Storage

Abstract

To provide a storage which can supply electric power to a functional component included in a movable storage container while inhibiting limitation on its design.SOLUTION: A storage 10 includes: a housing 11 having an internal space 15; a lighting device 30 which is provided at the housing 11 and radiates light to the internal space 15; and a storage container 20 which has a solar battery 21, which generates electric power by the light, and a functional component 24, which is operated by the electric power, and is movably disposed in the internal space 15 and in which articles may be stored.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage container.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional storage container, for example, a refrigerator disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. This refrigerator includes a refrigerator main body and movable parts such as a shelf and a door that are movable with respect to the refrigerator main body. The refrigerator main body is provided with a power supply unit and a supply-side wireless power feeding device connected to the power supply unit by an electric wire. The movable parts are provided with a receiving / sending-side wireless power feeding device and functional parts such as a lighting device, a physical quantity sensor, and a photographing device connected to the receiving / sending-side wireless power feeding device by an electric wire.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the refrigerator of Patent Document 1, power is supplied from the power supply unit to the supply-side wireless power feeding device via an electric wire in the refrigerator main body. Then, it is supplied from the supply-side wireless power feeding device of the refrigerator main body to the receiving / sending-side wireless power feeding device of the movable parts by wireless power feeding, and further, it is supplied from the receiving / sending-side wireless power feeding device to the functional parts via an electric wire in the movable parts. Thus, in the power feeding from the power supply unit to the functional parts, it is necessary to accurately align the positions of the supply-side wireless power feeding device and the receiving / sending-side wireless power feeding device, which becomes a constraint on the design of the refrigerator.

[0005] The present invention solves the above conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a storage container that can suppress the design from being restricted and can supply power to functional parts provided in a movable storage container.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A storage unit according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a housing having an internal space, a lighting device provided in the housing for irradiating the internal space with light, a solar cell for generating electricity using the light, and a functional component that operates using the electricity, and a storage container that is movable within the internal space and capable of storing articles. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a storage unit that can supply power to functional components provided in a movable storage container while suppressing design constraints. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a view of a storage unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, as seen from the front. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing the storage facility cut along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the storage facility. [Figure 4] This is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the storage facility according to Modification Example 1. [Figure 5] This is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the storage facility according to Modification 2. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the second light source and storage container in the storage facility according to Modification 3. [Figure 7] This figure shows a second light source and a storage container in a storage facility according to another example of Modification 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A storage facility according to the first embodiment comprises a housing having an internal space, a lighting device provided in the housing that irradiates the internal space with light, a solar cell that generates electricity using the light, and a functional component that operates using the electricity, and a storage container that is movable within the internal space and capable of storing articles.

[0010] According to this, for example, a solar cell is powered by the light from a lighting device used to improve the visibility of items in the internal space, and this power is used to operate functional components. Therefore, it is not necessary to precisely align the lighting device and the solar cell, and power can be supplied to functional components installed in a movable storage container while suppressing design constraints.

[0011] The storage facility according to the second embodiment is provided in the storage container with a storage battery that stores electricity from the solar cell and supplies power to the functional components.

[0012] According to this, for example, even if the lighting device cannot emit light due to a power outage or the like, and the solar panel cannot generate power, the backup function of the solar panel can be performed by supplying power to the functional components from the storage battery. Furthermore, even if the solar panel can generate power, if the driving power of the functional components is large, power can be supplied to the functional components from both the solar panel and the storage battery to ensure the operation of the functional components.

[0013] The storage unit according to the third embodiment includes, in the first or second embodiment, a wireless unit provided in the storage container that transmits the operation information of the functional components to a wireless unit outside the housing via wireless communication. With this configuration, by transmitting the operation information of the functional components via wireless communication, the user can receive and confirm the operation information via the wireless unit at any location outside the housing without the need for wired connections such as harnesses.

[0014] The storage according to the fourth embodiment includes, in the first or second embodiment, a first optical communication unit provided in the storage container for transmitting operational information of the functional components via optical communication, and a second optical communication unit provided outside the storage container in the internal space of the housing for receiving operational information of the functional components from the first optical communication unit via optical communication. This makes it possible to transmit operational information of functional components via optical communication without wired connections such as harnesses, and using a simple and inexpensive combination of light-emitting and receiving elements.

[0015] In the storage device according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, a light source is provided on a surface of the internal space that faces the solar cell. According to this, by irradiating light from the light source to the solar cell, it is possible to suppress a situation where light from the lighting device cannot reach the solar cell due to articles stored in the storage device and the like and power generation cannot be performed, and the solar cell can generate power.

