REFRIGERATOR

Abstract

 Information on a set temperature zone and an operation mode of a variable temperature room is input from setting part (131), information on a door open and close state of a refrigerator including the variable temperature room is input from refrigerating compartment door switch (130), and information on a door open and close state of the variable temperature room is input from door opening and closing detection part (127) to control microcomputer (132) respectively. Provided is a refrigerator where the variable temperature room is illuminated such that an illumination color of illumination device (121) is set and changed to a predetermined color based on information input to control microcomputer (132).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a light emitting element which emits light to the inside of a storage compartment.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] It is often the case that a household refrigerator is of a type where a refrigerating compartment which is used most frequently and has a large capacity is disposed on an uppermost stage, an ice-making compartment and a temperature switching compartment are disposed parallel to each other below the refrigerating compartment, and a vegetable compartment and a freezing compartment are disposed below the ice-making compartment and the temperature switching compartment in the above-mentioned order.

[0003] As an illumination device, an indoor lamp formed of an electric bulb or a light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as LED) is mounted on a ceiling surface or a back surface of the refrigerating compartment having a large capacity. By illuminating stored goods in the inside of the refrigerating compartment by turning on the indoor lamp at the time of opening a door of the refrigerator, an operation of storing or taking out foods is facilitated.

[0004] Further, recently, there has been proposed a refrigerator which is configured to allow a user to visually grasp temperature distribution in the inside of the storage compartment by indicating a temperature in the inside of cooling compartment by color of the indoor lamp, by changing the color of the indoor lamp corresponding to an indoor temperature, or by illuminating the inside of the storage compartment at color temperatures corresponding to the temperature distribution by a plurality of light sources (see PTL 1, for example).

[0005] Hereinafter, the specification of the illumination of a refrigerating compartment portion of the conventional refrigerator is described with reference to FIG. 11.

[0006] Refrigerating compartment 1 has inner box 2. The inside of refrigerating compartment 1 is vertically divided into a plurality of stages by shelves 3a, 3b on which stored goods are placed and shelf 3c which also functions as a ceiling plate disposed at a lowermost portion of refrigerating compartment 1. Variable temperature room 4 where a temperature is set to a different temperature zone compared to refrigerating compartment 1 is disposed below shelf 3c. Indoor lamp 5 is mounted on a ceiling surface of refrigerating compartment 1. Indoor lamp 5 is disposed in a recess formed on the ceiling surface, for example. A lower portion of indoor lamp 5 is covered by shade 6. With such a configuration, light emitted from indoor lamp 5 diffuses so that whole refrigerating compartment 1 is illuminated.

[0007] On a back surface of refrigerating compartment 1, back surface duct 7 is formed with a large width over the whole back surface. With such a configuration, cool air is introduced into refrigerating compartment 1. Back surface duct 7 is formed into an approximately planar plate shape by injection molding using a synthetic resin. A predetermined space is formed between back surface duct 7 and a back surface in refrigerating compartment 1. Back surface duct 7 is disposed so as to cover approximately the whole back surface of refrigerating compartment 1. An outer peripheral edge of back surface duct 7 is disposed such that predetermined cool air blow off gap 8 is formed between the outer peripheral edge of back surface duct 7, and an upper wall surface and both side wall surfaces of the back surface of inner box 2. Center blow off portion 9 is formed on a center portion of an inner side of back surface duct 7. Center blow off portion 9 has a lateral width size which is approximately one third of back surface duct 7, and has a vertical size which is a height size extending to upper and lower ends of plurality of shelves 3a to 3c.

[0008] Plate-like design panel 10 is disposed on a surface of back surface duct 7, and light sources 11a, 11b, 11c formed of a plurality of LEDs having different colors are mounted on design panel 10. When the door of refrigerating compartment 1 is opened, indoor lamp 5 mounted on a ceiling surface of inner box 2 and light sources 11a to 11c formed of LEDs are turned on, and the inside of refrigerating compartment 1 is illuminated by these lights.

