JP7691944B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerator.

There are known refrigerators that control the compressor and fan based on instructions from a server. However, there are expectations for further improvements in the convenience of refrigerators.

JP 2021-101145 A

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a refrigerator that can improve convenience.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment is a refrigerator capable of communicating with a server, and includes an acquisition unit, a cooling unit, and a control unit. The acquisition unit is capable of acquiring a control command from the server. The cooling unit cools a plurality of storage units included in the refrigerator. The control unit is capable of controlling the cooling unit by a first cooling control executed based on a user's operation or a preset condition, and a second cooling control executed based on the control command acquired by the acquisition unit . The second cooling control is a cooling control executed based on a collective control command for the plurality of storage units, and is a cooling control that increases set temperatures of the plurality of storage units for a predetermined time. When the first cooling control and the second cooling control overlap, the control unit executes the first cooling control by suppressing execution of the second cooling control for a storage unit that is a cooling target of the first cooling control and that is included in the plurality of storage units, and determines whether or not to execute the second cooling control based on the type of the first cooling control for one or more storage units that are different from the storage unit that is a cooling target of the first cooling control and that is included in the plurality of storage units.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a refrigerator system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the refrigerator according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a server according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation plan created by an operation plan creating unit of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a terminal device according to the embodiment. 13 is a diagram showing the change in chilled compartment temperature when the special chilled control mode of the embodiment is executed. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the execution of a server-instructed cooling mode in a case where the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap in the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a process flow of a first control example of the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a process flow of a second control example of the embodiment.

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions are given the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of those components may be omitted. In this application, "based on XX" means "based on at least XX" and may include a case where it is based on another element in addition to XX. Furthermore, "based on XX" is not limited to the case where XX is directly used, but may also include a case where it is based on XX that has been subjected to calculation or processing. In this application, "XX or YY" is not limited to either XX or YY, but may include both XX and YY. This also applies to a case where there are three or more selective elements. XX and YY are any element (for example, any information).

In this application, "acquire" is not limited to actively acquiring by sending a transmission request, but may also include acquiring by passively receiving information transmitted from another device. In this application, "suppress" means at least partially suppressing, and may include, for example, suppressing only at a specified time or within a specified temperature range.

(Embodiment)
<1. Overall configuration of the refrigerator system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a refrigerator system 1 according to an embodiment. The refrigerator system 1 includes, for example, a refrigerator 100 and a server 200. The refrigerator system 1 may also include a terminal device 300 (or a home appliance management application APP of the terminal device 300) described below. The refrigerator system 1 is an example of an "information processing system." The network NW described below may be, for example, the Internet, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, a Low Power Wide Area (LPWA), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), or other public or dedicated lines, depending on the situation.

The refrigerator 100 is installed in the residence of the user U. The refrigerator 100 is connected to the network NW, for example, via a wireless router WR and a modem M installed in the residence of the user U. The refrigerator 100 can communicate with the server 200 or the terminal device 300 via the network NW.

The server 200 is a management server that manages the refrigerator 100. The server 200 is composed of one or more server devices (e.g., cloud servers). The server 200 may be referred to as a "server system." The server 200 is capable of communicating with the refrigerator 100 or the terminal device 300 via the network NW. The server 200 may include an information processing unit that performs edge computing or fog computing, such as an information processing unit included in a router in the network NW. The server 200 is not limited to a cloud server, and may be a computer in the residence of the user U, a home router, or the like.

The terminal device 300 is a terminal device used by a user U of the refrigerator 100. The terminal device 300 is, for example, a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal device. However, the terminal device 300 is not limited to a mobile terminal device, and may be a personal computer or a voice dialogue device such as a smart speaker. The terminal device 300 has, for example, a display device 301 including a display screen 301a capable of displaying various information, and an input device 302 capable of receiving input from the user U. The input device 302 is, for example, a touch panel provided on top of the display screen 301a of the display device 301. The input device 302 may include a camera, a microphone, and the like provided in the terminal device 300.

An application program P is installed on the terminal device 300, and the functions described below are supported. The application program P is an application program for managing the refrigerator 100. Hereinafter, the application software that is started by executing the application program P is referred to as the "appliance management app APP."

2. Refrigerator
First, the refrigerator 100 will be described in detail.
2 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the refrigerator 100. The refrigerator 100 includes, for example, a housing 10 and a plurality of doors 20.

The housing 10 is insulated and formed in a rectangular box shape. A plurality of storage compartments 30 are provided inside the housing 10. The plurality of storage compartments 30 include, for example, a refrigerator compartment 31, a chilled compartment 31A, a vegetable compartment 32, an ice-making compartment 33, a small freezer compartment 34, and a main freezer compartment 35. The refrigerator compartment 31 and the vegetable compartment 32 are storage compartments in the chilled temperature range (for example, a temperature range of 1 to 4°C). The chilled compartment 31A is a storage compartment in the chilled temperature range (for example, a temperature range of -1°C to +1°C). The ice-making compartment 33, the small freezer compartment 34, and the main freezer compartment 35 are storage compartments in the freezer temperature range (for example, a temperature range of -10 to -20°C). In the following, when the refrigerator compartment 31, the chilled compartment 31A, and the vegetable compartment 32 are not distinguished from each other, they may be referred to as "storage compartment 30R". For ease of explanation, the refrigeration temperature zone and the chilled temperature zone may be collectively referred to as the "refrigeration temperature zone." In the following, when there is no need to distinguish between the ice-making compartment 33, the small freezer compartment 34, and the main freezer compartment 35, they may be referred to as the "storage compartment 30F."

Each of the above-mentioned refrigerator compartment 31, chilled compartment 31A, vegetable compartment 32, ice-making compartment 33, small freezer compartment 34, and main freezer compartment 35 is an example of a "storage section." Note that the "storage section" in this application is not limited to the above examples, and may be a partial compartment cooled to a partial temperature zone (approximately -4°C to -2°C) or a temperature-switchable compartment in which the temperature can be switched between multiple temperature zones (e.g., refrigeration temperature zone and freezer temperature zone). In this embodiment, the storage chamber among the multiple storage chambers 30 that is the target of cooling by the first cooling control described below is an example of a "first storage section." Meanwhile, one or more storage chambers among the multiple storage chambers 30 that are different from the first storage section are an example of a "second storage section."

The openings of the multiple storage compartments 30 are closed by multiple doors 20 in an openable and closable manner. The multiple doors 20 include left and right refrigerator compartment doors 21A, 21B that close the opening of the refrigerator compartment 31, a vegetable compartment door 22 that closes the opening of the vegetable compartment 32, an ice-making compartment door 23 that closes the opening of the ice-making compartment 33, a small freezer compartment door 24 that closes the opening of the small freezer compartment 34, and a main freezer compartment door 25 that closes the opening of the main freezer compartment 35. Hereinafter, when the left and right refrigerator compartment doors 21A, 21B are not distinguished from each other, they will be referred to as "refrigerator compartment doors 21."

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the refrigerator 100. The refrigerator 100 has, for example, a door opening/closing detection sensor 110, a temperature sensor 120, a cooling unit 130, an ultraviolet irradiation device 139, an operation unit 140, a communication unit 150, a control device 160, and a memory unit 190.

<2.1 Door opening/closing detection sensor>
Door opening/closing detection sensor 110 is a sensor that detects the opening and closing of door 20. Door opening/closing detection sensor 110 includes, for example, a refrigerator compartment door sensor 111 that detects the opening and closing of refrigerator compartment door 21, a vegetable compartment door sensor 112 that detects the opening and closing of vegetable compartment door 22, an ice compartment door sensor 113 that detects the opening and closing of ice compartment door 23, a small freezer compartment door sensor 114 that detects the opening and closing of small freezer compartment door 24, and a main freezer compartment door sensor 115 that detects the opening and closing of main freezer compartment door 25. The detection results of door opening/closing detection sensor 110 are output to control device 160.

2.2 Temperature sensor
The temperature sensor 120 is a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the storage compartment 30 (e.g., the air temperature in the storage compartment 30). The temperature sensor 120 includes, for example, a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 121 that detects the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 31 (refrigerator compartment temperature), a chilled compartment temperature sensor 122 that detects the temperature of the chilled compartment 31A (chilled compartment temperature), and a main freezer compartment temperature sensor 123 that detects the temperature of the main freezer compartment 35 (freezer compartment temperature). The detection results of the temperature sensor 120 are output to the control device 160.

<2.3 Cooling section>
The cooling unit 130 is a device that cools the multiple storage chambers 30. The cooling unit 130 includes, for example, a first cooler 131, a second cooler 132, a compressor 133, a three-way valve 134, a first blower 135, and a second blower 136.