[0016] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, in an embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator will be described as the storage device 10, but the storage device 10 is not limited to a refrigerator. For example, a warm storage device, a pantry storage device, or the like can be used as the storage device 10. In the example of FIG. 1, the storage device 10 includes a housing 11 having an internal space 15, a storage container 20 disposed in the internal space 15, and a solar cell 21.

[0017] The housing 11 has a main body 12 having an opening and a door 13 attached to the main body 12 so as to be able to open and close the opening. In the storage device 10, the side closer to the door 13 than the main body 12 is referred to as the front side, and the opposite side is referred to as the rear side. Also, directions orthogonal to this front-rear direction and orthogonal to each other are referred to as the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. However, the arrangement of the storage device 10 is not limited to these directions.

[0018] The main body 12 is, for example, in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having an internal space 15 and has an opening on the front side. The internal space 15 of the main body 12 communicates with the outside through the front-side opening 14. The main body 12 has an upper wall 12u, a lower wall 12d, a right wall 12r, a left wall 12l, and a rear wall 12b (FIG. 2), and these walls include heat-insulating materials such as a vacuum heat-insulating material and urethane foam and are in a rectangular flat plate shape. The upper wall 12u, the lower wall 12d, the right wall 12r, and the left wall 12l are connected to each other so as to form a cylindrical shape having a rectangular cross section orthogonal to the front-rear direction, and the opening on the front side thereof is provided as the front-side opening 14, and the opening on the rear side thereof is covered by the rear wall 12b.

[0019] The internal space 15 of the main body 12 is partitioned, for example, into five spaces by partition walls made of heat-insulating materials. The five spaces are, for example, rectangular parallelepiped in shape and include a refrigerator compartment 15a, an ice-making compartment 15b, a switching compartment 15c, a vegetable compartment 15d, and a freezer compartment 15e. In the vertical direction, the vegetable compartment 15d is arranged above the freezer compartment 15e, the ice-making compartment 15b and the switching compartment 15c are arranged above the vegetable compartment 15d, and the refrigerator compartment 15a is arranged above the ice-making compartment 15b and the switching compartment 15c.

[0020] Each space has a front opening, and the front opening is opened and closed by a door. When the front opening of each space is opened by the door, each space is opened to the outside through the front opening. When the front opening of each space is closed by the door, each space is sealed. A cooling device is arranged in the internal space 15 of the main body 12, and each space is cooled to a predetermined temperature.

[0021] The door 13 has a refrigerator compartment door 13a capable of opening and closing the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 15a, an ice-making compartment door 13b capable of opening and closing the front opening of the ice-making compartment 15b, a switching compartment door 13c capable of opening and closing the front opening of the switching compartment 15c, a vegetable compartment door 13d capable of opening and closing the front opening of the vegetable compartment 15d, and a freezer compartment door 13e capable of opening and closing the front opening of the freezer compartment 15e. These doors 13 contain heat-insulating materials and are in the shape of a rectangular flat plate. The ice-making compartment door 13b, the switching compartment door 13c, the vegetable compartment door 13d, and the freezer compartment door 13e are, for example, drawer-type doors.

[0022] The refrigerator compartment door 13a is, for example, a double-winged door and has a left door 13al and a right door 13ar. The left door 13al and the right door 13ar have the same shape and the same size as each other. The left door 13al and the right door 13ar are arranged side by side in the left-right direction so as to cover the front opening of the main body 12 in an openable and closable manner. The left door 13al is connected to the left wall 12l of the main body 12, and the right door 13ar is connected to the right wall 12r of the main body 12. Therefore, when the left door 13al and the right door 13ar cover the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 15a, the left door 13al and the right door 13ar contact each other at the center of the refrigerator compartment 15a in the left-right direction.

[0023] The refrigerator compartment 15a is located at the top of the enclosure 11 and is positioned vertically between the upper wall 12u and the partition wall 16. The partition wall 16 is a rectangular flat plate and is positioned parallel to the upper wall 12u, perpendicular to the vertical direction, between the refrigerator compartment 15a and the ice-making compartment 15b and the switching compartment 15c. The refrigerator compartment 15a is equipped with, for example, multiple (for example, three) shelves 17.

[0024] The shelf 17 has a rectangular, flat shape and is made of a transparent or translucent resin that allows light to pass through. The shelf 17 is movable and is arranged perpendicular to the vertical direction, dividing the refrigerator compartment 15a vertically. The shelf 17 is supported by grooves or projections provided on the left wall 12l and the right wall 12r, and is arranged to span between the left wall 12l and the right wall 12r in the left-right direction.

[0025] In the refrigerator compartment 15a, a pair of rails 18 are provided on the partition wall 16. The pair of rails 18 are spaced apart in the left-right direction. The rails 18 rise upward from the partition wall 16 and extend long in the front-back direction. A storage container 20 is placed between the pair of rails 18.

