WO2022013926A1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

This refrigerator is supplied with power from a power supply system that includes a power generation device utilizing natural energy, the refrigerator comprising: a communication device which communicates with a server that predicts a future trend for excess power from history information about power generated by the power generation device and total power consumption of electronic equipment including the refrigerator; a storage chamber for storing a stored article; a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of air in the storage chamber; a refrigerant circuit which cools the air in the storage chamber; and a control device which operates a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant circuit, wherein the control device includes a refrigeration cycle control means for controlling the refrigeration cycle such that a detected value from the temperature sensor is maintained at a set temperature, an estimation means for estimating an excess power time band, during which excess power can be obtained, when information about the future predicted trend for excess power is received from the server, and a setting changing means for changing the set temperature to a lower temperature than a predetermined reference temperature in the excess power time band.

Description

refrigerator

This disclosure relates to a refrigerator to which power is supplied from a power supply system.

In recent years, there have been an increasing number of cases where power generation equipment that uses natural energy such as solar power and wind power to generate electricity is installed in general houses. A person who has a power generation facility at home can reduce the amount of power purchased from a commercial power system by consuming the power generated by the power generation facility by himself / herself. A power supply system that reduces the use of commercial power by using the power generated by photovoltaic power generation for the defrosting operation of the refrigerator is disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the defrosting operation of the refrigerator, electric current is passed through the heater to melt the frost adhering to the cooler, so the power consumption is higher than in the normal cooling operation. In addition, if the defrosting operation is stopped and the cooling operation is started before the refrigerator completely removes the frost adhering to the cooler, the frost that has not completely melted remains attached to the cooler and is cooled. The function is reduced. Therefore, it is desirable that the defrosting operation of the refrigerator suppresses power consumption and does not stop in the middle.

The power supply system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a refrigerator that calculates the defrosting operation time and the completion time limit, and information processing that transmits information on the start time of the defrosting operation to the refrigerator with respect to the information calculated by the refrigerator. It has a terminal device. The information processing terminal device estimates the power surplus time zone from the temporal transition of the power generated by the solar power generation device, and if the estimated power surplus time zone exists for the defrosting operation time, the cooling operation should be started. Find the start time of the defrosting operation in time for the time limit.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-70593

In the power supply system disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the power surplus time zone estimated by the information processing terminal device is shorter than the defrosting operation time, the refrigerator does not perform the defrosting operation, and the next defrosting operation is started. To speed up. In this case, even if there is surplus power, if the time for obtaining the surplus power is less than the defrosting operation time, the surplus power is not used and is wasted. Therefore, the surplus power cannot be fully utilized.

This disclosure is made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a refrigerator that can better utilize the surplus electric power generated by the power generation device using natural energy.

The refrigerator according to the present disclosure is a refrigerator to which power is supplied from a power supply system including a power generation device using natural energy, and is based on historical information of the power generated by the power generation device and the total power consumption of the electric device including the refrigerator. A communication device that communicates with a server that predicts the future transition of surplus electricity, a storage room that stores storage, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the air in the storage room, and a refrigerant that circulates in the storage room. It has a refrigerant circuit for cooling the air and a control device for operating the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit, and the control device maintains the temperature detected by the temperature sensor at a set temperature. When the refrigeration cycle control means for controlling the refrigeration cycle and the forecast transition information indicating the prediction of the future transition of the surplus power are received from the server, the surplus power is a time zone in which the surplus power is obtained. It has a guessing means for estimating a time zone and a setting changing means for changing the set temperature to a temperature lower than a predetermined reference temperature in the surplus power time zone estimated by the guessing means.

According to the present disclosure, the refrigerator performs a cold storage operation in which the set temperature is set to a temperature lower than the reference temperature during the surplus power time zone estimated by the guessing means, so that cold heat is stored in the storage and heat is generated. Surplus electricity can be stored in the storage as energy. Since the refrigerator can be operated for cold storage even if the time zone when there is surplus power is short, the opportunity to use the surplus power from the power generation device using natural energy increases, and the surplus power can be further utilized.

It is a figure which shows an example of the power supply system which supplies electric power to the refrigerator which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows one configuration example of the power management apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows one configuration example of the management server shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the transition of surplus power predicted by the management server shown in FIG. It is a table which shows an example of the information of the predicted transition which shows the transition of the surplus power predicted by the management server shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the refrigerant circuit which the refrigerator which concerns on Embodiment 1 has. It is an external front view which shows one configuration example of the refrigerator which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is an external front view which shows each storage room of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 7. It is a side perspective view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 7. It is a front schematic diagram which shows the state which the door of the refrigerating room shown in FIG. 7 is opened. It is a block diagram which shows the main control board shown in FIG. 9 and the apparatus connected with the main control board. It is a functional block diagram which shows one configuration example of the control apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation procedure of the refrigerator which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation procedure of the refrigerator which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the information which the guessing means received from the management server in step S102 shown in FIG. It is a graph which shows an example of the prediction of the surplus power time zone corresponding to the table shown in FIG. It is a time chart which shows an example of the transition of the set temperature corresponding to the process of steps S103, S105 and S107 shown in FIG. 13 and the change of the operating state of the compressor with the transition of the set temperature.

Embodiment 1.
The configuration of the power supply system that supplies electric power to the refrigerator of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a power supply system that supplies electric power to the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply system 2 is provided in the house of the user who owns the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment.

The power supply system 2 has a power generation device 3 that uses natural energy to generate power, and a power management device 4 that controls power supply to electrical equipment installed in a house. A refrigerator 1 and other electric devices 5 are connected to the power management device 4. The electric power generated by the power generation device 3 is supplied to the refrigerator 1 and the electric device 5 via the power management device 4. The power generation device 3 is, for example, a solar power generation device or a wind power generation device. In the first embodiment, the case where the power generation device 3 is a solar power generation device will be described.

The power management device 4 is connected to the management server 42 via the network 7. The network 7 is, for example, the Internet. The management server 42 is connected to the weather server 43 via the network 7. The refrigerator 1 and the electric device 5 are connected to the management server 42 via the power management device 4 and the network 7.

Note that FIG. 1 shows a case where there is one electric device 5 other than the refrigerator 1, but the electric devices installed in the house are not limited to two, the refrigerator 1 and the electric device 5, but three or more. You may. In the first embodiment, the case where the electric equipment installed in the house shown in FIG. 1 is the refrigerator 1 and the electric equipment 5 will be described.

