CN114981599A

CN114981599A - Refrigerator with a door

Info

Publication number: CN114981599A
Application number: CN202080093659.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 正久昌利; 冈本泰幸; 松山真衣; 金原幸子
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-01-22
Filing date: 2020-12-09
Publication date: 2022-08-30
Also published as: JP7522955B2; JP2021116933A; WO2021149384A1

Abstract

The refrigerator of the present invention includes: a refrigerating chamber; and an electrostatic atomization device disposed in the refrigerating chamber and configured to apply a high voltage to atomize water, the electrostatic atomization device including: an atomizing electrode; an opposing electrode opposing the atomizing electrode; and a Peltier element for cooling the atomizing electrode. The working modes of the electrostatic atomization device are as follows: a freezing mode in which the atomizing electrode is cooled by applying current to the peltier element, and moisture in the air is frozen on the atomizing electrode; a melting mode in which energization of the peltier element is stopped and ice frozen on the atomizing electrode is melted to generate water; and an atomization mode in which a high voltage is applied between the atomization electrode and the counter electrode, and energization is performed to the peltier element.

Description

Refrigerator with a door

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a refrigerator including an atomizing device in a storage compartment.

Background

In recent years, as a supply mechanism that supplies water to a discharge electrode and can rapidly generate mist, an electrostatic atomization device has been proposed (for example, see patent document 1), which includes: a freezing mechanism for freezing moisture in the air on the discharge electrode by cooling the discharge electrode; and a melting mechanism for melting the frozen ice to produce water.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent No. 4625267

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a refrigerator capable of supplying mist quickly by supplying water to an atomizing electrode as a discharge electrode.

The refrigerator of the present invention includes: a refrigerating chamber; and an electrostatic atomization device disposed in the refrigerating chamber and configured to apply a high voltage to atomize water. The electrostatic atomization device comprises: an atomizing electrode; an opposing electrode opposing the atomizing electrode; and a Peltier element for cooling the atomizing electrode. The working modes of the electrostatic atomization device are as follows: a freezing mode in which the atomizing electrode is cooled by applying current to the peltier element, and moisture in the air is frozen on the atomizing electrode; a melting mode in which energization to the peltier element is stopped, ice frozen on the atomizing electrode is melted, and water is generated; and an atomization mode in which a high voltage is applied between the atomization electrode and the counter electrode and energization is performed to the peltier element.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the refrigerator.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the refrigerator above the refrigerating compartment.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the electrostatic atomizing device portion of the refrigerator.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the atomizing cover member of the refrigerator.

Fig. 6 is a timing chart in the 1 st operation mode of the electrostatic atomizing device for a refrigerator according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 is a timing chart in the 2 nd operation mode of the electrostatic atomizing device for the refrigerator according to embodiment 1.

Detailed Description

The embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may sometimes be omitted. For example, a detailed description of already known matters or a repetitive description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

In addition, the drawings and the following description are provided to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention by those skilled in the art, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

(embodiment mode 1)

Fig. 1 is a front view of the refrigerator, and fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the refrigerator as viewed from the right side. First, the overall structure of the refrigerator will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 2.

As shown in fig. 2, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment includes a refrigerator main body 2 having a front opening (left side in the X direction shown in fig. 2). The refrigerator main body 2 is composed of an outer plate 3 made of metal and forming an outer contour, an inner plate 4 made of hard resin, and a heat insulating material 5 foamed and filled between the outer plate 3 and the inner plate 4. A plurality of storage compartments are formed in the refrigerator main body 2 by

heat insulating partitions

6, 7, and 8. Each storage chamber of the refrigerator main body 2 is constituted by a rotatable refrigerator door 9 having a heat insulating structure similar to that of the refrigerator main body 2, or

drawer type doors

10, 11, 12, and 13 so as to be openable and closable.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, a refrigerating compartment 14 is disposed in the refrigerator main body 2 at the uppermost portion. In the example of the present embodiment, the refrigerator main body 2 is provided with: switching room 15 capable of switching temperature ranges, ice making room 16, vegetable room 17, and freezing room 18 provided in parallel in switching room 15. Switching room 15 is vertically divided from refrigerating room 14 by heat-insulating partition plate 6, and is disposed below heat-insulating partition plate 6. Ice making chamber 16 is partitioned into heat-insulating regions and is disposed beside switching chamber 15. Vegetable compartment 17 is vertically partitioned from switching compartment 15 and ice making compartment 16 by heat insulating partition plate 7, and is disposed below heat insulating partition plate 7. Freezing compartment 18 is vertically partitioned from vegetable compartment 17 by heat-insulating partition plate 8, and is disposed below heat-insulating partition plate 8.

