CN114174745A - Refrigerator with a door - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a refrigerator, which has the effect of preventing connecting wires from being washed away and moved due to filling of a heat insulating material and foaming of the heat insulating material. A refrigerator (1) is provided with: a housing (2) in which a storage space (23) for storing a cooling target is formed and which has an upper surface section (25) located above the storage space (23); an outer case (21) which is a part of the housing (2) and faces a space outside the housing (2); a cooling device (5) which supplies cooled air to the storage space (23); a control device (8) that is fixed to the housing (2) and controls the cooling device (5); a wireless communication device (9) which is located on the upper surface section (25) of the housing (2) and which is capable of wirelessly communicating with an external device (200); a fixing member (11) for fixing the wireless communication device (9) to the outer box (21); and a connection line (10) which is laid outside the housing (2) and which connects the wireless communication device (9) and the control device (8) in a communicable manner.

Description

Refrigerator with a door

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.

Background

Conventionally, as disclosed in patent document 1, there is a refrigerator including: a housing having a storage chamber; a door rotatably provided to the case via a metal hinge portion, the door opening and closing an opening of the storage compartment by the rotation; a connecting line led out to the periphery of the hinge part; and a wireless communication unit having a wireless communication unit connected to the connection line, located behind the hinge unit, and capable of communicating with an external device. In addition, in the refrigerator disclosed in patent document 1, a connecting line is laid on a wall of the casing filled with a heat insulating material made of a foamed heat insulating material.

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2015-17781

As in the refrigerator disclosed in patent document 1, a connecting line is laid on a wall of a case filled with an insulating material, and for this purpose, it is necessary to fill the insulating material and foam the connecting line in a state where the connecting line is located in the wall of the case. In this case, the connecting line located in the wall of the housing is flushed away during the filling of the insulating material and during the foaming of the insulating material. Further, the connecting wire can be fixed to the inner wall of the housing to suppress the connecting wire from being washed away and moved, but a member for fixing and a fixing operation are required.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator which has an effect of preventing a connecting wire from being washed away and moved by filling of a heat insulating material and foaming of the heat insulating material.

A first refrigerator according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a housing having a storage space formed therein for storing a cooling target and having an upper surface portion located above the storage space; an outer case which is a part of the housing and faces a space outside the housing; a cooling device for supplying cooled air to the storage space; a control device that controls the cooling device and is fixed to the housing; a wireless communication device which is located on the upper surface portion of the housing and is capable of wirelessly communicating with an external apparatus; a fixing member for fixing the wireless communication device to the outer case; and a connection line which is laid outside the housing and connects the wireless communication device and the control device in a communicable manner.

In addition, a second refrigerator according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a housing in which a storage space for storing a cooling object is formed; a cooling device for supplying cooled air to the storage space; a control device that controls the cooling device and is fixed to the housing; a control device cover covering the control device; a wireless communication means capable of wireless communication with an external device; a fixing member for fixing the wireless communication device to the control device cover; and a connection line which is laid outside the housing and connects the wireless communication device and the control device in a communicable manner.

In the first and second refrigerators according to the present disclosure, the connecting wire is laid outside the casing, and therefore, the connecting wire is prevented from being washed away and moved by filling and foaming the heat insulating material.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a front surface and an external device of a refrigerator according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the refrigerator of embodiment 1 taken along the line a-a in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the refrigerator according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a top perspective view of the refrigerator of embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing a section B-B of fig. 3 of the refrigerator according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a region C in fig. 5 of the refrigerator of embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion corresponding to a region C in fig. 5 of the refrigerator according to the modification of embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the refrigerator according to embodiment 2 corresponding to region C in fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the refrigerator of embodiment 3.

Fig. 10 is a top perspective view of the refrigerator of embodiment 3.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a section D-D of fig. 9 of the refrigerator according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view showing a portion of the refrigerator according to embodiment 4 corresponding to the section B-B in fig. 3.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of a region E in fig. 12 of the refrigerator of embodiment 4.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion corresponding to an area E in fig. 12 of the refrigerator according to the modification of embodiment 4.

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the refrigerator of embodiment 5.

Fig. 16 is a top perspective view of the refrigerator of embodiment 5.

Fig. 17 is a sectional view showing a section F-F of fig. 15 of the refrigerator according to embodiment 5.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged view of a region G in fig. 17 of the refrigerator of embodiment 5.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged view of a portion corresponding to a region G in fig. 17 of the refrigerator according to the modification of embodiment 5.

Detailed Description

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and modifications and omissions may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, the structures and additional structures of the refrigerators according to the embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate.

Embodiment 1.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a front surface and an external device of a refrigerator according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the refrigerator of embodiment 1 taken along the line a-a in fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the refrigerator according to embodiment 1. Fig. 4 is a top perspective view of the refrigerator of embodiment 1. A refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1 will be described. The refrigerator 1 includes a casing 2, an opening/closing door 3, a plurality of drawer doors 4, a cooling device 5, a plurality of hinge portions 6, a plurality of carrying handles 7, a control device 8, a wireless communication device 9, and a connection line 10.

As shown in fig. 5, which will be described later, the casing 2 includes an inner case 20 made of resin, an outer case 21 made of metal, and a heat insulating material 22 between the inner case 20 and the outer case 21. The heat insulating material 22 is made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the inner box 20 and the outer box 21, such as a foam heat insulating material or a vacuum heat insulating material. Further, a storage space 23 and a cooling chamber space 24 are formed inside the casing 2. An opening for communicating the storage space 23 with a space outside the housing 2 is formed in one surface of the housing 2. In the following description, a portion of the housing 2 where the opening is formed is referred to as a front surface portion. That is, the opening of the housing 2 is formed in front of the storage space. A portion of the housing 2 facing the front surface portion with the storage space 23 therebetween is referred to as a rear surface portion. A portion of the housing 2 located on the right of the storage space when viewed from the front surface portion is referred to as a right side surface portion, a portion of the housing 2 located on the left of the storage space is referred to as a left side surface portion, a portion of the housing 2 located below the storage space is referred to as a lower surface portion, and a portion of the housing 2 located above the storage space is referred to as an upper surface portion 25.

The storage space 23 of the housing 2 is a space for storing a cooling target such as food. The storage space 23 is covered with the inner box 20, the outer box 21, and the heat insulating material 22 except for the opening, and is divided into a plurality of storage compartments by one or more partition members 26. The refrigerator according to embodiment 1 is divided into 5 storage compartments, i.e., a refrigerating compartment 23a, an ice-making compartment 23b, a switching compartment 23c, a freezing compartment 23d, and a vegetable compartment 23 e. The refrigerating chamber 23a is disposed on the uppermost surface portion 25 side of each storage chamber. The ice making chamber 23b is disposed on the lower surface side of the refrigerating chamber 23 a. Switching chamber 23c is disposed adjacent to the side of ice making chamber 23 b. Freezing compartment 23d is disposed on the lower surface side of ice making compartment 23b and switching compartment 23 c. Vegetable compartment 23e is disposed on the lower surface side of switching compartment 23c, and is disposed on the lowermost surface side of each storage compartment. Refrigerating room 23a, ice making room 23b, switching room 23c, freezing room 23d, and vegetable room 23e are communicated with each other through air ducts.

