JP5261970B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator having high deodorizing and sterilizing performance. <P>SOLUTION: This refrigerator 100 has a box body 101 composed of a thermal insulation material and forming a storage chamber 102 inside, a door body 107 openably-closably installed in an opening part of the box body 101, a cooling means 115 generating cold air by cooling air, and a refrigeration chamber delivery duct (a cold air circulating passage) 129a circulating the cold air between the storage chamber 102 and the cooling means 115. The inside of the cold air circulating passage is provided with a sterilizing device 200 having a carrier 201 carrying a photocatalyst, and a first irradiating means 202 irradiating the carrier 201 with the exciting light for exciting the photocatalyst. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to a refrigerator in which cold air circulates between a storage room and a cooling means.

  In recent years, since various foods in various regions are stored in refrigerators, there is a great need for deodorization and sterilization of foods stored in refrigerators. For the purpose of sterilization, development of a sterilization / deodorization apparatus using various methods is in progress.

  A filter constituting a conventional sterilization apparatus is arranged so as to block an air passage, and performs deodorization and sterilization in air passing through the filter (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, as a conventional sterilization apparatus using a photocatalyst, a filter-like member carrying titanium oxide is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and an organic substance in the refrigerator is oxidized and decomposed using a photocatalytic reaction to deodorize and remove. Several methods, such as those that carry out fungi, are employed.

  The conventional sterilization / deodorization apparatus will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 9 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the refrigerator when the sterilization apparatus is attached to the refrigerating room return air suction section.

  The sterilization apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a sterilization filter 1, a deodorization filter 2, and an attachment frame 3. Here, the sterilization filter 1 is formed by mixing a zeolite composed of oxides of silicon, aluminum, sodium and the like into a honeycomb shape, and has a cell count of 100 to 250 cells / in 2 in relation to ventilation resistance. An aperture ratio of 70 to 80% and a thickness of about 8 mm are used.

  The deodorizing filter 2 is kneaded with manganese oxide and silicon or aluminum oxide and molded into a honeycomb shape. In this case, the number of cells and the aperture ratio are often almost the same as those of the sterilizing filter. The sterilizing filter 1 and the deodorizing filter 2 are integrally fixed by a mounting frame 3.

  The sterilization apparatus is disposed in a cool air passage 9 provided in a penetrating manner in a heat insulating portion 8 between the freezer compartment 5 and the refrigerator compartment 6, and is attached so as to close the cool air passage 9.

  The operation of the refrigerator configured as described above will be described below.

  A part of the cold air generated in the evaporator 11 flows into the freezer compartment 5, and a part flows into the refrigerator compartment 6 and other storage rooms below. The cold air circulated through each chamber travels from the return air suction portion 7 to the evaporator 11 through the cold air passage 9. At this time, the wind speed in the cool air passage 9 is about 0.5 m / sec.

By installing the sterilization device, first, bacteria and mold spores are captured together with dust and dust by the sterilization filter 1 in the returning cold air, and then chemical changes of odorous components are advanced by the deodorization filter 2 to remove the odor. Is done.
JP-A-5-157444

  However, in the above conventional configuration, since the deodorizing / sterilizing filter is arranged so as to block the inside of the cool air return air passage, the air flow resistance in the cold air circulation route is large. Therefore, in order to obtain a cooling performance equivalent to that without the filter, it is necessary to increase the ability of the fan 10 for forcibly circulating the cool air.

  However, increasing the fan's ability is not desirable because it goes against noise and energy saving problems.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of obtaining deodorizing and sterilizing effects over a wide range.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a refrigerator according to the present invention includes a box body that forms a storage room, a door body that is openably and closably attached to an opening of the box body, and cool air that cools the storage room. A refrigerator comprising a cooling means to be generated and a cold air circulation path through which the cold air circulates, a carrier carrying a photocatalyst, and first irradiation means for irradiating the carrier with excitation light for exciting the photocatalyst. A first sterilization apparatus having a front opening between the left and right discharge ports of the cold room discharge duct for discharging the cold air to the storage chamber in the cold air circulation path, and more than the storage chamber A deodorizing filter that deodorizes the cold air in the flow path of the cold air that is discharged downstream to the storage chamber having a higher temperature than the first storage chamber, with the storage chamber having a lower temperature than the first storage chamber in the vertical direction. Is provided.

  As a result, when cold air flows into the storage chamber through the discharge port, the cold air can obtain an antibacterial effect by the photocatalyst, and the deodorizing filter having a large air path resistance and a large pressure loss of the cold air flow is discharged. By providing other than the outlet, it is possible to prevent the diffusion of the antibacterial effect by the photocatalyst during the inflow, and to obtain the effect of sterilization in a wider range.

