JP2014025643A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator capable of saving electric power.SOLUTION: The refrigerator includes an ion generator 21 for sterilizing the inside of a living room, and a humidity sensor 53 detecting a humidity in the living room, and sterilizing power is increased by increasing a discharge amount of the ion generator 21 in a case when the humidity in the living room is outside of a humidity range, with respect to a case when the humidity in the living room is within a prescribed humidity range.

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator provided with a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing a living room.

  A conventional refrigerator is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The refrigerator has a refrigerator compartment at the top and a freezer compartment and a vegetable compartment at the bottom. An ion sending unit for sending ions into the living room is arranged at the center in the vertical direction of the refrigerator. An air outlet is opened on the front side of the ion delivery unit. A blower is arranged behind the blower outlet, and a suction port for sucking air into the ion delivery unit is formed on the intake side of the blower. Moreover, a ventilation path is provided toward the blower outlet from the exhaust port of a blower.

  The ion delivery unit is provided with an ion generator (sanitizer) that discharges ions into the air passage. Further, a human body sensor composed of an infrared sensor is provided on the front surface above the refrigerator compartment (upper end of the refrigerator). The human body in the living room is detected by the human body sensor. And the drive of an ion generator is controlled based on the detection result of a human body sensor.

  In the refrigerator configured as described above, when a human body is detected by the human body sensor, driving of the ion generator is started and driving of the blower is started. Thereby, air is sucked in from the suction port, and the air exhausted from the blower circulates through the blower passage.

  At this time, ions are released into the air passage by the ion generator. Thereby, ion is contained in the air which distribute | circulates a ventilation channel | path, and the air containing ion is sent into a living room from a blower outlet.

  Dust soars as people move through the room. Thereby, floating bacteria, such as bacteria contained in dust, float in the air. When a person opens the door of the refrigerator compartment, floating bacteria enter the refrigerator compartment. In the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, when the human body is present in the living room, the ion generating device is driven, so that the floating bacteria in the living room can be sterilized by the ions and the floating bacteria entering the refrigerated room can be reduced.

  In addition, since the driving of the ion generator is started when the human body is detected by the human body sensor, the ion generator can be stopped when the person is absent to reduce power consumption.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-44988 (5th page, 6th page, FIGS. 6 and 7)

  However, according to the conventional refrigerator described above, when the amount of dust soared by the human body is small, or when the number of floating bacteria such as bacteria contained in the dust is small, there is a possibility that the floating bacteria contained in the dust may enter the refrigerator. Low. For this reason, the useless ion which is not used for disinfection of the floating microbe which penetrate | invades into a refrigerator increases, and there existed a problem which wastes the electric power of a refrigerator.

  An object of this invention is to provide the refrigerator which can aim at power saving.

  To achieve the above object, the refrigerator of the present invention includes a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing a living room and a humidity sensor for detecting the humidity in the living room, and the humidity in the living room is within a predetermined humidity range. On the other hand, the sterilization power of the sterilization apparatus is increased when the humidity is outside the humidity range.

  According to this configuration, when the humidity in the room is outside a predetermined humidity range (for example, a range of 20% to 80%), the room is sterilized more strongly than in the humidity range.

  Moreover, the present invention further includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the living room in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, and the sterilizing power of the sterilizing apparatus is higher than a predetermined temperature when the temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature outside the humidity range. It is preferable to strengthen.

  According to this configuration, when the temperature inside the room is higher than a predetermined temperature (for example, 28 ° C.), the room is sterilized more strongly than when the temperature is low.

  In the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the sterilization apparatus is preferably stopped within the humidity range.

  The present invention further includes a human body sensor that detects a human body in the living room in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, and is more sterilized by the sterilization apparatus than when it is not detected when the human body is detected outside the humidity range. It is preferable to increase the force.

  In the refrigerator configured as described above, the human body sensor detects the distance from the front surface of the refrigerator body to the human body in the living room, and when detecting the human body in a region within a predetermined distance with respect to the front surface, It is preferable that the sterilization power of the sterilization apparatus is stronger than when a human body is detected outside the region.

