TWI637138B - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The refrigerator (1) includes a refrigerating compartment door (11) and a display panel (50) disposed on the front surface of the refrigerating compartment door (11). On the back side of the display panel (50), a space is formed between the body portion of the refrigerating compartment door (11). Further, a vent (41) and a vent (42) formed in a space between the upper portion and the lower side of the display panel (50) are formed in a space formed between the main portion of the refrigerating chamber door (11). Further, at least one of the right end portion and the left end portion of the display panel (50) is disposed along either of the left and right end portions corresponding to the refrigerating chamber door (11).

Description

refrigerator

One aspect of the present invention relates to a refrigerator including a display panel in a door.

In recent years, with the reduction in thickness of video display devices, it has been proposed to mount a display panel such as a liquid crystal display on the front surface of a refrigerator door. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator 1 including a liquid crystal display 10. Specifically, in the refrigerator 1, a thin liquid crystal display 10 is embedded in a recess 4 formed on the front surface of the upper door 3.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-274923

In a refrigerator including the above liquid crystal display, how to release heat generated from the liquid crystal display has become a problem. In particular, it is important to increase the heat insulation performance in the refrigerator as much as possible in a refrigerator that is mainly intended for refrigerating or cryopreservation of foods. Therefore, it is expected that the heat generated from the liquid crystal display is not transmitted as much as possible in the refrigerator.

Therefore, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having a display panel in a door, which improves heat dissipation of the display panel and suppresses deterioration of heat insulation performance in the refrigerator.

A refrigerator according to an aspect of the present invention includes a door and a display panel disposed on a front surface of the door. Further, a space is formed between the door and the rear surface of the display panel, and a vent opening to the space is provided at an end portion of the display panel above and below. Further, at least one of the right end portion and the left end portion of the display panel is disposed along any one of the right and left end portions of the door.

In the refrigerator according to the aspect of the invention, the display panel may be disposed close to the open end side of the door.

In the refrigerator according to the aspect of the invention, the door may be provided with a hinge, and the end portion provided with the hinge may be provided with a wiring connected to the display panel.

In the refrigerator according to the aspect of the invention, the heat generating portion of the display panel may be disposed on the open end side of the door.

In the refrigerator according to the aspect of the invention, at least the vacuum heat insulating material may be disposed in the door at a position overlapping the display panel in the front view.

In the refrigerator according to the above aspect of the invention, the surface of the door may be the same as the surface of the display panel.

In the refrigerator according to the aspect of the invention, the display panel may be in surface contact with the connection portion of the door to the display panel.

According to the refrigerator of one aspect of the present invention, the heat dissipation of the display panel can be improved, and the heat insulation performance in the refrigerator can be suppressed from being lowered.

1‧‧‧ refrigerator

11‧‧‧Refrigerator door (door)

21‧‧‧Intermediate cover

22‧‧‧ Hinges

23‧‧‧ side cover

34‧‧‧Vacuum insulation

41‧‧‧ vent

42‧‧‧ vent

50‧‧‧ display panel

55‧‧‧Substrate setting unit (heating unit)

121a‧‧‧ (formed in the middle cover) groove (connection to the display panel)

135'a‧‧‧ (formed in the display panel setting plate) (connection to the display panel)

150‧‧‧ display panel

151‧‧‧ (display panel) hook

200‧‧‧ refrigerator

250‧‧‧ display panel

300‧‧‧ refrigerator

311‧‧‧Refrigerator door (door)

350‧‧‧ display panel

P1‧‧‧ space

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view showing the appearance of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view showing the refrigerator compartment door on the right side of the refrigerator shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of a back side of the refrigerating compartment door shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the refrigerating compartment door shown in Fig. 2; This figure is a longitudinal sectional view of the A-A line portion of the refrigerating compartment door shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the refrigerating compartment door shown in Fig. 2; This figure is a cross-sectional view of the portion B-B of the refrigerating compartment door shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 (a) is a front elevational view showing the configuration of a main body portion of the refrigerating compartment door shown in Fig. 2; (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the main body portion of the refrigerating compartment door shown in (a). This figure is a cross-sectional view of the C-C line portion of the refrigerating compartment door shown in (a).

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main body portion of the refrigerating compartment door shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 (a) is a front elevational view showing the configuration of a display panel provided in the refrigerator compartment door shown in Fig. 2 . (b) is a cross-sectional view of the D-D line portion of the refrigerating compartment door shown in (a).

