JP7569163B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed in this specification relates to refrigerators.

The refrigerator disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a refrigerator body, a door for opening and closing the front opening of the refrigerator body, and an operation panel provided in the storage compartment of the refrigerator body. The operation panel is provided with a temperature setting switch.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-264659

In the refrigerator of Patent Document 1, it is conceivable that the temperature setting switch located in the storage compartment may be pressed against the user's intention. For example, if a large amount of food is stored in the storage compartment of the refrigerator body, when the refrigerator door is closed, the temperature setting switch may be pressed by food caught between the door and the temperature setting switch. This may result in the refrigerator executing control against the user's intention. This specification therefore provides a technology that can prevent control against the user's intention from being executed when an operation button located in the storage compartment is pressed against the user's intention.

The refrigerator disclosed in this specification includes a refrigerator body, a door for opening and closing a front opening of the refrigerator body, an operation button provided in a storage compartment of the refrigerator body, and a control unit. When the operation button is pressed while the door is open, the control unit can execute control corresponding to the operation button, and when the operation button is pressed while the door is closed, the control unit prohibits the control corresponding to the operation button.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inside of a refrigerator compartment of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the operation panel according to the embodiment. 11 is a flowchart of a button process according to an embodiment.

The refrigerator 2 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the refrigerator 2 of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 2 includes a refrigerator body 10, a pair of pivoting doors 20 (left door 20a and right door 20b) pivotally fixed to the refrigerator body 10, and a control unit 100. The refrigerator 2 also includes a number of pull-out doors 120 that can be pulled out from the refrigerator body 10. The following description focuses on the pivoting door 20. The following description will be based on the directions of "left and right," "front and back," and "up and down" shown in FIG. 1. Note that the "rear" shown in FIG. 1 may also be called the "inner".

The refrigerator body 10 comprises a metal outer box 12, a resin inner box 13 arranged inside the outer box 12, and a heat insulating material (not shown) filled between the outer box 12 and the inner box 13. A pair of pivot doors 20 (a left door 20a and a right door 20b) are fixed to the outer box 12 of the refrigerator body 10. The refrigerator body 10 is provided with an opening/closing sensor 90 that detects the opening and closing of the pair of pivot doors 20.

The refrigerator body 10 is provided with a refrigeration chamber 14 for storing food and the like. The refrigeration chamber 14 is provided inside the refrigerator body 10. Food and the like can be put into and taken out of the refrigeration chamber 14 through a front opening 17 of the refrigerator body 10. In addition to the refrigeration chamber 14, the refrigerator body 10 is also provided with a freezer chamber, a vegetable chamber, an ice maker chamber, etc. (not shown). The following description focuses on the refrigeration chamber 14.

The refrigerator compartment 14 is provided at the top of the refrigerator body 10. A freezer compartment, a vegetable compartment, an ice-making compartment, etc. are provided below the refrigerator compartment 14. The refrigerator compartment 14 is set to a temperature in the refrigeration temperature range (e.g., 3-5°C). The refrigerator compartment 14 is provided inside the inner box 13 of the refrigerator body 10. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inside of the refrigerator compartment 14. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of shelves 15 are arranged vertically in the refrigerator compartment 14. Foods and the like are arranged on each shelf 15. In addition, a chilled compartment 16 is provided in the refrigerator compartment 14. The chilled compartment 16 is provided at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment 14. The chilled compartment 16 is provided below the lowest shelf 15a of the plurality of shelves 15. The chilled compartment 16 is set to a temperature range lower than the refrigeration temperature range (e.g., 0-3°C).

An operation panel 30 is fixed to the rear surface 40 of the refrigerator compartment 14 (the inner surface at the rear of the inner box 13). The rear surface 40 of the refrigerator compartment 14 extends in the left-right and up-down directions. The operation panel 30 is located above the lowest shelf 15a of the multiple shelves 15 arranged in the refrigerator compartment 14. The operation panel 30 is located at a height position between the lowest shelf 15a and the shelf 15b one level above it. The operation panel 30 is located above the chilled compartment 16.

Figure 3 is a front view of the operation panel 30. As shown in Figure 3, the operation panel 30 includes a panel body 31, a plurality of operation buttons 32, and a plurality of indicator lamps 33. The panel body 31 is fixed to the rear surface 40 of the refrigerator compartment 14 (see Figure 2). The panel body 31 protrudes inward (to the front in the front-to-rear direction) from the rear surface 40 of the refrigerator compartment 14. The panel body 31 includes an operation area 34 and a display area 35. The operation area 34 is disposed to the left of the display area 35. A plurality of operation buttons 32 are disposed in the operation area 34. The display area 35 is disposed to the right of the operation area 34. A plurality of indicator lamps 33 are disposed in the display area 35.

