JP7117604B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to refrigerators.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a configuration in which a refrigerator that detects that hot food has been stored in a storage compartment automatically starts cooling the food.

JP 2010-025532 A

The rapid cooling function of refrigerators, such as that disclosed in US Pat. However, users use the rapid cooling function of the refrigerator for various purposes. For example, there may be a case where it is desired to store food in a freezer, or a case where it is desired to cool food after cooking. Conventional refrigerators could not meet such various purposes of use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator that performs a rapid cooling function according to the user's purpose of use.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a refrigerator having at least one storage compartment, and a quenching fan for discharging cold air provided on the top surface of the storage compartment. and control means for executing a rapid cooling function using the rapid cooling fan based on a rapid cooling time set by a user, and when the door of the storage chamber is opened during execution of the rapid cooling function, the control means The means is characterized by stopping the rotation of the quench fan.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the refrigerator which performs the rapid-cooling function according to a user's purpose of use can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the outline|summary of a system. 2 is an external view of refrigerator 100. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of refrigerator 100. FIG. It is a figure explaining the ice making compartment 202 and the upper freezer compartment 203. FIG. It is a figure explaining the upper freezer compartment 203. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation panel 600; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a process executed by refrigerator 100. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a process executed by refrigerator 100. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a process executed by refrigerator 100. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the solution of the invention.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the system of this embodiment. The communication device 110 is, for example, a smart phone or a tablet terminal. Communication device 110 establishes a wireless LAN connection with access point 120 and communicates with server 130 on a network such as the Internet. Refrigerator 100 also establishes a wireless LAN connection with access point 120 and communicates with server 130 on the network.

FIG. 2 is an external view of refrigerator 100. As shown in FIG. Refrigerator 100 includes a plurality of storage compartments, specifically, refrigerator compartment 201 , ice making compartment 202 , upper freezer compartment 203 , lower freezer compartment 204 , and vegetable compartment 205 . Refrigerating compartment 201 is maintained in a refrigerating temperature range (3° C. to 6° C.). The vegetable compartment 205 is maintained in a temperature range (3° C. to 8° C.) slightly higher than that of the refrigerator compartment 201 . The upper freezer compartment 203 and the lower freezer compartment 204 are maintained in the freezing temperature range (-20°C to -18°C). Further, inside the refrigerating chamber 201, a switching chamber 310 capable of switching between a partial temperature range (-3° C. to -1° C.) and a chilled temperature range (0° C. to 2° C.) is provided. The door that closes the refrigerator compartment 201 is a double door. Further, the doors that block the ice making compartment 202, the upper freezer compartment 203, the lower freezer compartment 204, and the vegetable compartment 205 are drawer-type doors.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the air passage configuration of the refrigerator 100 will be described. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of refrigerator 100, the left side of FIG. 3 corresponds to the front side of refrigerator 100, and the right side of FIG.

Compressor 301 is provided above refrigerator 100 and on the rear side of refrigerator 100 . A cooling chamber 302 having at least a cooler 303 , a cooling fan 304 and a defrosting heater 305 is provided behind the lower freezing chamber 204 . A partition plate 306 that partitions the refrigerator compartment 201, the ice making compartment 202, and the upper freezer compartment 203 is provided with a twin damper composed of a refrigerator compartment damper and a switching compartment damper. A part of the cool air generated by the cooler 303 is supplied to the refrigerating compartment duct 307 via the refrigerating compartment damper. Cold air is supplied from the refrigerating compartment duct 307 to the refrigerating compartment 201 via the outlets 308 and 309 . Also, part of the cool air generated by the cooler 303 is supplied to the switchable compartment duct via the switchable compartment damper, and the cool air is supplied from the switchable compartment duct to the switchable compartment 310 via the discharge port. Temperature sensors are provided in the refrigerating compartment 201 and the switching compartment 310, respectively, and the opening/closing operations of the refrigerating compartment damper and the switching compartment damper are controlled based on the temperatures detected by these temperature sensors.

