CN115038919B

CN115038919B - Refrigerator with a door

Info

Publication number: CN115038919B
Application number: CN202180011010.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 河杉翔伍; 南部桂; 柿田健一; 安信淑子; 平井刚树
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-02-03
Filing date: 2021-01-29
Publication date: 2024-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 2041-01-29
Also published as: WO2021157473A1; JP6964226B2; JP7470902B2; JP2021124220A; JP2024071610A; CN115038919A; JP2022008514A

Abstract

The refrigerator comprises a vegetable room (8), a storage container (20) arranged in the vegetable room (8) and a humidifying unit (28) arranged in the storage container (20), wherein the humidifying unit (28) absorbs moisture generated by condensation in the storage container (20) and releases the moisture into the storage container (20). This can humidify the interior of the storage container 20.

Description

Refrigerator with a door

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a refrigerator including a humidifying unit.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses a refrigerator configured to discharge moisture in a vegetable box to the outside when the vegetable box is in a high humidity state, and to ensure that the moisture in the vegetable box does not escape when the vegetable box is in a low humidity state.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2014-800

Disclosure of Invention

The refrigerator of patent document 1 does not allow moisture in the vegetable box to escape when the refrigerator is in a low humidity state, but cannot humidify the vegetable box in a low humidity state.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a refrigerator capable of humidifying the inside of a storage container of a vegetable room.

The refrigerator of the present invention includes: the vegetable room, the container that sets up in the vegetable room, and the humidification unit that sets up at the container, the humidification unit absorbs the moisture that produces because of the dewing in the inside of container, and releases the moisture to the inside of container.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a refrigerator according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator according to embodiment 4.

Detailed Description

(knowledge based on the present invention, etc.)

In the present invention, the inventors have found that, even when vegetables, fruits, or the like are stored in a vegetable box, the following technique is available as a technique capable of preventing damp rot caused by dew condensation while maintaining a high humidity state: the vegetable box is provided with a moisture sensing and penetrating device, when the vegetable box is in a high humidity state, the moisture of the vegetable box is discharged to the outside, and when the vegetable box is in a low humidity state, the moisture of the vegetable box cannot escape.

By employing such a technique, when a large amount of vegetables or the like is stored in the storage container and the inside of the storage container is in a high humidity state, a method of releasing moisture to the outside can suppress the risk of moisture decay due to dew condensation, and thus is useful. However, when vegetables or the like are small and the interior of the storage container is in a low humidity state, high humidity cannot be achieved. Accordingly, the present inventors have found that vegetables and the like are the most dry and the quality is degraded, and have completed the present invention to solve the problem.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a refrigerator capable of suppressing the risk of moisture decay of vegetables and the like caused by dew condensation and maintaining the inside of a storage container in a high humidity state.

The embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, a detailed description of known matters or a repeated description of substantially the same structure may be omitted. This is to avoid the following description being too lengthy to be easily understood by those skilled in the art.

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

(embodiment 1)

Hereinafter, embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 2.

(1-1. Structure)

As shown in fig. 1, the refrigerator 1 includes: a heat-insulating box 2 for insulating the inner space of the refrigerator 1 from the surroundings. The heat insulating box 2 includes: an outer case 3 mainly using a steel plate; an inner case 4 molded with a resin such as ABS; and a foamed heat insulating material such as hard foamed polyurethane filled in the space between the outer casing 3 and the inner casing 4. The inside of the heat insulating box 2 is divided into a plurality of storage compartments.

In the present embodiment, the refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerating chamber 5, a switching chamber 6, an ice making chamber 7, a vegetable chamber 8, and a freezing chamber 9.

A refrigerating compartment 5 as a first storage compartment is provided at the uppermost portion of the refrigerator 1. Below the refrigerating chamber 5, a switching chamber 6 as a fourth storage chamber and an ice making chamber 7 as a fifth storage chamber are provided in parallel in the left-right direction. A vegetable chamber 8 as a second storage chamber is provided below the switching chamber 6 and the ice making chamber 7. A freezing compartment 9 as a third storage compartment is disposed at the lowermost portion of the refrigerator 1.

The refrigerating chamber 5 is usually set to a temperature of 1 to 5 ℃ with the temperature at which the freezing is not caused as a lower limit for refrigerating. The temperature of the vegetable room 8 is set to 2-7 ℃ which is the same as or slightly higher than the refrigerating room 5. The temperature of the freezing chamber 9 is set to a freezing temperature range, and for freezing preservation, the temperature is usually set to-22 ℃ to-15 ℃. In order to improve the frozen state, the temperature of the freezing chamber 9 may be set to a low temperature of-30 ℃ or-25 ℃, for example. The switching chamber 6 is set to a refrigerating temperature range of 1 to 5 ℃, a vegetable temperature range of 2 to 7 ℃, and a freezing temperature range of-22 to-15 ℃ in general, and the set temperature can be switched between a temperature range preset from the refrigerating temperature range to the freezing temperature range. The switching chamber 6 is a storage chamber provided in parallel with the ice making chamber 7 and having an independent door, and often has a drawer type door.

