JP2018077044A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the change of a display mode of an operation panel part, provided on a door of a refrigerator body, according to the ambient environment or user's preference.SOLUTION: A refrigerator includes: an operation panel part having an operation part and a display part corresponding to the operation part in a front plate portion of a door of a refrigerator main body; and adjusting means which changes the brightness, color, position, size, or the like of the display as a display mode of the display part and/or the operation part on an operation panel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a refrigerator.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in a refrigerator for home use, an operation panel having a plurality of operation units for instructing operations and a plurality of display units for displaying the operation results is generally provided on the door of the refrigerator compartment. In recent years, as an operation switch constituting the operation unit, for example, it has been considered to employ a capacitive touch sensor in which an electrode for touch detection is arranged on the back side of a glass front plate (for example, a patent). Reference 1). This capacitance type touch sensor determines that it has been operated based on detecting a change in capacitance of an electrode caused by a human finger touching (approaching) a front plate. Yes. Further, the display unit is configured by arranging an LED behind a film for displaying characters, and when an operation of the operation unit is determined, the LED of the corresponding display unit is turned on so that the display unit shines. It has become.

JP 2012-78086 A

  In the above conventional configuration, since the brightness of the display unit when the LED is lit is constant, for example, depending on the surrounding environment, it may be too bright or insufficient for the user to feel difficult to see. If the visibility of the display unit is low, there is a possibility that the user may misrecognize or misoperate the operation unit. Therefore, the display mode of the operation panel unit provided on the door of the refrigerator main body can be changed according to the surrounding environment and user preference.

  In the refrigerator according to the embodiment, the front panel portion of the door of the refrigerator main body is provided with an operation panel section having an operation section and a display section corresponding to the operation section, and the front panel has translucency. The operation panel unit is provided with a film substrate on which a light-transmitting electrode for detecting operation is provided on the back side of the front plate, a light source is provided on the back side of the film substrate, and the rear of the film substrate. Is displayed at a position corresponding to the operation unit by irradiating light from the operation unit, and the display unit and / or the operation panel unit are operated based on the operation unit being operated. Or it has the characteristic in the place provided with the adjustment means which changes the display mode of an operation part.

The front view of the refrigerator main body in standby mode which shows 1st Embodiment Enlarged front view with all display on the operation panel Block diagram showing electrical configuration Exploded perspective view of the operation unit Vertical side view of the operation unit Transverse plan view of the operation unit Front view of operation panel section showing display example in adjustment mode Enlarged cross-sectional view of the operation panel The enlarged front view of the state in which all the display of the operation panel part was made, showing the second embodiment The front view of the principal part of an operation panel part which shows 3rd Embodiment The front view of the principal part of an operation panel part which shows 4th Embodiment The front view of the principal part of the operation panel part which shows 5th Embodiment

(1) First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 schematically shows an external configuration of a refrigerator body 1 in the present embodiment. The refrigerator main body 1 is configured by providing a plurality of storage chambers in a vertically long rectangular box-shaped heat insulating box 2 having an open front surface. Specifically, in the heat insulation box 2, a refrigerator compartment 3 and a vegetable compartment 4 are provided in order from the top, and an ice making room 5 and a second freezer compartment (switching room) 6 are provided on the left and right sides below the vegetable compartment 4. The first freezer compartment 7 is provided at the bottom.

  Among these, the refrigerator compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 4 are storage compartments in a refrigerator temperature zone in which the inside temperature is controlled to a refrigerator temperature of about 1 ° C. to 5 ° C., for example. The ice making room 5, the second freezing room 6, and the first freezing room 7 are storage rooms in a freezing temperature zone in which the internal temperature is controlled to a freezing temperature of, for example, −18 ° C. or lower. On the front face of the refrigerator compartment 3, there are provided double doors with heat insulation, that is, two hinged doors 8 and 9 on the left and right sides. As will be described later, an operation panel unit 10 is provided on the left door 8 (hereinafter referred to as the left door 8), as shown in FIG. The front surfaces of the vegetable room 4, the ice making room 5, the second freezing room 6, and the first freezing room 7 are opened and closed by drawer-type heat insulating doors 11, 12, 13, and 14 each having a storage container connected to the back side. .

