CN111433541A

CN111433541A - Refrigerator with a door

Info

Publication number: CN111433541A
Application number: CN201880078064.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 中野太阳
Original assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Priority date: 2017-12-04
Filing date: 2018-12-03
Publication date: 2020-07-17
Also published as: WO2019111850A1; JPWO2019111850A1

Abstract

The refrigerator includes a main body and an odor detection device capable of detecting a plurality of odors. The odor detection device is disposed in an installation area set so that the odor detection device functions efficiently.

Description

Refrigerator with a door

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator.

Background

Conventionally, various sensors have been considered for quality control of food stored in a refrigerator. Further, a refrigerator equipped with an odor sensor for detecting gas molecules, which is one of the above sensors, has been proposed. However, in the conventional configuration, the installation place of the odor sensor, the flow of air, and the like are not optimized, and the detection accuracy of the odor sensor cannot be sufficiently improved, and the cooling performance of the refrigerator may be deteriorated.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: international publication No. 2017/150216

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Therefore, a refrigerator capable of improving the detection accuracy of the smell while maintaining good cooling performance is provided.

Means for solving the problems

The refrigerator of the embodiment is provided with a main body and an odor detection device capable of detecting a plurality of odors. The odor detection device is provided in an installation area set so that the odor detection device functions efficiently.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a view schematically showing a state in which a refrigerator according to an embodiment is viewed from the front side.

Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the refrigerator according to the embodiment is viewed from a side surface side.

Fig. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an odor measurement system according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of an odor sensor according to an embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a view schematically showing a main body of a refrigerator according to an embodiment, ducts, and cold air discharged from the ducts.

Fig. 6A is a diagram illustrating a specific example 22 of an installation area of an odor sensor according to an embodiment, and is a diagram schematically showing a structure for attaching the odor sensor to a wall of a storage room.

Fig. 6B is a diagram illustrating a specific example 23 of an installation area of the odor sensor according to the embodiment, and schematically shows a structure for attaching the odor sensor to a wall of the storage room.

Fig. 6C is a diagram illustrating a specific example 24 of the installation area of the odor sensor according to the embodiment, and schematically shows a structure for attaching the odor sensor to a wall of the storage room.

Fig. 6D is a diagram illustrating a specific example 25 of the installation area of the odor sensor according to the embodiment, and schematically shows a structure for attaching the odor sensor to a wall of the storage room.

Fig. 7A is a diagram illustrating a specific example 26 of an installation area of an odor sensor according to an embodiment, and is a diagram schematically showing a structure for attaching the odor sensor to a wall of a storage room.

Fig. 7B is a diagram illustrating a specific example 27 of an installation area of the odor sensor according to the embodiment, and schematically shows a structure for attaching the odor sensor to a wall of the storage room.

Fig. 7C is a diagram illustrating a specific example 28 of the installation area of the odor sensor according to the embodiment, and schematically shows a structure for attaching the odor sensor to a wall of the storage room.

Fig. 8A is a diagram illustrating a specific example 29 of an installation area of the odor sensor according to the embodiment, and schematically shows a relationship between a detection surface of the odor sensor and a flow of air in the refrigerator.

Fig. 8B is a diagram illustrating a specific example 30 of the region where the odor sensor is provided according to the embodiment, and schematically shows a relationship between the detection surface of the odor sensor and the flow of air in the refrigerator.

Fig. 8C is a diagram illustrating a specific example 31 of the region where the odor sensor is provided according to the embodiment, and schematically shows a relationship between the detection surface of the odor sensor and the flow of air in the refrigerator.

Fig. 9A is one of diagrams schematically showing another configuration example of the odor sensor.

Fig. 9B is a second diagram schematically showing another configuration example of the odor sensor.

Fig. 9C is a third diagram schematically showing another configuration example of the odor sensor.

Fig. 9D is a fourth diagram schematically showing another configuration example of the odor sensor.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of storage compartments for storing stored goods such as food and food materials, i.e., a refrigerating compartment 3, a vegetable compartment 4, an ice making compartment 5, an upper freezing compartment 6, and a lower freezing compartment 7, in this order from the upper portion of a main body 2. In the following description, the left side in fig. 1 is the left side of the refrigerator 1, the right side in fig. 1 is the right side of the refrigerator 1, the left side in fig. 2 is the front side (front surface side) of the refrigerator 1, and the right side in fig. 2 is the rear side (back surface side) of the refrigerator 1.

Refrigerating room 3 and vegetable room 4 are partitioned from ice making room 5 and upper freezing room 6 by a heat insulating partition wall not shown. The refrigerating compartment 3 is opened and closed by a so-called split left door 3a and a right door 3 b. That is, the front opening of the main body 2 is opened and closed by the left door 3a and the right door 3 b. Vegetable compartment 4, ice making compartment 5, upper freezer compartment 6, and lower freezer compartment 7 are opened and closed by a drawer type door 4a, door 5a, door 6a, and door 7a, respectively. The left door 3a, the right door 3b, the door 4a, the door 5a, the door 6a, and the door 7a correspond to doors that open and close a plurality of storage compartments.

Each door is provided with a sensor (not shown) for detecting the open/close state thereof. The configuration of refrigerator 1 shown in fig. 1 and 2 is merely an example, and the order of arrangement of the storage boxes may be different, and for example, upper freezing room 6 may be a switching room capable of switching between cooling and freezing.

In the left door 3a of the refrigerating chamber 3, a door pocket 8a, a door pocket 9a, and a door pocket 10a are provided in this order from the upper layer, and in the right door 3b, a door pocket 8b, a door pocket 9b, and a door pocket 10b are provided in this order from the upper layer. A plurality of

shelves

11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d made of a transparent material such as glass or a transparent resin (e.g., an acrylic resin) are provided in the refrigerating compartment 3, and a chilling chamber 12 and an ice making groove 13 are disposed in the lowermost layer. The quench chamber 12 corresponds to one of a plurality of storage chambers. The quench chamber 12 is opened and closed by a door 12 a.

In the following, when it is not necessary to distinguish the shelves 11a to 11d, they will be collectively referred to as the shelves 11. Among the plurality of shelves 11, the shelf 11d disposed at the lowermost layer constitutes a ceiling (top) of the quench chamber 12. In the present embodiment, shelf 11 corresponds to a partition plate that partitions the inside of refrigerating room 3, that is, the inside of main body 2, that is, the inside of the refrigerator.

A ceiling lamp 14 as an illumination member is provided in an upper portion of the refrigerating compartment 3. In addition, a side lamp (not shown) provided on a side surface is provided in the refrigerating compartment 3. The ceiling lamp 14 is provided to illuminate the upper side of the refrigerator, and the side lamp is provided to illuminate the center or the lower side of the refrigerator, and to illuminate a specific position in the refrigerator.

The front surfaces of the left door 3a and the right door 3b of the refrigerating compartment 3 are covered with a glass plate 3b1 made of an insulating glass material, and polyurethane, which is a heat insulating material, is filled as a filler in the inside thereof, and a nonmetallic resin inner plate 15 and a vertical plate 16 are provided on the inner side thereof as well known. That is, the front sides of the left door 3a and the right door 3b are formed of a glass plate 3b1 made of a non-metallic material that transmits radio waves. The door pockets 8 to 10 are provided in the inner panel 15. The door 4a of the vegetable compartment 4 and the like are also covered with a glass plate on the front surface thereof, and the interior thereof is filled with polyurethane as a heat insulator, as in the case of the right door 3 b.

