CN1314573A

CN1314573A - Deodoring device and refrigerator

Info

Publication number: CN1314573A
Application number: CN00131771A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 服部隆雄; 岡田大信; 新居邦男; 及川巧; 上野俊司
Original assignee: Toshiba Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Corp
Priority date: 2000-03-22
Filing date: 2000-10-12
Publication date: 2001-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 2020-10-12
Also published as: ID29689A; CN100398952C; KR100406093B1; JP2001336871A; SG88815A1; TWM268560U; KR20010092701A

Abstract

The invention provides a deodorizer in which dew formation in a step-up transformer can be prevented and a refrigerator comprising the deodorizer. The case of a deodorizer installed in a refrigerator is partitioned into a transformer chamber and an electrode chamber and a step-up transformer is disposed in the transformer chamber so that it is not exposed to chill circulating through the compartment. An electrode for generating ozone and a catalyst for separating ozone and odor component are disposed in the electrode chamber where the circulating chill reaches.

Description

Deodorization device and refrigerator

The present invention relates to a deodorizing device which is provided in a circulation passage of cold air in a refrigerator and deodorizes the inside of the refrigerator by generating and decomposing ozone, and a refrigerator having the deodorizing device.

Some refrigerators are provided with a deodorizing device for generating ozone and decomposing the ozone to generate active oxygen, thereby oxidizing and decomposing odor components, bacteria, and the like in the refrigerator to perform deodorizing and sterilizing functions. In order to generate ozone, a step-up transformer is used for inducing high voltage of about 4-5 KV and externally applying the high voltage to a creeping discharge electrode to generate corona discharge so as to ionize inert gas in the air.

However, in the conventional structure, the step-up transformer is placed in the refrigerator together with the discharge electrode, and frost directly flows into the outside air in the refrigerator when the cold air circulating in the refrigerator is exposed to frost and the refrigerator door is opened and closed. Therefore, the temperature difference between the cold air in the refrigerator and the outside air may cause frost formation on the booster transformer.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a deodorization device capable of preventing a step-up transformer from frosting and a refrigerator having the same.

The deodorization device as claimed in claim 1 which is installed in a cool air circulation passage in a refrigerator for deodorizing the interior of the refrigerator by ozone,

characterized in that a step-up transformer is arranged in the 1 st chamber for blocking the inflow of the cold air,

an ozone generating electrode electrically connected to the secondary sideof the booster transformer and an ozone decomposition device for decomposing ozone generated by the ozone generating electrode are disposed in a 2 nd chamber through which the cold air flows.

With the above structure, the booster transformer is arranged in the 1 st chamber, so that the booster transformer is isolated from the cold air circulating in the refrigerator, and only the electrode for generating ozone is positioned in the 2 nd chamber and the frost is exposed in the circulating cold air. And the refrigerator door is not directly contacted with the outside air flowing into the refrigerator when the refrigerator door is opened and closed. Therefore, the temperature change around the step-up transformer can be alleviated as much as possible to prevent the occurrence of frost.

In this case, as described in claim 2, it is preferable that both the discharge surface of the ozone generating electrode on which discharge is generated and the non-discharge surface on the back surface thereof are placed in the 2 nd chamber. That is, the surface temperature of the discharge surface of the ozone generating electrode is increased by the discharge. Therefore, when the discharge surface and the non-discharge surface are placed in different environmental states, the temperature gradient between the two increases, and the thermal stress acting on the ozone generating electrode increases. Therefore, both surfaces are disposed in the 2 nd chamber to reduce the temperature gradient therebetween and reduce the thermal stress acting on the ozone generating electrode.

Further, as recited in claim 3, the ozone decomposing device may be disposed below the electrode for ozone generation. That is, since ozone is heavier than air, ozone is naturally moved downward from the generation position, and by providing the ozone decomposition device below the ozone generation electrode, the decomposition of ozone and the oxidative decomposition of odor components can be efficiently performed.

As set forth in claim 4, the ozone generating electrode is disposed on the inflow side of the circulating cold air, and the ozone decomposing device is disposed on the outflow side of the circulating cold air. The structure can efficiently generate and decompose ozone along the flow of the circulating cold air, thereby realizing deodorization.

As set forth in claim 5, there may be provided a covering means for covering the periphery of the electrode for ozone generation. Thus, even if the electrode for generating ozone is used, it can prevent the electrode from directly contacting with the outside air flowing into the refrigerator when the refrigerator door is opened or closed, and can restrain the rapid temperature rise.

In this case, as described in claim 6, a throttle device for suppressing the flow rate of the air containing ozone may be provided at a portion where the air flows out from the cover device. That is, the discharge start voltage of the discharge electrode generally has a characteristic of increasing with time. Therefore, in consideration of the rise in the discharge start voltage, it is preferable to set the voltage applied to the ozone generating electrode to be higher.

The ozone generation concentration is relatively high in the initial stage of use. Therefore, the flow amount of the ozone-containing air is suppressed by providing the throttling means, and the air containing ozone at a high concentration is prevented from directly contacting the ozone decomposing device, thereby suppressing the degradation of the ozone decomposing device.

In the above case, as recited in claim 7, an ozone diffusing device for diffusing air containing ozone may be provided between the ozone generating electrode and the ozone decomposing device. This structure prevents directcontact between the air containing ozone at a high concentration and the ozone decomposing device, as in claim 6. In addition, when the above-described prevention effect is further improved by using the structure of claim 6 in combination.

The deodorizing device of claim 8, which is provided in a cooling air circulation passage in a refrigerator and deodorizes the interior of the refrigerator with ozone, comprising:

a transformer chamber provided with a step-up transformer,

An electrode chamber separated from the transformer chamber and provided with an ozone generating electrode electrically connected with the secondary electrode of the booster transformer,

A cold air flow chamber having a communication port communicating with the electrode chamber, and an ozone decomposition device for circulating the circulating cold air and decomposing the ozone supplied through the communication port.

That is, the booster transformer provided in the transformer chamber is isolated from the cold air circulating in the refrigerator, as in claim 1. The circulating cold air in the refrigerator flows through the cold air flow chamber, and ozone is supplied from the electrode chamber through the communication port. Therefore, the electrode for ozone generation in the electrode chamber is not directly contacted with the circulating cold air in the refrigerator or the outside air flowing into the refrigerator when the door is opened or closed, and the temperature change of the electrode for ozone generation can be suppressed.

In this case, as claimed in claim 9, it is preferable that the ozonolysis apparatus is disposed in a position corresponding to the communication port. That is, in the cold air flow chamber, ozone generated in the electrode chamber is supplied through the communication port, and the ozone is mixed with the air containing the odor gas in the vicinity thereof. Therefore, the ozone decomposition device is provided at a position corresponding to the communication port, so that the odor can be efficiently decomposed.

Further, as described in claim 10, both of the discharge surface of the ozone generating electrode on which discharge is generated and the non-discharge surface of the back surface can be provided in the electrode chamber, whereby the same operational effect as that of claim 2 can be obtained.

The method according to claim 11, wherein the ozone generated in the electrode chamber falls by its own weight to the cold air flow chamber side, so that the ozone can be easily supplied to the cold air flow chamber by utilizing the property that ozone is heavier than air.

In this case, as recited in claim 12, the ozone generating electrode may be provided in a direction parallel to a direction in which the ozone falls to the cold air flow chamber side, so that the ozone generating electrode does not interfere with the flow of the generated ozone to the cold air flow chamber side, and the ozone can be smoothly supplied.

In the above case, as described in claim 13, the electrode for ozone generation can be disposed so that the discharge surface is in the longitudinal direction, thereby preventing dust or the like from being deposited on the electrode for ozone generation.

As described in claim 14, the main pole terminal of the step-up transformer can be disposed downward, so that moisture can be prevented from intruding into the main pole of the step-up transformer along, for example, a power supply line.

As set forth in claim 15, a grill for preventing foreign matters from entering is provided at an inlet port of the circulating cold air, so that it is possible to prevent the foreign matters such as food from entering the inlet port and lowering the deodorization efficiency.

The refrigerator according to claim 16, wherein the deodorizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 is provided, thereby preventing occurrence of frost formation of the step-up transformer and maintaining a stable deodorizing effect in the refrigerator.