  According to this configuration, when a person enters an area within a predetermined distance with respect to the front surface of the refrigerator body, the living room is sterilized more strongly than when a person exists outside the area.

  The present invention further includes a door opening / closing sensor for detecting opening / closing of a door of a storage room for storing stored items in the refrigerator configured as described above, and outside the humidity range, when the door is opened when the door is closed. It is preferable that the sterilization power of the sterilization apparatus is increased. According to this configuration, when the door is opened, the room is sterilized more strongly.

  The refrigerator of the above-described configuration further includes a dust sensor that detects the amount of dust in the air in the living room, and the outside of the humidity range is less than when the amount of dust in the air in the living room is large. It is preferable that the sterilization power of the sterilization apparatus is increased.

  The refrigerator of the present invention includes a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing a room and a dust sensor for detecting the amount of dust in the air in the room, and when the amount of dust in the air in the room is large than when the amount is small. Is characterized in that the sterilization power of the sterilization apparatus is increased. According to this configuration, when the amount of dust in the air in the room is large, the room is sterilized more strongly than when it is small.

  In the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the sterilization apparatus is preferably an ion generation apparatus that generates ions by discharge. According to this configuration, the room is sterilized by ions.

  According to the present invention, since the sterilization power by the sterilization device is strengthened when the humidity in the room is outside the humidity range with respect to the case where the humidity is within the predetermined humidity range, it depends on the number of floating bacteria in the air in the room. The sterilization power can be varied. Thereby, the electric power of a refrigerator can be saved. Therefore, power saving of the refrigerator can be achieved.

The front view which shows the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention Sectional drawing of right side which shows 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 AA sectional view of FIG. The front view which shows the housing of the air blower provided in the ion delivery unit of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention The top view for demonstrating the method to detect the direction of a human body with the human body sensor of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention The top view for demonstrating the detection area | region of the human body sensor of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the ion sending unit of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention.

<First Embodiment>
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG.1 and FIG.2 has shown the front view and right side sectional drawing of the refrigerator of one Embodiment. The refrigerator 1 has a refrigerator compartment 2 at the top. The refrigerator compartment 2 is opened and closed by doors 2a and 2b that rotate about the right end and the left end, respectively. An operation unit 7 is provided on the front surface of the door 2b. The operation unit 7 sets the operation of the refrigerator 1 by a user operation. Between the both side walls of the refrigerator compartment 2, the mounting tray 2c which mounts a store thing is distribute | arranged. The loading tray 2c is bridged on support portions (not shown) protruding from both side walls of the refrigerator compartment 2, and can be taken in and out.

  Below the refrigerating room 2, an ice making room 3 and a first freezing room 4 are arranged side by side. The ice making chamber 3 and the first freezing chamber 4 are opened and closed by doors 3a and 4a, respectively. Below the ice making chamber 3 and the first freezing chamber 4, a second freezing chamber 5 that is opened and closed by a door 5a is arranged. The volume of the second freezer compartment 5 is larger than the volume of the first freezer compartment 4. Below the second freezer compartment 5 is a vegetable compartment 6 that is opened and closed by a door 6a.

  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 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). Cold air outlets (not shown) are opened on both sides of the cold air passage 12. In the refrigerator compartment 2, a communication path (not shown) communicating with the vegetable compartment 6 is led out. A return passage (not shown) for returning cool air upstream of the cooler 14 is led out to the vegetable compartment 6.

  An ion delivery unit 20 is provided on the upper surface 1 a of the refrigerator 1. The ion delivery unit 20 has an air outlet 25 on the front surface of the housing 20a. As will be described in detail later, the ion delivery unit 20 delivers air containing ions from the outlet 25 as indicated by an arrow S into the room.

  A human body sensor 51 is provided at the left and right ends of the front surface of the casing 20a of the ion delivery unit 20. The right human body sensor 51 is disposed in the vicinity of the door 2a, and the left human body sensor 51 is disposed in the vicinity of the door 2b. The human body sensor 51 includes an infrared sensor, a Fresnel lens, and an amplifier circuit (all not shown). The infrared sensor detects infrared rays emitted from the human body. The Fresnel lens collects infrared rays on the infrared sensor. The amplifier circuit amplifies the output signal of the infrared sensor.

