JP7383088B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to refrigerators.

It has been proposed to decorate the refrigerator door. For example, a flat, colorless and transparent glass plate is used for the door of a refrigerator, and the inside surface of the glass plate is painted. When the user looks at this door from the outside of the refrigerator, the painted layer can be seen behind the colorless and transparent glass plate, giving the door a sense of depth.

Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a decorative panel used for a refrigerator door, which includes a light-transmitting member, a first decorative layer in front of the light-transmitting member, and a second decorative layer behind the light-transmitting member. It has been proposed that the first decorative layer and the second decorative layer have different gradation patterns, giving a three-dimensional visual effect. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 proposes drawing a graphic image on a glass surface such as a refrigerator door using a surface smoothing composition, and causing the graphic image to appear on the glass surface depending on the presence or absence of condensed water droplets. Further, Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4 describe a stained glass-like glass plate as a decorative glass plate.

JP2016-74120A Special Publication No. 2008-501610 Utility model registration No. 2556005 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-56483

However, there has been a desire for a refrigerator with high visual effects, which is different from the above-mentioned conventional proposals.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a new refrigerator with high visual effects.

In the refrigerator of this embodiment, the door that opens and closes the opening of the storage compartment has a front glass plate on the outside of the refrigerator, a rear inner plate on the inside of the refrigerator, and insulation between the glass plate and the inner plate. In the refrigerator, the glass plate is translucent, and a plurality of fine protrusions with a height difference of 1.0 mm or less formed by processing the front surface are formed on the entire front surface of the glass plate. the front surface is covered with a film, the film covers the microprotrusions from the front, a decorative layer is provided on the inside surface of the glass plate, and a portion of the front surface of the glass plate is covered with a film that covers the microprotrusions from the front; It is characterized in that a partial decoration part is provided in the front, and the membrane is provided in front of the partial decoration part .

FIG. 2 is a front view of the refrigerator 10 according to the present embodiment. A sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 1. A sectional view taken along YY in FIG. 1. An example of unevenness on the outside surface 38 of the glass plate 30 of Embodiment 1. (a) is an uneven pattern that resembles a bark pattern or water flowing pattern, (b) is an uneven pattern that looks like a grained pattern, (c) is an uneven area that has many depressions, and (d) is a plurality of uneven areas. (e) is a stained glass-like glass plate 30 made up of a plurality of glass pieces 20 having convexities and convexities on the sides of the polygons that form a pattern of combinations of polygons. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator of Modification Example 1 of Embodiment 1 taken along the line YY in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator of Modification Example 1 of Embodiment 1 taken along the line XX in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator of Modification 2 of Embodiment 1 taken along the line XX in FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a case where a gap 245 is left between the outside surface 38 of the glass plate 30 and the holding part 241. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator of Modification 2 of Embodiment 1 taken along the line XX in FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a case where the outside surface 38 of the glass plate 30 and the gripping part 241 are in close contact with each other. FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the refrigerator compartment door 12 of the refrigerator according to Modification Example 3 of Embodiment 1; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment and a seventh modification thereof (a cross-sectional view taken along a line corresponding to XX in FIG. 1). (a) is a diagram showing a configuration in which the protruding wall 46 is located behind the chamfered portion 37 of the glass plate 30. (b) is a diagram showing a modified example in which the protruding wall 46 extends to the position of the chamfered portion 37 of the glass plate 30. (c) is a diagram showing a modified example in which the protruding wall 46 extends to a position where the convex portion 26 of the glass plate 30 is located. (d) is a diagram showing a modified example in which the protruding wall 46 extends to the front of the convex portion 26 of the glass plate 30. FIG. 7 is a front view of the refrigerator of Modification Example 8 of Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a recess 424 in a glass plate 430 of Embodiment 2. (a) is a diagram when there is no coating layer 401. (b) is a diagram when there is a coating layer 401. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator door of Embodiment 2 (a cross-sectional view taken along a line corresponding to XX in FIG. 1). FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a chamfered portion 437 of a glass plate 430 of Embodiment 2 (a cross-sectional view taken along a line corresponding to XX in FIG. 1). (a) and (b) are views of an example in which the coating layer 401 is not provided on the chamfered portion 437. (c) is a diagram of an example in which the coating layer 401 is partially present on the chamfered portion 437. (d) is a diagram showing an example in which the coating layer 401 is entirely formed on the chamfered portion 437. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a location where a logo 402 according to a second modification of the second embodiment is provided. (a) is a diagram when a logo 402 is provided on a surface 439 on the inside of the glass plate 430. (b) is a diagram showing a case where a logo 402 is provided on a surface 438 of the glass plate 430 on the outside of the refrigerator. FIG. 7 is a side view of fine protrusions 525 on the glass plate of Embodiment 3.

The refrigerator of this embodiment will be explained. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto. The following embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The following embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

1. Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 shows a refrigerator 10 of this embodiment. The refrigerator 10 includes a main body having a storage chamber, and a door that opens and closes an opening of the storage chamber. The refrigerator 10 also includes a cooling cycle device that generates cold air, and a control unit such as a microcomputer. The control unit controls the cooling cycle device, sends cold air generated by the cooling cycle device to the storage chamber, and maintains the inside of the storage chamber at a low temperature.

The main body of the refrigerator 10 is constructed by combining an outer box that forms the outer shell of the refrigerator 10 and an inner box in which a storage chamber is formed, and a heat insulating material is packed between the outer box and the inner box. A vacuum insulation panel may be provided between the outer box and the inner box. A vacuum insulation panel is a box that is filled with glass wool or the like and then evacuated.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main body of the refrigerator 10 of this embodiment is provided with a plurality of storage chambers, and the front opening of each storage chamber can be opened and closed by a door. Although the number and type of storage compartments are not limited, for example, in the refrigerator 10 in FIG. A freezer is provided.

The opening of the refrigerator compartment is closed by two left and right refrigerator compartment doors 11 and 12. The left end of the left refrigerator compartment door 11 is attached to the left end of the main body of the refrigerator 10 by a hinge. The right end of the right refrigerator compartment door 12 is attached to the right end of the main body of the refrigerator 10 by a hinge. Due to this structure, the two left and right refrigerator compartment doors 11 and 12 can be opened double-sided. The vegetable compartment, ice making compartment, small freezing compartment, and freezing compartment are respectively closed by a pull-out vegetable compartment door 13, an ice making compartment door 14, a small freezing compartment door 15, and a freezing compartment door 16.

At least some of these doors are provided with an operating section. Although the items that can be operated are not limited by the door provided with the operation part or the operation part, in the case of this embodiment, the operation part 60 for opening the door is provided in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment doors 11 and 12, respectively. Furthermore, an operating section 50 for controlling the cooling cycle and the like is provided in the center of one of the refrigerator compartment doors 12 in the vertical direction. The control section controls the refrigerator compartment 10 based on operations on these operation sections 50 and 60.