  Although not shown in detail, the refrigerator main body 1 incorporates a refrigeration cycle. As shown in part in FIG. 3, this refrigeration cycle includes a refrigerator for a refrigerator compartment for cooling the refrigerator compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 4, the ice making chamber 5 and the first and second refrigerator compartments 7 and 6. In addition to two coolers, a freezer compartment cooler for cooling, a compressor 15 (shown only in FIG. 3), a condenser, a switching valve 16 for switching the flow of refrigerant to the two coolers, etc. It is configured with.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerator main body 1 includes a refrigeration blower 17, an ice making chamber 5, and a first refrigeration chamber 3 and a vegetable compartment 4 for circulating and supplying cold air from the refrigeration room cooler. A refrigeration blower 18 for circulating and supplying cold air from the freezer cooler to the second freezer compartments 7 and 6, and a defrost heater 19 for defrosting the freezer cooler. A refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 20, a freezer compartment temperature sensor 21 and the like are provided.

  Further, the refrigerator main body 1 is provided with a main controller 22 that is configured mainly by a computer and controls the whole. The main controller 22 is also connected to an operation control unit 23 to be described later, and based on a signal from the operation control unit 23, a signal from the cold room temperature sensor 20, the freezer room temperature sensor 21, and the like. The cooling fan 17, the refrigeration fan 18, the compressor 15, the switching valve 16, and the defrost heater 19 are controlled to perform the cooling operation of the refrigerator body 1.

  Next, the configuration of the operation panel unit 10 provided on the left door 8 of the refrigerator compartment 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Here, although not shown in detail, the left door 8 is between a front plate 24 arranged on the front side and a thin plastic box before and after the front side arranged on the back side is opened. The heat insulating material is arranged. The front plate 24 is made of, for example, glass and has translucency.

  At this time, in this embodiment, as illustrated only in FIG. 8, the back side of the front plate 24 is made of a paint having the same color (for example, white, black, silver, etc.) as the appearance of the refrigerator body 1. A thin coating film 24a is formed. Here, for example, a white coating film 24a is provided. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the operation panel unit 10 is configured by disposing an operation unit 25 described later on the back side of the front plate 24. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation panel unit 10 is provided on the front side of the left door 8 on the opening side opposite to the hinge, that is, in a vertically long rectangular region near the right side.

  FIG. 2 illustrates a state in which all of the operation unit and the display unit described later are displayed (all light sources are turned on) in the operation panel unit 10 (operation unit 25). As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel unit 10 includes a plurality of, in this case, six operation units 26 to 31, which are touched by a finger of a hand, arranged in a vertical row on the right side. At the same time, display units 32 to 36 corresponding to the respective operation units 26 to 31 are provided vertically on the left side of the operation units 26 to 31.

  Each operation part 26-31 is comprised from the known electrostatic capacitance type touch sensor, and the operation button 26a-31a virtually set to the front surface of the front plate 24, and the electrostatic capacitance located in the back side It has detectors 26b to 31b (shown only in FIG. 3). The electrostatic capacity type touch sensor detects that the user has touched (closed) the operation buttons 26a to 31a on the front plate 24 as a change in electrostatic capacity. At this time, the five operation units 26 to 30 located in the upper part excluding the lowermost part are used as operation parts for performing a setting operation related to the operation of the refrigerator in the normal mode, and the lowermost operation part 31 is in the standby state. An operation unit is used for instructing mode switching between the mode and the normal mode.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the “refrigeration” operation unit 26 (operation buttons 26 a), the “freezing” operation unit 27 (operation buttons 27 a), and the “refrigeration function” operation unit 28 in order from the top. (Operating button 28a), an “ice making” operating unit 29 (operating button 29a), a “power saving” operating unit 30 (operating button 30a), and a “home” operating unit 31 (operating button 31a) are provided. Among them, the operation buttons 26a to 30a of “refrigeration”, “freezing”, “freezing function”, “ice making”, and “power saving” are configured by arranging those characters in a circle. The operation button 31 a of the “home” operation unit 31 is a substantially pentagonal mark (house image). In the present embodiment, the “home” operation button 31 a also serves as the determination operation button.

  On the other hand, the uppermost display section 32 is provided at an intermediate height corresponding to the operation units 26 and 27 of “refrigeration” and “frozen”, and has five arcs arranged in a circular shape as a whole. It consists of a line-shaped mark, that is, an indicator, “brightness adjustment” characters located above it, and “strong” and “weak” characters located below. As shown in FIG. 7, the number of lighting indicators on the display unit 32 represents the intensity level (or brightness).

  The lower display unit 33 corresponds to the operation unit 28 of the “freezing function”, and the letters “freezing at once”, “freezing hot”, “freezing vegetables”, and “dry” are selectively displayed in order from the top. Is displayed. The display unit 34 below corresponds to the operation unit 29 of “ice making”, and characters “Ice ice making” and “Ice making off” are selectively displayed. The display unit 35 below corresponds to the operation unit 30 for “power saving”, and characters “power saving”, “outing”, and “peak shift” are selectively displayed in order from the top. The lowermost display unit 36 corresponds to the “home” operation unit 31 and displays “eco mode” characters and “key” marks.