  The output voltage of the infrared sensor varies depending on the distance between the infrared sensor and the human body. For example, when the distance between the infrared sensor and the human body is 1 m, the output voltage of the infrared sensor is about 5 V, and when the distance between the infrared sensor and the human body is 2 m, the output voltage of the infrared sensor is about 2.5 V. It becomes. Thereby, the distance between the front surface (door 2a, 2b) of the main body of the refrigerator 1 and a human body can be measured.

  For example, an illuminance sensor that detects brightness or a sound sensor that detects sound may be used as the human body sensor 51. In addition, an infrared light emitting diode may be used as the light emitting element, and an optical sensor using a position sensitive element (PSD) as the light receiving element may be used.

  Moreover, the door opening / closing sensor 52 (refer FIG. 8) which each detects opening / closing of the doors 2a and 2b is provided. The door open / close sensor 52 includes a reed switch (not shown) and a magnet (not shown) that turns the reed switch on and off as the doors 2a and 2b are opened and closed. The reed switch is embedded in the opening periphery of the refrigerator compartment 2. The magnet is embedded in the doors 2a and 2b at a position facing the reed switch.

  Further, a humidity sensor 53, a temperature sensor 54, and a dust sensor 55 are provided (see FIG. 8 for all). The humidity sensor 53 detects the humidity (relative humidity) in the room. The temperature sensor 54 detects the temperature in the room. The dust sensor 55 detects the amount of dust in the air in the living room. The dust sensor 55 includes a light projecting element such as an LED and a light receiving element such as a phototransistor. Then, the dust sensor 55 detects the amount of dust by measuring the amount of light that is reflected by dust and incident on the light receiving element out of the light emitted from the light projecting element.

  FIG. 3 shows a side sectional view of the ion delivery unit 20. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. A suction port 24 for taking in the air in the room from the rear is formed on the back side of the housing 20 a of the ion delivery unit 20. Behind the air outlet 25 is disposed a housing 30 that is equipped with a blower 22 and a filter 23 that collects dust.

  The housing 20a is provided with an air passage 27 extending from the exhaust port 22b of the blower 22 to the outlet 25. The air passage 27 is formed so as to expand in the left-right direction as it goes forward in the vicinity of the air outlet 25. A pressure chamber 26 is provided in the air passage 27 in front of the air blower 22. In front of the pressure chamber 26, an ion generator 21 (sanitizer) that discharges ions to the air passage 27 is provided. As will be described in detail later, driving of the ion generator 21 is controlled based on the detection results of the human body sensor 51, the door opening / closing sensor 52, the humidity sensor 53, the temperature sensor 54, and the dust sensor 55.

  The pressure chamber 26 has an air inlet 26a and an air outlet 26b. A filter (not shown) that collects dust is provided in the vicinity of the downstream side of the air outlet 26b. The width of the air inlet 26a matches the width of the air passage 27 adjacent to the upstream side, and the width of the air outlet 26b matches the width of the air passage 27 adjacent to the downstream side.

  The width of the pressure chamber 26 is larger than the width of the air inlet 26a and the width of the air outlet 26b. Thereby, the flow passage area of the air exhausted from the exhaust port 22 b of the blower 22 and flowing through the blower passage 27 is expanded in the pressure chamber 26. Accordingly, the dynamic pressure is converted into a static pressure. And since it is converted into dynamic pressure again in the vicinity of the air outlet 26b, air of a uniform speed flows out.

  Note that the amount of air converted to static pressure increases as the flow path length of the pressure chamber 26 is longer. Therefore, if the flow path length of the pressure chamber 26 is longer than the width of the air inlet 26a and the width of the air outlet 26b, the air flowing in from the air inlet 26a can be reliably converted to static pressure.

