TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator including means for detecting a storage
volume in a storage chamber.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] As a method of cooling a household refrigerator in recent years, an indirect cooling
system for circulating cold air in the refrigerator with a fan is general. Such a
conventional refrigerator has a cold-compartment temperature sensor that detects a
temperature in a cold compartment, and a freezing-compartment temperature sensor that
detects a temperature in a freezing compartment, in a refrigerator. Further, the conventional
refrigerator holds a temperature in the refrigerator at a proper temperature, by performing
temperature control according to detection results which are output from these sensors.
[0003] For example, as a refrigerator that uniformly holds an in-refrigerator temperature,
there is a refrigerator provided with a movable cold-air blowing apparatus (see Patent
Literature 1, for example).
[0004] FIG. 34 is a main-part front view of conventional refrigerator 100, and FIG. 35 is
a view for schematically showing behaviors of configuration parts such as temperature
sensors of conventional refrigerator 100.
[0005] As shown in FIG. 34, in conventional refrigerator 100, movable cold-air blowing apparatus
102 provided in cold compartment 101 makes the in-refrigerator temperature uniform
by laterally supplying cold air.
[0006] As shown in FIG. 35, in conventional refrigerator 100, when a temperature detected
by the freezing-compartment temperature sensor increases to a predetermined temperature
(ON temperature), the refrigerator drives a compressor, and also when a temperature
detected by the cold-compartment temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a temperature
of a predetermined value (open temperature), the refrigerator operates to set "close→open"
to a cold-compartment damper. In this way, the refrigerator drives a cooling fan (hereinafter,
this operation is called "cold-compartment and freezing-compartment simultaneous cooling
a").
[0007] Thereafter, when the detected temperature by the cold-compartment temperature sensor
reaches a predetermined temperature (close temperature), the refrigerator operates
to set "open→close" to the cold-compartment damper, and performs a cooling operation
at only a freezing compartment side (hereinafter, this operation is called "freezing-compartment
independent cooling b").
[0008] Thereafter, when the detected temperature by the freezing-compartment temperature
sensor reaches a predetermined temperature (OFF temperature), the refrigerator stops
the compressor (hereinafter, this operation is called "cooling-stop c").
[0009] Then, conventional refrigerator 100 sequentially repeats a series of operation including
the cold-compartment and freezing-compartment simultaneous cooling a, freezing-compartment
independent cooling b, and cooling-stop c, during a normal operation of the refrigerator.
[0010] In the case of refrigerator 100 having a freezing-compartment damper, an operation
of driving the compressor and the cooling fan is added to the above series of operation,
by setting the cold-compartment damper to "open" and setting the freezing compartment
to "close" (hereinafter, this operation is called "cold-compartment independent cooling
d".
[0011] However, in conventional refrigerator 100, even when an in-refrigerator temperature
is set uniform, a storage object is not necessarily preserved at an optimum temperature.
This is because refrigerator 100 detects an atmospheric temperature in the refrigerator
or a return-air temperature with the temperature sensors as temperature detecting
means, and because refrigerator 100 does not include means for directly detecting
a temperature of the storage object.
[0012] That is, there is a difference between an atmospheric temperature and an actual temperature
of the storage object in refrigerator 100. For example, a transition period is assumed
during which a temperature in refrigerator 100 reaches a set temperature after the
inside of the refrigerator is cooled from a state that the temperature in the refrigerator
rises immediately after a storage object is input, after the door is opened for a
long time, or immediately after a defrosting operation. During this period, there
arises a temperature difference dependent on a volume of a storage object, a specific
heat of a storage object or a heat capacity, between a detected temperature by temperature
detecting means arranged in the refrigerator and a temperature of the storage object.
Therefore, time taken until reaching an optimum preservation temperature changes depending
on a storage volume. Specifically, it is general that a cooling time until reaching
an optimum preservation temperature is long when a storage volume is large. Therefore,
an excessive cooling operation sometimes occurs.
[0013] Further, when a temperature of the storage object is stabilized at a low temperature
by cooling after passing a sufficient time, the storage object keeps the temperature
with a self heat capacity. However, when a storage volume is large, there is a high
possibility that a storage object is placed near a discharge opening, and cold air
directly touches the storage object. Therefore, the storage object tends to be cooled
excessively. Further, because the heat capacity becomes larger when the storage volume
is larger, a temperature difference between the air and the food becomes smaller than
that when the storage volume is a normal storage volume. Therefore, there is a tendency
of excessive cooling. Consequently, according to a conventional cooling control, the
storage object tends to become in a "too cold" state, and it is difficult to cool
the storage object at an optimum temperature. Further, during this period, refrigerator
100 performs a cooling operation while consuming excessive energy, resulting in the
occurrence of wasteful energy.
[0014] In recent years, a working form changes, and households in which both husband and
wife work are increasing. Further, opportunities of buying in a large supermarket
and the like are increasing. Accordingly, persons performing a bulk buying of foods
at one time for one week are increasing in holidays. Therefore, the storage volume
in refrigerator 100 tends to increase more than that of a conventional practice. On
the other hand, on weekdays, a storage object such as foods is not added in many cases,
and a life pattern of a general house is changing.
[0015] Further, when a storage volume increases large, because conventional refrigerator
100 performs a temperature control according to results of detection by temperature
sensors arranged in the refrigerator, a time difference occurs from when a storage
object is input until the temperature sensors detect an increase in the temperature.
This is attributable to a fact that the temperature sensors are normally molded with
a resin so that the temperature sensors cannot easily follow a rapid temperature change.
Accordingly, it takes time from when the storage object is input until a rapid cooling
operation is started by increasing rotation numbers of a compressor and a cooling
fan. That is, there is also a problem in that because it takes a long time until the
temperature reaches an optimum preservation temperature for the storage object, a
food freshness preservation characteristic becomes lower.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0016] PTL1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No.
H08-247608
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a
refrigerator capable of starting a rapid cooling operation by increasing rotation
numbers of a compressor and a cooling fan without generating a time difference from
input of a storage object.
[0018] The refrigerator according to the present invention includes a storage chamber partitioned
by a heat insulation wall and a heat insulation door, for storing a storage object,
a storage-volume estimating unit for estimating a storage volume in the storage chamber,
and a memory unit for memorizing a result of estimation by the storage-volume estimating
unit. Further, the refrigerator includes an arithmetic control unit for controlling
an output operation of an electrofunctional part by calculating a storage change volume
based on a result of estimation of a storage volume up to the last time memorized
in the memory unit, and a result of estimation by the storage-volume estimating unit.
The arithmetic control unit controls the output operation of the electrofunctional
part, by comparing a predetermined threshold value with a storage change volume, and
by deciding that the storage volume changed when the storage change volume exceeded
the threshold value.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along a 2-2 line in FIG. 1 of the refrigerator according
to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a storage-state detecting operation of the refrigerator
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an operation of the refrigerator, and showing a temperature
change relative to time, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an operation of the refrigerator, and showing a temperature
change relative to time, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a storage-volume detection control of the refrigerator
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a cooling-operation decision control using a storage-volume
detection control of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of a cooling-operation decision control
using a storage-volume detection control of the refrigerator according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing still other example of a cooling-operation decision
control using a storage-volume detection control of the refrigerator according to
the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control of performing a cooling operation decision
after a temperature detection control by the refrigerator according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 11A is a view showing a relationship between a storage volume change and a temperature
change of the refrigerator and a cooling operation decision according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11B is a view showing a relationship between a storage volume change and a temperature
change of the refrigerator and a cooling operation decision according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing a temperature behavior of a temperature
sensor when a storage object is input at a cold-compartment and freezing-compartment
simultaneous cooling time of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing a temperature behavior of a temperature
sensor when a storage object is input at a freezing-compartment independent cooling
time of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing a temperature behavior of a temperature
sensor when a storage object is input at a cooling-stop time of the refrigerator according
to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of forecast of a life pattern using a learning function
of the refrigerator and a start-and-end timing of a power-saving operation according
to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a learning operation control of the refrigerator according
to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a "bulk-buying day" decision by the learning function
of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of forecast of a life pattern using a separate learning
function and a start-and-end timing of a power-saving operation according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a learning operation control in a separate mode according
to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a storage-volume detecting operation according
to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a storage-volume detecting operation according
to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of a storage-volume detecting operation according
to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 23 is a front view of a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 24 is a front view of a refrigerator according to a sixth embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view along a 25-25 line in FIG. 24 of the refrigerator
according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of a light-volume detecting operation according
to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 27 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the sixth embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 28A is a control flowchart at a power source input time of the refrigerator according
to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 28B is a control flowchart of absence detection A of the refrigerator according
to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 28C is a control flowchart of a using-state decision A of the refrigerator according
to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 28D is a control flowchart of absence detection B of the refrigerator according
to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 28E is a control flowchart of a using-state decision B of the refrigerator according
to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 28F is a control flowchart of a using-state decision C of the refrigerator according
to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 28G is a control flowchart of another example of absence detection B of the refrigerator
according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 28H is a control flowchart of a using-state decision D of the refrigerator according
to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 29A is an operation image diagram of a basic defrost timing of the refrigerator
according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 29B is an operation image diagram of a defrost timing of the refrigerator when
the user returns home according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 29C is an operation image diagram when there is a time safe in a defrost time
of the refrigerator according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 29D is an operation image diagram when the user is absent during defrosting in
the refrigerator according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 30 is an operation image diagram of a defrost timing according to the seventh
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 31A is a control flowchart according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 31B is a control flowchart according to the seventh embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 32A is a control flowchart according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 32B is a control flowchart according to the eighth embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 33A is a control flowchart according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 33B is a control flowchart according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 34 is a main-part front view of the conventional refrigerator.
FIG. 35 is a view schematically showing behaviors of configuration parts such as temperature
sensors of the conventional refrigerator.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings.
The present invention is not limited by these embodiments.
FIRST EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0021] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention is described.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a front view of refrigerator 50 according to the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, refrigerator 50 includes refrigerator main body 11. Refrigerator
main body 11 is a heat-insulation box body, and is insulated from the surrounding,
in a structure having an outer box mainly made of steel plate, an inner box formed
with a resin such as ABS, and a heat insulation material such as urethane in a space
between the outer box and the inner box.
[0024] Refrigerator main body 11 is partitioned into a plurality of store rooms (storage
chambers) by heat insulation. At a top part, cold compartment 12 is provided. At a
lower part of cold compartment 12, ice compartment 13 and change compartment 14 are
laterally provided. Freezing compartment 15 is arranged at a lower part of ice compartment
13 and change compartment 14, and vegetable compartment 16 is arranged at a lowest
part.
[0025] In front of each storage chamber, a door for separating from outside air is configured
at a front opening part of refrigerator main body 11. Near a center part of cold compartment
door 12a of cold compartment 12, there are arranged operating unit 17 for performing
an in-refrigerator temperature setting of each compartment and setting of ice making
and a rapid cooling, and display unit 91 as an example of informing means for providing
various information to the user.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along a 2-2 line in FIG. 1 of refrigerator 50 according
to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of storage shelves 18 are provided in cold compartment
12, and a part of storage shelves 18 is configured to be vertically movable.
[0028] In cold compartment 12, there is provided a storage-state detecting unit configured
by illuminating unit 19 configured by a lamp and a plurality of LEDs, light emitting
unit 20 such as LEDs, and light-volume detecting unit 21 such as an illuminance (light)
sensor.
[0029] Illuminating unit 19 is arranged in a longitudinal direction on each of a left-side
wall surface and a right-side wall surface positioned in front of a front end (this
side) of storage shelf 18, nearer than a half of a depth dimension in the refrigerator,
viewed from door-open-side front surface in refrigerator 50. Further, light emitting
unit 20 is arranged adjacent to a position close to illuminating unit 19, and light-volume
detecting unit 21 is arranged at a rear position in cold compartment 12.
[0030] Further, the arrangement of light-volume detecting unit 21 is not limited to the
above example, and light-volume detecting unit 21 may be arranged at any position
in the refrigerator so far as light-volume detecting unit 21 is arranged at a position
where the light irradiated by light emitting unit 20 can be received via storage object
33 (see FIG. 4) and an in-refrigerator structure.
[0031] In a machine room formed in a top rear area in cold compartment 12, high-voltage
side configuration parts of a freezing cycle such as compressor 30 and a drier that
removes moisture are stored.
[0032] On a rear surface of freezing compartment 15, a cooling chamber for generating cold
air is provided. In the cooling chamber, there are provided a cooler, and cooling
fan 31 (see FIG. 3) for sending the cold air as cooling means cooled by the cooler
to cold compartment 12, change compartment 14, ice compartment 13, vegetable compartment
16, and freezing compartment 15. Further, to remove frost and ice adhered to the cooler
and a periphery of the cooler, a radiant heater (defrosting unit 68 (see FIG. 3)),
a drain pan, a drain tube evaporation tray, and the like are configured.
[0033] Cold compartment 12 is temperature-controlled normally at 1°C to 5°C as a lower limit
at which the storage object is not frozen, to perform refrigerated preservation. Vegetable
compartment 16 at a lowest part is temperature-controlled at 2°C to 7°C which is equal
to or slightly higher than the temperature in cold compartment 12.
[0034] Freezing compartment 15 is set in a freezing temperature range, and is temperature-controlled
normally at -22°C to -15°C for freezed preservation. However, to improve a freezed
preservation state, freezing compartment 15 is sometimes set to be temperature-controlled
at a low temperature of -30°C or -25°C, for example.
[0035] Ice compartment 13 makes ice with an automatic ice machine (not shown) set at an
upper part in the compartment using water sent from a water storage tank (not shown),
and stores the ice in an ice storage container (not shown) arranged at a lower part
in the compartment.
[0036] Change compartment 14 can be changed over to a temperature range set in advance between
a cold preservation temperature range and a freezing temperature range, in addition
to a cold preservation temperature range set at 1°C to 5°C, a vegetable temperature
range set at 2°C to 7°C, and a freezing temperature range normally set at -22°C to
-15°C. Change compartment 14 is a storage chamber including an independent door provided
in parallel with ice compartment 13, and includes a drawer-type door in many cases.
[0037] In the present embodiment, change compartment 14 is a storage chamber capable of
adjusting a temperature at temperatures including temperature ranges of cold storage
and freezing. However, change compartment 14 may be configured as a storage chamber
specializing in a changeover in an intermediate temperature range between cold storage
and freezing, by assigning a cold storage function to storage chamber 12 and vegetable
compartment 16 and assigning a freezing function to freezing compartment 15. The specialized
temperature range may be set in a storage chamber fixed to freezing, to follow an
increased demand for frozen foods in recent years, for example.
[0038] An operation and work of refrigerator 50 configured as described above are described.
[0039] FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of refrigerator 50 according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, refrigerator 50 includes light-volume detecting unit 21, temperature
sensor 61, door-open-close detecting unit 62, arithmetic control unit 22, light emitting
unit 20, compressor 30, cooling fan 31, temperature compensation heater 32, damper
67, defrosting unit 68, and display unit 91.
[0041] To measure an external environment, refrigerator 50 may further include outer-air
temperature sensor 63 and out-refrigerator illuminance sensor 72.
[0042] Arithmetic control unit 22 has storage-volume estimating unit 23, temperature-information
deciding unit 70, door-open-close information deciding unit 71, comparison-information
deciding unit 24, change-information deciding unit 25, memory unit 64, operation-start
deciding unit 65, and operation-end deciding unit 66.
[0043] In refrigerator 50 according to the present embodiment, when a door open-and-close
operation is performed, door-open-close detecting unit 62 detects an open operation
or a close operation, and inputs this signal to arithmetic control unit 22 configured
by a microcomputer or the like, and door-open-close information deciding unit 71 decides
a door open-and-close operation. When it is decided that a door is closed, arithmetic
control unit 22 sequentially operates light emitting unit 20 by a program determined
in advance.
[0044] Light-volume detecting unit 21 detects a light volume of the vicinity, and inputs
this information to arithmetic control unit 22. Storage-volume estimating unit 23
obtains storage information of a storage volume and a position of the storage object.
[0045] Upon obtaining the storage information, comparison-information deciding unit 24 compares
storage information before the opening of the door with storage information after
the closing of the door, for example, and obtains comparison information as a result.
[0046] Next, change-information deciding unit 25 compares the comparison information with
a predetermined threshold value, and obtains storage information of a storage volume
and a position of the storage object.
[0047] Operation-start deciding unit 65 of arithmetic control unit 22 performs a start decision
of a power-saving operation and a rapid cooling operation based on the obtained change
information, determines operations of compressor 30, cooling fan 31, temperature compensation
heater 32, damper 67, defrosting unit 68, and display unit 91 concerning the cooling
operation, and starts operation. Operation-end deciding unit 66 of arithmetic control
unit 22 performs an end decision of a power-saving operation and the rapid cooling
operation, and ends the operations of the above-described configuration elements.