  In the present embodiment, as shown only in FIG. 8, a thin coating film 24a made of, for example, white paint is formed on the back surface side of the front plate 24, and the whole is in a translucent state. At this time, as will be described later, only when the LED as the light source is turned on by the display mechanism, the operation buttons 26a to 31a (circles, characters, and marks) are projected and displayed so that they appear bright. . The display units 32 to 36 are configured to project and display the characters and marks selected by the operation units 26 to 31 only when the LED as the light source is turned on by the display mechanism.

  Next, the operation unit 25 constituting the operation panel unit 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the operation unit 25 includes a circuit board 37, a shielding plate 38, a spring member 39, a flexible switch printed board 40 as a film board, and a nameplate film 41 in order from the back side. Arranged to overlap.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the circuit board 37 is formed in a slightly vertically long rectangular shape, and the surface (front surface) of the circuit board 37 corresponds to the operation units 26 to 31 and the display units 32 to 36. A plurality of LEDs 42 serving as light sources are mounted. At the same time, the circuit board 37 includes an operation control unit 23 (shown only in FIG. 3) including a circuit for energizing the LED 42 and signal processing circuits (detection units) of the capacitance detection units 26b to 31b described later. Is provided. Further, the circuit board 37 includes external connection connectors 43 and 44 for connection to the outside.

  The shielding plate 38 is made of a colored plastic molded product (which does not transmit light) and is formed into a vertically long rectangular shape as a whole, and a plurality of light guide portions 45 are integrally formed on the plate surface. doing. Each of these light guide portions 45 guides the light of each LED 42 of the circuit board 37 toward the front operation portions 26 to 31 and the display portions 32 to 36 while preventing light leakage. belongs to.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the light guide portion 45 corresponding to each of the operation portions 26 to 31 has a tapered shape (conical shape) that swells toward the rear, and the shielding plate. A total of 6 pieces are formed in a line in the center of 38. Further, the light guide portion 45 corresponding to each of the display portions 32 to 36 (each character or mark) has a frame shape with a depth in the front and rear (for example, a portion corresponding to the character is a horizontally long frame shape), and a shielding plate It is located on the left side of 38 and is formed side by side. The shielding plate 38 is coupled to the surface side of the circuit board 37 so as to be covered in a positioned state. As shown in FIG. 4, on the left side portion of the shielding plate 38, three stopper portions 49 having springiness projecting to the left are integrally formed side by side in the vertical direction.

  The spring member 39 is made of a transparent plastic material having flexibility (elasticity), and is a thick circular portion having a circular shape corresponding to each operation portion 26 to 31 (operation buttons 26a to 31a). 39a and a connecting portion 39b that connects the upper and lower portions in order so as to form a substantially "<" shape. The spring member 39 is attached so as to fit into a recess formed in the right front portion of the shielding plate 38. Thus, the spring member 39 functions as a cushioning material having a spring property that is disposed on the back surface side of each of the electrostatic capacitance detection units 26b to 31b (shown only in FIG. 3) of the flexible switch printed board 40. The electrostatic capacity detectors 26b to 31b are pressed against the back surface of the front plate 24 through the name plate film 41.

  The flexible switch printed board 40 is in the form of a vertically elongated rectangular thin sheet covering the right half of the shielding plate 38 as a whole. Although not shown in detail, this flexible switch printed board 40 is provided on the surface of a transparent base film made of, for example, PET having flexibility, and the capacitance detection units 26b to 31b (FIG. 3 only) as electrodes. And a structure in which wiring, electrodes for preventing false detection, and the like are printed and covered with a transparent cover film made of PET. Each of the capacitance detection units 26b to 31b is formed by applying, for example, a conductive polymer having a certain transparency to the surface of the base film in a circular shape (only the lowermost capacitance detection unit 31b is a pentagon). It is configured. This flexible switch printed board 40 is located at the lower end of the right side, and is provided with a connecting part 40a for electrical connection with the outside, extending downward in a narrow width.

  Although not shown in detail, the nameplate film 41 is configured by providing a light blocking portion and a display light transmitting portion 41a (only a part thereof is shown in FIG. 7) on the surface of a vertically long transparent film. Among them, the display translucent portion 41a corresponds to the marks and characters for displaying the operation buttons 26a to 31a and the characters and marks constituting the display portions 32 to 36 (in a state of being transparently extracted). Is formed). The flexible switch printed board 40 and the nameplate film 41 described above are attached so as to be superimposed on the front surface of the shielding plate 38 in a positioning state, and thus a unitized operation unit 25 is configured.