  The refrigerator according to the present invention hardly affects airflow resistance, and has various effects such as maintaining the circulation efficiency of cold air even when a sterilization apparatus is arranged in the storage chamber and protecting the sterilization apparatus from dew condensation. be able to.

The refrigerator according to the present invention includes a box body that forms a storage room, a door body that is openably and closably attached to an opening of the box body, a cooling means that generates cold air for cooling the storage room, and the cold air circulates. A first sterilization apparatus comprising: a carrier on which a photocatalyst is supported; and a first irradiation unit that irradiates the carrier with excitation light that excites the photocatalyst. The first storage chamber in the up-down direction is provided downstream of the storage chamber and in the up-down direction with a front surface between the left and right discharge ports of the refrigeration chamber discharge duct for discharging the cold air to the storage chamber in the circulation path A deodorizing filter for deodorizing the cold air is provided in a flow path of the cold air discharged to the storage chamber having a higher temperature than the first storage chamber across a storage chamber having a lower temperature.

  As a result, when cold air flows into the storage chamber through the discharge port, the cold air can obtain an antibacterial effect by the photocatalyst, and the deodorizing filter having a large air path resistance and a large pressure loss of the cold air flow is discharged. By providing other than the outlet, it is possible to prevent the diffusion of the antibacterial effect by the photocatalyst during the inflow, and to obtain the effect of sterilization in a wider range.

(Embodiment 1)
Next, an embodiment of a refrigerator according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, a refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment is a refrigerator 100 that includes a double door, and includes a plurality of storage compartments in a heat insulating box 101 serving as a box body.

  A plurality of compartments in the refrigerator 100 are divided into a refrigeration room 102, an ice making room 105, an ice making room 105 according to its function (cooling temperature), a switching room 106 in which the temperature in the warehouse can be changed, a vegetable room 104, Also referred to as the freezer compartment 103 or the like.

  At the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 102, a rotary heat insulating door 107 filled with foam heat insulating material such as urethane is provided.

  In addition, the ice making chamber 105, the switching chamber 106, the vegetable chamber 104, and the freezing chamber 103 are each provided with a heat insulating plate 108 as a front plate of the drawer, thereby sealing the storage chamber so that there is no leakage of cold air. .

  FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the refrigerator in the present embodiment, and shows a state cut along the line AA in FIG.

  The heat insulating box 101 is a box formed by filling a heat insulating material such as hard foamed urethane between the outer box and the inner box. This heat insulation box 101 insulates the inside of the heat insulation box 101 from the periphery.

  The refrigerator compartment 102 is a storage compartment maintained at a low temperature that does not freeze for refrigerated storage. The lower limit of the specific temperature is usually set at 1 to 5 ° C.

  The vegetable room 104 is a storage room that is set to a temperature that is equal to or slightly higher than that of the refrigerator room 102. Specifically, it is set at 2 ° C to 7 ° C. In addition, it is possible to maintain the freshness of leafy vegetables for a long time, so that it becomes low temperature.

  Moreover, the vegetable compartment 102 is equipped with the light-emitting bodies 300a, 300b, and 300c which irradiate the indoor store thing. Such a light emitter is, for example, a blue LED. The blue LED has an effect of maintaining the freshness of vegetables by suppressing reduction of vitamins and polyphenols in vegetables. Moreover, the light-emitting body 300c shown in this figure is also an element constituting a sterilization apparatus provided in the vegetable compartment 102 as will be described later.

  The freezer compartment 103 is a storage room set in a freezing temperature zone. Specifically, although it is normally set at −22 to −18 ° C. for frozen storage, it may be set at a low temperature of −30 or −25 ° C., for example, in order to improve the frozen storage state.

  The ice making chamber 105 is a storage chamber in which an ice making machine (not shown) is provided and ice is made by the ice making machine and the ice is stored.

  The switching chamber 106 can be switched from a refrigeration temperature zone to a freezing temperature zone according to the use by an operation panel attached to the refrigerator 100.

  The top surface portion of the heat insulating box 101 is formed with a recess 113 so as to be stepped toward the back of the refrigerator, and includes a first top surface portion 111 and a second top surface portion 112. The step-shaped recess 113 accommodates a compressor 114, a dryer (not shown) for removing moisture, and other components on the high-pressure side of the cooling means for realizing the refrigeration cycle. That is, the recess 113 in which the compressor 114 is disposed is formed by biting into the uppermost rear region in the refrigerator compartment 102. Therefore, the compressor 114 is not disposed in the rear region of the lowermost storage chamber of the heat insulating box 101 that has been generally used conventionally.