The cross-sectional structure of the door of the refrigerator 10 will be explained by taking the refrigerator compartment door 12 as an example.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the refrigerator door 12 includes a glass plate 30 forming the outside surface of the refrigerator door 12, and an inner plate 31 forming the inside surface of the refrigerator door 12. A frame member 40 forming a side portion of the refrigerator compartment door 12 is provided.

A gasket holding portion 34 is provided on the inner plate 31. The gasket holding part 34 holds a gasket that brings the refrigerator compartment door 12 into close contact with the main body of the refrigerator 10.

A heat insulating material 32 is filled between the glass plate 30 and the inner plate 31. The heat insulating material 32 is made of, for example, urethane foam, polystyrene foam, or glass wool. The heat insulating material 32 is bonded to the inside surface 39 of the glass plate 30. When a light reflecting layer 35 (described later) is provided on the inside surface 39 of the glass plate 30, the heat insulating material 32 is bonded to the inside surface of the light reflecting layer 35. Further, a vacuum insulation panel (not shown) may be provided between the glass plate 30 and the inner plate 31.

The glass plate 30 is a rectangular plate member having a size that can cover the entire outside surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12 except for the frame member 40. The glass plate 30 has translucency. The glass plate 30 may be colorless and transparent, or may be colored and translucent. Note that the average thickness of the glass plate 30 in Embodiment 1 is, for example, 2 mm or more and 6 mm or less.

Irregularities are formed on the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 on the outside of the refrigerator. This unevenness can be recognized as unevenness when the user visually sees it. The degree of unevenness is preferably such that when a user places an object on the opposite side of the glass plate 30 and views it, the object appears distorted. The degree of distortion may be such that when a user places an object on the opposite side of the glass plate 30 and looks at it, the user can roughly tell what the object is, or it may be almost impossible to tell what the object is. It may be a degree. Assuming that the part of the outside surface 38 of the glass plate 30 that protrudes from the surroundings is defined as a convex part, the interval between convex parts, that is, the average distance from one convex part 24 to the next convex part 25 (see FIG. 2) is The distance may be smaller than the thickness of the user's finger. The thickness of a user's finger is, for example, 10 mm if it is thin.

The glass plate 30 having such unevenness may be a patterned glass. When the glass plate 30 is shaped glass, the height difference between a convex portion and a concave portion continuous from the convex portion is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less on average.

The unevenness of the glass plate 30 is formed on the entire surface 38 on the outside of the refrigerator, except for the portion which may be flat in the following description. Further, in this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the inner side surface 39 of the glass plate 30 is flat without any unevenness formed therein.

Examples of the types of unevenness on the outside surface 38 of the glass plate 30 include a bark pattern or water flowing pattern shown in FIG. 4(a), and a grained pattern shown in FIG. 4(b). 4(c) where a pattern is created by forming a number of concave portions, and a pattern where a plurality of polygons are combined as shown in FIG. 4(d) where the sides of these polygons are convex portions. Examples include unevenness, etc. Note that FIG. 4(b) shows a satin pattern, which is a type of textured pattern.

Further, the glass plate 30 may have a stained glass-like structure in which a plurality of glass pieces 20 are combined using a border 21, as shown in FIG. 4(e). Here, at least some of the plurality of glass pieces 20 constituting the stained glass-like glass plate 30 have irregularities on the outer side surface 38 of the refrigerator. Moreover, all the glass pieces 20 constituting the stained glass-like glass plate 30 may have irregularities on the outer side surface 38 of the refrigerator. Further, at least a portion of the plurality of glass pieces 20 constituting the stained glass-like glass plate 30 may be colored. Moreover, the stained glass-like glass plate 30 is not a combination of a plurality of glass pieces 20, but a single uneven glass plate with a plurality of glass pieces and a border as shown in FIG. 4(e). It may be drawn as .

Although not shown, the glass plate 30 may have a gradation-like appearance by varying the height of the convex portions, the depth of the concave portions, the interval between the convex portions, or the interval between the concave portions depending on the location.

It is preferable that the outer side portion 37 of the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30 is chamfered. This chamfered portion (chamfered portion) 37 may be a flat surface (for example, a C surface) as shown in FIG. 2, or may be an R surface.

As shown in FIG. 2, the frame member 40 includes a side wall 42, a glass plate holder 44, and a protruding wall 46. The side wall 42 forms a side surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12, which is a surface perpendicular to the outside surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12. The glass plate holding portion 44 is a portion that extends from the side wall 42 toward the center of the outside surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12 by a predetermined distance in parallel to the outside surface. The protruding wall 46 is a portion that protrudes forward from the glass plate holding portion 44 to the outside of the refrigerator.

The glass plate 30 is adhered to the outside surface of the glass plate holder 44 by adhesive means 36 such as double-sided tape or adhesive, and thereby is held by the frame member 40. The adhesive means 36 may be directly adhered to the glass plate 30, or may be adhered to a light reflecting layer 35, which will be described later, as shown in FIG. Note that the adhesive portion 23 on the inside surface 39 of the glass plate 30 with the glass plate holding portion 44 is flat.

Further, the glass plate 30 is provided inside the protruding wall 46. The end 33 of the glass plate 30 may be in contact with the protruding wall 46, or there may be a gap between the end 33 of the glass plate 30 and the protruding wall 46 as shown in FIG. The gap between the end 33 of the glass plate 30 and the protruding wall 46 may be closed when the glass plate 30 thermally expands. Further, although not shown, the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30 and the protruding wall 46 may be bonded together using adhesive means such as double-sided tape or adhesive.

The frame member 40 having the above characteristics is provided, for example, at four sides of the refrigerator compartment door 12 or at two opposing sides.

A light reflecting layer 35 may be provided on the inside surface 39 of the glass plate 30. The light reflection layer 35 reflects the light incident on the glass plate 30 from outside the refrigerator to the outside of the refrigerator. Moreover, it is desirable that the light reflection layer 35 transmits light from a light source located on the inside of the refrigerator to the outside of the refrigerator. An example of the light reflecting layer 35 having these properties is a metal thin film layer. Examples of the metal constituting the metal thin film layer include tin, tin alloy, aluminum, and aluminum alloy. Further, although not shown, holes may be formed in the light reflection layer 35 to allow light from a light source located on the inner side of the refrigerator to pass through to the outside of the refrigerator.

As shown in FIG. 3, an operating section 50 is provided between the glass plate 30 and the heat insulating material 32. The operation unit 50 includes at least an input unit for inputting instructions to the control unit of the refrigerator 10 and a display unit for displaying the operating state of the refrigerator 10 and the like.

The structure of the operation unit 50 is not limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 50 includes a first substrate 54 and electrodes 52 of a plurality of capacitive sensors provided on the first substrate 54. The electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor is a component of the input section. Further, on the inside of the first board 54, a second board 55 is provided which includes a microcomputer 57 and a light source 56 such as an LED. The microcomputer 57 detects changes in the capacitance of the electrode 52 of the capacitive sensor and turns on the light source 56. The first board 54 and the second board 55 are electrically connected via the respective connectors 51 and relay bundled wires 53.

