TW201643359A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a refrigerator which has metallic luster in appearance, and further includes a door having an excellent operability by using an electrostatic capacitance sensor. A refrigerator of an embodiment includes a door configured to open and close an opening portion of a storage compartment. The refrigerator is characterized in that the door includes a door front plate provided at an outside of the refrigerator, a door inside plate provided at an inner side of the refrigerator, an insulation material provided between the door front plate and the door inside plate, an electrode of the electrostatic capacitance sensor provided between the door front plate and the insulation material, and a metal film provided between the door front plate and the electrode of the electrostatic capacitance sensor. A parasitic capacitance of the metal film is smaller than a parasitic capacitance of a substrate including the electrode of the electrostic capacitance sensor or a parasitic capacitance of the door front plate.

Description

refrigerator

The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-114883 (filed on June 5, 2015) and Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-185098 (filed on September 18, 2015), and has priority from these applications. This application contains the entire contents of the application by reference to these applications.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a refrigerator.

In the refrigerator, there is a refrigerator in which an operation unit (also referred to as an operation panel unit or the like) for switching the operation mode or the like is provided on the door. A plurality of buttons for operation are displayed on the operation unit, and electrodes of a capacitive sensor are respectively disposed on the back sides of the respective button displays. When a conductor such as a human finger approaches or contacts a button, an electrostatic capacitance is generated between the conductor and the electrode of the capacitive sensor, and the amount of charge accumulated in the electrode of the capacitive sensor changes, and the micro The computer detects the above-described situation, and the control unit provided in the refrigerator performs control corresponding to the button (for example, refer to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2014-40960).

Further, the door of the refrigerator has a structure in which a heat insulating material is interposed between a door front panel provided outside the box and a door inner panel provided inside the box. The operation portion is provided between the front panel of the door and the heat insulating material (for example, refer to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2014-40960). In the door of such a refrigerator, it has been studied to provide a door having a metallic luster from the outside of the box by providing a metal film on the side of the heat insulating material of the front panel of the door. At this time, in order to make the entire door have a metallic luster, a metal film is also provided between the front panel of the door and the operation portion of the electrode including the capacitive sensor.

However, in general, the parasitic capacitance of the metal film is large, so even if a conductor such as a human finger approaches or contacts the front panel of the door, only a parasitic capacitance with respect to the metal film is generated between the conductor and the electrode of the capacitive sensor. A small amount of electrostatic capacitance. Therefore, when a metal film exists between the front panel and the operation portion, the operability of the electrostatic capacitance sensor is not good.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator including a door having a metallic luster in appearance and excellent operability by a capacitive sensor.

The refrigerator according to the embodiment includes a door that opens and closes an opening of the storage compartment, and the refrigerator includes a door front panel disposed outside the box, a door inner panel disposed inside the box, and a front panel disposed on the door. a heat insulating material between the inner panels of the door, an electrode of the capacitive sensor disposed between the front panel of the door and the heat insulating material, and an electrode disposed on the front panel of the door and the electrostatic capacitance sensor A metal film is interposed, and a parasitic capacitance of the metal film is smaller than a parasitic capacitance of a substrate including an electrode of the electrostatic capacitance sensor or a parasitic capacitance of the front panel of the door.

In the refrigerator having the above features, the door has a metallic luster in appearance, and the operability of the electrostatic capacitance type sensor is good.

The refrigerator 10 of this embodiment will be described based on the drawings. In the drawings, for convenience of explanation, the size of the member may be exaggerated and drawn.

The refrigerator 10 of the present embodiment includes a cooling cycle device that generates cold air, and a control unit such as a microcomputer. The control unit controls the cooling cycle device and sends the cold air generated by the cooling cycle device to the storage compartment, thereby keeping the storage compartment at a low temperature. A blower outlet into which the cold air enters the storage compartment is provided inside the storage compartment.

The main body of the refrigerator 10 is configured by combining an outer case forming the outer periphery of the refrigerator 10 with an inner case in which the storage compartment is formed, and inserting a heat insulating material between the outer case and the inner case. A vacuum insulation panel for exhausting the glass foam or the like inside the casing may be provided between the outer casing and the inner casing.

As shown in Fig. 1, in the main body of the refrigerator 10 of the present embodiment, a plurality of storage compartments are provided, and the opening in front of each storage compartment can be opened and closed by a door. The number or type of the storage compartment is not limited. For example, in the refrigerator 10 of FIG. 1, a refrigerating compartment and a vegetable compartment are provided in order from the top, and an ice making compartment and a small freezing compartment are arranged side by side below the bottom, A freezer compartment is provided below.

