CN111256417B

CN111256417B - Deodorizing and sterilizing device for refrigerator and refrigerator

Info

Publication number: CN111256417B
Application number: CN201811458816.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 费斌; 程学丽; 李春阳; 王丽燕
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-11-30
Filing date: 2018-11-30
Publication date: 2021-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-30
Also published as: CN111256417A

Abstract

The invention provides a deodorizing and sterilizing device for a refrigerator and the refrigerator. The deodorizing and sterilizing device comprises a control module, an ion generating module and a connecting cable; the connection cable is electrically connected with the control module and the ion generation module so that the control module controls the ion generation module to ionize air to generate odor removal and sterilization substances. Because control module and ion generation module separation set up, control module keeps away from the air in storing space or the wind channel, can prevent that the high humid environment in refrigerated air or the refrigerator from causing damage and inefficacy to control module, especially prevents that the moisture in the refrigerated air from getting into control module, is showing and is improving odor removal sterilizing equipment's life.

Description

Deodorizing and sterilizing device for refrigerator and refrigerator

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of refrigeration equipment, in particular to a deodorizing and sterilizing device for a refrigerator and the refrigerator.

Background

The refrigerator functions to provide a low temperature environment to extend the preservation time of the goods. However, when the refrigerator is used, food and dirt attached to the food in the refrigerator are oxidized and decomposed, and thus unpleasant odor is generated in the refrigerator. The odor in the refrigerator can be mixed with the food stored in the refrigerator, and the use experience of a user is seriously influenced. In addition, food stored in the storage space of the refrigerator, especially food stored in the refrigerating chamber, may be spoiled by bacteria for a long time, which affects food safety.

In order to remove fungus and odor in a refrigerator, people originally installed an adsorption device in a storage space of the refrigerator, but the adsorption device did not play any role in fungus on food on the surface of an inner container of the refrigerator and in the storage space, it only adsorbed the odor generated by microorganisms, and did not play a role in food preservation. Some refrigerators also have a sterilization device, and the sterilization modules are all placed directly in the refrigerator compartment, which is easily damaged.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide an odor removal and sterilization apparatus for a refrigerator and a refrigerator, which can significantly improve the service life of the odor removal and sterilization apparatus.

In one aspect, the invention provides a deodorizing and sterilizing device for a refrigerator, which comprises a control module, an ion generating module and a connecting cable; the connection cable is electrically connected with the control module and the ion generation module so that the control module controls the ion generation module to ionize air to generate odor removal and sterilization substances.

Optionally, the control module includes a box body and a control circuit module disposed in the box body;

the control circuit module is electrically connected to the ion generation module via the connection cable.

Optionally, the box body comprises a first box body and a second box body clamped to the first box body;

a boss is arranged on the inner side of the second box body, and a support column is arranged on the inner side of the first box body;

the control circuit module comprises a circuit board, one side of the circuit board is in contact with the boss and abuts against the boss, and the other side of the circuit board is in contact with the support column and abuts against the support column.

Optionally, a plurality of heat dissipation posts are arranged on one side of the circuit board facing the boss; and is

The circuit board is further provided with a power input interface, a booster circuit and a high-voltage output interface, wherein the power input interface is used for connecting an externally provided direct-current power supply, the booster circuit is used for controllably converting the direct-current power supply into a first voltage for generating an odor removal and sterilization substance and a second voltage for heating, and the high-voltage output interface is used for outputting the first voltage or the second voltage, wherein the first voltage is higher than the second voltage; and is

The connecting cable is connected with the high-voltage output interface and the ion generating module;

the ion generation module is configured to be excited by the first voltage to ionize air to generate an odor elimination and sterilization substance, and to generate heat at the second voltage to eliminate condensation.

Optionally, the second box comprises a first base plate, a first peripheral wall and a second peripheral wall;

the first peripheral wall and the second peripheral wall extend out from the same side of the first substrate, and the first peripheral wall is positioned outside the second peripheral wall;

a plurality of clamping holes are formed in the first peripheral wall;

the peripheral wall of the first box body is provided with a plurality of buckles, the peripheral wall of the first box body is inserted between the first peripheral wall and the second peripheral wall, and each buckle is inserted into one buckle hole.

