JP2018128239A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator which can achieve a reduction in cost by decreasing the number of components of an operation part disposed on a door and can obtain an effect of heat insulation thickness ensuring by reducing a thickness direction.SOLUTION: An operation part 20 (21) includes: one substrate 40 having an electrostatic contact circuit part 43 detecting a change in electrostatic capacity by being brought into contact on a front surface 41 as one surface and being mounted with LEDs 44 and 45 as light emitting devices on a rear surface 42 as the other surface; and a substrate support member 50 supporting a rear surface 42 side being the other surface of the substrate 40 and having light reflection parts 60 and 61 reflecting light L from the LEDs 44 and 45 as the light emitting devices. Through-holes 48 and 49 causing the light L of the LEDs 44 and 45 as the light emitting devices reflected by the light reflection parts 60 and 61 to pass therethrough and guiding the light in front of a door 3 (4) are provided in the substrate 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator.

  In the refrigerator, an operation unit is provided on the front door of the storage chamber in order to display or operate the operation function of the refrigerator. The surface of the operation unit is displayed by printing in advance a contact operation position and the like for displaying an operation position touched by the user, and the user can visually confirm the contact operation position and the like. However, recently, in order to improve the external appearance design of the refrigerator, the contact operation position or the like is not printed and displayed in advance on the operation unit.

  For this reason, when the user brings his hand close to the operation unit, the proximity sensor detects the hand, illuminates the LED (light emitting diode), and illuminates the contact operation position and the like, thereby adopting a structure for display. .

  Patent Document 1 discloses a display unit disposed on a storage room door of a refrigerator. The display unit includes two substrates, a plate-like substrate support member that supports the two substrates, and illumination means. The illuminating means is disposed near another wall surface opposite to the wall surface having the inclined portion of the substrate support member, and the inclined portion transmits light radiated from the illuminating means to the surroundings from the front plate of the door to the front of the door. It is made to reflect so as to go to.

  Another conventional example is shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional operation unit. The operation unit is an electrostatic contact unit disposed on the door of the storage chamber, and includes a cover plate 200, a first substrate 201, a second substrate 202, and a substrate support plate 203.

  The second substrate 202 has a plurality of LEDs 204 arranged side by side, and the first substrate 201 has a plurality of light transmission holes 205. The substrate support plate 203 has a large rectangular hole 206. The front surface side of the substrate support plate 203 supports the first substrate 201 in an overlapping manner, and the back surface side of the substrate support plate 203 supports the second substrate 202 in an overlapping manner.

  The cover plate 200 is light transmissive, and the cover plate 200 is disposed on the first substrate 201. As a result, the light generated by the LED 204 of the second substrate 202 passes through the hole 206 of the substrate support plate 203, passes through the light transmitting hole 205 at the corresponding position of the first substrate 201, and then reaches the storage chamber from the cover plate 200. It is irradiated to the front of the door.

JP 2014-126304 A

  However, since the display unit described in Patent Document 1 includes two substrates and a plate-like substrate support member that supports the two substrates, the number of components increases and the cost cannot be reduced. In addition, the thickness in the direction in which the two substrates and the substrate support member are overlapped is inevitably increased.

  Further, in another conventional example shown in FIG. 15, similarly, since the substrate support plate 203, the first substrate 201, and the second substrate 202 are stacked, the number of components is increased and the cost cannot be reduced. In addition, the thickness in the direction in which the two substrates and the substrate support member are overlapped is inevitably increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the number of parts of the operation unit arranged on the door, thereby reducing the cost and heat insulation thickness by reducing the thickness direction. It is providing the refrigerator which can acquire the effect of ensuring.

  A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a refrigerator main body, a door that opens and closes a front opening of the refrigerator main body, and an operation unit provided on a front surface of the door, and the operation unit has one surface. Has an electrostatic contact circuit section that detects a change in capacitance by contact, and supports the one surface on which the light emitting element is mounted on the other surface and the other surface side of the substrate. And a substrate support member having a light reflecting portion that reflects light from the light emitting element, and the substrate is configured to pass through the light of the light emitting element reflected by the light reflecting portion. A through-hole leading forward is provided.

  The refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a refrigerator body, a door that opens and closes a front opening of the refrigerator body, and an operation unit provided on the front surface of the door. There is an electrostatic contact circuit part that detects a change in capacitance by contacting the surface, and the other surface supports one substrate on which a light emitting element is mounted, and the substrate, A substrate support member having a light reflecting portion that reflects light from the light emitting element, and the light reflecting portion includes a diffusely reflecting surface that diffusely reflects the light of the light emitting element. A through hole that guides the light of the light emitting element diffusely reflected by the light reflecting portion to the front of the door is provided.

It is a perspective view showing the whole refrigerator concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the cross-section structural example in the AA of the operation part shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the board | substrate support member of the operation part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a cross-section of the operation part of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the board | substrate support member of the operation part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a cross-section of the operation part of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the board | substrate support member of the operation part shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the whole refrigerator concerning 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the cross-section structural example in the AA of the operation part shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the board | substrate support member of the operation part shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view showing an example in which a plurality of through holes and a plurality of LEDs are arranged on the substrate of FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the cross-sectional structure example of the operation part of 5th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example in which a plurality of through holes and a plurality of LEDs are arranged on the substrate of FIG. 5. It is a figure which shows the example of a cross-section of the operation part of 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the operation part of a prior art example.

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

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  A refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a refrigerator body 2. The refrigerator body 2 of the refrigerator 1 is configured by a heat-insulating cabinet, and a plurality of storage chambers are formed inside the refrigerator body 2. As the storage room, a refrigerated room 5 and a vegetable room 7 are provided in order from the top. Under the vegetable room 7, an ice making room 8 and a small freezer room 9 are provided side by side, and a main freezer room 10 is provided at the bottom. Is provided.

  The upper refrigeration room 5 and the vegetable room 7 are storage rooms in a refrigeration temperature zone, and are adjusted to a temperature of about 3 ° C. to 5 ° C., for example. The ice making room 8, the small freezer room 9, and the main freezer room 10 are storage rooms in a freezing temperature zone, and are adjusted to a temperature of about -20 ° C, for example. Although not shown, the refrigerator main body 2 is provided with a refrigeration cycle including a refrigeration cooler for cooling the refrigeration temperature zone storage chamber and a refrigeration cooler for cooling the refrigeration temperature zone storage chamber. ing.

  Left and right doors 3 and 4 that open and close the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 5 are provided on the front face of the refrigerator compartment 5 as a storage compartment shown in FIG. The left and right doors 3 and 4 are double doors, and the left end of the left door 3 is rotatably attached by a hinge (not shown). Similarly, the right end portion of the right door 4 is rotatably attached by a hinge (not shown). The front plates 3F and 4F of the doors 3 and 4 are made of steel plates, for example, but are not particularly limited.

