JP2021143825A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator which can be easily used by allowing for easy recognition of the specification of the refrigerator even in a dark place.SOLUTION: A refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator body 2, lower human body detection means 42 which is disposed in a lower part of the refrigerator body 2 and detects a human body coming close to the refrigerator body 2, and a lower ex-storage illumination 22 which illuminates the exterior of a storage of the refrigerator body 2. The lower human body detection means 42 and the lower ex-storage illumination 22 are arranged to be included within a predetermined range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to refrigerators.

When the user uses the refrigerator, if the room in which the refrigerator is located is dark, the user operates the room lighting switch to turn on the room lighting to brighten the room.

When the proximity sensor of the refrigerator detects that a person is approaching, the control unit lights the LED (light emitting diode) of the door opening operation unit for opening the door of the refrigerator, so that the door opening operation unit can be opened. Specifying the position is disclosed in paragraph No. 0345 and FIG. 59 of Patent Document 1.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-14484

However, when the room in which the refrigerator is arranged is dark, the user needs to operate the lighting switch of the room to turn on the lighting of the room every time the refrigerator is used, which is troublesome. Further, in Patent Document 1, even if the LED of the door opening operation unit is turned on, the position of the door opening operation unit can be known. Further, since the LED described in Patent Document 1 does not turn on unless the user approaches the proximity sensor, the LED may be turned on unless the user recognizes the specifications of the refrigerator such as the position of the proximity sensor and approaches the refrigerator. It may not be possible.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can be easily used by making it possible to recognize the specifications of the refrigerator even in a dark place.

The refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a refrigerator main body, a lower human body detecting means that is arranged under the refrigerator main body and detects a human body approaching the refrigerator main body, and a lower region outside the refrigerator main body. It is characterized in that it includes a lower refrigerator exterior lighting to illuminate, and the lower human body detecting means and the lower refrigerator exterior lighting are arranged so as to be included within a predetermined range.

It is a perspective view which shows the whole of the refrigerator which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the intermediate region part between the door of a refrigerator main body, and a pull-out type door. It is a figure which shows the vicinity of the lowermost decorative plate of a refrigerator body. It is a block diagram which shows the electric connection example of the refrigerator shown in FIG. It is the figure which looked at the refrigerator main body arranged along the wall W of room R from the top. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the intermediate outside lighting. It is a figure which shows another structural example of the intermediate exterior lighting. It is a figure which shows the refrigerator of another embodiment of this invention. It is a flow chart which shows the operation example when the shaking / vibration detecting means detects shaking / vibration of a refrigerator body due to the occurrence of an earthquake. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing another operation example when the shaking / vibration detecting means detects the shaking / vibration of the refrigerator body due to the occurrence of an earthquake. It is a flow chart which shows the operation example of a refrigerator. It is a front view which shows the refrigerator of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the electric connection example of each element of the refrigerator shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation example 1 of the refrigerator. It is a figure which shows the operation example 2 of the refrigerator. It is a figure which shows the operation example 3 of the refrigerator. It is a figure which shows the operation example 4 of a refrigerator. It is a figure which shows the operation example 5 of a refrigerator. It is a figure which shows the operation example 6 of a refrigerator. It is a figure which shows the operation example 7 of a refrigerator. It is a front view which shows the refrigerator of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the detailed structure of the operation part of the refrigerator shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of switching the display of the strength level display part of the operation part of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 22. It is a figure which shows the electric connection example of each element of the refrigerator shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the correspondence relationship between each indirect lighting of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 21 and a button in an operation part.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a refrigerator main body 2. The refrigerator main body 2 of the refrigerator 1 is composed of a cabinet having heat insulating properties, and a plurality of storage chambers are formed inside the refrigerator main body 2. As storage rooms, a refrigerator room 5 and a vegetable room 7 are provided in order from the top, an ice making room 8 and a small freezing room 9 are provided side by side under the vegetable room 7, and a main freezing room 10 is provided at the bottom. It is provided.

The upper refrigerating chamber 5 and the vegetable compartment 7 are storage chambers in the refrigerating temperature zone, and are adjusted to a temperature of, for example, about 3 ° C. to 5 ° C. Further, the ice making chamber 8, the small freezing chamber 9, and the main freezing chamber 10 are storage chambers in the freezing temperature range, and are adjusted to, for example, a temperature of about −20 ° C. Although not shown, the refrigerator main body 2 is provided with a refrigerating cycle including a refrigerating cooler for cooling the storage chamber in the refrigerating temperature zone and a refrigerating cooler for cooling the storage chamber in the refrigerating temperature zone. ing.

On the front surface of the refrigerating chamber 5 shown in FIG. 1, left and right doors 3 and 4 for opening and closing the front opening of the refrigerating chamber 5 are provided. The left and right doors 3 and 4 are double doors, and the left end of the left door 3 is rotatably attached by a hinge (not shown). Similarly, the right end of the right door 4 is rotatably attached by a hinge (not shown).

Drawer-type doors 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a for opening and closing each front opening are provided on the front surfaces of the vegetable compartment 7, the ice making chamber 8, the small freezing chamber 9, and the main freezing chamber 10. Handles 3b, 4b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b for the user to insert their fingers and open each door are provided on the left and right doors 3, 4 and the pull-out doors 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a, respectively. ing.

As shown in FIG. 1, door opening operation units 11 and 12 as door opening means are provided on the refrigerator main body 2. For the door opening operation units 11 and 12, an electric actuator such as an electromagnetic solenoid can be adopted. When the door opening operation units 11 and 12 operate, the door opening operation units 11 and 12 automatically push and open the left and right doors 3 and 4, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator main body 2 has an illuminance sensor 20 which is a preferable example of the outside environment detection means, an intermediate outside lighting 21 which is an example of outside lighting, and a lower outside lighting 22. ..

The outside environment is the surrounding environment in which the refrigerator main body 2 is placed, and is, for example, preferably the illuminance of the room in which the refrigerator 1 is placed. The illuminance sensor 20 detects the magnitude of the illuminance, which is an example of the environment outside the refrigerator body 2. As the illuminance sensor 20, for example, a photodiode having a spectral sensitivity characteristic close to the luminosity factor can be used, but the illuminance sensor 20 is not particularly limited.

The illuminance sensor 20 is arranged on the upper surface of the refrigerator body 2, for example. As a result, the illuminance sensor 20 ensures changes in the environment of the room in which the refrigerator body 2 is placed, for example, changes in illuminance, as compared with the case where the illuminance sensor 20 is arranged in the middle or lower part of the refrigerator body 2. Can be detected.

As shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate outside lighting 21 and the lower outside lighting 22 as the outside lighting correspond to the outside environment detected by the illuminance sensor 20 as the outside environment detecting means, for example, the illuminance of the room. It is designed to illuminate the outside of the refrigerator body 2. As a result, the intermediate outside lighting 21 and the lower outside lighting 22 can be turned on according to the degree of brightness of the room in which the refrigerator body 2 is placed to illuminate the outside of the refrigerator body 2. The intermediate exterior lighting 21 and the lower exterior lighting 22 can each be configured using one or more LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), respectively.

A preferred arrangement example of the intermediate exterior lighting 21 and the lower exterior lighting 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. FIG. 2 shows the intermediate region portion 23 between the left and right doors 3 and 4 and the drawer-type door 7a from the side, and FIG. 3 shows the vicinity of the lowermost decorative plate 24 of the refrigerator body 2 from the side. Shown.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, the left-right direction (width direction) of the refrigerator body 2 is indicated by the X direction, the depth direction of the refrigerator body 2 is indicated by the Y direction, and the vertical direction of the refrigerator body 2 is the Z direction. Shown.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the intermediate outdoor lighting 21 is arranged in the intermediate region portion 23 between the doors 3 and 4 and the drawer type door 7a. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the intermediate outdoor lighting 21 is arranged at the center position of the intermediate region portion 23, for example, in the left-right direction (X direction) of the refrigerator main body 2. The intermediate region portion 23 is located on the front side of the refrigerator main body 2 and at a substantially intermediate position in the vertical direction (Z direction) of the refrigerator main body 2.

As a result, when the intermediate external lighting 21 is turned on, the area on the front side of the refrigerator body 2 can be illuminated substantially evenly in the vertical direction (Z direction) and also in the horizontal direction (X direction). ..

