Refrigerator
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023141979
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-01
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-13
Smart Images
Figure 2025035138000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerator. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, there is a refrigerator equipped with a sensor provided on the door and a door opening device capable of opening the door based on the detection result of the sensor. The sensor provided on the door is, for example, a capacitance sensor capable of detecting a touch operation of a user touching the surface of the door by detecting a change in capacitance. A non-contact capacitance sensor is provided inside the door to minimize unevenness on the surface of the door, thereby suppressing deterioration of the aesthetic appearance.
[0003] In the above-mentioned refrigerator, when the capacitance sensor detects highly conductive water, there is a risk of a malfunction in reading the change in capacitance, resulting in a false detection. Therefore, in a refrigerator that is used near water and may be touched with wet hands, there is a risk of a false detection by the capacitance sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-8433 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having an improved touch-open function for the door. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] A refrigerator according to an embodiment has a housing and a door. The housing includes a storage compartment having an opening. The door is attached to be capable of opening and closing the opening of the storage compartment. The door has a pressed portion and a detection portion. The pressed portion is provided on a surface of the door. The detection portion is capable of detecting deflection of the pressed portion. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F2-F2 in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a ceiling part of the refrigerator according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the door opening operation part of the refrigerator according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F3-F3 in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a door-opening operation portion of a refrigerator according to a first modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a door-opening operation portion of a refrigerator according to a second modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a door-opening operation portion of a refrigerator according to a third modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0008] Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. Further, duplicated descriptions of those components may be omitted.
[0009] In this embodiment, the vertical direction in refrigerator 1 is defined as the "up-down direction V," the vertically upward direction as the "upward UP" in the vertical direction V, and the vertically downward direction as the "downward LO" in the vertical direction V. Additionally, the left-right direction when viewed from a user standing in front of refrigerator 1 is defined as the "width direction W," the leftward direction as the "leftward LT" in the width direction W, and the rightward direction as the "rightward RT" in the width direction W. Additionally, the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction V and the width direction W is defined as the "depth direction D," the direction closer to the user standing in front of refrigerator 1 as viewed from refrigerator 1 is defined as the "front FR" in the depth direction D, and the direction further away from refrigerator 1 is defined as the "rearward RR" in the depth direction D.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front view showing refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F2-F2 in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a ceiling part of refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment. The overall configuration of refrigerator 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described. Note that refrigerator 1 does not need to have all of the configurations described below, and some of the configurations may be omitted as appropriate.
[0011] The refrigerator 1 includes, for example, a refrigerator body 5 and a plurality of doors 11. The refrigerator body 5 includes a housing 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the housing 10 includes, for example, an inner box 10a, an outer box 10b, and a foamed insulating material 10c.
[0012] The inner box 10a is a member that forms the inner surface of the housing 10, and is made of, for example, a synthetic resin. The outer box 10b is a member that forms the outer surface of the housing 10, and is made of, for example, metal. The outer box 10b is formed to be slightly larger than the inner box 10a, and is disposed outside the inner box 10a.
[0013] The outer box 10b is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped that forms the outer surface except for the front surface FR (front face) of the housing 10. However, a recess is formed in the rear RR of the end (lower end) of the lower LO of the outer box 10b to form a machine chamber 26, which will be described later.
[0014] The foamed insulation material 10c is, for example, an insulation material made of a foam such as urethane foam, and is filled between the inner box 10a and the outer box 10b.
[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 10 has an upper wall 21, a lower wall 22, a left side wall 23, a right side wall 24, and a rear wall 25.
[0016] The upper wall 21 and the lower wall 22 extend substantially horizontally. The left side wall 23 and the right side wall 24 rise upward UP from the left and right ends (left LT and right RT) of the lower wall 22 and are connected to the left and right ends of the upper wall 21. As shown in Fig. 2, the rear wall 25 rises upward UP from the rear end (rear end) of the lower wall 22 and is connected to the rear end of the upper wall 21.
[0017] 1 and 2, a plurality of storage compartments 27 are formed inside the housing 10. The plurality of storage compartments 27 include, for example, a refrigerator compartment 27A, a vegetable compartment 27B, an ice making compartment 27C, a small freezer compartment 27D, and a main freezer compartment 27E.
[0018] In this embodiment, among the multiple storage compartments 27, the refrigerator compartment 27A is located at the top UP (top). The vegetable compartment 27B is located below the refrigerator compartment 27A at LO. The ice making compartment 27C and the small freezer compartment 27D are located below the vegetable compartment 27B at LO. The main freezer compartment 27E is located below the ice making compartment 27C and the small freezer compartment 27D at LO. The small freezer compartment 27D is located to the right RT of the ice making compartment 27C.
