refrigerator

Abstract

We provide technology to detect when a refrigerator door is fully open. [Solution] The refrigerator 100 of the present invention comprises an insulated box body 1 with an opening at the front, a door sensor 5 positioned near the opening of the insulated box body 1, a lower freezer compartment door 241 that can move toward and away from the edge of the opening and on which a lower freezer compartment movable rail is positioned, and a fully open detection unit 242b that moves together with the lower freezer compartment door 241. The door sensor 5 detects the fully open detection unit 242b when the lower freezer compartment door 241 is fully open.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

Background Art

[0002] Refrigerators are equipped with a door switch that detects the opening and closing of the door of the storage compartment. When the door switch detects that the door is open, it turns on the interior light, stops the compressor and the fan, etc.

[0003] As a door switch used in a refrigerator, for example, there is the technology described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes a refrigerator provided with a light source, a light receiving element that receives the light generated from this light source, a first optical fiber that guides the light generated from the light source to a detection unit near the door, a second optical fiber that guides the light guided to the detection unit by this first optical fiber to the light receiving element, and an optical switching means (reflective plate) that permits or prohibits the introduction of light from the first optical fiber to the second optical fiber according to the opening and closing of the door.

[0004] When the door is in the closed state, the light guided from the first optical fiber to the detection unit is reflected by the reflective plate, introduced into the second optical fiber, and received by the light receiving element. Thereby, it is detected that the door is closed.

[0005] When the door is in the open state, the light guided from the first optical fiber to the detection unit is not reflected and is not introduced into the second optical fiber. Thereby, it is detected that the door is open.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] Patent Document 1 can detect when the refrigerator door is open, but it does not consider detecting when the refrigerator door is fully open.

[0008] Furthermore, while Patent Document 1 proposes a technology for detecting the open / closed state of a refrigerator door, the technology for detecting the open / closed state of a refrigerator door is not limited to that described in Patent Document 1, and various other technologies are conceivable.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a technology for detecting when a refrigerator door is fully open.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a new technology for detecting the open / closed state of a refrigerator door. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve the above objective, the present invention comprises a heat-insulating box body with an opening at the front, a light sensor positioned near the opening of the heat-insulating box body, a retractable door that can move toward and away from the edge of the opening and has rails arranged thereon, and a detection unit that moves together with the retractable door, wherein the light sensor detects the detection unit when the retractable door is fully open.

[0012] Furthermore, in order to achieve the other objectives mentioned above, the present invention comprises a heat-insulating box body with an opening at the front, a light sensor positioned near the opening of the heat-insulating box body, a retractable door that can move toward and away from the edge of the opening and has rails arranged thereon, and a detection unit that moves together with the retractable door, wherein the light sensor comprises a light-emitting unit that emits light and a light-receiving unit that is positioned with a gap between itself and the light-emitting unit and receives light from the light-emitting unit, and the open / closed state of the retractable door is detected by moving the detection unit through the gap of the light sensor and collecting or blocking light from the light-emitting unit to the light-receiving unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology for detecting when a refrigerator door is fully open.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention provides a new technology for detecting the open / closed state of a refrigerator door. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a side view of a refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a front view of the refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, with the left and right refrigerator compartment doors 211 and 212 open. [Figure 4] This is a plan view of the refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, with the left and right refrigerator compartment doors 211 and 212 open. [Figure 5] This is a system configuration diagram of a refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is an external perspective view showing the refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention with the door removed. [Figure 7] This is an external perspective view of the door sensor 5 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view from below of the lower freezer compartment container 242 and vegetable compartment container 252 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 9A] This is a side view from the right side of a refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, with the lower freezer door 241 fully closed. [Figure 9B] This is a side view from the right side of a refrigerator 100 with the lower freezer door 241, according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, in the pulled-out position. [Figure 9C] This is a side view from the right side of a refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, with the lower freezer door 241 fully open. [Figure 10] This figure shows the digital signal output from the door sensor 5 to the control unit 8 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows the processing content executed by the control unit 8 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is an external perspective view showing the state where the door is removed from the refrigerator 100 according to Example 2 of the present invention. [Figure 13A] It is a perspective view of the lower freezer door 241 according to Example 2 of the present invention as seen from the right obliquely. [Figure 13B] It is a perspective view of the lower freezer door 241 according to Example 2 of the present invention as seen from the left obliquely. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing the digital signal output from the door sensor 5 to the control unit 8 according to Example 2 of the present invention. [Figure 15] It is an external perspective view showing the state where the door is removed from the refrigerator 100 according to Example 3 of the present invention. [Figure 16] It is a perspective view of the lower freezer container 242 and the vegetable compartment container 252 according to Example 3 of the present invention as seen from below. [Figure 17] It is a diagram showing the digital signal output from the door sensor 5 to the control unit 8 according to Example 3 of the present invention. [Figure 18] It is a perspective view of the vegetable compartment container 252 according to Example 4 of the present invention as seen from below. [Figure 19] It is a diagram showing the digital signal output from the door sensor 5 to the control unit 8 according to Example 4 of the present invention. [Figure 20A] It is a side view of the refrigerator 100 when the vegetable compartment door 251 according to Example 4 of the present invention is fully closed, as seen from the right side. [Figure 20B] It is a side view of the refrigerator 100 when the vegetable compartment door 251 according to Example 4 of the present invention is in the pulled-out state, as seen from the right side. [Figure 20C] It is a side view of the refrigerator 100 when the vegetable compartment door 251 according to Example 4 of the present invention is fully open, as seen from the right side.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In principle, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals in all the drawings. Furthermore, parts having the same function will not be described. It should be noted that the configurations described below are merely embodiments, and it is not intended that the embodiments of the present invention are limited to the following specific embodiments. In each of the embodiments shown below, from the perspective of a user standing in front of the refrigerator 100, the upper side will be referred to as "up," the lower side as "down," the left side as "left," the right side as "right," the user's side as "front," and the side behind the user as "rear." [Examples]

[0017] Figure 1 is a front view of a refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The refrigerator 100 (storage compartment) comprises an insulated box body 1 that constitutes the outer casing, openable and closable refrigerator doors 211, 212, etc., arranged on the left and right sides to cover the opening of the refrigerator compartment 21, and a camera unit 3 for photographing food inside the storage compartment. The insulated box body 1 is constructed by filling an insulating material (not shown), such as vacuum insulation material or foamed urethane, between a steel plate outer box 11 and a resin inner box 12 (see Figure 3). The insulated box body 1 is open at the front and has multiple storage compartments inside. In the example in Figure 1, the multiple storage compartments are, from top to bottom, a refrigerator compartment 21, ice-making compartments 22 and an upper freezer compartment 23 arranged on the left and right, a lower freezer compartment 24, and a vegetable compartment 25.

