Refrigerators and refrigeration systems

Abstract

The present invention provides a refrigerator and refrigerator system that allow a device to be wirelessly installed on the top surface of the refrigerator. [Solution] The insulated box body 10 has an opening at the front and is equipped with a vacuum insulation material 44 between an inner box 12 and a metal outer box 11, a magnetically permeable lid 41 is placed on the upper surface of the insulated box body 10, and a power transmission coil 40 is placed between the lid 41 and the vacuum insulation material 44 and is capable of transmitting power to a power receiving unit placed above the lid 41. The lid 41 is configured to be more convex than the upper surface 11a of the outer box 11.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a refrigerator system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a refrigerator provided with a wireless power supply device for supplying power to a photographing device provided on a shelf.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1 has not considered wireless power supply to a device installed on the top surface of the refrigerator at all.

[0005] The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a refrigerator and a refrigerator system capable of installing a device wirelessly on the top surface of the refrigerator.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The refrigerator of the present invention has a heat-insulating box body that is open at the front and includes a heat-insulating material between an inner box and a metal outer box, a magnetic lid disposed on the upper surface of the heat-insulating box body, and a power transmission side coil that is disposed between the lid and the heat-insulating material and can transmit power to a power reception unit disposed above the lid.

[0007] Furthermore, the refrigerator system of the present invention comprises a magnetically permeable lid placed on the upper surface of an insulated box, a power receiving unit equipped with a power receiving coil placed on the upper side of the lid, and a power transmitting coil capable of supplying power to the power receiving unit. The power receiving unit has a power supply efficiency detection unit that distinguishes and detects at least the magnitude of the power supply amount when power is supplied from the power transmitting coil, and outputs a power supply abnormality signal when the power supply efficiency detection unit detects that the power supply amount is small. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a refrigerator and a refrigerator system that allows a device to be wirelessly installed on the top surface of the refrigerator. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a front view of the refrigerator according to this embodiment with the refrigerator compartment door open. [Figure 2] This is a top view of the refrigerator according to this embodiment with the refrigerator door open. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the camera unit of the refrigerator according to this embodiment, viewed from below. [Figure 4] This schematic diagram shows the positional relationship between the wireless power transmission unit and the wireless power reception unit of the refrigerator camera unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the wireless power transmission unit side of the refrigerator according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the lid. [Figure 7] This is a system configuration diagram of the refrigerator according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a sequence diagram showing the relationship between the wireless power transmission unit and the wireless power reception unit of the refrigerator according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the operation during connection. [Figure 10] A flowchart showing the operation during execution. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows the operation when a slave-side anomaly is detected. [Figure 12] This graph shows the abnormal voltage range for a specific voltage (a diagram illustrating the specific voltage range). [Figure 13] This flowchart shows the operation during abnormal situations. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Figure 1 is a front view of the refrigerator with both the left and right refrigerator compartment doors open. As shown in Figure 1, the refrigerator 100 (home appliance) is a device for storing food and other items at low temperatures. It has an opening at the front (front side in the illustration) and is equipped with an insulated box body 10 in which an insulating material such as vacuum insulation material or foamed urethane (not shown) is filled between a resin inner box 12 and a steel plate outer box 11. The insulated box body 10 is fitted with a rotating refrigerator door 211, 212 for opening and closing the upper refrigerator compartment 21, a pull-out freezer door 221, 231, 241 for opening and closing the ice-making compartment 22 located below the refrigerator compartment 21, the upper freezer compartment 23, and the lower freezer compartment 24, and a pull-out vegetable compartment door 251 for opening and closing the vegetable compartment 25 located at the bottom.

[0011] Refrigerator 100, although not shown in the diagram, is equipped with a compressor, a heat sink (condenser), a capillary tube (throttling mechanism), and a cooler (evaporator). The refrigerant circulates sequentially through the compressor, heat sink, capillary tube, and cooler, and the air in the storage compartment is cooled by heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the cooler and the surrounding areas.

