Surface structure

Abstract

To improve the cleanability of debris accumulated in grooves.SOLUTION: A surface structure (3) comprises a plate surface (31) and a plurality of protruding strip members (32) arranged in a right-left direction (X) of the plate surface (31), wherein a groove (33) which is a space between adjacent protruding strip members (32) in the right-left direction (X) has a different inclination angle (θ) of a side surface (34) facing the plate surface (31) at a first position (P1) and a second position (P2).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a surface structure on which an object is placed. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, attention has been focused on biomimetics, a technology that mimics and utilizes the diverse functions of living organisms. Nature Technology (registered trademark) is known as an example of a manufacturing method that uses biomimetic technology in electrical products.

[0003] For example, in some refrigerators, a storage case for storing vegetables is provided at the bottom with a number of protruding parts extending in the front-to-rear direction of the storage case, and a number of grooves are formed between the protruding parts (Patent Document 1). In this storage case, the protruding parts reinforce the storage case, and dirt and the like attached to the vegetables falls into the grooves, thereby maintaining a hygienic storage condition for the vegetables. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-294113 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the conventional technology described above, there is a problem in that it is difficult to wipe off the dirt that has accumulated in the grooves when cleaning the storage case.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a surface structure that has improved cleaning properties. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, a surface structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a plate surface and a plurality of protrusions arranged on the plate surface and aligned in a first direction parallel to the plate surface, wherein a groove, which is the space between adjacent protrusions in the first direction, is parallel to the plate surface and extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the inclination angle of the side of the groove relative to the plate surface in a cross-sectional view cut by a plane perpendicular to the second direction is different between a first position and a second position located on the other side of one or the other of the second directions relative to the first position.

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, a surface structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a plate surface and a plurality of protrusions arranged on the plate surface and aligned in a first direction parallel to the plate surface, wherein a groove, which is the space between adjacent protrusions in the first direction, is parallel to the plate surface and extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a cross-sectional area of ​​the groove in a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the second direction is different between a first position and a second position located on the other side of one or the other of the second directions relative to the first position. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a surface structure with improved cleaning properties can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view showing a storage container included in the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the storage container shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the storage container shown in FIG. 3 taken along the line PP. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a surface structure provided in the storage container shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 6 is a plan view showing a schematic view of a portion of the surface structure shown in FIG. 5, and a cross-sectional view of the surface structure. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic diagram of a change in force applied to the side surface according to a change in the inclination angle of the side surface shown in FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8] 7A to 7C are cross-sectional views showing schematic changes in the position of dust according to changes in the inclination angle of the side surface shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of dimensions of the protrusions and grooves shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 10] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a schematic diagram of a modified example of the surface structure shown in FIG. [Figure 11] 7A and 7B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a surface structure which is another modified example of the surface structure shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a surface structure according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 11A and 11B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a portion of the surface structure shown in FIG. 10 . [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a surface structure according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] 15A and 15B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a portion of the surface structure shown in FIG. 14. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an example in which a surface structure according to the present disclosure is applied to a storage container of a refrigerator will be described. Note that the following description is an example of a surface structure according to the present disclosure, and the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated example.

[0012] [Refrigerator Overview] First, an overview of a refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment. In the following description, as shown in Fig. 1, the width direction of the refrigerator 1 when viewed from the front may be referred to as the left-right direction (first direction) X, the depth direction of the refrigerator 1 may be referred to as the front-rear direction (second direction) Y, and the height direction of the refrigerator 1 may be referred to as the up-down direction Z.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, a refrigerator (storage compartment) 1 has a box-shaped insulated box body 11 with an open front. The inside of the insulated box body 11 is divided into a plurality of storage compartments 11A. The plurality of storage compartments 11A function as, for example, a refrigerator compartment, a vegetable compartment, a freezer compartment, and the like. A door 12 that can slide in the front-rear direction is provided on the front of the storage compartment 11A that functions as, for example, a vegetable compartment. A storage container 2 is detachably held on the back side of this door 12. The storage container 2 slides in the front-rear direction Y as the door 12 is opened and closed, and can be inserted into and removed from the storage compartment 11A.

[0014] (Containment Container) Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the storage container 2 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the storage container 2 shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the storage container 2 shown in Fig. 3 taken along the line PP.

[0015] 2 and 3, the storage container (container) 2 is a box with a rectangular opening at the top, and contains objects therein. The storage container 2 has a front side portion 21 that forms the front surface of the storage container 2, a rear side portion 22 that forms the rear surface, a left side portion 23 that forms the left side surface, a right side portion 24 that forms the right side surface, and a bottom portion 25 that forms the bottom surface. The internal space of the storage container 2 surrounded by these portions 21 to 25 forms a storage space 2A that contains objects.

