JP7640429B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerator.

In a refrigerator, when stored items such as food are placed in the refrigerator compartment, which is cooled to the refrigeration temperature range, the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment rises. For this reason, refrigerators have been devised that are designed to rapidly cool the interior of the refrigerator compartment when a stored item is placed inside the refrigerator compartment. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an example of this type of refrigerator, which is configured to supply cold air into the refrigerator compartment using two cold air ducts when it detects that a stored item has been placed inside the refrigerator compartment. With a refrigerator configured in this way, it is possible to quickly resolve the state in which the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment rises as a result of the placement of a stored item inside the refrigerator compartment.

JP 2018-179469 A

Now, some refrigerators are provided with a storage compartment that has a weaker cooling strength than other storage compartments. For example, a small freezer compartment in a refrigerator is an example of a storage compartment that has a weaker cooling strength than a large freezer compartment that is cooled to a freezing temperature range.

It is also believed that by applying the above-mentioned conventional technology to such a storage chamber with weak cooling strength, it is possible to quickly resolve the state in which the temperature in the storage chamber rises as stored items are placed in the storage chamber. However, in a storage chamber with weak cooling strength, even if multiple cold air ducts are used to rapidly cool the temperature, the cooling strength will remain at a weak level, making it difficult to quickly cool to the desired temperature range. Therefore, even if the above-mentioned conventional technology is applied to a storage chamber with weak cooling strength, it will take a long time for the temperature in the storage chamber to pass through the maximum ice crystal formation zone, for example, the temperature zone from -1 degree to -5 degrees, and there is a problem that the stored items will be damaged by ice nuclei.

Therefore, this embodiment provides a refrigerator that can quickly eliminate the condition in a storage compartment where the temperature rises due to the placement of items in the storage compartment, even if the storage compartment has a weak cooling strength.

The refrigerator according to this embodiment includes a storage compartment that is cooled to a predetermined temperature range, a cold air supply port that supplies cold air into the storage compartment, an opening/closing unit that opens and closes the cold air supply port, a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature inside the storage compartment, and an opening/closing control unit that controls the opening and closing of the cold air supply port by the opening/closing unit, and the opening/closing control unit adjusts the opening and closing state of the cold air supply port by the opening/closing unit when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration example of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing a schematic configuration example of a small freezer compartment and its surroundings in a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of opening and closing control of an opening/closing device performed by the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of opening and closing control of an opening/closing device by a refrigerator according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of opening and closing control of an opening/closing device by a refrigerator according to a third embodiment.

Several embodiments of the refrigerator will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that elements that are substantially the same in the various embodiments will be given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

First Embodiment
The refrigerator 10 shown in Fig. 1 includes a rectangular insulated box 11 that constitutes the outer shell of the refrigerator, and includes a plurality of storage compartments 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 in which food and other items are stored. Although not shown in detail, the insulated box 11 includes a heat insulating material between an inner box and an outer box. As the heat insulating material constituting the insulated box 11, various heat insulating materials can be used, such as a vacuum heat insulating panel, urethane foam, and a heat insulating molded body made of a heat insulating material.

In this case, storage chamber 12 is a refrigerator chamber that is maintained in the refrigerator temperature range. Hereinafter, storage chamber 12 may be referred to as "refrigerator chamber 12". In this case, storage chamber 13 is a vegetable chamber that is maintained in the refrigerator temperature range. Hereinafter, storage chamber 13 may be referred to as "vegetable chamber 13". In this case, storage chamber 14 is an ice-making chamber that is maintained in the freezing temperature range. Hereinafter, storage chamber 14 may be referred to as "ice-making chamber 14". In this case, storage chamber 15 is a small freezing chamber that is maintained in the freezing temperature range. Hereinafter, storage chamber 15 may be referred to as "small freezing chamber 15". In this case, storage chamber 16 is a large freezing chamber that is maintained in the freezing temperature range. Hereinafter, storage chamber 16 may be referred to as "large freezing chamber 16".