[0009] In such a configuration, a temperature of an upper space which corresponds to shelf 3a disposed on an upper portion of refrigerating compartment 1, a temperature of an intermediate space which corresponds to shelf 3b disposed on an intermediate portion of refrigerating compartment 1, and a temperature of a lower space which corresponds to shelf 3c disposed on a lower portion of refrigerating compartment 1 are respectively detected by thermistors or the like, and respective light sources 11a to 11c are turned on with colors corresponding to temperatures of spaces below respective shelves 3a to 3c. For example, by differentiating temperature zones in such a manner that light red is given to a high temperature zone, light yellow is given to a standard temperature zone, and light blue is given to a low temperature zone, a user can visually recognize the temperature distribution in the inside of refrigerating compartment 1 based on color distribution.

[0010] However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, although the present temperature distribution can be grasped, a target temperature which the user sets cannot be understood at a glance. Particularly, when the variable temperature room which is used with delicate temperature setting (for example, as a chilled compartment where a temperature is set to -1°C to +1°C, a partial compartment where a temperature is set to -5°C to -1°C or the like) is used, information on which temperature zone the variable temperature room is set is information more important for the user than information on temperature detected by thermistors or the like. Further, even when the variable temperature room is set to a predetermined temperature zone, there exists a drawback that switching of an operation mode is difficult to be visually recognized.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0011] PTL 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-106975

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention has been made to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator which allows a user to confirm at a glance which predetermined temperature zone a temperature is set and which operation mode (operation state) is chosen or the like particularly in a variable temperature room thus preventing an adverse effect to food preservation caused by an error in setting of the predetermined temperature zone.

[0013] To be more specific, a refrigerator according to one example of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a storage compartment; a variable temperature room disposed in the storage compartment; a setting part for varying a temperature zone of the variable temperature room; an illumination device disposed in the variable temperature room, a door disposed on a front surface of the variable temperature room; and a door opening and closing detection part for detecting an open and close state of the door. The illumination device illuminates the inside of the variable temperature room while changing an illumination color based on signals input from the setting part and the door opening and closing detection part.

[0014] With such a configuration, a state of the variable temperature room is expressed by the difference in color of illumination and hence, a user can easily confirm a preset temperature zone.

[0015] Further, in the refrigerator according to one example of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the variable temperature room may include: a first temperature zone set by the setting part; and a second temperature zone lower than the first temperature zone and set by the setting part, wherein an operation of the refrigerator may be switched to a rapid cooling operation when opening or closing of the door is detected during a time when the second temperature zone is set. With such a configuration, when a plurality of set temperature zones are provided and a user switches an operation mode by operating the setting part (for example, when the user switches the operation mode to a rapid cooling operation from a usual operation), a change in the temperature zone in the variable temperature room can be expressed by the difference in illumination color. Particularly, an operation mode switching operation and a change of illumination color are performed interlockingly with each other and hence, a user can actually visually feel the operation mode switching operation.

[0016] In the refrigerator according to one example of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the illumination color of the illumination device may be set to white color when the first temperature zone is set, may be set to light blue color when the second temperature zone is set, and may be set to blue color during a rapid cooling operation time. With such a configuration, a set temperature in the variable temperature room can be expressed based on the difference in illumination color and hence, a user can properly visually determine a temperature set state.

[0017] In the refrigerator according to one example of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the illumination device may be mounted on a ceiling surface of the variable temperature room or may be disposed in the variable temperature room on a door side with respect to a center of the ceiling surface in a front-back direction. With such a configuration, stored goods on a storage case is illuminated not only when the door is closed but also when the accommodated storage case is pulled out at the time of opening the door and hence, it is possible to perform illumination with excellent visibility also at the time of operating the storage case.

[0018] In the refrigerator according to one example of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the storage case may be disposed in the variable temperature room, the door opening and closing detection part may be disposed on a back surface wall of the variable temperature room, and the door opening and closing detection part may be configured to determine that the door is closed when the storage case is inserted to reach a predetermined position in the variable temperature room. With such a configuration, it is unnecessary to provide the refrigerator with an unnecessary structure such as a sensor for detecting opening or closing of the door on a door side disposed on a front surface of the variable temperature room and hence, the refrigerator can have the aesthetically excellent configuration.