The first cooler 131 is arranged to correspond to the storage compartment 30R (refrigerator compartment 31, chilled compartment 31A, and vegetable compartment 32) in the refrigeration temperature range. The second cooler 132 is arranged to correspond to the storage compartment 30F (ice-making compartment 33, small freezer compartment 34, and main freezer compartment 35) in the freezing temperature range. The compressor 133 supplies refrigerant to the first cooler 131 and the second cooler 132.

The three-way valve 134 is switched between a first state in which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 133 is supplied to the first cooler 131, and a second state in which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 133 is supplied to the second cooler 132. The first blower 135 supplies the cold air cooled by the first cooler 131 to the storage compartment 30R (refrigerator compartment 31, chilled compartment 31A, and vegetable compartment 32) in the refrigeration temperature range. The second blower 136 supplies the cold air cooled by the second cooler 132 to the storage compartment 30F (ice-making compartment 33, small freezer compartment 34, and main freezer compartment 35) in the freezing temperature range.

<2.4 Ultraviolet irradiation device>
The ultraviolet irradiating device 139 is an irradiating device that irradiates ultraviolet rays onto the inside of the storage compartment 30 or onto the handle or inner surface of the door 20. Ultraviolet rays are light that has the effect of suppressing bacteria or viruses. The sterilizing ultraviolet irradiating device 139 is disposed, for example, in one or more of the refrigerator compartment 31, the chilled compartment 31A, or the vegetable compartment 32. The ultraviolet irradiating device 139 irradiates ultraviolet rays when a sterilization mode is set as the control mode of the refrigerator 100.

<2.5 Operation section>
The operation unit 140 is an operation unit capable of accepting an operation of the user U on the refrigerator 100. The operation unit 140 includes, for example, one or more buttons provided on the surface of the door 20 or the inner surface of the housing 10. By operating the operation unit 140, the user U can set various cooling control modes, a power saving mode, a sterilization mode, or the like, which will be described later, as the control mode of the refrigerator 100. In this application, "setting a control mode" means turning the control mode ON. Instead of/in addition to the terminal device 300, the operation unit 140 may be capable of accepting an operation of the user U to set (i.e., turn ON) a learning control mode, which will be described later.

<2.6 Communication section>
The communication unit 150 is, for example, a wireless communication module. The communication unit 150 is capable of communicating with the server 200 via a wireless router WR and a modem M installed in the user U's residence.

2.7 Control Device
The control device 160 comprehensively controls the entire refrigerator 100. The control device 160 has a control command acquisition unit 161, a reception unit 162, a control unit 163, a state management unit 164, and a transmission unit 165. These functional units are realized by one or more hardware processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) mounted on the refrigerator 100 executing a program. However, some or all of these functional units may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may be realized by cooperation between software and hardware.

The control command acquisition unit 161 acquires a control command related to the cooling control of the refrigerator 100 from the server 200. In this embodiment, when the learning control mode is set, the control command acquisition unit 161 acquires a control command related to the cooling control of the refrigerator 100 generated by the server 200 from the server 200. The control command is, for example, an operation instruction for a special operation that reduces the power consumption of the refrigerator 100. In this embodiment, the operation of the refrigerator 100 includes a plurality of operation modes (cooling modes). The plurality of operation modes include, for example, normal operation, eco operation (first special operation), and pre-cooling operation (second special operation). Details of each of these operation modes will be described in the explanation of the server 200. The control command acquisition unit 161 is an example of an "acquisition unit".

The reception unit 162 can receive a change in the priority order between one or more of the various control modes included in the main body cooling mode described below and the server-instructed cooling mode described below, based on the user U's operation on the operation unit 140 or the terminal device 300. For example, the reception unit 162 can receive an instruction from the user U to execute the server-instructed cooling mode in priority over one or more of the various control modes included in the main body cooling mode described below.

The control unit 163 controls the cooling unit 130 to cool each storage chamber 30. For example, the control unit 163 controls the cooling unit 130 based on the set temperature (target temperature) of each storage chamber 30 and the detection result of the temperature sensor 120. For example, the control unit 163 controls the compressor 133, the first blower 135, and the second blower 136 included in the cooling unit 130 by feedback control such as PID (Proportional-Integral-Differential) control based on the difference between the set temperature (target temperature) of each storage chamber 30 and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 120. In this application, the "set temperature (target temperature)" means, for example, the lower limit value of the set temperature range described later.

In this embodiment, when the learning control mode described later is set, the control unit 163 controls the cooling unit 130 based on the control command (control command from the server 200) acquired by the control command acquisition unit 161. That is, the control unit 163 executes normal operation, eco operation, or pre-cooling operation as instructed by the control command. However, when a predetermined condition is satisfied while the control unit 163 is executing the eco operation or pre-cooling operation, the control unit 163 may interrupt the eco operation or pre-cooling operation and execute normal operation. The above-mentioned predetermined condition is, for example, that the condition (number of times the door is opened and closed or the temperature rise in the storage chamber 30) used to set the eco operation or pre-cooling operation described later is not satisfied.

The status management unit 164 stores information indicating the status of the refrigerator 100 (hereinafter referred to as "status information") in the storage unit 190. The status information includes, for example, learning status information 191 used by the server 200 to generate a control command for the refrigerator 100, and execution result information 192 indicating the execution result of the operation of the refrigerator 100.

The learning status information 191 includes door opening/closing information 191a indicating the detection result of the door opening/closing detection sensor 110, and temperature information 191b indicating the detection result of the temperature sensor 120. The door opening/closing information 191a includes information regarding the door opening/closing for each predetermined unit of time (e.g., 1 hour). For example, the door opening/closing information 191a includes information indicating the number of times the door is opened or the door open time for each predetermined unit of time. "Door open time" is the total time the door is open. The temperature information 191b includes information regarding the temperature of the storage chamber 30 for each predetermined unit of time (e.g., 1 hour). For example, the temperature information 191b includes information indicating the average degree of deviation of the temperature sensor 120 from the set temperature (target temperature) of the storage chamber 30.

The execution result information 192 is information indicating the type of operation mode actually executed by the refrigerator 100 during the time period when the operation mode was instructed by the control command from the server 200. The execution result information 192 is information indicating the type of operation mode actually executed by the refrigerator 100 for each specified unit time.

The transmission unit 165 communicates with the server 200 via the communication unit 150, and transmits the learning state information 191 and the execution result information 192 to the server 200. For example, the transmission unit 165 transmits the learning state information 191 and the execution result information 192 to the server 200 at a predetermined interval.

<2.8 Storage section>
The storage unit 190 is a functional unit that stores various information. The storage unit 190 is realized by a combination of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The storage unit 190 stores learning state information 191 and execution result information 192.

<3. Server>
Next, the server 200 will be described in detail.
4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the server 200. The server 200 includes, for example, an information acquisition unit 210, an operation plan generation unit 220, a control command transmission unit 230, a display information transmission unit 240, and a storage unit 290.

The information acquisition unit 210, the operation plan generation unit 220, the control command transmission unit 230, and the display information transmission unit 240 are realized by one or more hardware processors, such as a CPU mounted on the server 200, executing a program. However, some or all of these functional units may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA, or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. These functional units may be provided separately in multiple server devices. Furthermore, one or more of these functional units may be provided in the refrigerator 100 or the terminal device 300 instead of the server 200.

<3.1 Information acquisition section>
Information acquiring unit 210 acquires learning status information 191 and execution result information 192 transmitted from refrigerator 100. Information acquiring unit 210 accumulates acquired learning status information 191 as a part of learning accumulated information 291, and accumulates acquired execution result information 192 as a part of execution result accumulated information 292.

<3.2 Operation plan generation unit>
The operation plan generating unit 220 analyzes the lifestyle pattern of the user U (the usage pattern of the refrigerator 100) based on the usage state of the refrigerator 100 for a predetermined period (e.g., the past two weeks) obtained based on the learning accumulated information 291, and generates an operation plan for the refrigerator 100 according to the lifestyle pattern of the user U. In other words, the operation plan generating unit 220 is a learning function unit that learns the lifestyle pattern of the user U. In this application, "learning" is not limited to machine learning using a neural network or the like, and broadly means updating past decisions based on new information.

In this embodiment, the operation plan generating unit 220 generates an operation plan for the next operation day of the week based on the learning status information 191 for the same day of the week for the past two weeks contained in the learning accumulated information 291. For example, the operation plan generating unit 220 generates an operation plan for the next Monday based on the learning status information 191 for the previous and previous Mondays. The same applies to Tuesdays to Sundays.

In this embodiment, the operation plan of the refrigerator 100 is a plan that specifies the time period during which the refrigerator 100 performs normal operation and the time period during which the refrigerator 100 performs special operation. The special operation is an operation that reduces the power consumption of the refrigerator 100. In this embodiment, the special operation includes eco operation (first special operation) and pre-cooling operation (second special operation). Note that below, an example will be described in which eco operation is performed based on the number of times the door is opened and closed. Alternatively/in addition to this, eco operation may be performed based on the door open time.

