JP4054363B2 - Storage - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a storage having a door opening assist function.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in storages, particularly refrigerators, a storage body having storage rooms such as a refrigerator room, a freezing room, and a vegetable room has been provided with a door that opens and closes a stored product entrance of each storage room. Of these refrigeration room doors, a door is provided in which a predetermined amount of the refrigeration room door is opened only by a user touching a specific portion thereof.

In this case, specifically, the refrigerator compartment door is provided with a contact portion that the user touches and a detector that detects the user's contact with the contact portion, while the refrigerator main body has a detector detection signal. And an electromagnetic device that is energized and excited by the control device, and in particular, the detector and the control device are connected by a lead wire that passes through the pivot of the door. With this configuration, when the user touches the contact portion, the detector detects the contact and sends a detection signal to the control device with a lead wire. Based on this detection signal, the control device energizes and energizes the electromagnetic device. As a result, the electromagnetic device urges the door in the opening direction to open the door for a predetermined distance.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-150786 JP 2000-168559 A

  In the case of the above-described conventional one, in short, the refrigerator compartment door is opened by the electromagnetic device based on the user's contact with the contact portion of the refrigerator compartment door, but the detection structure for that purpose is to provide a switch on the door. That is, no specific appropriate thing is considered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and therefore the object thereof is specifically suitable for a detection structure that detects a user's operation although it has a function of opening a door by an electromagnetic device. In particular, to provide a storage that can obtain an appropriate detection structure that does not hinder the function of the closing biasing means that biases the door in the closing direction with respect to the electromagnetic device that biases the door in the opening direction. is there.

In order to achieve the above object, in the storage of the present invention, a storage body having a storage room, a door for opening and closing the storage product entrance of the storage room, provided on the door, and pushed backward by a user's operation. and moving member, a front partition plate for partitioning said storage chamber, is provided on the front partition plate, that is pressed Ri押 by the extrusion of the moving member, detecting detects the operation for opening the door A switch that generates a signal, an electromagnetic device that operates based on a detection signal generated by the switch and biases the door in the opening direction, and a closing biasing means that biases the door in the closing direction, In a state where there is no user operation, the moving member and the switch are separated from each other (invention of claim 1).

  According to the above means, the electromagnetic device urges the door in the opening direction, and the closing urging means urges the door in the closing direction. And the detection structure which detects the operation of the user who opens the door by the electromagnetic device is provided on the front partition plate that partitions the storage chamber provided on the door and pushed backward by the user's operation. A switch that detects the opening operation of the door when the push button is pressed by pushing out the moving member, and the push button of the switch and the moving member are separated in a state where there is no user operation. The switch and the moving member can be prevented from obstructing the closing of the door by the closing urging means, and the door can be prevented from being left in the half-open state.

Hereinafter, the present invention is applied to a refrigerator, and a first example (first embodiment) thereof will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, in FIG. 2, the whole refrigerator as a storage is viewed from the front, and the refrigerator main body 1 as the storage main body is displayed in order from the top in the refrigerator compartment door 2, the vegetable compartment door 3, the ice making compartment door 4, and the switching. A room door 5 and a freezer room door 6 are provided. Accordingly, the refrigerator body 1 is not shown except for the vegetable room 7 shown in FIGS. 3 and 1 described later, but a refrigerator room, a vegetable room 7, an ice making room, a switching room, and a freezer room are stored in order from the top. The refrigerator compartment door 2, the vegetable compartment door 3, the ice making compartment door 4, the switching compartment door 5, and the freezer compartment door 6 are stored product entrances and exits (stored product entrances and exits of the vegetable compartment 7) in front of each storage room. 7a only opens and closes (shown in FIGS. 3 and 1).

  In this case, in detail, the refrigerator compartment door 2 is a rotary type in which one side of the right side or the left side (right side in the illustrated example) is pivotally supported by the refrigerator body 1, and the vegetable compartment door 3, the ice making compartment door 4 and the switching compartment The door 5 and the freezer compartment door 6 are each integrally provided in a drawer-type storage container (only the storage container 8 for the vegetable compartment is shown in FIGS. 3 and 1), and is in contact with the refrigerator body 1 in parallel. In short, it is a pull-out type.

  Here, FIG.3 and FIG.1 has shown the structure regarding the vegetable compartment 7. FIG. As for the vegetable compartment 7, the vegetable compartment door 3 and the storage container 8 are present, and the storage container 8 is, for example, a solid metal container attached to the upper left and right sides of the back of the vegetable compartment door 3. The vegetable compartment door 3 and the storage container 8 are integrated via the container support member 9 by being housed in the support member 9 and hanging. A gasket 10 containing a permanent magnet (not shown) is attached to the peripheral edge of the back of the vegetable compartment door 3.

