refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator capable of performing more appropriate cooling control.SOLUTION: A refrigerator includes a housing, a cooling part, and a control part. The housing includes a storage part. The cooling part cools the storage part. In the case where control is executed in which first cooling control for cooling the storage part and second cooling control for cooling the storage part under a temperature zone or under an atmospheric pressure zone higher than the first cooling control are repeated alternately, the control part determines a shift period from the first cooling control to the second cooling control based on a first index, and determines the shift period from the second cooling control to the first cooling control based on a second index which has a different evaluation method from that of the first index.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerator. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a refrigerator capable of alternately repeating low-temperature cooling control for cooling a storage unit in a low temperature range and high-temperature cooling control for cooling a storage unit in a high temperature range. It is expected that the refrigerator will perform more appropriate cooling control. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-180732 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of performing more appropriate cooling control. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The refrigerator of the embodiment includes a housing, a cooling unit, and a control unit. , temperature detection section The housing includes a storage unit. The cooling unit cools the storage unit. When a control is executed that alternately repeats a first cooling control for cooling the storage unit and a second cooling control for cooling the storage unit in a temperature zone or a pressure zone higher than those of the first cooling control, the control unit determines a timing of transition from the first cooling control to the second cooling control based on a first index, and determines a timing of transition from the second cooling control to the first cooling control based on a second index having an evaluation method different from that of the first index. The temperature detection unit detects the temperature related to the storage unit. The first index is an index based on a temperature detected by the temperature detection unit in a first temperature detection period including a period of the low-temperature cooling control for which the transition time is to be determined and a period of the high-temperature cooling control immediately before the low-temperature cooling control. The second index is an index based on a temperature detected by the temperature detection unit in a second temperature detection period including a period of the high-temperature cooling control for which the transition time is to be determined. The second temperature detection period is shorter than the total period of the period of the high-temperature cooling control for which the transition time is to be determined and the period of the low-temperature cooling control immediately before the high-temperature cooling control. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] A cross-sectional view taken along line F2-F2 of the refrigerator shown in Figure 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigeration cycle device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of the functional configuration of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing changes in the chilled compartment temperature when special chilling is performed in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining a switching timing of cooling control in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 5A to 5C are diagrams showing a determination process using a first index and a second index according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 6 is a flowchart showing a control flow relating to a special child mode in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining the timing for switching cooling control in a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining a switching timing of cooling control according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions are given the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of those components may be omitted. "Based on XX" means "based on at least XX" and includes the case where it is based on another element in addition to XX. Furthermore, "based on XX" is not limited to the case where XX is directly used, but also includes the case where it is based on XX that has been subjected to calculation or processing. "XX" is any element (for example, any information).

[0008] (First embodiment) [1. Overall configuration of the refrigerator] A refrigerator 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 8. First, the overall configuration of the refrigerator 1 will be described.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a front view showing refrigerator 1. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F2-F2 of refrigerator 1 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, refrigerator 1 includes, for example, a housing 10, a plurality of doors 11, a plurality of shelves 12, a plurality of containers 13, a flow path forming component 14, a cooling unit 15, and a control board 16.

[0010] The housing 10 has an upper wall 21 , a lower wall 22 , left and right side walls 23 , 24 , and a rear wall 25 . The upper wall 21 and the lower wall 22 extend substantially horizontally. The left and right side walls 23, 24 rise upward from the left and right ends of the lower wall 22 and connect to the left and right ends of the upper wall 21. The rear wall 25 rises upward from the rear end of the lower wall 22 and connects to the rear end of the upper wall 21.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 2, the housing 10 has, for example, an inner box 10a, an outer box 10b, and a heat insulating section 10c. The inner box 10a is a member that forms the inner surface of the housing 10. The outer box 10b is a member that forms the outer surface of the housing 10. The outer box 10b is formed to be slightly larger than the inner box 10a, and is disposed outside the inner box 10a. The heat insulating section 10c, which includes a foamed heat insulating material such as urethane foam, is provided between the inner box 10a and the outer box 10b.

[0012] A plurality of storage compartments 27 are provided inside the housing 10. The plurality of storage compartments 27 include, for example, a refrigerator compartment 27A, a chilled compartment 27AA, a vegetable compartment 27B, an ice-making compartment 27C, a small freezer compartment 27D, and a main freezer compartment 27E. In this embodiment, the refrigerator compartment 27A is arranged at the top, the vegetable compartment 27B is arranged below the refrigerator compartment 27A, the ice-making compartment 27C and the small freezer compartment 27D are arranged below the vegetable compartment 27B, and the main freezer compartment 27E is arranged below the ice-making compartment 27C and the small freezer compartment 27D.

[0013] Chilled compartment 27AA is provided inside refrigerator compartment 27A and below a part of refrigerator compartment 27A. Chilled compartment 27AA is at least partially partitioned from other areas of refrigerator compartment 27A by a shelf, a wall, etc. Chilled compartment 27AA is cooled to a lower temperature than refrigerator compartment 27A because it is located lower than refrigerator compartment 27A and cold air can easily flow in thereto, and because it is located closer to refrigeration cooler 41, which will be described later, than refrigerator compartment 27A. Chilled compartment 27AA is an example of a "storage section."

[0014] The housing 10 has first and second partitions 28, 29. The first and second partitions 28, 29 are partition walls that are approximately horizontal. The first partition 28 is located between the refrigerator compartment 27A (chilled compartment 27AA) and the vegetable compartment 27B, and separates the refrigerator compartment 27A (chilled compartment 27AA) from the vegetable compartment 27B. On the other hand, the second partition 29 is located between the vegetable compartment 27B and the ice making compartment 27C and the small freezer compartment 27D, and separates the vegetable compartment 27B from the ice making compartment 27C and the small freezer compartment 27D. The second partition 29 contains, for example, a foam insulation material and has thermal insulation properties. The first partition 28 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin, and has lower thermal insulation properties than the second partition 29.

[0015] The openings of the multiple storage compartments 27 are openably and closably closed by multiple doors 11. The multiple doors 11 include left and right refrigerator compartment doors 11Aa, 11Ab that close the opening of refrigerator compartment 27A, vegetable compartment door 11B that closes the opening of vegetable compartment 27B, ice-making compartment door 11C that closes the opening of ice-making compartment 27C, small freezer compartment door 11D that closes the opening of small freezer compartment 27D, and main freezer compartment door 11E that closes the opening of main freezer compartment 27E. Refrigerator compartment doors 11Aa, 11Ab are doors that openably and closably close refrigerator compartment 27A including chilled compartment 27AA.