[0018] Furthermore, the refrigerator 100 is equipped with multiple doors corresponding to each storage compartment, including refrigerator compartment doors 211, 212, an ice maker compartment door 221, an upper freezer compartment door 231, a lower freezer compartment door 241, and a vegetable compartment door 251. Glass or painted steel plates are used for the decorative surfaces of the doors. The refrigerator compartment doors 211, 212 are a pair of left and right French-style doors that form the refrigerator compartment 21 by closing the opening 10 (see Figure 2) on the front side of the insulated box body 1.

[0019] The left refrigerator door 211 is rotatable around the axis of the hinge 211a (see Figure 4) at the left end. The same applies to the right refrigerator door 212. The refrigerator doors 211 and 212 are first doors that open and close at the opening of the insulated box 1 and define the first storage compartment (refrigerator compartment 21) within the insulated box 1. The ice-making compartment door 221, the upper freezer compartment door 231, the lower freezer compartment door 241, and the vegetable compartment door 251 are located below the first doors and are retractable second doors that can move toward and away from the edge of the opening 10 of the insulated box 1 and close the opening 10 on the front side of the insulated box 1. Rails are arranged on the back of each door. The rails will be described later, using the lower freezer compartment door 241 and the vegetable compartment door 251 as examples.

[0020] The ice maker door 221, the upper freezer door 231, the lower freezer door 241, and the vegetable compartment door 251 are all pull-out doors. These pull-out doors are positioned lower than the refrigerator doors 211 and 212. In other words, the French-style refrigerator doors 211 and 212 are positioned higher than the multiple pull-out doors.

[0021] Behind the vegetable compartment door 251 (towards the back), a vegetable compartment container 252 (see Figures 9A-C and 20A-C) is installed. The vegetable compartment door 251 and the vegetable compartment container 252 are designed to be pulled out together (the same applies to other pull-out doors). The "storage compartment" corresponding to a pull-out door is defined as the internal space of the container that is pulled out together with that door. For example, vegetable compartment 25 is the internal space of the vegetable compartment container 252 that is pulled out together with the vegetable compartment door 251. The ice-making compartment 22, upper freezer compartment 23, lower freezer compartment 24, and vegetable compartment 25 are second storage compartments that are constructed as pull-out storage compartments that are pulled out by pulling out the second door.

[0022] The refrigerator 100 is equipped with a compressor 2 (see Figures 9A-C and 20A-C), a heat sink (condenser), a capillary tube (throttling mechanism), and a cooler (evaporator). The refrigerant circulates sequentially through the compressor 2, heat sink, capillary tube, and cooler, and the air in each storage compartment is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing through the cooler. The camera unit 3 shown in Figure 1 is installed on the top surface of the insulated box 1 and is used to photograph the storage compartment when a predetermined door is opened.

[0023] Figure 2 is a side view of a refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, the camera unit 3 comprises a main body 31 and a support 32. The main body 31 has the function of photographing the storage compartment, etc., when a predetermined door of the refrigerator 100 is opened. The support 32 supports the main body 31 and is installed on the top surface of the insulated box 1.

[0024] A lens 31a is provided near the front end of the main body 31. The lens 31a is an optical element that refracts light and focuses it onto the image sensor 31d (see Figure 5). For example, a fisheye lens can be used as such a lens 31a. The lens 31a is positioned to face downwards so that the storage compartment can be photographed when a predetermined door of the refrigerator 100 is opened. The camera unit 3 is then configured to photograph downwards. Note that in addition to the case where the optical axis of the lens 31a is in the vertical direction, the case where the optical axis is tilted at a predetermined angle from the vertical direction is also included in the description of "photographing downwards."

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the lens 31a is located in front of the front end of the insulated box 1 (the opening 10 of the insulated box 1). More preferably, the lens 31a is located even further in front of the front surface of the closed refrigerator compartment doors 211, 212 (see Figure 1). This makes it easier for the refrigerator compartment 21 (see Figure 1) to come into the field of view of the lens 31a when, for example, the refrigerator compartment doors 211, 212 are opened. Also, it makes it easier for the vegetable compartment 25 (see Figure 1) to come into the field of view of the lens 31a when, for example, the vegetable compartment door 251 is pulled out.

[0026] The wireless LAN unit 4 shown in Figure 2 is a device for transmitting captured image data from the camera unit 3 to the server 63 (see Figure 5). In the example in Figure 2, the wireless LAN unit 4 is installed near the rear end of the top surface of the insulated box 1, but it is not limited to that and may be placed inside the camera unit 3 and support section 32, in the insulated space or storage space (shelves, containers, pockets, etc.) of the refrigerator doors 211, 212, ice maker door 221, upper freezer door 231, lower freezer door 241, and vegetable compartment door 251, inside the hinges 211a, 212a in Figure 4, near the door sensor 5 in Figure 7, or inside the control panel 6. Alternatively, other communication methods such as Bluetooth®, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), and NFC (Near Field Communication) may be used.

[0027] Figure 3 is a front view of the refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention with the left and right refrigerator compartment doors 211 and 212 open. As shown in Figure 3, the refrigerator compartment 21 is provided with a plurality of shelves 213 that divide the refrigerator compartment 21 into predetermined sections. The inner panel 211b of the left refrigerator compartment door 211 is provided with a plurality of door pockets 211c for storing food, etc. (the same applies to the right refrigerator compartment door 212). When, for example, the left and right refrigerator compartment doors 211 and 212 are opened, the food, etc. in the refrigerator compartment 21 and the door pockets 211c and 212c are brought into the field of view of the lens 31a of the camera unit 3 from an overhead perspective.

[0028] As an example, when manually photographing the storage room using the camera unit 3, a shutter button 7 is provided on each of the left and right refrigerator doors 211 and 212, which is pressed by the user. In the example shown in Figure 3, the shutter button 7 is located on the lower part of the side of the left refrigerator door 211 opposite the axis of the hinge 211a (see Figure 4). Similarly, the shutter button 7 is also located in the same position on the right refrigerator door 212. Figure 4 is a plan view of the refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention with the left and right refrigerator compartment doors 211 and 212 open. As shown in Figure 4, hinges 211a and 212a are provided on the upper surface of the insulated box body 1. The left hinge 211a pivotally supports the refrigerator compartment door 211 so that it can rotate (the right hinge 212a does the same). The main body 31 of the camera unit 3 extends in a long, narrow shape in the front-to-back direction. The left-to-right position of the main body 31 may be directly above the joint of the refrigerator compartment doors 211 and 212 (see Figure 1), or it may be at any other predetermined position. The camera unit 3 photographs the inside of the refrigerator compartment when the refrigerator compartment doors 211 and 212 are open.

[0029] Figure 5 is a system configuration diagram of a refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5, the refrigerator 100 includes a camera unit 3, a wireless LAN unit 4, a door sensor 5, a control panel 6, a shooting button 7, and a control unit (refrigerator control) 8. The camera unit 3 includes a lens 31a, an image sensor 31d, a camera LED 31f, a buzzer 31g, and a camera / communication control SoC 31k (SoC: System on Chip). In this embodiment, the camera unit 3 is powered via the control unit 8 of the refrigerator 100. However, by providing an external power supply method such as a battery (not shown), the camera unit 3 can be installed at any location (magnetic mounting, adhesive tape attachment, etc.) without going through the control unit (refrigerator control) 8, even for a refrigerator 100 that does not have wireless communication capabilities.

