JP2010151334A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator improving ion generation efficiency while supplying ions uniformly into a storage chamber. <P>SOLUTION: The refrigerator includes the storage chamber 2 storing stored food; a cooler 11 generating cold air; a cold air passage 32 supplying the cold air generated in the cooler 11, to the storage chamber 2 through discharge ports 73a-73d, 74a-74d, 84; a blower 23 guiding the cold air to the cold air passage 32; and an ion generator 86 disposed in the cold air passage 32 to generate ions. The cold air passage 32 has a widened part 32f widened over the right and left sides of the storage chamber 2 downstream of the blower 23, and the ion generator 86 is disposed at the widened part 32f. A discharge port 84 downstream of the ion generator 86 is provided over the right and left sides. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

  A conventional refrigerator is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This refrigerator has a cooler at the bottom and a refrigerator compartment at the top. A blower is provided in the vicinity of the cooler. A cold air passage through which the cold air is guided from the cooler by driving the blower is disposed on the back of the refrigerator compartment. The cold air passage is bent along the periphery of the refrigerator compartment and is provided at the left end portion, the upper end portion and the right end portion of the refrigerator compartment, and a plurality of discharge ports are opened. A return opening is provided in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment, and a return passage extending downward from the return opening to return the cool air to the cooler is provided.

  When the blower is driven, the cold air generated by the cooler is guided upward from the lower part of the refrigerator and flows through the cold air passage. The cold air flowing through the cold air passage is discharged from a discharge port arranged in the peripheral part of the refrigerator compartment. The cold air discharged from the discharge port flows through the refrigerator compartment, flows into the return passage from the return port, and returns to the cooler. Thereby, the refrigerator compartment is cooled.

  An ion generator that generates negative ions is provided at the upper end of the cold air passage. The cold air flowing through the cold air passage contains negative ions and is discharged from the discharge port at the left end portion on the downstream side of the ion generator. Thereby, a negative ion can distribute | circulate in a refrigerator compartment and food odor can be reduced.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-14365 (pages 4-7, FIG. 2)

  However, according to the above conventional refrigerator, there is a problem in that ions are not uniformly supplied into the refrigerator compartment because the discharge outlet for discharging ions is arranged to the left of the refrigerator compartment. Further, since the cold air passage is arranged along the periphery of the refrigerator compartment, the flow passage area is narrowed. For this reason, when the amount of cold air increases, ions collide with each other and disappear. Thereby, there also existed a problem that the generation efficiency of ion became low.

  An object of this invention is to provide the refrigerator which can improve the generation | occurrence | production efficiency of ion while supplying ion uniformly in a storage chamber.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a storage chamber for storing stored items, a cooler for generating cold air, and a cold air passage for supplying the cool air generated by the cooler to the storage chamber through a discharge port. An air blower that guides cold air to the cold air passage and an ion generator that is arranged in the cold air passage to generate ions, and the cold air passage has a widened portion that is widened across the left and right sides of the storage chamber downstream of the blower. And the said ion generator is arrange | positioned in the said wide part, and the said discharge outlet downstream of the said ion generator is provided over left and right.

  According to this configuration, when the blower is driven, the cool air generated by the cooler flows through the cool air passage, passes through the blower, and flows through the widened portion widened across the left and right sides of the storage chamber. The cold air flowing through the widened portion includes ions generated by an ion generator arranged in the widened portion. Cold air containing ions flows through the cold air passage and is discharged into the storage chamber from the discharge port provided over the left and right sides of the refrigerator compartment.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the ion generating device is arranged in one of the divided passages obtained by dividing the widened portion, and the divided passages merge downstream of the ion generating device. . According to this configuration, the cold air flowing through the cold air passage is branched into a plurality of divided passages at the widened portion, and the ion generator is arranged in the divided passage passing through the central portion. The cold air containing ions merges with the cold air passing through the other divided passages downstream of the ion generator, and is discharged from the discharge port to the storage chamber.

