JP2022132494A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a novel refrigerator having a high-visual effect.

SOLUTION: In a refrigerator, a door for opening and closing an opening of a storage chamber includes: a front transparent plate at the outside of the chamber; a back inner plate at the inside of the chamber; and a thermal insulation material placed between the transparent plate and the inner plate. The front face of the transparent plate is provided with projections, and the projections are covered with membranes.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to refrigerators.

Conventionally, it has been proposed to decorate the door of a refrigerator. For example, a flat, colorless and transparent glass plate is used for the door of a refrigerator, and the inner surface of the glass plate is painted. When the user looks at this door from the outside of the cabinet, the paint layer can be seen behind the colorless and transparent glass plate, giving the door a sense of depth.

Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a decorative panel used for a refrigerator door, which includes a light-transmitting member, a first decorative layer in front of the light-transmitting member, and a second decorative layer behind the light-transmitting member. In addition, it has been proposed that the gradation patterns of the first decorative layer and the second decorative layer are different, and that the visual effects give a three-dimensional appearance. Patent Document 2 proposes drawing a graphic image on the glass surface of a refrigerator door or the like with a surface-smoothing composition, and making the graphic image appear on the glass surface by the presence or absence of condensed water droplets. Further, Patent Documents 3 and 4 describe a stained glass-like decorative glass plate.

JP 2016-74120 A Special Table No. 2008-501610 Utility Model Registration No. 2556005 JP-A-6-56483

However, a refrigerator with a high visual effect, which is different from the conventional proposals, has been desired.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a new refrigerator with a high visual effect.

In the refrigerator of this embodiment, the door that opens and closes the opening of the storage compartment has a front transparent plate that is outside the refrigerator, a rear inner plate that is inside the refrigerator, and heat insulation between the transparent plate and the inner plate. , wherein a plurality of protrusions are formed on the front surface of the transparent plate, and the protrusions are covered with a film.

The front view of the refrigerator 10 of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 1; Sectional drawing in YY of FIG. An example of unevenness of the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 of Embodiment 1 on the outer side of the refrigerator. (a) is an unevenness that draws a bark pattern or a pattern that makes water flow, (b) is an unevenness that draws a textured pattern, (c) is an unevenness that is formed by forming a large number of recesses, and (d) is a plurality of unevennesses. (e) is a stained-glass-like glass plate 30 composed of a plurality of glass pieces 20 having unevennesses in which the sides of the polygons are convex portions. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator in Modification 1 of Embodiment 1, taken along line YY in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 1 of the refrigerator of Modification 1 of Embodiment 1; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 1 of the refrigerator of Modification 2 of Embodiment 1; The figure when the clearance gap 245 is vacant between the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 outside the container, and the gripping part 241. FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 1 of the refrigerator of Modification 2 of Embodiment 1; The figure when the surface 38 of the chamber outer side of the glass plate 30 and the gripping part 241 are closely_contact|adhered. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a refrigerating compartment door 12 of the refrigerator in Modification 3 of Embodiment 1; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator of Embodiment 1 and Modified Example 7 thereof (a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 1); (a) is a diagram showing a form in which the protruding wall 46 is behind the chamfered portion 37 of the glass plate 30. FIG. (b) is a diagram showing a modification in which the projecting wall 46 extends to the position of the chamfered portion 37 of the glass plate 30; (c) is a diagram showing a modification in which the projecting wall 46 extends to a position where the projecting portion 26 of the glass plate 30 is located. (d) is a diagram showing a modification in which the projecting wall 46 extends forward from the projecting portion 26 of the glass plate 30. FIG. The front view of the refrigerator of the example 8 of a change of Embodiment 1. FIG. Sectional drawing of the recessed part 424 in the glass plate 430 of Embodiment 2. FIG. (a) is a diagram when there is no coating layer 401. FIG. (b) is a diagram when there is a coating layer 401; Sectional view of the door of the refrigerator of Embodiment 2 (sectional view along the line corresponding to XX in FIG. 1). FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the chamfered portion 437 of the glass plate 430 of Embodiment 2 (cross-sectional view along the line corresponding to XX in FIG. 1); (a) and (b) are diagrams of an example in which the coating layer 401 is not present on the chamfered portion 437. FIG. (c) is a diagram of an example in which the coating layer 401 is partially present on the chamfered portion 437. FIG. (d) is a diagram of an example in which the coating layer 401 is entirely on the chamfered portion 437. FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a location where a logo 402 is provided in Modification 2 of Embodiment 2; (a) is a diagram in which a logo 402 is provided on a surface 439 of a glass plate 430 on the inner side of the refrigerator. (b) is a view when the logo 402 is provided on the surface 438 of the glass plate 430 on the outer side of the refrigerator. The side view of the fine protrusion 525 of the glass plate of Embodiment 3. FIG.

A refrigerator according to the present embodiment will be described. In addition, the following embodiments are examples, and the scope of the invention is not limited to these. The following embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

1. Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 shows a refrigerator 10 of this embodiment. Refrigerator 10 includes a main body having a storage compartment and a door for opening and closing an opening of the storage compartment. The refrigerator 10 also includes a cooling cycle device that generates cool air and a control unit such as a microcomputer. The control unit controls the cooling cycle device, sends cold air generated by the cooling cycle device to the storage chamber, and maintains the storage chamber at a low temperature.

The main body of the refrigerator 10 is constructed by combining an outer box forming an outer shell of the refrigerator 10 and an inner box formed with a storage compartment, and filling a heat insulating material between the outer box and the inner box. A vacuum insulation panel may be provided between the outer box and the inner box. A vacuum insulation panel is a box whose inside is filled with glass wool or the like and then evacuated.

As shown in FIG. 1, a main body of a refrigerator 10 of the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of storage compartments, and the front opening of each storage compartment can be opened and closed by a door. Although the number and types of storage compartments are not limited, for example, in the refrigerator 10 of FIG. is equipped with a freezer compartment.

The opening of the refrigerator compartment is closed by two left and right refrigerator compartment doors 11 and 12 . The left end of the left refrigerator compartment door 11 is attached to the left end of the main body of the refrigerator 10 by a hinge. The right end of the right refrigerator compartment door 12 is attached to the right end of the body of the refrigerator 10 by a hinge. Due to this structure, the two left and right refrigerator compartment doors 11 and 12 can be double-opened. The vegetable compartment, ice making compartment, small freezer compartment, and freezer compartment are closed by drawer-type vegetable compartment door 13, ice making compartment door 14, small freezer compartment door 15, and freezer compartment door 16, respectively.

