JP7535940B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to refrigerator technology, and in particular to refrigerator technology having a heat-generating part such as a display on the door.

Refrigerators with a display mounted on the door have been known for some time. For example, JP 2016-56964 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a refrigerator. According to Patent Document 1, a display device is provided on a door that opens and closes a storage compartment, and a storage section that forms a storage space for storing the display device is provided inside the door. The storage section is formed with an exhaust port for exhausting heat generated by the display device and an intake port for taking in outside air into the storage space. The exhaust port is formed on one side surface of the door, and the intake port is formed on the other side surface of the door. The top surface of the storage section is formed with an upward slope toward the side surface where the exhaust port is located.

JP 2016-56964 A

As displays become larger and brighter, the amount of heat generated by the display tends to increase. In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, an exhaust port for exhausting heat generated by the display device is formed on the side of the door, so when a user touches the vicinity of the exhaust port while opening or closing the door, the user may feel the hot air exhausted from the exhaust port or the heated state of the side of the door caused by the hot air, which may cause discomfort. In addition, because of the design and usability of the door, the exhaust port cannot be made too large, so there is a risk that heat cannot be exhausted sufficiently.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a refrigerator that can efficiently release heat.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator with a door is provided. The refrigerator includes a heat generating unit that is attached with a gap between a front panel that constitutes the front surface of the door and a heat insulating material filled inside the door. An exhaust port that communicates with the gap and exhausts heat generated by the heat generating unit is provided at the top of the door.

Thus, according to the present invention, a refrigerator capable of efficiently dissipating heat is provided.

1 is a front perspective view showing the appearance of a refrigerator 100 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1A to 1C are front perspective views showing a door body 111 according to the first embodiment, an enlarged view of the vicinity of an exhaust port 111C, and an enlarged view of the vicinity of an intake port 111D. 1A and 1B are an upper perspective view and an enlarged view of a hinge portion, showing an assembly structure between a housing 101 and a refrigerator compartment door 11 that constitute a main body of a refrigerator 100 according to a first embodiment. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the hinge portion after the refrigerator compartment door 11 according to the first embodiment is assembled to a connecting portion 160. FIG. FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of a refrigerator compartment door 11 of a refrigerator 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator compartment door 11 according to a second embodiment. 13 is a front cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a suction passage 211D of a door body 211 according to a second embodiment. FIG. FIG. 11 is a front perspective view showing the appearance of a refrigerator 100 according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a front view of the door 11 according to the fourth embodiment, excluding the front panel. FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view showing the state of the door 11 according to the fourth embodiment before being filled with insulating material.

Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are given the same symbols. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[First embodiment]
In this embodiment, a refrigerator having a display panel mounted on a refrigerator door (e.g., a door of a refrigerator compartment) will be described as an example.

<Overall configuration of refrigerator>
1 shows the configuration of the front side of a refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment. The refrigerator 100 has a first refrigerator compartment on the upper level, a second refrigerator compartment (vegetable compartment) on the middle level, and a first freezer compartment on the lower level. The middle level of the refrigerator 100 also has an ice-making compartment and a second freezer compartment.

The configuration and arrangement of each storage compartment in refrigerator 100 are not limited to those described above. The configuration and arrangement of each storage compartment can be changed as appropriate depending on the capacity, use, etc. of the refrigerator.

The first refrigerator compartment on the top level is provided with refrigerator compartment doors 11 (right refrigerator compartment door) and 12 (left refrigerator compartment door) that are divided into left and right halves and open like double doors (French doors). The second refrigerator compartment (vegetable compartment) on the middle level is provided with a pull-out refrigerator compartment door 13. The first freezer compartment on the bottom level is provided with a pull-out freezer compartment door 14. The ice-making compartment and second freezer compartment on the middle level are each provided with a pull-out ice-making compartment door 15 or freezer compartment door 16.

The configuration of each door in the refrigerator 100 is not limited to the above. The doors of each storage compartment may be appropriately adapted depending on the structure, purpose, and position of each storage compartment, such as a double door system, a system that opens and closes from either the left or right end, a system that can be opened and closed from both the left and right sides, a pull-out system, and the like.