The opening of the refrigerating compartment is closed by the left and right refrigerating compartment doors 11, 12. The left end portion of the refrigerating compartment door 11 on the left side is attached to the left end portion of the main body of the refrigerator 10 by a hinge. The right end portion of the refrigerating compartment door 12 on the right side is attached to the right end portion of the main body of the refrigerator 10 by a hinge. Due to the structure, the left and right refrigerating compartment doors 11, 12 can be left and right. The vegetable compartment, the ice making compartment, the small freezing compartment, and the freezing compartment are respectively closed by the withdrawal type vegetable compartment door 13, the ice making compartment door 14, the small freezing compartment door 15, and the freezing compartment door 16.

An operation portion 50 including a capacitive sensor is disposed in at least a portion of the doors. The door for providing the operation unit 50 or the operation that can be operated by the operation unit 50 is not limited. In the case of the present embodiment, the operation unit 50a for opening the door is provided in each of the lower portions of the refrigerator compartment doors 11 and 12, and further An operation portion 50b for controlling a cooling cycle or the like is provided at a central portion of one of the refrigerating chamber doors 12 in the vertical direction. The control unit controls the refrigerator 10 based on the operations in these operation sections 50.

As an example of the cross-sectional structure of the door of the refrigerator 10, FIG. 2 shows the cross-sectional structure of the front-rear direction of the location of the refrigerator compartment door 12 in which the operation part 50 was provided. The outer periphery of the refrigerating compartment door 12 is formed by combining a door front panel 30 provided on the outer side of the box (the front side of the refrigerator) from the front and rear, and a door inner panel 31 provided on the inner side of the box (the rear side of the refrigerator). The door front panel 30 has light transmissivity. Generally, the door front panel 30 is colorless and transparent and is formed of, for example, glass having a thickness of about 3 mm. Further, a transparent resin material such as a transparent acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin or an acrylic resin may be used. A heat insulating material 32 is disposed between the door front panel 30 and the door inner panel 31. The material of the heat insulating material 32 is not limited. Examples of the material of the heat insulating material 32 include foamed urethane, polystyrene, and glass wool. An operation portion 50 is provided between the door front panel 30 and the heat insulating material 32. Further, a metal film having a small parasitic capacitance described below is provided between the door front panel 30 and the operation unit 50. The design form of the metal film is not limited. In the case of the present embodiment, the metal film is laminated as a part of the film 40, and the film 40 is provided between the door front panel 30 and the operation portion 50. The operation unit 50 only needs to include a capacitance type sensor, and its configuration is not limited. In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 50 includes the first substrate 54 and the electrodes 52 of the plurality of capacitance sensors provided on the first substrate 54. Further, a second substrate 55 including a light source 56 such as a microcomputer 57 or a light emitting diode (LED) is provided inside the case (rear side) of the first substrate 54. The microcomputer 57 detects a change in the capacitance of the electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor or causes the light source 56 to light. The first substrate 54 and the second substrate 55 are electrically connected via the respective connectors 51 and the relay harness 53. The light of the light source 56 passes through the hole 58 provided in the first substrate 54, and the film 40 outside the box is irradiated from the inside of the case to the outside of the case. As will be described later, the film 40 is formed of a member having light transmissivity, so that characters or the like printed on the film 40 can be seen from outside the box.

The capacitance type sensor of this embodiment is a self capacitance type capacitance type sensor. When a conductor such as a finger of a person approaches or contacts the outer portion of the electrode of the electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor of the front panel 30, an electrostatic capacitance is generated between the conductor and the electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor, and is accumulated in the capacitive sensor. The amount of charge in the electrode 52 changes, and the microcomputer 57 detects the proximity or contact of the conductor. It is particularly preferable that the capacitive sensor is a proximity sensor that detects the outer portion of the electrode of the electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor that is close to the front panel 30 of the door. The degree of proximity of the detection can be made undefined, for example, when the outer side portion of the electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor from the front panel 30 is close to a portion 10 cm to 20 cm apart from the front panel 30 in the vertical direction. It can be tested at the time. The capacitive sensor may be a touch sensor that detects a conductor 52 when it contacts the outer portion of the electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor of the front panel 30. Further, the capacitive sensor may be a converter that can be switched between a proximity mode that operates as a proximity sensor and a touch mode that operates as a touch sensor. Proximity sensors require a higher sensitivity than touch sensors. The film 40 includes a sheet-like substrate 41. The substrate 41 has light transmissivity, and more desirably is colorless and transparent. The material of the base material 41 is not limited, and is preferably a synthetic resin. Particularly, in terms of appearance quality, polyethylene terephthalate is particularly preferable. As shown in the figure, it is preferable that the surface of the inside of the case of the base material 41 is provided with a concavo-convex shape. Further, the printed layer 42 may be formed by printing characters or the like on the surface of the inside of the case of the substrate 41. The printing method includes ultraviolet (UV) printing or the like which is irradiated with ultraviolet rays by a pattern drawn by an ultraviolet curable ink, and is instantly cured.

