refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that can shorten the maximum ice crystal-producing zone transit time of a food product.SOLUTION: A refrigerator includes: a storage room capable of adjusting the internal temperature thereof; and a control unit for controlling the temperature of the storage room. The control unit runs: a normal mode of keeping the storage room at a predetermined temperature; a rapid cooling mode of cooling a food product stored in the storage room for a predetermined time; and a special mode of lowering the temperature of the storage room to a predetermined temperature and then cooling a food product for a predetermined time when the food product is stored in the storage room.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to refrigerators. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for providing a refrigerator that enhances the rapid cooling effect of a storage compartment capable of rapid cooling, suppresses deterioration of insulation performance, and improves the ease of installation of a ventilation fan that promotes rapid cooling. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-184092 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a refrigerator capable of shortening the time it takes for food to pass through the maximum ice crystal formation zone. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present disclosure provides a storage chamber having an adjustable internal temperature, a door for closing the storage chamber, a notification unit for outputting a predetermined notification, and a control unit for controlling the temperature of the storage chamber, the control unit having a normal mode for maintaining the storage chamber at a predetermined temperature, a rapid cooling mode for cooling food stored in the storage chamber by sending cold air into the storage chamber until a rapid cooling time is reached at which the food reaches the predetermined temperature, and a rapid cooling mode for cooling food stored in the storage chamber by sending cold air into the storage chamber when food is stored in the storage chamber after the temperature of the storage chamber has been reduced to below the predetermined temperature, so that the food stored in the storage chamber reaches the predetermined temperature. Once A special mode that cools the temperature until it reaches a certain level is implemented. In the special mode, the time required for the food stored in the storage compartment to be cooled to the predetermined temperature is shorter than the rapid cooling time, When the special mode is executed, the temperature of the storage compartment is lowered to below the predetermined temperature, and then the notification unit is caused to issue a predetermined notification, and when opening or closing of the door is detected, the food stored in the storage compartment is at the predetermined temperature. Once This refrigerator is characterized by cooling until the temperature reaches a certain level. Effect of the Invention

[0006] The refrigerator disclosed herein allows the user to select a quick-cooling mode or special mode to cool the storage compartment to a lower temperature than normal. This shortens the time it takes for food stored in the refrigerator to pass through the maximum ice crystal formation zone. It also allows more food to be quick-frozen than before. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] External view of refrigerator [Diagram 2] Vertical cross section of a refrigerator [Diagram 3] Diagram explaining the upper freezer compartment [Figure 4] Block diagram showing the control configuration of a refrigerator [Diagram 5] Diagram showing the operation panel [Figure 6] Flowchart showing whether or not the pre-cooling function is available [Figure 7] Flowchart showing the quench function [Figure 8] Flowchart showing pre-cooling function [Figure 9] A diagram showing the difference in time required to pass the maximum ice crystal formation zone with and without pre-cooling function DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] (The knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time when the inventors came up with the present disclosure, there was a technology in which a ventilation fan that ventilates a storage compartment in addition to the evaporator fan was provided in a refrigerator, and the cold air blown out by the ventilation fan was used to quickly freeze food stored in the storage compartment.

[0009] However, in a home refrigerator, quick freezing must be possible without sacrificing capacity. Therefore, the inventors discovered a problem that the quick freezing technology in a home refrigerator is only applicable to some foods that meet limited conditions, and in order to solve this problem, the inventors have come to constitute the subject of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a refrigerator that shortens the time it takes to pass through the maximum ice crystal formation zone by changing only the refrigerator control without sacrificing capacity.

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or duplicate explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming more redundant than necessary and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the accompanying screen images and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. [1-1. Configuration] [1-1-1. Refrigerator configuration] First, the overall configuration of a refrigerator 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Fig. 1 is an external view of a refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 1 shows a front view of the refrigerator 100. As shown in Fig. 1, refrigerator 100 has a storage compartment. This storage compartment is divided into a number of sub-compartments. Specifically, the storage compartment is divided into a refrigerator compartment 101, an ice-making compartment 102, an upper freezer compartment 103, a lower freezer compartment 104, and a vegetable compartment 105.

