Refrigerator

Abstract

Various layouts of a refrigerator are achieved. The refrigerator includes a housing (1) including a metallic outer box; and an antenna (3a). The outer box (11) is formed so that a radio wave emitted from the antenna (3a) and reflected by the outer box (11) travels in a direction not toward the antenna (3a). The antenna (3a) is disposed at a position not overlapping with respective surfaces of the outer box (11) when the respective surfaces are viewed in respective directions perpendicular to the respective surfaces.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Regarding a refrigerator, Patent Literature 1, for example, discloses a configuration including "a connection wire drawn out to the vicinity of a hinge portion and a wireless communication unit having a wireless communication part and connected to the connection wire".CITATION LIST Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 6092027SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

[0004] In Patent Literature 1, the wireless communication part is disposed to face the upper face of a housing of the refrigerator, but there is no description as to other arrangements. Thus, there is still room for diversifying layouts.Solution to Problem

[0005] A refrigerator according to the present disclosure includes an antenna and a housing having a metallic outer box, the outer box being formed so that a radio wave emitted from the antenna and reflected by the outer box travels in a direction not toward the antenna. Other points will be described in the embodiments.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a system including a wireless module of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the wireless module of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a board of the wireless module of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sectional view including the wireless module of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sectional view including the wireless module of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment and is a diagram illustrating projections of an upper face and an oblique face of a housing in directions perpendicular to those faces. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a case of a wireless module of a refrigerator according to a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 9A is a sectional perspective view of an arrangement where the board is correctly placed in the case of the wireless module in the refrigerator according to the modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 9B is a sectional perspective view of an arrangement where the board is placed upside down in the case of the wireless module in the refrigerator according to the modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 9C is a sectional perspective view of an arrangement where the board is placed backwards in the front-rear direction in the case of the wireless module in the refrigerator according to the modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 9D is a sectional perspective view of an arrangement where the board is placed upside down and backwards in the front-rear direction in the case of the wireless module in the refrigerator according to the modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the case of the wireless module of a refrigerator according to another modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 11A is a sectional perspective view of an arrangement where the board is correctly placed in the case of the wireless module in the refrigerator according to the other modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 11B is a sectional perspective view of an arrangement where the board is placed upside down in the case of the wireless module in the refrigerator according to the other modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 11C is a sectional perspective view of an arrangement where the board is placed backwards in the front-rear direction in the case of the wireless module in the refrigerator according to the other modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 11D is a sectional perspective view of an arrangement where the board is placed upside down and backwards in the front-rear direction in the case of the wireless module in the refrigerator according to the other modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a wireless module of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a sectional view including the wireless module of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a sectional view including the wireless module of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating projections of an upper face and a back face of a housing in directions perpendicular to those faces. FIG. 15 is a sectional view including a wireless module of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a sectional view including a wireless module of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a sectional view including a wireless module of the refrigerator according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a sectional view including a wireless module of a refrigerator according to a first modification. FIG. 20 is a sectional view including a wireless module of a refrigerator according to a second modification. FIG. 21 is a sectional view including a wireless module of a refrigerator according to a third modification. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS <<First Embodiment>>

[0007] FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator 100 according to a first embodiment.

[0008] The refrigerator 100 is a device for cooling food and the like and includes a housing 1, doors such as refrigerator compartment doors 211, 212 and a wireless module 3. Inside the housing 1, a plurality of storage compartments are disposed. As the storage compartments of the refrigerator 100, in the example in FIG. 1, a refrigerator compartment 21, an icemaker compartment 22, an upper freezer compartment 23, a vegetable compartment 24, and a lower freezer compartment 25 are disposed from above, with the icemaker compartment 22 and the upper freezer compartment 23 being arranged side by side.

[0009] The housing 1 includes a metallic outer box 11 and a resinous inner box (not shown). A space between the outer box 11 and the inner box (not shown) is filled with a heat insulator (not shown) such as urethane foam. Note that a case where the metallic outer box 11 has a predetermined surface finish thereon is also included in the statement that the outer box 11 is metallic.

[0010] The refrigerator 100 includes the refrigerator compartment doors 211, 212 of a French-door type (or a double-door type) that form the refrigerator compartment 21 together with the housing 1. Also, the refrigerator 100 includes, as drawer doors, an icemaker compartment door 221, an upper freezer compartment door 231, a vegetable compartment door 241, and a lower freezer compartment door 251.

[0011] Inside the refrigerator compartment doors 211, 212, a plurality of door pockets (not shown) and shelves (not shown) are disposed. Provided in the icemaker compartment 22 is an icemaker compartment container (not shown) drawn integrally with the icemaker compartment door 221. Similarly, an upper freezer compartment container (not shown) is disposed in the upper freezer compartment 23, a vegetable compartment container (not shown) is disposed in the vegetable compartment 24, and a lower freezer compartment container (not shown) is disposed in the lower freezer compartment 25.

[0012] Also, although not shown, the refrigerator 100 includes a compressor, a heat radiator (condenser), a capillary tube (a throttle mechanism), and an evaporator. Then, a coolant circulates through the compressor, the heat radiator, the capillary tube, and the evaporator sequentially, and heat exchange between the coolant passing through the evaporator and air in the storage compartments cools food and the like in the storage compartments. The wireless module 3 shown in FIG. 1 wirelessly communicates with external devices (e.g., a rooter 6: see FIG. 2) and is placed on the upper face of the housing 1.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a system including the wireless module 3 of the refrigerator 100.

[0014] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator 100 includes, in addition to the wireless module 3, a control device 4 and an operation panel 5. The control device 4 sends and receives signals to and from the wireless module 3, and also, controls the compressor (not shown) and fans (not shown) based on signals inputted from the operation panel 5. The operation panel 5 receives user operations and is disposed at a predetermined location on the housing 1 (see FIG. 1).

[0015] The control device 4 is connected to the wireless module 3 via wiring 2a and also connected to the operation panel 5 via different wiring 2b. The wireless module 3 performs predetermined wireless communications with, for example, the rooter 6. In the example in FIG. 2, the rooter 6 is connected to a server 8 via a network 7. The server 8 is a device that performs, e.g., management of data on the refrigerator 100. Then, predetermined data is transmitted from the wireless module 3 to the server 8 via the rooter 6 and the network 7 sequentially. Also, predetermined data is transmitted from the server 8 to the wireless module 3 via the network 7 and the rooter 6 sequentially.

