JP2000018802A - Controller for chiller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid useless alarm at the time of switching by delivering an alarm if the inner temperature is abnormal when it is switched to a different temperature band and invalidating a temperature alarm function when the temperature band switching operation is performed. SOLUTION: When a cooling/noncooling switch 3 is tuned to noncooling mode, a controller 10 controls an actuator 12 to stopping state where a showcase is not cooled but brought into normal temperature state. When a freeze/ refrigeration switch 4 is turned to freeze mode, the actuator 12 is controlled based on the output from a temperature sensor 11 to bring about a set inner temperature. In freeze and refrigeration mode, an alarm output 13 is delivered when the inner temperature rises to a specified alarm level. Useless alarm output 13 is avoided by invalidating an alarm decision routine until the temperature in the showcase drops down to a specified level at the time of switching from noncooling state to cooling state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for a cooling device such as a low-temperature showcase, a home / business refrigerator, and a prefabricated refrigerator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a low-temperature showcase installed in a store such as a supermarket, if a device breaks down and the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes an abnormal value, a great deal of damage occurs to displayed products. I do. Therefore, in a conventional low-temperature showcase, for example, a high-temperature alarm temperature and a low-temperature alarm temperature are set above and below a set temperature, and when the temperature rises above these high-temperature alarm temperatures or drops below the low-temperature alarm temperature. Issued an alarm such as a buzzer.

[0003] In addition, when replenishing commodities, the temperature may rise temporarily. In such a case, an alarm is not issued immediately after the alarm temperature is reached but an alarm is issued after a predetermined delay time so that an unnecessary alarm is not issued. The delay time can be appropriately changed by the user.

[0004]

Some low-temperature showcases of this type are capable of switching between a non-cooling state in which cooling is not performed and a cooling state. The temperature zone can be switched to the set temperature of refrigeration and freezing.

In the case of such a low-temperature showcase in which the temperature zones can be switched, the temperature does not change immediately after the switching of the temperature zones, so that there is a problem that a temperature alarm is generated after the delay time has elapsed. Therefore, if the delay time is set long in order to prevent such false alarms, it will not be possible to immediately issue an alarm when the temperature in normal use becomes abnormal, resulting in enormous damage to displayed products. A problem arises in which the problem occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a control device in a cooling device capable of switching a temperature zone, which can properly avoid unnecessary alarms generated when the temperature is switched.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control apparatus for a cooling apparatus having a switching function of switching a temperature inside a refrigerator to a different temperature zone to control the temperature inside the refrigerator. A control device having a temperature alarm function for issuing an alarm when the temperature zone is changed, the control device invalidates the temperature alarm function under certain conditions when a temperature band switching operation is performed.

The control device for the cooling device according to the first aspect of the present invention prevents an abnormal temperature alarm from being issued when the temperature in the refrigerator is shifted to the temperature zone after the switching when the temperature zone is switched. Can be avoided.

As a result, it is possible to eliminate unnecessary inconvenience and inconvenience for coping with the user. In addition, since it is not necessary to extend the delay time of the normal temperature alarm, the alarm for the temperature abnormality in the normal use condition can be functioned without any trouble, and the usability of the cooling device capable of switching the temperature zone in general can be used. Can be significantly improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooling device having a function of switching between non-cooling without cooling the inside of the refrigerator and cooling for cooling the inside of the refrigerator. A control device with a temperature alarm function that issues an alarm when the inside of the refrigerator becomes abnormal has a temperature alarm function under a certain condition when a switching operation from non-cooling to cooling is performed. Is invalidated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the operation of switching between non-cooling without cooling the inside of the refrigerator and cooling to cool the inside of the refrigerator is performed, the temperature in the refrigerator is shifted toward the cooling temperature zone. Thus, it is possible to prevent an abnormal temperature alarm from being issued.

