JP2012067936A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator which can reduce discomfort, since foamed polystyrene which is generally used as a foamed resin for forming the duct of the refrigerator easily adsorbs an odor component and even when the odor component floating in a refrigerating compartment is decomposed by ions generated by an ion generating device or ozone, the odor component accumulated in the foamed polystyrene is gradually released to cause the discomfort.SOLUTION: The refrigerator includes a storage compartment 2 for storing an object to be stored and a duct member 16 for forming a passage communicating with the storage compartment 2, wherein the duct member 16 is formed of the foamed resin of styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer.

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator in which a foamed resin is arranged in a storage room or a passage communicating with the storage room.

  A conventional refrigerator is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this refrigerator, a refrigerator compartment is arranged at the top of the heat insulation box, and a freezer compartment and a vegetable compartment are arranged side by side below the refrigerator compartment. A freezer compartment cool air passage is provided behind the freezer compartment. A cooler that generates cool air is disposed in the freezer compartment cool air passage, and a freezer compartment blower is disposed above the cooler. In the freezer compartment cool air passage, a discharge port for discharging cool air into the freezer chamber is opened at the top, and a return port for returning cool air to the cooler is opened at the bottom.

  Behind the refrigerator compartment, a refrigerator compartment cold air passage communicating with the freezer compartment cold air passage via a refrigerator compartment damper is provided. The freezer compartment cool air passage branches right and left downstream of the refrigerator compartment damper, and an outlet for discharging cool air to the refrigerator compartment is opened. A cold air outlet opens at the lower part of the refrigerator compartment, and the refrigerator compartment and the vegetable compartment communicate with each other through a communication passage extending from the outlet. The vegetable room has a return opening that returns cool air to the cooler.

  A circulation duct is arranged between the left and right branch passages of the freezer compartment duct. An opening facing the refrigerator compartment is provided on the front surface of the circulation duct, and the upper end of the circulation duct is connected to an ion sending unit arranged at the rear of the top surface of the refrigerator compartment. The ion delivery unit is covered by a housing that forms an air passage. A suction port communicating with the circulation duct is opened on the lower surface of the rear end of the housing, and a first air outlet and a second air outlet are opened on the front lower surface and the front surface, respectively.

  The air passage extending from the suction port branches through a damper, and has a first branch passage communicating with the first air outlet and a second branch passage communicating with the second air outlet. The airflow flowing into the air passage from the suction port is alternatively guided to the first outlet and the second outlet by switching the damper. An ozone catalyst is provided in the second branch passage.

  A blower is disposed at the rear of the air passage, and an ion generator is disposed between the blower and the damper. In the ion generator, an electrode is provided on an ion generation surface forming a wall surface of the air passage. The electrode is discharged by applying a predetermined voltage, and positive ions and negative ions are released from the ion generation surface. Further, when the voltage applied to the electrode is further increased, ions and ozone are released from the ion generation surface by the discharge.

  In the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, cold air generated by the cooler by driving the freezer compartment fan flows through the freezer compartment duct and is discharged from the discharge port to the freezer compartment. The cold air discharged into the freezer compartment flows through the freezer compartment and returns to the cooler via the return port. Thereby, the freezer compartment is cooled.

  When the refrigerator compartment damper is opened, cold air flows from the freezer compartment duct into the refrigerator compartment duct and is discharged from the outlet into the refrigerator compartment. The cold air discharged into the refrigerator compartment flows through the refrigerator compartment, flows out from the outlet, and passes through the communication path. The cold air flowing through the communication passage is discharged into the vegetable compartment, flows through the vegetable compartment, and returns to the cooler through the return port. Thereby, the refrigerator compartment and the vegetable compartment are cooled.

  When the blower and the ion generator of the ion delivery unit are driven, air in the refrigerator compartment flows into the circulation duct from the opening and circulates. The air flowing through the circulation duct flows into the air passage of the ion delivery unit through the suction port. The air that has flowed into the air passage of the ion delivery unit passes upward through the blower via the intake port. The air that has passed through the blower flows from the upper side of the exhaust port toward the front side and passes over the ion generation surface of the ion generator.

When the second branch passage is closed by the damper and the first branch passage is opened, a predetermined voltage is applied to the electrode of the ion generator, and ions are included in the airflow. Air containing ions flows through the first branch passage and is sent from the first outlet to the refrigerator compartment. The refrigerator compartment is sterilized and deodorized by [.OH] (hydroxyl radical) and H ₂ O ₂ (hydrogen peroxide) generated from positive ions and negative ions sent to the refrigerator compartment.