  On the back surfaces of the freezing room 103 and the vegetable room 104, a cooling room 115 is provided in such a manner as to straddle both rooms. The cooling chamber 115 is partitioned from the freezer compartment 103 and the vegetable compartment 104 by a first partition 116 having heat insulation as a partition wall. Moreover, between the freezer compartment 103 and the vegetable compartment 104, the 2nd partition 117 which has the heat insulation as a heat insulation partition wall is arrange | positioned.

  Since the first partition 116 and the second partition 117 are parts assembled to the heat insulating box 101 after the heat insulating box 101 is foamed, expanded polystyrene is usually used as a heat insulating material. In addition, in order to improve heat insulation performance and rigidity, rigid foaming urethane may be used, and furthermore, a vacuum insulation material having high heat insulation properties may be inserted to further reduce the partition structure. In addition, the ice partition 105 and the third partition 118 which is the top surface of the switching chamber 106 and the fourth partition 119 on the bottom surface of the ice making chamber 105 and the switching chamber 106 which are arranged in parallel are integrally formed of the same foam heat insulating material as the heat insulating box 101.

  The cooling chamber 115 constitutes a part of the cooling means, and typically includes a fin-and-tube evaporator 120. In addition, the cooling chamber 115 is arranged vertically in the vertical direction across the freezing chamber 103 and the vegetable chamber 104. However, the cooling chamber 115 is arranged so that the area facing the vegetable chamber 104 is smaller than the area facing the freezing chamber 103. This is because the cooling chamber 115 has the lowest temperature in the refrigerator 100, and thus the influence of the low temperature state on the vegetable chamber 104 is reduced.

  A cooling fan 121 is disposed in the upper space of the evaporator 120. The cooling fan 121 is cooled by the evaporator 120 and blows cool air, forcibly convects the cool air to each storage chamber, and circulates the cool air in the refrigerator 100.

  Inside the refrigerator 100, a circulation path for forcibly circulating cool air is formed. Specifically, the cold air cooled by the evaporator 120 is forced into a blowing state by the cooling fan 121 and is carried to each room through a duct provided between each storage room and the heat insulating box 101. The chamber is cooled and returned to the evaporator 120 through the suction duct.

  The cold air is circulated by a single cooling fan 121.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a duct configuration which is a part of a cold air circulation path.

  As shown in the figure, the refrigerator 100 includes a refrigerating room 102 / vegetable room 104 circulation path through which relatively high-temperature cold air circulates, an ice making room 105 circulation path through which relatively low-temperature cold air circulates, and a freezer room 103 circulation path. , And the switching chamber 106 circulation path.

  First, the circulation path of the refrigerator compartment 102 and the vegetable compartment 104 will be described.

  The cold air cooled by the evaporator 120 is blown by the cooling fan 121 to the refrigerating chamber 102 through the refrigerating chamber discharge duct 129a.

  However, the cool air cooled by the evaporator 120 is cooled to a temperature that can sufficiently cope with the freezer compartment 103. Accordingly, if the air is kept being blown to the refrigerator compartment 102 in a relatively low temperature cold state, the refrigerator compartment 102 becomes too cold. Therefore, a twin damper 128 capable of controlling the insertion of the cold air is provided in the cold air circulation path including the refrigerator compartment 102. The cold air cooled by the evaporator 120 is controlled by the twin damper 128 to be inserted (cool air circulation ON / OFF) and does not always circulate through the path of the refrigerator compartment 102 and the vegetable compartment 104. Further, when the entire refrigerator 100 is sufficiently cooled, the rotation of the cooling fan 121 is stopped and the circulation of the cold air is also stopped. At this time, the cooling cycle, that is, the compressor 114 and the like are also stopped.

  The cool air cooled by the evaporator 120 passes through the refrigerator discharge duct 129a upward from below according to the control, and is discharged to the refrigerator 102 through the discharge port 130 opened at the top of the refrigerator 102. The cold air that has passed through the refrigerator compartment 102 is sucked into the recovery port 131 that opens at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment 102. Next, the cold air sucked into the recovery port 131 is discharged into the vegetable compartment 104 from the discharge port 136 opened at the upper part of the vegetable compartment 104 through the refrigerator compartment return duct 137.

  The refrigerator compartment return duct 137 is provided with a deodorizing filter 135a to deodorize the cold air that has passed through the refrigerator compartment.

