JP2002350039A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator capable of preventing various kinds of bacteria such as bacteria or molds within the refrigerator from being propagated and concurrently eliminating occurrence of bad odor. SOLUTION: There is provided a refrigerator R in which a refrigerator chamber 5 and a cold air duct 8 are defined within a thermal insulated box 4, and cold air heat exchanged with a cooling unit 9 arranged in the cold air duct 8 is circulated within the refrigerator chamber 5 by a blower 10. This refrigerator has an ultra-violet ray radiation device 30 capable of radiating ultra-violet ray and then ultra-violet ray is radiated into the refrigerator chamber 5 and into the cold air duct 8 by the ultra-violet ray radiation device 30.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator in which a storage room and a duct are defined in a heat insulating box, and cool air exchanged with a cooler disposed in the duct is circulated into the storage room by a blower. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Refrigerators of this type have conventionally been constructed of an insulated box in which a foamed insulating material such as polyurethane foam is filled by an in-situ foaming method between an outer box made of a steel plate and an inner box made of a hard synthetic resin. By partitioning the heat-insulating box, storage rooms such as a freezing room, a refrigerator room, and a vegetable room are formed.

[0003] Then, for example, in the lower part of the heat insulating box,
A machine room is sectioned, and a compressor, a condenser, a blower for the condenser, and the like that constitute a cooling device are mounted thereon. A cooler that constitutes a refrigeration cycle together with the cooling device is provided vertically on the back surface in the storage room, and a blower for the cooler is installed above the cooler. A partition plate is provided in front of the cooler and the blower, whereby a cool air duct is formed between the partition plate and the back wall of the heat insulating box.

[0004] When the compressor and the blower of the cooling device are operated, the cool air cooled in the cool air duct is discharged into the storage room, whereby the freezing room as the storage room has a freezing temperature of -20 ° C or the like. And a refrigerating room, also serving as a storage room, is maintained at a refrigerating temperature such as + 5 ° C. In addition, in the vegetable room, foods such as vegetables that do not like to be dried are stored at an appropriate temperature.

[0005]

On the other hand, when food and the like are stored in a storage room of a refrigerator, bacteria and fungi such as fungi attached to the surface of eggs and the like are diffused into the storage room by cold air circulating in the storage room. However, there was a problem that various bacteria adhered to other foods. In addition, there is a problem that the germ adheres to the cooler and the blower for the chiller in the cool air duct by returning the cool air containing the germs to the cool air duct.

[0006] For this reason, there is a problem that various bacteria grow in the refrigerator, which rapidly promotes spoilage of the stored foods and the like, resulting in generation of an odor.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the conventional technical problems, and it is an object of the present invention to prevent the growth of various germs such as bacteria and mold in a refrigerator and to eliminate the generation of an odor. It is intended to provide a refrigerator that can be used.

[0008]

According to the refrigerator of the present invention, a storage room and a duct are defined in an insulated box, and cool air exchanged with a cooler disposed in the duct is circulated into the storage room by a blower. An ultraviolet irradiation device capable of irradiating ultraviolet light is provided, and the ultraviolet irradiation device irradiates the storage chamber and the duct with ultraviolet light.

According to the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator in which a storage room and a duct are defined in a heat insulating box, and cool air exchanged with a cooler disposed in the duct is circulated into the storage room by a blower. Equipped with an ultraviolet irradiation device that can irradiate ultraviolet light,
Since ultraviolet rays are radiated into the storage room and the duct by the ultraviolet irradiation device, the storage room and the duct can be sterilized.

[0010] Further, in the storage room, it is possible to sterilize the circulating cold air and the wall surface of the storage room, and also to sterilize stored articles such as food. On the other hand, in the duct, it is possible to sterilize circulating cool air and the inner wall surface of the duct, and also to sterilize equipment provided in the duct.

[0011] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the growth of various bacteria such as bacteria and mold in the refrigerator, and it is possible to eliminate the generation of an odor.

A refrigerator according to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, further comprises a door for opening and closing the opening of the storage room, wherein the door closes the opening of the storage room. The ultraviolet irradiation device is characterized in that the storage chamber and the duct are configured to irradiate ultraviolet rays.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, a door is provided for closing the opening of the storage room so that the opening of the storage room can be opened and closed. Since the ultraviolet irradiation device is configured to irradiate the storage room and the duct with the ultraviolet light, the danger of the user being irradiated with the ultraviolet light can be avoided beforehand, and the safety can be improved.