Optionally, the second peripheral wall is provided with a yielding groove at a position corresponding to the clamping hole;

and a communication hole is arranged on the first substrate at a position close to each clamping hole and is communicated with the gap between the first peripheral wall and the second peripheral wall.

Optionally, the first container includes a second substrate, and the peripheral wall of the first container includes:

a peripheral wall base extending from an edge of the second substrate to one side of the second substrate; and

a plurality of peripheral wall segments extending from a distal end of the peripheral wall base and spaced apart in a direction of the peripheral wall base; and is

The gap between two adjacent peripheral wall sections comprises a plurality of buckling gaps and at least one threading gap;

each buckle is connected to the tail end of the base part of the peripheral wall, arranged in one buckle notch and arranged at intervals with the corresponding peripheral wall section;

the connecting cable passes through the threading notch.

Optionally, the peripheral wall of the first box body is in contact with and abuts against the first peripheral wall;

the length of the clamping hole along the circumferential direction of the first circumferential wall is greater than the length of the corresponding clamping buckle;

a support plate is arranged on the inner side of the peripheral wall of the first box body;

the lower end of the support plate is in contact and abutted with the second peripheral wall.

Optionally, the ion generation module comprises:

an ionization head arranged with a first electrode and a second electrode connected to the connection cable, the first electrode and the second electrode having a discharge gap therebetween, the discharge gap being configured to be broken down by the first voltage such that ambient air is excited to ionize; and maintaining the first electrode isolated from the second electrode and each generating heat at the second voltage; and

the base forms a mounting cavity for mounting the ionization head, and one surface of the mounting cavity is provided with an opening; and the ionization head is installed such that the discharge gap is exposed to the opening.

In another aspect, the present invention also provides a refrigerator, comprising:

a case defining a storage space;

the deodorizing and sterilizing device is any one of the deodorizing and sterilizing devices, and an ion generation module of the deodorizing and sterilizing device is directly arranged in the storage space or in an air channel communicated with the storage space.

According to the deodorizing and sterilizing device for the refrigerator and the refrigerator, the control module is separated from the ion generating module, and is far away from the air in the storage space or the air channel, so that the control module can be prevented from being damaged and losing efficacy by cooled air or a high-humidity environment in the refrigerator, particularly, moisture in the cooled air is prevented from entering the control module, and the service life of the deodorizing and sterilizing device is remarkably prolonged.

The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Some specific embodiments of the invention will be described in detail hereinafter, by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in the drawings identify the same or similar elements or components. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an odor elimination and sterilization apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative perspective of the odor elimination and sterilization apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view of the odor elimination and sterilization device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic partial block diagram of the odor elimination and sterilization apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the odor elimination and sterilization device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is another schematic cross-sectional view of the odor elimination and sterilization device of FIG. 1;

fig. 7 is a schematic partial structural view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a damper assembly of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of the air duct assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded view of the air duct assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of airflow in the air duct assembly and the storage space in the refrigerator of FIG. 7.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an odor elimination and sterilization device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, and with reference to FIGS. 2-6, an embodiment of the present invention provides an odor elimination sterilization apparatus 400 for a refrigerator that includes a control module 410, an ion generation module 420, and a connection cable 430. A connection cable 430 electrically connects the control module 410 and the ion generation module 420 such that the control module 410 controls the ion generation module 420 to ionize the air to produce an odor elimination sanitizing substance. Because the control module 410 and the ion generation module 420 are separately arranged, the control module 410 is far away from the air in the storage space or the air duct, so that the control module 410 can be prevented from being damaged and invalid by cooled air or a high-humidity environment in a refrigerator, particularly, moisture in the cooled air is prevented from entering the control module 410, and the service life of the odor removal and sterilization device 400 is remarkably prolonged.