[0016] The storage container 2 is provided with a surface structure 3 on the bottom 25 of the storage space 2A. The surface structure 3 constitutes a part of the bottom 25 of the storage container 2, and has a plurality of protrusions 32 aligned in the left-right direction X. A plurality of grooves 33, which are spaces between adjacent protrusions 32, are formed by the plurality of protrusions 32 aligned in the left-right direction X. The surface structure 3 has a varying inclination angle of the side surface of the grooves 33 extending in the front-rear direction Y, which makes it easy to wipe off dirt accumulated in the grooves 32. Details of the surface structure 3 will be described later.

[0017] 4, the storage container 2 further includes a recess 26 provided in its bottom 25 at a position on the front side with respect to the surface structure 3. The recess 26 is located between the front side 21 of the storage container 2 and the surface structure 3, and is recessed below the plate surface 31 of the surface structure 3. This allows the dust wiped off from the grooves 33 to fall into the recess 26, and the dust collected in the recess 26 can be collected together.

[0018] [Face Structure Details] Next, details of the surface structure 3 will be described. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the surface structure 3 provided in the storage container 2 shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 6(A) is a plan view showing a schematic view of a part of the surface structure 3 shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 6(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 6(A), Fig. 6(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 6(A), and Fig. 6(D) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 6(A).

[0019] 5 and 6, the surface structure 3 is a plate-like member having a thickness direction in the vertical direction Z. The surface structure 3 includes a plate surface 31 and a plurality of protrusions 32 arranged on the plate surface 31.

[0020] (board surface) The plate surface 31 is a flat surface on one side (upper side) of the front and back surfaces of the surface structure 3 that face each other in the up-down direction (thickness direction) Z. In this embodiment, the plate surface 31 is a rectangle that is long in the left-right direction X in a plan view. The shape (outer shape) of the plate surface 31 is not particularly limited. The shape of the plate surface 31 can be changed as appropriate depending on the shape of the bottom 25 of the storage container 2, etc.

[0021] (projection) A plurality of protrusions 32 are arranged on the plate surface 31. The plurality of protrusions 32 are arranged on the plate surface 31 at equal intervals I in the left-right direction X. The interval I is, for example, the distance between center lines that bisect each of the protrusions 32 in the left-right direction X in a plan view of two adjacent protrusions 32. Each of the protrusions 32 protrudes upward from the plate surface 31 and extends in the front-rear direction Y. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusions 32 in a cross-sectional view cut along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction Y (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as a "cross-sectional view") is a symmetrical trapezoid with a lower base larger than an upper base. The upper surface (upper base) 32A of the protrusions 32 is approximately parallel to the plate surface 31 and functions as a placement surface on which vegetables and other objects are placed.

[0022] 6B, assuming that the width of the upper surface 32A of the protrusion 32 in the left-right direction X is l1 and the width of the lower surface 32B of the protrusion 32 is l2, the protrusion 32 has a region in which the difference between the width l1 of the upper surface 32A and the width l1 of the lower surface 32B changes in the front-rear direction Y. This region corresponds to a changing region R described below. In this embodiment, in the region in which the difference between the width l1 of the upper surface 32A and the width l1 of the lower surface 32B changes in the front-rear direction Y, the width l1 of the upper surface 32A increases from the rear side to the front side in the front-rear direction Y, and the width l1 of the lower surface 32B is approximately constant in the front-rear direction Y.

[0023] The cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 32 is not particularly limited. The cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 32 can be changed as appropriate depending on the type of object to be placed, etc. The protrusion 32 may have a cross-sectional shape including a curved surface, for example. Furthermore, the method of providing the protrusion 32 on the plate surface 31 is not particularly limited. For example, the plate surface 31 and the protrusion 32 may be integrally molded by press molding or the like, or the protrusion 32 may be fixed to the plate surface 31 as a separate body.

[0024] (groove) The grooves 33 are spaces between adjacent protrusions 32 in the left-right direction X. The grooves 33 are formed between each pair of adjacent protrusions 32 and extend in the front-rear direction Y. Each of the grooves 33 has a pair of side surfaces 34 and a bottom surface 35 connecting lower ends of the pair of side surfaces 34 to each other.