The configuration of the power management device 4 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the power management device shown in FIG. The power management device 4 includes a power conversion unit 81, a power supply unit 82, a control device 83, and a communication device 36. The control device 83 is, for example, a microcomputer. The control device 83 has a memory (not shown) for storing a program and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) for executing processing according to the program.

The power conversion unit 81 converts the DC power generated by the power generation device 3 into AC power. Commercial power Pc is input from the commercial power system 6 to the power supply unit 82, and AC power is input from the power conversion unit 81. The control device 83 monitors the power generated Ps by the power generation device 3 and the total power consumption Pt which is the total value of the power consumption of the refrigerator 1 and the electric device 5.

The control device 83 compares the generated power Ps with the total power consumption Pt, and determines whether or not the generated power Ps is larger than the total power consumption Pt and has a sufficient margin. For example, the control device 83 determines whether or not the power difference Pdiv, which is a value obtained by subtracting the total power consumption Pt from the generated power Ps, is larger than the predetermined threshold Pth. As a result of the comparison determination, when the power difference Pdiv is larger than the threshold Pth, the control device 83 causes the power supply unit 82 to use the generated power ps to supply power to the refrigerator 1 and the electric device 5. On the other hand, as a result of the comparison determination, when the power difference Pdiv is equal to or less than the threshold Pth, the control device 83 supplies the power supply unit 82 with the generated power Ps and the commercial power Pc to supply the power to the refrigerator 1 and the electric device 5. Let me use it. In this way, when the power demand of all the electric devices installed in the user's house cannot be satisfied by the generated power Ps, the commercial power Pc is used to supplement the power demand.

Further, the control device 83 transmits the value of the total power consumption Pt of all the electric devices in the house where the refrigerator 1 is installed to the management server 42 at a fixed cycle. When the control device 83 receives the information on the predicted transition of the surplus power Pr from the management server 42, the control device 83 transmits the information on the predicted transition of the surplus power Pr to the refrigerator 1 and the electric device 5 via the communication device 36. The predicted transition of the surplus power Pr will be described later.

Next, the weather server 43 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The meteorological server 43 is a server operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency or a meteorological service provider. The meteorological server 43 transmits past meteorological history, meteorological forecasts, and other meteorological information to the management server 42. The meteorological information is, for example, information on forecasts and actual results of meteorological conditions such as weather, temperature, amount of solar radiation, sunshine duration, and wind direction.

Next, the configuration of the management server 42 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the management server shown in FIG. The management server 42 has a storage device 91 and a control device 92. The storage device 91 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The control device 92 is, for example, a microcomputer. The control device 92 has a memory (not shown) for storing a program and a CPU (not shown) for executing processing according to the program.

The control device 92 receives the weather information from the weather server 43. The control device 92 receives the value of the total power consumption Pt from the power management device 4 at a fixed cycle, and stores the history of the total power consumption Pt for a certain period in the past in the storage device 91. The control device 92 predicts the future transition of the power generated by the power generation device 3 based on the weather information received from the weather server 43. The control device 92 predicts the future transition of the total power consumption Pt of the refrigerator 1 and the electric device 5 from the history information of the past total power consumption Pt stored in the storage device 91. Further, the control device 92 predicts the transition of the surplus power Pr for the house shown in FIG. 1 based on the prediction result of the future transition of the generated power Ps and the prediction result of the future transition of the total power consumption Pt. do.

The surplus power Pr is the remaining power after subtracting the total power consumption Pt during normal operation of the refrigerator 1 and the electric device 5 from the power Ps generated by the power generation device 3. The control device 92 performs a process of predicting the transition of the generated power Ps, the total power consumption Pt, and the surplus power Pr at each predetermined time interval Tint1. Every time the control device 92 predicts the transition of the surplus power Pr, the control device 92 transmits the forecast transition information indicating the prediction of the transition of the surplus power Pr to the power management device 4 via the network 7.

In the first embodiment, the case where the management server 42 predicts the transition of the surplus power Pr for one house will be described. However, information on the total power consumption Pt is collected from each of the plurality of houses, and each house is used. The transition of the surplus power Pr may be predicted. In this case, the management server 42 collects and analyzes information on a large amount of total power consumption Pt for a plurality of houses having the same type and number of electric devices, so that the surplus power Pr of the houses having the same type and number of electric devices can be used. The accuracy of transition prediction is improved.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the transition of surplus power predicted by the management server shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the generated power Ps, the total power consumption Pt, and the transition of the surplus power Pr. The vertical axis of FIG. 4 indicates electric power, and the horizontal axis indicates time. In FIG. 4, the transition of the generated power Ps is shown by a solid line, and the transition of the total power consumption Pt is shown by a broken line. The surplus power Pr is obtained by subtracting the total power consumption Pt from the generated power Ps. In FIG. 4, the surplus power Pr is shown in the shaded area.

FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of forecast transition information showing the transition of surplus power predicted by the management server shown in FIG. The predicted transition of the surplus power Pr is information indicating the prediction of the transition of the surplus power Pr from the current time to the lapse of a certain time. The information on the predicted transition of the surplus power Pr shown in FIG. 5 is such that the predetermined management time TM1 is divided into sections of the predetermined time interval Tint2, and the surplus power Pr of each section is described. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the management time TM1 is 24 hours and the time interval Tint2 is 2 hours.

Next, the configuration of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a refrigerant circuit included in the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. The refrigerator 1 has a compressor 11, a heat sink 44, an expansion device 45, and a cooler 12. The compressor 11, the heat sink 44, the expansion device 45, and the cooler 12 are connected by a refrigerant pipe to form a refrigerant circuit 46 in which the refrigerant circulates.

The compressor 11 sucks in the refrigerant, compresses the sucked refrigerant, and discharges it. The compressor 11 is a compressor capable of adjusting the amount of refrigerant discharged from the discharge pipe of the compressor 11 within a unit time and changing the refrigerating capacity of the refrigerant circuit 46 by adjusting the rotation speed. The heat radiating plate 44 is a heat exchanger that releases the heat of the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the outside air and the refrigerant. The expansion device 45 decompresses and expands the refrigerant. The expansion device 45 is, for example, a capillary tube or an electronic expansion valve. FIG. 6 schematically shows a case where the expansion device 45 is a capillary tube. The cooler 12 is a heat exchanger that cools the air in the refrigerator 1 by exchanging heat between the air in the refrigerator 1 and the refrigerant. In the refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit 46, the heat sink 44 functions as a condenser and the cooler 12 functions as an evaporator.