[0012] Refrigerator compartment 101 is maintained in a refrigerating temperature range (3°C to 6°C). Vegetable compartment 105 is maintained in a slightly higher temperature range (3°C to 8°C) than refrigerator compartment 101. Upper freezer compartment 103 and lower freezer compartment 104 are maintained in a freezing temperature range (-20°C to -18°C). Inside the refrigerator compartment 101, a switchable compartment 210 is provided that can switch between a partial temperature zone (-3°C to -1°C) and a chilled temperature zone (0°C to 2°C). The doors closing the ice making compartment 102, the upper freezer compartment 103, the lower freezer compartment 104, and the vegetable compartment 105 are each a drawer type door.

[0013] Next, the air passage configuration of the refrigerator 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of refrigerator 100. In FIG. 2, the left hand side corresponds to the front side of refrigerator 100, and the right hand side corresponds to the rear side of refrigerator 100. A compressor 201 is provided at the top of the refrigerator 100 and on the rear side of the refrigerator 100. Behind the lower freezer compartment 104, a cooling compartment 202 having at least a cooler 203, a cooling fan 204, and a defrost heater 205 is provided.

[0014] Partition plate 206 separating refrigerator compartment 101 from ice-making compartment 102 and upper freezer compartment 103 is provided with twin damper 220 composed of refrigerator compartment damper 221 and switchable compartment damper 222 (FIG. 5). A part of the cold air generated by the cooler 203 is supplied to the cold storage compartment duct 207 via the cold storage compartment damper 221. Then, the cold air is supplied from the cold storage compartment duct 207 to the cold storage compartment 101 via the discharge port 208 and the discharge port 209. Further, a part of the cold air generated by the cooler 203 is supplied to the switching compartment duct via the switching compartment damper 222, and the cold air is supplied from the switching compartment duct to the switching compartment 210 via the outlet.

[0015] The refrigerator compartment 101 and the switchable compartment 210 are provided with temperature sensors 231, 232, respectively, and the opening and closing operations of the refrigerator compartment damper 221 and the switchable compartment damper 222 are controlled based on the temperatures detected by these temperature sensors 231, 232.

[0016] In addition, a part of the cold air generated by the cooler 203 is supplied to the crisper duct. A crisper damper 224 is provided in the crisper duct, and the cold air is supplied to the crisper 105 through the crisper damper 224. A temperature sensor 233 is provided in the crisper 105, and the opening and closing operation of the crisper damper 224 is controlled based on the temperature detected by this temperature sensor 233.

[0017] A part of the cold air generated by the cooler 203 is supplied to the freezer duct 211. Then, the cold air is supplied from the freezer duct 211 to the lower freezer 104 via the discharge port 212 and the discharge port 213. Further, an outlet 214 is provided at the top of freezer duct 211 and at the rear surface of upper freezer compartment 103. Cool air discharged from outlet 214 is supplied to ice making compartment 102 and upper freezer compartment 103.

[0018] A duct cover 302 is attached to the top surface of upper freezer compartment 103 using screws, and this duct cover 302 forms cool air passage 215. This duct cover 302 is a duct-like member having a U-shaped or cylindrical cross section. The method for attaching duct cover 302 to the top surface of upper freezer compartment 103 is not limited to screws, and other methods such as welding may be used.

[0019] Furthermore, a rapid-cooling fan 216 is provided in front of the duct cover 302. The rapid-cooling fan 216 corresponds to an example of a ventilation fan in this disclosure. The cold air supplied from the discharge port 214 to the upper freezer compartment 103 is guided to a quick-cooling fan 216 by a cold air duct 215 . Furthermore, by driving the rapid cooling fan 216 on the leeward side of the cooling fan 204 at high speed, a large amount of low-temperature cold air is discharged into the upper freezer compartment 103. This makes it possible to rapidly cool or rapidly freeze food stored in the upper freezer compartment 103.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the refrigerator 100. The refrigerator 100 includes a control board 250 that is configured with a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. The control board 250 transmits and receives signals to and from each part of the refrigerator 100, and functions as a control unit that controls each part of the refrigerator 100. The control board 250 includes a communication unit 251 capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from a predetermined device provided inside the refrigerator 100 or outside the refrigerator 100. The control board 250 also includes a storage unit 252 that stores a predetermined operation mode of the refrigerator 100. The control board 250 controls each part of the refrigerator 100 according to the operation mode.

