High-chroma exterior panel having selective transparency function

Abstract

The present invention relates to a high-chroma exterior panel which is located on the outer surface of an electronic product and has a selective transparency function by which the panel becomes transparent when a light-emitting body behind the panel emits light. The high-chroma exterior panel comprises: a decoration panel which has transparency and displays colors; a reflective panel which has transparency and reflects a part of emitted light; and a chroma enhancement space which is a space filled with gas between the decoration panel and the reflective panel and lowers the refractive index of light.

Description

High-saturation exterior panel with optional viewing function

[0001] The present invention relates to a high-saturation exterior panel having a selective transparency function, and is applied to the exterior panels of electronic products such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and water purifiers, and relates to an exterior panel having a selective transparency function configured so that when a light-emitting body is turned on inside, the light-emitting body can be selectively viewed from the outside, and when the light-emitting body is turned off, the light-emitting body cannot be viewed and forms an attractive exterior.

[0002] The present invention relates to a high-saturation exterior panel having a selective see-through function that improves aesthetics by providing a saturation-enhancing space without an adhesive material between a decoration panel that displays colors and a reflective panel that reflects light, thereby allowing the colors of the decoration panel to be displayed clearly and with high saturation when the display is not emitting light.

[0003] The present invention relates to a high-saturation exterior panel having a selective transparency function that can improve productivity and significantly reduce the defect rate by not including an adhesive member due to a saturation enhancement space, and can prevent problems of design degradation by not causing yellowing and cross-color mixing in advance.

[0004] The present invention relates to a high-saturation exterior panel having a selective transparency function in which a decoration panel and a reflective panel are arranged in a spaced state from each other so that a metallic texture is displayed to a minimum.

[0005] The present invention relates to a high-saturation exterior panel having a selective transparency function that enables colors to be expressed evenly without light and shade appearing on the decoration panel by dispersing the decoration panel and the reflective panel.

[0006] The present invention relates to a high-saturation exterior panel having a selective transparency function that can have beautiful colors by forming a color display section using various methods such as digital printing, screen printing, and gravure printing on the decoration panel.

[0007] Typically, a refrigerator is a home appliance that allows food to be stored at low temperatures within an internal storage space enclosed by a door. To achieve this, refrigerators utilize the cold air generated through heat exchange with the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle to cool the interior of the storage space, thereby maintaining optimal storage conditions for stored food.

[0008] Recent refrigerators are becoming larger and more multifunctional in line with the changing eating habits and the trend toward higher quality products. Refrigerators equipped with various structures and convenient devices that ensure user convenience and efficient use of internal space are being released.

[0009] Not only refrigerators, but also home appliances with excellent design stimulate users' desire to purchase the product, leading to increased product sales. Recently, efforts have been made to improve the design of the exterior panel.

[0010] For example, Korean Patent No. 10-1694538 discloses an exterior panel for a home appliance, which includes a pattern forming portion on a glass material as shown in FIG. 1, a deposition treatment portion for depositing a metal source on the upper side of the pattern forming portion, a printing layer for concealing a transparent portion of the glass member, and a reflective printing layer for increasing the color reflectance of light passing through the printing layer, thereby giving the exterior of the home appliance a three-dimensional effect.

[0011] However, since the conventional technology of Fig. 1 does not allow the inside of the storage space to be seen when applied to the door of a refrigerator, the food inside can only be checked by opening the door, which frequently causes the problem of unnecessary leakage of cold air.

[0012] Accordingly, Korean Patent No. 10-1502986 discloses a refrigerator in which a metal deposition layer (7b) is formed on the back surface of a door front panel (7), as shown in FIG. 2, and a colored paint layer (7c) is formed on the back surface of the metal deposition layer (7b) to maintain the reflectivity of the metal deposition layer (7b), thereby improving the appearance and reliability.

[0013] And the metal deposition layer (7b) is bonded to the light-transmitting paint layer (7d).

[0014] In addition, Korean Patent No. 10-1892794 discloses a refrigerator in which a metal deposition layer (2712) is provided on the back surface of a front panel (271) made of a transparent material, as shown in FIG. 3, so that the front panel (271) becomes transparent when light is selectively transmitted.

[0015] However, the conventional technology disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 3 can only implement designs that have a black or metallic texture, so there is a problem that the aesthetic appeal is reduced.