  In the present embodiment, the ventilation resistance is increased by the filter provided in the vicinity of the downstream side of the air outlet 26b, so that the dynamic pressure can be sufficiently converted to the static pressure even if the flow path length of the pressure chamber 26 is short. It has become. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the ion delivery unit 20 and reduce noise caused by blowing air by the filter.

The ion generation device 21 is provided with an ion generation surface 21 a made of an electrode facing the air passage 27. When a high-voltage AC voltage is applied to the ion generation surface 21a, when the applied voltage is a positive voltage due to corona discharge, positively-charged cluster ions mainly composed of H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m are generated, and the ion generation surface 21a is discharged into the air passage 27. When the applied voltage is a negative voltage, negatively-charged cluster ions mainly composed of O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n are generated and discharged from the ion generation surface 21a to the blow passage 27. By alternately applying a positive voltage and a negative voltage to the ion generation surface 21a, both positive ions and negative ions can be discharged to the air passage 27. Here, m and n are arbitrary natural numbers.

H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m and O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n aggregate around the surface of airborne bacteria and odorous components and surround them. Then, as shown in the formulas (1) to (3), the active species [.OH] (hydroxyl radical) and H ₂ O ₂ (hydrogen peroxide) are aggregated on the surface of the floating bacteria and odor components by collision. Generate and destroy them. Here, m ′ and n ′ are arbitrary natural numbers.

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)

  Accordingly, floating bacteria can be sterilized by sending positive ions and negative ions into the room. In addition, a relaxation effect can be obtained by controlling the voltage applied to the electrode and sending negative ions into the room.

  A plurality of wind direction plates 28 for changing the blowing direction of the air containing ions are provided at the blower outlet 25. The wind direction plate 28 is formed in a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction, and a shaft portion 28 a extending in the vertical direction is formed at the rear end. The shaft portion 28 a is fitted into fitting holes (not shown) provided in the upper wall and the lower wall of the air passage 27, and pivotally supports the wind direction plate 28. As will be described in detail later, the wind direction plate 28 is rotated by a signal from the control unit 50 (see FIG. 8) to change its position. Thereby, the blowing direction of the air sent out from the blower outlet 25 is changed.

  FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of the housing 30. The arrows in FIG. 5 indicate the air flow. The blower 22 is composed of a sirocco fan that sucks air in the axial direction from the air inlet 22a and exhausts it in the circumferential direction from the air outlet 22b. By using a sirocco fan, the vertical width of the ion delivery unit 20 can be reduced. That is, the ion delivery unit 20 can be thinned.

  An opening 30 a that communicates with the suction port 24 is formed on one side of the housing 30. The filter 23 is disposed in the vicinity of the opening 30 a, and air is guided from below the filter 23 to the air inlet 22 a on the lower surface of the blower 22. The air flowing from the opening 30a by driving the blower 22 passes through the filter 23 from the upper side to the lower side as indicated by the arrow, flows into the blower 22 from the intake port 22a, and is exhausted from the exhaust port 22b.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining a method for detecting the direction of the human body by the human body sensor 51. First, the distance D1 between the two human body sensors 51 is stored in advance. The distance D2 to the human body H is measured by the right human body sensor 51, and the distance D3 to the human body H is measured by the left human body sensor 51. The distance Dx in the left-right direction of the human body H relative to the refrigerator 1, the distance Dy in the front-rear direction, and the direction are derived from the distances D <b> 1 to D <b> 3. The direction of the human body H can be acquired by, for example, an angle θ formed by a line connecting the left human sensor 51 and the human body H and the front surface of the refrigerator 1.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view for explaining the detection area of the human body sensor 51. A first area A1 and a second area A2 that are detection areas of the human body sensor 51 are set in front of the refrigerator 1. As will be described in detail later, when the human body H is present in the first region A1, the ion generator 21 has a larger discharge amount than the case where the human body H is present outside the first region A1 (a state in which the sterilization power is strong). ).

