JP2006023039A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure safe and stable door opening operation even when opening and closing operations of a door are consecutively carried in a refrigerator provided with a door opening device, and a controller controlling its actions. <P>SOLUTION: When a touch switch 5 provided on a door 2 front face of the refrigerator 1 is operated, an input signal of the touch switch 5 is inputted, and a normal rotation voltage is applied to a motor 7. A door pressed part 6 is pushed away by an advance action of an output shaft 8 to open the door 2. A time T1 it takes for an angle of the door 2 detected by a volume 13 become a predetermined angle D2 from an angle D1 of a door closed state is measured. A comparison with a certain time X1 preset on the basis of a correlation between a temperature rise of the motor 7 and an opening speed of the door 2 is carried out, and in a case of T1<X1, a reverse rotation voltage is applied to the motor 7 for a predetermined time T2, and the output shaft 8 is returned to an initial position. In a case of T1≥X1, a temperature anomaly signal is outputted, the reverse rotation voltage is applied to the motor 4 for the predetermined time T2, the output shaft 8 is returned to the initial position, and limit operation of the door opening device is executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator provided with a door opening device and a control device for controlling the operation of the door opening device.

  Conventionally, as a door opening device of a refrigerator, there is one using an actuator such as an electromagnetic solenoid (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 8 is a main enlarged cross-sectional view of a conventional refrigerator door opening device described in Patent Document 1, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the control operation.

  In FIG. 8, a door opening device 110 that opens the door 100 of the refrigerator 1 is mounted on the upper part of the main body of the refrigerator 1, and a door opening switch 101 for operating the door opening device 110 is provided on the front surface of the door 100. On the upper part of the door 100, there is provided a projecting pressed part 102 for transmitting the power of the door opening device 110 to the door. Inside the door opening device 110, an electromagnetic solenoid 111a, a plunger 111b that operates by the magnetic field thereof, and a push rod 111c that transmits the power to the pressed portion 102 of the door 100 are disposed.

  The operation of the conventional refrigerator door opening device will be described below.

  8 and 9, it is first determined whether or not the door opening switch 101 is turned on by operating (turning on) the door opening switch 101 provided on the door 100 of the refrigerator 1 (step S10). When the door opening switch 101 is turned on, the process proceeds to “YES” in step S10, and the electromagnetic solenoid 111a inside the door opening device 110 is energized (step S20). The plunger 111b is operated by this magnetic field, and the operation is transmitted to the push rod 111c for opening the door 100, and the pressed portion 102 of the door 100 is pushed to open the door 100. In step S30, it is determined whether a door switch (not shown) is turned on. When the door switch is turned on, that is, when the door 100 is opened, the process proceeds to “YES” in step S30, and the electromagnetic solenoid 111a is disconnected (step S40).

  On the other hand, in step S30, when the door switch is OFF, that is, when the door 100 is closed, the process proceeds to “NO”, and it is determined whether or not a set time has elapsed since the energization of the electromagnetic solenoid 111a is started. (Step S50). In this case, the set time is a predetermined time, and is usually 1 second, for example. In step S50, when the set time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to “NO”, and the process returns to step S30 to determine whether or not the door switch is turned on. On the other hand, in step S50, when the set time has elapsed, the process proceeds to “YES” and proceeds to step S40 to disconnect the electromagnetic solenoid 111a.

Therefore, the opening / closing frequency of the refrigerator door is usually about 40 to 50 times / day, and the temperature rise accompanying a single energization of the electromagnetic solenoid 111a is slight. Moreover, since the opening / closing interval is relatively long, the temperature rise of the electromagnetic solenoid 111a is not a problem during a certain heat dissipation period.
JP 2001-263923 A

  However, in the conventional refrigerator described above, when the door opening / closing operation is continuously performed in children's mischief or store display, etc., the temperature of the electromagnetic solenoid rises sharply, deformation of the outer resin part of the door opening device, electromagnetic solenoid The problem was that the operating force was reduced due to an increase in winding resistance.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a refrigerator equipped with a door opening device that can ensure a safe and stable operation even when the door is continuously opened and closed. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a refrigerator according to the present invention includes a door opening device using a slide member that converts the rotation of a motor into a linear motion to advance and retreat, a control device that controls the operation, A means for detecting the opening degree is provided, and when the door opening speed at the time of opening the door is smaller than a preset value, a control means for restricting the operation of the door opening device is performed.