At the left door 3a, a rotating longitudinal partition 17 is provided for filling the gap between the right door 3b and the landfill. The longitudinal partition 17 corresponds to a partition member. Although not shown, the vertical partition 17 has a hollow internal space, and a heater for preventing dew condensation or the like is provided in the internal space. Further, the vertical partition 17 may be provided in the right door 3b to fill the gap with the left door 3 a.

As shown in fig. 2, each storage chamber is provided with a container for storing articles such as food and food materials. Specifically, the chilling chamber 12 is provided with

cassettes

21a and 21b, the vegetable chamber 4 is provided with

cassettes

22a and 22b, the ice making chamber 5 is provided with a cassette 23a, and the lower freezing chamber 7 is provided with

cassettes

24a and 24 b.

As shown in fig. 2, a machine chamber is provided on the back side of lower freezing chamber 7, that is, on the bottom of main body 2 on the back side, and compressor 25 and the like are disposed in the machine chamber. Evaporator 26 and fan 27 are provided on the back surfaces of upper freezer compartment 6 and lower freezer compartment 7. An evaporator 28 and a deodorizing device 29 are provided on the back of the lower part of the refrigerating chamber 3 and the upper part of the vegetable chamber 4. The compressor 25, the evaporator 26, the evaporator 28, and the like constitute a known refrigeration cycle. The deodorization device 29 performs deodorization (or deodorization) inside the main body 2, i.e., inside the refrigerator.

The refrigerator 1 having the above-described configuration is mounted with an odor sensor corresponding to an odor detection device that detects odor. An example of the odor sensor mounted on the refrigerator 1 will be described below with reference to fig. 3 and 4. As shown in fig. 3, the odor sensor 100 constructs an odor measurement system S together with a control device 200 provided in the refrigerator 1. The control device 200 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, for example, and controls all operations of the refrigerator 1. The control device 200 cooperates with the odor sensor 100 to function as an odor measurement unit that measures odor inside or outside the refrigerator.

As will be described in detail later, the odor sensor 100 can detect 2 or more kinds of molecules (odor molecules), and is configured to detect a plurality of odors. As shown in fig. 4 and the like, the odor sensor 100 has a structure in which a plurality of sensor elements 102 are mounted on a substrate 101. Each of the sensor elements 102 is configured such that a substance adsorption film 104 that adsorbs an odorant is provided on a surface of the sensor main body 103. Further, the odor sensor 100 may be configured to further include an excitation electrode. In this case, the substance adsorption film 104 corresponds to a detection surface for detecting the odor. Hereinafter, the substance adsorption film 104 is also referred to as a detection surface 104.

The substrate 101 can be formed of, for example, a silicon substrate, a substrate made of a crystal, a printed wiring substrate, a ceramic substrate, a resin substrate, or the like. The substance adsorbing film 104 is a thin film made of a pi-electron conjugated polymer, for example. The pi-electron conjugated polymer film may contain at least 1 kind of dopant selected from the group consisting of inorganic acids, organic acids, and ionic liquids.

The sensor main body 103 is provided to function as a signal converter, i.e., a transducer, which measures the state of adsorption of a substance to the substance adsorption film 104 by measuring a change in physical, chemical, or electrical characteristics caused by the substance adsorbed to the surface of the substance adsorption film 104. Examples of the elements representing physical, chemical, or electrical characteristics include a quartz resonator sensor, a surface acoustic wave sensor, an electric field effect transistor sensor, a charge coupled device sensor, a MOS electric field effect transistor sensor, a metal oxide semiconductor sensor, an organic conductive polymer sensor, and an electrochemical sensor. The elements constituting the sensor main body 103 are not limited to the above-described sensors, and various elements can be appropriately used according to the type of a substance to be measured, for example.

The structure of the sensor body 103 can be variously changed depending on, for example, the type of a substance to be measured. For example, when a quartz resonator is used, a structure in which normal electrodes are provided on both surfaces may be used, or a structure in which only one-sided electrodes having a value that can obtain a high state indicating vibration, that is, a so-called Q value, are used as the separated electrodes.

As the pi-electron conjugated polymer used as the substance adsorbing film 104, for example, a polymer having a so-called pi-electron conjugated polymer as a skeleton, such as polypyrrole and a derivative thereof, polyaniline and a derivative thereof, polythiophene and a derivative thereof, polyacetylene and a derivative thereof, and polyazulene and a derivative thereof, is preferably used. In general, such a pi-electron conjugated polymer exhibits conductivity by including an anion as a dopant, with the framework polymer itself becoming a cation in an oxidized state. The elements constituting the substance adsorbing film 104 are not limited to the above-mentioned polymers, and various elements can be appropriately used according to the kind of a substance to be measured, for example. As for the elements constituting the substance adsorbing film 104, a neutral pi-electron conjugated polymer containing no dopant may be used.

When a conductive pi-electron conjugated polymer containing a dopant is used, various materials can be used as the dopant. Examples of the dopant that can be used include inorganic ions such as chloride ions, oxychloride ions, bromide ions, sulfate ions, nitrate ions, and borate ions, organic acid anions such as alkylsulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, and carboxylic acid, and polymer acid anions such as polyacrylic acid and polystyrenesulfonic acid.

In addition to the above-described direct anion bond, the neutral pi-electron conjugated polymer may be doped in a chemically balanced manner by allowing a salt such as common salt or an ionic compound containing both cations and anions such as an ionic liquid to coexist. Examples of the ionic liquid that can be used include ionic liquids of pyridine type, alicyclic amine type, and aliphatic amine type as cations. Further, various structures can be synthesized by selecting the kind of anion to be combined therewith. Examples of the cation include ammonium ions such as imidazole salts and pyridine salts, phosphorus ions, and inorganic ions. Examples of the anion include bromide ion, halogen ion such as trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, boron ion such as tetraphenylborate, and phosphorus ion such as hexafluorophosphate.

The content of the dopant in the pi-electron conjugated polymer can be adjusted to 0.01 to 5, preferably 0.1 to 2, for example, when the state of doping 1 molecule of the dopant into 2 repeating units forming the dopant is 1. When the content of the dopant is equal to or less than the minimum value of the range, the film characteristics are lost, and when the content is equal to or more than the maximum value, the effect of the adsorption characteristics of the polymer itself is lost, and it is difficult to form a film having desired adsorption characteristics. Further, the film is formed so as to be dominant as a dopant of a low molecular weight substance, and the durability of the film is greatly reduced. Therefore, by adjusting the content of the dopant to be within the above range, the detection sensitivity of the odorant can be maintained well.

The thickness of the substance adsorption film 104 can be appropriately selected according to the characteristics of the substance to be adsorbed. Specifically, the thickness of the substance adsorbing film 104 can be adjusted to, for example, a range of 10nm to 10 μm, and more preferably to a range of 50nm to 800 μm. When the film thickness is 10nm or less, sufficient detection sensitivity cannot be obtained. Further, it is not preferable that the film thickness is 10 μm or more because the upper limit of the weight measurable by the sensor element is exceeded.

The substance adsorption film 104 can be formed, for example, as follows: after diluting the solvent stock solution with various solvents, a dopant component is dissolved therein to prepare a film solution, and the film solution is dropped onto the surface of the sensor element by, for example, a micro dispenser. The method for producing the substance adsorbing film 104 is not limited to this, and the substance adsorbing film can be produced by various methods.

