JP2020169812A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that can supply mist generated by an electrostatic atomization device to a storage chamber.SOLUTION: A refrigerator comprises a storage chamber in a refrigerating temperature zone, and also comprises an electrostatic atomization device comprising a mist release part for releasing mist, mist release ports for releasing the mist released from the mist release part, and a release part cover comprising many holes through which the mist passes, and provided so as to cover the mist release part. The number of the holes of the release part cover is different from the number of the mist release ports. The mist release part supplies the released mist to the storage chamber through the holes of the release part cover and the mist release ports.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a configuration in which mist generated by an electrostatic atomizer is supplied to a storage chamber.

Conventionally, in a refrigerator, a mist generator (ultrasonic atomizer or electrostatic atomizer) is provided in the vegetable compartment of the storage chamber, and the mist generated from the mist generator is supplied to the vegetable compartment. Therefore, a configuration for maintaining the freshness of vegetables is considered (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, such a mist generator may be used for removing harmful substances such as pesticides adhering to vegetables (see, for example, Patent Document 2), or for sterilization and deodorization (for example, see Patent Document 3). ) Is also considered.

Japanese Patent No. 4179398 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-116198 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-79714

An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of supplying mist generated by an electrostatic atomizer to a storage chamber.

According to the present invention, in a refrigerator having a storage chamber in a refrigerating temperature range, an electrostatic atomizer having a mist discharging part for discharging mist, a mist discharging port for discharging mist discharged from the mist discharging part, and mist passing through the refrigerator. A discharge part cover provided with a large number of holes to cover the mist discharge part is provided, and the number of holes in the discharge part cover and the number of mist discharge ports are different, and the mist The discharge unit supplies the released mist to the storage chamber through the hole of the discharge unit cover and the mist discharge port.

Longitudinal side view of the entire refrigerator showing the first embodiment of the present invention. Schematic perspective view of the vicinity where the electrostatic atomizer is installed Schematic plan view of the area where the electrostatic atomizer is installed Longitudinal side view of the water supply mechanism Schematic perspective view showing the positional relationship between the vegetable container and the electrostatic atomizer Longitudinal side view of the electrostatic atomizer installation part Longitudinal side view of the electrostatic atomizer portion at a position different from FIG. The second embodiment of the present invention is shown, and is a vertical sectional side view of an electrostatic atomizer installation portion. FIG. 8 equivalent diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. First, in FIG. 1, the heat insulating box body 2 of the refrigerator body 1 is formed by filling a foam heat insulating material between the outer box and the inner box. Inside the refrigerator body 1, a refrigerating room 3, a vegetable room 4, an ice making room 5, and a small freezing room (not shown) are provided on the left and right from above, and a freezing room 7 is arranged at the bottom. .. Of these, the refrigerating room 3 and the vegetable room 4 are refrigerating temperature spaces in which the temperature inside the refrigerator is controlled to 1 to 4 ° C., and both form a storage room in the refrigerating temperature zone. Since the refrigerating chamber 3 and the vegetable compartment 4 are storage chambers in the same refrigerating temperature range, they are basically partitioned above and below by a partition plate 8 formed of synthetic resin. The ice making chamber 5, the small freezing chamber, and the freezing chamber 7 of the other storage chambers constitute a storage chamber in the freezing temperature zone. The small freezing room may be a temperature switching room in which the set temperature can be switched by the user. The vegetable compartment 4 in the lower part of the refrigerating temperature zone and the ice making chamber 5 and the small freezing chamber in the freezing temperature zone immediately below the vegetable compartment 4 are partitioned by a heat insulating partition wall 9.

The refrigerating room 3 is opened and closed by a side-opening rotatable door 3a, and the other vegetable room 4, ice making room 5, small freezing room and freezing room 7 are opened and closed by pull-out doors 4a, 5a and 7a, respectively. It is supposed to be done. In each storage room (refrigerating room 3, vegetable room 4, ice making room 5, small freezing room, freezing room 7), a door switch (not shown) for detecting the opening / closing of the corresponding doors 3a, 4a, 5a, 7a. ) Is provided. The ice making chamber 5 is provided with an automatic ice making device 12 (ice making device) provided with an ice tray 11.