  As a result, when the door of the refrigerator is continuously opened and closed, the motor temperature rises greatly in the door opening device, but the motor temperature rise can be correlated with the advance speed when the door is opened, and the motor temperature rises. The operation of the door opening device can be limited at a preset door opening speed (motor temperature) without using a temperature control device such as a thermistor. As a result, the door opening device can be prevented from rising to an abnormal temperature due to continuous operation or the like, and stable operating characteristics can be secured. Further, the driving force for opening the door is not an electromagnetic solenoid but a DC motor, so that the temperature rise during energizing operation is small.

  The refrigerator of the present invention uses a DC motor instead of an electromagnetic solenoid as a driving force for opening the door to reduce the temperature rise during energizing operation, and the door temperature is continuously opened and closed, and the motor temperature rises greatly in the door opening device. Even in this case, the temperature rise of the motor is correlated with the door opening speed when the door is opened, and the temperature rise of the motor is set in advance without using a temperature control device such as a thermistor (motor temperature). Thus, the operation of the door opening device can be restricted to prevent the door opening device from rising to an abnormal temperature.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a door opening device for opening a door provided with a magnet that is in close contact with the box by a slide member that converts the rotation of the motor into a linear motion and moves forward and backward, and the opening of the door In the refrigerator including the means for detecting the control and the control device for controlling the operation of the door opening device, the control device, when the door opening speed when the door is open is smaller than a preset value, Control means that restricts the operation of the door opening device. When the refrigerator door is continuously opened and closed, the motor temperature of the door opening device increases sharply. The temperature rise can be grasped in a correlative manner, and the operation of the door opening device can be restricted at a preset door opening speed (motor temperature) without using a temperature control device such as a thermistor. As a result, the door opening device can be prevented from rising to an abnormal temperature due to continuous operation or the like, and stable operating characteristics can be secured. Further, the driving force for opening the door is not an electromagnetic solenoid but a DC motor, so that the temperature rise during energization operation can be reduced.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the control means for restricting the operation of the door opening device prohibits the operation of the door opening device, and the operation return of the door opening device is constant. After waiting for a certain time, the door opening device can be prevented from rising to an abnormal temperature due to continuous operation or the like, and the door opening device can be automatically restored.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the control means for restricting the operation of the door opening device prohibits the operation of the door opening device, and the operation of the door opening device. The return is optimized by the difference between the door opening speed when the door is opened and a preset value, preventing the door opening device from rising to an abnormal temperature due to continuous operation. In addition, the automatic return time of the door opening device is optimized by the degree of motor temperature increase.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to second aspects, the operation of the door opening device is prohibited as the control means for restricting the operation of the door opening device, and the operation of the door opening device is performed. The return is optimized by increasing the waiting time for return when the outside air temperature is high, and the door opening device can be prevented from rising to an abnormal temperature due to continuous operation, etc. The automatic return time of the opening device is optimized by the outside air temperature.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control means for restricting the operation of the door opening device displays an abnormality display when the operation of the door opening device is prohibited. In order to prevent the door opening device from rising to an abnormal temperature due to continuous operation or the like, it is possible to notify the user of the time during which the operation is restricted.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the opening speed when the door is opened is a passing time between two predetermined door angles. The opening speed when the door is opened can be measured with a simple control circuit configuration.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a refrigerator according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator provided with a door opening device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an internal structure diagram (longitudinal sectional view) of the door opening device of the same embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a door opening device 3 for opening the door 2 of the refrigerator 1 is mounted on the upper part of the main body of the refrigerator 1 opposite to the door hinge 4, and a touch switch for operating the door opening device 3 is installed on the front surface of the door 2. 5 is provided, and on the upper part of the door 2, a pressed portion 6 is provided that projects to transmit the power of the door opening device 3 to the door. The door hinge 4 is provided with a volume 13 for detecting the opening degree of the door.