[0012] The refrigerator compartment 21 is equipped with multiple shelves 213 that divide the compartment into predetermined sections. The left refrigerator compartment door 211 is equipped with multiple door pockets 211c for storing food and other items (the same applies to the right refrigerator compartment door 212). When the left and right refrigerator compartment doors 211 and 212 are opened, the food and other items in the refrigerator compartment 21 and door pockets 211c and 212c are positioned to be viewed from above by the lens of the camera unit 3. Although not shown in the diagram, when manually photographing the refrigerator compartment 21 and other items using the camera unit 3, a shutter button is provided on each of the left and right refrigerator compartment doors 211 and 212 for the user to press.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a top view of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment with the refrigerator door of the refrigerator compartment opened. As shown in FIG. 2, a camera unit 3 is provided on the upper surface (top surface) 11a of the heat insulation box body 10. The camera unit 3 is configured to image at least the refrigerator compartment 21 (storage compartment), and is provided outside the heat insulation box body 10. Note that the imaging range of the camera unit 3 may be the ice making compartment 22, the upper freezer compartment 23, the lower freezer compartment 24, and the vegetable compartment 25.

[0014] The camera unit 3 includes a main body portion 31 provided with a lens 31a, and a base portion 32 that supports the main body portion 31 and is attached to the upper surface 11a of the heat insulation box body 10. The main body portion 31 is configured to extend long in the front-rear direction. The base portion 32 is formed in a square box shape. Although not shown, the camera unit 3 may have a built-in battery for driving the camera unit 3.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the camera unit when viewed from diagonally below. As shown in FIG. 3, the main body portion 31 of the camera unit 3 includes, in addition to the above-described lens 31a, a case 31b1 and a cover 31b2. A circular hole (not shown) is provided on the lower surface near the front end of the case 31b1, and the lens 31a is exposed through this hole.

[0016] The base portion 32 is formed in a square flat box shape by combining a case 32a and a cover 32b. A square recess 32c is formed on the lower surface of the case 32a. A power receiving unit 33 is provided inside the case 32a at a position overlapping the recess 32c. The power receiving unit 33 includes a power receiving coil 33a (power receiving side coil).

[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the positional relationship between the wireless power transmission unit and the wireless power receiving unit of the camera unit of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment. The refrigerator 100 equipped with a camera unit 3 connects the insulated box 10 and the camera unit 3 using PLC (Power Line Communication). This is a technology that uses power lines as communication cables by superimposing and transmitting high-frequency communication signals on power lines that supply electrical energy. In conventional refrigerators equipped with camera units, the camera unit 3 and the insulated box 10 were connected by wires to transmit information from the refrigerator 100 and power to the camera unit 3. In this embodiment, the wires are eliminated, and contactless charging using coils and information communication are performed.

[0018] As schematically shown in Figure 4, a receiving coil 33a, which is a wireless power receiving unit, is provided within the base portion 32. Furthermore, a transmitting coil 40 (transmitting coil), which is a wireless power transmitting unit, is provided in the insulated box 10, which is the refrigerator body. The transmitting coil 40 is positioned so as to overlap the receiving coil 33a in the vertical direction. The transmitting coil 40 is also larger in the planar direction than the receiving coil 33a.

[0019] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the wireless power transmission unit side of the refrigerator according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the outer casing 11 has a hole 11b (opening) that penetrates vertically. A lid 41 is provided to cover this hole 11b. This lid 41 is made of a magnetically permeable resin or glass. The lid 41 is shaped to protrude upward from the hole 11b. This protruding shape is designed to fit with the recess 32c of the camera unit 3 when the camera unit 3 is attached to the insulated casing 10. This makes it easy to position the camera unit 3 between the camera unit 3 and the insulated casing 10.

[0020] In this embodiment, the configuration in which the lid 41 protrudes from the upper surface 11a of the outer box 11 was described as an example, but the lid 41 may also be configured to be concave relative to the upper surface 11a of the outer box 11. In that case, the camera unit 3 is provided with a convex shape, and the concave shape of the lid 41 and the convex shape of the camera unit 3 fit together, making it easier to position the camera unit 3 between the camera unit 3 and the heat-insulating box 10.

[0021] A power transmission coil 40 is fixed to the underside of the lid 41. Thus, the power transmission coil 40 is located on the lid 41 side, not the inner box side. The power transmission coil 40 is also connected to a control unit 8 (see Figure 2) located in the insulated box 10. A case 42 is provided in the area including the area below the power transmission coil 40, facing the power transmission coil 40. A recess 42a, which is recessed downwards, is formed on the bottom surface of this case 42. The power transmission coil 40 is positioned at a distance from the case 42. By positioning the power transmission coil 40 at a distance from the case 42 in this way, even if water enters the case 42, the water will accumulate in the recess 42a, preventing it from coming into contact with the power transmission coil 40.

