CN116465131A - Refrigerator with a refrigerator body - Google Patents

Abstract

The refrigerator is provided with: a main body part having a storage chamber; a top cover disposed over the main body; and an operation unit having an operation panel and a wiring board, and disposed in front of the upper surface of the top cover.

Description

Refrigerator with a refrigerator body

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a refrigerator with an operating part outside a refrigerator.

Background

An operation unit (operation panel) is incorporated in the refrigerator, and the operation unit (operation panel) performs temperature setting of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, operation and setting of the ice making device, and other various operations and settings. The operation unit may be disposed inside the refrigerator (for example, a side wall of the storage compartment) or outside the refrigerator.

By disposing the operation unit outside the storage, there is no need to open the door when setting the temperature in the storage, and thus, there is an advantage that the leakage of the cold air in the storage to the outside can be prevented.

For example, japanese patent application laid-open No. 2018-36011 discloses a refrigerator 10 in which a touch panel type operation portion 64 is disposed on the front side of the upper surface of the refrigerator.

Disclosure of Invention

The operation unit 64 is operated by pressing the touch panel on the upper surface downward, and therefore, a certain degree of strength is required. However, since the operation portion 64 of the refrigerator 10 disclosed in patent document 1 is disposed at the front eave portion of the upper surface of the main body portion (i.e., the heat insulation box 11) of the refrigerator, there is a possibility that sufficient strength is not obtained.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, it is an object to provide a refrigerator capable of improving strength around an operation portion.

The refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a main body part having a storage chamber; a top cover disposed over the main body; and an operation unit having an operation panel and a wiring board, and disposed in front of the upper surface of the top cover.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator capable of improving strength around an operation portion can be provided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main body of the refrigerator shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the back side of the refrigerator shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a structure of a front upper portion of the refrigerator shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing an internal configuration of a front upper portion of the refrigerator shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing an internal configuration of an operation unit included in the refrigerator shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing an operation portion arrangement area of the top cover accommodating the operation portion shown in fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the top cover shown in fig. 7 is removed.

Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing a radiating pipe disposed in a heat insulating layer on the upper surface of the main body shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing an internal configuration of a door of the refrigerator shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view showing wiring lines arranged in the heat insulating layer on the upper surface of the main body shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 12 is a plan view showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a plan view showing a rear side upper portion of the refrigerator shown in fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a side view of the refrigerator shown in fig. 13.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same components. Their names and functions are also identical. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof are not repeated.

First embodiment

(integral construction of refrigerator)

In the present embodiment, a refrigerator 1 having 1 storage chamber 11 will be described as an example. First, the overall configuration of the refrigerator 1 will be described. Fig. 1 shows an external appearance of a state in which a door 12 of a refrigerator 1 is opened. Fig. 2 shows a structure of the main body 10 of the refrigerator 1. In fig. 2, the inside of the hinge portions 30a and 30b is illustrated in a state in which the door 12 is detached. Fig. 3 shows a structure of the back side of the refrigerator 1.

The refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be capable of switching between a cooling mode and a freezing mode. For example, when the user selects the cooling mode by operating the operation unit 70 of the refrigerator 1, the inside of the storage chamber 11 becomes a cooling chamber. Further, for example, when the user selects the freezing mode by operating the operation part 70 of the refrigerator 1, the inside of the storage chamber 11 becomes a freezing chamber.

The refrigerator 1 is mainly composed of a main body 10, a door 12, and a top cover 15. The main body 10 is formed of a heat insulating box. The heat insulating box has a heat insulating structure for insulating each storage compartment from the surroundings. A heat insulating layer 51 is provided inside the heat insulating box.

A storage chamber 11 is formed in the body 10. The storage compartment 11 includes a plurality of storage boxes 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d. Thereby, the storage chamber 11 is partitioned into a plurality of storage spaces.

The door 12 is configured such that the left and right opening/closing directions of the door can be changed by replacing members (for example, hinge pins 31) constituting the hinge portions 30a and 30 b. In the example shown in fig. 1, the hinge portion 30a on the left side of the door 12 is fixed by a member when viewed from the front. Thus, the refrigerator 1 is opened and closed from the right side as viewed from the front. The structure of the door in the refrigerator 1 is not limited to the above. That is, the door 12 may be configured to be opened and closed only either left or right.

