Refrigerator and refrigeration system

Abstract

This refrigerator has a thermally insulated box body with a storage compartment inside, a first capacitive sensor and a second capacitive sensor installed on a side surface, back surface or ceiling surface of the storage compartment to detect capacitance corresponding to the distance to a stored object stored in the storage compartment, and a control device that determines the presence or absence of the stored object on the basis of detection results from the first capacitive sensor and the second capacitive sensor, wherein a capacitance detection direction of the first capacitive sensor and a capacitance detection direction of the second capacitive sensor intersect inside the storage compartment. This facilitates the detection of a stored object placed at a position that is difficult for a user to see.

Description

Refrigerators and refrigeration systems

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to refrigerators and refrigeration systems for preserving supplies.

[0002] Conventionally, refrigerators have been known in which the storage compartment for storing food is divided into multiple shelves. In recent years, as refrigerator insulation has improved, the walls constituting the exterior of the refrigerator have become thinner, and the storage capacity of the storage compartment has tended to increase. As the storage capacity of the storage compartment increases, it becomes difficult for a user to see food stored at the back of the shelves. For example, when a user stores new food in a storage compartment where other food is already stored, the user picks up the new food and pushes the existing food toward the back to make space for the new food. If the size of the food stored at the back of the shelves is smaller than the size of the food stored at the front of the shelves, the food stored at the back becomes difficult to see when the user looks at the storage compartment from the front. If a user forgets about the existence of food stored at the back of the storage compartment for a long period of time, the food may be past its expiration date when the user remembers the existence of the food.

[0003] One example of a refrigerator that manages stored items such as food in a storage compartment is one that detects the remaining amount of liquid by measuring the capacitance formed between a liquid container containing the liquid to be managed and a sensor electrode (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The refrigerator disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a pocket that accommodates the liquid container, multiple sensor electrodes arranged vertically on the inner wall of the pocket that contacts the side of the liquid container, and a processing unit that estimates the remaining amount of liquid from the capacitance measured by each sensor electrode. In the refrigerator disclosed in Patent Document 1, the liquid container is stored in a predetermined pocket, so that the detection direction of each sensor electrode is maintained in a positional relationship with the liquid to be managed, allowing the remaining amount of liquid to be estimated from the capacitance of each sensor electrode.

[0004] International Publication No. 2020 / 226068

[0005] When the refrigerator management method disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied to the management of stored items stored in a storage compartment, even if the stored item is near the sensor electrode, if the stored item is not positioned in the detection direction of the sensor electrode, the capacitance cannot be measured accurately, and there is a risk that the stored item will not be detected.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a refrigerator and a refrigeration system with improved detection capabilities for stored items stored in locations in the storage compartment that are difficult for the user to see.

[0007] The refrigerator according to the present disclosure comprises an insulated box body having a storage compartment therein, a first capacitance sensor and a second capacitance sensor provided on the side, back or ceiling of the storage compartment to detect capacitance corresponding to the distance to stored items stored in the storage compartment, and a control device that determines the presence or absence of the stored items based on the detection results of the first capacitance sensor and the second capacitance sensor, wherein the direction of detection of the capacitance of the first capacitance sensor and the direction of detection of the capacitance of the second capacitance sensor intersect within the storage compartment.

[0008] The refrigerator according to the present disclosure comprises an insulated box having a storage compartment therein, a first capacitance sensor provided on the side, back or ceiling of the storage compartment and detecting a capacitance corresponding to the distance to a stored item stored in the storage compartment, a protrusion provided in the storage compartment and protruding in a direction away from the back or side, a second capacitance sensor provided on the protrusion and detecting the capacitance, and a control device that determines the presence or absence of the stored item based on the detection results of the first capacitance sensor and the second capacitance sensor, wherein the direction of detection of the capacitance of the first capacitance sensor and the direction of detection of the capacitance of the second capacitance sensor intersect within the storage compartment.

[0009] The refrigeration system of the present disclosure comprises a refrigerator having an insulated box body with a storage compartment inside, a first capacitance sensor and a second capacitance sensor provided on the side, back or ceiling of the storage compartment and detecting a capacitance corresponding to the distance to a stored item stored in the storage compartment, and an information processing device that determines the presence or absence of the stored item based on the detection results of the first capacitance sensor and the second capacitance sensor, wherein the capacitance detection direction of the first capacitance sensor and the capacitance detection direction of the second capacitance sensor intersect within the storage compartment.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, a first capacitance sensor and a second capacitance sensor are provided on the side, back, or ceiling of a storage compartment. The capacitance detection direction of the first capacitance sensor and the capacitance detection direction of the second capacitance sensor intersect within the storage compartment. Therefore, compared to a single type of sensor with a single detection direction, a stored item stored near the back or side of the storage compartment is more likely to be detected by one of the two types of sensors with different detection directions. This improves the ability to detect stored items stored in locations in the storage compartment that are difficult for users to see.

[0011] 1. A block diagram showing an example configuration of a refrigeration system 100 according to the first embodiment. 2. A front view of a refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. 3. A perspective view of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 2. 4. A schematic cross-sectional view of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 2 taken along line A-A in FIG. 2. 5. A diagram showing the interior of the refrigerator compartment 41 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front with the refrigerator compartment door 51 of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 2 open. 6. A schematic cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 5. 7. An enlarged schematic view of the portion enclosed by the dashed line frame shown in FIG. 5. 8. An external view showing an example configuration of first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-3. 9. A schematic view for explaining the capacitance detection ranges of the first capacitance sensor 7-k and the second capacitance sensor 8-j. 10. An enlarged view of a portion of the left half of the schematic cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 6. 11. A block diagram showing an example configuration of the control device 30 shown in FIG. 4. 12. A diagram showing an example of information stored in the memory unit 32 shown in FIG. 11. 13. A diagram showing another example of information stored in the memory unit 32 shown in FIG. 11. 14. A diagram for explaining a method by which the control unit 31 shown in FIG. 11 determines whether or not a stored item is present. 12 is a diagram for explaining information stored in the memory unit 32 regarding stored items 15a and 15b stored in the refrigerator compartment 41. It is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit 31 shown in FIG. 11. It is a hardware configuration diagram showing another example of the configuration of the control unit 31 shown in FIG. 11. It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 300 shown in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing terminal 200 shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing another example of the arrangement of capacitance sensors in the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. It is an enlarged view of shelf supports 21a to 21c and their surroundings in the refrigerator compartment 41 in FIG. 4. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram when the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment is cut along the XZ plane passing through the shelf support 21a and the fourth capacitance sensor 10-1. It is an enlarged view of the ceiling surface 4c of the refrigerator compartment 41 in FIG. 4 and its surroundings.

[0012] Embodiments of a refrigerator and a refrigeration system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, the size of each component and the relationship between components in the drawings may differ from the actual size. For ease of explanation of the refrigerator's configuration, some of the drawings show three axes, the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis, which define directions in three-dimensional space. Of the three axes, for the Y-axis, the direction opposite the Y-axis arrow is the front side of the refrigerator, and the direction of the Y-axis arrow is the rear side of the refrigerator. Furthermore, the direction opposite the Z-axis arrow is the vertical direction.

[0013] Embodiment 1. The configuration of a refrigeration system according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a refrigeration system 100 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigeration system 100 includes a refrigerator 1 and an external device such as an information processing terminal 200 or an information processing device 300. The refrigerator 1 is communicatively connected to the information processing terminal 200 and the information processing device 300 via a network NW. The network NW is, for example, the Internet.

[0014] The information processing terminal 200 is an information processing device operated by the user of the refrigerator 1. The number of information processing terminals 200 is not limited to one, and may be multiple. The information processing device 300 is an example of an external device, and is a computer such as a server. The information processing device 300 is, for example, a computer that provides cloud computing services. The refrigerator 1 may be connected to the network NW via communication equipment (not shown), such as a router or gateway.

[0015] (Configuration of refrigerator 1) The configuration of refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 2 is a front view of refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of refrigerator 1 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of refrigerator 1 shown in Fig. 2 taken along line A-A in Fig. 2.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 4, refrigerator 1 includes an insulated box 2, which is the refrigerator body, with an open front 2a and a storage space 6 formed inside. Insulated box 2 is composed of an outer box 3 made of steel plate that forms the outer shell, an inner box 4 made of thin-walled hard resin that is placed inside outer box 3, and a heat insulating material 5 filled between outer box 3 and inner box 4. The thin-walled hard resin is, for example, ABS resin. The heat insulating material 5 is, for example, hard urethane foam.

