TW201512620A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator of one embodiment has an operating panel at a front panel of a door of a refrigerator body. The operating panel includes an operating portion and a display portion corresponding to the operation portion, and the refrigerator includes an adjusting element. The adjusting element changes display patterns such as brightness or colors, positions, sizes displayed in the display portion and/or the operating portion deemed as the operating panel.

Description

refrigerator

[Reference to related application]

The present application is based on the benefit of the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-152574, filed on Jul. 23, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

This embodiment relates to a refrigerator.

Conventionally, for example, in a household refrigerator, an operation panel is generally provided on a door of a refrigerating compartment, and the operation panel has a plurality of operation sections for instructing operations and a plurality of display sections for displaying the operation results. In recent years, as an operation switch constituting the above operation unit, a capacitive touch sensor is used, which is a front panel made of, for example, glass. The electrode for touch detection is disposed on the back side. The electrostatic capacitive touch sensor is judged to have been operated based on detecting a change in electrostatic capacitance of an electrode generated by a finger contact (proximity) with a front panel. Further, the display unit is provided with a light emitting diode (LED) behind the film for image display. On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation of the operation unit is performed, the LED of the corresponding display unit is turned on to cause the display unit to illuminate.

[Previous Technical Literature]

[Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2012-78086

In the above-described conventional configuration, since the brightness of the display unit when the LED is turned on is fixed, there is a case where, for example, the user is too bright or the brightness is insufficient due to the difference in the surrounding environment, and it is difficult to distinguish Vision. When the visibility of the display unit is low, there is a possibility that the user mistakenly recognizes or erroneously operates the operation unit.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the display form of the operation panel unit provided in the door of the refrigerator main body can be changed in accordance with the surrounding environment or the user's preference.

The refrigerator according to the embodiment is characterized in that the front panel portion of the door of the refrigerator body has an operation panel portion including an operation portion and a display portion corresponding to the operation portion, and the refrigerator includes an adjustment member, and the adjustment member is changed. The display form of the display unit and/or the operation unit in the operation panel unit.

1‧‧‧ refrigerator body

2‧‧‧Insulation box

3‧‧‧Refrigerator

4‧‧‧ vegetable room

5‧‧‧ ice making room

6‧‧‧2nd freezer (switching room)

7‧‧‧1st freezer

8‧‧‧Left door

8a‧‧‧ Sidewall

8b‧‧‧ openings

9‧‧‧The right door

10, 50, 60, 70, 80‧‧‧ operation panel

11, 12, 13, 14‧‧ ‧ insulated doors

15‧‧‧Compressor

16‧‧‧Switching valve

17‧‧‧ Refrigerator blower

18‧‧‧Frozen blower

19‧‧‧Defrost heater

20‧‧‧Refrigerator temperature sensor

21‧‧‧Freezer temperature sensor

22‧‧‧Main control unit

23‧‧‧Operation Control Department (Adjustment Components)

24‧‧‧ front panel

24a‧‧·coating film

25‧‧‧Operating unit

26~31, 51, 52, 53, 61~68, 71~79, 81, 82‧‧‧ Operation Department

26a~31a, 51a, 52a, 53a, 61a, 62a, 65a, 66a, 71a~73a, 76a~79a‧‧‧ operation buttons

26b~31b, 81a, 81b, 82a, 82b‧‧‧ Electrostatic capacitance detection department

32~36‧‧‧Display Department

37‧‧‧ circuit board

38‧‧‧Shield

39‧‧‧Spring components

39a‧‧‧Circular

39b‧‧‧Connecting Department

40‧‧‧Flexible switch printing board

40a‧‧‧Connecting Department

41‧‧‧Nameplate film

41a‧‧‧Showing light transmission

42‧‧‧LED (light source)

43, 44‧‧‧Connectors for external connection

45‧‧‧Light Guide

46‧‧‧ hull

47‧‧‧Brightness adjustment circuit

48‧‧‧Cover components

49‧‧‧Departure

83, 85‧‧‧1st form operation button

84, 86‧‧‧ The second form operation button.

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment and is a front view of the refrigerator body in a standby mode.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front view showing a state in which all of the operation panel portions are displayed.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration.

4 is an exploded perspective view of an operation unit.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional side view of the operation unit portion.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of the operating unit.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an operation panel unit of a display example in the adjustment mode.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the operation panel portion.

Fig. 9 is a front elevational view showing a state in which all of the operation panel units are displayed in the second embodiment.

10(a) and 10(b) are views showing a third embodiment and are front views of main parts of the operation panel unit.

11(a) and 11(b) are front views showing a fourth embodiment and a main portion of the operation panel unit.

12(a) and 12(b) are views showing a fifth embodiment and are front views of main parts of the operation panel unit.