[0016] A mobile terminal 9 shown in FIG. 2 is a device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet, or a wearable terminal, and is connected to the server 8 via the network 7. Such a mobile terminal 9 is used by, for example, a user of the refrigerator 100. Then, the mobile terminal 9 can be notified when a door on the refrigerator 100 is left open, or the mobile terminal 9 can be used to check the operation status of the refrigerator 100 or to change the settings for the refrigerator 100. Note that the usage of the wireless module 3 described above is a mere example and is not limited thereto. Also, wireless communication may be performed directly between the wireless module 3 and the mobile terminal 9.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the refrigerator 100.

[0018] In the example in FIG. 3, the wireless module 3 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, is placed at a rear end portion of an upper face 1a of the housing 1, and is secured with a screw 51. Although details will be given later, a rear portion of the wireless module 3 protrudes rearward beyond a rear edge 41a of the upper face 1a of the housing 1. One hinge unit 211a shown in FIG. 3 supports the left refrigerator compartment door 211 such that the refrigerator compartment door 211 can turn. The other hinge unit 212a supports the right refrigerator compartment door 212 such that the refrigerator compartment door 212 can turn.

[0019] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the wireless module 3 of the refrigerator 100.

[0020] Note that FIG. 4 shows an antenna 3a with a dot-dash line, the antenna 3a being mounted on the lower surface of a board 3b of the wireless module 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the wireless module 3 includes the antenna 3a, the board 3b, and a housing body 3c. The antenna 3a is an element that transmits or receives radio waves. The wireless module 3 including such an antenna 3a is disposed outside the housing 1 of the refrigerator 100. Although radio waves at the frequency of, e.g., 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz are used as radio waves that the antenna 3a transmits or receives, it is to be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to this. Also, although an inverted-F antenna, for example, is used as the type of the antenna 3a, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0021] The board 3b is a printed circuit board on which the antenna 3a is mounted. In addition to the antenna 3a, a predetermined circuit element and an electric component are also mounted on the board 3b. As shown in FIG. 4, an insertion hole 31b for the screw 51 is disposed at one of the four corner portions of the rectangular board 3b. Also, the board 3b includes a connection portion 32b to which to connect the wiring 2a (see FIG. 2). In the example in FIG. 4, the connection portion 32b is disposed near an end of a surface (the upper surface) opposite from the surface on which the antenna 3a is mounted (the lower surface) (near the front end of the board 3b), and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the board 3b.

[0022] The housing body 3c is configured to house the board 3b and includes a case 31c and a cover 32c. The case 31c houses the board 3b together with the cover 32c and has a box shape with an open top. In the example in FIG. 4, the edge portion of the case 31c forms a quadrangular frame shape. Then, the board 3b is fitted inside the quadrangular-frame edge portion of the case 31c.

[0023] The case 31c has claw portions 311c, 312c, 313c for preventing detachment of the board 3b. The claw portion 311c is disposed at a rear edge portion of the case 31c. The other two claw portions 312c, 313c are disposed on the inner sides of the right side surface and the left side surface of the case 31c, respectively. Also, the case 31c includes a rib 314c protruding from the bottom surface (the inner wall surface) of the board 3b. The rib 314c has, e.g., a function to restrict the movement of the board 3b in the front-rear direction. Additionally, an insertion hole (not shown) for the screw 51 is disposed at a predetermined location on the case 31c.

[0024] The cover 32c is a lid that closes the opening of the case 31c having the board 3b housed therein and has a rectangular shape in a plan view (see FIG. 3 as well). Also, a quadrangular frame-shaped sidewall extends downward from the upper surface of the cover 32c. The lower end of the sidewall of the cover 32c is designed to butt against the upper face 1a of the housing 1 with the wireless module 3 being placed inside the housing 1 (see FIG. 6). Additionally, the cover 32c is provided with an insertion hole (not shown) for the screw 51.

[0025] Also, the cover 32c includes a contact portion 321c. The contact portion 321c is a portion that comes into contact with a perpendicular face 1c of the housing 1 (a face perpendicular to the upper face 1a of the housing 1: see FIG. 6) with the wireless module 3 being placed at the housing 1, and extends downward from a rear portion of the sidewall of the cover 32c. An insertion hole 322c (see FIG. 6) for a screw 52 is disposed at a location, on the contact portion 321c, that contacts with the perpendicular face 1c (see FIG. 6) of the housing 1. The screw 52 inserted through the insertion hole 322c is screwed into a screw hole in the perpendicular face 1c (see FIG. 6) of the housing 1.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, near a rear end of the upper face 1a of the housing 1, a laterally-elongate, rectangular opening portion 61 is disposed at a location to place the wireless module 3 (below the connection portion 32b). This opening portion 61 is provided to allow the wiring 2a (see FIG. 2) connected to the control device 4 (see FIG. 2) of the refrigerator 100 to be drawn out of the housing 1. The board 3b and the control device 4 (see FIG. 2) are electrically connected to each other when the wiring 2a (see FIG. 2) is connected to the connection portion 32b of the board 3b.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, a screw hole 62 is disposed near an end of the opening portion 61 at one side (the left end in FIG. 3). Then, the screw 51 inserted sequentially through the insertion hole (not shown) of the cover 32c, the insertion hole 31b of the board 3b, and the insertion hole (not shown) of the case 31c is screwed into the screw hole 62 of the housing 1. In addition to the screw 51, the other screw 52 described earlier is screwed into the screw hole in the housing 1, and the wireless module 3 is thereby secured to the housing 1.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the board 3b of the wireless module.

[0029] Note that FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the board 3b placed in the wireless module 3 (see FIG. 4) as viewed from below (the lower surface of the board 3b). The board 3b is provided with the insertion hole 31b described above and has the antenna 3a and a signal processing circuit 3d mounted thereon. As described earlier, the antenna 3a transmits or receives radio waves. The signal processing circuit 3d performs coding and modulation in transmission of radio waves from the antenna 3a, and also performs, e.g., decoding of data received at the antenna 3a.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a sectional view including the wireless module 3 of the refrigerator 100.

[0031] Note that FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section taken by cutting the refrigerator 100 along a predetermined plane which is parallel to the front-rear and up-down directions and which includes the antenna 3a. Also, the broken-line arrows in FIG. 6 denote radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a downward toward an oblique face 1d of the housing 1.

