JP2010054159A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator which includes an ion generator and improved in sterilization performance. <P>SOLUTION: The refrigerator includes: a cold air passage 32 for distributing cold air generated in a cooler 11, which is provided on the back surface of a storage chamber 2; first discharge ports 73a-73c and 74a-74c opened in an upper part of the cold passage 32 to be disposed at both lateral end parts of the storage chamber 2; a return port 2d provided in a lower part of the storage chamber 2, through which the cold air returned to the cooler 11 flows from in the storage chamber 2; a circulation passage 81 for circulating the cold air within the storage chamber 2 without through the cooler 11, which is provided to longitudinally overlap with the cold air passage 32; first suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a and 83b opened in the circulation passage 81 to be disposed at both lateral end parts of the storage chamber 2 in a lower part of the storage chamber 2; a second discharge port 84 opened in the circulation passage 81 to be disposed at the lateral center in an upper part of the storage part 2; and an ion generator 86 for generating positive ions and negative ions, which is disposed in the circulation passage 81. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator provided with an ion generator.

  A conventional refrigerator is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This refrigerator is provided with an ion generation unit having an ion generator at the center in the left-right direction at the top of the refrigerator compartment. The ion generation unit opens a suction port on the rear lower surface and opens a blower outlet in front. A circulation fan is provided in the ion generation unit, and an ion generation device is disposed on the downstream side of the circulation fan.

  By driving the circulation fan, cold air in the refrigerator compartment is taken in from the suction port and blown out from the blower outlet. Thereby, the cold air in the refrigerator compartment circulates. The ion generator generates positive ions and negative ions, and the cold air taken in from the suction port contains the ions. And the inside of a refrigerator compartment is disinfected by the positive ion and negative ion which were blown off with cold air from the blower outlet.

JP 2007-170781 (pages 5 to 13 and FIG. 2)

  However, according to the conventional refrigerator, the ion generating unit is arranged in the upper part of the refrigerating room, and both the suction port and the outlet are provided in the central part in the left-right direction of the upper part of the refrigerating room. For this reason, there is a problem that cold air containing ions circulates in the upper center of the refrigerating room, and the lower part of the refrigerating room or both ends in the left-right direction cannot be sufficiently sterilized.

  An object of this invention is to provide the refrigerator which can improve disinfection performance.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a storage chamber for storing a stored item, a cooler for generating cold air, and a cold air passage provided on the back of the storage chamber through which the cold air generated by the cooler flows. A first discharge port that opens to the upper portion of the cold air passage and discharges the cold air and is disposed at both ends of the storage chamber in the left-right direction; and cold air that is provided at the lower portion of the storage chamber and returns to the cooler. A return port that flows out from the storage chamber, a circulation passage that is provided in the front-rear direction of the cold air passage and that circulates the cold air in the storage chamber without passing through the cooler, and that opens to the circulation passage to store the storage. A first suction port that sucks in cold air from the chamber and is disposed at both ends in the left-right direction at the lower part of the storage chamber, and opens to the circulation passage to discharge cool air and at the upper central portion of the storage chamber in the left-right direction A second outlet opening in the It is characterized by comprising an ion generating device that generates positive and negative ions are disposed in the circulation passage.

  According to this configuration, the cool air generated by the cooler flows through the cool air passage and is discharged from the first discharge ports provided at both ends in the left-right direction on the back of the storage chamber. The cool air discharged from the first discharge port descends in the storage chamber, mixes with the wet cool air in the storage chamber from the first suction ports arranged at both ends, and is sucked into the circulation passage. The cold air sucked into the circulation passage flows through the circulation passage without passing through the cooler. The cool air flowing through the circulation path includes positive ions and negative ions generated by the ion generator. The ions are combined with cold water molecules flowing through the circulation passage to be clustered, and positive and negative cluster ions are discharged together with the cold air from the second discharge port arranged at the upper center of the storage chamber. Cold air and cluster ions discharged from the second discharge port are guided to the first suction ports at both lower ends, and the ions and wet cold air circulate throughout the storage chamber. Further, the cool air in the storage chamber flows out from the lower return port according to the amount of cool air supplied from the cool air passage and returns to the cooler.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the cold air passage and the circulation passage are integrally formed of a heat insulating material. According to this configuration, the duct of the cold air passage and the circulation passage is formed by integral molding of polystyrene foam or the like.

  Moreover, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the present invention provides a mounting shelf on which stored items are placed, and the first discharge port and the first suction port are communicated between the back wall of the storage chamber and the mounting shelf. It is characterized by the formation of gaps. According to this configuration, the cool air discharged from the first discharge port descends through the gap provided at the rear of the mounting shelf and is guided to the first suction port.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator configured as described above, the first suction port is disposed in the vicinity of the first discharge port.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the refrigerator having the above-mentioned configuration, a member made of a good heat conductor that forms a front surface of the circulation passage and contacts cold air flowing through the circulation passage is provided. According to this configuration, the cold air flowing through the circulation passage is in contact with the member made of the heat good conductor on the front surface, and the cold heat of the cold air is transmitted to the member to cool the member. The cold heat transmitted to the member is released from the front surface of the member to the storage chamber. When the outside air flows into the storage chamber by opening and closing the door, the cold air containing the moisture of the outside air comes into contact with the front and back surfaces of the cooled member to condense. Condensation on the surface of the member gradually evaporates and the storage chamber is moisturized. Further, cold air containing moisture due to dew condensation on the back surface of the member is guided to the ion generator, and ions are clustered.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that in the refrigerator configured as described above, a second suction port is provided in the circulation passage above the member. According to this configuration, cold air containing moisture due to condensation on the front surface of the member is guided from the second suction port to the ion generating device, and ions are clustered.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that the opening area of the second suction port is smaller than the opening area of the first suction port in the refrigerator configured as described above.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, unevenness due to bending is provided on the front surface and the back surface of the member. According to this configuration, the member is bent by pressing or drawing to form irregularities. Condensation on the front and back surfaces of the member is received and retained by the surface facing the top of the irregularities when it flows down.

