refrigerator

Abstract

The objective is to provide a refrigerator that can perform more appropriate cooling control. [Solution] The refrigerator of the embodiment comprises a first storage chamber, a second storage chamber adjacent to the first storage chamber, a cooling unit capable of cooling the first and second storage chambers, and a control unit capable of controlling the cooling unit. When the target temperature of the second storage chamber is lower than the target temperature of the first storage chamber, the control unit cools the first storage chamber with a first cooling capacity if the difference between the target temperature of the first storage chamber and the target temperature of the second storage chamber is less than a predetermined value, and cools the first storage chamber with a second cooling capacity smaller than the first cooling capacity if the difference between the target temperature of the first storage chamber and the target temperature of the second storage chamber is greater than or equal to the predetermined value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator.

Background Art

[0002] A refrigerator having a cooling unit that cools a refrigerating chamber and a chilled chamber is known. By the way, it is expected that the refrigerator performs more appropriate cooling control.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of performing more appropriate cooling control.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The refrigerator according to the embodiment includes a first storage chamber, a second storage chamber adjacent to the first storage chamber, a cooling unit capable of cooling the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber, and a control unit capable of controlling the cooling unit. When the target temperature of the second storage chamber is lower than the target temperature of the first storage chamber, if the difference between the target temperature of the first storage chamber and the target temperature of the second storage chamber is less than a predetermined value, the control unit cools the first storage chamber with a first cooling capacity, and if the difference between the target temperature of the first storage chamber and the target temperature of the second storage chamber is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the control unit cools the first storage chamber with a second cooling capacity smaller than the first cooling capacity.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] [Figure 1] A front view showing the refrigerator according to the embodiment. [Figure 2]A cross-sectional view of the refrigerator shown in Figure 1, along the F2-F2 line. [Figure 3] A diagram showing the configuration of the refrigeration cycle device of the embodiment. [Figure 4] A block diagram showing part of the functional configuration of the refrigerator in this embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows the change in air temperature in the switching chamber when the "special chilling" control mode of the embodiment is executed. [Figure 6] This figure shows the change in air temperature in the switching chamber when the "rice chilling" control mode of the embodiment is executed. [Figure 7] A diagram illustrating a first example of the first control mode of the embodiment. [Figure 8] A diagram illustrating a first example of the first control mode of the embodiment. [Figure 9] A diagram illustrating a second example of the first control mode of the embodiment. [Figure 10] A diagram illustrating a second example of the first control mode of the embodiment. [Figure 11] A diagram illustrating a third example of the first control mode of the embodiment. [Figure 12] A diagram illustrating a third example of the first control mode of the embodiment. [Figure 13] A diagram illustrating a first example of the second control mode of the embodiment. [Figure 14] A diagram illustrating a second example of the second control mode of the embodiment. [Figure 15] A diagram illustrating a first control example of the embodiment. [Figure 16] A diagram illustrating a second control example of the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The refrigerator of the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplication of these components may be omitted. In this application, "based on XX" means "based on at least XX," and includes cases where it is based on another element in addition to XX. Furthermore, "based on XX" is not limited to cases where XX is used directly, but also includes cases where XX has been processed or modified. In this application, "XX or YY" is not limited to cases where either XX or YY is used, but may include cases where both XX and YY are used. This is also true when there are three or more optional elements. XX and YY are arbitrary elements (e.g., arbitrary information).

[0008] In this application, "suppress" means to reduce. In other words, "suppress" is not limited to reducing to zero. In this application, "temperature range" is not limited to a temperature range that is intentionally set as a set temperature range (target temperature range), but may also include a temperature range that occurs incidentally in conjunction with defrosting operations, etc. (a temperature range in which no upper or lower limit is clearly set). In this application, "...along with" or "...in accordance with" is not limited to cases where the execution of two controls (for example, each transitioning to another control) is completely simultaneous, but may also include cases where it is done at approximately the same time. In this application, "at approximately the same time" means that, with respect to controls that are executed over a predetermined period, the execution of two controls (for example, each transitioning to another control) is performed with a time difference of 1 / 10 or less of the predetermined period.

[0009] (Embodiment) <1. Refrigerator configuration> <1.1 Overall Refrigerator Configuration> Figure 1 is a front view of refrigerator 1. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of refrigerator 1 shown in Figure 1 along the line F2-F2. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, refrigerator 1 comprises, for example, a housing 10, multiple doors 20, a flow path forming component 30, a cooling unit 40, and a control board 60.

[0010] (Enclosure and door) The housing 10 has an upper wall 10a, a lower wall 10b, left and right side walls 10c, 10d, and a rear wall 10e, and is in the shape of a box 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 foamed heat insulating material provided between the inner box and the outer box, and has heat insulating properties. The housing 10 includes a plurality of storage chambers 11.

[0011] The plurality of storage chambers 11 include, for example, a refrigerating chamber 11A, a vegetable chamber 11B, an ice making chamber 11C, an upper freezer chamber 11D, and a main freezer chamber 11E. The refrigerating chamber 11A is a storage chamber in the refrigerating temperature range (average temperature is about 1°C to 5°C). The vegetable chamber 11B is a storage chamber in the vegetable chamber temperature range (average temperature is about 3°C to 7°C). The ice making chamber 11C, the upper freezer chamber 11D, and the main freezer chamber 11E are storage chambers in the freezing temperature range (temperature range with an average temperature of -10 to -20°C). In this embodiment, the refrigerating chamber 11A is arranged at the top, the vegetable chamber 11B is arranged below the refrigerating chamber 11A, the ice making chamber 11C and the upper freezer chamber 11D are arranged below the vegetable chamber 11B, and the main freezer chamber 11E is arranged below the ice making chamber 11C and the upper freezer chamber 11D. However, the arrangement of the storage chambers 11 is not limited to the above example.

[0012] In this embodiment, in the refrigerating chamber 11A, there are provided a chilled chamber 15 and two switching chambers 16 (a first switching chamber 16A and a second switching chamber 16B) as special storage chambers that can be cooled to a temperature range lower than the above refrigerating temperature range and higher than the above freezing temperature range (for example, a chilled temperature range with an average temperature of about -1°C to +1°C). The chilled chamber 15 and the switching chambers 16 are, for example, located closer to a refrigerating cooler 41 described later than the refrigerating chamber 11A, and can be cooled to a temperature range lower than the above refrigerating temperature range because the cold air cooled by the refrigerating cooler 41 can easily flow in. Hereinafter, when the first switching chamber 16A and the second switching chamber 16B are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as "switching chamber 16". In this application, "a certain temperature range is lower or higher than another temperature range" means lower or higher in comparison of the median values (central temperatures) of the temperature ranges. That is, "a certain temperature range is lower or higher than another temperature range" may include the case where a part of the two temperature ranges to be compared overlaps.

[0013] In this embodiment, the chilled chamber 15, the first switching chamber 16A, and the second switching chamber 16B are partitioned from each other by a partition wall 17 and can be cooled to different temperature zones. The first switching chamber 16A is a storage chamber 11 provided as a single area within the refrigerating chamber 11A. The second switching chamber 16B is a storage chamber 11 provided as another single area within the refrigerating chamber 11A. One of the first switching chamber 16A and the second switching chamber 16B is an example of the "first storage chamber". The other of the first switching chamber 16A and the second switching chamber 16B is an example of the "second storage chamber". In this embodiment, the capacity (storage volume) of the first switching chamber 16A is larger than the capacity (storage volume) of the second switching chamber 16B. The first switching chamber 16A and the second switching chamber 16B are adjacent to each other. Note that the refrigerator 1 may not have the chilled chamber 15.

[0014] The housing 10 has a first partitioning portion 18 and a second partitioning portion 19. The first partitioning portion 18 and the second partitioning portion 19 are partition walls respectively extending substantially in the horizontal direction. The first partitioning portion 18 is located between the refrigerating chamber 11A and the vegetable chamber 11B and partitions between the refrigerating chamber 11A and the vegetable chamber 11B. The second partitioning portion 19 is located between the vegetable chamber 11B and the ice-making chamber 11C and the upper-stage freezing chamber 11D and partitions between the vegetable chamber 11B and the ice-making chamber 11C and the upper-stage freezing chamber 11D. The second partitioning portion 19 includes, for example, a foamed heat-insulating material and has heat-insulating properties. The first partitioning portion 18 is formed of, for example, synthetic resin or the like and has less heat-insulating properties than the second partitioning portion 19.

[0015] The openings of the plurality of storage chambers 11 are closably closed by a plurality of doors 20. The plurality of doors 20 includes left and right refrigerating chamber doors 20Aa, 20Ab that close the opening of the refrigerating chamber 11A, a vegetable chamber door 20B that closes the opening of the vegetable chamber 11B, an ice-making chamber door 20C that closes the opening of the ice-making chamber 11C, an upper-stage freezing chamber door 20D that closes the opening of the upper-stage freezing chamber 11D, and a main freezing chamber door 20E that closes the opening of the main freezing chamber 11E.

[0016] (Flow path forming component) The flow path forming component 30 is disposed within the housing 10. The flow path forming component 30 includes a first air path component 31 and a second air path component 32.

[0017] The first air passage component 31 is provided along the rear wall 10e of the housing 10 and extends vertically. The first air passage component 31 extends, for example, from behind the lower end of the vegetable compartment 11B to behind the upper end of the refrigerator compartment 11A. A first space D1, which is a passage through which cold air flows, is formed between the first air passage component 31 and the rear wall 10e of the housing 10.

[0018] The first air passage component 31 has a plurality of refrigerator compartment cold air outlets 31a, a chilled compartment cold air outlet 31b (see Figure 1), a first switching compartment cold air outlet 31c (see Figure 1), a second switching compartment cold air outlet 31d (see Figure 1), and a cold air return port 31e. The plurality of refrigerator compartment cold air outlets 31a open to the refrigerator compartment 27A. Cold air flowing through the first space D1 is blown out from the refrigerator compartment cold air outlets 31a into the refrigerator compartment 27. The chilled compartment cold air outlets 31b open to the chilled compartment 15. Cold air flowing through the first space D1 is blown out from the chilled compartment cold air outlets 31b into the chilled compartment 15. The first switching compartment cold air outlet 31c opens to the first switching compartment 16A. The cold air flowing through the first space D1 is blown out into the first switching chamber 16A from the first switching chamber cold air outlet 31c. The second switching chamber cold air outlet 31d opens into the second switching chamber 16B. The cold air flowing through the first space D1 is blown out into the second switching chamber 16B from the second switching chamber cold air outlet 31d. The cold air return port 31e opens into the vegetable compartment 11B. The cold air that has passed through the vegetable compartment 11B returns to the first space D1 from the cold air return port 31e.

[0019] The second air passage component 32 is provided along the rear wall 10e of the housing 10 and extends vertically. The second air passage component 32 extends, for example, from the rear of the main freezer compartment 11E to the rear of the upper end of the ice-making compartment 11C and the upper freezer compartment 11D. A second space D2, which is a passage through which cold air flows, is formed between the second air passage component 32 and the rear wall 10e of the housing 10.

[0020] The second air passage component 32 has a cold air outlet 32a and a cold air return port 32b. The cold air outlet 32a opens to the ice-making compartment 11C and the upper freezer compartment 11D. Cold air flowing through the second space D2 is blown out from the cold air outlet 32a to the ice-making compartment 11C and the upper freezer compartment 11D. The cold air return port 32b opens to the main freezer compartment 11E. Cold air that has passed through the main freezer compartment 11E returns to the second space D2 from the cold air return port 32b.

[0021] (cooling section) The cooling unit 40 cools multiple storage compartments 11 (refrigerated compartment 11A, chilled compartment 15, first switching compartment 16A, second switching compartment 16B, vegetable compartment 11B, ice-making compartment 11C, upper freezer compartment 11D, and main freezer compartment 11E). The cooling unit 40 includes, for example, a first cooling module 40A, a second cooling module 40B, a compressor 49, and a refrigeration cycle device 50 (see Figure 3).

[0022] The first cooling module 40A includes, for example, a refrigeration cooler 41, a refrigeration blower 42, a first damper device 43A (see Figure 1), a second damper device 43B (see Figure 1), a first switching chamber blower 44A (see Figure 4), and a second switching chamber blower 44B (see Figure 4).

[0023] The refrigerator cooler 41 is located in the first space D1. The refrigerator cooler 41 is supplied with refrigerant compressed by a compressor 49 (described later) to cool the cold air flowing through the first space D1. The refrigerator cooler 41 is located at a height corresponding to, for example, the chilled compartment 15 and the switching compartment 16. The refrigerator fan 42 is located in the first space D1. When the refrigerator fan 42 is driven, air from the vegetable compartment 11B flows into the first space D1 from the cold air return port 31e. The air that flows into the first space D1 flows upward within the first space D1 and is cooled by the refrigerator cooler 41. The cold air cooled by the refrigerator cooler 41 is blown out from the refrigerator compartment cold air outlet 31a, the chilled compartment cold air outlet 31b, the first switching compartment cold air outlet 31c, and the second switching compartment cold air outlet 31d. The cold air blown into the refrigerator compartment 11A, chilled compartment 15, first switching compartment 16A, or second switching compartment 16B flows through the respective compartments, and then, for example, through the vegetable compartment 11B, returns to the cold air return port 31e. As a result, the cold air flowing through the refrigerator compartment 11A, chilled compartment 15, first switching compartment 16A, and second switching compartment 16B is circulated within the refrigerator 1, and the refrigerator compartment 11A, chilled compartment 15, first switching compartment 16A, and second switching compartment 16B are cooled.

