JP2006234213A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator having high performance deodorizing function even in such a state that the heat absorbing amount of the refrigerator is low. <P>SOLUTION: In a dust cover of a refrigerating chamber 22, and a deodorizing catalyst 32 and a rotating speed-variable exclusively deodorizing fan 33 are arranged in an exclusively deodorizing air duct 31 independent from a discharge air duct 29 and a suction air duct 30. Thus, the rotating speed-variable exclusively deodorizing fan 33 is freely operated without being affected by cooled air in the discharge air duct 29 and the suction air duct 30 of the refrigerating chamber 22, therefore easily increasing the operating rate of the rotating-speed variable exclusively deodorizing fan 33 and improving the deodorizing performance. Besides, the rotating speed of the rotating speed-variable exclusively deodorizing fan 33 is varied corresponding to the applications to further improve the deodorizing performance and suppress noises. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a deodorizing function.

  Conventionally, in a refrigerator having a deodorizing function, as described in Patent Document 1, a refrigerator in which a deodorizing filter is disposed in an air passage (duct) for cooling the interior of the refrigerator has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

  FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a conventional refrigerator.

  In FIG. 11, reference numeral 1 denotes a refrigerator body, which is divided into a freezer compartment 3 and a refrigerator compartment 4 by a partition 2. The cooler 6 is cooled by the operation of the compressor, and the air in the refrigerator body 1 is cooled by passing through the cooler 6 by forced convection by the operation of the cooling fan 5. As for the cooled air, the cold air discharged from the cold room discharge port 10 is opened into the cold room 4 through the cold room discharge duct 9, and the cold storage provided in the partition 2 from the cold room return port 11. The refrigerating room 4 is cooled by circulating again to the cooler 6 through the room return duct 12. At this time, normally, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 4 is adjusted by the opening and closing operation of the refrigerator refrigerator (not shown) provided in the refrigerator discharge duct 9, and the refrigerator compartment is in the open state. During the cooling of 4, the air containing the odor in the refrigerator compartment 4 passes through the deodorizing filter 13 disposed in the refrigerator outlet 11 to deodorize the refrigerator compartment 4. On the other hand, the air cooled by passing through the cooler 6 is also released into the freezer compartment 3 from the freezer discharge port 7 and is circulated again from the freezer return port 8 to the cooler 6 to be freezer compartment 3. Is cooled. When the freezer compartment 3 reaches a certain temperature or lower, the compressor and the cooling fan are stopped. When the freezer compartment 3 reaches a certain temperature or higher, the compressor and the cooling fan are operated to adjust the temperature of the freezer compartment.

Therefore, due to forced convection of the cooler 6 and the cooling fan 5 cooled by the operation of the compressor, air containing odor in the refrigerator compartment 4 is cooled during cooling of the refrigerator compartment 4 in which the damper for the refrigerator compartment is open. By passing through the deodorizing filter 13, the refrigerator compartment 4 can be deodorized.
JP-A-5-203336

  However, in the above conventional configuration, when the refrigerator compartment 4 is not cooled, that is, when the refrigerator compartment 4 is sufficiently cooled and the refrigerator refrigerator is closed, or when the compressor is stopped, the air in the refrigerator compartment 4 is not cooled. Since convection is lost, air containing odor in the refrigerator compartment 4 cannot pass through the deodorizing filter 13 and the refrigerator compartment 4 cannot be deodorized. Further, in order to improve the deodorizing performance, extending the time for opening the cold room damper while the cooling fan 5 is operating unnecessarily introduces cooled air into the cold room 4. Therefore, the refrigerator compartment 4 is overcooled. Therefore, for example, when the endothermic amount of the refrigerator box is kept low by adopting a vacuum heat insulating material or the like when the outside air temperature is low, the opening rate of the refrigerator refrigerator and the operating rate of the compressor are greatly reduced. The deodorizing performance is deteriorated.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and even in a state where the endothermic amount of the refrigerator is low, high-performance deodorizing performance is achieved without depending on the opening rate of the refrigerator cold storage and the operation rate of the compressor. It aims at providing the refrigerator which has.

  In order to solve the above conventional problems, the refrigerator of the present invention is filled with a vacuum heat insulating material and rigid urethane foam between the outer box and the inner box, and the refrigerator compartment is provided at the upper part and the freezer compartment at the lower part in the heat insulating partition wall. A dedicated deodorizing air passage is formed in the duct cover that has a discharge air passage and a suction air passage in the refrigeration room, and a deodorizing catalyst and a deodorizing fan are arranged inside the deodorizing fan. It is what.