[0032] A radio wave generally has the property of being reflected by a surface of a metallic member. Thus, in the present embodiment, the outer box 11 is provided with the oblique face 1d so that radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a and reflected by the surface of the metallic outer box 11 may not return straight back to the antenna 3a. In other words, the oblique face 1d is disposed exactly under the antenna 3a to help prevent radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a and radio waves reflected by the surface of the outer box 11 from canceling each other out.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6, the surface of the outer box 11 of the housing 1 has the upper face 1a (the first face), a back face 1b (the second face), the perpendicular face 1c, and the oblique face 1d (the third face). The back face 1b (the second face) of the outer box 11 extends in a direction different from the upper face 1a (the first face). In the example in FIG. 6, a plane including the upper face 1a of the housing 1 and a plane including the back face 1b of the housing 1 form an angle of approximately 90°. The perpendicular face 1c is a face which is perpendicularly continuous with the upper face 1a of the housing 1 and parallel to the back face 1b of the housing 1.

[0034] The oblique face 1d (the third face) of the housing 1 is disposed between the upper face 1a (the first face) and the back face 1b (the second face) of the housing 1 and is oblique in a predetermined manner relative to the upper face 1a (the first face). In the example in FIG. 6, the oblique face 1d is slanted such that its height position lowers toward the rear side. The upper end of the oblique face 1d is continuous with the lower end of the perpendicular face 1c. Meanwhile, the lower end of the oblique face 1d is continuous with the upper end of the back face 1b. Note that the configuration in which the perpendicular face 1c is provided as shown in FIG. 6 is included in the above statement that the oblique face 1d is disposed between the upper face 1a and the back face 1b of the housing 1. Also, without the perpendicular face 1c being provided particularly, the oblique face 1d may be continuous with the rear end of the upper face 1a of the housing 1.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 6, the board 3b of the wireless module 3 is disposed in parallel to the upper face 1a (the first face) of the housing 1. In other words, the board surface (the upper and lower surfaces) of the board 3b are parallel to the upper face 1a of the outer box 11. Also, the height position of the board 3b is higher than the upper face 1a of the housing 1.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6, a rear portion of the wireless module 3 protrudes rearward beyond the rear edge 41a of the upper face 1a of the housing 1. Also, a rear portion of the board 3b protrudes rearward beyond the rear edge 41a of the upper face 1a of the housing 1. Then, the board 3b is disposed near the edge 41a of the upper face 1a (the first face) of the housing 1, in parallel to the upper face 1a (the first face). More specifically, the board 3b is disposed laterally near a corner portion formed by the upper face 1a and the perpendicular face 1c of the housing 1.

[0037] Also, the antenna 3a is mounted on the lower surface of the board 3b, near a rear end thereof. Because the board 3b is parallel to the upper face 1a (the first face) of the housing 1 as described above, the direction in which the antenna 3a extends is also parallel to the upper face 1a (the first face) of the housing 1.

[0038] The oblique face 1d of the housing 1 is disposed at a location corresponding to the antenna 3a in the up-down direction. Also, the antenna 3a is disposed at a position overlapping with the oblique face 1d (the third face) in a view seen in a direction perpendicular to the upper face 1a (the first face) of the housing 1 (the up-down direction). Further, the antenna 3a (an electromagnetic radiation surface) mounted on the lower surface of the board 3b is disposed in such a manner as to face the oblique face 1d (the third face) in the up-down direction. Then, radio waves emitted downward from the antenna 3a travel toward the oblique face 1d.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a sectional view including the wireless module 3 of the refrigerator 100 and is a diagram illustrating projections of the upper face 1a and the oblique face 1d of the housing 1 in directions perpendicular to those faces.

[0040] Note that the configuration of the refrigerator 100 shown in FIG. 7 is the same as the one shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, the antenna 3a is not disposed within a region 71 of projection of the oblique face 1d of the housing 1 in a direction perpendicular to this oblique face 1d. In other words, the antenna 3a is disposed at a position not overlapping with the oblique face 1d (the third face) in a view seen in a direction perpendicular to the oblique face 1d (the third face).

[0041] In such a configuration, radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a fall incident on the oblique face 1d at an angle of incidence of larger than 0° and are reflected by the oblique face 1d at an angle of reflection of larger than 0°. As a result, the radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a are reflected by the oblique face 1d and then travel in directions not toward the antenna 3a. Thus, the radio waves reflected by the oblique face 1d are highly unlikely to return straight back to the antenna 3a. This helps prevent radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a and the radio waves reflected by the oblique face 1d from canceling each other out.

[0042] Also, the antenna 3a is not disposed in a region 72 of projection of the upper face 1a of the housing 1 in a direction perpendicular to this upper face 1a. Note that this goes for the other faces of the housing 1 (such as the back face 1b and the perpendicular face lc). In this way, when each face of the surface of the outer box 11 of the housing 1 is viewed in a direction perpendicular to this face, the antenna 3a is disposed at a position not overlapping with this face. Note that radio waves from the antenna 3a are emitted in all directions including the direction perpendicular to the board surface of the board 3b.

[0043] Thus, the radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a fall incident on each face of the housing 1 at an angle of incidence of larger than 0° and are reflected by each face at an angle of reflection of larger than 0°. In other words, the radio waves reflected by the antenna 3a are highly unlikely to be reflected at an angle of reflection of 0° in the housing 1. In this way, the outer box 11 (such as the oblique face 1d) is formed so that the radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a and reflected by the outer box 11 of the housing 1 may travel in directions not toward the antenna 3a. This helps prevent radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a and the radio waves reflected by the metallic outer box 11 of the housing 1 from canceling each other out. Also, a layout in which the wireless module 3 is disposed in a rear end portion of the upper face 1a of the housing 1 is made possible.

[0044] In this way, in the present embodiment, the antenna 3a of the board 3b is disposed in such a manner as to face the oblique face 1d of the housing 1. This causes the radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a and reflected by the oblique face 1d (the surface of the metallic outer box 11) to travel in directions not toward the antenna 3a. This helps prevent canceling out of the radio waves reflected by the oblique face 1d and the like, and by extension, improves the reliability in communications performed using the wireless module 3. Also, because it is possible to provide the wireless module 3 in a rear end portion of the housing 1, various layouts are achieved for the wireless module 3.

