JP6598481B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator.

  Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, electrostatic detection means that detects electrostatic capacitance and determines that a human hand has touched is installed on a refrigerator door. The door is provided with human body detection means for detecting that a person has approached. When a person approaches the front of the refrigerator, the human body detection means detects that the person has approached and the electrostatic detection means determines that the person's hand has touched, and the electrostatic detection means opens the door. A signal is sent to the release means to open the door.

JP2007-17018

  However, in the conventional technique, when a person passes in front of the refrigerator door, etc., if the person approaches the refrigerator and touches the electrostatic detection means unintentionally, it is not intended. Regardless, the opening means may open the door.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and the object of the present invention is that the door of the refrigerator opens even if a person makes an unintentional contact when the person passes in front of the refrigerator. It is providing the refrigerator which can prevent the operation | movement of a refrigerator.

The refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a non-contact operation detection unit that detects a person's approach in a non-contact manner, a contact operation detection unit that detects a human contact, a signal from the non-contact operation detection unit, and the contact A control unit that performs a determination to drive the control target by a signal from the operation detection unit, and the control unit is configured to perform a predetermined predetermined after the non-contact operation detection unit is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state. If the contact operation detection unit is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state within the time, it is determined that the person is not intended to be touched, and the control object is not driven, and after the predetermined time has elapsed When the contact operation detection unit is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state, the control object is driven, and further, the contact operation detection is not detected from the non-detection state until the predetermined time elapses. Changed to the detection state If it did not includes a display mechanism for notifying that the touch operation detection unit is changed ready to the detection state from the non-sensing state.

It is a perspective view showing the whole refrigerator concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the vertical direction of the refrigerator shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the electrical element arrange | positioned at the main body shown in FIG. 1, the left door, and the right door. It is a flowchart which shows the example of control of the refrigerator in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of control of the refrigerator in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of control of the refrigerator in 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of control of the refrigerator in 4th Embodiment of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the entire refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG.

  The refrigerator 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a main body 1A. A main body 1 </ b> A of the refrigerator 1 includes a left side surface portion 17, a right side surface portion 18, an upper surface portion 19, a bottom surface portion 15, and a back surface portion 16. The main body 1A has an outer box made of an outer side plate and an inner box made of an inner side plate. Since a heat insulating material is disposed between the outer box and the inner box, the main body 1A has heat insulating properties. A plurality of storage chambers are formed in the main body 1A.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, as a storage room, a refrigeration room 2 and a vegetable room 3 are provided in order from the top, and an ice making room 4 and a small freezer room 5 are arranged side by side on the left and right of the vegetable room 3. The main freezer compartment 6 is provided at the bottom.

  Left and right doors 7 and 8 that open and close the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 2 are provided on the front face of the refrigerator compartment 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The left and right doors 7 and 8 are double doors, and the left end of the left door 7 is rotatably attached by a hinge (not shown). Similarly, the right end portion of the right door 8 is rotatably attached by a hinge (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, drawer-type doors 9, 10, 11, 12 is provided. The left and right doors 7 and 8 and the drawer-type doors 9, 10, 11, and 12 have heat insulation properties by providing a heat insulating material inside.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the front plates 7A, 8A, 9A, 10A, preferably on the front surfaces (outer surfaces) of the left and right doors 7, 8, and the drawer-type doors 9, 10, 11, 12 11A and 12A are arranged. The front plates 7A, 8A, 9A, 10A, 11A, and 12A are preferably light-transmitting glass plates or transparent glass plates.

  As an example, the left door 7 is provided with an operation panel 200. The operation panel 200 is preferably arranged inside the front plate 7A, and has an operation area 20 and a display area 21, for example. In the operation area 20, various operation functions of the refrigerator 1 can be input by, for example, a user touching a finger. The display area 21 displays various display items.