According to the sensor element 102 having the above-described configuration, the vibration of the sensor main body 103 differs depending on the type of the odorant adsorbed on the substance adsorption film 104. Therefore, the odor sensor 100 can determine the kind of the odor substance adsorbed to the substance adsorption film 104 based on the change in the vibration of the sensor main body 103.

Further, the odor sensor 100 includes a plurality of sensor elements 102 (a sensor main body 103 and a detection surface 104) configured as described above. The plurality of sensor elements 102 are arranged in an array on the substrate 101. Therefore, by making the structure of the substance adsorption film 104 provided on the surface of each sensor element 102 different for each element, odor substances having various characteristics can be adsorbed. In this case, by adjusting the structure of the substance adsorption film 104, it is possible to configure the substance adsorption film so that 1 odor substance can be detected by 1 sensor element 102, or it is also possible to configure the substance adsorption film so that a plurality of odor substances can be detected by 1 sensor element 102.

The combination of the sensor elements 102 mounted on the 1 odor sensor 100, in other words, the combination of the substance adsorption film 104, can be appropriately changed according to, for example, the type of the odor substance to be measured. Further, according to the odor sensor 100 configured as described above, the adsorption mode with respect to the substance adsorption film 104 differs depending on the characteristics of the odor substance, for example, the molecular structure.

That is, the adsorption pattern output from the odor sensor 100 differs depending on the type of the odor substance adsorbed on the substance adsorption film 104. Therefore, the odor sensor 100 can determine the kind of the odor substance based on the difference in the adsorption pattern of the odor substance with respect to the plurality of sensor elements 102, in other words, the plurality of substance adsorption films 104.

Here, in the conventionally provided so-called odor sensor, since almost all of the probes for detecting odor substances are 1, only 1 odor substance that reacts with the probe can be detected, and only the existing amount of the 1 odor substance can be measured.

In contrast, the odor sensor 100 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of sensor elements 102, and by making the structures of the substance adsorption films 104 of the sensor elements 102 different from each other, a plurality of odor substances having different characteristics from each other can be measured. That is, the odor sensor 100 according to the present embodiment can be formed into various sensor configurations according to the characteristics of the odor substance to be measured, in other words, the type of the odor substance, because the configurations of the sensor main body 103 and the substance adsorption film 104 constituting the sensor element 102 can be appropriately combined and used.

Further, according to the odor sensor 100 of the present embodiment, by appropriately combining the structures of the sensor main body 103 and the substance adsorption film 104 constituting the sensor element 102, various odor substances can be detected almost without limitation. Further, by mounting a required number of sensor elements 102 having a required configuration on the substrate 101 in accordance with the characteristics of the odorant to be detected, it is possible to qualitatively measure a plurality of odorants contained in the whole odorant. Further, according to the odor sensor 100, the amount of the odor substance present can be quantitatively measured based on the output intensity of the sensor element 102. Therefore, the odor sensor 100 according to the present embodiment is suitable for use in the case of quantitatively analyzing the entire odor including a plurality of odor substances and in the case of qualitatively analyzing the entire odor.

Next, a mechanism of measuring odor by the odor measuring system S will be described. In the odor sensor 100, when the odor substance contained in the odor is adsorbed to the substance adsorption film 104 of the sensor element 102, the adsorption pattern Pa of the odor substance is output to the control device 200 based on a change in vibration of the sensor main body 103 accompanying the adsorption.

On the other hand, the control device 200 stores data of a plurality of types of determination adsorption patterns Pb in a storage unit 201 formed of a storage medium such as a memory. Further, the control device 200 compares the adsorption pattern Pa obtained from the odor sensor 100 with the plurality of types of adsorption patterns Pb for determination stored in the storage unit 201. The adsorption pattern Pb for determination is predetermined as an adsorption pattern to be output when a predetermined odorant is measured by the odorant sensor 100, and in the present embodiment, an adsorption pattern specialized for a refrigerator is prepared.

The control device 200 checks the adsorption pattern Pa obtained from the odor sensor 100 against the plurality of types of adsorption patterns Pb for determination stored in the storage unit 201, and confirms whether or not the adsorption pattern Pb for determination matches or is close to the adsorption pattern Pa. Further, the control device 200 can appropriately change the degree of approximation of the two modes set when it is determined that the two adsorption modes are "approximated". Further, when there is a determination adsorption pattern Pb that matches or is close to the adsorption pattern Pa, the control device 200 confirms the presence of the odorant corresponding to the determination adsorption pattern Pb.

The odor sensor 100 having the above-described structure changes its detection efficiency and the like according to its installation position. For example, when the odor sensor 100 is provided on the deep side of the refrigerator 1 and on the near side, there is a possibility that the food placed nearby, the flow of air, the temperature, and the like are different, and as a result, the detection efficiency and the like change. In view of this, in the present embodiment, the odor sensor 100 is provided in an installation area set so that the odor sensor 100 can function efficiently. A plurality of specific examples related to setting of the installation area of the odor sensor 100 and the like will be described below.

< example 1 >

In this case, the installation area of the odor sensor 100 is set for each of the plurality of storage rooms or each of the doors of the plurality of storage rooms. That is, in this case, a dedicated odor sensor 100 is provided for each storage room. For example, when the installation area is set as the vegetable room 4 or the door 4a, the odor sensor 100 installed in the installation area may detect the odor of the food or the like stored in the vegetable room 4, and may select the detection target. Such an effect can be obtained similarly even when the installation area is set in another storage room or a door for opening and closing the storage room.

The region in which the odor sensor 100 is installed does not necessarily have to be set in each of the plurality of storage rooms or each of the doors of the plurality of storage rooms, and may be set in a storage room or a door thereof in which odor needs to be detected. That is, the installation area of the odor sensor 100 may be set to at least 1 of the plurality of storage rooms and the doors of the plurality of storage rooms.

< example 2 >

In this case, the installation area of the odor sensor 100 is set on the upper surface of the storage room, for example, as in an installation area 301 (see fig. 2) set on the upper surface of the vegetable room 4. That is, in this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in contact with the upper surface (ceiling) of the storage chamber. Gas components lighter than air, such as methane or ammonia, tend to concentrate in the upper part of the storage compartment. Therefore, according to the above configuration, even if the gas component is in a trace amount, the gas component can be easily detected.

For example, if the odor sensor 100 is provided on the upper surface of the vegetable room 4, the odor sensor 100 can detect methane with high accuracy. Similarly, if the odor sensor 100 is disposed above the quench chamber 12, the odor sensor 100 can detect ammonia with high accuracy. Further, since the space above the storage chamber is widely left, the flow of air is easily ensured. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the smell of the entire storage chamber can be efficiently detected.

< example 3 >

In this case, the installation region of the odor sensor 100 is set below the storage chamber, for example, as in an installation region 302 (see fig. 2) set below the quench chamber 12. That is, in this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in a state of being in contact with the lower surface of the storage chamber. For example, gas components heavier than air such as hydrogen sulfide tend to concentrate in the lower part of the storage chamber. Therefore, according to the above configuration, even if the gas component is in a trace amount, the gas component can be easily detected. For example, if the odor sensor 100 is disposed below the quench chamber 12, the odor sensor 100 may be capable of detecting hydrogen sulfide with high accuracy.