[0016] Meanwhile, in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0007012, as shown in FIG. 4, the main door (40) is provided with an opening (403), and a sub-door (50) is installed in the main door (40) so that the interior can be accessed without opening the main door (40).

[0017] The sub-door (50) has a texture like a beautiful black mirror, and is configured to have light transmittance and reflectance adjusted so that it can be selectively operated as transparent or opaque depending on the user's operation.

[0018] That is, a refrigerator is disclosed in which a vacuum deposition layer is formed on a glass layer to which transparent glass is applied, and a bezel layer is formed on the back edge of the vacuum deposition layer so that light does not pass through.

[0019] However, the above technology is insufficient to meet consumer needs because, although the interior is selectively transparent, the non-transparent exterior can only be expressed in black or metallic texture.

[0020] That is, it is difficult to implement it so that it can be selectively transparent while being pink or blue when opaque, allowing the inside to be seen through.

[0021] In addition, it further includes a transparent printing layer printed with a transparent material on the entire back surface of the vacuum deposition layer, and since the transparent printing layer and the vacuum deposition layer are closely attached to both sides of the glass layer without being separated from each other, when a printing layer with high saturation is formed, the saturation is lowered due to the vacuum deposition layer, which causes a problem of lowering the aesthetic appeal.

[0022] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and to provide an exterior panel having a selective transparency function that can be applied to an exterior panel of an electronic product such as an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a water purifier, etc., and is configured so that when a light-emitting body is turned off, it can be selectively viewed from the outside, and when the light-emitting body is turned off, it cannot be viewed and forms an attractive appearance.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a high-saturation external panel having a selective see-through function that improves aesthetics by providing a saturation-enhancing space without an adhesive material between a decoration panel that displays colors and a reflective panel that reflects light, thereby allowing the colors of the decoration panel to be displayed clearly and with high saturation when the display is not emitting light.

[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide a high-saturation exterior panel having a selective transparency function that can improve productivity and significantly reduce the defect rate by not including an adhesive member due to a saturation enhancement space, and can prevent problems of design degradation by not causing yellowing and cross-color mixing in advance.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide a high-saturation exterior panel having a selective see-through function in which a decoration panel and a reflective panel are arranged in a spaced state from each other so that the metallic texture is displayed to a minimum.

[0026] Another object of the present invention is to provide a high-saturation exterior panel having a selective transparency function that enables colors to be expressed evenly without light and shade appearing on the decoration panel by spacing the decoration panel and the reflective panel apart from each other.

[0027] Another object of the present invention is to provide a high-saturation exterior panel having a selective transparency function that can have beautiful colors by forming a color display section in various ways such as digital printing, screen printing, gravure printing, and offset printing on the decoration panel.

[0028] The present invention for achieving the above object is characterized by comprising a decoration panel having transparency and displaying color, a reflective panel having transparency and reflecting a portion of irradiated light, and a space filled with gas between the decoration panel and the reflective panel, the space lowering the refractive index of light, in a high-saturation exterior panel located on the exterior of an electronic product and having a selective transparency function that allows light to be seen when a light source is emitted from the rear.

[0029] The above saturation enhancement space is characterized by preventing a decrease in saturation of the color displayed by the decoration panel between the decoration panel and the reflective panel.

[0030] The above decoration panel is characterized by comprising a first transparent member and a color display member formed to have a color on the first transparent member.

[0031] The above reflective panel is characterized by comprising a second transparent member and a light reflecting portion formed to have gloss on the second transparent member.

[0032] The above decorative panel, reflective panel and saturation enhancement space are characterized by being installed inside a panel housing having transparency.

[0033] The above panel housing is characterized in that one side thereof is provided with a joint for joining with a counterpart.

[0034] Some of the above saturation-enhancing spaces are characterized by having an adhesive member that maintains the decorative panel and the reflective panel in an attached state.

[0035] One side of the above reflective panel is characterized by having a light blocking portion that blocks light from the light-emitting body.

[0036] The present invention is applied to the external panels of electronic products such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and water purifiers, and when the light-emitting body emits light inside, selective transparency is possible from the outside, and when the light-emitting body is turned off, it is not transparent and can form an attractive appearance.