In the present embodiment, the surface provided with the door is set as the front surface (front surface) of the refrigerator 1. Based on the front surface, the respective surfaces of the main body 10 of the refrigerator 1 are the upper surface 10a, the side surfaces, the rear surface 10c, and the bottom surface based on the positions existing when the refrigerator 1 is installed in a normal state. In addition, in a state where the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front side, the side located on the left side is referred to as the left side of the refrigerator 1 (or the main body 10), and the side located on the right side is referred to as the right side of the refrigerator 1 (or the main body 10).

The top cover 15 is disposed on the upper surface 10a of the main body 10. That is, the upper surface 10a of the main body 10 is covered with the top cover 15, and the upper surface of the top cover 15 forms the top surface of the refrigerator 1. An operation portion 70 is provided in front of the upper surface of the top cover 15.

A refrigeration cycle is provided inside the refrigerator 1. The refrigeration cycle is configured by connecting a compressor, a condenser, an expander, a cooler, and the like via a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant flows. A portion of the refrigerant pipe forms a radiating pipe 52. As will be described later, the refrigerant that has warmed up in the refrigeration cycle passes through the radiator pipe 52. This can suppress dew condensation in a predetermined portion (for example, an opening portion) of the heat insulation box in which the radiating pipe 52 is disposed.

An electric unit 60 is provided in the refrigerator 1. The electric unit 60 is disposed above the rear surface 10c of the main body 10, for example. In the present embodiment, the electric unit 60 is disposed at a corner portion on the right side (left side in fig. 3) of the back surface 10c of the main body 10. A control board and the like are disposed in the electric unit 60. The control board controls the operation of the refrigeration cycle.

The operation unit 70 includes a mechanical switch, a touch panel, and the like. The operation unit 70 is provided with a plurality of operation buttons for switching the cooling mode of the storage chamber 11, setting the temperature in the storage chamber 11, and other various operations and settings. By operating the operation unit 70, the user transmits various instructions from the operation unit 70 to the electric device unit 60. In the present embodiment, two mechanical switches 74a and 74b are provided as operation buttons.

A connector arrangement portion 16 is provided at the left rear side of the upper surface of the refrigerator 1 (i.e., at the opposite side to the left-right direction of the electric unit 60). In the present embodiment, the connector arrangement portion 16 is provided at the left rear side of the top cover 15. The connector 63 that connects the first wiring 61 extending from the electric unit 60 and the second wiring 62 extending from the operation portion 70 is disposed in the connector arrangement portion 16.

(construction of the operation portion)

Next, a more detailed configuration of the operation unit 70 will be described. Fig. 4 shows a structure of an upper front portion of the refrigerator 1 in which the operation unit 70 is disposed. Fig. 5 shows an internal configuration of a front upper portion of the refrigerator 1 shown in fig. 4. Fig. 6 shows a state in which the respective members constituting the operation unit 70 are disassembled. Fig. 7 shows a structure of the front portion of the top cover 15 in a state where the members constituting the operation portion 70 are removed. Fig. 8 shows a reinforcing member 75 provided below the operation portion 70.

The operation portion 70 is disposed in front of the upper surface of the top cover 15. More specifically, the operation portion 70 is accommodated in a recess provided in front of the top cover 15. This concave portion is referred to as an operation portion arrangement region 15a.

The operation unit 70 mainly includes an operation panel 71, a wiring board 72, a board holder 73, a mechanical switch 74, a reinforcing member 75, and the like.

The operation panel 71 forms an upper surface of the operation portion 70. The operation panel 71 is disposed on substantially the same surface as the upper surface of the top cover 15 (see fig. 5). The operation panel 71 is provided with a plurality of mechanical switches 74. Further, although not shown, a display unit or the like indicating the currently selected cooling mode or the like is also provided on the operation panel 71.

The wiring board 72 is disposed in the operation portion disposition region 15a in a state of being accommodated in the board holder 73. An electronic component 74d constituting the mechanical switch 74 is mounted on the wiring board 72. The wiring board 72 is connected to various wirings (for example, the second wiring 62, the third wiring 68, and the like).

