JP2003287353A - Refrigerator having photocatalyst filter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator having a photocatalyst filter for performing deodorization and sterilization by almost uniformizing irradiation intensity of an ultraviolet ray to a photocatalyst, decomposing a smell component even when stopping irradiation of the ultraviolet ray, lengthening the service life of an ultraviolet lamp, and reducing electric power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: This refrigerator is provided with a planar ultraviolet radiating lamp arranged to the windward of a cooler in an air duct, and the photocatalyst filter for constituting a corrugate or honeycomb-shaped ventilation flue in an irradiation range of this ultraviolet radiating lamp. The photocatalyst is arranged on a surface layer on the side irradiated with the ultraviolet ray of this photocatalyst filter, and an oxidizing catalyst having the function for decomposing a smell molecule in the air passing through the air duct of the photocatalyst filter in an atmosphere in a storage without irradiating the ultraviolet ray, is arranged on a surface layer on the side unirradiated with the ultraviolet ray. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator equipped with a photocatalytic filter, and more particularly to a refrigerator equipped with a photocatalytic filter which is excellent in deodorizing property and sterilizing property and which consumes less power.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is known that an ultraviolet lamp and a filter using a photocatalyst are combined to decompose and deodorize odorous components in the air passing through this filter.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a filter having a corrugated air passage using a photocatalyst. This filter 1
Has a structure in which corrugated paper sheets in which horizontal portions and corrugated portions are alternately stacked are laminated. The surface layer of this filter is coated or kneaded with an adsorbent such as activated carbon carrying a photocatalyst.

FIG. 6 shows an example of an apparatus which combines an ultraviolet lamp and the filter to decompose odorous components in the air to deodorize them. Reference numerals 1 and 1 denote the filters, and show cross-sections when the ventilation passage is formed obliquely to the air flow.
Reference numeral 2 is an air duct, and the filters 1 and 1 are arranged at a predetermined interval. 3 is an ultraviolet lamp, which is arranged between the filters 1 and 1. This UV lamp 3
Emits ultraviolet rays in the vicinity of 360 nm, for example. The photocatalyst of the filters 1 and 1 is activated by the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet lamp 3, and the odor molecules in the air passing through the ventilation passages of the filters 1 and 1 are decomposed and deodorized.

[0005]

However, since this lamp is a straight tube type, there is a difference in the distance to each part of the filter,
That is, since the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays is uneven, there is a problem that the photocatalyst is not sufficiently activated and deodorization efficiency is poor. Further, continuous irradiation of ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet lamp causes a problem that the life of the ultraviolet lamp is shortened and power consumption increases, and when ultraviolet irradiation is stopped or intermittently performed, ultraviolet irradiation is stopped. Since the photocatalyst is not activated, there is a problem that it cannot be deodorized.

The object of the present invention is to solve these conventional problems and to suppress the unevenness of the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet rays during the irradiation of ultraviolet rays to uniformly and sufficiently activate the photocatalyst to efficiently deodorize and sterilize. The object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of deodorizing even when UV irradiation is stopped or intermittently performed and UV irradiation is not performed.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems The inventors of the present invention have conducted extensive studies to solve the above problems, and as a result, use an ultraviolet lamp having a planar shape and the side of the photocatalyst filter irradiated with ultraviolet rays. The photocatalyst is placed on the surface layer of the photocatalyst filter, and the oxidation catalyst having the function of oxidatively decomposing odorous molecules in the air passing through the ventilation passage of the photocatalyst filter in the atmosphere inside the chamber is placed on the surface layer on the side of the photocatalyst filter that is not exposed to ultraviolet rays. They have found that the problem can be solved by using a combination of photocatalytic filters, and completed the present invention.