  As described above, when the LED 42 is turned on, light is transmitted through the display translucent portion 41a of the nameplate film 41 so that characters and marks are projected and displayed on the front plate 24 (operation panel portion 10). become. Thus, the operation unit 25 is configured to include a display mechanism, and the display mechanism (each LED 42) is controlled by the operation control unit 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the operation unit 25 comes into contact with the back surface of the front plate 24 in a storage space (storage case 46) formed by removing the heat insulating material inside the left door 8. And stored. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the right side wall portion 8a of the left door 8 is provided with a vertically long opening 8b for taking in and out the operation unit 25. The lid member 48 is detachably attached to the opening 8b. At the time of this assembly, the operation unit 25 (operation control unit 23) is electrically connected to the main control device 22 via the connector 43.

  The operation control unit 23 includes a computer (CPU), and controls the LEDs 42 by the software configuration or the like to display the operation buttons 26a to 31a of the operation units 26 to 31. The display units 32 to 36 display in a form corresponding to the current setting situation. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, a known luminance adjustment circuit 47 for adjusting the luminance (current value) for each LED 42 by, for example, PWM control is provided. The operation control unit 23 can control the lighting state (ON / OFF and luminance) of each LED 42 by the luminance adjustment circuit 47.

  At the same time, the operation control unit 23 monitors the touch operation (proximity operation) of the operation buttons 26a to 31a based on the detection signals of the capacitive touch sensors (capacitance detection units 26b to 31b). At this time, when the operation control unit 23 recognizes the touch operation of the operation buttons 26a to 31a based on the detection signals of the capacitance detection units 26b to 31b, the operation control unit 23 displays the display units 32 to 32 according to the operation result. In addition to changing the display of 36, a buzzer sounds a notification sound such as “beep”. Further, the operation control unit 23 transmits a setting signal corresponding to the operation to the main control device 22 of the refrigerator body 1.

  The operation control unit 23 switches the operation mode of the operation panel unit 10 between the normal mode and the standby mode. In the present embodiment, in the normal mode, all the operation buttons 26a to 31a are lit and displayed, and the necessary lighting and display of the display units 32 to 36 are performed, and all the operation units 26 to 31 (operation buttons 26a) are displayed. The operation of ~ 31a) is valid. It should be noted that the character portion of “brightness adjustment” in the display unit 32 is lit only when an adjustment mode described later is entered.

  On the other hand, in the standby mode, as shown in FIG. 1, the display units 32 to 36 are turned off and the operation buttons 26a to 30a are also turned off. At this time, only the “Home” operation button 31a is lit and displayed, and only the operation button 31a is enabled.

  The operation control unit 23 is in the normal mode, and when the “home” operation button 31a is operated, or when all the operation buttons 26a to 31a are not operated for a predetermined time (for example, the last operation button (When 30 seconds have passed since the start), the mode is switched to the standby mode. In the standby mode of the operation panel unit 10, when the “home” operation button 31a is operated, the standby mode is canceled and the normal mode is restored.

  As will be described later in the description of the operation, in this embodiment, as one of the display modes accompanied by a change in visibility in the operation panel unit 10, the brightness of each LED 42, that is, the display units 32 to 36 and the operation unit 26. It is possible to adjust the display brightness of the operation buttons 26a to 31a. In this case, it is possible to adjust (set) the display brightness of the operation panel unit 10 by the user's operation of the operation panel unit 10, and the operation control unit 23 determines the LED 42 according to the set brightness. The brightness at the time of lighting is controlled.

  In the present embodiment, for example, the operation control unit 23 controls the LED 42 at five levels of luminance from luminance “1” (relatively low) to luminance “5” (maximum brightness). ing. The user can adjust the luminance (brightness) of the display units 32 to 36 and the operation units 26 to 31 to any one of five levels by setting operation. Therefore, the operation control unit 23 functions as an adjustment unit.

  Specifically, the operation control unit 23 is a special operation of the operation units 26 to 31 in the normal mode of the operation panel unit 10, for example, an operation of “freezing” that is two operation buttons arranged apart from each other. When it is detected that the button 27a and the “power saving” operation button 30a are simultaneously turned on, the mode is switched to the adjustment mode. In this adjustment mode, as shown in FIG. 7, the operation control unit 23 lights up the display unit 32 including the character portion of “brightness adjustment” and operates the “power saving” operation button 30 a and “home”. The button 31a is lit at the current luminance level.