(1) First embodiment

Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8 . FIG. 1 schematically shows an external configuration of the refrigerator main body 1 in the present embodiment. The refrigerator main body 1 is configured by providing a plurality of storage compartments in a vertically long rectangular box-shaped heat insulating box 2 whose front surface is open. Specifically, in the heat insulating box 2, the refrigerating chamber 3 and the vegetable compartment 4 are provided in this order from the top to the bottom, and the ice making chamber 5 and the second freezing chamber are arranged side by side in the lower side of the vegetable compartment 4. The chamber 6 is switched, and the first freezing chamber 7 is provided at the lowermost portion.

Among them, the refrigerating compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 4 are storage compartments in which the temperature in the refrigerator is controlled to a refrigerating temperature range of a refrigerating temperature of, for example, about 1 ° C to 5 ° C. Ice making room 5, The second freezing compartment 6 and the first freezing compartment 7 are storage compartments that control the temperature in the refrigerator to a freezing temperature range of a freezing temperature of, for example, -18 ° C or lower. On the front surface of the refrigerating compartment 3, a double-opening door having heat insulating properties, that is, two left and right hinged doors 8 and 9, is provided. As will be described later, the operation panel portion 10 is also provided in the left door 8 (hereinafter referred to as the left door 8) as shown in FIG. 2 and the like. The front surfaces of the vegetable compartment 4, the ice making compartment 5, the second freezing compartment 6, and the first freezing compartment 7 are respectively carried out by the pull-out type heat insulating doors 11, 12, 13, and 14 to which the storage containers are connected at the back surface portion. Opening and closing.

Although not illustrated in detail, a refrigeration cycle (refrigeration cycle) is incorporated in the refrigerator body 1. As shown in a part of FIG. 3, the refrigeration cycle system is configured to include two coolers, that is, a refrigerator for cooling the refrigerator compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 4, and a cooling chamber 5 for cooling the chamber. The refrigerator for the freezer compartment in which the first freezing compartment 7 and the second freezing compartment 6 are cooled, and includes a compressor 15 (only shown in FIG. 3), a condenser, a switching valve 16, and the like, and the switching valve 16 is used for switching. The flow of refrigerant to the above two coolers.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a refrigerator blower 17 is provided in the refrigerator main body 1 for circulating cold air from the refrigerating compartment cooler and the vegetable compartment 4, and a refrigerating blower 18 for self-contained The freezer compartment circulates the cold air to the ice making compartment 5, the first freezing compartment 7, and the second freezing compartment 6, and the defrosting heater 19 performs defrosting of the freezer compartment cooler; the refrigerating compartment The temperature sensor 20; and the freezing compartment temperature sensor 21 and the like.

Further, a main control device 22 including a computer as a main body is provided in the refrigerator main body 1. The main control device 22 is also connected to an operation control unit 23 to be described later, and based on a signal from the operation control unit 23, a signal from the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 20, the freezer temperature sensor 21, and the like. The refrigerating blower 17, the refrigerating blower 18, the compressor 15, the switching valve 16, and the defrosting heater 19 are controlled to perform the cooling operation of the refrigerator main body 1.

Next, the configuration of the operation panel unit 10 provided in the left door 8 of the refrigerator compartment 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8 . Here, although not illustrated in detail, the left door 8 is a thin plastic case that is disposed on the front surface side of the front panel 24 and a rear side of the front panel 24 that is open on the front surface. The heat insulating material is disposed between the casings (around the casing). The front panel 24 is made of, for example, glass and has light transmissivity.

At this time, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 only, a thin coating film 24a is formed on the back side of the front panel 24, and the coating film 24a is colored by the same appearance as that of the refrigerator body 1. A color (for example, white, black, silver, etc.) coating is formed. Here, for example, a white coating film 24a is provided. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the operation panel unit 10 is configured by arranging an operation unit 25 to be described later on the back side of the front panel 24. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation panel portion 10 is provided in a vertically long rectangular region of a portion of the front surface of the left door 8 which is close to the side opposite to the hinge, that is, the right side.

FIG. 2 exemplifies a state in which all of the operation unit and the display unit described later (all the light sources are turned on) in the operation panel unit 10 (operation unit 25). As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel unit 10 has a plurality of operation portions arranged in a vertical row for the user to touch with a finger on the right side, and here are six operation portions 26 to 31. Further, display portions 32 to 36 corresponding to the respective operation portions 26 to 31 are vertically arranged on the left side of the operation portions 26 to 31.

Each of the operation units 26 to 31 is constituted by a well-known capacitive touch sensor and has an operation button imaginarily set on the front surface of the front panel 24 Buttons 26a to 31a and capacitance detecting portions 26b to 31b located on the back side of the operation buttons (only FIG. 3 is shown). The capacitive touch sensor detects a touch (proximity) of the user's finger on the operation buttons 26a to 31a of the front panel 24 as a change in electrostatic capacitance. In this case, the five operation units 26 to 30 located at the upper portion except the lowermost portion are used as an operation unit for performing a setting operation related to the operation of the refrigerator in the normal mode, and the lowermost operation unit 31 is used. An operation unit that performs a switching instruction or the like, and the switching instruction is a mode of switching between the standby mode and the normal mode.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 26 (operation button 26a) of "refrigeration", the operation unit 27 (operation button 27a) of "freezing", and the operation of "freezing function" are sequentially provided from top to bottom. Operation unit 31 (operation button 28a), operation unit 29 (operation button 29a) for "ice making", operation unit 30 (operation button 30a) for "power saving", and "home" operation unit 31 (operation button 31a) ). Among them, the operation buttons 26a to 30a of "refrigeration", "freezing", "freezing function", "ice making", and "power saving" are configured by arranging the characters in a circle. The operation button 31a of the operation unit 31 of "return" is a mark (an image of a house) which is a substantially pentagonal shape. Further, in the present embodiment, the operation button 31a of "return" is also used as the decision operation button.

