TWI668398B - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a refrigerator that can prevent actions such as opening of a refrigerator door even when a person accidentally touches it before passing through the refrigerator. The refrigerator 1 includes a non-contact operation detection section 72 (82) to detect a person's approach in a non-contact manner, a contact operation detection section 71 (81) to detect a person's contact, and a control section 100 by using the non-contact operation detection section 72 The signal of (82) and the signal of the self-contact operation detection unit determine whether to drive the control target. The control unit 100 performs a predetermined predetermined time after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 (82) changes from the non-detection state to the detection state ( When the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) changes from the non-detection state to the detection state within the first predetermined time TA), it determines that the contact is made by an unintentional person, and does not drive, for example, the door opening device 51 (52) as a control target. .

Description

refrigerator

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerator.

Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a door of a refrigerator is provided with an electrostatic detection unit that detects an electrostatic capacitance and determines that a human hand has touched it. Furthermore, a human detection unit that detects the approach of a person is provided on the door. When a person approaches the refrigerator, the human detection unit detects the approach of the person, and if the electrostatic detection unit determines that the human hand has touched it, it sends a signal to the opening unit for opening the door to open the door.

[Prior Art Literature]

[Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-17018

However, in the prior art, when a person passes in front of the door of the refrigerator, etc., and a person approaches the refrigerator and inadvertently touches the static electricity detection unit, there is a possibility that the unit may be opened and the door may be opened although it is not intended.

The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and an object thereof is to provide a refrigerator capable of preventing an operation such as a door of the refrigerator from being unintentionally touched by a person when the person passes through the refrigerator.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a non-contact operation detection unit that detects a person's approach in a non-contact manner; a contact operation detection unit that detects a person's contact; and a control unit that uses a signal from the non-contact operation detection unit and A signal from the contact operation detection unit makes a determination to drive a control object, and the control unit contacts the contact within a predetermined time after the non-contact operation detection unit changes from a non-detection state to a detection state. When the operation detection unit is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state, it is determined that the person is inadvertently contacted without driving the control target.

This makes it possible to obtain a refrigerator capable of preventing operations such as the door of the refrigerator from opening even when a person inadvertently touches it before passing through the refrigerator.

1‧‧‧ refrigerator

1A‧‧‧Body

2‧‧‧ freezer

3‧‧‧ Vegetable Room

3M, 3N, 5M, 6M, 6N‧‧‧Storage Containers

4‧‧‧ ice making room

5‧‧‧small freezer

6‧‧‧ main freezer

7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

7A, 8A, 9A, 10A, 11A, 12A

15‧‧‧ bottom face

16‧‧‧ back

17‧‧‧ left face

18‧‧‧ Right Face

19‧‧‧ upper surface

20‧‧‧Operation area

21‧‧‧display area

22‧‧‧ Machine Room

23‧‧‧compressor

30‧‧‧Storage room blower

31‧‧‧Storage Room Cooler

32, 42‧‧‧ air supply duct

40‧‧‧Freezer blower

41‧‧‧Freezer Cooler

51, 52‧‧‧ Door opening device (control object)

71, 81‧‧‧ Contact operation detection department

72, 82‧‧‧ Non-contact operation detection department

73, 83‧‧‧ display agencies

100‧‧‧Control Department

200‧‧‧ operation panel

L1, L2‧‧‧ signal

P1, P2‧‧‧ Door opening control signal

Q1, Q2‧‧‧ non-contact operation detection signal

R1, R2‧‧‧ contact operation detection signal

ST1 ~ ST7‧‧‧‧steps

TA‧‧‧The first required time

TB‧‧‧The second stipulated time

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the entire refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing electrical elements arranged in the main body, the left door, and the right door shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control example of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart showing a control example of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart showing a control example of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a control example of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the form for implementing this invention (henceforth an embodiment) is demonstrated using drawing.

<First Embodiment>

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

The refrigerator 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a main body 1A. The main body 1A of the refrigerator 1 includes a left side surface portion 17, a right side surface portion 18, an upper surface portion 19, a bottom surface portion 15, and a rear surface portion 16. The main body 1A includes an outer box including an outer side plate and an inner box including an inner side plate. Since a heat insulating material is arranged between the outer box and the inner box, the main body 1A has heat insulating properties. A plurality of storage rooms are formed inside the body 1A.