[0048] Operations of light emitting unit 20 and light-volume detecting unit 21 that constitute
the storage-state detecting means are described in detail.
[0049] FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a storage-state detecting operation of refrigerator
50 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0050] Irradiation lights 34a output from light emitting units 20 arranged on left-and-right
both sidewalls of refrigerator 50 irradiate inside cold compartment 12 and storage
object 33 stored inside cold compartment 12. Further, a part of irradiation lights
34a is incident to light-volume detecting unit 21 arranged in cold compartment 12.
FIG. 4 shows a state that when storage object 33 is stored in cold compartment 12,
depending on presence of storage object 33, there occur an area A where irradiation
lights 34a from both the left-and-right sidewalls are shielded, an area B where any
one of irradiation lights 34a is shielded, and an area C where none of left and right
irradiation lights 34a is shielded.
[0051] In this case, light-volume detecting unit 21 is in the area B where any one of irradiation
lights 34a is shielded, and detects and outputs a corresponding light volume. When
a volume of storage object 33 is large, a detected light volume by light-volume detecting
unit 21 decreases because the area A where both lights are shielded increases.
[0052] When a storage volume is small, a detected light volume by light-volume detecting
unit 21 increases because the area C where none of irradiation lights 34a is shielded
increases.
[0053] In this way, by detecting by light-volume detecting unit 21 a light volume change
attributable to presence of storage object 33 and a difference in a volume of storage
object 33, volumes (example: large or small) of storage object 33 in the refrigerator
can be classified by deciding a detection result by using a predetermined threshold
value set in advance.
[0054] Further, by using light emitting unit 20 also as illuminating unit 19 provided in
refrigerator 50 or by using a substrate of light emitting unit 20 also as a substrate
of illuminating unit 19, a storage state can be detected in a simpler configuration
without additionally providing a light source and a material.
[0055] Next, an operation of a temperature control of a storage chamber of refrigerator
50 is described.
[0056] FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing an operation of refrigerator 50, and showing
a temperature change relative to time, according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0057] FIG. 5A shows a temperature change in refrigerator 50 when an increase volume of
a storage volume is larger than a standard, and FIG. 5B shows a temperature change
of refrigerator 50 when an increase volume of a storage volume is smaller than a standard.
Solid lines indicate a temperature of storage object 33 in the refrigerator and a
representative temperature in the storage chamber according to the present embodiment.
Broken lines indicate a temperature of storage object 33 and time dependence of a
representative temperature of a storage chamber when a control of a conventional refrigerator
is performed.
[0058] A set temperature Ko is a preset preservation temperature of storage object 33. When
an increase volume of a storage volume is larger and smaller than a standard, arithmetic
control unit 22 changes over an operation state of refrigerator 50 based on a decision
result of a storage volume by storage-volume estimating unit 23. To simplify the description,
it is assumed that a kind of each storage object 33 is the same. A decision standard
of "large, standard, small" of an increase volume of a storage volume is different
depending on a size, a configuration, and a control system of a refrigerator. Therefore,
the decision standard is not limited to the example described in the present specification.
[0059] In FIG. 5A, it is assumed that the door of refrigerator 50 is opened to preserve
storage object 33 in the storage chamber, and the door is closed after inputting storage
object 33 such as a food. Accordingly, when more storage object 33 of the same kind
than a standard is stored, a detected light volume by light-volume detecting unit
21 becomes smaller than that when a volume of storage object 33 is the standard. Based
on a decrease level of this detected light volume, change-information deciding unit
25 decides that an increase volume of a storage volume in the refrigerator is large.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 5A, according to a conventional cooling operation (broken
lines), a heat capacity held by the storage object is large. Further, according to
conventional temperature detecting means, a time delay and the like occur. Accordingly,
a cooling volume cannot be rapidly increased. Therefore, a temperature increases to
some extent, and thereafter, a cooling volume increases, and cooling occurs, and the
temperature approaches the set temperature Ko. However, because the cooling volume
is increasing, a certain level of an excessive cooling state occurs, and is stabilized
thereafter at Ko.
[0060] On the other hand, refrigerator 50 according to the present embodiment can rapidly
detect an input volume of food at a door closing time. Therefore, when an increase
of a certain constant storage volume or more is detected, for example, a cooling volume
can be rapidly increased to suppress the increase in the in-refrigerator temperature
and input storage object 33 can be quickly cooled. Further, to prevent excessive cooling,
a cooling volume can be decreased when a temperature reaches a vicinity of the set
temperature. Accordingly, power saving can be achieved by preventing an excessive
cooling state.
[0061] When an increase volume of a storage volume is smaller than a standard, a detected
light volume by light-volume detecting unit 21 becomes larger than that when the increase
volume of a storage volume is the standard. Based on an increase level of the detected
light volume, change-information deciding unit 25 decides that the increase volume
of a storage volume in the refrigerator is small.
[0062] In this case, as shown in FIG. 5B, according to the conventional cooling operation
(broken lines), time taken by storage object 33 to reach a set temperature is fast,
and power is sometimes consumed more than is necessary, resulting in a cooling operation.
Further, an excessive cooling state sometime occurs due to an increase of a cooling
volume by a door opening-and-closing signal and the like.
[0063] Accordingly, arithmetic control unit 22 suppresses a rotation number of compressor
30 or decreases a circulation volume of cold air, and automatically changes over to
a power-saving operation so that a temperature reaches a set temperature within a
prescribed time. By this operation, an energy-saving effect can be obtained by mitigating
a temperature behavior in the refrigerator, and noise reduction can be also performed
by suppressing a rotation speed of cooling fan 31.
[0064] Next, a storage-volume detection control using light emitting unit 20 and light-volume
detecting unit 21 is described.
[0065] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a storage-volume detection control of refrigerator
50 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0066] In FIG. 6, when arithmetic control unit 22 detects a door open-and-close operation
(S101) from the normal main control (S100), arithmetic control unit 22 confirms that
the door is in a closed state (S102), and starts the storage-volume detection control
(S103) when the door is in the closed state.
[0067] In the storage-volume detection control (S103), a plurality of light emitting units
20 are sequentially lit (S104). Each time, light-volume detecting unit 21 detects
and outputs a light volume and illuminance to arithmetic control unit 22 (S105).
[0068] Then, storage-volume estimating unit 23 obtains storage information about a storage
chamber (S106). Then, comparison-information deciding unit 24 compares storage information
before the opening of the door with storage information after the closing of the door,
storage information between before and after the opening and closing of the door at
a past plurality of times, or storage information between before and after a constant
time, and obtains comparison information (S107).
[0069] Then, change-information deciding unit 25 obtains change information about a storage
state based on the storage information obtained in step S106 and the comparison information
obtained in step S107 (S108). The obtained change information about the storage state
is memorized in memory unit 64 (S109), and a database of a certain period is built
up.
[0070] Arithmetic control unit 22 performs a decision control of the cooling operation,
based on this database (S110).
[0071] A detailed example of performing the cooling-operation control based on the above-described
storage-volume detection control is described with reference to FIG. 7 to FIG. 9.
[0072] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a cooling-operation decision control using the storage-volume
detection control of refrigerator 50 according to the first embodiment of the present
invention. In the example in FIG. 7, a relative evaluation of a storage volume of
storage object 33 is performed.
[0073] In FIG. 7, during the main control (S110), when a door open-and-close operation is
detected (S111), the storage detection control (S112) is started.
[0074] Specifically, as shown in steps S104 to S109 in FIG. 6, change information about
a storage state is obtained based on storage information and comparison information.
[0075] Arithmetic control unit 22 performs a threshold-value decision to storage-change
volume data A obtained from the change information (S113). When it is decided that
the storage-change volume data A exceeds a standard storage-change volume B set in
advance (S114, YES), operation-start deciding unit 65 performs a rapid cooling operation
(S116). In a rapid cooling operation, various operations are performed; a cooling-medium
circulation volume is increased by increasing a rotation number of compressor 30 so
that a cooling volume is increased, an air volume is increased by increasing a rotation
number of cooling fan 31, and an aperture of cold-compartment damper 67a is increased.
[0076] On the other hand, when it is decided that the storage-change volume data A is equal
to or smaller than the standard storage-change volume B set in advance (S114, NO),
arithmetic control unit 22 decides whether the storage-change volume data A is smaller
than a standard storage-change volume C set in advance (C < B). When the storage-change
volume data A is smaller than the standard storage-change volume C set in advance
(S115, YES), operation-start deciding unit 65 performs a power-saving operation (S117).
In the power-saving operation, various operations are performed; a cooling-medium
circulation volume is decreased by decreasing a rotation number of compressor 30 so
that a cooling volume is decreased, an air volume is decreased by decreasing a rotation
number of cooling fan 31, and an aperture of cold-compartment damper 67a is decreased.
In other cases (S115, NO), the normal operation is continued (S118).
[0077] When the process proceeds to step S117 or step S118, the process next proceeds to
a temperature detection control (S119). The standard storage-change volume B and the
standard storage-change volume C satisfy a relationship of (C < B).
[0078] Further, for the storage-change volume data A obtained from the change information
of the storage volume, there can be used an absolute change volume, a relative change
volume, a change rate, or a change pattern, relevant to attenuation of illuminance
by light-volume detecting unit 21 from before the opening of the door to after the
closing of the door. In the case of performing a decision based on the change pattern,
by classifying a storage volume into a plurality of levels such as "large, medium,
and small", for example, and by deciding that a storage volume change from before
the door opening to after the door closing is "small→large" or "small→medium", arithmetic
control unit 22 can adjust a cooling volume by matching this storage change pattern.
[0079] In the above-described example, refrigerator 50 includes cold compartment 12 as a
storage chamber for storing storage object 33, partitioned by a heat insulation wall
and a heat insulation door. Further, refrigerator 50 includes storage-volume estimating
unit 23 for estimating a storage volume in the storage chamber, and memory unit 64
for memorizing a result of estimation by storage-volume estimating unit 23. Refrigerator
50 further includes arithmetic control unit 22 for calculating a storage change volume
based on a result of estimation of a storage volume up to the last time memorized
in memory unit 64 and a result of estimation by storage-volume estimating unit 23,
and for controlling an output operation of the electrofunctional part. Arithmetic
control unit 22 compares a predetermined threshold value with a storage change volume,
decides that the storage volume changed when the storage change volume exceeds the
threshold value, and controls the output operation of the electrofunctional part.
[0080] In this example, when a storage change volume (relative value) exceeds a threshold
value, an output control is performed by deciding that the storage volume changed.
Accordingly, an energy-saving characteristic at an actual using time can be enhanced
by increasing an energy-saving-conscious operation rate. By using the threshold value,
chattering in the output operation of the electrofunctional part and a trip phenomenon
of compressor 30 can be prevented. Further, by comparing the predetermined threshold
value with a storage change volume, it is determined that the storage volume changed
when the storage change volume exceeds the threshold value. With this operation, a
particular variation that storage-volume estimating unit 23 potentially has can be
absorbed, and an output side can be properly controlled.
[0081] When the storage change volume does not exceed the threshold value, arithmetic control
unit 22 may be configured not to change the output operation of the electrofunctional
part. According to this configuration, when a storage change volume does not exceed
the threshold value, it is determined that there is no change in the storage volume.
By maintaining a storage volume memorized in memory unit 64 which is before storage-volume
estimating unit 23 obtains an estimation result, a small change (small-lot storage)
can be properly managed.
[0082] Further, the electrofunctional part can include at least one of cooling fan 31, damper
67, and compressor 30 for changing a cooling volume in the storage chamber. With this
configuration, an energy-saving characteristic at an actual using time can be improved
by improving an energy-saving-conscious operation rate.
[0083] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of the cooling-operation decision control
using the storage-volume detection control of refrigerator 50 according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0084] In the example of FIG. 8, an absolute evaluation of a storage volume of storage object
33 is performed.
[0085] In FIG. 8, in performing the main control (S120), when a door open-and-close operation
is detected (S121), a storage-volume detection control (S122) starts. In the storage-volume
detection control, storage-volume estimating unit 23 obtains storage information.
In this example, comparison information and change information are not calculated.
Therefore, in this example, comparison-information deciding unit 24 and change-information
deciding unit 25 are not necessarily required.
[0086] Next, arithmetic control unit 22 performs a threshold-value decision to storage volume
data G obtained from the storage information (S123). When it is decided that the storage
volume data G is larger than a standard storage volume H set in advance (S124, YES),
operation-start deciding unit 65 performs a rapid cooling operation (S126).
[0087] On the other hand, when the storage volume data G is equal to or smaller than the
standard storage volume H set in advance (S124, NO), and also when the storage volume
data G is smaller than a standard storage volume I set in advance (S125, YES), operation-start
deciding unit 65 performs a power-saving operation (S127). In other cases (S125, NO),
the normal operation is continued (S128). When the process proceeds to step S127 or
step S128, the process proceeds to a temperature detection control
[0088] (S129). The standard storage volume H and the standard storage volume I satisfy a
relationship of I < H.
[0089] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing still other example of a cooling-operation decision
control using a storage-volume detection control of refrigerator 50 according to the
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0090] FIG. 9 also shows an example of performing an absolute evaluation of a storage volume
of storage object 33.
[0091] In FIG. 9, during the main control (S130), when a door open-and-close operation is
detected (S131), standard-storage volume data J is read from memory unit 64 (S132).
[0092] At this time, it is assumed that data of a storage volume of a certain constant period
(for example, three weeks) is being memorized in memory unit 64. This data of the
storage volume is calculated, and the standard-storage volume data J is calculated.
[0093] Next, a storage-volume detection control is started (S133) and storage information
is decided. Then, a threshold-value decision is performed to storage-volume data K
obtained from the storage information (S134). When the storage-volume data K is larger
than a value obtained by multiplying a determined coefficient α (1.15, for example)
to the standard-storage volume data J (S135, YES), operation-start deciding unit 65
performs a rapid cooling operation (S137). On the other hand, when the storage-volume
data K is equal to or smaller than a value obtained by multiplying the determined
coefficient α (1.15, for example) to the standard-storage volume data J (S135, NO),
and also when storage-change volume data K is smaller than a value obtained by multiplying
a determined coefficient β (1.05, for example) to the standard-storage volume data
J (S136, YES), operation-start deciding unit 65 performs a power-saving operation
(S138). In other cases (S136, NO), the normal operation is continued (S139). When
the process proceeds to step S138 or step S139, the process proceeds to a temperature
detection control (S140).
[0094] The coefficient α and the coefficient β satisfy a relationship of β < α.
[0095] In the above example, refrigerator 50 includes a storage chamber for storing a storage
object, partitioned by a heat insulation wall and a heat insulation door, and storage-volume
estimating unit 23 for estimating a storage volume in the storage chamber based on
a standard value held in advance. Further, refrigerator 50 includes arithmetic control
unit 22 for calculating a storage volume in the storage chamber, and controlling an
output operation of the electrofunctional part, based on a result of estimation by
storage-volume estimating unit 23. Further, arithmetic control unit 22 controls an
output operation of the electrofunctional part based on a predetermined threshold
value and a storage volume.
[0096] With this configuration, it is possible to use only a portion suitable for estimating
a storage volume for calculation, and an output operation can be optimized. Further,
because an absolute volume can be output, it is not necessary to consider a variation
in time series, or a variation generated by relative comparison.
[0097] It is also possible to configure such that an output operation of the electrofunctional
part is controlled, by holding a plurality of threshold values, and by deciding a
storage volume in the storage chamber in a plurality of groups based on the threshold
values.
[0098] With this configuration, based on a plurality of threshold values, a storage volume
in the storage chamber can be output by deciding the storage volume in a plurality
of groups, control can be simplified, and easiness of handling the display function
and the like can be improved.
[0099] Next, the temperature detection control in steps S119, S129, S140 described with
reference to FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 are described.
[0100] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control of performing a cooling operation decision
after a temperature detection control by refrigerator 50 according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
[0101] In FIG. 10, after the temperature detection control is started, it is confirmed whether
predetermined time has passed (S141). When a predetermined time has not passed, the
passing of the time is awaited (S141, NO).
[0102] When the predetermined time has passed (S141, YES), a temperature in the refrigerator
is detected with temperature sensor 61 (see FIG. 3). Temperature-information deciding
unit 70 decides temperature information (S143). The decided information is memorized
in memory unit 64, and a database of a certain constant period is built up (S144).