A first aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems.
A refrigerator provided with the photocatalyst filter described above has a door that can be opened and closed at the front and has a plurality of shelves inside to store an object to be cooled, and a cooler that sucks in the air in the refrigerator. After being cooled in, the air passage to be discharged into the inside from the upper side of the upper shelf of the inside, and the blower forcibly circulating the cooled air provided in the air passage into the inside A flat UV radiation lamp provided on the windward side of the cooler in the air duct and a photocatalytic filter having a corrugated or honeycomb ventilation channel provided in the irradiation range of the UV radiation lamp. In the refrigerator, a photocatalyst having a function of decomposing odorous molecules in the air that is excited by UV irradiation and passes through the ventilation path is disposed on the surface layer of the photocatalyst filter on the side where the UV irradiation is performed. F The surface layer on the side where the filter of ultraviolet is not irradiated, characterized in that a oxidation catalyst having the function of decomposing odor molecules in the air passing through the air passage in the atmosphere in the chamber.

A refrigerator provided with the photocatalytic filter according to claim 2 of the present invention is the refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the photocatalyst and the oxidation catalyst are carried on an adsorbent made of a hydrophobic zeolite having a Si: Al ratio of 50 or more. It is characterized by being.

A refrigerator equipped with the photocatalytic filter according to claim 3 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, the oxidation catalyst is an oxidation catalyst selected from bromine and iodine. .

A refrigerator provided with a photocatalytic filter according to claim 4 of the present invention is the refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the color of the surface layer of the photocatalytic filter on the side irradiated with ultraviolet rays is The color of the surface layer of the photocatalytic filter on the side not irradiated with ultraviolet rays is different.

Since the refrigerator provided with the photocatalytic filter of the present invention uses the flat UV radiation lamp instead of the conventional straight tube type UV lamp, the distances to the respective parts of the filter are substantially equalized, and the photocatalyst is not affected. Since the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet rays is almost uniform, the activation of the photocatalyst is uniform and sufficient, and the deodorizing efficiency and sterilizing efficiency are improved. Further, the refrigerator provided with the photocatalytic filter of the present invention has a function of decomposing odorous molecules in the air passing through the ventilation passage of the photocatalytic filter by being excited by the irradiation of ultraviolet rays on the surface layer on the side of the photocatalytic filter irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Arranging a photocatalyst having, on the surface layer of the photocatalyst filter not irradiated with ultraviolet rays, an oxidation catalyst having a function of decomposing odorous molecules in the air passing through the ventilation passage in the atmosphere in the refrigerator even without ultraviolet irradiation. With the photocatalyst filter arranged, the front and back of the surface layer of the photocatalyst filter can be used effectively, not only during UV irradiation but also during UV irradiation by stopping or intermittently performing UV irradiation. It is possible to deodorize, extend the life of the ultraviolet lamp, and reduce power consumption.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION One embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
This will be described in detail with reference to a few. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a refrigerating compartment of a refrigerator equipped with the photocatalytic filter of the present invention. 2 is an explanatory view of the back plate of the refrigerator of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG.

In the figure, 10 is a household refrigerator.
This household refrigerator 10 is arranged in the order of a refrigerator compartment R (refrigerating temperature zone area), a vegetable compartment refrigerator compartment V (refrigerating temperature zone area), and a freezer compartment (not shown) from the top. This refrigerator 10
Has a refrigerating cycle including at least a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator, and has two evaporators (evaporators) having different evaporation temperatures and is called a 2-evaporator type. Refrigerating evaporator for refrigerating temperature zone area cooling (hereinafter,
And a freezing evaporator (cooler) (not shown) for cooling the freezing temperature zone area.

A plurality of shelves 11 are provided in the cabinet so that objects to be cooled can be stored. 12 is an outer box, 13 is an inner box,
Reference numeral 14 is a heat insulating material which is foam-filled between the both (12, 13).

Reference numeral 15 denotes a revolving door for the refrigerating room, which is provided on the front surface of the household refrigerator 10, and which opens and closes around a rotating shaft provided on one side. Reference numeral 16 is a back plate of the refrigerator compartment.
The rear plate 16 forms an air passage 20 for circulating the air in the refrigerator with the inner box 13 of the refrigerator 10. A cooler 17 for a refrigerating room, a fan 18 for circulating air in a refrigerator, and an interior lamp 19 are installed in the air passage 20, and the cool air cooled by the cooler 17 through the air passage 20 is fanned. 1
The liquid is discharged from the upper side of the upper shelf 11 in the refrigerator to the refrigerating chamber via 8.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a heat insulating material, which cools the fan 18 and the cooler 17 at a low temperature (cold air) on the inner box 13 side of the back plate 16.
Is being transmitted to the refrigerator compartment.