Further, the control module 410 includes a box body and a control circuit module 413 disposed in the box body; the control circuit module 413 is electrically connected to the ion generation module 420 via a connection cable 430.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the case includes a first case 411 and a second case 412 that is snapped to the first case 411. The inner side of the second box 412 is provided with a boss 414, and the inner side of the first box 411 is provided with a support column 415. The control circuit module 413 includes a circuit board 416, one side of the circuit board 416 being in contact against the boss 414 and the other side being in contact against the support post 415.

In some embodiments of the invention, second enclosure 412 includes a first base, a first perimeter wall 417, and a second perimeter wall 418. The first and second

peripheral walls

417 and 418 extend from the same side of the first substrate, and the first peripheral wall 417 is outside the second peripheral wall 418. The first peripheral wall 417 is provided with a plurality of click holes 451. A plurality of snaps 452 are formed on a peripheral wall of the first case 411, and the peripheral wall of the first case 411 is inserted between the first and second

peripheral walls

417 and 418, and each of the snaps 452 is inserted into one of the snap holes 451. Further, the first case 411 includes a second substrate, and a peripheral wall of the first case 411 includes: a peripheral wall base 453 extending from an edge of the second substrate to one side of the second substrate; and a plurality of peripheral wall segments 454 extending from the distal end of the peripheral wall base 453 and arranged at intervals in the direction of the peripheral wall base 453. Each clip 452 is connected to a distal end of perimeter wall base 453 and is disposed between two adjacent perimeter wall segments 454 and spaced from a respective perimeter wall segment 454; the number of gaps between two adjacent peripheral wall segments 454 is greater than the number of catches 452, and can be used for connecting cables 430 to pass through. That is, the gap between two adjacent peripheral wall sections 454 comprises a plurality of snap gaps and at least one threading gap. Each of the catches 452 is connected to a distal end of the perimeter wall base 453 and is disposed in one of the catch notches and spaced from the respective perimeter wall section 454; the connecting cable 430 passes through the threading notch.

The positions, corresponding to the clamping holes 451, of the second peripheral wall 418 are provided with abdicating grooves; the first substrate is provided with communication holes at positions adjacent to the locking holes 451, and the communication holes communicate with the gap between the first circumferential wall 417 and the second circumferential wall 418, so that water between the first circumferential wall 417 and the second circumferential wall 418 can flow out. Also, the peripheral wall of the first case 411 is in contact abutment with the first peripheral wall 417. The length of the catch hole 451 in the circumferential direction of the first circumferential wall 417 is greater than the length of the corresponding catch 452. A support plate 455 is provided inside the peripheral wall of the first case 411. The lower end of plate 455 is in contact against second peripheral wall 418. The arrangement is convenient for the condensed water in the box body to flow out.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a side of the circuit board 416 facing the boss 414 is provided with a plurality of heat-dissipating studs 419. The circuit board 416 is further provided with a power input interface for connecting an externally provided direct current power supply, a voltage boosting circuit for controllably converting the direct current power supply into a first voltage for generating the odor removing and sterilizing substance and a second voltage for heating, and a high voltage output interface for outputting the first voltage or the second voltage, wherein the first voltage is higher than the second voltage. The connection cable 430 connects the high voltage output interface and the ion generation module 420. The ion generation module 420 is configured to excite ionized air with a first voltage to generate an odor elimination and sterilization substance and to generate heat at a second voltage to eliminate condensation.

The ion generation module 420 may include an ionization head and a base. The ionization head is arranged with a first electrode and a second electrode connected to the connection cable 430, with a discharge gap therebetween, configured to be broken down by a first voltage such that ambient air is excited to ionize; and maintaining the first electrode isolated from the second electrode and each generating heat at a second voltage. The base forms a mounting cavity for mounting the ionization head, and one surface of the mounting cavity is provided with an opening; and the ionization head is installed such that the discharge gap is exposed to the opening.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the control circuit module 413 further comprises a voltage feedback port, a controlled terminal, and an inverter. The voltage feedback port is connected with the booster circuit and used for outputting feedback voltage corresponding to the first voltage or the second voltage so as to indicate the boosting state of the booster circuit. The controlled end is connected with the booster circuit and is configured to receive an external control signal (the control signal can be a control signal sent by a refrigerator main control board or a controller of other refrigerators and is used for adjusting the working state of the odor removing and sterilizing device according to the running condition of the refrigerator), so that the booster circuit converts a first voltage or a second voltage according to the control signal. The inverter is configured to controllably invert the direct current power source into alternating current power having a voltage of either a first voltage or a second voltage. The value range of the effective value of the first voltage is 2000-5000V; the effective value of the first voltage ranges from 1000 to 1800V. The length of the connection cable 430 ranges from less than 100cm, preferably from 10cm to 20 cm.