At least some of these doors are provided with an operation section. The door provided with the operation unit and the items that can be operated by the operation unit are not limited. Further, an operation unit 50 for controlling the cooling cycle and the like is provided in the vertical central portion of one of the refrigerator compartment doors 12 . The control section controls the refrigerator compartment 10 based on the operations of these operating sections 50 and 60 .

The sectional structure of the door of the refrigerator 10 will be described by taking the refrigerator compartment door 12 as an example.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the refrigerating compartment door 12 includes a glass plate 30 forming an outer surface of the refrigerating compartment door 12, an inner plate 31 forming an inner surface of the refrigerating compartment door 12, A frame member 40 forming a side portion of the refrigerator compartment door 12 is provided.

A gasket holding portion 34 is provided on the inner plate 31 . The gasket holding portion 34 holds a gasket that brings the refrigerating compartment door 12 into close contact with the main body of the refrigerator 10 .

A heat insulating material 32 is filled between the glass plate 30 and the inner plate 31 . The heat insulating material 32 is made of foamed urethane, foamed polystyrene, or glass wool, for example. The heat insulating material 32 is adhered to the surface 39 of the glass plate 30 inside the chamber. When a light reflecting layer 35, which will be described later, is provided on the inner side surface 39 of the glass plate 30, the heat insulating material 32 is adhered to the inner side surface of the light reflecting layer 35. As shown in FIG. A vacuum insulation panel (not shown) may be provided between the glass plate 30 and the inner plate 31 .

The glass plate 30 is a rectangular plate member having a size capable of covering the entire outside surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12 except for the frame member 40 . The glass plate 30 has translucency. The glass plate 30 may be colorless and transparent, or may be colored and translucent. Note that the average thickness of the glass plate 30 in Embodiment 1 is, for example, 2 mm or more and 6 mm or less.

Concavities and convexities are formed on the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 on the outer side of the chamber. This unevenness can be recognized as unevenness when the user sees it visually. The degree of unevenness is desirably such that when a user places an object on the opposite side of the glass plate 30 and sees it, the object appears distorted. The degree of distortion may be such that when the user puts the object on the opposite side of the glass plate 30 and looks at it, the user can roughly understand what the object is, or the user can hardly understand what the object is. It may be to some extent. Assuming that the portion of the surface 38 on the outside of the glass plate 30 that protrudes from the periphery is the convex portion, the interval between the convex portions, that is, the average distance from a certain convex portion 24 to the adjacent convex portion 25 (see FIG. 2) is The distance may be smaller than the thickness of the user's finger. The thickness of the user's finger is, for example, 10 mm when thin.

The glass plate 30 having such unevenness may be a figured glass. When the glass plate 30 is figured glass, the height difference between the convex portion and the concave portion continuing from the convex portion is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less on average.

The unevenness of the glass plate 30 is formed on the entire outer surface 38 of the refrigerator except for the portion that may be flat in the following description. In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the surface 39 of the glass plate 30 on the inside of the chamber is flat without irregularities.

The types of unevenness on the outer surface 38 of the glass plate 30 include, for example, unevenness that draws a bark pattern or a water-flowing pattern shown in FIG. , the unevenness formed by forming a large number of concave portions shown in FIG. unevenness, and the like. FIG. 4B shows a pear-skin pattern, which is a type of embossed pattern.

Further, the glass plate 30 may be a stained glass-like one in which a plurality of glass pieces 20 are combined using a border 21, as shown in FIG. 4(e). Here, at least some of the plurality of glass pieces 20 forming the stained-glass-like glass plate 30 have irregularities on the outer surface 38 of the refrigerator. Further, all the glass pieces 20 forming the stained-glass-like glass plate 30 may have unevenness on the surface 38 on the outer side of the refrigerator. Moreover, at least a part of the plurality of glass pieces 20 forming the stained glass-like glass plate 30 may be colored. In addition, the stained glass-like glass plate 30 is not formed by combining a plurality of glass pieces 20, but is a single glass plate having unevenness, and a plurality of glass pieces and borders as shown in FIG. 4(e). It may be drawn as

Further, although not shown, the glass plate 30 may have a gradation appearance by changing the height of the protrusions, the depth of the recesses, the interval between the protrusions, or the interval between the recesses depending on the location.

A portion 37 of the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30 on the outer side of the refrigerator is preferably chamfered. The chamfered portion (chamfered portion) 37 may be a flat surface (for example, a C surface) as shown in FIG. 2, or may be an R surface.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the frame member 40 includes side walls 42 , glass plate holding portions 44 and projecting walls 46 . The side wall 42 forms a side surface of the refrigerating compartment door 12 that is perpendicular to the outer surface of the refrigerating compartment door 12 . The glass plate holding portion 44 is a portion that extends from the side wall 42 toward the center of the outside surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12 by a predetermined distance in parallel with the outside surface. The protruding wall 46 is a portion that protrudes forward from the glass plate holding portion 44 to the outside of the refrigerator.

The glass plate 30 is adhered to the outside surface of the glass plate holding portion 44 by an adhesive means 36 such as double-sided tape or adhesive, and is thereby held by the frame member 40 . The bonding means 36 may be directly bonded to the glass plate 30, or may be bonded to the light reflecting layer 35, which will be described later, as shown in FIG. The bonding portion 23 of the glass plate 30 on the inner side surface 39 of the glass plate 30 and the glass plate holding portion 44 is flat.

Also, the glass plate 30 is provided inside the projecting wall 46 . The end portion 33 of the glass plate 30 may be in contact with the protruding wall 46, or a gap may be provided between the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30 and the protruding wall 46 as shown in FIG. The gap between the edge 33 of the glass sheet 30 and the projecting wall 46 may close when the glass sheet 30 thermally expands. Also, although not shown, the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30 and the projecting wall 46 may be adhered to each other by adhesion means such as double-sided tape or adhesive.

The frame members 40 having the characteristics described above are provided, for example, on four sides of the refrigerating compartment door 12 or on two opposite sides.

A light reflecting layer 35 may be provided on the surface 39 of the glass plate 30 on the inner side of the chamber. The light reflecting layer 35 reflects light incident on the glass plate 30 from outside the refrigerator to the outside of the refrigerator. Moreover, it is desirable that the light reflecting layer 35 transmits the light of the light source located inside the refrigerator to the outside of the refrigerator. As the light reflecting layer 35 having these properties, for example, a metal thin film layer can be used. Examples of metals forming the metal thin film layer include tin, tin alloys, aluminum, and aluminum alloys. Further, although not shown, the light reflecting layer 35 may be formed with a hole through which the light from the light source located inside the refrigerator than the light reflecting layer 35 passes to the outside of the refrigerator.

As shown in FIG. 3, an operation portion 50 is provided between the glass plate 30 and the heat insulating material 32. As shown in FIG. The operation unit 50 includes at least an input unit for inputting instructions and the like to the control unit of the refrigerator 10 and a display unit for displaying the operating state of the refrigerator 10 and the like.