[0019] The housing 10 has an opening at the front FR of each storage chamber 27, which allows ingredients and the like to be put in and taken out of each storage chamber 27.
[0020] The housing 10 has a first partition portion 28 and a second partition portion 29. The first partition portion 28 and the second partition portion 29 are, for example, partition walls extending substantially horizontally.
[0021] First partition 28 is located between refrigerating compartment 27A and vegetable compartment 27B, and separates refrigerating compartment 27A from vegetable compartment 27B.
[0022] Second partition 29 is located between vegetable compartment 27B and ice-making compartment 27C and small freezer compartment 27D, and separates vegetable compartment 27B from ice-making compartment 27C and small freezer compartment 27D.
[0023] The temperature inside the vegetable compartment 27B is maintained higher than that inside the refrigerator compartment 27A. Inside the vegetable compartment 27B, for example, a vegetable compartment container for storing stored items such as vegetables and a guide rail for moving the vegetable compartment container in the depth direction D are provided.
[0024] The temperatures in ice-making compartment 27C, small freezing compartment 27D, and main freezing compartment 27E are maintained at a temperature at which the stored items can be frozen. Inside ice-making compartment 27C, small freezing compartment 27D, and main freezing compartment 27E, for example, storage containers for accommodating the stored items to be frozen and guide rails for moving the storage containers in the depth direction D are provided.
[0025] The openings of the storage compartments 27 are openably and closably covered by a plurality of doors 11. As shown in Fig. 1, the doors 11 include, for example, a left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa, a right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab, a vegetable compartment door 11B, an ice-making compartment door 11C, a small freezer compartment door 11D, and a main freezer compartment door 11E.
[0026] The left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa and the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab are attached so that the opening of refrigerator compartment 27A can be opened and closed. The vegetable compartment door 11B is attached so that the opening of vegetable compartment 27B can be opened and closed. The ice-making compartment door 11C is attached so that the opening of ice-making compartment 27C can be opened and closed. The small freezer compartment door 11D is attached so that the opening of small freezer compartment 27D can be opened and closed. The main freezer compartment door 11E is attached so that the opening of main freezer compartment 27E can be opened and closed.
[0027] As shown in Fig. 3, the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa and the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab are supported on the housing 10 via hinges 6 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis O as the center of rotation. The left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa is supported on the left side LT of the housing 10 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis Oa as the center of rotation. The right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab is supported on the right side RT of the housing 10 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis Ob as the center of rotation.
[0028] A revolving door that opens to the left and right, such as the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa and the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab, is sometimes called, for example, a double door or a French door.
[0029] The dimensions of the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa and the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab in the width direction W may be equal to or different from each other. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 3, the dimensions of the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa in the width direction W are different from each other, and the dimension of the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa is smaller than the dimension of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab.
[0030] 2, door containers 18A, 18B movable in the vertical direction V and a door container 19 provided on the lower side LO are detachably attached to the rear side RR of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab. Similarly, multiple door containers may be attached to the rear side RR of the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa.
[0031] Vegetable compartment door 11B, ice compartment door 11C, small freezer compartment door 11D and main freezer compartment door 11E are, for example, drawer-type doors.
[0032] A vegetable compartment container is connected to the rear RR surface of the vegetable compartment door 11B. A storage container is connected to each of the rear RR surfaces of the ice compartment door 11C, the small freezer compartment door 11D, and the main freezer compartment door 11E.
[0033] Each of the doors 11 contains an appropriate insulating material inside. The appropriate insulating material may include a foam insulating material similar to the foam insulating material 10c described above, a sheet insulating material, a vacuum insulating material, etc. The insulating material contained in the left refrigerator door 11Aa and the right refrigerator door 11Ab will be described later.
[0034] Various members that form refrigerator body 5 together with housing 10 are arranged at rear RR of housing 10. Examples of members that form refrigerator body 5 include pipes (not shown) through which a refrigerant circulates, cooling units 15A and 15B, flow path forming members 14A and 14B, and cooling fans 16A and 16B.
[0035] At the rear RR of the housing 10, at the lower LO, a machine room 26 in which, for example, a compressor, a condenser, an evaporating dish, etc. are arranged is provided.
[0036] The cooling unit 15A is disposed at the rear RR of the refrigerator compartment 27A, and cools the refrigerator compartment 27A and the vegetable compartment 27B.
[0037] Cooling unit 15B is disposed behind ice-making compartment 27C or small freezer compartment 27D RR, and cools ice-making compartment 27C, small freezer compartment 27D, and main freezer compartment 27E.
[0038] The flow path forming member 14A forms a flow path through which the cold air supplied from the cooling unit 15A flows to the refrigerator compartment 27A and the vegetable compartment 27B.