As a storage compartment, a refrigerating compartment 2 and a vegetable compartment 3 are sequentially arranged from the top. An ice-making compartment 4 and a small freezing compartment 5 are arranged side by side below the vegetable compartment 3, and a main freezing compartment 6 is arranged at the lowermost part.

On the front surface of the refrigerator compartment 2, left and right doors 7 and 8 that open and close the front surface opening of the refrigerator compartment 2 are provided. The left and right doors 7 and 8 are halved doors, and the left end of the left door 7 is rotatably attached by a hinge (not shown). Similarly, the right end portion of the right door 8 is rotatably attached by a hinge (not shown).

On the front surfaces of the vegetable compartment 3, the ice-making compartment 4, the small freezing compartment 5, and the main freezing compartment 6, pull-out doors 9, 10, 11, and 12 which open and close the openings on the front surfaces are provided. The left and right doors 7, 8 and draw-out door 9, door 10, door 11, and door 12 are provided with a heat insulating material inside to provide heat insulation.

A front surface plate 7A, a front surface plate 8A, a front surface plate 9A, and a front surface (outer surfaces) of the left and right doors 7, the door 8, and the withdrawable door 9, the door 10, the door 11, and the door 12 are disposed. Surface plate 10A, front surface plate 11A, and front surface plate 12A. The front surface plate 7A, the front surface plate 8A, the front surface plate 9A, the front surface plate 10A, the front surface plate 11A, and the front surface plate 12A are preferably glass plates or transparent glass plates having translucency.

An operation panel 200 is provided on the left door 7 as an example. The operation panel 200 is disposed inside the front surface plate 7A, and includes, for example, an operation area 20 and a display area 21. The operation area 20 can be input with various operation functions of the refrigerator 1 by the user's finger contact, for example. The display area 21 displays various display items.

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

As shown in FIG. 2, a mechanical chamber 22 is provided on the back of the main freezing chamber 6 of the main body 1A, and a compressor 23 and the like are arranged in the mechanical chamber 22.

A storage room blower 30, a storage room cooler 31, and an air duct 32 are arranged on the rear side of the vegetable room 3 at the rear position of the main body 1A. Further, the freezing chamber blower 40, the freezing chamber cooler 41, and the air duct are arranged on the rear side of the ice-making compartment (storage compartment) 4, the small freezing compartment (storage compartment) 5, and the main freezing compartment 6 at the rear position of the body 1A. 42. The storage compartment cooler 31 and the freezer compartment cooler 41 are connected by the compressor 23 The supplied refrigerant is cooled.

In the vegetable room 3, the upper and lower storage containers 3M and 3N can be accommodated in and out. In the small freezer compartment 5, a storage container 5M can be stored in and out. In the main freezer 6, upper and lower storage containers 6M and 6N can be accommodated in and out.

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

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

A control unit 100 is disposed on the main body 1A shown in FIG. 3. The control unit 100 is electrically connected to the door opening device 51 and the door opening device 52.

The control unit 100 drives the door opening device 51 by outputting the door opening control signal P1 to the door opening device 51. When the door opening device 51 is driven, for example, the lever 7 protrudes and pushes the left door 7 to thereby open the door 7. Similarly, the control unit 100 drives the door opening device 52 by outputting a door opening control signal P2 to the door opening device 52. When the door opening device 52 is driven, for example, the lever 8 protrudes and pushes the door 8 on the right side, whereby the door 8 can be opened. The door opening device 51 and the door opening device 52 are examples of a control target controlled by the control unit 100 in the refrigerator 1.

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

The contact operation detection unit 71 and the contact operation detection unit 81 shown in FIG. 3 are touch switches that can be turned on by a user's finger contact, for example, and it is preferable to use a capacitance type sensor, but not It is particularly limited to this. When the contact operation detection section 71 detects the contact of the user's finger, the contact operation detection section 71 outputs a contact operation detection signal R1 to the control section 100. When the contact operation detection unit 81 detects the contact of the user's finger, the contact operation detection unit 81 outputs a contact operation detection signal R2 to the control unit 100.

The non-contact operation detection unit 72 and the non-contact operation detection unit 82 are proximity sensors that sense a user or the like approaching the refrigerator 1, and may also be referred to as human sensors. The non-contact operation detection unit 72 and the non-contact operation detection unit 82 are preferably a capacitive sensor, but are not particularly limited.