When the first branch passage is closed by the damper and the second branch passage is opened, a high voltage is applied to the electrode of the ion generator, and ions and ozone are included in the airflow. The odor component of the airflow flowing through the air passage is decomposed by [.OH] generated from ions, H ₂ O ₂ and ozone. Ozone is adsorbed by an ozone catalyst disposed in the second branch passage, and an air stream from which ozone has been removed is sent out from the second outlet. Thereby, the higher deodorizing effect in a refrigerator compartment can be acquired.

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

  The freezer compartment duct and the refrigerating compartment duct through which the cold air generated by the cooler flows are formed of a foamed resin that has high heat insulation and can be easily molded, and are respectively installed on the back surfaces of the refrigerating compartment and the freezer compartment. However, since styrene foam generally used as the foamed resin forming the freezer compartment duct and the refrigerator compartment duct has a large specific surface area, odor components are easily adsorbed. Thereby, an odor component accumulates in the polystyrene foam.

  For this reason, even if the odor components floating in the refrigerator compartment are decomposed by the ions and ozone generated by the ion generator, the odor components accumulated in the foamed polystyrene are sequentially released. As a result, when the odor component released from the foamed polystyrene when the door of the refrigerator compartment is opened flows out of the refrigerator compartment, there is a problem that gives the user an unpleasant feeling.

  The same problem occurs when a deodorizer such as activated carbon or zeolite is installed in the refrigerator compartment instead of the ion delivery unit, or when a deodorizer is installed in the freezer compartment. That is, even if the floating odor component is removed by the deodorizer, the odor component accumulated in the expanded polystyrene is sequentially released, which gives the user an unpleasant feeling.

  Further, there is a similar problem when the polystyrene foam is disposed not only in the freezer compartment duct and the refrigerator compartment duct but also in a storage compartment such as a freezer compartment or a refrigerator compartment.

  An object of this invention is to provide the refrigerator which can reduce discomfort.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that the foamed resin disposed facing the storage chamber for storing the storage or the passage communicating with the storage chamber comprises a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer. According to this configuration, the wall surface of the storage chamber and the wall surface of the cold air passage communicating with the storage chamber are formed of the foamed styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer. Since the styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer has a low gas permeability and a small specific surface area, the adsorption of odor components is small.

  Moreover, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the present invention provides an air passage formed in a housing that opens a suction port and an outlet, a blower disposed in the air passage, and an ion generator that generates ions by discharge. And an ion delivery unit for delivering ions is provided in the storage chamber.

  According to this configuration, the air in the storage chamber flows into the air passage of the ion delivery unit through the suction port by driving the blower. The air flowing through the air passage contains ions generated by the ion generator and is sent out from the outlet into the storage chamber. The odor component in the storage chamber is decomposed by ions delivered from the outlet.

  According to the present invention, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, an ozone catalyst that generates ozone by the ion generator and adsorbs ozone in the air passage is provided. According to this structure, the odor component contained in the air flowing through the air passage is decomposed in contact with ozone generated by the ion generator. Ozone is adsorbed by the ozone catalyst, and the air from which ozone has been removed is sent from the outlet to the storage chamber.

  Further, the present invention provides a refrigerator having the above-described configuration, and includes a circulation duct that is arranged on the back surface of the storage chamber and that connects one end to the suction port and opens an air inlet facing the storage chamber. The wall surface is formed of the foamed resin. According to this configuration, the air in the storage chamber flows into the circulation duct through the inlet by driving the blower. The air flowing through the circulation duct flows into the air passage of the ion generation unit through the suction port. The wall surface of the circulation duct is formed of a foamed styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, and adsorption of odor components contained in the cold air flowing through the circulation duct to the wall surface of the circulation duct is reduced.

  Further, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the cool air passage provided in the rear surface of the storage chamber and provided with a cool air passage through which the cool air generated by the cooler circulates and opens a discharge port of the cool air facing the storage chamber is provided. The wall surface is formed of the foamed resin. According to this configuration, the cold air generated by the cooler flows through the cold air passage and is discharged from the discharge port to the storage chamber. The wall surface of the cold air passage is formed of a foamed styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, and adsorption of odor components contained in the cold air flowing through the cold air passage to the wall surface of the cold air passage is reduced.