The switching chamber 23c can be switched to various temperature ranges such as a freezing temperature range (for example, about-18 ℃), a refrigerating temperature range (for example, about 3 ℃), a cold-keeping temperature range (for example, about 0 ℃), and a soft freezing temperature range (for example, about-7 ℃). The switching of the various temperature zones in the switching chamber 23c is performed by controlling the cooling device 5 by the control device 8.

The cooling chamber space 24 of the casing 2 is a space for accommodating a part of the cooling device 5. The cooling chamber space 24 is formed on the back side of the vegetable chamber 23 e. At least the heat insulating material 22 is disposed between the cooling chamber space 24 and the storage space 23. A compressor 51 of a cooling device 5 described later is disposed in the cooling chamber space 24.

A concave substrate storage portion 29 for storing the control device 8 is formed on the back surface side of the upper surface portion 25 of the housing 2. A controller cover 27 is fixed to the rear surface of the upper surface 25 of the housing 2 so as to cover the board housing 29. The detailed construction and fixing method of the control device cover 27 will be described later.

The opening/closing door 3 is a door that closes an opening that communicates the refrigerating chamber 23a with the space outside the casing 2. One of the left and right ends of the opening/closing door 3 is supported by a hinge 6. The opening/closing door 3 rotates the other end portion not supported by the hinge portion 6 toward the front surface side of the refrigerator 1 centering on the hinge portion 6, thereby opening an opening communicating the refrigerating chamber 23a with the space outside the casing 2. The opening/closing door 3 of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1 includes two doors, i.e., an opening/closing door 3a located on the right side and an opening/closing door 3b located on the left side, and the right end of the opening/closing door 3a located on the right side is supported by the hinge portion 6 and the left end of the opening/closing door 3b located on the left side is supported by the hinge portion 6. Therefore, the opening/closing door 3a located on the right side can be rotated within a predetermined angular range toward the right side with the right end of the opening/closing door 3a as the center, and the opening/closing door 3b located on the left side can be rotated within a predetermined angular range toward the left side with the left end of the opening/closing door 3b as the center. That is, the opening and closing door 3 of the refrigerator 1 is a double door.

The plurality of drawer doors 4 are doors that close an opening that communicates the ice making chamber 23b with the space outside the casing 2, an opening that communicates the switching chamber 23c with the space outside the casing 2, an opening that communicates the freezing chamber 23d with the space outside the casing 2, and an opening that communicates the vegetable chamber 23e with the space outside the casing 2. The drawer door 4 is movable to the front surface portion side of the refrigerator 1, and the drawer door 4 is moved to the front surface portion side, thereby opening the opening. Further, a container capable of storing foods and the like therein is provided on the rear surface side of the drawer door 4. In a state where the drawer door 4 closes the opening, the container is located inside the ice making chamber 23b, the switching chamber 23c, the freezing chamber 23d, or the vegetable chamber 23 e. The container moves in conjunction with the drawer door 4, and is pulled out to the space outside the housing 2 through the opening in a state where the drawer door 4 is moved to the front surface portion side.

The cooling device 5 is a device for cooling each storage room to a predetermined temperature. The cooling device 5 includes a compressor 51, a cooler 52, an expansion unit such as a capillary tube, a condenser such as a radiator, an in-box fan 53, and a damper 54. The compressor 51, the cooler 52, the expansion unit, and the condenser are connected by refrigerant pipes, respectively, to form a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant circulates. The compressor 51 compresses a refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle. The condenser condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 51. The expansion unit expands the refrigerant condensed by the condenser. The cooler 52 cools the air passing through the cooler 52 by the refrigerant expanded by the expansion unit. The cooler 52 and the in-box fan 53 are provided in an air passage in the casing 2, and the air cooled by the cooler 52 is caused to flow into each storage chamber by the in-box fan 53. The temperature of each storage chamber is adjusted by adjusting the inflow amount of air cooled by the cooler 52 into each storage chamber by opening and closing the damper 54. The air flowing into each storage chamber is returned to the cooler 52 and cooled again after flowing into the storage chamber, and the air in the refrigerator 1 is circulated by the in-box fan 53.

The hinge portion 6 supports the opening/closing door 3 to be rotatable within a predetermined angular range. The hinge portion 6 is composed of a hinge metal fitting 61 and a hinge cover 62. The cylindrical hinge shaft of the hinge metal fitting 61 is fixed to the upper surface portion 25 of the housing 2 so as to protrude from the front surface portion of the housing 2. The refrigerator 1 further includes two hinge portions 6, and the hinge portion 6a located on the right side supports the opening/closing door 3a via a hinge shaft, and the hinge portion 6b located on the left side supports the opening/closing door 3b via a hinge shaft. The hinge metal fitting 61 is made of metal, for example. In addition, the hinge metal fitting 61 is covered by a hinge cover 62. The hinge cover 62 is non-conductive and is made of, for example, resin. The hinge cover 62 is attached to the upper surface 25 of the housing 2.

The carrying handle 7 is a member to be held by a carrier when the refrigerator 1 is carried. The carrying handle 7 is provided at an end portion on the right back side of the upper surface portion 25 of the casing 2 and an end portion on the left back side of the upper surface portion 25. The carrying handle 7 is electrically non-conductive and is made of, for example, resin.

The control device 8 controls the operation of the refrigerator 1. The control device 8 is connected to the wireless communication device 9, the compressor 51, the in-box fan 53, and the damper 54 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The controller 8 controls the compressor 51, the in-box fan 53, and the damper 54 to control the temperature of each storage chamber. The control device 8 communicates with an external device via the wireless communication device 9. The detailed structure of the control device 8 will be described later.

The wireless communication device 9 is a device capable of wireless communication with an external device 200 described later. The detailed structure of the wireless communication device 9 will be described later.

The connection line 10 is a wire connecting the control device 8 and the wireless communication device 9 to each other so as to enable communication. The entire connection line 10 is laid on the outside of the housing 2. The detailed structure of the connecting line 10 will be described later.

Next, the external device 200 that performs wireless communication with the wireless communication apparatus 9 will be described. The external device 200 is a device other than the refrigerator 1. Examples of the external device 200 include a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, a home appliance such as an air conditioner or a ventilation fan, a centralized controller communicably connected to an external network such as the internet, and the like. These external devices 200 and the control device 8 can perform operations and the like described below by communicating via the wireless communication device 9. The control device 8 can acquire information related to the operating states of other home appliances and control the refrigerator 1 based on the information. The control device 8 can acquire information via an external network and control the refrigerator 1 based on the information. The control device 8 transmits information related to the operating state of the refrigerator 1 to a cloud server on an external network, and the cloud server can store the information. The control device 8 can transmit information related to the operating state of the refrigerator 1 to the portable terminal, and the control device of the portable terminal displays the information on the display portion of the portable terminal.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing a section B-B of fig. 3 of the refrigerator according to embodiment 1. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a region C of fig. 5 of the refrigerator of embodiment 1. Next, the detailed configurations of the control device 8, the wireless communication device 9, the connection line 10, and the control device cover 27, and the structures of the case 2 around the control device 8 and the wireless communication device 9 will be described.