[0103] Next, a threshold-value decision is performed to the temperature information data
D obtained from the temperature information (S145). When the temperature information
data D is higher than a standard temperature E set in advance (S146, YES), operation-start
deciding unit 65 performs a rapid cooling operation (S148). On the other hand, when
the temperature information data D is equal to or lower than the standard temperature
E set in advance (S146, NO), and also when the temperature information data D is lower
than a standard temperature F set in advance (S147, YES), operation-start deciding
unit 65 performs a power-saving operation (S149). In other cases (S147, NO), the normal
operation is continued (S150). The standard temperature E and the standard temperature
F satisfy a relationship of E > F.
[0104] By the above operation, it is possible to realize the automatic rapid cooling and
the cooling operation of automatic power saving corresponding to a food storage volume
change at a buying time and a using state of the refrigerator.
[0105] Next, a cooling operation decision based on a decision result of a storage volume
change and a temperature change is described.
[0106] FIGS. 11A and 11B are views showing relationships between a storage volume change
and a temperature change of refrigerator 50 according to the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0107] In FIGS. 11A and 11B, the normal operation is performed between the standard storage-change
volume B and the standard storage-change volume C, and between the standard temperature
E and the standard temperature F, and therefore, these sections are not shown.
[0108] As shown in FIG. 11A, a storage volume change from before the door opening to after
the door closing is detected and decided. When the obtained storage-change volume
data A is larger than the standard storage-change volume B set in advance, for example,
a rapid cooling operation is performed.
[0109] On the other hand, when the obtained storage-change volume data A is smaller than
the standard storage-change volume B set in advance and the standard storage-change
volume C set in advance, basically a power-saving operation is performed.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 11A, by detecting and deciding the temperature information obtained
by temperature sensor 61, when the obtained temperature information data D is larger
than the standard temperature E set in advance, for example a rapid cooling operation
is performed. On the other hand, when the obtained temperature information data D
is smaller than the standard temperature E set in advance and the standard temperature
F set in advance, a power-saving operation is performed.
[0111] The standard storage-change volume B, the standard storage-change volume C, the standard
temperature E, and the standard temperature F may be set by outside-air temperature
or by storage volume. For example, when an outside-air temperature is low, the in-refrigerator
temperature does not easily increase even when there is door opening-and-closing or
when a food is input. Therefore, energy saving can be realized by facilitating a power-saving
operation, by setting the standard temperature E or the standard temperature F high
and by setting the standard storage-change volume B or the standard storage-change
volume C large. On the other hand, when an outside-air temperature is high, the in-refrigerator
temperature becomes high when there is door opening-and-closing or when a food is
input. Therefore, a high freshness preservation characteristic of storage object can
be realized by facilitating a rapid cooling operation, by setting the standard temperature
E or the standard temperature F low and by setting the standard storage-change volume
B or the standard storage-change volume C small.
[0112] Further, when a storage volume in refrigerator 50 is large, the in-refrigerator temperature
does not easily increase because of a cold-storage effect of food even when there
is door opening-and-closing or when a food is input. Therefore, energy saving can
be realized by facilitating a power-saving operation, by setting the standard temperature
E or the standard temperature F high and by setting the standard storage-change volume
B or the standard storage-change volume C large. On the other hand, when a storage
volume in refrigerator 50 is small, the in-refrigerator temperature becomes high when
there is door opening-and-closing or when a food is input. Therefore, a high freshness
preservation characteristic of storage object can be realized by facilitating a rapid
cooling operation, by setting the standard temperature E or the standard temperature
F low and by setting the standard storage-change volume B or the standard storage-change
volume C small.
[0113] Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, the setting of the standard temperatures E, F or the
standard storage-change volumes B, C may be changed by matching a storage change volume
or a temperature increase in the refrigerator.
[0114] For example, a rapid cooling operation is performed when a storage volume is greatly
increased due to a bulk buying, or when a heated cooked food is stored in the refrigerator
which affects the temperature in refrigerator 50 although the increase in the storage
volume is small. Further, a rapid cooling operation is also performed when a temperature
in refrigerator 50 gradually changes although the increase in the storage volume from
before the door opening to after the door closing is small such as when food is stored
in refrigerator 50 in a divided small lot, or when the temperature in refrigerator
50 greatly changes because the door of refrigerator 50 is kept opened for a long time
in a half-opened state, for example. With this operation, because storage object 33
is cooled to an optimum preservation temperature in a short time, a high freshness
preservation characteristic of storage object 33 can be realized.
[0115] On the other hand, when only confirming a storage object in refrigerator 50 or when
a change in a storage volume is small when taking out beverage and returning it to
the refrigerator and also when a temperature change in the refrigerator is small,
"too cold" can be prevented by performing a power-saving operation, and an optimum
cooling operation can be realized by matching a life pattern of each house.
[0116] In the above example, refrigerator 50 includes a storage chamber for storing a storage
object, partitioned by a heat insulation wall and a heat insulation door, temperature
sensor 61 as temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature in the storage
chamber, and storage-volume estimating unit 23 for estimating a storage volume in
the storage chamber. Further, refrigerator 50 includes memory unit 64 for memorizing
a result of estimation by storage-volume estimating unit 23, a cooling unit for cooling
inside the storage chamber, and arithmetic control unit 22 for controlling the cooling
unit by performing a calculation based on input data of temperature sensor 61, storage-volume
estimating unit 23, and memory unit 64. At the time of normal operation, arithmetic
control unit 22 controls the output operation of the cooling unit based on a temperature
of temperature sensor 61, and also controls the cooling unit by prioritizing over
a temperature change when it is decided that the storage volume in the storage chamber
changed.
[0117] Accordingly, as compared with a case of detecting a storage volume change by using
only a thermistor, the storage volume change can be quickly detected in real time,
and a temperature increase of food can be suppressed by a quick cooling-capacity control.
Further, overshoot (excessive cooling) at a time of load reduction can be suppressed,
and an energy-saving characteristic can be improved.
[0118] A rapid cooling operation and a power-saving operation are described in detail with
reference to FIG. 12 to FIG. 14.
[0119] FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing a temperature behavior of temperature
sensor 61 when a storage object is input at a time of simultaneous cooling of cold-compartment
and freezing-compartment of refrigerator 50 according to the first embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing a temperature behavior
of temperature sensor 61 when a storage object is input at a freezing-compartment
independent cooling time of refrigerator 50 according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is
a diagram schematically showing a temperature behavior of temperature sensor 61 when
a storage object is input at a cooling-stop time of refrigerator 50 according to the
embodiment.
[0120] There are two methods for the rapid cooling operation. One method is for increasing
an air volume of the cold compartment, and the other method is for lowering a discharged-air
temperature from the cold compartment. As concrete means for the former, a rotation
number of cooling fan 32 is increased, or an aperture of damper 67 of cold compartment
12 is increased. With this operation, the air volume of cold compartment 12 is increased,
and a rapid cooling operation is performed. Accordingly, because a rotation number
and the like of cooling fan 31 can be optimized by matching a storage state in each
house, a power consumption volume can be suppressed. On the other hand, as concrete
means for the latter, by increasing a rotation number of compressor 30, a cooling-medium
circulation volume is increased to decrease a discharged-air temperature from the
cold compartment and a rapid cooling operation is performed.
[0121] In the power-saving operation, a rotation number of compressor 30 is lowered to decrease
a cooling-medium circulation volume and increase a discharged-air temperature into
the refrigerator. Accordingly, because a rotation number and the like of compressor
30 can be optimized by matching a storage state in each house, a power consumption
can be suppressed.
[0122] As shown in FIG. 12, when a storage object is input at the time of cold-compartment
and freezing-compartment simultaneous cooling a, the conventional refrigerator (broken
lines) generates a time difference from when the storage object is input until temperature
sensor 61 detects a temperature increase. After detecting the temperature increase,
a rotation number of compressor 30 is gradually increased. Therefore, it takes time
to cool the input storage object to a target temperature.
[0123] Further, there is also a problem of reduction in freshness preservation characteristic
of storage object, because of an increase in the temperature of a cooler due to return
of a return air (warm air) from cold compartment 12 to the cooler, and because of
an increase in freezing compartment 15 due to an increase in a discharged-air temperature
that is heat-exchanged by the cooler.
[0124] Refrigerator 50 according to the present embodiment calculates a storage-volume change
volume from before the door opening to after the door closing. When a storage-volume
increase volume is larger than a predetermined threshold value, first, cooling-pattern
identification means of arithmetic control unit 22 identifies that a cooling pattern
at this time is the cold-compartment and freezing-compartment simultaneous cooling
a, and immediately thereafter, refrigerator 50 increases the rotation number of compressor
30. With this operation, a cooling-medium circulation volume increases, a cooling
capacity increases, and a discharged-air temperature from cold compartment 12 decreases
immediately after storage object 33 is input. Therefore, input storage object 33 can
be cooled to an optimum preservation temperature in a shorter time than that in the
conventional refrigerator.
[0125] Further, in refrigerator 50 having damper 67 of the freezing compartment, by calculating
a storage-volume change volume from before the door opening to after the door closing,
when a storage-volume increase volume is larger than a predetermined threshold value,
refrigerator 50 performs an operation of setting "open→close" to damper 67 of the
freezing compartment. With this operation, flow of warm air from the cold compartment
to freezing compartment 15 due to the input of a storage object can be prevented.
Then, after a constant time, refrigerator 50 performs an operation of setting "close→open"
to damper 67 of freezing compartment 15, at the time point when a temperature detected
by temperature sensor 61 of cold compartment 12 becomes equal to or lower than a certain
predetermined temperature or when a temperature detected by temperature sensor 61
of freezing compartment 15 becomes equal to or higher than a certain predetermined
temperature.
[0126] As shown in FIG. 13, when storage object 33 is input during freezing-compartment
independent cooling b, the conventional refrigerator generates a time difference from
when the storage object is input until temperature sensor 61 detects a temperature
increase. Therefore, there is a case that a temperature detected by temperature sensor
61 of freezing compartment 15 reaches an OFF temperature of a predetermined value
and compressor 30 stops, until temperature sensor 61 of cold compartment 12 detects
a temperature increase. Thereafter, at the time point when a temperature detected
by temperature sensor 61 of cold compartment 12 reaches an open temperature, refrigerator
50 controls to set "close→open" to damper 67 of cold compartment 12. With this operation,
because compressor 30 or cooling fan 31 is driven and cools input storage object 33,
it takes time to cool input storage object 33 to a target temperature.
[0127] On the other hand, refrigerator 50 according to the present embodiment calculates
a storage-volume change volume from before the door opening to after the door closing.
When a storage-volume increase volume is larger than a predetermined threshold value,
first, cooling-pattern identification means of arithmetic control unit 22 identifies
that a cooling pattern at this time is the freezing-compartment independent cooling
b, and immediately thereafter, refrigerator 50 controls to operate "close→open" to
damper 67 of cold compartment 12 and increases the rotation number of compressor 30.
With this operation, because discharged air flows to cold compartment 12, input storage
object 33 can be cooled to an optimum preservation temperature in a shorter time than
that achieved by conventional refrigerator 50.
[0128] Further, in refrigerator 50 having damper 67 of freezing compartment 15, a storage-volume
change volume from before the door opening to after the door closing is calculated.
When a storage-volume change volume is larger than a predetermined threshold value,
refrigerator 50 immediately operates to set "open→close" to damper 67 of freezing
compartment 15. With this operation, flow of warm air from cold compartment 12 into
freezing compartment 15 due to the input of storage object 33 can be prevented. Then,
after a constant time, or at the time point when a temperature detected by temperature
sensor 61 of cold compartment 12 becomes equal to or lower than a certain predetermined
temperature or when a temperature detected by temperature sensor 61 of freezing compartment
15 becomes equal to or higher than a certain predetermined temperature, refrigerator
50 operates to set "close→open" to damper 67 of freezing compartment 15.
[0129] As shown in FIG. 14, when storage object 33 is input at a cooling-stop c time, in
the conventional refrigerator, compressor 30 is not driven until a temperature detected
by temperature sensor 61 of freezing compartment 15 reaches the ON temperature. Thereafter,
at the time point when a temperature detected by temperature sensor 61 of cold compartment
12 reaches an open temperature, refrigerator 50 controls to set "close→open" to damper
67 of cold compartment 12, drives compressor 30 and cooling fan 31, and cools the
input storage object. Therefore, it takes time to cool storage object 33 to a target
temperature.
[0130] On the other hand, refrigerator 50 according to the present embodiment calculates
a storage-volume change volume from before the door opening to after the door closing.
When a storage-volume increase volume is larger than a predetermined threshold value,
first, cooling-pattern identification means of arithmetic control unit 22 identifies
that a cooling pattern at this time is the cooling-stop c. Thereafter, when compressor
30 is after having stopped a constant time (ten minutes, for example), refrigerator
50 drives compressor 30 in high rotation regardless of a temperature detected by temperature
sensor 61, and operates to set "close→open" to damper 67 of cold compartment 12. With
this operation, because cold compartment 12 can be quickly cooled while securing starting
of compressor 30, input storage object 33 can be cooled to an optimum preservation
temperature in a shorter time than that achieved by the conventional refrigerator.
[0131] Further, in refrigerator 50 having damper 67 of freezing compartment 15, there is
a case that during a stop of compressor 30, cooling is performed by using frost adhered
to the cooler, by setting "open" to damper 67 of cold compartment 12 and setting "close"
to damper 67 of freezing compartment 15. In this case, at the time point of detecting
a storage volume increase, only cold compartment 12 is operated by starting while
securing starting of compressor 30, with damper 67 of freezing compartment kept in
a "close" state. With this operation, input storage object 33 can be cooled to an
optimum preservation temperature in a shorter time than that of the conventional refrigerator.
However, at the time point when a temperature detected by temperature sensor 61 of
freezing compartment 15 becomes equal to or higher than a certain predetermined temperature,
refrigerator 50 operates to set "close→open" to damper 67 of freezing compartment
15.
[0132] Further, in refrigerator 50 having damper 67 of freezing compartment 15, when a storage
object is input at a cold-compartment independent cooling d time, refrigerator 50
calculates a storage-volume change volume from before the door opening to after the
door closing. When a storage-volume increase volume is larger than a predetermined
threshold value, first, cooling-pattern identification means of arithmetic control
unit 22 identifies that a cooling pattern at this time is the cold-compartment independent
cooling d. Thereafter, a rotation number of compressor 30 is immediately increased
in a similar manner to that of the cold-compartment and freezing-compartment simultaneous
cooling a time. With this operation, because a discharged-air temperature from cold
compartment 12 decreases, input storage object 33 can be cooled to an optimum preservation
temperature in a shorter time than that of the conventional refrigerator. Then, after
a constant time, or at the time point when a temperature detected by temperature sensor
61 of cold compartment 12 becomes equal to or lower than a certain predetermined temperature
or when a temperature detected by temperature sensor 61 of freezing compartment 15
becomes equal to or higher than a certain predetermined temperature, refrigerator
50 controls to set "close→open" to damper 67 of freezing compartment 15.
[0133] The above-described rapid cooling operation is canceled by operation-end deciding
unit 66, and the normal operation or the cooling operation of automatic power saving
is started, after compressor 30 stops after a lapse of a constant time or at the time
point when a temperature detected by temperature sensor 61 of cold compartment 12
becomes equal to or lower than a certain predetermined temperature.
[0134] By the above operation, optimum automatic rapid cooling and a cooling operation of
automatic power saving can be realized by matching the cooling pattern of refrigerator
50.
[0135] Regarding the automatic rapid cooling and the cooling operation of automatic power
saving in refrigerator 50 according to the present embodiment, a function by the intention
of the user such as a change of the in-refrigerator temperature setting and a rapid
freeze function, for example, can be also prioritized.
[0136] Forecast of a life pattern by the learning function and a start-and-end timing of
a power-saving operation according to the present embodiment are described.
[0137] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of forecast of a life pattern using a learning
function of refrigerator 50 and a start-and-end timing of a power-saving operation
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0138] The learning function according to the present embodiment is that arithmetic control
unit 22 decides presence of a life style of a constant pattern, based on obtained
temperature information, door opening-and-closing information, storage information,
or change information of a storage state that are accumulated by memory unit 64 during
a constant period (three weeks, for example). By the forecast based on a learning
result, start and end timings of a power-saving operation are determined, and a power-saving
operation for automatically controlling the operations of compressor 30, cooling fan
31, temperature compensation heater 32, damper 67, defrosting unit 68, and display
unit 91 as electronic load parts are performed.
[0139] In general, on holidays, the door is opened and closed frequently, and a heat load
in refrigerator 50 is large. On weekdays, during a working time, particularly in a
household in which both husband and wife work, there is no door opening-and-closing
in the daytime, and a heat load in refrigerator 50 is small.
[0140] In the example shown in FIG. 15, one hour is considered as one section, 24 sections
correspond to one day, and 168 sections correspond to one week (seven days).