  According to the present invention, the cold air passage through which the cold air from the cooler passes and the circulation passage through which the cold air circulates without passing through the cooler are arranged one after the other. In addition to being provided at both ends, the first suction port of the circulation passage can be provided at the lower part of the left and right ends, and the second discharge port can be provided at the upper center. Thereby, the cold air containing ion distribute | circulates to the lower part of a storage room, and can improve the disinfection performance of a refrigerator.

  Further, the cool air in the storage chamber sucked from the first suction port is mixed with the dry cool air discharged from the first discharge port, and discharged from the second discharge port to circulate through the entire storage chamber. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of dry cold air that comes into direct contact with the stored item, and to reduce the drying of the stored item.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment. 2 and 3 are sectional views taken along lines AA and BB in FIG. The refrigerator 1 is provided with a refrigerator compartment 2 at the top, and below the refrigerator compartment 2, a temperature switching chamber 3 and an ice making chamber 4 are arranged side by side. A freezing room 6 is arranged below the temperature switching room 3 and the ice making room 4, and a vegetable room 5 is arranged below the freezing room 6.

  The refrigerator compartment 2 is opened and closed by a rotating door 2a to store stored items in a refrigerator. The vegetable compartment 5 is opened and closed by a drawer-type door 5a integrated with the storage case 5b, and the vegetables are cooled and stored at a higher room temperature (about 8 ° C.) than the refrigerator compartment 2. The temperature switching chamber 3 is opened and closed by a door (not shown), and the room temperature can be switched by the user as will be described in detail later.

  The freezer compartment 6 is opened and closed by a drawer-type door 6a integrated with the storage case 6b to store the stored items in a frozen state. The ice making chamber 4 is opened and closed by a door 4a integrated with the ice storage container 4b, and communicates with the freezing chamber 6 to make ice. The ice making chamber 4 and the freezing chamber 6 are maintained below the freezing point.

  In the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2, a chilled chamber 21, an accessory storage chamber 102, and a water tank chamber 103, which are isolated chambers, are arranged side by side. The chilled chamber 21 is maintained, for example, in a chilled temperature range (about 0 ° C.), which is a temperature range lower than that in the refrigerator compartment 2. An ice greenhouse maintained at an ice temperature (about −3 ° C.) may be provided instead of the chilled chamber 21. In the water tank chamber 103, a water tank 103a for ice making is detachably stored. The accessory storage chamber 102 is disposed in front of a cold air passage 32, which will be described in detail later, and has an accessory case 102a for storing accessories such as eggs.

  The main body of the refrigerator 1 is formed by filling a foam heat insulating material 1c between the outer box 1a and the inner box 1b. The ice making chamber 4 and the temperature switching chamber 3 are separated from the refrigerator compartment 2 by a heat insulating wall 7, and the freezer compartment 6 and the vegetable compartment 5 are separated from each other by a heat insulating wall 8. Further, the temperature switching chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 6 are isolated by a heat insulating wall 35, and the temperature switching chamber 3 and the ice making chamber 4 are isolated by a vertical heat insulating wall 36.

  When the foam heat insulating material 1c is filled between the outer box 1a and the inner box 1b, the heat insulating walls 7 and 8 are filled simultaneously. That is, the stock solution of the foam heat insulating material 1c is injected simultaneously between the outer box 1a and the inner box 1b and into the heat insulating walls 7 and 8 communicating with the outer box 1a, and is foamed integrally. By filling the heat insulating walls 7 and 8 simultaneously with the space between the outer box 1a and the inner box 1b with the foam heat insulating material 1c such as urethane foam heat insulating material, the heat insulating walls 7 and 8 can be easily formed thin. Therefore, the internal volume of the refrigerator 1 can be secured widely.

  The refrigerator compartment 2 is provided with a plurality of placement shelves 41 on which stored items are placed. In the present embodiment, the mounting shelf 41 is provided in three stages up and down. A plurality of storage pockets 42 are provided on the door 2 a of the refrigerator compartment 2. A machine room 50 is provided behind the vegetable room 5, and a compressor 57 is disposed in the machine room 50. A condenser, an expander (all not shown), and a cooler 11 are connected to the compressor 57 in order, and a refrigerant such as isobutane is circulated by driving the compressor 57 to constitute a refrigeration cycle. Thereby, the cooler 11 becomes the low temperature side of the refrigeration cycle.