[0026] The storage container 20 is detachable from the main body 12 and is movable in the front-to-back direction along a pair of rails 18. In the left-to-right direction, the width of the storage container 20 is equal to the distance between the pair of rails 18, the left side of the storage container 20 is along the left rail 18, and the right side of the storage container 20 is along the right rail 18.

[0027] The pair of rails 18 are positioned to the left of the center in the left-right direction within the refrigerator compartment 15a. In the left-right direction, the width of the storage container 20 is less than or equal to the width of the left door 13al, and when the left door 13al is closed, the storage container 20 faces the left door 13al. Therefore, the user can move the storage container 20 along the rails 18 by opening the left door 13al while the right door 13ar is closed. Alternatively, the pair of rails 18 may be positioned to the right of the center in the left-right direction within the refrigerator compartment 15a. In this case, the user can move the storage container 20 along the rails 18 by opening the right door 13ar while the left door 13al is closed.

[0028] The storage container 20 is a container for storing articles and has an environment different from the temperature, humidity, and other environmental conditions of the refrigerator compartment 15a. For example, the storage container 20 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an internal space and a box shape with an opening on the top or front that can be opened and closed by a lid. When the opening of the storage container 20 is open with the lid, its internal space communicates with the refrigerator compartment 15a outside the storage container 20 through the opening. On the other hand, when the opening of the storage container 20 is covered with the lid, its internal space is sealed and has a storage environment that is different from the refrigerated environment of the refrigerator compartment 15a outside the storage container 20.

[0029] The storage container 20 has an upper plate 20u, a lower plate 20d, a front plate 20f, a rear plate 20b (Figure 2), a left plate 20l, a right plate 20r, and an internal space enclosed by these plates. When the top of the storage container 20 is open, the upper plate 20u functions as a lid. When the front of the storage container 20 is open, the front plate 20f functions as a lid. The storage container 20 is positioned in the lowest space between the partition wall 16 and the lowest shelf 17 in the vertical direction, and is lower than the height of the lowest space. Note that by removing the lowest shelf 17, the height of the lowest space between the partition wall 16 and the shelf 17 in the vertical direction increases, so the height of the storage container 20 may be increased.

[0030] A solar cell 21 is positioned on the front surface of the front panel 20f of the storage container 20. The solar cell 21 has, for example, a rectangular flat panel and is positioned perpendicular to the front-to-back direction so that its light-receiving surface faces forward. Preferably, the solar cell 21 is a dye-sensitized type or organic type, which has good power generation efficiency for white LED light, or an all-solid-state type which is expected to have a long lifespan. The solar cell 21 generates electricity from the light it receives. The solar cell 21 may be positioned on surfaces other than the front surface of the storage container 20. Furthermore, the solar cell 21 may be positioned on multiple surfaces of the storage container 20.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, in the main body 12, the depth of the shelf 17 in the front-to-back direction is smaller than the depth of the refrigerator compartment 15a, and the shelf 17 is positioned behind the front opening 14 such that its rear end contacts the rear wall 12b. Therefore, in the refrigerator compartment 15a, a front space 15a1 is provided between the front opening 14 and the refrigerator compartment door 13a and the shelf 17 in the front-to-back direction.

[0032] In the refrigerator compartment 15a, a stopper 19 is provided on the partition wall 16. The stopper 19 rises upward from the partition wall 16 and extends in the left-right direction. The stopper 19 is positioned between the front end of the rail 18 and the rear wall 12b in the front-rear direction, and between the pair of rails 18 in the left-right direction. A storage container 20 inserted rearward along the pair of rails 18 comes into contact with the stopper 19, and the storage container 20 is positioned in a predetermined location in the refrigerator compartment 15a. For example, if the storage container 20 comes into contact with the rear wall 12b and is positioned in a predetermined location, the rear wall 12b may function as the stopper 19.

[0033] Looking downwards, the front end of the storage container 20, positioned in a predetermined location, is at the same position as or further forward than the front end of the shelf 17. Therefore, the solar cell 21 of the storage container 20 is positioned further forward than the shelf 17 and is visible in the front space 15a1. The lighting device 30 is positioned in this front space 15a1.

[0034] The lighting device 30 is a device that illuminates items such as food in the refrigerator compartment 15a with light to improve the visibility of the items, and for example, has a first light source 31 which is a plurality of light sources that emit light. The first light source 31 uses a light-emitting element such as an LED that emits white light or the like. The plurality of first light sources 31 are provided on the right side of the left wall 12l that forms the refrigerator compartment 15a. For example, a recess is provided in the left wall 12l, and the first light sources 31 are arranged in the recess so as not to protrude from the left wall 12l.