[0019] In the refrigerator according to one example of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, both an air passage and a plurality of cool air blow-off ports for cooling the inside of the variable temperature room may be disposed on a ceiling surface of the variable temperature room, and a plurality of projections for restricting the flow of cool air may be disposed in the air passage in a vicinity of the illumination device. With such a configuration, it is possible to ensure an air passage toward a front side of the variable temperature room which is obstructed by mounting of the illumination device and hence, it is possible to enhance accuracy in a temperature control of the variable temperature room and in making a temperature in the compartment uniform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] 

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

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerating compartment according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of the refrigerating compartment according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic constitutional view of an illumination device of the refrigerating compartment according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration for controlling the illumination device of the refrigerating compartment according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a table showing illumination ratios of the illumination device of the refrigerating compartment according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a timing chart of an operation of the refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention during a period where a first temperature zone is set and turning-on of an illumination.

FIG. 7B is a timing chart of an operation of the refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention during a period where a second temperature zone is set and turning-on of the illumination.

FIG. 8 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a main part of a refrigerator according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a duct mounted on a ceiling surface of a variable temperature room of the refrigerator according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention as viewed from an inner side.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the duct mounted on the ceiling surface of the variable temperature room of the refrigerator according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention as viewed from an upper surface side.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a refrigerating compartment portion of a conventional refrigerator.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Exemplary embodiments according to the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited by the exemplary embodiments.

(First exemplary embodiment)

[0022] FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerating compartment according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of the refrigerating compartment according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic constitutional view of an illumination device of the refrigerating compartment according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a configuration for controlling the illumination device of the refrigerating compartment according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a view showing illumination ratios of the illumination device of the refrigerating compartment according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a timing chart of an operation of the refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention during a period where a first temperature zone is set and turning-on of an illumination, and Fig. 7B is a timing chart of an operation of the refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention during a period where a second temperature zone is set and turning-on of an illumination.

[0023] In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the inside of refrigerator 101 is divided into an upper stage, an intermediate stage, and a lower stage, and includes a plurality of storage compartments. To be more specific, refrigerating compartment 102 is disposed on the upper stage, and refrigerating compartment 102 has double-hinged-type refrigerating compartment door 102a on a front surface thereof. On the intermediate stage, first freezing compartment 103 including drawer-type freezing compartment door 103a and ice-making compartment 105 disposed parallel to first freezing compartment 103 in a horizontal direction and including a drawer door are disposed below refrigerating compartment 102. On the lower stage, vegetable compartment 106 disposed on a lowermost portion of refrigerator 101 and including drawer-type vegetable compartment door 106a, and second freezing compartment 104 disposed above vegetable compartment 106 and including drawer-type second freezing compartment door 104a are disposed. Refrigerating compartment 102, and ice-making compartment 105 and first freezing compartment 103 which are disposed parallel to each other are vertically divided by heat insulating partition wall 111. In the same manner, ice-making compartment 105 and first freezing compartment 103 which are disposed parallel to each other and second freezing compartment 104 are also vertically divided by heat insulating partition wall 111, and second freezing compartment 104 and vegetable compartment 106 are also vertically divided by heat insulating partition wall 111.

[0024] Refrigerator 101 is formed by filling heat insulating wall 110 between outer box 108 and inner box 109. In refrigerator 101, variable temperature room 107 is defined as another storage compartment on a lower portion of the inside of refrigerating compartment 102 disposed on the upper stage. Variable temperature room 107 is configured as a switching compartment. To be more specific, in this exemplary embodiment, for example, variable temperature room 107 is configured such that a first temperature zone (chilled) which is a refrigerating temperature zone near 0°C, and a second temperature zone (partial) of an approximately -3°C which is a temperature zone between the first temperature zone and a freezing temperature zone of approximately -6°C or below can be set selectively.

