JP2013178055A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator which can improve convenience while suppressing costs.SOLUTION: In a refrigerator 1 including a door 5 for opening and closing a storage compartment 3, and an operation panel 40 disposed on a front face of the door 5 and having a plurality of operation switches 45 for executing prescribed set operations, the operation panel 40 has a light guide plate 50 disposed while facing the operation switches 45, and light sources 51 disposed while facing incident faces 50a formed of end faces of the light guide plate 50.

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator provided with an operation panel on the front surface of a door.

  A conventional refrigerator is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this refrigerator, the front surface of the door that opens and closes the storage chamber is covered with a glass plate, and an operation panel having an operation unit and a display unit is attached to the back surface of the glass plate. The operation unit has a plurality of operation switches provided with a touch panel on the back side of the character part printed on the back side of the glass plate. The display part has a plurality of display icons in which LEDs are arranged on the back side of the character part printed on the resin film.

  Setting items corresponding to each display icon are set by operating the operation switch. The display icon corresponding to the setting item is turned on according to the operation at the time of setting operation by the operation switch and when the setting is completed, and the setting state can be discriminated by the user.

JP 2011-38712 A (pages 5 to 15, FIG. 2)

  However, according to the conventional refrigerator, since it is difficult for the user to visually recognize each operation switch when the room is dark, there is a problem that the convenience of the refrigerator is poor. In order to solve this problem, a light source corresponding to each operation switch can be provided in the same manner as each display icon on the display unit, and each operation switch can be lit and displayed. However, since a large number of light sources are required to cope with a plurality of operation switches, there is a problem that the cost of the refrigerator increases.

  An object of this invention is to provide the refrigerator which can suppress the cost and can improve the convenience.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a refrigerator including a door that opens and closes a storage room, and an operation panel that is arranged on a front surface of the door and includes a plurality of operation switches that perform a predetermined setting operation. The operation panel includes a light guide plate disposed to face the operation switch, and a first light source disposed to face an incident surface formed by an end surface of the light guide plate.

  According to this configuration, light emitted from the first light source enters the light guide plate from the incident surface and is guided. Light that reaches the front and back surfaces of the light guide plate at an incident angle smaller than the critical angle is emitted from the light guide plate, and the surroundings of the operation switch are illuminated. Each setting item of the refrigerator is set by operating the operation switch.

  According to the present invention, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the touch panel includes a glass plate that covers a front surface of the door, and the operation switch is arranged between the glass plate and the light guide plate to detect a change in capacitance. It is characterized by being formed. According to this configuration, when a finger approaches or comes into contact with a position on the glass plate where a desired operation switch is arranged, the operation switch formed by the touch panel is operated by detecting a change in capacitance.

  In the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the first light source is turned on when a user's finger is placed on the touch panel. According to this configuration, when a finger is placed on the touch panel, the first light source is turned on and the surroundings of each operation switch are illuminated. Thereby, a desired operation switch is operated. The touch panel may be extended outside each operation switch and provided in a wide range on the operation panel.

  In the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the first light source is turned on when the door is opened and closed. According to this configuration, when the door is opened and closed, the first light source is turned on to illuminate the periphery of each operation switch. Thereby, a desired operation switch is operated.

  According to the present invention, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, a human body sensor that detects the approach of a human body is provided, and the first light source is turned on when the human body approaches. According to this configuration, when the approach of the user is detected by the human body sensor, the first light source is turned on and the surroundings of each operation switch are illuminated. Thereby, a desired operation switch is operated.

  According to the present invention, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the operation panel includes a plurality of display icons that have a second light source and turn on and display a setting state by the operation switch, and form a pattern corresponding to each display icon. An uneven portion is provided on the light guide plate so as to face the display icon.

  According to this configuration, when the first light source is turned on when the second light source is turned off, a part of the light guide of the light guide plate reaches the uneven portion, and the light reflected or refracted by the uneven portion is transmitted from the front surface or the back surface of the light guide plate. Emitted. Thereby, the design which overlaps with each display icon floats on the light guide plate, and is visually recognized. A pattern similar to the display icon may be formed by the uneven portion, or a pattern surrounding the display icon may be formed.