[0035] Multiple first light sources 31 are arranged with spacing between them in the vertical direction. In the vertical direction, the lowest first light source 31 is positioned between the lowest shelf 17 and the partition wall 16, and is positioned so as to overlap with the solar cell 21 when viewed from the front. This lowest first light source 31 is positioned in front of and to the right of the solar cell 21. The lighting device 30 may also be provided on the inner surfaces surrounding the refrigerator compartment 15a in the multiple walls that form the refrigerator compartment 15a.

[0036] The first light source 31 is positioned so as to illuminate the items stored in the refrigerator compartment 15a. For example, a wide-oriented first light source 31 with an orientation angle of 180 degrees or more is positioned so that the optical axis, which is the central axis of the light beam emitted from the first light source 31, is perpendicular to the left wall 12l in the left-right direction. A narrow-oriented first light source 31 with an orientation angle of less than 180 degrees is positioned so that its optical axis is tilted backward with respect to the left-right direction. The first light source 31 may also be positioned so that its optical axis is tilted in at least one of the left-right and up-down directions so as to maximize the illuminance of the light illuminating the solar cell 21.

[0037] As a result, the lighting device 30 can illuminate items and solar cells 21 that are positioned behind the lighting device 30. The light from the lowest first light source 31 of the lighting device 30 is not obstructed by shelves 17 or the like, and illuminates the solar cells 21 that are positioned in a predetermined location. The solar cells 21 generate electricity by receiving light from the lighting device 30.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, the main body 12 includes a power supply unit 32 in addition to the lighting device 30, and the housing container 20 includes a storage battery 22, a power supply unit 23, and functional components 24 in addition to the solar cell 21. The power supply unit 32 is connected to an external power source 33, such as a commercial power supply, and the first light source 31 by wires 36. The power supply unit 32 is, for example, a converter that converts the voltage from the external power source 33 to the voltage of the lighting device 30 and supplies power to the lighting device 30. The first light source 31 of the lighting device 30 emits light using power from the external power source 33.

[0039] The main unit 12 is provided with an open / close sensor 34 for detecting the opening and closing of the refrigerator door 13a, and the power supply unit 32 may be provided with a circuit breaker 35 for switching the first light source 31 on and off based on the detection signal from the open / close sensor 34. In this case, the open / close sensor 34 may be, for example, a non-contact sensor provided on the main unit 12 that detects the magnetic force of the magnet attached to the refrigerator door 13a, or a contact sensor that detects the opening and closing of the door 13 by being pushed by the closing refrigerator door 13a.

[0040] When the circuit breaker 35 receives a closed signal from the open / close sensor 34 indicating that the refrigerator door 13a is closed, it cuts off the power supply from the external power source 33 to the first light source 31, turning off the first light source 31. On the other hand, when the circuit breaker 35 receives an open signal from the open / close sensor 34 indicating that the refrigerator door 13a is open, it supplies power to the first light source 31, turning on the first light source 31. As a result, the solar cell 21 generates power when light from the first light source 31 is incident on it.

[0041] Each of the storage battery 22 and the power supply unit 23 is connected to the solar cell 21 by a wire 36. For example, the storage battery 22 and the power supply unit 23 are placed inside a housing container 20, and the solar cell 21 is mounted on the outer surface, which is the front of the housing container 20. In this case, the wire 36 passes through holes in the housing container 20, and the holes around the wire 36 are sealed with a sealing material, thereby sealing the housing container 20. If at least one of the devices, the storage battery 22 or the power supply unit 23, is mounted on the outer surface of the housing container 20, the wire 36 connecting this device to the device inside the housing container 20 is sealed in the same way as above, with the holes around the wire 36 being sealed with a sealing material, thereby sealing the housing container 20.

[0042] The storage battery 22 can be, for example, a lead-acid battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, or a lithium-ion battery. The storage battery 22 is connected to the power supply unit 23 by a wire 36, charges with power from the solar cell 21, and supplies power to the power supply unit 23 as needed, such as when the solar cell 21 is not generating power and the functional components 24 are operating.

[0043] The power supply unit 23 is connected to the functional component 24 by a wire 36 and supplies power to the functional component 24 from at least one of the solar cell 21 and the storage battery 22. The power supply unit 23 is, for example, a converter that converts the voltage from the solar cell 21 to the voltage of the functional component 24, converts the DC current from the solar cell 21 to the AC current of the functional component 24, and converts the power format from the solar cell 21 to the power format of the functional component 24. Also, when powering the functional component 24 from the storage battery 22, it converts the power format from the storage battery 22 to the power format of the functional component 24, similar to the power from the solar cell 21. The power supply unit 23 then supplies the converted power to the functional component 24.