[0039] Flow path forming member 14B forms a flow path through which cold air supplied from cooling unit 15B flows to ice making compartment 27C, small freezing compartment 27D, and main freezing compartment 27E.
[0040] Cooling fan 16A blows the cool air formed by cooling unit 15A into a flow path surrounded by flow path forming member 14A, and forms a flow of cool air that circulates inside refrigerator compartment 27A and vegetable compartment 27B.
[0041] Cooling fan 16B blows the cold air formed in cooling unit 15B into a flow path surrounded by flow path forming member 14B, and forms a flow of cold air that circulates inside ice making compartment 27C, small freezing compartment 27D and main freezing compartment 27E.
[0042] 2 and 3, a first power supply board 70 and a second power supply board 80 are provided in the power supply board housing section 2 in the ceiling portion of the upper UP of the housing 10. Here, the ceiling portion refers to the surface of the upper wall 21 on the upper UP.
[0043] The power supply board housing 2 has a rectangular container shape with an open upper side UP, and is covered from the upper side UP by a power supply board housing cover 2A. The power supply board housing cover 2A is attached to the power supply board housing 2 in a detachable manner.
[0044] The first power supply board 70 is a power supply board that receives power from an external commercial power source PS via a power cord 7 and supplies power necessary for the cooling operation of the refrigerator 1 to each component. The first power supply board 70 supplies power to, for example, the cooling units 15A and 15B and a door opening device 41 (described later) and the like.
[0045] The first power supply board 70 includes a control unit 70a configured with a computer such as a microcomputer, and the control unit 70a of the first power supply board 70 controls the refrigerator 1 as a whole.
[0046] The second power supply board 80 is connected to the first power supply board 70 via a power supply line 8, and is supplied with power from an external commercial power source PS through the first power supply board 70. The second power supply board 80 supplies power to, for example, a door opening operation unit 42, which will be described later, and the like.
[0047] The second power supply board 80 may include a control unit configured with a computer such as a microcomputer, and may control a part or the whole of the refrigerator 1. Furthermore, the control unit 70a that controls the refrigerator 1 may be provided on a control board or the like other than the first power supply board 70 or the second power supply board 80.
[0048] In the space between the inner box 10a and the outer box 10b of the housing 10, a wiring bundle 12 drawn from the first power supply board 70 and a wiring bundle 13 drawn from the second power supply board 80 are laid.
[0049] The wiring bundle 12 includes control lines connected to the first power supply board 70, the cooling units 15A, 15B and the door opening device 41, and transmits control signals from the first power supply board 70 to the cooling units 15A, 15B and the door opening device 41.
[0050] The wiring bundle 13 is a power supply line that supplies power to the door opening operation unit 42, etc. The wiring bundle 12 may also include a power supply line that supplies power from the first power supply board 70 to the door opening operation unit 42, etc.
[0051] The first power supply board 70 and the second power supply board 80 do not have to be two independent power supply boards, but may be a single power supply board. In addition, the first power supply board 70 and the second power supply board 80 may be provided on the rear wall 25 of the housing 10.
[0052] A door opening device 41 is provided on the ceiling of the housing 10. The door opening device 41 is covered from above UP by a cover member 3 detachably attached to the upper wall 21 of the housing 10. The door opening device 41 is a device that automatically opens the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa and the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab. For example, the door opening device 41 includes a left door opening device 41A and a right door opening device 41B.
[0053] The left door opening device 41A and the right door opening device 41B have, for example, a drive device for opening the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa and the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab, and other parts such as a housing member for housing the drive device.
[0054] In this embodiment, the driving device used is, for example, one that has a movable iron core that is pushed forward FR when an electromagnet is excited, and a cylindrical coil (not shown) arranged around the movable iron core, and utilizes a solenoid structure or solenoid method in which the movable iron core arranged inside the cylindrical coil is moved by electromagnetic force obtained by passing a current through the cylindrical coil.
[0055] The left door opening device 41A and the right door opening device 41B can open the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa and the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab by translating the movable iron core with the electromagnetic force generated when a current flows through a cylindrical coil using the drive device utilizing the solenoid structure or solenoid system. A drive device utilizing a solenoid structure or solenoid system is sometimes called a solenoid actuator.
[0056] With such a drive device, the movable iron core inside the cylindrical coil is forced forward by electromagnetic force, so that the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa or the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab can be pushed forcefully in the opening direction. Note that the power from the movable iron core is transmitted to the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa or the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab only while the movable iron core is in contact with the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa or the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab.
[0057] The left and right refrigerator compartment doors 11Aa and 11Ab are opened by the pushing force of the movable iron core, and then rotate to open to a predetermined angle by inertia caused by the pushing force. When the action of inertia weakens, the opening speed of the left and right refrigerator compartment doors 11Aa and 11Ab slows down. In this way, the left and right refrigerator compartment doors 11Aa and 11Ab are opened to a certain extent.
