JPH11325687A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] In a microcomputer-type refrigerator, even if the temperature in the refrigerator drops to a set temperature and control loads such as a compressor, a damper, and a circulation fan are stopped, the microcomputer and peripheral circuits of the control device are not affected. However, since power is always supplied, power is consumed even when the control load is stopped. SOLUTION: A control load such as a compressor 1, a damper 2, a circulation fan 3 and the like, a setting means 12 for setting a temperature in the refrigerator, a constant voltage power supply circuit 10, and a temperature sensor 13 are used to detect the temperature in the refrigerator. Temperature detecting means, and a microcomputer 11 for controlling the control load to set the temperature in the refrigerator to a set temperature
And a thermo-switch 15 of bimetal or the like, and a door open / close switch 16 provided in parallel with the thermo-switch 15 on wiring and closed when the refrigerator door is open. When the microcomputer 11 determines that the temperature in the refrigerator has dropped to the set temperature, the microcomputer 11 stops the control load, and then shuts off the power supply of the microcomputer 11 by the thermoswitch 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator used for ordinary households and businesses, and more particularly to a microcomputer-controlled refrigerator using a one-chip microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as "microcomputer").

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A series of temperature control of a conventional refrigerator will be described. FIG. 6 is a control block diagram including a main load used in the refrigerator, and includes a compressor (compressor) 1 for lowering the temperature in the refrigerator and sending out a refrigerant for keeping the refrigerator cool, and transferring cold air from the freezing room to the refrigerator compartment. A damper 2 that opens and closes a path to control the temperature inside the refrigerator and a circulation fan 3 that circulates cool air to each refrigerator compartment in the refrigerator.

A commercial power supply (AC 100 V) is decompressed by a transformer 8, converted into DC by a rectifying and smoothing unit 9, and controlled by a constant voltage power supply 10 by a microcomputer 11, an operating device 12, a temperature sensor 13, and a driver 7. The power is converted into a DC power supply suitable for the operation, and the operation is started.

[0004] In some cases, the user may input the set temperature in the refrigerator from the operating device 12 to the microcomputer 11 regardless of whether the operation is performed before or during operation. The damper 2 and the circulation fan 3 are controlled via a driver 7 by a compressor driver 4, a damper driver 5, and a fan driver 6 using a triac or an AC relay.

[0005] The internal temperature is input to the microcomputer 11 by the temperature sensor 13 as needed, and when the internal temperature falls below the set temperature, the microcomputer 11 controls the compressor driver 4, the dambar driver 5, and the fan driver 6 via the driver 7. Turn off and stop each load.

When the internal temperature becomes higher than the set temperature, the microcomputer 11 turns on the compressor driver 4, the damper driver 5, and the fan driver 6 via the driver 7, and operates the respective loads. Such a series of controls is repeatedly performed.

As described above, most refrigerators used for ordinary households and business use control the operation of loads such as the compressor 1, the damper 2, and the circulation fan 3 by using a microcomputer to control the temperature inside the refrigerator. The internal temperature can be set to "strong", "normal", "weak" by the user,
Alternatively, a value between "strong" and "weak" can be set arbitrarily.

When the temperature in the refrigerator is higher than the set value, the loads of the compressor 1, the damper 2, the circulation fan 3 and the like are activated, and when the temperature in the refrigerator falls to the set value, the loads are stopped. When the temperature in the refrigerator becomes higher than the set value again, each load is operated, and a series of these operations are repeated. When the door is opened during the cooling in the refrigerator, a means for stopping only the circulation fan 3 so as not to let cool air escape is used.

However, when the temperature in the refrigerator drops to a set value and the loads such as the compressor 1, the damper 2, and the circulation fan 3 are not operating, power is supplied to the microcomputer 11 that operates each load. The driver 7, the temperature sensor 13 and the operating device 12
Since the power supply is always supplied to the power supply, the constant power is always consumed even when the load is stopped.

[0010]

As described above, in the refrigerator of the microcomputer type, the temperature in the refrigerator drops to the set temperature,
Even when the control loads such as the compressor 1, the damper 2, and the circulation fan 3 are stopped, power is also supplied to the microcomputer 11 and peripheral circuits of the control device. He was always consuming power.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and in a state where each load is stopped and a state where power is supplied to a microcomputer or a peripheral circuit of the control device, the power is shut off to consume extra power. An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that does not allow the refrigerator to be operated.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rectifier circuit for rectifying an AC power supply and a DC power supply rectified by the rectifier circuit. A refrigerator having a control load for controlling the internal temperature and control means for controlling the operation of the control load for controlling the internal temperature to the set temperature, wherein the control is performed when the internal temperature reaches the set temperature. A refrigerator comprising: a power supply control unit that shuts off power supply to the unit and supplies power to the control unit when the internal temperature rises above the set temperature.