(Normal operation)
The normal operation is a basic operation of the refrigerator 100. For example, the normal operation is an operation that is set when learning is not performed by the operation plan generating unit 220. For example, the normal operation is an operation that is premised on the refrigerator 100 being used by the user U (for example, the door 20 being opened and closed). In other words, the normal operation is an operation in which a relatively low set temperature (target temperature) is set so that the temperature of the storage chamber 30 can be kept below a certain level even when the door 20 is opened and closed.

(Eco-driving)
The eco-operation is an operation for reducing power consumption of the refrigerator 100 by increasing the set temperature (target temperature) of the storage compartment 30 as compared with the normal operation during a time period when the number of opening and closing of the door 20 is estimated to be low, and suppressing the operation of the cooling unit 130. For example, the eco-operation increases the set temperature of the storage compartment 30 by 1° C. or 2° C. as compared with the normal operation, thereby decreasing the operating frequency of the compressor 133, the rotation speed of the first fan 135, or the rotation speed of the second fan 136.

In this embodiment, if the number of times the door 20 is opened and closed in a predetermined unit time (e.g., one hour) during the same time period on the same day of the week in the past two weeks is equal to or less than a predetermined number (e.g., five times or less), the operation plan generating unit 220 performs eco-driving during the same time period on the next same day of the week. On the other hand, if there is a day during the same time period on the same day of the week in the past two weeks on which the number of times the door 20 is opened and closed in the above-mentioned predetermined unit time exceeds the above-mentioned predetermined number, the operation plan generating unit 220 does not perform eco-driving during the same time period on the next same day of the week, but performs normal driving.

The number of times that the door 20 is opened and closed is, for example, the total number of times that all the doors 20 (refrigerator door 21, vegetable door 22, ice maker door 23, small freezer door 24, and main freezer door 25) included in the refrigerator 100 are opened and closed. Alternatively, the number of times that the door 20 is opened and closed may be the total number of times that a representative specific door (for example, refrigerator door 21, vegetable door 22, and main freezer door 25) is opened and closed.

(Pre-cooling operation)
The pre-cooling operation is an operation in which, when a large temperature rise (temperature rise exceeding a threshold) is expected in the storage compartment 30, the temperature of the storage compartment 30 is lowered in advance (so-called cooling is performed) to cut the peak of the temperature rise in the storage compartment 30, suppress a decrease in the cooling efficiency (COP: Coefficient Of Performance), and reduce the power consumption of the refrigerator 100. For convenience of explanation, the temperature rise in the storage compartment 30 that is the target of the pre-cooling operation is referred to as a "temperature rise exceeding a threshold" below. For example, the pre-cooling operation sets the set temperature (target temperature) of the specific storage compartment 30 lower than that of normal operation for a predetermined unit time in which it is estimated that a temperature rise exceeding the threshold will occur in the specific storage compartment 30 and for a predetermined unit time immediately before that, thereby lowering the temperature of the specific storage compartment 30 in advance. For example, the pre-cooling operation increases the operating frequency of the compressor 133, the rotation speed of the first fan 135, or the rotation speed of the second fan 136 by lowering the set temperature of the storage compartment 30 by 1°C or 2°C compared to normal operation.

In this embodiment, when a temperature rise exceeding the threshold is detected in the storage room 30 during the same time period on the same day of the week in the past two weeks, the operation plan generating unit 220 executes pre-cooling operation during the same time period on the next same day of the week and the time period immediately preceding that. On the other hand, when there is a day during the same time period on the same day of the week in the past two weeks on which a temperature rise exceeding the threshold is not detected in the storage room 30, the operation plan generating unit 220 does not execute pre-cooling operation on the next same day of the week, but executes normal operation or eco operation.

In this embodiment, the operation plan of the refrigerator 100 is a plan that specifies whether normal operation, eco operation, or pre-cooling operation is to be performed for each specified unit time (e.g., every hour). Note that, when eco operation and pre-cooling operation are scheduled to be performed during the same time period, the operation plan generating unit 220 sets pre-cooling operation as a priority.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation plan created by the operation plan generation unit 220. The example shown in Figure 5 shows a case where an operation plan for the next Monday is generated based on the learning state information 191 for the previous and previous Mondays.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, (A) the time slots from 0:00 to 6:00 are assigned as the time slots for implementing eco-driving as the operation plan for the next Monday, because the number of times the door was opened and closed on the previous and previous Mondays was less than the specified number, and no temperature rise exceeding the specified threshold was detected. (B) the time slots from 6:00 to 8:00 are assigned as the time slots for implementing pre-cooling as the operation plan for the next Monday, because a temperature rise exceeding the specified threshold was detected between 7:00 and 8:00 on the previous and previous Mondays. (C) the time slot from 8:00 to 9:00 is assigned as the time slot for implementing normal operation as the operation plan for the next Monday, because no temperature rise exceeding the specified threshold was detected on the previous and previous Mondays, but there was a day when the number of times the door was opened and closed was greater than the specified number. (D) the time slots from 9:00 to 11:00 are assigned as the time slots for implementing eco-driving as the operation plan for the next Monday, because the number of times the door was opened and closed on the previous and previous Mondays was less than the specified number, and no temperature rise exceeding the specified threshold was detected.

<3.3 Control command transmission unit>
The control command transmitting unit 230 transmits a control command corresponding to the operation plan generated by the operation plan generating unit 220 to the refrigerator 100. For example, the control command transmitting unit 230 transmits a control command for the next predetermined unit time to the refrigerator 100 at each predetermined unit time (for example, every hour). In this embodiment, the control command includes any one of an execution command for normal operation, an execution command for eco-operation, and an execution command for pre-cooling operation.

<3.4 Display information transmission unit>
The display information transmitting unit 240 generates information to be displayed on the display screen 301a of the terminal device 300 (hereinafter referred to as "display information"), and transmits the generated display information to the terminal device 300. The display information includes information indicating the execution result of the operation of the refrigerator 100, which is generated based on the execution result information 192.

<3.5 Storage section>
The storage unit 290 is realized by a combination of a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, an SSD, etc. In the storage unit 290, learning accumulation information 291 and execution result accumulation information 292 are accumulated.

4. Terminal Device
Next, the terminal device 300 will be described in detail.
6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device 300. The terminal device 300 includes, for example, an information acquisition unit 310, an operation acceptance unit 320, a display control unit 330, and a storage unit 390.

The information acquisition unit 310, the operation acceptance unit 320, and the display control unit 330 are realized by one or more hardware processors, such as a CPU, mounted on the terminal device 300 executing the application program P. In other words, the information acquisition unit 310, the operation acceptance unit 320, and the display control unit 330 are software functional units included in the home appliance management application APP.

<4.1 Information acquisition section>
The information acquiring unit 310 acquires information related to the home appliance management application APP received from the server 200. For example, the information acquiring unit 310 acquires display information generated by the server 200 from the server 200.

4.2 Operation Reception Unit
The operation acceptance unit 320 accepts an operation of the user U performed on the input device 302 in relation to the home appliance management application APP. For example, the operation acceptance unit 320 accepts an operation of the user U on an operation unit displayed on the display screen 301a. The operation acceptance unit 320 transmits a signal indicating the content of the accepted operation of the user U to the server 200. As a result, a process corresponding to the content of the accepted operation of the user U is performed on the server 200.

In this embodiment, the operation reception unit 320 accepts the setting of the learning control mode (i.e., turning on the learning control mode) based on the operation of the user U. In this embodiment, when the user U sets the learning control mode on the terminal device 400, learning is performed by the server 200, a control command related to the cooling control of the refrigerator 100 is generated by the server 200, and the generated control command is transmitted from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100.

4.3 Display control unit
The display control unit 330 controls the display device 301 of the terminal device 300, thereby controlling the content displayed on the display screen 301a of the display device 301. For example, the display control unit 330 causes the display information acquired by the information acquisition unit 310 to be displayed on the display screen 301a.

<4.4 Storage section>
The storage unit 390 is realized by a combination of a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, an SSD, etc. The storage unit 390 stores an application program P.

<5. Refrigerator operation mode>
<5.1 Basic operation>
Next, a basic operation of the refrigerator 100 will be described. The control unit 163 of the refrigerator 100 executes a "refrigeration operation" and a "freezing operation" as basic operations of the refrigerator 100. The "refrigeration operation" refers to an operation in which the three-way valve 134 is switched and a refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 133 to the first cooler 131. On the other hand, the "freezing operation" refers to an operation in which the three-way valve 134 is switched and a refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 133 to the second cooler 132.