On the other hand, the uppermost display unit 32 includes an indicator, that is, a height that is provided in the middle of the operation units corresponding to the operation unit 27 of the “refrigeration” and the operation unit 27 that is “frozen,” and the whole The five arc-shaped marks arranged in a circle; the "brightness adjustment" text on the upper part of the indicator; and the "strong" and "weak" characters on the lower part. As also shown in Fig. 7, the number of lighting of the indicator of the display unit 32 indicates the intensity level (or brightness).

The next display unit 33 of the display unit 32 corresponds to the operation unit 28 of the “freezing function”, and selectively displays “instant freezing” and “hot material freezing” in order from top to bottom. The words "vegetables frozen" and "dry". The display unit 34 below the display unit 33 corresponds to the operation unit 29 of "ice making", and selectively displays characters of "instant ice making" and "closing ice making". The display unit 35 below the display unit 34 corresponds to the “power saving” operation unit 30, and selectively displays “power saving”, “out of town”, and “peak shift” in order from top to bottom. Text. The lowermost display unit 36 corresponds to the "return" operation unit 31, and displays the characters of "eco mode" and the "key" mark.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, only the thin coating film 24a formed of, for example, a white paint is formed on the back side of the front panel 24, and is entirely translucent. At this time, as will be described later, only when the LED as the light source is turned on by the display means, the operation buttons 26a to 31a (circles, characters, and marks) are projected and displayed, and are brightened to be identifiable. The display units 32 to 36 are also configured such that when the LED as the light source is turned on by the display means, the characters or marks selected by the operation units 26 to 31 are projected and displayed, and are brightened to be identifiable.

In addition, in FIG. 2, when a letter is attached to each character, in the operation part, from top to bottom, (a) "refrigerated", (b) "frozen", (c) "freezing function", (d) "Ice making", (e) "Power saving", (f) "Key lock pressing (house marking) symbol for 3 seconds", in order from top to bottom in the display section (g) " "Brightness adjustment", (h) "weak", (i) "strong", (j) "immediate freezing", (k) "hot food freezing", (l) "vegetable freezing", (m) "drying" (n) "Instant Ice", (o) "Close Ice", (p) "Power Save", (q) "Out", (r) "Peak Shift", (s) "eco", (t) "Mode".

Next, the operation unit 25 constituting the operation panel unit 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the operation unit 25 is disposed such that the circuit board 37, the shield plate 38, and the bomb are arranged in an overlapping manner from the back side. The spring member 39, the flexible switch printed board 40, and the nameplate film 41 are formed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the circuit board 37 is formed in a rectangular shape slightly longer in the longitudinal direction, and is mounted on the surface (front surface) corresponding to each of the operation portions 26 to 31 and the display portions 32 to 36. Part of the light source of the plurality of LEDs 42. Further, the circuit board 37 is provided with an operation control unit 23 (only shown in FIG. 3), and the operation control unit 23 includes a circuit for energizing the LEDs 42 and a signal processing circuit of the capacitance detecting units 26b to 31b (described later) ( Detection department). Further, the circuit board 37 includes external connectors for connection with the outside, such as connectors 43, 44 and the like.

The shield plate 38 is formed of a colored (opaque) hard plastic molded article, and is formed in a vertically long rectangular shape as a whole, and has a plurality of light guiding portions 45 integrally formed on the plate surface. Each of the light guiding portions 45 is configured to guide the light to the respective operation portions 26 to 31 and the display portions 32 to 36 of the front side so that the light of the LEDs 42 of the circuit board 37 does not leak light.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the light guiding portion 45 corresponding to each of the operation portions 26 to 31 has a tapered shape (scrape shape) which is narrowed toward the rear, and is located to the right of the center of the shield plate 38. There are six longitudinally arranged arrays as a whole. Further, the light guiding portion 45 corresponding to each of the display portions 32 to 36 (each character or mark) has a frame shape having a depth in front and rear (for example, a frame having a horizontally long portion corresponding to the character), and is located on the left side of the shield plate 38. Formed vertically. The shield plate 38 is bonded to the surface side of the circuit board 37 in a covered state in a positioned state. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, three stopper portions 49 having elasticity protruding to the left are integrally formed in the left side portion of the shield plate 38 in the vertical direction.

