JP2001324258A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator having a structure capable of easily exchanging an information display or an information terminal. SOLUTION: A refrigerator 1 having at least either of a door 2 and a drawer, which enables contents to be put therein or taken out therefrom, comprises an information display or ah information terminal 41 housed in a storage box 40 provided at the front of the door 2 or the drawer such that the display surface thereof can be checked from the front and the box 40 can house therein an information display or an information terminal 41 different in shape.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure for mounting an information display device or an information terminal in a home or business refrigerator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional refrigerators equipped with an information display device or an information terminal are disclosed in JP-A-8-152253 and JP-A-11-30472, and registered utility model No. 3 is disclosed.
No. 036554.

[0003] The publications described in these publications have an information display device or information terminal integrated in advance in the door of the refrigerator and match the design, but the information display device or information terminal to be incorporated is disclosed. Therefore, the product price is higher than that of a normal refrigerator.

[0004] In addition, a person who owns an information terminal such as a personal computer must make a double investment, which, together with the above-mentioned price, has hindered the spread of information display devices or information terminals.

Further, the life of the refrigerator (lifetime) is longer than the life of the information terminal, and the replacement of the refrigerator must be performed in accordance with the replacement of the information terminal, which is extremely disadvantageous in terms of effective use of resources. Met.

The present invention provides a refrigerator that can easily replace an information display device or an information terminal with respect to such a problem.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a refrigerator having at least one of a door and a drawer for allowing the contents to be taken in and out, and an information display device or an information terminal attached to and detached from the front of the door or the drawer. It can be freely attached.

Further, according to the present invention, the information display device or the information terminal is stored in a storage box provided on the front of a door or a drawer so that the display surface can be checked from the front, and the information display device has a different shape. Alternatively, the information terminal can be stored.

Further, the present invention provides a refrigerator in which a drawer for taking in / out of contents is provided from the vicinity of the center to the upper side, and a shelf on which an information display device or an information terminal can be mounted is provided on the front of the drawer. This shelf is configured so as not to protrude extremely from the front of the refrigerator with the drawer closed.

Further, the present invention includes an outlet branched from a power supply for driving a refrigerator in the vicinity of the information display device or the information terminal.

Further, according to the present invention, the refrigerator is provided with an interface circuit for connecting information transmitted / received via a network to an information display device or an information terminal.

Further, the interface circuit of the present invention is a hub or a modem.

Further, the interface circuit of the present invention is connected wirelessly to a host for transmitting and receiving information.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator using the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

In these figures, 1 indicates a refrigerator,
On the front side, an opening / closing door 2 leading to a refrigerator compartment, a drawer 3 leading to an ice making room, a drawer 4 leading to a freezing room, a drawer 5 leading to an ice greenhouse, and a drawer 6 leading to a vegetable room are provided.

The interior of the refrigerator 1 is surrounded by a heat insulating material and has a refrigeration cycle having a refrigerant compressor 7, and the refrigerant is evaporated by an evaporator (not shown) constituting the refrigeration cycle. It cools the inside of the refrigerator.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a through-hole which is opened near the center of the door 2, and is provided with an information terminal 15 (or information display) by a support member 9 and screws 10a and 10b for fixing the support member 9 to the back side of the door 2. ) Is fixed to the back side of the door 2.

The information terminal 15 includes, for example, a computer or a liquid crystal screen configured to allow input or operation via a liquid crystal screen and a touch panel superimposed on the liquid crystal screen, and a cross key or a plurality of function keys beside the liquid crystal screen. For example, a computer having such functions can be used.

After the information terminal 15 is positioned on the back side of the door 2 so that the liquid crystal display screen and the operation unit can be seen through the through window 8, the information terminal 15 is pressed against the back side of the door 2 by an elastic supporting member 9. It is something to hold. In addition, between the door 2 and the information terminal 15 and between the information terminal 15 and the support member 9
Between them, a seal (cushion rubber, etc.) for preventing rattling is provided.

Therefore, the opening area of the through window 8 and the information terminal 1
As long as the area of the display part 5 and the area of the operation unit 5 match, and the thickness of the information terminal 15 is within the accommodation range of the heat insulating cover 11, an information terminal of another model can be attached. Also, a plurality of support members 9 according to the thickness of the information terminal.
Is prepared in advance, the exchange of information terminals can be easily performed.