[0024] The first damper device 43A is provided in correspondence with the first switching chamber cold air outlet 31c. The first damper device 43A changes the amount of cold air flowing from the first space D1 into the first switching chamber 16A by changing the opening amount of the first switching chamber cold air outlet 31c (for example, opening and closing the first switching chamber cold air outlet 31c). When suppressing the cooling of the first switching chamber 16A, the first damper device 43A sets the opening amount of the first switching chamber cold air outlet 31c to a first state which is smaller than a predetermined standard (for example, the first switching chamber cold air outlet 31c is closed). On the other hand, when promoting the cooling of the first switching chamber 16A, the first damper device 43A sets the opening amount of the first switching chamber cold air outlet 31c to a second state which is larger than the first state (for example, the first switching chamber cold air outlet 31c is open). The first damper device 43A is an example of a "first adjustment device" that can adjust the supply of cold air to the first switching chamber 16A.

[0025] The second damper device 43B is provided in correspondence with the second switching chamber cold air outlet 31d. The second damper device 43B changes the amount of cold air flowing from the first space D1 to the second switching chamber 16B by changing the opening amount of the second switching chamber cold air outlet 31d (for example, opening and closing the second switching chamber cold air outlet 31d). When suppressing the cooling of the second switching chamber 16B, the second damper device 43B sets the opening amount of the second switching chamber cold air outlet 31d to a first state which is smaller than a predetermined standard (for example, the second switching chamber cold air outlet 31d is closed). On the other hand, when promoting the cooling of the second switching chamber 16B, the second damper device 43B sets the opening amount of the second switching chamber cold air outlet 31d to a second state which is larger than the first state (for example, the second switching chamber cold air outlet 31d is open). The second damper device 43B is an example of a "second adjustment device" that can adjust the supply of cold air to the second switching chamber 16B.

[0026] The first switching room blower 44A is provided in correspondence with the first switching room cold air outlet 31c. The first switching room blower 44A changes the amount of cold air flowing from the first space D1 into the first switching room 16A by changing the rotation speed of the first switching room blower 44A (for example, by switching the first switching room blower 44A between a rotating state and a stopped state). When suppressing the cooling of the first switching room 16A, the first switching room blower 44A sets its rotation speed to a first state which is lower than a predetermined standard (for example, the first switching room blower 44A is stopped). On the other hand, when promoting the cooling of the first switching room 16A, the first switching room blower 44A sets its rotation speed to a second state which is higher than the first state (for example, the first switching room blower 44A is rotating). The first switching chamber fan 44A is another example of a "first adjustment device" that can adjust the supply of cold air to the first switching chamber 16A.

[0027] The second switching chamber blower 44B is provided in correspondence with the second switching chamber cold air outlet 31d. The second switching chamber blower 44B changes the amount of cold air flowing from the first space D1 to the second switching chamber 16B by changing the rotation speed of the second switching chamber blower 44B (for example, by switching the second switching chamber blower 44B between a rotating state and a stopped state). When suppressing the cooling of the second switching chamber 16B, the second switching chamber blower 44B sets its rotation speed to a first state which is lower than a predetermined standard (for example, the second switching chamber blower 44B is stopped). On the other hand, when promoting the cooling of the second switching chamber 16B, the second switching chamber blower 44B sets its rotation speed to a second state which is higher than the first state (for example, the second switching chamber blower 44B is rotating). The second switching chamber fan 44B is another example of a "second adjustment device" that can adjust the supply of cold air to the second switching chamber 16B.

[0028] In this embodiment, the control unit 100 controls one or more of the first damper device 43A, the second damper device 43B, the first switching room blower 44A, and the second switching room blower 44B to adjust the control timing related to the first special control or the second special control, which will be described later.

[0029] The configuration for adjusting the supply of cold air to the first switching chamber 16A is not limited to the above example. For example, only one of the first damper device 43A and the blower for the first switching chamber 44A may be provided. Similarly, the configuration for adjusting the supply of cold air to the second switching chamber 16B is not limited to the above example. For example, only one of the second damper device 43B and the blower for the second switching chamber 44B may be provided.

[0030] The second cooling module 40B includes, for example, a refrigeration cooler 46 and a refrigeration blower 47. The refrigeration cooler 46 is located in the second space D2. The refrigeration cooler 47 is supplied with a refrigerant compressed by a compressor 49 (described later) to cool the cold air flowing through the second space D2. The refrigeration blower 47 is located in, for example, the second space D2. When the refrigeration blower 47 is driven, air from the main freezer compartment 11E flows into the second space D2 from the cold air return port 32b. The air that flows into the second space D2 flows upward through the second space D2 and is cooled by the refrigeration cooler 46. The cold air cooled by the refrigeration cooler 46 flows into the ice-making compartment 11C, the upper freezer compartment 11D, or the main freezer compartment 11E from the cold air outlet 32a. The cold air that flows into the ice-making compartment 11C and the upper freezer compartment 11D flows through the ice-making compartment 11C or the upper freezer compartment 11D, then passes through the main freezer compartment 11E and returns to the cold air return port 32b. As a result, the cold air flowing through the ice-making compartment 11C, the upper freezer compartment 11D, and the main freezer compartment 11E is circulated within the refrigerator 1, and the ice-making compartment 11C, the upper freezer compartment 11D, and the main freezer compartment 11E are cooled.

[0031] The compressor 49 is located, for example, at the bottom of the refrigerator 1. The compressor 49 compresses the refrigerant gas used to cool the storage compartment 11. The refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 11 is sent to the refrigeration cooler 41 and the freezing cooler 46 via a condenser 51 (described later) and the like.

[0032] In this application, "cooling" is not limited to cases where the temperature of the storage chamber 11 decreases due to the inflow of cold air into the storage chamber 11. In this application, "cooling" may also include cases where, with the operation of the refrigeration fan 42 or the like stopped, refrigerant is sent from the compressor 49 to the refrigeration cooler 41, and the temperature of the switching chamber 16 decreases due to heat transfer between the refrigeration cooler 41 and the switching chamber 16.

[0033] <1.2 Refrigeration Cycle Equipment> Next, the refrigeration cycle device 50 will be described. Figure 3 shows the configuration of the refrigeration cycle device 50. The refrigeration cycle device 50 is configured by connecting a compressor 49, a condenser 51, a dryer 52, a three-way valve 53, capillary tubes 54 and 55, a refrigerating cooler 41, and a freezing cooler 46 in a ring in the order of refrigerant flow. The condenser 51 and the dryer 52 are connected in order to the high-pressure discharge port of the compressor 49 via a connecting pipe 56. A three-way valve 53 is connected to the discharge side of the dryer 52. The three-way valve 53 has one inlet to which the dryer 52 is connected and two outlets. Of the two outlets of the three-way valve 53, the refrigerating side capillary tube 54 and the refrigerating cooler 41 are connected in order to one of the outlets. The refrigerating cooler 41 is connected to the compressor 49 via a connecting pipe, the refrigerating side suction pipe 57.

[0034] Of the two outlets of the three-way valve 53, the other outlet is sequentially connected to the refrigeration-side capillary tube 55 and the refrigeration cooler 46. The refrigeration cooler 46 is connected to the compressor 49 via a connecting pipe, the refrigeration-side suction pipe 58. A check valve 59 is provided between the refrigeration cooler 46 and the compressor 49 to prevent refrigerant from the refrigeration cooler 41 from flowing back into the refrigeration cooler 46.

[0035] Next, the flow of refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle device 50 will be explained. First, the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle device 50 is compressed by the compressor 49 to become a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, which flows through flow path A. This gaseous refrigerant is heated by the condenser 51 to become a medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant. After passing through the dryer 52, impurities such as dirt and moisture are removed from the liquid refrigerant, which is then throttled by the three-way valve 53 and enters the refrigeration-side capillary tube 54 (or freezing-side capillary tube 55). At this time, the medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant in the refrigeration-side capillary tube 54 (or freezing-side capillary tube 55) is depressurized while exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the refrigeration-side suction pipe 57 (or freezing-side suction pipe 58). The depressurized refrigerant then evaporates as it passes through the refrigeration cooler 41 (or freezing cooler 46), thereby cooling the refrigeration cooler 41 (or freezing cooler 46).

[0036] Subsequently, the refrigerant, now in a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous state, flows into the refrigeration-side suction pipe 57 (or the freezing-side suction pipe 58). Immediately after entering the refrigeration-side suction pipe 57 (or the freezing-side suction pipe 58), the temperature of the refrigerant gas is low, around -10°C. As this refrigerant gas passes through the suction pipe 57 (or suction pipe 58), it exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the capillary tube 54 (or capillary tube 55), and is eventually heated to approximately room temperature. This refrigerant gas is then drawn back into the compressor 49, completing the circulation of the refrigerant.

[0037] In the refrigeration cycle device 50 described above, the three-way valve 53 is controlled by the control unit 100 (see Figure 4) to select, for example, one of the two paths, path B and path C. Path B is a path that supplies refrigerant to the refrigeration cooler 41. Path C is a path that supplies refrigerant to the refrigeration cooler 46. These two paths, B and C, merge at confluence point D. The refrigerant flows from confluence point D in the direction of arrow E and returns to the compressor 49.

[0038] <2. Functional configuration related to control> Figure 4 is a block diagram showing part of the functional configuration of refrigerator 1. The control board 60 includes a control unit 100 implemented by a computer that has a microcontroller and timer. The control unit 100 controls the entire refrigerator 1. The control unit 100 is connected to a refrigerator fan 42, a first damper device 43A, a second damper device 43B, a first switching compartment fan 44A, a second switching compartment fan 44B, a freezer fan 47, a compressor 49, a three-way valve 53, a refrigerator temperature sensor 111, a first switching compartment temperature sensor 112A, a second switching compartment temperature sensor 112B, a freezer temperature sensor 113, a refrigerator cooler temperature sensor 114, a freezer cooler temperature sensor 115, a heater 116, an operation unit 121, a communication unit 122, and a storage unit 123.

[0039] The refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 111 is installed in the refrigerator compartment 11A and detects the air temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11A. In this embodiment, the control unit 100 controls the cooling unit 40 based on the detection result of the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 111 (air temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11A) to perform cooling of the refrigerator compartment 11A, the chilled compartment 15, and the vegetable compartment 11B. In other words, the temperature control of the chilled compartment 15 is not performed independently of the refrigerator compartment 11A, but is performed in conjunction with the temperature control of the refrigerator compartment 11A.

[0040] The first switching chamber temperature sensor 112A is installed in the first switching chamber 16A and detects the air temperature in the first switching chamber 16A. The refrigerator chamber temperature sensor 111 only needs to be installed in a manner that can detect or estimate the temperature inside the refrigerator chamber 11A, and may, for example, be installed not inside the refrigerator chamber 11A itself, but in the middle of the return air passage from the refrigerator chamber 11A to the refrigerating cooler 41. In this embodiment, the control unit 100 performs cooling of the first switching chamber 16A by controlling the cooling unit 40 based on the detection result of the refrigerator chamber temperature sensor 111 (air temperature in the refrigerator chamber 11A) or the detection result of the first switching chamber temperature sensor 112A (air temperature in the first switching chamber 16A). This will be described in detail later.

[0041] The second switching chamber temperature sensor 112B is installed in the second switching chamber 16B and detects the air temperature in the second switching chamber 16B. In this embodiment, the control unit 100 controls the cooling unit 40 based on the detection result of the refrigerator chamber temperature sensor 111 (air temperature in the refrigerator chamber 11A) or the detection result of the second switching chamber temperature sensor 112B (air temperature in the second switching chamber 16B) to perform cooling of the second switching chamber 16B. This will be described in more detail later.

[0042] The freezer compartment temperature sensor 113 is installed in the main freezer compartment 11E and detects the air temperature in the main freezer compartment 11E. The control unit 100 controls the cooling unit 40 based on the detection result of the freezer compartment temperature sensor 113 (air temperature in the main freezer compartment 11E) to perform cooling of the ice making compartment 11C, the upper freezer compartment 11D, and the main freezer compartment 11E.

[0043] In this application, the air temperature in the refrigerator compartment 11A may be referred to as the "refrigerator compartment temperature," the air temperature in the first switching compartment 16A as the "first switching compartment temperature," the air temperature in the second switching compartment 16B as the "second switching compartment temperature," and the air temperature in the main freezer compartment 11E as the "freezer compartment temperature." Hereafter, when the first switching compartment temperature and the second switching compartment temperature are not distinguished, they may simply be referred to as the "switching compartment temperature." The refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 111, the first switching compartment temperature sensor 112A, the second switching compartment temperature sensor 112B, and the freezer compartment temperature sensor 113 are each examples of "temperature detection units." Hereafter, when the first switching compartment temperature sensor 112A and the second switching compartment temperature sensor 112B are not distinguished, they will simply be referred to as the "switching compartment temperature sensor 112."

[0044] The refrigerator cooler temperature sensor 114 is attached to the refrigerator cooler 41. The refrigerator cooler temperature sensor 114 detects the temperature of the refrigerator cooler 41. During the defrosting operation of the refrigerator cooler 41, the control unit 100 determines whether or not to terminate the defrosting operation of the refrigerator cooler 41 based on the detection result of the refrigerator cooler temperature sensor 114.

[0045] The refrigeration cooler temperature sensor 115 is attached to the refrigeration cooler 46. The refrigeration cooler temperature sensor 115 detects the temperature of the refrigeration cooler 46. During the defrosting operation of the refrigeration cooler 46, the control unit 100 determines whether or not to terminate the defrosting operation of the refrigeration cooler 46 based on the detection result of the refrigeration cooler temperature sensor 115.

[0046] The heater 116 is attached to the refrigeration cooler 46. The heater 116 heats the refrigeration cooler 46 during defrosting operation.

[0047] The operation unit 121 receives user operations related to the refrigerator 1. For example, the operation unit 121 receives user operations such as switching the set temperature range of each storage compartment 11 or switching the control mode. The communication unit 122 receives control commands corresponding to user operations from the server or terminal device when user operations are detected in a terminal device used in conjunction with the refrigerator 1. The storage unit 123 stores information necessary for the operation of the refrigerator 1. For example, the storage unit 123 stores threshold information indicating thresholds used for various determinations.

