Refrigerator system

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator capable of improving its convenience.SOLUTION: A refrigerator system in the embodiment includes a communication part capable of receiving information about another refrigerator different from a refrigerator which can store foods, and a control part for performing control to enhance the cooling ability of the refrigerator when the communication part receives information showing possibility that the foods are moved from another refrigerator to the refrigerator, as the information about another refrigerator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerator system. [Background technology]

[0002] Refrigerator systems including refrigerators and freezers equipped with wireless communication units are known, and further improvements in convenience are expected for such refrigerator systems. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-070759 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator system that can improve convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The refrigerator system of the embodiment includes a communication unit capable of receiving information about another refrigerator other than a refrigerator capable of storing food, and a control unit that performs control to increase the cooling capacity of the refrigerator when the communication unit receives information indicating that food may be transferred from the other refrigerator to the refrigerator as information about the other refrigerator. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerator system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 2 taken along line F3-F3. [Figure 4]1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a refrigeration cycle device according to an embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of the functional configuration of the refrigerator according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of a freezer according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a refrigeration cycle device according to an embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a freezer according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of the functional configuration of the freezer according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A refrigerator according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of those components may be omitted. "Based on XX" means "based on at least XX" and may include a case where the refrigerator is based on another element in addition to XX. "XX or YY" is not limited to either XX or YY, but may include both XX and YY. This also applies when there are three or more optional elements. "XX" and "YY" are any element (for example, any information). In this application, the side closer to a user standing in front of the refrigerator is defined as the "front," and the side further away from the user is defined as the "rear."

[0008] First Embodiment (Refrigerator system) First, a refrigerator system 1 including a refrigerator 100a will be described. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerator system 1 according to an embodiment. The refrigerator system 1 includes, for example, a refrigerator 100a, a freezer 100b, a server 200, and a terminal device 300. A network NW, which will be described later, may include one or more of the Internet, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) network, a low power wide area network (LPWA), a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), or other public lines or dedicated lines.

[0009] The refrigerator 100a is placed in the residence of the user U. The refrigerator 100a is connected to a network NW via, for example, a wireless router R and a modem M placed in the residence of the user U, and can communicate with a server 200 via the network NW. This allows the refrigerator 100a to communicate with the terminal device 300 of the user U via the server 200. In this embodiment, the refrigerator 100a can directly communicate with the freezer 100b and the terminal device 300 via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). In this application, "short distance" means a distance close enough to mean the inside of the residence of the user U.

[0010] The freezer 100b is placed in the residence of the user U. The freezer 100b is connected to a network NW via, for example, a wireless router R and a modem M placed in the residence of the user U, and is capable of communicating with the server 200 via the network NW. This allows the freezer 100b to communicate with the terminal device 300 of the user U via the server 200. In this embodiment, the freezer 100b can directly communicate with both the refrigerator 100a and the terminal device 300 via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth.

[0011] In this embodiment, the freezer 100b is included in the refrigerator. The refrigerator 100a is an example of another refrigerator. The freezer 100b is an example of a refrigerator. Details of the refrigerator 100a and the freezer 100b will be described later.

[0012] The server 200 provides services related to the settings and operations of the refrigerator 100a and the freezer 100b. The server 200 is configured, for example, by one or more server devices (e.g., cloud servers) connected to a network NW. The server 200 is capable of communicating with the refrigerator 100a, the freezer 100b, and the terminal device 300 via the network NW. Note that the server 200 is not limited to a cloud server, and may be a computer in the residence of the user U, a home router (e.g., wireless router R), or the like.

[0013] The terminal device 300 is an external device used by a user U of the refrigerator 100a and the freezer 100b. The terminal device 300 is, for example, a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal device. However, the terminal device 300 is not limited to a mobile terminal device and may be a personal computer, a television receiver, a radio receiver, a music player, or other audio equipment.

[0014] In this embodiment, the terminal device 300 includes a display device 301 including a display screen capable of displaying various information, and an input receiving unit 302 capable of receiving input (including voice input) from the user U. The display device 301 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The input receiving unit 302 is, for example, a touch panel provided over the display screen of the display device 301, or a microphone that collects the voice of the user U. An application program P for changing the settings of, operating, and managing the refrigerator 100a and the freezer 100b is installed in the terminal device 300, and the terminal device 300 supports the functions described below.