[0141] During one section, time during which an in-refrigerator temperature that is equal
to or higher than the standard temperature E continued for a constant time, and time
during which a storage-volume increase is equal to or larger than the standard storage-change
volume B are memorized. Then, a learning result one week before, two weeks before,
and three weeks before a measuring day is extracted. When two thirds or more of three
weeks is a time zone in which the in-refrigerator temperature that is equal to or
higher than the standard temperature E continues for a constant time, or when two
thirds or more of three weeks is a time zone in which a storage-volume increase that
is equal to or larger than the standard storage-change volume B is detected, this
time zone is decided as "heat-load large time" and is learned as such. Further, in
addition to the in-refrigerator temperature and the storage-volume increase, a number
of door open-close times may be learned. In this case, from the learning result, when
two thirds or more of three weeks is time when a total number of times of opening-and-closing
the doors of cold compartment 12 and freezing compartment 15 is equal to or larger
than a constant number of times (five or more times, for example) during one section,
this time zone can be decided as "heat-load large time" and can be learned as such.
[0142] Further, a temperature difference between freezing compartment 15 and an outside
of the refrigerator is larger than a temperature difference between cold compartment
12 and the outside of the refrigerator, and the in-refrigerator temperature easily
increases by door opening-and-closing. Therefore, when two thirds or more of three
weeks is time when a total number of times of opening-and-closing the door of freezing
compartment 15 is equal to or larger than a constant number of times (two or more
times, for example) during one section, this time zone may be decided as "heat-load
large time".
[0143] In a general house, in many cases, the user has life of a certain constant pattern
in a day. Further, life of a certain constant life pattern is held in many cases in
the same day of the week, with one week as a unit. It is very effective to perform
a cooling operation of refrigerator 50 by considering these factors, and this leads
to power saving. It is desirable to update data rewriting in a unit of one section
(unit time: 60 minutes, for example). However, the updating may be in a day unit or
a week unit.
[0144] Then, from a forecast result of a user's life pattern, a start-and-end timing of
a power-saving operation is determined. A power-saving operation is performed in time
other than a time zone that is decided as "heat-load large time" by a learning result,
and the power-saving operation is shifted to the normal operation at the time point
when the "heat-load large time" has come.
[0145] However, as a shift time from the power-saving operation to the normal operation,
actually, the power-saving operation ends and is changed over to the normal operation
predetermined time (one hour, for example) before start of the "heat-load large time".
This is because, in the "heat-load large time", a temperature in refrigerator 50 is
assumed to become high due to frequent door opening-and-closing and for preservation
of a warm cooked product in a time zone of cooking, for example. Thereafter, at the
time point of the end of the "heat-load large time", the power-saving operation is
started again when the in-refrigerator temperature is equal to or lower than the standard
temperature E.
[0146] Next, a control flow diagram of a learning operation control is described.
[0147] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a learning operation control of refrigerator 50 according
to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0148] In FIG. 16, after the learning operation control has started, it is confirmed that
the operation is the normal operation (S151). Next, it is decided whether it is an
end time of the "heat-load large time" decided by the learning result (S152).
[0149] When it is decided that it is the end time of "heat-load large time" (S152, YES),
it is decided whether a current temperature in refrigerator 50 is equal to or lower
than the standard temperature E (S153).
[0150] When it is decided in step S153 that the in-refrigerator temperature is equal to
or lower than the standard temperature E, the normal operation is changed over to
a power-saving operation (S154). On the other hand when it is decided in step S152
that it is not the end time of "heat-load large time" (S152, NO), or when it is decided
in step S153 that the in-refrigerator temperature exceeds the standard temperature
E (S153, NO), the normal operation is continued (S151).
[0151] Then, it is confirmed that the operation is the power-saving operation (S154), and
it is decided whether it is predetermined time before start of the "heat-load large
time" (S155). When it is decided that it is predetermined time before start of the
"heat-load large time" (S155, YES), the power-saving operation is changed over to
the normal operation (S151). On the other hand, when it is decided in step S155 that
it is not predetermined time before start of the "heat-load large time" (S155, NO),
the power-saving operation is continued (S154).
[0152] By the above operation, it is possible to virtually detect a day of the week, by
patterning and learning a food storage volume change at a buying time, and a storage
state and a using environment in each house, and by separating the data for every
seven days, for example. With the above operation, by performing the normal operation
in only a day of the week and time in which a heat load of refrigerator 50 is assumed
to be large, "too cold" can be prevented by suppressing a rotation number of compressor
30 and cooling fan 31 in a day of the week and time in which a heat load of refrigerator
50 is assumed to be small. In this way, energy saving can be automatically realized
by matching a life pattern of each house.
[0153] Next, another example of forecast of a life pattern by the learning function and
a start-and-end timing of the power-saving operation is described.
[0154] FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a "bulk-buying day" decision by the learning
function of refrigerator 50 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of forecast of a life pattern using a separate learning
function and a start-and-end timing of the power-saving operation according to the
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0155] In the example shown in FIG. 17, a day when there is a storage-volume increase equal
to or larger than the standard storage change volume B is decided for each day.
[0156] Based on bulk-buying tendency that increases in recent years, a number of times of
buying is assumed as twice a week, for example. In this case, as an example, a storage
volume increases once on a weekday and once on a holiday. On other days, a storage
volume in cold compartment 12 shifts in a reduction direction to some extent, because
a storage object is used for cooking and the like.
[0157] On a bulk-buying day, the in-refrigerator temperature is estimated to increase due
to a storage-volume increase in cold compartment 12. Therefore, by forecasting and
learning a "bulk-buying day", input storage object 33 can be cooled to an optimum
preservation temperature in a short time by increasing a cooling volume on the day
that is forecasted as the "bulk-buying day". Consequently, a high freshness preservation
characteristic of storage object 33 can be realized.
[0158] On a day that is forecasted as other than the "bulk-buying day", the power-saving
operation is performed by decreasing the cooling volume. With this operation, a cooling
volume can be adjusted by matching a storage state and a using state. Therefore, by
preventing "too cold", energy saving can be realized by performing an optimum cooling
operation by matching a life pattern of each house.
[0159] A decision method of a "bulk-buying day" is described. When one day is considered
as one section, seven sections correspond to one week (seven days). Days when there
are storage-volume increases equal to or more than the standard storage-change volume
B during this period is memorized. Then, a learning result one week before, two weeks
before, and three weeks before this day is extracted. When two thirds or more of past
three weeks are days in which there is a storage-volume increase equal to or more
than the standard storage change volume B, the corresponding day of the week is decided
and learned as a "bulk-buying day". In the example shown in FIG. 17, Wednesday and
Saturday are decided as "bulk-buying days".
[0160] A "bulk-buying day" may be decided and learned from a decrease volume from the average
storage volume. In this case, a storage volume at every constant time is memorized,
and an average storage volume in each house is learned from data of past three weeks.
When a storage volume during this time becomes smaller by a constant volume or more
(10% or more, for example) than the learned average storage volume, a day next to
this day is memorized. When two thirds or more of past three weeks is a corresponding
day, the corresponding day of the week is decided and learned as a "bulk-buying day".
[0161] In learning the "bulk-buying day", it is necessary to divide a period from morning
to the morning of the next day, or a period from night to the night of the next day
as one day. It is easy to divide one day by adding a clock function to refrigerator
50. However, this has a disadvantage of increasing cost.
[0162] It is possible to divide one day, by arranging out-refrigerator illuminance sensor
72 (see FIG. 3) outside refrigerator 50 and by deciding night time from a result of
detection by out-refrigerator illuminance sensor 72. For example, a time when average
illuminance during one hour becomes equal to or lower than a prescribed value (5 Lx
or lower, for example) is a time when sleeping starts. Time from this hour to hour
when the average illuminance returns to equal to or higher than the prescribed value
and when the average illuminance become equal to or lower than the prescribed value
again is decided as one day.
[0163] By deciding in this way, one day can be divided at low cost and accurately. Further,
during a night time, refrigerator 50 is little used, and time during which a number
of door open-close times is small is assumed to continue. Therefore, by deciding and
learning from a combination of a result of detection by door-open-close detecting
unit 62 and a result of detection by out-refrigerator illuminance sensor 72, one day
can be divided in higher precision. It is also possible to calculate one day by detecting
a temperature change during daytime and nighttime with outer-air temperature sensor
63. Also in this case, one day can be divided in high precision in a similar manner
to that when out-refrigerator illuminance sensor 72 is used.
[0164] When a "bulk-buying day" is assumed, it is considered that, in returning home after
the buying, the user immediately stores the bought food into refrigerator 50 in many
cases. Therefore, from the number of times of opening and closing the door of refrigerator
50, it is possible to decide and learn "unused time" during which refrigerator 50
is not used. Accordingly, by increasing a cooling volume predetermined time before
the "unused time", input storage object 33 can be cooled to an optimum preservation
temperature in a short time. Accordingly, a high freshness preservation characteristic
of storage object 33 can be realized.
[0165] A decision method of an "unused time" is described with reference to FIG. 18.
[0166] As shown in FIG. 18, from a number of door open-close times in one section, time
when there is door opening-and-closing at or smaller than a constant number of times
during one hour (once or less, for example), for example, is memorized. From a learning
result one week before, two weeks before, and three weeks before a corresponding day,
when there is a time zone in which there are door openings and closings at only a
constant number of times or less during one hour in two thirds or more of three weeks,
the corresponding time zone is decided and learned as an "unused time".
[0167] By arranging out-refrigerator illuminance sensor 72 outside refrigerator 50, and
by memorizing a result of detection by out-refrigerator illuminance sensor 72, decision
accuracy of the "unused time" can be further enhanced. Whether a periphery of a set
position of refrigerator 50 is bright or dark can be detected from an output of out-refrigerator
illuminance sensor 72. Therefore, it is possible to discriminate between a daytime
when there is a possibility of mainly the user becoming active and a night time when
there is a low possibility of the user becoming active.
[0168] By detecting a periphery of refrigerator 50 with out-refrigerator illuminance sensor
72, detected information is output to arithmetic control unit 22. Time during which
average illuminance in one section is equal to or lower than a prescribed value (5
Lx or lower, for example) is memorized. When two thirds or more of three weeks is
a time zone during which average illuminance in one section is equal to or lower than
a prescribed value (5 Lx or lower, for example) from a learning result one week before,
two weeks before, and three weeks before a corresponding day, the corresponding time
zone may be decided and learned as an "unused time".
[0169] In this way, start and end timings of the power-saving operation are determined from
a forecast result of a life pattern of the user. On a day that is decided as a day
other than a "bulk-buying day" from a learning result, the power-saving operation
is performed in a time zone other than a learned "heat-load large time", and the power-saving
operation is shifted to the normal operation at the time point of becoming the "heat-load
large time". This is because, in the "heat-load large time", a temperature in refrigerator
50 is assumed to be high due to frequent door opening-and-closing and for preservation
of a warm cooked product during a time zone of cooking, for example.
[0170] However, as a shift time from the power-saving operation to the normal operation,
actually, the power-saving operation ends and is changed over to the normal operation
predetermined time (one hour, for example) before start of the "heat-load large time".
Accordingly, on a day which is decided as other than a "bulk-buying day", the normal
operation is performed in only a time zone in which a heat load of refrigerator 50
is assumed to be large. In a time zone in which a heat load to refrigerator 50 is
assumed to be small, "too cold" can be prevented by suppressing a rotation number
of compressor 30 or the cooling fan. In this way, energy saving can be automatically
realized by matching a life pattern of each house.
[0171] When it is decided that a day is a "bulk-buying day" from a forecast result of a
life pattern of the user, the power-saving operation is performed in a learned "unused
time" zone, and the power-saving operation is shifted to the normal operation at the
time point of becoming an end of the "unused time". This is because there is a high
possibility that immediately after the user returns home from shopping, the user inputs
the bought product into refrigerator 50, and at this time, a temperature in refrigerator
50 becomes high. However, as a shift time from the power-saving operation to the normal
operation, actually, the power-saving operation ends and is changed over to the normal
operation predetermined time (one hour, for example) before end of the "unused time".
Accordingly, on a day which is decided as a "bulk-buying day", it is assumed that
an in-refrigerator temperature becomes high based on a storage-volume increase due
to a bulk buying in addition to a temperature increase in the refrigerator due to
frequent door opening-and-closing in a time zone of cooking and preservation of a
warm cooked product. Therefore, as compared with a day which is decided as other than
a "bulk-buying day", a high freshness preservation characteristic of storage object
can be realized by decreasing the power-saving operation and by securing a sufficient
cooling volume on the day which is decided as a "bulk-buying day".
[0172] Next, a control flow diagram of a learning operation control when learning a "bulk-buying
day" is described with reference to FIG. 19.
[0173] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a learning operation control in a separate mode according
to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0174] In FIG. 19, upon starting a learning operation control, it is decided from a learning
result whether this day is the "bulk-buying day" (S160).
[0175] When it is decided that this day is the "bulk-buying day" (S160, YES), it is confirmed
that the operation is the normal operation (S162).
[0176] Then, it is decided whether it is a start time of the "unused time" decided by the
learning result (S163). When it is decided that it is a start time of the "unused
time" (S163, YES), it is decided whether a current temperature in refrigerator 50
is equal to or lower than the standard temperature E (S164).
[0177] When it is decided that the in-refrigerator temperature is equal to or lower than
the standard temperature E (S164, YES), the normal operation is changed over to a
power-saving operation (S165). On the other hand, when it is decided in step S163
that it is not the start time of the "unused time", or when it is decided in step
S164 that the in-refrigerator temperature exceeds the standard temperature E, the
normal operation is continued (S162).
[0178] When it is confirmed that an operation is the power-saving operation (S165), next,
it is determined whether predetermined time before end of the "unused time" has passed
(S166). When it is decided that it is predetermined time before end of the "unused
time" (S166, YES), the power-saving operation is changed over to the normal operation
(S162). On the other hand, when it is decided in step S166 that it is not predetermined
time before end of the "unused time", the power-saving operation is continued (S165).
[0179] On the other hand when it is decided in step S160 that this is not the "bulk-buying
day" (S160, NO), it is confirmed that the operation is the normal operation (S172),
and it is decided whether it is the end time of the "heat-load large time" decided
by the learning result (S173). When it is decided that it is the end time of the "heat-load
large time" (S173, YES), it is decided whether a current temperature in refrigerator
50 is equal to or lower than the standard temperature E (S174).
[0180] When it is decided that the in-refrigerator temperature is equal to or lower than
the standard temperature E (S174, YES), the normal operation is changed over to a
power-saving operation (S175). On the other hand, when it is decided in step S173
that it is not the end time of the "heat-load large time", or when it is decided in
step S174 that the temperature exceeds the standard temperature E, the normal operation
is continued (S172).
[0181] When it is confirmed that the operation is the power-saving operation (S175), next
it is decided whether it is predetermined time before start of the "heat-load large
time" (S176). When it is decided that it is predetermined time before start of the
"heat-load large time" (S176, YES), the power-saving operation is changed over to
the normal operation (S172). On the other hand, when it is decided in step S176 that
it is not predetermined time before start of the "heat-load large time", the power-saving
operation is continued (S176, NO).
[0182] As described above in refrigerator 50 according to the present embodiment, in a time
zone in which a storage state and a temperature in refrigerator 50 are estimated to
greatly change due to a bulk buying and the like, input storage object 33 can be cooled
to an optimum preservation temperature in a short time by increasing a cooling volume.
Accordingly, a high freshness preservation characteristic of storage object 33 can
be realized, and a cooling volume can be adjusted by matching a storage state and
a using state. Therefore, energy saving can be realized by preventing "too cold" and
by performing an optimum cooling operation by matching a life pattern in each house.
[0183] Further, a life pattern is forecasted from information accumulated in memory unit
64. A time zone of a life pattern in which a storage volume change is forecasted to
be small and also a temperature increase in refrigerator 50 is forecasted to be small
is decided as a time zone in which refrigerator 50 is little used and also a heat
load is small. Then, when in this time zone, the power-saving operation is automatically
started. Accordingly, "too cold" is prevented by suppressing rotation numbers of compressor
30 and cooling fan 31. Therefore, energy saving can be automatically realized by matching
a life pattern of each house.
[0184] Further, a life pattern is forecasted from information accumulated in memory unit
64. A time zone of a life pattern in which an increase in a storage volume in refrigerator
50 is forecasted is decided as a time zone in which a heat load is large, and the
power-saving operation automatically ends predetermined time before this time zone.
Accordingly, because input storage object 33 can be cooled to an optimum preservation
temperature in a short time, a high freshness preservation characteristic of storage
object 33 can be realized. Further, the cooling operation is performed by matching
a life pattern of each house, by increasing a cooling volume based on the learning
and forecasting of time zones in which a warm cooked product and the like are cold-preserved
in refrigerator 50 and cooking is performed by frequently opening and closing the
door of refrigerator 50. Therefore, a high freshness preservation characteristic of
storage object 33 can be realized.
