JP2023162421A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator preventing malfunction of door opening in a case of a touch with unintended door opening.SOLUTION: According to one embodiment, a refrigerator comprises: a refrigerator main body 11 of which a front surface is opened; heat insulating doors 21 and 22 mounted on a front surface opening of the refrigerator main body; door opening devices 54 and 55 being mounted on the refrigerator main body and forcibly subjecting the doors to door opening operation; a control operation part 50 provided on the door 22 for operating a change of cooling control contents of the refrigerator; door opening operation parts 51 and 52 provided on the doors 21 and 22 for operating door opening operation of the door opening devices 54 and 55; and a control part inputting operation signals from the control operation part and the door opening operation part and performing cooling control and door opening control corresponding thereto. Portions giving door opening operation input to the door opening operation part are parts of front surface plates 21A and 22A of the doors and are continued integrally with the front surface plates. The refrigerator has an operation method in which operation to the control operation part 50 and operation to the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 are different from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The embodiment relates to a refrigerator including a touch open sensor on the front plate of the front door.

In recent years, refrigerators have appeared that have doors with decorative front panels made of glass or plastic. In such refrigerators, the operation input section is a capacitive touch button placed on the front panel, and when the user touches the part of the front panel that corresponds to the operation button, the operation input is activated by a change in capacitance. and transmits the corresponding operation signal to the refrigerator control unit. It is desirable that such a refrigerator also be provided with a door opening device that opens the door by sensing a user's touch operation on a specific location on the front panel.

In such a door opening device, it is preferable that an operation intended by a user is appropriately accepted.

Moreover, it is preferable that such a door opening device be able to suppress accepting an erroneous operation when the user does not intend to do so.

JP2009-257627A Patent No. 4347234 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-17865 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-17866

The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art described above, and an object of the present invention is to improve convenience and safety when opening a door using a door opening device in a refrigerator.

The refrigerator of the embodiment includes a refrigerator main body with an open front, a storage chamber provided inside the refrigerator main body, and a heat insulating material installed at the front opening of the refrigerator main body in correspondence with the storage chamber. A door, a door opening device for operating the door, a voice acquisition means for acquiring voice of a user, and a door opening instruction for instructing the operation of the door opening device through the voice acquisition means. a control unit that controls the door opening device depending on the situation, and when opening the door in response to the door opening instruction acquired through the voice acquisition means, executes a notification corresponding to the opening of the door. The present invention is characterized by comprising a notification means for:

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve convenience and safety when opening a door of a refrigerator using a door opening device.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment in an open state. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the refrigerator compartment portion of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of door opening control in the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. 1 is a flowchart of door opening control in the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the installation operation of the door opening operation section in the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing how the door opening operation section is attached to the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a door opening operation section and a door opening operation display section in a refrigerator according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a door opening operation section and a door opening operation display section in the refrigerator according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of installation of a door opening operation section in a refrigerator according to a ninth embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of arrangement of touch sensing electrodes of a door opening operation section in a refrigerator according to a tenth embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of arrangement of touch sensing electrodes of a door opening operation section in a refrigerator according to an eleventh embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing another arrangement example of the touch sensing electrodes of the door opening operation section in the refrigerator according to the eleventh embodiment. FIG. 9 is a front view showing a door opening operation section and a door opening operation display section in a refrigerator according to a twelfth embodiment. The figure which shows the refrigerator of 15th Embodiment. The figure which shows the refrigerator of 17th Embodiment. The figure which shows the refrigerator of 18th Embodiment. The figure which shows the refrigerator of 16th Embodiment. The figure which shows the refrigerator of 15th Embodiment. The figure which shows the refrigerator of 20th Embodiment. The figure which shows the refrigerator of 19th Embodiment. The figure which shows the refrigerator of 22nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the refrigerator of 24th Embodiment. The figure which shows the refrigerator of 16th Embodiment. The figure which shows the refrigerator of 25th Embodiment. The figure which shows the refrigerator of 26th Embodiment. The figure which shows the refrigerator of other embodiments. The figure which shows the refrigerator of other embodiments. The figure which shows the refrigerator of 27th Embodiment. FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 27 in an open state; FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the refrigerator compartment. A block diagram of door opening control in a refrigerator. A flow diagram showing how the left and right doors of the refrigerator compartment are opened automatically rather than manually by the user. For example, a diagram showing a schematic cross section of a right door. A block diagram of door opening control in a refrigerator. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a door opening operation unit having a proximity sensor function. The front view of the refrigerator of the 28th embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the refrigerator according to the twenty-eighth embodiment with the door open. The enlarged perspective view of the refrigerator compartment part of the refrigerator of 28th Embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of door opening control in a refrigerator according to a twenty-eighth embodiment. The figure which shows the example which the door opening operation part of the door shown in FIGS. 37-39 functions as a human body detection means for detecting the human body of the user of a refrigerator. The front view which shows the refrigerator of the 29th embodiment of this invention. 43 is a block diagram of door opening control including a human body detection means of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 42. FIG. A sectional view along the front-rear direction showing the upper part of the refrigerator. Another sectional view along the front-rear direction showing the upper part of the refrigerator. Yet another sectional view along the front-rear direction showing the upper part of the refrigerator. Yet another sectional view along the front-rear direction showing the upper part of the refrigerator. It is a front view of refrigerator 1 showing the 30th embodiment of the present invention. 49 is a plan view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 48. FIG. 49 is a side view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 48. FIG. An example of the structure of the board of the door opening operation unit is shown. 52 is a diagram showing a proximity sensor and a guard electrode arranged on a substrate of the door opening operation section shown in FIG. 51. FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a structural example of an opening/closing operation section. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing electrical connections among a control section, an opening/closing operation section, a door opening drive section that is a door opening device, and the like. It is a figure which shows the example of the storage structure of the board|substrate in a left door and a right door. It is a front view of refrigerator 1 showing the 31st embodiment of the present invention. A cross section along the V1-V1 line showing a structural example of the vicinity of the door opening operation section 651 including the proximity sensor 607 on the left door 21 shown in FIG. 56 (or the vicinity of the door opening operation section 652 including the proximity sensor 608 on the right door 22) It is a diagram. 57 is a sectional view taken along the line V2-V2 of the control operation section 650 shown in FIG. 56. FIG. It is a block diagram showing electrical connections of a control part, a control operation part, a door opening operation part, and a door opening drive part which is a door opening device. After the proximity sensor on the left door shown in Figure 56 detects the approach of the user's hand, if the finger comes into contact with the electrode of the touch button on the door opening operation section, the control operation section and the door opening operation section on the left door light up. It is a figure showing an example of how to do it. It is a front view of the refrigerator showing the 32nd embodiment of the present invention. 62 is a plan view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 61. FIG. 62 is a side view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 61. FIG. 62 shows an example of the structure of the board of the door opening operation section shown in FIG. 61. 65 is a diagram showing a proximity sensor and a guard electrode arranged on the substrate of the door opening operation section shown in FIG. 64. FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a structural example of a door opening operation section. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing electrical connections among a control section, a door opening operation section, a door opening drive section that is a door opening device, and the like. It is a figure which shows the example of the storage structure of the board|substrate in a left door and a right door. It is a front view of refrigerator 1 showing the 33rd embodiment of the present invention. 70 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of the operation detection section taken along the line ZR-ZR shown in FIG. 69. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing electrical connections among a control unit, an operation detection unit, a door opening drive unit that is a door opening device, and the like. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a user performs an approach operation on a proximity sensor in a predetermined specific order by a movement (gesture) of the palm, the side of the hand, or the elbow. It is a figure which shows the example which approaches the proximity sensor in another predetermined specific order. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the principle by which a proximity sensor detects a finger touch. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the basic structure of a proximity sensor. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating switching between a proximity mode and an electrostatic touch mode in a proximity sensor. It is a figure explaining the change of the proximity range in a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail based on the drawings. Note that the same or similar constituent members will be described using the same or similar symbols.

[First embodiment]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment includes a cabinet 11 that is a refrigerator main body. The cabinet 11 is comprised of, from the top, a refrigerator compartment 12, a vegetable compartment 13, a switching compartment 14 that can switch the internal temperature setting, and a freezing compartment 15. Further, an ice making compartment 16 is provided on the left side of the switching compartment 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in order to cover the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12, a pair of left and right doors 21 and 22 are opened and closed in a double-hinged manner using hinges at the top and bottom of the left and right ends, respectively. It is installed to do so. Further, the vegetable compartment 13, the switching compartment 14, the freezing compartment 15, and the ice making compartment 16 are provided with pull-out doors 23, 24, 25, and 26, respectively. Although not shown, a refrigerating evaporator for cooling the refrigerator compartment 12 and the vegetable compartment 13 is disposed on the back of the vegetable compartment 13, and an evaporator for cooling the refrigerator compartment 12 and the vegetable compartment 13 is disposed on the back of the switching compartment 14 and the freezing compartment 15. Although not shown, a freezing evaporator for cooling the switching chamber 14, the freezing chamber 15, and the ice making chamber 16 is provided. Further, on the back side of the vegetable compartment 13, a control unit 56 consisting of a microcomputer for controlling the refrigerator 1 is also arranged.

Both the left door 21 and the right door 22 have front plates 21A and 22A made of colored and transparent glass attached to the opening of the flat inner plate that opens at the front, and a vacuum insulation material is placed in the internal cavity to provide vacuum insulation. This is a structure in which a foamed polyurethane insulation material (hereinafter also simply referred to as urethane insulation material) or a pre-molded solid insulation material (for example, EPC) is placed in a cavity that cannot be filled with material. The degree of coloring of the front plates 21A, 22A is such that the filling such as the heat insulating material on the back side of the front plates 21A, 22A cannot be seen from the outside when exposed to external light. What's more, when the LED indicator light (described later) transparently displays operation button names, cooling function names, cooling intensity, etc., and the 7-segment LED display device transparently displays changing numerical values such as temperature values, light passes through from the front side. It's also a visible density. Note that it is not limited to the 7-segment LED, and may be an LCD or EL.

The right end of the left door 21, that is, the open side portion that is close to and opposite the left end of the right door 22 in the closed state, is connected to the left end of the right door 22, that is, the open side portion when the door is closed. A rotary partition body 31 is provided to maintain the sealed state. An anti-condensation heater is built into the rotary partition 31 to prevent condensation.

On the back side of the front plate 22A of the right door 22, a capacitive control operation unit 50 is installed for operating the refrigerator by touch operation from the front side of the front plate 22A. The control operation unit 50 includes an infrared receiver for detecting the environmental condition around the refrigerator, a home button, and an LED that detects a touch on the home button and transparently displays the operation button name, cooling function name, cooling intensity, etc. An indicator light, a 7-segment LED display device for transparently displaying changing numerical values such as temperature values, etc. are provided.

Door opening operation parts 51 and 52 which are elongated in the left and right directions are installed on the back sides near the lower sides of the front plate 21A of the left door 21 and the front plate 22A of the right door 22, respectively. Door opening operation display sections 51A and 52A are provided on the surfaces of the front plates 21A and 22A to indicate the door opening operation section and the direction of the door opening operation. Here, the door opening operation display section 51A of the left door 21 is provided with a leftward arrow mark that allows the user to recognize that the door should be opened by sliding the finger while touching the left door. The door opening operation display section 52A of the right door 22 is provided with a rightward arrow mark that allows the user to recognize that the door should be opened by sliding the finger while touching it in the right direction.

Door opening drive units 54 and 55 are respectively installed at two positions on the left and right near the front end of the upper surface of the top plate of the cabinet 11, and at positions corresponding to the positions near the open end of the upper side of each of the left door 21 and right door 22. be. These door opening drive units 54 and 55 use electromagnets to push plungers 54A and 55A forward, thereby pushing forward the upper sides of the left and right doors 21 and 22 near the open end thereof, thereby automatically opening the respective doors. be able to. As will be described in detail later, in order to open the left door 21, touch the right end or the arrow mark near the right end of the left door opening operation display section 51A and slide your finger to the left. The unit 51 senses the continuous touch and sends a touch detection signal to the control unit 56, and if the control unit 56 determines that it is a door opening operation command, it operates the door opening drive unit 54 of the left door 21, and Door 21 is automatically opened. On the other hand, in order to open the right door 22, if you slide your finger to the right while touching the left end or the arrow mark near the left end of the right door opening operation display section 52A, the door opening operation section 52 Detects the touch and sends a touch detection signal to the control unit 56, and if the control unit 56 determines that it is a door opening operation command, it operates the door opening drive unit 55 of the right door 22, and automatically opens the right door 22. Close the door.

Note that the cooling control performed by the control unit 56 in the refrigerator of this embodiment is general and is not particularly limited, but includes, for example, the compressor, the operation panel, the dew condensation prevention heater, and the ice making inside the ice making compartment. The apparatus, refrigerator compartment fan, freezer compartment fan, and defrost heater are connected to and controlled by this control unit 56.

The arrow marks on the door opening operation display sections 51A and 52A are not limited to this display, but are displays that can be easily recognized as touching and sliding to the right or left to perform the door opening operation. If so, the shape or form of the mark is not limited.

For the left door 21 and the right door 22, insert your finger with your palm facing upward into the lower end surface below the door opening operation display parts 51A and 52A, respectively, and pull it toward you to open the left door 21 and the right door 22. Handles 61 and 62 are installed so that each door can be opened manually.

Next, the automatic door opening operation in the refrigerator of the above embodiment will be explained. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the door opening operation units 51 and 52 has a front plate 21A and 22A facing each other, with five arrow marks arranged in the left and right directions of the door opening operation display units 51A and 52A. Capacitive touch sensors 51-1 to 51-5 and 52-1 to 52-5 are arranged in a row. These capacitive touch sensors 51-1 to 51-5 and 52-1 to 52-5 each detect a change in capacitance caused by a user's touch and send a touch detection signal to the control unit 56. It has been set.

Therefore, when the user tries to open the right door 22 and touches the arrow mark at the left end of the door opening operation display section 52A, and slides the finger to the right while touching, the capacitive touch sensor 52 Each of the sensors -1 to 52-5 that has detected a change in capacitance transmits a touch detection signal to the control unit 56 in the order of touch. Therefore, the control unit 56 determines whether or not it is a door opening operation based on the logic of the flowchart in FIG. to automatically open the right door 22. In addition, in the case of opening the left door 21, in response to an operation of sliding your finger to the left while touching the arrow mark at or near the right end of the door opening operation display section 51A of the left door 21, Similar door opening operation of the left door 21 is determined.

The logic of the door opening judgment here is as follows. If at least three of the five left and right sensors detect a touch within a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds or 1 second) and in the order in which they are lined up, it is determined that the door has been opened and the corresponding door is opened. The door will open automatically. Here, the opening operation of the right door 22 will be explained.

When any one of the arrow marks on the door opening operation display section 52A of the right door 22 is touched, the corresponding capacitive touch sensor on the door opening operation section 52 side (usually the arrow mark at or near the left end) is touched. Since it is touched, the leftmost sensor 52-1 here) detects the touch and sends a touch detection signal to the control unit 56. The control unit 56 receives this signal and starts the process of determining the door opening operation (step S0). First, a timer count is started (step S1).

When the capacitive touch sensors 52-2 and 52-3 on the right and on the right continuously detect a touch and transmit detection signals until the timer counts up, the control unit 56 receives these signals. , the number of touched sensors is three consecutive in the right direction, and it is determined that the opening operation direction of the right door 22 from left to right is a forward sliding operation. That is, the determination is NO in step S2, YES in step S3, YES in step S4, and YES in step S5. As a result, the control unit 56 determines that the opening operation for the right door 22 is normal, outputs a door opening drive command to the door opening drive unit 55 of the right door, and operates the door opening drive unit 54. The right door 22 is automatically opened (step S6).

In addition, if you stop the slide midway, the speed of the slide is slow, or the length of the slide is short, three or more arrow marks will be displayed within a certain period of time (for example, 0.5 seconds or 1 second). Since it cannot be determined that has been touched in the forward direction, the process for determining the door opening operation is temporarily stopped and the process waits for the next touch detection (it branches to NO in step S2 and jumps to step S7). (to stop the judgment process). Further, even if the door opening operation display section 52A is operated by sliding from the right end side to the left, the right door will not be opened (it branches to NO at step S5 and jumps to step S7 to stop the determination process).

The process for determining the opening operation of the left door 21 is also similar. However, in the case of the left door 21, the direction is opposite to that of the right door 22, and it is determined that the door opening operation is performed when the arrow mark at or near the right end of the door opening operation display section 51A is touched and then slid to the left. I will do it. Therefore, even if the left door is slid to the right from the arrow mark at or near the left end, the left door will not be opened.

Note that in the automatic door opening control described above, the control section 56 determines the door opening operation and drives the door opening drive sections 54 and 55, but instead of this, the door opening operation section 51, A microcomputer is mounted on the side of 52, and capacitive touch sensors 51-1 to 51-5, 52-1 to 52-5 detect changes in capacitance due to user's touch and send touch detection signals to the microcomputer. When the input is input into the computer and it is determined that a slide operation in a certain direction has been made within a predetermined time in the door opening operation parts 51 and 52, it is finally determined that there is an operation to open the door, and the left door or right door is opened. It is also possible to adopt a procedure in which a command signal is transmitted to the control section 56, and when the control section 56 receives this door opening command, the door opening drive section 54 or the door opening drive section 55 is driven to open the door.

Next, a method of assembling the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 into the left door 21 and the right door 22, respectively, will be explained using FIGS. 6 and 7. Note that although the door opening operation section 52 of the right door 22 will be described below, the same applies to the door opening operation section 51 of the left door 21.

First, the door opening operation section 52 has a structure in which capacitive touch sensors 52-1 to 52-5 are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction L on a long and thin substrate 52P which is short in the W direction and long in the L direction. be. The door opening operation section 52 is installed inside the lower end of the right door 22 in such a manner that its longitudinal direction L direction is in the left-right direction and it is in close contact with the back surface of the front plate 22A.

Therefore, near the left end of the lower end of the right door 22, an operating unit installation space 64 that opens downward is formed. This operation unit installation space 64 has a width in the left and right lateral directions slightly longer than the length in the longitudinal direction L of the door opening operation unit 52, and the width of the operation unit installation space 64 is slightly longer than the length in the longitudinal direction L of the door opening operation unit 52. It is designed so that it can be slid upward from the bottom opening. Then, insert the door opening operation section 52 upward into the operation section installation space 64 from the lower opening while keeping its longitudinal direction L aligned with the left-right direction, and slide it until it reaches the upper end of the operation section installation space 64 and fix it. do. Then, the door opening operation part 52 is temporarily fixed with tape or the like in a state in which it is brought into close contact with the back surface of the front plate 22A. Thereafter, liquid urethane is injected as a heat insulating material 22B into the internal cavity of the right door 22, foamed and solidified, thereby fixing the door opening operation section 52 within the operation section installation space 64. The door opening operation section 51 for the left door 21 is also attached in the same manner.

By adopting such an installation procedure, in particular, the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 are installed and fixed in the operation part installation space 64 in a posture that is long in the left and right lateral direction L and short in the vertical direction W. , even if one side is lifted in the longitudinal direction L and the right capacitive touch sensor 52-5 is in close contact with the back surface of the front plate 22A, the left capacitive touch sensor 52-1 is not attached to the front panel 22A. The capacitive touch sensor 52-1 on the right side may be fixed in a floating state without coming into contact with the back surface, or conversely, even if the capacitive touch sensor 52-1 on the left side is in close contact with the back surface of the front plate 22A, the capacitive touch sensor 52-1 on the right side may As shown in FIG. -1 to 52-5 can be reliably fixed in a state in which they are equally closely attached to the back surface of the front plate 22A.

[Other embodiments]
The simplest door structure for a refrigerator is a single door that swings to the left or right at the front of the refrigerator compartment, and this door has a colored transparent non-woven material on the front of the heat-insulating door body. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a conductive front plate is attached and a control operation unit for changing the cooling control contents of the refrigerator and a door opening operation unit for operating the door opening operation of the door opening device are provided. That is, the structure of the right door 22 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 may be provided in one door (second embodiment).

In addition, the control operation unit 50 and the door opening operation units 51 and 52 are not limited to capacitance type touch sensors, but pressure-sensitive sensors, infrared sensors, etc. It is not limited as long as it is responsive to the operation and can perform the corresponding operation (third embodiment).

Further, it is preferable that the control operation section 50 and the door opening operation sections 51 and 52 be set to be responsive to operation inputs for different operation methods. For example, the control operation unit 50 accepts a single operation input in response to a point touch on the relevant location, but in the case of the door opening operation units 51 and 52, the door opening operation unit 51, 52 accepts a single operation input by touching the relevant location for a certain distance or more and sliding. If not, it can be set so that it is not recognized as a door opening operation input (fourth embodiment).

Furthermore, instead of touching and sliding with a finger, the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 may detect an operation of touching multiple locations in a predetermined order or in a predetermined direction (fifth Embodiment). Furthermore, as another modification, the door opening operation section may be provided at the upper end of the door instead of at the lower end (sixth embodiment).

Furthermore, the following modifications are possible as other embodiments. As shown in FIG. 8, in a refrigerator in which the left and right doors 21, 22 are double-opening, the door opening operation display parts 51A-1, 52A-1 for the door opening operation parts 51, 52 are placed above the ground on the surface of the front panels 21A, 22A. The left door 21 can be opened by touching and sliding the user's finger from near the left end to near the right end on the door opening operation display section 51A-1 of the left door 21. The right door 22 can be opened by touching and sliding the user's finger from near the left end to near the right end of the door opening operation display section 52A-1 of the right door 22. In this case, as shown by arrow A1 in FIG. Both the left and right doors 21 and 22 can be opened simultaneously by a continuous finger sliding operation (seventh embodiment).

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, in a refrigerator in which the left and right doors 21 and 22 are double-opening, the door opening operation display parts 51A-2 and 52A-2 for the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 are placed in front of each door 21 and 22. It can also be installed near the open end of the face plates 21A, 22A, and set so that each door 21, 22 can be opened by sliding operation in the direction opposite to the opening side of each door 21, 22. In this case, since the right end of the left door 21 is the open end, the door opening operation display section 51A-2 is displayed to slide leftward from the right end side. Further, the left end of the right door 22 is the open end, and the door opening operation display section 52A-2 is displayed to slide rightward from the left end side. By using this setting, the user's fingers will slide in the direction in which the open end of the door opens when the door is opened, so the user's fingers will be less likely to interfere with the open end of the door that is starting to open, and the door will open smoothly. Opening operation becomes possible (eighth embodiment).

In addition, as shown in Figure 10, even if the refrigerator door is single-opening or double-opening, the door (here referred to as door 22) should be located near any of the four corners of the top, bottom, left, or right. The door opening operation section 52 is installed horizontally or vertically, or diagonally toward the corner, and the door opening operation display section 52A-3 is also installed at a corresponding position on the front plate 22A of the door 22, and It is possible to set the door to open when the direction of the door opening operation is toward the outside of the door (ninth embodiment).

For example, in FIG. 10(a), the door opening operation section 52 and the door opening operation display section 52A-31 are installed horizontally at the lower end of the open end side of the door 22, and the opening operation section 52 and the door opening operation display section 52A-31 are installed in the right direction toward the open end side of the door 22. A setting example is shown in which the door can be opened by sliding the door. In the case of this modification, the door opening operation section 52 and the door opening operation display section 52A-31 can be similarly installed at the upper end of the open end side of the door 22. In FIG. 10(b), a door opening operation section 52 and a door opening operation display section 52A-32 are installed vertically at the lower end of the open end side of the door 22, and are operated by sliding from top to bottom toward the lower end of the door 22. This shows an example of a setting that allows the door to be opened. In FIG. 10(c), a door opening operation section 52 and a door opening operation display section 52A-33 are installed vertically at the upper end of the open end side of the door 22, and are operated by sliding from bottom to top toward the upper end of the door 22. This shows an example of a setting that allows the door to be opened. In FIG. 10(d), a door opening operation section 52 and a door opening operation display section 52A-34 are installed vertically at the lower end of the rotating hinge end of the door 22, and the sliding operation is performed from top to bottom toward the lower end of the door 22. This shows an example of a setting where the door can be opened by In this modification example, the door opening operation section 52 and the door opening operation display section 52A-31 are installed at the upper end of the rotating hinge end of the door 22, and the door is set to open by sliding from the bottom to the top. You can also do that. Further, in FIG. 10(e), a door opening operation section 52 and a door opening operation display section 52A-35 are installed in a diagonal direction at one of the four corners of the door 22, at the lower corner on the open end side, and at the lower corner of the door 22. A setting example is shown in which the door can be opened by sliding the door diagonally from above to below. In the case of this modified example, the door opening operation section 52 and the door opening operation display section 52A-35 are installed at any of the other three corners of the four corners of the door 22, and the door opening operation section 52 and the door opening operation display section 52A-35 are installed at one of the other three corners of the four corners of the door 22, and are moved diagonally from bottom to top toward each corner. You can also set the door to open by sliding it diagonally from top to bottom.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, even if the refrigerator door is one-sided or double-sided, a door opening operation section 52 installed on the back side of the front panel 22A of the door 22 is provided. The capacitive touch sensors 52-1 to 52-5 can be configured such that adjacent sensors partially overlap each other in a direction A3 different from the slide operation direction A2. This overlapping configuration of the sensors eliminates insufficient touches during slide operations, and even if adjacent sensors are touched at the same time, the change in capacitance is larger for the sensor with a larger area, which has the effect of preventing simultaneous detection ( 10th embodiment).

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, whether the refrigerator door is one-sided or double-sided, there is also a door opening operation unit built into the door (also referred to as door 22 here). Reference numeral 52 detects a door opening operation by a slide operation, and a plurality of slide detection touch sensors are arranged in an annular shape or in a matrix shape on the top, bottom, left and right, and the plurality of electrodes are fixed. A door opening operation can be detected in response to a sliding operation that draws a pattern (eleventh embodiment).

In the example shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of touch sensors 52-1 to 52-8 for detecting slides in a door-opening operation section 52 built into the door 22 are arranged in an annular shape. In this case, when three or more adjacent touch sensors are touched in a circular manner, the door opens. Therefore, the door can be opened by any of the slide operations indicated by the arrows A4 to A6, or by the slide operation in the opposite direction. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of slide detection electrodes 5211 to 5244 in the door opening operating section 52 incorporated in the door 22 are arranged in a matrix on the top, bottom, left and right. In this case, when three or more electrodes adjacent to each other in the upward direction, downward direction, diagonally upward direction, or diagonally downward direction are touched in succession as shown by arrows A7 to A13, the door opens.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14, even if the refrigerator door is one-sided or double-sided (a double-sided door is shown here), the doors 21 and 22 can be opened. Both of the operation parts 51 and 52 detect a door opening operation by sliding in one predetermined direction, and in the case of the left door 21, it is slid from left to right from the rotating hinge side toward the open end side. The opening of the door is detected when the right door 22 is slid from the rotating hinge side toward the open end side, and vice versa, from the right to the left. In this case, each of the door opening operation display sections 51A and 52A is provided with an arrow mark pointing toward the open end to indicate the direction of the slide operation (twelfth embodiment). When opening the door by sliding the door toward the open end, the user usually approaches the center of the refrigerator from outside the refrigerator to open the door, so the direction of flow and the direction of the slide operation must match. This has the effect of making it easier to open the door.

As yet another example of modification, the following configuration is possible. A human presence detection means (e.g. infrared sensor, human recognition camera, etc.) is installed on the door to detect when a person is standing in front of the refrigerator door, and the door opening operation is activated after the human presence detection means detects a person. The control unit may perform control to Thereby, it is possible to prevent the refrigerator door from opening without permission due to water, static electricity, etc. (13th embodiment).