[0037] In addition, by not placing an adhesive material between the decoration panel and the reflective panel, a space for enhancing saturation is provided, so that when the light-emitting body is not emitting light, the color of the decoration panel appears vivid and has high saturation, thereby improving the aesthetic appeal.

[0038] In addition, by not including adhesives, productivity can be improved and the defect rate can be significantly reduced, and the problem of design degradation can be prevented in advance by not causing yellowing due to adhesives and color change due to the two layers in contact penetrating each other.

[0039] In addition, by placing the decorative panel and the reflective panel apart from each other to minimize the metallic texture, the sense of incongruity, such as the reflection panel appearing dark, can be minimized, thereby preventing emotional dissatisfaction in advance.

[0040] In addition, the decoration panel and the reflective panel are arranged apart so that the color can be expressed evenly without any light and shade on the decoration panel, and pure white can also be expressed, thereby enhancing the aesthetic appeal.

[0041] In addition, it is possible to have beautiful colors by forming color display sections in various ways, such as digital printing, screen printing, gravure printing, and offset printing, on the decoration panel.

[0042] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an exterior panel for a home appliance disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-1694538.

[0043] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a refrigerator disclosed in Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-1502966.

[0044] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a refrigerator disclosed in Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-1892794.

[0045] Figure 4 is a front view showing the exterior of a refrigerator disclosed in Republic of Korea Publication No. 10-2021-0007012.

[0046] Figure 5 is an actual photograph taken of a high-saturation exterior panel having a selective viewing function according to the present invention and a comparative example.

[0047] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of one embodiment of a high-saturation exterior panel having a selective viewing function according to the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of part “A” of FIG. 6, showing in detail the internal structure of one embodiment of a high-saturation exterior panel having a selective viewing function according to the present invention.

[0049] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of another embodiment of a high-saturation exterior panel having a selective viewing function according to the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of part “B” of FIG. 8 showing in detail the internal structure of another embodiment of a high-saturation exterior panel having a selective viewing function according to the present invention.

[0051] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of another embodiment of a high-saturation exterior panel having a selective viewing function according to the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the “C” portion of FIG. 10 showing in detail the internal structure of another embodiment of a high-saturation exterior panel having a selective viewing function according to the present invention.

[0053] Referring to the attached Figure 5 below, the configuration of a high-saturation exterior panel having a selective viewing function according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as a 'high-saturation exterior panel (100)') is described.

[0054] Figure 5 shows an actual photograph of a high-saturation exterior panel (100) having a selective viewing function according to the present invention and a comparative example.

[0055] Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted in their usual or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in the sense and concept that conforms to the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term in order to explain his or her own invention in the best way.

[0056] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0057] First, as shown in FIG. 5, the high-saturation exterior panel (100) according to the present invention is positioned on the outer surface of the electronic product and configured to be transparent when a light-emitting body (see reference symbol L in FIG. 6) is illuminated at the rear, and when the light-emitting body (L) is turned off, the vivid exterior color of the electronic product is displayed.

[0058] Accordingly, the high-saturation exterior panel (100) can have various colors, and is configured to have high saturation in particular, so that when white is applied, dark contrast does not appear as compared to the comparative example (where an adhesive layer is placed on the inside), resulting in high saturation.

[0059] This can be implemented by providing a gas-filled space inside the high-saturation exterior panel (100) to lower the refractive index of light, and in the comparative example, an adhesive layer such as OCA is provided, so that the gas-filled space does not exist.

[0060] Therefore, by configuring the high-saturation exterior panel (100) so that air with a low refractive index of light exists inside the panel, it was intended to prevent the decrease in saturation caused by the adhesive layer having a relatively low refractive index.

[0061] The detailed configuration of the high-saturation exterior panel (100) is described below with reference to the attached drawings 6 and 7.

[0062] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of one embodiment of a high-saturation exterior panel (100) having a selective viewing function according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of part “A” of FIG. 6 showing in detail the internal structure of one embodiment of a high-saturation exterior panel (100) having a selective viewing function according to the present invention.

[0063] As shown in the drawing, the high-saturation exterior panel (100) is configured to include a decoration panel (120) that is transparent and displays color, a reflection panel (140) that is positioned below the decoration panel (120) and is transparent and reflects a portion of the irradiated light, and a saturation-enhancing space (160) that is positioned between the decoration panel (120) and the reflection panel (140) and is a space filled with gas and lowers the refractive index of light.

