Refrigerator

Abstract

This refrigerator comprises an illumination device detachably attached to the storage-chamber side of a side wall of a storage chamber that is part of an inner box, a wireless-power-supply power-supplying part provided to the heat-insulation-material side of the side wall, and a metal member provided to the heat-insulation-material side of the side wall. The illumination device includes: an illumination cover; a lid part that forms a space together with the illumination cover; a wireless-power-supply power-receiving part which is installed in the space and to which power is wirelessly supplied from the wireless-power-supply power-supplying part; a light source that is installed in the space, is electrically connected to the wireless-power-supply power-receiving part via the substrate, and irradiates the storage chamber with light; and a magnet that is installed in the space and generates magnetic force together with the metal member. In a state in which the illumination device is attached to the side wall, the illumination device and the magnet face each other while sandwiching the side wall. The wireless-power-supply power-receiving part and the magnet are arranged in point symmetry, with the center of the illumination device as a symmetry point. The wireless-power-supply power-supplying part and the metal member are arranged in point symmetry, with a point where a line that passes through the center of the illumination device and is perpendicular to the side wall passes through the side wall as a symmetry point, in a state in which the illumination device is attached to the side wall.

Description

refrigerator

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator equipped with a lighting device.

[0002] Conventionally, there are refrigerators in which functional components such as lighting devices are provided on shelves or the like within a storage compartment to improve the visibility of food stored therein (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator including a refrigerator main body, a movable component movably provided on the refrigerator main body, a supply-side wireless power supplying device provided on the refrigerator main body, a receiver-side wireless power supplying device provided on the movable component, and a functional component provided on the movable component and operated by power supplied from the supply-side wireless power supplying device to the receiver-side wireless power supplying device. Power from the supply-side wireless power supplying device is supplied to the receiver-side wireless power supplying device by so-called contactless power supply, and the power supplied to the receiver-side wireless power supplying device is supplied to the functional component, causing the functional component to operate.

[0003] The refrigerator of Patent Document 1 includes a movable shelf in a storage compartment of the refrigerator body as an example of a movable part, and the shelf includes a wireless power supply receiver on an end of the shelf. A groove into which the end of the shelf is inserted is formed in a wall of the storage compartment on the refrigerator body side, and the wireless power supply transmitter is provided behind the groove. When the shelf is attached to the interior of the storage compartment and the end of the shelf is inserted into the groove, the wireless power supply transmitter on the refrigerator body side and the wireless power supply receiver on the shelf side face each other, and the distance between the wireless power supply transmitter and the wireless power supply receiver side becomes equal to or less than a predetermined wireless power supply distance. This enables power supply from the wireless power supply transmitter to the wireless power supply receiver side. With this configuration, even when functional components are provided on a movable shelf in the refrigerator body, power can be supplied wirelessly from the wireless power supply transmitter on the refrigerator body side to the wireless power supply receiver side on the shelf side, thereby supplying power to the functional components on the shelf side.

[0004] JP 2016-23852 A

[0005] However, in the refrigerator of Patent Document 1, as described above, in order to wirelessly supply power to a movable part from the refrigerator main body, the distance between the supply-side wireless power supply device on the movable part side and the receiving-side wireless power supply device on the refrigerator main body side must be equal to or less than a predetermined wireless power supply distance. Therefore, the movable part must be installed in a specific position, and a groove, which is a structure that regulates the installation position of the movable part, must be provided in the wall of the storage compartment so that the user can install the movable part in an appropriate position. Furthermore, during installation, the user must visually identify the groove and insert the movable part into the groove, which is time-consuming. Furthermore, the groove determines the installation orientation of the movable part, and the installation orientation is uniform. Furthermore, providing multiple wireless power supply devices to accommodate multiple installation orientations and providing a wide wireless power supply device significantly increases manufacturing costs.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a refrigerator that does not require a structure to restrict the installation position of a lighting device, allows the lighting device to be easily installed, and allows the orientation of the lighting device to be easily changed.

[0007] A refrigerator according to the present disclosure includes a box body having an outer box forming an outer shell, an inner box arranged to form an internal space between the outer box and the inner box, and a storage compartment for storing food therein, the storage compartment having a heat insulating material filled in the internal space, a door for opening and closing the storage compartment at the front of the box body, a lighting device attached to a side wall of the storage compartment that is part of the inner box on the storage compartment side, a wireless power supply unit provided on the heat insulating material side of the side wall, and a metal member provided on the heat insulating material side of the side wall, the lighting device including a lighting cover, a lid unit that forms a space together with the lighting cover, a wireless power receiving unit that is installed in the space and is powered wirelessly from the wireless power supply unit, and a metal member that is installed in the space and is connected to the wireless power receiving unit via a board. and a light source electrically connected to the light source for irradiating light into the storage chamber, and a magnet installed in the space for generating a magnetic force between the light source and the metal member, wherein the wireless power supply unit faces the wireless power receiving unit across the side wall when the lighting device is attached to the side wall, the metal member faces the magnet across the side wall when the lighting device is attached to the side wall, the wireless power receiving unit and the magnet are arranged in point symmetry with the center of the lighting device as a point of symmetry, and the wireless power supply unit and the metal member are arranged in point symmetry with the point at which a line passing through the center of the lighting device and perpendicular to the side wall passes through the side wall when the lighting device is attached to the side wall.