In this embodiment, the surface on which the door is provided is the front surface (front face) of the refrigerator. Based on the front surface as a reference, the surfaces of the refrigerator 100 are the top surface, side surface, back surface, and bottom surface based on the positions that exist when the refrigerator 100 is installed in a normal state. Therefore, when the term "front side" or "back side" is specified in this specification, it means the side on which the front surface or back surface is provided based on an arbitrary position, or the direction from an arbitrary position toward the front surface or back surface. In addition, in this specification, the direction from the front surface of the refrigerator 100 to the back surface and the direction from the back surface of the refrigerator 100 to the front surface are referred to as the front-rear direction. In addition, in this specification, the direction from one side surface of the refrigerator 100 to the other side surface is referred to as the left-right direction. Furthermore, in this specification, as a general rule, the "right side" of the refrigerator or the refrigerator door means the side that corresponds to the right side when viewed from the front of the refrigerator, and the "left side" of the refrigerator or the refrigerator door means the side that corresponds to the left side when viewed from the front of the refrigerator.

A display 50 is installed on the right-side refrigerator compartment door (door) 11. The display 50 is attached to the back side of a glass panel 51 that is located on the outermost surface of the refrigerator compartment door 11. The display 50 can be configured to include a display panel member such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

The display 50 can display refrigerator operation information, refrigerator control information, in-fridge inventory information, calendar information, recipe information, message information, and the like. In addition, for example, if a small camera (not shown) is provided inside the refrigerator 100, an image of the interior captured by the small camera can be displayed on the display 50. In addition, if the refrigerator 100 is connected to the Internet, information from various websites obtained via the Internet can be displayed. In addition, by providing an input device such as a touch sensor on the display surface or edge of the display panel, input operations can be performed from the display 50 in accordance with the displayed content.

The refrigerator compartment door 11 and the refrigerator compartment door 12 are each provided with a touch sensor (contact detection unit) 90. The touch sensor 90 is disposed on the open end side of each of the refrigerator compartment doors 11 and 12. The touch sensor 90 detects contact with a human body or the like. For example, when a user's hand or the like touches the touch sensor 90 of the right refrigerator compartment door 11, the refrigerator compartment door 11 is controlled to open. Similarly, when a user's hand or the like touches the touch sensor 90 of the left refrigerator compartment door 12, the refrigerator compartment door 12 is controlled to open.

The refrigerator compartment door 11 is configured to be rotatable relative to the main body of the refrigerator 100 via the connecting part 160. In other words, the refrigerator compartment, i.e., the storage space of the refrigerator 100, is opened or closed by the refrigerator compartment door 11 rotating about the connecting part 160.

2 is a front view showing the inside of the glass panel 51 and the display 50 of the refrigerator door 11 according to this embodiment, that is, the door body 111. In this embodiment, the glass panel 51 is configured to be removable from the door body 111, which is the main body of the refrigerator door 11, and is configured to cover almost the entire front surface of the door body 111. Therefore, the entire surface of the refrigerator door 11 can be configured flat, improving the aesthetics of the refrigerator 1. The inside of the door body 111 is filled with a heat insulating material such as urethane foam, and the heat insulating property of the refrigerator door 11 is ensured by the door body 111. Therefore, a gap 111A for storing the display 50 is formed between the back surface of the display 50 and the door body 111 on the front surface of the door body 111 according to this embodiment. Then, a passage 111B for exhausting heat is formed from the upper end of the gap 111A to the upper end of the door body 111.

More specifically, in this embodiment, the passage 111B is formed from the right end of the upper end of the gap 111A to the right end of the upper end of the door body 111. The upper end of the passage 111B reaches the connection part 160 of the refrigerator compartment door 11 to the body of the refrigerator 100 as the exhaust port 111C.

In addition, in this embodiment, an intake port 111D is provided on the left side surface of the door body 111. The intake port 111D is formed below the heat generating parts such as the display 50, more preferably below the heat generating parts such as the display 50, and in FIG. 2, the vicinity of the left end of the lower end of the gap 111A communicates with the outside of the refrigerator compartment door 11 via the intake port 111D. Note that the intake port 111D may have a shape other than that shown in FIG. 2, and the gap between the door body 111 and a part such as a lid that constitutes the left side surface of the door body 111 may also be used.

3 is an upper perspective view showing an assembly structure of the housing 101 and the refrigerator door 11 constituting the main body of the refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the hinge portion after the refrigerator door 11 is assembled to the connecting portion 160. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the exhaust port 111C provided at the upper end of the door body 111 is assembled to the metal plate 161 for forming the hinge of the connecting portion 160. More specifically, in this embodiment, the exhaust port 111C is formed at the upper end of the door body 111, the pin portion 161X of the metal plate 161 is rotatably inserted into the exhaust port 111C, and the inside of the pin portion 161X is formed hollow, so that the exhaust port 111C communicates with the outside air via the metal plate 161.