[0017] The storage space 6 formed inside the insulated box 2 is divided into multiple storage compartments by multiple partitions 65a to 65c for storing stored items. The stored items are items stored in the storage compartments, such as solid food and beverages. The stored items include rice, seasonings, and ice. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , the refrigerator 1 has multiple storage compartments: a refrigerator compartment 41, an ice-making compartment 42, a selectable compartment 43, a vegetable compartment 44, and a freezer compartment 45. The refrigerator compartment 41 is located at the top of the multiple storage compartments. The ice-making compartment 42 and the selectable compartment 43 are located below the refrigerator compartment 41. The ice-making compartment 42 and the selectable compartment 43 are located adjacent to each other horizontally. The vegetable compartment 44 is located below the ice-making compartment 42 and the selectable compartment 43. The freezer compartment 45 is located below the vegetable compartment 44 and at the bottom of the multiple storage compartments. Divider 65a is provided at the boundary between refrigerator compartment 41 and ice-making compartment 42 / switchable compartment 43. Divider 65b is provided at the boundary between ice-making compartment 42 / switchable compartment 43 and vegetable compartment 44. Divider 65c is provided at the boundary between vegetable compartment 44 and freezer compartment 45.

[0018] The refrigerator compartment 41 is set to a refrigeration temperature range (e.g., approximately 3°C). The switchable compartment 43 is a storage compartment whose set temperature range can be switched by the user. The switchable compartment 43 is set to, for example, a freezing temperature range (e.g., approximately -18°C) or a soft freezing temperature range (e.g., approximately -7°C). The ice making compartment 42 is set to a freezing temperature range (e.g., approximately -18°C). The vegetable compartment 44 is set to a refrigeration temperature range (e.g., approximately 6°C). The freezer compartment 45 is set to a freezing temperature range (approximately -18°C). The soft freezing temperature range may be a temperature range between -4°C and -10°C. The arrangement of the storage compartments is not limited to the arrangement shown in Figures 2 to 4 and may be an arrangement other than that shown in Figures 2 to 4. Furthermore, the number of storage compartments is not limited to five as described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. The number of storage compartments may be more or less than five.

[0019] The refrigerator compartment 41 is provided with multiple shelves 13a-13d that horizontally divide the space of the refrigerator compartment 41 into multiple sections. Each of the multiple shelves 13a-13d extends from the front surface of the refrigerator compartment 41 to the rear surface 4a. Hereinafter, of the multiple shelves 13a-13d, the lowest shelf 13a will be referred to as the floor shelf, and the shelf 13b vertically adjacent to the floor shelf 13a will be referred to as the lower shelf. The shelf 13c that is above the lower shelf 13b and vertically adjacent to the lower shelf 13b will be referred to as the middle shelf. The shelf 13d that is above the middle shelf 13c and vertically adjacent to the middle shelf 13c will be referred to as the upper shelf. A chilled compartment covered with a plastic case is provided below the floor shelf 13a.

[0020] An opening 41a formed in the front of the refrigerator compartment 41 is provided with a double-door refrigerator compartment door 51 that opens and closes the opening 41a. The refrigerator compartment door 51 is composed of a left door 51L on the left side and a right door 51R on the right side. Each of the left door 51L and the right door 51R is supported by a hinge 57 so that they can be opened and closed. An opening formed in the front of the ice making compartment 42 is provided with a drawer-type ice making compartment door 52 that opens and closes the opening. An opening formed in the front of the switchable compartment 43 is provided with a drawer-type switchable compartment door 53 that opens and closes the opening. An opening formed in the front of the vegetable compartment 44 is provided with a drawer-type vegetable compartment door 54 that opens and closes the opening. An opening formed in the front of the freezer compartment 45 is provided with a drawer-type freezer compartment door 55 that opens and closes the opening.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4 , a door pocket 61 is provided on the back surface 51a of the right door 51R of the refrigerator compartment 41. Although not shown in FIG. 4 , a door pocket 61 may also be provided on the back surface 51a of the left door 51L. An operation unit 80 and a communication unit 81 are provided on the front surface of the left door 51L. The operation unit 80 is an input interface that allows the user to input instructions such as temperature settings for each storage compartment. The operation unit 80 may also have a display unit (not shown). The communication unit 81 has a function that allows the refrigerator 1 to communicate with the information processing terminal 200 and the information processing device 300. The operation unit 80 and the communication unit 81 are communicatively connected via a signal line 82. While FIG. 3 shows a case in which the communication unit 81 is provided on the refrigerator compartment door 51, the communication unit 81 does not have to be located on the front surface of the refrigerator 1. The communication unit 81 may be installed, for example, on the top surface of the refrigerator compartment door 51. The communication unit 81 may also be installed between the hinge 57 and a resin cover that covers the hinge 57 .

[0022] A compressor 68 is provided at the bottom of the rear side of the outer box 3, between the insulating material 5 and the outer box 3. A cooler chamber 73 that houses a cooler 69 is formed on the rear side 2b inside the insulated box 2. The cooler chamber 73 is separated from each storage chamber by a rear panel 75. In addition to the cooler 69, the cooler chamber 73 is provided with a blower 70 and the like. A heater 71 is provided below the cooler 69. The heater 71 serves to melt frost that has adhered to the cooler 69. The compressor 68, a radiator (not shown), a pressure reducing device such as a capillary tube (not shown), and the cooler 69 are connected via refrigerant piping to form a refrigerant circuit (not shown) in which the refrigerant circulates.

[0023] A duct 74 having an internal air passage for sending cool air to each storage compartment is provided on the back surface 4a of the inner box 4. Each storage compartment is connected to the cooler compartment 73 via the duct 74. Air cooled by the cooler 69 is sent from the cooler compartment 73 to each storage compartment via the duct 74 by the blower 70. This cools the air in each storage compartment. A damper device 72 is provided in the duct 74 to adjust the flow rate of cool air flowing from the cooler compartment 73 into each storage compartment. The damper device 72 shown in FIG. 4 serves to adjust the cool air flowing from the cooler compartment 73 into the refrigerator compartment 41 via the duct 74.

[0024] A control device 30 is provided at the upper part of the rear side of the outer case 3, between the thermal insulation material 5 and the outer case 3. The control device 30 controls the operation of the refrigerator 1. The control device 30 is communicatively connected to the compressor 68, the damper device 72, the blower 70, and the heater 71 via signal lines (not shown). As shown in FIG. 3 , the control device 30 is communicatively connected to the operation unit 80 via a signal line 83. The control device 30 is communicatively connected to the communication unit 81 via signal lines 82 and 83. The configurations of the communication unit 81 and the control device 30 will be described later.

[0025] Each storage compartment is provided with temperature sensors 67a to 67f that detect the temperature of the corresponding storage compartment. Temperature sensor 67a detects the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 41. Temperature sensor 67b detects the temperature of the chilled compartment provided inside the refrigerator compartment 41. Temperature sensor 67c detects the temperature of the ice making compartment 42. Temperature sensor 67d detects the temperature of the switchable compartment 43. Temperature sensor 67e detects the temperature of the vegetable compartment 44. Temperature sensor 67f detects the temperature of the freezer compartment 45. Temperature sensors 67a to 67f are, for example, thermistors. Each of temperature sensors 67a to 67f is communicatively connected to control device 30 via a signal line (not shown). Each of temperature sensors 67a to 67f transmits its detected value to control device 30.

[0026] Door opening / closing sensors 66a and 66b that detect the open / closed state of the refrigerator compartment door 51 are provided on the front surface of the partition 65a. The door opening / closing sensor 66a detects the open / closed state of the left door 51L. The door opening / closing sensor 66b detects the open / closed state of the right door 51R. The door opening / closing sensors 66a and 66b are communicatively connected to the control device 30 via signal lines (not shown). The door opening / closing sensor 66a transmits a door status signal to the control device 30 that indicates the open or closed state of the left door 51L. The door opening / closing sensor 66b transmits a door status signal to the control device 30 that indicates the open or closed state of the right door 51R. Hereinafter, a door status signal that indicates that the door is in the open state will be referred to as an open state signal. A door status signal that indicates that the door is in the closed state will be referred to as a closed state signal.