[0058] The left door opening device 41A is disposed behind the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa (RR). The left door opening device 41A has a plunger 41P as the movable iron core that is pushed forward FR when an electromagnet is excited, and the cylindrical coil (not shown) provided around the plunger 41P.
[0059] The right door opening device 41B is disposed behind the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab (RR). The right door opening device 41B has a plunger 41P as the movable iron core that is pushed forward FR when an electromagnet is excited, and the cylindrical coil (not shown) provided around the plunger 41P.
[0060] The cylindrical coil is formed by tightly winding a copper wire into a spiral shape. The plunger 41P is a movable core provided inside the cylindrical coil and moves linearly by using an electromagnetic force generated when a current flows through the cylindrical coil. The direction in which the plunger 41P moves linearly coincides with the depth direction D.
[0061] The door opening device 41 is controlled by the control unit 70a of the first power supply board 70, and forcibly opens the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa and the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab by pushing the plunger 41P forward FR.
[0062] As shown in Fig. 1, the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa and the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab have a door-opening operation unit 42 (operation unit) that can detect an input operation from a user on the surface of the front FR. When the door-opening operation unit 42 accepts an operation from the user, the control unit 70a operates the door-opening device 41. The configuration of the door-opening operation unit 42 will be described later.
[0063] The door opening operation unit 42 has a left door opening operation unit 42a provided on the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa and a right door opening operation unit 42b provided on the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab. The control unit 70a operates the left door opening device 41A when an operation is received on the left door opening operation unit 42a, and operates the right door opening device 41B when an operation is received on the right door opening operation unit 42b.
[0064] Next, the configuration of the door opening operation unit 42 will be described. Fig. 4 is a front view showing the vicinity of the door-opening operation unit 42 in the refrigerator 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F3-F3 in Fig. 4.
[0065] Components of the refrigerator 1 other than the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab are omitted in the cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 5. Also, while Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view mainly showing the configuration of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab, it is preferable that the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa has a similar configuration.
[0066] The right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab includes a front panel 111, a door body 112, a foam insulation material 113, and a vacuum insulation material 114. As shown in Fig. 5, the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab is provided with a right door opening operation part 42b. Similarly, the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa is provided with a left door opening operation part 42a.
[0067] The front panel 111 is a surface member provided on the outer surface side of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab. Here, the outer surface side of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab refers to the side facing the front FR when the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab is closed. Conversely, the side facing the rear RR when the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab is closed is referred to as the inner surface side of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab.
[0068] In addition, in the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab in the closed state, the direction that coincides with the depth direction D is also referred to as the thickness direction of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab.
[0069] The front plate 111 is a substantially flat plate-shaped member and includes a metal. The front plate 111 is preferably formed of a metal.
[0070] The door body 112 has an opening at the front FR and is a base that forms the surface of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab other than the front FR. The rear RR of the door body 112 may be formed with an uneven shape such as a structure for attaching the door containers 18A, 18B, and 19 shown in FIG.
[0071] The foam insulation material 113 and the vacuum insulation material 114 are insulation materials for suppressing temperature changes in the refrigerator compartment 27A. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the vacuum insulation material 114 is provided at the rear RR inside the opening of the door main body 112. The foam insulation material 113 is filled inside the opening of the door main body 112.
[0072] The foamed insulation material 113 is formed, for example, by foaming liquid urethane foam (a foamed insulation material liquid). The foamed insulation material 113 is formed by pouring the foamed insulation material liquid into the inside of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab and foaming the foamed insulation material liquid while preventing the foamed insulation material liquid from leaking to the outside of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab.
[0073] The door opening operation portion 42 includes a pressed portion 421 , a detection portion 423 , an isolating member 424 , a sealing member 428 , and an elastic member 429 .
[0074] The pressed portion 421 is a portion of the front panel 111 that is thinner than the surrounding area. The pressed portion 421 is provided on the outer surface of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab, and is provided on the outer surface of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab so as to form approximately the same plane as the front panel 111.
[0075] 5, the pressed portion 421 is recessed from the front plate 111 on the inner surface side of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab. Like the front plate 111, the pressed portion 421 contains a metal.
[0076] The detection unit 423 is a sensor capable of detecting the bending of the pressed part 421. The detection unit 423 is provided at the rear RR of the pressed part 421 as shown in Fig. 5. The detection unit 423 has, for example, a coil capable of generating a magnetic field (magnetic field generating means). The coil of the detection unit 423 is provided facing the pressed part 421 in the thickness direction of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab.