  The deodorizing filter 135a is a filter that is provided in the refrigerating chamber return duct 137 and is formed by entangled fibers in which activated carbon is kneaded, and is provided in a cold air circulation path provided at a position different from the discharge port 130 in the cold air circulation path. It is an example of the filter which deodorizes the inside cold air.

  By providing such a deodorizing filter, the cold air circulating in the refrigerator can be deodorized. Further, since the filter blocks the path, the pressure loss of the cold air flow is large. By providing such a filter with a large pressure loss in the subsequent stage of the flow in the refrigerator compartment, it is possible to reduce the blowing power of the cooling fan 121 as compared with the case of providing in the previous stage, and the cooling fan 121 can be downsized. In addition, it becomes easy to secure the air volume necessary for the circulation of the cold air.

  In addition, the vegetable compartment 104 is equipped with a sterilization apparatus as will be described later.

  Finally, the cold air that has passed through the vegetable compartment 104 returns to the evaporator 120 again. The above is the circulation path of the cold air refrigerator compartment 102 and vegetable compartment 104.

  In the case of the present embodiment, in addition to the path of the cool air discharged to the refrigerator compartment 102 through the discharge port 130, a part of the cool air is branched before being discharged from the discharge port 130 and introduced into the sterilization apparatus 200. After that, it is discharged into the refrigerator compartment 102 and returns to the circulation path of the refrigerator compartment 102 and the vegetable compartment 104. A branch path constituting a part of the cold air circulation path will be described later.

  In the ice making chamber 105 and the switching chamber 106, the circulation of the cold air is controlled by a damper for intermittently controlling the discharged cold air, and the temperature of each chamber is controlled. Each of the refrigerator compartment 102, the ice making compartment 105, and the switching compartment 106 is equipped with a temperature sensor (not shown) for controlling the internal temperature, and a control board 122 (see FIG. 2) attached to the back of the refrigerator 100. ) Controls the opening and closing of the damper. That is, when the temperature sensor is higher than a preset first temperature, the damper is opened, and when the temperature sensor is lower than the second temperature, the damper is closed to adjust the internal temperature to a predetermined temperature.

  The ice making room damper 123 for intermittently controlling the ice making room 105 is installed in the upper part of the cooling room 115, and the cool air blown from the cooling fan 121 passes through the ice making room damper 123 and the ice making room discharge duct 124a in the ice making room 105. After being discharged and heat-exchanged, the duct is configured to return to the evaporator 120 via the ice making chamber return duct 124b.

  The twin damper 128 is integrally provided with a damper for intermittently controlling the refrigerator compartment 102 and a damper for intermittently controlling the switching chamber 106. Further, the twin damper 128 intermittently interrupts the cold air of the cold compartment flap 125 and the switching chamber 106. In addition to the switching chamber flap 126, a motor unit 127 for driving the flap is also provided. The twin damper 128 is installed around the back of the ice making chamber 105 and the switching chamber 106.

  Next, the sterilization apparatus 200 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the sterilization apparatus attached to the refrigerator.

  The sterilization apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment forcibly sterilizes bacteria, spores and the like present in the cold air, and can also achieve deodorization by decomposing organic substances present in the cold air. And a support 201 on which the photocatalyst is supported, and first irradiation means 202 for irradiating the support 201 with excitation light for exciting the photocatalyst.

  The carrier 201 is made of a resin made of a porous material that can come into contact with a large amount of cold air, and has a filter-like shape formed by entangled fibers in which a photocatalyst is kneaded. Further, as the base resin, a resin capable of transmitting light that is easily excited by the photocatalyst is used.

  A photocatalyst is a catalyst that can be sterilized by irradiating light of a specific wavelength to sterilize germs in cold air or oxidize or decompose odor components (organic substances, etc.) in cold air. Yes, it is a substance that is considered to be able to activate (for example, ionize or radicalize) components in cold air and to sterilize or deodorize based on this. Specific examples of the photocatalyst include silver oxide and titanium oxide.

  The wavelength of light necessary for silver oxide to exhibit functions such as sterilization is the blue region of visible light of about 400 nm to 580 nm. The wavelength of light necessary for titanium oxide to perform functions such as sterilization is 380 nm.

  The 1st irradiation means 202 is an apparatus provided with the light source 132 which can radiate | emit the light containing the wavelength which can excite a photocatalyst.