The control unit 163 controls the cooling unit 130 so that the storage room 30R in the refrigeration temperature zone and the storage room 30F in the freezing temperature zone are kept in their respective predetermined temperature zones, for example, by alternating between refrigeration operation and freezing operation. For example, the control unit 163 alternately repeats performing refrigeration operation for a first predetermined time (e.g., 20 minutes) and freezing operation for a second predetermined time (e.g., 40 minutes).

In addition, the control unit 163 may end the refrigeration operation and start the freezing operation even in the middle of the first predetermined time, for example, when the refrigerator compartment temperature detected by the temperature sensor 120 during the refrigeration operation reaches the lower limit of the set temperature range of the refrigerator compartment 31 (or when the chilled compartment temperature reaches the lower limit of the set temperature range of the chilled compartment 31A) or when the freezer compartment temperature detected by the temperature sensor 120 reaches the upper limit of the set temperature range of the main freezer compartment 35. In addition, the control unit 163 may end the freezing operation and start the refrigeration operation even in the middle of the second predetermined time, for example, when the freezer compartment temperature detected by the temperature sensor 120 during the refrigeration operation reaches the lower limit of the set temperature range of the main freezer compartment 35 or when the refrigerator compartment temperature detected by the temperature sensor 120 reaches the upper limit of the set temperature range of the refrigerator compartment 31 (or when the chilled compartment temperature reaches the upper limit of the set temperature range of the chilled compartment 31A).

Here, during refrigeration operation, the air temperature in storage chamber 30R in the refrigeration temperature range drops, but the air temperature in storage chamber 30F in the freezing temperature range rises. On the other hand, during freezing operation, the air temperature in storage chamber 30F in the freezing temperature range drops, but the air temperature in storage chamber 30R in the refrigeration temperature range rises. For this reason, the air temperature in storage chamber 30R in the refrigeration temperature range and the air temperature in storage chamber 30F in the freezing temperature range each repeatedly rise and fall in a sawtooth pattern.

<5.2 Setting temperature range>
Next, the "set temperature zone" will be described. The "set temperature zone" refers to a temperature range in which the air temperature of the storage compartment 30 (e.g., the refrigerator compartment 31, the chilled compartment 31A, or the main freezer compartment 35), which is the main target of temperature management, is maintained during refrigeration operation and freezing operation. The "set temperature zone" refers to a temperature range defined by an upper limit and a lower limit. The control unit 163 performs PID control based on the refrigerator compartment temperature (or the chilled compartment temperature) or the freezer compartment temperature, for example, to keep the air temperature of the storage compartment 30, which is the main target of temperature management, between the upper limit and the lower limit of the set temperature zone.

Here, the "set temperature zone" has multiple stages (multiple levels) for each of refrigeration operation and freezing operation. When three stages of set temperature zones are provided as the set temperature zone for refrigeration operation, the set temperature zone for refrigeration operation includes a strong refrigeration operation setting (hereinafter referred to as "R strong setting"), a medium refrigeration operation setting (hereinafter referred to as "R medium setting"), and a weak refrigeration operation setting (hereinafter referred to as "R weak setting"). The upper and lower limit values of the set temperature zone for the "R strong setting" are lower than the upper and lower limit values of the set temperature zone for the "R medium setting". The upper and lower limit values of the set temperature zone for the "R medium setting" are lower than the upper and lower limit values of the set temperature zone for the "R weak setting".

Similarly, if three temperature setting zones are provided as the temperature setting zone for freezing operation, the temperature setting zone for freezing operation includes a strong freezing operation setting (hereinafter referred to as "strong F setting"), a medium freezing operation setting (hereinafter referred to as "medium F setting"), and a weak freezing operation setting (hereinafter referred to as "weak F setting"). The upper and lower limit values of the temperature setting zone for the "strong F setting" are lower than the upper and lower limit values of the temperature setting zone for the "medium F setting". The upper and lower limit values of the temperature setting zone for the "medium F setting" are lower than the upper and lower limit values of the temperature setting zone for the "weak F setting".

<5.3 Various control modes>
Next, several control modes that can be executed by the control unit 163 will be described. Setting of the various control modes described below (i.e., turning each control mode ON) is performed, for example, based on an operation of the user U on the operation unit 140 of the refrigerator 100 or a preset condition. Note that the "basic operation" described below refers to refrigeration operation at "R medium setting" and freezing operation at "F medium setting." Also, "normal chill" that appears in the following description refers to the state of the chilled compartment when refrigeration operation is performed at "R medium setting."

(Special chilled)
The "special chill" control mode is a control mode in which the chilled compartment 31A is alternately cooled in a low temperature range and cooled in a high temperature range. In the "special chill" control mode, the chilled compartment 31A (i.e., the storage compartment 30R) is the storage compartment 30 to be cooled.

Figure 5 shows the change in the chilled compartment temperature when the "special chilled" control mode is executed. In the "special chilled" control mode, the control unit 163 alternates between low-temperature cooling control, which cools the chilled compartment 31A to a first temperature zone Ta, and high-temperature cooling control, which cools the chilled compartment 31A to a second temperature zone Tb that is higher than the first temperature zone Ta.

The first temperature zone Ta is the set temperature zone for the chilled compartment 31A during low-temperature cooling control. The average temperature of the first temperature zone Ta is, for example, -5°C. The average temperature of the first temperature zone Ta is a temperature below the freezing point, that is, a temperature less than 0°C. The first temperature zone Ta is a temperature that slightly freezes the surface of the food in the chilled compartment 31A. The first temperature zone Ta is a temperature zone that can create a frozen layer only on the surface of the food in the chilled compartment 31A, rather than freezing the food all the way to the center. The low-temperature cooling control is performed for a predetermined implementation time Sa (for example, 2 hours).

The second temperature zone Tb is the set temperature zone for the chilled compartment 31A during high-temperature cooling control. The average temperature of the second temperature zone Tb is, for example, +1°C. The average temperature of the second temperature zone Tb is a temperature higher than the freezing point, and is a temperature above 0°C. The second temperature zone Tb is a temperature that can melt the layer of slightly frozen air that has formed on the surface of the food in the chilled compartment 31A. The high-temperature cooling control is carried out for a predetermined implementation time Sb (for example, 7 hours) that is longer than the implementation time Sa of the low-temperature cooling control.

According to this "special chilled" control mode, low-temperature cooling control, with an average temperature of, for example, -5°C, is alternately performed for a specified implementation time Sa, and high-temperature cooling control, with an average temperature of, for example, +1°C, is alternately performed for a specified implementation time Sb, and by slightly freezing only the surface of the food, it is possible to prevent the food from drying out and oxidizing. This allows the food to stay fresh for longer than in normal chilled. The "special chilled" control mode includes control that lowers the chilled compartment temperature compared to normal chilled. When the "special chilled" control mode is set to ON, it will continue until the user U cancels the ON state.

(Quick chilling)
In the "quick chill" control mode, the chilled compartment temperature is lowered in a single step compared to normal chill, so that the temperature of food newly placed in the chilled compartment 31A is lowered in a single step, thereby suppressing the loss of freshness of the food. In the "quick chill" control mode, the "R strong setting" is selected for a predetermined time (e.g., 60 minutes). Note that "for a predetermined time (e.g., 60 minutes)" does not mean that the refrigeration operation is performed continuously for the predetermined time, but rather that the refrigeration operation and the freezing operation are performed alternately for the "predetermined time (e.g., 60 minutes)", and the setting of the refrigeration operation performed during that time is the "R strong setting". This definition is the same in the following explanation. In the "quick chill" control mode, the chilled compartment temperature is within a certain temperature range, for example, with an average temperature of 0.5°C. In the "quick chill" control mode, the chilled compartment 31A (i.e., the storage compartment 30R) is the storage compartment 30 to be cooled.

(Defrost mode)
The control mode of the "thawing mode" is a control mode in which the chilled compartment temperature is increased compared to the normal chilled mode to promote the thawing of food in the chilled compartment 31A. In the control mode of the "thawing mode", the "R low setting" is selected for a predetermined time (e.g., 60 minutes). In the control mode of the "thawing mode" of this embodiment, while the control mode of the "thawing mode" is being executed, the "F high setting" is selected, or the upper and lower limits of the set temperature range of the storage compartment 30F are set lower by a predetermined temperature (e.g., +1°C). That is, by lowering the set temperature for the storage compartment 30F in the freezing temperature range, the time during which the freezing operation is performed is extended, and the switch from the freezing operation to the refrigeration operation is delayed, thereby further promoting the rise in the chilled room temperature. In the control mode of the "thawing mode", the chilled compartment temperature is within a certain temperature range with an average temperature of, for example, 1.5°C. In the control mode of the "thawing mode", the chilled compartment 31A (i.e., the storage compartment 30R) is the storage compartment 30 to be cooled.

