REFRIGERATOR

Abstract

 A refrigerator includes a storing chamber that is enclosed with a heat insulating wall and a heat insulating door and configured to store an object to be stpred, a cooler that cools the storing chamber, a damper (12) that controls an amount of cold air to the storing chamber, the heat insulating door that covers the storing chamber, and a door opening and closing detector (13a to 13d) that detects opening and closing of the heat insulating door. The refrigerator also includes a cooling fan (10) that supplies the cold air to the storing chamber; a fan motor that drives the cooling fan (10), a rotating speed detector (15) that detects a rotating speed of the fan motor, and a calculation controller (14) that performs calculation processing of a detection result of the rotating speed detector (15). The calculation controller (14) estimates a storing amount of the storing chamber based on a detection result of the door opening and closing detector (13a to 13d) and the detection result of the rotating speed detector (15).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a function of detecting a storage state of the refrigerator.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Nowadays, an indirect cooling system in which cold air is circulated in a refrigerator with a fan is generally used in a household refrigerator. In a conventional refrigerator, temperature control is performed according to a detection result of a refrigerator temperature to keep the refrigerator temperature at a proper temperature. For example, a refrigerator in which a movable type cold air discharging device is provided as a refrigerator that uniformly keeps the refrigerator temperature (see PTL 1).

[0003] FIG. 48 is a front perspective view of a refrigerating chamber of a conventional refrigerator. As illustrated in FIG. 48, movable type cold air discharging device 302 provided in refrigerating chamber 301 of refrigerator 300 horizontally supplies cold air to uniformly keep the refrigerator temperature.

[0004] However, even if the refrigerator temperature is uniformly kept, an object to be stored is not always kept at an optimum temperature. This is because the refrigerator detects and controls an atmospheric temperature in the refrigerator with a thermistor, but has no function of directly detecting the temperature of the object. Therefore, a difference is generated between the atmospheric temperature in the refrigerator and the actual temperature of the object.

[0005] For example, in a transition period until the temperature is stabilized since immediately after the object is input, a time to a storage temperature depends on a storing amount because a difference between a detection temperature of a temperature detector disposed in the refrigerator and a temperature of the object is generated according to an amount of the object. Specifically, a cooling time is shortened for the small storing amount, and the cooling time is lengthened for the large storing amount. Particularly, for the small storing amount, sometimes cooling running is excessively performed, which results in the "overcooled" object.

[0006] After a sufficient time elapses, because the object keeps the temperature by own thermal capacity, the temperature of the object lends to become lower than the atmospheric temperature in the refrigerator with increasing storing amount. Therefore, the object becomes an "overcooled" state, but the object cannot be cooled at the optimum temperature. Additionally, the refrigerator performs the cooling running using excess power consumption in this period.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0007] PTL 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-247608

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A refrigerator of the present invention includes a storing chamber that is enclosed with a heat insulating wall and a heat insulating door to store an object to be stored, a cooler that cools the storing chamber, a damper that controls an amount of cold air to the storing chamber, and the heat insulating door that covers the storing chamber. The refrigerator of the present invention also includes a door opening and closing detector that detects opening and closing of the heat insulating door, a cooling fan that supplies the cold air to the storing chamber, a fan motor that drives the cooling fan, a detector that detects a rotating speed or a current of the fan motor, and a calculation controller that performs calculation processing of a detection result of the detector. In the refrigerator of the present invention, the calculation controller estimates a storing amount of the storing chamber based on a detection result of the door opening and closing detector and the detection result of the detector.

[0009] Therefore, in the refrigerator of the present invention, the storing amount is previously detected, and a running state of the refrigerator is controlled based on information on the detected storing amount, which allows the cooling to be performed so as to be suitable to the storing amount in the refrigerator. Additionally, in the refrigerator of the present invention, the "overcooled" object is prevented while a freshness keeping property for the object is implemented, which allows the power consumption to be constrained.

[0010] A refrigerator of the present invention includes a storing chamber that is enclosed with a heat insulating wall and a heat insulating door to store an object to be stored, a cooler that cools the storing chamber, a compressor that delivers a refrigerant to the cooler, a cooling fan that supplies cold air to the storing chamber, a damper that controls an amount of cold air to the storing chamber, and the heat insulating door that covers the storing chamber. The refrigerator of the present invention also includes a door opening and closing detector that detects opening and closing of the heat insulating door, a detector that detects an input to the compressor, and a calculation controller that performs calculation processing of a detection result of the detector. In the refrigerator of the present invention, the calculation controller estimates a storing amount of the storing chamber based on a detection result of the door opening and closing detector and the detection result of the detector.

[0011] Therefore, in the refrigerator of the present invention, the storing amount in the refrigerator is previously estimated from the input to the compressor, and a running state of the refrigerator is controlled based on information on the estimated storing amount, which allows the cooling suitable to the storing amount in the refrigerator. Additionally, in the refrigerator of the present invention, the freshness keeping property for the object can be implemented by keeping the object at a target temperature in a predetermined period, and the power consumption can be constrained by preventing the "overcooled" object.

[0012] A refrigerator of the present invention includes a storing chamber that is enclosed with a heat insulating wall and a heat insulating door to store an object to be stored, a cooler that cools the storing chamber, a cooling fan that supplies cold air to the storing chamber, and a damper that controls an amount of cold air to the storing chamber. The refrigerator of the present invention also includes a door opening and closing detector that detects opening and closing of the heat insulating door, a humidity detector that detects humidity of the storing chamber, and a calculation controller that performs calculation processing of a detection result of the humidity detector. In the refrigerator of the present invention, the calculation controller estimates a storing amount of the storing chamber based on a detection result of the door opening and closing detector and the detection result of the humidity detector.

[0013] Therefore, in the refrigerator of the present invention, because estimation accuracy of the storing amount can be enhanced, cooling or output control can be performed according to the storage state in the refrigerator.

[0014] The refrigerator of the present invention further includes an electrostatic atomizing device. Therefore, an antibacterial property in the refrigerator is enhanced, and the freshness keeping property for vegetables can be improved.

[0015] A refrigerator of the present invention includes a storing chamber that is enclosed with a heat insulating wall and a heat insulating door to store an object to be stored, a cooler that cools the storing chamber, a damper that controls an amount of cold air to the storing chamber, and the heat insulating door that covers the storing chamber. The refrigerator of the present invention also includes a door opening and closing detector that detects opening and closing of the heat insulating door, a cooling fan that supplies the cold air to the storing chamber, a detector that detects an air amount of the storing chamber, and a calculation controller that performs calculation processing of a detection result of the detector. In the refrigerator of the present invention, the calculation controller estimates a storing amount of the storing chamber based on a detection result of the door opening and closing detector and the detection result of the detector.

[0016] Therefore, in the refrigerator of the present invention, the storing amount is previously detected, and a running state of the refrigerator is controlled based on information on the detected storing amount, which allows the cooling to be performed so as to be suitable to the storing amount in the refrigerator. Additionally, in the refrigerator of the present invention, the "overcooled" object is prevented while a freshness keeping property for the object is implemented, which allows the power consumption to be constrained.

[0017] A refrigerator of the present invention includes a storing chamber that is enclosed with a heat insulating wall and configured to store an object to be stored, a cooling system that cools the storing chamber, and a drawing type door that covers the storing chamber and that is capable of being drawn in a front-back direction. The refrigerator of the present invention also includes a door opening and closing detector that detects opening and closing of the drawing type door, an actuator that automatically opens and closes the drawing type door, a driving source for the actuator, a storing amount estimator that estimates a storing amount in the storing chamber, and a controller that performs driving control of the cooling system and actuator and calculation processing of a detection result of the storing amount estimator. In the refrigerator of the present invention, the controller performs the driving control of the cooling system based on the detection result of the storing amount estimator.

[0018] Therefore, in the refrigerator of the present invention, the storing amount is previously detected, and a running state of the refrigerator is controlled based on information on the detected storing amount, which allows the cooling to be performed so as to be suitable to the storing amount in the refrigerator. Additionally, in the refrigerator of the present invention, the "overcooled" object is prevented while a freshness keeping property for the object is implemented, which allows the power consumption to be constrained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] 

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view illustrating a refrigerator according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a characteristic diagram illustrating an air amount and static pressure/rotating speed of a cooling fan of the refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a characteristic diagram illustrating the rotating speed of the cooling fan and a storing amount of the refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a characteristic diagram including a correction factor with respect to the air amount and the rotating speed of the cooling fan of the refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a characteristic diagram including the correction factor with respect to the rotating speed of the cooling fan and the storing amount of the refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a characteristic diagram illustrating the air amount and static pressure/input current of the cooling fan of the refrigerator according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a characteristic diagram illustrating the input current of the cooling fan and the storing amount of the refrigerator according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9A is a characteristic diagram including the correction factor with respect to the air amount and the input current of the cooling fan of the refrigerator according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9B is a characteristic diagram including the correction factor with respect to the input current of the cooling fan and the storing amount of the refrigerator according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11A is a characteristic diagram illustrating the air amount and the static pressure/rotating speed of the cooling fan of the refrigerator according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11B is a characteristic diagram illustrating the rotating speed of the cooling fan and the storing amount of the refrigerator according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view illustrating a refrigerator according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a control flowchart illustrating an operation to detect a storage state of the refrigerator according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a control behavior of an electric load component of the refrigerator according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention when an object to be stored is input to the refrigerator.

FIG. 17 is a control flowchart illustrating an operation to detect a storage state during a shutdown period of a compressor in the refrigerator according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a control flowchart illustrating the operation to detect the storage state of a refrigerator according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a control flowchart illustrating an operation to detect a storage state of a refrigerator according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view illustrating a refrigerator according to a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a control flowchart illustrating an operation to detect a storage state of the refrigerator according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a characteristic diagram in detecting the storage state of the refrigerator according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a control flow of an operation to detect a storage state in a vegetable chamber of the refrigerator according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a characteristic diagram in detecting a storage state in a vegetable chamber of the refrigerator according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a sectional view illustrating a main part in which an electrostatic atomizing device is installed in a vegetable chamber of a refrigerator according to an eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a control flow of an operation of an electrostatic atomizing device in the refrigerator according to the eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a characteristic diagram illustrating a relationship between humidity and a discharge current of the electrostatic atomizing device in the refrigerator according to the eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a sectional side view illustrating a refrigerator according to a ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a characteristic diagram illustrating the air amount of the cooling fan and the static pressure/storing amount of the refrigerator according to the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator according to the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a characteristic diagram including the correction factor with respect to the air amount of the cooling fan and the storing amount of the refrigerator according to the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to a tenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a characteristic diagram illustrating the air amount of the cooling fan and the static pressure/storing amount of the refrigerator according to the tenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator according to the tenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a sectional side view illustrating a refrigerator according to an eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38A is a sectional plan view in closing a door of a freezing chamber of the refrigerator according to the eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38B is a sectional plan view in opening the door of the freezing chamber of the refrigerator according to the eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a characteristic diagram illustrating an estimated storing amount of the refrigerator according to the eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 41 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator according to the eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 42 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to a twelfth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 43 is a characteristic diagram illustrating an estimated storing amount of the refrigerator according to the twelfth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 44 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator according to the twelfth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to a thirteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 46 is a characteristic diagram illustrating an estimated storing amount of the refrigerator according to the thirteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 47 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator according to the thirteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 48 is a front perspective view of a refrigerating chamber of a conventional refrigerator.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments.

(First exemplary embodiment)

[0021] A first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a sectional side view illustrating a refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a characteristic diagram illustrating an air amount and static pressure/rotating speed of a cooling fan of the refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3B is a characteristic diagram illustrating the rotating speed of the cooling fan and a storing amount of the refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A is a characteristic diagram including a correction factor with respect to the air amount and the rotating speed of the cooling fan of the refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a characteristic diagram including the correction factor with respect to the rotating speed of the cooling fan and the storing amount of the refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, heat insulating box body 1a of refrigerator body 1 has a structure including an outer casing mainly made of a steel plate, an inner casing molded using resin such as ABS, and a heat insulating material located in a space between the outer casing and the inner casing, and heat insulating box body 1a insulates an inside of the refrigerator body from an environment.

[0023] Refrigerator body 1 is partitioned into a plurality of storing chambers by partition walls 6a to 6c, refrigerating chamber 2 is provided in the uppermost portion, temperature selecting chamber 3 is provided below refrigerating chamber 2, freezing chamber 4 is provided below temperature selecting chamber 3, and vegetable chamber 5 is provided in the lowermost portion. Heat insulating doors 7a to 7d are formed in a front opening of refrigerator body 1 in order to separate each storing chamber from ambient air.

[0024] A plurality of storing shelves 22 are provided in refrigerating chamber 2. Some of storing shelves 22 can vertically be moved.

[0025] Compressor 8 and refrigerating cycle high-pressure-side components (not illustrated) such as a dryer for removing moisture are accommodated in machine chamber 1b formed in the rear area in the uppermost portion of refrigerating chamber 2.

[0026] Cooling chamber 1c generating cold air is provided in the back of freezing chamber 4, and cooler 9 and cooling fan 10 are disposed in cooling chamber 1c. Cooling fan 10 blasts cold air generated by cooler 9 to refrigerating chamber 2, temperature selecting chamber 3, freezing chamber 4, and vegetable chamber 5. Defrosting heater 11, a drain pan (not illustrated), a drain tube evaporation pan (not illustrated), and the like are provided in order to defrost frost and ice adhering to cooler 9 and a neighborhood of cooler 9.

[0027] Temperature detector 21 is provided in order to detect temperatures of cooling fan 10 and the neighborhood of cooler 9. For example, temperature detector 21 plays the following roles. One of the roles is that temperature detector 21 corrects an influence of ambient temperature of cooling fan 10 on a rotating speed or an output current. A voltage applied to cooling fan 10 can be varied according to the ambient temperature detected by temperature detector 21. The other role is that temperature detector 21 detects the frost formation state of cooler 9. Temperature detector 21 detects frost formation to prevent a heat exchange function from degrading or prevent an air passage resistance from increasing.

[0028] In the first exemplary embodiment, the following items concerning main parts of the present invention may be applied to a general type of conventional refrigerator in which the machine chamber is provided in a rear area of a storing chamber in the lowermost portion of the heat insulating box body to dispose compressor 8.

[0029] For the purpose of refrigerated storage, refrigerating chamber 2 is usually set to temperatures of 1°C to 5°C with an ice-free temperature as a lower limit, and lowermost vegetable chamber 5 is set to temperatures of 2°C to 7°C equal to or slightly higher than those of refrigerating chamber 2. Freezing chamber 4 is set to a freezing temperature range, and usually set to temperatures of -22°C to -15°C for the purpose of frozen storage. Sometimes freezing chamber 4 is set to a low temperature of, for example, -30°C or -25°C in order to improve the frozen storage state.

[0030] Temperature selecting chamber 3 can be switched to a previously-set temperature range between a refrigeration temperature range and a freezing temperature range in addition to the refrigerated storage temperature range of 1°C to 5°C, the vegetable storage temperature range of 2°C to 7°C, and the frozen storage temperature range of -22°C to -15°C.

[0031] The temperature at each storing chamber is adjusted by controlling a cooling system, namely, by adjusting a rotating speed of a motor of compressor 8, by adjusting a rotating speed of cooling fan 10, and by opening and closing damper 12 to adjust a distribution of an air amount into each storing chamber. In damper 12, a rotary type opening and closing unit is driven by a motor (not illustrated) to close or open an air passage, and the temperature can finely be adjusted by controlling an opening degree such that the opening and closing unit is partially opened to supply a faint breeze to each storing chamber. Usually, with decreasing opening degree of the air passage, the air passage resistance increases and the air amount of cooling fan 10 decreases.

[0032] In the first exemplary embodiment, temperature selecting chamber 3 is used as the storing chamber including the refrigeration and freezing temperature ranges. Alternatively, the refrigeration is entrusted to refrigerating chamber 2 and vegetable chamber 5, the freezing is entrusted to freezing chamber 4, and temperature selecting chamber 3 may be used as the storing chamber specializing in the switching only of an intermediate temperature range between the refrigeration and the freezing. Temperature selecting chamber 3 may be used as the storing chamber that is set to a specific temperature range, for example, the temperature range fixed to the freezing temperature range according to the fact that the demand for the frozen foods has been increased in recent years.

[0033] Although not illustrated in the drawings, an ice making chamber for making and storing ice may be provided in parallel to temperature selecting chamber 3.