[0030] The camera / communication control SoC31k is an integrated circuit designed to integrate microcontroller functions and other applied functions onto a single chip, and to function in coordination with them. The camera / communication control SoC31k communicates with the control unit (refrigerator control) 8 as prescribed and outputs a capture command to the image sensor 31d. As a result, captured image data is input from the image sensor 31d to the camera / communication control SoC31k.

[0031] The wireless LAN unit 4 is a device that transmits and receives data with the server 63 via the network 62, etc. The wireless LAN unit 4 transmits the captured image data acquired by the camera / communication control SoC 31k to the router 61. The router 61 is a communication relay device and transmits the captured image data received from the wireless LAN unit 4 to the server 63 via the network 62. The server 63 performs predetermined processing on the captured image data and stores it in association with the identification information of the refrigerator 100. Also, when the server 63 receives a request signal for an image of the inside of the refrigerator 100 from a mobile terminal device 64 that has been paired via the control panel 6, it transmits the captured image data to the mobile terminal device 64. Such a mobile terminal device 64 can be, for example, a mobile phone or smartphone, as well as a tablet or wearable device. By checking the captured image data displayed on the mobile terminal device 64, the user can understand the status of the food stored in the storage compartment. For example, the user can check the captured image data while away from home and purchase and replenish any missing food items.

[0032] The door sensor 5 is a sensor that detects the opening and closing of each door of the refrigerator 100. Although Figure 5 shows only one door sensor 5, in reality, at least one door sensor 5 is provided for each door. A predetermined signal indicating the open or closed state of the door is output from the door sensor 5 to the control unit (refrigerator control) 8.

[0033] The control panel 6 displays the status of the refrigerator 100 and accepts operations such as changing settings. It is located, for example, on the surface of the refrigerator doors 211 and 212 (see Figure 1) or inside the refrigerator compartment (not shown). The capture button 7 (see also Figure 3) is an example of a button pressed by the user when manually taking a picture using the camera unit 3, as described above.

[0034] The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 is, for example, a microcontroller, and although not shown in the diagram, it is composed of electronic circuits including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and various interfaces. It reads the program stored in ROM, loads it into RAM, and the CPU executes various processes. The processes performed by the control unit (refrigerator control) 8 will be described later.

[0035] In this embodiment, a camera unit 3 is provided, and the control unit (refrigerator control) 8 drives the camera unit 3 to photograph the storage compartment when a predetermined door is opened. When photographing the inside of the storage compartment, for example, it may be linked with a door sensor 5, and when the door sensor 5 detects that the door is open, the camera unit 3 is activated and photography is performed automatically (automatic photography that repeatedly captures images to detect whether the door is at a predetermined opening angle). However, for example, in the lower freezer compartment 24 and vegetable compartment 25 which have pull-out doors, it is necessary to photograph when the lower freezer compartment door 241 and the vegetable compartment door 251 are fully open in order to grasp all the food stored in the lower freezer compartment 24 and the vegetable compartment 25. For this reason, it is necessary for the door sensor 5 to detect when the lower freezer compartment door 241 and the vegetable compartment door 251 are fully open. The means to solve this problem will be described below.

[0036] Figure 6 is an external perspective view showing the refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention with the door removed. An insulating partition wall 13 is placed between the refrigerator compartment 21 and the ice-making compartment 22 and upper freezer compartment 23, an insulating partition wall 14 is placed between the ice-making compartment 22 and upper freezer compartment 23 and the lower freezer compartment 24, and an insulating partition wall 15 is also placed between the lower freezer compartment 24 and the vegetable compartment 25. In addition, an insulating partition wall 16 is placed between the ice-making compartment 22 and the upper freezer compartment 23. These insulating partition walls 13 to 16 are constructed by filling them with insulating material (not shown), such as vacuum insulation material or foamed urethane.

[0037] Door sensors 5 (5a to 5d) are positioned near the opening of the lower freezer compartment 24 and near the opening of the vegetable compartment 25, respectively.

[0038] Door sensors 5a and 5b are installed on the insulated partition wall 15 that separates the lower freezer compartment 24 and the vegetable compartment 25, while door sensors 5c and 5d are installed on the bottom plate 1a of the insulated box body 1. In other words, door sensors 5a and 5b are provided in two positions on the left and right of the insulated box body 1 near the opening of the lower freezer compartment 24, and door sensors 5c and 5d are provided in two positions on the left and right of the opening of the vegetable compartment 25.

[0039] On the left and right inner walls of the inner box 12 where the lower freezer compartment 24 is located, there are lower freezer compartment fixing rails 243a and 243b that extend in the front-to-back direction and guide the lower freezer compartment container 242 together with the lower freezer compartment door 241.

[0040] Similarly, on the left and right inner walls of the inner box 12 where the vegetable compartment 25 is located, vegetable compartment fixing rails 253a and 253b are provided, extending in the front-to-back direction and guiding the vegetable compartment container 252 together with the vegetable compartment door 251.

[0041] Figure 7 is an external perspective view of a door sensor 5 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The door sensor 5 in this embodiment is an optical sensor, and as an example, it is composed of a photointerrupter. The door sensor 5 comprises a light-emitting element housing 51, a light-receiving element housing 52 arranged opposite the light-emitting element housing 51, and a connecting part 53 connecting the light-emitting element housing 51 and the light-receiving element housing 52, and is formed in a U-shape with the side opposite the connecting part 53 open.

[0042] In this embodiment, the door sensor 5, which is formed in a U-shape, is positioned so that its opening faces upward.

[0043] The light-emitting element housing 51 houses a light-emitting element 510 (light-emitting part) that emits infrared light (light), and the light-receiving element housing 52 houses a light-receiving element 520 (light-receiving part) that is positioned with a gap between it and the light-emitting element 510 and receives infrared light from the light-emitting element 510. The gap is open on the upper side. The door sensor 5 outputs "High" and "Low" pulse signals. For example, when the light-receiving element 520 receives infrared light from the light-emitting element 510, a "High" signal is output, and when the infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 is blocked, a "Low" signal is output. In this embodiment, a detection unit is provided that moves in the gap between the light-emitting element 510 and the light-receiving element 520. By moving this detection unit, the light from the light-emitting element 510 is collected or blocked by the light-receiving element 520 to detect the opening and closing of the door. In this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 is equipped with two of the above-described door sensors 5 in the lower freezer compartment 24 and two in the vegetable compartment 25.

[0044] Figure 8 is a perspective view from below of the lower freezer compartment container 242 and vegetable compartment container 252 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 9A is a side view from the right side of the refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention with the lower freezer compartment door 241 fully closed. Figure 9B is a side view from the right side of the refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention with the lower freezer compartment door 241 pulled out. Figure 9C is a side view from the right side of the refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention with the lower freezer compartment door 241 fully open.

