refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that is suppressed in power consumption more than that during an emergency such as a power failure and can cool a storing object for a longer time than before.SOLUTION: A refrigerator 100 includes: a cold room 111; a refrigeration room 116; a damper 126 disposed in a cool-air circuit that is oriented toward the cold room; an operation part 140; and a control unit 130. The control unit closes the damper to block a flow of cool air to the refrigerator as a first power saving mode when receiving a first operation via the operation part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for a refrigerator, and more particularly to a technology for a refrigerator equipped with a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment. [Background technology]

[0002] Refrigerators equipped with a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment have been known for some time. Technologies for saving power in refrigerators have also been known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-137181 (Patent Document 1) discloses a refrigerator. According to Patent Document 1, the refrigerator includes: a storage compartment configured within an insulated housing; a refrigeration cycle including a compressor and a cooler that generates cold air to be supplied to the storage compartment; and an operation unit that allows a user to switch at least one of the set temperature of the storage compartment and control of the refrigeration cycle. The refrigerator also includes a plurality of power-saving controls, each of which has a plurality of control constants corresponding to a degree of power saving, and a manual power-saving mode that executes a power-saving control selected by the operation unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-137181 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can cool stored items for a longer period of time than conventional refrigerators by reducing power consumption in an emergency such as a power outage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator including a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, a damper disposed in a cold air circuit leading to the refrigerator compartment, an operation unit, and a control unit. When a first operation is received via the operation unit, the control unit closes the damper to shut off the flow of cold air to the refrigerator as a first power saving mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to cool stored items for a longer period of time than before by reducing power consumption more than before in emergencies such as power outages. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an outline of an operation according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart showing control of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing control of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of a network system according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of the components are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. [First embodiment] <Overall configuration of the refrigerator>

[0009] First, the overall configuration of a refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0010] Refrigerator 100 is primarily composed of an insulated box 110. This insulated box 110 forms the storage space of refrigerator 100. The storage space formed by insulated box 110 is divided by a plurality of horizontally extending partitions into, for example, from the top down, a refrigeration compartment 111, a vegetable compartment 112, a first freezer area 113, an ice making and storage area 114, and a second freezer area 115. Note that hereinafter, first freezer area 113, ice making and storage area 114, and second freezer area 115 will collectively be referred to as freezer compartment 116.

[0011] Refrigerating compartment 111 is provided with left and right divided double-door refrigerator compartment doors 111L and 111R. Vegetable compartment 112 is provided with a drawer-type vegetable compartment door 112X. First freezing area 113 is provided with a drawer-type freezer compartment door 113X. Ice making and storage area 114 is provided with a drawer-type ice making compartment door 114X. Second freezing area 115 is provided with a drawer-type freezer compartment door 115X.

[0012] In refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment, a cooling mechanism 129 including evaporator 124, cooling fan 125, and damper 126 is disposed behind freezer compartment 116 provided on the lower level. Compressor 121, a condenser (not shown), and the like are disposed in machine compartment 120 outside heat-insulating body 110, and evaporator 124, cooling fan 125, and the like are disposed in cooling compartment 128 located inside heat-insulating body 110 at the rear.

[0013] A control unit is also provided inside refrigerator 100, as will be described later. This control unit controls each unit of refrigerator 100, such as cooling mechanism 129. That is, when control unit 130 drives compressor 121, operation of the refrigeration cycle is started and refrigerant circulates within the cycle. The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant compressed by compressor 121 is condensed in the condenser while releasing heat. Next, the high-temperature refrigerant expands in the expander to a low temperature and is sent to evaporator 124. The refrigerant that flows into evaporator 124 is cooled by adiabatic expansion, exchanges heat with the air circulating within cooling chamber 128, evaporates while absorbing heat, and becomes a gas refrigerant that is sent to compressor 121.

[0014] In this way, the refrigerant circulates and the refrigeration cycle operates, whereby cold air is generated through heat exchange with the evaporator 124 .