  And the permanent magnets 11 and 12 are attached to the lower part of the right and left sides of the back surface of the vegetable compartment door 3 so as to be positioned on the cocoon center side from the gasket 10. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the permanent magnets 11 and 12 are fixed to both upper and lower sides of a yoke 13 made of a magnetic material such as iron. In this case, the rear end of the upper permanent magnet 11 is N. It is a magnetic pole, and the rear end of the lower permanent magnet 12 is an S magnetic pole.

  On the other hand, reference numeral 14 denotes an electromagnetic device corresponding to the permanent magnets 11 and 12, in this case, an electromagnet. This electromagnet 14 also includes, for example, a U-shaped core 15 as shown in FIG. The upper side portion and the lower side portion of the coil 15 are formed of coils 18 and 19 wound through bobbins 16 and 17, respectively, and the upper side front end and the lower side front end of the core 15 function as N and S magnetic poles, respectively. It is like that. The coils 18 and 19 are provided with thermal fuses 37 and 38, respectively.

  Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the electromagnet 14 has a front edge portion corresponding to the front edge portion of the vegetable compartment 7 in the refrigerator body 1, particularly the permanent magnets 11 and 12 included in the vegetable compartment door 3. Are arranged at the lower part on both the left and right sides.

  Here, rails 20 are respectively formed at the upper portions of the left and right inner side surfaces of the vegetable compartment 7 (only the left side portion is shown in FIG. 1 by a broken line). The leg wheel 21 pivotally attached to the lower side is mounted so as to be able to roll, while a receiving wheel (not shown) is provided at the front part of the rail 20, and the container support member 9 is relatively moved to this. The container support member 9, and thus the storage container 8 for the vegetable compartment, is stored in the vegetable compartment 7 so as to be able to be put in and out of the vegetable compartment 7 in the form guided by the rail 20, and has the above-described drawer type. . As a result, the vegetable compartment door 3 is also of the aforementioned drawer type.

In addition, the rail 20 has a rear end portion 20a inclined rearwardly downward, and the container support member 9 is lowered and locked together with the casters 21, thereby allowing the storage container 8 for the vegetable compartment to be moved to the top. It is made to keep in the storage position of the back side, and this is called a “drop” structure, and functions as a closing door urging means for urging the vegetable compartment door 3 in the closing direction.
When the storage container 8 for the vegetable room is in the above-mentioned storage position, the magnetic pole portions of the permanent magnets 11 and 12 are opposed to the upper end front end and the lower side front end of the core 15 of the electromagnet 14, that is, the magnetic pole portion. To make contact.

  Furthermore, a drawer recess 22 and a handle 23 are provided in the center of the front side of the upper side of the vegetable compartment door 3, and a moving member 24 is provided. Of these, the handle 23 supports the vegetable compartment door 3 so that the upper and lower intermediate portions can be pivoted back and forth by the support shaft 25, and the concave portion 22 faces the lower portion thereof. Further, the moving member 24 is positioned so as to be movable back and forth in the vegetable compartment door 3, and its front end portion is connected to the upper portion of the handle 23 by a connecting pin 26, and the rear end portion is located behind the vegetable compartment door 3. It is protruding.

  FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 also show a front partition plate 27 that partitions between the stored product entrance of the vegetable compartment 7 in the refrigerator main body 1 and the stored product entrance of the refrigerated compartment above it. An operation detection switch 28 is incorporated on the back side. In this case, the operation detection switch 28 is composed of a micro switch. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, the operation detection switch 28 includes a switch body 28a having a built-in contact, and the switch body 28a and the refrigerator body 1. The push button 28b protrudes forward, and when the push button 28b is pressed by the moving member 24, the contact in the switch body 28a is closed.

  Here, when the user pulls the handle 23 forward as shown by an arrow A in FIG. 1 and rotates the moving member 24, as shown by an arrow B in FIG. The push button 28b of the operation detection switch 28 is pressed backward as shown in FIG. 5B, and the operation of the handle 23 is an operation for opening the vegetable compartment door 3. Accordingly, the operation detection switch 28 functions as an operation detection means for detecting an operation for opening the vegetable compartment door 3.