Reference numeral 22 is a defrosting heater, which is a cooler 1.
7 is heated from below to defrost the cooler 17. Reference numeral 23 is a return duct that constitutes a part of the air passage 20 for circulating the return air in the refrigerating compartment that passes through the refrigerating compartment and the vegetable compartment to the cooler 17.

Reference numeral 24 is a flat ultraviolet radiation lamp that radiates ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 360 nm, and here, is 30 mm.
It has a planar shape of 150 mm. The flat ultraviolet radiation lamp 24 is fitted into the rear plate 16 so that the duct 23 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays and the refrigerating compartment side is irradiated with visible light. It should be noted that a reflecting material such as aluminum (not shown) capable of reflecting ultraviolet rays may be attached to the ultraviolet ray irradiation range in the duct 23 to prevent deformation and deterioration of the resin of the inner box 13 due to ultraviolet ray irradiation.

The light energy of the light source used for light irradiation in the present invention has the ability to excite the photocatalyst to decompose mainly organic substances of odor components, that is, the wavelength corresponding to the photocatalyst is excited. It is desirable to irradiate light having a visible wavelength or an ultraviolet wavelength, which is the energy of light. Examples of such a light source include light emitted from a mercury lamp, light generated from a filament lamp such as a halogen lamp, short arc cannon light, a semiconductor laser beam, an ultraviolet lamp, a black light, a fluorescent lamp (for example, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp), a blue LED or UV LE
An artificial light source such as an LED such as D can be used. These are 1
You may use it in combination of 1 or more.

FIG. 2 shows the back plate 16 and the flat ultraviolet radiation lamp 24. The lamp 24 has a light irradiation surface made of normal glass (soda glass), but only the ultraviolet irradiation surface 24uv on the side facing the photocatalytic filter 25 is made of quartz glass. Therefore, due to the passing wavelength characteristic, normal visible light is emitted from the surface 24d on the refrigerating compartment side, and harmful ultraviolet rays are not emitted.
(UV rays of m or less are blocked), and ultraviolet rays are emitted from the ultraviolet ray irradiation surface 24uv.

Reference numeral 25 is a photocatalytic filter. The surface layer A of the photocatalyst filter on the side irradiated with ultraviolet rays is coated with a photocatalyst (such as titanium oxide described later) that is supported or not supported by an adsorbent such as hydrophobic zeolite (crystalline aluminosilicate) described later. The surface layer B of the photocatalyst filter on the side not exposed to ultraviolet rays is arranged in such a manner that it is kneaded or kneaded. The oxidation catalyst, which has the function of decomposing odorous molecules in the air passing through, is supported on an adsorbent such as a hydrophobic zeolite, or is applied without being supported, or is kneaded. There is.

In the present invention, an adsorbent can be used if necessary. The adsorbent used in the present invention adsorbs bacteria, odorous molecules, harmful substances and the like, and is, for example, an inorganic substance such as activated carbon, apatite, sepiolite or zeolite, or an organic substance such as silk fiber. Among these, the water absorption of hydrophobic zeolite is small,
Those having high hydrophobicity can be preferably used. For example humidity 1
Those having a mass increase rate of 5% or less in a 00% atmosphere can be preferably used. This is because if the water absorption rate is high, water is absorbed and the adsorptivity of odorous molecules and the like decreases and deteriorates.

Further, a highly hydrophobic zeolite having a Si: Al ratio (Cayvan ratio) of 50 or more, preferably about 60 to 70 or more, has a high hydrophobicity, and a odor molecule or the like is present even if moisture is present in the atmosphere. It is an adsorbent that is preferably used in the present invention because it can adsorb better.