[0034] An operation and action of the refrigerator having the above configuration will be described below.

[0035] A motor driver is incorporated in cooling fan 10, and cooling fan 10 can be driven only by supplying a power supply voltage from the outside. A rotating speed per unit time (hereinafter, notated only by the rotating speed) can be ordered by analog input. Cooling fan 10 has a function of outputting the present rotating speed, and has a mechanism outputting the voltage of one-pulse rectangular wave every half rotation. However, cooling fan 10 has a configuration such that, during detection of a storing amount, the rotating speed is not stabilized by feedback of the function, but a constant voltage is applied to cooling fan 10 and the rotating speed varies by disturbances such as the air passage resistance.

[0036] At this point, in cooling fan 10 exhibiting a PQ characteristic in FIG. 3A, the rotating speed tends to decrease with decreasing air amount. This is because, with decreasing air amount, a static pressure increases largely to increase a load on cooling fan 10.

[0037] Because a load (workload) on the fan motor is generally obtained by a product of the air amount and the static pressure, a relationship between the air amount and the rotating speed depends on the PQ characteristic of the fan motor, and sometimes the rotating speed tends to increase with decreasing air amount.

[0038] The air amount of cooling fan 10 depends on the increase and decrease in air passage resistance, namely, the air amount changes by the storing amount of refrigerator body 1, so that a correlation between the rotating speed and the storing amount can be taken as illustrated in FIG. 3B.

[0039] The operation to estimate the storing amount in the refrigerator of the first exemplary embodiment will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

[0040] In the flowchart of FIG. 4, door opening and closing detectors 13a to 13d determines whether heat insulating doors 7a to 7d are opened and closed for storing or taking out food (Step S1), and timer 18 measures a predetermined time (Step S2). Then the detection of the storing amount is started. Because control is performed so as to stop cooling fan 10 when one of heat insulating doors 7a to 7d is opened, the storing amount is detected after the operation is stabilized except a transition period of the predetermined time in which cooling fan 10 is restarted immediately after one of heat insulating doors 7a to 7d is closed.

[0041] Whether damper 12 is fully opened is determined (Step S3). Even in the same storing amount, depending on the opening degree of damper 12, sometimes the air amount decreases and the storing amount is determined to be larger as illustrated in FIG. 5A. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, corrector 19 subtracts correction value G from the storing amount (Step S4). Because the increase or decrease in air amount caused by an opening or closed state of damper 12 depends on a configuration of the air passage, it is necessary to set the correction value in each system.

[0042] Then the frost formation state in cooler 9 is determined (Step S5). The frost formation state is determined by a frost sensor, temperature detector 21 that detects a temperature near the cooler, or an elapsed time from an end of defrosting performed by defrosting heater 11. For a large frost formation amount in cooler 9, because the air amount decreases to determine the storing amount to be larger even in the same storing amount as illustrated in FIG. 5A, corrector 19 subtracts correction value H from the storing amount as illustrated in FIG. 5B (Step S6).

[0043] Then the storing amount is estimated. Rotating speed C of cooling fan 10 is output for air amount A from FIG. 3A, and storing amount estimator 16 of calculation controller 14 estimates the storing amount at E from FIG. 3B (Step S7). Estimated storing amount E is recorded in storing amount memory unit 17 (Step S8).

[0044] Finally a storing amount change is calculated. During the previous detection of the storing amount, rotating speed D of cooling fan 10 is output for air amount B from FIG. 3A, storing amount estimator 16 of calculation controller 14 estimates the storing amount at F from FIG. 3B, and estimated storing amount E is recorded in storing amount memory unit 17. Because of presently-detected storing amount E, a storing amount change becomes a difference between the previously-estimated storing amount F and presently-estimated storing amount E (Step S9).

[0045] The subsequent cooling control is decided from the estimated storing amount or the storing amount change.

[0046] For example, for the extremely small storing amount, energy-saving running is performed under the control of the cooling system. When the storing amount increases rapidly, rapid cooling running is performed under the control of the cooling system. Thus, the optimum cooling control is selected according to a situation.

[0047] As described above, the refrigerator of the first exemplary embodiment includes refrigerating chamber 2, temperature selecting chamber 3, freezing chamber 4, and vegetable chamber 5 that are enclosed with a heat insulating wall and a heat insulating door to store objects to be stored, cooler 9 that cools the storing chambers, and damper 12 that controls the amount of the cold air to the storing chambers. The refrigerator of the first exemplary embodiment also includes heat insulating doors 7a to 7d that cover the storing chambers, door opening and closing detectors 13a to 13d that detect the opening and closing of heat insulating doors 7a to 7d, cooling fan 10 that supplies the cold air to the storing chambers, rotating speed detector 15 that detects the rotating speed of cooling fan 10, and calculation controller 14 that performs calculation processing of the detection result of rotating speed detector 15. An air passage resistance variation caused by the object is calculated from the rotating speed of the fan motor of cooling fan 10 to estimate the storing amount. Therefore, a refrigerator load variation caused by the storing amount change is detected faster than the refrigerator temperature detected by the thermistor, so that cooling capacity can quickly and properly be controlled. As a result, the temperature of the object can always be kept in the optimum state to implement the high freshness keeping property, and the power consumption can be constrained by preventing the "overcooled" object.

(Second exemplary embodiment)

[0048] A refrigerator according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7A is a characteristic diagram illustrating the air amount and static pressure/input current of the cooling fan of the refrigerator according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7B is a characteristic diagram illustrating the input current of the cooling fan and the storing amount of the refrigerator according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9A is a characteristic diagram including the correction factor with respect to the air amount and the input current of the cooling fan of the refrigerator according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9B is a characteristic diagram including the correction factor with respect to the input current of the cooling fan and the storing amount of the refrigerator according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The same component as the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is designated by the same reference mark, and the description is omitted.

[0049] An operation and action of the refrigerator having the above configuration will be described below.

[0050] A motor driver is incorporated in cooling fan 10, and cooling fan 10 can be driven only by supplying a power supply voltage from the outside. The rotating speed of cooling fan 10 per unit time (hereinafter, notated only by the rotating speed) can be ordered by analog input. Cooling fan 10 has a function of outputting the present rotating speed, and has a mechanism outputting the voltage of one-pulse rectangular wave every half rotation. In the second exemplary embodiment, the rotating speed is kept constant by the feedback of the function during the detection of the storing amount, and the current input to the fan varies easily by disturbances such as the air passage resistance.

[0051] At this point, in cooling fan 10 exhibiting a PQ characteristic in FIG. 7A, the input current tends to increase with decreasing air amount. This is because, with decreasing air amount, a static pressure increases largely to increase a load on cooling fan 10.

[0052] Because the load (workload) on the fan motor is generally obtained by the product of the air amount and the static pressure, the relationship between the air amount and the input current depends on the PQ characteristic of the fan motor, and sometimes the input current tends to decrease with decreasing air amount.

[0053] The air amount of cooling fan 10 depends on the increase and decrease in air passage resistance, namely, the air amount changes by the storing amount of refrigerator body 1, so that a correlation between the input current and the storing amount can be taken as illustrated in FIG. 7B.

[0054] The operation to estimate the storing amount in the refrigerating chamber 2 will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

[0055] In the flowchart of FIG. 8, one of door opening and closing detectors 13a to 13d determines whether one of heat insulating doors 7a to 7d is opened and closed for storing or taking out food (Step S11), and timer 18 measures a predetermined time (Step S12). Then the detection of the storing amount is started. Because control is performed so as to stop cooling fan 10 when one of heat insulating doors 7a to 7d is opened, the storing amount is detected after the operation is stabilized except a transition period of the predetermined time in which cooling fan 10 is restarted immediately after one of heat insulating doors 7a to 7d is closed.

[0056] Whether damper 12 is fully opened is determined (Step S13). Even in the same storing amount, depending on the opening degree of damper 12, sometimes the input current increases and the storing amount is determined to be larger as illustrated in FIG. 9A. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, corrector 19 subtracts correction value R from the storing amount (Step S14). Because the increase or decrease in air amount caused by an opening or closed state of damper 12 depends on a configuration of the air passage, it is necessary to set the correction value in each system.

[0057] Then the frost formation state in cooler 9 is determined (Step S15). The frost formation state is determined by the frost sensor (not illustrated), temperature detector 21 that detects a temperature near the cooler, or the elapsed time from the end of defrosting performed by defrosting heater 11. For the large frost formation amount in cooler 9, because the input current increases to determine the storing amount to be larger even in the same storing amount as illustrated in FIG. 9A, corrector 19 subtracts correction value S from the storing amount as illustrated in FIG. 9B (Step S16).

[0058] Then the storing amount is estimated. The current input to cooling fan 10 is detected by a current-transformer or shunt type current detector 20. Because generally the current input to the motor is not a direct current, the input current is dealt with a peak value, an effective value, or a value smoothed by a capacitor.

[0059] The input current of cooling fan 10 becomes L for air amount J from FIG. 7A, and storing amount estimator 16 of calculation controller 14 estimates the storing amount at N from FIG. 7B (Step S17). Estimated storing amount N is recorded in storing amount memory unit 17 (Step S18).

[0060] Finally a storing amount change is calculated. During the previous detection of the storing amount, the input current of cooling fan 10 becomes M for air amount K from FIG. 7A, storing amount estimator 16 of calculation controller 14 estimates the storing amount at O from FIG. 7B, and estimated storing amount O is recorded in storing amount memory unit 17. Because of presently-detected storing amount N, the storing amount change becomes a difference between the previously-estimated storing amount O and presently-estimated storing amount N (Step S19).

[0061] The subsequent cooling control is decided from the estimated storing amount or the storing amount change.

[0062] As described above, the refrigerator of the second exemplary embodiment includes door opening and closing detectors 13a to 13d that detect the opening and closing of heat insulating doors 7a to 7d, cooling fan 10 that supplies the cold air to the storing chamber, current detector 20 that detects the input current of cooling fan 10, and calculation controller 14 that performs the calculation processing of the detection result of current detector 20. In the refrigerator of the second exemplary embodiment, the air passage resistance variation caused by the object is calculated from the input current of the fan motor to estimate the storing amount. Therefore, the refrigerator load variation caused by the storing amount change can be detected faster than the refrigerator temperature detected by the thermistor. In the above configuration of the refrigerator of the second exemplary embodiment, the cooling capacity can quickly and properly be controlled, and the temperature of the object can always be kept in the optimum state to implement the high freshness keeping property. As a result, the power consumption can be constrained by preventing the "overcooled" object.

(Third exemplary embodiment)

[0063] A refrigerator according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. FIG. 10 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11A is a characteristic diagram illustrating the air amount and the static pressure/rotating speed of the cooling fan of the refrigerator according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11B is a characteristic diagram illustrating the rotating speed of the cooling fan and the storing amount of the refrigerator according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The same component as the first or second exemplary embodiment is designated by the same reference mark, and the description is omitted.

[0064] One of the features of the refrigerator according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention is that the correction process (Steps S3 to S6) in the first exemplary embodiment is eliminated. A function of estimating the storing amount change will mainly be described below.

[0065] The configuration of cooling fan 10 is similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment, and the detailed description is omitted.

[0066] In the flowchart of FIG. 12, in the third exemplary embodiment, timer 18 measures time (Step S21), whereby the storing amount is estimated by the rotating speed of cooling fan 10 in each predetermined time irrespective of the opening and closing of heat insulating doors 7a to 7d of the storing chambers (Step S22). The estimated storing amount is recorded in storing amount memory unit 17 (Step S23). Conditions, such as a running state of compressor 8 during the detection and opened and closed states of damper 12, which possibly become an error factor in the detection of the storing amount, are recorded in detection condition memory unit 23 (Step S24). At this point, rotating speed W of cooling fan 10 is output for air amount U of cooling fan 10 from FIG. 11A, and storing amount estimator 16 of calculation controller 14 estimates the storing amount at Y from FIG. 11B.

[0067] Thus, the storing amount immediately before the storage of the food is always managed.

[0068] After this, the storing amount immediately before the storage of the food as a reference is compared to the storing amount detected after the storage of the food to estimate the storing amount.

[0069] One of door opening and closing detectors 13a to 13d determines whether one of heat insulating doors 7a to 7d is opened and closed for storing or taking out the food (Step S25), and timer 18 measures the predetermined time (Step S26). Then the detection of the storage amount is started. This is because the control is performed so as to stop cooling fan 10 when one of heat insulating doors 7a to 7d of the storing chambers is opened. By excluding the transition period of the predetermined time of cooling fan 10 that restarts immediately after the opened one of heat insulating doors 7a to 7d is closed, the storing amount can be detected after the operation of cooling fan 10 is stabilized.

[0070] The conditions, such as the running state of compressor 8 and the opened and closed states of damper 12, which are recorded in detection condition memory unit 23 in Step S24, are read before the estimation of the storing amount, and the conditions of the operation of the refrigerator are adapted to the read conditions (Step S27). Therefore, the air passage resistance change caused by a factor except the storage of the food is equalized to the air passage resistance change during the detection of the storing amount immediately before the input of the food. Because a time interval of the detection of the storing amount before and after the storage of the food is relatively short, the frost formation state of cooler 9 is substantially equal to that before the storage of the food.

[0071] That is, in comparing the storing quantities before and after the storage of the food to each other, the error factor is removed to eliminate necessity of the correction process of the first and second exemplary embodiments.

[0072] Then the storing amount is estimated. Rotating speed V of cooling fan 10 is output for air amount T from FIG. 11A, and storing amount estimator 16 of calculation controller 14 estimates the storing amount at X from FIG. 11B (Step S28). Estimated storing amount X is recorded in storing amount memory unit 17 (Step S29).

[0073] Finally a storing amount change is calculated. Storing amount Y immediately before the storage of the food is recorded, and storing amount X is detected after the storage of the food. Therefore, the storing amount change becomes a difference between storing amount X and storing amount Y (Step S30).

[0074] The subsequent cooling control is decided from the estimated storing amount change.

[0075] For example, the optimum cooling control is selected according to the situation such that the rapid cooling running is performed under the control of the cooling system when the storing amount increases rapidly.

[0076] As described above, the refrigerator of the third exemplary embodiment includes door opening and closing detectors 13a to 13d that detect the opening and closing of heat insulating doors 7a to 7d, cooling fan 10 that supplies the cold air to the storing chamber, rotating speed detector 15 that detects the rotating speed of cooling fan 10, and calculation controller 14 that performs the calculation processing of the detection result of rotating speed detector 15. In the refrigerator of the third exemplary embodiment, the air passage resistance variation caused by the object is calculated from the rotating speed of the fan motor to estimate the storing amount change. Therefore, the temperature can optimally be managed according to the storage of the food, and the high freshness keeping property can be implemented.

[0077] In the third exemplary embodiment, the storing amount change is detected using the rotating speed of cooling fan 10. Alternatively, like the second exemplary embodiment, the storing amount change may be detected using the input current.

[0078] In the first to third exemplary embodiments, the storing amount can be detected in the storing chamber communicating with cooling fan 10 through the air passage.

[0079] In the refrigerator including the dampers for the plurality of storing chambers, during the estimation of the storing amount, the calculation is performed on the condition that only the damper for the target storing chamber is put into the opened state while other dampers are put into the closed state, which allows the estimation of the individual storing amount in each storing chamber.

[0080] In the first to third exemplary embodiments, the control is performed by the calculation of the storing amount change before and after the opening and closing of heat insulating doors 7a to 7d. Alternatively, an absolute storing amount may be predicted at time point of the estimation using correlation data between the storing amount and the rotating speed or the current value of the fan motor in FIGS. 3B and 7B.

(Fourth exemplary embodiment)

[0081] FIG. 13 is a sectional view illustrating a refrigerator according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 14 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a control flowchart illustrating an operation to detect a storage state of the refrigerator according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a control behavior of an electric load component of the refrigerator according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention when an object to be stored is input to the refrigerator, and FIG. 17 is a control flowchart illustrating an operation to detect a storage state during a shutdown period of a compressor in the refrigerator according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] As illustrated in FIG. 13, heat insulating box body 31a of refrigerator body 31 has a structure including an outer casing mainly made of a steel plate, an inner casing molded using resin such as ABS, and a heat insulating material located in the space between the outer casing and the inner casing, and heat insulating box body 1a insulates the inside of the refrigerator body from an environment.