In the state where the handle 23 of the vegetable compartment door 3 is not operated (normal state), the operation detection switch 28 has the push button 28b separated from the moving member 24 as shown in FIG.
In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a door switch 29 is incorporated at a position further below the right electromagnet 14 in the front edge of the vegetable compartment 7 in the refrigerator body 1. In this case, the door switch 29 is also composed of a micro switch, and the push button 29b protrudes forward from the switch body 29a and the refrigerator body 1 and is pressed by the vegetable compartment door 3 when closed. A contact (not shown) in the switch main body 29a is closed. Therefore, this door switch 29 functions as a door closing detection means for detecting the closing of the vegetable compartment door 3.

  FIG. 6 shows a control device 30 composed of, for example, a microcomputer. This control device 30 functions as a control means for controlling the operation of the electromagnet 14, and FIG. 6 shows only those related to the function as a representative. In other words, detection signals are input to the control device 30 from the operation detection switch 28 and the door switch 29, respectively. The control device 30 is based on those inputs and a control program stored in advance. A drive control signal is given to a drive circuit 31 that drives the electromagnets 14.

  FIG. 7 specifically shows the drive circuit 31. Between the AC input terminals of the rectifier circuit 32, a relay contact 33 operated by the control device 30 and a resistor 34 of about 1 [Ω] are provided. A commercial power source E is connected in series, and a smoothing capacitor 35, a resistor 36 of about several hundreds [kΩ], and the coils 18 and 19 of the two electromagnets 14 and their DC terminals are connected between the DC output terminals of the rectifier circuit 32. A series circuit of the thermal fuses 37 and 38 is connected in parallel.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
First, when the vegetable compartment door 3 is in a closed state, the caster 21 of the container support member 9 is held at the rearmost storage position by the “drop” structure which is the aforementioned door closing biasing means. At this time, the gasket 10 of the vegetable compartment door 3 is in close contact with the peripheral portion (including the front partition plate 27) of the stored product entrance / exit 7a of the vegetable compartment 7 in the refrigerator body 1 and is brought into close contact with the built-in magnet. Adsorption is held. Furthermore, at this time, the door switch 29 is closed by the closing of the vegetable compartment door 3, and the closing of the vegetable compartment door 3 is detected.

  From this state, when the user puts his hand on the handle 23 of the vegetable compartment door 3 and pulls the handle 23, the handle 23 pivots forward about the support shaft 25 as shown by the arrow A in FIG. Therefore, as described above, the push button 28a of the operation detection switch 28 is pressed by the movement member 24, and the operation detection switch 28 is closed and the vegetable compartment door 3 is opened. Is detected.

  Accordingly, the control device 30 determines that the operation detection switch 28 is activated (the vegetable compartment door 3 has been operated for opening), and the door switch 29 is activated (the vegetable compartment door 3 is closed). (Steps S1 and S2 in FIG. 8), and as a result, the electromagnet 14 (coils 18 and 19) is energized (Step S3).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the same poles as the magnetic poles of the opposing permanent magnets 11 and 12 appear in the magnetic poles of the upper side front end and the lower side front end of the core 15 in the electromagnet 14, and a repulsive force is generated thereby. . Due to this repulsive force, the permanent magnets 11 and 12 and, consequently, the vegetable compartment door 3 attached to the back surface thereof are pushed forward with the storage container 8 via the container support member 9 and are urged in the opening direction. The In addition, the container support member 9 and the caster 21 are thereby removed from the “drop” structure described above, and the gasket 10 is separated from the peripheral portion of the stored product entrance of the vegetable compartment 7.

  Here, the energization of the electromagnet 14 is performed only for a predetermined time, and specifically, for example, is performed only for about 1 second (steps S4 and S5). As a result, the vegetable compartment door 3 is biased in the opening direction by a distance of 5 to 10 mm necessary for the container support member 9 and the caster 21 to be removed from the “drop” structure.

  Therefore, at this time, if the opening of the vegetable compartment door 3 is stopped, for example, when the vegetable compartment door 3 hits the user's body within the range of the urging distance, the caster 21 of the container support member 9 is stopped. Is returned to the innermost storage position by the “drop” structure, whereby the vegetable compartment door 3 is also returned to the closed state described above.

  Although not shown, the control device 30 also functions as an opening operation frequency detection unit that detects the opening operation frequency by calculating the number of opening operations per unit time of the vegetable compartment door 3 from the number of operations of the operation detection switch 27. Therefore, when the opening operation frequency of the vegetable compartment door 3 is detected to be higher than a predetermined value, for example, more than once in 1.5 to 2 seconds, the opening of the vegetable compartment door 3 by the electromagnet 14 is attached. Limit the force not to execute.