  Drawer-type doors 7 a, 8 a, 9 a, and 10 a that open and close the front opening portions are provided on the front surfaces of the vegetable room 7, the ice making room 8, the small freezer room 9, and the main freezer room 10. Handles 3b, 4b, 7b, 8b, 9b, and 10b for the user to put their fingers and open the doors are provided on the left and right doors 3 and 4 and the drawer-type doors 7a, 8a, 9a, and 10a, respectively. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, door opening operation portions 11 and 12 as door opening means are provided on the refrigerator main body 2. The door opening operation units 11 and 12 can employ electric actuators such as electromagnetic solenoids. As the door opening operation units 11 and 12 operate, the door opening operation units 11 and 12 automatically push the left and right doors 3 and 4 to open.

  In addition, in FIG. 1, the left-right direction (width direction) of the refrigerator main body 2 is shown by X direction, the depth direction of the refrigerator main body 2 is shown by Y direction, and the up-down direction of the refrigerator main body 2 is shown by Z direction. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator body 2 can operate the functions of the refrigerator 1 and has operation units 20 and 21 for displaying various functional states of the refrigerator 1. The operation units 20 and 21 are provided in the openings 3R and 4R, for example, by providing openings 3R and 4R with respect to the front plates 3F and 4F of the left and right doors 3 and 4, respectively.

  The operation units 20 and 21 use, for example, a capacitance type contact sensor that can detect a change in capacitance when the user touches it, generate an ON signal, and display the light on. It is an electrostatic contact unit. The operation units 20 and 21 can also be called operation display units.

  As an example of operating the function of the refrigerator 1 in the operation units 20 and 21, the user performs a contact operation (touch operation) on the operation units 20 and 21 with fingers, thereby causing the left and right doors 3 and 4 to be opened. It is an opening switch for. When the door opening switch is operated, the door opening operation portions 11 and 12 are operated, and the door opening operation portions 11 and 12 can automatically push the left and right doors 3 and 4 to open.

  Moreover, as an example which operates the function of the refrigerator 1 in the operation parts 20 and 21, it is functional operation, such as freezing, quick freezing, refrigeration, and ice making. As an example of displaying various functional statuses of the refrigerator 1 in the operation units 20 and 21, the status of functions such as freezing, quick freezing, refrigeration, and ice making are displayed.

  In addition, although the operation parts 20 and 21 mentioned above can perform the role of a door opening switch for making the left and right doors 3 and 4 open, respectively, a function operation switch, and a function operation display, 21 may be configured to be able to perform at least one of the roles of the opening switch, the function operation switch, and the function operation display.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cross-sectional structure taken along line AA of the operation unit 20 illustrated in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the substrate support member 50 of the operation unit 20 shown in FIG.

  Since the structure of the left operation unit 20 shown in FIG. 1 is bilaterally symmetric with the structure of the right operation unit 21, the structure of the right operation unit 21 will be described with reference to a structural example of the left operation unit 20. And will be omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the operation unit 20 includes a single substrate 40, a substrate support member 50, and a covering member 70. Although FIG. 3 shows an example of the structure of the substrate support member 50, the illustration of the substrate 40 and the covering member 70 is omitted.

  A single substrate 40 shown in FIG. 2 is, for example, a flat and rectangular circuit substrate having an electrostatic contact circuit unit capable of performing electrostatic contact input by electrostatic contact of a user's finger. An electrostatic contact circuit unit (electrostatic touch circuit unit) 43 is formed on a surface 41 as one surface of the substrate 40. The electrostatic contact circuit unit 43 detects a change in capacitance at the time when the user touches the finger and notifies the control unit 100 of the change.

  On the back surface 42 which is the other surface of the substrate 40, for example, LEDs (light emitting diodes) 44 and 45 as light emitting elements are mounted side by side along the Z direction. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the LEDs 44 and 45 are mounted side by side at intervals along the Z direction in the operation units 20 and 21.

  The LEDs 44 and 45 shown in FIG. 2 are disposed at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the substrate 40, and the light L of the LEDs 44 and 45 is emitted in a direction directly to the side, that is, the light L is emitted in parallel to the back surface 42 of the substrate 40. Later, the light is reflected by the light reflecting portions 60 and 61.

  The electrostatic contact circuit unit 43 and the LEDs 44 and 45 shown in FIG. 2 are electrically connected to the control unit 100. The control part 100 is arrange | positioned at the refrigerator main body 2 shown in FIG. The electrostatic contact circuit unit 43 receives a contact input signal when detecting an electrostatic contact input by electrostatic contact of a user's finger. Moreover, the control part 100 will perform the light operation of LED44,45, for example, if an electrostatic contact input is detected.

  The substrate support member 50 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is made of an electrically insulating material such as plastic. The substrate support member 50 has a substantially flat plate shape, but includes a substrate fitting portion 51, attachment protrusions 52 to 56, and light reflection portions 60 and 61.

  The light reflecting portions 60 and 61 are formed to be inclined from the substrate fitting portion 51. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the light reflecting portions 60 and 61 are formed continuously along the Z direction. The substrate support member 50 has a rectangular opening 69 between the light reflecting portions 60 and 61. The light reflecting portion 60 is formed along the Z direction corresponding to the array of the plurality of LEDs 44, and the light reflecting portion 61 is formed along the Z direction corresponding to the array of the plurality of LEDs 45.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the substrate support member 50 is disposed in the opening 3 </ b> R of the front plate 3 </ b> F of the door 3. The substrate fitting portion 51 of the substrate support member 50 is a recessed portion that fits and fixes the substrate 40 described above on the surface 57 side of the substrate support member 50. The depth K of the recessed portion of the substrate fitting portion 5 corresponds to the thickness of the substrate 40. Thereby, the board | substrate 40 is attached by being fitted in the board | substrate fitting part 51 of the board | substrate support member 50, and the surface 41 of the board | substrate 40 and the board | substrate support member 50 are flush | level. The back surface 42 side of the substrate 40 is fixed to the substrate fitting portion 51 by, for example, an adhesive.

  As shown in FIG. 2, mounting protrusions 52 to 56 are provided on the back surface 58 side of the substrate support member 50 so as to protrude in parallel in the Y direction. These mounting projections 52 to 56 have a substantially L-shape, and are provided to fix the operation unit 20 by fitting it into the structure side of the door 3. Thereby, the operation part 20 can be reliably fixed to the door 3.

  The light reflecting portions 60 and 61 shown in FIG. 2 are provided to protrude toward the back surface 58 side of the substrate support member 50. On the surface of the substrate 40 where the light reflecting portions 60 and 61 are opposed to the LEDs 44 and 45, a mirror surface on which the LEDs 44 and 45 are reflected is formed by coating or is formed by pasting.

  The light reflecting portions 60 and 61 are provided to be inclined corresponding to the positions of the LEDs 44 and 45 on the substrate 40. The light reflecting portion 60 is provided to be inclined at a predetermined inclination angle θ, preferably 45 degrees, with respect to the X direction that is the arrangement direction of the substrate 40. Similarly, the light reflecting portion 61 is provided to be inclined at a predetermined inclination angle θ, preferably 45 degrees, with respect to the X direction that is the arrangement direction of the substrate 40. The angle at which the light L enters each of the light reflecting portions 60 and 61 is preferably 45 degrees. These light reflecting portions 60 and 61 have mirror surfaces and are inclined so as to approach each other, and a gap 62 is provided between the light reflecting portions 60 and 61.

