Door for home appliance and home appliance including same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a door for a home appliance and a home appliance including same. The present invention may comprise: a door body (70, 80, 90) disposed in front of a storage space (41) of the home appliance; and a door panel (G) coupled to the door body (70, 80, 90). The door panel (G) may comprise a plurality of panels (Ga, IP). A transmittance-variable part (200) may be provided between the plurality of panels (Ga, IP) so as to overlap at least a portion of a transmission part (V). The plurality of panels (Ga, IP) may comprise a front panel (Ga) and an insulation panel (IP) spaced apart from the front panel (Ga) and disposed closer to the storage space (41) than the front panel (Gc). At this time, the transmittance-variable part (200) may be arranged between the front panel (Ga) and the insulation panel (IP). Accordingly, all or part of heat generated in the home appliance may be blocked from being transferred to the transmittance-variable part (200). Accordingly, the durability of the transmittance-variable part (200) disposed inside the door may be increased.

Description

Doors for home appliances and home appliances including the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a door for a home appliance and a home appliance including the same.

[0002] Home appliances with doors that accommodate objects within their internal spaces, such as cooking appliances, refrigerators, and clothes washers, are widely used. These appliances may have a cabinet that forms the exterior, with a storage space for the object and a door for opening and closing the storage space.

[0003] Recently, various electronic components are being installed inside the doors of home appliances. For example, the door may be equipped with lighting to illuminate objects within the interior. Alternatively, the door may be equipped with a camera to capture images of objects, or a display device may be installed to provide information to the user.

[0004] At this time, the door of the appliance may be configured by stacking multiple glass panels. To reduce the influence of temperature within the appliance, electronic components, such as the camera, may be positioned between the multiple panels. The panels may be made of a transparent material, such as glass.

[0005] However, even if electronic components are placed between panels, the internal temperature of the appliance can be transmitted to the door, potentially damaging the electronic components. This is especially true for cooking appliances like ovens, where extremely high temperatures are transmitted to the door during operation, increasing the risk of damage to electronic components.

[0006] Meanwhile, if a camera is placed between multiple panels, an electronic component can cause ghosting, where objects outside the appliance are reflected between the panels and captured by the camera. When these external objects are captured by the camera, they overlap with objects inside the appliance, preventing the camera from providing an accurate image to the user.

[0007] In particular, if a user is positioned in front of an appliance, their image may be reflected on the door panels and captured by the camera. This can lead to privacy violations.

[0008] The present invention is intended to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and the purpose of the present invention is to block all or part of the heat generated inside a home appliance from being transmitted to electronic components placed inside a door.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to selectively block external light (visible light) from reaching the inside of the door by arranging a variable transmittance portion in a door for a home appliance.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to block heat from the body of a home appliance being transmitted to a variable transmittance portion.

[0011] According to a feature of the present invention for achieving the above-described object, the present invention may include a door body arranged in front of a storage space of a home appliance, and a door panel coupled to the door body. The door panel may include a plurality of panels. A variable transmittance portion may be arranged between the plurality of panels so as to overlap at least a portion of a transparent portion of the door panel. The plurality of panels may include a front panel, and an insulating panel spaced apart from the front panel and arranged closer to the storage space than the front panel. At this time, the variable transmittance portion may be arranged between the front panel and the insulating panel. Accordingly, all or part of the heat generated inside the home appliance can be blocked from being transmitted to the variable transmittance portion. Through this, the durability of the variable transmittance portion arranged inside the door can be increased.

[0012] A fluid space may be formed between the front panel and the insulation panel. The variable permeability portion may be attached to the surface of the front panel while being spaced apart from the insulation panel.

[0013] The above insulating panel may include a first surface facing the variable transmittance portion, and a second surface formed on the opposite side of the first surface and facing the storage space. An insulating layer that blocks infrared radiation may be disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface.

[0014] The above insulation layer may be composed of a low emissivity film or an infrared ray shielding film.

[0015] The above insulation layer may be provided along the perimeter of the above insulation panel.

[0016] The insulating layer may be arranged to overlap the transmittance variable portion based on the direction in which the plurality of panels are spaced from each other.

[0017] The insulating layer may extend further toward the edge of the door panel than the variable transmittance portion based on a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the plurality of panels are spaced from each other.

[0018] The front surface of the variable transmittance portion may be in close contact with the surface of the front panel, and the rear surface of the variable transmittance portion may be in close contact with the surface of the insulating panel. An adhesive layer may be disposed between the variable transmittance portion and the front panel, and between the variable transmittance portion and the insulating panel, respectively.

[0019] The above insulation panel may include a first rear panel facing the front panel, and a second rear panel positioned on the opposite side of the insulation panel with the first rear panel interposed therebetween. At this time, an insulation space may be formed between the first rear panel and the second rear panel.

[0020] An insulating layer that blocks infrared radiation may be placed on either the surface of the first rear panel or the surface of the second rear panel.

[0021] An image acquisition device is placed between the plurality of panels, and the image acquisition device can acquire an image of the storage space through the transmission part.

[0022] The insulating layer may be arranged to overlap the image acquisition device based on the direction in which the plurality of panels are spaced from each other.

[0023] The above insulating panel may include a first surface facing the variable transmittance portion, and a second surface formed on the opposite side of the first surface and facing the storage space. An insulating layer that blocks infrared radiation may be disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface. At this time, at least a portion of the insulating layer may extend to a position facing the image acquisition device.

[0024] The above transmittance variable portion may include an active layer in which a liquid crystal and a prepolymer are mixed, a first electrode layer laminated on one surface of the active layer, and a second electrode layer laminated on the other surface of the active layer. In addition, the transmittance variable portion may include a first cover layer disposed on an opposite side of the active layer with the first electrode layer interposed therebetween, and a second cover layer disposed on an opposite side of the active layer with the second electrode layer interposed therebetween. At this time, an insulating layer may be laminated on the second cover layer.

[0025] As discussed above, the door for a home appliance according to the present invention and the home appliance including the same have the following effects.

[0026] In the present invention, a variable transmittance member for varying the door's transmittance is positioned within the door, and the variable transmittance member can be in close contact with the front panel among the panels constituting the door. Accordingly, all or part of the heat generated within the home appliance can be blocked from being transmitted to the variable transmittance member positioned within the door. This enhances the durability of the variable transmittance member positioned within the door.

[0027] In particular, in the present invention, an insulating space is formed between the front panel and the insulating panel constituting the door, and the variable transmittance portion can be separated from the insulating panel with the insulating space between them. Accordingly, only the heat reduced by passing through the insulating panel and the insulating space is transferred to the variable transmittance portion, thereby preventing the variable transmittance portion from heating.

[0028] Additionally, the insulation panel of the present invention may be provided with an insulating layer. The insulating layer can block infrared radiation. This can more effectively prevent heating of the variable transmittance portion and enhance the durability of the variable transmittance portion.

[0029] Additionally, in the present invention, an image acquisition device with a variable transmittance portion may be placed inside the door. This image acquisition device may also be protected by an insulating layer and an insulating space, thereby enhancing operational reliability.

[0030] Meanwhile, the insulation layer incorporated into the door's insulation panel can also lower the temperature of the front panel. Since the front panel is a part that users can touch, lowering its temperature through the insulation layer eliminates the risk of burns from accidental contact with the front panel.

[0031] Additionally, the insulation layer can shield electromagnetic waves generated by the appliance from leaking outside the door. This can improve the safety of the appliance.

[0032] In addition, the variable transmittance portion of the present invention can implement a transmission mode that allows light to pass through the door, and a blocking mode that blocks light. In this case, even if some visible light enters the door in blocking mode, the insulation layer can diffusely reflect the visible light, preventing it from being transmitted to the image acquisition device. This allows the image acquisition device to accurately capture images of only objects placed inside the home appliance.

[0033] Additionally, when the transmittance variable section is in transmittance mode, the insulating layer provided on the door can prevent the reflection of visible light transmitted from the storage space to the outside, allowing the interior of the storage space to be observed more clearly. This can enhance the aesthetic appeal of the appliance.

[0034] Additionally, the insulation layer may be composed of a low-emissivity film or an infrared ray shielding film. Such an insulation layer can more effectively block heat transmitted from within the appliance.

[0035] Additionally, the insulation layer of the present invention may be composed of multiple insulation layers. The multiple insulation layers block heat at multiple stages, thereby enhancing the durability of the variable transmittance portion and image acquisition device inside the door.