[0015] As described above, the evaporator 124 is disposed in the cooling compartment 128 provided on the rear side of the refrigerator 100. The cooling compartment 128 is disposed between each storage space and the rear side of the insulated box body 110. In addition to the evaporator 124, the cooling compartment 128 is provided with a cooling fan 125. The cooling fan 125 is provided to circulate air between the cooling compartment 128 and each storage space. That is, the cooling fan 125 sends out the cold air generated by the evaporator 124 during operation of the refrigeration cycle, etc., to each storage space via a cold air circuit 127 such as a cold air duct or an outlet, and also returns the cold air supplied to each storage compartment to the cooling compartment 128.

[0016] In this embodiment, a cooling damper 126 is provided between cooling fan 125 and the outlet to refrigerator compartment 111, and cooling damper 126 is opened when cold air should be sent to refrigerator compartment 111 or vegetable compartment 112 in accordance with an instruction from control unit 130. When cold air is not to be sent to refrigerator compartment 111 or vegetable compartment 112, that is, when cold air is to be sent only to freezer compartment 116, cooling damper 126 is closed in accordance with an instruction from control unit 130. <Configuration of refrigerator 100>

[0017] Next, one embodiment of the configuration of refrigerator 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment includes, as main components, control unit 130, operation unit 140, display 145, communication interface 160, speaker 170, cooling mechanism 129, door sensor 181, and interior light 182.

[0018] The control unit 130 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 131, a memory 132, a timer, various interfaces, and various circuits.

[0019] The CPU 131 executes programs stored in the memory 132 to perform various processes, which will be described later.

[0020] Memory 132 is realized by various types of RAM, various types of ROM, etc., and stores programs executed by CPU 131, data generated by the execution of programs by CPU 131, data input via operation unit 140, data received from a server via a router or the Internet, temperature control data for the refrigerator compartment 111, vegetable compartment 112, and freezer compartment 116, power saving control history data, and various other data necessary for executing the power saving mode of this embodiment.

[0021] The operation unit 140 is realized by buttons and / or a touch panel, and receives commands from the user and inputs the commands to the control unit 130.

[0022] Display 145 outputs characters, images, and the like based on a signal from control unit 130. Display 145 may simply be an LED light, or the like. Alternatively, display 145 and operation unit 140 may form touch panel 149.

[0023] Communication interface 160 is realized by an antenna for wireless communication, a connector for wired communication, etc. By using communication interface 160, control unit 130 exchanges various types of data with other devices such as a server or a communication terminal via a router, the Internet, etc. For example, control unit 130 transmits operation details, environmental information, audio data, power saving mode execution history, etc. to a server, and receives operation commands, audio data, etc. from the server, via communication interface 160.

[0024] The speaker 170 outputs voice messages, warning sounds, etc. based on voice data from the control unit 130. In this embodiment, the control unit 130 outputs from the speaker 170 voice received from the server via the communication interface 160 or voice stored in the memory 132.

[0025] The cooling mechanism 129 mainly includes a compressor 121, a condenser 122, a capillary tube 123, an evaporator 124, a cooling fan 125, and a cooling damper 126. The compressor 121 and the cooling fan 125 change their ON / OFF and rotation speed according to instructions from the control unit 130. The cooling damper 126 opens and closes according to instructions from the control unit 130.

[0026] Door sensor 181 detects whether refrigerator compartment doors 111R and 111L are open or closed, and inputs the detection result to control unit .

[0027] The interior light 182 turns on or off the LED light based on a signal from the control unit 130. In this embodiment, the control unit 130 turns on the interior light 182 based on a signal from the door sensor 181 when the refrigerator compartment doors 111R, 111L are open, and turns off the interior light 182 when the refrigerator compartment doors 111R, 111L are closed. <Power saving control of refrigerator 100>

[0028] CPU 131 of control unit 130 executes the following processes in accordance with the programs and data in memory 132. With reference to Figures 4 and 5, when a predetermined operation is performed on operation unit 140 (step S112) during normal operation mode (step S110), CPU 131 transitions to normal power saving mode (step S114). In the present embodiment, in the normal power saving mode, CPU 131 increases the set temperature of refrigerator compartment 111 and also increases the set temperature of freezer compartment 116.

[0029] When a predetermined operation is performed on operation unit 140 during the normal power saving mode (step S132), CPU 131 transitions to the emergency power saving mode (step S134). In this embodiment, as the emergency power saving mode, CPU 131 closes cooling damper 126 and further increases the set temperature of freezer compartment 116.

