internal temperature) from the output signals of the first thermistor 55 and the second thermistor 56. The microcomputer 81 detects the drive current of the compressor 41 and the drive current of the first heating unit 51 and the second heating unit 52 from the voltage of the shunt resistor 85. The shunt resistor 85 is a block that groups together resistors that are connected in series to the switching elements Q3 to Q5.

[0048] In cooling control in the one-room mode and the two-room mode, the microcomputer 81 controls the first adjustment valve 47a and the second adjustment valve 47b to allow refrigerant to flow through both the first refrigerant pipe 45 and the second refrigerant pipe 46. In cooling control in the large room only mode, the microcomputer 81 controls the first adjustment valve 47a and the second adjustment valve 47b to allow refrigerant to flow through the first refrigerant pipe 45 but not through the second refrigerant pipe 46. In cooling control in the small room only mode, the microcomputer 81 controls the first adjustment valve 47a and the second adjustment valve 47b to allow refrigerant to flow through the second refrigerant pipe 46 but not through the first refrigerant pipe 45.

[0049] The microcomputer 82 controls the charging of the battery packs 29a and 29b in the refrigerator 1. The microcomputer 82 controls the charging voltage through control of the charging circuit 88. Under the control of the microcomputer 82, the charging circuit 88 converts the input voltage from the DC power supply 90 into a charging voltage for the battery pack 29a or 29b and supplies it to the battery pack 29a or 29b (charging the battery pack 29a or 29b). The microcomputer 82 controls the on / off of switching elements Q1 and Q2 provided between the output terminal of the charging circuit 88 and the charging terminals (C+ terminals) of the battery packs 29a and 29b, and determines which of the battery packs 29a and 29b to charge. Diodes D5 and D6 for preventing backflow are connected between the switching elements Q1 and Q2 and the microcomputer 82. The microcomputer 82 detects the charging current from the voltage of a shunt resistor 89 provided in the output current path of the charging circuit 88.

[0050] Apart from controlling charging, the microcomputer 82 controls the on / off of relays S1 and S2, which function as switches connected to the positive terminals (+ terminals) of the battery packs 29a and 29b, to determine which of the battery packs 29a and 29b will be discharged from. When power is being supplied from the DC power supply 90, the microcomputer 82 turns off the relays S1 and S2, preventing discharge from the battery packs 29a and 29b. Fuses F1 to F3 and diodes D1 to D3 for preventing backflow are connected to the positive terminals of the battery packs 29a and 29b and the DC power supply 90. The microcomputers 81 and 82 can communicate with each other and share various information.

[0051] (Stop-start cycle) Below, cooling control in the refrigerator 1 will be explained using the single-room mode as an example. The microcomputer 81 is configured to repeat a stop-start cycle in which the compressor 41 stops when the temperature detected by the first thermistor 55 as a temperature detector (hereinafter referred to as the "detected internal temperature") falls below a cooling stop threshold that is lower than the set temperature, and starts operation of the compressor 41 when the detected internal temperature exceeds a cooling start threshold that is higher than the set temperature. The cooling stop threshold is, for example, the set temperature -2°C, and the cooling start threshold is, for example, the set temperature +1°C.

[0052] According to the inventor's findings, when a container with low thermal conductivity, such as water, is placed in a container with high thermal conductivity, such as metal, and placed in the storage chamber 8, the temperature of the container surface, which is cooler than the contents and falls below the cooling stop threshold, is detected by the first thermistor 55, and the compressor 41 may stop before the contents are sufficiently cooled. This tendency becomes more pronounced the closer the container surface is to the first thermistor 55. If the compressor 41 stops before the contents are sufficiently cooled, many stop-start cycles will be repeated until the temperature of the contents reaches the set temperature (target temperature), and it will take a long time for the temperature of the contents to reach the set temperature.

[0053] Therefore, in this embodiment, a forced cooling mode, which will be described later, is added to suppress delays in cooling of the contents.