  Further, the present invention provides the refrigerator having the above configuration, wherein the divided passage is disposed between the right passage, the left passage, and the right passage and the left passage. The ion generating device is disposed in the middle passage, and the discharge port is provided at a side end of the right passage and the left passage on the upstream side of the ion generating device. It is said.

  According to this configuration, the cold air flowing through the cold air passage branches into the right passage, the left passage, and the middle passage at the widening portion, and the cold air flows into the storage chamber from the discharge ports provided in the right passage and the left passage on the upstream side of the ion generator. Discharged. The cold air passing through the middle passage contains ions by the ion generator. The cold air containing ions merges with the cold air passing through the right passage and the left passage downstream of the ion generator, and is discharged from the discharge port on the downstream side of the ion generator into the storage chamber.

  According to the present invention, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, a cold air distributor disposed between the blower and the cooler to open and close the cold air passage, and a storage unit disposed between the blower and the cold air distributor. A circulation port facing the chamber, and when the cool air distributor is closed and the blower is driven, the cool air in the storage chamber flows into the cool air passage from the circulation port.

  According to this configuration, when the cold air distributor is opened, the cold air flows from the cooler into the cold air passage, and the cold air containing ions is discharged into the storage chamber. At this time, if the circulation port is opened, the cool air in the storage chamber flows into the cool air passage from the circulation port, mixes with the cool air from the cooler, and is discharged into the storage chamber. When the cool air distributor is closed, the cool air in the storage chamber flows into the cool air passage from the circulation port, and the cool air containing ions is discharged from the discharge port. Thereby, the cool air in the storage chamber circulates through the cool air passage without passing through the cooler.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator configured as described above, the circulation port is closed when the cold air distributor is opened.

  Moreover, this invention is a refrigerator of the said structure WHEREIN: The said cold air | gas channel | path has a back surface part distribute | arranged to the back surface of the said storage chamber, and the top | upper surface part distribute | arranged to the top | upper surface, It is characterized by being placed in the corner with the top surface. According to this configuration, the cold air flowing into the cold air passage flows through the back surface portion on the back surface of the storage chamber and is guided to the top surface portion of the top surface. At this time, ions are contained by the ion generator and are discharged from the discharge port through the top surface portion.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator configured as described above, positive ions and negative ions are generated by the ion generator. According to this configuration, the storage chamber is sterilized.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the rear surface of the storage chamber is covered with a member made of a good thermal conductor, and the discharge port is disposed in the vicinity of the member. According to this configuration, the cold heat of the cold air discharged from the discharge port is transmitted to the member that covers the back surface of the storage chamber, and is released from the entire member into the storage chamber.

  According to the present invention, the cold air passage has a widened portion that is widened downstream of the blower, and the ion generating device is disposed at the center of the widened portion and the discharge ports are disposed on the left and right, so that the flow velocity is reduced by the widened portion. Ions are contained in the cold air and are discharged from the outlet evenly in the left-right direction. For this reason, it is possible to improve the generation efficiency of ions by reducing the disappearance due to the collision of ions, and to supply ions uniformly into the storage chamber.

  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 3a, 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.

  A chilled chamber 21, an accessory storage chamber 102, and a water tank chamber 103, which are made of an isolation chamber separated from the upper portion by a partition plate 40, are provided side by side in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2. The chilled chamber 21 is provided with a storage case 21a and is maintained in a chilled temperature range (about 0 ° C.), for example, 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 a cold air passage 32 disposed behind the refrigerator compartment 2 via a refrigerator compartment damper 20 (cold air distributor). 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 heat loss increases when the temperature switching chamber 3 is controlled to a temperature higher than the cold air (for example, 3 ° C., 8 ° C., 50 ° C.). 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 insulation wall 36 or on the left side of the vertical heat insulation wall 36 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 cold air passage 32 is provided behind the refrigerator compartment 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. The cooling air passage 32 is integrally formed above the accessory storage chamber 102 by a cooling panel 70 disposed on the back surface of the refrigerator compartment 2. The cooling panel 70 has a rectangular front shape, and includes a panel base 71 and a member 72.