  According to the present invention, in the refrigerator configured as described above, the light guide plate has a bent portion bent backward at both ends, the incident surface is formed by a rear end surface of the bent portion, and the first light source and the second light source are It is characterized by being formed by chip-type LEDs mounted on the same substrate. According to this configuration, the light emitted from the first light source enters the light guide plate from the incident surface on the rear end surface of the bent portion. The light incident on the light guide plate is guided along the operation panel after guiding the bent portion forward. The first light source and the second light source of the chip type LED are simultaneously mounted on the substrate by flow soldering or the like.

  According to the present invention, the operation panel disposed on the front surface of the door includes the light guide plate disposed facing the operation switch and the first light source facing the incident surface of the light guide plate. The surroundings are illuminated. Thus, when the room is dark, the user can easily determine each operation switch. Moreover, the range in which the plurality of operation switches are arranged can be illuminated by the first light source with a small quantity. Therefore, the cost of the refrigerator can be suppressed and convenience can be improved.

The front view which shows the refrigerator of 1st Embodiment of this invention. Side surface sectional drawing which shows the refrigerator of 1st Embodiment of this invention. Top surface sectional drawing which shows the refrigerator of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The front view which shows the storage chamber of the refrigerator of 1st Embodiment of this invention. Top surface sectional drawing which shows the storage chamber of the refrigerator of 1st Embodiment of this invention. Detailed view of the main part of FIG. The front view which shows the storage chamber of the refrigerator of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Top sectional drawing which shows the storage chamber of the refrigerator of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Detailed view of the main part of FIG. The front view which shows the light-guide plate of the refrigerator of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the principal part of the light-guide plate of the refrigerator of 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1, 2, and 3 are a front view, a side sectional view, and a top sectional view showing the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. In the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator compartment 3 is arranged at the upper part of the heat insulating box 2 that forms the main body, and the freezer compartment 4 is arranged at the lower part. The front of the refrigerator compartment 3 is opened and closed by double doors 5 and 6 pivoted at the left and right ends of the heat insulation box 2. The front surface of the freezer compartment 4 is opened and closed by double doors 7 and 8 that are pivotally supported at the left and right ends of the heat insulation box 2. The front surfaces of the doors 5 to 8 are covered with the glass plate 11 and can be easily cleaned, and the aesthetic appearance of the refrigerator 1 can be improved.

  The left door 5 of the refrigerator compartment 3 and the left door 7 of the freezer compartment 4 are formed in the same cross-sectional shape, and the right door 6 of the refrigerator compartment 3 and the right door 8 of the freezer compartment 4 are similar cross-sectional shapes. Formed. In addition, a storage chamber 30 is provided in the door 5, and an operation panel 40 that can be operated from the front surface is disposed in the storage chamber 30 as will be described in detail later.

  The right doors 6 and 8 have a recess 23 formed on the left end surface, and a handle 21 is formed in front of the recess 23. The left doors 5 and 7 have a recess 24 formed on the right end surface, and a handle 22 formed in front of the recess 24. At this time, the back wall of the recess 24 is formed to extend rightward from the tip of the handle 22. Thereby, the finger inserted from the right side of the handle 22 is hung on the back surface of the handle 22, and the doors 5 and 7 can be opened. The doors 6 and 8 can be opened by putting fingers inserted from the right side of the handle 22 of the doors 5 and 7 on the back of the handle 21 of the doors 6 and 8.

  4 and 5 show a front view and a top cross-sectional view of the storage chamber 30. FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the main part of FIG. The storage chamber 30 is recessed on the front surface of the door 5 and is covered with the glass plate 11. The storage chamber 30 has an opening 30a at the right end surface, and the opening 30a is closed by a side cover 36 to which the handle 22 is screwed. The operation panel 40 is inserted into the storage chamber 30 through the opening 30a.

  The storage chamber 30 is provided with a connector (not shown) to which a lead wire is connected. A terminal portion (not shown) provided on the circuit board 48 is connected to the connector by inserting the operation panel 40. The lead wire is led out from an electrical component (not shown) provided in the main body (not shown), inserted into a shaft (not shown) that forms a pivot shaft of the door 5 and drawn into the door 5.

  The operation panel 40 is formed by arranging a circuit board 48, a spacer 49, and a light guide plate 50 in this order from the back side, and includes a display unit 41 and an operation switch 45. As will be described in detail later, the display unit 41 has a display panel 42 and a plurality of display icons 43, and the operation switch 45 has a plurality of operation keys formed by a touch panel 46.

