Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator (100) comprises: a box body (1) the front surface of which is open, which includes a partition wall (5) therein, and in which a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber adjacent to the first storage chamber are formed such that the storage chambers are separated by the partition wall (5); a control device (17) which is installed in the box body (1) and to which power is supplied from an external power supply; a first door that is provided with a first power transmission unit (23a) which wirelessly transmits power supplied from the control device (17), and that closes an opening of the first storage chamber in an openable / closable manner; and a second door that is provided with a first power reception unit (33a) which receives power wirelessly transmitted from the first power transmission unit (23a), and that closes an opening of the second storage chamber in an openable / closable manner.

Description

refrigerator

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator that provides power to a storage compartment door.

[0002] Conventional refrigerators include a refrigerator main body with a storage compartment inside, a revolving door that is rotatably attached to the refrigerator main body via hinges to open and close the storage compartment, and a drawer door that slides back and forth to open and close the storage compartment. The storage compartment door is equipped with electrical components for improved convenience, such as an operation panel for operating various refrigerator settings without opening the door, a door-opening sensor for automatically opening the door, and an LED that notifies the user of the storage compartment status. The electrical components installed in the door are supplied with power from a control device housed on the rear side of the refrigerator main body. If power is supplied from the control device on the refrigerator main body to the revolving door via a wired hinge, the number of electrical components installed in the door will increase, resulting in an increase in the number of electrical wires. Because the electrical wires pass through the shafts of the hinges, a problem arises in that the opening diameter of the shaft must be large. In addition, holes must be drilled on the top surface of the refrigerator main body to allow the electrical wires to pass through, which requires processing effort and material costs for providing covers for the electrical wires that extend outside.

[0003] In view of this, a refrigerator has been proposed that includes a power supply unit that wirelessly transmits power to a wall surface of a storage compartment of the refrigerator body, a power receiving unit that receives power from the power supply unit on the door, and wirelessly supplies power from the power supply unit on the storage compartment side to the power receiving unit on the door side to supply electricity to electrical components provided on the door.For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which, in a refrigerator having an opening / closing mechanism that closes the door by sliding downward, when a wireless power supply device is provided on the top of the door, the gap that occurs between the power receiving unit and the power supply unit is reduced by the door sliding downward.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-16405

[0005] Some refrigerators have multiple revolving doors and drawer doors. Equipping each of these doors with electrical components such as an operation panel, door-opening sensor, and LEDs improves convenience. However, in order to supply power from the refrigerator body to the multiple doors that open and close, wiring must be connected from the control device to the multiple doors, which results in complex wiring. Furthermore, the doors may shift vertically or horizontally relative to the refrigerator body over time due to use or impact. In such cases, when wireless power is supplied from the control device to the doors, the distance between the power receiving unit and the power supply unit changes, causing an unstable amount of power supply.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a refrigerator that enables stable power supply to the doors of multiple storage compartments by supplying power while taking into account the opening and closing of the doors.

[0007] The refrigerator according to the present disclosure comprises a box body having an open front, an internal partition wall, and a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment adjacent to the first storage compartment, the first storage compartment being separated by the partition wall; a control device installed in the box body and supplied with power from an external power source; a first door that can be opened and closed to close the opening of the first storage compartment and has a first power transmission unit that wirelessly transmits power supplied from the control device; and a second door that can be opened and closed to close the opening of the second storage compartment and has a first power receiving unit that receives power wirelessly transmitted from the first power transmission unit.

[0008] The refrigerator according to the present disclosure further comprises: a box having an open front and a first storage compartment formed therein; a control device installed in the box and supplied with power from an external power source; a first main power transmission unit installed on an inner top surface of the first storage compartment of the box and wirelessly transmitting power supplied from the control device; a second main power transmission unit installed on an inner bottom surface of the first storage compartment of the box and wirelessly transmitting power supplied from the control device; and a first door that closes an opening of the first storage compartment in an openable and closable manner, wherein the first door comprises a first flange that is inserted into the first storage compartment in a closed state and has an upper surface facing an inner upper surface of the first storage compartment; a second flange that is inserted into the first storage compartment in a closed state and has a bottom surface facing an inner bottom surface of the first storage compartment; a third power receiving unit that is installed on the first flange and receives power wirelessly transmitted from the first main power transmission unit; and a fourth power receiving unit that is installed on the second flange and receives power wirelessly transmitted from the second main power transmission unit.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, a refrigerator can be obtained that can stably supply power to the doors of multiple storage compartments by supplying power while taking into account the opening and closing of the doors.

[0010] 1 is a front view of refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 taken along the line X-X in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of left refrigerator compartment door 6a and ice-making compartment door 7a provided in refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view including left refrigerator compartment door 6a, ice-making compartment door 7a, and switchable compartment door 8a provided in refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a modified enlarged front view including left refrigerator compartment door 6a, ice-making compartment door 7a, and switchable compartment door 8a provided in refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the function of wireless power transmission between left refrigerator compartment door 6a, ice-making compartment door 7a, and switchable compartment door 8a provided in refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of power supply from control device 17 to the third door. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of power supply from control device 17 to the second door when power needs to be supplied to the second door. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of power supply from control device 17 to the third door when power needs to be supplied to the third door. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a position where detection by first door open / close detection device 40a switches from an open state to a closed state when left refrigerator compartment door 6a of refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 is closed from an open state. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a position where detection by second door open / close detection device 40b switches from an open state to a closed state when ice making compartment door 7a of refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1 is closed from an open state. FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of left refrigerator compartment door 6a and ice making compartment door 7a of refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the function of wireless power transmission between left refrigerator compartment door 6a, ice making compartment door 7a, and switchable compartment door 8a of refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of wireless power transmission by first power supply device 21a of left refrigerator compartment door 6a according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of wireless power transmission by second power supply device 21b of the second door according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of wireless power reception by second power receiving device 31b of the third door according to Embodiment 2. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 3. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a left refrigerator compartment door 6a included in a refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a function of wireless power transmission from a box body 1 of a refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 3 to a left refrigerator compartment door 6a.

[0011] The following describes embodiments of the subject matter of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, identical or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and it is possible to combine the embodiments, modify or omit any of the components, within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1 taken along the line X-X in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows a cross-section taken along the line X-X in FIG. 1. The configuration of the refrigerator 100 according to the present disclosure will be described using FIGS. 1 and 2. The refrigerator 100 includes a box body 1, which is a refrigerator main body having one open side and a storage space 90 formed therein; partition walls 5 formed integrally with the box body 1 and dividing the storage space 90 into multiple storage compartments; and a control device 17 that controls a compressor 12a, a fan 11b, and a damper 13 supplied with power from an external power source to maintain each storage compartment at a predetermined temperature. Hereinafter, the surface of the box body 1 on which the opening to the storage space 90 is provided is referred to as the front surface 1a, and the surface opposite the front surface 1a is referred to as the back surface. Each storage compartment of the refrigerator 100 has an opening on the front surface 1a. Each storage compartment of the refrigerator 100 is provided with a door that can be opened and closed to close the opening. A cooler chamber 11 that generates cold air and a machine chamber 12 that houses machinery are formed on the rear side of the box body 1. In addition, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" used below refer to directions when the refrigerator 100 is viewed from the front. In addition, in the depth direction of the refrigerator 100, the front side when viewed from the front is referred to as the "front," and the back side is referred to as the "rear."

[0013] Box 1 is composed of a steel outer box 2, a resin inner box 3, and foam-filled insulation material 4 between outer box 2 and inner box 3. Box 1 further includes a partition wall 5 that is continuous with inner box 3. Storage space 90 within inner box 3 is divided into multiple storage compartments by the partition walls 5. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , refrigerator 100 includes storage compartments: refrigerator compartment 6 (first storage compartment), ice-making compartment 7 (second storage compartment), switchable compartment 8 (third storage compartment), vegetable compartment 9, and freezer compartment 10. In FIGS. 1 and 2 , refrigerator compartment 6 is located on the top level, ice-making compartment 7 and switchable compartment 8 are located side by side below refrigerator compartment 6, vegetable compartment 9 is located below ice-making compartment 7 and switchable compartment 8, and freezer compartment 10 is located on the bottom level. However, the arrangement and number of storage compartments are not limited to these. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the storage compartments, refrigerator compartment 6, ice maker compartment 7, switchable compartment 8, vegetable compartment 9, and freezer compartment 10, they will be referred to simply as storage compartments. Switchable compartment 8 is a storage compartment whose set temperature can be changed by the user by operating operation panel 15, which will be described later.

[0014] The partition wall 5 has thermal insulation properties, so that it can maintain the temperature of each storage compartment even when adjacent storage compartments are set to different temperatures. In the example of Figures 1 and 2, the partition walls 5 correspond to a partition wall 5a separating the refrigerator compartment 6 from the ice making compartment 7 and the switchable compartment 8, a partition wall 5b separating the ice making compartment 7 and the switchable compartment 8 from the vegetable compartment 9, and a partition wall 5c separating the vegetable compartment 9 from the freezer compartment 10. Although not shown, another partition wall 5 is also installed between the ice making compartment 7 and the switchable compartment 8. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the partition walls 5a, 5b, 5c, and the partition wall 5 between the ice making compartment 7 and the switchable compartment 8, they will be simply referred to as partition wall 5.

[0015] The refrigerator 100 has a refrigerator compartment opening 91a, an ice compartment opening 91b, a switchable compartment opening 91c, a vegetable compartment opening 91d, and a freezer compartment opening 90e on the front surface 1a of the case 1, which are openings to the refrigerator compartment 6, ice compartment 7, switchable compartment 8, vegetable compartment 9, and freezer compartment 10. The refrigerator 100 has doors at the openings of each storage compartment. The refrigerator compartment 6 is opened and closed by two rotating doors: a left refrigerator compartment door 6a (first door) and a right refrigerator compartment door 6b. The left refrigerator compartment door 6a is rotatably attached by a hinge 16a provided on the left side of the top surface 1b of the case 1 near the front surface 1a. The right refrigerator compartment door 6b is rotatably attached by a hinge 16b provided on the right side of the top surface 1b of the case 1 near the front surface 1a. The left and right refrigerator compartment doors 6a and 6b rotate independently around hinges 16a and 16b as pivot axes to open and close the refrigerator compartment opening 91a. The openings of the ice-making compartment 7, the selectable compartment 8, the vegetable compartment 9, and the freezer compartment 10 are opened and closed by drawer doors: the ice-making compartment door 7a (second door), the selectable compartment door 8a (third door), the vegetable compartment door 9a, and the freezer compartment door 10a, respectively. The drawer doors are fitted with frames (not shown) that slide back and forth along rails on the left and right walls of the storage compartment interior. Each storage compartment door, whether a revolving door or a drawer door, has a back panel facing the storage compartment opening and a front panel facing the back panel. A certain thickness is maintained between the front and back panels, due to the insulating material filled between the front and back panels.

[0016] Each storage compartment door is equipped with electrical components such as an operation panel, a door-open sensor, and an LED. In this embodiment, the left refrigerator compartment door 6a is equipped with an operation panel 15. The ice-making compartment door 7a is equipped with an LED 7b, the selector compartment door 8a is equipped with an LED 8b, the vegetable compartment door 9a is equipped with an LED 9b, and the freezer compartment door 10a is equipped with an LED 10b. The LEDs on each door function as notification units that, for example, light up to notify the user that the storage compartment has reached its set temperature. However, the electrical components on each storage compartment door are not limited to those described above. The refrigerator 100 of the present disclosure may have multiple doors equipped with one or more electrical components. The operation panel 15 is a user interface for configuring the refrigerator 100 in accordance with user operations. The operation panel 15 is equipped with an operation unit 15a for setting the temperature in each storage compartment, and a display unit 15b for displaying temperature information such as the temperature and set temperature in each storage compartment, inventory information, and the like. The operation unit 15a is composed of, for example, operation switches. Display unit 15b is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal display. Ice-making compartment door 7a is provided with a handle 18 so that the user can easily open and close it. Handles 18 may also be provided on left refrigerator compartment door 6a, right refrigerator compartment door 6b, selectable compartment door 8a, vegetable compartment door 9a, and freezer compartment door 10a.