  The first area A <b> 1 is an area within a predetermined distance with respect to the front surface of the main body of the refrigerator 1. When the human body H is present in front of the refrigerator 1, the doors 2 a and 2 b on the front surface of the main body of the refrigerator 1 are more likely to be opened than when the human body H is present in addition to the front. When the doors 2a and 2b are opened, airborne bacteria such as bacteria that have risen in the air due to the movement of the human body H enter the refrigerator compartment 2. Therefore, the width in the left-right direction of the first area A1 is made to substantially coincide with the width in the left-right direction of the refrigerator 1, and the planar shape of the first area A1 is made rectangular. Thereby, as for 1st area | region A1, the distance to the outer edge A1a with respect to the center C of the refrigerator 1 changes with directions. Therefore, when the human body H is present in the vicinity of the front of the refrigerator 1, the living room can be sterilized strongly. In addition, the width | variety of the front direction with respect to the refrigerator 1 of 1st area | region A1 is set to 1.5 m, for example.

  2nd area | region A2 is an area | region away from 1st area | region A1 with respect to the front surface of the main body of the refrigerator 1. FIG. Although there is no limitation in particular in the magnitude | size of 2nd area | region A2, the width | variety of the front direction with respect to the refrigerator 1 is set to 2 m, for example, and the width in the left-right direction is set to 3 m, for example.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the refrigerator 1. In the refrigerator 1, a control unit 50 that controls each unit is provided on the back side of the operation unit 7 (see FIG. 1). A human body sensor 51, a door opening / closing sensor 52, a humidity sensor 53, a temperature sensor 54, and a dust sensor 55 are connected to the control unit 50. The driving of the ion generator 21 is controlled based on signals input from the human body sensor 51, door opening / closing sensor 52, humidity sensor 53, temperature sensor 54, and dust sensor 55 to the control unit 50. Further, the position of the wind direction plate 28 is varied based on a signal input from the human body sensor 51 to the control unit 50.

  In the refrigerator 1 configured as described above, the cold air generated by the cooler 14 is sent to the ice making chamber 3, the first freezer compartment 4, and the second freezer compartment 5 through the cold air passage 11 by driving the freezer compartment fan 15. The cold air flows through the ice making chamber 3, the first freezing chamber 4, and the second freezing chamber 5, and returns to the cooler 14 through the return port. Thereby, the ice making room 3, the 1st freezer room 4, and the 2nd freezer room 5 are cooled, and a store and ice are preserve | saved 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 a store thing is refrigerated and preserve | saved. The cold air flowing through the refrigerator compartment 2 flows into the vegetable compartment 6 through a communication path (not shown), returns to the cooler 14 after flowing through the vegetable compartment 6.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ion delivery unit 20 having the above-described configuration. When the operation of the refrigerator 1 is started, in step # 1, it is determined whether or not the humidity h in the room is within a range of 20% to 80% (predetermined humidity range). When the humidity h in the room is not within the range of 20% to 80%, the process proceeds to step # 2, and the driving of the blower 22 is started. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step # 3.

  When the blower 22 is driven, air in the room is taken into the ion delivery unit 20 from the suction port 24, and dust is removed by the filter 23. The air from which the dust has been removed flows into the blower 22 from the axial direction through the intake port 22a and is exhausted from the exhaust port 22b in the circumferential direction. The air exhausted from the blower 22 flows into the pressure chamber 26 from the air inlet 26a, and the dynamic pressure is converted into a static pressure. The air converted into the static pressure is converted into dynamic pressure again in the vicinity of the air outlet 26 b and flows out into the air passage 27. The air that flows out from the air outlet 26b circulates in the air passage 27 while spreading in the left-right direction.

  On the other hand, when the humidity h in the living room is in the range of 20% to 80%, the process proceeds to step # 9 and the driving of the blower 22 is started. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step # 10, and the ion generator 21 is driven under the condition that the applied voltage is 2 kV and the number of discharges is 30 times / second, for example. When the ion generator 21 is driven, ions are released from the ion generation surface 21 a into the air passage 27. Thereby, ion is contained in the air which distribute | circulates the ventilation path 27, and the air containing ion is sent out from the blower outlet 25 to a living room. Therefore, the living room can be sterilized.