A refrigerator according to a third aspect of the present invention is the refrigerator according to the first or second aspect, wherein at least the inner surface of the storage chamber to which the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation device is irradiated is made of a metal material. And

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first or second aspect, at least the inner surface of the storage chamber to which the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet ray irradiating device are irradiated is made of a metal material. Can prevent damage to the inner surface of the storage chamber.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, the refrigerator further comprises a sterilization compartment partitioned in the storage compartment,
Ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation device into the storage room are configured to be applied to the sterilization room.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sterilization chamber partitioned in the storage room, and the ultraviolet light radiated into the storage room from the ultraviolet irradiation device is irradiated into the sterilization room. With such a configuration, by reflecting and diffusing the ultraviolet rays into the sterilizing chamber, the ultraviolet rays can be radiated intensively to achieve a sterilizing effect on bread and fresh foods. Further, by irradiating a mushroom or the like with ultraviolet rays, the vitamin component contained in the mushroom can be increased.

A refrigerator according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the refrigerator according to the fourth aspect, further comprising a plurality of special rooms defined adjacently in the storage room, wherein at least one special room is a sterilization room,
At least one surface of the sterilization room is closed in another special room.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the storage room further includes a plurality of special chambers which are divided and arranged adjacent to each other. Since at least one surface of the sterilization chamber is closed in the special room, while cooling the cooler articles in the other special room,
It becomes possible to sterilize articles in the sterilization room.

A refrigerator according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in addition to the fourth or fifth aspect, the inner surface of the sterilizing chamber is made of a metal material.

According to the invention of claim 6, in addition to the invention of claim 4 or 5, since the inner surface of the sterilizing chamber is made of a metal material, damage to the inner surface of the sterilizing chamber by ultraviolet rays is prevented beforehand. Will be able to do it.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth aspects of the refrigerator, at least ultraviolet rays from an ultraviolet ray irradiating device are applied. The inner surface of the duct to be formed is made of a metal material.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, in addition to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspects of the present invention, at least ultraviolet rays from an ultraviolet irradiation device are applied. Because the inner surface of the duct to be made is made of metal material,
The inner surface of the duct can be prevented from being damaged by ultraviolet rays.

The refrigerator according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is the refrigerator according to any one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh aspects. It is a shaped lamp.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh aspects of the present invention, the ultraviolet irradiation device is a flat surface. Since it is a shaped lamp, the installation space of the ultraviolet irradiation device is reduced, and the space efficiency can be improved. Thereby, since the ultraviolet irradiation device does not hinder the cool air circulation, the cool air circulation can be efficiently performed.

[0026]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged longitudinal sectional side view of a refrigerator R of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. The refrigerator R of the present invention comprises a heat insulating box 4 formed by filling a foamed polyurethane heat insulating material 3 by an in-situ foaming method between an outer box 1 made of a steel plate opening forward and an inner box 2 made of a synthetic resin such as ABS. It is configured.

The interior of the heat-insulating box 4 is vertically divided by a partition member (not shown) provided at a substantially central portion, and the upper part of the partition member is maintained at a refrigeration temperature (about + 5 ° C.). Room 5 Note that a temperature sensor 17 (illustrated in FIG. 3 only) for detecting the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 5 is provided in the refrigerator compartment 5, and the temperature is controlled to a predetermined temperature by a microcomputer 18 as a control device described later in detail. are doing.

1 and 2, the lower part of the partition member of the refrigerator R is not shown, but below the partition member is further vertically divided by a heat insulating partition wall (not shown), and between the heat insulating partition wall and the partition member. A vegetable compartment (not shown) is formed for storing foods that do not like to dry such as vegetables. It is assumed that a freezer (not shown) that is cooled to a freezing temperature (about −20 ° C.) is formed below the heat insulating partition wall.

A machine room (not shown) is formed at the rear of the lower part of the heat-insulating box 4, and a compressor 11 (see FIG. 1) constituting a well-known refrigeration cycle together with a cooler 9, which will be described in detail later, is formed in the machine room. 3), a condenser (not shown), a blower for the condenser, and the like.