  In the present embodiment, in this adjustment mode, the indicator indicating the strength of the cooling strength inside the storage in the display unit 32 is switched to a display indicating the (current) luminance to be adjusted. In this case, the operation control unit 23 turns on the lower left one of the indicators at the luminance “1”, and sequentially increases the number of lighting in the clockwise direction as the luminance level increases from “2” to “5”. Will increase. FIG. 7 illustrates the case of luminance “3”.

  In this adjustment mode, for example, the “power saving” operation button 30a functions as an operation button for instructing a change in luminance, and the operation control unit 23 sets the luminance level to be the same every time the “power saving” operation button 30a is pressed. Increase it step by step. When the “power saving” operation button 30a is pressed when the luminance is “5”, the luminance is returned to “1”. At this time, the operation control unit 23 changes the luminance of the LED 42 that is actually lit to a luminance corresponding to the current set luminance level.

  As described above, when the “home” operation button 31a functions as a determination operation button and the “home” operation button 31a is operated, the current luminance level is set (determined). Even when there is no operation of the “Home” operation button 31a, even when the operation state of the “Power Saving” operation button 30a is not operated for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds or more), the brightness level at that time is set (determined). ) When the determination is made, the adjustment mode is switched to the normal mode (or standby mode).

  In addition, as a default value (setting value at the time of factory shipment) of the display (display brightness) of the display units 32 to 36 and the operation units 26 to 31, the color of the coating film 24a of the front plate 24 is black or silver. In this case, the luminance “4” or the luminance “5” is set high. On the other hand, when the color of the coating film 24a is white, the default value is set to a luminance “3” that is a predetermined luminance or less, that is, a slightly lower luminance among the luminances of a plurality of levels. The reason is as follows.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8, in the case where the front plate 24 has a white coating film 24a, when the brightness of the LED 24 is high, the light passes through the display translucent portion 41a of the nameplate film 41. In addition to the light that passes straight through the face plate 24, the light that is reflected inside the front plate 24 and also passes through the front plate 24 increases, and the characters and marks on the display translucent portion 41a are unclear. Blurry state). Therefore, in order to obtain an initial setting that is easy for the user to see, it is desirable to set a lower luminance. When the coating film 24a is black or silver, there are few such phenomena, and the higher the brightness, the clearer the characters and marks.

  Next, the operation and effect of the above configuration will be described. In the operation panel unit 10 having the above-described configuration, in the normal mode, all the operation buttons 26a to 31a of the operation units 26 to 31 are projected and displayed by the lighting of the LED 42 with the set brightness, and the display units 32 to 36 are displayed. The necessary display is made. The user can perform various setting operations related to the operation of the refrigerator by touching these operation buttons 26a to 31a. For example, by operating the “refrigerate” operation button 26a, the cooling intensity of the refrigerator compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 4 can be set (changed) in five stages. At this time, the characters “brightness adjustment” in the display unit 32 are not displayed (lighted).

  Further, when the “home” operation button 31a is operated, or when no operation of all the operation buttons 26a to 31a continues for a predetermined time, the normal mode is switched to the standby mode. In this standby mode, the operation buttons 26a to 30a (LED 42) are turned off to invalidate the operation, the displays 32 to 36 are turned off, and only the “Home” operation button 31a is turned on. (See FIG. 1). In this standby mode, an instruction to switch from the standby mode to the normal mode can be issued by operating the “Home” operation button 31a. This standby mode can reduce power consumption.

  In the operation panel unit 10 described above, for example, depending on the surrounding environment, the user feels that the display units 32 to 36 and the operation units 26 to 31 (operation buttons 26a to 31a) are too bright or insufficiently bright and difficult to see. Sometimes. If the visibility of the display units 32 to 36 and the operation buttons 26a to 31a is low, there is a possibility that the user may misrecognize or erroneously operate the operation buttons 26a to 31a. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the luminance as the display mode of the display units 32 to 36 and the operation units 26 to 31 can be adjusted as follows.

  That is, as described above, in the normal mode of the operation panel unit 10, the user touches the “freeze” operation button 27a and the “power saving” operation button 30a at the same time. Then, the mode is switched to the adjustment mode, and the display unit 32 including the character portion of “brightness adjustment” is lit and displayed, and the “power saving” operation button 30a and the “home” operation button 31a are lit and displayed. At this time, the indicator of the display unit 32 displays the current luminance level by the number of lighting.