  The panel base 71 is divided into a front part 71a and a rear part 71b. The rear portion 71 b is formed of a molded product of a heat insulating material such as polystyrene foam, and forms the outer shape of the cold air passage 32. The front portion 71a is made of a resin molded product such as PS (polyethylene styrene) resin, and reinforces the panel base 71.

  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.

  As will be described later, the cold heat of the cold air flowing through the cold air passage 32 is transmitted to the member 72 via the panel base 71 and is uniformly discharged from the member 72 into the refrigerator compartment 2. Thereby, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be made uniform. At this time, the heat insulation may be lowered by forming part of the front part 71a and the rear part 71b of the panel base 71 to be thin or opening. Thereby, according to the magnitude | size and shape of the refrigerator compartment 2, the amount of cold heat discharge | released to the refrigerator compartment 2 can be partially increased, and the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be made more uniform. It is more desirable to reduce the heat insulation of the panel base 71 as the distance from the cooler 11 increases.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, 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. A duct extending in the vertical direction by the gap 88 is formed at the rear part of the refrigerator compartment 2.

  1 to 3, the cold air passage 32 extends upward from the cold room damper 20, and an inflow portion 32 e having a narrow lateral width is provided at the lower part of the cold room 2 behind the accessory storage chamber 102. A refrigerator compartment fan 23 is disposed in the inflow portion 32e. Between the refrigerating room blower 23 and the refrigerating room damper 20, a circulation port 82 formed of a small hole communicating with the inside of the refrigerating room 2 is provided. The refrigerating room blower 23 is composed of an axial fan, and the suction side is inclined to face the lower refrigerating room damper 20 and the front circulation port 82. Thereby, the pressure loss of the airflow led from the circulation port 82 and the refrigerator compartment damper 20 to the refrigerator compartment fan 23 can be reduced.

  The cold air generated in the cooler 11 is circulated through the cold air passage 32 by opening the cold room damper 20 and driving the cold 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.

  The refrigerator compartment damper 20 is disposed at a position where a part thereof overlaps the heat insulating 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. Further, the refrigerator compartment blower 23 is provided close to the refrigerator compartment damper 20. And the back wall of the refrigerator compartment 2 inclines in the downstream of the refrigerator fan 23, and depth is narrowed to about 10 mm.

  Accordingly, the depth of the cold air passage 32 can be narrowly formed on the downstream side of the refrigerator compartment fan 23 to ensure a wide depth of the refrigerator compartment 2. Further, a protruding portion in which the cold air passage 32 protrudes toward the refrigerating chamber 2 by the refrigerating chamber blower 23 is disposed at the lower end of the refrigerating chamber 2. For this reason, this protrusion part can be made inconspicuous and the fall of the aesthetics of the refrigerator 1 can be prevented. Further, since the protruding portion is arranged behind the accessory storage chamber 102 which is an isolation chamber, it can be made less noticeable.

  The cold air passage 32 has a widened portion 32f widened in the left-right direction over the left and right ends of the refrigerator compartment 2 above the inflow portion 32e. The widened portion 32f branches in three directions and includes a right passage 32a, a left passage 32b, and a middle passage 32c that are partitioned by a partition wall 32g. An intermediate passage 32c is disposed between the right passage 32a and the left passage 32b. A plurality of discharge ports 73a, 73b, 73c, and 73d are provided at the side end of the right passage 32a in order from the top and open to the side. A plurality of discharge ports 74a, 74b, 74c, and 74d 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 d and 74 a to 74 d are arranged at both ends in the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 2.

  The discharge ports 73a and 74a are provided above the first shelf 41 from the top. The 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 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 discharge ports 73d and 74d are provided between the mounting shelf 41 and the partition plate 40 in the third row from the top.