[0054] (forced cooling mode) The microcomputer 81 measures the temperature rise time (hereinafter referred to as "temperature rise time") from when the detected temperature inside the cabinet falls below the cooling stop threshold and the compressor 41 is stopped to when the detected temperature inside the cabinet exceeds the cooling start threshold and the compressor 41 starts to drive (operate), and is configured to execute a forced cooling mode in which the compressor 41 is continuously driven for a predetermined second time when a predetermined number of stop-start cycles in which the temperature rise time is shorter than a predetermined first time occur.

[0055] When the compressor 41 stops (cooling stops), the temperature of the container surface, which has become cooler than the contents and fallen below the cooling stop threshold, rises rapidly due to the heat from the relatively warm contents. The temperature rise at this time is faster the greater the temperature difference between the container surface and the contents. Therefore, a short temperature rise time means a large temperature difference between the container surface and the contents. For this reason, if a predetermined number of stop-start cycles occur in which the temperature rise time is shorter than the predetermined first time, the microcomputer 81 determines that the temperature of the contents has not reached the set temperature and continuously drives the compressor 41 for a predetermined second time.

[0056] The second time period is longer than the time required for the detected internal temperature to drop from the cooling start threshold to the cooling stop threshold during the previous drive of compressor 41. The second time period may be a time period independent of the detected internal temperature, i.e., a predetermined time period set regardless of the detected internal temperature. Alternatively, the second time period may be the time period required for the detected internal temperature to drop from the cooling start threshold to a predetermined value lower than the cooling stop threshold (for example, the cooling stop threshold of -5°C). In other words, the forced cooling mode may be a mode in which compressor 41 is continuously driven until the detected internal temperature drops below a predetermined value lower than the cooling stop threshold.

[0057] The microcomputer 81 executes the above-described stop-start cycle after a predetermined number of stop-start cycles in which the temperature rise time is shorter than the first time period have occurred and the compressor 41 has been continuously driven for a second time period. The predetermined number of times may be one or two or more. If the predetermined number of times is two or more, it is preferably a consecutive number of times.

[0058] (Cooling control flow) FIG. 11 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator 1.

[0059] If the microcomputer 81 is not in the forced cooling mode (No in S1), the compressor 41 is not stopped (No in S3), and the detected internal temperature is not lower than the cooling stop threshold (No in S5), it returns to S1. If the drive of the compressor 41 is started when the detected internal temperature is higher than the set temperature, the microcomputer 81 first continuously drives the compressor 41 in a loop of No in S1, No in S3, No in S5, No in S1, and so on, until the detected internal temperature falls below the cooling stop threshold.

[0060] If the compressor 41 is not stopped (No in S3) and the detected internal temperature is lower than the cooling stop threshold (Yes in S5), the microcomputer 81 stops the compressor 41 (S7) and returns to S1. After that, because the forced cooling mode is not active (No in S1) and the compressor 41 is stopped (Yes in S3), the microcomputer 81 proceeds to check whether the detected internal temperature is higher than the cooling start threshold (S8).

[0061] If the detected internal temperature is not higher than the cooling start threshold (No in S8), the microcomputer 81 returns to S1. After stopping the compressor 41 in S7, the microcomputer 81 stops the compressor 41 in a loop of No in S1, Yes in S3, No in S8, No in S1, and so on, until the detected internal temperature becomes higher than the cooling start threshold.

[0062] When the compressor 41 is stopped (Yes in S3), and the detected temperature inside the refrigerator is higher than the cooling start threshold (Yes in S8), the microcomputer 81 starts driving the compressor 41 (S9). If the time (temperature rise time) from when the compressor 41 is stopped in S7 to when the compressor 41 starts driving in S9 is not shorter than the first time (No in S11), the microcomputer 81 clears the count value (S12) and returns to S1. The count value corresponds to the number of occurrences of a phenomenon indicating that the temperature of the contents may not have reached the set temperature (there may be a large difference between the temperature of the contents and the detected temperature inside the refrigerator).

