JP7228423B2 - storage box - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to storage box technology, and more particularly to a storage box equipped with a sensor.

Refrigerators equipped with various sensors have been conventionally known. For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-323858 (Patent Document 1) discloses a home electric appliance with an information display device and a device for moving the information display device. According to Patent Document 1, a user stands in front of the door of the refrigerator body. Let L1 be the distance from the camera to the user, and θ be the shooting angle of the camera. This shooting angle is the angle at which the center of the user's eyes is positioned at the center of the image captured by the camera. The user's eye height H is calculated from L1 and θ. Considering that H is located vertically downward from the camera by L2, it can be obtained by calculating L2 as "L2=L1 cos θ". By calculating the difference between H and the height of the center of the image display device in the vertical direction on the image display device installation member at that time, the moving distance of the image display device is calculated.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-323858

In Patent Literature 1, the camera is arranged to protrude forward from the refrigerator, which increases the outer dimensions of the refrigerator. In addition, since the camera protrudes directly above the user, there is a possibility that the user may feel oppressed or uncomfortable. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage box capable of detecting a user in front of the storage box while suppressing the outer size of the storage box.

According to one aspect of the invention, a storage box is provided. The storage box includes a door attached to the front of the storage box and a sensor attached above the door. The sensor is arranged with its front end behind the front end of the door.

As described above, according to the present invention, a storage box is provided that can detect a user in front of the storage box while suppressing the outer size of the storage box.

1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator 100 according to a first embodiment; FIG. It is a side view of refrigerator 100 concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a front perspective view of the vicinity of a human sensor 151 according to the first embodiment. It is a top perspective view of the vicinity of a human sensor 151 according to the first embodiment. It is a side cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a human sensor 151 according to the first embodiment. 4 is an image diagram of the vicinity of a human sensor 151 according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the vicinity of a sensor unit 150 according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the vicinity of a sensor unit 150 according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the vicinity of a sensor unit 150 according to the first embodiment; FIG. Fig. 4 is an upper perspective view of the lower hinge cover 133 according to the first embodiment; Fig. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the lower hinge cover 133 according to the first embodiment; 3 is a bottom perspective view of the sensor unit 150 according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the sensor unit 150 with transmission covers 154 and 155 attached according to the first embodiment; It is a front perspective view of the vicinity of a human sensor 151 according to the second embodiment. It is a top perspective view of the vicinity of a human sensor 151 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a human sensor 151 according to a fifth embodiment;

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with respect to a refrigerator 100 as an example of a storage box. In the following description, the same parts are given the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.
<First embodiment>

Referring to FIG. 1, the outside of refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment is composed of housing 110 with high heat insulating performance and doors 121, 122, 123, 124, and 125. As shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the front of refrigerator 100 is composed of first front door 121, second front door 122, third front door 123, fourth front door 124, and fourth front door 124 in order from the top. 5 of the front door 125 .

A main refrigerator compartment is provided inside the first front door 121 . An ice storage compartment is provided inside the second front door 122 . A freezer compartment is provided inside the third front door 123 . A vegetable compartment is provided inside the fourth front door 124 . A main freezer compartment is provided inside the fifth front door 125 .

In this embodiment, the first front door 121 is configured so that it can be opened from both left and right directions. Further, in the present embodiment, no operation panel is provided on the surface of the first front door 121 . For example, the operation panel is provided on the inner surface of housing 110 inside the main refrigerating compartment.

Further, in the present embodiment, a human sensor 151 , which is an example of a sensor, is attached above the first front door 121 . As shown in FIG. 2 , human sensor 151 detects the presence of a user in front of refrigerator 100 . The motion sensor 151 may be a ranging sensor, an infrared sensor, an image sensor, or the like, and is not particularly limited. At 100, a type of occupancy sensor that uses light to detect the presence of a user can be used. Further, the sensor is not limited to the motion sensor, and various sensors for detecting information in front of the refrigerator 100 may be used. Examples include cameras and temperature sensors.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, in the refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment, the motion sensor 151 is mounted behind the front end of the first front door 121, that is, behind the surface of the first front door 121. . That is, the human sensor 151 is configured so as not to protrude forward beyond the front end of the first front door 121 . As a result, the length in the front-rear direction of the outer dimensions of refrigerator 100, that is, the depth, can be reduced.