  The light source 132 may be any light source capable of emitting a predetermined amount of light having a wavelength including the light having the above wavelength, and examples thereof include an ultraviolet lamp and a normal light bulb. In addition, when the photocatalyst is silver oxide, the use of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits blue light (470 nm) in the visible light region makes it possible to extend the life and cost. Further, when the photocatalyst is titanium oxide, a UV-LED that emits UV (Ultraviolet) light of 380 nm may be employed.

  In the case of the present embodiment, silver oxide is used as the photocatalyst, and three LEDs as the light source 132 of the first irradiation means 202 are arranged side by side on an elongated substrate.

  Next, how the sterilization apparatus 200 is attached to the refrigerator 100 will be specifically described.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an attachment mode of the sterilization apparatus.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a recessed portion 203 having an open front surface is provided between the discharge ports 130 at the upper end of the refrigerator compartment 102. The recessed portion 203 is provided in front of a stepped recess 113 to which the compressor 114 and the like are attached. The portion is an invalid space that does not become a storage space, and by providing the recessed portion 203 for attaching the sterilization apparatus 200 to the portion, sterilization can be performed without sacrificing the storage space in the refrigerator compartment 102. The device 200 can be attached.

  A branch port 204 for branching cold air is provided on both side walls of the recessed portion 203. As shown by the arrow in FIG. 5, a part of the cool air discharged into the refrigerator compartment 102 is introduced into the sterilization apparatus 200 by the branch port 204.

  The first irradiation means 202 is embedded in the back wall of the recessed portion 203 so that the light sources 132 (LEDs) are arranged side by side, and is arranged so that the light of the light sources 132 can be irradiated toward the front carrier 201. The light projecting direction of the light source 132 is directional and spreads at a predetermined solid angle. Therefore, the distance between the light source 132 and the carrier 201 is set to a predetermined distance.

  The front opening of the recessed portion 203 is covered with a cover member 205 having heat insulating performance. The cover member 205 is a plate-like member that is curved so as to bulge in the direction of the refrigerator compartment 102. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the cover member 205 is such that a part of the center portion projects from the front surface of the back wall of the refrigerating chamber 102 (the dashed line in the figure). Due to the curve of the cover member 205, a gap is generated between the front surface of the back wall of the refrigerator compartment 102 and the cover member 205. The clearance forms a communication hole 207 that communicates the inside of the sterilization apparatus 200 and the refrigerator compartment 102 in the vertical direction.

  With this communication hole 207, the cold air introduced into the recessed portion 203 is discharged from the communication hole 207. In addition, when the cooling fan 121 is stopped and the forced circulation of the cold air is not performed, the cold air in the cold storage chamber 102 passes through the communication hole 207 and the inside of the sterilization apparatus 200 due to natural convection of the cold air in the cold storage chamber 102. It is supposed to go in and out.

  The upper end edge 205a and the lower end edge 205a of the cover member 205 are semi-transparent frosted glass, and a part of light from the light source 132 or reflected light reflected inside the sterilization apparatus 200 is reflected on the upper end of the cover member 205. It leaks out through the edge 205a and the lower end edge 205a.

  The cover member 205 protects the carrier 201 attached to face the refrigerator compartment 102 and the first irradiation means 202 from condensation. That is, in the refrigerator compartment 102, every time the door 107 is opened, moist air is introduced from the outside of the refrigerator 100. Therefore, if there is no cover member 205, the carrier 201 and the first irradiation means 202 that are cooler than the outside air temperature. The wet air comes into direct contact with the water and condensation tends to occur. Therefore, the cover member 205 prevents external air from coming into direct contact with the carrier 201 and the first irradiation means 202 and avoids condensation. Further, the heat insulating performance of the cover member 205 prevents condensation of the cover member 205 itself.

  The carrier 201 is held at the tip of a support member 206 protruding rearward from the back surface of the cover member 205. The carrier 201 is held so that the surface with the largest area becomes a vertical surface, and the surface with the largest area faces the first irradiating means 202 so that the light from the light source 132 is efficiently irradiated. ing.

  As a result, the carrier 201 is in a substantially floating state, and cold air flows along both surfaces of the carrier 201. Therefore, it is possible to bring almost the entire area of the carrier 201 into contact with the cold air. Further, since the carrier 201 is in a state of being almost suspended in the air, the resistance against the flow of cold air is small. Therefore, the circulating air volume of the cold air can be reduced, and the cooling fan 121 can be downsized. Moreover, the contact with the other member prevents the condensation generated in the other member from moving to the carrier as much as possible.

  Further, the front surface of the carrier 201 is supported by a plurality of protrusions 208 provided on the back surface of the cover member 205.