[0036] In addition, in the present invention, a door for a home appliance is provided with a variable transmittance portion whose transmittance changes when power is applied. The variable transmittance portion can selectively block visible light passing through the door's transmitting portion. This prevents external light from being transmitted to the interior of the door and then reflected on the rear panel and transmitted to a camera device (image acquisition device), and the camera device can accurately capture images of only objects placed inside the home appliance. Therefore, the quality of the captured images by the camera device can be improved.

[0037] In particular, the variable transmittance portion can prevent the user's image located in front of the appliance from being transmitted to the interior of the door and captured by the camera device. Accordingly, the door of the present invention can also prevent the user's privacy from being violated by the camera device's capture.

[0038] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a home appliance to which an example of a door for a home appliance according to the present invention is applied.

[0039] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a home appliance to which an example of a door for a home appliance according to the present invention is applied.

[0040] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of an example of a door for a home appliance according to the present invention.

[0041] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of an example of a door for a home appliance according to the present invention from a different angle than Fig. 3.

[0042] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an exploded view of parts of an example of a door for a home appliance according to the present invention.

[0043] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI' of Figure 3.

[0044] FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b) are exemplary views showing an example of a door for a home appliance according to the present invention, in which a variable transmittance part is in blocking mode, and an example of a home appliance when the variable transmittance part is in blocking mode.

[0045] FIG. 8(a) and FIG. 8(b) are exemplary views showing an example of a door for a home appliance according to the present invention, in which a variable transmittance part is in a transmittance mode, and an example of a home appliance when the variable transmittance part is in a transmittance mode.

[0046] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing an exploded view of a component of a variable transmittance part constituting an example of a door for a home appliance according to the present invention.

[0047] Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of a variable transmittance portion constituting one example of a door for a home appliance according to the present invention.

[0048] Fig. 11 is a circuit diagram showing the circuit structure of a variable transmittance part constituting one example of a door for a home appliance according to the present invention.

[0049] Fig. 12 is a front view showing an example of a door for a home appliance according to the present invention.

[0050] Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a structure in which a variable transmittance part is arranged on a front panel constituting a door for a home appliance according to the present invention.

[0051] Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of a structure in which a variable transmittance portion is arranged on a front panel constituting a door for a home appliance according to the present invention.

[0052] Figures 15(a) to 15(c) are graphs showing the voltage applied to the transmittance variable part constituting the door for a home appliance according to the present invention and the change in transparency accordingly.

[0053] Fig. 16 is an exemplary diagram showing an example of an insulation structure inside a door for a home appliance according to the present invention.

[0054] Fig. 17 is an exemplary diagram showing a second embodiment of an insulation structure inside a door for a home appliance according to the present invention.

[0055] Fig. 18 is an exemplary diagram showing a third embodiment of an insulation structure inside a door for a home appliance according to the present invention.

[0056] Fig. 19 is an exemplary diagram showing the fourth embodiment of the insulation structure inside a door for a home appliance according to the present invention.

[0057] Fig. 20 is an exemplary diagram showing a fifth embodiment of an insulation structure inside a door for a home appliance according to the present invention.

[0058] Fig. 21 is an exemplary diagram showing a sixth embodiment of an insulation structure inside a door for a home appliance according to the present invention.

[0059] Fig. 22 is an exemplary diagram showing a seventh embodiment of an insulation structure inside a door for a home appliance according to the present invention.

[0060] Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of a home appliance to which a door for home appliances according to the present invention is applied.

[0061] If a detailed description is judged to hinder understanding of an embodiment of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0062] The present invention relates to a home appliance and a door for the home appliance (hereinafter referred to as "door (60)"). Here, the home appliance may mean one having a storage space (41) inside. The door (60) may be arranged in front of the storage space (41). Here, the front refers to a direction facing a user when the user is positioned in front of the home appliance. Referring to Fig. 1, the X-axis direction may be the front. The Y-axis direction may be the left-right width direction of the door (60). The Z-axis direction may be the vertical width direction, which is the height direction of the door (60). The following description will be made based on these directions.

[0063] The above-described door (60) for home appliances can be applied not only to doors (60) of home appliances such as cooking appliances, refrigerators, freezers, kimchi refrigerators, plant cultivation devices, clothes processors, washing machines, and dryers, but can also be applied to doors or entrance doors of furniture. The present invention can be applied to various home appliances equipped with one or more doors (60). Among these, cooking appliances can include sealed cooking appliances such as ovens and microwave ovens. Hereinafter, the application of the door (60) of the present invention to cooking appliances will be described as an example.

[0064] In this embodiment, electronic components may be placed inside the door (60). The electronic components may provide various functions to the door (60). For example, when the electronic components are electronic component units (100, see FIG. 2), an internal image of the storage space (41) may be acquired through the electronic component unit (100). The door (60) may increase the internal illuminance of the storage space (41). To this end, the electronic component unit (100) may be equipped with an image acquisition device (120) and a lighting device (130).

[0065] For reference, referring to Fig. 4, the lighting device (130) is positioned on both sides with the image acquisition device (120) in between. The lighting device (130) may include a plurality of lights (130a, 130b). At this time, the plurality of lights (130a, 130b) may irradiate light in different directions.

[0066] As another example, a display device (not shown) made of electronic components may be placed on the door (60). The display device can provide information about the home appliance to the user. The user can input operating commands through the display device.

[0067] The electronic component unit (100) or a part of the display device may be provided inside the door (60). At this time, the electronic component unit (100) or the electronic component such as the display device may exchange electric signals with the main control unit provided in the main body (10) of the home appliance, or may be connected to the main body (10) by a wire for power supply. Hereinafter, the electronic component arranged in the door (60) will be described as the electronic component unit (100) as an example.

[0068] For reference, in FIG. 4, the front panel (Ga) constituting the front of the door (60) is viewed through, and the electronic component unit (100) and the harness guide (160) for supplying power to the electronic component unit (100) are expressed. In reality, the electronic component unit (100) and the harness guide (160) are arranged inside the door (60), so they are not exposed from the front of the door (60). Referring to FIG. 4, a wire storage portion (WG) in which a wire harness (not shown) is stored is formed inside the harness guide (160).

[0069] Referring to Fig. 1, the front of the cooking appliance of the present embodiment may include a door (60) and an operating unit (15). Reference numeral 16 represents a display unit exposed on the front of the operating unit (15). The image acquisition device (120) and the transmittance variable unit (200) described above may be arranged inside the door (60). The home appliance may be a built-in home appliance. For example, the home appliance may be a cooking appliance installed in a built-in manner.

[0070] Referring to Fig. 2, the direction in which external light is transmitted into the interior of the door (60) is represented by an arrow. Here, the external light may be visible light reflected by an external object placed outside the home appliance. The path along which the visible light passes through the front panel (Ga) of the door (60) and is reflected inside the door (60) is represented by a dotted arrow (arrow ①), and the path along which the visible light does not reach the interior of the door (60) and is reflected again is represented by a solid arrow (arrow ②). In this way, in the present embodiment, external visible light may enter or be blocked into the interior of the door (60), and this difference may be achieved by the transmittance variable portion (200) described below. In Fig. 2, F' represents a user as an external object.

[0071] The above-described transmittance variable portion (200) can allow external visible light to pass through the transmitting portion (V) formed on the front panel (Ga) of the door (60), or can prevent visible light from passing through the transmitting portion (V). At this time, the state in which visible light does not pass through the transmitting portion (V) is referred to as a blocking mode, and the state in which visible light passes through is referred to as a transmitting mode. In other words, the state in which visible light does not pass through the transmitting portion (V) can be regarded as a first state, and the state in which visible light passes through can be regarded as a second state.

[0072] When the above transmittance variable part (200) is in the transmission mode, external visible light can pass through the front panel (Ga) of the door (60) and the above transmittance variable part (200) and enter the interior of the door (60). When the external visible light enters the interior of the door (60), it can reach the image acquisition device (120) while being reflected inside the door (60) (see the path of the dotted arrow (①) in FIG. 2). More precisely, the external visible light can reach the image acquisition device (120) after being reflected on the surface of another panel arranged at the rear of the front panel (Ga). Accordingly, an image of an external object (F', see FIG. 2) can be formed on the image acquisition device (120).