As a result, it is possible to eliminate unnecessary inconvenience and inconvenience for coping with the user. In addition, since it is not necessary to extend the delay time of the normal temperature alarm, the alarm for the temperature abnormality in the normal use state can be functioned without any trouble, and the cooling device having the function of switching between non-cooling and cooling. It is possible to remarkably improve usability.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooling device having a switching function of switching and controlling the temperature in the refrigerator between a freezing temperature range and a refrigeration temperature range. Provided with a control device having a temperature alarm function for issuing an alarm when the temperature of the battery becomes abnormal. This control device disables the temperature alarm function under certain conditions when a temperature band switching operation is performed. It is.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control device for a cooling device, which performs an operation for switching a temperature in a refrigerator between a freezing temperature range and a refrigeration temperature range, while the temperature inside the refrigerator goes to a freezing or refrigeration temperature range. It is possible to prevent a temperature alarm from being issued.

As a result, it is possible to eliminate unnecessary inconvenience and inconvenience for coping with the user. In addition, since it is not necessary to extend the delay time of the normal temperature alarm, the alarm for the temperature abnormality in the normal use state can be functioned without any trouble, and the temperature in the refrigerator is set to the freezing and refrigeration temperature zone. This makes it possible to remarkably improve the usability of a cooling device having a switching function of switching and controlling.

[0016]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a low-temperature showcase 1 as an embodiment of a cooling device to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device 2 of the low-temperature showcase 1 to which the present invention is applied. The low-temperature showcase 1 of the embodiment is switchable between a non-cooling state in which the inside of the refrigerator is not cooled and a cooling state in which the inside of the refrigerator is refrigerated or frozen.
Multiple units are installed in stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores.

As shown in FIG. 1, the low-temperature showcase 1 includes a heat insulating wall 5 having a substantially U-shaped cross section and side plates 6 attached to both sides of the heat insulating wall 5. Partition plates 7 are attached to the inside of the heat insulating wall 5 at intervals, a display room 8 (inside the storage) is formed on the front side of the partition plate 7, a duct (not shown) is formed on the rear side, and the display room is formed. In the room 8, shelves 9 are provided at predetermined intervals.

Further, a cooler and a fan (not shown) which constitute a part of a well-known refrigeration cycle are installed in the duct together with a compressor (not shown) and the like. Then, the cool air that has exchanged heat with the cooler is blown out from a discharge port (not shown) at the upper edge of the opening toward a suction port (not shown) at the lower edge to cool the inside of the display room 8 while forming an air curtain.

On the upper front surface of the heat insulating wall 5 of the low-temperature showcase 1, a cold non-switching switch 3 for switching between a non-cooling state in which the display room 8 is not cooled (normal temperature) and a cooling state in which cooling is performed is provided. Further, a freezing / refrigerating switch 4 for switching the temperature zone to freezing or refrigeration in a cooling state is provided next to the cooling zone.

Next, the control device 2 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The control device 2 includes a controller 10 composed of a general-purpose microcomputer.
, The cold non-changeover switch 3 and the refrigeration changeover switch 4 are connected. Further, the output of the controller 10 is connected to an actuator 12 such as a motor for the compressor or fan, a dew-proof heater for preventing dew condensation, and an alarm output 13 including a buzzer or the like.

The temperature sensor 11 detects the temperature of the cold air discharged from the low-temperature showcase 1 or the temperature in the display room 8 (hereinafter referred to as the inside temperature).
Mounted inside.

Next, the operation of the control device 2 with the above configuration will be described. When the controller 10 is set in the non-cooling state by the cooling / non-switching switch 3, the controller 10 enters the non-cooling mode. In addition, in the case of the cooling state, when the freezing / refrigeration changeover switch 4 is set to the frozen state, the mode is the freezing mode, and when the state is the refrigerated state, the mode is the cooling mode.