[0017] The cooler chamber 11 is formed between the outer box 2 and the inner box 3 on the rear side of the box body 1, and is equipped with a cooler 11a and a fan 11b. The cooler 11a generates cold air at a temperature of about -20 to -30°C. The cold air is sent to each storage chamber by the fan 11b.

[0018] The machine chamber 12 is formed between the outer box 2 and the inner box 3 on the rear side of the box body 1, and includes a compressor 12a and a condenser 12b. The compressor 12a and the condenser 12b are connected to the cooler 11a in the cooler chamber 11 by a capillary tube (not shown) serving as a pressure reducer and a refrigerant pipe (not shown), thereby forming a refrigeration cycle.

[0019] The cooler chamber 11 and each storage chamber are connected by a cool air duct 14 that guides cool air to the storage chamber. The cool air generated by the cooler 11a is passed through the cool air duct 14 by the fan 11b and sent to each storage chamber. Each cool air duct 14 connected to each storage chamber is equipped with a damper 13. The temperature of each storage chamber can be controlled to a set temperature by opening and closing each damper 13.

[0020] The control device 17 is installed between the outer box 2 and the inner box 3 on the back side of the box body 1. The control device 17 is covered with a steel plate and a heat insulating material 4, and the steel plate is fixed to the inside of the outer box 2 of the refrigerator 100 with screws. The control device 17 is supplied with commercial power from outside the refrigerator 100. The control device 17 is equipped with a temperature control circuit (not shown). The temperature control circuit detects the temperature of each storage compartment using a temperature detection device (not shown), such as a thermistor, provided in each storage compartment. The temperature control circuit controls the compressor 12a, the fan 11b, and the damper 13 so that each storage compartment reaches a target set temperature.

[0021] The control device 17 and the operation panel 15 are electrically connected by an electric wire 50. The control device 17 supplies power to the operation panel 15 via the electric wire 50. The electric wire 50 runs from the control device 17 between the outer box 2 and the inner box 3 on the top surface 1b of the box body 1, through an opening in the top surface 1b, through the internal space of the hinge portion 16a, routed inside the left refrigerator compartment door 6a, and wired to the operation panel 15. The operation panel 15 and the first power supply device 21a are also electrically connected by the electric wire 50, and the operation panel 15 supplies power to the first power supply device 21a.

[0022] Each storage compartment is provided with a door open / close detection device 40 that detects the opening and closing of the door. The door open / close detection device 40 for the first door, the left refrigerator compartment door 6a, is referred to as the first door open / close detection device 40a. The door open / close detection device 40 for the second door, the ice-making compartment door 7a, is referred to as the second door open / close detection device 40b. The door open / close detection device 40 for the third door, the selectable compartment door 8a, is referred to as the third door open / close detection device 40c. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the door open / close detection devices 40a to 40c, they will be referred to as the door open / close detection device 40. The door open / close detection devices 40 are provided on the front side of the partition wall 5. Each door open / close detection device 40 is connected to the control device 17 via lead wires or the like (not shown). The door open / close detection device 40 detects the opening and closing state of each storage compartment door and transmits a signal indicating whether the door is open or closed to the control device 17.

[0023] The door open / close detection device 40 is, for example, a reed switch that closes when a magnet provided on the door side is brought close, a magnetic sensor such as a low-current Hall IC that operates at 48 V or less, or a push button switch that is pressed by the door. Note that the door open / close detection device 40 is not limited to these, as long as it detects the open / closed state of the doors of each storage compartment.

[0024] Power may be supplied from control device 17 to operation panel 15 wirelessly between front surface 1a of case 1 and left refrigerator compartment door 6a. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1. A modified example of power supply from control device 17 to operation panel 15 will be described using FIG. 3. Control device 17 and main body power transmission unit 61 provided on the front side of top surface 1b are electrically connected by electric wire 50 passing between outer case 2 and inner case 3. Furthermore, a first door power receiving unit 71 provided in a position on left refrigerator compartment door 6a facing main body power transmission unit 61 when left refrigerator compartment door 6a is closed are electrically connected to operation panel 15 by electric wire 50 routed within left refrigerator compartment door 6a. First door power receiving unit 71 is provided in a position overlapping main body power transmission unit 61 when refrigerator 100 is viewed from the front with left refrigerator compartment door 6a closed. When control device 17 supplies power to main body power transmission unit 61, main body power transmission unit 61 wirelessly supplies power to first door power receiving unit 71. When first door power receiving unit 71 receives power wirelessly from main body power transmission unit 61, first door power receiving unit 71 supplies power to operation panel 15. If power is supplied from control device 17 to the first door via a wired connection via hinge unit 16a as shown in FIG. 2, the wiring passes through a shaft provided in hinge unit 16a, which requires a large opening diameter for the shaft. In addition, a hole must be drilled in the top surface of refrigerator 100 to allow the wiring to pass through, which requires additional processing work. By supplying power wirelessly from control device 17 to the first door as shown in FIG. 3, wiring of electric wire 50 and processing of the box are simplified.

[0025] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of left refrigerator compartment door 6a and ice-making compartment door 7a included in refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of range W1 in Fig. 2. With reference to Fig. 4, wireless power supply from a storage compartment door to an adjacent storage compartment door included in refrigerator 100 of the present disclosure will be described.

[0026] The left refrigerator compartment door 6a has a recessed portion serving as a first power supply device mounting portion 20a formed in the bottom surface 6a1 of the left refrigerator compartment door 6a facing the ice-making compartment door 7a. A first power supply device 21a is installed in the first power supply device mounting portion 20a. To prevent the first power supply device 21a from being exposed on the surface of the lower door, the opening of the first power supply device mounting portion 20a is closed by a first door side panel 6c that constitutes part of the peripheral surface of the first door. In this embodiment, the first power supply device mounting portion 20a is formed on the bottom surface of the left refrigerator compartment door 6a, and therefore the first door side panel 6c is a panel that constitutes at least part of the bottom surface 6a1 of the left refrigerator compartment door 6a, which is the first door. The first door side panel 6c is formed of a non-metallic material so as not to interfere with wireless power supply. Power is supplied to the first power supply device 21a from the control device 17 via an electric wire 50. The operation panel 15 provided on the left refrigerator compartment door 6a may be provided with an operation panel power storage unit 15c (described later), and the power supplied from the control device 17 and stored in the operation panel power storage unit 15c may be transmitted to the first power supply device 21a. The first power supply device 21a transmits power wirelessly to the first power receiving device 31a.

[0027] The ice-making compartment door 7a has a recessed portion, which serves as a first power receiving device mounting portion 30a, formed on the top side of the door 7a in a position facing the first power supply device 21a on the bottom surface 6a1 of the left refrigerator compartment door 6a. A first power receiving device 31a is installed in the first power receiving device mounting portion 30a. To prevent the first power receiving device 31a from being exposed on the top surface of the ice-making compartment door 7a, the opening of the first power receiving device mounting portion 30a is closed by a second door side panel 7c, which constitutes part of the periphery of the second door. In this embodiment, the first power receiving device mounting portion 30a is formed on the top surface 7a1 of the ice-making compartment door 7a, and therefore the second door side panel 7c constitutes at least a part of the top surface 7a1 of the second door, the ice-making compartment door 7a. The second door side panel 7c is formed of a non-metallic material so as not to interfere with wireless power supply. First power receiving device 31a receives power wirelessly transmitted from first power supply device 21a. The power received by first power receiving device 31a is supplied to electrical components such as second door LED 7b provided on ice making compartment door 7a.

[0028] Fig. 5 is an enlarged front view of refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1, including left refrigerator compartment door 6a, ice-making compartment door 7a, and selectable compartment door 8a. As shown in Fig. 5, first power supply device 21a and first power receiving device 31a are installed so that their left-right positions coincide when viewed from the front when left refrigerator compartment door 6a and ice-making compartment door 7a are closed. This brings first power supply device 21a and first power receiving device 31a closer to each other when left refrigerator compartment door 6a and ice-making compartment door 7a are closed, allowing power to be transmitted from first power supply device 21a to first power receiving device 31a. The closer the distance between first power supply device 21a and first power receiving device 31a, the higher the power transmission efficiency. Specifically, in the case of wireless power feeding using the electromagnetic induction method and the electromagnetic coupling method, the first power feeding device 21 a and the first power receiving device 31 a are installed so that the distance between them is within 1 cm. For example, if the thickness of the first door side panel 6 c is 1 mm, the thickness of the second door side panel 7 c is 1 mm, and the distance between the first door side panel 6 c and the second door side panel 7 c is 7 mm, by attaching the first power feeding device 21 a to the back surface of the first door side panel 6 c and the first power receiving device 31 a to the back surface of the second door side panel 7 c, the distance between the first power feeding device 21 a and the first power receiving device 31 a becomes within 1 cm, and wireless power feeding from the first power feeding device 21 a to the first power receiving device 31 a becomes possible. The back surface of the first door side panel 6c is the surface opposite to the surface of the first door side panel 6c that forms the surface of the first door, and the back surface of the second door side panel 7c is the surface opposite to the surface of the first door side panel 6c that forms the surface of the second door.

[0029] 5, the first power supply device 21a and the first power receiving device 31a are installed at a different position from the handle 18, which is expected to be touched by a user. This prevents the user from touching the first door side panel 6c on the back side of which the first power supply device 21a is installed and the second door side panel 7c on the back side of which the first power receiving device 31a is installed. Because the first power supply device 21a and the first power receiving device 31a generate heat during wireless power supply, it is desirable to prevent the user from touching the vicinity of the first power supply device 21a and the first power receiving device 31a.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a modified enlarged front view of refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1, including left refrigerator door 6a, ice-making compartment door 7a, and selector compartment door 8a. In the case of an electromagnetic induction system using coils for power transmission and reception, the larger the first power supply device 21a and first power receiving device 31a are, the greater the amount of power that can be transmitted. As shown in FIG. 6 , handle 18 may be provided at a position other than the top end of ice-making compartment door 7a, and first power receiving device 31a may be provided over the entire top surface of ice-making compartment door 7a. In this case, first power supply device 21a, which wirelessly supplies power to first power receiving device 31a, is provided over the entire bottom surface of left refrigerator door 6a. By providing first power supply device 21a and first power receiving device 31a with a larger distance from bottom surface 6a1 of left refrigerator door 6a and top surface 7a1 of ice-making compartment door 7a, the amount of power that can be transmitted increases.

[0031] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the ice-making compartment door 7a has a recessed portion serving as the second power supply device mounting portion 20b formed on its side surface 7a2 facing the switching compartment door 8a. A second power supply device 21b is installed in the second power supply device mounting portion 20b. To prevent the second power supply device 21b from being exposed to the surface, the opening of the second power supply device mounting portion 20b is closed by a second door side panel 7c that forms the side surface 7a2 of the second door. The second door side panel 7c is made of a non-metallic material so as not to interfere with wireless power supply. The second power supply device 21b receives power from the first power receiving device 31a via an electric wire 50. Alternatively, the first power receiving device 31a may be provided with a first power storage unit 34a, and the power supplied from the first power receiving device 31a and stored in the first power storage unit 34a may be transmitted to the second power supply device 21b. The second power supply device 21b wirelessly transmits power to the second power receiving device 31b.