[0021] The control board 250 controls, for example, the rotation speed of the compressor 201, the air volume of the rapid cooling fan 216, the cooling fan 204, etc. in accordance with various operation modes stored in the storage unit 252. Furthermore, for example, the control board 250 acquires the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 231, 232, and 233 as detection values, and controls the opening and closing operations of the refrigerator compartment damper 221, the switching compartment damper 222, and the vegetable compartment damper 224.

[0022] When refrigerator 100 is operating, control board 250 normally controls each part of refrigerator 100 to maintain the temperature zones set in refrigerator compartment 101, ice-making compartment 102, upper freezer compartment 103, lower freezer compartment 104, and vegetable compartment 105. Hereinafter, such an operation mode of refrigerator 100 implemented by control board 250 is referred to as a normal mode.

[0023] In addition, in this normal mode, when control board 250 receives a predetermined signal, it causes ice making to be performed in ice making compartment 102. Hereinafter, such an operation of refrigerator 100 performed by control board 250 is referred to as a quick ice making function.

[0024] When the control board 250 receives a predetermined signal, it implements various operation modes called cooling assist. For example, when control board 250 receives a predetermined signal, it controls the rotation speeds of compressor 201, cooling fan 204, and quick-cooling fan 216, and controls each part of refrigerator 100 to quickly cool or quickly freeze upper freezer compartment 103 and the food stored in upper freezer compartment 103. Hereinafter, such an operation mode of refrigerator 100 implemented by control board 250 is referred to as a quick-cooling mode or a quick-cooling function.

[0025] When the rapid cooling mode is performed, the control board 250 switches between three operations, "cooling", "rapid cooling" and "rapid freezing", in response to the received signal. These operations have different times for performing the rapid cooling mode.

[0026] Specifically, when performing the "cool" operation, the control board 250 causes the refrigerator 100 to perform the rapid cooling mode for three or five minutes. When performing a "quick cool" operation, the control board 250 causes the refrigerator 100 to perform the quick cool mode for 10 or 15 minutes. When performing a "quick freeze" operation, the control board 250 causes the refrigerator 100 to perform a quick cooling mode for 45 or 60 minutes.

[0027] In this way, in refrigerator 100, food stored in upper freezer compartment 103 can be cooled more efficiently by changing the operation time of the rapid cooling mode depending on the food and the user's purpose.

[0028] When the control board 250 receives a predetermined signal, it lowers the temperature of the upper freezer compartment 103 to a predetermined temperature, and then, if food is placed in the upper freezer compartment 103, implements a special mode in which the food is cooled for a predetermined period of time. Specifically, when control board 250 receives a predetermined signal, it causes cooling fan 204 to rotate continuously and increases the rotation speed of compressor 201 to start continuous operation. Through these controls, in refrigerator 100, cold air tends to concentrate in upper freezer compartment 103, lowering the temperature inside the refrigerator. Hereinafter, this operation of refrigerator 100 is referred to as "pre-cooling" or pre-cooling function.

[0029] Thereafter, when the control board 250 receives a further predetermined signal, it performs the "quick freeze" operation. In this way, in the refrigerator 100, the upper freezer compartment 103 is cooled to a predetermined temperature in advance, so that the food stored in the upper freezer compartment 103 can be cooled more efficiently than when only the "quick freeze" operation is performed. Hereinafter, this special mode will be referred to as "pre-cooling + quick freezing" operation.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing operation panel 400. As shown in FIG. An operation panel 400 is provided inside the refrigerator compartment 101. This operation panel 400 is provided with a communication unit 410 capable of transmitting a predetermined signal to the control board 250. 5, the operation panel 400 is provided with a cooling assist button 401. When the user presses the cooling assist button 401, the button transmits a predetermined signal to the control board 250 via the communication unit 410, and functions as an operation unit that causes the control board 250 to implement various operation modes.

[0031] In refrigerator 100, a user can set a desired time for using the rapid cooling function of the refrigerator according to the purpose of use by using operation panel 400. In other words, a user can start cooling assist using this operation panel 400, and can use the rapid cooling function at a time corresponding to any of "cooling", "rapid cooling", "rapid freezing", and "pre-cooling + rapid freezing" according to the purpose of use.