[0185] As described above, refrigerator 50 includes a storage chamber for storing a storage
object, partitioned by a heat insulation wall and a heat insulation door, storage-volume
estimating unit 23 for estimating a storage volume in the storage chamber, and memory
unit 64 for memorizing a result of estimation by storage-volume estimating unit 23.
Further, arithmetic control unit 22 functions as a storage-volume-change forecast
unit that forecasts a future storage volume change in the storage chamber from the
data of memory unit 64, and also controls an output operation of the electrofunctional
part based on the future storage volume change-forecast data of the storage-volume-change
forecast unit. Further, arithmetic control unit 22 controls the output operation of
the electrofunctional part based on the future storage volume change-forecast data
of the storage-volume-change forecast unit. Accordingly, improvement of a food-freshness
preservation characteristic that matches a buying-scheduled date and time and an energy-saving
characteristic can be enhanced.
[0186] Further, arithmetic control unit 22 estimates a storage-volume-increase forecast
date and time of the user based on storage volume data of a constant period memorized
in memory unit 64 and the future storage volume change-forecast data of the storage-volume-change
forecast unit. Then, a control of increasing a cooling volume in the storage chamber
is performed predetermined time before the storage-volume-increase forecast date and
time. Accordingly, by increasing the cooling volume in the storage chamber predetermined
time (scheduled buying date and time) before a storage-volume-increase forecast date
and time, a food-freshness preservation characteristic can be securely improved.
[0187] When storage-volume estimating unit 23 decides that there is no change in the storage
volume in the storage chamber, arithmetic control unit 22 lowers the cooling volume
in the storage chamber, predetermined time after a storage-volume-increase forecast
date and time. Accordingly, both an energy-saving characteristic and a food-freshness-preservation
characteristic can be materialized.
[0188] In the present embodiment, an example of the storage-state detecting unit provided
in cold compartment 12 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to
this example, and the storage-state detecting unit may be provided in at least one
of cold compartment 12, ice compartment 13, change compartment 14, freezing compartment
15, and vegetable compartment 16.
[0189] The present embodiment is not necessarily limited to the configuration of refrigerator
50 shown in FIG. 2, and can be also applied to a conventionally-general type of a
refrigerator in which compressor 30 is arranged by providing a machine room in a rear
area of a storage chamber at a lowest part of a heat-insulation box body.
[0190] Further, refrigerator 50 may include a storage chamber for storing a storage object,
partitioned by a heat insulation wall and a heat insulation door, a deodorizing and
sterilizing unit for deodorizing or sterilizing inside the storage chamber, and storage-volume
estimating unit 23 for estimating a storage volume in the storage chamber. Further,
refrigerator 50 may include memory unit 64 for memorizing a result of estimation by
storage-volume estimating unit 23, and arithmetic control unit 22 for calculating
a storage change volume based on a result of estimation by storage-volume estimating
unit 23 and memory unit 64, and for controlling an output operation of the deodorizing
and sterilizing unit. Arithmetic control unit 22 changes a deodorizing and sterilizing
capacity of the deodorizing and sterilizing unit when it is decided that a storage
volume in the storage chamber changed.
[0191] Further, for the deodorizing and sterilizing unit, an electrostatic spray apparatus
for spraying a mist in the storage chamber can be also used.
[0192] Accordingly, by performing the deodorization and sterilization control by quickly
catching a storage volume change, a sterilization and deodorization function can be
improved and a humidity control can be adequately performed according to the storage
volume change.
[0193] Further, refrigerator 50 includes door-open-close detecting unit 62 for detecting
opening and closing of a heat insulation door. Arithmetic control unit 22 controls
an output operation of the electrofunctional part when a storage change volume from
before the door opening to the door closing exceeds a predetermined threshold value,
based on a result of detection by door-open-close detecting unit 62.
[0194] Accordingly, by comparing a storage volume before the door opening with a storage
volume after the door closing, a storage volume change can be more securely understood.
[0195] It may be configured such that a storage volume in memory unit 64 is maintained and
an output operation of the electrofunctional part is not changed, when a storage change
volume does not exceed a threshold value.
[0196] In this case, when the threshold value is not exceeded, it is decided that there
is no change in the storage volume, and a storage volume of memory unit 64 before
the result of estimation by storage-volume estimating unit 23 is maintained. Accordingly,
the present embodiment can be also properly applied to a small change of a storage
volume (small-lot storage).
[0197] As the electrofunctional part that is output controlled, a cooling fan or a compressor
for changing a cooling volume in the storage chamber may be used.
[0198] Accordingly, an energy-saving characteristic at an actual using time can be enhanced
by increasing an energy-saving-conscious operation rate.
[0199] In the above description, it is described that light emitting unit 20 and light-volume
detecting unit 21 are configured to be included as storage-state detecting means.
However, the storage-state detecting means according to the present invention is not
limited to this configuration. For example, it is also possible to use means for detecting
an inclination of an in-refrigerator temperature and for detecting a storage state
by using a current change at an operation time of the cooling function part.
SECOND EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0200] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is described.
[0201] In the present embodiment, only portions different from those in the configuration
and the technical idea described in detail in the first embodiment are described in
detail. Portions of which configurations are the same as those described in detail
in the first embodiment, and portions in which no inconvenience occurs when the same
technical idea is applied can be applied in combination with the present embodiment,
and their detailed descriptions are omitted.
[0202] Refrigerator 50 according to the second embodiment includes door-open-close detecting
unit 62 for detecting a door opened-and-closed state of refrigerator 50. During a
period when detecting a door-closed state, a series of operation of light emitting
unit 20, light-volume detecting unit 21, arithmetic control unit 22, and storage-volume
estimating unit 23 described in the first embodiment are started.
[0203] Based on this operation, by detecting a door opened-and-closed state of refrigerator
50, and by operating light emitting unit 20 and light-volume detecting unit 21 after
a lapse of a certain constant time since the door is in the closed state, an influence
of background light and an influence of afterglow can be easily avoided.
[0204] A change in a storage volume follows a series of operation. First, the user opens
the door, inputs or takes out a food, and closes the door last. Therefore, it is sufficient
to detect a storage volume only after the door is opened and closed. That is, based
on the inclusion of door-open-close detecting unit 62, a minimum detecting operation
is sufficient, and power consumption by light emitting unit 20 and the like can be
deleted.
[0205] In a household refrigerator, by relating door-open-and-close detection and in-refrigerator
illumination, a light-on/light-off control of illuminating unit 19 in the refrigerator
is performed according to door opening-and-closing. By sharing the door opened-and-closed
state detecting function in this control, a simple configuration can be realized without
adding a part.
[0206] In the present embodiment, arithmetic control unit 22 calculates when predetermined
time elapsed after door-open-close detecting unit 62 detects a close operation of
a heat insulation door, and controls an output operation of the electrofunctional
part.
[0207] Accordingly, by comparing stabilized states after the door is closed, a storage volume
change can be more securely understood.
THIRD EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0208] A third embodiment of the present invention is described.
[0209] FIGS. 20 and 21 are explanatory diagrams (cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG.
2) of a storage-volume detecting operation according to the third embodiment of the
present invention.
[0210] Also in the present embodiment, detailed descriptions are omitted for portions of
which configurations and technical ideas are the same as those in refrigerators 50
of the first embodiment and the second embodiment. The configurations described in
the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be applied in combination with
the present embodiment.
[0211] In FIG. 20, illuminating unit 19 is arranged in a longitudinal direction on each
of a left-side wall surface and a right-side wall surface positioned in front of a
front end of storage shelf 18, nearer than a half of a depth dimension in the refrigerator,
viewed from door-open-side front surface in the refrigerator.
[0212] In illuminating units 19, light emitting units 20a to 20d are arranged at equal intervals
in a longitudinal direction, and can irradiate whole parts from an upper part to a
lower part in cold compartment 12. Further, light-volume detecting units 21a to 21d
are arranged at rear positions in cold compartment 12, and are configured to detect
light volume attenuation due to shielding of light mainly by storage object 33. Light-volume
detecting unit 21e is arranged on a ceiling surface of cold compartment 12, and detects
light volume attenuation due to light reflection by mainly storage object 33. For
light-volume detecting units 21a to 21e, illuminance sensors, and chrominance sensors
and the like capable of identifying chrominance (RGB) in addition to illuminance are
used.
[0213] As shown in FIG. 21, a storage volume can be also detected in high precision by providing
light emitting unit 20e on a ceiling surface in the refrigerator and light-volume
detecting unit 21f at a lower side. Light emitting unit 20e on the ceiling surface
is arranged at a nearer side than a half of an in-refrigerator depth dimension viewed
from a door-open side in refrigerator 50. Further, in the present embodiment, light
emitting unit 20e on the ceiling surface is arranged at a door side far from a front
end of storage shelf 18, and at a rear side of door shelves 27a to 27c fitted to the
door. By arranging in this way, a front surface (light axis direction) of light emitting
unit 20e of the ceiling surface is not shielded by storage objects 33 on storage shelf
18 and door shelves 27a to 27c.
[0214] Further, for the same reason, light-volume detecting unit 21f at a lower side is
also arranged at a door side far from the front end of storage shelf 18, and also
at a rear side of door shelves 27a to 27c fitted to the door, and further at a height
equal to or lower than lowest storage shelf 18. A set surface of lower light-volume
detecting unit 21f may be one of a side surface and a lower surface in the refrigerator.
A positional relationship between light emitting unit 20e on the ceiling surface and
lower light-volume detecting unit 21f may set opposite.
[0215] In this way, by configuring such that the inside of the refrigerator is irradiated
from the ceiling surface and a light volume is detected at a lower part, light is
transmitted to storage shelf 18 and door shelves 27a to 27c. Therefore, detection
of a storage volume can be accurately performed.
[0216] In the storage chamber that is long in a height direction like cold compartment 12,
light from light emitting unit 20e on the ceiling surface does not easily reach a
lower storage object. Therefore, it is preferable to sufficiently irradiate inside
the refrigerator by also using a lower light emitting unit such as light emitting
unit 20d.
[0217] So far as light-volume detecting units 21a to 21f are arranged at positions irradiated
by light emitting units 20a to 20d via storage object 33 and an in-refrigerator structure,
light-volume detecting units 21a to 21f may be arranged at any positions in the refrigerator.
When high precision is not required for estimating a storage volume, it is not necessary
to set a plurality of light-volume detecting units 21, and only one light-volume detecting
unit 21 is sufficient.
FOURTH EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0218] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention is described.
[0219] FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of a storage-volume detecting operation according
to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0220] Also in the present embodiment, detailed descriptions are omitted for portions of
which configurations and technical ideas are the same as those in refrigerators 50
of the first embodiment to the third embodiment. The configurations described in the
first embodiment to the third embodiment can be applied in combination with the present
embodiment.
[0221] As shown in FIG. 22, in the present embodiment, air-volume adjusting units 28a to
28d are arranged at rear positions in cold compartment 12. Irradiation lights 34a
output from light emitting units 20a to 20d irradiate inside cold compartment 12 and
storage object 33 stored inside cold compartment 12.
[0222] Irradiation light 34b as a part of the output light is incident to light-volume detecting
units 21a to 21e arranged in cold compartment 12. A volume of storage object 33 in
the refrigerator can be classified by deciding a light volume detection result from
a predetermined threshold value set in advance.
[0223] At this time, a difference occurs in light volumes detected by storage-state detecting
units 21a to 21e respectively, depending on a storage state. For example, as shown
in FIG. 22, when storage object 33 is input to storage shelf 18b, a light volume change
from before to after the input of storage object 33 detected by light-volume detecting
unit 21a becomes smaller than a light volume change detected by other storage-state
detecting units 21b to 21e. Accordingly, input of storage object 33 to storage shelf
18b is detected, and a volume of storage object 33 is classified. Thereafter, air-volume
adjusting unit 28a adjusts an air volume according to a detected storage-increase
volume, and a rapid cooling operation is performed.
[0224] This rapid cooling operation is canceled after the compressor stops after a lapse
of a constant time or at the time point when a temperature detected by a cold compartment
sensor becomes equal to lower than a certain predetermined temperature. Then, the
normal operation or the cooling operation of automatic power saving is started.
[0225] As described above, in the present embodiment, by providing air-volume adjusting
units 28a to 28d, a periphery of the input storage object can be efficiently cooled.
Therefore, an optimum cooling operation of automatic rapid cooling can be realized.
[0226] Positions of air-volume adjusting units 28a to 28d are not limited to the example
of the present embodiment, and air-volume adjusting units 28a to 28d may be arranged
at any positions in the refrigerator.
FIFTH EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0227] Next, a fifth embodiment is described in detail with reference to a drawing.
[0228] FIG. 23 is a front view of refrigerator 50 according to the fifth embodiment of the
present invention. Refrigerator 50 according to the present embodiment has functions
described in the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment.
[0229] In FIG. 23, in refrigerator main body 11 consisting of inner box 11a and outer box
11b, cold compartment 12, ice compartment 13, freezing compartment 15, and vegetable
compartment 16 are arranged from above in inner box 11a provided via a heat insulation
wall. At the side of ice compartment 13, change compartment 14 capable of changing
over between many temperatures in the compartment is also provided.
[0230] Cold compartment 12 of which using frequency of inputting and outputting a storage
object is highest and a storage capacity is also largest has a front opening of the
compartment blocked with cold compartment doors 12a as double rotation doors of which
both sides are supported with hinges. A drawer-type door is provided in each of ice
compartment 13, change compartment 14, vegetable compartment 16, and freezing compartment
15.
[0231] Cold compartment 12 is vertically partitioned with a plurality of storage shelves
18 at suitable intervals in the compartment held at a cold preservation temperature.
At a bottom part of cold compartment 12, there are provided a water supply tank for
supplying ice-making water to cold compartment 12 and low-temperature compartment
12b for holding a chilled temperature.
[0232] Specifically, an upper space of storage shelf 18 is a storage space for preserving
food. In the present embodiment, storage shelf 18a for mounting food for storing in
a storage space formed at a top, storage shelf 18b for mounting food for storing food
in a second top storage space, and storage shelf 18c for mounting food for storing
in a lowest storage space are provided as storage shelf 18. In a lowest storage area,
a water supply tank and low-temperature compartment 12b for holding at a chilled temperature
are arranged.
[0233] In cold compartment 12, there is set illuminating unit 19 in which a plurality of
LEDs are stored at equal intervals in a longitudinal direction at a front side of
a side surface in the storage chamber. At a rear-surface side in the storage chamber,
light-volume detecting unit 21 made of an illuminance sensor is set. On a rear surface
wall above storage shelf 18a for mounting food for storing in a storage space formed
at a top and also below inner box 11a at a ceiling-surface side, light-volume detecting
unit 21a is provided. Light-volume detecting unit 21b is provided on a rear surface
wall above storage shelf 18b for mounting food for storing in a second top storage
space and also below storage shelf 18a.
[0234] In the present embodiment, a state that storage objects 33 as food are placed on
storage shelf 18b is shown.
[0235] Above light-volume detecting unit 21, cold-air blowing opening 4 is provided. Near
storage-state detecting unit 21a at an upper side, cold-air blowing opening 4a is
provided. Near storage-state detecting unit 21b at a lower side, cold-air blowing
opening 4b is provided.
[0236] An operation of refrigerator 50 configured as described above is described below.
[0237] Illuminating unit 19 is lit in a state that cold compartment door 12a is closed.
In the refrigerator, light from illuminating unit 19 reaches light-volume detecting
unit 21a for detecting illuminance of a top storage space via air. In middle storage
shelf 18b, a part of light from illuminating unit 19 passes through between storage
objects 33 and reaches storage-state detecting unit 21b that detects illuminance of
a second storage space. A part of other light beams is incident to storage objects
33 and is absorbed, and a part of light beams is reflected and scattered. Therefore,
sides of storage objects 33 opposite to illuminating unit 19, that is, rear surface
sides of storage objects 33 that become in shade, become dark with a small light volume.
[0238] When a height of storage object 33 is larger and also when a storage volume of storage
object 33 is larger, light of illuminating unit 19 is shielded. Therefore, a volume
of light reaching light-volume detecting unit 21 at a rear side becomes smaller.
[0239] Therefore, light-volume detecting unit 21 made of this illuminance sensor functions
as a detecting unit for detecting an empty space of a storage space in the storage
chamber in non-contact manner.
[0240] In this way, light-volume detecting unit 21 detects a light volume, and displays
that a space capable of storing food is present at an upper part of storage shelf
18 relative to a middle part, in display unit 91 (see FIG. 1) on the outer surface
of cold compartment door 12a as a door.