[0015] (refrigerator) Next, the refrigerator 100a will be described. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the refrigerator 100a according to the embodiment. The refrigerator 100a has a refrigerator main body MB including the basic components of a refrigerator. The refrigerator main body MB has, for example, a housing 10, multiple doors 20, a cooling unit 30 (see Fig. 3), a communication unit 50 (see Fig. 3), and a control device 70 (see Fig. 3).

[0016] The housing 10 has an upper wall 10a, a lower wall 10b, left and right side walls 10c and 10d, and a rear wall 10e, and is box-shaped with an open front. The housing 10 includes, for example, an inner box that forms the inner surface of the housing 10, an outer box that forms the outer surface of the housing 10, and a foam insulation material provided between the inner box and the outer box, and has thermal insulation properties. The interior of the housing 10 is provided with a plurality of partitions 15, 16 (see FIG. 3) that divide the interior of the housing 10 into a plurality of storage chambers 11, which will be described later.

[0017] The housing 10 includes multiple storage compartments 11. The multiple storage compartments 11 include, for example, a refrigerator compartment 11A, a chilled compartment 11Aa (see FIG. 3), a vegetable compartment 11B, an ice-making compartment 11C, a small freezer compartment 11D, and a main freezer compartment 11E. In this embodiment, the refrigerator compartment 11A is located at the top, the vegetable compartment 11B is located below the refrigerator compartment 11A, the ice-making compartment 11C and the small freezer compartment 11D are located below the vegetable compartment 11B, and the main freezer compartment 11E is located below the ice-making compartment 11C and the small freezer compartment 11D. However, the arrangement of the storage compartments 11 is not limited to the above example. Each storage compartment 11 has an opening that allows food ingredients to be put in and taken out.

[0018] The openings of the multiple storage compartments 11 are openably and closably closed by multiple doors 20. The multiple doors 20 include left and right refrigerator compartment doors 20Aa and 20Ab that close the opening of refrigerator compartment 11A, vegetable compartment door 20B that closes the opening of vegetable compartment 11B, ice compartment door 20C that closes the opening of ice compartment 11C, small freezer compartment door 20D that closes the opening of small freezer compartment 11D, and main freezer compartment door 20E that closes the opening of main freezer compartment 11E.

[0019] 3 is a cross-sectional view of refrigerator 100a taken along line F3-F3 in FIG. 2. Refrigerator body MB has cooling unit 30 that cools multiple storage compartments 11. Cooling unit 30 is an example of a "cooling section." Cooling unit 30 includes, for example, compressor 31, refrigeration cooler 32, refrigeration fan 33, freezer cooler 34, and freezer fan 35.

[0020] Compressor 31 compresses the refrigerant and supplies the compressed refrigerant to refrigerating cooler 32 and freezing cooler via a condenser 81 (see FIG. 4) and a capillary tube or the like.

[0021] The refrigeration cooler 32 is disposed in a first duct space D1 provided behind the refrigerator compartment 11A, and cools the air flowing through the first duct space D1 using refrigerant supplied from the compressor 31. The refrigeration fan 33 circulates the air (cold air) cooled by the refrigeration cooler 32 between the refrigerator temperature zone compartments (refrigerator compartment 11A, chilled compartment 11Aa, and vegetable compartment 11B) and the first duct space D1. This cools the refrigerator temperature zone compartments.

[0022] Freezer cooler 34 is disposed in second duct space D2 provided behind main freezer compartment 11E, and cools the air flowing through second duct space D2 using refrigerant supplied from compressor 31. Freezer fan 35 circulates the air (cold air) cooled by freezer cooler 34 between the freezer temperature zone compartments (ice-making compartment 11C, small freezer compartment 11D, and main freezer compartment 11E) and second duct space D2. This cools the freezer temperature zone compartments.

[0023] The communication unit 50 (see FIG. 3) is a long-distance communication module capable of communicating with a device (e.g., server 200) located outside the user U's residence via, for example, a wireless router R and modem M installed in the same residence as the refrigerator 100a. In this application, "long distance" refers to a distance long enough to mean outside the user U's residence. The communication unit 50 is, for example, a wireless communication module for a wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi. However, the communication unit 50 is not limited to a wireless communication module and may be connected to the network NW via a cable connected to the refrigerator 100a. The communication unit 50 transmits, for example, information indicating the status of the refrigerator 100a to the server 200. The communication unit 50 also receives, from the server 200, control signals for remotely operating the refrigerator 100a.