[0032] Specifically, by pressing the cooling assist button 401, the user can set the desired time from six options: 3 minutes and 5 minutes for "cooling," 10 minutes and 15 minutes for "rapid cooling," and 45 minutes and 60 minutes for "rapid freezing." For example, if a user wants to cool food after cooking, the user can select 3 or 5 minutes, which corresponds to "cooling." Furthermore, when it is desired to shorten the time required to cool food, which conventionally took a certain amount of time to cool inside the refrigerator compartment 101, the user need only select 10 or 15 minutes, which corresponds to "rapid cooling."

[0033] The operation panel 400 is provided with LEDs 402, 403, 404, and 405. These LEDs 402, 403, 404, and 405 function as so-called indicators that light up in response to the pressing of a cooling assist button 401 by the user.

[0034] Next, the behavior of operation panel 400 in response to user operations will be described. When the user presses the cooling assist button 401, the LED 402 corresponding to "cooling" lights up. Then, "3 minutes" is displayed on the display unit 406 as the cooling time. When the user presses the cooling assist button 401 while "3 minutes" is displayed on the display 406, the LED 402 corresponding to "cooling" remains lit and "5 minutes" is displayed on the display 406 as the cooling time.

[0035] Also, when the user presses the cooling assist button 401 while "5 minutes" is displayed on the display unit 406, the LED 402 turns off and the LED 403 corresponding to "rapid cooling" turns on. Then, "10 minutes" is displayed on the display unit 406 as the rapid cooling time. When the user presses the cooling assist button 401 while "10 minutes" is displayed on the display 406, the LED 403 corresponding to "rapid cooling" remains lit, and "15 minutes" is displayed on the display 406 as the rapid cooling time.

[0036] When the user presses the cooling assist button 401 while "15 minutes" is displayed on the display unit 406, the LED 403 turns off and the LED 404 corresponding to "quick freezing" turns on. Then, "45 minutes" is displayed on the display unit 406 as the quick cooling time. When the user presses the cooling assist button 401 while "45 minutes" is displayed on the display 406, the LED 404 corresponding to "rapid freezing" remains lit and "60 minutes" is displayed as the rapid cooling time on the display 406. Furthermore, "60 minutes" is displayed on the display 406.

[0037] Furthermore, when the user presses the cooling assist button 401 while "60 minutes" is displayed on the display unit 406, the LED 404 turns off and the LED 405 corresponding to "pre-cooling + quick freezing" turns on. And when the user presses the cooling assist button 401 while "60 minutes" is displayed on the display unit 406 as the quick-cooling time, the LED 405 turns off and the display of the quick-cooling time by the display unit 406 ends. When the display unit 406 does not display the rapid-cooling time, this indicates that the refrigerator 100 is not executing the rapid-cooling function.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 4, refrigerator 100 includes notification unit 241. Notification unit 241 outputs a predetermined notification when a predetermined signal is received. In this embodiment, notification unit 241 includes a speaker which is an audio output device, and an LED which is a light-emitting element. Notification unit 241 outputs a voice message or a predetermined melody from the speaker and blinks the LED to notify the user of the status of refrigerator 100.

[0039] The control board 250 is configured to be able to receive a signal from a communication device 253 provided outside the refrigerator 100 and control each part of the refrigerator 100. The communication device 253 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, or a controller such as a remote control. In this embodiment, the communication device 253 is configured to be able to transmit and receive a predetermined signal to and from the control board 250 via a communication network 254 and a server 255.

[0040] [1-2. Operation] The operation of the refrigerator 100 configured as above will be described below. [1-2-1. Cooling Assist] The process when the refrigerator 100 executes the rapid cooling function will be described with reference to Fig. 6 to Fig. 8. Each step shown in the flowcharts of Fig. 6 to Fig. 8 is realized by the CPU in the control board 250 expanding a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing the program.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing how the control board 250 determines whether or not the pre-cooling function is present. When performing cooling assist, the refrigerator 100 determines whether or not to start the pre-cooling function (step 601).

[0042] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the quench function. When the pre-cooling function is not started (step 601: NO), the refrigerator 100 executes the rapid-cooling function (step 602). As shown in FIG. 7, when it is determined that the refrigerator 100 should start the rapid cooling function (step 701: YES), the refrigerator 100 starts the rapid cooling function (step 702).