The light from the light source 56 passes through a hole 58 provided in the first substrate 54 and illuminates the glass plate 30 from inside the refrigerator. If a printed layer on which characters or symbols are printed is provided at a location outside the refrigerator than the operating section 50, the characters or symbols are illuminated by the light source 56 and visible from outside the refrigerator. The portion on which these characters and symbols are printed is included in the display section. Further, a liquid crystal display panel may be provided as part or all of the display section.

The light source 56 may further be arranged to illuminate the unevenness of the glass plate 30. Specifically, one light source 56 may illuminate the unevenness of the glass plate 30 and the above-mentioned display section at the same time, or some of the plurality of light sources 56 may illuminate the unevenness of the glass plate 30 while others illuminate the unevenness of the glass plate 30. may illuminate the display section. In order for the light source 56 to illuminate the unevenness of the glass plate 30, the unevenness of the glass plate 30 exists at a position facing the light source 56 (a position on the outside of the light source), and more specifically, the light emitted from the light source 56 The light source is arranged so that the optical axis of the light passes through the unevenness of the glass plate 30.

Of the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 on the outside of the refrigerator, the portion of the operation section 50 on the outside of the refrigerator may be flat, that is, a planar shape without unevenness. In this case, of the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 on the outside of the refrigerator, the entire portion of the operation section 50 on the outside of the refrigerator may be flat, or a part of the operation section 50 (for example, including at least the input section and the display section) may be flat. The outside part of the container may be flat.

Further, of the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 on the outside of the refrigerator, a portion of the operation section 50 on the outside of the refrigerator may be relatively flat. That is, on the outside surface of the glass plate 30, the portion of the operating portion 50 outside the refrigerator has a lower average height of the convex portions or a lower average depth of the recesses than other portions. The height may be shallower, or the average distance between the protrusions may be wider. In this case as well, the entire outer side portion of the operating section 50 may be relatively flat among the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 on the outer side of the refrigerator, or a portion of the operating section 50 (for example, at least the input section and the display section) may be relatively flat. The outside part of the refrigerator part (including the part) may be relatively flat.

Further, it is desirable that the flat inner side surface 39 of the glass plate 30 be in close contact with the operating section 50.

The method for manufacturing the glass plate 30 having the above-mentioned irregularities is not limited, but in the case of molded glass, for example, a roll-out method or a casting method is used. The flat portion on the outside surface 38 of the glass plate 30 is formed, for example, by first forming irregularities on the entire glass plate 30 and then flattening the surface.

Next, the effects of the refrigerator 10 of this embodiment will be explained.

In the refrigerator 10 of the present embodiment, the unevenness is formed on the outside surface 38 of the glass plate 30 of the refrigerator compartment door 12, so that the refrigerator compartment door 12 has an antique feel and a sense of depth, and has a high visual effect. In addition, since the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 on the outside of the refrigerator is uneven, stains and scratches on the glass plate 30 are less noticeable compared to a case where the unevenness is not formed.

In particular, if the average distance from one convex part 24 to the next convex part 25 in the unevenness of the glass plate 30 is smaller than the thickness of the user's finger, the user cannot touch the glass plate 30. It also doesn't leave fingerprints easily.

Furthermore, in the refrigerator 10 of the present embodiment, the light reflection layer 35 is provided on the inside surface 39 of the glass plate 30, so that light that enters the glass plate 30 from outside the refrigerator is reflected by the light reflection layer 35. . Therefore, the unevenness of the glass plate 30 is illuminated and looks beautiful. Moreover, the unevenness of the glass plate 30 also looks beautiful when illuminated from the inside of the refrigerator by the light source 56.

In addition, if the outside side of the operation section 50 is flat or relatively flat among the surfaces 38 on the outside of the refrigerator side of the glass plate 30, when the user performs an input operation to the input section of the operation section 50, it is possible to accurately input the input operation. In addition, the display section of the operation section 50 is difficult to blur and easy to see. Furthermore, if the inside surface 39 of the glass plate 30 is flat and in close contact with the operating section 50, when the user performs an input operation on the input section of the operating section 50, it is easy to accurately detect the input operation. The display section 50 is hard to blur and easy to see.

Furthermore, since the glass plate 30 has irregularities, reflections of people, scenery, etc. on the refrigerator compartment door 12 are reduced.

Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described. Any one of the plurality of modification examples described below may be applied to the above embodiment, or any two or more of the modification examples described below may be selected and applied. Also good. However, various modifications other than the following modification examples are possible, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the above embodiments and the following modification examples. In addition, in the diagram showing the modified example, the same parts as in FIGS. 2 and 3 are given the same reference numerals.

(Modification example 1 of embodiment 1)
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the unevenness of the glass plate 130 may be provided not only on the surface 138 on the outside of the refrigerator but also on the surface 139 on the inside of the refrigerator. The unevenness on the inside surface 139 of the glass plate 130 may have the same characteristics as the unevenness on the outside side surface 38 of the glass plate 30 in the above embodiment.

When unevenness is provided on the outer side surface 138 and the inner side surface 139 of the glass plate 130, as shown in FIG. It's okay to be. Furthermore, the portion of the operating section 50 on the outside of the refrigerator on the surface 138 of the glass plate 130 on the outside of the refrigerator may also be flat. In addition, when unevenness is provided on both the outside surface 138 and the inside surface 139 of the glass plate 130, as shown in FIG. The adhesive portion 123 may be flat.

When the surface 139 on the inside of the refrigerator side of the glass plate 130 is provided with unevenness as in this modification example, the surface 139 on the inside of the refrigerator side of the glass plate 130 (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the surface 139 on the inside of the refrigerator reflects light) When the layer 35 is provided, the contact area between the light reflecting layer 35) and the heat insulating material 32 becomes large, and the adhesion between the glass plate 130 and the heat insulating material 32 improves. Furthermore, by providing the unevenness on the outside surface 138 and the inside surface 139 of the glass plate 130, the three-dimensional effect of the glass plate 130 is emphasized and the visual effect is enhanced.

Furthermore, in the case where the surface 139 on the inside of the refrigerator side of the glass plate 130 is provided with unevenness, if the part of the surface 139 on the inside side of the refrigerator side of the glass plate 130 that faces the operation part 50 is flat, the user can operate it. When an input operation is made to the input section of the operation section 50, it is easy to be accurately detected, and the display section of the operation section 50 is easy to see. Further, in the case where the surface 139 of the glass plate 130 on the inside of the refrigerator is provided with unevenness, if the adhesive part 123 with the glass plate holding part 44 on the surface 139 of the glass plate 130 on the inside of the refrigerator is flat, the glass The adhesiveness between the plate 130 and the glass plate holding part 44 is improved.