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

The display mechanism 73 and the display mechanism 83 are, for example, a light-emitting display unit that notifies the user of light using a light emitting diode (Light Emitting Diode, LED). The control unit 100 sends a signal L1 to the display unit 73, whereby the display unit 73 lights up and notifies the user. The control unit 100 sends a signal L2 to the display unit 83, and thereby the display unit 83 lights up to notify the user. As the operations of the display mechanism 73 and the display mechanism 83, for example, any of the "light-off" state, the "micro-light" state, and the "full-light" state can be selected by the signals L1 and L2 from the control unit 100. status.

Next, a control example of the refrigerator 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

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

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control example of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

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

When a person approaches, for example, the left door 7 of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1, the non-contact operation detection unit 72 detects the approach of the person, and the non-contact operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, and changes the position shown in FIG. 3. The non-contact operation detection signal Q1 shown is output to the control section 100 (step ST1).

Next, after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, the control unit 100 determines whether or not a human finger comes into contact with the contact operation detection unit 71 within a predetermined first predetermined time period TA to perform contact operation detection. The unit 71 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, and sends a contact operation detection signal R1 to The control unit 100 (step ST2).

In step ST2, after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state as described above, within a first predetermined time TA, a human finger contacts the contact operation detection unit 71 and contacts the operation detection unit 71. When changing from the non-detection state to the detection state, the control unit 100 determines that the contact of the person's finger with the contact operation detection unit 71 is an unintentional contact operation of the person (YES in step ST2). Therefore, it returns from step ST2 to step ST1. When the non-contact operation detection unit 72 detects the approach of the person again in step ST1, the non-contact operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state.

Thereby, the control part 100 judges the contact detection operation of the contact operation detection part 71 within the 1st predetermined time TA as "invalid", and does not drive the door opening device 51 of the refrigerator 1. Therefore, even if an unintentional person is brought into contact with the contact operation detection unit 71, the left door 7 can be prevented from being opened.

On the other hand, in step ST2, if the human finger does not come into contact with the contact operation detection unit 71 and the contact operation detection unit 71 does not change from the non-detection state to the detection state within the first predetermined time TA (step ST2) No), move to the next step, step ST3.

That is, when the control unit 100 determines that the human finger contacts the contact operation detection unit 71 after the first predetermined time TA has elapsed, and the contact operation detection unit 71 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state (step ST3), the process proceeds to step ST4.

In step ST4, the control unit 100 drives the door opening device 51, which is a control target, to open the left door 7.

In this way, after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, the control unit 100 determines that the contact operation detection unit 71 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state within the first predetermined time TA. The contact of a person without driving the door opening device 51 as a control object can prevent the door 7 from being opened accidentally. That is, the control unit 100 sets the contact detection of the contact operation detection unit 71 to the "invalid" state within the first predetermined time TA (a certain time) from the start of the non-contact detection, thereby preventing contact by an unintended person. The resulting door opening action.

In addition, the control unit 100 drives the non-contact operation detection unit 72 after the first predetermined time TA has elapsed after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state. The door opening device 51 as a control target can open the door 7. With this, the control unit 100 indicates that the contact operation detection unit 71 can change from the non-detection state to the detection state after the first predetermined time TA (a certain time) has elapsed after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 changed from the non-detection state to the detection state. The "active" state allows the door to open due to contact by an intended person.

The first predetermined time TA is set to, for example, 0.5 seconds to 2 seconds and 3 seconds. In the first embodiment described above, the opening operation of the left door 7 is described, and the opening operation of the right door 8 may be similarly performed.

<Second Embodiment>

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

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

When a person approaches, for example, the left door 7 of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1, the non-contact operation detection section 72 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 detects the approach of the person, and the non-contact operation detection section 72 changes from the non-detected state. In the detection state, the non-contact operation detection signal Q1 shown in FIG. 3 is output to the control unit 100 (step ST1).

After the non-contact operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, the control unit 100 determines whether or not a human finger contacts the contact operation detection unit 71 within the first predetermined time TA, thereby contacting the operation detection unit. 71 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, and sends a contact operation detection signal R1 to the control unit 100. The control up to steps ST1 and ST2 is the same as the control of the first embodiment.