As shown in FIG. 3, the lower exterior lighting 22 is arranged on the lowermost decorative plate 24. The decorative plate 24 is arranged under the drawer-type door 10a. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the lower exterior lighting 22 is arranged at the center position of the decorative plate 24, for example, in the left-right direction (X direction) of the refrigerator main body 2. As a result, when the intermediate outdoor lighting 21 is turned on, the lower area of the refrigerator body 2, in other words, the area of the user's feet approaching the refrigerator body 2 (the area of the floor surface of the room) is illuminated almost evenly on the left and right sides. be able to.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator main body 2 has operation units 31 and 32 for operating the refrigerator 1. The operation units 31 and 32 are door opening switches for operating the door opening by touching the left and right doors 3 and 4, respectively. The operation unit 31 is arranged below the left door 3, and the operation unit 32 is arranged below the right door 4. The operation units 31 and 32 are arranged close to each other in the center of the refrigerator main body 2 so as to be easy for the user to use.

As the operation units 31 and 32, for example, a capacitance type touch sensor that detects a change in capacitance when the user touches it and generates an on signal is used. When the user touches the operation unit 31 with a finger, elbow, or the like, the door opening operation unit 11 operates and the left door 3 can be automatically opened. Similarly, when the user touches the operation unit 32 with a finger, an elbow, or the like, the door opening operation unit 12 operates and the right door 4 can be automatically opened.

The operation units 31 and 32 shown in FIG. 1 have operation unit illuminations 33 and 34 as backlights for illuminating the operation units 31 and 32 from the back side, respectively. The operation unit lights 33 and 34 illuminate the operation units 31 and 32 from the back surface. As a result, the operation units 31 and 32 can be brightly illuminated and the positions of the operation units 31 and 32 can be clearly indicated to the user. Therefore, the user confirms the positions of the operation units 31 and 32 and operates. Easy to do.

As shown in FIG. 1, the positions of the intermediate outside lighting 21 and the lower outside lighting 22, which are examples of the above-mentioned outside lighting, are arranged at positions different from the positions of the operation unit lights 33 and 34. As a result, the operation unit lightings 33 and 34 have a role of illuminating the operation units 31 and 32 from the back surface to brighten the operation units 31 and 32 and clearly indicate the positions of the operation units 31 and 32 to the user. Have.

On the other hand, the intermediate external lighting 21 illuminates the area on the front side of the refrigerator main body 2, so that the room can be brightly illuminated even when the room in which the refrigerator main body 2 is placed is dark. Further, the lower external lighting 22 has a role of brightly illuminating the lower area (foot area) on the front side of the refrigerator main body 2, and together with the intermediate external lighting 21, even when the room in which the refrigerator main body 2 is placed is dark. It can illuminate the room brightly.

In this way, depending on the brightness of the room in which the refrigerator 1 is arranged, that is, when the room is dark, the intermediate outdoor lighting 21 illuminates the area on the front side of the refrigerator main body 2, and also the lower external lighting. 22 illuminates the lower area (foot area) on the front side of the refrigerator body 2 to brighten the room, and the user can confirm the location of the refrigerator 1.

Further, the operation unit lights 33 and 34 of the operation units 31 and 32, the intermediate external lighting 21 and the lower external lighting 22 are turned on at the same time, so that the refrigerator 1 can be produced with a high-class feeling.

Next, the front human body detecting means 41 and the lower human body detecting means 42 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

The front human body detecting means 41 and the lower human body detecting means 42 shown in FIG. 1 can detect a human body when a user (human body) approaches the refrigerator main body 2, for example, a capacitance type proximity sensor or an infrared sensor. Etc. can be used.

The front human body detecting means 41 detects a user (human body) within a predetermined distance range in front of the refrigerator main body 2. When the front human body detecting means 41 detects a user in front of the refrigerator main body 2, at least the intermediate outside lighting 21 is turned on, and preferably both the intermediate outside lighting 21 and the lower outside lighting 22 are interlocked with each other. It lights up and illuminates the outside of the refrigerator. As a result, when the user enters the room and tries to approach the refrigerator main body 2, if the room is dark, the intermediate outdoor lighting 21 illuminates the area on the front side of the refrigerator main body 2, and the lower external lighting 22 Illuminates the lower area (foot area) on the front side of the refrigerator body 2, so that the user can easily approach the refrigerator 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the shaking / vibration detecting means 44 is arranged in the refrigerator main body 2. The shaking / vibration detecting means 44 is arranged near the illuminance sensor 20 on the upper surface of the refrigerator body 2, for example. As the shaking / vibration detecting means 44, for example, a piezoelectric type acceleration sensor that detects shaking or vibration applied to the refrigerator body 2 can be used.

When the shaking / vibration detecting means 44 detects the shaking or vibration of the refrigerator main body 2, it is determined that, for example, an earthquake has occurred and the refrigerator main body 2 has shaken, and at least the intermediate exterior lighting 21 is turned on, which is preferable. In, both the intermediate exterior lighting 21 and the lower exterior lighting 22 are lit in conjunction with each other to illuminate the outside of the refrigerator.

As a result, in an emergency when an earthquake occurs, even if the room in which the refrigerator body 2 is placed is in a dark state, the intermediate outside lighting 21 and the lower outside lighting 22 brightly illuminate the surroundings of the refrigerator body 2. It can play the role of a guide light and improve the safety around the refrigerator 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of electrical connection of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerator main body 2 has a storage battery 50 for supplying power in an emergency. As the storage battery 50, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion battery can be used.

The control unit 100 includes door opening operation units 11 and 12, an illuminance sensor 20, an intermediate exterior lighting 21, a lower exterior lighting 22, operation units 31 and 32, a front human body detecting means 41, and a lower human body detecting means 42. It is electrically connected to the shaking / vibration detecting means 44, the storage battery 50, and the commercial power source 51.

The control unit 100 shown in FIG. 4 controls the lighting of the intermediate exterior lighting 21 and the lower exterior lighting 22, which are examples of the exterior lighting, according to the illuminance around the outside of the refrigerator detected by the illuminance sensor 20. For example, when the control unit 100 determines that the room is dark based on the illuminance of the room detected by the illuminance sensor 20, the control unit 100 determines that the illuminance is equal to or less than a predetermined illuminance, and the control unit 100 at least dims the intermediate exterior lighting 21. It illuminates and lights up, preferably both the intermediate exterior lighting 21 and the lower exterior lighting 22 are interlocked to illuminate and illuminate the outside of the refrigerator.

As a result, the energy consumption of the intermediate outside lighting 21 and the lower outside lighting 22 is reduced by turning on the intermediate outside lighting 21 and the lower outside lighting 22 only when the room is dark, and the energy saving of the refrigerator 1 is reduced. I am trying to.

Further, for example, if the control unit 100 determines that the room is bright based on the illuminance of the room detected by the illuminance sensor 20 and the illuminance exceeds a predetermined illuminance, the control unit 100 does not need to illuminate the room. In 100, the intermediate outdoor lighting 21 and the lower external lighting 22 are turned off in conjunction with each other. As a result, the energy consumption of the intermediate outside lighting 21 and the lower outside lighting 22 is reduced by turning on the intermediate outside lighting 21 and the lower outside lighting 22 only when the room is dark, and the energy saving of the refrigerator 1 is reduced. I am trying to.

If the control unit 100 lights the operation unit lights 33 and 34 of the operation units 31 and 32, the intermediate outside lighting 21 and the lower outside lighting 22 in conjunction with each other during normal use of the refrigerator 1, the user can use the control unit 100. Can confirm the positions of the operation units 31 and 32 in a state where the environment around the refrigerator main body 2 is brightly illuminated to ensure safety. Moreover, if the operation unit lights 33 and 34 of the operation units 31 and 32, the intermediate outside lighting 21 and the lower outside lighting 22 are turned on in conjunction with each other, the user of the refrigerator 1 is given a sense of luxury by light. Can be directed. Further, if the emission colors of the operation unit lights 33 and 34 of the operation units 31 and 32, the intermediate exterior lighting 21 and the lower exterior lighting 22 can be arbitrarily set and changed, a more luxurious feeling due to the light can be obtained. Can be produced.

The control unit 100 has a lower human body detecting means 42, and the lower human body detecting means 42 is arranged in the lower part of the refrigerator main body 2. When the front human body detecting means 41 detects a user (human body) in front of the refrigerator main body 2, the control unit 100 enables the function of detecting the human body of the lower human body detecting means 42.

As a result, when the front human body detecting means 41 detects the user (human body) in front of the refrigerator main body 2, the function of detecting the human body of the lower human body detecting means 42 can be exerted, so that the lower human body detecting means 42 can be turned on and off. Can be switched without waste.

