CN112747539A

CN112747539A - Refrigerator with a door

Info

Publication number: CN112747539A
Application number: CN202010644304.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 薮上裕也
Original assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Priority date: 2019-10-29
Filing date: 2020-07-07
Publication date: 2021-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-07
Also published as: JP7424793B2; CN112747539B; JP2021071210A

Abstract

The invention provides a refrigerator, which is reasonable and proper in configuration when a communication module is arranged on a refrigerator main body. The refrigerator according to the present embodiment includes: a control substrate for controlling each mechanism of the refrigerator; a storage section provided in a main body of the refrigerator and storing the control board; and a communication module disposed in the housing and performing wireless communication with the outside.

Description

Refrigerator with a door

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

Background

In recent years, a system has been proposed in which: a system in which a plurality of home appliances, computers, smartphones, and the like existing in a home are connected to an access site to construct a home network, and various home appliances are remotely operated by the smartphones owned by users. Even for a household refrigerator, the following proposals are made: in order to perform wireless communication with the outside, a communication module is provided, in which a communication board having an antenna unit is built (see, for example, patent document 1). In this case, the communication module is provided with: for example, there is no magnet or metal member on the upper surface of the top cover of the refrigerator main body.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2005-140345

Disclosure of Invention

However, in the case where the communication module is provided in the refrigerator, it is necessary to connect the communication module and a control board for controlling each mechanism of the refrigerator by a connection cable, but if the communication module is disposed at a position away from the control board, the connection cable becomes long, which raises a problem of cost increase. In addition, in the refrigerator, although the high-voltage power supply circuit is provided in a part of the control board, it is necessary to suppress: the noise generated by such a high-voltage portion adversely affects the communication module.

Therefore, a refrigerator is provided in which the configuration of the communication module when the communication module is mounted on the refrigerator main body is reasonably appropriate.

The refrigerator according to the present embodiment includes: a control substrate for controlling each mechanism of the refrigerator; a storage section provided in a main body of the refrigerator and storing the control board; and a communication module disposed in the housing and performing wireless communication with the outside.

According to the above configuration, the distance between the communication module and the control board is shortened, and when these are connected by a connection cable, the length of the wiring may be shortened. As a result, the cost for installing the communication module in the refrigerator main body can be reduced, and the following can be obtained: the excellent effect of reasonable arrangement can be exhibited in terms of cost.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a view showing embodiment 1, and is a longitudinal sectional side view schematically showing the entire configuration of a refrigerator.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional side view schematically showing the arrangement state of the control board and the communication module in the housing section.

Fig. 3 is a plan view schematically showing the arrangement state of the control board and the communication module in the housing section.

Fig. 4 is a plan view schematically showing a communication module.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a manner of communication connection.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing embodiment 2, and is a plan view schematically showing a state of arrangement of the control board and the communication module in the housing section.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing embodiment 3, and is a plan view schematically showing a state of arrangement of the control board and the communication module in the housing section.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing embodiment 4, and is a plan view schematically showing a state of arrangement of the control board and the communication module in the housing section.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing embodiment 5, and is a plan view schematically showing some examples of the arrangement state of the control board and the communication module in the housing section.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing embodiment 6, and is a plan view schematically showing some examples of the arrangement state of the control board and the communication module in the housing section.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing embodiment 7, and is a plan view schematically showing some examples of the arrangement state of the control board and the communication module in the housing section.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing embodiment 8, and is a plan view schematically showing some examples of the arrangement state of the control board and the communication module in the housing section.

Fig. 13 is a view showing the 9 th embodiment, and is a front view showing an upper portion of a refrigerator main body in a state where a refrigerating compartment door is opened.

Fig. 14 is a view showing the 10 th embodiment, and is a right side view showing an upper portion of a refrigerator main body.

Fig. 15 is a view showing embodiment 11, and is a right side view showing an upper portion of a refrigerator main body.

Fig. 16 is a view showing the 12 th embodiment, and is a front view showing an upper portion of a refrigerator main body.

Description of the reference numerals

1 … refrigerator main body; 2 … heat insulation box; 3 … a cold storage compartment; 4 … vegetable room; 9 … heat insulated door (door); 13 … cold and fresh room; 25. 51, 55 … control substrate; 36 … storage part; 38. 52, 56 … high voltage part; 39, 53, 57 … control circuit section; 41. 61, 71 … communication module; 42 … smart speaker; 43 … control IC; 44 … IC for communication; 45 … antenna for communication; 46. a 62 … connector; 47. 72 … operating keys; 48. 73 … indicating a light; 49. 63 … connection cable; 50 … external servers; 75 … hinge the cover.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, several embodiments applied to a household refrigerator will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals between the embodiments, and detailed description and new drawings are omitted for explanation.

