refrigerator

Abstract

This disclosure provides a refrigerator in which a display unit that also serves as an operating unit is provided on the side of the door, and which can inform the user of the refrigerator's set mode status regardless of whether the refrigerator door is open or closed. [Solution] The refrigerator in this disclosure comprises a housing having a storage compartment inside, a door supported by the housing so as to be openable and closable and closing the storage compartment, a setting unit for operating the settings of the refrigerator, and a control unit for executing the control set by the setting unit, wherein the setting unit is provided on the door, a light source is provided on the setting unit, the control unit determines the lighting setting of the light source based on the operating mode set by the setting unit, and notifies the user of the state of the setting mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 has a problem that when a control board is installed inside the refrigerator compartment, it is necessary to open the door to check the setting state, which causes cold air to escape and reduces refrigeration efficiency. Therefore, an operation board is provided on the surface of the refrigerator door to display only the minimum necessary information, so that the user can perform required operations without confusion. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0003] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-61121 Summary of Invention Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure addresses the problem that when an operation board is installed inside the refrigerator compartment, it is necessary to open the refrigerator compartment door to check the setting state, which causes cold air to escape and reduces refrigeration efficiency. The present disclosure provides a refrigerator that allows a user to perform required operations without confusion by providing an operation board on the surface of the outer door of the refrigerator compartment to display only the minimum necessary information. Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] A refrigerator according to the present disclosure includes: a housing having a storage compartment therein; a door supported by the housing to be openable and closable to close the storage compartment; a setting unit for operating settings of the refrigerator; and a control unit for executing control set by the setting unit, wherein the setting unit is provided on the door, a light source is provided in the setting unit, and the control unit determines lighting settings of the light source based on an operation mode set by the setting unit. Effects of the Invention

[0006] The refrigerator in this disclosure is equipped with an operating circuit board on the surface of the refrigerator door and displays only minimal information, thereby enabling the user to perform the necessary operations without confusion. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Front view of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 [Figure 2] Front view of the refrigerator with the refrigerator door open in Embodiment 1 [Figure 3] Front view of the refrigerator control board in Embodiment 1 [Figure 4] Block diagram showing the block configuration of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 [Figure 5] Flowchart showing the overall operation in Embodiment 1 [Figure 6] Flowchart showing the operation of the main board in Embodiment 1 [Figure 7] Flowchart showing the operation of the control board in Embodiment 1 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (Knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived this disclosure, the control board was located inside the refrigerator compartment, requiring the door to be opened to set functions, which reduced cooling efficiency. Furthermore, a dedicated notification mechanism had to be installed outside the refrigerator compartment to notify the function setting status. In order to avoid these issues, the control board was sometimes installed on the surface of the door outside the refrigerator compartment.

[0009] However, the inventors discovered that when the control board is installed on the surface of the door outside the refrigerator compartment, the aesthetic design is poor. To solve this problem, they arrived at the subject matter of this disclosure.

[0010] Therefore, this disclosure provides a refrigerator equipped with a notification function on the control board inside the refrigerator compartment.

[0011] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art.

[0012] The attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0013] (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0014] [1-1. Structure] [1-1-1. Refrigerator configuration] Figure 1 is a front view showing the front of the refrigerator 100 in Embodiment 1, illustrating an example configuration. The refrigerator 100 comprises a refrigerator compartment, an ice-making compartment, a convertible compartment, a freezer compartment, and a vegetable compartment. The front of the refrigerator 100 is covered by a total of six doors. At the top are double-hinged refrigerator compartment doors 101 and 102, beyond which is the refrigerator compartment. Below the refrigerator compartment doors 101 and 102 are the ice-making compartment door 103, the convertible compartment door 104, the freezer compartment door 105, and the vegetable compartment door 106. Each of the ice-making compartment door 103, the convertible compartment door 104, the freezer compartment door 105, and the vegetable compartment door 106 has a pull-out container attached to it, and when the ice-making compartment door 103, the convertible compartment door 104, the freezer compartment door 105, and the vegetable compartment door 106 are pulled out, the containers behind them are also pulled out in conjunction.

[0015] The pull-out container behind the ice-making compartment door 103 is used as the ice-making compartment, the pull-out container behind the switching compartment door 104 is used as the rapid-freeze switching compartment, the pull-out container behind the freezer compartment door 105 is used as the freezer compartment, and the pull-out container behind the vegetable compartment door 106 is used as the vegetable compartment. Note that the internal divisions of the refrigerator 100 described herein are illustrative and do not limit the present invention.