  The opening areas of the upper discharge ports 73a and 74a are larger than the opening areas of the lower discharge ports 73b to 73d and 74b to 74d. Thereby, the amount of cool air discharged from the lower discharge ports 73b to 73d and 74b to 74d close to the cool air inflow side of the cool air passage 32 and close to the return port 2d disposed 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.

  Note that the lower discharge ports 73b to 73d and 74b to 74d may be omitted, and only the discharge ports 73a and 74a may be formed. Thereby, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 2 is cooled by the flow of the cool air reliably guided to the upper portion of the cool air passage 32 and discharged from the upper portion.

  A discharge port 75 for discharging cold air to the chilled chamber 21 is 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 port 75 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.

  The right passage 32a, the left passage 32b, and the middle passage 32c communicate with a ceiling passage 32d formed on the ceiling surface of the refrigerator compartment 2. FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the ceiling passage 32d. The ceiling passage 32d extends in the front-rear direction, and a right passage 32a, a left passage 32b, and a middle passage 32c that are divided by the partition wall 32g extend to the ceiling passage 32d. At the front end of the ceiling passage 32d, a plurality of discharge ports 84 are provided symmetrically across the left and right sides of the refrigerator compartment 2.

  An ion generator 86 for generating ions is disposed in the ceiling passage 32d communicating with the middle passage 32c. The ceiling passage 32d divided into the right and left merges on the downstream side of the ion generator 86. 9 and 10 show a front view and a side sectional view of the ion generator 86. The ion generator 86 is covered with a housing 86a made of an insulator, and needle-like discharge electrodes 86p and 86q are arranged apart from each other.

  An annular induction electrode 86e is disposed around the discharge electrodes 86p and 86q. The housing 86a is provided with a through hole 86b facing the discharge electrodes 86p and 86q. Thereby, the discharge electrodes 86p and 86q are exposed on the ion generation surface 86d.

  A vent hole 86g having a filter 86h is formed between the through holes 86b on the ion generation surface 86d. The inside of the housing 86a is formed so that the through hole 86b and the vent hole 86g communicate with each other.

  A positive or negative high voltage is applied to the discharge electrodes 86p and 86q with respect to the induction electrode 86e. As a result, positive ions and negative ions are generated, for example, by corona discharge in the ion generator 86f formed between the discharge electrodes 86p and 86q and the induction electrode 86e.

  The discharge electrodes 86p and 86q are arranged facing the cold air passing through the ceiling passage 32d. The discharge electrodes 86p and 86q that generate ions and the induction electrode 86e may be disposed in the ceiling passage 32d, and the power supply unit or the like of the ion generator 86 may be disposed at another position.

For example, a positive voltage is applied to one of the discharge electrodes 86p, and ions generated by ionization combine with moisture in the air to generate positive cluster ions whose charges mainly consist of H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m. A negative voltage is applied to the other discharge electrode 86q, and ions generated by ionization combine with moisture in the air to generate negative cluster 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)

  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 and the refrigerator compartment fan 23 is driven, the cold air branched off on the exhaust side of the freezer compartment fan 12 flows through the cold air passage 32. The cold air flowing through the cold air passage 32 flows into the widened portion 32f downstream of the cold room blower 23 and branches into the right passage 32a, the left passage 32b, and the middle passage 32c. At this time, since the flow path is widened from the inflow portion 32e to the widened portion 32f extending from the left and right ends of the refrigerator compartment 2, the flow rate of the cold air is rapidly reduced.

  A part of the cold air passing through the right passage 32a is discharged into the chilled chamber 21 through the discharge port 75 as shown by an arrow A1 (see FIG. 1). The cold air flowing through the chilled chamber 21 flows out from the return port 2d. The cool air rising up the right passage 32a and the left passage 32b is discharged into the refrigerator compartment 2 from the discharge ports 73a to 73d and 74a to 74d in an amount corresponding to the opening area as shown by an arrow A2 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). . Cold air discharged from the discharge ports 73a to 73d and 74a to 74d to the side flows along the side wall of the refrigerator compartment 2 and flows forward. 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. Then, it is guided to the return port 2d. Thereby, the amount of cool air that directly hits the stored items placed on the mounting shelf 41 can be reduced, and drying of the stored items can be reduced.