(Quick freezing)
The "quick freezing" control mode is a control mode in which the freezer temperature is lowered in a single step compared to the basic operation. According to this "quick freezing", the food is quickly passed through the temperature range of -1°C to -5°C at which the moisture in the food freezes, thereby suppressing cell damage to the food during freezing. In the "quick freezing" control mode, the "F strong setting" is selected for a predetermined time (e.g., 120 minutes). In the "quick freezing" control mode of this embodiment, while the "quick freezing" control mode is being executed, the "R weak setting" is selected, or the upper and lower limits of the set temperature range of the storage chamber 30R are each increased by a predetermined temperature (e.g., +1°C). This extends the time during which the freezing operation is performed, and the switch from the refrigeration operation to the freezing operation is accelerated, thereby further promoting the temperature drop in the storage chamber 30F. In the "quick freezing" control mode, the small freezing chamber 34 or the main freezing chamber 35 (i.e., the storage chamber 30F) is the storage chamber 30 to be cooled.

(Quick ice making)
The "rapid ice making" control mode is a control mode in which the freezer temperature is lowered at once compared to the basic operation. According to such "rapid ice making", the ice making time can be shortened compared to the basic operation. In the "rapid ice making" control mode, the "F strong setting" is selected for a predetermined time (e.g., 480 minutes). In the "rapid ice making" control mode of this embodiment, while the "rapid ice making" control mode is being executed, the "R weak setting" is selected, or the upper and lower limits of the set temperature range of the storage chamber 30R are each increased by a predetermined temperature (e.g., +1°C). This extends the time during which the freezing operation is performed, and the switch from the refrigeration operation to the freezing operation is accelerated, thereby further promoting the temperature drop of the storage chamber 30F. In the "rapid ice making" control mode, the ice making chamber 33 (i.e., the storage chamber 30F) is the storage chamber 30 to be cooled.

(Frozen vegetables)
The "vegetable freezing" control mode is a control mode in which the freezer temperature is gradually lowered compared to the basic operation. This "vegetable freezing" makes it possible to freeze vegetables while suppressing cell destruction in the vegetables. In the "vegetable freezing" control mode, the "low F setting" is selected for a predetermined time (e.g., 180 minutes). In the "vegetable freezing" control mode, the small freezing compartment 34 or the main freezing compartment 35 (i.e., the storage compartment 30F) is the storage compartment 30 to be cooled.

(Power saving mode)
The power saving mode is a control mode that reduces the power consumption of the refrigerator 100 compared to the basic operation. When the power saving mode is set, the "R low setting" is selected and the "F low setting" is selected. Alternatively, in the power saving mode, the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the set temperature range of the storage chamber 30R may be increased by a predetermined temperature, and the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the set temperature range of the storage chamber 30F may be increased by a predetermined temperature. Unlike the above-mentioned learning control mode, the power saving mode is a control mode in which a control mode that reduces the power consumption of the refrigerator 100 is always executed. When the power saving mode is set to the ON state, it continues until the ON state is released by the user U. In the "power saving mode" control mode, the storage chambers 30R and 30F are the storage chambers 30 to be cooled.

(Defrost mode)
The defrost mode is a control mode in which, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the temperature of the first cooler 131 or the second cooler 132 is increased to melt the frost adhering to the first cooler 131 or the second cooler 132. The defrost mode includes pre-cooling for cooling in advance, energizing a defrost heater (not shown), and control for restoring the temperature of the cooling compartment, the temperature of which has risen, to a set temperature range. The defrost mode is a control mode that is executed based on a sensor value or the like provided in the refrigerator 100, rather than a setting by the user U. In the "defrost mode" control mode, the storage compartment 30R and/or the storage compartment 30F is the storage compartment 30 to be cooled.

(Sterilization mode)
The sterilization mode is a control mode in which ultraviolet irradiation device 139 irradiates the inside of refrigerator 100 with ultraviolet light when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when door 20 is closed), thereby suppressing bacteria or viruses. When the sterilization mode is set to the ON state, it continues until the ON state is released by user U. In the "sterilization mode" control mode, storage chamber 30R and/or storage chamber 30F are storage chambers 30 to be cooled.

<6. Overlapping Settings of Multiple Control Modes>
Next, a description will be given of overlapping setting of a plurality of control modes. In this embodiment, a control mode (hereinafter referred to as a "main body cooling mode") executed based on an operation of the user U on the operation unit 140 of the refrigerator 100 or a preset condition, and a control mode (hereinafter referred to as a "server-instructed cooling mode") executed by the refrigerator 100 based on a control command transmitted from the server 200 to the refrigerator 100 can be set to overlapping. In other words, the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode can be set to ON state overlappingly.

The main body cooling mode is, for example, the above-mentioned special chill, quick chill, defrost mode, quick freezing, quick ice making, vegetable freezing, power saving mode, defrost mode, or sterilization mode. The main body cooling mode is an example of "first cooling control". The server-instructed cooling mode is, for example, a learning control mode. The server-instructed cooling mode is an example of "second cooling control" and an example of a "server-instructed cooling mode that cannot be set on the refrigerator side". The server-instructed cooling mode is, for example, a cooling control for multiple storage compartments 30 (storage compartment 30R in the refrigeration temperature zone and storage compartment 30F in the freezing temperature zone).

In this embodiment, when the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 executes the main body cooling mode with priority, and determines the execution content of the server-instructed cooling mode based on the type of storage room 30 to be cooled in the main body cooling mode.

"When the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap" means that the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode are both set to the ON state. "When the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap" means, for example, that one of the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode is set to the ON state before the other is set to the ON state. In other words, "when the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap" means that the scheduled execution of the main body cooling mode and the scheduled execution of the server-instructed cooling mode overlap.

"Type of storage compartment" means, for example, whether the object to be cooled in the main body cooling mode is the refrigerator compartment 31, the chilled compartment 31A, the vegetable compartment 32, the ice-making compartment 33, the small freezer compartment 34, or the main freezer compartment 35. Alternatively, "type of storage compartment" may mean whether the object to be cooled in the main body cooling mode is the storage compartment 30R in the refrigeration temperature range, or the storage compartment 30F in the freezer temperature range.

"Determining the execution content of the server-instructed cooling mode" means, for example, determining (e.g., selecting) one of two or more options that can be selected as the server-instructed cooling mode, such as whether to execute the server-instructed cooling mode as is, execute only a portion of it, or not execute it at all. For example, "determining the execution content of the server-instructed cooling mode" means determining which of the controls included in the server-instructed cooling mode are to be executed and which are to be inhibited from being executed. In this application, "determining the execution content of the server-instructed cooling mode" may include determining to execute the server-instructed cooling mode as is without changing it, or not to execute the server-instructed cooling mode (i.e., not to execute all of the controls included in the server-instructed cooling mode).

In this embodiment, when the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 determines the execution content of the server-instructed cooling mode for one or more storage rooms 30 of the refrigerator 100 that are different from the storage room 30 that is the target of cooling by the main body cooling mode. In other words, the control unit 163 determines whether to execute the server-instructed cooling mode as is, execute it partially, or not execute it for the storage room 30 that is not the direct target of cooling by the main body cooling mode among the multiple storage rooms 30.

In this embodiment, when the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 determines the execution content of the server-instructed cooling mode based on the type of storage chamber 30 to be cooled in the main body cooling mode and the type of cooling in the main body cooling mode. "Type of cooling in the main body cooling mode" means, for example, whether the type of cooling in the main body cooling mode is control that lowers the temperature of the storage chamber 30 to be cooled in the main body cooling mode compared to basic operation (special chill, quick chill, quick freezing, quick ice making, etc.) or control that raises the temperature of the storage chamber 30 to be cooled in the main body cooling mode compared to basic operation (defrost mode, etc.).

In this embodiment, when the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 determines the execution content of the server-instructed cooling mode based on the type of storage room 30 to be cooled in the main body cooling mode, the type of cooling in the main body cooling mode, and the type of cooling planned to be executed in the server-instructed cooling mode. The "type of cooling planned to be executed in the server-instructed cooling mode" is the type of cooling instructed by a control command from the server 200. The "type of cooling planned to be executed in the server-instructed cooling mode" means, for example, whether the type of cooling in the server-instructed cooling mode is control that lowers the temperature compared to normal operation (such as pre-cooling operation) or control that raises the temperature compared to normal operation (such as eco operation).

A specific example will be described below.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the execution contents of the server-instructed cooling mode when the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap. In FIG. 8, "refrigerator" means the storage room 30R in the refrigeration temperature range, and "freezer" means the storage room 30F in the freezing temperature range. In FIG. 8, "main body priority" means that the control based on the main body cooling mode is executed for both the storage room 30R and the storage room 30F, and the control of the server-instructed cooling mode is suppressed. In FIG. 8, "refrigerator only" means that the main body cooling mode is executed for the storage room 30F, and the server-instructed cooling mode is executed for the storage room 30R. In FIG. 8, "freezer only" means that the main body cooling mode is executed for the storage room 30R, and the server-instructed cooling mode is executed for the storage room 30F.