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the display panel shown in Fig. 8(a).

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a mounting structure of a display panel to a refrigerator compartment door in the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the mounting structure of the display panel to the refrigerating compartment door in the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a front elevational view showing the appearance of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a front elevational view showing the appearance of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are given the same symbols. These names and functions are the same. Therefore, the details are not repeated for these.

(First embodiment)

(the overall composition of the refrigerator)

In the present embodiment, a refrigerator in which a display panel is provided on the surface of the door on the right side of the refrigerating compartment will be described as an example. Fig. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment. The refrigerator 1 includes a first refrigerating compartment in the upper stage, a second refrigerating compartment (vegetable compartment) in the middle section, and a freezing compartment in the lower section.

Further, the configuration or arrangement of each storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 is not limited to the above description. The configuration and arrangement of each storage compartment can be appropriately changed depending on the capacity, use, and the like of the refrigerator.

Further, the first refrigerating compartment in the upper stage is provided with a French door type refrigerating compartment door 11 (right side refrigerating compartment door) and 12 (remaining refrigerating compartment door). A pull-out refrigerating compartment door 13 is provided in the second refrigerating compartment of the middle section. A pull-out type freezer compartment door 14 is provided in the lower freezer compartment.

Further, the configuration of each door of the refrigerator 1 is not limited to the above description. The door of each storage compartment may be, for example, a split type, a switch from either of the left and right ends, a switchable from the left and right sides, a pull-out type, or the like depending on the structure, use, position, and the like of each storage compartment.

In the present embodiment, the surface on which the door is provided serves as the front surface (front surface) of the refrigerator. Further, based on the front, each surface of the refrigerator 1 is set as the upper side, the side surface, the back surface, and the bottom surface in accordance with the position where the refrigerator 1 is placed in a normal state. Therefore, in the present specification, the term "front side" (also referred to as "front side") or "back side" means that the front side or the back side is provided on an arbitrary position, or from any position toward the front or The direction of the back. In addition, in this specification, the direction from one side surface of the refrigerator 1 to the other side is called a left-right direction. Further, in the present specification, in principle, the "right side" of the refrigerator or the refrigerating compartment door means the side corresponding to the right side viewed from the front of the refrigerator, and the "left side" of the refrigerator or refrigerating compartment door means that it is viewed from the front of the refrigerator. It is equivalent to the side on the left side.

A display panel 50 is provided in the refrigerating compartment door 11 on the right side. The display panel 50 can be configured, for example, by a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like. In addition, the display panel 50 can also be made removable. In this case, the removed display panel 50 can be utilized as a tablet terminal.

The display panel 50 can display the refrigerator operation information and control information, the existing item information in the refrigerator, the calendar information, the recipe information, the message information, and the like. In addition, when a small camera is provided in the refrigerator, the image in the refrigerator photographed by the small camera can be displayed. In addition, when the display panel 50 is connected to the network, various web page information obtained through the network can also be displayed. In addition, on the display panel An input member such as a touch sensor is provided on the display surface or the edge portion, whereby the input operation can be performed on the display panel 50 in accordance with the display content.

(Composition of the refrigerator door)

Next, a more specific configuration of the refrigerating compartment door 11 provided in the refrigerator 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 5 . Fig. 2 is an enlarged view showing the front side of the refrigerating compartment door 11. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view showing the back side of the refrigerating compartment door 11. Fig. 4 shows the configuration of a longitudinal section of the refrigerating compartment door 11. Fig. 5 shows the configuration of a cross section of the refrigerating compartment door 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the display panel 50 is disposed in the central portion of the refrigerating compartment door 11 in the vertical direction. Further, an upper glass panel 11a is disposed above the display panel 50, and a lower glass panel 11b is disposed below the display panel 50.

Further, in the present embodiment, the display panel 50 is disposed close to the left side of the refrigerating compartment door 11 (that is, the open end side on which the center cover 21 (see FIGS. 2, 5, and the like) is attached). Further, a third glass panel 11c is disposed on the right side of the display panel (that is, the side on which the hinge 22 (see FIG. 2) is attached). As described above, in the present embodiment, the left end portion of the display panel 50 is disposed along the left end portion of the refrigerating chamber door 11.