The odor removal and sterilization apparatus 400 can also be connected with a current detection device. The current detection device is configured to detect the current value provided to the power input interface so as to determine the operation state of the odor removal and sterilization device. The current detection means may comprise a series connection in a power supply line supplying power to the power input interface. Whether the sterilization apparatus is normally operated can be determined using the detection current of the current detection apparatus.

The embodiment of the invention also provides the refrigerator. The refrigerator may include a cabinet 200. The cabinet 200 may include a case made of a steel plate having an open front side, an inner container made of a synthetic resin and provided in an inner space of the case and having an open front side, and a heat insulating material made of a foamed polyurethane formed by filling a gap between the case and the inner container with foam. A storage compartment for storing food and the like is formed in the case 200. According to the preservation temperature and the usage, the interior of the storage compartment is divided into a storage space 210 and at least one other storage compartment, such that the storage space 210 is a first storage compartment and the other storage compartments can be second storage compartments. The first storage compartment can be a refrigerating space, a freezing space and/or a temperature-changing compartment, and the like, and the second storage compartment can also be a refrigerating space, a freezing space and/or a temperature-changing compartment, and the like. The first storage compartment is preferably a refrigerated space; the second storage compartment is preferably a refrigerated space and is disposed below the first storage compartment. At least one other storage compartment also comprises a freezing chamber, and the cooling chamber is arranged at the rear side of the second storage compartment.

As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser, a throttling element, and the like, as in the conventional refrigerator. The evaporator is connected with the compressor, the condenser and the throttling element through a refrigerant pipeline to form a refrigeration cycle loop, and the temperature of the refrigeration cycle loop is reduced when the compressor is started so as to cool air flowing through the refrigeration cycle loop. The air cooled by the evaporator is supplied into each compartment so that the temperature in each compartment is maintained within a corresponding set temperature range. The evaporator is arranged in the cooling chamber.

In particular, the refrigerator may further include the odor elimination and sterilization device 400 of any of the above embodiments. The ion generation module 420 of the odor removing and sterilizing device 400 is directly disposed in the storage space 210, or disposed in an air duct communicating with the storage space 210. For example, a circulation sterilizing air duct specially used for sterilizing the refrigerator and communicating with the storage space 210 may be provided, and the ion generating module 420 is provided in the circulation sterilizing air duct.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in fig. 7 to 11, the refrigerator may further include a duct assembly 300 for transferring air cooled by the evaporator to the storage space 210, a return air duct for delivering air flowing out of the storage space 210 to the evaporator for cooling, and a blower for driving the air cooled by the evaporator to flow toward the storage space 210. The air duct assembly 300 has at least one supply air duct 310.

Specifically, a housing space 320 is provided in the cabinet 200 or the duct assembly 300, and the housing space 320 is located outside each of the supply air ducts 310. The control module 410 is disposed in the accommodating space 320. The ion generating module 420 is disposed in a supply air duct 310. The connection cable 430 electrically connects the control module 410 and the ion generation module 420. The control module 410 controls the ion generation module 420 via the connection cable 430, and the ion generation module 420 ionizes the air to produce an odor elimination and sanitizing substance.