  The circuit board 48 mounts the light source 51 (first light source), the light source 44 (second light source), and the display panel 42 as well as these drive circuits. The light source 51 and the light source 44 are so-called bullet type LEDs, and are mounted on the circuit board 48 by reflow soldering. The light source 44 may be constituted by a multicolor LED such as a three-color LED, and the emission color of the light source 44 may be varied according to the operation of the operation switch 45 or the operating state of the refrigerator 1. The display panel 42 is formed of a liquid crystal panel or the like, and displays the set temperature and the ON / OFF state of each operation mode setting by “ON”, “OFF”, and the like.

  The spacer 49 keeps the circuit board 48 and the light guide plate 50 at a predetermined interval, and has an opening 49 a in which the light source 44 is accommodated. The light guide plate 50 is made of a transparent resin such as acrylic having a rectangular shape in plan view, and the light source 51 is disposed so as to face the incident surfaces 50a on both side end surfaces. Light emitted from the light source 51 enters the light guide plate 50 from the incident surface 50a and is guided.

  The light guide plate 50 and the touch panel 46 are formed to have substantially the same refractive index, and are arranged in close contact with each other at least in a region exposed to the front surface. Thereby, when the light source 44 is turned on, the touch panel 46 is prevented from being noticeable due to a difference in refractive index with the light guide plate 50, and the aesthetic appearance of the operation panel 40 can be improved.

  A light control sheet 47 is disposed on the back surface of the light guide plate 50. The circuit board 48 is shielded by the light control sheet 47 and the visual recognition of the circuit board 48 through the opening 49a is prevented. Further, the light control sheet 47 is printed with symbols such as symbols and characters that form the display surface of the display icon 43 and the operation switch 45.

  The display icons 43 include a refrigerator compartment icon 43a, a freezer compartment icon 43b, an eco mode icon 43c, an ion generation mode icon 43d, an ice making icon 43e, a quick freeze mode icon 43f, a child lock icon 43g, a night mode icon 43h, and a vacation mode icon 43i. , A warning icon 43j is provided. Each display icon 43 is turned on by light emission of a light source 44 provided correspondingly behind the light control sheet 47.

  The refrigerator compartment icon 43a is turned on when the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 is set, and is turned on and notified when the refrigerator compartment 3 has an abnormal temperature. The freezer compartment icon 43b lights up when the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 is set, and lights up when the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 is abnormal.

  The eco mode icon 43c is lit when setting the eco mode in which the power saving operation is performed, and is lit to notify the setting state when it is set to ON. The ion generation mode icon 43d is lit when setting an ion generation mode for driving an ion generator (not shown) arranged in the refrigerator compartment 3, and is lit to notify the set state when it is set to ON. Ions can be sent into the refrigerator compartment 3 by driving the ion generator, so that the bacteria in the refrigerator compartment 3 can be sterilized and deodorized.

  The ice making icon 43e is lit when setting the ice size and the like at the time of ice making, and the setting state is lit to notify after setting. The quick freezing mode icon 43f is lit when setting the quick freezing mode in which the freezer compartment 4 is cooled more rapidly than usual, and is turned on to notify the set state when it is set to ON.

  The child lock icon 43g is turned on when a child lock that prohibits input by the operation switch 45 is set, and is turned on to notify the set state when it is set to ON. The night mode icon 43h is lit when setting the night mode in which the power saving operation is performed at night, and is turned on when the on mode is set to notify the setting state.

  The vacation mode icon 43h is lit when the vacation mode is set, and is lit to notify the setting state when the vacation mode is set to ON. In the vacation mode, the cool air sent to the refrigerator compartment 3 is shut off and only the freezer compartment 4 is cooled. The warning icon 43j is lit when an abnormally high temperature in the storage room or when the power is restored after a power failure occurs to notify the user of the warning.

  The operation switch 45 is formed by a touch panel 46 disposed on the front surface of the light guide plate 50 to detect a change in capacitance. The operation switch 45 has a select key 45a, setting keys 45b and 45c, and an enter key 45d. When a finger approaches or contacts the position where each operation switch 45 is arranged via the glass plate 11, each operation switch 45 is operated by detection of the touch panel 46. Although the touch panel 46 may be disposed on the back surface of the light guide plate 50, a change in capacitance due to a finger can be accurately detected by placing the touch panel 46 between the light guide plate 50 and the glass plate 11.