Furthermore, instead of the rotary opening doors 21, 22 in front of the refrigerator compartment 12, the door opening operation parts 51, 52 of the refrigerator compartment doors 21, 22 are installed on the drawer-type doors 23, 24 of the vegetable compartment 13, switching compartment 14, etc. (14th embodiment). In this case, the electrical wiring will be connected to the control unit 56 along the slide rail of the pull-out door.

Furthermore, the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be configured as described below.

[Fifteenth embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 15, the control operation unit (also referred to as a control operation board) 50 is formed on a door cap that constitutes the left, right, top, and bottom sides of the door that supports the door front plate that is the vertical side surface of the right door 22. It can be inserted and stored in the storage section 50R from the insertion opening 50V in the G direction. The door opening operation unit (also referred to as a touch opening switch board) 52 can be inserted and stored in the storage section 52R from the insertion opening 52V in the vertical side surface of the right door 22 in the G direction. Further, the door opening operation section (touch opening switch board) 51 can be inserted and stored in the storage section 51R from the insertion opening 51V in the vertical side surface of the left door 21 in the H direction.

As shown in FIG. 15, handles (handholds) 61 and 62 are arranged on the lower surface (lower side) of the left door 21 and the lower surface (lower side) of the right door 22, respectively. The parts 51 and 52 are arranged at the lower corner of the left door 21 and the lower corner of the right door 22, respectively, and are arranged on different sides of the door. Moreover, the door opening operation parts 51, 52 and the handles 61, 62 may be located at different positions in the vertical direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, which will be described later, the right door 22 is, for example, configured with a front plate 22A, which is a glass plate, an inner plate 22C, and a door cap 72, and the insertion port 50V is connected to the door cap 72. It's good to have one. Then, it is preferable to provide a storage section 50R so as to extend from the door cap 72 toward the front plate 22A continuously with the insertion opening 50V, and to insert the board into the storage section 50R.

Note that the space between the outer front plate 22A, inner plate 22C, and door cap 72 of the storage portion 50R is preferably filled with a foam insulation material such as urethane or a vacuum insulation material for insulation.

In addition, the inserted control operation section 50 and door opening operation section 51 may be brought into close contact with the front plate 22A by elastic means that presses the front plate 22A from behind after insertion, but if the board has a long width (door opening The operating portion 51, etc.) may be directly bonded to the back surface of the front plate 22A using an adhesive or the like. In this way, operational sensitivity can be improved.

The door opening operation display sections 51A and 52A, which are arrow marks indicating the positions of the door opening operation sections 51 and 52, can use LEDs 51M and 52M. Further, the arrow mark may be printed directly on the glass, or may be printed on a film and provided on the back surface of the glass so that it can be seen by light.

Door opening operation units 51 and 52 for opening the left door 21 and right door 22 shown in FIG. 15 use electrostatic switches. For the left door 21 and the right door 22, which are revolving doors, the electrostatic switch can be electrically connected to the control unit on the cabinet 11 side using electrical wiring, so it is possible to connect the electrostatic switch electrically to the control unit on the cabinet 11 side using electrical wiring. Therefore, electrostatic switches can be used as the door opening operation parts 51 and 52. Electrostatic switches are used in areas that are sensitive to moisture and have little temperature difference.

On the other hand, the door opening operation section 71 for opening the drawer door 25 of the freezer compartment 15 and the door opening operation section 77 for opening the drawer door 23 use Hall IC switches. Since the drawer door has a structure that can be pulled out and removed from the cabinet 11 (refrigerator body), the door opening operation section 77 and the control section on the cabinet 11 side cannot be connected using electrical wiring. For this reason, for example, as the door opening operation parts 71 and 77, a magnet is placed on the drawer door, and when the drawer door is pushed, the position of the magnet changes, and the position of the magnet changes without contact with the Hall IC switch. be able to be detected. In response to a signal from the Hall IC indicating that the position of the magnet has changed, the control section can open the drawer door by operating the pushing means for pushing out the drawer door.

FIG. 19 shows a horizontal section of the right door 22 shown in FIG. 15. For example, the right door 22 includes a front plate 22A, an inner plate 22C, which are glass plates, a reinforcing plate 71, a door cap 72, and a substrate 74 of the door opening operation section 52. Inside this right door 22, a urethane member for heat insulation or a vacuum heat insulating material 73 with a thickness of 20 mm is arranged. The gap between the substrate 74 and the glass plate 22G is zero. A door cap 72 covers the end of the front plate 22A, which is a glass plate. The front panel 22A, which is a glass plate, is made of tempered glass, but if the edge of the glass plate is exposed, the exposed edge of the glass plate should be removed in order to protect the exposed edge of the glass plate. A C-face cut is provided at the end.

By doing so, the door opens automatically by operating the door opening operation part 52, so there is a risk that the end of the front panel 22A may come into contact with another kitchen furniture placed next to the refrigerator or the wall. It is possible to prevent the end face from cracking. Further, a prevention means may be provided at the end of the front plate 22A to protect the end by covering the end to prevent contact. Further, the board 74 of the door opening operation section 52 is arranged so that there is no gap with respect to the inner surface of the front plate 22A. Note that the left door 21 has a similar structure, although it has a symmetrical shape. Further, the sizes of the boards of the left and right door opening operation parts 52 may be made different. For example, it is preferable to make the board for the larger door larger than the board for the smaller door.

[Sixteenth embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 18, the door opening operation part 51 is arranged below the position LL of the lower end line of the meat plate ceiling plate inside the left door 21. That is, FIG. 24 shows a longitudinal cross section of the refrigerator main body. As shown in Figure 24, inside the cabinet 11, there is a cold air duct at the back through which cold air from the cooler passes, and an outlet is provided from the duct toward the door, so that the cold air flows in the direction of the arrow as shown in the figure. flows to

A meat plate 99T is arranged in the cabinet 11, and an air outlet is provided on the rear side of the meat plate 99T. In the left door 21, a door opening operation part 51 is arranged below the position LL of the lower end line of the meat plate ceiling plate. Thereby, the cold air that has passed through the meat plate 99T does not reach the door opening operation section 51 in the left door 21 due to the windproof means such as the front wall forming the front surface of the meat plate. Therefore, the cold air does not reach the door opening operation section 51 (52) in the left door 21, so the door opening operation section 51 (52) is cooled and no dew formation occurs.

As shown in FIG. 24, if the upper end of the pocket frame is higher than the upper end of the meat plate 99T, cold air will not hit the back of the door. As a result, in order to accommodate the door opening operation part 51 (52), the cold air is prevented from directly hitting the area where the door opening operation part 51 (52) is prone to condensation because the insulation material is thin. It can be prevented. Therefore, the left door 21 is prevented from operating due to dew and sending a signal to the control unit, and the door opening operation unit 51 is prevented from operating inadvertently and opening the left door 21 without permission. This also applies to the door opening operation section 52 of the right door 22 shown in FIG. 18.

This meat tray 99T can also be used as a chilled chamber, and has a door and a drawer container, and can be pulled out forward. The chilled room may be configured as an airtight space that can be sealed with a reinforced storage case that can store drawer containers and a door, and the space inside this airtight storage space is depressurized using a vacuum pump as a decompression means. It may also be a configuration. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the cold air from the cold air outlet provided on the back of the storage case of the meat tray 99T from reaching the door directly, and also to prevent the cold temperature zone of the outlet from reaching the door with a depressurized insulation layer in the closed space. can provide insulation and prevent heat transfer. In this case, it is best to cover the air outlet with a storage case. In addition, the cold air from the outlet provided on the back of this sealed storage section may be controlled by a damper that is an air volume adjustment means, and a temperature sensor that measures the temperature inside the refrigerator to prevent dew formation may be used to keep the temperature low. It is a good idea to detect this and close the damper to prevent cold air from hitting the door.

Further, behind the board including the door opening operation part 52, a vacuum insulating material placed inside the door is placed between the board and the air outlet located behind the meat tray 99T. It is a good idea to insulate it to prevent condensation. In addition, this board is stored in a resin storage compartment with an air layer formed inside the door, and in this case, condensation is particularly likely to occur, but it is equipped with a vacuum insulation material to insulate the cold and heat inside the cabinet. This prevents condensation and prevents the door from being accidentally opened. Further, a metal member with excellent heat transfer may be arranged around the storage section to transfer heat from the outside air to the storage section and warm it, thereby preventing dew condensation.

Furthermore, a vertical partition may be provided between the right door and the left door and opened/closed in conjunction with the opening/closing operation of one of the doors, and the heat source may be stored inside this vertical partition. By arranging the board and the storage section near the heat source of the warehouse, heat can be transferred to the board and the storage section, making it possible to further prevent condensation. This heat source extends in the vertical direction together with the vertical partition, and it is preferable to increase the amount of heat transfer by increasing the heater density at the position of the substrate or the storage section. The heater density can be determined by arranging the heater wires in layers or by bending them, or by extending a metal with good thermal conductivity (for example, aluminum) from the heater to the board side so that heat is transferred to the board side within the vertical partition. It may be placed in

Furthermore, by attaching the door opening operation part 51 (52) at a position different from the position of the air outlet 79R in the cabinet 11 shown in FIG. It is possible to prevent it from reaching the portion 51 (52). Therefore, the cold air does not reach the door opening operation part 51 (52) inside the left door 21, so the door opening operation part 51 (52) is cooled and does not cause dew formation, and the dew formation causes the operation. This eliminates the need to send a signal to the control section, thereby preventing the left door 21 (right door 22) from opening without permission due to the door opening operation section 51 (52) operating inadvertently.

[Seventeenth embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 16, the control operation section 50 and the door opening operation section 51 can also be arranged on a single board 99 in the left door 21. The detection section and the detection signal processing section of the door opening operation section 51 (52) can be constructed from a single board 99. The detection section and the detection signal processing section are housed together in the storage section 50R. The microcomputer MC is preferably placed on the same board.

The control operation section 50 and the door opening operation section 52 can be arranged on separate boards in the right door 22, and the control operation section 50 and the microcomputer MC can be arranged on one board 99A, and the door opening operation section 52 can also be placed on 99B of another board. By using a separate board for the microcomputer MC, which may cause noise, it is possible to prevent malfunctions such as the door opening operation unit 52 erroneously detecting the door and opening the door without permission. In addition, if the storage section 50R has separate compartments in which the circuit board 99A and the circuit board 99B are stored separately, the electric signal line of the circuit board 99B can be connected to a storage section in another location (for example, a storage section in which the circuit board 99A is stored). It is only necessary to connect it to the control means (MC) of the section). In particular, if the connection connector is extended from the storage section in another location to the storage section of the board 99B in advance, and the connection wire of the board 99B and the connection connector are connected when the board 99B is stored in the storage section, the assembly of the door will be easier. Manufacturing becomes easier.

Note that the microcomputer MC may be placed on the same board 99B or on another board 99C located at a different position. The substrate 99 may have a vertically long shape or a horizontally long shape.

The control operation unit 50 and door opening operation units 51 and 52 shown in FIG. 18 are not directly connected by lead wires. That is, the control operation unit 50 and the door opening operation units 51 and 52 are connected via the power supply board of the control unit 56, respectively, using separate electrical wiring LA and LB. This is done in order to reliably prevent the noise generated from the control operation section 50 from inadvertently causing the door opening/closing operations of the door opening operation sections 51 and 52.

The handles of the drawer doors 23, 24, 25, and 26 shown in FIG. 15 can be placed on the left or right side of each drawer door. The handle (handle) is not arranged on the front side of the drawer door, and for example, the door opening operation part 77 of the drawer door 23 and the door opening operation part 71 of the drawer door 25 are arranged on the front side. Only. As a result, there is no handle on the front surface of the drawer door, which improves its appearance.

[Eighteenth embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 17, in the right door 22, the control operation section 50 and the door opening operation section 52 are arranged at different positions in the left and right lateral directions. That is, the control operation section 50 is located near the right side of the right door 22, and the door opening operation section 52 is located near the right side of the right door 22. As a result, since the control operation section 50 is not arranged above the door opening operation section 52, even if water drips from the control operation section 50 due to the user touching it with wet hands, for example, This water is prevented from splashing on the lower door opening operation section 52. Further, the distance Wb between the storage section of the control operation section 50 and the storage section of the door opening operation section 52 is smaller than the distance Wa between the control operation section 50 and the door opening operation section 52, and the distance Wb is the lowest. This is the distance that must be maintained.

Further, the storage section of the control operation section 50 that stores the board of the door opening operation section 52 may be arranged so as to be shifted in the vertical direction and overlapped in the left and right direction. The control operation section 50 may be arranged so that the substrate of the door opening operation section 52 also overlaps in the left-right direction. If the capacitive switch SA and the switch 52A on each board do not overlap, water will not drip from the capacitive switch located above to the switch of the door opening operation section located below. By wrapping the storage section and the board, they can be stacked horizontally within the small area of the door, increasing the degree of freedom in layout. Note that arranging the respective substrates one on top of the other in the left-right direction is applicable even when the substrates are arranged in the same storage section.

The electrodes of the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 may have different detection sensitivities when operated by a user compared to the electrodes of the control operation part 50. For example, by increasing the detection sensitivity of the electrodes of the door opening operation parts 51, 52 compared to the electrodes of the control operation part 50, the operation sensitivity of the door opening operation parts 51, 52 can be improved. The 52 electrodes of the control operation unit 50 may have different capacitances, or may be made different by changing the area of the electrodes. The door opening operation parts 51 and 52 may be configured with one electrode instead of a plurality of electrodes.

Different operation methods are adopted for the operation on the control operation unit 50 and the operation on the door opening operation units 51 and 52. As for the different operation methods, the control operation unit 50 has a long press operation for 0.5 seconds, for example. The door opening operation units 51 and 52 detect the operation by long-pressing for 1 second, for example.

[Nineteenth embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 21, all the LEDs of the control operation section 50 are off, and when any switch on the control operation section 50 is pressed, a plurality of LEDs or all of the LEDs of the control operation section 50 are turned on. In this way, while the lights are on, the switches of the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 have a control that disables the operation even if an operation is detected, and the structure is such that the door opening operation is disabled without accepting the user's operation. Good (may be valid and operational). During the lighting, the LEDs of the door opening operation units 51 and 52 are OFF and not lit. On the other hand, while all the LEDs of the control operation section 50 are off, the switches of the door opening operation sections 51 and 52 are valid and can be operated (they may be disabled and cannot be operated). While all the LEDs of the control operation section 50 are off, the LEDs of the door opening operation sections 51 and 52 are ON and lit.

By configuring the control switch to be enabled and the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 to be disabled as described above, it is possible to prevent your elbow from accidentally hitting the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 while pressing the control operation part 50 with your finger. This has the effect of preventing the door from being opened unexpectedly.

In addition, the configuration in which the LED of the control switch lights up and the LEDs of the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 are turned off is such that if the LEDs of the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 are turned on at the same time, for example, a child may want to press the control operation part 50 and the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 at the same time. The door may sometimes open on impulse, but this configuration can solve this problem.

Note that even if both the control operation section 50 and the door opening operation sections 51 and 52 are enabled and it is detected that they are pressed at the same time, the intention to open the door operation sections 51 and 52 may be notified by display or voice. can alert you.

Switch SA and switch SB, which have different shapes in the control operation section 50 shown in FIG. 17, can be turned on in the same operation method for a predetermined period of time with the same operation sensitivity. A switch SA and a switch SB having the same operation method are located on one side of the board. Further, the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 may also have the same operation method as the switch SA, and this configuration can be adopted in each embodiment.

The bundled wires of the electrical wiring LA of the control operating section 50, the bundled wires of the electrical wiring LB of the door opening operating sections 51 and 52, and the heater wires shown in FIG. 18 are not grouped together. That is, it is preferable to arrange them separately within the door and bring them closer together at the door hinge that leads to the cabinet. Moreover, it is better to bundle the AC lines and DC lines separately. This prevents noise.

For example, the front panel 22A of the right door 22 shown in FIG. 15, which is a glass plate shown in FIG. 19, is made of tempered glass, but a reinforcing plate 71 may be added and a shatterproof film may be disposed. In order to protect the end of the glass plate 22A, a cap 72 is placed to cover the end of the glass plate 22A.

However, unlike in FIG. 19, if the door cap does not cover the end of the glass plate 22A and the end of the glass plate 22G is exposed, the C surface, which is a cut surface, is attached to the end of the glass plate 22G. It is good to form a cut or a rounded surface. The front panel 22A, which is a glass plate, is made of tempered glass, but if the edges of the glass plate are exposed, a C-face cut can be provided on the glass plate to protect the edges of the glass plate. By providing the opening/closing door operation part, even if the door is opened unexpectedly, it is possible to prevent the end from hitting somewhere and chipping. Note that the left door 21 has a similar structure, although it has a symmetrical shape.

Since it is necessary to prevent the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 shown in FIG. 17 from breaking down, a vacuum insulation material 73 is arranged as shown in FIG. 19, and the insulation thickness of this vacuum insulation material 78 is 20 mm. As above, since the vacuum heat insulating material 78 is arranged as a vertical partition, dew does not form on the vacuum heat insulating material 78. Although not shown, a heater is arranged near the door opening operation parts 51 and 52, and a vacuum heat insulating material 78 is arranged behind the door opening operation parts 51 and 52. This prevents dew condensation on the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 due to the influence from the low temperature part.

Switches SA and SB of the control operation section 50 shown in FIG. 17 have a function of adjusting the operation sensitivity, and have setting means for changing the sensitivity and the predetermined time. Thereby, by using the setting means, it is possible to set different operating sensitivities when operating the switches SA, SB or 51A, 51B.

[Twentieth embodiment]
FIG. 20 is a plan view showing, for example, the drawer doors 23 and 25 shown in FIG. 15. For example, the drawer doors 23 and 25 shown in FIG. 15 have door opening operation parts 77 and 71, respectively. If the board 82 of the door opening operation parts 77, 71 is configured to be inserted downward into the storage part 81 from the upper surface of the drawer doors 13, 15 and stored, a gap will be created in the front part of the drawer doors 13, 15. The glass surfaces of the front parts of the drawer doors 13 and 15 have a good appearance.

The door opening operation parts 77, 71 in FIG. Supply power. In this case, compared to the case where the electrical wiring described below is guided to the door along a metal rail, noise can enter the door opening operation parts 77, 71 and the door can be prevented from being opened without permission.

In the case of a power supply type in which the power source is obtained from another source using electric wiring instead of the battery 83 in Fig. 20, the electric wiring is guided to the door along a metal rail, and the maximum drawout is performed according to the opening/closing operation of the door. It is preferable to adopt a structure in which the length of the wiring corresponding to the distance is movable and deformable.

In that case, noise may be transferred to the electrical wiring along the metal rail that guides the drawer door, so it enters the door opening operation parts 77, 71, or enters the microcomputer that instructs the opening operation from the door opening operation parts 77, 71. It is preferable to provide a noise filter which is a noise removing means for removing noise. Further, noise may be removed by providing insulation means (noise removal means) around the electrical wiring arranged along the metal rail so that it does not come into direct contact with metal (21st embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 16, among the drawer doors 23, 24, 25, and 26 having glass plates, for example, the drawer door 25 has a door cap made of a different material (a part other than the glass front part of the drawer door 25). For example, the push button 100 is made of resin. By pushing this resin push button 100, the drawer door 15 can be opened.

[22nd embodiment]
FIG. 22 is a horizontal sectional view showing the drawer door 23 (24, 25, 26) and the refrigerator cabinet 11. Between the drawer door 23 (24, 25, 26) and the refrigerator cabinet 11, there is a pressing member is located. The pressing member 120 sets a gap DH between the drawer door 23 (24, 25, 26) and the refrigerator cabinet 11. When the user presses the drawer door 23 (24, 25, 26) in the pressing direction shown by the arrow against the force of the pressing member 120, the transmitting section 131 of the non-contact distance sensor 130 connects to the receiving section 132. Get closer. As a result, the distance sensor 130 detects the distance, and when the detected distance becomes smaller than a predetermined distance, the door opening operation unit 77 (71) instructs the control unit to pull out the drawer using the pushing means. You can open the door.

As shown in FIG. 17, the door opening operation parts 102, 102, 103, 104 for opening the drawer doors 23, 24, 25, 26 may be arranged, for example, on the left door 21. The door opening operation parts 102, 102, 103, and 104 are designed according to the arrangement shape of the drawer doors 23, 24, 25, and 26. Thereby, the user can easily grasp the drawer door visually and easily open the necessary drawer door without changing his/her posture.

The left door 21, the right door 22, and the drawer doors 23, 24, 25, and 26 can be formed entirely flat without providing any handles on their front surfaces.

[Twenty-third embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 15, regarding the gaps X and Y between the drawer doors 23, 24, 25, and 26, gap X>gap Y. That is, the gap Y between the drawer door 23 having the door opening operation part 77 and the drawer door 25 having the door opening operation part 72 is set smaller than the gap X between the drawer doors 24 and 26 without the door opening operation part. There is. In other words, the gap X between the drawer doors 24 and 26 that have the handle 140 but do not have the door opening operation part is used for inserting the hand between the drawer door 23 that has the door opening operation part 77 and the drawer that has the door opening operation part 72. The gap Y is larger than the gap Y of the door 25. Note that the drawer door 23 having the door opening operation part 77 and the drawer door 25 having the door opening operation part 72 may be provided with handles on the left and right side surfaces of the drawer door. In this case, the handle can be formed by providing a recess in the cap supporting the glass plate.

In order to open and close the drawer door having a glass plate, a non-contact distance sensor 130 is used as a means for detecting the amount of displacement of the door shown in FIG. 22, so if the drawer door having a glass plate is slightly pushed in the direction of the arrow, You can open the drawer door.

As shown in FIG. 16, the control operation unit 50 can also be placed on one or both of the left door 21 and the right door 22.

[24th embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 23, a cap 150, which is a frame of the door and is a decorative part, is arranged above the glass plates (front plates 21A, 22A) of the left door 21 and the right door 22. This cap 150 has a protrusion 151 provided to protrude outward (upward), and this protrusion 151 is adapted to abut against a pushing member 161 of an extrusion means 160. The protrusion 151 is provided at a position away from the front plates 21A and 22A, which are glass plates, and when the pushing member 161 of the pushing means 160 pushes the protrusion 151 to open the left door 21 or the right door 22. In addition, the front plates 21A and 22A are not affected by force. Reinforcing ribs 162, 163, 164, 165 are formed inside the cap 150, glass plates (front plates 21A, 22A) are fitted into the reinforcing ribs 162, 163, and the reinforcing ribs 163, 164 have cross-sections. A U-shaped reinforcing plate 169 is fixed. An inner plate 170 is arranged on the reinforcing rib 165. Urethane is embedded between the front plate 21A (22A), which is a glass plate, and the inner plate 170 for reinforcement.

Each of the embodiments described above can be applied not only to a refrigerator having double doors as shown in the figure but also to a single door refrigerator.

[25th embodiment]
FIG. 25A shows a plane view of, for example, a drawer door 25 of a refrigerator, and there are building walls 200 on both sides of the drawer door 25. Concave handles 201 are provided on the left and right side surfaces 25S of the drawer door 25. In FIG. 25(B), concave handles 202 are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the drawer door 25, but the left and right side surfaces are sloped surfaces 25G that slope toward the front. As a result, even if there are walls 200 of the building on the left and right sides, since the sloped surface 25G is formed, a gap is created, and the user can easily put his or her fingers into the handle 202. In this case, the handle 202 may have a shape that makes it easy to grip, as shown on the right side of the figure.

[26th embodiment]
FIG. 26 shows examples of drawer doors 210, 220, and 230, and a recessed handle 240 is provided on the upper surface of the drawer door 220. The drawer door 230 is provided with a door opening operation section 77 on its front surface. Since the drawer door 230 is provided with the door opening operation section 77 on its front side, the front side of the front side can be made into a glass surface. The gap C between the drawer door 230 and the drawer door 220 can be made smaller than the gap B between the drawer door 210 and the drawer door 220, which improves the appearance.

Further, when the user removes his/her hand from the touch switch-type door opening operation section 51 or 52 shown in FIG. 15, for example, the left door 21 or the right door 22 is It is better to open it. Alternatively, the left door 21 or the right door 22 may be opened when a predetermined time period has elapsed since the user touched the door opening operation section 51 or 52 with his or her finger.

In other words, the control unit is controlled to instruct the door to open at a timing different from when the user presses the door-opening operation unit 51, and when the user releases the door-opening operation unit 51 instead of when the user presses the door-opening operation unit 51. The door opening may be instructed by detecting this, or the door opening may be instructed after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the door opening operation part 51 was pressed. Alternatively, the instruction to open the door may be given after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the door opening operation section 51 was released.

This means that when controlling the opening of the door, the control unit controls the opening of the door after the touch sensor detects a touch operation and after the touch operation is not detected. It is also possible to control the opening of the door after a predetermined time has elapsed (for example, 1 second, preferably 0.3 seconds) after the touch operation is detected.

By doing this, compared to the case where the left door 21 or the right door 22 opens immediately when the user touches the door opening operation section 51 or the door opening operation section 52 with a finger, the door opening operation section 51 or the door opening operation section 52 is opened. It is possible to prevent the hand touching the door operation part 52 from hitting the open left door 21 or right door 22.

In particular, when the user presses and holds the door opening operation section 51 or 52 with his/her finger, the hand that touched the door opening operation section 51 or 52 may touch the opened left door 21 or However, as mentioned above, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the user touched the door opening operation section 51 or 52 with his or her finger, the left door 21 or the right door 22 opens, it is possible to prevent the touched hand from hitting the open left door 21 or right door 22.

Further, the structure of the door described above may be configured as follows in detail.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram of an exploded perspective view showing only one door of the double door of the refrigerator compartment 1 of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1 in an exploded manner. The left door 21 and the right door 22 forming the double door of the refrigerator compartment 12 of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. The structure of the door 25 is basically the same as the door shown in FIG. 27, and will be described as a representative example of the structure as the door 103b.

The door 103b of the refrigerator compartment 12 shown in FIG. 27 has a glass plate 121 on the outer surface provided so as to completely cover the front surface of the door 103b. In FIG. 27, the side where the glass plate 121 is provided is the front side of the door 103b, and the rear side opposite to the glass plate 121 is the rear side of the door 103b facing inside the refrigerator compartment 12.

An upper door cap 131, a lower door cap 133, a left door cap 135, and a right door cap 137 are provided on the upper, lower, left, and right outer peripheries of the glass plate 121, respectively. These four upper, lower, left, and right door caps hold and fix the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the glass plate 121 from the upper, lower, left, and right sides. These upper door cap 131, lower door cap 133, left door cap 135, and right door cap 137 are fixed to the four sides of the glass plate 121, and are decorative parts that decorate the four sides of the glass plate 121. functions as

Inside the glass plate 121 shown in FIG. 27, a door inner structure 125 that constitutes the inner plate of the door is attached to the door cap, thereby assembling the door 103b as a whole and integrally. A gasket 127, which is a rectangular sealing means for sealing the door and the cabinet, is provided on the inside of the door inner structure 125 toward the inside of the refrigerator compartment 12. Then, the space between the glass plate 121, the door cap, and the door inner structure 125 is filled with a foamed heat insulating material made of foamed urethane, etc., to improve the heat insulation performance, and the foamed heat insulating material adheres to the inner surface of the glass plate 121. The glass plate 121 is fixed so that the glass plate 121 does not come off or warp. The glass plate 121 is coated with paint, and an anti-scattering sheet is provided on the back side of the coating to prevent the glass from breaking and scattering, and a protective member may be provided to prevent the anti-scattering sheet from coming into contact with urethane.

Next, with reference to FIG. 28, a structural example of the relationship between a board having a capacitive switch and a door will be described.

FIG. 28 shows a door (doors 21, 22, etc.) having capacitive switches (corresponding to switches SA, SB, 51A, 52A, etc.) that constitute the control operation section 50 and door opening operation sections 51, 52 described above. ) is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of.