In this case, it is preferable that a deodorization device is provided in the return passage of the circulating cool air as recited in claim 17. That is, since the circulating cold air of the return duct circulates in the refrigerator and necessarily contains a large amount of odor components, it is possible to efficiently deodorize with such a configuration.

The refrigerator as claimed in claim 18, wherein cold air generated from a common cooler circulates in the refrigerator compartment and the vegetable compartment, and a deodorizer is installed at a boundary portion where the circulated cold air flows from the refrigerator compartment side to the vegetable compartment side. Thus, the dead angle part can be effectively utilized, and the reduction of the food storage volume in the refrigerator is restrained as much as possible.

In this case, as described in claim 19, a recess for preventing inflow of moisture is provided in a portion of the bottom plate of the refrigerating chamber in front of the inlet for circulating the cool air in the deodorizing means, so that the moisture to be flowed toward the inlet is branched into the recess in front of the inlet for preventing the moisture from entering the deodorizing means.

As set forth in claim 20, a deodorizing means may be provided in the circulating cool air suction portion of the refrigerating chamber. That is, the circulating cold air suction portion is located at the extreme end of the circulating cold air return passage, andtherefore the odor component contained in the circulating cold air reaching this portion is maximized. Such a structure can further improve the deodorization efficiency.

The refrigerator of claim 21 having: the refrigerator comprises a step-up transformer arranged in a transformer chamber for separating the circulating cold air in the refrigerator, an ozone generating electrode electrically connected with a secondary electrode of the step-up transformer and arranged outside the transformer chamber, and an ozone decomposing device for decomposing ozone generated by the ozone generating electrode.

Thus, the booster transformer is installed in the transformer chamber and isolated from the cold air circulating in the refrigerator, and only the ozone generating electrode is located outside the transformer chamber and exposed to the frost in the circulating cold air. When the refrigerator door is opened or closed, the booster transformer does not directly contact with the outside air flowing into the refrigerator. Thus, the temperature change around the step-up transformer can be alleviated as much as possible, and the occurrence of frosting can be prevented.

When all the circulating cold air flowing into the deodorizing device passes through the ozone decomposing device together with ozone generated by the ozone generating electrode provided outside the transformer chamber, the resistance of the circulating cold air passing through the ozone decomposing device may cause stagnation of the circulation of the cold air, resulting in a decrease in cooling performance. Therefore, only a part of the circulating cold air is circulated through the deodorizing device, and the deodorizing can be performed while preventing the cooling performance from being lowered.

In addition, if too much circulating cold air is passed through the deodorization device, the limit of the ozone decomposition reaction speed of the ozone decomposition device may be exceeded, so that the ozone may not be decomposed in time to cause a reduction in the deodorization efficiency, and the ozone may excessively flow into the refrigerator. In this respect, it is also desirable to circulate only a part of the circulating cold air in the deodorizing means, thereby adjusting to maintain a proper deodorizing efficiency.

In this case, as claimed in claim 22, it is preferable that the circulation amount of the circulating cold air passing through the deodorization device every 1 hour is set to be 4 times or more of the volume of the refrigerating chamber. With this configuration, the flow rate of the circulating cold air to the deodorizing device is appropriately set according to the volume of the refrigerating chamber, so that the deodorizing efficiency of the deodorizing device can be ensured.

As set forth in claim 23, the flow rate of the circulated cold air to the deodorization device can be changed, so that the flow rate of the circulated cold air to the deodorization device can be increased or decreased accordingly even if the amount of food or the like stored in the refrigerator is changed, thereby maintaining the deodorization efficiency of the deodorization device reasonably.

As set forth in claim 24, a dedicated fan for circulating the circulating cold air can be provided in the deodorizing means, so that the circulating cold air can be circulated in the deodorizing means by the dedicated fan for deodorization independently of the cooling operation state.

As set forth in claim 25, the ratio of the amount of circulating cold air circulating in the deodorizing means to the amount of circulating cold air circulating in the other portion may be changed. That is, even though the flow rate of the circulating cool air in the refrigerator is constant, the amount of the circulating cool air flowing through the deodorization device can be relatively changed by changing the ratio between the amount of the circulating cool air flowing through the deodorization device and the amount of the circulating cool air flowing through the other portions.

As claimed in claim 26, a switch for increasing the amount of the circulating cooling air is further provided, so that if the user desires strong deodorization, the switch is operated to allow more circulating cooling air to flow through the deodorizing means to improve the deodorizing efficiency.

As set forth in claim 27, the deodorizing means may be operated intermittently to adjust the deodorizing efficiency. That is, if the amount of ozone generated by the deodorization device is constant, the concentration of ozone changes relatively when the volume of the refrigerating chamber is different. Therefore, when the volume of the refrigerating chamber is small, the moving time of the deodorization device is shortened, and the operation rate is reduced (for example, operation for 36 seconds in a period of 1 minute, stop for 24 seconds, etc.), so that the deodorization efficiency can be reasonably adjusted according to the volume of the refrigerating chamber.

The method of claim 28, wherein the operation time of the deodorizing means is changed according to the circulation amount of the circulating cold air to the deodorizing means. For example, when the circulation amount of the circulating cold air to the deodorization device is increased, the operation time of the deodorization device is correspondingly prolonged, and the efficiency of the deodorization device can be reasonably improved. On the contrary, when the circulation amount of the circulating cold air is reduced, the operation time of the deodorization device is shortened to prevent the ozone from being stagnated in the deodorization device.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a deodorizing device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

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

Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to fig. 2, showing embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a front view of the deodorization device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a partial structure of a deodorizing device according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of embodiment 4 of the present invention, showing a covering structure and a throttling structure.

Fig. 8 is a view corresponding to fig. 2, showing embodiment 6 of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a view corresponding to fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the deodorization device.

Fig. 11 is a partially enlarged vertical sectional side view of the deodorization device.

Fig. 12 is a view corresponding to fig. 9, according to embodiment 7 of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the deodorizing device according to embodiment 8 of the present invention.

Fig. 14(a) is a vertical sectional side view of a main part of the refrigerator, and (b) is an enlarged view of the main part of (a).

FIG. 15(a) is a vertical sectional side view schematically showing the structure of an ozone generating electrode, (b) is a plan view of the ozone generating electrode, and (c) is an enlarged view of theshape of the middle discharge electrode in (b).

Fig. 16 shows the results of a deodorization test using ammonia gas as an index gas, obtained by varying the amount of circulating cold air passing through the deodorization device.

Fig. 17 shows the results of sensory tests performed when the amount of circulating cold air passing through the deodorizing means was varied.

Fig. 18 shows embodiment 9 of the present invention, which corresponds to fig. 14 (b).

Fig. 19 is a front view of a blind section according to embodiment 10 of the present invention, where (a) is a state when the blind is closed, and (b) is a state where the blind section is opened.

Fig. 20 is a plan view of the partition plate in a state where the deodorizing device according to embodiment 11 of the present invention is attached, wherein (a) is a state diagram when the flow port portion is closed, and (b) is a state diagram when the flow port portion is opened.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view showing the operation of the deodorizing means in the intermittent operation according to the 12 th embodiment of the present invention.

The following describes embodiment 1 of the present invention with reference to fig. 1 and 2. In fig. 2 showing a longitudinal sectional side view of the refrigerator, a refrigerator main body 1 has a rectangular box shape with an open front surface, an inner box 3 is provided in an outer box 2, and a heat insulating material 4 such as urethane foam is filled between the outer box 2 and the inner box 3. A partition (refrigerating compartment bottom) 5 made of synthetic resin is horizontally fixed to the inner surface of the inner box 3. The partition 5 forms a refrigerating chamber 6 in an upper portion of the refrigerator main body 1, and an R door 7 is rotatably attached to a front end portion of the refrigerating chamber 6.

A plurality of projections (not shown) are formed on the upper surface of the partition 5, and the light freezing box 8 is placed on the plurality of projections. The light freezing box 8 is in the shape of a container with an open top and front, and a cold air passage 9 is formed between the lower side of the light freezing box 8 and the upper side of the partition 5. And 10, a cover for opening and closing the front of the light freezing box 8.

In addition, a part of the partition plate 5 is opened, and the deodorizing means 11 is fitted in the opening. A support plate 100 is fixed to a lower side of the deodorizing means 11, and supports the deodorizing means 11. In addition, a cold air passage 101 is formed between the partition 5 and the support plate 100.