[0025] Next, a configuration of a cooling system of refrigerator 101 is described. On a rear side of a back surface of second freezing compartment 104, cooling compartment 114 is disposed. Cooling compartment 114 has cooler 115 in the inside thereof. Cooling compartment 114 constitutes a refrigeration cycle for cooling refrigerator 101 in cooperation with compressor 112 provided to machine compartment 113 disposed on an upper portion of refrigerator 101. Further, fan 116 is disposed in cooling compartment 114 for forcibly circulating cool air produced by heat exchange in cooler 115 in the inside of refrigerator 101. Above fan 116, damper device 117 which makes cool air flow into refrigerating compartment 102 and variable temperature room 107 in a distributed manner is disposed. An indoor temperature of refrigerating compartment 102 is set to approximately 2°C to 3°C, and an indoor temperature of vegetable compartment 106 is set to approximately 2°C to 5°C. Indoor temperatures of first freezing compartment 103 and second freezing compartment 104 are set to approximately -18°C to -20°C. In this manner, refrigerator 101 is configured such that the respective storage compartments can be used in predetermined temperature zones which differ from each other. With such a configuration, foods and the like can be stored while selecting temperature zones suitable for preservation of the foods and the like. With such a configuration, high freshness keeping performance and long period preservation can be realized.

[0026] In the inside of refrigerating compartment 102, a plurality of shelf plates 118 which partition the inside of refrigerating compartment 102 into upper and lower stages are disposed. Indoor lamp 119 which illuminates the inside of refrigerating compartment 102 is disposed at a portion nearer to refrigerating compartment door 102a than end portions of shelf plates 118 facing refrigerating compartment door 102a, and indoor lamp 119 is embedded by partially indenting inner box 109 toward an outer box 108. Indoor lamp 119 is disposed in a vertically extending direction while straddling over the plurality of shelf plates 118. Indoor lamp 119 is constituted of a mounting printed circuit board (not shown in the drawing) on which a plurality of LEDs which emit light having a wave length within a visible light region are mounted, and a transparent resin cover which covers the mounting printed circuit board. To be more specific, a light emitting element which emits white light is used as the LEDs.

[0027] Next, a configuration of variable temperature room 107 and a configuration of illumination device 121 which is mounted on the ceiling surface of variable temperature room 107 are described with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 5. variable temperature room 107 includes: synthetic-resin-made upper surface cover 122 which has an upper portion thereof utilized also as shelf plate 118 positioned at the lowermost stage of refrigerating compartment 102; synthetic-resin-made storage case 123 which is stored below upper surface cover 122 in a state where storage case 123 can be pulled out in a longitudinal direction; and door 124 which is disposed on an opening portion positioned on a front surface of upper surface cover 122 of variable temperature room 107 in an openable manner. Door 124 is configured such that door 124 is brought into close contact with front surface wall 123b of storage case 123 in a closed time so that the inside of variable temperature room 107 is brought into a substantially hermetically sealed space. It is preferable that door 124 be made of a synthetic resin having high transmissivity such that a user can visually recognize the illumination color in the inside of variable temperature room 107 and, more preferably, a user can visually recognize foods stored in the inside of variable temperature room 107.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, door opening and closing detection part 127 is mounted on a wall surface of the back surface of variable temperature room 107 such that door opening and closing detection part 127 is engaged with rear surface wall 123a of storage case 123 when door 124 is closed. In this exemplary embodiment, aluminum-made bottom plate 128 is fitted in a bottom surface of storage case 123 thus realizing the enhancement of cooling performance and the enhancement of visibility due to diffusion of illumination light from illumination device 121. Bottom plate 128 is not particularly necessary.