  The user can adjust the brightness to a desired level by operating the “power saving” operation button 30a while observing the number of indicators on the display unit 32 and the brightness. If the user feels too bright, the brightness can be reduced, and if the user feels dark. You just need to increase the brightness. In this case, since the brightness (luminance) of the display unit 32 and the like is changed simultaneously with the operation of the “power saving” operation button 30a, it is easy for the user to understand. If the user operates the “Home” operation button 31a after adjusting to a brightness that the user feels is just right (or if the operation is terminated and a predetermined time has elapsed), the brightness is determined. The operation panel unit 10 returns to the normal mode.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation panel unit 10 having the operation units 26 to 31 and the display units 32 to 36 corresponding to the operation units 26 to 31 is provided on the left door 8. -36 and the display mode of the operation buttons 26a-31a In this case, the brightness can be changed. Thereby, for example, the visibility of the operation panel unit 10 is reduced according to the surrounding environment and the user's preference so that the brightness is lowered when the brightness felt by the user is too bright, and the brightness is raised when the brightness felt dark. It can be arbitrarily changed. As a result, it is possible to improve the visual discrimination of the operation panel unit 10 for the user, and to reduce erroneous recognition and erroneous operation.

  At this time, in the present embodiment, the operation panel unit 10 is configured to project and display the display units 32 to 36 and the operation units 26 to 31 on the translucent front plate 24. The operation panel unit 10 having high performance can be configured, and the function as the adjusting means can be easily realized by changing (adjusting) the luminance of the LED 42 as the light source.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since it comprised so that the brightness | luminance of the operation panel part 10 might be changed based on operation button 26a-31a of the operation parts 26-31 being operated, operation for brightness adjustment by a user is carried out. Can be easily performed, and the configuration is not complicated. In particular, in the present embodiment, in the adjustment mode, the existing indicator of the display unit 32 is also used for display indicating the level of brightness (brightness), so that the effect on the level of brightness can be achieved with a simple configuration. Display can be performed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, it is configured to switch to the adjustment mode by simultaneously operating two predetermined operation buttons, that is, the “freeze” operation button 27a and the “power saving” operation button 30a. Therefore, a simple configuration can be achieved without providing a separate operation button for switching to the adjustment mode. In addition, since the “freeze” operation button 27a and the “power saving” operation button 30a are arranged apart from each other, the two operation buttons are accidentally operated at the same time, and the adjustment mode is erroneously switched. It is possible to effectively prevent such an erroneous operation. Since the “Home” operation button 31a is also used as the determination operation button, a simple configuration can be achieved without increasing the operation buttons for the determination operation. Since the determination operation may be omitted, it is possible to save the user's trouble.

(2) Second to Fifth Embodiments and Other Embodiments FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment. The configuration of the operation panel unit 50 includes all display units and display of operation buttons (lights up). ) State. The operation panel unit 50 is different from the operation panel unit 10 of the first embodiment in that the operation panel unit 50 has a “home” operation unit 31 (operation button 31a) below the operation panel unit 50. As the display mode, two operation units 51 and 52 (operation buttons 51a and 52a) of “up” and “down” for changing (up and down) the luminance (visibility) are provided.

  In this configuration, the user switches the adjustment mode and then operates the “up” operation unit 51 (operation button 51 a) to change the display brightness (brightness) of the operation panel unit 50. The brightness (brightness) of the display of the operation panel unit 50 can be lowered stepwise by operating the “down” operation unit 52 (operation button 52a). it can. As a result, in addition to the same operations and effects as in the first embodiment, the adjustment operation can be performed by operating the operation units 51 and 52 of either “up” or “down”. Operation becomes easier.

  FIG. 10 shows the third embodiment and shows the configuration of the main part of the operation panel 60. This operation panel unit 60 is provided with an operation unit (operation button) in which “strong” and “weak” are paired on the left and right. Here, as a display mode of the operation unit, the “strong”, The position of the “weak” operation unit (operation button) can be changed in four stages in the vertical direction (height direction).

  That is, in this case, the operation panel unit 60 is provided with a total of eight operation units 61 to 68 (operation buttons) in two rows horizontally and four columns vertically. Although not shown in detail, each of the operation units 61 to 68 is provided with a capacitive touch sensor (capacitance detection unit). On the front surface of each operation unit 61 to 68 (front plate 24) of the operation panel unit 60, operation buttons are virtually displayed from a display translucent part of the nameplate film, a light source (LED) disposed on the back side thereof, and the like. Is set automatically.

  The LEDs and the capacitive touch sensors (capacitance detection units) as the light sources of the operation units 61 to 68 are controlled by the operation control unit. At this time, the operation control unit selectively enables only one (two) operation units (operation buttons) (active), and the remaining three steps (six) operation units (operation buttons). Is invalid. An operation button that is validated is displayed with operation buttons (LEDs are lit), and touch detection is performed by the capacitance detection unit. The six operation units (operation buttons) that are invalidated are not displayed (LEDs are lit) and touch detection is not performed.