  Behind the freezer compartment 6 is provided a cold air passage 31 partitioned by a back plate 6c. As will be described in detail later, the cold air passage 31 communicates with the cold air passage 32 disposed behind the refrigerator compartment 2 via the refrigerator compartment damper 20. The cool air passage 31 is partitioned into a front part 31a and a rear part 31b by a partition plate 31c, and the cooler 11 is arranged in the rear part 31b. The cooler 11 is formed by meandering refrigerant pipes 11a through which refrigerant flows, and left and right ends of the refrigerant pipes 11a are supported by end plates 11b. A large number of fins (not shown) for heat dissipation are provided in contact with the refrigerant pipe 11a. A gas-liquid separator 45 is connected to the upper part of the refrigerant pipe 11a.

  The cooler 11 on the low temperature side of the refrigeration cycle exchanges heat with the air flowing through the rear portion 31b of the cool air passage 31 to generate cool air. Since the cooler 11 is arranged on the back side of the freezer compartment 6, the cold heat of the cooler 11 is released to the freezer compartment 6 side through the partition plate 31c and the back plate 6c. For this reason, the freezer compartment 6 is cooled efficiently and the cooling efficiency is improved.

  A defrost heater 33 for defrosting the cooler 11 is provided below the cooler 11. Below the defrost heater 33, a drain pan 63 for receiving water by defrost is provided. The drain pan 63 is provided with a drain pipe 64, and drain water is guided to the evaporation tray (not shown) disposed in the machine room 50 through the drain pipe 64.

  A freezer compartment blower 12 composed of an axial fan is disposed in the cold air passage 31 with the rotational axis direction horizontal. The cold air passage 31 is provided with an opening (not shown) facing the ice making chamber 4 in front of the freezer blower 12 and discharge ports 6d and 6e facing the storage case 6b of the freezer compartment 6. Thereby, when the freezer compartment fan 12 is driven, cold air is sent to the ice making compartment 4 and the freezer compartment 6. In the lower part of the freezer compartment 6, there is provided a return port 22 that opens in front of the cooler 11 and returns cool air to the cooler 11.

  The cooler 11 is disposed in the left-right direction so as to be biased toward the ice making chamber 4, and a communication path 34 that connects the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 is disposed on the side of the cooler 11. Further, the refrigerator compartment damper 20 and the freezer compartment fan 12 are arranged in the vertical direction so as to be biased in the same direction as the cooler 11. That is, the refrigerator compartment damper 20 and the freezer compartment fan 12 are arranged so as to overlap in the planar projection. Thereby, while the width | variety of the left-right direction of the refrigerator 1 can be narrowed, the cool air passages 31 and 32 can be shortened and volume efficiency and ventilation efficiency can be improved.

  Further, in order to secure a large volume of the temperature switching chamber 3, the vertical heat insulating wall 36 that separates the temperature switching chamber 3 and the ice making chamber 4 is arranged to be shifted to the left side in FIG. 1. When the front portion 31 a of the cold air passage 31 and the refrigerator compartment damper 20 are provided behind the temperature switching chamber 3, heat is released from the temperature switching chamber 3 to the cold air in the cold air passage 31.

  The cold air flowing through the cold air passage 31 is, for example, −23 ° C., and if the temperature switching chamber 3 is controlled to a temperature higher than the cold air (for example, 3 ° C., 8 ° C., 50 ° C.), heat loss increases. For this reason, the refrigerator compartment damper 20 and the front part 31a of the cold air passage 31 are provided behind the vertical heat insulating wall 36 or on the left side thereof to prevent heat from being released from the temperature switching chamber 3 to the cold air. Thereby, cooling efficiency can be improved more.

  The temperature switching chamber 3 is connected to an introduction ventilation path 15 that branches from the cold air passage 31 and guides the cold air. A temperature switching chamber blower 18 and a heater 16 are disposed at the rear of the temperature switching chamber 3. A temperature switching chamber discharge damper 37 is provided at the lower left portion of the temperature switching chamber 3. The temperature switching chamber discharge damper 37 is arranged in the introduction ventilation path 15, and the temperature switching chamber blower 18 is arranged in the upper part of the introduction ventilation path 15.

  When the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 37 is opened and the temperature switching chamber blower 18 is driven, cold air flows from the cooler 11 into the temperature switching chamber 3 through the introduction ventilation path 15. The amount of air flowing into the temperature switching chamber 3 from the introduction ventilation path 15 is adjusted by the opening / closing amount of the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 37. In addition to the heater 16, the temperature switching chamber 3 may be provided with a panel heater at the bottom.

  A temperature switching chamber return damper 38 is provided below the temperature switching chamber 3. The temperature switching chamber return damper 38 opens and closes the return passage 17 extending downward, and the air in the temperature switching chamber 3 returns to the cool air passage 31 via the return passage 17.

  Note that when the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 is set to a high temperature, the air in the introduction ventilation path 15 and the return path 17 is lower in temperature than the air in the temperature switching chamber 3. Hot air rises in the temperature switching chamber 3, and a temperature switching chamber discharge damper 37 and a temperature switching chamber return damper 38 are provided in the lower part of the temperature switching chamber 3. For this reason, leakage of hot air from the temperature switching chamber 3 to the introduction ventilation path 15 and the return path 17 can be reduced.

  The air flowing through the return passage 17 is returned to the cooler 11 from an outlet 17a provided in the middle of the cooler 11 in the vertical direction. The cool air flowing out of the freezer compartment 6 through the freezer compartment return port 22 returns to the lower part of the cooler 11. Moreover, cold air | gas returns from the vegetable compartment 5 to the downward direction of the cooler 11 via the return channel | path 46 (refer FIG. 2).