[0029] Further, behind the wall surface of the back surface of variable temperature room 107, variable temperature room back surface duct 125 which guides cool air distributed by damper device 117 to variable temperature room 107 is formed. On the ceiling surface of variable temperature room 107, variable temperature room ceiling surface duct 126 is disposed on a downstream side of variable temperature room back surface duct 125. Variable temperature room ceiling surface duct 126 is constituted of heat insulating duct member 126a which is formed of a foamed heat insulating member having heat insulation property, and synthetic-resin-made duct cover 126b which covers an outer periphery of heat insulating duct member 126a and forms an ornamental plate. Variable temperature room ceiling surface duct 126 constitutes a duct in cooperation with upper surface cover 122, and has cool air blow-off port 129 which blows off cool air into the inside of variable temperature room 107 on an upper surface portion of storage case 123.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, in the inside of variable temperature room 107, illumination device 121 which illuminates the inside of variable temperature room 107 is disposed on a front door side with respect to center position A-A in a longitudinal direction of variable temperature room ceiling surface duct 126 in a state where illumination device 121 is embedded in duct cover 126b. As a specific constitutional example of illumination device 121, in general, a configuration shown in FIG. 4 is adopted where a plurality of LEDs, a current limiting circuit resistors, and a connecting connector are mounted on a printed circuit board formed in a laterally-elongated shape such that illumination device 121 is installed in a lateral width direction of variable temperature room 107 (a lateral direction when refrigerator 101 is viewed from a front side). In this exemplary embodiment, LEDs with a white color tone and a blue color tone are mounted.

[0031] Next, refrigerating compartment door switch 130 which detects an open and close state of refrigerating compartment door 102a is disposed in refrigerating compartment 102. At an arbitrary place outside or inside of refrigerator 101, setting part 131 which switches a temperature zone and an operation mode of variable temperature room 107 is disposed. Signal S1 is input to control microcomputer 132 from refrigerating compartment door switch 130, signal S2 is input to control microcomputer 132 from setting part 131, and signal S3 is input to control microcomputer 132 from door opening and closing detection part 127. Further, signal S4 is output from control microcomputer 132 to illumination device 121. With such a configuration, the inside of variable temperature room 107 is illuminated with an illumination color such as white, light blue, or blue corresponding to a temperature zone or the like set by setting part 131.

[0032] Hereinafter, the manner of operation and advantageous effects of refrigerator 101 having the above-mentioned configuration are described with reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B.

[0033] First, in a state where a temperature zone of variable temperature room 107 is set to the first temperature zone (chilled) by setting part 131 (see FIG. 7A), when refrigerating compartment door 102a is opened, signal S4 is output to illumination device 121 from control microcomputer 132, and variable temperature room 107 is illuminated with white color (at a point of time C). To be more specific, only LEDs 1, 2, 3 which are white LEDs on illumination device 121 are fully turned on at a lighting rate of 100%. Subsequently, even when door 124 of variable temperature room 107 is opened and storage case 123 is pulled out, and opening of door 124 is detected by door opening /closing detection part 127, illumination device 121 continues white color illumination (at a point of time D). Further, even when door 124 is closed, white color illumination is continued (at a point of time E), and only when refrigerating compartment door 102a is closed, illumination device 121 is turned off (at a point of time F).

[0034] Thereafter, when refrigerating compartment door 102a is opened again, illumination device 121 illuminates the inside of variable temperature room 107 with white color (at a point of time G), and when refrigerating compartment door 102a is closed, illumination device 121 is turned off (at a point of time F). That is, when variable temperature room 107 is set to the first temperature zone (chilled), a chilling operation is constantly performed in variable temperature room 107. Irrespective of an open and close state of door 124, the inside of variable temperature room 107 is illuminated with white color or the illumination is turned off by illumination device 121 corresponding to only opening and closing of refrigerating compartment door 102a.

[0035] Next, when refrigerating compartment door 102a is opened in a state where a temperature zone of variable temperature room 107 is set to the second temperature zone (partial) by setting part 131 (see FIG. 7B), signal S4 is output to illumination device 121 from control microcomputer 132, and variable temperature room 107 is illuminated with light blue color (at a point of time I). To be more specific, for example, by controlling lighting such that LEDs 1, 2, 3 which are white LEDs on illumination device 121 are turned on at a lighting rate of 75% and, at the same time, LEDs 4, 5 which are blue LEDs are turned on at a lighting rate of 75%, light blue color illumination can be realized. As a method of setting a lighting rate to 100% or below, a method is adopted where a forward current which is made to flow through the LED is changed, or a method is adopted where a duty control is performed at a frequency which does not exert the influence of flickering on visibility or the like.