The refrigerator compartment 12 is the uppermost storage compartment among the multiple storage compartments 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 that the refrigerator 10 has. The vegetable compartment 13 is provided below the refrigerator compartment 12 and is located in the center of the insulated box 11 in the vertical direction. The ice making compartment 14 and the small freezing compartment 15 are provided below the vegetable compartment 13 and are lined up along the horizontal direction of the refrigerator 10 within the insulated box 11. The large freezing compartment 16 is provided below the ice making compartment 14 and the small freezing compartment 15 within the insulated box 11. The large freezing compartment 16 is the lowermost storage compartment among the multiple storage compartments 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 that the refrigerator 10 has. In this embodiment, the large freezing compartment 16 is provided directly below the ice making compartment 14 and the small freezing compartment 15 without any other storage compartments between them.

The front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12 is opened and closed by two storage compartment doors 12D[L] and 12D[R] that can rotate left and right, i.e., two refrigerator compartment doors 12D[L] and 12D[R] that open like double doors. The front opening of the vegetable compartment 13 is opened and closed by a storage compartment door that can move forward and backward, i.e., a vegetable compartment door 13D that can be pulled out. The front opening of the ice making compartment 14 is opened and closed by a storage compartment door that can move forward and backward, i.e., a pull-out type ice making compartment door 14D. The front opening of the small freezer compartment 15 is opened and closed by a storage compartment door that can move forward and backward, i.e., a pull-out type small freezer compartment door 15D. The front opening of the large freezer compartment 16 is opened and closed by a storage compartment door that can move forward and backward, i.e., a pull-out type large freezer compartment door 16D.

Next, a configuration example of the small freezer compartment 15 and its surrounding area of the refrigerator 10 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator 10 has a cold air generation chamber 21 at the rear of the small freezer compartment 15 and the large freezer compartment 16. Inside the cold air generation chamber 21, a freezer cooler 21A and a freezer blower 21B are provided. The freezer cooler 21A is provided in a part of the cold air generation chamber 21 that is the rear of the large freezer compartment 16. The freezer blower 21B is provided in a part of the cold air generation chamber 21 that is the rear of the small freezer compartment 15.

The refrigeration cooler 21A constitutes a well-known refrigeration cycle together with a compressor, a radiator, a throttle, a refrigeration cooler, a switching valve, etc. (not shown). The refrigeration cooler 21A is cooled as the compressor circulates the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle, and generates cold air. The cold air generated by the refrigeration cooler 21A is blown by the refrigeration blower 21B and is supplied from the cold air supply port 15a into the small freezer chamber 15, and from the cold air supply port 16a into the large freezer chamber 16. This causes the small freezer chamber 15 and the large freezer chamber 16 to be cooled to the predetermined freezing temperature ranges set for each chamber.

Here, the cold air supply port 16a is directly connected to the cold air generation chamber 21 at the rear of the large freezer chamber 16. Therefore, the cold air in the cold air generation chamber 21 is easily supplied to the large freezer chamber 16, and therefore the cooling strength is stronger than that of the small freezer chamber 15. In this case, the large freezer chamber 16 can be cooled to a strong freezing temperature range, for example, from -15 degrees to -20 degrees. The strong freezing temperature range can be changed as appropriate within the temperature range in which stored items can be frozen.

On the other hand, the cold air supply port 15a is indirectly connected to the cold air generation chamber 21 via the connecting air duct 22 at the rear of the small freezing chamber 15. Therefore, the cold air in the cold air generation chamber 21 is less easily supplied to the small freezing chamber 15 than to the large freezing chamber 16, and therefore the cooling strength is weaker than that of the large freezing chamber 16. In this case, the small freezing chamber 15 can be cooled to a weak freezing temperature range, for example, from -7 degrees to -12 degrees. The weak freezing temperature range can be appropriately changed and set to a temperature range in which stored items can be frozen and which is higher than the strong freezing temperature range described above.