(1) Embodiment 1

Embodiment 1 is explained with reference to fig. 1 to 5. Fig. 1 schematically shows the structure of a main body 1 of a refrigerator according to the present embodiment. The refrigerator main body 1 is constituted as follows: a plurality of storage chambers are provided in a vertically long rectangular box-shaped heat insulating box 2 having an open front surface. Specifically, a refrigerating chamber 3, a vegetable chamber 4, an ice-making chamber 5, and a freezing chamber 6 are provided in the heat-insulating box 2 in this order from the upper layer. Although not shown, in the heat insulation box 2, a portion where the ice making chamber 5 is provided is partitioned into left and right 2 chambers, the ice making chamber 5 is provided on the left side, and the 2 nd freezing chamber or the switching chamber is provided on the right side. Provided in the ice making chamber 5 are: an automatic ice making device 7 is well known.

The refrigerating chamber 3 and the vegetable chamber 4 are both in a refrigerating temperature range, for example, storage chambers of 3 to 5 ℃, and are partitioned into upper and lower portions by a partition wall 8 made of plastic. A hinge-openable heat-insulating door 9 is provided on the front surface of the refrigerating chamber 3, and a pull-out heat-insulating door 10 is provided on the front surface of the vegetable chamber 4. A storage container 11 is connected to the rear surface of the heat insulating door 10. The refrigerating chamber 3 is partitioned into a plurality of stages in the vertical direction by shelves 12 (only a part of which is shown), and a fresh air cooling chamber 13 is provided at the lowermost portion thereof, that is, at the upper portion of the partition wall 8. The fresh air cooling chamber 13 is set in a temperature zone of, for example, 0 to 2 ℃. A refrigerator interior lamp 14 is provided in a top cover portion inside the refrigerating chamber 3.

The ice making compartment 5, the freezing compartment 6, and the 2 nd freezing compartment are all in a freezing temperature range, for example, storage compartments at minus 18 ℃ or lower, and are partitioned vertically by a heat-insulating partition wall 15 between the vegetable compartment 4 and the ice making compartment 5 and the 2 nd freezing compartment. A drawer type heat insulating door 16 is provided on the front surface of the ice making chamber 5, and an ice storage container 17 is connected to the rear surface of the heat insulating door 16. The freezing chamber 6 is also provided at a front portion thereof with: a pull-out type heat insulation door 18 connected with a storage container 19.

In the refrigerator main body 1, although not shown in detail as a whole, a refrigeration cycle including 2 coolers is assembled, and the 2 coolers are: a refrigerator-room cooler 20 for cooling the refrigerator room 3 and the vegetable room 4, and a freezer-room cooler 21 for cooling the ice-making room 5 and the freezer room 6. A machine chamber 22 is provided on the rear side of the lower end portion of the refrigerator main body 1. Although not shown in detail, in the machine chamber 22, there are disposed: a compressor 23 and a condenser, etc. constituting the refrigeration cycle, and also provided with: a cooling fan or a defrosting water evaporating pan 24 for cooling them, and the like.

A freezer cooler chamber 26 is provided in a back wall portion of the freezer compartment 6 in the refrigerator main body 1. In the freezer cooler chamber 26, disposed are: the freezer cooler 21, the defrosting heater (not shown), and the like located at the lower position are provided with: and a freezing blower fan 27 located at an upper position. A cold air supply outlet 26a is provided at the middle portion of the front surface of the freezer cooler chamber 26, and a return outlet 26b is provided at the lower end portion.

Accordingly, when the freezing blower fan 27 is driven, the following cycle is performed: the cold air generated by the freezer cooler 21 is supplied from the cold air outlet 26a into the ice making compartment 5 and the freezer compartment 6, and then returned from the return port 26b into the freezer cooler compartment 26. Further, a lower portion of the freezer cooler 21 is provided with: the defrosting water received by the water receiving portion 28 is introduced into the defrosting water evaporating tray 24 in the machine chamber 22 and evaporated by the water receiving portion 28.

Further, the rear wall portion of the refrigerator main body 1 is arranged as follows: the refrigerator includes a cooler 20 for the refrigerating chamber, a delivery duct 29 for supplying cold air generated by the cooler 20 for the refrigerating chamber into the refrigerating chamber 3 and the vegetable chamber 4, and a blower fan 30 for circulating the cold air. That is, in the back wall portion of the refrigerator main body 1, there are provided: a cooler chamber 31 for the refrigerating chamber located at a position rearward of the fresh air chamber 13 in the lowermost layer of the refrigerating chamber 3, wherein: the cooler 20 for the refrigerating chamber.

The front wall 32 constituting the front wall of the cooler chamber 31 for the refrigerating chamber has heat insulation properties, and constitutes the rear wall of the fresh air cooling chamber 13. The front wall 32 has formed near an upper portion: an outlet 32a opened at an upper portion of the fresh air compartment 13 for supplying cold air into the fresh air compartment 13. The upper end portion of the cooler chamber 31 for the refrigerating chamber is connected to: a lower end portion of a delivery duct 29 provided to extend upward with a certain width from a back wall portion of the refrigerating compartment 3. The delivery duct 29 is provided with: and a plurality of discharge ports 29a opened in the refrigerating compartment 3.