[0077] The detection unit 423 is, for example, an induction type sensor (induction sensing sensor) that detects a change in induced current that occurs depending on the distance between the coil of the detection unit 423 and the pressed portion 421, and can detect the bending of the pressed portion 421 depending on the change in the induced current that occurs.
[0078] The isolating member 424 is a box-shaped member having an opening in the front FR. The detecting unit 423 is provided in the opening of the isolating member 424. The isolating member 424 is a case member that is provided between the detecting unit 423 and the foamed insulating material 113 and isolates the detecting unit 423 from the foamed insulating material 113. The edge of the opening of the isolating member 424 is connected to the front panel 111 as shown in FIG. 5.
[0079] The sealing member 428 is a member for sealing and filling the gap between the isolating member 424 and the front panel 111 so that when the foaming insulation liquid for forming the foaming insulation material 113 is poured into the inside of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab, the foaming insulation material liquid does not flow into the opening of the isolating member 424. Because the sealing member 428 prevents the foaming insulation material liquid from flowing into the opening of the isolating member 424, the foaming insulation material 113 is not formed in the opening of the isolating member 424.
[0080] At the opening of isolating member 424, a space having a certain amount of clearance is formed, surrounded by isolating member 424 and front plate 111 (pressed portion 421). Therefore, when force is applied to pressed portion 421 from the outer surface side of right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab, pressed portion 421 deforms toward the inner surface side of right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab. In other words, when a user presses pressed portion 421 from the outer surface side of right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab with a finger or the like, pressed portion 421 bends toward the inner surface side of right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab.
[0081] When pressed portion 421 bends toward the inner surface of right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab, pressed portion 421 approaches detection portion 423, and the distance between pressed portion 421 and detection portion 423 changes. Detection portion 423 can detect that pressed portion 421 has bent due to the change in the distance between pressed portion 421 and detection portion 423. In other words, detection portion 423 detects that the user has pressed pressed portion 421 with a finger or the like.
[0082] The detection unit 423 is connected to the first power supply board 70 via wiring (not shown). When the user presses the pressed part 421 and the detection unit 423 detects the bending of the pressed part 421, the control unit 70a of the first power supply board 70 operates the right door opening device 41B. Therefore, the user can easily open the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab by pressing the pressed part 421.
[0083] In this way, the pressed portion 421 and the detection portion 423 provide the refrigerator 1 with a touch-to-open function for the doors (left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa and right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab).
[0084] Conventional refrigerators with a touch-to-open function using a capacitance sensor (touch sensor) may have problems reading the change in capacitance when operated by a user with wet hands, resulting in false positives.
[0085] Since refrigerator 1 of this embodiment has a touch-to-open function using detection unit 423 that can detect bending of pressed portion 421, false detection does not occur even when operated with wet hands.
[0086] Here, pressed portion 421 is a portion of front panel 111 with a thin plate thickness, and is therefore more likely to bend toward the inner surface of right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab than a portion of front panel 111 where pressed portion 421 is not provided. Pressed portion 421 only needs to have a thickness that allows it to bend when pressed by a user, and may be the same thickness as a portion of front panel 111 where pressed portion 421 is not provided, for example.
[0087] Further, an elastic member 429 is provided on the rear side RR of the pressed portion 421. As shown in FIG. 5, the elastic member 429 is connected to the pressed portion 421 and the isolating member 424, and connects the pressed portion 421 and the isolating member 424 in the thickness direction of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab.
[0088] The elastic member 429 is an elastic member formed of, for example, rubber. When the pressed portion 421 is pressed and bent, the front FR surface of the elastic member 429 deforms following the pressed portion 421. That is, the front FR surface of the elastic member 429 is pressed by the pressed portion 421 and recessed rearward RR.
[0089] When opening right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab using the touch-open function, the user presses pressed portion 421 and removes his / her finger from pressed portion 421. At this time, for example, if pressed portion 421 is plastically deformed and the bent state toward the inner surface of right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab is maintained, erroneous detection by detection unit 423 may occur.
[0090] By providing elastic member 429 closer to the inner surface of right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab than pressed portion 421, when the user releases his / her finger from pressed portion 421, pressed portion 421 is pressed toward the outer surface of right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab by elastic member 429. The elasticity of elastic member 429 can reduce the amount of bending of pressed portion 421 bent toward the inner surface of right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab.
[0091] Therefore, even if the user removes his / her finger from pressed portion 421, it is possible to prevent pressed portion 421 from maintaining a state in which it is bent toward the inner surface of right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab, and it is possible to prevent erroneous detection by detection portion 423.
[0092] 5, the vacuum insulation material 114 and the isolating member 424 are provided in a position where they overlap when the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab is viewed from the front FR in the closed state. Therefore, the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab can have sufficient thermal insulation. The right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab can have sufficient thermal insulation as long as the vacuum insulation material 114 is provided in a position where it overlaps at least a part of the isolating member 424 when viewed from the front FR.
