JP2002031468A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator having a voice memo function for notifying the settings or the operating conditions by voice in which the operating section is provided with a simple liquid crystal display operation panel of single operation recording and single operation reproduction. SOLUTION: An operation panel 23 is provided with means 28 for recording voice and means 29 for reproducing a recorded voice wherein the reproduction means 29 starts reproduction by single operation and the recording means 28 starts recording by single operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator having an operation panel having a liquid crystal display for displaying information on the refrigerator on a door of the refrigerator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as a control panel of a refrigerator, a light emitting diode which emits light by itself has been mainly used. Such a refrigerator is disclosed in JP-A-4-14357.
No. 8 is disclosed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional refrigerator.

[0005] As shown in FIG. 5, an operation section 4 is provided on a cap 3 provided at the lower part of the front surface of the door 2 of the refrigerator body 1. A board 5 is attached to the operation unit 4, and the board 5 is provided with a light emitting diode 6.

A panel 7 provided on the front surface of the substrate 5
Is operated to turn on or blink a predetermined display unit 8.

[0006]

However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the user only recognizes the setting state of the refrigerator 1 by turning on, blinking or turning off the light emitting diode 6.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the conventional problems, and realizes a display method that is easy for a user to understand by displaying an accurate internal temperature display, a status display, or characters, and has a recording and reproducing function. An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that proposes a new place of communication through the refrigerator by enhancing additional functions.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a door for closing an opening of a refrigerator body, and a liquid crystal display provided on the door for displaying information about the refrigerator and not emitting light by itself. An operation panel having the illumination unit for illuminating the liquid crystal display unit from behind, wherein the liquid crystal display unit includes a first illumination control unit that changes a color of illumination according to displayed information; The color of the illumination distinguishes between the time of function selection and the time of completion of setting, and has an effect of being easily recognized by the user.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation panel further includes a recording unit for recording a voice, and a reproducing unit for reproducing the voice recorded by the recording unit. In the refrigerator, the recording means can record a plurality of recordings at a plurality of setting locations given a predetermined number, and the sound recorded by the recording means can be recorded in ascending order of the number of the setting location. Batch playback control can be performed by the playback means.
It is not necessary to operate the reproducing means for each case, and it is possible to save the trouble of the operation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation panel further includes a function selecting means, and all the functions are selected by the function selecting means.
This function can be set, and in a state where a plurality of operation means are integrated into one operation unit, a function can be selected only by an operation of pressing one operation means without operating various operation means, so that it is convenient to use.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the second aspect of the present invention, the first lighting control means for turning on the reproducing means provided on the operation panel and the setting location are simultaneously flashed. In the refrigerator provided with the second lighting control means, the operation of the reproducing means is started once, and the reproduction can be performed without performing a complicated operation.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, the first lighting control means for turning on the sound recording means provided on the operation panel when the sound recording means is operated is simultaneously set. In the refrigerator provided with the second lighting control means for blinking the place, the operation of the recording means starts recording once, and the message (recording) can be heard without performing a complicated operation.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a refrigerator according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the operation panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a simple block diagram. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a refrigerator body,
The heat insulation box 11 is provided with a refrigerator compartment 12, a vegetable compartment 13, a switching compartment 14, an ice making compartment 15 on the left side of the switching compartment 14, and a freezing compartment 16 at the lowermost portion from the upper portion. The switching room 14 has a freezing temperature zone (about -18 ° C) and a soft freezing (about -7 ° C).
C), partial temperature (about -3C to about -1C), chilled (about 0C to 1C), vegetable room, refrigerated temperature zone (about 2C).

A hinged opening / closing door 17 is provided at a front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12, and a drawer-type door 18 is provided at a front opening of the vegetable compartment 12, the switching compartment 14, the ice making compartment 15, and the freezing compartment 16, respectively. 19, 20, and 21 are provided.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a handle provided below the door 17 of the refrigerator compartment 12, and reference numeral 23 denotes a substantially elliptical operation panel provided above the handle 22.

Referring to FIG. 2, the configuration of the operation panel 23 will be described.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a liquid crystal display, and an operation panel 23
It is located at the center of the. A speaker 25 is provided above the liquid crystal display unit 24, and various function selection means 26 (hereinafter referred to as a menu button) are provided below. The function can be selected each time the menu button 26 is pressed. A setting unit 27 is provided on the right side of the function selection unit 26, and can be set for each function. A recording means 28, a reproducing means 29 and an erasing means 30 are provided below these, and a microphone 31 is provided below the operation panel 23.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the operation panel 23 is entirely displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 24.

Here, the control state when operating the operation panel 23 will be described.

In FIG. 3, the control device 32 of the refrigerator 10
Is provided at the lower rear part of the heat insulating box 11. The control device 32 includes a first illuminating unit 33 and a second illuminating unit 3 for illuminating the operation panel 23, the liquid crystal display unit 24 from behind.
4 are connected. The first lighting means 33 and the second
The illumination means 34 is an LED.