The odor removing and sterilizing substance can enter the storage space 210 along with the cooled air, and the odor removing and sterilizing substance has high diffusion speed and is uniformly distributed in the storage space 210 along with the air flow. The control module 410 is disposed separately from the ion generation module 420, and the control module 410 is disposed outside the air duct, so that damage and failure of the control module 410 caused by the cooled air or the high-humidity environment in the refrigerator can be prevented, and particularly, moisture in the cooled air is prevented from entering the control module 410. The control module 410 does not occupy the space of the air supply duct 310, so that the air supply duct 310 supplies air smoothly. Further, the release and stop of the odor-removing and sterilizing substance can be controlled by opening and closing the air supply duct 310, that is, after the air supply duct 310 is closed, no air flow exists, and the odor-removing and sterilizing substance does not flow along with the air flow for sterilization, which is equivalent to the fact that the odor-removing and sterilizing substance stops releasing. Further, the control module 410 may also disable the ion generating module 420 when the corresponding supply air duct 310 is closed.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the odor elimination germicidal substance generated by the ion generation module 420 includes at least one of singlet reactive oxygen, superoxide radical, peroxy radical, oxyanion, hydroxyl radical, ozone, and hydrogen peroxide.

In a lower embodiment of the present invention, the at least one air supply duct 310 includes a first air duct 311 for supplying air to an upper portion of the storage space 210. An air return opening 220 is provided at a lower portion of the storage space 210. The ion generating module 420 is disposed in the first air duct 311. As shown in fig. 7 to 11, the arrangement can make the odor-removing and sterilizing substance distributed in the storage space 210 quickly and uniformly.

Preferably, the first duct 311 has two first air blowing ports, is disposed at both sides of the upper portion of the storage space 210, and flows the cooled air to both sides of the storage space 210. That is, each of the first blowing ports faces one sidewall of the storage space 210, and may be directed to the corresponding sidewall, may also face the corresponding sidewall obliquely forward, and may also face the corresponding sidewall obliquely downward.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one supply air duct 310 is plural, and for example, further includes a second air duct and a third air duct. The second air duct may be disposed at one side of the first air duct 311, and the upper end of the second air duct is connected to two second air supply outlets, and each second air supply outlet is located at the lower side of one first air supply outlet. In order to facilitate the air flow, the second air supply outlet on the other side of the first air duct 311 may be communicated with the second air duct via a bridging air duct. The third air duct may be at the other side of the first air duct 311. The third air duct is used for conveying air flow to the bottom of the storage space 210. The air inlet of the air duct assembly 300 is provided with a branch air supply device 330, the branch air supply device 330 has a plurality of air outlets, and each air outlet is communicated with one air supply air duct 310.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the duct assembly 300 further includes a duct foam 340 and a duct cover 350. The rear side of the duct foam 340 defines at least one supply air duct 310. The duct foam 340 may define the air supply duct 310 with the rear wall surface of the inner container. Alternatively, the air duct assembly 300 further includes an air duct bottom plate installed on the rear wall surface of the corresponding inner container. The duct foam 340 is mounted to the duct bottom plate and defines with the duct bottom plate at least one supply duct 310.

The front side of the air duct foam 340 is provided with a containing space 320 and a wire groove for communicating the containing space 320 with the first air duct 311; the connection cable 430 is mounted to the wire duct. The duct cover 350 is mounted to the front side of the duct foam 340. Specifically, the housing space 320 may be located on a side of the first air duct 311 away from the second air duct and on an upper side of the first air duct 311, so as to fully and reasonably arrange the air duct assembly 300. The wire slot is obliquely disposed, and the ion generation module 420 is disposed at a lower side of the control module 410, so as to prevent condensed water and the like from entering the control module 410 along the wire slot as much as possible.

The control module 410 may be mounted at an angle of at least 7 degrees from horizontal to remove water tension and thereby prevent water droplets from entering the middle of the circuit board 416. The first and second

circumferential walls

417 and 418 and the circumferential wall of the first case 411 may form a waterproof groove to prevent water from entering the circuit board 416.

Preferably, the accommodating space 320 and the front side of the wire chase are provided with a water blocking device 360, and the water blocking device 360 is located between the air duct cover plate 350 and the control module 410. The water blocking device 360 is PE cotton. When the air duct cover plate 350 is installed, PE cotton may be attached to the rear surfaces of the control module 410 and the ion generating module 420 for pre-fixing. PE cotton may also be applied to the entire outer surface of the control module 410.