Also, part of the cool air generated by the cooler 303 is supplied to the vegetable compartment duct. A vegetable compartment damper is provided in the vegetable compartment duct, and cold air is supplied to the vegetable compartment 205 via the vegetable compartment damper. A temperature sensor is provided in the vegetable compartment 205, and the opening/closing operation of the vegetable compartment damper is controlled based on the temperature detected by this temperature sensor.

Also, part of the cool air generated by cooler 303 is supplied to freezer compartment duct 311 . Cold air is supplied from the freezer compartment duct 311 to the lower freezer compartment 204 via the outlets 312 and 313 . A discharge port 314 is provided above the freezer compartment duct 311 and on the back surface of the upper freezer compartment 203 . The cool air discharged from the discharge port 314 is supplied to the ice making compartment 202 and the upper freezer compartment 203 . A duct cover 401 , which will be described later, is attached to the top surface of the upper freezer compartment 203 using screws, and the duct cover 401 forms a cool air passage 315 . A rapid cooling fan 316 is provided in front of the duct cover 401 , and cool air supplied to the upper freezer compartment 203 from the discharge port 314 is guided to the rapid cooling fan 316 through a cold air passage 315 . The method of attaching the duct cover 401 to the top surface of the upper freezer compartment 203 is not limited to screws, and other methods such as welding may be used.

Next, the upper freezer compartment 203 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. FIG. 4 is a top view of the ice making compartment 202 and the upper freezer compartment 203 . FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the upper freezer compartment 203. As shown in FIG. The left side of FIG. 5 corresponds to the front side of refrigerator 100 , and the right side of FIG. 5 corresponds to the rear side of refrigerator 100 .

A duct cover 401 is attached to the top surface of the upper freezer compartment 203 , and a cool air passage 315 is formed in the space between the duct cover 401 and the top surface of the upper freezer compartment 203 . A portion of the cold air discharged from the discharge port 314 is supplied to the ice making chamber 202 as indicated by an arrow 402, and a portion of the cold air discharged from the discharge port 314 is supplied to the cold air passage 315 as indicated by an arrow 403. be.

A rapid cooling fan 316 is provided in front of the cool air passage 315 . When the rapid cooling fan 316 starts rotating, most of the cold air discharged from the discharge port 314 concentrates on the rapid cooling fan 316 along the cold air passage 315 . Cool air is discharged vertically downward from the rapid cooling fan 316 by the rapid cooling fan 316 . This cold air is cold air in the freezing temperature range, and the user can quickly cool the food by placing the food directly under the cooling fan 316 . In the following description, the function of rapidly cooling using the rapid cooling fan 316 may be referred to as the rapid cooling function.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a portion of the top surface of the upper freezer compartment 203 facing the rapid cooling fan 316 is recessed upward. Due to this shape, a space 501 is formed between the rapid cooling fan 316 and the top surface of the upper freezer compartment 203 . This space 501 guides cool air to the quench fan 316 with less resistance.

When the rapid cooling fan 316 starts rotating, the cool air discharged from the discharge port 314 concentrates on the rapid cooling fan 316, and the amount of cold air supplied to the ice making chamber 202 is reduced. Therefore, the function of making ice more rapidly than usual by concentrating cold air in the ice making chamber 202 cannot be used while the rapid cooling function is being executed. In the following description, the function of making ice more rapidly than normal may be referred to as the rapid ice making function. Also, if the rapid ice making function is started while the rapid cooling function is being executed, the rapid cooling function will be canceled.

A discharge port 404 is provided in the duct cover 401 . The ejection port 404 is provided at a position close to the ejection port 314 . When the rapid cooling fan 316 is stopped, the cold air supplied to the cold air passage 315 is supplied to the upper freezer compartment 203 through the outlet 404 . Cold air discharged from discharge port 404 into upper freezer compartment 203 flows along the surface of duct cover 401 . Thereby, the frost generated on the duct cover 401 can be removed.