[0025] The pair of side surfaces 34 includes a first side surface 341 located on the left side of the groove 33 in the left-right direction X, and a second side surface 342 located on the right side of the groove 33 in the left-right direction X. For example, of two adjacent protrusions 32 sandwiching one groove 33, the protrusion 32 located on the left side is the first protrusion 321, and the protrusion 32 located on the right side is the second protrusion 322. In this case, the first side surface 341 is formed by the right side surface of the first protrusion 321, and the second side surface 342 is formed by the left side surface of the second protrusion 322. The bottom surface 35 is formed by the plate surface 31 sandwiched between the first protrusion 321 and the second protrusion 322.

[0026] In the surface structure 3, vegetables and other objects are placed on the upper surface 32A of the protruding portion 32, and moisture or dirt from the placed object falls into the groove 33. This prevents the dirt from coming into direct contact with the object, so that the object can be kept in a hygienic storage state. In this way, the groove 33 can maintain a hygienic storage state, but on the other hand, there is a problem that the dirt accumulated in the groove 33 becomes difficult to wipe off during cleaning. Therefore, in the surface structure 3, the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 of the groove 33 extending in the front-rear direction Y is changed, so that the dirt accumulated in the groove 33 can be easily wiped off.

[0027] The groove 33 has a change region R where the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 changes continuously. In this embodiment, the entire length of the groove 33 in the front-rear direction Y is the change region R, and in the change region R, the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 changes continuously so as to become larger from the rear side (rear side) to the front side (near side) in the front-rear direction Y. As shown in FIG. 6B, a position on the rear side of the intermediate position PC of the length of the change region R in the front-rear direction Y is defined as a first position P1, and a position on the front side (near side) of the intermediate position PC is defined as a second position P2. In this case, the inclination angle θ of the first side surface 341 and the second side surface 342 changes so as to become larger in the order of the first position P1, the intermediate position PC, and the second position P2 in the direction from the first position P1 side to the second position P2 side of the change region R (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the wiping direction W).

[0028] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic diagram of a change in force applied to side surface 34 in response to a change in inclination angle θ of side surface 34. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic diagram of a change in position of dust D in response to a change in inclination angle θ of side surface 34.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 7, when, for example, a dustcloth or the like is pressed against the side 34 to wipe off dirt adhering to the groove 33, the way in which force is applied to the side 34 during wiping changes according to the change in the inclination angle θ of the side 34. The smaller the inclination angle θ, the gentler the inclination of the side 34 becomes, and the component of the force that the side 34 exerts on the dirt when wiping it off has a larger component of force f1 that floats the dirt upward. The larger the inclination angle θ, the steeper the inclination of the side 34 becomes, and the component of the force that the side 34 exerts on the dirt when wiping it off has a larger component of force f2 that gathers the dirt toward the center.

[0030] Therefore, as shown in Figure 8, when dust D accumulated in groove 33 is wiped away in a direction in which the inclination angle of side 34 becomes steeper, the component of force f1 that floats dust D upward gradually increases, so that dust D that has been floated by the gently inclined side 34 tends to collect on the upper side of groove 33 (the opening side of groove 33) as it moves toward the steeply inclined side 34.

[0031] In this way, when wiping away dirt D accumulated in groove 33 in the wiping direction W, dirt D is easily floated on side surface 34 at gently inclined first position P1 on the upstream side of wiping direction W. Also, dirt D floated on the upstream side is likely to gather in the center and upper side of the groove on side surface 34 at steeply inclined second position P2 on the downstream side of wiping direction W. This makes it easier to wipe away dirt D accumulated in groove 33, improving the cleanability of groove 33.

[0032] 6B, for example, the width of the opening side of the groove 3 in cross-sectional view (i.e., the distance between the upper surfaces 32A of the adjacent protrusions 32) is defined as the opening width L1, and the bottom surface width L2 of the bottom surface 35 in cross-sectional view. In this case, the opening width L1 of the groove 3 at the second position P2 may be smaller than the opening width L1 of the groove 33 at the first position P1. As a result, when wiping off the dirt D accumulated in the groove 33 in the wiping direction W, the opening width L1 of the groove 33 becomes smaller toward the downstream side in the wiping direction W, so that the dirt D tends to gather in the center of the groove 33. Therefore, the cleaning ability of the groove 33 can be further improved.

[0033] Furthermore, the bottom width L2 of the groove 33 may be constant in the front-rear direction Y. In other words, the bottom width L2 may be the same at each of the first position P1, the intermediate position PC, and the second position P2. This makes it easier for a dust cloth or the like to reach the bottom surface 35, which is more difficult to wipe off dust D from than the side surface 34, and makes it easier to wipe off dust D accumulated on the bottom surface 35.