  Therefore, the cold air flowing out from each storage chamber is returned to the cooler 11 in a dispersed manner. For this reason, the frost by the cold air containing the water | moisture content which circulated through each store room and returned does not generate | occur | produce intensively, but disperse | distributes and generate | occur | produces in the whole cooler 11. Thereby, clogging of the cold air flow due to frost is prevented, and a decrease in cooling performance of the cooler 11 can be prevented.

  In addition, the cold air that has flowed through the temperature switching chamber 3 with a small volume is cooled at the upper part of the cooler 11, and the cold air that has flowed through the cold room 3, the vegetable room 5, and the freezer room 6 with a large capacity is Cooled by. Therefore, the cold air flowing out from the temperature switching chamber 3 is not heat exchanged with the cooler 11 more than necessary, and the heat exchange efficiency of the cooler 11 can be improved.

  A cool air passage 32 and a circulation passage 81 are provided behind the refrigerating chamber 2 so as to overlap each other. In FIG. 1, the front shape of the circulation passage 81 is indicated by a broken line D1, and in FIG. 4, the front shape of the cool air passage 32 is indicated by a broken line D2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. Above the accessory storage chamber 102 of the cold air passage 32 and the circulation passage 81 are integrally formed by a cooling panel 70 disposed on the back surface of the refrigerator compartment 2, and the circulation passage 81 is disposed in front of the cold air passage 32.

  The cooling panel 70 has a rectangular front shape, and includes a panel base 71 and a member 72. The panel base 71 is formed of a molded product of a heat insulating material such as polystyrene foam, and integrally forms the outer shapes of the cold air passage 32 and the circulation passage 81.

  The member 72 is disposed on the front surface of the panel base 71, and the front shape is formed in a substantially rectangular shape by a good heat conductor such as a metal plate. As the material of the member 72, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, brass, plated steel plate, or the like can be selected. It is more desirable that the member 72 is made of aluminum in consideration of thermal conductivity, rust prevention, strength, lightness, price, and the like. The thickness of the member 72 is 0.5 mm to 1 mm. Thereby, while being able to have sufficient livestock cooling performance and heat conductive performance, it is cheap and can obtain high intensity | strength. The member 72 forms the front surface of the circulation passage 81, and the cold air flowing through the circulation passage 81 is in contact with the member 72.

  3 and 4, the cold air passage 32 extends upward from the refrigerator compartment damper 20, and an inflow portion 32 c having a narrow lateral width is provided in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2 behind the accessory storage chamber 102. A refrigerator compartment fan 23 is disposed in the inflow portion 32c. The refrigerating room blower 23 is composed of an axial fan, and the cold air is circulated through the cold passage 32 by opening the refrigerating room damper 20 and driving the refrigerating room blower 23.

  The cold air immediately after flowing into the cold air passage 32 from the refrigerator compartment damper 20 is extremely low temperature (about −20 ° C. to −18 ° C.). For this reason, the heat insulating material 107 is arranged on the inner side of the lower part of the cold air passage 32. Thereby, dew condensation on the back wall surface of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be prevented.

  On the downstream side of the refrigerator compartment damper 20, the back wall of the refrigerator compartment 2 is inclined, and the depth of the lower part of the cold air passage 32 is reduced to about 10 mm. Thereby, the depth of the cold air | gas channel | path 32 can be formed narrowly, and the depth of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be ensured widely. Moreover, the refrigerator compartment damper 20 is arrange | positioned in the position which one part overlaps with the heat insulation wall 7 in front projection. For this reason, the amount by which the refrigerator compartment damper 20 protrudes into the refrigerator compartment 2 and the freezer compartment 6 can be reduced, and the refrigerator compartment 2 and the refrigerator compartment 6 can be formed widely.

  The cool air passage 32 branches right and left above the inflow portion 32c, and has a right passage 32a and a left passage 32b in the upper portion. A plurality of discharge ports 73a, 73b, and 73c are provided at the side end of the right passage 32a so as to open sideways from the top. A plurality of discharge ports 74a, 74b, and 74c are provided at the side end of the left passage 32b in order from the top and open to the side. Accordingly, the discharge ports 73 a to 73 c and 74 a to 74 c (first discharge ports) are arranged at both ends in the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 2.

  Further, the upper discharge ports 73a and 74a are provided above the first stage mounting shelf 41 from the top. The middle-stage discharge ports 73b and 74b are provided between the first-stage mounting shelf 41 and the second-stage mounting shelf 41 from the top. The lower discharge ports 73c and 74c are provided between the second-stage mounting shelf 41 and the third-stage mounting shelf 41 from the top.

  The opening areas of the middle and lower discharge ports 73b, 73c, 74b, and 74c are smaller than the opening areas of the upper discharge ports 73a and 74a. Accordingly, the amount of cool air discharged from the lower discharge ports 73b, 73c, 74b, and 74c close to the cool air inflow side of the cool air passage 32 and close to the return port 2d arranged in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2 is limited. Accordingly, the cold air can be guided to the upper part of the cold air passage 32.