  As a result, the carrier 201 does not flutter in the cold, or the carrier 201 does not bend due to gravity or the like, so that the surface of the carrier 201 is kept straight, and a shadow portion where the light from the first irradiation means 202 does not reach is formed. It is possible to efficiently excite the photocatalyst carried on the carrier 201 without being generated.

  In addition, since the surface with the largest area of the carrier 201 is a vertical surface, even when the carrier 201 is condensed, moisture condensed on the surface with the largest area is pulled downward by gravity and has the largest area. The part is in a state where the water has been cut. Therefore, it is possible to sterilize and deodorize the cold air branched without being disturbed by the dewed water by the photocatalyst.

  About the refrigerator 100 comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  First, the operation of the refrigeration cycle will be described. A refrigeration cycle is operated by a signal from the control board 122 according to a set temperature in each storage chamber, and a cooling operation is performed. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged by the operation of the compressor 114 dissipates heat in a condenser (not shown), condenses and liquefies, and reaches a capillary tube (not shown). Thereafter, the capillary tube is depressurized while exchanging heat with a suction pipe (not shown) to the compressor 114, and becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant and reaches the evaporator 120. By the operation of the cooling fan 121, heat is exchanged with the air in each storage chamber, the refrigerant in the evaporator 120 evaporates, and supply of low-temperature cold air is controlled by a damper or the like to perform desired cooling of each chamber. The refrigerant exiting the evaporator 120 is sucked into the compressor 114 through the suction pipe.

  Next, the function of the sterilization apparatus 200 will be described.

  Cold air containing odors (organic substances, etc.) and bacteria blown from the cooling fan 121 is a refrigerator compartment discharge duct (cold air circulation duct) 129a which is a duct for discharging cold air to the refrigerator compartment 125 and the refrigerator compartment. And is discharged into the refrigerator compartment 102 from the discharge port 130. At this time, a part of the cold air is branched and introduced into the sterilization apparatus 200. The introduced cool air passes so as to lick the surface having the largest area of the carrier 201. Odor components and bacteria contained in the cold air are captured on the surface of the carrier 201. The trapped odor components and bacteria are deodorized and sterilized by oxidative degradation and sterilization by silver oxide. As a result, the odor decomposition and sterilization action is exhibited by the action of silver oxide even when no light is irradiated, so the light irradiation amount and time can be reduced while ensuring the desired deodorization / sterilization light. The life of the irradiation means can be prolonged and the energy saving effect can be enhanced. Further, the light energy (blue or ultraviolet light) emitted from the LED (light source) 132 excites silver oxide having an absorption spectrum in these wavelength regions with the light energy of the blue light, and the photocatalyst on the surface of the support 201 is Excited. When the photocatalyst is excited, OH radicals are generated from moisture in the air, and the odor components captured by the carrier 201 are oxidatively decomposed and the bacteria are lysed.

  The cold air that has passed through the sterilization apparatus 200 as described above becomes clean cold air that has been deodorized and sterilized, and is blown out into the cabinet through the communication hole 207. And inside the refrigerator compartment 102, it mixes with the cold air discharged from the discharge port 130 and circulates in the circulation path.

  Further, the OH radicals generated by the sterilization apparatus 200 are discharged together with cold air to the refrigeration chamber 102 and the like, and deodorization and sterilization are performed in the refrigeration chamber 102.

  Next, another aspect of the sterilization apparatus 200 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another aspect of the sterilization apparatus.

  As shown in the figure, in addition to the sterilization apparatus 200, the sterilization apparatus 210 includes a light source cover member 212 as a second cover member and a double cover member 211 as a third cover member. ing. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same member as the said microbe elimination apparatus 200, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The light source cover member 212 is a semi-cylindrical member that covers the first irradiation means 202 in a sealed state without the flow of cold air, and protects the first irradiation means 202 from condensation. The light source cover member 212 may be made of a material that can sufficiently transmit light capable of exciting the photocatalyst.

  According to the light source cover member 212, since the first irradiation unit 202 can be completely covered, it is possible to completely prevent the first irradiation unit 202 from condensing. The light source 132 with the electrical system can be particularly protected.

  The double cover member 211 has a three-layer structure including an air layer for a cover that covers the sterilization apparatus 210.

  By the double cover member 211, the cover covering the sterilization apparatus 210 is doubled to form an air layer, and the heat insulating function can be exhibited by the structure. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the cover member 205 and the double cover member 211 with a highly heat-insulating material, and the degree of freedom in selecting the material of the cover member 205 or the double cover member 211 can be increased. For example, the cover member 205 and the double cover member 211 can be made of a transparent material, and it can be confirmed from the outside of the sterilization apparatus 200 whether the first irradiation means 202 emits light through the entire cover member.