The heat insulating cover 11 is provided on the back of the door 2 so as to cover the information terminal 15 and the connecting portion 12. An outlet for supplying power to the information terminal 15 and a connector (RS-232) connected to the information terminal 15 via a signal line for transmitting and receiving signals (data, etc.)
C standard terminal, USB standard terminal, LAN connection terminal, etc.). The power plug 13 and the signal connector 14 of the information terminal 15 are connected to the outlet.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing a refrigerant circuit and an electric circuit of the refrigerator shown in FIGS. In this figure, the refrigerant circuit radiates and condenses a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas protruding from a compressor 7 and then branches to evaporators 19 and 20 via electric expansion valves 17 and 18.
The evaporators 19 and 20 are a low-temperature evaporator for freezing and a normal evaporator for refrigeration, respectively, and the electric expansion valves 17 and 18 are operated such that the evaporator temperature evaporates at a temperature suitable for each application.
Is controlled.

The refrigerant evaporated (evaporated) in the evaporators 19 and 20 is sucked into the compressor 7 via the accumulator 21, and then protrudes again to circulate the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit.

The degree of opening of the electric expansion valves 17 and 18 is controlled by a microcomputer 22.
The temperature of the evaporator 20 is detected by detecting the temperature of the evaporator 20 at a predetermined temperature (for example, 1 degree).
5), and controls the rotation speed (operating capacity) of the compressor 7 so that the temperature of the condenser 16 is detected by the temperature sensor 25 and this temperature becomes a predetermined temperature (for example, about 45 degrees). It is.

When the induction motor is used as the driving source of the compressor 7, for example, the rectifying and smoothing circuit 27 is controlled by an inverter circuit 26 in which at least six switching elements are connected in a three-phase bridge. A three-phase pseudo sine wave is generated from the DC output subjected to the voltage doubler rectification, and the pseudo sine wave is supplied to the stator winding of the induction motor, and the frequency of the pseudo sine wave is changed to change the rotation speed of the compressor 7. Can be controlled. Switching for generating the pseudo sine wave is performed by the microcomputer 22 based on the PWM theory.

When a DC brushless motor is used as a drive source of the compressor 7, a combination of energization of the stator windings with respect to the electrical angle is set in advance as an energization pattern, and the rotational position of the rotor of the motor (electricity) is set. The angle is changed based on the angle. At this time, the microcomputer 22 controls ON / OFF of the switching element of the inverter circuit 26 so that the stator winding can be energized in a desired energization pattern.

The number of revolutions of the compressor 7 is changed by changing the voltage of the DC power supplied to the stator winding.
This can be performed by changing the N duty.

It should be noted that a constant speed induction motor to which AC power is directly supplied may be used as the drive source of the compressor 7 without using the inverter circuit 26 or the like.

The rectifying and smoothing circuit 27 includes current fuses 29 and 3
0 and a plug 28 to a commercial AC power supply. Incidentally, reference numeral 31 denotes a varistor.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a constant voltage circuit, which is a rectifying / smoothing circuit 2
+ 15V constant voltage and +
It outputs a constant voltage of 5V.

The connection section 12 includes an outlet 13 connected to the plug 28 via a current fuse 33, a connector 34 capable of supplying +5 V DC power to the information terminal 15, and an information terminal 1.
5 and a connector 14 connected by a signal line.

The connector 14 is a wireless LA having a hub function.
N circuits and wirelessly connected to other devices via a network. The microprocessor 22 is connected to the network using this hub function.
When the information terminal 15 has a built-in LAN circuit (LAN board), the information terminal 15 is connected to a network using a hub function. The information terminal 15 and the connector 14 are connected using the RS-232C standard or the USB standard.

Accordingly, the information terminal 15 is connected to a network, and can obtain information via the network.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are a front view and a cross-sectional side view of a box of a refrigerator showing another embodiment, and the same components as those in the refrigerator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. And the description is omitted.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a box provided on the front surface of the opening / closing door 2 connected to the refrigerator compartment, and is configured so that the information terminal 41 can be stored inside from above. In addition, the box 40 includes a window 42 that allows the display surface of the information terminal 41 to be viewed from the front when the information terminal 41 is stored.

After the information terminal 41 is positioned so that the liquid crystal display screen and the operation unit can be seen through the window 42 inside the box 40, the information terminal 41 is pressed against the window by the elastic support member 43 and sandwiched. Things. In addition, seals (such as cushion rubber) for preventing rattling are provided between the box 40 and the information terminal 41 and between the information terminal 41 and the support member 43.