In the refrigerating compartment 14, a plurality of shelves 19 are arranged in a vertically stacked manner. A freezer compartment 20 having a cooling temperature range different from that of the refrigerator compartment 14 is disposed in a lower portion of the refrigerator compartment 14.

The refrigerating chamber 14 is a storage chamber for refrigerating and preserving, and specifically, is cooled after setting a temperature of about 2 to 3 ℃. The freezing chamber 20 provided in the refrigerating chamber 14 is set to a temperature of about-3 ℃ suitable for freezing preservation. The freezing chamber 20 can be set to a temperature range of about 1 ℃.

The vegetable compartment 17 is a storage compartment whose temperature is set to be slightly higher than that of the refrigerating compartment 14, and specifically, is cooled after the temperature is set to 4 to 7 ℃. Since the vegetable room 17 has a high humidity due to moisture generated from food such as vegetables, the room may be partially supercooled and dew may be condensed. Therefore, the vegetable compartment 17 is set at a relatively high temperature to reduce the amount of cooling, thereby suppressing the occurrence of dew condensation due to local supercooling.

The freezer compartment 18 is a storage compartment whose temperature is set to a freezing temperature range, and is cooled after being set to about-18 ℃. However, in order to improve the frozen storage state of the stored food, the food may be cooled at a low temperature, for example, minus 30 ℃ or minus 25 ℃.

The switching chamber 15 is a storage chamber capable of changing the temperature in the interior of the refrigerator, and can be switched from a refrigeration temperature range to a freezing temperature range depending on the application.

A cooling chamber 21 is disposed on the rear surface (right side in the X direction in fig. 2) of the vegetable compartment 17. The cooling chamber 21 is provided with: a cooler 22 for generating cool air; and a cooling fan 23 for supplying cold air to each chamber. A defrosting mechanism 24 (hereinafter referred to as a heater) including a glass tube heater and the like is provided below the cooler 22.

The cooler 22, the compressor 25, a heat exchanger (not shown), and a dew condensation preventing pipe (not shown) for preventing dew condensation at the opening of each chamber and a capillary tube (not shown) are annularly connected to form a refrigeration cycle, and cooling by the cooler 22 is performed by circulation of a refrigerant compressed by the compressor 25.

The cooling fan 23 is provided above the cooler 22. Part of the cold air cooled in cooler 22 is supplied to refrigerating room 14 through refrigerating room cold air flow path 26 communicating with cooling room 21 on the downstream side of cooling fan 23 by forced ventilation of cooling fan 23. Part of the cold air cooled in cooler 22 is supplied to freezer compartment 18 through freezer cold air duct 27 by forced ventilation by cooling fan 23. Part of the cold air circulating in refrigerating room 14 or the cold air cooled in cooler 22 passes through a vegetable room cold air passage (not shown) and is supplied to vegetable room 17. In this manner, the refrigerator 1 is configured to cool each compartment.

A refrigerating compartment damper 39 for adjusting the amount of cold air to be introduced into refrigerating compartment 14 is provided in heat-insulating partition plate 6 for partitioning refrigerating compartment 14, switching compartment 15, and ice making compartment.

Next, the structure of the refrigerating chamber 14 will be described in detail.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of an upper portion of the refrigerating compartment 14. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the electrostatic atomizer in fig. 3, and fig. 5 is a perspective view of the atomizing cover member.

An electrostatic atomizing device 29 is provided on an inner panel 4 constituting an inner wall of the refrigerating compartment 14 and on a top surface portion 28 of the refrigerating compartment 14. The electrostatic atomization device 29 generates a nano-sized negative ion mist in the storage chamber. The electrostatic atomization device 29 includes: an atomizing unit 30 for condensing moisture in the air in the refrigerating compartment 14; and a circuit unit 31 for applying a high voltage to the atomizing unit 30.

The atomizing part 30 includes: an atomizing electrode 40 that generates negative ion mist; and a counter electrode 41 disposed opposite to the atomizing electrode 40. The peltier element 42 is provided as a supply mechanism for supplying moisture in the air to the atomizing electrode 40. The peltier element 42 of the heat exchanger is energized from the circuit unit 31. Thereby, heat transfer occurs in the peltier element 42, and the atomizing electrode 40 is cooled via the cooling portion connected to the heat absorption side of the peltier element 42. Since the humidity of the refrigerating chamber 14 is particularly low humidity environment of about 20 to 30%, the atomizing electrode 40 is less likely to form dew.