[0024] The control device 70 has a circuit board and electronic components mounted on the circuit board. The control device 70 includes a control unit 110 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later. The control unit 110 comprehensively controls the entire refrigerator 100a. For example, the control unit 110 controls the operations of the above-mentioned three-way valve 83, compressor 31, refrigerating fan 33, freezing fan 35, etc.

[0025] (Refrigeration cycle equipment) Next, the cooling unit 30 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus 80 according to an embodiment. The cooling unit 30 has a refrigeration cycle apparatus 80 including, for example, the compressor 31, the refrigeration cooler 32, and the refrigeration cooler 34 described above. In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 80, the compressor 31, the condenser 81, the dryer 82, the three-way valve 83, the refrigeration capillary tube 84, the refrigeration capillary tube 85, the refrigeration cooler 32, and the refrigeration cooler 34 are connected in a circular arrangement in the order of refrigerant flow. The condenser 81 and the dryer 82 are connected in this order to a high-pressure discharge port of the compressor 31 via a connecting pipe 86. The three-way valve 83 is connected to the discharge side of the dryer 82.

[0026] The three-way valve 83 has one inlet to which the dryer 82 is connected, and two outlets. To one of the two outlets of the three-way valve 83, a refrigeration capillary tube 84 and a refrigeration cooler 32 are connected in this order. The refrigeration cooler 32 is connected to the compressor 31 via a refrigeration suction pipe 87, which is a connecting pipe. To the other of the two outlets of the three-way valve 83, a refrigeration capillary tube 85 and a refrigeration cooler 34 are connected in this order. The refrigeration cooler 34 is connected to the compressor 31 via a refrigeration suction pipe 88, which is a connecting pipe. A check valve 89 is provided between the refrigeration cooler 34 and the compressor 31 to prevent the refrigerant from the refrigeration cooler 32 from flowing back toward the refrigeration cooler 34. Under the control of the control unit 110, the three-way valve 83 can allow the refrigerant to flow from one inlet to either one of two outlets, or can allow the refrigerant to flow from one inlet to both of the two outlets simultaneously.

[0027] Next, we will explain the flow of refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle device 80. First, the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle device 80 is compressed by the compressor 31 to become a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, and flows through flow path A. This gaseous refrigerant dissipates heat in the condenser 81 to become a medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant. After that, the liquid refrigerant, from which impurities such as dirt and moisture have been removed by passing through the dryer 82, enters only the refrigeration capillary tube 84, only the refrigeration capillary tube 85, or both the refrigeration capillary tube 84 and the refrigeration capillary tube 85, while being throttled and controlled by the three-way valve 83.

[0028] When the liquid refrigerant enters the refrigeration capillary tube 84, the medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant in the refrigeration capillary tube 84 is decompressed while exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the refrigeration suction pipe 87. The decompressed refrigerant then evaporates while passing through the refrigeration cooler 32, thereby cooling the refrigeration cooler 32. When the liquid refrigerant enters the freezing capillary tube 85, the medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant in the freezing capillary tube 85 is decompressed while exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the freezing suction pipe 88. The decompressed refrigerant then evaporates while passing through the refrigeration cooler 34, thereby cooling the refrigeration cooler 34.

[0029] The refrigerant, which has cooled the cold storage cooler 32 and is now in a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous state, then flows into the cold storage suction pipe 87. The temperature of the refrigerant gas immediately after flowing into the cold storage suction pipe 87 is low (for example, around -10°C). While passing through the cold storage suction pipe 87, this refrigerant gas exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the cold storage capillary tube 84, and is eventually heated to approximately room temperature. This refrigerant gas is then sucked back into the compressor 31, completing the circulation of the refrigerant that has cooled the cold storage cooler 32. The refrigerant, which has cooled the cold storage cooler 34 and is now in a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous state, then flows into the cold storage suction pipe 88. The temperature of the refrigerant gas immediately after flowing into the cold storage suction pipe 88 is low (for example, around -30°C). While passing through the cold storage suction pipe 88, this refrigerant gas exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the cold storage capillary tube 85, and is eventually heated to approximately room temperature. Then, this refrigerant gas is sucked back into the compressor 31, completing the circulation of the refrigerant that has cooled the freezing cooler 34.