[0093] In addition, the visibility of the pressed portion 421 may be improved by applying any printing to the periphery or vicinity of the pressed portion 421 on the front panel 111. By applying printing to indicate the position of the pressed portion 421 to the user, the user can easily grasp the position of the pressed portion 421. Therefore, the operability of the door opening operation unit 42 can be improved.
[0094] In this embodiment, refrigerator 1 includes housing 10 including storage compartment 27 having an opening, and door 11 attached to be able to open and close the opening of storage compartment 27. Door 11 also includes pressed portion 421 provided on the surface of door 11, and detection portion 423 capable of detecting bending of pressed portion 421.
[0095] According to such a configuration, even if pressed portion 421 is operated (pressed) with wet hands, detection portion 423 will not make a false detection.
[0096] As a result, it is possible to provide refrigerator 1 having an improved touch-open function of door 11 compared to a conventional refrigerator having a touch-open function using a capacitance sensor. Also, since front panel 111 and pressed portion 421 can be formed from a single steel plate, the aesthetic appearance of door 11 can be improved.
[0097] (Variation 1) Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a door-opening operation part 42A according to Modification 1. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view mainly showing the configuration of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab, but it is preferable that the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa has a similar configuration.
[0098] The door opening operation portion 42A includes a pressed portion 421A, an insulating portion 422, a detection portion 423A, and an isolating member 424A.
[0099] Pressed portion 421A is a substantially flat plate-shaped member and includes a metal. Pressed portion 421A is preferably formed of a metal. Pressed portion 421A is provided in an opening formed in the surface of front plate 111, as shown in Fig. 6. Front plate 111 and pressed portion 421 are preferably provided to form substantially the same plane.
[0100] Insulating portion 422 is an insulating member including an insulator and is provided on the periphery of pressed portion 421A. Here, the periphery of pressed portion 421A refers to a periphery of pressed portion 421A having a substantially flat shape extending in the up-down direction V and the width direction W.
[0101] Moreover, insulating portion 422 is connected to the edge of the opening of front plate 111 where pressed portion 421A is provided. That is, pressed portion 421A is connected to front plate 111 via insulating portion 422. Moreover, insulating portion 422 is an insulating member including an insulator, and therefore connects front plate 111 and pressed portion 421A in an insulative manner.
[0102] The detector 423A includes a sub detector 423Aa and a main detector 423Ac. The auxiliary detection unit 423Aa is, for example, a sensor (touch sensor) capable of detecting a touch operation input to the pressed portion 421A. As shown in FIG. 6, the auxiliary detection unit 423Aa is provided on the rear side RR of the pressed portion 421A and is electrically connected to the pressed portion 421A.
[0103] Sub-detection unit 423Aa is, for example, a capacitance sensor (contact-type electrostatic sensor). Sub-detection unit 423Aa uses electrically connected pressed portion 421A as an electrode and can detect a change in capacitance at pressed portion 421A. When a user touches pressed portion 421A with a finger or the like and a touch operation is input to pressed portion 421A, sub-detection unit 423Aa detects this touch operation.
[0104] The sub-detection unit 423Aa is connected to the first power supply board 70 via wiring (not shown). When the sub-detection unit 423Aa detects a touch operation on the pressed portion 421A, the control unit 70a of the first power supply board 70 operates the right door opening device 41B. Therefore, the user can easily open the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab by touching the pressed portion 421A.
[0105] The main detection unit 423Ac is an induction type sensor capable of detecting the bending of the pressed part 421A, similar to the detection unit 423 in the above embodiment. The main detection unit 423Ac is provided behind the pressed part 421A and the sub detection unit 423Aa RR. In addition, a gap is provided between the sub detection unit 423Aa and the main detection unit 423Ac in the thickness direction of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab.
[0106] By having an auxiliary detection unit 423Aa capable of detecting a change in capacitance in the pressable portion 421A and a main detection unit 423Ac capable of detecting bending of the pressable portion 421A, the door opening operation unit 42A can detect a touch operation performed by a user touching the auxiliary detection unit 423Aa and a pressing operation performed by a user pressing and bending the pressable portion 421A, and perform the opening operation of the door 11.
[0107] The sub-detection unit 423Aa or the main detection unit 423Ac is not limited to an operation unit for opening the door 11, and may have a function as an operation unit for performing other operations. The sub-detection unit 423Aa and the main detection unit 423Ac may be operation units for performing operations different from each other.
[0108] Since the pressed portion 421A is connected to the front panel 111 via the insulating portion 422, even if the front panel 111 is made of metal, the sub-detection portion 423Aa can adequately detect the touch operation input to the pressed portion 421A.
