REFRIGERATOR

Abstract

Provided is a refrigerator including: at least one temperature sensor; a memory storing controls for a plurality of levels; and a processor selecting a control, from among the controls, based on a temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a technique directed to refrigerators and, in particular, to a technique for efficiently controlling the refrigerators.

BACKGROUND ART

A typical refrigerator includes a compartment temperature sensor measuring a compartment temperature of the refrigerator. The refrigerator starts a cooling operation when the temperature measured by the compartment temperature sensor rises above a first predetermined temperature (e.g., 4° C.), and suspends the cooling operation when the temperature measured by the compartment temperature sensor falls below the first predetermined temperature (e.g., 3° C.).

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H01-234781

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

Unfortunately, the above configuration might either excessively cool, or not be able to appropriately cool, the compartment of the refrigerator as illustrated in FIG. 19, depending on positions of the compartment temperature sensor and of foods and beverages newly placed in the refrigerator.

Specifically, when a not-cold object; that is, for example, a canned beverage brought close to a warm room temperature, is placed near the compartment temperature sensor, the temperature measured by the compartment temperature sensor rises inevitably high. Hence, a place away from the canned beverage is highly likely to be cooled more than necessary. In contrast, when a cold canned beverage is placed near the compartment temperature sensor, the temperature measured by the compartment temperature sensor falls inevitably low even if a not-cold food or beverage is put somewhere else. Hence, the temperature of a place away from the place of the cold canned beverage could exceed a temperature appropriate for the food and beverage.

In order to address those problems, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique to forcefully suspend cooling a refrigerated room if the refrigerated room is cooled for a predetermined time period or longer to prevent the refrigerated room from being overcooled. However, such an overcooling prevention technique, which merely involves forcefully suspending cooling in the predetermined time period, is difficult to apply to foods and beverages that the refrigerator stores in various states. Moreover, the above technique is not applicable to a countermeasure to insufficient cooling.

Solution to Problem

A refrigerator according to an aspect of the present invention includes: at least one temperature sensor; a memory storing controls for a plurality of levels; and a processor selecting a control, from among the controls, based on a temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The present invention provides a refrigerator capable of efficient control over various storage conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating a typical refrigerator.

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating variation in compartment temperature according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a refrigerator 100 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an operation level table 121 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating control processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing for setting an operation level according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing for setting an operation level according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an operation level table 122 according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating control processing according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing for setting an operation level according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating a first variation in compartment temperature according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an operation level table 122 after a first user-adjustment according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing a first variation in compartment temperature according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing a second variation in compartment temperature according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an operation level table 123 according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating processing for setting an operation level according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating sensor canceling processing according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating sensor cancelling processing according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a graph showing a variation in compartment temperature of a typical refrigerator.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Described below are the embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the drawings. In the detailed description that follows, identical constituent features have the same reference numerals. Such constituent features have the same name and function, and the details thereof will not be repeatedly elaborated upon.

First Embodiment

Configuration of Refrigerator

First, a technique according to this embodiment is applicable to a typical refrigerator 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The technique is applicable to, for example, a refrigerator including a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, a refrigerator including a refrigerator compartment alone, and a refrigerator including a vegetable compartment and a chilling compartment.

The refrigerator according to this embodiment is directed to effective use of foods, beverages, and compartment air of the refrigerator which have already been cooled, while avoiding excessive influence of foods and beverages newly stored in the refrigerator. As illustrated in FIG. 2, for example, a refrigerator basically repeats a cooling operation based on a level selected from among multiple stages of level settings. The refrigerator repeats such an operation previously programmed. Hence, even if an object having a large heat capacity is placed near a compartment temperature sensor, the refrigerator can reduce the risk that the compartment temperature of the refrigerator excessively rises or falls.

Furthermore, the refrigerator sets an upper limit of the compartment temperature of the refrigerator higher (e.g., 10° C.) than usual, and a lower limit of the compartment temperature of the refrigerator lower (e.g., 1° C.) than usual. Based on the compartment temperature of the refrigerator, the refrigerator controls a compressor and a damper. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 2, for example, when new foods and beverages are placed near the compartment temperature sensor at approximately four o'clock in the morning, the refrigerator continues the cooling operation regardless of the program setting until approximately five twenty in the morning at which the temperature of the compartment temperature sensor falls below the upper limit (10° C.). Moreover, although not shown, the refrigerator can suspend the cooling operation regardless of the program setting when the temperature of the compartment temperature sensor falls below the lower limit.