  Discharge ports 75 and 76 that discharge cool air to the chilled chamber 21 are provided at the lower end of the right passage 32a. Since the cold air immediately after flowing into the cold air passage 32 from the refrigerator compartment damper 20 is discharged from the discharge ports 75 and 76 to the chilled chamber 21, the chilled chamber 21 can be maintained at a low temperature.

  A return port 2d through which cold air from the refrigerator compartment 2 flows out is provided at the lower back of the chilled chamber 21. From the return port 2d, a communication passage 34 for communicating the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 is led out. The upper part of the communication path 34 faces the return port 2d and is provided with a cold air return part 34a extending from the left end to the right end of the chilled chamber 21, and the lower part of the communication path 34 extends downward from the right part of the cold air return part 34a.

  An inflow port 5 c that opens to the vegetable compartment 5 is provided at the lower end of the communication path 34. A return passage 46 (see FIG. 2) is provided in the upper part of the vegetable compartment 5 so as to open the front of the vegetable compartment 5 and the front of the cold air passage 31 and return the cold air below the cooler 11.

  1 and 2, the circulation passage 81 has a back surface portion 81 a formed on the back surface of the refrigerator compartment 2 by the cooling panel 70 and a ceiling portion 81 d formed on the ceiling surface of the refrigerator compartment 2. The ceiling portion 81d is provided extending in the front-rear direction. A circulation blower 85 is disposed at the rear of the ceiling 81d, and a discharge port 84 (second discharge port) is provided at the front end. An ion generator 86 that generates ions is disposed between the circulation fan 85 and the discharge port 84.

  FIG. 6 shows a top view of the top surface portion 81d. The ceiling part 81d is arranged in the center part in the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 2, and the discharge port 84 opens at the front end. The circulation fan 85 is composed of a centrifugal fan and exhausts air from a position biased to the left in the drawing. For this reason, the ion generator 86 is biased to the left.

  The ion generator 86 includes electrodes 86a and 86b that generate ions when a high voltage is applied, and the electrodes 86a and 86b are arranged facing cold air passing through the ceiling portion 81d. By disposing the ion generator 86 between the circulation fan 85 and the discharge port 84, the disappearance of ions due to the collision with the circulation fan 85 can be prevented. In addition, an electrode for generating ions may be disposed on the ceiling portion 81d, and the power supply unit of the ion generator 86 may be disposed at another position.

A voltage having an AC waveform or an impulse waveform is applied to the electrodes 86a and 86b of the ion generator 86. A positive voltage is applied to the electrode 86a, and ions generated by ionization combine with moisture in the air to generate positively clustered ions mainly composed of H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m. A negative voltage is applied to the electrode 86b, and ions generated by ionization combine with moisture in the air to generate negatively clustered ions mainly composed of O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n. Here, m and n are arbitrary natural numbers. H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m and O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n agglomerate and surround the surface of airborne bacteria, odorous components, and stored bacteria.

Then, as shown in the formulas (1) to (3), the active species [.OH] (hydroxyl radical) and H ₂ O ₂ (hydrogen peroxide) are aggregated and formed on the surface of the microorganism or the like by collision. Destroy airborne bacteria and odor components. Here, m ′ and n ′ are arbitrary natural numbers. Accordingly, by generating positive ions and negative ions and discharging them from the discharge port 84, it is possible to sterilize the room and remove odors.

H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m + O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n → OH + 1 / 2O ₂ + (m + n) H ₂ O (1)
_{^{H + (H 2 O) m}} + H + (H 2 O) m '+ O 2 - (H 2 O) n + O 2 - (H 2 O) n'
→ 2 OH + O ₂ + (m + m ′ + n + n ′) H ₂ O (2)
_{^{H + (H 2 O) m}} + H + (H 2 O) m '+ O 2 - (H 2 O) n + O 2 - (H 2 O) n'
→ H ₂ O ₂ + O ₂ + (m + m ′ + n + n ′) H ₂ O (3)

  The back surface portion 81a has a vertical passage 81b and a horizontal passage 81c. The vertical passage 81b extends up and down at the center in the left-right direction and communicates with the ceiling 81d. The horizontal passage 81c is formed extending horizontally in a comb shape from the lower portion of the vertical passage 81b, and suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b (first suction ports) through which the cool air in the refrigerator compartment 2 is sucked by driving of the circulating fan 85. Is provided. Thereby, the suction inlets 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b are arranged in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2.

  The suction ports 82a and 82b open laterally at the right end of the lateral passage 81c, and the suction ports 83a and 83b open laterally at the left end of the lateral passage 81c. Thereby, the suction inlets 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b are arranged at both ends in the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 2. The upper suction ports 82a and 83a are arranged between the second stage mounting shelf 41 and the third stage mounting shelf 41 from the top. The lower suction ports 82b and 83b are arranged below the mounting shelf 41 in the third row from the top.

  The top surface portion 81d is provided with a suction port 87 (second suction port) facing the suction side of the circulation fan 85. The suction port 87 has a smaller opening area than the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b. For example, the opening area of the suction port 87 is formed to about 2 mm × 100 mm, and the opening areas of the suction ports 82 a, 82 b, 83 a, 83 b are formed to about 8 mm × 50 mm to 8 mm × 90 mm. Thereby, the inflow of cold air from the upper discharge ports 73a and 74a to the suction port 87 disposed in the central portion in the left-right direction can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a gap 88 is formed on the side of the cooling panel 70 between the rear end of the mounting shelf 41 and the back surface of the refrigerator compartment 2. Thereby, the duct by the clearance gap 88 is formed between the discharge ports 73a to 73c and the suction ports 82a and 82b and between the discharge ports 74a to 74c and the suction ports 83a and 83b.