  This makes it possible to appropriately set the rotation speed of the deodorizing fan and the air volume associated therewith without being influenced by the cooled air in the discharge air passage and the suction air passage of the refrigerator compartment.

  The refrigerator of the present invention forms an independent deodorizing air passage in a duct cover having a discharge air passage and a suction air passage in a refrigerating chamber, and a deodorizing catalyst and a deodorizing fan are disposed inside the refrigerator. By adopting the variable rotation speed type, it is possible to set the rotation speed of the dedicated deodorizing fan and the air volume associated with it without being affected by the cooled air in the discharge and suction air passages of the refrigerator compartment. Therefore, the deodorizing performance can be improved. In addition, by changing the rotational speed of the deodorizing fan with a variable rotational speed according to the application, it is possible to further improve the deodorizing performance or suppress noise.

  The invention according to claim 1 is filled with a vacuum heat insulating material and rigid urethane foam between the outer box and the inner box, and is provided with a refrigerator compartment at the upper part and a freezer compartment at the lower part of the heat insulation partition wall, and is discharged into the refrigerator compartment. An independent deodorizing air passage is formed in a duct cover having an air passage and a suction air passage, a deodorizing catalyst and a deodorizing fan are arranged inside, and the deodorizing fan is a variable speed type. Deodorizing performance is improved because it is possible to set the rotation speed of the dedicated fan for deodorization and the air volume accompanying it without being affected by the cooled air in the discharge air passage and suction air passage of the refrigerator compartment. be able to. In addition, by changing the rotational speed of the deodorizing fan with a variable rotational speed according to the application, it is possible to further improve the deodorizing performance or suppress noise.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the deodorizing fan having a variable rotation speed is operated at a low speed even while the refrigerator compartment is not cooled and the freezer compartment is being cooled. Not only inside, but also in the mode in which the refrigerating room damper is closed and the freezing room is cooled, by operating the variable speed rotating deodorizing fan at low speed, the noise can be suppressed and the rotating speed variable deodorizing dedicated The operating rate of the fan can be increased and the deodorizing performance can be improved. Further, in the mode in which the refrigerating room damper is closed and the freezing room is cooled, the refrigerating room is uncooled. At this time, the temperature in the refrigerating room is high, the temperature in the lower part is low, and the vertical direction is reduced. The temperature difference tends to increase, but by operating the deodorizing fan with variable rotation speed even when the refrigerator is not cooled, the lower temperature air in the lower part can flow into the upper part. It also leads to temperature equalization in the refrigerator compartment.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotation speed variable type deodorizing fan is operated at high speed while the compressor is stopped, and even when the compressor is stopped. By operating the rotational speed variable type deodorizing fan, the operating rate of the rotational speed variable type deodorizing fan can be increased, and the deodorizing performance can be further improved. While the compressor is stopped, the refrigerator compartment is uncooled. At this time, the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment is high, the temperature at the bottom is low, and the temperature difference in the vertical direction tends to increase. By operating the rotational speed variable type deodorizing fan even during non-cooling of the room, air at a relatively lower temperature in the lower part can be introduced into the upper part, which leads to temperature equalization in the refrigerator compartment. In addition, while the compressor is stopped, other functional parts such as cooling fans are also stopped and the noise level is low. During this period, the deodorizing performance is achieved by operating the variable speed rotating type deodorizing fan at high speed. It becomes possible to improve.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the refrigerator compartment door open / close detecting means is provided in the refrigerator, and the rotation speed variable type is provided while the refrigerator compartment door is open. If the fan of the deodorizing fan is forcibly stopped and the refrigerator door is closed again after the refrigerator door is opened, the deodorizing fan with variable speed is forcibly operated at a high speed for a certain period of time. If the user opens the refrigerator compartment door and puts food into the refrigerator compartment, the deodorizing fan with variable rotation speed is forced at high speed for a certain period of time after the refrigerator compartment door is closed. By operating, the odor intensity in the refrigerator compartment can be quickly reduced.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a deodorizing control button for forcibly operating a variable speed rotating type deodorizing fan at a high speed for a certain period of time in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects. If the user notices the odor in the refrigerator compartment, the odor in the refrigerator compartment can be quickly reduced by pressing the deodorization control button.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an odor intensity detecting means for detecting the odor intensity in the refrigerator compartment is provided in the refrigerator compartment, and the odor intensity is equal to or higher than an upper limit value. When it reaches, the deodorizing fan with variable rotation speed is operated, but it operates at a low speed while the cooling fan is operating, and at other times it operates at a high speed, while suppressing noise, The odor intensity in the refrigerated room can be kept low at all times, and energy savings can be achieved by not operating the deodorizing fan with a variable speed more than necessary.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a refrigerator according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 is a schematic front view of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 20 denotes a refrigerator body, which is formed of an outer box made of metal and an inner box made of a synthetic resin such as ABS, and the space formed between the outer box and the inner box is vacuum insulated. After the material (not shown) is disposed, the hard urethane foam is foamed and filled, and the heat insulating partition wall 21 forms the refrigerator compartment 22 at the upper part and the freezer compartment 23 at the lower part.