When both the front human body detecting means 41 and the lower human body detecting means 42 of FIGS. 1 and 4 detect the user (human body), the control unit 100 of FIG. 4 touches the operation units 31 and 32 by the user. Accept operations. That is, when the user approaches the refrigerator main body 2 within a predetermined distance range, the control unit 100 accepts the touch operation of the operation units 31 and 32 by the user. As a result, the control unit 100 drives the door opening operation unit 11 or the door opening operation unit 12, so that the user can automatically open the left door 3 or the right door 4.

The left and right doors 3 and 4 that the user tries to open only when the user approaches the refrigerator body 2 with the intermediate exterior lighting 21 and the lower exterior lighting 22 brightening the surroundings of the refrigerator body 2. Since it can be opened, it can lead to energy saving of the refrigerator 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate exterior lighting 21 is arranged in the vicinity of the front human body detecting means 41, and the lower exterior lighting 22 is arranged in the vicinity of the lower human body detecting means 42. Further, the lower human body detecting means 42 and the lower outside lighting 22 are located in the width direction of the door 4 or in front of and behind the legs of the refrigerator body 2 (the lowermost member on the right front side of the refrigerator body 2 in FIG. 1). It is installed so that it is included in the width range. As a result, the intermediate exterior lighting 21 can illuminate the entire room in which the refrigerator body 2 is placed, and the lower exterior lighting 22 can illuminate the vicinity of the user's feet. Therefore, the user can use the refrigerator 1 with the entire room brightened, and the feet of the user can also be brightened, so that the refrigerator 1 can be easily used.

The control unit 100 shown in FIG. 4 can adjust the amount of light generated by the intermediate exterior lighting 21 and the lower exterior lighting 22 in a plurality of stages such as weak, medium, and strong. The faint light generated by the intermediate exterior lighting 21 and the lower exterior lighting 22 when the room is dark and the user is not close to the refrigerator body 2 is "weak" light. Further, the normal light generated by the intermediate exterior lighting 21 and the lower exterior lighting 22 depending on the illuminance of the room is "medium" light or "strong" light. The amount of light generated by the intermediate exterior lighting 21 and the lower exterior lighting 22 may be adjusted steplessly.

When the control unit 100 turns on or off the intermediate external lighting 21 and the lower external lighting 22 or switches the brightness, the control unit 100 slowly changes the amount of light generated by the intermediate external lighting 21 and the lower external lighting 22. Dimming to make it fade in / fade out. That is, the control unit 100 dimmes the intermediate outdoor lighting 21 and the lower external lighting 22 so as to slowly turn on and off. In this way, in the refrigerator 1, the high-class feeling of the refrigerator 1 can be obtained by slowly changing the amount of light of the intermediate outdoor lighting 21 and the lower external lighting 22.

Next, a preferable structural example of the intermediate outdoor lighting 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the refrigerator main body 2 arranged along the wall W of the room R. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a structural example of the intermediate outdoor lighting 21.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which the side surface 2R on the right side of the refrigerator body 2 is arranged close to the wall W of the room R, and the wall W is parallel to the depth direction (Z direction) of the refrigerator body 2. .. The intermediate external lighting 21 includes a circuit board 55 and light emitting elements 56, 57, 58, 59 such as a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on the circuit board 55. The light emitting elements 56, 57, 58, and 59 are mounted on the circuit board 55 in different directions of light emission.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the light L1 of the light emitting element 56 is set to be oriented in the horizontal direction and away from the wall W along the X1 direction along the left-right direction (X direction) of the refrigerator body 2. There is. The light L2 of the light emitting element 57 is oriented in the horizontal direction. The light L3 of the light emitting element 58 is set so as to be slightly downward and away from the wall W along the X1 direction along the left-right direction (X direction) of the refrigerator main body 2. The light L4 of the light emitting element 59 faces downward. Thereby, for example, the four light emitting elements 56, 57, 58, 59 can evenly illuminate the entire room R in consideration of the wall W on the right side of the refrigerator main body 2. Therefore, even if the outside of the refrigerator is dark, the room can be brightened so that the refrigerator can be checked, and the refrigerator can be easily used.

FIG. 7 shows another structural example of the intermediate outdoor lighting 21.

In FIG. 7, the intermediate exterior lighting 21 has, for example, one light emitting element 60. The light emitting element 60 is rotatably supported in the Q direction with respect to the circuit board 61 about the shaft 62. The light emitting element 60 has a protrusion 63. The light emitting element 60 is attached to the hole 67 of the circuit board 61 via an elastically deformable support 99 such as a soft tape or a sponge. The connecting portion 65 of the electric actuator 64 is attached to the protrusion 63. The control unit 100 drives the electric actuator 64, and the connecting unit 65 expands and contracts along the left-right direction (X direction) of the refrigerator body 2, so that the light emitting element 60 is elastically deformed by the support 99. It can be positioned by rotating in the direction. As a result, the light L5 emitted by the light emitting element 60 can be directed away from the wall W.

As described above, since the direction of the light illuminated by the intermediate external lighting 21 can be freely changed, the light is directed to the side without the wall W according to the position of the wall W when the refrigerator main body 2 is placed in the room. The direction of the light of the intermediate external lighting 21 can be set to the most suitable direction according to the shape of the room of each home. Therefore, even if the outside of the refrigerator is dark, the room can be brightened so that the refrigerator can be checked, and the refrigerator can be easily used.

By the way, the function that the intermediate external lighting 21 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 can change the light irradiation direction is set in the operation units 31 and 32 shown in FIG. 1, and the intermediate external lighting 21 changes the light irradiation direction. For example, the setter or the user who sets the refrigerator 1 in the room R considers the position of the wall W of the room R in the operation units 31 and 32 shown in FIG. It may be possible to irradiate the light of the intermediate external lighting 21 in the direction.

In this way, when setting the light irradiation direction of the intermediate external lighting 21, the refrigerator 1 is directed in the direction opposite to the position of the wall W in consideration of the position of the wall W of the room R. This is because the user approaches the refrigerator main body 2 from the direction opposite to the position of the wall W of the room R. Therefore, the light of the intermediate outdoor lighting 21 can be efficiently directed to the user approaching the refrigerator main body 2.

The structure of the lower exterior lighting 22 and the setting of the light irradiation direction can be set in the same manner as the structure of the intermediate exterior illumination 21 and the setting of the light irradiation direction.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a refrigerator 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In the refrigerator body 2 shown in FIG. 8, the decorative plate 24 has two sets of G1 and G2, the lower exterior lighting 22, and the lower human body detecting means 42. By arranging the lower exterior lighting 22 and the lower human body detecting means 42 of the two sets G1 and G2, it is possible to illuminate the user's feet even brighter. Further, when the lower human body detecting means 42 of the group G1 detects the user's feet, the drawer type door 7a can be automatically opened by using, for example, a door opening operation unit (not shown) of the drawer type door 7a. Similarly, when the lower human body detecting means 42 of the group G2 detects the user's feet, the drawer type door 10a can be automatically opened by using, for example, a door opening operation unit (not shown) of the drawer type door 10a. .. In this way, by arranging a plurality of lower human body detecting means 42 in the lower part of the refrigerator main body 2, the control unit can perform different operations.

9 and 10 show examples of operations when the shaking / vibration detecting means 44 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 detects shaking / vibration of the refrigerator body 2 due to, for example, an earthquake.

First, in the operation example shown in FIG. 9, when the shaking / vibration detecting means 44 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 detects the shaking / vibration of the refrigerator body 2 due to the occurrence of an earthquake, for example, as shown in step S1. In step S2, the control unit 100 lights at least the intermediate outside lighting 21 and preferably lights both the intermediate outside lighting 21 and the lower outside lighting 22 which is a foot light in conjunction with each other to turn on the outside of the refrigerator. Can be illuminated.

As a result, even if the room in which the refrigerator 1 is placed is in a dark state, the intermediate exterior lighting 21 and the lower exterior lighting 22 automatically illuminate the surroundings of the refrigerator 1 brightly in the event of an earthquake. The outside lighting 21 and the lower refrigerator outside lighting 22 can serve as guide lights (emergency lights). Therefore, in an emergency such as an earthquake, the refrigerator 1 can be used to brighten the room even if the outside of the refrigerator is in a dark environment.