The front opening of the refrigerating compartment 5 is provided with a heat insulating door 6 which is openably and closably closed. A plurality of large and small door pockets 20 are formed on the rear surface of the heat insulating door 6, that is, on the side of the refrigerator compartment 5. In addition, this heat insulating door 6
Alternatively, a door switch 12 (shown only in FIG. 3) as a door open / close detecting means for detecting the open / closed state of the heat insulating door 6 is provided at the front opening edge of the refrigerator compartment 5. The other freezer compartments and vegetable compartments are openably and closably closed by, for example, a drawer-type heat insulating door.

A plurality of shelves 13 made of, for example, synthetic resin are vertically provided in the refrigerator compartment 5 and a front end of the lowermost shelf 13 is opened and closed downward and forward. A free special room door 14 is provided. And
Below the lowermost shelf member 13 and on the lower surface of the refrigerator compartment 5, there is provided a drawer member 15 which can be drawn out forward. The drawer member 15, the special room door 14, and the lowermost shelf A special chamber 16 is formed in a space surrounded by the member 13 and the partition plate 7.

In the refrigerating compartment 5, a partition plate 7 is provided from the upper surface of the heat-insulating box 4 to the upper and lower portions of the back wall at a predetermined interval from the heat-insulating box 4. A cold air duct 8 is formed between 7 and the heat insulating box 4. A cooler 9 is provided vertically in the cool air duct 8 located in front of the back wall of the heat insulating box 4. Above the cooler 9, a blower 10 is provided. Further, inside the partition member (not shown), a return cold air duct 25 for returning the return cold air from the refrigerator compartment 5 is formed.
It communicates with the lower end of the cool air duct 8.

The blower 10 is provided with a return cool air duct 25.
The cool air is sucked from below the cool air duct 8 through the cooling air, and the cool air is raised along the cool air duct 8. Then, the cool air is cooled by the cooler 9, and the cool air is cooled by the cooler 9. The cool air is discharged from the formed cool air discharge port 23 and forcedly circulates cool air in the cool air duct 8 and the refrigerator compartment 5.

Below the cooler 9, a drain plate 19 for receiving the drain water dripped from the cooler 9 is provided. Drain heater 21 is provided for promoting the pressure. In order to form the drain pan 19, a recess 4A is formed on the back surface of the heat-insulating box 4, and the drain pan 19, the cooler 9 and the blower 10 which are located on the side of the cool air duct 8 are located on the front side. A heat insulating material 22 for preventing frost formation and excessive cooling of the partition plate 7 is attached to the cold air duct 8 side of the located partition plate 7.

In FIG. 1, an illumination lamp 24 for illuminating the inside of the refrigerator is provided in a recess 7A formed at the center of the partition plate 7 located on the top surface.

On the other hand, the partition plate 7 facing slightly below the drain plate 19, that is, the cold air inflow side of the cooler 9,
The partition plate 7 corresponding to a position separated from the cooler 9 includes:
An ultraviolet irradiation device 30 capable of irradiating ultraviolet light is attached.

This ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
In the present embodiment, plate glasses 31 and 32 made of synthetic quartz glass capable of transmitting ultraviolet light of 254 nm, for example,
Glass members 33 for forming a sealed glass container at predetermined intervals. Discharge electrodes (not shown) are provided inside the glass members 33 forming both sides of the glass container, and electrode leads (not shown) are connected to the discharge electrodes. Further, the inside of the glass container is made substantially vacuum, and a small amount of mercury vapor (Hg) or a small amount of a rare gas such as argon (Ar) is sealed therein.

When an AC power supply is connected to the electrode leads by wiring (not shown) to discharge between the discharge electrodes, the accelerated electrons 34 generate mercury (Hg) or argon (A).
r) Collision with a molecule changes the energy level from a ground state to an excited state. When the excited molecules or atoms return to the ground state, ultraviolet rays peculiar to each molecule are emitted, and the ultraviolet rays pass through the plate glasses 31 and 32, and are emitted from the surfaces of the plate glasses 31 and 32.