FIG. 7 is an external front view showing an example of the configuration of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an external front view showing each storage room of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the door of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 7 is removed, and the boundary between adjacent doors is shown by a broken line. As shown in FIG. 8, the refrigerator 1 has a refrigerating room 9, an ice making room 30, a switching room 15, a vegetable room 27, and a freezing room 21 as storage rooms for storing food and the like.

A door 10 is provided at the opening of the refrigerating chamber 9 shown in FIG. 8 as shown in FIG. The door 10 of the refrigerator compartment 9 is a double door. The door 10 has a left door 10a and a right door 10b. The door 10 is not limited to the case of a double door, and may be a single door. A door 38 is provided at the opening of the ice making chamber 30 shown in FIG. 8 as shown in FIG. A door 37 is provided at the opening of the switching chamber 15 shown in FIG. 8 as shown in FIG. A door 40 is provided at the opening of the vegetable compartment 27 shown in FIG. 8 as shown in FIG. 7. A door 39 is provided at the opening of the freezing chamber 21 shown in FIG. 8 as shown in FIG.

The refrigerating room 9 and the vegetable room 27 are kept at the refrigerating temperature. The refrigeration temperature is, for example, in the temperature range of 0 to 10 ° C. The ice making chamber 30 and the freezing chamber 21 are kept at a freezing temperature, which is a temperature lower than the refrigerating temperature. The freezing temperature is generally in the temperature range of −15 to −18 ° C. The switching chamber 15 is a storage chamber in which the user can select which temperature of the refrigerating temperature and the freezing temperature is to store the stored material. Note that FIG. 8 shows the partition portion between the storage chambers such as the refrigerating chamber 9 and the freezing chamber 21 and the heat insulating material covering the box body including the plurality of storage chambers by hatching.

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 9, the partition portion between the storage chambers such as the refrigerating chamber 9 and the freezing chamber 21, the doors of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber, and the heat insulating material covering the box body including the plurality of storage chambers are shown by hatching. There is. FIG. 10 is a front schematic view showing a state in which the door of the refrigerating room shown in FIG. 7 is opened.

As shown in FIG. 9, the refrigerator 1 is provided with an air passage 41 through which cold air, which is air cooled by the cooler 12, flows, and a blower 13 for supplying the cold air flowing through the air passage 41 to each storage chamber. Has been done. The air passage 41 and the blower 13 are provided on the back side of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator 1 controls a refrigerating cycle in which the refrigerant is circulated in the refrigerant circuit 46, and circulates the cold air in the vicinity of the cooler 12 in the refrigerator 13 to perform a cooling operation for cooling the air in the plurality of storage chambers.

As shown in FIG. 9, the cooler 12 is equipped with a temperature sensor 35 that detects the temperature of the air cooled by the cooler 12. Below the cooler 12, a heater 14 for removing frost adhering to the cooler 12 is provided. When the heater 14 is energized, it warms the air around the cooler 12. As a result, the frost adhering to the cooler 12 is melted and removed. As a result, the cooler 12 recovers the cooling capacity.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the refrigerating chamber 9 is equipped with a temperature sensor 16 that detects the temperature of the air in the refrigerating chamber 9. On the back side of the refrigerating chamber 9, a damper 17 for adjusting the flow rate of the cold air flowing from the air passage 41 into the refrigerating chamber 9 is provided. The refrigerating room 9 is provided with lighting 18 that illuminates the inside of the refrigerating room 9. The light source of the illumination 18 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). When the door 10 of the refrigerating chamber 9 is a double door, as shown in FIG. 10, the user can open and close each of the left door 10a and the right door 10b independently. A door switch 19 for detecting the open / closed state of the left door 10a and the right door 10b is provided on the front surface of the refrigerating chamber 9.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the left door 10a of the refrigerating chamber 9 is provided with an operation panel 20 for the user to set an operating state such as a set temperature of the refrigerating temperature and the freezing temperature. The operation panel 20 has an input device (not shown) for inputting the setting of the operating state of the refrigerator 1 and a display device (not shown) for displaying the operating state of the refrigerator 1. Further, the operation panel 20 may have a microcomputer (not shown) for controlling an input device (not shown) and a display device (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a temperature sensor 22 for detecting the temperature of the air in the freezing chamber 21 is attached to the freezing chamber 21. A temperature sensor 25 for detecting the temperature of the air in the switching chamber 15 is attached to the switching chamber 15. On the back side of the switching chamber 15, a damper 26 for adjusting the flow rate of the cold air flowing from the air passage 41 into the switching chamber 15 is provided. The vegetable compartment 27 is equipped with a temperature sensor 28 that detects the temperature of the air in the vegetable compartment 27. On the back side of the vegetable compartment 27, a damper 29 for adjusting the flow rate of the cold air flowing from the air passage 41 into the vegetable compartment 27 is provided. As shown in FIG. 8, the ice making chamber 30 is equipped with a temperature sensor 31 that detects the temperature of the air in the ice making chamber 30. On the back side of the ice making chamber 30, a damper 32 for adjusting the flow rate of the cold air flowing into the ice making chamber 30 from the air passage 41 is provided. The temperature sensors 16, 22, 25, 28, 31 and 35 are, for example, thermistors.

As shown in FIG. 9, a main control board 23 for controlling the refrigerator 1 is provided on the upper part on the back side of the refrigerator 1. On the front side of the refrigerator 1, a communication device 8 for communicating with the communication device 36 provided in the power management device 4 is provided.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a main control board shown in FIG. 9 and a device connected to the main control board. The control device 24 is mounted on the main control board 23. The control device 24 includes a communication device 8, temperature sensors 16, 22, 25, 31 and 35, a compressor 11, a blower 13, dampers 17, 26, 29 and 32, a door switch 19, and a heater 14. , Illumination 18 and operation panel 20 are connected. The control device 24 is connected to the operation panel 20 via the communication path 34. The control device 24 is connected to the power management device 4 shown in FIG. 1 via the communication device 8 and the communication path 33. In the first embodiment, the communication path 33 is a communication path formed by wireless communication, and the communication path 34 is a wired communication path such as a signal cable.