A wiring 75 or the like connected to an electronic component such as the display panel 50 is disposed on the back side of the third glass panel 11c (see FIG. 5). The wiring 75 also includes a wire harness that bundles a plurality of wires. Further, a connection portion between the main body portion of the refrigerating chamber door 11 and the display panel 50 is disposed on the back side of the third glass panel 11c. In the example shown in Fig. 2, two connecting portions are provided, but the number of connecting portions is not limited thereto. As will be described later, the connecting portion is constituted by a fixing member 52 (52a or 52b) on the display panel 50 side, a projection 36 (36a or 36b) on the refrigerator compartment door 11 side, and a screw (not shown) fitted thereto.

In the present embodiment, the upper glass panel 11a, the surface of the display panel 50, the third glass panel 11c, and the lower glass panel 11b form the surface of the refrigerating compartment door 11. That is, the surface of the body portion of the refrigerating compartment door 11 is the same as the surface of the display panel 50.

Further, a vent opening 41 and a vent opening 42 provided in the space P1 provided on the back side of the display panel 50 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the display panel 50, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3, the back side of the refrigerating compartment door 11 is formed by the door back 31. The door back 31 is formed of, for example, a plate-shaped member made of resin. A plurality of storage pockets 61, 62, 63 are attached to the door back 31, and the plurality of storage pockets 61, 62, 63 are disposed on the back surface of the refrigerator compartment door 11 so as to extend in the left-right direction. Further, a protruding wall 32 is formed on the back side of the refrigerating compartment door 11 along the outer circumference of the door. The protruding wall 32 is also referred to as a bank, a flange, or the like.

Further, an intermediate cover 21 is attached to the open end of the refrigerating compartment door 11. A heat dissipation pipe for preventing frost formation may be disposed inside the intermediate cover 21. Further, a side cover 23 is attached to an end portion of the refrigerating compartment door 11 on the hinge 22 side.

Next, the internal structure of the refrigerating compartment door 11 will be described. A heat insulating layer is provided inside the refrigerator compartment door 11, that is, between the body portion forming the front side of the refrigerator compartment door 11 and the door back 31. The heat insulating layer is composed of, for example, a vacuum heat insulating material and a foam heat insulating material. The vacuum heat insulating material is a sheet-like or plate-shaped heat insulating material. The foamed heat insulating material can be formed, for example, of a foamed polyurethane (also referred to as a rigid polyurethane foam).

The vacuum heat insulating material is partially disposed in the casing of the refrigerator and the inside of each door. The vacuum heat insulating material covers a core material having fine voids such as glass wool or cerium oxide powder by an airtight outer covering material (a bag-like body such as a laminated film), and the inside of the outer covering material is sealed under reduced pressure. . The vacuum insulation material maintains a high vacuum in its internal space, which only reduces the heat transferred in the gas phase, thereby achieving high heat insulation. As the material constituting the vacuum heat insulating material, a well-known person can be used.

Therefore, in the refrigerator, it is preferable to dispose the vacuum heat insulating material particularly in a place where high heat insulation is required. For example, in the refrigerator 1, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the refrigerator door 11 is provided with a vacuum heat insulating material 34 at a position facing the display panel 50 (that is, a position overlapping the display panel 50 in a plan view). . Thereby, the heat generated from the display panel 50 can be more reliably blocked, and the heat insulating performance of the refrigerating compartment door 11 can be improved. In addition, In order to further improve the heat insulating performance, a vacuum heat insulating material may be disposed in a region other than the position facing the display panel 50.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, the glass panels 11a and 11b and the display panel 50 are arrange|positioned on the front side of the refrigerator compartment door 11. A main body portion of the refrigerating compartment door 11 is disposed on the glass panels 11a, 11b and the rear surface of the display panel 50. Further, a heat insulating layer 33 is disposed on the back surface of the main body portion of the refrigerating compartment door 11.

Further, a display panel setting plate 35 is disposed on the back surface of the display panel 50. The display panel setting plate 35 is configured as a part of the main body portion of the refrigerating compartment door 11 (refer to FIG. 7 and the like). Further, on the back surface of the display panel setting plate 35, a plate-shaped vacuum heat insulating material 34 is disposed in contact with the display panel setting plate 35. Further, a spacer 43 for arranging the vacuum heat insulating material 34 in a plane is disposed in the heat insulating layer 33. The vacuum heat insulating material 34 and the spacer 43 in the heat insulating layer 33 occupy a region other than the region, and are filled with foamed polyurethane (also referred to as rigid polyurethane foam).