[0036] Next, even when door 124 of variable temperature room 107 is opened and storage case 123 is pulled out, and opening of door 124 is detected by door opening and closing detection part 127, illumination device 121 continues light blue color illumination (at a point of time J). Further, when door 124 is closed, although an operation state of variable temperature room107 is switched to a rapid cooling operation by setting part 131, light blue color illumination is continued (at a point of time K), and after a lapse of predetermined time T, the illumination mode is switched to blue color illumination (at a point of time L). To be more specific, in the same manner as light blue color illumination, by controlling lighting such that LEDs 1, 2, 3 which are white LEDs on illumination device 121 are turned on at a light rate of 25%, and LEDs 4, 5 which are blue LEDs are turned on at a lighting rate of 100%, blue color illumination can be realized. The reason that illumination color by illumination device 121 is changed from light blue color to blue color with a delay of time T is as follows. When a color tone of illumination is changed simultaneously with an operation by a user, there is a concern that a user feels the sense of discomfort that a defect occurs. The change of illumination color with a delay of time T is performed for eliminating such a concern. Accordingly, the illumination time of the light blue color illumination is preferably set to approximately 0.1 seconds to 1 second. In a state where the rapid cooling operation is continued, illumination device 121 illuminates the inside of variable temperature room 107 with blue color until refrigerating compartment door 102a is closed (at a point of time M).

[0037] Thereafter, when a predetermined rapid cooling operation is finished, the operation of refrigerator 101 returns to a usual partial operation state. When refrigerating compartment door 102a is opened again, illumination device 121 illuminates the inside of variable temperature room 107 with original light blue (at a point of time N). When refrigerating compartment door 102a is closed, illumination device 121 is turned off (at a point of time O).

[0038] Although not shown in a timing chart in FIG. 7B, by adding a setting which can cope with even a non-regular situation, that is, a setting where when refrigerating compartment door 102a is opened during rapid cooling operation, blue color illumination is performed, and when the rapid cooling operation is finished in a state where refrigerating compartment door 102a is opened, blue color illumination is continued until refrigerating compartment door 102a is closed, and illumination mode is returned to light blue color illumination at next opening of refrigerating compartment door 102a, the sense of discomfort which a user feels can be further reduced.

[0039] In this manner, when variable temperature room 107 is set to the second temperature zone (partial), variable temperature room 107 is usually operated in a partial operation mode and is illuminated with light blue color, and when an operation state is switched to the rapid cooling operation due to opening and closing of door 124 of variable temperature room 107, illumination color is switched to blue color.

[0040] As has been described heretofore, refrigerator 101 of this exemplary embodiment includes: setting part 131 which can selectively set a temperature zone of variable temperature room 107 from a plurality of temperature zones; and door opening and closing detection part 127 which detects an open and close state of door 124. Refrigerator 101 of this exemplary embodiment is configured such that a signal from door opening and closing detection part 127 is input to control microcomputer 132, and an illumination color of illumination device 121 can be changed corresponding to a temperature zone and an operation state (operation mode) of variable temperature room107 which are set by setting part 131. Further, in addition to indoor lamp 119, variable temperature room107 is illuminated by illumination device 121 dedicated to variable temperature room 107. Further, refrigerator 101 is configured such that an illumination color is changed corresponding to a set temperature zone and an operation state of variable temperature room 107. With such a configuration, visibility of set temperature zone and visibility of an operation state of variable temperature room 107 can be enhanced, and a user can determine the set temperature zone and the operation state of variable temperature room 107 at a glance. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent in advance an adverse effect to food preservation caused by, for example, such as slight freezing of a food which is desired to be preserved in chilled preservation in variable temperature room 107 which is set to a partial preservation mode or setting of a rapid cooling mode in variable temperature room 107 where a food desired to be preserved in usual partial preservation is placed.