The strong freezing temperature zone and the weak freezing temperature zone can be set manually by the user via an operation unit (not shown) provided in the refrigerator 10. The operation unit (not shown) is, for example, built into the front of the refrigerator compartment door 12D[L] or the front of the refrigerator compartment door 12D[R]. The refrigerator 10 may also be configured to automatically set the strong freezing temperature zone and the weak freezing temperature zone according to the cooling mode being executed.

The refrigerator 10 also includes an opening/closing device 23. The opening/closing device 23 is an example of an opening/closing section. The opening/closing device 23 is a so-called damper, and in this case, is provided midway within the connecting air duct 22. The opening/closing device 23 performs an opening/closing operation within the connecting air duct 22 to switch the cold air supply port 15a between an open state in which cold air can be supplied to the small freezer compartment 15 and a closed state in which cold air cannot be supplied to the small freezer compartment 15. That is, although the opening/closing device 23 is provided within the connecting air duct 22, it has the function of indirectly opening and closing the cold air supply port 15a. The opening/closing device 23 may be provided at the cold air supply port 15a instead of within the connecting air duct 22. According to this configuration example, the opening/closing device 23 can directly open and close the cold air supply port 15a.

The refrigerator 10 also includes a temperature sensor 24 in the small freezer compartment 15. The temperature sensor 24 is an example of a temperature detection unit, and is configured to be able to detect the temperature in the small freezer compartment 15. In this case, the temperature sensor 24 is provided on the rear surface of the small freezer compartment 15. The temperature sensor 24 is also provided in the vicinity of the cold air supply port 15a. The temperature sensor 24 can be positioned as appropriate as long as it is in a position where it can detect the temperature in the small freezer compartment 15.

In addition, a heat insulating material 26 is provided inside the partition wall separating the small freezing chamber 15 from the large freezing chamber 16. According to this configuration example, the heat insulating material 26 can prevent the cold heat in the large freezing chamber 16 from being transferred to the small freezing chamber 15. This prevents the small freezing chamber 15 from being cooled more than necessary, making it easier to maintain the small freezing chamber 15 in a weak freezing temperature range. Note that various heat insulating materials can be used as the heat insulating material 26, such as vacuum insulation panels, urethane foam, and heat insulating molded bodies made from insulating materials.

Next, an example of the configuration of the control system equipped in the refrigerator 10 will be described. The control device 31 illustrated in FIG. 3 is mainly configured, for example, by a microcomputer, and is configured to be able to control the overall operation of the refrigerator 10 based on a control program and various setting information. The control device 31 is connected to various drive system components equipped in the refrigerator 10, such as the compressor and refrigeration blower (not shown) described above. The control device 31 is configured to be able to control the overall operation of the refrigerator 10 by controlling the drive of these drive system components.

The control device 31 is also connected to the opening/closing device 23 and temperature detection sensor 24 described above. The control device 31 is configured to be able to control the opening and closing of the cold air supply port 15a by the opening/closing device 23 based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor 24, i.e., the temperature inside the small freezer compartment 15. The control device 31 having such a function can be defined as an example of an opening/closing control unit.

Next, an example of the opening and closing control of the opening and closing device 23 by the control device 31 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4. Note that the waveform illustrated with the symbol S in FIG. 4 shows an example of change in temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor 24, i.e., the temperature inside the small freezer compartment 15. Also, the waveform illustrated with the symbol P in FIG. 4 shows an example of change in temperature of a stored item placed in the small freezer compartment 15. Also, the waveform illustrated with the symbol D in FIG. 4 shows an example of change in the open/closed state of the opening and closing device 23.

As shown in FIG. 4, a predetermined start threshold Ka and a predetermined end threshold Kb are set in the refrigerator 10. In this case, the predetermined start threshold Ka is the upper limit temperature of the weak freezing temperature range set at that time or a temperature close to that limit. The predetermined end threshold Kb is the lower limit temperature of the weak freezing temperature range set at that time or a temperature close to that limit.