The photocatalyst used in the present invention accelerates its catalytic reaction by irradiation with light, and the kind thereof is not limited, but for example, titanium oxide (TiO 2).
₂ ), iron oxide (Fe ₂ O ₃ ), tungsten oxide (WO
₃ ), tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), bismuth oxide (Bi ₂ O)
₃ ), nickel oxide (NiO), strontium titanate (SrTiO ₃ ), silicon oxide (SiO ₂ ), molybdenum sulfide (MoS ₂ ), indium phosphide (InP),
Gallium phosphide (GaP), indium lead (InPb)
N-type and P-type semiconductors such as platinum, or platinum (Pt), rhodium (Ru), niobium (Nb), copper (Cu), tin (Sn), ruthenium oxide (RuO ₂ ) for higher activity. , A solid photocatalyst of a semiconductor carrying a metal such as nickel oxide (NiO) or a metal oxide, a ruthenium (Ru) complex such as a ruthenium bipyridyl complex, and a molecular photocatalyst such as porphyrins and chlorophyll. In the present invention, one or more of these photocatalysts can be used.

Among these, anatase type titanium oxide can be preferably used. As a method for preparing the photocatalyst, in the case of a solid photocatalyst, in addition to commercially available products, high temperature firing of metal, electrolytic oxidation, chemical vapor deposition method, vacuum vapor deposition method, coating method, coprecipitation method, evaporative oxidation method of metal halide, etc. And the like.

The oxidation catalyst used in the present invention has a function of decomposing odorous molecules in the air passing through the ventilation passage of the photocatalytic filter in the atmosphere in the chamber without irradiation of ultraviolet rays. As described above, the odor molecule may be completely decomposed into water and carbon dioxide gas, or the odor molecule may be decomposed into a molecule with little or no odor. Is not particularly limited, and specific examples thereof include copper oxide, zinc oxide, manganese oxide, calcium oxide, halogens such as bromine and iodine, or a combination of two or more thereof.

Among these, halogens such as bromine and iodine have a function of decomposing odorous molecules in the air passing through the ventilation passage of the photocatalytic filter in the atmosphere inside the chamber, and also plant hormones such as ethylene. Since it can be decomposed, it can be preferably used in the present invention.

For example, manganese oxide, which is an example of the oxidation catalyst used in the present invention, can remove methyl mercaptan in the air passing through the ventilation passage of the photocatalytic filter in the atmosphere in the chamber without irradiation of ultraviolet rays. Can be decomposed into methyl sulfide. Methyl mercaptan has an olfactory threshold of 0.00
0070 is a molecule with a very strong odor, but methyl disulfide has a weak odor with an olfactory threshold of 0.0022. Decomposing methyl mercaptan into methyl disulfide alone has the effect of considerably reducing the odor, but when irradiating ultraviolet rays to activate the photocatalyst to deodorize, this is compared to complete decomposition of methyl mercaptan. Methyl disulfide is easily completely decomposed and deodorized.

The photocatalyst, the oxidation catalyst, the type of adsorbent, the particle size, the amount of the photocatalyst filter arranged on the surface layer, etc. used in the present invention vary depending on the type and amount of odorous molecules and the type and amount of bacteria. It is preferable to appropriately control or select according to the degree of demand and performance required for the above, and there is no particular limitation.

The method of supporting the photocatalyst or the oxidation catalyst on the adsorbent may be a known method and is not particularly limited.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the photocatalyst or the photocatalyst is supported on an adsorbent such as hydrophobic zeolite, and is fixedly arranged on the surface layer A of the photocatalyst filter on the side irradiated with ultraviolet rays using a binder. The binder may be an organic substance, an inorganic substance, or a combination thereof as long as it has transparency to transmit ultraviolet rays and can be stably used with little deterioration due to ultraviolet rays, and is particularly limited. is not. Inorganic substances are preferably used because they are less deteriorated by ultraviolet rays. Examples of the binder preferably used in the present invention include glass and water glass.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the oxidation catalyst or the oxidation catalyst is supported on an adsorbent such as a hydrophobic zeolite, and the binder is used and fixed to the surface layer B of the photocatalyst filter on the side not exposed to ultraviolet rays. . As the binder, since there is little problem of deterioration due to ultraviolet rays, it is possible to use a known organic binder that is usually used as a binder. Of course, the above-mentioned inorganic substances may also be used, or a combination thereof may be used, and in particular, It is not limited.