[0044] The functional component 24 is installed inside the storage container 20 and includes sensors and actuators to ensure that the storage container 20 has a storage environment different from the refrigerated environment. Examples of such sensors include sensors that detect the temperature, humidity, and gas concentration such as CO2 in the internal space 15, such as the refrigerator compartment 15a. When storing items such as food in the storage container 20, the storage environment may be detected based on the condition of the items. In this case, the sensors of the functional component 24 may include a non-contact temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the items, and a sensor that detects a predetermined odor concentration corresponding to the items.

[0045] Examples of actuators for the functional component 24 include a heater for raising the temperature of the storage environment, a fan for circulating the air in the storage environment, a humidifier for humidifying the storage environment, and a cooling device such as a Pelcher element for cooling the storage environment. Furthermore, if the storage container 20 is provided with through-holes, an opening / closing damper for opening and closing these through-holes, and a fan for supplying or discharging air through the through-holes may be used as actuators. Note that at least one of the one or more sensors and one or more actuators may be used as the functional component 24.

[0046] When using such a storage unit 10, the user first removes the storage container 20 from the main unit 12 and places the storage container 20 in a position where light from outside the storage unit 10 or sunlight enters the solar cell 21. As a result, the solar cell 21 in the storage container 20 receives light, generates electricity, and supplies power to the storage battery 22, which is then charged. If light enters the solar cell 21 for a predetermined time or longer, the storage battery 22 will be charged with power exceeding a predetermined amount. This allows the functional components 24 to operate using power from the storage battery 22, thus avoiding a situation where they cannot operate due to insufficient power.

[0047] When the battery 22 is charged, the user attaches the storage container 20 to the main unit 12. When the storage container 20 is moved backward along the pair of rails 18, it hits the stopper 19 and is positioned in a predetermined location on the main unit 12. When the refrigerator door 13a is open, the lighting device 30 turns on, and the light from the lighting device 30 is incident on the solar cell 21 of the storage container 20, which is positioned in the predetermined location, generating electricity.

[0048] When the generated power is equal to or greater than the predetermined drive power of the functional component 24, power equivalent to the drive power is supplied to the functional component 24 via the power supply unit 23, and the power obtained by subtracting the drive power from the generated power is charged to the storage battery 22. On the other hand, when the generated power is less than the drive power of the functional component 24, the generated power is supplied to the functional component 24, and the power obtained by subtracting the generated power from the drive power is supplied to the functional component 24 from the storage battery 22. The functional component 24 can operate by receiving this drive power.

[0049] For example, since the power required to drive the actuator is greater than the power required to drive the sensor, the power from the solar cell 21 and the power from the storage battery 22 can be used to operate the actuator's functional components 24. However, if the functional components 24 consist only of a sensor and do not include an actuator, and the functional components 24 are not driven when the lighting device 30 is turned off, the power generated by the solar cell 21 can supply the power required to drive the functional components 24, so the storage container 20 does not need to be equipped with a storage battery 22.

[0050] Furthermore, when the refrigerator door 13a is closed, the lighting device 30 is turned off and the solar cell 21 does not generate power. As a result, power is supplied from the storage battery 22 to the functional component 24, allowing the functional component 24 to operate. For example, the sensor of the functional component 24 detects the storage environment, such as temperature, humidity, and gas concentration inside the storage container 20, at predetermined time intervals and outputs the detection information to the actuator. The actuator of the functional component 24 operates based on the sensor's detection information to bring the storage environment to a predetermined state.

[0051] In this storage unit 10, electricity generated by a solar cell 21 that receives light from a lighting device 30 is supplied to the functional components 24. By using the lighting device 30, which is used to illuminate the inside of the storage unit 10, for power generation, it is possible to supply power to the functional components 24 installed in the movable storage container 20 without requiring high-precision alignment between the lighting device 30 and the solar cell 21, thereby suppressing design constraints. Furthermore, the generation of unwanted radiation and foreign matter heat generation, as seen in conventional coil-powered systems using electromagnetic induction, is reduced, and power can be supplied to the functional components 24 safely.

[0052] Furthermore, a storage battery 22 is provided in the storage container 20, and the power from the solar cell 21 is stored in the storage battery 22. As a result, even if the power supply to the main unit 12 is stopped due to a power outage or the like, and the lighting device 30 becomes unable to emit light, the storage environment of the storage container 20 can be maintained in a predetermined state by the power supply from the storage battery 22. Moreover, even if the storage container 20 is removed from the main unit 12, the storage environment of the storage container 20 can be maintained in a predetermined state by the power supply from the storage battery 22.

[0053] <Example 1> The storage unit 10 according to Modification 1, in addition to the configuration in the above embodiment, has a first wireless unit 40 located inside the housing 11 and a second wireless unit 41 located outside the housing 11, as shown in Figure 4.