The control device 31 basically executes normal control. In this normal control, the control device 31 is configured to open the cold air supply port 15a by the opening/closing device 23 when the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24 reaches, i.e., rises to, a predetermined start threshold value Ka. As a result, the control device 31 starts to supply cold air into the small freezer compartment 15, and the temperature S in the small freezer compartment 15 drops accordingly.

In addition, in this normal control, the control device 31 is configured to close the cold air supply port 15a by the opening/closing device 23 when the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24 reaches, i.e., drops, a predetermined termination threshold value Kb. As a result, the control device 31 stops the supply of cold air to the small freezer compartment 15, and the temperature S in the small freezer compartment 15 rises.

By executing this normal control, the control device 31 maintains the temperature inside the small freezer compartment 15 cooled within the weak freezing temperature range.

However, when, for example, a stored item above room temperature or above the upper limit temperature of the weak freezing temperature range is placed in the small freezer compartment 15, the heat from the stored item causes the temperature S inside the small freezer compartment 15 to rise. As a result, the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24 rises. Then, when the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24 exceeds a predetermined start threshold value Ka, the control device 31 switches the control being executed from normal control to special control.

In this special control, the control device 31 adjusts the opening and closing mode of the cold air supply port 15a by the opening and closing device 23. In other words, the control device 31 makes the opening and closing mode of the cold air supply port 15a by the opening and closing device 23 different from the opening and closing mode in normal control.

To explain in more detail, in this special control, when the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24 exceeds a predetermined start threshold Ka, the control device 31 maintains the open state in which the opening/closing device 23 opens the cold air supply port 15a until a predetermined time T1 has elapsed from that point. At this time, the control device 31 maintains the open state in which the opening/closing device 23 opens the cold air supply port 15a until the predetermined time T1 has elapsed, even if the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24 reaches, i.e., drops, to the predetermined end threshold Kb.

That is, in the special control, the control device 31 continues to supply cold air from the cold air supply port 15a to the small freezer compartment 15 even after the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24, i.e., the temperature S inside the small freezer compartment 15, has been cooled to below the predetermined termination threshold value Kb. This allows the control device 31 to promote the cooling of the stored items in the small freezer compartment 15, making it easier for the stored items to become supercooled.

Here, the portion of the waveform P illustrated in FIG. 4 surrounded by the dashed line Q indicates that the stored item placed in the small freezer 15 is in a supercooled state. In the stored item in which the supercooled state has occurred, the moisture contained in the stored item is cooled to a temperature below the freezing point without solidifying and remaining in a liquid state. This makes it possible to prevent ice nuclei from being formed in the stored item, in this case large ice nuclei that may destroy the structure of the stored item. In the control example illustrated in FIG. 4, the predetermined time T1 can be changed and set as appropriate. In addition, when the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24 first reaches the start threshold value Ka after the predetermined time T1 has elapsed, the control device 31 switches the control to be executed from the special control to the normal control. In other words, the control device 31 returns from the state in which the special control is executed to the state in which the normal control is executed. In addition, the condition for switching the control executed by the control device 31 from the special control to the normal control can be changed and set as appropriate.

According to the refrigerator 10 illustrated above, when the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24, i.e., the temperature S inside the small freezer compartment 15, exceeds a predetermined start threshold value Ka, the control device 31 is configured to adjust the opening and closing state of the cold air supply port 15a by the opening and closing device 23 to continue supplying cold air to the small freezer compartment 15 even after the inside of the small freezer compartment 15 has been cooled to below the predetermined end threshold value Kb.