[0008] According to the refrigerator of the present disclosure, the magnetic force generated between the magnet and the metal member guides the lighting device to the installation position, eliminating the need for structures such as screws and grooves that restrict the installation position of the lighting device, and allowing the user to easily install the lighting device. Furthermore, when the lighting device is attached to the side wall, the wireless power supply unit faces the wireless power receiving unit across the side wall, and when the lighting device is attached to the side wall, the metal member faces the magnet across the side wall, the wireless power receiving unit and the magnet are arranged in point symmetry with respect to the center of the lighting device, and the wireless power supply unit and the metal member are arranged in point symmetry with respect to the point where a line passing through the center of the lighting device and perpendicular to the side wall passes through the side wall when the lighting device is attached to the side wall. Therefore, even if the orientation of the lighting device is reversed, it can be attached using the metal member and the magnet, and the orientation of the lighting device can be easily changed.

[0009] 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state in which the refrigerator compartment door of the refrigerator according to embodiment 1 is open. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of region B in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of region B in FIG. 3, showing a different orientation of the lighting device attached to the refrigerator compartment from FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the lighting device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows C-C in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional refrigerator, showing a state before a jig is inserted into the storage compartment when foaming urethane in the internal space of the box body. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional refrigerator, showing a state after a jig is inserted into the storage compartment when foaming urethane in the internal space of the box body. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of region D in FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional refrigerator, showing a heat insulating structure of the refrigerator compartment and its surroundings taken along the cross-section A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to embodiment 1, showing a state in which the lighting device is attached to the refrigerator compartment in a different orientation from FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional refrigerator, showing a state in which the lighting device has been removed from the refrigerator compartment taken along the cross-section A-A in FIG. 1. 10 is a flowchart for determining whether or not to wirelessly supply power to the lighting device of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment.

[0010] The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present embodiment is not limited to the content of the following description. Also, the size relationships between the components in the following drawings may differ from those in reality.

[0011] Embodiment 1. Fig. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a front view showing a state in which the refrigerator compartment door 100 of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1 is open. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in Fig. 1.

[0012] The configuration of refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In the following description, terms indicating directions, such as "up," "down," "right," "left," "front," and "rear," are used as appropriate to facilitate understanding, but these terms are for explanatory purposes and do not limit the embodiment. In embodiment 1, terms such as "up," "down," "right," "left," "front," and "rear" are used when refrigerator 1 (or box body 2) is viewed from the front.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1 , a refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment includes a box body 2. The box body 2 includes an outer box 3 formed of a steel plate or the like and constituting an outer shell, an inner box 4 formed of a resin such as ABS resin and arranged to form an internal space between the inner box 4 and the outer box 3, and a heat insulating material 5 such as urethane foam filled in the internal space.

[0014] A storage space 8 for storing food is provided inside the box 2, and the storage space 8 is divided by a plurality of heat-insulating partitions 9 to provide a plurality of storage compartments 10 with different temperature zones. Specifically, the plurality of storage compartments 10 include a refrigerator compartment 11, an ice-making compartment 12, a switchable compartment 13, a vegetable compartment 14, and a freezer compartment 15. The refrigerator compartment 11 is provided on the top shelf of the refrigerator 1, and the ice-making compartment 12 and the switchable compartment 13 are provided side-by-side below the refrigerator compartment 11. The freezer compartment 15 is provided on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator 1. The vegetable compartment 14 is provided below the ice-making compartment 12 and the switchable compartment 13 and above the freezer compartment 15. However, the arrangement and number of storage compartments 10 are not limited to this.

[0015] Each of the storage compartments 10 has an opening on the front of the box 2, and a plurality of doors 16 are provided in front of each of the storage compartments 10 to close the opening and separate them from the outside air. The front opening of the refrigerator compartment 11 is closed by two double-door refrigerator compartment doors 100, which can be opened and closed freely. A display and operation panel (not shown) is provided on the lower left side of the refrigerator compartment door 100, which can be used to set the internal temperature of each storage compartment 10, ice making, and special operations. The front openings of the ice making compartment 12, the selectable compartment 13, the vegetable compartment 14, and the freezer compartment 15 are closed by drawer-type doors: an ice making compartment door 200, a selectable compartment door 300, a vegetable compartment door 400, and a freezer compartment door 500, respectively, which can be opened and closed freely.

[0016] The refrigerator 1 has a recess 6 that is recessed inward at the top of the back surface 2A of the box body 2, and a control device 7 for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1 is provided in the recess 6. The control device 7 is electrically connected to an open / close detection device 17 and a wireless power supply unit 40, which will be described later, and supplies power to the wireless power supply unit 40 and controls the lighting device 30 based on an open / close signal of the door 16 from the open / close detection device 17.

[0017] Also connected to the control device 7 are a power cord 20 that guides electricity from an external power source to the inside of the refrigerator 1, and a plurality of wires 21 that distribute the electricity obtained from the power cord 20 to the inside of the refrigerator 1. The wires 21 extend from the control device 7, are arranged between the outer box 3 and the inner box 4, and are embedded and held in the heat insulating material 5.

[0018] The heat insulating partition 9 is provided with an opening / closing detection device 17 that detects the opening and closing of the door 16 of each storage compartment 10. Specifically, the refrigerator compartment 11 is provided with an opening / closing detection device 17A, the ice making compartment 12 is provided with an opening / closing detection device 17B, the switchable compartment 13 is provided with an opening / closing detection device 17C, the vegetable compartment 14 is provided with an opening / closing detection device 17D, and the freezer compartment 15 is provided with an opening / closing detection device 17E.

