CN111707037A

CN111707037A - Storage box

Info

Publication number: CN111707037A
Application number: CN202010144773.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 西本昌文; 浅田尚志
Original assignee: Sharp Corp
Current assignee: Sharp Corp
Priority date: 2019-03-18
Filing date: 2020-03-04
Publication date: 2020-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-04
Also published as: JP2020152382A; CN111707037B; JP7228423B2

Abstract

The invention provides a containing box, which can detect a user in front of the containing box while inhibiting the external dimension of the containing box. A storage case (100) is provided. The storage box (100) comprises a door (121) mounted on the front of the storage box (100) and a human body sensor (151) mounted above the door (121). The front end of the motion sensor (151) is disposed behind the front end of the door (121).

Description

Storage box

Technical Field

The invention relates to a storage box technology, in particular to a storage box with a sensor.

Background

Conventionally, a refrigerator having various sensors mounted thereon is known. For example, japanese patent laying-open No. 2002-323858 (patent document 1) discloses a home appliance with an information display device and a device for moving the information display device. According to patent document 1, a user stands in front of a door of a refrigerator main body. The distance from the camera to the user is L1, and the shooting angle of the camera is θ. The photographing angle is an angle at which the centers of both eyes of the user are located at the center of the image photographed by the camera. The height H of the user's eye is calculated from L1 and θ. If it is considered to be located just L2 below the camera in the vertical direction, H is found by calculating L2 as "L2 ═ L1cos θ". The moving distance of the image display device is calculated by calculating the difference between the height of the image display device and the height of the center of the image display device in the vertical direction on the image display device installation member at this time.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2002-323858

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

In patent document 1, since the camera is configured to protrude forward from the refrigerator, the outer size of the refrigerator increases. In addition, since the camera is projected from the right above the user, a sense of pressure or discomfort may be given. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage box capable of detecting a user in front of the storage box while suppressing the outer dimension of the storage box.

Means for solving the problems

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage case. The storage box includes a door mounted in front of the storage box and a sensor mounted above the door. The sensor has a front end disposed behind the front end of the door.

Effects of the invention

Thus, according to the present invention, a storage box is provided which can detect a user in front of the storage box while suppressing the outer dimensions of the storage box.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator 100 according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the refrigerator 100 according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the vicinity of the motion sensor 151 according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a top perspective view of the vicinity of the motion sensor 151 according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a side sectional view of the vicinity of the motion sensor 151 according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the vicinity of the motion sensor 151 according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a lower perspective view of the vicinity of the sensor unit 150 according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8 is an upper perspective view of the vicinity of the sensor unit 150 according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a sectional perspective view of the vicinity of the sensor unit 150 according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a top perspective view of the lower hinge cover 133 according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a lower perspective view of the lower hinge cover 133 according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a lower perspective view of the sensor unit 150 according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a lower perspective view of the sensor unit 150 according to the first embodiment in a state where the

transparent covers

154 and 155 are attached.

Fig. 14 is a front perspective view of the vicinity of the motion sensor 151 according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a top perspective view of the vicinity of the motion sensor 151 according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 16 is a side sectional view of the vicinity of the motion sensor 151 according to the fifth embodiment.

Detailed Description

With respect to the refrigerator 100 as an example of the storage box, embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are attached to the same components. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

< first embodiment >

Referring to fig. 1, the refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment includes a casing 110 having high heat insulating performance, and

doors

121, 122, 123, 124, and 125. In the present embodiment, the front of the refrigerator 100 is constituted by a first front door 121, a second front door 122, a third front door 123, a fourth front door 124, and a fifth front door 125 in this order from the top.

A main refrigerating chamber is provided inside the first front door 121. An ice storage compartment is provided at an inner side of the second front door 122. A freezing chamber is provided at the inner side of the third front door 123. A vegetable compartment is provided inside the fourth front door 124. A main freezer compartment is provided inside the fifth front door 125.

In the present embodiment, the first front door 121 is configured to be openable from both the left and right directions. In the present embodiment, an operation panel is provided on the front surface of the first front door 121. For example, the operation panel is provided on the inner surface of the casing 110 in the main refrigerating chamber.