The operation panel 600 in FIG. 6 is provided inside the refrigerator compartment 201 . The user uses this operation panel 600 to change the temperature setting of the storage compartment of the refrigerator 100, make settings related to the ice making function, and input instructions to the refrigerator 100 to execute the rapid cooling function. When the user presses the quick ice making button 606, the refrigerator 100 initiates the quick ice making function.

The user can use the rapid cooling function at a time corresponding to one of "cooling", "rapid cooling", and "rapid freezing" according to his/her purpose of use. When the user presses the rapid cooling button 601, the LED 602 corresponding to "cool down" lights up, and "5 minutes" is displayed on the display unit 605 as the rapid cooling time indicating the time to execute the rapid cooling function. Furthermore, when the user presses the rapid cooling button 601 while "5 minutes" is being displayed on the display unit 605, the LED 602 is turned off and the LED 603 corresponding to "rapid cooling" is turned on. Then, "10 minutes" is displayed on the display section 605 as the rapid cooling time. Further, when the user presses the rapid cooling button 601 while "10 minutes" is being displayed on the display unit 605, the LED 603 corresponding to "rapid cooling" remains lit and "15 minutes" is displayed on the display unit 605 as the rapid cooling time. Is displayed. Furthermore, when the user presses the rapid cooling button 601 while "15 minutes" is being displayed on the display unit 605, the LED 603 is extinguished and the LED 6 corresponding to "rapid freezing" is turned off.
04 lights up. Then, "45 minutes" is displayed on the display section 605 as the rapid cooling time. Furthermore, when the user presses the rapid cooling button 601 while "45 minutes" is being displayed on the display unit 605, the LED 604 corresponding to "rapid freezing" remains lit and "60 minutes" is displayed on the display unit 605 as the rapid cooling time. to be displayed. Furthermore, when the user presses the rapid cooling button 601 while "60 minutes" is being displayed on the display section 605, the LED 604 is turned off, and the display of the rapid cooling time by the display section 605 ends. A state in which the display unit 605 does not display the quenching time indicates that the refrigerator 100 does not perform the quenching function.

By using the operation panel 600, the user can set a desired time according to his or her purpose of use as the time for using the rapid cooling function of the refrigerator 100. FIG. Specifically, the desired time is selected from five candidates for 5 minutes corresponding to "cool down", 10 minutes and 15 minutes corresponding to "quick cooling", and 45 minutes and 60 minutes corresponding to "quick freezing". Can be set. For example, if the user wants to cool the food after cooking, the user can select 5 minutes corresponding to "cool down". In addition, when the user wants to shorten the time required for cooling the food, which has conventionally been cooled over a certain amount of time in the refrigerator compartment, the user can set the time to 10 or 15 minutes corresponding to "rapid cooling". You can choose. If the user wants to freeze food such as rice or meat, the user can select 45 minutes or 60 minutes corresponding to "quick freezing".

Next, the processing when the refrigerator 100 executes the rapid cooling function will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Refrigerator 100 includes a control board including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. Each step shown in the flow chart of FIG. 7 is implemented by the CPU expanding the program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing the program.

First, in step 701, refrigerator 100 determines whether or not to start the rapid cooling function. In this embodiment, when the door of the upper freezer compartment 203 is closed while the rapid cooling time is displayed on the display unit 605 of the operation panel 600, the refrigerator 100 determines to start the rapid cooling function. Refrigerator 100 performs the rapid cooling function when the user selects one of “cool”, “rapidly cool”, and “rapidly freeze” on operation panel 600, regardless of whether the door of upper freezer compartment 203 is closed. may be determined to start

Further, in this embodiment, the user can instruct the refrigerator 100 to start the rapid cooling function from the communication device 110 . The user uses, for example, a refrigerator application installed in the communication device 110 to input to the communication device 110 a specification of the rapid cooling time and an instruction to start the rapid cooling function. The communication device 110 transmits the specification of the rapid cooling time and the instruction to start the rapid cooling function to the server 130 via the access point 120 . Then, server 130 transmits to refrigerator 100 via access point 120 the specification of the rapid cooling time and the instruction to start the rapid cooling function. Refrigerator 100 also determines to start the rapid cooling function when refrigerator 100 receives designation of the rapid cooling time and the start instruction of the rapid cooling function from server 130 .