The controller cover 27 is fixed to the rear surface portion of the housing 2 so as to form a controller cover internal space 27a enclosed by the board housing portion 29 and the controller cover 27. The control device cover 27 is provided with a communication portion 27b, and the communication portion 27b communicates the control device cover inner space 27a with a space outside the control device cover 27. The communication portion 27b is provided forward of the control device cover inner space 27 a.

The control device 8 is composed of a microcontroller 81 and a control device board 82. The microcontroller 81 includes a processor and a memory. The control and communication performed by the control device 8 are realized by the processor executing processing in accordance with a software program stored in the memory. The microcontroller 81 is provided on the control device board 82. The control device board 82 is provided with, in addition to the microcontroller 81: electronic components necessary for operating the microcontroller 81; a control device side connector 83 connectable to the connection cable 10; and a wiring electrically connecting the microcontroller 81, the electronic component, and the control device side connector 83.

The control device 8 is fixed to the housing 2 so as to be housed in a control device cover internal space 27a enclosed by the substrate housing section 29 and the control device cover 27.

The wireless communication device 9 is composed of a wireless communication module 91, a wireless communication board 92, and a wireless communication device cover 93. The wireless communication module 91 is a module that transmits and receives radio waves. The wireless communication module 91 is provided on the wireless communication board 92. The wireless communication board 92 is provided with, in addition to the wireless communication module 91: electronic components necessary for operating the wireless communication module 91; a wireless communication device side connector 94 connectable to the connection cable 10; and a wiring electrically connecting the wireless communication module 91, the electronic component, and the wireless communication device side connector 94. The wireless communication device 9 is located on the upper surface portion 25 of the housing 2.

The wireless communication device cover 93 is fixed to the upper surface portion 25 of the housing 2 so as to form a wireless communication device cover inner space 93a enclosed by the upper surface portion 25 of the housing 2 and the wireless communication device cover 93. Here, a portion forming the wireless communication device housing space 93a is referred to as a housing portion 93 b. The wireless communication device cover 93 is provided with a communicating portion 93c, and the communicating portion 93c communicates the wireless communication device cover space 93a with a space outside the wireless communication device cover 93. The communication portion 93c is provided rearward of the wireless communication device cover space 93 a. The wireless communication device cover 93 is provided with a mounting portion 93d to which the fixing member 11 is mounted. The mounting portion 93d is provided along the periphery of the cover portion 93b so as to extend in the direction opposite to the wireless communication device cover inside space 93 a. The wireless communication device cover 93 is electrically non-conductive and is made of, for example, resin. The fixing member 11 is a member for fixing the wireless communication device cover 93, and the fixing member 11 in embodiment 1 is a screw.

The wireless communication module 91, the wireless communication board 92, and the wireless communication device side connector 94 are accommodated in a wireless communication device cover inner space 93a surrounded by the wireless communication device cover 93 and the upper surface portion 25 of the housing 2. The wireless communication board 92 is fixed to the wireless communication device cover 93 such that one of the surfaces of the wireless communication board 92 on which the wireless communication module 91 and the wireless communication device-side connector 94 are provided faces the upper surface portion 25 of the housing 2.

The communication portion 27b of the control device cover 27 and the communication portion 93c of the wireless communication device cover 93 are disposed at positions overlapping in the vertical direction. Therefore, the control device cover inner space 27a enclosed by the board housing section 29 and the control device cover 27 communicates with the wireless communication device cover inner space 93a enclosed by the upper surface section 25 of the housing 2 and the wireless communication device cover 93. A sealing member 12 is provided between the communication portion 27b of the control device cover 27 and the communication portion 93c of the wireless communication device cover 93, and a gap formed between the communication portion 27b and the communication portion 93c is filled.

A screw hole 93e is formed in a portion of the mounting portion 93d of the wireless communication device cover 93 on the back side. Further, a screw hole 27c is formed in the control device cover 27 at a position vertically overlapping the screw hole 93 e.

The control device cover 27 and the wireless communication device cover 93 are fixed by inserting screws as the fixing members 11 into the screw holes 27c of the control device cover 27 and the screw holes 93e of the wireless communication device cover 93 and fitting the screws into the screw holes 27c and the screw holes 93 e.

A screw hole 93f is formed in a front surface portion side of the attachment portion 93d of the wireless communication device cover 93. In addition, screw holes 21a are formed in the outer box 21 of the housing 2 forming the upper surface portion 25 at positions vertically overlapping the screw holes 93 f.

A recess 22a is formed in the heat insulating material 22 forming the upper surface portion 25 of the housing 2 at a position vertically overlapping the screw hole 21a formed in the outer box 21. The recess 22a is formed in the surface of the heat insulator 22 facing the outer box 21, and is recessed from the periphery toward the storage space 23. Therefore, an upper surface space 28 is formed between the outer box 21 of the casing 2 and the heat insulating material 22.

Screws as the fixing members 11 are inserted into the screw holes 21a of the outer box 21 and the screw holes 93f of the wireless communication device cover 93, and the screws are fitted into the screw holes 21a and the screw holes 93f, whereby the housing 2 and the wireless communication device cover 93 are fixed. In a state where the case 2 and the wireless communication device cover 93 are fixed, the rod portion of the screw as the fixing member 11 is positioned inside the upper surface portion space 28. The screws inserted into the screw holes 21a of the outer box 21 and the screw holes 93f of the wireless communication device cover 93 are preferably nonconductive, and are made of, for example, resin.

Here, the dimension in the vertical direction of the upper surface space 28 is larger than the dimension in the vertical direction of the portion of the fixing member 11 located inside the upper surface space 28, and the fixing member 11 does not contact the heat insulating material 22. That is, the size of the upper surface space 28 is such that the fixing member 11 does not come into contact with the heat insulating material 22.

A seal member 12 is provided between the outer box 21 and the mounting portion 93d, and a gap generated between the outer box 21 and the mounting portion 93d is filled.

A cable-side connector 101 is provided at each end of the cable 10. One of the connection line-side connectors 101a can be connected to the control apparatus-side connector 83, and the other connection line-side connector 101b can be connected to the wireless communication apparatus-side connector 94.

One of the harness side connectors 101a of the harness 10 is located in the control device cover space 27a enclosed by the board housing portion 29 and the control device cover 27, and the other harness side connector 101b is located in the wireless communication device cover space 93a enclosed by the wireless communication device cover 93 and the upper surface portion 25 of the housing 2. That is, the connection line 10 is laid through a portion where the communicating portion 27b and the communicating portion 93c communicate with each other. The connection line 10 is covered by the control device cover 27 and the wireless communication device cover 93.

Next, a procedure for fixing the control device 8, the wireless communication device 9, the connection line 10, and the control device cover 27 will be described.

First, as a first step, the control device 8 is fixed to the housing 2.

After the first step is completed, as a second step, one of the harness side connectors 101a of the harness 10 is connected to the control device side connector 83.