A refrigerating cooler 13 is arranged on the back of the lower part of the refrigerating chamber 3, and a refrigerating chamber 3 which is a storage chamber of the refrigerating temperature zone stores the cold air cooled by the refrigerating cooler 13 on the back of the vegetable compartment 4. A refrigerating fan 14 that is supplied and circulated in the vegetable compartment 4 is provided. A cold air duct 15 is provided on the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment 3. A plurality of cold air outlets 15a are formed in the cold air duct 15, and cold air passing through the cold air duct 15 is blown out from the cold air outlet 15a into the refrigerating chamber 3.

Further, a freezing cooler 16 is arranged on the back of the freezing chamber 7, and the cold air cooled by the freezing cooler 16 is stored in the freezing temperature zone on the back of the ice making chamber 5 and the small freezing chamber. A freezing fan 17 that supplies and circulates to the ice making chamber 5, the small freezing chamber, and the freezing chamber 7 is arranged. A machine room 18 is formed at the rear bottom of the refrigerator main body 1, and a compressor 19 for a refrigerating cycle is arranged therein. This compressor 19 is shared by the refrigerating cooler 13 and the freezing cooler 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, an ice-making water tank 20 is detachably set at the left end of the refrigerating chamber 3 so as to be located above the partition plate 8, and is located to the right of the ice-making water tank 20. A drawer-type accessory case 21 and an egg case 22 are provided in two upper and lower stages, and a chilled chamber 23 is provided on the right side. A chilled case 24 is provided in the chilled chamber 23. In this case, the front ends of the ice making water tank 20, the accessory case 21, the egg case 22, and the chilled chamber 23 are located behind the front end of the partition plate 8, and there is a space above the front portion 8a of the partition plate 8. The part is formed. This space is a space for a door pocket 25 (see FIG. 1) provided on the inner surface of the door 3a in the refrigerator compartment 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, a water receiving container 28 is installed behind the ice water supply tank 20. A water supply mechanism 29 for supplying the water of the ice making water tank 20 to the water receiving container 28 side is provided between the ice making water tank 20 and the water receiving container 28. The water supply mechanism 29 has the following configuration. As shown in FIG. 4, a pump motor 30 is provided below the water receiving container 28, a pump 31 is provided in the ice making water supply tank 20, and the pump motor 30 makes the pump 31 non-contact. It is configured to drive.

Although not shown in detail, the driving principle thereof will be briefly described. A permanent magnet 32 that is rotationally driven by the pump motor 30 is provided at the tip of the pump motor 30, and the rotation of the permanent magnet 32 causes the pump blades of the pump 31 in the ice water supply tank 20 to rotate. , Pump operation is performed. When the pump operation is performed, the water in the ice making water supply tank 20 is pumped up and supplied to the water receiving container 28 via the water supply pipe 33. The water supplied to the water receiving container 28 is supplied to the ice tray 11 of the automatic ice making device 12 via the water supply pipe 34.

An electrostatic atomizer 36 is installed in the front portion 8a of the partition plate 8 that partitions the refrigerator compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 4, and the configuration of the electrostatic atomizer 36 is shown below. 6 and FIG. 7 will also be referred to and described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the electrostatic atomizer 36 is arranged at a substantially central portion in the left-right direction in the front portion 8a of the partition plate 8. A base plate 37 for installing the electrostatic atomizing device 36 is attached to the lower surface of the partition plate 8, and an opening for inserting and removing the atomizing unit 38 of the electrostatic atomizing device 36 is attached to the partition plate 8. 39 is formed. The partition plate 8 is provided with a lid 40 that opens and closes the opening 39 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. A unit accommodating portion 41 for accommodating the atomizing unit 38 is provided between the partition plate 8 and the base plate 37.