  Next, an example of the structure of the refrigerator compartment 2, the vegetable compartment 3, the ice making compartment 4, the small freezer compartment 5, and the main freezer compartment 6 of the refrigerator 1 is demonstrated with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a machine room 22 is provided at a back position of the main freezer compartment 6 of the main body 1 </ b> A, and a compressor 23 and the like are disposed in the machine room 22.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a storage room blower 30, a storage room cooler 31, and a blower duct 32 are disposed on the rear side of the main body 1 </ b> A on the rear side of the vegetable room 3. Further, at the back of the main body 1A, there are a freezer compartment fan 40, a freezer compartment cooler 41, and an air blower at the rear side of the ice making room (storage room) 4, the small freezing room (storage room) 5, and the main freezing room 6. A duct 42 is arranged. The storage chamber cooler 31 and the freezer cooler 41 are cooled by the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 23.

  In the vegetable compartment 3, upper and lower storage containers 3M and 3N are accommodated in a removable manner. A storage container 5M is accommodated in the small freezer compartment 5 so that it can be taken in and out. In the main freezer compartment 6, upper and lower storage containers 6M and 6N are accommodated in a removable manner.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, door opening devices 51 and 52 are provided, for example, on the upper surface portion 19 of the main body 1A. Both the door opening devices 51 and 52 can use actuators such as electromagnetic solenoids. When the door opening device 51 is driven, the left door 7 can be pushed and opened. Similarly, when the door opening device 52 is driven, the right door 8 can be pushed and opened.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing electrical elements disposed on the main body 1A, the left door 7 and the right door 8 shown in FIG.

  A control unit 100 is disposed in the main body 1A shown in FIG. The control unit 100 is electrically connected to the door opening devices 51 and 52 described above.

  The control unit 100 drives the door opening device 51 by outputting the door opening control signal P <b> 1 to the door opening device 51. When the door opening device 51 is driven, the door 7 can be opened by, for example, pushing out the left door 7 by protruding a rod. Similarly, the control unit 100 drives the door opening device 52 by outputting the door opening control signal P <b> 2 to the door opening device 52. When the door opening device 52 is driven, the door 8 can be opened by, for example, pushing out the right door 8 by protruding a rod. These door opening devices 51 and 52 are examples of controlled objects controlled by the control unit 100 in the refrigerator 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 1, a contact operation detection unit 71, a non-contact operation detection unit 72, and a display mechanism 73 are arranged on the left door 7. In the left door 7, the contact operation detection unit 71, the non-contact operation detection unit 72, and the display mechanism 73 are preferably disposed inside the front plate 7A. Similarly, a contact operation detection unit 81, a non-contact operation detection unit 82, and a display mechanism 83 are arranged on the right door 8. In the right door 8, the contact operation detection unit 81, the non-contact operation detection unit 82, and the display mechanism 83 are preferably arranged inside the front plate 8A.

  The contact operation detection units 71 and 81 shown in FIG. 3 are, for example, touch switches that can be turned on when a user touches with a finger, and preferably a capacitive sensor can be employed, but is not particularly limited. When the contact operation detection unit 71 detects the contact of the user's finger, the contact operation detection unit 71 outputs a contact operation detection signal R1 to the control unit 100. When the contact operation detection unit 81 detects the contact of the user's finger, the contact operation detection unit 81 outputs a contact operation detection signal R <b> 2 to the control unit 100.

  The non-contact operation detection units 72 and 82 shown in FIG. 3 are proximity sensors for detecting that a person such as a user approaches the refrigerator 1, and can also be called a human sensor. The non-contact operation detection units 72 and 82 can be preferably capacitive sensors, but are not particularly limited.

  The detection range in which the non-contact operation detection units 72 and 82 detect the approach of a person can be arbitrarily set. When the person enters the detection range on the door 7 side and the non-contact operation detection unit 72 detects the approach of the person, a non-contact operation detection signal Q1 is output to the control unit 100. Similarly, when a person enters the detection range on the door 8 side and the non-contact operation detection unit 82 detects the approach of a person, a non-contact operation detection signal Q2 is output to the control unit 100.