[0030] In the above-described refrigeration cycle apparatus 80, the three-way valve 83 is controlled by the control unit 110, which will be described later, to select one or both of flow path B and flow path C. Flow path B is a flow path that supplies the refrigerant to the cold storage cooler 32. Flow path C is a flow path that supplies the refrigerant to the freezing cooler 34. These two flow paths B and C merge at a junction D. The refrigerant flows from the junction D in the direction of arrow E and returns to the compressor 61.

[0031] (Control functional configuration) Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a portion of the functional configuration of a refrigerator 100a according to an embodiment. The control device 70 includes a control unit 110 configured as a computer having a microcomputer, a timer, and the like. The control unit 110 controls the entire refrigerator 100a. Details of the control performed by the control unit 110 will be described later. As shown in Fig. 5, in addition to the above-described refrigeration fan 33, freezer fan 35, compressor 31, and three-way valve 83, for example, a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 111, a chilled compartment temperature sensor 112, a freezer compartment temperature sensor 113, an external temperature sensor 114, an operation panel unit 115, and a memory unit 116 are connected to the control unit 110.

[0032] Refrigerating compartment temperature sensor 111 is provided in refrigerating compartment 11A and detects the air temperature of refrigerating compartment 11A (hereinafter may be referred to as "refrigerating compartment temperature"). Chilled compartment temperature sensor 112 is provided in chilled compartment 11Aa and detects the air temperature of chilled compartment 11Aa (hereinafter may be referred to as "chilled compartment temperature").

[0033] Freezer compartment temperature sensor 113 is provided in, for example, main freezer compartment 11E and detects the air temperature of main freezer compartment 11E (hereinafter may be referred to as "freezer compartment temperature"). External temperature sensor 114 detects the environmental temperature outside housing 10 (for example, the room temperature of the place where refrigerator 100a is installed).

[0034] The operation panel unit 115 accepts user operations to instruct switching of the set temperature range and control mode of each storage compartment 11. The storage unit 116 stores information necessary for operating the refrigerator 100a.

[0035] (freezer) Next, the freezer 100b will be described. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the freezer 100b of this embodiment. Part (a) of Fig. 6 is a front view of the freezer 100b. Part (b) of Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the freezer 100b with the front door open. The freezer 100b shown in Fig. 6 has four freezer compartments A, B, C, and D.

[0036] (Refrigeration cycle equipment) The freezer 100b includes a cooling unit 30a. Next, the cooling unit 30a will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus 80a according to an embodiment. The cooling unit 30a includes a refrigeration cycle apparatus 80a including, for example, a compressor 706 and a refrigeration cooler 34a. In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 80a, the compressor 706, a condenser 81a, a dryer 82a, a two-way valve 707, a refrigeration capillary tube 85a, and the refrigeration cooler 34a are connected in a circular arrangement in the order of refrigerant flow. The condenser 81a and the dryer 82a are connected to the high-pressure discharge port of the compressor 706, in that order, via a connecting pipe 86a. The two-way valve 707 is connected to the discharge side of the dryer 82a.

[0037] Two-way valve 707 has one inlet connected to dryer 82a and one outlet. Refrigeration capillary tube 85a and refrigeration cooler 34a are connected in this order to one outlet of two-way valve 707. Refrigeration cooler 34a is connected to compressor 706 via refrigeration suction pipe 88a, which is a connecting pipe.

[0038] Next, the flow of refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle device 80a will be described. First, the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle device 80a is compressed by the compressor 706 to become a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, which flows through flow path A. This gaseous refrigerant dissipates heat in the condenser 81a to become a medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant. After that, the liquid refrigerant, from which impurities such as dirt and moisture have been removed by passing through the dryer 82a, enters the refrigeration capillary tube 85a while being throttled by the two-way valve 707.

[0039] When the liquid refrigerant enters the freezing capillary tube 85a, the medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant in the freezing capillary tube 85a is decompressed while exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the freezing suction pipe 88a. The decompressed refrigerant then evaporates while passing through the freezing cooler 34a, thereby cooling the freezing cooler 34a.

[0040] The refrigerant, which has cooled the freezing cooler 34a and is now in a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous state, then flows into the freezing suction pipe 88a. The temperature of the refrigerant gas immediately after flowing into the freezing suction pipe 88a is low (for example, around -30°C). While passing through the freezing suction pipe 88a, this refrigerant gas exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the freezing capillary tube 85a, and is eventually heated to approximately room temperature. This refrigerant gas is then sucked back into the compressor 706, completing the circulation of the refrigerant that has cooled the freezing cooler 34a.