  When the select key 45a is pressed, the display icons 43 are sequentially turned on, and the set temperature and operation mode standby states corresponding to the display icons 43 are entered. The setting standby state is canceled when the operation switch 45 is not operated for a predetermined time.

  The setting keys 45b and 45c set a set temperature and an operation mode. For example, the set temperature is increased by pressing the setting key 45b, and the operation mode is turned on. By pressing the setting key 45c, the set temperature is decreased and the operation mode is set to OFF. In addition, the setting state by the setting keys 45b and 45c is stored by operating the determination key 45d.

  On the back surface of the light guide plate 50, there are formed concavo-convex portions 50b on which symbols corresponding to the display icons 43 and the operation switches 45 are formed. The concavo-convex portion 50 b forms a pattern similar to that of the display icon 43 and the operation switch 45 by a linear or dotted groove recessed on the back surface of the light guide plate 50. A pattern surrounding the display icon 43 and the operation switch 45 may be formed by the uneven portion 50b. In addition, the concavo-convex portion 50 b may be formed by a linear or dot-like protrusion protruding from the back surface of the light guide plate 50, or the concavo-convex portion 50 b may be formed on the front surface of the light guide plate 50.

  In the refrigerator 1 having the above-described configuration, the light source 44 and the light source 51 are turned off when the operation switch 45 is not operated and the door 5 is not opened and closed for a predetermined time for power saving. When a finger is placed on the touch panel 46, the light source 51 is turned on and the display icon 43 is turned on by light emission of the light source 44 according to the setting state. At this time, it is more desirable to extend the touch panel 46 to the display icon 43 so that fingers can be easily placed on the touch panel 46 even when the room is dark.

  When the light source 51 is turned on, light emitted from the light source 51 enters the light guide plate 50 from the incident surface 50a. The light incident from the incident surface 50a is guided through the light guide plate 50, and the light reaching the front surface or the back surface of the light guide plate 50 at an incident angle smaller than the critical angle is emitted. Thereby, the periphery of the operation switch 45 is illuminated by the light emitted from the light guide plate 50 covering the operation switch 45. Therefore, when the room is dark, the user can easily determine each operation switch 45 and operate the desired operation switch 45.

  Further, a part of the light guide of the light guide plate 50 is reflected or refracted by the concavo-convex portion 50b and emitted, and the design of the concavo-convex portion 50b is lifted and displayed. For this reason, the operation switch 45 can be identified more easily, and the display icon 43 in the extinguished state can be identified.

  When the setting operation is started by the operation switch 45, the setting state is displayed by the display icon 43 or the display panel. When the setting by the operation switch 45 is completed, the setting state is displayed by the display icon 43 or the display panel 42. When a predetermined time elapses from the operation of the immediately preceding operation switch 45 or the opening and closing of the door 5 immediately before, the light source 51 and the light source 44 are turned off.

  The light source 51 or the light source 44 corresponding to the setting may be constantly turned on. The light sources 44 and 51 may be turned on when the door 5 is opened and closed. Further, a human body sensor that detects the approach of the human body may be provided, and the light sources 44 and 51 may be turned on when the human body approaches.

  According to the present embodiment, the operation panel 40 arranged on the front surface of the door 5 faces the operation switch 45 and the light source 51 (first light source) facing the incident surface 50 a of the light guide plate 50. Therefore, the periphery of the operation switch 45 is illuminated by the light emitted from the light guide plate 50. Thereby, when the room is dark, the user can easily determine each operation switch 45. Moreover, the range in which the plurality of operation switches 45 are arranged can be illuminated by the light source 51 with a small quantity. Therefore, the cost of the refrigerator 1 can be suppressed and the convenience can be improved.

  Further, since the operation switch 45 is formed by the capacitance type touch panel 46 disposed between the glass plate 11 and the light guide plate 50, a change in capacitance due to fingers can be accurately detected.

  Further, since the light source 51 is turned on when a finger is placed on the touch panel 46, it is possible to save power by turning off the light source 51 when the user is absent.

  Further, if the light source 51 is turned on when the door 5 is opened and closed, the light source 51 can be turned off when the user is absent to save power.