[0241] That is, a state of a storage object in cold compartment 12 can be informed to the
user, by display unit 91 as recognizing means for displaying the presence of a space
on the outer surface of cold compartment door 12a provided at a front surface side
of cold compartment 12 as a storage chamber provided with light-volume detecting unit
21.
[0242] By confirming the display shown in display unit 91 as the recognizing means, the
user can mount, without hesitation, food on storage shelf 18a as a top storage space
that is displayed as a space having a small volume of storage object 33, by opening
cold compartment door 12a, and can quickly close old compartment door 12a.
[0243] Further, there is assumed a case that storage objects 33 as food are stored at a
front side of cold-air blow opening 4b and that too many storage objects 33 are stored.
In such a case, when a light volume detected by light-volume detecting unit 21 near
cold-air blowing opening 4 is smaller than a predetermined value, display unit 91
on the outer surface of cold compartment door 12a displays that there are too many
storage objects in the storage space detected by the illuminance sensor and that the
operation becomes a power increase operation.
[0244] When there are too many storage objects 33 or when storage object 33 is stored near
cold-air blowing opening 4, storage object 33 becomes a cold-air ventilation resistance.
Consequently, a cold air circulation volume per unit time decreases, and cooling time
becomes long. When a cold air circulation volume decreases, an air volume of an evaporator
becomes lower, and a heat exchange volume decreases. Therefore, an evaporation temperature
decreases, and a compressor input also increases due to an increase of a high-and-low
pressure difference of a freezing cycle.
[0245] An attempt to maintain a cooling time requires increasing a rotation number of a
fan for circulating a cold air and increasing rotation of compressor 30. Therefore,
this also becomes a factor of a power increase.
[0246] Accordingly, by informing the user of a power-increase tendency of increasing a power
consumption volume due to these increases, and by urging optimum arrangement of storage
object 33, refrigerator 50 that can achieve energy saving and realizes more energy
saving can be provided to the user. This can contribute to reduction of CO
2.
[0247] From the above, an open time of cold compartment door 12a can be shortened, high-temperature
outside air entering from cold compartment door 12a can be suppressed, and energy
saving becomes possible. Further, because a temporary temperature increase in cold
compartment 12 can be also suppressed, a temperature increase of food as storage object
33 can be also suppressed, and quality degradation can be decreased.
[0248] Further, because a power increase operation can be informed by display unit 91 as
recognizing means, the user can be warned to perform the energy-saving operation.
The recognizing means is not limited to display unit 91, and a configuration to give
warning in voice, for example is also possible.
[0249] Particularly, the configuration according to the present embodiment has higher effect
than the conventional configuration when there is a possibility of storing various
kinds of food as stored in a household refrigerator.
[0250] Refrigerator 50 according to the present embodiment includes a storage chamber for
storing a storage object, partitioned by a heat insulation wall and a heat insulation
door, storage-volume estimating unit 23 for estimating a storage volume in the storage
chamber, and memory unit 64 for memorizing a result of estimation by storage-volume
estimating unit 23. Further, refrigerator 50 includes arithmetic control unit 22 for
calculating a storage change volume based on a result of estimation up to a last time
of memory unit 64 and a result of estimation by storage-volume estimating unit 23,
and for controlling an output operation of the electrofunctional part. Further, arithmetic
control unit 22 informs by informing means the user of an operation state of refrigerator
50 when it is decided that a storage volume in the storage chamber has changed.
[0251] Accordingly, based on estimation of a storage volume, storage volume information
can be informed to the user. Consequently, easiness of handling can be improved.
SIXTH EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0252] Next, a sixth embodiment according to the present invention is described with reference
to a drawing.
[0253] FIG. 24 is a front view of refrigerator 150 according to a sixth embodiment of the
present invention.
[0254] As shown in FIG. 24, refrigerator 150 has refrigerator main body 151.
[0255] Refrigerator main body 151 is a heat-insulation box body, and is insulated from the
surrounding, in a structure having an outer box mainly made of steel plate, an inner
box formed with a resin such as ABS, and a heat insulation material such as urethane
in a space between the outer box and the inner box.
[0256] Refrigerator main body 151 is partitioned into a plurality of store rooms by heat
insulation, and cold compartment 152 is provided at a top part. At a lower part of
cold compartment 152, ice compartment 153 and change compartment 154 are laterally
provided. Freezing compartment 155 is arranged at a lower part of ice compartment
153 and change compartment 154, and vegetable compartment 156 is arranged at a lowest
part.
[0257] In front of each storage chamber, a door for separating from outside air is configured
at a front opening part of refrigerator main body 151. Near a center part of cold
compartment door 152a of cold compartment 152, there is arranged operating unit 157
for performing an in-refrigerator temperature setting of each compartment and setting
of ice making and a rapid cooling.
[0258] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view along a 25-25 line in FIG. 24 of refrigerator 150
according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[0259] As shown in FIG. 25, a plurality of storage shelves 158 are provided in cold compartment
152, and a part of storage shelves 158 is configured to be vertically movable.
[0260] In cold compartment 152, there are provided illuminating unit 159 configured by a
lamp and a plurality of LEDs, light emitting unit 160 such as LEDs as means capable
of detecting a storage state, and light-volume detecting unit 161 such as an illuminance
(light) sensor.
[0261] Illuminating unit 159 is arranged in a longitudinal direction on each of a left-side
wall surface and a right-side wall surface positioned in front of a front end of storage
shelf 158, nearer than a half of a depth dimension in the refrigerator, viewed from
a door-open-side front surface in the refrigerator 150.
[0262] Further, light emitting unit 160 is arranged adjacent to a position close to illuminating
unit 159, and light-volume detecting unit 161 is arranged at a rear position in cold
compartment 152.
[0263] So far as light-volume detecting unit 161 is arranged at a position irradiated by
light emitting unit 160 via storage object 173 (see FIG. 26) and an in-refrigerator
structure, light-volume detecting unit 161 may be arranged at any position in the
refrigerator.
[0264] Matters relating to essential parts of the invention according to the present embodiment
may be applied to a type of refrigerator main body 151 in which compressor 170 is
arranged by providing a machine room in a lowest-part storage chamber rear area of
a heat-insulation box body that has been conventionally general.
[0265] In a machine room formed in a top rear area in cold compartment 152, high-voltage
side configuration parts of a freezing cycle such as compressor 170 and a drier that
removes moisture are stored.
[0266] On a rear surface of freezing compartment 155, a cooling chamber for generating cold
air is provided. In the cooling chamber, there are provided a cooler, and cooling
fan 171 (see FIG. 27) for sending the cold air as cooling means cooled by the cooler
to cold compartment 152, change compartment 154, ice compartment 153, vegetable compartment
156, and freezing compartment 155. Further, to remove frost and ice adhered to the
cooler and a periphery of the cooler, a radiant heater, a drain pan, a drain tube
evaporation tray, and the like are configured as defrosting unit 195 (see FIG. 27).
[0267] Cold compartment 152 is normally set at 1°C to 5°C as a lower limit at which the
storage object is not frozen, and vegetable compartment 156 at a lowest part is set
at 2°C to 7°C which is equal to or slightly higher than the temperature in cold compartment
152 for cold preservation. Freezing compartment 155 is set in a freezing temperature
range, and is normally set at -22°C to -15°C for freezed preservation. However, to
improve a freezed preservation state, freezing compartment 15 is sometimes set at
a low temperature of -30°C or -25°C, for example.
[0268] Ice compartment 153 makes ice with an automatic ice machine (not shown) set at an
upper part in the compartment using water sent from a water storage tank (not shown)
in cold compartment 152, and stores the ice in an ice storage container (not shown)
arranged at a lower part in the compartment.
[0269] Change compartment 14 can be changed over to a temperature range set in advance between
a cold preservation temperature range and a freezing temperature range, in addition
to a cold preservation temperature range set at 1°C to 5°C, a vegetable temperature
range set at 2°C to 7°C, and a freezing temperature range normally set at -22°C to
-15°C. Change compartment 154 is a storage chamber including an independent door provided
in parallel with ice compartment 153, and includes a drawer-type door in many cases.
[0270] In the present embodiment, change compartment 154 is a storage chamber including
temperature ranges of cold storage and freezing. However, change compartment 154 may
be configured as a storage chamber specializing in a changeover in an intermediate
temperature range between cold storage and freezing, by assigning cold storage to
cold compartment 152 and vegetable compartment 156 and assigning freezing to freezing
compartment 155. The specialized temperature range may be set in a storage chamber
fixed to freezing, to follow an increased demand for frozen foods in recent years,
for example.
[0271] An operation and work of refrigerator 150 configured as described above are described
below.
[0272] FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of a light-volume detecting operation according
to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[0273] Operations of light emitting unit 160 and light-volume detecting unit 161 that constitute
means capable of detecting a storage state are described in detail with reference
to FIG. 26.
[0274] Irradiation lights 174a output from light emitting units 160 arranged on left-and-right
both sidewalls of refrigerator 150 irradiate inside cold compartment 152 and storage
object 173 stored inside cold compartment 152. Further, a part of irradiation lights
174a is incident to light-volume detecting unit 161 arranged in cold compartment 152.
[0275] FIG. 26 shows a state that when storage object 173 is stored in cold compartment
152, depending on presence of storage object 173, there occur an area A where irradiation
lights 174a from both the left-and-right sidewalls are shielded, an area B where any
one of irradiation lights 174a is shielded, and an area C where none of left and right
irradiation lights 174a is shielded.
[0276] In this case, light-volume detecting unit 161 is in the area B where any one of irradiation
lights 174a is shielded, and detects and outputs a corresponding light volume. When
a volume of storage object 173 is large, a detected light volume by light-volume detecting
unit 161 decreases because the area A where both lights are shielded increases. When
a storage volume is small, a detected light volume by light-volume detecting unit
161 increases because the area C where none of irradiation lights 174a is shielded
increases.
[0277] In this way, by detecting by light-volume detecting unit 161 a light volume change
attributable to presence of storage object 173 and a difference in a volume of storage
object 173, volumes (example: large or small) of storage object 173 in the refrigerator
can be classified by deciding a light volume detection result by using a predetermined
threshold value set in advance.
[0278] Further, by using light emitting unit 160 also as illuminating unit 159 normally
provided in refrigerator 150 or by using a substrate of light emitting unit 159 also
as a substrate of light emitting unit 160, a storage state can be detected in a simpler
configuration without additionally providing a light source and a material.
[0279] Next, a control operation of refrigerator 150 is described.
[0280] FIG. 27 is a control block diagram of refrigerator 150 according to the sixth embodiment
of the present invention.
[0281] As shown in FIG. 27, refrigerator 150 includes light-volume detecting unit 161, temperature
sensor 191, door-open-close detecting unit 192, arithmetic control unit 163, light
emitting unit 160, compressor 170, cooling fan 171, temperature compensation heater
172, damper 193, and defrosting unit 195.
[0282] Arithmetic control unit 163 has storage-volume estimating unit 162, memory unit 194,
and timer 196.
[0283] After the door is closed, refrigerator 150 operates light emitting unit 160 accordingly
by a program determined in advance, and each time, light-volume detecting unit 161
detects a light volume in the vicinity. Then, refrigerator 150 has this light volume
information input to arithmetic control unit 163, calculates the information, estimates
an output value of the calculation as a storage volume in the storage chamber, and
occasionally memorizes the storage volume in memory unit 194.
[0284] Arithmetic control unit 163 appropriately performs an arithmetic processing based
on data memorized in memory unit 194, and determines an operation timing of defrosting
unit 195.
[0285] For example, when a detection output by light-volume detecting unit 161 does not
change during a constant period or when a change width is smaller than a determined
threshold value, arithmetic control unit 163 decides that refrigerator 150 is not
being used, and controls to perform a defrosting operation in a cycle that is extended
to more than a normal defrosting cycle. Further, by using output data of other temperature
sensor 191 and door-open-close detecting unit 192, arithmetic control unit 163 further
understands a person's life state, appropriately operates compressor 170, cooling
fan 171, temperature compensation heater 172 and damper 193, and also controls the
defrosting operation.
[0286] The operations are described in detail below.
[0287] FIG. 28A is a control flowchart at a power source input time of refrigerator 150
according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 28B is a control
flowchart of absence detection A of refrigerator 150 according to the same embodiment,
FIG. 28C is a control flowchart of the using-state decision A of refrigerator 150
according to the same embodiment, and FIG. 28D is a control flowchart of absence detection
B of refrigerator 150 according to the same embodiment.
[0288] FIG. 28E is a control flowchart of the using-state decision B of refrigerator 150
according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 28F is a control
flowchart of the using-state decision C of refrigerator 150 according to the same
embodiment, FIG. 28G is a control flowchart of another example of absence detection
B of refrigerator 150 according to the same embodiment, and FIG. 28H is a control
flowchart of the using-state decision D of refrigerator 150 according to the same
embodiment.
[0289] In FIG. 28A, when a power source of refrigerator 150 is turned on (S201), as an initial
preparation, initial values (A = 0, B = 0, for example) are set to Flag A and Flag
B for deciding a defrosting cycle based on a storage change, timer tc is set to 0,
and defrosting cycle t
d0 is set to a predetermined value (S202).
[0290] Next, the process proceeds to step S203, and a cooling operation is started. The
storage chamber of refrigerator 150 is cooled to a temperature range set in advance.
[0291] Next in step S204, it is decided whether defrosting operation time (defrosting cycle
t
d0) reached. That is, when cooling operation time
tc after the power source is turned on has not passed t
d0 time (S204, NO), the normal cooling is continued. On the other hand, when cooling
operation time tc has passed t
d0 time (S204, YES), the defrosting operation is started (S205). However, at this time,
to suppress a storage-chamber temperature increase due to entering of warm air into
the storage chamber that is assumed after defrosting, an in-refrigerator temperature
lower than a normal in-refrigerator temperature may be secured by continuing cooling
for a constant time before starting the defrosting.
[0292] In step S205, after the defrosting is started, compressor 170 stops, and defrosting
unit 195 melts and liquefies by heating the frost adhered around the cooler. Liquefied
defrosted water flows on a lower surface of the cooling chamber, and is discharged
to an outside of the refrigerator. Further, when a temperature of the cooler itself
increases and when it is detected that a temperature detected by temperature sensor
fitted to the cooler or a periphery of the cooler has become a determined temperature
or higher, the defrosting ends (S206), and the process proceeds to step S207 to proceed
to "absence detection A" as the normal control.
[0293] The "absence detection A" is described next with reference to FIGS. 28B and 28C.
[0294] In the normal cooling mode and in an "absence detection A" mode, as a preparation,
"1" is set to Flag A for deciding a defrosting cycle according to a storage volume
change and "0" is set to the timer tc, for example, and defrosting cycle t
d1 is set to a predetermined value. Next, in step S213, the cooling operation is started,
counting of timer tc is started, and the process proceeds to a "using-state decision
A" process in step S214.
[0295] A control flowchart of the "using-state decision A" is described with reference to
FIG. 28C.
[0296] When the using-state decision A is started, it is decided in step S232 whether "1"
is being set to Flag A. When "1" is being set to flag A (S232, YES), it is decided
that there is no storage volume change in the corresponding period and the process
proceeds to step S233. When other than "1" is being set to Flag A (S232, NO), it is
decided that there was a storage volume change in the corresponding period. The using-state
decision A ends without performing a storage-volume change decision.
[0297] When the process proceeds to step S233, it is decided whether a storage change volume
ΔM as a difference between the standard storage volume memorized in memory unit 194
and a latest storage volume is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold
value Mc.
[0298] When it is decided that the storage change volume ΔM is equal to or smaller than
the predetermined threshold value Mc (S233, YES), the process proceeds to step S234.
In step S234, because a storage change volume is equal to or smaller than the threshold
value, it is decided that there is not change in the storage volume because a person
is not present (absent), Flag A is maintained at "1", and the using-state decision
A ends. On the other hand, when the storage change volume ΔM is larger than the predetermined
threshold value Mc (S233, NO), the process proceeds to step S235. Then, it is decided
that there was a storage volume change, that is, the user is at home, "0" is set to
Flag A, and the using-state decision A ends.
[0299] By discriminating a storage volume change in this way, user presence or absence is
decided. By making a database of this decision, absence for a long period can be decided.
[0300] Referring back to FIG. 28B, when the process proceeds from the "using-state decision
A" in step S214 to step S215, it is decided whether a defrost timing is reached (S215).
When it is decided that time of the timer tc exceeds the defrosting cycle t
d1 (S215, YES), the process proceeds to step S216, and the defrosting operation is started.
Specifically, arithmetic control unit 163 stops compressor 170, and starts current
conduction to defrosting unit 195. After the defrosting is started, defrosting unit
195 melts and liquefies by heating the frost adhered around the cooler. Then, the
frost adhered to the cooler is melted and liquefied. Defrosted water flows on the
lower surface of the cooling chamber. Further, when a temperature of the cooler itself
increases and when the temperature sensor fitted to the cooler or a periphery of the
cooler detects a determined or higher temperature, the defrosting ends (S218).