[0045] To the left and right of the rear of the lower freezer door 241 are lower freezer movable rails 244a and 244b extending towards the rear, and a lower freezer container 242. The lower freezer movable rails 244a and 244b are guided by the lower freezer fixed rails 243a and 243b and move, allowing the lower freezer door 241 and the lower freezer container 242 to be pulled out in the front-to-back direction.

[0046] To the left and right of the rear of the vegetable compartment door 251 are vegetable compartment movable rails 254a and 254b that extend backward, and a lower freezer compartment container 242. The vegetable compartment movable rails 254a and 254b are guided by the vegetable compartment fixed rails 253a and 253b and move, allowing the vegetable compartment door 251 and the vegetable compartment container 252 to be pulled out in the front-to-back direction.

[0047] The bottom surface of the lower freezer compartment container 242 is equipped with a fully closed detection unit 242a for detecting the fully closed state of the lower freezer compartment door 241 which protrudes downward, and a fully open detection unit 242b for detecting the fully open state of the lower freezer compartment door 241. The fully closed detection unit 242a and the fully open detection unit 242b are positioned offset from each other in the front-to-back direction, with the fully closed detection unit 242a positioned in front of the lower freezer compartment container 242 and the fully open detection unit 242b positioned behind the lower freezer compartment container 242.

[0048] Furthermore, the fully closed detection unit 242a and the fully open detection unit 242b are positioned offset from each other in the left-right direction, with the fully closed detection unit 242a positioned to the left of the fully open detection unit 242b. The fully closed detection unit 242a fits into the gap between the light-emitting element housing 51 and the light-receiving element housing 52 of the door sensor 5a and operates to block infrared light between the light-emitting element 510 and the light-receiving element 520. The fully open detection unit 242b fits into the gap between the light-emitting element housing 51 and the light-receiving element housing 52 of the door sensor 5b and operates to block infrared light between the light-emitting element 510 and the light-receiving element 520. The detection units (fully closed detection unit 242a, fully open detection unit 242b) are made of dark, gray, or black material and move in the front-rear direction together with the lower freezer door 241.

[0049] The bottom surface of the vegetable compartment container 252 is provided with a fully closed detection unit 252a that protrudes downward and detects the fully closed state of the vegetable compartment door 251, and a fully open detection unit 252b that detects the fully open state of the vegetable compartment door 251. The fully closed detection unit 252a and the fully open detection unit 252b are positioned offset from each other in the front-to-back direction, with the fully closed detection unit 252a positioned in front of the vegetable compartment container 252 and the fully open detection unit 252b positioned in rear of the vegetable compartment container 252.

[0050] Furthermore, the fully closed detection unit 252a and the fully open detection unit 252b are positioned with a lateral offset, with the fully closed detection unit 252a positioned to the left of the fully open detection unit 252b. The fully closed detection unit 252a fits into the gap between the light-emitting element housing 51 and the light-receiving element housing 52 of the door sensor 5c and operates to block infrared light between the light-emitting element 510 and the light-receiving element 520. The fully open detection unit 252b fits into the gap between the light-emitting element housing 51 and the light-receiving element housing 52 of the door sensor 5d and operates to block infrared light between the light-emitting element 510 and the light-receiving element 520. The detection units (fully closed detection unit 252a, fully open detection unit 252b) are made of dark, gray, or black material and move in the front-to-back direction together with the vegetable compartment door 251.

[0051] Next, the pulling-out operation of the lower freezer door 241 and the detection state of the door sensor 5 will be explained using Figures 9A to 10. The following explanation will describe the operation of the lower freezer door 241, but the same applies to the vegetable compartment door 251.

[0052] Figure 10 shows the digital signals output from the door sensor 5 to the control unit (refrigerator control) 8 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In Figure 10, when the light-receiving element 520 of the door sensor 5 receives infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 and detects a "High" signal, the door sensor 5 outputs a "High" signal to the control unit (refrigerator control) 8. When the light-receiving element 520 of the door sensor 5 does not receive infrared light from the light-emitting element 510, that is, when the infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 is blocked and a "Low" signal is output, the control unit (refrigerator control) 8 outputs a "Low" signal. The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "High" signal and the "Low" signal into digital signals, setting the "High" signal to "1" and the "Low" signal to "0".

[0053] As shown in Figure 9A, when the lower freezer door 241 is fully closed, the fully closed detection unit 242a (one of the detection units) is located in the gap of the door sensor 5a, blocking the infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 to the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signal of the door sensor 5a becomes "Low". The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "Low" signal into a digital signal "0".

[0054] Furthermore, when the lower freezer door 241 is fully closed, there is nothing blocking the light in the gap of the door sensor 5b, so infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 is received by the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signal of the door sensor 5b becomes "High". The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "High" signal into a digital signal "1".

[0055] The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 recognizes the digital signal "0" from door sensor 5a and the digital signal "1" from door sensor 5b, and determines that the lower freezer compartment door 241 is fully closed.

[0056] Next, as shown in Figure 9B, when the lower freezer door 241 is open, there is nothing blocking the light in the gaps of door sensor 5a and door sensor 5b, so infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 is received by the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signals of both door sensor 5a and door sensor 5b become "High". The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "High" signal into a digital signal "1".

[0057] The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 recognizes the digital signal "1" from door sensor 5a and the digital signal "1" from door sensor 5b, and determines that the lower freezer door 241 is open.

[0058] Next, as shown in Figure 9C, when the lower freezer door 241 is fully open, the fully open detection unit 242b (the other detection unit) is located in the gap of the door sensor 5b, blocking the infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 to the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signal of the door sensor 5b becomes "Low". The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "Low" signal into a digital signal "0".

[0059] Furthermore, when the lower freezer door 241 is fully open, there is nothing blocking the light in the gap of the door sensor 5a, so infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 is received by the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signal of the door sensor 5a becomes "High". The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "High" signal into a digital signal "1".

[0060] The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 recognizes the digital signal "1" from door sensor 5a and the digital signal "0" from door sensor 5b, and determines that the lower freezer door 241 is fully open.

[0061] Figure 10 summarizes the relationship between the digital signals in the fully closed, open, and fully open states of the lower freezer door 241.

[0062] Next, as an example, a method for photographing food stored in the lower freezer compartment container 242 will be described. In this embodiment, the lower freezer compartment door 241 is fully open when the camera unit 3 takes photographs. The same procedure is followed for photographing the vegetable compartment container 252.

[0063] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the camera / communication control SoC31k according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. At the "START" stage in Figure 11, the lower freezer door 241 is fully closed.

[0064] In step S101, the camera / communication control SoC 31k determines whether the door (lower freezer door 241) is fully open or not based on the signal from the control unit 8. If the door (lower freezer door 241) is not fully open in step S101 (No in step S101), the camera / communication control SoC 31k repeats the process in step S101. If the door (lower freezer door 241) is fully open in step S101 (Yes in step S101), the camera / communication control SoC 31k proceeds to step S102.