  Further, if the light source 51 is turned on when the human body approaches by the detection of the human body sensor, the light source 51 can be turned off when the user is absent to save power. In addition, since the operation of turning on the light source 51 is unnecessary, the convenience of the refrigerator 1 can be further improved.

  Moreover, since the uneven part 50b which forms the pattern corresponding to the several display icons 43 which light-display a setting state was provided on the light-guide plate 50, the display icon 43 of a light extinction state is easily discriminate | determined by the lighting of the light source 51. Can do. Therefore, the convenience of the refrigerator 1 can be further improved.

  In the present embodiment, the incident surface 50a facing the light source 51 is the both end surfaces of the light guide plate 50, but one side end surface may be the incident surface 50a, and the upper and lower surfaces of the light guide plate 50 are the incident surfaces 50a. May be.

  Next, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 has shown the front view and upper surface sectional drawing of the storage chamber 30 of the refrigerator 1 of 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 9 shows a detailed view of the main part of FIG. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the shape of the light guide plate 50 and the structure of the light sources 44 and 51, and in the arrangement of the display icons 43. Other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The left and right ends of the light guide plate 50 are provided with bent portions 50c bent backward. An incident surface 50a is formed by the rear end surface of the bent portion 50, and the light source 51 is disposed so as to face the incident surface 50a. Thereby, the light source 51 can be arrange | positioned in the same position as the light source 44 in the front-back direction. For this reason, the light sources 44 and 51 can be configured by so-called chip LEDs and can be simultaneously mounted on the circuit board 48 by flow soldering. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the operation panel 40 without increasing the number of steps. Although the operation panel 40 is thick, the light sources 44 and 51 may be formed of bullet-type LEDs.

  The outer surface 50e of the bent portion 50c of the light guide plate 50 is formed by a front convex curved surface. Thereby, the incident angle of the light reaching the front surface of the bent portion 50c is increased, and the light emitted from the front surface of the bent portion 50c can be reduced and guided along the front surface of the door 5.

  Further, the narrower angle θ formed by the inner surface 50d of the bent portion 50c of the light guide plate 50 and the incident surface 50a is formed to be 60 ° or more. When the angle θ is small, more light reaches the inner surface 50d and is totally reflected. The light reflected by the inner surface 50d enters and exits the front surface of the light guide plate 50 at an incident angle smaller than the critical angle. For this reason, when the angle θ is increased, the light reaching the inner surface 50d is emitted from the bent portion 50c, and then reenters the light guide plate 50 to be guided. Therefore, the light emitted from the vicinity of the bent portion 50c can be reduced, and the light guided along the front surface of the door 5 can be increased.

  According to the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the operation panel 40 disposed on the front surface of the door 5 faces the light guide plate 50 disposed facing the operation switch 45 and the incident surface 50a of the light guide plate 50. Since the light source 51 (first light source) is included, the periphery of the operation switch 45 is illuminated by the light emitted from the light guide plate 50. Thereby, when the room is dark, the user can easily determine each operation switch 45. Moreover, the range in which the plurality of operation switches 45 are arranged can be illuminated by the light source 51 with a small quantity. Therefore, the cost of the refrigerator 1 can be suppressed and the convenience can be improved.

  Further, the light-incident surface 50a is formed by the rear end surface of the bent portion 50c bent backward at both ends of the light guide plate 50, and the light sources 51 and 44 are formed by chip-type LEDs mounted on the same circuit board 48. Accordingly, the light sources 51 and 44 can be simultaneously mounted on the circuit board 48 to prevent an increase in man-hours, and the operation panel 40 can be made thinner.

  Also in the present embodiment, as described above, the light source 51 and the light source 44 corresponding to the setting may be constantly turned on. The light sources 44 and 51 may be turned on when the door 5 is opened and closed. Further, a human body sensor that detects the approach of the human body may be provided, and the light sources 44 and 51 may be turned on when the human body approaches.

  Moreover, although the incident surface 50a which opposes the light source 51 is arrange | positioned at the both-sides edge part of the light-guide plate 50, you may arrange | position to one side edge part and arrange | position to the upper end part or lower end part of the light-guide plate 50. Also good.

  Next, FIG. 10 is a front view showing the light guide plate 50 of the refrigerator 1 of the third embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a top view showing the main part of the light guide plate 50. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. This embodiment differs in the shape of the light-guide plate 50 with respect to 2nd Embodiment. Other parts are the same as those of the second embodiment.