[0073] Conversely, when the transmittance variable portion (200) is in blocking mode, external visible light is reflected by the transmittance variable portion (200) positioned at the rear of the front panel (Ga) and cannot enter the interior of the door (60), and thus external visible light cannot reach the image acquisition device (120). The structure and operation of the transmittance variable portion (200) will be described again below.

[0074] Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the present invention. For reference, Fig. 2 illustrates a storage space (41) formed inside the inner casing (40) of the home appliance in a transparent manner. The inner casing (40) may be provided inside the main body (10). The inner casing (40) may be covered by a side cover (12) of the main body (10), etc.

[0075] A cooking object (F, see FIG. 2) may be placed in the storage space (41). The cooking object (F) may not be visible from the outside, i.e., in front of the door (60). In the present embodiment, the door (60) is provided with a transparent portion (V), so that the user can observe the inside of the storage space (41) through the transparent portion (V). However, if the illuminance of the storage space (41) is low, it is difficult for the user to accurately observe the inside of the storage space (41) with the naked eye. In the present embodiment, since the electronic component includes a lighting device (130), the illuminance of the storage space (41) can be sufficiently increased. For reference, when the transmittance variable portion (200) is in a transparent mode, external visible light can pass through the transparent portion (V).

[0076] At this time, the light irradiated from the lighting device (130) may be reflected from the inner wall of the storage space (41) and then transmitted to the door (60) again. The light transmitted to the door (60) in this way may expose components arranged at the rear of the door (60) toward the user. In the present embodiment, the door (60) is provided with a panel perimeter (PA) surrounding the edge of the transmission portion (V), thereby preventing exposure of these components. The panel perimeter (PA) may be formed to be opaque or translucent surrounding the transmission portion (V). The transmittance variable portion (200) may be arranged closer to the center of the door (60) than the panel perimeter (PA). The structure of the panel perimeter (PA) will be examined in detail again below.

[0077] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of a door (60) according to the present invention. For reference, in the drawings, reference numeral "I" indicates the inside of the door (60), i.e., the direction of the storage space (41), and reference numeral "O" indicates the outside of the door (60), i.e., the exterior of the home appliance. For reference, FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a structure in which the rear frame (80), inner frame (90), and insulation panel (IP), which constitute the door body (70, 80, 90) of the door (60), are omitted.

[0078] The front of the door (60) may be composed of a front frame (70), a front panel (Ga), and a door handle (75) to be described below. The front panel (Ga) and the door handle (75) may be respectively coupled to the front frame (70). Here, the front panel (Ga) is made of a transparent or translucent material, so that the storage space (41) can be seen through. Only a portion of the front panel (Ga) can be seen through in the front and rear directions.

[0079] In Fig. 3, the arrow indicates the direction in which visible light passes through the door (60). Visible light from outside the home appliance can selectively pass through the transparent portion (V) of the door (60). The transmittance variable portion (200) arranged at the rear of the transparent portion (V) can selectively allow visible light to pass through. By the user's operation or the automatic control of the main control unit, the transmittance variable portion (200) can be switched from the blocking mode to the transmitting mode, thereby allowing visible light to pass through.

[0080] A door handle (75) is provided on the front of the door (60). The door handle (75) is a part that a user holds when opening the door (60). In the present embodiment, the door (60) can be operated in a pull-down manner in which the upper portion rotates up and down around the lower portion. The user can open the door (60) downward by holding the door handle (75) and pulling the door handle (75). As another example, the door (60) can be operated in a side-swing manner in which it opens to the side.

[0081] Referring to Fig. 4, a view of the door (60) as viewed from the rear is illustrated. A transparent portion (V) is formed in the center of the door (60). The transparent portion (V) is for viewing the storage space (41). The transparent portion (V) may be formed in the center of the door panel (G). More precisely, the door panel (G) is composed of a plurality of panels (Ga, Gb, Gc), and the transparent portion (V) may be formed in the center of each of the plurality of panels (Ga, Gb, Gc). The door panel (G) may be made of a material that can transmit light, such as glass.

[0082] In this embodiment, a transmission portion (V) is formed at the center of the front panel (Ga), and a printing area is formed on the periphery of the transmission portion (V). The printing area becomes the panel periphery (PA) described above, and the panel periphery (PA) may not transmit the door (60) in the front-back direction, or may transmit only a very small amount of light. At this time, the transmittance variable portion (200) is arranged on the surface of the front panel (Ga), so as to block or transmit visible light passing through the transmission portion (V). That is, the periphery of the front panel (Ga) may have visible light blocked by the panel periphery (PA), and the center (transmission portion (V)) of the front panel (Ga) may have visible light blocked by the transmittance variable portion (200).

[0083] Among the plurality of panels (Ga, Gb, Gc), a front panel (Ga) may be formed with a panel perimeter (PA) that surrounds the edge of the transparent portion (V). The panel perimeter (PA) prevents the storage space (41) from being seen through. In Fig. 4, the panel perimeter (PA) may include an upper perimeter (PA1) that surrounds the upper edge of the transparent portion (V), a lower perimeter (PA2) that surrounds the lower edge of the transparent portion (V), and side perimeters (PA3) that surround both end edges of the transparent portion (V). The upper perimeter (PA1), the lower perimeter (PA2), and the side perimeters (PA3) are connected to each other to form an approximately rectangular shape. In other words, the upper circumference (PA1) may be referred to as the first circumference, the lower circumference (PA2) may be referred to as the second circumference, and the side circumference (PA3) may be referred to as the third circumference.

[0084] The above panel perimeter (PA) can prevent components arranged on the rear side of the front panel (Ga) from being exposed. For example, the panel perimeter (PA) can cover the inner frame (90) and the electronic component unit (100) which will be described later. In the present embodiment, the electronic component unit (100) is arranged on the rear side of the upper perimeter (PA1). For reference, although FIG. 12 illustrates the electronic component unit (100) covered by the panel perimeter (PA) in a transparent manner, in reality, the electronic component unit (100) is covered by the panel perimeter (PA). The panel perimeter (PA) not only covers the components, but can also be printed with a specific color or shape to enhance the aesthetics of the door (60). The structure of the panel perimeter (PA) will be described again below.

[0085] As shown in Fig. 4, the transmittance variable portion (200) is arranged on the inside of the panel perimeter (PA). The transmittance variable portion (200) is arranged closer to the center of the front panel (Ga) than the panel perimeter (PA), so as to cover the transparent portion (V). The transmittance variable portion (200) may be arranged on the surface of the front panel (Ga) on which the panel perimeter (PA) is printed, i.e., on the rear surface of the front panel (Ga).

[0086] A front opening (72) may be formed at the center of the front frame (70). The front opening (72) penetrates the center of the front frame (70) and exposes a portion of the front panel (Ga). The front opening (72) may expose the transmission portion (V), a portion of the panel perimeter (PA), and the transmittance variable portion (200).

[0087] Let's take a detailed look at the components that make up this embodiment with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The door body (70, 80, 90) that forms the skeleton of the door (60) may be configured to include a plurality of frame components. In this embodiment, the door body (70, 80, 90) may include a front frame (70), a rear frame (80), and an inner frame (90). These may be combined with each other to form a single door body (70, 80, 90). Here, "front" refers to the front of the door (60) (right side based on FIG. 5).

[0088] The front frame (70) may be arranged at the front of the door body (70, 80, 90). More precisely, the front frame (70) may form a front skeleton of the door body (70, 80, 90). The front frame (70) includes a front frame body (71) having a substantially rectangular shape. A front opening (72) may be formed through the center of the front frame body (71) to expose the door panel (G). A front bracket (73) protrudes from the lower end of the front frame body (71), and the front bracket (73) may be coupled with a rear bracket (83) of a rear frame (80) to be described later. Reference numeral 74 denotes a side cover, and the harness guide (160) may be accommodated inside the side cover (74).

[0089] Among the two surfaces of the front frame (70), the front panel (Ga) is adhered to the rear surface (71B) of the front frame (70). Since the circumference of the front frame (70) is wider than the circumference of the front panel (Ga), even if the front panel (Ga) is adhered to the rear surface (71B) of the front frame (70), an installation area that is not covered by the front panel (Ga) is formed on the rear surface (71B) of the front frame (70). The installation area (not shown) may be formed on the surface of the door body (70, 80, 90) that extends beyond the edge of the door panel (G).

