JP2013050229A - Refrigerator and freezer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator that effectively utilizes not only a water component from food but also a water component contained in an outside air as a water supply source, prevents the drying of the food, and can effectively discharge an anti-oxidation component, and a freezer.SOLUTION: This refrigerator 1 comprises a plurality of storage compartments 2, 3, 4 and 5, and a freezing cycle for cooling the plurality of storage compartments 2, 3, 4 and 5, and is formed with cold air passages 30t, 31, 32, 32o, 36 to 38 and 41 for leading cold air from the freezing cycle to the plurality of storage compartments 2, 3, 4 and 5. A cool storage material 52 for accumulating the cold air is arranged in at least a portion of storage compartments 24 of the plurality of storage compartments 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a freezer provided with a storage room capable of preventing food from drying and preventing oxidation.

  Foods are oxidized by reacting with oxygen in the air during storage in the refrigerator. In particular, unsaturated fatty acids such as DHA and EPA that are often contained in fish, some amino acids contained in meat, vitamin C contained in vegetables, and the like are lost by contact with oxygen in the air. Therefore, many techniques for preventing oxidation of nutritional components by reducing the oxygen concentration around foods by utilizing vacuum packs, antioxidants, and the like are routinely adopted.

As an example, as conventionally known, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, the amount of oxygen in the sealed container is reduced by sucking the air in the sealed container in the refrigerator using a vacuum pump. Suppresses deterioration due to oxidation of components. There is a refrigerator that absorbs moisture in the sealed container, dissolves vitamin C in the absorbed moisture, and releases it as vitamin C water into the sealed container to suppress deterioration due to oxidation of nutrient components.
That is, the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1 improves the freshness maintaining function of food with a low oxygen concentration and an antioxidant power of vitamin C.

Japanese Patent No. 4607200

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, moisture in the sealed container does not escape outside the sealed container due to the sealed state. In other words, if the inside of the sealed container does not reach the saturated water vapor pressure, moisture from the outside air Since there is no inflow of water, moisture continues to evaporate from the food stored in the sealed container until the inside of the sealed container reaches a saturated water vapor pressure. Furthermore, since the water vapor reaching the saturation amount is released into the atmosphere by the door opening operation, there is a problem that the drying of the food is progressed by repeated opening and closing of the door.

In the technique of Patent Document 1, moisture in the sealed container is absorbed, vitamin C is dissolved in the absorbed moisture, and is released into the sealed container as vitamin C water to suppress deterioration due to oxidation of nutrient components. It is.
Therefore, after the inside of the airtight container has reached the saturated water vapor pressure, the hygroscopic material in the vitamin C cassette absorbs moisture and vitamin C water is released, so it takes time to release vitamin C water if there is little moisture to absorb. There is a problem that it takes.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a refrigerator and a freezer that can effectively prevent the drying of food and effectively release antioxidant components by effectively utilizing the water supply source not only from food but also water contained in the outside air. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, a refrigerator according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of storage rooms and a refrigeration cycle for cooling the plurality of storage rooms, and cool air from the refrigeration cycle is supplied to the plurality of storage rooms. The refrigerator is provided with a leading cool air passage, and a cold storage material for storing cold air is provided in at least some of the plurality of storage chambers.

  The freezer according to the second aspect of the present invention is obtained by applying the refrigerator according to the first aspect of the present invention to a freezer.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the water | moisture content not only from a foodstuff but the water | moisture content contained in external air can be used effectively, and the refrigerator and freezer which can prevent drying of a foodstuff and can discharge | release an antioxidant component effectively are realizable.

It is the center longitudinal cross-sectional view which looked at the refrigerator of embodiment which concerns on this invention from the left. It is the upper notch perspective view which looked at the lowest space part of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 from the upper right side upper side of FIG. It is a front view of the back panel of the refrigerator compartment shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the antioxidant component release cassette shown in FIG. 2. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is BB sectional drawing of FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the low pressure chamber which shows the example which has arrange | positioned the antioxidant component discharge | release cassette to the ceiling wall of the low pressure chamber of embodiment from diagonally upward front. It is the perspective view which looked at the inside of the low-pressure chamber which shows the case where the tray made from aluminum is installed in the bottom face of the food tray of a low-pressure chamber from diagonally upward front. It is the perspective view which looked at the inside of the low-pressure chamber which shows the case where the cool storage material is installed in the center of the inside of the low-pressure chamber from obliquely upward and forward. It is the perspective view which looked at the inside of the low-pressure chamber which shows the case where the cool storage material is installed in the edge part of a low-pressure chamber from diagonally upward front. It is a perspective view which shows the decomposition | disassembly state of a cool storage material. (a) is a perspective view which shows the cool storage material stand for installing a cool storage material, (b) is a perspective view which shows the state which installed the cool storage material in the cool storage material stand. It is a top view which shows the positional relationship of the protrusion for a cool storage material positioning and bottom raising for determining the arrangement | positioning position of a cool storage material. It is CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the figure which compared the moisture retention of the foodstuff by the presence or absence of an aluminum tray.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a central longitudinal cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the left.
The refrigerator 1 of the embodiment includes a refrigerator main body 1H in which a plurality of storage chambers (2, 3, 4, 5) are provided, and a plurality of storage chambers (2, 3, 4, 5) provided on the front surface (right side in FIG. 1). 4, 5) and a plurality of doors 6 to 9 that open and close each.

The refrigerator main body 1H includes an outer casing 11 made of a steel plate that forms an outer shell, an inner box 12 made of resin in which a plurality of storage chambers are defined, and urethane foam insulation that is filled between them and insulates the outside and the inside of the warehouse. It has the material 13 and a vacuum heat insulating material (not shown).
In the refrigerator main body 1H, a plurality of storage rooms are formed in the order of the refrigerator compartment 2, the freezer compartments 3 and 4, and the vegetable compartment 5 from the top. In other words, the refrigerator compartment 2 is arranged at the top and the vegetable compartment 5 is arranged at the bottom, respectively. Between the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5, freezing compartments 3 and 4 which are insulated and partitioned from these two compartments are disposed.