  Moreover, this invention is characterized by the foaming magnification of the said foaming resin being 30-50 times in the refrigerator of the said structure.

  According to the present invention, since the foamed resin disposed facing the storage chamber or the passage communicating with the storage chamber is made of the styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, the adsorption of the odor component in the storage chamber to the foamed resin is reduced. For this reason, it can prevent that an odor component accumulate | stores in a foamed resin, and is discharge | released sequentially, and can reduce the user's discomfort at the time of opening the door of a store room.

Side surface sectional drawing which shows the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention Top sectional drawing which shows the rear part of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention The top view which shows the ion sending unit of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention Side surface sectional drawing which shows the ion delivery unit of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention The top view which shows the inside of the ion delivery unit of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention The perspective view which shows the damper of the ion delivery unit of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention Side surface sectional drawing which shows the state at the time of the deodorizing mode of the ion delivery unit of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment. The refrigerator 1 is provided with a plurality of storage compartments partitioned by a heat insulating box 10 filled with a foamed resin 10a. A refrigerator compartment 2 that is opened and closed by a door 2a is arranged at the top of the heat insulation box 10. An ice making chamber 3 is disposed below the refrigerator compartment 2, and a freezing chamber 5 communicating with the ice making chamber 3 is disposed below the ice making chamber 3.

  A cool air passage 11 is provided behind the freezer compartment 5, and a cooler 14 and a freezer compartment blower 15 are disposed in the cool air passage 11. The cool air generated by the cooler 14 by the driving of the freezer blower 15 flows through the cool air passage 11. The cool air passage 11 is provided with a cool air discharge port (not shown) and a return port (not shown) for returning the cool air to the cooler 14.

  A cold air passage 12 communicating with the cold air passage 11 is provided behind the refrigerator compartment 2 via a cold compartment damper (not shown). The cold air generated by the cooler 14 by the opening of the cold room damper flows through the cold air passage 12. On both sides of the cold air passage 12, cold air discharge ports 12a (see FIG. 2) are opened, and a communication passage (not shown) for returning the cold air in the refrigerator compartment 2 to the upstream side of the cooler 14 is provided.

  A circulation duct 13 is disposed on the back side of the cold air passage 12. Circulation duct 13 opens inflow side 13a (refer to Drawing 2) into which air in refrigerator compartment 2 flows into both sides. An ion sending unit 20 for sending ions is arranged at the rear of the top surface of the refrigerator compartment 2, and the upper surface of the circulation duct 13 is opened and connected to the ion sending unit 20.

  FIG. 2 is a top sectional view showing the rear part of the refrigerator compartment 2. A duct member 16 made of a foamed resin that integrally forms the cold air passage 12 and the circulation duct 13 on the front surface of the heat insulating box 10 is disposed at the rear of the refrigerator compartment 2. The cold air passage 12 is formed by branching left and right downstream of a cold room damper (not shown) by a duct member 16 and extending upward.

  A metal panel 17 is attached to the front surface of the duct member 16 by a locking claw (not shown). The metal panel 17 covers the front surface of the duct member 16, and a part of the side surface of the duct member 16 is exposed facing the refrigerator compartment 2. Since the cold heat of the cold air flowing through the cold air passage 12 is released to the refrigerator compartment 2 through the metal panel 17, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be made uniform.

  A lighting device 80 covered with a lamp cover 81 is disposed between the left and right cold air passages 12. The interior of the refrigerator compartment 2 is illuminated from behind by the illumination device 80. Moreover, since a part of emitted light of the illuminating device 80 is reflected by the metal panel 17 and illuminates the front, the entire refrigerator compartment 2 can be illuminated from the rear.

The duct member 16 is formed by foaming a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer. The gas permeability coefficient for nitrogen of the styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer before foaming is 0.46 × 10 ⁻¹⁰ cm ³ · mm / (cm ² · sec · cmHg), and the gas permeability coefficient for oxygen is 3.4 × 10 6. ⁻¹⁰ cm ³ · mm / (cm ² · sec · cmHg), and the gas permeability coefficient for carbon dioxide is 10.8 × 10 ⁻¹⁰ cm ³ · mm / (cm ² · sec · cmHg).