According to this configuration example, even if the small freezing chamber 15 has a weaker cooling strength than the large freezing chamber 16, the state in which the temperature in the small freezing chamber 15 rises due to the introduction of stored items into the small freezing chamber 15 can be quickly resolved. In addition, the rapid freezing of the stored items in the small freezing chamber 15 can be promoted, and the time required to pass through the so-called maximum ice crystal formation zone can be shortened as much as possible. This makes it possible to suppress the formation of ice nuclei in the stored items, especially large ice nuclei that could destroy the structure of the stored items, and to prevent damage to the stored items caused by such ice nuclei.

Second Embodiment
5, when the control device 31 starts the special control in response to the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24 exceeding the predetermined start threshold value Ka, the opening/closing device 23 first maintains the closed state in which the cold air supply port 15a is closed until the predetermined time T2 has elapsed. Then, the control device 31 maintains the open state in which the opening/closing device 23 maintains the cold air supply port 15a open until the predetermined time T3 has elapsed. At this time, the control device 31 maintains the open state in which the opening/closing device 23 maintains the cold air supply port 15a open until the predetermined time T3 has elapsed, even if the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24 reaches, i.e., drops, to the predetermined end threshold value Kb.

As described above, in the second embodiment, when the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24, i.e., the temperature S inside the small freezer compartment 15, exceeds a predetermined start threshold value Ka, the control device 31 is configured to first close the cold air supply port 15a to stop the supply of cold air into the small freezer compartment 15, and then open the cold air supply port 15a to supply cold air into the small freezer compartment 15.

According to verification experiments conducted by the inventors of the present application, it was confirmed that providing a period during which cold air is not supplied to a stored item during the cooling process makes the stored item more likely to become supercooled. The reason for this is that, for example, by preventing cold air from being applied to the stored item, it is possible to prevent vibrations and shocks from being applied to the moisture in the stored item, which is thought to make it more likely to become supercooled.

According to the control example illustrated in the second embodiment, a period T2 is provided during which cold air is not supplied during the process of cooling the stored items. This makes it easier for the stored items to become supercooled, in other words, makes it harder for ice nuclei to form in the stored items, and therefore more effectively prevents the stored items from being damaged by ice nuclei. In the control example illustrated in FIG. 5, the predetermined times T2 and T3 can be changed and set as appropriate. After the predetermined time T3 has elapsed, when the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24 first reaches the start threshold value Ka, the control device 31 switches the control to be executed from the special control to the normal control. In other words, the control device 31 returns from the state in which the special control is executed to the state in which the normal control is executed. In addition, the conditions for switching the control executed by the control device 31 from the special control to the normal control can be changed and set as appropriate.

Third Embodiment
In the control example illustrated in FIG. 6, a plurality of start thresholds Ka are set, in this case a first start threshold Ka1, a second start threshold Ka2, and a third start threshold Ka3. The first start threshold Ka1 is an example of a basic start threshold, the second start threshold Ka2 is an example of a first special start threshold, and the third start threshold Ka3 is an example of a second special start threshold. In this case, the second start threshold Ka2 is set to a value higher than the first start threshold Ka1, and the third start threshold Ka3 is set to a value higher than the second start threshold Ka2. That is, for the plurality of thresholds, a magnitude relationship of third start threshold Ka3>second start threshold Ka2>first start threshold Ka1 is established. In addition, the interval between the first start threshold Ka1 and the second start threshold Ka2, and the interval between the second start threshold Ka2 and the third start threshold Ka3 may be the same or different.

In the third embodiment, the control device 31 is configured to change the opening and closing mode of the cold air supply port 15a by the opening and closing device 23 depending on the start threshold value Ka1, Ka2, Ka3 that the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24 exceeds or reaches.

To explain in more detail, when the control device 31 starts special control in response to the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24 exceeding the predetermined start threshold value Ka1, the opening/closing device 23 first maintains the open state with the cold air supply port 15a open. At this time, the opening/closing device 23 is open and cooling is being performed inside the small freezer compartment 15. However, the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24, i.e., the temperature S inside the small freezer compartment 15, gradually rises due to the influence of, for example, heat released by the stored items, heat transferred from the outside of the refrigerator 10 to the small freezer compartment 15, and heat transferred from the vegetable compartment 13 to the small freezer compartment 15.