Therefore, by increasing the cooling capacity of the atomizing electrode 40 by the peltier element 42, moisture in the air is cooled, and ice frozen on the atomizing electrode 40 is generated. Then, the energization of the peltier element 42 is stopped, and the ice frozen on the atomizing electrode 40 melts to generate water. A high voltage is applied between the atomizing electrode 40 and the counter electrode 41 via a transformer of the circuit unit 31, and the generated water is atomized by applying a current to the peltier element 42, thereby generating mist.

Refrigerating room cold air flow path 26 is provided behind electrostatic atomizing device 29, i.e., on the rear surface of refrigerating room 14. Cold-storage room air-conditioning duct 26 is provided to extend from the lower end of cold-storage room 14 to a position above uppermost shelf 19 and below top surface 28. Refrigerating room cold air flow path 26 is provided with a plurality of discharge ports. Of the air outlets provided in cold-storage room air-conditioning duct 26, air outlet 26a provided at the uppermost portion opens toward top surface portion 28.

The top surface portion 28 is provided with an illumination device 32 including an LED (light emitting diode) for illuminating the inside of the refrigerator compartment 14. The lighting device 32 and the electrostatic atomizing device 29 are disposed in this order from the front opening side of the refrigerating compartment 14.

Space 33 is formed between electrostatic atomizing device 29 and discharge port 26a of cold air passage 26 in the refrigerating compartment. Electrostatic atomizing device 29 is disposed closer to lighting device 32 than cold-storage compartment air-conditioning duct 26.

A control board housing portion 35 for housing a control board 34 is disposed on the outer panel 3 constituting the top wall of the refrigerator 1, and the control board 34 controls the operation of the refrigerator 1. In the example of the present embodiment, the control board housing portion 35 is formed by a recess provided on the ceiling wall, and the control board 34 is housed in the control board housing portion 35.

The electrostatic atomizing device 29 is disposed below the control board 34, where the top surface portion 28 is thinner than the front surface opening of the refrigerating compartment 14.

As shown in fig. 4, the atomizing cover member 37 of the electrostatic atomizing device 29 is formed to protrude from the top surface 28 toward the uppermost shelf 19 of the refrigerating compartment 14 toward the inside of the compartment. As shown in fig. 5, mist discharge ports 37e formed in a plurality of layers in the vertical direction are disposed in the side surface portion 37d of the atomizing cover member 37. The atomizing cover member 37 can discharge the mist into the refrigerating compartment 14 through the mist discharge port 37 e. The mist discharge port 37e of the atomizing cover member 37 is formed in a step shape so as to be closer to the atomizing area 30 or the circuit area 31 as the mist discharge port 37e goes down. Guide ribs 37f extending in the horizontal direction are formed between the mist discharge openings 37e adjacent in the up-down direction. Thus, even if food or the like is placed in front of the atomizing cover member 37, the mist discharge port 37e is not blocked.

Therefore, even when refrigerating room 14 is filled with food or the like, the mist can be released from mist release port 37 e. Various odor components are decomposed by OH radicals contained in the mist, and the sterilization and deodorization effects in the refrigerating compartment 14 can be maintained.

As shown in fig. 4, the bottom surface of atomizing cover member 37 is disposed so as to be inclined upward toward the front opening of refrigerating compartment 14. Therefore, the mist discharge port 37e can be more effectively prevented from being clogged with food or the like.

The side surface portion 37d of the atomizing cover member 37 is formed to protrude into the chamber. Therefore, the mist discharge port 37e formed in the side surface portion 37d is also disposed at a position protruding into the interior space. Therefore, the air in the reservoir is easily sucked into the atomizing cover member 37.

Therefore, the mist discharge port 37e functions as a suction port for sucking in the air in the interior together with the moisture contained in the air. That is, although the moisture in the air in the atomizing cover member 37 is reduced when water is generated in the atomizing area 30, the mist discharge port 37e functions as a suction port for sucking the air in the storage into the atomizing cover member 37, and the air in the storage can be continuously fed into the atomizing cover member 37 to be replaced. Therefore, a suitable mist can be continuously generated in the atomizing unit 30. Therefore, various odor components are decomposed by OH radicals contained in the mist, and thus the sterilization and deodorization effects can be improved.