On the other hand, the gas permeability coefficient with respect to nitrogen of polystyrene before foaming is ^{3 to} 80 × 10 ⁻¹⁰ cm ³ · mm / (cm ² · sec · cmHg), and the gas permeability coefficient to oxygen is 15 to 250 × 10 6. ⁻¹⁰ cm ³ · mm / (cm ² · sec · cmHg), and the gas permeability coefficient for carbon dioxide is 75 to 370 × 10 ⁻¹⁰ cm ³ · mm / (cm ² · sec · cmHg).

  That is, the styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer has a lower gas permeability coefficient than polystyrene generally used as a foamed resin forming a duct. For this reason, the specific surface area of the duct member 16 is smaller than polystyrene. Thereby, adsorption | suction to the duct member 16 of the odor component contained in the air which distribute | circulates the cold air | gas channel | path 11 and the circulation channel | path 13 in which a wall surface is formed with the duct member 16 can be decreased. Moreover, the adsorption | suction to the duct member 16 of the odor component contained in the air in the refrigerator compartment 2 arrange | positioned facing the duct member 16 can be decreased.

  The duct member 16 has a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer with an expansion ratio of 30 to 50 times. If the expansion ratio of the styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer is lower than 30 times, the hardness of the duct member 16 increases and the moldability deteriorates, so the yield of the duct member 16 decreases.

  Moreover, if the expansion ratio of the styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer is higher than 50 times, the hardness of the duct member 16 becomes low, and it becomes difficult to maintain the shapes of the cold air passage 12 and the circulation passage 13. Therefore, by making the expansion ratio of the styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer 30 times to 50 times, the yield of the duct member 16 can be improved and the shape can be maintained.

  3 and 4 show a top view and a side sectional view of the ion delivery unit 20. The ion delivery unit 20 includes a casing 21 of a resin molded product that houses each component and forms an air passage 30 therein. The casing 21 is composed of a main body portion 21a having an upper surface opened and an upper surface cover 21b covering a part of the upper surface of the main body portion 21a. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the top cover 21b is removed.

  3 to 5, an airflow inlet 30 a is opened on the lower surface of the rear end of the housing 21. The suction port 30a is connected to the circulation path 13 (see FIG. 1), and the air flowing through the circulation path 13 flows into the ion delivery unit 20 through the suction port 30a. A first air outlet 30b is opened at the upper front of the housing 21, and a second air outlet 30c is opened at the lower front.

  The air passage 30 includes first and second branch passages 35 and 36 that branch through a damper 60 described later. The inlet 30a and the first outlet 30b communicate with each other through the first branch passage 35, and the inlet 30a and the second outlet 30c communicate with each other through the second branch passage 36. The air flowing through the air passage 30 is sent out from one of the first air outlet 30b and the second air outlet 30c.

  At the upper end of the main body portion 21a of the housing 21, a support portion 22 extending to both sides is formed. The support portion 22 is provided with a screw insertion hole 22a. The first air outlet 30b is provided with a protrusion 23 that protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the air passage 30. The protrusion 23 is provided with a screw insertion hole 23a.

  A sponge-like cushioning material 25 extending in the front-rear direction is attached to both support portions 22. Screws (not shown) inserted through the insertion holes 22a and 23a are screwed into the ceiling surface 2b (see FIG. 1) of the refrigerator compartment 2, and the ion delivery unit 20 is attached to the ceiling surface 2b with the buffer material 25 interposed therebetween. Thereby, a part of the upper wall of the air passage 30 is formed by the ceiling surface 2 b of the refrigerator compartment 2.

  Since the opened first blower outlet 30b is screwed through the projecting portion 23, the first blower outlet 30b is not expanded vertically even when a test finger is pushed in from the first blower outlet 30b. Thereby, since a test finger does not reach the ion generator 50 to which a high voltage described later is applied, the safety standard based on the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law (Japan) can be satisfied.

  A blower 40 is disposed at the rear of the air passage 30. The blower 40 is composed of a centrifugal fan such as a sirocco fan, and has an intake port 40a on the lower surface of the housing and an exhaust port 40b on the front surface. Since the centrifugal fan exhausts in the circumferential tangential direction, the exhaust port 40b is provided to be biased to one side in the left-right direction.

  The air passage 30 is provided with an inflow portion 31 having a predetermined height (for example, 10 mm) below the blower 40. By driving the blower 40, air flows into the air passage 30 from the suction port 30 a, and the airflow is guided to the blower 40 through the inflow portion 31.