The control device 24 is, for example, a microcomputer. The control device 24 receives the setting information such as the set temperature of each storage room input by the user by operating the operation panel 20 from the operation panel 20 via the communication path 34. The control device 24 receives information on the predicted transition of the surplus power Pr from the power management device 4 via the communication path 33 and the communication device 8.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the control device shown in FIG. The control device 24 includes a refrigerating cycle control means 51, a guessing means 52, a setting changing means 53, and a timer 54 for measuring the time T. The time T is used to determine whether the current time is in the surplus time zone. Further, the control device 24 has a defrosting timer 93 for controlling the defrosting execution interval. Further, the control device 24 has a general-purpose timer 94. The general-purpose timer 94 is a general term for all timers used for determining the execution timing of various operations of the refrigerator, except for the timer 54 and the defrosting timer 93.

The refrigerating cycle control means 51 maintains the refrigerating cycle of the refrigerant circuit 46 so that the detected value of the temperature sensor 22 for the refrigerating temperature is maintained at the set temperature Temp_CONT and the detected value of the temperature sensor 16 for the refrigerating temperature is maintained at the set temperature Tsc. To drive. For example, regarding the refrigerating temperature, the refrigerating cycle control means 51 controls the rotation speed of the compressor 11 and the rotation speed of the blower 13 so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 22 is maintained at the set temperature Temp_CONT. The set temperature Temp_CONT when the refrigerator 1 is normally operated is set as the reference temperature Tkf. The temperature set by the user by operating the operation panel 20 is an example of the reference temperature Tkf. Here, the reference temperature Tkf in the case of the freezing temperature has been described, but regarding the refrigerating temperature, the set temperature Tsc when the refrigerator 1 is normally operated is set as the reference temperature Tkc. Hereinafter, the freezing temperature will be described as a temperature determination target in the control of the refrigerator 1, but the determination target may be the refrigeration temperature.

Further, when the set temperature Temp_CONT is changed by the setting changing means 53, the refrigerating cycle control means 51 sets the rotation speed of the compressor 11 and the rotation speed of the blower 13 corresponding to the changed set temperature Temp_CONT. Change the temperature Temp_CONT to a value different from the case of the reference temperature Tkf. For example, when the set temperature Tim_CONT is changed to a temperature lower than the reference temperature Tkf, the refrigeration cycle control means 51 controls the refrigeration cycle so that the temperature of the air in the freezing chamber 21 becomes lower than the reference temperature Tkf. Perform cold storage operation.

Further, the refrigerating cycle control means 51 energizes the heater 14 when performing a defrosting operation for removing frost adhering to the cooler 12. When the defrosting of the cooler 12 is completed, the refrigerating cycle control means 51 stops energizing the heater 14. Further, the refrigerating cycle control means 51 may notify the setting changing means 53 of the measurement time of the general-purpose timer 94.

When the estimation means 52 receives the information on the predicted transition of the surplus power Pr from the management server 42, the estimation means 52 estimates the surplus power time zone Tr, which is the time zone in which the surplus power Pr is obtained. The setting changing means 53 changes the set temperature Temp_CONT to a temperature lower than the reference temperature in the surplus power time zone Tr estimated by the guessing means 52. Further, the setting changing means 53 changes the set temperature Temp_CONT to a temperature higher than the reference temperature Tkf after the surplus power time zone Tr.

Here, an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 24 will be described. When various functions of the control device 24 are executed by software, the control device 24 is composed of a processor 61 such as a CPU and a memory 62, as shown in FIG. The functions of the refrigerating cycle control means 51, the guessing means 52, the setting changing means 53, and the timer 54 are realized by the arithmetic unit such as the processor 61 executing the control program stored in the memory 62. The control program describes various determination processes such as temperature determination required for controlling the refrigerator 1 and processes for measuring time.

The memory 62 has a non-volatile memory (not shown) for storing a control program and a volatile memory (not shown) for temporarily storing the result of arithmetic processing by the control device 24. The non-volatile memory is, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable and Programmable ROM), and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Projectable ROM). The volatile memory is, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory of a RAM (Random Access Memory). As the memory 62, a detachable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a CD (Compact Disc), an MD (Mini Disc), and a DVD (Digital Versaille Disc) may be used.

Although the case where the communication path 33 is a communication path formed by wireless communication has been described, the communication path 33 may be a wired communication path. Further, although the case where the communication path 34 is a wired communication path has been described, the communication path 34 may be a communication path formed by wireless communication. Further, although the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment has been described in the case of having a plurality of storage chambers, the refrigerator 1 may have one storage chamber. If the refrigerator is provided with only one storage chamber, the blower 13 may not be provided.

Next, the operation of the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment will be described. 13 and 14 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation procedure of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. Here, the case where the temperature to be determined is the freezing temperature will be described. The control device 24 performs a loop process in which the processes of steps S101 to S117 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 are repeated at regular intervals. One cycle is, for example, a time of several ms to several tens of ms. Further, the series of processes shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 show the main processes related to the control method of the first embodiment, and may include processes not shown in the figure.

The refrigerating cycle control means 51 measures the operating time Tcon of the compressor 11 or the refrigerator 1 with the timer 54 after the power is turned on to the refrigerator 1. The guessing means 52 determines whether or not to receive information on the predicted transition of the surplus power Pr from the power management device 4 (step S101). Upon receiving the information on the predicted transition of the surplus power Pr, the guessing means 52 activates the timer 54 and proceeds to step S102. As a result of the determination in step S101, if the information on the predicted transition of the surplus power Pr is not newly received, the guessing means 52 proceeds to the process of step S103.

In step S102, when the estimation means 52 receives the information on the predicted transition of the surplus power Pr from the management server 42, the guessing means 52 estimates the surplus power time zone Tr from the predicted transition of the surplus power Pr. After step S102, the guessing means 52 proceeds to the process of step S103.

Here, as an example of the surplus power time zone Tr, the surplus power time zone Tr is a reference in which the value of the surplus power Pr is a predetermined threshold value P1 or more and the time of the surplus power Pr of the threshold value P1 or more is predetermined. The case of a time zone that is expected to continue for a time TC or more will be described. The surplus power time zone Tr may occur not only once but also a plurality of times within the management time TM1. The estimation means 52 estimates all the surplus power time zone Trs in the management time TM1, and stores the start time Tst and the end time Ted of each surplus power time zone Tr.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of information received from the management server by the guessing means in step S102 shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a table showing an example of information on the predicted transition of the surplus power Pr. FIG. 16 is a graph showing an example of prediction of the surplus power time zone corresponding to the table shown in FIG. The vertical axis of FIG. 16 shows the surplus power Pr, and the horizontal axis shows the time.