The atomization unit 38 includes a water storage tank 43 (corresponding to a water storage unit) for storing water W, an upper case 44 assembled to the upper part of the water storage tank 43, and a unit lid 45 that covers the upper case 44 from above. Have. The upper case 44 is provided with a conductive sheet 46, a water retention material 47, a water absorption pin 48, and a plurality of mist discharge portions 49.

Of these, the conductive sheet 46 is formed in a felt shape (nonwoven fabric shape) by mixing polyester fiber and carbon fiber as a conductive substance, for example, and has water retention, moisture absorption characteristics, and conductivity. It is arranged at the upper part in the upper case 44.
The water-retaining material 47 is made of, for example, a urethane sponge, has excellent water-retaining and moisture-absorbing properties, and is arranged in a state where the upper surface is in contact with the lower surface of the conductive sheet 46. The water retaining material 47 is formed thicker than the conductive sheet 46.
The water absorption pin 48 is, for example, formed by twisting polyester fibers into a pin shape, and is excellent in water retention and moisture absorption characteristics. The upper end of the water absorption pin 48 penetrates the water retention material 47 and is in contact with the conductive sheet 46. Further, the lower end portion of the water absorption pin 48 is in a state of being inserted into the water W in the water storage tank 43 through the tubular portion 44a of the upper case 44.

The mist discharging portion 49 is formed, for example, by mixing polyester fiber and carbon fiber as a conductive substance and twisting them to form a pin shape. Similar to the water absorbing pin 48, the mist discharging portion 49 has water retention and moisture absorption characteristics. It has conductivity similar to the conductive sheet 46. Platinum nanocolloids are supported on each mist release section 49. The platinum nanocolloid can be supported by, for example, immersing the mist release unit 49 in a treatment liquid containing the platinum nanocolloid and firing it. The upper end of each of these mist discharging portions 49 is in contact with the conductive sheet 46.

Further, the lower end portion of each mist discharging portion 49 penetrates the upper case 44 and projects in a state of hanging downward from the upper case 44. The upper case 44 is provided with a detachable discharge cover 50 so as to cover the mist discharge 49. A discharge port 51 is formed on the discharge portion cover 50 so as to be located below the mist discharge portion 49. A mist discharge port 52 is formed on the base plate 37 so as to be located behind the discharge port 51. The mist discharge port 52 communicates with the upper part in the vegetable compartment 4. The discharge port 51 and the mist discharge port 52 are in communication with each other, and when the mist is discharged from the mist discharge portion 49, the mist is discharged from the discharge port 51 to the mist discharge port 52 as shown by an arrow A in FIG. It is supplied into the vegetable compartment 4 through.

Here, the water absorption pin 48 sucks up the water W in the water storage tank 43 and supplies it to the water retention material 47 and the conductive sheet 46. The water retention material 47 holds the water supplied from the water absorption pin 48 and supplies the water to the conductive sheet 46. The conductive sheet 46 supplies the water supplied from the water absorption pin 48 and the water retention material 47 to the mist discharge unit 49. In this case, the water absorption pin 48, the water retention material 47, and the conductive sheet 46 form a water supply unit that supplies water to the mist discharge unit 49. The water storage tank 43 serves as both a water supply unit and a water storage unit.

When the atomizing unit 38 is set in the unit accommodating portion 41, it is inserted into the unit accommodating portion 41 through the opening 39 as shown by an arrow B1 in FIG. 6 with the lid 40 open. Set it to the regular set position by sliding it backwards. Further, when the atomization unit 38 is taken out from the unit accommodating portion 41, as shown by an arrow B2 in FIG. 6, after sliding it toward the front, the atomization unit 38 is lifted and taken out from the opening 39.