  A throttle portion 32 is provided in the air passage 30 on the downstream side of the blower 40. The restricting portion 32 has an inclined surface 32a that is inclined to face the exhaust port 40b of the blower 40, and the flow path of the air passage 30 is restricted in the vertical direction. The throttle part 32 can increase the wind speed of the airflow.

  The casing 21 is provided with a concave portion 26 having an upper surface opened and accommodating the ion generator 50 in front of the inclined surface 32a. Since the inner surface of the main body 21a of the housing 21 is formed by pulling the mold upward, the recess 26 has a rear wall 26a that is substantially orthogonal to the inclined surface 32a and a substantially vertical front wall 26b. Yes.

  In the ion generator 50, a positive ion generator 51 and a negative ion generator 52 are arranged side by side on the ion generation surface 50a. The positive ion generator 51 and the negative ion generator 52 have electrodes (not shown) that generate ions when a high voltage is applied.

The electrodes of the ion generator 50 are discharged by applying a voltage having an AC waveform or an impulse waveform. A positive voltage is applied to the electrode of the positive ion generator 51. As a result, ions generated by ionization combine with moisture in the air, and positively-charged cluster ions mainly composed of H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m are emitted from the ion generation surface 50a. A negative voltage is applied to the electrode of the negative ion generator 52. Thereby, ions generated by ionization are combined with moisture in the air, and negatively-charged cluster ions mainly composed of O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n are emitted from the ion generation surface 50a. Here, m and n are arbitrary natural numbers.

H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m and O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n aggregate on the surface of airborne bacteria and odorous components and surround them. Then, as shown in the formulas (1) to (3), [.OH] (hydroxyl radical) and H ₂ O ₂ (hydrogen peroxide) which are active species are collided on the surface of floating bacteria, odorous components, etc. Aggregate to break them. Here, m ′ and n ′ are arbitrary natural numbers. Accordingly, by sending an air stream containing positive ions and negative ions to the refrigerator compartment 2, sterilization and odor removal in the refrigerator compartment 2 can be performed.

_{^{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)

  Further, when the voltage applied to the electrode of the ion generator 50 is increased to increase the discharge amount, ozone is generated in addition to the ions. Thereby, odor components such as hydrogen sulfide and methylamine contained in the air taken into the ion delivery unit 20 can be decomposed by ozone. Therefore, stronger deodorization than deodorization by ions can be performed. At this time, ozone is adsorbed by an ozone catalyst 70 described later in order to prevent ozone from leaking into the refrigerator compartment 2.

  The ion generator 50 is installed on the bottom surface of the recess 26 and the rear wall 26a, protrudes downward from the upper surface cover 21b, and a rib 21c having an L-shaped lower surface abuts on the ion generation surface 50a. Thereby, the ion generator 50 is pinched | interposed and fixed between the recessed part 26 and the rib 21c. The rib 21 c is disposed between the positive ion generation part 51 and the negative ion generation part 52.

  In addition, the ion generation surface 50 a is arranged along the inclined surface 32 a of the throttle unit 32, and forms a wall surface of the throttle unit 32. Thereby, the ion generating surface 50a opposes the exhaust port 40b of the blower 40. For this reason, the air which flowed out from the exhaust port 40b contacts the inclined surface 32a and ion generating surface 50a which oppose, and distribute | circulates along the inclined surface 32a and ion generating surface 50a.

  Therefore, the ions generated on the ion generation surface 50a can be sufficiently included in the airflow flowing through the throttle portion 32. Moreover, since the wind speed of the airflow is increased by the throttle portion 32, ions generated on the ion generation surface 50a can be sequentially sent out to reduce annihilation due to ion collision. At this time, since the centrifugal fan has a small decrease in the air volume with respect to the increase in pressure loss, even if the inclined surface 32a and the ion generation surface 50a face the exhaust port 40b, it is possible to send air with a desired air volume.

  Since the concave portion 26 is provided in front of the inclined surface 32 a, the ion generation surface 50 a is disposed at the front portion of the throttle portion 32. The front portion of the throttle portion 32 has a narrower flow path width in the vertical direction than the rear portion due to the inclined surface 32a. Since the ion generator 50 is disposed in the portion of the throttle portion 32 where the flow path width in the vertical direction is small, the amount of protrusion downward of the recess 26 can be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the size of the ion delivery unit 20 by forming the ion delivery unit 20 low in height.