Hence, with basic cooling performed in the previously programmed operation, the compartment temperature sensor is additionally used to reduce the risk of excessive rise and fall of the compartment temperature of the refrigerator while avoiding over-control.

Furthermore, the refrigerator according to this embodiment (i) sets the level setting for cooling the compartment of the refrigerator high if a temperature of the compartment temperature sensor is higher than the upper limit at a predetermined time point, and, on the contrary, (ii) sets the level setting for cooling the compartment of the refrigerator low if the temperature of the compartment temperature sensor is lower than the lower limit at a predetermined time point. Such features make it possible to appropriately select a cooling level for various storage conditions in the refrigerator, reducing the risk that the compartment temperature of the refrigerator excessively rises or falls.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment mainly includes, for example: a central processing unit (CPU) 110 mounted on a control board; a memory 120; a display 130 for displaying various kinds of text and images in response to a signal from the CPU 110; a controller 140 receiving various commands from a user; a timer 150 measuring an elapsed time period from a time and a predetermined time point; a compressor 160; a fan 170; a damper 180; a compartment temperature sensor 191; and an ambient temperature sensor 192.

The memory 120 according to this embodiment stores an upper-limit temperature (e.g., 10° C.) and a lower-limit temperature (e.g., 1° C.) of the compartment temperature sensor 191 in the refrigerator compartment. Moreover, the memory 120 stores an operation level table 121 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The operation level table 121 according to this embodiment stores a combination of a cooling-ON time period and a cooling-OFF time period for each of the operation levels.

Note that, the operation level table 121 shall not be limited to the above configuration. Alternatively, as described later, the operation level table 121 may store, for each operation level, a rotation speed of the compressor 160, a rotation speed of the fan 170, and a combination of the rotations speeds.

Processing by Controller

In this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 executes processing illustrated in FIG. 5. Note that FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating how the CPU 110 according to this embodiment processes information.

When a power supply turns ON, the CPU 110 reads an ON time period and an OFF time period, of a set operation level, from the operation level table 121, sets the compressor 160, the fan 170, and the damper 180 for the ON time period and the OFF time period as an ON time-period timer and an OFF time-period timer, and starts to measure the OFF time period (Step S102).

With reference to the timer 150, the CPU 110 determines whether the OFF time-period timer reaches a set value (Step S104).

If the OFF time-period timer reaches the set value (Step S104: YES), the CPU 110 sets an operation level (Step S108). In this embodiment, the previous operation level is stored in the memory 120. The CPU 110 executes operation level setting processing to be described later based on the previous operation level, and sets a current operation level. The operation level setting processing will be described later. Note that, the previous operation level in a factory setting may be an intermediate operation level to be preliminarily set.

Based on the current operation level, the CPU 110 causes the compressor 160, the fan 170, and the damper 180 to start the cooling operation in accordance with the operation level table 121 (Step S110). The CPU 110 starts measuring the ON time period (Step S112). The CPU 110 determines whether a cooling end condition is met (Step S114). In this embodiment, the CPU 110 determines that the cooling end condition is met if the ON time-period timer determines that a set stand-by period has passed, and a temperature measured by the compartment temperature sensor 191 is a predetermined upper limit temperature of, for example, 10° C. or below.

If the cooling end condition is met (Step S114: YES), the CPU 110 suspends the cooling operation of the compressor 160, the fan 170, and the damper 180 (Step S116). The CPU 110 starts the OFF time-period timer (Step S118).

Described next is the operation level setting processing in Step S108 of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation level setting processing executed by the CPU 110.

With reference to FIG. 6, the CPU 110 determines whether an operation-level-down condition is satisfied (Step S1081). Here, the CPU 110 determines that the operation-level-down condition is satisfied when the temperature, measured by the compartment temperature sensor 191 at the suspension of the previous cooling operation (Step S116), is a predetermined lower limit temperature of, for example, 1° C. or below. If the operation-level-down condition is satisfied (Step S1081: YES), the CPU 110 determines that the refrigerator 100 is overcooled, and turns down the operation level for one stage (Step S1082).

The CPU 110 further determines whether an operation-level-up condition is satisfied (Step S1083). Here, the CPU 110 determines that the operation-level-up condition is satisfied when a current temperature; that is, the temperature measured by the compartment temperature sensor 191 at the start of the current cooling operation (Step S108) is the predetermined upper limit temperature of, for example, 10° C. or above. If the operation-level-up condition is satisfied (Step S1083: YES), the CPU 110 determines that the refrigerator 100 is not sufficiently cooled, and turns up the operation level for one stage (Step S1084). The CPU 110 proceeds to the processing in Step S110 of FIG. 5.