  The display mechanisms 73 and 83 shown in FIG. 3 are lighting display units that notify the user with light using, for example, LEDs (light emitting diodes). When the control unit 100 sends the signal L1 to the display mechanism 73, the display mechanism 73 lights up and notifies the user, and when the control unit 100 sends the signal L2 to the display mechanism 83, the display mechanism 83 lights up. Notify the user. As the operation of the display mechanisms 73 and 83, for example, one of a “light off” state, a “slightly lit” state, and a “all lit” state can be selected by signals L 1 and L 2 from the control unit 100.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the example of control of the refrigerator 1 mentioned above is demonstrated.

  As a control example of the refrigerator 1 in each embodiment of the present invention described below, operation control of the door opening device 51 (52) for opening the door 7 (8) shown in FIG. 1 will be described as an example.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control example of the refrigerator 1 described above in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1 performs normal refrigeration operation and freezing operation.

  In step ST1 shown in FIG. 4, when a person approaches, for example, the left door 7 of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1, the non-contact operation detection unit 72 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. The operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, and outputs a non-contact operation detection signal Q1 shown in FIG.

  Next, in step ST2, after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, the human finger contacts the contact operation detection unit 71 within a predetermined first predetermined time TA. Then, the contact operation detection unit 71 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, and the control unit 100 determines whether or not the contact operation detection signal R1 is sent to the control unit 100.

  In step ST2, as described above, after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, the human finger contacts the contact operation detection unit 71 within the first predetermined time TA. When the contact operation detection unit 71 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, the control unit 100 determines that the operation in which the person's finger contacts the contact operation detection unit 71 is a contact operation that the person does not intend. Judge. For this reason, the process returns from step ST2 to step ST1. In step ST1, when the non-contact operation detection unit 72 detects the approach of the person again, the non-contact operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state.

  Accordingly, the control unit 100 determines that the contact detection operation in the contact operation detection unit 71 within the first predetermined time TA is “invalid” and does not drive the door opening device 51 of the refrigerator 1. For this reason, even if there is an unintended person's contact with the contact operation detection unit 71, the left door 7 can be prevented from opening.

  On the other hand, in step ST2, when the contact operation detection unit 71 does not change from the non-detection state to the detection state without the human finger contacting the contact operation detection unit 71 within the first predetermined time TA. Moves to step ST3.

  In step ST3, after the first predetermined time TA has elapsed, the control unit 100 determines that the human finger has contacted the contact operation detection unit 71 and the contact operation detection unit 71 has changed from the non-detection state to the detection state. Then, the process proceeds to step ST4.

  In step ST4, the control part 100 can drive the door opening apparatus 51 which is a control object, and can open the door 7 on the left side.

  As described above, after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state, the control unit 100 changes the contact operation detection unit 71 from the non-detection state to the detection state within the first predetermined time TA. In such a case, it is determined that the contact is not intended and the door opening device 51 that is a control target is not driven, so that the door 7 can be prevented from being opened carelessly. That is, the control unit 100 sets the contact detection of the contact operation detection unit 71 to the “invalid” state within the first predetermined time TA (predetermined time) from the non-contact detection, thereby opening the door due to an unintended person's contact. Operation can be prevented.

  Then, after the first predetermined time TA has elapsed after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state, the control unit 100 changes the contact operation detection unit 71 from the non-detection state to the detection state. When it is done, the door opening device 51 which is a control target can be driven to open the door 7. As a result, the control unit 100 detects that the contact operation detection unit 71 has detected from the non-detection state after the first predetermined time TA (fixed time) has elapsed since the non-contact operation detection unit 72 was changed from the non-detection state to the detection state. By assuming that the state is “valid” indicating that the state can be changed, the door can be opened by the intended contact of the person.

  By the way, the first predetermined time TA described above is set to 0.5 to 2, 3 seconds, for example. In the first embodiment described above, the door opening operation of the left door 7 has been described, but the door opening operation of the right door 8 can be similarly performed.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control example of the refrigerator 1 in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In step ST1 shown in FIG. 5, when a person approaches, for example, the left door 7 of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1, the non-contact operation detection unit 72 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. The contact operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, and outputs a non-contact operation detection signal Q1 shown in FIG.