Because of this configuration, the refrigerator compartment door 11 according to this embodiment allows heat generated by electrical components such as the display 50 to be smoothly discharged from the exhaust port 111C at the top of the refrigerator compartment door 11. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the metal plate 161 rotatably attached to the exhaust port 111C has a horizontally wide plate-shaped portion that is connected to the pin portion 161X. Therefore, when the pin portion 161X inserted inside the exhaust port 111C is heated by the heat discharged from the exhaust port 111C, the heat is transmitted to the wide plate-shaped portion and efficiently discharged to the outside air. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the metal plate 161 of the connecting portion 160 is fixed to the housing 101 by a screw (not shown) or the like, so that the heat transmitted to the metal plate 161 is also diffused to the housing 101. As a result, the heat discharged from the exhaust port 111C is easily discharged from the top surface of the refrigerator 100.

In addition, by inserting wiring 131 for electrical components such as the display 50 through the passage 111B and the exhaust port 111C, it is no longer necessary to bury the wiring in the urethane, and the wiring can be easily replaced. In other words, in this embodiment, the heat dissipation efficiency is improved while the wiring can be easily replaced.

[Second embodiment]
The configuration for discharging heat generated in a heat generating portion such as the display 50 is not limited to that in the above embodiment.

Figure 5 is a bottom oblique view of the refrigerator compartment door 11 of the refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment. With reference to Figure 5, in this embodiment, a speaker 70 is mounted on the bottom of the refrigerator compartment door 11. In this embodiment, air is drawn in from near the installation position of the speaker 70.

Figure 6 is a front view showing the inside of the display 50 of the refrigerator compartment door 11 according to this embodiment, i.e., the door body 211. For convenience of explanation, Figure 6 shows the display 50 attached to the back surface of the glass panel 51, and the wiring 231, 232 connected to the display 50. Referring to Figure 6, the door body 211 according to this embodiment has a gap 211A formed between the back surface of the display 50 and the door body 211.

A passage 211B for exhausting heat is then formed from the upper end of the gap 211A to the upper end of the door body 211. More specifically, in this embodiment, the passage 211B is formed from the right end of the upper end of the gap 211A to the right end of the upper end of the door body 211. The upper end of the passage 211B reaches the connection part 160 of the refrigerator door 11 to the refrigerator 100 body, and forms the exhaust port 211C. The assembly configuration of the exhaust port 211C and the connection part 160 is the same as in the first embodiment.

Also in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, by inserting wiring 231 for heat generating parts such as the display 50 through the passage 211B and the exhaust port 211C, it is no longer necessary to bury the wiring 231 in the urethane. In other words, in this embodiment, it is possible to increase the heat exhaust efficiency while also making it easy to replace the wiring.

The various wirings 231 from the exhaust port 211C are arranged to bend vertically in a U-shape. This allows the water to be stopped at the bent portion 231X even if it seeps in from the top end of the door body 211, preventing the water from splashing on electrical components such as the display 50.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, an intake passage 211D is formed from the lower end of the gap 211A to the speaker 70 at the lower end of the door body 211. This eliminates the need to provide an intake port on the side of the door body 211, improving the appearance of the door and preventing liquids and small items from entering the gap 211A through the intake port on the side of the door. Furthermore, since the opening of the intake passage 211D is hidden by the speaker 70, the cross section of the intake passage 211D can be easily enlarged, and heat generated by electrical components such as the display 50 can be efficiently discharged.

In addition, by inserting the wiring 232 to the speaker 70 through the suction passage 211D, it is not necessary to bury the wiring 232 in urethane. Furthermore, the wiring 232 to the speaker 70 that passes through the suction passage 211D is also arranged so that it bends vertically just before the suction passage 211D. As a result, even if water seeps into the gap 211A, the water is stopped at the bent portion 232X, so that it is possible to reduce the possibility of water reaching the speaker 70 via the wiring 232, for example.

7, bottom surface 211X of gap 211A is formed at an angle, which also reduces the possibility of water reaching speaker 70. More specifically, bottom surface 211X of gap 211A is formed so that the side where wiring 232 and bent portion 232X are arranged is lower, so that even if water falls from wiring 232 and bent portion 232X, the possibility of water reaching speaker 70 can be reduced.

[Third embodiment]
In the second embodiment, low-temperature air is drawn in from the space near the speaker 70, and high-temperature air is exhausted from inside the pin portion 161X. However, air may be drawn in from a side wall of the refrigerator compartment door 11 other than the speaker 70, or air may be exhausted from a side wall of the refrigerator compartment door 11 other than the pin portion 161X. In this case as well, it is preferable that the air intake is formed below heat generating parts such as the display 50, and the air exhaust is formed above heat generating parts such as the display 50.