  The substrate 40 has through holes 48 and 49 at positions inside the light reflecting portions 60 and 61, respectively. The light L generated by the LED 44 is reflected by the light reflecting portion 60 and passes through the covering member 70 through the through hole 48 of the substrate 40. Thereby, the light L generated by the LED 44 is irradiated toward the Y1 direction which is the front of the door 3. Similarly, the light L generated by the LED 45 is reflected by the light reflecting portion 61 and passes through the covering member 70 through the through hole 49 of the substrate 40. Thereby, the light L which LED44 generate | occur | produces is irradiated toward the Y1 direction which is the front of the door 3 (4).

  In this way, the light L from the LEDs 44 and 45 is reflected once and then irradiated through the through hole 48 of the substrate 40 in the Y1 direction, which is the front of the door 3 (4). For this reason, the distance from LED44,45 to the through-holes 48,49 of the board | substrate 40 can be increased compared with irradiating LED light directly ahead. For this reason, the spread of the light L can be increased, and in the door 3 (4), the operation unit 20 (21) can soften the light L by reducing the density of the light L.

As shown in FIG. 2, the covering member 70 is, for example, a plastic sheet-like member having translucency. The covering member 70 can transmit the light L generated by the LEDs 44 and 45 described above toward the front side of the door 3. The covering member 70 is a transparent material,
In order to increase the value in appearance design, it can be colored in accordance with the outer plate color of the refrigerator body 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the size of the covering member 70 in the X direction and the Z direction is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the size of the substrate 40 in the X direction and the Z direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the covering member 70 is attached to the surface 41 of the substrate 40 and the surface 57 of the substrate support member 50. Preferably, the surface of the covering member 70 and the surface of the front plate 3F (4F) of the door 3 are set to be flush with each other. Thereby, even if the operation part 20 (21) is arrange | positioned at the door 3 (4), the level | step difference in the door 3 (4) can be eliminated and the value on the external appearance design of the door 3 (4) can be raised.

Thus, in 1st Embodiment of this invention, the structural example and arrangement example of the operation part 20 in the door 3 are substantially the same as the structural example and arrangement example of the operation part 21 in the door 4. FIG. Operation unit 20 (21)
Uses one circuit board 40 and does not use a plurality of circuit boards as in the prior art. For this reason, the thickness about the Y direction of operation part 20 (21) itself can be reduced. Further, the number of parts of the operation unit 20 (21) can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

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

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure example of the operation unit 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a structural example of the substrate support member 50 of the operation unit 20 shown in FIG.

The operation unit 20 (21) of the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is different from the operation unit 20 (21) of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. It is the shape of the reflection parts 60 and 61. Since it is substantially the same except the shape of the light reflection parts 60 and 61, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The LEDs 44 and 45 shown in FIG. 4 are arranged at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the substrate 40, and the light L of the LEDs 44 and 45 is emitted in a direction directly to the side, that is, the light L is emitted in parallel to the back surface 42 of the substrate 40. Later, the light is reflected by the light reflecting portions 60 and 61.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the light reflecting portions 60 and 61 are formed continuously along the Z direction. The light reflecting portion 60 is formed along the Z direction corresponding to the array of the plurality of LEDs 44, and the light reflecting portion 61 is formed along the Z direction corresponding to the array of the plurality of LEDs 45.

  In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the light reflection parts 60 and 61 are provided with light shielding parts 60H and 61H, respectively. The light shielding portion 60H is formed along the Z direction corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of LEDs 44, and the light shielding portion 61H is formed along the Z direction corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of LEDs 45. As shown in FIG. 5, the light shielding part 60 </ b> H reaches the back surface 42 of the substrate 40 from the tip part 60 </ b> B of the light reflecting part 60. The light shielding part 60H is formed along the Y direction, and has a role of preventing the light L generated by the LED 44 from leaking to the other LED 45 side.

  Similarly, the light shielding part 61H is formed along the Y direction and is parallel to the light shielding part 60H. The light shielding portion 61H has a role of preventing the light L generated by the LED 45 from leaking to the one LED 44 side.

  As described above, the light reflecting portions 60 and 61 are provided with the light shielding portions 60H and 61H, respectively, so that the light L generated by the LEDs 44 and 45 does not leak to the outside, and the LEDs 44 and 45 Can be prevented from interfering with each other. Therefore, the light L can be irradiated in the Y1 direction through the through holes 48 and 49, respectively, without reducing the light amount. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the amount of light viewed by the user from being reduced, and thus the visibility of the operation units 20 and 21 can be improved. Further, since the light reflecting portions 60H and 61H are provided in the light reflecting portions 60 and 61, respectively, it is possible to make a structure in which dust or the like hardly enters the LEDs 44 and 45 from the outside.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure example of the operation unit 20 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a structural example of the substrate support member 50 of the operation unit 20 shown in FIG.

  The operation unit 20 (21) of the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is different from the operation unit 20 (21) of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. It is the shape of the reflection parts 80 and 81. Since it is substantially the same except the shape of the light reflection parts 80 and 81, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The light reflecting portions 80 and 81 are continuously formed along the Z direction as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The light reflecting portion 80 is formed along the Z direction corresponding to the array of the plurality of LEDs 44, and the light reflecting portion 81 is formed along the Z direction corresponding to the array of the plurality of LEDs 45.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the light reflecting portion 80 includes a first light reflecting surface 80A and a second light reflecting surface 80B. The light reflecting portion 81 has a first light reflecting surface 81A and a second light reflecting surface 81B.

  The first light reflecting surface 80A and the second light reflecting surface 80B are preferably connected at 90 degrees, and the first light reflecting surface 81A and the second light reflecting surface 81B are also preferably connected at 90 degrees.

  Thus, the first light reflecting surface 80A reflects the light L of the LED 44 once and then guides it to the second light reflecting surface 80B, and the second light reflecting surface 80B reflects the light L of the LED 44 for the second time. Then, it can be guided to the front (Y1 direction) of the door 3 (4) through the through hole 48 of the substrate 40. Similarly, the first light reflecting surface 81A reflects the light L of the LED 45 once and then guides it to the second light reflecting surface 81B. The second light reflecting surface 81B reflects the light L of the LED 45 for the second time. Thus, it can be guided to the front (Y1 direction) of the door 3 (4) through the through hole 49 of the substrate 40.

  As described above, the light L from the LEDs 44 and 45 can be irradiated to the front (Y1 direction) of the door 3 (4) through the through holes 48 and 49 of the substrate 40 after being reflected twice. For this reason, the distance from LED44,45 to the through-holes 48,49 of the board | substrate 40 can be enlarged compared with irradiating LED light directly ahead. For this reason, the spread of the light L can be increased, and in the door 3 (4), the operation unit 20 (21) can soften the light L by reducing the density of the light L.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the LEDs 44 and 45 are surrounded by the substrate 40 and the light reflecting portions 80 and 81. Thereby, the light L generated by the LED 44 and the light L generated by the LED 45 are not leaked to the outside, and the light L is irradiated in the Y1 direction through the through holes 48 and 49, respectively, without reducing the light amount. Can be made. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the amount of light viewed by the user from being reduced, and thus the visibility of the operation units 20 and 21 can be improved.