[0022] Furthermore, the case 42 is made of metal, which has excellent thermal conductivity. The edge of the case 42 extends until it contacts the bottom surface of the outer casing 11. In this way, by bringing the metal case 42 into contact with the outer casing 11, the heat generated from the power transmission coil 40 can be released to the outside of the outer casing 11.

[0023] The case 42 is not limited to a metal case, but may be made of a flame-retardant resin. In that case, a metal plate may be placed between the case 42 and the power transmission coil 40, so that the metal plate is in contact with the outer casing 11.

[0024] Furthermore, an electromagnetic wave absorbing sheet 43 is provided on the bottom surface of the case 42. This reduces noise caused by electromagnetic waves generated from the power transmission coil 40.

[0025] Furthermore, a vacuum insulation material 44 is provided so as to be in contact with the bottom (inside) surface of the case 42. The inner box 12 of the insulated box body 10 is located on the bottom surface of the vacuum insulation material 44. In other words, no foamed insulation material, which is filled in the field by foaming, is placed between the bottom (bottom) surface of the case 42 and the inner box 12 of the insulated box body 10. However, if the case 42 is made of metal, foamed insulation material, which is filled in the field by foaming, may be placed between the case 42 and the inner box 12.

[0026] Furthermore, an insulating material 45, such as foamed polyurethane foam, is placed between the outer box 11 and the vacuum insulating material 44. The vacuum insulating material 44 may also be arranged to surround the case 42 (power transmission coil 40).

[0027] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified version of the lid from Figure 5. In Figure 6, the diagrams indicated by the dashed lines show the lid 41 attached to the outer box 11. As shown in Figure 6, the lid 41 has an edge portion 41b that is larger than the hole 11b of the outer box 11. A power transmission coil 40 is provided on the lower surface of the lid 41. A support portion 41c is formed on the edge portion 41b, extending downward in a cylindrical shape. A flange portion 41d is formed on one side of the support portion 41c, extending outward parallel to the edge portion 41b. A locking portion 41e is formed on the other side of the support portion 41c, opposite the flange portion 41d, and protruding outward.

[0028] When attaching the lid 41 formed in this manner to the insulated box body 10, first, with the lid 41 tilted, insert the lid 41 so that the edge 11c of the outer box 11 is inserted into the gap formed between the edge 41b and the flange 41d of the lid 41. Then, insert the lid 41 so that it is horizontal so that the locking portion 41e is inserted into the hole 11b. Just before the lid 41 becomes horizontal, the locking portion 41e hits the edge 11c of the hole 11b, causing the locking portion 41e to bend and deform. By inserting the lid 41 further, the locking portion 41e overcomes the edge 11c, the locking portion 41e and the edge 11c engage, and the lid 41 is attached to the insulated box body 10. In this case, the upper surface of the lid 41 is more convex than the upper surface 11a of the outer box 11. Also, the edge of the case 42 is formed extending toward the outer box 11 and has a contact portion 42b that abuts against the lower surface of the outer box 11.

[0029] Figure 7 is a system configuration diagram of a refrigerator. As shown in Figure 7, the refrigerator 100 includes a camera unit 3, an open / close detection unit 6, an operation unit 7, a control unit 8, and a wireless power supply / communication unit 9 (short-range communication unit).

[0030] The camera unit 3 includes, in addition to the imaging unit 31c which contains the lens 31a and image sensor, a light-emitting unit 31d, a sound-emitting unit 31e, a camera / wireless communication control unit 31f, a wireless LAN unit 31g, and a power supply efficiency detection unit 5.

[0031] An image sensor is an element that converts light incident through the lens 31a into photoelectric data to generate captured image data. Examples of such image sensors include CCD sensors (Charge Coupled Devices) and CMOS sensors (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductors).

[0032] The light-emitting unit 31d illuminates the refrigerator compartment 21 (see Figure 1) with light and is composed of a light source such as an LED. The sound-emitting unit 31e emits a predetermined sound when the camera unit 3 is taking pictures, etc.

[0033] The camera / wireless communication control unit 31f is an integrated circuit designed to integrate the functions of a microcontroller and other applied functions onto a single chip and to function in coordination. The camera / wireless communication control unit 31f communicates with the control unit 8 as prescribed and outputs a shooting command to the image sensor. As a result, captured image data is input from the image sensor to the camera / wireless communication control unit 31f.