[0027] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the interior of the refrigerator compartment 41 when viewed from the front with the refrigerator compartment door 51 of the refrigerator 1 shown in Fig. 2 open. In Fig. 5, the door pocket 61 of the refrigerator compartment door 51 and the plastic case of the chilled compartment are omitted. Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a schematic enlarged view of the portion enclosed by the dashed line frame shown in Fig. 5.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6, the upper shelf 13d extends in the Y-axis direction from the front of the refrigerator compartment 41 until it contacts the rear surface 4a. The rear end of the upper shelf 13d does not need to contact the rear surface 4a, as long as it extends close to the rear surface 4a. The upper shelf 13d extends in the X-axis direction shown in Figure 6 from the side surface 4b opposite the X-axis arrow to the side surface 4b in the X-axis arrow direction. The floor shelf 13a to the middle shelf 13c have the same configuration as the upper shelf 13d, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0029] Fig. 6 shows an example of storage items 15a to 15c placed on the upper shelf 13d in the refrigerator compartment 41. Storage items 15a and 15b are placed closer to the rear surface 4a of the refrigerator compartment 41, and storage item 15c is placed closer to the front surface of the refrigerator compartment 41. The refrigerator compartment 41 is provided with LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 16 as lighting means to make it easier for the user to see the stored items in the refrigerator compartment 41 when the refrigerator compartment door 51 is open. Although Fig. 6 shows a case where there are two LEDs 16, the number of LEDs 16 is not limited to two.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 6, the heat insulating material 5 shown in Fig. 4 includes a vacuum heat insulating material 19 embedded between the inner box 4 and the outer box 3, and a foam heat insulating material 20 filled in the gap except for the vacuum heat insulating material 19. The vacuum heat insulating material 19 shown in Fig. 6 is a plate-shaped member parallel to the back surface 4a.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-m and second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-n are provided on the rear surface 4a side of the refrigerator compartment 41, for each compartment separated by the floor shelf 13a to the upper shelf 13d. m and n are integers equal to or greater than 1. In the first embodiment, the case where m and n are equal to or greater than 2 will be described, but m = n = 1 may also be true. Furthermore, m ≠ n may also be true. Hereinafter, the reference numeral 7-k will be used to denote any one of the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-m, and the reference numeral 8-j will be used to denote any one of the second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-n. k is an integer between 1 and m. j is an integer between 1 and n. In the first embodiment, the case where m = n = 6 will be described as a specific example, but the values ​​of m and n are not limited to 6.

[0032] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the refrigerator compartment 41 has a protrusion 14 on the rear surface 4a that protrudes away from the rear surface 4a. The protrusion 14 is provided along the vertical direction (Z axis in Figure 4). As shown in Figure 6, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 14 in the horizontal plane (XY coordinate plane) is convex toward the front side of the refrigerator compartment 41. The cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 14 in the horizontal plane (XY coordinate plane) is semicircular. The cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 14 may also be circular. The protrusion 14 has a curved surface 14a that is convex from the rear surface 4a to the refrigerator compartment 41. The curved surface 14a has a shape whose curvature decreases toward the center of the protrusion 14 in the left-right direction (X-axis direction). A duct 74 that supplies cold air from the cooler compartment 73 shown in Figure 4 to the refrigerator compartment 41 is located between the protrusion 14 and the rear surface 4a. The duct 74 is located between the curved surface 14a of the protrusion 14 and the rear surface 4a. As shown in Fig. 7, the protruding portion 14 is formed with an air outlet 10 for blowing cool air from the duct 74 into the refrigerator compartment 41. The protruding portion 14 serves as a control panel for adjusting the flow rate of cool air supplied to the refrigerator compartment 41 through the air outlet 10.

[0033] 6 and 7, with the protrusion 14 at the center, the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-3 are arranged side by side along the back surface 4a on the left side, and the first capacitance sensors 7-4 to 7-6 are arranged side by side along the back surface 4a on the right side. The second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-6 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction (X-axis in FIGS. 6 and 7) along the curved surface 14a of the protrusion 14.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 7 , the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-6 are arranged on the lower shelf 13b and the floor shelf 13a, which are adjacent in the vertical direction (opposite the Z-axis arrow), so as to extend from the upper surface of the floor shelf 13a to the lower surface of the lower shelf 13b. FIG. 7 illustrates a case in which the upper gap between the upper ends of the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-6 and the lower surface of the lower shelf 13b is wider than the lower gap between the lower ends of the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-6 and the upper surface of the floor shelf 13a. The upper and lower gap distances may be the same. The second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-6 are arranged so as to extend from the upper surface of the floor shelf 13a to the lower side of the air outlet 10. This prevents the second capacitance sensor 8-j from interfering with the discharge of cold air from the duct 74 into the refrigerator compartment 41. In addition, the air outlet 10 may be formed in the protrusion 14 of each compartment separated by the floor shelf 13a to the upper shelf 13d in the refrigerator compartment 41, or may be formed in the protrusion 14 of only some of the compartments.

[0035] Here, the configuration of the first capacitance sensor 7-k and the second capacitance sensor 8-j will be described. Fig. 8 is an external view showing an example configuration of the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-3. Since the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-6 have the same configuration, the configuration of the first capacitance sensor 7-k will be described in the case of the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-3. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the capacitance detection range of each of the first capacitance sensor 7-k and the second capacitance sensor 8-j.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 8, the first capacitance sensor 7-1 has a film-like electrode 7a1 for detecting capacitance and a lead wire 7b1 connected to the electrode 7a1. The first capacitance sensor 7-2 has a film-like electrode 7a2 for detecting capacitance and a lead wire 7b2 connected to the electrode 7a2. The first capacitance sensor 7-3 has a film-like electrode 7a3 for detecting capacitance and a lead wire 7b3 connected to the electrode 7a3. That is, the first capacitance sensor 7-k has a film-like electrode 7ak for detecting capacitance and a lead wire 7bk connected to the electrode 7ak. The electrode 7ak has a planar shape. Each electrode 7ak is electrically connected to the control device 30 via a lead wire 7bk.

[0037] The second capacitance sensor 8-j has a film-like electrode 8a (see FIG. 9) for measuring capacitance and a lead wire (not shown) connected to the electrode 8a. The electrode 8a of the second capacitance sensor 8-j is electrically connected to the control device 30 via the lead wire (not shown). The electrode 8a has a curved shape. The width of each of the electrodes 7ak and 8a, which is the length in the left-right direction (X-axis in FIG. 8), is determined according to the size of the stored item to be detected. For example, the width of the electrode 7ak is 7 cm to 10 cm.

[0038] For the first capacitance sensor 7-k, a value based on the capacitance generated at the electrode 7ak is input to the control device 30 via a lead wire 7bk. For the second capacitance sensor 8-j, a value based on the capacitance generated at the electrode 8a is input to the control device 30 via a lead wire (not shown).

[0039] 9, the fact that the capacitance detection range of the second capacitive sensor 8-j is wider than the capacitance detection range of the first capacitive sensor 7-k will be described. Figure 9 shows a case where the lengths of the electrodes 7ak of the first capacitive sensor 7-k and 8a of the second capacitive sensor 8-j in the X-axis direction are equal. As shown in Figure 9, the capacitance detection direction and detection range of each capacitive sensor are represented by normal vectors perpendicular to the planes of the electrodes 7ak and 8a.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 9, the countless normal vectors emitted from the electrode 7ak of the first capacitance sensor 7-k are all parallel to the Y-axis. The capacitance detection direction of the electrode 7ak of the first capacitance sensor 7-k is a fixed direction (the Y-axis). In contrast, the countless normal vectors emitted from the electrode 8a of the second capacitance sensor 8-j spread out in a fan-like manner because the electrode 8a is curved along the curved surface 14a of the protrusion 14 shown in FIG. 6. The capacitance detection direction of the electrode 8a of the second capacitance sensor 8-j is in multiple directions that spread out in a fan-like manner, centered on the direction opposite to the Y-axis arrow. In the X-axis direction, the detection range of the first capacitance sensor 7-k is equal to the length of the electrode 7ak in the X-axis direction, while the detection range of the second capacitance sensor 8-j is wider than the length of the electrode 8a in the X-axis direction. From these facts, it can be seen that the capacitance detection range of the second capacitance sensor 8-j is wider than the capacitance detection range of the first capacitance sensor 7-k.

[0041] 4 to 7, for convenience of explanation, electrode 7ak is represented as first capacitance sensor 7-k, and electrode 8a is represented as second capacitance sensor 8-j. Electrode 7ak shown in FIG. 9 may be exposed from back surface 4a toward refrigerator compartment 41, or may be embedded in a plate on back surface 4a of inner box 4. Electrode 8a shown in FIG. 9 may be exposed from protrusion 14 toward refrigerator compartment 41, or may be embedded in a plate that forms curved surface 14a of protrusion 14.