Each operation button 32 is, for example, a switch-type button. In a modified example, each operation button 32 may be an electrostatic touch-type button. Each operation button 32 is configured to be operable by the user. By operating the operation button 32, the user can, for example, set the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 14. In addition, by operating the operation button 32, the user can, for example, set the operation mode of the refrigerator 2. For example, ice-making operation, power-saving operation, etc. can be set by operating the operation button 32. The multiple operation buttons 32 include, for example, an ice-making button 32a and an off button 32b. The following description focuses on the ice-making button 32a out of the multiple operation buttons 32.

In the refrigerator 2, when the ice-making button 32a is pressed, the ice-making operation is performed. More specifically, when the ice-making button 32a is pressed briefly, the normal ice-making operation (an example of the first control) is performed. Pressing the ice-making button 32a briefly means that the ice-making button 32a is pressed for a time period less than a predetermined first time period (e.g., 5 seconds). Pressing the ice-making button 32a for a long time means that the ice-making button 32a is pressed for a time period greater than a predetermined first time period (e.g., 5 seconds) and less than a predetermined second time period (e.g., 10 seconds). The second time period is longer than the first time period. The rapid ice-making operation is an operation that requires less time to make ice than the normal ice-making operation. For example, ice is made in two hours in the normal ice-making operation, and in one hour in the rapid ice-making operation.

The indicator lamp 33 provided next to the operation button 32 is configured to be able to display the state of the refrigerator 2. For example, when the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 14 is set to a low temperature, a display indicating that the temperature is low is displayed on the indicator lamp 33. In this case, for example, the indicator lamp 33 lights up in green. Also, when ice-making operation is being performed in the refrigerator 2, a display indicating that ice-making operation is being performed is displayed on the indicator lamp 33. In this case, for example, the indicator lamp 33 lights up in blue.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of pivoting doors 20 (left door 20a and right door 20b) are attached to the refrigerator body 10 so as to be pivotable. The pair of pivoting doors 20 (left door 20a and right door 20b) rotate to open and close the front opening 17 of the refrigerator compartment 14. The opening and closing of the pivoting doors 20 is detected by an opening/closing sensor 90.

A number of pockets 50 are fixed to the surface of each pivot door 20 (left door 20a and right door 20b) facing the refrigerator body 10 (i.e., the inside). Each pocket 50 is provided so as to protrude toward the refrigerator body 10 (the refrigerator compartment 14). When the pivot door 20 is closed, the multiple pockets 50 are positioned in the refrigerator compartment 14. The multiple pockets 50 are arranged in a vertical line. Each of the multiple pockets 50 can store items to be refrigerated in the refrigerator compartment 14 (e.g., plastic bottles).

The control unit 100 of the refrigerator 2 includes, for example, a CPU and a memory. The control unit 100 executes various processes based on a predetermined program stored in the memory.

Next, the button processing executed by the refrigerator 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the button processing. The button processing shown in FIG. 4 is started, for example, when the refrigerator 2 is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 4, in S10 of the button process, the control unit 100 judges whether the ice making button 32a provided on the operation panel 30 in the refrigerator compartment 14 has been pressed. For example, if the user presses the ice making button 32a, the control unit 100 judges YES in S10. Even if the user does not press the ice making button 32a, for example, if the ice making button 32a is pressed by an object in the refrigerator compartment 14, the control unit 100 judges YES in S10. For example, if a large amount of food is stored in the refrigerator compartment 14, it is possible that a large amount of food in the refrigerator compartment 14 will be pushed to the back when the rotating door 20 is closed. As a result, it is possible that the ice making button 32a in the refrigerator compartment 14 will be pressed by the food. If the ice making button 32a is pressed, the control unit 100 judges YES in S10 and proceeds to S12. If not, the control unit 100 judges NO and waits.

In the next step S12, the control unit 100 determines whether the pivot door 20 is open or not. If the pivot door 20 is open, the control unit 100 judges YES in S12 and proceeds to S14. If not (if the pivot door 20 is closed), the control unit 100 judges NO and proceeds to S18. Note that in S12, the judgment is YES even if one (e.g., the left door 20a) of the pair of pivot doors 20 (left door 20a and right door 20b) is open.