When the non-contact operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state as described above, when the contact operation detection unit 71 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state within the first predetermined time TA (step ST2) , The control section 100 determines that the contact of the person's finger with the contact operation detection section 71 is an unintentional contact operation of the person (YES in step ST2). Therefore, it returns from step ST2 to step ST1. When the non-contact operation detection unit 72 detects the approach of the person again in step ST1, the non-contact operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state.

As a result, the control unit 100 determines that the contact detection operation of the contact operation detection unit 71 within the first predetermined time TA is in an “invalid” state, and does not drive the door opening device 51 of the refrigerator 1. Therefore, even if there is an unintentional human contact in the contact operation detection section 71, the left door 7 can be prevented from being opened.

On the other hand, in step ST2, within the first predetermined time TA, The contact operation detection unit 71 does not change from the non-detection state to the detection state, but controls when the contact operation detection unit 71 can be changed from the non-detection state to the detection state to "active" (No in step ST2). It is different from the control of the first embodiment.

In the case of NO in step ST2, within a predetermined second predetermined time TB (a long time exceeding the first predetermined time TA), the human finger does not contact the contact operation detection section 71, and the contact operation detection section 71 does not When the state has not been changed from the non-detected state to the detected state (NO in step ST5), the process returns to step ST1. Further, in step ST1, when the non-contact operation detection unit 72 detects the approach of the person again, the non-contact operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state. In step ST2, before the first predetermined time TA elapses Even if the contact operation detection section 71 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, the control section 100 does not drive the door opening device 51.

Thereby, after the contact operation detection unit 71 is changed from the non-detected state to the “enabled” state, the contact detection is turned to the “invalid” state again after the first predetermined time TA, thereby preventing human beings from Opening of door 7 caused by unintentional contact.

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

On the other hand, in step ST5, if the contact operation detection unit 71 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state within the second predetermined time TB (YES in step ST5), the control unit 100 drives the door opening device 51 to open the left side. Door 7 (step ST4).

In this way, after entering the "active" state indicating that the contact operation detection unit 71 can change from the non-detection state to the detection state, the contact operation detection unit 71 does not reach the second predetermined time TB longer than the predetermined first predetermined time TA. When the non-detection state is not changed to the detection state, after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state again, before the predetermined first predetermined time TA elapses, the contact operation detection unit 71 changes from the non-operation state. The detection state is changed to the detection state, and the control unit 100 does not drive the door opening device 51 as a control target. Thereby, a door opening operation of the door 7 caused by a person's unintentional contact with the contact operation detection portion 71 can be prevented.

In the second embodiment described above, the opening operation of the left door 7 has been described, and the opening operation of the right door 8 may be performed in the same manner.

<Third Embodiment>

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

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

The operations of steps ST1 and ST2 shown in FIG. 6 are the same as the operations of steps ST1 and ST2 shown in FIG. 4 of the second embodiment. That is, after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state in step ST1, the contact operation detection unit 71 is not changed from the non-detection state to the detection state before the first predetermined time TA in step ST2. In this case (NO in step 2), in this state, the state becomes the "active" state indicating that the contact operation detection unit 71 can be changed from the non-detection state to the detection state (step ST6).

In order to make the contact operation detection unit 71 The person (user) is notified of the “valid” state when the state is changed to the detection state, and the control unit 100 shown in FIG. 3 preferably causes the display mechanism 73 to “light up” (step ST6). Thereby, if a person comes into contact with the contact operation detection unit 71 with a finger, the person (user) can be notified of a state in which the contact operation detection unit 71 can be changed from a non-detection state to a detection state.

In this case, by making the display mechanism 73 "light up", it is possible to save power in the refrigerator compared to the case of "lighting up". Furthermore, if a person touches the contact operation detection section 71 with a finger, the control section 100 changes the "micro-lighting" display of the display mechanism 73 to a "full-lighting" display, and can more clearly show that the human finger has touched The contact operation detection section 71.

In the third embodiment, the "micro-lighting" notification operation of the display mechanism 73 on the left door 7 has been described, and the "micro-lighting" notification operation of the display mechanism 73 on the right door 8 may be used. Do the same.