[0083] Refrigerator body 31 is partitioned into a plurality of storing chambers by partition walls 36a to 36c, refrigerating chamber 32 is provided in the uppermost portion, and temperature selecting chamber 33 is provided below refrigerating chamber 32. Freezing chamber 34 is provided below temperature selecting chamber 33, and vegetable chamber 35 is provided in the lowermost portion. Heat insulating doors 37a to 37d are openably and closably formed in the front opening of refrigerator body 31 in order to separate each storing chamber from ambient air.

[0084] A plurality of storing shelves 52 are provided in refrigerating chamber 32, and some of storing shelves 52 can vertically be moved.

[0085] Compressor 38 and refrigerating cycle high-pressure-side components such as a dryer for removing moisture are accommodated in machine chamber 31b formed in the rear area in the uppermost portion of refrigerating chamber 32.

[0086] Cooling chamber 31c generating cold air is provided in the back of freezing chamber 34, and cooler 40 and cooling fan 41 are disposed in cooling chamber 31c. Cooling fan 41 blasts cold air to refrigerating chamber 32, temperature selecting chamber 33, freezing chamber 34, and vegetable chamber 35. Defrosting heater 44, a drain pan (not illustrated), a drain tube evaporation pan (not illustrated), and the like are provided in order to defrost the frost and ice adhering to cooler 40 and a neighborhood of cooler 40.

[0087] Temperature detector 47 is provided in order to detect temperatures of cooling fan 41 and the neighborhood of cooler 40. For example, temperature detector 47 plays the following roles. One of the roles is that temperature detector 47 corrects an influence of ambient temperature of cooling fan 41 on a rotating speed or an output current. A voltage applied to cooling fan 41 can be varied according to the ambient temperature detected by temperature detector 47. The other role is that temperature detector 47 detects the frost formation state of cooler 40. Temperature detector 47 is used to detect degradation of a heat exchange property or the increase in air passage resistance due to the frost formation.

[0088] In the fourth exemplary embodiment, the following items concerning main parts of the present invention may be applied to a general type of conventional refrigerator in which the machine chamber is provided in a rear area of a storing chamber in the lowermost portion of the heat insulating box body to dispose the compressor.

[0089] For the purpose of the refrigerated storage, refrigerating chamber 32 is usually set to temperatures of 1°C to 5°C with an ice-free temperature as a lower limit, and lowermost vegetable chamber 35 is set to temperatures of 2°C to 7°C equal to or slightly higher than those of refrigerating chamber 32. Freezing chamber 34 is set to a freezing temperature range, and usually set to temperatures of -22°C to -15°C for the purpose of the frozen storage. Sometimes freezing chamber 34 is set to a low temperature of, for example, -30°C or -25°C in order to improve the frozen storage state.

[0090] Temperature selecting chamber 33 can be switched to a previously-set temperature range between the refrigeration temperature range and the freezing temperature range in addition to the refrigerated storage temperature range of 1°C to 5°C, the vegetable storage temperature range of 2°C to 7°C, and the frozen storage temperature range of -22°C to -15°C.

[0091] The temperature at each storing chamber is adjusted by controlling the cooling system, namely, by adjusting the rotating speed of the motor of compressor 38, by adjusting the rotating speed of cooling fan 41, and by opening and closing damper 42 to adjust the distribution of the air amount into each storing chamber. In damper 42, the rotary type opening and closing unit is driven by a motor to close or open the air passage, and the temperature can finely be adjusted by controlling the opening degree such that the opening and closing unit is partially opened to share the faint breeze with each storing chamber. Usually, with decreasing opening degree, the air passage resistance increases and the air amount of cooling fan 41 decreases.

[0092] In the fourth exemplary embodiment, temperature selecting chamber 33 is used as the storing chamber including the refrigeration and freezing temperature ranges. Alternatively, the refrigeration is entrusted to refrigerating chamber 32 and vegetable chamber 35, the freezing is entrusted to freezing chamber 34, and temperature selecting chamber 33 may be used as the storing chamber specializing in the switching only of the intermediate temperature range between the refrigeration and the freezing. Temperature selecting chamber 33 may be used as the storing chamber that is set to a specific temperature range, for example, the temperature range fixed to the freezing temperature range according to the fact that the demand for the frozen foods has been increased in recent years.

[0093] Although not illustrated in the drawings, an ice making chamber for making and storing ice may be provided in parallel to temperature selecting chamber 33.

[0094] An operation and action of the refrigerator of the fourth embodiment having the above configuration will be described below.

[0095] The input to compressor 38, namely, the input to the motor that operates a compressing element in compressor 38 changes largely by an evaporation temperature of the refrigerant in cooler 40. For example, in the case that a new object to be stored is input to the refrigerator, air warmed by the object flows in cooler 40 to raise the evaporation temperature, and a refrigerant circulating amount increases in the cooling system. Therefore, the input to compressor 38 increases. That is, the storing amount change can be estimated from a change in input to compressor 38.

[0096] A control operation will be described with reference to the control block diagram of FIG. 14.

[0097] In the refrigerator of the present invention, detector 46 and temperature detector 47 detect an input value of compressor 38 with the detection of the opening or closing operation detected by door opening and closing detectors 43a to 43d being as a trigger, and calculation controller 48 estimates the storing amount from s signal of the input value. Based on the obtained result, whether the energy-saving or rapid cooling running is started is determined to decide cooling-running-related operations of compressor 38, cooling fan 41, damper 42, defrosting heater 44, and temperature compensation/dew formation prevention heater 45.

[0098] The operation to estimate the storing amount of the refrigerator will be described below in detail with reference to the control flowchart of FIG. 15. In the control flowchart of FIG. 15, door opening and closing detectors 43a to 43d determine whether heat insulating doors 37a to 37d are opened to store or take out the food (Step S41). Storing amount estimator 49 estimates the storing amount at that point as reference storing amount data A1 from the input value of compressor 38 calculated from detector 46 (Step S42). At this point, the storing amount may be estimated within one second after the opening operation of heat insulating doors 37a to 37d is detected. This is because, when a long time elapses since the opening operation of heat insulating doors 37a to 37d is detected, cooling fan 41 is stopped to change the input to compressor 38.

[0099] At a time point that heat insulating doors 7a to 7d are confirmed to be in the closed state (Step S43), the operations of compressor 38, cooling fan 41, and damper 42 are fixed (Step S44). This is because disturbance factors such as the rotating speed change of compressor 38, the rotating speed change of cooling fan 41, and the temperature change or air amount change around cooler 40 due to the opening and closing operation of damper 42 are removed.

[0100] After a lapse of predetermined time Δs following the detection of the door closed state (Step S45), the estimation of the storing amount is started. This is because the control is performed so as to stop cooling fan 41 when one of heat insulating doors 37a to 37d is opened. By excluding the transition period of the predetermined time of cooling fan 41 that restarts immediately after the opened one of heat insulating doors 37a to 37d is closed, the storing amount can be detected after the operation of cooling fan 41 is stabilized. Storing amount estimator 49 estimates the storing amount as storing amount data B1 from the input value of compressor 38 calculated from detector 46 (Step S46), and the estimated storing amount data is recorded in memory unit 50 (Step S47). The storing amount change is calculated from a difference between reference storing amount data A1 and storing amount data B1 (Step S48), and the optimum cooling running is performed based on the storing amount change (Step S49).

[0101] For example, in the case that storing amount data B1 is smaller than or equal to reference storing amount data A1, it is determined that the storing amount is decreased or not changed. In response to the determination, the energy-saving running is performed by performing the control such that the rotating speed of compressor 38 is decreased, such that the rotating speed of cooling fan 41 is decreased, or such that the opening degree of damper 42 is decreased. On the other hand, in the case that storing amount data B1 is larger than reference storing amount data A1 by a predetermined value (for example, +20%) or more, it is determined that the storing amount increases. In response to the determination, the rapid cooling running is performed by performing the control such that the rotating speed of compressor 38 is increased, such that the rotating speed of cooling fan 41 is increased, or such that the opening degree of damper 42 is increased.

[0102] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating the control behavior of the electric load component when the object is input to the refrigerator. In the conventional refrigerator, because the cooling running is performed based on the detection result of the atmospheric temperature in the refrigerator detected by the temperature sensor, it takes a long time for the temperature sensor to detect the raise of the refrigerator temperature since the object is input. In the refrigerator of the present invention, the storing amount is estimated from the input value of compressor 38, and the cooling running is performed based on the estimation result of the storing amount. Therefore, the rapid cooling running is performed at the time point that the increase of the storing amount is detected, and the object is cooled to the target temperature in a short time by increasing the rotating speed of compressor 38 or cooling fan 41 so that the high freshness keeping property can be implemented. In the case that the storing amount is decreased or not changed, the energy-saving running is performed to prevent the object from being overcooled, and the power consumption can be reduced.

[0103] As illustrated in FIG. 17, in the case that the opening or closing of the door is detected during the stopping of compressor 38 (Step S51), door opening and closing detectors 43a to 43d determine whether heat insulating doors 37a to 37d are opened to store or take out the food (Step S52), and reference storing amount data A2 is read from memory unit 50 (Step S53). For example, the input of compressor 38 is detected and learned from memory unit 50 at constant time intervals (for example, five minutes), and reference storing amount data A2 is calculated from the storing amount data immediately before compressor 38 is stopped. Alternatively, reference storing amount data A2 may be calculated from an average value of the pieces of storing amount data recorded in memory unit 50 during a constant period (for example, one week).

[0104] Heat insulating doors 37a to 37d are confirmed to be in the closed state (Step S54), and at the time point that compressor 38 restarts (Step S55), the operations of compressor 38, cooling fan 41, and damper 42 are fixed (Step S56).

[0105] After a lapse of predetermined time Δt following the restart of compressor 38 (Step S57), the estimation of the storing amount is started. Storing amount estimator 49 estimates the storing amount as storing amount data B2 from the input value of compressor 38 calculated from detector 46 (Step S58), and the estimated storing amount data is recorded in memory unit 50 (Step S59). The storing amount change is calculated from a difference between reference storing amount data A2 and storing amount data B2 (Step S60), and the optimum cooling running is performed based on the storing amount change (Step S61).

[0106] In the case that the opening and closing of the door are detected during the defrosting, the input of compressor 38 is detected and learned from memory unit 50 at constant time intervals (for example, five minutes), and reference storing amount data A2 is calculated from the storing amount data immediately before the defrosting is started. Alternatively, reference storing amount data A2 may be calculated from an average value of the pieces of storing amount data recorded in memory unit 50 during a constant period (for example, one week). After a lapse of predetermined time Δu following the end of the defrosting, the estimation of the storing amount is started, and the storing amount change may be calculated from the difference with the reference data. The estimation of the storing amount need not to be performed in the case that the rapid cooling running is performed due to the temperature raise in the refrigerator after the defrosting is ended.

[0107] A relationship of predetermined time Δs < predetermined time Δt < predetermined time Δu can enhance the accuracy of the estimation performed by storing amount estimator 49.

[0108] As described above, the refrigerator of the fourth exemplary embodiment includes door opening and closing detectors 43a to 43d that detect the opening and closing of heat insulating doors 37a to 37d, detector 46 that detects the input to compressor 38, and calculation controller 48 that performs the calculation processing of the detection result of detector 46. In the refrigerator of the fourth exemplary embodiment, calculation controller 48 estimates the storing amount of the storing chamber based on the detection results of door opening and closing detectors 43a to 43d and the detection result of detector 46, which allows the implementation of the optimum cooling running that achieves a balance between the high freshness keeping property and an energy-saving property

[0109] In the fourth exemplary embodiment, the storing amount may be estimated from a temporal data comparison of the workload on compressor 38 based on an input change curve (for example, input * time = workload change curve) since start-up of compressor 38. In this case, the storing amount (load amount) can be estimated by directly detecting a thermal load on the object, and the storing amount can accurately be detected from the viewpoint of storing load amount. An output of a functional component of the refrigerator can properly be controlled based on the storing amount (load amount).

(Fifth exemplary embodiment)

[0110] In a refrigerator according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, only a configuration and a technical thought, which are different from those of the fourth exemplary embodiment, will be described in detail. In the refrigerator of the fifth exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that a portion except the configuration identical to that of the fourth exemplary embodiment and a portion except a portion in which a failure is generated even if the same technical thought is applied to the fourth exemplary embodiment can be combined with the fifth exemplary embodiment, and the detailed description is omitted.

[0111] FIG. 18 is a control flowchart illustrating the operation to detect the storage state of the refrigerator of the fifth exemplary embodiment.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 18, door opening and closing detectors 43a to 43d determine whether heat insulating doors 37a to 37d are opened to store or take out food (Step S71), and the running state of the refrigerator and the frost formation state of cooler 40 are determined (Step S72). The running state of the refrigerator is determined from the rotating speeds of compressor 38 and cooling fan 41 and the opening degree of damper 42, and corrector 51 calculates correction value G. The frost formation state of cooler 40 is determined by the frost sensor, temperature detector 47 that detects the temperature near cooler 40, or the elapsed time from the end of the defrosting performed by defrosting heater 44, and corrector 51 calculates correction value H. Storing amount estimator 49 estimates the storing amount as reference storing amount data C from a value in which correction value G and correction value H are added to the input value of compressor 38 calculated from detector 46 (Step S73). For example, in the case that the rotating speed of compressor 38 or cooling fan 41 is high in the determination of the running state of the refrigerator, correction value G is decreased because the input to compressor 38 increases. For example, for the large frost formation amount of cooler 40 in the determination of the frost formation state of cooler 40, correction value H is added because a heat exchange amount decreases in cooler 40 to decrease the input to compressor 38.

[0113] At the time point that heat insulating doors 37a to 37d are confirmed to be in the closed state (Step S74), the operations of compressor 38, cooling fan 41, and damper 42 are fixed (Step S75). This is because disturbance factors such as the rotating speed change of compressor 38, the rotating speed change of cooling fan 41, and the temperature change or air amount change around cooler 40 due to the opening and closing operation of damper 42 are removed.

[0114] After a lapse of predetermined time Δs following the detection of the door closed state (Step S76), the estimation of the storing amount is started. This is because the control is performed so as to stop cooling fan 41 when heat insulating doors 37a to 37d are opened. By excluding the transition period of the predetermined time of cooling fan 41 that restarts immediately after heat insulating doors 37a to 37d are closed, the storing amount is detected after the operation of cooling fan 41 is stabilized.

[0115] The running state of the refrigerator and the frost formation state of cooler 40 are determined again, and corrector 51 calculates correction value I and correction value J (Step S77). Storing amount estimator 49 estimates the storing amount at storing amount data D from a value in which correction value G and correction value H are added to the input value of compressor 38 calculated from detector 46 (Step S78), and the estimated storing amount data is recorded in memory unit 50 (Step S79). The storing amount change is calculated from a difference between reference storing amount data C and storing amount data D (Step S80), and the optimum cooling running is performed based on the storing amount change (Step S81).

[0116] In the case that the opening and closing of the door are detected during the stopping of compressor 38, the input of compressor 38 is detected and learned from memory unit 50 at constant time intervals (for example, five minutes), and reference storing amount data C1 (not illustrated) is calculated from the storing amount data immediately before the compressor 38 is stopped. Alternatively, reference storing amount data C1 may be calculated from an average value of the pieces of storing amount data recorded in memory unit 50 during a constant period (for example, one week). After a lapse of predetermined time Δt (not illustrated) following the restart of compressor 38, the estimation of the storing amount is started, and the storing amount change may be calculated from the difference with the reference data.

[0117] In the case that the opening and closing of the door are detected during the defrosting, the input of compressor 38 is detected and learned from memory unit 50 at constant time intervals (for example, five minutes), and reference storing amount data C1 is calculated from the storing amount data immediately before the defrosting is started. Alternatively, reference storing amount data C1 may be calculated from an average value of the pieces of storing amount data recorded in memory unit 50 during a constant period (for example, one week). After a lapse of predetermined time Δu (not illustrated) following the end of the defrosting, the estimation of the storing amount is started, and the storing amount change may be calculated from the difference with the reference data. The estimation of the storing amount needs not to be performed in the case that the rapid cooling running is performed due to the temperature raise in the refrigerator after the defrosting is ended.

