JP2009115407A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator hardly degrading visibility of stored objects depending on the vertical position relationship of the stored objects in the refrigerator due to the directivity of light emitting diodes in the case of using the light emitting diodes that emit light of wavelength in a visible light range, as illumination in the refrigerator or the like. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of mounting substrates 18 each mounted with a current-carrying terminal receiving part 19 with one light emitting diode 17 inserted are disposed as a lighting system 16 on right and left wall surfaces in the refrigerator. The occurrence of shadows caused by the vertical position relationship of the stored objects in the refrigerator can thereby be suppressed to improve visibility of the stored objects. Further, when the light emitting diode is defective, it can be easily replaced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator in which a lighting device is installed in a cabinet.

  In recent years, as an in-refrigerator lighting device, a device using a semiconductor issue element has been proposed for reasons such as low heat generation, no infrared wavelength, and low voltage driving, instead of conventional incandescent lamps and light bulbs.

  As a refrigerator using a conventional light-emitting diode as a lighting device, there is a refrigerator in which a plurality of light-emitting diodes are arranged in a square shape and installed on the top surface of the interior to irradiate the interior (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lighting device for a conventional ice making machine described in Patent Document 1, and FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram in which the lighting device of FIG. 8 is installed on the top surface of the ice making machine.

  In the illuminating device 30 of FIG. 8, the mounting substrate 101 has a flat plate shape, a circuit pattern (not shown) is formed on one surface or both surfaces, and an epoxy resin substrate or an insulating metal substrate with good thermal conductivity is used. The light emitting diode 102 is formed in a bullet shape, and has a structure for obtaining white light by exciting a fluorescent material using blue light from a GaN-based blue diode, and two energization terminals 103 for conducting current are led out.

  The heat insulating plate 104 is formed in a flat plate shape using a resin such as urethane, and is provided between the mounting substrate 101 and the light emitting diode 102 with a plurality of insertion holes arranged in parallel. Here, the light-emitting diodes 102 are mounted with the current-carrying terminals 103 inserted through the insertion holes of the heat insulating plate 104 and soldered to the circuit pattern of the mounting substrate 101, and a plurality of the light-emitting diodes 102 are arranged in parallel on the mounting substrate 101. Note that when the light emitting amount of the light emitting diode 102 is small, the heat insulating plate 104 may be omitted.

  In FIG. 9, the lighting device 30 is disposed on the top surface 32 in the refrigerator of the ice making machine 31.

  The operation of the refrigerator using the light emitting diode configured as described above as a lighting device will be described below.

First, when the refrigerator door is closed, the light emitting diode 102 is not energized and the interior is not illuminated. When the door is opened, an electronic switch such as a mechanical switch or a Hall IC determines that the door is open, a forward current flows through the light emitting diode 102, white light is emitted, and the interior is irradiated.
JP 2001-82869 A

  However, in the above conventional configuration, since a plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted on the same substrate, when the stored item is placed in front of the lighting device, the visibility of the stored item is the storage shelf itself or the storage shelf. It is aggravated by shadows caused by the stored objects placed above.

  Further, when even one LED is defective or the mounting substrate is defective, the entire substrate on which the light emitting diode is mounted must be replaced. Moreover, since it is necessary to remove the solder in order to replace only the defective light emitting diode, it is very troublesome.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and has a lighting device that aims to improve the visibility of stored items in a refrigerator and to easily replace a light emitting diode as a lighting device at low cost. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the refrigerator of the present invention has a plurality of substrates in which a single light emitting diode emitting light having a wavelength in the visible light region is disposed.

  In the refrigerator of the present invention, since a plurality of substrates on which one light-emitting diode is mounted are arranged in the refrigerator, it is difficult to be affected by the stored items, so that the visibility of the stored items in the entire cabinet can be improved. . Further, even if the light emitting diode is defective, it is only necessary to replace the defective product, so that the cost can be reduced at each stage as compared with a substrate on which a plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, as a lighting device for irradiating the inside of the refrigerator, a plurality of substrates in which one light emitting diode emitting a wavelength in the visible light region is disposed on the substrate are disposed in the refrigerator. Thereby, since generation | occurrence | production of the shadow by the preserve | saved goods in a refrigerator can be suppressed, the visibility of the preserved goods of the whole inside of a warehouse can be improved. Further, since only defective products need to be replaced when replacing a lighting device such as a defective light emitting diode, it is possible to replace it at low cost and easily.

  Invention of Claim 2 makes it the structure which connects the electricity supply terminal part of the light emitting diode which light-emits the wavelength in a visible light region to the electricity supply terminal receiving part provided on the board | substrate as an illuminating device which irradiates the inside of a refrigerator. Therefore, since it is sufficient to replace only defective products when replacing lighting devices such as defective light emitting diodes, they can be replaced at low cost and easily.