[0041] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a freezer 100b according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the freezer 100b includes a control device 701, a communication unit 702, an operation panel unit 703, a memory unit 704, a refrigeration fan 705, a compressor 706, a two-way valve 707, and a heater 708.

[0042] The control device 701 has a circuit board and electronic components mounted on the circuit board. The control device 701 includes a control unit 701a. The control unit 701a performs overall control of the freezer 100b. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a portion of the functional configuration of the freezer 100b according to the embodiment. The control device 701 includes a control unit 701a configured by a computer having a microcomputer, a timer, and the like. The control unit 701a controls the entire freezer 100b. As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 701a is connected to, for example, the operation panel unit 703, memory unit 704, refrigeration fan 705, compressor 706, two-way valve 707, and heater 708. For example, the control unit 701a controls the operation of the refrigeration fan 705, compressor 706, two-way valve 707, heater 708, and the like. Details of the control unit 110 will be described later.

[0043] The communication unit 702 communicates with the refrigerator 100a. For example, the communication unit 702 communicates directly with the refrigerator 100a. Alternatively, for example, the communication unit 702 communicates with the refrigerator 100a via the network NW and the server 200. Specifically, for example, the communication unit 702 receives information related to the refrigerator 100a.

[0044] The operation panel unit 703 accepts user operations, such as switching the set temperature ranges of the freezer compartments A, B, C, and D and switching the control mode.

[0045] The storage unit 704 stores information necessary for operating the freezer 100b. For example, the storage unit 704 stores a cooling start temperature, a cooling stop temperature, a target temperature that is an intermediate temperature between the cooling start temperature and the cooling stop temperature, and the like.

[0046] The freezing fan 705 circulates the air (cold air) cooled by the freezing cooler 34a between the freezing compartments A, B, C, and D and the duct space (not shown), thereby cooling the freezing compartments A, B, C, and D.

[0047] The compressor 706 takes in and compresses the refrigerant, which releases heat as it is compressed.

[0048] Two-way valve 707 is a valve with two piping connection ports, an inlet and an outlet. The amount of circulating refrigerant is adjusted according to the valve opening of two-way valve 707. Heater 708 is, for example, a heater provided for defrosting. Heater 708 may also be a heater for vegetable compartment 11B or a heater for a damper (not shown).

[0049] The above-described process performed by the refrigerator system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is merely an example, and the refrigerator system 1 is not limited to the above-described process. For example, the refrigerator system 1 may perform the process described below.

[0050] (Processing performed by refrigerator system 1) Next, the processing performed by refrigerator system 1 will be described. In refrigerator system 1, communication unit 702 receives information about refrigerator 100a. When communication unit 702 receives information indicating that food may be moved from refrigerator 100a to freezer 100b, control unit 701a performs control to increase the cooling capacity of freezer 100b. For example, when communication unit 702 receives information indicating that door 20 of refrigerator 100a has been opened for more than a predetermined time, or that it has been opened more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time, or that the temperature inside refrigerator 100a has exceeded a threshold temperature, or that the temperature inside refrigerator 100a has increased by more than a predetermined value, control unit 701a performs control to increase the cooling capacity of freezer 100b.

[0051] For example, the communication unit 702 of the second freezer 100b used by the user U as a sub-freezer is wirelessly connected to the refrigerator 100a used by the user U as a main freezer. When the communication unit 702 receives information indicating that the freezer door 20 (small freezer door 20D or main freezer door 20E) of the refrigerator 100a has been open for a predetermined time (e.g., five minutes), the control unit 701a determines that food is likely to be moved to the freezer 100b, lowers the target temperature of the freezer 100b, and starts cooling. When the communication unit 702 receives information indicating that the freezer door 20 (small freezer door 20D or main freezer door 20E) of the refrigerator 100a has been opened a predetermined number of times (e.g., ten times) within a predetermined time (e.g., five minutes), the control unit 701a determines that food is likely to be moved to the freezer 100b, lowers the target temperature of the freezer 100b, and starts cooling.