(Sixth exemplary embodiment)

[0118] FIG. 19 is a control flowchart illustrating the operation to detect the storage state of a refrigerator according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 19, door opening and closing detectors 43a to 43d determine whether heat insulating doors 37a to 37d are opened to store or take out food (Step S91), and reference storing amount data E is read from memory unit 50 (Step S92). For example, the input of compressor 38 is detected and learned from memory unit 50 at constant time intervals (for example, five minutes), and reference storing amount data E is calculated from the storing amount data immediately before the door is opened and closed. Alternatively, reference storing amount data E may be calculated from an average value of the pieces of storing amount data recorded in memory unit 50 during a constant period (for example, one week).

[0119] At the time point that heat insulating doors 37a to 37d are confirmed to be in the closed state (Step S93), the operations of compressor 38, cooling fan 41, and damper 42 are fixed (Step S94). This is because disturbance factors such as the rotating speed change of compressor 38, the rotating speed change of cooling fan 41, and the temperature change or air amount change around cooler 40 due to the opening and closing operation of damper 42 are removed.

[0120] After a lapse of predetermined time Δs following the detection of the door closed state (Step S95), the estimation of the storing amount is started. This is because the control is performed so as to stop cooling fan 41 when heat insulating doors 37a to 37d are opened. By excluding the transition period of the predetermined time of cooling fan 41 that restarts immediately after heat insulating doors 37a to 37d are closed, the storing amount is detected after the operation of cooling fan 41 is stabilized.

[0121] The running state of the refrigerator and the frost formation state of cooler 40 are determined, and corrector 51 calculates correction value K and correction value L (Step S96). Storing amount estimator 49 estimates the storing amount at storing amount data F from a value in which correction value K and correction value L are added to the input value of compressor 38 calculated from detector 46 (Step S97), and the estimated storing amount data is recorded in memory unit 50 (Step S98). The storing amount change is calculated from a difference between reference storing amount data E and storing amount data F (Step S99), and the optimum cooling running is performed based on the storing amount change (Step S100).

[0122] In the case that the opening and closing of the door are detected during the stopping of compressor 38, the input of compressor 38 is detected and learned from memory unit 50 at constant time intervals (for example, five minutes), and reference storing amount data E1 (not illustrated) is calculated from the storing amount data immediately before compressor 38 is stopped. Alternatively, reference storing amount data E1 may be calculated from an average value of the pieces of storing amount data recorded in memory unit 50 during a constant period (for example, one week). After a lapse of predetermined time Δt (not illustrated) following the restart of compressor 38, the estimation of the storing amount is started, and the storing amount change may be calculated from the difference with the reference data.

[0123] In the case that the opening and closing of the door are detected during the defrosting, the input of compressor 38 is detected and learned from memory unit 50 at constant time intervals (for example, five minutes), and reference storing amount data E1 (not illustrated) is calculated from the storing amount data immediately before the defrosting is started. Alternatively, reference storing amount data E1 may be calculated from an average value of the pieces of storing amount data recorded in memory unit 50 during a constant period (for example, one week). After a lapse of predetermined time Δu (not illustrated) following the end of the defrosting, the estimation of the storing amount is started, and the storing amount change may be calculated from the difference with the reference data. The estimation of the storing amount needs not to be performed in the case that the rapid cooling running is performed due to the temperature raise in the refrigerator after the defrosting is ended.

[0124] In the fourth to sixth exemplary embodiments, the storing amount is estimated from the input value of compressor 38. Alternatively, the storing amount may be estimated from the current of compressor 38.

(Seventh exemplary embodiment)

[0125] FIG. 20 is a sectional view illustrating a refrigerator according to a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 21 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 22 is a control flowchart illustrating the operation to detect a storage state of the refrigerator according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a characteristic diagram in detecting the storage state of the refrigerator according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a control flow of the operation to detect the storage state in a vegetable chamber of the refrigerator according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 25 is a characteristic diagram in detecting the storage state in the vegetable chamber of the refrigerator according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0126] As illustrated in FIG. 20, refrigerator body 61 includes heat insulating box body 61a that is filled with a heat insulating material such as urethane. Refrigerating chamber 62 is provided in the upper portion of refrigerator body 61. Temperature selecting chamber 63 and an ice making chamber (not illustrated) are provided below refrigerating chamber 62 while being parallel to each other. Vegetable chamber 65 is provided below refrigerator body 61, and freezing chamber 64 is provided between vegetable chamber 65 and temperature selecting chamber 63 and the ice making chamber that are provided in parallel. Refrigerating chamber 62 and temperature selecting chamber 63 and the ice making chamber are enclosed with insulating partition wall 66a, temperature selecting chamber 63 and the ice making chamber and freezing chamber 64 are enclosed with partition wall 66b, and freezing chamber 64 and vegetable chamber 65 are enclosed with partition wall 66c.

[0127] Heat insulating doors 67a to 67d, each of which is filled with the heat insulating material such as urethane like heat insulating box body 61a, are provided in the openings of the storing chambers. Refrigerating chamber 62 is openably closed by heat insulating door 67a, and temperature selecting chamber 63 is openably closed by heat insulating door 67b. Freezing chamber 64 is openably closed by heat insulating door 67c, and vegetable chamber 65 is openably closed by heat insulating door 67d. Heat insulating door 67a of uppermost refrigerating chamber 62 is a double-door-open-type, and other heat insulating doors 67b to 67d are a drawing type.

[0128] Door opening and closing detectors 73a to 73d that detect the opened and closed states of heat insulating doors 67a to 67d are provided between each of heat insulating doors 67a to 67d and heat insulating box body 61a, respectively. Door opening and closing detector 73a is installed for refrigerating chamber 62, door opening and closing detector 73b is installed for temperature selecting chamber 63, door opening and closing detector 73c is installed for freezing chamber 64, and door opening and closing detector 73d is installed for vegetable chamber 65. Examples of specific devices of door opening and closing detectors 73a to 73d include devices, such as a Hall IC, an MR element, and a reed switch, in which a magnet is use, and devices, such as a push switch, in which the detection is performed using a mechanical contact.

[0129] Humidity detector 74a that detects in-door humidity is fixed to an arbitrary place in refrigerating chamber 62, and humidity detector 74b is fixed to an arbitrary place in vegetable chamber 65. Because the humidity cannot be detected in the freezing temperature range, the humidity detector is not installed in freezing chamber 64 and temperature selecting chamber 63 set to the freezing. A resistance type or capacitance type humidity sensor may be used as humidity detectors 74a and 74b, preferably humidity detectors 74a and 74b are attached to a place where the frost formation is not generated in a sensor part.

[0130] A stepwise recess is provided toward a back direction of the refrigerator, and machine chamber 61b is provided on the top of heat insulating box body 61a. Compressor 68, a dryer (not illustrated) for removing moisture, a capacitor (not illustrated), and a heat radiator pipe (not illustrated) are accommodated in machine chamber 61b. The refrigerant is sealed in a refrigerating cycle that is formed by sequentially connecting capillary tube 69 and cooler 70 in a cyclic manner with compressor 68 as a base point, and the cooling running is performed. Nowadays, for the purpose of environmental protection, a flammable refrigerant is frequently used as the refrigerant. For the refrigerating cycle in which a three-way valve or a switching valve is used, the three-way valve or the switching valve can be disposed in the machine chamber.

[0131] Cooler 70 is provided in cooling chamber 61c located at the back of freezing chamber 64, cooling fan 71 is provided above cooler 70, and cooling fan 71 delivers the cold air generated by cooler 70 to each storing chamber. Damper 72 is installed in cooling chamber 61c near refrigerating chamber 62, and damper 72 adjusts the opening degree of the air passage to perform optimum air amount control such that the freezing-temperature-range very cold air generated by cooler 70 does not directly flow in refrigerating chamber 62.

[0132] In the above structure and refrigerating cycle, refrigerating chamber 62 is usually set to temperatures of 1°C to 5°C with an ice-free temperature as a lower limit, freezing chamber 64 is usually set to temperatures of -22°C to -18°C (sometimes set to temperatures of -30°C to -25°C in order to improve the frozen storage state), and vegetable chamber 65 is set to temperatures of 2°C to 7°C equal to or slightly higher than those of refrigerating chamber 62. Temperature selecting chamber 63 may freely be set to a temperature range between the freezing and the refrigeration, and temperature selecting chamber 63 may be set to fine temperatures such as a partial temperature, a chilled temperature, and an ice temperature, or fixed to a freezing temperature range according to the fact that the demand for the frozen foods has been increased in recent years.

[0133] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the opened and closed states of heat insulating doors 67a to 67d are detected by door opening and closing detectors 73a to 73d, and input to calculation controller 75 as signal SG1. The humidity of the storing chambers are detected by humidity detectors 74a to 74b, and input to calculation controller 75 as signal SG2. The storing amount is estimated from signal SG1 and signal SG2.

[0134] In the refrigerator having the above configuration, the operation and action in refrigerating chamber 62 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 22 and the characteristic diagram of FIG. 23.

[0135] When the storing amount is detected in Step S111, door opening and closing detectors 73a to 73d detect the opened and closed states of heat insulating doors 67a to 67d of refrigerating chamber 62 in Step S112. When heat insulating doors 67a to 67d are closed, heat insulating doors 67a to 67d are determined to be in the closed state in Step S113, door opening and closing detectors 73a to 73d output signal SG1 to calculation controller 75, and the flow returns to Step S112. On the other hand, when one of heat insulating doors 67a to 67d is opened in Step S112, the flow proceeds to Step S114 to determine that one of heat insulating doors 67a to 67d is in the opened state, door opening and closing detectors 73a to 73d output signal SG1 to calculation controller 75, and the flow proceeds to Step S115. In Step S115, door opening and closing detectors 73a to 73d detect the opened and closed states of heat insulating doors 67a to 67d of refrigerating chamber 62 again. When one of heat insulating doors 67a to 67d is opened, Step S115 is repeated until heat insulating doors 67a to 67d are closed. When the closed states of heat insulating doors 67a to 67d are detected, signal SG1 is input to calculation controller 75, and the flow proceeds to Step S116. That is, a possibility that the door is opened and closed to store an object to be stored in refrigerating chamber 62 is presumed in Steps S112 to S115.

[0136] In Step S116, the counting of the time is started, the humidity of refrigerating chamber 62 is detected by humidity detectors 74a and 74b, input to calculation controller 75 as signal SG2, and recorded as humidity R, and the flow proceeds to Step S117. The time point in Step S116 corresponds to time t1 (without object to be stored) or time t3 (with object to be stored) indicated in the characteristic diagram of FIG. 23. When the functional component used in the cooling control is operated at the time the humidity is detected, the temperature and humidity vary largely in the refrigerator. Specifically, the variation factor of the humidity can be removed by putting damper 72 into the closed state (the air is not delivered to refrigerating chamber 62), by stopping cooling fan 71 (the cold air is not circulated), or by stopping compressor 68 (the refrigerator temperature is not varied). When the measurement is performed after a lapse of a predetermined time following the stop of the functional component, the detection is accurately performed with the temperature and humidity stabilized. In the following description, it is assumed that the functional component is stopped at the time that the humidity is detected.

[0137] In Step S117, it is determined whether the counting of the time passes over predetermined period Δa. Step S117 is repeated until the counting of the time passes over predetermined period Δa when the counting of the time does not pass over predetermined period Δa, and the flow proceeds to Step S118 when the counting of the time passes over predetermined period Δa. For example, in the case that only heat insulating doors 67a to 67d are opened and closed not to input the object to refrigerating chamber 62, the time for which the temperature and humidity, which are tentatively increased by an influence of the inflow of the ambient air, return to the numerical values before the opening and closing of heat insulating doors 67a to 67d may be set as predetermined period Δa.

[0138] In Step S118, at time t2 (without object to be stored) or time t4 (with object to be stored) indicated in the characteristic diagram of FIG. 23, the humidity of refrigerating chamber 62 is detected by humidity detector 74a again, input to calculation controller 75 as signal SG2, and compared with humidity R previously recorded in Step S116. When the humidity is larger than humidity R, the flow proceeds to Step S119 to determine that the storing amount increases. When the humidity is not larger than humidity R, the flow proceeds to Step S120 to determine that the storing amount is not changed or decreases.

[0139] That is, when the humidity does not return to numerical value R before the opening and closing of the door at time t4 indicated in the characteristic diagram of FIG. 23, the object surely containing the moisture is input, and the determination that the object increases can be made. At this point, the passage of the refrigerator temperature is also indicated as reference in the characteristic diagram of FIG. 23. Because the refrigerator performs the control such that the refrigerator temperature is matched with the target temperature, there is a large possibility that the storing amount is mistakenly determined using the temperature as time advances (at time t5 in FIG. 23).

[0140] The humidity change is schematically illustrated in the characteristic diagram of FIG. 23. Actually, the cold air dehumidified by cooler 70 flows in refrigerating chamber 62 with damper 72 being in the opened state. The humidity detected by humidity detector 74a is gradually decreased, and cooled to a predetermined temperature to put damper 72 into the closed state, whereby the humidity detected by humidity detector 74a is gradually increased. Therefore, humidity detected by humidity detector 74a exhibits an average humidity.

[0141] Finally, in Step S121, the optimum running of the refrigerating cycle is performed such that the capacity of compressor 68 or cooling fan 71 is increased to perform the rapid cooling running when the storing amount increases, or such that the present running is maintained or the capacity is decreased when the storing amount does not change or decreases.

[0142] Additionally, when the storing amount increases, the optimum freshness keeping property is improved according to the storing amount by increasing the capacity of the functional component used in deodorizing or sterilization or by prolonging the running time. Specifically, the air amount is controlled such that a deodorizing catalyst is passed, the running time of an ionizer or an ozonizer is changed, and a radical circulating amount of an electrostatic atomizing device is variably controlled.

[0143] The operation and action in vegetable chamber 65 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 24 and the characteristic diagram of FIG. 25. In the humidity change in the characteristic diagram of FIG. 25, the average humidity is schematically illustrated similarly to the humidity change in the characteristic diagram of FIG. 23.

[0144] When the detection of the storing amount is started in Step S131, door opening and closing detector 73d detects the opened and closed states of heat insulating door 67d of vegetable chamber 65 in Step S132. When heat insulating door 67d is closed, heat insulating door 67d is determined to be in the closed state in Step S133, door opening and closing detector 73d outputs signal SG1 to calculation controller 75, and the flow returns to Step S132. On the other hand, when heat insulating doors 67d is opened in Step S132, the flow proceeds to Step S134 to determine that heat insulating door 67d is in the opened state, door opening and closing detector 73d outputs signal SG1 to calculation controller 75, and the flow proceeds to Step S135. In Step S135, door opening and closing detector 73d detects the opened and closed states of heat insulating door 67d of vegetable chamber 65 again. When heat insulating door 67d is opened, Step S135 is repeated until heat insulating door 67d is closed. When the closed states of heat insulating door 67d is detected, signal SG1 is input to calculation controller 75, and the flow proceeds to Step S136. That is, a possibility that the door is opened and closed to store the object to be stored (greens) in vegetable chamber 65 is presumed in Steps S132 to S135.

[0145] In Step S136, the counting of the time is started, the humidity of vegetable chamber 65 is detected by humidity detector 74b, input to calculation controller 75 as signal SG2, and recorded as humidity R0, and the flow proceeds to Step S137. The time point in Step S136 corresponds to time t6 (without object to be stored) or time t8 (with object to be stored) indicated in the characteristic diagram of FIG. 25.

[0146] In Step S137, it is determined whether the counting of the time passes over predetermined period Δa. Step S137 is repeated until the counting of the time passes over predetermined period Δa when the counting of the time does not pass over predetermined period Δa, and the flow proceeds to Step S138 when the counting of the time passes over predetermined period Δa. Predetermined period Δa may be set similarly to the above case of the refrigerating chamber 62.

[0147] In Step S138, at time t7 (without object to be stored) or time t9 (with object to be stored) indicated in the characteristic diagram of FIG. 25, the humidity of vegetable chamber 65 is detected by humidity detector 74b again, input to calculation controller 75 as signal SG2, and compared with humidity R0 previously recorded in Step S136. When the humidity is larger than humidity R0, the flow proceeds to Step S139 to determine that the storing amount increases, and the counting of the time is started. When the humidity is not larger than humidity R0, the flow proceeds to Step S140 to determine that the storing amount is not changed or decreases.

[0148] That is, when the humidity does not return to numerical value R0 before the opening and closing of the door at time t9 indicated in the characteristic diagram of FIG. 25, the object to be storede (greens) surely containing the moisture is input, and the determination that the object increases can be made. The operation flow so far is similar to the above case of refrigerating chamber 2.