[0043] Specifically, the refrigerator 100 identifies the rapid cooling time designated by the user and starts rotating the rapid cooling fan 216. In this case, the refrigerator 100 reduces the rotation speed of the cooling fan 204 compared to when the normal mode is implemented. Furthermore, the refrigerator 100 closes the refrigerator compartment damper 221, the switchable compartment damper 222, and the vegetable compartment damper 224, and increases the rotation speed of the compressor 201.

[0044] By these controls, cool air is more likely to concentrate on the rapid-cooling fan 216 in the refrigerator 100, improving the cooling efficiency of the rapid-cooling function. In this case, the display unit 406 displays the remaining rapid-cooling time. If refrigerator 100 starts the quick cooling function while the quick ice making function is being performed, the quick ice making function is stopped because cold air is concentrated at quick cooling fan 216.

[0045] Next, the refrigerator 100 judges whether or not to stop the rapid cooling function that is being executed (step 703). When refrigerator 100 starts the quick ice making function, or when a predetermined cancel operation is input on operation panel 400, or when refrigerator 100 receives a cancel instruction sent by communication device 253 via server 255, refrigerator 100 determines to cancel the quick cooling function (step 703: YES). When it is determined that the rapid cooling function is to be stopped, the refrigerator 100 proceeds to stop the rapid cooling function (step 706).

[0046] On the other hand, if it is determined that the rapid-cooling function should not be stopped (step 703: NO), the refrigerator 100 determines whether the time that has elapsed since the rotation of the rapid-cooling fan 216 was started in step 702 (in the following description, this time may be referred to as the elapsed time) has reached the rapid-cooling time specified in step 702 (step 704). When the refrigerator 100 determines that the elapsed time has reached the rapid-cooling time specified in step 702 (step 704: YES), the process by the refrigerator 100 proceeds to step 705. On the other hand, if the elapsed time has not reached the rapid-cooling time specified in step 702 (step 704: NO), the process of the refrigerator 100 returns to step 703.

[0047] Next, step 705 will be described. In step 705, the refrigerator 100 completes the rapid-cooling function. More specifically, the refrigerator 100 stops the rotation of the rapid-cooling fan 216, and further notifies the user that the rapid-cooling function has been completed by playing a voice message or a predetermined melody indicating that the rapid-cooling function has been completed. In this case, refrigerator 100 returns the rotation speed of cooling fan 204 to the normal rotation speed, returns the control of refrigerator compartment damper 221, switch compartment damper 222, and vegetable compartment damper 224 to the normal control, and returns the rotation speed of compressor 201 to the normal rotation speed.

[0048] Next, step 706 will be described. In step 706, the refrigerator 100 stops the rapid-cooling function. Specifically, the refrigerator 100 stops the rotation of the rapid-cooling fan 216 and notifies the user that the rapid-cooling function has been stopped by playing a voice message indicating that the rapid-cooling function has been stopped. In addition, refrigerator 100 returns the rotation speed of cooling fan 204 to the normal rotation speed, returns the control of refrigerator compartment damper 221, switch compartment damper 222, and vegetable compartment damper 224 to the normal control, and returns the rotation speed of compressor 201 to the normal rotation speed.

[0049] FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the pre-cooling function. When the pre-cooling function is to be started (step 601: YES), the refrigerator 100 performs the pre-cooling function (step 603). As shown in FIG. 8, when the refrigerator 100 determines that the pre-cooling function is to be started (step 801), the refrigerator 100 starts the pre-cooling function (step 802). Specifically, refrigerator 100 starts the quick ice making function designated by the user. In this case, refrigerator 100 starts continuous operation by continuously rotating cooling fan 204 and increasing the rotation speed of compressor 201. Through these controls, cold air tends to concentrate in upper freezer compartment 103, and the temperature inside the refrigerator drops.

[0050] Next, the refrigerator 100 judges whether or not to stop the pre-cooling function being executed (step 803). When a predetermined cancel operation is input on the operation panel 400, or when the refrigerator 100 receives a cancel instruction transmitted by the communication device 253 via the server 255, the refrigerator 100 judges to cancel the pre-cooling function (step 803: YES). When the refrigerator 100 determines that the pre-cooling function is to be stopped, the process of the refrigerator 100 proceeds to step 806. On the other hand, if the refrigerator 100 determines that the rapid cooling function should not be stopped (step 803: NO), the process proceeds to step 804.