In the refrigerator provided by the embodiment of the invention, high-energy and high-activity free radicals such as atomic oxygen (O), hydroxyl (OH- -), and the like can be generated through bombardment and excitation of high-energy electrons generated by high-voltage discharge. The high-energy active free radicals directly and frequently and directly collide with the odor gas molecules, when the energy obtained by the odor gas molecules is larger than the binding energy of the molecular bond energy of the odor gas molecules, the original molecular structure of the odor gas molecules is destroyed, the molecular chemical bond is opened, the gaseous reaction is promoted to be rapidly carried out, and radicals and solid particles are generated. In addition, high-voltage discharge can ionize and decompose partial odor gas molecules at the same time. Under the action of the above principle, the deodorizing and sterilizing device 400 is placed in the air duct, and all free radicals are brought to each compartment of the refrigerator through the circulation of the air duct, so that the effect of the free radicals on the whole compartment of the refrigerator is achieved, and the deodorizing and sterilizing effects on each compartment of the refrigerator are achieved. And through effective placement and sealing measures, vapor condensation is prevented from being on the control module 410 of the odor removal and sterilization device 400, and condensed water can be drained even if condensation accumulates.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the term "refrigerator" as used herein is not limited to a refrigerator having a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber in a general sense for storing food, but may be other devices having a refrigerating function, such as wine chests, refrigerating cans, etc.

Thus, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while a number of exemplary embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications consistent with the principles of the invention may be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be understood and interpreted to cover all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A deodorizing and sterilizing device for a refrigerator is characterized by comprising a control module, an ion generation module and a connecting cable; the connection cable is electrically connected with the control module and the ion generation module so that the control module controls the ion generation module to ionize air to generate odor removal and sterilization substances;

the control module comprises a box body and a control circuit module arranged in the box body;

the control circuit module is electrically connected with the ion generation module through the connecting cable;

the box body comprises a first box body and a second box body clamped on the first box body;

the control circuit module comprises a circuit board, one side of the circuit board is in contact with and abutted against the boss, and the other side of the circuit board is in contact with and abutted against the supporting column;

the second box body comprises a first substrate, a first peripheral wall and a second peripheral wall;

a plurality of clamping holes are formed in the first peripheral wall;

a plurality of buckles are formed on the peripheral wall of the first box body, the peripheral wall of the first box body is inserted between the first peripheral wall and the second peripheral wall, and each buckle is inserted into one buckle hole;

the positions, corresponding to the clamping holes, on the second peripheral wall are provided with abdicating grooves;

a communication hole is formed in the first substrate at a position close to each clamping hole and used for communicating the gap between the first peripheral wall and the second peripheral wall;

the first case includes a second substrate, and a circumferential wall of the first case includes:

the connecting cable passes through the threading notch;

the peripheral wall of the first box body is in contact and abutted with the first peripheral wall;

2. The odor elimination sterilization apparatus of claim 1,

the circuit board is also provided with a power input interface, a booster circuit and a high-voltage output interface, wherein the power input interface is used for connecting a direct-current power supply provided from the outside, the booster circuit is used for controllably converting the direct-current power supply into a first voltage for generating an odor removing and sterilizing substance, and the high-voltage output interface is used for outputting the first voltage; and is

the ion generation module is configured to be energized by the first voltage to ionize air to generate an odor elimination sanitizing substance.

3. The odor elimination sterilization apparatus of claim 2 wherein said ion generation module comprises:

an ionization head arranged with a first electrode and a second electrode connected to the connection cable, the first electrode and the second electrode having a discharge gap therebetween, the discharge gap being configured to be broken down by the first voltage such that ambient air is excited to ionize; and

4. A refrigerator, characterized by comprising:

a case defining a storage space;

an odor removal and sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ion generation module of the odor removal and sterilization apparatus is directly disposed in the storage space or disposed in an air duct communicating with the storage space.