  As described above, when the door 107 of the refrigerator 100 is opened, the operating state of the sterilization apparatus 200 can be confirmed without providing a separate display device by seeing blue light from the back side of the refrigerator compartment 102. Is possible. Moreover, it can recognize that the refrigerator 100 is disinfected by the said light, and it becomes possible to give a feeling of relief and a clean feeling to the refrigerator 100 user.

  Furthermore, in the case of silver oxide, a long-lived blue LED can be employed as a light source for excitation, so that stable performance can be ensured for a long time and contribution to cost reduction can be achieved.

  FIG. 7 is a partial front view showing an aspect of a sterilization apparatus attached to the vegetable compartment. The sterilization apparatus attached to the vegetable compartment 104 is an example of a storage room that is included in the rear stage of the refrigeration room 102 that is the storage room through which the cold air generated by the evaporator 120, which is an example of a cooling means, first passes. .

  The sterilization apparatus includes an irradiation unit 300c and a carrier 302.

  The carrier 302 carries a photocatalyst and is attached to the fourth partition 119 by a support member 303.

  The irradiation means 300c is a means for irradiating the support 302 with excitation light that excites the photocatalyst supported by the support 302, and also has a function of keeping the vegetables stored in the vegetable room fresh. Such an irradiation unit 300c is realized by, for example, a blue LED. The blue LED has both the function of keeping vegetables fresh as described above and the function of exciting silver oxide.

  A part of the light emitted by the irradiation means 300c passes through the filter-like carrier 302 and irradiates the vegetables. Thereby, it becomes possible to keep the freshness of vegetables and to sterilize the vegetable compartment by the irradiation means.

  Further, the sterilization apparatus attached to the vegetable compartment 104 is provided in a flow path of cool air discharged to the vegetable compartment 104 in front of the discharge port 136. That is, the sterilization apparatus is provided at a position through which the flow of cold air discharged from the discharge port 136 of the vegetable compartment 104 passes. The sterilization apparatus is preferably provided in the vicinity of the discharge port 136 where the flow rate is the highest in the vegetable compartment 104. Thereby, since the cool air passing through the vegetable compartment 104 through the carrier 302 provided in the sterilization apparatus can be increased, the sterilized and deodorized cold air can be circulated in the vegetable compartment 104.

  Note that the deodorizing filter 135 a may be provided in the recovery port 131 instead of in the refrigerator return duct 137.

  Thus, in this Embodiment, compared with the case where there is no deodorizing filter, the cool air circulating in the refrigerator can be deodorized strongly. Further, since the filter closes the path, the pressure loss of the cold air flow is large. However, by providing a filter with such a large pressure loss at a position downstream of the discharge port in the flow of the refrigerating chamber, the filter is provided on the upstream side. Compared to the case, the cooling fan that circulates the cold air can be reduced in blowing power, and the cooling fan can be downsized, and the air volume necessary for the circulation of the cold air can be easily secured.

  In addition, by providing a deodorizing filter at a position downstream of the discharge port in the cold air circulation path, it is possible to deodorize the cold air passing through the storage chamber provided at a later stage in the cold air circulation path, and to other stored items. It is possible to suppress as much as possible the transfer of odors.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment in which the deodorizing filter constitutes a sterilization apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a partial front view showing an aspect in Embodiment 2 of the present invention of the deodorizing filter attached to the refrigerator compartment return duct, and FIG. 9 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing the same aspect.

  Similar to the deodorizing filter 135a of the first embodiment, the deodorizing filter 135b shown in the figure is a filter that is provided in the refrigerating chamber return duct 137 and is formed by entangled fibers in which activated carbon is kneaded, and is circulated by cold air. It is an example of the filter which deodorizes the cool air in the cool air circulation path | route provided in the position different from the discharge outlet 130 in a path | route. Further, a photocatalyst is kneaded into the deodorizing filter 135b of the present embodiment. That is, the deodorizing filter 135b is a filter having a deodorizing action, and at the same time, a carrier that supports the photocatalyst.

  The irradiation unit 131 is a unit that irradiates the deodorization filter 135b with excitation light that excites the photocatalyst carried by the deodorization filter 135b, and is, for example, an LED.