A second aspect of the present invention is the refrigerator according to the first aspect, wherein the energization control means comprises a thermoswitch connected in series with the control means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the refrigerator according to the second aspect, wherein a door open / close switch which is conductive when the door of the refrigerator is opened is connected in parallel with the thermo switch in an electric circuit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rectifier circuit for rectifying an AC power supply, a constant voltage power supply circuit for converting the DC power rectified by the rectifier circuit to a predetermined voltage, and a DC power supply rectified by the rectifier circuit. A control load that operates by controlling the internal temperature, an internal temperature sensor that operates with a constant voltage power supply supplied from the constant voltage power supply circuit and detects the internal temperature, and a power supply that is supplied from the constant voltage power supply circuit. Control means for controlling the operation of the control load in order to control the inside temperature to the set temperature by operating with the constant voltage power supply, and when the inside temperature reaches the set temperature, the rectifier circuit or Refrigerator characterized by comprising power supply control means for interrupting power supply to the constant-voltage power supply circuit and supplying power to the rectifier circuit or the constant-voltage power supply circuit when the internal temperature rises above the set temperature. Is

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the refrigerator according to the fourth aspect, the power supply control means comprises a thermoswitch connected in series with the rectifier circuit or the constant voltage power supply circuit control means. is there.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the refrigerator according to the fifth aspect, wherein a door open / close switch that is conductive when the door of the refrigerator is opened is electrically connected in parallel with the thermoswitch.

More specifically, the control load of the compressor 1, the damper 2, the circulation fan 3 and the like, the setting means 12 for setting the temperature in the storage, the constant voltage power supply circuit 10, and the storage Temperature detection means for detecting the internal temperature;
The control means including the microcomputer 11 for controlling the control load for setting the temperature in the refrigerator to the set temperature, a thermoswitch 15 such as a bimetal, and a refrigerator door provided in parallel with the thermoswitch 15 on the wiring are open. When the temperature in the refrigerator drops to a set temperature, the control means stops the control load when the temperature detection means and the control means determine that the temperature in the refrigerator drops to a set temperature. The power of the microcomputer 11 in the control means is cut off by the thermoswitch 15.

Alternatively, the power supply to the constant voltage power supply circuit 10 is cut off by the thermo switch 15. If the door is opened while the power is off, the door open / close switch 16
Thus, power is supplied to the control means, and the operation is restarted.

Further, in the above configuration, an EEPROM (volatile memory) or the like is provided inside the control means, and when the power is turned on, the operation state is read and stored at any time. When the power is turned on again, the microcomputer can read the operation information before the power is turned off from the EEPROM (volatile memory) and restart the operation.

[0021]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition,
The same parts as those of the above conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[Embodiment 1] Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, a thermoswitch 15 is provided in series with the microcomputer 11 in order to control power supply from the constant voltage power supply unit 10 to the microcomputer 11.

The thermo-switch 15 is set at "set temperature-
Ta ° ”, that is, a specification that opens at a temperature lower by Ta ° C from the set temperature, and at the same time as setting the internal temperature,
The structure of the bimetal thermoswitch 15 is also made variable.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.
When the internal temperature decreases to a set temperature set by the user using the operating device 12 and the control loads of the compressor 1, the damper 2, the circulation fan 3 and the like are stopped, the microcomputer 11 controls these units. Power is supplied even though the load is stopped.

Then, even if the control loads of the compressor 1, the damper 2, and the circulation fan 3 are stopped, the internal temperature of the refrigerator slightly drops due to overshoot toward the low temperature side, and becomes "set temperature-a ° C." The thermo switch 15 is set to “set temperature−T
microcomputer 11 to open at the internal temperature of
The power supply to the microcomputer 1 is shut down and the
One power consumption becomes zero.

On the other hand, when the internal temperature gradually rises and exceeds the value of "set temperature-Ta.degree. C.", the thermo-switch 15 is connected, the power is supplied to the microcomputer 11 again, and the microcomputer 11 is in the operation standby state. When the temperature exceeds the set temperature, the control loads of the compressor 11, the damper 2, and the circulation fan 3 are operated to perform a series of these operation operations.