[0064] The above decoration panel (120) can have various colors and can include patterns, letters, etc. as needed.

[0065] The above decoration panel (120) is configured to include a first transparent member (122) and a color display member (124) formed to have color on the first transparent member (122).

[0066] The first transparent member (122) can be changed to various materials within a transparent range while allowing the color display portion (124) to be formed, and the color display portion (124) is not formed thickly on one side of the first transparent member (122), but is configured to be visible in a downward direction by scattering fine ink particles or arranging them in a dot shape.

[0067] At this time, the ink forming the color display portion (124) can be selected from any of a variety of colors, and when the user looks down from above the first transparent member (122), the color of the color display portion (124) can be seen with the naked eye.

[0068] The above first transparent member (122) can be applied with various materials such as a film or glass having light transparency, and the color display part (124) can be printed using various printing methods such as a digital printing method, a screen printing method, a gravure printing method, an offset printing method, etc.

[0069] In addition, the color display unit (124) is configured to display a single color, but can be expressed in a gradation manner.

[0070] A reflective panel (140) is positioned below the above-mentioned decoration panel (120). The reflective panel (140) is configured to include a second transparent member (142) and a light reflecting portion (144) formed to give the second transparent member (142) a glossy appearance.

[0071] The second transparent member (142) can be made of various materials such as plastic, film, and glass that have light transmittance, like the first transparent member (122), and a light reflecting portion (144) is formed on the lower surface of the second transparent member (142).

[0072] The above light reflecting portion (144) is formed to have a metallic texture by printing or vacuum depositing a metal material, and the light reflecting portion (144) exhibits a metallic texture within a range that is not exposed when viewed from the outside. Rather than being formed to completely block light, some of the light is reflected while some is transmitted so that the lower side can be selectively seen through, so that when the light emitting body (L) located at the lower side emits light and is irradiated upward, some of the light is reflected by the light reflecting portion (144), and the remainder moves upward so that it can be seen through from the outside of the high-saturation exterior panel (100).

[0073] The above saturation enhancement space (160) is configured to prevent saturation reduction so that the color of the decoration panel (120) does not darken or become cloudy, but appears clear and clean.

[0074] To this end, the saturation enhancement space (160) is configured in the form of a space where gas (e.g., air) exists between the decoration panel (120) and the reflective panel (140), and is in a separable state without a separate adhesive layer being provided.

[0075] Accordingly, the above saturation enhancement space (160) can prevent the saturation of the decoration panel (120) from decreasing because there is no adhesive layer, etc., that lowers the refractive index of light between them even if the decoration panel (120) and the reflection panel (140) are not completely separated but are in contact.

[0076] A panel housing (180) is provided on the outside of the high-saturation exterior panel (100). The panel housing (180) accommodates a decoration panel (120), a reflective panel (140), and a saturation enhancement space (160) inside, and is configured to have transparency.

[0077] Therefore, the light emitted by the above light emitting body (L) can be visually confirmed from the outside by passing through the reflective panel (140), the decoration panel (120), and the panel housing (180).

[0078] And, a connecting portion (182) is formed on the lower surface of the light emitting body (L). The connecting portion (182) is a configuration for connecting the high-saturation external panel (100) to an electronic product, and can be applied in a hook shape.

[0079] And, a light-emitting body restraining rib (184) may be further provided on the lower surface of the light-emitting body (L). The light-emitting body restraining rib (184) is configured to restrict movement while containing the light-emitting body (L) inside.

[0080] A light blocking portion (150) is provided on a portion of the lower surface of the above light reflecting portion (144). The light blocking portion is configured to block the light emitted when the light emitting body (L) emits light from passing through the transparent panel housing (180) and leaking out to unnecessary areas, thereby allowing light to be transmitted only to necessary areas.

[0081] To this end, the light blocking portion is not formed on the entire lower surface of the reflective panel (140), but is formed only on a portion thereof, and the purpose can be achieved by printing with dark-colored ink.

[0082] The structure of another embodiment of the high-saturation exterior panel (100) will be described with reference to the attached drawings 8 and 9.