[0016] A plurality of shelves 12 are provided in the refrigerator compartment 27A. The multiple containers 13 include a chilled compartment container 13A provided in chilled compartment 27AA, first and second vegetable compartment containers 13Ba, 13Bb provided in vegetable compartment 27B, an ice making compartment container (not shown) provided in ice making compartment 27C, a small freezer container 13D provided in small freezer compartment 27D, and first and second main freezer containers 13Ea, 13Eb provided in main freezer compartment 27E. A front wall 13aa of chilled compartment container 13A functions as a door that closes chilled compartment 27AA in an openable and closable manner.

[0017] The flow path forming part 14 is disposed inside the housing 10. The flow path forming part 14 includes a first air passage part 31 and a second air passage part 32.

[0018] The first air passage part 31 is provided along the rear wall 25 of the housing 10 and extends in the vertical direction. The first air passage part 31 extends, for example, from the rear of the lower end of the vegetable compartment 27B to the rear of the upper end of the refrigerator compartment 27A. A first space D1, which is a passage through which cool air (air) flows, is formed between the first air passage part 31 and the rear wall 25 of the housing 10. The first air passage part 31 has a plurality of refrigerator compartment cool air outlets 31a, a chilled compartment cool air outlet 31b, and a cool air return port 31c. The plurality of refrigerator compartment cool air outlets 31a open to the refrigerator compartment 27A. The cool air flowing through the first space D1 is blown out from the refrigerator compartment cool air outlet 31a to the refrigerator compartment 27. The chilled compartment cool air outlet 31b opens to the chilled compartment 27AA. The cool air flowing through the first space D1 is blown out from the chilled compartment cool air outlet 31b to the chilled compartment 27AA. The cool air return port 31c opens to the vegetable compartment 27B. The cool air that has passed through the vegetable compartment 27B returns to the first space D1 from the cool air return port 31c.

[0019] The second air passage part 32 is provided along the rear wall 25 of the housing 10 and extends in the vertical direction. For example, the second air passage part 32 extends from the rear of the main freezing chamber 27E to the rear of the upper end of the ice making chamber 27C and the small freezing chamber 27D. Between the second air passage part 32 and the rear wall 25 of the housing 10, a second space D2 is formed as a passage through which the cold air (air) flows. The second air passage part 32 has a cold air outlet 32a and a cold air return port 32b. The cold air outlet 32a opens to the ice making chamber 27C and the small freezing chamber 27D. The cold air flowing through the second space D2 is blown out from the cold air outlet 32a to the ice making chamber 27C and the small freezing chamber 27D. The cold air return port 32b opens to the main freezing chamber 27E. The cold air that has passed through the main freezing chamber 27E returns to the second space D2 from the cold air return port 32b.

[0020] The cooling section (cooling unit) 15 cools a plurality of storage compartments 27 (refrigerating compartment 27A, chilled compartment 27AA, vegetable compartment 27B, ice making compartment 27C, small freezer compartment 27D, and main freezer compartment 27E). The cooling section 15 includes, for example, a first cooling module 40, a second cooling module 45, a compressor 49, and a refrigeration cycle device 50 (see FIG. 3).

[0021] The first cooling module 40 includes, for example, a cold storage cooler 41 and a cold storage blower 43. The cold storage cooler 41 is disposed in the first space D1. The cold storage cooler 41 is supplied with a refrigerant compressed by a compressor 49 (described later) and cools the cold air flowing through the first space D1. The cold storage cooler 41 is disposed, for example, at a height corresponding to the chilled compartment 27AA.

[0022] The refrigeration blower 43 is provided, for example, in the cold air return port 31c of the first air passage part 31. When the refrigeration blower 43 is driven, the air in the vegetable compartment 27B flows into the first space D1 from the cold air return port 31c. The air that flows into the first space D1 flows upward in the first space D1 and is cooled by the refrigeration cooler 41. The cold air cooled by the refrigeration cooler 41 is blown out from the multiple refrigerator compartment cold air outlets 31a to the refrigerator compartment 27A, and is blown out from the chilled compartment cold air outlet 31b to the chilled compartment 27AA. The cold air blown out to the refrigerator compartment 27A and the chilled compartment 27AA flows through the refrigerator compartment 27A and the chilled compartment 27AA, respectively, and then returns to the cold air return port 31c again via, for example, the vegetable compartment 27B. As a result, the cold air flowing through refrigerator compartment 27A, chilled compartment 27AA, and vegetable compartment 27B is circulated within refrigerator 1, thereby cooling refrigerator compartment 27A, chilled compartment 27AA, and vegetable compartment 27B.

[0023] The second cooling module 45 includes, for example, a refrigeration cooler 46 and a refrigeration blower 48. The refrigeration cooler 46 is disposed in the second space D2. The refrigeration cooler 46 is supplied with a refrigerant compressed by a compressor 49 (described later) and cools the cold air flowing through the second space D2.

[0024] The freezing blower 48 is provided, for example, in the cold air return port 32b of the second air passage part 32. When the freezing blower 48 is driven, the air in the main freezing chamber 27E flows into the second space D2 from the cold air return port 32b. The air that flows into the second space D2 flows upward in the second space D2 and is cooled by the freezing cooler 46. The cold air cooled by the freezing cooler 46 flows into the ice making chamber 27C, the small freezing chamber 27D, and the main freezing chamber 27E from the cold air outlet 32a. The cold air that flows into the ice making chamber 27C and the small freezing chamber 27D flows through the ice making chamber 27C and the small freezing chamber 27D, and then returns to the cold air return port 32b again via the main freezing chamber 27E. As a result, the cold air flowing through ice making compartment 27C, small freezing compartment 27D, and main freezing compartment 27E is circulated within refrigerator 1, cooling ice making compartment 27C, small freezing compartment 27D, and main freezing compartment 27E.

[0025] Compressor 49 is provided, for example, at the bottom of refrigerator 1. Compressor 49 compresses refrigerant gas used to cool storage chamber 27. The refrigerant gas compressed by compressor 49 is sent to refrigeration cooler 41 and freezing cooler 46 via condenser 51 (described later) and the like.

