JP2005030761A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make an efficient weak photoirradiation performed in a vegetable chamber in order to keep freshness of green leaf vegetables, concerning the vegetable chamber in a refrigerator. <P>SOLUTION: A weak photoirradiation device 26 equipped with a semiconductor light-emitting element 26c for emitting and radiating a light of visible ray region wavelength toward vegetables stored in a storage container 25 is arranged in the vegetable chamber 17. Hereby, when the door 38 of the vegetable chamber is closed, the calorific power is suppressed low and, while suppressing temperature increase in the vegetable chamber 17, a weak photoirradiation effect by decomposition suppression of chlorophyll can be brought to the vegetables, to thereby heighten storability of the vegetables, and to keep nutritious components. When the door 38 of the vegetable chamber is opened, a user can recognize lighting of the weak photoirradiation device 26, and a visual effect of the freshness keeping means can be acquired. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to storage of green leafy vegetables.

  Factors that affect the decline in freshness of vegetables include temperature, humidity, environmental gas, microorganisms, and light. Vegetables are living creatures that are breathing and transpiration, and in order to maintain freshness, it is necessary to suppress respiration and transpiration. Except for some vegetables, such as those that cause low-temperature damage, respiration is suppressed by low temperatures, and transpiration can be prevented by high humidity. In recent years, home refrigerators are provided with a sealed vegetable container for the purpose of preserving vegetables, and are controlled so as to cool the vegetables to an appropriate temperature and to maintain the humidity by the moisture that evaporates from the vegetables. Thereby, vegetables hold | maintain a nutrient and can maintain freshness.

  Conventionally, as described above, temperature and humidity management has been used to suppress the decrease in freshness of vegetables, but a method for maintaining the freshness of vegetables using “light” which is an influencing factor of the decrease in freshness has been developed. Light is adversely affected by strong light, such as promoting color change and transpiration, but weak light is known to be particularly effective in maintaining the freshness of green leafy vegetables. Green leafy vegetables contain chlorophyll in the leaves, and this decrease in chlorophyll concentration is said to result in a decrease in quality. By irradiating weak light, decomposition of chlorophyll is suppressed, and an effect can be expected for retention of vitamin C.

  As a conventional method for preserving green vegetables by light irradiation, for example, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  The conventional refrigerator will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional refrigerator. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 1 denotes a refrigerator main body, which includes a housing 2 having an open front surface, and the inside of the housing 2 has three chambers arranged vertically by partition walls 2 </ b> A and 2 </ b> B arranged along the horizontal direction, That is, it is partitioned into an upper chamber 3, a middle chamber 4, and a lower chamber 5. Opening / closing doors 6 and 7 are respectively attached to the opening sides of the upper chamber 3 and the middle chamber 4.

  The lower chamber 5 accommodates a drawer 8 that mainly stores vegetables and the like. The drawer 8 is substantially in the shape of an opening, and the front wall 9 on the front side is larger than the opening of the lower chamber 5, and when the drawer 8 is accommodated in the lower chamber 5, the side surfaces 9 </ b> A, 9 </ b> B, The lower surface 9C is positioned on the same surface as the side surfaces 2C, 2D and the lower surface 2E of the housing 2, respectively. A switch 10 for detecting opening / closing of the drawer 8 is attached to a portion of the housing 2 with which the front wall 9 abuts.

  A white fluorescent lamp 11 is attached to a substantially central portion of the lower surface of the partition wall 2B that partitions the middle chamber 4 and the lower surface 5, and a lamp 12 is attached to the front side of the lower surface of the partition wall 2B.

  FIG. 10 shows an electric circuit for supplying power to the white fluorescent lamp 11 and the lamp 12. The switch 10 and a power supply circuit 13 that supplies power to the white fluorescent lamp 11 and the lamp 12 are connected in series, and the power supplied from the power supply circuit 13 is adjusted to a power source suitable for the white fluorescent lamp 11. The power control circuit 14 and the white fluorescent lamp 11 and the lamp 12 are connected in parallel, and the white fluorescent lamp 11 and the lamp 12 are alternately turned on and off by switching the switch 10.

  About the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated below.

  The casing 2 is provided with a refrigeration device or a freezing device (not shown), and the upper chamber 3, the middle chamber 4, and the lower chamber 5 are respectively maintained at predetermined temperatures by the refrigeration device or the freezing device.