Further, at the bottom in the cooler chamber for refrigerating chamber 31, there are provided: and a water receiving portion 33 located below the refrigerating compartment cooler 20 and receiving the defrosting water from the refrigerating compartment cooler 20. A blower fan 30 is disposed behind the vegetable compartment 4, and an air supply duct 34 and an air suction duct 35 are also provided. Wherein the supply duct 34 is arranged: the upper end of the air supply duct 34 is positioned on the rear side of the vegetable compartment 4, communicates with the lower end front side of the cooler compartment 31 for the refrigerating compartment by bypassing the water receiving portion 33, and extends in the vertical direction with the same width as the air supply duct 29.

The air blowing duct 34 is provided with: the bellmouth 34a located at the center in the left-right direction is provided with the blower fan 30 such that the blower blades are located in the bellmouth 34 a. In this case, the blower fan 30 is constituted by a propeller fan capable of rotating forward and backward, and is configured such that: the forward rotation causes air to be sucked from the front and discharged to the rear, and the reverse rotation causes air to be sucked from the rear and discharged to the front. As will be described later, the blower fan 30 is controlled by the control device 25.

When the air duct 34 is viewed from the side, the air duct 34 extends almost straight upward, and then the upper end is slightly bent to be continuous with the lower end front side of the cooler compartment 31 for the refrigerating compartment. A suction duct 35 is provided on the front side of the air supply duct 34 so as to be overlapped in two stages. The suction duct 35 is arranged: still, the air flow path extends from the top cover portion of vegetable compartment 4 to a position slightly below air blower fan 30 by the same width as that of delivery duct 29. In this case, the upper end of suction duct 35 communicates with the bottom of refrigerating compartment 3, in this case: a horizontally long suction port 37 is formed on the rear surface side of the bottom of the fresh air compartment 13. Further, an opening 35a is provided at the bottom of the suction duct 35. In addition, at a portion of partition wall 8 that divides refrigerating compartment 3 and vegetable compartment 4, there are provided: and a cold air supply duct 8a for guiding a part of cold air from cold storage compartment 3 into vegetable compartment 4.

Accordingly, when the blower fan 30 is driven to rotate, as shown by the hollow arrow in fig. 1, the air in the refrigerating chamber 3 is sucked into the suction duct 35 through the suction port 37, and the air in the vegetable chamber 4 is sucked into the suction duct 35 through the opening 35a and introduced into the refrigerating chamber cooler chamber 31 through the blower duct 34. Cold air is generated by the refrigerator compartment cooler 20, and is supplied from the outlet 32a into the fresh air compartment 13, and is supplied from the outlets 29a into the refrigerator compartment 3 through the outlet duct 29. The cycle of cooling the stored items by the cold air supplied into refrigerating room 3, sucking a part of the cooled items into suction duct 35 through suction port 37, supplying the remaining part of the cooled items into vegetable room 4 through cold air supply duct 8a, cooling the vegetables, and sucking the cooled items into suction duct 35 through opening 35a is repeated.

Also, the refrigerator main body 1 is provided with: a control board 25 including a control circuit unit mainly including a computer. As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the control board 25 is formed in a rectangular plate shape that is slightly long in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in the drawing) as a whole, and includes a high-voltage part 38 including a power supply circuit in a front half (left half in the drawing) of an upper surface thereof, and a control circuit part 39 as a low-voltage part in a rear half (right half in the drawing). In fig. 3, the high voltage portion 38 is shown hatched for the sake of easy observation. The control circuit unit 39 of the control board 25 controls the compressor 23, the freezing blower fan 27, the blower fan 30, the automatic ice making device 7, a damper, a defrosting heater, and the like, which are the aforementioned mechanisms, and executes a cooling operation and the like. As will be described in detail later, the control board 25 is provided with: for example, the housing portion 36 is provided in a portion of the upper wall of the heat insulating box 2 near the rear end.

As shown in fig. 1, the front surface of the heat insulation door 9 for the refrigerating compartment 3 is provided with: an operation panel 40 including a display portion. Although not described in detail, the user can set the temperature of each chamber, turn on or off the function such as quick freezing, or display a desired cooking recipe on the display unit by operating the operation panel 40. Although not shown, a plurality of temperature sensors are provided at each portion of the refrigerator main body 1. An operation signal of the operation panel 40 or a detection signal of each temperature sensor is input to the control circuit unit 39 of the control board 25, and the control circuit unit 39 controls the cooling operation, whereby the respective compartments of the refrigerating compartment 3, the fresh food compartment 13, the vegetable compartment 4, the ice compartment 5, and the freezing compartment 6 are maintained at: a target predetermined temperature zone.