[0019] Open / close detection device 17A detects the opening and closing of refrigerator compartment door 100 of refrigerator compartment 11. Open / close detection device 17B detects the opening and closing of ice-making compartment door 200 of ice-making compartment 12. Open / close detection device 17C detects the opening and closing of switchable compartment door 300 of switchable compartment 13. Open / close detection device 17D detects the opening and closing of vegetable compartment door 400 of vegetable compartment 14. Open / close detection device 17E detects the opening and closing of freezer compartment door 500 of freezer compartment 15. Open / close detection devices 17A to 17E are each connected to control device 7 via lead wires or the like (not shown).

[0020] A magnet 50 is provided inside each door 16. Specifically, a magnet 50A is provided inside refrigerator compartment door 100, a magnet 50B (not shown) is provided inside ice maker compartment door 200, a magnet 50C is provided inside switchable compartment door 300, a magnet 50D is provided inside vegetable compartment door 400, and a magnet 50E is provided inside freezer compartment door 500.

[0021] Each door 16 is provided with a holding portion 18 at its upper or lower end, which has an inwardly concave shape and holds a magnet 50. Specifically, the refrigerator compartment door 100 is provided with a holding portion 18A, the ice-making compartment door 200 is provided with a holding portion 18B (not shown), the switchable compartment door 300 is provided with a holding portion 18C, the vegetable compartment door 400 is provided with a holding portion 18D, and the freezer compartment door 500 is provided with a holding portion 18E. The holding portions 18 open toward the box body 2 when the door 16 is closed. The insulating partition 9 is also provided with an open / close detector 17 that reacts to the magnet 50 at a position that overlaps the magnet 50 front to back when the door 16 is closed. In this way, when the door 16 approaches the insulating partition 9 to a predetermined distance from the open state and the magnet 50 approaches the open / close detector 17 to a certain distance, the open / close detector 17 reacts and detects that the door 16 is closed. The open / close detection device 17 transmits to the control device 7 an open signal corresponding to the open state of the door 16 and a close signal corresponding to the closed state of the door 16 .

[0022] The refrigerator compartment 11 includes a plurality of storage shelves 110 extending in the width direction of the storage compartment 10, a cold air duct 120 provided at the rear side of the refrigerator compartment 11 and directing cold air along the rear wall 19 from the floor 22 of the refrigerator compartment 11 toward the ceiling 23, and a design panel 130 provided in front of the cold air duct 120 and having air outlets 140 for directing the cold air passing through the cold air duct 120 into the refrigerator interior. The air outlets 140 provided in the design panel 130 are arranged vertically in the approximate center of the width direction of the refrigerator compartment 11. The refrigerator compartment 11, ice making compartment 12, switchable compartment 13, vegetable compartment 14, and freezer compartment 15 are each provided with a refrigerator compartment slide case 101, an ice making compartment storage case 102 (not shown), a switchable compartment storage case 103, a vegetable compartment storage case 104, and a freezer compartment storage case 105, respectively.

[0023] Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of region B in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of region B in Fig. 3, and shows a different mounting orientation of the lighting device 30 from Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the lighting device 30 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the lighting device 30 viewed from below toward the ceiling 23, with the cover 36 omitted.

[0024] 4 to 7 , a lighting device 30 according to the first embodiment will be described below. The refrigerator 1 includes a lighting device 30 that faces the refrigerating compartment 11 and illuminates the refrigerating compartment 11, and is mounted on a ceiling 23 that is formed by the inner box 4 and that constitutes part of the sidewall 11A of the refrigerating compartment 11. The lighting device 30 is disposed on the refrigerating compartment 11 side of the inner box 4 and includes a light-transmitting lighting cover 31 and a lid 36 that, together with the lighting cover 31, forms a space 31a. The lighting device 30 further includes, in the space 31a, a lighting board 32, a wireless power receiving unit 35 electrically connected to the lighting board 32, a plurality of light sources 33 that are provided on the lighting board 32 and electrically connected to the wireless power receiving unit 35 via the lighting board 32, and a magnet 34. The magnet 34 is positioned so as not to block light emitted from the light source 33. The lid 36 is a resin lid that fits into the lighting cover 31 and seals the lighting board 32, the magnet 34, and the wireless power receiving unit 35. In summary, the lighting device 30 includes the lighting cover 31, the lid 36, the wireless power receiving unit 35, the light source 33, and the magnet 34.

[0025] The refrigerator 1 also includes a wireless power supply unit 40, a lighting device detection sensor 45, and an aluminum foil tape 46 on the back side of the ceiling 23 (the side where the heat insulating material 5 is arranged).

[0026] The wireless power supply unit 40 wirelessly supplies power to the opposing wireless power receiving unit 35. When a current flows through the coil of the wireless power supply unit 40, power is supplied to the wireless power receiving unit 35, and power is supplied to the light source 33 via the wireless power receiving unit 35 and the lighting board 32, and light is irradiated from the light source 33 of the lighting device 30 into the storage chamber 10.

[0027] The wireless power supply unit 40 is fixed by being attached to the back surface of the inner box 4 (the surface on which the insulating material 5 is arranged) using aluminum foil tape 46. The aluminum foil tape 46 extends to the front end portion 4A of the inner box 4 while covering the wireless power supply unit 40, and one end of the aluminum foil tape 46 is in contact with the steel plate that is the outer box 3 of the box body 2.