  FIG. 10A shows a state where the operation buttons 61a and 62a of the uppermost operation units 61 and 62 are enabled (displayed), and FIG. 10B shows the third step from the top. It shows a state in which the operation buttons 65a and 66a of the operation units 65 and 66 are enabled (displayed). Also in this case, it is possible to adjust (change) which stage of the operation units 61 to 68 is enabled by the user's operation of the operation panel unit 60. Therefore, the operation control unit functions as an adjustment unit.

  According to the third embodiment, as the display mode of the operation panel unit 60, the positions of the operation units 61 to 68 can be adjusted to those desired by the user. As a result, for example, according to the height of the user, the operation units 61 to 68 (operation buttons) can be arranged at positions (height positions) that are easy to see and operate. The operability can be improved.

  FIG. 11 shows a main part of the operation panel unit 70 according to the fourth embodiment, which is different from the third embodiment in the following points. That is, the operation panel unit 70 includes, for example, nine operation units 71 to 79 (operation buttons) arranged in a vertical line, but the upper three operation units 71 to 73 and the middle three units. One set of the operation units 74 to 76 and the three operation units 77 to 79 in the lower stage is selectively enabled (active). The remaining operation units are invalidated.

  FIG. 11A shows a state in which the operation buttons 71a to 73a of the upper three operation units 71 to 73 are enabled (displayed), and FIG. 11B shows the lower three buttons 71a to 73a. The operation buttons 77a to 79a of the operation units 77 to 79 are shown as being enabled (displayed). Also in this case, it is possible to adjust (change) which set of operation units 71 to 79 is enabled by the operation of the operation panel unit 70 by the user. Therefore, also in the fourth embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment, the operation units 71 to 79 (operation buttons) are provided at positions (height positions) that are easy to see and operate according to the height of the user. It becomes possible to arrange. In addition, when the display part corresponding to these operation parts 71-79 is provided in the left part of each operation part 71-79, these each display part can also be validated and invalidated together with an operation part. .

  FIG. 12 shows a main part of the operation panel unit 80 according to the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, the display mode of the operation panel unit 80 is configured such that the size of the operation unit (operation button) can be changed (adjusted).

  That is, the operation panel unit 80 is provided with, for example, a “strong” operation unit 81 and a “weak” operation unit 82 arranged vertically. As shown by a broken line in the figure, the “strong” operation unit 81 is provided with two circular capacitance detection units (capacitance type touch sensors) 81a and 81b arranged close to each other on the left and right. . Similarly, the “weak” operation unit 82 is also provided with two circular capacitance detection units 82a and 82b arranged close to each other on the left and right sides.

  Although not shown in detail, each of the operation units 81 and 82 includes a front plate (operation panel unit 80) from a display light transmitting portion of the nameplate film, a light source (LED) disposed on the back side thereof, and the like. The operation buttons are virtually set on the front of the operation button 81. The “strong” operation unit 81 includes a first mode operation button 83 (see FIG. 12A) and a second mode operation button 84 (see FIG. 12 (b)) is selectively set (displayed). As shown in FIG. 12A, the first mode operation button 83 is displayed in a circle surrounding the capacitance detection unit 81b. In addition, as shown in FIG. 12B, the second mode operation button 84 is displayed in a horizontally long oval shape that surrounds both the capacitance detection units 81a and 81b.

  At this time, when the first mode operation button 83 is set, the operation control unit validates only the right capacitance detection unit (capacitance touch sensor) 81b and detects the left capacitance. The part 81a is invalid (touch detection is not performed). On the other hand, when the second mode operation button 84 is set, both the capacitance detection units 81a and 81b are validated (when either one is turned on, it is determined that there is a touch operation). It has become.

  Similarly, for the “weak” operation unit 82, the first mode operation button 85 (see FIG. 12A) and the second mode operation button 86 (see FIG. 12B) are selectively used. It is set (displayed). Then, when the first mode operation button 85 is set, the operation control unit validates only the right-side capacitance detection unit 82b, and when the second mode operation button 86 is set, Both the capacitance detection units 82a and 82b are made effective. At this time, whether to set the first mode operation buttons 83 and 85 or the second mode operation buttons 84 and 86 can be adjusted (changed) by the user by operating the operation panel unit 80. ing.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 12A, when the first mode operation buttons 83 and 85 are set, the operation buttons 83 and 85 are circular and relatively small. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the second mode operation buttons 84 and 86 are set, the operation buttons 84 and 86 appear to be large. In this way, the size of the operation buttons of the operation units 81 and 82 can be adjusted to a user's desired one, and thus visibility and operability can be improved.