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper end of the display panel setting plate 35 is connected to the upper glass panel 11a, and the lower end of the display panel setting plate 35 is connected to the lower glass panel 11b. Further, the display panel installation plate 35 has a shape that is recessed from the surface of the upper glass panel 11a and the lower glass panel 11b toward the back side (see FIG. 7 and the like). The display panel 50 is embedded in this recessed portion.

As shown in FIG. 4, a space P1 is formed between the display panel 50 and the display panel setting plate 35 disposed on the back surface thereof. Thereby, heat generated in the display panel 50 is not easily transmitted to the display panel setting plate 35 side.

Further, as described above, the vent port 41 and the vent port 42 provided in the space P1 provided on the back side of the display panel 50 are provided at the upper and lower end portions of the display panel 50, respectively. Air having a low outside temperature flows from the vent 42 below the display panel 50, and air that rises in temperature on the back surface of the display panel 50 due to heat dissipation of the display panel 50 is discharged from the vent 41 above the display panel 50. Thereby, the air in the space P1 on the back surface of the display panel 50 can be ventilated, and the display panel 50 can be cooled.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the vacuum heat insulating material 34 is disposed in the entire area in the front-rear direction in the portion of the refrigerator compartment door 11 which is located on the back surface of the display panel 50. However, in another aspect of the present invention, the vacuum heat insulating material 34 may be disposed on the side closer to the display panel 50 in the front-rear direction, and the foamed polyurethane may be present on the side close to the door back 31. Alternatively, the vacuum heat insulating material 34 may be disposed only in the middle portion of the refrigerating chamber door 11 in which the display panel 50 is disposed.

Further, the display panel 50 is not provided on the side cover 23 side of the refrigerating compartment door 11 (the side of the hinge 22 is disposed). As shown in FIG. 5, the third glass panel 11c is disposed on the side cover 23 side of the refrigerating compartment door 11. The third glass panel 11c and the surface of the display panel 50 have the same surface height. Further, a space is formed between the third glass panel 11c and the display panel installation plate 35.

This space is partitioned by the partition 37 into a space P2 and a space P3. The connection portion between the main body portion of the refrigerating chamber door 11 and the display panel 50 (that is, the fixing member 52, the projection 36, and the screw) is disposed in the space P2. A wiring 75 or the like connected to the display panel 50 is disposed in the space P3.

(About the mounting structure of the display panel)

Next, a method of attaching the display panel 50 to the body portion of the refrigerating compartment door 11 will be described. Before explaining the mounting method of the display panel 50, first, the configuration of each of the refrigerating compartment door 11 and the display panel 50 relating to the mounting structure will be described. 6(a), 6(b) and 7 show the external configuration of the main body portion of the refrigerating compartment door 11. 8(a), (b) and 9 show the external configuration of the display panel 50.

As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 7, the upper glass panel 11a, the lower glass panel 11b, the display panel installation plate 35, and the like are provided on the front surface of the refrigerating compartment door 11. A projection 36, a partition 37, a harness accommodating portion 38, a positioning projection 39, and the like are formed in the display panel setting plate 35. As shown in FIG. 6(b), the intermediate cover 21 is attached to the side end portion of the left side (open end side) of the refrigerating compartment door 11. Further, a side cover 23 is attached to a side end portion of the right side (the side of the hinge 22) of the refrigerating compartment door 11.

The projections 36 (specifically, the upper projection 36a and the lower projection 36b) constitute a coupling portion with the display panel 50. The protrusion 36 is formed to protrude from the surface of the display panel setting plate 35. Thereby, a predetermined space P1 can be formed between the back surface of the display panel 50 and the surface of the display panel installation plate 35.

The partition member 37 protrudes from the surface of the display panel setting plate 35 and extends in the up and down direction. The wiring 75 and the like are disposed in the space P3 on the side of the side cover 23 on which the partition member 37 is partitioned. By forming the separator 37, the arrangement position of the wiring can be roughly defined. One of the wires 75 reaches the hinge 22 of the refrigerating compartment door 11 along the inside of the side cover 23. One end portion of the wiring 75 is provided with a connector portion that is connected to the main body side of the refrigerator 1 by a hinge 22 . Further, the other side of the wiring 75 is provided with a connector portion that is connected to the display panel 50 through the space P2. Thereby, the wiring 75 does not pass through the space P1, that is, does not hinder the air flow in the space P1, and the display panel 50 can be connected to the main body of the refrigerator 1 by the wiring 75.