[0016] At the upper part of the refrigerator 100, a board 107 for controlling the refrigerator, and a board 108 for operating the settings of the refrigerator are mounted on the side surface of the refrigerating compartment door 102. Hereinafter, the board 107 in FIG. 1 is referred to as the first board, and the board 108 is referred to as the second board.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a configuration example in a front view when the refrigerating compartment door 102 of the refrigerator 100 in the first embodiment is opened. An operation board 108 is provided on the side surface of the refrigerating compartment door 102.

[0018] FIG. 3 shows a configuration example which is a front view of the operation board 108 in the first embodiment. The operation board 108 is provided with an RGB LED module 109 for notifying a special operation mode, and in a state where the refrigerating compartment door 102 of the refrigerator 100 is closed, notification is performed by reflecting light on the side surface of the refrigerating compartment door 101.

[0019] [1-1-2. Block Configuration of Refrigerator] FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram showing the block configuration of the refrigerator 100 in the first embodiment . The control unit of the refrigerator 100 includes a first board 201 and a second board 202. A microcomputer 203 is mounted on the first board 201, and a microcomputer 204 is mounted on the second board. Hereinafter, the microcomputer is referred to as a microcomputer. The first board 201 is an example of the "first board".

[0020] The microcomputer 203 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 205, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 210, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 211, an input unit 212, and a communication unit 209. The microcomputer 203 and the microcomputer 204 are examples of the "microcomputer".

[0021] The CPU 205 is a processor that reads the control program stored in the ROM 211 and executes processing to control the operation of the refrigerator 100. The CPU 205 reads the control program from the ROM 211 and functions as an update means 207 and a transmission means 208 to control the refrigerator 100.

[0022] The update means 207 updates the first identifier based on the input unit 212. The update means 207 is an example of an "update means".

[0023] The transmitting means 208 transmits a first identifier from the first substrate 201 to the second substrate 202. The transmitting means 208 is an example of a "transmitting means".

[0024] The input unit 212 is connected to the input circuit 213 provided on the first board 201 and receives signals from input loads 214, including, for example, temperature sensors in each storage room and switches that detect the opening and closing of doors in each storage room.

[0025] The communication unit 209 is connected to the communication circuit 215 provided on the first board 201 and communicates with the second board 202.

[0026] The microcontroller 204 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 206, an input unit 222, and an output unit 225. The microcontroller 204 is an example of a "microcontroller".

[0027] The CPU 206 functions as an update means 217, a decision means 218, an execution means 219, and a receiving means 220, and controls the normal operating mode and special operating mode settings of the refrigerator 100.

[0028] The update means 217 updates the special operation mode settings based on the input unit 222. The update means 217 is an example of an "update means".

[0029] The determination means 218 updates the lighting settings based on the first identifier and the special operation mode setting. The determination means 218 is an example of a "determination means".

[0030] The execution means 219 performs LED output via the output unit 225 based on the lighting setting. The execution means 219 is an example of an "execution means".

[0031] The receiving means 220 receives the first identifier from the first substrate 201 to the second substrate 202. The receiving means 220 is an example of a "receiving means".

[0032] The communication unit 221 is connected to the communication circuit 215 provided on the first board 201 and communicates with the first board 201.

[0033] The input unit 222 is connected to the input circuit 223 provided on the second board 202 and receives signals from an input load 224, which may include, for example, an ambient temperature sensor or a switch that detects a specific operation.

[0034] The output unit 225 is connected to the output circuit 226 provided on the second board 202 and receives signals from an output load 227, which may include a buzzer or LED that indicates a specific refrigerator state.

[0035] [1-2. Operation] [1-2-1. Overall Operation] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the refrigerator 100. Based on Figure 5, the operation from the state in which power is supplied to the refrigerator 100 (second circuit board 202) to the determination and execution of a special operating mode will be explained.

[0036] First, the second board 202 is determined to determine whether the special operation mode setting is ON or OFF (step S301). If the second board 202 determines that the special operation mode setting is ON (step S301: Yes), the LED is set to light up (step S302). The second board 202 receives the first identifier and starts the refrigerator door open determination process for the first identifier (step S304). If the second board 202 determines that the special operation mode setting is not ON (step S301: No), the LED is set to turn off (step S303).

[0037] Next, if the second circuit board 202 determines that the first identifier is open (step S304: Yes), the LED lights up dimly (step S305). If the second circuit board 202 determines that the first identifier is not open (step S304: No), the LED lights up brightly (step S306).

[0038] [1-2-2. First Identifier Update Process] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the update process for the first identifier. Based on Figure 6, the operation from the state in which the first board 201 is powered up to the update of the first identifier will be explained.