5 and 6, the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is attached to a mounting opening 35 formed in advance on the partition plate 7 at the position where the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is attached. That is, the upper and lower, right and left, or all around the edge of the mounting opening 35 formed in the partition plate 7 on the side of the cool air duct 8 is allowed to slightly project toward the cool air duct 8 and the ultraviolet irradiation device 3
A support claw 36 for supporting the C.O. On the upper and lower sides or right and left sides of the edge of the mounting opening 35 on the side of the refrigerator compartment 5, there are formed engaging claws 37 for detachably attaching the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 from the refrigerator compartment 5 side.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is attached with, for example, a rubber member 38 surrounding the top surface, the bottom surface, and the outer periphery of both side surfaces of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30, and then holding the outer periphery of the rubber member 38. The plate 39 is mounted, and in this state, the partition 39 is inserted into the mounting opening 35 of the partition plate 7.
The mounting plate 39 is detachably formed in the mounting opening 35, and the electrode lead (not shown) of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is in a state where it can be energized in a state where the electrode lead is mounted in the mounting opening 35. It is assumed that

Thus, the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 can be easily attached and detached from the refrigerator compartment 5 side. Therefore, there is no need to disassemble the refrigerator R and remove the ultraviolet irradiation device 30, and maintenance of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 can be easily performed.

Further, on the front surface of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 located on the side of the refrigerator compartment 5, a cover member 40 made of a material that can transmit ultraviolet light while avoiding damage to the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 beforehand. Is detachably attached. The detailed attachment state of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is shown only in FIG.

The ultraviolet irradiation device 30 mounted on the mounting plate 39 is mounted such that the glass plates 31 and 32 for emitting (irradiating) ultraviolet rays face the cold air duct 8 and the refrigerator compartment 5 respectively.

With the above configuration, when the compressor 11 and the blower 10 of the cooling device are operated, the cool air cooled by the cooler 9 is sucked upward by the blower 10, and
It is discharged from the cool air discharge port 23 into the refrigerator compartment 5. And
After circulating and cooling the inside of the refrigerator compartment 5, the cool air returns to the cool air duct 8 via the return cool air duct 25. At this time, foods and the like to which bacteria and molds are adhered may be stored in the refrigerator compartment 5, and such bacteria and molds are separated from the foods and the like by circulating cool air, and together with the cool air, the cold air duct 8 is provided. Will be returned within.

In this case, the cool air returned to the cool air duct 8 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the plate glass 31 of the ultraviolet light irradiator 30 when the ultraviolet irradiator 30 attached to the partition plate 7 is energized. The circulating cool air is irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

Thus, the cool air containing various bacteria such as bacteria and mold is sterilized by ultraviolet rays, and is kept clean in the cooler 9.
And is discharged from the blower 10 again into the refrigerator compartment 5. Therefore, in the state where the germs have been killed, the cold air will
It circulates through the inside and the cold air duct 8, and it is possible to prevent bacteria from adhering to food stored in the refrigerator compartment 5 and easily spoiling the food.

Further, the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 of the present embodiment
Since ultraviolet rays are directly radiated into the refrigerator compartment 5 from the plate glass 32, foods and the like stored directly in the refrigerator compartment 5 can be sterilized.

Further, the circulating cold air in the cold air duct and the refrigerator 5
It is possible to sterilize not only the food in the inside but also the inside of the cool air duct 8 and the inside of the refrigerator compartment 5, and the wall surface of the cool air duct 8 and the blower 10 provided in the cool air duct 8.
It is also possible to sterilize devices such as the drain tray 19 and the like.

Thus, it is possible to prevent the growth of various bacteria such as bacteria and mold in the refrigerator R, and to eliminate the generation of an odor.

Further, the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 employed in the refrigerator R of the present embodiment has a structure in which
Although the case where synthetic quartz glass that can transmit ultraviolet light is used is described, synthetic quartz glass that transmits ultraviolet light of a wavelength (for example, 185 nm or less) that generates ozone may be used. I do.

In this case, since ultraviolet rays for generating ozone are emitted from the plate glasses 31 and 32, ozone is generated in the cool air duct 8 and the refrigerator compartment 5, thereby performing deodorization and sterilization. Will be able to

Further, a photocatalyst or the like may be applied to the position in the cool air duct 8 where the ultraviolet light of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is irradiated. With such a photocatalyst, the cold air in the cold air duct 8 can be deodorized, and the bacteria adsorbed on the photocatalyst can be refreshed with ultraviolet rays, so that the cold air in the cold air duct 8 can be continuously deodorized.

Further, in this embodiment, the blower 10 is
The cooler 9 is attached so as to be located on the opposite side of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 with respect to the cooler 9, that is, on the cool air duct 8 on the cool air outflow side of the cooler 9. Therefore, the ultraviolet irradiation device 3
The cold air sterilized by 0 can pass through the cooler 9 and the blower 10 in order, so that the attachment of various bacteria to the cooler 9 and the blower 10 can be avoided.