Vegetables are mainly stored in the drawer 8. When the drawer 8 is stored and sealed in the lower chamber 5, the white fluorescent lamp 11 is lit to irradiate the vegetables. At this time, the lamp 12 is controlled to be turned off. The light intensity of the white fluorescent lamp 11 is set in a range that is effective in reducing the decrease in chlorophyll concentration of green leafy vegetables. It can be held. When the drawer 8 is open, the lamp 12 is turned on and the white fluorescent lamp 11 is turned off.
JP-A-9-28363

  However, the above-mentioned conventional configuration is characterized by the control means that the white fluorescent lamp 11 is turned on when the lower chamber 5 is sealed, and considers the usage situation of a household refrigerator in which various vegetables are mixed and stored. There are disadvantages that are not.

  In order to irradiate light in the refrigerator, it is necessary to set the type of light source and the mounting position in consideration of humidity retention and condensation problems, the effects of opening and closing the door, and the storage state of vegetables.

  This invention solves the conventional subject, and it aims at providing the refrigerator which can perform the weak light irradiation to the preserved vegetables efficiently, and can maintain the freshness of vegetables.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the refrigerator of the present invention includes a weak light irradiation device including a semiconductor light emitting element that emits light in a visible light region wavelength with respect to vegetables stored in a storage container for storing vegetables. It arrange | positions in a vegetable room and makes a weak light irradiation apparatus light also at the time of opening besides the time of closing the door of a vegetable room.

  As a result, when the door is closed, the amount of heat generated can be kept small, the effect of weak light irradiation can be brought to the vegetable while suppressing the temperature rise in the vegetable room, the decomposition of chlorophyll is suppressed, and the green color is maintained. Moreover, the reduction | decrease of vitamin C is also suppressed. Further, when the door is opened, the user can visually recognize the lighting of the weak light irradiation device.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the door is closed, the effect of weak light irradiation is brought to the vegetable while suppressing the temperature rise in the vegetable room, so that the storability of the vegetable is enhanced and the nutritional component can be retained. Further, when the door is opened, the user can recognize the lighting of the weak light irradiation device, and the visual effect of the freshness maintaining means can be obtained.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the user can control the operation of the weak light irradiation device according to the storage condition of the vegetables.

  The invention according to claim 3 can be freely designed and controlled by opening and closing the door, the amount of vegetables stored, and the like.

  The invention according to claim 4 prevents over-lighting of the semiconductor light-emitting element and leads to energy saving.

  Invention of Claim 1 of this invention is a weak light irradiation apparatus provided with the semiconductor light emitting element which light-emits and radiates | emits a visible light region wavelength with respect to the storage container for vegetable storage, and the vegetable stored in the said storage container Is placed in the vegetable room, and the low-light irradiation device is turned on when the vegetable room door is open as well as when the vegetable room door is closed, and the amount of heat generated can be kept small. The effect of weak light irradiation can be brought to the vegetables while suppressing the rise, the decomposition of chlorophyll is suppressed, the green color is maintained, and the decrease in vitamin C is also suppressed. Thereby, the storage property of vegetables increases and a nutrient component can be hold | maintained. Further, when the door is opened, the user can recognize the lighting of the low light irradiation device, and the visual effect of the freshness maintaining means can be obtained.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein a switch for controlling the operation of the weak light irradiation device is installed on the front surface of the refrigerator, and the user weakens according to the storage condition of the vegetables. The operation of the light irradiation device can be controlled.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1, which automatically controls the operation of the weak light irradiation device without using a switch, and can be freely designed by opening / closing the door or storing the vegetable. Lighting control.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the switch releases the operation of the weak light irradiating device, prevents over-lighting and leads to energy saving.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a refrigerator according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the same structure as the past, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the weak light irradiation device of the refrigerator according to the embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, 15 is a refrigerator main body, 16 is a refrigerator compartment, 17 is a vegetable compartment, 17a is a cooling air passage of the vegetable compartment 17, 18a and 18b are freezing compartments, and the refrigerator compartment 16 and the vegetable compartment 17 are partition plates. The freezer compartment 18 is partitioned by a partition plate 20. 21 is a door of the refrigerator compartment 16, 22 is a door of the vegetable compartment 17, and 23 and 24 are doors of the freezer compartment. A storage container 25 is provided in a portion of the vegetable compartment 17 and mainly stores leaf vegetables. Reference numeral 26 denotes a weak light irradiation device attached above the storage container 25, and is composed of a semiconductor light emitting device that emits a wavelength in the visible light region. Further, the weak light irradiation device 26 is provided with a protection function (not shown) for preventing condensation. And 26a is the weak light irradiation switch provided in the front surface of the refrigerator 15, and controls lighting of the weak light irradiation apparatus 26. FIG. The weak light irradiation switch 26a is not necessary, and if not, the weak light irradiation device 26 is automatically activated.

