WO2022158023A1

WO2022158023A1 - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2022158023A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/031617
Authority: WO
Inventors: 義明藤木; 芳輝菊地; 正展石塚
Original assignee: 日立グローバルライフソリューションズ株式会社
Priority date: 2021-01-22
Filing date: 2021-08-27
Publication date: 2022-07-28

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator with which, even if an object is placed on the top surface thereof, the effects on communication are suppressed. To this end, a refrigerator according to the present invention comprises an outer box, an inner box, and a wireless communication substrate, wherein the outer box has left and right side surface panels and a rear surface panel, and a communication substrate case for housing the wireless communication substrate is attached to the rear side of the rear surface panel. Alternatively, a refrigerator according to the present invention comprises a thermal insulation box body and a wireless communication substrate, wherein the thermal insulation box body is filled with a foam thermal insulation material and has a top surface, a bottom surface, two side surfaces, and a rear surface, and the wireless communication substrate is not provided on the top surface of the thermal insulation box body.

Description

refrigerator

The present invention relates to refrigerators.

　A refrigerator equipped with a wireless communication board capable of communicating with external devices such as mobile terminals has been proposed. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a refrigerator having a wireless communication board on the top surface of the main body.

JP 2020-12595 A

However, in a refrigerator with a communication board mounted on the top surface of the main unit, communication may be affected if a metal object is placed on the top surface.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide a refrigerator in which the influence on communication is suppressed even if an object is placed on the top surface.

In order to achieve the above object, the refrigerator of the present invention includes an outer case, an inner case, and a wireless communication board, the outer case having left and right side plates and a back plate, A communication board case for housing a wireless communication board was attached to the rear side of the back plate.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the heat insulating door of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment is open; FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the refrigerator with the heat insulating door closed. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the refrigerator with the communication board case and the control board case removed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the communication board case as seen from the inside; FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a state in which the communication board case is attached to the back surface of the refrigerator; FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view showing a state in which all heat insulating doors of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment are closed;

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The refrigerator according to the first embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the refrigerator 1 with the heat insulation door 2 opened, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. In each figure, containers and shelves installed in the storage chamber are omitted. Also, in each figure, directions based on the user's viewpoint are defined as forward, backward, left, right, up, and down.

The refrigerator 1 is mainly composed of an insulating box body and an insulating door 2.

The heat insulation box consists of a top surface, a bottom surface, both side surfaces and a back surface, and has an open front box shape. In addition, the heat insulating box includes an outer box 3 made of metal and an inner box 4 made of synthetic resin. 5 is filled to insulate the storage chamber from the outside. Between the outer box 3 and the inner box 4, in addition to the foam heat insulating material 5, a vacuum heat insulating material may be provided, or the foam heat insulating material 5 is not provided and only the vacuum heat insulating material is provided. But it's okay. The outer case 3 is formed into a box shape by welding bent steel plates or flat steel plates and having a bottom plate, both side plates and a rear plate. On the other hand, the inner box 4 is formed into a box-like shape by molding a synthetic resin plate with a top panel, a bottom panel, both side panels and a rear panel.

The heat-insulating door 2 opens and closes the front opening 6 of the heat-insulating box, and is formed of an outer plate made of metal or glass, an inner plate facing the outer plate, and the outer plate and the inner plate. and a foamed heat insulating material filled in the space. A vacuum heat insulating material may be arranged in addition to the foam heat insulating material in the space formed by the outer plate and the inner plate.

A top table 7 made of synthetic resin or glass is provided on the top surface of the refrigerator 1, and objects can be placed on the top table 7. The steel plate forming the outer case 3 is not positioned on the top surface of the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, and the top table 7 is fixed to the inner case 4 via the foamed heat insulating material 5 . When the steel plate of the outer case 3 is also positioned on the top surface, the top table 7 is fixed to the outer case 3 with screws or the like.

A part of the top table 7 forms a front protrusion 8 that protrudes forward from the front opening 6 of the outer box 3, and the lower surface of the front protrusion 8 is not filled with foam insulation. The heat insulating door 2 is positioned in the vertical projection below the front projecting portion 8 of the top table 7, and the front end of the front projecting portion 8 and the design surface of the heat insulating door 2 are flush with each other. A hinge 9 is attached to the lower surface of the front protruding portion 8 of the top table 7 to support the heat insulating door 2 in rotation. As described above, since there is no hinge on the upper surface of the front protruding portion 8 of the top table 7, the entire upper surface of the top table 7 is planar, making it easy to place objects.