The refrigerated room 2 and the vegetable room 5 are storage rooms in a refrigerated temperature zone of, for example, around 3 ° C., and the freezer rooms 3 and 4 are refrigerated temperature zones of 0 ° C. or lower (for example, temperatures of about −20 ° C. to −18 ° C. Obi) storage room. These storage chambers 2 to 5 are partitioned by partition walls 33, 34, and 35.
The partition wall 33 that defines the refrigerator compartment 2 and the freezer compartment 3 and the partition wall 35 that defines the freezer compartment 4 and the vegetable compartment 5 divide the refrigerator compartment and the refrigerator compartment, respectively. Consists of partitions that insulate and partition. That is, the partition walls 33 and 35 are each provided with a foam heat insulating material or a vacuum heat insulating material.

As described above, doors 6, 7, 8, and 9 for opening and closing the front openings of the plurality of storage chambers 2, 3, 4, and 5 are provided on the front surface of the refrigerator body 1 </ b> H so as to be freely opened and closed. ing.
Specifically, the refrigerator compartment door 6 opens and closes the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 2, the freezer compartment door 7 opens and closes the front opening of the freezer compartment 3, and the freezer compartment door 8 is the front opening of the freezer compartment 4. The vegetable compartment door 9 is a door that opens and closes the front opening of the vegetable compartment 5.

  The refrigerator compartment door 6 is configured by a double door with double doors pivoted at both ends. The freezer compartment door 7, the freezer compartment door 8, and the vegetable compartment door 9 are each constituted by a drawer-type door, and together with the drawer door, the containers 7y, 8y, 9y in the storage compartment (3, 4, 5) are respectively drawn out. It has a structure.

  The refrigerator main body 1H is provided with a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant for cooling the storage chambers (2, 3, 4, 5) circulates. In this refrigeration cycle, a compressor 14, a condenser (not shown), a capillary tube (not shown) and an evaporator 15, and again the compressor 14 are connected in order to form a refrigerant circulation path. Yes. The compressor 14 and the condenser are installed in a machine room 1H1 provided at the lower back of the refrigerator body 1H.

  The evaporator 15 cools the air circulating in the warehouse with latent heat when the refrigerant evaporates, and is installed in a cooler chamber 1H2 provided behind the freezing chambers 3 and 4. A blower fan 16 is provided above the evaporator 15 in the cooler chamber 1H2 for sending the cool air cooled by the evaporator 15 into the cabinet.

  The cold air cooled by the evaporator 15 is sent by the blower fan 16 to each storage room such as the refrigerating room 2, the freezing rooms 3, 4 and the vegetable room 5 through the cold air passage 30t. Specifically, a part of the cool air sent by the blower fan 16 is sent to the refrigerating room 2 and the storage room in the refrigerating temperature zone of the vegetable room 5 through the dampers 36, 37, 38 that can be opened and closed, Further, the remaining part is sent to the freezer compartments 3 and 4 in the freezing temperature zone.

The cold air sent to the respective storage rooms of the refrigerator compartment 2, the freezer compartments 3 and 4 and the vegetable compartment 5 by the blower fan 16 is cooled in each storage compartment, and then returned to the cooler compartment 1H2 through the cold air return passage. (Returned).
Thus, the refrigerator 1 has a cold air circulation structure, and maintains each of the storage chambers 2 to 5 at an appropriate temperature (set temperature).

  A plurality of shelves 17 to 20 made of a resin plate such as a transparent acrylic resin are attached and detachable in the refrigerator compartment 2. The lowermost shelf 20 is installed so as to be in contact with the back surface and both side surfaces, which are the inner surfaces of the inner box 12, and divides a lower space 21 of the refrigerating chamber 2, which is the lower space, from the upper space. .

  A plurality of door pockets 25 to 27 are installed inside the refrigerator compartment door 6, and the door pockets 25 to 27 protrude into the refrigerator compartment 2 with the refrigerator compartment door 6 closed. Is provided. On the back surface of the refrigerator compartment 2, a back panel 30 is provided in which a cool air passage 30 t of a passage through which the cool air supplied from the blower fan 16 passes is formed.

<Low pressure chamber 24>
2 is an upper cutaway perspective view of the lowermost space portion of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the upper right side of FIG.
In the lowermost space 21 of the refrigerator compartment 2, in order from left to right, an ice making water tank 22 for supplying ice making water to the ice tray in the freezing compartment 3, a storage case 23 for storing food such as dessert, A low-pressure chamber 24 is provided for maintaining the freshness of food and storing it for a long period of time by reducing the pressure.

  The low-pressure chamber 24 has a width that is narrower than the width of the refrigerator compartment 2, and is disposed adjacent to the side surface of the refrigerator compartment 2. As is clear from FIG. 2, the low pressure chamber 24 is hermetically surrounded by a wall (low pressure chamber main body 40) and a door (low pressure chamber door 50). Thereby, the low pressure chamber 24 can reduce the internal atmospheric pressure to be lower than the atmospheric pressure of the external space of the low pressure chamber 24 and the external space outside the warehouse.

The ice making water tank 22 and the storage case 23 shown on the left side of FIG. 2 are arranged behind the refrigerator compartment door 6 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, the ice making water tank 22 and the storage case 23 can be pulled out only by opening the left refrigerator compartment door 6.
Further, the low pressure chamber 24 shown on the right side of FIG. 2 is disposed behind the refrigerator compartment door 6. Therefore, the food tray 60 of the low-pressure chamber 24 can be pulled out by opening the low-pressure chamber door 50 by grasping the handle portion 50t only by opening the right refrigerator compartment door 6.
The ice-making water tank 22, the storage case 23, and the low-pressure chamber 24 are located behind the lowermost door pocket 27 of the refrigerator compartment door 6 shown in FIG.