[0034] The wireless LAN unit 31g is a device that transmits and receives data with the server 53. The wireless LAN unit 31g is equipped with a wireless LAN module including an antenna (not shown). The wireless LAN module transmits the captured image data output from the camera / wireless communication control unit 31f to the router 51. Thus, the refrigerator 100 (home appliance) has a communication function and a shooting function (a predetermined related function) that uses the communication function.

[0035] The power supply efficiency detection unit 5 is a device that determines whether power is being supplied at a predetermined power supply efficiency. This power supply efficiency detection unit 5 is located on the camera unit 3 side. It includes a wireless power receiving / communication unit 5a (short-range communication unit) and a voltage detection / control unit 5b. The wireless power receiving / communication unit 5a includes a power receiving coil 33a. The wireless power receiving / communication unit 5a is also connected to the voltage detection / control unit 5b and monitors the voltage during power supply. The voltage detection / control unit 5b detects the voltage during power supply and sends it to the wireless power receiving / communication unit 5a.

[0036] Router 51 is a communication relay device that transmits captured image data received from the wireless LAN module to server 53 via network 52. Server 53 performs predetermined processing on the captured image data and stores it in association with the identification information of refrigerator 100. Also, when server 53 receives a request signal for an image of the inside of refrigerator 100 from a user's mobile terminal 54 (terminal, reception unit) that has been paired with a control panel (not shown), it transmits the captured image data to the mobile terminal 54. Such a mobile terminal 54 can be a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet, wearable device, etc. The control panel is installed, for example, on the inner wall of the refrigerator compartment 21.

[0037] The open / close detection unit 6 outputs a predetermined signal to the control unit 8 indicating the open / closed state of the refrigerator doors 211 and 212 (see Figure 1).

[0038] The control unit 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 the ROM, loads it into the RAM, and the CPU executes various processes.

[0039] The wireless power supply / communication unit 9 includes a power transmission coil 40. The wireless power supply / communication unit 9 also wirelessly supplies power to the wireless power receiving / communication unit 5a and transmits data (signals). The wireless power receiving / communication unit 5a also transmits data (signals) to the wireless power supply / communication unit 9.

[0040] Figure 8 is a sequence diagram between the wireless power transmission unit and the wireless power reception unit of the refrigerator according to this embodiment. In Figure 8, the sequences for connection, operation, and abnormality are enclosed by dashed lines. The left side is the control panel (or terminal) side, the center is the master side control board (control unit 8) and wireless power supply unit (wireless power supply / communication unit 9), and the right side is the slave side camera unit 3.

[0041] As shown in Figure 8, connection refers to the process of placing the camera unit 3 on top of the outer casing 11 and performing the necessary operations to initiate the connection. First, an operation is performed from the control panel (or terminal) to send a connection request (information) as a communication preparation instruction to the control unit 8, which will act as the master, and the wireless power supply unit. This initiates the master to supply power to the camera unit 3, which will act as the slave. Simultaneously, the slave begins transmitting a signal to the master. In response, the slave sends a response signal to the master. The master receives the response signal from the slave.

[0042] During operation (when taking a picture), when the master receives an image from the camera unit 3 as an acquisition trigger, it starts power supply to the slave and initiates communication for image acquisition. The trigger is, for example, the opening of the refrigerator doors 211 and 212, which is detected by the open / close detection unit 6. The slave sends a response signal to the master, and the master receives that response signal.

[0043] Subsequently, the slave begins monitoring the voltage. If the power supply voltage drops, the slave notifies the master of the voltage drop as a power supply request. The master, upon receiving the power supply request, begins controlling the power supply to the slave.

[0044] If the master unit does not receive a response signal from the slave unit, it will determine that the master unit is malfunctioning and will notify the control panel or terminal of the power supply malfunction.

[0045] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the operation during connection. As shown in Figure 9, in step S11, the control unit 8 determines whether a preparation instruction has been given to the wireless power supply unit (wireless power supply / communication unit 9) based on the operation of the control unit 7 (the control panel of the refrigerator 100 or the application on the mobile terminal 54). For example, a weight sensor that detects the weight on the wireless power supply unit can be used as a trigger. If the wireless power supply unit has not been instructed to prepare (S11, No), the control unit 8 repeats the process of step S11, and if it has been instructed to prepare (S11, Yes), it proceeds to the process of step S12.