The left door cap 135 shown in FIG. 28 is a left side decorative part provided in the vertical direction of the door 103b (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 28), and the right door cap 137 is a right side decorative part provided in the vertical direction of the door 103b. This is the decorative part of. The vertical direction of the door 103b is the Z direction shown in FIG. 27.

As shown in FIG. 28, one end (left end) 150 of the glass plate 121 is not completely covered by the left door cap 135 and is exposed from the left door cap 135. This is the end of the state. On the other hand, the other end (right end) 121f of the glass plate 121 is an end that is not exposed because it is covered by the gripping part 137a.

A rounded surface 151 is formed on the front side of a side surface 152 of one end portion 150 of the glass plate 121, and does not have a right-angled shape. This R surface 151 is, for example, a quarter circumferential R surface. For example, the R surface 151 can be formed by cutting a part of the one end portion 150 and then polishing it to give it a rounded shape, and the R surface 151 is formed continuously in the Z direction.

As shown in FIG. 28, compared to the side surface 153 of the left door cap 135, the side surface 152 of the one end portion 150 of the glass plate 121 does not protrude outward. As a result, the side surface 152 of the glass plate 121 does not protrude from the side surface 153 of the left door cap 135, so that the end portion 152 of the glass plate 121 can be protected.

As shown in FIG. 28, a board insertion portion 154 is provided on the side surface 153 of the left door cap 135. As shown in FIG. This board insertion part 154 is a through hole, and is provided for inserting the board 110 into the storage member 105 from the outside of the left side door cap 135. The board 110 is equipped with a capacitive switch 101 and a communication means 102 for communicating information about the refrigerator to the outside and receiving other information from the outside. The storage member 105 is fixed to the inner surface 121M of the glass plate 121 and the inner surface 135M of the left door cap 135, respectively. This storage member 105 is a member that constitutes a storage section in which the substrate 110 can be stored. The substrate insertion portion 154 can be provided with a lid, and the storage portion can be configured to be hermetically sealed by closing with the lid.

As described above, dew condensation can be prevented by providing a metal such as aluminum with good thermal conductivity around this storage part or by arranging a reinforcing metal 65 inside.

The substrate 110 is held in close contact with the inner surface 121M of the glass plate 121 by pressing it against the inner surface 121M of the glass plate 121 from the storage member 105 side using an elastic means 103 such as a spring. The substrate 110 is fixed at a position P1 different from the support portion P2 of the left cap 135. Thereby, the substrate 110 having the capacitive switch 101 can be fixed in close contact with the inner surface 121M of the glass plate 121, avoiding the support portion P2 of the left side cap 135. Therefore, the capacitive switch 101 can be pressed against the inner surface 121M of the glass plate 121 without leaving a gap, so the user can turn on/off the capacitive switch 101 from the surface of the glass plate 121. can be done reliably.

Furthermore, as a method for pressing the capacitance type switch 101 onto the inner surface 121M of the glass plate 121 without leaving a gap, a guide means for moving the board 110 from the rear to the front may be provided instead of an elastic means. The portion may be sloped so that it becomes narrower in the insertion direction of the board, or the protrusion provided on the board 110 may be inserted and guided into a guide groove provided in the storage portion to press the board.

Further, the substrate may be arranged in a support container that supports the substrate, and it is preferable that an LED serving as a light emitting means is arranged in the support container and the LED emits light from the back surface of the substrate.

Note that the capacitive switch 101 may be integrated by having electrodes placed on the front surface of the LED board placed on the back side, or may be installed on another board separate from the board on which the LEDs are placed. It's okay. The substrate is preferably an elastic transparent film with electrodes of a capacitive switch provided thereon. Then, the LED can be placed on the back side of the transparent electrode, and light can be emitted from the back side of the electrode.

[27th embodiment]
FIG. 29 is a front view of the refrigerator according to the twenty-seventh embodiment, FIG. 30 is a perspective view of this refrigerator with the door open, and FIG. 31 is an enlarged perspective view of the refrigerator compartment of this refrigerator. be.

As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, in the refrigerator 1 of the twenty-seventh embodiment, the cabinet 11 that is the refrigerator main body includes, from the top, a refrigerator compartment 12, a vegetable compartment 13, and a switching compartment where the internal temperature can be switched. 14, and a freezing chamber 15. Further, an ice making compartment 16 is provided on the left side of the switching compartment 14.

As shown in FIGS. 29 to 31, in order to cover the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12, a pair of left and right doors 21 and 22 are opened and closed in a double-sided manner using hinges at the top and bottom of the left and right ends, respectively. It is installed to do so. The vegetable compartment 13, the switching compartment 14, the freezing compartment 15, and the ice making compartment 16 are provided with pull-out doors 23, 24, 25, and 26, respectively.

Both the left door 21 and the right door 22 have front plates 21A and 22A made of colored and transparent glass attached to the opening of the flat inner plate that opens at the front, and a vacuum insulation material is placed in the internal cavity to provide vacuum insulation. It has a structure in which urethane insulation material or solid insulation material is placed in the cavity that cannot be filled with material. The degree of coloring of the front plates 21A, 22A is such that the filling such as the heat insulating material on the back side of the front plates 21A, 22A cannot be seen from the outside when exposed to external light. Moreover, the degree of coloring of the front panels 21A and 22A is determined by the LED indicator lights that transparently display operation button names, cooling function names, cooling intensity, etc., and the 7-segment LED display device that transparently displays changing numerical values such as temperature values. It is also the density that allows light to pass through when lit and visible from the front side.

On the back side of the front plate 22A of the right door 22, a capacitive control operation unit 50 is installed for operating the refrigerator by touch operation from the front side of the front plate 22A. The control operation unit 50 includes an infrared receiver for detecting the environmental condition around the refrigerator, a home button, and an LED that detects a touch on the home button and transparently displays the operation button name, cooling function name, cooling intensity, etc. An indicator light, a 7-segment LED display device for transparently displaying changing numerical values such as temperature values, etc. are provided.

On the back side near the lower side of the front plate 21A of the left door 21 and the front plate 22A of the right door 22, door opening operation parts 51 and 52 are installed, respectively, which are elongated in the left and right transverse directions. Door opening operation display sections 51A and 52A are provided on the surfaces of the front plates 21A and 22A to indicate the door opening operation section and the direction of the door opening operation. Here, the door opening operation display section 51A of the left door 21 is provided with a leftward arrow mark that allows the user to recognize that the door should be opened by sliding the finger while touching the left door. The door opening operation display section 52A of the right door 22 is provided with a rightward arrow mark that allows the user to recognize that the door should be opened by sliding the finger while touching it in the right direction.

Door opening drive units 54 and 55 are installed at two positions on the left and right near the front end of the top surface of the cabinet 11, respectively, at positions corresponding to the open side ends of the upper sides of the left door 21 and right door 22, respectively. There is. These door opening drive units 54 and 55 push the plungers 54A and 55A forward using electromagnets, thereby pushing forward the upper sides near the open end of each of the left door 21 and right door 22, thereby automatically opening each door. can do. To open the left door 21, slide your finger to the left while touching the right end or the arrow mark near the right end of the left door opening operation display section 51A. When the control unit 56 detects a touch and sends a touch detection signal to the control unit 56, and the control unit 56 determines that it is a door opening operation command, it operates the door opening drive unit 54 of the left door 21, and automatically opens the left door 21. Close the door. On the other hand, in order to open the right door 22, if you slide your finger to the right while touching the left end or the arrow mark near the left end of the right door opening operation display section 52A, the door opening operation section 52 Detects the touch and sends a touch detection signal to the control unit 56, and if the control unit 56 determines that it is a door opening operation command, it operates the door opening drive unit 55 of the right door 22, and automatically opens the right door 22. Close the door.

Note that the cooling control performed by the control unit 56 in the refrigerator of this embodiment is general and is not particularly limited, but includes, for example, the compressor, the operation panel, the dew condensation prevention heater, and the ice making inside the ice making compartment. The apparatus, refrigerator compartment fan, freezer compartment fan, and defrost heater are connected to and controlled by this control unit 56.

The arrow marks on the door opening operation display sections 51A and 52A are not limited to this display, but are displays that can be easily recognized as touching and sliding to the right or left to perform the door opening operation. If so, the shape or form of the mark is not limited.

For the left door 21 and the right door 22, insert your finger with your palm facing upward into the lower end surface below the door opening operation display parts 51A and 52A, respectively, and pull it toward you to open the left door 21 and the right door 22. Handles 61 and 62 are installed so that each door can be opened manually.

Next, the automatic door opening operation in the refrigerator of the above embodiment will be explained. FIG. 32 is a block diagram of door opening control in the refrigerator 1. As shown in FIG. 32, each of the door opening operation units 51 and 52 has front plates 21A and 22A facing each other with five arrow marks arranged in the left and right directions of the door opening operation display units 51A and 52A. Capacitive touch sensors 51-1 to 51-5 and 52-1 to 52-5 are arranged in a row so that the capacitive touch sensors 51-1 to 51-5 and 52-1 to 52-5 are arranged in a row. These capacitive touch sensors 51-1 to 51-5 and 52-1 to 52-5 each detect a change in capacitance caused by a user's touch and send a touch detection signal to the control unit 56. It has been set.

Therefore, when the user tries to open the right door 22 and touches the arrow mark at the left end of the door opening operation display section 52A, and slides the finger to the right while touching, the capacitive touch sensor 52 Each of the sensors -1 to 52-5 that has detected a change in capacitance transmits a touch detection signal to the control unit 56 in the order of touch. Therefore, the control unit 56 determines whether or not it is a door opening operation, and if it is determined that it is a regular door opening operation, it outputs a door opening drive signal to the door opening drive unit 55 of the right door to automatically open the right door 22. Let the door open. In addition, in the case of opening the left door 21, in response to an operation of sliding your finger to the left while touching the arrow mark at or near the right end of the door opening operation display section 51A of the left door 21, Similar door opening operation of the left door 21 is determined.

The logic of the door opening judgment here is as follows. If at least three of the five left and right sensors detect a touch within a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds or 1 second) and in the order in which they are lined up, it is determined that the door has been opened and the corresponding door is opened. The door will open automatically. Here, the opening operation of the right door 22 will be explained.

When any one of the arrow marks on the door opening operation display section 52A of the right door 22 is touched, the corresponding capacitive touch sensor on the door opening operation section 52 side (usually the arrow mark at or near the left end) is touched. Since it is touched, the leftmost sensor 52-1 here) detects the touch and sends a touch detection signal to the control unit 56. The control unit 56 receives this signal and starts determining the door opening operation. As a result, the control unit 56 determines that the opening operation for the right door 22 is normal, outputs a door opening drive command to the door opening drive unit 55 of the right door, and operates the door opening drive unit 54. The right door 22 is automatically opened. The process for determining the opening operation of the left door 21 is also similar. However, in the case of the left door 21, the direction is opposite to that of the right door 22, and it is determined that the door opening operation is performed when the arrow mark at or near the right end of the door opening operation display section 51A is touched and then slid to the left. I will do it.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 29 to 31, two voice recognition sensors NS1 and NS2, which are voice recognition means, a human sensor HS, and an illuminance sensor LS will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, one voice recognition sensor NS1, one human sensor HS, and one illuminance sensor LS are arranged on the upper surface of the cabinet 11 of the refrigerator 1. Another voice recognition sensor NS2 is arranged at a distance from one voice recognition sensor NS1, for example, at the bottom of the right door 22. For example, condenser microphones can be used as these voice recognition sensors NS1 and NS2, but they are not particularly limited.

As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the upper voice recognition sensor NS1 is placed on the top surface of the cabinet 11 of the refrigerator 1, while the lower voice recognition sensor NS2 is placed, for example, inside the lower end of the right door 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only one of the two voice recognition sensors NS1 and NS2 may be disposed.

As the human sensor HS shown in FIG. 31, for example, an infrared sensor can be used. The upper voice recognition sensor NS1, human sensor HS, and illuminance sensor LS shown in FIG. 31 are housed in storage cases CS1, CS2, and CS3, respectively. Thereby, the voice recognition sensor NS1, the human sensor HS, and the illuminance sensor LS can be arranged on top of each other on the top surface of the cabinet 11 or arranged side by side, and can be protected from dust and the like. Although the storage cases C1, C2, and C3 are arranged on the upper surface of the cabinet 11, for example, at a position between the door opening operation parts 51 and 52, the arrangement position of each sensor is not limited to this.

Note that these sensors may be housed in the cases of the door opening drive units 54 and 55, or may be housed in a case for covering the hinge that is the fulcrum for opening and closing the door.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram of door opening control in the refrigerator. The flowchart in FIG. 33 shows a case where the left door 21 and right door 22 of the refrigerator compartment are automatically opened.

As shown in FIG. 32, the two voice recognition sensors NS1 and NS2, the human sensor HS, and the illuminance sensor LS are electrically connected to the control unit 56 described above. Thereby, audio signals when the two audio recognition sensors NS1 and NS2 receive sounds can be sent to the control unit 56. A detection signal from the human sensor HS can be sent to the control unit 56. The illuminance signal of the illuminance sensor LS can be sent to the control section 56.

In this way, by providing the two voice recognition sensors NS1 and NS2, the user can speak to the left door 21 of the refrigerator compartment by speaking as shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 33, which will be explained later. The right door 22 can be opened automatically by a different detection (operation) method such as detecting sound or voice, instead of being opened manually by the user, that is, by the user holding the handle. It is now possible to do so.

Further, as shown in FIG. 32, a storage section 300 and a relevance input registration means 310 are connected to the control section 56. In the relevance input registration means 310, the user can input information such as "name of stored food, etc.", "name of storage pocket of left door 21", "name of storage pocket of right door 22", "name of storage pocket of refrigerator 1", etc. It is now possible to register by entering the name of the storage location within the warehouse. Examples of the "name of the stored food, etc." include "milk," "egg," "butter," "juice," "wasabi," and "tofu." Examples of the "names of storage locations inside the refrigerator 1" include the refrigerator compartment 12, vegetable compartment 13, switching compartment 14, freezing compartment 15, and ice-making compartment 16 shown in FIG. 29, for example.

The control unit 56 shown in FIG. 32 stores, in the storage unit 300, related information about which storage location in the refrigerator 1 the above-mentioned “name of the stored food, etc.” is included in. It is designed to be memorized. For example, in the storage unit 300, the user sets (memorizes) "milk", "eggs", and "butter" in the storage pockets on the left door 21 side, and in step S12, the user sets (memorizes) "milk", "eggs", and "butter" in the storage pockets on the left door 21 side. For example, "juice", "wasabi", and "tofu" can be set (memorized) in the side storage pocket.

Here, with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 33 showing the case where the left door 21 and right door 22 of the refrigerator compartment are automatically opened, the case where the user automatically opens the left door 21 and right door 22 by voice will be explained. I will explain in detail.

In FIG. 33, in step S11, the user operates, for example, the keyboard or touch panel of the relevance input registration means 310 in advance to input information such as "milk", "eggs", etc. related to the storage pocket on the left door 21 side. "Butter" is input and registered, and "juice", "wasabi", and "tofu", for example, are input and registered in the storage pocket on the right door 22 side. As a result, the control section 56 shown in FIG. 32 sets, for example, "milk", "eggs", and "butter" in the storage section 300 shown in FIG. 32 in relation to the storage pocket on the left door 21 side ( In step S12, for example, "juice", "wasabi", and "tofu" are set (stored) in the storage pocket on the right door 22 side.

In step S13 of FIG. 33, by detecting that the user approaches the refrigerator using, for example, the human sensor HS or the illuminance sensor LS, a detection signal is sent from the human sensor HS to the control unit 56. Alternatively, an illuminance signal is sent from the illuminance sensor LS. Therefore, in the control unit 56, the detection signal or the illuminance signal triggers the start of the voice recognition function of the control unit 56, that is, the control unit 56 generates a timing to perform the voice recognition function. The voice recognition function starts working.

As described above, the trigger for starting the voice recognition function is when the human sensor H detects a user approaching the refrigerator, when the human sensor HS sends a detection signal to the control unit 56, or when the illuminance sensor LS , when the illuminance sensor LS gives an illuminance signal to the control unit 56 when it is detected that the user has turned on the light in the kitchen where the refrigerator is placed.

Then, in step S14 of FIG. 33, when the user says at least one of "milk", "egg", and "butter" by voice, the voice recognition sensors NS1 and NS2 shown in FIG. 32 receive this voice. Then, the voice signal is sent to the control unit 56, so that the control unit 56 recognizes the voice. As a result, in step S15, the control unit 56 causes the door opening driving unit 54 of the left door 21 shown in FIG. A command is output to operate the door opening drive unit 54. Therefore, in step S16, the storage pocket of the left door 21 can be automatically opened by the operation of the door opening drive unit 54.

Similarly, in step S14, when the user speaks at least one of "juice", "wasabi", and "tofu", the voice recognition sensors NS1 and NS2 shown in FIG. 32 receive this voice. Then, the voice signal is sent to the control unit 56, so that the control unit 56 recognizes the voice. Thereby, in step S17, the control unit 56 outputs a door opening drive command to the door opening drive unit 55 of the right door 22 in which at least one of "juice", "wasabi", and "tofu" is stored. Then, the door opening drive unit 54 is operated. Therefore, in step S18, the storage pocket of the right door 22 can be automatically opened by the operation of the door opening drive unit 54.

In the storage unit 310, for example, by associating and registering the storage pocket on the left door 21 side that contains "milk" in advance, even a person who does not know the location in the refrigerator containing "milk" can store "milk". ", the left door 21 side can be opened automatically. This prevents a person who does not know where the "milk" is located in the refrigerator from accidentally opening the right door 22 that does not contain the "milk". This reduces the number of times the door must be opened and closed, increasing the energy saving effect.

In addition, when the water storage tank for ice making is placed in the refrigerator, when the user utters, for example, "water storage", the door on the side where the water storage tank is stored, for example, the left door 21, opens. Therefore, the user can store the water tank in a predetermined storage position in the refrigerator while holding the water tank. This allows the user to use the handle 61 shown in FIG. 29 to open, for example, the left door 21 to accommodate the water tank, even if the user is holding the water tank with both hands and has both hands occupied. It can open automatically even if you don't have it.

Note that the drawer-type doors 23, 24, 25, and 26 shown in FIG. 29 can also be opened automatically by voice in the same manner as the left door 21 and right door 22 by providing a door opening drive unit respectively. can.

In this way, unlike manual operation in which the user manually opens the left door 21, right door 22, and pull-out doors 23, 24, 25, and 26 by grasping the handles, the doors can be opened automatically. This is very convenient, for example, when the user is holding food or the like with both hands.

Note that when voices for opening different doors are recognized at the same time, the opening timings of the different doors may be shifted to prevent the doors from colliding with the user.

Further, in step S13 shown in FIG. 33 described above, an example of giving a trigger to the control unit 56 to start voice recognition is to cause the voice recognition sensors NS1 and NS2 to recognize the words uttered by the user. These are the voice signals from the voice recognition sensors NS1 and NS2 obtained by this. As the predetermined words (words) uttered by the user, for example, "plus open sesame" or the like can be adopted. That is, a preferable example for giving a trigger to the control unit 56 to start voice recognition is a word that does not appear in normal conversation, such as "open goma" or "plus open goma". is desirable.

That is, when the trigger for starting speech recognition is given to the control section 56 by a human voice, the problem of the control section 56 starting the speech recognition operation due to words that occur in normal conversation can be prevented. It is desirable to use words that do not appear in normal conversation in order to This can prevent the control unit 56 from erroneously starting a voice recognition operation. The voice that triggers the control unit 56 to start voice recognition may be an abnormal noise generated in the refrigerator, such as the sound of a compressor, an alarm sound notifying when the door is opened, the sound of opening and closing the door, or the sound used in the room. It is best to set the sound to be different from the sound of the vacuum cleaner or the music playing in the room. Also, when setting the recognition sound to a sound that is not a voice, setting it to recognize the sound of clapping your hands multiple times (for example, twice) will eliminate the possibility of accidentally opening or closing the refrigerator because it is different from the sound generated by the refrigerator.

Next, with reference to FIG. 34, an example of the arrangement of the voice recognition sensor NS2 arranged at the lower part of the right door 22 shown in FIG. 30 will be described. FIG. 34 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the right door 22, for example.

As shown in FIG. 34, the voice recognition sensor NS2 is, for example, a condenser microphone, and is arranged at the bottom of the right door 22. This voice recognition sensor NS2 is arranged within the storage member 105. This storage member 105 is fixed to an inner surface 121M of the glass plate 121 and an inner surface 135M of the left door cap 135, respectively. This storage member 105 is a member that constitutes a storage section in which the substrate 110 can be stored. The hole portion (the board insertion portion described above) 154 is provided, for example, in the lower part of the left door cap 135 of the right door 22. Voices generated by the user reach the voice recognition sensor NS2 through the hole 154. This hole portion 154 may be a single hole or may be composed of a plurality of holes. Thereby, the voice recognition sensor NS2 can be disposed so as to be built into the lower part of the right door 22, and moreover, external voices etc. can be reliably picked up through the hole 154. Note that this voice recognition sensor NS2 may be mounted on the substrate 110, and may be provided with a lid that covers the hole portion 154, and a small hole may be formed in the lid.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 32, the control section 56 is connected to a light emitting section 330, a sound generating section 340, and a sound generating section 350. The light emitting unit 330, the sound generating unit 340, and the sound generating unit 350 warn the user that the door will be opened when the door is opened by the sound (voice) detected by the voice recognition sensors NS1 and NS2. This is a means of notification to notify the public.

The light emitting section 330 is, for example, an LED light emitting section, and the sound generating section 340 is, for example, a buzzer. The sound generating section 350 is, for example, a speaker. As described above, when at least one of the voice recognition sensors NS1 and NS2 shown in FIG. 32 detects the user's voice and the control unit 56 issues a command to open the left door 21 or the right door 22, the control The unit 56 causes the light emitting unit 330 shown in FIG. 32 to emit light in red, for example, causes the sound generating unit 340 to generate an alarm sound, or causes the sound generating unit 350 to issue an audio warning such as “The door is opening”. The content can be notified to the user. As a result, the user can be notified by at least one of light, sound, and voice that the door will open, thereby preventing the user from accidentally hitting the door.

Further, as shown in FIG. 32, a human sensor HS is connected to the control unit 56. When the human sensor HS detects that a user approaches the refrigerator, it outputs a detection signal to the control unit 56 to notify that a person has been detected. In this way, when the control unit 56 detects that the user approaches the refrigerator, the control unit 56 shown in FIG. You can ask the user using voice guidance. In this case, when the user answers, for example, "YES", this "YES" is recognized by the voice recognition sensors NS1 and NS2, and a voice signal is notified to the control unit 56. Thereby, the control unit 56 can open the right door 22 by outputting a door opening drive command to the door opening drive unit 55 of the right door 22, for example. Similarly, the control unit 56 can open the left door 21 by outputting a door opening drive command to the door opening drive unit 54 of the left door 21, for example.

Furthermore, the left door 21 and the right door 22 can be opened at different speeds. The left door 21 and the right door 22 are driven by door opening drive units 54 and 55, and the opening speeds are normally set slowly to prevent the doors from opening suddenly.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 35, a height measurement sensor 410 is connected to the control section 56. This height measurement sensor 410 can use an optical sensor such as a photocoupler, for example, and measures the rough height of the user. For example, the height measurement sensor 410 only needs to be able to distinguish and measure whether the height of the user reaches the left door 21 and right door 22 on the upper tier side or does not reach the height. Thereby, the control unit 56 can vary the opening speeds of the left door 21 and the right door 22 on the upper stage side based on the value of the user's height measured by the height measurement sensor 410.

For example, if the user's height measured by the height measurement sensor 410 is the value until reaching the left door 21 and right door 22 on the upper stage side, the control unit 56 controls the door opening drive unit 54, 55 is further slowed down, the door opening drive parts 54 and 55 open the upper left door 21 and right door 22 at a speed slower than the normal opening speed.

This prevents the left door 21 and right door 22 from hitting the user's head or body. Further, if the height value of the user measured by the height measurement sensor 410 is a value that does not reach the left door 21 and the right door 22 on the upper tier side, the door opening drive units 54 and 55 Open the door 21 and the right door 22 at normal opening speeds.

When the control unit 56 shown in FIG. 32 or 35 uses the sound generation unit 350 to notify the user of a warning message such as "Open the right door," the user may receive the warning again. If you want to check the contents, you can do so as follows. When the user says a repeated reminder content such as "one more time" or "repeat", the voice recognition sensors NS1 and NS2 transmit a voice signal of the repeated reminder content such as "one more time" or "repeat" to the control unit 56. send to The control unit 56 uses the voice generation unit 350 to notify the user of the warning content “Open the right door” at least once again based on the voice signals from the voice recognition sensors NS1 and NS2. Thereby, even if the user fails to hear the warning issued by the refrigerator, he or she can easily check it again.

Further, when the user opens the right door 22 of the upper refrigerator compartment to look into the refrigerator, the control unit 56 does not accept an operation that automatically opens another door, the left door 21, for example. It looks like this. As a result, if the user opens the right door 22 and looks inside the refrigerator, and the user mutters, for example, "I have to get the milk out," the user may accidentally open the left door on the side containing "milk". It is possible to prevent the door 21 from opening automatically and to reliably prevent the left door 21 from hitting the user's face, for example.

Similarly, when the user opens the right door 22 of the upper refrigerator compartment and looks into the refrigerator, for example, when the user mumbles, ``I have to get vegetables out,'' which is another door, the user may accidentally `` The door of the vegetable compartment containing "vegetables" automatically opens and prevents the user from hitting the user's lower abdomen, knees, etc.

In addition to disabling reception as described above, it is also possible to set the opening speed of other doors to be slower than the normal speed when a certain door is opened.

In addition, if the refrigerator is making abnormal noises (compressor sound, buzzer sound), and voice recognition is not successful, it will send voice instructions to the user such as "Please speak again." You can also play it from the speakers.

As shown in FIG. 35, a proximity sensor 400 is connected to the control unit 56. This proximity sensor 400 is arranged, for example, on the left door 21 and the right door 22, and when the user approaches the left door 21 or the right door 22 with his or her hand, the proximity sensor 400 is connected to the door opening operation parts 51, 52, which are touch switches, or the control operation. The portion 50 is illuminated using, for example, an LED lamp. Thereby, even if the refrigerator is placed in a dark place, the user can visually confirm the positions of the door opening operation parts 51, 52 and the control operation part 50.

Moreover, the function of this proximity sensor and the function of the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 can be combined. In this case, there is no need to separately provide a proximity sensor 400 as shown in FIG. 35.

FIG. 36 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the door opening operation unit having the function of a proximity sensor. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 36, in step S21, the control unit 56 in FIG. By keeping it in place, it maintains its function as a proximity sensor.

In step S22 of FIG. 36, when the door-opening operation units 51 and 52, which also serve as proximity sensors, detect the approach of the user's fingers, in step S23, the door-opening operation which also serves as a proximity sensor is performed according to a command from the control unit 56. The parts 51 and 52 light up, and the sensitivity of the door opening operation parts 51 and 52, which also serve as proximity sensors, is lowered to the original state, so that the door opening operation parts 51 and 52, which also serve as proximity sensors, function only as door opening operation parts. . If the sensitivity of the door opening operation parts 51 and 52, which also serve as proximity sensors, is not lowered, the touch input will be detected before the touch input to the door opening operation parts 51 and 52, which also serve as proximity sensors, and accurate input will not be possible. This is because

In this way, the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 that also serve as proximity sensors sense the approach of the user's fingers, and the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 that also serve as proximity sensors light up, so that the door opening operation that also serves as a proximity sensor is performed. The positions of the parts 51 and 52 can be clearly seen, and the user can be informed that input is possible using the door opening operation parts 51 and 52, which also serve as proximity sensors. Since there is no need to provide a separate proximity sensor, the number of parts can be reduced.