[0045] Next, as a modification of the first embodiment, a description is given of a configuration for preventing erroneous assemblage when the board 3b is placed in a case 31Ac (see FIG. 9A) of the wireless module 3.«Modification of the First Embodiment»

[0046] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the case 31Ac of a wireless module of a refrigerator according to a modification of the first embodiment.

[0047] The case 31Ac shown in FIG. 8 includes claw portions 311Ac, 312Ac, 313Ac, a rib 314Ac, and a flange 315Ac. The claw portions 311Ac, 312Ac, 313Ac prevent detachment of the board 3b. The claw portion 311Ac is disposed at a rear edge portion of the case 31Ac, and the other claw portions 312Ac, 313Ac are disposed at the right and left inner side surfaces of the case 31Ac, respectively. The rib 314Ac restricts the movement of the board 3b in the front-rear direction and protrudes upward from the bottom surface (the inner wall surface) of the case 31Ac. The flange 315Ac is a thin-plate portion that is brought in contact with the upper face 1a of the housing 1 (see FIG. 4) and extends outward from the side surface of the case 31Ac.

[0048] FIG. 9A is a sectional perspective view of an arrangement where the board 3b is correctly placed in the case 31Ac of the wireless module.

[0049] Note that FIG. 9A shows a sectional perspective view of a right half of an arrangement where the board 3b is correctly placed in the case 31Ac of the wireless module. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the board 3b is correctly placed in the case 31Ac, the front end of the board 3b butts against the rib 314Ac while the board 3b is being pressed down by the claw portion 311 Ac and the like. Also, near the front end of the board 3b, the connection portion 32b is exposed (protruding) at the upper side of the board surface of the board 3b. By connecting the wiring 2a (see FIG. 2) to the connection portion 32b, a worker electrically connects the board 3b to the control device 4 (see FIG. 2).

[0050] FIG. 9B is a sectional perspective view of an arrangement where the board 3b is placed upside down in the case 31Ac of the wireless module.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 9B, when the board 3b is placed upside down (the antenna 3a facing up), the connection portion 32b of the board 3b is hidden by the rib 314Ac. Unable to connect the wiring 2a (see FIG. 2) to the connection portion 32b in this state, a worker can easily understand that the board 3b is not placed in correct orientation. This consequently can prevent the wireless module from being used while the board 3b is placed in improper orientation.

[0052] FIG. 9C is a sectional perspective view of an arrangement where the board 3b is placed backwards in the front-rear direction in the case 31Ac of the wireless module.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 9C, when the board 3b is placed backwards in the front-rear direction, the connection portion 32b of the board 3b comes in contact with the claw portion 311Ac (see the board 3b indicated with a dot-dash line). This makes it difficult to push the board 3b in under the claw portion 311Ac.

[0054] Note that if a worker forcefully pushes the board 3b into the case 31Ac even though the connection portion 32b is interfering with the claw portion 311Ac (see the board 3b depicted with solid lines), the worker cannot connect the wiring 2a (see FIG. 2) to the connection portion 32b because the rear surface of the connection portion 32b is hidden by the claw portion 311 Ac. Thus, the worker can easily understand that the board 3b is not placed in correct orientation.

[0055] FIG. 9D is a perspective view of an arrangement where the board 3b is placed upside down and backwards in the front-rear direction in the case 31Ac of the wireless module.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 9D, when the board 3b is placed upside down and backwards in the front-rear direction, the connection portion 32b is hidden under the board 3b, which makes it difficult to connect the wiring to the connection portion 32b in this state. In this way, when the board 3b is placed in the case 31Ac in the incorrect orientation, the connection portion 32b is hidden by the rib 314Ac or by the claw portion 311Ac (see FIGs. 9B, 9C, 9D), or the connection portion 32b comes in contact with the claw portion 311Ac (see FIG. 9C). Thus, a worker can easily understand that the board 3b is not placed in correct orientation.<<Another Modification of the First Embodiment>>

[0057] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a case 31Bc of a wireless module of a refrigerator according to another modification of the first embodiment.

[0058] In the modification in FIG. 10, the case 31Bc has a box shape with an open top, and its edge portion forms a quadrangular frame shape. Out of the four corner portions of the bottom surface of the case 31Bc, a pair of corner portions located on a diagonal line are each provided with a mount portion 316Bc which is letter-L shaped in a plan view and is for mounting the board 3b (see FIG. 11A) thereon. The mount portion 316Bc extends in the up-down direction from the bottom surface of the case 31Bc to a predetermined position lower than the edge portion of the sidewall of the case 31Bc. Also, a claw portion 311Bc is disposed at a rear edge portion of the case 31Bc to prevent detachment of the board 3b (see FIG. 11A).

[0059] FIG. 11A is a sectional perspective view of an arrangement where the board 3b is correctly placed in the case 31Bc of the wireless module.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 11A, the board 3b is mounted on the pair of mount portions 316Bc (see FIG. 10), closing the opening of the case 31Bc. In this way, when the board 3b is correctly placed in the case 31Bc, the antenna 3a (see FIG. 6) mounted on the board 3b faces down, and the connection portion 32b is exposed (protruding) near the sidewall opposite from the claw portion 311Be of the case 31Bc.

[0061] FIG. 11B is a sectional perspective view of an arrangement where the board 3b is placed upside down in the case 31Bc of the wireless module.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 11B, when the board 3b is placed upside down (the antenna 3a facing up), the connection portion 32b (invisible in FIG. 11B: see FIG. 11A) protrudes downward of the lower surface of the board 3b. As a result, the connection portion 32b is hidden, making it impossible to connect the wiring. Also, when, for example, the board 3b is placed in the case 31Bc after the wiring is connected to the connection portion 32b, the wiring comes in contact with an edge portion of the case 31Bc. Thus, the worker can easily understand that the board 3b is not placed in correct orientation.

[0063] FIG. 11C is a sectional perspective view of an arrangement where the board 3b is placed backwards in the front-rear direction in the case 31Bc of the wireless module.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 11C, when the board 3b is placed backwards in the front-rear direction, the connection portion 32b of the board 3b comes in contact with the claw portion 311Bc (see the board 3b depicted by the dot-dash line). This makes it difficult to push the board 3b in under the claw portion 311Bc.

[0065] Note that if a worker forcefully pushes the board 3b into the case 31Bc even though the connection portion 32b comes in contact with the claw portion 311Bc (see the board 3b depicted with the solid line), the worker cannot connect the wiring because the rear surface of the connection portion 32b is hidden by the claw portion 311Bc. Thus, the worker can easily understand that the board 3b is not placed in correct orientation.