When the power supply of the microcomputer 11 is cut off, the operation state at that time is erased.
The OM 14 is provided in the control circuit, and during the operation, the microcomputer 11 stores the operation state in the EEPROM 14 as needed. When the microcomputer 11 is turned on again, the microcomputer 11
After the operation state stored in the ROM 14 is read, the operation standby state is set.

Embodiment 2 Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 2, a thermoswitch 15 is provided in series with the microcomputer 11 as in the first embodiment.
Further, a door open / close switch 16 is provided in parallel with the thermoswitch 15. The door opening / closing switch 16 is configured to be closed when the door of the refrigerator is open and to be opened when the door of the refrigerator is closed.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.
The temperature inside the refrigerator decreases to reach the set temperature, and the compressor 1, the damper 2, and the circulating fan 3 of the control load are stopped by the microcomputer 11, and then the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes “set temperature−Ta ° C.”
Then, the thermoswitch 15 is opened, the power supply path of the microcomputer 11 is cut off, and the microcomputer 11 stops.

If the door of the refrigerator is opened while the refrigerator is stopped, the door open / close switch 16 is turned on, the power is supplied to the microcomputer 11, and the microcomputer 11 is on standby. This is because, when the door is opened, the cool air in the refrigerator escapes to the outside and the internal temperature rises, so that the operation is on standby, and the microcomputer 11 determines that the internal temperature is higher than the set temperature. In this case, the compressor 1, the damper 2, and the circulation fan 3 are operated to start the operation. When it is determined that the internal temperature is lower than the set temperature, each control load is kept stopped.

At this time, if the thermo switch 15 is at the "set temperature-Ta.degree. C." and is open, the microcomputer 11 is turned off when the door is closed, and the thermo switch 15 is turned off.
Is in a conductive state, the microcomputer 11 is in a state where power is supplied to the microcomputer 11 (during operation standby).

Embodiment 3 Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the thermoswitch 15
Are provided in series on the primary side of the transformer 8. Further, the thermoswitch 15 is set to “set temperature−Ta”.
° C ”, that is, a structure that opens at a temperature lower by Ta ° C from the set temperature, and has a structure in which the setting of the bimetal thermoswitch 15 can be changed at the same time as the internal temperature is set.

In the first or second embodiment, when the internal temperature falls below the set temperature during operation and becomes “set temperature−Ta ° C.”,
Although the power supply of the microcomputer 11 is cut off by the thermo switch 15 and the power consumption is reduced while the operation of the microcomputer 11 is stopped, even if the power supply of the microcomputer 11 is cut off, other drivers 7, the operating device 12, the temperature sensor 13, the EEPROM 14 , The transformer 8, the rectifying / smoothing unit 9, and the constant voltage power supply unit 10 remain energized.

On the other hand, in the third embodiment, when the internal temperature drops to “set temperature−Ta ° C.” and the thermoswitch 15 is opened, power is not supplied to the transformer 8 and the microcomputer 11, the driver 7, the operating device 12, the temperature sensor 13, and the EEPROM 14 consume no power, and the transformer 81, the rectifying / smoothing unit 9, and the constant-voltage power supply 10 also consume no reactive power. There is more energy saving effect than 1 or 2.

Further, as in Embodiment 1 or 2,
During the operation, the operation state is continuously input to the EEPROM 14 at any time, the temperature in the refrigerator exceeds Ta ° C., the thermo switch 15 is brought into a suitable state, the power is supplied to the transformer 8, the operation is in a standby state, and the microcomputer 11 The operation state is read, and when the temperature exceeds the set temperature, the operation is restarted.

Fourth Embodiment A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4, a thermoswitch 15 is provided in series on the primary side of the transformer 8 and a door open / close switch 16 is provided in parallel with the thermoswitch 15 as in the third embodiment. The door opening / closing switch 16 is configured to be closed when the door of the refrigerator is open and to be opened when the door of the refrigerator is closed.

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described.
The internal temperature decreases to the set temperature, and the compressor 1, the damper 2, and the circulation fan 3 of the control load are stopped by the microcomputer 11, and thereafter, the internal temperature is set to “set temperature−Ta ° C.”
Then, the thermo switch 15 is opened, the power supply path of the transformer 8 is cut off, and the control means on the secondary side of the transformer 8 including the microcomputer 11 is stopped. If the refrigerator door can be opened during this stop, the door open / close switch 1
6 is in a conductive state, power is supplied to the transformer 8, power is also supplied to the secondary side of the transformer 8, and the operation is on standby.