  Note that the deodorizing filter may be provided in the recovery port 131 instead of in the refrigerator return duct 137. In this case, the irradiating means for irradiating light that excites the photocatalyst carried by the deodorizing filter is attached to, for example, a wall surface behind the deodorizing filter that forms the refrigerating chamber return duct 137, and from there, the deodorizing filter is directed forward Irradiate.

  Thus, in this Embodiment, since a deodorizing filter carries a photocatalyst, a sterilization apparatus is realizable with the deodorizing filter 135b and the 2nd irradiation means 310. FIG. Therefore, it is possible to deodorize and sterilize the cold air passing through the storage room provided in the subsequent stage in the cold air circulation path, and to suppress the odor transfer to other stored items and the movement of bacteria as much as possible. .

  Therefore, the deodorizing filter has a second sterilization device having a photocatalyst and a second irradiating unit that irradiates the deodorizing filter with excitation light that excites the photocatalyst carried by the deodorizing filter. In addition to deodorizing the cold air that passes through the storage chamber provided in the subsequent stage, it can be sterilized, and the transfer of odors and bacteria to other stored products can be suppressed as much as possible.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a refrigerator, and is particularly suitable for a refrigerator that stores food or the like at a relatively high temperature. It can also be applied to air cleaners and air conditioners.

Front view of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Vertical sectional view of the refrigerator in the same embodiment The figure showing the duct structure which is a part of the circulation path of the cold air in the same embodiment The perspective view which shows the disinfection apparatus of the state attached to the refrigerator in the same embodiment Sectional drawing which shows the attachment aspect of the bacteria elimination apparatus in the embodiment The perspective view which shows another aspect of the microbe elimination apparatus in the embodiment The partial front view which shows the aspect of the sterilization apparatus attached to the vegetable compartment in the embodiment The partial front view which shows the aspect in Embodiment 2 of this invention of the deodorizing filter attached to a refrigerator compartment return duct Partial longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the aspect in Embodiment 2 of this invention of the deodorizing filter attached to a refrigerator compartment return duct Partial longitudinal sectional view of a conventional refrigerator equipped with a sterilizer

Explanation of symbols

100 refrigerator 101 heat insulation box (box body)
102 Cold room (storage room)
103 Freezer room (storage room)
104 Vegetable room (storage room)
105 Ice making room (storage room)
106 Switching room (storage room)
107 Door (door)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 108 Heat insulation board 111 1st top surface part 112 2nd top surface part 113 Recessed part 114 Compressor 115 Cooling chamber 120 Evaporator 121 Cooling fan 122 Control board 123 Damper 124a Ice making room discharge duct 124b Ice making room return duct 125 For cold storage room Flap 126 Flap for switching chamber 127 Motor unit 128 Twin damper 129a Refrigeration chamber discharge duct 130 Discharge port 131 Recovery port 132 Light source 135a, 135b Deodorizing filter 136 Discharge port 137 Refrigeration chamber return duct 200 Disinfection device (first disinfection device) )
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 201 Carrier 202 First irradiation means 203 Recessed portion 204 Branch port 205 Cover member 206, 303 Support member 207 Communication hole 208 Protrusion 210 Disinfection device (second disinfection device)
211 Double cover member 212 Light source cover member 310 Second irradiation means

Claims (4)

A box body that forms a storage chamber; a door that is openably and closably attached to an opening of the box body; a cooling unit that generates cool air that cools the storage chamber; and a cold air circulation path through which the cold air circulates. In the refrigerator, a first sterilization apparatus having a carrier on which a photocatalyst is carried and first irradiation means for irradiating the carrier with excitation light for exciting the photocatalyst is provided in the storage chamber in the cold air circulation path. A storage room having a front surface between the left and right outlets of the cold room discharge duct that discharges the cold air is provided in a recessed opening, and is downstream of the storage room and lower in temperature in the vertical direction than the first storage room. A refrigerator comprising a deodorizing filter for deodorizing the cold air in a flow path of the cold air discharged to a storage chamber having a temperature higher than that of the first storage chamber.   The deodorization filter carries a photocatalyst, and comprises a second sterilization device having the deodorization filter and a second irradiation means for irradiating the deodorization filter with excitation light for exciting the photocatalyst carried by the deodorization filter. The refrigerator described.   The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first sterilization device is provided in a discharge port of the storage chamber, and the deodorizing filter is provided in a recovery port of the storage chamber.   The box main body forms a plurality of storage chambers, and the cold air circulation path includes a duct connecting the plurality of storage chambers, and the deodorizing filter is provided in the duct connecting the plurality of storage chambers. The refrigerator according to any one of 3.

Images