[0066] FIG. 11D is a sectional perspective view of an arrangement where the board 3b is placed upside down and backwards in the front-rear direction in the case 31Bc of the wireless module.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 11D, when the board 3b is placed upside down and backwards in the front-rear direction, the connection portion 32b (invisible in FIG. 11D: see FIG. 11A) is hidden under the board 3b. This makes it difficult to connect the wiring to the connection portion 32b in this state. Thus, a worker can easily understand that the board 3b is not placed in correct orientation.<<Second Embodiment>>

[0068] A second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the disposition of a wireless module 3C in a housing 1C of a refrigerator 100C (see FIG. 12) and is otherwise the same as the first embodiment. Thus, portions different from the first embodiment are described, and descriptions for the overlapping portions are omitted.

[0069] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the wireless module 3C of the refrigerator 100C according to the second embodiment.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 12, the laterally-elongate, rectangular opening portion 61 is disposed at a location to place the wireless module 3 near a rear end of the upper face 1a of the housing 1C. The wireless module 3C includes the antenna 3a, the board 3b, and a housing body 3Cc. The wireless module 3C is placed at a rear end portion of the upper face 1a of the housing 1C. The housing body 3Cc includes a case 31Cc and a cover 32Cc. Then, the cover 32Cc is placed to cover, from behind, the board 3b placed rearward of the case 31Cc.

[0071] FIG. 13 is a sectional view including the wireless module 3C of the refrigerator 100C.

[0072] Note that FIG. 13 shows a longitudinal section of the refrigerator 100C taken along a plane being parallel to the front-rear and up-down directions and including the antenna 3a. Also, the broken-line arrows in FIG. 13 show radio waves emitted frontward from the antenna 3a.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 13, the surface of an outer box 11C of the housing 1C has the upper face 1a (the first face), the back face 1b (the second face), the perpendicular face 1c, and an oblique face 1Cd (the third face). The board 3b of the wireless module 3C is disposed in parallel to the back face 1b (the second face) of the housing 1C. In other words, the wireless module 3C is disposed so that the board surface of the board 3b may be perpendicular to the front-rear direction and parallel to the up-down and left-right directions. The connection portion 32b to which to connect the wiring is disposed at a lower end portion of the board 3b. The height position of the connection portion 32b is lower than the upper face 1a of the housing 1C.

[0074] The opening portion 61 is disposed at the upper face 1a of the housing 1C as described above. The wiring is drawn out from the inside of the housing 1C through this opening portion 61 and connected to the connection portion 32b of the board 3b. Also, the oblique face 1Cd of the housing 1C forms a curved shape in a longitudinal sectional view. Specifically, the oblique face 1Cd is formed to have a curving surface such that the oblique face 1Cd extends from the lower end of the perpendicular face 1c of the housing 1C with its height position becoming lower and lower toward the rear side and smoothly connects to the upper end of the back face 1b.

[0075] The board 3b is disposed parallel to the back face 1b (the second face), near the rear edge 41a of the upper face 1a (the first face) of the housing 1C. More specifically, the board 3b is disposed vertically near a corner portion formed by the upper face 1a and the perpendicular face 1c of the housing 1C. From another viewpoint, the cover 32Cc which is inverted-L shape in a longitudinal sectional view is disposed across the above-described corner portion (the corner portion between the upper face 1a and the perpendicular face 1c) and is secured to the housing 1C while contacting with the upper face 1a and the perpendicular face 1c.

[0076] The board 3b of the wireless module 3C is disposed to be perpendicular to a plane (not shown) including the upper face 1a of the housing 1C and is disposed more rearward than the rear edge 41a of the upper face 1a. Also, the board 3b is disposed such that a plane (not shown) including its board surface (e.g., the rear surface of the board 3b) extends through the oblique face 1Cd. Such a configuration can make the length of the refrigerator 100C in the front-rear direction shorter and therefore make the refrigerator 100C more compact than in a case where, for example, the board 3b is disposed more rearward than the oblique face 1Cd. Also, the antenna 3a of the wireless module 3C is mounted near the upper end of the front surface of the board 3b, and is disposed at a position higher than the position of the upper face 1a of the housing 1C.

[0077] In this way, the housing 1C is not disposed in front of the antenna 3a (see the broken-line arrows) in the above configuration in which the board 3b is vertically disposed near the back side of the housing 1C. In other words, the metallic outer box 11C is not disposed on a straight line being perpendicular to the board 3b and extending through the antenna 3a (see the broken-line arrows). This helps prevent radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a and radio waves reflected by the outer box 11C from canceling each other out, which ensures reliability in communications performed using the wireless module 3C.

[0078] FIG. 14 is a sectional view including the wireless module 3C of the refrigerator 100C and is a diagram illustrating projections of the upper face 1a and the back face 1b of the housing 1C in directions perpendicular to those faces.

[0079] Note that the refrigerator 100C shown in FIG. 14 has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 13.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 14, the antenna 3a is not disposed within a region 73 of projection of the upper face 1a of the housing 1C in a direction perpendicular to this upper face 1a. Similarly, the antenna 3a is not disposed within a region 74 of projection of the back face 1b of the housing 1C in a direction perpendicular to this back face 1b, either. The same goes for the other faces of the refrigerator 100C (such as the perpendicular face 1c and the oblique face 1Cd). In other words, the antenna 3a faces none of the faces of the housing 1C.

[0081] Note that regarding the oblique face 1Cd having a curved shape in a longitudinal sectional view, none of straight lines (not shown) extending through respective points on the oblique face lCd and being perpendicular to planes (not shown) tangent to those respective points extend through the antenna 3a. This case is included in the statement that the antenna 3a is not disposed within a region of projection in a direction perpendicular to the oblique face 1Cd. In this way, the antenna 3a is disposed at a position not overlapping with any of the faces of the surface of the outer box 11C of the housing 1C when viewed in directions perpendicular to the faces.

