JPH04117376U - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] It is possible to see the inside of the refrigerator without opening the door by switching all or part of the door between a transparent state where the inside of the refrigerator can be seen from the outside and an opaque state where the interior cannot be seen through. To provide a refrigerator in which energy loss due to opening and closing of a door can be reduced, and the appearance is not spoiled since the inside of the refrigerator cannot be seen through under normal conditions. [Structure] A liquid crystal 3 that can be switched between a transparent state that allows the inside of the refrigerator to be seen through and an opaque state that cannot be seen is provided on the openable/closable door 2 of the refrigerator body 1, and for switching the state of the liquid crystal 3. A switch 4 is provided. By operating this switch 4, the state of the liquid crystal 3 can be changed between a state where the inside of the refrigerator 1 can be seen through and a state where the inside of the refrigerator 1 cannot be seen through.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

[Industrial application field]

This invention allows you to see inside the refrigerator as needed without opening the refrigerator door. Regarding refrigerators.

0002

[Conventional technology]

Traditionally, the opening/closing door of home refrigerators was made of steel plates, etc., so that the inside of the refrigerator could not be seen. It has become. Therefore, it is necessary to open the door each time to see inside the refrigerator. Ta. In addition, in commercial refrigerators, the door is made of transparent material so that the inside of the refrigerator can be seen. However, it is not possible to switch between viewing and hiding the inside of the refrigerator. Not yet.

0003

[Problem that the idea aims to solve]

In this way, with conventional household refrigerators, it is necessary to open the door when you want to see inside the refrigerator. As a result, cold air escaped each time, resulting in a large loss of energy. Also, business If you make the door transparent so that you can see the inside of the refrigerator at all times, as in the case of regular refrigerators, you can The stored items spoiled the aesthetic appearance and were particularly undesirable for household use. This invention solves the above-mentioned problems by making all or part of the door transparent. When you want to see inside the refrigerator without opening the door, you can switch between opaque and opaque states. Our goal is to provide a refrigerator that is easy to see, saves energy, and does not impair its aesthetic appearance. purpose.

0004

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above purpose, this invention has a door that can be opened and closed on the refrigerator body. A part of it has a transparent state that allows you to see inside the refrigerator from the outside, and an opaque state that prevents you from seeing through it. It is equipped with replaceable members.

[0005]

[Effect] According to the above configuration, when you want to see inside the refrigerator, the door is transparent so that you can see inside the refrigerator from the outside. Under normal conditions, it is possible to create an opaque state in which the inside of the refrigerator cannot be seen through.

[0006]

【Example】

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A refrigerator according to a first embodiment is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, for the refrigerator main body 1, The inside of the frame of the middle door 2, which can be opened and closed freely, is made up of a liquid crystal 3. This LCD 3 shows the inside of the refrigerator. It can be freely switched between a transparent state where it can be seen through and an opaque state where it cannot be seen through. A switch 4 for performing this operation is provided on the frame portion of the inner door 2. In addition, the frame of the middle door 2 A handle 5 for opening the inner door 2 is also provided in the section. Also, switch 4 An electric circuit for switching the state of the liquid crystal 3 is not shown.

[0007] With the above configuration, under normal conditions, the liquid crystal 3 is kept in an opaque state, and external Make it impossible to see inside the refrigerator, and press switch 4 when you want to see inside the refrigerator. The LCD 3 becomes transparent and you can see inside the refrigerator without opening the inner door 2. Become so. When the switch 4 is pressed again, the liquid crystal 3 becomes opaque. Thus, Energy loss due to opening and closing of the inner door 2 can be eliminated, resulting in significant energy savings. can be done. In addition to the ON/OFF type as mentioned above, the switch 4 can also be used as a turn type. Any method such as an over type or a slide switching type can be applied. Also, after operating switch 4, it will become transparent for a certain period of time, and then it will become transparent again. It may also be made to be in an opaque state. Furthermore, if a person approaches the refrigerator, It is something that is detected by an infrared sensor etc. and automatically becomes transparent. It's okay.

[0008] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment. A door 12a that opens and closes to the right with respect to the refrigerator main body 11 A part of the frame of the door 12b is made up of a liquid crystal 13a, and a part of the frame of the door 12b which can be opened and closed from the left. is constituted by a liquid crystal 13b. These liquid crystals 13a and 13b are similar to those described above. It can be switched freely between a transparent state where you can see through the inside of the refrigerator and an opaque state where you cannot see through it. Switches 14a and 14b for switching are provided in the frame parts of the doors 12a and 12b. It is being In addition, the frames of the doors 12a and 12b have openings for the doors 12a and 12b. Handles 15a and 15b are provided.