[0032] The switching compartment door 8a has a recessed portion serving as a second power receiving device mounting portion 30b formed on a side surface 8a1 of the switching compartment door 8a that faces the second power supply device 21b on the side surface of the ice making compartment door 7a. A second power receiving device 31b is installed in the second power receiving device mounting portion 30b. To prevent the second power receiving device 31b from being exposed to the surface, the opening of the second power receiving device mounting portion 30b is closed by a third door side panel 8c that constitutes the side surface 8a1 of the third door. The third door side panel 8c is formed of a non-metallic material so as not to interfere with wireless power supply. The second power receiving device 31b receives power wirelessly transmitted from the second power supply device 21b. The power received by the second power receiving device 31b is supplied to electrical components such as the third door LED 8b provided on the switching compartment door 8a.

[0033] When ice-making compartment door 7a and switching compartment door 8a are closed, second power supply device 21b and second power receiving device 31b are close to each other, and power can be transmitted from second power supply device 21b to second power receiving device 31b. Specifically, in the case of wireless power supply using electromagnetic induction or electromagnetic coupling, second power supply device 21b and second power receiving device 31b are installed so that the distance between them is within 1 cm. For example, if the thickness of the second door side panel 7c is 1 mm, the thickness of the third door side panel 8c is 1 mm, and the distance between the second door side panel 7c and the third door side panel 8c is 7 mm, by attaching the second power supply device 21b to the back surface of the second door side panel 7c and attaching the second power receiving device 31b to the back surface of the third door side panel 8c, the distance between the second power supply device 21b and the second power receiving device 31b will be within 1 cm, and wireless power supply from the second power supply device 21b to the second power receiving device 31b will become possible.

[0034] 5 and 6, the ice-making compartment door 7a has the first power receiving device 31a and the second power supplying device 21b, so that the ice-making compartment door 7a, which is the second door, can wirelessly supply power from the first door, the left refrigerator compartment door 6a, to the third door, the selectable compartment door 8a. Furthermore, by providing a power supplying device for the selectable compartment door 8a as well as the ice-making compartment door 7a, and providing a power receiving device for the adjacent vegetable compartment door 9a, power can be supplied wirelessly. With this configuration, wireless power supply from door to door is possible, so that power can be supplied from the first door, which receives power from the control device 17, to all doors.

[0035] In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the first power supply device 21a and the second power supply device 21b, they will simply be referred to as power supply devices 21. Furthermore, when there is no need to distinguish between the first power receiving device 31a and the second power receiving device 31b, they will simply be referred to as power receiving devices 31.

[0036] Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the function of wireless power transmission between left refrigerator compartment door 6a, ice maker compartment door 7a, and selectable compartment door 8a included in refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1. The flow of power supply from control device 17 to each door will be described with reference to Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, thick lines connecting each element represent power supply paths, dashed lines represent power supply paths via wireless power supply, and thin lines represent communication paths.

[0037] The left refrigerator compartment door 6a includes an operation panel 15 and a first power supply device 21a. The operation panel 15 includes an operation panel storage unit 15c and an operation panel communication unit 15d. The operation panel storage unit 15c stores power supplied from a control device 17 installed in the box 1. The operation panel storage unit 15c is, for example, a capacitor. The operation panel communication unit 15d is communicatively connected to the control device 17 and transmits the content of user operations on the operation panel 15 to the control device 17 or receives control signals from the control device 17. When the operation panel communication unit 15d receives a signal from the control device 17 to a first power transmission instruction unit 24a included in the first power supply device 21a (described later), the operation panel communication unit 15d transfers the signal to the first power transmission instruction unit 24a. When the operation panel communication unit 15d receives a signal from the control device 17 to a first communication unit 35a installed on the second door, the operation panel communication unit 15d transfers the signal to the first power transmission instruction unit 24a. The control device 17 and the operation panel communication unit 15d communicate with each other via an electric wire 50. Alternatively, the control device 17 and the operation panel communication unit 15d may communicate with each other via a separate communication line. Alternatively, the control device 17 and the operation panel communication unit 15d may communicate with each other wirelessly.

[0038] The first power supply device 21a includes a first power transmission instructing unit 24a and a first power transmitting unit 23a. The first power transmission instructing unit 24a wirelessly feeds power from the first power transmitting unit 23a to a first power receiving unit 33a (described later) based on a signal from the control device 17. The first power transmitting unit 23a is, for example, a power transmitting coil. The first power transmitting unit 23a can transmit a control signal to the first power receiving unit 33a while wirelessly feeding power. When the first power transmission instructing unit 24a receives a control signal for the second power transmission instructing unit 24b transmitted from the control device 17, the first power transmission instructing unit 24a transfers the control signal to the first communication unit 35a via the first power transmitting unit 23a and the first power receiving unit 33a. The first communication unit 35a that has received the control signal transfers it to the second power transmission instructing unit 24b. The control signal to the second power transmission instructing unit 24b transmitted from the control device 17 may be configured to be transmitted from the control device 17 to the second power transmission instructing unit 24b via wireless communication.

[0039] The ice making compartment door 7a is equipped with electrical components, including a second door LED 7b, a first power receiving device 31a, and a second power supply device 21b. The first power receiving device 31a is equipped with a first power storage unit 34a, a first power receiving unit 33a, and a first communication unit 35a. The first power receiving unit 33a is, for example, a power receiving coil. When wireless power supply is an electromagnetic induction system, an AC voltage is applied to the first power transmitting unit 23a, and an induced electromotive force is generated in the first power receiving unit 33a based on the principle of electromagnetic induction, thereby wirelessly supplying power from the first power transmitting unit 23a to the first power receiving unit 33a. The first power storage unit 34a stores the power received by the first power receiving unit 33a. The first power storage unit 34a is, for example, a capacitor.

[0040] Second power supply device 21b provided on ice making compartment door 7a includes second power transmission instructing unit 24b and second power transmitting unit 23b. Second power transmission instructing unit 24b causes second power transmitting unit 23b to wirelessly supply power to second power receiving unit 33b (described later) based on a signal from control device 17. Second power transmission instructing unit 24b receives the signal from control device 17 via first power transmitting unit 23a and first power receiving unit 33a. Alternatively, second power transmission instructing unit 24b receives the signal from control device 17 via wireless communication.

[0041] The switching compartment door 8a includes electrical components such as a third door LED 8b and a second power receiving device 31b. The second power receiving device 31b includes a second power storage unit 34b and a second power receiving unit 33b. The second power receiving unit 33b is, for example, a power receiving coil. The second power receiving unit 33b receives power wirelessly supplied by the second power transmitting unit 23b. The second power storage unit 34b stores the power received by the second power receiving unit 33b. The second power storage unit 34b is, for example, a capacitor.

[0042] 7 shows a configuration for wirelessly feeding power from refrigerator compartment left door 6a (the first door) to ice-making compartment door 7a (the second door), and from ice-making compartment door 7a (the second door) to switching compartment door 8a (the third door). Refrigerator 100 may also be configured to wirelessly feed power from switching compartment door 8a to another adjacent fourth door. In this case, switching compartment door 8a further includes power feeding device 21, and the fourth door includes power receiving device 31.

[0043] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of power supply from the control device 17 to the third door according to Embodiment 1. The flow of power supply from the control device 17 to the switchable compartment door 8a, which is the third door, will be described with reference to Fig. 8. When the refrigerator 100 is powered on and power is supplied to the control device 17 from an external power source, the flow of Fig. 8 starts.

[0044] First, in step S101, the control device 17 determines the open / closed state of the first door based on the detection result from the first door open / close detection device 40a. If the first door is open (S101: No), the process returns to step S101. If the first door is closed (S101: Yes), the process proceeds to step S102. Step S101 assumes a case in which power is supplied from the control device 17 to the first door, i.e., the left refrigerator compartment door 6a, via wireless power supply, as shown in FIG. 3. When the first door is open, the main body power transmission unit 61 and the first door power receiving unit 71 are separated, preventing power transmission, so the control device 17 does not supply power. Note that, if power is supplied from the control device 17 to the first door, i.e., the left refrigerator compartment door 6a, via the electric wire 50 routed through the interior space of the hinge portion 16a, as shown in FIG. 2, step S101 may be omitted.

[0045] In step S102, the control device 17 supplies power to the first power supply device 21a of the first door. The power supply from the control device 17 to the first power supply device 21a is performed via the operation panel 15 as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, the power may be supplied directly from the control device 17 to the first power supply device 21a. Next, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0046] In step S103, the control device 17 determines whether the first door is open or closed based on the detection result from the first door open / close detection device 40a. Furthermore, the control device 17 determines whether the second door is open or closed based on the detection result from the second door open / close detection device 40b. If at least one of the first door and the second door is open (S103: No), the control device 17 determines that the distance between the first power supply device 21a and the first power receiving device 31a is too large and wireless power supply is not possible, and returns to step S101. If both the first door and the second door are closed (S103: Yes), the control device 17 proceeds to step S104.

[0047] In step S104, the control device 17 transmits a control signal to the first power transmission instructing unit 24a of the first power supply device 21a to wirelessly supply power from the first power transmitting unit 23a to the first power receiving unit 33a. Having received the control signal, the first power transmission instructing unit 24a applies an AC voltage to the first power transmitting unit 23a. This causes wireless power supply from the first power transmitting unit 23a to the first power receiving unit 33a. In this way, wireless power supply is performed from the first power supply device 21a of the first door to the first power receiving device 31a of the second door. Next, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0048] In step S105, the first power receiving device 31a charges the first power storage unit 34a with the power received in step S104. Storing electricity in the first power storage unit 34a allows power to be supplied from the first power storage unit 34a to electrical components such as the second door LED 7b even when the first door or the second door is open and power cannot be supplied from the control device 17 to the second door. Next, the process proceeds to step S106.

[0049] In step S106, the control device 17 determines whether charging of the first power storage unit 34a is complete. The first communication unit 35a is configured to detect the charge amount of the first power storage unit 34a, and when the first power storage unit 34a is fully charged, the first communication unit 35a transmits a charging completion signal to the control device 17. The control device 17 determines that charging of the first power storage unit 34a is complete by receiving the charging completion signal. Alternatively, the control device 17 may determine that charging of the first power storage unit 34a is complete when a certain period of time has elapsed since the control device 17 began supplying power to the first power receiving device 31a. Note that the state in which charging of the first power storage unit 34a is complete may also be determined when the first power storage unit 34a is charged to a predetermined threshold or more, rather than being fully charged. If charging is not complete (S106: No), the process returns to step S104, and wireless power supply to the first power supply device 21a continues. If charging is completed (S106: Yes), the process proceeds to step S107.

[0050] In step S107, the control device 17 determines the open / closed state of the first door based on the detection result from the first door open / close detection device 40a. Next, the control device 17 determines the open / closed state of the second door based on the detection result from the second door open / close detection device 40b. Furthermore, the control device 17 determines the open / closed state of the third door based on the detection result from the third door open / close detection device 40c. If at least one of the first door, second door, and third door is open (S107: No), it determines that wireless power supply is not possible, and the process returns to step S101. If the first door, second door, and third door are all closed (S107: Yes), the process proceeds to step S108. If the first door is open and the second door and third door are closed, the second power supply device 21b and the second power receiving device 31b are close enough to each other to transmit power. However, when a control signal from the control device 17 to the second power transmission instruction unit 24b is transmitted via the first power transmitter 23a and the first power receiver 33a, wireless power supply between the second power supply device 21b and the second power receiver 31b is not possible unless the first door is closed. Therefore, in step S107, if the first door, the second door, and the third door are all closed, the process proceeds to step S108. Note that, when the control signal from the control device 17 to the second power transmission instruction unit 24b is transmitted via wireless communication, the open / closed states of the second door and the third door may be detected in step S107, and the process may proceed to step S108 if the second door and the third door are closed.