A plurality of ribs 10 extending in the front-rear direction for supporting containers and shelves are formed at different height positions on the side walls of the storage compartment defined by the inner box 4 (left and right sides of the inner box 4). Further, at least one of the plurality of ribs 10 is provided with a sensor unit that supports containers and shelves and houses a weight sensor.

A cooler 11 for cooling the inside of the storage room is arranged on the rear side of the storage room. The frost adhering to the cooler 11 is defrosted during a defrosting operation and discharged to the machine room through the drain pipe 12 . In addition, the machine room is formed behind the lower part of the outer casing 3, and includes a compressor 13 that compresses the refrigerant, an evaporating dish 14 that receives defrosted water discharged from the drain pipe 12, a condenser (not shown), etc. is installed. The cooler 11, the compressor 13, the condenser, and the capillary tube (not shown) are connected to form a refrigeration cycle. A blower 15 for circulating the cold air cooled by the cooler 11 into the storage chamber is arranged above the cooler 11, and a discharge port (not shown) is formed downstream of the blower 15.

A control board case 16 for housing a control board for controlling the compressor 13, the blower 15 and the like is attached to the rear side of the back plate of the outer casing 3. The control board case 16 has a hole in a part of the back plate, and covers the base member 16a from the outside with a metal base member 16a recessed and embedded in the foamed heat insulating material 5 side so as to block the hole and the base member 16a. It consists of a metallic cover member 16b. The control board controls the compressor 13 and the blower 15, for example, based on the internal temperature detected by an internal temperature sensor installed in the storage compartment. In addition, above the control board case 16 and behind the rear plate, a communication board case 17 for housing a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) communication board (hereinafter referred to as a communication board 30) for wirelessly communicating with a mobile terminal or the like. is installed. The communication board case 17 has a cover member made of resin attached to the flat surface 3 c of the back plate of the refrigerator 1 . As a result, the refrigerator having the communication board 30 and the refrigerator not having the communication board 30 can be shared without changing the shape of the rear plate, and the heat insulating thickness of the foam heat insulating material 5 can be ensured. An operation unit 18 is provided in the storage chamber for the user to adjust the set temperature in the storage chamber and turn on/off the switch of the communication board 30 .

The communication board case 17 also houses a sensor board 40 that supplies power to the weight sensor and acquires the measurement result of the weight sensor. The weight sensor is arranged below the container or shelf to measure the presence or absence and weight of food placed on the container or shelf, and is supplied with power from the control board via the sensor board. Then, when food is placed on or taken out of a container or a shelf, the weight sensor detects the changing state of the food and transmits it to the sensor board as a sensor output. The sensor board transmits the weight information measured by the weight sensor to the mobile terminal via the communication board 30, or transmits the information to a predetermined server via the Internet via wireless LAN communication.

3 is a rear perspective view of the refrigerator 1 with the heat insulation door 2 closed, and FIG. 4 is a rear view of the refrigerator 1 with the communication board case 17 and the control board case 16 removed. As shown in FIG. 4, a signal line connected to the connector 30a (see FIGS. 5 and 6) of the communication board 30 enters the front side of the rear plate of the outer case 3 through the

communication board hole

3a, 3 and the inner box 4, through the hole 3b for the control board, it emerges rearward from the back panel of the outer box 3 and is connected to the connector of the control board. In this embodiment, since the communication board 30 and the control board are both located on the back side of the outer case 3, the signal lines connecting them can be shortened, which contributes to the improvement of assembly.

Also, in this embodiment, the height of the center of the communication board 30 housed in the communication board case 17 is positioned higher than the upper end of the uppermost rib 10 (see FIG. 2). As described above, since the communication board 30 is provided at a high position, there are few obstacles, and communication with a mobile terminal or the like is easily stabilized. A certain effect can be expected if the center height of the communication board 30 is above at least half of the height of the refrigerator 1 (dimension from the bottom end of the leg to the top end of the top surface). Furthermore, it is desirable that the distance between the communication board 30 and the top surface of the refrigerator 1 on the rear panel of the outer box 3 is within 300 mm. In addition, it is desirable that a space be secured between the communication board case 17 and the top surface of the refrigerator 1 without other board storage cases or structural parts, for example. These facilitate stable communication.

In addition, the signal line connected to the connector 30a is cooled by heat transfer from the storage chamber, and contact with the outside air within the communication board case 17 may cause dew condensation on its surface. At this time, if the communication board hole 3 a is positioned above the communication board 30 , the condensed water may drip onto the communication board 30 . Therefore, it is desirable that the communication board hole 3 a be located on the side or below the communication board 30 . Moreover, it is desirable to provide it below or on the side of the communication board 30 in order to reduce the influence of noise from the signal line drawn out from the communication board hole 3a.