<Rear panel 30>
Next, details of the back panel 30 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.
The back panel 30 forms the back wall of the refrigerator compartment 2 of the refrigerator 1.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the back panel of the refrigerator compartment (view of the refrigerator 1 of FIG. 1 as viewed from the right side).
The rear panel 30 includes a refrigerating chamber (2) for supplying cold air to the refrigerating chamber (2), a first cold air discharge port (31) for cooling, and a low pressure for supplying cold air to the lowermost space 21 (see FIG. 1) of the refrigerating chamber (2). A second cold air discharge port 32 for cooling the chamber (24) and a cold air return port 32o through which the cold air after cooling of the refrigerating chamber 2 and the low pressure chamber 24 flows are provided. The cold air return port 32 o is disposed on the side near the right side surface of the refrigerating chamber 2 behind the back surface of the low pressure chamber 24.

  The second cold air discharge port 32 for cooling the low pressure chamber 24 is provided toward the gap between the upper surface of the low pressure chamber 24 and the lower surface of the shelf 20. The cold air discharged from the second cold air discharge port 32 flows through the gap between the upper surface of the low-pressure chamber 24 and the lower surface of the shelf 20, and cools the low-pressure chamber 24 from the upper surface. That is, the cold air discharged from the second cold air discharge port 32 indirectly cools the inside of the low pressure chamber 24.

In addition, a damper device 41 (see FIG. 1) for controlling the flow of cold air to the low-pressure chamber 24 is provided in the cold air flow channel upstream of the second cold air discharge port 32. The opening / closing operation of the damper device 41 is controlled by a control device (not shown), whereby the amount of cold air supplied to the low pressure chamber 24 is controlled.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, a heater 43 is provided to increase the temperature in the low-pressure chamber 24. The heater 43 is provided on the lower projection surface of the space in the low-pressure chamber 24. In this example, the heater 43 has a substantially same area as the bottom surface in the low-pressure chamber 24.

In the refrigerator 1, the low pressure chamber 24 is disposed close to the right side surface of the refrigeration chamber 2 so as to eliminate a space (space) on the right side of the low pressure chamber 24, and a shelf (not shown) is provided at the left end of the upper surface of the low pressure chamber 24. A (partition wall) is provided to eliminate a gap (space) on the left side of the low pressure chamber 24. Therefore, the cold air discharged from the second cold air discharge port 32 flows on the (outer) upper surface of the low pressure chamber 24 without being diverted to the left and right outer sides of the low pressure chamber 24.
As a result, the amount of cool air from the second cool air discharge port 32 that cools the (outer) upper surface of the low-pressure chamber 24 can be increased, whereby the internal space of the low-pressure chamber 24 can be cooled quickly.

  The cold air that has cooled the (outer) upper surface of the low pressure chamber 24 is sucked into the cold air return port 32o from the upper side of the low pressure chamber 24 through the rear surface of the low pressure chamber 24, and returned to the cooler chamber 1H2 through the cold air return passage. . Since the cold air return port 32o is provided behind the low pressure chamber 24 on the side close to the right side surface of the refrigerator compartment 2, the cold air contacts the (outer) back surface and the (outer) right side surface of the low pressure chamber 24. Cool down.

Thus, the low pressure chamber 24 is indirectly cooled by the cold air from the second cold air discharge port 32 passing through the outside. Therefore, by reducing the pressure of the low-pressure chamber 24, the convection of the cold air inside the low-pressure chamber 24 is suppressed, and by performing indirect cooling in the sealed container of the low-pressure chamber 24, In addition, even if the doors (6, 7, 8, 9) of the refrigerator 1 are opened and closed and defrosting is performed, adverse effects on the internal temperature of the low-pressure chamber 24 are suppressed, so that a constant temperature and humidity can be maintained. Is possible.
Note that the cold air that has cooled the entire refrigerator compartment 2 from the first cold air discharge port 31 of the back panel 30 is also sucked into the cold air return port 32o.

  Further, an ice making water pump 28 is installed behind the ice making water tank 22 in FIG. A negative pressure pump 29, which is an example of a decompression device for decompressing the low pressure chamber 24, is disposed behind the storage case 23 and in a space behind the low pressure chamber 24. The negative pressure pump 29 is connected to a pump connection portion provided on a side surface of the low pressure chamber 24 via a conduit, and is configured to suck air in the low pressure chamber 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, the low-pressure chamber 24 includes a box-shaped low-pressure chamber main body 40 having an opening 40k for putting in and out food, a low-pressure chamber door 50 for opening and closing the opening 40k for putting in and out the food, and food inside. The food tray 60 is configured to be stored and through which food is taken into and out of the low pressure chamber 24 through the low pressure chamber door 50.
That is, in the low-pressure chamber body 40, the food enclosure opening 40k of the low-pressure chamber door 50 is closed so that the space surrounded by the low-pressure chamber body 40 and the low-pressure chamber door 50 is reduced in pressure in the sealed space. It is formed as a space. The food tray 60 is attached to the back side of the low-pressure chamber door 50 and can move in the front-rear direction as the low-pressure chamber door 50 moves.

  The use (operation) of the low-pressure chamber 24 will be described. The low-pressure chamber 24 is placed in a hermetically sealed state by placing food on the food tray 60 and closing the low-pressure chamber door 50. At the same time, the door switch of the low pressure chamber door 50 is turned on, the negative pressure pump 29 is driven, the air inside the low pressure chamber door 50 is discharged, and the low pressure chamber 24 is depressurized to a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure. Thereby, the oxygen concentration in the low pressure chamber 24 can be reduced, and deterioration (oxidation) of nutritional components in the food can be suppressed (prevented).