(Modification example 2 of embodiment 1)
A frame member 240 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 may be provided instead of the frame member 40 of the above embodiment. The frame member 240 of this modification includes a side wall 42, a glass plate holder 44, and a protruding wall 46 having the same features as those of the frame member 40 of the above embodiment. Furthermore, the frame member 240 includes a gripping portion 241 . The grip portion 241 is a portion that extends from the front end of the protruding wall 46 toward the center of the outside surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12 by a predetermined distance in parallel to the outside surface. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the glass plate holding part 44, the protruding wall 46, and the gripping part 241 form a substantially U-shaped cross-section and a groove 243.

The glass plate 30 is inserted into this groove 243. Therefore, the glass plate holding portion 44 and the gripping portion 241 sandwich the vicinity of the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30. The glass plate holder 44 and the glass plate 30 are bonded together by the bonding means 36. Furthermore, the gripping portion 241 covers the vicinity of the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30 from the outside of the refrigerator, but as shown in FIG. may be empty, or the outside surface 38 of the glass plate 30 and the holding portion 241 may be in close contact with each other as shown in FIG.

Also in this modification, the end 33 of the glass plate 30 may be in contact with the protruding wall 46, or there may be a gap between the end 33 of the glass plate 30 and the protruding wall 46.

When the frame member 240 is provided with the gripping portion 241 in this way, the glass plate 30 is difficult to come off from the frame member 240, and the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30 is protected by the gripping portion 241. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the distance between the glass plate holding part 44 and the gripping part 241 is set so that a gap 245 is left between the outside surface 38 of the glass plate 30 and the gripping part 241. In this case, a clearance for inserting a glass plate 30 having an uneven surface 38 on the outside of the refrigerator into the groove 243 is ensured. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, when a gap 245 is left between the outside surface 38 of the glass plate 30 and the gripping part 241, the glass plate 30 is not scraped by the gripping part 241. This can prevent the generation of glass powder.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when the outside surface 38 of the glass plate 30 and the holding portion 241 are in close contact with each other, the glass plate 30 is more difficult to come off from the frame member 240.

In addition, in the case where frame members are provided on four sides or two opposing sides of the door, the frame members on all sides may be the frame members 40 of the above embodiment, or the frame members on all sides may be provided with the frame members 40 of the above embodiment. The example frame member 240 may be used. Further, in the case where frame members are provided on four sides or two opposing sides of the door, the frame members on some sides are the frame members 40 of the above embodiment, and the frame members on some other sides are in this modified example. The frame member 240 may be the same.

(Modification example 3 of Embodiment 1)
In place of or in addition to the light source 56 of the operating section 50 in the embodiment described above, another light source may be provided between the glass plate 30 and the inner plate 31.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a light guide plate 300 is provided between the glass plate 30 and the inner plate 31 of the refrigerator compartment door 12, and a light source 301 is provided at either the top, bottom, left, or right end of the light guide plate 300. It's okay to be left behind. The light source 301 may be anything that emits light toward the light guide plate 300, and is, for example, an LED. The size of the light guide plate 300 is not limited. For example, the light guide plate 300 may have the same area as the portion of the refrigerator compartment door 12 excluding the frame member 40.

When such a light guide plate 300 and light source 301 are provided on the refrigerator door 12, the light emitted by the light source 301 is incident on the light guide plate 300, and is emitted from the light guide plate 300 toward the outside of the refrigerator. Therefore, the glass plate 30 of the refrigerator door 12 is illuminated from inside the refrigerator, and the unevenness of the glass plate 30 looks beautiful. When the glass plate 30 is stained glass-like, it looks more beautiful when the glass plate 30 is illuminated from inside the refrigerator.

Further, there is no light guide plate between the glass plate 30 and the inner plate 31, and a light source different from the light source 56 of the operation unit 50 is provided somewhere between the glass plate 30 and the inner plate 31. It's okay. In this case, the vicinity of the light source of the glass plate 30 of the refrigerator compartment door 12 is illuminated from inside the refrigerator, and the unevenness of the illuminated portion is emphasized, making the refrigerator compartment door 12 look beautiful.

(Modification example 4 of embodiment 1)
The glass plate having the characteristics of the above embodiment may cover only a part of the outside surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12 instead of the entire outside surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12.

(Example 5 of modification of Embodiment 1)
In place of or in addition to the refrigerator compartment door 12 in the above embodiment, one or more other doors and glass plates provided therein may be used as the refrigerator compartment door 12 and the glass plate 30 described above. It may have the same structure as . All the doors of the refrigerator 10 and the glass plates provided thereon may have the same structure as the refrigerator compartment door 12 and the glass plate 30 described above. Moreover, a glass plate having the same irregularities as the glass plate 30 of the refrigerator compartment door 12 described above may be provided not only on the door but also on a wall other than the door.

(Example 6 of modification of Embodiment 1)
The glass plate 30 in the above embodiment may be colorless and transparent, and the light reflecting layer 35 provided on the inside surface 39 of the glass plate 30 may be colored. Further, the glass plate 30 may be colorless and transparent, and a colored layer having a low light reflection effect may be provided in place of the light reflection layer 35.

In the refrigerator compartment door 12 having these characteristics, the colored layer is visible behind the colorless and transparent glass plate 30, so that the sense of depth of the refrigerator compartment door 12 is emphasized.

(Modification example 7 of Embodiment 1)
In FIG. 2, the protruding wall 46 of the frame member 40 is short in the front-rear direction, and the chamfered portion 37 of the glass plate 30 protrudes forward from the protruding wall 46 and is exposed. That is, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 10(a), a corner 37a between the end 33 of the glass plate 30 and the chamfered portion 37 is located further forward than the front end of the protruding wall 46. In this case, a portion of the end portion 33 and the chamfered portion 37 of the glass plate 30 are visible from the outside of the refrigerator, and these portions appear shiny, creating an aesthetic appearance.

On the other hand, there are examples of changes in the length of the projecting wall 46 in the front-rear direction as shown in FIGS. 10(b) to 10(d).

In FIG. 10(b), the protruding wall 46 extends to the position of the chamfered portion 37 of the glass plate 30. In FIG. That is, the front end of the protruding wall 46 extends in the front-rear direction from the corner 37a between the end 33 of the glass plate 30 and the chamfer 37 to the corner between the outside surface 38 of the glass plate 30 and the chamfer 37. It is within the range up to 37b. In this case, the corner portion 37a between the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30 and the chamfered portion 37 is protected by the protruding wall 46 and is less likely to chip.

Further, in FIG. 10(c), the protruding wall 46 extends to the position where the convex portion 26 of the glass plate 30 is located. That is, the front end of the protruding wall 46 extends in the front-rear direction from the corner 37b of the outside surface 38 of the glass plate 30 and the chamfered part 37 to the apex of the convex part 26 (i.e., in the range shown in FIG. ) within the range indicated by the dashed line. In this case, the corners 37a and 37b of the chamfered portion 37 of the glass plate 30 are protected by the protruding wall 46 and are less likely to chip. Note that the convex portion 26 referred to here refers to a high convex portion that is close to the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30, for example, the highest convex portion within a distance of 20 mm from the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30.