[0028] The wireless power supply unit 40 generates heat when a current flows through it. The aluminum foil tape 46 conducts the generated heat to the front side of the box body 2 and makes it easier for the heat to escape to the outside of the refrigerator 1 by contacting the outer box 3. At the same time, by raising the temperature of the tip of the outer box 3, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of condensation.

[0029] The lighting device 30 has a rectangular shape extending in the width direction (left-right direction) of the refrigerator 1 (box body 2) when viewed in a plane, and is arranged on the ceiling portion 23 of the refrigerator compartment 11 in a position overlapping vertically with the vicinity of the tip of the storage shelf 110 arranged in the refrigerator compartment 11, and is arranged on the front opening side of the refrigerator compartment 11 (see Figure 3).

[0030] The lighting cover 31 has a rectangular shape extending in the width direction (left-right direction) of the refrigerator 1 (box 2) in a plan view. The lighting cover 31 also extends in the width direction (left-right direction) of the refrigerator 1 (box 2), and has a convex portion 37 in the center in the front-to-rear direction that convexes downward into the refrigerator 1 when the lighting device 30 is installed on the ceiling 23. The lighting cover 31 has a first slope 38A between a front end 31A on the ceiling 23 side and a vertex 37A of the convex portion 37, and a second slope 38B between a rear end 31B on the ceiling 23 side and the vertex 37A of the convex portion 37. The first slope 38A and the second slope 38B form different angles with a line passing through the vertex 37A and perpendicular to the ceiling 23 in the front-to-rear direction. The lighting cover 31 is positioned so that the light source 33 is located directly above the vertex 37A of the convex portion 37. In summary, the lighting cover 31 has a first inclined surface 38A formed between the apex 37A of the convex portion 37 and the front end portion 31A of the lighting cover 31, and a second inclined surface 38B formed between the apex 37A of the convex portion 37 and the rear end portion 31B of the lighting cover 31, and the first inclined surface 38A and the second inclined surface 38B have different angles with respect to a line that passes through the apex 37A and is perpendicular to the side wall 11A that forms the ceiling portion 23.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, the magnets 34 provided in the lighting device 30 are attached to the inside of the lighting cover 31 along both ends of the lighting cover 31 in the longitudinal direction, and are arranged so as to be point-symmetric (two-fold symmetry or 180-degree symmetry in embodiment 1) with the center O of the lighting cover 31 as the point of symmetry in a two-dimensional plane viewed from below.

[0032] The wireless power receiving unit 35 attached to the lighting device 30 is provided between the two magnets 34, extending in the longitudinal direction of the lighting cover 31, and is arranged so as to be point-symmetric with respect to the center O of the lighting cover 31 in a two-dimensional plane viewed from below. The coil pattern of the wireless power receiving unit 35 is also designed to be point-symmetric with respect to the center O. In Figure 4, a straight line L is a line that passes through the center O of the lighting cover 31 (the center of the lighting device 30) and is perpendicular to the ceiling part 23 when the lighting device 30 is attached to the ceiling part 23.

[0033] As described above, the wireless power supply unit 40, the metal member 41, and the lighting device detection sensor 45 are provided on the back side (the side where the thermal insulation material 5 is arranged) of the ceiling unit 23 on which the lighting device 30 is attached. The wireless power supply unit 40 is powered by the control device 7 based on a door 16 opening / closing signal from the opening / closing detection device 17. The wireless power supply unit 40 also wirelessly supplies power to the wireless power supply receiving unit 35 facing it. The metal member 41 contains a ferromagnetic metal (iron, for example) and generates a magnetic force between itself and the magnet 34, causing it to stick to the magnet 34 and hold the lighting device 30 equipped with the magnet 34 to the ceiling unit 23. The lighting device detection sensor 45 is provided near the metal member 41 and reacts to the magnet 34 to determine the presence or absence of the lighting device 30. The lighting device detection sensor 45 is arranged along the inner box 4 on the back side (the side where the thermal insulation material 5 is arranged) of the ceiling unit 23. As an example, this lighting device detection sensor 45 includes a switch that opens and closes by magnetic force, and when a magnet 34 built into the lighting device 30 is brought close, the switch closes and a signal detecting the lighting device 30 is sent to the control device 7. The wireless power supply unit 40 is disposed on the back side of the ceiling 23 (the side where the heat insulating material 5 is disposed) and is not exposed to the storage room 10 side, which provides a good design and prevents the user from directly touching the wireless power supply unit 40.

[0034] According to the above configuration, the magnetic force generated between the magnet 34 and the metal member 41 guides the lighting device 30 to the ceiling 23 of the refrigerator compartment 11 (the area 23A of the ceiling 23 that overlaps with the lighting device 30), and the installation position of the lighting device 30 is uniquely determined to be the area 23A. This eliminates the need for a structure to restrict the installation position of the lighting device 30, allowing the user to easily install the lighting device 30 in the installation position. Furthermore, since the lighting device 30 can be installed by moving it close to the area 23A and removed by moving it away from the area 23A, the lighting device 30 can be easily attached to and detached from the ceiling 23, which is expected to improve usability. Furthermore, when the lighting device 30 is attached to the ceiling 23, the distance between the wireless power supply unit 40 and the wireless power receiving unit 35 is configured to be equal to or shorter than the wireless power supply distance. Furthermore, the wireless power receiving unit 35 and the magnet 34 have shapes that are point-symmetric with respect to the center O of the lighting cover 31 (or the lid unit 36), and the wireless power supply unit 40 and the metal member 41 have shapes that are point-symmetric with respect to the point P where a line that passes through the center O and is perpendicular to the area 23A intersects with the area 23A when the lighting device 30 is attached to the ceiling unit 23. Therefore, the lighting device 30 can be attached to the ceiling unit 23 upside down (rotated 180°) with respect to the configuration shown in Fig. 4 and operated in the configuration shown in Fig. 5, and the orientation of the lighting device 30 can be easily changed.