A heat insulating partition 12 is fixed to the inner box 3 at a position below the partition 5. The heat insulating partition plate 12 is formed by placing styrofoam in an outer frame made of synthetic resin, and a vegetable compartment 13 is formed between the heat insulating partition plate 12 and the partition plate 5. The vegetable compartment 13 communicates with the inside of the refrigerating compartment 6 (having a partial function of the refrigerating compartment 6) through a deodorizing device 11 provided in the partition plate 5, and a V-door 14 slidable in the front-rear direction is attached to the front end of the vegetable compartment 13.

A lower box 15 is installed in the vegetable compartment 13. The lower case 15 is in the form of a container with an open top, and an upper case 16 is set in the lower case 15. The upper case 16 is in the shape of a container with its upper surface opened, with the upper surface thereof closed except for the front end portion of the upper surface of the lowercase 15. An openable/closable cover 17 is attached to an upper side surface of the upper case 16, and a cold air passage 18 is formed between the cover 17 and the partition 5.

A freezing chamber 19 is formed below the heat insulating barrier 12. The freezing chamber 19 is thermally insulated from the vegetable chamber 13 and the refrigerating chamber 6 above, an upper door 20 and a lower door 21 are attached to the front end of the freezing chamber 19 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and upper and lower 2-

layer freezing boxes

22 and 23 are provided in the freezing chamber 19.

A machine chamber 24 is formed in the lower end portion of the refrigerator main body 1, and a compressor 25 of a refrigeration cycle is provided in the machine chamber 24. The compressor 25 is a reciprocating compressor having a rewinding motor (コンプモ - タ)26 as a driving source, and the rewinding motor (コンプモ - タ)26 is electrically connected to a main control device (none of which are shown) through a driving circuit. The main control device is mainly composed of a microcomputer and is arranged in the refrigerator main body 1.

An R cool air generating chamber 36 is formed at the rear of the vegetable compartment 13, and the R evaporator 33 is disposed in the R cool air generating chamber 36. The R-shaped cold air generation chamber 36 has a cylindrical cold air discharge port 37 and a louver-shaped cold air intake port 38, and the cold air discharge port 37 is inserted into the upper case 16.

A substantially L-shaped duct cover 39 is fixed inside the refrigerating compartment 6. The duct cover 39 is made of a synthetic resin material, and a plurality of cold air discharge holes 40 opening toward the refrigerating compartment 6 are formed in the duct cover 39. An L-shaped cold air duct 41 is formed between the duct cover 39 and the rear plate of the inner box 3, an upper end portion of the cold air duct 41 opens into the refrigerating compartment 6, and a lower end portion of the cold air duct 41 communicates with the inside of the R-shaped cold air generation chamber 36.

The R cool air generation chamber 36 houses an R fan motor 42, and the R fan motor 42 is electrically connected to the main control device via a drive circuit, not shown. An R fan 43 is connected to a rotation shaft of the R fan motor 42, and cold air circulates along the following path when the R fan 43 rotates. The reference numeral 44 denotes an R fan device including the R fan motor 42 and the R fan 43. The R fan device 44 corresponds to a refrigerating room fan, and constitutes an R cooling device 45 corresponding to a refrigerating room cooling device together with the R evaporator 33.

A part of the air flows from the inside of the R cold air generation chamber 36 into the upper case 16 through the cold air discharge port 37, and flows into the cold air duct 18 through the cold air discharge hole 46 formed at the front end portion of the cover 17. Then, the air flows downward along the front surface of the lower case 15, flows rearward along the lower surface of the lower case 15, and returns into the R cold air generation chamber 36 through the cold air suction port 38. At this time, the R evaporator 33 cools the air to generate cold air, thereby cooling the inside of the vegetable compartment 13.

The surplus air flows from the inside of the R cold air generation chamber 36 into the refrigerating chamber 6 through the plurality of cold air discharge holes 40 of the cold air duct 41 and the upper end portion thereof, and flows into the cold air duct 9 below the mild freezer compartment 8. Then, the air flows into the vegetable compartment 13 through the deodorizing device 11 and the cold air duct 101 fitted to the partition 5, and flows forward in the cold air duct 18. Then, the air flows downward along the front surface of the lower case 15, flows rearward along the lower surface of the lower case 15, and returns to the cold air generation chamber 36 through the cold air inlet 38. At this time, R evaporator 33 cools the air to generate cold air, and cools the inside of refrigerating compartment 6 and vegetable compartment 13. That is, the deodorizing means 11 is provided on the return passage side of the circulating cool air.

An F cold air generation chamber 47 is formed in the rear of the freezing chamber 19, and a cold air discharge port 48 and a cold air suction port 49 are provided at the upper end and the lower end of the F cold air generation chamber 47. The F evaporator 34 and the F fan motor 50 are housed in the F cold air generation chamber 47, and the F fan motor 50 is electrically connected to the main control device via a drive circuit, not shown.

The rotating shaft of the F fan motor 50 is connected to the F fan 51, and cool air circulates through the following passages when the F fan 51 rotates. The reference numeral 52 denotes an F fan device including an F fan motor 50 and an F fan 51. The F fan device 52 corresponds to a freezing chamber fan, and constitutes an F cooling device 53 corresponding to a freezing chamber cooling device together with the F evaporator 34.

Air flows from cold air generation chamber 47 into freezing chamber 19 through cold air discharge port 48, and returns to cold air generation chamber 47 through cold air intake port 49. At this time, the F evaporator 34 cools the air to generate cool air, and cools the freezing chamber 19.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the structure of the deodorizing means 11. The deodorizing device 11 has a rectangular box-shaped resin outer case 54, and the outer case 54 is open on the lower side in fig. 1. The resin used in outer box 54 may be transparent or non-transparent, and this embodiment is transparent for convenience of description.

In the outer case 54, an upper right corner is partitioned into a transformer chamber (1 st chamber) 57 by

partitions

55 and 56 as viewed from the side near the body in fig. 1, and a small step-up transformer 58 is provided in the transformer chamber 57. The booster transformer 58 is supplied with power from a main pole terminal, not shown, and the

secondary pole terminals

58a and 58b are exposed outward from the transformer chamber 57 through the partition plate 56. The space inside the outer case 54 other than the transformer chamber 57 forms an electrode chamber (2 nd chamber) 59.

The

secondary terminals

58a and 58b are electrically connected to the creeping discharge type ozone generating electrode 60. The ozone generating electrode 60 is composed of a rectangular thin plate-shaped

ceramic plate

60a and 2 metal electrodes (not shown) connected to the

secondary terminals

58a and 58b, respectively, 1 electrode is exposed on the surface (left side in fig. 1, discharge surface) of the ceramic plate 60a, and the other 1 electrode is molded inside the ceramic plate 60a (induction electrode). The surface of the discharge electrode is coated with ceramic to suppress variations due to a long discharge time. When a high voltage of about 4.5KV ac, boosted by the step-up transformer 58, is applied to these 2 metal electrodes, both metal electrodes are discharged through the ceramic plate 60 a.

Further, a rectangular inlet port 54a for sucking the air having the odor of the refrigerator is provided on the left side surface of the outer case 54 in fig. 1, and a catalyst (ozone decomposing device) 61 for blocking the outlet port 54b is provided in an open portion on the lower side of the outer case 54, that is, an outlet port 54 b.

The catalyst 61 is formed by forming a honeycomb (molded article) made of a ceramic based on, for example, manganese oxide or a metal honeycomb into a rectangular plate shape as a core material and fixing a catalyst component thereon. The honeycomb structure ensures a further increase in the contact area between the catalyst 61 and ozone and odor components, thereby improving the decomposition efficiency. The air deodorized by the catalyst 61 flows out downward in fig. 1. The square honeycomb configuration is shown for convenience in the drawing.

In fig. 2, the deodorizing device 11 having the above-described structure is provided on the partition 5 with the suction port 54a facing upward, i.e., toward the refrigerating compartment 6.

The operation of the present embodiment will be described below. First, the deodorizing action of the deodorizing device 11 will be described. The deodorizing means 11 belongs to a so-called plasma deodorizing means from the electrochemical point of view. That is, when a high voltage is applied to the outside of the ozone generating electrode 60, corona discharge occurs, and an inert gas such as Ar (argon) contained in the air is ionized to be in a plasma state.