Steps ST5 and ST4 subsequent to step ST6 in FIG. 6 are the same as steps ST5 and ST4 shown in FIG. 5 in the second embodiment.

<Fourth Embodiment>

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

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

The fourth embodiment is substantially the same as the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6, but the fourth embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that step ST7 is further added. The second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time TA in the fourth embodiment Before TB, when the human finger has not touched the contact operation detection unit 71, and the contact operation detection unit 71 has not changed from the non-detection state to the detection state (No in step ST5), the process shifts to a newly added step ST7, otherwise The other steps are the same as those of the third embodiment, so the description will be used.

In steps ST2 and ST6, after the touch operation detection unit 71 is in an "active" state indicating that the contact operation detection unit 71 can be changed from the non-detection state to the detection state, the human finger has not If the contact operation detection unit 71 is in contact with the contact operation detection unit 71 and the contact operation detection unit 71 is not changed from the non-detection state to the detection state (No in step ST5), the contact operation detection unit 71 is changed to indicate that the contact operation detection unit 71 cannot be changed from the non-detection state to The "invalid" state of the detection state change operation is notified to the person (user), and the control unit 100 shifts to step ST7 in which the display unit 73 changes from the "micro-lighting" state to the "light-off" state.

In order to notify the person (user) of the "invalid" state indicating that the contact operation detection unit 71 cannot perform a change operation from the non-detection state to the detection state (step ST7), the control unit 100 changes the display mechanism 73 from "micro-lighting" "Status changes to" light off "status.

This makes it possible to notify the person (user) of the "invalid" state in which the contact operation detection unit 71 cannot change from the non-detection state to the detection state even when a person contacts the contact operation detection unit 71 with a finger.

In the fourth embodiment described above, the notification operation of the “light out” of the display mechanism 73 of the door 7 on the left side is described, and the notification operation of the “light out” of the display mechanism 73 of the door 8 on the right side can be performed in the same manner.

A refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a non-contact operation detection unit 72 (82) that detects a person's approach in a non-contact manner, a contact operation detection unit 71 (81) that detects a person's contact, and detection by non-contact operation. The signal from the unit 72 (82) and the signal from the contact operation detection unit are the control unit 100 that determines whether to drive the control target.

After the non-contact operation detection unit 72 (82) changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, the control unit 100 changes the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) from the non-detection state within a predetermined predetermined time (first predetermined time TA). When the state is changed to the detection state, it is determined that the contact of an unintended person is not performed, and for example, the door opening device 51 (52), which is a control target, is not driven.

As a result, the control unit 100 determines that the contact detection by the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) within the first predetermined time TA is in an "invalid" state, and does not drive, for example, the door opening device 51 (52), which is a control target of the refrigerator 1, and therefore It is possible to prevent the control target from being caused by an unintentional contact, for example, to prevent the door 7 (8) from being opened.

After the non-contact operation detection unit 72 (82) changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, the control unit 100 changes the contact operation detection unit 71 (72) from the non-detection state to the detection after a predetermined first predetermined time TA has elapsed. In the state, the door opening device 51 (52) to be controlled is driven.

With this, the control unit 100 can indicate that the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) can change from the non-detection state after the first predetermined time TA has passed after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 (82) changes from the non-detection state to the detection state. The "active" state of the state is detected, whereby a door opening operation by an intentional person's contact can be performed.

The predetermined predetermined time is set to the first predetermined time TA, and after the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) is in an "active" state indicating that the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) can be changed from the non-detection state to the detection state, it is longer than the first predetermined time TA. If the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) does not change from the non-detection state to the detection state before the predetermined second predetermined time TB, the non-contact operation detection unit 72 (82) changes from the non-detection state to the detection state again. Before the first predetermined time TA elapses, even if the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, the control unit 100 does not drive the door opening device 51 (52) as a control target.

Thereby, after being in the "active" state indicating that the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) can be changed from the non-detection state to the detection state, the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) is displayed again after the first predetermined time TA. ) The "invalid" state that cannot be changed from the non-detected state to the detected state, thereby preventing the operation of, for example, the door opening device 51 (52) caused by unintentional contact of a person, thereby preventing the door 7 from being opened. Actions.

The present invention includes a display mechanism 73 (83) which, after the non-contact operation detection unit 72 (82) changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, before the first predetermined time TA, the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) If the state has not been changed from the non-detected state to the detected state, the notification becomes the "active" state indicating that the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) can change from the non-detected state to the detected state.