[0149] In the case that the determination that the storing amount increases is made in Step S139, the counting of another time is started at time t9 indicated in the characteristic diagram of FIG. 25. In Step S141, it is determined whether the counting of the time passes over predetermined period Δb. Step S141 is repeated until the counting of the time passes over predetermined period Δb when the counting of the time does not pass over predetermined period Δb, and the flow proceeds to Step S142 (at time t9 in FIG. 25) when the counting of the time passes over predetermined period Δb. A presumed time that the temperature and humidity in the refrigerator is tentatively stabilized (at time t10 in FIG. 25) to achieve equilibrium moisture evaporated from the object to be stored (greens) is previously set as predetermined period Δb.

[0150] In Step S142, the humidity of vegetable chamber 65 is detected by humidity detector 74b, input to calculation controller 75 as signal SG2, and compared with humidity R0 recorded in Step S136. Specifically, the humidity detected by humidity detector 74b is compared to humidities R1, R2, and R3 that are previously decided from a moisture amount evaporated according to the storing amount. In Step S143, the storing amount is determined to be small in the case of R0 < humidity ≤ R1, the storing amount is determined to be medium in the case of R1 < humidity ≤ R2, and the storing amount is determined to be large in the case of R2 < humidity ≤ R3.

[0151] Finally, in Step S144, the optimum running of the refrigerating cycle is performed such that the capacity of compressor 68 or cooling fan 71 is increased to perform the rapid cooling running when the storing amount is large, such that the normal running is performed when the storing amount is medium, and such that weak cooling running is performed when the storing amount is small.

[0152] As described above, the refrigerator of the seventh exemplary embodiment includes door opening and closing detectors 73a that detects the opening and closing of heat insulating doors 67a of refrigerating chamber 62, humidity detector 74a that detects the humidity of refrigerating chamber 62, and calculation controller 75 that performs the calculation processing of the detection result of humidity detector 74a. Based on the detection result of door opening and closing detector 73a and the detection result of humidity detector 74a, calculation controller 75 estimates the storing amount of the refrigerating chamber 62 by a humidity variation caused by the moisture amount evaporated from the object. Therefore, the estimation accuracy can be enhanced only by adding the inexpensive humidity sensor compared with the temperature detection having the large error detection factor, the cooling can be performed according to the storage state of the object in the refrigerator, and the refrigerator can deal with the energy-saving running for the small storing amount, and deal with the rapid cooling running for the large storing amount.

[0153] In the seventh exemplary embodiment, calculation controller 75 estimates the storing amount based on the detection result of humidity detector 74a after a lapse of the predetermined period following the detection by door opening and closing detector 73a of the closed state of heat insulating door 67a. Therefore, when the warm air flows in the refrigerator immediately after the door is opened and closed in a refrigerator installation environment where the temperature and humidity are high, the disturbance factor can be removed and the estimation accuracy of the storing amount can be enhanced.

[0154] With vegetable chamber 65 as the storing chamber of the seventh exemplary embodiment, humidity detector 74b is provided in vegetable chamber 65, and calculation controller 75 estimates the storing amount of the refrigerating chamber 62 by a humidity variation caused by the moisture amount evaporated from the object based on the detection result of door opening and closing detector 73d and the detection result of humidity detector 74b. Therefore, the accuracy of the estimated storing amount of vegetable chamber 65 having a sensible relationship between the storing amount and the evaporated moisture amount is enhanced, and the freshness keeping property of the vegetable chamber, which is subject to an influence of the cooling running, is enhanced in maintaining the freshness.

[0155] Because the humidity detected by humidity detectors 74a and 74b depends on the opening and closing of the damper, for example, desirably the humidity is detected after a lapse of a predetermined time following the becoming the closed state of damper 72. An average value of the humidity may be measured for a constant time after a predetermined time elapses since damper 72 becomes the closed state.

(Eighth exemplary embodiment)

[0156] FIG. 26 is a sectional view illustrating a main part in which an electrostatic atomizing device is installed in the vegetable chamber of a refrigerator according to an eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a control flow of an operation of the electrostatic atomizing device in the refrigerator according to the eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 28 is a characteristic diagram illustrating a relationship between the humidity and a discharge current of the electrostatic atomizing device in the refrigerator according to the eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0157] As illustrated in FIG. 26, electrostatic atomizing device 76 is constructed with an atomizing unit including cooling pin 77, atomizing electrode 78, counter electrode 79, and holding frame 80. Opening 82 is provided in holding frame 80 for the purpose of the supply of the humidity and spray of radical mist, and opening 80 is fixed to the ceiling of vegetable chamber 65 together with containment case 81. Atomizing electrode 78 is fixed to cooling pin 77 that is of a heat-transfer cooling member made of a good thermal conduction material such as aluminum and stainless steel, cooling pin 77 is inserted in partition wall 66c and cooled by the cold air usually having temperatures of -22°C to -18°C of freezing chamber 64 located above cooling pin 77, and atomizing electrode 78 is cooled to an extend to which dew condensation is generated at a leading end. Controller 83, capacity varying unit 84, high-voltage power supply 85, and discharge current detector 86 constitute a circuit unit of electrostatic atomizing device 76, one end of a DC voltage of high-voltage power supply 85 is electrically connected to atomizing electrode 78, and the other end is electrically connected to counter electrode 79. Either positive or negative polarity of high-voltage power supply 85 can be used to apply the voltage, namely, the voltage at which an electrostatic force larger than a water droplet condensed at the leading end of atomizing electrode 78. For example, a potential difference may ranges from 3 kV to 7 kV.

[0158] The storing amount estimated by calculation controller 75 is input to controller 83 as signal SG3, and capacity varying unit 84 outputs a control signal to high-voltage power supply 85 as signal SG5 according to the storing amount. Discharge current detector 86 to which a discharge current of a corona discharge is input when the radical is atomized is connected to a connection line connected from high-voltage power supply 85 to counter electrode 79, and the discharge current detected by discharge current detector 86 is input to controller 83 as signal SG6.

[0159] The operation and action of the refrigerator having the above configuration will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 27.

[0160] When freshness keeping running of the vegetable chamber is started in Step S151, the flow proceeds to Step S152 to input the storing amount estimated by calculation controller 75 to controller 83 as signal SG3. In Step S153, controller 83 sets a mist spraying capacity of a radical amount according to the storing amount, and outputs the mist spraying capacity to capacity varying unit 84 as signal SG4. In Step S154, the capacity of electrostatic atomizing device 76 is specifically set according to the storing amount. For example, the discharge current may be set to about 1 uA because the radical amount is small for the small storing amount, the discharge current may be set to about 2 µA because the radical amount is medium for the medium storing amount, and the discharge current may be set to about 3 µA because the radical amount is large for the large storing amount. This is because electrostatic atomizing device 76 controls the discharge current to be able to variably set any radical amount.

[0161] In Step S155, high-voltage power supply 85 applies a high voltage between atomizing electrode 78 and counter electrode 79 such that the set discharge current is obtained, thereby operating electrostatic atomizing device 76. At this point, discharge current detector 86 detects a current in a high-voltage applying circuit using, for example, a shunt resistor, and inputs the current to controller 83 as signal SG6, and feedback control is performed such that the target current is obtained.

[0162] In Step S156, door opening and closing detector 73d detects the opened and closed states of heat insulating door 67d of vegetable chamber 65. When heat insulating door 67d is closed, the flow returns to Step S155 to continue the operation of electrostatic atomizing device 76. On the other hand, when the heat insulating door 67d is opened in Step S156, the flow proceeds to Step S157 to stop electrostatic atomizing device 76. The opened and closed states of heat insulating door 67d are detected again in Step S158. When the heat insulating door 67d is opened, the flow returns to Step S157 to continue the stopping of electrostatic atomizing device 76. When heat insulating door 67d is closed, the flow returns to Step S152 to continue the freshness keeping running. In the operations in Steps S156 to S158, because electrostatic atomizing device 76 is not stably operated in the unstable state of the temperature and humidity in the refrigerator due to disturbance factors such as the inflow of the warm air during the opening and closing of the door, electrostatic atomizing device 76 is stopped to reduce useless power.

[0163] A relationship between the discharge current during the operation of electrostatic atomizing device 76 and the humidity in the vegetable chamber will be described with reference to the characteristic diagram of FIG. 28.

[0164] Atomizing electrode 78 of electrostatic atomizing device 76 is always kept in the low-temperature state at temperatures of about -10°C to about 0°C by thermal conduction from cooling pin 77 cooled at a temperature of freezing chamber 64. At this point, because the temperature in vegetable chamber 65 ranges about 2°C to about 7°C, the necessary dew condensation water is generated when atomizing electrode 78 becomes temperatures of a dew point or less. An amount of dew condensation water increases and decreases in proportion to the humidity in vegetable chamber 65. Therefore, for a large vegetable amount, the moisture amount evaporated from the vegetable is large, vegetable chamber 65 is humid, and the dew condensation water is rich. On the other hand, for a small vegetable amount, vegetable chamber 65 tends to be dry and the dew condensation water is lacked.

[0165] In a principle of electrostatic atomization, when the dew condensation is started at the leading end of atomizing electrode 78 with a constant high voltage applied, the discharge current increases in proportion to growth of a Taylor cone ( a shape of the water droplet attracted by the electrostatic force) of the dew condensation water. When the dew condensation water reaches a given amount, a stable Taylor cone state is continued, and the discharge current is kept constant by the capacity of high-voltage power supply 85.

[0166] In summary, as illustrated in FIG. 28, the discharge current of electrostatic atomizing device 76 becomes AA1 or less when vegetable chamber 65 has humidities of R1 or less. Accordingly, when the discharge current is AA1 or less, because of the low humidity, the moisture amount evaporated from the vegetable is small, and the storing amount can be determined to be small. According to a volume of vegetable chamber 65, humidity R1 may be set to any value that is determined to be small by a user.

[0167] Similarly, the storing amount can be determined to be medium when the discharge current ranges from AA1 to AA2, and the storing amount can be determined to be large when the discharge current is AA2 or more. As described above, the dew condensation water can efficiently be ensured when humidity is R3 or more, and the discharge current is kept at AA3 by the stable atomization.

[0168] As described above, in the eighth exemplary embodiment, the storing chamber includes electrostatic atomizing device 76. Therefore, the radical can be atomized when the estimated storing amount increases, and bacteria adhering to the object is prevented from growing, thereby improving the freshness keeping property of the storing chamber. Additionally, in the case that the storing amount does not vary, the power can be reduced because electrostatic atomizing device 76 is stopped.

[0169] Additionally, when the object in refrigerating chamber 62 increases, electrostatic atomizing device 76 of vegetable chamber 65 is operated in combination with refrigerating chamber 62 of the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the freshness keeping properties of all the chambers can be improved. Because the cold air is circulated in each storing chamber, the radical generated in vegetable chamber 65 is also delivered to refrigerating chamber 62 when damper 72 becomes the opened state (necessity of cooling is generated because of the large storing amount).

[0170] In the eighth exemplary embodiment, because the capacity of electrostatic atomizing device 76 is variable according to the storing amount estimated by calculation controller 75, the radical amount can be controlled according to the storing amount, the excessive power supplied to electrostatic atomizing device 76 can be reduced, and particularly the freshness keeping property of the vegetable can further be improved.

[0171] Humidity detector 74b of the eighth exemplary embodiment is used as discharge current detector 86 that detects the discharge current of electrostatic atomizing device 76. Therefore, from a directly proportional relationship between the humidity in the storing chamber and the discharge current, not only the storing amount of the vegetable in which the moisture is prominently evaporated can be understood from the discharge current, but also self-contained freshness keeping control can be performed with no use of humidity detector 74b. Electrostatic atomizing device 76 automatically controls the optimum freshness keeping such that the radical amount increases for the large storing amount of the vegetable, and such that the radical amount decreases for the small storing amount of the vegetable. Therefore, a construction of a troublesome control algorithm is eliminated.

(Ninth exemplary embodiment)

[0172] A refrigerator according to a ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 29 to 33. FIG. 29 is a sectional side view illustrating the refrigerator according to the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 30 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 31 is a characteristic diagram illustrating the air amount of the cooling fan and the static pressure/storing amount of the refrigerator according to the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 32 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator according to the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 33 is a characteristic diagram including the correction factor with respect to the air amount and the storing amount of the refrigerator according to the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0173] Referring to FIG. 29, heat insulating box body 91a of refrigerator body 91 has a structure including an outer casing mainly made of a steel plate, an inner casing molded using resin such as ABS, and a heat insulating material located in a space between the outer casing and the inner casing, and heat insulating box body 91a insulates the inside of refrigerator body 91 from an environment.

[0174] Refrigerator body 91 is partitioned into the plurality of storing chambers by partition walls 96a to 96c, refrigerating chamber 92 is provided in the uppermost portion, and temperature selecting chamber 93 is provided below refrigerating chamber 92. Freezing chamber 94 is provided below temperature selecting chamber 93, and vegetable chamber 95 is provided in the lowermost portion. Heat insulating doors 97a to 97d are formed in the front opening of refrigerator body 91 in order to separate each storing chamber from ambient air.

[0175] A plurality of storing shelves 112 are provided in refrigerating chamber 2, and some of storing shelves 112 can vertically be moved.

[0176] Compressor 98 and refrigerating cycle high-pressure-side components such as a dryer for removing moisture are accommodated in machine chamber 91b formed in the rear area in the uppermost portion of refrigerating chamber 92.

[0177] Cooling chamber 91c generating cold air is provided in the back of freezing chamber 94, and cooler 99 and cooling fan 100 are disposed in cooling chamber 91c. Cooling fan 100 blasts the cold air cooled by cooler to refrigerating chamber 92, temperature selecting chamber 93, freezing chamber 94, and vegetable chamber 95. Defrosting heater 101, a drain pan (not illustrated), airflow sensor 105 determining an air passage resistance change caused by the object from the air amount, a drain tube evaporation pan (not illustrated), and the like are provided in order to defrost the frost and ice adhering to cooler 99 and the neighborhood of cooler 99.

[0178] Temperature detector 111 is provided in order to detect temperatures of cooling fan 100 and the neighborhoods of cooler 99 and airflow sensor 105. For example, temperature detector 111 plays the following roles. One of the roles is that temperature detector 111 corrects an influence of ambient temperature of cooling fan 100 on the rotating speed or the output current. A voltage applied to cooling fan 100 can be varied according to the ambient temperature detected by temperature detector 111. Another role is that temperature detector 111 detects the frost formation state of cooler 99. Temperature detector 111 is used to detect the degradation of the heat exchange property or the increase in air passage resistance due to the frost formation. Still another role is that temperature detector 111 corrects a characteristic change caused by influences of the airflow sensor and a detection circuit of the airflow sensor on the temperature.

[0179] In the ninth exemplary embodiment, the following items concerning main parts of the present invention may be applied to a general type of conventional refrigerator in which the machine chamber is provided in the rear area of the storing chamber in the lowermost portion of the heat insulating box body to dispose compressor 98.

[0180] For the purpose of the refrigerated storage, refrigerating chamber 92 is usually set to temperatures of 1°C to 5°C with an ice-free temperature as a lower limit, and lowermost vegetable chamber 95 is set to temperatures of 2°C to 7°C equal to or slightly higher than those of refrigerating chamber 92. Freezing chamber 94 is set to a freezing temperature range, and usually set to temperatures of -22°C to -15°C for the purpose of the frozen storage. Sometimes freezing chamber 94 is set to a low temperature of, for example, -30°C or -25°C in order to improve the frozen storage state.

[0181] Temperature selecting chamber 93 can be switched to a previously-set temperature range between the refrigeration temperature range and the freezing temperature range in addition to the refrigerated storage temperature range of 1°C to 5°C, the vegetable storage temperature range of 2°C to 7°C, and the frozen storage temperature range of -22°C to -15°C.

[0182] The temperature at each storing chamber is adjusted by controlling the cooling system, namely, by adjusting the rotating speed of the motor of compressor 98, by adjusting the rotating speed of cooling fan 100, and by opening and closing damper 102 to adjust the distribution of the air amount into each storing chamber. In damper 102, the rotary type opening and closing unit is driven by a motor to close or open the air passage, and the temperature can finely be adjusted by controlling the opening degree such that the opening and closing unit is partially opened to share the faint breeze with each storing chamber. Usually, with decreasing opening degree, the air passage resistance increases and the air amount of cooling fan 100 decreases.