As shown in FIG. 5, the wire harness accommodating portion 38 may be formed in the display panel setting plate 35. The wire harness accommodating portion 38 is formed to be deeper than the space P1 in a part of the side edge including the space P1. Further, the harness accommodating portion 38 is formed at a side edge portion of the space P1 on the side opposite to the side where the space P2 or the space P3 is provided.

The harness accommodating portion 38 is disposed at a position corresponding to the substrate installation portion 55 (see FIG. 8( a )) of the display panel 50 . The wiring connected to the substrate of the display panel 50 extends first in the harness accommodating portion 38. The wire harness accommodating portion 38 bundles a plurality of wires. Further, each of the wires is exposed from the end edge of the harness accommodating portion 38 to the outside of the display panel installation plate 35, and is guided to the hinge 22 by the heat insulating layer 33.

Thereby, even if the display panel 50 has a connector portion for connecting to an external device on the side farther from the space P2 (in the present embodiment, the intermediate cover 21 side), the wiring 75 connected to the connector also passes through the harness accommodating portion 38. Guide space P1 outside. Therefore, the wiring 75 does not pass through the space P1, that is, the wiring 75 can be provided without hindering the flow of air in the space P1.

Further, when the refrigerator 1 is provided with a camera capable of capturing a situation in the refrigerator, the harness connecting the display panel 50 and the camera can be disposed in the harness accommodating portion 38. Camera, for example, can be installed in cold The front end of the protruding wall 32 of the door back 31 of the storage door 11 or the storage pockets 61, 62, 63 or the storage compartment (refrigeration compartment or freezer compartment) of the refrigerator 1.

In addition, in a case where the display panel 50 can be removed, the display panel 50 and the refrigerator 1 can also perform data transmission and reception by wireless communication. The method of wireless communication can employ a well-known method.

The positioning projection 39 is disposed slightly closer to the center than the projection 36. The arrangement position of the display panel 50 in the left-right direction is defined by the positioning protrusions 39.

The intermediate cover 21 is provided to cover the open end of the compartment door 11. Further, inside the intermediate cover 21 (on the side where the display panel 50 is disposed), a fitting convex portion 21a (see FIG. 5) in which an end portion (specifically, a groove 53 formed at the end portion) of the display panel 50 is fitted is formed. The fitting convex portion 21a extends in the vertical direction inside the intermediate cover 21. Further, although not shown, the intermediate cover 21 surrounds the left end portions of the glass panels 11a and 11b on the front side of the refrigerator 1.

The side cover 23 is provided to cover the side end portion of the refrigerating compartment door 11 on the side of the hinge 22 . The side cover 23 surrounds the right end of each of the glass panels 11a, 11b, 11c on the front side of the refrigerator 1 (see FIG. 6(b)).

As shown in FIG. 8(a), the display panel 50 has a square shape or a rectangular shape. The fixing member 52 (specifically, the upper fixing member 52a and the lower fixing member 52b) is provided on one of the end portions of the display panel 50 in the left-right direction, and a groove 53 is formed at the other end. In the present embodiment, the fixing member 52 is provided on the right end portion 50a (the end portion close to the hinge 22 side) of the display panel 50, and the groove 53 is formed in the left end portion 50b (open end side) of the display panel 50 (refer to Figure 8 (b) and Figure 9).

The fixing member 52 is fixed to the projection 36 of the display panel setting plate 35 by a screw. Further, the fitting convex portion 21a formed in the intermediate cover 21 is fitted in the groove 53. Thereby, the end portion of the display panel 50 in the left-right direction is fixed to the display panel setting plate 35. On the other hand, the end portions of the display panel 50 in the up-and-down direction are not connected to the display panel installation plate 35, and the vent holes 41, 42 are formed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the left end portion 50b of the display panel 50 is disposed along the open end portion of the refrigerating chamber door 11 (that is, the intermediate cover 21). The heat-generating display panel 50 is disposed along the open end of the refrigerating compartment door 11, and the effect of reducing frost formation at the open end portion can be obtained.