[0042] In Fig. 6, the capacitance detection direction of the first capacitance sensor 7-k is shown by an arrow. As explained with reference to Fig. 9, the second capacitance sensor 8-j has multiple capacitance detection directions, but Fig. 6 shows only the detection direction of the electrode center by an arrow. Each of the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-6 and the second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-6 detects a capacitance corresponding to the distance from the electrode surface to the stored item to be detected.

[0043] As can be seen from the arrows indicating the detection directions of the two types of sensors in FIG. 6 , the capacitance detection direction of the first capacitance sensor 7-k and the detection direction of the second capacitance sensor 8-j intersect in a horizontal plane (XY coordinate plane) passing through the refrigerator compartment 41. Because the detection ranges of the first capacitance sensors 7-1 and 7-2 reach the stored item 15a, each of the first capacitance sensors 7-1 and 7-2 detects a capacitance corresponding to the distance between the electrode and the stored item 15a. While the detection range of the first capacitance sensor 7-3 does not reach the stored item 15b, the detection range of the second capacitance sensor 8-2 does reach the stored item 15b. Therefore, the second capacitance sensor 8-2 detects a capacitance corresponding to the distance between the electrode and the stored item 15b. Because the detection directions of the two types of sensors intersect within the refrigerator compartment 41, the stored items 15a and 15b stored near the back surface 4a of the refrigerator compartment 41 are more easily detected.

[0044] Furthermore, when a user views the interior of refrigerator compartment 41 from the front, stored items 15a and 15b may be hidden by stored item 15c and may not be visible. In the first embodiment, as described above, first capacitance sensors 7-1 and 7-2 detect a capacitance corresponding to the distance between the electrode and stored item 15a. Second capacitance sensor 8-2 detects a capacitance corresponding to the distance between the electrode and stored item 15b. This improves the ability to detect stored items 15a and 15b.

[0045] Figure 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of the left half of the schematic cross-sectional view shown in Figure 6. Vacuum insulation material 19 is made by covering a heat insulating material such as glass wool with a laminate film and reducing the pressure inside to create a vacuum. A conductive sheet such as a metal sheet may be used as the laminate film. The vacuum insulation material 19 shown in Figure 10 will be described in the case where the laminate film covering the internal heat insulating material (not shown) is a conductive sheet 19a.

[0046] A capacitance sensor is likely to form capacitance with a nearby metallic object. If a capacitance sensor forms capacitance with a nearby metallic object, it may be less likely to form capacitance with stored items in the storage compartment, potentially reducing its ability to detect the capacitance formed between the sensor and the stored items. In recent years, refrigerators have been commercialized in which the thickness of the insulation material 5 is reduced and the vacuum insulation material 19 is embedded near the inner box 4 in order to achieve energy savings, larger capacity, and smaller size. When a capacitance sensor is placed on the back surface 4a of the inner box 4 of such a refrigerator, even if a voltage is applied to the capacitance sensor's electrodes, the charge is absorbed by the conductive sheet 19a covering the surface of the vacuum insulation material 19 facing the inner box 4 or by the metallic outer box 3. This may result in false detection by the capacitance sensor. Alternatively, it may be more likely that the capacitance between the electrodes and the stored items will not be detected.

[0047] In Figure 10, the arrows indicate the detection direction and detection range of the capacitance detected by each of the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-3 on the refrigerator compartment 41 side and the detection direction and detection range on the conductive sheet 19a side. As shown in Figure 10, the capacitance detection direction of the first capacitance sensor 7-k is perpendicular to the surface of the vacuum insulation material 19 facing the inner box 4. The detection range of the capacitance of the first capacitance sensor 7-k on the conductive sheet 19a side is the shortest distance between the first capacitance sensor 7-k and the conductive sheet 19a. Because the first capacitance sensor 7-k is located near the back surface 4a, the detection range of the capacitance of the first capacitance sensor 7-k on the refrigerator compartment 41 side is affected by the conductive sheet 19a. If at least the surface of the laminate film formed on the surface of the vacuum insulation material 19 facing the inner box 4 is a conductive sheet 19a, the detection range of the capacitance of the first capacitance sensor 7-k on the refrigerator compartment 41 side will be affected by the conductive sheet 19a.

[0048] In order to address the influence of conductive sheet 19a, in the present embodiment 1, second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-6 are provided on protrusion 14 as shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 10 shows with arrows the detection direction and detection range on the refrigerator compartment 41 side and the detection direction and detection range on the conductive sheet 19a side for the capacitance detected by each of second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-3.

[0049] By arranging the second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-6 on the curved surface 14a of the protrusion 14, a distance can be ensured between the second capacitance sensor 8-j and the conductive sheet 19a and the metal outer box 3, as shown in FIG. 10. Therefore, the capacitance detection range of the second capacitance sensor 8-j on the conductive sheet 19a side is longer than the capacitance detection range of the first capacitance sensor 7-k on the conductive sheet 19a side, and the influence of the conductive sheet 19a is weaker than that of the first capacitance sensor 7-k. As a result, the capacitance detection range of the second capacitance sensor 8-j can be made wider and longer in the front direction of the upper shelf 13d.

[0050] Specific examples of the dimensions and installation methods of the components shown in Figure 6 will be described below. The thickness of the vacuum insulation material 19 is, for example, 11 mm. The thickness of the plate on the back surface 4a of the inner box 4 is approximately 20 to 30 mm. The distance between the electrode 7ak and the vacuum insulation material 19 is approximately 20 to 10 mm. The distance between the electrode 7ak and the outer box 3 is approximately 20 to 30 mm.

[0051] The first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-6 are attached to the rear surface 4a on the side facing the refrigerator compartment 41. The second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-6 are attached to the curved surface 14a of the protrusion 14 on the side facing the refrigerator compartment 41 so that the angles formed by the center lines of adjacent electrodes 8a are equal. The lead wires 7bk of the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-6 enter the foam insulation 20 through holes formed in the inner box 4, pass through the foam insulation 20, and are then electrically connected to low-voltage terminals of the control device 30. The lead wires (not shown) of the second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-6 pass through the inside of the protrusion 14 and the foam insulation 20, and are then electrically connected to low-voltage terminals of the control device 30.

[0052] In this embodiment, in refrigerator compartment 41, which is one of the storage compartments, first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-m are arranged in a row along rear surface 4a, and second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-n are arranged in a row on curved surface 14a of protrusion 14 that protrudes from rear surface 4a, but this embodiment is not limited to this. As long as the capacitance detection direction of the first capacitance sensor and the capacitance detection direction of the second capacitance sensor intersect within refrigerator compartment 41, the first capacitance sensor and the second capacitance sensor can be freely provided on side surface 4b, rear surface 4a, or ceiling surface 4c of refrigerator compartment 41.

[0053] By providing the first capacitance sensor and the second capacitance sensor in this manner, the side surfaces 4b, back surface 4a, and ceiling surface 4c of the refrigerator compartment 41 are utilized, and vacuum insulation material is provided on the side surfaces 4b, back surface 4a, or ceiling surface 4c. Even if the detection range of one of the first capacitance sensor and the second capacitance sensor is narrowed, or if one of the first capacitance sensor and the second capacitance sensor detects another stored item placed nearby, the other of the first capacitance sensor and the second capacitance sensor continues to detect the stored item, thereby improving the detection capability of the stored item. The configuration of providing capacitance sensors on the side surfaces 4b, back surface 4a, and ceiling surface 4c of the refrigerator compartment 41 will be described later.

[0054] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the expression "the capacitance detection direction of the first capacitance sensor and the capacitance detection direction of the second capacitance sensor intersect" includes a case where they intersect on a horizontal plane (X-Y coordinate plane) passing through refrigerator compartment 41, and also includes a case where the capacitance detection direction of the first capacitance sensor and the capacitance detection direction of the second capacitance sensor intersect (i.e., a three-dimensional intersection) when refrigerator 1 is viewed from above or from the side, even if they do not intersect on the horizontal plane (X-Y coordinate plane) passing through refrigerator compartment 41. By providing the first capacitance sensor and the second capacitance sensor on side surface 4b, back surface 4a, or ceiling surface 4c of refrigerator compartment 41 so that the capacitance detection direction of the first capacitance sensor intersects with the capacitance detection direction of the second capacitance sensor when refrigerator 1 is viewed from above or from the side, it is possible to detect stored items of a size that straddles both the capacitance detection direction of the first capacitance sensor and the capacitance detection direction of the second capacitance sensor at the three-dimensional intersection point. In addition, when multiple shelves are provided in the refrigerator compartment 41, the first capacitance sensor and the second capacitance sensor are positioned so that at the point where the capacitance detection direction of the first capacitance sensor and the capacitance detection direction of the second capacitance sensor intersect, the capacitance detection direction of the first capacitance sensor and the capacitance detection direction of the second capacitance sensor are located between adjacent shelves above and below.