  Then, when the user holds the handle 50t and pulls the low pressure chamber door 50 forward, first, a pressure release valve (not shown) provided in a part of the low pressure chamber door 50 operates to reduce the pressure of the low pressure chamber 24. The state is released. As a result, the inside of the low pressure chamber 24 becomes an atmospheric pressure state, the pressure difference is eliminated, and the low pressure chamber door 50 can be easily opened. Therefore, the user can easily open and close the low-pressure chamber door 50 and put food in and out.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the antioxidant component releasing cassette shown in FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
An antioxidant component release cassette 80 containing an antioxidant 81 (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 6) is installed inside the low-pressure chamber 24 which is a decompression storage chamber.
The antioxidant 81 prevents fresh foods such as vegetables and meat fish stored in the low pressure chamber 24 from being oxidized by oxygen in the air.
As shown in FIG. 2, the antioxidant component release cassette 80 is detachably attached to the back wall portion 60 s of the food tray 60.

  As the anti-oxidant 81, an anti-oxidant that does not release an anti-oxidant component under an atmospheric pressure group and releases an anti-oxidant component under a pressure state lower than atmospheric pressure is used. That is, the antioxidant 81 contained in the antioxidant component release cassette 80 depressurizes the inside of the low pressure chamber 24, thereby reducing the pressure inside the antioxidant component release cassette 80 and the pressure outside the antioxidant component release cassette 80. Due to the pressure difference, the antioxidant component is released from the antioxidant component release cassette 80.

  Thereby, the oxygen concentration in the low pressure chamber 24 can be reduced, and deterioration (oxidation) of nutritional components in the food can be prevented. In addition, the release of the antioxidant component from the antioxidant 81 is started after the low pressure chamber 24 is sealed and decompressed, and the antioxidant component in the food with the antioxidant component inside the low pressure chamber 24 of a limited volume. It is possible to prevent the combination of nutrients and oxygen.

  As a result, when the pressure is reduced, the saturated vapor pressure is lowered (rich in water), so that a large amount of a hygroscopic agent is not required, and the antioxidant component release cassette 80 can be downsized. Moreover, since the antioxidant component can be released and exert an antioxidant action even near atmospheric pressure, the need for a pressure-resistant structure is reduced, and the strength of the casing of the low-pressure chamber 24 can be reduced.

  Accordingly, it is possible to increase the food storage space in the low pressure chamber 24 by reducing the size of the antioxidant component release cassette 80, and to reduce the cost by reducing the strength of the casing of the low pressure chamber 24. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent oxidative deterioration of nutritional components in the food stored in the low pressure chamber 24 over a long period of time.

<Antioxidant component release cassette 80>
Next, the antioxidant component release cassette 80 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.
The antioxidant component release cassette 80 includes an antioxidant 81 that is stored in a storage bag 86 and releases an antioxidant component, a resin container 82 that stores a storage bag 86 containing the antioxidant 81, and an interior of the resin container 82. And a paper 85 that guides and releases the antioxidant component of the antioxidant 81 to the external space.

The paper 85 is made of Japanese paper or nonwoven fabric and has air permeability.
The antioxidant 81 prevents oxidation of nutritional components in food by oxidizing the nutritional components in food before being oxidized by oxygen in the air. Therefore, the antioxidant 81 is made of a substance that is very easily oxidized. In this way, the antioxidant 81 is in contact with food, and therefore, in consideration of safety to the human body, an antioxidant contained in natural foods containing nutritional components such as vitamin C, vitamin E and enzyme-treated rutin, for example, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and tocophenol (vitamin E) are used.

The resin container 82 includes a box-shaped resin container main body 83 that accommodates a storage bag 86 that has an upper surface opened and contains an antioxidant 81, and a substantially flat resin container lid 84 that covers the opening on the upper surface of the resin container main body 83. With
The resin container main body 83 has a flat box shape with an upper surface opened. The resin container main body 83 has a box portion 83 h for storing a storage bag 86 containing an antioxidant 81 and a resin container lid 84 formed around the box portion 83 h. And an opposing flange portion 83f.

The resin container lid 84 has a projecting recess 84b that is formed to project outward at the center and into which the paper 85 is inserted, and a flat plate portion 84p that extends in the short direction of the projecting recess 84b. Yes.
The paper 85 is fitted into the protruding recess 84b of the resin container lid 84, and is sandwiched between the flange portion 83f of the resin container main body 83 in which the storage bag 86 containing the antioxidant 81 is accommodated in the box portion 83h. The flange portion 83f of the resin container body 83 and the flat plate portion 84p of the resin container lid 84 are fixed by heat welding or the like.

  Thereby, the flange portion 83f at the peripheral portion of the resin container main body 83 and the flat plate portion 84p at the peripheral portion of the resin container lid 84 are overlapped, and the peripheral portions are arranged around the entire circumference except for the portion where the paper 85 is interposed. It is joined over.

The paper 85 is disposed over the entire length in the protruding recess 84b of the resin container lid 84, and end edge portions 85t at both ends face the outside of the resin container 82 from the end edge of the protruding recess 84b.
As a result, the antioxidant component released from the antioxidant 81 arranged in the resin container 82 passes through only the edge portions 85t and 85t (see FIG. 6) exposed from the protruding recesses 84b of the sandwiched paper 85. It is discharged into the internal space of the low pressure chamber 24 that is the external space of the container 82.

  Accordingly, the release rate of the antioxidant component into the low-pressure chamber 24 is determined by the cross-sectional area of the edge portion 85t of the paper 85 holding portion (in other words, the thickness or width of the paper 85) and the length of the paper 85 at the holding portion. It can be easily adjusted by adjusting the height.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the low-pressure chamber as seen from the diagonally upper front, showing an example in which the antioxidant component release cassette is disposed on the ceiling wall of the low-pressure chamber of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7, the antioxidant component release cassette 80 having the antioxidant 81 can be arranged on the ceiling wall 40 t of the low pressure chamber 24. Thereby, the antioxidant component release cassette 80 can be disposed inside the low-pressure chamber 24 without reducing the storage volume of the low-pressure chamber 24 and without being visually observed by the user.