[0048] <3. Basic Operation> Next, the basic operation of refrigerator 1 will be described. The control unit 100 performs "refrigeration operation" and "freezing operation" as the basic operation of refrigerator 1. "Refrigeration operation" means operation in which the three-way valve 53 is switched and liquid refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 49 to the refrigeration cooler 41. As mentioned above, "refrigeration operation" is not limited to cases where the refrigeration fan 42, the first switching room fan 44A, or the second switching room fan 44B are driven, but may also include cases where the refrigeration fan 42, the first switching room fan 44A, and the second switching room fan 44B are stopped or driven at a very low speed. On the other hand, "freezing operation" means operation in which the three-way valve 53 is switched and liquid refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 49 to the freezing cooler 46.

[0049] The control unit 100 controls the cooling unit 40 so that the storage compartments 11 in the refrigerated temperature range (refrigerated compartment 11A, chilled compartment 15, first switching compartment 16A, second switching compartment 16B, and vegetable compartment 11B) and the storage compartments 11 in the freezing temperature range (ice making compartment 11C, upper freezing compartment 11D, main freezing compartment 11E) are maintained at their respective set temperature ranges, for example, by alternating between refrigeration and freezing operations. For example, the control unit 100 alternately cools the storage compartments 11 in the refrigerated temperature range for a first predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) and then cools the storage compartments 11 in the freezing temperature range for a second predetermined time (for example, 40 minutes). The control unit 100 controls the air temperature of the storage room 11, which is the main target of temperature control, by performing feedback control such as PID control (Proportional Integral Differential Control) based on the refrigerator room temperature, the first switching room temperature, the second switching room temperature, or the freezer room temperature, thereby keeping the air temperature of the storage room 11, which is the main target of temperature control, between the upper and lower limits of the set temperature range. For example, the control unit 100 performs PID control based on the difference between the air temperature detected by the temperature detection unit for the storage room 11, which is the main target of temperature control, and the lower limit (target value) of the set temperature range for the storage room 11.

[0050] For example, the control unit 100 may terminate the refrigeration operation and start the freezing operation even in the middle of the first predetermined time if the refrigerator compartment temperature reaches the lower limit (target value) of the set temperature range of the refrigerator compartment 11A, or if the freezer compartment temperature reaches the upper limit of the set temperature range of the main freezer compartment 11E. The same applies if the temperature of the first switching compartment reaches the lower limit (target value) of the set temperature range of the first switching compartment 16A, or if the temperature of the second switching compartment reaches the lower limit (target value) of the set temperature range of the second switching compartment 16B, during the refrigeration operation.

[0051] The control unit 100 may terminate the freezing cycle and start the refrigeration operation even in the middle of the second predetermined time if, during the freezing operation, the freezer compartment temperature reaches the lower limit (target value) of the set temperature range of the main freezer compartment 11E, or if the refrigerator compartment temperature reaches the upper limit of the set temperature range of the refrigerator compartment 11A. The same applies if, during the freezing operation, the temperature of the first switching compartment reaches the upper limit of the set temperature range of the first switching compartment 16A, or if the temperature of the second switching compartment reaches the upper limit of the set temperature range of the second switching compartment 16B.

[0052] During refrigeration operation, the air temperature in the refrigerated storage chamber 11 decreases, while the air temperature in the freezing storage chamber 11 increases. Conversely, during freezing operation, the air temperature in the freezing storage chamber 11 decreases, while the air temperature in the refrigerated storage chamber 11 increases. As a result, the air temperatures in the refrigerated storage chamber 11 and the freezing storage chamber 11 fluctuate in a sawtooth pattern (see Figure 5).

[0053] In this embodiment, the first switching chamber 16A has at least one of the first damper device 43A and the first switching chamber blower 44A, so that it can be cooled independently of the other storage chambers 11 (refrigerated chamber 11A, chilled chamber 15, and second switching chamber 16B), and the set temperature range can be set independently of the other storage chambers 11 (independent temperature control is possible). Similarly, the second switching chamber 16B has at least one of the second damper device 43B and the second switching chamber blower 44B, so that it can be cooled independently of the other storage chambers 11 (refrigerated chamber 11A, chilled chamber 15, and first switching chamber 16A), and the set temperature range can be set independently of the other storage chambers 11 (independent temperature control is possible).

[0054] <4. Control Modes Related to the Switching Room> Next, the control modes for the switching chamber 16 that the control unit 100 can perform will be described. Unless otherwise specified, the controls described below are performed by the control unit 100.

[0055] <4.1 Standard Chilled> The "normal chilled" control mode is a control mode in which, for example, the cooling of the switching compartment 16 is performed in conjunction with the cooling of the refrigerator compartment 11A during basic operation. In other words, in the "normal chilled" control mode, the cooling unit 40 is controlled based on the detected refrigerator compartment temperature and the set temperature range of the refrigerator compartment 11A, and the cooling of the refrigerator compartment 11A and the switching compartment 16 is performed together. For example, the control unit 100 performs PID control based on the difference between the detected refrigerator compartment temperature and the lower limit (target value) of the set temperature range of the refrigerator compartment 11A, thereby performing the cooling of the refrigerator compartment 11A and the switching compartment 16 together. That is, the degree of cooling by the cooling unit 40 is controlled so that the detected temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 11A approaches the target set temperature, and the amount of air supplied to the refrigerator compartment 11A is also controlled. In this case, the amount of air supplied to the switching chamber 16 is linked to the amount of air supplied to the refrigerator chamber 11A. If the amount of air supplied to the refrigerator chamber 11A increases, the amount of air supplied to the switching chamber 16 will also increase, and if the amount of air supplied to the refrigerator chamber 11A decreases, the amount of air supplied to the switching chamber 16 will also decrease.

[0056] As described above, the switching chamber 16 is located closer to the refrigerator 41 (described later) than, for example, the refrigerator chamber 11A, and cold air cooled by the refrigerator 41 flows into it easily. For this reason, in the "normal chilled" control mode, the cooling unit 40 is controlled based on the detected refrigerator chamber temperature and the set temperature range of the refrigerator chamber 11A, so that the switching chamber 16 is cooled to a chilled temperature range where the average temperature is approximately -1°C to +1°C. In the "normal chilled" control mode, if the cooling intensity is not changed, the set temperature range used for control (for example, the set temperature range of the refrigerator chamber 11A) remains constant.

[0057] <4.2 Special Chilled> In the "special chilling" control mode, low-temperature cooling control, which controls the temperature in the switching chamber 16 to a low-temperature range, and high-temperature cooling control, which controls the temperature in the switching chamber 16 to a high-temperature range, are performed alternately. The following describes this "special chilling" mode. In the "special chilling" control mode, for example, instead of the refrigerator chamber temperature and the set temperature range of the refrigerator chamber 11A, the cooling unit 40 is controlled based on the detected switching chamber temperature and the set temperature range set for the switching chamber 16.

[0058] Figure 5 shows the change in air temperature in the switching chamber 16 when the "special chilling" control mode is executed. In the "special chilling" control mode, the control unit 100 alternately performs low-temperature cooling control, which controls the temperature inside the switching chamber 16 to the low-temperature zone Ta, and high-temperature cooling control, which controls the temperature inside the switching chamber 16 to the high-temperature zone Tb, which is higher than the low-temperature zone Ta.

[0059] (Special chilled low-temperature cooling control) The low temperature range Ta is the set temperature range of the switching chamber 16, which is set during low-temperature cooling control. The average temperature of the low temperature range Ta (i.e., the center temperature of the set temperature range) is, for example, -5°C. The average temperature of the low temperature range Ta is below freezing point and below 0°C. In this embodiment, the maximum value of the low temperature range Ta is below 0°C. The low temperature range Ta is the temperature at which the surface of food stored in the switching chamber 16 becomes slightly frozen. The low temperature range Ta is a temperature range lower than the set temperature range for "normal chilling". The low temperature range Ta is a temperature range at which, for example, a layer of ice can be formed only on the surface of food stored in the switching chamber 16, rather than freezing the food all the way to the middle.

[0060] In this embodiment, the low-temperature cooling control is performed over an execution period Sa (for example, about 1.5 to 2 hours) determined based on a first indicator described later. Note that the execution period Sa is not limited to the above example. For example, the low-temperature cooling control may be performed over an execution period Sa (for example, 2 hours) which is a predetermined fixed time.

[0061] (Special chilled high-temperature cooling control) The high-temperature zone Tb is the set temperature zone of the switching chamber 16, which is set during high-temperature cooling control. The average temperature of the high-temperature zone Tb (i.e., the central temperature of the set temperature zone) is, for example, +1°C. The average temperature of the high-temperature zone Tb is higher than the freezing point and above 0°C. In this embodiment, the maximum value of the high-temperature zone Tb is above 0°C. The high-temperature zone Tb is a higher temperature zone than the "normal chilled" temperature zone. The high-temperature zone Tb is a temperature that can melt the layer of light freezing that has formed on the surface of the food in the switching chamber 16. For example, the high-temperature zone Tb is a temperature that can melt the layer of light freezing, but during high-temperature cooling control, the layer of light freezing is not completely melted and at least a portion of the layer of light freezing remains.

[0062] In this embodiment, the high-temperature cooling control is performed over an execution period Sb (e.g., approximately 3 to 5 hours) determined based on a second indicator described later. The execution period Sb is longer than the execution period Sa. In this embodiment, for example, when the refrigerator doors 20Aa and 20Ab are not opened or closed (i.e., when the switching chamber temperature is stable), the first and second thresholds described later are set so that the high-temperature cooling control is performed for a relatively longer period than the low-temperature cooling control. Note that the execution period Sb is not limited to the above example. For example, the high-temperature cooling control may be performed over an execution period Sb (e.g., 5 hours) which is a predetermined fixed time.

[0063] Here, "cooling (cooling in the refrigeration cycle)" in the above-mentioned refrigeration operation and freezing operation means that refrigerant is supplied to the cooler (refrigerator cooler 41 or freezing cooler 46). In contrast, "cooling" in low-temperature cooling control and high-temperature cooling control means operating the refrigerator 1 to maintain a temperature in the low-temperature zone Ta or the high-temperature zone Tb, or to allow a temperature change to the low-temperature zone Ta or the high-temperature zone Tb. "Alternating between low-temperature cooling control and high-temperature cooling control" may include cases where multiple refrigeration and freezing operations are performed while low-temperature cooling control is being performed, then multiple refrigeration and freezing operations are performed while high-temperature cooling control is being performed, and then multiple refrigeration and freezing operations are performed while low-temperature cooling control is being performed.

[0064] (First indicator and second indicator) In this embodiment, the control unit 100 acquires temperature values ​​T (T0, T1, T2, ...) detected by the switching chamber temperature sensor 112 at predetermined intervals (for example, every minute). Based on the acquired temperature values ​​T, the control unit 100 calculates a first index and a second index.

[0065] The first indicator is, for example, an indicator based on the average value of the temperature detected by the switching chamber temperature sensor 112. The first indicator is, for example, an indicator based on the average value of the temperature detected during the execution period Sa of the low-temperature cooling control (i.e., the low-temperature cooling control currently being executed) and the execution period Sb of the high-temperature cooling control immediately preceding the low-temperature cooling control, which is the target of determining the transition timing. In this embodiment, the control unit 100 determines that the first indicator satisfies a predetermined condition when the average value of the temperature obtained by summing the execution period Sa of the low-temperature cooling control currently being executed and the execution period Sb of the high-temperature cooling control immediately preceding the low-temperature cooling control reaches a threshold (for example, -1°C). Then, when the control unit 100 determines that the first indicator satisfies the predetermined condition, it switches the low-temperature cooling control to the high-temperature cooling control.

[0066] The second indicator is, for example, an indicator based on the cumulative value of temperature detected by the switching chamber temperature sensor 112. The second indicator is, for example, an indicator based on the cumulative value of temperature detected during the execution period Sb of the high-temperature cooling control (i.e., the high-temperature cooling control currently being executed) that is the subject of the determination of the transition timing. In this embodiment, the control unit 100 determines that the second indicator satisfies a predetermined condition when the cumulative value of temperature during the execution period Sb of the high-temperature cooling control currently being executed reaches a threshold (for example, equivalent to 1°C × 150 minutes). Then, in response to the determination that the second indicator satisfies the predetermined condition, the control unit 100 switches from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control.

[0067] <4.3 Chilled Rice> In the "rice chilling" control mode, low-temperature cooling control, which controls the temperature in the switching chamber 16 to a low temperature range, and high-temperature cooling control, which controls the temperature in the switching chamber 16 to a high temperature range, are performed alternately. The following describes this "rice chilling" mode. In the "rice chilling" control mode, unlike normal chilling, for example, instead of being based on the refrigerator chamber temperature and the set temperature range of the refrigerator chamber 11A, the cooling unit 40 is controlled based on the detected switching chamber temperature and the set temperature range set for the switching chamber 16.

[0068] Figure 6 shows the change in air temperature in the switching chamber 16 when the "cooked rice" control mode is executed. In the "cooked rice" control mode, the control unit 100 alternately performs low-temperature cooling control, which controls the temperature inside the switching chamber 16 to a low-temperature zone Tc, and high-temperature cooling control, which controls the temperature inside the switching chamber 16 to a high-temperature zone Td that is higher than the low-temperature zone Tc.