The spring member 39 is made of a transparent plastic having flexibility (elasticity) The material is configured to integrally include a thick circular portion 39a having a circular shape corresponding to each of the operation portions 26 to 31 (operation buttons 26a to 31a), and a coupling portion 39b. The circular portions 39a are sequentially connected up and down. The spring member 39 is attached to a recess formed in a portion of the front surface of the shield plate 38 that is rightward in an embedded manner. The spring member 39 functions as an elastic cushioning material disposed on the back side of each of the capacitance detecting portions 26b to 31b (only shown in FIG. 3) of the flexible switch printed board 40, and functions as described above. Each of the capacitance detecting portions 26b to 31b has a function of pressing against the back surface of the front panel 24 via the nameplate film 41.

Further, the flexible switch printed board 40 as a whole has a vertically elongated rectangular sheet shape covering the right half of the shield plate 38. Although not illustrated in detail, the flexible switch printed board 40 has a transparent base film formed of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) having flexibility ( The surface of the base film is printed with the above-described capacitance detecting portions 26b to 31b (only shown in FIG. 3), wiring, erroneous detection preventing electrodes, and the like, and a transparent cover film formed of PET in the same manner. Covering the surface of the base film. Each of the capacitance detecting portions 26b to 31b is printed and formed into a circular shape on the surface of the base film, for example, a conductive polymer having a certain transparency (only the lowermost capacitance detecting portion 31b is a pentagon). ) constitutes. In the flexible switch printed board 40, a connecting portion 40a located at a lower end portion of the right side portion and electrically connected to the outside is provided to extend downward in a narrow width.

Though not shown in detail, the nameplate film 41 is configured by providing a light shielding portion and a display light transmission portion 41a (only a part of which is shown in FIG. 8) on the surface of the vertically long rectangular transparent film. The display light transmitting portion 41a is used to display the above operations. The marks or characters of the buttons 26a to 31a and the characters or marks constituting the display portions 32 to 36 are formed correspondingly (in a state in which the hollow is transparent). The flexible switch printed board 40 and the nameplate film 41 are attached to the front surface of the shield plate 38 in an overlapping manner in a positioning state, thereby constituting a unitized operation unit 25.

As described above, by illuminating the LEDs 42, the light passes through the display light transmitting portion 41a of the nameplate film 41, so that characters or marks are projected on the front panel 24 (operation panel portion 10). Thereby, the display unit is included in the operation unit 25, and the display unit (each LED 42) is controlled by the operation control unit 23.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 , the operation unit 25 is housed in a storage space (case 46) other than the heat insulating material formed inside the left door 8 so as to be in contact with the back surface of the front panel 24 . . At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the side wall portion 8a on the right side of the left door 8 is provided with an elongated opening portion 8b for allowing the operation unit 25 to enter and exit. A cover member 48 is attached to the opening 8b in a detachable (opening and closing) manner. At the time of assembly, the operation unit 25 (operation control unit 23) is electrically connected to the main control unit 22 via the connector 43.

Further, the operation control unit 23 is configured to include a computer (Central Processing Unit (CPU)), and controls the respective LEDs 42 by a software configuration or the like to perform operations of the respective operation units 26 to 31. The buttons 26a to 31a are displayed, and the display units 32 to 36 are displayed in a form corresponding to the current setting. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, a well-known brightness adjustment circuit 47 for adjusting the brightness (current value) of each LED 42 by, for example, Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control is provided. . The operation control unit 23 can control the lighting state (on/off and brightness) of each of the LEDs 42 by the brightness adjustment circuit 47.

Further, the operation control unit 23 monitors the touch operation (proximity operation) of each of the operation buttons 26a to 31a based on the detection signals of the capacitive touch sensors (the capacitance detecting units 26b to 31b). At this time, when the touch operation of each of the operation buttons 26a to 31a is recognized based on the detection signals of the capacitance detecting units 26b to 31b, the operation control unit 23 changes the display of the display units 32 to 36 based on the operation result. The buzzer sounds a notification tone. Further, the operation control unit 23 transmits a setting signal corresponding to the operation to the main control device 22 of the refrigerator main body 1.

Further, the operation control unit 23 switches the operation mode of the operation panel unit 10 between the normal mode and the standby mode. In the present embodiment, in the normal mode, all of the operation buttons 26a to 31a are turned on and displayed, and the lighting display required by the display units 32 to 36 is performed, so that all the operation portions 26 to 31 (operation buttons 26a to 31a) are provided. The operation is valid. In addition, the character portion of the "brightness adjustment" in the display unit 32 is turned on only when the adjustment mode is described later.

On the other hand, in the standby mode, as shown in FIG. 7, the display of the display units 32 to 36 is turned off, and the display of each of the operation buttons 26a to 30a is also turned off. At this time, only the operation button 31a of "return" is turned on, and only the operation of the operation button 31a is enabled.

In the normal mode, when the operation button 31a of "return" is operated, or the state in which all of the operation buttons 26a to 31a are not present continues for a predetermined period of time (for example, 30 seconds after the last operation), the operation control The unit 23 switches the mode to the standby mode. When there is an operation of the "return" operation button 31a in the standby mode of the operation panel unit 10, the operation control unit 23 cancels the standby mode and returns the mode to the normal mode.