  A V-shaped gap 54 is formed between the substantially vertical front wall 26 b of the recess 26 and the front surface of the ion generator 50. The upper part of the gap 54 is covered with a flexible shielding member 55 such as sponge-like resin. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the vortex by the clearance gap 54 can be prevented and the airflow which passed on the ion generating surface 50a can be guide | induced smoothly ahead.

  In front of the recessed portion 26, left and right restricting portions 33 that project both side walls of the air passage 30 toward each other and restrict the flow path in the left and right directions are provided. The air flow including the positive ions generated in the positive ion generation unit 51 and the air flow including the negative ions generated in the negative ion generation unit 52 are mixed close to each other by the left and right restricting unit 33. Thereby, the airflow which mixed the positive ion and the negative ion can be sent out. At this time, the ribs 21 c that block between the positive ion generating part 51 and the negative ion generating part 52 are arranged behind the left and right restricting part 33. Thereby, positive ions and negative ions can be sufficiently mixed.

  A damper chamber 34 in which a damper 60 is disposed is provided in front of the left and right throttle portions 33 in the air passage 30. FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the damper 60. The damper 60 includes a thin plate-like support plate 61 and packings 62 and 63 (see FIG. 4 for 63) attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the support plate 61, respectively. The packings 62 and 63 are made of an elastic body such as silicon rubber.

  Since the support plate 61 is made of a resin molded product and is formed in a thin plate shape, space can be saved. On the upper surface of the support plate 61, an inclined portion 61b is provided so that the front portion is inclined upward. The packing 62 is formed in an annular shape and is disposed around the inclined portion 61b.

  A shaft portion 61 a extending in the left-right direction is formed at one end of the support plate 61. The shaft portion 61 a is fitted in a fitting hole (not shown) provided in the side wall of the damper chamber 34 and pivotally supports the damper 60. A stepping motor (not shown) disposed between the side wall of the casing 21 and the side wall of the damper chamber 34 is connected to the shaft portion 61a. The damper 60 is rotated by driving the stepping motor.

  The air passage 30 branches from the damper chamber 34 into a first branch passage 35 and a second branch passage 36. The flow path of the air passage 30 is switched alternatively to the first branch passage 35 and the second branch passage 36 by the damper 60. As will be described in detail later, the air flowing through the first branch passage 35 includes ions sent to the refrigerator compartment 2, and the ozone adsorbed by the ozone catalyst 70 is contained in the air flow flowing through the second branch passage 36. included.

  For this reason, the first branch passage 35 is arranged in a substantially straight line with respect to the rear portion of the air passage 30. Thereby, the pressure loss of the airflow passing through the first branch passage 35 can be reduced and ions can be sent to the refrigerator compartment 2. The second branch passage 36 is formed to extend downward from the damper chamber 34, bend and extend forward. Thereby, a turbulent flow can be generated in the airflow passing through the second branch passage 36, and ozone can be sufficiently brought into contact with the air.

  A connection port 35 a facing the damper chamber 34 is provided on the inclined surface at the upstream end of the first branch passage 35. A connection port 36 a facing the damper chamber 34 is provided on the horizontal plane at the upstream end of the second branch passage 36. As shown in FIG. 4, when the packing 63 of the damper 60 is in close contact with the periphery of the connection port 36a, the first branch passage 35 is opened and the second branch passage 36 is closed. As shown in FIG. 7, when the packing 62 of the damper 60 is in close contact with the periphery of the connection port 35a, the second branch passage 36 is opened and the first branch passage 35 is closed.

  In order to seal the connection ports 35a and 36a, the peripheral edges of the packings 62 and 63 are arranged outside the peripheral edges of the connection ports 35a and 36a. Further, since the shaft portion 61a of the damper 60 is driven by being connected to a stepping motor, it is necessary to ensure strength. For this reason, the shaft portion 61a is formed to have a diameter larger than the thickness of the portion of the support plate 61 where the packings 62 and 63 are attached. Accordingly, the shaft portion 61a is provided on the outer side of the peripheral edges of the packings 62 and 63, and is disposed in front of the front ends of the connection ports 35a and 36a.

  Since the shaft portion 61a is disposed in front of the front end of the connection port 35a, a gap 64 is formed between the upper surface of the packing 62 and the front end of the connection port 35a when the connection port 35a is opened. Since the inclined portion 61b is provided on the upper surface of the support plate 61, the airflow can be guided to the first branch passage 35 along the inclined portion 61b and the inflow of the airflow into the gap 64 can be prevented. Therefore, the pressure loss can be further reduced and the air flow can be smoothly circulated through the first branch passage 35.

