refrigerator
The refrigerator employs dual lighting systems with adjustable intensity and color temperature to mitigate eye irritation from interior lighting, enhancing user comfort during sleep or low-activity periods.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2021207528
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-12-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-12-21
AI Technical Summary
Conventional refrigerator interior lighting, particularly using LEDs, can cause eye irritation due to direct and intense light exposure.
A refrigerator design incorporating a first light for overall illumination and a second light directed towards the rear of the compartment, with a control unit to switch between modes, ensuring minimal direct light exposure by using lower intensity and warmer-colored lights during sleep or low-activity periods.
Reduces eye irritation by minimizing direct light exposure and adjusting light intensity and color temperature to reduce brightness impact on users, especially during sleep or low-activity times.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to refrigerator technology, and more particularly to lighting technology for the interior of a refrigerator compartment. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, refrigerator compartments have been provided with lights to illuminate the interior of the compartment. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-70000 (Patent Document 1) discloses a storage compartment. According to Patent Document 1, the refrigerator includes a plurality of storage compartments partitioned by insulated walls and insulated doors, an interior lighting device that illuminates the interior of the storage compartments, an external illuminance detection means that detects the illuminance outside the storage compartments, a door open / close detection means that detects the open / closed state of the insulated doors, and a control means that turns on the interior lighting device when the door open / close detection means detects that the insulated doors are open, and adjusts the light intensity of the interior lighting device according to the illuminance detected by the external illuminance detection means, thereby enabling the interior of the storage compartment to be illuminated with an optimal light intensity according to the brightness around the refrigerator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-70000 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] The configuration described in Patent Document 1 can illuminate the interior of the refrigerator with an optimal amount of light according to the brightness of the surroundings, but it is unavoidable that the light from the interior light source will directly enter the user's eyes. In particular, LEDs, which have been widely used in interior lights in recent years, have a small light source area, which can be dazzling when viewed directly. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to reduce the irritation to the user's eyes caused by the interior lighting. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising a first light for illuminating the entire interior of a refrigerator compartment, a second light that emits light toward the rear of the refrigerator compartment, and a control unit for switching between a first mode in which at least the first light is turned on and a second mode in which the first light is turned off and the second light is turned on. [Effects of the Invention]
[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress irritation to the user's eyes caused by lighting inside the fridge. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment with a refrigerator compartment door open. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerating compartment according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a refrigerating compartment according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a light according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the illumination range of light from a plurality of first lights according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 3A and 3B are side views showing the configuration of each of the first lights according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the illumination range of light from a plurality of second lights according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 4A to 4C are side views showing the configuration of each of the second lights according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 10] 4 is a table showing control rules relating to lighting according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 4 is a flowchart showing control relating to lighting according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12]FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a cold air duct cover according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a plan cross-sectional view of a cold air duct cover according to a third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a plan cross-sectional view of a cold air duct cover according to a third embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 shows output voltage control of the backlight during sleep mode according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerator according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 17] 13 is a table showing control rules for lighting according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 18] 13 is a table showing the network system 1 according to the seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of the components are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. [First embodiment]
[0009] First, the overall configuration of refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Hereinafter, the upper side in Figures 1 and 2 will be referred to as the upper side of refrigerator 100 and each component, the lower side in the drawings will be referred to as the lower side of refrigerator 100 and each component, the right side in the drawings will be referred to as the right side of refrigerator 100 and each component, the left side in the drawings will be referred to as the left side of refrigerator 100 and each component, the front side of the paper on the drawings will be referred to as the front or front direction of refrigerator 100 and each component, and the back side of the paper on the drawings will be referred to as the rear or back direction of refrigerator 100 and each component.
[0010] Refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment has refrigeration compartment 110 in the upper part, and freezer compartment 121 and vegetable compartment 122 in the lower part. Left and right double doors (not shown) are attached to the front of refrigeration compartment 110. Inside refrigeration compartment 110 according to this embodiment, chilled case 123 is arranged at the bottom so as to be slidable in the front-to-rear direction.