In the present embodiment, the switching chamber 6 is used as a storage chamber that can be set in temperature in a temperature zone including a temperature zone for refrigerating and a temperature zone for freezing. However, the refrigerating chamber 5 and the vegetable chamber 8 may be used for refrigerating, the freezing chamber 9 may be used for freezing, and the switching chamber 6 may be used as a storage chamber for exclusively switching between only the above-described temperature ranges between refrigerating and freezing. Further, the storage chamber may be fixed in a specific temperature range.

The top surface of the heat insulating box 2 has a shape in which a recess is provided in a stepwise manner in the back surface direction of the refrigerator 1. A machine chamber 2a is formed in the stepped recess. The machine chamber 2a accommodates a high-pressure side member of a refrigeration cycle such as a compressor 10 and a dryer (not shown) for removing water. That is, the machine room 2a in which the compressor 10 is disposed is formed to be sunk in the uppermost rear region in the refrigerating room 5.

The matters related to the main part of the invention described below in the present embodiment can be applied to a conventional refrigerator in which a machine room is provided in a rear region of a lowermost storage room of the heat-insulating box 2 and the compressor 10 is disposed in the machine room. In addition, a refrigerator having a so-called 3D-FREEZER structure in which the arrangement of the freezing chamber 9 and the vegetable chamber 8 is replaced may be used.

A cooling chamber 11 for generating cool air is provided at the back of the vegetable chamber 8 and the freezing chamber 9. Between the vegetable chamber 8 and the cooling chamber 11 or between the freezing chamber 9 and the cooling chamber 11, there are disposed: a delivery duct (not shown) for delivering cool air to each compartment having heat insulation, and a rear partition wall 12 for partitioning each compartment from the cooling compartment 11 by heat insulation. The rear partition wall 12 is provided with a discharge port 23 for the vegetable chamber 8.

A cooler 13 is disposed in the cooling chamber 11. A cooling fan 14 is disposed in an upper space of the cooler 13, and the cooling fan 14 supplies cool air cooled by the cooler 13 to the refrigerating compartment 5, the switching compartment 6, the ice making compartment 7, the vegetable compartment 8, and the freezing compartment 9 by forced convection. A glass-tube-shaped radiation heater 15 for defrosting frost or ice adhering to the cooler 13 and its periphery at the time of cooling is provided in the lower space of the cooler 13. In addition, a lower portion of the radiation heater 15 is provided with: a drain pan 16 for receiving defrost water generated during defrosting, and a drain pipe 17 penetrating from the deepest portion of the drain pan 16 to the outside of the cabinet. Further, an evaporation pan 18 is provided outside the reservoir on the downstream side of the drain pipe 17.

A lower container 20 and an upper container 21 are disposed in the vegetable room 8. The lower container 20 is placed on a frame of a drawer door 19 attached to the vegetable room 8. The upper container 21 is placed on the lower container 20.

An air duct for cool air discharged from the discharge port 23 formed in the rear-surface partition wall 12 is provided between the upper-layer storage container 21 and the first partition wall 22 a. A vegetable room heater 24 for adjusting the temperature in the vegetable room 8 is disposed in the vicinity of the outlet 23.

A space is also provided between the lower storage container 20 and the second partition wall 22b below the lower storage container 20 to constitute a cool air duct. The vegetable chamber 8 is provided with a suction port 25 for the vegetable chamber 8, and the suction port 25 is used for returning cool air, which is cooled in the vegetable chamber 8 and subjected to heat exchange, to the cooler 13. A temperature sensor 26 is provided near the suction port 25.

In fig. 2, the humidifying unit 28 includes an absorbing portion 29, a releasing portion 30, and a conveying portion 31. The humidification unit 28 is integrally constituted by an absorption portion 29, a release portion 30, and a transport portion 31. The humidifying unit 28 is provided inside the wall surface constituting the lower-layer container 20. For example, the humidifying unit 28 is provided on a wall surface blown by the cool air discharged from the discharge port 23, among the inner wall surfaces of the lower-layer container 20.

The absorbing portion 29 serves to absorb moisture generated by dew condensation in the lower container 20 and store the moisture. The lower portion of the back surface of the lower-layer container 20 is cooled by the cool air discharged from the discharge port 23. At this time, the lower portion of the back surface of the inside of the lower storage container 20 is cooled to a temperature lower than the dew point temperature of the air in the lower storage container 20, and dew condensation is likely to occur. The absorbing portion 29 is provided below the back surface of the inside of the lower container 20 so as to absorb moisture generated by the condensation. The absorbing portion 29 is made of a fibrous material such as a nonwoven fabric, for example, and is configured to easily absorb moisture generated by condensation. Thereby, the surface area of the absorbing portion 29 is increased.