A metal film having a small parasitic capacitance is laminated on the inside of the case of the substrate 41 (when the printed layer 42 is formed on the surface of the inside of the case of the substrate 41, the inside of the case is placed further). The small parasitic capacitance means that the parasitic capacitance is smaller than the parasitic capacitance of the substrate including the electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor or less than the parasitic capacitance of the front panel 30. In addition, the parasitic capacitance of the substrate including the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor is smaller than the first substrate 54 including the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor and the microcomputer 57 as in the present embodiment. When the substrate 55 is electrically connected, it is smaller than the parasitic capacitance of the first substrate 54 in the connected state. Here, the parasitic capacitance of the substrate refers to a microcomputer in which a parasitic capacitance generated between a wiring pattern such as a ground such as a ground and a metal of the electrode 52 or a capacitive sensor mounted on the substrate is used. The parasitic capacitance of the total parasitic capacitance that affects the electrode 52 such as the parasitic capacitance between the element and the electrode 52, and the parasitic capacitance of the entire substrate in a state where the wiring pattern or the element is mounted on the substrate. Furthermore, the capacitance sensor detects the electrostatic capacitance generated between the electrode and the human finger, and the parasitic capacitance such as the parasitic capacitance of the substrate or the parasitic capacitance of the metal film hinders the electrostatic capacitance sensor from detecting the electrostatic capacitance. It is desirable that the parasitic capacitance is small.

Examples of the metal film having a small parasitic capacitance include various metal films. In the present embodiment, the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 is used as an example of a metal film having a small parasitic capacitance. The discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 is a metal film which exhibits non-conductivity and has small parasitic capacitance due to no bonding between metal particles. The discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 can be formed by a known metal deposition method. Further, when it is expressed as a metal vapor deposition method, it is needless to say that the vacuum evaporation method further includes sputtering or the like. The kind of metal used in the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 is not limited. Among them, tin or an alloy containing tin, that is, a tin alloy, forms an oxide layer around the metal particles by a known metal deposition method, and the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 is easily formed. The discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 has light transmissivity. When the surface of the inside of the case of the base material 41 is provided with a concavo-convex shape, the uneven vapor deposition film 43 is also provided with a concavo-convex shape. When the length in the front-rear direction of the refrigerating chamber door 12 between the concave portion of the discontinuous vapor-deposited film 43 and the apex of the convex portion is the height of the concavo-convex shape, the height of the concavo-convex shape is several micrometers (μm) to several millimeters (mm). )about.

The surface of the inside of the case of the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 may be covered by the sheet-like protective layer 45. The protective layer 45 is bonded to the discontinuous deposited film 43 via the adhesive layer 44 containing an adhesive. The material of the protective layer 45 is not limited. Wherein, when the heat insulating material 32 is composed of a foamed urethane (that is, a foamed urethane or a foamed urethane is added to other materials), the protective layer is desirably Contains polyvinyl chloride.

A light-transmitting coloring layer 46 may be provided on the outer side of the substrate of the substrate 41. The material or formation method of the colored layer 46 is not limited, and can be formed, for example, by printing on the surface of the outer surface of the substrate 41 by UV printing or the like. An adhesive layer 47 for attaching the film 40 to the front panel 30 may be formed on the outer surface of the colored layer 46. The adhesive layer 47 has light transmissivity. The adhesive layer 47 is desirably colorless and transparent in a hardened state. The adhesive layer 47 desirably contains a UV hardener (a resin which is hardened by radical polymerization or cationic polymerization when irradiated with ultraviolet rays). When the adhesive layer 47 contains a UV hardener, the front panel 30 and the film 40 can be adhered by adhering the surface of the film 40 on the side of the adhesive layer 47 to the front panel 30 and irradiating ultraviolet rays from the front panel 30 side. Further, a logo or the like may be printed on the surface inside the box of the door front panel 30 by a method such as silk screen printing.

Further, the layers in the film 40 are in close contact. Such a film 40 can be disposed, for example, on the entire rear side of the door front panel 30 of the refrigerating compartment door 12.

An example of a method of manufacturing the refrigerating compartment door 12 of the above configuration is shown. First, each layer is laminated on the substrate 41 by the method exemplified above to produce the film 40. Next, the film 40 is adhered to the front panel 30. Next, the door front panel 30 to which the film 40 is attached and the door inner panel 31 are fitted in the door cover to be combined. Then, the operation portion 50 is slidably inserted into the refrigerating chamber door 12 from the opening portion of the door cover or the like, and the operation portion 50 is fixed in the refrigerating chamber door 12, and then the opening portion is closed. Finally, a hole formed in the front panel 30 or the door inner panel 31 is injected into the space between the door front panel 30 and the door inner panel 31. Further, the storage container accommodating the stored product is fixed to the surface inside the box of the door inner panel 31. The refrigerating compartment door 12 manufactured as described above is attached to the main body of the refrigerator 10 by a hinge or the like.