[0041] In the first temperature zone and the second temperature zone which are set by setting part 131, when an opening and closing operation of door 124 is detected during a time when the second temperature zone is set (to be more specific, after an opening and closing operation of door 124 is detected by door opening and closing detection part 127), an operation mode is switched to a rapid cooling operation by setting part 131. In this case, when there are the plurality of set temperature zones (for example, a temperature zone for chilled preservation, and a temperature zone for partial preservation), and when a user switches an operation mode by operating setting part 131 (for example, when the operation mode is switched from a partial preservation operation to a rapid cooling operation) or the like, a temperature zone and an operation state of variable temperature room 107 can be expressed by the difference in illumination color. In this manner, an operation mode switching operation and a change in illumination color are performed interlockingly with each other and hence, a user can actually visually perform operation confirmation.

[0042] Further, illumination device 121 is configured such that an illumination color of illumination device 121 is set to a white color when the first temperature zone is set, the illumination color is set to a light blue color when the second temperature zone is set, and the illumination color is set to a blue color during a rapid cooling operation. That is, an illumination color differs corresponding to an operation state (operation mode). With such a configuration, a set temperature in the inside of variable temperature room 107 can be expressed by the difference in illumination color and hence, a user can sensually determine coolness of low-temperature-side temperatures in order of the chilled preservation mode, the partial preservation mode and the rapid cooling mode visually.

[0043] Further, since illumination device 121 is disposed on the ceiling surface of variable temperature room 107 on a side of door 124 with respect to the center of the ceiling surface, the inside of pulled-out storage case 123 can be illuminated not only when door 124 is closed but also when door 124 is opened and hence, it is possible to provide excellent illumination device 121 which can ensure visibility at the time of performing a door opening operation and at the time of taking out stored goods.

[0044] Further, door opening and closing detection part 127 is disposed such that door opening and closing detection part 127 is engaged with storage case 123 when door 124 is closed on the back surface wall of variable temperature room 107, and door opening and closing detection part 127 is separated from storage case 123 when door 124 is opened, that is, when storage case 123 is pulled out. With such a configuration, a user can determine an opening state of door 124. A pull-out/put-in operation of storage case 123 is detected by the back surface wall and hence, it is unnecessary to route a connection harness toward door 124 disposed on the front surface and it is unnecessary to provide the refrigerator with an unnecessary structure whereby the refrigerator can have aesthetically excellent simple configuration.

(Second exemplary embodiment)

[0045] In a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the description is made mainly with respect to portions different from corresponding portions of refrigerator 101 of the above-mentioned first exemplary embodiment. The constitutional elements and the manner of operation identical with the constitutional elements and the manner of operation of the above-mentioned first exemplary embodiment are given the same symbols and their detailed description is omitted.

[0046] FIG. 8 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a main part of a refrigerator according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a variable temperature room ceiling surface duct of the refrigerator according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention as viewed from an inner side, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the variable temperature room ceiling surface duct of the refrigerator according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention as viewed from an upper surface side.

[0047] In FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, a plurality of cool air blow-off ports 129 (opening portions) are formed in duct cover 126b which constitutes variable temperature room ceiling surface duct 126 at an area excluding a portion where illumination device 121 is embedded. Cool air (indicated by an arrow in the drawing) from variable temperature room ceiling surface duct 126 is fed to the inside of variable temperature room 107 through the plurality of cool air blow-off ports 129 so that the inside of variable temperature room 107 is cooled and hence, a temperature in the inside of variable temperature room 107 is controlled at a predetermined set temperature. When the flow of cool air directly impinges on a portion where illumination device 121 is embedded, turbulence occurs and hence, desired cool air cannot be fed from cool air blow-off ports 129 particularly on a front surface side. In view of the above, projections 133a having a gentle inclination are disposed at positions in front of an area where cool air impinges on illumination device 121 and cool air is temporarily fed in transverse directions. Further, projections 133b having an inclination steeper than projections 133a are disposed continuously with projections 133a respectively in air passage directions and hence, cool air is fed in a direction toward the front surface. Accordingly, cool air can be fed to the inside of variable temperature room 107 also from front-surface-side cool air blow-off ports 129 uniformly.