As described above, the first front door 121 can be opened from either the left or the right. More specifically, the left end of the first front door 121 is rotatable via a hinge 131 to the left end of the front end of the housing 101, and the right end is via a hinge 132. , is configured to be rotatable at the right end of the front end of the housing 101 .

Both the hinge 131 and the hinge 132 are covered with upper and lower hinge covers 133,134. Upper hinge cover 134 may be the top cover of refrigerator 100 .

In this embodiment, the upper and lower hinge covers 133, 134 are fixed to each other in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, both lower hinge cover 133 and upper hinge cover 134 extend from the left end of housing 110 to the right end. That is, the left hinge 131 and the right hinge 132 are sandwiched between one lower hinge cover 133 and one upper hinge cover 134 .

It is preferable that not only the human sensor 151 but also the front ends of the upper and lower hinge covers 133 and 134 are configured so as not to protrude further forward than the front end of the first front door 121 .

In this embodiment, the human sensor 151 is arranged between the upper and lower hinge covers 133 and 134 . It is preferable that the human sensor 151 is arranged substantially in the center of the housing 110 in the left-right direction.

In the present embodiment, a concave portion 133X, in other words, a notch portion is formed in the substantially central portion of the lower hinge cover 133 in the left-right direction. The human sensor 151 is arranged and fixed on the upper surface of the recess 133X of the lower hinge cover 133 . In other words, the human sensor 151 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the hinge covers 133 and 134 above the recess 133X.

As will be described later, a hole 133Y is formed in the lower hinge cover 133 on the optical path from the human sensor 151 . A plate made of resin or glass through which light from the human sensor 151 is easily transmitted is preferably attached to the hole 133Y.

Thus, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. A gap is generated between the upper surface of the door 121 and the door 121 . By utilizing the gap, even if infrared rays or visible light from the human sensor 151 is irradiated obliquely downward, the infrared rays or visible light is not obstructed by the upper surface of the first front door 121. , it becomes easier to reach the area where the user may exist, and the reflected light can easily reach the human sensor 151 without being obstructed by the upper surface of the first front door 121 .

More specifically, in this embodiment, a sensor unit 150 having a human sensor 151 is attached to the upper surface of the recess 133X of the lower hinge cover 133, as shown in FIGS. 7, 10, and 11, the recess 133X of the lower hinge cover 133 has a hole 133A for the human sensor 151, a hole 133B for the microphone, and a hole 133C for the LED light. It is formed.

As shown in FIG. 12, the sensor unit 150 is equipped not only with the human sensor 151 described above, but also with a microphone 152 for acquiring various sounds, an LED light 153 for displaying various states, and the like. . In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, in order to reduce the possibility of moisture, dust, etc. entering the inside of lower hinge cover 133 through holes 133A, 133B, and 133C, a Transmission covers 154 and 155 that transmit light are attached below the LED light 153, that is, in the hole 133A for the human sensor 151 and the hole 133C for the LED light.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in this embodiment, the lower hinge cover 133 is formed with a groove 133L so that even if water enters from the holes 133A, 133B, and 133C, , the water is guided to the outside of the lower hinge cover 133 by flowing through the groove 133L.
<Second Embodiment>

In the above-described embodiment, the recess 133X recessed upward is formed at the position of the human sensor 151 in the lower hinge cover 133. As shown in FIG. However, it is not limited to such a configuration. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a recess 122X recessed downward is formed in the upper portion of the first front door 121 directly below the human sensor 151. As shown in FIGS.

More specifically, a cosmetic cover 127 is attached to the upper surface of the first front door 121 to block the gap between the lower surface of the lower hinge cover 133 and the upper surface of the first front door 121, and the cosmetic cover 127 is substantially left and right. A concave portion 127X, that is, a notch portion is formed in the central portion.

Also in this embodiment, a gap is formed between the lower surface of the lower hinge cover 133 and the upper surface of the first front door 121 below the human sensor 151 . By utilizing the gap, even if infrared rays or visible light from the human sensor 151 is irradiated obliquely downward, the infrared rays or visible light is blocked by the first front door 121 or the decorative cover 127. In addition, the reflected light can easily reach the human sensor 151 without being obstructed by the first front door 121 and the decorative cover 127 .
<Third Embodiment>

In the above embodiment, the lower hinge cover 133 extends from the left end of the housing 110 to the right end. A recess 133X is formed in the lower hinge cover 133, and the human sensor 151 is placed on the upper surface of the recess 133X. However, it is not limited to such a configuration.