[0026] In this specification, "cooling" is not limited to the case where refrigeration blower 43 or freezing blower 48 is driven. For example, "cooling" also includes the case where refrigerant is sent from compressor 49 to refrigeration cooler 41 while refrigeration blower 43 is stopped, and the temperature of chilled compartment 27AA is reduced by heat transfer between refrigeration cooler 41 and chilled compartment 27AA.

[0027] The control board 16 is provided, for example, on the top wall 21 of the housing 10. In this embodiment, the top surface of the top wall 21 of the housing 10 has a recess 21a that is recessed downward. The control board 16 is disposed in the recess 21a.

[0028] [2. Refrigeration cycle equipment] The refrigerator 1 configured as above is cooled by a refrigeration cycle device 50 controlled by a control unit 100 described later.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing 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 refrigeration cooler 41, and a refrigeration cooler 46 in a ring shape in the order of the refrigerant flow. The condenser 51 and the dryer 52 are connected to the high-pressure discharge port of the compressor 49 in this order via a connecting pipe 56. The 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. The refrigeration side capillary tube 54 and the refrigeration cooler 41 are connected to one of the two outlets of the three-way valve 53 in this order. The refrigeration cooler 41 is connected to the compressor 49 via a refrigeration side suction pipe 57, which is a connecting pipe.

[0030] Of the two outlets of the three-way valve 53, the other outlet is connected in turn to a freezing-side capillary tube 55 and a freezing cooler 46. The freezing cooler 46 is connected to a compressor 49 via a freezing-side suction pipe 58, which is a connecting pipe. A check valve 59 is provided between the freezing cooler 46 and the compressor 49 to prevent the refrigerant from the refrigeration cooler 41 from flowing back to the freezing cooler 46 side.

[0031] Next, the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle device 50 will be described. 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, and flows through the flow path A. This gaseous refrigerant is dissipated heat by the condenser 51 to become a medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant. After that, the liquid refrigerant, from which impurities such as dirt and moisture have been removed by passing through the dryer 52, enters the refrigeration side capillary tube 54 (or the freezing side capillary tube 55) while being throttled and controlled by the three-way valve 53. At this time, the medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant in the refrigeration side capillary tube 54 (or the freezing side capillary tube 55) is depressurized while exchanging heat with the refrigeration side suction pipe 57 (or the freezing side suction pipe 58). Then, the depressurized refrigerant evaporates while passing through the refrigeration cooler 41 (or the freezing cooler 46), thereby cooling the refrigeration cooler 41 (or the freezing cooler 46).

[0032] The low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant then flows into the refrigeration-side suction pipe 57 (or the freezing-side suction pipe 58). The temperature of the refrigerant gas immediately after flowing into the refrigeration-side suction pipe 57 (or the freezing-side suction pipe 58) is low, at around -10°C. While passing through the suction pipe 57 (or suction pipe 58), this refrigerant gas exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the capillary tube 54 (or capillary tube 55), and is eventually heated to about room temperature. This refrigerant gas is then sucked back into the compressor 49, completing the circulation of the refrigerant.

[0033] In the above-mentioned refrigeration cycle apparatus 50, the three-way valve 53 is controlled by the control unit 100 (see FIG. 4) to select, for example, one of the flow paths B and C. The flow path B is a flow path that supplies the refrigerant to the refrigeration cooler 41. The flow path C is a flow path that supplies the refrigerant to the refrigeration cooler 46. These two flow paths B and C join at a joining point D. The refrigerant flows from the joining point D in the direction of the arrow E and returns to the compressor 49.

[0034] [3. Control] [3.1 Control-related functional configuration] 4 is a block diagram showing a part of the functional configuration of the refrigerator 1. The control board 16 is equipped with a control unit 100 consisting of a computer having a microcomputer, a timer, etc. The control unit 100 controls the entire refrigerator 1. The control unit 100 is connected to a refrigeration blower 43, a freezer blower 48, a compressor 49, a three-way valve 53, a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 110, a chilled compartment temperature sensor 111, a freezer compartment temperature sensor 112, a memory unit 116, and an operation panel unit 150.

[0035] The refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 110 is provided in the refrigerator compartment 27A and detects the air temperature of the refrigerator compartment 27A. The chilled compartment temperature sensor 111 is provided in the chilled compartment 27AA and detects the air temperature of the chilled compartment 27AA. The freezer compartment temperature sensor 112 is provided, for example, in the main freezer compartment 27E and detects the air temperature of the main freezer compartment 27E. In this specification, the air temperature of the refrigerator compartment 27A may be referred to as the "refrigerator compartment temperature", the air temperature of the chilled compartment 27AA may be referred to as the "chilled compartment temperature", and the air temperature of the main freezer compartment 27E may be referred to as the "freezer compartment temperature". The chilled compartment temperature sensor 111 is an example of a "temperature detection unit that detects the temperature related to the storage unit (chilled compartment 27AA)".

[0036] The refrigerator 1 may omit the chilled compartment temperature sensor 111 and estimate the chilled compartment temperature based on the detection result of the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 110 and the correlation between the refrigerator compartment temperature and the chilled temperature. In this case, the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 110 is an example of a "temperature detection unit that detects the temperature related to the storage section (chilled compartment 27AA)." In the following description, "the temperature detected by the chilled compartment temperature sensor 111" may be read as "the temperature estimated based on the detection result of the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 110."

[0037] The storage unit 116 stores information necessary for operating the refrigerator 1. For example, the storage unit 116 stores threshold values ​​and function expressions for performing correction processing, which will be described later. The operation panel unit 150 accepts user operations to instruct switching of the set temperature ranges and control modes of each storage compartment 27, and displays the settings and the current operating status.

[0038] [3.2 Basic operation] Next, a basic operation of the refrigerator 1 will be described. The control unit 100 executes a "refrigeration operation" and a "freezing operation" as basic operations of the refrigerator 1. The "refrigeration operation" means an 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 described above, the "refrigeration operation" is not limited to the case where the refrigeration blower 43 is driven, but also includes the case where the refrigeration blower 43 is stopped or driven at a very low speed. On the other hand, the "freezing operation" means an operation in which the three-way valve 53 is switched and liquid refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 49 to the refrigeration cooler 46.