As shown in FIG. 7, the atomization unit 38 is provided with a power feeding pin 54 so as to project rearward. The base end of the power feeding pin 54 is connected to the conductive sheet 46 via a conductive member 55. When the atomizing unit 38 is set at a regular position in the unit accommodating portion 41, the tip end portion of the power feeding pin 54 is inserted and connected to the connector 58 provided on the base plate 37 side. The connector 58 is connected to one end of the high voltage transformer 57 on the secondary side of the power supply device 56. Here, a negative high voltage of the power supply device 56 is applied to the mist discharging portion 49 via the conductive sheet 46, the feeding pin 54, and the connector 58. When a negative high voltage of the power supply device 56 is applied to each mist discharging section 49, the water on the surface of each mist discharging section 49 is split and discharged as fine mist. In the electrostatic atomizer 36, the counter electrode to the mist discharging unit 49 is not installed in the vicinity of the mist discharging unit 49.

At the bottom of the unit accommodating portion 41, a positioning convex portion 60 for positioning the atomization unit 38 is provided, and a unit detection switch 61 for detecting the set state of the atomization unit 38 is provided. A lid switch 62 and a lever 63 are provided on the front portion of the base plate 37. In the state where the lid 40 is closed, the lid switch 62 is pressed based on the rotation of the lever 63 via the pressing portion 64 of the lid 40, and when the lid 40 is opened, the pressing operation on the lid switch 62. Is released. As a result, the opening / closing of the lid 40 is detected by the lid switch 62.

As shown in FIG. 7, a container-shaped filtration filter 65 is provided in the water storage tank 43, and the ion exchange resin 66 is housed in the filtration filter 65. The unit lid 45 is provided with a tubular water injection port 67 extending downward corresponding to the filtration filter 65. A water injection lid 68 that opens and closes the water injection port 67 is detachably attached to the unit lid 45. With the water injection lid 68 removed, water can be replenished into the water storage tank 43 from the water injection port 67. The replenished water can be filtered by the filtration filter 65. Further, a photocatalyst 69 made of, for example, titanium oxide is coated on the inner surface of the water storage tank 43. A light source (for example, an ultraviolet LED) 70 that emits ultraviolet rays is provided at the bottom of the unit accommodating portion 41. The light source 70 irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the water storage tank 43 when it is lit. The photocatalyst 69 is activated by receiving the ultraviolet rays and exerts a sterilizing action. Here, the filtration filter 65, the ion exchange resin 66, and the photocatalyst 69 constitute the water purification means of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vegetable compartment 4 is provided with a lower container 72 and an upper container 73 arranged above the lower container 72. The upper container 73 is formed to be smaller in length in the front-rear direction than the lower container 72, and is arranged on the rear side of the lower container 72. The front end portion of the upper container 73 is located below the mist discharge port 52 of the base plate 37. Then, in this state, when the mist is discharged from the mist discharge port 52 into the vegetable compartment 4, the mist is supplied to both the lower container 72 and the upper container 73.

A control device 75 (see FIG. 1) including a microcomputer is provided on the back of the refrigerator body 1. The control device 75 includes a refrigerator main body 1 such as a refrigerating cycle compressor 19, a refrigerating fan 14, a refrigerating fan 17, an automatic ice making device 12, a pump motor 30 of a water supply mechanism 29, an electrostatic atomizing device 36, and a light source 70. It has a function of controlling the entire operation of the above, and constitutes a control means. In the control device 75, particularly for the electrostatic atomizer 36, the door switch of each storage chamber detects the closing of the door, and the lid switch 62 detects the closing of the lid 40, and further, the unit The electrostatic atomizing device 36 is allowed to be energized only when the detection switch 61 detects the set state of the atomizing unit 38, but the door of any storage chamber is opened, the lid 40 is opened, or the lid 40 is opened. Alternatively, when it is detected that the atomization unit 38 is not set, the energization of the electrostatic atomizer 36 is cut off. Further, the control device 75 controls the lighting of the light source 70 for a certain period of time at predetermined time intervals.