< example 4 >

In this case, the installation area of the odor sensor 100 is set on the side of the storage room, for example, as in an installation area 303 (see fig. 2) set on the left front side of the vegetable room 4. That is, in this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in a state of being in contact with the side surface of the storage chamber. With the above configuration, the degree of freedom in setting the height and depth of the installation location of the odor sensor 100 is increased. Further, according to the above configuration, it is possible to detect both the gas component heavier than air which tends to concentrate in the upper portion of the storage chamber and the gas component heavier than air which tends to concentrate in the lower portion of the storage chamber.

In addition, when the installation region is set on the left side surface as in the installation region 303, the odor sensor 100 is installed at a position close to the wiring box originally provided in the refrigerator 1, and thus, for example, it is possible to easily install the odor sensor by easily wiring through a wall. Further, if the odor sensor 100 is provided on the front left side surface of the vegetable compartment 4, the air (odor) around the odor sensor 100 can be refreshed by the flow of air when the door 4a is opened and closed.

< example 5 >

In this case, the installation area of the odor sensor 100 is set on the back surface of the storage room, for example, as in an installation area 304 (see fig. 2) set on the back surface of the vegetable room 4. That is, in this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in a state of being in contact with the rear surface of the storage chamber. According to the above structure, when the door is opened and closed, the flow of air around the odor sensor 100 becomes smooth, and thus the odor sensor 100 can stably detect odor.

In addition, an air passage (duct) for blowing and sucking air is provided on the rear surface of the storage compartment. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the air volume interfering with the odor sensor 100 is easily controlled. Therefore, if the air volume is controlled such that the air volume is increased to blow off molecules attached to the odor sensor 100 before detecting the odor and the air is stopped when detecting the odor, the accuracy of detecting the odor can be further improved. Further, according to the above configuration, it is possible to detect the smell before passing around the food material and the smell after passing around the food material. For example, even when the odor sensor 100 is provided on the rear surface of the vegetable compartment 4 where the door 4a is frequently opened and closed, the odor can be detected without being affected by the flow of air when the door 4a is opened and closed.

< example 6 >

In this case, the installation area of the odor sensor 100 is set at the corner of the storage room, for example, as the installation area 305 (see fig. 2) set at the corner of the vegetable room 4. That is, in this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in a state of being in contact with 2 or more surfaces, which are corners of the storage room.

According to the above configuration, the distance from the air passage to the odor sensor 100 is relatively long, and a wall is present around the air passage. Therefore, according to the above-described structure, the flow of air around the odor sensor 100 becomes smooth, and therefore the odor sensor 100 can stably detect odor. Further, according to the above configuration, since the presence of the stored material or the like makes it difficult for the user to see the odor sensor 100, it is possible to reduce the user's feeling of touch against the case where the odor sensor 100 is installed in the storage chamber. For example, if the odor sensor 100 is provided at a corner portion on the front side of the vegetable compartment 4, the odor can be detected with little influence of the flow of air during cooling.

< example 7 >

In this case, the installation area of the odor sensor 100 is set outside the main body 2, that is, outside the refrigerator, as in the installation areas 306 and 307 (see fig. 2) set outside the

doors

3a and 4a, for example. That is, in this case, the smell sensor 100 is provided outside the refrigerator 1. According to the above structure, the odor of the living space outside the refrigerator 1 can be detected using the odor sensor 100.

Therefore, according to the above configuration, for example, odor components generated around the refrigerator 1 and carbon dioxide generated by a fire or the like can be detected. For example, if the odor sensor 100 is provided outside the refrigerator 1, it is possible to detect an odor of oxidized oil generated in a kitchen or carbon dioxide generated by forgetting to extinguish a fire of a range.

< example 8 >

In this case, the installation area of the odor sensor 100 is set at a position that can be recognized by the user, for example, as in the

installation areas

306 and 307 described above. According to the above configuration, the user can intentionally detect the odor of a specific food material by using the odor sensor 100 at will. Further, if the installation position, function, and the like of the odor sensor 100 are explicitly indicated in advance, the user can place a desired food material in front of the odor sensor 100 to detect the odor.

According to the above configuration, the odor of a single food can be detected without being limited to the detection of the storage room, and therefore, the detection accuracy can be improved. Further, since the user can easily recognize the presence and location of the odor sensor 100, the user can quickly respond to a failure in the odor sensor 100. In this case, it is preferable to set the setting areas such as the

doors

3a and 3b where the user can easily set the food. For example, if the odor sensor 100 is provided outside the

door

3a or 3b of the refrigerating compartment 3, the user can place a desired food material on (the detection surface 104 of) the odor sensor 100 to detect the odor.

< example 9 >

In this case, the installation region of the odor sensor 100 is set above the ceiling of the quench chamber 12 as is the installation region 308 (see fig. 2) set above the shelf 11 d. According to the above configuration, the smell can be detected at a position close to the food, or the like stored near the center of refrigerating room 3.

Further, according to the above configuration, the detection target range of the odor sensor 100 can be narrowed down to a part of the refrigerating chamber 3, and the detection accuracy of the odor can be further improved. If the odor sensor 100 is provided on the shelf 11d constituting the ceiling of the chilling chamber 12, it is possible to detect odor intensively in the center of the refrigerating chamber 3 which is frequently used, and it is possible to detect odor of food materials (kohlrabi, lettuce, and the like) which are easily stored near the center of the refrigerating chamber 3, for example, with high accuracy.

< example 10 >

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in an installation region 309 (see fig. 2) set in the door 12a that opens and closes the quench chamber 12. Generally, it is difficult to place items such as food materials and food items in front of the door 12a of the quench chamber 12. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the possibility that the detection operation is hindered by placing an article in front of the odor sensor 100 can be suppressed to a low level.

< example 11 >

In this case, the installation region of the odor sensor 100 is set on the shelf 11 defining the refrigerator, for example, as the installation region 310 (see fig. 2) set on the side surface of the shelf 11 b. According to the above configuration, the odor sensor 100 can be installed in a state of being separated from the wall. In this case, the odor sensor 100 is not surrounded by a wall or the like, and therefore, the flow of air around the odor sensor 100 is easily ensured. Shelf 11 is configured to be detachable and changeable in arrangement. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the user can change the position where the odor sensor 100 is installed to a desired position by changing the arrangement of the shelf 11.

< example 12 >

In this case, the installation area of the odor sensor 100 is set in the box provided in the storage room, for example, as the installation area 311 (see fig. 2) set in the box 24a provided in the lower freezing room 7. According to the above configuration, since the odor sensor can be installed in a state of being separated from the wall, the flow of air around the odor sensor 100 can be easily ensured.

< example 13 >

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is installed in an installation area 312 (see fig. 1) set in the ice making tank 13. The ice making groove 13 is easily detachable because a user needs to supply water. Therefore, according to the above configuration, an effect of facilitating maintenance of the odor sensor 100 can be obtained. Further, according to the above configuration, the present invention is suitable for use in detecting the odor of ice-making water.

< example 14 >

In this case, the installation area of the odor sensor 100 is set to a door pocket provided at the door, for example, as the installation area 313 set to the door pocket 10a provided at the door 3 a. According to the above configuration, the present invention is suitable for use in detecting the odor of an article (food, food material, or the like) that is easily stored in the door pocket. Further, according to the above configuration, the air (smell) around the smell sensor 100 can be refreshed by the flow of the air when the

doors

3a and 3b are opened and closed.