FIG. 16 shows a case where the threshold value P1 is 1 kW and the reference time TC is 3 hours. The management time TM1 is 24 hours. The values of the threshold value P1, the reference time TC, and the management time TM1 are not limited to the values used in the description here. Referring to FIG. 16, the guessing means 52 estimates that there are two surplus power time zones Tr of the surplus power time zone Tr1 and Tr2 within the management time TM1. In the surplus power time zone Tr1, the start time Tst is 4 o'clock and the end time Ted is 6 o'clock. In the surplus power time zone Tr2, the start time Tst is 18:00 and the end time Ted is 20:00. On the other hand, there is a surplus power Pr of 10 kW between 12:00 and 14:00, but since the duration is less than the reference time TC, it does not correspond to the surplus power time zone Tr.

In this way, the time when the surplus power Pr is equal to or higher than the threshold value P1 and the surplus power Pr is equal to or higher than the threshold value P1 is set as the surplus power time zone Tr, so that the refrigerator 1 can be used for a long time. , The surplus power Pr can be used for the operation requiring power. On the other hand, if the reference time TC is set to 2 hours, the surplus power Pr of 10 kW from 12:00 to 14:00 can be effectively utilized. The surplus electric power Pr from 12:00 to 14:00 can be used, for example, for the cold storage operation.

In step S103, the setting changing means 53 temporarily sets the set temperature Temp_CONT of the freezing temperature to the reference temperature Tsf for normal operation. However, in step S103, it is a temporary setting stage, and the set temperature Temp_CONT used for control by the refrigeration cycle control means 51 is set later. Here, an example of the reference temperature Tsf will be described. The control device 24 is connected to a microcomputer (not shown) provided on the operation panel 20 via a communication path 34. The microcomputers of the control device 24 and the operation panel 20 communicate with each other at a predetermined cycle. The user operates the operation panel 20 to select the set temperature Temp_CONT of the freezing chamber 21 from a plurality of stages. When communicating with the control device 24, the microcomputer of the operation panel 20 transmits information on the user-set temperature Temp_U corresponding to the stage selected by the user to the control device 24. The user-set temperature Temp_U corresponds to the reference temperature Tkf of the freezing chamber 21 during normal operation. The setting changing means 53 sets the set temperature Temp_CONT to the user set temperature Temp_U.

Subsequently, the setting changing means 53 determines whether or not the current time Now belongs to the surplus power time zone Tr estimated in step S102 (step S104). Specifically, the setting changing means 53 determines whether or not the measured value of the timer 54 belongs between the start time Tst and the end time Ted of each surplus power time zone Tr stored in the guessing means 52 in step S102. investigate. In this way, the setting changing means 53 determines whether or not the current time Now belongs to the surplus power time zone Tr.

As a result of the determination in step S104, when the current time Tnow belongs to the surplus power time zone Tr, the setting changing means 53 uses the predetermined temperature adjustment amount Vtd for the cold storage operation, and the set temperature Temp_CONT for the cold storage operation. Is corrected (step S105). Specifically, the setting changing means 53 calculates a value obtained by subtracting the temperature adjustment amount Vtd from the set temperature Temp_CONT set in step S103. The setting changing means 53 sets the calculated value as a new set temperature Temp_CONT.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S104, when the current time Tnow does not belong to the surplus power time zone Tr, the setting changer 53 steps belong to the time zone after the current time Tnow has performed the previous cold storage operation. Whether or not it is determined (step S106). As a result of the determination in step S106, when the current time Tow belongs to the time zone after the previous cold storage operation was performed, the setting changing means 53 uses the predetermined temperature adjustment amount Vtu for the cold storage operation. , The set temperature is corrected for after the cold storage operation is performed (step S107). Specifically, the setting changing means 53 calculates a value obtained by adding the temperature adjustment amount Vtu to the set temperature Temp_CONT set in step S103. The setting changing means 53 sets the calculated value as a new set temperature Temp_CONT.

If the temperature adjustment amount Vtu is applied to the set temperature Tim_CONT for a long time in step S107, the temperature of the stored matter in the freezing chamber 21 rises, as will be described later. Therefore, when the setting change means 53 reaches the predetermined time limit TLim from the setting change by the general-purpose timer 94 from the setting change in step S107, the application of the temperature adjustment amount Vtu to the set temperature Tim_CONT ends. The time limit TLim corresponds to the time zone after the previous cold storage operation was performed.

As a result of the determination in step S106, if the current time Now does not belong to the time zone after the previous cold storage operation was performed, the setting changing means 53 does not change the set temperature Tim_CONT. That is, at this stage, the setting changing means 53 determines the set temperature Temp_CONT temporarily set in step S103 as the set temperature used by the refrigerating cycle control means 51 for control. In the case of No in steps S105 and S106 or after S107, the freezing cycle control means 51 updates the freezing temperature used for determining the control of the freezing cycle to the temperature Temp_F detected by the temperature sensor 22 (step S108).

Subsequently, the refrigeration cycle control means 51 determines the operating state of the compressor 11 (step S109). Specifically, the refrigeration cycle control means 51 calculates the temperature difference Tdif between the set temperature Temp_CONT set in steps S103, S105 or S107 and the temperature Temp_F updated in step S108. Then, the refrigerating cycle control means 51 determines the on and off operating states of the compressor 11 according to the calculated magnitude of the temperature difference Tdif. In step S109, the refrigerating cycle control means 51 may determine the on and off operating states of the blower 13 according to the calculated magnitude of the temperature difference Tdif.

In step S109, when the refrigerating cycle control means 51 determines that the operating state of the compressor 11 is turned on, when the set temperature Temp_CONT is changed by step S105 or S107, the rotation speed is different from that when it is not changed. It may be set to the compressor 11. Further, when the refrigerating cycle control means 51 determines that the operating state of the blower 13 is turned on, when the set temperature Temp_CONT is changed by step S105 or S107, the rotation speed different from that when the set temperature Temp_CONT is not changed is set to the blower 13. It may be set.