[0030] More specifically, the CPU 131 executes the following processes in accordance with the program in the memory 132.

[0031] For example, referring to Fig. 5, when a predetermined button on operation unit 140 is operated, for example, when on / off button 141 is pressed and held for five seconds (YES in step S112), CPU 131 transitions to normal power saving mode (step S114). In the present embodiment, CPU 131 sets the set temperature of refrigerator compartment 111 to 10°C, sets the set temperature of freezer compartment 116 to -15°C, stops communication with the server via communication interface 160, stops ice making, and turns off interior light 182. In this state, CPU 131 preferably causes LED 146 of on / off button 141 to flash.

[0032] It is also possible to provide a "power saving mode" which has a smaller power saving effect than the normal power saving mode but has almost no effect on stored items. In this case, the "power saving mode" can be turned on / off by simply pressing the on / off button 141 briefly. In the power saving mode, the set temperatures of the refrigerator compartment 111 and the freezer compartment 116 may be set to 5°C and -16°C, respectively, which are 1 to 2°C higher than in the normal mode, but the operation may be the same as in the normal mode. It is also preferable to light up the LED 146 of the on / off button 141 in the power saving mode. In the following description, the power saving mode is considered to be included in the normal mode.

[0033] The CPU 131 periodically outputs a voice message or a beep from the speaker 170 to indicate that the device is in the normal power saving mode (step S118).

[0034] When a predetermined button on operation unit 140 is operated, for example, when ON / OFF button 141 is pressed and held for five seconds (YES in step S120), CPU 131 ends the normal power saving mode and transitions to the normal mode (step S122). In this embodiment, CPU 131 transmits history information such as the type of power saving mode and the start and end times to the server via communication interface 160 (step S124).

[0035] When a predetermined button on operation unit 140 is operated during normal power saving mode, for example, when switching button 142 is pressed and held for five seconds (YES in step S132), CPU 131 transitions to emergency power saving mode (step S134). In this embodiment, as the emergency power saving mode, CPU 131 closes cooling damper 126, sets the set temperature of freezer compartment 116 to 10°C, stops communication with the server via communication interface 160, stops ice making, and turns off interior light 182. In this state, CPU 131 preferably causes LED 146 of on / off button 141 and LED 147 of switching button 142 to flash.

[0036] From the viewpoint of power saving, the set temperature of freezer compartment 116 is preferably 0° C. or higher. However, the set temperature is preferably 15° C. or lower, and more preferably 10° C. or lower, so that food and the like do not spoil easily.

[0037] The CPU 131 periodically outputs a voice message or a beep from the speaker 170 to indicate that the device is in the emergency power saving mode (step S138).

[0038] When a predetermined button on operation unit 140 is operated, for example, when ON / OFF button 141 is pressed and held for five seconds (YES in step S140), CPU 131 ends the emergency power saving mode and transitions to normal mode (step S142). In this embodiment, CPU 131 transmits history information such as the type of power saving mode and the start and end times to the server via communication interface 160 (step S144).

[0039] Furthermore, when a predetermined button on operation unit 140 is operated, for example, when switching button 142 is pressed and held for 5 seconds (YES in step S150), CPU 131 ends the emergency power saving mode and transitions to the normal power saving mode (step S118). [Second embodiment]

[0040] In addition to the above embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 130 suggests to activate or deactivate the power saving mode when the power supply from the outlet is restored after being interrupted. In this embodiment, the following process is performed according to the program in the memory 132.

[0041] 6, when CPU 131 detects that the power supply from the outlet has been interrupted and then restored (YES in step S102), it executes the process of step S103. That is, CPU 131 checks the set operation mode (stored in a flash memory or the like) and proceeds to S104 if the normal mode is selected, to S116 if the normal power saving mode is selected, and to S136 if the emergency power saving mode is selected.

[0042] If the normal mode is being executed, a voice message indicating that the power saving mode can be executed and a voice message indicating how to switch to the normal power saving mode are output from speaker 170 (step S104). For example, a voice message such as "There was a power outage. Was the power restored soon? If the power outage continues, please check your food. If the power has been restored by a battery storage system or the like, you can reduce battery consumption by setting the refrigerator to power saving mode." is output.