  The refrigerator 1 according to each embodiment of the present invention has the following effects.

  In the refrigerator 1 of each embodiment, the light L generated by the LEDs 44 and 45 is reflected by the light reflecting portions 60, 61, 80, and 81 in the inner region of the substrate 40, thereby providing a distance (optical path length). Can be secured longer. As described above, the light L can be obtained by using the light reflecting portions 60, 61, 80, 81, so that the brightness of the central portion of the light L and the brightness of the peripheral portion of the light L The lightness and darkness of the light L can be reduced by reducing the lightness and darkness between them.

  That is, when the light L is irradiated to the front of the door 3 (4) through the through holes 48 and 49 of the substrate 40, the light L uses the light reflecting portions 60, 61, 80 and 81 to reduce the distance. Therefore, the spread of the light L can be increased. For this reason, in the door 3 (4), the operation part 20 (21) can soften the light L, and can shine the soft light L toward the front of the door 3 (4). On the other hand, when the light is directly irradiated to the front of the door through the through hole without using the reflection portion, the spread of the light is reduced, so that the lightness of the light L cannot be reduced.

  In particular, in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the light L of the LEDs 44 and 45 is reflected a plurality of times, thereby considerably increasing the distance from the LEDs 44 and 45 to the through holes 48 and 49 of the substrate 40. For this reason, the spread of the light L can be increased, and in the door 3 (4), the operation unit 20 (21) can soften the light L by reducing the density of the light L.

  The LEDs 44 and 45 can be arranged to be inclined with respect to the substrate 40. The light L is emitted straight by the LED 44.45 and the light reflecting portion which are angled with respect to the substrate 40.

  The LEDs 44 and 45 shown in FIG. 2 and the LEDs 44 and 45 shown in FIG. After being emitted in parallel, the light is reflected by the light reflecting portions 60 and 61. Thereby, the light L can be emitted from the through holes 48 and 49 of the substrate 40 by one reflection.

  The angle at which the light L enters the light reflecting portion is preferably 45 degrees or less. If the incident angle is small, a substantially straight light L can be emitted even with a single reflection.

  The distance from the substrate 40 to the light reflecting portion is preferably 8 mm or less. The distance from the light reflecting portion to the through holes 48 and 49 of the substrate 40 is preferably 8 mm or less.

  The LED light L can be output through the through holes 48 and 49 of the substrate 40 with an angle slightly upward rather than straight with respect to the front surface of the refrigerator 1. Thereby, although the operation parts 20 and 21 are in the comparatively lower position of the door 3 (4), if the downward light comes out from the operation parts 20 and 21, it is difficult for a user to confirm the light emission state. There is sex. For this reason, it is desirable to emit the light L slightly upward from the horizontal direction.

  The LED and the light reflecting portion are in a positional relationship shifted in the vertical direction, and the light reflecting portion is positioned above the LED. The light L will fly upward.

Preferably, the reflecting surfaces of the light reflecting portions 60, 61, 80, 81 are oriented in directions other than upward in the Z direction, which is the direction of gravity. Thereby, even if dust enters, the light reflection part 60,
Dust does not accumulate on the reflective surfaces 61, 80, 81.

  Preferably, the reflecting surfaces of the light reflecting portions 60, 61, 80, 81 are set to face the back surface 42 side of the substrate 40. Thereby, when an operator assembles the substrate 40 with respect to the substrate support member 50, there is no fear that the operator accidentally touches the reflection surfaces of the light reflecting portions 60, 61, 80, 81.

  Preferably, the light reflecting portions 60, 61, 80, 81 are integrally formed and processed when the substrate support member 50 is formed. Thereby, compared with the case where a light reflection part is attached to a board | substrate support member by retrofitting, the shaping | molding angle of the light reflection parts 60, 61, 80, 81 in the board | substrate support member 50 does not come out easily.

  Preferably, the mirror surface processing of the light reflecting portions 60, 61, 80, 81 is performed inside the concave portion of the substrate support member 50 facing the back surface 42 (the mounting surface of the LEDs 44, 45) of the substrate 40. That is, the mirror surface processing is partially performed on the inner side of the recessed portion where the substrate 40 is assembled in the substrate support member 50.

  The light L from each of the LEDs 44 and 45 may be divided into, for example, two parts by the light reflecting portion. In this case, for example, the light L is formed long by distorting the mirror surfaces of the light reflecting portions 60, 61, 80, 81.

  As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the refrigerator body 2, the door 3 (4) that opens and closes the front opening of the refrigerator body 2, and the operation unit provided on the front surface of the door 3 (4). 20 (21). The operation unit 20 (21) has an electrostatic contact circuit unit 43 that detects a change in capacitance by contacting the surface 41 as one surface, and a light emitting element on the back surface 42 as the other surface. The light reflection part which supports the light L from LED44,45 which is supporting the 1st board | substrate 40 which mounts LED44,45 as this, and the back surface 42 side which is the other surface of the board | substrate 40 is supported. And a substrate support member 50 having 60 and 61. The substrate 40 is provided with through holes 48 and 49 that lead the light L of the LEDs 44 and 45 as light emitting elements reflected by the light reflecting portions 60 and 61 to the front of the door 3 (4).

  As a result, only a single board 40 is used as a board instead of a plurality of boards, and the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of parts of the operation unit 20 (21) arranged on the door 3 (4). it can. Moreover, since only one substrate 40 is used, the effect of ensuring the heat insulation thickness by reducing the thickness direction can be obtained.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the light reflecting portions 60 and 61 reflect the light L of the LEDs 44 and 45, which are light emitting elements, once, and then pass the light L through the through holes 48 and 49 of the substrate 40. 4) Lead forward.

Thereby, the light L of the LEDs 44 and 45 is reflected once, so that the light L is guided to the front of the door 3 (4) through the through holes 48 and 49 of the substrate 40. Therefore, since the optical path of the light L can be increased before passing through the through holes 48 and 49 of the substrate 40, the spread of the light L can be increased. For this reason, in the door 3 (4), the operation part 20 (21) can soften the light L, and can shine the soft light L toward the front of the door 3 (4).

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the light reflecting portions 60 and 61 include light shielding portions 60 </ b> H and 61 </ b> H, and the LEDs 44 and 45 as light emitting elements are surrounded by the light shielding portions 60 </ b> H and 61 </ b> H and the light reflecting portions 60 and 61. It is.