[0065] In step S102, the camera / communication control SoC 31k lights up the camera LED 31f. By lighting up the camera LED 31f in this way, light is more easily shone into the designated storage chamber when shooting is performed (step S106).

[0066] Next, in step S103, the camera / communication control SoC 31k determines whether a predetermined time (for example, a few seconds) has elapsed since the door (lower freezer door 241) was fully opened. This predetermined time is set based, for example, on the average time required to put food in and take it out. In step S103, if the predetermined time has not elapsed since the door (lower freezer door 241) was fully opened (No in step S103), the camera / communication control SoC 31k repeats the process in step S103. If the predetermined time has elapsed since the door (lower freezer door 241) was fully opened (Yes in step S103), the camera / communication control SoC 31k proceeds to step S104.

[0067] In step S104, the camera / communication control SoC 31k determines whether the door corresponding to one storage compartment (lower freezer compartment 24) is open. In step S104, if the open door does not correspond to one storage compartment (lower freezer compartment 24) (No in step S104), the camera / communication control SoC 31k terminates the series of processes without taking a picture ("END" in Figure 11). In other words, the camera / communication control SoC 31k refrains from taking images if doors corresponding to two or more storage compartments are open, for example, if the lower freezer compartment door 241 is fully open and the vegetable compartment door 251 is also open. This prevents misrecognition of the storage compartment corresponding to the captured image. Also, if the door corresponding to one storage compartment (lower freezer compartment 24) is opened in step S104 (Yes in step S104), the camera / communication control SoC 31k proceeds to step S105.

[0068] In step S105, the camera / communication control SoC 31k sounds the buzzer 31g. By sounding the buzzer 31g in this way, the user can understand that the camera unit 3 is taking a picture.

[0069] Next, in step S106, the camera / communication control SoC 31k performs exposure adjustment. Specifically, the camera / communication control SoC 31k adjusts the gain (sensitivity to brightness) when amplifying the electrical signal from the image sensor 31d (see Figure 5), as well as the shutter speed, etc. For example, the camera / communication control SoC 31k adjusts the gain so that the average brightness value of the captured image data falls within a predetermined range. By performing exposure adjustment in this way, overexposure (halation) and underexposure in the captured image can be suppressed.

[0070] Next, in step S107, the camera / communication control SoC 31k outputs a shooting command. That is, the camera / communication control SoC 31k captures the electrical signal output from the image sensor 31d (see Figure 5) by photoelectric conversion, and further amplified by a predetermined gain, as captured image data. In this way, shooting is performed with the door corresponding to one storage room (lower freezer room 24) open, so that the correspondence between the storage room and the captured image can be appropriately established. It is assumed that the correspondence between each door sensor 5 and the storage room is stored in advance.

[0071] In step S108, the camera / communication control SoC 31k determines, based on the signal from the control unit 8, whether the door (lower freezer door 241) is fully closed or not. If the door (lower freezer door 241) is not fully closed in step S108 (No in step S108), the camera / communication control SoC 31k repeats the process in step S108. If the door (lower freezer door 241) is fully closed in step S108 (Yes in step S108), the camera / communication control SoC 31k proceeds to step S109.

[0072] In step S109, the camera / communication control SoC31k turns off the camera LED31f.

[0073] In step S110, the camera / communication control SoC 31k selects a shooting result. For example, the camera / communication control SoC 31k selects the most recent of several stored shooting results as the shooting result to be sent to the server 63.

[0074] In step S111, the camera / communication control SoC 31k transmits the capture result to the server 63. As a result, the captured image data is transmitted to the server 63 sequentially via the wireless LAN unit 4, router 61, and network 62 shown in Figure 5. When the camera / communication control SoC 31k transmits the capture result to the server 63, it may also transmit identification information of the storage room (or the door sensor 5 that output an open signal) corresponding to the captured image to the server 63. This is because the area (pixel range) in the captured image that shows the storage room differs depending on whether one of the multiple doors is open. After performing the processing in step S111, the control unit 8 terminates the series of processes (END).

[0075] In this embodiment, a detection unit is provided at the position where the door is fully open, which is detected by the door sensor 5. This allows for the detection of the fully open state of the pull-out door. In addition, according to this embodiment, detecting the fully open state of the pull-out door can be used, for example, to photograph food inside the storage room.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the door sensor 5 and the detection unit can detect when the door is open, so for example, it can be linked with a notification means to notify that the door is open. [Examples]

[0077] Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described using Figures 12 to 14. Figure 12 is an external perspective view showing the refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention with the door removed. Figure 13A is a perspective view of the lower freezer compartment door 241 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, viewed from the right at an angle. Figure 13B is a perspective view of the lower freezer compartment door 241 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, viewed from the left at an angle. Figure 14 is a diagram showing the digital signal output from the door sensor 5 to the control unit (refrigerator control) 8 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Components common to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their detailed explanation is omitted.

[0078] In Example 2, door sensors 5a and 5b are placed on the lower freezer compartment fixing rails 243a and 243b, and door sensors 5c and 5d are placed on the vegetable compartment fixing rails 253a and 253b.

[0079] As shown in Figure 12, door sensors 5a and 5b are positioned in front of the lower freezer compartment fixing rails 243a and 243b, respectively. The door sensors 5a and 5b are positioned so that their U-shaped openings face inward towards the refrigerator 100.

[0080] Door sensors 5c and 5d are positioned in front of the vegetable compartment fixing rails 253a and 253b, respectively. The door sensors 5c and 5d are positioned so that their U-shaped openings face inward towards the inside of the refrigerator 100. In other words, the gap between the light-emitting element 510 and the light-receiving element 520 is open to the inside of the refrigerator 100.

[0081] The lower freezer compartment movable rail 244a is provided with a shielding portion 244a1 (the other detection portion) that extends in the front-rear direction along the lower freezer compartment movable rail 244a and protrudes outward from the lower freezer compartment movable rail 244a. In front of the shielding portion 244a1 is a fully closed detection portion 244a2, which is a cutout of the shielding portion 244a1. The shielding portion 244a1 fits into the gap between the light-emitting element housing portion 51 and the light-receiving element housing portion 52 of the door sensor 5a and operates to block infrared light between the light-emitting element 510 and the light-receiving element 520.

[0082] The lower freezer compartment movable rail 244b is provided with a shielding portion 244b1 (one detection portion) that extends in the front-rear direction along the lower freezer compartment movable rail 244b and protrudes outward from the lower freezer compartment movable rail 244b. Behind the shielding portion 244b1 is a fully open detection portion 244b2, which is a cutout of the shielding portion 244b1. The shielding portion 244b1 fits into the gap between the light-emitting element housing portion 51 and the light-receiving element housing portion 52 of the door sensor 5b and operates to block infrared light between the light-emitting element 510 and the light-receiving element 520.

[0083] Although not shown in the diagram, the movable rails 254a and 254b for the vegetable compartment have a similar configuration. Also, in the following explanation, the lower freezer compartment 24 will be described, and the vegetable compartment 25 will not be described, but the vegetable compartment 25 is similar.