<Cool storage material (aluminum tray 51)>
Next, details of the cold storage material that assists in preventing the drying of food stored in the low-pressure chamber 24 and releasing vitamin C as an antioxidant component will be described.
In order to effectively release the antioxidant component, the inside of the low pressure chamber 24 needs to be highly humid. However, conventionally, the moisture for increasing the humidity depends on what is evaporated from the food stored in the low-pressure chamber 24.

  By the way, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the low-pressure chamber 24 is disposed at a location located substantially in the center of the refrigerator 1, and is in a position where food can be easily taken in and out. In addition, since the food is stored at a low pressure in the low-pressure chamber 24, various foods are stored because the nutrient components in the food react with oxygen in the air and are not easily oxidized and deteriorated. In other words, the low pressure chamber 24 is a place (storage chamber) where various foods are put in and out.

  Accordingly, the low-pressure chamber door 50 of the low-pressure chamber 24 in FIG. 2 is opened and closed approximately equal to the number of times the refrigerator compartment door 6 is opened. As described above, the low-pressure chamber 24 is a place where food is stored by putting food in and out before and after, and as apparent from FIG. 1, since the volume is small, the low-pressure chamber door 50 is opened and closed to open the inside of the low-pressure chamber 24. The air in which the water content is saturated is released into the atmosphere, and when the low-pressure chamber door 50 is closed, the humidity is lowered (dry state).

  Thus, water is evaporated from the food in the low pressure chamber 24 each time the low pressure chamber door 50 of the low pressure chamber 24 is opened and closed. Since one of the major causes of the deterioration of food is dryness, in the refrigerator 1, a cold storage material is disposed in the low-pressure chamber 24 in order to eliminate such an adverse effect.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, a flat aluminum tray 51 made of a metal material having high thermal conductivity was installed on the bottom surface 60 t of the food tray 60 in the low pressure chamber 24. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the interior of the low-pressure chamber as viewed from diagonally above and front, showing the case where an aluminum tray is installed on the bottom surface of the food tray in the low-pressure chamber.

The aluminum tray 51 has a cold storage effect because it has a higher thermal conductivity and heat capacity than those made of resin, and is cooled to a control temperature when the low-pressure chamber 24 is controlled to a constant temperature. Is accumulated. That is, the aluminum tray 51 can store the cold air in the low pressure chamber 24.
The aluminum tray 51 cooled at a low temperature in the low-pressure chamber 24 is exposed to room temperature under atmospheric pressure when the low-pressure chamber door 50 of the low-pressure chamber 24 is opened. However, when the food in and out of the low pressure chamber 24 is taken in and out, the surface temperature of the aluminum tray 51 does not rise rapidly to the normal temperature even if the inside of the low pressure chamber 24 is exposed to atmospheric pressure at normal temperature. This is because the aluminum tray 51 has a high thermal conductivity and high heat capacity, so that the accumulated cold heat is rapidly supplied from the inside of the aluminum tray 51 to the surface.

On the other hand, when the low-pressure chamber door 50 is opened, the saturated water vapor in the low-pressure chamber 24 is released into the atmosphere. Further, the temperature of the surface of the plastic component constituting the wall of the low pressure chamber 24 is increased by air at normal temperature. This is because the plastic component parts have a lower thermal conductivity and heat capacity than metals, and thus the accumulated cold heat is difficult to be supplied to the surface.
As described above, the aluminum tray 51 does not increase in temperature due to its own cold insulation effect (cold storage effect), and remains at a low temperature. The higher the outside air, the higher the dew point temperature, and the lower the lower temperature inside the low pressure chamber 24, the lower the dew point temperature. Therefore, moisture in the atmosphere adheres to the surface of the aluminum tray 51 as dew condensation.
In this state, when the food in and out of the low pressure chamber 24 is finished, the low pressure chamber door 50 is closed, and the internal space of the low pressure chamber 24 becomes a sealed space. Then, the low pressure chamber 24 is depressurized by the negative pressure pump 29.

  Here, immediately after the low-pressure chamber door 50 is closed, the inside of the low-pressure chamber 24 has not reached the saturated water vapor pressure, so that the water evaporates and evaporates until the inside of the low-pressure chamber 24 is saturated with the amount of water vapor. At this time, if there is no aluminum tray 51, the water to be evaporated becomes moisture in the food, and the drying of the food proceeds.

However, since the aluminum tray 51 exists, the condensed water adhering to the surface of the aluminum tray 51 becomes water vapor earlier than the moisture in the food. Therefore, the evaporation of moisture from the food is suppressed, and the food can be stored at high humidity.
In addition, you may use the following cool storage material 52 with a higher cool storage effect than the aluminum tray 51. FIG.

<Cool storage material 52>
9 and 10 show examples in which the regenerator material 52 is arranged in the low pressure chamber 24. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the inside of the low-pressure chamber as seen from the diagonally upper front, showing the case where the cold storage material is installed in the center of the low-pressure chamber.
As shown in FIG. 9, the regenerator material 52 may be installed in the center of the low pressure chamber 24. Since the cold storage material 52 has a high cooling effect, if the cold storage material 52 is placed under the place where the food is placed, it also assists in cooling the food.

However, if the low-pressure chamber door 50 is opened and closed while food is placed on the cold storage material 52, it becomes difficult to collect moisture in the atmosphere outside the warehouse as condensation on the surface of the cold storage material 52.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the interior of the low-pressure chamber as viewed from the diagonally upper front, showing the case where the cold storage material is installed at the end of the low-pressure chamber.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, when the cold storage material 52 is arranged at the end of the low pressure chamber 24, food is less likely to be placed on the cold storage material 52, so that the surface of the cold storage material 52 is in the atmosphere (outside air). Problems that make it difficult to collect moisture as condensation are reduced.
The configuration shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 provides an effect of forcibly collecting moisture in the cold storage material 52 of the low-pressure chamber 24 by opening and closing the low-pressure chamber door 50 while assisting in keeping the food in the low-pressure chamber 24 cold.