If refrigerator 100 determines in step 701 that the rapid cooling function should be started, the process proceeds to step 702 . Then, at step 702, refrigerator 100 initiates the quench function. Specifically, refrigerator 100 identifies the rapid cooling time designated by the user and starts rotation of rapid cooling fan 316 . At this time, refrigerator 100 lowers the number of rotations of cooling fan 304 than usual, closes all of the refrigerator compartment damper, the switching compartment damper, and the vegetable compartment damper, and increases the number of rotations of compressor 301 . These controls make it easier for cool air to concentrate on the rapid cooling fan 316, and improve the cooling efficiency of the rapid cooling function. The display section 605 displays the remaining time of the rapid cooling time. It should be noted that if refrigerator 100 starts the rapid cooling function while the rapid ice making function is being executed, cold air will concentrate on rapid cooling fan 316, so the rapid ice making function will be stopped.

Next, at step 703, refrigerator 100 determines whether or not to stop the rapid cooling function being executed. Refrigerator 100 receives via server 130 a stop command transmitted by communication device 110 when refrigerator 100 starts the quick ice making function, or when a predetermined stop operation is input on operation panel 600 . If so, it is determined to stop the rapid cooling function. If refrigerator 100 determines to stop the rapid cooling function, the process proceeds to step 706 . On the other hand, if refrigerator 100 determines not to stop the rapid cooling function, the process proceeds to step 704 .

Next, step 704 will be described. In step 704, refrigerator 100 determines that the time that has elapsed since the start of rotation of quench fan 316 in step 702 (in the following description, this time may be referred to as elapsed time) Determine whether the time has been reached. When refrigerator 100 determines that the elapsed time has reached the quenching time specified in step 702 , processing proceeds to step 705 . On the other hand, if the elapsed time has not reached the quenching time specified in step 702 , processing returns to step 703 .

Next, step 705 will be described. At step 705, refrigerator 100 completes the quench function. Specifically, the refrigerator 100 stops the rotation of the rapid cooling fan 316 and notifies the user of the completion of the rapid cooling function by playing a voice message or a predetermined melody indicating the completion of the rapid cooling function. At this time, the refrigerator 100 returns the rotation speed of the cooling fan 304 to the normal rotation speed, returns the control of the refrigerator compartment damper, the switching compartment damper, and the vegetable compartment damper to normal control, and restores the rotation speed of the compressor 301 to the normal rotation speed. return to rpm.

Next, step 706 will be described. At step 706, refrigerator 100 ceases the quench function. More specifically, the refrigerator 100 stops the rotation of the rapid cooling fan 316 and notifies the user that the rapid cooling function has been stopped by playing a voice message indicating that the rapid cooling function has been stopped. Refrigerator 100 returns the rotation speed of cooling fan 304 to the normal rotation speed, returns the control of the refrigerator compartment damper, the switching compartment damper, and the vegetable compartment damper to normal control, and restores the rotation speed of compressor 301 to the normal rotation speed. return to rpm.

As described above, the user can specify a desired rapid cooling time from a plurality of candidates corresponding to "cool down", "rapid cooling", and "rapid freezing" according to the purpose of using the rapid cooling function.
(Embodiment 2)
In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the control of the rapid cooling fan 316 is changed when the user designates "cool down" in the rapid cooling function. The configuration of the refrigerator 100 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and is the same as the configuration described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG.

Processing when the refrigerator 100 executes the rapid cooling function will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. Refrigerator 100 includes a control board including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. Each step shown in the flow charts of FIGS. 8 and 9 is realized by the CPU expanding the program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing the program.

First, in step 801, refrigerator 100 determines whether or not to start the rapid cooling function. When the door of the upper freezer compartment 203 is closed while the rapid cooling time is displayed on the display unit 605 of the operation panel 600, the refrigerator 100 determines to start the rapid cooling function. Also, when refrigerator 100 receives designation of the rapid cooling time and the instruction to start the rapid cooling function from server 130, refrigerator 100 determines to start the rapid cooling function.