Further, door switches 35, 36, 37, 38 for detecting the open / closed state of the doors 17, 19, 20, 21 are connected to the control device 32.

Reference numeral 39 denotes an operation unit, which collectively refers to the function selection unit 26, the setting unit 27, the recording unit 28, the reproduction unit 29, and the deletion unit 30. Reference numeral 40 denotes a refrigerator compartment temperature detector provided in the refrigerator compartment 12, 41 denotes a switching compartment temperature detector provided in the switching compartment 14, and 42 denotes a freezing compartment 16
It is a freezing room temperature detector provided inside.

Here, the refrigerator 1 by the control device 32 will be briefly described.
The control state of 0 will be described.

When the refrigerating compartment door 17 is opened, the door switch 35 detects the condition and turns on a light (not shown) in the refrigerating compartment 12. Then, if the door 17 and the door switch 35 have detected the open state for a predetermined time, the control device 32 detects the open signal and issues a warning sound from the speaker 25 of the operation panel 23. Each of the door switches 36,
37 and 38 detect and emit a warning sound similarly.

Further, the user can make operation settings irrespective of the door opening / closing state. When the operation unit 39 is not operated, the normal state 43 is shown on the liquid crystal display unit 24. The normal state 43 is a state set by the setting means. At this time, the room temperature displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 24 is obtained by detecting the actual inside temperature of the set room with the inside temperature detector and then setting the room temperature for a predetermined time ( FIG. 4 displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 24 at intervals of (5 minutes in the case of the embodiment) is a block diagram of function selection that is switched every time the menu button 26 is pressed. Each function will be described.

By pressing the function selecting means (menu button 26), all functions can be selected, and the setting means 27 can determine the function.

The normal state 43 is as described above. Reference numeral 44 denotes a memo function. In the case of the embodiment, up to four memos can be stored, and each memo can be recorded and reproduced for about 10 seconds. First, when recording, the screen mode of the liquid crystal display unit 24 is normally 43,
When the memo function 44 is displayed, by pressing the recording means 28 once, the setting place 45 provided in the memo function 44 blinks and the remaining recording time is displayed on the lower digital display 46. Then, after 10 seconds, the recording ends automatically.

When listening to the recorded message, the screen mode of the liquid crystal display unit 24 is normally 43, and the memo function 44
In the display state, the reproduction is performed by pressing the reproduction means 29 once. When a plurality of recordings (up to four in the embodiment) are recorded in the setting place 45, the reproduction means 29 is arranged in ascending order of the number assigned to the setting place 45 (1 to 4 in the embodiment).
Batch playback control. The setting unit 27 can also specify the setting place 45 for reproduction.

A kitchen timer function 47 has a timer function from 30 seconds to a maximum of 99 minutes in the embodiment. The time is set at one-second intervals by pressing the setting means 27. Further, if the setting means 27 is kept pressed for a predetermined time or more (in the embodiment, 2 seconds or more), the time can be set by fast forward.

After setting the timer, the timer can be started by pressing the recording means 28. After the set time of the timer is over, an end is notified by an alarm. Further, if the erasing means 30 is pressed after the timer is started until the end, the timer setting can be canceled.

Reference numeral 48 denotes a temperature setting function which can control the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 12 and the freezer compartment 16. In the case of the embodiment, the temperature adjustment mode is set to “weak”, “medium”, and “strong”. By operating the setting means 27 with the temperature adjusting function 46, a refrigerator or a freezing room is selected, and the desired mode is adjusted by operating the setting means 27. Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time (10 seconds in the embodiment), the temperature adjustment mode is determined. Alternatively, the temperature adjustment mode is set even if the menu button 26 is pressed. Once set, the operation unit 39 communicates with the control device 32 in FIG. 3 to control the temperature detected by the refrigerator temperature detector 40 or the freezer temperature detector 42 to control the compressor (not shown). Then, the refrigerator compartment temperature detector 40 or the freezer compartment temperature detector 42
The temperature detected by is updated at 5 minute intervals and the digital display 4
6 is displayed.

Reference numeral 49 denotes a switching room setting function, which includes a freezing temperature zone (about -18 ° C), soft freezing (about -7 ° C), a partial temperature (about -3 ° C to about -1 ° C), and a chilled (about 0 ° C). ~ 1
℃), vegetable room, refrigerated temperature zone (about 2 ℃) can be switched. Then, the switched setting mode is displayed on the switching room setting display section 50. The operation unit 39 communicates with the control device 32 to control the temperature detected by the switching room temperature detector 41, thereby controlling an air flow controller (not shown).

Reference numeral 51 denotes a mode setting function. With this function, various functions can be turned on and off by operating the setting means 27. In the case of the embodiment, as the mode setting functions, “voice”, “power saving”, “rapid freezing / fast ice”, “stop ice making”,
It has the function of "child lock".

