JP2902827B2 - Refrigerator defrost control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a defrosting control device for a refrigerator which performs defrosting in a time period when a door is frequently opened and closed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Prior to the present invention, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 55-7795
In the conventional refrigerator defrosting device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-163, the operation time of the refrigeration cycle is integrated by a timer, and the cooler is defrosted when the refrigeration cycle is operated for a predetermined time.

However, in this type of refrigerator defroster, if the defrosting is arbitrarily started by a timer and the defrosting is started during a time period when the frequency of opening and closing the storage room door is high, the storage room is not operated. There is a drawback that outside air frequently enters in a state in which cooling is impossible, resulting in an increase in room temperature.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a defrosting control device for a refrigerator which solves the above-mentioned disadvantages and suppresses a rise in the temperature of a storage room during defrosting.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a defrosting control device for a refrigerator having a defrosting device, which counts the number of times the refrigerator door is opened and closed for each of a plurality of time periods constituting one day. Means, an opening / closing frequency memory for storing the number of times the door is opened / closed for each time zone, and a door opening / closing index setting for setting a door opening / closing index for each time zone according to the number of times the door is opened / closed for each time zone. A means for detecting a ratio of a cumulative operation time of the compressor with respect to an elapsed time from a previous defrosting operation, and generating seasonal determination data based on the detection result; Determine whether or not to integrate the door opening and closing index, index integration means to generate an integrated door opening and closing index when integrating, the door opening and closing index or integrated door opening and closing index, based on the seasonal determination data and Control the defroster Characterized in that it comprises a defrosting signal generating means for generating a defrosting start signal, the that.

[0006]

According to the present invention, defrosting can be performed in a time period when the door is not frequently opened and closed, so that the door is frequently opened and closed in a state where the storage room cannot be cooled. An abnormal temperature rise can be prevented.

Further, the ratio of the accumulated operating time of the compressor to the elapsed time from the previous defrosting operation is detected, and the defrosting device is controlled in consideration of the seasonal determination data generated based on the detection result. Therefore, defrosting can be performed at an appropriate timing corresponding to the season. Furthermore, since the defrosting device is controlled based on the door opening / closing index or the integrated door opening / closing index and the season determination data, more door opening / closing indices can be considered according to the season, and more accurate timing Defrosting becomes possible.

[0008]

[0009]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a door opening / closing switch, which is a door (not shown) of a storage room formed inside the refrigerator body.
The number of times of opening and closing is detected. Reference numeral 2 denotes an opening / closing frequency accumulation circuit as a counting means for accumulating the number of opening / closing times detected by the door opening / closing switch 1, and reference numeral 3 denotes an opening / closing frequency memory for storing an integrated value of the opening / closing frequency accumulation circuit 2. Reference numeral 4 denotes a compressor operation time integration unit, which indirectly integrates a cooling operation time of a cooler (not shown) of the storage room that forms a refrigeration cycle together with the compressor by integrating the operation time of the compressor. Reference numeral 5 denotes a defrosting operation starting unit as a defrosting signal generation means for judging the start of the defrosting operation of the cooler and generating a defrosting start signal for defrosting control. It operates based on the state with the frequency memory 3 and outputs a defrost start signal. The defrosting start signal is cooled by the defrosting device by switching the refrigerant flow switching valve of the refrigeration cycle to supply a high-temperature refrigerant to the cooler or causing the electric heater to generate heat based on this signal. Serves to defrost the vessel. Reference numeral 6 denotes a timer which divides the time of day into a plurality of time zones, and activates the opening / closing frequency memory 3 and the like at every predetermined time TC (described later).

Reference numeral 7 denotes a reading unit provided between the opening / closing frequency memory 3 and the defrosting operation starting unit 5 for each time period according to the number of times of opening and closing of the door stored in the opening / closing frequency memory 3. Door opening / closing index setting means for setting the opening / closing frequency data as the door opening / closing index, a time zone corresponding to the current time, and opening / closing frequency data _Ht , _{Ht + 1 of} a small number of time zones preceding this time zone. H t _{+ 2} and a door opening and closing index selecting means for taking the (later described), the switching frequency data H _t,
Only _{Ht + 1} and _{Ht + 2} are input to the defrosting operation starting unit 5.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a season discriminating unit as season discriminating means.
The ratio of the accumulated operating time of the compressor to the elapsed time from the previous defrosting operation is detected, and seasonal determination data is generated based on the detection result. The difference is determined and the disclosure time of the defrost time is finely adjusted. The season determining data of the season determining unit 8 is input to the defrosting operation starting unit 5.

[0013] In Thus, the opening and closing frequency integrating circuit 2, the consuming time started every predetermined time TC to the switching frequency memory 3, convey the accumulated number of times of opening and closing C _ij in each predetermined time TC in switching frequency memory 3 It is configured to be stored.

As shown in FIG. 2, the opening / closing frequency memory 3 is constituted by an m × n matrix. Where m =
24 / TC, n is the required data storage days. The predetermined time TC is specifically set to one hour.