The photocatalyst filter 25 has a structure in which corrugated corrugated paper having corrugated air passages is laminated, and for example, the zeolite adsorbent is added to the zeolite adsorbent on the surface layer A on the side irradiated with ultraviolet rays of the filter. The one carrying the photocatalyst is applied or kneaded by a method such as spraying with or without the use of a binder, and is arranged by kneading, and the surface layer B on the side not exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the filter has the above zeolite. The adsorbent supporting the above-mentioned oxidation catalyst may be applied or kneaded by a method such as spraying with or without using a binder. The photocatalytic filter 25 may have a honeycomb type ventilation passage.

The photocatalytic filter 25 is used in the defrost heater 2
The duct 23 is arranged in the bent portion C below 2
The ventilation passage is inclined so as to match the direction of passage of cold air. Therefore, the inclination of the ventilation passage of the photocatalyst filter 25 matches the inclination of the duct 23 at the bent portion C (or the inclination of the ventilation passage of the photocatalyst filter 25 depends on the cool air in the ventilation duct 23 housing the photocatalyst filter 25). It matches the direction of (air) flow. Therefore, the ventilation resistance of the photocatalytic filter 25 to the cool air can be suppressed, and the flow of the cool air is less likely to deteriorate.

Next, the deodorizing action will be described. When the fan 18 of the refrigerator 10 operates and the cold air in the refrigerator circulates in the air passage 20,
Odor molecules in cold air (for example, ammonia, acetaldehyde, methyl mercaptan, hydrogen sulfide, formaldehyde, and organic compound molecules such as ethylene) also circulate at the same time. The odorous molecules are adsorbed and collected by the adsorbent on the surface layer A on the side irradiated with ultraviolet rays when passing through the photocatalytic filter 25. Then, it is decomposed by the photocatalyst excited by the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet radiation lamp 24.
Although the wavelength of the ultraviolet rays is 360 nm here, the wavelength may be changed to a short wavelength so as to have a bactericidal action. For example, a lamp 24 with an ultraviolet wavelength of 254 nm
When is selected, the odorous molecules collected by the adsorbent of the photocatalytic filter 25 are decomposed by the photocatalyst as in the case of 360 nm. Further, when it becomes 254 nm, it has a bactericidal action, and it becomes possible to sterilize by ultraviolet rays. Then, the remains of the bacteria collected by the adsorbent of the photocatalytic filter 25 and killed by the ultraviolet rays are decomposed by the photocatalyst. Further, if the wavelength of the ultraviolet rays is 185 nm, not only the ultraviolet rays but also ozone can be generated. However, since ozone is toxic, it is preferable to control it so that the concentration in the circulating cold air is about 0.1 ppm or less by adsorption and removal.

In the refrigerator 10 of the present invention, the odorous molecules in the cold air are exposed to the photocatalytic filter 2 even during the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet radiation lamp 24 or even when the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays is stopped.
The ultraviolet ray of No. 5 is also adsorbed and collected by the adsorbent in the surface layer B on the side not irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and decomposed by the oxidation catalyst. Therefore, in the refrigerator 10 of the present invention, for example, when an object to be cooled having a strong odor is stored, it is detected by a sensor and the ultraviolet radiation lamp 24 is operated to irradiate the photocatalyst with ultraviolet rays to deodorize. When there is little odor in the refrigerator and there is not much need for strong deodorization with a photocatalyst, it is detected by a sensor and the ultraviolet irradiation by the ultraviolet radiating lamp 24 is stopped. It can be performed. Deodorization can be performed during UV irradiation, or while UV irradiation is stopped or intermittently performed and UV irradiation is not performed, so that the deodorization efficiency is improved and the life of the UV radiation lamp 24 can be extended and the power consumption can be reduced. it can.