"Speech" can be turned on and off, except for notes recorded by the recording means 28 and sounds other than the timer end sound set by the timer function 47. In other words, the control device 32 detects the door opening signal and outputs a warning sound from the speaker 25 of the operation panel 23, a sound of the mode set by the mode setting function 51, or the like. O
If N, the speaker 25 informs the user that "power saving has been set" by voice, but such a voice is input.
Since it can be cut, it can be set according to the user's preference.

It is effective to set "power saving" when the amount of storage in the refrigerator is small or when the door is not opened and closed, and the number of revolutions of the compressor and the fan in the refrigerator (not shown) is controlled. Power consumption can be reduced.

"Quick freezing / quick ice" is used for quick freezing and quick ice making. By operating the compressor and the fan in the freezer for a predetermined time regardless of the inside temperature, quick freezing or fast ice is made. It is convenient when you want.

The "stop ice making" is used when no ice is needed, and the operation of the water supply pump is stopped before water is supplied to an ice tray (not shown) so that the ice tray is not supplied with water.

"Child lock" is set when the setting means 27 is kept pressed for about 3 seconds, and is used when the operation section 39 is not desired to be touched. When the child lock is set, only a part of the menu button 26, the recording means 28, the reproducing means 29 and the erasing means 30 are effective. When the menu button 26 is pressed, the memo function 44 and the "child lock" function of the mode setting function 51 are activated. The operation can be limited to only.

The first illumination control means 33 determines the color of illumination (LED) according to the information displayed on the liquid crystal display section 24.
Is lit using two colors, green and orange. When the operation unit 39 is operated, a signal is detected by the operation panel 32 and the first lighting unit 33 is turned on. The second lighting means 34 is turned on and off simultaneously with the lighting of the first lighting means 33 only when the reproducing means 29 is operated.

When the function is selected by the menu button 26, the first lighting means 33 is turned on in orange, and the light is illuminated from behind the liquid crystal display section 24. Recording means 2
8. When the reproducing means 29 and the erasing means 30 are pressed, the light is turned on for 10 seconds in orange. When the function is determined by the setting means 27, the green color is turned on for 10 seconds. The user can recognize the setting status by properly using the color of the illumination according to the information displayed in this manner.

[0043]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention is an operation having a door for closing an opening of a refrigerator main body, and a liquid crystal display provided on the door for displaying information about the refrigerator and not emitting light by itself. In a refrigerator provided with a panel and an illuminating unit for illuminating the liquid crystal display unit from behind, the liquid crystal display unit changes the color of illumination according to displayed information.
The invention according to claim 2 is provided with a lighting control means, and the function can be recognized by the user by color. The invention according to claim 1 further includes a voice recorded on the operation panel. Recording means, and a reproducing means for reproducing the sound recorded by the recording means, wherein the recording means records a plurality of records in a plurality of setting locations given a predetermined number. The sound recorded by the recording means can be collectively reproduced and controlled by the reproducing means in ascending order of the number of the set place, and no special operation is required.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation panel further includes function selection means, and all the functions are selected by the function selection means.
It can be set and is easy to use.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the second aspect of the present invention, the first lighting control means for turning on the light when the reproducing means provided on the operation panel is operated, and the set place are simultaneously flashed. In the refrigerator provided with the second lighting control means, the operation of the reproducing means is started once at a time, and can be handled by a child because it is a simple operation.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, the first lighting control means for turning on the sound recording means provided on the operation panel when the sound recording means is operated is set at the same time. In the refrigerator provided with the second lighting control means for blinking the place, the recording means is operated once in a single operation, and is easy to use and easy to use.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the operation panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional refrigerator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Refrigerator body 12 Refrigerator room 13 Vegetable room 14 Switching room 16 Freezer room 23 Operation panel 24 Liquid crystal display part 26 Function selection means 27 Setting means 28 Recording means 29 Reproduction means 33 First lighting means 34 Second lighting means 45 Setting place

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An operation panel having a door for closing an opening of a refrigerator body, a liquid crystal display provided on the door for displaying information about the refrigerator and not emitting light, and an illuminating means for illuminating the liquid crystal display from behind. In a refrigerator equipped with
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display unit includes first lighting control means for changing a color of lighting according to displayed information. 2. A refrigerator provided with a recording means for recording a voice on the operation panel and a reproducing means for reproducing the voice recorded by the recording means, wherein a predetermined number is given by the recording means. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of recordings can be made at a plurality of set places, and the sound recorded by the recording means can be collectively reproduced by the reproducing means in ascending order of the set place number. refrigerator. 3. The operation panel is provided with function selection means, and all functions are selected by the function selection means.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator can be set. 4. A refrigerator comprising: a first lighting control means for turning on a reproducing means provided on an operation panel when the reproducing means is operated; and a second lighting control means for simultaneously blinking a set place. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein regeneration is started once. 5. A refrigerator comprising: first lighting control means for turning on a sound recording means provided on an operation panel when the sound recording means is operated; and second lighting control means for simultaneously blinking a set location. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the recording means is started once.