[0051] Next, step 804 will be described. In step 804, the refrigerator 100 determines whether the time that has elapsed since the start of the pre-cooling function in step 702 (in the following description, this time may be referred to as the elapsed time) has reached the pre-cooling time specified in step 802. When the refrigerator 100 determines that the elapsed time has reached the pre-cooling time specified in step 702 (step 804: YES), the process of the refrigerator 100 proceeds to step 805. On the other hand, if the refrigerator 100 determines that the elapsed time has not reached the pre-cooling time specified in step 802 (step 804: NO), the process of the refrigerator 100 returns to step 803.

[0052] Next, step 805 will be described. In step 805, the refrigerator 100 completes the pre-cooling function. Specifically, the refrigerator 100 notifies the user that the pre-cooling function is completed by causing the notification unit 241 to play a voice message or a predetermined melody or to blink an LED, indicating that the pre-cooling function is completed. This allows the refrigerator 100 to make the user aware that the pre-cooling function is completed.

[0053] When the user recognizes that the pre-cooling function is completed, he places food in the upper freezer compartment 103, operates the cooling assist button 401, and selects "pre-cooling + quick freezing" again, the refrigerator 100 executes the quick-cooling function shown in FIG. As described above, in refrigerator 100, the user can specify a desired rapid-cooling time from among multiple options corresponding to “cool,” “rapid cooling,” “rapid freezing,” and “pre-cooling + rapid freezing” according to the purpose of using the rapid-cooling function.

[0054] Here, an experiment for measuring the cooling characteristics of the refrigerator 100 in this embodiment will be described. The inventors conducted experiments to verify the effect of the presence or absence of a pre-cooling function in refrigerator 100 on the time it takes for food to pass through the maximum ice crystal formation zone. In this experiment, a simulated load made to simulate the components of beef was used as a food sample to be cooled by the refrigerator 100. Therefore, the maximum ice crystal formation zone of this simulated load is -1°C to -5°C. The simulated load used was 150g, which had been stabilized at room temperature (25°C) before being placed in the refrigerator 100.

[0055] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the difference in time required to pass the maximum ice crystal formation zone depending on whether or not there is a pre-cooling function. Fig. 9 shows cooling graphs for "rapid freezing" and "pre-cooling + rapid freezing". The vertical axis of the graph shown in FIG. 9 indicates the temperature of the simulated load, and the horizontal axis indicates the time it took to cool the simulated load, with the start time of "quick freezing" being set to 0 minutes. In FIG. 9, the time taken for "pre-cooling" is omitted. As shown in Fig. 9, when only "rapid freezing" was performed on a sample stored in refrigerator 100, the time it took for the sample to pass through the maximum ice crystal formation zone was 44 minutes. On the other hand, when "pre-cooling + rapid freezing" was performed on a sample stored in refrigerator 100, the time it took for the sample to pass through the maximum ice crystal formation zone was 29 minutes.

[0056] From these results, it was found that the time required to pass through the maximum ice crystal formation zone can be shortened by pre-cooling in advance in the refrigerator 100. In other words, it was found that even if food cannot pass through the maximum ice crystal formation zone within 30 minutes by "rapid freezing" alone in the refrigerator 100, it can pass through the maximum ice crystal formation zone within 30 minutes by performing "pre-cooling + rapid freezing." This led the inventors to discover that it is possible to shorten the time it takes for food stored in refrigerator 100 to pass through the maximum ice crystal formation zone by pre-cooling the food beforehand.

[0057] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in the present embodiment, refrigerator 100 includes upper freezer compartment 103 whose internal temperature is adjustable, and control board 250 that controls the temperature of upper freezer compartment 103. The control board 250 implements a normal mode in which the upper freezer compartment 103 is maintained at a predetermined temperature, a rapid cooling mode in which food stored in the upper freezer compartment 103 is cooled for a predetermined period of time, and a special mode in which, after the temperature of the upper freezer compartment 103 is lowered to a predetermined temperature, food is cooled for a predetermined period of time if food is stored in the upper freezer compartment 103.