[0090] The door body (70, 80, 90) may be provided with a door hinge (78). FIG. 5 illustrates the door hinge (78) in an exploded state, and FIG. 6 illustrates the door hinge (78) positioned between the front frame (70) and the inner frame (90). A hinge hook arm (78a) may protrude from the door hinge (78).

[0091] A rear frame (80) may be coupled to the front frame (70) with the door panel (G) interposed therebetween. The rear frame (80) includes a rear frame body (81) having a substantially square frame shape. When the door (60) is closed, the rear frame (80) may face the opened entrance of the storage space (41). A rear opening (82) may be opened at the center of the rear frame body (81). The rear opening (82) may have a structure that is opened in the front and rear directions so that the transparent portion (V) may see through the inside of the storage space (41). Drawing reference numeral 88 indicates a hanging arm passage hole through which the hinge hanging arm (78a) protrudes. A rear fastening hole (87) may be formed in the rear frame (80). The above rear fastening hole (87) is the part through which the door (60) fastening hole (not shown) passes.

[0092] A cooling channel (85) may be formed in the rear frame (80). Air introduced into the door (60) through the cooling channel may be transferred to the main body (10) of the cooking appliance, thereby performing a cooling function. Conversely, heat from the main body (10) of the cooking appliance may be introduced into the cooling channel (85), then passed through the interior of the door (60) and discharged to the outside.

[0093] The rear opening (82) of the rear frame (80) does not cover the transparent portion (V), but may cover a part of the electronic component unit (100). More precisely, through the rear opening (82), the image acquisition device (120) and the lighting device (130) constituting the electronic component unit (100) are exposed toward the rear storage space (41) (based on the closed state), but a part of the electronic component unit (100) corresponding to the upper portion of the image acquisition device (120) and the lighting device (130) may be covered by the rear frame (80). Accordingly, even if a user opens the door (60), the remaining portion excluding the image acquisition device (120) and the lighting device (130) may not be exposed through the transparent portion (V).

[0094] The inner frame (90) may be coupled to the rear frame (80). The inner frame (90) may be positioned between the rear frame (80) and the front frame (70). The rear panel (IP) may be positioned between the inner frame (90) and the rear frame (80). Insulators (97, 98) may also be positioned between the inner frame (90) and the rear frame (80). When the inner frame (90) is coupled to the rear frame (80), the rear panel (IP) and the insulators (97, 98) may be fixed.

[0095] In this embodiment, the inner frame (90) is composed of a first inner frame (91) and a second inner frame (95). A first inner opening (92) and a second inner opening (96) are opened in the center of the first inner frame (91) and the second inner frame (95), respectively. The first inner opening (92) and the second inner opening (96) are connected to the rear opening (82) to expose the transmission portion (V). A hinge avoidance portion (93) is formed to be recessed on a side surface of the first inner frame (91). The hinge avoidance portion (93) may be recessed to avoid a portion where the door hinge (78) is mounted. As another example, the inner frame (90) may be omitted or may be formed as a part of the rear frame (80).

[0096] Insulators (97, 98) are placed between the inner frame (90) and the rear frame (80). The insulators (97, 98) are placed at the top and bottom of the rear panel (IP), respectively, and can perform an insulating function.

[0097] The first rear panel (Gb) and the second rear panel (Gc) constituting the rear panel (IP) are spaced apart from the front panel (Ga). An air passage (A, see FIG. 6), which is a flow space in which air flows, may be formed between the rear panel (IP) and the front panel (Ga) so spaced apart. In addition, the rear panel (IP) may form an insulating space therein so that the internal heat of the storage space (41) is not transmitted to the front, i.e., toward the door (60). Therefore, the rear panel (IP) may also be viewed as an insulating panel (IP). As another example, the rear panel (IP) may be composed of only one panel, or may be composed of three or more panels.

[0098] An electronic component unit (100) is arranged on the front panel (Ga). In the present embodiment, the electronic component unit (100) is in close contact with the front panel (Ga). As another example, the electronic component unit (100) may be spaced apart from the front panel (Ga).

[0099] Referring to FIG. 4, the electronic component unit (100) includes two casings (110). An image acquisition device (120) and a lighting device (130) may be provided between the two casings (110A, 110B). The image acquisition device (120) may be viewed as a type of camera device for photographing the storage space (41). The lighting device (130) may include an LED element as a light for irradiating light into the storage space (41). In the present embodiment, the electronic component unit (100) includes both the image acquisition device (120) and the lighting device (130). As another example, the electronic component unit (100) may include only one of the image acquisition device (120) and the lighting device (130).

[0100] The above electronic component unit (100) may include a main unit (100A) and a connection unit (100B). The image acquisition device (120) and the lighting device (130) may be arranged in the main unit (100A). A wire harness for transmitting power and signals to the image acquisition device (120) and the lighting device (130) may be arranged in the connection unit (100B). In the present embodiment, the main unit (100A) and the connection unit (100B) extend in different directions. As another example, the connection unit (100B) may be omitted.

[0101] As shown in Fig. 4, the electronic component unit (100) can be positioned at a position spaced apart from the edge (Ga') of the front panel (Ga) toward the transmission portion (V). The electronic component unit (100) is positioned at a position spaced apart from the upper edge of the edge (Ga') of the front panel (Ga) toward the center (Va) of the transmission portion (V). In this way, the electronic component unit (100) can be positioned closer to the transmission portion (V), thereby securing a wider field of view and irradiation angle.

[0102] The electronic component unit (100) may be arranged on the panel periphery (PA). The panel periphery (PA) is formed around the edge of the transparent portion (V). The electronic component unit (100) arranged on the panel periphery (PA) is covered by the panel periphery (PA) and is not exposed forward, i.e., toward the user. In the present embodiment, the electronic component unit (100) is arranged on the upper periphery (PA1) of the panel periphery (PA).

[0103] Since the electronic component unit (100) is positioned relatively closer to the transmission portion (V) than the edge of the door body (70, 80, 90), a gap is formed between the electronic component unit (100) and the edge of the door body (70, 80, 90). Accordingly, the electronic component unit (100) can be maintained in a fixed state by relying on the door panel (G), more precisely, the front panel (Ga). For example, the electronic component unit (100) can be fixed to the surface of the front panel (Ga) using an adhesive component such as a double-sided tape.

[0104] At this time, since the front panel (Ga) of the door (60) is provided with a panel perimeter (PA) together with the transmission portion (V), light can be transmitted only through the transmission portion (V). The panel perimeter (PA) is composed of a printed layer (140) as described below, and can opaquely transmit light or significantly reduce the amount of transmitted light. Of course, light passing through the transmission portion (V) can be blocked by the transmittance variable portion (200).

[0105] When the above-mentioned transmittance variable part (200) is in the transmission mode, light (visible light) is transmitted through the transmission part (V) of the front panel (Ga) constituting the door (60), but the panel perimeter (PA) arranged around the transmission part (V) may not transmit light. As shown in Fig. 4, since the home appliance component unit (100) is arranged on the rear side of the upper perimeter (PA1), the upper perimeter (PA1) can cover the home appliance component unit (100) so that it is not exposed to the front.

[0106] In this embodiment, the storage space (41) is made of metal, so its surface has a high light reflectance. In addition, the inner frame (90) and the rear frame (80) arranged at the rear of the front panel (Ga) are also made of metal, so they can reflect light well. However, since the panel perimeter (PA) blocks light, the reflected light can only be transmitted forward through the transmittance variable portion (200) and the transmission portion (V).

[0107] FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b) illustrate an example of a door (60) for a home appliance according to the present invention, in which the transmittance variable part (200) is in blocking mode, and an example of the home appliance when the transmittance variable part (200) is in blocking mode. Referring to FIG. 7(b), when the transmittance variable part (200) is in blocking mode, visible light cannot pass through the transmittance variable part (200) arranged at the rear of the front panel (Ga), so that the inside object (F) cannot be observed from the outside. To this end, the power supply to the transmittance variable part (200) must be cut off to enter blocking mode. FIG. 7(a) illustrates an example of the transmittance variable part (200) in blocking mode.

[0108] Referring to Fig. 7(a), a cross-section of the transmittance variable portion (200) is enlarged. As can be seen, the transmittance variable portion (200) may be configured to include an active layer (211). In the present embodiment, the active layer (211) may be configured as a PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crustal) film. The PDLC film may exhibit an opaque state (blocking mode) when no voltage is applied, and a transparent state (transmitting mode) when voltage is applied.