  Thereby, the light L generated by the LEDs 44 and 45 can be prevented from leaking to the outside, and the light L generated by the LEDs 44 and 45 can be prevented from interfering with each other. Therefore, the light L can be irradiated in the Y1 direction through the through holes 48 and 49, respectively, without reducing the light amount. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the amount of light viewed by the user from being reduced, and thus the visibility of the operation units 20 and 21 can be improved.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the light reflecting portions 80 and 81 include first light reflecting surfaces 80A and 81A and second light reflecting surfaces 80B and 81B, and the first light reflecting surfaces 80A and 81A include the LEDs 44 and 45, respectively. After the light L is reflected once, the light L is guided to the second light reflecting surfaces 80B and 81B. The second light reflecting surfaces 80B and 81B reflect the light L and pass through the through holes 48 and 49 of the substrate 40, so that the door 3 (4 ) Lead forward.

As a result, the light L of the LEDs 44 and 45 is reflected once by the first light reflecting surfaces 80A and 81A and then reflected by the second light reflecting surfaces 80B and 81B, whereby the light L is reflected by the substrate 40. Through the through holes 48 and 49 of the door 3 (4). Therefore, since the optical path of the light L can be increased before passing through the through holes 48 and 49 of the substrate 40, the spread of the light L can be increased. For this reason, in the door 3 (4), the operation part 20 (21) softens the shade of the light L, and the door 3 (4
) Can be illuminated with a soft light L toward the front.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, a covering member 70 that transmits the light L of the LED 44.45 is disposed on the surface 41 as one surface of the substrate 40.

  Thereby, the covering member 70 can improve the appearance of the door 3 (4) in appearance while covering the electrostatic contact circuit portion 43 on the surface 41 of the substrate 40.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the entire refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 8 is substantially the same as the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but the structure of the operation units 20 and 21 shown in FIG. 8 is different, and the number of LEDs 44 and 45 arranged is different. .

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cross-sectional structure taken along line AA of the operation unit 20 illustrated in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a structural example of the substrate support member 50 of the operation unit 20 shown in FIG.

  The structure of the left operation unit 20 shown in FIG. 8 is symmetrical with the structure of the right operation unit 21, and therefore, the structure of the right operation unit 21 will be described with respect to a structural example of the left operation unit 20. This is omitted on behalf of

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the operation unit 20 includes a single substrate 40, a substrate support member 50, a light reflection unit 160, and a covering member 70. Although FIG. 10 shows an example of the structure of the substrate support member 50, the illustration of the substrate 40 and the covering member 70 is omitted.

  A single substrate 40 shown in FIG. 9 is, for example, a flat and rectangular circuit substrate having an electrostatic contact circuit unit capable of performing electrostatic contact input by electrostatic contact of a user's finger. An electrostatic contact circuit unit (electrostatic touch circuit unit) 43 is formed on a surface 41 as one surface of the substrate 40. The electrostatic contact circuit unit 43 detects a change in capacitance at the time when the user touches the finger and notifies the control unit 100 of the change.

  On the back surface 42 which is the other surface of the substrate 40, for example, LEDs (light emitting diodes) 44 and 45 as light emitting elements are mounted side by side along the Z direction. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the LEDs 44 and 45 are mounted side by side along the Z direction in the operation units 20 and 21.

  The LEDs 44 and 45 shown in FIG. 9 are arranged with respect to the back surface 42 of the substrate 40, so that the light L of the LEDs 44 and 45 is emitted toward the light reflecting portion 160 on the back surface 42 of the substrate 40 and then reflected. The part 160 is irregularly reflected.

  The electrostatic contact circuit unit 43 and the LEDs 44 and 45 shown in FIG. 9 are electrically connected to the control unit 100. The control part 100 is arrange | positioned at the refrigerator main body 2 shown in FIG. The electrostatic contact circuit unit 43 receives a contact input signal when detecting an electrostatic contact input by electrostatic contact of a user's finger. For example, when the electrostatic contact input is detected, the control unit 100 turns on the LEDs 44 and 45.

  The substrate support member 50 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is made of an electrically insulating material such as plastic. The substrate support member 50 has a substantially flat plate shape, but includes substrate fitting portions 51A and 51B and attachment protrusions 52, 53, 55, and 56.

  The light reflecting portion 160 shown in FIG. 9 is preferably made of a white resin, for example. The light reflecting portion 160 has a main body portion 161 and edge portions 162 and 163. The edge portions 162 and 163 are formed from the main body portion 161 along the XZ plane. The edge portions 162 and 163 are fitted into the board fitting portions 51 </ b> A and 51 </ b> B of the substrate supporting member 50, respectively, so that the light reflecting portion 160 is fixed to the substrate supporting member 50.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, the substrate support member 50 is disposed in the opening 3 </ b> R of the front plate 3 </ b> F of the door 3. Substrate insertion portions 51A and 51B of the substrate support member 50 have recessed portions on the front surface 57 side of the substrate support member 50 for fitting and fixing the substrate 40 described above. The depth K of the recessed portion of the board fitting portion 51 </ b> A corresponds to the thickness of the board 40.

  Accordingly, the substrate 40 is attached by being fitted into the board fitting portion 51A of the substrate support member 50, and the surface 41 of the substrate 40 and the substrate support member 50 are flush with each other. The back surface 42 side of the substrate 40 is fixed to the substrate fitting portion 51A by, for example, an adhesive.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the attachment protrusions 52, 53, 55, and 56 are provided to protrude in parallel in the Y direction on the back surface side of the substrate support member 50. These mounting projections 52, 53, 55, and 56 are substantially L-shaped, and are provided to fix the operation unit 20 by fitting it into the structure side of the door 3. Thereby, the operation part 20 can be reliably fixed to the door 3.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the substrate 40 has a plurality of through holes 48 and 49 at positions facing the light reflecting portion 160. The main body portion 161 of the light reflecting portion 160 is provided so as to bulge so as to protrude in the Y direction toward the back surface side of the substrate support member 50. However, the main body portion 161 is parallel to the substrate 40, and XZ It is a flat surface along a plane. The main body portion 161 covers the plurality of through holes 48 and 49 of the substrate 40 and the plurality of LEDs 44 and 45 disposed on the back surface 42 side of the substrate 40.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of through holes 48 of the substrate 40 are formed at positions apart from the plurality of LEDs 44 on the back surface 42 of the substrate 40. Similarly, the plurality of through holes 49 of the substrate 40 are formed apart from the lateral positions of the plurality of LEDs 45 on the back surface 42 of the substrate 40.

  FIG. 11 is a front view showing an example in which a plurality of through holes 48 and 49 and a plurality of LEDs 44 and 45 are arranged on the substrate 40.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the plurality of through holes 48 and 49 are arranged in series at the same interval along the Z direction. Similarly, the plurality of LEDs 44 and 45 are arranged in series at the same interval corresponding to the positions of the plurality of through holes 48 and 49, respectively. The through hole 48 is formed away from the position of the corresponding adjacent LED 44 in the Y direction. Similarly, the through hole 49 is formed away from the position of the corresponding adjacent LED 45 to the outside in the Y direction.

  Returning to FIG. 9, the inner surface of the light reflecting portion 160 is an irregular reflection surface 90 for irregularly reflecting the light L of the LEDs 44 and 45 toward, for example, four directions. The light reflecting portion 160 preferably has a substantially bottom-shaped cross-sectional shape. The inner surface of the main body portion 161 of the light reflecting portion 160 has a flat surface 91 and curved surface portions 92 and 93.