In the present invention, the color of the surface layer A of the photocatalytic filter 25 on the side irradiated with ultraviolet rays and the photocatalytic filter 2
It is preferable to set the color of the surface layer B on the side not irradiated with the ultraviolet ray of No. 5 to a different color. By doing so, when the photocatalyst filter 25 is installed in the refrigerator 10 of the present invention, the side of the surface layer A which is irradiated with ultraviolet rays and the side of the surface layer B which is not irradiated with ultraviolet rays are not mistaken, that is, the ultraviolet radiation is performed. It can be installed correctly with the surface layer A side facing the irradiation direction of the ultraviolet rays from the lamp 24.

Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The refrigerator 10A of the present invention shown in FIG.
The refrigerator 10 is similar to the refrigerator 10 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 except that the ultraviolet radiation lamp 24 is arranged on the windward side of the photocatalytic filter 25.

Next, the deodorizing action will be described. When the fan of the refrigerator 10A operates and the cold air in the refrigerator circulates in the air passage including the duct 23, the odorous molecules in the cold air are arranged on the surface layer A on the side irradiated with ultraviolet rays when passing through the photocatalytic filter 25. Bacteria floating in the cold air are sterilized by being adsorbed by the adsorbent, collected, and decomposed by the photocatalyst excited by the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet radiation lamp 24 and floating in the cool air. In the refrigerator 10A of the present invention, the odorous molecules in the cool air are adsorbed by the adsorbent on the surface layer B of the photocatalytic filter 25 on the side not irradiated with ultraviolet rays even when the ultraviolet irradiation from the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 24 is stopped or even when the irradiation of ultraviolet rays is stopped. Collected and decomposed by the oxidation catalyst. Since the deodorization can be performed even when the ultraviolet irradiation is stopped or intermittently performed and the ultraviolet irradiation is not performed, the deodorization efficiency is improved and the life of the ultraviolet radiation lamp 24 can be extended and the power consumption can be reduced.

The above description of the embodiments is for explaining the present invention, and does not limit the invention described in the claims or reduce the scope thereof. Further, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims.

[0042]

The refrigerator provided with the photocatalytic filter according to claim 1 of the present invention has a door having an openable and closable door on the front surface and a plurality of shelves inside so that an object to be cooled can be stored. And, after sucking the air in the refrigerator and cooling it with a cooler, an air passage for discharging the air from the upper side of the upper shelf in the refrigerator into the refrigerator,
A flat ultraviolet radiation lamp provided in the air passage and provided with a blower for forcibly circulating the cooled air into the chamber, and a flat ultraviolet radiation lamp provided on the windward side of the cooler in the air passage. A refrigerator provided with a photocatalytic filter having a corrugated or honeycomb type ventilation passage in the irradiation range of an ultraviolet radiation lamp, wherein the surface layer of the photocatalytic filter on the side irradiated with ultraviolet rays is excited by ultraviolet irradiation. A photocatalyst having a function of decomposing odorous molecules in the air passing through the ventilation passage is arranged, and a surface layer of the photocatalyst filter on the side not irradiated with ultraviolet rays, in the air passing through the ventilation passage in the atmosphere of the refrigerator. Since the oxidation catalyst that has the function of decomposing odorous molecules is arranged, the distance to each part of the filter is almost equal, and the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet rays on the photocatalyst is Since the photocatalyst is uniformly activated, the photocatalyst activation will be uniform and sufficient, and the deodorization efficiency and sterilization efficiency will be improved, and by effectively utilizing the front and back surfaces of the photocatalyst filter, the UV irradiation can be performed not only during UV irradiation It is possible to deodorize even when the ultraviolet irradiation is not performed by stopping or intermittently performing, and it is possible to prolong the life of the ultraviolet lamp and reduce the power consumption.

A refrigerator provided with the photocatalytic filter according to claim 2 of the present invention is the refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the photocatalyst and the oxidation catalyst are carried on an adsorbent made of a hydrophobic zeolite having a Si: Al ratio of 50 or more. Therefore, the same effect as the refrigerator according to claim 1 can be obtained, and even if moisture is present in the air circulating in the refrigerator, the odor molecules can be well adsorbed, and the adsorbed odor molecules can be absorbed by the photocatalyst or the oxidation catalyst. It has a further remarkable effect that it can be decomposed well and the deodorizing efficiency can be improved.