The structure of the operation unit 50 is not limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 50 includes a first substrate 54 and electrodes 52 of a plurality of capacitive sensors provided on the first substrate 54 . Electrodes 52 of the capacitive sensor are constituent members of the input section. A second substrate 55 including a microcomputer 57 and a light source 56 such as an LED is provided inside the first substrate 54 . A microcomputer 57 detects a change in the capacitance of the electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor and turns on the light source 56 . The first board 54 and the second board 55 are electrically connected via the respective connectors 51 and relay bundles 53 .

The light from the light source 56 passes through the holes 58 provided in the first substrate 54 and illuminates the glass plate 30 from the inside of the cabinet. When a printed layer on which characters and symbols are printed is provided outside the refrigerator from the operation unit 50, the characters and symbols are illuminated by the light source 56 and can be seen from outside the refrigerator. The part on which the characters and symbols are printed is included in the display part. Further, a liquid crystal display panel may be provided as part or all of the display section.

The light source 56 may also be arranged to illuminate the unevenness of the glass plate 30 . Specifically, one light source 56 may simultaneously illuminate the unevenness of the glass plate 30 and the display section described above, or one of the plurality of light sources 56 may illuminate the unevenness of the glass plate 30 and the other may illuminate the unevenness of the glass plate 30 . may illuminate said display. In order for the light source 56 to illuminate the unevenness of the glass plate 30, the unevenness of the glass plate 30 exists at a position facing the light source 56 (the position outside the cabinet of the light source). The light source is arranged so that the optical axis of light passes through the irregularities of the glass plate 30 .

Of the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 on the outer side of the refrigerator, the portion of the operation portion 50 on the outer side of the refrigerator may be flat, that is, in a planar shape without unevenness. In this case, of the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 outside the refrigerator, the entire portion of the operation unit 50 outside the refrigerator may be flat, or a portion of the operation unit 50 (for example, including at least the input unit and the display unit) may be flat. part) may be flat.

In addition, of the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 on the outer side of the refrigerator, the portion of the operation portion 50 on the outer side of the refrigerator may be relatively flat. That is, of the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 on the outer side of the refrigerator, the portion of the operating portion 50 on the outer side of the refrigerator has an average height of the protrusions lower than that of the other portions, or an average depth of the recesses. The depth may be shallower, or the average distance between protrusions may be wider. In this case also, of the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 on the outside of the refrigerator, the entire portion of the operation unit 50 outside the refrigerator may be relatively flat, or a portion of the operation unit 50 (for example, at least an input unit may be displayed). The part on the outside of the box) may be relatively flat.

In addition, it is desirable that the flat inner surface 39 of the glass plate 30 is in close contact with the operating portion 50 .

The manufacturing method of the glass plate 30 having the unevenness is not limited, but in the case of figured glass, for example, it is a roll-out method or a casting method. The flat portion of the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 on the outer side of the container is formed, for example, by flattening after the unevenness is formed on the entire glass plate 30 first.

Next, the effect of the refrigerator 10 of this embodiment is demonstrated.

In the refrigerator 10 of the present embodiment, since the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 of the refrigerator compartment door 12 on the outer side of the refrigerator is uneven, the refrigerator compartment door 12 has an antique feeling and a sense of depth, and the visual effect is high. In addition, since the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 on the outer side of the refrigerator is uneven, stains and scratches on the glass plate 30 are less noticeable than in the case where the unevenness is not formed.

In particular, if the average distance from one protrusion 24 to the adjacent protrusion 25 in the protrusions and recesses of the glass plate 30 is smaller than the thickness of the user's finger, the user touches the glass plate 30. Also fingerprint resistant.

Further, in the refrigerator 10 of the present embodiment, the light reflecting layer 35 is provided on the inner side surface 39 of the glass plate 30 , so that the light incident on the glass plate 30 from outside is reflected by the light reflecting layer 35 . . Therefore, the unevenness of the glass plate 30 is illuminated and looks beautiful. Further, the unevenness of the glass plate 30 looks beautiful even when illuminated from the inside of the refrigerator by the light source 56. - 特許庁

In addition, if the portion of the operation unit 50 outside the refrigerator is flat or relatively flat among the surfaces 38 of the glass plate 30 on the outside of the refrigerator, when the user performs an input operation on the input unit of the operation unit 50, the operation is performed accurately. In addition, the display section of the operation section 50 is difficult to blur and easy to see. Further, if the surface 39 of the inside of the glass plate 30 is flat and in close contact with the operation unit 50, when the user performs an input operation on the input unit of the operation unit 50, it is likely to be detected accurately, and the operation is easy. The display part of the part 50 is hard to blur and easy to see.

In addition, since the glass plate 30 has unevenness, the reflection of people, scenery, etc. on the refrigerating compartment door 12 is reduced.

Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described. Any one of a plurality of modifications described below may be applied to the above embodiment, or any two or more of the modifications described below may be selected and applied. Also good. However, various modifications other than the following modifications are possible, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the above embodiments and the following modifications. In addition, in the figure which shows the example of a change, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the same part as FIG.2 and FIG.3.

(Modification 1 of Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the unevenness of the glass plate 130 may be provided not only on the outer surface 138 of the refrigerator but also on the inner surface 139 of the refrigerator. The unevenness of the inner surface 139 of the glass plate 130 may have the same characteristics as the unevenness of the outer surface 38 of the glass plate 30 of the above embodiment.

When the surface 138 outside the container and the surface 139 inside the container of the glass plate 130 are provided with unevenness, as shown in FIG. It's okay to be Furthermore, the portion of the operating portion 50 on the outside of the refrigerator on the surface 138 of the glass plate 130 may also be flat. Further, when both the outside surface 138 and the inside surface 139 of the glass plate 130 are provided with unevenness, as shown in FIG. The bonding portion 123 with the may be flat.

When the surface 139 of the inside of the glass plate 130 is provided with unevenness as in this modified example, the surface 139 of the glass plate 130 (the surface 139 of the inside of the container as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) reflects light. When the layer 35 is provided, the contact area between the light reflecting layer 35) and the heat insulating material 32 is increased, and the adhesion between the glass plate 130 and the heat insulating material 32 is improved. In addition, the three-dimensional effect of the glass plate 130 is emphasized and the visual effect is enhanced by providing the unevenness on the outside surface 138 and the inside surface 139 of the glass plate 130 .