[0058] As a result, in refrigerator 100, the user can select and execute a rapid cooling mode or a special mode to cool upper freezer compartment 103 to a lower temperature than normal. Furthermore, in refrigerator 100, by executing a special mode in which upper freezer compartment 103 is pre-cooled and then a rapid cooling function is executed, the time it takes for food stored in upper freezer compartment 103 to pass through the maximum ice crystal formation zone can be shortened, and damage to the food due to freezing can be suppressed. Furthermore, in the refrigerator 100, the user can select and operate a quick-cooling mode or a special mode, thereby enabling quick-freezing of more food items than before.

[0059] As in this embodiment, the control board 250 is provided with an alarm unit 241 that outputs a predetermined alarm, and when implementing a special mode, the control board 250 may cause the alarm unit 241 to issue the predetermined alarm after lowering the temperature of the upper freezer compartment 103 to a predetermined temperature. This allows the user to store food in upper freezer compartment 103, which has been cooled to a predetermined temperature. Therefore, in refrigerator 100, the time it takes for food stored in upper freezer compartment 103 to pass through the maximum ice crystal formation zone can be shortened.

[0060] As in this embodiment, when the control board 250 executes the special mode, if the control board 250 does not receive a specified signal within a specified time after causing the notification unit 241 to execute the specified notification, the control board 250 may execute the normal mode from the special mode. As a result, in refrigerator 100, the special mode can be stopped when no food is stored in upper freezer compartment 103. Therefore, in refrigerator 100, the input of power can be suppressed, and energy can be saved.

[0061] As in this embodiment, upper freezer compartment 103 is provided with a rapid cooling fan 216 that sends the cold air supplied to upper freezer compartment 103 to the food stored in upper freezer compartment 103, and control board 250 may drive rapid cooling fan 216 for a predetermined period of time to cool the food for a predetermined period of time. This allows refrigerator 100 to achieve a rapid cooling function in upper freezer compartment 103. Therefore, refrigerator 100 can cool food stored in upper freezer compartment 103 more efficiently.

[0062] As in the present embodiment, the refrigerator includes a cooler 203 that generates cold air to be supplied to upper freezer compartment 103, a cooling fan 204 that sends the cold air generated by the cooler 203 to the storage compartment, a freezer compartment duct 211 that houses the cooler 203 and the cooling fan 204, and a duct cover 302 that forms an air passage that guides the cold air to upper freezer compartment 103. The rapid cooling fan 216 may be provided at a location of the duct cover 302 located inside upper freezer compartment 103. This allows refrigerator 100 to achieve a rapid cooling function in upper freezer compartment 103. Therefore, refrigerator 100 can cool food stored in upper freezer compartment 103 more efficiently.

[0063] (Other embodiments) As described above, the first embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. In addition, it is also possible to combine the components described in the first embodiment to create new embodiments. Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0064] In the first embodiment, when the user recognizes that the pre-cooling function is completed by the notification by the notification unit 241, he / she places food in the upper freezer compartment 103, operates the cooling assist button 401, and selects "pre-cooling + quick freezing" again, and the refrigerator 100 executes the quick-cooling function shown in FIG. 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When refrigerator 100 detects opening or closing of a door closing upper freezer compartment 103 after completion of the pre-cooling function, refrigerator 100 may execute the rapid cooling function shown in FIG.

[0065] In this case, the refrigerator 100 is provided with an opening / closing sensor that detects whether the door closing the upper freezer compartment 103 is opened or closed. The control board 250 acquires the detection result of the open / close sensor, judges whether the upper freezer compartment 103 is open or closed, and further judges whether or not to execute the rapid cooling function. Specifically, when the control board 250 determines after step 805 that the door blocking the upper freezer compartment 103 has been opened and then closed, it causes each part of the refrigerator 100 to execute a rapid cooling function.

[0066] This allows the control board 250 to detect the opening and closing of the door blocking the upper freezer compartment 103, thereby determining whether or not the user has placed food in the upper freezer compartment 103 after the pre-cooling function is completed, and therefore whether or not to cause the refrigerator 100 to perform the quick-cooling function. Therefore, in the refrigerator 100, it is possible to execute the rapid cooling function after the pre-cooling function is completed without the user operating the cooling assist button 401.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the refrigerator 100 performs the pre-cooling function and the rapid cooling function in the upper freezer compartment 103. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pre-cooling function and the rapid cooling function may be performed in other storage compartments, such as refrigerator compartment 101, ice-making compartment 102, lower freezer compartment 104, and vegetable compartment 105, or in sub-compartments thereof, of refrigerator 100. In this case, the storage compartment in which the pre-cooling function and the rapid cooling function are performed is provided with a duct that forms an air passage through which the cold air generated by the cooler is guided, and a ventilation fan provided in the duct.