[0048] As has been described heretofore, refrigerator 101 of this exemplary embodiment has the plurality of cool air blow-off ports 129 on the ceiling surface of variable temperature room 107 in addition to the selectively disposed constitutional elements, and the plurality of projections 133a, 133b for restricting the flow of cool air are disposed in the air passages in a vicinity of illumination device 121. With such a configuration, it is possible to ensure the air passages for cool air toward a front side of variable temperature room 107 which has a possibility being obstructed by mounting of illumination device 121. With such a configuration, a temperature control of variable temperature room 107 and an uniformization of a temperature in the inside of variable temperature room 107 can be performed with high accuracy.

[0049] As has been described heretofore, the refrigerator according to one example of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is configured such that an illumination of a variable temperature room existing in the refrigerating compartment is provided as an illumination independently and additionally from an illumination for the refrigerating compartment, and an illumination color can be switched corresponding to a set temperature and an operation state (operation mode) of the variable temperature room. With such a configuration, a user can visually grasp an indoor state and hence, it is possible to acquire an advantageous effect that wasteful opening and closing time of the variable temperature room can be reduced and, at the same time, the increase of an indoor temperature of the refrigerator can be prevented before it happens, and freshness keeping performance can be enhanced, for example.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0050] As has been described heretofore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a convenient refrigerator which can acquire not only an advantageous effect that visibility of foods or the like in the inside of a storage compartment can be enhanced due to an indoor illumination but also an advantageous effect that a user can visually confirm a set temperature in the inside of the storage compartment and an operation state of the storage compartment at a glance. Accordingly, the present invention can be widely applicable to household-use and business-use refrigerators, cooler boxes, show cases, and the like.

REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS

[0051] 

101: refrigerator

102: refrigerating compartment

102a: refrigerating compartment door

103: first freezing compartment

103a: first freezing compartment door

104: second freezing compartment

104a: second freezing compartment door

105: ice-making compartment

106: vegetable compartment

106a: vegetable compartment door

107: variable temperature room

108: outer box

109: inner box

110: heat insulating wall

111: heat insulating partition wall

112: compressor

113: machine compartment

114: cooling compartment

115: cooler

116: fan

117: damper device

118: shelf plate

119: indoor lamp

120: refrigerating compartment duct

121: illumination device

122: upper surface cover

123: storage case

123a: rear surface wall

123b: front surface wall

124: door

125: variable temperature room back surface duct

126: variable temperature room ceiling surface duct

126a: heat insulating duct member

126b: duct cover

127: door opening and closing detection part

128: bottom plate

129: cool air blow-off port

130: refrigerating compartment door switch

131: setting part

132: control microcomputer

133a, 133b: projection

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a storage compartment;

a variable temperature room disposed in the storage compartment;

a setting part for varying a temperature zone of the variable temperature room;

an illumination device disposed in the variable temperature room;

a door disposed on a front surface of the variable temperature room; and

a door opening and closing detection part for detecting an open and close state of the door,

wherein the illumination device performs illumination while changing an illumination color based on signals input from the setting part and the door opening and closing detection part.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein
the temperature zone of the variable temperature room is selectively set by the setting part from a first temperature zone and a second temperature zone lower than the first temperature zone, and
an operation of the refrigerator is switched to a rapid cooling operation when opening or closing of the door is detected by the door opening and closing detection part during a time when the second temperature zone is set.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the illumination color of the illumination device is set to white color when the first temperature zone is set, is set to light blue color when the second temperature zone is set, and is set to blue color when the rapid cooling operation is set.

4. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the illumination device is mounted on a ceiling surface of the variable temperature room and is disposed in the variable temperature room on a door side with respect to a center of the ceiling surface in a front-back direction.

5. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
a storage case is disposed in the variable temperature room,
the door opening and closing detection part is disposed on a back surface wall of the variable temperature room, and
the door opening and closing detection part is configured to determine that the door is closed when the storage case is inserted to reach a predetermined position in the variable temperature room.

6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
both an air passage and a plurality of cool air blow-off ports for cooling an inside of the variable temperature room are disposed on the ceiling surface of the variable temperature room, and
a plurality of projections for restricting a flow of cool air are disposed in the air passage in a vicinity of the illumination device.

Drawing