[0051] In step S108, the control device 17 transmits a control signal to the second power transmission instruction unit 24b of the second power supply device 21b to wirelessly supply power from the second power transmission unit 23b to the second power receiving unit 33b. Upon receiving the control signal, the second power transmission instruction unit 24b applies an AC voltage to the second power transmission unit 23b, thereby wirelessly supplying power from the second power transmission unit 23b to the second power receiving unit 33b. At this time, the second power transmission unit 23b transmits the power received by the first power receiving unit 33a from the first power transmission unit 23a. Alternatively, the second power transmission unit 23b may transmit the power stored in the first power storage unit 34a. In this manner, wireless power supply is performed from the second power supply device 21b of the second door to the second power receiving device 31b of the third door. Next, the process proceeds to step S109.

[0052] In step S109, the second power receiving device 31b charges the second power storage unit 34b with the power received in step S108. Storing electricity in the second power storage unit 34b allows power to be supplied from the second power storage unit 34b to electrical components such as the third door LED 8b even when the second door or the third door is open and power cannot be supplied from the second power supply device 21b to the third door. Next, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0053] In step S110, the control device 17 determines whether charging of the second power storage unit 34b is complete. The second communication unit 35b is configured to detect the charge amount of the second power storage unit 34b, and when the second power storage unit 34b is fully charged, the second communication unit 35b transmits a charging completion signal to the control device 17. The control device 17 determines that charging of the second power storage unit 34b is complete by receiving the charging completion signal. Alternatively, the control device 17 may determine that charging of the second power storage unit 34b is complete when a certain period of time has elapsed since the control device 17 began supplying power to the second power receiving device 31b. Note that the state in which charging of the second power storage unit 34b is complete may also be determined when the second power storage unit 34b is charged to a predetermined threshold or more, rather than being fully charged. If charging is not complete (S110: No), the process returns to step S108, and wireless power supply to the second power supply device 21b continues. If charging is completed (S110: Yes), the flow of power supply from the control device 17 to the third door ends.

[0054] As described above, control device 17 controls first power supply device 21a and second power supply device 21b depending on the open / close states of the first door, second door, and third door, and wirelessly supplies power to the second door and the third door. The flow of Fig. 8 is performed at regular intervals to prevent the power stored in first power storage unit 34a and second power storage unit 34b from running out. Alternatively, the flow of Fig. 8 may be performed constantly while refrigerator 100 is powered on, i.e., the process may return to step S101 after step S110.

[0055] Furthermore, power may be supplied to the second and third doors only when electrical components, such as the second door LED 7b installed on the second door and the third door LED 8b installed on the third door, require power. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of power supply from the control device 17 to the second door when power supply to the second door is required. Referring to FIG. 9, the flow of power supply from the control device 17 to the second door when power supply to the second door is required will be described. In FIG. 9, as an example, a case will be described in which the second door LED 7b is turned on for a certain period of time to notify the user when the second storage compartment has reached a set temperature. The flow of FIG. 9 starts when the refrigerator 100 is powered on and power is supplied to the control device 17 from an external power source.

[0056] First, in step S201, the control device 17 determines whether or not power supply to the second door is necessary. The control device 17 receives a temperature detection signal from a temperature sensor (not shown) installed in the second storage compartment, and when the temperature of the second storage compartment reaches a set temperature, determines that power supply to the second door is necessary to turn on the second door LED 7b for a certain period of time. If power supply to the second door is not necessary (S201: No), the process returns to step S201. If power supply to the second door is necessary (S201: Yes), the process proceeds to step S202.

[0057] In step S202, the control device 17 determines whether the first door is open or closed based on the detection result from the first door open / close detection device 40a. Furthermore, the control device 17 determines whether the second door is open or closed based on the detection result from the second door open / close detection device 40b. If at least one of the first door and the second door is open (S202: No), the control device 17 determines that the distance between the first power supply device 21a and the first power receiving device 31a is too great and wireless power supply is not possible, and returns to step S201. If both the first door and the second door are closed (S202: Yes), the control device 17 proceeds to step S203.

[0058] In step S203, the control device 17 supplies power to the first power supply device 21a of the first door. The power supply from the control device 17 to the first power supply device 21a is performed via the operation panel 15 as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, the power may be supplied directly from the control device 17 to the first power supply device 21a. Next, the process proceeds to step S204.

[0059] In step S204, the control device 17 transmits a control signal to the first power transmission instructing unit 24a of the first power supply device 21a to wirelessly supply power from the first power transmitting unit 23a to the first power receiving unit 33a. Having received the control signal, the first power transmission instructing unit 24a applies an AC voltage to the first power transmitting unit 23a, thereby wirelessly supplying power from the first power transmitting unit 23a to the first power receiving unit 33a. In this way, wireless power supply is performed from the first power supply device 21a of the first door to the first power receiving device 31a of the second door. Next, the process proceeds to step S205.

[0060] In step S205, the power received by the first power receiving device 31a in step S204 is sent to the second door LED 7b, causing the second door LED 7b to light up. Next, the process proceeds to step S206.

[0061] In step S206, the control device 17 determines whether a certain time has elapsed since the start of wireless power supply to the first power receiving device 31a. The certain time in step S205 is the time during which the second door LED 7b is turned on to notify the user when the second storage compartment has reached the set temperature. If the certain time has not elapsed (S206: No), the process returns to step S203, and power supply from the control device 17 to the first power receiving device 31a via the first power supply device 21a continues. If the certain time has elapsed (S206: Yes), the process proceeds to step S207.

[0062] In step S207, the control device 17 causes the first power transmission instruction unit 24a to cut off the power supply to the first power supply device 21a. This completes the process. In the above process, when power supply to an electrical component installed on the second door is required, the control device 17 supplies power to the first power receiving device 31a.

[0063] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of power supply from control device 17 to the third door when power supply to the third door is required. With reference to Fig. 10, the flow of power supply from control device 17 to the third door when power supply to the third door is required will be described. Fig. 10 illustrates, as an example, a case where third door LED 8b is turned on for a certain period of time to notify the user when the temperature in the third storage compartment has reached a set temperature. The flow of Fig. 10 starts when refrigerator 100 is turned on and power is supplied to control device 17 from an external power source.

[0064] First, in step S301, the control device 17 determines whether or not power supply to the third door is necessary. The control device 17 receives a temperature detection signal from a temperature sensor (not shown) installed in the third storage compartment, and determines that power supply to the third door is necessary when the temperature in the third storage compartment reaches a set temperature. If power supply to the third door is not necessary (S301: No), the process returns to step S301. If power supply to the third door is necessary (S301: Yes), the process proceeds to step S302.

[0065] In step S302, the control device 17 determines the open / closed state of the first door based on the detection result from the first door open / close detection device 40a. The control device 17 determines the open / closed state of the second door based on the detection result from the second door open / close detection device 40b. Furthermore, the control device 17 determines the open / closed state of the third door based on the detection result from the third door open / close detection device 40c. If at least one of the first door, second door, or third door is open (S302: No), the control device 17 determines that power cannot be supplied to the second power receiving device 31b, and returns to step S301. If the first door, second door, and third door are all closed (S302: Yes), the control device 17 proceeds to step S303.

[0066] In step S303, the control device 17 determines whether power can be supplied from the first power storage unit 34a to the second power receiving device 31b. If the first power storage unit 34a is fully charged, the control device 17 determines that power can be supplied from the first power storage unit 34a to the second power receiving device 31b without power supply from the control device 17. The control device 17 transmits a signal to the first communication unit 35a requesting the amount of power stored in the first power storage unit 34a, and acquires the amount of power stored in the first power storage unit 34a in response. Note that even if the first power storage unit 34a is not fully charged, if the first power storage unit 34a is charged to a predetermined threshold or more, the control device 17 may determine that power can be supplied from the first power storage unit 34a to the second power receiving device 31b. If the control device 17 determines that power can be supplied from the first power storage unit 34a to the second power receiving device 31b (S303: Yes), the control device 17 proceeds to S306. If it is determined that power cannot be supplied from the first power storage unit 34a to the second power receiving device 31b (S303: No), the process proceeds to S304.

[0067] In step S304, the control device 17 transmits a control signal to the first power transmission instructing unit 24a of the first power supply device 21a to wirelessly supply power from the first power transmitting unit 23a to the first power receiving unit 33a. Having received the control signal, the first power transmission instructing unit 24a applies an AC voltage to the first power transmitting unit 23a, thereby wirelessly supplying power from the first power transmitting unit 23a to the first power receiving unit 33a. In this way, wireless power supply is performed from the first power supply device 21a of the first door to the first power receiving device 31a of the second door. Next, the process proceeds to step S305.

[0068] In step S305, the first power receiving device 31a charges the first power storage unit 34a with the power received in step S304. Next, the process proceeds to step S306.

[0069] In step S306, the control device 17 transmits a control signal to the second power transmission instruction unit 24b of the second power supply device 21b to wirelessly supply power from the second power transmission unit 23b to the second power receiving unit 33b. Upon receiving the control signal, the second power transmission instruction unit 24b applies an AC voltage to the second power transmission unit 23b, thereby wirelessly supplying power from the second power transmission unit 23b to the second power receiving unit 33b. At this time, the second power transmission unit 23b transmits the power stored in the first power storage unit 34a. Alternatively, the second power transmission unit 23b may transmit the power received by the first power receiving unit 33a from the first power transmission unit 23a. In this case, the step of charging the first power storage unit 34a in S305 may be omitted. In this manner, wireless power supply is performed from the second power supply device 21b of the second door to the second power receiving device 31b of the third door. Next, the process proceeds to step S307.

[0070] In step S307, the power received by the second power receiving device 31b in step S306 is sent to the third door LED 8b, causing the third door LED 8b to light up. Next, the process proceeds to step S308.

[0071] In step S308, the control device 17 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of wireless power supply to the second power receiving device 31b. The predetermined time in step S308 refers to the time during which the third door LED 8b is turned on to notify the user when the temperature of the third storage compartment reaches the set temperature. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (S308: No), the process returns to step S306, where the control device 17 continues to supply power to the second power receiving device 31b via the second power supply device 21b. If the predetermined time has elapsed (S308: Yes), the process proceeds to step S309. Note that the third door LED 8b may be configured to always be turned on when the third storage compartment reaches the set temperature. In this case, the control device 17 continues to supply power to the second power receiving device 31b via the second power supply device 21b until the temperature of the third storage compartment becomes higher or lower than the set temperature by a threshold value or more.

[0072] In step S309, the control device 17 causes the second power transmission instruction unit 24b to cut off the power supply to the second power supply device 21b. This completes the process. In the above process, when power supply to an electrical component installed on the third door is required, the control device 17 supplies power to the second power receiving device 31b.

[0073] Using the flow described above, it is possible to use the detection results of the door opening / closing detection device to determine whether the power supply device and the power receiving device are in positions where wireless power transmission is possible, and to perform wireless power transmission from door to door.

[0074] Next, the installation positions of the power receiving device 31 and the power supply device 21 will be described in detail. The door opening / closing detection device 40 may detect a closed state even when the door is slightly open. For example, if the door opening / closing detection device 40 is a reed switch that closes when a magnet attached to the door is brought close, the reed switch will close due to the magnet attached to the door, even when the door is slightly open, and the reed switch will detect a closed state. In this way, if the door is determined to be closed even when slightly open, the power receiving device 31 and the power supply device 21 installed on the door will start wireless power supply according to the processes shown in FIGS. 8 , 9 , and 10 . It is desirable to install the power receiving device 31 and the power supply device 21 in a position where the power receiving device 31 and the power supply device 21 will not wirelessly supply power when the user can touch the power receiving device 31 and the power supply device 21 installed on the side of the door. In other words, when the door opening / closing detection device 40 detects a closed state, the power receiving device 31 and the power supply device 21 should be installed so that the user cannot touch them.