[0034] In addition, it is preferable that the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 at the first position P1 is less than 45 degrees, and the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 at the second position P2 is 45 degrees or more. When the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 is less than 45 degrees, the dust cloth or the like can easily approach the dust D accumulated in the groove 33. When the dust D is wiped off, the component of the force f1 that floats the dust D upward is larger than the component of the force f2 that gathers the dust D toward the center. Therefore, the dust D is easily floated. On the other hand, when the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 is 45 degrees or more, the component of the force f2 that gathers the dust F toward the center is larger than the component of the force f1 that floats the dust D upward. Therefore, the floated dust D is easily collected above and in the center of the groove 33. In this case, the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 at the intermediate position PC of the change region R1 may be less than 45 degrees. As a result, the inclination angle of the side surface 34 is less than 45 degrees in at least half of the entire length of the change region R1, so that the dust D is effectively floated in this section, and the dust D can be collected and effectively wiped away in the remaining section where the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 exceeds 45 degrees.

[0035] 6B to 6D, for example, when the cross-sectional area of ​​groove 33 in a cross-sectional view is CA, the cross-sectional area CA of groove 33 at second position P2 may be smaller than the cross-sectional area CA of groove 33 at first position P1. In other words, the cross-sectional area CA of groove 33 may change so as to become smaller in the order of first position P1, intermediate position PC, and second position P2 in the wiping direction W. This makes it easier for dirt D to collect from the upstream side to the downstream side when wiping off dirt D accumulated in groove 33 in the wiping direction W.

[0036] Further, the surface structure 3 may further include a flat region F including a surface continuous with the bottom surface 35 of the plurality of grooves 33 at at least one of the rear side and the front side in the front-rear direction Y with respect to the plurality of grooves 33. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a first flat region F1 is disposed on the rear side in the front-rear direction Y, and a second flat region F2 is disposed on the rear side in the front-rear direction Y. Thereby, when cleaning the surface structure 3, the dust D wiped from each groove 33 can be collected in the second flat region F2, and the dust D can be collected and recovered together. Further, through the second flat region F2, the dust D wiped from each groove 33 can be dropped into the recess 26 of the storage container 2, and the dust D collected in the recess 26 can be collected and recovered together.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a dimensional example of the ridge portion 32 and the groove 33. As shown in FIG. 9, for example, let the width of the upper surface (upper base) 32A of the trapezoidal ridge portion 32 be l1, the width of the lower surface (lower base) 32B of the ridge portion 32 be l2, and the height of the ridge portion 32 be H. In this case, in a cross-sectional view at the first position P1 of the groove 33, the height H of the ridge portion 32 may be less than the width l2 of the lower surface 32B of the ridge portion 32 (H < l2), or may be less than half of the width l2 of the lower surface 32B of the ridge portion 32 (H < L2 / 2). Thereby, it becomes easier to reduce the inclination angle θ at the first position P1 of the groove 33 to less than 45 degrees, and a force f1 for floating the dust D upward is likely to be generated on the side surface 34 at the first position P1.

[0038] Further, when the width of the first side surface 341 in the left-right direction X is SA and the width of the second side surface 342 in the left-right direction X is SB, the sum of the width SA of the first side surface 341 and the width SB of the second side surface 342 may be larger than the width W2 of the bottom surface 35 of the groove 33 (SA + SB > W2). Thereby, a wider side surface 34 on which the dust D can be more easily wiped than the bottom surface 35 can be taken, and the cleanability of the groove 33 is improved.

[0039] In the surface structure 3, the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 changes to become larger toward the wiping direction W. However, the inclination angle θ may change to become larger toward the opposite side to the wiping direction W. One aspect of the present disclosure only needs to appropriately change the force promoting deformation of the dust D by changing the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 of the groove 33, and the inclination angle θ can be appropriately changed depending on the type of dust D, etc.

[0040] Furthermore, in the surface structure 3, the inclination angle θ of each of the first side surface 341 and the second side surface 342 changes to become larger toward the wiping direction W. However, it is sufficient that the inclination angle θ of at least one of the first side surface 341 and the second side surface 342 changes to become larger toward the wiping direction W. Even with this configuration, dust D that adheres to one of the first side surface 341 and the second side surface 342 can be easily wiped off, thereby improving the cleaning ability of the groove 33.

[0041] In addition, in the surface structure 3, the grooves 33 are formed by arranging a plurality of trapezoidal symmetrical protrusions 32 on the plate surface 31. However, the grooves 33 may also be formed by arranging asymmetrical protrusions 32 on the plate surface 31. This may form a groove 33 in which the inclination angle θ with respect to the plate surface 31 differs between the first side surface 341 and the second side surface 342.

[0042] The surface structure 3 is a configuration example in which grooves 33 are formed by arranging a plurality of protrusions 32 of the same shape on the plate surface 31. However, grooves 33 may be formed by arranging protrusions 32 of different shapes on the plate surface 31. In this way, grooves 33 with different cross-sectional shapes may be formed.