In addition, the refrigerator main body 1 is provided with: a communication module 41 for performing wireless communication with the outside. According to the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 5, the communication module 41 has a communication function of communicating with the smart speaker 42, for example. In addition, the communication module 41 is connected to: can communicate with an external server 50 having voice capability. Although not shown, the external server 50 can communicate with the communication module 41 via an access station. Through the voice input of the user speaking, the smart speaker 42 can perform music playing, news reading, voice operation of home appliances, and the like. According to the present embodiment, the refrigerator main body 1 can be operated by voice input from the smart speaker 42. In this case, the structure is: the voice inputted from the smart speaker 42 is transmitted from the communication module 41 to the external server 50 once again, and after being manually informed by the external server 50, the voice is analyzed and converted into a control signal for comparison with the voice, and then the control signal is returned to the communication module 41.

As shown in fig. 4 and the like, the communication module 41 is configured to: a control IC43, a communication IC44 corresponding to Wi-Fi, a communication antenna 45, a plurality of connectors 46, and the like are mounted on a rectangular plate 41a that is slightly long in the front-rear direction (the left-right direction in the drawing). At this time, the communication IC44 and the communication antenna 45 are mounted on: for example, the rear side (a position close to the right side in the drawing) which is one short side of the plate 41 a. Further, at the rear end portion of the left side portion of the plate 41a, there are arranged: an operation button 47, and a display lamp 48 composed of an LED. The structure is as follows: by operating the operation key 47, the communication module 41 becomes a priority mode, wherein the priority mode is: it is determined that the contents of the input instruction from the smart speaker 42 are the mode of the instruction to the refrigerator main body 1. Further, the indicator lamp 48 is turned on in the priority mode.

Here, the communication module 41 configured as described above is provided with: and a storage section 36 for storing the control board 25. More specifically, according to the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, the control board 25 is placed on the bottom of the housing 36, but the communication module 41 is provided with: is superposed on the control board 25. At this time, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, the high voltage part 38 is provided in substantially the front half (left side in the drawing) of the control board 25, and the communication module 41 is disposed in: and a position overlapping with an upper portion of the control circuit section 39 at a position distant from the high voltage section 38, that is, at a position close to the rear (right side in the figure).

The orientation of the communication module 41 when installed in the housing 36 is: the side portion of the communication module 41 close to the communication IC44 faces a mounting position in a direction different from the high-voltage portion 38 side of the control board 25. That is, the side having the communication IC44 among the four sides of the board 41a of the communication module 41 is configured to: towards the rear (right in the figure). At this time, the edge of the communication module 41 close to the communication antenna 45 is: still in a mounting position in a direction different from the high voltage portion 38 side of the control substrate 25, i.e., the right side in the drawing.

Although not shown in detail, the control circuit unit 39 of the control board 25 and the connector 46 of the communication module 41 are connected to each other by a connection cable 49 (see fig. 5). Accordingly, as shown in fig. 5, the input instruction signal from the smart speaker 42 is input to the communication module 41 by wireless communication, converted into an operation signal by the communication module 41 and the voice recognition function of the external server 50, and input to the control circuit unit 39 of the control board 25. Accordingly, the control circuit unit 39 controls the mechanism of the refrigerator main body 1 based on the operation signal, and realizes the input instruction by the user. In this case, the smart speaker 42 is connected not only to the refrigerator but also to other various home appliances such as a washing machine, a microwave oven, an air conditioner, a robot cleaner, a television, an audio device, and the like, and can implement the in-home IoT.

Next, the operation and effect of the refrigerator of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described. In the present embodiment, the configuration is such that: the communication module 41 for performing wireless communication with the outside is provided, and the communication module 41 is provided in the housing 36 that houses the control board 25. Accordingly, the distance between the communication module 41 and the control board 25 is shortened, and when these are connected by the connection cable 49, the length of the wiring may be shortened.

As a result, according to the present embodiment, the cost for installing the communication module 41 in the refrigerator main body 1 can be suppressed, and it is possible to obtain: the excellent effect of reasonable arrangement can be exhibited in terms of cost. In addition, according to the present embodiment, the control board 25 is configured to: since the high-voltage unit 38 including the power supply circuit is provided in addition to the control circuit unit 39, electrical components can be arranged reasonably at 1 in comparison with the case where the high-voltage unit 38 and the control circuit unit 39 are provided on the respective substrates.

Here, when the high-voltage part 38 is provided in a part of the control board 25, noise generated by the high-voltage part 38 may adversely affect the communication module 41, and it is necessary to suppress the influence of such noise. According to the present embodiment, the configuration is such that: the communication module 41 is disposed at a position distant from the high-voltage opening portion 38 so as to overlap the control board 25. Accordingly, the communication module 41 is disposed at a position where noise generated by the high-voltage portion 38 is hard to reach, and therefore, adverse effects due to noise can be suppressed. By disposing the communication module 41 so as to overlap the control board 25, the space in the planar direction of the housing section 36 may be relatively small.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the communication module 41 is configured to: the side closest to the mounted communication IC44 faces a direction different from the high voltage part 38 side of the control board 25, and in this case, faces the opposite side, that is, the rear side. The communication antenna 45 mounted to the communication module 41 is also configured to: the nearest side portion in the vicinity of the communication IC44 faces rearward, which is the side opposite to the high-voltage portion 38 side of the control board 25. Accordingly, the noise of the high-voltage portion 38 hardly reaches the communication IC44 and the communication antenna 45, and an effect of an adverse effect due to the noise can be suppressed, thereby obtaining a high-quality configuration. According to the present embodiment, since the communication module 41 has a communication function for communicating with the smart speaker 42, the user can remotely operate the refrigerator main body 1 by inputting a voice, and convenience can be improved.