Hence, the cooling operation in this embodiment is not sequentially controlled with the value measured by the compartment temperature sensor 191. Alternatively, with basic cooling performed on a previously programmed operation setting, the cooling operation is controlled and the operation level settings are changed based on the upper limit temperature, the lower limit temperature, and the compartment temperature at a predetermined time point. Such features make it possible to execute efficient control while avoiding over-control.

Second Embodiment

Note that the operation level setting processing shall not be limited to the one in the above embodiment. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, if the operation-level-down condition is satisfied (Step S1081: YES), the CPU 110 may turn the operation level down for one stage (Step S1082), omitting determination of the operation-level-up condition. In contrast, though not illustrated, if the operation-level-up condition is satisfied (Step S1083: YES), the CPU 110 may turn the operation level up for one stage (Step S1084), omitting determination of the operation-level-down condition.

Third Embodiment

The operation level setting processing may further involve determining an operation level based on an ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100. In this case, the memory 120 stores an operation level table 122 as illustrated in FIG. 8. The operation level table 122 according to this embodiment stores, for each of the operation levels, a corresponding relationship between a condition of an ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100, a cooling-ON time period, and a cooling-OFF time period.

In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9, if the OFF time-period timer reaches the set value (Step S104: YES), the CPU 110 obtains from the ambient temperature sensor 192 an ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 (Step S106). The ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 measured by the ambient temperature sensor 192 is obtained immediately before the compressor 160 starts the cooling operation. Such a feature allows the operation level setting processing to be less likely affected by a variation in the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 caused by the cooling operation, such as by heat from the compressor 160.

Then, as shown in Step S108 of FIG. 10, the CPU 110 identifies an operation level, based on a temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor 192, with reference to the operation level table 122. Then, in Step S110, the CPU 110 causes the compressor 160, the fan 170, and the damper 180 to start cooling operation, based on the identified operation level, with reference to the operation level table 122.

Such features make it possible to reduce the risk that the compartment temperature of the refrigerator 100 excessively rises or falls because of a variation in the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 11. Moreover, even if the value measured by the compartment temperature sensor rapidly rises because new foods and beverages are placed in the refrigerator at approximately four o'clock in the morning (see FIG. 11), the cooling operation is controlled, based on the identified operation level, with reference to the operation level table 122 as seen in the first embodiment. Such a feature makes it possible to reduce the risk, and the degree, that the compartment temperature excessively rises or falls.

Furthermore, the refrigerator 100 may allow a determination criterion of the operation levels to be customized by a user through the controller 140. For example, the CPU 110 may receive a setting command to uniformly raise by 2° C. a condition of the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 for each operation level, and store information on the setting command in the memory 120 as illustrated in FIG. 12. Such a feature allows the user to set the compartment temperature of the refrigerator to a desired one. For example, as described above, if the user provides a setting command to uniformly raise by 2° C. a condition of the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 for each operation level, the compartment temperature of the refrigerator can be raised by approximately 1° C.

Note that, here, the CPU 110 utilizes data measured by the ambient temperature sensor 192 to determine the most suitable of all the operation levels. Alternatively, the CPU 110 may utilize data measured by the compartment temperature sensor 191 to determine the most suitable of all the operation levels.

Fourth Embodiment

The operation level settings in the above embodiments may be combined together. In the operation level setting processing (Step S108), the CPU 110 may provisionally determine an operation level with the processing in FIG. 10, and then increase or decrease the operation level with the processing in FIGS. 6 and 7.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 13, an operation level of four is determined based on the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 between five o'clock and six o'clock in the morning. At the start of the current cooling operation, the operation-level-up condition is met. Hence, the CPU 110 corrects the operation level to read five. Furthermore, an operation level of five is determined based on the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 between three o'clock and four o'clock in the afternoon. At the end of the previous cooling operation, the operation-level-down condition is met. Hence, the CPU 110 corrects the operation level to read four.

Moreover, an operation level of four is determined based on the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 between four o'clock and five o'clock in the morning. At the end of the previous cooling operation, the operation-level-down condition is met. However, the operation-level-up condition is met at the start of the current cooling operation. Hence, the CPU 110 determines the operation level to read four.

Fifth Embodiment

Note that, if a temperature of the compartment temperature sensor once rises above the upper limit temperature as illustrated in FIG. 14, the CPU 110 may allow the refrigerator 100 to continue the cooling operation until the rising temperature falls below the lower limit temperature.