[0054] The first wireless unit 40 is housed in a storage container 20 and is connected to a power supply unit 23 by a wire 36. It operates by receiving power from at least one of the solar cell 21 and the storage battery 22 via the power supply unit 23. The first wireless unit 40 is also connected to a functional component 24 by a wire 36, and receives operational information from the functional component 24. The first wireless unit 40 also has a first wireless circuit 40a, which is exemplified by an IC or the like, and a first antenna 40b. The first wireless circuit 40a transmits information to the second wireless unit 41 via wireless communication through the first antenna 40b.

[0055] The second wireless unit 41 is exemplified by a mobile terminal such as a user's smartphone or computer. The second wireless unit 41 has a second wireless circuit 41a, which is exemplified by an IC or the like, a second antenna 41b, and a first output device 41c such as a display for displaying information. The second wireless circuit 41a receives information from the first wireless unit 40 via wireless communication through the second antenna 41b and outputs the information to the first output device 41c.

[0056] When using such a storage unit 10, as in the above embodiment, the solar cell 21 generates electricity by receiving light from the lighting device 30, and the storage battery 22 is charged by the solar cell 21. The functional component 24 operates by receiving power from at least one of the solar cell 21 and the storage battery 22, and outputs its operation information to the first wireless unit 40.

[0057] The first wireless unit 40 sequentially receives operation information from the functional components 24 and transmits the operation information to the second wireless unit 41 each time it receives information or as needed. The second wireless unit 41 receives the operation information and outputs it to the first output device 41c. As a result, the user can check the storage environment and the operation information of the functional components 24 by the display of the second wireless unit 41.

[0058] Furthermore, by using a mobile terminal in the second wireless unit 41, the user can check the storage environment of the storage container 20 while away from home. In addition, by using a home monitoring PC in the second wireless unit 41, centralized management in combination with other home appliances besides the storage unit 10 becomes possible.

[0059] The second wireless unit 41 may also have a first input device 41d for inputting information, in addition to the second wireless circuit 41a, the second antenna 41b, and the first output device 41c. In this case, the user inputs the desired environment of the storage container 20 using the first input device 41d in the second wireless unit 41, and the input environment information is transmitted wirelessly to the first wireless unit 40 via the second antenna 41b by the second wireless circuit 41a. The first wireless unit 40 receives the environment information via the first antenna 40b using the first wireless circuit 40a and outputs it to the functional component 24. The functional component 24 operates so that the storage environment matches the environment from the first wireless unit 40. In this way, the user can set the storage environment.

[0060] <Modification 2> The storage unit 10 according to Modification 2, in addition to the configuration in the above embodiment, has a first optical communication unit 50 provided in the storage container 20 and a second optical communication unit 51 provided in the main body 12, as shown in Figure 5.

[0061] The first optical communication unit 50 is housed in the housing 20 and connected to the power supply unit 23 by a conductor 36. It operates by receiving power from at least one of the solar cell 21 and the storage battery 22 via the power supply unit 23. The first optical communication unit 50 is also connected to the functional component 24 by a conductor 36, and operational information is input from the functional component 24.

[0062] The first optical communication unit 50 is housed in a container 20 so as to be able to illuminate the second optical communication unit 51 with light from the first light-emitting element 50b, and includes a first optical communication circuit 50a, which is exemplified by an IC or the like, and a first light-emitting element 50b. The first optical communication circuit 50a controls the blinking of the first light-emitting element 50b to emit an optical signal corresponding to the information. The first light-emitting element 50b is exemplified by an LED that emits light such as infrared or visible light, and outputs an optical signal corresponding to the operation information by turning on and off.

[0063] The second optical communication unit 51 is located in the refrigerator compartment 15a outside the storage container 20, in a position where it can receive light from the first optical communication unit 50. The second optical communication unit 51 is connected to the power supply unit 32 and operates by being powered by an external power supply 33 via the power supply unit 32. The second optical communication unit 51 has a second optical communication circuit 51a, which is exemplified by an IC or the like, a second light-receiving element 51b, and a second output device 51c such as a display for displaying information. The second light-receiving element 51b receives an optical signal, and the second optical communication circuit 51a converts the optical signal into information and outputs it to the second output device 51c.

[0064] When the amount of information to be communicated is small, the optical communication by the first optical communication unit 50 and the second optical communication unit 51 can be performed using, for example, a simple ON / OFF communication using a pair of first light-emitting elements 50b and second light-receiving elements 51b. When the amount of information to be communicated is large, a digital method such as bit data communication, as used in infrared remote controls, can be used as the optical communication.