(2) Embodiments 2 to 4

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing embodiment 2. The embodiment 2 is different from the embodiment 1 in that: the arrangement between the control board 51 and the communication module 41 in the housing 36 is controlled. That is, the control substrate 51 is formed such that: a rectangular shape slightly elongated in the front-rear direction has a high-voltage portion 52 (hatched for easy observation) including a power supply circuit in the left half (the top half in the figure) and a control circuit portion 53 as a low-voltage portion in the right half (the bottom half in the figure). Further, although the communication module 41 is configured to: the communication module 41 is disposed above the control board 51, but here: and a position where the control circuit portion 53 overlaps with an upper portion of the control circuit portion 53 located on a right side (lower side in the figure) away from the high voltage portion 52 and a part thereof protrudes.

Also in embodiment 2, similarly to embodiment 1, the configuration is such that: since the communication module 41 is provided in the housing section 36 that houses the control board 51, the length of the wiring can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the arrangement can be made reasonable and appropriate. Further, since the communication module 41 is disposed at a position away from the high voltage opening portion 52 so as to overlap the control board 51, it is possible to suppress an adverse effect on the communication module 41 due to noise.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing embodiment 3, and differs from embodiment 1 and the like in that: the arrangement relationship between the communication module 41 and the control board 55 in the housing 36. That is, the control board 55 is formed in a rectangular shape slightly long in the front-rear direction, and has: the high-voltage unit 56 (hatched for easy observation) includes a power supply circuit, and a control circuit 57 as a low-voltage unit. In this case, the high voltage part 56 is provided in front of the control board 55, and the rear left half of the high voltage part 56 is provided in a form of being convex toward the rear. Therefore, the control circuit portion 57 is provided in the front portion of the control board 55, and the right half portion of the front portion of the control circuit portion 57 is provided in a convex shape toward the front. The communication module 41 is disposed above the control board 55 so as to overlap, but is still disposed: and a position where the upper portion of the circuit forming portion 57 is overlapped with a position far from the high voltage portion 56, that is, a position close to the right (lower side in the figure), and a part of the upper portion is extended.

Also in embodiment 3, similarly to embodiment 1, the configuration is such that: since the communication module 41 is provided in the housing section 36 that houses the control board 55, the length of the wiring can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the arrangement can be made reasonable and appropriate. Further, since the communication module 41 is disposed at a position away from the high voltage part 56 so as to overlap the control board 55, it is possible to suppress an adverse effect on the communication module 41 due to noise.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing embodiment 4. The 4 th embodiment is different from the 1 st embodiment in that: and a communication module 61 disposed in the housing section 36 so as to overlap the control board 25. Although not shown in detail, the communication module 61 is configured to: the rectangular plate 61a is provided with a control IC, a communication IC corresponding to Wi-Fi, a communication antenna, a plurality of connectors 62 (only 1 shown), operation keys, a display lamp, and the like. At this time, the connector 62 for connection with the external control board 25 is mounted on: the rear edge portion of the plate 61a is located close to the right edge portion in the figure.

In the housing section 36, the communication module 61 having the above configuration is disposed: and a position overlapping with an upper portion of the control circuit section 39 located at a position distant from the high voltage section 38, i.e., located at a position closer to the rear. The control circuit unit 39 of the control board 25 and the connector 62 of the communication module 61 are connected by the connection cable 63, but they are configured as follows: the leading-out direction of the connection cable 63 in the communication module 61 is a direction different from the high-voltage part 38 side of the control board 25, that is, a rear direction.

In embodiment 4, as in embodiment 1, the following configuration is adopted: since the communication module 61 is provided in the housing section 36 that houses the control board 25, the length of the wiring can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the arrangement can be made reasonable and appropriate. Further, since the communication module 61 is disposed at a position away from the high voltage part 38 so as to overlap the control board 25, it is possible to suppress an adverse effect on the communication module 61 due to noise. Further, according to the present embodiment, the configuration is such that: since the leading direction of the connection cable 63 is in a positional relationship in a direction different from the high-voltage portion 38 side, it is possible to suppress noise from acting on the connection cable 63, and to obtain a high-quality configuration by suppressing an effect of adverse influence due to noise.

(3) Embodiments 5 to 8

Next, referring to fig. 9 to 12, embodiments 5 to 8 will be described in order. Although not shown in detail, according to the embodiments 5 to 8, the communication module is disposed in the housing portion 36 that houses the control board 25, but the communication module is disposed in a planar arrangement adjacent to the control board 25. The following embodiments 5 to 8 are specific examples of various arrangements in such a case. In fig. 9 to 12, 1 drawing shows a plurality of arrangement examples, in which a reasonably appropriate arrangement is marked with "o" and a less reasonably appropriate arrangement is marked with "x".