Further, in FIG. 10(d), the protruding wall 46 extends beyond the convex portion 26 of the glass plate 30. That is, the front end of the protruding wall 46 is at the same position as the apex of the convex part 26 of the glass plate 30 in the front-rear direction, or is closer to the apex of the convex part 26 of the glass plate 30 as shown in FIG. 10(d). is also in front. In this case, the convex portion 26 of the glass plate 30 is protected by the protruding wall 46 and is less likely to chip.

(Modification example 8 of Embodiment 1)
When a pattern such as a marble pattern is drawn on a plurality of doors of the refrigerator 10, the pattern is continuous between the plurality of doors without being interrupted between the doors, as shown in FIG. It is desirable that However, the pattern may have disappeared at a location on a member (for example, the frame member 40 or the handle 62) other than the plate that forms the outside surface of the refrigerator (the glass plate 30 in the case of a door that uses the glass plate 30). Also good. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, the pattern may be drawn avoiding the operating section 50, or may disappear at the operating section 50. It is sufficient if some or all of the plurality of doors on which such patterns are drawn have the same structure as the refrigerator compartment door 12 and the glass plate 30 described above.

(Modification example 9 of Embodiment 1)
A printed layer may be provided on the inside surface 39 of the glass plate 30, and the printed layer may be made of a plurality of colors (for example, two colors). In this case, if the glass plate 30 has irregularities on the outer side of the refrigerator at the boundary between adjacent colors of the printed layers, the boundary appears blurred from the outside of the refrigerator. Therefore, the design is good, and even if there is a printing misalignment at the boundary portion, it is not noticeable.

(Modification example 10 of Embodiment 1)
2, FIG. 10, etc., it is depicted that a chamfered portion 37 is formed only on the outside of the refrigerator at the end 33 of the glass plate 30, but a similar chamfered portion (not shown) is formed on the end 33 of the glass plate 30. It may also be formed inside the chamber. In this case, the chamfered length of the chamfered portion 37 on the outside of the refrigerator is longer than that of the chamfered portion on the inside of the refrigerator. That is, for example, in the upper and lower end portions 33 of the rectangular glass plate 30, the chamfered portion 37 on the outside of the refrigerator is longer in the vertical direction than the chamfered portion on the inside of the refrigerator.

In the case where a chamfered portion is also formed on the inner side of the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30, a printed layer may be further formed on the surface 39 on the inner side of the refrigerator near the end portion 33 of the glass plate 30. In this case, there is a possibility that the chamfer on the inner side of the refrigerator covers the print layer, causing disturbances at the boundary between the chamfer and the print layer (for example, the print layer protrudes into the chamfer). However, since irregularities are formed on the surface 38 of the glass plate 30 on the outside of the refrigerator, such disturbances are less noticeable when viewed from the outside of the refrigerator.

(Other modification examples of Embodiment 1)
The same compressive stress layer as that of Embodiment 2 below may be formed on the glass plate 30.

Further, the same coating layer as that in the second embodiment may be formed on the glass plate 30. In this case, examples of how to apply the coating layer to the chamfered portion 37 are shown in FIGS. 14(a) to 14(d), similar to the second embodiment.

Further, modifications 1 to 3 of the second embodiment can also be applied to the first embodiment.

2. Embodiment 2
In the description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used for members common to the first embodiment.

The glass plate 430 of the refrigerator door in the second embodiment is frosted glass. Frosted glass is a glass plate that is smooth (in other words, has no corners) and has many small irregularities formed on its surface. The unevenness of the frosted glass is formed, for example, by providing a large number of recesses 424 as shown in FIG. 12(a).

On the cross section of the glass plate 430 on which smooth irregularities are formed, at least the convex side (that is, only the convex side or both the convex side and the concave side) of the irregularities is a curved line having a curvature larger than 0. ing. Note that the convex portion and the concave portion are switched at the boundary at the inflection point (the point where the curvature becomes 0) of the curve. When both the convex side and the concave side are curves with curvatures larger than 0, the curvatures of the adjacent convex and concave curves may be different, for example, the curvature of the concave curve is different from the convex curve. greater than the curvature of Furthermore, the curvatures of the curves of adjacent recesses may be different, and in that case, the depths of those adjacent recesses may also be different. Furthermore, the curvatures of the curves of adjacent convex portions may be different, and in that case, the heights of those adjacent convex portions may also be different.

Such irregularities are formed on the entire outer side surface 438 of the glass plate 430. However, in the description of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, the portions that may be flat do not have to be uneven even on the outer side surface 438 of the refrigerator. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified in the description of Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2, and modifications thereof, the surface 439 of the glass plate 430 on the inner side of the refrigerator is flat without any unevenness. .

Note that frosted glass appears milky white, and objects on the opposite side of the glass appear blurry, so it can be recognized that many small irregularities are formed on its surface.

In the glass plate 430, it is desirable that a region from the surface to a predetermined depth is a compressive stress layer. The depth of the compressive stress layer is, for example, 1/7 to 1/5 of the thickness of the glass plate 430. In FIG. 12, the depth of the compressive stress layer is indicated by a broken line.

Note that the thickness of the glass plate 430 in the second embodiment (thickness excluding the coating layer 401 and logo 402 described later) is preferably 3.2 mm or less, more preferably 3.0 mm or less. However, the thickness of the glass plate 430 may exceed 3.2 mm.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12(b), a coating layer 401 having a predetermined thickness may be formed on the surface of the glass plate 430. The thickness of the coating layer 401 is not limited, but is, for example, 1 μm or less. The coating agent forming the coating layer 401 is preferably fluorine-based, but may also be silicon-based or the like. The coating layer 401 is desirably water-repellent and resistant to fingerprints and dirt.

The height difference d between the unevenness may be smaller than the depth of the compressive stress layer. Further, the height difference d between the unevenness may be larger than the thickness of the coating layer 401. As a specific numerical value, the height difference d of the unevenness is preferably 1 μm or more and 40 μm or less, and more preferably 2 μm or more and 20 μm or less. Further, the average value of the height difference d of the unevenness is preferably 2 μm or more and 9 μm or less, and more preferably 3 μm or more and 8 μm or less.

Here, the height difference d of the unevenness is the height difference between the concave portion 424 and the highest convex portion continuous from the concave portion 424 (in other words, adjacent to the concave portion 424). In addition, there may be a case where a flat surface exists around the recessed portion 424 and there is no convex portion that protrudes higher than the flat surface. It's about that.