In the present embodiment, a motion sensor 151, which is an example of a sensor, is attached above the first front door 121. As shown in fig. 2, the human body sensor 151 detects a user located at the front of the refrigerator 100. The motion sensor 151 may be a distance measuring sensor, an infrared sensor, an image sensor, or the like, and is not particularly limited, but a motion sensor of a type that detects the presence of a user by light may be used in the refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment. In addition, the sensor is not limited to the human body sensor, and may be various sensors that detect information in front of the refrigerator 100. As an example, a camera, a temperature sensor, or the like is given.

As shown in fig. 3 to 5, in the refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment, the motion sensor 151 is mounted at the front end of the first front door 121, i.e., behind the front surface of the first front door 121. That is, the human sensor 151 is configured not to protrude forward from the front end of the first front door 121. This can suppress the depth, which is the length in the front-rear direction of the outer dimension of refrigerator 100.

As described above, the first front door 121 can be opened from either the left or the right. More specifically, the left end of the first front door 121 is rotatably disposed at the left end of the front end of the housing 110 by a hinge 131, and the right end thereof is rotatably disposed at the right end of the front end of the housing 110 by a hinge 132.

The hinge 131 and the hinge 132 are both covered by upper and lower hinge covers 133, 134. In addition, the upper hinge cover 134 may be a top cover of the refrigerator 100.

In the present embodiment, the upper and lower hinge covers 133, 134 are fixed to each other in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the lower hinge cover 133 and the upper hinge cover 134 each extend from the left end to the right end of the housing 110. That is, the left hinge 131 and the right hinge 132 are configured to be sandwiched between one lower hinge cover 133 and one upper hinge cover 134.

It is preferable that not only the motion sensor 151 but also the front ends of the upper and lower hinge covers 133 and 134 are not projected forward of the front end of the first front door 121.

In the present embodiment, the motion sensor 151 is configured to be sandwiched between the upper and lower hinge covers 133, 134. The motion sensor 151 is preferably disposed at a substantially central portion in the left-right direction of the housing 110.

In the present embodiment, a recess 133X, in other words, a notch is formed in a substantially central portion of the lower hinge cover 133 in the left-right direction. The motion sensor 151 is disposed and fixed on the upper surface of the recess 133X of the lower hinge cover 133. That is, the motion sensor 151 is disposed above the recess 133X and sandwiched between the hinge covers 133 and 134.

As described later, a hole 133A is formed on the optical path from the human sensor 151 of the lower hinge cover 133. Preferably, a plate made of resin or glass through which light of the motion sensor 151 easily passes is mounted in the hole 133A.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, a gap is formed between the lower surface of lower hinge cover 133 and the upper surface of first front door 121 below motion sensor 151 by providing recess 133X in lower hinge cover 133. Also, with this gap, even if infrared rays or visible light or the like from the human sensor 151 are obliquely irradiated downward, the infrared rays or visible light easily reach an area where a user may be present without being disturbed by the upper surface of the first front door 121, and reflected light easily reaches the human sensor 151 without being disturbed by the upper surface of the first front door 121.

More specifically, in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 7 to 9, a sensor unit 150 having a motion sensor 151 is attached to the upper surface of the recess 133X of the lower hinge cover 133. As shown in fig. 7, 10, and 11, a hole 133A for the motion sensor 151, a hole 133B for a microphone, and a hole 133C for LED light are formed in the recess 133X of the lower hinge cover 133.

As shown in fig. 12, the sensor unit 150 is provided with not only the motion sensor 151 but also a microphone 152 for acquiring various sounds, an LED lamp 153 for displaying various states, and the like. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 13, in order to reduce the possibility that moisture, dust, or the like from the

holes

133A, 133B, and 133C intrudes into the inside of the lower hinge cover 133,

transparent covers

154, 155, and the like that transmit light are installed below the motion sensor 151 and below the LED lamp 153, that is, at the hole 133A for the motion sensor 151 and the hole 133C for the LED lamp.

Further, as shown in fig. 9 and 10, in the present embodiment, a groove 133L is formed in the lower hinge cover 133, and even if water enters from the

holes

133A, 133B, 133C, the water flows through the groove 133L and is guided to the outside of the lower hinge cover 133.

< second embodiment >

In the above embodiment, the concave portion 133X recessed upward is formed in the lower hinge cover 133 at the position of the motion sensor 151. However, it is not limited to this configuration. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 14 and 15, a recess 127X recessed downward is formed in the upper portion of the first front door 121 directly below the motion sensor 151.

More specifically, a trim cover 127 for closing a space between the lower surface of the lower hinge cover 133 and the upper surface of the first front door 121 is attached to the upper surface of the first front door 121, and a recess 127X, i.e., a cutout portion, is formed in a substantially central portion of the trim cover 127 on the left and right sides.