[0083] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of another embodiment of a high-saturation exterior panel (100) having a selective viewing function according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of part “B” of FIG. 8 showing in detail the internal structure of another embodiment of a high-saturation exterior panel (100) having a selective viewing function according to the present invention.

[0084] In another embodiment of the high-saturation exterior panel (100) as shown in the drawing, adhesive members (190) are provided at multiple locations. The adhesive members (190) are located at some of the edges within the saturation enhancement space (160) and serve to maintain the decoration panel (120) and the reflective panel (140) in an attached state.

[0085] Accordingly, even if an adhesive member (190) is positioned between the above-mentioned decoration panel (120) and the reflective panel (140), a saturation enhancement space (160) is formed in a place where the adhesive member (190) is not positioned.

[0086] Meanwhile, the adhesive member (190) may also be provided between the panel housing (180) and the decoration panel (120). At this time, the adhesive member (190) maintains the decoration panel (120) attached to the inner ceiling of the panel housing (180), and even if the panel housing (180) has an open bottom as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to prevent the high-saturation exterior panel (100) from coming off.

[0087] And of course, the light blocking portion described above may be formed on the lower surface of the second transparent member (142).

[0088] The structure of another embodiment is described with reference to the attached drawings 10 and 11.

[0089] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of another embodiment of a high-saturation exterior panel (100) having a selective viewing function according to the present invention, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of part “C” of FIG. 10 showing in detail the internal structure of another embodiment of a high-saturation exterior panel (100) having a selective viewing function according to the present invention.

[0090] As shown in the drawing, the high-saturation exterior panel (100) may have an exterior shape of various shapes other than a flat exterior.

[0091] At this time, the decoration panel (120) and the reflective panel (140) are inserted in a state of being in close contact with the lower side of the panel housing (180) in a shape corresponding to the shape of the first transparent member (122) and the second transparent member (142), and for this purpose, it is preferable that a transparent and flexible film be applied.

[0092] And more specifically, in the left / right side of the high-saturation exterior panel (100), an adhesive member (190) is provided at the area where the upper / lower parts of the panel housing (180) come into contact, so that the decoration panel (120) and the reflective panel (140) can be restricted from coming out of the panel housing (180).

[0093] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments exemplified above, and many other modifications based on the present invention will be possible for those skilled in the art within the technical scope described above.

[0094] According to the high-saturation exterior panel having a selective transparency function according to the present invention, selective transparency is possible from the outside only when the internal light-emitting body emits light, and a saturation enhancement space is provided so that the color of the decoration panel is shown clearly and with high saturation, and pure white can also be expressed, so it can be applied to the exterior panels of air conditioners, refrigerators, water purifiers, etc., and thus it can be said that it has high industrial applicability.

Claims

1. In a high-saturation exterior panel located on the exterior of an electronic product and having a selective see-through function that allows light to be seen when a light source is emitted from the rear, A decoration panel that displays colors while having transparency, A reflective panel that reflects some of the light that has transparency, A space filled with gas between the above decoration panel and the reflective panel, and a saturation-enhancing space that lowers the refractive index of light, It is configured to include an adhesive member that is provided in some of the above saturation enhancement spaces and maintains the decoration panel and the reflective panel attached. The above saturation enhancement space is, A high-saturation exterior panel having a selective see-through function, characterized in that it is formed in a location where the adhesive member is not located between the decoration panel and the reflective panel, thereby preventing a decrease in saturation of the color displayed by the decoration panel.

2. In the first paragraph, the decoration panel, The first transparent member, A high-saturation exterior panel having a selective see-through function, characterized in that it comprises a color display section formed to have color in the first transparent member.

3. In the second paragraph, the reflective panel, The second transparent member, A high-saturation exterior panel having a selective see-through function, characterized in that it comprises a light-reflecting portion formed to have gloss on the second transparent member.

4. In the third paragraph, the decoration panel, the reflection panel and the saturation enhancement space, A high-saturation exterior panel having an optional transparency function characterized by being installed inside a panel housing having transparency.

5. In the fourth paragraph, on one side of the panel housing, A high-saturation exterior panel having a selective transparency function characterized by having a joint for joining with a counterpart.

6. In paragraph 5, on one side of the reflective panel, A high-saturation exterior panel having a selective transparency function characterized by being provided with a light blocking portion that blocks the light of the above-mentioned light-emitting body.

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