  The invention according to claim 3 is a connection terminal in which a connection terminal is provided at the tip of a current-carrying terminal of a light-emitting diode that emits a wavelength in the visible light region, and the connection terminal portion is provided on a substrate as an illumination device that irradiates the inside of the refrigerator. By adopting a configuration that connects to the receiving portion, only defective products need to be replaced when replacing a lighting device such as a defective light emitting diode, so that the replacement can be performed at low cost and easily.

  The invention according to claim 4 is a connection terminal in which a connection terminal is provided at the tip of a current-carrying terminal of a light-emitting diode that emits a wavelength in the visible light region, and the connection terminal portion is provided in the refrigerator as an illumination device that irradiates the inside of the refrigerator. By adopting a configuration that connects to the receiving portion, only defective products need to be replaced when replacing a lighting device such as a defective light emitting diode, so that the replacement can be performed at low cost and easily.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the light emitting diode as the illumination means of the lighting device is integrated with a lamp cover provided in front of the light emitting diode. Therefore, it is possible to easily replace the lighting device at a low cost when replacing the lighting device such as defective light emitting diode.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the conventional example or the embodiments described above, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state in which a refrigerator door in the first embodiment of the present invention is opened, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1 in the same embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a directional characteristic diagram of the light emitting diode in the first embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the main part of the lighting device of the refrigerator in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the refrigerator main body 8 configured to be insulated from the surroundings with a heat insulating material is divided into a plurality of compartments to form a storage room, and the uppermost part is a refrigerator compartment 9, The ice making room 10 and the first freezing room 11 are arranged side by side immediately below, followed by the vegetable room 12, and the second freezing room 13 is arranged at the bottom.

  The refrigerator compartment 9 is provided with a plurality of storage shelves 14 for organizing and storing stored items without overlapping, and is configured to be partially movable up and down. A specific low temperature chamber 15 is provided at the lowest level.

  The illumination device 16 is disposed on the top surface, the back surface, the left side wall surface, and the right side wall surface of the refrigerator compartment 9 as viewed from the front side of the door opening side in the refrigerator.

  A single light emitting diode 17 is disposed in the illumination device 16.

  In FIG. 3, the illumination device 16 will be described in detail.

  The mounting substrate 18 is a flat plate, and a circuit pattern (not shown) is formed on one surface or both surfaces, and an epoxy resin substrate or an insulating metal substrate having good thermal conductivity is used. The energization terminal receiving portion 19 is mounted by being soldered to the circuit pattern of the mounting substrate 18. The light emitting diode 17 has a structure in which white light is obtained by exciting a fluorescent material using blue light from a GaN-based blue LED. The light-emitting diode 17 has two current-carrying terminals 20 through which current is passed, and is directly inserted into the current-carrying terminal receiving part 20.

  Next, the mounting substrate 18 is held by a spacer 24 integrally formed with the outer frame 23 in a recess 22 provided in the refrigerator inner wall 21. A light emitting diode holding portion 26 is formed on the lamp cover 25 and is held on the energizing terminal 20 side of the light emitting diode 17.

  FIG. 4 is a graph showing the directivity of the light emitting diode 17 with respect to the light irradiation direction. Assuming that the irradiation direction is the vertical direction, the irradiation range is within a line.

  In FIG. 5, the mounting substrate 1 and the light emitting diode 17 that is a white LED are held by the spacer 24 at an angle A with respect to the refrigerating chamber wall 21 of the refrigerating chamber 9. Depending on the nature, it is an arbitrary value set so that the interior can be illuminated uniformly, and is determined by the volume in the refrigerator and the light emitting diode used, but the light is distributed in the rear direction of the refrigerator compartment where light is most difficult to reach Is set to The angle A is preferably between 30 ° and 60 °.

  About the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  First, when the refrigerator door is closed, the light emitting diode 17 is not energized and the interior is not illuminated. When the door is opened, a forward current flows through the light emitting diode 17, and white light is emitted. Up to this point, the operation is the same as that of the conventional example.

  Next, the white light emitted from the light emitting diode 17 travels to the lamp cover 25 to irradiate the interior. Depending on the irradiation angle set by the directivity of the light-emitting diode 17, it is emphasized and light is distributed to the stored object.

  Further, when the lamp cover 25 is removed when the light emitting diode 17 is replaced, the light emitting diode holding part 26 holds the light emitting diode 17, so that the light emitting diode 17 is detached from the energizing terminal receiving part 19.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the light emitting diodes 17 are arranged on the substrate one by one, they can be freely arranged in the refrigerator. Irradiation can be performed, and the visibility of stored items can be improved.

  Further, since only one light emitting diode 17 is disposed on the substrate, only the defective product of the light emitting diode 17 or the mounting substrate 18 can be replaced even when the light emitting diode 17 is defective or the mounting substrate 18 has a defect. Therefore, it can be exchanged inexpensively.

  Further, since the light emitting diode 17 is not mounted on the mounting substrate 18, it can be easily replaced.

  Further, since the light emitting diode 17 is held by the light emitting diode holding portion 26 of the lamp cover 25, the light emitting diode 17 can be removed without applying an excessive force when the light emitting diode 17 is removed from the energizing terminal receiving portion 19.