In the non-cooling mode, the actuator 12 is stopped, and the display room 8 is not cooled.
Thereby, the inside of the display room 8 becomes normal temperature. In the freezing mode, the set temperature of the display room 8 is set to, for example, -10 ° C to -20 ° C.
The temperature inside the refrigerator is controlled to a set temperature (freezing temperature) by controlling the actuator 12 based on the output of the temperature sensor 11. Further, in the refrigeration mode, the set temperature of the display room 8 is set to a temperature range of + 5 ° C. to + 2 ° C., for example, and the actuator 12 is controlled based on the output of the temperature sensor 11 to control the internal temperature to the set temperature (refrigeration temperature).

In the freezing mode and the refrigeration mode, the controller 10 sets a predetermined high temperature alarm temperature and a predetermined low temperature alarm temperature above and below the set temperature. If the delay time continues, or if the temperature drops below the low temperature alarm temperature and the state continues for the delay time, the alarm output 13 is activated to issue an alarm (the above is an alarm determination routine described later). This delay time can be appropriately changed by the user. Furthermore, when the temperature zone is switched, these alarm temperatures are shifted in parallel above and below the set temperature of the switched temperature zone.

Next, an alarm operation of the controller 10 at the time of mode switching will be described with reference to FIG. First,
The operation in the case where the mode is switched from the non-cooling mode to the freezing or refrigeration (in the figure, generally referred to as cooling) mode will be described.
In step S1, the controller 10 determines whether or not the low-temperature showcase 1 is currently in the non-cool mode. If the low-temperature showcase 1 is in the non-cool mode, the controller 10 proceeds to step S2 and sets an alarm mask flag.

On the other hand, when the mode is switched to the cooling state (refrigeration or freezing mode) by the cold non-changeover switch 3, the controller 10 proceeds to step S3. In step S3,
It is determined whether the alarm mask flag is set. When the mode is switched from the non-cooling mode to the cooling state, the alarm mask flag is set, and in this case, the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, it is determined whether a predetermined alarm mask time has elapsed. Here, the predetermined alarm mask time means that, when the non-cooling mode is switched to the cooling state in advance, the temperature in the refrigerator is lower than the high temperature alarm temperature in the refrigeration or freezing mode from normal temperature, or the temperature in the refrigerator is set to the set temperature. Set to a time sufficient to reach.

If it is determined in step S4 that the alarm mask time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S1 again, and the determination in steps S1-S3-S4 is repeated until the alarm mask time has elapsed. And
If it is determined in step S4 that the alarm mask time has elapsed, the flow advances to step S5 to clear (reset) the alarm mask flag.

When this alarm mask flag is cleared,
The controller 10 proceeds from step S3 to step S
Proceed to 6. In step S6, the above-described alarm determination routine is executed. That is, the temperature alarm function provided with the above-described delay time is activated, and an alarm is issued after a predetermined delay time has elapsed after the internal temperature reaches the high-temperature alarm temperature or the low-temperature alarm temperature.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the operation of switching from the non-cooling mode to the cooling state is performed, the alarm determination routine does not function until the temperature in the display room 8 decreases to near the set temperature of the cooling state. Further, it is possible to prevent an abnormal temperature alarm from being issued while the temperature in the display room 8 is approaching the temperature zone in the cooling state.

Therefore, it is possible to eliminate unnecessary anxiety and inconvenience of coping with the user, and it is not necessary to extend the delay time of the normal temperature alarm described above. As a result, the alarm for the temperature abnormality in the normal use state can be functioned without any trouble, and the usability of the cooling device that can be switched from the non-cooled state to the cooled state can be remarkably improved.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the alarm operation when the controller 10 switches modes. Also in this case, in step S7, the controller 10 determines whether or not the low-temperature showcase 1 is currently in the non-cooling mode. If the low-temperature showcase 1 is in the non-cooling mode, the process proceeds to step S8 to set an alarm mask flag.

On the other hand, when the mode is switched to the cooling state (refrigeration or freezing mode) by the cold non-changeover switch 3, the controller 10 proceeds to step S9. In step S9,
It is determined whether the alarm mask flag is set. Since the alarm mask flag is set when the mode is switched from the non-cooling mode to the cooling state, the process proceeds to step S10 in this case.