Sixth Embodiment

Moreover, an operation level to be set may include an open-close control of a damper and a rotation speed of a compressor. As illustrated in FIG. 15, for example, the operation level table 123 in this embodiment stores, for each operation level, a corresponding relationship between a condition of an ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100, a damper opening time period, a compressor-ON time period, a compressor-OFF time period, a rotation speed of the compressor in a normal condition, and a rotation speed of the compressor after defrost.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, the CPU 110 in this embodiment determines, with reference to the timer 150, whether the OFF time-period timer reaches a set value (Step S104).

If the OFF time-period timer determines that a set cooling period has passed (Step S104: YES), the CPU 110 obtains from the ambient temperature sensor 192 an ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 (Step S106).

The CPU 110 sets an operation level based on the operation level table 123 and results of measurement by various sensors (Step S108).

As the cooling operation processing (Step S110), the CPU 110 causes the compressor 160 to start operating (Step S1100). Here, the CPU 110 determines a rotation speed of the compressor 160 with reference to the operation level table 123. The CPU 110 starts an ON timer of the compressor 160 (Step S1101). The CPU 110 opens a damper (Step S1102). The CPU 110 starts a damper-open timer (Step S1103).

With reference to the operation level table 123, the CPU 110 determines whether the damper-open timer reaches a set value (Step S1104). If the damper-open timer reaches the set value (Step S1104: YES), the CPU 110 closes the damper (Step S1105).

With reference to the operation level table 123, the CPU 110 determines whether the compressor-ON timer reaches a set value (Step S1106). If the compressor-ON timer reaches the set value (Step S1106: YES), the CPU 110 suspends the operation of the compressor 160 (Step S1107).

The CPU 110 determines whether a defrost condition is satisfied (Step S1108). If the defrost condition is satisfied (Step S1108: YES), the CPU 110 performs a defrost operation (Step S1109). When the defrost operation ends, the CPU 110 starts the OFF time-period timer (Step S118).

Note that, as shown in FIG. 15, the temperature of the freezer compartment is expected to rise after the end of the defrost operation. Hence, the rotation speed of the compressor may be set higher than usual. Furthermore, the OFF time-period timer may be set shorter than usual.

Seventh Embodiment

In addition to the above embodiments, the refrigerator 100 may include a mode to cancel the compartment temperature sensor 191. Canceling the sensor specifically means that the communication between the sensor and the CPU 110, or the power to be supplied to the sensor, is shut down. In many cases, the compartment temperature sensor 191 is connected not through the control board but through the wiring. Moreover, the compartment temperature sensor 191 is exposed to an environment in which temperature and humidity significantly vary. That is why the compartment temperature sensor 191 have more reasons to fail than an element soldered on the control board does. Hence, through the controller 140, the refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment receives a command to transit to a mode to cancel the compartment temperature sensor 191; that is, a command to transit to, for example, a first service mode. Alternatively, the CPU 110 may determine whether the compartment temperature sensor 191 is in failure, based on data measured by the compartment temperature sensor 191. If the CPU 110 determines that the compartment temperature sensor 191 is in failure, the refrigerator 100 may transit to the first service mode to cancel the compartment temperature sensor 191. In this case, the refrigerator 100 may include a display mechanism to notify the user of the transition to the service mode.

For example, as shown in FIG. 17, when receiving the command to transit to the first service mode, the CPU 110 shuts down the communication with, or the power supply to, the compartment temperature sensor 191 (Step S302). Then, when receiving a command to finish the first service mode (Step S304: YES), the CPU 110 restores the communication with, or the power supply to, the compartment temperature sensor 191 (Step S306).

Note that while, the refrigerator 100 is on the first service mode, the CPU 110 does not make determination on the upper limit value or the lower limit value in the cooling end condition of S114.

Eighth Embodiment

Alternatively, in addition to the above embodiments, the refrigerator 100 may include a mode to cancel the ambient temperature sensor 192. Through the controller 140, the refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment receives a command to transit to a mode to cancel the ambient temperature sensor 192 and the compartment temperature sensor 191; that is, a command to transit to, for example, a second service mode. Alternatively, the CPU 110 may determine whether the ambient temperature sensor 192 is in failure, based on data measured by the ambient temperature sensor 192. If the CPU 110 determines that the ambient temperature sensor 192 is in failure, the refrigerator 100 may transit to the second service mode to cancel the ambient temperature sensor 192 and the compartment temperature sensor 191. Note that the second service mode may involve canceling the ambient temperature sensor 192 and maintaining the communication between the CPU 110 and the compartment temperature sensor 191.