Further, in the case where the surface 139 of the glass plate 130 on the inside of the chamber is provided with unevenness, if the portion of the surface 139 on the inside of the glass plate 130 facing the operation unit 50 is flat, the user can operate the chamber. When an input operation is performed on the input unit of the unit 50, it is easily detected accurately, and the display unit of the operation unit 50 is easy to see. Further, in the case where the surface 139 of the glass plate 130 on the inside of the container is provided with unevenness, if the bonding portion 123 on the surface 139 of the glass plate 130 on the inside of the container is flat, the glass Adhesion between the plate 130 and the glass plate holding portion 44 is improved.

(Modification 2 of Embodiment 1)
A frame member 240 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 may be provided instead of the frame member 40 of the above embodiment. The frame member 240 of this modification comprises side walls 42, glass plate retainers 44 and protruding walls 46 having the same features as those of the frame member 40 of the previous embodiment. Further, the frame member 240 has a gripping portion 241 . The gripping portion 241 is a portion extending from the front end portion of the protruding wall 46 toward the center of the outer surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12 by a predetermined distance in parallel with the outer surface. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the glass plate holding portion 44 , the projecting wall 46 and the gripping portion 241 form a substantially U-shaped cross section to form a groove 243 .

The glass plate 30 is inserted into this groove 243 . Therefore, the glass plate holding portion 44 and the gripping portion 241 sandwich the edge portion 33 of the glass plate 30 . The glass plate holding portion 44 and the glass plate 30 are bonded together by the bonding means 36 . Further, the gripping portion 241 covers the vicinity of the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30 from the outside of the refrigerator, but as shown in FIG. may be open, or, as shown in FIG. 8, the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 on the outer side of the container and the gripping portion 241 may be in close contact with each other.

Also in this modification, the edge 33 of the glass plate 30 may be in contact with the projecting wall 46 , or there may be a gap between the edge 33 of the glass plate 30 and the projecting wall 46 .

When the gripping portion 241 is provided in the frame member 240 in this manner, the glass plate 30 is less likely to come off the frame member 240 and the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30 is protected by the gripping portion 241 . Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the gap between the glass plate holding portion 44 and the gripping portion 241 is set so that a gap 245 is formed between the outer surface 38 of the glass plate 30 and the gripping portion 241. In this case, a clearance is ensured for inserting the glass plate 30 having unevenness on the outer surface 38 of the chamber into the groove 243 . 7, when there is a gap 245 between the outside surface 38 of the glass plate 30 and the gripping portion 241, the glass plate 30 is not scraped by the gripping portion 241. It is possible to prevent the generation of glass dust.

Further, when the outer surface 38 of the glass plate 30 and the gripping portion 241 are in close contact with each other as shown in FIG.

In the case where frame members are provided on four sides or two opposing sides of the door, the frame members on all sides may be the frame members 40 of the above-described embodiment, or the frame members on all sides may be the frame members of this change. It may be the frame member 240 of the example. Further, when frame members are provided on four sides of the door or on two opposite sides, the frame members on some sides are the frame members 40 of the above-described embodiment, and the frame members on other sides are the frame members of this modified example. frame member 240 may be used.

(Modification 3 of Embodiment 1)
Another light source may be provided between the glass plate 30 and the inner plate 31 instead of or in addition to the light source 56 of the operation portion 50 in the above embodiment.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a light guide plate 300 is provided between the glass plate 30 and the inner plate 31 of the refrigerating compartment door 12, and a light source 301 is provided on either the top, bottom, left, or right end of the light guide plate 300. It's okay to be. The light source 301 may be anything that emits light toward the light guide plate 300, such as an LED. The size of the light guide plate 300 is not limited. For example, the light guide plate 300 may have the same area as the portion of the refrigerator compartment door 12 excluding the frame member 40 .

When the refrigerator door 12 is provided with the light guide plate 300 and the light source 301, the light emitted from the light source 301 is incident on the light guide plate 300 and emitted from the light guide plate 300 toward the outside of the refrigerator. Therefore, the glass plate 30 of the refrigerating compartment door 12 is illuminated from the inside of the refrigerator, and the unevenness of the glass plate 30 looks beautiful. When the glass plate 30 is of a stained glass style, the glass plate 30 looks more beautiful when illuminated from the inside of the refrigerator.

Further, there is no light guide plate between the glass plate 30 and the inner plate 31, and a light source different from the light source 56 of the operation unit 50 is provided somewhere between the glass plate 30 and the inner plate 31. can be In this case, the vicinity of the light source on the glass plate 30 of the refrigerating compartment door 12 is illuminated from the inside of the refrigerator compartment, and the unevenness of the illuminated portion is emphasized, so that the refrigerating compartment door 12 looks beautiful.

(Modification 4 of Embodiment 1)
The glass plate having the characteristics of the above embodiment may cover only a part of the outside surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12 instead of the entire outside surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12 .

(Modification 5 of Embodiment 1)
Instead of or in addition to the refrigerating compartment door 12 in the above embodiment, one or more other doors and glass plates provided thereon may be the refrigerating compartment door 12 and the glass plate 30 described above. may have the same structure as All the doors of the refrigerator 10 and the glass plates provided thereon may have the same structure as the refrigerating compartment door 12 and the glass plate 30 described above. Moreover, not only the door but also the wall surface other than the door may be provided with a glass plate having the same irregularities as the glass plate 30 of the refrigerator compartment door 12 described above.

(Modification 6 of Embodiment 1)
The glass plate 30 in the above embodiment may be colorless and transparent, and the light reflecting layer 35 provided on the inner surface 39 of the glass plate 30 may be colored. Alternatively, the glass plate 30 may be colorless and transparent, and instead of the light reflecting layer 35, a colored layer having a low light reflecting effect may be provided.

In the refrigerating compartment door 12 having these characteristics, the colored layer can be seen behind the colorless and transparent glass plate 30, so the depth of the refrigerating compartment door 12 is emphasized.

(Modification 7 of Embodiment 1)
In FIG. 2, the protruding wall 46 of the frame member 40 is short in the front-rear direction, and the chamfered portion 37 of the glass plate 30 protrudes forward from the protruding wall 46 and is exposed. 10A, the corner 37a between the edge 33 of the glass plate 30 and the chamfered portion 37 is located forward of the front end of the projecting wall 46. As shown in FIG. In this case, a portion of the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30 and the chamfered portion 37 can be seen from the outside of the refrigerator, and these portions appear to shine, resulting in a beautiful appearance.

On the other hand, the length of the projecting wall 46 in the front-rear direction can be changed as shown in FIGS. 10(b) to 10(d).

10(b), the projecting wall 46 extends to the position of the chamfered portion 37 of the glass plate 30. In FIG. That is, the front end portion of the projecting wall 46 extends in the front-rear direction from the corner portion 37a between the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30 and the chamfered portion 37 to the corner portion between the outside surface 38 of the glass plate 30 and the chamfered portion 37. 37b. In this case, the corner 37a between the edge 33 of the glass plate 30 and the chamfered portion 37 is protected by the projecting wall 46 and is less likely to be chipped.