[0052] Server 200 may store data related to the opening and closing of door 20 of refrigerator 100a and temperature changes. For example, server 200 stores data indicating the number of times door 20 of refrigerator 100a is opened and closed per hour, and learns, for each day of the week, time periods during which door 20 of refrigerator 100a is opened and closed relatively frequently. For example, if the number of times door 20 is opened and closed within an hour is a predetermined number or more (for example, five times), server 200 may determine that this is a time period during which door 20 is opened and closed relatively frequently. Furthermore, when server 200 receives information indicating that door 20 of refrigerator 100a has been opened, server 200 determines whether freezer door 20 of refrigerator 100a was opened during a time period other than the time periods during which door 20 is opened and closed relatively frequently, and transmits information indicating the determination result to communication unit 702. If the communication unit 702 receives information indicating that the freezer door 20 of the refrigerator 100a has been opened at a time other than the time when the door 20 is opened and closed relatively frequently, the control unit 701a may determine that there is a possibility that food is being moved rather than being prepared for cooking, and may lower the target temperature of the freezer 100b to cool it down.

[0053] In addition, when the communication unit 702 receives information indicating that the freezer compartment door 20 of the refrigerator 100a has been opened during a time period other than the time period during which the door 20 is opened and closed relatively frequently, the control unit 701a may lower the target temperature of the freezer 100b to cool it down if the freezer compartment door 20 of the refrigerator 100a has been opened a predetermined number of times (e.g., five times) or more within a predetermined time period (e.g., five minutes).

[0054] In addition to the above, when communication unit 702 receives information indicating that freezer door 20 of refrigerator 100a has been opened during a time period when door 20 opening and closing is relatively frequent, control unit 701a may lower the target temperature of freezer 100b and perform cooling if freezer door 20 of refrigerator 100a has been opened a predetermined number of times (e.g., 10 times) or more within a predetermined time period (e.g., 5 minutes). In other words, depending on whether the time period when freezer door 20 of refrigerator 100a is opened is a time period when door 20 opening and closing is relatively frequent, the threshold value for the number of times door 20 has been opened within a predetermined time period, which is used to determine whether to lower the target temperature of freezer 100b, may be lowered.

[0055] Furthermore, when communication unit 702 receives information indicating that the freezer compartment temperature or refrigerator compartment temperature of refrigerator 100a has increased, control unit 701a determines that a malfunction has occurred in refrigerator 100a, assumes that there is a possibility that food will be moved to freezer 100b, and lowers the target temperature of freezer 100b to cool it down. Note that to prevent erroneous detection of a malfunction of refrigerator 100a, temperature increases due to defrosting of refrigerator 100a or opening and closing of door 20 are excluded. For example, even if it is detected that the freezer compartment temperature of refrigerator 100a has reached or exceeded a threshold value (e.g., −3° C.) during defrosting of refrigerator 100a or within a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes) since the end of defrosting, server 200 does not transmit information indicating that the freezer compartment temperature of refrigerator 100a has increased to communication unit 702. As another example, even if it is detected that the refrigerator compartment temperature has reached or exceeded a threshold value (e.g., 5°C) while door 20 of refrigerator 100a is open or within a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes) since door 20 was closed, server 200 does not transmit information indicating that the freezer compartment temperature of refrigerator 100a has increased to communication unit 702. The threshold value can be set based on the temperature range of the storage compartment, and may be set more precisely based on the cooling intensity setting for the storage compartment. Note that when communication unit 702 receives information indicating that the internal temperature of refrigerator 100a has increased by a predetermined value (e.g., 5°C) or more, in addition to information indicating that the freezer compartment temperature or refrigerator compartment temperature of refrigerator 100a has reached or exceeded the threshold, control unit 701a may lower the target temperature of freezer 100b to perform cooling. In addition, communication unit 702 may be configured to lower the target temperature of freezer 100b when receiving, via server 200, a notification of a malfunction of refrigerator 100a or a notification urging the user to move food to freezer 100b from refrigerator 100a.

[0056] (advantage) The refrigerator system 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. In the refrigerator system 1, the communication unit 702 can receive information about the refrigerator 100a (an example of another refrigerator) that is different from the freezer 100b (an example of a refrigerator) capable of storing food. When the communication unit 702 receives information about the refrigerator 100a indicating that food may be moved from the refrigerator 100a to the freezer 100b, the control unit 701a controls the freezer 100b to increase its cooling capacity. For example, when the communication unit 702 receives information indicating that the door of the refrigerator 100a has been opened for a predetermined period of time or more, or that the door has been opened a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined period of time, or that the temperature inside the refrigerator 100a has exceeded a threshold temperature, or that the temperature inside the refrigerator 100a has increased by a predetermined value or more, the control unit 701a controls the freezer 100b to increase its cooling capacity. When there is a possibility that food may be moved between the two refrigerators, the refrigerator that may receive food can be cooled. That is, this refrigerator system 1 can improve convenience.