On the other hand, before the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 that also serve as proximity sensors light up, the control unit 56 prevents the user from inputting using the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 that also serve as proximity sensors. To prevent erroneous input when a user's finger touches door opening operation parts 51 and 52 which also serve as a proximity sensor, even though the user does not intend to do so.

[28th embodiment]
FIG. 37 is a front view of a refrigerator 1 according to the twenty-eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 38 is a perspective view of this refrigerator 1 with the door open. FIG. 39 is an enlarged perspective view of the refrigerator compartment portion of this refrigerator 1.

As shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 11 that is a refrigerator main body. The cabinet 11 is comprised of, from the top, a refrigerator compartment 12, a vegetable compartment 13, a switching compartment 14 that can switch the internal temperature setting, and a freezing compartment 15. Further, an ice making compartment 16 is provided on the left side of the switching compartment 14.

As shown in FIGS. 37 to 39, in order to cover the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12, a pair of left and right doors 21 and 22 are opened and closed in a double-fold manner using hinges at the top and bottom of the left and right ends, respectively. It is installed to do so.

Further, the vegetable compartment 13, the switching compartment 14, the freezing compartment 15, and the ice making compartment 16 are provided with pull-out doors 23, 24, 25, and 26, respectively.

Although not shown, a refrigerating evaporator for cooling the refrigerator compartment 12 and the vegetable compartment 13 is disposed on the back of the vegetable compartment 13, and an evaporator for cooling the refrigerator compartment 12 and the vegetable compartment 13 is disposed on the back of the switching compartment 14 and the freezing compartment 15. Although not shown, a freezing evaporator for cooling the switching chamber 14, the freezing chamber 15, and the ice making chamber 16 is provided.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, a control section 56 consisting of a microcomputer for controlling the refrigerator 1 is arranged on the back side of the vegetable compartment 13.

As shown in FIG. 37, both the left door 21 and the right door 22 have front plates 21A and 22A made of colored and transparent glass attached to the openings of flat inner plates opening at the front, and a vacuum is applied to the internal cavity. It has a structure in which heat insulating material is placed, and urethane heat insulating material or solid heat insulating material is placed in the cavity that cannot be filled with vacuum heat insulating material.

The degree of coloring of the glass front plates 21A, 22A is such that the filler such as the heat insulating material on the back side of the front plates 21A, 22A cannot be seen from the outside when exposed to external light. Moreover, the degree of coloring of the glass front plates 21A and 22A is determined by, for example, an LED indicator light that transparently displays the name of the operation button in the control operation section 50, the name of the cooling function, the cooling intensity, etc., and a transparent display that displays changing numerical values such as the temperature value. It is also the density that allows light to pass through and be seen from the front side when the 7-segment LED display device is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 38, the right end of the left door 21, that is, the open side portion that is close to and opposite the left end of the right door 22 in the closed state, the left end of the right door 22 in the closed state, That is, the rotary partition body 31 is provided to maintain a sealed state with the open side portion. An anti-condensation heater is built into the rotary partition 31 to prevent condensation.

On the back side of the front plate 22A of the right door 22, a capacitive control operation unit 50 is installed for operating the refrigerator by touch operation from the front side of the front plate 22A. The control operation unit 50 includes an infrared receiver for detecting the environmental condition around the refrigerator, a home button, and an LED that detects a touch on the home button and transparently displays the operation button name, cooling function name, cooling intensity, etc. An indicator light, a 7-segment LED display device for transparently displaying changing numerical values such as temperature values, etc. are provided. This control operation section 50 is arranged, for example, on the right door 22 in order to perform an operation to change the cooling control contents of the refrigerator 1. The home button of the control operation unit 50 is a menu button that allows the user to instruct the control unit 56 of the refrigerator 1 to perform various operations by touching it with a finger.

As shown in FIG. 37, elongated door opening operation parts 51 and 52 are installed along the left and right lateral directions on the back side near the lower side of the front plate 21A of the left door 21 and the front plate 22A of the right door 22, respectively. has been done. The door opening operation units 51 and 52 are also referred to as door opening buttons. Door opening operation display portions 51B, 52B indicating the door opening operation direction are provided on the surfaces of the front plates 21A, 22A. The door opening operation display section 51B of the left door 21 is provided with a leftward arrow mark that allows the user to recognize that the user should touch and slide a finger toward the left to open the door. The door opening operation display section 52B of the right door 22 is provided with a rightward arrow mark that allows the user to recognize that the user is touching and sliding his/her finger in the right direction to open the door.

As shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, the door opening drive units 54 and 55 are operated at two positions on the left and right near the front end of the upper surface of the top plate of the cabinet 11, that is, at the open side ends of the upper sides of the left door 21 and the right door 22. Each is installed at a position corresponding to its vicinity.

These door opening driving units 54 and 55 push out the upper sides of the left door 21 and the right door 22 near the open side ends forward by pushing the plungers 54B and 55B forward using electromagnets, thereby opening the left door 21 and the right door. Each door 22 can be opened automatically. To open the left door 21, slide your finger to the left while touching the right end or the arrow mark near the right end of the left door opening operation display section 51B. It senses a touch and sends a touch detection signal to the control unit 56. If the control unit 56 determines that it is a door opening operation command, it can operate the door opening drive unit 54 of the left door 21 to automatically open the left door 21.

Similarly, in order to open the right door 22, slide your finger to the right while touching the left end or the arrow mark near the left end of the right door opening operation display section 52B. senses the continuous touch and sends a touch detection signal to the control unit 56. If the control unit 56 determines that it is a door opening operation command, it can operate the door opening drive unit 55 of the right door 22 to automatically open the right door 22.

As shown in FIG. 37, a control operation section 50 for changing the cooling control contents of the refrigerator 1 is provided, for example, on the right door 22, and when the user operates this control operation section 50, The cooling control contents of the refrigerator 1 are changed.

In the right door 22, the door opening operation section 52 is arranged below the control operation section 50, and the door opening operation section 52 is not located directly below the control operation section 50, but on the left and right sides with respect to the control operation section 50. It is placed at a position shifted in the direction. In other words, in the right door 22, the door opening operation section 52 is arranged below the control operation section 50 having the menu button; 50, they are shifted to different positions to the right along the arrow QR direction.

As a result, when the user touches the menu button of the control operation unit 50 with his/her finger, even if the user's finger is wet and the water drips from the finger, the water dripping from the finger will be removed. It does not adhere to the door opening operation part 52. Therefore, the electrostatic touch type door opening operation section 52 does not react to water dripping from the user's finger, and the door opening operation section 52 automatically operates even though the user is not touching it with his/her finger. By reacting to this, it is possible to prevent a malfunction in which the control section 56 operates the door opening drive section 55 of the right door 22. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the door 22 from being automatically opened without permission.

Further, by pressing a menu button (menu key) on the control operation section 50, other operation buttons on the control operation section 50 may light up and the operation of that operation button becomes effective. Even in such a case, since the door opening operation section 52 (open switch) is located at a different location (shifted position) with respect to the control operation section 50, the user can operate the control operation section 50 with his/her finger using the light. Even if you touch another operation button that is enabled, water dripping from your finger will not adhere to the door opening operation part 52. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the door 22 from being automatically opened without permission.

Further, only the door opening operation section 52 and the menu button (menu key) of the control operation section 50 are printed on the glass front plate 22A, and the other elements except the menu button of the control operation section 50 are lit by LEDs. By making the right door 22 of the refrigerator 1 stand out, the right door 22 of the refrigerator 1 has a neat appearance.

Note that the cooling control performed by the control unit 56 in the refrigerator of this embodiment is general and is not particularly limited, but includes, for example, the compressor, the operation panel, the dew condensation prevention heater, and the ice making inside the ice making compartment. The apparatus, refrigerator compartment fan, freezer compartment fan, and defrost heater are connected to and controlled by this control unit 56.

The arrow marks on the door opening operation display sections 51B and 52B shown in FIGS. 37 and 39 are not limited to this display, and touching and sliding them to the right or left will perform the door opening operation. The shape and form of the mark is not limited as long as it is an easily recognizable display.

As shown in FIG. 37, handles 61 and 62 are installed on the left door 21 and the right door 22. The handles 61 and 62 are provided on the lower end surface of the lower side of the door opening operation display parts 51B and 52B, and the left door can be opened by inserting your fingers into the handles 61 and 62 with your palms facing upward and pulling them toward you. 21. The right door 22 can be opened manually individually.

Next, the automatic door opening operation in the refrigerator of the above embodiment will be explained.

FIG. 40 is a block diagram of door opening control in the refrigerator 1. As shown in FIG. 40, the door opening operation sections 51 and 52 have door opening operation display sections 51B and 52B, respectively. The door opening operation display sections 51B and 52B each have five arrow marks arranged in the left and right directions. Capacitive touch sensors 51-1 to 51-5 and 52-1 to 52-5 are arranged in a row in the door opening operation display sections 51B and 52B, respectively. These capacitive touch sensors 51-1 to 51-5 and 52-1 to 52-5 each detect a change in capacitance caused by a user's touch and send a touch detection signal to the control unit 56. It is set to .

Therefore, when the user tries to open the right door 22 and touches the arrow mark at the left end of the door opening operation display section 52B, and slides the finger to the right while keeping the finger touched, the capacitive touch sensor 52 The sensors among −1 to 52-5 that detect a change in capacitance transmit touch detection signals to the control unit 56 in the order of touch. Therefore, the control unit 56 determines whether or not it is a door opening operation, and if it is determined to be a regular door opening operation, it outputs a door opening drive signal to the door opening drive unit 55 of the right door to open the right door 22. Automatically open the door. In addition, in the case of the opening operation of the left door 21, in response to the operation of sliding your finger to the left while touching the right end or the arrow mark near the right end of the door opening operation display section 51B of the left door 21, The control unit 56 similarly determines the opening operation of the left door 21.

FIG. 41 shows an example in which the door opening operation section 51 of the left door 21 and the door opening operation section 52 of the right door 22 shown in FIGS. 37 to 39 function as human body detection means for detecting the human body of the user of the refrigerator 1. It shows.

When the door opening operation unit 51 and the door opening operation unit 52 detect the user's body, they send a human body detection signal to the control unit 56. As a result, the control unit 56 validates the input of the operation signal from the door opening operation unit 51, performs door opening control of the corresponding left door 21, validates the input of the operation signal from the door opening operation unit 52, Opening control for the corresponding right door 22 is performed.

Taking the door opening operation section 52 as a human body detection means as an example, the control section 56 turns on the display of the door opening operation section 52 when the human body of the user is detected by the door opening operation section 52 . The control unit 56 can switch the lighting display of the door opening operation unit 52 depending on how the right door 22 is opened.

The door opening operation unit 52, which is a human body detection means, is an electrostatic switch as described above, and when the electrostatic switch detects the human body of the user, the control unit 56 increases the sensitivity of the electrostatic switch. It can be implemented by switching. The door opening operation section 52, which is a human body detection means, is a proximity sensor that detects when a human body approaches. When the control unit 56 activates the opening operation of the right door 22 by functioning as a sensor and detects that the user touches the door opening operation unit 52 as a contact sensor with a finger, the control unit 56 activates the opening operation of the right door 22. Actual door operation.

As mentioned above, changing the sensitivity of the door opening operation section 52 to cause the door opening operation section 52 to function from a proximity sensor to a contact sensor will be explained in more detail below with reference to the example of FIG. 41. do.

In FIG. 41(A), the control unit 56 sets the sensitivity of the door opening operation unit 52 to “high” in order to cause the door opening operation unit 52, which is an electrostatic switch, to function as a “proximity sensor”. By doing so, the function as a "proximity sensor" is "effective." Therefore, the control unit 56 disables the opening of the right door 22 (door opening operation), which is the original function of the door opening operation unit 52. Moreover, in the control section 56, the lighting display of the door opening operation section 52 is in an off state, as shown by the broken line.

Next, in FIG. 41(B), when the user brings the finger HT of the hand close to the door opening operation section 52 as a "proximity sensor", the door opening operation section 52 turns on the approach of the hand as a "proximity sensor". Detect. When the door opening operation section 52 detects the approach of a hand, the control section 56 switches and sets the sensitivity of the door opening operation section 52 as a "proximity sensor" from "high" to "low". Therefore, since the control unit 56 functions as a "contact sensor" which is the original function of the door opening operation unit 52, the opening operation of the right door 22 by touching the door opening operation unit 52 with the finger HT (door opening operation ) becomes "enabled". Moreover, the control section 56 changes the lighting display of the door opening operation section 52 from the off state to the on state as shown by the solid line, and lights up the door opening operation section 52 using, for example, an LED.

Next, in FIG. 41(C), when the user directly contacts (touches) the door opening operation section 52 as a "contact sensor" with a finger HT of the hand, the control section 56 controls the "contact sensor" of the door opening operation section 52. The sensor is kept in a "low" state, which is the sensitivity of the sensor, and is allowed to function as a "contact sensor." Then, the control unit 56 keeps the opening of the right door 22 (door opening operation), which is the original function of the door opening operation unit 52, “valid”. Moreover, the control section 56 lights up the door opening operation section 52 by, for example, an LED, so that the lighting display of the door opening operation section 52 is in an on state as shown by the solid line.

Thereafter, in FIG. 41(D), the control unit 56 indicates that the finger HT of the user's hand has left the state of directly contacting (touching) the door opening operation unit 52 that functions as a “contact sensor (touch sensor)”. When the right door 22 is recognized, the control unit 56 validates the input of the operation signal from the door opening operation unit 52 and operates the door opening drive unit 55 to control the opening of the corresponding right door 22 . Thereby, the right door 22 can be opened automatically.

As a result, in a state where the user is in the middle of an operation in which it is difficult for the user to directly contact (touch) the door opening operation part 52, for example, in a state where the user is about to approach the refrigerator 1, the control part 56 prevents false detection of the door opening instruction. To prevent this, it is possible to determine whether direct contact (touch) is valid or invalid.

Further, the lighting display of the door opening operation section 52 can be turned on as shown by the solid line, and the door opening operation section 52 can be lit by, for example, an LED. The visibility of the door opening operation section 52 can be improved.

Further, when the control unit 56 recognizes that the finger HT of the user's hand has left the state of directly contacting (touching) the door opening operation unit 52 that functions as a “contact sensor (touch sensor)”, the control unit 56 is configured to enable the input of the operation signal from the door-opening operation section 52 and to control the opening of the corresponding right door 22. From this, the right door 22 actually opens after the user's hand leaves the door opening operation part 52 of the right door 22, so it is possible to prevent the user from pointing his finger due to the opening operation of the right door 22. .

For example, the lighting display in the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 can be displayed from the front through the gap between the capacitive touch sensors (electrodes) 51-1 to 51-5 and 52-1 to 52-5 as shown in FIG. What is necessary is to arrange a light-emitting element such as an LED (light-emitting diode) that can be used. In addition, cut-out parts such as letters and marks are formed inside the capacitive touch sensors (electrodes) 51-1 to 51-5, 52-1 to 52-5, and the light from the light emitting element is transmitted through the electrodes. It is also possible to illuminate the front through the cutout from the back side. Alternatively, the light from the light emitting element may be illuminated forward from the back surface of the electrode using a light guide plate.

The opening operation of the right door 22 described in FIG. 41 can be performed in the same way as the opening operation of the left door 21 using the door opening operation section 51 disposed on the left door 21 in FIG. 37.

The color of the lighting display in the left and right door opening operation parts 51 and 52 may be the same color or different colors in the left and right door opening operation parts 51 and 52.

When the left door 21 and the right door 22 open slowly and quickly, the colors of the lighting displays on the left and right door opening operation parts 51 and 52 may be different.

The color of the lighting display on the left and right door opening operation parts 51 and 52 can be changed when only one of the left door 21 and the right door 22 is opened and when the left door 21 and the right door 22 are opened at the same time. In particular, when the user operates only one of the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 to open both the left door 21 and the right door 22, the left door 21 and the right door 22 are Unlike the case where only one side opens, a different display color may be used.

In this case, for example, when the sensitivity of the door opening operation parts 51, 52 is set to "high" and the door opening operation parts 51, 52 function as "proximity sensors", when it is detected that a human body has approached for a predetermined time or more, In addition to opening only one of the left door 21 and the right door 22, the specifications can be changed so that the left door 21 and the right door 22 open at the same time. Moreover, at the same time as changing the specifications so that the left door 21 and the right door 22 open at the same time, it is possible to light up the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 or to change the colors of the door opening operation parts 51 and 52. can. The lighting method of the door opening operation parts 51, 52, such as blinking display of the door opening operation parts 51, 52, can be changed arbitrarily.

In the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the user from making a false detection in the middle of the action of touching the door, and to prevent the door from opening incorrectly. can.

[29th embodiment]
FIG. 42 is a front view showing a refrigerator 1 according to the twenty-ninth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 43 is a block diagram of door opening control including human body detection means of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 42.

The human body detection means 500 includes, for example, a remote detection sensor 97 and a door opening operation section 52 that also functions as a proximity sensor. The remote detection sensor 97 and the door opening operation section 52, which also functions as a proximity sensor, are arranged, for example, on the right door 22. The remote detection sensor 97 is located above the door opening operation section 52, which also functions as a proximity sensor.

The remote detection sensor 97 is, for example, an infrared sensor for detecting the user's body when the user's body is located far from the refrigerator 1. On the other hand, the door opening operation unit 52, which also functions as a proximity sensor, is an electrostatic detection sensor that detects the human body when the user's body approaches the refrigerator 1.

As shown in FIG. 43, the remote detection sensor 97 and the door opening operation section 52, which also functions as a proximity sensor (electrostatic detection sensor), are connected to the control section 56. Preferably, a switching means 98 is connected to the control section 56 . When the user operates this switching means 98, a selection signal is sent from the switching means 98 to the control unit 56, which causes a remote detection sensor 97 and a proximity sensor (electrostatic detection sensor) to detect a human body. The user can select which one of the door opening operation section 52, which also functions as a door opening operation section 52, is used to detect a human body.

Further, as shown in FIG. 43, the door opening operation unit 52, which also functions as a proximity sensor, has an electrostatic detection sensor, and is equipped with a sensitivity adjustment means 199 that arbitrarily changes and adjusts the sensitivity of this electrostatic detection sensor. It's okay. The sensitivity adjustment means 199 is connected to the control section 56, and when the user operates the sensitivity adjustment means 199, a sensitivity adjustment signal is sent to the control section 56. Thereby, the control unit 56 can adjust the sensitivity of the door opening operation unit 52, which is an electrostatic detection sensor, between "high" and "low".

As a method for changing the sensitivity of the door opening operation unit 52, which is an electrostatic detection sensor, the electrostatic detection sensor has a cycle in which its capacitance (capacitance) is repeatedly charged and discharged, for example, several tens of times per second. There is. It utilizes the fact that the capacitor capacity changes when the user approaches or touches the door opening operation section 52, which is an electrostatic detection sensor. As a result, when the user approaches or touches the door opening operation section 52 with a finger, a change occurs in the charging/discharging cycle. The control unit 56 checks the degree of change in the charge/discharge cycle, and by setting a threshold value in advance, it can determine whether the user has brought his/her finger close to or touched the door opening operation unit 52 based on this threshold value. , the control unit 56 can determine.

Further, when the user releases the finger from the door opening operation section 52, the control section 56 can detect the time when the cycle changes to the charging/discharging cycle and returns to the normal state.

As described above, the user can change and adjust the sensitivity of the door opening operation section 52, which is an electrostatic detection sensor. If the refrigerator 1 is installed, for example, on the back side of a kitchen sink, if a user is near the sink, the remote detection sensor 97 will always detect a human body. In such a case, when the user operates this switching means 98, a selection signal is sent from the switching means 98 to the control unit 56, and the door opening function, which also functions as a proximity sensor, instead of the remote detection sensor 97 is activated. The operation unit 52 can be selected as a human body detection means. As a result, the door opening operation section 52 does not detect a human body just because the user is near the sink. Then, only when the finger of the user's hand approaches the door opening operation section 52 functioning as a proximity detection sensor of the refrigerator 1, the door opening operation section 52 can detect a human body. This can prevent false detection when the user is relatively far away from the refrigerator 1.

Since the remote detection sensor 97 is used, the back side of the glass front plate 22A shown in FIG. It is better not to print.

In the refrigerator 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the user from making a false detection in the middle of the action of touching the door, and to prevent the door from opening incorrectly. can.

By the way, there is a voice recognition means in a case placed on the ceiling of the refrigerator 1, and this case has a hole through which voice can be transmitted. The control board case is arranged so that it is the same height as or lower than the solenoid case. The control board is placed in a concave area behind the ceiling wall, and the support part of the board is buried in urethane. The solenoid is also filled. The vacuum insulation material is folded and the buried parts are spaced apart, placed so as to cover the bottom of the solenoid and the bottom of the board, and then folded to cover the entire area. Additionally, the ceiling lights are placed in recesses in the urethane on the ceiling. The vacuum insulation material is placed away from the ceiling lights.

The vacuum insulation material is placed in contact with the inner wall of the ceiling, and the LED is placed outside the ceiling wall. It is also placed at a bend in the inner wall.

Vacuum insulation is separated and placed under the solenoid board and wrapped. The LED is separated from the vacuum insulation material, and the vacuum insulation material under the substrate is in contact with the inner wall.

It is sloped at the bend in the ceiling wall, and the LED is embedded in the slope to prevent it from coming into contact with the vacuum insulation material.

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view along the front-rear direction showing the upper part of the refrigerator 1 having the above-described structure.

As shown in FIG. 44, a case 700 is arranged on the ceiling portion 11A of the cabinet (main body) 11. A recessed portion 11C is provided in the rear portion 11B of the ceiling portion 11A, and the case 700 is disposed in this recessed portion 11C. The case 700 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a control board 710 is arranged in an inclined manner in the internal space of the case 700. The control board 710 is arranged to be inclined so that the front side of the control board 710 is higher than the rear side. A voice recognition means 720 is mounted on the front side of the control board 710.

The voice recognition means 720 is, for example, a microphone. The front portion of this case 700 has a hole 700H to allow voice to be transmitted to the voice recognition means 720. As a result, even though the voice recognition means 720 is disposed inside the case 700, the voice uttered by the user, for example, is reliably transmitted to the voice recognition means 720 through the hole 700H of the case 700. can recognize voices and sounds.

As shown in FIG. 44, a door opening drive section 54 (55) is provided on the front side of the ceiling section 11A. The door opening driving section 54 (55) is preferably a solenoid, and the closing driving section 54 (55) each has a case 762 and a telescopic rod 761. When the door opening drive unit 54 (55) is driven and this rod 761 comes out, the door opening drive unit 54 (55) can push the inside of the left door 21 (or right door 22) to open it. .

Is the height of the case 700 the same as the height of the case 762 of the door opening drive unit 54 (55), or is the height of the case 700 different from the height of the case 762 of the door opening drive unit 54 (55)? Only DF is lower. This prevents the total height of the refrigerator from becoming larger than the case 762 of the door opening drive unit 54 (55) even if the case 700 is placed on the ceiling 11A.

As shown in FIG. 44, the control board 710 has a plurality of support parts 719, and is supported by being embedded in a heat insulating material 730 such as urethane in an inclined state using the support parts 719. There is. Thereby, the control board 710 is supported using the heat insulating material 730 so as not to move. Further, the door opening drive unit 54 (55) has a plurality of support parts 763, and is embedded and supported within the heat insulating material 730 using the support parts 763. Thereby, the door opening drive unit 54 (55) is supported using the heat insulating material 730 so as not to move.

As shown in FIG. 44, a heat insulating material 730 made of urethane or the like and a vacuum heat insulating material 340 are stacked on the inside of the ceiling portion 11A. The vacuum heat insulating material 740 is located below the heat insulating material 730, and the middle portion of the vacuum heat insulating material 740 is bent at a substantially right angle. In this way, the middle part of the vacuum insulation material 740 is bent at a substantially right angle, so the vacuum insulation material 740 is placed in the area below the door opening drive unit 54 (55) and under the control board 710. In addition, the vacuum heat insulating material 740 is spaced apart from the support section 763 of the door opening drive section 54 (55) and the support section 719 of the control board 710.

A ceiling light 750 of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 44 includes, for example, an LED (light emitting diode) lamp, and is embedded in a recess 731 of a heat insulating material 730 such as urethane on the ceiling. Therefore, the ceiling light 750 does not protrude downward from the inner wall 755 of the ceiling. The vacuum heat insulating material 740 is separated from the ceiling light 750 by an inner wall 755.

Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 45 to 47. The parts of the refrigerator of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 45 to 47 are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. When a part is substantially the same as a part, the same reference numeral is given and the explanation thereof is used.

Similar to FIG. 44, FIGS. 45 to 47 are cross-sectional views along the front-rear direction showing the upper part of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

First, in the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 45, the ceiling light 750 is arranged in contact with the inner wall 755 of the ceiling, and the LED lamp 750a of the ceiling light 750 is arranged outside the inner wall 755 of the ceiling (on the inside of the refrigerator). Because of this, it is exposed inside the refrigerator compartment. Furthermore, the ceiling light 750 is arranged at a bent portion 756 of an inner wall 755 of the ceiling.

Since the bent part of the inner wall 755 of the ceiling is located in front of the bent part of the recessed part 11C of the ceiling part 11A of the cabinet (main body) 11, the bent part of the outer wall of the cabinet and the bent part of the inner wall 755 are Since a space can be created in the gap, vacuum insulation material can be placed vertically in between. Therefore, a bent part in the middle of the vacuum heat insulating material 740 can be placed in that space. Note that the vacuum heat insulating materials arranged in the vertical direction may be divided into separate bodies. Further, the vacuum insulation materials arranged in the vertical direction may be made thinner than the vacuum insulation materials extending in the front-rear direction at other locations. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the space in the longitudinal direction between the bent part of the outer wall of the cabinet and the bent part of the inner wall 755, so that the bent part of the inner wall 755 can be moved backward and the capacity inside the cabinet can be increased. can.

Note that the front side corner of the bottom of the recessed portion 11C of the bent portion of the outer wall and the upper corner (recessed portion 11C side) of the bent portion of the inner wall 755 and the distance dimension are those of the ceiling portion 11A having no other bent portion. Since it is smaller than the thickness dimension, if only the urethane heat insulating material is used, there is a risk that the heat insulating property will deteriorate, but by having a configuration including the vacuum heat insulating material, the heat insulating property can be significantly improved.

In the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 46, the vacuum insulation material 770 is divided into a plurality of parts, and the vacuum insulation material 770 is divided into a first part 771 and a second part 772. The first portion 771 covers the lower region of the door opening drive unit 54 (55), and the second portion 772 covers the lower region of the control board 710. The LED lamp 750a of the ceiling light 750 is spaced apart from the first portion 771 of the vacuum insulation material 770, and the second portion 772 of the vacuum insulation material 770 on the control board 710 side is in contact with the inner wall portion 777.

Further, the vacuum insulation materials of the first portion 771 and the second portion 772 are arranged so as to overlap in the front-back direction. By positioning the bent part of the inner wall 755 of the ceiling in front of the bent part of the recessed part 11C of the ceiling part 11A of the cabinet (main body) 11, the bending part of the outer wall of the cabinet and the bent part of the inner wall 755 are arranged in front and behind. By creating a space in the gap between the directions, the structure allows them to be stacked one on top of the other.

The dimensions of the front corner of the bottom of the recessed portion 11C of the bent portion of the outer wall and the upper corner (recessed portion 11C side) of the bent portion of the inner wall 755 are the same as those of the ceiling portion 11A that does not have any other bent portions. If it is smaller than the thickness dimension, the urethane foam insulation material may have difficulty flowing during manufacturing. Therefore, by not placing vacuum insulation material in between, a space for the urethane to flow is secured and urethane filling is ensured. and the filling speed can be improved.