After the second step is completed, as a third step, the other connecting-line-side connector 101b of the connecting line 10 is connected to the wireless-communication-device-side connector 94.

After the third step is completed, as a fourth step, the control device cover 27 is fixed to the casing 2. In the fourth step, the other cable-side connector 101b is positioned outside the control device cover 27 enclosed by the board housing portion 29 and the control device cover 27 via the communication portion 24 b.

After the fourth step is completed, as a fifth step, the wireless communication device 9 is fixed to the wireless communication device cover 93.

After the fifth step is completed, as a sixth step, the wireless communication device cover 93 is fixed to the casing 2 and the control device cover 27.

Here, as for the second step and the third step, the order may be reversed as long as it is performed between the first step and the fourth step. The fifth step may be performed before the first to fourth steps.

As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1 is configured to include: a housing 2 having a storage space 23 formed therein for storing a cooling target and an upper surface portion 25 located above the storage space 23; an outer case 21 which is a part of the housing 2 and faces a space outside the housing 2; a cooling device 5 for supplying cooled air to the storage space 23; a control device 8 that controls the cooling device 5 and is fixed to the casing 2; a wireless communication device 9 which is located on the upper surface portion 25 of the housing 2 and is capable of wireless communication with the external apparatus 200; a fixing member 11 (screw) for fixing the wireless communication device 9 to the outer case 21; and a connection line 10 which is laid outside the housing 2 and connects the wireless communication device 9 and the control device 8 to each other so as to enable communication. Since the connection cord 10 is laid outside the casing 2 in the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1, the connection cord is prevented from being washed away and moved by filling and foaming the heat insulating material. Further, the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1 has an effect of improving the degree of freedom of the location where the wireless communication device 9 is disposed, compared to a case where a connection line is wired in a wall of the casing 2, by laying the connection line 10 outside the casing 2. In particular, as in patent document 1, it is possible to solve the problem that communication between the wireless communication device and the external device is affected by the metal hinge portion, which occurs when the wireless communication device is provided around the hinge portion.

Further, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1 has, as an additional structure, a structure in which: the housing 2 has an opening formed in the front of the storage space 23, and the wireless communication device 9 is fixed to the front of the housing 2 with respect to the control device 8. According to this additional configuration, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1 has an effect that the intensity of the radio wave transmitted from the wireless communication device 9 to the front of the refrigerator 1 and the intensity of the radio wave received by the wireless communication device 9 from the front of the refrigerator 1 are higher than in the case where the wireless communication device 9 is fixed at the rear of the control device 8. In particular, when the external device 200 is a device such as a tablet terminal that is operated or browsed by a user, the user often stands in front of the refrigerator 1 where the opening is formed to perform work. Therefore, it is useful to increase the intensity of the radio wave transmitted to the front side of the refrigerator 1 and the intensity of the radio wave received by the wireless communication device 9 from the front side of the refrigerator 1, as compared with the case of increasing the intensity of the radio wave transmitted to the side or the rear side of the refrigerator 1.

Further, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1 has, as an additional structure, a structure in which: the wireless communication device 9 includes a wireless communication module 91 that transmits and receives radio waves and a wireless communication device cover 93 that covers the wireless communication module 91, the refrigerator 1 includes a control device cover 27 that covers the control device 8, and the connection cord 10 is covered by the wireless communication device cover 93 and the control device cover 27. According to this additional structure, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1 exerts an effect of suppressing the connection cord 10 from being exposed to the outside. The effect of preventing the connection line 10 from being exposed to the outside is, for example, to improve the appearance and to prevent the connection line 10 from being caught and broken during transportation.

A modification of the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1 will be described.

Here, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1 uses a screw as the fixing member 11, but is not limited thereto. For example, the fixing member may use a double-sided adhesive tape to fix the wireless communication device and the housing. The fixing member may be a magnet, and the magnet may be fixed to the wireless communication device, and the wireless communication device may be fixed to the outer case of the housing by magnetic force. When the fixing is performed by the double-sided tape or the magnet, the concave portion 22a of the heat insulating material 22 is not necessary, and the upper surface space 28 may not be formed.

However, when the double-sided tape is used as the fixing member, the adhesive force becomes weak due to aging degradation of the double-sided tape, and the fixing force to the wireless communication device becomes weak. In addition, when the magnet is used as the fixing member, the magnetic force of the magnet may prevent the radio wave transmission and reception of the radio communication device. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1 has, as an additional structure, a structure in which: the casing 2 has an outer box 21 facing the space outside the casing 2 and a heat insulating material 22 located on the storage space 23 side of the outer box 21, an upper surface space 28 is formed between the outer box 21 and the heat insulating material 22 in an upper surface portion 25 of the casing 2, and at least a part of the fixing member 11 is located in the upper surface space 28. With this configuration, the fixing member 11 can be fitted to a part of the outer case 21, and the wireless communication device 9 can be firmly fixed.

The fixing member fitted to the outer box 21 need not be a screw. For example, the refrigerator may be configured as the refrigerator 1 according to a modification of embodiment 1 below. Note that, the refrigerator 1 according to the modification of embodiment 1 is the same as the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1 except for the portions to be described below, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion corresponding to a region C in fig. 5 of the refrigerator according to the modification of embodiment 1. The refrigerator 1 according to the modification of embodiment 1 is provided with a fitting portion 95 protruding toward the storage space 23 in a front portion of the wireless communication device cover 93 of the wireless communication device 9. Further, the tip of the fitting portion 95 forms a claw portion 95a protruding toward the wireless communication device cover inner space 93 a. Further, a hole 21b into which the fitting portion 95 can be inserted is formed in the outer case 21 of the housing 2. A recess 22a is formed in the heat insulator 22 at a position vertically overlapping the hole 21b, and an upper surface space 28 is formed between the outer box 21 of the casing 2 and the heat insulator 22. Further, the dimension of the concave portion 22a in the front-rear direction is larger than the dimension of the hole portion 21b in the front-rear direction. Therefore, an upper surface space 28 is also formed at the edge of the hole 21b, i.e., at a position overlapping below the edge 21 c. Then, the fitting portion 95 is inserted into the hole 21b, so that the claw portion 95a is fitted to the edge portion 21c, thereby fixing the wireless communication device 9 to the housing 2. In the case of the refrigerator 1 according to the modification of embodiment 1, the fixing member corresponds to the fitting portion 95.

In the case of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1, the dimension of the upper surface space 28 in the vertical direction is a dimension in which the shank of the screw does not come into contact with the heat insulating material 22, but the dimension is not limited to this. For example, it may be: the heat insulating material is a polyurethane heat insulating material, and the polyurethane heat insulating material does not form an upper surface space before the screw is inserted, and the screw perforates the polyurethane heat insulating material when the screw is inserted into the screw hole of the outer box and the screw hole of the wireless communication device cover. In this case, the hole formed in the polyurethane heat insulating material by the screw penetration corresponds to the upper surface space.