The flat surface 91 is a portion facing the positions of the LEDs 44 and 45 and the through holes 48 and 49 and is parallel to the XZ plane. The curved surface portions 92 and 93 are both end portions of the flat portion 91 and have, for example, a quarter circular cross-sectional shape. The inner surfaces of the flat surface 91 and the curved surface portions 92 and 93 are irregular reflection surfaces 90 for irregularly reflecting the light L of the LEDs 44 and 45. The curved surface portions 92 and 93 may be, for example, a parabolic shape when viewed in cross section. Thus, the irregular reflection surface 90 of the light reflecting portion 160 is not a convex shape when viewed in cross section, but has a shape having a flat surface 91. This is because the thickness of the operation unit 20 (21) in the Y direction is as small as possible.

  Thereby, since the thickness in the Y direction of the operation unit 20 (21) is reduced as much as possible, a reduction in the thickness direction of the operation unit 20 (21) reduces the amount of heat insulating material in the door 3 (4). Since it can increase, the effect of ensuring heat insulation thickness can be acquired.

  The light reflecting portion 160 shown in FIG. 9 is made of white resin as described above. The flat surface 91 of the irregular reflection surface 90 of the light reflecting portion 160 and the inner surfaces of the curved surface portions 92 and 93 are preferably subjected to a gloss finish. For example, the flat surface 91 and the curved surface portions 92 and 93 of the irregular reflection surface 90 of the light reflecting portion 160 are not subjected to a gloss treatment such as a plating treatment, but are subjected to a mirror-like gloss finishing process so as to be smooth. Thereby, the light L of the LEDs 44 and 45 can be irregularly reflected.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the flat surface 91 and the curved surface portions 92 and 93 of the irregular reflection surface 90 of the light reflecting portion 160 may be formed on a rough surface due to wrinkles. Thereby, the light L of the LEDs 44 and 45 can be irregularly reflected.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the light L generated by the LED 44 is diffusely reflected by the flat surface 91 and the curved surface portions 92 and 93 of the irregular reflection surface 90 of the light reflection portion 160, passes through the through hole 48 of the substrate 40, and is used for coating. The member 70 is transmitted. Similarly, the light L generated by the LED 45 is irregularly reflected by the flat surface 91 of the irregular reflection surface 90 and the inner surfaces of the curved surface portions 92 and 93 of the light reflecting portion 160, passes through the through hole 49 of the substrate 40, and is used for coating. The member 70 is transmitted.

  Accordingly, the light L generated by the LEDs 44 and 45 is irradiated in a state of being diffused or dispersed toward the Y1 direction which is the front of the door 3.

  Thereby, even if the optical elements are preferably LEDs 44 and 45 where the light is concentrated, the light L is concentrated, so that the light intensity becomes clear in the operation unit 20 (21) shown in FIG. The so-called eyeball feeling, which is a phenomenon, can be reduced or eliminated.

  Since the spread of the light L toward the Y1 direction can be increased, the operation unit 20 (21) of the door 3 (4) softens the light L and illuminates the soft light L, so that a so-called eyeball feeling is provided. Therefore, it is possible to create a high-class feeling of the operation unit 20 (21).

  Further, the light L of the LEDs 44 and 45 is radiated toward the Y1 direction, which is the front of the door 3 (4), after being diffusely reflected by the light reflecting portion 160 and then passing through the through hole 48 of the substrate 40. For this reason, the distance from LED44,45 to the through-holes 48,49 of the board | substrate 40 can be increased compared with irradiating LED light directly ahead.

  For this reason, the spread of the light L can be increased, and the operation part 20 (21) of the door 3 (4) can soften the light L by reducing the density of the light L. In the operation unit 20 (21), the LEDs 44 and 45 can illuminate the soft light L. Therefore, the operation unit 20 (21) produces a high-quality feeling when illuminating and enhances the high-quality feeling of the refrigerator 1 itself. be able to.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the covering member 70 is a plastic sheet-like member having translucency, for example. The covering member 70 can transmit the light L passing through the through holes 48 and 49 described above toward the front side of the door 3. The covering member 70 is a transparent material, and can be colored in accordance with the outer plate color of the refrigerator main body 2 in order to increase the value in appearance design. As shown in FIG. 9, the size of the covering member 70 in the X direction and the Z direction is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the size of the substrate 40 in the X direction and the Z direction.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the covering member 70 is attached to the surface 41 of the substrate 40 and the surface 57 of the substrate support member 50. Preferably, the surface of the covering member 70 and the surface of the front plate 3F (4F) of the door 3 are set to be flush with each other. Thereby, even if the operation part 20 (21) is arrange | positioned at the door 3 (4), the level | step difference in the door 3 (4) can be eliminated and the value on the external appearance design of the door 3 (4) can be raised.

  In the refrigerator 1 of 4th Embodiment of this invention, the structural example and arrangement example of the operation part 20 in the door 3 are substantially the same as the structural example and arrangement example of the operation part 21 in the door 4. FIG. The operation unit 20 (21) uses one circuit board 40 and does not use a plurality of circuit boards as in the prior art. For this reason, the thickness about the Y direction of operation part 20 (21) itself can be reduced. Further, the number of parts of the operation unit 20 (21) can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced. Due to the reduction in the thickness direction, the amount of the heat insulating material can be increased in the door 3 (4) by that amount, so that the effect of ensuring the heat insulating thickness can be obtained.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure example of the operation unit 20 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example in which a plurality of through holes 48 and 49 and a plurality of LEDs 94 are arranged on the substrate 40 shown in FIG.

  The operation unit 20 (21) of the fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is different from the operation unit 20 (21) of the fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. This is the number and arrangement position of the LEDs 94 that are elements. Since parts other than the LED 94 are substantially the same, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  In the plurality of LEDs 94 shown in FIG. 12, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the plurality of through holes 48 and 49 are arranged in series at the same interval along the Z direction. Similarly, a plurality of LEDs 94 in a single row are arranged in series at the same interval at a position slightly shifted with respect to the Z direction between the plurality of through holes 48 and 49.

  In this arrangement example, the plurality of LEDs 94 in one row are arranged at a central position between the plurality of through holes 48 in one row and the plurality of through holes 49 in one row. The number of LEDs 94 is smaller than the number of through holes 48 and 49.

  Thus, the number of LEDs 94 in the fifth embodiment is smaller than the number of LEDs 44 and 45 in the fourth embodiment. However, by increasing the light emission amount of each LED 94 from 50% to 100%, for example, even if the number of LEDs 94 is small, the light amount of the light L derived from the through holes 48 and 49 in the operation unit 20 (21) is reduced. It can be secured sufficiently.

  The light L of one LED 94 is diffusely reflected and then passes through the two through holes 48 and 49 located away from the LED 94 on the substrate 40, so that even if the number of LEDs is reduced, the light of the operation unit 20 (21). Lighting can be performed sufficiently. By reducing the number of LEDs 94 arranged, the number of parts in the operation unit 20 (21) can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the light L generated by the plurality of rows of LEDs 94 is irregularly reflected by the flat surface 91 and the curved surface portions 92 and 93 of the irregular reflection surface 90 of the light reflection portion 160, and the through hole 48 of the substrate 40. And passes through the covering member 70.