A specific example will be described when the set temperature Temp_CONT is set to a temperature lower than the reference temperature Tkf during normal operation in step S105. In step S109, the refrigerating cycle control means 51 changes one or both of the rotation speed of the compressor 11 and the rotation speed of the blower 13 to a value higher than the rotation speed when the set temperature Temp_CONT is the reference temperature Tkf. do. In this case, the refrigerator 1 will perform a cold storage operation. By setting the rotation speed of the blower 13 to a high value, cold energy can be stored in a wider range in the refrigerator 1.

Further, a specific example in the case where the set temperature Temp_CONT is set to a temperature higher than the reference temperature Tkf in step S107 will be described. In step S109, the refrigerating cycle control means 51 changes one or both of the rotation speed of the compressor 11 and the rotation speed of the blower 13 to a value lower than the rotation speed when the set temperature Temp_CONT is the reference temperature Tkf. do. In this case, one or both of the rotation speed of the compressor 11 and the rotation speed of the blower 13 is lower than in the normal operation, so that the power consumption of the refrigerator 1 can be suppressed. However, as described above, it is desirable that the time for setting the set temperature Temp_CONT to a temperature higher than the reference temperature Tkf is within the time limit TLim so that the temperature of the stored matter in the refrigerator 1 does not become too high.

FIG. 17 is a time chart showing an example of the transition of the set temperature corresponding to the processing of steps S103, S105 and S107 shown in FIG. 13 and the change of the operating state of the compressor due to the transition of the set temperature. The horizontal axis shown in FIG. 17 indicates time.

The set temperature Temp_CONT shown in FIG. 17 is the set temperature Temp_CONT at the stage used by the refrigerating cycle control means 51 when determining the operating state of the compressor 11 in step S109. The operating state of the compressor 11 in FIG. 17 indicates whether it is an on state or an off state in each time zone. As shown in FIG. 17, at the start of the surplus power time zone Tr3, the setting changing means 53 makes a correction by subtracting the temperature adjustment amount Vtd from the set temperature Temp_CONT. The refrigeration cycle control means 51 operates the compressor 11 by changing the operation frequency from the medium level to the high level in the surplus power time zone Tr3. The operation frequency of the compressor 11 indicates the ratio of the on-state time per unit time. Medium level driving frequency is the percentage of on-state time per unit time during normal driving. A high level of operation frequency means that the percentage of on-time hours per unit time is higher than during normal operation.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17, when the setting changing means 53 corrects to add the temperature adjustment amount Vtu from the set temperature Temp_CONT, the refrigerating cycle control means 51 determines the operation frequency of the compressor 11 during the time limit TLim. Operate at a low level. A low level of operation frequency means that the ratio of on-time per unit time is lower than during normal operation. The refrigeration cycle control means 51 returns the operating frequency of the compressor 11 from a low level to a medium level after the time limit TLim. At the start of the surplus power time zone Tr4, the setting changing means 53 makes a correction by subtracting the temperature adjustment amount Vtd from the set temperature Temp_CONT. The refrigeration cycle control means 51 operates the compressor 11 by changing the operation frequency from the medium level to the high level in the surplus power time zone Tr4.

Even if the set temperature Temp_CONT is set to the reference temperature Tkf during normal operation in step S103 of FIG. 13, it may be corrected in step S105 or step S107. Therefore, it should be noted that even if the set temperature Temp_CONT is set to the reference temperature Tkf in step S103 of FIG. 13, the set temperature does not appear in the graph shown in FIG. That is, the graph of FIG. 17 shows the set temperature Temp_CONT set in the case of No in steps S105 and S106 of FIG. 13 or by the process of step S107.

Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 14, a procedure for applying the surplus power Pr to the forced cooling operation before the defrosting operation will be described. In step S110, the refrigeration cycle control means 51 determines whether or not the operation time Tcon has reached the predetermined control time Tdef_INT. The management time Tdef_INT is a cycle suitable for defrosting the cooler 12. In step S110, if the operation time Tcon has not reached the control time Tdef_INT, the refrigeration cycle control means 51 determines that the defrosting operation is unnecessary, and returns to step S101.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S110, when the operation time Tcon has reached the management time Tdef_INT, the refrigeration cycle control means 51 determines that the defrosting operation is necessary. The refrigeration cycle control means 51 resets the operation time Tcon measured by the defrost timer 93, and causes the defrost timer 93 to restart the measurement of the operation time Tcon. Then, the refrigeration cycle control means 51 shifts to the process of step S111.

Steps S111 to S114 are processes for determining whether or not the refrigerating cycle control means 51 performs a forced cooling operation for forcibly cooling the inside of the refrigerator 1 before the defrosting operation. When the refrigerating cycle control means 51 performs the defrosting operation, as shown in step S117 of FIG. 14, the heater 14 is energized, so that the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 rises and the temperature of the stored items also rises. Therefore, before the defrosting operation, it is desirable to lower the temperature in the refrigerator 1 as compared with the normal operation. The forced cooling operation is a temperature compensation operation in which the inside of the refrigerator 1 is cooled to a temperature lower than the set temperature during the normal operation before the defrosting operation, and the temperature rise in the refrigerator 1 is suppressed during the defrosting operation. Specifically, the refrigerating cycle control means 51 has a predetermined forced execution time in a state where the set temperature Temp_CONT of the freezing chamber 21 is set to a value smaller by a predetermined correction amount Vtd_PCL during the forced cooling operation. Ttd_PCL, the refrigerant is circulated in the refrigerant circuit 46. The correction amount Vtd_PCL and the temperature adjustment amount Vtd described in step S105 may have the same value or different values.

In step S111, the setting changing means 53 determines whether or not the current time Now belongs to the surplus power time zone Tr. As a result of the determination in step S111, when the current time Tnow belongs to the surplus power time zone Tr, the setting changing means 53 proceeds to the process of step S116. In step S116, the setting changing means 53 does not perform a process of reducing the set temperature Temp_CONT by the correction amount Vtd_PCL. Instead, the refrigeration cycle control means 51 measures the elapsed time from the transition to step S116 with the general-purpose timer 94, and when the elapsed time reaches the forced execution time Ttd_PCL, the transition to step S117. This is because, in step S116, the setting changing means 53 has determined that it is unnecessary to change the set temperature Temp_CONT by substituting the forced cooling operation for the cold storage operation.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S111, when the current time Tnow does not belong to the surplus power time zone Tr, the setting changing means 53 determines in advance the time from the current time Tnow to the next surplus power time zone Tr. It is determined whether or not the waiting time is Tbe or less (step S112). As a result of the determination in step S112, when the time until the next surplus power time zone Tr is equal to or less than the standby time Tbef, the setting changing means 53 waits until the current time Now becomes the next surplus power time zone Tr (step). S113). When the current time Now becomes the next surplus power time zone Tr, the setting changing means 53 proceeds to the process of step S116.