10(c), the projecting wall 46 extends to the position where the projecting portion 26 of the glass plate 30 is located. That is, the front end portion of the protruding wall 46 extends in the front-rear direction from the corner 37b between the outer surface 38 of the glass plate 30 and the chamfered portion 37 to the apex of the convex portion 26 (that is, FIG. 10(c) ) within the range indicated by the dashed line). In this case, the corners 37a and 37b of the chamfered portion 37 of the glass plate 30 are protected by the projecting walls 46 and are less likely to be chipped. The convex portion 26 referred to here is a convex portion which is close to the edge portion 33 of the glass plate 30 and is high, and is the highest convex portion within a distance of 20 mm from the edge portion 33 of the glass plate 30, for example.

10(d), the projecting wall 46 extends beyond the projecting portion 26 of the glass plate 30. In FIG. That is, the front end of the protruding wall 46 is located at the same position as the apex of the projection 26 of the glass plate 30 in the front-rear direction, or is positioned closer to the apex of the projection 26 of the glass plate 30 as shown in FIG. 10(d). is also in front. In this case, the convex portion 26 of the glass plate 30 is protected by the protruding wall 46 and is less likely to be chipped.

(Modification 8 of Embodiment 1)
When a pattern such as a marble pattern is drawn on a plurality of doors of the refrigerator 10, the pattern is not interrupted between the doors as shown in FIG. It is desirable that However, the pattern disappears at a member (for example, the frame member 40, the handle 62, etc.) other than the plate (the glass plate 30 in the case of the door using the glass plate 30) that forms the outer surface of the chamber. Also good. Moreover, the pattern may be drawn avoiding the operation part 50 as shown in FIG. A part or all of the plurality of doors with such a pattern may have the same structure as the refrigerating compartment door 12 and the glass plate 30 described above.

(Modification 9 of Embodiment 1)
A printed layer may be provided on the inner side surface 39 of the glass plate 30, and the printed layer may consist of a plurality of colors (for example, two colors). In this case, if the glass plate 30 has unevenness on the outer side of the refrigerator at the boundary between adjacent colors of the printed layers, the boundary appears blurred from the outer side of the refrigerator. Therefore, the design is good, and even if there is a print misalignment at the boundary, it is not conspicuous.

(Modification 10 of Embodiment 1)
2, 10, etc., the chamfered portion 37 is formed only on the outer side of the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30, but a similar chamfered portion (not shown) is formed on the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30 may also be formed on the inside of the chamber. In that case, the chamfered length of the chamfered portion 37 on the outer side of the chamber is longer than that of the chamfered portion on the inner side of the chamber. That is, for example, at the upper and lower end portions 33 of the rectangular glass plate 30, the chamfered portion 37 on the outer side of the chamber is longer in the vertical direction than the chamfered portion on the inner side of the chamber.

In the case where the edge 33 of the glass plate 30 is also chamfered inside the chamber, a printed layer may be formed on the inner surface 39 near the edge 33 of the glass plate 30 . In this case, there is a possibility that the chamfered portion on the inner side of the chamber will overlap the printed layer, and the boundary between the chamfered portion and the printed layer will be disturbed (for example, the printed layer will protrude into the chamfered portion). However, since the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 on the outer side of the refrigerator is formed with irregularities, such disturbance is less noticeable when viewed from the outer side of the refrigerator.

(Other Modifications of Embodiment 1)
The glass plate 30 may be formed with the same compressive stress layer as in Embodiment 2 below.

Moreover, the same coating layer as that of the second embodiment may be formed on the glass plate 30 . In this case, examples of how the coating layer is applied to the chamfered portion 37 are shown in FIGS.

Modifications 1 to 3 of the second embodiment can also be applied to the first embodiment.

2. Embodiment 2
In the description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment are used for the members and the like that are common to those of the first embodiment.

The glass plate 430 of the refrigerator door of the second embodiment is frosted glass. Frosted glass is a glass plate having smooth (in other words, no corners) small irregularities formed on its surface. The unevenness of the frosted glass is formed, for example, by providing a large number of recesses 424 as shown in FIG. 12(a).

On the cross section of the glass plate 430 on which smooth unevenness is formed, at least the convex side of the unevenness (that is, only the convex side or both the convex side and the concave side) becomes a curve having a curvature greater than 0. ing. It should be noted that the convex portion and the concave portion are switched at the inflection point (the point where the curvature becomes 0) as the boundary. When both the convex side and the concave side are curves having a curvature greater than 0, the curvatures of adjacent convex and concave curves may be different, for example, the curvature of the concave curve is the same as that of the convex curve. greater than the curvature of Moreover, the curvature of the curve of adjacent recesses may be different, and in that case, the depths of those adjacent recesses may also be different. Moreover, the curvatures of the adjacent convex portions may be different, and in that case, the heights of the adjacent convex portions may also be different.

Such unevenness is formed on the entire outer surface 438 of the glass plate 430 . However, in the description of Embodiments 1 and 2, even the surface 438 on the outer side of the chamber need not be uneven for the portions that may be flat. In addition, the surface 439 of the inside of the glass plate 430 is assumed to be flat without irregularities unless otherwise specified in the descriptions of the first and second embodiments and their modifications. .

Since the frosted glass looks milky white and objects on the opposite side of the glass look blurry, it can be recognized that many small unevennesses are formed on the surface of the frosted glass.

In the glass plate 430, it is desirable that a region from the surface to a predetermined depth be a compressive stress layer. The depth of the compressive stress layer is, for example, 1/7 to 1/5 of the thickness of the glass plate 430 . FIG. 12 shows the depth of the compressive stress layer with a broken line.

The thickness of the glass plate 430 (thickness excluding the coating layer 401 and the logo 402 described later) in the second embodiment is desirably 3.2 mm or less, more desirably 3.0 mm or less. However, the thickness of the glass plate 430 may exceed 3.2 mm.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 12B, a coating layer 401 having a predetermined thickness may be formed on the surface of the glass plate 430 . Although the thickness of the coating layer 401 is not limited, it is, for example, 1 μm or less. The coating agent forming the coating layer 401 is desirably a fluorine-based agent, but may be a silicon-based agent or the like. The coating layer 401 is desirably water-repellent and resistant to fingerprints and stains.

The height difference d of the unevenness may be smaller than the depth of the compressive stress layer. Moreover, the height difference d of the unevenness may be larger than the thickness of the coating layer 401 . As a specific numerical value, the height difference d of the unevenness is desirably 1 μm or more and 40 μm or less, and more desirably 2 μm or more and 20 μm or less. Also, the average value of the height difference d of the unevenness is desirably 2 μm or more and 9 μm or less, and more desirably 3 μm or more and 8 μm or less.