In the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 47, a bent portion 780 of an inner wall 755 of the ceiling is formed to be inclined. The ceiling light 750 is formed into, for example, a right triangle shape in accordance with the shape of the inclined bent portion 780, and the ceiling light 750 is embedded in this bent portion 780. The vacuum insulation material 740 is not divided and is a single piece. In this way, the LED lamp 750a of the ceiling light 750 is arranged within the bent portion 780, and the ceiling light 750 is not in contact with the vacuum heat insulating material 740 but is spaced apart from it.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the door opening device may be operated by the user touching the door opening operation parts 51 and 52 shown in FIG. 1 with his or her finger continuously for a certain period of time or more.

For example, the remote detection sensor 97 shown in FIG. 42 is an infrared sensor for detecting a human body when the user's body is located far from the refrigerator 1. As for the holes (openings) cut out of the printing paint on the front panel for transmitting the light to the front of the door, an infrared transmitting member of the same color as the printing paint may be attached to the holes. It is also a good idea to apply paint to create multiple small holes (openings) at the location so that the paint cutouts are less noticeable. Moreover, this also makes it difficult to visually recognize the remote detection sensor, which is an infrared sensor placed on the back side of the glass plate, from the front. Further, the paint may be a paint that transmits infrared rays, or a semi-transparent means that transmits infrared wavelengths and makes it difficult to transmit a part of visible light by sputtering or etching may be provided. In that case, it is preferable to use a semi-transparent means that allows colors with long wavelengths to pass through. For example, if the configuration is configured to transmit red wavelengths (e.g. 620-750 nm) which have longer wavelengths than blue wavelengths (450-495 nm), infrared wavelengths which have longer wavelengths (e.g. 760-830 nm or more) becomes more permeable. In that case, the color of the display means near the infrared sensor can be changed to a semi-transparent means by using light emitting means with long wavelengths (green, yellow, red light emitting diodes, etc.). can be transmitted through the door, making it visible to the user, and making it difficult for the infrared sensor and parts inside the door to be seen.

Further, a remote detection sensor, which is an infrared sensor, may be placed on the base and inserted together with the control operation section 50 or the door opening operation sections 51 and 52. In that case, it is preferable to cut out or provide a slit in a part of the electrode of the control operation section 50 or the door opening operation sections 51 and 52 so that infrared rays can be transmitted from the back side of the electrode to the door side. By doing so, the remote detection sensor can easily detect the user who operates the device. Further, a remote detection sensor may be provided between the control operation section 50 and the door opening operation sections 51 and 52 of the touch open SW.

[Thirtieth embodiment]
FIG. 48 is a front view of a refrigerator 1 showing the 30th embodiment of the present invention. 49 is a plan view of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 48, and FIG. 50 is a side view of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 48.

As shown in FIGS. 48 to 50, a pair of left door 21 and right door 22 cover the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12 of the refrigerator 1. For this purpose, the left door 21 and the right door 22 are attached so that they can be opened and closed in a double-fold manner using hinges at the top and bottom of the left end and right end of the cabinet 11, which is the refrigerator body, respectively.

The left door 21 and the right door 22 both have front plates 21A and 22A made of colored transparent glass attached to the openings of flat inner plates that open at the front, and vacuum insulation material is placed in the internal cavity to provide vacuum insulation. This is a heat insulating structure member in which a foamed polyurethane heat insulating material (hereinafter also simply referred to as urethane heat insulating material) or a pre-molded solid heat insulating material (for example, EPC) is placed in a cavity that cannot be filled with material.

As shown in FIGS. 48 to 50, door opening operation units 551 and 552 are installed near the lower side of the front plate 21A of the left door 21 and the front plate 22A of the right door 22, respectively. Door opening drive units 54 and 55 are installed at left and right locations near the front end of the upper surface of the top plate of the cabinet 11, and at positions corresponding to near the open end of the upper side of the left door 21 and right door 22, respectively. There is.

These door opening drive units 54 and 55 are door opening devices that forcibly open the left door 21 and the right door 22 separately. The door opening drive parts 54 and 55 push out the upper sides of the left door 21 and the right door 22 near the open end thereof forward by pushing the plungers 54A and 55A forward using electromagnets. The right door 22 is forcibly opened automatically.

One door opening operation section 551 is arranged at the lower right position of the left door 21, and the other door opening operation section 552 is arranged at the lower left position of the right door 22. The door opening operation part 551 is arranged inside the glass front plate 21A of the left door 21, and the door opening operation part 552 is arranged inside the glass front plate 22A of the right door 22.

FIG. 51 shows an example of the structure of the board 553 of the door opening operation section 551 shown in FIG. 48. FIG. 52 is a diagram showing the proximity sensor 560 and guard electrode 570 arranged on the substrate 553 of the door opening operation section 551 shown in FIG. 51. FIG. 53 is an exploded perspective view showing a structural example of the door opening operation section 551.

The door opening operation section 551 and the door opening operation section 552 shown in FIG. 48 have the same structure, but may have a symmetrical shape or may have the same shape on the left and right sides. FIG. 51 shows an example of the shape of the board 553 of the door opening operation section 551, but since the door opening operation section 552 and the door opening operation section 551 have substantially the same shape, please refer to FIGS. 51 to 53. Now, the board 553 of the door opening operation section 551 will be explained as a representative.

First, referring to FIG. 53, the door opening operation section 551 opens the board assembly 500M, a plastic storage space member 585 called an open box for storing the board assembly 500M, and a plastic lid member 590. have. Preferably, a metal body such as aluminum foil is pasted on the back surface 585R of the storage space member 585 made of plastic. A metal body 591 such as aluminum foil is pasted on the inner surface of the lid member 590 made of plastic. This prevents electromagnetic waves generated by the main body of the refrigerator 1 from affecting the board assembly 500M.

The board assembly 500M includes a plastic shielding plate 599, a board 553, an operation name plate 597, and an LED board 598 on which an LED 577 for display is mounted. The board 553 is an electrostatic touch switch board, and is supported and fixed to the front side of the shielding plate 599. An operation nameplate 597 is arranged on the front side of the board 553. On the back side of the shielding plate 599, an LED board 598 for display is supported and fixed. A plurality of LEDs 577 are mounted on this LED board 598. The shielding plate 599 functions as an indicating means for supporting the two substrates 553 and the LED substrate 598, and as a separating means for separating the LED lights.

Left and right slits 574 and 575 (light-transmitting means) are formed at corresponding positions on the board 553 and the operation nameplate 597. The slits 574 and 575 are located between the proximity sensor 560 and the intermediate region portion 589. This board assembly 500M is stored in the storage space member 585 through the rectangular opening 586 of the storage space member 585. The opening portion 586 of the storage space member 585 is covered by a lid member 590.

As shown in FIGS. 51(A) and 52, the board 553 of the door opening operation unit 551 is a vertically long rectangle or square, and the board 553 has a surface 553A shown in FIG. 51(A) and a surface 553A shown in FIG. 51(B). It has a back surface 553B as shown. The substrate 553 is provided with a mounting portion 571 for electronic components and a placement portion 572 for the proximity sensor 560 and guard electrode 570. Necessary electronic components, connector components, etc. are mounted on the electronic component mounting portion 571 shown in FIGS. 51(A) and 52 so as to protrude from the back surface and be accommodated in the recess of the shielding plate 599 of the separating means. Furthermore, by forming a metal electrical connection portion 571b in a substantially flat state, although not protruding, on the surface of the substrate 553, the substrate 553 can be brought into contact with the back surface of the glass door.

Further, by covering the board 553 with an operation nameplate 597 which is a cover means and serves to hide the board 553, it is possible to prevent malfunction when a user contacts the electrical connection part 571b and noise when static electricity accumulates on the glass door. Further, the operation nameplate 597 may be colored or vapor-deposited.

The arrangement portion 572 on the surface 553A side shown in FIG. It is located. Intermediate region portion 589 is provided between proximity sensor 560 and guard electrode 570. Proximity sensor 560, guard electrode 570, and intermediate region portion 589 are metal electrodes, but are electrically insulated from each other. The middle region portion 589, which is the second electrode, assists the proximity sensor 560 and has a function as a proximity sensor. Guard electrode 570 changes the effective detection range of proximity sensor 560.

Further, as shown in FIG. 51(B), a mesh ground pattern 573, which is a fourth electrode, is arranged on the back surface 553B corresponding to the arrangement portion 572 of the substrate 553. Thereby, this ground pattern 573 prevents noise from the refrigerator main body from affecting the electromagnetic field generated by the proximity sensor 560 and the electromagnetic field generated by the guard electrode 570.

As shown in FIGS. 51(A) and 52, a through hole 560C is formed at the center of the proximity sensor 560, and a conductor pattern is formed in this through hole 560C as shown in FIG. 51(B). 560H is connected. When the user presses (touches) the proximity sensor 560 with his or her finger, the action is usually aimed at the center of the proximity sensor 560, so the through hole 560C is formed at the center of the proximity sensor 560. There is.

The reason why the through hole 560C is formed at a position approximately in the center of the proximity sensor 560 is as follows. That is, in the proximity sensor 560, the switch sensitivity is highest in the central region where the through hole 560C is formed compared to other regions. For this reason, by pressing the user's finger in the middle of the proximity switch 560 where the through hole 560C is located, the user's finger can touch the most sensitive area.

The proximity sensor 560 shown in FIGS. 51 and 52 is an electrode for electrostatic touch (contact), and extends approximately 100 mm in the front (front) direction of the left door 21 and right door 22 shown in FIGS. 49 and 50. This is a capacitive sensing means for detecting the approach of a human body or object. The proximity sensor 560 detects when a part of the user's body, specifically, for example, a finger of a hand, approaches. The proximity sensor 560 is a capacitive touch sensor, but a mutual capacitance touch sensor or a self-capacitance touch sensor can be used.

The mutual capacitance method includes one transmitting electrode and one receiving electrode, and when a current is supplied to the transmitting electrode, an electromagnetic field is generated and the electromagnetic field is received by the receiving electrode. For example, when a human finger approaches the detection area of the proximity sensor 560, a portion of the electromagnetic field is absorbed and received by the receiving electrode, reducing the amount of energy detected and the proximity sensor 560 detecting the proximity sensor 560. can be detected.

The self-capacitance method requires one electrode (proximity sensor 560) with stray capacitance. The stray capacitance of the electrode (proximity sensor 560) is affected by the parasitic capacitance between this electrode (proximity sensor 560) and the surrounding conductor (human finger). When a human finger approaches the proximity sensor 560, the value of stray capacitance increases under the influence of parasitic capacitance, and by measuring this increased stray capacitance, the proximity sensor 560 can detect the approach of the finger.

As illustrated in FIGS. 51 and 52, the proximity sensor 560 is, for example, a rectangular switch that is formed long in the vertical direction, and slits 574 and 575 are formed around the proximity sensor 560 to surround the electrode. has been done. As shown in FIG. 53, the slits 574 and 575 are covered with an LED board 598 from the back, and a plurality of LEDs 577 functioning as a lighting device are arranged at intervals.

However, among the plurality of LEDs 577, the four LEDs 577 corresponding to the four corners 576R of the slits 574, 575 are arranged outside the slit 576 and out of the inside of the slit 576.

As shown in FIG. 52, one end of the proximity sensor 560 is connected to the placement part 572 by a connection part 560A, and the other end of the proximity sensor 560 is connected to the placement part 572 by a connection part 560B. A through hole 560C for electrical connection is formed in the center of the proximity sensor 560. The reason why the through hole 560C is formed in the center of the proximity sensor 560 is because, as already explained, the area of the proximity sensor 560 in which the through hole 560C is provided has a higher detection sensitivity than other areas. expensive. The through hole 560C is provided at the center of the proximity sensor 560 because the area that the user's finger comes into close contact with is the center of the proximity sensor 560. The proximity sensor 560 is formed into a substantially rectangular shape by forming electrodes in the region 572a of the slits 574, 575 in the arrangement portion of the substrate in the region indicated by the dotted line. Moreover, the slits 574 and 575 do not surround the entire proximity sensor 560, but are formed in a U-shape. This has a structure in which the inside and outside are connected by creating a bridge 572ab that connects with the peripheral part 572b around the slit, thereby maintaining the board as one board without being divided.

The guard electrode 570 shown in FIGS. 51 and 52 is formed in a rectangular frame shape around the proximity sensor 560 and the intermediate region portion 589 in the arrangement portion 572. Guard electrode 570 is a metal body and consists of a pair of short side electrode portions 570A and a pair of long side electrode portions 570B. Guard electrode 570 generates an electromagnetic field in the opposite direction to the electromagnetic field generated by proximity sensor 560.

Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 49 and 50, the electromagnetic field 560P generated by the proximity sensor 560 is suppressed from spreading by the electromagnetic field generated in the opposite direction by the guard electrode 570. Therefore, the electromagnetic field generated by the guard electrode 570 changes the effective range of the detection range by suppressing the spread of the electromagnetic field 560P generated by the proximity sensor 560. Act as a means of change.

The guard electrode 570 changes the effective range of the detection range of the proximity sensor 560 by narrowing and changing the detection range of the proximity sensor 560 when detecting the approach of a human body, for example, a finger. Specifically, as a result of the guard electrode 570 changing the effective range of the detection range of the proximity sensor 560, as shown in FIG. is guided only in the front direction of the proximity sensor 560. Similarly, the electromagnetic field 560P generated by the proximity sensor 560 of the door opening operation section 552 of the right door 22 is guided only in the front direction of the proximity sensor 560.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 49, the electromagnetic field 560P generated by the proximity sensor 560 is constricted so as not to spread in the X direction, which is the left-right direction.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 50, the electromagnetic field 560P generated by the proximity sensor 560 of the door opening operation section 551 of the left door 21 is guided only in the front direction of the proximity sensor 560. Similarly, the electromagnetic field 560P generated by the proximity sensor 560 of the door opening operation section 552 of the right door 22 is guided only in the front direction of the proximity sensor 560. Therefore, in FIG. 50, the electromagnetic field 560P generated by the proximity sensor 560 is narrowed so as not to spread in the Z direction, which is the vertical direction.

That is, the electromagnetic field 560P of the proximity sensor 560 shown in FIGS. 49 and 50 indicates the effective range of the human body detection range, and the effective range of the human body detection range is This corresponds to a different range from the range (range that extends vertically and horizontally). In other words, the effective range of the human body detection range is at least the effective range in the operating direction of the user of the proximity sensor 560, and the effective range can be limited by changing the range in a direction different from the operating direction. Specifically, it is a range excluding at least a part of the range in a direction different from the front (at least a part of the range extending vertically, horizontally, rearward, etc.).

FIG. 54 is a block diagram showing electrical connections among the control section 556, the door opening operation sections 551 and 552, and the door opening drive sections 54 and 55, which are door opening devices.

As shown in FIG. 54, the control unit 556 is electrically connected to the proximity sensor 560 and guard electrode 570 of the door opening operation units 551 and 552, the door opening drive units 54 and 55, and the LEDs 577 as a plurality of lighting devices. has been done.

The control unit 556 maintains the proximity sensor 560 in a “high sensitivity” state under the control of the control unit 556. When the finger enters the electromagnetic field 560P shown in FIGS. 49 and 50, which is the detection area of the proximity sensor 560, the control unit 556 in FIG. I am starting to receive it.

When the control unit 556 in FIG. 54 receives the signal SG from the proximity sensor 560, it determines that the finger has approached the proximity sensor 560, stops energizing the guard electrode 570, and The sensitivity of the camera can be changed from "high sensitivity" to "low sensitivity" to lower it. Furthermore, when the control unit 556 receives the signal SG from the proximity sensor 560, the control unit 556 lights up the LED 577 to illuminate the area around the proximity switch 560, thereby highlighting the position of the proximity switch 560. This allows the user to visually confirm the position of the proximity switch 560.

In addition, the effect of lighting the LED 577 is that since the LED 577 lights up, the operation part can be visually recognized by the user, and the operation position of the operation part is There is no need to print anything to indicate this.

When the finger contacts the proximity sensor 560 from a state where the finger approaches the proximity sensor 560, the proximity sensor 560 functions as a contact switch, and the proximity sensor 560 informs the control unit 556 that the finger has contacted the proximity sensor 560. Send signal SH. As a result, the control unit 556 causes the proximity sensor 560 to function as a contact sensor to enable the opening operation of the left door 21, for example, and the control unit 56 operates the door opening drive unit 54 to open the left door 21. It is now possible to actually open the door. The above-mentioned operating procedure is the same for the right door 22 as well.

As a result, the user can visually check the position of the proximity switch 560 disposed inside the glass surface of the left door 21 or the right door 22 by touching it while visually checking the position with the help of the illumination provided by the LED 577. Door 22 can be opened.

As described above, the control unit 556 switches the sensitivity of the proximity sensor 560 from "high sensitivity" to "low sensitivity" when a finger approaches, thereby causing the proximity sensor 560 to function as a contact sensor. There is. When a finger approaches the proximity sensor 560, the control unit 556 sets the sensitivity of the proximity sensor 560 to “high” in order to cause the proximity sensor 560, which is an electrostatic switch, to function as a “proximity sensor”. By doing so, the function as a "proximity sensor" is "effective." For this reason, the control unit 556 does not allow the proximity sensor 560 to function as a "contact sensor", so the proximity sensor 560 performs the opening (opening) of the left door 21 and right door 22, which is the original function of the door opening operation units 551 and 552. (door operation) is "invalid".

As described above, when the user's finger approaches the proximity sensor 560 and the finger enters the electromagnetic field 560P, which is the effective range of the human body detection range of the proximity sensor 560, the proximity sensor 560 controls the proximity sensor 560 to control the approach of the finger. 556. Then, when the control unit 556 is notified of the approach of the fingers of the hand from the proximity sensor 560, the control unit 556 switches and sets the sensitivity of the proximity sensor 560 from "high" to "low". Moreover, the control unit 556 can change the lighting display of the proximity sensor 560 from the off state to the on state, and the position of the proximity sensor 560 can be clearly indicated by the LED 577. Therefore, the user can reliably touch the proximity sensor 560 with a finger while visually checking the position of the proximity sensor 560. Since the control unit 56 causes the proximity sensor 560 to function as a "contact sensor" which is its original function, by touching the proximity sensor 560 with a finger, the opening operation of the left door 21 or the right door 22 (door opening operation) is performed. "validate.

The opening operation (door opening operation) of the left door 21 described above is the same as the opening operation (door opening operation) of the right door 22, so the explanation thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 51 and 52, by arranging a guard electrode 570 around the proximity sensor 560, the electromagnetic field 560P, which is the effective detection range of the human body of the proximity sensor 560, is It is detected that a person's hand or finger approaches within a range of, for example, about 100 mm in the front direction (front direction) of the door 22. At this time, the electromagnetic field 560P, which is the effective detection range of the human body of the proximity sensor 560, is restricted so as not to spread in the vertical and horizontal directions by arranging the guard electrode 570.

As shown in FIG. 49, by limiting the spread of the effective range of the human body detection range of the proximity sensor 560 in the left-right direction (X direction), the left door 21 is moved along the trajectory indicated by the arrow 21K, as shown in FIG. When the finger approaches the proximity sensor 560 of the left door 21 in an attempt to open the door, the finger can be prevented from being detected by the proximity sensor 560 of the right door 22, which is closed. Similarly, when you bring your finger close to the proximity sensor 560 of the right door 22 to open the right door 22 along the trajectory shown by the arrow 22K, the finger is not detected by the proximity sensor 560 of the left door 21, which is closed. can do.

Therefore, the electromagnetic field 560P, which is the effective detection range of the human body of the proximity sensor 560 of the right door 22, does not enter the trajectory when opening the left door 21 as a means of movement. Similarly, the electromagnetic field 560P, which is the effective human body detection range of the proximity sensor 560 of the left door 21, does not enter the trajectory when the right door 22, which is a means of movement, is opened.

As a result, when opening the left door 21 or the right door 22, the proximity sensor 560 of the right door 22 or the left door 21 on the side that is closed without being opened will inadvertently touch the user's finger or the left door 21 or the right door 22. This can prevent erroneous detection.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 50, by limiting the expansion of the effective range of the human body detection range of the proximity sensor 560 in the vertical direction (Z direction), when the pull-out door 23 as a means of movement is pulled out in the direction of the arrow, The electromagnetic field 560P that is the effective human body detection range of the proximity sensor 560 on the left door 21 and the electromagnetic field 560P that is the effective human body detection range of the proximity sensor 560 on the right door 22 are Do not fall within the trajectory when opening.

This prevents the proximity sensor 560 on the left door 21 and the proximity sensor 560 on the right door 22 from accidentally detecting the user's finger or the drawer-type door 23 when the drawer-type door 23 is opened. can be prevented.

By the way, the size of the guard electrode 570 shown in FIGS. 51 and 52 can be, for example, 30 mm x 30 mm or more in length and width. By setting the size of the guard electrode 570 in this way, when the user tries to open the left door 21 or the right door 22 by touching the proximity sensor 560 with, for example, an elbow rather than a finger, the elbow will be in close proximity. This makes it possible to prevent both the sensor 560 and the guard electrode 570 from being touched at the same time. Thereby, the user can open the left door 21 or the right door 22 with his fingers or elbow.

Next, with reference to FIG. 55, an example of the storage structure of the board 553 in the left door 21 and the right door 22 will be described. FIG. 55 is a diagram showing an example of a storage structure for the board 553 in the left door 21 and the right door 22. 55(A) is a front view of the left door 21 and the right door 22, and FIG. 55(B) is a front view of the inner end surface 21T of the left door 21 (inner end surface of the right door 22) showing the storage structure of the board 553. 22T) is a perspective view showing the structure of the device. FIG. 55(C) is a diagram showing an example of the lid member 590.

As shown in FIG. 55(A), when the left door 21 and the right door 22 are closed, the inner end surface 21T of the left door 21 and the inner end surface 22T of the right door 22 face each other. A rectangular opening portion 586 of the storage space member 585 is located in each inner end surface portion 21T, and a storage space member 585 of the board assembly 500M is located inside the left door 21 and the right door 22. The board assembly 500M is inserted into the storage space member 585 through the opening portion 586 and stored therein.

The opening portion 586 is closed by a lid member 590 after housing the substrate assembly 500M. A metal body 591 such as an aluminum foil tape or an iron plate is arranged on the inner surface of the lid member 590. The metal body 591 is a changing means for changing the effective range of the detection range of the proximity sensor 560 by limiting the electromagnetic field generated by the proximity sensor 560 as the effective range of the detection range of the human body. A metal body 591 serving as a means for changing the effective range of the detection range is arranged between the left door 21 and the right door 22, which are adjacent moving means.

By arranging the metal body 591 on the lid member 590 in this manner, the metal body 591 blocks the electromagnetic field between the left door 21 and the right door 22. Therefore, the electromagnetic fields of the proximity sensor 560 and the guard electrode 570 on the left door 21 do not affect the electromagnetic fields of the proximity sensor 560 and the guard electrode 570 on the right door 22. Moreover, the electromagnetic field from the proximity sensor 560 and the electromagnetic field from the guard electrode 570 on the right door 22 do not affect the electromagnetic field side of the proximity sensor 560 and the guard electrode 570 on the left side 21.

Next, an example of the operation when the user opens the left door 21, for example, will be described with reference to FIGS. 48 to 50 and FIG.

When the user brings his finger close to the proximity sensor 560 on the left door 21 side shown in FIGS. 49 and 50 and enters the electromagnetic field 560P as the effective range of the human body detection range shown in FIGS. 49 and 50, the high sensitivity state is reached. The proximity sensor 560 detects that a finger is approaching the proximity sensor 560. As a result, the control unit 556 in FIG. 54 receives a signal SG indicating that the finger is approaching the proximity sensor 560.

Then, the control unit 556 in FIG. 54 stops energizing the guard electrode 570 based on the signal SG from the proximity sensor 560, and also lowers the sensitivity of the proximity sensor 560 from "high sensitivity" to "low sensitivity". "Sensitivity". Moreover, the control unit 556 clearly indicates the position of the proximity switch 560 by lighting the LED 577 to illuminate the proximity switch 560, so that the user can visually confirm the position of the proximity switch 560.

When the finger touches the proximity sensor 560, the low-sensitivity proximity sensor 560 functions as a touch switch (contact switch) for opening the left door 21, and the finger touches the proximity sensor 560 in the control unit 556 in FIG. Sends a contact signal SH. As a result, the control unit 556 enables the opening operation of the left door 21, and the control unit 556 operates the door opening drive unit 54, so that the left door 21 can be opened.

Note that the operation example when the user opens the right door 22 is the same as the operation example when the user opens the left door 21 described above, so a description thereof will be omitted.

In this way, when the user touches the proximity sensor 560 functioning as a contact sensor with a finger, the control unit 556 can automatically open the left door 21 or the right door 22.

When the user touches only the proximity sensor 560, the control unit 556 causes the proximity sensor 560 to function as a touch sensor (contact sensor) to enable the opening operation of the left door 21. Perform the door opening operation. This also applies to the right door 22.

By the way, if the user carelessly touches both the proximity sensor 560 and the guard electrode 570 shown in FIG. By disabling the door operation, the left door 21 will not be opened. As a result, if the user's elbow or the like inadvertently touches both the proximity sensor 560 and the guard electrode 570, the control unit 556 disables the opening operation of the left door 21 and Door opening operations can be prohibited. Moreover, even if water droplets adhere to both the proximity sensor 560 and the guard electrode 570 shown in FIGS. By setting the operation to "invalid", the left door 21 is not opened. The above-mentioned prohibition of door opening operation also applies to the right door 22.

Furthermore, if the user's elbow simultaneously touches both the guard electrode 570 and the intermediate region portion 589 shown in FIGS. 54 and 51, the door opening operation of the door 21 is enabled and the left door 21 Door opening operations can be performed. This also applies to the right door 22.

As described above, the left door 21 and the right door 22, which are double-opening and have front plates 21A and 22A made of glass, each have an electrostatic touch type contact sensor, and this electrostatic touch type contact sensor , is used as a proximity sensor 560 that detects the approach of a human finger or the like. As shown in FIG. 51, on the substrate 553, a guard electrode 570 is arranged around the proximity sensor 560, which is an electrode for electrostatic touch, so as to surround the proximity sensor 560 at a distance.

This guard electrode 570 is an effective range changing means for changing the detection range of the human body of the proximity sensor 560 when the human body approaches. The guard electrode 570 generates an electromagnetic field in the opposite direction to the electromagnetic field generated when the proximity sensor 560 detects the proximity of a human body.

As a result, the guard electrode 570 limits the electromagnetic field generated when the proximity sensor 560 detects the proximity of a human body in the vertical and horizontal directions, and as shown in FIGS. 560 limits the spread range of the electromagnetic field for proximity detection. Therefore, the electromagnetic field 560P (proximity detection range) generated by the proximity sensor 560 can be limited only to the front direction of the proximity sensor 560.

For this reason, in the case of a double-door refrigerator having a left door 21 and a right door 22, for example, when the left door 21 is opened or closed, the proximity sensor 560 of the right door 22 is prevented from erroneously detecting the proximity sensor 560, and the right By opening and closing the door 22, it is possible to prevent the proximity sensor 560 of the left door 21 from erroneously detecting it.

Also, in the case of a single-door refrigerator rather than a double-door refrigerator, if a human body or object approaches the side of the refrigerator, the proximity sensor on the door may inadvertently falsely detect that human body or object. Prevents you from putting it away.

[Thirty-first embodiment]
FIG. 56 is a front view of a refrigerator 1 showing the thirty-first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 56, a pair of left door 21 and right door 22 cover the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12 of the refrigerator 1 in an openable and closable manner. For this purpose, the left door 21 and the right door 22 are attached so that they can be opened and closed in a double-fold manner using hinges at the top and bottom of the left end and right end of the cabinet 11, which is the refrigerator body, respectively.