[0084] When the lower freezer door 241 is fully closed, the fully closed detection unit 244a2, which has a cutout in part of the shielding unit 244a1, is located in the gap of the door sensor 5a, and infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 is received by the light-receiving element 520, causing the detection signal of the door sensor 5a to become "High". The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "High" signal into a digital signal "1".

[0085] Furthermore, when the lower freezer door 241 is fully closed, the shielding portion 244b1 is located in the gap of the door sensor 5b, blocking the infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 to the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signal of the door sensor 5b becomes "Low". The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "Low" signal into a digital signal "0".

[0086] The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 recognizes the digital signal "1" from door sensor 5a and the digital signal "0" from door sensor 5b, and determines that the lower freezer compartment door 241 is fully closed.

[0087] When the lower freezer door 241 is open, the shielding parts 244a1 and 244b1 are located in the gaps of door sensor 5a and door sensor 5b, respectively, blocking the infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 to the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signals of both door sensor 5a and door sensor 5b become "Low". The control unit 8 converts the "Low" signal to the digital signal "0".

[0088] The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 recognizes the digital signals "0" from door sensor 5a and door sensor 5b, and determines that the lower freezer door 241 is open.

[0089] Next, when the lower freezer door 241 is fully open, the fully open detection unit 244b2, which has a portion of the shielding unit 244b1 cut out, is positioned in the gap of the door sensor 5b, infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 is received by the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signal of the door sensor 5b becomes "High". The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "High" signal into a digital signal "1".

[0090] Furthermore, when the lower freezer door 241 is fully open, the shielding portion 244a1 is positioned in the gap of the door sensor 5a, blocking the infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 to the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signal of the door sensor 5a becomes "Low". The control unit 8 converts the "Low" signal into a digital signal "0".

[0091] The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 recognizes the digital signal "0" from door sensor 5a and the digital signal "1" from door sensor 5b, and determines that the lower freezer door 241 is fully open.

[0092] Figure 14 summarizes the relationship between the digital signals in the fully closed, open, and fully open states of the lower freezer door 241. In Example 2, the criteria for determining the fully closed, open, and fully open states of the lower freezer door 241 using the digital signals "1" and "0" of the door sensors 5a and 5b are reversed compared to Example 1 (Figure 10). Thus, in this embodiment, even when the criteria for determination using the digital signals "1" and "0" are reversed, the fully closed, open, and fully open states of the lower freezer door 241 can still be determined. [Examples]

[0093] Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described using Figures 15 to 17. Figure 15 is an external perspective view showing the refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention with the door removed. Figure 16 is a perspective view of the lower freezer compartment container 242 and vegetable compartment container 252 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, viewed from below. Figure 17 is a diagram showing the digital signal output from the door sensor 5 to the control unit 8 (refrigerator control) according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Components common to Embodiments 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their detailed explanations are omitted.

[0094] In Example 3, door sensors 5a and 5b are placed on the inner side of the lower freezer compartment 24, and door sensors 5c and 5d are placed on the inner side of the vegetable compartment 25.

[0095] As shown in Figure 15, door sensors 5a and 5b are positioned near the opening (front) on the inner side of the inner box 12 in the lower freezer compartment 24. The door sensors 5a and 5b are positioned so that their U-shaped openings face inward towards the inside of the refrigerator 100. In other words, the gap between the light-emitting element 510 and the light-receiving element 520 is open to the inside of the refrigerator 100.

[0096] Door sensors 5c and 5d are positioned on the front of the inner side of the vegetable compartment 25. The door sensors 5c and 5d are positioned so that their U-shaped openings face the inside of the refrigerator 100. In other words, the gap between the light-emitting element 510 and the light-receiving element 520 is open to the inside of the refrigerator 100.

[0097] The left side of the lower freezer compartment container 242 is provided with a fully closed detection unit 242c (one detection unit) that protrudes outward from the left side to detect the fully closed state of the lower freezer compartment door 241. The right side of the lower freezer compartment door 241 is provided with an open detection unit 242d (the other detection unit) that protrudes outward from the right side to detect the open state of the lower freezer compartment door 241. The rear of the open detection unit 242d is cut out to form a fully open detection unit 242e.

[0098] The fully closed detection unit 242c is located at the front of the left side of the lower freezer compartment container 242, the open detection unit 242d is located extending from the front to the rear of the right side of the lower freezer compartment container 242, and the fully open detection unit 242e is located behind the open detection unit 242d, with a portion of the open detection unit 242d being cut out.

[0099] In this embodiment, a fully closed detection unit 242c, an open detection unit 242d, and a fully open detection unit 242e are provided on the left and right sides of the lower freezer compartment container 242.

[0100] The fully closed detection unit 242c enters the gap between the light-emitting element housing 51 and the light-receiving element housing 52 of the door sensor 5a and operates to block infrared light between the light-emitting element 510 and the light-receiving element 520. The open detection unit 242d enters the gap between the light-emitting element housing 51 and the light-receiving element housing 52 of the door sensor 5b and operates to block infrared light between the light-emitting element 510 and the light-receiving element 520. The fully open detection unit 242e functions to allow infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 of the door sensor 5b to be received by the light-receiving element 520.

[0101] Similarly, the left side of the vegetable compartment container 252 is provided with a fully closed detection unit 252c that protrudes outward from the left side to detect the fully closed state of the vegetable compartment door 251, and the right side of the vegetable compartment door 251 is provided with an open detection unit 252d that protrudes outward from the right side to detect the open state of the vegetable compartment door 251. Furthermore, the rear of the open detection unit 252d is cut out to form a fully open detection unit 252e.

[0102] The fully closed detection unit 252c is located at the front of the left side of the vegetable compartment container 252, the open detection unit 252d is located extending from the front to the rear of the right side of the vegetable compartment container 252, and the fully open detection unit 252e is located behind the open detection unit 252d, with a portion of the open detection unit 252d being cut out.

[0103] The fully closed detection unit 252c enters the gap between the light-emitting element housing 51 and the light-receiving element housing 52 of the door sensor 5b and operates to block infrared light between the light-emitting element 510 and the light-receiving element 520. The open detection unit 252d enters the gap between the light-emitting element housing 51 and the light-receiving element housing 52 of the door sensor 5b and operates to block infrared light between the light-emitting element 510 and the light-receiving element 520. The fully open detection unit 252e functions to allow infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 of the door sensor 5b to be received by the light-receiving element 520.

[0104] The following explanation will focus on the lower freezer compartment 24, and will omit the explanation of the vegetable compartment 25, although the same applies to the vegetable compartment 25.

[0105] When the lower freezer door 241 is fully closed, the fully closed detection unit 242c is positioned in the gap of the door sensor 5a, blocking the infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 to the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signal of the door sensor 5a becomes "Low". The control unit 8 converts the "Low" signal into a digital signal "0".