[0057] <First Modification of the Embodiment> A refrigerator system 1 according to a first modified example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the refrigerator system 1, when the room temperature detected by the refrigerator 100a is equal to or higher than a first predetermined temperature, the control unit 701a may change at least one of the cooling start temperature and the cooling stop temperature of the freezer 100b so that the temperature range from the cooling start temperature to the cooling stop temperature is widened. In other words, when the room temperature is equal to or higher than the first predetermined temperature, the room temperature is higher than expected, and therefore the items stored in the freezer 100b need to be cooled more than when the room temperature is lower than the first predetermined temperature. Based on this idea, the control unit 701a changes the time for which the compressor 706 performs the cooling operation to be longer.

[0058] (advantage) The above describes refrigerator system 1 according to the first modified example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. In refrigerator system 1, when the room temperature detected by refrigerator 100a (an example of another refrigerator) is equal to or higher than a first predetermined temperature, control unit 701a changes at least one of the cooling start temperature and the cooling stop temperature of freezer 100b (an example of a refrigerator) so that the temperature range from the cooling start temperature to the cooling stop temperature becomes wider. With this refrigerator system 1, when the room temperature becomes high, the cooling operation time can be extended.

[0059] <Second Modification of the Embodiment> A refrigerator system 1 according to a second modification of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the refrigerator system 1, the control unit 701a may suppress a defrosting operation when the room temperature detected by the refrigerator 100a is equal to or lower than a second predetermined temperature.

[0060] (advantage) The refrigerator system 1 according to the second modified example of an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. In the refrigerator system 1, the control unit 701a suppresses a defrosting operation when the room temperature detected by the refrigerator 100a (an example of another refrigerator) is equal to or lower than a second predetermined temperature. When the refrigerator system 1 performs a defrosting operation in the refrigerator 100a even though the room temperature is equal to or lower than an expected temperature, the temperature inside the refrigerator 100a rises. As a result, the control unit 701a attempts to perform control to increase the cooling capacity of the freezer 100b. In other words, when a defrosting operation is performed in the refrigerator 100a, the control unit 701a may attempt to increase the cooling capacity of the freezer 100b more than necessary. By suppressing the defrosting operation in the refrigerator 100a, the refrigerator system 1 can prevent the control unit 701a from increasing the cooling capacity of the freezer 100b more than necessary.

[0061] <Third Modification of the Embodiment> A refrigerator system 1 according to a third modified example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The refrigerator 100a and the freezer 100b may be controlled by limiting the rotation speed of the compressor 706 or changing the power supply rate of the heater 708 depending on the outside temperature and humidity. The power supply rate of the heater 708 refers to the percentage of the heater 708 that is on during operation. The refrigerator 100a and the freezer 100b are controlled by adjusting the target temperature and changing the cooling start temperature and the cooling stop temperature. The target temperature is an intermediate temperature between the cooling start temperature and the cooling stop temperature. By performing control according to the external environment as described above, it is possible to reduce electricity costs and improve cooling resistance and overcooling.

[0062] To perform control suited to the external environment, sensors and electrical circuits are required, which are costly and require a large circuit board. To enable control suited to the external environment despite limitations on cost and circuit board size, refrigerator 100a and freezer 100b are controlled using information from refrigerator 100a, which is located in the same environment (user's home).

[0063] The refrigerator 100a is equipped with a temperature sensor. The freezer 100b is not equipped with a temperature sensor. The refrigerator 100a may be equipped with a humidity sensor. In this case, the freezer 100b can control cooling using the detection results of the temperature sensor, humidity sensor, and other sensors equipped in the refrigerator 100a.

[0064] Each of the refrigerator 100a and the freezer 100b is equipped with a temperature sensor. Alternatively, each of the refrigerator 100a and the freezer 100b may be equipped with a humidity sensor. In this case, if one of the sensors, such as the temperature sensor or humidity sensor, breaks down, the cooling can be controlled using the detection result of the other sensor.