The release portion 30 plays a role of releasing the moisture absorbed by the absorption portion 29 into the lower-layer storage container 20. The dry cool air discharged from the discharge port 23 is guided to the upper side of the back surface of the inside of the lower container 20 from the gap between the upper container 21 and the lower container 20. Therefore, the atmosphere around the upper portion of the back surface of the lower-layer container 20 is lower in humidity than the atmosphere around the absorbing portion 29 and the conveying portion 31. The release portion 30 is provided at an upper portion of the back surface of the inside of the lower container 20 so as to release the absorbed moisture. The release portion 30 is formed of, for example, a nonwoven fabric and a fiber-like material, so as to easily release moisture. Thereby, the surface area of the release portion 30 is increased.

The transport unit 31 moves the moisture absorbed and stored in the absorption unit 29 to the release unit 30 by capillary force. Here, the capillary force is a force for generating capillary phenomenon. The transport unit 31 is provided at a position connecting the absorbing unit 29 and the releasing unit 30. The conveying section 31 is made of a fibrous material such as nonwoven fabric, for example.

(1-2. Action)

The operation and operation of the refrigerator 1 configured as described above will be described below.

The operation of the humidification unit 28 of the refrigerator 1 to absorb moisture generated by dew condensation, move the moisture, and release the moisture will be described with reference to fig. 2. First, the operation of the refrigeration cycle will be described. The cooling operation is performed by a refrigerating cycle operation (operation) based on a signal from a control board (not shown) according to a temperature set in the box (in the storage). The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged by the operation of the compressor 10 is condensed to a certain degree in a condenser (not shown) and liquefied. The refrigerant further condenses and liquefies while preventing dew condensation in the refrigerator 1, and reaches a capillary tube (not shown), via refrigerant piping (not shown) or the like provided on the side surfaces and the back surface of the refrigerator 1 and the front surface (gap) of the refrigerator 1. Then, the refrigerant is depressurized while exchanging heat with a suction pipe (not shown) of the compressor 10 in the capillary tube, and reaches the cooler 13 as a low-temperature low-pressure liquid refrigerant.

Here, the low-temperature low-pressure liquid refrigerant exchanges heat with air sent into each storage chamber by the cooling fan 14 in the cooling chamber 11, and the refrigerant in the cooler 13 evaporates and evaporates. At this time, cool air for cooling each storage chamber is generated in the cooling chamber 11.

The low-temperature cool air generated in the cooling chamber 11 flows by the cooling fan 14, and is branched into the refrigerating chamber 5, the switching chamber 6, the ice making chamber 7, the vegetable chamber 8, and the freezing chamber 9 using the air duct and the cooling damper 27. The flow rate of the cool air is adjusted by the cooling damper 27 so that each storage compartment is cooled to a respective target temperature zone.

The temperature of the air cooled by the cooler 13 to a temperature of typically-20 ℃ or lower is raised to 2-7 ℃ on average in the vegetable room 8. Therefore, the air outside the lower container 20 and the upper container 21 is dried in the vegetable room 8, and the average relative humidity is about 15 to 29% rh. On the other hand, the vegetables in the lower container 20 and the upper container 21 have physiological activity during storage, and moisture continuously evaporates, so that the humidity of the air in the lower container 20 and the upper container 21 becomes higher. Through the gap between the first partition wall 22a and the upper-layer container 21 and the gap between the upper-layer container 21 and the lower-layer container 20, the dry air on the outer periphery of the lower-layer container 20 and the outer periphery of the upper-layer container 21 is replaced with the high-humidity air inside the lower-layer container 20 and inside the upper-layer container 21. Accordingly, a part of the moisture is discharged from the lower container 20 and the upper container 21.

When the humidity in the lower-layer storage container 20 becomes excessively high, dew condensation occurs. When moisture generated by dew condensation contacts with vegetables or the like, the vegetables or the like are affected with moisture and rot. On the other hand, when the humidity in the lower container 20 becomes too low, evaporation of moisture in vegetables is promoted, and there is a problem that vegetables wilt. Considering the balance between the risk of too high humidity and the risk of too low humidity, 90 to 95% RH is an appropriate preservation humidity for a large number of vegetables. In the present embodiment, a humidifying unit 28 is provided. Moisture generated by dew condensation in the lower-layer storage container 20 is absorbed and stored by the humidifying unit 28, and the risk of damp and rot can be suppressed. When the inside of the lower container 20 is in a low humidity state, the moisture absorbed and stored by the humidifying unit 28 is released into the inside of the lower container 20. Therefore, the risk of moisture decay due to dew condensation can be suppressed while maintaining the inside of the lower container 20 in a high humidity state.