The left door 21 and the right door 22 both have front plates 21A and 22A made of colored transparent glass attached to the openings of flat inner plates that open at the front, and a vacuum insulation material is placed in the internal cavity to provide vacuum insulation. This is a heat insulating structural member in which a foamed polyurethane heat insulating material (hereinafter also simply referred to as urethane heat insulating material) or a pre-molded solid heat insulating material (for example, EPC) is placed in a cavity that cannot be completely filled with material.

As shown in FIG. 56, a pair of door opening operation units 651 and 652 are installed near the lower side of the back side of the front panel 21A of the left door 21 and the front panel 22A of the right door 22, respectively. The door opening operation units 651 and 652 can be operated by touch from the surface of the front panel 21A using the user's fingers. The door opening operation unit 651 includes a capacitive proximity sensor 607 and a capacitive touch button electrode 633. The door opening operation unit 652 includes a capacitive proximity sensor 608 and a capacitive touch button electrode 633. The proximity sensor 607 is placed above the electrode 633 of the touch button, and the proximity sensor 608 is placed above the electrode 633 of the touch button.

Further, on the back side of the front plate 21A of the left door 21, a capacitive control operation unit 650 is installed for operating the refrigerator by a touch operation from the front side of the front plate 21A with a user's finger or finger.

The control operation section 650 includes, for example, an infrared light receiving section for detecting the environmental condition around the refrigerator, a control button (control switch) 650CS, a home button (home switch) 650HS, and a touch on the home button 650HS that is detected and operated. An LED indicator light that transparently displays button names, cooling function names, cooling intensity, etc., and a 7-segment LED display device that transparently displays changing numerical values such as temperature values are provided.

As shown in FIG. 56, the door opening drive units 54 and 55 are located at the left and right locations near the front end of the top surface of the cabinet 11, and correspond to the open end portions of the upper sides of the left door 21 and right door 22. are installed at each location.

These door opening driving units 54 and 55 are door opening devices that forcibly open the left door 21 and the right door 22 separately. The door opening drive parts 54 and 55 push out the upper sides of the left door 21 and the right door 22 near the open end thereof forward by pushing the plungers 54A and 55A forward using electromagnets. The right door 22 is forcibly opened automatically.

As shown in FIG. 56, the door opening operation section 651 including one proximity sensor 607 is arranged at the lower right position of the left door 21, and the door opening operation section 652 including the other proximity sensor 608 is arranged at the lower right position of the left door 21. It is located at the bottom left of the . The door opening operation unit 651 including the proximity sensor 607 is arranged inside the glass front plate 21A of the left door 21, and the door opening operation unit 652 including the proximity sensor 608 is arranged inside the glass front plate 22A of the right door 22. is located inside.

FIG. 57 shows an example of the structure of the vicinity of the door opening operation section 651 including the proximity sensor 607 on the left door 21 shown in FIG. 56 (or the vicinity of the door opening operation section 652 including the proximity sensor 608 on the right door 22) V1- It is a sectional view taken along the V1 line. The structural example of the vicinity of the door opening operation section 652 shown in FIG. 56 is the same as the structural example of the vicinity of the door opening operation section 651 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 57, a shielding sheet material 621 is arranged by printing or the like on the inner surfaces of the glass front plates 21A and 22A. This sheet material 621 is arranged to prevent the inside from being seen through the front plates 21A and 22A.

As shown in FIG. 57, on the inner surfaces of the front plates 21A, 22A, a first substrate 631 and a second substrate 632 are arranged parallel to the front plates 21A, 22A with an interval between them.

A proximity sensor 607 (or proximity sensor 608) and a connector 629 are arranged on the back surface of the first substrate 631 arranged on the front side, and a plurality of capacitive touch buttons (electrode) are arranged on the surface of the first substrate 631. ) 633 are arranged. A plurality of penetrating holes 634 are formed in the first substrate 631, and each hole 634 is arranged at a rear position corresponding to the touch button 633. Proximity sensors 607 and 608 are microcomputers having a proximity sensor function.

As shown in FIG. 57, a plurality of LEDs 635 and a connector 636 are arranged on the surface of a second board 632 located behind the first board 631. The connector 636 of the second board 632 is connected to the connector 629 of the first board 631 by a relay bundled wire 628.

Each LED 635 is arranged at a position facing each hole 634 of the first substrate 631. Thereby, the illumination light LLT generated by each LED 635 can illuminate the touch button 633 from behind toward the front plate 21A (22A) through each hole 634. Thereby, the user can visually confirm the position of the proximity sensor 607 (608) and the position of each touch button 633 through the front plate 21A (or front plate 22A) and the sheet material 621.

FIG. 58 is a cross-sectional view of the control operation unit 650 shown in FIG. 56 taken along the line V2-V2.

As shown in FIG. 58, a shielding sheet material 621 is placed on the inner surface of the glass front plate 21A by printing or the like. This sheet material 621 is arranged to prevent the inside from being seen through the front plate 21A. An operation nameplate 661, a diffusion film 662, a transparent electrode 663, and a substrate 664 are arranged inside the front plate 21A. An operation nameplate 661, a diffusion film 662, and a transparent electrode 663 are arranged in parallel at intervals from the front panel 21A toward the substrate 664 in this order. The diffusion film 662 diffuses the illumination light LLS generated by the plurality of LEDs 665 mounted on the substrate 664 toward the front plate 21A side.

A plurality of LEDs 665, a shielding plate 666 for guiding light, and a connector 667 of a flexible printed circuit board are mounted on the surface of the board 664. This connector 667 is connected to the transparent electrode 663 by a flexible printed circuit board 668. Each LED 665 is arranged between shielding plates 666 on both sides, and the illumination light LLS of each LED 665 is irradiated to the transparent electrode 663 side by the shielding plate 666, passes through the transparent electrode 663, and then passes through a diffusion film. 662, the light is diffused to the front plate 21A. Thereby, the user can visually confirm the position of the transparent electrode 663 through the front plate 21A and the sheet material 621.

FIG. 59 is a block diagram showing electrical connections among the control unit 656, the control operation unit 650, the door opening operation units 651 and 652, and the door opening drive units 54 and 55, which are door opening devices.

As shown in FIG. 59, the control unit 656 is electrically connected to the control operation unit 650, the first board 631, the second board 632, and the door opening drive units 54 and 55.

In the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 56, when the user opens the left door 21 (or right door 22) of the refrigerator 1, if the environment is dark, the position of the proximity switch 607 (608) of the door opening operation parts 651, 652 will change. , it is difficult to visually recognize the position of the touch button 633. In this way, in order to improve the difficulty in operating the door opening operation parts 651, 652, as shown in FIG. An LED 635 is mounted on the back side of the screen as an illumination means for supplying illumination light.

For this reason, when the user wants to touch the touch button 633 of the door opening operation parts 651, 652 with a finger, the capacitive proximity sensor 607 (or proximity sensor 608) detects the approach of a person. do. Since the control unit 656 receives a signal from the proximity sensor 607 (or the proximity sensor 608) indicating that a person has approached, the illumination LED 635 is turned on in response to a command from the control unit 656.

As a result, the user can visually check the position of the proximity switch 607 (608) and the touch button 633 of the door opening operation parts 651, 652 even in a dark environment, and easily press the touch button 633 of the door opening operation parts 651, 652. The left door 21 (or the right door 22) can be opened.

Further, when the proximity sensor 607 (or the proximity sensor 608) detects that a person approaches, the control unit 656 receives a signal from the proximity sensor 607 (or the proximity sensor 608) that indicates that a person approaches. In response to a command from the section 656, an illumination LED 665 of the control operation section 650 shown in FIG. 58 is turned on.

Thereby, the user can visually confirm the position of the control operation section 650 and easily operate the control operation section 650 even in a dark environment.

If the user wants to touch the touch button 633 of the door opening operation parts 651, 652 from the top of the glass front plates 21A, 22A with a finger in a non-contact manner, the control part 656 in FIG. The brightness when lit can be set to multiple levels.

That is, when the proximity sensor 607 (or the proximity sensor 608) detects that a person approaches, the control unit 656 in FIG. 59 causes the LED 635 to light up slightly. When the user touches the touch button 633 of the door opening operation parts 651, 652 with his or her finger in a non-contact manner to open the left door 21 (or the right door 22), the control part of FIG. 656 completely lights up the LED 635 to increase the amount of light.

Thereafter, when the user releases his finger from the touch button 633, the control unit 656 operates the door opening drive unit 54 (or the door opening drive unit 55) to open the left door 21 (right door 22). There is.

As a result, when the user touches the touch button 633 of the door opening operation parts 651, 652 with his or her finger to open the left door 21 (or right door 22), the LED 635 changes from slightly lit to fully lit. Since the amount of light is increased by changing the amount of light, that is, preferably by increasing the amount of light, the user can visually confirm that the door opening operation has been completed.

A control operation section 650 shown in FIG. 59 is operated by a user, for example, to change the contents of cooling control. The control unit 656 determines that the operation start time (lighting timing) for lighting up the LED 665 of the control operation unit 650 shown in FIG. It can be set to be delayed by a predetermined delay time. That is, the timing of how the LED 665 of the control operation section 650 lights up and the timing of how the LED 635 of the door opening operation sections 651 and 652 light up can be changed.

For example, the lighting timing of the LED 635 of the door opening operation parts 651 and 652 can be made earlier than the lighting timing of the LED 665 of the control operation part 650. However, conversely, the lighting timing of the LED 665 of the control operation section 650 may be made earlier than the lighting timing of the LED 635 of the door opening operation sections 651 and 652.

Thereby, when the proximity sensor 607 (or proximity sensor 608) detects that a person approaches, not only the LED 635 of the door opening operation parts 651 and 652 but also the LED 665 of the control operation part 650 can be turned on.

As shown in FIG. 56, in the left door 21 and right door 22, the positions of the proximity sensors 607 and 608 are located below the position of the control operation section 650, and the proximity sensors 607 and 608 are arranged to operate the door opening operation. They are arranged near the touch button 633 of the sections 651 and 652, respectively.

As a result, the user brings the finger of the hand close to the proximity sensor 607 (or the proximity sensor 608), contacts the proximity sensor 607 (or the proximity sensor 608), and then moves the finger slightly downward to open the door operating section 651. , 652 can be touched, making it easy for the user to use.

Next, FIG. 60 shows the control of the left door 21 when the user's finger touches the touch button 633 of the door opening operation section 651 after the proximity sensor 607 of the left door 21 shown in FIG. 56 detects the approach of the user's finger. An example of how the operation unit 650 and the door opening operation unit 651 are lit is shown.

In FIG. 60(A), the user's fingers have not yet approached the proximity sensor 607 at all. In this state, in order to cause the proximity sensor 607, which is an electrostatic switch, to function as a "proximity sensor", the control unit 656 sets the sensitivity of the proximity sensor 607 to "high" to increase the sensitivity. Therefore, the function as a "proximity sensor" is "effective".

In this case, the control unit 656 disables the function of the touch button 633 of the door opening operation unit 651 to open the left door 21 (door opening operation). Moreover, the control unit 656 sets the lighting display of the control operation unit 650 and the lighting display of the door opening operation unit 651 to the “off state” as shown by the broken line. The operation (door opening operation) functions of the control switch (control button) 650CS and home switch (home button) 650HS of the control operation section 650 are set to "invalid".

Next, FIG. 60(B) shows a state in which the finger HT is approaching the proximity sensor 607. In this state, the proximity sensor 607 detects the approach of the hand HT, so the control unit 656 switches the sensitivity of the proximity sensor 607 as a "proximity sensor" from "high" to "small" to reduce the sensitivity and reduce the functionality of

Therefore, the control unit 656 causes the touch button 633 of the door opening operation unit 651 to function, so the opening operation of the left door 21 (door opening operation) is performed by touching the touch button 633 with the finger HT from the surface of the front panel. ) function changes from "disabled" to "enabled".

Furthermore, the control section 656 causes the lighting display of the control operation section 650 and the lighting display of the door opening operation section 651 of the proximity sensor 607 to be in the "on state" as shown by the solid line, and the LED 635 shown in FIG. The LED 665 shown at 58 lights up slightly, for example. That is, by lighting up the LED 665 shown in FIG. 58 slightly, the control operation unit 650 is illuminated from behind and illuminated, and by lighting the LED 635 shown in FIG. 57, the door opening operation unit 651 is illuminated from behind and illuminated. .

Preferably, this lighting display time is such that the lighting is only on for a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds, and if the finger HT does not touch the touch button 633 of the door opening operation section 651 during this 10 seconds, the LED 635, 665 may be turned off.

However, the control unit 656 determines that the operation start time (lighting timing) for lighting up the LED 665 of the control operation unit 650 shown in FIG. It can be set to be delayed by a predetermined delay time. That is, the control unit 656 can change the timing of how the LED 665 of the control operation unit 650 lights up and the timing of how the LED 635 of the door opening operation unit 651 lights up.

For example, the lighting timing of the LED 635 of the door opening operation section 651 can be made earlier than the lighting timing of the LED 665 of the control operation section 650. However, conversely, the lighting timing of the LED 665 of the control operation section 650 may be set earlier than the lighting timing of the LED 635 of the door opening operation section 651. By making the lighting timing different in this way, the position of the control operation section 650 and the position of the door opening operation section 651 can be displayed to the user in a distinguishable manner.

Then, the operation functions of the control switch 650CS and the home switch 650HS of the control operation unit 650 are turned on and changed from "invalid" to "enabled".

Next, FIG. 60(C) shows a state in which the finger HT is in contact with the touch button 633 of the door opening operation section 651. In this state, the control unit 656 maintains the sensitivity of the proximity sensor 607 as a "contact sensor" in a "low" state. The control unit 656 keeps the opening operation (door opening operation) function of the left door 21, which is the function of the touch button 633 of the door opening operation unit 651, in “valid” state.

The operation functions of the control button (control switch) 650CS and home button (home switch) 650HS of the control operation section 650 are turned on and "valid", so that they can be operated.

Moreover, the control section 656 maintains the lighting display of the control operation section 650 and the lighting display of the door opening operation section 651 of the proximity sensor 607 in the "on state" as shown by the solid line.

In this case, preferably the light intensity of the lighting display of the control operation unit 650 and the light intensity of the lighting display of the door opening operation unit 651 of the proximity sensor 607 in FIG. However, at the time of contact with the finger HT in FIG. 60(C), the light intensity of the lighting display of the control operation unit 650 and the light intensity of the lighting display of the door opening operation unit 651 are increased from faint lighting to complete lighting with a larger light intensity. Make it shine.

As a result, when the user touches the touch button 633 of the door opening operation unit 651 with a finger to open the left door 21, the LED 635 changes from faint lighting to full lighting and increases the light intensity. The user can visually confirm that the door opening operation has been completed by the increase in the amount of lighting. Moreover, the user can more reliably view the display on the control operation section 650 and the display on the door opening operation section 651, and can improve the energy saving effect of power consumption.

As described above, when the finger HT is brought close to the proximity sensor 607 as shown in FIG. 60(B) and when the finger HT is brought into contact with the touch button 633 as shown in FIG. 60(C), the control unit 656 In order to illuminate the control operation section 650 and the door opening operation section 651, the amount of light when turned on can be changed and increased as described above.

After that, FIG. 60(D) shows a state in which the finger HT of the user's hand is separated from the touch button 633 of the door opening operation section 52. In this state, the control unit 656 validates the input of the operation signal from the touch button 633 of the door opening operation unit 651 and operates the door opening drive unit 54 to control the opening of the corresponding left door 21. . Thereby, the left door 21 can be opened automatically.

Moreover, the control section 656 maintains the lighting display of the control operation section 650 and the lighting display of the door opening operation section 651 of the proximity sensor 607 in the "on state" as shown by the solid line. Then, the operation functions of the control switch 650CS and the home switch 650HS of the control operation unit 650 are turned off and changed from "valid" to "invalid".

As described above, in the same manner as the opening operation of the left door 21 explained with reference to FIG. 60, the opening operation of the right door 22 using the door opening operation part 652 of the right door 22 shown in FIG. 56 is also performed. I can do it.

Note that when the left door 21 is opened using the touch button 633 of the door opening operation section 651 of the left door 21, the function of the touch button 633 of the door opening operation section 652 of the right door 22 is switched, and the switch of the door opening operation section 652 is switched. The right door 22 can be prevented from opening by disabling the function. The same applies to the opposite case.

By the way, if the user wants to touch-operate the touch button 633 of the door opening operation parts 651, 652 with a finger in a non-contact manner, it is preferable that the control part 656 in FIG. 59 change the lighting color of the LED 635. can. That is, when the proximity sensor 607 (or the proximity sensor 608) detects that a person approaches, the control unit 656 in FIG. 59 lights up the LED 635 in the first emission color, for example, blue. Then, when the user touches the touch button 633 of the door opening operation units 651, 652 with his or her finger to open the left door 21 (or the right door 22), the control unit 656 in FIG. The LED 635 is turned on in a second light emitting color, for example, red.

Thereafter, when the user releases his finger from the touch button 633, the control unit 656 operates the door opening drive unit 54 (or the door opening drive unit 55) to open the left door 21 (right door 22).

As a result, when the user touches the touch button 633 of the door opening operation parts 651, 652 with his or her finger to open the left door 21 (or right door 22), the LED 635 lights up from red to blue. Since the lighting color is changed, the user can visually confirm that the door opening operation has been completed by changing the lighting color. Note that the types of the first emitted light color and the second emitted light color can be arbitrarily selected.

Further, when the hand HT approaches the proximity sensor 607 as shown in FIG. 60(B), the LEDs 635 and 665 blink, and when the hand HT touches the touch button 633 shown in FIG. 60(C), the LED 635 , 665 may be lit all the time. The user can visually confirm that the door opening operation has been completed.

Furthermore, although the left door 21 and the right door 22 shown in FIG. The LED 635 of 633 may be always lit. Similarly, while the right door 22 is open, the control section 656 may cause the LED 635 of the touch button 633 of the door opening operation section 651 on the left door 21 to always light up. As a result, the user can visually check the position of the door opening operation part of the right door 22 on the unopened side (or the left door 21 on the unopened side) even in a dark environment, and easily operate the door opening operation part. Can be operated.

The contents described in each of the above-described embodiments can be applied to home appliances other than refrigerators, such as laundry appliances, cooking appliances, etc., and are also effective as inventions as operating units.

[Thirty-second embodiment]
FIG. 61 is a front view of a refrigerator 1 showing the 32nd embodiment of the present invention. 62 is a plan view of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 61, and FIG. 63 is a side view of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 61.

As shown in FIGS. 61 to 63, a pair of left door 21 and right door 22 cover the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12 of the refrigerator 1. For this purpose, the left door 21 and the right door 22 are attached so that they can be opened and closed in a double-fold manner using hinges at the top and bottom of the left end and right end of the cabinet 11, which is the refrigerator body, respectively.

The left door 21 and the right door 22 both have front plates 21A and 22A made of colored transparent glass attached to the openings of flat inner plates that open at the front, and vacuum insulation material is placed in the internal cavity to provide vacuum insulation. This is a heat insulating structure member in which a foamed polyurethane heat insulating material (hereinafter also simply referred to as urethane heat insulating material) or a pre-molded solid heat insulating material (for example, EPC) is placed in a cavity that cannot be filled with material.

As shown in FIGS. 61 to 63, door opening operation units 551 and 552 are installed near the lower side of the front plate 21A of the left door 21 and the front plate 22A of the right door 22, respectively. Door opening drive units 54 and 55 are installed at left and right locations near the front end of the upper surface of the top plate of the cabinet 11, and at positions corresponding to near the open end of the upper side of the left door 21 and right door 22, respectively. There is.

These door opening drive units 54 and 55 are door opening devices that forcibly open the left door 21 and the right door 22 separately. The door opening drive parts 54 and 55 push out the upper sides of the left door 21 and the right door 22 near the open end thereof forward by pushing the plungers 54A and 55A forward using electromagnets. The right door 22 is forcibly opened automatically.

As shown in FIG. 61, one door opening operation section 551 is arranged at the lower right position of the left door 21, and the other door opening operation section 552 is arranged at the lower left position of the right door 22. The door opening operation part 551 is arranged inside the glass front plate 21A of the left door 21, and the door opening operation part 552 is arranged inside the glass front plate 22A of the right door 22.

Further, inside the front panel 21A of the left door 21, a capacitive control operation section 650 is installed for operating the refrigerator by a touch operation from the front surface of the front panel 21A using the user's fingers. This control operation section 650 is arranged above the door opening operation section 551 in the left door 21 .

The control operation section 650 includes, for example, an infrared light receiving section for detecting the environmental condition around the refrigerator, a control button (control switch) 650CS, a home button (home switch) 650HS, and a touch on the home button 650HS that is detected and operated. An LED indicator light that transparently displays button names, cooling function names, cooling intensity, etc., and a 7-segment LED display device that transparently displays changing numerical values such as temperature values are provided.

FIG. 64 shows an example of the structure of the substrate 553 of the door opening operation section 551 shown in FIG. 61. FIG. 65 is a diagram showing the proximity sensor 560 and guard electrode 570 arranged on the substrate 553 of the door opening operation section 551 shown in FIG. 64. FIG. 66 is an exploded perspective view showing a structural example of the door opening operation section 551.

Door-opening operation section 551 and door-opening operation section 552 shown in FIG. 61 have similar structures, but are laterally symmetrical in shape. FIG. 64 shows an example of the shape of the board 553 of the door opening operation section 551, but since the door opening operation section 552 and the door opening operation section 551 have substantially the same shape, please refer to FIGS. 64 to 66. Now, the board 553 of the door opening operation section 551 will be explained as a representative.

First, referring to FIG. 66, the door opening operation unit 551 opens the board assembly 500M, a plastic storage space member 585 called an open box for storing the board assembly 500M, and a plastic lid member 590. have. Preferably, a metal body such as aluminum foil is pasted on the back surface 585R of the storage space member 585 made of plastic. A metal body 591 such as aluminum foil is pasted on the inner surface of the lid member 590 made of plastic. This prevents electromagnetic waves generated by the main body of the refrigerator 1 from affecting the board assembly 500M.

The board assembly 500M includes a plastic shielding plate 599, a board 553, an operation name plate 597, and an LED board 598 on which an LED 577 for display is mounted. The board 553 is an electrostatic touch switch board and is fixed to the front side of the shielding plate 599. An operation nameplate 597 is arranged on the front side of the board 553. An LED board 598 for display is fixed to the back side of the shielding plate 599. A plurality of LEDs 577 are mounted on this LED board 598.

Left and right slits 574 and 575 are formed at corresponding positions on the board 553 and the operation nameplate 597. This board assembly 500M is accommodated in the storage space member 585 through an opening portion 586 which is a rectangular insertion opening of the storage space member 585. The opening portion 586 of the storage space member 585 is covered by a lid member 590.

As shown in FIGS. 64(A) and 65, the board 553 of the door opening operation unit 551 is rectangular or square, and the board 553 has a front surface 553A shown in FIG. 64(A) and a back surface 553A shown in FIG. 64(B). 553B. The substrate 553 is provided with a mounting portion 571 for electronic components and a placement portion 572 for the proximity sensor 560 and guard electrode 570. The board 553 of the door-opening operation section 551 and the board 553 of the door-opening operation section 552 shown in FIG. 1 can preferably be made bilaterally symmetrical and can be made into a common component.

The electronic component mounting portion 571 on the rear surface 553B side shown in FIG. 64(B) has a first step portion 553M and a second step portion 553N at the lower end portion. The lower end portion of the electronic component mounting portion 571 on the rear surface 553B side is formed in a stepped shape.

Moreover, two connector components CC1 and CC2 and electronic components such as a microcomputer (not shown) are mounted on the electronic component mounting portion 571 on the back surface 553B side. Connector component CC1 is arranged at the first step section 553M, and connector component CC2 is arranged at the second step section 553N.

In other words, the connector component CC1 and the connector component CC2 are not placed side by side in the horizontal direction, and the position where the connector component CC1 is attached to the back surface 553B of the board 553 is the same as the position where the connector component CC2 is attached to the back surface 553B of the board 553. It is located at a lower position in the Z direction (up and down direction) than the position shown in FIG. Connector component CC1 is arranged along first step portion 553M, and connector component CC2 is arranged along second step portion 553N.

As a result, since the positions of the connector components CC1 and CC2 are shifted in the vertical direction, it becomes easier to attach and detach the connector components CC1 and CC2 using a tool when removing or attaching them during maintenance.

In addition, since the positions of connector parts CC1 and CC2 are shifted in the vertical direction, water due to condensation easily flows down from between connector parts CC1 and CC2. can be prevented from accumulating. Moreover, since the connector components CC1 and CC2 are spaced apart from the back surface of the board, even if water accumulates in the storage part, the connector components CC1 and CC2 will not get wet.

In addition, two connector components CC1 and CC2 and electronic components (not shown) are mounted on the electronic component mounting portion 571 on the back surface 553B side of the board 553, and no electronic components are mounted on the front surface 553A of the board 553. It has become. Examples of electronic components include noise removal capacitors, signal processing capacitors, transistors, microcomputers, and the like. Since the electronic components are disposed on the back surface 553B of the board 553 instead of on the front surface 553A, the inner surface of the operation nameplate 597 is not affected by the electronic components, as shown in FIG. It can be placed in close contact with 553A.

Furthermore, although two connector components CC1 and CC2 are arranged in the electronic component mounting portion 571 on the back surface 553B side of the board 553, the connector components CC1 and CC2, the proximity sensor 560, and the guard electrode 570 are arranged apart from each other. This prevents noise from the connector components CC1 and CC2 from affecting the proximity sensor 560 and the guard electrode 570.

In the arrangement portion 572 on the surface 553A side of the substrate 533 shown in FIG. Portion 589 is located. Proximity sensor 560 is located at the center of arrangement portion 572, and guard electrode 570 is located at outermost portion of arrangement portion 572. Intermediate region portion 589 is provided between proximity sensor 560 and guard electrode 570. Proximity sensor 560, guard electrode 570, and intermediate region portion 589 are metal electrodes, but are electrically insulated from each other. The middle region portion 589, which is the second electrode, assists the proximity sensor 560 and has a function as a proximity sensor. Guard electrode 570 changes the effective detection range of proximity sensor 560. The proximity sensor 560 is not composed of a plurality of electrodes, but is composed of a single rectangular electrode. This allows the user to adopt a shape that is easy to perform touch operations with hands and fingers.

Further, as shown in FIG. 64(B), a mesh ground pattern 573, which is a fourth electrode, is arranged on the back surface 553B corresponding to the arrangement portion 572 of the substrate 553. Thereby, this ground pattern 573 prevents noise from the refrigerator main body from affecting the electromagnetic field generated by the proximity sensor 560 and the electromagnetic field generated by the guard electrode 570.

As shown in FIGS. 64A and 65, a through hole 560C is formed at the center of the proximity sensor 560. A conductor pattern 560H is connected to this through hole 560C as shown in FIG. 64(B). This conductor pattern 560H passes through the connecting portion 560A and is connected to the through hole 560C. The conductive wire pattern 560H is placed through the back side of the connecting portion 560A, which is a location other than the slits 574 and 575. This connecting portion 560A will be explained later.

When the user presses (touches) the proximity sensor 560 with his or her finger, the action is usually aimed at the center of the proximity sensor 560, so the through hole 560C is formed at the center of the proximity sensor 560. There is.

The reason why the through hole 560C is formed at the center of the proximity sensor 560 is as follows. That is, in the proximity sensor 560, the switch sensitivity is highest in the central region where the through hole 560C is formed compared to other regions. For this reason, by pressing the user's finger in the middle of the proximity switch 560 where the through hole 560C is located, the user's finger can touch the most sensitive area.