[0301] Also during the defrosting operation, the above-described "using-state decision A"
process is operated, and a storage volume change is decided (S217).
[0302] After ending the defrosting, the process proceeds to step S219. When it is continuously
decided that the storage change volume ΔM is smaller than the threshold value and
when "1" is being set to Flag A (S219, YES), it is decided that the absent state is
continued, and the process proceeds to the "absence detection B" process in step S220.
On the other hand, when it is decided that the storage change volume ΔM is larger
than the threshold value Mc and when "0" is being set to Flag A (S219, NO), the process
proceeds to the "absence detection A" process in step S221. In this case, the above-described
"absence detection A" process is performed again.
[0303] Next, the "absence detection B" process for deciding extension of a defrosting cycle
is described with reference to FIGS. 28D to 28F.
[0304] As a condition for proceeding to the "absence detection B" process, as described
in the above control flowchart, it is a premise that it is forecast that the storage
change volume ΔM from the end of a second last defrosting is smaller than the threshold
value Mc, a person is not present, and a storage change is small.
[0305] After the process proceeds to the "absence detection B" process, in step S252, as
a preparation, an initial value "1" is set to Flag B for deciding a defrosting cycle
determined by a storage change, "0" is set to the timer tc, and the next defrosting
cycle t
d1 is set. In step S253, the cooling operation is started. Next, in step S254, the "using-state
decision B" process is controlled.
[0306] The "using-state decision B" process is described with reference to FIG. 28E. After
the process proceeds to the "using-state decision B" process, the process proceeds
to step S272, and it is decided whether "1" is being set to Flag B. When "1" is being
set to Flag B (S272, YES), it is decided that there was not storage volume change
in the past, and the process proceeds to step S273. On the other hand, when other
than "1" is being set to Flag B (S272, NO), it is decided that there was a storage
volume change in the past, and the using-state decision B ends without performing
the storage-volume change decision.
[0307] After the process proceeds to step S273, it is decided whether the storage change
volume ΔM as a difference between the standard storage volume memorized in memory
unit 194 and a latest storage volume is equal to or smaller than the predetermined
threshold value Mc. When the storage change volume ΔM is equal to or smaller than
the predetermined threshold value Mc (S273, YES), the process proceeds to step S274,
Flag B is maintained at "1" (Flag A is also kept at "1"), and the "using-state decision
B" process ends.
[0308] On the other hand, when the storage change volume ΔM is larger than the predetermined
threshold value Mc (S273, NO), the process proceeds to step S275. Then, it is decided
that there was a storage volume change, that is, the user is at home (by returning
home) and uses refrigerator 150, "0" is set to Flag A and Flag B, and the using-state
decision B ends.
[0309] In this way, a storage state in the storage chamber is detected. When a change in
the storage state is not continuous (small), it can be decided that there is no storage
change because the refrigerator is not being used due to absence. By accumulating
this information, long-term absence can be decided.
[0310] Referring back to FIG. 28D, after the "using-state decision B" process in step S254
ends, it is decided whether a defrost timing is reached, in step S255. When time of
the timer tc exceeds the defrosting cycle t
d1 (S255, YES), the process proceeds to step S256. On the other hand, when time of the
timer tc is equal to or smaller than the defrosting cycle t
d1 (S255, NO), the using-state decision B (S254) is repeatedly performed.
[0311] In step S255, when time of the timer tc exceeds t
d1, the process proceeds to step S256, and it is decided whether "1" is being set to
Flag B. When "1" is being set to Flag B, it is decided that there is no storage volume
change and that the absent state is continued, and the process proceeds to step S257.
In step S257, the defrosting cycle t
d1 is extended to t
d2 (for example, a cycle that is normally 14 hours is extended to 26 hours).
[0312] On the other hand, in step S256, when other than "1" is being set to Flag B, after
starting the "absence detection B" control, it is decided that there was a storage
change, that is, a state changed to the presence state. Then, the process immediately
proceeds to step S265, and defrosting is started. After normally performing the defrosting,
the defrosting ends in step S266, and the process proceeds to the "absence detection
A" process in step S267.
[0313] When the defrosting cycle is extended in step S257, the process proceeds to the "using-state
decision C" process in step S258.
[0314] The "using-state decision C" process is described with reference to the control flowchart
in FIG. 28F. After the process proceeds to the "using-state decision C" process, in
step S282, it is decided whether the storage change volume ΔM between the standard
storage volume memorized in memory unit 194 and a latest storage volume is equal to
or smaller than the predetermined threshold value Mc. When it is decided that the
storage change volume ΔM is equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold value
Mc (S282, YES), the using-state decision C ends.
[0315] On the other hand, when the storage change volume ΔM is larger than the predetermined
threshold value Mc (S282, NO), the process immediately proceeds to step S284, and
the defrosting operation is performed. After ending the defrosting operation (S285),
the process proceeds to the "absence detection A" process (S286).
[0316] In the above description, the control of immediately performing the defrosting operation
is described. However, by estimating the cooling capacity of the cooler, when there
is some room even when the defrosting is not immediately performed, start of the defrosting
may be extended to the timing of the defrosting cycle t
d2.
[0317] Referring back to FIG. 28D, after the "using-state decision C" process in step S258
ends, arithmetic control unit 163 decides whether time of the timer tc exceeds the
defrosting cycle t
d2. When the time of the timer tc does not exceed the defrosting cycle t
d2, (S259, NO) the "using-state decision C" process is repeated.
[0318] On the other hand, when time of the timer tc exceeds a defrosting cycle t
d2, the process proceeds to step S260, and the defrosting operation is started. During
the defrosting, the process proceeds to step S261 in FIG. 28D, and the "using-state
decision B" process is performed. After ending the defrosting in step S262, the process
proceeds to step S263. In step S263, it is decided whether "1" is being set to Flag
B.
[0319] When "1" is being set to Flag B for deciding a defrosting cycle to be determined
based on a storage volume change (S263, YES), it is decided that absence continues,
and the process proceeds to the "absence detection B" process. On the other hand,
when other than "1" is being set to Flag B (S263, NO), it is decided that the absent
state was canceled, and the process proceeds to the "absence detection A" process
(S267).
[0320] Concerning the "absence detection B" process, although Flag B is set, it is also
possible to perform program designing by using only Flag A. Next, this control is
described with reference to the control flowchart in FIG. 28G.
[0321] When it is decided that the user is absent from decision in step S219 in FIG. 28B
and when the process proceeds to the "absence detection B" process, the process proceeds
to the control flow in FIG. 28G.
[0322] After the process proceeds to the "absence detection B" process, in step S302, "0"
is set to the timer tc, and the defrosting cycle t
d2 (defrosting cycle when the user is absent) is set to a predetermined value ("1" is
being set to Flag A from the preceding routine).
[0323] Next, after the cooling operation is started in step S303, the "using-state decision
A" process described with reference to FIG. 28C is performed (S304).
[0324] Next, in step S305, the time of the timer tc is compared with the normal defrosting
cycle t
d1. When the time of the timer tc does not exceed the defrosting cycle t
d1 (S305, NO), the "using-state decision A" process is continuously performed (S304).
When the time of the timer tc exceeds the defrosting cycle t
d1 (S305, YES), the process proceeds to the "using-state decision D" process in step
S306.
[0325] The "using-state decision D" process in step S306 is described with reference to
FIG. 28H.
[0326] After the process proceeds to the "using-state decision D", in step S322, it is decided
whether "1" is being set to Flag A for deciding a defrosting cycle to be determined
based on a storage change.
[0327] When "1" is being set to Flag A (S322, YES), the process proceeds to step S323. In
step S323, it is decided whether the storage change volume ΔM between the storage
volume memorized in memory unit 194 and a latest storage volume is equal to or smaller
than the predetermined threshold value Mc.
[0328] When the storage change volume ΔM is equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold
value Mc (S323, YES), the "using-state decision D" process ends. When the storage
change volume ΔM is larger than the predetermined threshold value Mc, the process
proceeds to step S325, and the defrosting operation is performed. After ending the
defrosting operation (S326), the process proceeds to the "absence detection A" process
(S327).
[0329] In step S322, when other than "1" is being set to Flag A (S322, NO), it is decided
that there was a storage volume change, and the process proceeds to step S325, and
the defrosting operation is performed. After ending the defrosting operation (S326),
the process proceeds to the "absence detection A" process.
[0330] Referring back to FIG. 28G, after the "using-state decision D" process ends, the
process proceeds to step S307, and it is decided whether the time of the timer tc
exceeds the defrosting cycle t
d2.
[0331] When the time of the timer tc does not exceed the defrosting cycle t
d2 (S307, NO), the "using-state decision D" process is continuously repeated. On the
other hand, when the time of the timer tc exceeds the defrosting cycle t
d2 (S307, YES), the process proceeds to step S308, and the defrosting is started.
[0332] In step S308, defrosting is started. The "using-state decision A" process is performed
in step S309 until the defrosting ends in step S310.
[0333] After ending the defrosting in step S310, the process proceeds to step S311, and
it is decided whether "1" is being set to Flag A for deciding a defrosting cycle to
be determined based on a storage change. When "1" is being set to Flag A (S311, YES),
it is decided that the absent state is continued, and the process proceeds to the
"absence detection B" process (S312). On the other hand, when "1" is not being set
to Flag A (S311, NO), it is decided that the user is at home by canceling the absent
state. The process proceeds to step S313, and proceeds to the "absence detection A"
process.
[0334] As described above, according to refrigerator 150 of the present embodiment, it decided
that when there is no storage change, a person is not present, that is, the user is
in the absent state, or, it is decided that using frequency of refrigerator 150 is
low even when the user is at home, and this state continues for predetermined time.
When a volume of frost adhered to the cooler is small and when it is decided that
there is sufficient cooling capacity, power used for the heater can be decreased and
in-refrigerator temperature increase can be prevented, by automatically cutting off
(decreasing) the defrosting operation. Accordingly, a high freshness preservation
characteristic can be improved by achieving energy saving and by further suppressing
a temperature variation.
[0335] Next, an operation image of a defrost timing is described with reference to FIGS.
29A to 29D. FIG. 29A is an operation image diagram of a basic defrost timing of refrigerator
150 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 29B is an operation
image diagram of a defrost timing of refrigerator 150 when the user returns home.
FIG. 29C is an operation image diagram when there is a time safe in a defrost time
of refrigerator 150. FIG. 29D is an operation image diagram when the user is absent
during defrosting in refrigerator 150.
[0336] When the user leaves for a travel or for homecoming, it can be assumed that the user
opens and closes the door of the refrigerator and takes in and out food until before
leaving. Therefore, there is a case that a certain level of frost is adhered to the
cooler. Depending on the case, a large volume of frost that hinders the cooling is
adhered to the cooler.
[0337] Assuming that the user left for a travel at the A point in FIG. 29A, a subsequent
storage volume change is basically extremely small, and the door is not basically
opened or closed until the user returns home. After a lapse of a certain time, defrosting
is started at the B point, and frost is melted and discharged. Therefore, current
is conducted to a defrosting heater as defrosting unit 195. After ending the defrosting
at the B point, the cooler returns to a state having no frost.
[0338] Next, the cooling operation is performed between the B and C points. However, during
this period, because the user is absent, there is no door opening-and-closing, and
a volume of frost adhered to the cooler is extremely small. However, when an interval
between the A and B points is extremely small and also when there was input of a large
volume of food or door opening-and-closing before defrosting, an in-storage-chamber
temperature after ending the defrosting at the B point is relatively high, and a volume
of water vapor contained in the storage chamber is also large. Therefore, although
the inside of the storage chamber is sufficiently cooled to a set temperature by the
cooling operation after the B point, there is a possibility that much of the water
vapor after dehumidification and cooling inside the storage chamber is adhered to
the cooler as frost.
[0339] Therefore, after the cooling operation between the B and C points, when the normal
defrosting cycle is reached, the normal defrosting operation is performed and the
remaining frost is removed. When the absent state is also continued at the C point,
the in-refrigerator temperature is a sufficient cooling temperature, and the cooling
operation can be continued to a D point while keeping sufficient cooling performance
by the cooling operation between C and D points.
[0340] When the absent state is also continued between the C and D points, upon reaching
the defrost timing D point, refrigerator 150 according to the present embodiment detects
that there is no storage change. When it is decided that the absent state is continued
accordingly, the defrosting operation at the D point is cut off because there is also
sufficient cooling capacity. By continuing the cooling operation, heater input can
be decreased and in-refrigerator temperature increase due to defrosting can be suppressed.
Accordingly, energy saving can be achieved. Further, by securely performing the defrosting
operation at the extended E point, cooling performance can be accurately secured.
[0341] As shown in FIG. 29B, when the user returns home at any time between D and E points
and thereafter when it is detected that there was a change in a storage volume in
refrigerator 150, the defrosting operation is immediately performed at an X point.
A cooling volume is secured, and the defrosting operation is performed after the cycle
is returned to the normal defrosting cycle t
d1 and after the time reaches a Y point.
[0342] However, when there is still sufficient cooling capacity at the X point and also
when a possibility of occurrence of cooling shortage is small, the defrosting operation
may be continuously extended.
[0343] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 29C, there is a case that a certain extremely
high load enters the storage chamber or a large volume of frost is adhered to the
cooler before the user leaves for a travel. At this time, there is a case that although
there is no door opening-and-closing after an A' point when the user leaves for a
travel, there is already a large volume of frosting, and by the defrosting at a B'
point, a temperature does not reach a predetermined temperature even when the time
is at an upper limit value (60 minutes, for example) in a predetermined defrosting
time and the defrosting ends. In this case, by setting a next defrosting cycle to
t
ds shorter than t
d1, the cooling operation can be performed to a C' point, for example.
[0344] Next, by performing the defrosting operation at the C' point, when the defrosting
time ends within a predetermined time, the cooling operation is performed again in
the normal cycle t
d1. Then, the defrosting operation is performed again at the D' point continuously at
two times, and the defrosting operation ends. When a storage volume change is small,
the defrosting cycle is changed to t
d2, and the cooling operation is performed continuously.
[0345] When the door is opened and closed before an E' point, the defrosting cycle is returned
to t
d1, and the defrosting operation is performed when the E' point is reached. When there
was a storage change between E' and F' points, the defrosting operation is immediately
performed at the time point of detecting the storage change. When there is no storage
change up to the F' point, the defrosting operation is performed at a timing of the
F' point. That is, by cutting off the defrosting operation that is normally performed
at the E' point, energy saving is achieved.
[0346] Further, as shown in FIG. 29D, when the user left for a travel during the defrosting,
there is a possibility that the door was opened and closed and food was input during
the defrosting. In such a case, the defrosting operation is performed at two times
at a B" point and a C" point as is normally performed. When it is decided that absence
continues, the defrosting operation at a next D" point is cut off, and the cooling
operation is continued.
[0347] As described above, in the present embodiment, energy saving can be achieved by suppressing
a defrosting operation which is performed with a high heater input regardless of sufficient
cooling capacity with a small volume of frost adhered to the cooler. Further, because
a temperature increase can be prevented, a freshness preservation characteristic can
be improved.
[0348] Further, in the present embodiment, by extending the defrosting cycle, a number of
times of defrosting can be decreased and a temperature variation can be also suppressed.
Accordingly, because a freshness preservation characteristic is improved and a number
of times of operation decreases, a temperature increase in defrosting unit 195 and
the peripheral member can be decreased, and reliability improves.
[0349] In the present embodiment, the defrosting operation is controlled by detecting a
storage change, and energy saving is achieved. However, gradual cooling can be performed
by lowering a rotation number of compressor 170 and a rotation number of cooling fan
171, or further energy saving can be achieved by lowering a number of ON/OFF times
of compressor 170, for example.
[0350] When the user is absent, it is considered that there is no temperature increase in
food due to door opening-and-closing. Therefore, a set temperature in the storage
chamber can be set higher than a normal temperature (higher by about 1 K). Accordingly,
energy saving can be achieved.
[0351] In the present embodiment, detection of absence of the user is performed by using
a storage volume change. However, the present invention is not limited to this example.
For example, an absent state may be detected based on a rapid change in an output
value of an illuminance sensor set on an outside surface of the refrigerator such
as a door surface and capable of detecting a door open-and-close operation and an
illuminance change in the chamber, or based on a detection of an operation of a person
such as when an illumination is turned on or when a curtain is opened, or based on
a change in a temperature sensor of a set environment due to turning on of an air
conditioning apparatus. In this case, a person's lifestyle habit can be accurately
detected.