In the refrigerator 10 of the present embodiment having the above configuration, in the refrigerator compartment door 12, the front portion of the operation portion 50 is between the door front panel 30 and the operation portion 50, and the portion other than the front portion of the operation portion 50 is on the front panel of the door. Between the 30 and the heat insulating material 32, a metal discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 is provided, so that the refrigerator compartment door 12 as a whole has metallic luster in appearance. Moreover, the parasitic capacitance of the discontinuous vapor-deposited film 43 between the front panel 30 and the electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor is small, so that when a conductor such as a human finger approaches or contacts the front panel 30, the electrostatic capacitance sensor can be prevented from being discontinuously vapor-deposited. 43 The detection of the situation is obstructed. Therefore, the operability of the electrostatic capacitance type sensor is good.

When the parasitic capacitance of the metal film such as the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 is smaller than the parasitic capacitance of the substrate including the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor, even when the design is changed by changing the uneven shape of the metal film or the thickness of the metal film, The same substrate can be used. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the substrate every time the design is changed, and the design variation of the door can be easily increased.

When the parasitic capacitance of the metal film such as the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 is smaller than the parasitic capacitance of the front panel 30, the door front panel 30 having a large parasitic capacitance is disposed in the front panel 30 and the metal film which affect the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor. The influence of the parasitic capacitance is suppressed at a position away from the electrode 52 of the capacitance type sensor, whereby the detection by the capacitance sensor can be performed with high precision.

In particular, when the capacitance type sensor is a proximity sensor, the sensitivity of the capacitance type sensor is required to be high. In the present embodiment, the metal between the door front panel 30 and the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor is a discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 having a small parasitic capacitance, so that the sensitivity required as a proximity sensor can be maintained.

When the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 contains tin or a tin alloy, the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 is easily produced, and the parasitic capacitance of the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 is small, so that the operability of the capacitance sensor is improved. Further, a part of the metal such as tin or a tin alloy is hardly vapor-deposited on the glass front panel 30. However, in the present embodiment, the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 is not laminated directly on the back surface of the door front panel 30, but is laminated on the base material 41 of the film 40 provided between the door front panel 30 and the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor. Even if it is difficult to vapor-deposit the metal of the glass front door panel 30, the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 can be formed between the door front panel 30 and the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor.

Further, the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 is not directly laminated on the back surface of the door front panel 30, but is laminated on the substrate 41 of the film 40 provided between the door front panel 30 and the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor, so that the film 40 can be passed through the film 40. The detailed structure is varied to increase the appearance of the door as viewed from the outside of the box.

For example, when the discontinuous vapor-deposited film 43 on the inner side of the case of the substrate 41 is provided with a concavo-convex shape, since the base material 41 and the front door panel 30 have translucency, a concavo-convex shape having a metallic luster can be observed from the outside of the case. Further, the refrigerator 10 can have a three-dimensional feeling due to the visual effect of the uneven shape.

In addition, when the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 is laminated on the inner surface of the substrate of the substrate 41, and the light-transmissive coloring layer 46 is laminated on the surface of the outer surface of the substrate 41, the coloring layer 46 is transmitted from the outside of the box. The discontinuous vapor-deposited film 43 was observed on the back side, and it was observed that the door had a luster derived from metallic luster and was colored.

Further, when a fluid heat insulating material is injected between the door front panel 30 and the door inner panel 31 in the manufacturing step of the door, the heat insulating material is in contact with the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43, and if the heat insulating material shrinks thereafter, there is discontinuity. The vapor deposited film 43 produces wrinkles. However, when the protective layer 45 is provided inside the tank of the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43, the heat insulating material can be prevented from coming into contact with the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43, and wrinkles can be prevented from occurring in the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43. Further, when the heat insulating material 32 contains the foamed urethane, if the protective layer 45 contains polyvinyl chloride, the adhesion between the heat insulating material 32 and the film 40 is improved.

In addition, when the film 40 including the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 is provided on the entire rear side (the inside of the case) of the door front panel 30 of the refrigerating compartment door 12, the appearance of the refrigerator compartment door 12 as a whole is excellent. Further, when the film 40 including the discontinuous vapor deposition film 43 is provided on the rear side of the door front panel of all the doors of the refrigerator 10, the overall appearance of the refrigerator 10 is excellent.

The above embodiments can be variously modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The following is a list of changes.

(Modification 1)

When a film is provided between the door front panel 30 and the operation portion 50, the film may include at least a sheet-like base material and a metal film having a small parasitic capacitance laminated thereon. Therefore, the film may include only a metal film having a small substrate and a parasitic capacitance, and may include a layer different from the layer described in the above embodiment. Further, a metal film having a small parasitic capacitance may be provided on the outer side of the substrate of the substrate.