  The distance between the opposing side walls 35b of the first branch passage 35 increases as it goes forward. Thereby, the airflow which distribute | circulates the 1st branch channel | path 35 spreads in the left-right direction, and is sent to the refrigerator compartment 2 from the 1st blower outlet 30b. Therefore, ions can be diffused over a wide range of the refrigerator compartment 2.

  At this time, the center position in the left-right direction is deviated from the first outlet 30b and the eccentric exhaust port 40a of the blower 40 including the centrifugal fan, and the projecting portion 23 is disposed on the left-right center line of the exhaust port 40a. Moreover, the planar shape of the protrusion part 23 provided in the 1st blower outlet 30b is formed in the triangle which distribute | arranged the vertex back, and the side surface 23b of the protrusion part 23 inclines with respect to the front-back direction.

  As a result, the airflow flowing through the air passage 30 can be smoothly guided and expanded in the left-right direction by the side surfaces 23b of the protrusion 23. Therefore, the guide part which guides an airflow is comprised by the protrusion part 23 provided in order to fix the ion sending unit 20, and a number of parts can be reduced. In addition, you may form the side surface 23b of the protrusion part 23 by the curved surface inclined with respect to the front-back direction.

  The ozone catalyst 70 disposed in the second branch passage 36 is formed in a corrugated honeycomb shape mainly composed of manganese dioxide, aluminum oxide, and silicon oxide. As a result, ozone contained in the air passing through the ozone catalyst 70 is adsorbed.

  In the refrigerator 1 having the above configuration, the cold air generated by the cooler 14 is circulated through the cold air passage 11 by driving the freezer compartment blower 15 and is sent to the ice making chamber 3 and the freezer compartment 5. The cold air flows through the ice making chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 5 and returns to the cooler 14 through the return port. As a result, the ice making chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 5 are cooled, and the stored items and ice are stored frozen.

  A part of the cold air flowing through the cold air passage 11 is led to the cold air passage 12 by the opening of the cold room damper (not shown) and sent to the cold room 2. Thereby, the refrigerator compartment 2 is cooled and the stored item is stored in a refrigerator. The cold air flowing through the refrigerator compartment 2 returns to the cooler 14 via a communication path (not shown).

  The ion delivery unit 20 is driven by a circulation mode, a sterilization mode, and a deodorization mode selected by the user. In the circulation mode, the blower 40 is driven and the ion generator 50 is stopped. Further, for example, the damper 60 opens the first branch passage 35 and closes the second branch passage 36.

  The air in the refrigerator compartment 2 flows through the circulation duct 13 and flows into the air passage 30 of the ion delivery unit 20. The air flowing through the air passage 30 flows through the first branch passage 35 as shown by the arrow B1 (see FIG. 4) and is sent out from the first outlet 30b. Thereby, the cold air in the refrigerator compartment 2 is circulated. The second branch passage 36 may be opened by the damper 60 and the first branch passage 35 may be closed.

In the sterilization mode, the blower 40 and the ion generator 50 are driven. Further, the damper 60 opens the first branch passage 35 and closes the second branch passage 36. The air in the refrigerator compartment 2 flows through the circulation duct 13 and flows into the air passage 30 of the ion delivery unit 20. The air flowing through the air passage 30 includes ions generated by the ion generator 50, and is sent from the first outlet 30b through the first branch passage 35 as shown by an arrow B1 (see FIG. 4). The sterilization and deodorization in the refrigerator compartment 2 are performed by [.OH] and H ₂ O ₂ generated from the ions.

  In the deodorization mode, the blower 40 and the ion generator 50 are driven. Further, the damper 60 opens the second branch passage 36 and closes the first branch passage 35. The air in the refrigerator compartment 2 flows through the circulation duct 13 and flows into the air passage 30 of the ion delivery unit 20. The air flowing through the air passage 30 includes ions and ozone generated by the ion generator 50.

Odor components contained in the air current are decomposed by [.OH], H ₂ O ₂ and ozone generated from the ions. The air containing ozone flows through the second branch passage 36 as indicated by arrows B 2 and B 3 (see FIG. 7), and ozone is adsorbed by the ozone catalyst 70. And the air from which ozone was removed is sent out from the 2nd blower outlet 30c. Thereby, the deodorizing in the refrigerator compartment 2 is performed and the deodorizing effect higher than a disinfection mode is acquired.