[0109] Looking at the structure of the PDLC film, the PDLC film may have a first cover layer (230A) having a first electrode layer (220A) and a second cover layer (230B) having a second electrode layer (220B) facing each other with a certain interval between them. An active layer (211) composed of a prepolymer (212) in which a liquid crystal (214) is dispersed may be positioned between the first electrode layer (220A) and the second electrode layer (220B). In the present embodiment, the PDLC film may be made by inserting an active layer (211) which is a mixture of a prepolymer (212) and a liquid crystal (214) between the first electrode layer (220A) and the second electrode layer (220B) which are transparent indium tin oxide (ITO). For example, the active layer (211) can be formed by coating a PDLC solution between a first electrode layer (220A) and a second electrode layer (220B), which are a pair of ITO films.

[0110] Here, the active layer (211) composed of the above prepolymer (212) and liquid crystal (214) becomes a dielectric, and the two electrode layers (220A, 220B) facing each other with the dielectric in between can form a type of capacitor structure.

[0111] The first cover layer (230A) and the second cover layer (230B) may be composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). As another example, the first cover layer (230A) and the second cover layer (230B) may be composed of a transparent material such as glass, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, or polyepoxy, but are not limited thereto.

[0112] The first electrode layer (220A) and the second electrode layer (220B) may be formed by including at least one of ITO, IZO (In-ZnO), GZO (Ga-ZnO), AZO (Al-ZnO), AGZO (Al-GaZnO), IGZO (In-Ga ZnO), IrOx, RuOx, RuOx / ITO, Ni / IrOx / Au, and Ni / IrOx / Au / ITO, but are not limited thereto.

[0113] The above active layer (211) may be composed of a prepolymer (212), which is a polymer matrix in which a liquid crystal (214) is dispersed. The active layer (211) may be formed by mixing raw materials of a polymer material that is cured by ultraviolet rays or heat with a liquid crystal (214), injecting the mixture into a liquid crystal specimen, and then exposing the mixture to ultraviolet rays or heat. That is, when the raw materials of the polymer material are exposed to ultraviolet rays or heat to form a polymer, phase separation occurs with the liquid crystal, and thus a liquid crystal may be formed between the polymer meshes. The liquid crystal (214) may be a nematic liquid crystal, a cholesteric liquid crystal, a smectic liquid crystal, a ferroelectric liquid crystal, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0114] The above active layer (211) can form a transmittance variable layer (210) together with the first electrode layer (220A) and the second electrode layer (220B). The first cover layer (230A) and the second cover layer (230B) can be laminated on both sides of the transmittance variable layer (210), respectively. In this way, a film structure composed of the transmittance variable layer (210), the first cover layer (230A), and the second cover layer (230B) can form the transmittance variable portion (200).

[0115] The active layer (211) is a portion whose transmittance varies depending on whether power is applied. In the present embodiment, the transmittance variable layer (210) is composed of a PDLC film, but as another example, the transmittance variable layer (210) may be composed of a PNLC film (Polymer Network Liquid Crystal, PNLC) or an electrochromic film including an electrochromic element. The PNLC film has a three-dimensional network-like structure in which the liquid crystal is a continuous phase and the polymer is cross-linked. Alternatively, the transmittance variable layer (210) may be a reverse mode PDLC film. The reverse mode PDLC film has the characteristic of becoming opaque when power is applied, and conversely, becoming transparent when power is applied.

[0116] As shown in Fig. 7(a), when no driving power is applied to the transmittance variable portion (200), the liquid crystals (214) in the active layer (211) are arranged in a random direction, so that a difference occurs between the effective refractive index of the liquid crystals (214) and the refractive index of the polymer, and thus the incident light may be scattered opaquely. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 7(b), the object (F) arranged at the rear of the front panel (Ga) cannot be observed from the outside.

[0117] On the other hand, when driving power is applied to the transmittance variable part (200) as shown in Fig. 8(a), the liquid crystals (214) in the active layer (211) are aligned in one direction so that the refractive indices of the liquid crystals (214) and the polymer matrix (212) become the same, and the incident light can transmit through the active layer (211). Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 8(b), the object (F) arranged at the rear of the front panel (Ga) can be observed from the outside.

[0118] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the structure of the transmittance variable portion (200) of the present embodiment. As can be seen therein, the first cover layer (230A) and the second cover layer (230B) may be arranged on both sides of the transmittance variable layer (210) arranged in the center. The first cover layer (230A) and the second cover layer (230B) may each be in the form of a thin plate, and may be considered to form the framework of the transmittance variable portion (200).

[0119] The first surface of the above-described transmittance variable portion (200) may be in close contact with the surface of the front panel (Ga) among the plurality of panels. At this time, the first surface may be the surface of the first cover layer (230A). An adhesive layer (250) may be laminated on the surface of the first cover layer (230A). The adhesive layer (250) may be disposed between the first cover layer (230A) and the front panel (Ga), and may adhere the first cover layer (230A) to the surface of the front panel (Ga). The adhesive layer (250) may have a thin film structure in which an adhesive material is formed on each of both surfaces. As another example, the adhesive layer (250) may be formed by directly applying an adhesive material to the surface of the first cover layer (230A).

[0120] The above adhesive layer (250) is made of a transparent material and can transmit visible light. The adhesive layer (250) may contain a dye to express a specific color, but even in this case, the adhesive layer (250) is made transparent. The dye may be one or two or more selected from azo dyes, anthraquinone dyes, phenylene dyes, melocyanine dyes, azomethine dyes, phthaloperylene dyes, indigo dyes, azulene dyes, dioxazine dyes, and polythiophene dyes, and may be combined.

[0121] The adhesive layer (250) may be formed over the entire first surface, or the adhesive layer (250) may be formed around the edge of the first surface. When the adhesive layer (250) is formed over the entire first surface of the transmittance variable portion (200), the transmittance variable portion (200) may be more strongly fixed to the surface of the front panel (Ga). When the adhesive layer (250) is formed around the edge of the first surface of the transmittance variable portion (200), the transmittance variable portion (200) may reduce a decrease in transmittance caused by the adhesive layer (250).

[0122] As shown in Fig. 10, when the transmittance variable portion (200) is in the transmission mode, external visible light can pass through the transmittance variable portion (200). More specifically, external visible light that has passed through the transmission portion (V) of the front panel (Ga) can sequentially pass through the adhesive layer (250), the first cover layer (230A), the transmittance variable layer (210), and the second cover layer (230B) and then pass through the rear panel (IP) of the door (60).

[0123] Fig. 11 conceptually illustrates the circuit structure of the transmittance variable layer (210) constituting the present embodiment. As can be seen therein, the first electrode layer (220A) and the second electrode layer (220B) are arranged on both sides of the central active layer (211). Here, the active layer (211), the first electrode layer (220A), and the second electrode layer (220B) can form a type of capacitor structure. When power is supplied to the first electrode layer (220A) and the second electrode layer (220B), the liquid crystals (214) of the active layer (211) arranged therebetween are aligned, and the transmittance variable layer (210) can be switched to a transmission mode.

[0124] In Fig. 11, the reference numeral P represents a power supply unit (P), which may be disposed inside the door (60) or may be disposed in the main body of the home appliance. A first electrode (260A) and a second electrode (260B) may be connected to the first electrode layer (220A) and the second electrode layer (220B), respectively, so as to receive power from the power supply unit (P). The power supply unit (P) may form a power supply structure together with a wire harness. This structure will be described again below.

[0125] As shown in Fig. 11, the first electrode layer (220A) and the second electrode layer (220B) can form a circuit equipped with a kind of resistor (225). And the inside of the active layer (211) can be a kind of capacitor (215) having a predetermined capacity. In the drawing, the first electrode layer (220A) and the second electrode (260B) each include three resistors, and the first electrode layer (220A) and the second electrode (260B) are connected in parallel to each other through the capacitor (215) of the active layer (211). However, this is a simplified representation to help understanding. The first electrode layer (220A) and the second electrode (260B) can have numerous parallel connection structures through the active layer (211). In this way, the transmittance variable portion (200) including the active layer (211) can have a uniform transmittance from the top to the bottom.