  27 is a compressor, 28 is a cooler, 29 is a blower for blowing cold air cooled by the cooler 28 into the refrigerator compartment 16 and the freezer compartment 18, and 30 is adjusting the amount of cold air into the refrigerator compartment 16. A damper device 31 is a ventilation path for introducing the cold air cooled by the cooler 28 into the refrigerator compartment 16.

  Next, a specific configuration of the weak light irradiation device 26 will be described. The weak light irradiation device 26 includes a mounting substrate 26b, a semiconductor light emitting element 26c provided on the mounting substrate 26b, and a transparent cover 26d that protects the semiconductor light emitting element 26c.

  The semiconductor light emitting element 26c emits light in the visible light region and has a lot of red wavelengths. Visible light ranges from violet light with the shortest wavelength, through light of each color of indigo, blue, green, yellow, and orange, to red light with the longest wavelength. Chlorophyll absorbs the largest amount of blue-blue light, followed by red light, and the proportion of colored light such as green and yellow is small. On the other hand, the energy efficiency of photosynthesis is the highest for red light and decreases as the wavelength becomes shorter. From this, the photosynthesis speed is in the order of red light> blue indigo light> green light. Therefore, by emitting a large amount of red light in the visible light region, the speed of photosynthesis is increased and a green retention effect can be expected.

  Further, by using the semiconductor light emitting element 26c as a red LED that outputs light having a wavelength of about 660 nm, the speed of photosynthesis is further increased, and the green retention effect is increased. The temperature rise can be prevented, and the transpiration action can be suppressed. Further, red light is easily recognized by the user, and the visual recognition effect of the freshness maintaining means is enhanced.

  Further, by using a high-luminance type LED or a diffusion type LED, the number of LEDs can be reduced, and the low-light irradiation device 26 can be made at low cost.

  About the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated below.

  The cold air cooled by the cooler 29 is sent into the freezer compartments 18a and 18b by the blower 29, and the inside of the freezer compartments 18a and 18b is cooled to a predetermined temperature (about −18 to −20 ° C.). On the other hand, a part of the cool air cooled by the cooler 29 is introduced into the ventilation path 31 and is sent into the refrigerating chamber 16 by opening / closing control of the damper device 31, and the inside of the refrigerating chamber 16 has a predetermined temperature (about 1 to 4). ℃). The cold air circulated in the refrigerator compartment 16 is introduced into the cooling air passage 17a of the vegetable compartment 17, and the vegetable compartment 17 is cooled to a predetermined temperature (about 2 to 5 ° C.).

  A storage container 25 is provided in the vegetable compartment 17. When the vegetable compartment door 22 is opened and vegetables are stored in the vegetable compartment 17, green leafy vegetables such as spinach are mainly stored in the storage container 25. When the vegetable room door 22 is closed, the stored green leafy vegetables are irradiated by the weak light irradiation device 26 above the storage container 25. At this time, the operation of the weak light irradiation device 26 can be selected by the user by the weak light irradiation switch 26a. When there is no weak light irradiation switch 26a, the operation of the weak light irradiation device is automatically controlled.

  It is known that the leaves of green leafy vegetables are subject to photosynthesis, chloroplast decay, protein, and chlorophyll degradation when placed under dark conditions. Various changes accompanying aging are suppressed. Specifically, the decomposition of chlorophyll contained in the leaves is suppressed and the decrease in concentration is suppressed, so that the green color is maintained and the decrease in vitamin C is also suppressed. Thereby, the storage property of vegetables increases and it can hold | maintain a nutrient component.

  It is said that the effect of weak light irradiation is recognized in green leafy vegetables, and in the refrigerator that stores various miscellaneous vegetables, the irradiation range of the weak light irradiation device 26 is specified by storing the green leafy vegetables in the storage container 25. Therefore, effective food can be irradiated with low light efficiently.