[0009] Furthermore, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the refrigerator main body 21 A part of the frame of the door 22 that can be opened and closed on the other hand is constituted by a window part 26, and this window part 26 A transparent glass 23 through which the interior of the refrigerator can be seen is installed on the inside facing the It is being In front of this glass 23, there is an opaque heat insulating door made of metal plate etc. 27 is slidably provided. This insulating door 27 can be slid. By doing so, it is possible to switch between a state where the inside of the refrigerator cannot be seen through and a state where the inside of the refrigerator can be seen through. Na In addition, when the insulation door 27 is slid, it is stored in the frame of the door 22. A storage section 29 is provided for storing the contents. In addition, the door 22 can be opened in the frame of the door 22. The heat insulating door 27 has a handle 25b for sliding it. A is provided.

0010 Due to the above configuration, the glass 23 is normally covered with the heat insulating door 27. When you want to see inside the refrigerator, hold the heat insulating door 27 by its handle 25a and move it in the direction of the arrow shown. By sliding the window 26 into the transparent window 26 without opening the door 22, The inside of the refrigerator can now be seen through the glass 23. Slide the insulation door 27 in the opposite direction. When the ride is moved, the glass 23 is covered by the heat insulating door 27, making it impossible to see inside the refrigerator. It becomes a state. In this way, the frequency of opening and closing the door 22 is reduced, and the energy generated by opening and closing the door 22 is reduced. energy loss can be reduced and energy savings can be achieved. Also, this If a pattern or the like is drawn on the surface of the heat insulating door 27, the design effect can be enhanced. In addition to the one that slides as described above, the insulation door 27 can also be opened left and right. It is applicable even if it is a thing.

[0011] Furthermore, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, for the refrigerator main body 31, A part of the inside of the frame of the first door 32, which can be opened and closed to the right and can be opened and closed, is constituted by a window part 36, Furthermore, the door 32 has an automatic opening/closing mechanism that opens to the left with respect to the refrigerator body 31 in correspondence with the window portion 36. A second door 39 is provided. This second door 39 has a transparent view inside the refrigerator. A liquid crystal display 33 is provided that can be switched between a transparent state that allows the user to see through the screen and an opaque state that does not allow the user to see through the screen. It is being Furthermore, the door 39 has a front (or rear) side of the liquid crystal 33. A transparent glass 41 is provided with a gap in between to create a double glass structure and increase the heat insulation effect. That's what I do. Note that a handle 3 for opening the door 32 is provided on the frame portion of the first door 32. 5a, and the second door 39 is provided with a handle 35b for opening it. It is. Furthermore, the doors 32 and 39 are rotatably supported by hinges 37 and 40. Also, when the door 32 is closed, there is a gap between the inner surface of the frame of the door 32 and the main body 31. It is sealed by a gunnet packing 38.

0012 Due to the above configuration, normally the liquid crystal 33 is in a state where the inside of the refrigerator cannot be seen from the outside. When you want to see the inside of the refrigerator, if you switch the LCD 33 to a transparent state, the door 3 The inside of the refrigerator can be seen without opening 2 and the door 39. Again, liquid When the crystal 33 is switched to an opaque state, it becomes impossible to see inside the refrigerator. Thus, The frequency of opening and closing the doors is reduced, eliminating energy loss caused by opening and closing the doors 32 and 39. It is possible to save energy. In addition, there is a second door inside the first door 32. By providing the door 39, the door can be opened and closed from either the left or right direction. This improves the usability of the refrigerator and also allows for more efficient use of space. It will be done. Note that the refrigerator of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments detailed above; Changes may be made within the scope of the main idea. For example, displaying patterns etc. on a liquid crystal display. Alternatively, the temperature or the like may be displayed in a stylized manner. Furthermore, In this example, liquid crystal is used, but the refrigerator uses glass that becomes transparent depending on the angle. It may be installed inside the door.

[0013]

[Effect of the idea]

As described above, according to the present invention, the refrigerator door has a transparent state that allows you to see through the inside of the refrigerator. The door can be opened by providing a switching means for switching between an opaque state and a non-transparent state. This allows you to easily see the inside of the refrigerator, reducing energy loss caused by opening and closing the door. It is possible to save energy. In addition, under normal conditions, the door is kept opaque. By switching to the This prevents the appearance of the refrigerator from being spoiled.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a door portion of a refrigerator according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a door portion of a refrigerator according to still another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 11, 21, 31 Refrigerator body 4, 14a, 14b, switch 3, 13a, 13b, 33 liquid crystal 2, 12a, 12b, 22, 32, 39 Door 23 Glass 27 Insulated door

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] [Claim 1] A door that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body, or a part thereof, is provided with a member that can be switched between a transparent state that allows the interior of the refrigerator to be seen from the outside and an opaque state that does not allow the inside of the refrigerator to be seen through. refrigerator.