Further, since the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is provided at a position in the cold air duct 8 where the temperature is considered to be the highest,
It becomes difficult for the temperature of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 to decrease, and the ultraviolet irradiation efficiency can be improved.

The ultraviolet irradiation device 30 in this embodiment is
The space in the cool air duct 8 can be effectively used because the limited space in the cool air duct 8 is constituted by a flat lamp that can relatively save the installation space.

On the other hand, since the ultraviolet irradiating device 30 constituted by this flat lamp is attached to the mounting opening 35 formed in the partition plate 7, the ultraviolet irradiating device 30 is formed along the partition plate 7. Can be attached,
The installation space of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 can be further reduced, and the space efficiency of the cool air duct 8 can be improved. Thereby, while not causing a problem that the storage volume of the refrigerator compartment 5 is reduced,
Since the cooling air circulation in the cooling air duct 8 and the refrigerator compartment 5 is not hindered, the cooling efficiency can be improved.

The energization control of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is performed by the microcomputer 18 as the above-described control device. That is, the microcomputer 18
The input side is connected to the door switch 12 and the temperature sensor 17 as shown in FIG. 3, and the output side of the microcomputer 18 is connected to the compressor 11 and the blower 10.
And an ultraviolet irradiation device 30 are connected. Although not shown in FIG. 3, it is also assumed that a means for setting the temperature in the refrigerator, a lamp 24 in the refrigerator, and the like may be connected to the microcomputer 18.

Thus, when the microcomputer 18 detects that the heat insulating door 6 closes the opening of the refrigerator compartment 5 by means of the door switch 12, the ultraviolet irradiation device 3
0 is applied to irradiate the inside of the refrigerator compartment 5 and the inside of the cold air duct 8 with ultraviolet rays. When detecting that the heat insulating door 6 has opened the opening of the refrigerator compartment 5,
0, the irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is stopped.

Therefore, the user of the refrigerator R is required to
When the refrigerator is opened, ultraviolet rays are not emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 into the refrigerator compartment 5, so that the danger that the ultraviolet rays are directly applied to the user can be avoided beforehand, and safety can be improved. Become like

The door switch 12 also controls the operation of the blower 10. That is, when the door switch 12 detects that the heat-insulating door 6 has closed the opening of the refrigerator compartment 5, the blower 10 is operated, and the door switch 12 switches the heat-insulating door 6 to the opening of the refrigerator compartment 5. When the state in which is opened is detected, the operation of the blower 10 is stopped. However, when the open state of the door is detected, the blower 10
Priority is given to stopping the operation of
The operation of the blower 10 is controlled in synchronization with the operation of the compressor 11 by the temperature control based on the temperature sensor 17.

Further, in the place where the ultraviolet ray is irradiated by the ultraviolet ray irradiating device 30, that is, in the cold air duct 8, the partition plate 7
A metal material 41 made of aluminum foil, stainless steel plate, or the like is provided on the front surface of the inner box 2 of the heat insulating wall 4 or on the entire surface of the refrigerator compartment 5 in the vicinity of the position where the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is mounted or in the vicinity thereof. Is affixed.

Thus, it is possible to prevent the inner box 2 made of a synthetic resin such as ABS which is deteriorated by ultraviolet rays from being damaged. Further, when the partition plate 7 is made of a resin, the same effect can be obtained even when the metal material is stuck on the partition plate 7 at the position where the ultraviolet rays are irradiated.

Further, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 5 to which the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the shelf member 13 which is directly irradiated with the ultraviolet rays, and the inner plate or door pocket constituting the refrigerator compartment 5 side of the heat insulating door 6 Even when 20 or the like is made of a resin that is deteriorated by irradiation with ultraviolet rays, a metal material may be attached as described above.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 used in the present embodiment is attached to the partition plate 7 located on the rear surface of the special chamber 16.
As a sterilization room. The mounting opening 35
About the above, the same thing as the above is formed in the partition plate 7 located in the rear surface of the sterilization chamber 16, and is easily detachable by the mounting plate 39.

In this case, the drawer member 15 installed in the sterilization chamber 16 is made of a material that is not deteriorated by ultraviolet rays, that is, a metal material such as stainless steel.