The proximity sensor 560 shown in FIGS. 64 and 65 is an electrode for electrostatic touch (contact), and is approximately 100 mm in the front (front) direction of the left door 21 and right door 22 shown in FIGS. 62 and 63. This is a capacitive sensing means for detecting the approach of a human body or object. The proximity sensor 560 detects when a part of the user's body, specifically, for example, a finger of a hand, approaches. The proximity sensor 560 is a capacitive touch sensor, but a mutual capacitance touch sensor or a self-capacitance touch sensor can be used.

The mutual capacitance method includes one transmitting electrode and one receiving electrode, and when a current is supplied to the transmitting electrode, an electromagnetic field is generated and the electromagnetic field is received by the receiving electrode. For example, when a human finger approaches the detection area of the proximity sensor 560, a portion of the electromagnetic field is absorbed and received by the receiving electrode, reducing the amount of energy detected and the proximity sensor 560 detecting the proximity sensor 560. can be detected.

The self-capacitance method requires one electrode (proximity sensor 560) with stray capacitance. The stray capacitance of the electrode (proximity sensor 560) is affected by the parasitic capacitance between this electrode (proximity sensor 560) and the surrounding conductor (human finger). When a human finger approaches the proximity sensor 560, the value of stray capacitance increases under the influence of parasitic capacitance, and by measuring this increased stray capacitance, the proximity sensor 560 can detect the approach of the finger.

As illustrated in FIGS. 64 and 65, the proximity sensor 560 is, for example, a rectangular switch formed long in the vertical direction, and slits 574 and 575 are formed around the proximity sensor 560 to surround the electrode. has been done. That is, the slits 574 and 575 are formed along the Z direction so as to surround the periphery of the proximity sensor 560. Thereby, by providing the slits 574 and 575, the position of the proximity sensor 560 can be easily determined. As shown in FIG. 65, the slits 574 and 575 are covered with, for example, a transparent film body 576, and the transparent film body 576 has a plurality of LEDs 577, which are light emitting elements functioning as a lighting device, arranged at intervals. It is located.

However, as shown in FIG. 65, the four LEDs 577 corresponding to the four corners 576R of the slits 574, 575 among the plurality of LEDs 577 are arranged outside the slits 574, 575. . By doing so, the illumination light generated by the four LEDs 577 corresponding to the four corners 576R can be irradiated onto the slits 574 and 575 without causing shadows.

As shown in FIG. 65, one end of the proximity sensor 560 is connected to the placement part 572 by a connection part 560A, and the other end of the proximity sensor 560 is connected to the placement part 572 by a connection part 560B. These connecting portions 560A and 560B are connected to connect the proximity sensor 560 and the intermediate region portion 589 that is the surrounding portion thereof, and are also referred to as “bridges”. The connecting portions 560A and 560B are provided at positions other than where the above-mentioned LED 577 is arranged. Thereby, the connecting portions 560A and 560B do not interfere with the illumination light of the LED 577.

A through hole 560C for electrical connection is formed in the center of the proximity sensor 560. The reason why the through hole 560C is formed in the center of the proximity sensor 560 is because, as already explained, the area of the proximity sensor 560 in which the through hole 560C is provided has a higher detection sensitivity than other areas. expensive. The through hole 560C is provided at the center of the proximity sensor 560 because the area that the user's finger comes into close contact with is the center of the proximity sensor 560.

Next, the guard electrode 570 shown in FIGS. 64 and 65 will be described.

The guard electrode 570 is formed in a rectangular frame shape around the proximity sensor 560 and the intermediate region portion 589 in the arrangement portion 572 . Guard electrode 570 is a metal body and consists of a pair of short side electrode portions 570A and a pair of long side electrode portions 570B. Guard electrode 570 generates an electromagnetic field in the opposite direction to the electromagnetic field generated by proximity sensor 560.

Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 62 and 63, the electromagnetic field 560P generated by the proximity sensor 560 is suppressed from spreading by the electromagnetic field generated in the opposite direction by the guard electrode 570. Therefore, the electromagnetic field generated by the guard electrode 570 changes the effective range of the detection range by suppressing the spread of the electromagnetic field 560P generated by the proximity sensor 560. Act as a means of change.

The guard electrode 570 changes the effective range of the detection range of the proximity sensor 560 by narrowing and changing the detection range of the proximity sensor 560 when detecting the approach of a human body, for example, a finger. Specifically, as a result of the guard electrode 570 changing the effective detection range of the proximity sensor 560, as shown in FIG. is guided only in the front direction of the proximity sensor 560. Similarly, the electromagnetic field 560P generated by the proximity sensor 560 of the door opening operation section 552 of the right door 22 is guided only in the front direction of the proximity sensor 560.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 62, the electromagnetic field 560P generated by the proximity sensor 560 is constricted so as not to spread in the X direction, which is the left-right direction.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 63, the electromagnetic field 560P generated by the proximity sensor 560 of the door opening operation section 551 of the left door 21 is guided only in the front direction of the proximity sensor 560. Similarly, the electromagnetic field 560P generated by the proximity sensor 560 of the door opening operation section 552 of the right door 22 is guided only in the front direction of the proximity sensor 560. Therefore, in FIG. 63, the electromagnetic field 560P generated by the proximity sensor 560 is constricted so as not to spread in the Z direction, which is the vertical direction.

That is, the electromagnetic field 560P of the proximity sensor 560 shown in FIGS. 62 and 63 indicates the effective range of the human body detection range, and the effective range of the human body detection range is This corresponds to a different range from the range (range that extends vertically and horizontally).

Next, FIG. 67 is a block diagram showing electrical connections among the control section 556, the door opening operation sections 551 and 552, and the door opening drive sections 54 and 55, which are door opening devices.

As shown in FIG. 67, the control unit 556 is electrically connected to the proximity sensor 560 and guard electrode 570 of the door opening operation units 551 and 552, the door opening drive units 54 and 55, and the LED 577 as a plurality of lighting devices. has been done.

Under the control of the control unit 556, the proximity sensor 560 is maintained in a "high sensitivity" state. When the finger enters the electromagnetic field 560P shown in FIGS. 62 and 63, which is the detection area of the proximity sensor 560, the control unit 556 in FIG. I am starting to receive it.

When the control unit 556 in FIG. 67 receives the signal SG from the proximity sensor 560, it determines that the finger has approached the proximity sensor 560, and stops energizing the guard electrode 570. The sensitivity of the camera can be changed from "high sensitivity" to "low sensitivity" to lower it. Furthermore, when the control unit 556 receives the signal SG from the proximity sensor 560, the control unit 556 lights up the LED 577 to illuminate the area around the proximity switch 560, thereby highlighting the position of the proximity switch 560. This allows the user to visually confirm the position of the proximity switch 560.

When the finger contacts the proximity sensor 560 from a state where the finger approaches the proximity sensor 560, the proximity sensor 560 functions as a contact switch, and the proximity sensor 560 informs the control unit 556 that the finger has contacted the proximity sensor 560. Send signal SH. As a result, the control unit 556 causes the proximity sensor 560 to function as a contact sensor to enable the opening operation of the left door 21, for example, and the control unit 56 operates the door opening drive unit 54 to open the left door 21. It is now possible to actually open the door. The above-mentioned operating procedure is the same for the right door 22 as well.

As a result, the user can visually check the position of the proximity switch 560 disposed inside the glass surface of the left door 21 or the right door 22 by touching it while visually checking the position with the help of the illumination provided by the LED 577. Door 22 can be opened.

As described above, the control unit 556 switches the sensitivity of the proximity sensor 560 from "high sensitivity" to "low sensitivity" when a finger approaches, thereby causing the proximity sensor 560 to function as a contact sensor. There is. When a finger approaches the proximity sensor 560, the control unit 556 sets the sensitivity of the proximity sensor 560 to “high” in order to cause the proximity sensor 560, which is an electrostatic switch, to function as a “proximity sensor”. By doing so, the function as a "proximity sensor" is "effective." For this reason, the control unit 556 does not allow the proximity sensor 560 to function as a "contact sensor", so the proximity sensor 560 performs the opening (opening) of the left door 21 and right door 22, which is the original function of the door opening operation units 551 and 552. (door operation) is "invalid".

As described above, when the user's finger approaches the proximity sensor 560 and the finger enters the electromagnetic field 560P, which is the effective range of the human body detection range of the proximity sensor 560, the proximity sensor 560 controls the proximity sensor 560 to control the approach of the finger. 556. Then, when the control unit 556 is notified of the approach of the fingers of the hand from the proximity sensor 560, the control unit 556 switches and sets the sensitivity of the proximity sensor 560 from "high" to "low". Moreover, the control unit 556 can change the lighting display of the proximity sensor 560 from the off state to the on state, and the position of the proximity sensor 560 can be clearly indicated by the LED 577. Therefore, the user can reliably touch the proximity sensor 560 with a finger while visually checking the position of the proximity sensor 560. Since the control unit 56 causes the proximity sensor 560 to function as a "contact sensor" which is its original function, by touching the proximity sensor 560 with a finger, the opening operation of the left door 21 or the right door 22 (door opening operation) is performed. "validate.

The opening operation (door opening operation) of the left door 21 described above is the same as the opening operation (door opening operation) of the right door 22, so the explanation thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 64 and 65, by arranging a guard electrode 570 around the proximity sensor 560, the electromagnetic field 560P, which is the effective detection range of the human body of the proximity sensor 560, is It is detected that a person's hand or finger approaches within a range of, for example, about 100 mm in the front direction (front direction) of the door 22. At this time, the electromagnetic field 560P, which is the effective detection range of the human body of the proximity sensor 560, is restricted so as not to spread in the vertical and horizontal directions by arranging the guard electrode 570.

As shown in FIG. 62, by limiting the spread of the effective range of the human body detection range of the proximity sensor 560 in the left-right direction (X direction), the left door 21 follows the trajectory indicated by the arrow 21K, as shown in FIG. When the finger approaches the proximity sensor 560 of the left door 21 in an attempt to open the door, the finger can be prevented from being detected by the proximity sensor 560 of the right door 22, which is closed. Similarly, when you bring your finger close to the proximity sensor 560 of the right door 22 to open the right door 22 along the trajectory shown by the arrow 22K, the finger is not detected by the proximity sensor 560 of the left door 21, which is closed. can do.

Therefore, the electromagnetic field 560P, which is the effective detection range of the human body of the proximity sensor 560 of the right door 22, does not enter the trajectory when opening the left door 21 as a means of movement. Similarly, the electromagnetic field 560P, which is the effective human body detection range of the proximity sensor 560 of the left door 21, does not enter the trajectory when the right door 22, which is a means of movement, is opened.

As a result, when opening the left door 21 or the right door 22, the proximity sensor 560 of the right door 22 or the left door 21 on the side that is closed without being opened will inadvertently touch the user's finger or the left door 21 or the right door 22. This can prevent erroneous detection.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 63, by restricting the expansion of the effective detection range of the human body of the proximity sensor 560 in the vertical direction (Z direction), when the pull-out door 23 as a means of movement is pulled out in the direction of the arrow, The electromagnetic field 560P that is the effective human body detection range of the proximity sensor 560 on the left door 21 and the electromagnetic field 560P that is the effective human body detection range of the proximity sensor 560 on the right door 22 are Do not fall within the trajectory when opening.

This prevents the proximity sensor 560 on the left door 21 and the proximity sensor 560 on the right door 22 from accidentally detecting the user's finger or the drawer-type door 23 when the drawer-type door 23 is opened. can be prevented.

As described above, the guard electrode 570 shown in FIGS. 64A and 65 is a metal body and includes a pair of short side electrode portions 570A and a pair of long side electrode portions 570B. For example, moisture adheres to the front plate 21A of the left door 21 shown in FIG. 61, and the moisture adheres to the front plate 21A at the position of the guard electrode 570, and the guard electrode 570 detects a change in capacitance due to the moisture. Then, the control unit 556 shown in FIG. 67 disables the door opening operation of the door opening drive units (door opening devices) 54 and 55 by the proximity sensor 560.

Specifically, if the guard electrode 570 detects moisture when the user wipes the surface of the front plate 21A of the left door 21 or the front plate 22A of the right door 22 with a wet cloth, the proximity sensor Even if 560 detects a wet cloth and turns on, the control unit 556 shown in FIG. '' to prevent the left door 21 or right door 22 from opening without permission. This prevents the left door 21 or the right door 22 from opening inadvertently.

In addition, when the user touches the guard electrode 570 with a finger and then touches the proximity sensor 560, the control unit 556 disables the door opening operation of the door opening drive units (door opening devices) 54 and 55 by the proximity sensor 560. do. Further, when the user touches the guard electrode 570 with a finger and the proximity sensor 560 at the same time, the control unit 556 “disables” the door opening operation of the door opening drive units (door opening devices) 54 and 55 caused by the proximity sensor 560. do.

This prevents the left door 21 or the right door 22 from opening inadvertently if the guard electrode 570 erroneously detects a human body.

As shown in FIG. 61, a control operation section 650 is provided inside the front panel 21A of the left door 21, and a door opening operation section 551 is provided below the control operation section 650. Therefore, the short side electrode portion 570A of the guard electrode 570 of the door opening operation section 551 is arranged at a position between the control operation section 650 and the proximity sensor 560 of the door opening operation section 551. This short side electrode portion 570A is also shown in FIGS. 64 and 65.

Thereby, for example, when a user wipes the control operation section 650 on the surface of the front plate 21A of the left door 21 with a wet cloth, the water drips along the front plate 21A and reaches the guard electrode 570. In this case, when the short side electrode portion 570A of the guard electrode 570 detects moisture, even if the proximity sensor 560 detects wet cloth and turns on, the control unit 556 shown in FIG. By disabling the door opening operation of the door opening drive section (door opening device) 54 by the sensor 560, the left door 21 is prevented from opening by itself. This prevents the left door 21 from opening accidentally.

Incidentally, the horizontal electrode gap interval DF and the vertical electrode gap interval RF of the guard electrode 570 shown in FIG. 65 are larger than the width MF of the human finger HT. The horizontal electrode gap spacing DF and the vertical electrode gap spacing RF of the guard electrode 570 can preferably be selected in the range of 15 mm to 75 mm. Thereby, when the user approaches the proximity sensor 560 with the finger HT and touches it, it is possible to prevent the finger HT from inadvertently touching the guard electrode 570.

Further, the horizontal electrode gap interval DF and the vertical electrode gap interval RF of the guard electrode 570 are such that even if a bent elbow of a human body hits the guard electrode 570, the guard electrode 570 will not be touched. The horizontal electrode gap spacing DF and the vertical electrode gap spacing RF of these guard electrodes 570 can be selected, for example, in the range of 30 mm to 75 mm. By setting the size of the guard electrode 570 in this way, if the user is holding a pot or plate with both hands and contacts the proximity sensor 560 with a bent elbow rather than a finger, the left door 21 or the right Even when attempting to open the door 22, it is possible to prevent the elbow from touching both the proximity sensor 560 and the guard electrode 570 at the same time. Thereby, the user can open the left door 21 or the right door 22 with his fingers or elbow.

Next, with reference to FIG. 68, an example of the storage structure of the board 553 in the left door 21 and the right door 22 will be described. FIG. 68 is a diagram showing an example of a storage structure for the board 553 in the left door 21 and the right door 22. 68(A) is a front view of the left door 21 and the right door 22, and FIG. 68(B) is a front view of the inner end surface portion 21T of the left door 21 (inner end surface portion of the right door 22) showing the storage structure of the board 553. 22T) is a perspective view showing the structure of the device. FIG. 68(C) is a diagram showing an example of the lid member 590.

As shown in FIG. 68(A), when the left door 21 and the right door 22 are closed, the inner end surface 21T of the left door 21 and the inner end surface 22T of the right door 22 face each other. A rectangular opening portion 586 of the storage space member 585 is located in each inner end surface portion 21T, and a storage space member 585 of the board assembly 500M is located inside the left door 21 and the right door 22. The board assembly 500M is inserted into the storage space member 585 through the opening portion 586 and stored therein.

However, when the board assembly 500M is inserted and stored in the storage space member 585 in this way, as shown in FIG. The electronic component mounting portion 571 side is inserted into the opening portion 586 from the electronic component mounting portion 571 side so that the electronic component mounting portion 571 side reaches the back side of the storage space member 585.

In this way, the proximity sensor 560 and the guard electrode 570 are arranged on the front surface of the substrate 553, and the component mounting portion 571 is provided on the back surface of the substrate 553. The mounting portion 571 is located on the opposite side of the placement portion 572 of the board 553, which is located on the opening portion 586 side that is the insertion port.

As a result, when inserting and storing the board assembly 500M in the storage space member 585, the operator visually confirms the positions of the first step 553M and second step 553N of the component mounting portion 571. However, since the board assembly 500M can be inserted into the storage space member 585, it is possible to prevent the board assembly 500M from being inserted in the wrong insertion direction.

The opening portion 586 is closed by a lid member 590 after housing the substrate assembly 500M. A metal body 591 such as an aluminum foil tape or an iron plate is arranged on the inner surface of the lid member 590. The metal body 591 is a changing means for changing the effective range of the detection range of the proximity sensor 560 by limiting the electromagnetic field generated by the proximity sensor 560 as the effective range of the detection range of the human body. A metal body 591 serving as a means for changing the effective range of the detection range is arranged between the left door 21 and the right door 22, which are adjacent moving means.

By arranging the metal body 591 on the lid member 590 in this manner, the metal body 591 blocks the electromagnetic field between the left door 21 and the right door 22. Therefore, the electromagnetic fields of the proximity sensor 560 and the guard electrode 570 on the left door 21 do not affect the electromagnetic fields of the proximity sensor 560 and the guard electrode 570 on the right door 22. Moreover, the electromagnetic field from the proximity sensor 560 and the electromagnetic field from the guard electrode 570 on the right door 22 do not affect the electromagnetic field side of the proximity sensor 560 and the guard electrode 570 on the left side 21.

Next, an example of the operation when the user opens the left door 21, for example, will be described with reference to FIGS. 61 to 63 and FIG. 67.

When the user brings his finger close to the proximity sensor 560 on the left door 21 side shown in FIGS. 62 and 63 and enters the electromagnetic field 560P as the effective range of the human body detection range shown in FIGS. 62 and 63, the high sensitivity state is reached. The proximity sensor 560 detects that a finger is approaching the proximity sensor 560. As a result, the control unit 556 in FIG. 67 receives a signal SG indicating that the finger is approaching the proximity sensor 560.

Then, the control section 556 in FIG. 67 stops energizing the guard electrode 570 based on the signal SG from the proximity sensor 560, and also lowers the sensitivity of the proximity sensor 560 from "high sensitivity" to "low sensitivity". "Sensitivity". Moreover, the control unit 556 clearly indicates the position of the proximity switch 560 by lighting the LED 577 to illuminate the proximity switch 560, so that the user can visually confirm the position of the proximity switch 560.

When the finger touches the proximity sensor 560, the low-sensitivity proximity sensor 560 functions as a touch switch (contact switch) for opening the left door 21, and the finger touches the proximity sensor 560 in the control unit 556 in FIG. Sends a contact signal SH. As a result, the control unit 556 enables the opening operation of the left door 21, and the control unit 556 operates the door opening drive unit 54, so that the left door 21 can be opened.

Note that the operation example when the user opens the right door 22 is the same as the operation example when the user opens the left door 21 described above, so a description thereof will be omitted.

In this way, when the user touches the proximity sensor 560 functioning as a contact sensor with a finger, the control unit 556 can automatically open the left door 21 or the right door 22.

When the user touches only the proximity sensor 560, the control unit 556 causes the proximity sensor 560 to function as a touch sensor (contact sensor) to enable the opening operation of the left door 21. Perform the door opening operation. This also applies to the right door 22.

By the way, if the user carelessly touches both the proximity sensor 560 and the guard electrode 570 shown in FIG. By disabling the door operation, the left door 21 will not be opened. As a result, if the user's elbow or the like inadvertently touches both the proximity sensor 560 and the guard electrode 570, the control unit 556 disables the opening operation of the left door 21 and The door opening operation can be prohibited.

Moreover, even when both the proximity sensor 560 and the guard electrode 570 shown in FIG. By setting the operation to "invalid", the left door 21 is not opened. The above-mentioned prohibition of door opening operation also applies to the right door 22.

Also, in the case of a single-door refrigerator rather than a double-door refrigerator, if a human body or object approaches the side of the refrigerator, the proximity sensor on the door may inadvertently falsely detect that human body or object. Prevents you from putting it away.

By the way, there is a "proximity detection mode" in which the proximity sensor 560 shown in FIG. 64 detects the proximity of the user's finger HT, and an "electrostatic touch mode" in which the proximity sensor 560 functions as a contact sensor to detect the contact of the user's finger HT. The mode can be switched as follows.

As illustrated in FIG. 64, the proximity sensor 560 as the first electrode and the intermediate region portion 589 as the second electrode are connected to the microcomputer 599C of the control unit 556.

The mode may be switched from the above-described "proximity detection mode" to the "electrostatic touch mode" or from the "electrostatic touch mode" to the "proximity detection mode."

When switching from the "proximity detection mode" to the "electrostatic touch mode", when the proximity sensor 560 detects the proximity of the finger HT, the microcomputer 599C connects the proximity sensor 560 as the first electrode and the middle electrode as the second electrode. With the internal connection to area portion 589 broken, only proximity sensor 560 functions as a capacitive touch sensor in "capacitive touch mode".

Conversely, when switching from the "electrostatic touch mode" to the "proximity detection mode", the finger HT is separated from the proximity sensor 560 and a predetermined period of time, for example 10 seconds has elapsed from the "electrostatic touch mode", or the door is closed. When the microcomputer 599C is reset from opening to door closing, etc., the microcomputer 599C is configured to perform internal connection between the proximity sensor 560 as the first electrode and the intermediate region portion 589 as the second electrode.

Next, FIG. 74 shows the case where the left door 21 is opened by touching the finger HT to the proximity sensor 560 as the first electrode shown in FIGS. 51 and 52 in the embodiment of the present invention. An example is shown in which the control operation unit 650 of the left door 21 and the proximity sensor 560 are turned on by switching the proximity sensor 560 and the intermediate region portion 589 as the second electrode. This situation is the same for the door 22 on the right side.

In FIG. 74(A), the user's fingers have not yet approached the proximity sensor 560 at all. In this state, the control unit 556 turns on the proximity sensor 560 and sets the sensitivity of the proximity sensor 560 to “high” in order to cause the proximity sensor 560, which is an electrostatic switch, to function as a “proximity sensor”. By setting and raising the sensitivity, the function as a "proximity sensor" is "effective". Moreover, the control unit 556 turns on the intermediate region portion 589 and sets the sensitivity of the intermediate region portion 589 to “high” to increase the sensitivity, so that the function as a “proximity sensor” is “effective”. .

In this case, the control unit 556 disables the function of the touch button 633 of the door opening operation unit 651 to open the left door 21 (door opening operation). Moreover, the control unit 556 sets the lighting display of the control operation unit 650 and the lighting display of the proximity sensor 560 to the “off state”. The operation (door opening operation) functions of the control switch (control button) 650CS and home switch (home button) 650HS of the control operation section 650 are set to "invalid".

Next, FIG. 74(B) shows a state in which the finger HT approaches the proximity sensor 560. In this state, the proximity sensor 560 detects the approach of the finger HT, so the control unit 556 turns on the proximity sensor 560 and changes the sensitivity of the proximity sensor 560 as a "proximity sensor" from "high" to "low". The switch lowers the sensitivity and lowers the function of the proximity sensor, but turns off the intermediate region portion 589.

Therefore, since the control unit 556 causes the proximity sensor 560 to function as a contact sensor, the opening operation (opening) of the left door 21 by touching the proximity sensor 560, which functions as a contact sensor, from the surface of the front plate with the finger HT. Door operation) function changes from "disabled" to "enabled".

Moreover, in the control unit 556, the lighting display of the LED of the control operation unit 650 and the lighting display of the LED of the proximity sensor 560 are in the "on state", and the lighting state of both LEDs is, for example, slightly lit. That is, when the LED 665 shown in FIG. 58 lights up slightly, the control operation unit 650 is illuminated from behind, and when the LED 577 shown in FIG. 52 lights up slightly, the proximity sensor 560 functioning as a contact sensor It is illuminated from behind through 574 and 575 to make it shine. In this case, preferably, the lighting display time is such that the lighting is turned on for a predetermined period of time, for example, 10 seconds, and if the hand HT does not touch the proximity sensor 560 functioning as a contact sensor during this 10 seconds, The LEDs 635 and 577 may be turned off again.

However, the control unit 556 has a timing for starting the operation (lighting timing) of lighting the LED 665 of the control operation unit 650 shown in FIG. It can be set to be delayed by a predetermined delay time. That is, the control unit 556 can change the timing of how the LED 665 of the control operation unit 650 lights up and the timing of how the LED 577 of the proximity sensor 560 lights up. For example, the lighting timing of the LED 577 of the proximity sensor 560 can be made earlier than the lighting timing of the LED 665 of the control operation section 650. However, conversely, the lighting timing of the LED 665 of the control operation section 650 may be set earlier than the lighting timing of the LED 577 of the proximity sensor 560. By making the lighting timing different in this way, the position of the control operation section 650, the position of the proximity sensor 560, and the position of the intermediate area portion 589 can be displayed in a distinguishable manner to the user.

Then, the operation functions of the control switch 650CS and the home switch 650HS of the control operation unit 650 are turned on and changed from "invalid" to "enabled".

Next, FIG. 74(C) shows a state in which the finger HT is in contact with a proximity sensor 560 that functions as a contact sensor. In this state, the control unit 556 maintains the sensitivity of the proximity sensor 560 as a "contact sensor" in a "low" state. The control unit 556 keeps the opening operation function of the left door 21, which is the function of the proximity sensor 560 functioning as a contact sensor, in "valid" state. Furthermore, the control unit 556 changes the lighting state of the LED lighting display of the proximity sensor 560 from faint lighting to normal lighting.

That is, when the LED 665 shown in FIG. 58 is lit normally, the control operation unit 650 is illuminated from behind to make it shine, and when the LED 577 shown in FIG. 52 is lit normally, it can be used as a contact sensor. The functioning proximity sensor 560 is illuminated from behind through slits 574 and 575 to make it shine. In other words, at the time of contact with the finger HT in FIG. 74(C), the light amount of the lighting display of the control operation unit 650 and the light amount of the lighting display of the proximity sensor 560 are increased from faint lighting to normal lighting, and the light amount of the lighting display of the control operation unit 650 and the lighting display of the proximity sensor 560 are increased from faint lighting to normal lighting, and the light intensity is completely increased by the larger light intensity. By lighting it up, the lighting display of the proximity sensor 560 becomes brighter. The control unit 556 also changes the lighting state of the LED of the control operation unit 650 from faint lighting to normal lighting.

The operation functions of the control button (control switch) 650CS and home button (home switch) 650HS of the control operation section 650 are turned on and "valid", so that they can be operated.

As a result, when the user touches the proximity sensor 560 with his or her finger to open the left door 21, the LED 577 changes from faint lighting to full lighting to increase the light intensity. The increase allows visual confirmation that the door opening operation has been completed. In addition, the user can more reliably view the display on the control operation unit 650 and the display on the LED 577, and can improve the energy saving effect of power consumption.

As described above, when the finger HT approaches the proximity sensor 560 as shown in FIG. 74(B) and when the finger HT contacts the touch button 633 as shown in FIG. 74(C), the control unit 556 In order to illuminate the control operation unit 650 and the proximity sensor 560, the amount of light at the time of lighting can be changed and increased as described above.