  Thereby, the light L generated by the LED 94 is irradiated from the through hole 48 toward the Y1 direction in front of the door 3 (4) in the state of irregular reflection. For this reason, even if it is LED94 where light concentrates, when the light L concentrates, what is called the eyeball feeling which is a phenomenon in which the light and darkness of light becomes clear in the operation part 20 (21) is reduced or eliminated. be able to. Since the spread of the light L toward the Y1 direction can be increased, the operation unit 20 (21) of the door 3 (4) softens the light L and illuminates the soft light L so that a so-called eyeball feeling is obtained. It can prevent and bring out a sense of quality.

  Further, the light L of the LED 94 is diffusely reflected by the light reflecting portion 160 and then irradiated through the through hole 48 of the substrate 40 toward the Y1 direction which is the front of the door 3 (4). For this reason, the distance from LED94 to the through-holes 48 and 49 of the board | substrate 40 can be increased compared with irradiating LED light directly ahead. The spread of the light L can be increased, and the operation portion 20 (21) of the door 3 (4) can soften the light L by reducing the density of the light L.

  As described above, since the operation unit 20 (21) can illuminate the soft light L, it is possible to produce a high-quality feeling when the operation unit 20 (21) performs illumination, and the high-quality feeling of the refrigerator 1 itself can be achieved. Can be increased.

  In the refrigerator 1 of 5th Embodiment of this invention, the structural example and arrangement example of the operation part 20 in the door 3 are substantially the same as the structural example and arrangement example of the operation part 21 in the door 4. FIG. The operation unit 20 (21) uses one circuit board 40 and does not use a plurality of circuit boards as in the prior art. For this reason, the thickness about the Y direction of operation part 20 (21) itself can be reduced. Further, the number of parts of the operation unit 20 (21) can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced. Due to the reduction in the thickness direction, the amount of the heat insulating material can be increased in the door 3 (4) by that amount, so that the effect of ensuring the heat insulating thickness can be obtained.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure example of the operation unit 20 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The operation unit 20 (21) of the sixth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 14 is different from the operation unit 20 (21) of the fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. It is the shape. Since it is substantially the same except the shape of the light reflection part 180, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The light reflecting portion 180 is preferably made of, for example, a white resin. The light reflecting portion 180 has a hemispherical cross-sectional shape in which a portion facing the LEDs 44 and 45 is a spherical surface. When the thickness of the operation unit 20 (21) in the Y direction is not particularly limited, a light reflecting unit 180 having a semicircular cross section can be employed as illustrated in FIG. The inner surface of the spherical surface of the light reflecting portion 180 is an irregular reflection surface 183 for irregularly reflecting the light L of the LEDs 44 and 45.

  As described above, the hemispherical light reflecting portion 180 has the main body portion 185 and the edge portions 181 and 182. The edge portions 181 and 182 are formed to extend from the main body portion 185 in the X direction. The edge portions 181 and 182 are fixed to the substrate support member 50 by being fitted into the board fitting portions 51 </ b> A and 51 </ b> B of the substrate support member 50.

  The irregular reflection surface 183 of the light reflecting portion 180 is preferably subjected to a gloss finish. For example, the irregular reflection surface 183 is not subjected to a gloss treatment such as a plating treatment, but is subjected to a mirror-like gloss finish so as to be smooth. Alternatively, the irregular reflection surface 183 may be formed on a rough surface due to grain.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the light L generated by the LED 44 is diffusely reflected by the irregular reflection surface 183 and passes through the covering member 70 through the through hole 48 of the substrate 40. Similarly, the light L generated by the LED 45 is diffusely reflected by the irregular reflection surface 183 and passes through the covering member 70 through the through hole 49 of the substrate 40. Thereby, the light L generated by the LEDs 44 and 45 is diffused and irradiated toward the Y1 direction which is the front of the door 3.

  As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to the fourth to sixth embodiments of the present invention includes the refrigerator body 2, the door 3 (4) that opens and closes the front opening of the refrigerator body 2, and the door 3 (4). An operation unit 20 (21) provided on the front surface is provided. The operation unit 20 (21) has an electrostatic contact circuit unit 43 that detects a change in capacitance by contacting the surface 41 that is one surface, and a light emitting element on the back surface 42 that is the other surface. As a substrate supporting member 50 having a substrate 40 on which the LEDs 44, 45, and 94 are mounted, and a light reflecting portion 160 and 180 that support the substrate 40 and reflect the light L from the LEDs 44, 45, and 94. Have

  The light reflecting portions 160 and 180 have irregular reflection surfaces 90 and 183 that diffusely reflect the light L of the LEDs 44, 45, and 94. , 45, 94 are provided with through holes 48, 49 for guiding the light L to the front of the door 3 (4).

  As a result, since only one board 40 is used, the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of parts of the operation unit 3 (4) arranged on the door as compared to using two or more boards. The heat insulation thickness ensuring effect by the reduction in the thickness direction can be obtained. Moreover, the light L of the light emitting element such as the LEDs 44, 45, 94 can be guided to the front of the door 3 (4) through the through holes 48, 49 of the substrate 40 after being irregularly reflected by the light reflecting portions 160, 180. The light L of the LEDs 44, 45, and 94 is not directly led from the through hole.

  That is, by preventing the light from the light emitting element from directly entering the eyes, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the eye-feel caused by the so-called LED light generated in the operation unit 20 (21). For this reason, when performing illumination in the operation unit 20 (21), a high-class feeling can be produced.

  The light reflecting portion 160 has a ship-bottom cross-sectional shape in which a portion facing the light emitting element is a flat surface 91, and the flat surface 91 is the irregular reflection surface 90. Thereby, since the irregular reflection surface 90 is the flat surface 91, the thickness direction (Y direction) dimension of the operation part 3 (4) can be made as small as possible compared with using a convex irregular reflection surface. Since the thickness in the Y direction of the operation unit 20 (21) can be reduced as much as possible, the amount of heat insulating material can be further increased in the door 3 (4) by the reduction in the thickness direction. A securing effect can be obtained.

  As illustrated in FIG. 14, the light reflecting portion 180 has a hemispherical cross-sectional shape in which portions facing the LEDs 44 and 45 are spherical, and the inner surface of the spherical surface is the irregularly reflecting surface 83. Thereby, when there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the dimension of the thickness direction (Y direction) of the operation part 3 (4), the shape of this light reflection part 180 is applicable.

  The light reflecting portions 160 and 180 are made of a white resin, and the irregular reflection surface of the light reflecting portion is subjected to a gloss finish. Accordingly, the light reflecting portions 160 and 180 are the LEDs 44, 45, and 94 in which the light is concentrated by passing the through holes 48 and 49 of the substrate 40 after irregularly reflecting the light L of the LED as the light emitting element. Also, it is possible to eliminate the so-called eyeball feeling in the operation unit 20 (21), which is a phenomenon in which light is concentrated.