The substrate holder 73 holds the wiring substrate 72 so as to sandwich the wiring substrate 72 from above. A member 74c constituting a mechanical switch 74 is mounted on the substrate holder 73.

The mechanical switch 74 is disposed on the operation panel 71 and is used as an operation button. The user inputs a specific instruction to the electrical unit 60 by pressing the mechanical switch 74.

The reinforcing member 75 is disposed below the operation portion 70. In the present embodiment, the plate-like reinforcing member 75 is provided so as to overlap the bottom surface of the operation portion placement area 15a of the top cover 15. The reinforcing member 75 is formed of a material having a certain degree of rigidity. This can improve the strength of the operation unit 70.

In the present embodiment, the reinforcing member 75 is formed of a member different from the top cover 15, but in other embodiments, a part of the top cover 15 may be used as the reinforcing member. That is, the bottom surface of the operation portion arrangement region 15a of the top cover 15 is made thicker, or the bottom surface of the operation portion arrangement region 15a is made of a material having higher rigidity, thereby being able to be a reinforcing member.

As shown in fig. 5, the operation portion 70 is disposed such that a part (front portion) thereof rides on the upper surface 12a of the door 12 and another part (rear portion) thereof is disposed on the upper surface 10a of the main body portion 10. As described above, in the present embodiment, at least a part of the operation unit 70 overlaps with the arrangement region of the main body 10 in a plan view. This can improve the strength of the operation unit 70. For example, the strength of the operation portion 70 when the user strongly presses the mechanical switch 74 of the operation panel 71 downward can be ensured.

A rib 75a extending downward is formed on the reinforcing member 75 immediately below the operation portion 70 (particularly immediately below the mechanical switch 74). The rib 75a is disposed along the front end of the upper surface 10a of the main body 10. By providing such ribs 75a, the strength of the operation portion 70 can be improved. Further, by providing the rib 75a, the top cover 15 and the main body 10 can be easily aligned.

(drainage Structure of operation portion)

As described above, the operating portion 70 is disposed on the top cover 15 forming the top surface of the refrigerator 1. Therefore, if liquid such as water falls on the top surface of the refrigerator 1, there is a possibility that the water enters the operation portion 70. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment has a structure in which water is less likely to enter the inside of the operation portion 70 when water or the like falls to the top surface of the refrigerator 1. In addition, in case that water enters the inside of the operation portion 70 (i.e., below the operation panel 71), drainage to the outside is promoted, and inflow of water to the wiring board 72 side is suppressed.

The drain structure of the operation unit 70 will be described below. As a configuration for suppressing the penetration of water into the interior, the operation unit 70 includes a sealing member 81, inner walls 82a and 82b, drain holes 83a and 83b, and the like.

The sealing member 81 is disposed on the back surface of the operation panel 71. More specifically, the seal member 81 is disposed so as to surround the periphery of the operation portion disposition region 15a of the top cover 15 (see fig. 6), and is interposed between the rear surface of the operation panel 71 and the outer peripheral surface of the operation portion disposition region 15a of the top cover 15 (see fig. 5). The sealing member 81 is formed of a resin material (e.g., sponge, etc.) having elasticity, or the like.

By providing such a sealing member 81, water can be prevented from entering the operation portion arrangement region 15a from the gap between the operation panel 71 and the top cover 15.

The inner wall is disposed inside the sealing member 81 so as to surround the outer periphery of the wiring board 72. In the present embodiment, two inner walls (i.e., an inner wall 82a and an inner wall 82 b) are provided. The inner wall 82a is disposed on the back surface of the operation panel 71. The inner wall 82b is located inside the inner wall 82a, and is disposed on the bottom surface of the operation portion disposition area 15a of the top cover 15.

By providing such an inner wall, water can be more reliably prevented from entering the operation portion arrangement region 15a. The positions and the number of the inner walls are not limited to the inner walls.

The drain hole is formed so as to penetrate the bottom surface portion of the operation portion arrangement region 15a and the reinforcing member 75. In the present embodiment, 2 kinds of drain holes, that is, a first drain hole 83a disposed on the front side of the operation unit disposition area 15a and a second drain hole 83b disposed on the rear side of the operation unit disposition area 15a, are formed (see fig. 8). A plurality of drain holes 83a and 83b are provided. However, the arrangement positions and the number of the drain holes are not limited thereto.