[0069] (Low-temperature cooling control for chilled rice) The low temperature zone Tc is the set temperature zone of the switching chamber 16, which is set during low-temperature cooling control. The average temperature of the low temperature zone Tc (i.e., the center temperature of the set temperature zone) is, for example, -3°C. The average temperature of the low temperature zone Tc is below freezing point and below 0°C. The low temperature zone Tc is a lower temperature zone than the set temperature zone for "normal chilling". The low temperature zone Tc is, for example, a temperature zone for freezing rice at the lowest possible temperature while performing high-temperature cooling control, which will be described later, in order to prevent the rice from freezing completely.

[0070] In this embodiment, the low-temperature cooling control is performed over an execution period Sc (e.g., approximately 2 hours) determined based on a third indicator described later. Note that the execution period Sc is not limited to the above example. For example, the low-temperature cooling control may be performed over a predetermined fixed execution period Sc (e.g., 2 hours).

[0071] In this embodiment, the control unit 100 acquires temperature values ​​T (T0, T1, T2, ...) detected by the switching chamber temperature sensor 112 at predetermined intervals (for example, every minute). Based on the acquired temperature values ​​T, the control unit 100 calculates a third index.

[0072] The third indicator is, for example, an indicator based on the average value of the temperature detected by the switching chamber temperature sensor 112. The third indicator is, for example, an indicator based on the average value of the temperature detected during the execution period Sc of the low-temperature cooling control (i.e., the low-temperature cooling control currently being executed) and the execution period Sd of the high-temperature cooling control immediately preceding the low-temperature cooling control, which is the target of determining the transition timing. In this embodiment, the control unit 100 determines that the third indicator satisfies a predetermined condition when the average value of the temperature obtained by summing the execution period Sc of the low-temperature cooling control currently being executed and the execution period Sd of the high-temperature cooling control immediately preceding the low-temperature cooling control reaches a threshold (for example, -1°C). Then, when the control unit 100 determines that the third indicator satisfies the predetermined condition, it switches the low-temperature cooling control to the high-temperature cooling control.

[0073] (High-temperature cooling control for chilled rice) The high-temperature zone Td is the set temperature zone of the switching chamber 16, which is set during high-temperature cooling control. The average temperature of the high-temperature zone Td (i.e., the central temperature of the set temperature zone) is higher than the freezing point and is above 0°C. In this embodiment, the maximum value of the high-temperature zone Tb is above 0°C. The high-temperature zone Td is a higher temperature zone than the "normal chilled" temperature zone. The high-temperature zone Td is set to prevent the rice from completely freezing.

[0074] In this embodiment, during the execution period Sd of the high-temperature cooling control, a defrosting operation of the refrigerator 41 is performed. For example, as a defrosting operation of the refrigerator 41, the control unit 100 drives the refrigerator fan 42 with the compressor 49 stopped. As a result, air that has passed through the storage chambers 11 in the refrigerated temperature range (refrigerated chamber 11A, chilled chamber 15, and switching chamber 16 where "rice chilled" is set) and whose temperature has risen is supplied around the refrigerator 41, and defrosting is performed on the refrigerator 41.

[0075] In this embodiment, the high-temperature cooling control is performed over an execution period Sd (e.g., 60 to 70 minutes) determined based on a fourth indicator. The fourth indicator is, for example, that the temperature of the refrigerator cooler 41 detected by the temperature sensor of the refrigerator cooler temperature sensor 114 exceeds a threshold (e.g., +3°C). Note that the execution period Sd is not limited to the above example. For example, the high-temperature cooling control may be performed over an execution period Sd (e.g., 70 minutes) which is a preset fixed time. Furthermore, the high-temperature cooling control may be a control that does not involve defrosting the refrigerator cooler 41. That is, the high-temperature cooling control may be a control that reduces the cooling of the switching chamber 16 set to "rice chilling" during the time when defrosting of the refrigerator cooler 41 is not performed (the time when refrigerant is supplied to the refrigerator cooler 41) in order to suppress the freezing of the food inside (rice as a typical example).

[0076] Here, in the low-temperature cooling control and high-temperature cooling control for "cooled rice," "cooling" means operating the refrigerator 1 to maintain a temperature in the low-temperature zone Tc or the high-temperature zone Td, or to allow a temperature change to the low-temperature zone Tc or the high-temperature zone Td. "Alternating between low-temperature cooling control and high-temperature cooling control" may include cases where multiple refrigeration and freezing operations are performed while low-temperature cooling control is being performed. Furthermore, "alternating between low-temperature cooling control and high-temperature cooling control" may also include cases where multiple refrigeration and freezing operations are performed while low-temperature cooling control is being performed, then multiple refrigeration and freezing operations are performed while high-temperature cooling control is being performed, and then multiple refrigeration and freezing operations are performed while low-temperature cooling control is being performed.

[0077] <5. Coordination of control for multiple switching rooms (at startup)> <5.1 Control combinations for multiple switching rooms> In this embodiment, the control unit 100 adjusts the control timing related to the first special control or the second special control when a first special control including periodic control is already being executed on a first target chamber, which is one of the first switching chamber 16A and the second switching chamber 16B, and a second special control including periodic control is subsequently started on the second target chamber, which is the other of the first switching chamber 16A and the second switching chamber 16B. In this application, "adjust" means changing one or more of the following: the start time, end time, or execution time (execution time) of the first low-temperature cooling control included in the first special control; the start time, end time, or execution time (execution time) of the first high-temperature cooling control included in the first special control; the start time, end time, or execution time (execution time) of the second low-temperature cooling control included in the second special control; or the start time, end time, or execution time (execution time) of the second high-temperature cooling control included in the second special control. The first special control is, for example, "special chilling" or "rice chilling". The second special control is, for example, "special chilling" or "cooked rice chilling."

[0078] In this embodiment, the control unit 100 adjusts one or more control timings related to "special chilling" or "rice chilling" in the following cases: (1) when "special chilling" is being executed first for the first target room and "special chilling" is started later for the second target room; (2) when "special chilling" is being executed first for the first target room and "rice chilling" is started later for the second target room; (3) when "rice chilling" is being executed first for the first target room and "special chilling" is started later for the second target room; or (4) when "rice chilling" is being executed first for the first target room and "rice chilling" is started later for the second target room.

[0079] In the case of (1) above, the following applies: Low-temperature cooling control of "special chilled" for the first target room is an example of "first low-temperature cooling control". High-temperature cooling control of "special chilled" for the first target room is an example of "first high-temperature cooling control". Low-temperature zone Ta for the first target room is an example of "first temperature zone". High-temperature zone Tb for the first target room is an example of "second temperature zone". Low-temperature cooling control of "special chilled" for the second target room is an example of "second low-temperature cooling control". High-temperature cooling control of "special chilled" for the second target room is an example of "second high-temperature cooling control". Low-temperature zone Ta for the second target room is an example of "third temperature zone". High-temperature zone Tb for the second target room is an example of "fourth temperature zone".

[0080] In the case of (2) above, the following applies: Low-temperature cooling control of "special chilled" for the first target room is an example of "first low-temperature cooling control". High-temperature cooling control of "special chilled" for the first target room is an example of "first high-temperature cooling control". Low-temperature zone Ta for the first target room is an example of "first temperature zone". High-temperature zone Tb for the first target room is an example of "second temperature zone". Low-temperature cooling control of "rice chilled" for the second target room is an example of "second low-temperature cooling control". High-temperature cooling control of "rice chilled" for the second target room is an example of "second high-temperature cooling control". Low-temperature zone Tc for the second target room is an example of "third temperature zone". High-temperature zone Td for the second target room is an example of "fourth temperature zone".

[0081] In the case of (3) above, the following applies: Low-temperature cooling control of "rice chilling" for the first target compartment is an example of "first low-temperature cooling control". High-temperature cooling control of "rice chilling" for the first target compartment is an example of "first high-temperature cooling control". Low-temperature zone Tc for the first target compartment is an example of "first temperature zone". High-temperature zone Td for the first target compartment is an example of "second temperature zone". Low-temperature cooling control of "special chilling" for the second target compartment is an example of "second low-temperature cooling control". High-temperature cooling control of "special chilling" for the second target compartment is an example of "second high-temperature cooling control". Low-temperature zone Ta for the second target compartment is an example of "third temperature zone". High-temperature zone Tb for the second target compartment is an example of "fourth temperature zone".

[0082] In the case of (4) above, the following applies: Low-temperature cooling control of the "rice chiller" for the first target compartment is an example of "first low-temperature cooling control". High-temperature cooling control of the "rice chiller" for the first target compartment is an example of "first high-temperature cooling control". The low-temperature zone Tc for the first target compartment is an example of "first temperature zone". The high-temperature zone Td for the first target compartment is an example of "second temperature zone". Low-temperature cooling control of the "rice chiller" for the second target compartment is an example of "second low-temperature cooling control". High-temperature cooling control of the "rice chiller" for the second target compartment is an example of "second high-temperature cooling control". The low-temperature zone Tc for the second target compartment is an example of "third temperature zone". The high-temperature zone Td for the second target compartment is an example of "fourth temperature zone".

[0083] Furthermore, the control unit 100 does not need to be able to make adjustments in all of the above cases (1) to (4); it is sufficient if it is able to make adjustments in at least one of the above cases (1) to (4).

[0084] <5.2 Control Modes According to Control Priority> In this embodiment, the control unit 100 is capable of executing control in at least one of the following control modes: "first control mode," "second control mode," "third control mode," and "fourth control mode," as defined by the control priority.

[0085] The "first control mode" is a control mode that prioritizes the first special control that is already being executed for the first target room when the second special control is to be started for the second target room later, by adjusting the timing of the second special control that starts later to match the first special control that is already being executed.

[0086] The "second control mode" is a control mode that prioritizes the second special control when the first special control is already being executed for the first target room, and the second special control is to be started for the second target room later (adjusting the timing of the first special control, which is already being executed, to match the second special control, which is to be started later).

[0087] The "third control mode" is a control mode that, when the first special control is already being executed on the first target room, and the second special control is subsequently started on the second target room, determines, on a case-by-case basis, which of the first and second special controls should take priority.

[0088] The "fourth control mode" is a control mode that determines which control is prioritized according to the temperature state of the switching room 16 when the first special control is already being executed for the first target room and the second special control is subsequently started for the second target room.

[0089] The choice of which of the above-mentioned "first control mode," "second control mode," "third control mode," and "fourth control mode" is applied to the refrigerator 1 is predetermined based, for example, on user operations on the operation unit 121 or control commands received from an external source via the communication unit 122. The choice of which of the "first control mode," "second control mode," "third control mode," and "fourth control mode" is applied may be changed based on user operations on the operation unit 121 or terminal device. The control unit 100 does not need to be able to execute all of the "first control mode," "second control mode," "third control mode," and "fourth control mode"; it is sufficient if it can execute at least one of the "first control mode," "second control mode," "third control mode," and "fourth control mode."

[0090] In the following, we will explain in detail the "first control mode," "second control mode," and "third control mode" in relation to a situation in which, while the first special control is already being executed for the first target room, consisting of a first low-temperature cooling control that controls the temperature inside the first target room in a first temperature zone and a first high-temperature cooling control that controls the temperature inside the first target room in a second temperature zone higher than the first temperature zone, the execution of the second special control is started later for the second target room, consisting of a second low-temperature cooling control that controls the temperature inside the second target room in a third temperature zone and a second high-temperature cooling control that controls the temperature inside the second target room in a fourth temperature zone higher than the third temperature zone.

[0091] <5.2.1 First Control Mode> First, let's explain the first control mode. As mentioned above, the first control mode is a control mode that prioritizes the first special control that is already running when the first special control is already running for the first target room and the second special control is to be started for the second target room later (the timing of the second special control that starts later is adjusted to match the first special control that is already running).

[0092] (First example of the first control mode) First, a first example of the first control mode will be described. In this first example of the first control mode, when the control unit 100 starts executing the second special control on the second target room while the first special control is being executed on the first target room, it adjusts whether to start the second special control from the second low-temperature cooling control or from the second high-temperature cooling control. For example, if the control unit 100 starts executing the second special control on the second target room while the first low-temperature cooling control is being executed as the first special control, it starts the newly initiated second special control from the execution of the second low-temperature cooling control. On the other hand, if the control unit 100 starts executing the second special control on the second target room while the first high-temperature cooling control is being executed as the first special control, it starts the newly initiated second special control from the execution of the second high-temperature cooling control.

[0093] Figures 7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating a first example of the first control mode. In the following description, switching room B (e.g., second switching room 16B) is an example of the "first target room," and switching room A (e.g., first switching room 16A) is an example of the "second target room."

[0094] In the example shown in Figure 7, the high-temperature cooling control of the first special control (first high-temperature cooling control) is being executed on switching chamber B, and the execution of the second special control is started on switching chamber A. In this case, the second special control starts with the high-temperature cooling control (second high-temperature cooling control) (time t11).

[0095] In this embodiment, when the control unit 100 starts executing the second high-temperature cooling control as the second special control for switching chamber A, and the first high-temperature cooling control is already being executed as the first special control for switching chamber B, if the first special control transitions from the first high-temperature cooling control to the first low-temperature cooling control after the completion of the first high-temperature cooling control, the second special control transitions from the second high-temperature cooling control to the second low-temperature cooling control (time t12).

[0096] For example, when the control unit 100 starts executing the second high-temperature cooling control as the second special control for switching chamber A, if the first high-temperature cooling control is already being executed as the first special control for switching chamber B, the control unit will transition from the first high-temperature cooling control to the first low-temperature cooling control after the termination conditions for the first high-temperature cooling control are met in the first special control, and in the second special control, even before the termination conditions for the second high-temperature cooling control are met, the control unit will transition from the second high-temperature cooling control to the second low-temperature cooling control (time t12).

[0097] For example, if the control unit 100 starts the second special control with the execution of high-temperature cooling control (second high-temperature cooling control), it terminates the first execution of the second high-temperature cooling control of the second special control in accordance with the termination of the first high-temperature cooling control of the first special control, which is currently being executed, regardless of whether the termination conditions for the second high-temperature cooling control are met (time t12). Then, the control unit 100 starts the execution of the first execution of the low-temperature cooling control (second low-temperature cooling control) of the second special control in accordance with the start of the execution of the low-temperature cooling control (first low-temperature cooling control) of the first special control, which is currently being executed (time t13).