[0055] Next, the configuration of the control device 30 will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the control device 30 shown in FIG. 4. The control device 30 includes a control unit 31, a memory unit 32, a detection unit 33, and a timer 36 that measures time. The control unit 31 is, for example, a microcomputer. The detection unit 33 includes an oscillation circuit 34 and a detection circuit 35. The detection unit 33 is connected to the lead wires 7bk of each first capacitance sensor 7-k and the lead wires (not shown) of each second capacitance sensor 8-j. When an oscillation instruction is input from the control unit 31, the oscillation circuit 34 applies a predetermined voltage Vx at a predetermined frequency fx to the electrode 7ak of each first capacitance sensor 7-k and the electrode 8a of each second capacitance sensor 8-j. When the detection circuit 35 receives the capacitance Cs generated at each electrode 7ak of each first capacitance sensor 7-k and each electrode 8a of each second capacitance sensor 8-j, it transmits the value of the capacitance Cs of each electrode to the control unit 31.

[0056] Before describing the configuration of the control device 30 in detail, the configuration of the communication unit 81 will be described. The communication unit 81 has two communication units, a communication unit 81a and a communication unit 81b. The communication unit 81a has a function of communicating with the information processing terminal 200. The communication unit 81a communicates wirelessly with the information processing terminal 200 in accordance with a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication unit 81b has a function of communicating with the information processing device 300 via the network NW. The communication unit 81b communicates with the information processing device 300 in accordance with a communication standard such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). If a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) compatible with a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is provided in the room where the refrigerator 1 is installed, the communication unit 81b may be connected to the network NW via a wireless router (not shown). If the information processing terminal 200 communicates with the communication unit 81b via the wireless LAN or the network NW, the communication unit 81 does not need to include the communication unit 81a.

[0057] The storage unit 32 of the control device 30 will now be described. The storage unit 32 is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage unit 32 shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 12 is an example of a storage item management table for managing storage items stored near the rear surface 4a of the refrigerator compartment 41.

[0058] The storage item management table records management information, including the presence or absence of a stored item, the storage start date and time, and the storage time tx, corresponding to the sensor coordinate cd. The storage time tx is the time that the stored item has been continuously stored in the storage room. The sensor coordinate cd indicates the position of each of the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-6 and the second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-6. For each shelf, from the floor shelf 13a to the upper shelf 13d, the Z-axis coordinates shown in FIG. 5 are represented by Z1 to Z4. The XY coordinates of each sensor, the first capacitance sensor 7-k and the second capacitance sensor 8-j, shown in FIG. 10, are represented by the corresponding sensor symbol. For example, the sensor coordinate cd of the first capacitance sensor 7-1 on the floor shelf 13a is represented as (7-1, Z1) as shown in FIG. 12. A specific example of the storage item management table shown in FIG. 12 will be described later.

[0059] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing another example of information stored in the memory unit 32 shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is an example of location information for notifying the user of the location of a storage item stored near the rear surface 4a of the refrigerator compartment 41. Fig. 13 shows, for example, that the first capacitance sensor 7-1 is located at the left end of the floor shelf 13a when viewed from the front of the refrigerator compartment 41. Fig. 13 also shows that the first capacitance sensors 7-2 and 7-3 are located to the left of the floor shelf 13a when viewed from the front of the refrigerator compartment 41.

[0060] The control unit 31 controls the temperature of each storage compartment of the refrigerator 1. Specifically, the control unit 31 controls the opening degree of the damper device 72, the operating frequency of the compressor 68, and the rotation speed of the fan 70 based on the temperature detected by each of the temperature sensors 67a to 67f so that the air in each storage compartment is maintained at the set temperature.

[0061] When the control unit 31 receives an open state signal from the door open / close sensor 66a or 66b, it causes the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-6 and the second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-6 to detect capacitance. Specifically, the control unit 31 inputs an oscillation instruction to the oscillation circuit 34 and receives from the detection circuit 35 the values ​​of capacitance Cs generated at the electrodes 7ak of each first capacitance sensor 7-k and the electrodes 8a of each second capacitance sensor 8-j. When the control unit 31 receives a closed state signal from the door open / close sensor 66a or 66b, it causes the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-6 and the second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-6 to stop detecting capacitance. Specifically, the control unit 31 stops the oscillation instruction to the oscillation circuit 34.

[0062] When the control unit 31 receives the capacitance Cs value of each of the first capacitance sensor 7-k and the second capacitance sensor 8-j from the detection circuit 35, it compares the capacitance Cs with the threshold capacitance Cth to determine whether or not a stored item exists. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating how the control unit 31 shown in FIG. 11 determines whether or not a stored item exists. The horizontal axis of FIG. 14 represents time t, and the vertical axis represents capacitance Cs. The control unit 31 determines whether or not a stored item exists if the capacitance Cs is equal to or greater than the threshold capacitance Cth. The control unit 31 determines whether or not a stored item exists if the capacitance Cs is less than the threshold capacitance Cth. The control unit 31 updates the stored item management table stored in the memory unit 32 based on the determination results of whether or not a stored item exists for each of the first capacitance sensor 7-k and the second capacitance sensor 8-j.

[0063] When the stored item management table includes a sensor coordinate cd where the information on the presence or absence of a stored item changes from “absent” to “present,” the control unit 31 determines that the user has placed a new stored item in the refrigerator compartment 41 and references the time measured by the timer 36. The control unit 31 then records the referenced measurement time in the storage start date and time column corresponding to the sensor coordinate cd. Furthermore, when the stored item management table includes a sensor coordinate cd where the information on the presence or absence of a stored item remains “present,” the control unit 31 references the storage start date and time and the time measured by the timer 36. The control unit 31 then records the elapsed time from the storage start date and time in the storage time tx column corresponding to the sensor coordinate cd and updates the storage time tx. On the other hand, when the stored item management table includes a sensor coordinate cd where the information on the presence or absence of a stored item changes from “present” to “absent,” the control unit 31 determines that the user has removed the stored item from the refrigerator compartment 41 and resets the storage start date and time and storage time tx corresponding to the sensor coordinate cd. The period from time t1 to time t2 in FIG. 14 illustrates an example of the storage time tx. In this way, the control unit 31 records the storage time tx of the stored item based on the capacitance Cs generated at the electrodes of each sensor of the first capacitance sensor 7-k and the second capacitance sensor 8-j each time the door opening / closing sensor 66a or 66b detects the opening / closing operation of the refrigerator compartment door 51.

[0064] The control unit 31 references the stored item management table each time the door opening / closing sensor 66a or 66b detects the opening / closing operation of the refrigerator compartment door 51, or at predetermined intervals. When the control unit 31 finds a sensor coordinate cd in the stored item management table where a storage time tx is recorded, it compares the storage time tx with a predetermined threshold time tref and determines whether the storage time tx is equal to or greater than the threshold time tref. The threshold time tref varies depending on the type of stored item, but is, for example, two weeks. The threshold time tref is set to a time shorter than the shelf life of the stored item. If the storage time tx is equal to or greater than the threshold time tref, the control unit 31 determines that the stored item has been stored for a long period of time. In this case, the control unit 31 transmits stored item information, including information indicating that the stored item has been stored for a long period of time, to the information processing terminal 200 via the communication unit 81a.

[0065] Furthermore, the control unit 31 may transmit the stored item information to the information processing device 300 via the communication unit 81b instead of transmitting the stored item information to the information processing terminal 200 via the communication unit 81a. This is to enable the control unit 31 to transmit the stored item information to the information processing terminal 200 via the network NW and the information processing device 300 while the user is out. When transmitting the stored item information to an external device, the control unit 31 may refer to the location information stored in the memory unit 32, read out the location information of stored items that have been stored for a long period of time, and include the read out location information in the stored item information.

[0066] Furthermore, when the control unit 31 determines that a stored item has been stored for a long period of time, the control unit 31 may display stored item information on a display unit (not shown) of the operation unit 80. Furthermore, when the control unit 31 determines that a stored item has been stored for a long period of time, the control unit 31 may notify the user that there is a stored item that has been stored for a long period of time when the user opens the refrigerator compartment door 51. For example, the control unit 31 may blink the LED 16, of the two LEDs 16 shown in FIG. 6 , that is closer to the stored item that has been stored for a long period of time.