Further, it is desirable that a plurality of recesses 424 be formed within the contact area of a person's finger (for example, 50 mm ² or more and 200 mm ² or less). Further, it is more desirable that the plurality of recesses 424 exist within the same distance as the width of the ridge (ridge portion) of a fingerprint of a human finger (for example, 300 μm or more and 500 μm or less).

As a specific numerical value, the density of the recesses 424 is preferably 10 pieces/mm ² or more and 1000 pieces/mm ² or less, and more preferably 70 pieces/mm ² or more and 200 pieces/mm ² or less. Further, the average value of the distance between the recesses (that is, the distance between the centers of the two recesses 424 that are closest to each other) is preferably 30 μm or more and 90 μm or less, and more preferably 40 μm or more and 70 μm or less. desirable.

Further, Ra (arithmetic mean roughness) of the glass plate 430 is, for example, 1 μm or more and 3 μm or less. Further, Rz (ten point average roughness) of the glass plate 430 is, for example, 7 μm or more and 12 μm or less.

Further, the glass plate 430 may have a gradation-like appearance due to at least one of the height difference d of the unevenness, the density of the recesses 424, and the average value of the distance between recesses changing depending on the location. For example, in one glass plate 430, the height difference d of the unevenness may be deeper in the upper part of the refrigerator and smaller in the lower part of the refrigerator.

As shown in FIG. 13, the outer side portion of the end portion 433 of the glass plate 430 may be chamfered to form a planar chamfered portion 437. This chamfered portion 437 is also called bevelling.

The angle α between the outside surface 438 of the glass plate 430 and the chamfered portion 437 is preferably 45° or less, and more preferably 35° or less. Since the angle α between the outer side surface 438 and the chamfer 437 is so small, the chamfer 437 appears wide when viewed from the front of the refrigerator, and the area of the chamfer 437 actually becomes larger. However, the angle α between the outer side surface 438 and the chamfered portion 437 may exceed 45°. In addition, when the angle α between the surface 438 on the outside of the refrigerator and the chamfered portion 437 is 45°, the chamfered portion 437 is a so-called C-plane.

The same unevenness as the unevenness on the outer side surface 438 of the glass plate 430 may be formed on the chamfered portion 437. Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the chamfered portion 437 may be a flat surface without such irregularities.

When the glass plate 430 has a coating layer 401, examples of how the coating layer 401 is applied near the chamfered portion 437 are shown in FIGS. 14(a) to 14(d).

In the example of FIG. 14(a), the coating layer 401 is on the outside surface 438 of the glass plate 430, but not on the chamfered portion 437. In this example, the thickness of the coating layer 401 is constant or almost constant at a location away from the boundary between the outside surface 438 of the glass plate 430 and the chamfered portion 437. However, at a location near the boundary between the outer side surface 438 and the chamfered portion 437, the coating layer 401 gradually becomes thinner as it approaches the boundary. In this case, the gradually thinner portion of the coating layer 401 and the chamfered portion 437 may form one inclined surface.

Further, in the example of FIG. 14(b), the coating layer 401 is on the outside surface 438 of the glass plate 430, but not on the chamfered portion 437, as in the example of FIG. 14(a). In this example, the thickness of the coating layer 401 is constant or almost constant on the outside surface 438 of the glass plate 430, and the coating layer 401 is interrupted at the boundary between the outside surface 438 and the chamfered portion 437.

In the example of FIG. 14(c), the thickness of the coating layer 401 is constant or almost constant on the surface 438 on the outside of the refrigerator, but on the chamfered portion 437, the thickness of the coating layer 401 gradually increases as the end 433 of the glass plate 430 approaches. The coating layer 401 becomes thinner and disappears at a predetermined position on the chamfered portion 437.

Further, in the example of FIG. 14(d), the coating layer 401 is present not only on the outer side surface 438 but also on the entire chamfered portion 437. The thickness of the coating layer 401 may be constant or approximately constant on the surface 438 on the outside of the refrigerator and on the chamfered portion 437.

Note that FIGS. 14(a) to 14(d) show examples of how the coating layer 401 is applied when the chamfered portion 437 is a flat surface without unevenness. However, even if the chamfered portion 437 is uneven, the coating layer 401 may be coated as shown in FIGS. 14(a) to 14(d).

Further, of the surface 438 of the glass plate 430 on the outside of the refrigerator, the portion of the operation section 50 on the outside of the refrigerator may be flat, that is, a planar shape without unevenness. In this case, of the surface 438 of the glass plate 430 on the outside of the refrigerator, the entire portion of the operation section 50 on the outside of the refrigerator may be flat, or a part of the operation section 50 (for example, including at least the input section and the display section) may be flat. The outside part of the container may be flat.

Further, of the surface 438 of the glass plate 430 on the outside of the refrigerator, a portion of the operation section 50 on the outside of the refrigerator may be relatively flat. In other words, on the outside surface of the glass plate 430, the recesses 424 are shallower than other parts, or the density of the recesses 424 is smaller, or there is a difference between the recesses. The average value of the distances may be small. In this case as well, of the surface 438 of the glass plate 430 on the outside of the refrigerator, the entire portion of the operation section 50 on the outside of the refrigerator may be relatively flat, or a part of the operation section 50 (for example, at least the input section and the display section) may be relatively flat. The outside part of the refrigerator part (including the part) may be relatively flat.

Moreover, it is desirable that the surface 439 of the glass plate 430 on the inner side of the refrigerator is in close contact with the operating section 50.

Next, a method for manufacturing the glass plate 430 will be explained.

For example, sandblasting is employed as a method for forming the unevenness on the glass plate 430. Further, as a method for smoothing the unevenness, for example, a method of chemically treating the sandblasted glass plate 430 (for example, hydrofluoric acid treatment), or a method of subjecting the sandblasted glass plate 430 to a high temperature (for example, 650° C. or more and 700° C. or less) Alternatively, a method of sandblasting with coarse sand to form unevenness and fine sand to smooth out the unevenness is adopted. In addition, as a strengthening treatment method (that is, a method of forming a compressive stress layer), for example, after placing the glass plate 430 at a high temperature (for example, 650° C. or more and 700° C. or less) for a predetermined time, the glass plate 430 is air-cooled by blowing wind. The method will be adopted.

Glass plate 430 is manufactured by combining these methods. When chemical treatment is adopted as a method for smoothing unevenness, for example, it may be carried out in the order of sandblasting, chemical treatment, and strengthening treatment, or it may be carried out in the order of sandblasting, strengthening treatment, and chemical treatment. It's okay to be. In addition, when a method of placing the glass plate 430 under high temperature or sandblasting with fine sand is adopted as a method of smoothing the unevenness, the sandblasting or strengthening treatment in the above two process orders smooths out the unevenness. It is sufficient if it also serves as a smoothing step, and in that case, chemical treatment is not required.