  As described above, the refrigerator according to the present embodiment includes the storage container 25 that mainly stores leafy vegetables in one section of the vegetable room 17, and the low light irradiation device 26 is disposed above the storage container. The chlorophyll contained in the leaves of the leaves is preserved at low temperature after being stored at a low temperature, and the green color is maintained by suppressing the decrease in concentration, and the decrease in vitamin C is also suppressed. It is. Thereby, the storage property of vegetables increases and it can hold | maintain a nutrient component.

  Furthermore, in the refrigerator in which various miscellaneous vegetables are stored, the stored vegetables can be organized by storing the green leafy vegetables in the storage container 25, and the irradiation range of the low light irradiation device 26 can be specified. Therefore, effective food can be irradiated with weak light efficiently.

  In addition, it is desirable that the light irradiated from the weak light irradiation device 26 has a wavelength in the visible light region, and particularly contains a lot of red light (660 nm) having the highest efficiency of photosynthesis, and the illuminance is the height of the vegetable room 17 and It is set according to the height of the storage container 25.

  Further, the weak light irradiation device 26 is provided with a protection function for preventing dew condensation, so that the weak light irradiation device 26 is lit without being affected by the dew condensation even if the inside of the vegetable compartment 17 is dewed by door opening and closing. Can do.

  Further, the lighting control time of the weak light irradiation device 26 can be freely designed by opening and closing the door, the amount of vegetables stored, and the like. For example, if a control is provided to irradiate for a predetermined time when the vegetable compartment door 22 is opened, other than when the vegetable compartment door 22 is closed, the user can recognize the lighting of the weak light irradiation device 26, and the freshness maintaining means can be visually confirmed. An effect is obtained. Moreover, it does not always light while the door 22 of the vegetable compartment is closed, but energy saving can be achieved as compared with the prior art by performing intermittent control within a range where the effect on vegetables is obtained.

  Furthermore, when vegetables are not stored in the storage container 25, over-lighting can be prevented if the operation of the low light irradiation device 26 is canceled by the low light irradiation switch 26a, leading to energy saving.

  The storage container 25 is not limited to the shape of the container, and may be a partition member such as a partition plate or a partition bar, and can store green leafy vegetables standing on the front portion of the vegetable compartment 17. It can also be arranged. The green leafy vegetables stored upright are turned on by the weak light irradiation device 26. At this time, by storing upright, the entire leaf having the effect of low light is not irradiated from one side but from above. Can be irradiated. In addition, it is easy to keep the vegetables organized by standing and storing the vegetables.

  Furthermore, it becomes easy to put in and out vegetables by installing the storage container 25 in the front part. Moreover, since the weak light irradiation apparatus 26 is arrange | positioned upwards, it becomes easy for consumers to visually recognize the weak light irradiation apparatus 26, and the visual effect of a freshness maintenance technique increases.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 3, 32 is a vegetable room, and 33 is a door provided on the front surface of the vegetable room 32. Reference numeral 34 denotes a storage container provided in the vegetable compartment 32, and a second storage container 34a for mainly storing leafy vegetables is provided above the storage container 34. Reference numeral 35 denotes a weak light irradiation device arranged above the second storage container 34a.

  About the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated below.

  A storage container 34a is provided in the upper part of the vegetable compartment 32. When the vegetable compartment door 33 is opened and vegetables are stored in the vegetable compartment 32, green leafy vegetables such as spinach are mainly stored in the storage container 34a. When the vegetable room door 32 is closed, the stored green leafy vegetables are irradiated by the weak light irradiation device 35 above the storage container 34a.

  At this time, the illuminance of the weak light irradiation device 35 is affected by the distance from the green leafy vegetables stored in the storage container 34a. If the suitable illumination intensity irradiated to the surface of vegetables is decided, the light intensity emitted from the weak light irradiation apparatus 35 can be reduced, so that distance with vegetables is short. Therefore, by arranging the storage container 34a in the upper part of the vegetable compartment, the distance from the weak light irradiation device 35 is shortened, and the irradiation efficiency is improved. Moreover, it becomes easy to irradiate the whole from a stem part to a leaf part by storing vegetables sideways.