After that, FIG. 74(D) shows a state in which the finger HT of the user's hand is separated from the proximity sensor 560 functioning as a contact sensor. In this state, the control unit 556 validates the input of the operation signal from the proximity sensor 560 and operates the door opening drive unit 54 to control the opening of the corresponding left door 21. Thereby, the left door 21 can be opened automatically. Then, the control unit 556 "disables" the function of the proximity sensor 560 that functions as a contact sensor.

Furthermore, the control unit 556 maintains the lighting display of the control operation unit 650 and the lighting display of the LED 577 in the slits 574 and 575 of the proximity sensor 560 in the "on state" as shown by the solid line. Then, the operation functions of the control switch 650CS and the home switch 650HS of the control operation unit 650 are turned off and changed from "valid" to "invalid".

As described above, in the same manner as the opening operation of the left door 21 explained with reference to FIG. 74, the opening operation of the right door 22 using the door opening operation part 652 of the right door 22 shown in FIG. 56 is also performed. I can do it.

Next, the principle by which the proximity sensor 560 detects finger contact will be explained with reference to FIG. 75. FIG. 75 is a circuit diagram showing the principle by which the proximity sensor 560 detects contact with the finger HT.

The contact detection circuit 888 shown in FIG. 75 includes a proximity sensor 560 as a contact sensor (Cx), an adjustment capacitor (Cmod) 889, a clock generation source 890, an IDAC (current output digital analog converter) 891, and a latch 892. , a timer 893, an AND circuit 894, and a counter 895. The IDAC891 causes the same current to flow through the proximity sensor (Cx) 560 as a contact sensor and the adjustment capacitor (Cmod) 889 multiple times in a pulsed manner each time. ) 889 gradually accumulates charge. Proximity sensor 560 as a contact sensor (Cx) and adjustment capacitor (Cmod) 889 continue to accumulate charges until they reach the same potential, and counter 895 generates pulses until a specified charge is accumulated in adjustment capacitor (Cmod) 889. Count the number of times.

When the finger HT touches the proximity sensor 560 as a contact sensor (Cx), the capacitance of the proximity sensor (Cx) 560 as a contact sensor increases, so less charge flows and accumulates in the adjustment capacitor (Cmod) 889. Since it takes time for the charge to finish accumulating in the adjustment capacitor (Cmod) 889, the number of pulses counted by the counter 895 increases (the slope becomes gentler), and as a result, the displacement of the slope changes. The presence or absence of a finger is determined based on the difference in displacement of this inclination. That is, when the number of pulses counted by the counter 895 exceeds a certain threshold value than the normal count number (base count), the control unit 556 causes the finger HT to act as a contact sensor (Cx). It is determined that the proximity sensor 560 has been touched.

Next, a method of changing the sensitivity of the proximity sensor 560 using the finger HT as a contact sensor (Cx) will be described.

As a method of changing the sensitivity, if the current value of the IDAC 891 is decreased, the time taken to finish charging becomes longer and slower if the amount of charge accumulated in the proximity sensor (Cx) 560 is the same. When it becomes gentler, the sensitivity becomes higher when making a judgment using the same threshold value.

When the slope is gentle (the current value is small), the change in slope becomes large when detecting a finger contact state from a finger non-contact state, and the threshold value is easily exceeded, resulting in high sensitivity. Further, in a state where the slope is not gentle (the current value is large), when detecting a state in which a finger is in contact with a finger from a state in which no finger is in contact, the change in the slope becomes small, making it difficult to exceed the threshold value and the sensitivity is low.

In other words, compared to a state in which the sensor exceeds the threshold and is detected only when the entire palm of the hand makes contact, by lowering the current value, it is possible to detect contact with only the tip of the finger, increasing sensitivity. be able to. Furthermore, although the sensitivity can be increased by decreasing the threshold value, there is a problem that noise may also be detected, so the sensitivity is changed using the sensitivity changing method described above.

Next, FIG. 76 is a diagram showing the basic structure of a proximity sensor.

As shown in FIG. 76, the proximity sensor 560 and the copper ground 569 are located between the covering layer 560R and the dielectric layer 560D, and the electrostatic capacitance CP of the proximity sensor 560 itself and the electrostatic capacitance CF of the finger HT are is added to the capacitance CX of the proximity sensor 560 when touched by a finger.

When the finger HT electrostatically touches the proximity sensor 560, a change in the capacitance CX of the proximity sensor 560 when the finger HT touches is detected. Furthermore, in the operation of detecting that the finger HT approaches the proximity sensor 560, a change in the capacitance CP of the proximity sensor 560 itself when the finger approaches is detected. When a finger approaches, the proximity distance (sensitivity) is changed by changing the capacitance CP of the proximity sensor 560 itself. At the time of proximity, a slight change in capacitance CP due to the proximity of the finger is detected. The capacitance CP is an electric field in a three-dimensional direction, and if there is a finger in the electric field, it changes slightly, so the capacitance CX of the entire proximity sensor changes, making it possible to detect the finger by the above-mentioned detection. .

Next, FIG. 77 shows switching between proximity mode and electrostatic touch mode for the proximity sensor 560 that functions as a contact sensor, which is the first electrode, and the intermediate region portion 589, which is the second electrode, shown in FIG. 74. It is a figure explaining operation.

As shown in FIG. 77, the first electrode, the proximity sensor 560 functioning as a contact sensor, and the second electrode, the intermediate region portion 589, are connected to the multiplexer 556R. The multiplexer 556R is capable of internally connecting or disconnecting the proximity sensor 560 and the intermediate area portion 589 according to instructions from the microcomputer 556M of the control unit 556.

(1) When switching from proximity mode to electrostatic touch mode When switching from proximity mode to electrostatic touch mode, as shown in FIGS. 74(A) to 74(B), the finger HT When the finger HT approaches the proximity sensor 560 and the proximity sensor 56 detects the finger HT, the proximity mode is switched to the electrostatic touch mode. That is, in response to a command from the microcomputer 556M in FIG. 77, the multiplexer 556R changes the internal connection between the proximity sensor 560 and the intermediate area portion 589 from the internally connected state, and disconnects the proximity sensor 560 and the intermediate area portion 589. . As a result, only the proximity sensor 560 functions as an electrostatic contact sensor and is used, and the intermediate region portion 589 is turned off and not used.

(2) When switching from electrostatic touch mode to proximity mode On the other hand, switching from electrostatic touch mode to proximity mode means, for example, when 10 seconds have elapsed from electrostatic touch mode, or when a door is closed. This is the case when the door is reset from opening to closing, etc. In this case, in response to a command from the microcomputer 556M, the multiplexer 556R returns the internal connection state between the proximity sensor 560 and the intermediate region portion 589 from the disconnected state to the internally connected state, and connects the proximity sensor 560 and the intermediate region portion 589. be able to.

Further, refer to FIGS. 48 to 50. 48 to 50 show examples of changes in the proximity detection effective range of the proximity sensor 560, which is the first electrode, and the intermediate region portion 589, which is the second electrode.

The effective proximity detection range of the proximity sensor 560 is the range of a small circle HC1 when only the proximity sensor 560, which is the first electrode, is used. By using the intermediate region portion 589, which is the second electrode, in addition to the proximity sensor 560, the effective proximity detection range of the proximity sensor 560 can be expanded from the small circle HC1 to the large circle HC2. .

However, if we try to widen the effective proximity detection range in this way, the proximity detection effective range of the proximity sensor of the large circle HC2 means that the proximity sensor will not enter the door 21 (or 22), which is the means of transportation, or the door pocket on the back side of the door. There is a possibility that a plastic bottle or the like will react to the proximity detection effective range of the proximity sensor 560, a command to open the door will be issued, and the door on the side that is not intended to be opened will be opened inadvertently.

Therefore, in order to change the proximity detection effective range of the proximity sensor 560, as means for changing the proximity detection effective range, a ground pattern 573 which is the fourth electrode shown in FIGS. A guard electrode 570, which is the third electrode shown in A), is provided.

FIG. 78 is a diagram illustrating changes in the proximity range of the proximity sensor 560 and the intermediate region portion 589.

As shown in FIG. 78, a mesh ground pattern 573, which is a fourth electrode, is arranged on the back surface 553B corresponding to the arrangement portion 572 of the substrate 553 as shown in FIG. 51(B). This ground pattern (mesh electrode) 573 covers the proximity sensor 560 and the substrate 553 on the back side of the intermediate region portion 589. By setting the ground pattern 573 and the proximity sensor 560 to the same voltage, no electric field is formed from the proximity sensor 560 and the intermediate region portion 589 to the ground pattern 573. Thereby, it is possible to change the electric field range and exclude a range that is not desired to be detected by the proximity sensor 560. The electric field from the ground pattern 573 is generated only in the direction of the proximity sensor 560 and the intermediate region portion 589, canceling the electric field directed toward the ground pattern 573 from the proximity sensor 560 and the intermediate region portion 589, and The electric field directed toward the back side of 553 is eliminated (cancelled).

As a result, when the ground pattern 573, which is the fourth electrode, is arranged on the back side of the substrate 553 as shown in FIG. It can be made larger than the proximity detection range DL2 shown in (B). The ground pattern 573 is a mesh metal shield electrode, and when comparing FIG. 78(A) and FIG. 78(B), due to the arrangement of the ground pattern 573, in FIG. 78(A), the area A shown in FIG. The electric field in the backward direction is reduced or eliminated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 51(A), a frame-shaped guard electrode 570 is arranged on the substrate 553, and the guard electrode 570 surrounds the proximity sensor 560 and the intermediate region portion 589, so that the area B shown in FIG. The electric field in the left and right direction decreases by . As a result, as shown in FIGS. 48 to 50, the proximity detection effective range of the proximity sensor 560 can be changed from a large circle HC2 to a small shape HC3, and as shown in FIG. decreases by the amount of

Then, as shown by the small shape HC3 in FIG. 50, the proximity detection effective range of the proximity sensor 560 is extended only in the front direction of the proximity detection range DL1 of the proximity sensor 560 and the intermediate area portion 589, resulting in a long distance. Proximity detection is possible within the range. Furthermore, by providing the metal body 591 shown in FIG. 53, there is also a function to apply an electric field to prevent the proximity detection effective range of the proximity sensor from exceeding the metal body 591, further preventing false detection by the proximity sensor. can.

[Thirty-third embodiment]
FIG. 69 is a front view of a refrigerator 1 showing the thirty-third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 69, the refrigerator 1 has a refrigerating compartment 12, a vegetable compartment 13, a switching compartment 14, a freezing compartment 15, and an ice making compartment 16. A pair of left door 21 and right door 22 cover the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12. For this purpose, the left door 21 and the right door 22 are attached so that they can be opened and closed in a double-fold manner using hinges at the top and bottom of the left end and right end of the cabinet 11, which is the refrigerator body, respectively. In this example, the width of the right door 22 is larger than the width of the left door 21.

The left door 21 and the right door 22 both have front plates 21A and 22A made of colored transparent glass attached to the openings of flat inner plates that open at the front, and vacuum insulation material is placed in the internal cavity to provide vacuum insulation. This is a heat insulating structure member in which a foamed polyurethane heat insulating material (hereinafter also simply referred to as urethane heat insulating material) or a pre-molded solid heat insulating material (for example, EPC) is placed in a cavity that cannot be filled with material.

As shown in FIG. 69, one operation detection unit 701 is installed, for example, at a lower position of the front plate 22A of the right door 22, which is larger in size than the left door 21.

Door opening drive units 54 and 55 are installed at left and right locations near the front end of the upper surface of the top plate of the cabinet 11, and at positions corresponding to near the open end of the upper side of the left door 21 and right door 22, respectively. There is.

These door opening driving units 54 and 55 are door opening/closing devices (door opening devices) that forcibly open the left door 21 and the right door 22 separately. The door opening drive parts 54 and 55 push out the upper sides of the left door 21 and the right door 22 near the open end thereof forward by pushing the plungers 54A and 55A forward using electromagnets. The right door 22 is forcibly opened automatically.

FIG. 70 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of the operation detection section 701 taken along the line ZR-ZR shown in FIG. 69.

In the operation detection unit 701 shown in FIG. 69, as shown in FIG. 70, a shielding sheet material 721 is arranged by printing or the like on the inner surface of the glass front plate 22A. This sheet material 721 is arranged to prevent the inside from being seen through the front plate 22A.

A first substrate 731 and a second substrate 732 are arranged on the inner surface side of the front plate 22A. The first substrate 731 and the second substrate 732 are arranged parallel to the front plate 22A with an interval between them.

For example, four capacitive proximity sensors 711, 712, 713, and 714 as non-contact sensors are arranged on the front surface of the first substrate 631, and a connector 729 is arranged on the back surface. These proximity sensors 711, 712, 713, and 714 are arranged two-dimensionally (on a plane), for example, on the first substrate 631 inside the right door 22.

As shown in FIG. 69, proximity sensors 711, 712, 713, and 714 are placed at each corner of a square, with proximity sensor 711 placed at the upper left corner, and proximity sensor 712 placed at the upper left corner. Proximity sensor 713 is located at the upper right corner, proximity sensor 713 is located at the lower right corner, and proximity sensor 714 is located at the lower left corner.

These proximity sensors 711, 712, 713, and 714 detect the movement of not only the fingers but also the palm, side of the hand, elbow, etc. of the user (human body) without contact. It can be detected by Thereby, the left door 21 or the right door 22 is opened by operating the door opening drive section 54 or the door opening drive section 55.

Proximity sensors 711, 712, 713, and 714 are electrodes for electrostatic touch (contact), and detect the approach of the user's hand, elbow, etc. in the front (front) direction of the right door 22 through the front plate 22A. This is a non-contact detection means, for example, a capacitance type detection means. The proximity sensors 711 to 714 detect when a part of the user's body approaches, specifically, for example, the palm, side of the hand, elbow, or the like. The proximity sensors 711 to 714 are capacitive touch sensors, and a mutual capacitance touch sensor or a self-capacitance touch sensor can be used.

As shown in FIG. 70, a plurality of LEDs 735 and a connector 736 are arranged on the surface of the second board 732. The connector 736 of the second board 732 is connected to the connector 729 of the first board 731 by a relay bundle 728.

Each LED 735 is arranged at a position corresponding to each hole 734 of the first substrate 731. Thereby, the light generated by each LED 635 can illuminate the proximity sensors 711 to 714 from behind through each hole 734. Thereby, even in a dark environment, the user can visually confirm the position of each of the proximity sensors 711 to 714 through the front plate 22A and the sheet material 721.

FIG. 71 is a block diagram showing electrical connections among the control unit 756, the operation detection unit 701, the door opening drive units 54, 55, etc., which are door opening devices.

As shown in FIG. 71, the control section 756 is electrically connected to the operation detection section 701, the door opening drive sections 54 and 55, the plurality of LEDs 735, and the distance measuring means 777.

In the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 69, when the user opens the left door 21 (or the right door 22) of the refrigerator 1, if the environment is dark, the user may operate the operation detection unit 701 with his/her finger in a non-contact manner. In this case, the positions of the proximity sensors 711 to 714 of the operation detection unit 701 are difficult to see. In this way, in order to improve the difficulty of operating each of the proximity sensors 711 to 714, an LED 735 is mounted on the back of each of the proximity sensors 711 to 714, respectively.

When the proximity sensors 711 to 714, which are non-contact sensors, detect the approach of not only the fingers but also the palm, the side of the hand, or the elbow in a predetermined specific order, the controller Since the control unit 756 receives a signal from each of the proximity sensors 711, 712, 713, and 714 to notify that a person has approached, the control unit 756 uses the door opening drive unit 54 or the door opening drive unit 55, which is a door opening device, to The door 21 or the right door 22 is operated to open.

In this case, since the control unit 756 receives a signal from each of the proximity sensors 711, 712, 713, and 714 that indicates that a person has approached, the LED 735 can be turned on according to a command from the control unit 756. .

As a result, the user can visually confirm the position of each proximity sensor 711, 712, 713, 714 of the operation detection unit 701 even in a dark environment, and can easily operate each proximity sensor 711, 712, 713, 714. Door 21 (or right door 22) can be opened.

As described above, the operation detection unit 701 of this embodiment is configured to open the left door 21 or the right door 22 by non-contact detection instead of detecting a human operation by contact detection. When opening a door using contact detection, it is necessary to touch the contact detection part with a finger, and if the user has something in hand, it is difficult to open the door or it is necessary to open the door with an elbow. In contrast, the operation detection unit 701 uses a non-contact operation that does not require touching the contact detection part, so that it is possible to suppress unintentional opening of the door by the user due to changes in the user's movements or the surrounding environment. .

Each proximity sensor 711, 712, 713, 714 of the operation detection unit 701 shown in FIG. 69 and FIG. By performing a so-called gesture, which is the action of moving the It is possible to suppress unintentional opening of the door by the user due to changes in the surrounding environment.

As shown in FIG. 69, the proximity sensors 711, 712, 713, and 714 of the operation detection unit 701 are two-dimensionally arranged in the vertical direction (VT direction) and horizontal direction (HL direction) at the same intervals. and are preferably located at each of the four corners of a square. By moving the user's hand, elbow, etc. in a specific order (vertical direction, horizontal direction, diagonal direction) with respect to each proximity sensor 711, 712, 713, 714 of the operation detection unit 701 without contact, The control unit 756 in FIG. 71 recognizes not only the fingers detected by each proximity sensor 711, 712, 713, and 714, but also the movement of the palm, side of the hand, and elbow. . As a result, the control unit 756 drives the door opening drive unit 54 of the left door 21 to open the left door 21, and the control unit 756 drives the door opening drive unit 55 of the right door 22 to open the left door 21. It is designed to have the ability to open.

The operation detection unit 701 can be attached to any partition of the right door 22. Thereby, the operation detection unit 701 can be placed regardless of the presence or absence of a glass front plate, and regardless of the design of the door or various operation displays.

Since each of the proximity sensors 711, 712, 713, and 714 of the operation detection unit 701 is provided on one first substrate 731, manufacturing can be facilitated. Furthermore, each of the proximity sensors 711, 712, 713, and 714 of the operation detection unit 701 can be provided on a plurality of substrates instead of being provided on one first substrate 731. This further improves the degree of freedom in arranging the proximity sensors 711, 712, 713, and 714 of the operation detection unit 701.

Next, an example of how the refrigerator 1 described above is used will be explained.

In the usage example described below, when a user uses both hands to hold an object, such as a plate or a pot, and both hands are occupied, proximity sensors 711 to 714 shown in FIG. A case will be described in which, for example, the left door 21 (or right door 22) cannot be opened by touching the door.

In this case, the parts of the user's body that can operate the proximity sensors 711 to 714 without contact include the palm, the side of the hand, or the elbow.

As described above, when the user causes the proximity sensors 711 to 714 to detect in a predetermined specific order using the palm, the side of the hand, or the elbow, the control unit 756 controls the opening of the left door 21, for example. The control unit 756 can open the left door 21 by driving the door drive unit 54, or the control unit 756 can open the right door 22 by driving the door opening drive unit 55 of the right door 22.

FIG. 72 shows an example in which the user approaches the proximity sensors 711 to 714 in a predetermined specific order by gestures of the palm, the side of the hand, or the elbow.

This specific order refers to a path in which the user's palm, side of the hand, or elbow moves close to at least two of the proximity sensors 711 to 714, and is predetermined. .

In the specific order shown in FIG. 72(A), the two non-contact sensors 711 and 712 move on the human body by moving along the first direction DD1 indicated by the rightward arrow of the palm, side of the hand, or elbow of the user. The two non-contact sensors 712, 711 sequentially detect the palm, side of the hand, or elbow, and move along a second direction (opposite direction) DD2 indicated by a leftward arrow different from the first direction DD1. is obtained by sequentially detecting the human body (palm, side of the hand, or elbow).

In this case, the first direction DD1 and the second direction DD2 constitute a first specific direction F1, and the specific order of the first specific direction F1 is determined by, for example, controlling the control unit 756 to drive the door opening. The section 54 instructs the function of opening the left door 21.

In another specific order shown in FIG. 72(B), the two non-contact sensors 711 and 712 are moved along the first direction DD1 indicated by the rightward arrow of the user's palm, the side of the hand, or the elbow. The two non-contact sensors 712 and 713 sequentially detect the human body (palm, side of the hand, or elbow), and move along a third direction DD3 indicated by a downward arrow, which is different from the first direction DD1. This can be obtained by sequentially detecting the palm, side of the hand, or elbow.

In this case, the first direction DD1 and the third direction DD3 constitute a second specific direction F2, and the specific order of the second specific direction F2 is, for example, a storage compartment of the refrigerator 1, The control section 756 is instructed to perform a so-called "at once freezing" function, which rapidly freezes the interior of the switching chamber 14, which can change the preset internal temperature shown in 69. This "all-at-once freezing" function allows food to pass through the temperature range of -1°C to -5°C, where the water content of the food freezes, thereby suppressing cell damage during freezing and preserving flavor.

As described above, the user uses a movement (gesture) of the palm, the side of the hand, or the elbow to control at least two of the proximity sensors 711 to 714 in a predetermined specific order. By performing an approach operation, for example, the left door 21 or the right door 22 can be opened as a predetermined function.

This prevents the left door 21 or the right door 22 from opening even if the proximity sensors 711 to 714 are placed on the left door 21 or the right door 22, if the user simply passes in front of the refrigerator 1. I can do it.

Further, FIG. 73 is a diagram showing an example of approaching the proximity sensor in another predetermined specific order.

As illustrated in FIG. 73, when the user's hands are occupied by holding a plate, pot, etc. using the fingers of both hands, and the fingers of both hands cannot be used for proximity operations on the proximity sensors 711 to 714, By detecting the proximity sensors 711 to 714 in a predetermined specific order in a non-contact manner using the palm of the hand, the side of the hand, or the elbow, a predetermined arbitrary It is also possible to instruct the control unit 756 to perform the function.

The direction in which the palm (tanagokoro, back of the hand), side of the hand, or elbow can be gestured can be any combination of two or more of the following directions: up and down, left and right, and diagonal. .

For example, FIG. 73(A) shows a combination of a first direction (rightward direction) DD1 and a fourth direction (diagonally downward direction) DD4, and FIG. 73(B) shows a combination of a fifth direction (downward direction) DD5 and a sixth direction (downward direction) DD5. A combination of direction (upward) DD6 is shown.

FIG. 73(C) shows a combination of the third direction (downward) DD3 and the seventh direction (upward) DD7, and FIG. 73(D) shows the combination of the eighth direction (rightward) DD8 and the ninth direction (leftward). Direction) Shows the combination of DD9.

By combining these gestures in a plurality of directions, the control unit 756 can perform various functions such as opening the left door 21 and opening the right door 22, for example.

By the way, in the illustrated example, the operation detection section 701 includes four proximity sensors 711, 712, 713, and 714. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation detection unit 701 can also be configured from two proximity sensors, three proximity sensors, or five or more proximity sensors. These proximity sensors can be arranged two-dimensionally (on a plane) on the door.

The refrigerator 1 described above includes a left door 21 and a right door 22 that can be opened and closed, and glass front plates 21A and 22A are arranged on the front sides of the left door 21 and the right door 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the front sides of the left door 21 and the right door 22 may be made of a metal plate such as a steel plate instead of a glass plate. Further, the refrigerator may have one door that opens in one direction.

Each of the proximity sensors 711, 712, 713, and 714 of the operation detection unit 701 is of a capacitance type, but is not limited to this, and may employ a method of non-contact detection of the user's finger using infrared rays.

In addition, a distance measuring means 777 illustrated in FIGS. 69 and 71, for example, may be installed on the back side of the glass front plate 21A of the left door 21 or on the back side of the glass front plate 22A of the right door 22, or on the frame of the refrigerator. Alternatively, it can be placed in a partition section that separates each storage room.

This distance measuring means 777 measures the distance from the refrigerator 1 to the user's body. For example, depending on the size of the room in which the refrigerator is installed, the distance to the human body measured by the distance measuring means 777 may be changed. If the refrigerator is installed in a large room, the distance between the refrigerator 1 and the human body will be large, and if the refrigerator is installed in a narrow room, the distance between the refrigerator 1 and the human body will be small.

Therefore, based on the change in the distance to the human body measured by the distance measuring means 777, the control unit 756 enables the proximity sensors 711, 712, 713, and 714, which are non-contact sensors, to effectively detect the human body. The range can be configured to be changeable. In other words, the detection sensitivity of the proximity sensors 711, 712, 713, and 714 can be adjusted from high sensitivity to medium sensitivity.

Each of the proximity sensors 711, 712, 713, and 714 of the operation detection unit 701 can be fitted into, for example, the right door 22, which is made of a normal steel plate and does not have a glass front plate. By employing such a structure, the operation detection unit 701 can be placed at any position on the door.

The operation detection unit 701 can be installed inside the front plate 22A shown in FIG. 70 and inside the urethane heat insulating material. Thereby, the operation detection unit 701 can be placed at any position on the door.

The operation detection unit 701 can be attached above or below the plastic cap placed on the edge of the right door 22. As a result, the operation detection unit 701 can be placed regardless of the presence or absence of a glass front plate, the design of the door, and the placement of various operation display parts.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, combined with various embodiments, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. It can be carried out. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

Note that printing or the like indicating the operating position may be performed in accordance with the LED display. This printing is preferably semi-transparent printing that allows LED light to pass through.

1 Refrigerator 11 Cabinet 12 Refrigerator compartment 21 Left door 21A Front plate 22 Right door (door)
22A Front plate 31 Rotating partition 50 Control operation parts 51, 52 Door opening operation parts 51A, 52A Arrow mark (door opening operation display part)
52-1 to 52-8, 5211 to 5244 Touch sensors 54, 55 Door opening drive section 56 Control section 61, 62 Handle NS1, NS2 Voice recognition sensor (voice recognition means)
HS Human sensor LS Illuminance sensor 97 Remote detection sensor (infrared sensor)
300 Storage section 310 Relevance input registration means 330 Light emitting section 340 Sound generation section 350 Sound generation section 410 Height measurement sensor 500 Human body detection means 700 Case 700H Hole 710 Control board 719 Support section 720 Voice recognition means 740 Vacuum insulation material 750 Ceiling light 750a LED
755 Inner wall 763 Support part 770 Vacuum insulation material 771 First part 772 Second part 777 Inner wall part 780 Bent part

Claims (8)

A refrigerator body with an open front,
a storage chamber provided inside the refrigerator main body;
an insulating door attached to a front opening of the refrigerator body corresponding to the storage compartment;
a door opening device that operates the door to open the door;
a voice acquisition means for acquiring the user's voice;
a control unit that controls the door opening device in response to receiving a door opening instruction that instructs the operation of the door opening device via the voice acquisition means;
When opening the door in response to the door opening instruction acquired via the voice acquisition means, a notification unit that executes a notification corresponding to the opening of the door;
A refrigerator characterized by being equipped with. The refrigerator is provided with a plurality of the doors,
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the control unit does not control the door opening device in response to the door opening instruction when any door is opened. Further comprising a detection means for detecting the user,
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the control section receives the door opening instruction when the detection means detects that the user approaches the refrigerator. The refrigerator is provided with a plurality of storage chambers and a plurality of doors corresponding to each other,
The control unit includes:
When the user's voice instruction acquired by the voice acquisition means is the name of a specific stored item, the name of each stored item stored in the plurality of storage chambers and the storage location of the stored item. 2. The door of the storage room according to claim 1, wherein the door opening device is controlled based on related information of the door of the storage room, and the door of the storage room in which the object with the name is stored is opened. Refrigerator as described. Further comprising a setting registration means for setting and registering the related information of the name of each of the stored items stored in the plurality of storage rooms and the door of the storage room where the stored item is stored. The refrigerator according to claim 4, characterized by: The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the voice acquisition means is arranged inside the door and acquires the user's voice through a hole provided in the door. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the hole is provided at a lower part of the door. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the audio acquisition means is arranged in a storage container arranged outside the refrigerator.

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