In this embodiment, the CPU 110 may preferably cause the memory 120 to store a temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor 192. For example, the memory 120 may store the latest temperature measured, or the highest temperature measured for the last 24 hours, or the average temperature measured for the last 24 hours. In addition, the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 may be obtained from the server last time. Alternatively, a predicted ambient temperature previously obtained from the server is used as the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100. In this case, the ambient temperature to be obtained from the server may be an ambient temperature measured by another electric appliance placed near the refrigerator 100, or a temperature, of an area in which the refrigerator 100 is installed, to be obtained through the Internet.

Hence, as shown in FIG. 18, when receiving the command to transit to the second service mode, the CPU 110 shuts down the communication with, or the power supply to, the ambient temperature sensor 192 and the compartment temperature sensor 191 (Step S402).

With reference to the timer 150, the CPU 110 determines whether the OFF time-period timer reaches a set value (Step S404).

If the OFF time-period timer determines that a set cooling time period has passed (Step S404: YES), the CPU 110 obtains from the memory 120 a previously obtained ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100 (Step S406).

The CPU 110 sets an operation level (Step S108). The processing succeeding the setting of the operation level is identical or substantially identical to that in the above embodiments, and therefore will not be repeated.

Such features make it possible to prevent the refrigerator 10 from performing an abnormal cooling operation even if the compartment temperature sensor 191 and the ambient temperature sensor 192 are in failure. Moreover, the operation level is set with a temperature recently measured by an ambient temperature sensor. Hence, even in a period in which a temperature sensor is not available, the compartment temperature can be maintained at an appropriate temperature.

SUMMARY

Provided in the above embodiments is the refrigerator 100 including: at least one temperature sensor 191, 192; a memory 120 storing controls for a plurality of levels; and a processor 110 selecting a control, from among the controls, based on a temperature measured by the temperature sensor 191, 192.

Preferably, the at least one temperature sensor 191, 192 may include a first sensor configured to measure a compartment temperature of the refrigerator. The processor 110 may select a control, from among the controls, for a high level if the temperature of the compartment temperature sensor 191 rises above an upper limit, and to select a control, from among the controls, for a low level if the temperature of the compartment temperature sensor 191 falls below a lower limit, the high level and the low level being included in the levels.

Preferably, processor 110 may continue a cooling operation until the temperature of the compartment temperature sensor 191 falls below the upper limit.

When receiving a command to designate a first mode, the processor 110 may cancel the selection of the controls for the upper limit and the lower limit.

Preferably, the at least one temperature sensor 191, 192 may include a second sensor measuring an ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100. The processor 110 may select the control based on a past ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100.

Preferably, when receiving a command to designate a second mode, the processor 110 may select the control based on a past ambient temperature of the refrigerator 100.

The embodiments disclosed herewith are examples in all respects, and shall not be interpreted to be limitative. The scope of the present invention is intended to be disclosed not in the above embodiments, but in the claims. All the modifications equivalent to the features of, and within the scope of, the claims are to be included in the scope of the present invention. Moreover, a configuration may be obtained from a combination of the configurations of different embodiments described in this Description. Such a configuration is also included within the scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

• 100: Refrigerator
• 110: CPU
• 120: Memory
• 121: Operation Level Table
• 122: Operation Level Table
• 123: Operation Level Table
• 130: Display
• 140: Controller
• 150: Timer
• 160: Compressor
• 170: Fan
• 180: Damper
• 191: Compartment Temperature Sensor
• 192: Ambient Temperature Sensor

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising: at least one temperature sensor;a memory storing controls each corresponding to one of a plurality of cooling operation levels; anda processor configured to select a control, from among the controls, based on a temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the at least one temperature sensor includes a first sensor configured to measure a compartment temperature of the refrigerator, andthe processor is configured to select, from among the controls, a control for a cooling operation level higher than a previously selected cooling operation level if the compartment temperature rises above an upper limit, and to select, from among the controls, a control for a cooling operation level lower than a previously selected cooling operation level if the compartment temperature falls below a lower limit, the high level and the low level being included in the levels, the cooling operation levels and the previously selected cooling operation levels being included in the plurality of cooling operation levels.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to continue a cooling operation until the compartment temperature falls below the upper limit.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein when receiving a command to designate a first mode, the processor is configured to cancel the selection of the controls for the upper limit and the lower limit.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the at least one temperature sensor includes a second sensor configured to measure a ambient temperature of the refrigerator, andthe processor is configured to select the control based on the ambient temperature of the refrigerator.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein when receiving a command to designate a second mode, the processor is configured to select the control based on a past ambient temperature of the refrigerator.