Further, if the user keeps pulling the vegetable compartment door 3 with the hand hung on the handle 23 without stopping the opening of the vegetable compartment door 3, the stored product container 8 can be pulled out integrally with the vegetable compartment door 3. (The (c) figure of FIG. 5 has shown the condition where the vegetable compartment door 3 and the operation detection switch 28 were largely separated by that).
Furthermore, if the vegetable compartment door 3 is pushed in after the vegetable compartment door 3 is opened (the storage container 8 is pulled out), the container support member 9 and the caster 21 are returned to the innermost storage position by the “drop” structure. Thus, the vegetable compartment door 3 is returned to the closed state described above.

  As described above, in this configuration, the electromagnet 14 responds to the detection operation of the operation detection switch 28 that detects the user's operation for opening the vegetable compartment door 3 and biases the vegetable compartment door 3 in the opening direction. When the opening of the vegetable compartment door 3 is stopped within the range of the biasing distance in the opening direction of the vegetable compartment door 3 by the electromagnet 14 in the assisting of opening, the vegetable compartment door 3 is closed by the “drop” structure. As a result, the vegetable compartment door 3 can be prevented from being left in a half-open state. Therefore, unlike the conventional one, the vegetable compartment door 3 does not remain open, and the risk of deteriorating the state of stored goods can be eliminated.

  In addition, in the case of this configuration, the operation detection switch 28 is moved from the moving member 24 that moves in the direction of the operation detection switch 28 by the user's operation for opening the vegetable compartment door 3 and activates the operation detection switch 28. In an unoperated state, they are separated. Thereby, when the opening of the vegetable compartment door 3 is stopped within the range of the biasing distance in the opening direction of the vegetable compartment door 3 by the electromagnet 14, the vegetable compartment door 3 is closed by the “drop” structure. The operation detection switch 28 and the moving member 24 can be prevented from being obstructed, and the vegetable compartment door 3 can be more reliably prevented from being left in a half-open state.

  In the case of this configuration, the urging of the vegetable compartment door 3 in the opening direction by the electromagnet 14 is performed only for a predetermined time after the detection operation of the operation detection switch 28. Thereby, the setting of the biasing distance in the opening direction of the vegetable compartment door 3 by the electromagnet 14 can be made more reliably, and when the opening of the vegetable compartment door 3 is stopped within the range of the biasing distance, the vegetable compartment door 3 Can be more reliably closed by a “drop” structure.

  Furthermore, in the case of this configuration, the door switch 29 is provided as a door closing detection means for detecting the closing of the vegetable compartment door 3, and only when the vegetable compartment door 3 is detected to be closed by the door switch 29. The urging in the opening direction of the vegetable compartment door 3 by the electromagnet 14 is performed. Thereby, when the vegetable compartment door 3 is in an open state, it is possible to avoid urging the vegetable compartment door 3 in the opening direction by the electromagnet 14, and opening assistance of the vegetable compartment door 3 is necessary in a necessary situation. Can only.

  In addition, in the case of this configuration, it has door opening operation frequency detection means (control device 30) for detecting the opening operation frequency of the vegetable room door 3, and the vegetable opening door 3 is opened by this door opening operation frequency detection means. When the operation frequency is detected to be higher than a predetermined value, the execution of the urging of the vegetable compartment door 3 by the electromagnet 14 in the opening direction is restricted. Thereby, when the opening operation frequency of the vegetable compartment door 3 is high, it can avoid that the temperature of the coils 18 and 19 of the electromagnet 14 rises excessively by continuing energizing the opening direction of the vegetable compartment door 3. .

Further, since a direct current is passed through the coils 18 and 19 of the electromagnet 14, vibration and sound can be prevented from being generated when the coils 18 and 19 are energized.
Further, since the coils 18 and 19 of both the electromagnets 14 are connected in series, if any of the coils 18 and 19 is disconnected, all of them are not energized, and one of the electromagnets. It is possible to prevent the vegetable compartment door 3 when only the 14 coils 18 and 19 are energized from being improperly applied and becoming difficult to open. In addition, in this case, since the magnetic force generated by the coils 18 and 19 depends on the current, the amount of copper used in the coils 18 and 19 is reduced by the series connection in which the voltage applied to the coils 18 and 19 is halved. Can do.

  9 and 10 show a reference example and a second example (second embodiment) of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first example are denoted by the same reference numerals. The description is omitted and only different parts are described.