However, when the polyurethane heat insulating material is perforated with screws, cracks or the like may occur in the polyurethane at the time of perforation, resulting in a decrease in heat insulating property. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1 has, as an additional structure, the following structure: the dimension in the vertical direction of upper surface space 28 is larger than the dimension in the vertical direction of the portion of fixing member 11 located inside upper surface space 28. According to this additional structure, the fixing member 11 does not contact the heat insulating material 22, and therefore, the effect of suppressing the decrease in the heat insulating property of the heat insulating material 22 due to the contact of the fixing member 11 when the fixing member 11 is attached is obtained.

In the case of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1, the storage space 23 is divided into a plurality of storage compartments by the partition member 26, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a refrigerator may be used, in which: the storage space is formed with only one storage chamber without a partition member.

Further, the opening/closing door 3 of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1 is a double door, but is not limited thereto. For example, a single-door refrigerator may be used in which the opening of the case 2 is closed by either an opening/closing door whose right end is supported by a hinge or an opening/closing door whose left end is supported by a hinge.

Embodiment 2.

Next, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 2 will be explained. The refrigerator 1 of embodiment 2 is different from the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1 in the configurations of the upper surface portion 25 of the casing 2, the fixing member 11, and the wireless communication device cover 93. Note that, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 2 is the same as the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1 except for the configurations of the upper surface portion 25 of the casing 2, the fixing member 11, and the wireless communication device cover 93, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the refrigerator according to embodiment 2 corresponding to region C in fig. 5. A hole 21b is formed in the outer case 21 forming the upper surface portion 25 of the housing 2. In addition, a recess 22a is formed in the heat insulating material 22 forming the upper surface portion 25 of the case 2 at a position vertically overlapping the hole 21 b. Therefore, an upper surface space 28 is formed between the outer box 21 of the casing 2 and the heat insulating material 22. Further, the dimension of the concave portion 22a in the front-rear direction is larger than the dimension of the hole portion 21b in the front-rear direction. Therefore, an upper surface space 28 is also formed at the edge of the hole 21b, i.e., at a position overlapping below the edge 21 c.

The structure of the fixing member 11 will be explained. The fixing member 11 has a base portion 11a, a fitting portion 11b, and a projection portion 11 c. The base portion 11a is a flat plate-like member, and closes the hole portion 21b from the storage space 23 side. The fitting portion 11b is provided in the base portion 11a, and protrudes from the hole portion 21b to a space outside the housing 2. A part of the fitting portion 11b is bent forward to form a claw portion 11 d. The protruding portion 11c is provided in the base portion 11a and protrudes from the hole portion 21b into the space outside the housing 2. The fitting portion 11b is located forward of the projection portion 11 c. A portion of the base portion 11a located forward of the fitting portion 11b and a portion located rearward of the projection portion 11c are referred to as a flange portion 11 e.

Flange portion 11e and edge portion 21c are disposed at positions overlapping in the vertical direction. Further, a seal member 12 is provided between the flange portion 11e and the edge portion 21c, and a gap generated between the outer box 21 and the fixing member 11 is filled.

The wireless communication device cover 93 will be explained. In the wireless communication device cover 93, a hook 93g protruding toward a wireless communication device cover inner space 93a inside the wireless communication device cover 93 is provided on the front side of the cover 93 b. The wireless communication device cover 93 according to embodiment 2 is similar in structure to the wireless communication device cover 93 according to embodiment 1, except that it has a hook portion 93g and a mounting portion 93d on the front surface side is not provided with a screw hole 93 f.

The housing 2 and the wireless communication device cover 93 are fixed by the claw portions 12d of the fixing member 11 being fitted to the hook portions 93g of the wireless communication device cover 93. Further, a seal member 12 is provided between the mounting portion 93d and the hook portion 93g and the outer case 21, and a gap generated between the outer case 21 and the wireless communication device cover 93 is filled. Here, the fixing between the wireless communication device cover 93 and the control device cover 27 is the same as that of the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1.

As described above, similarly to the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1, the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 2 includes: a housing 2 having a storage space 23 formed therein for storing a cooling target and an upper surface portion 25 located above the storage space 23; an outer case 21 which is a part of the housing 2 and faces a space outside the housing 2; a cooling device 5 for supplying cooled air to the storage space 23; a control device 8 that controls the cooling device 5 and is fixed to the casing 2; a wireless communication device 9 which is located on the upper surface portion 25 of the housing 2 and is capable of wireless communication with the external apparatus 200; a fixing member 11 for fixing the wireless communication device 9 to the housing; and a connection line 10 which is laid outside the housing 2 and connects the wireless communication device 9 and the control device 8 to each other so as to enable communication. With this configuration, the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 2 achieves the same effects as those described in embodiment 1.

In addition, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 2 has, as an additional structure, a structure in which: the outer case 21 is formed with a hole 21b, the hole 21b communicating the upper surface space 28 with the space outside the housing 2, the fixing member 11 has a base portion 11a positioned inside the upper surface space 28, and a fitting portion 11b provided in the base portion 11a and protruding from the hole 21b formed in the outer case 21 to the space outside the housing 2, and the wireless communication device 9 is fitted to the fitting portion 11 b. According to this additional structure, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 2 has an effect that the wireless communication device 9 can be firmly fixed.

In addition, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 2 has, as an additional structure, a structure in which: the base 11a closes the hole 21b formed in the outer box 21 from the storage space 23 side. This structure has an effect of suppressing the thermal insulating foamed material from leaking out of the hole 21b when the thermal insulating foamed material is injected or foamed.

Embodiment 3.

Next, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 3 will be explained. The refrigerator 1 of embodiment 3 is different from the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1 in the structure of the upper surface portion 25 of the casing 2 and the wireless communication device cover 93. Note that, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 3 is the same as the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1 except for the configurations of the upper surface portion 25 of the casing 2 and the wireless communication device cover 93, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the refrigerator of embodiment 3. Fig. 10 is a top perspective view of the refrigerator of embodiment 3. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a section D-D of fig. 9 of the refrigerator according to embodiment 3.

The wireless communication device cover 93 will be explained. The wireless communication device cover 93 has an extension 93 h. In addition, a screw hole 93f is also formed in a portion of the mounting portion 93d on the back surface side. The configuration of the wireless communication device cover 93 according to embodiment 3 is the same as that of the wireless communication device cover 93 according to embodiment 1, except that the wireless communication device cover has an extension portion 93h and a screw hole 93f is also formed in the attachment portion 93d on the rear surface side.

The extension portion 93h is provided between the cover portion 93b and the communication portion 93 c. The front portion of the extension portion 93h is integrally formed with the cover portion 93b, and the rear portion of the extension portion 93h is integrally formed with the communication portion 93 c. The extension portion 93h is fixed to the upper surface portion 25 of the housing 2 so as to form an extension portion inner space 93i surrounded by the upper surface portion 25 of the housing 2 and the extension portion 93 h. The wireless communication device cover space 93a enclosed by the cover portion 93b communicates with the extension portion space 93i enclosed by the extension portion 93 h. The extension portion inner space 93i communicates with an external space via the communication portion 93 c. That is, the wireless communication device cover inner space 93a communicates with the external space via the extension portion inner space 93i and the communication portion 93 c.