  The cold air rising through the cold air passage 32 flows into the ceiling passage 32d. The cold air flowing into the ceiling passage 32d from the middle passage 32c includes ions generated by the ion generator 86. The cold air containing ions merges with the cold air flowing into the ceiling passage 32d from the right passage 32a and the left passage 32b, and is discharged from the discharge port 84 to the refrigerator compartment 2 as shown by an arrow A5 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  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. 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.

  A part of the cool air led to the return port 2d cools the stored items in the small article storage chamber 102 and the water tank 103a in the water tank chamber 103, and flows into the cool air passage 32 through the circulation port 82. Thereby, the cold air flowing through the cold air passage 32 is mixed with the wet cold air in the refrigerator compartment 2. For this reason, the cold air in the refrigerator compartment 2 can be circulated through the cold air passage 32 to make the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 2 uniform. In addition, the ions are clustered by bonds with water molecules and are not easily eliminated, and positive and negative ions reach the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2.

  Further, the cold air flowing through the cold air passage 32 and the cold heat discharged from the discharge ports 73 a to 73 d and 74 a to 74 d 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 made more uniform.

  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.

  If the unevenness by bending is provided on the front surface of the member 72, the dew condensation water flowing down on the member 72 is accumulated on the surface facing the upper side of the unevenness, so that the moisturizing effect can be further improved. Unevenness can be easily formed by bending by pressing or drawing.

  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 cold air | gas guide | induced to the return port 2d from the discharge ports 73a-73d and 74a-74d of the both ends of 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 becomes preset temperature, the refrigerator compartment damper 20 will be closed.

  At this time, the refrigerating room blower 23 is driven constantly or periodically with the refrigerating room damper 20 closed. Thereby, the cold air in the refrigerator compartment 2 circulates through the cold air passage 32 without passing through the cooler 11, and the refrigerator compartment 2 can be maintained at a uniform temperature. Moreover, since ion is continuously supplied to the refrigerator compartment 2, the fall of the germicidal effect in the refrigerator compartment 2 can be prevented.

  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 has the widened portion 32f widened downstream of the cold room blower 23, and the ion generator 86 is disposed in the widened portion 32f and the discharge port 84 is disposed on the left and right. Ions are included in the cool air whose flow velocity has been reduced by the portion 32f and are discharged from the discharge port 84 evenly in the left-right direction. For this reason, it is possible to improve the generation efficiency of ions by reducing the disappearance due to the collision of ions, and to uniformly supply the ions into the refrigerator compartment 2.

  In addition, since the ion generating device 86 is arranged in one of the divided passages (the right passage 32a, the left passage 32b, and the middle passage 32c) obtained by dividing the widened portion 32f, the divided passages merge downstream of the ion generating device 86. When the width of the widened portion 32f becomes too large in a large refrigerator or the like, the flow path can be divided to reduce the flow area of each flow path, thereby preventing a decrease in the efficiency of rising airflow. Furthermore, the flow channel area of each flow channel may be set to an appropriate width by increasing the width of the partition wall 32g or by narrowing the depth of the division passage.

  Further, the widened portion 32f is divided into a right passage 32a, a left passage 32b, and an intermediate passage 32c, and the ion generator 86 is disposed in the intermediate passage 32c, and the right passage 32a and the left passage 32b on the upstream side of the ion generator 86 are arranged. Since the discharge ports 73 a to 73 d and 74 a to 74 d are provided at the ends, the cold air discharged from the back surface of the refrigerator compartment 2 flows along the side walls of the refrigerator compartment 2. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the cool air directly hitting the stored product and prevent the stored product from drying.