If refrigerator 100 determines in step 801 that the rapid cooling function should be started, the process proceeds to step 802 . At step 802, refrigerator 100 determines whether or not the rapid cooling mode of the rapid cooling function is "cool". If the user specifies "cool down", refrigerator 100 determines that the rapid cooling mode is "cool down", and the process proceeds to step 901 in FIG. On the other hand, if the user has designated "rapid cooling" or "rapid freezing", refrigerator 100 determines that the rapid cooling mode is not "cooling down", and the process proceeds to step 803.

Processing when the user designates "rapid cooling" or "rapid freezing" will be described. At step 803, refrigerator 100 initiates the quench function. Specifically, refrigerator 100 identifies the rapid cooling time designated by the user and starts rotation of rapid cooling fan 316 . At this time, refrigerator 100 lowers the number of rotations of cooling fan 304 than usual, closes all of the refrigerator compartment damper, the switching compartment damper, and the vegetable compartment damper, and increases the number of rotations of compressor 301 . These controls make it easier for cool air to concentrate on the rapid cooling fan 316, and improve the cooling efficiency of the rapid cooling function.

Next, at step 804, refrigerator 100 determines whether or not to stop the active cooling function. Refrigerator 100 receives via server 130 a stop command transmitted by communication device 110 when refrigerator 100 starts the quick ice making function, or when a predetermined stop operation is input on operation panel 600 . If so, it is determined to stop the rapid cooling function. If refrigerator 100 determines to stop the rapid cooling function, the process proceeds to step 807 . On the other hand, if refrigerator 100 determines not to stop the rapid cooling function, the process proceeds to step 805 .

Next, step 805 will be explained. In step 805, the refrigerator 100 determines that the time elapsed since the rapid cooling fan 316 started rotating in step 803 (this time may be referred to as the elapsed time in the following description) is equal to the rapid cooling specified in step 803. Determine whether the time has been reached. When refrigerator 100 determines that the elapsed time has reached the quenching time specified in step 803 , processing proceeds to step 806 . On the other hand, if the elapsed time has not reached the quenching time specified in step 803 , the process returns to step 804 .

Next, step 806 will be described. At step 806, refrigerator 100 completes the quench function. Specifically, the refrigerator 100 stops the rotation of the rapid cooling fan 316 and notifies the user of the completion of the rapid cooling function by playing a voice message or a predetermined melody indicating the completion of the rapid cooling function. At this time, the refrigerator 100 returns the rotation speed of the cooling fan 304 to the normal rotation speed, returns the control of the refrigerator compartment damper, the switching compartment damper, and the vegetable compartment damper to normal control, and restores the rotation speed of the compressor 301 to the normal rotation speed. return to rpm.

Next, step 807 will be explained. At step 807, refrigerator 100 ceases the rapid cooling function. More specifically, the refrigerator 100 stops the rotation of the rapid cooling fan 316 and notifies the user that the rapid cooling function has been stopped by playing a voice message indicating that the rapid cooling function has been stopped. Refrigerator 100 returns the rotation speed of cooling fan 304 to the normal rotation speed, returns the control of the refrigerator compartment damper, the switching compartment damper, and the vegetable compartment damper to normal control, and restores the rotation speed of compressor 301 to the normal rotation speed. return to rpm.

Next, the processing when the user designates "cool down" will be described. In step 901 of FIG. 9, refrigerator 100 initiates the quench function. Specifically, refrigerator 100 identifies the rapid cooling time designated by the user and starts rotation of rapid cooling fan 316 . At this time, refrigerator 100 lowers the number of rotations of cooling fan 304 than usual, closes all of the refrigerator compartment damper, the switching compartment damper, and the vegetable compartment damper, and increases the number of rotations of compressor 301 . These controls make it easier for cool air to concentrate on the rapid cooling fan 316, and improve the cooling efficiency of the rapid cooling function.