Further, in another operation example shown in FIG. 10, the shaking / vibration detecting means 44 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 detects the shaking / vibration of the refrigerator body 2 due to, for example, an earthquake, as shown in step S11. In this case, as shown in step S12, when the power supply from the normally connected commercial power supply 51 is stopped, the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the control unit 100 switches the power supply to the refrigerator main body 2 from the commercial power supply 51 to the storage battery 50. Then, as shown in step S14, in the control unit 100, at least the intermediate external lighting 21 is turned on by the power supply from the storage battery 50, and preferably the intermediate external lighting 21 and the lower external lighting 22 which is a foot light. Both can be lit in conjunction to illuminate the outside of the refrigerator.

As a result, even if the power supply from the commercial power source 51 is stopped when an earthquake occurs, the intermediate exterior lighting 21 and the lower exterior lighting 22 brightly illuminate the surroundings of the refrigerator 1, so that the intermediate exterior lighting 21 and the lower cabinet are illuminated. The external lighting 22 can serve as a guide light. Therefore, the safety around the refrigerator 1 can be improved. Therefore, even if the outside of the refrigerator is dark, the room can be brightened so that the refrigerator can be checked, and the refrigerator can be easily used.

Next, FIG. 11 shows an operation example of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

In step S21 shown in FIG. 11, the illuminance sensor 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 notifies the control unit 100, and the control unit 100 determines that the room R, which is the environment outside the refrigerator main body 2, is bright. , Step S22. In step S22, since the room R is bright, the control unit 100 determines that the lower exterior lighting 22 does not need to be turned on because the lower exterior lighting 22 does not need to illuminate the user's feet. , Turn off the lower exterior lighting 22.

On the other hand, in step S21, when the illuminance sensor 20 of FIG. 4 notifies the control unit 100 and the control unit 100 determines that the environment of the room R is dark, the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, since the room R is dark, the control unit 100 turns on the lower exterior lighting 22 as a spare light, for example, with a faint light, in order to slightly brighten the inside of the room R so that the position of the refrigerator main body 2 can be known. At the same time, the operation unit lights 33 and 34 of the operation units 31 and 32 are turned on.

As a result, in order to make it easier for the user to approach the refrigerator body 2, the lower exterior lighting 22 of FIGS. 1 and 4 is turned on with a faint light (weak), so that even if the room R is dark. , The user can easily see the position and the lower part of the refrigerator body 2 and easily approach the refrigerator body 2. Further, since the operation unit lights 33 and 34 illuminate the operation units 31 and 32, the positions of the operation units 31 and 32 can be clearly indicated to the user. In the control unit 100 of FIG. 4, when the room R is dark, the operation unit lights 33 and 34 illuminate the operation units 31 and 32 to make them stand out, and the lower refrigerator exterior lighting 22 is lit with a faint light (weak). , The appearance of the refrigerator 1 can be enhanced. In this way, even in a dark environment outside the refrigerator, the position of the refrigerator body 2 can be confirmed by slightly brightening the room.

Next, in step S24, the user (human body) approaches the refrigerator main body 2 and enters a predetermined distance range from the refrigerator main body 2, and the forward human body detecting means 41 of FIGS. 1 and 4 detects the user. In that case, the process proceeds to step S25. If the forward human body detecting means 41 does not detect the user, the process returns to step S21.

In step S25, the intermediate exterior lighting 21 of FIGS. 1 and 4 is lit with bright light (medium or strong), and the lower exterior lighting 22 is lit with light (weak) to bright light (medium or strong). Then, the operation unit lights 33 and 34 are turned on to illuminate the room R brightly.

As a result, in the control unit 100 of FIG. 4, when the room R is bright, the operation unit lights 33 and 34 illuminate the operation units 31 and 32 to make them stand out, and the intermediate external lighting 21 and the lower external lighting 22 are turned on. Since it lights up with bright light (medium or strong), the refrigerator body 2 can be clearly confirmed visually. In addition, the appearance of the refrigerator 1 can be enhanced. Moreover, when the front human body detecting means 41 detects the user, the control unit 100 changes the detection function of the lower human body detecting means 42 from the hibernation state to the operating state.

Then, in step S26, the room R in which the refrigerator main body 2 is placed is brightly illuminated by the intermediate external lighting 21, and the user's feet are also brightly illuminated by the lower external lighting 22. In this state, the control unit 100 of FIG. 4 accepts a touch operation of the operation unit 31 or a touch operation of the operation unit 32 by the user's fingers, elbows, etc., and the control unit 100 receives the door opening operation unit 11 or the door opening. The operation unit 12 can be driven.

Therefore, the left door 3 or the right door 4 that the user tries to open can be automatically opened. In this way, the left and right doors that the user tries to open only when the user approaches the refrigerator main body 2 with the intermediate external lighting 21 and the lower external lighting 22 brightening the surroundings of the refrigerator main body 2. Since 3 and 4 can be opened, it is possible to save energy in the refrigerator 1.

Next, in step S27, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the lower human body detecting means 42 detects the user's foot F as shown in FIG. 3, and the lower human body detecting means 42 determines whether or not the lower human body detecting means 42 detects the user. If the foot F is detected, the process returns to step S25 and the state of step S25 is maintained. However, when the lower human body detecting means 42 does not detect the user's foot F, the control unit 100 determines that the user has left the refrigerator main body 2 and returns to step S21.

When the left door 3 or the right door 4 is opened, the control unit 100 is at least one of the operation unit lights 33 and 34, the intermediate exterior lighting 21, and the lower exterior lighting 22 of the operation units 31 and 32. One may be blinked several times, for example for a few seconds. As a result, it is possible to alert the user that the left door 3 or the right door 4 will open by blinking the lighting, and the safety of use can be improved.

The structure of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and any structure can be adopted.

For example, preferably, the front plate, which is a transparent glass plate, may be arranged on the front surfaces of the left and right doors 3, 4, and the pull-out doors 7a, 8a, 9a, and 10a. The doors 3 and 4 of the refrigerator compartment 5 are double doors, but may be a single door.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 12 has a refrigerator main body 2. The refrigerator main body 2 of the refrigerator 1 is composed of a cabinet having heat insulating properties, and a plurality of storage chambers are formed inside the refrigerator main body 2. As the storage room, a refrigerating room 201 and a vegetable room 207 are provided in this order from the top. Below the vegetable compartment 207, an ice making chamber 208 and a small freezing chamber 209 are provided side by side, and a large freezing chamber 210 is provided at the bottom.

The upper refrigerating chamber 201 and the vegetable compartment 207 are storage chambers in the refrigerating temperature zone, and are adjusted to a temperature of, for example, about 3 ° C. to 5 ° C. Further, the ice making chamber 208, the small freezing chamber 209, and the large freezing chamber 210 are storage chambers in the freezing temperature range, and are adjusted to, for example, a temperature of about −20 ° C.

On the front surface of the refrigerating chamber 201 shown in FIG. 12, left and right refrigerating chamber doors 203 and 204 for opening and closing the front opening of the refrigerating chamber 201 are provided. The left and right refrigerator compartment doors 203 and 204 are double doors, and the left end of the left door 203 is rotatably attached by a hinge (not shown). Similarly, the right end of the right door 204 is rotatably attached by a hinge (not shown).

A drawer-type vegetable compartment door 206 for opening and closing the vegetable compartment 207 is provided on the front surface of the vegetable compartment 207, and a drawer-type ice-making chamber door 208A for opening and closing the ice-making chamber 208 is provided on the front surface of the ice-making chamber 208. There is. A drawer-type small freezing room door 209A that opens and closes the small freezing room 209 is provided in front of the small freezing room 209, and a drawer-type large freezing room that opens and closes the large freezing room 210 is provided in front of the large freezing room 210. A door 210A is provided.

As shown in FIG. 12, the refrigerating room lighting 211 is arranged inside the refrigerating room 201. The refrigerating room lighting 211 illuminates the inside of the refrigerating room 201 by opening the refrigerating room door 203 on the left side or the refrigerating room door 204 on the right side. The refrigerating room lighting 211 uses, for example, an LED (light emitting diode).

As shown in FIG. 12, the left refrigerating room door 203 has a left proximity sensor 124, a left refrigerating room opening / closing sensor 126, and a left vegetable room lighting 122. Similarly, the right refrigerating room door 204 has a right proximity sensor 125, a right refrigerating room opening / closing sensor 127, and a right vegetable room lighting 123.

The left proximity sensor 124 detects the approach of a person when the person approaches the left refrigerating room door 203. The right proximity sensor 125 detects the approach of a person when the person approaches the refrigerating room door 204 on the right side. The left refrigerating room opening / closing sensor 126 detects that the left refrigerating room door 203 is opened / closed. The right refrigerating room opening / closing sensor 127 detects that the right refrigerating room door 204 is opened / closed.