[0352] In the present embodiment, although a value of Flag is "0" or "1", the present invention
is not limited to this example. For example no change may be set as "1", increase
may be set as "2", and decrease may be set as "0". In this case, the cooling operation
can be performed further in detail.
[0353] In the present embodiment, although a value of Flag is "0" or "1", the present invention
is not limited to this example. For example, an analog detection output value (value
obtained by converting a voltage volume of 0 to 5V, for example) may be used. In this
case, because a storage level can be detected further in detail, a detailed control
matching a food volume and a change volume becomes possible.
[0354] In the present embodiment, a person's behavior pattern is forecasted and a using
state of the refrigerator is estimated, and a defrosting cycle and an application
voltage are changed by matching the forecast and the estimation. Accordingly, a freshness
preservation characteristic of storage object 173 can be improved, by achieving energy
saving by decreasing unnecessary heating by setting an optimum defrosting cycle and
an application voltage of defrosting unit 195 and by suppressing a temperature variation.
[0355] When a change in a storage volume is smaller than a predetermined threshold value,
an interval for operating defrosting unit 195 is extended. In this case, when there
is little operation by a person, that is, when absence is decided and when this absent
state continues for a constant period or more, a defrosting cycle is extended. Accordingly,
a freshness preservation characteristic can be maintained by decreasing unnecessary
heating of defrosting unit 195, and by suppressing a temperature variation while achieving
energy saving.
[0356] With a time point after operation of defrosting unit 195 as a base point, when there
is a constant number or more of a period during which there is no door opening-and-closing,
and also when a change in a storage volume during this period is smaller than a predetermined
threshold value, an interval for operating defrosting unit 195 is extended. Accordingly,
a person's behavior pattern can be understood and forecasted in high precision, and
absence can be decided in high precision. Therefore, further energy saving can be
achieved.
[0357] With a time point after a lapse of a certain constant time after operation of defrosting
unit 195 as a base point, when a temperature variation in the storage chamber is equal
to or smaller than a certain threshold value, or when a change in a storage volume
during this period is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, an interval for
operating defrosting unit 195 is extended. Accordingly, by understanding a heat load
which is basically important for refrigerator 150, a more accurate using state can
be understood. Consequently, at the absent time, further energy saving can be achieved
by extending the defrosting cycle.
[0358] Further, the storage-state detecting means is configured by a light source and an
optical sensor set in the storage chamber. Accordingly, because the irradiation light
of the light source is spread in a whole inside of the refrigerator by repeating reflection
in the storage chamber, and is incident to the optical sensor. Therefore, a storage
state can be detected with a small number of parts and also in a simple configuration.
[0359] In the case of using a light source of the storage-state detecting means also for
in-refrigerator illumination, a storage state can be detected in a simple configuration
without additionally providing a light source.
[0360] Further, when the light source of the storage-state detecting means is configured
by a plurality of LEDs, light of high light intensity is incident to the optical sensor.
Therefore, detection sensitivity of the optical sensor based on a storage state can
be enhanced. Further, by lighting a plurality of LEDs respectively at different positions,
because a detection value of the optical sensor changes depending on a storage state
and the LED to be lit, the storage state can be estimated further in detail.
[0361] Refrigerator 150 according to the present embodiment includes a storage chamber for
storing a storage object, partitioned by a heat insulation wall and a heat insulation
door, a cooler for cooling the storage chamber, and defrosting unit 195 for defrosting
the cooler. Further, refrigerator 150 includes storage-volume estimating unit 162
for estimating a storage volume in the storage chamber, and memory unit 194 for memorizing
a result of estimation by storage-volume estimating unit 162. Further, refrigerator
150 includes arithmetic control unit 163 that calculates a storage change volume based
on a result of estimation up to a last time in memory unit 194 and a result of estimation
by storage-volume estimating unit 162, and that controls an output operation of defrosting
unit 195. Arithmetic control unit 163 controls an interval for operating defrosting
unit 195 at a next time from a calculation result of a storage change volume in the
storage chamber.
[0362] Further, arithmetic control unit 163 decides that there is no change in a storage
volume when a storage change volume in the storage chamber does not exceed a predetermined
threshold value within predetermined time, and extends an interval for operating defrosting
unit 195 at a next time.
[0363] Accordingly, when a storage volume change is small, a defrosting cycle can be extended
and an energy-saving characteristic can be improved.
[0364] Further, refrigerator 150 includes door-open-close detecting unit 192 for detecting
opening and closing of a heat insulation door. With a time point after operation of
defrosting unit 195 as a base point, when a period during which a heat insulation
door is not opened or closed is equal to or larger than a constant time, arithmetic
control unit 163 extends an interval for operating defrosting unit 195.
[0365] Accordingly, triggered by the door opening-and-closing, detection precision can be
improved.
[0366] Refrigerator 150 includes temperature sensor 191 as temperature detecting means for
detecting a temperature in the storage chamber. With a time point after a lapse of
a certain constant time after operation of defrosting unit 195 as a base point, when
a temperature variation in the storage chamber is equal to or smaller than a certain
predetermined value, arithmetic control unit 163 extends the interval for operating
defrosting unit 195.
[0367] Accordingly, by considering a temperature detected by the temperature detecting means,
further detection precision can be improved.
[0368] When a calculation result of a storage change volume in the storage chamber is in
a decrease direction, arithmetic control unit 163 can also extend an interval for
operating at a next time defrosting unit 195.
[0369] Accordingly, when a calculation result of a storage change volume in the storage
chamber is in a decrease direction, it is decided that a load decreases. Therefore,
by controlling the defrosting cycle to be extended, an energy-saving characteristic
can be further improved.
[0370] In the present embodiment, operations are described by assuming user absence due
to a travel and the like. However, when using frequency of the refrigerator is low
during temporary presence of the user (when a change in the storage volume is small
although there is door opening-and-closing to some extent), a similar arithmetic control
can be performed. Accordingly, even when the door-open-close detecting unit assumes
absence in a state of no opening-and-closing of the door, it is also possible to manage
when a change in the storage volume is small although there is door opening-and-closing
to some extent. Consequently, an energy-saving characteristic can be further improved.
SEVENTH EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0371] Next, a seventh embodiment according to the present invention is described.
[0372] FIG. 30 is an operation image diagram of a defrost timing according to the seventh
embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 31A and 31B are control flowcharts
according to the same embodiment.
[0373] In the present embodiment, portions different from those in the configuration described
in the sixth embodiment are mainly described in detail. A detailed description is
omitted for portions of which configurations are the same as those in the sixth embodiment
and portions to which the same technical idea can be applied. The configurations described
in the sixth embodiment can be applied in combination with the present embodiment.
[0374] In general, when a user leaves a house for a travel or for homecoming, a food volume
in refrigerator 150 tends to decrease during a process up to a departure day. This
is because food has a freshness expiration date, and when the user is absent for a
long period, a possibility that food of which a freshness expiration date expires
is stored becomes high. Therefore, the food must be disposed of. To prevent this situation,
a tendency of efficiently using all food before a departure is prominent. For this
reason, a volume of food stored in the storage chamber tends to become small.
[0375] Then, during a period of a normal use of the refrigerator, the storage volume is
occasionally detected and calculated. A result of the calculation is stored in memory
unit 194 and is set in a database, and a standard storage volume Ms is calculated.
[0376] When the user becomes absent for a long period due to an overseas traveling, homecoming,
or a long-term business trip, for example, it is detected beforehand that a storage
volume in the storage chamber is a storage volume Mb that is smaller than that when
the refrigerator is normally used.
[0377] A difference ΔMd between the storage volume Mb and a standard storage volume Ms is
compared with a difference ΔMe between a predetermined absence-decision storage volume
Mo (a fixed value, or a value obtained by multiplying α (0.8, for example) to the
standard storage volume Ms) and the standard storage volume Ms. At this time, when
ΔMd is larger than ΔMe, it is decided that there is a possibility of absence of the
user, and the process proceeds to the "absence detection" process. In other cases,
the cooling operation is performed as normally performed. When the "absence detection"
process is performed, the above-described defrost control is performed, and the defrosting
operation is cut off. Consequently, energy saving can be achieved.
[0378] Operations are described with reference to the control flowchart in FIGS. 31A and
31B. Because an outline is described with reference to FIGS. 28B and 28C, only detailed
portions are described by omitting duplicated portions.
[0379] In the "absence detection A" process in FIG 31A, various parameters are set in step
S212. Next, in step S213, the timer tc is started, and the process proceeds to step
S222.
[0380] In step S222, a difference ΔMd between a current calculated storage volume Mb and
the standard storage volume Ms is compared with a difference ΔMe between the current
calculated storage volume Mb and the absence decision storage volume Mo. When ΔMd
is larger than ΔMe (S222, YES), it is decided that the refrigerator is used in a method
different from the normal method. "1" is kept set in Flag A by assuming that a possibility
of user absence is high (S223).
[0381] On the other hand, when ΔMe is equal to or larger than ΔMd (S222, NO), it is decided
that the refrigerator is used in the normal method and the user is at home, and "0"
is set to Flag A (S224). Then, in step S214 afterward, the operations are the same
as those described with reference to FIG. 28B in the sixth embodiment.
[0382] Further, as a separate processing flow, operations are described with reference to
FIG. 31B.
[0383] In FIG. 31B, after the using-state decision A is started, in step S232, it is decided
whether "1" is being set to Flag A.
[0384] When "1" is being set to Flag A (S232, YES), the process proceeds to step S239. In
step S239, a difference ΔMd between a current calculated storage volume Mb and the
standard storage volume Ms is compared with a difference ΔMe between the current calculated
storage volume Mb and the absence decision storage volume Mo. When ΔMd is larger than
ΔMe (S239, YES), it is decided that the refrigerator is used in a method different
from the normal method, assuming that the use is absent, and the process proceeds
to step S233. When the change volume ΔM of the storage volume is equal to or smaller
than the predetermined threshold value Mc, in step S234, "1" is kept set in Flag A.
When ΔMe is equal to or larger than ΔMd (S239, NO), and also when the change volume
ΔM of the storage volume is equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold value
Mc (S233, NO), it is decided that the refrigerator is used in the normal method and
the user is at home, and the process proceeds to step S235 and "0" is set to Flag
A. The "using-state decision A" process is ended, and the process proceeds to a main
routine.
[0385] As described above, in the present embodiment, by calculating and standardizing the
normal storage state, when the storage is in a state decreased from the assumed storage
state, it is decided that the user is in the absent state. By controlling the defrosting
operation and the like, energy saving can be achieved.
EIGHTH EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0386] Next, an eighth embodiment according to the present invention is described.
[0387] FIGS. 32A and 32B are control flowcharts according to the eighth embodiment of the
present invention.
[0388] The configurations described in the sixth embodiment and the seventh embodiment can
be applied in combination with the present embodiment.
[0389] After the process proceeds to the "absence detection A" process in FIG. 32A, various
parameters are set in step S332. Specifically, "0" is set to the number of door opening-and-closing
times Dn, "1" is set to Flag A, "0" is set to the timer tc, and the defrosting cycle
t
d1 is set to a predetermined value. Next, the process proceeds to step S213, the timer
tc is started, and the process proceeds to the "using-state decision A" process in
step S214.
[0390] The "using-state decision A" process according to the present embodiment is described
with reference to FIG. 32B.
[0391] After starting the "using-state decision A" process, in step S232, it is decided
whether "1" is being set to Flag A. When "1" is being set to Flag A (S232, YES), the
process proceeds to step S333.
[0392] In step S333, it is decided whether the storage change volume ΔM is equal to or smaller
than the predetermined threshold value Mc or whether the number of door opening-and-closing
times is "0". When the storage change volume ΔM is equal to or smaller than the predetermined
threshold value Mc or when the number of door opening-and-closing times is "0" (S333,
YES), it is decided that the user is in the absent state, and "1" is kept set in Flag
A (S234).
[0393] On the other hand, when the storage change volume ΔM is larger than Mc or when the
number of door opening-and-closing times is not "0", it is decided that there is a
possibility that the user is at home. In step S235, "0" is set to Flag A, the "using-state
decision A" process ends, and the process proceeds to the main routine.
[0394] By these controls, in addition to the storage change, the number of door opening-and-closing
times can be also used as decision indexes of "presence" and "absence" of the user.
Accordingly, the absence detection can be performed in higher precision, and energy
saving can be achieved.
[0395] As described above, according to the present embodiment, with a time point after
operation of the defrosting unit as a base point, when a period during which there
is no door opening-and-closing is equal to or larger than a constant time, and also
when a change in a storage volume during this period is smaller than a predetermined
threshold value, the defrosting unit is not operated. Accordingly, when a storage
volume decreases from the assumed storage state, it is decided that the user is in
the absent state, and energy saving can be achieved by controlling the proper defrosting
operation and the like.
NINTH EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0396] Next, a ninth embodiment according to the present invention is described.
[0397] FIGS. 33A and 33B are control flowcharts according to the ninth embodiment of the
present invention. The configurations described in the sixth embodiment to the eighth
embodiment can be applied in combination with the present embodiment.
[0398] After the process proceeds to the "absence detection A" process in FIG. 33A, various
parameters are set in step S342. Specifically, "1" is set to Flag A, "0" is set to
the timer tc, and the defrosting cycle t
d1, a cold compartment temperature variation T
PC, and the freezing compartment temperature variation T
FC are set, respectively.
[0399] Next, the process proceeds to step S213, the timer tc is started, and the process
proceeds to the "using-state decision A" process in step S214.
[0400] The "using-state decision A" process according to the present embodiment is described
with reference to FIG. 33B.
[0401] After starting the "using-state decision A", in step S232, it is decided whether
"1" is being set to Flag A. When "1" is being set to Flag A (S232, YES), the process
proceeds to step S343.
[0402] In step S343, it is decided whether the storage change volume ΔM is equal to or smaller
than the predetermined threshold value Mc, whether the cold compartment temperature
variation T
PC is smaller than the predetermined variation width T
PCS, or whether the freezing compartment temperature variation T
FC is smaller than the predetermined variation width T
FCS. When any one of the relationships is satisfied (S343, YES), it is decided that there
is no input of food or there is no door opening-and-closing or heat load, and it is
decided that the user is absent. "1" is kept set in Flag A (S234), and the "using-state
decision A" process ends.
[0403] On the other hand, when the storage change volume ΔM is larger than the threshold
value Mc, and also when the cold compartment temperature variation T
PC and the freezing compartment temperature variation T
FC are equal to or larger than the predetermined variation widths T
PCS and T
FCS, respectively, it is decided that there is a possibility that the user is at home.
In this case, in step S235, "0" is set to Flag A, the "using-state decision A" process
is ended, and the process proceeds to the main routine.
[0404] By the above-described process, in addition to the storage change, the temperature
variation can be also used as decision indexes of "presence" and "absence" of the
user. Accordingly, the absence detection can be performed in higher precision, and
energy saving can be achieved.
[0405] As described above, according to the present embodiment, with a time point after
a lapse of a certain constant time after operation of the defrosting unit as a base
point, when a temperature variation in the storage chamber is equal to or smaller
than a certain threshold value, or when a change in a storage volume during this period
is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, an interval for operating the defrosting
unit is extended. Accordingly, further energy saving can be achieved.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0406] As described above, the refrigerator according to the present invention can start
a rapid cooling operation by increasing rotation numbers of a compressor and a cooling
fan without generating a time difference from input of a storage object. Therefore,
the refrigerator is useful as a household refrigerator or a business refrigerator
that has a storage volume detecting function and changes over the operation mode to
the power-saving operation and the like by using a detection result.
REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS
[0407]
4, 4a, 4b cold-air blowing opening
11, 151 refrigerator main body
11a inner box
11b outer box
12, 152 cold compartment
12a, 152a cold compartment door
12b low-temperature compartment
13, 153 ice compartment
14, 154 change compartment
15, 155 freezing compartment
16, 156 vegetable compartment
17, 157 operating unit
18a to 18d, 158 storage shelf
19, 159 illuminating unit
20, 20a to 20e, 160 light emitting unit
21, 21a to 21f, 161 light-volume detecting unit
22, 163 arithmetic control unit
23, 162 storage-volume estimating unit
24 comparison-information deciding unit
25 change-information deciding unit
27a to 27c door shelf
28a to 28d air-volume adjusting unit
30, 170 compressor
31, 171 cooling fan
32, 172 temperature compensation heater
33, 173 stored object
34a, 34b, 174a irradiation light
50, 150 refrigerator
61, 191 temperature sensor
62, 192 door-open-close detecting unit
63 outer-air temperature sensor
64, 194 memory unit
65 operation-start deciding unit
66 operation-end deciding unit
67, 193 damper
68, 195 defrosting unit
70 temperature-information deciding unit
71 door-open-close information deciding unit
72 out-refrigerator illuminance sensor
91 display unit
196 timer