[0035] 4 to 6 , the wireless power receiving unit 35 and the wireless power supply unit 40 have rectangular shapes, and the wireless power receiving unit 35 is longer in the front-to-back and width directions (left-to-right directions) than the wireless power supply unit 40, making it slightly larger. When the lighting device 30 is attached, the attachment position of the lighting device 30 may shift within the area 23A depending on the positional relationship between the magnet 34 and the metal member 41. If the area of ​​the wireless power receiving unit 35 facing the wireless power supply unit 40 is reduced, the power supply efficiency decreases. Therefore, by making the wireless power receiving unit 35 slightly larger in shape than the wireless power supply unit 40, even if the attachment position of the lighting device 30 shifts within the area 23A, the area of ​​the wireless power receiving unit 35 facing the wireless power supply unit 40 does not decrease. In other words, the entire area of ​​the wireless power receiving unit 35 faces the wireless power supply unit 40, preventing a decrease in power supply efficiency.

[0036] 4 and 5, the center Q of the wireless power receiving unit 35 is the point at which a line L passing through the center O of the lighting cover 31 (the center of the lighting device 30) passes through the wireless power receiving unit 35. Also, as shown in Fig. 6, the magnets 34 are provided in the space 31a on the left and right sides (both ends in the width direction or length direction) of the center O and the center Q.

[0037] With the above configuration, in refrigerator 1, lighting device 30 can be rotated 180 degrees and the front and rear positions of first inclined surface 38A and second inclined surface 38B can be swapped and attached to ceiling section 23. In either the configuration shown in Fig. 4 or the configuration shown in Fig. 5, the distance between wireless power receiving unit 35 and wireless power supply unit 40 and the distance between magnet 34 and metal member 41 do not change. Therefore, refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1 can stably supply power to lighting device 30 and can support lighting device 30 on ceiling section 23.

[0038] Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional refrigerator, showing the state before jig 51 is inserted into the storage compartment when foaming urethane in the internal space of box body 62. Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the conventional refrigerator, showing the state after jig 51 is inserted into the storage compartment when foaming urethane in the internal space of box body 62. Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of area D in Fig. 9. Below, differences and improvements from conventional refrigerators in the manufacturing method of refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 10.

[0039] In a conventional refrigerator, a wire 47 from a control device has a connector 48 at the end for electrically connecting to an electrical component, and the connector 48 extends from the insulation side to the storage compartment side through a hole 49 drilled in the inner box. In this structure, during foaming of the insulation material, the hole 49 must be filled with a seal or the like to prevent the insulation material from leaking into the storage compartment through the hole 49. Furthermore, during foaming of the insulation material, a jig 51 is inserted into the inner box 64 to maintain its shape. At this time, a space 52 is formed in the inner box 64 to allow the connector 48 and wire 47 protruding toward the storage compartment side to avoid the jig 51. Therefore, in the conventional refrigerator manufacturing method, the thickness of the box body 62 must be partially thinned on the ceiling surface of the refrigerator compartment, which reduces the insulation performance of the refrigerator. Meanwhile, in refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1, power is supplied to lighting device 30 wirelessly via wireless power supply receiving unit 35 and wireless power supply unit 40. Therefore, wireless power supply unit 40 is arranged on the back side of inner box 4 (the side where thermal insulation material 5 is arranged), and connector 48 is not required, so there is no need to create space 52 in inner box 64 for connector 48 to escape. Therefore, compared to conventional refrigerators, refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1 does not deteriorate the appearance due to a recess for creating space 52 and does not reduce the thermal insulation performance of box body 62, and can suppress a decrease in power consumption.

[0040] Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the heat insulating structure of refrigerator compartment 11 and its surroundings in the A-A cross section of Fig. 1. Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the lighting device 30 attached to refrigerator compartment 11 in a different orientation from that in Fig. 11 in the A-A cross section of Fig. 1. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the lighting device 30 removed from refrigerator compartment 11 in the A-A cross section of Fig. 1. Note that the solid arrows in Figs. 11 and 12 represent light.

[0041] In the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment, even if the lighting device 30 is removed from the ceiling portion 23 of the refrigeration compartment 11 and then reversed, it can be attached to the ceiling portion 23 by using the metal member 41 and the magnet 34. Furthermore, the lighting cover 31 has a first slope 38A and a second slope 38B whose inclination angles change at the apex 37A of the convex portion 37. As shown in FIG. 11 , by orienting the first slope 38A, which has a steeper angle, toward the back of the storage compartment 10, the lighting cover 31 can more easily illuminate the front of the storage shelf 110, making it easier for light to reach food at the front of the storage shelf 110. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 12 , by orienting the second slope 38B, which has a shallower angle, toward the back of the storage compartment 10, the lighting cover 31 can more easily illuminate the back of the storage shelf 110, making it easier for light to reach food at the back of the storage shelf 110. 11 and 12, the range of light emitted from light source 33 can be adjusted to suit the storage arrangement of food in storage compartment 10 and the position that the user wants to check. Also, if it is desired to expand storage space 8 of refrigerator compartment 11, lighting device 30 can be removed from ceiling portion 23 to expand storage space 8, as shown in FIG.