[0075] Fig. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the position where first door open / close detection device 40a switches from the open state to the closed state when left refrigerator door 6a of refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1 is closed. In Fig. 11, dashed line L1 indicates the front end of ice-making compartment door 7a. First power supply device 21a is positioned on left refrigerator door 6a so that the front end of first power supply device 21a is located behind dashed line L1, i.e., the front end of ice-making compartment door 7a, at the position where first door open / close detection device 40a switches from the open state to the closed state when left refrigerator door 6a is closed. This prevents the user from touching first power supply device 21a at the position on left refrigerator door 6a where first door open / close detection device 40a switches from the open state to the closed state. When wireless power is transmitted from the first power supply device 21a to the first power receiving device 31a, the first power supply device 21a and the first power receiving device 31a may generate heat. This configuration ensures safety by preventing the user from touching the first power supply device 21a when the left refrigerator compartment door 6a is not completely closed during wireless power transmission from the first power supply device 21a to the first power receiving device 31a. In this embodiment, the first power supply device 21a is installed in the first power supply device mounting portion 20a, the opening of which is closed by the first door side panel 6c, so that the first power supply device 21a is not exposed on the surface of the first door. The first power supply device 21a generates heat due to power transmission, and the surface of the first door side panel 6c corresponding to the location where the first power supply device 21a is installed on the back surface of the first door side panel 6c may also become heated. Therefore, when the first power supply device 21a is installed on the back surface of the first door side panel 6c, safety can be ensured by preventing the user from touching the surface of the first door side panel 6c corresponding to the location where the first power supply device 21a is installed on the back surface of the first door side panel 6c.

[0076] Note that wireless power transmission from first power supply device 21a to first power receiving device 31a only requires that first power transmitting unit 23a and first power receiving unit 33a be close to each other. Therefore, first power transmitting unit 23a may be installed adjacent to the inner surface of first door side panel 6c attached to the bottom surface of the first door, and first power transmission instructing unit 24a may be installed in another location on the first door. Therefore, first power transmitting unit 23a may be located behind dashed line L1, i.e., the front end of ice making compartment door 7a, at the position of left refrigerator compartment door 6a where first door open / close detection device 40a switches from the open state to the closed state.

[0077] Second power supply device 21b is also arranged to be located behind the front end of switchable compartment door 8a at the position of ice making compartment door 7a where second door open / close detection device 40b detects and switches from the open state to the closed state. This ensures safety by preventing the user from touching second power supply device 21b when wirelessly transmitting power from second power supply device 21b to second power receiving device 31b. Note that second power transmission unit 23b of second power supply device 21b may also be arranged to be located behind the front end of switchable compartment door 8a at the position where second door open / close detection device 40b detects and switches from the open state to the closed state.

[0078] Fig. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the position where second door open / close detection device 40b switches from the open state to the closed state when ice-making compartment door 7a of refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1 is closed. In Fig. 12, dashed line L2 indicates the front end of left refrigerator compartment door 6a. First power receiving device 31a is positioned on ice-making compartment door 7a so that the front end of first power receiving device 31a is located behind dashed line L2, i.e., the front end of left refrigerator compartment door 6a, at the position where second door open / close detection device 40b switches from the open state to the closed state when ice-making compartment door 7a is closed. This prevents the user from touching first power receiving device 31a at the position where second door open / close detection device 40b switches from the open state to the closed state. When wireless power is transmitted from first power supply device 21a to first power receiving device 31a, first power supply device 21a and first power receiving device 31a may generate heat. However, with this configuration, when wireless power is transmitted from first power supply device 21a to first power receiving device 31a, even if ice making compartment door 7a is not completely closed, the user will not come into contact with first power receiving device 31a, ensuring safety.

[0079] Note that, for wireless power transmission from the first power supply device 21a to the first power receiving device, the first power transmitting unit 23a and the first power receiving unit 33a only need to be close to each other. Therefore, the first power receiving unit 33a may be installed adjacent to the inner surface of the second door side panel 7c of the second door, and the first power storage unit 34a and the first communication unit 35a may be installed in another location on the second door. Therefore, the first power receiving unit 33a may be located behind the dashed line L2, i.e., the front end of the left refrigerator compartment door 6a, at the position where the detection by the second door opening / closing detection device 40b switches from the open state to the closed state.

[0080] Similarly, by positioning second power receiving device 31b behind the front end of ice making compartment door 7a at the position where third door opening / closing detection device 40c detects that the door is switched from the open state to the closed state, safety can be ensured without the user having to touch second power receiving device 31b when wireless power is transmitted from second power supply device 21b to second power receiving device 31b. Note that second power receiving unit 33b of second power receiving device 31b may also be positioned behind the front end of ice making compartment door 7a at the position where third door opening / closing detection device 40c detects that the door is switched from the open state to the closed state.

[0081] FIG. 13 is a schematic top view of the left refrigerator compartment door 6a and the ice-making compartment door 7a included in the refrigerator 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13(a) is a schematic top view showing the position of the first power transmission unit 23a of the first power supply device 21a disposed on the left refrigerator compartment door 6a. The first power supply device 21a is installed on a first power supply device mounting portion 20a formed on the bottom surface of the left refrigerator compartment door 6a, and the opening of the first power supply device mounting portion 20a is closed by the first door side panel 6c. When the left refrigerator compartment door 6a is viewed from above, the first power supply device 21a is not visible. FIG. 13(a) illustrates the first power transmission unit 23a of the first power supply device 21a to explain the installation position of the first power transmission unit 23a of the first power supply device 21a on the left refrigerator compartment door 6a. The left refrigerator compartment door 6a rotates around hinge portion 16a as a rotation axis to open and close the refrigerator compartment 6. FIG. 13(b) is a top view schematic diagram showing the position of the first power receiving portion 33a of the first power receiving device 31a disposed on the ice making compartment door 7a. The first power receiving device 31a is mounted on a first power receiving device mounting portion 30a formed on the top surface 7a1 of the ice making compartment door 7a, and the opening of the first power receiving device mounting portion 30a is closed by the second door side panel 7c. When the ice making compartment door 7a is viewed from above, the first power receiving device 31a is hidden by the second door side panel 7c and cannot be seen. FIG. 13(b) illustrates the first power receiving portion 33a of the first power receiving device 31a for the purpose of explaining the mounting position of the first power receiving portion 33a of the first power receiving device 31a on the ice making compartment door 7a. 13(c) is a schematic top view showing the position of the left refrigerator door 6a, which is a revolving door, at which the detection by the first door open / close detection device 40a switches from the open state to the closed state when the left refrigerator door 6a, which is a revolving door, is closed. With reference to FIGS. 13(a), 13(b), and 13(c), the arrangement of the first power supply device 21a will be described so that the user cannot touch the first power supply device 21a when the left refrigerator door 6a, which is a revolving door, is at the position at which the detection by the first door open / close detection device 40a switches from the open state to the closed state.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 13( a), when viewed from above, first power transmission unit 23a has a trapezoidal shape with its right end, located outside the rotation axis of the first revolving door, as the upper base and its left end, located opposite, as the lower base, and the lower base being longer than the upper base. Furthermore, the right end, located outside the rotation axis of first power transmission unit 23a, is located behind the bottom surface of left refrigerator door 6a. By making first power transmission unit 23a trapezoidal, as shown in FIG. 13( c), at the position of left refrigerator door 6a where first door open / close detection device 40a detects, switches from the open state to the closed state, first power transmission unit 23a is located behind the front end of ice-making compartment door 7a. At the position of left refrigerator door 6a where first door open / close detection device 40a detects, switches from the open state to the closed state, the left end, located inside the rotation axis, is longer than the right end, located outside the rotation axis. By forming the first power transmission unit 23a in a trapezoidal shape with an upper base located outside the rotation axis and a lower base located inside the rotation axis that is longer than the upper base, the first power transmission unit 23a can be made larger than if it were rectangular. Increasing the size of the first power transmission unit 23a has the effect of increasing the amount of power transmission. The shape of the first power transmission unit 23a when viewed from above may be any shape that is close to a trapezoid. For example, it may be a roughly trapezoidal shape with rounded corners. Furthermore, the shape of the first power transmission unit 23a when viewed from above is not limited to a trapezoidal shape, as long as it is located behind the front end of the ice-making compartment door 7a and has a larger area near the rotation axis than the farther portion at the position of the left refrigerator compartment door 6a where the detection by the first door opening / closing detection device 40a switches from the open state to the closed state. This also has the effect of increasing the amount of power transmission.

[0083] In this embodiment, the wireless power supply has been described using the electromagnetic induction method and the electromagnetic coupling method, but the wireless power supply is not limited to these methods. The wireless power supply may be a radiation type that transmits energy using microwaves or lasers, or a magnetic resonance method that has little energy loss. Note that wireless power supply using microwaves or lasers allows wireless power transmission even when the distance between the power supply device 21 and the power receiving device 31 is greater than in the case of the electromagnetic induction method and the electromagnetic coupling method. Therefore, when wireless power supply using microwaves or lasers is performed, the power supply device 21 and the power receiving device 31 can be installed on surfaces other than the opposing surfaces of the doors to which they are installed.

[0084] As described above, refrigerator 100 of the present embodiment includes box 1 having an open front and partition wall 5 therein, and including a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment adjacent to the first storage compartment, the first storage compartment being partitioned by partition wall 5; control device 17 installed in box 1 and receiving power from an external power source; a first door having first power transmitting unit 23a that wirelessly transmits power supplied from control device 17 and opening and closing an opening of the first storage compartment; and a second door having first power receiving unit 33a that receives power wirelessly transmitted from first power transmitting unit 23a and opening and closing an opening of the second storage compartment. With this configuration, power can be supplied wirelessly from the first door to the second door, reducing the amount of wiring from box 1 and enabling power to be supplied to multiple doors.

[0085] The second door further includes a second power transmitting unit 23b that wirelessly transmits power supplied from the first power receiving unit 33a, the box 1 is further divided by a partition wall 5 inside to form a third storage compartment adjacent to the second storage compartment, and the refrigerator 100 further includes a third door that includes a second power receiving unit 33b that receives power wirelessly transmitted from the second power transmitting unit 23b and that opens and closes the opening of the third storage compartment. With this configuration, power can be supplied wirelessly from the second door, which has received power from the first door, to the third door, reducing the amount of wiring from the box 1 and enabling power to be supplied to multiple doors.

[0086] Furthermore, the first power transmitting unit 23a is installed on the surface of the first door facing the second door, and the first power receiving unit 33a is installed on the surface of the second door facing the first door, which allows the first power transmitting unit 23a and the first power receiving unit 33a to be close to each other.

[0087] In addition, the second power transmission unit 23b is installed on the surface of the second door facing the third door, and the second power receiving unit 33b is installed on the surface of the third door facing the second door, which allows the second power transmission unit 23b and the second power receiving unit 33b to be close to each other.

[0088] Moreover, refrigerator 100 further includes a first door open / close detection device 40a installed in box body 1 and detecting the opening and closing of the first door, and a second door open / close detection device 40b installed in box body 1 and detecting the opening and closing of the second door, and control device 17 controls first power transmission unit 23a to first power receiving unit 33a to transmit power wirelessly when first door open / close detection device 40a detects the closed state of the first door and second door open / close detection device 40b detects the closed state of the second door. This allows wireless power transmission from first power transmission unit 23a to first power receiving unit 33a when first power transmission unit 23a installed on the first door and first power receiving unit 33a installed on the second door are close to each other.