The left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 are preferably LEDs (light emitting diodes) for illuminating the inside of the vegetable room 207 with the vegetable room door 206 pulled out. The left refrigerating room opening / closing sensor 126 and the left vegetable room lighting 122 are provided at the lower part (lower side portion) of the left refrigerating room door 203. The right refrigerating room opening / closing sensor 127 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 are provided at the lower part (lower side portion) of the right refrigerating room door 204. Since the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 are arranged below the left and right refrigerating room doors 203 and 204, the inside of the vegetable room 207 can be reliably illuminated with the vegetable room door 206 pulled out.

As shown in FIG. 12, the vegetable compartment 207 has a vegetable compartment opening / closing sensor 111. The vegetable compartment opening / closing sensor 111 detects that the vegetable compartment door 206 is opened / closed.

The ice making chamber 208 has an ice making chamber opening / closing sensor 131. The ice making chamber opening / closing sensor 131 detects that the ice making chamber door 208A is opened / closed. The small freezing room 209 has a small freezing room opening / closing sensor 141. The small freezing room opening / closing sensor 141 detects that the small freezing room door 209A is opened / closed. The large freezing room 210 has a large freezing room opening / closing sensor 151. The large freezing room opening / closing sensor 151 detects that the large freezing room door 210A is opened / closed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of electrical connection of each element of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13, a control unit (also referred to as a main control unit) 100 on the main body side is arranged in the refrigerator main body 2. On the other hand, the left proximity microcomputer (microcomputer) 301 is arranged on the left side refrigerating room door 203, and the right proximity microcomputer (microcomputer) 302 is arranged on the right side refrigerating room door 204. The left proximity microcomputer 301 is electrically connected to the control microcomputer (microcomputer) 300, the left vegetable room lighting 122, and the left proximity sensor 124. The right proximity microcomputer 302 is electrically connected to the control microcomputer 300, the right vegetable room lighting 123, and the right proximity sensor 125.

The control microcomputer 300 electrically connects the left refrigerating room opening / closing sensor 126, the right refrigerating room opening / closing sensor 127, the vegetable room opening / closing sensor 111, the ice making room opening / closing sensor 131, the small freezing room opening / closing sensor 141, and the large freezing room opening / closing sensor 151. It is connected. The control microcomputer 300 is electrically connected to the control unit 100 on the main body side.

Preferably, the control microcomputer 300 and the left proximity microcomputer 301 can be arranged on the left side refrigerating room door 203, and the right proximity microcomputer 302 is arranged on the right side refrigerating room door 204. As a result, the control microcomputer 300 has the left refrigerating room opening / closing sensor 126, the right refrigerating room opening / closing sensor 127, the vegetable room opening / closing sensor 111, the ice making room opening / closing sensor 131, and the small freezer room opening / closing sensor 141 at the left refrigerating room door 203. It is possible to receive and process each opening / closing detection signal from the large freezer opening / closing sensor 151.

Further, the left proximity microcomputer 301 can process the left side refrigerating room door 203 by receiving the lighting control of the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the detection signal when the left proximity sensor 124 detects the approach of a person. The right proximity microcomputer 302 can process the right proximity microcomputer 302 by receiving the lighting control of the right vegetable room lighting 123 and the detection signal when the right proximity sensor 125 detects the approach of a person at the right refrigerating room door 204. The control microcomputer 300 and the proximity microcomputers 301 and 302 constitute a door-side control unit 400 arranged on the left and right refrigerating room doors 203 and 204. On the other hand, the refrigerator main body 2 is arranged with a control unit 100 on the main body side, and this control unit 100 is a main control unit that controls the entire refrigerator 1.

Therefore, the processing of detecting the opening / closing of each door and the processing of detecting the approach of a person can be performed on the left and right refrigerating room doors 203 and 204, and for the processing of detecting the opening / closing of each door and the processing of detecting the approach of a person. Signal does not have to be sent to the control unit 100 on the main body side. Therefore, since the number of bundled wires such as signal lines between the control microcomputer 300 and the control unit 100 on the main body side can be reduced, the left and right refrigerating chamber doors 203 and 204 can be attached to the refrigerator main body 2 side. It can be simplified.

(Operation example of refrigerator 1)
Next, a specific operation example of the refrigerator 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 20.

(Operation example 1)
As shown in FIG. 12, as described above, the refrigerator main body 2 opens and closes the vegetable compartment door 206 that opens the vegetable compartment 207 by pulling it out, and the vegetable compartment opening and closing as an outdoor environment detecting means for detecting the opening and closing of the vegetable compartment door 206. It has a sensor 111, left and right refrigerating room doors 203 and 204 that open and close the refrigerating room 201 above the vegetable room 207 in the rotational direction, and left vegetable room lighting 122 and right vegetable room lighting 123 as outdoor lighting. The left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 are arranged below the left and right refrigerating room doors 203 and 204, respectively, and are outdoor lighting for illuminating the inside of the vegetable room 207.

Therefore, when the vegetable compartment door 206 of FIG. 12 is pulled out as illustrated in FIG. 14 (A) and the vegetable compartment opening / closing sensor 111 detects that the vegetable compartment door 206 is opened, it is shown in FIG. The detection signal of the vegetable room opening / closing sensor 111 is notified to the control microcomputer 300, and the control microcomputer 300 immediately or for a certain period of time turns on the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 directly or via the proximity microcomputers 301 and 302. Later, turn it on instantly or slowly.

Further, when the vegetable compartment door 206 is closed as illustrated in FIG. 14B and the vegetable compartment opening / closing sensor 111 detects that the vegetable compartment door 206 is closed, the vegetable compartment opening / closing sensor 111 shown in FIG. 13 The detection signal is notified to the control microcomputer 300, and the control microcomputer 300 instantly or slowly turns on the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 immediately or after a certain period of time, either directly or via the proximity microcomputers 301 and 302. Turn off the lights.

The above-mentioned "fixed time" is a predetermined time, for example, 1 second. This fixed time is the same in the following description. Slowly turning off the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 means turning off the lights while gradually reducing the amount of light.

In this way, when the user opens the vegetable room door 206, the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 at the bottom of the left and right refrigerating room doors 203 and 204 are instantly or slowly after an immediate or fixed period of time. When the lights are turned on and the user closes the vegetable room door 206, the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 are turned off instantly or slowly after an immediate or fixed period of time.

As a result, the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 that illuminate the inside of the vegetable room 207 can be turned on and off at the timing of opening and closing the drawer-type vegetable room door 206. Therefore, the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 can brightly illuminate the inside of the vegetable room 207 when the vegetable room door 206 is opened. When the vegetable room door 206 is closed, the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 are turned off instantly or while gradually reducing the amount of light, thereby saving power in the refrigerator 1.

(Operation example 2)
The left refrigerating room opening / closing sensor 126 and the right refrigerating room opening / closing sensor 127 shown in FIG. 12 detect the opening / closing operations of the left and right refrigerating room doors 203 and 204, respectively. When the left refrigerating room opening / closing sensor 126 or the right refrigerating room opening / closing sensor 127 detects that one or both of the left and right refrigerating room doors 203 and 204 are opened, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 15, this detection signal is sent to the door side. The control microcomputer 300 as the control unit 400 of the above is notified. When one or both of the left and right refrigerating room doors 203 and 204 are opened in this way, the control microcomputer 300 directly or via the proximity microcomputers 301 and 302 are used to illuminate the left vegetable room of the left and right refrigerating room doors 203 and 204. When the 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 are on, the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 are turned off instantly or slowly after an immediate or fixed period of time.

In this way, when the vegetable room door 206 is open, the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 are turned on to illuminate the inside of the vegetable room 207. However, when the user opens one or both of the left and right refrigerating room doors 203 and 204, both the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 that have been lit are turned off. This is because when the user opens one or both of the left and right refrigerating room doors 203 and 204, the refrigerating room lighting 211 can illuminate the inside of the vegetable room 207. Therefore, since the lighting by the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 that were lit becomes unnecessary, both the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 that were lit are turned off. Therefore, the power saving of the refrigerator 1 can be achieved.