[0065] When using such a storage unit 10, the solar cell 21 generates electricity by receiving light from the lighting device 30, and the storage battery 22 is charged by the solar cell 21, similar to the embodiment described above. The functional component 24 operates by receiving power from at least one of the solar cell 21 and the storage battery 22, and outputs its operation information to the first optical communication unit 50.

[0066] The first optical communication unit 50 sequentially receives operation information from the functional components 24 and outputs an optical signal corresponding to the operation information to the second optical communication unit 51 each time it is received or as needed. The second optical communication unit 51 receives the optical signal, converts the optical signal into operation information, and displays it on the second output device 51c. For example, the second output device 51c is located on the outside of the refrigerator door 13a, and the user can check the storage environment and the operation information of the functional components 24 by looking at the display on the second output device 51c.

[0067] Furthermore, a first optical communication unit 50 is provided in the storage container 20, and a second optical communication unit 51 is provided in the main body 12. This allows the main body 12 to check the operation information of the functional components 24 using optical communication via a simple and inexpensive combination of light-emitting and light-receiving elements, without using complex wireless communication hardware and software such as WIFI and BLT.

[0068] The second optical communication unit 51 may further include a second light-emitting element 51d that emits light, and a second input device 51e that inputs information. In this case, the first optical communication unit 50 has a first light-receiving element 50c that receives light from the second light-emitting element 51d. Here, in the second optical communication unit 51, for example, the second input device 51e is attached to the outer surface of the refrigerator door 13a, and the user uses this second input device 51e to input the environment of the desired storage container 20. The input environment information is converted into an optical signal by the second optical communication circuit 51a, and this optical signal is output from the second light-emitting element 51d. In response, the first optical communication unit 50 receives the optical signal with the first light-receiving element 50c, converts the optical signal into environment information with the first optical communication circuit 50a, and outputs it to the functional component 24. The functional component 24 operates so that the storage environment matches the environment from the first optical communication unit 50. In this way, the user can set the storage environment.

[0069] <Variation 3> The storage unit 10 according to Modification 3 further includes a second light source 37, which is a light source positioned on the surface facing the solar cell 21 in the internal space 15, as shown in Figure 6, in the above embodiment and Modifications 1-2.

[0070] For example, the solar cell 21 is provided on the left side of the left plate 20l of the storage container 20, and when the storage container 20 is positioned in a predetermined location in the internal space 15, the second light source 37 is provided on the right side of the left wall 12l of the main body 12 opposite the solar cell 21. A recess 12l1 is provided on the right side of this left wall 12l, and the second light source 37 may be placed in this recess 12l1.

[0071] As a result, even if, for example, the lighting device 30 is installed on a surface other than the surface facing the solar cell 21 (for example, the left wall 12l), and light from the lighting device 30 has difficulty reaching the solar cell 21 due to items stored in the internal space 15, the solar cell 21 can still generate electricity by receiving light from the second light source 37 without requiring precise alignment between the solar cell 21 and the second light source 37.

[0072] Furthermore, the second light source 37 may be positioned to protrude from the left wall 12l. In this case, the distance between the second light source 37 and the solar cell 21 can be narrowed, allowing the solar cell 21 to generate power more efficiently. In addition, because the illumination range of the light from the second light source 37 is wide, the solar cell 21 can generate power without requiring precise alignment between the solar cell 21 and the second light source 37.

[0073] Furthermore, even if, for example, a lighting device 30 is provided on the surface opposite to the solar cell 21 (for example, the left wall 12l), the second light source 37 may be positioned closer to the solar cell 21 than the lighting device 30 when the storage container 20 is placed in a predetermined position in the internal space 15. Preferably, the second light source 37 is positioned opposite the solar cell 21 on the left wall 12l. In this case, the solar cell 21 and the second light source 37 are positioned so that they overlap and are close to each other when viewed from the left side. As a result, the irradiation of light from the second light source 37 to the solar cell 21 is not obstructed by items stored in the refrigerator compartment 15a, and the solar cell 21 can generate electricity efficiently with light from the second light source 37.

[0074] Furthermore, the second light source 37 may be controlled differently from the first light source 31 (Figure 2) of the lighting device 30. For example, the second light source 37 may have a lighting circuit such as an IC, and the amount of light it emits may be controlled by the lighting circuit according to the driving power of the functional component 24. In this case, the first light source 31 emits light at a constant amount, and the second light source 37 emits light at a smaller amount as the driving power of the functional component 24 decreases. This makes it possible to save energy in the second light source 37.

[0075] Furthermore, the arrangement of the solar cell 21 in the storage container 20 is not limited to the left plate 20l. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the solar cell 21 may be provided on the lower surface of the lower plate 20d of the storage container 20. In this case, the second light source 37 is positioned on the upper surface of the partition wall 16 facing the solar cell 21 of the storage container 20, which is positioned in a predetermined location. This allows the solar cell 21 to generate electricity by receiving light from the second light source 37 without requiring precise alignment between the solar cell 21 and the second light source 37.