[0046] In step S12, the control unit 8 starts transmitting power from the wireless power supply / communication unit 9 (wireless power supply unit). This starts supplying power from the wireless power supply / communication unit 9 (master side) to the wireless power receiving / communication unit 5a (slave side) and also starts communication.

[0047] In step S13, the control unit 8 determines whether or not it has received a response signal from the wireless power receiving / communication unit 5a. If it has not received a signal (No), it repeats the process in step S13. If it has received a signal (Yes), it completes the preparation of the camera unit 3. After the preparation of the camera unit 3 is complete, it is put into standby mode. Although not shown in the diagram, if no response signal is received after a predetermined time has elapsed (S13, No), it is determined to be an abnormality.

[0048] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the operation during the process. As shown in Figure 10, in step S21, when the opening / closing detection unit 6 detects that the door has opened, the control unit 8 requests the camera unit 3 to take a picture.

[0049] In step S22, the control unit 8 starts transmitting power (power supply + signal transmission) from the wireless power supply / communication unit 9 (wireless power supply unit) to the wireless power receiving / communication unit 5a of the camera unit 3.

[0050] In step S23, the control unit 8 determines whether or not it has received a response signal from the camera unit 3. If it has not received a signal (No), it repeats the process in step S23. If it has received a signal (Yes), it proceeds to the process in step S24. Although not shown in the diagram, if no response signal is received after a predetermined time has elapsed (S23, No), it is determined to be an abnormality.

[0051] In step S24, the control unit 8 determines whether the door has been closed by the open / close detection unit 6. If the door is not closed (No), the process in step S24 is repeated. If the door is closed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S25.

[0052] In step S25, the control unit 8 requests the camera unit 3 to stop the power supply.

[0053] In step S26, the control unit 8 determines whether or not it has received a response signal from the camera unit 3. If it has not received a signal (No), it repeats the process in step S26. If it has received a signal (Yes), it completes the shooting. Although not shown in the diagram, if no response signal is received after a predetermined time has elapsed (S26, No), it determines that there is an abnormality.

[0054] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the operation when a slave-side anomaly is detected. Figure 12 is a graph showing the abnormal range of a specific voltage (a conceptual diagram of a specific voltage). As shown in Figure 11, in step S31, the voltage detection / control unit 5b monitors the control voltage of the camera unit 3.

[0055] In step S32, the voltage detection / control unit 5b determines whether the voltage is less than the specified voltage 3. If the voltage is 3 or greater (S32, No), the process proceeds to step S33; if the voltage is less than 3 (S32, Yes), the process proceeds to step S34. Note that in Figure 12, the specified voltage 3 is written as "voltage 3". The same notation is used for specified voltage 2 and specified voltage 1, omitting the word "specified".

[0056] In step S33, the control unit 8, which is the master unit, transmits a message via the wireless power supply / communication unit 9 indicating that the voltage is abnormal (the voltage is too high).

[0057] In step S34, the voltage detection / control unit 5b determines whether the voltage is less than or equal to specific voltage 1. Specific voltage 1 is set to a value lower than specific voltage 3, as shown in Figure 12. If the voltage is greater than specific voltage 1 (S34, No), the process in step S34 is repeated; if the voltage is less than or equal to specific voltage 1 (S34, Yes), the process proceeds to step S35.

[0058] In step S35, the voltage detection / control unit 5b requests power supply from the control unit 8 via the wireless power receiving / communication unit 5a.

[0059] In step S36, the control unit 8 determines whether power supply from the wireless power supply / communication unit 9 to the wireless power receiving / communication unit 5a has started. If power supply has not started (S36, No), the process in step S36 is repeated. If power supply has started (S36, Yes), the process proceeds to step S37.

[0060] In step S37, the voltage detection / control unit 5b transmits a power supply start signal to the control unit 8 via the wireless power supply / communication unit 9.

[0061] In step S38, the voltage detection / control unit 5b determines whether the voltage is between specific voltage 2 and specific voltage 3. If it determines that the voltage is between specific voltage 2 and 3 (S38, Yes), it determines that power has been supplied to a normal voltage and outputs a signal to the control unit 8 via the wireless power supply / communication unit 9 requesting that power supply be stopped.