5 is a perspective view of the communication board case 17 viewed from the inside, and FIG. 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the state in which the communication board case 17 is attached to the back surface of the refrigerator 1. FIG. FIG. 5 shows a state in which only the communication board 30 is housed, and illustration of the sensor board and signal lines is omitted. In this embodiment, the communication board case 17 accommodates not only the communication board 30 but also the sensor board, so that the signal lines can be arranged efficiently, and the cases for accommodating the boards and their mounting locations can be consolidated.

In addition, the communication board case 17 of this embodiment is formed with a partition rib 17a that vertically partitions the inside. Therefore, the signal lines of the communication board 30 are prevented from entering the installation space of the sensor board, and the signal lines of the sensor board are prevented from entering the installation space of the communication board 30 . A part of the partition rib 17a extends in the front-rear direction and abuts on the rear panel of the outer casing 3, and also serves to prevent the communication board case 17 from being deformed. In addition, an elastic seal member 22 is provided on the outer periphery of the communication board case 17 on the opening side to prevent water from entering from between the communication board case 17 and the back plate of the refrigerator 1 and the outer periphery 17b. . In addition, since the communication board 30 is fixed closer to the back surface of the synthetic resin communication board case 17 than the back plate of the metal outer box 3, the influence on communication is suppressed.

An antenna section (not shown) for wireless communication with the outside is provided on the surface of the communication board 30 on the side of the communication board case 17 . Therefore, the communication board 30 and the antenna section are positioned parallel to the rear surface of the communication board case 17 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent wireless communication from being obstructed by the rear plate of the refrigerator 1 . Also, the communication board 30 may be attached at an angle so that the antenna portion faces upward. As a result, even when the rear panel of the refrigerator 1 is installed close to the wall of the house, wireless communication can be performed more satisfactorily.

In addition, in the depth direction of the refrigerator 1, the height dimension of the metal control board case 16 is greater than or equal to the height dimension of the synthetic resin communication board case 17. Accordingly, when the refrigerator 1 is installed, the communication board case 17 is prevented from coming into contact with the wall of the house, and deformation and damage of the communication board case 17 can be suppressed. It should be noted that the control board case 16 is not the only part that protrudes outward from the communication board case 17 . For example, the evaporating dish 14 shown in FIG. 2 may be used, or a separate part may be provided on the rear plate of the refrigerator 1 to serve as a spacer.

Further, the directivity of radio waves from the antenna section of the communication board 30 has directivity that spreads radially in the width direction of the communication board 30, as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. Alternatively, radio waves may be propagated from the width direction of the communication board 30 to the thickness direction (the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1) at a low intensity, for example. The communication board 30 is located behind the flat surface 3c of the back panel of the refrigerator 1 (on the wall side of the house). The antenna portion of the communication board 30 is located between the flat surface 3c and the rear surface of the communication board case 17, and the communication board case 17 can secure a distance from the wall. Since the radio waves are directed to the top surface and both sides of the refrigerator 1 through the space between the walls, communication is better than when the directivity of the radio waves is set in the thickness direction of the communication board 30 (the depth direction of the refrigerator). can be done.
A part of the communication board case 17 may not be molded from resin, but may be partially molded from resin. Further, when the maximum gain of directivity of radio waves is in the longitudinal direction of the communication board 30, as shown in FIG. Even when a metallic object is placed on the surface, radio waves can be directed toward the side of the refrigerator 1, and communication failure can be reduced. The effects of this embodiment will be summarized below.

In this embodiment, even if a metal object is placed on the top surface of the refrigerator 1, the communication board 30 is positioned behind the rear plate of the outer case 3, so that the influence on communication is reduced. It is possible. In addition, even if an object containing liquid is placed on the top surface of the refrigerator 1 and part of the liquid spills, the communication board 30 is less likely to be flooded than when the communication board 30 is attached to the top surface. There are also advantages.