Further, as described later in the description of the operation, in the present embodiment, The brightness of each of the LEDs 42, that is, the brightness of the display of the operation buttons 26a to 31a of the display units 32 to 36 and the operation units 26 to 31 can be adjusted in one of the display forms of the change in the visibility of the operation panel unit 10. In this case, the brightness of the display of the operation panel unit 10 can be adjusted (set) by the user's operation on the operation panel unit 10, and the operation control unit 23 controls the lighting of the LED 42 in accordance with the set brightness. brightness.

In the present embodiment, the operation control unit 23 controls the LEDs 42 with, for example, five levels of brightness levels of luminance "1" (relatively low luminance) to luminance "5" (highest luminance). The user can adjust the brightness (brightness) of the display units 32 to 36 and the operation units 26 to 31 to one of five levels by the setting operation. Therefore, the operation control unit 23 functions as an adjustment element.

Specifically, the operation control unit 23 detects a special operation of the operation units 26 to 31 in the normal mode of the operation panel unit 10, and detects, for example, an operation button 27a that is "frozen" as two operation buttons arranged to be spaced apart. When the operation button 30a of the "power saving" is simultaneously turned on, the mode is switched to the adjustment mode. In the adjustment mode, the operation control unit 23 lights up the display unit 32 including the character portion of the "brightness adjustment" as shown in FIG. 7, and lights up the "power saving" operation button 30a at the current brightness level. "Return" operation button 31a.

In the present embodiment, in the adjustment mode, the indicator indicating the strength of the cooling intensity in the refrigerator in the display unit 32 is switched to display indicating the (current) brightness to be adjusted. In this case, when the brightness is "1", the operation control unit 23 lights up one of the lower left circular line marks in the indicator, and clockwise as the brightness level rises to "2" to "5". Increase the number of lighting in the direction. Fig. 7 illustrates a case where the luminance is "3".

In the adjustment mode, for example, the "power saving" operation button 30a functions as an operation button for instructing the brightness change, and the operation control unit 23 increases the brightness level step by step each time the "power saving" operation button 30a is pressed. . In the case of the brightness "5", when the "power saving" operation button 30a is pressed, the brightness returns to "1". Then, at this time, the operation control unit 23 changes the brightness of the LED 42 that is actually turned on to the brightness corresponding to the current set brightness level.

As described above, the "return" operation button 31a functions as a decision operation button, and when the "return" operation button 31a is operated, it is set (determined) to the current brightness level. Even if there is no operation of the "return" operation button 31a, when the state of the operation of the operation button 30a that does not have "power saving" continues for a predetermined period of time (for example, 10 seconds or longer), the time is set (determined) to the time. The brightness level of the point. Once determined, the self-adjustment mode is switched to the normal mode (or standby mode).

Further, as the preset values of the display brightness (brightness) of the display units 32 to 36 and the operation units 26 to 31 (setting values at the time of factory shipment), the color of the coating film 24a on the front panel 24 is black or silver. In the case of the case, the setting is higher, and the brightness is "4" or the brightness is "5". On the other hand, when the color of the coating film 24a is white, the preset value is set to be equal to or lower than the predetermined brightness among the plurality of levels of brightness, that is, the brightness "3" which is a slightly lower brightness. The reason is as follows.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when the front panel 24 has the white coating film 24a, if the brightness of the LED 24 is high, the light passes through the display light transmitting portion 41a of the nameplate film 41 and passes through the front panel 24. In the upper portion 24, the light transmitted through the front panel 24 is increased, and accordingly, the characters or marks of the display light transmitting portion 41a are unclear (obscured state). Therefore, in order to set the initial setting that is easy for the user to recognize, it is preferable to set the brightness to be slightly lower. Coating film 24a In the case of black or silver, this phenomenon is less, the higher the brightness, the clearer the text or mark.

Next, the action and effect of the above configuration will be described. In the operation panel unit 10 having the above configuration, in the normal mode, all of the operation buttons 26a to 31a of the operation units 26 to 31 are projected and displayed by lighting the LED 42 at the set brightness, and the display units 32 to 36 are displayed. Required display. The user can perform various setting operations related to the operation of the refrigerator by operating the operation buttons 26a to 31a by touch. For example, the cooling intensity of the refrigerating compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 4 can be set (changed) in five levels by operating the "refrigerated" operation button 26a. Further, at this time, the character of "brightness adjustment" in the display unit 32 is not displayed (lighted).

When the operation button 31a of "return" is operated or the state in which all of the operation buttons 26a to 31a are not present continues for a predetermined period of time, the mode is switched from the normal mode to the standby mode. In the standby mode, the display (LED 42) of the operation buttons 26a to 30a is turned off to disable the operation, and the display of the display units 32 to 36 is turned off, and only the operation button 31a (see FIG. 1) for displaying "return" is turned on. In the standby mode, by operating the "return" operation button 31a, a switching instruction from the standby mode to the normal mode can be performed. The power consumption can be suppressed by the standby mode.