  Although not shown, in the first embodiment and the like, the display unit and the operation unit (operation buttons) are displayed in a single color by the LED 42. However, as the light source of the display unit and the operation unit, for example, multicolor light emission When the operation control unit controls the lighting color of each LED using a type of LED, the display color can be changed as a display mode. In this case, the colors of the display unit and the operation unit (operation buttons) can be adjusted to, for example, a user's desired color for each display unit, and thus visibility and operability can be improved.

  Moreover, in the said 1st Embodiment, although the brightness | luminance of the display parts 32-36 and the operation parts 26-31 was adjusted in five steps, it is not limited to it, It changes in four steps or less, or six steps or more You may make it change into (stepless). The brightness adjustment degree may be changed according to the color of the door (front plate). Furthermore, in the said 1st Embodiment, although comprised so that a brightness | luminance might be adjusted about both the display parts 32-36 and the operation parts 26-31, the display mode of only any one of a display part and an operation part is changed. Alternatively, the display mode may be changed separately between the display unit and the operation unit. The operation unit may be configured to detect not only a touch operation but also a flick operation or a drag operation.

  In the above embodiment, the operation panel unit 10 (operation unit 25) and the like are provided on the left door 8 of the double doors, but may be provided on the right door 9. In the above embodiment, the capacitive touch sensor is used for the operation unit, but various other sensors and switches may be used. In addition, it is not limited to each embodiment mentioned above, For example, the structure (arrangement | positioning) of each room | chamber of a refrigerator main body, the kind and number of the operation parts (operation button) in an operation panel part, the display form of a display part Various modifications can be considered for the above. Further, various modifications can be made to the specific structure of the operation unit, for example, the type of light source in the circuit board and the structure of the shielding plate. It is.

  In the drawings, 1 is a refrigerator body, 8 is a left door (door), 10, 50, 60, 70 and 80 are operation panel units, 23 is an operation control unit (adjusting means), 24 is a front plate, 24a is a coating film, 25 is an operation unit, 26 to 31, 52, 53, 61 to 68, 71 to 79, 81 and 82 are operation units, 26a to 31a, 52a, 53a, 61a, 62a, 65a, 66a, 71a to 73a, 76a to 79a is an operation button, 26b to 31b, 81a, 81b, 82a and 82b are capacitance detection units, 32 to 36 are display units, 37 is a circuit board, 38 is a shielding plate, 39 is a spring member, and 40 is flexible. A switch printed board (film substrate), 41 is a nameplate film, 42 is an LED (light source), 47 is a brightness adjusting circuit, 83 and 85 are first mode operation buttons, and 84 and 86 are second mode operation buttons.

Claims (11)

In the refrigerator comprising an operation panel having an operation unit and a display unit corresponding to the operation unit on the front plate portion of the door of the refrigerator body,
The front plate is configured to have translucency,
The operation panel unit is provided on the back side of the front plate with a film substrate on which an electrode for detecting an operation having translucency is disposed,
A light source is provided on the back side of the film substrate, and is configured to display at a position corresponding to the operation unit by irradiating light from the back of the film substrate.
A refrigerator comprising adjusting means for changing a display mode of the display unit and / or the operation unit in the operation panel unit based on an operation of the operation unit. The display unit is provided with an indicator showing the strength of the cooling strength setting in the cabinet,
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein when the display mode of the operation panel unit is changed by the adjusting unit, the indicator is switched to a display indicating an adjustment level.   The operation unit has a plurality of operation buttons, and when two predetermined operation buttons are simultaneously operated, the operation unit is switched to an adjustment mode in which a display mode change operation of the operation panel unit is possible. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2.   4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the two predetermined operation buttons are spaced apart from each other.   The determination after the change operation of the display mode of the operation panel unit is performed when a predetermined time elapses from the operation of the determination operation button of the operation unit or the last operation of the operation unit. Item 5. The refrigerator according to any one of Items 1 to 4.   The operation section is provided with two operation buttons for raising and lowering an adjustment level for instructing a change in a display mode of the operation panel section. The refrigerator according to item.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the adjustment unit changes a luminance of the display unit and / or the operation unit as a display mode of the operation panel unit.   The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit changes a color of the display unit and / or the operation unit as a display mode of the operation panel unit.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the adjusting unit changes a position of the display unit and / or the operation unit as a display mode of the operation panel unit.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the adjustment unit changes a size of the display unit and / or the operation unit as a display mode of the operation panel unit.   The front plate has a white coating film, and the default value of the luminance of the display unit and / or the operation unit is set to a predetermined luminance or less among a plurality of levels of luminance. The refrigerator according to claim 7.

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