  According to the present embodiment, since the foamed resin forming the duct member 16 disposed facing the refrigerating chamber 2 and the cold air passage 12 and the circulation passage 13 communicating with the refrigerating chamber 2 is formed of a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, Adsorption of the odor component in the chamber 2 to the foamed resin is reduced. For this reason, it can prevent that an odor component accumulate | stores in a foamed resin, and is discharge | released sequentially, and can reduce the discomfort of the user at the time of opening the door 2a of the refrigerator compartment 2. FIG.

  Further, since the ion delivery unit 20 for delivering ions is provided in the refrigerator compartment 2, adsorption of the odor component by the duct member 16 is reduced, and the odor component is decomposed by the ion. Therefore, the odor in the refrigerator compartment 2 is further reduced, and the user's discomfort can be further reduced.

  Further, the ozone generator 70 of the ion delivery unit 20 generates ozone, and the ozone catalyst 70 that adsorbs ozone in the air passage 30 is provided. Is disassembled. Therefore, the odor in the refrigerator compartment 2 is further reduced, and the user's discomfort can be further reduced.

  Moreover, since the expansion ratio of the foamed resin forming the duct member 16 is 30 to 50 times, the yield of the duct member 16 can be improved and the shape can be maintained.

  In the present embodiment, a corrugated honeycomb-shaped low temperature deodorization catalyst mainly composed of manganese dioxide, cupric oxide and zeolite may be disposed in the air passage 30. Thereby, odor components such as dimethyl disulfite, trimethylamine, and methyl mercaptan contained in the air passing through the low-temperature deodorization catalyst can be adsorbed. Therefore, the deodorizing effect can be further improved by adsorbing odor components that cannot be decomposed by ozone.

  Further, when the ion delivery unit 20 is not provided and a deodorizer such as activated carbon or zeolite is installed in the refrigerator compartment 2, the adsorption of the odor component by the duct member 16 is reduced and the odor component is adsorbed by the deodorizer. Therefore, the same effect as this embodiment can be obtained. Moreover, you may form the duct member which forms the cold air | gas channel | path 11 provided in the back of the freezer compartment 3 by foaming of a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can utilize for the refrigerator which distribute | arranged the foaming resin to the channel | path connected to a store room or a store room.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Refrigeration room 3 Ice making room 5 Freezing room 10 Heat insulation box 10a Foamed resin 11, 12 Cold air path 13 Circulation path 14 Cooler 15 Freezer room fan 16 Duct member 20 Ion sending unit 21 Case 21a Main part 21b Top cover 21c Rib 22 Supporting portion 23 Protruding portion 25 Buffer material 26 Recessed portion 30 Air passage 30a Suction port 30b First air outlet 30c Second air outlet 31 Inlet portion 32 Throttle portion 32a Inclined surface 33 Left and right restrictor portion 34 Damper chamber 35 First branch passage 35a 36a Communication port 36 Second branch passage 40 Blower 40a Intake port 40b Exhaust port 50 Ion generator 50a Ion generation surface 51 Positive ion generator 52 Negative ion generator 54 Gap 55 Shielding member 60 Damper 61 Support plate 61a Shaft 61b Inclined Part 62, 63 Packing 70 Ozo Catalyst

Claims (6)

  A refrigerator characterized in that a foamed resin disposed facing a storage room for storing a storage or a passage communicating with the storage room is made of a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer.   An ion delivery unit that sends out ions by having an air passage formed in a housing that opens a suction port and an air outlet, a blower arranged in the air passage, and an ion generator that generates ions by discharge The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator is provided in the storage chamber.   The refrigerator according to claim 2, further comprising an ozone catalyst that generates ozone by the ion generator and adsorbs ozone in the air passage.   A circulation duct that is disposed on the back surface of the storage chamber and connects one end to the suction port and opens an air inlet facing the storage chamber is provided, and a wall surface of the circulation duct is formed of the foamed resin. The refrigerator according to claim 2 or 3.   The cool air that is arranged on the back of the storage chamber and generated by the cooler flows and has a cool air passage that opens a discharge port of the cool air facing the storage chamber, and the wall surface of the cool air passage is formed of the foamed resin. The refrigerator in any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a foaming ratio of the foamed resin is 30 to 50 times.

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