The operation panel unit 10 may be such that the display units 32 to 36 or the operation units 26 to 31 (the operation buttons 26a to 31a) are too bright or insufficient in brightness due to the difference in the surrounding environment, and the user feels difficult to recognize. It is considered that if the visibility of the display units 32 to 36 or the operation buttons 26a to 31a is low, the user may mistakenly recognize or mishandle the operation buttons 26a to 31a. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the brightness of the display forms of the display units 32 to 36 and the operation units 26 to 31 can be adjusted as follows.

That is, as described above, the user simultaneously touches the operation button 27a for "freezing" and the operation button 30a for "power saving" in the normal mode of the operation panel unit 10. In this manner, the display mode is changed to the adjustment mode, and the display unit 32 including the character portion of the "brightness adjustment" is turned on, and the operation button 30a for "power saving" and the operation button 31a for "return" are turned on. At this time, the indicator on the display unit 32 indicates the current brightness level by the number of lighting.

The user can adjust the desired brightness by operating the "power saving" operation button 30a while viewing the number of lights and the brightness of the indicator of the display unit 32. When the user feels too bright, the brightness may be lowered, and when the user feels dark, the brightness may be increased. In this case, since the brightness (brightness) of the display unit 32 or the like is changed while the operation button 30a for "power saving" is operated, it is easy for the user to determine. After the operation button 31a of the "return" is operated after adjusting the brightness that the user feels is good, the brightness is determined when the operation button 31a of the "return" is operated (or when the predetermined time elapses after the end of the operation), and the operation panel unit 10 returns to the normal mode.

According to the present embodiment, the refrigerator is provided in the refrigerator in which the operation panel 26 to 31 and the operation panel portions 10 of the display portions 32 to 36 corresponding to the operation portions 26 to 31 are provided in the left door 8 . The display forms of the portions 32 to 36 and the operation buttons 26a to 31a are changed in the above-described case. Thereby, the visibility of the operation panel unit 10 can be arbitrarily changed according to the surrounding environment or the user's preference, for example, when the brightness perceived by the user is too bright, the brightness is lowered, and if the feeling is dark, the brightness is increased. As a result, the visual recognition of the operation panel unit 10 can be improved for the user, and erroneous recognition or erroneous operation can be reduced.

At this time, in the present embodiment, the operation panel unit 10 is configured such that the display units 32 to 36 and the operation units 26 to 31 are provided to the front panel 24 having light transmissivity. According to the projection display, the operation panel unit 10 having high visibility to the user can be configured, and the function as the adjustment element can be easily realized by changing (adjusting) the brightness of the LED 42 as a light source.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the brightness of the operation panel unit 10 is changed based on the operation of the operation buttons 26a to 31a of the operation units 26 to 31, the user can easily perform the operation for brightness adjustment, and It will not lead to complications. In particular, in the present embodiment, in the adjustment mode, the indicator existing in the display unit 32 is also used for the display indicating the brightness (brightness). Therefore, the display can be a simple configuration and the brightness can be effectively displayed.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the two operation buttons, that is, the "frozen" operation button 27a and the "power saving" operation button 30a are simultaneously operated, the operation mode is switched to the adjustment mode, so that it is not necessary to separately provide the operation mode. The operation button or the like that is switched to the adjustment mode can be a simple configuration. Further, since the "frozen" operation button 27a is disposed apart from the "power-saving" operation button 30a, it is possible to effectively prevent the erroneous operation such as the adjustment mode from being erroneously switched by accidentally operating the two operation buttons at the same time. Since the "return" operation button 31a is also used as the decision operation button, it is not necessary to increase the operation button for determining the operation, and it can be a simple configuration. Since the decision operation can also be omitted, the user can also save trouble.

(2) Second to fifth embodiments and other embodiments

FIG. 9 shows a configuration of the operation panel unit 50 in a state in which all the display units and the operation buttons are displayed (lighted) in the second embodiment. The operation panel unit 50 is different from the operation panel unit 10 of the above-described first embodiment in that "upper" is provided below the operation unit 31 (operation button 31a) of the "return" in the operation panel unit 50. "lower" two operation portions 51, 52 (operation buttons 51a, 52a) for making The brightness (visibility) of the display form of the operation panel unit 50 is changed.

In this configuration, after switching to the adjustment mode, the user can increase the display brightness (brightness) of the operation panel unit 50 stepwise by operating the "upper" operation unit 51 (operation button 51a). The display brightness (brightness) of the operation panel unit 50 can be stepped down step by step by operating the "down" operation unit 52 (operation button 52a). In addition to the operations and effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above, the adjustment operation is performed by the operation of any of the operation units 51 of the "upper" operation unit 51 and the "down" operation unit 52, and thus the user is In terms of brightness, the adjustment operation is easier.

FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) show a third embodiment and show a configuration of a main part of the operation panel unit 60. The operation panel unit 60 is provided with an operation unit (operation button) that is paired with a pair of "strong" and "weak", and is configured to change the display form of the operation unit in four levels in the vertical direction (height direction). The position of the operation unit (operation button) that is strong or weak.

In other words, at this time, the operation panel unit 60 is provided with a total of eight operation units 61 to 68 (operation buttons) in two rows and four vertical rows. Although not illustrated in detail, a capacitive touch sensor (capacitance detecting unit) is provided in each of the operation units 61 to 68. The front surface of each of the operation portions 61 to 68 (front panel 24) of the operation panel unit 60 includes a light-transmitting portion for display of the nameplate film, and a light source (LED) disposed on the back side of the display light-transmitting portion. Imagine setting the operation button.

The LED or the capacitive touch sensor (capacitance detecting unit) as the light source of each of the operation units 61 to 68 is controlled by the operation control unit. At this time, the operation control unit selectively activates (activates) only one (two) operation units (operation buttons), and invalidates the remaining three (six) operation units (operation buttons). Display the operation button of the operation unit that is set to be valid (lights the LED), and uses the capacitance detection The department performs touch detection. The six operation units (operation buttons) that are set to be invalid are not displayed (the LED is not lit), and the touch detection is not performed.

Fig. 10 (a) shows the case where the operation buttons 61a and 62a of the uppermost operation portions 61 and 62 are validated (displayed), and Fig. 10(b) shows the operation buttons of the operation portions 65 and 66 of the third stage from the top. 65a, 66a is valid (displayed). At this time, the user can adjust (change) which of the operation units 61 to 68 is to be activated by operating the operation panel unit 60. Therefore, the operation control unit functions as an adjustment element.

According to the third embodiment, the position of the operation portions 61 to 68 which are display forms of the operation panel unit 60 can be adjusted to a position desired by the user. As a result, for example, the operation portions 61 to 68 (operation buttons) can be placed at positions (height positions) that are easy to recognize and easy to operate in accordance with the height of the user, and the visibility and operability of the operation units 61 to 68 can be achieved. Improvement.

FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) show main parts of the operation panel unit 70 of the fourth embodiment, and differ from the above-described third embodiment in the following points. In other words, the operation panel unit 70 includes, for example, nine operation units 71 to 79 (operation buttons) arranged in a vertical line, and selectively causes the three operation units 71 to 73 in the upper stage and the three operation units 74 to 76 in the middle stage. One of the three operation units 77 to 79 in the lower stage is valid (activated). The remaining operation units are disabled.

Fig. 11(a) shows the case where the operation buttons 71a to 73a of the three operation units 71 to 73 in the upper stage are validated (displayed), and Fig. 11(b) shows the operation buttons 77a of the three operation units 77 to 79 in the lower stage. 79a is valid (displayed). At this time, the user can adjust (change) which group of operation units 71 to 79 is valid by operating the operation panel unit 70. Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, the above In the third embodiment, the operation units 71 to 79 (operation buttons) are placed in a position (height position) that is easy to recognize and easy to operate, in accordance with the height of the user. Further, when the display portions corresponding to the operation portions 71 to 79 are provided on the left side portion of each of the operation portions 71 to 79, the display portions and the operation portion may be collectively enabled or disabled.

12(a) and 12(b) show main parts of the operation panel unit 80 of the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, the size of the operation unit (operation button) that is the display form of the operation panel unit 80 can be changed (adjusted).

In other words, in the operation panel unit 80, for example, a "strong" operation portion 81 and a "weak" operation portion 82 are provided side by side. As shown by the broken line in the figure, in the "strong" operation unit 81, two circular capacitance detecting portions (capacitive touch sensors) 81a and 81b are arranged side by side in close proximity. In the "weak" operation unit 82, two circular capacitance detecting portions 82a and 82b are also arranged side by side in the same manner.

Further, although not shown in detail, the light-transmitting portions for display of the nameplate film and the light source (LED) disposed on the back side of the light-transmitting portion for display are provided in the respective operation portions 81 and 82. The front surface of the panel (operation panel unit 80) is erroneously set with an operation button, and the first mode operation button 83 (see FIG. 12(a)) and the second are selectively set (displayed) in the "strong" operation unit 81. The mode operation button 84 (see Fig. 12 (b)). As shown in Fig. 12 (a), the first mode operation button 83 is displayed in a circular shape so as to surround the capacitance detecting portion 81b. Further, as shown in FIG. 12(b), the second mode operation button 84 is displayed in a horizontally elliptical shape that surrounds both of the capacitance detecting portions 81a and 81b.

In this case, when the first mode operation button 83 is set, the operation control unit only causes the capacitance detecting unit (capacitive touch sensor) 81b on the right side. It is effective to invalidate the capacitance detecting unit 81a on the left side (no touch detection is performed). On the other hand, when the second mode operation button 84 is set, both of the capacitance detecting units 81a and 81b are enabled (when any of the capacitance detecting units is turned on, it is determined that there is a touch operation).