[0011] Refrigerating compartment 110 is made up of side surfaces 111L and 111R, a ceiling 111T, a bottom surface 111B, and the aforementioned door. Multiple shelves 113 are arranged in refrigerating compartment 110, and a duct cover 130 constituting a cold air duct is arranged on back surface 112 of refrigerating compartment 110. An operating unit 170 is provided on side surface 111R.
[0012] 2 and 3, a light 150 is provided on ceiling 111T of refrigerator compartment 110. In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, light 150 includes a plurality of lights of at least two types as one unit, i.e., in one case.
[0013] As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the multiple first lights 151, 151... are arranged in the left-right central portion of the light 150. The multiple first lights 151, 151... irradiate light downward, thereby brightening the interior of the refrigerator compartment 110 as a whole.
[0014] 7 and 8, the plurality of second lights 152, 152 are arranged on the left and right ends of the light 150. The plurality of second lights 152, 152 illuminate the rear and downward direction of the refrigerator compartment 110. The second lights 152 are preferably covered with a cover 1521 made of glass or resin that easily scatters light.
[0015] In this embodiment, the color temperature of the light emitted by the multiple second lights 152 is lower than the color temperature of the light emitted by the multiple first lights 151. In other words, the light emitted by the multiple second lights 152 is warm-colored, and the light emitted by the multiple first lights 151 is white or cool-colored. In other words, the average wavelength of the light emitted by the multiple second lights 152 is longer than the average wavelength of the light emitted by the multiple first lights 151.
[0016] In this embodiment, the light intensity of the multiple second lights 152, 152 is less than the light intensity of the multiple first lights 151, 151.... Note that the light intensity of each of the second lights 152 may be less than the light intensity of each of the first lights 151, 151..., or the total light intensity of the multiple second lights 152, 152 may be less than the total light intensity of the multiple first lights 151, 151....
[0017] In this manner, in the present embodiment, the plurality of first lights 151, 151 . . . and the plurality of second lights 152, 152 are housed in one interior light cover 155 provided on the ceiling of the refrigerator compartment 110.
[0018] In this embodiment, when the user opens the door of refrigerator compartment 110, first light 151 and second light 152 are normally turned on. However, after the user and his / her family go to bed, that is, during "sleep," when the user opens the door of refrigerator compartment 110, first light 151 does not turn on and only second light 152 turns on.
[0019] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment includes control unit 160, operation unit 170, door open / close sensor 165, communication interface 180, first light 151, and second light 152.
[0020] As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment is provided with a lights-out mode, a full-lights mode, and a sleep mode.
[0021] When the door is closed, the control unit 160 switches off both the first lights 151, 151... and the second lights 152, 152 as a light-off mode. When the door is open and the control unit 160 can determine that the user or family has gone to bed, that is, that the user is "sleeping" (condition (1)), the control unit 160 switches off the first lights 151, 151... and turns on only the second lights 152, 152 as a sleep mode. When the door is open and the control unit 160 cannot determine that the user is sleeping (not condition (1)), the control unit 160 switches on the full-light mode and turns on the first lights 151, 151... and the second lights 152, 152.
[0022] The determination of whether or not the device is in sleep mode may be performed by control unit 160, or instructions to start or end sleep mode may be received from a server on the cloud, etc. Also, the setting / cancellation of sleep mode (an example of conditions (2) and (3)) and the start and end times of sleep mode may be set by operating operation unit 170.
[0023] This reduces the irritation caused by the brightness of the interior light on the eyes of a user who has been asleep until just before or who has been in a dark room. [Second embodiment]
[0024] In the above embodiment, the first light 151 for illuminating the entire interior of the refrigerator compartment 110 and the second light 152 for illuminating the back surface of the refrigerator compartment 110 are arranged on the ceiling 111T of the refrigerator compartment 110. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.