With this, the display mechanism 73 (83) can indicate that if a person touches the contact operation detection section 71 (81) with a finger, the contact operation detection section 71 (81) can be changed from a non-detection state to a detection state " Active "status notification (use By).

The present invention includes a display mechanism 73 (83). After the display mechanism 73 (83) is in an "active" state indicating that the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) can be changed from a non-detection state to a detection state, 2 If the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) does not change from the non-detection state to the detection state before the predetermined time TB, the notification indicates that the contact operation detection unit 71 (81) is unable to change from the non-detection state to the detection state. "Inactive" status of the status.

Thereby, the display mechanism 73 (83) can notify a person (user) of the "invalid" state which shows that the contact operation detection part 71 (81) cannot change from a non-detection state to a detection state.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope or gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the scope of patent application and its equivalent scope.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, as the display means, for example, a lighting display section may be used. The lighting display section uses an LED (light emitting diode) or the like to notify the user with light. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as the display means, a sound generating section may be used instead of the lighting display section, and the sound generating section may use a sound for notification or a notification sound for notification. Further, as the display means, a sound generating section may be provided in addition to the lighting display section.

One of the non-contact operation detection unit 72 and the non-contact operation detection unit 82 shown in FIG. 3 may be provided, thereby sharing the detection operation of human proximity. In this case, one non-contact operation detection unit may be provided at, for example, a position of a gap between the left and right doors 7, the door 8, and the pull-out door 9.

The structure of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and arbitrary structures may be employ | adopted. For example, although the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a left and right double door structure, the refrigerator compartment may also have a single-open type one-door structure. The arrangement structure of each storage compartment of the refrigerator can be arbitrarily selected.

The control target controlled by the control unit 100 is not limited to the door opening device 51 and the door opening device 52, and may be other constituent elements of the refrigerator.

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

Claims (4)

A refrigerator includes: a non-contact operation detection section that detects a person's approach non-contact; a contact operation detection section that detects a person's contact; and a control section that uses a signal from the non-contact operation detection section and the contact from the contact The signal of the operation detection unit determines whether to drive the control object. The control unit changes the non-contact operation detection unit from the non-detection state to the detection state within a predetermined time, and the contact operation detection unit starts from When the non-detection state is changed to the detection state, it is determined that the contact of the person is inadvertent without driving the control target, and the control unit changes the non-contact operation detection unit from the non-detection state to the desired state. After the detection state, after the predetermined predetermined time has passed, the contact operation detection unit changes the non-detection state to the detection state to drive the control object; wherein the predetermined The predetermined time of is set to the first predetermined time, and the time when the contact operation detection unit can change from the non-detection state to the detection state becomes After the state is "valid", if the contact operation detection unit does not change from the non-detection state to the detection state before a predetermined second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time, After the non-contact operation detection unit changes from the non-detection state to the detection state again, before the first predetermined time elapses, the contact operation detection unit changes from the non-detection state to the detection state. The control unit does not drive the control object. The refrigerator according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, further comprising a display mechanism that is displayed at the first predetermined time after the non-contact operation detection unit is changed from the non-detection state to the detection state. Previously, when the contact operation detection has not been changed from the non-detection state to the detection state, the notification becomes "valid", and the "valid" indicates that the contact operation detection section is in a state where the contact operation detection section is capable of changing from the non-detection A state where the state changes to the detection state. The refrigerator according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, further comprising a display mechanism, and the display mechanism becomes "effective" to indicate that the contact operation detection unit is in a state capable of changing from the non-detection state to the detection state. Then, if the contact operation detection unit does not change from the non-detection state to the detection state before the second predetermined time, the notification becomes "invalid", and "invalid" indicates the contact The operation detection unit is in a state where it cannot be changed from the non-detection state to the detection state. The refrigerator according to item 2 of the scope of patent application, wherein the display means becomes "valid" after indicating that the contact operation detection unit is in a state capable of changing from the non-detection state to the detection state, If the contact operation detection unit does not change from the non-detection state to the detection state before the second predetermined time, the notification becomes "invalid", and "invalid" indicates the contact operation detection The unit is in a state where it cannot be changed from the non-detected state to the detected state.