[0063] If the temperature rise time is shorter than the first time (Yes in S11), the microcomputer 81 increments the count value (S13) and proceeds to determine whether the count value is n times (S15). If the count value is not n times (No in S15), the microcomputer 81 returns to S1. If the count value is n times (corresponding to the predetermined number of times) (Yes in S15), the microcomputer 81 clears the count value (S17), enters forced cooling mode (S19), and returns to S1.

[0064] If the microcomputer 81 is in the forced cooling mode (Yes in S1), it increments the forced cooling mode timer (S21). If the forced cooling mode timer has not yet reached the specified time (second time) (No in S23), it returns to S1. If the forced cooling mode timer has reached the specified time (Yes in S23), the microcomputer 81 cancels the forced cooling mode (S25), clears the forced cooling mode timer (S27), and returns to S1. Since the microcomputer 81 is not in the forced cooling mode (No in S1) and the compressor 41 is not stopped (No in S3), it then proceeds to check whether the detected internal temperature is lower than the cooling stop threshold (S5). Since the detected internal temperature is usually lower than the cooling stop threshold after the forced cooling mode, the microcomputer 81 proceeds to Yes in S5 and stops the compressor 41 (S7).

[0065] FIG. 12 is a graph showing an example of the temperature of the stored item, the detected temperature inside the refrigerator, and the change over time of the cooling operation when the control shown in FIG. 11 is performed in the refrigerator 1.

[0066] At time t0, microcomputer 81 starts driving compressor 41, and the temperature of the contained items (content temperature) and the detected temperature inside the refrigerator drop. The example in Figure 12 shows a case where a contained item with low thermal conductivity, such as water, is placed in a container with high thermal conductivity, such as metal, and placed inside storage chamber 8. The temperature of the container surface, which cools faster than the contained items, is detected by first thermistor 55. As a result, the detected temperature inside the refrigerator drops faster than the temperature of the contained items.

[0067] At time t1, the detected internal temperature falls below the cooling stop threshold, and microcomputer 81 stops compressor 41. As a result, the detected internal temperature begins to rise. At time t2, the detected internal temperature exceeds the cooling start threshold, and microcomputer 81 resumes driving compressor 41. As a result, the detected internal temperature begins to fall. Because the time between times t1 and t2, which is the temperature rise time, is less than the specified time (second time), microcomputer 81 increments the count value.

[0068] Thereafter, at time t3, the detected temperature inside the refrigerator falls below the cooling stop threshold, and microcomputer 81 stops compressor 41. At time t4, the detected temperature inside the refrigerator exceeds the cooling start threshold, and microcomputer 81 resumes driving compressor 41. Because the time between times t3 and t4, which is the temperature rise time, is less than the specified time (second time), microcomputer 81 increments the count value. As a result, the count value becomes n, and microcomputer 81 clears the count value (returns it to its initial value of 0) and enters forced cooling mode.

[0069] In the forced cooling mode, even if the detected internal temperature falls below the cooling stop threshold, the compressor 41 continues to operate continuously from time t4 until time t5, when the second time has elapsed. This causes the temperature of the contents and the detected internal temperature to drop faster than if the stop-start cycle were repeated. At time t5, the microcomputer 81 cancels the forced cooling mode and stops the compressor 41. This causes the detected internal temperature to begin to rise.

[0070] At time t6, the detected temperature inside the refrigerator exceeds the cooling start threshold, and microcomputer 81 resumes driving compressor 41. At time t7, the detected temperature inside the refrigerator falls below the cooling stop threshold, and microcomputer 81 stops compressor 41. At time t8, the detected temperature inside the refrigerator exceeds the cooling start threshold, and microcomputer 81 resumes driving compressor 41. Because the time between times t7 and t8, which is the temperature rise time, is equal to or longer than the specified time (second time), microcomputer 81 clears the count value. After time t8, the operation from time t6 to t8 is repeated (the stop-start cycle is repeated).