[Fourth embodiment]
As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, a small display may be disposed close to the open end (left side) of the door.

In this embodiment, the front panel (glass panel 51) is formed integrally with the refrigerator compartment door 11, and the glass panel 51 is configured so as not to be detachable from the door 11. More specifically, in this embodiment, the display storage cover 52 is placed on the back side of the glass panel 51, and then the back surface of the glass panel 51 is filled with urethane foam or the like to form the door 11. The display 50 is then inserted into the display storage cover 52 from the side of the door 11 and fixed in place. At this time, a gap 111A is formed between the back surface of the display 50 and the display storage cover 52.

A passage 111B for exhausting heat is connected to the upper end of the display storage cover 52. The passage 111B is hollow, with one end connected to the upper end of the display storage cover 52 and the other end connected to the exhaust port 111C, connecting the display storage cover 52 and the exhaust port 111C. After the passage 111B is installed on the back side of the glass panel 51 together with the display storage cover 52, the back side of the glass panel 51 is filled with urethane foam or the like to form the door 11. This allows heat to be efficiently exhausted from the display 50, as in the first embodiment. Wiring can also be inserted into the passage 111B.

In addition, the passage 111B may be a hollow tube, and the hollow portion may be formed by placing a member with a U-shaped cross section on the back surface of the glass panel 51, similar to the display storage cover 52.

[Fifth embodiment]
In the above embodiment, the display 50 is used as an example of the heat generating part, but the above structure can be applied to other members. Also, the refrigerator 100 in which the heat generating part is provided in the refrigerator compartment door 11 is used as an example, but the structure of the above embodiment can be applied to other doors.

<Summary>
In the above-described embodiment, refrigerator 100 is provided with door 11. Refrigerator 100 is provided with heat generating unit 50 attached with gaps 111A, 211A provided between a front plate (glass panel 51) constituting the front surface of door 11 and a heat insulating material filled inside door 11. Exhaust ports 111C, 211C communicating with gaps 111A, 211A for discharging heat generated by heat generating unit 50 are provided in the upper portion of door 11.

Preferably, the refrigerator 100 further includes a hinge 161 for pivotally mounting the door 11 to the body of the refrigerator 100. The hinge 161 is hollow to provide an outlet.

Preferably, the hinge 161 is made of metal. The hinge 161 includes a plate-shaped portion for being fixed to the refrigerator 100.

Preferably, the heat generating unit 50 is a display attached to the front panel (glass panel 51) of the door 11.

Preferably, a U-shaped portion 231X for a waterproof trap is provided on the wiring 231 arranged above the heat generating portion 50.

Preferably, a U-shaped portion 232X for a waterproof trap is provided on the wiring 232 arranged downward from the heat generating portion 50.

Preferably, an intake port 211D is provided at the bottom of the door 11 for drawing air into the gaps 111A, 211A.

The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. Furthermore, configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described in this specification are also included in the scope of the present invention.

1: Refrigerator 11: Refrigerator compartment door 12: Refrigerator compartment door 13: Refrigerator compartment door 14: Freezer compartment door 15: Ice maker compartment door 16: Freezer compartment door 50: Display (heat generating part)
51: Glass panel 70: Speaker 90: Touch sensor 100: Refrigerator 101: Housing 111: Door body 111A: Gap 111B: Passage 111C: Discharge port 160: Connection part 161: Metal plate (hinge)
161X : Pin part 211 : Door body 211A : Gap 211B : Passage 211C : Discharge port 211D : Suction passage 231 : Wiring 231X : U-shaped part 232 : Wiring 232X : U-shaped part

Claims (6)

A refrigerator having a door,
A heat generating unit is attached with a gap between a front panel constituting a front surface of the door and a heat insulating material filled inside the door;
a hinge for rotatably mounting the door to a body of the refrigerator ,
The refrigerator has a hollow portion formed in the hinge and a portion of the gap close to the hinge at the top thereof communicating with the hollow portion , thereby discharging heat generated in the heat generating portion through the gap and the hollow portion . The hinge is made of metal;
The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the hinge includes a plate-like portion for being fixed to the refrigerator. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the heat generating portion is a display attached to a front panel of the door. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , further comprising a U-shaped portion for a waterproof trap provided on wiring arranged above the heat generating portion. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , further comprising a U-shaped portion for a waterproof trap provided on wiring arranged below the heat generating portion. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , further comprising a suction port provided in a lower portion of the door for sucking air into the gap.

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