  As described above, the refrigerator according to the present embodiment includes the second storage container 34a that mainly stores leafy vegetables at the top of the storage container 33 provided in the vegetable compartment 32, and is weak above the second storage container 34a. Since the light irradiation device 35 is arranged, in the refrigerator storing various vegetables in a mixed manner, leaf vegetables and other vegetables can be stored separately, and the second storage container that mainly stores leaf vegetables. By arranging the weak light irradiation device 35 above 34a, it is possible to efficiently irradiate only the leafy vegetables where the weak light irradiation effect appears.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 36 denotes a vegetable room, which includes a storage container 37. Reference numeral 38 denotes a vegetable compartment door from which the storage container 37 is pulled out. Reference numeral 39 denotes a second storage container provided in the storage container 37, which mainly stores green leafy vegetables. Reference numeral 40 denotes a partition plate for partitioning the refrigerator compartment 16 and the vegetable compartment 37, and 41 is a weak light irradiation device, which is disposed on the lower surface of the partition plate 40 so as to irradiate the inside of the second storage container 39. Reference numeral 42 denotes humidity control means attached to the lower surface of the partition plate 40.

  About the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated below.

  The vegetable compartment 36 is hermetically sealed by the partition plate 40 and the storage container 37 on the upper surface portion, and is in a high humidity state due to transpiration from the vegetables. At this time, the lid of the storage container 37 is also used by the partition plate 40, so that the storage space of the vegetable compartment is improved. When the door 38 of the vegetable compartment is pulled out, the vegetable storage container 37 in the vegetable compartment 36 is pulled out together. When storing vegetables, green leafy vegetables such as spinach are stored and stored in the second storage container 39 in the storage container 37. The stored green leafy vegetables will be irradiated with weak light by the weak light irradiation device 41 installed above, the decrease in the concentration of chlorophyll is suppressed, the green color of the vegetables is maintained, and nutritional components such as vitamin C are retained. I can do it.

  Moreover, since the storage space can be enlarged in the vegetable compartment 36 by using the lid of the vegetable storage container 37 as the partition plate 40, the vegetable light can be obtained even if the low light irradiation device 41 is attached to the lower surface of the partition plate 40. Storage space can be secured. Moreover, even if the door 38 of a vegetable compartment is opened and closed by attaching the weak light irradiation apparatus 41 to the partition plate 40, the weak light irradiation apparatus 41 does not become obstructive.

  In addition, the humidity control means 42 attached to the lower surface of the partition plate 40 has a function of absorbing water without condensation even when moisture exceeding the saturation humidity adheres, and releasing moisture when the humidity decreases. Since it does not rot due to condensation and is kept at high humidity, transpiration is suppressed.

  As described above, the refrigerator according to the present embodiment is in the vegetable compartment 36 having the drawer-type door 38 that pulls out the storage container 37 integrally, and the second storage that mainly stores leafy vegetables in a section of the storage container 37. Since the container 39 is provided and the weak light irradiation device 41 that irradiates the inside of the second storage container 39 is provided on the lower surface of the partition plate 40 that partitions the upper surface of the vegetable compartment 36, the storage container 39 can be pulled out integrally with the door 38. In addition, the usability of the vegetable compartment 36 is improved, and the leaf vegetables stored in the second storage container 39 can be irradiated with low light. Moreover, since the partition plate 40 is provided on the upper surface of the vegetable compartment 36 and the weak light irradiation device 41 is attached to the lower surface thereof, even if the door 38 of the vegetable compartment 36 is opened and closed, the weak light irradiation device 41 is not in the way. In addition, the storage space of the vegetable compartment 36 is increased, and the storage space for vegetables is not hindered.

  Furthermore, since the humidity control means 42 is provided on the lower surface of the partition plate 40, excess moisture in the vegetable compartment 36 is released, so that moderate humidity is maintained in the vegetable compartment 36, and the transpiration of vegetables is prevented. In addition to being prevented, a decrease in freshness of leafy vegetables is suppressed by low light, and the effect of maintaining freshness is enhanced.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 42 a denotes a vegetable room (compartment room) which is located in a section of the refrigerator compartment 16 and is partitioned by a partition plate 43. 44 is a storage container provided in the vegetable compartment 42a, and 45 is a weak light irradiation device that is attached to the lower surface of the partition plate 43 above the storage container 44 and irradiates the storage container 44.

  The operation of the vegetable room (compartment room) of the refrigerator configured as described above will be described below.

  The vegetable compartment (compartment compartment) 42a is a sealed space partitioned by the partition plate 43, and is indirectly cooled by the cold air introduced into the refrigerator compartment 16 and controlled to a predetermined temperature. When vegetables are stored in the vegetable room 42a, the room becomes highly humid due to the moisture of the vegetables, and the transpiration of the vegetables is suppressed. Further, green leafy vegetables such as spinach can be stored in the storage container 44, and the stored vegetables are irradiated with weak light by the weak light irradiation device 45 installed above, and the decrease in the concentration of chlorophyll contained in the leaves is suppressed. The As a result, the green color is maintained and the decrease in nutrient components such as vitamin C is suppressed.