In this embodiment, when normal operation is instructed as the server-instructed cooling mode, the control unit 163 executes control based on the main body cooling mode for both storage room 30R and storage room 30F in all control modes that are main body cooling modes, and suppresses the execution of control specific to the server-instructed cooling mode. For this reason, the following describes the case where eco operation or pre-cooling operation is instructed as the server-instructed cooling mode.

(When main body cooling mode is not set)
When none of the control modes is set as the main body cooling mode, the control unit 163 performs eco-operation for both storage room 30R and storage room 30F in response to an eco-operation control command from the server 200, and performs pre-cooling operation in response to a pre-cooling operation control command from the server 200.

(Special chilled)
Special chill is a control mode in which the storage room 30R (e.g., chilled room 31A) in the refrigerated temperature range is cooled. When special chill and server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 executes special chill with priority, and executes server-instructed cooling mode for one or more storage rooms 30 (e.g., storage room 30F) that are not the cooling target of special chill.

As a specific example, when the special chilled mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 prioritizes special chilled cooling for the storage room 30R in the refrigeration temperature range and suppresses the execution of the server-instructed cooling mode. On the other hand, the control unit 163 executes the server-instructed cooling mode (eco operation or pre-cooling operation) for the storage room 30F in the freezing temperature range. That is, the control unit 163 executes eco operation in response to a control command for eco operation from the server 200 for the storage room 30F in the freezing temperature range, and executes pre-cooling operation in response to a control command for pre-cooling operation from the server 200.

(Quick chilling)
The quick chill mode is a control mode in which the storage chamber 30R (e.g., the chilled chamber 31A) in the refrigerated temperature range is the target of cooling. Here, the server-instructed cooling mode includes a control (e.g., a pre-cooling operation) that affects the quick chill cooling of the chilled chamber 31A as a cooling control for the storage chamber 30F in the freezing temperature range. That is, the quick chill mode requires the chilled chamber 31A to be cooled quickly within a set time, but if a pre-cooling operation is performed for the storage chamber 30F in the freezing temperature range, the cooling time for the chilled chamber 31A (cooling time by the refrigerating operation) is shortened, which affects the quick chill cooling. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the quick chill mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 executes the quick chill mode with priority, and also suppresses the execution of the server-instructed cooling mode for one or more storage chambers 30 (e.g., the storage chamber 30F) that are not the target of the quick chill mode. For example, when rapid chill and server-instructed cooling modes overlap, the control unit 163 determines the execution content of the server-instructed cooling mode based on the type of cooling to be performed in the server-instructed cooling mode (for example, whether it is eco operation or pre-cooling operation).

In this embodiment, the server-instructed cooling mode includes, as cooling controls for the storage room 30F, a first control (pre-cooling operation) that affects the cooling of the rapid chilled items in the chilled room 31A, and a second control (eco operation) that has a smaller effect on the cooling of the rapid chilled items in the chilled room 31A than the first control. The eco operation is a control that raises the temperature compared to normal operation (basic operation), and even if the eco operation is executed, it does not have or is unlikely to have a negative effect on the cooling of the rapid chilled items in the chilled room 31A. Therefore, when the rapid chilled and server-instructed cooling modes overlap, the control unit 163 executes the second control (eco operation) and suppresses the execution of the first control (pre-cooling operation). In this application, "having a small effect" may also include a case where the effect is zero.

As a specific example, when rapid chill and server-instructed cooling modes overlap, the control unit 163 prioritizes rapid chill cooling for the storage room 30R in the refrigeration temperature range, and suppresses the execution of the server-instructed cooling mode. On the other hand, the control unit 163 executes eco operation as the server-instructed cooling mode for the storage room 30F in the freezing temperature range, but suppresses the execution of pre-cooling operation. In other words, for the storage room 30F in the freezing temperature range, the control unit 163 executes eco operation in response to a control command for eco operation from the server 200, but suppresses the execution of pre-cooling operation even if there is a control command for pre-cooling operation from the server 200 (for example, does not execute).

(Defrost mode)
The defrosting mode is a control mode in which the storage chamber 30R (e.g., the chilled chamber 31A) in the refrigerated temperature range is the target of cooling. Here, the defrosting mode includes control that affects the temperature of the storage chamber 30F in the freezing temperature range (e.g., lowering the set temperature range of the storage chamber 30F in the freezing temperature range). That is, when the defrosting mode is executed, the time of the freezing operation is extended in order to shorten the time of the refrigerating operation. As a result, the temperature of the storage chamber 30F in the freezing temperature range is lowered compared to the basic operation. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the defrosting mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 executes the defrosting mode with priority, and also suppresses the execution of the server-instructed cooling mode for one or more storage chambers 30 (e.g., the storage chamber 30F) that are not the target of cooling in the defrosting mode. For example, when the defrosting mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 determines the execution content of the server-instructed cooling mode based on the type of cooling (e.g., whether it is eco operation or pre-cooling operation) to be executed in the server-instructed cooling mode.

In this embodiment, the server-instructed cooling mode includes, as cooling control for the storage room 30F, a third control (eco operation) that is affected by the temperature change in the storage room 30F caused by the defrosting mode for the chilled room 31A, and a fourth control (pre-cooling operation) that is less affected by the temperature change in the chilled room 31A caused by the defrosting mode compared to the third control. The pre-cooling operation is a control that lowers the temperature compared to the normal operation (basic operation). The temperature change in the storage room 30F caused by the defrosting mode and the temperature change in the storage room 30F caused by the pre-cooling operation are temperature changes in the same direction. Therefore, when the defrosting mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 executes the fourth control (pre-cooling operation) as cooling control for the storage room 30F and suppresses the execution of the third control (eco operation). In this application, "small impact" may also include cases where there is no impact.

As a specific example, when the defrosting mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 prioritizes cooling based on the defrosting mode for the storage room 30R in the refrigeration temperature range, and suppresses the execution of the server-instructed cooling mode. On the other hand, the control unit 163 executes pre-cooling operation as the server-instructed cooling mode for the storage room 30F in the freezing temperature range, but suppresses the execution of eco operation. In other words, for the storage room 30F in the freezing temperature range, the control unit 163 executes pre-cooling operation in response to a control command for pre-cooling operation from the server 200, but suppresses the execution of eco operation even if there is a control command for eco operation from the server 200 (for example, does not execute).

The control unit 163 suppresses the execution of the server-instructed cooling mode (e.g., pre-cooling operation) if the set temperature (target temperature) of the storage room 30F falls outside a predetermined temperature range when the main body operation mode (e.g., defrosting mode) and the server-instructed cooling mode are executed simultaneously. For example, when the "F strong setting" is selected with the execution of the main body operation mode (e.g., defrosting mode), if the setting temperature range is additionally lowered for pre-cooling operation while the "F strong setting" is selected, the set temperature range of the storage room 30F will be set excessively low. In this case, the control unit 163 suppresses the execution of the server-instructed cooling mode for the storage room 30F as well (e.g., pre-cooling operation is not executed). "Falling outside the predetermined temperature range" means, for example, that the set temperature falls below the lower limit of the set temperature range of the "F strong setting".

(Quick freezing)
Quick freezing is a control mode in which the storage chamber 30F in the freezing temperature range is the cooling target. Here, quick freezing includes control that affects the temperature of the storage chamber 30R in the refrigeration temperature range (for example, increasing the set temperature range of the storage chamber 30R in the refrigeration temperature range). That is, when quick freezing is performed, the time of refrigeration operation is shortened in order to lengthen the time of freezing operation. As a result, the temperature of the storage chamber 30R in the refrigeration temperature range rises compared to the basic operation. Therefore, in this embodiment, when quick freezing and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 performs quick freezing with priority, and also suppresses the execution of the server-instructed cooling mode for one or more storage chambers 30 (for example, the storage chamber 30F) that are not the cooling target of quick freezing. For example, when quick freezing and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 determines the execution content of the server-instructed cooling mode based on the type of cooling (for example, whether it is eco operation or pre-cooling operation) to be executed in the server-instructed cooling mode.

In this embodiment, the server-instructed cooling mode includes, as cooling control for the storage room 30R, a third control (pre-cooling operation) that is affected by the temperature change in the storage room 30R caused by the quick freezing of the storage room 30F, and a fourth control (eco operation) that is less affected by the temperature change in the storage room 30F caused by the quick freezing compared to the third control. The eco operation is a control that raises the temperature compared to the normal operation (basic operation). The temperature change in the storage room 30R caused by the quick freezing and the temperature change in the storage room 30R caused by the eco operation are temperature changes in the same direction. Therefore, when the quick freezing and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 executes the fourth control (eco operation) as the cooling control for the storage room 30R and suppresses the execution of the third control (pre-cooling operation).