For example, lower hinge cover 133 may be divided into a cover that covers hinge 131 on the left side of housing 110 and a cover that covers hinge 132 on the right side of the housing. In this case, the human sensor 151 may be provided on the hinge cover on the left end of the housing 110 or the human sensor 151 on the hinge cover on the right end of the housing 110 . A concave portion may be formed in a portion of any of the hinge covers where the human sensor 151 is arranged.

Alternatively, a cover member for holding the human sensor 151 may be attached to the front end portion of the upper surface of the housing 110 in addition to the hinge cover. Also in this case, it is preferable to arrange the human sensor 151 behind the front end of the first front door 121, and a concave portion is formed in the front lower portion of the cover member where the human sensor 151 is arranged. may be formed.
<Fourth Embodiment>

In the embodiment described above, the first front door 121 can be opened from both the left and right sides. However, the first front door 121 may be openable only on the right side or only on the left side. In this case, the lower hinge cover 133 may be provided only at the left end of the housing 110 or only at the right end of the housing 110 .

Also in this case, the human sensor 151 may be provided on the hinge cover on the left end of the housing 110 , or the human sensor 151 may be provided on the hinge cover on the right end of the housing 110 . A concave portion may be formed in a portion of the hinge cover where the human sensor 151 is arranged.

Alternatively, a cover member for holding the human sensor 151 may be attached to the front end portion of the upper surface of the housing 110 in addition to the hinge cover. Also in this case, it is preferable to arrange the human sensor 151 behind the front end of the first front door 121, and a concave portion is formed in the front lower portion of the cover member where the human sensor 151 is arranged. may be formed.
<Fifth Embodiment>

In the above embodiment, the optical path for detection is secured by creating a gap between the lower surface of the lower hinge cover 133 and the upper surface of the first front door 121 below the human sensor 151. It was something to do. However, it is not limited to such a configuration.

For example, an optical path for detection may be ensured by using a member having high light transmittance as a member positioned in an area irradiated with light from the human sensor 151 . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16 , a human sensor 151 is arranged above the first front door 121 and above the housing 110 . A decorative plate 129 made of a light-transmitting material is provided in front of or below the human sensor 151 .

In the present embodiment as well, the presence of the user in front of refrigerator 100 can be detected while reducing the depth of the outer dimensions of refrigerator 100 .
<Summary>

In the above embodiments, a storage box is provided. The storage box includes a door attached to the front of the storage box and a sensor attached above the door. The sensor is arranged with its front end behind the front end of the door.

Preferably, the storage box further comprises a cover arranged above the door for holding the sensor. The lower surface of the cover is formed with a recess that is recessed upward. A sensor is positioned above the recess.

Preferably, the cover is a cover for covering a hinge for rotatably attaching the door to the housing of the storage box.

Preferably, the door is configured to be openable from both left and right sides. The cover covers both the left and right hinges of the door by extending to the left and right ends of the storage box. The sensor is arranged in the cover, substantially in the left-right central part of the storage box.

Preferably, no operation panel is attached to the surface of the door.

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

100: refrigerator 101: housing 110: housing 121: first front door 122: second front door 123: third front door 124: fourth front door 125: fifth front door 127: decorative cover 127X: recess 129: decorative plate 131: hinge 132: hinge 133: lower hinge cover 133A: hole 133B: hole 133C: hole 133L: groove 133X: recess 134: upper hinge cover 150: sensor unit 151: human sensor 152 : Microphone 153 : LED light 154 : Transparent cover 155 : Transparent cover

Claims (4)

A storage box,
a door attached to the front of the storage box;
a cover arranged above the door;
a sensor attached to the cover and detecting a state in front of the door ;
The lower surface of the cover faces the upper surface of the door, and a concave portion recessed upward is formed in the central portion of the lower surface,
The storage box, wherein the sensor is arranged above the recess such that the front end of the sensor is located behind the front end of the door. 2. The storage box according to claim 1 , wherein said cover is a cover for covering a hinge for rotatably attaching said door to said housing of said storage box. The door is configured to be openable from both the left and right sides,
the cover covers both left and right hinges of the door by extending to left and right ends of the storage box;
3. The storage box according to claim 2 , wherein said sensor is arranged in said cover in a substantially center portion of said storage box in the left-right direction. 4. The storage box according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein an operation panel is not attached to the surface of said door.

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