In the present embodiment, a gap is generated between the lower surface of the lower hinge cover 133 and the upper surface of the first front door 121 below the motion sensor 151. Also, by utilizing the gap, even if infrared rays or visible light or the like from the human body sensor 151 is irradiated obliquely downward, the infrared rays or visible light easily reaches an area where a user may exist without being interfered by the first front door 121 or the decorative cover 127, and reflected light easily reaches the human body sensor 151 without being interfered by the first front door 121 or the decorative cover 127.

< third embodiment >

In the above embodiment, the lower hinge cover 133 extends from the left end to the right end of the housing 110. A recess 133X is formed in the lower hinge cover 133, and the motion sensor 151 is mounted on the upper surface of the recess 133X. However, it is not limited to this configuration.

For example, the lower hinge cover 133 may be divided into a cover covering the hinge 131 on the left side of the housing 110 and a cover covering the hinge 132 on the right side of the housing. In this case, the motion sensor 151 may be provided on the hinge cover at the left end of the housing 110, or the motion sensor 151 may be provided on the hinge cover at the right end of the housing 110. In addition, a recess may be formed in a portion where the motion sensor 151 is disposed in any of the hinge covers.

Alternatively, a cover member for holding the motion sensor 151 may be attached to the front end portion of the upper surface of the housing 110 separately from the hinge cover. In this case, the motion sensor 151 is preferably disposed behind the front end of the first front door 121, and a recess may be formed in the cover member in front of and below the portion where the motion sensor 151 is disposed.

< fourth embodiment >

In the above embodiment, the first front door 121 can be opened from both left and right directions. However, the first front door 121 may be opened only on the right side or only on the left side. In this case, the lower hinge cover 133 is provided only at the left end of the housing 110, or only at the right end of the housing 110.

In this case, the motion sensor 151 may be provided on the hinge cover at the left end of the housing 110, or the motion sensor may be provided on the hinge cover at the right end of the housing 110. Further, a recess may be formed in a portion of the hinge cover where the motion sensor 151 is disposed.

< fifth embodiment >

In the above embodiment, since a gap is generated between the lower surface of the lower hinge cover 133 and the upper surface of the first front door 121 below the motion sensor 151, an optical path for detection is secured. However, it is not limited to this configuration.

For example, an optical path for detection may be ensured by making a member located in an irradiation region of light from the human body sensor 151 a member having high light transmittance. Specifically, as shown in fig. 16, the motion sensor 151 is disposed above the first front door 121 or above the housing 110. A decorative plate 129 made of a light transmitting member is provided in front of or below the motion sensor 151.

In the present embodiment, it is also possible to detect the presence of a user in front of the refrigerator 100 while suppressing the depth of the outer dimension of the refrigerator 100.

< summary >

In the above embodiments, there is provided a storage box. The container includes a door mounted at a front of the container and a sensor mounted above the door. The sensor has a front end disposed behind the front end of the door.

Preferably, the storage box further includes a cover disposed above the door and configured to hold the sensor. An upwardly recessed recess is formed on the lower surface of the cover. A sensor is disposed above the recess.

Preferably, the cover is for covering a hinge for rotatably mounting the door on the housing of the storage box.

Preferably, the door is configured to be openable from both left and right directions. The cover covers the left and right hinges of the door by extending to the left and right ends of the storage box. The sensor is disposed at a substantially central portion of the housing case in the cover.

Preferably, an operation panel is not installed on the surface of the door.

The presently disclosed embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein. In addition, a configuration obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described in this specification with each other is also included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A storage box, comprising:

a door installed in front of the storage box; and

a sensor mounted above the door,

the sensor has a front end disposed behind a front end of the door.

2. The storage box of claim 1, further comprising:

a cover disposed above the door for holding the sensor,

a recess depressed upward is formed on a lower surface of the cover,

the sensor is disposed above the recess.

3. The storage case of claim 2, wherein the cover is configured to cover a hinge configured to rotatably mount the door to a housing of the storage case.

4. The storage case of claim 3,

the door is configured to be openable from both left and right directions,

the cover covers the hinges of the door in both left and right directions by extending to both left and right ends of the storage box,

the sensor is disposed in a substantially central portion of the cover in the left and right of the storage box.

5. The storage box according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an operation panel is not mounted on a surface of the door.