[0043] [Refrigerator Summary] Thus, the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment includes a storage container 2 that stores items, and a surface structure 3 on the bottom 25 of the storage container 2. The surface structure 3 includes a plate surface 31 and a plurality of protrusions 32 arranged on the plate surface 31 and aligned in the left-right direction X. A groove 33 extending in the front-rear direction Y, which is a space between the protrusions 32 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction X, has a different inclination angle θ of a side surface 34 of the groove 33 with respect to the plate surface 31 in a cross-sectional view cut along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction Y between a first position P1 and a second position P2 located forward in the front-rear direction Y with respect to the first position P1.

[0044] In the surface structure 3, the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 is different between the first position P1 and the second position P2 of the groove 33, and the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 of the groove 33 is changed. For example, when wiping off the dust D accumulated in the groove 33 by pressing a dust cloth or the like, the way in which the force is applied to the side surface 34 (dust D) during wiping changes with the change in the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34. Therefore, by changing the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34, it is possible to appropriately generate a force that promotes the deformation of the dust D according to the inclination angle θ, and the dust D accumulated in the groove 32 can be easily wiped off. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the cleaning ability of the groove 32 can be improved.

[0045] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which a surface structure 3 according to one aspect of the present disclosure is applied to a storage container 2 of a refrigerator 1, but the surface structure 3 according to one aspect of the present disclosure can be widely applied to any article on which objects are placed.

[0046] [Variations] (Variation 1) Fig. 10 is a plan view showing a schematic diagram of a modified example of the surface structure 3 shown in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 10, the surface structure 3A includes a changed region R1 in which the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 of the groove 33 changes, and a non-changed region (constant region) R2 in which the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 is constant and does not change. In the surface structure 3A, the non-changed regions R2 are arranged on both sides of the changed region R1 in the front-rear direction Y.

[0047] In the change region R1, the first position P1 is located at the rear end of the change region R1, and the second position P2 is located at the front end of the change region R1. That is, in the surface structure 3A, the inclination angle θ changes to become larger toward the wiping direction W in the section between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0048] It is preferable that the rate of change of the inclination angle θ in this change region R1 (the difference between the inclination angle θ at the first position P1 and the inclination angle θ at the second position P2 divided by the length of the change region R1 in the forward / backward direction Y) is in the range of 0.04<change rate<1.11.

[0049] For example, if the inclination angle θ at the first position P1 is 25 degrees, the inclination angle θ at the second position P2 is 50 degrees, and the length of the change region R1 in the front-to-rear direction Y is 220 mm, the rate of change of the inclination angle θ is 50°-25° / 220mm=0.114° / mm.

[0050] When the rate of change of the inclination angle θ is within the above range, the effect of wiping out the dust D accumulated in the grooves 33 can be easily obtained.

[0051] (Variation 2) (A) of Figure 11 is a plan view showing a schematic view of a portion of a surface structure 3B, which is a modified example of the surface structure 3 shown in Figure 6, (B) of Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of (A) of Figure 11, (C) of Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of (A) of Figure 11, and (D) of Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of (A) of Figure 11.

[0052] 11, in the surface structure 3B, the opening width L1 of the groove 33 is constant along the front-rear direction Y. The bottom width L2 of the groove 3 and the upper and lower widths l1 and l2 of the protrusions 32 vary so as to become smaller toward the wiping direction W. Furthermore, the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 of the groove 33 and the cross-sectional area CA of the groove 33 vary so as to become larger toward the wiping direction W.

[0053] Even in the surface structure 3B having such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately generate a force that promotes deformation of the dust D according to the inclination angle θ by changing the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34. Therefore, the dust D that has accumulated in the grooves 33 can be easily wiped off during cleaning.

[0054] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals will be given to components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0055] The surface structure 30 according to this embodiment differs from the surface structure 3 described above mainly in that the protrusions 32 include curved surfaces.

[0056] Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a surface structure 30 according to this embodiment. Also, Fig. 13(A) is a plan view showing a schematic view of a part of the surface structure 30 shown in Fig. 12, Fig. 13(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 13(A), Fig. 13(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 13(A), and Fig. 13(D) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 13(A).

[0057] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the surface structure 30 has a protrusion portion 32 that is formed by a curved surface, and the curvature of the side surface 34 of the groove 33 changes toward the wiping direction W, thereby changing the gradient (slope) of the side surface 34.

