Smart Life & Ecofriendly Systems

1. Connected Appliances: Camera-equipped Refrigerator

Hitachi has released the HXCC-type of large-capacity refrigerator connected home appliance which is equipped with a refrigerator camera^*1 that allows users to check the foodstuffs in the refrigerator with a smartphone app from outside the home.

The key features are as follows:

1. The camera installed in the upper part of the refrigerator unit automatically films the refrigerator shelves and the left and right door pockets when the refrigerator door is opened, and the images can be checked from the application for Hitachi refrigerators. This reduces the number of cases where the user forgets to buy something or repurchase food ingredients already on-hand to support daily foodstuff management.
2. Featuring a thin wall design in the ceiling section and other areas, it expands the rated internal capacity by 15 L over existing units while maintaining a width of 685 mm to achieve a large capacity size of 617 L^*2. To improve usability, the top shelf of the refrigerator can now store 500 mL plastic bottles in an upright position.
3. The refrigerator adopts the moisture cooling feature^*3 to keep the entire shelving space at a temperature of approximately 2°C and a humidity of approximately 80%. The low temperature storage of approximately 2°C maintains freshness for a long period of time no matter where food is placed, and the high humidity reduces dryness.

(Hitachi Global Life Solutions, Inc.)

*1

Depending on the location where foodstuffs are stored, some areas may not be recorded by the camera.

*2

Based on a comparison of the R-HXCC62S FY2022 product (rated internal capacity of 617 L) and the R-HX60R (rated internal capacity of 602 L) FY2021 product.

*3

Moisture cooling does not include the door pockets.

［01］HXCC-type refrigerator equipped with refrigerator camera

2. New Refrigerator Concept “Chiiil”

Hitachi has released a new concept for refrigerators, called “Chiiil,” which can be placed in places other than the kitchen such as the living room or bedroom, combined with multiple units^*, and used according to user lifestyle and preferences.

The key features are as follows:

1. In addition to a design with a depth of 420 mm that makes it easy to match with furniture, this refrigerator can be installed flat on the back against the wall and has specifications that make it easy to place in various locations such as the living room, bedroom, dining room, and workspace. Two units can be combined horizontally or vertically.
2. Ten color variations selected for compatibility with different interiors create a space according to user preferences. They are easy to match with various spaces such as the living room and bedroom and can be coordinated with the individuality of the interior.
3. Choose temperature modes from refrigerator (approximately 2°C, 4°C, or 6°C) and cellar (approximately 8°C, 12°C, or 16°C) according to the type of food that users wish to store. Moreover, the inside layout can be adjusted by changing the shelf positions according to food size.

(Hitachi Global Life Solutions, Inc.)

*

Clearance of 5 mm or more must be maintained on the left and right sides of the unit as space for heat dissipation.

［02］New refrigerator concept “Chiiil” R-MR7S

3. Front-loading Washer/Dryer

4. Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

5. Health-conscious Superheated Steam Microwave Oven

6. Remote Monitoring/Predictive Diagnosis IoT Solution “exiida” for Air Conditioning

As a result of the amendment^*1 to the Act on Rational Use and Appropriate Management of Fluorocarbons (hereinafter, Fluorocarbon Emission Control Act) which was enacted in August 2022, continuous monitoring systems for commercial freezers and refrigeration equipment^*2 have become positioned as a replacement for the simple inspections that were visually performed until now.

The Fluorocarbon Emission Control Act requires one or more simple inspections every three months for the advance prevention of leaks of fluorocarbon gas, which is used as an equipment refrigerant. Therefore, the manager (customer or facility manager, etc.) must observe the requirement to perform a visual inspection of the equipment as well as record and store the inspection results. In the event of a violation, the manager may be subject to punishment.

The remote monitoring and predictive diagnosis IoT solution “exiida” for air conditioning can replace the simple inspections of commercial freezers and refrigeration equipment established by the Fluorocarbon Emission Control Act. As a result, this solution helps to reduce the workload.

*1

Act on Rational Use and Appropriate Management of Fluorocarbons (Act No. 64 of 2001), Article 16, paragraph 1 partially amended

*2

Class I specified products established in the Act on Rational Use and Appropriate Management of Fluorocarbons

*3

This service is available only in Japan.

［06］Inspection details established by the Fluorocarbon Emission Control Act

7. Connected VRF Equipped with High Energy Efficiency and Functionality

Hitachi has released variable refrigerant flow (VRF) that improves energy efficiency as an initiative for carbon neutrality, adds features for cold regions, and supports built-in exiida communication units in the outdoor unit (service scheduled to start in the first half of 2023).

1. High coefficient of performance (COP) models recommended for the promotion of net zero energy buildings (ZEBs) were added to the lineup (TZ and TZX series).
2. They maintain the rated capacity down to an outdoor temperature of -7°C while heating^*1. In addition, heating operations can be continued down to a temperature of -25°C^*2 (TG and TGX series).
3. The exiida communication unit can be built into the outdoor unit, which eliminates the need for mounting space and a dedicated power supply (service scheduled to start in the first half of 2023).

In addition to limiting lost business opportunities due to sudden failures, the exiida remote monitoring and predictive diagnosis service can take the place of the simple inspections of the Fluorocarbon Emission Control Act.

[Hitachi Global Life Solutions, Inc. (sales), Hitachi-Johnson Controls Air Conditioning, Inc. (manufacturing)]

*1

When the cold region feature is set. The TG and TGX400 models maintain the rated capacity down to a temperature of -4°C.

*2

When the TGX is in full heating operation.

［07］Connected VRF equipped with high energy efficiency and functionality

8. New Water-cooled Screw Chillers Using Low-GWP Refrigerant with Global Warming Potential of One

Hitachi has assembled a lineup of models that adopt a low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant [Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) R1234yf] in the MATRIX ADVANCE water-cooled cold screw for the sake of energy efficiency and serviceability.

The key features are as follows:

1. Adopts a low GWP refrigerant (HFO R1234yf)
   R1234yf is a refrigerant that reduces the global warming potential by more than 99% compared to the previous R134a refrigerant and has a GWP value of 1^*1.
2. Support for the Fluorocarbon Emission Control Act is not required^*2
   Equipment that adopts R1234yf is not covered by the Fluorocarbon Emission Control Act. Therefore, inspection and maintenance records do not need to be saved, and legal compliance for leakage reports is not required.
3. The product height was reduced from the 2,000 mm of the previous model to 1,670 mm to make it easier to transport.
4. The screw compressor with continuous control specifications does not require harmonic countermeasures.
   Because it is equipped with a screw compressor with continuous control specifications through a slide valve that does not use an inverter, harmonics are not generated.

[Hitachi Global Life Solutions, Inc. (sales), Hitachi-Johnson Controls Air Conditioning, Inc. (manufacturing)]

*1

Source: JRA GL-08_2020R “Guideline for Shapes of Service Ports and Indications on Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment” 100 years of GWP values

*2

Legal compliance is required for equipment that uses R134a

［08］MATRIX ADVANCE water-cooled cold screw