Then, when the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24 exceeds a predetermined start threshold value Ka2, the control device 31 causes the opening/closing device 23 to maintain the closed state with the cold air supply port 15a closed. Then, when the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24 reaches a predetermined start threshold value Ka3, the control device 31 causes the opening/closing device 23 to maintain the open state with the cold air supply port 15a open again.

After the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24 reaches the predetermined start threshold value Ka3, the control device 31 maintains the open state in which the opening/closing device 23 opens the cold air supply port 15a until the predetermined time T4 has elapsed. At this time, the control device 31 maintains the open state in which the opening/closing device 23 opens the cold air supply port 15a until the predetermined time T4 has elapsed, even if the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24 reaches the predetermined end threshold value Kb, i.e., drops.

The control example illustrated in the third embodiment also provides a period during which cold air is not supplied during the process of cooling the stored items. This makes it easier for the stored items to become supercooled, in other words, makes it harder for ice nuclei to form within the stored items, and therefore makes it possible to more effectively prevent damage to the stored items caused by ice nuclei.

According to the control example illustrated in the third embodiment, multiple start thresholds Ka1, Ka2, and Ka3 are set as the start threshold Ka, and the control device 31 is configured to vary the opening and closing state of the cold air supply port 15a by the opening and closing device 23 depending on which of the multiple start thresholds Ka1, Ka2, and Ka3 the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24 exceeds or reaches. According to this configuration example, the opening and closing state of the cold air supply port 15a by the opening and closing device 23 can be finely adjusted depending on the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24, that is, the temperature S inside the small freezer compartment 15. This makes it easier to create a supercooled state in the stored items, and makes it more difficult to create ice nuclei in the stored items.

The number of start thresholds Ka is not limited to three, and may be, for example, two or four or more. By setting at least two different start thresholds Ka, the timing for opening and closing the cold air supply port 15a by the opening/closing device 23 can be set one by one. Furthermore, by setting four or more different start thresholds Ka, the opening and closing mode of the cold air supply port 15a by the opening/closing device 23 can be adjusted more finely. In the control example illustrated in FIG. 6, the predetermined time T4 can be changed and set as appropriate. Furthermore, when the temperature S detected by the temperature detection sensor 24 first reaches the start threshold Ka after the predetermined time T4 has elapsed, the control device 31 switches the control to be executed from the special control to the normal control. In other words, the control device 31 returns from the state in which the special control is executed to the state in which the normal control is executed. The condition for switching the control executed by the control device 31 from the special control to the normal control can be changed and set as appropriate.

Other Embodiments
Although multiple embodiments of the refrigerator 10 have been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to the multiple embodiments described above, and various modifications and extensions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the refrigerator 10 may be configured by appropriately selecting and combining multiple embodiments described above.

Furthermore, when a temperature detection sensor configured to be able to set its detectable temperature range is applied as the temperature detection sensor 24, that is, a temperature detection sensor configured to be able to set the upper and lower limits of the detectable temperature range, the upper limit value of the detectable temperature range set in the temperature detection sensor, i.e., the upper limit threshold, can be set as the start threshold Ka, and the lower limit value of the detectable temperature range set in the temperature detection sensor, i.e., the lower limit threshold, can be set as the end threshold Kb. This makes it possible to set the start threshold Ka or end threshold Kb in association with the detectable temperature range set in the temperature detection sensor, and the embodiment exemplified in this disclosure can be realized by utilizing the setting values set in the temperature detection sensor.