[0058] In the surface structure 30, the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 of the groove 33 changes so as to increase toward the wiping direction W. Therefore, at a first position P1 on the upstream side of the wiping direction W, the side surface 34 has a gentle slope. At a second position P2 on the downstream side of the wiping direction W, the side surface 34 has a steep slope. In this embodiment, the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 may be, for example, an angle formed by a tangent line that passes through a center position M in the left-right direction X of the bottom surface 35 of the groove 33 in a cross-sectional view and is in contact with the protrusion portion 32, and the plate surface 31. Alternatively, the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 may be, for example, the maximum inclination angle of the side surface 34 with respect to the plate surface 31.

[0059] Furthermore, the surface structure 30 changes such that the cross-sectional area CA of the groove 33 becomes smaller in the wiping direction W. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional area CA may be, for example, the area of ​​a space surrounded by the groove 33 and a straight line connecting the vertices T of the upper surfaces 32A of the adjacent protrusions 32 in a cross-sectional view.

[0060] Even in the surface structure 30 having the above-described configuration, when wiping off the dirt D accumulated in the groove 33 in the wiping direction W, a force that floats the dirt D is likely to be generated on the side surface 34 at the gently sloping first position P1 on the upstream side of the wiping direction W. Moreover, on the side surface 34 at the steeply sloping second position P2 on the downstream side of the wiping direction W, the floated dirt D is likely to gather in the center and upper side of the groove. Moreover, since the groove 33 is formed of a smooth curved surface without corners, the dirt D accumulated in the groove 33 is easily wiped off. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the cleaning ability of the groove 33 can be improved.

[0061] In this embodiment, the surface structure 30 has a configuration in which adjacent protrusions 32 in the left-right direction X are connected to each other at a center position M of the bottom surface 35. However, the surface structure 30 may have a configuration in which adjacent protrusions 32 are not connected to each other and the plate surface 31 is exposed between the adjacent protrusions 32.

[0062] [Embodiment 3] Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals will be given to components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0063] The surface structure 130 according to this embodiment differs from the surface structures 3 and 30 described above mainly in that the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 of the groove 33 is constant.

[0064] Fig. 14 is a plan view showing a surface structure 130 according to this embodiment. Also, Fig. 15(A) is a plan view showing a schematic view of a part of the surface structure 130 shown in Fig. 14, Fig. 15(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 15(A), Fig. 15(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 15(A), and Fig. 15(D) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 15(A).

[0065] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the surface structure 130, like the surface structure 3 described above, has a trapezoidal protrusion portion 32 whose lower base is larger than its upper base, and a groove 33 is formed between adjacent protrusion portions 32.

[0066] In the surface structure 130, the inclination angle θ of the side surface 34 of the groove 33 is constant along the front-rear direction Y. The opening width L1, bottom width L2, and cross-sectional area CA of the groove 33 change so as to become smaller toward the wiping direction W. Furthermore, the upper surface width l1 and lower surface width l2 of the protrusion 32 change so as to become larger toward the wiping direction W.

[0067] In the surface structure 130, the cross-sectional area CA of the groove 33 changes so as to become smaller in the wiping direction W. Therefore, when wiping away the dirt D accumulated in the groove 33 in the wiping direction W, the dirt D tends to gather from the upstream side to the downstream side. This improves the cleaning ability of the groove 33.

[0068] Thus, the surface structure 130 in this embodiment includes a plate surface 31 and a plurality of protrusions 32 disposed on the plate surface 31 and aligned in the left-right direction Y parallel to the plate surface 31. A groove 33, which is a space between adjacent protrusions 32 in the left-right direction X, is parallel to the plate surface 31 and extends in the front-rear direction Y perpendicular to the left-right direction, and a cross-sectional area CA of the groove 33 in a cross-sectional view differs between a first position P1 and a second position P2 located forward of the first position P1.

[0069] In the surface structure 130, the cross-sectional area CA of the groove 33 is different between the first position P1 and the second position P2, and the cross-sectional area CA of the groove 33 is changed. For this reason, when wiping off the dirt D accumulated in the groove 33 by pressing a dustcloth or the like, for example, the dirt D is easily collected by wiping off the dirt D from the side with the larger cross-sectional area CA to the side with the smaller cross-sectional area CA. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the cleaning ability of the groove 33 can be improved.

[0070] 〔summary〕 The surface structure according to aspect 1 of the present disclosure comprises a plate surface, and a plurality of protrusions arranged on the plate surface and aligned in a first direction (left-right direction X) parallel to the plate surface, wherein a groove, which is the space between adjacent protrusions in the first direction, is parallel to the plate surface and extends in a second direction (front-back direction Y) intersecting (perpendicular to) the first direction, and the inclination angle of the side of the groove relative to the plate surface in a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the second direction differs between a first position and a second position located on the other side of one or the other of the second directions relative to the first position.