[0067] Next, a specific example of the stored item management method performed by the control unit 31 will be described with reference to the stored item management table shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a diagram for explaining information stored in the memory unit 32 regarding the stored items 15a and 15b stored in the refrigerator compartment 41.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 15, stored item 15a is detected by first capacitance sensors 7-2 and 7-3 and second capacitance sensor 8-1. Reference is made to the management information shown in FIG. 12, where the sensor coordinates cd correspond to (7-2, Z1), (7-3, Z1), and (8-1, Z1). Referring to FIG. 12, corresponding to these sensor coordinates cd, the stored item is recorded as "present," the storage start time is recorded as "August 29th, 15:30," and the storage time tx is recorded as 3.5 hours. Also, as shown in FIG. 15, stored item 15b is detected by second capacitance sensor 8-2. Referring to FIG. 12, corresponding to the sensor coordinate cd of (8-2, Z1), the stored item is recorded as "present," the storage start time is recorded as "August 29th, 18:00," and the storage time tx is recorded as 1.0 hour. In this way, the storage status of the items stored in the refrigerator compartment 41 is recorded in the storage item management table.

[0069] Here, an example of the hardware configuration of the control unit 31 shown in Fig. 11 will be described. Fig. 16 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit 31 shown in Fig. 11. When multiple functions of the control unit 31 are executed by hardware, the control unit 31 shown in Fig. 11 is configured by a processing circuit 90 as shown in Fig. 16. The multiple functions of the control unit 31 are realized by the processing circuit 90.

[0070] When the functions of the control unit 31 are executed by hardware, the processing circuit 90 corresponds to, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. Each of the multiple functions of the control unit 31 may be implemented by a separate processing circuit 90. Alternatively, the multiple functions of the control unit 31 may be implemented by a single processing circuit 90. Furthermore, the hardware configuration of the control device 30 may be the configuration shown in FIG. 12. In this case, the functions of the control unit 31, the storage unit 32, the detection unit 33, and the timer 36 may be implemented by separate processing circuits 90, or the functions of these configurations may be implemented by a single processing circuit 90.

[0071] Another example of hardware for the control unit 31 shown in FIG. 11 will now be described. FIG. 17 is a hardware configuration diagram showing another example of the configuration of the control unit 31 shown in FIG. 11. When multiple functions of the control unit 31 are executed by software, the control unit 31 shown in FIG. 11 has a processor 91 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory 92, as shown in FIG. 17. In this configuration example, the memory 92 may have the function of the storage unit 32. The multiple functions of the control unit 31 described with reference to FIG. 11 are realized by the processor 91 and the memory 92. FIG. 17 shows that the processor 91 and the memory 92 are communicably connected to each other via a bus 93.

[0072] When multiple functions of the control unit 31 are executed by software, each function is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in the memory 92. The processor 91 realizes the functions of each means by reading and executing the programs stored in the memory 92.

[0073] The memory 92 may be a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), or an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM). Alternatively, the memory 92 may be a volatile semiconductor memory such as a random access memory (RAM). Alternatively, the memory 92 may be a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disc (CD), a mini disc (MD), or a digital versatile disc (DVD).

[0074] In the first embodiment, the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-6 and the second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-6 are installed between two vertically adjacent shelves in the refrigerator compartment 41. However, these capacitance sensors may be installed in the chilled compartment. Furthermore, the storage compartment in which the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-6 and the second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-6 are installed is not limited to the refrigerator compartment 41. The storage compartment in which these capacitance sensors are installed may be the ice making compartment 42, the switchable compartment 43, the vegetable compartment 44, or the freezer compartment 45.

[0075] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the refrigerator 1 is described as being provided with door opening / closing sensors 66a and 66b that detect the open / closed state of refrigerator compartment door 51, but door opening / closing sensors (not shown) that detect the open / closed state of each of ice-making compartment door 52, switchable compartment door 53, vegetable compartment door 54, and freezer compartment door 55 may also be provided. The door opening / closing sensors may be provided in any of partitions 65a, 65b, or 65c. Control unit 31 determines which door the user has opened or closed based on the detection results of the door opening / closing sensors.

[0076] (Configuration of information processing device 300) Next, the configuration of the information processing device 300 shown in Fig. 1 will be described. Fig. 18 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the information processing device 300 shown in Fig. 1. The information processing device 300 has a storage device 310 and a control device 320. The storage device 310 is, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The control device 320 has a memory (not shown) that stores a program, and a processor (not shown) that executes processing in accordance with the program.

[0077] The storage device 310 stores the stored item information received from the control device 30 of the refrigerator 1 via the network NW. When the control device 320 receives the stored item information from the control device 30 of the refrigerator 1 via the network NW, the control device 320 stores the stored item information in the storage device 310. The control device 320 also transmits the stored item information to the information processing terminal 200 via the network NW.

[0078] (Configuration of information processing terminal 200) Next, the configuration of the information processing terminal 200 shown in Fig. 1 will be described. Fig. 19 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the information processing terminal 200 shown in Fig. 1. The information processing terminal 200 is an information processing device such as a smartphone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The information processing terminal 200 has a storage unit 210, a control unit 220, a display unit 230, and an operation unit 240 for the user to input instructions.

[0079] The storage unit 210 is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. The control unit 220 has a memory (not shown) that stores programs and a processor (not shown) that executes processing in accordance with the programs. The display unit 230 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The operation unit 240 is, for example, a touch panel.

[0080] When the control unit 220 receives stored item information from the control device 30 of the refrigerator 1 via the communication unit 81a or from the information processing device 300 via the network NW, the control unit 220 stores the stored item information in the memory unit 210. The control unit 220 displays the received stored item information on the display unit 230. In this case, the user can know that there is stored item that has been stored for a long period of time in the refrigerator compartment 41 by referring to the information displayed on the display unit 230. Furthermore, if the stored item information displayed on the display unit 230 includes location information, the user can know the location in the refrigerator compartment 41 of the stored item that has been stored for a long period of time. This can prevent the user from storing stored items in the refrigerator compartment 41 until the expiration date has passed.

[0081] The information processing device 300 may manage the stored items in the refrigerator 1. For example, the storage device 310 of the information processing device 300 may store the information shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. In this case, when the control unit 31 receives information on the capacitance Cs from the detection circuit 35, it transmits stored item detection information including the sensor coordinates cd and the capacitance Cs information to the information processing device 300 via the communication unit 81b. When the control device 320 receives the stored item detection information from the refrigerator 1, it determines the presence or absence of stored items for each sensor coordinate cd according to the determination method described with reference to FIG. 14 and updates the stored item management table shown in FIG. 12. In this case, as described above, it is possible to prevent the user from storing stored items in the refrigerator compartment 41 until the expiration date has passed, and it also reduces the information processing load on the control device 30 of the refrigerator 1.

[0082] (Operation of Refrigerator 1) Next, a description will be given of the operation of the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment 1. Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment 1.

[0083] In step S1, the control unit 31 determines whether the refrigerator compartment door 51 has switched from a closed state to an open state. If the control unit 31 does not receive an open state signal from either the door open / close sensors 66a or 66b, the control unit 31 repeats the determination in step S1. When a user opens the left door 51L of the refrigerator compartment 41 to store an item in the refrigerator compartment 41, for example, the door open / close sensor 66a transmits an open state signal to the control device 30, which indicates that the left door 51L has switched from a closed state to an open state. When the control unit 31 receives an open state signal from the door open / close sensor 66a or 66b in the determination in step S1, the control unit 31 causes the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-6 and the second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-6 to detect capacitance (step S2).

[0084] For example, when a user places a new item near the back surface 4a of the refrigerator compartment 41, a capacitance Cs is generated between the stored item and the electrode of any of the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-6 and the second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-6. The detection circuit 35 of the control device 30 detects the capacitance Cs and transmits information about the capacitance Cs to the control unit 31.

[0085] In step S3, when the control unit 31 receives the detection results of each capacitance sensor from the detection circuit 35, it updates the information on the presence or absence of stored items, the storage start date and time, and the storage time tx corresponding to the sensor coordinate cd based on the information on the detection results. In step S4, if the control unit 31 receives an open state signal from at least one of the door opening / closing sensors 66a and 66b, it repeats the processes of steps S2 and S3. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S4, for example, if the user closes the left door 51L of the refrigerator compartment 41 while the right door 51R of the refrigerator compartment 41 is closed, the door opening / closing sensor 66a sends a closed state signal to the control device 30, and the control unit 31 proceeds to the process of step S5. In step S5, the control unit 31 causes the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-6 and the second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-6 to stop detecting capacitance.