The operation of the above configuration will be described.
When the atomization unit 38 is set in the unit housing 41, the lid 40 of the unit housing 41 is closed, and the doors of the respective storage chambers are closed, the electrostatic atomizing device 36 is driven. , Fine mist is discharged from each mist discharge unit 49, and the mist is supplied from the mist discharge port 52 into the upper container 73 and the lower container 72 of the vegetable compartment 4. The mist contains hydroxyl radicals having a strong oxidizing action, and by supplying the mist containing the hydroxyl radicals into the upper container 73 and the lower container 72 of the vegetable compartment 4, it is possible to sterilize and deodorize them. Become. Further, the mist can be expected to maintain the freshness of the vegetables and the like contained in the upper container 73 and the lower container 72. Further, by controlling the lighting of the light source 70 for a certain period of time at predetermined time intervals, the photocatalyst 69 in the water storage tank 43 is activated, and a sterilizing action in the water storage tank 43 can be expected.

By the way, since the electrostatic atomizer 36 cannot generate mist when the water runs out, it is necessary to replenish the water regularly. In addition, if dirt such as slime adheres to the surface of the mist discharging part 49 with use and clogging occurs, the mist discharging performance deteriorates. Therefore, for example, the mist discharging part 49 is cleaned about once a year. It is preferable to do so.

In such a case, after opening the door 3a of the refrigerating chamber 3, the lid 40 of the front portion 8a of the partition plate 8 is slid to open the opening 39 of the unit accommodating portion 41. Then, the user inserts his / her hand into the unit housing unit 41, holds the atomizing unit 38 of the electrostatic atomizing device 36, slides it forward, lifts it, and takes it out from the unit housing unit 41. At this time, the power supply pin 54 is disconnected from the connector 58. Then, when only replenishing water, water is replenished from the water injection port 67 with the water injection lid 68 removed. When cleaning the mist discharge portion 49 as well, the upper case 44 is removed from the water storage tank 43, the discharge portion cover 50 is removed from the upper case 44, and the mist discharge portion 49 is exposed for cleaning. In the case of only replenishing water, the atomization unit 38 can be left set in the unit accommodating portion 41 and only the water injection lid 68 can be removed.

After replenishing and cleaning the water, the atomization unit 38 is assembled as before, and then the atomization unit 38 is housed in the unit housing 41 and set in a proper position. At this time, the power supply pin 54 is inserted and connected to the connector 58. After that, the lid 40 is slid forward to close the opening 39, and the door 3a of the refrigerator compartment 3 is closed.

According to the first embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
An electrostatic atomizer 36 is installed on the partition plate 8 between the refrigerator compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 4, and the mist discharged from the mist discharge unit 49 of the electrostatic atomizer 36 is mainly supplied to the vegetable chamber 4. It was configured to be. As a result, the mist containing hydroxyl radicals having a strong oxidizing action is supplied to the vegetable compartment 4, so that the vegetable compartment 4 can be sterilized and deodorized. In addition, the mist can be expected to maintain the freshness of vegetables and the like.

The electrostatic atomizer 36 has a conventional configuration in which a corona discharge is generated between the mist discharge unit and the counter electrode because the counter electrode to the mist discharge unit 49 is not installed in the vicinity of the mist discharge unit 49. Unlike the ones, the generation of harmful gases such as ozone can be suppressed and the safety can be improved.

The electrostatic atomizer 36 has a water storage tank 43 for storing water W, and the water W stored in the water storage tank 43 is discharged from each mist through a water absorption pin 48, a water retention material 47, and a conductive sheet 46. It is configured to supply to 49. As a result, water can be stably supplied to the mist discharge unit 49, so that the amount of mist generated from the mist discharge unit 49 can also be stabilized.
Further, since the water storage tank 43 can be attached to and detached from the unit accommodating portion 41 together with the atomization unit 38, water can be easily replenished to the water storage tank 43. Since the mist discharge section 49 is also removable according to the water storage tank 43, the mist discharge section 49 can be easily cleaned.