[0071] In the above configuration, the inclination angle of the side surface of the groove is different between the first position and the second position, and the inclination angle of the side surface of the groove is changed. For example, when wiping off dirt accumulated in the groove by pressing a dustcloth or the like against the groove, the way in which force is applied to the side surface (dirt) during wiping changes according to the change in the inclination angle of the side surface. Therefore, by changing the inclination angle of the side surface, it is possible to appropriately generate a force that promotes the deformation of the dirt according to the inclination angle, making it easier to wipe off the dirt accumulated in the groove. Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to improve the cleaning ability of the groove.

[0072] In a surface structure according to aspect 2 of the present disclosure, in aspect 1, the groove may include a change region in which the inclination angle of the side surface increases from the one side to the other side, and the first position may be located on the one side of the change region and the second position may be located on the other side of the change region.

[0073] In the above configuration, the groove includes a change region in which the inclination angle of the side surface changes so that the inclination angle of the side surface at the second position is larger than the inclination angle of the side surface at the first position. In other words, in the change region, the inclination angle of the side surface changes so that the side surface at the first position is relatively gently inclined and the side surface at the second position is relatively steeply inclined. For this reason, for example, when wiping off dirt accumulated in the groove from one side (the first position side) to the other side (the second position side) in the second direction, the gently inclined side surface is more likely to generate a force that lifts the dirt, and the lifted dirt is more likely to gather at the center and upper part of the groove (the opening side of the groove) on the steeply inclined side surface. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the cleaning ability of the groove can be improved.

[0074] In the surface structure according to aspect 3 of the present disclosure, in aspect 2, the opening width of the groove at the second position may be smaller than the opening width of the groove at the first position in the cross-sectional view.

[0075] In the above configuration, for example, when wiping off dirt accumulated in the groove from one side to the other side in the second direction, the opening width of the groove becomes smaller toward the other side, so dirt tends to gather in the center of the groove. Therefore, with the above configuration, the cleaning ability of the groove can be further improved.

[0076] In a surface structure according to aspect 4 of the present disclosure, in aspect 2 or 3, the inclination angle of the side surface at the first position may be less than 45 degrees, and the inclination angle of the side surface at the second position may be 45 degrees or more.

[0077] If the inclination angle of the side of the groove is less than 45 degrees, the dust cloth or the like can easily approach the dirt accumulated in the groove, and a force that lifts the dirt is easily generated. On the other hand, if the inclination angle is 45 degrees or more, the lifted dirt tends to gather at the top and center of the groove.

[0078] In the surface structure according to aspect 5 of the present disclosure, in accordance with aspect 4, the inclination angle of the side surface at the intermediate position in the second direction of the transition region may be less than 45 degrees.

[0079] According to the above configuration, the inclination angle of the side is less than 45 degrees in at least half of the total length of the transition area, so that the dust can be effectively lifted in this section, and the dust can be collected and wiped away in the remaining section where the inclination angle of the side exceeds 45 degrees.

[0080] In a surface structure according to aspect 6 of the present disclosure, in any of aspects 2 to 5, the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove at the second position may be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove at the first position when viewed in cross-section.

[0081] In the above configuration, the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove is changed so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove is smaller in the second position than in the first position. Therefore, according to the above configuration, when wiping off dirt accumulated in the groove, for example by pressing a dustcloth or the like against the groove, the dirt is wiped off from one side with a larger cross-sectional area to the other side with a smaller cross-sectional area, which makes it easier for the dirt to collect.

[0082] In the surface structure according to aspect 7 of the present disclosure, in any of aspects 2 to 6, the groove may include, as its side surfaces, a first side surface located on one side of the first direction and a second side surface located on the other side, and the inclination angles of the first side surface and the second side surface may increase from the one side to the other side.

[0083] In the above-mentioned configuration, the inclination angle of the two side surfaces of the groove changes so as to become larger from one side to the other, thereby further improving the cleaning ability of the groove.

[0084] In the surface structure of aspect 8 of the present disclosure, in any of aspects 1 to 7, the surface structure may have a plurality of the grooves, and may further have a flat region including a surface continuous with the bottom surfaces of the plurality of grooves at at least one position on the one side and the other side of the plurality of grooves.

[0085] According to the above-mentioned configuration, when cleaning the surface structure, the dust wiped off from each groove can be collected on the flat area, and the dust can be collected together.