With the above configuration, when the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is energized, ultraviolet rays are emitted from the plate glass 32 facing the sterilization chamber 16, and the ultraviolet rays are reflected and diffused into the sterilization chamber 16. Can be irradiated. Therefore, in particular, by storing bread, fresh food, eggs, or the like in the sterilization chamber 16, it becomes possible to effectively sterilize foods that require sterilization in particular or foods that are stored in a bare state. .

Further, by irradiating the mushrooms with ultraviolet rays, the vitamin component contained in the mushrooms can be increased. When a fruit or the like is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the sweetness of the fruit can be increased.

Also in this case, since the glass sheet 31 of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 faces the inside of the cool air duct 8, the cool air circulating in the cool air duct 8 can be sterilized. Also in such a case, in the place where the ultraviolet ray is irradiated by the ultraviolet ray irradiating device 30, that is, in the cool air duct 8, the partition plate 7 and the ultraviolet ray irradiating device 3
It is assumed that a metal material 41 made of an aluminum foil, a stainless steel plate, or the like is affixed to a position opposite to the position where 0 is attached.

Further, a refrigerator S as another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the refrigerator S in this embodiment, in addition to the above-described embodiment, the special room 16 is formed in two stages vertically. That is, below the lowermost shelf member 13 in the refrigerator compartment 5, two drawer members 43 and 46 are provided up and down, both of which are open on the upper surface and are attached so as to be able to be drawn forward. As a result, in the special chamber 16, for example, an ice temperature chamber formed in the extraction member 43 and a sterilization chamber formed in the extraction member 46 are formed.

The pull-out members 43 and 46 are each made of a metal material such as stainless steel which is hardly deteriorated by ultraviolet rays, and the upper opening of the lower pull-out member 46 is located at the upper side. Pull-out member 43
Can be closed at the lower surface of the. Further, an opening 42 for irradiating the inside of the extraction member 46 with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 described later is formed on the rear surface of the extraction member 46 located on the lower side.

The partition plate 7 located on the rear surface of the drawing member 46 has the same ultraviolet irradiation device 3 as in the above embodiment.
0 is attached. In addition, about the mounting opening 35,
The same thing as that described above is formed on the partition plate 7 located on the rear surface of the sterilization chamber 16 and is easily detachable by the mounting plate 39.

As a result, the ultraviolet light is irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 into the extraction member 46, and the ultraviolet light can be intensively irradiated by reflecting and diffusing the ultraviolet light in the extraction member 46. Therefore, in particular, by storing bread, fresh food, eggs, or the like in the drawer member 46, it is possible to effectively sterilize foods that particularly require sterilization or foods that are stored in a bare state. .

Further, the article can be sterilized in the drawer member 46 while the low temperature article is cooled by the drawer member 43. Therefore, even if the meat is easily deteriorated by ultraviolet rays, such as meat composed of protein, the meat is cooled by the extraction member 43 partitioned by the partition member 42 that does not transmit the ultraviolet light, and the extraction member 4 is cooled.
6 can sterilize vegetables and the like.

In this embodiment, the upper surface opening of the drawer member 46 constituting the other sterilization chamber is closed by the lower surface of the drawer member 43 constituting one ice temperature chamber provided in the special chamber 16, so that the drawer member is particularly special. Since there is no need to provide a cover member at 46, the structure can be simplified. In the present embodiment, the case where the extraction members 43 and 46 are provided above and below is described. In addition, an ice temperature room as one special room and a sterilization room as the other special room are adjacent to each other. It is only necessary to be formed.

Also in this case, since the glass sheet 31 of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 faces the inside of the cool air duct 8, the cool air circulating in the cool air duct 8 can be sterilized. Further, in the place where ultraviolet rays are irradiated by the ultraviolet irradiation device 30, that is, in the cold air duct 8, the partition plate 7 and the position opposite to the position where the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is mounted are made of aluminum foil or stainless steel plate. It is assumed that the metal material 41 to be configured is attached.

By utilizing the fact that the inside of the refrigeration compartment 5 in this embodiment is irradiated with ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiation device, kitchen appliances such as cutting boards and kitchen knives are stored in the refrigeration compartment 5. It may be used for sterilization.