  As described above, in the refrigerator of the present embodiment, a compartment in the refrigerator compartment 16 is partitioned by the partition plate 43, and at least a vegetable room 42a configured to store vegetables and a storage provided in the vegetable room 42a. Since the partition 44 is provided with the container 44 and the weak light irradiation device 45 for irradiating the inside of the storage container 44, the low light irradiation is performed even in the refrigerator in which the vegetable room 42 a is provided in a part of the refrigerator compartment 16. It is something that can be done.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a refrigerator according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 46 denotes a vegetable room, which includes a storage container 47. Reference numeral 48 denotes a lid that is installed in the upper surface opening of the storage container 47, and the lid 48 is provided with humidity control means 49. The lid 48 is made of a translucent material such as acrylic. 50 is a second storage container provided in a section of the storage container 47, 51 is a door of the vegetable compartment 46, and 52 is a partition plate that partitions the vegetable compartment 46 and the refrigerator compartment 16. 53 is a weak light irradiation apparatus attached to the lower surface of the partition plate 52.

  The operation | movement is demonstrated below about the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above.

  The inside of the storage container 47 of the vegetable compartment 46 is sealed by a lid body 48 installed at the upper surface opening. When vegetables are stored, they are in a high humidity state due to the moisture of the vegetables, and the transpiration of the stored vegetables is suppressed. At this time, the lid body 48 has the moisture adjusting means 49 that absorbs water without condensation even if moisture of saturation humidity or higher adheres, and releases moisture when the humidity decreases. Therefore, the leafy vegetables may rot due to condensation. And transpiration is suppressed because it is kept at high humidity. When storing vegetables, green leafy vegetables such as spinach are stored in the second storage container 50. The weak light of the weak light irradiation device 53 installed on the lower surface of the partition plate 52 passes through the lid 48 and irradiates the inside of the storage container 50, and the concentration of chlorophyll contained in the leaves of the stored green leafy vegetables is reduced. The decrease is suppressed, and while maintaining a green color, nutrient components such as vitamin C are retained.

  Further, by installing the weak light irradiation device 53 on the partition plate 52, the inside of the vegetable compartment 46 can be widened without obstructing the opening and closing of the door 51. Furthermore, since the weak light irradiation device 53 is not exposed to a high humidity state, it is not necessary to have a dew condensation prevention function.

  As described above, the refrigerator according to the present embodiment is provided with the lid body 48 provided with humidity control means at the upper surface opening of the storage container 50 provided in the vegetable compartment 46, and the partition plate 52 that partitions the upper portion of the vegetable compartment 46. Since the weak light irradiation device 53 is provided on the lower surface and the lid 48 is made of a light-transmitting material, the storage container 50 in the vegetable compartment 46 releases moisture in the container by the humidity control means 49, Maintaining the appropriate humidity can suppress a decrease in the freshness of the vegetables, and light from the low light irradiation from above passes through the lid 48 and further suppresses the decrease in the freshness of the leaf vegetables stored in the lower storage container 50. It becomes. Further, the weak light irradiation device 53 is located on the upper portion of the lid 48, and the weak light irradiation device 53 is not exposed to high humidity conditions and is not affected by dew condensation. It will improve.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a refrigerator according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 54 denotes a weak light irradiation means, which is disposed on the lower surface of the lid body 48 provided with the humidity adjustment means 49 and irradiates the inside of the storage container 50. At this time, the material of the lid 48 may be transparent or not.

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

  When storing vegetables, green leafy vegetables such as spinach are stored in the storage container 50. At this time, the inside of the storage container 50 is irradiated by the weak light irradiation device 54 installed above, and the stored green leafy vegetables are suppressed from lowering the chlorophyll concentration contained in the leaves, maintaining the green color, and vitamin C Nutritional components such as can be retained. At this time, since the storage container 47 of the vegetable compartment 46 is controlled to be highly humid, transpiration of vegetables is also suppressed. Furthermore, by installing the weak light irradiation device 54 on the lid 48 installed on the upper surface opening of the storage container 47, the illuminance can be reduced because the distance from the vegetable is shorter than attaching to the partition plate 52. It becomes energy saving. Further, it is not necessary to change the lid 48 to a permeable material.