In fig. 2, the humidification unit 28 absorbs moisture generated by condensation in the lower storage container 20 by the absorption portion 29, moves the absorbed moisture by the transport portion 31, and releases the moved moisture by the release portion 30.

Next, an operation of using the humidifying unit 28 to absorb and store moisture generated by condensation by the absorbing portion 29, moving the absorbed moisture to the releasing portion 30 by the transporting portion 31, and releasing the moved moisture by the releasing portion 30 will be described. When the vegetables are placed in the lower container 20, the vegetables release moisture with the lapse of time. If the surface of the lower container 20 is a surface lower than the dew point temperature, dew condensation occurs on the surface.

The surface on which condensation occurs may vary slightly depending on the design position of the vegetable compartment 8, the operating conditions of the refrigerator, and the like. In the case of the present embodiment, condensation basically occurs in a part of the back surface of the lower-layer storage container 20 that is blown to a relatively low temperature by the cool air discharged from the discharge port 23. The upper side in the lower container 20 where the density of vegetables is low is also affected by the invasion of the dry cold air discharged from the discharge port 23, and is brought into a low humidity state. Therefore, the lower side in the lower container 20 having a high vegetable density has a higher humidity than the upper side in the lower container 20, and therefore dew condensation can be expected to occur on the lower side of the back surface of the lower container 20.

At this time, by disposing the absorbing portion 29 of the humidification cells 28 at the portion where condensation occurs, moisture generated by condensation in the lower storage container 20 can be absorbed and stored. The moisture absorbed and stored in the absorbing portion 29 is moved by the conveying portion 31 to the releasing portion 30 provided on the upper side of the back surface of the lower storage container 20. The periphery of the release portion 30 is also affected by the invasion of the dry cold air discharged from the discharge port 23, and air having a lower humidity than the humidity of the absorption portion 29 and the transport portion 31 flows. Accordingly, the moisture moved to the release portion 30 is released from the humidifying unit 28 at the release portion 30. In particular, the smaller the vegetables in the lower container 20, the greater the humidity difference between the air in the lower container 20 and the atmosphere around the release portion 30. Accordingly, the release of moisture becomes more active, and as a result, the inside of the lower container 20 can be kept in a high humidity state without being affected by the amount of vegetables.

(1-3. Effect, etc.)

As described above, in the present embodiment, the refrigerator 1 includes the vegetable compartment 8, the lower-layer storage container 20, and the humidifying unit 28. The humidification unit 28 is integrally constituted by an absorption portion 29, a transport portion 31, and a release portion 30. This can absorb moisture generated by dew condensation in the lower container 20 and release the moisture into the lower container 20. Therefore, the inside of the lower-layer container 20 can be humidified. For example, when a large amount of vegetables are placed in the lower container 20 and the lower container 20 is in a high humidity state, moisture generated by condensation on the lower side of the back surface of the inside of the lower container 20 is first absorbed and stored in the absorbing portion 29. Then, the absorbed moisture moves to the release portion by the transport portion 31 by capillary force. Finally, when the inside of the lower container 20 is in a low humidity state, the moisture is released into the lower container 20 by the releasing portion 30.

Accordingly, when the lower-layer container 20 is in a low humidity state due to the entry of dry cold air (invasion) or the reduction of vegetables, moisture can be supplied from the humidifying unit 28 into the lower-layer container 20. Therefore, the lower container 20 can be kept in a high humidity state both when vegetables are more and when vegetables are less. In addition, the risk of vegetable wetting and rot caused by dew condensation can be suppressed.

In order to maintain freshness of vegetables, it is necessary to improve the sealing degree of the storage container. In order to improve the sealing degree of the storage container, if the gap between the lower storage container 20 and the upper storage container 21 is reduced, the amount of replacement of the dry cool air outside the lower storage container 20 with the high humidity air in the lower storage container 20 becomes small. Therefore, dew condensation is likely to occur in the lower storage container 20. In contrast, the humidifying unit 28 can absorb moisture generated by dew condensation in the lower-layer storage container, and therefore, the gap between the lower-layer storage container 20 and the upper-layer storage container 21 can be further reduced. Therefore, not only the sealing degree of the container of the vegetable room 8 can be improved as compared with the conventional one, but also the humidity in the lower container 20 can be increased.

In the present embodiment, the place where the humidifying unit 28 is provided will be described by taking the lower-layer container 20 as an example. However, the place where the humidification unit 28 is provided is not limited to the lower storage container 20. As another example, the place where the humidifying unit 28 is provided may be, for example, the upper storage container 21.

As a result, moisture generated by dew condensation in the upper-layer container 21 can be absorbed by the absorbing portion 29 of the humidifying unit 28 provided in the upper-layer container 21, and released into the upper-layer container 21 by the releasing portion 30. Therefore, the inside of the upper storage container 21 can be kept in a high humidity state, and the risk of vegetable wetting and rot due to dew condensation can be suppressed.