[0042] Fig. 14 is a flowchart for determining whether or not to wirelessly feed power to lighting device 30 in refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1. Hereinafter, with reference to Fig. 14 , a control flow for control device 7 of refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1 to determine whether or not to wirelessly feed power to lighting device 30 will be described.

[0043] (Step S1) The control device 7 determines whether or not a signal indicating that the refrigerator compartment door 100 of the refrigerator compartment 11 is open has been input from the open / close detection device 17A. If the control device 7 determines that a signal indicating that the refrigerator compartment door 100 of the refrigerator compartment 11 is open has been input from the open / close detection device 17A (YES), the process proceeds to step S2. On the other hand, if the control device 7 determines that a signal indicating that the refrigerator compartment door 100 of the refrigerator compartment 11 is open has not been input from the open / close detection device 17A (NO), the process proceeds to step S4.

[0044] (Step S2) The control device 7 determines whether or not a signal detecting the lighting device 30 has been input from the lighting device detection sensor 45. If the control device 7 determines that a signal detecting the lighting device 30 has been input from the lighting device detection sensor 45 (YES), the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if the control device 7 determines that a signal detecting the lighting device 30 has not been input from the lighting device detection sensor 45 (NO), the process proceeds to step S4.

[0045] (Step S3) The control device 7 determines that wireless power feeding to the lighting device 30 is necessary, and feeds power to the wireless power feeding unit 40. A current flows through the coil of the wireless power feeding unit 40, thereby feeding power to the wireless power feeding receiver 35, and power is supplied to the light source 33 via the wireless power feeding receiver 35 and the lighting board 32, and light is irradiated from the light source 33 of the lighting device 30 into the storage chamber 10.

[0046] (Step S4) The control device 7 determines that it is not necessary to wirelessly feed power to the lighting device 30, and the process ends.

[0047] According to the above control flow, in the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1, current flows to the wireless power feeding unit 40 only when the open / close detection device 17A detects that the refrigerator compartment door 100 is open. Therefore, when the refrigerator compartment door 100 is closed, no current is passed through, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0048] Furthermore, in the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment, when the lighting device detection sensor 45 detects that the lighting device 30 is not attached to the ceiling part 23, no current flows through the wireless power supply unit 40. Therefore, even if a user brings a finger or the like close to the powered wireless power supply unit 40, there is no risk of electric shock, and the refrigerator 1 can be used safely.

[0049] As described above, refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1 comprises box body 2 having storage compartment 10 for storing food therein, which has outer box 3 constituting an outer shell, inner box 4 arranged so as to form an internal space between outer box 3 and inner box 4, and heat insulating material 5 filled in the internal space, door 16 located in front of box body 2 for opening and closing storage compartment 10, lighting device 30 attached to the side wall of storage compartment 10 which is part of inner box 4 on the storage compartment 10 side, wireless power supply unit 40 provided on the heat insulating material 5 side of the side wall, and metal member 41 provided on the heat insulating material 5 side of the side wall, lighting device 30 comprising lighting cover 31, lid portion 36 which forms space 31a together with lighting cover 31, wireless power supply receiving unit 35 provided in space 31a and which is wirelessly supplied with power from wireless power supply unit 40, and a metal member 41 provided on the side wall on the heat insulating material 5 side. The storage chamber 10 includes a light source 33 electrically connected to the wireless power receiving unit 35 via the substrate and irradiating light onto the storage chamber 10, and a magnet 34 installed in the space 31a and generating a magnetic force between the wireless power feeding unit 40 and the wireless power receiving unit 35 across the side wall when the lighting device 30 is attached to the side wall, and the metal member 41 faces the magnet 34 across the side wall when the lighting device 30 is attached to the side wall, the wireless power feeding unit 35 and the magnet 34 are arranged in point symmetry with the center of the lighting device 30 as the point of symmetry, and the wireless power feeding unit 40 and the metal member 41 are arranged in point symmetry with the point where a line passing through the center of the lighting device 30 and perpendicular to the side wall passes through the side wall when the lighting device 30 is attached to the side wall as the point of symmetry.

[0050] According to refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment, lighting device 30 is guided to the attachment position by the magnetic force generated between magnet 34 and metal member 41. This eliminates the need for structures such as screws and grooves that regulate the attachment position of lighting device 30, allowing the user to easily attach lighting device 30. Furthermore, when lighting device 30 is attached to the side wall, wireless power supply unit 40 faces wireless power receiving unit 35 across the side wall, and when lighting device 30 is attached to the side wall, metal member 41 faces magnet 34 across the side wall, wireless power receiving unit 35 and magnet 34 are arranged in point symmetry with respect to the center of lighting device 30, and wireless power supply unit 40 and metal member 41 are arranged in point symmetry with respect to a point where a line passing through the center of lighting device 30 and perpendicular to the side wall passes through the side wall when lighting device 30 is attached to the side wall. Therefore, even if the orientation of the lighting device 30 is reversed, it can be attached using the metal member 41 and the magnet 34, and the orientation of the lighting device 30 can be easily changed. Furthermore, the wireless power supply unit 40 is arranged on the side of the side wall facing the heat insulating material 5 and is not exposed to the storage compartment 10 side, which provides a good design and prevents the user from directly touching the wireless power supply unit 40.