[0126] Referring to Fig. 12, a front view of the door (60) of the present embodiment is illustrated. As can be seen therein, a front panel (Ga) is arranged at the center of the door (60), and the front panel (Ga) includes a panel periphery (PA) surrounding the transparent portion. At this time, the transmittance variable portion (200) is arranged at the rear of the transparent portion (V). Since the transmittance variable portion (200) is arranged at the rear of the transparent portion (V), it can be observed from the outside of the door (60) only through the transparent portion (V). If the blocking mode is entered, the transmittance variable portion (200) becomes dark overall, so that not only the transmittance variable portion (200) but also the transparent portion (V) can be shielded.

[0127] FIG. 13 schematically illustrates an example of a structure in which a transmittance variable portion (200) is arranged on a front panel (Ga) constituting a door (60) of the present embodiment. Reference drawing FIG. 13 is a view of the front panel (Ga) as viewed from the rear, i.e., from the storage space (41) side. Drawing symbol K indicates a boundary portion (K) between the transmittance portion (V) and the panel perimeter portion (PA). The transmittance portion (V) and the panel perimeter portion (PA) can be divided based on the boundary portion (K). The boundary portion (K) has a rectangular shape along the edge of the transmittance portion (V). As another example, the boundary portion (K) may have a polygonal or circular shape.

[0128] Drawing symbols T1 and T2 indicate the first arrangement area (T1) and the second arrangement area (T2), respectively, where the electronic component unit (100) and the harness guide (160) are arranged. The harness guide (160) is a portion where the wire harness, which will be described below, is stored, and the harness guide (160) can fix the wire harness and guide its extension direction.

[0129] In this embodiment, some of the edges of the transmittance variable portion (200) may be positioned outside the transmission portion (V). The edges of the transmittance variable portion (200) are positioned outside the boundary portion (K). Here, the outside refers to a direction closer to the outer edge of the door (60) than the center of the door (60). In this way, the transmittance variable portion (200) may have a larger area than the transmission portion (V) while covering the entire boundary portion (K).

[0130] In other words, it can be seen that some of the edges of the transmittance variable portion (200) are arranged at a position outside the transmittance portion (V), and some of the edges of the transmittance variable portion (200) are arranged to overlap the transmittance portion (V). More specifically, among the peripheral surfaces formed around the edges of the transmittance variable portion (200), the first peripheral surface (201) at the top is arranged outside the upper edge of the transmittance portion (V). Among the peripheral surfaces of the transmittance variable portion (200), the second peripheral surfaces (202) and the third peripheral surfaces (203) at both ends are arranged outside the edges of both sides of the transmittance portion (V). Among the peripheral surfaces of the transmittance variable portion (200), the fourth peripheral surface (204) at the bottom is arranged outside the lower edge of the transmittance portion (V). Based on the drawing, the first circumferential surface (201) can be said to be the upper circumferential surface, and the fourth circumferential surface (204) can be said to be the lower circumferential surface.

[0131] At this time, among the peripheral surfaces formed around the edge of the transmittance variable portion (200), the first peripheral surface (201) facing the surface (T1A) of the image acquisition device (120) may be arranged in a direction parallel to the surface of the image acquisition device (120). Referring to Fig. 12, the first peripheral surface (201) extends in a direction parallel to the lower surface (T1A) of the electronic component unit (100) including the image acquisition device (120). This appearance can also be confirmed in Fig. 13, and as shown in Fig. 13, the first peripheral surface (201) extends in a direction parallel to the first arrangement area (T1) where the electronic component unit (100) including the image acquisition device (120) is arranged.

[0132] In this case, the first peripheral surface (201) can be arranged adjacent to the electronic component unit (100). If the first electrode (260A), the second electrode (260B), and the wire harness extend from the first peripheral surface (201) adjacent to the electronic component unit (100), (i) the first electrode (260A), the second electrode (260B), and the wire harness can be accommodated in the electronic component unit (100), and / or (ii) the first electrode (260A) and the second electrode (260B) can protrude toward the electronic component unit (100) and be directly connected to the electronic component unit (100).

[0133] Among the peripheral surfaces formed around the edge of the transmittance variable portion (200), the second peripheral surface (202) or the third peripheral surface (203) forming the side surface may be arranged in a direction parallel to the harness guide (160). Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the third peripheral surface (203) forming the side surface among the peripheral surfaces of the transmittance variable portion (200) is arranged parallel to the harness guide (160). The third peripheral surface (203) may be parallel to the surface (T2A) of the harness guide (160). As another example, the second peripheral surface (202) forming the side surface among the peripheral surfaces of the transmittance variable portion (200) may also be arranged parallel to the harness guide (160). Since Fig. 13 is a view of the door (60) viewed from the opposite direction from Fig. 12, unlike Fig. 12, the second arrangement area (T2) where the harness guide (160) is arranged is provided on the right side.

[0134] FIG. 14 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of a structure in which a transmittance variable portion (200) is arranged on a front panel (Ga) constituting a door (60) for a home appliance according to the present invention. A structure different from the previous embodiment will be described in that a fixed film (270) may be laminated on the edge of the second surface of the transmittance variable portion (200), which is opposite the first surface. That is, the first surface of the transmittance variable portion (200) is in close contact with the surface of the front panel (Ga) among the plurality of panels, and the fixed film (270) is laminated on the edge of the second surface of the transmittance variable portion (200), which is opposite the first surface.

[0135] A portion of the fixed film (270) may be laminated on the edge of the first surface, and the remaining portion of the fixed film (270) may be laminated on the surface of the front panel (Ga). Through this, the fixed film (270) may adhere the edge of the first surface to the surface of the front panel (Ga). That is, the fixed film (270) may ensure that the edge of the transmittance variable portion (200) is firmly fixed without being lifted from the surface of the front panel (Ga).

[0136] The above-mentioned fixed film (270) may be a thin film structure with adhesive applied to only one surface. The surface of the fixed film (270) to which the adhesive is applied may be adhered to the edge of the transmittance variable portion (200) and the surface of the front panel (Ga).

[0137] The above-mentioned fixed film (270) may be made of a transparent / semitransparent material, or may be made of an opaque material. If the above-mentioned fixed film (270) is placed on the outside of the transmission portion (V), the fixed film (270) is placed at the rear of the panel perimeter (PA), and therefore does not need to be made of a transparent material. As another example, if all or part of the above-mentioned fixed film (270) is placed on the inside of the transmission portion (V), i.e., at the rear of the transmission portion (V), the above-mentioned fixed film (270) is preferably made of a transparent / semitransparent material so that visible light passing through the transmission portion (V) can pass through.

[0138] FIGS. 15(a) to 15(c) illustrate graphs showing voltages applied to a transmittance variable part (200) constituting a door (60) for a home appliance according to the present invention, and changes in transparency accordingly. First, as shown in FIG. 15(a), the power supplied to the transmittance variable part (200) is an AC power source, and the phase can be changed at regular intervals. Although a pulse wave is illustrated in FIG. 15(a), various waveforms such as a sine wave, a triangular wave, a step wave, and a rectangular wave can be applied to the power source.

[0139] In this embodiment, the transmittance variable portion (200) may be supplied with an AC power source or a switching power source by a switching device. The AC power source may be formed by an AC voltage of 10 V to 150 V.

[0140] At this time, the pulse duty ratio formed by the waveform of the current applied to the transmittance variable part (200) can be varied by the main control part, so that the light transmittance of the transmittance variable part (200) can be adjusted. In this way, in this embodiment, when applying a pulse wave to the power source, the transmittance of the transmittance variable part (200) can be adjusted by applying various duty ratios.

[0141] Table 1 below summarizes the values ​​obtained by applying various duty ratios to the pulse wave of the driving power source and testing the transmittance of the transmittance variable portion (200) accordingly. For reference, the duty ratio refers to the ratio of the pulse wave width to one cycle of the pulse wave. In other words, the duty ratio is the ratio of the portion of the pulse wave in which the pulse rises to a high level during one cycle of the pulse wave.