In the next step S14, the control unit 100 determines whether the time that the ice-making button 32a has been pressed is equal to or longer than a first time (e.g., 5 seconds). If the ice-making button 32a has been pressed for equal to or longer than the first time, the control unit 100 judges YES in S14 and proceeds to S16. If not, the control unit 100 judges NO and proceeds to S20. If the ice-making button 32a has been pressed for a short period of time, the control unit 100 judges NO in S14. The time that the ice-making button 32a has been pressed is measured by a timer (not shown).

In S20 after NO in S14, the control unit 100 executes normal ice-making operation. When normal ice-making operation is executed, ice is produced in the refrigerator 2. Normal ice-making operation is an operation that takes longer to make ice than the quick ice-making operation.

In S16 after YES in S14, the control unit 100 determines whether the time that the ice-making button 32a has been pressed is equal to or longer than a second time (e.g., 10 seconds). If the ice-making button 32a has been pressed for equal to or longer than the second time, the control unit 100 determines YES in S16 and proceeds to S18. If not, the control unit 100 determines NO and proceeds to S22. If the ice-making button 32a has been pressed for a long time, the control unit 100 determines NO in S16. If the ice-making button 32a has been pressed for even longer than a long time, the control unit 100 determines YES in S16.

In S22 after NO in S16, the control unit 100 executes the rapid ice-making operation. When the rapid ice-making operation is executed, ice is produced in the refrigerator 2. The rapid ice-making operation is an operation in which the ice-making time is shorter than that of the normal ice-making operation.

In S18 after NO in S12 or YES in S16, the control unit 100 prohibits ice-making operation (normal ice-making operation and quick ice-making operation). In S18, ice-making operation is not performed. If the ice-making button 32a is pressed but the rotating door 20 is closed (NO in S12), or if the ice-making button 32a is pressed longer than a long press even if the rotating door 20 is open (YES in S16), ice-making operation is not performed. After the processes of S18, S20, and S22, the control unit 100 repeats each process described above.

The refrigerator 2 of the embodiment has been described above. As is clear from the above description, the refrigerator 2 has an ice-making button 32a provided in the refrigerator compartment 14 of the refrigerator body 10. If the ice-making button 32a is pressed while the rotating door 20 of the refrigerator 2 is open, the control unit 100 can execute control according to the ice-making button 32a (normal ice-making operation and quick ice-making operation) (YES in S12 of FIG. 4, S20, S22). In addition, if the ice-making button 32a is pressed while the rotating door 20 is closed, the control unit 100 prohibits control according to the ice-making button 32a (NO in S12 of FIG. 4, S18).

When the ice making button 32a is pressed while the rotating door 20 is open, it is considered that the user has opened the rotating door 20 and pressed the ice making button 32a. Therefore, in this case, the control unit 100 can execute the ice making operation according to the ice making button 32a, thereby executing control according to the user's intention. On the other hand, when the ice making button 32a is pressed while the rotating door 20 is closed, it is considered that the ice making button 32a is pressed against the user's intention. For example, it is considered that the ice making button 32a is pressed by food in the refrigerator compartment 14 when a large amount of food is stored in the refrigerator compartment 14. In this case, the control unit 100 can prohibit the ice making operation, thereby preventing control against the user's intention from being executed.

In the above refrigerator 2, if the ice making button 32a is pressed for less than a predetermined first time (e.g., 5 seconds) while the rotating door 20 is open, the control unit 100 executes a normal ice making operation according to the time the ice making button 32a is pressed (YES in S12, NO in S14, S20 in FIG. 4). Also, if the ice making button 32a is pressed for less than a predetermined second time (e.g., 10 seconds) that is equal to or greater than the first time while the rotating door 20 is open, the control unit 100 executes a one-shot ice making operation according to the time the ice making button 32a is pressed (YES in S12, YES in S14, NO in S16, S22). Furthermore, if the rotating door 20 is open and the ice making button 32a is pressed for a second period of time or longer, the control unit 100 prohibits normal ice making operation and quick ice making operation (YES in S12, YES in S14, YES in S16, S18).

In this configuration, when the ice making button 32a is pressed for a short time while the rotating door 20 is open, the normal ice making operation can be performed according to the user's intention. When the ice making button 32a is pressed for a long time while the rotating door 20 is open, the ice making operation can be performed in one go according to the user's intention. On the other hand, when the ice making button 32a is pressed for a longer time than the long press, it is considered that the ice making button 32a is pressed against the user's intention because the time that the ice making button 32a is pressed is too long even when the rotating door 20 is open. For example, when a large amount of food is stored in the refrigerator compartment 14, the ice making button 32a may be pressed when the user puts more food into the refrigerator compartment 14. In this case, the user intended to store food, not to press the ice making button 32a. In this case, the control unit 100 prohibits the normal ice making operation and the one go ice making operation, thereby suppressing the execution of control against the user's intention.