  In the light guide plate 50, a rough surface portion 50 f is formed on the outer surface 50 e of the bent portion 50 c at both left and right end portions. The light emitted from the outer surface 50e is diffused by the rough surface portion 50f. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the light source 51 (see FIG. 9) facing the outer surface 50e across the incident surface 50a from being noticeable and improve the aesthetic appearance of the operation panel 40. The rough surface portion 50f may be formed by vertical knurls, or may be formed by other roughening treatment such as sandblasting.

  In addition, the light guide plate 50 is provided with incident surfaces 50a at both left and right ends, and the right and left direction is a light guide direction in which light incident from the incident surface 50a is mainly guided. On the upper and lower surfaces along the light guide direction of the light guide plate 50, a plurality of mountain-shaped reflecting portions 50g are formed. Each reflection part 50g has an inclined surface with a different inclination angle corresponding to each uneven part 50b.

  As indicated by arrows A1, A2, and A3, the light guided through the light guide plate 50 and reflected by the reflecting portion 50g is guided to the uneven portion 50b corresponding to each display icon 43. Thereby, the pattern of the uneven part 50b can be displayed more clearly, and the operation switch 45 and the display icon 43 in the unlit state (see FIG. 7) can be easily identified.

  According to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained. In addition, since the rough surface portion 50f is provided on the outer surface 50e of the bent portion 50c, the light source 51 can be prevented from being noticeable and the aesthetic appearance of the operation panel 40 can be improved. Moreover, since the reflection part 50g distribute | arranged to the upper and lower surfaces along the light guide direction of the light-guide plate 50 reflects a light guide toward the uneven | corrugated | grooved part 50b, the design of the uneven | corrugated | grooved part 50b can be displayed more clearly.

  Also in the present embodiment, similarly to the above, the light source 51 (see FIG. 9) and the light source 44 (see FIG. 9) according to the setting may be constantly turned on. The light sources 44 and 51 may be turned on when the door 5 is opened and closed. Further, a human body sensor that detects the approach of the human body may be provided, and the light sources 44 and 51 may be turned on when the human body approaches.

  Moreover, although the incident surface 50a which opposes the light source 51 is arrange | positioned at the both-sides edge part of the light-guide plate 50, you may arrange | position to one side edge part and arrange | position to the upper end part or lower end part of the light-guide plate 50. Also good. When the incident surface 50a is arranged at the upper end or the lower end of the light guide plate 50, the vertical direction is the light guide direction.

  According to this invention, it can utilize for the refrigerator provided with the operation panel in the front surface of the door.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 3 Refrigeration room 4 Freezing room 5, 6, 7, 8 Door 11 Glass plate 21, 22 Handle 30 Storage room 40 Operation panel 41 Display part 42 Display panel 43 Display icon 44 Light source (2nd light source)
45 Operation switch 46 Touch panel 47 Light control sheet 48 Circuit board 49 Spacer 50 Light guide plate 50a Incident surface 50b Uneven portion 50c Bending portion 50f Rough surface portion 50g Reflecting portion 51 Light source (first light source)

Claims (7)

  In a refrigerator including a door that opens and closes a storage room and an operation panel that is arranged in front of the door and has a plurality of operation switches that perform a predetermined setting operation, the operation panel faces the operation switch. And a first light source disposed facing an incident surface composed of an end surface of the light guide plate.   2. A glass plate covering a front surface of the door, wherein the operation switch is formed by a touch panel that is disposed between the glass plate and the light guide plate and detects a change in capacitance. Refrigerator.   The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the first light source is turned on when a user's finger is placed on the touch panel.   The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a handle for opening and closing the door, wherein the first light source is turned on when the handle is gripped.   The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a human body sensor that detects an approach of a human body is provided, and the first light source is turned on when the human body approaches.   The operation panel includes a plurality of display icons that have a second light source and illuminate and display a setting state by the operation switch, and have an uneven portion that forms a pattern corresponding to each display icon facing the display icon. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the refrigerator is provided on the light guide plate.   The light guide plate has bent portions bent rearward at both ends, the incident surface is formed by the rear end surface of the bent portion, and the first light source and the second light source are formed by chip-type LEDs mounted on the same substrate. The refrigerator according to claim 6.

Images