  Next, in step ST2, after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, the human finger contacts the contact operation detection unit 71 within the first predetermined time TA. The control unit 100 determines whether the contact operation detection unit 71 has changed from the non-detection state to the detection state and the contact operation detection signal R1 has been sent to the control unit 100.

  In step ST2, as described above, after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, the contact operation detection unit 71 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state within the first predetermined time TA. When changed, the control unit 100 determines that the operation in which the person's finger contacts the contact operation detection unit 71 is a contact operation that the person does not intend. For this reason, the process returns from step ST2 to step ST1. In step ST1, when the non-contact operation detection unit 72 detects the approach of the person again, the non-contact operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state.

  Accordingly, the control unit 100 determines that the contact detection operation in the contact operation detection unit 71 within the first predetermined time TA is in the “invalid” state, and does not drive the door opening device 51 of the refrigerator 1. For this reason, even if there is an unintended person's contact with the contact operation detection unit 71, the left door 7 can be prevented from opening.

  On the other hand, in step ST2, the contact operation detection unit 71 has not changed from the non-detection state to the detection state within the first predetermined time TA, but the contact operation detection unit 71 has changed from the non-detection state to the detection state. When the state becomes “valid” indicating that the change is possible, the process proceeds to step ST5.

  In step ST5, the person does not touch the contact operation detection unit 71 with his / her finger within a predetermined second predetermined time TB (a long time exceeding the first predetermined time TA), and the contact operation detection unit 71 is not touched. If the detection state is not changed to the detection state, the process returns to step ST1. Then, again, in step ST1, when the non-contact operation detection unit 72 detects the approach of the person, the non-contact operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, and in step ST2, the first predetermined operation is performed. Until the time TA elapses, the control unit 100 does not drive the door opening device 51 even if the contact operation detection unit 71 is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state.

  Thereby, after the contact operation detection unit 71 enters the “valid” state indicating that the non-detection state can be changed to the detection state, the contact detection is again set to the “invalid” state after the first predetermined time TA. Thus, it is possible to prevent the door 7 from opening due to contact unintended by a person.

  The predetermined second predetermined time TB is longer than the predetermined first predetermined time TA, for example, a number of seconds longer than 3 seconds.

  Returning to FIG. 5, on the other hand, in step ST <b> 5, if the contact operation detection unit 71 is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state within the second predetermined time TB, the control unit 100 drives the door opening device 51. The left door 7 can be opened.

  As described above, after entering the “valid” state indicating that the contact operation detecting unit 71 can change from the non-detection state to the detection state, the second predetermined time TB is longer than the predetermined first predetermined time TA. When the contact operation detection unit 71 is not changed from the non-detection state to the detection state, a predetermined first predetermined time after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state again. Until the TA elapses, even when the contact operation detection unit 71 is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state, the control unit 100 does not drive the door opening device 51 that is the control target. Thereby, the door opening operation | movement of the door 7 by the contact to the contact operation detection part 71 which a person does not intend can be prevented.

  In the second embodiment described above, the door opening operation of the left door 7 has been described, but the door opening operation of the right door 8 can be similarly performed.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control example of the refrigerator 1 in the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The operations in steps ST1 and ST2 shown in FIG. 6 are the same as the operations in steps ST1 and ST2 shown in FIG. That is, after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state in step ST1, the contact operation detection unit 71 is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state by the first predetermined time TA in step ST2. If not, the process proceeds to step ST6. In this state, the contact operation detection unit 71 is in the “valid” state indicating that the non-detection state can be changed to the detection state.

  In step ST6 of FIG. 6, in order to notify the person (user) that the contact operation detection unit 71 has entered the “valid” state indicating that the non-detection state can be changed to the detection state, FIG. The control unit 100 shown in FIG. 5 preferably causes the display mechanism 73 to “light slightly”. Thereby, if a person touches contact operation detection part 71 with a finger, it can notify a person (user) that it is in the state where contact operation detection part 71 can be changed from a non-detection state to a detection state.