Furthermore, the chamfering of the chamfered portion 437 may be performed at any time during the manufacture of the glass plate 430. When the chamfered portion 437 is chamfered after sandblasting, the chamfered portion 437 becomes a flat surface without irregularities. On the other hand, when sandblasting is performed after chamfering the chamfered portion 437, unevenness is formed on the chamfered portion 437. Further, after chamfering the chamfered portion 437, if sandblasting is performed after masking the chamfered portion 437 with tape, the chamfered portion 437 becomes a flat surface without irregularities.

Note that a plurality of refrigerator glass plates 430 may be cut out from a large glass plate. In that case, it is efficient to sandblast a large glass plate, cut out a plurality of glass plates 430, and chamfer the chamfered portions 437. In that case, the chamfered portion 437 becomes a flat surface without irregularities.

Further, when the coating layer 401 is formed, the coating may be performed at any time after sandblasting. For example, the steps of sandblasting, coating, and chamfering the chamfered portion 437 may be performed in this order. In this process order, since the coating layer 401 is cut together with the glass plate 430 when chamfering the chamfered portion 437, the coating layer 401 is applied to the chamfered portion 437 as shown in FIG. 14(a), for example.

Alternatively, the steps of sandblasting, chamfering the chamfered portion 437, and coating may be performed in this order. In this process order, since the coating is performed after the chamfered portion 437 is formed, the coating layer 401 is applied to the chamfered portion 437 as shown in FIG. 14(d), for example.

Alternatively, the steps of sandblasting, chamfering the chamfered portion 437, masking the chamfered portion 437 with tape, and coating may be performed in this order. In this process order, the coating is applied after the chamfered portion 437 is formed, but since the chamfered portion 437 is difficult to be coated due to masking, the way the coating layer 401 is applied to the chamfered portion 437 is different from that shown in FIG. 14(b) or FIG. 14(c).

Embodiment 2 is the same as Embodiment 1 with respect to matters not described above regarding Embodiment 2 (for example, the overall structure of the refrigerator, the structure of the door including the frame member and the operating section, etc.).

Next, the effects of the second embodiment will be explained.

In the refrigerator of Embodiment 2, the glass plate 430 used for the door has unevenness, so that fingerprints are not easily attached to the glass plate 430. Here, if a plurality of recesses 424 are formed within the contact area of the finger, and if a plurality of recesses 424 exist within the same distance as the width of the ridge of the fingerprint of the finger, the density of the recesses 424 is equal to the above value. If the distance is within the range, or if the average value of the distance between the recesses is within the above numerical range, fingerprints are particularly difficult to form on the glass plate 430.

In addition, since the unevenness of the glass plate 430 is smooth, when the user tries to wipe off dirt attached to the glass plate 430 with a cloth, the fibers of the cloth can get into every corner of the recess 424 and remove the dirt. can. Therefore, the glass plate 430 can be kept beautiful. On the other hand, if the unevenness is not smooth and there are corners inside the recess, even if the user tries to wipe off the dirt adhering to the glass plate 430 with a cloth, the dirt that has entered the corner inside the recess will be removed. This will leave stains behind.

In addition, since the glass plate 430 appears milky white or semi-transparent due to the small irregularities, even if fingerprints, dew, etc. are left on the glass plate 430, it is hardly noticeable. Generally, when a light reflecting layer is provided on the inside surface of a glass plate (so-called mirror glass), fingerprints on the glass plate are easily noticeable. However, since the glass plate 430 of this embodiment has small irregularities, fingerprints are less noticeable even if the light reflective layer 35 is provided on the inside surface 439 of the glass plate 430. In addition, when the light reflection layer 35 is provided on the surface 439 of the glass plate 430 on the inside of the refrigerator, the light incident from the outside of the refrigerator is reflected by the light reflection layer 35 and diffused by the unevenness of the glass plate 430. A visual effect is created in which the entire area appears to be glowing.

Moreover, since the glass plate 430 appears milky white or translucent due to the small irregularities, even if the glass plate 430 has scratches, warps, or undulations, it is hardly noticeable. Note that as a method for strengthening the glass plate 430, there is a method of advancing the glass plate 430 over a large number of rollers in a high-temperature furnace, but when the glass plate 430 is strengthened using this method, undulations may occur in the glass plate 430. Cheap.

Further, since the glass plate 430 has irregularities, objects on the inside of the refrigerator side than the glass plate 430 appear blurred or are difficult to see when viewed from outside the refrigerator side than the glass plate 430. Therefore, the light from the light source 56 on the inner side of the refrigerator looks blurred compared to the glass plate 430, resulting in an aesthetic appearance. In addition, the boundaries (ends) of objects such as the operating unit 50 and metal plates (the metal plate is provided so that a magnet can be attracted to the door) placed on the inside of the refrigerator from the glass plate 430 are from the outside of the refrigerator. It is difficult to see and does not spoil the beauty of the door.

Note that by changing the height difference d of the unevenness, the density of the recesses 424, or the average value of the distance between recesses, the degree of blurring of the light from the light source 56 on the inside of the refrigerator than the glass plate 430, and the blurring of the light of the object on the inside of the refrigerator than the glass plate 430 can be changed. Difficulty in seeing can be controlled.

As described above, the refrigerator of the second embodiment has a high visual effect because the glass plate 430 used for the door is frosted glass. The visual effect is particularly high when the average value of the height difference d of the unevenness, the density of the recesses 424, or the distance between recesses is within the above numerical range.

Further, since the glass plate 430 of the second embodiment has smooth irregularities, it feels smooth and comfortable to the touch.

Further, if the thickness of the glass plate 430 is as thin as, for example, 3.2 mm or less, the weight of the refrigerator can be reduced. Even if the glass plate 430 is thin like this, if the compressive stress layer is formed, the glass plate 430 will have high strength. Further, when the glass plate 430 is thin as described above, the glass plate 430 is likely to warp or wave, but since the glass plate 430 has small irregularities, the warpage or wave is less noticeable as described above.

Moreover, if the chamfered portion 437 is formed on the glass plate 430, an aesthetic appearance will be created. Particularly, when the angle α between the outside surface 438 of the glass plate 430 and the chamfered portion 437 is small, the chamfered portion 437 appears wider when viewed from the front of the refrigerator, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Furthermore, if the coating layer 401 is not applied to the chamfered portion 437 of the glass plate 430, the way the light is reflected will be different between the chamfered portion 437 without the coating layer 401 and the surface 438 on the outside of the refrigerator where the coating layer 401 is located. (For example, the chamfered portion 437 without the coating layer 401 looks more shiny), giving rise to a sense of beauty. Furthermore, if the coating layer 401 is not provided on the chamfered portion 437 of the glass plate 430, manufacturing costs are reduced.

Further, when the coating layer 401 is applied to the chamfered portion 437 of the glass plate 430, fingerprints are less likely to be attached to the chamfered portion 437. If the area of the chamfered portion 437 is large, it is easy for the user to touch the chamfered portion 437, but even in that case, as long as the coating layer 401 is applied to the chamfered portion 437, fingerprints are less likely to be attached to the chamfered portion 437.