[0039] The control unit 100 controls the cooling unit 15 so that the storage compartments 27 in the refrigeration temperature zone (refrigeration compartment 27A, chilled compartment 27AA, vegetable compartment 27B) and the storage compartments 27 in the freezing temperature zone (ice-making compartment 27C, small freezing compartment 27D, main freezing compartment 27E) are kept in their respective set temperature zones, for example, by alternately performing a refrigeration operation and a freezing operation. For example, the control unit 100 alternately cools the storage compartments 27 in the refrigeration temperature zone for a first predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) and cools the storage compartments 27 in the freezing temperature zone for a second predetermined time (for example, 40 minutes). The control unit 100 performs feedback control, such as PID control (Proportional Integral Differential Control) based on the refrigerator compartment temperature (or chilled compartment temperature) or the freezing compartment temperature, to keep the air temperature of the storage compartment 27, which is the main target of temperature management, between the upper limit and lower limit of the set temperature zone.

[0040] The control unit 100 may terminate the refrigeration operation and start the freezing operation even in the middle of the first predetermined time when, during the refrigeration operation, the refrigeration compartment temperature reaches the lower limit of the set temperature range of the refrigeration compartment 27A (or when the chilled compartment temperature reaches the lower limit of the set temperature range of the chilled compartment 27AA) or when the freezer compartment temperature reaches the upper limit of the set temperature range of the main freezer compartment 27E. The control unit 100 may terminate the freezing operation and start the refrigeration operation even in the middle of the second predetermined time when, during the refrigeration operation, the refrigeration compartment temperature reaches the lower limit of the set temperature range of the main freezer compartment 27E or when the refrigeration compartment temperature reaches the upper limit of the set temperature range of the refrigeration compartment 27A (or when the chilled compartment temperature reaches the upper limit of the set temperature range of the chilled compartment 27AA).

[0041] During refrigeration operation, the air temperature in storage compartment 27 in the refrigeration temperature range drops, but the air temperature in storage compartment 27 in the freezing temperature range rises. On the other hand, during freezing operation, the air temperature in storage compartment 27 in the freezing temperature range drops, but the air temperature in storage compartment 27 in the refrigeration temperature range rises. For this reason, the air temperatures in storage compartment 27 in the refrigeration temperature range and storage compartment 27 in the freezing temperature range repeatedly rise and fall in a sawtooth pattern (see FIG. 5).

[0042] [3.3 Control modes for chilled compartment] Next, the control modes related to the chilled compartment that the control unit 100 can execute will be described.

[0043] <Normal chilled> The "normal chilled" control mode is, for example, a control mode in which chilled compartment 27AA is cooled in conjunction with cooling of refrigerator compartment 27A in basic operation. That is, in the "normal chilled" control mode, cooling unit 15 is controlled based on the detected refrigerator compartment temperature and the set temperature range of refrigerator compartment 27A, and chilled compartment 27A and chilled compartment 27AA are cooled. In the "normal chilled" control mode, the chilled compartment temperature falls within a certain temperature range with an average temperature of, for example, 0 to 1°C.

[0044] <Special chilled> In the "special chilled" control mode, the chilled compartment 27AA is alternately cooled in a low temperature range and cooled in a high temperature range. The "special chilled" control mode is described below. In the "special chilled" control mode, for example, the cooling unit 15 is controlled based on the set temperature range and chilled compartment temperature of the chilled compartment 27AA instead of the set temperature range and chilled compartment temperature of the refrigerator compartment 27A.

[0045] 5 is a diagram showing the change in air temperature in chilled compartment 27AA when the "special chilled" control mode is executed. In the "special chilled" control mode, controller 100 alternates between low-temperature cooling control, which cools chilled compartment 27AA to a first temperature zone Ta, and high-temperature cooling control, which cools chilled compartment 27AA to a second temperature zone Tb that is higher than the first temperature zone Ta. Low-temperature cooling control is an example of a "first cooling control." High-temperature cooling control is an example of a "second cooling control."

[0046] The first temperature zone Ta is the set temperature zone of the chilled compartment 27AA during low-temperature cooling control. The average temperature of the first temperature zone Ta (i.e., the center temperature of the set temperature zone) is, for example, -5°C. The average temperature of the first temperature zone Ta is a temperature below the freezing point, that is, a temperature below 0°C. In this embodiment, the maximum value of the first temperature zone Ta is a temperature below 0°C. The first temperature zone Ta is a temperature that slightly freezes the surface of the food in the chilled compartment 27AA. The first temperature zone Ta is a temperature zone lower than the temperature zone of "normal chilling". The first temperature zone Ta is a temperature zone that can create a frozen layer only on the surface of the food in the chilled compartment 27AA, rather than freezing it to the center. The low-temperature cooling control is performed for an implementation time Sa (for example, about 2 hours) that is determined based on a first index described later.

[0047] The second temperature zone Tb is the set temperature zone of the chilled compartment 27AA during high-temperature cooling control. The average temperature of the second temperature zone Tb (i.e., the center temperature of the set temperature zone) is, for example, +1°C. The average temperature of the second temperature zone Tb is a temperature higher than the freezing point, and is a temperature of 0°C or higher. In this embodiment, the maximum value of the second temperature zone Tb is a temperature of 0°C or higher. The second temperature zone Tb is a temperature zone higher than the temperature zone of "normal chilled". The second temperature zone Tb is a temperature that can melt the layer of slightly frozen food on the surface of the food in the chilled compartment 27AA. The high-temperature cooling control is performed for an implementation time Sb (for example, about 7 hours) determined based on a second index described later. In this embodiment, for example, when the refrigerator compartment doors 11a, 11b are not opened or closed (i.e., when the chilled compartment temperature is stable), the first threshold value and the second threshold value described later are set so that the high-temperature cooling control is performed for a relatively long time compared to the low-temperature cooling control.