  In step # 3, it is determined whether the temperature t in the living room is higher than 28 ° C. If the temperature is lower than 28 ° C., the process proceeds to step # 4. In Step # 4, it is determined whether or not the amount of dust d in the air in the living room exceeds a predetermined upper limit value D. When the dust amount d does not exceed the upper limit value D, the process proceeds to step # 5. The upper limit value D is preferably obtained in advance by experiments or the like.

  In step # 5, it is determined whether or not a human body exists in the first area A1. If there is no human body in the first region A1, the process proceeds to step # 11, and the ion generator 21 is driven under the conditions that the applied voltage is 2 kV and the number of discharges is 50 times / second, for example.

  When the humidity h in the living room is lower than 20%, the dust easily rises in the air, so that many floating bacteria such as bacteria contained in the dust float in the air. On the other hand, when the humidity h in the living room is higher than 80%, the dust hardly rises in the air, but the bacteria easily grow in the dust. For this reason, many floating bacteria, such as bacteria contained in dust, float in the air. That is, when the humidity h in the living room is outside the range of 20% to 80%, more floating bacteria float in the air than in the range. Therefore, in step # 1, it is determined whether or not the humidity h in the room is in the humidity range of 20% to 80%. And when it is out of the humidity range, the discharge amount of the ion generator 21 is increased to enhance the sterilization power than in the humidity range. The humidity range is not limited to the range of 20% to 80%.

  In step # 3, when the temperature t in the living room is higher than 28 ° C., the process proceeds to step # 12, and the ion generator 21 is driven under the conditions that the applied voltage is 2 kV and the number of discharges is 80 times / second, for example. The

  For example, food poisoning Bacillus cereus is present in dust and the like, and it is known that the optimum temperature for growth is 28 ° C to 35 ° C. Therefore, in step # 3, it is determined whether or not the temperature t in the living room exceeds 28 ° C. And when the temperature t in a living room is higher than 28 degreeC, the discharge amount of the ion generator 21 is increased and the disinfection power is strengthened. In addition, 28 degreeC is an example and is not restricted to this.

  If it is determined in step # 4 that the amount of dust d has exceeded the upper limit value D, the process proceeds to step # 12, and the ion generator 21 is driven under the conditions that the applied voltage is 2 kV and the number of discharges is 80 times / second, for example. Is done. Thereby, when the amount of dust d in the air in the living room is large, the discharge amount of the ion generator 21 is increased to increase the sterilizing power, and the invasion of airborne bacteria into the refrigerator 1 can be reliably prevented.

  If it is determined in step # 5 that a human body is present in the first area A1, the process proceeds to step # 6, and it is determined whether or not at least one of the doors 2a and 2b has been opened. When the doors 2a and 2b are not opened, the process proceeds to step # 12, and the ion generator 21 is driven under the condition that the applied voltage is 2 kV and the number of discharges is 80 times / second, for example. Thereby, when the human body in a living room is detected, the discharge amount of the ion generator 21 is increased to increase the sterilization power, and the invasion of airborne bacteria into the refrigerator 1 can be prevented more reliably.

  On the other hand, when at least one of the doors 2a and 2b is opened, the process proceeds to step # 7, and the ion generator 21 is driven under the condition that the applied voltage is 2 kV and the number of discharges is 100 times / second, for example. Thereby, when at least one of the doors 2a and 2b is opened, the discharge amount of the ion generator 21 is increased to increase the sterilizing power, and the invasion of floating bacteria into the refrigerator 1 can be prevented more reliably.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step # 8, and it is determined whether or not the doors 2a and 2b are closed. If the doors 2a and 2b are closed, the process returns to step # 1. On the other hand, if the doors 2a and 2b are not closed, the ion generator 21 stands by in a state where it is driven under the condition that the number of discharges is 100 times / second until it is closed.

  In step # 5, when it is determined that a human body is present in the first region A1, the position of the wind direction plate 28 is changed and air is sent out from the air outlet 25 in the direction of the human body. Thereby, floating bacteria, such as bacteria contained in the dust that soars when a person moves, can be sterilized reliably. Therefore, the floating bacteria which enter the refrigerator compartment 2 can be further reduced.