As shown in FIG. 3, the readout unit 7 generates opening / closing frequency data _Ht , _{Ht + 1 for} a time zone t corresponding to the current time and two time zones t + 1, t + 2 preceding the time zone t. ,
Only _{Ht + 2} is selected and inputted to the defrosting operation starting unit 5.

The defrosting operation starting unit 5 is constituted by a multilayer neural network of a neuro computer. In the neural network 5, the number of cells in the input layer 9 is set to 5, the number of cells in the output layer 10 is set to 1, and the number of cells in the intermediate layer 11 is set to a necessary and sufficient number.

Each of the five cells of the input layer 9 has integrated data ST of the operating time of the compressor from the end of the previous defrosting, output data SE of the season judging section 8, and opening / closing frequency data. The data _Ht , _{Ht + 1} , _{Ht + 1}
Just enter. Input data _Ht , _{Ht + 1} , H of the input layer 9
_{t + 2 and the} like are opening / closing evaluation indices at each time of day, specifically, the average number of times the door has been opened / closed in the past n days in each hour of each hour,

[0018]

(Equation 1)

## EQU1 ##

In the neural network 5, an arbitrary
At the time of
The accumulated data ST of the compressor operation time up to
Record opening / closing frequency data H_t, H_{t + 1}, H_{t + 2}And the season determining unit 8
Output data SE of this neural network 5
, It is appropriate to execute the defrosting operation at that time.
Determine whether or not. Specifically, neural networks
5 is a predetermined time obtained by integrating the operation time of the compressor.
(For example, 8:00 which is a general integration time until the start of defrosting
6 hours shorter than the opening time), the opening / closing frequency data
TA H_t, H_{t + 1}, H _{t + 2}And compare this data to the previous
Judgment of the increasing / decreasing tendency of the opening / closing frequency of the door is made,
Direction, immediately outputs a defrost start signal at this time,
If the opening and closing frequency is decreasing, the defrost start time from the current time
And after a predetermined time elapses (for example, after 5-6 hours)
It is configured to output a start signal.

Further, in this neural network 5,
The time point at which the defrost start signal is generated is finely adjusted in consideration of the determination result of the season determining unit 8. The season determining unit 8 specifically detects the ratio of the integrated time of the compressor to the total elapsed time from the previous defrosting operation,
Based on the detection result, numerical data SE indicating, for example, how close it is to summer is output.
By supplying E to the neural network 5 as a new input, it functions so as to finely adjust the defrost start time slightly earlier in summer and slightly later in winter. Of course, the neural network 5 is made to learn in advance about typical combinations of inputs including the output data SE of the season discriminating unit 8 so that the fine adjustment effect of the season discriminating unit 8 is reflected.

As for the learning method of the neural network, for a desired combination of ST, _Hi , and SE, data as to whether or not to start the defrosting operation is input in advance as a teacher signal, and a learning method such as back propagation is performed. Is determined in advance so that the error between the teacher signal and the output result is equal to or less than a certain value.

By performing the learning as described above, the neural network 5 automatically performs the interpolation when an input signal other than the teacher signal, specifically, a signal during the actual operation of the refrigerator is input. It is possible to generate a defrost signal during a time period when the frequency of door opening / closing is small.

[0024] It should be noted that, for the opening and closing frequency data H _i of the door,
If you only to determine the start of the defrosting operation in switching frequency data H _t of a single time slot t, the configuration of the neural network 5 is composed of a simplest, closing conditions of the previous door than the current time Since it is not possible to compare and consider the above, three are determined in consideration of this point. The number of the switching frequency data H _i is either in to somewhat decrease the extent to which the allowable complexity and size of the neural network 5 (specifically 2
To be increased or decreased in the range of 6).

The defrosting operation starting unit 5 is as follows.
Instead of the neural network, one that uses a fuzzy inferencer to obtain a similar function is also implemented.

[0026] In the defrosting control unit is integrated the operating time of the compressor from the end of the previous defrosting, begin examining the switching frequency data of the door when a predetermined time has elapsed, the switching frequency data H _t of the current time The two opening / closing frequency data _{Ht + 1} and _{Ht + 2} ahead of this are compared and examined, and the increase / decrease tendency of the door opening / closing frequency is determined from this data. A defrosting start signal is output at the same time. On the contrary, if the opening and closing frequency is decreasing, the defrosting start time is extended from the present time and a defrosting start signal is output after a predetermined time (for example, 5 to 6 hours). Therefore, defrosting is performed in a time period when the door opening and closing frequency is small, and therefore, the door is frequently opened and closed in a state where the refrigerator cannot be cooled, thereby preventing an abnormal rise in the temperature of the storage room. Become like Further, the ratio of the cumulative operating time of the compressor to the total elapsed time from the previous defrosting operation is detected, and based on the detection result, the season determining unit 8 determines the season and determines the start time of the defrosting operation. Since the fine adjustment is performed, for example, by finely adjusting the start time of the defrosting operation in the winter season with respect to the summer season, the defrosting can be performed at an appropriate timing according to the season. .