[0082] Thus, radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a fall incident on each of the faces of the housing 1C at an angle of incidence of larger than 0° and are reflected by each of the faces at an angle of reflection of larger than 0°. Thus, the radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a are highly unlikely to be reflected by the housing 1C at an angle of reflection of 0°. The outer box 11C is thus formed so that radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a and reflected by the outer box 11C may travel in directions not toward the antenna 3a. This can help prevent radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a and radio waves reflected by the surface of the metallic outer box 11C from canceling each other out. Also, because the board 3b of the wireless module 3C can be disposed vertically near the back side of the housing 1C of the refrigerator 100C, various layouts are achieved for the wireless module 3C.«Third Embodiment»

[0083] A third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a housing 1D (see FIG. 15) is not provided with a oblique face. Note that the third embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in other points (such as the configuration of the wireless module 3). Thus, portions different from the first embodiment are described, and descriptions of overlapping portions are omitted.

[0084] FIG. 15 is a sectional view including the wireless module 3 of a refrigerator 100D according to the third embodiment.

[0085] In the example in FIG. 15, the upper end of the back face 1b is continuous with the rear end of the upper face 1a of the housing 1D of the refrigerator 100D. Also, the upper face 1a and the back face 1b of the housing 1D are substantially perpendicular to each other. The board 3b of the wireless module 3 is disposed in parallel to the upper face 1a of the housing 1D and extends rearward beyond the rear edge 41a of the upper face 1a of the housing 1D. Also, the antenna 3a is mounted on the lower surface of the board 3b, at a portion extending rearward beyond the rear edge 41a of the upper face 1a of the housing 1D.

[0086] In this configuration in which the board 3b is disposed laterally at the upper side of the housing 1D, the housing 1D is not disposed under the antenna 3a (see the broken-line arrows). In other words, a metallic outer box 11D is not disposed on straight lines being perpendicular to the board 3b and extending through the antenna 3a. This can help prevent radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a and radio waves reflected by the outer box 11D from canceling each other out, which ensures reliability in communications performed using the wireless module 3.

[0087] Also, the antenna 3a is disposed at a position overlapping with none of the faces of the surface of the outer box 11D (e.g., the upper face 1a and the back face 1b) when viewed in directions perpendicular to these faces. Such a configuration can help prevent radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a and reflected by the housing 1D from returning straight back to the antenna 3a. This helps prevent radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a and radio waves reflected by the surface of the housing 1D from canceling each other out.<<Fourth Embodiment>>

[0088] A fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a housing 1E (see FIG. 16) is provided with a horizontal face 1e instead of the oblique face 1d (see FIG. 6) described in the first embodiment. Note that the fourth embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in other points (such as the configuration of the wireless module 3). Thus, portions different from the first embodiment are described, and descriptions of overlapping portions are omitted.

[0089] FIG. 16 is a sectional view including the wireless module 3 of a refrigerator 100E according to the fourth embodiment.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 16, the refrigerator 100E includes the housing 1E and the wireless module 3. The surface of an outer box 11E of the housing 1E has the upper face 1a (the first face), the back face 1b (the second face), the perpendicular face 1c, and the horizontal face 1e (the fourth face). The back face 1b (the second face) of the housing 1E extends in a direction different from the upper face 1a (the first face). The horizontal face 1e (the fourth face) of the housing 1E is a face parallel to the upper face 1a (the first face) of the housing 1E and is disposed between the upper face 1a (the first face) and the back face 1b (the second face). In the example in FIG. 16, the horizontal face 1e is continuous with the lower end of the perpendicular face 1c and is continuous with the upper margin of the back face 1b. In short, a step is disposed between the upper face 1a and the horizontal face 1e of the housing 1E.

[0091] Note that the disposition of the wireless module 3 is the same as that in the first embodiment (see FIG. 6). Specifically, the board 3b is disposed parallel to the upper face 1a (the first face) of the housing 1E. Also, the antenna 3a is mounted on the lower surface of the board 3b, at a portion extending rearward beyond the rear edge 41a of the upper face 1a of the housing 1E. Thus, the antenna 3a faces the horizontal face 1e (the fourth face) of the housing 1E.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 16, the antenna 3a is disposed on the opposite side from (the upper side of) the horizontal face 1e (the fourth face) with the upper face 1a (the first face) interposed in between when viewed in a direction parallel to the upper face 1a (the first face) of the housing 1E (the front-rear direction in FIG. 16). Also, the antenna 3a is disposed at a position overlapping with the horizontal face 1e (the fourth face) when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the upper face 1a (the first face) of the housing 1E (the up-down direction in FIG. 16). This configuration ensures a certain distance (e.g., 5 cm or more) between the wireless module 3 and the horizontal face 1e in the up-down direction and thus helps prevent radio waves reflected by the horizontal face 1e from returning back to the antenna 3a after almost no attenuation.«Fifth Embodiment»

[0093] A fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a wireless module 3F is disposed above the refrigerator compartment door 211 (see FIGs. 17 and 18). Note that the fifth embodiment is otherwise the same as the first embodiment. Thus, points different from the first embodiment are described, and descriptions of overlapping portions are omitted.

[0094] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a refrigerator 100F according to the fifth embodiment.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 17, the pair of left and right hinge units 211a, 212a are disposed at the upper face 1a of the housing 1 of the refrigerator 100F. Then, a wireless module 3F is placed between the left hinge unit 211a and the right hinge unit 212a. Specifically, the wireless module 3F is disposed above the left refrigerator compartment door 211, near the front end of the upper face 1a of the housing 1.

[0096] As described above, the refrigerator compartment door 211 is a door that closes the front opening (not shown) of the housing 1 and is configured such that, for example, a resinous outer covering is filled with a heat insulator (not shown in FIG. 17) such as urethane foam. Note that the other doors such as the icemaker compartment door 221, the upper freezer compartment door 231, the vegetable compartment door 241, and the lower freezer compartment door 251 have the same configuration. There is a door pocket 91 (see FIG. 18) placed at the inner side of the refrigerator compartment door 211.

[0097] FIG. 18 is a sectional view including the wireless module 3F of the refrigerator 100F.

[0098] Note that FIG. 18 shows a front upper portion of the refrigerator 100F and does not show the other portions. As shown in FIG. 18, the wireless module 3F is disposed near a front edge 42a of the upper face 1a of the housing 1. The board 3b of the wireless module 3F is disposed in parallel to the upper face 1a of the housing 1. In other words, the board 3b is perpendicular to the up-down direction and parallel to the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 18, the board 3b of the wireless module 3F extends frontward beyond the front edge 42a of the upper face 1a of the housing 1. Also, the antenna 3a is mounted on the lower surface of the board 3b at a portion extending frontward beyond the front edge 42a of the upper face 1a of the housing 1.