[0089] Moreover, refrigerator 100 further includes a third door open / close detection device that is installed in box body 1 and detects the opening and closing of the third door, and control device 17 controls second power transmission unit 23b to second power receiving unit 33b when first door open / close detection device 40a detects the closed state of the first door, second door open / close detection device 40b detects the closed state of the second door, and third door open / close detection device 40c detects the closed state of the third door. This allows wireless power transmission from second power transmission unit 23b to second power receiving unit 33b when second power transmission unit 23b installed on the second door and second power receiving unit 33b installed on the third door are close to each other.

[0090] The second door also includes a first power storage unit 34a that stores power received by the first power receiving unit 33a and discharges it to the second power transmitting unit 23b, and the first power storage unit 34a is charged when the first power transmitting unit 23a wirelessly transmits power to the first power receiving unit 33a, and discharges it to the second power transmitting unit 23b when power is not wirelessly transmitted from the first power transmitting unit 23a to the first power receiving unit 33a and power is wirelessly transmitted from the second power transmitting unit 23b to the second power receiving unit 33b. In this way, by providing the first power storage unit 34a on the second door, even when power cannot be received from the first power transmitting unit 23a installed on the first door, the power stored in the first power storage unit 34a can be discharged and wireless power can be transmitted from the second power transmitting unit 23b to the second power receiving unit 33b installed on the third door.

[0091] Furthermore, refrigerator 100 is characterized in that, when the second door is in the closed state and the first door is in the position where the detection result of first door open / close detection device 40a switches from the open state to the closed state, the front end of first power transmission unit 23a is behind the front end of the second door. With this configuration, when first door open / close detection device 40a detects that the first door is in the closed state and wireless power transmission from first power transmission unit 23a installed on the first door to first power receiving unit 33a installed on the second door is started, the user will not touch first power transmission unit 23a even if the first door is not completely closed.

[0092] Furthermore, refrigerator 100 is characterized in that, when the first door is in the closed state and the second door is at a position where the detection result of second door open / close detection device 40b switches from the open state to the closed state, the front end of first power receiving unit 33a is located behind the front end of the first door. With this configuration, when second door open / close detection device 40b detects that the second door is in the closed state and wireless power transmission from first power transmitting unit 23a installed on the first door to first power receiving unit 33a installed on the second door is started, the user will not touch first power receiving unit 33a even if the second door is not completely closed.

[0093] Furthermore, refrigerator 100 is characterized in that, when the third door is in the closed state and the second door is at a position where the detection result of second door open / close detection device 40b switches from the open state to the closed state, the front end of second power transmission unit 23b is behind the front end of the third door. With this configuration, when second door open / close detection device 40b detects that the second door is in the closed state and wireless power transmission from second power transmission unit 23b installed on the second door to second power receiving unit 33b installed on the third door is started, the user will not touch second power transmission unit 23b even if the second door is not completely closed.

[0094] Furthermore, refrigerator 100 is characterized in that, when the second door is in the closed state and the third door is at a position where the detection result of third door open / close detection device 40c switches from the open state to the closed state, the front end of second power receiving unit 33b is located behind the front end of the second door. With this configuration, when third door open / close detection device 40c detects that the third door is in the closed state and wireless power transmission from second power transmitting unit 23b installed on the second door to second power receiving unit 33b installed on the third door is started, the user will not touch second power receiving unit 33b even if the third door is not completely closed.

[0095] In addition, refrigerator 100 is characterized in that the first door is a revolving door having a rotation axis at either the left or right end, first power transmission unit 23a is installed on the bottom surface of the first door, and first power transmission unit 23a has a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the bottom surface, having an upper base and a lower base that is located inside the upper base on the rotation axis and is longer than the upper base. This shape of first power transmission unit 23a allows first power transmission unit 23a to be larger than if it were provided in a rectangular shape. By making first power transmission unit 23a larger, there is an effect of increasing the amount of power transmission.

[0096] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that the description of the same parts of this embodiment as those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

[0097] In the first embodiment, when wireless power is transmitted from one door to an adjacent door, it is determined that the power supply device and the power receiving device are close to each other and power transmission is possible when the door is closed, using the detection result of door open / close detection device 40. In the present embodiment, door open / close detection device 40 is not used, and the power supply device detects the power receiving device, thereby determining that the power supply device and the power receiving device are close to each other and power transmission is possible. In the present embodiment, the configuration of refrigerator 100 and the installation positions of the power supply device and the power receiving device are the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0098] Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing the function of wireless power transmission between left refrigerator compartment door 6a, ice maker compartment door 7a, and selectable compartment door 8a included in refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 2. The flow of power supply from control device 17 to each door will be described with reference to Fig. 14. In Fig. 14, thick lines connecting each element indicate power supply paths, and dashed lines indicate paths of power supply via wireless power feeding.

[0099] First power supply device 21a includes first power transmission instruction unit 24a, first power transmission unit 23a, and first power receiving unit position detection unit 25a. First power receiving unit position detection unit 25a detects first power receiving unit 33a of first power receiving device 31a, which is installed on top surface 7a1 of ice making compartment door 7a, which is the second door. The first power receiving unit position detection unit 25a detects the position of first power receiving unit 33a, for example, by providing a reflector on first power receiving unit 33a and having first power receiving unit position detection unit 25a irradiate light and detect reflected light. Note that the method for detecting the position of first power receiving unit 33a by first power receiving unit position detection unit 25a is not limited to this, as long as it can detect whether first power receiving unit 33a is in a position where it can receive power wirelessly transmitted from first power transmission unit 23a. When the first power receiving unit position detector 25a detects the first power receiving unit 33a, the first power transmission instructing unit 24a applies an AC voltage to the first power transmitting unit 23a, thereby wirelessly feeding power from the first power transmitting unit 23a to the first power receiving unit 33a.

[0100] The second power supply device 21b includes a second power transmission instruction unit 24b, a second power transmission unit 23b, and a second power receiving unit position detection unit 25b. The second power receiving unit position detection unit 25b detects the second power receiving unit 33b of the second power receiving device 31b installed on the switching compartment door 8a, which is the third door. When the second power receiving unit position detection unit 25b detects the second power receiving unit 33b, the second power transmission instruction unit 24b applies an AC voltage to the second power transmission unit 23b. This causes wireless power supply from the second power transmission unit 23b to the second power receiving unit 33b.

[0101] In the present embodiment, wireless power feeding from first power transmitting unit 23a to first power receiving unit 33a is performed when first power receiving unit position detecting unit 25a detects first power receiving unit 33a without being controlled by control unit 17. Wireless power feeding from second power transmitting unit 23b to second power receiving unit 33b is performed when second power receiving unit position detecting unit 25b detects second power receiving unit 33b without being controlled by control unit 17. Thus, each door is independently controlled. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of wireless power feeding by first power feeding device 21a on left refrigerator compartment door 6a according to embodiment 2. The flow of wireless power feeding by first power feeding device 21a on left refrigerator compartment door 6a will be described with reference to FIG. 15. The flow of FIG. 15 starts when refrigerator 100 is powered on and power is supplied to control unit 17 from an external power source.

[0102] First, in step S401, the first power supply device 21a of the first door is supplied with power from the control device 17. Next, the process proceeds to step S402.

[0103] In step S402, the first power receiving unit position detector 25a detects whether the first power receiving unit 33a is in a position where it can receive the power wirelessly transmitted from the first power transmitting unit 23a, and transmits the detection result to the first power transmission instruction unit 24a. If the first power receiving unit 33a is not in a position where it can receive the power wirelessly transmitted from the first power transmitting unit 23a (step S402: No), the process returns to step S401. If the first power receiving unit 33a is in a position where it can receive the power wirelessly transmitted from the first power transmitting unit 23a (step S402: Yes), the process proceeds to step S403.

[0104] In step S403, the first power transmission instruction unit 24a applies an AC voltage to the first power transmission unit 23a, thereby wirelessly feeding power from the first power transmission unit 23a to the first power receiving unit 33a. In this way, wireless power feeding is performed from the first power feeding device 21a of the first door to the first power receiving device 31a of the second door. Next, the process proceeds to step S404.

[0105] In step S404, the first power transmission instructing unit 24a determines whether charging of the first power storage unit 34a is complete. When the first power storage unit 34a is fully charged, it transmits a charging completion signal to the first power transmission instructing unit 24a. By receiving the charging completion signal, the first power transmission instructing unit 24a determines that charging of the first power storage unit 34a is complete. Alternatively, the first power transmission instructing unit 24a may determine that charging of the first power storage unit 34a is complete when a certain period of time has elapsed since the first power transmission instructing unit 24a supplied power to the first power receiving device 31a. Note that the state in which charging of the first power storage unit 34a is complete may also be determined when the first power storage unit 34a is charged to a predetermined threshold or more, rather than being fully charged. If charging is not complete (S404: No), the process returns to step S403, and wireless power supply to the first power supply device 21a continues. If charging is completed (S404: Yes), the process proceeds to step S405.

[0106] In step S405, the first power transmission instructing unit 24a stops applying AC voltage to the first power transmitting unit 23a. This stops wireless power transmission from the first power supply device 21a to the first power receiving device 31a of the second door. This ends the wireless power transmission process by the first power supply device 21a performed on the left refrigerator compartment door 6a. After S405, the process may return to S401, and the flow of FIG. 15 may be repeated.

[0107] Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of wireless power transmission by second power supply device 21b of the second door according to embodiment 2. The flow of wireless power transmission by second power supply device 21b performed on ice-making compartment door 7a, which is the second door, will be described with reference to Fig. 16. The flow of Fig. 16 starts when first power receiving device 31a starts receiving power. First power receiving device 31a receives power by wirelessly transmitting power from first power supply device 21a to first power receiving device 31a in step S403 of Fig. 15.

[0108] First, in step S501, the first power receiving device 31a charges the first power storage unit 34a with the power received from the first power supply device 21a. Next, the process proceeds to step S502.

[0109] In step S502, the first power receiving device 31a determines whether charging of the first power storage unit 34a is complete. If charging of the first power storage unit 34a is not complete (S502: No), the process returns to S501. If charging of the first power storage unit 34a is complete (S502: Yes), the process proceeds to step S503.

[0110] In step S503, the first power receiving device 31a transmits a charging completion signal to the first power supply device 21a. Note that if a certain period of time has elapsed since power was supplied to the first power receiving device 31a and the first power transmission instructing unit 24a determines that charging of the first power storage unit 34a has been completed, step S503 can be omitted. Next, the process proceeds to step S504.

[0111] In step S504, the second power receiving unit position detector 25b detects whether the second power receiving unit 33b is in a position where it can receive the power wirelessly transmitted from the second power transmitting unit 23b, and transmits the detection result to the second power transmission instruction unit 24b. If the second power receiving unit 33b is not in a position where it can receive the power wirelessly transmitted from the second power transmitting unit 23b (step S504: No), the process ends. If the second power receiving unit 33b is in a position where it can receive the power wirelessly transmitted from the second power transmitting unit 23b (step S504: Yes), the process proceeds to step S505.

[0112] In step S505, the second power transmission instruction unit 24b applies an AC voltage to the second power transmission unit 23b, thereby wirelessly feeding power from the second power transmission unit 23b to the second power receiving unit 33b. In this manner, wireless power feeding is performed from the second power feeding device 21b of the second door to the second power receiving device 31b of the third door. Next, the process proceeds to step S506.

[0113] In step S506, the second power transmission instructing unit 24b determines whether charging of the second power storage unit 34b is complete. When the second power storage unit 34b is fully charged, it transmits a charging completion signal to the second power transmission instructing unit 24b. By receiving the charging completion signal, the second power transmission instructing unit 24b determines that charging of the second power storage unit 34b is complete. Alternatively, the second power transmission instructing unit 24b may determine that charging of the second power storage unit 34b is complete when a certain period of time has elapsed since the second power transmission instructing unit 24b supplied power to the second power receiving device 31b. Note that the state in which charging of the second power storage unit 34b is complete may also be determined when the second power storage unit 34b is charged to a predetermined threshold or more, rather than being fully charged. If charging is not complete (S506: No), the process returns to step S505, and wireless power supply to the second power supply device 21b continues. If charging is completed (S506: Yes), the process proceeds to step S507.