[0098] In this application, "in response to termination" is not limited to cases where the termination times are perfectly aligned, but may also include cases where, for example, there is a difference of up to 1 / 10 of the execution period (execution time) of the terminated control. Similarly, in this application, "in response to commencement" is not limited to cases where the commencement times are perfectly aligned, but may also include cases where, for example, there is a difference of up to 1 / 10 of the execution period (execution time) of the commenced control.

[0099] Similarly thereafter, the control unit 100 overlaps at least a portion of the execution period of the second high-temperature cooling control from the second time onward with the execution period of the first high-temperature cooling control from the second time onward. For example, the control unit 100 adjusts the timing of the second special control so that the overlap time between the execution period of the first low-temperature cooling control and the execution period of the second low-temperature cooling control is long, and the overlap time between the execution period of the first high-temperature cooling control and the execution period of the second high-temperature cooling control is long (for example, by changing one or more of the start time, end time, or execution period length of the first low-temperature cooling control, the start time, end time, or execution period length of the first high-temperature cooling control, the start time, end time, or execution period length of the second low-temperature cooling control, or the start time, end time, or execution period length of the second high-temperature cooling control).

[0100] In the example shown in Figure 8, the first special control, low-temperature cooling control (first low-temperature cooling control), is being executed on switching chamber B, and the execution of the second special control is started on switching chamber A. In this case, the second special control starts with low-temperature cooling control (second low-temperature cooling control) (time t11).

[0101] In this embodiment, when the control unit 100 starts executing the second low-temperature cooling control as the second special control for switching chamber A, and the first low-temperature cooling control is already being executed as the first special control for switching chamber B, if the first special control transitions from the first low-temperature cooling control to the first high-temperature cooling control after the completion of the first low-temperature cooling control, the second special control transitions from the second low-temperature cooling control to the second high-temperature cooling control (time t12).

[0102] For example, when the control unit 100 starts executing the second low-temperature cooling control as the second special control for switching chamber A, if the first low-temperature cooling control is already being executed as the first special control for switching chamber B, the control unit 100 will transition from the first low-temperature cooling control to the first high-temperature cooling control after the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met in the first special control, and in the second special control, even before the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met, it will transition from the second low-temperature cooling control to the second high-temperature cooling control (time t12).

[0103] For example, if the control unit 100 starts the second special control with low-temperature cooling control (second low-temperature cooling control), it will terminate the first execution of the second low-temperature cooling control of the second special control in accordance with the termination of the first low-temperature cooling control of the first special control, which is currently being executed, regardless of whether the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met (time t12). Then, the control unit 100 will start the execution of the first execution of the second high-temperature cooling control (second high-temperature cooling control) of the second special control in accordance with the start of the execution of the high-temperature cooling control (first high-temperature cooling control) of the first special control, which is currently being executed (time t13).

[0104] Similarly thereafter, the control unit 100 overlaps at least a portion of the execution period of the second and subsequent executions of the second low-temperature cooling control with the execution period of the second and subsequent executions of the first low-temperature cooling control. For example, the control unit 100 adjusts the control timing of the first special control or the control timing of the second special control so that the overlap time between the execution period of the first low-temperature cooling control and the execution period of the second low-temperature cooling control is long, and the overlap time between the execution period of the first high-temperature cooling control and the execution period of the second high-temperature cooling control is long (for example, by changing one or more of the start time, end time, or execution period length of the first low-temperature cooling control, the start time, end time, or execution period length of the first high-temperature cooling control, the start time, end time, or execution period length of the second low-temperature cooling control, or the start time, end time, or execution period length of the second high-temperature cooling control).

[0105] (Second example of the first control mode) Next, a second example of the first control mode will be described. Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a second example of the first control mode. As shown in Figure 9, in the second example of the first control mode, the second special control is configured to start with the execution of the second low-temperature cooling control when it is newly started.

[0106] In the second example of the first control mode, if the control unit 100 is executing the first high-temperature cooling control as the first special control for the first target room and wants to start executing the second special control for the second target room, it waits to start executing the second special control until the execution of the first low-temperature cooling control is started as the first special control.

[0107] In the example shown in Figure 10, the execution of the second special control is started for switching chamber A while the first special control's high-temperature cooling control (first high-temperature cooling control) is being executed for switching chamber B. In this case, the second special control waits for the execution of the second special control for switching chamber A to start until the first high-temperature cooling control that is currently being executed finishes and the first low-temperature cooling control begins (from time t11 to time t12). In this application, "waiting" is not limited to stopping cooling, but may also include continuing the control that was being executed immediately before (for example, continuing the "normal chilled" control if the "normal chilled" control mode was set immediately before), or executing a special control for waiting (for example, a cooling control for waiting).

[0108] In this embodiment, after the above-mentioned waiting period, the control unit 100 starts the execution of the first low-temperature cooling control of the second special control (second low-temperature cooling control) in accordance with the start of the low-temperature cooling control of the first special control (first low-temperature cooling control) which is already being executed (time t12). Then, the control unit 100 terminates the execution of the first low-temperature cooling control of the second special control (second low-temperature cooling control) in accordance with the end of the low-temperature cooling control of the first special control (first low-temperature cooling control) which is already being executed (time t13).

[0109] Similarly thereafter, the control unit 100 overlaps at least a portion of the execution period of the second and subsequent executions of the second low-temperature cooling control with the execution period of the second and subsequent executions of the first low-temperature cooling control. For example, the control unit 100 adjusts the timing of the first special control or the second special control so that the overlap time between the execution period of the first low-temperature cooling control and the execution period of the second low-temperature cooling control is long, and the overlap time between the execution period of the first high-temperature cooling control and the execution period of the second high-temperature cooling control is long (for example, by changing one or more of the start time, end time, or execution period length of the first low-temperature cooling control, the start time, end time, or execution period length of the first high-temperature cooling control, the start time, end time, or execution period length of the second low-temperature cooling control, or the start time, end time, or execution period length of the second high-temperature cooling control).

[0110] In the second example of the first control mode, if the execution of the second special control is started for switching chamber A while the first low-temperature cooling control is being executed for switching chamber B, the procedure is the same as the example explained using Figure 8. That is, at time t11 when the start instruction is received, the control unit 100 starts by executing the low-temperature cooling control (second low-temperature cooling control) as the second special control while the first low-temperature cooling control is being executed for switching chamber B.

[0111] Then, in the first special control, after the termination condition for the first low-temperature cooling control is met, the control unit 100 transitions from the first low-temperature cooling control to the first high-temperature cooling control, and in the second special control, even before the termination condition for the second low-temperature cooling control is met, it transitions from the second low-temperature cooling control to the second high-temperature cooling control (time t12). Similarly thereafter, the control unit 100 overlaps at least a portion of the execution period of the second and subsequent second low-temperature cooling controls with the execution period of the second and subsequent first low-temperature cooling controls.

[0112] (Third example of the first control mode) Next, a third example of the first control mode will be described. Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a third example of the first control mode. As shown in Figure 11, in the third example of the first control mode, the second special control is configured to start with the execution of the second high-temperature cooling control when it is newly started.

[0113] In the third example of the first control mode, if the control unit 100 is executing the first low-temperature cooling control as the first special control for the first target room and wants to start executing the second special control for the second target room, it waits to start executing the second special control until the execution of the first high-temperature cooling control is started as the first special control.

[0114] In the example shown in Figure 12, the low-temperature cooling control of the first special control (first low-temperature cooling control) is being executed on switching chamber B, and the execution of the second special control is started on switching chamber A. In this case, the second special control waits to start on switching chamber A until the execution of the first low-temperature cooling control, which is currently running, is completed and the first high-temperature cooling control is started (from time t11 to time t12).

[0115] In this embodiment, after the above-mentioned waiting period, the control unit 100 starts the execution of the first high-temperature cooling control of the second special control (second high-temperature cooling control) in accordance with the start of the high-temperature cooling control of the first special control (first high-temperature cooling control) which is already being executed (time t12). Then, the control unit 100 terminates the execution of the first high-temperature cooling control of the second special control (second high-temperature cooling control) in accordance with the end of the high-temperature cooling control of the first special control (first high-temperature cooling control) which is already being executed (time t13).

[0116] Similarly thereafter, the control unit 100 overlaps at least a portion of the execution period of the second high-temperature cooling control from the second time onward with the execution period of the first high-temperature cooling control from the second time onward. For example, the control unit 100 adjusts the control timing of the first special control or the second special control so that the overlap time between the execution period of the first low-temperature cooling control and the execution period of the second low-temperature cooling control is long, and the overlap time between the execution period of the first high-temperature cooling control and the execution period of the second high-temperature cooling control is long (for example, by changing one or more of the start time, end time, or execution period length of the first low-temperature cooling control, the start time, end time, or execution period length of the first high-temperature cooling control, the start time, end time, or execution period length of the second low-temperature cooling control, or the start time, end time, or execution period length of the second high-temperature cooling control).

[0117] In the third example of the first control mode, if the execution of the second special control is started for switching chamber A while the first high-temperature cooling control is being executed for switching chamber B, the procedure is the same as the example explained using Figure 7. That is, at time t11 when the start instruction is received, the control unit 100 starts with the execution of the "high-temperature cooling control (second low-temperature cooling control)" as the second special control while the first high-temperature cooling control is being executed for switching chamber B.

[0118] Then, in the first special control, after the termination condition for the first high-temperature cooling control is met, the control unit 100 transitions from the first high-temperature cooling control to the first low-temperature cooling control, and in the second special control, even before the termination condition for the second high-temperature cooling control is met, it transitions from the second high-temperature cooling control to the second low-temperature cooling control (time t12). Similarly thereafter, the control unit 100 overlaps at least a portion of the execution period of the second and subsequent second high-temperature cooling controls with the execution period of the second and subsequent first high-temperature cooling controls.

[0119] <5.2.2 Second Control Mode> Next, the second control mode will be explained. As described above, the second control mode is a control mode that prioritizes the second special control that starts later when the first special control is already being executed for the first target room and the second special control is to start later for the second target room (the timing of the first special control, which is already being executed, is adjusted to match the second special control that starts later).

[0120] (First example of the second control mode) First, let's describe the first example of the second control mode. In the first example of the second control mode, when the control unit 100 starts executing the second low-temperature cooling control as the second special control for the second target room, if the first high-temperature cooling control is already being executed as the first special control for the first target room, the control content of the first special control is changed from the first high-temperature cooling control to the first low-temperature cooling control.

[0121] Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating a first example of the second control mode. In the example shown in Figure 13, the high-temperature cooling control of the first special control (first high-temperature cooling control) is being executed on switching chamber B, and the execution of the second special control is started on switching chamber A.

[0122] In the example shown in Figure 13, the second special control is set to start with the execution of the second low-temperature cooling control when it is newly started, similar to the second example of the first control mode described above (see Figure 9). In the first example of the second control mode, when the control unit 100 starts the execution of the second low-temperature cooling control as the second special control for switching chamber A, if the first high-temperature cooling control is already being executed as the first special control for switching chamber B, the control unit 100 changes the content of the first special control from the first high-temperature cooling control to the first low-temperature cooling control (time t11). For example, even before the termination condition of the first high-temperature cooling control that was being executed earlier is met, the control unit 100 terminates the first high-temperature cooling control that was being executed earlier in response to the start of the execution of the second special control that is being started later. Then, in response to the start of the second low-temperature cooling control of the second special control that is being started later, the control unit 100 starts the first low-temperature cooling control of the first special control.

[0123] For example, if the control unit 100 starts the execution of the first low-temperature cooling control of the first special control in response to the start of the execution of the second low-temperature cooling control of the second special control which is started later, it will terminate the started first low-temperature cooling control in response to the termination of the second low-temperature cooling control that is currently being executed by the newly started second special control, regardless of whether the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met (time t12). Then, the control unit 100 starts the execution of the high-temperature cooling control (first high-temperature cooling control) of the first special control in response to the start of the first execution of the high-temperature cooling control (second high-temperature cooling control) of the second special control (time t12). Then, the control unit 100 terminates the execution of the first high-temperature cooling control of the first special control in response to the termination of the first execution of the second high-temperature cooling control of the second special control (time t13).

[0124] Similarly thereafter, the control unit 100 overlaps at least a portion of the execution period of the second and subsequent executions of the second low-temperature cooling control with the execution period of the second and subsequent executions of the first low-temperature cooling control. For example, the control unit 100 adjusts the timing of the first special control or the second special control so that the overlap time between the execution period of the first low-temperature cooling control and the execution period of the second low-temperature cooling control is long, and the overlap time between the execution period of the first high-temperature cooling control and the execution period of the second high-temperature cooling control is long (for example, by changing one or more of the start time, end time, or execution period length of the first low-temperature cooling control, the start time, end time, or execution period length of the first high-temperature cooling control, the start time, end time, or execution period length of the second low-temperature cooling control, or the start time, end time, or execution period length of the second high-temperature cooling control).

[0125] Furthermore, in the same manner as the control shown in Figure 8, when the control unit 100 starts executing the second low-temperature cooling control as the second special control for switching chamber A, and the first low-temperature cooling control is already being executed as the first special control for switching chamber B, if the first special control transitions from the first low-temperature cooling control to the first high-temperature cooling control after the completion of the first low-temperature cooling control, the second special control may transition from the second low-temperature cooling control to the second high-temperature cooling control (time t12).