Also, the extension portion 93h is provided with a mounting portion 93d along the periphery of the extension portion 93h so as to extend in the direction opposite to the extension portion inner space 93 i. A screw hole 93f is also formed in the mounting portion 93d provided along the periphery of the extension portion 93 h.

The upper surface portion 25 of the case 2 will be explained. A screw hole 21a is formed in the outer box 21 forming the upper surface portion 25 at a position vertically overlapping a screw hole 93f formed in a mounting portion 93d provided along the periphery of the cover portion 93b and the extension portion 93 h.

Further, although not shown, similarly to embodiment 1, a recess 22a is formed in the heat insulating material 22 forming the upper surface portion 25 of the housing 2 at a position vertically overlapping the screw hole 21a formed in the outer box 21. The recess 22a is formed on the upper surface 25 side of the heat insulating material 22 and is recessed from the periphery toward the lower surface side. Therefore, an upper surface space 28 is formed between the outer box 21 of the casing 2 and the heat insulating material 22.

Screws as the fixing members 11 are inserted into the screw holes 21a of the outer box 21 and the screw holes 93f of the wireless communication device cover 93, and the screws are fitted into the screw holes 21a and the screw holes 93f, whereby the housing 2 and the wireless communication device cover 93 are fixed. In a state where the case 2 and the wireless communication device cover 93 are fixed, the rod portion of the screw as the fixing member 11 is positioned inside the upper surface portion space 28. Further, a seal member 12 is provided between the outer box 21 and the mounting portion 93d, and a gap generated between the outer box 21 and the mounting portion 93d is filled. Although not shown, the seal member 12 is also provided between the outer box 21 and the mounting portion 93d provided along the periphery of the extension portion 93 h.

Here, the dimension in the vertical direction of the upper surface space 28 is larger than the dimension in the vertical direction of the portion of the fixing member 11 located inside the upper surface space 28, and the fixing member 11 does not contact the heat insulating material 22. That is, the size of the upper surface space 28 is such that the fixing member 11 does not come into contact with the heat insulating material 22.

Note that the fixing of the control device cover 27 and the wireless communication device cover 93 of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 3 is the same as that of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1. Therefore, the radio communication device cover space 93a enclosed by the cover portion 93b and the control device cover space 27a enclosed by the control device cover 27 communicate with each other via the extension portion space 93i enclosed by the communication portion 27b, the communication portion 93c, and the extension portion 93 h.

The connection wire 10 is laid in an extension portion internal space 93i surrounded by the communication portion 27b, the communication portion 93c, and the extension portion 93 h.

As described above, similarly to the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1, the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 3 includes: a housing 2 having a storage space 23 formed therein for storing a cooling target and an upper surface portion 25 located above the storage space 23; an outer case 21 which is a part of the housing 2 and faces a space outside the housing 2; a cooling device 5 for supplying cooled air to the storage space 23; a control device 8 that controls the cooling device 5 and is fixed to the casing 2; a wireless communication device 9 which is located on the upper surface portion 25 of the housing 2 and is capable of wireless communication with the external apparatus 200; a fixing member 11 for fixing the wireless communication device 9 to the housing; and a connection line 10 which is laid outside the housing 2 and connects the wireless communication device 9 and the control device 8 to each other so as to enable communication. With this configuration, the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 3 achieves the same effects as those described in embodiment 1.

Further, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 3 has, as an additional structure, a structure in which: the control device cover 27 forms a space (control device cover inner space 27a) for housing the control device 8, the wireless communication device cover 93 has a cover portion 93b for forming a space (wireless communication device cover inner space 93a) for housing the wireless communication module 91, and an extension portion 93h provided behind the cover portion 93b and forming a space (extension portion inner space 93i) communicating with the space (wireless communication device cover inner space 93a) formed by the cover portion 93b, the control device cover 27 and the wireless communication device cover 93 respectively have communicating portions 27b and 93c for communicating the space (control device cover inner space 27a) formed by the control device cover 27 and the space (extension portion inner space 93i) formed by the extension portion 93h, and the connection line 10 is laid in the space (extension portion inner space 93i) formed by the communicating portions 27b and 93c and the extension portion 93 h. According to this additional configuration, the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 3 is in a state in which the control device cover 27 and the wireless communication device cover 93 cover the connection cord 10, and as compared with the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1, there is an effect that the wireless communication module 91 can be positioned closer to the front of the refrigerator 1.

A modification of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 3 will be described.

Note that, although cover portion 93b and extension portion 93h of refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 3 are integrated, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the cover portion and the extension portion may be formed separately, and the cover portion and the extension portion may be fixed to each other by a fixing member such as a screw to form the wireless communication device cover. In this case, the cover portion may be made of a nonconductive material such as resin, and the extension portion may be made of a conductive material such as metal. By forming the extension portion of a conductive material such as metal in this manner, the electromagnetic force generated by the connection wire laid in the space inside the extension portion can be shielded by the extension portion.

Further, the fixing member 11 of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 3 is a screw, but is not limited thereto. For example, the wireless communication device may be fixed using the fitting portion 95 described in the refrigerator 1 according to the modification of embodiment 1. The wireless communication device may be fixed using the fixing member 11 described in the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 2.

Embodiment 4.

Next, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 4 will be explained. The refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 4 is different from the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1 in the structure of the heat insulating material 22. Since the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 4 has the same structure as the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1 except for the structure of the heat insulating material 22, description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view showing a portion of the refrigerator according to embodiment 4 corresponding to the section B-B in fig. 3. Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of a region E in fig. 12 of the refrigerator of embodiment 4.

The heat insulating material 22 will be explained. The heat insulating material 22 is composed of a thermal insulating foamed material 22b such as polyurethane and a vacuum heat insulating material 22c having a core member surrounded by a film and having a vacuum state inside the film. The vacuum insulation material 22c is located on the outer box side of the thermal insulation foam material 22 b. That is, in the upper surface portion 25, the vacuum insulation material 22c is located above the foamed insulation material 33 b.

A recess 22a is formed in the vacuum insulation material 22c at a position vertically overlapping the screw hole 21a formed in the outer box 21. The concave portion 22a is formed on the surface of the vacuum heat insulating material 22c facing the outer box 21, and is recessed toward the storage space 23 side from the periphery. Therefore, an upper surface space 28 is formed between the outer box 21 of the casing 2 and the vacuum insulation material 22 c.

Here, the dimension in the vertical direction of the upper surface space 28 is larger than the dimension in the vertical direction of the portion of the fixing member 11 located inside the upper surface space 28, and the fixing member 11 does not contact the vacuum insulation material 22 c. That is, the size of the upper surface space 28 is such that the fixing member 11 does not come into contact with the vacuum insulation material 22 c.

As described above, similarly to the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1, the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 4 includes: a housing 2 having a storage space 23 formed therein for storing a cooling target and an upper surface portion 25 located above the storage space 23; an outer case 21 which is a part of the housing 2 and faces a space outside the housing 2; a cooling device 5 for supplying cooled air to the storage space 23; a control device 8 that controls the cooling device 5 and is fixed to the casing 2; a wireless communication device 9 which is located on the upper surface portion 25 of the housing 2 and is capable of wireless communication with the external apparatus 200; a fixing member 11 for fixing the wireless communication device 9 to the housing; and a connection line 10 which is laid outside the housing 2 and connects the wireless communication device 9 and the control device 8 to each other so as to enable communication. With this configuration, the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 4 achieves the same effects as those described in embodiment 1.