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment. This embodiment is configured based on the following concept. That is, in the winter season, the accumulated speed of the operation time of the compressor is slower than in the summer season, and there is a time margin before the scheduled time of the start of defrosting is reached. It is possible to consider even data. As a result, in winter, the switching frequency data is _Ht , Ht.
Data _{Ht + 3} , _{Ht + 4} , and _{Ht + 5 that} are further ahead of _{t + 1} and _{Ht + 2.}
By inputting..., A more accurate defrost start time can be determined. Further, when the number of input data is increased, if the number of cells of the input layer 9 of the neural network 5 is correspondingly increased, there is a disadvantage that the structure becomes complicated. n (n is 2
Alternatively, the opening / closing frequency data in the time zone 3) may be integrated and input to the neural network 5 as one opening / closing frequency data.

A characteristic configuration of this embodiment as compared with the above-described embodiment is that the output data SE of the season judging section 12 is also inputted to the reading section 13. In this embodiment, when an arbitrary time for judging the start of the defrosting operation is reached, the time t is normalized to an hour and the value t and the output data SE of the season judging unit 12 are output.
Is input to the reading unit 13, whereby the past cumulative opening / closing times at times t, t + 1, and t + 2 are read from the storage block Cm of the opening / closing frequency memory 3 in the summer, and the opening / closing frequency at this time is read. Data _Ht , H
_{t + 1} and _{Ht + 2} are input to the neural network 5, and in winter, the past cumulative opening / closing times at times t, t + 1, t + 2, t + 3, t + 4, and t + 5 are read from the storage block Cm of the opening / closing frequency memory 3, Adjacent block Cm 2
The opening / closing frequency data based on this data is summed up as one data to obtain a total of three opening / closing data _Ht + _{Ht + 1} , H
_{t + 2} + _{Ht + 3} , _{Ht + 4} + _{Ht + 5} are converted to neural network 5
Is configured to be input. As described above, the readout unit 13 integrates a plurality of opening / closing frequency data based on the output data of the season determining unit 12 in addition to the door opening / closing index setting unit and the door opening / closing index selecting unit described in the above-described embodiment. There is provided index integrating means for determining whether or not to perform the integration, and generating an integrated door opening / closing index when the integration is performed.

In this embodiment, during the winter season, the opening and closing frequency data of the memory block every one hour is added every two hours and input to the neural network 5, so that the number of cells can be changed without increasing the number of cells. Defrosting can be performed at an appropriate timing in consideration of the difference. In this embodiment as well, as in the previous embodiment, the neural network 5
The neural network is trained in advance about the typical combination of the inputs of (1).

In the reading section 13, the input number of the opening / closing frequency data in winter is twice or three times that in summer.
In addition to the integer n times as many times, only the data H _t and H _{t + 1 for} the first two hours are summed to form one data,
The data of _{Ht + 3} and _{Ht + 4} may be input to one cell as they are.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, a control device is also conceivable in which two neural networks are provided in connection with this embodiment, and are used in accordance with the number of opening / closing frequency data in summer and winter, respectively. 1 in the device
Although the structure can be simplified as compared with the case where the number of cells of the input layer is increased by the number of neural networks, the structure cannot be simplified as in the above-described embodiment. Is a big thing. In this embodiment, the other parts are configured in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, defrosting can be performed during a time when the door is not frequently opened and closed, and the door is frequently opened and closed when the storage room cannot be cooled. It is possible to prevent the temperature of the storage room from rising abnormally. In addition, since the ratio of the integrated operation time of the compressor to the elapsed time from the previous defrosting operation is detected, and the seasonal determination data generated based on the detection result is taken into consideration, the defrosting device is controlled. Can be defrosted at an appropriate timing corresponding to the above. Furthermore, since the defrosting device is controlled based on the door opening / closing index or the integrated door opening / closing index and the season determination data, more door opening / closing indices can be considered according to the season, and more accurate timing Defrosting becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an opening / closing frequency memory provided in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a main part of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a main part of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 switching frequency memory 5 defrosting operation starting unit 7,13 reading section 8 and 12 seasons determination unit ST integrated data H _i-off frequency data

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Seiji Fukushima 2-18-18 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi City Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshimichi Hirata 2-18-18 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi City Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-54-28055 (JP, A) JP-A-63-254379 (JP, A) JP-A-63-263377 (JP, A) JP-A-58-55671 (JP, A) ( 58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) F25D 21/06-21/08

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A defrosting control device for a refrigerator having a defrosting device, comprising: counting means for counting the number of times the refrigerator door is opened and closed for each of a plurality of time zones constituting one day; An opening / closing frequency memory for storing the number of times the door is opened / closed, a door opening / closing index setting means for setting a door opening / closing index for each time zone according to the number of times the door is opened / closed for each time zone, and a previous defrost operation A season determining means for detecting the ratio of the accumulated operating time of the compressor to the elapsed time from the first time, and generating seasonal determination data based on the detection result; and integrating the plurality of door opening / closing indices based on the seasonal determination data.
Judgment whether or not to match, and when integrating, the integrated door opening and closing index
Index integration means for generating the door opening / closing index or the integrated door opening / closing index,
A defrosting signal generating means for generating a defrosting start signal for controlling the defrosting device based on the different data .