(embodiment 2)

Embodiment 2 will be described below with reference to fig. 3.

(2-1. Structure)

The refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 2 differs from the refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1 in that the humidifying unit 28 is provided on a wall surface on the lower-layer storage container 20 side of the bottom surface of the upper-layer storage container 21. The humidification unit 28 is constituted by an absorption portion 29, a release portion 30, and a transport portion 31 as in embodiment 1. In the present embodiment, the humidifying unit 28 is provided on the wall surface of the lower-stage container 20 side of the bottom surface of the upper-stage container 21, and the absorbing portion 29, the conveying portion 31, and the releasing portion 30 are arranged in this order from the back surface side to the front surface side of the upper-stage container 21.

The absorption portion 29 is provided on a wall surface cooled by the cool air entering the lower storage container 20 and is lower than the dew point temperature.

The release portion 30 is disposed on the front side of the wall surface constituting the bottom surface of the upper storage container 21. The arrangement position of the release portion 30 is a position in which the release portion is heated by the influence of the outside air that intrudes into the vegetable chamber 8 when the drawer door 19 is opened, and is in a low humidity state lower than the absorbing portion 29 and the conveying portion 31.

The transport section 31 is provided so as to connect the absorbing section 29 and the releasing section 30.

(2-2. Action)

In the present embodiment, the operation of the humidifying unit 28 is the same as that of embodiment 1 except for the operation.

The operation of the humidifying unit 28 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 3.

The absorption portion 29 is provided on a wall surface cooled by the cold air entering the lower storage container 20 and is lower than the dew point temperature. Therefore, if vegetables are contained in the lower container 20, condensation occurs, and the absorbing portion 29 absorbs moisture generated by the condensation.

When moisture absorbed by the absorbing portion 29 is present, the transporting portion 31 moves the absorbed moisture to the releasing portion 30 by capillary force.

The release portion 30 is provided on the front side of the wall surface constituting the bottom surface of the upper storage container 21, and is heated by the influence of the outside air that intrudes into the vegetable chamber 8 when the drawer door 19 is opened, thereby forming a wall surface in a low humidity state lower than the absorbing portion 29 and the conveying portion 31. Therefore, when moisture is present in the release portion 30, the release portion 30 releases the moisture into the air by diffusion of the humidity difference.

In the present embodiment, since the dry cool air passes between the lower storage container 20 and the upper storage container 21, convection is generated around the release portion 30, and release of moisture can be promoted.

(2-3. Effect, etc.)

As described above, in the present embodiment, the humidification unit 28 of the refrigerator 1 is provided on the wall surface on the lower-layer storage container 20 side of the bottom surface of the upper-layer storage container 21.

This can enhance the effect of the release portion 30 on releasing moisture even when condensation occurs on the wall surface of the bottom surface of the upper container 21 on the lower container 20 side. Therefore, the risk of the vegetables becoming wet and rotting due to the falling of moisture caused by dew condensation adhering to the wall surface into the lower storage container 20 can be suppressed. In addition, the humidity in the lower storage container 20 can be kept high.

In addition, since the portion where the humidifying unit 28 is provided is a place where the user does not easily touch the hand or the like when taking out vegetables or the like in the lower container 20, breakage or contamination of the humidifying unit 28 can be prevented.

Embodiment 3

Embodiment 3 will be described below with reference to fig. 4.

(3-1. Structure)

The refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 3 is different from the refrigerator 1 according to embodiments 1 and 2 in that the absorption portion 29 of the humidification unit 28 is provided on the bottom surface of the lower container 20, and the release portion 30 is provided on the upper side of the front surface of the inside of the lower container 20. As in embodiment 1, the humidification unit 28 includes an absorption portion 29, a release portion 30, and a transport portion 31 that connects the absorption portion 29 and the release portion 30.

In the present embodiment, the absorption portion 29 is provided in a portion of the bottom surface of the lower container 20, which is cooled by heat transfer from another chamber or cooled by cool air flowing outside the lower container 20 including a portion between the lower container 20 and the second partition wall 22b, and which becomes a portion of the dew point temperature or lower.

The release portion 30 is disposed on the wall surface on the front side of the inside of the lower container 20. The wall surface on the front side of the inside of the lower storage container 20 is heated by the external air that intrudes into the vegetable chamber 8 when the drawer door 19 is opened, and is in a low humidity state lower than the absorbing portion 29 and the conveying portion 31.

(3-2. Action)

In the present embodiment, the operation other than the operation of the humidifying unit 28 is the same as that of embodiment 1.

The operation of the humidifying unit 28 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 4.

The absorbing portion 29 is provided with: is cooled by the influence of heat absorption from the freezing chamber 9 below the vegetable chamber 8, or is cooled by cold air flowing through the outside of the lower storage container 20 including a portion between the lower storage container 20 and the second partition wall 22b, and becomes a wall surface portion of a dew point temperature or lower. Therefore, if vegetables are contained in the lower container 20, dew condensation occurs in the wall portion, and the absorbing portion 29 absorbs and stores moisture generated by dew condensation.