……(1)

(1) In the formula, electrons generated by ionization and oxygen atom O₂And active oxygen O is generated by the collision.

……(2)

(2) With active oxygen O and oxygen atom O being generated by formula₂Combine to produce ozone O₃。

……(3)

Ozone O generated in the above-mentioned processes (1) to (3)₃Mixed with the odor-containing air flowing in from the inlet 54a due to the circulation of the cold air in the refrigerator. Once ozone O is generated₃With odor component adsorbed on the surface of the catalyst 61, ozone O₃I.e., decomposed to generate active oxygen O. The active oxygen O has a strong oxidizing power, and thus oxidizes and decomposes the odor component. The air thus deodorized flows out from the outflow port 54 b.

The above deodorization is performed in the cold air circulation passage in the above-mentioned refrigerating chamber 6. That is, the circulating cold air along the cold air passage 9 flows into the suction port 54a together with the air containing the odor, and the deodorized air flows out to the cold air passage 101 in the vegetable compartment 13.

In this case, the booster transformer 58 is located in the transformer 57, and therefore, is isolated from the cold air circulating in the refrigerator, and only the ozone generating electrode 60 for generating ozone is provided in the electrode chamber 59 and exposed to the circulating cold air.

In the present embodiment described above, since booster transformer 58 is located in transformer chamber 57, booster transformer 58 is not directly exposed to the cold air circulating in the refrigerator, and is not directly exposed to the outside air flowing into the refrigerator when door 7 of refrigerator R is opened and closed. Therefore, the temperature change around the booster transformer 58 can be alleviated as much as possible, and the occurrence of frost can be prevented, whereby the life of the booster transformer 58 can be extended, and the reliability can be improved.

In addition, because both the discharge surface of the ozone generating electrode 60 and the non-discharge surface on the back surface thereof are provided in the electrode chamber 59, the temperature gradient between both surfaces can be reduced, and the thermal stress acting on the ozone generating electrode 60 can be reduced. Therefore, the life of the ozone generating electrode 60 can be prolonged. Further, since the ozone generating electrode 60 is disposed on the inflow side of the circulating cold air and the catalyst 61 is disposed on the outflow side of the circulating cold air, the deodorizing action by the generation and decomposition of ozone can be efficiently exerted along the flow of the circulating cold air.

In the present embodiment, cold air generated by the common cooling device 45R circulates in the refrigerating compartment 6 and the vegetable compartment 13, and the deodorizing device 11 is provided at the boundary portion where the circulating cold air flows from the refrigerating compartment 6 side to the vegetable compartment 13 side, so that dead space portions can be effectively used, and reduction in the internal volume of the refrigerator can be avoided as much as possible. The deodorizing device 11 is provided on the return path side of the circulating cold air, and can deodorize the air (return air) containing more odor components due to the circulation of the cold air in the refrigerator.

Fig. 3 and 4 show embodiment 2 of the present invention, and the same portions as those in embodiment 1 are designated by the same reference numerals to omit descriptions, and only different portions will be described below. The 2 nd embodiment is different only in the configuration of the deodorizing means 11. That is, the partition 5 of embodiment 1 is replaced with a partition 5A, and a plurality of cold airflow ports (only 1 shown) 62 are provided in the partition 5A at positions where the deodorizing means 11 is originally provided.

The deodorizing device 11A is provided on a wall surface of the vegetable compartment 13 where the cold air suction port 38 is formed. In fig. 4 showing the front side thereof, the deodorizing device 11A is located below the cold air discharge port 37 and between the 2 cold air suction ports 38, in a state where the suction port 54a faces the inside of the vegetable compartment 13. As shown in fig. 3, the shape of the outer case 54A of the deodorizing device 11A is slightly different from that of the outer case 54 of the deodorizing device 11. That is, the outlet 54b in embodiment 1 is closed, and an outlet 54c communicating with the R cold air generation chamber 36 is formed on the back surface side of the outer case 54A. A filter is provided in the suction port 54 a.

In embodiment 2 configured as above, the deodorizing device 11A is disposed at the portion of the vegetable compartment 13 where the cool air suction opening 38 is formed, so that the air containing more odor components can be deodorized more effectively than in embodiment 1 at the end of the return path for circulating cool air. Further, the catalyst 61 is disposed below the ozone generating electrode 60. That is, since ozone is heavier than air and naturally moves downward, ozone generated in the vicinity of the ozone generating electrode 60 naturally moves toward the catalyst 61. Therefore, the decomposition of ozone and the oxidative decomposition of the accompanying odor component can be efficiently performed. Further, since the ozone generating electrode 60 is provided in a state where the discharge surface is in the vertical direction (vertical direction), accumulation of dust and the like on the ozone generating electrode 60 can be prevented.

Fig. 5 shows embodiment 3 of the present invention, and only the differences from embodiment 2 will be described. Embodiment 3 in the case where the deodorizing means 11A is provided as in embodiment 2, the periphery of the ozone generating electrode 60 provided in the electrode chamber 59 is covered with the covering means 63. The covering means 63 is, for example, a rectangular box having an open bottom made of resin or the like, and covers the ozone generating electrode 60 from above. However, the

secondary terminals

58a, 58b of the step-up transformer 58 pass through the upper side of the cover 63. The other structural parts are omitted from illustration.

In embodiment 3 configured as described above, the periphery of the ozone generating electrode 60 is covered with the covering device 63, so that the ozone generating electrode 60 can be prevented from being directly contacted with the outside air flowing into the refrigerator when the refrigerator V door 14 is opened and closed. Therefore, the ozone generating electrode 60 is prevented from contacting with the outside air to cause a rapid temperature rise, thereby further reducing the thermal stress and prolonging the life of the ozone generating electrode 60.

Fig. 6 shows embodiment 4 of the present invention, and only the differences from embodiment 3 will be described. . In embodiment 4, a rectangular plate-like throttle device 64 is attached to the open bottom surface side of the cover device 63 of embodiment 3. For example, 3 circular openings 64a are provided in the throttle device 64, and the air containing ozone generated in the vicinity of the ozone generating electrode 60 flows out of the openings 64a of the throttle device 64 and flows downward toward the catalyst 61.

The discharge start voltage of the ozone generating electrode 60 generally has a characteristic of increasing with time. Therefore, it is preferable to set the voltage applied to ozone generating motor 60 to be higher in advance in consideration of the rise of the discharge start voltage. Thus, the concentration of ozone generated at the initial stageof use is surely high.

Therefore, in embodiment 4 configured as described above, since the air containing ozone gradually flows out from the opening 64a to the outside, the air containing ozone at a high concentration can be prevented from directly contacting the catalyst 61, and deterioration of the catalyst 61 and the like can be suppressed.

Fig. 7 shows a 5 th embodiment of the present invention, and only the differences from the 4 th embodiment will be described. In embodiment 5, a diffuser plate (ozone diffusing device) 65 is provided in a nearly parallel manner between a cover 63 having a throttle device 64 on the bottom surface side and a catalyst 61.

In embodiment 5 configured as described above, the air containing ozone flowing out from the opening 64a of the throttle device 64 is first stopped by the diffusion plate 65, and moves and diffuses in the circumferential direction of the diffusion plate 65 and then descends toward the catalyst 61. Therefore, the diffusion plate 65 also prevents the air containing ozone at a high concentration from directly contacting the catalyst 61, and the effect of suppressing the deterioration of the catalyst 61 can be further improved.

Fig. 8 to 11 show embodiment 6 of the present invention, and the same portions as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted, and only different portions will be described below. The outer box 67 of the deodorization device 66 according to embodiment 6 is different from the outer box 54 of the deodorization device 11 in structure, and is provided at a boundary portion between the refrigerating chamber 6 and the vegetable chamber 13 basically as in embodiment 1.

First, the structure of the deodorizing device 66 will be described with reference to fig. 9 to 11. The outer box 67 having a substantially rectangularbox shape is divided into upper and lower 2 layers by horizontal partitions 68. Lower portion (cold air flow chamber) 67D has suction port 67Da opened to the front surface of refrigerating room 6.