[0142] Duty cycle (%) Voltage (V) Light transmittance (%) 11033242204741330585944071715507978660827977091808809681990103811010011082

[0143] As shown in the table above, if the duty ratio is changed, the light transmittance of the transmittance variable part (200) changes. In the present embodiment, the main control unit (not shown) can control the light transmittance of the transmittance variable part (200) by controlling the duty ratio of the power applied to the transmittance variable part (200). Through this, the transmittance variable part (200) can implement various light transmittances and can provide different aesthetics to the door (60). Fig. 15(b) shows the transparency (light transmittance) of the transmittance variable part (200) according to the change in the voltage applied through the duty ratio control. The main control unit can also control the transparency (light transmittance) of the transmittance variable part (200) by varying the duty ratio of the current supplied to the transmittance variable part (200) and / or by varying the DC link voltage input to the inverter. The graph of Fig. 15(c) shows the change in light transmittance of the transmittance variable part (200) when the duty ratio of the current supplied to the transmittance variable part (200) is varied and when the DC link voltage is varied. As can be seen, when the voltage exceeds a certain level (approximately 80 V), the light transmittance when the duty ratio of the current is varied and when the DC link voltage is varied become similar. Therefore, the main control part can adjust the transparency of the transmittance variable part (200) by varying the duty ratio or varying the DC link voltage.

[0144] Fig. 16 schematically illustrates an example of an insulation structure inside a door (60) for a home appliance according to the present invention. As can be seen therein, the transmittance variable portion (200) may be arranged between the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb) constituting the door panel (G). At this time, a spacer block (SB) may be provided between the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb), so that an air path (A), which is a predetermined empty space, may be formed between the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb). The air flowing through the air path (A) may cool the image acquisition device (120) and the transmittance variable portion (200). For reference, drawing symbol GbA represents the rear side of the first rear panel (Gb) facing the second rear panel (Gc, see FIG. 5), and drawing symbol GbB represents the front side of the first rear panel (Gb) facing the front panel (Ga).

[0145] The above-described transmittance variable portion (200) can be closely attached to the rear surface (GaB) of the front panel (Ga). Accordingly, the transmittance variable portion (200) can be spaced apart from the insulation panel (IP). More precisely, the transmittance variable portion (200) can be spaced apart from the first rear panel (Gb). Since the first rear panel (Gb) is arranged relatively close to the high-temperature storage space (41), it can be at a higher temperature than the front panel (Ga). When the transmittance variable portion (200) is spaced apart from the first rear panel (Gb) in this way, the air flow path (A) becomes a kind of insulation space, thereby preventing the temperature of the transmittance variable portion (200) from rising.

[0146] Fig. 17 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of an insulation structure inside a door (60) for a home appliance according to the present invention. A structure different from the previous embodiment will be described in that the transmittance variable portion (200) may be positioned to be spaced apart from the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb). Accordingly, the transmittance variable portion (200) is not in close contact with the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb). In this way, the transmittance variable portion (200) is not affected by the temperatures of the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb).

[0147] Although not shown, one end of the transmittance variable portion (200) may be fixed to the image acquisition device (120). An electrode provided at one end of the transmittance variable portion (200) may be electrically connected to the image acquisition device (120). As another example, the transmittance variable portion (200) may be fixed to the door body (70, 80, 90), or as another example, may be fixed to the spacer block (SB).

[0148] Fig. 18 schematically illustrates a third embodiment of an insulation structure inside a door (60) for a home appliance according to the present invention. Regarding a structure different from the previous embodiment, the transmittance variable portion (200) may be arranged to be in close contact with the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb), respectively. More precisely, both sides of the transmittance variable portion (200) may be in close contact with the rear surface (GaB) of the front panel (Ga) and the front surface (GbB) of the first rear panel (Gb), respectively.

[0149] At this time, the first adhesive layer (250A) and the second adhesive layer (250B) disposed on both surfaces of the transmittance variable portion (200) can be adhered to the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb), respectively. The first adhesive layer (250A) can function as an insulating material between the transmittance variable portion (200) and the front panel (Ga). The second adhesive layer (250B) can function as an insulating material between the transmittance variable portion (200) and the first rear panel (Gb).

[0150] The first adhesive layer (250A) and the second adhesive layer (250B) may be formed of an optically clear adhesive (OCA) in the form of a film, such as a double-sided tape. As another example, the first adhesive layer (250A) and the second adhesive layer (250B) may be formed of an optically clear resin (OCR) in the form of an irregular liquid. Such an OCA or OCR may provide a basic heat dissipation function to the variable transmittance portion (200).

[0151] Fig. 19 schematically illustrates a fourth embodiment of an insulation structure inside a door (60) for a home appliance according to the present invention. A structure different from the previous embodiment may be described in that the transmittance variable portion (200) may be arranged between the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb) constituting the door panel (G). At this time, a spacer block (SB) may be provided between the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb), so that an air path (A), which is a predetermined empty space, may be formed between the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb). The air flowing through the air path (A) may cool the image acquisition device (120) and the transmittance variable portion (200).

[0152] The front surface of the first rear panel (Gb) faces the variable transmittance portion (200), and an insulating layer may be disposed on the rear surface of the first rear panel (Gb). Here, the insulating layer may include a low-emission layer (280) and an infrared blocking layer (290) to be described below. More specifically, the insulating layer may include at least one of the low-emission layer (280) and the infrared blocking layer (290).

[0153] As shown in Fig. 19, the low-emissivity layer (280) may be arranged on the rear surface of the first rear panel (Gb). The low-emissivity layer (280) may transmit most visible light, but may block infrared radiation. Through this, the low-emissivity layer (280) may perform an insulating function between the storage space (41) and the first rear panel (Gb). Based on the direction in which the plurality of panels (Ga, Gb, Gc) are spaced from each other, the low-emissivity layer (280) may be arranged to overlap the transmittance variable portion (200).

[0154] The low-emissivity layer (280) may be composed of a low-emissivity film. To aid understanding, the thickness of the low-emissivity layer (280) is expressed to be thicker than the actual thickness in FIG. 19, but the thickness of the low-emissivity layer (280) may be less than 1 / 50 of the thickness of the first rear panel (Gb). The low-emissivity layer (280) is disposed only on the rear surface of the first rear panel (Gb), but as another example, the low-emissivity layer (280) may also be disposed on the front surface of the first rear panel (Gb). As another example, the low-emissivity layer (280) may be composed by stacking a plurality of low-emissivity films.

[0155] At this time, based on the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the plurality of panels (Ga, Gb, Gc) are spaced from each other, the low-emissivity layer (280) can extend further toward the edge of the door panel (G) than the transmittance variable portion (200). That is, the area of ​​the low-emissivity layer (280) is wider than the area of ​​the transmittance variable portion (200), so that the entire transmittance variable portion (200) can be covered based on the front-rear direction. In this way, the low-emissivity layer (280) can protect the transmittance variable portion (200) between the transmittance variable portion (200) and the main body (10).

[0156] Based on the direction in which the plurality of panels (Ga, Gb, Gc) are spaced from each other, the low-emissivity layer (280) may be arranged to overlap the image acquisition device (120). In other words, at least a portion of the low-emissivity layer (280) may extend to a position facing the image acquisition device (120). In this way, the low-emissivity layer (280) may protect the image acquisition device (120) between the image acquisition device (120) and the main body (10). That is, the low-emissivity layer (280) may block heat transmitted to the image acquisition device (120).

[0157] Fig. 20 schematically illustrates a fifth embodiment of an insulation structure inside a door (60) for a home appliance according to the present invention. Describing a structure different from the previous embodiment, the transmittance variable portion (200) may be positioned in close contact with the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb), respectively. More precisely, both sides of the transmittance variable portion (200) may be in close contact with the rear surface of the front panel (Ga) and the front surface of the first rear panel (Gb), respectively.

[0158] At this time, the first adhesive layer (250A) and the second adhesive layer (250B) disposed on both surfaces of the transmittance variable portion (200) can be adhered to the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb), respectively. The first adhesive layer (250A) can function as an insulating material between the transmittance variable portion (200) and the front panel (Ga). The second adhesive layer (250B) can function as an insulating material between the transmittance variable portion (200) and the first rear panel (Gb).

[0159] Meanwhile, the front surface (GbB) of the first rear panel (Gb) faces the variable transmittance portion (200), and a low-emissivity layer (280) may be arranged on the back surface (GbA) of the first rear panel (Gb). The low-emissivity layer (280) may transmit most visible light, but block infrared radiation. Through this, the low-emissivity layer (280) may perform an insulating function between the storage space (41) and the first rear panel (Gb).

[0160] The above-mentioned insulation panel (IP) may include a first surface (GbA) facing the variable transmittance portion (200), and a second surface (GbB) formed on the opposite side of the first surface (GbA) and facing the storage space. At this time, the low-emissivity layer (280) may be arranged on at least one of the first surface (GbA) or the second surface (GbB) to block radiation in the infrared region.