In the refrigerator 1, cool air in the refrigerating chamber 3 flows forward from the outlet duct through the shelf 11 on which articles (food, etc.) are placed, and is blown to the door pockets 8 to 10. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the odor of the stored material placed on shelf 11 can be reliably detected.

< example 15 >

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in an installation region 314 (see fig. 2) set near the side surfaces of the

doors

3a and 3b for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment 3, for example, in the vertical partition 17. The heater is provided inside the longitudinal partition 17 as described above, and a path of the wiring for the heater is also ensured. According to the above configuration, wiring of the odor sensor 100 is facilitated, and a power supply can be shared with the heater.

According to the above configuration, frost (dew condensation prevention) adhering to the odor sensor 100 (particularly the detection surface 104) can be removed by the heater provided to the longitudinal partition 17. In this specific example and other specific examples, a dedicated heater may be provided to prevent condensation of the odor sensor 100. Further, according to the above configuration, the air (smell) around the smell sensor 100 can be refreshed by the flow of the air when the

doors

3a and 3b are opened and closed. Further, according to the above configuration, when a user stores food or the like in refrigerating room 3, the food or the like is inevitably passed through the vicinity of odor sensor 100, and hence the odor of the stored food or the like can be reliably detected.

< example 16 >

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is disposed in an installation region 315 (see fig. 2) set near the blow-out duct, downstream of the evaporator 28, on the back side of the quench chamber 12. According to the above configuration, when the air in the refrigerator is exchanged by opening and closing the

doors

3a and 3b, the influence of the exchange of the air on the detection operation by the odor sensor 100 can be suppressed to be small.

Further, according to the above configuration, when the operation of the fan 27 is stopped when the detection operation by the odor sensor 100 is performed, the influence of the cold air flowing by the operation of the fan 27 can be suppressed, and the odor to be detected can be reliably detected. Further, by blowing the air having a small odor component after passing through the deodorization device 29 to the odor sensor 100, the air (odor) around the odor sensor 100 can be refreshed.

< example 17 >

In this case, the installation area of the odor sensor 100 is set such that the odor sensor 100 is installed on the downstream side of the evaporator 28 and the deodorizing device 29 in the flow of the air in the refrigerator, as in the installation area 316 (see fig. 2) set in the intake duct of the refrigerating room 3, for example, between the evaporator 28 and the deodorizing device 29.

With the above configuration, the air around the odor sensor 100 becomes an environment in which the humidity thereof is reduced by passing through the evaporator 28. Therefore, the odor sensor 100 has a configuration in which the lower the humidity, the higher the performance such as detection accuracy, and the like, and the detection accuracy and the like of the odor are improved. Further, according to the above configuration, since the air introduced from the refrigerating chamber 3, the vegetable chamber 4, and the chilling chamber 12 is blown to the odor sensor 100, the present invention is suitable for use in detecting the odor of the food material or the like stored in these storage chambers.

In addition, the region where the odor sensor 100 is provided may be set so that the odor sensor 100 is provided on the upstream side of the evaporator 28 in the flow of the air in the refrigerator. As described above, if the odor sensor 100 is configured to have higher performance such as detection accuracy as humidity increases, the detection accuracy of the odor and the like improves. Further, the region where the odor sensor 100 is provided may be set so that the odor sensor 100 is provided on the upstream side of the deodorization device 29 in the flow of air in the refrigerator. In this way, the odor before deodorization by the deodorization device 29 can be detected.

< example 18 >

In this case, odor sensor 100 is provided in a setting area 317 set near evaporator 26 on the back of upper freezer compartment 6 and lower freezer compartment 7. According to the above configuration, when the air in the refrigerator is replaced by opening and closing the doors 6a and 7b, the influence of the replacement of the air on the detection operation by the odor sensor 100 can be suppressed to a small extent.

Although foods and the like always emit odor, if freezing progresses, cells freeze and no odor is emitted. With this, it is possible to determine whether or not freezing of food or the like stored in upper freezer compartment 6 and lower freezer compartment 7 has been completed using odor sensor 100. In the case of use for such purposes, it is sufficient if the change in odor can be detected. Therefore, in this case, the balance is achieved by the normal flow of the cold air, and the fresh air does not need to be refreshed.

< example 19 >

In this case, the installation area of the odor sensor 100 is set such that the odor sensor 100 is installed on the upstream side of the stored material stored in the storage chamber in the flow of the air in the storage chamber, as in the installation area 318 set near the air outlet 31 shown in fig. 5, for example. In addition, fig. 5 schematically shows the flow of the cold air discharged from the duct 32.

According to the above configuration, since the air volume interfering with the odor sensor 100 can be easily controlled by the fan 27, the same effect as that of example 5 can be obtained. Further, according to the above configuration, the odor deodorized (decomposed) by the deodorizing device 29 can be detected. Further, since the wiring harness is stored in the deep left side of the refrigerator 1, that is, in the vicinity of the duct 32, it is possible to obtain an advantage in terms of installation such as easiness of wiring if the installation region 318 is set to be close to the deep left side of the refrigerator 1.

< example 20 >

In this case, as for the installation area of the odor sensor 100, for example, as shown in fig. 5, the installation area 319 set near the inlet 33 is set so that the odor sensor 100 is installed on the downstream side of the stored material stored in the storage chamber with respect to the flow of the air in the storage chamber. According to the above configuration, the odor of the stored material stored in the storage chamber can be detected.

< example 21 >

The refrigerator 1 may be provided with a humidity control member for adjusting the humidity inside the main body 2, that is, inside the refrigerator. When the humidity control member is provided, the region in which the odor sensor 100 is provided may be set so that the odor sensor 100 is provided upstream of the humidity control member in the flow of air in the refrigerator. As described above, the odor sensor 100 has a configuration in which the higher the humidity, the higher the performance such as detection accuracy, and the like, the higher the detection accuracy of the odor and the like.

When the humidity control member is provided, the region in which the odor sensor 100 is provided may be set so that the odor sensor 100 is provided downstream of the humidity control member in the flow of air in the refrigerator. As described above, the odor sensor 100 has a configuration in which the lower the humidity, the higher the performance such as detection accuracy, and the like, and the detection accuracy and the like of the odor are improved.

< example 22 >

In this case, as shown in fig. 6A, the installation area of the odor sensor 100 is set such that the odor sensor 100 is buried in the wall 34 constituting the storage room. The wall 34 is configured such that a polyurethane 34a is disposed on the inner side (inner side of the main body 2) thereof and a vacuum heat insulator 34b is disposed on the outer side (outer side of the main body 2) thereof.

In the configuration example shown in fig. 6A, the odor sensor 100 is joined to a recess formed by cutting the wall 34 via the joining mechanism 35. According to the above configuration, although the heat insulation performance is reduced because the wall 34 (the urethane 34a and the vacuum heat insulator 34b) needs to be cut, the durability related to the installation of the odor sensor 100 can be improved because the odor sensor 100 is configured to be completely embedded in the wall 34.

< example 23 >

In this case, as shown in fig. 6B, the region where the odor sensor 100 is disposed is set so that a part of the odor sensor 100 is buried in the wall 34. In the configuration example shown in fig. 6B, the odor sensor 100 is joined to a recess formed by cutting the wall 34 via the joining mechanism 36. According to the above configuration, as compared with specific example 22, although durability with respect to the installation of odor sensor 100 is reduced, reduction in heat insulation performance can be suppressed in accordance with a reduction in the amount of cutting wall 34.