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing embodiment 5. According to embodiment 5, the communication modules 41 are arranged in a planar arrangement: and a position adjacent to a portion other than the high voltage portion 38 among the side portions of the control substrate 25. That is, the control board 25 is formed in a rectangular shape slightly longer in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in the drawing) as a whole, and has a high-voltage portion 38 (hatched for easy observation) in the front half portion of the upper surface thereof and a control circuit portion 39 in the rear half portion.

In contrast, the communication module 41 is disposed: a position apart from the high voltage portion 38 in the periphery of the side portion of the control substrate 25 is any one of the following positions: the left side portion of the control circuit unit 39 (the position shown in fig. a), the rear side portion of the control circuit unit 39 (the position shown in fig. B), or the right side portion of the control circuit unit 39 (the position shown in fig. C). In terms of noise, it is not desirable that the communication module 41 is disposed in: the position close to the high voltage part 38 is the front side part of the control board 25 (the position shown in fig. D).

According to embodiment 5, the communication module 41 is provided in the housing portion 36 for housing the control board 25, so that the length of the connection cable 49 can be short, and an effect of reasonable and appropriate arrangement can be obtained in terms of cost. Further, since the communication module 41 is disposed at a position apart from the high-voltage portion 38 among the side portions of the control board 25, it is less likely to be affected by noise generated by the high-voltage portion 38. The following advantages can also be obtained: the space of the housing portion 36 in the thickness direction of the control board 25 can be reduced, that is, the housing portion 36 can be made thin.

Fig. 10 is a view showing embodiment 6. In embodiment 6 as well, the communication modules 41 are arranged in a planar arrangement: the storage section 36 is located adjacent to any one side of the control board 25. In this case, the communication module 41 is configured to: the communication IC44 is mounted on one short side of the board 41a, but the communication module 41 includes: the side portion close to the communication IC44 is a mounting position where one short side portion faces a direction different from the control board 25, that is, a mounting position not facing the control board 25.

As a specific example, as shown in fig. E, the communication module 41 can be provided such that the short side portion close to the communication IC44 faces rightward: and a position adjacent to the central portion of the right side of the control board 25. Alternatively, as shown in fig. F, the communication module 41 may be provided such that the short side portion close to the communication IC44 faces forward: and a position adjacent to the front portion of the right side portion of the control board 25. Alternatively, as shown in fig. G, the communication module 41 may be provided such that the short side portion close to the communication IC44 faces rearward: and a position adjacent to a rear portion of the right side portion of the control substrate 25. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of noise, it is not desirable that the communication module 41 is provided with: the side close to the communication IC44 is not provided at a position adjacent to the rear side of the control board 25 so that the short side close to the communication IC44 faces forward, as shown in fig. H, for example, in the direction toward the control board 25.

According to embodiment 6, as in embodiment 5, the communication module 41 is provided in the housing portion 36 in which the control board 25 is housed, so that the length of the connection cable 49 can be short, and an effect of arranging the connection cable reasonably and appropriately can be obtained in terms of cost. In addition, the advantage of thinning the housing portion 36 can also be obtained. Moreover, because the following are: since the side portion of the communication module 41 close to the communication IC44 is in a positional relationship in a direction different from that of the control board 25, the communication IC44 is far from the high-voltage portion 38, and thus has an excellent effect of suppressing adverse effects due to noise.

Fig. 11 is a view showing embodiment 7. According to embodiment 6 described above, regardless of the position of the high-voltage portion 38 of the control board 25, the configuration is such that: the side of the communication module 41 close to the communication IC44 faces in a direction different from the control board 25. In contrast, in embodiment 7, as long as the side portion of the communication module 41 close to the communication IC44 faces a direction different from the side of the high-voltage portion 38 (hatched for the sake of easy observation) in the control board 25, that is, not the side of the high-voltage portion 38, the communication module is in an allowable mounting position.

Specifically, as illustrated in fig. I, the communication module 41 may be provided such that the short side portion close to the communication IC44 faces leftward, that is, the control circuit unit 39: and a position adjacent to the control circuit unit 39 in the right side portion of the control board 25. On the other hand, as illustrated in fig. (J), the communication module 41 is provided so that the short side portion close to the communication IC44 faces leftward, that is, the high-voltage portion 38: such an arrangement configuration is not suitable for noise because it is located adjacent to the high-voltage portion 38 in the right side portion of the control board 25.

According to embodiment 7, as in embodiment 6, the communication module 41 is provided in the housing portion 36 in which the control board 25 is housed, whereby an effect that the arrangement is reasonably appropriate in terms of cost can be obtained. In addition, the housing portion 36 can be made thin. Moreover, because the following are: since the side portion of the communication module 41 close to the communication IC44 is in a positional relationship in a direction different from the direction of the high-voltage portion 38 of the control board 25, it is possible to suppress an adverse effect of noise from the high-voltage portion 38 on the communication IC 44.