[0100] Also, with the refrigerator compartment door 211 (the door) being closed, the antenna 3a of the wireless module 3F faces a wall portion 211c of the refrigerator compartment door 211. The wall portion 211c of the refrigerator compartment door 211 (the door) which includes a face facing the antenna 3a is made of a resin. Thus, radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a pass through the wall portion 211c of the refrigerator compartment door 211 and propagate. In other words, it is highly unlikely that radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a are reflected by the surface of the wall portion 211c. Also, because the heat insulator (not shown) inside the refrigerator compartment door 211 is made of a resin, it is also highly unlikely that the propagation of radio waves from the antenna 3a is blocked. Note that even with a metallic surface (not shown) existing under the refrigerator compartment door 211, it is possible to help prevent intense reflected waves from returning straight back to the antenna 3a because the distance from the antenna 3a to the metal surface in the up-down direction is relatively long.

[0101] Note that it is preferable that the doors such as the refrigerator compartment door 211 be each formed of resin in its portion falling within a region of projection of the antenna 3a in a direction perpendicular to the board surface of the board 3b (i.e., the up-down direction). The resin described above includes the heat insulator inside each door such as the refrigerator compartment door 211, in addition to the resin member forming the outer covering of each door. In such a configuration, there is no metal surface exactly under the antenna 3a, which helps prevent reflected radio waves of radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a from returning straight back to the antenna 3a (and from canceling out the radio waves) because the radio waves pass through the resin members. Also, a layout in which the wireless module 3F is disposed at a front portion of the upper face of the refrigerator 100F (above the refrigerator compartment door 211) is made possible.«Modifications»

[0102] Although the embodiments have been described above about the refrigerator 100 and the like according to the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to what have been described, and various modifications can be made.

[0103] For example, the wireless module 3 is disposed near the rear end of the upper face of the housing 1 in the configurations described in the first to fourth embodiments, and the wireless module 3F (see FIGs. 17 and 18) is disposed near the front end of the upper face 1a of the housing 1 in the configuration described in the fifth embodiment. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. Specifically, as will be described below with FIG. 19, a wireless module 3G may be placed in a concave portion 81 disposed at the upper face 1a of a housing 1G.

[0104] FIG. 19 is a sectional view including the wireless module 3G of a refrigerator 100G according to a first modification.

[0105] In the example in FIG. 19, the concave portion 81 is formed at the upper face 1a of the housing 1G of the refrigerator 100G. Then, a housing body 3Gc of the board 3b is fitted in the concave portion 81. When the wireless module 3G is placed in the housing 1G, the board surface of the board 3b is perpendicular to the front-rear direction. In other words, the board 3b is disposed in parallel to the up-down and left-right directions.

[0106] The antenna 3a is mounted on the front surface of the board 3b. In the example in FIG. 19, a part (a lower part) of the board 3b is located lower than a plane including the upper face 1a of the housing 1G. Meanwhile, the antenna 3a is disposed higher than the plane including the upper face 1a of the housing 1G. This configuration can help prevent radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a and reflected by an inner side surface of the concave portion 81 from returning straight back to the antenna 3a. This consequently helps prevent radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a and radio waves reflected by the wall surface of the concave portion 81 from canceling each other out. Although the antenna 3a is mounted on the front surface of the board 3b in the example shown in FIG. 19, it is to be noted that the antenna 3a may be mounted on the rear surface of the board 3b.

[0107] FIG. 20 is a sectional view including a wireless module 3H of a refrigerator 100H according to a second modification.

[0108] In the example in FIG. 20, a concave portion 82 is formed at the upper face 1a of a housing 1H of the refrigerator 100H. Then, a housing body 3Hc of the board 3b is fitted inside the concave portion 82. When the wireless module 3H is placed in the housing 1H, the board surface of the board 3b is perpendicular to the left-right direction. In other words, the board 3b is disposed in parallel to the up-down and front-rear directions. Such a configuration produces effects similar to those produced by the first modification (see FIG. 19) described above.

[0109] FIG. 21 is a sectional view including a wireless module 3K of a refrigerator 100K according to a third modification.

[0110] Note that a housing 1K shown in FIG. 21 is provided with the oblique face 1d which connects to the rear end of the upper face 1a and connects to the upper end of the back face 1b. A board 4a of the control device 4 (see FIG. 2) is placed at the oblique face 1d. Then, a metallic cover 92 (the metal member) is placed at the oblique face 1d to cover the board 4a. In the example in FIG. 21, the cover 92 has an inverted-L shape in a longitudinal sectional view and is secured to the upper face 1a and the back face 1b of the housing 1K.

[0111] The wireless module 3K has the same configuration as, for example, the second modification (see FIG. 20) described above. Then, the board 3b of the wireless module 3K and the board 4a of the control device 4 (see FIG. 2) are electrically connected to each other via wiring. Note that the antenna 3a mounted on the board 3b is disposed as follows. Specifically, the antenna 3a is disposed at a position not overlapping with metal surfaces 92a, 92b of the cover 92 (the metal member) (the upper and rear surfaces of the cover 92) when the metal surfaces 92a, 92b are viewed in directions perpendicular to these metal surfaces 92a, 92b. This configuration can make it highly unlikely that radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a and reflected by the metallic cover 92 return straight back to the antenna 3a. This can help prevent radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a and the radio waves reflected by the cover 92 from canceling each other out.

[0112] Note that instead of the configuration in FIG. 21, the wireless module 3F may be disposed like in, for example, the fifth embodiment (see FIGs. 17 and 18), and then, the metallic cover 92 may be disposed near the rear end of the upper face 1a of the housing 1. Alternatively, for example, in any of the first to fourth embodiments, the wireless module 3 and the metallic cover 92 may be arranged side by side near the rear end of the upper face 1a of the housing 1. Also, the metallic cover 92 may be used for other purposes, not limited to the purpose of covering the board 4a of the control device 4 (see FIG. 21). Also, the cover 92 (the metal member) may be disposed at a location not near the rear end of the upper face 1a of the housing 1.

[0113] Although the antenna 3a is mounted on the lower surface of the board 3b in the wireless module 3 in the configuration described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 6), the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, instead of the configuration in the first embodiment, the antenna 3a may be mounted on the upper surface of the board 3b. Note that the same goes for the third embodiment (see FIG. 15), the fourth embodiment (see FIG. 16), and the like.