As a result of the determination in step S112, when the time from the current time Tnow to the next surplus power time zone Tr is larger than the standby time Tbef, the setting changing means 53 changes from the previous surplus power time zone Tr to the current time Tnow. It is determined whether or not the time is equal to or less than the predetermined time Taft (step S114). As a result of the determination in step S114, if the elapsed time from the previous surplus power time zone Tr to the current time Tnow is not less than or equal to the time Taft, the setting changing means 53 proceeds to the process of step S115.

In step S115, the setting changing means 53 changes the set temperature Temp_CONT to a value smaller by the correction amount Vtd_PCL, and maintains the set temperature Temp_CONT at the changed value during the forced implementation time Ttd_PCL. When the set temperature Temp_CONT is changed by the setting changing means 53, the refrigerating cycle control means 51 performs a forced cooling operation during the forced execution time Ttd_PCL. When the forced execution time Ttd_PCL elapses after the forced cooling operation is started, the refrigeration cycle control means 51 stops the forced cooling operation and proceeds to step S117.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S114, when the elapsed time from the previous surplus power time zone Tr to the current time Tnow is less than or equal to the time Taft, the refrigerating cycle control means 51 energizes the heater 14 (step S117). , Perform defrosting operation. If the elapsed time from the previous surplus power time zone Tr to the current time Tnow is less than or equal to the time Taft, it is considered that there is time until the cold storage operation of the next surplus power time zone Tr is performed. conduct. In step S117, the refrigeration cycle control means 51 continues to energize the heater 14 until the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 35 reaches a predetermined upper limit temperature. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 35 reaches the upper limit temperature, the refrigerating cycle control means 51 determines that the defrosting has been completed, and stops the energization of the heater 14. After that, the refrigeration cycle control means 51 shifts to the process of step S101.

In this way, the surplus electric power Pr can be utilized for the cold storage operation of the refrigerator 1 even for a short time. Further, when the surplus power time zone Tr overlaps with the time of the forced cooling operation before defrosting, the forced cooling operation can be substituted for the cold storage operation.

Although not shown in the figure, the control device 24 does not have to execute the process of step S103 every time the entire process shown in the flow of FIGS. 13 and 14 is performed. In the previous flow, the control device 24 measures the elapsed time from the time when the process of step S103 is executed by the general-purpose timer 94. When the measured elapsed time reaches the predetermined management time TM2 at the time of step S103 of the next flow, the control device 24 executes the process of step S103, but the elapsed time reaches the management time TM2. If not, step S103 may be skipped.

Further, although not shown in the figure, the control device 24 does not have to execute the process of step S104 every time the entire process shown in the flow of FIGS. 13 and 14 is performed. In the previous flow, the control device 24 measures the elapsed time from the time when the process of step S104 is executed by the general-purpose timer 94. When the measured elapsed time reaches the predetermined management time TM3 at the time of step S104 of the next flow, the control device 24 executes the process of step S104, but the elapsed time reaches the management time TM3. If not, step S104 may be skipped.

Further, although not shown in the figure, the control device 24 does not have to execute the process of step S109 every time the entire process shown in the flow of FIGS. 13 and 14 is performed. In the previous flow, the control device 24 measures the elapsed time from the time when the process of step S109 is executed by the general-purpose timer 94. When the measured elapsed time reaches the predetermined management time TM4 at the time of step S109 of the next flow, the control device 24 executes the process of step S109, but the elapsed time reaches the management time TM4. If not, step S109 may be skipped.

Further, although not shown in the figure, the control device 24 does not have to execute the process of step S110 every time the entire process shown in the flow of FIGS. 13 and 14 is performed. In the previous flow, the control device 24 measures the elapsed time from the time when the process of step S110 is executed by the general-purpose timer 94. When the measured elapsed time reaches the predetermined management time TM5 at the time of step S110 of the next flow, the control device 24 executes the process of step S110, but the elapsed time reaches the management time TM5. If not, step S110 may be skipped.

The refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment cools the air in the storage chamber by circulating the communication device 8, the storage chamber for storing the storage, the temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the air in the storage chamber, and the refrigerant. It has a refrigerant circuit 46 and a control device 24 that controls a refrigeration cycle of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 46. The communication device 8 communicates with the management server 42 that predicts the future transition of the surplus power Pr from the history information of the power generated by the power generation device 3 and the total power consumption Pt of the electric device including the refrigerator 1. The control device 24 includes a refrigerating cycle control means 51, a guessing means 52, and a setting changing means 53. The refrigeration cycle control means 51 controls the refrigeration cycle so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is maintained at the set temperature Temp_CONT. When the estimation means 52 receives the forecast transition information indicating the prediction of the future transition of the surplus power Pr from the management server 42, the estimation means 52 estimates the surplus power time zone Tr, which is the time zone in which the surplus power Pr is obtained. The setting changing means 53 changes the set temperature Temp_CONT to a temperature lower than the determined reference temperature Tkf in the surplus power time zone Tr estimated by the guessing means 52.

The refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment performs a cold storage operation in the refrigerator 1 in which the set temperature Temp_CONT is set to a temperature lower than the reference temperature Tkf in the surplus power time zone Tr estimated by the estimation means 52. Cold heat is stored in the storage, and surplus electricity can be stored in the storage as heat energy. When the refrigerator 1 performs the cold storage operation, the temperature of the stored material becomes lower than the reference temperature during the normal operation. For example, if the temperature of the freezing chamber 21 is maintained in the temperature range of -15 ° C to -18 ° C, the quality of the stored product is not affected, and even if the temperature of the stored product drops below -18 ° C. The effect of is small. Since the refrigerator 1 can be operated for cold storage even if the time zone with surplus power is short, the chances of using the surplus power from the power generation device 3 using natural energy are increased, and the surplus power can be further utilized. Even if the cold storage operation time is shortened due to the short duration of surplus power, the heat energy stored in the storage is only reduced, and the storage is not affected.