[0048] Here, "cooling (cooling in the refrigeration cycle)" in the refrigeration operation and freezing operation described above means that a refrigerant is supplied to a cooler (refrigeration cooler 41 or freezing cooler 46). In contrast to this, "cooling" in low-temperature cooling control and high-temperature cooling control means operating the refrigerator 1 so as to maintain the temperature in the first temperature zone Ta or the second temperature zone Tb. "Alternately repeating low-temperature cooling control (first cooling control) and high-temperature cooling control (second cooling control)" also includes a case where refrigeration operation and freezing operation are performed multiple times while low-temperature cooling control (first cooling control) is being performed, then refrigeration operation and freezing operation are performed multiple times while high-temperature cooling control (second cooling control) is being performed, and then refrigeration operation and freezing operation are performed multiple times while low-temperature cooling control (first cooling control) is being performed.

[0049] [3.4 Determining the timing to switch between low-temperature cooling control and high-temperature cooling control] Next, a method for determining the timing for switching between low-temperature cooling control and high-temperature cooling control will be described. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining the timing of switching between low-temperature cooling control and high-temperature cooling control. In this embodiment, the control unit 100 determines the timing of transition from low-temperature cooling control to high-temperature cooling control based on a first index, and determines the timing of transition from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control based on a second index that is evaluated using a different method from the first index. The details of this will be explained below.

[0050] [3.4.1 Difference between the first and second indicators] In this embodiment, the control unit 100 acquires the temperature values ​​T (T0, T1, T2, ...) detected by the chilled compartment temperature sensor 111 at a predetermined cycle (e.g., every minute). The control unit 100 calculates the first index and the second index based on the acquired temperature values ​​T.

[0051] The first indicator is an indicator (index) used to determine the timing of transition from low-temperature cooling control to high-temperature cooling control. "Determining the timing of transition from low-temperature cooling control to high-temperature cooling control" means, for example, determining the timing of ending low-temperature cooling control and starting high-temperature cooling control (i.e., the timing of changing the set temperature zone of chilled compartment 27AA from the first temperature zone Ta to the second temperature zone Tb). However, "determining the timing of transition from low-temperature cooling control to high-temperature cooling control" is not limited to the above example, and may mean at least one of determining the end point of low-temperature cooling control or determining the start point of high-temperature cooling control.

[0052] On the other hand, the second indicator is an indicator (index) used to determine the timing of transition from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control. "Determining the timing of transition from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control" means, for example, determining the timing of ending high-temperature cooling control and starting low-temperature cooling control (i.e., the timing of changing the set temperature zone of chilled compartment 27AA from second temperature zone Tb to first temperature zone Ta). However, "determining the timing of transition from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control" is not limited to the above example, and may mean at least one of determining the end point of high-temperature cooling control or determining the start point of low-temperature cooling control.

[0053] The first index and the second index are indexes having different evaluation methods. "Different evaluation methods" means, for example, that the calculation methods of the indexes are different, or that the acquisition periods of the physical quantities used in the calculation are different. "Different acquisition periods of the physical quantities used in the calculation are different" means, for example, that in addition to the physical quantities (e.g., temperature) detected from the time of the disclosure of the cooling control (the cooling control currently being executed) that is the subject of the determination of the transition period to the present, the physical quantities (e.g., temperature) detected during the period of the cooling control executed one or more times before are also included in the evaluation target.

[0054] The first index is, for example, an index based on an average value of the temperature detected by the chilled compartment temperature sensor 111. On the other hand, the second index is an index based on an integrated value of the temperature detected by the chilled compartment temperature sensor 111.

[0055] The first index is an index calculated, for example, based on the result of low-temperature cooling control and the result of high-temperature cooling control. "Based on the result of low-temperature cooling control" means based on a physical quantity detected during the period of low-temperature cooling control (reflecting the physical quantity in the calculation of the first index). Similarly, "based on the result of high-temperature cooling control" means based on a physical quantity detected during the period of high-temperature cooling control (reflecting the physical quantity in the calculation of the first index).

[0056] The second index is, for example, an index calculated based on at least the result of high-temperature cooling control. The second index is less influenced by the result of low-temperature cooling control than the first index is by the result of high-temperature cooling control. "The influence of the second index from the result of low-temperature cooling control" means the amount of variation in the value of the second index caused by the influence of a physical quantity detected during the period of low-temperature cooling control. Similarly, "the influence of the first index from the result of high-temperature cooling control" means the amount of variation in the value of the first index caused by the influence of a physical quantity detected during the period of high-temperature cooling control. In this specification, "being little influenced" also includes the case where the index is not influenced at all. For example, the second index is calculated based only on the result of high-temperature cooling control.

[0057] In this embodiment, the first index is an index based on temperatures detected during a period of low-temperature cooling control and a period of high-temperature cooling control. Meanwhile, the second index is an index based on temperatures detected at least during a period of high-temperature cooling control. And, the second index is less influenced by the detection results of temperatures detected during the period of low-temperature cooling control than the first index is influenced by the detection results of temperatures detected during the period of high-temperature cooling control.

[0058] In this embodiment, the first index is an index based on the average value of temperatures detected during the period of low-temperature cooling control for which the transition time is to be determined (i.e., low-temperature cooling control currently being performed) and the period of high-temperature cooling control immediately preceding the low-temperature cooling control, while the second index is an index based on the integrated value of temperatures detected only during the period of high-temperature cooling control for which the transition time is to be determined (i.e., high-temperature cooling control currently being performed).

[0059] [3.4.2 Correction process for the second index] When calculating the second index, the control unit 100 performs a correction process to correct the temperature detected by the chilled compartment temperature sensor 111 so as to move it away from 0°C, and calculates the accumulated value obtained by this correction process as the second index.

[0060] In this embodiment, the control unit 100 adds a fixed correction amount ΔT to the temperature value T detected by the chilled compartment temperature sensor 111, and calculates the integrated value as the second index (see formula (1)). When the average temperature of the second temperature zone Tb (i.e., the center temperature of the set temperature zone) is +1°C, ΔT is set to +4°C, for example. That is, the control unit 100 inflates the actually detected temperature value T by +4°C as the second index, and calculates the integrated value.

[0061]

number

[0062] [3.4.3 Determining when to transition] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a determination process using a first index and a second index. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram omitting temperature fluctuations due to refrigeration operation and freezing operation. In this embodiment, when low-temperature cooling control is being executed, the control unit 100 calculates a first index at a predetermined period (e.g., every minute) and compares the calculated first index with a first threshold value. When the first index falls below the first threshold value, the control unit 100 determines that the time to transition from low-temperature cooling control to high-temperature cooling control has arrived. The first threshold value is a target value of the average temperature in the low-temperature cooling control being executed and the immediately preceding high-temperature cooling control, and is, for example, -1°C.