By providing such drain holes, even when water should enter the operation portion arrangement region 15a, water can be drained from the drain holes, and water can be prevented from entering the wiring board 72.

In the present embodiment, the second drain hole 83b disposed on the rear side is larger than the first drain hole 83a disposed on the front side. This enables more water to be discharged from the second water discharge hole 83b on the rear side. Therefore, for example, when the door 12 is opened, the possibility of water dripping from above the opening of the main body 10 can be reduced.

Further, a radiating pipe 52 is disposed below the second drain hole 83b on the rear side (see fig. 5). This promotes evaporation of water falling from the second drain hole 83b to the upper surface 10a of the main body 10 by the heat generated from the radiating pipe 52.

In fig. 9, an example of a radiating pipe 52 extending into the heat insulating layer 51 of the upper surface 10a of the main body 10 is illustrated. A part of the radiating pipe 52 (i.e., radiating pipe 52 a) is disposed below the operation portion 70. This can heat the vicinity of the operation portion 70 by the radiating pipe 52, and can suppress the occurrence of dew condensation in the operation portion 70.

(door switch)

Next, a door switch 67 provided in the refrigerator 1 will be described. The door 12 of the refrigerator 1 is configured to be openable and closable from either the left or right by replacing the hinge pin 31. Therefore, the door switch 67 that detects the open/closed state of the door 12 is disposed at the substantially central portion in the left-right direction above the door 12. Thus, the detection time of the door switch 67 when the door 12 is opened and closed from the left side can be made substantially equal to the detection time of the door switch 67 when the door 12 is opened and closed from the right side.

In the present embodiment, the door switch 67 is disposed in the operation unit 70. More specifically, the door switch 67 is disposed on a reinforcing member 75 in the operation unit 70 (see fig. 8). The door switch 67 is connected to the electronic component on the wiring board 72 via the third wiring 68.

Fig. 10 shows a configuration of a vertical section of a substantially central portion in the left-right direction of an upper portion of the door 12. As shown in fig. 10, a magnet 67a corresponding to the door switch 67 is disposed at a substantially central portion in the left-right direction above the door 12.

(wiring configuration for connecting operation portion and electric unit)

Next, a configuration of wiring extending from the operation unit 70 to the electric unit 60 will be described. Fig. 11 schematically shows wirings (specifically, the first wiring 61 and the second wiring 62) extending from the operation portion 70 side to the electric unit 60 side on the upper surface 10a of the main body portion 10.

The wiring extending from the operation portion 70 side to the electric component 60 side is mainly composed of a first wiring 61, a second wiring 62, and a connector (wiring portion) 63.

The first wiring 61 extends from the electric unit 60 through the heat insulating layer 51 to the connector arrangement portion 16 where the connector 63 is arranged. In the present embodiment, the first wiring 61 in the heat insulating layer 51 extends from the outlet 64 provided in the rear left side of the main body 10 to the outside of the main body 10. A connector arrangement portion 16 is provided behind the outlet 64, and the first wiring 61 extending outward from the outlet 64 is arranged in the connector arrangement portion 16.

The second wiring 62 passes between the upper surface 10a of the main body 10 and the top cover 15, and reaches the connector arrangement portion 16. In other embodiments, the second wiring 62 may extend from the operation portion 70 through the inside of the heat insulating layer 51 to the connector 63.

The connector 63 is disposed in the connector disposition portion 16. The first wiring 61 and the second wiring 62 are electrically connected via the connector 63.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the connector 63 connecting the first wiring 61 and the second wiring 62 is disposed in the connector arrangement portion 16 disposed at the rear side of the back surface side of the refrigerator 1. In this way, by connecting the wiring on the electric unit 60 side and the wiring on the operation unit 70 side via the connector, the wiring on the operation unit 70 side (i.e., the second wiring 62) can be replaced by removing the top cover 15 without disassembling the electric unit 60 and the refrigerator 1. Therefore, the convenience of the operator can be improved.

(summary of the first embodiment)

As described above, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment includes: a main body 10 having a storage chamber 11; a top cover 15 disposed on the main body 10; and an operation portion 70 disposed in front of the upper surface of the top cover 15. The operation unit 70 includes an operation panel 71 and a wiring board 72.