[0106] Furthermore, when the lower freezer door 241 is fully closed, the open detection unit 242d is positioned in the gap of the door sensor 5b, blocking the infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 to the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signal of the door sensor 5a becomes "Low". The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "Low" signal into a digital signal "0".

[0107] The control unit 8 recognizes the digital signals "0" from door sensor 5a and door sensor 5b, and determines that the lower freezer door 241 is fully closed.

[0108] Next, with the lower freezer door 241 open, there is nothing blocking the light in the gap of the door sensor 5a, so infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 is received by the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signal of the door sensor 5a becomes "High". The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "High" signal into a digital signal "1".

[0109] When the lower freezer door 241 is open, the open detection unit 242d is positioned in the gap of the door sensor 5b, blocking the infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 to the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signal of the door sensor 5b becomes "Low". The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "Low" signal into a digital signal "0".

[0110] The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 recognizes the digital signal "1" from door sensor 5a and the digital signal "0" from door sensor 5b, and determines that the lower freezer compartment door 241 is open.

[0111] Next, when the lower freezer door 241 is fully open, there is nothing blocking the light in the gap of the door sensor 5a, so infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 is received by the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signal of the door sensor 5a becomes "High". The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "High" signal into a digital signal "1".

[0112] When the lower freezer door 241 is fully open, the fully open detection unit 242e is positioned in the gap of the door sensor 5b. That is, there is nothing blocking the light in the gap of the door sensor 5b, so the infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 is received by the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signal of the door sensor 5b becomes "High". The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "High" signal into a digital signal "1".

[0113] The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 recognizes the digital signal "1" from door sensor 5a and the digital signal "1" from door sensor 5b, and determines that the lower freezer door 241 is fully open.

[0114] Figure 17 summarizes the relationship between the digital signals in the fully closed, open, and fully open states of the lower freezer door 241. In Example 3, the criteria for determining the fully closed, open, and fully open states of the lower freezer door 241 using the digital signals "1" and "0" of the door sensors 5a and 5b differ from those in Examples 1 and 2. Thus, in this embodiment, the fully closed, open, and fully open states of the lower freezer door 241 can be determined by using various combinations of the digital signals "1" and "0". [Examples]

[0115] Next, Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described using Figures 6 and 18-17. Figure 18 is a perspective view of the vegetable compartment container 252 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, viewed from below. Figure 19 is a diagram showing the digital signal output from the door sensor 5 to the control unit 8 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Figure 20A is a side view of the refrigerator 100 from the right side with the vegetable compartment door 251 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention fully closed. Figure 20B is a side view of the refrigerator 100 from the right side with the vegetable compartment door 251 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention pulled out. Figure 20C is a side view of the refrigerator 100 from the right side with the vegetable compartment door 251 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention fully open. Components common to Embodiments 1-3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0116] In Example 4, similar to Example 1 (see Figure 6), door sensors 5a and 5b are installed on the insulated partition wall 15 separating the lower freezer compartment 24 and the vegetable compartment 25, and door sensors 5c and 5d are installed on the bottom plate 1a of the insulated box body 1. The door sensors 5a and 5b are positioned so that their U-shaped openings face upward. In other words, the gap between the light-emitting element 510 and the light-receiving element 520 is open on the upper side.

[0117] A compressor 2 is installed at the bottom of the refrigerator 100. The vegetable compartment container 252 is angled so that its rear is cut away to allow it to interfere with the compressor 2 when the vegetable compartment door 251 is closed. In other words, the rear of the vegetable compartment container 252 is provided with an inclined section 252s that slopes downward from the rear to the front. Because the rear of the vegetable compartment container 252 is provided with an inclined section 252s, it may not be possible to install the fully open detection unit 252b at the rear of the bottom of the vegetable compartment container 252, for example, as shown in Figure 8. A means to solve this problem will be described.

[0118] The bottom surface of the vegetable compartment container 252 is provided with a fully closed detection unit 252f (one detection unit) that protrudes downward and detects the fully closed state of the vegetable compartment door 251, and an open detection unit 252g (the other detection unit) that protrudes downward and detects the open state of the vegetable compartment door 251. The rear of the open detection unit 252g is cut out to form a fully open detection unit 252h.

[0119] The fully closed detection unit 252f and the open detection unit 252g are arranged so that they have different lengths in the front-to-back direction, with the open detection unit 252g being longer than the fully closed detection unit 252f. In addition, the fully closed detection unit 252f and the open detection unit 252g are positioned offset from each other in the left-to-right direction, with the fully closed detection unit 252f positioned to the left of the open detection unit 252g. The fully closed detection unit 252f fits into the gap between the light-emitting element housing 51 and the light-receiving element housing 52 of the door sensor 5c and operates to block infrared light between the light-emitting element 510 and the light-receiving element 520. The open detection unit 252g fits into the gap between the light-emitting element housing 51 and the light-receiving element housing 52 of the door sensor 5d and operates to block infrared light between the light-emitting element 510 and the light-receiving element 520. The fully open detection unit 252h functions to allow infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 of the door sensor 5d to be received by the light-receiving element 520.

[0120] Next, the pulling-out operation of the vegetable compartment door 251 and the detection status of the door sensor 5 will be explained using Figures 19 to 20B.

[0121] As shown in Figure 20A, when the vegetable compartment door 251 is fully closed, the fully closed detection unit 252f is located in the gap of the door sensor 5c, blocking the infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 to the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signal of the door sensor 5c becomes "Low". The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "Low" signal to a digital signal "0".

[0122] Furthermore, when the vegetable compartment door 251 is fully closed, the open detection unit 252g is positioned in the gap of the door sensor 5d, blocking the infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 to the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signal of the door sensor 5d becomes "Low". The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "Low" signal into a digital signal "0".

[0123] The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 recognizes the digital signal "0" from door sensor 5c and the digital signal "0" from door sensor 5d, and determines that the vegetable compartment door 251 is in a fully closed state.

[0124] Next, as shown in Figure 20B, when the vegetable compartment door 251 is open, there is nothing blocking the light in the gap of the door sensor 5c, so infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 is received by the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signal of the door sensor 5c becomes "High". The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "High" signal into a digital signal "1".

[0125] Furthermore, when the vegetable compartment door 251 is open, the open detection unit 252g is positioned in the gap of the door sensor 5d, blocking the infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 to the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signal of the door sensor 5d becomes "Low". The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "Low" signal to a digital signal "0".

[0126] The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 recognizes the digital signal "1" from door sensor 5c and the digital signal "0" from door sensor 5d, and determines that the vegetable compartment door 251 is open.

[0127] Next, as shown in Figure 20C, when the vegetable compartment door 251 is fully open, the fully open detection unit 252h is located in the gap of the door sensor 5d, and there is nothing blocking the light in the gaps of the door sensor 5c and door sensor 5d. As a result, infrared light from the light-emitting element 510 is received by the light-receiving element 520, and the detection signals of both door sensor 5c and door sensor 5d become "High". The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 converts the "High" signal into a digital signal "1".