Here, the height difference d of the unevenness is the height difference between the concave portion 424 and the highest convex portion continuous from the concave portion 424 (in other words, adjacent to the concave portion 424). In addition, there may be a case where there is a flat surface around the recess 424 and there is no protrusion projecting higher than the flat surface. It's about.

Also, it is desirable that a plurality of recesses 424 be formed within the contact area of a person's finger (for example, 50 mm ² or more and 200 mm ² or less). Further, it is more desirable that the plurality of concave portions 424 exist within the same distance as the width of the ridge (ridge portion) of the fingerprint of the human finger (for example, 300 μm or more and 500 μm or less).

As a specific numerical value, the density of the concave portions 424 is preferably 10/mm ² or more and 1000/mm ² or less, and more preferably 70/mm ² or more and 200/mm ² or less. In addition, the average value of the distance between the recesses (that is, the distance between the centers of the two recesses 424 in the closest relationship) is preferably 30 μm or more and 90 μm or less, more preferably 40 μm or more and 70 μm or less. desirable.

Also, Ra (arithmetic mean roughness) of the glass plate 430 is, for example, 1 μm or more and 3 μm or less. Also, Rz (ten-point average roughness) of the glass plate 430 is, for example, 7 μm or more and 12 μm or less.

Further, the glass plate 430 may have a gradation appearance by changing at least one of the height difference d of the unevenness, the density of the recesses 424, and the average value of the distance between the recesses depending on the location. For example, in one glass plate 430, the height difference d of the unevenness may be deeper at the upper part of the refrigerator and smaller at the lower part of the refrigerator.

As shown in FIG. 13 , the edge 433 of the glass plate 430 may be chamfered to form a planar chamfered portion 437 . This chamfered portion 437 is also called beveling.

The angle α between the outer surface 438 of the glass plate 430 and the chamfered portion 437 is desirably 45° or less, more desirably 35° or less. Since the angle α between the outer surface 438 and the chamfered portion 437 is so small, the chamfered portion 437 appears wide when viewed from the front of the refrigerator, and the area of the chamfered portion 437 actually increases. However, the angle α formed by the surface 438 on the outer side of the chamber and the chamfered portion 437 may exceed 45°. In addition, when the angle α formed by the surface 438 on the outside of the refrigerator and the chamfered portion 437 is 45°, the chamfered portion 437 is a so-called C-plane.

The chamfered portion 437 may also be formed with the same unevenness as the unevenness on the outer surface 438 of the glass plate 430 . Also, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the chamfered portion 437 may be a flat surface without such irregularities.

When the glass plate 430 has the coating layer 401, there are examples of how the coating layer 401 is applied in the vicinity of the chamfered portion 437 as shown in FIGS.

In the example of FIG. 14( a ), the coating layer 401 is on the outside surface 438 of the glass plate 430 but not on the chamfered portion 437 . In this example, the thickness of the coating layer 401 is constant or substantially constant at a location apart from the boundary between the outer surface 438 of the glass plate 430 and the chamfered portion 437 . However, at a location near the boundary between the outer surface 438 and the chamfered portion 437, the coating layer 401 gradually becomes thinner as the boundary is approached. In this case, the gradually thinned portion of the coating layer 401 and the chamfered portion 437 may form one inclined surface.

In the example of FIG. 14(b), the coating layer 401 is on the outer surface 438 of the glass plate 430 but not on the chamfered portion 437 as in the example of (a). In this example, the thickness of the coating layer 401 is constant or substantially constant on the outside surface 438 of the glass plate 430 , and the coating layer 401 is discontinued at the boundary between the outside surface 438 and the chamfered portion 437 .

In the example of FIG. 14(c), the thickness of the coating layer 401 on the outer surface 438 of the chamber is constant or substantially constant, but on the chamfered portion 437, the coating layer 401 gradually decreases as the end portion 433 of the glass plate 430 approaches. , and the coating layer 401 is missing at a predetermined position on the chamfer 437 .

In addition, in the example of FIG. 14(d), the coating layer 401 is provided not only on the outer surface 438 of the refrigerator but also on the chamfered portion 437 entirely. The thickness of the coating layer 401 may be constant or substantially constant on the outer surface 438 of the chamber and on the chamfered portion 437 .

14A to 14D show examples of how the coating layer 401 is applied when the chamfered portion 437 is a flat surface without irregularities. However, even when the chamfered portion 437 is uneven, the coating layer 401 can be applied as shown in FIGS. 14(a) to (d).

Further, of the surface 438 of the glass plate 430 on the outer side of the refrigerator, the portion of the operation portion 50 on the outer side of the refrigerator may be flat, that is, in a planar shape without unevenness. In this case, of the surface 438 of the glass plate 430 on the outside of the refrigerator, the entire portion of the operation unit 50 outside the refrigerator may be flat, or a portion of the operation unit 50 (for example, including at least the input unit and the display unit) may be flat. part) may be flat.

In addition, of the surface 438 of the glass plate 430 on the outer side of the refrigerator, the portion of the operation portion 50 on the outer side of the refrigerator may be relatively flat. That is, of the surface 438 of the glass plate 430 on the outer side of the refrigerator, the recesses 424 are shallower, the density of the recesses 424 is lower, or the distance between the recesses is smaller than that of the other portions in the portion of the operation portion 50 on the outer side of the refrigerator. The average distance may be small. In this case also, of the surface 438 of the glass plate 430 on the outside of the refrigerator, the entire portion of the operation unit 50 outside the refrigerator may be relatively flat, or a portion of the operation unit 50 (for example, at least an input unit may be displayed). The part on the outside of the box) may be relatively flat.

In addition, it is desirable that the inner side surface 439 of the glass plate 430 is in close contact with the operation portion 50 .

Next, a method for manufacturing the glass plate 430 will be described.

Sandblasting, for example, is employed as a method for forming unevenness on the glass plate 430 . Further, as a method of smoothing unevenness, for example, a method of chemically treating (for example, hydrofluoric acid treatment) the glass plate 430 after sandblasting, and a method of subjecting the glass plate 430 after sandblasting to a high temperature (for example, 650° C. or higher and 700° C. or lower). A laying method or a method of sandblasting with fine sand to smooth the unevenness in addition to coarse sand to form the unevenness is adopted. In addition, as a strengthening treatment method (that is, a method of forming a compressive stress layer), for example, after the glass plate 430 is placed at a high temperature (for example, 650° C. or higher and 700° C. or lower) for a predetermined time, the glass plate 430 is air-cooled by blowing air. method is adopted.