Patent Document 1 describes a method of using commercial power in addition to a method of accelerating the start time of the next defrosting operation without performing the defrosting operation when the surplus power is less than the power required for the defrosting operation. Is described. In this case, it is not possible to sufficiently reduce the amount of commercial power used. Further, in the power supply system disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the surplus electric power is less than the electric power required for the defrosting operation, it is conceivable to stop the defrosting operation in the middle. In this case, as described above, if the frost of the cooler is not removed and remains, there is a possibility that the refrigerator cannot fully exert the cooling function thereafter. On the other hand, the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment does not use the surplus power Pr for the defrosting operation with a large power consumption, but uses the surplus power Pr for the cold storage operation even for a short time. Therefore, the surplus electric power Pr from the power generation device 3 can be utilized for storing cold heat in the storage in the refrigerator 1 without disturbing the normal cooling function.

Further, in the first embodiment, an example of utilizing the heat energy stored in the storage by the cold storage operation will be described. For example, the setting changing means 53 may change the set temperature to a temperature higher than the reference temperature after the surplus power time zone Tr, and maintain the set temperature at the changed value for a time limit of TLim. After the cold storage operation is performed, the set temperature Temp_CONT of the freezing chamber 21 becomes higher than the reference temperature Tkf during the normal operation in the time zone when there is no surplus electric power. Even if the set temperature Temp_CONT becomes higher than the reference temperature Tkf and the operating frequency of the compressor 11 becomes low, the heat energy stored in the cold storage operation keeps the temperature of the stored product at a level that does not impair the quality of the stored product for a certain period of time. Can be kept in. As a result, the power consumption of the refrigerator 1 in the time zone when there is no surplus power is suppressed, and the amount of commercial power Pc used can be suppressed.

Further, in the first embodiment, by substituting the forced cooling operation before the defrosting operation for the cold storage operation, the consumption of commercial power Pc can be suppressed. The forced cooling operation is an operation in which the inside of the refrigerator 1 is forcibly cooled before the defrosting operation in order to compensate for an increase in the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 when the cooler 12 is defrosted. If the execution timing of this forced cooling operation is close to the surplus power time zone Tr in which the cold storage operation is executed, the cold storage operation can be substituted. As a result, the surplus electric power Pr can cover the electric power used for the forced cooling operation before the defrosting operation.

1 refrigerator, 2 power supply system, 3 power generation device, 4 power management device, 5 electrical equipment, 6 commercial power system, 7 network, 8 communication device, 9 refrigerating room, 10 door, 10a left door, 10b right door, 11 compressor , 12 cooler, 13 blower, 14 heater, 15 switching room, 16 temperature sensor, 17 damper, 18 lighting, 19 door switch, 20 operation panel, 21 freezer room, 22 temperature sensor, 23 main control board, 24 control device, 25 temperature sensor, 26 damper, 27 vegetable room, 28 temperature sensor, 29 damper, 30 ice room, 31 temperature sensor, 32 damper, 33, 34 communication path, 35 temperature sensor, 36 communication device, 37-40 door, 41 wind Road, 42 management server, 43 weather server, 44 radiator plate, 45 expansion device, 46 refrigerant circuit, 51 refrigeration cycle control means, 52 guessing means, 53 setting changing means, 54 timer, 61 processor, 62 memory, 81 power conversion unit , 82 power supply unit, 83 control device, 91 storage device, 92 control device, 93 defrosting timer, 94 general-purpose timer.

Claims (6)

A refrigerator that is powered by a power supply system that includes a power generator that uses natural energy.
A communication device that communicates with a server that predicts the future transition of surplus power from the history information of the power generated by the power generation device and the total power consumption of the electric equipment including the refrigerator.
A storage room for storing storage and
A temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the air in the storage chamber,
A refrigerant circuit that cools the air in the storage chamber by circulating the refrigerant,
It has a control device for controlling the refrigerating cycle of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit.
The control device is
A refrigeration cycle control means for operating the refrigeration cycle so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is maintained at a set temperature.
When information on the forecast transition indicating the forecast of the future transition of the surplus power is received from the server, the guessing means for estimating the surplus power time zone, which is the time zone in which the surplus power is obtained, and the estimation means.
It has a setting changing means for changing the set temperature to a temperature lower than a predetermined reference temperature in the surplus power time zone estimated by the guessing means.
refrigerator. The setting changing means is
After the surplus power time zone, the set temperature is changed to a temperature higher than the reference temperature, and the set temperature is maintained at the changed value for a predetermined time limit.
The refrigerator according to claim 1. Further having a blower to supply the air cooled by the refrigerant circuit to the storage chamber.
The refrigerant circuit has a compressor that sucks the refrigerant, compresses the sucked refrigerant, and discharges the sucked refrigerant.
The refrigeration cycle control means is
When the set temperature is changed by the setting changing means, one or both of the rotation speed of the compressor and the rotation speed of the blower is higher than the rotation speed when the set temperature is the reference temperature. Change to value,
The refrigerator according to claim 1. Further having a blower to supply the air cooled by the refrigerant circuit to the storage chamber.
The refrigerant circuit has a compressor that sucks the refrigerant, compresses the sucked refrigerant, and discharges the sucked refrigerant.
The refrigeration cycle control means is
When the set temperature is changed by the setting changing means, one or both of the rotation speed of the compressor and the rotation speed of the blower is lower than the rotation speed when the set temperature is the reference temperature. Change to value,
The refrigerator according to claim 2. The refrigerant circuit has a cooler that exchanges heat between the air in the storage chamber and the refrigerant.
The refrigeration cycle control means is
The defrosting operation for removing the frost adhering to the cooler is performed at a predetermined control time cycle.
When the start time of the defrosting operation belongs to the surplus power time zone, the defrosting operation is started after the surplus power time zone has elapsed.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The setting changing means is
Before the defrosting operation, the set temperature is set to a temperature lower than the reference temperature, and the refrigerating cycle control means is made to execute the forced cooling operation.
When the refrigerating cycle control means has a time from the time when the forced cooling operation is started to the next surplus power time zone is equal to or less than a predetermined standby time, the refrigerating cycle control means is not allowed to execute the forced cooling operation.
The refrigerator according to claim 5.

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