  In FIG. 2, the door opening device 3 includes an outer case 12, a motor 7 inside, an output shaft 8 as a slide member, and a conversion mechanism 9 that converts the rotational power of the motor 7 into an advance / retreat operation of the output shaft 8. The terminal 10 of the motor 7 and the connector 11 are mounted on the board 10.

  Operation | movement is demonstrated about the refrigerator provided with the door opening apparatus comprised as mentioned above.

  When the touch switch 5 provided on the front surface of the door 2 of the refrigerator 1 is operated, a voltage is applied to the motor 7 of the door opening device 3 so that the motor performs normal rotation operation, and the conversion mechanism 9 starts the advance operation of the output shaft 8 and outputs it. The shaft 8 moves to the forward end during a certain time, and at the same time, the output shaft 8 projects the door pressed portion 6 of the refrigerator 1 to open the door 2. Thereafter, when the output shaft 8 detects that the door 2 is opened to a predetermined angle by the volume 13, the motor 7 performs the reverse operation, and the conversion mechanism 9 starts the backward movement of the output shaft 8, and the output shaft 8 is kept constant. It moves to the reverse end during the time and ends the operation.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the refrigerator control device provided with the door opening device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the refrigerator control device of the same embodiment. .

  In FIG. 3, the signal of the touch switch 5 instructing opening of the door 2 is transmitted to the control circuit 14 to control the rotation of the motor 7. Further, the volume 13 provided at the hinge portion detects the door opening degree, and the outside air temperature thermistor 17 detects the outside air temperature. These signals are connected to the one-chip CPU 15 and manage the rotation direction and rotation time of the motor 7 through the motor amplifier 16. As an alternative to the CPU 15, a timer IC or a general-purpose logic circuit may be combined. Further, the control circuit 14 itself may be incorporated in the control circuit in the refrigerator 1 or housed in the door opening device 3.

  About the control apparatus of the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated using FIG. 3, FIG.

  In FIG. 4, when the touch switch 5 provided on the front surface of the door 2 of the refrigerator 1 is operated, first, an input signal of the touch switch 5 is input (Step 1), and a normal rotation voltage is applied to the motor 7 (Step 2). Next, the door pressed part 6 is released by the advance operation of the output shaft 8 to open the door 2. The time T1 until the angle of the door 2 detected by the volume 13 reaches the predetermined angle D2 from the angle D1 in the door closed state is measured (Step 3). A comparison is made with a predetermined time X1 set in advance from the correlation between the temperature rise of the motor 7 and the opening speed of the door 2 (Step 4). When T1 <X1, a reverse voltage for a predetermined time T2 is applied to the motor 7 ( (Step 5), the output shaft 8 is returned to the initial position. If T1 ≧ X1 at Step 4, a temperature abnormality signal is output (Step 6), then a reverse voltage is applied to the motor 7 for a predetermined time T2 (Step 7), and after the output shaft 8 is returned to the initial position, the door is opened. The limited operation of the apparatus is performed (Step 8) and the process ends. When the temperature abnormality signal in Step 6 is output, a temperature abnormality warning display may be output at the same time.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the refrigerator control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 5, when the touch switch 5 provided on the front surface of the door 2 of the refrigerator 1 is operated, first, an input signal of the touch switch 5 is input (Step 1), and then the presence / absence of an abnormal temperature output signal is confirmed (Step 2). . When there is no abnormal temperature output signal at Step 2, the forward rotation voltage is applied to the motor 7 (Step 3), the door 2 is opened by the advancing operation of the output shaft 8, the door 2 is opened, and the door 2 detected by the volume 13 is detected. Is measured for a time T1 from the angle D1 of the door closed state to the predetermined angle D2 (Step 4). A comparison is made with a predetermined time X1 set in advance based on the correlation between the temperature rise of the motor 7 and the opening speed of the door 2 (Step 5). When T1 <X1, a reverse voltage is applied to the motor 7 for a predetermined time T2. Step 6), the output shaft 8 is returned to the initial position. When T1 ≧ X1 in Step 5, a temperature abnormality signal is output (Step 7), and counting of the stop time Ts is started (Step 8). Next, a reverse voltage is applied to the motor 7 for a predetermined time T2 (Step 9), and the output shaft 8 is returned to the initial position. When there is an abnormal temperature output signal at Step 2, the above-mentioned stop time Ts is detected (Step 10), and the stop time Ts is set to the return stop time Xs necessary for the return set in advance when the motor 7 becomes abnormal in temperature. (Step 11). If Ts> Xs in Step 11, the temperature abnormality signal is canceled (Step 12), and the process proceeds to Step 3 to apply a normal rotation voltage to the motor 7. If Ts <Xs in Step 11, the operation is terminated.