Next, at step 902, refrigerator 100 determines whether or not to stop the rapid cooling function being executed. If refrigerator 100 determines to stop the rapid cooling function, the process proceeds to step 911 . On the other hand, if refrigerator 100 determines not to stop the rapid cooling function, the process proceeds to step 903 .

Next, in step 903, refrigerator 100 determines whether the time that has elapsed since the rapid cooling fan 316 started rotating in step 901 (this time may be referred to as elapsed time in the following description) has reached T1. determine whether or not T1 is, for example, 1 minute. When refrigerator 100 determines that the elapsed time has reached T1, the process proceeds to step 904 . On the other hand, if the elapsed time has not reached T1, the process returns to step 902 .

Next, step 904 will be described. At step 904 , refrigerator 100 stops rotation of quench fan 316 .

Next, at step 905, refrigerator 100 determines whether or not to stop the rapid cooling function being executed. If refrigerator 100 determines to stop the rapid cooling function, the process proceeds to step 911 . On the other hand, if refrigerator 100 determines not to stop the rapid cooling function, the process proceeds to step 906 .

Next, at step 906, refrigerator 100 determines whether the elapsed time has reached T2. T2 is, for example, 4 minutes. When refrigerator 100 determines that the elapsed time has reached T2, the process proceeds to step 907 . On the other hand, if the elapsed time has not reached T2, the process returns to step 905 .

Next, step 907 will be explained. At step 907, refrigerator 100 restarts the stopped rapid cooling fan 316 to rotate.

Next, at step 908, refrigerator 100 determines whether or not to stop the active cooling function. If refrigerator 100 determines to stop the rapid cooling function, the process proceeds to step 911 . On the other hand, if refrigerator 100 determines not to stop the rapid cooling function, the process proceeds to step 909 .

Next, at step 909 , refrigerator 100 determines whether the elapsed time has reached the rapid cooling time specified at step 901 . When refrigerator 100 determines that the elapsed time has reached the quenching time specified in step 901 , the process proceeds to step 910 . On the other hand, if the elapsed time has not reached the quenching time specified in step 901 , the process returns to step 908 .

Next, step 910 will be described. At step 910, refrigerator 100 completes the quench function. Specifically, the refrigerator 100 stops the rotation of the rapid cooling fan 316 and notifies the user of the completion of the rapid cooling function by playing a voice message or a predetermined melody indicating the completion of the rapid cooling function. At this time, the refrigerator 100 returns the rotation speed of the cooling fan 304 to the normal rotation speed, returns the control of the refrigerator compartment damper, the switching compartment damper, and the vegetable compartment damper to normal control, and restores the rotation speed of the compressor 301 to the normal rotation speed. return to rpm.

Next, step 911 will be explained. At step 911, refrigerator 100 ceases the rapid cooling function. More specifically, the refrigerator 100 stops the rotation of the rapid cooling fan 316 and notifies the user that the rapid cooling function has been stopped by playing a voice message indicating that the rapid cooling function has been stopped. Refrigerator 100 returns the rotation speed of cooling fan 304 to the normal rotation speed, returns the control of the refrigerator compartment damper, the switching compartment damper, and the vegetable compartment damper to normal control, and restores the rotation speed of compressor 301 to the normal rotation speed. return to rpm.

As described above, when the user designates "cool" in the rapid cooling function, the operation of the rapid cooling fan 316 is switched in order of rotation, stop, and rotation. That is, "cool" is a mode in which the rapid cooling fan 316 is stopped until the rapid cooling function ends.
By generating a period during which the 6 is stopped, it is possible to prevent the food subject to the rapid cooling function from being excessively cooled. Note that the values of T1 and T2 can be set to arbitrary values within a range that satisfies "0<T1<T2<rapid cooling time set by the user".