In step S10, it is determined whether or not the temperature in the refrigerator has reached the set temperature in the freezing or refrigeration mode.
Note that this may be a temperature between the high temperature alarm temperature and the low temperature alarm temperature instead of the set temperature. If it is determined in step S10 that the temperature has not reached the set temperature, the process returns to step S7, and the process returns to step S7- until the temperature reaches the set temperature.
Steps S9 to S10 are repeated. When it is determined in step S10 that the temperature has reached the set temperature, the process proceeds to step S11, and the alarm mask flag is cleared (reset).

When this alarm mask flag is cleared,
The controller 10 then proceeds from step S9 to step S9.
Proceed to 12. In step S12, the above-described alarm determination routine is executed. That is, the temperature alarm function provided with the above-described delay time is activated, and an alarm is issued after a predetermined delay time has elapsed after the internal temperature reaches the high-temperature alarm temperature or the low-temperature alarm temperature.

With this control, when the operation of switching from the non-cooling mode to the cooling state is performed, the alarm determination routine does not function until the temperature in the display room 8 decreases to the set temperature in the cooling state. It is possible to prevent an abnormal temperature alarm from being issued while the temperature in the chamber 8 is approaching the set temperature in the cooling state.

Next, the operation when switching from the freezing mode to the refrigeration mode will be described with reference to FIG. Step S1
In 3, the controller 10 determines whether the low-temperature showcase 1 is currently in the freezing mode or the refrigeration mode,
In the case of the refrigeration mode, the process proceeds to step S14 to set an alarm mask flag.

On the other hand, when the mode is switched from the refrigerating mode to the refrigerating mode by the refrigerating / refrigerating switch 4 in a state where the cooling mode is set by the refrigerating / non-changing switch 3, the controller 10 proceeds to step S15. In step S15, it is determined whether an alarm mask flag has been set.
When the mode is switched from the freezing mode to the refrigeration mode, the alarm mask flag is set, so in this case,
Proceed to step S16.

In step S16, it is determined whether a predetermined alarm mask time has elapsed. Here, the predetermined alarm mask time means that when the mode is previously switched from the freezing mode to the refrigeration mode, the internal temperature rises from the freezing temperature zone to the low temperature alarm temperature of the refrigeration mode or the set temperature. Set to a time sufficient to do so.

If it is determined in step S16 that the alarm mask time has not elapsed, step S13 is performed again.
To step S1 until the alarm mask time has elapsed.
3-Step S15-Repeat the determination of step S16. If it is determined in step S16 that the alarm mask time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S17, where the alarm mask flag is cleared (reset).

When this alarm mask flag is cleared,
The controller 10 proceeds from step S15 to step S18. In step S18, the above-described alarm determination routine is executed. That is, the temperature alarm function provided with the above-described delay time is activated, and an alarm is issued after a predetermined delay time has elapsed after the internal temperature reaches the high-temperature alarm temperature or the low-temperature alarm temperature.

Next, the operation when switching from the refrigeration mode to the freezing mode will be described with reference to FIG. Step S1
At 9, the controller 10 determines whether the low-temperature showcase 1 is currently in the freezing mode or the refrigeration mode,
In the case of the refrigeration mode, the process proceeds to step S20 to set an alarm mask flag.

On the other hand, when the mode is switched from the refrigerating mode to the refrigerating mode by the refrigerating / refrigerating switch 4 in a state where the cooling mode is set by the refrigerating / non-changing switch 3, the controller 10 proceeds to step S21. In step S21, it is determined whether the alarm mask flag has been set.
When the mode is switched from the refrigeration mode to the freezing mode, the alarm mask flag is set, so in this case,
Proceed to step S22.