  Since the spread of the light L toward the Y1 direction can be increased, the operation unit 20 (21) of the door 3 (4) softens the light L and illuminates the soft light L so that a so-called eyeball feeling is obtained. It can prevent and bring out a sense of quality.

  The light reflecting portions 160 and 180 are made of white resin, and the irregular reflection surfaces of the light reflecting portions 160 and 180 are rough surfaces due to wrinkles. As a result, the light reflecting portion diffuses and reflects the light L of the LED, which is a light emitting element, and then passes through the through holes 48 and 49 of the substrate 40. It is possible to eliminate the so-called eyeball feeling in the operation unit 20 (21), which is a phenomenon of concentration.

  Since the spread of the light L toward the Y1 direction can be increased, the operation unit 20 (21) of the door 3 (4) softens the shade of the light L and illuminates the soft light L to create a high-class feeling. be able to.

  The light reflecting portions 160 and 180 reflect the light from the LEDs 44, 45 and 94, and then guide the light L to the front of the door 3 (4) through the through holes 48 and 49 of the substrate 40. Thereby, the distance from LED44,45,94 to the through-holes 48,49 of the board | substrate 40 can be increased compared with irradiating LED light directly ahead. The spread of the light L can be increased, and the operation unit 20 (21) of the door 3 (4) can soften the light L by reducing the density of the light L.

  A covering member 70 that transmits the light L of the LEDs 44, 45, and 94 is disposed on the surface 41 that is one surface of the substrate 40. Thereby, the covering member 70 can improve the appearance of the door 3 (4) in appearance while covering the electrostatic contact circuit portion 43 on the surface 41 of the substrate 40.

  The positions of the through holes 48 and 49 of the substrate 40 are separated from the positions of the LEDs 44, 45 and 94 which are light emitting elements. As a result, the irregularly reflected light L can be led to the front of the door 3 (4) from the through holes 48 and 49 at a distant position, so that the so-called eyeball feeling can be reduced or eliminated.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the position of the LED 94 that is a light emitting element is between the plurality of through holes 48 and 49 of the substrate 40, so that the light L of the LED 94 is diffusely reflected and then from the position away from the LED 94. Since it can be led to the front of the door 3 (4) through 48, 49, the so-called eyeball feeling can be reduced or eliminated.

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

  The structure of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and an arbitrary structure can be adopted.

  The front plates of the illustrated doors 3 and 4 are made of, for example, a steel plate, but are not particularly limited. For example, it is preferable that the front plate, which is a light-transmitting glass plate, be disposed on all of the front surfaces of the left and right doors 3, 4 and the drawer-type doors 7 a, 8 a, 9 a, 10 a. Good. Thereby, the appearance on the external appearance design of the refrigerator 1 can further be improved.

  The operation units 20 and 21 may be provided only on one of the doors 3 and 4. The doors 3 and 4 of the refrigerator compartment 5 are double doors, but may be a single door.

  The light reflecting portions 60, 61, 80, 81 may not be a smooth mirror surface but may be a light diffusion sheet surface, a curved mirror surface, or a reflective surface with small irregularities. Thereby, in the door 3 (4), the operation part 20 (21) can diffuse the light L, soften the density of the light L, and can shine the soft light L toward the front of the door 3 (4). .

For example, in the example of FIG. 6, the light reflecting portions 80 and 81 are provided as an illumination room that surrounds the LEDs 44 and 45 and the through holes 48 and 49, and the entire inner surface of the illumination room is brightened to thereby make the door 3 As viewed from (4), the operation unit 20 (21) may be configured to make the LEDs 44 and 45 emit light like indirect illumination from the front side. In this case, the light reflecting portions 80 and 81 which are the structures of the illumination room are made of a white resin with a glossy finish so that the light of the LEDs 44 and 45 is easily reflected, or the light reflecting portions 80 and 81 The inner surface of 81 is irregularly reflected by making it a rough surface due to grain. Note that the shape of the light reflecting portions 80 and 81 in FIG. 6 is not limited to the W-shaped cross section as shown in FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Refrigerator main body 3, 4 Door 20, 21 Operation part 40 Board | substrate 41 The surface (one side) of a board | substrate
42 Back side of substrate (the other side)
44 LED
45 LED
60 light reflection part 61 light reflection part 70 covering member 80 light reflection part 81 light reflection part 80A first light reflection surface 80B second light reflection surface 81A first light reflection surface 81B second light reflection surface 90 irregular reflection surface 160 light Reflector 180 Light reflector 183 Diffuse reflection surface L LED light (light from light emitting element)

Claims (12)

A refrigerator body, a door that opens and closes the front opening of the refrigerator body, and an operation unit provided on the front surface of the door,
The operation unit is
One surface has an electrostatic contact circuit portion that detects a change in capacitance by contacting, and the other surface has one substrate mounted with a light emitting element,
A substrate support member that supports the other surface of the substrate and has a light reflecting portion that reflects light from the light emitting element;
The refrigerator, wherein the substrate is provided with a through hole that guides the light of the light emitting element reflected by the light reflecting portion to the front of the door.   2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the light reflecting unit guides the light to the front of the door through the through hole of the substrate after reflecting the light of the light emitting element once.   The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the light reflecting portion includes a light shielding portion, and the light emitting element is surrounded by the light shielding portion and the light reflecting portion.   The light reflecting portion includes a first light reflecting surface and a second light reflecting surface, and the first light reflecting surface guides the light to the second light reflecting surface after reflecting the light of the light emitting element, and The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the two-light reflecting surface reflects the light and guides the light to the front of the door through the through hole of the substrate.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a covering member that transmits the light of the light emitting element is disposed on the one surface of the substrate. A refrigerator body, a door that opens and closes the front opening of the refrigerator body, and an operation unit provided on the front surface of the door,
The operation unit is
One surface has an electrostatic contact circuit portion that detects a change in capacitance by contacting, and the other surface has one substrate mounted with a light emitting element,
A substrate supporting member that supports the substrate and has a light reflecting portion that reflects light from the light emitting element;
The light reflecting portion has an irregular reflection surface that irregularly reflects the light of the light emitting element,
The refrigerator, wherein the substrate is provided with a through hole that guides the light of the light emitting element that is irregularly reflected by the light reflecting portion to the front of the door.   The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the position of the through hole of the substrate is separated from the position of the light emitting element.   The refrigerator according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the position of the light emitting element is between the plurality of through holes of the substrate.   The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the number of the light emitting elements is smaller than the number of the through holes.   10. The light reflecting portion according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the light reflecting portion has a ship-bottom cross-sectional shape in which a portion facing the light emitting element is a flat surface, and the flat surface is the irregular reflection surface. The refrigerator according to crab.   The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the light reflection portion is made of a white resin, and the irregular reflection surface of the light reflection portion is subjected to a gloss finish.   The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the light reflecting portion is made of a white resin, and the irregularly reflecting surface of the light reflecting portion is a rough surface due to wrinkles.

Images