  On the back side of the refrigerator compartment 22, a refrigerator-exhaust air passage 29, a refrigerator compartment suction air passage 30, and a deodorizing exclusive air passage that is independent of the refrigerator compartment discharge air passage 29 and the refrigerator compartment suction air passage 30. 31 has a duct cover 22a, and a deodorizing catalyst 32 and a variable speed deodorizing fan 33 are disposed in the deodorizing dedicated air passage 31, and the rotating speed variable deodorizing air is disposed in the air path. The dedicated fan 33 is disposed on the downstream side of the deodorizing catalyst 32.

  The refrigerating room discharge air passage 29 is provided on the left side of the duct cover 22a, the refrigerating room suction air passage 30 is provided on the lower portion on the right side of the duct cover 22a, and the deodorizing exclusive air passage 31 is provided on the upper portion on the right side of the duct cover 22a. The refrigerating room suction air passage 30 and the deodorizing exclusive air passage 31 are located substantially on the same line. The deodorizing exclusive air passage 31 has a suction port at the bottom and a discharge port at the top. And the shelf 22b in a refrigerator compartment is set as the structure arrange | positioned between the suction inlet and discharge outlet of the deodorizing exclusive air path 31 at least.

  The deodorization catalyst 32 is formed by molding oxides such as manganese, alumina, and silicon into a corrugated honeycomb, and the number of cells is about 100 to 300 / square inch.

  The cooling cycle includes a compressor 24, a condenser 25, a decompression means (not shown), a cooler 26 for cooling the refrigerator compartment 22 and the freezer compartment 23, and a cooling fan 27. By the forced convection of 27, the air in the refrigerating chamber 22 is heat-exchanged by the cooler 26 via the refrigerating chamber suction air passage 30, and the refrigerating chamber damper 28 and the refrigerating chamber discharge air passage 29 in which the cooled air is opened. The refrigerator compartment 22 is cooled by flowing into the refrigerator compartment 22 via the. At the same time, heat is exchanged in the cooler 26 by forced convection of the cooling fan 27, and the cooled air also flows into the freezer compartment 23 to cool the freezer compartment 23.

  When the refrigerator compartment 22 falls below a certain temperature, the refrigerator compartment damper 28 is closed, the refrigerator compartment 22 is uncooled, and only the freezer compartment 23 is cooled. When the temperature of the freezer compartment 23 falls below a certain temperature, the compressor 24 is stopped and the freezer compartment 23 is also uncooled.

  The odorous air due to the input of food in the refrigerator compartment 22 passes through the deodorizing catalyst 32 by the forced convection of the rotation speed variable type deodorizing fan 33 and is deodorized.

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

  Since the deodorizing exclusive air passage 31 has a configuration independent of the refrigerating room discharge air passage 29 and the refrigerating room suction air passage 30, the air in the refrigerating room discharge air passage 29 and the refrigerating room suction air passage 30 is cooled. Since the rotational speed variable type deodorizing fan 33 can be operated freely without being affected, it is easy to increase the operating rate of the rotational speed variable type deodorizing fan 33, and particularly a refrigerator using a vacuum heat insulating material. In this case, it is possible to improve the deodorizing performance in the refrigerator compartment without being affected by the decrease in the operation rate accompanying the reduction of the heat absorption amount.

  In addition, by changing the rotational speed of the deodorizing fan with a variable rotational speed according to the application, it is possible to further improve the deodorizing performance or suppress noise.

(Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an operation time chart of the refrigerator in the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different points will be described.

  During the cooling of the refrigerator compartment 22 and the freezer compartment 23 in which the refrigerator compartment damper 28 is open, not only the rotational speed variable deodorizing fan 33 is operated at a low speed, but also the refrigerator compartment damper 28 is closed and the freezer compartment Even in the cooling mode 23, the operating speed of the variable speed deodorizing fan 33 can be increased while the noise is suppressed by operating the variable speed rotating type deodorizing fan 33 at a low speed. It becomes possible to improve. In the mode in which the refrigerator compartment damper 28 is closed and the freezer compartment 23 is cooled, the refrigerator compartment 22 is not cooled. At this time, the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 22 is high and the temperature below the compartment is low. The temperature difference in the vertical direction tends to become large, but by operating the rotational speed-variable type deodorizing fan 33 even when the refrigerating room 22 is not cooled, the lower temperature air at the lower part is moved upward. Since it can be made to flow in, it leads also to the temperature equalization in the refrigerator compartment 22.

(Embodiment 3)
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an operation time chart of the refrigerator in the third embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same configurations as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different points will be described.

  During the cooling of the refrigerator compartment 22 and the freezer compartment 23 in which the refrigerator compartment damper 28 is open, not only the rotational speed variable deodorizing fan 33 is operated at a low speed, but also the refrigerator compartment damper 28 is closed and the freezer compartment Also in the mode of cooling 23, the rotational speed variable type deodorizing fan 33 is operated at a low speed, and while the compressor 24 is stopped, the rotational speed variable type deodorizing fan 33 is operated at a high speed. The operating rate of the number-variable type deodorizing fan 33 can be increased, and the deodorizing performance can be improved. Further, when the refrigerator compartment damper 28 is closed and the freezer compartment 23 is cooled and when the compressor 24 is stopped, the refrigerator compartment 22 is not cooled. At this time, the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 22 is at the upper temperature. Although the temperature at the lower part tends to be higher and the temperature difference in the vertical direction becomes larger, the deodorizing fan 33 having a variable rotation speed can be operated while the refrigerator compartment 22 is not cooled. Since air of low temperature can be made to flow into the upper part, it leads to temperature equalization in the refrigerator compartment 22. While the compressor 24 is stopped, other functional parts such as the cooling fan 27 are also stopped and the noise is at a low level. During this time, the variable rotation speed type deodorizing fan 33 is operated at high speed. Thus, it is possible to improve the deodorizing performance.

(Embodiment 4)
The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an operation time chart of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Note that the same components as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different points will be described.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 35 denotes a refrigerator compartment door, and 36 denotes a refrigerator compartment door open / close detection means for detecting the open / closed state of the refrigerator compartment door 35.

  Regarding the refrigerator configured as described above, the operation timing of the rotation speed variable type deodorizing fan 33 will be described based on the timing chart of FIG.

  If the refrigerator compartment door opening / closing detection means 36 detects that the refrigerator compartment door 35 is opened, the cooling fan 27 and the rotation speed variable deodorizing fan 33 are forcibly stopped. When the refrigeration room door open / close detection means 36 detects that the refrigeration room door 35 is closed again after the refrigeration room door 35 is released, the rotational speed variable type deodorizing fan 33 is forcibly operated at a high speed for a certain period of time. I do.

  As described above, when the refrigerating room door 35 is closed again after the refrigerating room door 35 is opened, the deodorizing fan 33 having a variable speed is forcibly operated at a high speed for a certain period of time. When a person opens the refrigerator compartment door 35 and puts food into the refrigerator compartment 22, the deodorizing fan 33 with a variable number of revolutions is forcibly increased at a high speed for a certain period of time after the refrigerator compartment door 35 is closed. By operating, the odor intensity in the refrigerator compartment 22 can be quickly reduced.

(Embodiment 5)
Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the refrigerator in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is an operation time chart of the refrigerator in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same components as those in the first to fourth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different points will be described.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 37 denotes a deodorization control button for forcibly operating the deodorizing fan 33 with a variable rotation speed for a certain period of time.

  With respect to the refrigerator configured as described above, the operation timing of the rotation speed variable type deodorizing fan 33 will be described based on the timing chart of FIG.

  By pressing the deodorization control button 37, the rotational speed variable type deodorizing fan 33 is forcibly operated at a high speed for a certain period of time.

  As described above, by providing the deodorization control button 37 in the refrigerator, when the consumer cares about the odor in the refrigerator compartment 22, the deodorization dedicated fan 33 with a variable rotation speed can be obtained by pressing the deodorization control button 37. Is operated at high speed, and the odor intensity in the refrigerator compartment 22 can be quickly reduced.

(Embodiment 6)
The sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the refrigerator in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is an operation time chart of the refrigerator in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same components as those in the first to fifth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different points will be described.

  In FIG. 9, reference numeral 38 denotes an odor intensity detection sensor as odor intensity detection means for detecting the odor intensity in the refrigerator compartment 22.

  With respect to the refrigerator configured as described above, the operation timing of the rotation speed variable type deodorizing fan 33 will be described based on the timing chart of FIG.

  When the odor in the refrigerator compartment 22 becomes stronger, the odor intensity rises, and the odor intensity detected by the odor intensity detection sensor 38 reaches a certain upper limit value, the variable speed deodorizing fan 33 forcibly starts operation. To do. When the rotational speed variable type deodorizing fan 33 is operated, the odor in the refrigerator compartment 22 becomes weak, the odor intensity decreases, and the odor intensity detected by the odor intensity detection sensor 38 reaches a certain lower limit value. The variable deodorizing fan 33 forcibly stops the operation. At this time, the cooling fan 27 is operated at a low speed while the cooling fan 27 is operating, and the others are operated at a high speed.

  As described above, by providing the odor intensity detection sensor 38 in the refrigerator, when the odor intensity reaches a certain upper limit value or more, the rotational speed variable deodorizing fan 33 is forcibly operated. By operating at a low speed while 27 is operating, and operating at a high speed otherwise, the odor intensity in the refrigerator compartment 22 can be kept at a low level while suppressing noise, and more than necessary. Since the rotational speed variable type deodorizing fan 33 is not operated, it leads to energy saving.

  As described above, in the refrigerator according to the present invention, the deodorization catalyst and the rotational speed variable type deodorization fan are disposed in the deodorization dedicated air passage completely independent of the discharge air passage and the suction air passage of the refrigerator compartment. Since the fan for deodorization with variable speed can be operated freely without being affected by the cooled air in the discharge air passage or suction air passage of the refrigerator compartment, the operating rate of the fan with special speed for deodorization can be increased. Since it is easy to raise and it is possible to improve the deodorizing performance, it can also be applied to refrigerators, storage devices and the like having the same deodorizing function.

Schematic front view of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Schematic sectional view of the refrigerator in the first embodiment of the present invention. Operation time chart of the refrigerator in the second embodiment of the present invention Operation time chart of refrigerator in Embodiment 3 of the present invention Schematic sectional view of the refrigerator in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Operation time chart of refrigerator in embodiment 4 of the present invention Schematic sectional view of the refrigerator in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Operation time chart of the refrigerator in the fifth embodiment of the present invention Schematic sectional view of the refrigerator in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Operation time chart of the refrigerator in the sixth embodiment of the present invention Main section vertical section of a conventional refrigerator

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Refrigerator main body 22 Refrigerating room 22a Duct cover 23 Freezing room 24 Compressor 25 Condenser 26 Cooler 27 Cooling fan 28 Refrigerating room damper 29 Discharge air path 30 Suction air path 31 Deodorizing exclusive air path 32 Deodorizing catalyst 33 Variable speed Fan dedicated to deodorization of mold 35 Refrigerating room door 36 Refrigerating room door open / close detection means 37 Deodorization control button 38 Odor intensity detection sensor (odor intensity detection means)

Claims (6)

  Filled with vacuum heat insulating material and rigid urethane foam between the outer box and inner box, equipped with a refrigerator compartment at the upper part and a freezer compartment at the lower part in the heat insulation compartment wall, and had a discharge air passage and a suction air passage in the refrigerator compartment A refrigerator characterized in that an independent air passage for deodorization is formed in a duct cover, a deodorizing catalyst and a dedicated fan for deodorization are arranged inside, and the dedicated fan for deodorizing is a variable speed type.   2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the deodorizing fan having a variable number of rotations is operated at a low speed while the refrigerator compartment is not cooled and the freezer compartment is cooled.   The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotation speed variable type deodorizing fan is operated at a high speed while the compressor is stopped.   The refrigerator door open / close detection means is provided in the refrigerator, and while the refrigerator door is open, the operation of the variable rotation type deodorizing fan is forcibly stopped and the refrigerator door is closed again after the refrigerator door is opened. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein when the fan is operated, the rotational speed-variable type deodorizing fan is forcibly operated at a high speed for a certain period of time.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a deodorizing control button for forcibly operating a variable speed rotating type deodorizing fan at a high speed for a certain period of time.   An odor intensity detecting means for detecting the odor intensity in the refrigerator compartment is provided in the refrigerator compartment, and when the odor intensity reaches a certain upper limit value or more, the variable rotation speed type deodorizing fan is operated, but the cooling fan is operated. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the refrigerator is operated at a low speed while being operated, and is operated at a high speed otherwise.

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