Further, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 4 has, as an additional structure, a structure in which: the vacuum insulation material 22c is used as the insulation material 22. Unlike the thermal insulating foamed material, no hole can be formed in the vacuum thermal insulating material. Therefore, when a connecting line is laid in the wall of the casing and a vacuum heat insulating material is used as the heat insulating material as in the refrigerator disclosed in patent document 1, the following problems occur. When the connecting wire laid on the wall is led out to the upper surface portion, the vacuum insulation material cannot be arranged at the position where the connecting wire is led out. However, since the connecting cord 10 of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 4 is laid outside the casing 2, the vacuum heat insulating material can be disposed over the entire upper surface portion, and the heat insulating performance is higher than that in the case where the connecting cord is laid in a wall. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 4 has a more significant effect by providing the additional structure.

Further, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 4 has, as an additional structure, a structure in which: the casing 2 has a heat insulating material 22 located on the storage space 23 side of the outer box 21, the heat insulating material 22 is composed of a foam heat insulating material 22b and a vacuum heat insulating material 22c, the vacuum heat insulating material 22c is located on the outer box 21 side of the foam heat insulating material 22b, an upper surface space 28 is formed between the outer box 21 and the vacuum heat insulating material 22c, and at least a part of the fixing member 11 is located in the upper surface space 28. According to this additional structure, the following effects are exhibited: by forming the upper surface space 28, it is possible to prevent the film of the vacuum insulation material 22c from being damaged due to the contact of the fixing member 11 with the vacuum insulation material 22c, and the heat insulation performance of the vacuum insulation material 22c from being deteriorated. In addition, an interior illumination and the like, which are not shown, are generally disposed in the inner box 20. Here, when the vacuum insulation material 22c is located on the inner box 20 side of the foamed insulation material 22b, the film of the vacuum insulation material 22c may be damaged by fittings for fixing lighting in the box. Therefore, this additional structure has an effect of suppressing the deterioration of the heat insulating property of the vacuum heat insulating material 22c by positioning the vacuum heat insulating material 22c on the outer box 21 side of the foamed heat insulating material 22 b.

A modification of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 4 will be described.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion corresponding to an area E in fig. 12 of the refrigerator according to the modification of embodiment 4. Here, the fixing member 11 of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 4 is a screw, but is not limited thereto. For example, the wireless communication device may be fixed using the fixing member 11 described in the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 2 as in the modification of embodiment 4. The wireless communication device may be fixed using the fitting portion 95 described in the refrigerator 1 according to the modification of embodiment 1.

Embodiment 5.

Next, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 5 will be explained. The refrigerator 1 of embodiment 5 is different from the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1 in the configurations of the upper surface portion 25 of the casing 2, the control device cover 27, and the wireless communication device cover 93. Note that, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 5 is the same as the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 1 except for the configurations of the upper surface portion 25 of the casing 2, the control device cover 27, and the wireless communication device cover 93, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the refrigerator of embodiment 5. Fig. 16 is a top perspective view of the refrigerator of embodiment 5. Fig. 17 is a sectional view showing a section F-F of fig. 15 of the refrigerator according to embodiment 3. Fig. 18 is an enlarged view of a region G in fig. 17 of the refrigerator of embodiment 3.

The upper surface portion 25 of the case 2 will be explained. Unlike embodiment 1, screw holes 21a are not formed in outer box 21 forming upper surface portion 25 of case 2. Unlike embodiment 1, the heat insulating material 22 forming the upper surface portion 25 of the case 2 is not formed with the recess 22 a. Therefore, the upper surface space 28 is not formed between the outer box 21 of the casing 2 and the heat insulating material 22. The upper surface portion 25 of embodiment 5 is the same as the upper surface portion 25 of embodiment 1, except that the screw holes 21a, the recesses 22a, and the upper surface portion space 28 are not formed.

The control device cover 27 will be explained. In the control device cover 27, the communication portion 27b is provided above the control device cover internal space 27 a. That is, the communication portion 27b is provided at the upper portion of the control device cover 27. In addition, screw holes 27c are formed in portions of the upper portion of the control device cover 27 in the front-rear direction of the communication portion 27 b. The control device cover 27 according to embodiment 5 is the same as the control device cover 27 according to embodiment 1, except that the communication portion 27b and the screw hole 27c are provided in the upper portion of the control device cover 27.

The wireless communication device cover 93 will be explained. The wireless communication device cover 93 is fixed to the control device cover 27 so as to form a surface on the upper portion of the control device cover 27 and a wireless communication device cover inner space 93a surrounded by the wireless communication device cover 93. Here, a portion forming the wireless communication device housing space 93a is referred to as a housing portion 93 b. Further, a mounting portion 93d is provided along the periphery of the cover portion 93b so as to extend in the direction opposite to the wireless communication device cover space 93 a. In the control device cover 27, unlike embodiment 1, the communication portion 93c is not provided behind the control device cover space 27 a.

The wireless communication device cover 93 is fixed to cover the communication portion 27b of the control device cover 27. Therefore, the control device cover inner space 27a enclosed by the substrate storage unit 29 and the control device cover 27 communicates with the surface of the control device cover 27 and the wireless communication device cover inner space 93a enclosed by the wireless communication device cover 93 via the communication unit 27 b.

A screw hole 93e is formed in the mounting portion 93d of the wireless communication device cover 93 at a position vertically overlapping the screw hole 27c formed in the control device cover 27.

By inserting screws as the fixing members 11 into the screw holes 27c of the control device cover 27 and the screw holes 93e of the wireless communication device cover 93, the screws are fitted into the screw holes 27c and the screw holes 93e, and the wireless communication device cover 93 is fixed to the control device cover 27. In a state where the control device cover 27 and the wireless communication device cover 93 are fixed, the rod portion of the screw as the fixing member 11 is positioned inside the control device cover inner space 27a formed by the wireless communication device cover 93.

A seal member 12 is provided between the control device cover 27 and the mounting portion 93d, and a gap generated between the control device cover 27 and the mounting portion 93d is filled.

The connection cord 10 is laid through the communicating portion 27b in the inside of the control device cover space 27a enclosed by the board housing portion 29 and the control device cover 27, and in the inside of the wireless communication device cover space 93a enclosed by the surface of the upper portion of the control device cover 27 and the wireless communication device cover 93.

As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 5 includes: a housing 2 in which a storage space 23 for storing a cooling target is formed; a cooling device 5 for supplying cooled air to the storage space 23; a control device 8 that controls the cooling device 5 and is fixed to the casing 2; a control device cover 27 covering the control device 8; a wireless communication device 9 capable of wireless communication with the external apparatus 200; a fixing member 11 (screw) for fixing the wireless communication device 9 to the control device cover 27; and a connection line 10 which is laid outside the housing 2 and connects the wireless communication device 9 and the control device 8 to each other so as to enable communication. Since the connection cord 10 is laid outside the casing 2 in the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 5, the connection cord can be prevented from being washed away and moved by filling and foaming the heat insulating material. In addition, the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 5 has an effect of relaxing the restriction when the connection cord 10 is laid, compared to the case where the connection cord is laid in the wall of the casing 2, by laying the connection cord 10 outside the casing 2.