Next, an ultraviolet irradiation device 45 of a refrigerator R as still another embodiment will be described. The ultraviolet irradiation device 45 includes a plate glass 31 made of synthetic quartz glass capable of transmitting ultraviolet light of 254 nm, for example.
It is composed of a plate glass 44 made of soda glass that can transmit visible light of 90 nm or more, and a glass member 33 for forming a glass container in which these plate glasses are sealed at predetermined intervals. The discharge electrodes and the electrode leads are connected similarly to the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 of the above embodiment, and mercury vapor, argon, or the like is sealed in the glass container.

When an AC power supply is connected to the electrode leads by a wiring (not shown) to discharge between the discharge electrodes, the accelerated electrons 34 collide with mercury (Hg) and argon (Ar) molecules as described above. , The energy level changes from the ground state to the excited state. When the excited molecules or atoms return to the ground state, ultraviolet rays peculiar to each molecule are radiated. On the glass plate 31 side, the ultraviolet light passes through the glass plate 31, and ultraviolet light is emitted from the surface of the glass plate 31. You. On the other hand, on the plate glass 44 side, when the ultraviolet rays impinge on the plate glass 44, they are emitted from the surface of the plate glass 44 as visible light.

When this ultraviolet irradiation device 45 is attached to the partition plate 7, the rubber member 3
8 and the mounting plate 39, the partitioning plate 7 is detachably attached to the mounting opening 35 of the partition plate 7 at a position corresponding to a position separated from the cooler 9 on the cool air inflow side of the cooler 9. At this time, the ultraviolet irradiation device 45 attaches the plate glass 31 that emits (irradiates) ultraviolet rays to the cold air duct 8 and the plate glass 44 to face the refrigerator compartment 5.

Thus, on the cold air duct 8 side, the cold air circulating in the cold air duct 8 and the equipment in the cold air duct 8 are sterilized by the ultraviolet rays radiated from the plate glass 31 of the ultraviolet irradiation device 45 in the same manner as in the above embodiment. Will be able to

On the other hand, on the refrigerator compartment 5 side, the ultraviolet irradiation device 4
By irradiating visible light from the plate glass 44 of No. 5,
The ultraviolet irradiation device 45 can be used as an auxiliary lamp or a main illumination lamp of the interior lamp 24, and the ultraviolet irradiation device 4
5 can function as a light emitting state indicator. Further, the design of the interior of the refrigerator compartment 5 can be improved.

The ultraviolet irradiation device 45 is attached to the mounting opening 35 of the partition plate 7 to easily irradiate ultraviolet light, that is, the plate glass 31 faces the inside of the cool air duct 8 and emits visible light. Since the irradiable surface, that is, the plate glass 44 faces the refrigerator compartment 5, the irradiation of visible light and ultraviolet rays in both the refrigerator compartment 5 and the cold air duct 8 can be performed with a simple configuration and with one ultraviolet irradiation device 45. It becomes possible. Therefore, the cost can be reduced with the simplification of the structure.

Further, at this time, the ultraviolet irradiation device 45
On the surface that can be irradiated with visible light, that is, on the plate glass 44 side,
It is assumed that a phosphor (not shown) may be provided.
In this case, the ultraviolet light generated in the glass container
When the phosphor 4 hits the phosphor, stronger visible light can be emitted from the surface of the plate glass 44, and the illumination effect in the refrigerator compartment 5 can be improved.

[0084]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a storage room and a duct are defined in a heat insulating box, and cool air exchanged with a cooler disposed in the duct is introduced into the storage room by a blower. In a circulating refrigerator, an ultraviolet irradiation device capable of irradiating ultraviolet light is provided, and the ultraviolet irradiation device irradiates the storage room and the duct with ultraviolet light, so that the storage room and the inside of the duct can be sterilized. .

In the storage room, circulating cool air and sterilization of the wall surface of the storage room can be performed, and articles such as stored food can be sterilized. On the other hand, in the duct, it is possible to sterilize circulating cool air and the inner wall surface of the duct, and also to sterilize equipment provided in the duct.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the growth of various bacteria such as bacteria and fungi in the refrigerator, and to eliminate the generation of an unusual odor.