[0025] For example, light 150 with variable light color and irradiation direction may be installed on the ceiling. Then, control unit 160 may turn off light 150 in a lights-out mode, point light 150 backward and emit warm light such as orange in a sleep mode, and point light 150 downward and emit white light in a full-light mode. [Third embodiment]
[0026] Alternatively, a first light 151 for illuminating the entire interior of the refrigerator compartment 110 may be placed on the ceiling 111T of the refrigerator compartment 110, and second lights 152, 152 for emitting light may be placed on the back side of the duct cover 130 of the cold air duct.
[0027] More specifically, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, second lights 152, 152... facing rearward are arranged on the rear surface of the left and right ends of the duct cover 130 of the cold air duct. More specifically, in this embodiment, the second lights 152, 152 are configured to emit light diagonally forward. The light is then reflected by the front wall, i.e., the rear surface of the duct cover 130 of the cold air duct, and is illuminated onto the back surface 112 of the refrigerator compartment 110.
[0028] When the door is closed, the control unit 160 switches off both the first lights 151, 151... and the second lights 152, 152 as a light-off mode. When the door is open and it is determined that the person is sleeping, the control unit 160 switches off the first lights 151, 151... and turns on the second lights 152, 152 as a light-off mode. When the door is open and it is not determined that the person is sleeping, the control unit 160 switches on the full-light mode and turns on the first lights 151, 151... and turns on the second lights 152, 152.
[0029] 14, the second lights 152, 152 may be configured to directly irradiate light onto the rear surface 112 of the refrigerator compartment 110. In other words, it is preferable that in the sleep mode, only the light reflected by the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment 110 is configured to reach the user's eyes. [Fourth embodiment]
[0030] In addition to the above embodiment, it is preferable that in the sleep mode, the control unit 160 gradually increases the light output of the second lights 152, 152 as shown in Fig. 15. This reduces the stimulation caused by the brightness of the interior light to a user who has been asleep until just before.
[0031] Alternatively, in the sleep mode, the control unit 160 may gradually increase the output of the first lights 151, 151 from an off state as shown in Fig. 15. At this time, when a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) has elapsed since the light output of the second lights 152, 152 reached a set value, the first lights 151, 151 may be gradually changed from an off state to an on state (an example of condition (2) in Fig. 11). [Fifth embodiment]
[0032] In addition to the above embodiment, the control unit 160 may turn on the first lights 151, 151, etc. when a door of another compartment such as a freezer or vegetable compartment is opened even in sleep mode (an example of condition (2) in FIG. 11).
[0033] Furthermore, the operation unit 170 may be operated to forcibly switch to the sleep mode, or the sleep mode may be temporarily switched to the full light mode (one example of conditions (2) and (3) in FIG. 11). [Sixth embodiment]
[0034] In the above embodiment, the first lights 151, 151 and the second lights 152, 152 are provided in the refrigerator compartment 110. However, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, three or more types of lights may be provided in the refrigerator compartment 110.
[0035] For example, a white first light 151 may be placed on the ceiling 111T of the refrigerator compartment 110 to illuminate the entire interior of the refrigerator compartment 110, and warm-colored second lights 152, 152 and cool-colored third lights 153, 153 may be placed on the back side of the duct cover 130 of the cold air duct.
[0036] Then, when the door is closed, the control unit 160 switches off all lights as a lights-out mode. When the door is open and it is determined that the user is sleeping, the control unit 160 switches on the second lights 152 and 152 while keeping the first lights 151 and the third lights 153 off as a lights-out mode. Then, after a predetermined time, for example, five seconds, has elapsed, the control unit 160 also switches on the third lights 153 and 153. After a further predetermined time, for example, five seconds, has elapsed, the control unit 160 switches on the first lights 151 and 151. When the door is open and it is not determined that the user is sleeping, the control unit 160 switches on the full-lights mode and switches on the first lights 151, 151, the second lights 152 and the third lights 153. [Seventh embodiment]
[0037] The determination of whether the refrigerator is asleep and the start of the sleep mode can be controlled in various ways by both the cloud server and the local refrigerator 100. For example, the sleep mode may be started when a predetermined time, such as 11:00 PM, is reached. Similarly, the sleep mode may be ended when a predetermined time, such as 6:00 AM, is reached.