In the upper portion 67U, a transformer chamber 71 is formed in the upper right corner portion in fig. 10 by the vertical partition plates 69, 70, and a portion other than the transformer chamber 71 is an electrode chamber 72. A step-up transformer 58 is provided in the transformer chamber 71. The

secondary terminals

58a, 58b of the booster transformer 58 are exposed to the electrode chamber 72 through the partition 69, and the ozone generating electrode 60A is electrically connected to these

secondary terminals

58a, 58 b. The ozone generating electrode 60A is provided in a state where the discharge surface is vertical (vertical).

In order to narrow the passage of the ozone generated near the ozone generating electrode 60A toward the lower layer portion 67D, the partition plate 70 is extended in the left direction in fig. 10. Further, a communication port 68a communicating with the lower layer portion 67D is formed in the lower right corner portion of the partition plate 68 in fig. 10. In the upper left corner of fig. 10 of the upper portion 67U, a small air intake hole 67Ua for flowing air inside the upper portion 67U is formed.

Fig. 11 shows an enlarged sectional view of the deodorizing means 66 and the boundary between the refrigerating chamber 6 and the vegetable chamber 13. The lower right portion of the lower portion 67D in fig. 11 slightly protrudes downward, and the bottom portion is open. A catalyst (ozone decomposing device) 73 having substantially the same structure as the catalyst 61 of embodiment 1 is placed in a position to block the open portion. That is, the catalyst 73 is provided immediately below the communication port 68 a.

In addition, main pole terminals 58c (only 1 is shown in fig. 11) of the booster transformer 58 are provided downward from the right end portion of the outer case of the booster transformer 58 in fig. 11, and the main pole terminals 58c are connected to a power supply line 74 led from the outside of the deodorizing device 66.

As shown in fig. 8 and 11, the deodorizing device 66 configured as described above is incorporated into a partition plate (refrigerating compartment bottom plate) 75 constituting a boundary portion between the refrigerating compartment 6 and the vegetable compartment 13. The partition plate 75 in place of the partition plate 5 in embodiment 1 has an inclined portion 75a inclined in the depression angle direction at a middle portion extending from the body side (left side in fig. 8) of the refrigerator 6 to the rear side. A concave portion 75b is formed at a position before reaching the suction port 67Da of the deodorizing device 66 from the inclined portion 75 a.

A fitting hole for mounting the deodorizing device 66 is formed in a direction deeper in the refrigerator than the recess 75b, and the outlet 67Db of the lower portion 67D of the deodorizing device 66 is fitted into the fitting hole.

The operation of example 6 will be explained below. The cold air circulation passages of the refrigerating compartment 6 and the vegetable compartment 13 are the same as those of embodiment 1, and the electrochemical action of the deodorizing means 66 is also the same. That is, the cold air circulating along the cold air duct 9 in the refrigerating compartment 6 is introduced into the suction port 67Da of the deodorizing device 66, flows through the lower portion 67D, passes through the catalyst 73, and flows toward the vegetable compartment 13 through the outflow port 67 Db.

In the upper portion 67U of the deodorizing means 66, ozone is generated in the vicinity of the ozone generating electrode 60A of the electrode chamber 72. Once the cool air flows through the lower portion 67D, little air in the refrigerator flows into the electrode compartment 72 through the air suction holes 69. The ozone thus generated bypasses the partition plate 70 and flows to the deep side, and falls down to the lower portion 67D through the communication port 68 a. Thus, the ozone and the refrigerator air containing the odor are mixed in the vicinity of the communication port 68a, and the decomposition of the ozone and the oxidative decomposition of the odor component are performed by the catalyst 73. The deodorized air flows from the outflow port 67Db to the vegetable compartment 13.

As in the above 6 th embodiment, the step-up transformer 58 is disposed in the transformer chamber 71 formed in the upper portion 67U of the outer case 67, the ozone generating electrode 60A is disposed in the electrode chamber 72, and the ozone generated in the electrode chamber 72 is supplied to the lower portion 67D through the communication port 68a, mixed with the air containing the odor flowing through the lower portion 67D, and decomposed by the catalyst 73.

Therefore, as in embodiment 1, the temperature change of booster transformer 58 can be suppressed, and the temperature change can be suppressed by preventing ozone generating electrode 60A from coming into direct contact with the circulating cold air in the refrigerator and the outside air flowing into the refrigerator when door 7 is opened and closed. Further, by providing the catalyst 73 at a portion corresponding to the communication port 68a for supplying ozone, the ozone and the odor can be efficiently decomposed.

In embodiment 6, since the electrode terminal 58c of the step-up transformer 58 is provided downward, moisture is prevented from flowing into the main pole of the step-up transformer 58 along the electric wire 74 andthe like. In addition, a recess 75b is formed in the front half 75a of the partition plate 75 before the cold air inlet 67Da is circulated in the deodorizing device 66, so that moisture flowing from the partition plate 75 to the inlet 67Da is accumulated, and the moisture is prevented from flowing into the deodorizing device 66.

Fig. 12 shows embodiment 7 of the present invention, and only the differences from embodiment 6 will be described. In embodiment 7, a grill 76 for preventing the inflow of foreign matters is provided at the inflow port 67Da of the deodorizing means 66. This prevents food and the like from entering the inlet 67Da, and prevents the deodorization efficiency from being lowered.

Fig. 13 to 17 show an 8 th embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the deodorizing means 77 of the 8 th embodiment is slightly different from that of the deodorizing means 66 of the 6 th and 7 th embodiments. As in embodiment 1, the deodorizing device 77 is provided in the cold air circulation passage between the refrigerating chamber 6 and the vegetable chamber 13, but as shown in fig. 13 and 14, a partition plate 78 constitutes a part of the deodorizing device 77 instead of the partition plate 5. In addition, only the transformer chamber 80 and the electrode chamber 81 are formed in the casing 79 of the deodorizing device 77, and a space formed between the casing 79 and the partition 78 constitutes a cold air flow chamber 82.

Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the deodorizing device 77, and fig. 14(a) is a vertical sectional side view of the portion where the deodorizing device 77 is installed in the refrigerator, and (b) is an enlarged view of the main part of (a). In the transformer chamber 80 formed in the front portion on the left side of the outer box 79, the arrangement direction of the step-up transformer 58 is set to be transverse to the depth direction of the refrigerator with a difference of 90 degrees from the arrangement direction of embodiment 6. The ozone generating electrode 84 is connected to the

secondary terminals

58a and 58b of the booster transformer 58 passing through the partition plate 83 of the transformer chamber 80, instead of the ozone generating motor 60A.

The part of the outer case 79 located below the ozone generating electrode 84 has an inclined part 79a (see fig. 14(b)) slightly inclined in the depth direction of the electrode chamber 81, and guides the ozone generated in the vicinity of the ozone generating electrode 84 to the rear side of the electrode chamber 81. A plurality of ozone outlet holes 79b are provided in the outer case 79 at the rear side of the electrode chamber 81 so that ozone flows down toward the cold air flow chamber 82 below.

The upper part of the outer case 79 is provided with an upper cover 85 covering the transformer chamber 80 and the electrode chamber 81. Further, a louver (grill) 86 extending downward is formed on the front surface of the outer box 79, and when the outer box 79 is attached to the partition plate 78, foreign matter is prevented from flowing into the cold air flow chamber 82.

The structure on the separator 78 side is described below. A concave mounting recess 87 is formed in a part of the partition plate 78 in which the outer box 79 is mounted.

Circulation ports

88, 88 are provided on both sides of the mounting recess 87 for allowing the circulating cold air in the refrigerator to flow directly from the refrigerating chamber 6 into the vegetable chamber 13 without passing through the deodorizing device 77. In the mounting recess 87, a water outlet hole 89 is provided in a portion of the outer box 79 before the louver 86 to prevent water or the like from flowing into the deodorizing device 77 when a user carelessly turns over the water or the like in the refrigerator.

In addition, in mounting recess 87, inclined portion 90 inclined toward the rear side is provided on the rear side of louver 86 to prevent inflow of foreign matter, water, and the like. At the rearmost part of the mounting recess 87, the ozone decomposition catalyst 73 is made to have a honeycomb shape so that the direction of ventilation is directed upward and downward, as in example 6.