[Reference example]
In the reference example shown in FIG. 9, a magnetic switch 41 made of a reed switch, a Hall IC, or the like is used as an operation detection means that replaces the operation detection switch 28 made of the aforementioned microswitch. A permanent magnet 42 is attached to the part to correspond to the magnetic switch 41. Also in this case, the magnetic switch 41 is separated from the moving member 24 as shown in FIG. 9A when the handle 23 of the vegetable compartment door 3 is not operated (normal state).

  With this configuration, when the user puts the hand on the handle 23 of the vegetable compartment door 3 and pulls it, the moving member 24 pressed backward by the upper part of the handle 23 is as shown in FIG. The permanent magnet 42 is brought close to the magnetic switch 41, the magnetic switch 41 is operated, and an operation for opening the vegetable compartment door 3 is detected.

Therefore, even if it does in this way, about the opening assistance of the vegetable compartment door 3, the effect similar to the above-mentioned can be acquired.
[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10, a solenoid 54 having a movable core 52 in the coil 51 and a spring 53 behind the movable core 52 is used as an electromagnetic device in place of the electromagnet 14 described above. It is disposed in the back of the vegetable compartment 7 so that the front end of the movable core 52 corresponds to the rear end of the container support member 9, and in particular, they are brought into contact with each other by the elastic force of the spring 53.

  With this configuration, when an operation for opening the vegetable compartment door 3 is detected, the coil 51 of the solenoid 54 is energized to cause the movable core 52 to protrude forward. Thereby, the container support member 9 is pushed and the vegetable compartment door 3 is urged | biased in an open direction. Therefore, the movable core 52 of the solenoid 54 functions as a push rod that pushes the container support member 9.

  Even if it does in this way, about the opening assistance of the vegetable compartment door 3, the effect similar to the above-mentioned can be acquired, and especially the container support member 9 is pushed from back and the vegetable compartment door 3 is urged | biased in an opening direction. By doing so, the biasing distance in the opening direction of the vegetable compartment door 3 by the electromagnetic device can be set more accurately.

Further, in particular, in the normal state, the front end of the movable core 52 is brought into contact with the rear end of the container support member 9 so that the hitting sound is not generated when the movable core 52 presses the container support member 9. it can.
As the electromagnetic device, for example, a motor or the like may be used other than the above-described electromagnet 14 and solenoid 54, in particular, as a push rod protruding. Further, only one electromagnetic device may be provided.

Furthermore, as a whole storage, a warm storage room, a normal temperature storage, etc. other than a refrigerator may be sufficient.
In addition, the door illustrated in the vegetable compartment door 3 may be the refrigerator compartment door 2 or the ice making compartment door 4, the switching compartment door 5, the freezer compartment door 6, etc. Also good.
In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within a range not departing from the gist.

The fracture | rupture side view which abbreviate | omitted one part of the main part which shows 1st Example of this invention Front view of the entire refrigerator Perspective view of main parts Longitudinal side view of electromagnet It is a vertical side view of the operation detection switch portion, (a) is a view in a door closed state, (b) is a view in an operation state for opening the door, (c) is a view in a door open state. Electrical configuration block diagram Connection diagram of drive circuit Flow chart for explaining the operation of the main part FIG. 5 equivalent diagram showing a reference example of the present invention FIG. 1 equivalent view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawings, 1 is a refrigerator main body (storage body), 3 is a vegetable compartment door (door), 7 is a vegetable compartment (storage compartment), 7a is a storage item entrance, 11 and 12 are permanent magnets, and 14 is an electromagnet (electromagnetic device). , 20a is the rear end of the rail (door closing biasing means), 21 is a caster, 23 is a handle, 24 is a moving member, 28 is an operation detection switch (switch), 28b is a push button, and 30 is a control device (control means). , 41 is a magnetic switch (switch), 42 is a permanent magnet, 52 is a movable core (push bar), and 54 is a solenoid (electromagnetic device).

Claims (3)

A storage body having a storage room;
A door that opens and closes the storage item entrance of the storage room;
A moving member provided on the door and pushed backward by the user's operation;
A front partition plate for partitioning the storage chamber;
Provided on the front partition plate, that is pressed Ri押 by the extrusion of the moving member, a switch for generating a detected detection signal the operation for opening the door,
An electromagnetic device that operates based on a detection signal generated by the switch and biases the door in an opening direction;
A door urging means for urging the door in the closing direction;
In a state where there is no user operation, the moving member and the switch are separated from each other.   The storage according to claim 1, wherein a micro switch is used as the switch.   3. The storehouse according to claim 1, wherein the push button protrudes forward from the store body.

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