A control substrate for driving the display panel 50 is provided on a rear surface portion (inside of the pixel formation region) of the display panel 50. In the present embodiment, the control substrate is disposed at a corner portion on the upper left side of the display panel 50. This corner portion is referred to as a substrate installation portion 55 of the display panel 50 (see FIG. 8(a)). A backlight is connected to the control substrate. This backlight is also disposed in the substrate setting portion 55. In the display panel 50, the substrate mounting portion 55 in which the control substrate and the backlight are provided is a region where heat is easily generated compared with other portions.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the substrate installation portion 55 is located on the open end side of the refrigerating compartment door 11. Thereby, frost formation at the open end can be further reduced. In the present specification, the display panel 50 is referred to as a heat generating portion in a region where the substrate mounting portion 55 and the like are likely to generate heat as compared with other portions.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the fitting convex portion 21a formed in the intermediate cover 21 of the refrigerating chamber door 11 is fitted into the groove 53 formed in the left end portion 50b of the display panel 50 (see the circular dotted line frame in Fig. 5). Further, the fixing member 52 formed on the right end portion 50a of the display panel 50 is fixed to the projection 36 of the display panel setting plate 35 by a screw. Thereby, the end portion of the display panel 50 in the left-right direction can be surely fixed to the main body portion of the refrigerating chamber door 11.

(to sum up)

As described above, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment includes the refrigerating compartment door 11 to which the display panel 50 is attached to the front surface. Further, a space P1 is formed on the back surface of the display panel 50, and vent holes 41 and 42 of the space P1 are provided at the end portions of the display panel 50 in the vertical direction. With this configuration, the air on the back surface of the display panel 50 can be circulated by the natural convection effect. Therefore, the heat generated in the display panel 50 can be efficiently discharged to the outside of the refrigerating compartment door 11.

Further, in the refrigerator 1, at least one of the right side and the left end portion of the display panel 50 (the left end portion in the present embodiment) is disposed along either end of the corresponding refrigerating chamber door 11 in the left-right direction. Thereby, the heat generated in the display panel 50 can be discharged from either end of the refrigerating compartment door 11 in the left-right direction.

Further, in order to further improve heat dissipation, it is preferable that either one of the left and right end portions of the display panel 50 is in contact with the corresponding end portion of the refrigerating chamber door 11. Thereby, the heat generated in the display panel 50 can be directly transmitted to the corresponding end portion of the refrigerating compartment door 11.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the display panel 50 is disposed close to the open end side of the refrigerating compartment door 11. The display panel 50 having heat dissipation is disposed close to the open end side, and the heat generated in the display panel 50 is transmitted to the open end of the refrigerating compartment door 11, so that the refrigerating compartment door can be suppressed by heat dissipation from the display panel 50. Frost formation around the open end of 11 is produced.

Further, when the display panel 50 is provided in the refrigerating compartment door 11, it is preferable that the heat generating portion of the display panel 50 is disposed on the open end side of the refrigerating compartment door 11. Here, the heat generating portion of the display panel 50 refers to a region of the display panel whose temperature is higher than other regions when the display panel 50 displays an image. Examples of the heat generating portion include a region in which the control substrate is provided (the substrate mounting portion 55 and the like), a region in which the backlight is provided, and the like. By disposing the heat generating portion of the display panel 50 on the open end side of the refrigerating chamber door 11, heat from the heat generating portion of the display panel 50 can be more effectively released, and the knot around the open end portion of the refrigerating chamber door 11 can be further suppressed. Frost is produced.

In the refrigerator compartment door 11 of the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, the wiring 75 and the like connected to the display panel 50 are disposed at the end portion (that is, the right end portion) on the side where the hinge 22 is provided. Further, a third glass panel 11c is disposed in front of the space P3 such as the storage wiring 75.

Further, in the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, the upper glass panel 11a, the surface of the display panel 50, the third glass panel 11c, and the lower glass panel 11b form the surface of the refrigerating compartment door 11. this Further, the surface of the body portion of the refrigerating compartment door 11 is the same as the surface of the display panel 50. Thereby, the appearance and design of the refrigerator can be improved. Further, the glass panel is not disposed on the surface of the display panel 50, and the display surface of the display panel 50 is exposed, whereby the heat dissipation of the display panel 50 can be further improved. In addition, when the display panel 50 is a touch panel, the detection performance of the touch panel can also be improved.

(Second embodiment)

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The refrigerator 1 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration in which the open end of the refrigerating compartment door and the display panel connected to the open end are different. Therefore, the following description will focus on the configuration of these parts. The constituent members that have substantially the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the vicinity of the open end portion of the refrigerator 1 of the second embodiment (that is, the periphery of the intermediate cover 121) and the left end portion of the display panel 150. Fig. 10 is a view showing a configuration of a portion corresponding to a portion of a cross section taken along line B-B of the refrigerating compartment door 11 shown in Fig. 3 . In particular, Fig. 10 is a view showing the same portion as the inner frame portion shown by the one-dot chain line of the refrigerating compartment door 11 shown in Fig. 5 .