The outer periphery of the ozone decomposition catalyst 73 is rolled up with a soft tape (sponge, not shown) and then pressed into the installation site of the outer case 79, and a grid-like guard fence 91 is formed on the lower surface side of the installation site. Since the material of the ozone decomposition catalyst 73 is very brittle, for example, during the manufacturing process, the operator may inadvertently touch the ozone decomposition catalyst 73 from the lower side of the outer case 79 and may crack or be chipped. Therefore, a guard fence 91 is provided below the outer case 79 to prevent the ozone decomposition catalyst 73 from being damaged.

Further, a rib 92 surrounding three sides of the periphery of the mounted outer box 79 is formed at the rear side peripheral edge portion of the mounting recess 87 of the mounting outer box 79. The rib 92 also prevents ambient water and the like from flowing into the deodorizing means 77. Fig. 14 shows a state where the ozone generating electrode 84 is removed.

The structure of the ozone generating electrode 84 connected to the

secondary terminals

58a and 58b of the step-up transformer 58 will be described below with reference to fig. 15. Fig. 15(a) is a vertical sectional side view schematically showing the structure of the ozone generating electrode 84 (the thickness ratio of the ceramic core is actually exaggerated), and fig. 15(b) is a plan view of the ozone generating electrode 84. The ozone generating electrode 84 is basically in the same creeping discharge shape as the ozone generating electrode 60 and the like of embodiment 1 and the like, and is composed of an induction electrode 94 disposed inside a ceramic core plate 93 and a discharge electrode 95 disposed in the vicinity of the surface (discharge surface) of the ceramic core plate 93, and the shape of the discharge electrode 95 is characterized.

Fig. 15(c) is an enlarged view of the shape of the discharge electrode 95 in fig. 15 (b). The discharge electrode 95 has a plurality of projections 95a projecting in the vertical direction in fig. 15 (c). By providing the projection 95a having such a shape, the electric field is concentrated in this portion, and therefore the discharge start voltage of the ozone generating electrode 84 can be reduced.

The operation of embodiment 8 will be described below with reference to fig. 16 and 17. When the cold air in the refrigerator circulates in refrigerating compartment 6 and vegetable compartment 13, most (for example, about 95%) of the cold air flows directly from refrigerating compartment 6 into vegetable compartment 13 through flow opening 88 and water outlet 89 formed in partition plate 78 as described above. And about 5% of the circulating cold air is made to flow through the deodorizing means 77 by the adjustment. Specifically, for example, the total amount of cold air circulating in the refrigerating compartment 6 and the vegetable compartment 13 is 40m³At a time of/H, about 2m³the/H flows into the deodorizing means 77. If the total volume of refrigerating room 6 and vegetable room 13 is 356 liters, cool air having an air volume of about 6 times the volume flows through deodorizing device 77 for 1 hour.

When the booster transformer 58 of the deodorization device 77 is energized, ozone generated in the vicinity of the ozone generating electrode 84 is heavier than air, and therefore moves rearward along the inclined portion 79a ofthe electrode chamber 81 due to its own weight, and flows down the cold air flow chamber 82 below through the ozone outflow hole 79 b. The circulating cold air flowing into cold air flow chamber 82 of deodorizing device 77 through louver 86 is mixed with ozone flowing downward from above, and flows to ozone decomposition catalyst 73. Then, the ozone component and the like contained in the circulating cold air are oxidatively decomposed by the active oxygen of the decomposed ozone, as in the above-described examples.

Fig. 16 shows the results of a deodorization test using ammonia gas as an index gas, with the amount of circulating cold air passing through the deodorization device 77 changed. When the air volume passing through the deodorizing device 77 is 4 times or more the volume of the refrigerating chamber 6 and the vegetable chamber 13 in 1 hour, the remaining rate of ammonia can be 10% or less within 60 minutes.

Fig. 17 shows the sensory test results when the amount of circulating cold air passing through the deodorizing device 77 was changed, similarly to fig. 16. In the test, 200g of distilled curry was put in a refrigerating chamber 6 in an open state, taken out after 24 hours, and smelled about the odor in the refrigerating chamber 6 after 5 hours, and the odor degree was evaluated by 3 grades (1, hardly felt, 2, slightly felt, 3, clearly felt). From this result, it can be seen that the deodorizing effect is remarkable when the air volume passing through the refrigerator compartment 6 and the vegetable compartment 13 for 1 hour is 4 times or more the volume.

In the above 8 th embodiment, the ozone generated in the electrode chamber 81 of the deodorizing device 77 flows down to the cold air flow chamber 82 side by its own weight, so that the ozone can be easily supplied to the cold air flow chamber 82. Further, since the ozone generating electrode 80 is provided in parallel withthe direction in which ozone flows down toward the cold air flow chamber 82 side, the ozone generating electrode 84 does not obstruct the flow of the generated ozone toward the cold air flow chamber 82 side, and ozone can be stably supplied.

In addition, in the 8 th embodiment, only a part of the circulating cold air can flow through the deodorizing device 77, so that the circulation of the cold air is not influenced too much, and the deodorizing can be performed on the basis of preventing the cooling performance of the refrigerator from being lowered. Further, the flow of cold air having an air volume exceeding the ozonolysis reaction rate of the ozonolysis catalyst 73 of the deodorizing device 77 is prevented from flowing through the deodorizing device 77, and the deodorizing efficiency can be adjusted and maintained reasonably.

The circulation cold air flow rate per hour of the deodorizing device 77 is set to be 4 times or more (6 times) the volume of the refrigerating chamber 6 and the vegetable chamber 13, so that the circulation cold air flow rate of the deodorizing device 77 can be set appropriately for the volume of the refrigerating chamber 6 and the vegetable chamber 13, and good deodorizing efficiency of the deodorizing device 77 can be ensured.

In addition, in embodiment 8, even if the ozone generating electrode 84 repeats discharge and nitrogen oxide deposits on the surface of the discharge electrode 95, thereby making the discharge difficult, the projection 95a is provided to substantially lower the discharge start voltage, so that the substantial voltage drop value becomes a margin, and as a result, the discharge function can be maintained for a long period of time.

Fig. 18 shows embodiment 9 of the present invention, and only the differences from embodiment 8 will be described. In embodiment 9, a fan 96 dedicated to the deodorizing device 77 is provided on thecirculating cold air outflow side of the deodorizing device 77, that is, on the lower side of the grill 91 of the casing 79. The fan 96 is operable independently of the R fan 43 for circulating the cool air, and is switched on/off and increased/decreased in air volume by a user operation (for example, a switch is provided on the R door 7 of the refrigerator).

In the 9 th embodiment thus constituted, the fan 96 dedicated to the deodorizing device 77 is installed, so that the amount of cool air flowing through the deodorizing device 77 can be adjusted regardless of the cooling operation state of the refrigerating compartment 6, for example, when the amount of food in the refrigerator is small and the user feels no need to deodorize, the operation of the fan 96 can be stopped, and when the amount of food in the refrigerator is large and the user feels no need to deodorize, the fan 96 can be started to deodorize the deodorizing device 77. Further, since the amount of air flowing through the deodorizing means 77 can be increased or decreased by the fan 96, the user can adjust the deodorizing efficiency when the deodorizing means 77 is operated.

However, if fan 96 is stopped and power supply to step-up transformer 58 is stopped when deodorization is not necessary, power consumption can be reduced and the life of ozone decomposition catalyst 73 can be prolonged.

Fig. 19 shows a 10 th embodiment of the present invention, and only the differences from the 8 th embodiment will be described. In the 10 th embodiment, the deodorizing device 77A is configured by providing a louver 97 rotatable with respect to the inflow direction of the circulating cold air at the louver 86 of the deodorizing device 77. For example, an operation member (not shown) such as a lever is provided at a user-operable portion of the front side of the deodorizing device 77A, and the user operates the operation member to rotate the louver 97.

Fig. 19 is a front view of louver 86, (a) is a state in which louver 97 is substantially perpendicular to the inflow direction of the circulating cold air and louver 86 is partially closed, and (b) is a state in which louver 97 is substantially parallel to the inflow direction of the circulating cold air and louver 86 is partially opened.