[0086] In step S6, the control unit 31 refers to the stored item management table and determines whether there is any stored item whose storage time tx is equal to or greater than the threshold time tref. If there is no stored item whose storage time tx is equal to or greater than the threshold time tref, the control unit 31 ends the process. On the other hand, if the determination in step S6 shows that there is any stored item whose storage time tx is equal to or greater than the threshold time tref, the control unit 31 transmits stored item information to the information processing terminal 200, including information that the stored item has been stored for a long period of time (step S7).

[0087] In step S7, the control unit 31 may transmit the stored item information to the information processing terminal 200 via the network NW and the information processing device 300. Furthermore, in step S7, the control unit 31 may include location information in the stored item information. The information processing terminal 200 displays a message on the display unit 230 indicating that the stored item has been stored for a long period of time. This allows the user to know that stored items such as food have been stored in the refrigerator compartment 41 for a long period of time. This prevents the user from forgetting about the existence of stored items stored in a location with poor visibility in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1. As a result, food waste, such as food disposal, can be prevented. The control unit 31 is not limited to repeating the procedure shown in FIG. 20 , and may execute the processes of steps S2, S3, and S5 to S7 at a predetermined interval.

[0088] In the first embodiment, the first capacitance sensor 7-k is provided on the rear surface 4a of the inner box 4, but the capacitance sensor may be provided on the side surface 4b. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing another example of the arrangement of capacitance sensors in the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 21, the third capacitance sensors 9-1 to 9-p are provided on the side surface 4b. p is an integer equal to or greater than 1. In the first embodiment, the case where p is equal to or greater than 2 is described, but p may also be 1. In the first embodiment, the case where p is 3 is described as a specific example. In order to distinguish the capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-m provided on the rear surface 4a, the capacitance sensors provided on the side surface 4b are referred to as the third capacitance sensors 9-1 to 9-p. The configuration of the third capacitance sensors 9-1 to 9-p and the principle of detecting stored items are the same as those of the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-m.

[0089] In the configuration example shown in FIG. 21 , the refrigerator compartment door 51 is a single door that opens from the left side. Third capacitance sensors 9-1 to 9-3 are arranged along one side surface 4b of the upper shelf 13d of the refrigerator compartment 41. In FIG. 21 , the third capacitance sensors 9-1 to 9-3 are arranged along the left side surface 4b (opposite the X-axis arrow) of the two side surfaces 4b. FIG. 21 also shows a dotted pattern that schematically illustrates the area within the field of view of the user Ur. When the user Ur opens the refrigerator compartment door 51, as shown in FIG. 21 , the left side surface 4b is out of the user's field of view, making it difficult to see the stored items 15a to 15c. To address this issue, the configuration example shown in FIG. 21 has third capacitance sensors 9-1 to 9-3 arranged along the side surface 4b. Therefore, the stored item 15b is detected by the third capacitance sensor 9-2, and the stored item 15c is detected by the third capacitance sensor 9-3. In this way, by providing the third capacitance sensors 9-1 to 9-3 on the side surfaces 4b, the refrigerator 1 is able to detect items stored in a row in the depth direction (Y-axis direction) of the refrigeration compartment 41. Although FIG. 21 shows that the third capacitance sensors 9-1 to 9-3 are provided only on the left side surface 4b of the two side surfaces 4b, the arrangement of the third capacitance sensors 9-1 to 9-p is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 21 . For example, the third capacitance sensors 9-1 to 9-p may be provided only on the right side surface 4b. Alternatively, the third capacitance sensors 9-1 to 9-p may be provided on both the left and right side surfaces 4b. In this case, the positions of the third capacitance sensors provided on the right side surface 4b are arranged symmetrically with respect to the positions of the third capacitance sensors provided on the left side surface 4b.

[0090] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-m and the second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-n are provided on each of the shelves from the floor shelf 13a to the upper shelf 13d. However, they may be provided on at least some of the shelves. For example, for a short person, of the shelves from the floor shelf 13a to the upper shelf 13d, the back and side of the storage compartment on the upper shelf 13d are the most difficult to see. Therefore, applying the first embodiment to the upper shelf 13d is more effective.

[0091] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, capacitance sensors may be provided on a plurality of shelf supports 21a to 21c supporting a plurality of shelves 13b to 13d. FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of shelf supports 21a to 21c and their surroundings in refrigeration compartment 41 in FIG. 4. FIG. 23 is a schematic cross-sectional view of refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment, taken along an XZ plane passing through shelf support 21a and fourth capacitance sensor 10-1. Side surface 4b of refrigeration compartment 41 includes shelf supports 21a to 21c, which are protrusions protruding toward refrigeration compartment 41. Fourth capacitance sensors 10-1 to 10-q are provided on shelf support 21a. q is an integer equal to or greater than 1. In the first embodiment, a case where q is 2 or greater will be described, but q may be 1. In the first embodiment, a case where q is 3 will be described as a specific example, but the value of q is not limited to 3. In order to distinguish them from the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-m provided on the rear surface 4a, the capacitance sensors provided on the shelf support portion 21a will be referred to as fourth capacitance sensors 10-1 to 10-q. The configuration of the fourth capacitance sensors 10-1 to 10-q and the principle of detecting stored items are the same as those of the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-m.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 23 , when the fourth capacitance sensors 10-1 to 10-3 are attached to the shelf support 21a, the capacitance detection direction (a normal vector perpendicular to the electrodes of the capacitance sensors) is oriented diagonally downward to the right toward the refrigerator compartment 41 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front (viewing the refrigerator 1 from the front side of the refrigerator 1 in the direction of the Y-axis arrow). In other words, the fourth capacitance sensors 10-1 to 10-3 are positioned so that their detection direction faces the center of the refrigerator compartment 41 in the X direction. This allows the fourth capacitance sensors 10-1 to 10-3 to detect stored items placed near the center of the refrigerator compartment 41, which are difficult to detect with the third capacitance sensors 9-1 to 9-p provided on the side surface 4b. This improves the ability to detect stored items, allowing the user to roughly determine the storage status of the shelf 13a.

[0093] Furthermore, in FIG. 22 , the fourth capacitance sensors 10-1 to 10-3 are provided only on the left shelf support 21a among the shelf support portions 21a protruding from the two side surfaces 4b. However, the arrangement of the fourth capacitance sensors 10-1 to 10-q is not limited to the example in FIG. 23 . For example, the fourth capacitance sensors 10-1 to 10-q may be provided only on the right shelf support 21a. Alternatively, the fourth capacitance sensors 10-1 to 10-q may be provided on both the left shelf support 21a and the right shelf support 21a. In this case, the positions of the fourth capacitance sensors provided on the right shelf support 21a are arranged symmetrically with the positions of the fourth capacitance sensors provided on the left shelf support 21a. Furthermore, the shelf supports 21b and 21c may also be provided with fourth capacitance sensors 10-1 to 10-q similar to those on the shelf support 21a.

[0094] In the first embodiment, the capacitance sensors may be provided on the ceiling surface 4c of the refrigerator compartment 41. FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of the ceiling surface 4c of the refrigerator compartment 41 and its surroundings in FIG. 24. In FIG. 24, fifth capacitance sensors 11-1 to 11-r are provided on the ceiling surface 4c of the refrigerator compartment 41. r is an integer equal to or greater than 1. In the first embodiment, the case where r is 2 or greater will be described, but r may be 1. As a specific example, the case where r is 3 will be described, but the value of r is not limited to 3. Note that, to distinguish from the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-m provided on the back surface 4a, the capacitance sensors provided on the ceiling surface 4c will be described as fifth capacitance sensors 11-1 to 11-r. The configuration of the fifth capacitance sensors 11-1 to 11-r and the principle of detecting stored items are the same as those of the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-m.

[0095] In the configuration example shown in FIG. 24 , the fifth capacitance sensors 11-1 to 11-3 are arranged in a line in the depth direction (Y-axis direction) along the ceiling surface 4c. When stored items 15d and 15e are arranged in a line in the depth direction on the top shelf 13d as shown in FIG. 24 , the stored item 15d is detected by the second capacitance sensor 8-4, but the stored item 15e is difficult to detect by the second capacitance sensor 8-4. Even in such a case, by arranging the fifth capacitance sensors 11-1 to 11-3 along the ceiling surface 4c, the stored item 15d is detected by the fifth capacitance sensor 11-2, and the stored item 15e is detected by the fifth capacitance sensor 11-3. This configuration can reduce the risk of missing detection of stored items placed on the top shelf 13d, which are difficult for the user Ur to see.