In addition, the first mode operation button 85 (see FIG. 12(a)) and the second mode operation button 86 (see FIG. 12(b)) are selectively set (displayed) to the "weak" operation unit 82. Further, when the first mode operation button 85 is set, the operation control unit activates only the capacitance detecting unit 82b on the right side, and when the second mode operation button 86 is set, the capacitance detecting units 82a and 82b are provided. Both parties are valid. At this time, the user can adjust (change) whether the first mode operation buttons 83 and 85 are set to the second mode operation buttons 84 and 86 by operating the operation panel unit 80.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 12(a), when the first mode operation buttons 83 and 85 have been set, the operation buttons 83 and 85 are circular and relatively small. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12(b), when the second mode operation buttons 84 and 86 have been set, the appearance operation buttons 84 and 86 are large. In this way, the size of the operation buttons of the operation units 81 and 82 can be adjusted to a size desired by the user, and visibility and operability can be improved.

In addition, in the first embodiment or the like, the display unit and the operation unit (operation button) are displayed in a single color by the LED 42. However, as the light source of the display unit and the operation unit, for example, multicolor can be used. In the light-emitting LED, the operation control unit can be configured to change the display color in the display form by controlling the lighting color of each LED. In this case, the color of the display unit and the operation unit (operation button) can be adjusted to, for example, the color desired by the user for each display unit, thereby improving visibility. Or operational.

Further, in the first embodiment described above, the brightness of the display units 32 to 36 and the operation units 26 to 31 is adjusted in five levels. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be changed by four levels or less, or six. Change above level (no level). The degree of brightness adjustment can also be changed according to the color of the door (front panel). Further, in the above-described first embodiment, the brightness is adjusted for both the display units 32 to 36 and the operation units 26 to 31. However, it is also possible to change only the display form of any of the display unit and the operation unit, or to display the display. The display unit and the operation unit change the display form. The operation unit may also employ an operation unit that is configured to detect not only a touch operation but also a flip operation or a drag operation.

In the above embodiment, the operation panel portion 10 (operation unit 25) or the like is provided in the left door 8 of the double-opening door, but may be provided to the door 9 on the right side. In the above embodiment, the operation unit is a capacitive touch sensor, but various sensors or switches other than the above may be employed. Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the configuration (arrangement) of each chamber of the refrigerator main body, the type or number of operation portions (operation buttons) of the operation panel unit, and the display form of the display unit are also considered. Various modifications. Further, it can be implemented as appropriate without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, various modifications of the specific structure of the operation unit, for example, the type of the light source in the circuit board, the structure of the shield plate, and the like can be performed.

1‧‧‧ refrigerator body

2‧‧‧Insulation box

3‧‧‧Refrigerator

4‧‧‧ vegetable room

5‧‧‧ ice making room

6‧‧‧2nd freezer (switching room)

7‧‧‧1st freezer

8‧‧‧Left door

9‧‧‧The right door

10‧‧‧Operator panel

11, 12, 13, 14‧‧ ‧ insulated doors

24‧‧‧ front panel

31a‧‧‧ operation button

Claims (13)

A refrigerator having an operation panel portion on a front panel portion of a door of the refrigerator body, the operation panel portion including an operation portion and a display portion corresponding to the operation portion, and the refrigerator includes an adjustment member that changes the above The display form of the display unit and/or the operation unit in the operation panel unit. The refrigerator according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the front panel is configured to have translucency, and the operation panel unit includes a display unit having a light source, and the display unit and/or the operation unit are configured to face the front The panel is displayed for projection. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment element changes a display form of the operation panel unit based on an operation on the operation unit. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is provided with an indicator indicating a strength of setting of a cooling intensity in the refrigerator, and a display form of the operation panel unit of the adjustment element. When the change is made, the above indicator is switched to display indicating the adjustment level. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit includes a plurality of operation buttons, and is operated by simultaneously operating two of the operation buttons defined therein, and is switched to an adjustment mode capable of performing the operation panel portion. Display the change operation of the form. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the two operation buttons specified above are spaced apart. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the determination of the display form of the operation panel unit after the change operation is performed by operating the decision operation button of the operation unit, or by the operation unit The last operation is carried out after a predetermined period of time. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is provided with two operation buttons for instructing a change in the display form of the operation panel unit and raising and lowering the adjustment level. The refrigerator according to any one of the first to eighth aspect, wherein the adjustment element changes a brightness of the display unit and/or the operation unit as a display form of the operation panel unit. The refrigerator according to any one of the first to eighth aspect, wherein the adjustment element changes a color of the display unit and/or the operation unit as a display form of the operation panel unit. The refrigerator according to any one of the first to eighth aspect, wherein the adjustment element changes a position of the display unit and/or the operation unit as a display form of the operation panel unit. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the adjustment element changes a size of the display unit and/or the operation unit as a display form of the operation panel unit. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the front panel has a white coating film, and the preset value of the brightness of the display unit and/or the operation unit is set to a plurality of levels of brightness. Below the brightness.