(Modification 2)

The metal film having a small parasitic capacitance is required to be provided at least in a gate including a capacitance type sensor. Therefore, for example, a film including a metal film having a small parasitic capacitance may be provided to a gate including a capacitive sensor, and a gate other than the gate may include a metal having a large parasitic capacitance (for example, aluminum or an alloy containing aluminum, that is, an aluminum alloy). Membrane of the membrane.

(Change 3)

When a metal film having a small parasitic capacitance of a concavo-convex shape (herein, a discontinuous vapor deposition film is taken as an example) is provided in a plurality of (for example, all) doors, a part of the doors are provided in the discontinuous vapor deposition film. The height of the concave and convex shape can also be different from other doors. That is, some of the doors may be different from the other doors in terms of the height of the uneven shape of the discontinuous vapor deposition film. For example, in the refrigerating chamber doors 11 and 12 which are doors in the height range of the human eye, the height of the uneven shape of the discontinuous vapor deposition film may be low, and in the door other than the door, the height of the concavo-convex shape is higher than that of the door. Said height.

Here, in order to exhibit the three-dimensional feeling of the door, it is desirable that the height of the uneven shape of the discontinuous vapor deposition film is high. However, when the height of the uneven shape is high, interference fringes of light are likely to occur, which may impair the beauty. Here, the interference fringes are easily generated when the person observes the door from the normal direction of the door. That is, the interference fringes are easily generated at the height of the human eye.

Therefore, as exemplified above, if the height of the uneven shape of the discontinuous vapor-deposited film is lowered in the refrigerating chamber doors 11, 12 which are in the height range of the human eye, the possibility of visually recognizing the interference fringe can be reduced. . Further, when the height of the uneven shape is increased in the door other than the door, the refrigerator as a whole has a three-dimensional feeling.

Further, the door may have a plurality of regions having different heights of the uneven shape of the discontinuous vapor deposition film. In other words, a plurality of regions having different heights of the uneven shape of the discontinuous deposited film may be provided in one of the doors. For example, in the case of the refrigerating compartment door 12, the central portion of the door and the lower portion of the door (for example, a portion 2/3 below the door) in the height range of the human eye may have a low height of the uneven shape of the discontinuous vapor-deposited film. In the upper portion of the door (for example, the upper third portion of the door) at a position higher than the height of the human eye, the height of the uneven shape of the discontinuous vapor-deposited film is higher. At this time, the possibility that the human eye visually recognizes the interference fringe is also reduced, and the refrigerator as a whole has a three-dimensional feeling.

(Modification 4)

FIG. 3 shows another example of a metal film having a parasitic capacitance smaller than the parasitic capacitance of the first substrate 54 of the electrode 52 including the capacitance sensor.

The film 140a of FIG. 3 is provided between the door front panel 30 and the operation portion 50 in the same manner as the film 40. In the film 140a, a plurality of dot-shaped metal portions 143a are arranged on one surface of the sheet-like base material 141 to form a metal film. The material of the dot-shaped metal portion 143a is not limited, and is, for example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy. It is preferable that the diameter p of one dot-shaped metal portion 143a is 500 μm or less, and the interval q between the two closest dot-shaped metal portions 143a is 100 μm or less. Moreover, it is more preferable that the ratio of the total area of all the dot-shaped metal parts 143a to the area of the base material 141 is 80% or more. Such a metal film can be produced, for example, using a known photographic technique. In addition to the base material 141 and the metal film, the film 140a may be provided with a colored layer, a protective layer or the like in the same manner as the film 40 of the above-described embodiment.

In the metal film, the diameter p of one dot-shaped metal portion 143a is as small as, for example, 500 μm or less, and the dot-shaped metal portions 143a are not bonded to each other, so that the non-conductivity is exhibited and the parasitic capacitance is smaller than that of the electrode including the electrostatic capacitance sensor. The parasitic capacitance of the first substrate 54 of 52. Therefore, similarly to the case of the above-described embodiment, when a conductor such as a human finger approaches or contacts the door front panel 30, the capacitance sensor can detect the situation and the metal film does not hinder. In the case of the metal film in which the plurality of dot-shaped metal portions 143a are arranged, a metal such as aluminum or aluminum alloy which is likely to have a large parasitic capacitance in a state in which metal particles are continuous may be provided. A material of a metal film having a small parasitic capacitance between the front panel 30 and the operation portion 50.

Further, the interval q between the two closest point-like metal portions 143a is as narrow as, for example, 100 μm or less, and the total area of all the dot-shaped metal portions 143a is wide, so that the human visually does not think that the metal is in a dot shape. Therefore, the refrigerating compartment door 12 has a metallic luster in appearance as in the case of the above embodiment.