Since the filtration filter 65 is provided in the water storage tank 43, the water replenished in the water storage tank 43 can be purified, and clean water can be supplied to the mist discharge unit 49. As a result, it is possible to prevent clogging of the mist discharging portion 49 and the like as much as possible, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in the amount of mist released. Further, since the ion exchange resin 66 is provided in the filtration filter 65, the mineral content contained in the water W stored in the water storage tank 43 can be removed by adsorbing the ion exchange resin 66. .. As a result, it is possible to prevent scale from accumulating in the mist discharging portion 49 or the like as much as possible, further prevent the occurrence of clogging, and further prevent a decrease in the amount of mist released. As a result, the service life of the mist discharging unit 49 can be extended.
In addition, by controlling the lighting of the light source 70 for a certain period of time at predetermined time intervals, the photocatalyst 69 in the water storage tank 43 is activated, and a sterilizing action in the water storage tank 43 can be expected. This also makes it possible to supply clean water to the mist discharge unit 49.

Since the atomizing unit 38 of the electrostatic atomizing device 36 is installed in the front portion 8a of the partition plate 8, it is possible to easily replenish the atomizing unit 38 with water and attach / detach the atomizing unit 38. Since the mist discharged from the mist discharging section 49 of the atomization unit 38 is supplied from above to both the upper container 73 and the lower container 72 in the vegetable compartment 4, both the upper container 73 and the lower container 72 Can supply mist.

By supporting the platinum nanocolloid on the mist releasing section 49, hydroxyl radicals are more easily generated in the mist released from the mist releasing section 49, and the sterilization function and the deodorizing function can be further improved. Further, by including the conductive substance (carbon) in the mist discharging section 49, the conductivity of the mist discharging section 49 can be maintained satisfactorily.

When any of the doors 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a of the storage room (refrigerator room 3, vegetable room 4, ice making room 5, small freezing room, freezing room 7) is opened, the electrostatic atomizer 36 Since the energization is cut off, it is possible to prevent the user from touching the high voltage portion and improve safety. In this case, at least when the door 3a of the refrigerating chamber 3 is opened, the energization of the electrostatic atomizer 36 may be cut off. Further, in the present embodiment, a lid switch 62 for detecting the opening / closing of the lid 40 of the unit accommodating portion 41 accommodating the electrostatic atomizing device 36 is provided, and even when the lid 40 is opened, the electrostatic atomizing device is provided. Since the energization of the 36 is cut off, the safety can be further improved. Further, since the unit detection switch 61 is provided in the unit accommodating portion 41 so that the energization of the electrostatic atomization device 36 is cut off even when the atomization unit 38 is not set, the safety can be further improved. ..

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, the description thereof will be omitted, and different parts will be described.
The electrostatic atomizing device 80 in this embodiment is installed at the rear part in the refrigerating chamber 3 above the chilled chamber 23 and in front of the cold air outlet 15a of the cold air duct 15. The unit base 82 accommodating the atomization unit 81 of the electrostatic atomizer 80 is fixed on the lower shelf plate 83 installed above the chilled chamber 23.

The unit base 82 has an opening on the rear surface and a front surface, and a lid 84 for opening and closing the front opening is provided on the front surface. The upper end of the lid 84 is rotatably supported by the unit base 82 by a shaft 85, and the lid 84 is rotatable in the front-rear direction with the shaft 85 as a fulcrum. A lid switch 86 for detecting the opening / closing of the lid 84 is provided on the upper portion of the unit base 82. A stopper portion 87 is provided on the lower shelf plate 83. The stopper portion 87 is for restricting the movement of the lid 84 in the opening direction, and when the user opens the lid 84, the restriction can be released. The lid 84 is formed with a mist discharge port 88 for passing the mist.

The atomization unit 81 discharges a water storage tank 90 (corresponding to a water supply part and a water storage part), a plurality of pin-shaped mist discharge parts 91, a conductive sheet 92, a water retention material 93, and a water absorption pin 94. It has a part cover 95, and can be stored in and out of the unit base 82 from the front.