[0062] Furthermore, if it is determined that the voltage is not between specific voltages 2 and 3 (S38, No), the process proceeds to step S39. In step S39, it is determined whether or not the power supply efficiency detection unit 5 has detected an abnormality in the power supply rate. The power supply rate is calculated from the relationship between time and voltage value. For example, it decreases if water adheres to it. If no abnormality in the power supply rate has been detected (S39, No), the process returns to step S38. If an abnormality in the power supply rate has been detected (S39, Yes), the power supply abnormality is transmitted to the control unit 8 via the wireless power supply / communication unit 9.

[0063] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the operation during an abnormal situation. As shown in Figure 13, in step S41, when the control unit 8 detects that a power supply request has been made from the voltage detection / control unit 5b to the wireless power supply / communication unit 9 via the wireless power reception / communication unit 5a, it proceeds to the process in step S42.

[0064] In step S42, the wireless power supply / communication unit 9 starts power supply control via the wireless power receiving / communication unit 5a of the camera unit 3.

[0065] In step S43, the control unit 8 determines whether or not it has received a response signal from the camera unit 3. If it has not received a signal (No), it repeats the process in step S43. If it has received a signal (Yes), it proceeds to the process in step S44. Although not shown in the diagram, if no response signal is received after a predetermined time has elapsed (S43, No), it is determined to be an abnormality.

[0066] In step S44, the control unit 8 determines whether or not it has received a power supply stop request from the camera unit 3. If it has not received a power supply stop request (S44, No), it repeats the process in step S44. If it has received a power supply stop request (S44, Yes), it stops supplying power to the camera unit 3.

[0067] As described above, the refrigerator 100 of this embodiment has an insulated box body 10 with an open front and an insulating material 45 between an inner box 12 and a metal outer box 11, a permeable lid 41 disposed on the top surface of the insulated box body 10, and a power transmission coil 40 disposed between the lid 41 and the insulating material and capable of transmitting power to a power receiving unit 33 disposed above the lid 41. With this, a device (camera unit 3) can be wirelessly installed on the top surface of the refrigerator 100.

[0068] Furthermore, in the refrigerator 100, the lid 41 protrudes more than the upper surface 11a of the outer box 11 (see Figure 5). This prevents water from entering the case 42. Also, by forming a recess on the camera unit 3 side, it becomes easier to position the camera unit 3 on the upper surface of the outer box 11 by aligning the protrusion and recess.

[0069] Furthermore, in the refrigerator 100, the top surface 11a has a hole 11b that is covered by a lid 41, and a bottomed case 42 is positioned below the hole 11b. Between the lid 41 and the case 42, a power transmission coil 40 is positioned so as to be spaced away from the bottom of the case 42 (see Figure 5). This prevents the power transmission coil 40 from being submerged in water inside the case 42.

[0070] Furthermore, in the refrigerator 100, the bottom surface of the case 42 has a downward-sloping shape (recess 42a) (see Figure 5). This makes it possible to avoid as much as possible the power transmission coil 40 being submerged in water when water enters.

[0071] Furthermore, in the refrigerator 100, the case 42 is made of metal, and the metal has a portion that is in contact with the outer box 11. This makes it possible to promote heat dissipation from the power transmission coil 40.

[0072] Furthermore, in the refrigerator 100, no foamed insulation material filled using the on-site foaming method is placed between the bottom surface of the case 42 and the inner box 12 of the insulated box body 10 (see Figure 5). This makes it difficult for the foaming pressure of the urethane to be applied to the case 42, and prevents deformation of the outer box 11 (outer panel) due to being pressed by the case 42. However, if the case 42 is made of metal, it can withstand the foaming pressure, so foamed insulation material using the on-site foaming method may be placed between the case 42 and the inner box 12.

[0073] Furthermore, the refrigerator 100 includes a control panel or terminal (reception unit) that receives instructions from the user to perform a wireless connection preparation process, and a wireless power supply / communication unit 9 and a wireless power receiving / communication unit 5a (short-range communication unit) that transmit a response request signal toward the space above the lid 41 and receive a response signal from outside the lid 41. In response to instructions from the reception unit (control panel or terminal), the wireless power supply / communication unit 9 and the wireless power receiving / communication unit 5a (short-range communication unit) are activated and a power supply signal is generated, and in response to receiving a response signal while the wireless power supply / communication unit 9 and the wireless power receiving / communication unit 5a (short-range communication unit) are activated, the power supply signal is continued to the power transmission coil 40 (see Figure 9). This allows the camera unit 3 to be connected to the outer casing 11.