An opening 37g is formed in the atomizing cover member 37 on the side opposite to the outlet port 26 a. An opening 37h is formed in the atomizing cover member 37 on the side not facing the outlet port 26 a. The opening area of the opening 37g is smaller than the opening area of the opening 37 h. This prevents the cold air with low humidity near the air outlet 26a from actively entering the atomizing cover member 37.

In the present embodiment, two air outlets 26a are formed in refrigerating room cold air flow path 26 in the lateral width direction. In a plan view of refrigerator 1, the uppermost air outlet 26a is disposed on both the left and right sides so that atomizing area 30 is disposed between the extension lines of the two air outlets 26a in the front-rear direction. In this way, the low-humidity cold air blown out from the air outlet 26a does not directly contact the atomizing area 30.

The operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 29 disposed in the refrigerating compartment 14 as described above will be described.

Fig. 6 is a timing chart showing the operation of the electrostatic atomizing apparatus 29, and shows the 1 st operation mode of the electrostatic atomizing apparatus 29 in the case where the temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the refrigerator 1 is 15 ℃.

In the 1 st operation mode, the freezing mode in which moisture in the air is frozen on the atomizing electrode 40, the melting mode in which the frozen ice is melted to generate water, and the atomizing mode in which the generated water is atomized are operated in this order. Thereby, the mist is sprayed toward the refrigerating compartment 14. Each operation mode will be specifically described.

As shown in fig. 6, during operation of compressor 25, that is, in the ON state of the compressor, refrigerating room damper 39 is opened (opened), and cold air is blown out from discharge port 26a to refrigerating room 14 through refrigerating room cold air flow path 26.

Next, if an indoor temperature sensor (not shown) of refrigerating room 14 becomes a predetermined temperature at a certain point of time, a closing signal is input to refrigerating room damper 39 so that refrigerating room damper 39 is changed from an open state to a closed state.

Starting from the state where refrigerating room damper 39 is opened to the closed state, energization to peltier element 42 of electrostatic atomizing device 29 is started, and the operation in the freeze mode is performed. In the freezing mode, the peltier element 42 is energized for a predetermined time, and the atomizing electrode 40 is cooled. At this time, as the current value, a high current of 1.5A was applied to the peltier element 42 to increase the cooling capacity, and moisture in the air in the refrigerating chamber 14 was frozen on the atomizing electrode 40.

The freezing mode is started when the refrigerating compartment damper 39 is closed. Therefore, the low-temperature and low-humidity cold air having undergone heat exchange in cooler 22 is not discharged from air outlet 26a, and the high-humidity air having undergone heat exchange and circulating in refrigerating room 14 is supplied to electrostatic atomizing device 29. That is, while suppressing the decrease in moisture, the cooling capacity is increased by supplying a high current to the peltier element 42, and thus the moisture can be continuously frozen on the atomizing electrode 40.

In the case of the example of the present embodiment, the operation time of the freeze mode is 10 minutes, and the freeze mode continues for 10 minutes. The operating time can be changed. The operating time may also be varied depending on the load conditions. For example, in the case where there are many stored items in refrigerating room 14, the humidity in the room tends to be high, and therefore, the predetermined time for operating the freezing mode can be shortened as compared with the case where there are few stored items.

After the freeze mode is performed for a predetermined time, the operation of the thaw mode is started. In the case of the example of the present embodiment, the operation time of the thawing mode is 30 seconds, and the thawing mode continues for 30 seconds. In the melting mode, the energization of the peltier element 42 is stopped for a predetermined period of time, and ice frozen on the atomizing electrode 40 is melted to generate water. The thawing mode may be performed in a state where the refrigerating compartment damper 39 is closed, so that the generated water is not dried.

After the melting mode is started and a prescribed time has elapsed, the operation of the atomizing mode is started next. In the case of the example of the present embodiment, the operation time of the atomization mode is 15 minutes, and the atomization mode continues for 15 minutes. In the atomization mode, a high voltage is applied between the atomization electrode 40 and the counter electrode 41, and the peltier element 42 is also energized. At this time, the peltier element 42 is energized at a low current of 0.5A, which is lower than that in the freezing mode, so that the atomizing electrode 40 is cooled while atomizing, and moisture in the air can be condensed. Therefore, in the atomization mode, the nano-sized negative ion mist can be continuously and rapidly ejected into the refrigerating chamber 14.

When the peltier element 42 is not energized during the atomization mode, the heat on the heat radiation side of the atomization portion 30 moves to the heat absorption side, and the temperature of the atomization electrode 40 increases. Also, in the environment of the refrigerating compartment 14 of low humidity, the evaporation of the water generated in the melting mode is promoted. Therefore, sufficient water cannot be held by atomizing electrode 40, and mist may not be supplied into refrigerating room 14 quickly.