[0043] Furthermore, when CPU 131 detects that the power supply from the outlet has been interrupted and then restored (YES in step S102), if a power saving mode is set, CPU 131 executes the set power saving mode.

[0044] When the normal mode is being executed and a predetermined button on the operation unit 140 is operated, for example, when the on / off button 141 is pressed and held for 5 seconds (YES in step S112), the CPU 131 transitions to the normal power saving mode (step S114).

[0045] In this embodiment, after power from the outlet is restored, CPU 131 periodically starts outputting a voice message or beep from speaker 170 indicating that the refrigerator is in normal power saving mode (step S118B) until a predetermined refrigerator operation is performed (YES in step S116). A predetermined refrigerator operation is, for example, opening the door, pressing any or a specific operation button, etc.

[0046] When a predetermined button on operation unit 140 is operated, for example, when ON / OFF button 141 is pressed and held for five seconds (YES in step S120), CPU 131 ends the normal power saving mode and transitions to the normal mode (step S122). In this embodiment, CPU 131 transmits history information such as the type of power saving mode and the start and end times to the server via communication interface 160 (step S124).

[0047] When a predetermined button on operation unit 140 is operated during normal power saving mode, for example, when switching button 142 is pressed and held for 5 seconds (YES in step S132), CPU 131 transitions to emergency power saving mode (step S134).

[0048] In this embodiment, after power from the outlet is restored, CPU 131 periodically starts outputting a voice message or beep from speaker 170 indicating that the refrigerator is in emergency power saving mode (step S138B) until a predetermined refrigerator operation is performed (YES in step S136). The predetermined refrigerator operation is, for example, opening the door, pressing any or a specific operation button, etc.

[0049] When a predetermined button on operation unit 140 is operated, for example, when ON / OFF button 141 is pressed and held for five seconds (YES in step S140), CPU 131 ends the emergency power saving mode and transitions to normal mode (step S142). In this embodiment, CPU 131 transmits history information such as the type of power saving mode and the start and end times to the server via communication interface 160 (step S144).

[0050] Furthermore, when a predetermined button on operation unit 140 is operated, for example, when switching button 142 is pressed and held for 5 seconds (YES in step S150), CPU 131 ends the emergency power saving mode and transitions to the normal power saving mode (step S114). [Third embodiment]

[0051] In addition to the above embodiment, refrigerator 100 may output a voice message indicating that an even more powerful power saving mode is executable while refrigerator 100 is executing the normal power saving mode. More specifically, in steps S118, S118B, S138, and S138B, CPU 131 outputs, via speaker 170, a voice message indicating that an emergency power saving mode is executable and a voice message indicating an operation method for switching to the emergency power saving mode. CPU 131 may output the voice message in step S104. [Fourth embodiment]

[0052] In addition, in the emergency power saving mode, that is, in step S134, the CPU 131 of the control unit 130 may set the defrosting operation not to be performed or may set the defrosting start temperature to a low value. [Fifth embodiment]

[0053] In addition to the above embodiment, the refrigerator 100 may provide information indicating that the power saving mode has been activated or deactivated to a communication terminal of a family member of the user of the refrigerator 100.

[0054] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 , in this embodiment, server 200, which operates the monitoring service, stores the address of communication terminal 300 as the destination to which monitoring information is sent for each refrigerator 100. As described above, in step S140, various information related to the activation and deactivation of power-saving mode is sent from refrigerator 100 to server 200 via router 400, the Internet, etc. In response to this, server 200 transmits various information related to the activation and deactivation of power-saving mode from refrigerator 100 to communication terminal 300 associated with that refrigerator 100. In response, communication terminal 300 can output the information from a display or speaker. This makes it possible, for example, for a son or daughter living elsewhere to obtain recovery information and usage information related to a refrigerator 100 used by an elderly person. [Sixth embodiment]