(Operation example 3)
Further, when the left refrigerating room opening / closing sensor 126 and the right refrigerating room opening / closing sensor 127 shown in FIG. 12 detect that either the left or right refrigerating room doors 203 or 204 are open, as illustrated in FIG. The detection signal is notified to the control microcomputer 300 as the control unit 400 on the door side. When the control microcomputer 300 is lit by the left vegetable room lighting 122 or the right vegetable room lighting 123 of the left and right refrigerating room doors 203 and 204 on the open side directly or via the proximity microcomputers 301 and 302, the control microcomputer 300 is opened. Turn off the left vegetable room lighting 122 or the right vegetable room lighting 123 on the side of the door immediately or after a certain period of time, instantly or slowly.

As a result, when the user opens any of the refrigerating room doors 203 and 204, only the left vegetable room lighting 122 or the right vegetable room lighting 123 of the refrigerating room door 203 (204) on the opened side is turned off. When the user opens either the left or right refrigerating room doors 203 or 204, the refrigerating room lighting 211 can illuminate the inside of the vegetable room 207. It becomes unnecessary. For this reason, only the left vegetable room lighting 122 or the right vegetable room lighting 123 that was lit is turned off. Therefore, the power saving of the refrigerator 1 can be achieved.

(Operation example 4)
The left proximity sensor 124 and the right proximity sensor 125 as the outdoor environment detection means of FIG. 12 are arranged on both the left and right refrigerating room doors 203 and 204. For example, when the left proximity sensor 124 and the right proximity sensor 125 detect the approach of the human MM as illustrated in FIG. 17, this detection signal is notified to the control microcomputer 300 as the control unit 400 on the door side. The control microcomputer 300 lights the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 of both the left and right refrigerating room doors 203 and 204 directly or via the proximity microcomputers 301 and 302 immediately or after a certain period of time, instantly or slowly. Let me.

As a result, when the user approaches the refrigerator 1, both the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 are turned on. Therefore, the left proximity sensor 124 and the right proximity sensor 125 can illuminate the surroundings and feet of the refrigerator 1. In this way, the refrigerator 1 is placed by combining the left vegetable room lighting 122, the right vegetable room lighting 123, the left proximity sensor 124, and the right proximity sensor 125 and turning them on when a person approaches the refrigerator 1. When the room is dark, the positions of the vegetable room door 206, the ice making room door 208A, the small freezing room door 209A, and the large freezing room door 210A can be easily confirmed by brightening the positions.

(Operation example 5)
Further, when one of the left proximity sensor 124 and the right proximity sensor 125 in FIG. 12 detects the approach of the human MM, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 18B, this detection signal is transmitted to the door. The control microcomputer 300 as the control unit 400 on the side is notified. Immediately or only the left vegetable room lighting 122 on the left proximity sensor 124 side detected by the control microcomputer 300 or directly through the proximity microcomputers 301 and 302, or only the right vegetable room lighting 123 on the right proximity sensor 125 side detected. After a certain period of time, turn it on instantly or slowly.

As a result, when the user approaches the left refrigerating room door 203 as illustrated in FIG. 18A, the left vegetable room lighting 122 is turned on. Alternatively, when the user approaches the right refrigerating room door 204 as illustrated in FIG. 18B, the right vegetable room lighting 123 is turned on. That is, only the left vegetable room lighting 122 of the left refrigerating room door 203 that detects a person or the right vegetable room lighting 123 of the right refrigerating room door 204 that detects a person is turned on. Therefore, the left vegetable room lighting 122 or the right vegetable room lighting 123 can illuminate the surroundings and feet of the refrigerator 1 according to the approaching position of the person detected by the left proximity sensor 124 or the right proximity sensor 125.

(Operation example 6)
As illustrated in FIG. 19, the ice making chamber opening / closing sensor 131 shown in FIG. 12 detects that the ice making chamber door 208A has opened, or detects the opening / closing of the large freezing chamber door 210A. When it detects that the large freezer door 210A has opened, this detection signal is notified to the control microcomputer 300 as the control unit 400 on the door side. The control microcomputer 300 turns on the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 immediately or after a certain period of time, instantly or slowly, either directly or via the proximity microcomputers 301 and 302.

As a result, the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 are turned on even when the ice making room door 208A and the large freezing room door 210A below the vegetable room 207 are opened. The left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 can illuminate the ice making room 208 and the large freezing room 210 below the vegetable room 207, and preferably the inside of the small freezing room 209. And preferably, even when the small freezing room door 209A is opened, the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 may be turned on so that the inside of the small freezing room 209 can be illuminated.

(Operation example 7)
Further, when the ice making chamber opening / closing sensor 131 of FIG. 12 detects that the ice making chamber door 208A has opened, as illustrated in FIG. 20, or the large freezing chamber opening / closing sensor 151 detects that the ice making chamber door 208A has opened, or the large freezing chamber door 210A When it is detected that the door has been opened, this detection signal is notified to the control microcomputer 300 as the control unit 400 on the door side. At this time, when one or both of the left and right refrigerating room doors 203 and 204 are open, the control microcomputer 300 directly or via the proximity microcomputers 301 and 302, the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 122. Turn off 123 immediately or after a certain period of time, instantly or slowly.

As a result, when one or both of the left and right refrigerating room doors 203 and 204 are open, the refrigerating room lighting 211 is lit, so that it is not necessary to turn on the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123. Therefore, the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 are turned off when the ice making room door 208A and the large freezing room door 210A below the vegetable room 207 are opened. As a result, the power saving of the refrigerator 1 can be achieved. And preferably, even when the small freezing room door 209A is opened, the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 may be turned off.

By the way, the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 shown in FIG. 12 are preferably composed of LEDs (light emitting diodes) of a plurality of colors. The left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 have different lighting colors depending on the lighting conditions. The color of the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 when the right vegetable room lighting 123 is lit is preferably a color in which the vegetables in the vegetable room 207 can be seen vividly.

Here, an operation pattern example of turning on and off the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 in the refrigerator 1 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 will be described.

(1) In the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 12, when the lower drawer door is opened, the light at the upper part is turned on to brighten the inside of the lower drawer door. Specifically, when the vegetable room door 206 is opened, the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 above are turned on. When the vegetable compartment door 206 is opened, the frame portion on the front end side of the vegetable compartment door 206 is pulled out forward and lights up when it is separated from the left vegetable compartment lighting 122 and the right vegetable compartment lighting 123 forward. Is desirable. This means that when the ice making room door 208A, the small freezing room door 209A, and the large freezing room door 210A are opened, the upper left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 are similarly turned on.

(2) Then, when the lower pull-out door is closed, the light at the upper part is turned off to save power in the refrigerator 1.

(3) For example, when the vegetable room door 206 is closed, it is desirable that the upper left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 are gradually turned off after a "fixed time".

(4) When at least one of the left and right refrigerating room doors 203 and 204 of FIG. 12 is opened, the refrigerating room lighting 211 is turned on. At this time, for example, when the left refrigerating room door 203 is opened, the left refrigerating room lighting 211 is turned on. Therefore, even if the left vegetable room lighting 122 on the left refrigerating room door 203 side is not turned on, the left refrigerating room is turned on. The lighting 211 can illuminate the inside even if the vegetable room door 206, the ice making room door 208A, the small freezer door 209A, and the large freezer door 210A are opened. Therefore, the left vegetable room lighting 122 is turned off to save power in the refrigerator 1.

(5) In the contents of (1) to (4) described above, there are cases where the upper side is a drawer type door and the lower side is also a drawer type door, and the upper side is a double door type door, that is, the left and right double door type refrigerating room doors 203 and 204. If there is a pull-out door on the lower side, either one may be used.

(6) As shown in FIG. 12, for example, the pull-out doors to be illuminated by the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 are the vegetable room door 206, the ice making room door 208A, the small freezing room door 209A, and the large one. Like the freezer door 210A, there may be a plurality of them at the upper and lower positions and the left and right positions. Further, the left vegetable room lighting 122 and the right vegetable room lighting 123 can illuminate the inside of the ice making room door 208A, the small freezing room door 209A, and the large freezing room door 210A, which are separated from each other.

(7) The contents of (3) and (4) described above are applied to both the case where at least one of the left and right refrigerator doors 203 and 204 is opened or the case where both are opened, and the left vegetable room lighting 122. By turning off one or both of the right vegetable room lighting 123 and the right vegetable room lighting 123, the power saving of the refrigerator 1 is achieved.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 25.

FIG. 21 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 21 has a refrigerator main body 2, and a plurality of storage chambers are formed inside the refrigerator main body 2. As the storage room, a refrigerating room 201 and a vegetable room 207 are provided in this order from the top. Below the vegetable compartment 207, an ice making chamber 208 and a small freezing chamber 209 are provided side by side, and a large freezing chamber 210 is provided at the bottom.