[0096] The refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment includes an insulated box 2 having a storage compartment therein, first and second capacitance sensors provided on the side surface 4b, back surface 4a, or ceiling surface 4c of the storage compartment to detect a capacitance Cs corresponding to the distance to a stored item stored in the storage compartment, and a control device 30 that determines the presence or absence of a stored item based on the detection results of the first and second capacitance sensors. The detection direction of the capacitance Cs of the first capacitance sensor and the detection direction of the capacitance Cs of the second capacitance sensor intersect within the storage compartment. In this case, the first and second capacitance sensors are any of the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-m, the second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-n, the third capacitance sensors 9-1 to 9-p, the fourth capacitance sensors 10-1 to 10-q, and the fifth capacitance sensors 11-1 to 11-r.

[0097] In addition, in the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment, a first capacitance sensor is provided on the side surface 4b, back surface 4a, or ceiling surface 4c of the storage compartment, and a second capacitance sensor is provided on a protrusion that protrudes into the storage compartment away from the back surface 4a or side surface 4b of the storage compartment. The capacitance detection direction of the first capacitance sensor and the capacitance detection direction of the second capacitance sensor intersect within the storage compartment. In this case, the first capacitance sensor is any of the first capacitance sensors 7-1 to 7-m, the third capacitance sensors 9-1 to 9-p, and the fifth capacitance sensors 11-1 to 11-r, and the second capacitance sensor is any of the second capacitance sensors 8-1 to 8-n or the fourth capacitance sensors 10-1 to 10-q.

[0098] According to the first embodiment, compared to a case where one type of sensor has a single detection direction, a stored item stored near the rear surface 4a or the side surface 4b of the storage compartment is more likely to be detected by one of the two types of sensors with different detection directions, thereby improving the ability to detect stored items stored in positions in the storage compartment that are difficult for the user to see.

[0099] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, when an item stored in a position that is difficult for the user to see, such as the side or back of the storage compartment, among the items stored in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1, is stored for a long period of time, the user is notified of this fact. This prevents the user from forgetting about the existence of an item stored in a position that is difficult for the user to see in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1, thereby preventing food waste.

[0100] REFRIGERATED SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator, 2 Insulated box, 2a Front portion, 2b Back portion, 3 Outer box, 4 Inner box, 4a Back portion, 4b Side portion, 4c Ceiling surface, 5 Insulating material, 6 Storage space, 7-1 to 7-m First capacitance sensor, 7a1 to 7ak Electrode, 7b1 to 7bk Lead wire, 8-1 to 8-n Second capacitance sensor, 8a Electrode, 9-1 to 9-3 Third capacitance sensor, 10 Air outlet, 10-1 to 10-3 Fourth capacitance sensor, 11-1 to 11-3 Fifth capacitance sensor, 13a Floor shelf, 13b Lower shelf, 13c Middle shelf, 13d Upper shelf, 14 Protrusion, 14a Curved surface, 15a to 15d Storage item, 16 LED, 19 Vacuum insulation material, 19a Conductive sheet, 20 Foam insulation material, 21a to 21c shelf support portion, 30 control device, 31 control portion, 32 memory portion, 33 detection portion, 34 oscillation circuit, 35 detection circuit, 36 timer, 41 refrigerator compartment, 41a opening, 42 ice making compartment, 43 switching compartment, 44 vegetable compartment, 45 freezer compartment, 51 refrigerator compartment door, 51L left door, 51R right door, 51a back side, 52 ice making compartment door, 53 switching compartment door, 54 vegetable compartment door, 55 freezer compartment door, 57 hinge, 61 door pocket, 65a to 65c partition portion, 66a, 66b door opening / closing sensor, 67a to 67f temperature sensor, 68 compressor, 69 cooler, 70 blower, 71 heater, 72 damper device, 73 cooler compartment, 74 duct, 75 Rear panel, 80 operation unit, 81, 81a, 81b communication unit, 82, 83 signal line, 90 processing circuit, 91 processor, 92 memory, 93 bus, 100 refrigeration system, 200 information processing terminal, 210 storage unit, 220 control unit, 230 display unit, 240 operation unit, 300 information processing device, 310 storage device, 320 control device, NW network.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising: a heat-insulating box body having a storage chamber inside; a first capacitance sensor and a second capacitance sensor provided on a side surface, a back surface or a ceiling surface of the storage chamber for detecting a capacitance corresponding to a distance from an object stored in the storage chamber; and a control device for determining the presence or absence of the stored object based on detection results of the first capacitance sensor and the second capacitance sensor, wherein a detection direction of the capacitance of the first capacitance sensor and a detection direction of the capacitance of the second capacitance sensor intersect inside the storage chamber.

2. A refrigerator comprising: a heat-insulating box body having a storage chamber inside; a first capacitance sensor provided on a side surface, a back surface or a ceiling surface of the storage chamber for detecting a capacitance corresponding to a distance from an object stored in the storage chamber; a protruding portion provided in the storage chamber and protruding in a direction away from the back surface or the side surface; a second capacitance sensor provided on the protruding portion for detecting the capacitance; and a control device for determining the presence or absence of the stored object based on detection results of the first capacitance sensor and the second capacitance sensor, wherein a detection direction of the capacitance of the first capacitance sensor and a detection direction of the capacitance of the second capacitance sensor intersect inside the storage chamber.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a detection direction of the capacitance of the first capacitance sensor and a detection direction of the capacitance of the second capacitance sensor intersect on a horizontal plane passing through the storage chamber.

4. The heat-insulating box body has an outer box and an inner box in which the storage chamber is formed, a plate-like vacuum heat-insulating material parallel to the side surface or the back surface is provided in a space between the outer box and the inner box, at least a surface of the vacuum heat-insulating material facing the inner box is covered with a conductive sheet, and a detection direction of the capacitance of the first capacitance sensor is perpendicular to a surface of the vacuum heat-insulating material facing the inner box. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a detection range of the capacitance of the second capacitance sensor is wider than a detection range of the capacitance of the first capacitance sensor.

6. The protruding portion has a curved surface that protrudes from the back surface into the storage chamber in a convex shape, and the second capacitance sensor is provided on the curved surface. The refrigerator according to claim 2.

7. The electrode for detecting the capacitance of the first capacitance sensor has a planar shape, and the electrode for detecting the capacitance of the second capacitance sensor has a shape curved along the curved surface. The refrigerator according to claim 6.

8. The refrigerator includes a plurality of shelves that horizontally partition the space of the storage chamber. A duct for supplying cold air to the storage chamber is provided between the back surface and the surface where the second capacitance sensor is provided on the protruding portion. An air outlet for blowing the cold air from the duct into the storage chamber is formed in the duct. The first capacitance sensor is arranged to extend from the upper surface of the lower shelf to the lower surface of the upper shelf among the vertically adjacent upper and lower shelves. The second capacitance sensor is arranged to extend from the upper surface of the lower shelf to the lower side of the air outlet among the two shelves. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2, 6, and 7.

9. The refrigerator includes a plurality of shelves that horizontally partition the space of the storage chamber. The protruding portion is a shelf support portion that protrudes from the side surface toward the storage chamber side and supports the shelves. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2, 6, and 7.

10. The refrigerator has a door provided on the front surface of the storage chamber for opening and closing the opening of the storage chamber, and a door opening / closing sensor for detecting the opening and closing of the door. When the opening / closing operation of the door is detected by the door opening / closing sensor, the control device causes the first capacitance sensor and the second capacitance sensor to detect the capacitance. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A refrigerator having a communication unit for communicating with an external information processing device, wherein the control device measures a storage time, which is the time during which the stored item is stored, when it is determined that there is a stored item in the storage compartment based on the detection result of the first capacitance sensor or the second capacitance sensor, and when the storage time is equal to or longer than a predetermined threshold time, transmits information indicating that the stored item has been stored for a long time to the information processing device via the communication unit. The refrigerator according to claim 10.

12. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 and 6 to 8, wherein a plurality of the first capacitance sensors are provided on the side surface or the back surface of the storage compartment, and a plurality of the second capacitance sensors are provided on the protruding portion.

13. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the storage compartment is any one of a refrigerating compartment, an ice making compartment, a switching compartment, a vegetable compartment, and a freezing compartment.

14. A refrigeration system, comprising: a heat insulating box body having a storage compartment therein; a first capacitance sensor and a second capacitance sensor provided on a side surface, a back surface, or a ceiling surface of the storage compartment and configured to detect a capacitance corresponding to a distance from a stored item stored in the storage compartment; and an information processing device configured to determine the presence or absence of the stored item based on detection results of the first capacitance sensor and the second capacitance sensor, wherein a detection direction of the capacitance of the first capacitance sensor and a detection direction of the capacitance of the second capacitance sensor intersect within the storage compartment.

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