In the 10 th embodiment configured as above, for example, even if the amount of cold air circulating in the refrigerator is constant, the ratio of the amount of cold air flowing through the deodorizing means 77A to the amount of cold air flowing directly through the vegetable compartment 13 through the ventilation port 88 can be changed by the rotation of the louver 97, and the deodorizing efficiency can be adjusted.

Fig. 20 shows an 11 th embodiment of the present invention, and only the differences from the 8 th embodiment will be described. In the 11 th embodiment, the

communication ports

88 and 88 of the partition 78 are provided with louvers 98 which function in the same manner as the louvers 97 of the deodorizing device 77A in the 10 th embodiment.

Fig. 20 is a plan view of the partition plate 78 when the deodorizing device 77 is mounted, where (a) shows a state where the louver 98 is substantially perpendicular to the inflow direction of the circulating cold air to close the ventilation opening 88, and (b) shows a state where the louver 98 is substantially parallel to the inflow direction of the circulating cold air to open the ventilation opening 88.

In the 11 th embodiment having such a configuration, as in the 10 th embodiment, even if the amount of circulating cold air in the refrigerator is constant, the ratio of the amount of cold air passing through the deodorizing means 77 to the amount of cold air directly flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 through the ventilation port 88 can be relatively changed by rotating the louver 98, thereby adjusting the deodorizing efficiency.

Fig. 21 shows a 12 th embodiment of the present invention, in which the inner volumes of the refrigerator (here, the volumes of the refrigerating chamber 6 and the vegetable chamber 13) are different depending on products. If the same deodorizing means 77 is used in refrigerators having different volumes, the concentration of ozone in the refrigerator having a small inner volume is high. In order to ensure safety, for example, even when the ozone decomposition catalyst 73 is abnormal and ozone cannot be normally decomposed, it is necessary to suppress the ozone concentration to 0.1ppm or less.

For this reason, the deodorization device 77 is intermittently operated according to the inner volume of each refrigerator to adjust the deodorization efficiency. For example, as shown in fig. 21, the operation mode is repeatedly executed by operating the deodorization device 77 for 36 seconds and stopping the operation for 24 seconds (the operation rate at this time is 60%) in a 1-minute cycle. By intermittently operating the deodorizing means 77, the deodorizing efficiency of the ozone generated by the deodorizing means 77 can be adjusted to a reasonable level according to the inner volume of the refrigerator. Therefore, the deodorizing device 77 can be applied to various refrigerators having different inner volumes.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and can be modified or expanded as follows.

In embodiment 1, the discharge surface of the ozone generating electrode 60 may be arranged in the vertical direction. This structure prevents the accumulation of the sharp angstrom, as in embodiment 2.

The diffusion plate 65 of embodiment 5 may also be providedin the structure of embodiment 3. In addition, the ozone diffusing device is not limited to the diffusion plate 65, and the shape is arbitrary regardless of the shape as long as the ozone diffusing action is provided.

The recess 75b may be provided as needed in embodiment 5.

In embodiment 6, the catalyst 73 may not be provided at a position corresponding to the communication port 68 a. The main pole terminal 58c of the step-up transformer 58 is not necessarily disposed downward.

The arrangement of the deodorizing device is not limited to the illustrated position, and may be changed as appropriate.

In embodiment 9, the fan 96 may be provided on the front side of the louver 86 of the deodorizing means 77.

In addition, a switch for increasing the amount of circulating cold air may be provided on the R door 7, for example, so that when the user desires strong deodorization, the switch may be operated to allow more circulating cold air to flow through the deodorizing means 77 to improve the deodorization efficiency.

The operation time of the deodorizing means 77 may be changed according to the circulating cool airflow flux of the deodorizing means 77. For example, when the circulating cold airflow flux of the deodorizing means 77 is increased, the operation time of the deodorizing means 77 is correspondingly extended to increase the deodorizing efficiency reasonably. On the contrary, when the circulating cool air flow amount is decreased, the operation time of the deodorization device 77 is shortened to prevent the ozone from staying in the deodorization device 77.

The present invention has the following effects.

The deodorization apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the booster transformer is installed in the 1 st chamber so as to be insulated from the cold air circulating in the refrigerator, and only the electrode for generating ozone is exposed to the circulating cold air in the 2 nd chamber. When the refrigerator door is opened or closed, the refrigerator door does not directly contact with the outside air flowing into the refrigerator. Therefore, the temperature change around the step-up transformer can be alleviated as much as possible, the frosting can be prevented, and the service life can be prolonged.

The deodorization device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the discharge surface of the electrode for generating ozone and the non-discharge surface of the back surface thereof are disposed in the 2 nd chamber, so that the temperature gradient therebetween can be reduced, the thermal stress applied to the electrode for generating ozone can be reduced, and the service life can be prolonged.

The deodorizing device according to claim 3, wherein the ozone decomposing device is disposed below the ozone generating electrode, so that the ozone decomposition and the oxidative decomposition of the odor component can be efficiently performed.

The deodorization device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the ozone generating electrode is disposed on the inflow side of the circulating cold air and the ozone decomposition device is disposed on the outflow side of the circulating cold air, so that the deodorization function by the generation and decomposition of ozone can be efficiently performed along the flow direction of the circulating cold air.

The deodorizing device according to claim 5, which has a covering means for covering the periphery of the electrode for ozone generation, and which can prevent the outside air flowing into the refrigerator from directly contacting the electrode for ozone generation when the door of the refrigerator is opened or closed, and suppress a rapid temperature rise.

The deodorizing device according to claim 6, wherein a flow rate of the air containing ozone is suppressed by providing a flow restriction means at a portion where the air flows out of the covering means, so that the air containing ozone at a high concentration can be prevented from directly contacting the ozone decomposing device, and deterioration of the ozone decomposing device and the like can be suppressed.

The deodorizing device according to claim 7 is provided with an ozone diffusing means for diffusing the air containing ozone between the ozone generating electrode and the ozone decomposing means, and can prevent the air containing ozone at a high concentration from directly contacting the ozone decomposing means as in claim 6.

The deodorization device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the step-up transformer provided in the transformer chamber is isolated from the cold air circulating in the refrigerator as in claim 1, the circulating cold air in the refrigerator flows through the cold air flow chamber, and the ozone is supplied from the electrode chamber to the cold air flow chamber through the communication port. Therefore, the electrode for ozone generation in the electrode chamber does not directly contact with the circulating cold air in the refrigerator and the outside air flowing into the refrigerator when the refrigerator door is opened and closed, and the temperature change of the electrode for ozone generation can be suppressed.

The deodorizing device according to claim 9, wherein the ozone decomposing device is provided at a position corresponding to the communication port, so that the ozone decomposition can be efficiently performed.

The deodorizing device according to claim 10, wherein both the discharge surface of the ozone generating electrode on which discharge occurs and the non-discharge surface on the back surface thereof are provided in the electrode chamber, and therefore the same operational effects as those in claim 2 can be obtained by the structure according to

claim

8 or 9.

The deodorizing device according to claim 11, wherein the ozone generated in the electrode chamber flows down to the cold air flow chamber side by its own weight, so that the ozone can be easily supplied to the cold air flow chamber by utilizing the property that ozone is heavier than air.

The deodorization apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the electrode for generating ozone is disposed in parallel with a direction in which ozone flows toward the cold air flow chamber side, so that the electrode for generating ozone does not obstruct a flow of the generated ozone toward the cold air flow chamber side, and the ozone can be stably supplied.

The deodorization apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the electrode for generating ozone is disposed such that the discharge surface is in a longitudinal direction, thereby preventing dust and the like from being deposited on the electrode for generating ozone.

The deodorization apparatus as claimed in claim 14 is configured such that the main pole terminal of the step-up transformer is disposed downward, thereby preventing moisture from entering into the main pole of the step-up transformer along, for example, a power line.

The deodorization apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein a grill for preventing foreign materials from entering is provided at an inlet port of the circulating cold air, so that it is possible to prevent a reduction in deodorization efficiency due to foreign materials such as food from entering the inlet port.

The refrigerator of claim 16, having any one of the deodorizingdevices of claims 1 to 12, capable of preventing frost formation and the like of the step-up transformer and maintaining a stable deodorizing effect in the refrigerator.

The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein a deodorizing means is provided at a side of a return passage of the circulating cool air, so that the air containing more ozone component can be efficiently deodorized.