  Moreover, since the circulation port 82 is provided between the refrigerator compartment damper 20 (cold air distributor) which opens and closes the cold air passage 32 and the refrigerator compartment fan 23, the refrigerator compartment fan 20 is driven to close the refrigerator compartment when the refrigerator compartment damper 20 is closed. The inside of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be uniformly cooled by circulating the cool air in the refrigerator 2. Furthermore, since ions are contained in the moist cool air flowing through the refrigerator compartment 2, cluster ions combined with water molecules increase. Thereby, since it becomes difficult for ions to disappear, positive and negative ions reach the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2.

  Further, since the refrigerator compartment fan 23 is arranged on the back of the refrigerator compartment 2, when the refrigerator compartment damper 20 is opened, the load of the refrigerator compartment fan 23 is reduced and the cool air generated by the cooler 1 is discharged to the upper discharge ports 73a and 74a. Can be easily guided to. Therefore, the power consumption of the refrigerator 1 can be reduced.

  In addition, when the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 are cooled when the room temperature of the freezer compartment 6 is set temperature, the freezer compartment fan 12 may be stopped. Thereby, the cold air supply from the cooler 11 to the refrigerator compartment 2 and the cold air circulation in the refrigerator compartment 2 can be performed by one refrigerator compartment fan 23. Therefore, further power saving can be achieved.

  Further, since positive ions and negative ions are generated by the ion generator 86, sterilization in the refrigerator compartment 2 can be easily performed. Note that only negative ions may be generated by the ion generator 86. Thereby, although the disinfection effect falls, the deodorizing effect can be acquired.

  Moreover, since the back surface of the refrigerator compartment 2 was covered with the member 72 which consists of a heat good conductor, and the discharge ports 73a-73d and 74a-74d were arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the member 72, it discharged from the discharge ports 73a-73d and 74a-74d. The cold heat of the cold air is transmitted to the member 72, and the cold heat is released from a wide area on the back surface of the refrigerator compartment 2. Therefore, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be made more uniform.

  Next, FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a main part of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. This embodiment differs in the structure of the refrigerator compartment damper 20 with respect to 1st Embodiment. Other parts are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The refrigerator compartment damper 20 connecting the cold air passages 31 and 32 opens the circulation port 82 when the cold air passage 32 is closed, and closes the circulation port 82 when the cold air passage 32 is opened. That is, the refrigerator compartment damper 20 selectively opens and closes the cold air passage 32 and the circulation port 82.

  Thereby, when the cold air passage 32 is opened by the cold room damper 20, the cold air supplied from the cooler 11 is discharged into the cold room 2 without being mixed with the cold air in the cold room 2. Therefore, the cooling air temperature supplied to the refrigerator compartment 2 can be stabilized to improve the cooling efficiency, and the backflow of the cooling air from the circulation port 82 can be prevented.

  In the first embodiment described above, a member that opens and closes the circulation port 82 in conjunction with the opening and closing of the refrigerator compartment damper 20 may be provided, and the same operation as this embodiment may be performed. For example, a shutter that opens and closes the circulation port 82 is provided so as to be movable up and down, and the front end of the open / close plate of the refrigerator compartment damper 20 is connected to the lower end of the shutter. Thereby, when the opening / closing plate is lowered and the cool air passage 32 is opened, the shutter is lowered and the circulation port 82 is closed, and when the opening / closing plate is raised and the cold passage 32 is closed, the shutter is raised and the circulation port 82 is opened. . If an urging means for urging the shutter upward is provided, these operations can be performed more smoothly.

  Next, FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing the refrigerator of the third embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. In this embodiment, the arrangement of the ion generator 86 is different from that of the first embodiment. Other parts are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The ion generator 86 is installed at a corner portion between the middle passage 32c arranged on the back surface of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the ceiling passage 32d arranged on the top surface. Thereby, the amount of protrusion of the top surface of the cold air passage 32 that is easily visible to the user is reduced, and the upper rear corner of the refrigerator compartment 2 that is difficult to visually recognize protrudes downward. Therefore, the aesthetics of the refrigerator 1 can be improved.