As described in the second embodiment, when the door is opened, the cool air in the refrigerator escapes to the outside and the temperature inside the refrigerator rises.
1 is energized and the operation is in standby.

When power is supplied when the door is opened, the microcomputer 11
When the internal temperature is determined to be higher than the set temperature, the compressor 1, the damper 2, and the circulating fan 3 are operated to start the operation, and when the internal temperature is determined to be lower than the set temperature, Is stopped. At this time, if the thermo switch 15 is at the “set temperature−Ta ° C.” and the door is open, when the door is closed, the power supply to the transformer 8 is turned off again, and if the thermo switch 15 is on, Power is supplied to the transformer 8 (during operation standby).

As described above, according to the present invention, when the temperature in the refrigerator becomes equal to or lower than the set value, the microcomputer 11 of the control device or the entire power supply is cut off to reduce the power consumption during the operation standby. Alternatively, the refrigerator is set to the operation standby mode as soon as the door is opened while the power is turned off and the power supply is cut off.

In the third and fourth embodiments,
Although the thermoswitch 15 is provided in series on the primary side of the transformer 8, the thermoswitch 15 may be provided in series on the secondary side of the transformer 8 with the rectifying / smoothing unit 9 or the constant voltage power supply unit 10.

[0042]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to cut off the power supplied to the control means, reduce the power consumption during operation stop (during operation standby), and achieve an energy saving effect. it can. Further, according to the second aspect, the power supply to the control means can be reliably shut off with a simple configuration.

According to the third aspect, when the power to the control means is shut off, if the door is opened, the cool air in the refrigerator escapes to the outside of the refrigerator, and the temperature in the refrigerator may rise. ,
Power is supplied to the control means, which is shut off, by a door open / close switch that closes when the refrigerator door is open. Efficiency can be improved.

According to the fourth aspect, the power of the control means and the temperature sensor in the refrigerator can be cut off, the power consumption during operation stop (during operation standby) is reduced to zero, and the energy saving effect of claim 1 or more is achieved. be able to. Further, according to the fifth aspect, the power supply to the control means and the internal temperature sensor can be reliably shut off with a simple configuration.

According to the sixth aspect, when the power to the internal temperature sensor and the control means is shut off, when the door is opened, cool air in the internal space escapes to the outside of the internal space, and the internal temperature rises. When the refrigerator door is open, power is supplied to the internal temperature sensor and control means, which are turned off, by the door open / close switch that closes when the refrigerator is open. Can be measured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart of control in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of a conventional refrigerator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Compressor 2 Damper 3 Circulating fan 4 Compressor driver 5 Damper driver 6 Circulating fan driver 7 Driver 8 Transformer 9 Rectification smoothing part 10 Constant voltage power supply part 11 Microcomputer 12 Operating device 13 Temperature sensor 14 EEPROM 15 Thermoswitch 16 Door open / close switch

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A rectifier circuit for rectifying an AC power supply, a control load operating by a DC power supply rectified by the rectifier circuit to control an internal temperature, and a control load for controlling the internal temperature to a set temperature. Control means for controlling the operation of the control load, wherein when the internal temperature reaches the set temperature, power supply to the control means is cut off, and when the internal temperature rises above the set temperature, A refrigerator comprising an energization control unit for supplying power to the control unit. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein said power supply control means comprises a thermoswitch connected in series with said control means. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein a door opening / closing switch that is turned on when the door of the refrigerator is opened is electrically connected in parallel with the thermoswitch. 4. A rectifier circuit for rectifying an AC power supply, a constant voltage power supply circuit for converting the DC power supply rectified by the rectifier circuit to a predetermined voltage, and an internal power supply operated by the DC power supply rectified by the rectifier circuit. A control load for controlling the temperature, an internal temperature sensor that operates with a constant voltage power supply supplied from the constant voltage power supply circuit and detects the internal temperature, and operates with a constant voltage power supply supplied from the constant voltage power supply circuit And control means for controlling the operation of the control load to control the temperature in the refrigerator to the set temperature, wherein when the temperature in the refrigerator reaches the set temperature, the rectifier circuit or the constant voltage power supply circuit And a power supply control means for supplying power to the rectifier circuit or the constant voltage power supply circuit when the internal temperature rises above the set temperature. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein said power supply control means comprises a thermoswitch connected in series with said rectifier circuit or said constant voltage power supply circuit control means. 6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein a door open / close switch that is conductive when the door of the refrigerator is opened is electrically connected in parallel with the thermoswitch.