[0038] Alternatively, the start and end of sleep mode may be determined depending on the situation of each user of the refrigerator. As shown in Fig. 18, server 200 may acquire the operating status of electrical appliances 300 linked to each user, and instruct refrigerator 100 to start sleep mode when it is determined that the user or their family has gone to bed, or to end sleep mode when it is determined that the user or their family has woken up.
[0039] For example, in the network system 1 according to this embodiment, the server 200 instructs the refrigerator 100 to enter sleep mode after 10:00 PM when 10 minutes or more have passed since the operation of the electric appliances 300, such as the lights and the television in both the kitchen and living room of the user of the refrigerator 100, has been stopped. The server 200 instructs the refrigerator 100 to exit sleep mode after 6:00 AM when the operation of the electric appliances 300, such as the lights and the television in both the kitchen and living room of the user of the refrigerator 100, has been started or the door of the refrigerator 100 has been opened two or more times within 10 minutes. [summary]
[0040] In the above embodiment, a refrigerator is provided that includes a first light for illuminating the entire interior of the refrigerator compartment, a second light that emits light toward the back of the refrigerator compartment, and a control unit that switches between a first mode in which at least the first light is turned on and a second mode in which the first light is turned off and the second light is turned on.
[0041] Preferably, the second light has a lower light intensity than the first light.
[0042] Preferably, the color temperature of the light of the second light is lower than that of the light of the first light.
[0043] Preferably, in the second mode, the control unit turns on only the second light and then turns on the first light after a predetermined time has elapsed.
[0044] Preferably, the refrigerator further includes a third light that emits light toward a rear surface of the refrigerator compartment. In the second mode, the control unit turns on only the second light, and then after a predetermined time has elapsed, turns on the third light, and after another predetermined time, turns on the first light.
[0045] Preferably, in the second mode, the control unit turns on the first light when a door other than the refrigerating compartment door is opened.
[0046] Preferably, a second light is provided on the back surface of the cold air duct cover.
[0047] Preferably, the first light and the second light are both provided on the ceiling of the refrigerator compartment housing, with the second light directed toward the rear of the refrigerator compartment.
[0048] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. Furthermore, configurations obtained by combining the configurations of different embodiments described in this specification are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]
[0049] 1: Network system 100: Refrigerator 110: Refrigerator 111B: Bottom 111L: Side 111R: Side 111T: Ceiling 112: Back 113: Shelf 121: Freezer 122: Vegetable compartment 123: Chilled case 130: Duct cover 150: Light 151: First Light 152: Second Light 1521: Cover 153: Third Light 155: Interior light cover 160: Control unit 165: Door opening / closing sensor 170:Operation unit 200: Server 300: Home appliances
Claims
1. a first light for generally illuminating the interior of the refrigerator compartment; a second light that has a lower light intensity and / or a lower color temperature than the first light, is disposed closer to the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment than the first light, and emits light toward the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment; The refrigerator includes a control unit for switching between a first mode in which at least the first light is turned on and a second mode in which the first light is turned off and the second light is turned on when the door of the refrigerator compartment is opened.
2. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the second light is provided on the rear surface of the cold air duct cover.
3. A refrigerator as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit gradually increases the amount of light in the second mode.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the control unit, in the second mode, turns on the first light after the light intensity of the second light reaches a predetermined set value.
5. Further provided is a third light that emits light toward the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment; 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, in the second mode, the control unit turns on only the second light, and then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, turns on the third light, and further, after another predetermined time has elapsed, turns on the first light.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit turns on the first light when a door other than the refrigerating compartment door is opened while the second mode is being executed.
7. 7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the first light and the second light are both provided on a ceiling of a housing of the refrigerator compartment, and the second light is directed toward a rear surface of the refrigerator compartment.
Citation Information
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