Even if the refrigerator 10 uses a temperature detection sensor configured to be able to set its detectable temperature range as the temperature detection sensor 24, it can set a non-upper limit threshold value different from the upper limit value of the detectable temperature range set in the temperature detection sensor as the start threshold Ka, and can set a non-lower limit threshold value different from the lower limit value of the detectable temperature range set in the temperature detection sensor as the end threshold Kb. This allows the start threshold Ka or end threshold Kb to be set without being restricted by the setting value set in the temperature detection sensor, increasing the degree of freedom in setting the start threshold Ka or end threshold Kb.

The refrigerator 10 may also be configured to include a cooling plate made of a material with a thermal conductivity at least higher than that of the storage container, such as a metal material, inside a resin storage container (not shown) provided in the small freezer compartment 15. This can further accelerate the cooling of the stored items in the storage container and further prevent ice nuclei from forming in the stored items.

The above-described embodiments can also be applied to storage compartments other than the small freezer compartment 15 in the refrigerator 10, as long as the storage compartment is configured to have a weaker cooling strength than the other storage compartments.

The control examples illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 show a case where a storage item is put into the small freezer 15 while the temperature S detected by the temperature sensor 24 is decreasing during normal control. In this case, the control device 31 can execute control to switch from normal control to special control when the temperature S detected by the temperature sensor 24 reaches the predetermined start threshold Ka and then reaches the predetermined start threshold Ka again without reaching the predetermined end threshold Kb. However, if a storage item is put into the small freezer 15 while the temperature S detected by the temperature sensor 24 is increasing during normal control, the control device 31 can execute control to switch from normal control to special control in response to the temperature S detected by the temperature sensor 24 reaching the predetermined end threshold Kb and then reaching the predetermined start threshold Ka.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc. can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The present embodiments and their modifications are within the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims.

In the drawing, 10 indicates a refrigerator, 15 indicates a small freezer compartment (storage compartment), 15a indicates a cold air supply port, 23 indicates an opening/closing device (opening/closing section), 24 indicates a temperature detection sensor (temperature detection section), and 31 indicates a control device (opening/closing control section).

Claims (8)

A storage chamber that is cooled to a predetermined temperature range;
A cold air supply port for supplying cold air into the storage chamber;
An opening/closing unit that opens and closes the cold air supply port;
A temperature detection unit that detects a temperature inside the storage chamber;
an opening/closing control unit that controls opening and closing of the cold air supply port by the opening/closing unit;
Equipped with
The opening/closing control unit adjusts an opening/closing state of the cold air supply port by the opening/closing unit when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value,
When the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit falls to a temperature set as a temperature at which the opening/closing unit closes the cold air supply port, normal control can be executed to close the cold air supply port by the opening/closing unit,
When the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit exceeds the threshold value, a special control different from the normal control is executed, and in the special control, the opening/closing unit keeps the cold air supply port open even if the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit falls to a temperature currently set as the temperature at which the opening/closing unit closes the cold air supply port in the normal control . The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the opening/closing control unit continues the special control for a predetermined time. A basic start threshold and a first special start threshold are set as the plurality of thresholds,
The opening/closing control unit is
When the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit reaches the basic start threshold, the opening and closing unit opens the cold air supply port;
The refrigerator according to claim 2 , wherein the opening/closing unit closes the cold air supply port when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit reaches the first special start threshold value. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the first special start threshold is set to a value higher than the basic start threshold. A second special start threshold is further set as the plurality of thresholds,
The opening/closing control unit is
The refrigerator according to claim 3 or 4, wherein after the opening/closing unit closes the cold air supply port in response to the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit reaching the first special start threshold, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit reaches the second special start threshold, the opening/closing unit opens the cold air supply port. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the second special start threshold is set to a value higher than the first special start threshold. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the opening/closing control unit is configured to close the cold air supply port by the opening/closing unit when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit exceeds a predetermined threshold, and to open the cold air supply port by the opening/closing unit after a predetermined time has elapsed . The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the threshold value is an upper limit threshold value set in the temperature detection unit, or a non-upper limit threshold value different from the upper limit threshold value.

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