[0183] In the ninth exemplary embodiment, temperature selecting chamber 93 is used as the storing chamber including the refrigeration and freezing temperature ranges. Alternatively, the refrigeration is entrusted to refrigerating chamber 92 and vegetable chamber 95, the freezing is entrusted to freezing chamber 94, and temperature selecting chamber 93 may be used as the storing chamber specializing in the switching only of the intermediate temperature range between the refrigeration and the freezing. Temperature selecting chamber 93 may be used as the storing chamber that is set to a specific temperature range, for example, the temperature range fixed to the freezing temperature range according to the fact that the demand for the frozen foods has been increased in recent years.

[0184] Although not illustrated in the drawings, an ice making chamber for making and storing ice may be provided in parallel to the temperature selecting chamber.

[0185] An operation and action of the refrigerator having the above configuration will be described below.

[0186] A motor driver is incorporated in cooling fan 100, and cooling fan 100 can be driven only by supplying a power supply voltage from the outside. A rotating speed per unit time (hereinafter, notated only by the rotating speed) can be ordered by analog input. Cooling fan 100 has a function of outputting the present rotating speed, and has a mechanism outputting the voltage of one-pulse rectangular wave every half rotation. In the ninth exemplary embodiment, during the detection of the storing amount, the rotating speed is kept constant by the feedback of the function irrespective of disturbances such as the air passage resistance.

[0187] At this point, in cooling fan 100 exhibiting the PQ characteristic in FIG. 31, the air amount of cooling fan 100 depends on the increase and decrease in air passage resistance, namely, the air amount changes by the storing amount of refrigerator body 91, so that the correlation between the air amount and the storing amount can be taken as illustrated in FIG. 31.

[0188] Examples of the airflow sensor include an ultrasonic type, a windmill type, a piezoelectric type, and an electrostatic type. From the viewpoint of space saving and electric output control, airflow sensor 105 of the ninth exemplary embodiment is constructed with a temperature detector that is managed at a constant temperature by a heater and a temperature variation detector that detects a variation in ambient temperature. In a principle of the air amount detection with the airflow sensor in the ninth exemplary embodiment, a wind speed is obtained from both the temperature, at which an equilibrium between heat generation by the heater and the cooling by a flow rate is achieved, and the variation in ambient temperature, and the air amount is obtained from a product of the wind speed and a passage area.

[0189] Generally the airflow sensor is similar to a wind speed sensor in the detection principle, and the air amount is proportional to the wind speed. Therefore, a sensor called the wind speed sensor may be used as the airflow sensor.

[0190] In the ninth exemplary embodiment, in order to manage the storing amount of whole refrigerator body 91, airflow sensor 105 is installed near cooler 99 as a place where the air amount to all the storing chambers can be detected. In the case that the storing amount of each storing chamber is required to be managed, the airflow sensor may be installed in each storing chamber.

[0191] The operation to estimate the storing amount in the refrigerator body 91 will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. 30 to 33.

[0192] In the flowchart of FIG. 32, door opening and closing detectors 103a to 103d determine whether heat insulating doors 97a to 97d are opened and closed for storing or taking out food (Step S161), and timer 108 measures a predetermined time (Step S162). Then the detection of the storing amount is started. This is because the control is performed so as to stop cooling fan 100 when one of heat insulating doors 97a to 97d is opened. By excluding the transition period of the predetermined time of cooling fan 100 that restarts immediately after heat insulating doors 97a to 97d are closed, the storing amount is detected after the operation of cooling fan 100 is stabilized.

[0193] Whether damper 102 is fully opened is determined (Step S163). Even in the same storing amount, depending on the opening degree of damper 102, sometimes the air amount decreases and the storing amount is determined to be larger as illustrated in FIG. 33. Therefore, corrector 109 subtracts correction value E from the storing amount (Step S164). Because the increase or decrease in air amount caused by an opening or closed state of damper 102 depends on a configuration of the air passage, it is necessary to set the correction value in each system.

[0194] The frost formation state of cooler 99 is determined (Step S165). The frost formation state is determined by a frost sensor, temperature detector 111 that detects a temperature near the cooler, or an elapsed time from an end of defrosting performed by defrosting heater 101. For the large frost formation amount in cooler 99, because the air amount decreases to determine the storing amount to be larger even in the same storing amount as illustrated in FIG. 33, corrector 109 subtracts correction value F from the storing amount (Step S166).

[0195] Then the storing amount is estimated. For air amount A, storing amount estimator 106 of calculation controller 104 estimates the storing amount at C from FIG. 31 (Step S167). Estimated storing amount C is recorded in storing amount memory unit 107 (Step S168).

[0196] Finally a storing amount change is calculated. During the previous detection of the storing amount, storing amount estimator 106 of calculation controller 104 estimates the storing amount at D for air amount B from FIG. 31, and estimated storing amount D is recorded in storing amount memory unit 107. Because of presently-detected storing amount C, the storing amount change becomes a difference between the previously-estimated storing amount D and presently-estimated storing amount C (Step S169).

[0197] The subsequent cooling control is decided from the estimated storing amount or the storing amount change.

[0198] The optimum cooling control is selected according to the situation such that the energy-saving running is performed under the control of the cooling system when the storing amount is extremely small, or such that the rapid cooling running is performed under the control of the cooling system when the storing amount increases rapidly.

[0199] As described above, the refrigerator of the ninth exemplary embodiment includes door opening and closing detectors 103a to 103d, cooling fan 100 that supplies the cold air to the storing chamber, airflow sensor 105 that detects the air amount of the storing chamber, and calculation controller 104 that performs the calculation processing of the detection result of the airflow sensor 105. Therefore, the air passage resistance variation caused by the object is detected by the airflow sensor to estimate the storing amount, which allows the refrigerator load variation to be detected faster than the refrigerator temperature detected by the thermistor. As a result, the cooling capacity can quickly and properly be controlled, the temperature of the object can always be kept in the optimum state to implement the high freshness keeping property, and the power consumption can be constrained by preventing the "overcooled" object.

(Tenth exemplary embodiment)

[0200] A refrigerator according to a tenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 34 to 36. FIG. 34 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the tenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 35 is a characteristic diagram illustrating the air amount of the cooling fan and the static pressure/storing amount of the refrigerator according to the tenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 36 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator according to the tenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The same component as the ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is designated by the same reference mark, and the description is omitted.

[0201] One of the features of the refrigerator according to the tenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is that the correction process (Steps S163 to S166) in the ninth exemplary embodiment is eliminated. A function of estimating the storing amount change will mainly be described below.

[0202] The configurations of cooling fan 100 and airflow sensor 105 are similar to those of the ninth exemplary embodiment, and the detailed description is omitted.

[0203] In the flowchart of FIG. 36, in the tenth exemplary embodiment, timer 108 measures the time (Step S171), whereby airflow sensor 105 estimates the storing amount in each predetermined time irrespective of the opening and closing of heat insulating doors 97a to 97d (Step S172). The estimated storing amount is recorded in storing amount memory unit 107 (Step S173). Conditions, such as a running state of compressor 98 during the detection and opened and closed states of damper 102, which possibly become an error factor in the detection of the storing amount, are recorded in detection condition memory unit 113 (Step S174). At this point, for air amount G, storing amount estimator 106 of calculation controller 104 estimates the storing amount at J from FIG. 35.

[0204] Thus, the storing amount immediately before the storage of the food is always managed.

[0205] After this, the storing amount immediately before the storage of the food as a reference is compared to the storing amount detected after the storage of the food to estimate the storing amount.

[0206] When door opening and closing detectors 103a to 103d determine whether heat insulating doors 97a to 97d are opened and closed for storing or taking out the food (Step S175), timer 108 measures the predetermined time (Step S176), and then the detection of the storage amount is started. This is because the control is performed so as to stop cooling fan 100 when one of heat insulating doors 97a to 97d is opened. By excluding the transition period of the predetermined time of cooling fan 100 that restarts immediately after heat insulating doors 97a to 97d are closed, the storing amount is detected after the operation of cooling fan 100 is stabilized.

[0207] The conditions, such as the running state of compressor 98 and the opened and closed states of damper 102, which are recorded in detection condition memory unit 113 in Step S174, are read before the estimation of the storing amount, and the conditions of the operation of the refrigerator are adapted to the read conditions (Step S177). Therefore, the air passage resistance change caused by a factor except the storage of the food is equalized to the air passage resistance change during the detection of the storing amount immediately before the input of the food. Because a time interval of the detection of the storing amount before and after the storage of the food is relatively short, the frost formation state of cooler 99 is substantially equal to that before the storage of the food.

[0208] That is, in comparing the storing quantities before and after the storage of the food to each other, the error factor is removed to eliminate necessity of the correction process like the tenth exemplary embodiments.

[0209] Then the storing amount is estimated. For air amount H, storing amount estimator 106 of calculation controller 104 estimates the storing amount at K from FIG. 35 (Step S178). Estimated storing amount K is recorded in storing amount memory unit 17 (Step S179).

[0210] Finally a storing amount change is calculated. Storing amount J is recorded immediately before the storage of the food, and storing amount K is detected after the storage of the food. Therefore, the storing amount change becomes a difference between storing amount J and storing amount K (Step S180).

[0211] The subsequent cooling control is decided from the estimated storing amount change.

[0212] For example, the optimum cooling control is selected according to the situation such that the rapid cooling running is performed under the control of the cooling system when the storing amount increases rapidly.

[0213] As described above, the refrigerator of the tenth exemplary embodiment includes door opening and closing detectors 103a to 103d, cooling fan 100 that supplies the cold air to the storing chamber, airflow sensor 105 that determines the air passage resistance change caused by the object from the air amount, and calculation controller 104 that performs the calculation processing of the detection result of the airflow sensor 105. In the refrigerator of the tenth exemplary embodiment, the air passage resistance variation caused by the object is detected by the airflow sensor to estimate the storing amount change. Therefore, the temperature can optimally be managed according to the storage of the food, and the high freshness keeping property can be implemented.

[0214] In the ninth and tenth exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in order to manage the storing amount of whole refrigerator body 91, airflow sensor 105 is installed near cooler 99 as the place where the air amount to all the storing chambers can be detected. In the case that the storing amount of each storing chamber is required to be managed, the airflow sensor may be installed in each storing chamber.

[0215] In the refrigerator including the dampers for the plurality of storing chambers, for the estimation of the storing amount, the calculation is performed on the condition that only the damper for the target storing chamber is put into the opened state while other dampers are put into the closed state, which allows the estimation of the individual storing amount in each storing chamber.

[0216] In the ninth and tenth exemplary embodiments, the control is performed by the calculation of the storing amount change before and after the opening and closing of the door. Alternatively, the absolute storing amount may be predicted at the time point of the estimation using the correlation data between the air amount and the storing amount in FIGS. 31 and 35.

(Eleventh exemplary embodiment)

[0217] A refrigerator according to an eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 37 to 41.

[0218] In the eleventh exemplary embodiment, the following items concerning main parts of the present invention may be applied to a conventional refrigerator in which the compressor is provided in the rear area of the storing chamber in the lower portion.

[0219] FIG. 37 is a sectional side view illustrating the refrigerator according to the eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 38A is a sectional plan view in closing a door of a freezing chamber of the refrigerator according to the eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 38B is a sectional plan view in opening the door of the freezing chamber of the refrigerator according to the eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 39 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 40 is a characteristic diagram illustrating an estimated storing amount of the refrigerator according to the eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 41 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator according to the eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0220] Referring to FIG. 37, heat insulating box body 121a of refrigerator body 121 has a structure including an outer casing mainly made of a steel plate, an inner casing molded using resin such as ABS, and a heat insulating material located in a space between the outer casing and the inner casing, and heat insulating box body 121a insulates the inside of refrigerator body 121 from an environment.

[0221] Refrigerator body 121 is partitioned into a plurality of storing chambers by partition walls 126a to 126c, refrigerating chamber 122 is provided in the uppermost portion, temperature selecting chamber 123 is provided below refrigerating chamber 122, freezing chamber 124 is provided below temperature selecting chamber 123, and vegetable chamber 125 is provided in the lowermost portion. Heat insulating doors 127a to 127d are formed in the front opening of the refrigerator body in order to separate each storing chamber from ambient air.

[0222] Door opening and closing detectors 133a to 133d are provided in order to determine the opened and closed states of heat insulating doors 127a to 127d, respectively. Generally a switch type detector or a magnetic sensor type detector is used as door opening and closing detectors 133a to 133d. Door opened amount detector 134 may be provided in order to more correctly detect the opened and closed states of heat insulating doors 127a to 127d. Door opened amount detector 134 is disposed in the back of the refrigerator to measure an opened size of each heat insulating doors 127a to 127d with a ranging sensor that measures a distance to storing case 135 in freezing chamber 124.

[0223] A temperature detector such as a thermistor is provided in each storing chamber. For example, temperature detector 141 is disposed on an inward side in freezing chamber 124.

[0224] Storing case 135 of freezing chamber 124 is supported by and attached to frame 139 of heat insulating doors 127c. Gasket 142 made of a resin material is provided in order to prevent a leakage of the cold air through a gap between heat insulating door 127c and refrigerator body 121. Because a gap between a chassis and heat insulating door 127c varies in each refrigerator due to a size variation of a component or an assembly variation, an elastic property is provided to gasket 142, and gasket 142 is formed larger than the gap size. Therefore, gasket 142 is slightly compressed during the closing of the door. At this point, a large door opening force is required because of a pressure decrease in freezing chamber 124 and a latch mechanism that draws heat insulating door 127c inward in order to improve a sealing property, and possibly an aged person or a child cannot open the door. Therefore, actuator 143 applies a force toward a door opening direction, and the door can automatically be opened by a simple switch manipulation.

[0225] Actuator 143 includes a motor and a gear mechanism, and transmits power of actuator 143 to rotating shaft 144 to rotate arm 145. Other driving source such as a solenoid may be use instead of the motor.

[0226] Action shaft 146 is provided in frame 139, and located in a position where arm 145 abuts on action shaft 146 when arm 145 rotates. That is, the operation of arm 145 can be transmitted to heat insulating door 127c through action shaft 146.

[0227] In consideration of a possibility that heat insulating door 127c is left half-shut to influence the storage of the food in freezing chamber 124 due to the leakage of the cold air, not only actuator 143 automatically opens the door, but also actuator 143 surely draws and closes heat insulating door 127c from a half-shut state. The operation is performed such that actuator 143 reversely performs the door opening operation.

[0228] This system can automatically open and close heat insulating door 127c.

[0229] A plurality of storing shelves 147 are provided in refrigerating chamber 122, and some of storing shelves 112 can vertically be moved.

[0230] Compressor 128 and refrigerating cycle high-pressure-side components such as a dryer for removing the moisture are accommodated in machine chamber 121b formed in the rear area in the uppermost portion of refrigerating chamber 122.

[0231] Cooling chamber 121c generating cold air is provided in the back of freezing chamber 124, and cooler 129 and cooling fan 130 are disposed in cooling chamber 121c. Cooling fan 130 blasts the cold air generated by cooler 129 to refrigerating chamber 122, temperature selecting chamber 123, freezing chamber 124, and vegetable chamber 125. Defrosting heater 131, a drain pan (not illustrated), a drain tube evaporation pan (not illustrated), and the like are provided in order to defrost the frost and ice adhering to cooler 129 and the neighborhood of cooler 129.

[0232] In the eleventh exemplary embodiment, the following items concerning main parts of the present invention may be applied to a general type of conventional refrigerator in which the machine chamber is provided in the rear area of the storing chamber in the lowermost portion of the heat insulating box body to dispose compressor 128.

[0233] For the purpose of the refrigerated storage, refrigerating chamber 122 is usually set to temperatures of 1°C to 5°C with an ice-free temperature as a lower limit, and lowermost vegetable chamber 125 is set to temperatures of 2°C to 7°C equal to or slightly higher than those of refrigerating chamber 122. Freezing chamber 124 is set to the freezing temperature range, and usually set to temperatures of -22°C to -15°C for the purpose of the frozen storage. Sometimes freezing chamber 124 is set to a low temperature of, for example, -30°C or -25°C in order to improve the frozen storage state.

[0234] Temperature selecting chamber 123 can be switched to a previously-set temperature range between the refrigeration temperature range and the freezing temperature range in addition to the refrigerated storage temperature range of 1°C to 5°C, the vegetable storage temperature range of 2°C to 7°C, and the frozen storage temperature range of -22°C to -15°C.