Next, a modification example of the second embodiment will be described. Any one of the plurality of modification examples described below may be applied to the second embodiment described above, or any two or more of the modification examples described below may be selected and applied. It's okay. However, various modifications other than the following modification examples are possible, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the above embodiments and the following modification examples.

(Modification example 1 of embodiment 2)
In the glass plate 430 described above, instead of or in addition to the coating layer 401, a surface treatment agent is infiltrated into a region from the surface of the glass plate 430 to a predetermined depth to form a surface treatment agent layer. It's okay. The thickness of the surface treatment agent layer is, for example, 1 μm or less. The surface treatment agent that has permeated the surface treatment agent layer may be the same as the coating agent that forms the coating layer 401.

(Modification example 2 of embodiment 2)
A logo 402 may be provided on the glass plate 430. For example, as shown in FIG. 15A, a logo 402 may be provided on the inside surface 439 of the glass plate 430 by a method such as printing. In this case, the logo 402 is protected by the glass plate 430 and is difficult to erase. Furthermore, the logo 402 is visually recognized as having a sense of depth.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15(b), a logo 402 may be provided on the outside surface 438 of the glass plate 430 by a method such as printing. In this case, the logo 402 is projected behind the glass plate 430 to create an aesthetic appearance.

When the logo 402 is provided on the outside surface 438 of the glass plate 430, it is desirable that a coating layer 401 be provided on the logo 402 as shown in FIG. 15(b). In this case, the logo 402 is protected by the coating layer 401.

Further, instead of the logo 402, characters, figures, symbols, etc. may be provided.

(Modification example 3 of embodiment 2)
The same unevenness as the surface 438 on the outside of the refrigerator may be formed on a part or all of the inside surface 439 of the glass plate 430.

For example, a portion of the inside surface 439 of the glass plate 430 that is bonded to the glass plate holding portion 44 (see FIG. 13) of the frame member 40 has irregularities similar to those of the outside surface 438. It's okay. Since these irregularities are small and smooth, they do not interfere with adhesion, and the adhesive or the like can enter the recesses. Therefore, the glass plate 430 is firmly adhered to the glass plate holding portion 44 of the frame member 40.

In addition, when the logo 402 is provided on the inside surface 439 of the glass plate 430 as described in Modification Example 2 above, the location where the logo 402 is provided is provided with unevenness similar to the unevenness on the outside surface 438. may be formed. In this case, since the ink of the logo 402 enters the concave portion of the unevenness, the logo 402 is likely to adhere to the inside surface 439 of the glass plate 430.

(Other modification examples of Embodiment 2)
Modifications 1 to 10 of the first embodiment can also be applied to the second embodiment.

3. Embodiment 3
The glass plate of the refrigerator door of Embodiment 3 has needle-shaped or cone-shaped fine projections 525 on the outside surface thereof, the diameter of which decreases toward the tip as shown in FIG. By forming a large number of minute protrusions 525, irregularities are formed on the outside surface of the glass plate.

Examples of the height h of the fine protrusions 525, the outer diameter φ at the bottom, the pitch p (that is, the distance between two adjacent fine protrusions 525), and the apex angle θ (hereinafter referred to as "dimensions, etc.") are as follows. . First, the height h is 200 nm or more and 3000 nm or less. Further, the outer diameter φ at the bottom is 50 nm or more and 200 nm or less. Further, the pitch p is 50 nm or more and 300 nm or less. Further, the apex angle θ is smaller than 37.8°, for example.

Such fine protrusions 525 can be formed by, for example, ion beam processing. By controlling the processing conditions (for example, acceleration voltage, processing time, and gas flow rate) in ion beam processing, the dimensions of the microprotrusions 525, etc. can be controlled.

When the dimensions of the minute protrusions 525 change, the state of reflection of light incident from the outside of the refrigerator by the glass plate changes. Therefore, by changing the dimensions of the fine protrusions 525 depending on the location of the glass plate, the state of light reflection can be changed depending on the location, and a gradation depending on the state of light reflection can be applied to the door. For example, in one glass plate, the height of the fine protrusions 525 may be higher in the upper part of the refrigerator and lower in the lower part of the refrigerator.

Regarding matters other than that the unevenness of the glass plate is the fine protrusions 525, the matters described in Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2, and their modifications can be applied to Embodiment 3 as well.

10... Refrigerator, 11, 12... Refrigerator compartment door, 13... Vegetable compartment door, 14... Ice making compartment door, 15... Small freezer compartment door, 16... Freezer compartment door, 20... Glass piece, 21... Edging, 23... Adhesive part , 24, 25, 26... convex portion, 30... glass plate, 31... inner plate, 32... heat insulating material, 33... end of glass plate 30, 34... gasket holding part, 35... light reflective layer, 36... adhesive means , 37... Portion of the end 33 of the glass plate 30 on the outside of the refrigerator (chamfered part), 37a, 37b... Corner, 38... Surface of the glass plate 30 on the outside of the refrigerator, 39... Surface of the inside of the glass plate 30 on the refrigerator side, 40 ...Frame member, 42...Side wall, 44...Glass plate holder, 46...Protruding wall, 50...Operation unit, 51...Connector, 52...Electrode of capacitive sensor, 53...Relay bundle wire, 54...First board , 55... Second board, 56... Light source, 57... Microcomputer, 58... Hole, 60... Operating unit, 62... Handle, 123... Adhesive part, 130... Glass plate, 138... Surface of the outside of the glass plate 130, 139 ...Inside surface of glass plate 130, 240...Frame member, 241...Sucking part, 243...Groove, 245...Gap, 300...Light guide plate, 301...Light source, 401...Coating layer, 402...Logo, 424... Recessed portion, 430... Glass plate, 433... End of glass plate 430, 437... Chamfered portion, 438... Surface on the outside of the refrigerator of the glass plate 430, 439... Surface on the inside of the refrigerator of the glass plate 430, 525... Fine protrusion

Claims (3)

A refrigerator in which a door for opening and closing an opening of a storage room includes a front glass plate on the outside of the storage, a rear inner plate on the inside of the storage, and a heat insulating material between the glass plate and the inner plate,
The glass plate has translucency,
A plurality of fine protrusions with a height difference of 1.0 mm or less are formed on the entire front surface of the glass plate by processing the front surface, the front surface is covered with a film, and the film covers the fine protrusions . Cover from the front,
A decorative layer is provided on the inside surface of the glass plate, a partial decorative part is provided in front of the fine projections on a part of the front surface of the glass plate, and the membrane is provided in front of the partial decorative part. A refrigerator characterized by: The glass plate includes, as front-facing surfaces, the frontmost surface and a retreating surface located rearward from the frontmost surface,
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is provided on the frontmost surface and the rearmost surface. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the retreating surface is an inclined surface provided on a side of the glass plate when viewed from the front and inclined with respect to the frontmost surface.

Images