  In the refrigerator 1 having the above configuration, when the freezer blower 12 is driven, the cold air generated by the cooler 11 is discharged into the ice making chamber 4 and is discharged into the freezer compartment 6 through the discharge ports 6d and 6e. The cold air discharged into the ice making chamber 4 circulates through the ice making chamber 4, mixes with the cold air discharged into the freezing chamber 6, and flows through the freezing chamber 6. The cold air flowing through the ice making chamber 4 and the freezer compartment 6 flows out from the freezer return port 22 and returns to the cooler 11. As a result, the ice making chamber 4 and the freezing chamber 6 are cooled.

  When the refrigerator compartment damper 20 is opened, the refrigerator compartment fan 23 and the circulation fan 85 are driven. At this time, the wind speed of the refrigerator compartment fan 23 is set lower than the wind speed of the circulation fan 85. The cold air branched on the exhaust side of the freezer compartment fan 12 by the driving of the refrigerator compartment fan 23 circulates in the cold passage 32. The cold air flowing through the cold air passage 32 branches into a right passage 32a and a left passage 32b. A part of the cold air passing through the right passage 32a is discharged into the chilled chamber 21 through the discharge ports 75 and 76 as shown by an arrow A1 (see FIG. 4). The cold air flowing through the chilled chamber 21 flows out from the return port 2d.

  Moreover, the cold air | gas which distribute | circulates the right channel | path 32a and the left channel | path 32b is discharged to the refrigerator compartment 2 as shown by arrow A2 (refer FIG. 4, FIG. 5) via discharge port 73a-73c, 74a-74c. At this time, since the wind speed of the refrigerating room blower 23 is low, the cold air discharged from the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c toward the side flows along the side wall of the refrigerating room 2 to the front. Further, some of the cool air discharged from the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c descends through the gap 88 behind the mounting shelf 41.

  The cool air flowing forward along the side wall from the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c cools the stored items on the mounting shelf 41 from the surroundings, and descends the front of the mounting shelf 41 along the side wall. And it is guide | induced to the suction inlets 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b, and the return port 2d. A part of the cool air introduced to the return port 2 d cools the stored items in the accessory storage chamber 102 and the water tank 103 a in the water tank chamber 103.

  A part of the cool air descending in front of the mounting shelf 41 and the cool air descending the gap 88 are mixed with the moist cool air in the refrigerator compartment 2. Then, the cold air containing moisture is sucked into the circulation passage 81 from the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b as shown by an arrow A3 (see FIGS. 1 and 5). The cold air sucked into the circulation passage 81 rises in the circulation passage 81. Further, the cold air in the refrigerator compartment 2 is sucked into the top surface portion 81d of the circulation passage 81 as shown by an arrow A4 (see FIG. 2) from the suction port 87.

  The cold air flowing through the circulation passage 81 includes ions generated by the ion generator 86. Cold air containing ions is discharged from the discharge port 84 of the circulation passage 81 to the refrigerator compartment 2 as indicated by an arrow A5 (see FIGS. 2 and 6). At this time, cool air is discharged obliquely downward from the discharge port 84 toward the upper door pocket 42 and the mounting shelf 41. Thereby, the inside of the door pocket 42 is cooled and sterilized, and cold air containing ions descends in front of the mounting shelf 41. Since the moisture in the cold air flowing through the circulation passage 81 is increased, the ions are clustered by binding with water molecules and are not easily lost, and the positive and negative ions reach the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2.

  The cold air discharged from the discharge port 84 to the refrigerator compartment 2 descends in front of the mounting shelf 41 and is guided to the return port 2d and partly to the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a and 83b. Thereby, the cool air in the refrigerator compartment 2 circulates through the circulation passage 81 without passing through the cooler 11. Moreover, since the discharge port 84 opens in the center part of the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 2, the cold air discharged from the center part of the top | upper surface is in the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b distribute | arranged to the both ends of the left-right direction. Led. Thereby, cold air containing ions and moisture spreads to the lower rear of the refrigerator compartment 2, and the entire refrigerator compartment 2 is cooled and sterilized.

  Further, the cold air flowing through the circulation passage 81 and the cold heat discharged from the discharge ports 73 a to 73 c and 74 a to 74 c are transmitted to the member 72. Since the member 72 has high thermal conductivity, the temperature is made uniform, and cold heat is released from the entire back surface of the refrigerator compartment 2. Thereby, the temperature distribution of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be equalized.

  Furthermore, when the door 2a is opened and the outside air flows into the refrigerator compartment 2, the surface of the member 72 becomes cloudy due to condensation of outside water. The condensed moisture is then evaporated by the circulation of cold air and released into the refrigerator compartment 2. Therefore, the refrigerator 72 is moisturized by the member 72. At this time, dew condensation also occurs on the back side of the member 72 facing the back surface part 81a of the circulation passage 81, so that a wide dew condensation area can be secured and the moisturizing effect can be improved.