[0161] Although not shown, the low-emissivity layer (280) may be provided along the perimeter of the insulating panel (IP). That is, the low-emissivity layer (280) may be arranged along a portion of the edge, rather than the entire area of ​​the insulating panel (IP). Since the electrodes (260A, 260B) of the transmittance variable portion (200) and the image acquisition device (120) are arranged at positions spaced apart from the edge of the insulating panel (IP), the low-emissivity layer (280) may be provided along the perimeter of the insulating panel (IP) to protect them.

[0162] Fig. 21 schematically illustrates a sixth embodiment of an insulation structure inside a door (60) for a home appliance according to the present invention. A structure different from the previous embodiment may be described in that the transmittance variable portion (200) may be arranged between the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb) constituting the door panel (G). At this time, a spacer block (SB) may be provided between the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb), so that an air path (A), which is a predetermined empty space, may be formed between the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb). The air flowing through the air path (A) may cool the image acquisition device (120) and the transmittance variable portion (200).

[0163] At this time, an infrared blocking layer (290) may be arranged on the front surface of the first rear panel (Gb), i.e., the surface facing the transmittance variable portion (200). The infrared blocking layer (290) may block infrared rays and perform an insulating function between the transmittance variable portion (200) and the first rear panel (Gb). The infrared blocking layer (290) may be composed of an infrared ray shielding film that adheres to the front surface of the first rear panel (Gb).

[0164] To aid understanding, the thickness of the infrared blocking layer (290) is expressed to be thicker than the actual thickness in FIG. 21, but the thickness of the infrared blocking layer (290) may be less than 1 / 50 of the thickness of the first rear panel (Gb). The infrared blocking layer (290) is disposed only on the front side (GbB) of the first rear panel (Gb), but as another example, the infrared blocking layer (290) may also be disposed on the back side (GbA) of the first rear panel (Gb). As another example, the infrared blocking layer (290) may be configured by stacking a plurality of infrared blocking films.

[0165] Fig. 22 schematically illustrates a seventh embodiment of an insulation structure inside a door (60) for a home appliance according to the present invention. A structure different from the previous embodiment may be described in that the transmittance variable portion (200) may be arranged between the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb) constituting the door panel (G). At this time, a spacer block (SB) may be provided between the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb), so that an air path (A), which is a predetermined empty space, may be formed between the front panel (Ga) and the first rear panel (Gb). The air flowing through the air path (A) may cool the image acquisition device (120) and the transmittance variable portion (200).

[0166] At this time, an infrared blocking layer (290) is disposed on the front surface of the first rear panel (Gb), i.e., the surface facing the transmittance variable portion (200). In addition, a low-emission layer (280) may be disposed on the back surface of the first rear panel (Gb). When the infrared blocking layer (290) and the low-emission layer (280) are disposed on each of the two surfaces of the first rear panel (Gb), the first rear panel (Gb) can perform its insulation function more effectively, thereby increasing the durability of the transmittance variable portion (200) and the image acquisition device (120).

[0167] Although not shown, an insulating layer (280) that blocks infrared radiation may be placed on the second cover layer (230B) constituting the transmittance variable portion (200). In this way, by the insulating layer (280) being in close contact with the transmittance variable portion (200), the heat resistance of the transmittance variable portion (200) can be increased.

[0168] In addition, the insulating layer (280) may be composed of regions having different radiation blocking rates. For example, the peripheral portion of the insulating layer (280) may have a relatively high radiation blocking rate, thereby increasing the radiation blocking rate transmitted to the electrodes (260A, 260B) and the image acquisition device (120). This may further enhance the heat resistance of the electrodes (260A, 260B) and the image acquisition device (120).

[0169] Fig. 23 illustrates a second embodiment of a home appliance to which a door (60) for home appliances according to the present invention is applied. As shown therein, the home appliance may be equipped with two doors (60A, 60B). Transmittance variable parts (200A, 200B) may be arranged on each of the two doors (60A, 60B). The two transmittance variable parts (200A, 200B) may be independently controlled, thereby varying the light transmittance.

[0170] Meanwhile, although not shown, the image acquisition device (120) may be placed on the handle (75) rather than inside the door (60). As another example, the image acquisition device (120) may be placed on the surface of the insulation panel (IP) rather than between the front panel (Ga) and the insulation panel (IP).

[0171] The above description is merely an illustrative illustration of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to illustrate, rather than limit, the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. Door body placed in front of the storage space of the home appliance; A door panel coupled to the above door body, including a plurality of panels, and having a transparent portion formed in the center; and A transmittance variable portion is disposed between the plurality of panels so as to overlap at least a portion of the above-described transmitting portion, and the transmittance is variable when power is applied; The above plurality of panels include a front panel and an insulation panel spaced apart from the front panel and positioned closer to the storage space than the front panel, A door for home appliances in which the above-mentioned transmittance variable part is placed between the front panel and the insulation panel.

2. In claim 1, a fluid space is formed between the front panel and the insulation panel, A door for home appliances in which the above-mentioned transmittance variable part is in close contact with the surface of the front panel while being spaced apart from the above-mentioned insulating panel.

3. In claim 1, the insulating panel A first surface facing the above-mentioned transmittance variable portion; and A second surface formed on the opposite side of the first surface and facing the storage space; A door for a home appliance, wherein an insulating layer that blocks infrared radiation is disposed on at least one of the first surface or the second surface.

4. A door for a home appliance according to claim 3, wherein the insulating layer is composed of a low emissivity film or an infrared ray shielding film.

5. A door for a home appliance according to claim 3, wherein the insulating layer is provided along the perimeter of the insulating panel.

6. A door for a home appliance according to claim 3, wherein the insulating layer is arranged to overlap the variable transmittance portion based on the direction in which the plurality of panels are spaced from each other.

7. A door for a home appliance according to claim 3, wherein the insulating layer extends further toward the edge of the door panel than the variable transmittance portion based on a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the plurality of panels are spaced from each other.

8. In claim 1, the front side of the transmittance variable part is in close contact with the surface of the front panel, and the rear side of the transmittance variable part is in close contact with the surface of the insulation panel. A door for home appliances, wherein an adhesive layer is disposed between the variable transmittance portion and the front panel, and between the variable transmittance portion and the insulation panel.

9. In claim 1, the insulating panel A first rear panel facing the front panel; and A second rear panel is disposed on the opposite side of the insulation panel with the first rear panel interposed therebetween; A door for a home appliance in which an insulating space is formed between the first rear panel and the second rear panel.

10. A door for a home appliance according to claim 9, wherein an insulating layer that blocks infrared radiation is disposed on either the surface of the first rear panel or the surface of the second rear panel.

11. A door for a home appliance according to claim 1, wherein an image acquisition device is arranged between the plurality of panels, and the image acquisition device acquires an image of the storage space through the transmission portion.

12. In claim 11, an insulating layer that blocks radiation in the infrared range is disposed on the insulating panel, A door for a home appliance, wherein the insulating layer is arranged to overlap the image acquisition device based on the direction in which the plurality of panels are spaced from each other.

13. In claim 12, the insulation layer is provided to overlap the image acquisition device and the transmittance variable part based on the direction in which the plurality of panels are spaced from each other.

14. In claim 1, the insulating panel A first surface facing the above-mentioned transmittance variable portion; and A second surface formed on the opposite side of the first surface and facing the storage space; An insulating layer that blocks radiation in the infrared region is disposed on at least one of the first surface or the second surface, A door for an appliance, wherein at least a portion of the insulating layer extends to a position facing the image acquisition device.

15. In claim 1, the variable transmittance portion An active layer comprising a mixture of liquid crystal and prepolymer; A first electrode layer laminated on one surface of the above active layer; A second electrode layer laminated on the other surface of the above active layer; A first cover layer disposed on the opposite side of the active layer with the first electrode layer interposed therebetween; and A second cover layer is disposed on the opposite side of the active layer with the second electrode layer interposed therebetween; A door for home appliances, wherein an insulating layer that blocks infrared radiation is laminated on the second cover layer.

16. In claim 1, an insulating layer that blocks infrared radiation is disposed on the surface of the insulating panel, A door for an appliance, wherein the above insulating layer is composed of areas having different radiation blocking rates.

17. A home appliance comprising a door for a home appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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