[0126] For example, when the control unit 100 starts executing the second low-temperature cooling control as the second special control for switching chamber A, if the first low-temperature cooling control is already being executed as the first special control for switching chamber B, the control unit 100 will transition from the first low-temperature cooling control to the first high-temperature cooling control after the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met in the first special control. In the second special control, the control unit 100 may also transition from the second low-temperature cooling control to the second high-temperature cooling control even before the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met (time t12).

[0127] Alternatively, instead of the above example, when the control unit 100 starts executing the second low-temperature cooling control as the second special control for switching chamber A, and the first low-temperature cooling control is already being executed as the first special control for switching chamber B, if the second special control transitions from the second low-temperature cooling control to the second high-temperature cooling control after the completion of the second low-temperature cooling control, the first special control may transition from the first low-temperature cooling control to the first high-temperature cooling control (time t12).

[0128] For example, when the control unit 100 starts executing the second low-temperature cooling control as the second special control for switching chamber A, if the first low-temperature cooling control is already being executed as the first special control for switching chamber B, the control unit 100 will transition from the second low-temperature cooling control to the second high-temperature cooling control after the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met in the second special control. Conversely, in the first special control, the control unit 100 may transition from the first low-temperature cooling control to the first high-temperature cooling control even before the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met.

[0129] (Second example of the second control mode) Next, a second example of the second control mode will be described. In the second example of the second control mode, when the control unit 100 starts executing the second high-temperature cooling control as the second special control for the second target room, if the first low-temperature cooling control is already being executed as the first special control for the first target room, the control content of the first special control is changed from the first low-temperature cooling control to the first high-temperature cooling control.

[0130] Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the second control mode. In the example shown in Figure 14, the second special control is initiated for switching chamber A while the first special control's low-temperature cooling control (first low-temperature cooling control) is being executed for switching chamber B.

[0131] In the example shown in Figure 14, the second special control is set to start with the execution of the second high-temperature cooling control when it is newly started, similar to the third example of the first control mode described above (see Figure 11). In the second example of the second control mode, when the control unit 100 starts the execution of the second high-temperature cooling control as the second special control for switching chamber A, if the first low-temperature cooling control is already being executed as the first special control for switching chamber B, the control unit 100 changes the content of the first special control from the first low-temperature cooling control to the first high-temperature cooling control (time t11). That is, even if the termination condition of the first low-temperature cooling control that was executed earlier has not yet been met, the control unit 100 terminates the first low-temperature cooling control that was executed earlier in response to the start of the second special control that is started later. Then, in response to the start of the second high-temperature cooling control of the second special control that is started later, the control unit 100 starts the first high-temperature cooling control of the first special control.

[0132] For example, if the control unit 100 starts the execution of the first high-temperature cooling control of the first special control in response to the start of the second high-temperature cooling control of the second special control which is started later, it will terminate the started first high-temperature cooling control in response to the termination of the second high-temperature cooling control that is currently being executed by the newly started second special control, regardless of whether the termination conditions for the first high-temperature cooling control are met (time t12). Then, the control unit 100 starts the execution of the low-temperature cooling control (first low-temperature cooling control) of the first special control in response to the start of the first execution of the low-temperature cooling control (second low-temperature cooling control) of the second special control (time t12). Then, the control unit 100 terminates the execution of the first low-temperature cooling control of the first special control in response to the termination of the first execution of the second low-temperature cooling control of the second special control (time t13).

[0133] Similarly thereafter, the control unit 100 overlaps at least a portion of the execution period of the second high-temperature cooling control from the second time onward with the execution period of the first high-temperature cooling control from the second time onward. For example, the control unit 100 adjusts the control timing of the first special control or the second special control so that the overlap time between the execution period of the first low-temperature cooling control and the execution period of the second low-temperature cooling control is long, and the overlap time between the execution period of the first high-temperature cooling control and the execution period of the second high-temperature cooling control is long (for example, by changing one or more of the start time, end time, or execution period length of the first low-temperature cooling control, the start time, end time, or execution period length of the first high-temperature cooling control, the start time, end time, or execution period length of the second low-temperature cooling control, or the start time, end time, or execution period length of the second high-temperature cooling control).

[0134] Furthermore, in the same manner as the control shown in Figure 7, when the control unit 100 starts executing the second high-temperature cooling control as the second special control for switching chamber A, and the first high-temperature cooling control is already being executed as the first special control for switching chamber B, if the first special control transitions from the first high-temperature cooling control to the first low-temperature cooling control after the completion of the first high-temperature cooling control, the second special control may transition from the second high-temperature cooling control to the second low-temperature cooling control (time t12).

[0135] For example, when the control unit 100 starts executing the second high-temperature cooling control as the second special control for switching chamber A, if the first high-temperature cooling control is already being executed as the first special control for switching chamber B, the control unit 100 will transition from the first high-temperature cooling control to the first low-temperature cooling control after the termination conditions for the first high-temperature cooling control are met in the first special control. In the second special control, the control unit 100 may also transition from the second high-temperature cooling control to the second low-temperature cooling control even before the termination conditions for the second high-temperature cooling control are met (time t12).

[0136] Alternatively, instead of the above example, when the control unit 100 starts executing the second high-temperature cooling control as the second special control for switching chamber A, and the first high-temperature cooling control is already being executed as the first special control for switching chamber B, if the second special control transitions from the second high-temperature cooling control to the second low-temperature cooling control after the completion of the second high-temperature cooling control, the first special control may transition from the first high-temperature cooling control to the first low-temperature cooling control (time t12).

[0137] For example, when the control unit 100 starts executing the second high-temperature cooling control as the second special control for switching chamber A, if the first high-temperature cooling control is already being executed as the first special control for switching chamber B, the control unit 100 will transition from the second high-temperature cooling control to the second low-temperature cooling control after the termination conditions for the second high-temperature cooling control are met in the second special control. Conversely, in the first special control, the control unit 100 may transition from the first high-temperature cooling control to the first low-temperature cooling control even before the termination conditions for the first high-temperature cooling control are met.

[0138] <5.2.3 Third Control Mode> Next, the third control mode will be explained. As mentioned above, the third control mode is a control mode that determines, depending on the situation, which of the first and second special controls to prioritize when the first special control is already being executed on the first target room and the second special control is to be started on the second target room later.

[0139] For example, in the third control mode, if the first special control is being executed first for the first target room and the second special control is to be started later for the second target room, and the first special control takes precedence, the control unit 100 will perform control based on the first control mode described above. On the other hand, if the first special control is being executed first for the first target room and the second special control is to be started later for the second target room, and the second special control takes precedence, the control unit 100 will perform control based on the second control mode described above.

[0140] (Example 1 of the third control mode) In the first example of the third control mode, the control unit 100 determines which of the first and second special control to prioritize based on the difference between the degree of cooling of the first low-temperature cooling control of the first special control (e.g., the low temperature range or duration of the first low-temperature cooling control) and the degree of cooling of the second low-temperature cooling control of the second special control (e.g., the low temperature range or duration of the second low-temperature cooling control). For example, if the temperature range of the first low-temperature cooling control is lower than the temperature range of the second low-temperature cooling control (i.e., the degree of cooling of the first low-temperature cooling control is greater than that of the second low-temperature cooling control), the control unit 100 determines that the first special control takes precedence over the second special control. On the other hand, if the temperature range of the second low-temperature cooling control is lower than the temperature range of the first low-temperature cooling control (i.e., the degree of cooling of the second low-temperature cooling control is greater than that of the first low-temperature cooling control), the control unit 100 determines that the second special control takes precedence over the first special control.

[0141] For example, when comparing "Special Chilled" and "Rice Chilled," the temperature range Ta of the low-temperature cooling control for "Special Chilled" is lower than the temperature range Tc of the low-temperature cooling control for "Rice Chilled." Therefore, the control unit 100 determines that "Special Chilled" takes precedence over "Rice Chilled."

[0142] In other words, if "Special Chilling" is running for the first target room and "Rice Chilling" is newly started for the second target room, the control unit 100 determines that "Special Chilling" takes precedence over "Rice Chilling" and performs control based on the first control mode described above. On the other hand, if "Rice Chilling" is running for the first target room and "Special Chilling" is newly started for the second target room, the control unit 100 determines that "Special Chilling" takes precedence over "Rice Chilling" and performs control based on the second control mode described above.

[0143] Alternatively, the control unit 100 may decide which of the first and second special controls to prioritize based on the difference between the temperature range or execution period length of the first high-temperature cooling control of the first special control and the temperature range or execution period length of the second high-temperature cooling control of the second special control. For example, the control unit 100 may determine that the first special control takes precedence over the second special control if the temperature range of the first high-temperature cooling control is higher than the temperature range of the second high-temperature cooling control. On the other hand, the control unit 100 may determine that the second special control takes precedence over the first special control if the temperature range of the second high-temperature cooling control is higher than the temperature range of the first high-temperature cooling control.

[0144] (Second example of the third control mode) In the second example of the third control mode, the control unit 100 determines which of the first special control and the second special control to prioritize based on the difference in capacity between the first target room and the second target room. For example, if the capacity of the first target room is greater than the capacity of the second target room, the control unit 100 determines that the first special control performed on the first target room takes precedence over the second special control performed on the second target room. On the other hand, if the capacity of the second target room is greater than the capacity of the first target room, the control unit 100 determines that the second special control performed on the second target room takes precedence over the first special control performed on the first target room.

[0145] In this embodiment, information indicating the capacities of the first target room and the second target room (capacities of the first switching room 16A and the second switching room 16B) is stored in the storage unit 123 as part of the determination information. Based on the determination information stored in the storage unit 123, the control unit 100 determines which is larger, the capacity of the first target room or the capacity of the second target room.

[0146] The second example of the third control mode applies, for example, when the temperature range of the first low-temperature cooling control of the first special control and the temperature range of the second low-temperature cooling control of the second special control overlap in at least part (for example, the temperature ranges are the same). However, the second example of the third control mode may also apply when the temperature range of the first low-temperature cooling control of the first special control and the temperature range of the second low-temperature cooling control of the second special control are different.

[0147] <5.2.4 Fourth Control Mode> Next, the fourth control mode will be described. As mentioned above, the fourth control mode is a control mode that determines which control is prioritized according to the temperature state of the switching room 16 when the first special control is already being executed for the first target room and the second special control is subsequently started for the second target room.

[0148] For example, in the fourth control mode, when the control unit 100 starts executing the second special control for the second target room while executing the first special control for the first target room, if predetermined conditions related to the temperature of the second target room are not met, it continues the first high-temperature cooling control that is currently running and starts the second special control from the second high-temperature cooling control. On the other hand, when the control unit 100 starts executing the second special control for the second target room while executing the first special control for the first target room, if predetermined conditions related to the temperature of the second target room are met, it terminates the first high-temperature cooling control that is currently running and starts executing the first low-temperature cooling control, and starts the second special control from the second low-temperature cooling control. The predetermined conditions mentioned above are, for example, when the switching room temperature sensor 112 detects a temperature rise exceeding a threshold with respect to the temperature of the second target room.

[0149] <6. Coordination of control for multiple switching rooms (when execution continues)> In this embodiment, if the switching timing in the first special control (the switching timing between the first low-temperature cooling control and the first high-temperature cooling control) and the switching timing in the second special control (the switching timing between the second low-temperature cooling control and the second high-temperature cooling control) are out of sync, the following control is performed to determine, depending on the situation, which of the switching timings in the first special control or the second special control should take priority.

[0150] <6.1 First Control Example> In the first control example, the control unit 100 determines which of the switching timing in the first special control and the switching timing in the second special control takes precedence, based on the difference between the temperature range of the first low-temperature cooling control of the first special control and the temperature range of the second low-temperature cooling control of the second special control. For example, if the temperature range of the first low-temperature cooling control is lower than the temperature range of the second low-temperature cooling control, the control unit 100 determines that the switching timing in the first special control takes precedence over the switching timing in the second special control. In this case, if the switching timing in the first special control and the switching timing in the second special control are likely to be out of sync, the control unit 100 adjusts the control timing of the second special control so that the switching timing in the second special control matches the switching timing in the first special control (for example, by changing one or more of the start time, end time, or execution period length of the second low-temperature cooling control, or the start time, end time, or execution period length of the second high-temperature cooling control).

[0151] In this embodiment, when the first low-temperature cooling control for the first target chamber is being executed and the second low-temperature cooling control for the second target chamber is being executed, if the low-temperature range of the first low-temperature cooling control is lower than the low-temperature range of the second low-temperature cooling control, the control unit 100 suppresses the start of the second high-temperature cooling control until the execution of the first low-temperature cooling control is completed.

[0152] For example, if the control unit 100 is performing a first low-temperature cooling control for a first target chamber while the second low-temperature cooling control for a second target chamber is being performed, and the low-temperature range of the first low-temperature cooling control is lower than the low-temperature range of the second low-temperature cooling control, the control unit 100 will suppress the start of the second high-temperature cooling control even if the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met before the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met, until at least the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met.

[0153] In this embodiment, when the first low-temperature cooling control for the first target chamber is being executed and the second low-temperature cooling control for the second target chamber is being executed, if the low-temperature range of the first low-temperature cooling control is lower than the low-temperature range of the second low-temperature cooling control, the control unit 100 continues the second low-temperature cooling control until the execution of the first low-temperature cooling control is completed.

[0154] For example, if the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met before the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met, the control unit 100 will not terminate the second low-temperature cooling control, but will continue the second low-temperature cooling control until at least the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met. Alternatively, if the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met before the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met, the control unit 100 may terminate the execution of the second low-temperature cooling control and execute standby control to control the temperature in the second target room to another temperature range set between the low-temperature range of the second low-temperature cooling control and the high-temperature range of the second high-temperature cooling control (for example, a temperature range higher than the low-temperature range of the second low-temperature cooling control and lower than the high-temperature range of the second high-temperature cooling control). Then, in response to the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control being met in the first target room and the execution of the first low-temperature cooling control being terminated, the control unit 100 may terminate the execution of the standby control for the second target room and start the execution of the second high-temperature cooling control, and start the execution of the first high-temperature cooling control for the first target room.