  When unevenness due to bending is provided on the front surface and the back surface of the member 72, the dew condensation water flowing down on the member 72 can be accumulated on the surface facing the upper surface of the unevenness to further improve the moisturizing effect. Unevenness can be easily formed by bending by pressing or drawing. The unevenness may be a groove shape or a rail shape extending in the horizontal direction, or may be a number of dimple shapes. Further, even if a water storage part (not shown) that stores condensed water is provided at the lower end of the back surface part 81a, the moisture retaining effect can be further improved by storing the condensed water flowing down the member 72 in the water storage part.

  The return port 2d is arranged to be deviated to the left of the chilled chamber 21 and is arranged in the vicinity of the central portion in the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 2. For this reason, the refrigerator compartment 2 can be cooled more uniformly by the cool air led to the return port 2d from the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c at both ends in the left-right direction.

  The cold air flowing out of the refrigerator compartment 2 through the return port 2d passes through the communication path 34 and flows into the vegetable compartment 5 from the inlet 5c. At this time, since the inflow port 5c is provided above the vegetable compartment 2, the communication path 34 is formed short, and the pressure loss can be reduced. The cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 5 flows through the vegetable compartment 5 and returns to the cooler 11 via the return passage 46. Thereby, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 is cooled, and when it reaches preset temperature, the refrigerator compartment damper 20 is closed and the refrigerator compartment fan 23 and the circulation fan 85 are stopped.

  In addition, the cold air branched on the exhaust side of the freezer compartment fan 12 flows into the temperature change chamber 3 via the temperature change chamber discharge damper 37 by driving the temperature change chamber fan 18. The cold air that has flowed into the temperature switching chamber 3 flows through the temperature switching chamber 3, flows out of the temperature switching chamber return damper 38, and returns to the cooler 11 through the return passage 17. Thereby, the inside of the temperature switching chamber 3 is cooled.

  As described above, the temperature switching chamber 3 can switch the room temperature by a user's operation. The operation modes of the temperature switching chamber 3 are wine (8 ° C.), refrigeration (3 ° C.), chilled (0 ° C.), soft freezing (−8 ° C.), and freezing (−15 ° C.) depending on the temperature zone. Provided.

  Thereby, the user can preserve | save the stored item at the desired temperature. The room temperature can be switched by varying the amount of opening of the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 37. For example, the heater 16 may be energized to switch the temperature from the refrigerated room temperature to the refrigerated room temperature. Thereby, it can switch to desired room temperature rapidly.

  By energizing the heater 16, the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 can be switched from a low temperature side where the stored items are cooled and stored to a high temperature side higher than normal temperature. Thereby, temporary heat insulation, warm cooking, etc. of the cooked heated food can be performed.

  Since the growth temperature of the main food poisoning bacteria is 30 ° C. to 45 ° C., the indoor temperature on the high temperature side is preferably set to 50 ° C. or more in consideration of the tolerance of the heater capacity, the temperature distribution in the temperature switching chamber 3, and the like. Thereby, propagation of food poisoning bacteria can be prevented.

  Moreover, since the heat-resistant temperature of the general resin parts used for a refrigerator is 80 degreeC, when the room temperature of a high temperature side shall be 80 degrees C or less, it can implement | achieve cheaply. In addition, in order to sterilize food poisoning bacteria, for example, in the case of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (pathogenic E. coli O157), heating at 75 ° C. for 1 minute is required. Therefore, it is more desirable to set the indoor temperature on the high temperature side to 75 ° C. to 80 ° C.

The following are test results on sterilization of food poisoning bacteria at 55 ° C. In the initial state, E. coli 2.4 × 10 ³ CFU / mL, Staphylococcus aureus 2.0 × 10 ³ CFU / mL, Salmonella 2.1 × 10 ³ CFU / mL, Vibrio parahaemolyticus 1.5 × 10 ³ CFU / ML, Cereus 4.0 × 10 ³ CFU / mL. This test sample was heated from 3 ° C. to 55 ° C. over 40 minutes, kept at 55 ° C. for 3.5 hours, then returned from 55 ° C. to 3 ° C. over 80 minutes, and the amount of each bacterium was examined again. As a result, all the bacteria were reduced to a level of 10 CFU / mL or less (not detected). Therefore, even if the set temperature on the high temperature side of the temperature switching chamber 3 is 55 ° C., there is a sufficient sterilization effect.

  According to the present embodiment, the cold air passage 32 through which the cold air from the cooler 11 passes and the circulation passage 81 through which the cold air circulates without passing through the cooler 11 are arranged in the front-rear direction, so the discharge ports 73a to 73c, 74a to 74c (first discharge port) is provided at both ends in the left and right direction of the upper part of the back surface, and suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b (first suction ports) are provided at the lower part of the left and right ends to provide a discharge port 84 (second discharge port). An outlet) can be provided at the upper center. Thereby, the cold air containing ion can distribute | circulate to the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be made uniform, and the disinfection performance of the refrigerator 1 can be improved.

  Further, the cool air in the refrigerator compartment 2 sucked from the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a and 83b is mixed with the dry cold air discharged from the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c and discharged from the discharge port 84 to be stored in the refrigerator chamber. 2 is distributed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of dry cold air that comes into direct contact with the stored item, and to reduce the drying of the stored item.