[0114] In step S507, second power transmission instructing unit 24b stops applying AC voltage to second power transmitting unit 23b. This stops wireless power transmission from second power supply device 21b to second power receiving device 31b of the third door. This completes the wireless power transmission process by second power supply device 21b performed on ice making compartment door 7a. Note that if the system is configured to allow communication from first power receiving device 31a to first power supply device 21a, after S507, the first power receiving device 31a may send a power transmission request to first power supply device 21a, and the process may return to S501 and repeat the flow of FIG. 16 .

[0115] Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of wireless power reception by the second power receiving device 31b of the third door according to embodiment 2. The flow of wireless power reception by the second power receiving device 31b installed on the switching room door 8a, which is the third door, will be described with reference to Fig. 17 . When the second power receiving device 31b starts receiving power, the flow of Fig. 16 starts. The second power receiving device 31b receives power by wirelessly transmitting power from the second power supply device 21b to the second power receiving device 31b in step S505 of Fig. 16 .

[0116] First, in step S601, the second power receiving device 31b charges the second power storage unit 34b with the power received from the second power supply device 21b. Next, the process proceeds to step S602.

[0117] In step S602, the second power receiving device 31b determines whether charging of the second power storage unit 34b is complete. If charging of the second power storage unit 34b is not complete (S602: No), the process returns to S601. If charging of the second power storage unit 34b is complete (S602: Yes), the process proceeds to step S603.

[0118] In step S603, the second power receiving device 31b transmits a charging completion signal to the second power supply device 21b. Note that if a certain period of time has elapsed since power was supplied to the second power receiving device 31b and the second power transmission instruction unit 24b determines that charging of the second power storage unit 34b is complete, step S603 can be omitted. With this, the second power receiving device 31b ends the wireless power receiving process.

[0119] As explained with reference to Figures 15, 16 and 17, in this embodiment, the power supply device can detect whether the power receiving device is in a position where wireless power transmission is possible, and can transmit power wirelessly from door to door without relying on a signal from the control device 17.

[0120] As described above, refrigerator 100 of this embodiment includes box 1 having an open front and partition wall 5 therein, and including a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment adjacent to the first storage compartment, which are separated by partition wall 5; control device 17 installed in box 1 and supplied with power from an external power source; a first door including first power transmission unit 23a that opens and closes the opening of the first storage compartment and wirelessly transmits power supplied from control device 17; and a second door that is closed in the closed position and has a first power receiving unit 33a that receives power wirelessly from the first power transmitting unit 23a, the first door further having a first power receiving unit position detector 25a that detects the position of the first power receiving unit 33a, and the first power transmitting unit 23a wirelessly transmits power to the first power receiving unit 33a when the first power receiving unit position detector 25a detects that the first power receiving unit 33a is in a position where it can receive power transmitted from the first power transmitting unit 23a. With this configuration, power can be supplied wirelessly from the first door to the second door without relying on a signal from the control device 17.

[0121] Moreover, in refrigerator 100, the second door further includes second power receiving unit position detection unit 25b that detects the position of second power receiving unit 33b, and second power transmitting unit 23b wirelessly transmits power to second power receiving unit 33b when second power receiving unit position detection unit 25b detects that second power receiving unit 33b is in a position where it can receive power transmitted from second power transmitting unit 23b. With this configuration, power can be supplied wirelessly from the second door to the third door without using a signal from control device 17.

[0122] Embodiment 3 Next, a description will be given of embodiment 3. Note that, in this embodiment, the description of the same parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiments will be omitted.

[0123] In the first and second embodiments, wireless power transmission from one door to an adjacent door has been described. The first door, to which power is supplied from the control device 17, wirelessly supplies power to the adjacent door. It is desirable that power be supplied from the control device 17 to the first door stably. When power is supplied wirelessly from the control device 17 to the first door, there is a problem that the first door moves in the direction of gravity over time, causing the distance between the main body power transmission unit 61 and the first door power receiving unit 71 to become wider than the optimal distance for power supply, resulting in reduced power transmission efficiency. In the present embodiment, the first door power receiving unit 71 and the main body power transmission unit 61 that wirelessly transmits power supplied from the control device 17 to the first door are provided in two or more locations, so that the control device 17 can stably supply power to the first door even if the first door moves in the direction of gravity over time.

[0124] Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view of refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 3. Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of left refrigerator compartment door 6a included in refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 3. The configurations of main body power transmitting unit 61 and first door power receiving unit 71 of refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 18 and 19 .

[0125] The left refrigerator compartment door 6a has a first flange 81 and a second flange 82 that protrude inward. In the closed state, the first flange 81 is inserted into the refrigerator compartment 6, and an upper surface 81b of the first flange 81 faces an inner upper surface 6d of the refrigerator compartment 6. In the closed state, the second flange 82 is inserted into the refrigerator compartment 6 and faces an inner bottom surface of the first storage compartment.

[0126] The first flange 81 has a recessed portion that serves as the third power receiving unit mounting portion 70a on its upper surface 81b, which faces the inner upper surface 6d of the refrigerator compartment 6. The third power receiving unit 71a is installed in the third power receiving unit mounting portion 70a. The opening of the third power receiving unit mounting portion 70a is closed by an upper surface plate 81a that constitutes the upper surface 81b of the first flange 81 so that the third power receiving unit 71a is not exposed to the surface. The upper surface plate 81a is made of a non-metallic material so as not to affect wireless power feeding. The third power receiving unit 71a receives power wirelessly transmitted from a first main body power transmitting unit 61a, which will be described later.

[0127] The second flange 82 has a recessed portion, which serves as the fourth power receiving unit mounting portion 70b, formed on its bottom surface 82b, which faces the inner bottom surface 6e of the refrigerator compartment 6. A fourth power receiving unit 71b is installed in the fourth power receiving unit mounting portion 70b. The opening of the fourth power receiving unit mounting portion 70b is closed by a bottom plate 82a, which constitutes the bottom surface 82b of the second flange 82, so that the fourth power receiving unit 71b is not exposed to the surface. The bottom plate 82a is made of a non-metallic material so as not to interfere with wireless power feeding. The fourth power receiving unit 71b receives power wirelessly from the second main body power transmitting unit 61b, which will be described later. The third power receiving unit 71a and the fourth power receiving unit 71b form the first door power receiving portion 71, which is used by the first door, the left refrigerator compartment door 6a, to receive power.

[0128] A recessed portion serving as a first main power transmission unit mounting portion 60a is formed on the inner upper surface 6d of the refrigerator compartment 6 of the box 1 at a position facing the upper surface 81b of the first flange 81 when the left refrigerator compartment door 6a is closed. The first main power transmission unit 61a is installed on the first main power transmission unit mounting portion 60a. The opening of the first main power transmission unit mounting portion 60a is closed by a side plate 83a so that the first main power transmission unit 61a is not exposed to the surface. The side plate 83a is made of a non-metallic material so as not to affect wireless power transmission. Power is supplied to the first main power transmission unit 61a from the control device 17 via an electric wire 50.

[0129] A recessed portion serving as a second main power transmission unit mounting portion 60b is formed in the partition wall 5a that constitutes the inner bottom surface 6e of the refrigerator compartment 6 of the box 1, at a position facing the bottom surface 82b of the second flange 82 when the left refrigerator compartment door 6a is closed. A second main power transmission unit 61b is installed in the second main power transmission unit mounting portion 60b. The opening of the second main power transmission unit mounting portion 60b is closed by a side plate 83b to prevent the second main power transmission unit 61b from being exposed to the surface. The side plate 83b is made of a non-metallic material so as not to affect wireless power transmission. Power is supplied to the second main power transmission unit 61b from the control device 17 via an electric wire 50. The first main power transmission unit 61a and the second main power transmission unit 61b constitute the main power transmission unit 61 that receives power from the first door, the left refrigerator compartment door 6a.

[0130] 19 , the first main power transmitter 61a and the third power receiver 71a are installed so that their depthwise positions coincide when the left refrigerator compartment door 6a is closed. This allows the first main power transmitter 61a and the third power receiver 71a to approach each other when the left refrigerator compartment door 6a is closed, enabling power to be transmitted from the first main power transmitter 61a to the third power receiver 71a. Specifically, in the case of wireless power supply using electromagnetic induction or electromagnetic coupling, the first main power transmitter 61a and the third power receiver 71a are installed so that the distance between them is within 1 cm. For example, if the thickness of the top panel 81a is 1 mm, the thickness of the side panel 83a is 1 mm, and the distance between the top panel 81a and the side panel 83a is 7 mm, by attaching the first main body power transmission unit 61a to the back surface of the side panel 83a and attaching the third power receiving unit 71a to the back surface of the top panel 81a, the distance between the first main body power transmission unit 61a and the third power receiving unit 71a will be within 1 cm, making power supply possible.

[0131] 19 , the second main power transmitter 61b and the fourth power receiver 71b are installed so that their depthwise positions coincide when the left refrigerator compartment door 6a is closed. This allows the second main power transmitter 61b and the fourth power receiver 71b to approach each other when the left refrigerator compartment door 6a is closed, enabling power to be transmitted from the second main power transmitter 61b to the fourth power receiver 71b. Specifically, in the case of wireless power supply using the electromagnetic induction method or the electromagnetic coupling method, the second main power transmitter 61b and the fourth power receiver 71b are installed so that the distance between them is within 1 cm. For example, if the thickness of the bottom panel 82a is 1 mm, the thickness of the side panel 83b is 1 mm, and the distance between the bottom panel 82a and the side panel 83b is 7 mm, by attaching the second main body power transmission unit 61b to the back surface of the side panel 83b and attaching the fourth power receiving unit 71b to the back surface of the bottom panel 82a, the distance between the second main body power transmission unit 61b and the fourth power receiving unit 71b will be within 1 cm, making power supply possible.

[0132] If the first door, left refrigerator compartment door 6a, which is the first door, is designed during manufacture of refrigerator 100 so that first main power transmitting unit 61a and third power receiving unit 71a are positioned appropriately for wireless power feeding, then over time, left refrigerator compartment door 6a will move in the direction of gravity, increasing the distance between first main power transmitting unit 61a and third power receiving unit 71a and reducing the efficiency of wireless power transmission from first main power transmitting unit 61a to third power receiving unit 71a. On the other hand, the distance between second main power transmitting unit 61b and fourth power receiving unit 71b will decrease, increasing the efficiency of wireless power transmission from second main power transmitting unit 61b to fourth power receiving unit 71b. Therefore, by providing the third power receiving part 71a on the first flange 81 facing the top surface 6d of the refrigerator compartment 6 and further providing the fourth power receiving part 71b on the second flange 82 facing the bottom surface 6e, the left refrigerator compartment door 6a can receive stable power even with long-term use of the refrigerator 100. Furthermore, even if the left refrigerator compartment door 6a is shifted upward due to an impact being applied to the refrigerator 100, the left refrigerator compartment door 6a can receive stable power from the control device 17 because the third power receiving part 71a facing the top surface 6d of the refrigerator compartment 6 and the fourth power receiving part 71b facing the bottom surface 6e.