A modification of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 5 will be described.

In this case, the fixing member 11 of the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 5 is a screw, but is not limited thereto. For example, the fixing member may use a double-sided adhesive tape to fix the wireless communication device and the housing. The fixing member may be a magnet, and the magnet may be fixed to the wireless communication device, and the wireless communication device may be fixed to the outer case of the housing by magnetic force.

However, as described in embodiment 1, when the fixing member uses the double-sided tape, the fixing force to the wireless communication device is weakened, and when the fixing member uses the magnet, the transmission and reception of radio waves of the wireless communication device are hindered. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 of embodiment 5 has, as an additional structure, the following structure: the control device cover 27 and the housing 2 form a control device cover inner space 27a for housing the control device 8, and at least a part of the fixing member 11 is located in the control device cover inner space 27 a. According to this additional structure, the fixing member 11 can be fitted to a part of the control device cover 27, and the wireless communication device 9 can be firmly fixed.

The fixing member fitted to the outer box 21 need not be a screw. For example, the refrigerator may be configured as the refrigerator 1 according to a modification of embodiment 5 below. Note that the refrigerator 1 according to the modification of embodiment 5 is the same as the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 5 except for the portions to be described below, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged view of a portion corresponding to a region G in fig. 17 of the refrigerator according to the modification of embodiment 5. In the case of the refrigerator 1 according to the modification of embodiment 5, two fitting portions 95 protruding toward the control device cover inner space 27a are provided in the wireless communication device cover 93 of the wireless communication device 9. Further, the tip of the fitting portion 95 forms a claw portion 95a protruding toward the wireless communication device cover inner space 93 a. Further, the control device cover 27 is formed with a hole portion 27d into which the fitting portion 95 can be inserted. When the fitting portion 95 is inserted into the hole 27d, the claw portion 95a is fitted into the peripheral portion of the hole 27d, and the wireless communication device 9 is fixed to the control device cover 27. In the case of the refrigerator 1 according to the modification of embodiment 5, the fixing member corresponds to the fitting portion 95.

Description of the reference numerals

1 … refrigerator; 2 … shell; 3 … opening and closing the door; 3a … opening and closing the door; 3b … opening and closing the door; 4 … drawer door; 5 … cooling means; 6 … hinge part; 6a … hinge portion; 6b … hinge portion; 7 … carrying handle; 8 … control device; 9 … a wireless communication device; 10 … connecting lines; 11 … fixing part; 11a … base; 11b … fitting part; 11c … convex parts; 11d … jaw portion; 11e … flange portion; 12 … sealing member; 20 … inner box; 21 … an outer box; 21a … threaded holes; 21b … aperture portion; 21c … edge; 22 … a thermally insulating material; 22a … recess; 22b … foam insulation; 22c … vacuum insulation material; 23 … storage space; 23a … refrigerator compartment; 23b … ice making chamber; 23c … switching chamber; 23d … freezing chamber; 23e … vegetable room; 24 … cooling the chamber space; 25 … upper surface part; 26 … a partition member; 27 … control device cover; 27a … control device enclosure space; 27b … communication part; 27c … threaded holes; 27d … pore section; 28 … upper surface space; 29 … a substrate storage part; 51 … compressor; 52 … cooler; 53 … in-box fan; 54 … damper; 61 … hinge metal fittings; 62 … hinge cover; 81 … microcontroller; 82 … control device substrate; 83 … control the device-side connector; 91 … wireless communication module; 92 … wireless communication substrate; 93 … wireless communication device cover; 93a … wireless communicator enclosure interior space; 93b … cover part; 93c … communication part; 93d … mounting part; 93e … threaded holes; 93f … threaded holes; 93g … hook part; 93h … extension; 93i … space within the extension; 94 … wireless communication device side connector; 95 … fitting part; 95a … jaw; 101 … connecting a wire-side connector; 101a … a cable-side connector; 101b … another connecting-line-side connector; 200 … external device.

Claims (11)

1. A refrigerator is characterized by comprising:

a housing having a storage space formed therein for storing a cooling target and having an upper surface portion located above the storage space;

an outer case that is a part of the housing and faces a space outside the housing;

a cooling device for supplying cooled air to the storage space;

a control device fixed to the housing and controlling the cooling device;

a wireless communication device located on the upper surface portion of the housing and capable of wirelessly communicating with an external device;

a fixing member for fixing the wireless communication device to the outer case; and

and a connection wire which is laid outside the housing and connects the wireless communication device and the control device in a communicable manner.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

the housing is formed with an opening in front of the storage space,

the wireless communication device is fixed at a position closer to the front of the housing than the control device.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2,

the casing has a heat insulating material located closer to the storage space than the outer box,

an upper surface space is formed in the upper surface portion of the casing and between the outer box and the heat insulating material,

at least a portion of the securing member is located in the upper surface portion space.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3,

the heat insulating material is composed of a foaming heat insulating material and a vacuum heat insulating material,

the vacuum insulation material is located closer to the outer box than the foamed insulation material,

the upper surface space is formed between the outer box and the vacuum insulation material.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 3 or 4,

the fixing member is a screw which is screwed,

a portion of the screw is located in the upper surface portion space.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 3 or 4,

a hole portion that communicates the upper surface portion space with a space outside the housing is formed in the outer case,

the fixing member has: a base located inside the upper surface space; a fitting portion provided in the base portion and protruding from the hole portion formed in the outer box toward a space outside the housing,

the wireless communication device is fitted to the fitting portion.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6,

the base portion closes the hole formed in the outer box from the storage space side.

8. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

the wireless communication device has a wireless communication module for transmitting and receiving radio waves and a wireless communication device cover for covering the wireless communication module,

the refrigerator is provided with a control device cover covering the control device,

the connection line is covered by the wireless communication device cover and the control device cover.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8,

the control device cover forms a space for accommodating the control device,

the wireless communication device cover has: a cover portion forming a space for receiving the wireless communication module; and an extension portion provided rearward of the cover portion and forming a space communicating with a space formed by the cover portion,

the control device cover and the wireless communication device cover are respectively provided with a communication part for communicating a space formed by the control device cover and a space formed by the extension part,

the connecting wire is laid in a space formed by the communication part and the extension part.

10. A refrigerator is characterized by comprising:

a housing in which a storage space for storing a cooling object is formed;

a cooling device for supplying cooled air to the storage space;

a control device fixed to the housing and controlling the cooling device;

a control device cover that covers the control device;

a wireless communication means capable of wireless communication with an external device;

a fixing member that fixes the wireless communication device to the control device cover; and

and a connection wire which is laid outside the housing and connects the wireless communication device and the control device in a communicable manner.

11. The refrigerator according to claim 10,

the control device cover and the housing form a space for accommodating the control device,

at least a portion of the fixing member is located in the space.

Images