[0155] On the other hand, if the control unit 100 is performing a first low-temperature cooling control for a first target chamber while the second low-temperature cooling control for a second target chamber is performing, and the low-temperature range of the second low-temperature cooling control is lower than the low-temperature range of the first low-temperature cooling control, the control unit 100 will suppress starting the first high-temperature cooling control even if the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met before the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met, until at least the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met.

[0156] For example, if the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met before the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met, the control unit 100 will not terminate the first low-temperature cooling control, but will continue the first low-temperature cooling control until at least the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met. Alternatively, the control unit 100 may terminate the execution of the first low-temperature cooling control if the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met before the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met, and execute standby control to control the temperature in the first target room to another temperature range set between the low-temperature range of the first low-temperature cooling control and the high-temperature range of the first high-temperature cooling control (for example, a temperature range higher than the low-temperature range of the first low-temperature cooling control and lower than the high-temperature range of the first high-temperature cooling control). Then, in response to the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control being met in the second target room and the execution of the second low-temperature cooling control being terminated, the control unit 100 may terminate the execution of the standby control for the first target room and start the execution of the first high-temperature cooling control, and start the execution of the second high-temperature cooling control for the second target room.

[0157] Alternatively, the control unit 100 may determine which of the switching timing in the first special control or the switching timing in the second special control takes precedence based on the difference between the temperature range of the first high-temperature cooling control of the first special control and the temperature range of the second high-temperature cooling control of the second special control. For example, if the temperature range of the first high-temperature cooling control is higher than the temperature range of the second high-temperature cooling control, the control unit 100 may determine that the switching timing in the first special control takes precedence over the switching timing in the second special control. On the other hand, if the temperature range of the second high-temperature cooling control is higher than the temperature range of the first high-temperature cooling control, the control unit 100 may determine that the switching timing in the second special control takes precedence over the switching timing in the first special control.

[0158] <6.2 Second Control Example> In the second control example, the control unit 100 determines which of the switching timing in the first special control and the switching timing in the second special control takes precedence based on the difference in capacity between the first target room and the second target room. For example, if the capacity of the first target room is larger than the capacity of the second target room, the control unit 100 determines that the switching timing in the first special control performed on the first target room takes precedence over the switching timing in the second special control performed on the second target room. In this case, if the switching timing in the first special control and the switching timing in the second special control are likely to be out of sync, the control unit 100 adjusts the control timing of the second special control so that the switching timing in the second special control matches the switching timing in the first special control (for example, by changing one or more of the start time, end time, or execution period length of the second low-temperature cooling control, or the start time, end time, or execution period length of the second high-temperature cooling control).

[0159] In this embodiment, when the first low-temperature cooling control for the first target chamber is being executed and the second low-temperature cooling control for the second target chamber is being executed, if the capacity of the first target chamber is larger than the capacity of the second target chamber, the control unit 100 suppresses the start of the second high-temperature cooling control until the execution of the first low-temperature cooling control is completed.

[0160] For example, if the control unit 100 is performing a first low-temperature cooling control on a first target chamber and a second low-temperature cooling control is being performed on a second target chamber, even if the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met before the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met, the control unit 100 will suppress the start of the second high-temperature cooling control until at least the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met.

[0161] In this embodiment, when the first low-temperature cooling control for the first target chamber is being performed and the second low-temperature cooling control for the second target chamber is being performed, if the capacity of the first target chamber is larger than the capacity of the second target chamber, the control unit 100 continues the second low-temperature cooling control until the execution of the first low-temperature cooling control is completed.

[0162] For example, if the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met before the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met, the control unit 100 will not terminate the second low-temperature cooling control, but will continue the second low-temperature cooling control until at least the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met. Alternatively, if the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met before the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met, the control unit 100 may terminate the execution of the second low-temperature cooling control and execute standby control to control the temperature in the second target room to another temperature range set between the low-temperature range of the second low-temperature cooling control and the high-temperature range of the second high-temperature cooling control (for example, a temperature range higher than the low-temperature range of the second low-temperature cooling control and lower than the high-temperature range of the second high-temperature cooling control). Then, in response to the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control being met in the first target room and the execution of the first low-temperature cooling control being terminated, the control unit 100 may terminate the execution of the standby control for the second target room and start the execution of the second high-temperature cooling control, and start the execution of the first high-temperature cooling control for the first target room.

[0163] On the other hand, when the control unit 100 performs a first low-temperature cooling control on the first target chamber and a second low-temperature cooling control on the second target chamber, if the capacity of the second target chamber is larger than the capacity of the first target chamber, even if the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met before the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met, the control unit 100 suppresses the start of the first high-temperature cooling control until at least the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met.

[0164] For example, if the termination conditions for the first low-temperature cooling control are met before the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met, the control unit 100 will not terminate the first low-temperature cooling control, but will continue the first low-temperature cooling control until at least the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control are met. Alternatively, the control unit 100 may terminate the execution of the first low-temperature cooling control and control the temperature in the first target room to another temperature range set between the low-temperature range of the first low-temperature cooling control and the high-temperature range of the first high-temperature cooling control (for example, a temperature range higher than the low-temperature range of the first low-temperature cooling control and lower than the high-temperature range of the first high-temperature cooling control). Then, in response to the termination conditions for the second low-temperature cooling control being met in the second target room and the execution of the second low-temperature cooling control being terminated, the control unit 100 may terminate the execution of the standby control for the first target room and start the execution of the first high-temperature cooling control, and start the execution of the second high-temperature cooling control for the second target room.

[0165] The second control example is applicable, for example, when the temperature range of the first low-temperature cooling control of the first special control and the temperature range of the second low-temperature cooling control of the second special control overlap in at least part (for example, the temperature ranges are the same). However, the second control example may also be applied when the temperature range of the first low-temperature cooling control of the first special control and the temperature range of the second low-temperature cooling control of the second special control are different.

[0166] <7. Control over two adjacent storage rooms> <7.1 Control Details> Hereinafter, one of the first switching chamber 16A or the second switching chamber 16B will be referred to as the first target chamber, and the other of the first switching chamber 16A or the second switching chamber 16B will be referred to as the second target chamber. In this embodiment, when the target temperature of the second target chamber is lower than the target temperature of the first target chamber, the control unit 100 cools the first target chamber with the first cooling capacity if the difference between the target temperature of the first target chamber and the target temperature of the second target chamber is less than a predetermined value. On the other hand, when the difference between the target temperature of the first target chamber and the target temperature of the second target chamber is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the control unit 100 cools the first target chamber with a second cooling capacity that is smaller than the first cooling capacity.

[0167] For example, when the control unit 100 performs a first control to cool the first target chamber toward a first target temperature, (i) if it does not perform a second control to cool the second target chamber toward a second target temperature that is more than a predetermined value lower than the first target temperature, it cools the first target chamber with a first cooling capacity corresponding to the difference (deviation) between the target temperature and the detected temperature for the first target chamber, and (ii) if it performs the above second control on the second target chamber, it cools the first target chamber with a second cooling capacity smaller than the first cooling capacity. The details of this will be explained below.

[0168] "Cooling capacity" means, for example, the capacity to cool the first target room or the second target room. "Cooling capacity" is defined by one or more of the following: the opening amount of a damper device (e.g., first damper device 43A or second damper device 43B) (including ON / OFF states of the open state), the duration of the open state of the damper device (e.g., first damper device 43A or second damper device 43B), and the airflow rate of a blower (e.g., blower for the first switching room 44A or blower for the second switching room 44B) (e.g., the rotation rate of the blower).

[0169] The "first cooling capacity" is the cooling capacity set according to the difference (deviation) between the target temperature and the detected temperature (for example, the detection result of the switching room temperature sensor 112) in the first target room, for example, under normal conditions (when the second control is not being performed in the adjacent switching room 16). The "second cooling capacity" is the cooling capacity set according to the difference (deviation) between the target temperature and the detected temperature in the first target room when the second control is being performed in the adjacent storage room 11 (for example, the switching room 16). The second cooling capacity is smaller than the first cooling capacity. "The second cooling capacity is smaller than the first cooling capacity" means that, when the difference (deviation) between the target temperature and the detected temperature in the first target room is the same, when setting the second cooling capacity, the opening amount of the damper device (e.g., the first damper device 43A or the second damper device 43B) is smaller (including cases where the opening amount is zero), the duration of the damper device (e.g., the first damper device 43A or the second damper device 43B) being open is shorter, or the airflow rate (e.g., the rotation rate of the blower) of the blower (e.g., the blower for the first switching room 44A or the blower for the second switching room 44B) is smaller compared to when setting the first cooling capacity. The second cooling capacity also includes cases where the supply of cold air is stopped by closing the damper device and the cooling capacity is zero.

[0170] In this embodiment, the control unit 100 reduces the supply of cold air to the first target room when the difference between the target temperature of the first target room and the target temperature of the second target room is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, compared to when the difference between the target temperature of the first target room and the target temperature of the second target room is less than a predetermined value.

[0171] For example, when the control unit 100 performs the first control on the first target room and the second control on the second target room, it reduces the supply of cold air to the first target room compared to when the second control is not performed on the second target room. For example, when the control unit 100 performs the first control on the first target room and the second control on the second target room, it reduces the supply of cold air to the first target room by reducing the opening amount of the damper device in the first target room, shortening the duration of the open state of the damper device in the first target room, or reducing the airflow rate of the blower that sends cold air to the first target room, compared to when the second control is not performed on the second target room.

[0172] "A second target temperature that is at least a predetermined value lower than the first target temperature" means, for example, that the second target temperature is 2°C or more lower than the first target temperature. The combinations of the first control and the second control in this embodiment are as follows (1) to (3).

[0173] (1) As a first example, the second control for the second target room is the low-temperature cooling control of "Special Chilled," and the first control for the first target room is the high-temperature cooling control of "Special Chilled," the low-temperature cooling control of "Rice Chilled," the high-temperature cooling control of "Rice Chilled," or "Normal Chilled." The second target temperature is a temperature included in the temperature range of the low-temperature cooling control of "Special Chilled" (e.g., the lower limit temperature). The first target temperature is a temperature included in the temperature range of the high-temperature cooling control of "Special Chilled," the low-temperature cooling control of "Rice Chilled," the high-temperature cooling control of "Rice Chilled," or the temperature range of "Normal Chilled" (e.g., the lower limit temperature).

[0174] (2) A second example is when the second control for the second target room is the low-temperature cooling control of "rice chilled," and the first control for the first target room is the high-temperature cooling control of "special chilled," the high-temperature cooling control of "rice chilled," or "normal chilled." The second target temperature is a temperature included in the temperature range of the low-temperature cooling control of "rice chilled" (for example, the lower limit temperature). The first target temperature is a temperature included in the temperature range of the high-temperature cooling control of "special chilled," the high-temperature cooling control of "rice chilled," or the temperature range of "normal chilled" (for example, the lower limit temperature).

[0175] (3) A third example is when "normal chilling" is performed as the second control for the second target room, and high-temperature cooling control of "special chilling" or "rice chilling" is performed as the first control for the first target room. The second target temperature is a temperature included in the temperature range of "normal chilling" (e.g., the lower limit temperature). The first target temperature is a temperature included in the temperature range of high-temperature cooling control of "special chilling" or high-temperature cooling control of "rice chilling" (e.g., the lower limit temperature).

[0176] In this embodiment, the control unit 100 cools the second storage chamber with a third cooling capacity corresponding to the target temperature of the second storage chamber, regardless of whether the difference between the target temperature of the first processing chamber and the target temperature of the second storage chamber is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

[0177] For example, when the control unit 100 performs a first control to cool the first target chamber toward a first target temperature, (i) if it does not perform a second control to cool the second target chamber toward a second target temperature that is more than a predetermined value lower than the first target temperature, it cools the second target chamber with a third cooling capacity corresponding to the difference (deviation) between the target temperature and the detected temperature, and (ii) if it performs a second control on the second target chamber, it cools the second target chamber with the same third cooling capacity. In other words, when cooling two adjacent storage chambers 11 (e.g., switching chambers 16), the cooling control (e.g., the strength of cooling) for the storage chamber 11 that becomes relatively colder (e.g., switching chamber 16) is not affected by the cooling control (e.g., the strength of cooling) related to the storage chamber 11 that becomes relatively hotter (e.g., switching chamber 16).

[0178] In this embodiment, when the control unit 100 performs first control with the first storage chamber as the first target chamber, (i) if the second storage chamber is not treated as the second target chamber and second control is not performed, the first storage chamber is cooled with the first cooling capacity, and (ii) if the second storage chamber is treated as the second target chamber and second control is performed, the first cooling capacity is changed to a smaller second cooling capacity and the first storage chamber is cooled.

[0179] On the other hand, when the control unit 100 performs first control with the second storage chamber as the first target chamber, (iii) if the first storage chamber is not treated as the second target chamber and second control is not performed, it cools the first storage chamber with the first cooling capacity (or third cooling capacity), and (iv) if the first storage chamber is treated as the second target chamber and second control is performed, it cools the first storage chamber by changing the first cooling capacity to a smaller second cooling capacity (or changing the third cooling capacity to a smaller fourth cooling capacity).

[0180] In this embodiment, when the control unit 100 performs a first low-temperature cooling control on the first target chamber, (i) if the second low-temperature cooling control is not performed on the second target chamber, it cools the first target chamber with the first cooling capacity, and (ii) if the second low-temperature cooling control is performed on the second target chamber, it changes from the first cooling capacity to the second cooling capacity to cool the first target chamber.

[0181] On the other hand, when the control unit 100 performs the first high-temperature cooling control on the first target chamber, it executes the cooling control on the first target chamber regardless of the content of the control on the second target chamber. In other words, the control unit 100 performs the same cooling control according to the difference (deviation) between the target temperature and the detected temperature, regardless of the content of the control on the second target chamber.