[0114] Also, although the antenna 3a is mounted on the front surface of the board 3b in the wireless module 3C in the configuration described in the second embodiment (see FIG. 12), the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the antenna 3a may be mounted on the rear surface of the board 3b instead of the configuration of the second embodiment.

[0115] Also, although the board surface of the board 3b is perpendicular to the up-down direction in the configuration described in the fifth embodiment (see FIG. 17) in which the antenna 3a of the wireless module 3F is disposed above the refrigerator compartment door 211, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the board 3b may be disposed such that the board surface of the board 3b is perpendicular to the front-rear direction. This configuration too can help prevent radio waves emitted from the antenna 3a and radio waves reflected by the housing 1 from canceling each other out.

[0116] Also, although the antenna 3a is mounted on the board 3b in the configurations described in the embodiments, it may not be particularly necessary that the antenna 3a be mounted on the board 3b, depending on the type of the antenna 3a. Also, although the board 3b is disposed vertically or laterally in the embodiments described herein, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the board 3b may be disposed in a predetermined oblique manner.

[0117] Also, although the housing 1 of the refrigerator 100 (see FIG. 1) is in the shape of a cuboid in the embodiments described herein, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the embodiments can also be applied to a refrigerator including a housing in the shape of a polygon other than the cuboid (not shown) or a housing including curvature (not shown).

[0118] Also, the embodiments can be combined as needed. For example, the modifications of the first embodiment may be combined with the second embodiment so that, in a configuration in which the board 3b of the wireless module 3 is disposed vertically (the second embodiment), the connection portion 32b of the board 3b becomes hidden when the board 3b is placed in the case 31Ac in incorrect orientation (the modifications of the first embodiment). Note that the modifications of the first embodiment (the configurations for preventing erroneous attachment of the board 3b) can also be combined with any of the third to fifth embodiments.

[0119] Also, the refrigerator 100 and the like described in the embodiments are mere examples, and the embodiments can also be applied to other types of refrigerators. For example, the embodiments can be applied to a refrigerator including a single-door refrigerator compartment door (not shown) and a portable refrigerator (not shown). Also, the embodiments can be applied to various devices other than a refrigerator as well.

[0120] It is also to be noted that the embodiments have been described in detail to provide an easy-to-understand description of the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to one that includes all the configurations described herein. Also, for part of the configuration of each of the embodiments, a different configuration may be added, or a configuration may be deleted or replaced.

[0121] Also, the mechanisms and configurations described and shown above are ones that are deemed necessary for the purpose of illustration, and not all the mechanisms and configurations of the product are necessarily shown.Reference Signs List

[0122] 100, 100C, 100D, 100E, 100F, 100G, 100H, 100K refrigerator 1, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1G, 1H, 1K housing 1a upper face (first face) 1b back face (second face) 1d, 1Cd oblique face (third face) 1e horizontal face (fourth face) 11, 11C, 11D, 11E, 11G, 11H outer box 211 refrigerator compartment door (door) 2a wiring 3, 3C, 3F, 3G, 3H, 3K wireless module 3b board 32b connection portion 3a antenna 31c, 31Ac, 31Bc, 31Cc case 311c, 312c, 313c, 311Ac, 312Ac, 313Ac, 311Bc claw portion 314c, 314Ac rib 41a edge (edge of first face) 211 c wall portion 92 cover (metal member) 92a metal surface 92b metal surface

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising: a housing including a metallic outer box; and an antenna, wherein the outer box is formed so that a radio wave emitted from the antenna and reflected by the outer box travels in a direction not toward the antenna.

2. A refrigerator comprising: a housing including a metallic outer box; and an antenna, wherein the antenna is disposed at a position not overlapping with respective surfaces of the outer box when the respective surfaces are viewed in directions perpendicular to the respective surfaces.

3. The refrigerator according to Claim 2, further comprising: a metal member placed on the housing, wherein the antenna is disposed at a position not overlapping with respective metallic surfaces of the metal member when the respective metallic surfaces are viewed in directions perpendicular to the respective metallic surfaces.

4. The refrigerator according to Claim 2, further comprising: a board on which the antenna is mounted, wherein a surface of the outer box includes a first face; and a second face extending in a direction different from the first face, and wherein the board is disposed near an edge of the first face and in parallel to the first face.

5. The refrigerator according to Claim 2, further comprising: a board on which the antenna is mounted, wherein a surface of the outer box has a first face; and a second face extending in a direction different from the first face, and wherein the board is disposed near an edge of the first face and in parallel to the second face.

6. A refrigerator comprising: a housing including a metallic outer box; and an antenna, wherein a surface of the outer box includes a first face; a second face extending in a direction different from the first face; and a third face disposed between the first face and the second face, wherein the third face is oblique to the first face, wherein the antenna is disposed at a position not overlapping with the third face when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the third face, and wherein the antenna is disposed at a position overlapping with the third face when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first face.

7. The refrigerator according to Claim 6, further comprising: a board on which the antenna is mounted, wherein the board is disposed in parallel to the first face, and wherein the antenna faces the third face.

8. A refrigerator comprising: a housing including a metallic outer box; and an antenna, wherein a surface of the outer box includes a first face; a second face extending in a direction different from the first face; and a fourth face disposed between the first face and the second face, wherein the fourth face is parallel to the first face, wherein the antenna is disposed on the opposite side from the fourth face when viewed in a direction parallel to the first face, and wherein the antenna is disposed at a position overlapping with the fourth face when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first face.

9. The refrigerator according to Claim 8, further comprising: a board on which the antenna is mounted, wherein the board is disposed in parallel to the first face, and wherein the antenna faces the fourth face.

10. A refrigerator comprising: a housing including a metallic outer box; an antenna; and a door to close an opening of the housing, wherein, while the door is closed, the antenna faces a wall portion of the door, and wherein the wall portion, facing the antenna, of the door is made of a resin.

11. The refrigerator according to any one of Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 6, Claim 8, and Claim 10, further comprising: a board on which the antenna is mounted; and a case in a box shape housing the board, wherein the board includes a connection portion to which to connect a wiring, wherein the case includes a rib protruding from an inner wall surface of the case; and a claw portion for preventing detachment of the board, and wherein, while the board is placed in the case in an incorrect orientation, the connection portion is hidden by the rib or the claw portion, or the connection portion comes in contact with the claw portion.

Images