Although one embodiment has been described above, the specific aspect is not limited to the above embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted.

(Modification)
(1) In the above embodiment, the normal ice-making operation is an example of the first control, and the quick ice-making operation is an example of the second control, but this is not limiting. In a modified example, the first control may be weak cooling operation, and the second control may be strong/weak cooling operation. In this case, the operation button 32 is pressed to set the cooling strength.

(2) The location of the operation panel 30 within the refrigerator compartment 14 is not particularly limited. In a modified example, the operation panel 30 may be provided on the side of the refrigerator compartment 14, rather than on the rear surface 40 of the refrigerator compartment 14. In addition, the location and number of the operation buttons 32 on the operation panel 30 are not particularly limited.

(3) In the above embodiment, a pivoting door 20 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The above technology can also be applied to a pull-out door 120.

(4) In a configuration in which ice-making operation is prohibited when ice-making button 32a is pressed for a second time period (e.g., 10 seconds) or longer, the rapid ice-making operation may be started once when ice-making button 32a is pressed for a first time period (e.g., 5 seconds) or longer, and then stopped when ice-making button 32a is pressed for a second time period (e.g., 10 seconds) or longer. That is, when rotating door 20 is open and ice-making button 32a is pressed for a first time period or longer, control unit 100 may start rapid ice-making operation, and when ice-making button 32a is pressed for a second time period or longer while ice-making button 32a continues to be pressed after rapid ice-making operation has started, control unit 100 may end the rapid ice-making operation that has started.

(5) In a modified example, when the ice-making operation (normal ice-making operation or rapid ice-making operation) is being performed in the refrigerator 2, if the OFF button 32b (see FIG. 3) is pressed with the rotating door 20 open, the control unit 100 may be configured to end the ice-making operation in progress. Also, when the ice-making operation (normal ice-making operation or rapid ice-making operation) is being performed in the refrigerator 2, if the OFF button 32b is pressed with the rotating door 20 closed, the control unit 100 may prohibit control to end the ice-making operation in progress. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent control to end the ice-making operation from being executed against the user's intention.

Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exert technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of those objectives is itself technically useful.

2: refrigerator, 10: refrigerator body, 12: outer box, 13: inner box, 14: refrigerator compartment, 15: shelf, 16: chilled compartment, 17: front opening, 20: pivoting door, 30: operation panel, 31: panel body, 32: operation button, 32a: ice making button, 32b: off button, 33: indicator lamp, 40: back surface, 50: pocket, 90: opening/closing sensor, 100: control unit

Claims (3)

The refrigerator body,
A door for opening and closing a front opening of the refrigerator body;
An operation button provided in a storage compartment of the refrigerator body;
A control unit,
The operation button faces an area above a shelf on which a storage item can be placed in the storage chamber,
The control unit is capable of executing control corresponding to the operation button when the operation button is pressed while the door is open, and prohibits the control corresponding to the operation button when the operation button is pressed while the door is closed. The refrigerator body,
A door for opening and closing a front opening of the refrigerator body;
An operation button provided in a storage compartment of the refrigerator body;
A control unit,
The control unit is
When the operation button is pressed while the door is closed, the control corresponding to the operation button is prohibited;
When the operation button is pressed for a period of time shorter than a predetermined first period of time while the door is open, a predetermined first control is executed according to the period of time the operation button is pressed;
when the operation button is pressed for a period of time equal to or longer than the first period of time and shorter than a predetermined second period of time longer than the first period of time while the door is open, a predetermined second control is executed according to the period of time the operation button is pressed;
the refrigerator prohibits the first control and the second control when the operation button is pressed for the second period of time or longer while the door is open. The refrigerator body,
A door for opening and closing a front opening of the refrigerator body;
An operation button provided in a storage compartment of the refrigerator body;
A control unit,
The control unit is
When the operation button is pressed while the door is closed, the control corresponding to the operation button is prohibited;
When the operation button is pressed for a period of time shorter than a predetermined first period of time while the door is open, a predetermined first control is executed according to the period of time the operation button is pressed;
When the operation button is pressed for a period of time equal to or longer than the first period of time while the door is open, a second control different from the first control is started;
When the operation button continues to be pressed even after the second control is started, if the operation button is pressed for the second time period or longer, the refrigerator terminates the started second control.

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