[0063] For example, after transitioning from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control at time P2 in FIG. 7, the control unit 100 calculates a first index (i.e., the average value of temperatures in the low-temperature cooling control currently being executed and the immediately preceding high-temperature cooling control) at a predetermined cycle (e.g., every minute). At the start of low-temperature cooling control (time P2), the first index is the average value of temperatures in the immediately preceding high-temperature cooling control, and is, for example, a temperature close to +1°C. The first index then gradually decreases as time passes from the start of low-temperature cooling control (time P2). The control unit 100 then determines that the time to transition from low-temperature cooling control to high-temperature cooling control has arrived when the first index falls below a first threshold (e.g., -1°C).

[0064] On the other hand, when high-temperature cooling control is being executed, the control unit 100 calculates a second index at a predetermined period (e.g., every minute) and compares the calculated second index with a second threshold. When the second index exceeds the second threshold, the control unit 100 determines that the time to transition from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control has arrived. The second threshold is a target value for the integrated value of the correction result obtained by performing a correction process on the temperature in the high-temperature cooling control being executed, and is, for example, 1500 [°C·min] (=((1°C + 4°C) × 300 min).

[0065] For example, after transitioning from low-temperature cooling control to high-temperature cooling control at time P1 in FIG. 7, the control unit 100 calculates the second index (i.e., the integrated value of the corrected temperature in the high-temperature cooling control being executed) at a predetermined period (e.g., every minute). The second index is zero at the start of high-temperature cooling control. The second index gradually increases as time passes from the start of high-temperature cooling control (e.g., P1). The control unit 100 determines that the time to transition from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control has arrived when the second index exceeds 1500 [°C·min].

[0066] 4. Control Flow Next, the control flow for special children will be described. 8 is a flowchart showing a control flow for special child. The control unit 100 starts the process of this flow when, for example, a user operation to start the special child control mode is accepted by the operation panel unit 150.

[0067] First, the control unit 100 starts low-temperature cooling control (S101). The control unit 100 manages the initial low-temperature cooling control based on a fixed implementation time. For this reason, the control unit 100 determines at a predetermined cycle whether or not a predetermined time (e.g., two hours) has elapsed since the start of low-temperature cooling control (S102). If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the start of low-temperature cooling control (S102: NO), the control unit 100 repeats the process of S102. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of low-temperature cooling control (S102: YES), the control unit 100 ends the low-temperature cooling control and starts high-temperature cooling control (S103).

[0068] Next, when the high-temperature cooling control is started, the control unit 100 records the temperature detected by the chilled compartment temperature sensor 111 at a predetermined period (for example, every minute) in the storage unit 116 (S111). The control unit 100 also calculates an integrated value obtained by integrating a value obtained by performing a correction process on the temperature detected by the chilled compartment temperature sensor 111 as a second index (S112). Next, the control unit 100 determines whether the calculated second index exceeds a second threshold value (S113). If the calculated second index does not exceed the second threshold value (S113: NO), the control unit 100 repeats the processes from S111 to S113. On the other hand, if the second index exceeds the second threshold value (S113: YES), the control unit 100 ends the high-temperature cooling control and starts the low-temperature cooling control (S114).

[0069] Next, when low-temperature cooling control (second or subsequent low-temperature cooling control) is started, the control unit 100 records the temperature detected by the chilled compartment temperature sensor 111 at a predetermined cycle (for example, every minute) in the memory unit 116 (S121). Then, the control unit 100 calculates, based on the temperatures detected during the previous high-temperature cooling control period and the low-temperature cooling control period being executed stored in the memory unit 116, the average value of the temperature during the combined period of the previous high-temperature cooling control and the low-temperature cooling control being executed as a first index (S122). Next, the control unit 100 determines whether the calculated first index is below a first threshold value (S123). If the calculated first index is not below the first threshold value (S123: NO), the control unit 100 repeats the processes from S121 to S123. On the other hand, if the first index falls below the first threshold (S123: YES), the control unit 100 ends the low-temperature cooling control and starts the high-temperature cooling control (S124).

[0070] Thereafter, the high-temperature cooling control and the low-temperature cooling control are repeated based on the above process. For example, when a user operation to end the special chilled control mode is accepted by the operation panel unit 150, the control unit 100 ends the process of this flow.

[0071] [5. Advantages] As a comparative example, consider a control mode in which low-temperature cooling control and high-temperature cooling control are switched over a certain period of time. In this type of control mode, if the actual temperature in the chilled compartment changes due to opening and closing the door, there is a possibility that the state of the food will not satisfy the specifications (the food surface will not freeze sufficiently, or the frozen food on the surface will not melt sufficiently).

[0072] Therefore, in this embodiment, the control unit 100 switches between low-temperature cooling control and high-temperature cooling control based on an index related to the detected temperature. This allows the time for which the ongoing cooling control is continued to be adjusted even if the chilled compartment temperature changes due to external or internal factors, and prevents the food in the chilled compartment 27AA from losing freshness or freezing. In this embodiment, the control unit 100 determines the timing of transition from low-temperature cooling control to high-temperature cooling control based on the first index, and determines the timing of transition from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control based on the second index, which is evaluated in a different manner from the first index. With this configuration, cooling control can be performed based on two indexes corresponding to the characteristics of low-temperature cooling control and high-temperature cooling control, respectively. This allows appropriate cooling control to be performed.

[0073] Here, the end point of low-temperature cooling control is the point at which low-temperature cooling control has been performed for a period of time that achieves the purpose of low-temperature cooling control. Therefore, in order to more accurately determine the end point of low-temperature cooling control, it is important to reflect the results of high-temperature cooling control performed immediately before the low-temperature cooling control currently being performed. Therefore, the end point of low-temperature cooling control should preferably be an index based on the average value of temperatures detected during the period of low-temperature cooling control currently being performed and the period of high-temperature cooling control immediately preceding it.

[0074] Similarly, the end point of high-temperature cooling control is the point at which high-temperature cooling control has been performed for a period of time that achieves the purpose of high-temperature cooling control. Therefore, in order to more accurately determine the end point of high-temperature cooling control, it is important to reflect the results of low-temperature cooling control performed immediately before the high-temperature cooling control being executed. Therefore, the end point of high-temperature cooling control should preferably be an index based on the average value of temperatures detected during the period of high-temperature cooling control being executed and the period of low-temperature cooling control immediately before.