As shown in FIG. 10, the display panel 150 is mounted on the display panel setting plate 135 constituting the refrigerating compartment door 11. Further, an intermediate cover 121 is attached to the open end of the refrigerating compartment door 11.

In the first embodiment, in the state of being attached to the refrigerating compartment door 11, the left end portion of the display panel 50 is fitted inside the intermediate cover 21 attached to the open end of the refrigerating compartment door 11 (see FIG. 5). On the other hand, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the left end portion 150a of the display panel 150 (that is, the end portion on the open end side of the refrigerating chamber door 11) is exposed to the outside. That is, the left end portion 150a of the display panel 150 partially constitutes the open end of the refrigerating compartment door 11.

Further, at the left end portion 150a of the display panel 150, a hook 151 that protrudes toward the inner side of the display panel is formed on the back surface portion thereof.

Further, the intermediate cover 121 attached to the open end of the refrigerating compartment door 11 has a groove 121a formed at the front end side. As shown in FIG. 10, in a state where the display panel 150 is attached to the refrigerating compartment door 11, the hook 151 of the display panel 150 is fitted into the groove 121a of the intermediate cover 121. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the left end portion of the display panel setting plate 135 constituting the refrigerating compartment door 11 (that is, the open end side of the refrigerating compartment door 11) is located at the intermediate cover 121 (more specifically, the intermediate cover 121) The inside (back side) of the groove 121a).

Next, a modification of the second embodiment will be described. Fig. 11 shows the configuration of the vicinity of the open end portion (i.e., the periphery of the intermediate cover 121') of the refrigerator 1 according to the modification of the second embodiment, and the left end portion of the display panel 150. Fig. 11 is a view showing a configuration of a portion corresponding to a partial cross section of the line B-B of the refrigerating compartment door 11 shown in Fig. 3 . In particular, FIG. 11 is a view showing the same portion as the in-frame portion shown by the one-dot chain line of the refrigerator compartment door 11 shown in FIG. 5.

In the modification shown in FIG. 11, the configuration of the display panel 150 can be applied to the same configuration as that of the second embodiment.

Further, in the display panel installation plate 135' constituting the refrigerating compartment door 11, a groove 135'a is formed on the side surface portion on the open end side. As shown in Fig. 11, in a state where the display panel 150 is mounted on the refrigerating compartment door 11, the hook 151 of the display panel 150 is fitted into the groove 135'a of the display panel setting plate 135'. Further, as shown in Fig. 11, a hook 121'a that protrudes toward the inner side of the refrigerating compartment door 11 is formed at the front end side of the intermediate cover 121'. The hook 121'a is fitted into the groove 135'a of the display panel setting plate 135' together with the hook 151 of the display panel.

As described above, in the configuration of the second embodiment and its modification, in the state in which the display panel 150 is attached to the refrigerating compartment door 11, the left end portion 150a of the display panel 150 is exposed to the outside at the open end of the refrigerating compartment door 11. Thereby, the heat generated on the display panel 150 can be efficiently released from the exposed left end portion 150a. Further, the heat radiating portion of the display panel 150 partially constitutes the open end portion of the refrigerating chamber door 11, whereby the open end portion of the refrigerating chamber door 11 is kept warm, and the effect of suppressing frost formation can be obtained.

Further, the depth of the groove 121a formed in the intermediate cover 121 or the groove 135'a formed in the display panel installation plate 135' may be a certain depth (for example, about 3 to 5 cm). Along with this, the width of the hook 151 of the display panel 150 embedded in the groove 121a or the groove 135'a can be made larger. At this time, it is preferable that the hook 151 of the display panel 150 is in surface contact with each constituent member (the groove 121a or the groove 135'a) on the refrigerator compartment door 11 side connected to the display panel 150. As described above, by bringing the display panel 150 into surface contact with the connection portion of the display panel 150 on the refrigerating compartment door 11 side, the contact area with each other can be increased, and the heat of the display panel 150 can be more efficiently transmitted to the refrigerating compartment door 11.

Further, when the display panel 150 is configured as a removable tablet terminal, the configuration of the second embodiment is preferably applied. Thereby, when the display panel 150 is slid in the lateral direction (the right direction in Figs. 10 and 11), the intermediate cover 121 or 121' does not become an obstacle, so that the display panel 150 can be easily attached and removed.