Therefore, the opening area of the window 42 and the information terminal 4
As long as the area of the display portion 1 and the area of the operation portion match, and the thickness of the information terminal 41 is within the accommodation range of the box 40, an information terminal of another model can be accommodated. Also,
If a plurality of support members 43 are prepared in advance according to the thickness of the information terminal, the information terminal can be easily fixed.

A connection portion for connecting the information terminal 41 is provided inside the box 40 or in the vicinity of the box 40. This connecting portion has the same function as the connecting portion 12 shown in FIG. 2, and the same one can be used, so that the description is omitted.

The use of the box 40 constructed as described above allows the information terminal 41 to be easily exchanged.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a refrigerator showing another embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a side view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. still,
The same components as those of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. The difference from the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 lies in the configuration in which a shelf 50 is provided on the front surface of the ice greenhouse 5 '.

The shelf 50 is formed by omitting the front side of the ice temperature chamber 51, and the ice temperature chamber 51 and the shelf 50 form a drawer integrally formed. That is, a part of the ice greenhouse 51 is opened as a shelf 50.

Reference numeral 52 denotes a handle provided on the tip side of the shelf 50, which is used when the ice greenhouse 51 (the shelf 50) is pulled out.

The state shown in FIG. 7 is a state in which the shelf 50 is pulled out, and the ice temperature room 51 moves along a guide provided in the refrigerator similarly to the refrigerator room or the like so that the shelf 50 can be pulled out.

Numeral 53 denotes an information terminal having a display section tilted upward, which has the same function as those of the information terminals 15 and 41, and a description thereof will be omitted. The information terminal 53 is fixed to the shelf 50 via a base, and a signal line and a power line are connected to a connection unit (not shown) (the information terminal 5).
3 is provided in the vicinity located on the back surface of the third device 3).

The shelf 50 is provided from the middle of the refrigerator to the upper side, and may be any position as long as the user can look into the display of the information terminal 53 when looking down from above. In addition, the shelf 50 may be located in a range from a position substantially coincident with the eye level of the user to slightly below the user's eyes, and the arrangement (order) of the refrigerator compartment, the freezer compartment, and the like is taken into consideration. What is necessary is just to provide in the position which is easy to see.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the tip of the shelf 50 is aligned with the surface of the door of the refrigerator, but may protrude from the door as far as it does not interfere. By making the shelf 50 protrude, the display unit of the information terminal 53 becomes more easily viewable.

By using the above-described configuration, the exchange of the information terminal becomes possible, and the version of the information terminal can be easily updated or the information terminal can be easily switched to a new model.

[0048]

According to the present invention, in a refrigerator having at least one of a door and a drawer which allows taking-in / out of an article, an information display device or an information terminal can be detachably mounted on the front surface of the door or the drawer. By attaching the information terminal, the information terminal can be easily exchanged even when the model of the information terminal is changed or a function is added.

Further, by providing an outlet branched from the power supply for driving the refrigerator in the vicinity of the information display device or the information terminal, it is easy to route the power line.

Further, the refrigerator is provided with an interface circuit for connecting information transmitted / received via a network to an information display device or an information terminal, so that the refrigerator can be easily connected to a communication line such as a telephone or a CATV or a LAN without routing signal lines. What can be connected.

By separately installing software on the information terminal, information bulletin boards, management of items in the refrigerator, cooking assistance, and the like can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a main part electric circuit diagram used in the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a refrigerator showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a partial cross section of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a refrigerator showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 connection part 15, 41, 53 information terminal 50 shelf

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A refrigerator having at least one of a door and a drawer that allows taking-in / out of contents, wherein an information display device or an information terminal is detachably attached to a front surface of the door or the drawer. Refrigerator. 2. The information display device or the information terminal is stored in a storage box provided on the front of the door or the drawer so that a display surface can be checked from the front, and the box has an information display of a different shape. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator is configured to be able to store an apparatus or an information terminal. 3. A refrigerator provided with a drawer that allows the contents to be taken in / out from the vicinity of the center and above the drawer, wherein a shelf on which an information display device or an information terminal can be placed is provided on the front of the drawer. The refrigerator is characterized in that it has a shape that does not extremely protrude from the front of the refrigerator when the drawer is closed. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising an outlet branched from a power supply for driving the refrigerator near the information display device or the information terminal. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator includes an interface circuit for connecting information transmitted / received via a network to the information display device or the information terminal. 6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the interface circuit is a hub or a modem. 7. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the interface circuit is wirelessly connected to a host that transmits and receives information.