Further, when the user designates "rapid cooling" or "rapid freezing" in the rapid cooling function, the rapid cooling fan 316 continues to rotate without stopping. That is, the "rapid cooling" and "rapid freezing" are modes in which the rapid cooling fan 316 continues to rotate until the rapid cooling function ends, which can accelerate the cooling of the food.
(Embodiment 3)
A modification of the processing described in the first and second embodiments will be described. If the door of the upper freezer compartment 203 is opened during execution of the rapid cooling function, the rotating sound of the rapid cooling fan 316 is likely to leak to the outside of the refrigerator 100 . Therefore, when the door of upper freezer compartment 203 is opened during execution of the rapid cooling function, refrigerator 100 may temporarily stop rotation of rapid cooling fan 316 . As a result, it is possible to prevent the rotation sound of the cooling fan 316 from leaking to the outside of the refrigerator 100 when the door of the upper freezer compartment 203 is opened. Then, when the door of upper freezer compartment 203 is closed again, refrigerator 100 resumes rotation of rapid cooling fan 316 that had been temporarily stopped.

Further, when any of the doors of refrigerator compartment 201, ice making compartment 202, lower freezer compartment 204, and vegetable compartment 205 is opened, refrigerator 100 is opened. The rotation of the rapid cooling fan 316 may be temporarily stopped. As a result, it is possible to prevent the rotation sound of the cooling fan 316 from leaking to the outside of the refrigerator 100 when the door of the upper freezer compartment 203 is opened. When these doors are closed again, refrigerator 100 resumes rotation of quench fan 316 that had been temporarily stopped.

Moreover, since the refrigerator compartment damper, the switchable compartment damper, and the vegetable compartment damper are all closed during execution of the rapid cooling function, the temperatures of the refrigerator compartment 201, the switchable compartment 310, and the vegetable compartment 205 may rise. Therefore, when it is detected that the temperature of any one of the refrigerator compartment 201, the switching compartment 310, and the vegetable compartment 205 is higher than the threshold from the detection result of the temperature sensor of each storage compartment, the refrigerator 100 responds to that storage compartment. The damper may be opened to return the rotation speed of the cooling fan 304 to the normal rotation speed. This prevents the temperature of the storage compartment from rising too much during execution of the rapid cooling function. When the temperature of the storage compartment drops, refrigerator 100 closes the damper corresponding to the storage compartment again, or closes the damper corresponding to the storage compartment again and increases the number of revolutions of cooling fan 304 to a higher level than usual. also less.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Refrigerator 203 Upper freezer compartment 315 Cold air passage 316 Rapid cooling fan 600 Operation panel

Claims (7)

A refrigerator having at least one storage compartment,
a rapid cooling fan for discharging cold air provided on the top surface of the storage chamber;
a control means for executing a rapid cooling function using the rapid cooling fan based on the rapid cooling time set by the user;
When the door of the storage chamber is opened during execution of the rapid cooling function, the control means stops rotation of the rapid cooling fan,
A time selected by the user from among a plurality of candidates is set as the quenching time,
The rapid cooling function has a first mode in which the rapid cooling fan continues to rotate without stopping until the rapid cooling function is completed, and a second mode in which the rapid cooling fan stops until the rapid cooling function is completed. It operates in either of the modes of
The refrigerator , wherein each of the plurality of candidates is associated with one of the first mode and the second mode . 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the shortest time of said plurality of candidates corresponds to said second mode, and the remaining candidates correspond to said first mode. 3. The control means stops rotation of the rapid cooling fan even when a door of a storage compartment other than the storage compartment is opened during execution of the rapid cooling function. Refrigerator as described. 4. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said control means restarts rotation of said rapid cooling fan when an opened door is closed. A discharge port to which cool air is supplied from a freezer compartment duct is provided on the back surface of the storage compartment,
5. The storage chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a top surface of said storage chamber is provided with a cold air passage for guiding cold air discharged from said discharge port to said rapid cooling fan. refrigerator. A refrigerating compartment is provided at the top of the refrigerator,
6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an ice making compartment and said storage compartment are provided side by side below said refrigerating compartment. 7. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said storage compartment is maintained in a freezing temperature zone.

Images