The mist discharge portion 91, the conductive sheet 92, the water retention material 93, and the water absorption pin 94 are formed of the same material as the mist discharge portion 49, the conductive sheet 46, the water retention material 47, and the water absorption pin 48 in the first embodiment. There is. The lower end of each mist discharging portion 91 is in contact with the conductive sheet 92, and the tapered upper end portion is directed upward. The water retaining material 93 is arranged under the conductive sheet 92. The upper end of the water absorption pin 94 penetrates the water retention material 93 and comes into contact with the conductive sheet 92, and the lower end thereof is inserted into the water W stored in the water storage tank 90.

A container-shaped filtration filter 96 is provided at the rear of the water storage tank 90, and the ion exchange resin 97 is housed in the filtration filter 96. In this case as well, the filtration filter 96 and the ion exchange resin 97 form a water purification means. A water injection port 98 is formed in the upper part of the water storage tank 90 so as to be located above the filtration filter 96.

A cooling plate 99 is arranged in the cold air duct 15 so as to be located above the water storage tank 90. The cooling plate 99 is formed in a substantially U-shape by a metal material having high thermal conductivity, for example, an iron plate, and is arranged so that the opening faces downward. One end 99a of the cooling plate 99 penetrates the cold air duct 15 and is arranged in the cold air duct 15, and the other end 99b projects into the refrigerating chamber 3 and is arranged above the water injection port 98. .. The lower end of the other end 99b faces the water injection port 98 from above.

In this case, since one end 99a of the cooling plate 99 is cooled by the cold air flowing in the cold air duct 15, the other end 99b is also cooled accordingly. Along with this, in the refrigerating chamber 3, water vapor contained in the air around the other end 99b condenses on the surface of the other end 99b, and the condensed water W1 drops from the water injection port 98 into the water storage tank 90. , Will be stored. Therefore, the condensed water W1 in which the moisture in the refrigerator is condensed is stored in the water storage tank 90. The water W stored in the water storage tank 90 is sucked up by the water absorption pin 94 and supplied to the mist discharge unit 91 via the water retention material 93 and the conductive sheet 92. In this case, the water absorption pin 94, the water retention material 93, and the conductive sheet 92 form a water supply unit that supplies water to the mist discharge unit 91. The water storage tank 90 also serves as a water supply unit and a water storage unit.

The discharge portion cover 95 is arranged so as to cover the mist discharge portion 91, and has a large number of holes through which the mist passes. Although not shown, the atomization unit 81 is provided with a power supply pin that projects rearward, and when the atomization unit 81 is set to a regular position, the power supply pin is on the unit base 82 side. It is designed to be inserted and connected to a connector (not shown) provided in. Also in this case, the negative high voltage of the power supply device is applied to the mist discharging unit 91 via the conductive sheet 92, the feeding pin, and the connector. When a negative high voltage of the power supply device is applied to each mist discharging unit 91, the water on the surface of each mist discharging unit 91 is split and discharged as fine mist. In the electrostatic atomizer 80, the counter electrode to the mist emitting unit 91 is not installed in the vicinity of the mist emitting unit 91.

In the above configuration, when the electrostatic atomizer 80 is driven, fine mist containing hydroxyl radicals is discharged from each mist discharge unit 91. The mist is supplied toward the front of the refrigerating chamber 3 through the mist discharge port 88 of the lid 84 together with the flow of the cold air blown into the refrigerating chamber 3 from the cold air outlet 15a of the cold air duct 15 (FIG. 8). See arrow C). The mist supplied into the refrigerator compartment 3 will be supplied to the vegetable compartment 4 below together with the cold air.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
Since the electrostatic atomizer 80 is arranged in front of the cold air outlet 15a in the refrigerating chamber 3, the mist discharged from the mist discharging unit 91 can be supplied to the refrigerating chamber 3 and the vegetable compartment 4 as well. It can be expected to have sterilizing and deodorizing effects. In addition, the mist can be expected to maintain the freshness of vegetables and the like.