[0109] 6, the isolating member 424A is provided integrally with the front plate 111, and is a portion of the front plate 111 that is recessed toward the rear RR. The isolating member 424A isolates the detection unit 423 from the foam insulation material 113, similar to the isolating member 424 in the above embodiment.
[0110] Further, the door opening operation portion 42A may be provided with an elastic member 429 that suppresses the amount of bending of the pressed portion 421A when the pressed portion 421A is not pressed, similarly to the above embodiment.
[0111] (Variation 2) Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a door-opening operation part 42B according to Modification 2. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view mainly showing the configuration of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab, but it is preferable that the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa has a similar configuration.
[0112] The door opening operation portion 42B includes a pressed portion 421B, a detection portion 423, an isolating member 424, a sealing member 428, and an elastic member 429B.
[0113] The pressed portion 421B has a connection portion 421Ba and a pressed main body portion 421Bb. The connection portion 421Ba is provided to surround the pressed main body portion 421Bb in the plate surface direction of the front plate 111. In addition, the connection portion 421Ba is connected to the front plate 111 and the pressed main body portion 421Bb, and connects the front plate 111 and the pressed main body portion 421Bb.
[0114] The pressed main body portion 421Bb is a portion of the pressed portion 421B that faces the detection portion 423 and is provided on the front side FR of the detection portion 423.
[0115] The connection part 421Ba is provided integrally with the front plate 111 and the pressed main body part 421Bb, and is thinner than the front plate 111 and the pressed main body part 421Bb. The connection part 421Ba is recessed toward the inner surface side of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab relative to the pressed main body part 421Bb.
[0116] Therefore, when the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab is viewed from the front FR, the user can easily see the recessed connection part 421Ba and the pressed main body part 421Bb surrounded by the connection part 421Ba. When the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab is viewed from the front FR, the user can see, for example, the annular connection part 421Ba and the pressed main body part 421Bb arranged at the center of the annular connection part 421Ba.
[0117] The connection part 421Ba, which is thinner than the front plate 111 and the pressed main body part 421Bb, has flexibility. When a user presses the pressed main body part 421Bb, the flexible connection part 421Ba deforms, and the pressed main body part 421Bb surrounded by the deformed connection part 421Ba approaches the detection part 423. The detection part 423 detects that the pressed part 421B has been bent due to the approach of the pressed main body part 421Bb.
[0118] The elastic member 429B is provided on the rear RR of the connection portion 421Ba, and connects the connection portion 421Ba and the isolation member 424 in the thickness direction of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab. The elastic member 429B may be provided so as to be connected to the entire surface of the connection portion 421Ba from the rear RR, or may be connected to only a part of the connection portion 421Ba from the rear RR.
[0119] When a user presses the pressed main body part 421Bb and the connection part 421Ba is deformed, the front FR surface of the elastic member 429B is recessed rearward RR following the deformation of the connection part 421Ba. When the user releases his / her finger from the pressed main body part 421Bb, the connection part 421Ba is pressed toward the outer surface side of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab by the elastic member 429B.
[0120] The elastic member 429B presses the connecting portion 421Ba toward the outer surface of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab, thereby reducing the amount of bending of the connecting portion 421Ba bent toward the inner surface of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab.
[0121] (Variation 3) Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a door-opening operation part 42C according to Modification 3. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view mainly showing the configuration of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab, but it is preferable that the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa has a similar configuration.
[0122] The door opening operation portion 42C includes a pressed portion 421, a detection portion 423C, an isolating member 424, and a sealing member 428.
[0123] The detector 423C includes a sub detector 423Ca, a conductive member 423Cb, and a main detector 423Cc.
[0124] The sub-detection unit 423Ca is provided at the rear RR of the pressed portion 421 as shown in Fig. 8. The sub-detection unit 423Ca is, for example, a capacitance sensor (non-contact electrostatic sensor). The sub-detection unit 423Ca detects the approach of a user's finger or the like to the sub-detection unit 423Ca by detecting a change in capacitance. The user can input an operation to the sub-detection unit 423Ca by bringing a finger or the like close to the sub-detection unit 423Ca.
[0125] The sub-detection unit 423Ca is connected to the first power supply board 70 via wiring (not shown). When an operation is input to the sub-detection unit 423Ca, the control unit 70a of the first power supply board 70 operates the right door opening device 41B. Therefore, a user can easily open the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab by bringing a finger or the like close to the sub-detection unit 423Ca.
[0126] When such a non-contact electrostatic sensor (sub-detector 423Ca) is used, the front panel 111 is made of a non-conductive material such as glass.
[0127] The conductive member 423Cb is a flat plate-like member provided on the rear RR of the sub detection portion 423Ca, and is made of a conductive material such as metal.