[0065] The control unit 701a may correct the detection results of the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor depending on their installation locations. For example, when the user U connects the refrigerator 100a and the freezer 100b to a wireless local area network (wireless LAN), the user U specifies their installation locations using an application program or the like. The control unit 701a then corrects the detection results of the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor depending on whether the refrigerator 100a or the freezer 100b is installed in a south-facing room on the second floor, for example, selected by the user U. Specifically, for example, if the refrigerator 100a or the freezer 100b is installed in a south-facing room on the second floor, the target temperature may be set lower than in rooms other than those facing south, based on the idea that the room temperature is more likely to rise (for example, a certain temperature may be set for rooms other than those facing south, and a temperature 2 degrees lower may be set for rooms facing south).

[0066] <Fourth Modification of the Embodiment> A refrigerator system 1 according to a fourth modified example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. A refrigerator 100a used as a main refrigerator by a user U and a second freezer 100b used as a sub freezer are connected via wireless communication. If the door of the freezer 100b is left open for a long period of time or a malfunction occurs, the refrigerator 100a may notify the user of the door being left open for a long period of time or a malfunction.

[0067] With this refrigerator system 1, if refrigerator 100a is installed in a place where user U mainly lives, such as a living room, and freezer 100b is installed in a place where user U is generally not present, such as a study, user U will not notice an abnormality in freezer 100b. Even in such a case, refrigerator 100a will notify user U that the door of freezer 100b has been left open for a long time or that there is a malfunction, allowing user U to know of the abnormality in freezer 100b.

[0068] If the freezer 100b is installed in a location where it is not desired to generate an alarm sound (a quiet location such as a bedroom or a child's room), the freezer 100b may not make any alarms at all, and only the refrigerator 100a installed in another location may make alarms.

[0069] <Fifth Modification of the Embodiment> A refrigerator system 1 according to a fifth modification of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Some of the processing performed by the freezer 100b may be performed by another device. For example, some or all of the processing performed by the control unit 701a may be performed by the refrigerator 100a, the server 200, or the terminal device 300. For example, the above-mentioned information indicating that the door 20 of the refrigerator 100a has been open for a predetermined period of time or more, the information indicating that the door 20 has been opened a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined period of time, and the information indicating that the temperature inside the refrigerator 100a has exceeded a threshold temperature may be generated by the refrigerator 100a or may be generated by the server 200 based on data received from the refrigerator 100a. The determination of whether the door 20 of the refrigerator 100a was opened during a time period when the door 20 is opened and closed relatively frequently may be made based on data stored by the control unit 110 of the refrigerator 100a or the control unit 701a of the freezer 100b, instead of the server 200.

[0070] Several embodiments and modifications have been described above. However, the embodiments and modifications are not limited to the examples described above. For example, two or more of the above-described embodiments or modifications may be realized in combination with each other.

[0071] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] MB...refrigerator main body, 50...communication unit, 70...control device, 100a...refrigerator, 100b...freezer, 110...control unit, 200...server, 300...terminal device, 701...control device, 701a...control unit, 702...communication unit, 703...operation panel unit, 704...memory unit, 705...freezing fan, 706...compressor, 707...two-way valve, 708...heater.

Claims

1. a communication unit capable of receiving information about refrigerators other than the refrigerator capable of storing food; a control unit that performs control to increase a cooling capacity of the refrigerator when the communication unit receives information indicating that food may be moved from the other refrigerator to the refrigerator as information about the other refrigerator; A refrigerator system comprising:

2. The control unit As information indicating that food may be transferred from the other refrigerator to the refrigerator, The door of the other refrigerator has been open for a predetermined period of time or more; The door of the other refrigerator is opened a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time period; and The internal temperature of the other refrigerator has become higher than a threshold temperature; and and when the information indicating at least one of the above has been received, the internal temperature of the other refrigerator has increased by a predetermined value or more, the control unit 100 controls the refrigerator to increase the cooling capacity of the other refrigerator.

10. The refrigerator system of claim 1.

3. The control unit when the room temperature detected by the other refrigerator is equal to or higher than a first predetermined temperature, at least one of the cooling start temperature and the cooling stop temperature of the other refrigerator is changed so that a temperature range from the cooling start temperature to the cooling stop temperature of the other refrigerator is widened.

3. The refrigerator system of claim 2.

4. The control unit suppressing a defrosting operation when the room temperature detected by the other refrigerator is equal to or lower than a second predetermined temperature; The refrigerator system according to claim 2 or 3.

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