As the water used in the electrostatic atomizer 80, the condensed water W1 (condensed water obtained by condensing the water vapor in the refrigerator) condensing on the cooling plate 99 is used, so that the water supply to the electrostatic atomizer 80 is automated. This makes it possible to save the user the trouble of supplying water to the electrostatic atomizer 80 as much as possible. The water storage tank 90 can be replenished with water as needed by the user. In this case, there is a concern that the dew condensation water W1 condensing on the cooling plate 99 contains dust contained in the air inside the refrigerator, but the dew condensation water W1 is purified by filtering it with the filtration filter 96. be able to.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, the description thereof will be omitted, and different parts will be described.
In this third embodiment, as a means for condensing the water vapor in the refrigerator, an electronic cooling unit, in this case, a cooling surface 102 of the Peltier element 101 is used instead of the cooling plate 99. In this case, the Peltier element 101 is attached to the attachment piece 103 of the unit base 82. The cooling surface 102 of the Peltier element 101 is arranged above the water injection port 98 in the refrigerating chamber 3. The lower end of the cooling surface 102 faces the water injection port 98 from above.

In this case, as the cooling surface 102 of the Peltier element 101 is cooled, water vapor contained in the air around the cooling surface 102 condenses on the surface of the cooling surface 102, and the condensed water W1 is discharged from the water injection port 98. It drops into the water storage tank 90 and is stored. Therefore, in this case as well, the condensed water W1 in which the moisture in the refrigerator is condensed is stored in the water storage tank 90. The water W stored in the water storage tank 90 is sucked up by the water absorption pin 94 and supplied to the mist discharge unit 91 via the water retention material 93 and the conductive sheet 92. Also in this case, the water absorption pin 94, the water retention material 93, and the conductive sheet 92 form a water supply unit that supplies water to the mist discharge unit 91. The water storage tank 90 serves as both a water supply unit and a water storage unit.
Even in the third embodiment having such a configuration, the same effects as those in the second embodiment can be obtained.

(Other embodiments)
As the water purification means, activated carbon may be used instead of the ion exchange resins 66 and 97 housed in the filtration filters 65 and 96.
The photocatalyst 69 is not limited to titanium oxide, and a visible light type photocatalyst may be used. When a visible light type photocatalyst is used, the light source 70 may also be a visible light type light source.

In the drawing, 3 is a refrigerating room (storage room), 4 is a vegetable room (storage room), 8 is a partition plate, 15a is a cold air outlet, 20 is a water supply tank for ice making (water storage section), and 36 is an electrostatic atomizer. , 38 is an atomization unit, 40 is a lid, 43 is a water storage tank (water supply part, water storage part), 46 is a conductive sheet (water supply part), 47 is a water retention material (water supply part), 48 is a water absorption pin (water supply part). , 49 is a mist discharge part, 54 is a power supply pin, 56 is a power supply device, 65 is a filtration filter (water purification means), 66 is an ion exchange resin (water purification means), 69 is a photocatalyst, 70 is a light source, 75 is a control device, 80. Is an electrostatic atomizer, 81 is an atomization unit, 84 is a lid, 88 is a mist discharge port, 90 is a water storage tank (water supply unit, water storage unit), 91 is a mist discharge unit, 92 is a conductive sheet (water supply unit). , 93 is a water retention material (water supply part), 94 is a water absorption pin (water supply part), 96 is a filtration filter (water purification means), 97 is an ion exchange resin, 99 is a cooling plate, 101 is a Pelche element, and 102 is a cooling surface. ..

Claims (1)

In a refrigerator with a storage room in the refrigerated temperature range
An electrostatic atomizer having a mist emitting part that emits mist,
A mist discharge port that discharges the mist released from the mist discharge unit, and
A discharge portion cover provided with a large number of holes through which the mist passes so as to cover the mist discharge portion is provided.
The number of holes in the discharge cover and the number of mist discharge ports are different.
The mist discharge unit is a refrigerator that supplies the released mist to the storage chamber through a hole in the discharge unit cover and the mist discharge port.

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