[0133] 20 is a block diagram showing the function of wireless power transmission from the box body 1 to the left refrigerator compartment door 6a of refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 3. Power wirelessly transmitted from first main body power transmission unit 61a to third power receiving unit 71a is stored in operation panel power storage unit 15c provided in operation panel 15. Similarly, power wirelessly transmitted from second main body power transmission unit 61b to fourth power receiving unit 71b is stored in operation panel power storage unit 15c provided in operation panel 15. The power stored in operation panel power storage unit 15c is supplied to first power supply device 21a and wirelessly transmitted from first power supply device 21a to the second door. Because left refrigerator compartment door 6a can stably receive power from control device 17 via third power receiving unit 71a and fourth power receiving unit 71b, a shortage of power supplied to the second door can be prevented. Wireless power transmission from the first power supply device 21a to the second door is performed in the same manner as in the first or second embodiment, and therefore illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

[0134] The first door to which power is supplied from the control device 17 of the box body 1 may be a drawer door such as the vegetable compartment door 9a.

[0135] As described above, refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment includes box 1 having an open front and a first storage compartment formed therein, control device 17 installed in box 1 and supplied with power from an external power source, first main power transmission unit 61a installed on the inner upper surface of the first storage compartment of box 1 and wirelessly transmitting power supplied from control device 17, second main power transmission unit 61b installed on the inner bottom surface of the first storage compartment of box 1 and wirelessly transmitting power supplied from control device 17, and first main power transmission unit 61b that closes the opening of the first storage compartment in an openable and closable manner. The first door includes a first flange 81 that is inserted into the first storage chamber in a closed state and has an upper surface facing the inner upper surface of the first storage chamber, a second flange 82 that is inserted into the first storage chamber in a closed state and has a bottom surface facing the inner bottom surface of the first storage chamber, a third power receiving unit 71a that is installed on the first flange 81 and receives power wirelessly transmitted from the first main power transmitting unit 61a, and a fourth power receiving unit 71b that is installed on the second flange 82 and receives power wirelessly transmitted from the second main power transmitting unit 61b. With this configuration, the first door receives power from the control device 17 via the third power receiving unit 71a that faces the upper surface of the first storage chamber and the fourth power receiving unit 71b that faces the bottom surface.

[0136] Furthermore, refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment includes: box 1 having an open front and partition wall 5 therein, and including a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment adjacent to the first storage compartment, the first storage compartment being partitioned by partition wall 5; control device 17 installed in box 1 and supplied with power from an external power source; a first door that closes an opening of the first storage compartment in an openable / closeable manner and includes first power transmitting unit 23a that wirelessly transmits power supplied from control device 17; and a second door that closes an opening of the second storage compartment in an openable / closeable manner and includes first power receiving unit 33a that receives power wirelessly transmitted from first power transmitting unit 23a, and in a closed state, the first door is inserted into the first storage compartment and has an upper surface that faces the first storage compartment. a first flange 81 facing the inner top surface of the first storage chamber, a second flange 82 that is inserted into the first storage chamber in the closed state and has its bottom surface facing the inner bottom surface of the first storage chamber, a third power receiving unit 71a that is installed on the first flange 81 and receives the wirelessly transmitted power, and a fourth power receiving unit 71b that is installed on the second flange 82 and receives the wirelessly transmitted power, and further comprises a first main power transmitting unit 61a that is installed on the box body 1 and wirelessly transmits power supplied from the control device 17 to the third power receiving unit 71a, and a second main power transmitting unit 61b that is installed on the box body 1 and wirelessly transmits power supplied from the control device 17 to the fourth power receiving unit 71b. With this configuration, the first door receives power from the control device 17 at the third power receiving section 71a facing the top surface of the first storage chamber and the fourth power receiving section 71b facing the bottom surface, so that it can receive power stably and furthermore the first door can supply power to the second door.

[0137] According to the present disclosure, a refrigerator can be obtained that can stably supply power to the doors of multiple storage compartments by supplying power while taking into account the opening and closing of the doors.

[0138] 1 Box body, 1a Front, 1b Top, 2 Outer box, 3 Inner box, 4 Insulation material, 5 Partition wall, 6 Refrigerator compartment (first storage compartment), 6a Refrigerator compartment left door (first door), 6a1 Bottom, 6b Refrigerator compartment right door, 6c First door side panel, 6d Top, 6e Bottom, 7 Ice making compartment (second storage compartment), 7a Ice making compartment door (second door), 7a1 Top, 7a2 Side, 7b Second door LED, 7c Second door side panel, 8 Switching compartment (third storage compartment), 8a Switching compartment door (third door), 8a1 Side, 8b Third door LED, 8c Third door side panel, 9 Vegetable compartment, 10 Freezer compartment, 11 Cooler compartment, 12 Machine compartment, 13 Damper, 14 Cold air blower duct, 15 Operation panel, 16a Hinge section, 16b Hinge section, 17 Control device, 18 Handle, 20a First power supply device mounting section, 20b Second power supply device mounting section, 21a First power supply device, 21b Second power supply device, 23a First power transmission section, 23b Second power transmission section, 24a First power transmission instruction section, 24b Second power transmission instruction section, 25a First power receiving section position detection section, 25b Second power receiving section position detection section, 30a First power receiving device mounting section, 30b Second power receiving device mounting section, 31a First power receiving device, 31b Second power receiving device, 33a First power receiving section, 33b Second power receiving section, 34a First power storage section, 34b Second power storage section, 35a First communication section, 35b Second communication section, 40 Door opening / closing detection device, 40a First door opening / closing detection device, 40b Second door open / close detection device, 40c Third door open / close detection device, 50 Electric wire, 60a First main body power transmission unit mounting portion, 60b Second main body power transmission unit mounting portion, 61 Main body power transmission unit, 61a First main body power transmission unit, 61b Second main body power transmission unit, 70a Third power receiving unit mounting portion, 70b Fourth power receiving unit mounting portion, 71 First door power receiving unit, 71a Third power receiving unit, 71b Fourth power receiving unit, 81 First flange, 81b Top surface, 81a Top plate, 82 Second flange, 82a Bottom plate, 82b Bottom surface, 90 Storage space, 91a Refrigerator compartment opening, 91b Ice making compartment opening, 91c Switchable compartment opening, 91d Vegetable compartment opening, Freezer compartment opening 90e, 100 Refrigerator.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising: a box whose front is open and which has a partition wall inside and which has a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment adjacent to the first storage compartment, the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment being separated by the partition wall; a control device installed in the box and supplied with power from an external power source; a first door which has a first power transmission unit which wirelessly transmits power supplied from the control device and which opens and closes an opening of the first storage compartment; and a second door which has a first power receiving unit which receives power wirelessly transmitted from the first power transmission unit and which opens and closes an opening of the second storage compartment.

2. The refrigerator described in claim 1 further comprising: a second power transmission unit in the second door that wirelessly transmits power supplied from the first power receiving unit; the box body further having a third storage compartment separated by the partition wall inside and adjacent to the second storage compartment; a second power receiving unit that receives power wirelessly transmitted from the second power transmission unit; and a third door that can be opened and closed to close the opening of the third storage compartment.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the first power transmitting unit is installed on a surface of the first door facing the second door, and the first power receiving unit is installed on a surface of the second door facing the first door.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the second power transmitting unit is installed on a surface of the second door facing the third door, and the second power receiving unit is installed on a surface of the third door facing the second door.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 3, further comprising: a first door opening / closing detection device installed in the box body that detects the opening and closing of the first door; and a second door opening / closing detection device installed in the box body that detects the opening and closing of the second door, wherein the control device controls wireless power transmission from the first power transmitting unit to the first power receiving unit when the first door opening / closing detection device detects the closed state of the first door and the second door opening / closing detection device detects the closed state of the second door.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 4, further comprising: a first door opening / closing detection device installed in the box body and detecting the opening and closing of the first door; a second door opening / closing detection device installed in the box body and detecting the opening and closing of the second door; and a third door opening / closing detection device installed in the box body and detecting the opening and closing of the third door, wherein the control device controls wireless power transmission from the second power transmitting unit to the second power receiving unit when the first door opening / closing detection device detects the closed state of the first door, the second door opening / closing detection device detects the closed state of the second door, and the third door opening / closing detection device detects the closed state of the third door.

7. The refrigerator described in claim 1, characterized in that the first door further includes a first power receiving unit position detection unit that detects the position of the first power receiving unit, and the first power transmitting unit wirelessly transmits power to the first power receiving unit when the first power receiving unit position detection unit detects that the first power receiving unit is in a position where it can receive power transmitted from the first power transmitting unit.

8. The refrigerator described in claim 2, characterized in that the second door further includes a second power receiving unit position detection unit that detects the position of the second power receiving unit, and the second power transmitting unit wirelessly transmits power to the second power receiving unit when the second power receiving unit position detection unit detects that the second power receiving unit is in a position where it can receive power transmitted from the second power transmitting unit.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that the second door is provided with a first power storage unit that stores the power received by the first power receiving unit and discharges it to the second power transmitting unit, and the first power storage unit is charged when the first power transmitting unit transmits power wirelessly to the first power receiving unit, and discharges it to the second power transmitting unit when power is not transmitted wirelessly from the first power transmitting unit to the first power receiving unit and power is transmitted wirelessly from the second power transmitting unit to the second power receiving unit.

10. A refrigerator as described in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that when the second door is in a closed state and the detection result of the first door opening / closing detection device switches from an open state to a closed state at the position of the first door, the front end of the first power transmission unit is located behind the front end of the second door.

11. A refrigerator as described in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that when the first door is in a closed state and the detection result of the second door opening / closing detection device switches from an open state to a closed state, the front end of the first power receiving unit is located behind the front end of the first door.

12. The refrigerator described in claim 6, characterized in that when the third door is in a closed state and the detection result of the second door opening / closing detection device switches from an open state to a closed state at the position of the second door, the front end of the second power transmission unit is located behind the front end of the third door.

13. The refrigerator described in claim 6, characterized in that when the second door is in a closed state and the detection result of the third door opening / closing detection device switches from an open state to a closed state at the position of the third door, the front end of the second power receiving unit is located behind the front end of the second door.

14. The refrigerator described in claim 10, wherein the first door is a revolving door having a rotation axis at either the left or right end, the first power transmission unit is installed on the bottom surface of the first door, and the shape of the first power transmission unit when viewed from below is trapezoidal having an upper base and a lower base that is located inside the rotation axis from the upper base and is longer than the upper base.

15. A device comprising: a box body with an open front and a first storage chamber formed therein; a control device installed in the box body and supplied with power from an external power source; a first main power transmission unit installed on the inside upper surface of the first storage chamber of the box body and wirelessly transmitting power supplied from the control device; a second main power transmission unit installed on the inside bottom surface of the first storage chamber of the box body and wirelessly transmitting power supplied from the control device; and a first door that can be opened and closed to close an opening of the first storage chamber, the first door comprises a first flange that is inserted into the first storage compartment in a closed state and whose top surface faces the inner top surface of the first storage compartment; a second flange that is inserted into the first storage compartment in a closed state and whose bottom surface faces the inner bottom surface of the first storage compartment; a third power receiving unit that is installed on the first flange and receives power wirelessly transmitted from the first main power transmitting unit; and a fourth power receiving unit that is installed on the second flange and receives power wirelessly transmitted from the second main power transmitting unit.

16. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: a first main power transmission unit installed on the inner upper surface of the first storage compartment of the box body and wirelessly transmitting power supplied from the control device; and a second main power transmission unit installed on the inner bottom surface of the first storage compartment of the box body and wirelessly transmitting power supplied from the control device; and the first door further comprising: a first flange that is inserted into the first storage compartment in the closed state and has its top surface facing the inner upper surface of the first storage compartment; a second flange that is inserted into the first storage compartment in the closed state and has its bottom surface facing the inner bottom surface of the first storage compartment; a third power receiving unit that is installed on the first flange and receives power wirelessly transmitted from the first main power transmission unit; and a fourth power receiving unit that is installed on the second flange and receives power wirelessly transmitted from the second main power transmission unit.