As described above, the operation unit 70 of the refrigerator 1 is not disposed in the storage chamber 11, but disposed outside the storage. Thus, when the temperature in the storage is set by operating the operation panel 71, the door 12 does not need to be opened, and the cool air in the storage can be prevented from leaking to the outside.

Further, by disposing the operation portion 70 in front of the upper surface of the top cover 15, the user can easily operate the operation panel 71. In addition, even when a cooking device such as a microwave oven is disposed on the top surface of the refrigerator 1, it is often disposed so as to avoid the front portion of the refrigerator 1. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in operability and visibility of the operation panel 71 in the case where an object is placed on the top surface of the refrigerator 1.

Further, in the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, at least a part of the operation portion 70 is disposed so as to overlap with the disposition region of the main body portion 10 in a plan view. This can improve the strength of the operation unit 70. For example, the strength of the operation portion 70 when the user strongly presses the mechanical switch 74 of the operation panel 71 downward can be ensured.

Further, by disposing the operation portion 70 on the top cover 15, the top cover 15 is disposed on the main body portion 10, and the operation portion 70 can be easily detached from the main body portion 10. This facilitates replacement of components in the operation unit 70, and improves convenience for the operator.

Second embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the refrigerator 101 of the second embodiment, the configuration of wiring extending from the operation portion 70 to the electric unit 60 is different from that of the first embodiment. Other than this, the refrigerator 1 may be configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Fig. 12 to 14 show the structure of the upper part of the refrigerator 101 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 12 is a top view of the refrigerator 101. Fig. 13 is a rear view of the refrigerator 101. Fig. 14 is a side view of the refrigerator 101.

The refrigerator 101 has a wire 161 connecting the electric unit 60 and the operation portion 70. In fig. 12 and 14, a line 161 extending from the electric unit 60 to the operation unit 70 is schematically shown by a broken line on the upper surface 10a of the main body 10.

In the present embodiment, the wiring 161 is connected to the electric unit 60 through a space formed between the upper surface 10a of the main body 10 and the lower surface of the top cover 15. With this configuration, the operation unit 70 and the electric component unit 60 can be connected by the shorter wiring 161 without providing the connector arrangement portion 16. The wiring 161 may be constituted by a plurality of wirings connected via a connector.

In the present embodiment, the first protruding portion 191 is provided at the position where the electric unit 60 on the rear surface side of the top cover 15 is disposed. The first protruding portion 191 is configured to cover the connection portion of the wiring 161 and the electric device unit 60. This can prevent water or the like from entering from a gap between connection portions of the wires 161 provided in the electric unit 60.

Third embodiment

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the above-described first and second embodiments, the refrigerator 1 capable of switching between the cooling mode and the freezing mode is described as an example. However, the refrigerator of the present invention is not limited to a configuration capable of switching between a cooling mode and a freezing mode.

The refrigerator 1 of the third embodiment includes a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment. The main body 10 of the refrigerator 1 has a top cover 15. An operation portion 70 is provided in front of the upper surface of the top cover 15. By disposing the operation unit 70 outside the storage, it is not necessary to open the door when setting the temperature in the storage, and the like, and it is possible to prevent the cool air in the storage from leaking outside. The same configuration as that of the first embodiment can be applied to the configuration of the operation unit 70.

As described above, the same configuration as the operation unit 70 described in the first embodiment can be applied to a refrigerator having no function of switching between the cooling mode and the freezing mode. This can improve the strength around the operation portion.

(summary)

A refrigerator (for example, refrigerators 1 and 101) according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a main body (e.g., main body 10) having a storage chamber (e.g., storage chamber 11); a top cover (for example, top cover 15) disposed on the main body; and an operation unit (e.g., operation unit 70) having an operation panel (e.g., operation panel 71) and a wiring board (e.g., wiring board 72) and disposed in front of the upper surface of the top cover.

The refrigerator (e.g., the refrigerator 1 or 101) according to the aspect of the present invention may be configured such that at least a part of the operation portion (e.g., the operation portion 70) overlaps with the arrangement region of the main body portion (e.g., the main body portion 10) in a plan view.