When the moisture absorbed by the absorbing portion 29 is present, the transporting portion 31 moves the absorbed moisture to the releasing portion 30 by capillary force.

The release section 30 is provided in: the wall surface portion of the lower container 20 in a low humidity state lower than the absorbing portion 29 and the conveying portion 31 is heated by the influence of the outside air that intrudes into the vegetable room 8 after the drawer door 19 is opened, in the wall surface portion on the front side of the inside of the lower container 20. Therefore, when moisture is present in the release portion 30, the release portion 30 releases the moisture into the air by diffusion due to the humidity difference.

(3-3. Effect, etc.)

As described above, in the present embodiment, the absorbing portion 29 of the humidifying unit 28 is provided near the back surface of the bottom surface of the lower container 20, and the releasing portion 30 is provided on the front surface side of the inside of the lower container 20.

Thus, even when condensation occurs on the back surface other than the bottom surface of the lower storage container 20, for example, the absorbing portion 29 absorbs and stores moisture due to condensation that flows along the back surface and drips down. Therefore, the risk of the vegetables becoming wet and rotting due to dew condensation on the back surface can also be suppressed. In addition, the inside of the lower-layer container 20 can be kept in a high humidity state.

In the present embodiment, the case of the lower container 20 is described as a place where the humidifying unit 28 is provided, but the place where the humidifying unit 28 is provided is not limited to the lower container 20. As another example, the place where the humidifying unit 28 is provided may be, for example, the upper storage container 21.

This allows the absorbing portion 29 to absorb moisture generated by condensation in the upper storage container 21, and the releasing portion 30 to release the absorbed moisture into the upper storage container 21. Therefore, the inside of the upper storage container 21 can be kept in a high humidity state, and the risk of damp decay due to dew condensation can be suppressed.

Embodiment 4

Embodiment 4 will be described below with reference to fig. 5.

(4-1. Structure)

The refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 4 is different from the refrigerator 1 according to embodiments 1 to 3 in that a cover 32 is provided to suppress intrusion of cold air into a storage container 33, and a humidifying unit 28 is provided on a wall surface of the cover 32 on the storage container 33 side. As in embodiment 1, the humidification unit 28 includes an absorption portion 29, a release portion 30, and a transport portion 31.

In the present embodiment, the absorbing portion 29 is provided on a wall surface portion of the cover 32 on the side of the storage container 33, and is cooled by the heat absorption from the switching chamber 6 and the ice making chamber 7 above the vegetable chamber 8 or cooled by the cold air flowing out of the storage container 33 to be a wall surface portion of the dew point temperature or lower.

The release portion 30 is disposed on the front side of the cover 32 on the side of the container 33. The release portion 30 is provided on a wall surface portion of the cover 32 in a low humidity state lower than the absorbing portion 29 and the conveying portion 31 by being heated by the influence of the outside air that intrudes into the vegetable room 8 when the drawer door 19 is opened.

(4-2. Action)

The operation of the humidifying unit 28 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 5.

The absorbing portion 29 is provided on a wall surface of the cover 32 on the side of the storage container 33, which is cooled by the heat absorption from the switching chamber 6 and the ice making chamber 7 above the vegetable chamber 8 or cooled by the cold air flowing outside the storage container 33 and becomes a dew point temperature or lower. Therefore, if vegetables are contained in the storage container 33, condensation occurs around the absorption portion 29, and the absorption portion 29 absorbs and stores moisture generated by the condensation.

When the moisture absorbed by the absorbing portion 29 is present, the transporting portion 31 moves the absorbed moisture to the releasing portion by capillary force.

The release portion 30 is disposed on the front side of the cover 32 on the side of the storage container 33. The release section 30 is provided in: the wall surface portion of the cover 32, which is heated by the influence of the outside air that intrudes into the vegetable room 8 when the drawer door 19 is opened, is in a low humidity state lower than the absorbing portion 29 and the conveying portion 31. Therefore, when moisture is present in the release portion 30, the release portion 30 releases the moisture into the air by diffusion based on the humidity difference. The side surface portion of the lid 32 on the front side of the container 33 is often in the vicinity of the air vent opening through which air flows out of the container 33, and convection of dry air occurs around the air vent opening. Accordingly, the ability to release moisture from the release portion 30 can be improved.

(4-3. Effect, etc.)

As described above, in the present embodiment, the absorbing portion 29 of the humidification unit 28 is provided on the wall surface of the lid 32 on the storage container 33 side, and the releasing portion 30 is provided on the wall surface of the lid 32 on the front side on the storage container 33 side.