When using an ultraviolet irradiation device capable of irradiating ultraviolet light having a wavelength that generates ozone,
Deodorization and sterilization with ozone are also possible.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a door for opening and closing the opening of the storage room, wherein the door closes the opening of the storage room. Since the ultraviolet irradiation device is configured to irradiate the storage room and the duct with the ultraviolet light, the danger of the user being irradiated with the ultraviolet light can be avoided beforehand, and the safety can be improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first or second aspect of the present invention, at least the inner surface of the storage chamber to be irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation device is made of a metal material. Can prevent damage to the inner surface of the storage chamber.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, a sterilization chamber partitioned into the storage chamber is provided, and the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation device into the storage chamber is irradiated into the sterilization chamber. With this configuration, the ultraviolet rays are reflected and diffused into the sterilization chamber, so that the ultraviolet rays can be radiated intensively to achieve a sterilizing effect on bread and fresh foods. Further, by irradiating a mushroom or the like with ultraviolet rays, the vitamin component contained in the mushroom can be increased.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of special chambers which are divided and arranged adjacent to each other in the storage chamber, at least one special chamber being a sterilization chamber, Since at least one surface of the sterilization chamber is closed in the special room, while cooling the cooler articles in the other special room,
It becomes possible to sterilize articles in the sterilization room.

According to the invention of claim 6, in addition to the invention of claim 4 or 5, since the inner surface of the sterilization chamber is made of a metal material, damage to the inner surface of the sterilization chamber by ultraviolet rays is prevented beforehand. Will be able to do it.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspects of the present invention, at least ultraviolet rays from an ultraviolet ray irradiating device are applied. Because the inner surface of the duct to be made is made of metal material,
The inner surface of the duct can be prevented from being damaged by ultraviolet rays.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh aspects of the present invention, the ultraviolet irradiation device is a flat surface. Since it is a shaped lamp, the installation space of the ultraviolet irradiation device is reduced, and the space efficiency can be improved. Thereby, since the ultraviolet irradiation device does not hinder the cool air circulation, the cool air circulation can be efficiently performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged longitudinal sectional side view of a refrigerator of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged longitudinal sectional side view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an electric circuit block diagram of a refrigerator of the refrigerator.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an ultraviolet irradiation device.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the ultraviolet irradiation device.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view when the ultraviolet irradiation device is attached to a partition plate.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged longitudinal sectional side view of the refrigerator of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged sectional view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged longitudinal sectional side view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged sectional view of FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

 R Refrigerator 4 Insulated box 5 Refrigerator 6 Insulated door 7 Partition plate 8 Cold air duct 9 Cooler 10 Blower 11 Compressor 12 Door switch 16 Special room (sterilization room) 30, 45 Ultraviolet irradiation device 31, 32, 44 Plate glass 33 Glass Member 34 Electron 35 Mounting opening 36 Supporting claw 37 Engaging claw 38 Rubber member 39 Mounting plate 40 Cover member 41 Metal material 43, 46 Pull-out member

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) F25D 23/06 F25D 23/06 N (72) Inventor Toshihide Hasegawa 2-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka No. 5 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Motoyuki Murasha 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka F-term in Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 3L045 AA04 AA07 BA01 CA02 DA02 EA01 LA01 LA17 PA02 PA04 3L102 JA01 LB13 LC30 LE04 MA06 MB33

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A storage room and a duct are defined in an insulated box body,
A refrigerator configured to circulate cold air, which has exchanged heat with a cooler disposed in the duct, into the storage room by a blower, comprising: an ultraviolet irradiation device capable of irradiating ultraviolet light; Refrigerator characterized by irradiating ultraviolet rays inside. 2. A door for opening and closing the opening of the storage room so that the opening can be opened and closed, and in a state where the door closes the opening of the storage room, the ultraviolet irradiation device emits ultraviolet light into the storage room and the duct. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation is performed.
Refrigerator. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein at least an inner surface of the storage chamber to which the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation device is irradiated is made of a metal material. 4. A sterilization room partitioned in the storage room, wherein the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation device into the storage room is irradiated into the sterilization room. Refrigerator. 5. A storage system comprising a plurality of special chambers partitioned adjacent to each other, wherein at least one of the special chambers is the sterilization chamber, and at least one surface of the sterilization chamber is closed by another special chamber. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein: 6. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein an inner surface of the sterilizing chamber is made of a metal material. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least an inner surface of said duct to be irradiated with ultraviolet rays from said ultraviolet irradiation device is made of a metal material.
The refrigerator according to claim 4, 5, or 6. 8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet irradiation device is a flat lamp.