As a specific example, when quick freezing and server-instructed cooling modes overlap, the control unit 163 prioritizes cooling based on quick freezing for storage room 30F in the freezing temperature range, and suppresses execution of the server-instructed cooling mode. On the other hand, the control unit 163 executes eco operation as server-instructed cooling mode for storage room 30R in the refrigeration temperature range, but suppresses execution of pre-cooling operation. In other words, for storage room 30R in the refrigeration temperature range, the control unit 163 executes eco operation in response to a control command for eco operation from the server 200, but suppresses execution of pre-cooling operation even if there is a control command for pre-cooling operation from the server 200 (for example, does not execute).

The control unit 163 suppresses the execution of the server-instructed cooling mode (e.g., eco operation) if the set temperature (target temperature) of the storage room 30R falls outside a predetermined temperature range when the main body operation mode (e.g., quick freezing mode) and the server-instructed cooling mode are executed simultaneously. For example, when the "R weak setting" is selected with the execution of the main body operation mode (e.g., quick freezing), if the set temperature range is additionally set to be increased for eco operation while the "R weak setting" is selected, the set temperature range of the storage room 30R will be set excessively high. In this case, the control unit 163 suppresses the execution of the server-instructed cooling mode for the storage room 30R as well (e.g., eco operation is not executed). "Falling outside the predetermined temperature range" means, for example, that the set temperature is higher than the upper limit value of the set temperature range of the "R weak setting".

(Quick ice making)
When the control mode for quick ice making and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, it is the same as when the control mode for quick freezing and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap. In the case of quick ice making, "quick freezing" in the above description of quick freezing should be read as "quick ice making."

(Frozen vegetables)
The vegetable freezing is a control mode in which the storage chamber 30F in the freezing temperature range is cooled. When the vegetable freezing and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 executes the server-instructed cooling mode for one or more storage chambers 30 (e.g., the storage chamber 30R) that are not the cooling target of the vegetable freezing.

As a specific example, when vegetable freezing and server-instructed cooling modes overlap, the control unit 163 prioritizes cooling based on vegetable freezing for storage room 30F in the freezing temperature range and suppresses execution of the server-instructed cooling mode. On the other hand, the control unit 163 executes the server-instructed cooling mode (eco operation or pre-cooling operation) for storage room 30R in the refrigeration temperature range. For example, the control unit 163 executes eco operation in response to a control command for eco operation from the server 200 for storage room 30R in the refrigeration temperature range, and executes pre-cooling operation in response to a control command for pre-cooling operation from the server 200.

(Power saving mode)
When the power saving mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 executes cooling based on the power saving mode for both the storage room 30R and the storage room 30F, and suppresses execution of the server-instructed cooling mode.

(Defrost mode)
When the defrost mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, control unit 163 executes control based on the defrost mode for both storage room 30R and storage room 30F, and suppresses execution of the server-instructed cooling mode.

(Sterilization mode)
When the sterilization mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 executes the sterilization mode and executes the server-instructed cooling mode (e.g., eco operation or pre-cooling operation) for both the storage room 30R and the storage room 30F. The "sterilization mode" is a control that does not depend on the set temperature zone, and therefore can coexist with the server-instructed cooling mode.

7. Control Flow
Next, several control flows will be described, taking the case where the special child mode is set as a representative of the various control modes mentioned above.

Figure 9 is a sequence diagram showing the process flow of the first control example. First, when a user U operates the operation unit 140 to set special chill, the control unit 163 of the refrigerator 100 sets special chill (S101). As a result, the control unit 163 starts cooling the storage chamber 30R in the refrigeration temperature range based on the special chill control mode.

Next, the server 200 transmits a control command related to the operation of the refrigerator 100 to the refrigerator 100 at a predetermined cycle (e.g., once an hour) (S102). As a result, the control command acquisition unit 161 of the refrigerator 100 acquires the control command from the server 200 (S103). Figure 9 shows an example in which a control command for eco-driving is transmitted from the server 200.

Next, when the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 of the refrigerator 100 determines the execution content of the server-instructed cooling mode based on the type of storage room 30 that is the target of cooling in the main body cooling mode. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the main body cooling mode is prioritized for the storage room 30R that is the target of cooling in the main body cooling mode (special chill), and it is determined that the server-instructed cooling mode (eco operation or pre-cooling operation) is to be executed for the storage room 30F that is different from the target of cooling in the main body cooling mode. In the example shown in FIG. 9, since the server-instructed cooling mode is eco operation, eco operation is executed for the storage room 30F (S104).

Then, when the user U operates the operation unit 140 to cancel the special chill setting, the control unit 163 of the refrigerator 100 cancels the special chill setting (S105). As a result, the control unit 163 decides to execute the server-instructed cooling mode (eco operation or pre-cooling operation) for both the storage room 30R in the refrigeration temperature range and the storage room 30F in the freezing temperature range. In the example shown in FIG. 9, since the server-instructed cooling mode is eco operation, eco operation is executed for the storage room 30R in the refrigeration temperature range and the storage room 30F in the freezing temperature range (S106).

Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing the process flow of the second control example. The second control example is an example in which special chill and quick freeze are set.

First, when a user U operates the operation unit 140 to set special chill and quick freeze, the control unit 163 of the refrigerator 100 sets special chill and quick freeze (S201). In this embodiment, when the special chill setting and the quick freeze setting overlap, the control unit 163 executes quick freeze with priority. As a result, the control unit 163 starts cooling the storage chamber 30 in the freezing temperature range based on the quick freeze control mode (S202).

Next, the server 200 transmits a control command related to the operation of the refrigerator 100 to the refrigerator 100 at a predetermined cycle (e.g., once an hour) (S203). As a result, the control command acquisition unit 161 of the refrigerator 100 acquires the control command from the server 200 (S204). Figure 10 shows an example in which a control command for eco-driving is transmitted from the server 200.

Next, when the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 of the refrigerator 100 determines the execution content of the server-instructed cooling mode based on the type of storage chamber 30 to be cooled in the main body cooling mode. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the main body cooling mode (quick freezing) is prioritized for the storage chamber 30F to be cooled in the main body cooling mode (quick freezing), and it is determined that the server-instructed cooling mode (eco operation) is executed for the storage chamber 30R that is not the target to be cooled in the main body cooling mode. In the example shown in FIG. 10, since the server-instructed cooling mode is eco operation, eco operation is executed for the storage chambers 30 in the refrigeration temperature range (S205).

Next, when a predetermined time (e.g., 120 minutes) set for quick freezing has elapsed, the control unit 163 of the refrigerator 100 ends the quick freezing and starts special chilling (S206). As a result, the control unit 163 starts cooling the storage chamber 30R in the refrigeration temperature range based on the special chilling control mode.

In this case, the control unit 163 of the refrigerator 100 determines again the execution content of the server-instructed cooling mode based on the type of storage room 30 to be cooled in the body cooling mode, assuming that the body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the body cooling mode is prioritized for the storage room 30R to be cooled in the body cooling mode (special chill), and it is determined that the server-instructed cooling mode (eco operation or pre-cooling operation) is executed for the storage room 30F that is different from the storage room to be cooled in the body cooling mode. In the example shown in FIG. 10, since the server-instructed cooling mode is eco operation, eco operation is executed for the storage room 30F (S207).

Then, when the user U operates the operation unit 140 to cancel the special chill setting, the control unit 163 of the refrigerator 100 cancels the special chill setting (S208). As a result, the control unit 163 decides to execute the server-instructed cooling mode (eco operation or pre-cooling operation) for both the storage room 30R in the refrigeration temperature range and the storage room 30F in the freezing temperature range. In the example shown in FIG. 10, since the server-instructed cooling mode is eco operation, eco operation is executed for the storage room 30R in the refrigeration temperature range and the storage room 30F in the freezing temperature range (S209).

8. Advantages
For example, when a quick freezing control mode is set as a control mode set on the refrigerator 100 side, if the refrigerator 100 is operated based on a control command (e.g., an eco-drive command) from the server 200, the performance of the "quick freezing" may be reduced. On the other hand, if multiple control modes cannot be set simultaneously, this may result in a function that is difficult for the user U to use.