Accordingly, even when condensation occurs on the inner side of the cover 32, the moisture generated by the condensation can be absorbed and stored by the absorbing portion 29, and the moisture can be released to the low-humidity portion by the releasing portion 30. Therefore, the risk of moisture due to dew condensation falling from the cover 32 onto the preserved vegetables can be suppressed. In addition, the risk of the vegetables becoming wet and rotting due to dew condensation can be suppressed, and the inside of the storage container 33 can be kept in a high humidity state.

In the present embodiment, the release portion 30 is provided in a wall surface portion of the cover 32 on the front side of the container 33 side. Since this wall portion generally serves as an air duct through which cool air in the storage container 33 passes, convection of air occurs around the wall portion. By providing the release portion 30 at this portion, the release capability of the release portion 30 can be improved. Therefore, the size of the release portion 30 can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

(other embodiments)

As described above, embodiments 1 to 4 are described as examples of the technology described in the present application. However, the technique of the present invention is not limited to this, and is also applicable to embodiments in which changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like are made. Further, the components described in embodiments 1 to 4 can be combined to form a new embodiment.

Therefore, other embodiments will be described below by way of example.

In embodiments 1 to 4, the vegetable room is described as an example of the place where the humidifying unit 28 is provided, but the place where the humidifying unit 28 is provided is not limited to the vegetable room. As another example, the storage chamber may be another storage chamber such as a refrigerator or a freezer. The articles stored in the vegetable compartment may be fruits or rice, not only vegetables but also fruits or rice.

In embodiments 1 to 4, a fibrous material such as a nonwoven fabric is described as an example of a material constituting the absorbent portion 29. The absorbing portion 29 may be a porous body capable of absorbing more moisture due to condensation. Therefore, the absorbent portion 29 is not limited to a fibrous material such as a nonwoven fabric. By using the porous body for the absorbing portion 29, the surface area can be increased, and a large amount of moisture can be absorbed and stored.

Therefore, moisture generated by condensation of a large amount of vegetables expected to be generated when the vegetables are large can be absorbed, and the effect of suppressing the risk caused by condensation can be improved. Further, when the vegetables are reduced, the amount of moisture released by the releasing portion 30 can be increased. Therefore, it is easy to cope with the variation of the vegetable amount. Accordingly, the time for which the inside of the storage container can be kept in a high humidity state becomes long, and therefore the freshness of the vegetables can be maintained for a longer period of time.

The absorbing portion 29 may have a groove structure. This allows the absorbing portion 29 to retain moisture generated by condensation between the grooves. In addition, since moisture generated by dew condensation can be absorbed and stored only by providing the groove on the wall surface of the storage container, it is unnecessary to newly provide a member, which takes time and effort, and cost can be reduced.

In embodiments 1 to 4, a fibrous material such as a nonwoven fabric is described as an example of a material constituting the conveying section 31. The transport unit 31 may be a porous body capable of transporting the moisture absorbed by the absorption unit 29 to the release unit 30 by capillary force. Therefore, the conveying section 31 is not limited to a fibrous material such as nonwoven fabric. By forming the transport portion 31 from a porous body, a large amount of moisture absorbed by the absorption portion 29 can be moved to the release portion 30 by capillary force of the porous body.

Therefore, even when condensation occurs continuously, the moisture absorbed by the absorbing portion 29 can be continuously moved. This can improve the absorption performance of the absorber 29 and suppress the risk of condensation in the storage container.

The member constituting the transport section 31 may be a material having anisotropy in the direction in which moisture moves from the absorbing section 29 to the releasing section 30. By forming the conveying portion 31 of a material having anisotropy, the moisture moving in the conveying portion 31 flows in a certain direction, and therefore, the moisture can be quickly moved to the release portion 30 as a movement destination.

Therefore, even when the water absorbed by the absorbing portion 29 is excessive, the water can be quickly transported to the releasing portion 30. This can improve the storage durability of the absorbing portion 29. Therefore, when the vegetables are increased or decreased, the risk of moisture due to dew condensation falling into the storage container can be suppressed.

The conveying section 31 may have a groove structure. This allows the water absorbed by the absorbing portion 29 to be moved by the capillary force of the groove. In addition, since the water can be moved only by providing the groove on the wall surface of the storage container, it is unnecessary to provide a new member, and the cost can be reduced.

In embodiments 1 to 4, a fibrous material such as a nonwoven fabric is described as an example of a material constituting the release portion 30. The release portion 30 may be a porous body capable of releasing more moisture generated by condensation. Accordingly, the release portion 30 is not limited to a fibrous material such as nonwoven fabric. By forming the release portion 30 with a porous body, the surface area increases, and a large amount of moisture can be released.

Therefore, when the humidity in the storage container becomes low due to the fluctuation of the vegetable amount or the inflow of the dry cold air, a large amount of moisture can be released in a short time. This can suppress drying of vegetables and the like in the storage container, and can maintain freshness.