  In addition, since the lamp cover 25 contains a light diffusing material, the light emitted from the directional light emitting diodes 17 is diffused by the lamp cover 25 to irradiate the inside of the cabinet. Irradiation with white light can be eliminated and visual illumination unevenness can be eliminated, and the lighting performance can be further improved.

  Further, the lamp cover 25 is formed into a free shape by forming one material or a composite material of transparent resin such as epoxy, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene as a base material. As a result, an easy mounting design is possible, and the lighting device can be installed at an optimum position in the cabinet.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a lighting device for a refrigerator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  Detailed description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

  A connection terminal receiving portion 27 is soldered and mounted on the circuit pattern of the mounting substrate 18. A connection terminal 28 is attached to the tip of the energization terminal 20 led out from the light emitting diode 17 and is inserted into the connection terminal receiving portion 27.

  About the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  First, when the refrigerator door is closed, the light emitting diode 17 is not energized and the interior is not illuminated. When the door is opened, a forward current flows from the mounting substrate 18 through the connection terminal receiving portion 27, the connection terminal 28, and the energization terminal 20 to the light emitting diode 17, and white light is emitted.

  When the light emitting diode 17 is replaced, the lamp cover 25 is removed, the connection terminal 28 is removed from the connection terminal receiving portion 27, and the light emitting diode 17 with the new connection terminal 28 is attached.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the connection terminal 28 is attached to the energization terminal 20 of the light emitting diode 17 and is inserted into the connection terminal receiving portion 27 of the mounting board 18, the light emitting diode is incomplete. Even in this case, the light emitting diode can be easily replaced.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a lighting device for a refrigerator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  Detailed description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

  A connection terminal receiving portion 27 is disposed on the refrigerator compartment wall 21. The connection terminal receiving part 27 is connected to a refrigerator control part (not shown) by a lead wire (not shown). A connection terminal 28 is attached to the tip of the energization terminal 20 led out from the light emitting diode 17 and is inserted into the connection terminal receiving portion 27.

  About the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  First, when the refrigerator door is closed, the light emitting diode 17 is not energized and the interior is not illuminated. When the door is opened, a forward current flows from the refrigerator control unit through the lead wire, the connection terminal receiving unit 27, the connection terminal 28, and the energization terminal 20 to the light emitting diode 17, and white light is emitted.

  When the light emitting diode 17 is replaced, the lamp cover 25 is removed, the connection terminal 28 is removed from the connection terminal receiving portion 27, and the light emitting diode 17 with the new connection terminal 28 is attached.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the connection terminal 28 is attached to the energization terminal 20 of the light emitting diode 17 and is inserted into the connection terminal receiving portion 27. Therefore, even if the light emitting diode is defective, it is easy. In addition, the light emitting diode can be replaced.

  Further, since a mounting board for attaching the light emitting diode is not required, the light emitting diode can be attached at a very low cost.

  As described above, the refrigerator according to the present invention is not only implemented when light-emitting diode illumination is applied to household or commercial refrigerators, but also a wide range of equipment that applies light-emitting diode illumination, such as an article storage device with a door. It can be applied to.

The front view of the state which opened the door of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention BB sectional view of FIG. 1 in the same embodiment The principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view of the illuminating device of the refrigerator in the same embodiment Directional characteristic diagram of light-emitting diode according to Embodiment 1 The principal part sectional side view of the illuminating device of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 The principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view of the illuminating device of the refrigerator in Embodiment 2 of this invention The principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view of the illuminating device of the refrigerator in Embodiment 3 of this invention A perspective view of a conventional ice making machine lighting device Conceptual diagram of the lighting device of FIG. 7 installed on the top of the ice machine

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 8 Refrigerator main body 9 Refrigerating room 16 Illumination device 17 Light emitting diode 18 Mounting board 19 Current supply terminal receiving part 20 Current supply terminal 21 Refrigerator inner wall 25 Lamp cover 26 Light emitting diode holding part 27 Connection terminal receiving part 28 Connection terminal

Claims (5)

  A refrigerator characterized in that a plurality of substrates on which one light emitting diode emitting light having a wavelength in the visible light region is disposed are disposed in the refrigerator as an illumination device for irradiating the interior of the refrigerator.   A refrigerator characterized by connecting an energizing terminal of a light emitting diode emitting light having a wavelength in a visible light region to an energizing terminal receiving portion provided on a substrate as an illumination device for irradiating the inside of the refrigerator.   As a lighting device for irradiating the inside of a refrigerator, a refrigerator is characterized in that a connection terminal is provided at the tip of a current-carrying terminal of a light-emitting diode that emits a wavelength in the visible light region and connected to a connection terminal receiving portion provided on a substrate.   As a lighting device for irradiating the inside of a refrigerator, a connection terminal is provided at the front end of a current-carrying terminal of a light emitting diode that emits a wavelength in the visible light region, and the refrigerator is connected to a connection terminal receiving portion provided on an inner wall of the refrigerator.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light emitting diode is integrally formed with a lamp cover having a light emitting diode holding portion.