[0128] The control unit (refrigerator control) 8 receives the digital signal "1" from door sensor 5c and the digital signal "1" from door sensor 5d, and determines that the vegetable compartment door 251 is fully open.

[0129] Figure 19 summarizes the relationship between the digital signals in the fully closed, open, and fully open states of the vegetable compartment door 251.

[0130] In Example 4, the fully closed, open, and fully open states of the vegetable compartment door 251 are determined using the digital signals "1" and "0" from the door sensors 5c and 5d. According to this embodiment, even if the rear of the container is sloped, such as in the vegetable compartment container 252, the fully closed, open, and fully open states of the door can be determined.

[0131] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are included. For example, the embodiments described above are described in detail for the purpose of explaining the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Furthermore, it is possible to replace parts of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add configurations from other embodiments to the configuration of one embodiment. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, or replace parts of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 1...Insulated box body, 1a...Bottom plate, 2...Compressor, 3...Camera unit, 4...Wireless LAN unit, 5...Door sensor, 5a...Door sensor, 5b...Door sensor, 5c...Door sensor, 5d...Door sensor, 6...Control panel, 7...Shoot button, 8...Control unit (refrigerator control), 10...Opening, 11...Outer box, 12...Inner box, 13...Insulated partition wall, 14...Insulated partition wall, 15...Insulated partition wall, 16...Insulated partition wall, 21...Refrigerator compartment, 22...Ice maker compartment, 23...Upper freezer compartment, 24...Lower freezer compartment 25...Vegetable compartment, 31...Main unit, 31a...Lens, 31d...Image sensor, 31f...Camera LED, 31g...Buzzer, 31k...Camera / communication control SoC, 32...Support unit, 51...Light-emitting element housing unit, 52...Photodetector housing unit, 53...Connection unit, 61...Router, 62...Network, 63...Server, 64...Mobile terminal device, 100...Refrigerator, 211...Refrigerator door, 211a...Hinge, 211b...Inner panel, 211c...Door pocket, 212...Refrigerator door, 212a...Hinge 212c...Door pocket, 213...Shelf, 221...Ice maker door, 231...Upper freezer door, 241...Lower freezer door, 242...Lower freezer container, 242a...Fully closed detection unit, 242b...Fully open detection unit, 242c...Fully closed detection unit, 242d...Open detection unit, 242e...Fully open detection unit, 243a...Lower freezer fixed rail, 243b...Lower freezer fixed rail, 244a...Lower freezer movable rail, 244a1...Shielding unit, 244a2...Fully closed detection unit, 244b...Lower freezer movable rail Rail, 244b1...Shielding part, 244b2...Fully open detection part, 251...Vegetable compartment door, 252...Vegetable compartment container, 252a...Fully closed detection part, 252b...Fully open detection part, 252c...Fully closed detection part, 252d...Open detection part, 252e...Fully open detection part, 252f...Fully closed detection part, 252g...Open detection part, 252h...Fully open detection part, 253a...Vegetable compartment fixing rail, 253b...Vegetable compartment fixing rail, 254a...Vegetable compartment movable rail, 254b...Vegetable compartment movable rail, 510...Light-emitting element, 520...Light-receiving element

Claims

1. An insulated box with an open front, A light sensor positioned near the opening of the aforementioned heat-insulating box, A retractable door, which can move toward and away from the edge of the aforementioned opening and has rails arranged therein, It comprises a detection unit that moves together with the aforementioned pull-out door, The refrigerator is characterized in that the optical sensor detects the detection unit when the pull-out door is fully open.

2. In the refrigerator according to claim 1, A container positioned behind the aforementioned pull-out door and moving together with the pull-out door, A camera unit for photographing the food contained in the aforementioned container, The camera unit comprises a control unit, The refrigerator is characterized in that the control unit operates the camera unit to photograph the food contained in the container when the pull-out door is fully open.

3. An insulated box with an open front, A light sensor positioned near the opening of the aforementioned heat-insulating box, A retractable door, which can move toward and away from the edge of the aforementioned opening and has rails arranged therein, It comprises a detection unit that moves together with the aforementioned pull-out door, The light sensor comprises a light-emitting unit that emits light, and a light-receiving unit that is positioned with a gap between itself and the light-emitting unit and receives light from the light-emitting unit. A refrigerator characterized in that it detects the open / closed state of the pull-out door by moving the detection unit through the gap of the light sensor and collecting or blocking light from the light-emitting unit to the light-receiving unit.

4. In the refrigerator according to claim 3, A container is provided that is located behind the aforementioned pull-out door and moves together with the pull-out door, The aforementioned light sensor is positioned below the vicinity of the aperture. A refrigerator characterized in that the detection unit is provided on the bottom surface of the container.

5. In the refrigerator according to claim 4, The aforementioned light sensors are provided in two positions, on the left and right sides of the heat-insulating box. The refrigerator is characterized in that the detection unit is provided in two positions on the bottom surface of the container in the left-right direction, and the two detection units are positioned with a staggered position in the front-back direction.

6. In the refrigerator according to claim 5, The two detection units each move through the gap between the two optical sensors, When the pull-out door is fully closed, one of the two detection units is positioned in the gap between the two light sensors, blocking the light from the light-emitting unit to the light-receiving unit. A refrigerator characterized in that, when the pull-out door is fully open, the other of the two detection units is positioned in the gap of the other light sensor, thereby blocking light from the light-emitting unit to the light-receiving unit.

7. In the refrigerator according to claim 3, The left and right side walls on the inside of the aforementioned insulated box are equipped with fixed rails extending in the front-to-back direction. On the left and right sides of the rear of the aforementioned pull-out door, there are movable rails that extend toward the rear and are guided by the aforementioned fixed rails and are movable. The light sensor is positioned on the fixed rail such that the gap of the light sensor faces inward. The refrigerator is characterized in that the detection unit is arranged on a movable rail.

8. In the refrigerator according to claim 3, A container is provided that is located behind the aforementioned pull-out door and moves together with the pull-out door, The light sensor is positioned on the left and right side walls inside the heat-insulating box, such that the gap of the light sensor faces inward. A refrigerator characterized in that the detection unit is provided on the left and right sides of the container.

9. In the refrigerator according to claim 8, When the pull-out door is fully closed, both the detection unit and the other detection unit are positioned in the gap of the light sensor, blocking the light from the light-emitting unit to the light-receiving unit. A refrigerator characterized in that, when the pull-out door is fully open, the light-receiving parts of both the one light sensor and the other light sensor receive light from the light-emitting part.

10. In the refrigerator according to claim 3, A container is provided that is located behind the aforementioned pull-out door and moves together with the pull-out door, The rear of the container is provided with an inclined section that slopes downward from rear to front, The aforementioned light sensors are located below the vicinity of the opening and are provided in two positions in the left-right direction of the heat-insulating box. The refrigerator is characterized in that the detection unit is provided in two positions on the bottom surface of the container, and the two detection units are positioned with a left-right offset from each other.

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