  When the temperature abnormality warning display is output simultaneously with the output of the temperature abnormality signal at Step 7, the temperature abnormality warning display is also canceled simultaneously with the cancellation of the temperature abnormality signal at Step 12.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the refrigerator control apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 6, when the touch switch 5 provided on the front surface of the door 2 of the refrigerator 1 is operated, first, an input signal of the touch switch 5 is input (Step 1), and then the presence / absence of an abnormal temperature output signal is confirmed (Step 2). . When there is no abnormal temperature output signal at Step 2, the forward rotation voltage is applied to the motor 7 (Step 3), the door 2 is opened by the advancing operation of the output shaft 8, the door 2 is opened, and the door 2 detected by the volume 13 is detected. Is measured for a time T1 from the angle D1 of the door closed state to the predetermined angle D2 (Step 4). A comparison is made with a predetermined time X1 set in advance based on the correlation between the temperature rise of the motor 7 and the opening speed of the door 2 (Step 5). When T1 <X1, a reverse voltage is applied to the motor 7 for a predetermined time T2. Step 6), the output shaft 8 is returned to the initial position. When T1 ≧ X1 in Step 5, a temperature abnormality signal is output (Step 7), and counting of the stop time Ts is started (Step 8). Next, a reverse voltage is applied to the motor 7 for a predetermined time T2 (Step 9), and the output shaft 8 is returned to the initial position. When there is a temperature abnormality output signal at Step 2, in order to optimize the stop time of the motor 7 according to the temperature abnormality degree of the motor 7, the time for discriminating the difference between the time T1 and X1 and the degree of temperature abnormality of the motor 7 in advance. Xr is compared (Step 10). If (X1-T1) <Xr, the stop time Ts is detected (Step 11), and the stop time Ts is compared with the return time Xa of the motor 7 having a relatively short return time. If (Step 12) and Ts> Xa at Step 12, the temperature abnormality signal is canceled (Step 15). If Ts ≦ Xa, the operation is terminated. When (X1−T1) ≧ Xr at Step 10, the stop time Ts is detected (Step 13), and the stop time Ts is compared with the return time Xb having a relatively long return time of the motor 7 (Step 14). If Ts> Xb, the abnormal temperature signal is canceled (Step 15), and if Ts ≦ Xa, the operation is terminated. When the temperature abnormality signal is canceled at Step 15, the process proceeds to Step 3 to apply a normal voltage to the motor 7.