  As described above, the refrigerator according to the present embodiment is provided with the lid body 48 provided with the humidity control means 49 at the upper surface opening of the storage container 47 provided in the vegetable compartment 46, and the weak light irradiation means 54 is provided on the lid body 48. Since it provided, the distance of vegetables and the weak light irradiation apparatus 54 becomes short, irradiation intensity | strength can be reduced and it leads to energy saving.

(Embodiment 7)
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a refrigerator according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 8, reference numeral 55 denotes a vegetable room provided with a storage container 56. The storage container 56 is made of a permeable material. Reference numeral 57 denotes a lid provided at the upper surface opening of the storage container 56, and is provided with humidity control means 58. Reference numeral 59 denotes a second storage container installed in a section of the storage container 56, which is made of a permeable material. Reference numeral 60 denotes a first weak light irradiation device that is installed on the lower surface of the lid 57 and irradiates the inside of the second storage container 59. Reference numeral 61 denotes a partition plate that separates the freezer compartments 18a and 18b from the vegetable compartment 55. 62 is a second weak light irradiation device, which is below the storage container 56, is attached to the partition plate 61, and irradiates the inside of the second storage container 59 from below. That is, the 1st weak light irradiation apparatus 60 and the 2nd weak light irradiation apparatus 62 are arrange | positioned so that it may face.

  The operation | movement is demonstrated below about the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above.

  A storage container 56 provided in the vegetable compartment 55 is sealed by a lid 57 and kept at high humidity by the moisture of the vegetable. At this time, excess moisture is absorbed and released by the humidity control means 58 attached to the lid 57, and the inside of the storage container 56 can be kept at an appropriate humidity without condensation. It suppresses transpiration. When storing vegetables, the green leafy vegetables are stored and classified in the second storage container 59. The stored vegetables are irradiated by the first weak light irradiation device 60 installed on the upper side and the second weak light irradiation device 62 installed on the lower side, the decrease in the concentration of chlorophyll contained in the leaves is suppressed, and the green color is reduced. Is maintained, and nutrients such as vitamin C are retained. At this time, the second weak light irradiation device 62 attached below can irradiate weak light because the storage container 56 and the second storage container 59 are made of a transmissive material.

  The first and second plurality of weak light irradiation devices 60 and 62 are provided, and the first weak light irradiation device 60 and the second weak light irradiation device 62 are arranged so as to face each other. The vegetables stored in the inside are irradiated from above and below, so that the whole can be irradiated and the variation in irradiation can be eliminated.

  Note that the weak light irradiation device may not only face up and down, but may also face left and right, and third and fourth weak light irradiation devices may be provided.

Sectional drawing of Embodiment 1 of the refrigerator by this invention The perspective view of the weak light irradiation apparatus with which the refrigerator of the embodiment was equipped Sectional drawing of Embodiment 2 of the refrigerator by this invention Sectional drawing of Embodiment 3 of the refrigerator by this invention Sectional drawing of Embodiment 4 of the refrigerator by this invention Sectional drawing of Embodiment 5 of the refrigerator by this invention Sectional drawing of Embodiment 6 of the refrigerator by this invention Sectional drawing of Embodiment 7 of the refrigerator by this invention Cross-sectional view of a conventional refrigerator Electric circuit diagram of a conventional refrigerator

Explanation of symbols

17, 32, 36, 46, 55 Vegetable room 25, 37, 47, 56 Storage container 26, 35, 41, 45, 53, 54, Weak light irradiation device 26a Weak light irradiation switch 26c Red LED (semiconductor light emitting element)
32 Vegetable room 34, 39, 44, 50, 59 Second storage container 38 Vegetable room door 40, 43, 52 Partition plate 42, 49 Humidity control means 42a Vegetable room (compartment room)
48 Lid 60 First weak light irradiation device 62 Second weak light irradiation device

Claims (4)

  A storage container for storing vegetables, and a weak light irradiation device including a semiconductor light emitting device that emits light in the visible light region with respect to the vegetables stored in the storage container are disposed in the vegetable room, and the light irradiation is performed. A refrigerator characterized in that the apparatus is turned on when the vegetable compartment door is open, as well as when the door is closed.   The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a switch for controlling the operation of the weak light irradiation device is installed on the front surface of the refrigerator.   The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the weak light irradiation device is automatically controlled without using a switch.   The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the switch releases the operation of the weak light irradiation device.

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