[0086] A surface structure according to aspect 9 of the present disclosure comprises a plate surface and a plurality of protrusions arranged on the plate surface and aligned in a first direction parallel to the plate surface, wherein a groove, which is the space between adjacent protrusions in the first direction, is parallel to the plate surface and extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove in a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the second direction differs between a first position and a second position located on the other side of one or the other of the second directions relative to the first position.

[0087] In the above configuration, the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove is different between the first position and the second position, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove is changed. Therefore, when wiping off dirt accumulated in the groove by pressing a dustcloth or the like against the groove, the dirt is easily collected by wiping off the dirt from the side with the larger cross-sectional area to the side with the smaller cross-sectional area. Therefore, with the above configuration, the cleaning ability of the groove can be improved.

[0088] A container according to aspect 10 of the present disclosure is an upwardly open container having a storage space for storing objects, and is provided with a surface structure according to any one of aspects 1 to 9 at the bottom of the storage space.

[0089] According to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to realize a container that makes it easy to wipe off dirt that has accumulated in the groove at the bottom of the storage space.

[0090] In a container according to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, in the tenth aspect, the bottom may further include a recess provided at a position on the other side with respect to the surface structure.

[0091] According to the above configuration, when cleaning the container, the dirt wiped off from the grooves falls into the recesses, and the dirt collected in the recesses can be collected together.

[0092] A storage facility according to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure includes a container according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, and a storage chamber in which the container is slidably disposed along the second direction.

[0093] According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize a refrigerator in which it is easy to wipe off dirt that has accumulated in the groove at the bottom of the container provided in the storage compartment.

[0094] This disclosure includes a technical idea that focuses on the surface structure of plant petals and leaves, particularly rice leaves, and thus relates to biomimetics.

[0095] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The technical scope of the present disclosure also includes embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in the respective embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1: Refrigerator (storage facility) 2: Storage container (container) 3, 3A, 3B, 30, 130: Surface structure 11A:Containment Room 31: Board surface 32: Projection part 34: Side 321: 1st protrusion part (protrusion part) 322:Second protruding part (protruding part) 341: 1st side (side) 342:Second side (side) CA: cross-sectional area F: Flat area F1: 1st flat area F2: 2nd flat area P1: 1st position P2: 2nd position PC: intermediate position R1: Change area X: Left and right direction (first direction) Y: Front-back direction (second direction)

Claims

1. The board surface and A plurality of protrusions are disposed on the plate surface and aligned in a first direction parallel to the plate surface, The groove, which is a space between the protrusions adjacent to each other in the first direction, Extending in a second direction parallel to the plate surface and intersecting the first direction; A surface structure in which the inclination angle of the side of the groove relative to the plate surface in a cross-sectional view cut by a plane perpendicular to the second direction is different between a first position and a second position located on the other side of the second direction relative to the first position.

2. the groove includes a change region in which an inclination angle of the side surface increases from the one side to the other side, The surface structure of claim 1 , wherein the first location is located on the one side of the transition area and the second location is located on the other side of the transition area.

3. The surface structure according to claim 2 , wherein, in the cross-sectional view, an opening width of the groove at the second position is smaller than an opening width of the groove at the first position.

4. The surface structure according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the inclination angle of the side surface at the first position is less than 45 degrees, and the inclination angle of the side surface at the second position is 45 degrees or more.

5. The surface structure according to claim 4 , wherein the inclination angle of the side surface at the intermediate position in the second direction of the transition region is less than 45 degrees.

6. The surface structure according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, in the cross-sectional view, a cross-sectional area of ​​the groove at the second position is smaller than a cross-sectional area of ​​the groove at the first position.

7. the groove includes, as the side surfaces, a first side surface located on one side in the first direction and a second side surface located on the other side, The surface structure according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the inclination angles of the first side surface and the second side surface increase from the one side to the other side.

8. A plurality of the grooves are provided, The surface structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a flat region including a surface continuous with bottom surfaces of the plurality of grooves, at least on one side and the other side of the plurality of grooves.

9. The board surface and A plurality of protrusions are disposed on the plate surface and aligned in a first direction parallel to the plate surface, The groove, which is a space between the protrusions adjacent to each other in the first direction, Extending in a second direction parallel to the plate surface and intersecting the first direction; A surface structure in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove when viewed in a cross-section cut by a plane perpendicular to the second direction is different between a first position and a second position located on the other side of the first position in one or the other of the second directions.

10. A container having an opening at the top and a storage space for storing an object, A container comprising the surface structure according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 9 at the bottom of the storage space.

11. The container according to claim 10 , wherein the bottom further comprises a recess provided at a position on the other side with respect to the surface structure.

12. A container according to claim 10; a storage chamber in which the container is slidably provided along the second direction, Containment facility.

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