[0235] The temperature at each storing chamber is adjusted by controlling the cooling system, namely, by adjusting the rotating speed of the motor of compressor 128, by adjusting the rotating speed of cooling fan 130, and by opening and closing dampers 132a and 132b to adjust the distribution of the air amount into each storing chamber. In dampers 132a and 132b, the rotary type opening and closing unit is driven by a motor to close or open the air passage, and the temperature can finely be adjusted by controlling the opening degree such that the opening and closing unit is partially opened to share the faint breeze with each storing chamber. Usually, with decreasing opening degree, the air passage resistance increases and the air amount of cooling fan 130 decreases.

[0236] In controller 150, a microcomputer, a motor driver, and the like are mounted on a printed board. Controller 150 includes current detector 151 of actuator 143, storing amount estimator 152, storing amount memory unit 153, timer 154, and corrector 155 in addition to the above electric components.

[0237] Current detector 151 is a current sensor in which a current transformer or a shunt resistor is used as an input unit of actuator 143. As illustrated in a graph of FIG. 40, when the storing amount increases in freezing chamber 124, storing amount estimator 152 converts a measured current into the storing amount using a characteristic that a load torque applied to actuator 143 increases in opening and closing the door.

[0238] Storing amount memory unit 153 records the estimated storing amount as needed, and the estimated storing amount is used in the comparison with the previous detection result. Corrector 155 corrects a relationship between the storing amount and the input current of actuator 143, which are changed by the influence of ambient temperature, and corrector 155 mainly performs the calculation from the detection result of temperature detector 141 and a driving situation of the cooling system.

[0239] In the eleventh exemplary embodiment, temperature selecting chamber 123 is used as the storing chamber including the refrigeration and freezing temperature ranges. Alternatively, the refrigeration is entrusted to refrigerating chamber 122 and vegetable chamber 125, the freezing is entrusted to freezing chamber 124, and temperature selecting chamber 123 may be used as the storing chamber specializing in the switching only of the intermediate temperature range between the refrigeration and the freezing. Temperature selecting chamber 123 may be used as the storing chamber that is set to a specific temperature range, for example, the temperature range fixed to the freezing temperature range according to the fact that the demand for the frozen foods has been increased in recent years.

[0240] Although not illustrated in the drawings, an ice making chamber for making and storing ice may be provided in parallel to the temperature selecting chamber.

[0241] The operation and action of the refrigerator having the above configuration will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 41.

[0242] It is assumed that heat insulating door 127c of freezing chamber 124 is closed in an initial state.

[0243] Whether the user performs the door opening manipulation of heat insulating door 127c of freezing chamber 124 is determined (Step S191). Door opening manipulation detector 140 provided in heat insulating door 127c determines the door opening manipulation using a touch sensor and the like.

[0244] When the door opening manipulation is performed, actuator 143 is driven to automatically open heat insulating door 127c (Step S192).

[0245] At this point, current detector 151 measures the current passed through the motor (Step S193). With increasing storing amount, a weight in freezing chamber 124 increases and the high load torque of the motor is required to increase the motor current. Therefore, the storing amount can be estimated from the motor current. However, because the motor current varies according to the ambient temperature, a variation is corrected at each detection temperature of temperature detector 141 (Step S194).

[0246] Using the obtained motor current, storing amount estimator 152 converts the measured current into the storing amount (Step S195). For example, as illustrated in the graph of FIG. 40, the storing amount is estimated at C for motor current A. Estimated storing amount C is recorded in storing amount memory unit 153 (Step S196).

[0247] The action in Steps S191 to S196 is performed in opening the door, the storing amount is estimated before the user stores the food.

[0248] When actuator 143 ends the door opening operation, for example, the user stores the food in freezing chamber 124 (Step S197). In the case that the user uses the food in freezing chamber 124 to decrease the storing amount, sometimes the user checks the food in freezing chamber 124, but the storing amount does not change.

[0249] When the user performs the door closing manipulation (Step S198), actuator 143 is driven to automatically close heat insulating door 127c (Step S199).

[0250] At this point, current detector 151 measures the current passed through the motor (Step S200). With increasing storing amount, a weight in freezing chamber 124 increases and the high load torque of the motor is required to increase the motor current. Therefore, the storing amount can be estimated from the motor current. However, because the motor current varies according to the ambient temperature, the variation is corrected at each detection temperature of temperature detector 141 (Step S201).

[0251] Using the obtained motor current, storing amount estimator 152 converts the measured current into the storing amount (Step S202). For example, as illustrated in the graph of FIG. 40, the storing amount is estimated at D for motor current B. Estimated storing amount D is recorded in storing amount memory unit 153 (Step S203).

[0252] The action in Steps S198 to S203 is performed in closing the door, the storing amount is estimated after the user stores the food.

[0253] Finally, storing amount C in opening the door recorded in Step S196 is compared to storing amount D in closing the door (Step S204). Storing amount D is larger than storing amount C when the user newly stores the additional food, storing amount D is smaller than storing amount C when the user uses the food in the refrigerator, and storing amount C is equal to storing amount D when only the user checks the food in the refrigerator.

[0254] Actuator 143 can perform both the door opening operation and the door closing operation. For example, when actuator 143 is dedicated to opening the door, the storing amount is estimated only by the action in Steps S191 to S196. At this point, the calculation of the storing amount change in Step S204 is obtained from an estimation result in a different door opening operation, for example, the comparison of the storing amount estimated during the previous door opening operation to the storing amount estimated during the previous door opening operation. The same holds true for the case that actuator 143 is dedicated to closing the door.

[0255] In the above storing amount estimation, possibly the sufficient accuracy is not obtained by the method for calculating the absolute value of the motor current due to initial variation factors, such as a motor variation, a variation of the power transmission component of the actuator, a weight variation of a material constituting freezing chamber 124, and a frictional coefficient variation of a drawing rail, which are included in each refrigerator. As to a countermeasure, as illustrated in FIG. 40, the motor current is used as a reference value when the storing amount is zero in the freezing chamber 124, and the storing amount is dealt with using a relative value such as "storing amount C/reference value" and "storing amount D/reference value". Therefore, the necessity to consider the initial variation in each refrigerator is eliminated to considerably improve the accuracy.

[0256] The subsequent cooling control is decided from the estimated storing amount or the storing amount change.

[0257] The optimum cooling control is performed according to the situation of the storing amount change such that the energy-saving running is performed under the control of the cooling system when the additional storing amount is extremely small, when the additional food does not exist, or when the storing amount decreases by the use of the food, or such that the rapid cooling running is performed under the control of the cooling system when the additional storing amount is large. An example of the cooling control will be described below.

[0258] For example, determination is performed for a detected storing amount change with respect to a predetermined threshold. When the storing amount change is determined to be larger than the threshold, controller 150 selects the rapid cooling running. For example, the refrigerant circulating amount is increased by increasing the rotating speed of compressor 128, thereby increasing a cooling amount. Alternatively, the rotating speed of cooling fan 130 is increased to increase the air amount or the opening degree of damper 132b. On the other hand, when the storing amount change is determined to be smaller than the threshold, the energy-saving running is performed. That is, the refrigerant circulating amount is decreased by decreasing the rotating speed of compressor 128, thereby decreasing a cooling amount. Alternatively, the rotating speed of cooling fan 130 is decreased to narrow down the air amount or decrease the opening degree of damper 132b.

[0259] Through the above operation, the automatic rapid cooling running and the automatic energy-saving cooling running can be performed according to the storing amount of the food.

[0260] In addition to the storing amount change, the optimum cooling control is performed according to the absolute amount of the food such that the energy-saving running is performed under the control of the cooling system when the storing amount is extremely small, or such that the rapid cooling running is performed under the control of the cooling system when the storing amount is large. An example of the cooling control will be described below.

[0261] For example, a threshold is previously defined with respect to the detected storing amount, and the determination is made with three stages of "large, medium, and small". When the storing amount is determined to be "large", controller 150 selects the rapid cooling running. For example, the refrigerant circulating amount is increased by increasing the rotating speed of compressor 128, thereby increasing a cooling amount. Alternatively, the rotating speed of cooling fan 130 is increased to increase the air amount or the opening degree of damper 132b. On the other hand, when the storing amount is determined to be "small", the energy-saving running is performed. That is, the refrigerant circulating amount is decreased by decreasing the rotating speed of compressor 128, thereby decreasing a cooling amount. Alternatively, the rotating speed of cooling fan 130 is decreased to narrow down the air amount or decrease the opening degree of damper 132b.

[0262] Through the above operation, the automatic rapid cooling running and the automatic energy-saving cooling running can be performed according to the absolute amount of the food.

[0263] Additionally, storing amount increasing and decreasing patterns are estimated from storing amount data for a certain constant period (for example, three weeks) recorded in storing amount memory unit 153, and the storing amount increasing and decreasing patterns reflect the cooling running. For example, the use pattern is predicted to perform the proper cooling running such that the energy-saving running is performed in a breakfast time zone because the storing amount decreases frequently, and such that precooling running is performed in the evening in prospect of the raise of refrigerator temperature because the storing amount increases by the purchase food.

[0264] A day on which the storing amount increases is extracted as an estimated shopping day, the estimated shopping day and the food storing amount change and storage situation of each home in the shopping are patterned and learned, a day of the week is detected by diving the data into seven days, and the shopping day of the specific day of the week is estimated. Therefore, the automatic rapid cooling running and the automatic energy-saving cooling running can be performed.

(Twelfth exemplary embodiment)

[0265] A refrigerator according to a twelfth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 42 to 44. The contents described in the eleventh exemplary embodiment are omitted.

[0266] FIG. 42 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the twelfth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 43 is characteristic diagram illustrating an estimated storing amount of the refrigerator according to the twelfth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 44 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator according to the twelfth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0267] An operation and action of the refrigerator having the above configuration will be described below.

[0268] It is assumed that heat insulating door 127c of freezing chamber 124 is closed in an initial state.

[0269] Whether the user performs the door opening manipulation of heat insulating door 127c of freezing chamber 124 is determined (Step S211). Door opening manipulation detector 140 provided in heat insulating door 127c determines the door opening manipulation using a touch sensor and the like.

[0270] When the door opening manipulation is performed, actuator 143 is driven to automatically open heat insulating door 127c (Step S212).

[0271] Door opened time measurement unit 156 measures the time until door opening and closing detectors 133a to 133d detect the opening of the door since the opening of the door is started (Step S213). However, because the door opened time varies according to the ambient temperature, the variation is corrected at each detection temperature of temperature detector 141 (Step S214).

[0272] With increasing storing amount, the weight of freezing chamber 124 increases, and with slowing down a door opening speed, the door opened time increases, so that the storing amount can be estimated from the door opened time. Although a change in door opened time associated with the change in storing amount is about one second or less, timer 154 in the microcomputer can sufficiently measure the change in door opened time.

[0273] Using the obtained door opened time, storing amount estimator 152 converts the measured current into the storing amount (Step S215). For example, as illustrated in the graph of FIG. 43, the storing amount is estimated at G for door opened time E. Estimated storing amount G is recorded in storing amount memory unit 153 (Step S216).

[0274] Because an actuator dedicated to opening the door is used as actuator 143, the calculation of the storing amount change in Step S217 is obtained from an estimation result in a different door opening operation, for example, the comparison of the storing amount estimated during the previous door opening operation to the storing amount estimated during the previous door opening operation. For example, it is assumed that the storing amount is estimated at G for door opened time E in the previous detection result, and it is assumed that storing amount is estimated at H for door opened time F in the present detection result. At this point, storing amount H is larger than storing amount G when the user newly stores the additional food in the previous detection, storing amount H is smaller than storing amount G when the user uses the food in the refrigerator, and storing amount G is equal to storing amount H when only the user checks the food in the refrigerator.

[0275] The same holds true for the case that actuator 143 is dedicated to closing the door.

[0276] In the case that actuator 143 can open and close the door, similarly to the eleventh exemplary embodiment, the storing amount change may be calculated from the difference of the estimated storing amount between the door opening operation and the door closing operation.

[0277] In the above storing amount estimation, possibly the sufficient accuracy is not obtained by the method for calculating the absolute value of the door opened time due to initial variation factors, such as a motor variation, a variation of the power transmission component of the actuator, a weight variation of freezing chamber 124, and a frictional coefficient variation of a drawing rail, which are included in each refrigerator. As to a countermeasure, as illustrated in FIG. 43, the door opened time is used as a reference value when the storing amount is zero in the freezing chamber 124, and the storing amount is dealt with using a relative value such as "storing amount G/reference value" and "storing amount H/reference value". Therefore, the necessity to consider the initial variation in each refrigerator is eliminated to considerably improve the accuracy.

[0278] Because the cooling control decided from the estimated storing amount or the storing amount change is similar to that of the eleventh exemplary embodiment, the description is omitted.

[0279] As described above, the storing amount is estimated by the already-provided door opening and closing detector, so that the system can be constructed with the simple configuration without adding the component.

(Thirteenth exemplary embodiment)

[0280] A refrigerator according to a thirteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 45 to 47. The contents described in the eleventh and twelfth exemplary embodiments are omitted.

[0281] FIG. 45 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the thirteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 46 is a characteristic diagram illustrating an estimated storing amount of the refrigerator according to the thirteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 47 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator according to the thirteenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0282] An operation and action of the refrigerator having the above configuration will be described below.

[0283] It is assumed that heat insulating door 127c of freezing chamber 124 is closed in an initial state.

[0284] Whether the user performs the door opening manipulation of heat insulating door 127c of freezing chamber 124 is determined (Step S221). Door opening manipulation detector 140 provided in heat insulating door 127c determines the door opening manipulation using a touch sensor and the like.

[0285] When the door opening manipulation is performed, actuator 143 is driven to automatically open heat insulating door 127c (Step S222).

[0286] After the opening of the door is completed, door opened amount detector 134 measures the opened size of heat insulating door 127c (Step S223). With increasing storing amount, the weight in freezing chamber 124 increases to decrease the automatically-drawn size during the opening of the door. Therefore, the storing amount can be estimated from the door opened size. However, because the door opened size varies according to the ambient temperature, the variation is corrected at each detection temperature of temperature detector 141 (Step S224). Door opened amount detector 134 is provided at the back of freezing chamber 124, and a ranging sensor that can measure the distance to storing case 135 is used as door opened amount detector 134. A ranging sensor in which reflection of an infrared ray is used to obtain the distance by a triangular method or an ultrasonic type ranging sensor is generally used.

[0287] Using the obtained door opened size, storing amount estimator 152 converts the measured current into the storing amount (Step S225). For example, as illustrated in the graph of FIG. 46, the storing amount is estimated at L for opened door size J. Estimated storing amount L is recorded in storing amount memory unit 153 (Step S226).

[0288] Because the actuator dedicated to opening the door is used as actuator 143, the calculation of the storing amount change in Step S227 is obtained from an estimation result in a different door opening operation, for example, the comparison of the storing amount estimated during the previous door opening operation to the storing amount estimated during the previous door opening operation. For example, it is assumed that the storing amount is estimated at L for door opened size J in the previous detection result, and it is assumed that storing amount is estimated at M for door opened size K in the present detection result. At this point, storing amount M is larger than storing amount L when the user newly stores the additional food, storing amount M is smaller than storing amount L when the user uses the food in the refrigerator, and storing amount L is equal to storing amount M when only the user checks the food in the refrigerator.

[0289] The same holds true for the case that actuator 143 is dedicated to closing the door.

[0290] In the case that actuator 143 can open and close the door, similarly to the eleventh exemplary embodiment, the storing amount change may be calculated from the difference of the estimated storing amount between the door opening operation and the door closing operation.

[0291] In the above storing amount estimation, possibly the sufficient accuracy is not obtained by the method for calculating the absolute value of the door opened time due to initial variation factors, such as a motor variation, a variation of the power transmission component of the actuator, a weight variation of freezing chamber 124, and a frictional coefficient variation of a drawing rail, which are included in each refrigerator. As to a countermeasure, as illustrated in FIG. 46, the door opened time is used as a reference value when the storing amount is zero in the freezing chamber 124, and the storing amount is dealt with using a relative value such as "storing amount L/reference value" and "storing amount M/reference value". Therefore, the necessity to consider the initial variation in each refrigerator is eliminated to considerably improve the accuracy.

[0292] Because the cooling control decided from the estimated storing amount or the storing amount change is similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment, the description is omitted.

[0293] Thus, the storing amount is estimated by adding only the door opened amount detector, so that the system can be constructed with the simple configuration.