Similar to the refrigerator 1 described in the second embodiment, the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 21 is provided with left and right refrigerating chamber doors 203 and 204 on the front surface of the refrigerating chamber 201 to open and close the front opening of the refrigerating chamber 201. ing. Further, a drawer-type vegetable compartment door 206 for opening and closing the vegetable compartment 207 is provided on the front surface of the vegetable compartment 207, and a drawer-type ice-making chamber door 208A for opening and closing the ice-making chamber 208 is provided on the front surface of the ice-making chamber 208. Has been done. Further, a drawer type small freezing room door 209A for opening and closing the small freezing room 209 is provided on the front surface of the small freezing room 209, and a drawer type large drawing type large freezing room 210 for opening and closing the large freezing room 210 is provided on the front surface of the large freezing room 210. A freezing room door 210A is provided.

As shown in FIG. 21, the refrigerating room door 203 on the left side of the refrigerating room 201 has a left refrigerating room indirect lighting 128, a left refrigerating room illuminance sensor 129, and an operation unit 130. Further, the refrigerating room door 204 on the right side of the refrigerating room 201 has a right refrigerating room indirect lighting 161 and a right refrigerating room illuminance sensor 162. Further, the vegetable room door 206 has a vegetable room indirect lighting 112 and a vegetable room illuminance sensor 113. Further, the ice making chamber door 208A has an ice making chamber indirect lighting 132 and an ice making chamber illuminance sensor 133. Further, the small freezing room door 209A has a small freezing room indirect lighting 142 and a small freezing room illuminance sensor 143.

The left refrigerating room indirect lighting 128 is an outdoor lighting that is arranged below the left refrigerating room door 203 and illuminates the downward direction. The right refrigerating room indirect lighting 161 is an outdoor lighting that is arranged below the right refrigerating room door 204 and illuminates the downward direction. The vegetable room indirect lighting 112 is an outdoor lighting that is arranged below the vegetable room door 206 and illuminates the downward direction. The ice-making chamber indirect lighting 132 is an outdoor lighting that is arranged below the ice-making chamber door 208A and illuminates downward. The small freezing room indirect lighting 142 is an outdoor lighting that is arranged below the small freezing room door 209A and illuminates the downward direction.

The left refrigerating room illuminance sensor 129 is installed in the vicinity of the left refrigerating room indirect lighting 128, and detects the illuminance around the outside of the refrigerator around the installation position. The right refrigerating room illuminance sensor 162 is installed in the vicinity of the right refrigerating room indirect lighting 161 and detects the illuminance around the outside of the refrigerator around the installation position. The vegetable room illuminance sensor 113 is installed near the vegetable room indirect lighting 112, and detects the illuminance around the outside of the refrigerator around the installation position. The ice making room illuminance sensor 133 is installed in the vicinity of the ice making room indirect lighting 132, and detects the illuminance around the outside of the refrigerator around the installation position. The small freezer room illuminance sensor 143 is installed in the vicinity of the small freezer room indirect lighting 142, and detects the illuminance around the outside of the refrigerator around the installation position. Each of these illuminance sensors 129, 162, 113, 133, and 143 is installed above the corresponding indirect illuminations 128, 161, 112, 132, and 142 so that the illuminance detection result is downward. It is not affected by the lighting of the indirect lights 128, 161, 112, 132, and 142 that illuminate.

The operation unit 130 has a plurality of buttons for changing settings related to the operation of the refrigerator 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the operation start / end button 130A, the refrigerating button 130B, the refrigerating button 130C, the cooling mode button 130D, the ice making button 130E, the power saving button 130F, and the strength / weakness level display unit 130G are provided. Have.

The operation start / end button 130A is operated when the user starts the operation of various buttons in the operation unit 130, and when the user sets the specified contents by the operation and ends the operation. The refrigerating button 130B is operated when the user adjusts the refrigerating temperature in the refrigerator 1. The freezing button 130C is operated when the user adjusts the freezing temperature in the refrigerator 1. The cooling mode button 130D is operated when the user specifies one of a plurality of preset modes related to the cooling operation. The ice making button 130E is operated when the user specifies one of a plurality of modes relating to the operation for ice making. The power saving button 130F is operated when the user specifies any one of the plurality of modes related to the operation for power saving.

The strength level display unit 130G displays information indicating the refrigerating temperature level designated by the refrigerating button 130B and the freezing temperature level designated by the refrigerating button 130C. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the temperature level during operation is shown so that the user can easily visually recognize it by changing the display area of the circle according to the weak level, the appropriate level, or the strong level.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing an example of electrical connection of each element of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 24, the control unit 100 is arranged in the refrigerator main body 2. The control unit 100 includes an operation start / end button 130A, a refrigerating button 130B, a refrigerating button 130C, a cooling mode button 130D, an ice making button 130E, and a power saving button 130F of the operation unit 130, and indirect lighting of the left refrigerating room door 203. 128 and left refrigerating room illuminance sensor 129, right refrigerating room indirect lighting 161 and right refrigerating room illuminance sensor 162 of right refrigerating room door 204, vegetable room indirect lighting 112 and vegetable room illuminance sensor 113 of vegetable room door 206, and ice making. It is electrically connected to the ice making room indirect lighting 132 and the ice making room illuminance sensor 133 of the room door 208A and the small freezing room indirect lighting 142 and the small freezing room illuminance sensor 143 of the small freezer room door 209A.

The control unit 100 shown in FIG. 24 constantly lights the operation start / end button 130A by the user, and when the operation start / end button 130A is briefly pressed, the various buttons 130B to 130F in the operation unit 130 are turned on. At the same time, these button operations are switched to the enabled state.

Further, when the refrigerating button 130B is operated by the user while various button operations are enabled, the control unit 100 specifies the refrigerating temperature according to the number of operations and the pressing time. Further, when the refrigerating button 130C is operated by the user, the control unit 100 specifies the refrigerating temperature according to the number of operations and the pressing time. Further, when the cooling mode button 130D is operated by the user, the control unit 100 designates one of a plurality of preset modes related to the cooling operation according to the number of operations and the pressing time. .. Further, when the ice making button 130E is operated by the user, the control unit 100 sets one of a plurality of preset modes related to the operation for ice making according to the number of times the ice making button 130E is operated and the pressing time. specify. Further, when the power saving button 130F is operated by the user, the control unit 100 selects one of a plurality of preset modes related to operation for power saving according to the number of times the power saving button 130F is operated and the pressing time. specify.

Further, when the operation start / end button 130A is long-pressed by the user while the button operation in the operation unit 130 is enabled, the control unit 100 returns the refrigerator 1 with the contents specified by the operations of the various buttons 130B to 130F. Switch to drive.

Further, the control unit 100 controls the lighting of the left refrigerating room indirect lighting 128 according to the illuminance around the left refrigerating room indirect lighting 128 detected by the left refrigerating room indirect lighting sensor 129. For example, when the control unit 100 determines that the illuminance around the left refrigerating room indirect lighting 128 detected by the left refrigerating room illuminance sensor 129 exceeds a preset value and the location is bright, the left refrigerating room indirect lighting 128 turns off or reduces the amount of light. Further, if the illuminance around the left refrigerating room indirect lighting 128 is equal to or less than a preset value and it is determined that the portion is dark, the amount of light of the left refrigerating room indirect lighting 128 is increased.

Similarly, the control unit 100 reduces the amount of light of the right refrigerating room indirect lighting 161 when it determines that the area around the right refrigerating room indirect lighting 161 is bright based on the illuminance detected by the right refrigerating room illuminance sensor 162, and determines that the area around the right refrigerating room indirect lighting 161 is dark. The amount of light of the room indirect lighting 161 is increased. Further, the control unit 100 reduces the amount of light of the vegetable room indirect lighting 112 when it determines that the vicinity of the vegetable room indirect lighting 112 is bright based on the illuminance detected by the vegetable room illuminance sensor 113, and reduces the amount of light of the vegetable room indirect lighting 112 when it determines that it is dark. Increase the amount of light. Further, the control unit 100 reduces the amount of light of the ice making room indirect lighting 132 when it determines that the area around the ice making room indirect lighting 132 is bright based on the illuminance detected by the ice making room illuminance sensor 133, and reduces the light amount of the ice making room indirect lighting 132 when it determines that it is dark. Increase the amount of light. Further, the control unit 100 reduces the amount of light of the small freezing room indirect lighting 142 when it is determined that the vicinity of the small freezing room indirect lighting 142 is bright based on the illuminance detected by the small freezing room illuminance sensor 143, and determines that the small freezing room indirect lighting 142 is dark. The amount of light of the indirect lighting 142 is increased.