[0182] <7.2 Control Flow> In this embodiment, the control unit 100 can execute the first control example or the second control example described below.

[0183] <7.2.1 First Control Example> Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first control example. The first control example is an example in which the cooling capacity of the first control is changed in response to the start of the second control. For example, when the control unit 100 receives an instruction to start the first control for the first target room (S101), it determines whether or not the second control is being performed for the second target room (S102).

[0184] If the second control is not being performed on the second target room (S102: NO), the control unit 100 cools the first target room with the first cooling capacity (S103). On the other hand, if the second control is being performed on the second target room (S102: YES), the control unit 100 cools the first target room with a second cooling capacity that is smaller than the first cooling capacity (S104).

[0185] The control unit 100 then determines whether the termination condition for the first control is met (S105). If the termination condition for the first control is not met (S105: NO), the control unit 100 returns to S102 and continues control. On the other hand, if the termination condition for the first control is met (S105: YES), the control unit 100 terminates the first control (S106).

[0186] <7.2.2 Second Control Example> Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second control example. The second control example is an example in which the cooling capacity of the first control is changed in advance prior to the start of the second control. When there is a reservation (for example, a timer reservation) for a control to lower the target temperature of the second target room, the control unit 100 changes the cooling capacity for the first target room from the first cooling capacity to the second cooling capacity before lowering the target temperature of the second storage room.

[0187] For example, if the control unit 100 has a scheduled control to lower the target temperature of the second target room (for example, a reservation to start the execution of control using a timer), it changes the cooling capacity for the first target room from the first cooling capacity to the second cooling capacity before lowering the target temperature of the second target room. For example, if the control unit 100 has met predetermined conditions regarding the approaching start time for the control to lower the target temperature of the second target room, it changes the cooling capacity for the first target room from the first cooling capacity to the second cooling capacity before starting the control to lower the target temperature of the second target room.

[0188] For example, when a special control is being performed on the second target room, in which low-temperature cooling control, which controls the temperature inside the second target room to a low-temperature range including the second target temperature, and high-temperature cooling control, which adjusts the temperature inside the second target room to a high-temperature range higher than the low-temperature range, are performed alternately, the control unit 100 performs the following control. That is, when the control unit 100 is performing the first control on the first target room, and predetermined conditions are met regarding the approaching time for transitioning from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control for the second target room, the control unit 100 changes the cooling capacity for the first target room from the first cooling capacity to the second cooling capacity before lowering the target temperature of the second target room. For example, when the control unit 100 is performing the first control on the first target room, and predetermined conditions are met regarding the approaching time for transitioning from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control for the second target room, the control unit 100 changes the cooling capacity for the first target room from the first cooling capacity to the second cooling capacity before transitioning from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control for the second target room.

[0189] (Example 1 of the second control example) The above predetermined condition is that the value of an index (for example, the second index for "special chilling" mentioned above), which is an integrated or average value used to determine the timing of the transition from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control, reaches a predetermined percentage of the threshold value of said index. The above predetermined percentage is, for example, 90%, but is not limited to this value.

[0190] (Second example of the second control example) The execution period of the high-temperature cooling control described above is a fixed time. The predetermined condition is that the elapsed time from the start of the high-temperature cooling control reaches a predetermined percentage of the fixed time. The predetermined percentage is, for example, 90%, but is not limited to this value.

[0191] (Third example of the second control example) For example, the start time for "Special Chilled" or "Rice Chilled" can be set by timer reservation. Furthermore, "Special Chilled" or "Rice Chilled" starts with low-temperature cooling control. In this case, the predetermined time refers to the remaining time until the start time of the timer reservation being within the predetermined time.

[0192] In the example shown in Figure 16, when the control unit 100 receives a first control start instruction for the first target room (S101), it determines whether the above predetermined conditions are met (S201). If the above predetermined conditions are met (S201: YES), the control unit 100 cools the first target room with the first cooling capacity (S103).

[0193] If the above predetermined conditions are not met (S201: NO), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the second control is being executed on the second target room (S102). If the second control is not being executed on the second target room (S102: NO), the control unit 100 cools the first target room with the first cooling capacity (S103). On the other hand, if the second control is being executed on the second target room (S102: YES), the control unit 100 cools the first target room with a second cooling capacity that is smaller than the first cooling capacity (S104).

[0194] The control unit 100 then determines whether the termination condition for the first control is met (S105). If the termination condition for the first control is not met (S105: NO), the control unit 100 returns to S102 and continues control. On the other hand, if the termination condition for the first control is met (S105: YES), the control unit 100 terminates the first control (S106).

[0195] <8. Advantages> In this embodiment, when the target temperature of the second storage chamber is lower than the target temperature of the first storage chamber, the control unit 100 cools the first storage chamber with a first cooling capacity if the difference between the target temperature of the first storage chamber and the target temperature of the second storage chamber is less than a predetermined value, and cools the first storage chamber with a second cooling capacity smaller than the first cooling capacity if the difference between the target temperature of the first storage chamber and the target temperature of the second storage chamber is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. With this configuration, if the cooling of the second target chamber is strong, the first target chamber adjacent to the second target chamber is cooled by indirect cooling from the second target chamber, so by cooling the first target chamber with a second cooling capacity which has a smaller cooling capacity, overcooling of the first target chamber is suppressed. This enables more appropriate cooling control.

[0196] In this embodiment, the control unit 100 reduces the supply of cold air to the first storage chamber when the difference between the target temperature of the first storage chamber and the target temperature of the second storage chamber is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, compared to when the difference between the target temperature of the first storage chamber and the target temperature of the second storage chamber is less than a predetermined value. With this configuration, if the cooling of the second target chamber is strong, the supply of cold air to the first target chamber can be reduced to prevent the first target chamber from becoming too cold.

[0197] In this embodiment, the control unit 100 cools the second storage chamber with a third cooling capacity corresponding to the target temperature of the second storage chamber, regardless of whether the difference between the target temperature of the first storage chamber and the target temperature of the second storage chamber is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. With this configuration, strong cooling can be reliably performed on the second target chamber whether or not cooling is performed on the first target chamber adjacent to the second target chamber.

[0198] In this embodiment, if there is a reservation for control to lower the target temperature of the second target room, the control unit 100 changes the cooling capacity for the first target room from the first cooling capacity to the second cooling capacity before lowering the target temperature of the second target room. With this configuration, by reducing the cooling capacity for the first target room in advance, it is possible to more reliably suppress overcooling of the first target room and reduce the power consumption of the refrigerator 1.

[0199] In this embodiment, the control unit 100 is capable of performing a special control for the second target chamber in which low-temperature cooling control, which controls the temperature inside the second target chamber to a temperature range including the second target temperature, and high-temperature cooling control, which controls the temperature inside the second target chamber to a temperature range higher than the above temperature range, are performed alternately, and the second control is the low-temperature cooling control. When predetermined conditions are met regarding the second storage chamber, indicating that the transition time from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control is approaching, the control unit 100 changes the cooling capacity for the first storage chamber from the first cooling capacity to the second cooling capacity before lowering the target temperature of the second storage chamber. With this configuration, by reducing the cooling capacity for the first target chamber in advance in accordance with the periodic control in the second target chamber, it is possible to more reliably suppress overcooling of the first target chamber and reduce the power consumption of the refrigerator 1.

[0200] In this embodiment, the predetermined condition is that the value of an index, which is an integrated or average value used to determine the timing of the transition from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control, reaches a predetermined percentage of the threshold value of the index. With such a configuration, it becomes easier to reduce the cooling capacity for the first target chamber in advance based on a predetermined criterion.

[0201] In this embodiment, the execution period of high-temperature cooling control is a fixed time, and the predetermined condition is that the elapsed time from the start of high-temperature cooling control reaches a predetermined ratio to the fixed time. With this configuration, it becomes easier to reduce the cooling capacity for the first target chamber in advance based on a predetermined criterion.

[0202] In this embodiment, the first storage chamber is a storage chamber 11 provided as a section within the refrigerator chamber 11A, and the second storage chamber is a storage chamber 11 provided as another section within the refrigerator chamber 11A. With this configuration, when strong cooling is applied to one of the two storage chambers provided within the refrigerator chamber 11A, it is possible to suppress excessive cooling of the other storage chamber.

[0203] In this embodiment, when the control unit 100 performs first control on the first storage chamber as the first target chamber and performs second control on the second storage chamber as the second target chamber, it changes the cooling capacity from the first to the second cooling capacity to cool the first storage chamber. When the control unit 100 performs first control on the second storage chamber as the first target chamber and performs second control on the first storage chamber as the second target chamber, it changes the cooling capacity from the first to the second cooling capacity to cool the second storage chamber. With this configuration, even if strong cooling is performed on one of the two storage chambers, it is possible to suppress overcooling of the other storage chamber.

[0204] In this embodiment, the control unit 100 is capable of executing a first special control in which a first low-temperature cooling control, which cools the first target chamber in a first temperature range including a first target temperature, and a first high-temperature cooling control, which cools the first chamber in a second temperature range higher than the first temperature range, are performed alternately. The control unit 100 is capable of executing a second special control in which a second low-temperature cooling control, which cools the second target chamber in a third temperature range including a second target temperature, and a second high-temperature cooling control, which cools the second chamber in a fourth temperature range higher than the third temperature range, are performed alternately. The first control is the first low-temperature cooling control, and the second control is the second low-temperature cooling control. With this configuration, when two low-temperature cooling controls with different set temperature ranges (target temperature ranges) are performed in two adjacent storage chambers, it is possible to suppress overcooling in the storage chamber with the higher set temperature range, making it easier to achieve the objective of the low-temperature cooling control for that storage chamber.

[0205] In this embodiment, when the control unit 100 performs a first low-temperature cooling control on the first target chamber, if it performs a second low-temperature cooling control on the second target chamber, it changes the cooling capacity from the first to the second cooling capacity to cool the first target chamber. When it performs a first high-temperature cooling control on the first target chamber, it executes cooling control on the first target chamber regardless of the content of the control for the second target chamber. With this configuration, when performing high-temperature cooling control on the first target chamber, it is not necessary to change the content of the cooling control for the first target chamber based on the content of the cooling for the second target chamber. This simplifies the cooling performance of the refrigerator 1.

[0206] According to at least one embodiment described above, the refrigerator comprises a first storage chamber, a second storage chamber adjacent to the first storage chamber, a cooling unit capable of cooling the first and second storage chambers, and a control unit capable of controlling the cooling unit. When the control unit performs a first control to cool the first target chamber, which is either the first or second storage chamber, toward a first target temperature, and does not perform a second control to cool the second target chamber, which is the other of the first or second storage chamber, toward a second target temperature that is at least a predetermined value lower than the first target temperature, the control unit cools the first target chamber with a first cooling capacity corresponding to the difference from the target temperature, and when the second control is performed on the second target chamber, the control unit cools the first target chamber with a second cooling capacity smaller than the first cooling capacity. With such a configuration, it is possible to provide a refrigerator that can perform more appropriate cooling control.

[0207] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0208] 1… Refrigerator 16A…First switching room (first storage room) 16B...Second switching room (second storage room) 40…Cooling section 43A...First damper device (first adjustment device) 43B...Second damper device (second adjustment device) 44A... Blower for the first switching room (first adjustment device) 44B... Blower for the second switching chamber (second adjustment device) 100... Control Unit

Claims

1. The first storage room and The first storage room and the second storage room adjacent to it, A cooling unit capable of cooling the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber, A control unit capable of controlling the cooling unit, Equipped with, The control unit, When the target temperature of the second storage chamber is lower than the target temperature of the first storage chamber, If the difference between the target temperature of the first storage chamber and the target temperature of the second storage chamber is less than a predetermined value, the first storage chamber is cooled with the first cooling capacity. If the difference between the target temperature of the first storage chamber and the target temperature of the second storage chamber is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the first storage chamber is cooled with a second cooling capacity smaller than the first cooling capacity. refrigerator.

2. The control unit reduces the supply of cold air to the first storage chamber when the difference between the target temperature of the first storage chamber and the target temperature of the second storage chamber is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, compared to when the difference between the target temperature of the first storage chamber and the target temperature of the second storage chamber is less than the predetermined value. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

3. Regardless of whether the difference between the target temperature of the first storage chamber and the target temperature of the second storage chamber is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the control unit cools the second storage chamber with a third cooling capacity corresponding to the target temperature of the second storage chamber. A refrigerator according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. If there is a reservation for control to lower the target temperature of the second storage chamber, the control unit changes the cooling capacity for the first storage chamber from the first cooling capacity to the second cooling capacity before lowering the target temperature of the second storage chamber. A refrigerator according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The control unit, Special control is possible for the second storage chamber, in which low-temperature cooling control is performed to control the temperature inside the second storage chamber to a temperature range including the target temperature of the second storage chamber, and high-temperature cooling control is performed to control the temperature inside the second storage chamber to a temperature range higher than the target temperature range. When predetermined conditions are met regarding the second storage chamber, indicating that the transition time from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control is approaching, the cooling capacity for the first storage chamber is changed from the first cooling capacity to the second cooling capacity before the target temperature of the second storage chamber is lowered. A refrigerator according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. The predetermined condition is that the value of an index, which is an integrated or average value used to determine the timing of the transition from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control, reaches a predetermined percentage of the threshold of the index. The refrigerator according to claim 5.

7. The execution period of the high-temperature cooling control is a fixed time. The predetermined condition is that the elapsed time from the start of the high-temperature cooling control reaches a predetermined ratio with respect to the fixed time. The refrigerator according to claim 5.

8. The first storage room is a storage room provided as part of the refrigerated room, The second storage room is a storage room provided as a separate section within the refrigerator room. A refrigerator according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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