An example of the configuration of the cold storage material 52 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of the regenerator material.
The cold storage material 52 has a structure in which a storage body 54 in which a cold storage material component is packed (filled) is covered with two cold storage material covers 53.

The cold storage material component is generally a mixed component of salts and water, and is a liquid or gel component at a temperature above the freezing point. Therefore, it is difficult to stand or partition in the low pressure chamber 24 because the shape is soft. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a liquid or gel-like cold storage material component is packaged (filled) into a storage body 54, and the storage body 54 is stored in the cold storage material covers 53, 53 of a hard container (FIG. 11). By referring to the white arrow), it is possible to lean or partition the low-pressure chamber 24.
In addition, although the cold storage material component may be directly filled in the resin container, in this case, it is possible to avoid leakage of the contents during use by providing a sealing property for the cold storage material component filled in the resin container.

  The cool storage material cover 53 is formed of at least one of resin and metal. Examples of the metal include aluminum, aluminum alloy, and stainless steel, and examples of the resin include, but are not limited to, PP (polypropylene), PS (polystyrene), and ABS resin (Acrylonitrile-Ethylene-Styrene resin).

FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing a cold storage material stand for installing the cold storage material, and FIG. 12B is a perspective view showing a state where the cold storage material is installed in the cold storage material stand.
Moreover, in order to arrange the cool storage material 52 like a partition so that the cool storage material 52 of the low pressure chamber 24 becomes a partition of the low pressure chamber 24, a cool storage material stand 55 shown in FIG.
The cold storage material stand 55 has a concave shape in cross section at the center and extends in the longitudinal direction, and the cold storage material stand 55 extends in the short direction outward from the lower end of the thermal storage material fitting portion 55k. Flat stand portions 55s1 and 55s2 for standing the material stand 55 are formed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 12 (b), the heat storage material 52 assembled in FIG. 11 is inserted into the heat storage material fitting portion 55 k of the cold storage material stand 55 in the low pressure chamber 24.
Thereby, in the low pressure chamber 24, food does not overlap with the heat storage material 52, and the heat storage material 52 does not serve as an underlay for food. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the effect of collecting moisture by the heat storage material 52 and the effect of keeping food cold.

Alternatively, the heat storage material 52 may be disposed on the ceiling of the low pressure chamber 24.
As shown in FIG. 1, a heater 43 is disposed below the low pressure chamber 24 in order to control the temperature of the low pressure chamber 24. Therefore, since the cool storage material 52 may be heated by the heater 43, the heat of the cold air passing between the refrigerator compartment shelf 20 and the low pressure chamber 24 by arranging the cool storage material 52 on the ceiling of the low pressure chamber 24. The cool storage material 52 can be cooled by effectively utilizing the above. Therefore, when the low-pressure chamber door 50 is opened, the dew point temperature in the low-temperature low-pressure chamber 24 is lower than the outside air, so that the moisture in the atmosphere is effectively removed due to the difference between the outside air and the dew point temperature in the low-pressure chamber 24. It can be collected (condensed) in the cold storage material 52.

Next, in order to arrange the cold storage material 52 in the low pressure chamber 24, the cold storage material positioning / bottom raising projections 56 and 57 provided on the food tray 60 will be described.
FIG. 13 is a top view showing the positional relationship of the regenerator positioning / bottom raising protrusions for determining the arrangement position of the regenerator material, and FIG.
The cold storage material positioning projections 56 (56a, 56b, 56c, 56d) are provided so that the four sides of the cold storage material 52 are accommodated, and the cold storage material raising protrusions 57 (57a, 57b, 57c, 57d) are provided as the cold storage material. The bottom surfaces of the four corners of 52 are formed.

Each cold storage material positioning projection 56 (56a, 56b, 56c, 56d) and each cold storage material bottom raising projection 57 (57a, 57b, 57c, 57d) are integrally formed.
The cold storage material positioning projections 56 (56a, 56b, 56c, 56d) and the cold storage material bottom raising projections 57 (57a, 57b, 57c, 57d), which are integrally formed, are respectively at least one of these (partly) Or all of them may be connected to form an integrated molded product, or as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG.

  By providing the cold storage material positioning projections 56 so that the four sides of the cold storage material 52 are accommodated, the cold storage material 52 is placed on the inner side of the cold storage material positioning projections 56 so that the cold storage material 52 is placed on the food tray 60. It is possible to suppress a horizontal displacement in the case.

  In addition, the protrusions 57 for raising the bottom of the regenerator material are formed so that the bottom surfaces of the four corners of the regenerator material 52 are placed, so that the regenerator material 52 floats from the food tray 60 (a space is formed between the regenerator material 52 and the food tray 60). It can be installed in a vacant state (see FIG. 14). Thereby, the surface which adjoins (facing) the food tray 60 in the cool storage material 52 also has the effect of condensing (condensing) moisture in the atmosphere by the cold temperature.

Contrary to this configuration, if the cold storage material 52 is disposed on the food tray 60 without using the protrusion 57 for raising the cold storage material bottom, the tray 60 and the cold storage material 52 come into contact with each other, and when the low-pressure chamber door 50 is opened, The area where the atmosphere (outside air) and the cold storage material 52 come into contact with each other is reduced to the upper surface and the four surrounding side surfaces.
On the other hand, by utilizing the projection 57 for raising the bottom of the regenerator material of this configuration, the back surface 52r of the regenerator material (see FIG. 14) can be used for condensation, and the area where the atmosphere (outside air) and the regenerator material 52 come into contact is reduced. Can be effectively condensed.