By controlling in this way, with respect to each of the plurality of indirect lights installed in the refrigerator, the indirect lighting in a dark surrounding area increases the amount of light and makes it easier for the user to recognize the position of the handle of each door of the refrigerator. At the same time, indirect lighting in bright surrounding areas can reduce the amount of light and improve the energy saving effect.

Further, the amount of light of the left refrigerating room indirect lighting 128, the right refrigerating room indirect lighting 161, the vegetable room indirect lighting 112, the ice making room indirect lighting 132, and the small freezer room indirect lighting 142 can be adjusted by the user. Is. The light intensity adjustment of the indirect illuminations 128, 161, 112, 132, and 142 by the user's operation will be described below.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 100 has information indicating the correspondence between the indirect lights 128, 161, 112, 132, and 142 and the buttons 130B, 130C, 130D, 130E, and 130F in the operation unit 130. Is retained. In this information, for example, a button having a high display position in the operation unit 130 is associated with an installed indirect lighting having a high height position and is preset. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 25, the refrigerating button 130B is associated with the left refrigerating room indirect lighting 128, the refrigerating button 130C is associated with the right refrigerating room indirect lighting 161 and the cooling mode button 130D is associated with the vegetable room indirect. The ice making button 130E is associated with the ice making room indirect lighting 132, and the power saving button 130F is associated with the small freezer room indirect lighting 142.

Then, the amount of light of the corresponding indirect illumination is adjusted based on the input operation using two or more non-adjacent buttons in the operation unit 130. For example, the refrigerating button 130B is operated while the operation start / end button 130A is pressed, or the refrigerating button 130B is operated within a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) after the operation start / end button 130A is operated. By doing so, the amount of light of the associated left refrigerating room indirect lighting 128 is adjusted.

Similarly, the refrigerating button 130C is operated while the operation start / end button 130A is pressed, or the refrigerating button 130C is operated within a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) after the operation start / end button 130A is operated. By being operated, the amount of light of the associated right refrigerating room indirect lighting 161 is adjusted.

Similarly, the cooling mode button 130D is operated while the operation start / end button 130A is pressed, or the cooling mode button is operated within a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) after the operation start / end button 130A is operated. By operating the 130D, the amount of light of the associated vegetable room indirect lighting 112 is adjusted.

Similarly, the ice making button 130E is operated while the operation start / end button 130A is pressed, or the ice making button 130E is operated within a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) after the operation start / end button 130A is operated. By being operated, the amount of light of the associated ice making chamber indirect lighting 132 is adjusted.

Similarly, the power saving button 130F is operated while the refrigerating button 130B or the freezing button 130C is pressed, or the power saving button is operated within a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) after the refrigerating button 130B or the freezing button 130C is operated. By operating the 130F, the amount of light of the associated small freezer indirect lighting 142 is adjusted.

By enabling the input operation using two or more non-adjacent buttons in this way, it is possible to reliably specify the desired indirect lighting and perform the light intensity adjustment operation even on a touch panel that is prone to erroneous operation.

The amount of light of each indirect lighting 128, 161, 112, 132, or 142 is gradually weak level, appropriate level, or strong level according to the number of operations or pressing time of the corresponding buttons 130B, 130C, 130D, 130E, or 130F. Information indicating the corresponding level is displayed on the strength level display unit 130G in the operation unit 130 as shown in FIG. 23. By displaying the light intensity level during operation in this way, it becomes easier for the user to recognize the operation content.

As described above, in a refrigerator having a plurality of storage rooms, the indirect lighting arranged on the door of each storage room is automatically adjusted in the amount of light according to the brightness of the corresponding part, so that the difference in the outdoor environment in each home is obtained. Therefore, the brightness of the outdoor lighting can be changed to improve the convenience of the user and the energy saving effect. For example, if a part of the refrigerator 1 is not illuminated by nearby furniture, the amount of indirect lighting at that location may be increased, or if there is a location where the sun is shining, the location corresponding to the relevant time zone. By reducing the amount of light in the lighting, it is possible to achieve both user convenience and energy saving effect.

In addition, by making it possible to individually adjust the amount of light from multiple indirect lights by the user's operation, it is possible to further improve convenience, such as making frequently used parts brighter than others at the user's will. Can be done.

Further, an open / close sensor is further provided for each door of the refrigerator 1 in FIG. 21, and the number of times of opening / closing for each door detected by each opening / closing sensor is counted within a predetermined period. The amount of indirect lighting of each door may be changed according to the number of times of opening and closing. For example, by increasing the amount of indirect lighting of a door with low peripheral illuminance and frequent opening and closing, and decreasing the amount of light of indirect lighting of a door with high peripheral illuminance and small number of opening and closing, the user. The convenience of the door can be improved.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiment can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 Refrigerator 2 Refrigerator body 3, 4 Doors 11, 12 Door opening operation unit (door opening means)
20 Illuminance sensor (an example of means for detecting the environment outside the refrigerator)
21 Intermediate outside lighting (an example of outside lighting)
22 Lower exterior lighting (an example of exterior lighting)
31, 32 Operation unit 33, 34 Operation unit lighting 41 Front human body detection means 42 Lower human body detection means 44 Shake / vibration detection means 50 Storage battery 100 Control unit (main control unit) on the main body side
111 Vegetable room opening / closing sensor 112 Vegetable room indirect lighting 113 Vegetable room illuminance sensor 122 Left vegetable room lighting 123 Right vegetable room lighting 124 Left proximity sensor 125 Right proximity sensor 126 Left refrigerating room opening / closing sensor 127 Right refrigerating room opening / closing sensor 128 Left refrigerating room indirect Lighting 129 Left refrigerator room illuminance sensor 130 Operation unit 130A Operation start / end button 130B Refrigerator button 130C Refrigerator button 130D Cooling mode button 130E Ice making button 130F Power saving button 130G Strength level display 131 Ice room opening / closing sensor 132 Ice room indirect lighting 133 Ice room Illumination sensor 141 Small freezer room open / close sensor 142 Small freezer room indirect lighting 143 Small freezer room illuminance sensor 151 Large freezer room open / close sensor 161 Right refrigerator room indirect lighting 162 Right refrigerator room illuminance sensor 201 Refrigerator room 203 Left refrigerator room door 204 Right side Refrigerator door 206 Vegetable room door (example of storage room door)
207 Vegetable room (example of storage room)
208 Ice making room (an example of another storage room)
208A ice making room door (an example of another storage room door)
209 Small freezer (an example of another storage room door)
209A Small freezer door (an example of another storage door)
210 Large freezer (an example of yet another storage room)
210A large freezer door (another example of a storage door)
211 Refrigerator room lighting 300 Control microcomputer (part of the control unit on the door side)
301 Left proximity microcomputer (part of the control unit on the door side)
302 Right proximity microcomputer (part of the control unit on the door side)
400 Door side control unit

Claims (6)

Refrigerator body and
A lower human body detecting means, which is arranged at the lower part of the refrigerator body and detects a human body approaching the refrigerator body,
The refrigerator is provided with a lower exterior lighting that illuminates the lower region outside the refrigerator body.
A refrigerator characterized in that the lower human body detecting means and the lower outside lighting are arranged so as to be included in a predetermined range. It has a door that opens and closes the opening of the refrigerator body.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined range is a range in the width direction of the door or a range of the front-rear width of the legs of the refrigerator body. Refrigerator body and
A lower human body detecting means, which is arranged at the lower part of the refrigerator body and detects a human body approaching the refrigerator body,
The lower exterior lighting, which is installed near the lower human body detecting means and illuminates the lower region outside the refrigerator body,
A refrigerator characterized by being equipped with. The refrigerator body
A door that opens and closes the opening of the refrigerator body,
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a door opening means for opening the door when the lower human body detecting means detects the human body. It has a front human body detecting means for detecting a human body in front of the refrigerator body, and has
The function of detecting the human body of the lower human body detecting means becomes effective when the front human body detecting means detects the human body in front of the refrigerator body.
The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the door opening means opens the door when the front human body detecting means and the lower human body detecting means detect the human body. It has an illuminance sensor that detects the illuminance of the room in which the refrigerator body is placed.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lower exterior lighting is turned on according to the illuminance of the room detected by the illuminance sensor.

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