In this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 of the embodiment has a control command acquisition unit 161 and a control unit 163. The control command acquisition unit 161 can acquire a control command from the server 200. The control unit 163 can control the cooling unit 130 by a main body cooling mode executed based on the operation of the user U or a preset condition, and a server-instructed cooling mode executed based on a control command acquired by the control command acquisition unit 161. When the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the main body cooling mode is executed with priority, and the execution content of the server-instructed cooling mode is determined based on the type of the storage room 30 to be cooled in the main body cooling mode. With this configuration, the relationship between the main body control mode set in the refrigerator 100 and the server-instructed cooling mode based on an instruction from the server 200 can be clarified, and multiple control modes can coexist (multiple control modes can be set simultaneously). As a result, it is possible to execute a part of the server-instructed cooling mode while maintaining the performance of the main body cooling mode such as "quick ice making" or "quick freezing". This can improve the convenience of the user U.

In this embodiment, when the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 determines the execution content of the server-instructed cooling mode for one or more storage rooms 30 that are different from the storage room 30 that is the target of cooling in the main body cooling mode. With this configuration, it is possible to execute the server-instructed cooling mode within a range that does not affect or is unlikely to affect the main body cooling mode. This can further improve the convenience of the user U.

In this embodiment, when the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 determines the execution content of the server-instructed cooling mode based on the type of storage chamber 30 to be cooled in the main body cooling mode and the type of cooling in the main body cooling mode. With this configuration, the server-instructed cooling mode can be executed to the extent that it can be executed according to the type of cooling in the main body cooling mode. This can further improve the convenience of the user U.

In this embodiment, when the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 determines the execution content of the server-instructed cooling mode based on the type of storage room 30 to be cooled in the main body cooling mode, the type of cooling in the main body cooling mode, and the type of cooling planned to be executed in the server-instructed cooling mode. With this configuration, the server-instructed cooling mode can be executed to the extent that it can be executed according to the type of cooling planned to be executed in the server-instructed cooling mode. This can further improve the convenience of the user U.

In this embodiment, the multiple storage chambers 30 include a first storage unit, which is the storage chamber 30 to be cooled in the main body cooling mode, and a second storage unit different from the first storage unit. The server-instructed cooling mode includes control that affects the cooling of the first storage unit in the main body cooling mode as cooling control for the second storage unit. When the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control unit 163 suppresses the execution of the server-instructed cooling mode. With this configuration, it is possible to execute the server-instructed cooling mode within a range that does not or is unlikely to adversely affect the main body cooling mode. This can further improve the convenience of the user U.

In this embodiment, the multiple storage chambers 30 include a first storage section, which is the storage chamber 30 to be cooled in the main body cooling mode, and a second storage section different from the first storage section. The main body cooling mode includes control that affects the temperature of the second storage section. When the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode overlap, the control section 163 determines the execution content of the server-instructed cooling mode based on the type of cooling to be executed in the server-instructed cooling mode. With this configuration, the server-instructed cooling mode can be executed in a range that is not affected or is unlikely to be affected by the temperature caused by the main body cooling mode. This can further improve the convenience of the user U.

In this embodiment, the multiple storage compartments 30 include a first storage section, which is the storage compartment 30 to be cooled in the main body cooling mode, and a second storage section different from the first storage section. If the temperature of the second storage section falls outside a predetermined temperature range when the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode are executed simultaneously, the control section 163 suppresses execution of the server-instructed cooling mode. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the set temperature in the refrigerator 100 from becoming higher than the predetermined temperature range, which would affect the stored food, and to prevent the set temperature in the refrigerator 100 from becoming lower than the predetermined temperature range, which would cause freezer burns, etc.

In this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 further includes a reception unit 162 that can receive a change in the priority between the main body cooling mode and the server-instructed cooling mode based on an operation by the user U. With this configuration, for example, when a user wants to prioritize a control operation according to a lifestyle pattern, the priority can be changed on the home appliance management app APP. This can further improve the convenience for the user U.

Although one embodiment has been described above, the embodiment is not limited to the above example. For example, the server-instructed cooling mode is not limited to the learning control mode, but may be a control mode that is set based on an operation on the home appliance management app APP of the terminal device 300 (for example, a cooling mode dedicated to the home appliance management app APP).

According to at least one of the embodiments described above, the refrigerator can control the cooling unit with a first cooling control that is executed based on a user's operation or a preset condition, and a second cooling control that is executed based on a control command from a server, and has a control unit that prioritizes execution of the first cooling control when the first cooling control and the second cooling control overlap, and determines the execution content of the second cooling control based on the type of storage unit to be cooled by the first cooling control. With such a configuration, convenience can be improved.

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

1...refrigerator system, 100...refrigerator, 130...cooling unit, 140...operation unit, 160...control device, 161...control command acquisition unit (acquisition unit), 162...reception unit, 163...control unit, 200...server, 300...terminal device.

Claims (8)

A refrigerator capable of communicating with a server,
An acquisition unit capable of acquiring a control command from the server;
A cooling unit that cools a plurality of storage units included in the refrigerator;
a control unit capable of controlling the cooling unit through a first cooling control executed based on a user operation or a preset condition and a second cooling control executed based on the control command acquired by the acquisition unit;
Equipped with
the second cooling control is a cooling control that is executed based on a collective control command for the plurality of storage units and that increases set temperatures of the plurality of storage units for a predetermined time,
when the first cooling control and the second cooling control overlap, the control unit suppresses execution of the second cooling control and executes the first cooling control for a storage unit that is a cooling target of the first cooling control and is included in the plurality of storage units, and determines whether or not to execute the second cooling control for one or more storage units that are different from the storage units that are a cooling target of the first cooling control and are included in the plurality of storage units, based on the type of the first cooling control.
refrigerator . A refrigerator capable of communicating with a server,
An acquisition unit capable of acquiring a control command from the server;
A cooling unit that cools a plurality of storage units included in the refrigerator;
a control unit capable of controlling the cooling unit by a first cooling control executed based on a user's operation or a preset condition and a second cooling control executed based on the control command acquired by the acquisition unit, and when the first cooling control and the second cooling control overlap, the control unit executes the first cooling control with priority, and determines the execution content of the second cooling control based on the type of storage unit that is a cooling target of the first cooling control and is included in the plurality of storage units;
Equipped with
the plurality of storage units include a first storage unit that is a storage unit to be cooled by the first cooling control, and a second storage unit that is different from the first storage unit,
the second cooling control includes, as cooling control for the second storage unit, control that affects the cooling of the first cooling control for the first storage unit,
The control unit suppresses execution of the second cooling control when the first cooling control and the second cooling control overlap.
refrigerator . the second cooling control includes, as a cooling control for the second storage unit, a first control that affects the cooling of the first cooling control for the first storage unit, and a second control that has a smaller effect on the cooling of the first cooling control for the first storage unit than the first control,
When the first cooling control and the second cooling control overlap, the control unit executes the second control and suppresses the execution of the first control.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 2 . A refrigerator capable of communicating with a server,
An acquisition unit capable of acquiring a control command from the server;
A cooling unit that cools a plurality of storage units included in the refrigerator;
a control unit capable of controlling the cooling unit by a first cooling control executed based on a user's operation or a preset condition and a second cooling control executed based on the control command acquired by the acquisition unit, and when the first cooling control and the second cooling control overlap, the control unit executes the first cooling control with priority, and determines the execution content of the second cooling control based on the type of storage unit that is a cooling target of the first cooling control and is included in the plurality of storage units;
Equipped with
the plurality of storage units include a first storage unit that is a storage unit to be cooled by the first cooling control, and a second storage unit that is different from the first storage unit,
the first cooling control includes a control affecting a temperature of the second storage portion;
When the first cooling control and the second cooling control overlap, the control unit determines the execution content of the second cooling control based on a type of cooling to be executed by the second cooling control.
refrigerator . the second cooling control includes, as a cooling control for the second storage unit, a third control that is influenced by a temperature change in the second storage unit caused by the first cooling control, and a fourth control that is less influenced by the temperature change than the third control;
When the first cooling control and the second cooling control overlap, the control unit executes the fourth control and suppresses the execution of the third control.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 4 . A refrigerator capable of communicating with a server,
An acquisition unit capable of acquiring a control command from the server;
A cooling unit that cools a plurality of storage units included in the refrigerator;
a control unit capable of controlling the cooling unit by a first cooling control executed based on a user's operation or a preset condition and a second cooling control executed based on the control command acquired by the acquisition unit, and when the first cooling control and the second cooling control overlap, the control unit executes the first cooling control with priority, and determines the execution content of the second cooling control based on the type of storage unit that is a cooling target of the first cooling control and is included in the plurality of storage units;
Equipped with
the plurality of storage units include a first storage unit that is a storage unit to be cooled by the first cooling control, and a second storage unit that is different from the first storage unit,
The control unit suppresses execution of the second cooling control when the set temperature of the second storage unit falls outside a predetermined temperature range when the first cooling control and the second cooling control are executed simultaneously . a reception unit capable of receiving a change in the priority order between the first cooling control and the second cooling control,
A refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . The first cooling control is a cooling control that is executed based on an operation of the user.
A refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .

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