The refrigerator 1 of this embodiment is also excellent in terms of heat insulation. When the communication board 30 is installed on the top surface, it is necessary to install the communication board 30 with a part of the top surface recessed in order to reduce the protrusion in consideration of placing an object on the top surface. At this time, in order to maintain the internal volume of the storage compartment, the heat insulating material on the top surface must be made thin, and the thermal insulation of the storage compartment is lowered. However, in this embodiment, since the communication board 30 is installed on the rear surface, a certain amount of protrusion can be allowed. This is because a certain amount of installation space is secured behind the refrigerator 1 so that the air radiated from the machine room or the like can convect. Therefore, it is not necessary to form a dent in the back plate of the outer box 3 of this embodiment, and the communication board case 17 is attached to the flat surface 3c of the back plate, so the heat insulation is excellent. In addition, since the directivity of the radio waves of the communication board 30 spreads in the width direction of the communication board 30, the radio waves can pass between the rear plate of the refrigerator 1 and the wall of the house, and can perform good communication.

The fact that the back plate of the outer box 3 can be used as it is in a flat shape not only improves workability, but also allows parts to be shared with refrigerators of other models that do not have a communication board 30, leading to a reduction in manufacturing costs. . In addition, since there are spaces above and on the sides of the communication board case 17, good communication can be maintained.

The refrigerator according to the second embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the refrigerator 1 with all the heat insulating doors 2 closed. The refrigerators according to Examples 1 and 2 have only one storage compartment and its heat insulating door 2, but the refrigerator according to this embodiment has a plurality of storage compartments and its heat insulating door 2. is. Specifically, the heat insulating box body of the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment has storage compartments in the order from above: a refrigerating compartment, an ice making compartment and an upper freezer compartment, a lower freezer compartment, and a vegetable compartment. is doing. Of these, the heat insulating door of the refrigerating compartment (refrigerating compartment door 2a) is a hinged double door, but the other storage compartment doors (ice making compartment door 2b, upper freezer compartment door 2c, lower freezer compartment door 2d and vegetable compartment door) The door 2e) is a pull-out door.

In the refrigerator of this embodiment, unlike

Embodiments

1 and 2, a top table is not provided on the top surface of the heat insulating box. However, even in this embodiment, the communication board case is provided on the rear surface of the heat insulating box instead of on the top surface. It is possible to reduce the impact on

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible. The above-described embodiments are illustrated for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the described configurations. It is also possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Moreover, it is also possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Refrigerator, 2... Thermal insulation door, 3... Outer box, 4... Inner box, 5... Foam insulation material, 6... Front opening, 7... Top table, 8... Front protrusion, 9... Hinge, 10... Rib, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Cooler, 12... Drain pipe, 13... Compressor, 14... Evaporating dish, 15... Blower, 16... Control board case, 17... Communication board case, 18... Operation part, 19... Sensor board case, 20... Leg , 21... sensor board storage space, 22... elastic sealing material, 30... communication board

Claims

comprising an outer box, an inner box, and a wireless communication board,
The outer box has left and right side plates and a back plate,
A refrigerator in which a communication board case for housing the wireless communication board is attached to the rear side of the back plate.
In the refrigerator according to claim 1,
A control board case that houses a control board that controls the compressor is attached to the rear side of the back plate below the communication board case,
A refrigerator in which the wireless communication board and the control board are connected by a signal line.
In the refrigerator according to claim 1,
A refrigerator in which the communication board case is attached to the rear side of the flat surface of the back plate.
In the refrigerator according to claim 1,
A weight sensor for measuring the weight of the container or shelf is arranged inside the inner box,
A refrigerator in which a sensor board for transmitting weight information measured by the weight sensor is housed in the communication board case.
In the refrigerator according to claim 2,
A refrigerator in which the height dimension of the control board case is greater than or equal to the height dimension of the communication board case.
In the refrigerator according to claim 1,
the antenna of the wireless communication board is provided behind the back plate and forward of the rear surface of the communication board case,
The refrigerator in which the communication board case is made of resin, and the wireless communication board transmits radio waves substantially parallel to the back plate.
In the refrigerator according to claim 6,
The wireless communication board is attached to the refrigerator so that the directivity of radio waves is directed toward the left and right side plates.
In the refrigerator according to claim 7,
A heat insulating box body provided with a heat insulating material between the outer box and the inner box,
A refrigerator having a top table provided on the top surface of the heat insulating box body.
In the refrigerator according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
The back plate has a hole through which a signal line connected to the wireless communication board is drawn out,
The refrigerator in which the hole is located on the side or below the wireless communication board.
A heat insulating box and a wireless communication board,
The heat insulating box is filled with a foam heat insulating material and has a top surface, a bottom surface, both side surfaces and a back surface,
A refrigerator in which the wireless communication board is not provided on the top surface of the heat insulating box.
In the refrigerator according to claim 10,
A refrigerator in which a top table is provided on the top surface of the heat insulating box body.