As shown in fig. 6, since the operation of electrostatic atomizing device 29 in the freeze mode is started, and then the operation of the next thaw mode and the start of the last atomizing mode are performed with refrigerating room damper 39 closed, moisture is more easily collected from the air in refrigerating room 14 and mist can be continuously generated more quickly than in the case where the operation is performed with refrigerating room damper 39 open. In addition, depending on the use state of the refrigerator 1 by the user, even when the refrigerating room damper 39 is opened during the operation in each of these modes, the operation in each mode can be performed without interrupting the 1 st operation mode of the electrostatic atomizing device 29.

The 1 st operation mode may be performed every 1 cycle in conjunction with the opening and closing cycle of refrigerating room damper 39. Alternatively, the 1 st operation mode may be performed every 2 or more predetermined cycles. In the case of the present embodiment, the operation of the 1 st operation mode is performed for every 2 cycles of the opening and closing operations of refrigerating room damper 39, and the air is sprayed into refrigerating room 14 to perform sterilization and deodorization in refrigerating room 14.

Fig. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the electrostatic atomizing device 29, and shows the 2 nd operation mode of the electrostatic atomizing device 29 in a case where the detected temperature of the outside air temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the refrigerator 1 is less than 15 ℃.

As shown in fig. 7, when the outside air temperature is low (low temperature) less than 15 ℃, the operation rate of the compressor 25 is low and the load is low. Therefore, the opening rate of the refrigerating compartment damper 39 also decreases. Accordingly, even if the operation of compressor 25 is in the Open (ON) state, refrigerating compartment damper 39 is not opened and continues to be in the closed state, and the opening and closing operation of refrigerating compartment damper 39 may not be interlocked with the operation cycle of compressor 25.

Therefore, at the time of low outside air temperature, the energization of the peltier element 42 of the electrostatic atomization device 29 is started from the start of the change from off to on of the compressor 25 without being affected by the opening and closing operation of the refrigeration compartment damper 39, and the freezing mode is executed. In the freezing mode, the peltier element 42 is energized, and the atomizing electrode 40 is cooled. At this time, as the current value, a high current of 1.5A was applied to the peltier element 42 to increase the cooling capacity, and moisture in the air in the refrigerating chamber 14 was frozen on the atomizing electrode 40.

As described above, at a low outside air temperature, the opening rate of refrigerating compartment damper 39 decreases, and refrigerating compartment damper 39 is often kept in a closed state. Therefore, the air in the refrigerating compartment 14 is air that circulates through the refrigerating compartment 14 and exchanges heat, and has a high humidity. Therefore, in the freezing mode, the cooling capacity is improved by applying a high current to the peltier element 42, and moisture in the air with a high humidity can be frozen on the atomizing electrode 40. This can continue freezing while suppressing a decrease in moisture in refrigerating room 14.

The freeze mode is continuously operated for a predetermined time period, which can be changed, as in the 1 st operation mode.

The melting mode and the atomizing mode are continuously operated for a predetermined time as in the operation in the 1 st operation mode. Depending on the operating conditions, even when the compressor 25 is closed or the refrigerating compartment damper 39 is opened in the middle of the 2 nd operation mode, the operation in each mode is performed without interrupting the 2 nd operation mode of the electrostatic atomizing device 29.

The 2 nd operation mode may be performed for each cycle in conjunction with the closing and opening operations of the compressor 25. Alternatively, the 2 nd operation mode may be operated every 2 or more predetermined cycles. In the example of the 2 nd operation mode shown in fig. 7, the operation of the 2 nd operation mode is performed every 2 cycles of the operation of the compressor 25, and the refrigerant is sprayed into the refrigerating compartment 14 to perform sterilization and deodorization in the refrigerating compartment 14.

A humidity detection unit 45 that detects the humidity in the room is provided in the refrigerating compartment 14. When the humidity detection unit 45 detects that the temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined humidity, the energization time to the peltier element 42 in the freeze mode is reduced to be shorter than the predetermined time. This can prevent the water in the air from being frozen in a state where the water is excessively attached to the atomizing electrode 40 and from dropping from the atomizing electrode 40 as water droplets when the water is melted.

When the humidity detected by the humidity detector 45 is high humidity, the freezing mode may be stopped and only the fogging mode may be executed. This enables mist to be supplied into the room of refrigerating room 14 quickly.