[0071] Fig. 13 is a graph showing an example of changes over time in the temperature of the contained items, the detected temperature inside the refrigerator, and the cooling operation when control is performed according to a comparative example that does not include the forced cooling mode in the refrigerator 1. In Fig. 13, the time between times t1 and t2, which are the temperature rise times, and the time between t3 and t4 are both shorter than the specified time (second time), but the microcomputer 81 does not enter the forced cooling mode and continues to repeat the stop-start cycle. Therefore, the drop in the temperature of the contained items is delayed compared to when the forced cooling mode is entered.

[0072] The above cooling control is an example of the single-room mode, but similar control is performed in the large-room-only mode. In the small-room-only mode, the microcomputer 81 executes the same cooling control as above based on the temperature detected by the second thermistor 56 as a temperature detector. In the two-room mode, the microcomputer 81 executes the same cooling control as above separately for each of the first storage chamber 9 and the second storage chamber 10 based on the temperatures detected by the first thermistor 55 and the second thermistor 56. Note that in the single-room mode, the microcomputer 81 may also execute the same cooling control as above based on, for example, the average value of the temperatures detected by both the first thermistor 55 and the second thermistor 56.

[0073] This embodiment has the following advantages.

[0074] (1) The microcomputer 81 measures the temperature rise time from when the detected internal temperature falls below the cooling stop threshold and stops the compressor 41 until when the detected internal temperature exceeds the cooling start threshold and starts operating the compressor 41. If a predetermined number of stop-start cycles with a temperature rise time shorter than a predetermined first time occur, the microcomputer 81 executes a forced cooling mode in which the compressor 41 is continuously operated for a predetermined second time. Therefore, in a usage scenario in which the container cools rapidly before the contents cool, the number of stop-start cycles required for the temperature of the contents to reach the set temperature is reduced, thereby reducing the time it takes for the temperature of the contents to reach the set temperature. In other words, not only the container but also the contents inside the container can quickly reach the set temperature. Furthermore, because the occurrence of a stop-start cycle with a temperature rise time shorter than the first time is a necessary condition for entering the forced cooling mode, the risk of overcooling the contents is reduced compared to, for example, control in which the compressor 41 is continuously operated unconditionally until a certain time has elapsed in the initial operating state.

[0075] (2) The second time is longer than the time it takes for the detected temperature inside the cabinet to drop from the cooling start threshold to the cooling stop threshold during the previous operation of compressor 41, so that in the forced cooling mode, the contents can be cooled more quickly than by repeating the stop-start cycle.

[0076] (3) If the second time period is set to a time period independent of the detected internal temperature, the microcomputer 81 can omit processing related to temperature detection during the forced cooling mode, simplifying the control of the forced cooling mode. If the second time period is set to the time period from when the detected internal temperature falls below a predetermined value lower than the cooling start threshold to when the detected internal temperature falls below the cooling stop threshold, the second time period will be a time period that depends on the degree of decrease in the detected internal temperature, enabling flexible control.

[0077] (4) When the predetermined number of times is set to one, the determination to switch to forced cooling mode is made more quickly, and the contents are cooled more quickly. When the predetermined number of times is set to two or more, the risk of erroneously determining that the temperature of the contents has not reached the set temperature is reduced in cases where the temperature rise time is shortened, for example, because the first lid 6 is opened while the compressor 41 is stopped. When the predetermined number of times is set to two or more consecutive times, the risk of erroneous determination is further reduced.

[0078] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments as examples, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Various modifications can be made to the details specifically described in the embodiments within the scope of the claims.

[0079] The cooling unit of the present invention is not limited to a heat pump type having a compressor 41, and may be configured to cool the storage chamber using, for example, a Peltier element. The number of storage chambers of the present invention may be one or three or more, and the number of storage chambers may be fixed.

[0080] The first time and second time, which are given as specific numerical values in the embodiments, and the relative values of the cooling stop threshold and cooling start threshold with respect to the set temperature, do not limit the scope of the invention in any way and can be changed as desired to suit the required specifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] REFRIGERATOR SYMBOLS 1... Refrigerator, 2... Main body, 3... First main body section, 4... Second main body section, 5... Lid, 6... First lid, 7... Second lid, 8... Storage chamber (storage section), 9... First storage chamber (first storage section), 9a... First side surface, 9b... Second side surface, 10... Second storage chamber (second storage section), 10a... First side surface, 10b... Second side surface, 11... Main frame, 12... Left outer box, 13... Right outer box, 15... Bottom member, 16... Right side surface member, 16a... Outer bent portion, 17... Left side surface member, 17a... Outer bent portion, 18... Rail member , 18a...notch portion, 18b...recessed portion, 18c, 18d...groove portion, 22...battery pack storage chamber, 22a...battery pack mounting portion, 23...air intake port, 24...exhaust port, 25...first hinge mechanism, 26...second hinge mechanism, 27...USB terminal, 28...power input terminal, 29...battery pack, 40...cooling portion, 41...compressor (cooling machine), 42...condenser, 43...capillary tube, 44...refrigerant pipe, 44a...branch portion, 45...first refrigerant pipe (first cooling portion), 46...second Refrigerant pipe (second cooling section), 47...adjusting valve, 47a...first adjusting valve, 47b...second adjusting valve, 48...compressor drive circuit, 49...fan, 50...heating mechanism, 51...first heating section, 52...second heating section, 55...first thermistor (temperature detection section), 56...second thermistor (temperature detection section), 57...first holder, 58...second holder, 60...setting section, 61...display section, 61a...battery status display section, 61b...external power supply connection display section, 61c...USB device power display section, 61d...error -Display unit, 61e...right room temperature display unit, 61f...left room temperature display unit, 62...right room temperature setting button, 63...left room temperature setting button, 64...mode switching button (room switching button), 65...power button, 66...USB device power switching button, 67...execute button, 81...microcomputer (operation control unit), 82...microcomputer (charging control unit), 83...control power supply, 84...rotation speed setting circuit, 85...shunt resistor, 88...charging circuit, 89...shunt resistor, 90...DC power supply.

Claims

1. a containment chamber configured to contain an item; a cooling unit configured to cool the accommodation chamber; a temperature detection unit provided in the accommodation chamber; a control unit that controls the cooling unit; A refrigerator comprising: The control unit a stop / start cycle is repeated in which the cooling unit is stopped when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit falls below a cooling stop threshold that is lower than a set temperature, and the cooling unit is started when the detected temperature exceeds a cooling start threshold that is higher than the set temperature, a temperature rise time is measured from when the detected temperature falls below the cooling stop threshold and the cooling unit is stopped to when the detected temperature exceeds the cooling start threshold and operation of the cooling unit is started, and when a predetermined number of stop-start cycles in which the temperature rise time is shorter than a predetermined first time occur, the cooling unit is continuously operated for a predetermined second time; A refrigerator characterized by:

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, the second time period is longer than the time period required for the detected temperature to decrease from the cooling start threshold to the cooling stop threshold during the immediately preceding drive of the cooling unit; A refrigerator characterized by:

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, the second time period is a time period independent of the detected temperature; A refrigerator characterized by:

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, The second time period is a time period from the cooling start threshold to the time period when the detected temperature falls below a predetermined value that is lower than the cooling stop threshold. A refrigerator characterized by:

5. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the control unit executes the stop-start cycle after the predetermined number of stop-start cycles in which the temperature rise time is shorter than the first time and the cooling unit is continuously driven for the second time. A refrigerator characterized by:

6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The predetermined number of times is two or more times. A refrigerator characterized by:

7. The refrigerator according to claim 5, The predetermined number of times is a consecutive number of times. A refrigerator characterized by:

8. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The cooling unit is composed of a heat pump having a compressor. A refrigerator characterized by:

9. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The storage chamber is capable of storing a metal container containing a liquid. A refrigerator characterized by:

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