[0294] As described above, the refrigerator of the present invention includes the storing chamber that is enclosed with the heat insulating wall and the heat insulating door to store the object to be stored, the cooler that cools the storing chamber, and the damper that controls the amount of cold air to the storing chamber. The refrigerator of the present invention also includes the heat insulating door that covers the storing chamber, the door opening and closing detector that detects the opening and closing of the heat insulating door, the cooling fan that supplies the cold air to the storing chamber, the fan motor that drives the cooling fan, the detector that detects the rotating speed or input current of the fan motor. The refrigerator of the present invention also includes the calculation controller that performs calculation processing of a detection result of the detector, and the calculation controller estimates the storing amount of the storing chamber based on the detection result of the door opening and closing detector and the detection result of the detector.

[0295] Thus, in the refrigerator of the present invention, the air passage resistance variation caused by the object is calculated from the rotating speed or input current of the fan motor to estimate the storing amount, thereby correcting the difference between the refrigerator temperature detected by the thermistor and the temperature of the object. Therefore, in the refrigerator of the present invention, the temperature of the object can always be kept in the optimum state to implement the high freshness keeping property, and the power consumption can be constrained by preventing the "overcooled" object.

[0296] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the calculation controller estimates the storing amount based on the detection result of the detector after a lapse of a predetermined period following the detection by the door opening and closing detector of the closed state of the heat insulating door.

[0297] In the configuration of the present invention, in the case that the fan motor is controlled so as to be stopped during the opening of the door, the storing amount is estimated after a constant period since the operation of fan motor is stabilized except that the transition period immediately after the heat insulating door is closed to drive the fan. Therefore, the estimation accuracy of the storing amount can be enhanced.

[0298] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the operation of the damper is stopped while the detector detects the current or rotating speed of the fan motor.

[0299] In the configuration of the present invention, the estimation accuracy of the storing amount can be enhanced irrespective of the air passage resistance change caused by the opening and closing of the damper.

[0300] The refrigerator of the present invention includes the temperature detector that detects the temperature around the cooling fan, and the calculation controller estimates the storing amount of the storing chamber based on the detection result of the temperature detector.

[0301] In the configuration of the present invention, the influence of the temperature variation of a motor winding resistance value on the current and rotating speed can be removed, and the estimation accuracy of the storing amount can be enhanced.

[0302] The refrigerator of the present invention includes the defrosting detector that detects defrosting around the cooling fan, and the calculation controller estimates the storing amount of the storing chamber based on the detection result of the defrosting detector.

[0303] In the configuration of the present invention, the estimation accuracy of the storing amount can be enhanced because the influence of the air passage resistance change caused by the frost formation state of the cooler.

[0304] The refrigerator of the present invention includes the storing chamber that is enclosed with the heat insulating wall and the heat insulating door to store the object to be stored, the cooler that cools the storing chamber, the compressor that delivers the refrigerant to the cooler, the cooling fan that supplies cold air to the storing chamber, and the damper that controls the amount of cold air to the storing chamber. The refrigerator of the present invention also includes the heat insulating door that covers the storing chamber, the door opening and closing detector that detects the opening and closing of the heat insulating door, the detector that detects the input to the compressor, and the calculation controller that performs the calculation processing of the detection result of the detector. In the refrigerator of the present invention, the calculation controller estimates the storing amount of the storing chamber based on the detection results of the door opening and closing detector and the detection result of the detector. Therefore, the high freshness keeping property of the object is implemented by storing the object to be stored at the target temperature within the predetermined period. Additionally, the power consumption can be constrained by preventing the "overcooled" object.

[0305] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the calculation controller estimates the storing amount based on the detection result of the detector after a lapse of the predetermined period following the detection by the door opening and closing detector of the closed state of the heat insulating door. In the configuration of the present invention, the temperature disturbance factors from the outside of the refrigerator immediately after the opening and closing of the door can be removed, and the estimation accuracy of the storing amount can be enhanced.

[0306] In the refrigerator of the present invention, when the detector detects the input of the compressor, the operation of the cooling fan is fixed for the predetermined time since the closed state of the heat insulating door is detected. In the configuration of the present invention, the disturbance factors caused by the rotating speed change of the cooling fan can be removed, and the estimation accuracy of the storing amount can be enhanced.

[0307] In the refrigerator of the present invention, when the detector detects the input of the compressor, the operation of the damper is fixed for the predetermined time since the closed state of the heat insulating door is detected. In the configuration of the present invention, the disturbance factors caused by the opening and closing operations of the damper can be removed, and the estimation accuracy of the storing amount can be enhanced.

[0308] In the refrigerator of the present invention, when the detector detects the input of the compressor, the operation of the compressor is fixed for the predetermined time since the closed state of the heat insulating door is detected. In the configuration of the present invention, the disturbance factors caused by the rotating speed change of the compressor can be removed, and the estimation accuracy of the storing amount can be enhanced.

[0309] The refrigerator of the present invention includes the temperature detector that detects the temperature around the cooling fan, and the calculation controller estimates the storing amount of the storing chamber based on the detection result of the temperature detector. In the configuration of the present invention, the frost formation state is determined from the temperature around the cooling fan to perform the correction, so that the estimation accuracy of the storing amount can further be enhanced.

[0310] The refrigerator of the present invention includes the storing chamber that is enclosed with the heat insulating wall and the heat insulating door to store the object to be stored, the cooler that cools the storing chamber, the cooling fan that supplies the cold air to the storing chamber, and the damper that controls the amount of cold air to the storing chamber. The refrigerator of the present invention also includes the door opening and closing detector that detects the opening and closing of the heat insulating door, the humidity detector that detects the humidity of the storing chamber, and the calculation controller that performs the calculation processing of the detection result of the humidity detector. In the refrigerator of the present invention, the calculation controller estimates the storing amount of the storing chamber based on the detection result of the door opening and closing detector and the detection result of the humidity detector. In the configuration of the present invention, based on the moisture evaporated from the object, the estimation accuracy of the storing amount can be enhanced, and the cooling or the output of the functional component can be performed according to the storage state of the object in the refrigerator.

[0311] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the calculation controller estimates the storing amount based on the detection result of the humidity detector after a lapse of the predetermined period following the detection by the door opening and closing detector of the closed state of the heat insulating door. In the configuration of the present invention, the humidity and temperature disturbance factors caused by the invasion of the ambient air in the refrigerator immediately after the opening and closing of the door can be removed, and the estimation accuracy of the storing amount can be enhanced.

[0312] In the refrigerator of the present invention, because the storing chamber is the vegetable chamber, particularly the moisture of the vegetable is actively evaporated, and the relationship between the storing amount and the humidity is markedly detected, so that the estimation accuracy of the storing amount can further be enhanced to store the fresh vegetable.

[0313] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the storing chamber includes the electrostatic atomizing device. Therefore, the radical can be atomized when the estimated storing amount increases, and the unnecessary operation of the electrostatic atomizing device can be decreased to improve the freshness keeping property when the storing amount does not vary.

[0314] In the refrigerator of the present invention, because the capacity of the electrostatic atomizing device is variable according to the storing amount estimated by the calculation controller, the radical amount can be controlled according to the storing amount, the excessive power supplied to the electrostatic atomizing device can be reduced, and particularly the freshness keeping property of the vegetable can further be improved.

[0315] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the humidity detector is the discharge current detector that detects the discharge current of the electrostatic atomizing device. Therefore, from the directly proportional relationship between the refrigerator humidity and the discharge current, not only the self-contained freshness keeping control of the electrostatic atomizing device can be performed, but also the inexpensive system can be constructed by the elimination of the humidity detector.

[0316] The refrigerator of the present invention includes the storing chamber that is enclosed with the heat insulating wall and the heat insulating door to store the object to be stored, the cooler that cools the storing chamber, and the damper that controls the amount of cold air to the storing chamber. The refrigerator of the present invention also includes the heat insulating door that covers the storing chamber, the door opening and closing detector that detects the opening and closing of the heat insulating door, the cooling fan that supplies the cold air to the storing chamber, the detector that detects the air amount of the storing chamber, and the calculation controller that performs the calculation processing of the detection result of the detector. In the refrigerator of the present invention, the calculation controller estimates the storing amount of the storing chamber based on the detection result of the door opening and closing detector and the detection result of the detector.

[0317] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the air passage resistance variation caused by the object is detected by the airflow sensor to estimate the storing amount, thereby correcting the difference between the refrigerator temperature detected by the thermistor and the temperature of the object. In the configuration of the present invention, the temperature of the object can always be kept in the optimum state to implement the high freshness keeping property, and the power consumption can be constrained by preventing the "overcooled" object.

[0318] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the calculation controller estimates the storing amount based on the detection result of the detector after a lapse of a predetermined period following the detection by the door opening and closing detector of the closed state of the heat insulating door.

[0319] In the configuration of the present invention, in the case that the fan motor is controlled so as to be stopped during the opening of the door, the air amount is detected to estimate the storing amount after a constant period since the operation of fan motor is stabilized except that the transition period immediately after the heat insulating door is closed to drive the fan. Therefore, the estimation accuracy of the storing amount can be enhanced.

[0320] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the operation of the damper is stopped when the detector detects the air amount.

[0321] In the configuration of the present invention, the estimation accuracy of the storing amount can be enhanced irrespective of the air passage resistance change caused by the opening and closing of the damper.

[0322] The refrigerator of the present invention includes the temperature detector that detects the temperature around the airflow sensor, and the calculation controller estimates the storing amount of the storing chamber based on the detection result of the temperature detector.

[0323] In the configuration of the present invention, the influence of the temperature variation on the sensor variation and the variation of the peripheral circuit of the sensor can be removed, and the estimation accuracy of the storing amount can be enhanced.

[0324] The refrigerator of the present invention includes the defrosting detector that detects defrosting around the cooling fan, and the calculation controller estimates the storing amount of the storing chamber based on the detection result of the defrosting detector.

[0325] In the configuration of the present invention, the estimation accuracy of the storing amount can be enhanced because the influence of the air passage resistance change caused by the frost formation state of the cooler.

[0326] The refrigerator of the present invention includes the storing chamber that is enclosed with the heat insulating wall and configured to store the object to be stored, the cooling system that cools the storing chamber, and the drawing type heat insulating door that covers the storing chamber and that is capable of being drawn in the front-back direction, and the door opening and closing detector that detects the opening and closing of the drawing type heat insulating door. The refrigerator of the present invention also includes the actuator that automatically opens and closes the drawing type heat insulating door, the driving source for the actuator, the storing amount estimator that estimates the storing amount in the storing chamber, and the controller that performs the driving control of the cooling system and actuator and calculation processing of the detection result of the storing amount estimator. In the refrigerator of the present invention, the controller performs the driving control of the cooling system based on the detection result of the storing amount estimator.

[0327] In the configuration of the present invention, the storing amount can be estimated in the drawing storing chamber, and the driving control of the cooling system is performed based on the information on the estimated storing amount. Therefore, the object is always kept at the optimum temperature and the high freshness keeping property can be implemented. In the refrigerator of the present invention, the power consumption can be constrained by preventing the "overcooled" object.

[0328] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the storing amount estimator estimates the storing amount from the door opening force necessary for the actuator to open and close the heat insulating door.

[0329] In the configuration of the present invention, particularly the food weight in the storing chamber can be estimated from the load applied to the actuator.

[0330] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the storing amount estimator estimates the storing amount from the input current of the driving source when the actuator opens and closes the heat insulating door.

[0331] In the configuration of the present invention, the storing amount can be estimated by the current sensor or the simple configuration such as the shunt type.

[0332] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the storing amount estimator estimates the storing amount from the time until the heat insulating door is operated to a constant amount by the actuator.

[0333] In the configuration of the present invention, the storing amount can be estimated by a software design without adding a special component such that a heat insulating door moving speed that is changed depending on the storing amount is calculated based on the time until the door opening and closing sensor detects the starting of the movement of the heat insulating door since the actuator starts the operation.

[0334] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the storing amount estimator estimates the storing amount from the door opened size in which the heat insulating door is drawn by the actuator.

[0335] In the configuration of the present invention, the heat insulating door movement that is changed depending on the storing amount can be detected by the ranging sensor, the storing amount can be estimated by the simple configuration, and the ranging sensor can also be used as the door opening and closing detector.

[0336] The refrigerator of the present invention includes the temperature detector near the actuator, and the controller corrects the detection result of the storing amount estimator according to the temperature detected by the temperature detector.

[0337] The output of the actuator or the influence of the temperature on the peripheral structure is corrected, so that the estimation accuracy of the storing amount can be enhanced.

[0338] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the controller estimates the storing amount change from the difference between the storing amount estimation result of the storing amount estimator and the previous storing amount estimation result.

[0339] In the configuration of the present invention, the change amount is detected for a short time period, so that the influence of the output of the actuator that varies across ages or the characteristic change of the peripheral structure can be constrained to the minimum level.

[0340] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the detection result of the storing amount estimator during the empty state of the storing chamber is used a reference value, and the controller calculates the subsequent storing amount estimation result using a change amount or a change rate from the reference value.

[0341] In the configuration of the present invention, the relative output is detected, so that the storing amount can accurately be estimated irrespective of the output of the actuator and the variation of the peripheral structure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0342] As to the application of the refrigerator of the present invention, for example, the storing amount detection function is provided in the household or professional-use refrigerator, and the control is switched to a running mode such as the energy-saving running using the result of the storing amount detection,

REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS

[0343] 

1,31,61,91,121 refrigerator body

1a,31a,61a,91a,121a heat insulating box body

1b,31b,61b,91b,121b machine chamber

1c,31c,61c,91c,121c cooling chamber

2,32,62,92,122 refrigerating chamber

3,33,63,93,123 temperature selecting chamber

4,34,64,94,124 freezing chamber

5,35,65,95,125 vegetable chamber

6a, 6b, 6c, 36a, 36b, 36c, 66a, 66b, 66c, 96a, 96b, 96c,126a,126b,126c partition wall

7a,7b,7c,7d,37a,37b,37c,37d,67a,67b,67c,67d,97a,97b,97c,97d,127a,127b,127 c,127d heat insulating door

8,38,68,98,128 compressor

9,40,70,99,129 cooler

10,41,71,100,130 cooling fan

11,101,131 defrosting heater

12, 42, 72,102,132a,132b damper

13a,13b,13c,13d,43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 73a, 73b, 73c, 73d,103a,103b,103c,103d,133a

,133b,133c,133d door opening and closing detector

14,48,75,104 calculation controller

15 rotating speed detector

16,49,106,136,152 storing amount estimator

17,107,137,153 storing amount memory unit

18,108,138,154 timer

19,51,109,155 corrector

20,110,151 current detector

21,47,111,141 temperature detector

22,52,112,147 storing shelf

23,113 detection condition memory unit

39,69 capillary tube

44 defrosting heater

45 temperature compensation/dew formation prevention heater

46 detector

50 memory unit

74a, 74b humidity detector

76 electrostatic atomizing device

77 cooling pin

78 atomizing electrode

79 counter electrode

80 holding frame

81 containment case

82 opening

83,150 controller

84 capacity varying unit

85 high-voltage power supply

86 discharge current detector

105 airflow sensor

134 door opened amount detector

135 storing case

139 frame

140 door opening manipulation detector

143 actuator

144 rotating shaft

145 arm

146 action shaft

156 door opened time measurement unit

300 refrigerator

301 refrigerating chamber

302 cold air discharging device

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a storing chamber that is enclosed with a heat insulating wall and a heat insulating door and configured to store an object to be stored;

a cooler that cools the storing chamber;

a damper that controls an amount of cold air to the storing chamber;

the heat insulating door that covers the storing chamber;

a door opening and closing detector that detects opening and closing of the heat insulating door;

a cooling fan that supplies the cold air to the storing chamber;

a fan motor that drives the cooling fan;

a detector that detects a rotating speed or a current value of the fan motor; and

a calculation controller that performs calculation processing of a detection result of the detector,

wherein the calculation controller estimates a stored amount of the object in the storing chamber based on a detection result of the door opening and closing detector and the detection result of the detector.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the calculation controller estimates the stored amount based on the detection result of the detector after a lapse of a predetermined period following the detection by the door opening and closing detector of a closed state of the heat insulating door.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein an operation of the damper is stopped when the detector detects the current value or rotating speed of the fan motor.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature detector that detects a temperature around the cooling fan,
wherein the calculation controller includes a detection result of the temperature detector in making estimation of the stored amount in the storing chamber.

Drawing