A refrigerator provided with the photocatalytic filter according to claim 3 of the present invention is the refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the oxidation catalyst is an oxidation catalyst selected from bromine and iodine. It has the same effect as the refrigerator described above, and has a further remarkable effect that plant hormones such as ethylene can be decomposed well.

A refrigerator provided with the photocatalytic filter according to claim 4 of the present invention is the refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the color of the surface layer of the photocatalytic filter on the side irradiated with ultraviolet rays is , The color of the surface layer of the photocatalyst filter on the side not irradiated with ultraviolet rays is different,
While exhibiting the same effect as the refrigerator described, the surface side that is irradiated with ultraviolet rays when installing the photocatalyst filter in a predetermined place of the refrigerator and the side of the surface layer that is not irradiated with ultraviolet rays are not mistaken, that is, ultraviolet radiation. It has a further remarkable effect that the surface layer on the side where the photocatalyst is arranged can be correctly installed with respect to the irradiation direction of the ultraviolet rays from the lamp.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a refrigerator of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating a back plate of the refrigerator of the present invention shown in FIG.

3 is a partially enlarged view of the refrigerator of the present invention shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of the refrigerator of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an appearance of a corrugated photocatalytic filter.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a conventional deodorizing method.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 10A Home refrigerator of the present invention 11 shelves 15 revolving door 17 Cooler 18 fans (blower) 20 wind path 24 Flat UV radiation lamp 25 Photocatalytic filter A Surface layer of photocatalytic filter on the side irradiated with ultraviolet rays B Surface layer of photocatalytic filter on the side not exposed to ultraviolet rays

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) B01D 53/86 B01J 29/04 A B01J 29/04 35/02 J 35/02 F25D 11/02 A F25D 11/02 B01D 53/36 H (72) Inventor Hideaki Kamiya 2-5-5 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Hiromichi Mogi 2-5-5 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3L045 AA04 BA01 CA02 DA02 EA01 HA02 KA11 PA04 4C080 AA07 AA10 BB02 CC01 HH08 JJ03 KK08 LL10 MM01 MM02 NN03 NN04 NN06 QQ17 4D048 AA22 AB01 AB03B06B06A06B01B03B01A03 BA11X BB02 BA11X BB02 BA11X03BB02 BD13B BD14A BD14B CA10 CA17 CD02 EA18 ZC04

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A compartment having a door that can be opened and closed at the front and a plurality of shelves inside for accommodating an object to be cooled, and air in the compartment is sucked in and cooled by a cooler, An air passage for discharging the inside of the refrigerator from above the upper shelf in the refrigerator, and a blower forcibly circulating the cooled air provided in the air passage into the refrigerator, and A refrigerator provided with a photocatalytic filter having a flat ultraviolet radiation lamp provided on the windward side of the cooler in the air passage and a corrugated or honeycomb ventilation passage in the irradiation range of the ultraviolet radiation lamp. In the surface layer of the photocatalyst filter on the side irradiated with ultraviolet rays, a photocatalyst having a function of decomposing odorous molecules in the air that is excited by ultraviolet irradiation and passes through the ventilation passage is disposed, and the photocatalytic filter is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Not done A refrigerator equipped with a photocatalyst filter, characterized in that an oxidation catalyst having a function of decomposing odorous molecules in the air passing through the ventilation passage in the atmosphere in the refrigerator is disposed on the surface layer on the other side. 2. The photocatalyst and the oxidation catalyst are Si: Al.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator is supported on an adsorbent made of a hydrophobic zeolite having a ratio of 50 or more. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the oxidation catalyst is an oxidation catalyst selected from bromine and iodine. 4. The color of the surface layer of the photocatalyst filter on the side where the ultraviolet rays are irradiated is different from the color of the surface layer of the photocatalyst filter on the side where the ultraviolet rays are not irradiated. Refrigerator according to any one.