[0075] However, the control unit 100 switches between low-temperature cooling control and high-temperature cooling control by comparing the index with a threshold and detecting that the index exceeds or falls below the threshold. Therefore, there is a delay in switching between low-temperature cooling control and high-temperature cooling control by the control unit 100 with respect to the point at which the index actually exceeds or falls below the threshold. For this reason, if the average value of the temperatures detected during the period of low-temperature cooling control currently being performed and the period of the immediately preceding high-temperature cooling control is used as the index for determining the end point of low-temperature cooling control, and the average value of the temperatures detected during the period of high-temperature cooling control currently being performed and the period of the immediately preceding low-temperature cooling control is used as the index for determining the end point of high-temperature cooling control, the delays in the timing of each switch accumulate, and the implementation time of low-temperature cooling control and the implementation time of high-temperature cooling control each gradually become longer. In this case, it may be difficult to perform appropriate cooling control.

[0076] Therefore, in this embodiment, the first index is an index calculated based on the results of low-temperature cooling control and high-temperature cooling control. The second index is an index calculated based on at least the results of high-temperature cooling control. The second index is less affected by the results of low-temperature cooling control than the first index is affected by the results of high-temperature cooling control. With this configuration, the timing of transition from low-temperature cooling control to high-temperature cooling control can be determined more accurately based on the first index that reflects both the results of low-temperature cooling control and the results of high-temperature cooling control, and the accumulation of delays in the timing of each switch can be suppressed, and the implementation time of low-temperature cooling control and the implementation time of high-temperature cooling control can be suppressed from gradually becoming longer. This allows for more appropriate cooling control.

[0077] As described above, the temperature of chilled compartment 27AA changes due to external or internal factors such as opening and closing of refrigerator compartment doors 11Aa, 11Ab. This temperature change is more likely to be accompanied by an increase in chilled compartment temperature than a decrease in chilled compartment temperature. For this reason, in refrigerator 1, in order to bring the frozen state of the surfaces of the ingredients closer to specifications, it is preferable to perform low-temperature cooling control, which lowers the temperature of the ingredients, with greater precision than high-temperature cooling control, which raises the temperature of the ingredients.

[0078] Therefore, in this embodiment, a highly accurate index that reflects both the results of low-temperature cooling control and the results of high-temperature cooling control is used as the first index used in determining low-temperature cooling control. With this configuration, more appropriate cooling control can be performed, and the frozen state of the surface of the food material can be brought closer to the specifications with high accuracy.

[0079] From another point of view, when the refrigerator compartment doors 11Aa, 11Ab are not opened or closed, the control unit 100 executes the high-temperature cooling control for a relatively long time compared to the low-temperature cooling control. The index for determining the end time of the relatively long high-temperature cooling control is an index based on the integrated value of the temperature. On the other hand, the index for determining the end time of the relatively short low-temperature cooling control is an index based on the average value of the temperature. According to this configuration, as the first index used to determine the relatively short low-temperature cooling control, an index with good accuracy that reflects both the results of the low-temperature cooling control and the results of the high-temperature cooling control is used. This makes it possible to more accurately determine the implementation time of the relatively short low-temperature cooling control. On the other hand, even if there is some error in the implementation time of the relatively short low-temperature cooling control, it is unlikely to have a large effect overall. For this reason, as the second index used to determine the relatively long high-temperature cooling control, an index that mainly reflects the results of the high-temperature cooling control is used.

[0080] Here, when calculating an index related to the integrated value, if the detected temperature is near 0° C., the integrated value may never reach the threshold value, and the target cooling control may never be terminated.

[0081] Therefore, in this embodiment, a correction process is performed to correct the detected temperature away from 0°C, and the index related to the integrated value is calculated based on the value obtained by the correction process. With this configuration, even if the detected temperature is 0°C, the integrated value steadily approaches the threshold value, and a determination is made to end the target cooling control at an appropriate time. This makes it possible to perform more appropriate cooling control. Note that the correction process is not limited to adding a predetermined numerical value (ΔT), and may be a correction process that multiplies the detected temperature by several times (for example, doubles), or may be a correction process using another function.

[0082] (Modification) FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining the timing of switching cooling control in the modified example. In this modified example, the relationship between the first index and the second index is the opposite of that in the first embodiment. That is, the first index (an index used to determine the timing of transition from low-temperature cooling control to high-temperature cooling control) is an index based on at least the temperature detected during the low-temperature cooling control period. The first index is less influenced by the detection results of the temperature detected during the high-temperature cooling control period than the second index is influenced by the detection results of the temperature detected during the low-temperature cooling control period. For example, the first index is an index based on the integrated value of the temperature detected during the low-temperature cooling control period (i.e., the low-temperature cooling control being executed), for which the transition timing is to be determined.

[0083] On the other hand, the second index (an index used to determine the transition time from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control) is an index based on temperatures detected during the high-temperature cooling control period and the low-temperature cooling control period. For example, the second index is an index based on an average value of temperatures detected during the high-temperature cooling control period (i.e., the high-temperature cooling control being executed) for which the transition time is to be determined and the low-temperature cooling control period immediately preceding the high-temperature cooling control.

[0084] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the special chilled control mode is realized by controlling air pressure instead of / in addition to temperature. The configuration other than that described below is the same as the first embodiment.

[0085] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining the timing of switching the cooling control in the second embodiment. In the above-mentioned first embodiment, in the special chilled control mode, the first cooling control is low-temperature cooling control, and the second cooling control is high-temperature cooling control. Instead of this / in addition, the control unit 100 may alternately repeat the first cooling control (low-pressure cooling control) for cooling the chilled chamber 27AA under a first pressure zone and the second cooling control (high-pressure cooling control) for cooling the chilled chamber 27AA under a second pressure zone higher than the first pressure zone. The air pressure in the chilled chamber 27AA can be adjusted, for example, by driving a vacuum pump provided in the chilled chamber 27AA as a part of the cooling unit 15. The low-pressure cooling control is a cooling control that can slightly freeze the surface of the food in the chilled chamber 27AA, similar to the low-temperature cooling control of the embodiment. On the other hand, the high-pressure cooling control is a cooling control that can melt the slightly frozen layer formed on the surface of the food in the chilled chamber 27AA, similar to the low-temperature cooling control of the embodiment.