[0128] The main detection unit 423Cc is, for example, an induction type sensor (induction sensing sensor) having the same function as the detection unit 423 of the above embodiment. Here, the induction type sensor detects a change in induced current that occurs according to the distance between the induction type sensor and a conductive object (detection body) such as metal, and can detect bending of the detection body according to the change in the induced current.
[0129] 8, when a user presses the pressed portion 421 toward the inner surface of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab, the pressed portion 421 bends toward the inner surface of the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab. When the pressed portion 421 bends, the auxiliary detection portion 423Ca and the conductive member 423Cb provided on the rear RR of the pressed portion 421 move toward the rear RR and approach the main detection portion 423Cc.
[0130] The main detection unit 423Cc detects a change in the distance between the main detection unit 423Cc and the conductive member 423Cb, using the conductive member 423Cb as a detection element. That is, when the pressed portion 421 bends and the conductive member 423Cb approaches the main detection unit 423Cc, the main detection unit 423Cc can detect that the pressed portion 421 has bent.
[0131] By being equipped with a sub-detection unit 423Ca capable of detecting the approach of a user's finger or the like, and a main detection unit 423Cc capable of detecting the bending of the pressable portion 421, the door opening operation unit 42C can detect a non-contact operation by the user and a pressing operation in which the user presses and bends the pressable portion 421, and perform the opening operation of the door 11.
[0132] The sub-detection unit 423Ca and the main detection unit 423Cc are not limited to being an operation unit for opening the door 11, and may have a function as an operation unit for executing other operations. The sub-detection unit 423Ca and the main detection unit 423Cc may be operation units for executing operations different from each other.
[0133] Further, the door opening operation portion 42C may be provided with an elastic member 429 that suppresses the amount of bending of the pressed portion 421 when the pressed portion 421 is not pressed, similarly to the above embodiment.
[0134] (Variation 4) In the above embodiment, the pressed part 421 and the detection part 423 have a function of controlling the opening operation of the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa or the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab, but the form of the pressed part and the detection part is not limited to this. The pressed part and the detection part capable of detecting the bending of the pressed part may have a function of controlling an operation different from the opening operation of the left refrigerator compartment door 11Aa or the right refrigerator compartment door 11Ab.
[0135] For example, in a refrigerator equipped with a pressable portion and a detection portion, a quick freezing function may be executed by inputting a pressing operation to the pressable portion. The pressable portion and the detection portion may be used in an operation portion (operation panel) provided inside (inside) storage chamber 27. The detection portion does not cause erroneous detection even if liquid such as water adheres to the pressable portion, and therefore can be provided inside storage chamber 27 where water is likely to adhere.
[0136] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]
[0137] 1...refrigerator, 10...casing, 11...door, 111...front panel, 113...foam insulation material, 114...vacuum insulation material, 42, 42A, 42B, 42C...door opening operation unit (operation unit), 421, 421A, 421B...pressed portion, 421Ba...connection portion, 421Bb...pressed main body portion, 422...insulating portion, 423, 423A, 423C...detection portion, 423Aa, 423Ca...auxiliary detection portion, 423Ac, 423Cc...main detection portion, 424, 424A...isolation member, 27...storage chamber
Claims
1. a housing including a storage chamber having an opening; A door attached so as to be capable of opening and closing the opening; Equipped with The door is A pressed portion provided on a surface of the door; A detection unit capable of detecting the deflection of the pressed portion; Equipped with refrigerator.
2. The detection unit detects the deflection of the pressed portion in response to a change in a distance between the pressed portion and the detection unit.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1.
3. The pressed portion includes a metal, The detection unit is A magnetic field generating means is provided for generating a magnetic field. detecting a change in induced current occurring in response to a distance between the pressed portion and the magnetic field generating means; detecting a deflection of the pressed portion in response to a change in the induced current; 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2.
4. The door has an elastic member provided on an inner surface side of the door relative to the pressed portion, The elastic member reduces the amount of bending of the pressed portion that has been bent toward the inner surface side of the door due to the elasticity of the elastic member.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1.
5. The pressed portion is A pressed main body portion, a connection portion having flexibility, surrounding the pressed main body portion and connected to the pressed main body portion, and recessed toward the inner surface side of the door relative to the pressed main body portion; having 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1.
6. The door has a front panel that forms an exterior surface of the door; The pressed portion is integrally formed with the front plate. A refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. The door further includes a sub-detection portion provided on an inner surface side of the door relative to the pressed portion, The sub-detection unit is a capacitance-type sensor capable of detecting a change in capacitance.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Refrigerator
JP2023008433A
Cited By
Method for controlling decomposition of corrosion-resistant paper
US12546063B2