Glass plate 430 is manufactured by combining these methods. When chemical treatment is employed as a method for smoothing unevenness, for example, sandblasting, chemical treatment, and strengthening treatment may be performed in the order of steps, or sandblasting, strengthening treatment, and chemical treatment may be performed in the order of steps. May be. Further, when a method of exposing the glass plate 430 to a high temperature or a method of sandblasting with fine sand is adopted as a method of smoothing the unevenness, the sandblasting or strengthening treatment in the above-described two steps can smooth out the unevenness. It is sufficient if it also serves as a smoothing process, and in that case, chemical treatment need not be carried out.

Also, the chamfering of the chamfered portion 437 may be performed at any time during the manufacture of the glass plate 430 . When the chamfered portion 437 is chamfered after sandblasting, the chamfered portion 437 becomes a flat surface without unevenness. On the other hand, if sandblasting is performed after the chamfering of the chamfered portion 437, unevenness is formed in the chamfered portion 437. FIG. After chamfering the chamfered portion 437, if the chamfered portion 437 is masked with a tape and then sandblasted, the chamfered portion 437 becomes a flat surface without unevenness.

A plurality of refrigerator glass plates 430 may be cut out from a large glass plate. In that case, it is efficient to cut out a plurality of glass plates 430 and chamfer the chamfered portions 437 after sandblasting a large glass plate. In that case, the chamfered portion 437 becomes a flat surface without unevenness.

Moreover, when the coating layer 401 is formed, the coating may be performed at any time after sandblasting. For example, sandblasting, coating, and chamfering of the chamfered portion 437 may be performed in order of steps. In the case of this order of steps, the coating layer 401 is cut together with the glass plate 430 when the chamfered portion 437 is chamfered.

Alternatively, sandblasting, chamfering of the chamfered portion 437, and coating may be performed in the order of steps. In the case of this order of steps, since the chamfered portion 437 is formed and then the coating is performed, how the coating layer 401 is applied to the chamfered portion 437 is as shown in FIG. 14D, for example.

Alternatively, sandblasting, chamfering of the chamfered portion 437, masking of the chamfered portion 437 with a tape, and coating may be performed in the order of steps. In the case of this order of steps, although the chamfered portion 437 is coated after it is formed, the chamfered portion 437 is difficult to be coated by masking. 14(c).

Embodiment 2 is the same as Embodiment 1 with respect to items not described above (for example, the overall structure of the refrigerator, the structure of the door including the frame member and the operation unit, etc.).

Next, the effects of the second embodiment will be described.

In the refrigerator of Embodiment 2, the glass plate 430 used for the door has unevenness, so fingerprints are less likely to stick. Here, if a plurality of recesses 424 are formed within the contact area of the finger, and if there are a plurality of recesses 424 within the same distance as the width of the ridge of the fingerprint of the finger, the density of the recesses 424 is the above numerical value. If it is within the range, or if the average distance between concave portions is within the above numerical range, the glass plate 430 is particularly resistant to fingerprints.

In addition, since the unevenness of the glass plate 430 is smooth, when the user tries to wipe off the dirt adhering to the glass plate 430 with a cloth, the fibers of the cloth can penetrate into every corner of the concave portion 424 to remove the dirt. can. Therefore, the glass plate 430 is kept beautiful. On the other hand, if the unevenness is not smooth and there is a corner in the recess, even if the user tries to wipe off the dirt adhering to the glass plate 430 with a cloth, the dirt that has entered the corner in the recess will be removed. I can't do that and it leaves a stain.

In addition, since the glass plate 430 looks milky white or translucent due to the small irregularities, fingerprints, dew, etc. on the glass plate 430 are not noticeable. Here, in general, when a light reflecting layer is provided on the inner surface of the glass plate (so-called mirror glass), fingerprints on the glass plate are easily conspicuous. However, since the glass plate 430 of this embodiment has small unevenness, even if the light reflecting layer 35 is provided on the inner surface 439 of the glass plate 430, fingerprints are less noticeable. When the light reflecting layer 35 is provided on the inner surface 439 of the glass plate 430, the light incident from the outer side of the refrigerator is reflected by the light reflecting layer 35 and diffused by the irregularities of the glass plate 430, so that the door A visual effect is produced in which the whole appears to shine.

In addition, since the glass plate 430 looks milky white or translucent due to the small irregularities, even if the glass plate 430 is scratched, warped, or wavy, it is not noticeable. As a method for tempering the glass plate 430, there is a method in which the glass plate 430 is advanced over a large number of rollers in a high-temperature furnace. Cheap.

In addition, since the glass plate 430 has unevenness, when viewed from the outside of the glass plate 430, the objects inside the glass plate 430 appear blurred or difficult to see. Therefore, the light from the light source 56 on the inside of the refrigerator looks blurry from the glass plate 430, giving a beautiful appearance. In addition, the boundaries (edges) of objects such as the operation unit 50 and the metal plate (the metal plate is provided so that a magnet can be attracted to the door) arranged inside the refrigerator from the glass plate 430 can be seen from the outside of the refrigerator. It is hard to see and does not spoil the beauty of the door.

By changing the height difference d of the unevenness, the density of the recesses 424, or the average value of the distance between the recesses, the degree of blurring of the light from the light source 56 inside the glass plate 430 and the degree of blurring of objects inside the glass plate 430 can be changed. Invisibility can be controlled.

As described above, the refrigerator of Embodiment 2 has a high visual effect because the glass plate 430 used for the door is frosted glass. The visual effect is particularly high when the average value of the height difference d of the unevenness, the density of the recesses 424, or the distance between the recesses is within the above numerical range.

Further, since the glass plate 430 of Embodiment 2 has smooth unevenness, it feels smooth and comfortable to the touch.

Also, if the thickness of the glass plate 430 is as thin as 3.2 mm or less, the weight of the refrigerator can be reduced. Thus, even if the glass plate 430 is thin, the glass plate 430 has high strength if the compressive stress layer is formed. In addition, when the glass plate 430 is thin in this way, the glass plate 430 is likely to be warped or wavy.

Moreover, if the chamfered portion 437 is formed on the glass plate 430, an aesthetic appearance is produced. In particular, when the angle α formed by the outer side surface 438 of the glass plate 430 and the chamfered portion 437 is small, the chamfered portion 437 looks wider when viewed from the front of the refrigerator, resulting in a more beautiful appearance.

Further, when the chamfered portion 437 of the glass plate 430 is not coated with the coating layer 401, the chamfered portion 437 without the coating layer 401 and the outer surface 438 with the coating layer 401 reflect light differently. (For example, the chamfer 437 without the coating layer 401 looks more shiny), creating an aesthetic impression. Further, if the coating layer 401 is not provided on the chamfered portion 437 of the glass plate 430, the manufacturing cost is reduced.