[0086] In this embodiment, the control unit 100 acquires an air pressure value detected by an air pressure sensor 160 (see FIG. 4) provided in the chilled compartment 27AA at a predetermined period (e.g., every minute). The control unit 100 calculates the first index and the second index based on the acquired air pressure value.

[0087] The first index is an index (e.g., an average value of air pressure) based on air pressure detected during a period of low-temperature cooling control and a period of high-temperature cooling control. Meanwhile, the second index is an index (e.g., an integrated value of air pressure) based on air pressure detected at least during a period of high-temperature cooling control. The second index is less influenced by the detection results of air pressure detected during a period of low-temperature cooling control than the first index is influenced by the detection results of air pressure detected during a period of high-temperature cooling control. With this configuration as well, more appropriate cooling control can be achieved.

[0088] Although several embodiments and modified examples have been described above, the embodiments and modified examples are not limited to the above examples. For example, the first index or the second index is not limited to the average value of the temperature detected during the period of the cooling control being performed and the period of another cooling control immediately before, but may be the average value of the temperature from the start of one or more previous cooling controls to the present (i.e., the judgment time). Similarly, the first index or the second index is not limited to the integrated value of the temperature detected during the period of the cooling control being performed, but may be the integrated value of the temperature from the start of one or more previous cooling controls to the present (i.e., the judgment time).

[0089] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, the refrigerator includes a control unit that determines the timing of transition from low-temperature cooling control to high-temperature cooling control based on a first index, and determines the timing of transition from high-temperature cooling control to low-temperature cooling control based on a second index that is evaluated using a method different from that of the first index. With this configuration, more appropriate cooling control can be performed.

[0090] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1...refrigerator, 10...casing, 15...cooling section, 27A...refrigeration chamber, 27AA...chilled chamber (storage section), 27E...main freezer chamber, 41...refrigeration cooler, 43...refrigeration blower, 46...freezer cooler, 48...freezer blower, 49...compressor, 100...control section.

Claims

1. a housing containing a reservoir; A cooling unit that cools the storage unit; a control unit that, when a control is executed that alternately repeats low-temperature cooling control for cooling the storage unit in a first temperature zone and high-temperature cooling control for cooling the storage unit in a second temperature zone higher than the first temperature zone, determines a timing of transition from the low-temperature cooling control to the high-temperature cooling control based on a first index, and determines a timing of transition from the high-temperature cooling control to the low-temperature cooling control based on a second index that is evaluated using a method different from that of the first index; a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the storage unit; Equipped with the first indicator is an indicator based on a temperature detected by the temperature detection unit during a first temperature detection period including a period of the low-temperature cooling control for which a transition timing is to be determined and a period of the high-temperature cooling control immediately before the low-temperature cooling control, the second indicator is an indicator based on a temperature detected by the temperature detection unit during a second temperature detection period that includes a period of the high-temperature cooling control for which a transition timing is to be determined, the second temperature detection period is shorter than a total period of the period of the high temperature cooling control for which the transition timing is to be determined and the period of the low temperature cooling control immediately before the high temperature cooling control; refrigerator.

2. the first index is an index based on an average value of the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit during the first temperature detection period, the second index is an index based on an integrated value of the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit during the second temperature detection period; 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

3. the first index is an index calculated based on a result of the low-temperature cooling control and a result of the high-temperature cooling control, The second index is an index calculated based on at least a result of the high-temperature cooling control, the second index is less influenced by the result of the low-temperature cooling control than the first index is by the result of the high-temperature cooling control; The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2.

4. an influence on the second index from the detection result of the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit during the low-temperature cooling control period is smaller than an influence on the first index from the detection result of the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit during the high-temperature cooling control period; The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a housing containing a reservoir; A cooling unit that cools the storage unit; a control unit that, when a first cooling control for cooling the storage unit and a second cooling control for cooling the storage unit under a higher pressure zone than the first cooling control are alternately repeated, determines a timing of transition from the first cooling control to the second cooling control based on a first index, and determines a timing of transition from the second cooling control to the first cooling control based on a second index having an evaluation method different from that of the first index; an air pressure detection unit for detecting an air pressure related to the storage unit; Equipped with the first indicator is an indicator based on an air pressure detected by the air pressure detection unit during a first detection period including a period of the first cooling control for which a transition time is to be determined and a period of the second cooling control immediately before the first cooling control, the second indicator is an indicator based on an air pressure detected by the air pressure detection unit during a second detection period including a period of the second cooling control for which a transition time is to be determined, the second detection period is shorter than a total period of a period of the second cooling control for which the transition timing is to be determined and a period of the first cooling control immediately before the second cooling control; refrigerator.

6. a housing containing a reservoir; A cooling unit that cools the storage unit; a control unit that, when a control is executed that alternately repeats low-temperature cooling control for cooling the storage unit in a first temperature zone and high-temperature cooling control for cooling the storage unit in a second temperature zone higher than the first temperature zone, determines a timing of transition from the low-temperature cooling control to the high-temperature cooling control based on a first index, and determines a timing of transition from the high-temperature cooling control to the low-temperature cooling control based on a second index that is evaluated using a method different from that of the first index; a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the storage unit; Equipped with the first indicator is an indicator based on a temperature detected by the temperature detection unit during a first temperature detection period including a period of the low-temperature cooling control for which a transition time is to be determined, the second indicator is an indicator based on a temperature detected by the temperature detection unit during a second temperature detection period including a period of the high-temperature cooling control for which a transition timing is to be determined and a period of the low-temperature cooling control immediately before the high-temperature cooling control, the first temperature detection period is shorter than a total period of the period of the low-temperature cooling control for which the transition timing is to be determined and the period of the high-temperature cooling control immediately before the low-temperature cooling control; refrigerator.

7. the first index is an index based on an integrated value of the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit during the first temperature detection period, the second index is an index based on an average value of the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit during the second temperature detection period; 7. The refrigerator according to claim 6.

8. One of the first index and the second index is an index based on an integrated value obtained by performing a correction process to correct the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit so as to move it away from 0° C. and integrating the value obtained by the correction process. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or claim 6.

Images