[0051] In addition, in the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1, the lighting device 30 has a protrusion 37 that protrudes toward the storage compartment 10 from the center of the lighting cover 31 in the front-to-rear direction when attached to the side wall, and the lighting cover 31 has a first inclined surface 38A formed between the apex 37A of the protrusion 37 and the front end 31A of the lighting cover 31, and a second inclined surface 38B formed between the apex 37A and the rear end 31B of the lighting cover 31, and the first inclined surface 38A and the second inclined surface 38B have different angles relative to a line that passes through the protrusion 37 and is perpendicular to the side wall in the front-to-rear direction.

[0052] According to the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment, the range of light emitted from the light source 33 can be adjusted to suit the storage arrangement of food items in the storage compartment 10 and the position that the user wants to check. In addition, if it is desired to expand the storage space 8 of the refrigeration compartment 11, the storage space 8 can be expanded by removing the lighting device 30 from the ceiling portion 23, as shown in FIG.

[0053] Furthermore, in the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1, the lighting device 30 has a rectangular shape extending in the width direction of the box body 2 in a plan view, the magnets 34 are provided on both ends of the lighting device 30 in the longitudinal direction, the two magnets 34 are arranged so as to be point-symmetrical with respect to the center of the wireless power supply receiving unit 35, and the lighting device 30 is configured so as to be removably attached to the side wall by being reversed front to back.

[0054] According to the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1, the range of light emitted from the light source 33 can be adjusted to suit the storage arrangement of food in the storage compartment 10 and the position that the user wants to check, and if it is desired to expand the storage space 8 of the refrigeration compartment 11, the lighting device 30 can be removed from the side wall to expand the storage space 8.

[0055] Furthermore, the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment includes: an illumination device detection sensor 45 provided on the side wall facing the heat insulating material 5, which detects the magnetic force of the magnet 34 to detect the presence or absence of the illumination device 30; an open / close detection device 17 which detects the opening and closing of the door 16; and a control device 7 which is electrically connected to the open / close detection device 17 and the wireless power supply receiving unit 35, and which supplies power to the wireless power supply receiving unit 35 based on an open / close signal of the door 16 from the open / close detection device 17, and controls the illumination device 30. When the open / close detection device 17 detects that the door 16 is open and the illumination device detection sensor 45 detects the illumination device 30, the control device 7 energizes the wireless power supplying unit 40; and when the open / close detection device 17 does not detect that the door 16 is open or the illumination device detection sensor 45 does not detect the illumination device 30, the control device 7 does not energize the wireless power supplying unit 40.

[0056] According to refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1, current flows to wireless power feeding unit 40 only when open / close detection device 17 detects that door 16 is open, so that no current is passed through wireless power feeding unit 40 when door 16 is closed, thereby reducing power consumption. Also, according to refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1, when lighting device detection sensor 45 detects that lighting device 30 is not attached to ceiling section 23, no current flows through wireless power feeding unit 40. Therefore, even if a user brings a finger or the like close to powered wireless power feeding unit 40, there is no risk of electric shock, and refrigerator 1 can be used safely.

[0057] In addition, in the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1, the wireless power supply unit 40 and the wireless power receiving unit 35 have a rectangular shape, and the wireless power receiving unit 35 is longer in the front-to-rear and width directions than the wireless power supply unit 40.

[0058] In the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment, the wireless power receiving unit 35 is longer in the front-to-rear direction and width direction (left-to-right direction) than the wireless power supply unit 40, and has a shape that is one size larger. Therefore, even if the magnet 34 and the metal member 41 are misaligned, the area of ​​the wireless power receiving unit 35 that faces the wireless power supply unit 40 does not decrease. In other words, the entire area of ​​the wireless power receiving unit 35 faces the wireless power supply unit 40, so that a decrease in power supply efficiency can be suppressed.

[0059] REFRIGERATOR, 2 BOX, 2A BACK, 3 OUTER BOX, 4 INNER BOX, 4A FRONT END, 5 INSULATOR, 6 CONCAVITY, 7 CONTROL DEVICE, 8 STORAGE SPACE, 9 INSULATED PARTITION, 10 STORAGE COMPARTMENT, 11 REFRIGERATOR COMPARTMENT, 11A SIDE WALL, 12 ICE-MAKING COMPARTMENT, 13 TRANSPORT COMPARTMENT, 14 VEGETABLE COMPARTMENT, 15 FREEZER COMPARTMENT, 16 DOOR, 17 OPENING / CLOSING DETECTION DEVICE, 17A OPENING / CLOSING DETECTION DEVICE, 17B OPENING / CLOSING DETECTION DEVICE, 17C OPENING / CLOSING DETECTION DEVICE, 17D OPENING / CLOSING DETECTION DEVICE, 17E OPENING / CLOSING DETECTION DEVICE, 18 HOLDING PORTION, 18A OPENING PORTION, 18B OPENING PORTION, 18C OPENING PORTION, 18D OPENING PORTION, 18E OPENING PORTION, 19 BACK WALL, 20 POWER CORD, 21 WIRING, 22 FLOOR, 23 CEILING PORTION, 23A AREAS, 30 LIGHTING DEVICE, 31 LIGHTING COVER, 31A Front end, 31B Rear end, 31a Space, 32 Lighting board, 33 Light source, 34 Magnet, 35 Wireless power supply receiving unit, 36 Lid, 37 Convex portion, 37A Vertex, 38A First inclined surface, 38B Second inclined surface, 40 Wireless power supply unit, 41 Metal member, 45 Lighting device detection sensor, 46 Aluminum foil tape, 47 Wiring, 48 Connector, 49 Hole, 50 Magnet, 50A Magnet, 50B Magnet, 50C Magnet, 50D Magnet, 50E Magnet, 51 Jig, 52 Space, 62 Box body, 64 Inner box, 100 Refrigerator compartment door, 101 Refrigerator compartment sliding case, 102 Ice compartment storage case, 103 Switchable compartment storage case, 104 Vegetable compartment storage case, 105 Freezer compartment storage case, 110 Storage shelf, 120 cold air duct, 130 design panel, 140 air outlet, 200 ice maker door, 300 selector compartment door, 400 vegetable compartment door, 500 freezer door.