< concrete example 24 >

In this case, as shown in fig. 6C, the installation area of the odor sensor 100 is set such that the odor sensor 100 protrudes from the wall 34 toward the inside (the inside of the main body 2). In the configuration example shown in fig. 6C, the odor sensor 100 is engaged with the wall 34 via the engagement mechanism 37. According to the above configuration, although durability in relation to the installation of the odor sensor 100 is reduced as compared with the specific examples 22 and 23, since the cutting wall 34 is not required, the heat insulation performance can be maintained well.

< example 25 >

In this case, as shown in fig. 6D, the region where the odor sensor 100 is disposed is set so that the odor sensor 100 is independent from the storage chamber (wall 34), in other words, is disposed so as to be detachable. In the configuration example shown in fig. 6D, the odor sensor 100 is fixed to the wall 34 by screwing the screw 39 mounted on the lower surface of the sensor main body portion 103 of the odor sensor 100 into the screw hole 38 formed in the wall 34. In this case, electrodes (not shown) are provided at positions where the lower surface of the sensor body 103 contacts the lower surface of the sensor body 103 in the wall 34, and electrical connection (exchange of signals, power supply, and the like) is achieved by these electrode contacts.

According to the above configuration, since the odor sensor 100 can be detached, an effect that maintenance thereof becomes easy can be obtained. In addition, if the installation area is set at various positions of the refrigerator 1, the user can freely install the odor sensor 100 at a desired position in the installation area. In the above configuration, instead of the structure using the screw hole 38 and the screw 39, the structure using a suction cup or the like may be used as the structure for fixing the sensor 100 to the wall 34. Thus, the wall 34 does not need to be cut, and therefore, the heat insulation performance can be maintained well. In this case, since the electrical connection by the electrodes cannot be achieved, it is necessary to provide a configuration for performing wireless communication and wireless power supply to both the odor sensor 100 side and the wall 34 (main body 2) side.

< example 26 >

In this case, as shown in fig. 7A, the arrangement area of the odor sensor 100 is set such that the detection surface 104 of the odor sensor 100 is parallel with respect to the surface of the wall 34. In the configuration example shown in fig. 7A, the odor sensor 100 is joined (adhered) to the wall 34 via the joining mechanism 41. According to the above configuration, although the engaging mechanism 41 is larger than specific examples 27 and 28 described later, the area of contact between the odor sensor 100 and the wall 34 can be increased, and thus the durability of the odor sensor 100 can be improved.

< example 27 >

In this case, as shown in fig. 7B, the arrangement area of the odor sensor 100 is set so that the detection surface 104 of the odor sensor 100 is perpendicular (at right angles) to the surface of the wall 34. In the configuration example shown in fig. 7B, the odor sensor 100 is joined (adhered) to the wall 34 via the joining mechanism 42.

According to the above configuration, as compared with specific example 26, although the durability relating to the installation of the odor sensor 100 is reduced because the area of contact between the odor sensor 100 and the wall 34 is reduced, the cost can be kept low because the joining mechanism 42 can be made small. Further, in the configuration example shown in fig. 7B, the odor sensor 100 is disposed such that the detection surface 104 is located on the upper side, but may be disposed such that the detection surface 104 is located on the lower side.

< concrete example 28 >

In this case, as shown in fig. 7C, the arrangement area of the odor sensor 100 is set such that the detection surface 104 of the odor sensor 100 is between parallel and perpendicular, i.e., inclined, with respect to the surface of the wall 34. In the configuration example shown in fig. 7C, the odor sensor 100 is joined (adhered) to the wall 34 via the joining mechanism 43. According to the above configuration, performance intermediate between specific examples 26 and 27 can be obtained. Further, according to the above configuration, the orientation of the detection surface 104 can be changed.

< example 29 >

In this case, as shown in fig. 8A, the installation area of the smell sensor 100 is set so that the detection surface 104 is parallel to the flow of air inside the main body 2, i.e., inside the refrigerator. In addition, in fig. 8, the flow of air (flow of wind) inside the refrigerator is schematically shown by an arrow a, and the scent molecules are schematically shown by a blank fountain circle.

According to the above configuration, the odor sensor 100 does not obstruct the flow of wind, and thus can maintain good cooling performance. Further, according to the above configuration, the odor molecules are easily separated from the detection surface 104, and therefore, the present invention is advantageous in refresh. Further, according to the above configuration, the amount of odor molecules adsorbed to the detection surface 104 can be easily balanced.

< concrete example 30 >

In this case, as shown in fig. 8B, the arrangement region of the smell sensor 100 is set so that the detection face 104 is perpendicular to the flow of air inside the refrigerator. According to the above configuration, although the odor sensor 100 blocks the flow of the wind and the cooling performance is lowered, since the odor molecules are hard to be separated from the detection surface 104, the odor molecules can be detected even in a trace amount.

< example 31 >

In this case, as shown in fig. 8C, the arrangement region of the smell sensor 100 is set such that the detection face 104 is inclined between horizontal and vertical with respect to the flow of air in the refrigerator. With the above configuration, performance intermediate between specific examples 29 and 30 can be obtained. Further, according to the above configuration, it is preferable that the odor sensor 100 is provided at a position where the flow of air does not change constantly.

Although not shown in the drawings, in the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, a board on which the control device 200, the power supply device, and the like are mounted is disposed at the uppermost portion of the main body 2, and power supply to each portion and the like are performed by wiring from the board through the left depth side of the refrigerator 1. Further, in refrigerator 1, a relay box for relaying the wiring is provided near chilling chamber 12, near upper freezer compartment 6, lower freezer compartment 7, and the like.

Thus, the odor sensor 100 may be disposed in the vicinity of such wiring or a relay box. In this way, it is possible to easily exchange signals (communication) between the odor sensor 100 and the control device 200 and supply power (power supply) to the operation of the odor sensor 100. As described above, in the present embodiment, the odor sensor 100 is configured to operate by being supplied with power from the power supply provided in the main body 2.

Examples of a number of preferred arrangements of the odour sensor 100 are described below.

< setting example 1 >

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in the installation region 301 described in specific example 2, as shown in fig. 6A, on the rear side (vegetable compartment 4 side) of the partition cover 61 that partitions the refrigerating compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 4, and at a position that is the center of the partition cover 61 in the left-right direction. That is, in this case, a groove is dug in the back surface side of the partition cover 61, and the odor sensor 100 is embedded in the partition cover 61. Further, the odor sensor 100 is disposed such that the detection surface 104 thereof faces the vegetable compartment 4 side.

< setting example 2 >

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in the installation region 302 described in specific example 3 on the rear side of the bottom plate 62 of the refrigerating compartment 3 (the front side of the duct cover 63) of the refrigerator 1 and directly below or near the exhaust hole of the chilling chamber 12 in the form shown in fig. 7C. That is, in this case, the odor sensor 100 is disposed with its detection face 104 inclined at 45 degrees relative to the face of the floor 62 so as to be able to receive the exhaust gas from the quench chamber 12 at a right angle.