In the present embodiment, an example in which humidity detecting unit 45 is provided in refrigerating room 14 is described. However, the humidity detection unit 45 may be provided outside the refrigerator main body 2, and the operation time of the freezing mode may be reduced or stopped according to the outside air humidity.

Even when the refrigerating chamber door 9 is opened in the freezing mode, the power supply to the peltier element 42 can be continued to continue the operation in the freezing operation mode. In this case, since the high-humidity outside air enters the refrigerator compartment due to the opening of the refrigerating compartment door 9, moisture in the air is easily collected on the atomizing electrode 40.

Further, if the refrigerating chamber door 9 is opened at the time of the atomization mode, the operation of the atomization mode, that is, the energization to the peltier element 42 and the application of the high voltage may also be stopped. Next, if the refrigerating chamber door 9 is closed, the operation in the atomizing mode may be resumed and the operation may be performed for the remaining time. This can spray the mist to the refrigerating compartment 14, thereby improving the performance of sterilization and deodorization in the compartment.

As described above, in the refrigerator according to the present invention, the atomizing electrode of the electrostatic atomizing device is cooled even in the atomizing mode, so that not only can water be continuously supplied to the atomizing electrode, but also mist can be quickly supplied into the room.

Industrial applicability

The present invention can continue to supply water to the atomizing electrode and can rapidly supply mist into a room, and is therefore applicable to various refrigerators, since the atomizing electrode is cooled even in the atomizing mode.

Description of the reference numerals

1 refrigerator

2 refrigerator body

3 outer plate

4 inner plate

5 insulating material

6. 7, 8 heat insulation partition board

9 refrigerating chamber door

10 door

14 refrigerating compartment

15 switching chamber

16 Ice making chamber

17 vegetable room

18 freezing chamber

19 shelf

20 micro-freezing chamber

21 cooling chamber

22 cooler

23 Cooling fan

25 compressor

26 cold air path of refrigerating chamber

26a air outlet

27 cold air path for freezing chamber

28 Top surface part

29 electrostatic atomization device

30 atomizing part

31 circuit part

32 illumination device

33 space

34 control board (control part)

35 control board storage part

37 atomizing cover component

37d side surface part

37e fog releasing port

37f guide rib

37h opening part

39 refrigerating chamber air door

40 atomizing electrode

41 counter electrode

42 Peltier element

45 humidity detection portion.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising:

a refrigerating chamber; and

an electrostatic atomization device disposed in the refrigerating chamber for applying high voltage to atomize water,

the electrostatic atomization device comprises:

an atomizing electrode;

an opposing electrode opposing the atomizing electrode; and

a Peltier element for cooling the atomizing electrode,

the working modes of the electrostatic atomization device are as follows:

a freezing mode in which moisture in the air is frozen on the atomizing electrode by cooling the atomizing electrode by applying electricity to the peltier element;

a melting mode in which the energization of the peltier element is stopped and ice frozen on the atomizing electrode is melted to generate water; and

an atomization mode in which a high voltage is applied between the atomization electrode and the counter electrode and the peltier element is energized.

2. A refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

a current value of an energizing current to the peltier element in the atomization mode is lower than a current value of an energizing current to the peltier element in the freezing mode.

3. A refrigerator as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:

the refrigerator includes a refrigerating compartment damper for adjusting an amount of cold air supplied to the refrigerating compartment,

the electrostatic atomization device operates according to any one of a 1 st operation mode and a 2 nd operation mode, wherein the 1 st operation mode operates based on the opening and closing operation of the refrigerating chamber damper, and the 2 nd operation mode operates based on a condition other than the opening and closing operation of the refrigerating chamber damper.

4. A refrigerator as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

the refrigerator includes an outside air temperature detecting part,

the electrostatic atomization device switches the operation mode between the 1 st operation mode and the 2 nd operation mode based on the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detection unit.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that:

the freezing mode in the case where the operation mode is the 1 st operation mode is executed for a predetermined time period on condition that the refrigerating compartment damper is changed from an open state to a closed state.

6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein:

the refrigerator includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant,

the freezing mode in the case where the operation mode is the 2 nd operation mode is executed for a predetermined time on condition that the compressor is turned from an off state to an on state.

7. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein:

the operation modes are executed in the order of the freezing mode, the thawing mode, and the atomizing mode, and each of the operation modes is executed for a predetermined time.

8. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein:

the refrigerator includes a humidity detection unit that detects humidity of the refrigerator,

the electrostatic atomization device can reduce the predetermined time for executing the freeze mode or stop the freeze mode based on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit.