JP2006300810A - Freshness discrimination apparatus, refrigerator provided with the same, and freshness discrimination method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user-friendly freshness discrimination apparatus, a refrigerator provided with the same, and a freshness discrimination method for enabling user to easily and visually discriminate the freshness of foods without using an ultraviolet lamp, which is hazardous to environments and human bodies, and reducing costs. <P>SOLUTION: Ultraviolet rays (ultraviolet rays of the UV-A region) for exciting self-fluorescence of foods are irradiated from an LED 52, and color development of the irradiated foods is seen through a bluish window 48 for colorimetry. On the basis of colors of the seen-through foods, their freshness is discriminated. Then ultraviolet rays (ultraviolet rays of the UV-A region) for exciting self fluorescent of foods are irradiated from the LED 52, and their color development is photographed by a camera 70. By comparing reference data acquired by converting color development images by previously photographed self-fluorescence of the foods to be a reference into numerical values with measured data acquired by converting color development images by self-fluorescence of the foods photographed by the camera 70 into numerical values, the freshness of the foods is discriminated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a freshness identification device for identifying the freshness of foods such as eggs, vegetables, and meat, a refrigerator equipped with the same, and a freshness identification method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an egg freshness identification method for measuring autofluorescence of an egg by irradiation with short-wavelength visible light or ultraviolet light (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this egg freshness identification method, a bird's egg is irradiated with short-wavelength visible light or ultraviolet light, and the freshness of the egg is measured nondestructively. The porphyrin is attached to the egg when the eggshell is formed in the uterine uterus. When this porphyrin is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the eggs are colored by autofluorescence. In addition, chlorophyll pigments are contained in greenish yellow vegetables and hemoglobin is contained in meat, and these pigments are also autofluorescent like porphyrins.

  This autofluorescence has the property of fading or fading over time. That is, when foods such as eggs and green-yellow vegetables are stored for a long period of time, the color of autofluorescence will fade or become thinner than fresh foods. This freshness identification method for eggs uses this property to measure the freshness of eggs. Further, in this egg freshness identification method, a UV cut filter for absorbing ultraviolet light for adjusting the wavelength of ultraviolet light irradiated on the egg, a short-pass filter for transmitting only wavelengths below a predetermined wavelength, A band-pass filter or the like for transmitting only the wavelength of is used.

  In addition, there is a refrigerator with an egg case provided in an egg case in which an observation window sandwiched with a UV cut filter is provided in the refrigerator (see, for example, Patent Document 2). This refrigerator with egg case is equipped with an observation window so that the user can easily see the auto-fluorescence of the egg irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and the observation window is UV-cut so as not to leak ultraviolet rays that adversely affect the human body. The filter is inserted. In addition, the freshness identification of an egg is performed similarly to the above-described egg freshness identification method.

JP-A-4-326060 (page 3, FIG. 2) JP 2002-98475 A (page 4, FIG. 2)

  In the above-described egg freshness identification method, the freshness of eggs is identified through various filters such as a UV cut filter, a short pass filter, and a band pass filter in order to capture autofluorescence more clearly. However, these filters are expensive. It was expensive and expensive. In addition, if these filters are not used, the color due to autofluorescence and the color of the ultraviolet light itself are mixed, and identification with the naked eye is difficult.

  In addition, the egg is irradiated with ultraviolet light, and the image and color sample are compared to identify the freshness of the egg. We had to compare the sample with the sample many times, and it took time and effort. Furthermore, in order to identify the freshness through the comparison, a predetermined skill is required, and it is not suitable for use in a refrigerator in a general household.

  Since the above refrigerator with an egg case uses an ultraviolet lamp as an ultraviolet irradiation means, ultraviolet rays in a wavelength range harmful to the human body are irradiated. Since this ultraviolet lamp contains mercury, special considerations are required for handling and disposal, and it is unsuitable for use in ordinary household refrigerators from the viewpoint of environmental protection and human body protection. Furthermore, since the egg case is usually attached to the front door of the refrigerator compartment (height is about 150 cm), it is difficult for a short user to visually recognize the egg case.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a freshness identification device that allows a user to easily identify freshness of food with the naked eye, a refrigerator including the freshness identification device, and a freshness identification method. . It is another object of the present invention to provide a freshness identification device capable of identifying the freshness of food without using an ultraviolet lamp harmful to the environment and humans, a refrigerator equipped with the same, and a freshness identification method. Further, the present invention provides a freshness identification device that is easy to use while reducing costs, a refrigerator equipped with the same, and a freshness identification method.

  The freshness identification apparatus according to the present invention includes a light source that irradiates a light beam that excites autofluorescence of food, and a see-through window that has a bluish color to see through the food irradiated with the light beam.

  In addition, the freshness identification device according to the present invention includes a light source that emits a light beam that excites the autofluorescence of food, a photographing device that photographs the color developed by the autofluorescence, and a color image formed by the autofluorescence of the reference food that has been captured in advance. Storage means for storing the numerical value as reference data, and a color image generated by autofluorescence of the food photographed by the photographing device is digitized as measurement data, and the measurement data is compared with the reference data to determine the freshness of the food. The image analysis means for identifying is provided.

  In the freshness identification method according to the present invention, a light beam that excites autofluorescence of food is irradiated from a light source, and the color of the food irradiated with the light beam is seen through a transparent window having a bluish color. The freshness of the food is identified by color.

  Further, the freshness identification method according to the present invention irradiates a light beam that excites the autofluorescence of food from a light source, images the coloration due to the autofluorescence with a photographing device, and develops a color image based on the autofluorescence of the reference food that was previously captured. The freshness of the food is identified by comparing the reference data obtained by digitizing the value with the measurement data obtained by digitizing the color-development image of the food captured by the photographing apparatus.

  The freshness identification apparatus according to the present invention includes a light source that emits a light beam that excites the autofluorescence of food, and a see-through window that has a bluish color to see through the food irradiated with the light beam. The color difference due to the autofluorescence of the food is clarified according to the freshness, and the freshness of the food can be easily identified based on the color difference.

  In addition, the freshness identification device according to the present invention includes a light source that emits a light beam that excites autofluorescence of food, an imaging device that captures the color developed by the autofluorescence, and a color image generated by autofluorescence of the reference food that has been captured in advance. Storage means for storing the numerical value as reference data, and a color image generated by autofluorescence of the food photographed by the photographing device is digitized as measurement data, and the measurement data is compared with the reference data to determine the freshness of the food. Since the image analysis means for identifying is provided, the freshness of the food can be easily identified based on the comparison result.

  The freshness identification method according to the present invention irradiates a light beam that excites autofluorescence of food from a light source, sees the food irradiated with the light through a transparent window with bluish color, and uses the color of the food seen through Since the freshness of the food is identified, the color difference due to autofluorescence of the food irradiated with light can be clarified according to the freshness, and the freshness of the food can be easily identified based on the color difference. Become.

  Further, the freshness identification method according to the present invention irradiates a light beam that excites the autofluorescence of food from a light source, images the coloration due to the autofluorescence with a photographing device, and develops a color image based on the autofluorescence of the reference food that was previously captured. The freshness of the food is identified by comparing the reference data digitized with the measurement data obtained by digitizing the color image of the food autofluorescence photographed by the imaging device. The freshness can be identified.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The main body 11 of the refrigerator 10 includes a plurality of storage rooms (a refrigeration room 12, a temperature switching room 13, a freezing room 14, a vegetable room 15, etc.) each provided with a front door 16, a compressor 20, a cooler 21, The fan 22, the damper device 23, the air passage 24, the door opening / closing detection means 30, the interior lamp 31, the control unit 32, and the operation panel 33 are configured. Here, the case where the refrigerator 10 is a heat pump refrigerator that cools each storage chamber by circulating a refrigerant is shown as an example.

  The compressor 20 compresses the refrigerant that cools each storage chamber of the refrigerator 10. The cooler 21 evaporates the refrigerant and removes heat from the air circulating in the refrigerator 10 to generate cold air. The fan 22 blows the cool air cooled by the cooler 21 to each storage room. The damper device 23 adjusts the flow rate of the cold air by opening and closing. The air passage 24 is for guiding cold air into each storage chamber. That is, the food stored in each storage chamber is cooled with this cold air.

  The door opening / closing detection means 30 detects opening / closing of the front door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 12. The interior lamp 31 is provided in the refrigerator compartment 12 and is turned on when the door opening / closing detector 30 detects that the front door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is open. The control part 32 is provided in the back side of the main body 11, and controls various settings, such as the temperature of each storeroom, and the interior lamp 31. FIG. The control unit 32 may be composed of a microcomputer or the like. The operation panel 33 is provided in the front door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 12, and receives the instruction | indication from a user.

  Here, the case where the refrigerator 10 is a heat pump refrigerator is shown as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the arrangement of each storage room and each device constituting the refrigerator 10 is not limited to that shown in the figure. Furthermore, the operation panel 33 may include an operation button and a setting button that can be easily operated by the user, a display unit that displays operation guidance, a temperature state of each storage room, and the like.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of the refrigerator compartment 12.
The refrigerator compartment 12 is partitioned from other storage compartments by a heat insulating wall 41 and includes a refrigerator compartment shelf 40 and a slide chamber 42. The slide chamber 42 includes a storage case 49, a small case upper 44, and a small case lower 45. The slide chamber 42 is installed between the refrigerator compartment shelf 40 and the lower heat insulating wall 41, and a storage case 49 and a small case (small case upper 44, small case lower) are formed by a partition plate right 43 having a heat insulating material. 45).

  The accessory case is partitioned by a partition plate left 46 and a partition plate right 43, and can slide back and forth on a rail (not shown) provided on the partition plate left 46. An egg case 47 is provided on the accessory case upper 44 so that eggs can be stored. Further, the refrigerator compartment shelf 40 is provided with a colorimetric window 48 which is a transparent window, so that the eggs stored in the egg case 47 can be seen without having to pull out the upper case 44. The colorimetric window 48 may be configured to have a size that allows the entire upper case 44 to be viewed.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a longitudinal section of the accessory case upper 44. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a transverse cross section of the accessory case upper 44.
Inside the accessory case 44 is an egg case 47, a substrate 51 to which a light source is attached, and an LED 52 attached to the substrate 51. The egg case 47 accommodates the egg 53 that is an object of freshness identification. The board | substrate 51 is arrange | positioned in the part which the partition plate left 46 and the refrigerator compartment shelf 40 contact | connect at right angle. The substrate 51 is preferably arranged so that the entire egg case 47 is irradiated with the light source.

  The LED 52 is attached to the substrate 51 and serves as a light source. Here, a case where the light emitting diode can irradiate ultraviolet rays (hereinafter referred to as UV-A) having a small influence on the human body is shown as an example. On the other hand, a film 54 is incorporated in the colorimetric window 48 provided in the refrigerator compartment shelf 40. The film 54 is desirably a blue film having a color close to blue-green having a wavelength of about 500 nm. Moreover, the film 54 may be comprised integrally with the colorimetric window 48, and may be comprised so that attachment or detachment is possible. Note that what is incorporated in the colorimetric window 48 is not limited to the film 54 as long as it has a color close to blue-green having a wavelength of about 500 nm. For example, you may comprise with a plastic, glass, etc.

  The substrate 51, the LED 52, and the film 54 constitute a freshness identification device 50 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In addition, although the case where the freshness identification device 50 is provided on the accessory case 44 is shown as an example, the present invention is not limited to this and may be provided anywhere. That is, it is only necessary to be provided in a place where the food that is the object of freshness identification is stored. Moreover, the number of installation is not particularly limited. Moreover, although the case where a light source is comprised by LED52 is shown as an example, it is not limited to this, What is necessary is just to be able to irradiate visible light of UV-A or a short wavelength.

  Ultraviolet rays can be broadly classified into three wavelength regions: a UV-A region (320 to 400 nm), a UV-B region (290 to 320 nm), and a UV-C region (290 nm or less). UV-A has a large effect of promoting the production of melanin pigments in the skin, is an ultraviolet ray in a wavelength region that causes suntan (sunburn), and has little influence on the human body. UV-B is an ultraviolet ray in a wavelength region that causes sunburn (sunburn) accompanied by erythema harmful to the skin, skin cancer, etc., and has a great influence on the human body. The wavelength in the UV-C region is high-energy short-wavelength ultraviolet light as in UV-B, but hardly reaches the ground surface.

Next, an operation process of the freshness identification device 50 will be described.
In the freshness identification device 50, the door opening / closing detection means 30 detects opening / closing of the front door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 12 and transmits the information to the control unit 32. And the control part 32 which received the information that the front door 16 is closed performs light extinction control of the interior lamp 31 and LED52. On the other hand, the control part 32 which received the information that the front door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 12 was opened controls lighting of the interior lamp 31 and LED52.

  UV-A irradiated with the LED 52 turned on has a property of exciting the autofluorescence of porphyrin attached to the egg 53. That is, when the LED 52 is turned on, the porphyrin attached to the eggshell surface of the egg 53 reacts with UV-A irradiated from the LED 52 to develop a red color. The amount of the porphyrin attached to the eggshell surface increases as the egg 53 becomes fresher, and the amount decreases as the freshness decreases. That is, the fresher the egg 53 is, the more red the color is generated by the autofluorescence, but the autofluorescence is weakened as the freshness is reduced, and the color development is weakened to appear whitish.

  Autofluorescence refers to fluorescence emitted from cells that have not been fluorescently stained. In general, autofluorescence is reduced when excited at a long wavelength (red). The eggshell of the egg 53 is 95% made of calcium carbonate, and the outermost layer is covered with a film called cuticle. This eggshell is formed with egg white in the tubal uterus, and porphyrin secreted from the uterine mucosa adheres to the eggshell surface. Although this porphyrin cannot be removed by washing with water or a neutral detergent, it has been confirmed that it fades or fades over time.

  Porphyrin refers to a polymer compound that constitutes a chromoprotein such as hemoglobin, chlorophyll, cyanocobalamin, and cytochrome in a living body. That is, the freshness identification device 50 identifies the freshness of the egg 53 using the characteristics of porphyrin adhering to the egg 53. In addition, although the freshness identification apparatus 50 shows as an example the case where the freshness of the egg 53 is identified, it is not limited to this, Freshness can be identified if it is a food containing porphyrins, such as vegetables and meat. Is possible. That is, since vegetables contain chlorophyll and meat contains hemoglobin, autofluorescence can be excited using the characteristics of ultraviolet rays.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing spectroscopic measurement values of color development by autofluorescence of the egg 53.
In the figure, the vertical axis represents fluorescence intensity, and the horizontal axis represents wavelength. Here, a measurement result is shown in which the color development of a fresh egg 53 (an egg stored at 5 ° C. for 5 days after purchase) and an old egg 53 (an egg stored at 30 ° C. for one month after purchase) is spectroscopically measured. A solid line A indicates a spectroscopic measurement value of the fresh egg 53. The spectroscopic measurement value of the fresh egg 53 has a peak at a wavelength around 635 nm. This 635 nm spectrum is a wavelength region that looks red. On the other hand, the broken line B shows the spectroscopic measurement value of the old egg. The spectroscopic measurement value of the old egg 53 has a gentle peak around a wavelength of 500 nm, and then a peak at a wavelength of 635 nm. The spectrum near the wavelength of 500 nm is a wavelength range where blue to blue-green are seen.

  In a state where the fresh egg 53 and the old egg 53 are mixed and stored, when the UV-A is irradiated to the egg 53 by turning on the LED 52, the fresh egg 53 is red and self-made because a lot of porphyrin is attached. The old egg 53 is self-fluorescent due to the fading of red color due to the lack of porphyrin. That is, even if the old egg 53 is irradiated with UV-A, it is too red and not autofluorescent.

  In the freshness identification device 50, a film 54 is provided on the colorimetric window 48 in order to further emphasize the difference between the fresh egg 53 and the old egg 53. In other words, it can be confirmed that the fresh egg 53 is colored red through the film 54, but the old egg 53 appears to have the blue color more emphasized because the red color is canceled by the film 54. Since the eggs 53 are confirmed through the film 54, high skill is not required for freshness identification. Moreover, the inexpensive refrigerator 10 which reduced the cost can be provided without providing expensive filters (UV cut filter, short pass filter, band pass filter).

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the color development due to autofluorescence of the egg 53 when UV-A is irradiated. FIG. 6A shows the autofluorescence of the egg 53 observed by irradiating the egg 53 with UV-A and passing through no filter or the like. As described above, the fresh egg 53 is self-fluorescent in red, and the old egg 53 is fading in red and auto-fluorescent. FIG. 6 (a) shows that the egg 53 (a) is self-fluorescent with the red color emphasized. On the other hand, it can be seen that the egg 53 (A) is fading red and being self-fluorescent. Therefore, it can be simply identified that the egg 53 (A) is a fresh egg 53 and the egg 53 (A) is an old egg 53.

  FIG. 6B shows autofluorescence of the egg 53 observed through the film 54 by irradiating the egg 53 with UV-A. As described above, the red color of the fresh egg 53 is not canceled by the film 54, and the red color of the old egg 53 is canceled by the blue color of the film 54. That is, the difference between the fresh egg 53 and the old egg 53 becomes clearer when observing through the film 54 as shown in FIG. 6B than when observing in the state of FIG. Therefore, it can be more simply identified that the egg 53 (c) is a fresh egg 53 and the egg 53 (d) is an old egg 53.

  In addition, the slide chamber 42 is arrange | positioned at the lowest part in the refrigerator compartment 12, and the temperature of the accessory case upper 44 is stable at the low temperature of 1-3 degreeC. The temperature adjustment of the refrigerator compartment 12 is performed by adjusting the cool air by the damper device 23. In general, the temperature of the slide chamber 42 is separately controlled in the range of −3 to 3 ° C. However, since the right side of the partition plate 43 has a heat insulating material, the upper case 44 is not affected by the egg. 53 will not freeze.

  As described above, since the egg 53 is irradiated with UV-A by the inexpensive LED 52, the inexpensive refrigerator 10 with reduced cost can be provided. Further, since the egg 53 is confirmed through the film 54, the UV-A is not directly incident on the naked eye, and the upper case 44 in which the egg 53 is stored is directly exposed to the human body because it is a slide type. Therefore, it becomes possible to provide a safer refrigerator 10. Further, the LED 52 can be driven at a low voltage, is energy-saving, and has a long life, so that it can be replaced and maintenance-free.

  Moreover, the storage case top 44 is installed in the lowest part in the refrigerator compartment 12, and it is set as the substantially sealed structure, The storage temperature can be stabilized at the low temperature 1-3 degreeC suitable for the freshness maintenance of the egg 53. FIG. By doing so, it becomes difficult to be affected by vibration due to opening and closing of the front door 16 of the refrigerating room 12, and it becomes possible to avoid a temperature rise due to the ingress of outside air, which is more suitable for long-term storage of the egg 53.

  Further, since the lowermost part in the refrigerator compartment 12 where the accessory case top 44 is installed is generally about 100 cm in height, even a short user can reliably make sure that the colorimetric window 48 can be used. Can be confirmed. Therefore, operations such as taking out the stored food can be performed safely and reliably. In addition, although LED52 was used for the freshness identification apparatus 50 and it installed in the lowest part in the refrigerator compartment 12 and the user's usability was improved, LED52 may be installed in a door pocket, it replaces with LED52, and an ultraviolet lamp Even if is used, the effect by the film 54 can be similarly obtained.

  In addition, the colorimetric window 48 of the freshness identification device 50 incorporates a film 54 separately from the colorimetric window 48, but the entire colorimetric window 48 is made of plastic or glass colored blue transparently. It may be configured. In addition, although the case where the film 54 was a blue film was shown as an example, it is not limited to this, and it is sufficient if the difference in color due to autofluorescence between the fresh egg 53 and the old egg 53 becomes clear. .

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of the refrigerator compartment 12.
The freshness identification device 50a according to the second embodiment of the present invention can identify the freshness of food and can also sterilize food. In addition, since the basic structure of the freshness identification apparatus 50a is the same as that of the freshness identification apparatus 50, description is abbreviate | omitted. The case where the freshness of the egg 53 is identified will be described as an example.

  The refrigerator compartment 12 is provided with an internal operation panel 60. The internal operation panel 60 is installed on the left partition plate 26 in the refrigerator compartment 12, and includes a freshness identification button 61, a sterilization button 62, and a sterilization display lamp 63 such as an LED indicating sterilization. This internal operation panel 60 receives freshness identification of food and start / stop operation of sterilization. That is, the freshness identification of the food is not performed at the same time as the front door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is opened, but the freshness identification and sterilization of the food is performed based on an instruction from the user.

  The freshness identification button 61 is an operation reception button for starting freshness identification of food. The sterilization button 62 is an operation acceptance button for starting sterilization of food. The sterilization display lamp 63 is a lamp for notifying the user that food is being sterilized. That is, if the food is being sterilized, it is turned on or blinking to notify the user that the food is being sterilized.

  Note that the freshness identification button 61 and the sterilization button 62 are not limited to operation accepting buttons, and may be configured with a touch panel or the like. Further, the sterilization display lamp 63 is not limited to lighting or blinking, but may be notified to the user by changing the color of the lamp. Moreover, you may use together with an audio | voice, a buzzer, etc. Furthermore, the internal operation panel 60 is not limited to being installed on the partition plate left 46, and may be installed in another place in the refrigerator compartment 12, and installed in the operation panel 33. Also good.

Next, an operation process of the freshness identification device 50a will be described.
In the freshness identification device 50 a, the door opening / closing detection means 30 detects opening / closing of the front door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 12 and transmits the information to the control unit 32. And the control part 32 which received the information that the front door 16 is closed performs light extinction control of the interior lamp 31 and LED52. On the other hand, even if the control unit 32 receives information that the front door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 12 has been opened, the interior lamp 31 and the LED 52 are controlled to be turned off.

  That is, the freshness identification device 50a is configured to execute the freshness identification of food based on an instruction from the user. Therefore, when the user operates the freshness identification button 61, the information is transmitted to the control unit 32. The control unit 32 that has received this information controls to turn on the LED 52 and to turn off the interior lamp 31. This is to prevent UV-A irradiated from the LED 52 from including visible light or the like irradiated from the interior lamp 31 as disturbance light.

  If the colorimetric window 48 is confirmed in this state, the color of the egg 53 due to autofluorescence can be visually observed, and the freshness of the egg 53 can be identified. The freshness of the egg 53 is identified in the same manner as the freshness identifying device 50 of the first embodiment. The colorimetric window 48 is provided with a film 54 as in the freshness identification device 50. The freshness identification of the egg 53 is continued until the user operates the freshness identification button 61 again. Even when the refrigerator compartment 12 is open, the user can determine that the freshness identification is being performed because the interior lamp 31 is not lit.

  When the user operates the freshness identification button 61 again, the information is transmitted to the control unit 32. The control unit 32 that has received this information controls to turn off the LED 52 and to turn on the interior lamp 31. At this point, the freshness identification is completed, and the user can determine the completion of freshness identification by turning on the interior lamp 31. When the door open / close detection means 30 detects that the front door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is closed, the information is transmitted to the control unit 32. The control unit 32 that has received this information controls to turn off the interior lamp 31. In addition, if the front door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is closed during freshness identification, the control part 32 will light-extinguish LED52 at that time, and freshness identification will be complete | finished.

  On the other hand, when the sterilization button 62 is operated by the user while the front door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is open, the information is transmitted to the control unit 32. The control unit 32 that has received this information controls the lighting of the LED 52. When the sterilization button 62 is operated, the control unit 32 continues to light the LED 52 even if the front door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is closed. That is, the UV-A irradiated from the LED 52 has a characteristic of having a bactericidal action in addition to the characteristic of exciting autofluorescence. Accordingly, by irradiating the egg 53 with UV-A, the egg 53 can be stored while being sterilized.

  When sterilization is in progress, the sterilization display lamp 63 is turned on to notify the user. Sterilization may be terminated after a predetermined time has elapsed, or may be terminated by an operation from the user. Alternatively, the sterilization display lamp 63 may be controlled to be turned off when the front door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is closed. Furthermore, a freshness identification display lamp may be provided on the internal operation panel 60 so that the freshness identification display lamp is turned on so that the user does not pull out the upper case 44 during freshness identification during freshness identification. Then, the safety of the user can be further ensured.

  As described above, since the LED 52 can be turned on / off according to the preference of the user, it is possible to reduce power consumption. Further, since the interior lamp 31 is controlled to be turned off when the LED 52 is turned on, it is clear that the freshness identification is being performed, and the power consumption can be reduced. Furthermore, since the eggs 53 can be stored while being sterilized, the eggs 53 can be stored for a longer time while maintaining a high level of hygiene within the accessory case 44.

  In addition, if the storage operation panel 60 is provided together with the operation panel 33 installed outside the refrigerator 10, freshness identification and sterilization can be performed without opening the front door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 12. Therefore, it can be operated more easily, the cold air in the refrigerator compartment 12 does not escape to the outside, and the freshness of the food is not deteriorated more than necessary. Further, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the freshness identification device 50 according to the first embodiment.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a transverse cross section of the accessory case upper 44.
Since the basic configuration of the freshness identification device 50b according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is the same as that of the freshness identification device 50 and the freshness identification device 50a, the description thereof is omitted. In this freshness identification device 50 b, one LED 52 is provided on the front door 16 side of the refrigerator compartment 12. Further, a colorimetric window 48 is provided so as to limit the irradiation range of the LED 52. That is, the colorimetric window 48 is not sized so that the entire upper case 44 can be seen, but is configured with a minimum size. For example, the colorimetric window 48 is configured to have a size limited to the first row of the egg case 47.

  By doing so, it is possible to highly prevent the UV-A irradiated from the LED 52 from leaking to the outside. Therefore, the safety of the user is further ensured. Further, the power consumption can be further reduced by reducing the number of LEDs 52. It is assumed that the colorimetric window 48 is provided with a film 54 according to its size. Further, in order to further prevent leakage of UV-A, the colorimetric window 48 may be provided with a slide type lid.

Next, an operation process of the freshness identification device 50b will be described.
In the freshness identification device 50 b, the door opening / closing detection means 30 detects the opening / closing of the front door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 12 and transmits the information to the control unit 32. And the control part 32 which received the information that the front door 16 is closed performs light extinction control of the interior lamp 31 and LED52. On the other hand, the control part 32 which received the information that the front door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 12 was opened controls lighting of the interior lamp 31 and LED52.

  The user can check the egg 53 through the colorimetric window 48. Since the colorimetric window 48 is provided only on the front side, in order to check the egg 53 stored further inside, the upper case 44 is pulled out and checked. In this way, the substrate 51, the LED 52, and the colorimetric window 48 can be installed only in front of the small case upper 44, and the cost can be further reduced.

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a longitudinal section of the accessory case upper 44c.
The basic configuration of the freshness identification device 50c according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the freshness identification device 50, the freshness identification device 50a, and the freshness identification device 50b, and a description thereof will be omitted. The freshness identification device 50c is provided with a camera 70 that captures the color of the egg 53 due to autofluorescence. The camera 70 is preferably a small digital camera using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CMOS (Complementary MOS), or the like as an image sensor.

  The freshness identification device 50c captures the color of the egg 53 excited by UV-A emitted from the LED 52 by autofluorescence with the camera 70, and identifies the freshness of the egg 53 from the captured image. In addition, although the freshness identification of the egg 53 is demonstrated, it is not limited to this, You may use for the freshness identification of foodstuffs, such as meat and vegetables. Moreover, what is necessary is just to be provided in the storage chamber in which the foodstuff which becomes the object of freshness identification is stored, and the number is not specifically limited.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the freshness identification device 50c.
The freshness identification device 50c is configured by connecting a camera 70, an image processing unit 71, a storage unit 72, a display unit 73, and an operation panel 33 to a control unit 32 via a bus or the like. The control unit 32 includes an image analysis unit 74 that includes a numerical operation unit 75 and a freshness identification unit 76. The display unit 73 displays the result of food freshness identification, and may be configured with a liquid crystal display or the like. The display unit 73 may be configured together with the operation panel 33 or may be configured separately. Moreover, not only the result of food freshness identification but also temperature and sterilization may be displayed.

  The camera 70 captures food (in this case, the egg 53) that is the object of freshness identification and outputs it as image data. The image processing unit 71 performs various corrections on the image data output from the camera 70 and performs image processing such as enlargement or reduction as necessary. That is, the image data is processed so that the freshness identification process is smoothly executed by enlarging a part necessary for freshness identification of the photographed egg 53 or deleting the other part.

  The storage unit 72 functioning as a storage unit stores the image data processed by the image processing unit 71 and the image data output by the camera 70. In general, since the capacity of image data is large, it is desirable that the image data is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The image data stored in the storage unit 72 is preferably stored in a database. In addition, when the image data stored in the storage unit 72 is limited to the egg 53 immediately after laying eggs or the egg 53 on the last day of the expiration date as a reference for freshness identification, the image data is configured by a nonvolatile memory or the like. Also good.

  The digitization calculation unit 75 digitizes the color of the surface of the egg 53 that is colored by autofluorescence, which is image data. For example, the color of the egg 53 immediately after laying as a reference for freshness identification is set to 100, the color of the egg 53 on the last day of the expiration date is set to 0, and the color of the egg 53 that is the object of freshness identification and the reference egg The distance from the 53 colors can be expressed numerically. Since porphyrin adhering to the eggshell surface of the egg 53 decreases as the freshness decreases as described above, it is possible to easily identify the freshness by quantifying the degree of the decrease.

  The freshness identification unit 76 identifies the freshness of the egg 53 that is a target of freshness identification based on the result from the numerical operation unit 75. For example, if the value of the egg 53 that is the object of freshness identification is 70, it is determined that the egg 53 is relatively fresh, or if the value of the egg 53 that is the object of freshness identification is 30, the egg 53 is It can be judged as old. The image analysis unit 74 displays the identification result on the display unit 73.

  Since it is desirable for the display unit 73 to display the freshness identification result of the egg 53 in an easy-to-understand manner for the user, H (high freshness) -L (low freshness) is provided for each egg 53 stored in the egg case 47. ), Or for each use of the egg 53 (raw food, cooked food, disposal). For example, if the numerical value of the egg 53 to be identified for freshness is 100 to 70, a raw food display is displayed, if it is 70 to 40, a heated food display is displayed, and if the numerical value is less than that, a discard display is performed. it can.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a freshness display on the display unit 73.
Each egg figure 77 corresponds to the egg 53 stored in each place of the egg case 47. That is, the freshness of all the eggs 53 stored in the egg case 47 can be confirmed at a glance. Here, it shows that it is so fresh that there are many black parts of the egg figure 77 (closer to H display). Therefore, it can be seen that the freshness of the central egg figure 77 displayed in the lower part of the display unit 73 is the lowest.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of the freshness display on the display unit 73.
Each egg graphic 78 corresponds to the egg 53 stored in each place of the egg case 47. That is, it is possible to determine at a glance whether the eggs 53 stored in the egg case 47 are used. Here, white display is used for raw food, gray display is used for heated food, and black display is used for disposal. The user can selectively use the eggs 53 according to the display. In addition, you may display combining with the example shown in FIG.

Next, an operation process of the freshness identification device 50c will be described.
The freshness identification device 50c starts freshness identification based on an instruction from the control unit 32 or support from a user. That is, the control unit 32 that has received information from the door opening / closing detection means 25 that the front door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 12 has been opened turns on the LED 52 to start freshness identification, or the user can operate the operation panel 33 or the internal operation panel. The freshness identification button 61 provided at 60 is operated to start freshness identification.

  As a premise for the freshness identification, first, the color of the surface of the egg 53 that is colored by the autofluorescence as a reference is stored in the storage unit 72 as image data. In other words, the egg 53 immediately after laying, the egg 53 on the last day of the expiration date, etc., which are the criteria for freshness identification, are photographed in advance. Here, if a large number of reference eggs 53 are prepared, freshness identification can be executed in detail. This reference image data may be performed by the manufacturer of the refrigerator 10 or may be performed by a user who has purchased the refrigerator 10. It is desirable that the image data can be changed, added, deleted, etc. with a simple operation.

  The user stores the purchased egg 53 to be identified for freshness in the egg case 47 and instructs freshness identification. And if the freshness identification apparatus 50c starts the freshness identification of the egg 53, LED52 will be lighted and UV-A will be irradiated. Then, the porphyrin attached to the eggshell surface of the egg 53 reacts and the egg 53 is colored by autofluorescence. The color of the surface of the colored egg 53 is photographed by the camera 70 and output as image data.

  The image data output from the camera 70 is processed by the image processing unit 71 in a form necessary for freshness identification. The digitization calculation unit 75 compares the processed image data with the image data of the reference egg 53 stored in the storage unit 72 and digitizes it. The freshness identification unit 76 identifies the freshness of the egg 53 that is the target of freshness identification from this numerical value. This identification result is displayed on the display unit 73. In the display unit 73, the freshness of the egg 53 is simply displayed with the egg graphic 77 and the egg graphic 78 so that the user can easily confirm the freshness of the egg 53.

  As described above, since the freshness of the food is identified, the freshness of the egg 53 can be clearly identified without visual observation. Moreover, since the freshness identification of the egg 53 is possible, without opening the front door 16 of the refrigerator compartment 12, safety | security improves further. Furthermore, since UV-A does not leak to the outside, the environment is not adversely affected.

It is sectional drawing which shows the cross section of a refrigerator. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the internal structure of a refrigerator compartment. It is sectional drawing which shows the longitudinal cross-section on an accessory case. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross section on an accessory case. It is explanatory drawing which shows the spectroscopic measurement value of the color development by the autofluorescence of an egg. It is explanatory drawing showing coloring by the autofluorescence of an egg when irradiated with UV-A. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a refrigerator compartment. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross section on an accessory case. It is sectional drawing which shows the longitudinal cross-section on an accessory case. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of a freshness identification apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the freshness display of a display part. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of the freshness display of a display part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Refrigerator, 11 Main body, 12 Refrigerated room, 13 Temperature switching room, 14 Freezer room, 15 Vegetable room, 16 Front door, 20 Compressor, 21 Cooler, 22 Fan, 23 Damper device, 24 Air path, 30 Door open / closed detection Means, 31 Internal light, 32 Control unit, 33 Control panel, 40 Cold room shelf, 41 Heat insulation wall, 42 Slide room, 43 Partition plate right, 44 Small case top, 45 Small case bottom, 46 Partition left, 47 Egg Case, 48 Colorimetric window, 49 Storage case, 50 Freshness discriminating device, 50a Freshness discriminating device, 50b Freshness discriminating device, 50c Freshness discriminating device, 51 Substrate, 52 LED, 53 Egg, 54 Film, 60 Inside operation panel, 61 freshness identification button, 62 sterilization button, 63 sterilization display lamp, 70 camera, 71 image processing unit, 72 storage unit, 73 display unit, 74 image analysis unit, 75 numerical value Calculation unit, 76 freshness identifying portion, 77 egg shapes, 78 egg shapes.

Claims (10)

A light source that emits light that excites the autofluorescence of food,
A freshness identification device, comprising: a see-through window having a bluish color for seeing through the food irradiated with the light beam. The fluoroscopic window,
The freshness identification device according to claim 1, wherein the device is made of a film, plastic, or glass having a color similar to that of spectrum light having a wavelength of about 500 nm. A light source that emits light that excites the autofluorescence of food,
A photographing device for photographing the color developed by the autofluorescence;
Storage means for storing as a reference data quantified a color image generated by autofluorescence of a reference food taken in advance;
A color image generated by the autofluorescence of the food imaged by the imaging device is digitized into measurement data, and image analysis means for comparing the measurement data with the reference data to identify the freshness of the food is provided. Freshness identification device. The freshness identification device according to claim 3, further comprising a display device that displays the food according to use in response to the digitized food freshness identification result. The light source is
The freshness identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the device irradiates ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 320 nm to 400 nm. The freshness identification device according to claim 5, wherein the light source is an LED. The refrigerator provided with the freshness identification apparatus in any one of the said Claims 1-6. It has a storage case for storing food,
The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the light beam can be irradiated to a food storage position of the storage case. Irradiate light from the light source to excite the autofluorescence of food,
The food irradiated with the light beam is seen through a transparent window with bluishness,
A freshness identification method, wherein the freshness of the food is identified by the color of the food seen through. Irradiate light from the light source to excite the autofluorescence of food,
Photographing the color developed by the autofluorescence with a photographing device,
The freshness of the food is identified by comparing the reference data obtained by digitizing the color development image of the auto-fluorescence of the reference food photographed in advance with the measurement data obtained by digitizing the color development image of the food auto-fluorescence photographed by the imaging device. A method for identifying freshness.

Images