< setup example 3 >

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in the installation region 303 described in specific example 4 on the side surface of the vegetable compartment 4 on the left side of the refrigerator 1 as shown in fig. 6A, directly below the partition cover 61 (for example, below the partition cover 61 by about 20 cm), and at a position separated from the front surface of the refrigerator 1 by a predetermined distance (for example, about 15 cm). That is, in this case, a groove is dug in the side surface of the vegetable compartment 4, and the odor sensor 100 is embedded in the side surface of the vegetable compartment 4. Further, the odor sensor 100 is disposed with its detection face 104 facing the vegetable compartment 4.

< setup example 4 >

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in the installation region 304 described in specific example 5 at the center in the left-right direction of the rear surface (rear surface) of the refrigerator 1 in the form shown in fig. 6A and at a position spaced downward from the evaporator 28 by a predetermined distance (for example, about 10 cm). That is, in this case, a groove is dug in the rear surface of the refrigerator 1, and the odor sensor 100 is embedded in the rear surface of the refrigerator 1. Further, the odor sensor 100 is disposed with its detection face 104 facing in the front direction of the refrigerator 1.

< setting example 5 >

In this case, in the installation region 305 described in specific example 6, the odor sensor 100 is installed in the form shown in fig. 6A at a position separated by a predetermined distance (about 5cm) from the front side of the left side surface of the vegetable compartment 4 so as to be in contact with the left side surface and the bottom surface of the vegetable compartment 4. That is, in this case, grooves are dug in the left side surface and the bottom surface of the vegetable room 4, and the odor sensor 100 is embedded in the left side surface and the bottom surface of the vegetable room 4. Further, the odor sensor 100 is provided with its detection surface 104 inclined at about 45 degrees so as to face the center direction of the refrigerator 1 (vegetable compartment 4).

< setting example 6 >

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in the installation region 306 described in specific example 7 at a position that is a predetermined distance (for example, approximately 10cm) above the lower end of the door 3a and that is the right end of the door 3a, as shown in fig. 6A. That is, in this case, a groove is dug in the position of the door 3a, and the odor sensor 100 is embedded in the door 3 a. Further, the odor sensor 100 is provided such that a detection surface 104 thereof is parallel to the door 3a, i.e., faces in the front side direction of the refrigerator 1.

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in the installation region 307 described in specific example 7 at a position which is a predetermined distance (for example, about 10cm) below the upper end of the door 4a and which is the center of the door 4a in the left-right direction, as shown in fig. 6A. That is, in this case, a groove is dug in the position of the door 4a, and the odor sensor 100 is embedded in the door 4 a. Further, the odor sensor 100 is provided such that the detection surface 104 thereof is parallel to the door 4a, i.e., faces in the direction toward the front side of the refrigerator 1, or faces upward by about 45 degrees.

< setup example 7 >

In this case, in the installation region 308 described in specific example 9, the odor sensor 100 is installed on the upper surface of the shelf 11d constituting the ceiling of the quench chamber 12 in the form shown in fig. 6C, at a position located a predetermined distance (for example, about 10cm) forward of the depth side of the refrigerator 1, and at the center in the left-right direction. In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided such that the detection surface 104 thereof faces the ceiling direction of the refrigerator 1 (the refrigerating chamber 3).

< setup example 8 >

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in the installation region 309 described in specific example 10 at a position a predetermined distance (for example, about 5cm) from the left end of the door 12a that opens and closes the chill chamber 12, in the form shown in fig. 6C (so as to be exposed from the door 12 a). Further, the odor sensor 100 is provided such that the detection surface 104 thereof faces in the direction of the near front side of the refrigerator 1. In this case, the odor sensor 100 may be provided so as to be embedded in the door 12a as in the embodiment shown in fig. 6A.

< setup example 9 >

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in the installation region 310 described in the specific example 11 at the center in the left-right direction and the center in the front-rear direction of the shelf 11b in the form shown in fig. 6A. That is, in this case, a groove is dug in the above position of the shelf plate 11b, and the odor sensor 100 is embedded in the shelf plate 11 b. Further, the odor sensor 100 is provided such that the detection surface 104 thereof faces the ceiling direction of the refrigerator 1 (the refrigerating chamber 3).

< setup example 10 >

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in the center of the rear surface of the cartridge 24a in the installation region 311 described in specific example 12 as shown in fig. 6A. That is, in this case, a groove is dug in the rear surface of the cartridge 24a, and the odor sensor 100 is embedded in the rear surface of the cartridge 24 a. Further, the odor sensor 100 is provided such that a detection surface 104 thereof faces in a direction near the front side of the refrigerator 1 (lower freezer compartment 7).

< setup example 11 >

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in the installation region 312 described in specific example 13 at a position which is in front of the ice making groove 13 and which is a predetermined distance (for example, about 10cm) above the bottom in the form shown in fig. 6A. That is, in this case, a groove is dug in the front surface of the ice making groove 13, and the odor sensor 100 is embedded in the front surface of the ice making groove 13. Further, the odor sensor 100 is provided such that the detection surface 104 thereof faces the front side direction of the refrigerator 1 (the refrigerating chamber 3).

< setup case 12 >

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in the installation region 313 described in specific example 14 at the center in the left-right direction of the door pocket 10a provided in the lower layer of the door 3a and at a position lower than the upper end of the unit of the door pocket 10a by a predetermined distance (for example, about 5cm) as shown in fig. 6A. That is, in this case, grooves are dug in the above positions of the door pocket 10a and the door 3a, and the odor sensor 100 is embedded in the door pocket 10a and the door 3 a. Further, the odor sensor 100 is disposed such that its detection surface 104 faces the inside direction of the refrigerator 1 (the refrigerating chamber 3) in a state where the door 3a is closed.

< setup example 13 >

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in the installation region 314 described in specific example 15 at a position a predetermined distance (for example, about 10cm) above the lower end of the vertical partition 17 in the form shown in fig. 6A. That is, in this case, a groove is dug at the above position of the longitudinal partition 17, and the odor sensor 100 is embedded in the longitudinal partition 17. Further, the odor sensor 100 is disposed such that its detection face 104 faces the inside direction of the refrigerator 1 (the refrigerating chamber 3) in a state where the door 3a is closed (a state where the longitudinal partition 17 is opened). Therefore, the detection surface 104 of the odor sensor 100 is formed in an orientation sandwiched by the door 3a and the longitudinal partition 17 in a state where the door 3a is opened (a state where the longitudinal partition 17 is closed).

< setup case 14 >

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in the installation region 315 described in specific example 16 at a position between 2 exhaust ducts outside the cover 64 of the evaporator 28 as shown in fig. 6A. That is, in this case, a groove is dug in the cover 64 at the above position, and the odor sensor 100 is embedded in the cover 64. Further, the odor sensor 100 is disposed with its detection surface 104 exposed at the quench chamber 12 and directed toward the interior of the refrigerator 1 (quench chamber 12).

< setup example 15 >

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in the installation region 316 described in specific example 17 at a position lower than 2 fans (not shown) provided in the cover 64 of the evaporator 28 by a predetermined distance (for example, about 5cm) and between the evaporator 28 and the deodorizing device 29 (fan) as shown in fig. 6C. That is, in this case, the odor sensor 100 protrudes from the depth side of the cover 64 (the rear surface of the refrigerator 1), and the detection surface 104 is exposed inside the cover 64. Further, the odor sensor 100 is disposed with its detection face 104 facing in an interior direction of the refrigerator 1 (quench chamber 12).