The refrigerator (e.g., the refrigerator 1 or 101) according to the above aspect of the present invention may further include a heat radiation pipe (e.g., the heat radiation pipe 52) extending along an upper surface (e.g., the upper surface 10 a) of the main body (e.g., the main body 10), and at least a portion of the heat radiation pipe (e.g., the heat radiation pipe 52 a) may be positioned below the operation portion (e.g., the operation portion 70).

In the refrigerator (e.g., the refrigerator 1 or 101) according to the aspect of the present invention, at least one drain hole (e.g., the first drain hole 83a or the second drain hole 83 b) may be provided in the operation portion (e.g., the operation portion 70).

The refrigerator (e.g., the refrigerator 1 or 101) according to the aspect of the present invention may be configured such that the at least one drain hole (e.g., the second drain hole 83 b) is disposed above a heat radiation pipe (e.g., the heat radiation pipe 52) extending along an upper surface (e.g., the upper surface 10 a) of the main body (e.g., the main body 10).

The refrigerator (e.g., the refrigerator 1 or 101) according to the aspect of the present invention may be configured such that a reinforcing member (e.g., the reinforcing member 75) is provided below the operation portion (e.g., the operation portion 70).

The refrigerator (e.g., the refrigerator 1 or 101) according to the aspect of the present invention may be configured such that the operation panel (e.g., the operation panel 71) includes a mechanical switch (e.g., the mechanical switch 74), and a sealing member (e.g., the sealing member 81) is disposed on a rear surface of the operation panel.

The refrigerator (e.g., the refrigerator 1 or 101) according to the aspect of the present invention may be configured such that an inner wall (e.g., the inner wall 82a or the inner wall 82 b) is provided inside the sealing member (e.g., the sealing member 81) so as to surround the outer periphery of the wiring board (e.g., the wiring board 72).

The refrigerator (for example, refrigerator 1) according to the aspect of the present invention may further include: an electric device unit (e.g., electric device unit 60) disposed on the back surface side of the main body (e.g., main body 10); a first wiring (e.g., first wiring 61) extending from the electrical component unit; and a second wiring (e.g., second wiring 62) extending from the operation portion (e.g., operation portion 70), wherein a wiring portion (e.g., connector 63) of the first wiring and the second wiring is disposed above a rear surface side of the main body portion.

The refrigerator (for example, refrigerator 101) according to the aspect of the present invention may further include: an electric device unit (e.g., electric device unit 60) disposed on the back surface side of the main body (e.g., main body 10); and a wire (e.g., wire 161) that connects the electric device unit and the operation portion (e.g., operation portion 70), the wire being disposed between the main body portion and the top cover (e.g., top cover 15).

The refrigerator (e.g., the refrigerators 1 and 101) according to the above aspect of the present invention may further include: a door (e.g., door 12) configured to be openable and closable from either left or right sides; and a door switch (for example, a door switch 67) that detects opening and closing of the door, the door switch being disposed at a substantially central portion in a left-right direction above the door.

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

Claims (11)

1. A refrigerator is characterized by comprising:

a main body part having a storage chamber;

a top cover disposed over the main body;

and an operation unit having an operation panel and a wiring board, and disposed in front of the upper surface of the top cover.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein,

at least a part of the operation portion overlaps with an arrangement region of the main body portion in a plan view.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

further comprises a radiating pipe extending along the upper surface of the main body,

at least a part of the radiating pipe is positioned below the operation part.

4. A refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,

at least one drain hole is provided in the operation portion.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein,

the at least one drain hole is disposed above a radiating pipe extending along an upper surface of the main body.

6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein,

a reinforcing member is provided below the operation portion.

7. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein,

the operation panel includes a mechanical switch,

a sealing member is disposed on the back surface of the operation panel.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein,

an inner wall is provided inside the sealing member so as to surround the outer periphery of the wiring board.

9. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising:

an electric unit disposed on the back surface side of the main body;

a first wiring extending from the electrical component unit; and

a second wiring extending from the operation portion,

the connection portions of the first and second wires are disposed above the rear surface side of the main body portion.

10. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising:

an electric unit disposed on the back surface side of the main body; and

wiring connecting the electrical device unit and the operation unit,

the wiring is disposed between the main body and the top cover.

11. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising:

a door configured to be openable and closable from either left or right sides; and

a door switch for detecting the opening and closing of the door,

the door switch is disposed at a substantially central portion in the left-right direction above the door.