Further, the configuration of the right end portion of the display panel 150 can be applied to the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. However, in order to make the display panel 150 more easily removed from the refrigerating compartment door 11, a connection structure (for example, a fitting structure of a concave portion and a convex portion) may be employed without using a screw.

(Third embodiment)

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 12 shows the configuration of the appearance of the refrigerator 200 of the third embodiment.

In the first and second embodiments, the side end portion (specifically, the left end portion) of the display panel is described only along one of the left and right ends of the refrigerating chamber door 11 (specifically, the open end portion) ) Configuration example of the configuration. However, in one aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 12, the display panel 250 may be disposed in the entire area of the refrigerating compartment door 11 in the left-right direction. Further, in the refrigerator 200, a configuration other than the display panel 250 can be applied to the same configuration as that of the first embodiment.

As described above, in one aspect of the present invention, the display panel may be disposed entirely from the left end portion to the right end portion of the refrigerating chamber door. With this configuration, a display panel having a larger display area can be disposed in the refrigerator. In addition, in this case, in addition to the heat dissipation by the intermediate cover 21, the side cover 23 also has a heat dissipation effect.

(Fourth embodiment)

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 13 shows the configuration of the appearance of the refrigerator 300 of the fourth embodiment.

In each of the above embodiments, a configuration in which a display panel is attached to a split type refrigerating compartment door has been described. However, in another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator having a single-open refrigerator door may be used.

As shown in FIG. 13, the refrigerator 300 has a first refrigerating compartment in the upper stage, a second refrigerating compartment (vegetable compartment) in the middle, and a freezing compartment in the lower stage. Further, the configuration or arrangement of each storage compartment of the refrigerator 300 is not limited to the above description. The configuration and arrangement of each storage compartment can be appropriately changed depending on the capacity, use, and the like of the refrigerator.

Further, a single-opening refrigerating chamber door 311 is provided in the first refrigerating compartment of the upper stage. A pull-out refrigerating compartment door 13 is provided in the second refrigerating compartment of the middle section. A pull-out type freezer compartment door 14 is provided in the lower freezer compartment. The refrigerating compartment door 311 is provided with a hinge (not shown) on the right side thereof, and is switchable from the left side.

A display panel 350 is provided in the refrigerating compartment door 311 on the right side. The internal configuration of the display panel 350 can be applied to the same configuration as that of the display panel 50 described in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13, the display panel 350 is disposed in a central portion of the refrigerating compartment door 311 in the vertical direction. Further, an upper glass panel 11a is disposed above the display panel 350, and a lower glass panel 11b is disposed below the display panel 350.

Further, in the present embodiment, the display panel 350 is disposed close to the left side (that is, the open end side) of the refrigerating compartment door 311. Further, a third glass panel 11c is disposed on the right side of the display panel 350 (that is, the hinge side is mounted). As described above, in the present embodiment, the left end portion of the display panel 350 is disposed along the left end portion of the refrigerating chamber door 311.

Similarly to the first embodiment, a wiring 75 or the like connected to an electronic component such as the display panel 350 is disposed on the back side of the third glass panel 11c.

In the present embodiment, the upper glass panel 11a, the surface of the display panel 350, the third glass panel 11c, and the lower glass panel 11b form the surface of the refrigerating compartment door 311.

As described above, in the refrigerator 300 of the present embodiment, the side end portion (the left end portion in the present embodiment) of the display panel 350 is disposed along the open end portion (the left end portion in the present embodiment) of the refrigerating chamber door 311. As described above, by the arrangement of the heat-generating display panel 350 along the open end of the refrigerating compartment door 311, it is possible to obtain an effect of reducing frost formation at the open end.

The embodiments disclosed in the specification are to be considered in all respects The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims and the scope of the appended claims. Further, the configurations in which the configurations of the different embodiments described in the present specification are combined with each other are also included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (7)

a refrigerator comprising: a door; and a display panel disposed on the front surface of the door; wherein a space is formed between the door and the door on the back side of the display panel; A vent opening from the outside to the space is provided; at least one of the right end portion and the left end portion of the display panel is disposed along any one of the right and left end portions of the door. A refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the display panel is disposed near an open end of the door. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the door is provided with a hinge, and the end portion provided with the hinge side is provided with wiring connected to the display panel. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat generating portion of the display panel is disposed at an open end of the door. A refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a vacuum heat insulating material is disposed at a position at which the door overlaps the display panel in a front view. A refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the surface of the door is the same as the surface of the display panel. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display panel is in surface contact with a connection portion of the door to the display panel.