  For example, even if food is placed on the cold storage material 52, the cold storage material back surface 52r opposite to the food storage side of the cold storage material 52 is floating from the food tray 60 (a space between the food tray 60 ( Therefore, moisture in the atmosphere (outside air) can be condensed on the cold storage material back surface 52r, and the effect of preventing drying inside the low pressure chamber 24 can be effectively exhibited.

Therefore, when the cold storage material 52 is disposed in the low pressure chamber 24 by the cold storage material positioning / bottom raising projections 56 and 57, the arrangement location can be made clear with respect to the food tray 60. In addition, the cold storage material 52 can be prevented from unintentionally moving when food is taken in and out of the low pressure chamber 24, and the dew condensation area on the cold storage material surface can be effectively utilized.
The same effect can be obtained when the aluminum tray 51 is disposed on the cold storage material positioning / bottom raising protrusions 56, 57.

<Effect of preventing drying of food by aluminum tray 51>
Next, the details of the effect of preventing the drying of food by the aluminum tray 51 of the cold storage material will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 15 compares the moisture retention of foods with and without the aluminum tray 51 under the following conditions.

  A refrigerator 1 having an aluminum tray 51 in the low-pressure chamber 24 and a conventional low-pressure chamber 24 without the aluminum tray 51 is prepared. Then, each low pressure chamber 24 is stored with cut vegetables whose weights have been adjusted to be the same in advance, and the doors of each low pressure chamber 24 are opened and closed 10 times / day for 3 days, respectively, and the cut vegetables after 72 hours are stored. It is the result which compared the food drying prevention effect by the weight reduction rate of.

The vertical axis | shaft of FIG. 15 shows the moisture retention of a vegetable, the code | symbol 70 is the moisture retention of the vegetable with an aluminum tray, and the code | symbol 71 is the moisture retention without an aluminum tray.
Comparing the aluminum tray with 70 and the aluminum tray without 71, it is clear that moisture remains in the case with the aluminum tray, and the cut vegetables in the low-pressure chamber 24 are dried due to the presence of the aluminum tray 51. It can be seen that was able to be suppressed.

  When the configuration of the above embodiment is summarized, it has a plurality of storage chambers (2, 3, 4, 5) and a refrigeration cycle, and cool air from the refrigeration cycle is stored in the plurality of storage chambers (2, 3, 4, 5). In the refrigerator 1 in which a cold air passage (such as 30 t) leading to the refrigerator 1 is formed, a cold storage material 52 (aluminum tray 51) is disposed in at least a part of the plurality of storage chambers.

  The cold storage material 52 (51) may be disposed in the low pressure chamber 24 having a lower pressure than the outside air or in other storage chambers (2, 3, 4, 5).

  When the cool storage material 52 (51) is disposed in the low pressure chamber 24, the cool storage material 52 cooled to the outside temperature in the low pressure chamber 24 by the door opening operation is exposed to the atmosphere, but the temperature does not immediately increase due to the cool storage effect. For this reason, it is possible to collect (condense) the water | moisture content contained in air | atmosphere as dew condensation on the surface of the cool storage material 52 (51).

  In this way, by closing the door while the cold storage material 52 is condensed, the condensed water on the surface of the cold storage material 52 is evaporated before moisture is evaporated from the food, and the inside of the low pressure chamber 24 reaches the saturated vapor pressure. Even if the door is opened and closed repeatedly, such a phenomenon is repeated. As a result, it is possible to suppress the progress of drying of the food due to the repeated opening and closing of the door.

More preferably, the cold storage material is a metal material having a high thermal conductivity, for example, an aluminum tray 51.
As a result, the metal material tray with high thermal conductivity can be formed thin (thin plate thickness) by pressing or the like, so that the storage capacity of the low pressure chamber 24 is almost reduced even if it is installed in a large area in the low pressure chamber 24. It can be lost.

Since the metal material tray can be installed in the low pressure chamber 24 with a large area and a small thickness, the food covers the surface of the metal material tray having a high heat conductivity, and the surface of the metal material tray having a high heat conductivity is exposed to the atmosphere. Even if the number of surfaces is reduced, the tray made of metal material originally has a wide area, so that the effect of preventing the drying of food can be sufficiently obtained.
In addition, the heat absorption effect of the metal material tray with high thermal conductivity quickly absorbs the heat of the food in the low-pressure chamber heated when the door of the low-pressure chamber 24 is opened, thereby improving the cooling rate of the food. can do. Thereby, the freshness of food can be kept higher.
It is to be noted that the tray made of a metal material is most desirable if the tray 51 is made of aluminum because it is inexpensive and rust-proof, and has a high thermal conductivity and heat capacity and a high heat storage effect.

  Further, preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, the cool storage material 52 is filled with a cool storage agent component in a bag-shaped storage body 54, and the storage body 54 is made of a metal or resin or both of the storage medium cover. It is good to store in 53.

  Thereby, even if the cold storage material 52 is accidentally dropped during handling of the cold storage material 52, the risk of the contents of the cold storage material (cold storage agent component) jumping out (leaking) due to breakage of the cold storage material cover 53 of the case is reduced. Can do. Therefore, the cold storage material 52 can be used without being replaced while the refrigerator 1 is being used (use period).

More preferably, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a support (a jig or a protrusion) for floating the regenerator 52 from the installation surface (food tray 60) (making a space (gap) between the installation surface). It is in having established.
Thereby, the contact area of the cool storage material 52 and the installation surface (food tray 60) can be reduced, and the cool storage material back surface 52r can also be a contact surface (condensation surface) with the outside air (atmosphere). Therefore, the contact area between the regenerator material 52 and the outside air (atmosphere) can be increased, and condensed water can be adhered to a wider surface, which can effectively prevent food from drying.