  After steps # 10, # 11, and # 12, the process returns to step # 1, and steps # 1 to # 1 to 12 are repeatedly performed.

  According to this embodiment, the ion generator 21 (sterilization apparatus) for sterilizing the room and the humidity sensor 53 for detecting the humidity h in the room are provided, and the humidity h in the room is 20% to 80%. When it is out of the range (predetermined humidity range), the discharge amount of the ion generator 21 is increased to increase the sterilization power. Thereby, sterilization power can be varied according to the number of airborne bacteria in the air in the room. Therefore, the useless ion which is not used for disinfection of the floating bacteria which enter the refrigerator 1 is reduced, and the power of the refrigerator can be saved. As a result, it is possible to save power in the refrigerator.

  In addition, a temperature sensor 54 for detecting the temperature t in the room is provided, and when the humidity h in the room is outside the range of 20% to 80%, ions are generated when the temperature is higher than 28 ° C. (predetermined temperature) than when the temperature is low. The discharge amount of the device 21 is increased to increase the sterilization power. Thereby, sterilization power can be strengthened according to the increase in airborne bacteria. Therefore, the floating bacteria that enter the refrigerator 1 can be reliably sterilized.

  In steps # 9 and # 10, the blower 22 and the ion generator 21 may be stopped. Thereby, power can be further saved. When the humidity h in the room is in the range of 20% to 80%, there are fewer floating bacteria in the air in the room than outside the range, so even if the blower 22 and the ion generator 21 are stopped. It is not a big problem.

  Moreover, the human body sensor 51 which detects the human body in a living room is provided, and when the humidity h in the living room is outside the range of 20% to 80%, the discharge of the ion generating device 21 is performed more than when it is not detected when the human body is detected. The amount of sterilization is increased by increasing the amount. Thereby, sterilization power can be strengthened according to the number of airborne bacteria in the dust that soared due to the movement of the person. Therefore, the invasion of airborne bacteria into the refrigerator 1 can be prevented more reliably.

  The human body sensor 51 detects the distance from the front of the main body of the refrigerator 1 to the human body in the living room, and detects the human body outside the first area A1 when the human body is detected in the first area A1 near the refrigerator 1. The sterilizing power is increased by increasing the discharge amount of the ion generator 21 than when the ion generating device 21 is discharged. As a result, when a person enters the area near the refrigerator 1, the room is strongly sterilized. Therefore, the invasion of airborne bacteria into the refrigerator 1 can be prevented more reliably.

  Moreover, it is provided with a door opening / closing sensor 52 for detecting opening / closing of the doors 2a, 2b, and when the humidity h in the living room is outside the range of 20% to 80%, when at least one of the doors 2a, 2b is opened. The discharge amount of the ion generator 21 is increased to increase the sterilization power. Thereby, invasion of airborne bacteria into the refrigerator 1 can be more reliably prevented.

  When the dust sensor 55 for detecting the dust amount d in the air in the living room is provided and the humidity h in the living room is outside the range of 20% to 80%, when the dust amount d in the air in the living room is large The sterilization power is increased by increasing the discharge amount of the ion generator 21. Thereby, invasion of airborne bacteria into the refrigerator 1 can be more reliably prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the ion generation device 21 is described as an example of the sterilization device, but the sterilization device is not limited to the ion generation device 21. For example, you may use the disinfection unit which sucks in the air in a living room from the suction inlet by driving a blower, passes it through a filter containing hypochlorous acid, and then sends it out to the living room from the outlet. Thereby, the inside of a living room can be disinfected. At this time, for example, by changing the number of rotations of the blower, the strength of the sterilization power can be changed. Moreover, the sterilization apparatus which discharge | releases sterilization substances other than ion into a living room may be sufficient.