[0039] First, when power is supplied to the first board 201, the first board 201 processes the input of the refrigerator door switch from the input load 214 via the input circuit 213 and input unit 212 (step S401). The first board 201 then performs a first identifier update process using the update means 207 (step S402). After that, it transmits the first identifier to the second board 202 via the communication unit 209 (step S403).

[0040] [1-2-3. Special Operation Mode Settings] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the special operation mode setting process. Based on Figure 7, the process after receiving data from the first board 201 will be explained.

[0041] First, the second board 202 receives the special operation mode setting received from the first board 201 (step S501). Next, the second board 202 processes the special operation mode setting input from the input load 224 via the input circuit 223 and input section 222 (step S502). After that, it determines the special operation mode setting value (step S503).

[0042] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 comprises a first circuit board 201 and a second circuit board 202. The first circuit board 201 has a first identifier indicating the open / closed state of the refrigerator compartment door of the refrigerator 100, and the second circuit board 202 has a setting value for a special operation mode. The second circuit board 202 includes a receiving means 220 for receiving the first identifier from the first circuit board 201, an updating means 217 for updating the setting value for the special operation mode based on the input unit 222, and the first identifier and the setting value for the special operation mode. The system includes a determination means 218 that determines the output setting in the output unit 225, an output unit 225 that outputs the output setting, an output circuit 226, and an output load 227.

[0043] This allows the user to activate a special operating mode from the control board inside the refrigerator compartment without having to open or close the door. Therefore, there is no need to include a separate notification mechanism in the refrigerator's internal structure.

[0044] As in this embodiment, the configuration may also involve updating the first identifier from the input section 212 of the first substrate 201.

[0045] This allows the RGB LED module on the control board to be dimmed when the refrigerator door is opened. Therefore, it suppresses glare from strong light sources, enabling users to comfortably obtain visual information for extended periods.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control board 108 may be equipped with an RGB LED module 109 for notifying special operating modes.

[0047] As a result, the RGB LED module on the control board is installed on the side of the refrigerator door, and because the refrigerator door is made of metal parts, the light from the light source can be reflected more effectively. Therefore, it becomes possible for the user to easily recognize notifications regarding the status of the refrigerator.

[0048] In this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 may also be provided with a second substrate 202 on the side surface of the refrigerator compartment door 102.

[0049] This allows the light to illuminate when the refrigerator door is closed, provided a special operating mode is set. Therefore, it effectively makes it easier for users to recognize the information about the special operating mode.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second board 202 may be provided with means for setting a special operating mode from the input section 222. [Industrial applicability]

[0051] This disclosure allows the status of the refrigerator to be notified via an operating board located inside the refrigerator compartment, regardless of whether the door is open or closed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 100 Refrigerator 101 Refrigerator door 102 Refrigerator door 103 Ice maker door 104 Switching Room Door 105 Freezer door 106 Vegetable compartment door 107 circuit boards 108 circuit boards 109 RGB LED Module 201 First board 202 Second board 203 Microcontroller 204 Microcontroller 205 CPU 206 CPU 207 Update method 208 Transmission method 209 Communications Department 210 ROM 211 RAM 212 Input section 213 Input Circuit 214 Input load 215 Communication Circuit 216 Communication Circuit 217 Update method 218 Decision-making means 219 Execution method 220 Receiving means 221 Communications Department 222 Input section 223 Input Circuit 224 Input load 225 Output section 226 Output Circuit 227 Output load

Claims

1. A casing with a storage chamber inside, A door supported by the housing so as to be openable and closable and closing off the storage chamber, The setting unit for operating the refrigerator settings, A refrigerator comprising a control unit that executes the control set by the setting unit, The aforementioned door is provided with the aforementioned setting section, The setting unit is provided with a light source. The refrigerator is characterized in that the control unit determines the lighting setting of the light source based on the operating mode set by the setting unit.

2. A detection unit (first identifier) ​​that detects the opening and closing of the aforementioned door, The system includes a receiving unit that receives door opening and closing information from the detection unit, When the receiving unit receives information that the door is open, the control unit, A refrigerator characterized by dimming the illumination of the aforementioned light source.

3. The setting unit is installed on the side of the refrigerator door, A refrigerator characterized in that the door is made of metal.

4. The aforementioned operating modes include a normal operating mode for a predetermined function and a special operating mode for a function other than the predetermined function. When the special operation mode is set, the control unit turns on the light source when the door is closed. When the normal operation mode is set, the light turns off when the door is closed.

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