[0074] The refrigerator system also includes a magnetically permeable lid 41 placed on the upper surface 11a of the insulated box 10, a power receiving unit 33 equipped with a power receiving coil 33a placed on the upper side of the lid 41, and a power transmitting coil 40 capable of supplying power to the power receiving unit 33. The power receiving unit 33 has a power supply efficiency detection unit 5 that can distinguish and detect at least the magnitude of the power supply amount when power is supplied from the power transmitting coil 40. In response to the power supply efficiency detection unit 5 detecting that the power supply amount is small (Yes in step S39 of Figure 11), it outputs a power supply abnormality signal (step S41 of Figure 11). This makes it easy to detect power supply abnormalities.

[0075] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Although Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the case where the lid 41 is convex to the upper surface 11a of the outer box 11, the lid 41 may also be concave to the upper surface 11a of the outer box 11 (i.e., convex or concave to the upper surface 11a). In this case, the camera unit 3 can be made convex to facilitate positioning of the camera unit 3 on the outer box 11 by fitting it into place.

[0076] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment was explained using the case 42 being made of metal as an example, a metal plate may be placed between the case 42 and the power transmission coil 40, and the metal plate may be in contact with the outer casing 11. Such a configuration can promote heat dissipation.

[0077] Furthermore, although Figure 4 illustrates an example where a power receiving coil 33a is provided inside the camera unit 3 and a power transmitting coil 40 is provided in the outer casing 11 facing the power receiving coil 33a, the power receiving coil 33a may also be provided outside the camera unit 3, and the power transmitting coil 40 may be provided in the outer casing 11 facing the power receiving coil 33a. This would facilitate heat dissipation from the power receiving coil 33a and the power transmitting coil 40. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 5 Power supply efficiency detection unit 5a Wireless power receiving / communication unit (short-range communication unit) 5b Voltage detection / control unit 9. Wireless power supply / communication unit (short-range communication unit) 10 Insulated box 11 Outer box 11a Top surface 11b hole (opening) 12 Inner box 32c recess 33 Power receiving unit 33a Receiving coil (receiving side coil) 40. Transmission coil (transmission side coil) 41 Lid 42 cases 42a recess

Claims

1. An insulated box body with an opening at the front and insulating material between the inner box and the metal outer box, A magnetically permeable lid is placed on the upper surface of the aforementioned heat-insulating box, A refrigerator having a power-transmitting coil disposed between the lid and the insulating material, and capable of supplying power to a power-receiving unit disposed above the lid.

2. In the refrigerator according to claim 1, The lid of the refrigerator is convex or concave compared to the top surface of the outer box.

3. In the refrigerator according to claim 1, The upper surface has an opening that is covered by the lid, A bottomed case is positioned below the aforementioned opening. A refrigerator in which the power transmission coil is positioned between the lid and the case, such that it is spaced apart from the bottom of the case.

4. In the refrigerator according to claim 3, The bottom of the aforementioned case is a refrigerator with a downward-sloping shape.

5. In the refrigerator according to claim 3, The case is made of metal, or has a metal placed between the case and the power transmission coil. The aforementioned metal is a refrigerator having a portion that is in contact with the outer casing.

6. In the refrigerator according to claim 3, A refrigerator in which no foamed insulation material, filled by an on-site foaming method, is placed between the bottom surface of the case and the inner box of the insulated box body.

7. In the refrigerator according to claim 1, A reception unit that receives instructions from the user to execute the wireless connection preparation process, The unit comprises a short-range communication unit that transmits a response request signal toward the space above the lid and receives a response signal from outside the lid, A refrigerator that operates the short-range communication unit and generates a power supply signal in response to instructions from the reception unit, and continues to supply a power supply signal to the power transmission coil in response to receiving the response signal while the short-range communication unit is operating.

8. It comprises a magnetically permeable lid positioned on the top surface of an insulated box, a power receiving unit equipped with a power receiving coil placed on top of the lid, and a power transmitting coil capable of supplying power to the power receiving unit, The power receiving unit has a power supply efficiency detection unit that detects at least the magnitude of the amount of power supplied when power is supplied from the power transmitting coil, A refrigerator system that outputs a power supply abnormality signal when the power supply efficiency detection unit detects that the power supply amount is low.

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