  In this case, the display mechanism 73 is preferably “lightly lit”, so that the power consumption of the refrigerator can be reduced compared to the case of “lighting”. When a person touches the contact operation detection unit 71 with a finger, the control unit 100 sets the “slightly lit” display of the display mechanism 73 to “all lighted” display, and the person's finger touches the contact operation detection unit 71. Can be displayed more clearly.

  In the third embodiment described above, the notification operation by the “lighting” of the display mechanism 73 in the left door 7 has been described, but the notification operation by the “lighting” of the display mechanism 73 in the right door 8 is similarly performed. be able to.

  Step ST5 and step ST4 after step ST6 in FIG. 6 are the same as step ST5 and step ST4 shown in FIG.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control example of the refrigerator 1 in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is substantially the same as the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6, except that the fourth embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that step ST7 is further added. It is. Steps other than step ST7 in the fourth embodiment are the same as those in the third embodiment, so the description thereof will be used.

  In step ST2 and step ST6, after entering the “valid” state indicating that the non-detection state can be changed to the detection state by the contact operation detection unit 71, in step ST5, the second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time TA. If the human finger does not touch the contact operation detection unit 71 by time TB and the contact operation detection unit 71 is not changed from the non-detection state to the detection state, the process proceeds to step ST7.

  In step ST7, in order to notify the person (user) that the “invalid” state indicating that the change operation from the non-detection state to the detection state by the contact operation detection unit 71 is impossible is performed, the control unit 100 changes the display mechanism 73 from the “light on” state to the “light off” state. Thereby, even if a person touches the contact operation detection unit 71 with a finger, the person (user) is notified that the contact operation detection unit 71 is in an “invalid” state that cannot be changed from the non-detection state to the detection state. it can.

  In the fourth embodiment described above, the notification operation by “turning off” of the display mechanism 73 in the left door 7 has been described. However, the notification operation by “turning off” of the display mechanism 73 in the right door 8 can be similarly performed. it can.

  Step ST5 and step ST4 after step ST6 in FIG. 6 are the same as step ST5 and step ST4 shown in FIG.

  The refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a non-contact operation detection unit 72 (82) that detects human approach in a non-contact manner, a contact operation detection unit 71 (81) that detects human contact, and a non-contact operation detection. And a control unit 100 that performs a determination of driving the control target based on a signal from the unit 72 (82) and a signal from the contact operation detection unit.

  The control unit 100 includes the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) within a predetermined time (first predetermined time TA) after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 (82) is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state. ) Is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state, it is determined as an unintended human contact and, for example, the door opening device 51 (52) as a control target is not driven.

  Accordingly, the control unit 100 determines that the contact detection in the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) within the first predetermined time TA is in the “invalid” state, and is an object to be controlled by the refrigerator 1, for example, opening the door Since the device 51 (52) is not driven, it is possible to prevent the operation of the control target from being touched by an unintended person, for example, from opening the door 7 (8).

  After the first predetermined time TA has elapsed after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 (82) has been changed from the non-detection state to the detection state, the control unit 100 detects that the contact operation detection unit 71 (72) When the detection state is changed to the detection state, for example, the door opening device 51 (52) as a control target is driven.

  Accordingly, the control unit 100 determines that the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) is not in the non-contact operation detection unit 72 (82) if the first predetermined time TA has elapsed after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 (82) is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state. By setting the “valid” state indicating a state that can be changed from the detection state to the detection state, an operation of opening the door by the intended human contact can be performed.

  The predetermined time is set as the first predetermined time TA, and the first predetermined time after the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) enters the “valid” state indicating that it can be changed from the non-detection state to the detection state. If the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) is not changed from the non-detection state to the detection state by a predetermined second predetermined time TB longer than TA, the non-contact operation detection unit 72 (82) is again set. Even if the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state until the first predetermined time TA has elapsed after the change from the non-detection state to the detection state, the control unit 100 For example, the door opening device 51 (52) as a control target is not driven.