The refrigerator as claimed in claim 18, wherein cold air generated by a common cooler circulates between the refrigerating chamber and the vegetable chamber, and a deodorizing means is provided at a boundary portion where the circulated cold air flows from the refrigerating chamber into the vegetable chamber. Thus, the dead angle part can be effectively utilized, and the reduction of the food storage volume in the refrigerator is restrained as much as possible.

The refrigerator as claimed in claim 19, wherein a recess for preventing inflow of moisture is formed in a portion of the bottom plate of the refrigerating chamber in front of the inlet for circulating the cool air on the deodorizing means, so that the moisture flowing toward the inlet is allowed to flow into the recess before the inlet for preventing the moisture from entering the deodorizing means.

The refrigerator of claim 20, wherein a deodorizing means is provided at a circulating cool air suction port portion in the refrigerating chamber, so that the deodorizing efficiency can be further improved by locating the deodorizing means at an end of a return passage of the circulating cool air.

The refrigerator of claim 21, wherein the booster transformer is disposed in the transformer chamber and isolated from the cold air circulating in the refrigerator, and only the ozone generating electrode is exposed to frost in the circulating cold air outside the transformer chamber. When the refrigerator door is opened orclosed, the booster transformer does not directly contact with the outside air flowing into the refrigerator. Therefore, the temperature change around the booster transformer can be alleviated as much as possible, the frosting can be prevented, and the service life can be prolonged.

Furthermore, only a part of the circulating cold air flows through the deodorizing device for deodorizing by circulating the circulating cold air in the refrigerating chamber, so that the cooling performance can be prevented from being lowered. The deodorizing efficiency can also be maintained at a reasonable level.

The refrigerator of claim 22 wherein the circulation amount of cold air passing through the deodorizing means every 1 hour is set to be 4 times or more the volume of the refrigerating chamber, so that the circulation amount of cold air passing through the deodorizing means can be set appropriately according to the volume of the refrigerating chamber, and good deodorizing efficiency of the deodorizing means can be ensured.

The refrigerator as claimed in claim 23, wherein a flow rate of the circulating cool air to the deodorization device is variable, so that even if an amount of food or the like stored in the refrigerator is changed, a flow rate of the circulating cool air of the deodorization device is increased or decreased accordingly to maintain the deodorization efficiency of the deodorization device reasonably.

The refrigerator of claim 24, wherein a dedicated fan for circulating the circulating cool air is provided in the deodorizing means, so that the circulating cool air is circulated to the deodorizing means by the dedicated fan for deodorization independently of the cooling operation state.

The refrigerator of claim 25 can change a ratio of an amount of circulating cool air circulating at the deodorizing means to an amount of circulating cool air circulating at other portions, so that the amount of circulating cool air flowing through the deodorizing means can be relatively changed by changing the ratio between the amount of circulating cool air flowing through the deodorizing means and the amount of circulating cool air flowing through other portions even though the amount of circulating cool air in the refrigerator is constant.

The refrigerator of claim 26 is provided with a switch for increasing the quantity of the circulating cool air so that when the user desires strong deodorization, the switch is operated to make more circulating cool air flow through the deodorization device to improve the deodorization efficiency.

The refrigerator of claim 27 wherein the deodorization efficiency is adjusted by intermittently operating the deodorization device, so that the deodorization efficiency can be reasonably adjusted with respect to the volume of the refrigerating chamber.

The refrigerator of claim 28 changes the operation time of the deodorizing means according to the circulation cool air flow rate of the deodorizing means, so that the efficiency of the deodorizing means can be reasonably improved by extending the operation time of the deodorizing means correspondingly, for example, when the circulation cool air flow rate of the deodorizing means is increased. On the contrary, when the circulation amount of the circulating cold air is reduced, the operation time of the deodorizing device is shortened, and the ozone can be prevented from stagnation in the deodorizing device.

Claims

1. A deodorizing device is arranged in a cold air circulation channel in a refrigerator, and uses ozone to deodorize the refrigerator,

characterized in that a step-up transformer is arranged in a 1 st chamber for preventing the cold air from flowing in,

an ozone generating electrode electrically connected to the secondary electrode of the step-up transformer and an ozone decomposition device for decomposing ozone generated by the ozone generating electrode are provided in the 2 nd compartment through which the cold air flows.

2. The deodorizing device according to claim 1, wherein both the discharge surface of the ozone generating electrode on which the discharge occurs and the back surface of the non-discharge surface thereof are located in the 2 nd chamber.

3. The deodorizing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ozone decomposing device is disposed on the lower side of the ozone generating electrode.

4. Deodorizing means according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

an ozone generating electrode is provided on the inflow side of the circulating cold air,

the ozone decomposing device is disposed on the outflow side of the circulating cold air.

5. The deodorizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein there is a covering means for covering the periphery of the ozone generating electrode.

6. The deodorizing device according to claim 5 wherein a flow restriction means for suppressing the flow rate of the ozone-containing air is provided at a portion from which the ozone-containing air flows out of the covering means.

7. The deodorizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein an ozone diffusing means for diffusing air containing ozone is provided between the ozone generating electrode and the ozone decomposing means.

8. A deodorization device which is arranged in a circulation channel of cold air in a refrigerator and is used for deodorizing the interior of the refrigerator by ozone, and is characterized by comprising:

a transformer chamber provided with a step-up transformer,

An electrode chamber separated from the transformer chamber and provided with an ozone generating electrode electrically connected with the secondary electrode of the step-up transformer,

A communicating port communicated with the electrode chamber, and a cold air flowing chamber for circulating the circulating cold air and provided with an ozone decomposing device for decomposing the ozone supplied through the communicating port.

9. The deodorizing device according to claim 8, wherein the ozonolysis means is provided in correspondence with the portion of the communication port.

10. The deodorizing device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein both of the discharge surface of the ozone generating electrode on which discharge occurs and the non-discharge back surface thereof are located in the electrode chamber.

11. The deodorization apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the ozone generated from the electrode compartment flows down toward the cold air flow compartment side by its own weight.

12. The deodorization apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the ozone generating electrode is provided in parallel with a direction in which ozone flows down toward the cold air flow chamber side.

13. The deodorizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the discharge surface of the ozone generating electrode is disposed in a longitudinal direction.

14. The deodorization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a main pole terminal of the step-up transformer is disposed downward.

15. The deodorization apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a grill for preventing inflow of foreign materials is provided at an inflow port portion of the circulating cold air.

16. A refrigerator characterized by having the deodorizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. The refrigerator of claim 16, wherein a deodorizing means is provided at a side of the return passage of the circulating cool air.

18. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein cold air generated from a common cooler circulates in the refrigerating chamber and the vegetable chamber,

and a deodorizing device is arranged at the boundary part of the circulating cold air flowing into the vegetable chamber from the refrigerating chamber.

19. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 18, wherein a portion of the bottom plate of the refrigerating chamber before the inlet for circulating the cool air on the deodorizing means is provided with a recess for preventing inflow of moisture.

20. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein a deodorizing means is provided at a circulating cool air suction portion in the refrigerating chamber.

21. A refrigerator is characterized in that the refrigerator is provided with a step-up transformer arranged in a transformer chamber for separating circulating cold air in the refrigerator, an electrode for generating ozone electrically connected with a secondary electrode of the step-up transformer and arranged outside the transformer chamber, and an ozone decomposition device for decomposing ozone generated by the electrode for generating ozone.

22. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 21, wherein a circulating cold air flux per hour to the deodorization apparatus is set to be 4 times or more of a volume of the refrigerating chamber.

23. The refrigerator of claim 21 or 22, wherein a structure for varying a circulation amount of cool air to the deodorization device is employed.

24. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 23, wherein a special fan for circulating cold air is provided in the deodorizing means.

25. The refrigerator of claim 23 or 24, wherein a ratio between the circulating cold air flowing through the deodorizing means and the circulating cold air flowing through the other portion is changed by a structure.

26. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein a switch for increasing the amount of circulating cool air is provided.

27. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein a structure for adjusting a deodorization efficiency by intermittently operating the deodorization device is employed.

28. The refrigerator of claim 27, wherein a structure for varying an operation time of the deodorizing means according to a circulating cold air flow flux to the deodorizing means is adopted.