CN111707037B

CN111707037B - Storage box

Info

Publication number: CN111707037B
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: 2024-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-04
Also published as: CN111707037A; JP2020152382A; JP7228423B2

Abstract

The invention provides a storage box, which can restrain the external dimension of the storage box and detect the user in front of the storage box. A storage box (100) is provided. The storage box (100) includes 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 human body sensor (151) is disposed behind the front end of the door (121).

Description

Storage box

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a storage box technology, and more particularly, to a storage box with a sensor mounted thereon.

Background

Conventionally, a refrigerator having various sensors mounted thereon is known. For example, japanese patent application laid-open No. 2002-323858 (patent document 1) discloses a household electric 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. Let L1 be the distance from the camera to the user, and θ be the shooting angle of the camera. The photographing angle is an angle at which the centers of both eyes of the user are located at the center of an image photographed by the camera. The height H of the user's eyes is calculated from L1 and θ. If it is considered that it is located only at 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 H and the height of the center of the image display device in the vertical direction on the image display device mounting member at this time.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: JP 2002-323858A

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to solve the technical problems

In patent document 1, since the camera is configured to protrude forward from the refrigerator, the external size of the refrigerator increases. In addition, since the camera emerges from directly above the user, a sense of oppression or discomfort may be brought about. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a storage box capable of detecting a user in front of the storage box while suppressing the external dimensions of the storage box.

Means for solving the problems

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

Effects of the invention

Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a storage box capable of detecting a user in front of the storage box while suppressing the external 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 human body sensor 151 according to the first embodiment.

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

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

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the vicinity of the human body 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 cross-sectional perspective view of the vicinity of the sensor unit 150 according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 10 is an upper 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 in a state where the transparent covers 154, 155 are attached according to the first embodiment.

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

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

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

Detailed Description

Regarding the refrigerator 100 as one example of the storage box, embodiments of the present invention are 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 identical. Therefore, a detailed description thereof is not repeated.

< first embodiment >

Referring to fig. 1, the refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment includes a case 110 having high heat insulating performance, and doors 121, 122, 123, 124, and 125. In the present embodiment, the front surface of the refrigerator 100 is configured 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 compartment is provided inside the first front door 121. An ice storage compartment is provided inside the second front door 122. A freezing chamber is provided inside the third front door 123. A vegetable compartment is provided inside the fourth front door 124. A main freezing chamber is provided at an inner side of the fifth front door 125.

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

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

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

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

Both the hinge 131 and the hinge 132 are 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 up-down 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 a lower hinge housing 133 and an upper hinge housing 134.

The front ends of not only the body sensor 151 but also the upper and lower hinge covers 133 and 134 are preferably disposed so as not to protrude forward of the front end of the first front door 121.

In the present embodiment, the body 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 of the housing 110 in the lateral direction.

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 body sensor 151 is disposed and fixed on an 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 is sandwiched by the hinge covers 133 and 134.

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

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, by providing the recess 133X in the lower hinge cover 133, 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 body sensor 151. Also, with this gap, even if infrared rays or visible light or the like from the human sensor 151 is irradiated obliquely downward, the infrared rays or visible light easily reaches an area where a user may exist 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 body sensor 151 is mounted on 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 body sensor 151, a hole 133B for the 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 above-mentioned human body 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 of moisture, dust, and the like from the holes 133A, 133B, and 133C to penetrate into the inside of the lower hinge cover 133, light-transmitting transparent covers 154, 155, and the like are installed below the body sensor 151 and below the LED lamp 153, that is, at the hole 133A for the body 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 is immersed from the holes 133A, 133B, 133C, the water is guided to the outside of the lower hinge cover 133 through the groove 133L.

< second embodiment >

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

More specifically, a decorative 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, that is, a cutout portion is formed in the substantially right and left central portions of the decorative cover 127.

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 body sensor 151. Also, by using the gap, even if infrared rays or visible light or the like from the human body sensor 151 is obliquely irradiated downward, the infrared rays or visible light easily reaches an area where a user may exist without being disturbed by the first front door 121 or the decorative cover 127, and reflected light easily reaches the human body sensor 151 without being disturbed 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 body 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 body sensor 151 may be provided on the hinge cover at the left end of the housing 110, or the body sensor 151 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 any hinge cover where the body sensor 151 is disposed.

Alternatively, a cover member holding the body sensor 151 may be mounted at a front end portion of the upper surface of the housing 110 separately from the hinge cover. In this case, the body sensor 151 is also preferably disposed rearward of the front end of the first front door 121, and a recess may be formed in the cover member at a front lower side of the portion where the body sensor 151 is disposed.

< fourth embodiment >

In the above embodiment, the first front door 121 may be opened from both left and right directions. However, the first front door 121 may also open only the right side or only 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 body sensor 151 may be provided on the hinge cover at the left end of the housing 110, or the body 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 body 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 under the body sensor 151, an optical path for detection is ensured. However, it is not limited to this configuration.

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

In the present embodiment, the presence of the user in front of the refrigerator 100 may be detected while suppressing the depth of the external dimension of the refrigerator 100.

< summary >

In the above embodiment, a storage box is provided. The storage box comprises a door mounted in front of the storage box and a sensor mounted above the door. The front end of the sensor is disposed behind the front end of the door.

Preferably, the storage box further includes a cover disposed above the door and for holding the sensor. An upwardly concave 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 left and right hinges of the door by extending to left and right ends of the storage box. The sensors are disposed at the left and right substantially central portions of the housing box in the cover.

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

The presently disclosed embodiments are considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications 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 the present specification with each other is also included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A storage box, characterized by comprising:

a door mounted in front of the storage box;

a cover disposed above the door and having an upper cover and a lower cover; and

a sensor mounted on the lower cover and disposed obliquely downward above the door,

a left-right direction end portion of the lower surface of the lower cover is opposite to the upper surface of the door, and a concave portion recessed upward is formed in a center portion of the lower surface in the left-right direction, and a hole is provided in the concave portion;

the sensor is disposed above the hole of the recess so that a front end of the sensor is located rearward of a front end of the door.

2. The storage case of claim 1, wherein the lower cover is adapted to cover a hinge for rotatably mounting the door to a housing of the storage case.

3. The storage box according to claim 2, wherein,

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

the lower 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 at a central portion of the lower cover in a lateral direction of the storage box.

4. A storage box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an operation panel is not mounted on a surface of the door.