In addition, according to the above-described

embodiments

6 and 7, the "side portion close to the communication IC 44" of the communication module 41 is configured to face a direction different from the control board 25 or the high voltage portion 38 side, but it may be implemented as the "side portion close to the communication antenna 45". Even in this case, it is possible to suppress an adverse effect of noise on the communication antenna 45 of the communication module 41.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing embodiment 8. In embodiment 8, the communication modules 61 are also arranged in a planar array: the position adjacent to any one side portion of the control board 25 in the housing portion 36 is, in this case: a position adjacent to the right side. In this case, in the communication module 61, the connector 62 for connection with the control board 25 is attached to the board 61a at a position along one side, and the connection cable 63 is led out from the connector 62 toward the one side. The structure is as follows: the leading direction of the connection cable 63 is different from the high-voltage portion 38 side (hatched for easy observation) of the control board 25.

Specifically, as illustrated in (K) in the figure, the communication module 61 can be configured to: the leading direction of the connection cable 63 is the rear direction (right direction in the figure). Alternatively, as illustrated in (L) in the figure, the communication module 61 can be configured to: the lead-out direction of the connection cable 63 is the left direction (upward direction in the drawing). Alternatively, as illustrated in (M) in the figure, the communication module 61 can be configured to: the lead-out direction of the connection cable 63 is the right direction (downward direction in the drawing). On the other hand, as illustrated in (N) in the figure, the communication module 61 can be configured to: the arrangement in which the connection cable 63 is led out in the front direction (left direction in the drawing) which is the high voltage part 38 side of the control board 25 is not appropriate in terms of noise, and therefore, this arrangement is not adopted.

In such an 8 th embodiment, by still providing the communication module 61 in the housing portion 36 in which the control board 25 is housed, it is possible to obtain an effect that the arrangement exhibits reasonable adequacy in terms of cost. In addition, the housing portion 36 can be made thin. Moreover, because the following are: since the leading-out direction of the connection cable 63 of the communication module 61 is a positional relationship in a direction different from the high-voltage portion 38 side of the control board 25, it is possible to obtain: the communication module 61 is excellent in the effect of suppressing the adverse effect of noise.

(4) 9 th to 12 th embodiments and other embodiments

Fig. 13 is a view showing embodiment 9, showing, from the front: the door 9 of the refrigerating chamber 6 of the refrigerator main body 1 is in an open state. Although not shown in detail, according to the 9 th embodiment, for example, at a portion near the front portion of the upper wall portion of the heat-insulating box 2, there are provided: the communication module 71 is disposed in a housing section for the control board. The communication module 71 still has a communication function for communicating with the smart speaker 42, and although not shown in detail, is configured to: a control IC having voice capability, a communication IC corresponding to Wi-Fi, a communication antenna, a plurality of connectors, operation keys 72, a display lamp 73 made of an LED, and the like are mounted on the rectangular plate.

Here, the configuration is: by operating the operation key 72, the communication module 71 becomes a priority mode, wherein the priority mode is: it is determined that the input instruction content from the smart speaker 42 is the mode of the instruction for the refrigerator main body 1, and the indicator lamp 73 is turned on in the priority mode. According to the present embodiment, the operation keys 72 and the display lamp 73 are provided on the front surface side of the communication module 71 in a left-right arrangement, and the operation keys 72 and the display lamp 73 are provided so as to be operable by the user: the front surface of the refrigerator main body 1, at this time, is a position facing the upper front surface of the refrigerating chamber 3.

According to the 9 th embodiment as well, the arrangement of the communication module 71 can be made reasonably appropriate as in the 1 st embodiment. In addition, by providing the communication module 71 with the operation key 72 for setting the priority mode, convenience can be improved when a plurality of home appliances are connected to a network or the like. Further, the operation keys 72 and the display lamp 73 of the communication module 71 can be provided at: a position that is easy for the user to manipulate and easy to see.

Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an embodiment 10, and is different from the embodiment 9 in that: a communication module 71, and the like. Here, the refrigerator main body 1 is provided at an upper end portion thereof with: a right upper hinge section (not shown) which is located at the right end portion on the front side and can support the door 9 in an openable and closable manner, and which is covered with a hinge cover 75. In this case, the hinge cover 75 is formed to be large in the thickness direction and the rear, and a housing portion is formed to house the control board therein.

Further, although the communication module 71 is disposed in the housing portion, the communication module 71 is provided with: the operation buttons 72 and the display lamp 73 are located on the right side, and the operation buttons 72 and the display lamp 73 are disposed on the right side surface portion of the hinge cover 75 so as to face the side surface of the refrigerator main body 1 and to be operable by the user. In the 10 th embodiment as described above, the operation keys 72 and the indicator lamp 73 of the communication module 71 can be provided in: a position that is easy for a user to manipulate and easily see can be obtained, and the same effects as those of embodiment 9 can be obtained.