Further, the film 140b of FIG. 4 is also provided between the door front panel 30 and the operation portion 50 in the same manner as the film 40. In the film 140b, a plurality of strip-shaped metal portions 143b are arranged in a stripe shape on one surface of the sheet-like base material 141 to form a metal film. The material of the strip-shaped metal portion 143b is not limited, and is, for example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy. It is preferable that the width r of one strip-shaped metal portion 143b is 500 μm or less, and the interval s between the adjacent two strip-shaped metal portions 143b is 100 μm or less. Moreover, it is more preferable that the ratio of the total area of all the strip-shaped metal parts 143b to the area of the base material 141 is 80% or more. Such a metal film can be produced, for example, using a known photographic technique. In addition to the base material 141 and the metal film, the film 140b may be provided with a colored layer, a protective layer or the like in the same manner as the film 40 of the above-described embodiment.

The metal film of FIG. 4 also does not hinder the detection of the conductor by the capacitance sensor, and the appearance of the refrigerating compartment door 12 is excellent.

(Modification 5)

When a metal film having a parasitic capacitance smaller than a parasitic capacitance of the first substrate 54 of the electrode 52 including the capacitance sensor is provided at least in the front portion of the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor, the capacitance sensor may be used in the capacitance sensor. A portion other than the front side of the electrode 52 is provided with a metal layer having a parasitic capacitance larger than that of the metal film.

An example of this is shown in FIG. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5. In this modification, a metal layer 243b having a parasitic capacitance larger than that of the metal film 243a having a parasitic capacitance smaller than the parasitic capacitance of the first substrate 54 of the electrode 52 including the capacitance sensor is laminated. The metal film 243a and the metal layer 243b are both provided on the rear side of the door front panel 30 over a wide range (ideally, the entire rear side of the door front panel 30). Among them, the front portion of the electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor of the metal layer 243b is cut. The cut portion may be only the front portion of the electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor, or may be the front portion of the electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor and its peripheral portion (for example, the entire front portion of the operation portion 50). The material of the metal layer 243b is not limited. Further, in FIG. 5, the layer corresponding to the printed layer 42 of the above embodiment is omitted, and the printed layer 42 may be actually present.

In the case of this modification, a metal (for example, aluminum or aluminum alloy) layer having a large parasitic capacitance but excellent in appearance as a metal layer 243b can be provided in a portion other than the front side of the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor. The door 12 is excellent in appearance. On the other hand, in the front portion of the electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor, the metal layer 243b having a large parasitic capacitance is not provided, and only the metal film 243a having a small parasitic capacitance is provided, so that a conductor such as a human finger approaches or contacts the front panel 30 of the door. At this time, the situation can be detected by the electrostatic capacitance sensor without being hindered by the metal layer 243b.

Another example is shown in Figure 6. In addition, the parts which are common to FIG. 2 and FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this modification, the metal film 343a having a parasitic capacitance smaller than the parasitic capacitance of the first substrate 54 including the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor is disposed on the same plane as the metal layer 343b having a parasitic capacitance larger than the metal film 343a. Specifically, the metal film 343a having a small parasitic capacitance is provided in the front portion of the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor (may be only the front portion of the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor, and may be the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor). A portion where the front portion is combined with the peripheral portion thereof is provided with a metal layer 343b having a parasitic capacitance larger than that of the metal film 343a. Further, the metal film 343a and the metal layer 343b are on the same plane. That is, on the same plane, it is divided into a portion of the metal film 343a and a portion of the metal layer 343b.

In the case of this modified example, a layer of a metal (for example, aluminum or aluminum alloy) having a large parasitic capacitance but an excellent appearance may be used as the metal layer 343b in a portion other than the front side of the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor. The refrigerating compartment door 12 is excellent in appearance. On the other hand, in the front portion of the electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor, the metal layer 343b having a large parasitic capacitance is not provided, and only the metal film 343a having a small parasitic capacitance is provided, so that a conductor such as a human finger approaches or contacts the front panel 30 of the door. At this time, the situation can be detected by the electrostatic capacitance sensor without being hindered by the metal layer 343b. Further, compared with the case of FIG. 5, the amount of use of the metal film 343a can be suppressed.

Further, even if the same metal has a different parasitic capacitance depending on the thickness, the metal film 343a and the metal layer 343b may be made of the same metal and have different thicknesses.

In addition, in FIGS. 5 and 6, a metal film having a small parasitic capacitance is not formed with irregularities, and irregularities may be formed in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG.

(Modification 6)

Since the periphery of the substrate (the first substrate 54 or the second substrate 55) of the operation unit 50 is an air layer, when the low temperature in the storage chamber is transmitted to the substrate, the substrate is dew condensation and the operation unit 50 malfunctions. Therefore, it is also possible to try to prevent condensation of the substrate. An example of such a method is shown in FIGS. 7 to 9. In FIGS. 7 to 9, the same portions as those in the other drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the example of FIG. 7, the vacuum heat insulation board 432 is provided in the inside of the tank of the operation part 50. The vacuum heat insulating panel 432 is exhausted after the inside of the casing is filled with glass wool or the like. The thickness of the vacuum heat insulating panel 432 in the front-rear direction is preferably 20 mm or more. In the case of this example, by providing the vacuum heat insulating panel 432 inside the box of the operation unit 50, the low temperature in the storage chamber is not easily transmitted to the substrate of the operation unit 50, and the substrate is less likely to dew condensation.