[0076] Furthermore, a recess 16a may be provided on the upper surface of the partition wall 16, and the second light source 37 may be placed in this recess 16a. As a result, the second light source 37 does not protrude upward from the upper surface of the partition wall 16. Therefore, the storage container 20 placed on the recess 16a does not come into contact with the second light source 37, preventing damage to the second light source 37 while allowing the storage container 20 to be stably placed on the partition wall 16.

[0077] Furthermore, when the storage container 20 is placed in a predetermined position within the internal space 15, it is preferable that the second light source 37 be positioned on the partition wall 16 opposite the solar cell 21. As a result, the solar cell 21 and the second light source 37 are placed in close proximity to each other, so that the irradiation of light from the second light source 37 to the solar cell 21 is not obstructed, and the solar cell 21 can generate electricity efficiently using the light from the second light source 37.

[0078] <Other variations> In the above embodiments and modified examples 1 to 3, a voltage monitoring unit 26 may be provided in the storage battery 22, as shown in Figures 3 to 5. In this case, the voltage monitoring unit 26 includes a monitoring circuit 26a such as an IC, a voltage sensor 26b for detecting the voltage of the storage battery 22, and a notification unit 26c. Examples of the notification unit 26c include a screen for displaying information, a light-emitting element for emitting light, and a speaker for emitting sound. For example, when the storage battery 22 is being charged, the voltage monitoring unit 26 detects the voltage of the storage battery 22 using the voltage sensor 26b, and when the monitoring circuit 26a determines that the storage battery 22 has reached a power of a predetermined level or higher, for example, the maximum power that can be charged, based on this detected voltage, the notification unit 26c notifies the user that the storage battery 22 is being charged. As a result, when the storage battery 22 is being charged, the user can easily know that it is being charged.

[0079] In the above embodiments and modified examples 1 to 3, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, the voltage monitoring unit 26 may be provided in the storage battery 22 as a functional component 24. The voltage monitoring unit 26 includes a voltage sensor 26b that detects the voltage of the storage battery 22 and outputs power corresponding to the detected voltage of the storage battery 22 as operation information. For example, if the discharge of the storage battery 22 due to natural discharge and power supply to functional components 24 with large driving power exceeds the charge from the solar cell 21, its residual voltage may drop and its function may stop. In this case, the user can check the power of the storage battery 22 based on the operation information from the voltage monitoring unit 26 and decide whether or not to charge the storage battery 22.

[0080] Furthermore, the voltage monitoring unit 26 may also have a monitoring circuit 26a and a notification unit 26c in addition to the voltage sensor 26b. In this case, the voltage monitoring unit 26 detects the voltage of the storage battery 22 using the voltage sensor 26b, and when it determines that the power of the storage battery 22 has fallen below a predetermined power level based on this detected voltage, it notifies the user of the insufficient power of the storage battery 22 using the notification unit 26c. This prompts the user to charge the storage battery 22.

[0081] In the above embodiments and variations 1 to 3, if the driving power of the functional component 24 is small, the solar cell 21, the power supply unit 23, and the functional component 24 may be provided in the storage container 20 as a module that is integrated into one unit. This makes it possible to omit the conductors 36 that connect the solar cell 21, the power supply unit 23, and the functional component 24 to each other, and also allows for a larger storage space in the storage container 20. [Industrial applicability]

[0082] The storage device according to the present invention can be applied to a storage device that can supply power to functional components provided in a movable storage container while suppressing design constraints. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10: Storage 11: Cabinet 15: Interior space 20: Storage containers 21: Solar cells 22: Storage battery 24: Functional parts 37:Second light source 30: Lighting equipment 40: 1st Radio Section 41: 2nd Radio Section 50: First Optical Communications Department 51: Second Optical Communications Department

Claims

1. a housing having an internal space; an illumination device provided in the housing and configured to irradiate the internal space with light; A storage facility comprising: a storage container that has a solar cell that generates electricity from the light and functional components that operate using the electricity, is movably arranged in the internal space, and is capable of storing items.

2. The storage facility according to claim 1 , further comprising a storage battery provided in the storage container for storing power from the solar cell and supplying the power to the functional components.

3. 3. The storage facility according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless unit provided in the storage container for transmitting operational information of the functional components to a wireless unit outside the housing by wireless communication.

4. a first optical communication unit provided in the container and configured to transmit operational information of the functional component by optical communication; A storage facility as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a second optical communication unit provided outside the storage container in the internal space of the housing, which receives operation information of the functional component from the first optical communication unit via optical communication.

5. The storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a light source disposed on a surface of the interior space opposite the solar cell.

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