[0068] In the first embodiment, the refrigerator 100 includes the notification unit 241, which notifies the user that the pre-cooling function has been completed by playing a voice message, a predetermined melody, or blinking an LED. However, this is not limited to the above, and the communication device 253 may be provided with an alarm unit 241, and the control board 250 may transmit a predetermined signal via the server 255, causing the alarm unit 241 of the communication device 253 to perform a predetermined alarm, thereby notifying the user that the pre-cooling function has been completed. In this case, for example, if the communication device 253 is a smartphone, the user may be notified by push notification that the pre-cooling function has been completed.

[0069] Moreover, each unit shown in FIG. 4 is an example, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. In other words, it is not necessarily required to implement hardware corresponding to each unit individually, and it is of course possible to configure the units so that the functions of each unit are realized by one processor executing a program. Also, in the above-mentioned embodiment, some of the functions realized by software may be hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be software. In addition, the specific detailed configurations of the refrigerator 100 and other units of the control board 250 may also be changed arbitrarily without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0070] 6 to 8 are divided according to the main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the operations of each part of the control board 250, and the present invention is not limited by the manner in which the processing units are divided or the names of the processing units. The processing units may be divided into more step units according to the processing contents. Furthermore, one step unit may be divided so as to include more processing. Furthermore, the order of the steps may be changed as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[0071] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like can be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0072] The present disclosure can reduce the input power to the anti-condensation heater and improve energy efficiency by suppressing condensation on the rotating partition using heat from the outside air transported by a heat transport means, and can therefore be applied to refrigerators of various types and sizes, such as home and commercial, that are equipped with a rotating partition. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 100 Refrigerator 103 Upper freezer (storage room) 203 Cooler 204 Cooling fan 211 Freezer duct (duct) 215 Cold air duct (air duct) 216 Rapid cooling fan (ventilation fan) 241 Information Department 250 Control board (control unit) 302 Duct cover

Claims

1. A storage room with adjustable internal temperature; A door that closes the storage chamber; A notification unit that outputs a predetermined notification; A control unit for controlling a temperature of the storage chamber, The control unit has a normal mode in which the storage chamber is maintained at a predetermined temperature; a rapid cooling mode in which cold air is sent into the storage compartment to cool the food stored in the storage compartment until a rapid cooling time is reached at which the food reaches the predetermined temperature; a special mode in which, when food is stored in the storage chamber after the temperature of the storage chamber is lowered to or below the predetermined temperature, cold air is sent into the storage chamber to cool the food stored in the storage chamber until it reaches the predetermined temperature; In the special mode, the time required for the food stored in the storage compartment to be cooled to the predetermined temperature is shorter than the rapid cooling time, When the special mode is implemented, the temperature of the storage compartment is lowered to or below the predetermined temperature, and then the notification unit issues a predetermined notification, and when opening or closing of the door is detected, the food stored in the storage compartment is cooled until it reaches the predetermined temperature. A refrigerator characterized by:

2. When the control unit executes the special mode, If a predetermined signal is not received within a predetermined time after the notification unit is caused to perform a predetermined notification, the special mode is switched to the normal mode.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1 .

3. The storage compartment is provided with a ventilation fan that sends the cold air supplied to the storage compartment to the food stored in the storage compartment, The control unit drives the ventilation fan for a predetermined time to cool the food for a predetermined time.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The storage chamber is divided into a plurality of compartments, The ventilation fan is provided in a freezing chamber, the inside of which is maintained in a freezing temperature range by the control unit, among the separate chambers.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3.

5. a cooler that generates cold air to be supplied to the storage chamber; A cooling fan that sends the cold air generated by the cooler to the storage chamber; a duct in which the cooler and the cooling fan are housed; a duct cover that forms an air passage for guiding the cold air to the freezing chamber, The ventilation fan is provided at a portion of the duct cover located inside the freezer compartment.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 4.

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