In particular, in the case of the low pressure chamber 24, even if the pressure is reduced from the atmospheric pressure, the pressure increases due to leakage (air leakage), and the pressure reduction by the negative pressure pump 29 is repeated each time. Therefore, the food in the low pressure chamber 24 is further dried. However, the moisture condensed on the cool storage material (the cool storage material 52 and the aluminum tray 51) placed in the low-pressure chamber 24 evaporates, so that drying of the food is effectively suppressed.
As a result, since drying of food is suppressed, moisture on the surface of the food serves as a barrier, and contact between the food surface (a component that is oxidized when contacted with air) and air is suppressed. Therefore, the oxidation of food is suppressed.

Therefore, according to the refrigerator 1, by placing the cold storage material in the storage room, moisture is continuously evaporated from the food stored in the storage room until the inside of the storage room (sealed container) reaches a saturated water vapor pressure. Can be suppressed.
Moreover, although the saturated water vapor | steam will be discharge | released in air | atmosphere by door opening operation, the progress of the drying of food by repetition of door opening and closing can be suppressed.
In addition, by expanding the contact surface between the cold storage material and the outside air (atmosphere), the temperature of the stored food can be maintained at a low temperature, and the freshness can be improved.

<< Other Embodiments >>
In the above-described embodiment, the low-pressure chamber that is lower than the atmospheric pressure in the refrigerator has been described as an example. The invention is applicable.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where the cool storage agent was stored in a bag and stored in a case made of metal or resin or both was illustrated, the cool storage agent was stored in a storage body other than a bag such as a box. The storage body for storing the regenerator is not limited to the bag. However, bags are most desirable because they take the form of flexibly following changes in the form of the regenerator.

In addition, in the said embodiment, although the aluminum tray was illustrated and demonstrated as an example of the metal tray of a cool storage material, the cool storage effect with high heat conductivity etc., such as a stainless steel tray and a metal tray which carried out the rust prevention process, was demonstrated. The metal tray is not limited to aluminum as long as it is a metal tray.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the bottom face and upper surface of the low pressure chamber 24 were illustrated as an installation surface of a cool storage agent, the installation surface of a cool storage agent may be a right side surface, a left side surface, and a saddle surface.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although various structures were demonstrated, you may comprise combining the demonstrated structure suitably.
In addition, in the said embodiment, although the refrigerator 1 provided with the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment was illustrated and demonstrated, this invention is applicable also to the refrigerator provided only with a refrigerator compartment. Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a freezer having only a freezer compartment.

1 Refrigerator 2 Cold room (storage room)
3, 4 Freezer room (storage room)
5 Vegetable room (storage room)
14 Compressor (refrigeration cycle)
15 Evaporator (refrigeration cycle)
24 Low pressure room (partial storage room)
30 Rear panel (cold air passage)
30t Cold air passage 31 First cold air outlet (cold air passage)
32 Second cold air outlet (cold air passage)
32o Cold air return (cold air passage)
36, 37, 38 Damper (cold air passage)
41 Damper device 41 (cold air passage)
51 Aluminum tray (metal tray)
52 Cold storage material 53 Cold storage material cover (case)
54 Storage body 55 Cold storage material stand (standing support section)
56 Regenerative material positioning protrusion (support, jig or protrusion)
57 Projection for raising the bottom of regenerator material (support, jig or projection)
60 Food tray (installation surface)
80 Antioxidant component release cassette (Antioxidant component release means)
81 Antioxidant 82 Resin container (Antioxidant component container)
83 Resin container body (antioxidant component container)
84 Resin container lid (antioxidant component container)
85 Paper 86 Storage bag

Claims (14)

A refrigerator comprising a plurality of storage chambers and a refrigeration cycle for cooling the plurality of storage chambers, wherein a cold air passage is formed for guiding cold air from the refrigeration cycle to the plurality of storage chambers,
A refrigerator having a cold storage material for storing cold air in at least some of the plurality of storage chambers. The refrigerator according to claim 1,
At least a part of the plurality of storage chambers is a low-pressure chamber whose interior is set to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. The refrigerator according to claim 1,
The refrigerator is characterized in that the cold storage material is a metal tray. The refrigerator according to claim 3,
The refrigerator is characterized in that the metal tray is an aluminum tray. The refrigerator according to claim 1,
The said cool storage material fills a storage body with the cool storage agent component, and stored the said storage body in the case which consists of a metal or resin, or both. The refrigerator characterized by the above-mentioned. The refrigerator according to claim 1,
The refrigerator, wherein the cold storage material is installed at the bottom of the storage room. In the refrigerator according to 1 above,
A refrigerator for providing a space between the cool storage material and an installation surface. In the refrigerator according to 1 above,
The refrigerator characterized by providing the standing support part which makes the extending surface of the said cool storage material stand so that it may cross | intersect with the installation surface of the said cool storage material of the said one part store room. In the refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An antioxidant that is stored in a storage bag and releases an antioxidant component, an antioxidant component container that contains a storage bag containing the antioxidant, and an antioxidant component of the antioxidant inside the antioxidant component container An anti-oxidant component releasing means having paper that is guided and released to the external space. A freezer comprising a plurality of storage chambers and a refrigeration cycle for cooling the plurality of storage chambers, wherein a cold air passage is formed to guide the cold air from the refrigeration cycle to the plurality of storage chambers,
A freezer comprising a cold storage material for storing cold air in at least some of the plurality of storage chambers. The freezer according to claim 10,
The said cool storage material is a metal tray. The freezer characterized by the above-mentioned. The freezer according to claim 10,
The said cool storage material fills a storage body with the cool storage agent component, and stored the said storage body in the case which consists of a metal or resin, or both. The freezer characterized by the above-mentioned. In the freezer of said 10,
The freezer characterized by providing the support part for making a space between the said cool storage materials with an installation surface. In the freezer according to any one of claims 10 to 13,
An antioxidant that is stored in a storage bag and releases an antioxidant component, an antioxidant component container that contains a storage bag containing the antioxidant, and an antioxidant component of the antioxidant inside the antioxidant component container A freezer comprising an antioxidant component releasing means having paper that is guided to and released from the external space.

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