  Further, since the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b are provided below the discharge ports 73a-73c, 74a-74c, the cold air discharged from the discharge ports 73a-73c, 74a-74c is lowered by its own weight, and the suction port 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b are smoothly guided. Therefore, the contact between the cold air discharged from the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c and the stored item can be further reduced. In addition, the discharge port 84 should just open at least the center part of the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 2, and may be spread and formed from the center part to right and left.

  Further, since the cold air passage 32 and the circulation passage 81 are integrally formed of a heat insulating material, the depth of the cold air passage 32 and the circulation passage 81 that overlap in the front and rear directions can be reduced. Therefore, the volumetric efficiency of the refrigerator 1 can be improved.

  Moreover, since the clearance gap 88 which connects discharge port 73a-73c, 74a-74c and suction port 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b between the back wall of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the mounting shelf 41 was formed, it is smoother Cold air can be guided to the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b.

  The upper suction ports 82a and 83a and the lower discharge ports 73c and 74c are both provided between the second-stage mounting shelf 41 and the third-stage mounting shelf 41 from above, and the suction ports 82a, 83a is arranged in the vicinity of the discharge ports 73c and 74c, respectively. Therefore, the cool air discharged from the discharge ports 73c and 74c can be more smoothly guided to the suction ports 82a and 83a.

  Moreover, since the member 72 made of a good heat conductor that forms the front surface of the circulation passage 81 and contacts the cold air flowing through the circulation passage 81 is provided, the cold air in the refrigerator compartment 2 comes into contact with the front surface and the rear surface of the member 42. For this reason, when the humidity in the refrigerator compartment 2 rises due to inflow of outside air or the like, dew condensation occurs on the front and back surfaces of the member 42 and the surface of the member 42 becomes cloudy, and then the dew condensation evaporates. Therefore, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be moisturized, and the drying of stored items can be reduced.

  In addition, since moisture due to condensation on the back surface of the member 72 is contained in the cold air flowing through the circulation passage 81, a large amount of wet cold air is supplied to the ion generator 86, and the cluster ions are increased in size and contain a large amount of water molecules. . Thereby, it is possible to extend the life of ions and supply them to the entire refrigerator 2.

  In addition, since the suction port 87 is provided in the circulation passage 81 above the member 72, cold air containing moisture due to condensation generated on the front surface of the member 72 is supplied from the suction port 87 to the ion generator 86. Thereby, more damp cold can be supplied to the ion generator 86, and the life of ions can be extended.

  Further, since the opening area of the suction port 87 is smaller than the opening area of the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b, the cold air from the upper discharge ports 73a, 74a to the suction port 87 arranged in the center in the left-right direction Inflow can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of the dry cold air that comes into direct contact with the stored item arranged in the upper stage.

  According to this invention, it can utilize for the refrigerator provided with the ion generator.

The front view which shows the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention AA sectional view of FIG. BB sectional view of FIG. The front view which shows the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention CC sectional view of FIG. The top view which shows the top | upper surface part of the circulation path of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Refrigerated room 2d Return port 3 Temperature switching room 4 Ice making room 5 Vegetable room 6 Freezer room 7, 8, 35 Insulation wall 11 Cooler 12 Freezer room blower 15 Introduction ventilation path 16 Heater 17, 46 Return path 18 Temperature switching room Blower 20 Refrigerating room damper 21 Chilled room 23 Refrigerating room blower 31, 32 Cold air passage 37 Temperature switching chamber discharge damper 38 Temperature switching chamber return damper 41 Mounting shelf 70 Cooling panel 71 Panel base 72 Member 73a-73c, 74a-74c Discharge port (First discharge port)
81 Circulation passage 81a Back surface portion 81d Top surface portion 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b, 87 Suction port 84 Discharge port (second discharge port)
85 Circulating fan 86 Ion generator 88 Clearance 102 Small article storage room 103 Water tank room

Claims (8)

  A storage chamber for storing stored items, a cooler for generating cold air, a cool air passage provided at the back of the storage chamber through which the cool air generated by the cooler flows, and an upper portion of the cool air passage to open the cool air A first discharge port disposed at both ends in the left-right direction of the storage chamber, a return port through which cool air provided at a lower portion of the storage chamber and returning to the cooler flows out of the storage chamber, A circulation passage that is provided in the front-rear direction of the cold air passage and through which the cold air in the storage chamber circulates without passing through the cooler, and that opens into the circulation passage to suck in the cold air from the storage chamber and lowers the storage chamber A first suction port disposed at both ends in the left and right direction, a second discharge port that opens to the circulation passage and discharges cool air and opens at a central portion in the left and right direction at the upper part of the storage chamber, and the circulation Plasio placed in the passage Refrigerator, characterized in that that a ion generating device for generating the negative ions.   The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the cold air passage and the circulation passage are integrally formed of a heat insulating material.   A mounting shelf for mounting stored items is provided, and a gap is formed between the back wall of the storage chamber and the mounting shelf to communicate the first discharge port and the first suction port. Item 3. The refrigerator according to Item 2.   The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the first suction port is disposed in the vicinity of the first discharge port.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a member made of a good heat conductor that forms a front surface of the circulation passage and contacts cold air flowing through the circulation passage.   6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the circulation passage is provided with a second suction port above the member.   The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein an opening area of the second suction port is smaller than an opening area of the first suction port.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein unevenness by bending is provided on a front surface and a back surface of the member.

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