Another example is shown in FIG. In this example, a metal member 532 having good thermal conductivity is disposed in a portion of the door that houses the operation portion 50. Specifically, a metal member 532 (for example, a metal foil such as an aluminum foil or a metal plate) is provided in contact with the surface of the inside of the casing of the operation unit 50. The metal member 532 further extends to the outside of the case so as to enclose the operation portion 50 from the inside of the case. In the case of this example, the heat on the outer side of the tank is transmitted along the metal member 532, and the surface inside the tank of the operation portion 50 that is in contact with the metal member 532 is maintained at a relatively high temperature. Therefore, the substrate in the operation unit 50 is less likely to become a low temperature, and the substrate is less likely to dew condensation.

Another example is shown in FIG. In this example, a heater 601 is provided on the door. The portion where the heater 601 is provided is not limited, and is, for example, a rotating spacer 602 (provided on the right side portion of the refrigerating chamber door 11 on the left side, and in close contact with the left side portion of the refrigerating chamber door 12 on the right side in the closed state, thereby maintaining the right and left sides The inside of the closed state of the refrigerating compartment doors 11 and 12 or the part close to the operating part 50 in the door. In this example, the substrate is kept at a relatively high temperature by the heat of the heater 601, so that the substrate is less likely to condense. Further, when the heater 601 is away from the operation portion 50, a metal member (for example, a metal foil such as an aluminum foil or a metal plate) may be provided throughout the heater 601 to the operation portion 50. Thereby, the heat of the heater 601 is efficiently transmitted to the substrate of the operation unit 50, and the substrate of the operation unit 50 is less likely to condense. When the heater 601 is close to the operation portion 50, such a metal member may not be present.

When the cold air enters the air outlet in the storage chamber behind the operation unit 50, the operation unit 50 tends to be low temperature, and thus the above-described method is particularly effective. It is also possible to combine two or more of the above three examples.

By preventing the dew condensation of the substrate and the effect of multiplying the metal film having a small parasitic capacitance between the front panel 30 and the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor, the operation portion 50 has less malfunction and further improved operability.

(Modification 7)

The door of the refrigerator is opened and closed several times, and it will be impacted whenever it is opened and closed. Therefore, the first substrate 54 of the operation unit 50 is displaced from the initial position, and the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor is deviated from the film 40. At this time, even if the button is displayed on the film 40, the position where the button is displayed and the position of the electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor are deviated, so that the capacitive sensor does not respond even if a human finger or the like approaches or touches the button display. After that. Therefore, as a countermeasure, it is also possible to prevent the deviation of the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor.

An example of such a method is shown in FIG. In this example, the operation unit 50 and the electrode 52 of the capacitance sensor provided here are pressed against the front door panel 30 and the film 40 so as not to be displaced from the film 40. The structure for pressing is not limited, and the elastic mechanism 703 is used in the example of Fig. 10. In this example, the storage member 701 is fixed inside the refrigerator compartment door 12. The accommodating member 701 is fixed to the inside of the refrigerating compartment door 12 (for example, the door cover 702 provided in the upper, lower, left and right ends of the refrigerating compartment door 12 and integrating the door front panel 30 and the door inner panel 31). The operation unit 50 is surrounded by the storage member 701 inside the refrigerator compartment door 12.

Further, one end portion of the elastic mechanism 703 such as a spring or a rubber is fixed to the housing member 701, and the other end portion of the elastic mechanism 703 is fixed to a part of the operation portion 50. Further, the operating portion 50 and the electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor fixed thereto are pressed against the door front panel 30 and the film 40 by the force of the elastic mechanism 703.

Thereby, the electrode 52 of the capacitance type sensor provided in the operation unit 50 is less likely to deviate from the film 40, and when a human finger or the like approaches or touches the button display, the capacitance sensor corresponding to the button is correctly made. reaction.

Further, the electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor may be pressed against the door front panel 30 and the film 40 by a mechanism different from the elastic mechanism 703. For example, the door cover 702 may be provided to insert the operation portion 50 into the refrigerator compartment door 12. The opening is provided with a guide mechanism such as a rail for moving the operation portion 50 throughout a fixed position of the operation portion 50 that is opened to the inside of the refrigerating chamber door 12. Further, when the operation unit 50 is moved along the guide mechanism, the operation unit 50 is gradually pressed in the direction of the door front panel 30, and is pressed against the film 40 when reaching the fixed position of the operation unit 50.