In addition, when the chamfered portion 437 of the glass plate 430 is coated with the coating layer 401 , the chamfered portion 437 is less susceptible to fingerprints. If the chamfered portion 437 has a large area, it is easy for the user to touch the chamfered portion 437 .

Next, a modified example of the second embodiment will be described. Any one of a plurality of modifications described below may be applied to the above-described second embodiment, or two or more of the modifications described below may be selected and applied. can be However, various modifications other than the following modifications are possible, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the above embodiments and the following modifications.

(Modification 1 of Embodiment 2)
In the glass plate 430 described above, instead of or in addition to the coating layer 401, the surface treatment agent permeates a region from the surface of the glass plate 430 to a predetermined depth to form a surface treatment agent layer. can be The thickness of the surface treatment agent layer is, for example, 1 μm or less. The surface treatment agent permeating the surface treatment agent layer may be the same as the coating agent forming the coating layer 401 .

(Modification 2 of Embodiment 2)
A logo 402 may be provided on the glass plate 430 . For example, as shown in FIG. 15(a), a logo 402 may be provided on a surface 439 of the glass plate 430 on the inner side of the refrigerator by a method such as printing. In this case, the logo 402 is protected by the glass plate 430 and is hard to disappear. Also, the logo 402 is visually recognized as having a sense of depth.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15(b), the logo 402 may be provided on the outside surface 438 of the glass plate 430 by a method such as printing. In this case, the logo 402 is projected behind the glass plate 430 to create visual aesthetics.

When the logo 402 is provided on the outside surface 438 of the glass plate 430, a coating layer 401 is preferably provided on the logo 402 as shown in FIG. 15(b). In this case, logo 402 is protected by coating layer 401 .

Also, instead of the logo 402, characters, graphics, symbols, or the like may be provided.

(Modification 3 of Embodiment 2)
A part or all of the surface 439 of the glass plate 430 on the inside of the refrigerator may be formed with unevenness similar to the unevenness of the surface 438 on the outside of the storage.

For example, a portion of the inner surface 439 of the glass plate 430 that is adhered to the glass plate holding portion 44 (see FIG. 13) of the frame member 40 is formed with unevenness similar to the unevenness of the outer surface 438 of the refrigerator. can be Since these irregularities are small and smooth, they do not hinder adhesion, and the adhesive or the like enters the concave portions. Therefore, the glass plate 430 is firmly adhered to the glass plate holding portion 44 of the frame member 40 .

In addition, when the logo 402 is provided on the inside surface 439 of the glass plate 430 as described in Modification 2 above, unevenness similar to the unevenness of the outside surface 438 of the refrigerator is provided at the place where the logo 402 is provided. may be formed. In this case, since the ink of the logo 402 enters the recesses of the unevenness, the logo 402 is likely to adhere to the surface 439 of the glass plate 430 on the inside of the refrigerator.

(Another Modification of Embodiment 2)
Modifications 1 to 10 of the first embodiment can also be applied to the second embodiment.

3. Embodiment 3
The glass plate of the door of the refrigerator of Embodiment 3 has needle-like or cone-like fine protrusions 525 that decrease in diameter toward the tip as shown in FIG. 16 on the outer surface of the refrigerator. By forming a large number of fine protrusions 525, the surface of the glass plate on the outer side of the container is uneven.

Examples of the height h of the fine protrusions 525, the outer diameter φ at the bottom, the pitch p (that is, the interval between two adjacent fine protrusions 525), and the apex angle θ (hereinafter “dimensions, etc.”) are as follows. . First, the height h is 200 nm or more and 3000 nm or less. In addition, the outer diameter φ at the bottom is 50 nm or more and 200 nm or less. Also, the pitch p is 50 nm or more and 300 nm or less. Also, the apex angle θ is smaller than 37.8°, for example.

Such fine protrusions 525 can be formed by ion beam processing, for example. By controlling the processing conditions (for example, acceleration voltage, processing time, and gas flow rate) in ion beam processing, the dimensions and the like of the fine projections 525 can be controlled.

When the dimensions of the fine protrusions 525 change, the reflection state of the light incident from the outside of the refrigerator on the glass plate changes. Therefore, by changing the dimensions of the fine protrusions 525 depending on the location of the glass plate, the light reflection state can be changed depending on the location, and the door can be given gradation according to the light reflection state. For example, in one glass plate, the height of the fine projections 525 may be higher at the upper part of the refrigerator and lower at the lower part of the refrigerator.

The items described in Embodiments 1, 2, and modifications thereof can also be applied to Embodiment 3, except that the unevenness of the glass plate is fine projections 525 .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Refrigerator, 11, 12... Refrigerator compartment door, 13... Vegetable compartment door, 14... Ice-making compartment door, 15... Small freezer compartment door, 16... Freezer compartment door, 20... Glass piece, 21... Border, 23... Adhesion part , 24, 25, 26... Convex part 30... Glass plate 31... Inner plate 32... Heat insulating material 33... Edge of glass plate 30 34... Gasket holding part 35... Light reflecting layer 36... Adhesive means , 37 .. Outer portion (chamfered portion) of the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30 , 37a, 37b .. Corner portions 38 . Frame member 42 Side wall 44 Glass plate holding part 46 Protruding wall 50 Operation part 51 Connector 52 Electrode of capacitive sensor 53 Relay bundle 54 First substrate , 55 .. Second substrate 56 . Light source 57 . Inner surface of glass plate 130 240 Frame member 241 Gripping portion 243 Groove 245 Gap 300 Light guide plate 301 Light source 401 Coating layer 402 Logo 424 Recess 430 Glass plate 433 Edge of glass plate 430 437 Chamfered portion 438 Outside surface of glass plate 430 439 Inside surface of glass plate 430 525 Fine protrusions

Claims (5)

A refrigerator in which a door that opens and closes an opening of a storage compartment includes a front transparent plate that is outside the refrigerator, a rear inner plate that is inside the refrigerator, and a heat insulating material between the transparent plate and the inner plate,
A refrigerator, wherein a plurality of protrusions are formed on the front surface of the transparent plate, and the protrusions are covered with a film. The transparent plate has a front surface as a surface facing forward and a receding surface located behind the front surface,
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein said membrane is provided on said frontmost surface and said rearward surface. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein said receding surface is an inclined surface provided on a side of said transparent plate when viewed from the front and inclined with respect to said frontmost surface. 4. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a decorative layer is provided on the inner surface of the transparent plate, and a partial decorative portion is provided on a part of the front surface of the transparent plate. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein said film is provided in front of said partial decorative portion.

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