In embodiments 2 to 4, as an example of a place where the release portion 30 is provided, a case has been described in which the release portion is heated by the influence of the outside air that has entered the vegetable room 8 when the drawer door 19 is opened, and the release portion is a wall surface in a low humidity state lower than the absorbing portion 29 and the conveying portion 31. The release portion 30 may be provided near an inflow portion where cool air flows into the storage container from outside the storage container. Accordingly, convection of the dry air occurs in the vicinity of the release portion 30, and thus the ability to release moisture from the release portion 30 can be improved. Therefore, the size of the release portion 30 can be reduced while having the same release capability, and the cost can be reduced.

The cold air introduced into the storage container is relatively dry air compared with the air in the storage container. By releasing moisture from the release portion 30, the dry air flowing into the storage container can be humidified. Therefore, it is possible to suppress contact of the dry air with vegetables and the like, and therefore it is expected to maintain freshness of the vegetables and the like for a long period of time. In order to improve the release performance of the release portion 30, the release portion 30 may be provided in the inflow portion of the cold air, particularly in a portion where turbulence occurs in the inflow of the cold air. This can further improve the release performance.

In embodiments 1 to 4, the humidification cells 28 including the absorption portion 29, the transport portion 31, and the release portion 30 are described. The humidification unit 28 may be configured such that the absorbing portion 29, the conveying portion 31, and the releasing portion 30 are integrally formed of the same material. This makes the structure simpler than the case where the absorbing portion 29, the conveying portion 31, and the releasing portion 30 are made of different materials and structures, respectively. Therefore, the man-hour of assembly can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced. The absorbing portion 29, the conveying portion 31, and the releasing portion 30 may be integrally formed of nonwoven fabric, and a member in which nonwoven fabric is stored in the cartridge may be used as the humidifying unit 28.

The above-described embodiments are for illustrating the technology of the present invention, and therefore, various changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like can be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

Industrial applicability

The present invention can prevent vegetables from being damped and rotted due to dew condensation by absorbing moisture generated in a storage container by a humidifying unit and releasing the moisture into the storage container, and can maintain the humidity in the storage container at a high humidity. Therefore, the refrigerator is suitable for not only domestic or commercial refrigerators or vegetable-dedicated warehouses, but also for use in distribution or storage of articles requiring high-humidity preservation, including articles other than vegetables.

Description of the reference numerals

1. Refrigerator with a door

2. Heat insulation box

2a machine room

3. Outer box

4. Inner box

5. Refrigerating chamber

6. Switching room

7. Ice making chamber

8. Vegetable room

9. Freezing chamber

10. Compressor with a compressor body having a rotor with a rotor shaft

11. Cooling chamber

12. Back side partition wall

13. Cooling device

14. Cooling fan

15. Radiation heater

16. Drain pan

17. Drain pipe

18. Evaporation disk

19. Door

20. Lower layer container

21. Upper layer container

22a partition wall

22b dividing wall

23. Discharge outlet

24. Vegetable room heater

25. Suction inlet (suction inlet)

26. Temperature sensor

27. Cooling air door

28. Humidification unit

29. Absorption part

30. Release part

31. Conveying part

33. Storage container

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising:

a vegetable room;

a storage container disposed in the vegetable room; and

a humidifying unit arranged on the storage container,

the humidifying unit absorbs moisture generated by dew condensation in the storage container and releases the absorbed moisture to the storage container,

the humidifying unit includes an absorbing portion and a releasing portion,

the absorbing part is arranged at the part where dew condensation occurs, absorbs and stores moisture generated by the dew condensation in the storage container, air with lower humidity than the humidity of the absorbing part flows around the releasing part,

the water absorbed by the absorbing portion moves to the releasing portion, and when air having a lower humidity than the humidity around the absorbing portion flows around the releasing portion, the water moved to the releasing portion is released into the storage container at the releasing portion.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:

the vegetable room has a discharge port for discharging cool air toward the inside of the vegetable room,

the humidifying unit is disposed inside a wall surface of the storage container, to which cool air discharged from the discharge port is blown.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein,

the vegetable room has a discharge port for discharging cool air toward the inside of the vegetable room at the rear surface thereof,

the absorbing part is arranged at the lower side of the back surface of the storage container,

the release part is arranged on the upper side of the back surface of the storage container,

the moisture is released from the releasing portion by the cold air flowing to an upper periphery of the releasing portion.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:

the absorbing part is arranged on the back side of the top surface of the storage container,

the release part is arranged on the front side of the top surface of the storage container,

the periphery of the release portion is heated by invasion of external air from the door of the vegetable room, and the moisture is released from the release portion by diffusion due to a humidity difference.

5. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:

the moisture moves from the absorbing portion to the releasing portion by capillary phenomenon.

6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein,

the humidifying unit is provided with a non-woven fabric,