Various changes, substitutions, omissions, and the like may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The above is illustrative, and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto. The above embodiments and their modifications are included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

10‧‧‧ refrigerator
11‧‧‧Refrigerated compartment door on the left
12‧‧‧Refrigeration door on the right
13‧‧‧ vegetable room door
14‧‧‧Ice door
15‧‧‧Small freezer door
16‧‧‧Freezer door
30‧‧‧ front panel
31‧‧‧door panel
32‧‧‧Insulation
40, 140a, 140b‧‧‧ film
41, 141‧‧‧Substrate
42‧‧‧Printing layer
43‧‧‧Discontinuous vapor deposition film
44, 47‧‧‧ adhesive layer
45‧‧‧Protective layer
46‧‧‧Colored layer
50, 50a, 50b‧‧‧ Operations Department
51‧‧‧Connector
52‧‧‧electrode of electrostatic capacitance sensor
53‧‧‧Trunk harness
54‧‧‧1st substrate
55‧‧‧2nd substrate
56‧‧‧Light source
57‧‧‧Microcomputer
58‧‧‧ hole
143a‧‧‧ Point Metals
143b‧‧‧Strip metal parts
243a, 343a‧‧‧ metal film
243b, 343b‧‧‧ metal layer
432‧‧‧Vacuum insulation board
532‧‧‧Metal components
601‧‧‧heater
602‧‧‧Rotating spacer
701‧‧‧ Storage components
702‧‧‧ door cover
703‧‧‧Flexible mechanism
P‧‧‧diameter
q, s‧‧‧ interval
r‧‧‧Width

Fig. 1 is a front view of the refrigerator 10 of the embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of Figure 1. 3 is a plan view showing a metal film having a small parasitic capacitance in Modification 4. 4 is a plan view showing a metal film having a small parasitic capacitance in Modification 4. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X of Fig. 1 of the door of the refrigerator in the fifth modification. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X of Fig. 1 of the door of the refrigerator in the fifth modification. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Y-Y of Fig. 1 of the door of the refrigerator in the sixth modification. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Y-Y of Fig. 1 of the door of the refrigerator in the sixth modification. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Y-Y of Fig. 1 of the door of the refrigerator in the sixth modification. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Y-Y of Fig. 1 of the door of the refrigerator in the seventh modification.

30‧‧‧ front panel

31‧‧‧door panel

32‧‧‧Insulation

40‧‧‧ film

41‧‧‧Substrate

42‧‧‧Printing layer

43‧‧‧Discontinuous vapor deposition film

44, 47‧‧‧ adhesive layer

45‧‧‧Protective layer

46‧‧‧Colored layer

50‧‧‧Operation Department

51‧‧‧Connector

52‧‧‧electrode of electrostatic capacitance sensor

53‧‧‧Trunk harness

54‧‧‧1st substrate

55‧‧‧2nd substrate

56‧‧‧Light source

57‧‧‧Microcomputer

58‧‧‧ hole

Claims (15)

A refrigerator including a door that opens and closes an opening of a storage compartment, the refrigerator characterized by: the door includes a door front panel disposed outside the box, a door inner panel disposed inside the box, and a front panel disposed on the door a heat insulating material between the inner panels of the door, an electrode of the capacitive sensor disposed between the front panel of the door and the heat insulating material, and an electrode disposed on the front panel of the door and the electrostatic capacitance sensor A metal film is interposed, and a parasitic capacitance of the metal film is smaller than a parasitic capacitance of a substrate including an electrode of the electrostatic capacitance sensor or a parasitic capacitance of the front panel of the door. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the metal film is a discontinuous vapor deposition film. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the metal film is laminated on a light-transmissive sheet-like substrate provided between the front panel of the door and the electrode of the capacitive sensor. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the metal film contains tin or a tin alloy. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the metal film is provided with a concavo-convex shape. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the substrate is laminated with the metal film on the inside of the case, and a light-transmitting coloring layer is laminated on the outside of the case. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the metal film is laminated on the inside of the case of the substrate, and a protective layer is laminated on the inside of the case of the metal film. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the protective layer comprises polyvinyl chloride, and the heat insulating material comprises a foamed urethane. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of the doors are included, and a part of the plurality of the doors is different from the other ones in a height of the concave and convex shape of the metal film . The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the door has a plurality of regions different in height of the uneven shape of the metal film. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electrostatic capacitance sensor is a proximity sensor that detects a conductor close to the front panel of the door. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a portion other than the front side of the electrode of the capacitance sensor is provided with a metal layer having a parasitic capacitance larger than that of the metal film. The refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the metal film and the metal layer are disposed on the same plane. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the metal film is formed by arranging a plurality of dot-shaped metal portions. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the metal film is formed by arranging a plurality of strip-shaped metal portions in a stripe shape.