< setup case 16 >

In this case, the odor sensor 100 is provided in the installation region 317 described in specific example 18 at a position on the downstream side of the fan, not shown, provided in the cover 65 of the evaporator 26 and between the evaporator 26 and the fan as shown in fig. 6B. That is, in this case, the odor sensor 100 protrudes from the depth side of the cover 65 (the rear surface of the refrigerator 1), and the detection surface 104 is exposed inside the cover 65. Further, the odor sensor 100 is disposed with its detection face 104 directed toward the inside of the refrigerator 1 (lower freezer compartment 7).

As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment is mounted with the odor sensor 100 capable of detecting a plurality of odors. Further, the odor sensor 100 is provided in an installation area set so that the odor sensor 100 functions efficiently. Furthermore, according to specific examples 1 to 31 such as setting of the installation area, the excellent effect of being able to maintain the cooling performance of the refrigerator 1 well and being able to improve the detection accuracy of the target smell can be obtained.

Each of the specific examples 1 to 31 has the above-described features, and can obtain the unique effects thereof. Therefore, when the odor sensor 100 is installed in the refrigerator 1, the installation area of the odor sensor 100 can be set based on at least one of the specific examples 1 to 31.

(other embodiments)

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, and can be arbitrarily modified, combined, or expanded without departing from the scope of the invention.

The numerical values and the like shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not limited thereto.

The odor detection device mounted on the refrigerator 1 is not limited to the odor sensor 100, and may be any of various odor detection devices including an odor sensor capable of detecting 1 molecule. For example, the substrate on which the sensor element 102 is mounted may be a square substrate 51 as shown in fig. 9A, a rectangular substrate 52 as shown in fig. 9B, or a circular substrate 53 as shown in fig. 9C.

That is, the shape of the substrate for mounting the sensor element 102 can be changed as appropriate. Further, the number, arrangement, and the like of the sensor elements 102 and further the detection surfaces 104 may be changed as appropriate with the change in the shape of the substrate. As shown in fig. 9D, the substrate on which the sensor element 102 is mounted may be divided into a plurality of

substrates

54a and 54 b. However, in this case, the wiring 55 for electrically connecting the

substrates

54a and 54b is required.

When another odor sensor, for example, an odor sensor capable of detecting 1 molecule is used as the odor detection device instead of the odor sensor 100, the region where the odor sensor is installed may be set according to at least one of the specific examples 1 to 31. Even in this case, as in the above-described embodiment, the cooling performance of the refrigerator 1 can be maintained well, and the detection accuracy of the target odor can be improved.

The odor sensor 100 may be configured to include a wireless communication unit that can wirelessly communicate with an external device of the refrigerator 1. By doing so, the detection result obtained by the odor sensor 100 can be transmitted to a device (for example, a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal) outside the refrigerator 1, and the detection result of the odor can be displayed via a display unit such as a display of the device.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above-described new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Claims

1. A refrigerator is provided with:

a main body; and

an odor detection device capable of detecting a plurality of odors,

the odor detection device is provided in an installation area set so that the odor detection device functions efficiently.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

the main body is provided with a plurality of storage chambers for storing articles,

the refrigerator is provided with a door for opening and closing the plurality of storage chambers,

the installation area is set in at least 1 of the storage rooms and the doors.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2,

the setting area is set on the top of the storage room.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 2 or 3,

the setting area is set under the storage chamber.

5. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 4,

the installation area is set on the side of the storage chamber.

6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 5,

the setting area is set on the back of the storage chamber.

7. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 6,

the installation area is set at a corner of the storage chamber.

8. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 7,

a plurality of the above storage chambers comprise quench chambers,

the setting area is set at the upper part of the top plate of the chilling chamber.

9. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 8,

the plurality of storage chambers includes a quench chamber,

the installation area is set in the door for opening and closing the chilling chamber.

10. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 9,

the storage chamber is provided with a box,

the setting area is set in the cartridge.

11. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 10,

the storage chamber is provided with an ice making groove,

the setting area is set in the ice making groove.

12. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 11,

the door is provided with a door pocket,

the setting area is set in the door pocket.

13. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 12,

the door includes a left door and a right door for opening and closing the front opening of the main body,

a partition member for filling a gap between the left door and the right door is provided on one of the left door and the right door,

the setting region is set in the partition member.

14. The refrigerator according to claim 2,

the odor detection device comprises a detection surface for detecting odor,

the installation area is set so that the detection surface is parallel to a surface of a wall constituting the storage chamber.

15. The refrigerator according to claim 2,

the odor detection device comprises a detection surface for detecting odor,

the installation area is set so that the detection surface is perpendicular to a surface of a wall constituting the storage chamber.

16. The refrigerator according to claim 2,

the odor detection device comprises a detection surface for detecting odor,

the installation area is set so that the detection surface is inclined between parallel and perpendicular to a surface of a wall constituting the storage chamber.

17. The refrigerator according to claim 2,

the installation area is set so that the odor detection device is entirely embedded in a wall constituting the storage chamber.

18. The refrigerator according to claim 2,

the installation area is set so that a part of the odor detection device is embedded in a wall constituting the storage chamber.

19. The refrigerator according to claim 2,

the installation area is set so that the odor detection device protrudes from a wall constituting the storage chamber.

20. The refrigerator according to claim 2,

the setting area is set to make the smell detection device and the storage room independently set.

21. The refrigerator according to claim 2,

the installation area is set so that the odor detection device is installed at a position upstream of the stored object stored in the storage chamber in the flow of the air in the storage chamber.

22. The refrigerator according to claim 2,

the installation area is set so that the odor detection device is installed on the downstream side of the stored object stored in the storage chamber in the flow of the air in the storage chamber.

23. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

the setting area is set outside the refrigerator.

24. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

a partition plate for dividing the interior of the main body, namely the interior of the refrigerator,

the setting area is set on the partition board.

25. The refrigerator of claim 24,

the setting area is set on the side surface of the partition board.

26. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

a deodorizing device for deodorizing the interior of the main body, namely the refrigerator,

the setting area is set so that the odor detection device is arranged at the upstream side of the deodorization device in the air flow in the refrigerator.

27. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

the installation area is set so that the odor detection device is installed on the downstream side of the deodorization device in the air flow in the refrigerator.

28. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

a humidity control member for adjusting the humidity inside the refrigerator as the inside of the main body,

the installation area is set such that the odor detection device is installed upstream of the humidity control member in the flow of air in the refrigerator.

29. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

the installation area is set such that the odor detection device is installed downstream of the humidity control member in the flow of air in the refrigerator.

30. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

the odor detection device comprises a detection surface for detecting odor,

the setting area is set to make the detecting surface parallel to the air flow in the refrigerator.

31. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

the odor detection device comprises a detection surface for detecting odor,

the setting area is set to make the detecting surface vertical to the air flow in the refrigerator.

32. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

the odor detection device comprises a detection surface for detecting odor,

the setting area is set to make the detecting surface incline between parallel and vertical relative to the air flow in the refrigerator.

33. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 32,

the setting area is set at a position that can be recognized by a user.

34. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 33,

the odor detection device is configured to include a plurality of detection surfaces for detecting odor.

35. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 34,

the odor detection device is configured to detect 2 or more kinds of molecules.

36. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 35,

the odor detection device is configured to operate by being supplied with power from a power supply provided in the main body.

37. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 36,

the odor detection device includes a wireless communication unit that can wirelessly communicate with an external device.