In step S22, it is determined whether a predetermined alarm mask time has elapsed. Here, the predetermined alarm mask time means that when the refrigerator mode is switched from the refrigeration mode to the freezing mode, the temperature in the refrigerator falls below the high temperature alarm temperature in the refrigeration temperature zone or the freezing mode, or the temperature in the refrigerator drops to the set temperature. Set to a time sufficient to do so.

If it is determined in step S22 that the alarm mask time has not elapsed, step S19 is performed again.
To step S1 until the alarm mask time has elapsed.
The determination of 9-step S21-step S22 is repeated. If it is determined in step S22 that the alarm mask time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S23, where the alarm mask flag is cleared (reset).

When this alarm mask flag is cleared,
The controller 10 proceeds from step S21 to step S24. In step S24, the above-described alarm determination routine is executed. That is, the temperature alarm function provided with the above-described delay time is activated, and an alarm is issued after a predetermined delay time has elapsed after the internal temperature reaches the high-temperature alarm temperature or the low-temperature alarm temperature.

In any of the above embodiments, the determination in step S16 or step S22 may be based on whether or not the internal temperature has reached the set temperature of the mode after switching as shown in FIG. In any case, when the switching operation is performed from the freezing mode to the refrigeration mode or from the refrigeration mode to the freezing mode, the alarm determination routine does not function until the temperature in the display room 8 decreases to the temperature zone after the switching. It is possible to prevent an abnormal temperature alarm from being issued while the temperature in the display room 8 is approaching the temperature zone after switching.

In the embodiment, the low-temperature showcase has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is also effective for home / business refrigerators and prefabricated refrigerators.

[0049]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when the temperature zone is switched, an abnormal temperature alarm is issued while the temperature in the refrigerator is moving toward the temperature zone after the switching. It can be avoided beforehand.

As a result, it is possible to eliminate unnecessary anxiety and inconvenience for coping with the user. In addition, since it is not necessary to extend the delay time of the normal temperature alarm, the alarm for the temperature abnormality in the normal use condition can be functioned without any trouble, and the usability of the cooling device capable of switching the temperature zone in general can be used. Can be significantly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a low-temperature showcase to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device for a low-temperature showcase to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a program relating to an alarm operation of the controller of the control device of the present invention when switching from the non-cooling mode to the cooling state.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a program relating to an alarm operation of the controller of the control device of the present invention when switching from the freezing mode to the refrigeration mode.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a program relating to an alarm operation of the controller of the control device of the present invention when the mode is switched from the refrigeration mode to the freezing mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Low-temperature showcase 2 Control device 3 Cold non-switching switch 4 Refrigeration / refrigeration switching switch 8 Display room 10 Controller 11 Temperature sensor 12 Actuator 13 Alarm output

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Keiichi Watanabe 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka F-term in Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (Reference) 3L045 AA02 BA01 BA03 CA09 DA02 EA01 LA05 LA09 LA18 MA02 NA24 PA02 PA03 PA04

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A cooling device having a switching function of switching a temperature in a refrigerator to a different temperature zone and controlling the temperature, comprising a control device having a temperature alarm function for issuing an alarm when the temperature of the refrigerator becomes abnormal. And a control device for controlling the cooling device, wherein the temperature warning function is invalidated under a certain condition when the operation of switching the temperature zone is performed. 2. A cooling apparatus having a function of switching between non-cooling without cooling the inside of a refrigerator and cooling for cooling the inside of a refrigerator, wherein an abnormal temperature inside the refrigerator relative to a set temperature in a cooling state. A control device having a temperature alarm function for issuing an alarm to the control device, wherein the control device disables the temperature alarm function under certain conditions when the switching operation from the non-cooling to the cooling is performed. Control device for cooling device. 3. A cooling device having a switching function for switching and controlling a temperature in a refrigerator between a freezing temperature range and a refrigeration temperature range, wherein when a temperature inside the refrigerator becomes abnormal with respect to a set temperature in the temperature range. A cooling device having a temperature warning function for issuing a warning, wherein the control device disables the temperature warning function under certain conditions when the temperature band is switched. Control device.