  Here, when the temperature abnormality warning display is output simultaneously with the output of the temperature abnormality signal in Step 8, the temperature abnormality warning display is also canceled simultaneously with the cancellation of the temperature abnormality signal in Step 15.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the refrigerator control device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 7, when the touch switch 5 provided on the front surface of the door 2 of the refrigerator 1 is operated, first, an input signal of the touch switch 5 is input (Step 1), and then the presence / absence of an abnormal temperature output signal is confirmed (Step 2). . When there is no abnormal temperature output signal at Step 2, the forward rotation voltage is applied to the motor 7 (Step 3), the door 2 is opened by the advancing operation of the output shaft 8, the door 2 is opened, and the door 2 detected by the volume 13 is detected. Is measured for a time T1 from the angle D1 of the door closed state to the predetermined angle D2 (Step 4). A comparison is made with a predetermined time X1 set in advance based on the correlation between the temperature rise of the motor 7 and the opening speed of the door 2 (Step 5). When T1 <X1, a reverse voltage is applied to the motor 7 for a predetermined time T2. (Step 6), the output shaft 8 is returned to the initial position. When T1 ≧ X1 in Step 5, a temperature abnormality signal is output (Step 7), and counting of the stop time Ts is started (Step 8). Next, a reverse voltage is applied to the motor 7 for a predetermined time T2 (Step 9), and the output shaft 8 is returned to the initial position. When there is an abnormal temperature output signal at Step 2, in order to optimize the stop time of the motor 7 according to the outside air temperature, the detected temperature t of the outside air temperature thermistor 17 is compared with a predetermined reference temperature (Step 10). When t <y, the stop time Ts is detected (Step 11), and the stop time Ts is compared with the return time Xa with a relatively short return time of the motor 7 (Step 12). If Ts> Xa at Step 12, Then, the temperature abnormality signal is canceled (Step 15), and the operation ends when Ts ≦ Xa. When t ≧ y at Step 10, the stop time Ts is detected (Step 13), and the stop time Ts is compared with the return time Xb with a relatively long return time of the motor 7 (Step 14), and at Step 14, Ts> Xb In this case, the temperature abnormality signal is canceled (Step 15), and the operation ends when Ts ≦ Xa. If the temperature abnormality signal is canceled at Step 15, the process proceeds to Step 3 to apply a normal voltage to the motor 7.

  Here, when the temperature abnormality warning display is output simultaneously with the output of the temperature abnormality signal in Step 8, the temperature abnormality warning display is also canceled simultaneously with the cancellation of the temperature abnormality signal in Step 15.

  As described above, the refrigerator of the present invention uses a direct current motor instead of an electromagnetic solenoid as a driving force for opening the door to reduce a temperature rise during energization operation, and the door opening and closing is continuously performed. Even when the motor temperature rises severely, the temperature rise of the motor is correlated with the door opening speed when the door is opened, and the temperature rise of the motor is detected without using a temperature control device such as a thermistor. A refrigerator equipped with a control device that controls the operation of the motor and the motor, which can prevent the door opening device from rising to an abnormal temperature by limiting the operation of the door opening device by speed (motor temperature). It can be applied as protection control for applied devices such as.

The perspective view of the refrigerator provided with the door opening apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The internal structure figure (longitudinal section) of the door opening device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The block diagram of the control apparatus of the refrigerator provided with the door opening apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the control apparatus of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the control apparatus of the refrigerator in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the control apparatus of the refrigerator in Embodiment 3 of this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the control apparatus of the refrigerator in Embodiment 4 of this invention. Main enlarged sectional view of conventional refrigerator door opening device Flowchart explaining control operation of conventional refrigerator

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Door 3 Door opening device 5 Touch switch 7 Motor 8 Output shaft 9 Conversion mechanism 13 Volume 14 Control circuit 17 Outside temperature thermistor 110 Door opening device 111a Electromagnetic solenoid 111b Plunger 111c Push rod

Claims (6)

  A door opening device that opens a door provided with a magnet that is in close contact with the box by means of a slide member that converts the rotation of the motor into a linear motion and moves forward and backward, means for detecting the opening of the door, and the door opening In a refrigerator including a control device that controls the operation of the device, the control device restricts the operation of the door opening device when the door opening speed when the door is open is smaller than a preset value. The refrigerator characterized by performing a control means.   The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the control means for restricting the operation of the door opening device prohibits the operation of the door opening device, and the operation return of the door opening device is after waiting for a certain time. .   The control means for restricting the operation of the door opening device prohibits the operation of the door opening device, and the return of the operation of the door opening device is optimal by the difference between the door opening speed when the door is opened and a preset set value. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein   The control means for restricting the operation of the door opening device prohibits the operation of the door opening device, and the return of the operation of the door opening device is optimized by the outside temperature by lengthening the return waiting time when the outside temperature is high. The refrigerator as described in any one of Claim 1 to 2 characterized by these.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control means for restricting the operation of the door opening device displays an abnormality when the operation of the door opening device is prohibited.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the door opening speed when the door is opened is a passage time between two predetermined door angles.

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