  Further, if the dust sensor 55 is provided, the humidity sensor 53 may be omitted. That is, when the ion generating device 21 (sanitizing device) for sterilizing the living room and the dust sensor 55 for detecting the dust amount d in the air in the living room are provided, and the amount of dust d in the air in the living room is large. The sterilizing power may be increased by increasing the discharge amount of the ion generator 21 than when the amount is small. Even in this case, the sterilization power can be varied according to the number of airborne bacteria in the air in the room. Therefore, the useless ion which is not used for disinfection of the floating bacteria which enter the refrigerator 1 is reduced, and the power of the refrigerator can be saved. As a result, it is possible to save power in the refrigerator.

  The doors 3a, 4a, 5a, and 6a may also be provided with door opening / closing sensors 52, and the driving of the ion generator 21 may be controlled based on signals input from the door opening / closing sensors 52 to the control unit 50. . Thereby, the floating microbe which invades storage rooms other than the refrigerator compartment 2 can be reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the temperature t in the living room is higher than 28 ° C. (YES in step # 3), the dust amount d in the air in the living room is larger than the upper limit value D (in step # 4). YES), and when the doors 2a and 2b are not opened (NO in step # 6), the number of discharges of the ion generator 21 is the same (step # 12), but may be different.

  In the present embodiment, the discharge amount of the ion generator 21 is varied depending on the number of discharges, but may be varied by increasing or decreasing the applied voltage.

  Further, the human body sensor 51 may detect the range of the refrigerator 1 in the vertical direction (height direction). Thereby, for example, the person who crouches for taking in and out the stored product in the vegetable compartment 6 can be detected with certainty.

  In addition to the upper surface 1 a of the refrigerator 1, the ion delivery unit 20 may be provided in the cold air passage 12 and the refrigerator compartment 2. Thereby, the inside of the cold air passage 12 and the refrigerator compartment 2 can be sterilized. Moreover, you may provide the ion sending unit 20 in store rooms other than the refrigerator compartment 2, for example, the vegetable compartment 6. FIG.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention can be utilized for the refrigerator provided with the sterilization apparatus which sterilizes a living room.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Refrigerated room 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a Door 3 Ice making room 4 1st freezer room 5 2nd freezer room 6 Vegetable room 7 Operation panel 11, 12 Cold air passage 14 Cooler 15 Freezer room blower 20 Ion Delivery unit 20a Case 21 Ion generator (sanitizer)
21a Ion generation surface 22 Blower 23 Filter 24 Suction port 25 Outlet 26 Pressure chamber 26a Air inflow port 26b Air outflow port 27 Air passage 28 Air direction plate 30 Housing 50 Control unit 51 Human body sensor 52 Door open / close sensor 53 Humidity sensor 54 Temperature sensor 55 Dust sensor

Claims (9)

A sterilization device for sterilizing the living room and a humidity sensor for detecting the humidity in the living room,
The refrigerator characterized by strengthening the sterilization power by the sterilization apparatus when the humidity in the living room is outside the humidity range compared to the case where the humidity is within a predetermined humidity range. A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the room,
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein outside the humidity range, the sterilization power of the sterilization apparatus is strengthened when the temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature than when the temperature is low.   The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sterilizer is stopped within the humidity range. A human body sensor for detecting a human body in the room;
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein outside the humidity range, the sterilizing power of the sterilizing apparatus is made stronger than when not detecting when a human body in a living room is detected. The human body sensor detects the distance from the front of the refrigerator body to the human body in the room,
5. The sterilization power of the sterilization apparatus is stronger when a human body is detected in a region within a predetermined distance from the front surface than when a human body is detected outside the region. The refrigerator described. A door opening / closing sensor for detecting opening / closing of a storage room door for storing stored items;
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein outside the humidity range, the sterilization power of the sterilization apparatus is stronger than when the door is closed when the door is opened. A dust sensor for detecting the amount of dust in the air in the room;
7. The sterilization power of the sterilization apparatus is strengthened outside the humidity range when the amount of dust in the air in the living room is large than when it is small. refrigerator.   A sterilization device for sterilizing a living room and a dust sensor for detecting the amount of dust in the air in the room, and sterilizing by the sterilization device than when the amount of dust in the air in the room is small A refrigerator characterized by increased power.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sterilizer is an ion generator that generates ions by discharge.

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