  As in the second embodiment, the circulation port 82 may be closed when the cold air passage is opened by the refrigerator compartment damper 23.

  Next, FIG. 8 is a front view showing the refrigerator of the fourth embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the structure of the widened portion 32f of the cold air passage 32. Other parts are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The partition wall 32g that partitions the right passage 32a, the left passage 32b, and the middle passage 32c is formed up to the upper part on the back side, and the partition wall 32g of the ceiling passage 32d is omitted. Thereby, the right passage 32a, the left passage 32b, and the middle passage 32c merge on the upstream side of the ceiling passage 32d. For this reason, the flow velocity of the cold air flowing in the vicinity of the ion generator 86 can be further reduced as compared with the first embodiment. Therefore, ion collision can be further reduced and ion generation efficiency can be improved.

  As in the second embodiment, the circulation port 82 may be closed when the cold air passage is opened by the refrigerator compartment damper 23. Further, similarly to the third embodiment, the ion generator 86 may be arranged at the corners of the back surface portion and the top surface portion of the cold air passage 32.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can utilize for the refrigerator provided with the ion generator which generate | occur | produces ion.

The front view which shows the refrigerator of 1st Embodiment of this invention. AA sectional view of FIG. BB sectional view of FIG. CC sectional view of FIG. The top view which shows the ceiling passage of the refrigerator of 1st Embodiment of this invention Side surface sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the refrigerator of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Side surface sectional drawing which shows the refrigerator of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The front view which shows the refrigerator of 4th Embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the ion generator of the refrigerator of 1st Embodiment of this invention Side surface sectional drawing which shows the ion generator of the refrigerator of 1st 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 fan 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 32a Right passage 32b Left passage 32c Middle passage 32d Ceiling passage 32e Inflow portion 32f Widening portion 32g Partition wall 37 Temperature switching chamber discharge damper 38 Temperature switching chamber return damper 41 Mounting shelf 70 Cooling panel 71 Panel base 72 Member 73a-73d, 74a-74d, 84 Discharge port 82 Circulation port 86 Ion generator 88 Crevice 102 Small article storage chamber 103 Water tank chamber

Claims (8)

  A storage chamber for storing stored items, a cooler for generating cold air, a cool air passage for supplying the cool air generated by the cooler to the storage chamber via a discharge port, and a blower for guiding the cool air to the cool air passage; An ion generator that generates ions by being arranged in the cold air passage, and the cold air passage has a widened portion that is widened to the left and right of the storage chamber downstream of the blower, and the ion generator is disposed in the widened portion. A refrigerator, which is arranged and has the discharge ports provided downstream of the ion generating apparatus on the left and right sides.   2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the ion generating device is arranged in one of the divided passages obtained by dividing the widened portion into a plurality of portions, and the divided passages merge downstream of the ion generating device.   The divided passage has a right passage disposed to the right of the storage chamber, a left passage disposed to the left, and a middle passage disposed between the right passage and the left passage, The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein an ion generator is disposed in the middle passage, and the discharge port is provided at a side end of the right passage and the left passage on the upstream side of the ion generator.   A cool air distributor disposed between the blower and the cooler to open and close the cool air passage; and a circulation port disposed between the blower and the cool air distributor and facing the storage chamber. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the air distributor is closed and the blower is driven, cold air in the storage chamber flows into the cold air passage from the circulation port.   The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the circulation port is closed when the cold air distributor is opened.   The cold air passage is disposed on a back surface and a top surface of the storage chamber, and the ion generator is disposed at a corner between the back surface portion and the top surface portion of the cold air passage. The refrigerator in any one.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein positive ions and negative ions are generated by the ion generator.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the rear surface of the storage chamber is covered with a member made of a good thermal conductor, and the discharge port is arranged in the vicinity of the member.

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