Fig. 15 is a view showing embodiment 11. According to the 11 th embodiment, the communication module 71 and the like are provided in: and a heat insulation door 9 for opening and closing the refrigerating chamber 3 of the refrigerator main body 1. That is, the operation panel 40 is provided on the right side heat shield door 9, and although not shown, the storage portion in which the control board is stored is provided on the right side heat shield door 9. Further, the storage unit includes: and a communication module 71 located near the lower right portion of the insulated door 9.

The communication module 71 is configured to: the operation button 72 and the display lamp 73 are located on the right side, and the operation button 72 and the display lamp 73 are disposed on the lower right side portion of the heat insulating door 9 and are provided to be operable by a user. In such embodiment 11, the operation keys 72 and the indicator lamp 73 of the communication module 71 can be provided in: the same effects as those of the above-described

embodiments

9 and 10 can be obtained by a position that is easy for a user to manipulate and easily see.

Fig. 16 is a view showing embodiment 12. According to embodiment 12, as in embodiment 11, the operation panel 40 is provided on the right side heat insulating door 9 of the refrigerator main body 1, and a storage section in which the control board is stored is provided on the right side heat insulating door 9, although not shown. Further, the storage unit includes: a communication module 71 located at the lower right portion of the insulated door 9. The communication module 71 is configured to: the operation button 72 and the display lamp 73 are arranged side by side at the right end portion of the lower side portion of the heat insulating door 9, and can be operated by a user. In such embodiment 12, the operation keys 72 and the indicator lamp 73 of the communication module 71 can be provided in: the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments 9 to 11 can be obtained by a position or the like which is easy to manipulate and easy to see for the user.

In addition, according to the above embodiments, although a module having a communication function for communicating with the smart speaker is used as the communication module, the communication module may be a module capable of communicating with a mobile terminal such as a home-use access point, a router, or a smartphone. Various modifications are possible as the arrangement position for arranging the operation keys or the display lamps. According to the above embodiments, the refrigerator is provided with two coolers, i.e., the refrigerating room cooler 20 and the freezing room cooler 21, but the present invention can be applied to: a refrigerator of the type in which 1 cooler is provided in a refrigerator main body and a flow of cold air to each compartment is controlled by an air conditioner or the like. For example, as the configuration (arrangement) of each chamber in the refrigerator main body, the vegetable chamber may be provided at the lowermost layer or the like, and various modifications may be made with respect to the position where the cooler or the like is provided, the piping configuration, and the like.

The above embodiments are merely presented as examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments may be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The present embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the present invention, and are included in the inventions described in the scope of claims and their equivalent scope.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, wherein a refrigerator door is provided,

the refrigerator is provided with:

a control substrate for controlling each mechanism of the refrigerator;

a storage section provided in a main body of the refrigerator and storing the control board; and

and a communication module which is arranged in the accommodating part and performs wireless communication with the outside.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

the control substrate is configured to: has a high voltage section including a power supply circuit.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2,

the communication module is disposed at a position distant from the high-voltage unit so as to overlap the control board.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 2 or 3,

the communication module is configured to have a communication IC mounted thereon, and the communication module is configured to: and a mounting position at which a side portion of the communication module, which is close to the communication IC, faces in a direction different from the high-voltage portion of the control board.

5. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 4,

the communication module is configured to be mounted with a communication antenna, and the communication module is configured to: and a mounting position at which an edge portion of the communication module, which is close to the communication antenna, faces in a direction different from that of the high-voltage portion of the control board.

6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 5,

the communication module and the control board are connected by a connection cable, and the communication module is configured to: the direction of the connection cable in the communication module is different from the direction of the high-voltage portion of the control board.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 2,

the communication modules are arranged in a planar arrangement: and a position adjacent to a portion other than the high-voltage portion among the side portions of the control substrate.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 7,

the communication module is configured to have a communication IC mounted thereon, and the communication module is configured to: and a mounting position at which a side portion of the communication module, which is close to the communication IC, faces in a direction different from the control board.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 7 or 8,

the communication module is configured to be mounted with a communication antenna, and the communication module is configured to: and a mounting position at which an edge portion of the communication module, which is close to the communication antenna, faces in a direction different from the control board.

10. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 7 to 9,

11. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 10,

the communication module has a communication function for communicating with the intelligent loudspeaker.

12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein,

the communication module has: an operation key and a display lamp are arranged on the display panel,

by operating the operation key, the communication module becomes a priority mode, wherein the priority mode is: and a mode for judging that the input instruction content from the intelligent loudspeaker is the instruction for the refrigerator.

13. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein,

the operation keys and the display lamp of the communication module are arranged as follows: a position facing the front opening of the main body of the refrigerator.

14. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein,

the operation keys and the display lamp of the communication module are arranged as follows: a side of a main body of the refrigerator.

15. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein,

the operation keys and the display lamp of the communication module are arranged as follows: a door for opening and closing the front opening of the main body of the refrigerator.