  As a result, the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) again enters the “valid” state indicating the state in which the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) can be changed from the non-detection state to the detection state, and then again after the first predetermined time TA. For example, the door opening device 51 (52) as a control target due to unintended contact by a person by setting the “invalid” state indicating that the change from the non-detection state to the detection state according to (81) has become impossible. ), The door 7 can be prevented from opening.

  After the non-contact operation detection unit 72 (82) is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state, the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) is not changed from the non-detection state to the detection state by the first predetermined time TA. In this case, a display mechanism 73 (83) for notifying that the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) is in an “valid” state indicating a changeable state from the non-detection state to the detection state is provided.

  Accordingly, the display mechanism 73 (83) is in a state where the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) can be changed from the non-detection state to the detection state if a person touches the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) with a finger. It is possible to notify the person (user) of the “valid” state.

  After the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) enters the “valid” state indicating that the non-detection state can be changed to the detection state, the contact operation detection unit 71 ( 81) indicates that the change from the non-detection state to the detection state by the touch operation detection unit 71 (81) is impossible when the non-detection state is not changed to the detection state. A display mechanism 73 (83) for notifying that

  As a result, the display mechanism 73 (83) notifies the person (user) that the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) has entered the “invalid” state indicating that it cannot be changed from the non-detection state to the detection state. Can do.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. The novel embodiment can be implemented in various other modes, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, as the display mechanism, for example, a lighting display unit that notifies a user with light using an LED (light emitting diode) or the like can be used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as the display mechanism, a sound generation unit for notifying by sound or generating a notification sound for notification may be used instead of the lighting display unit. In addition to the lighting display unit, a sound generation unit may be provided as the display mechanism.

  The non-contact operation detection units 72 and 82 shown in FIG. 3 can share the detection operation of human approach by using any one of them. In this case, one non-contact operation detection part can also be provided in the position of the clearance gap between the left and right doors 7 and 8 and the drawer-type door 9, for example.

  The structure of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and an arbitrary structure can be adopted. For example, although the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a door structure with double doors left and right, the refrigerator compartment may have a single door structure with a single opening. The arrangement structure of each storage room of the refrigerator can be arbitrarily selected.

  The control target controlled by the control unit 100 is not limited to the door opening devices 51 and 52 but may be another component of the refrigerator.

  Each embodiment of the present invention can be arbitrarily combined as necessary.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 1A Main body 7 Door 8 Door 51 Opening device (control object)
52 Door opening device (control target)
71 Contact operation detection unit 72 Non-contact operation detection unit 73 Display mechanism 81 Contact operation detection unit 82 Non-contact operation detection unit 83 Display mechanism 100 Control unit TA First predetermined time TB Second predetermined time

Claims (2)

A non-contact operation detector that detects the approach of a person in a non-contact manner;
A contact operation detector that detects human contact;
A control unit that performs a determination to drive a control target by a signal from the non-contact operation detection unit and a signal from the contact operation detection unit,
The controller is
After the non-contact operation detection unit is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state, within a predetermined time , the control object is not driven ,
After the elapse of the predetermined time, when the contact operation detection unit is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state, the control target is driven,
Furthermore, when the contact operation detection is not changed from the non-detection state to the detection state before the predetermined time elapses, the contact operation detection unit changes from the non-detection state to the detection state. Display mechanism to notify that it is ready
Refrigerator with a. A non-contact operation detector that detects the approach of a person in a non-contact manner;
A contact operation detector that detects human contact;
A control unit that performs a determination to drive a control target by a signal from the non-contact operation detection unit and a signal from the contact operation detection unit,
The controller is
Setting a first predetermined time and a second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time;
After the non-contact operation detection unit is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state, the control target is not driven within the first predetermined time and after the second predetermined time has elapsed,
When the contact operation detection unit is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state between the first predetermined time and the second elapsed time, the control target is driven. Let
Further, when the contact operation detection unit is not changed from the non-detection state to the detection state until the second predetermined time has elapsed, the detection from the non-detection state by the contact operation detection unit is performed. A refrigerator comprising a display mechanism for notifying that a change to a state is impossible .

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