[0055] The configuration of the above embodiment is also applicable to the case where the user's home of the refrigerator 100 is equipped with a solar battery 190 or a home storage battery 195, as shown in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, in step S102 of FIG. 6, if the CPU 131 detects that the power supply from the outlet has been interrupted and then restored, that is, if there is a possibility that the power supply from an external source such as a power company has been interrupted and then switched to power from the home storage battery 195 (YES in step S102), execution of the power saving mode is suggested. That is, the process of step S104 is executed. Furthermore, if the CPU 131 detects that the power supply from the outlet has been interrupted and then restored, it is also possible that the power supply from the home storage battery 195 has been interrupted and then switched to power from an external source such as a power company. Therefore, in the processes of steps S104, S118B, and S138B, a notification suggesting cancellation of the power saving mode may be issued when the external power source is restored. [Seventh embodiment]

[0056] In the above embodiment, the operation button for switching to the normal power saving mode and the operation button for switching to the emergency power saving mode are different, but they may be the same button. That is, the control unit 130 may switch to the normal power saving mode in response to a first predetermined operation on the operation unit 140, and switch to the emergency power saving mode in response to a second similar operation on the operation unit 140.

[0057] Alternatively, the long press time required to transition to the normal power saving mode and the long press time required to transition to the emergency power saving mode may be different. In this case, it is preferable that the long press time required to transition to the emergency power saving mode is longer. <Summary>

[0058] In the above embodiment, a refrigerator is provided that includes a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, a damper disposed in a cold air circuit leading to the refrigerator compartment, an operation unit, and a control unit. When the control unit receives a first operation via the operation unit, the control unit closes the damper to shut off the flow of cold air to the refrigerator as a first power saving mode.

[0059] Preferably, in the first power saving mode, the control unit sets a target temperature of the freezer to 0° C. or higher.

[0060] Preferably, when the control unit receives a second operation via the operation unit in the normal mode, the control unit switches to a second power saving mode and increases the target temperature of the refrigerator compartment and the target temperature of the freezer compartment. When the control unit receives a first operation via the operation unit during the second power saving mode, the control unit switches to the first power saving mode.

[0061] Preferably, the control unit does not execute a defrosting operation in the first power saving mode.

[0062] Preferably, the refrigerator further includes an interface for communicating with a server. The control unit stops communication with the server in the first power saving mode, and transmits history information regarding the execution of the first power saving mode to the server when the first power saving mode ends.

[0063] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. Furthermore, configurations obtained by combining the configurations of different embodiments described in this specification are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 100: Refrigerator 110: Insulated box 111: Refrigerator 111L: Refrigerator door 111R: Refrigerator door 112: Vegetable compartment 112X: Vegetable compartment door 113: First freezer area 113X: Freezer door 114: Ice making and storage area 114X: Ice compartment door 115: Second freezer area 115X: Freezer door 116: Freezer 117: Eva Cover 120: Machine room 121: Compressor 122: Condenser 123: Capillary tube 124: Evaporator 125: Cooling fan 126: Cooling damper 127: Cooling circuit 128: Cooling room 129: Cooling mechanism 130: Control unit 131:CPU 132: Memory 140:Operation unit 141: Power saving button 142: Refrigeration button 145: Display 146: LED 147: LED 150: Touch panel 160: Communication interface 170: Speaker 181: Door sensor 182: Interior light 190: Solar cells 195: Home storage battery 200: Server 300: Communication terminal 400: Router

Claims

1. A refrigerator compartment and A freezer and a damper disposed in a cold air circuit leading to the refrigerating compartment; An operation unit; a control unit; When the control unit receives a second operation via the operation unit in the normal mode, the control unit switches to a second power saving mode and increases the target temperature of the refrigerator compartment and the target temperature of the freezer compartment; When the control unit receives a first operation via the operation unit during the second power saving mode, the control unit switches to a first power saving mode and closes the damper to block the flow of cold air to the refrigerator compartment.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit stops at least one function other than cooling the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment in the second power saving mode.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit does not execute a defrosting operation in the first power saving mode.

4. further comprising an interface for communicating with the server; 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the control unit stops communication with the server in the second power saving mode and, when the refrigerator transitions to the normal mode, transmits history information related to execution of the second power saving mode to the server.

5. Further comprising a function for detecting the power supply state, 5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, when it is detected that the power supply has been interrupted and then restored, a notification is given about transitioning to the first power saving mode or the second power saving mode.

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