Claims

1. A box having an outer box forming an outer shell, an inner box arranged to form an internal space between it and the outer box, and an insulating material filled in the internal space, having a storage chamber for storing food inside, and having an opening for the storage chamber on the front, The front of the box-shaped body has a door that opens and closes the storage compartment, The system includes a lighting device attached to the side wall of the storage chamber, which is part of the inner box, The side wall includes the ceiling portion of the storage room. The aforementioned lighting device is It comprises a lighting cover, a light source that illuminates the storage chamber through the lighting cover, and a protrusion provided on the lighting cover that protrudes toward the storage chamber while attached to the side wall, The aforementioned protrusion has a first slope and a second slope, The first slope and the second slope have different angles with respect to the side wall in the front-rear direction. The aforementioned lighting device is detachably attached to the side wall by reversing its front and back. refrigerator.

2. A wireless power supply unit provided on the side of the side wall on the heat insulating material side, The side wall comprises a metal member provided on the insulating material side, The aforementioned lighting device is A magnet is installed inside the lighting cover along both ends of the lighting cover and generates a magnetic force in relation to the metal member, It comprises a wireless power receiving unit that extends in the longitudinal direction of the lighting cover between the magnets and is wirelessly powered from the wireless power supply unit, The light source is electrically connected to the wireless power supply and receiving unit via a substrate. The wireless power supply unit is positioned opposite the wireless power receiving unit with the side wall in between, with the lighting device attached to the side wall. The metal member is positioned opposite the magnet and the side wall when the lighting device is attached to the side wall. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

3. The lighting device is It has a lid portion that fits with the aforementioned lighting cover and forms a space, The wireless power supply and receiving unit, the light source, and the magnet are installed in the space. The refrigerator according to claim 2.

4. A box having an outer casing, an inner casing positioned between it and the outer casing to form an internal space, and an insulating material filled in the internal space, and having a storage compartment for storing food inside, The front of the box-shaped body has a door that opens and closes the storage compartment, A lighting device attached to the side wall of the storage chamber, which is part of the inner box, on the storage chamber side, A wireless power supply unit is provided on the side of the side wall on the side of the insulation material, The side wall comprises a metal member provided on the insulating material side, The aforementioned lighting device is Lighting cover and A lid portion that forms a space together with the aforementioned lighting cover, A wireless power receiving unit is installed in the aforementioned space and is wirelessly powered from the wireless power supply unit, A light source is installed in the aforementioned space, electrically connected to the wireless power supply and receiving unit via a substrate, and irradiates the storage chamber with light. The space is provided with a magnet that generates a magnetic force between itself and the metal member, The wireless power supply unit is With the lighting device attached to the side wall, the wireless power supply and receiving unit and the side wall are opposite each other, The metal member is positioned opposite the magnet and the side wall when the lighting device is attached to the side wall, The wireless power supply and receiving unit and the magnet are arranged in a point-symmetrical manner with the center of the lighting device as the point of symmetry. The wireless power supply unit and the metal member are arranged in a point-symmetrical manner with respect to the point where a line passing through the center of the lighting device and perpendicular to the side wall passes through the side wall, when the lighting device is attached to the side wall. refrigerator.

5. The aforementioned lighting device is When attached to the side wall, the lighting cover is provided with a protrusion that projects toward the storage chamber side, The aforementioned protrusion has a first slope and a second slope, The first and second inclined surfaces have different angles with respect to the side wall in the front-rear direction. The refrigerator according to claim 4.

6. The lighting device has a rectangular shape extending in the width direction of the box when viewed from above, The magnets are provided on both ends of the lighting device in the longitudinal direction, The arrangement of the two magnets is such that it is point-symmetric with respect to the center of the wireless power supply and receiving unit. The lighting device is configured to be detachably attached to the side wall by reversing its front and back positions. The refrigerator according to claim 4 or 5.

7. A lighting device detection sensor is provided on the heat insulating side of the side wall and detects the presence or absence of the lighting device by detecting the magnetic force of the magnet, An opening / closing detection device for detecting the opening and closing of the aforementioned door, The system comprises a control device that is electrically connected to the opening / closing detection device and the wireless power supply receiving unit, and which supplies power to the wireless power supply receiving unit based on the opening / closing signal of the door from the opening / closing detection device, and controls the lighting device, The control device is When the opening / closing detection device detects that the door is open, and the lighting device detection sensor detects the lighting device, power is supplied to the wireless power supply unit. If the opening / closing detection device does not detect that the door is open, or if the lighting device detection sensor does not detect the lighting device, power will not be supplied to the wireless power supply unit. A refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

8. The wireless power supply unit and the wireless power supply receiving unit have a rectangular shape. The wireless power supply receiving unit is The length in the front-to-back direction and the width direction is longer than the wireless power supply unit. A refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 5.