JP2020176827A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a clean and safe refrigerator generating mist having sterilization effect and supplying the mist to a storage chamber using an atomization device.SOLUTION: A refrigerator of an embodiment has a storage chamber in a refrigeration temperature zone and is provided with an electrostatic atomization device having a mist discharge part discharging mist. The electrostatic atomization device is installed on a partition plate located above the storage chamber. A passage through which cool air is flown along the lower surface of the partition plate is formed. A member is placed below the discharge port of the electrostatic atomization device. A mist discharge port formed on the member, located below the discharge port and communicated with the discharge port is provided, while a position being on the member and corresponding to the lower part of the discharge port is closed. The mist discharged from the mist discharge part is passed through the passage from the discharge port via the mist discharge port, is supplied into the storage chamber and circulates therein.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

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

Conventionally, in a refrigerator, a configuration has been considered in which a mist generating means is provided in a vegetable compartment of a storage chamber, and the mist generated from the mist generator is supplied to the vegetable compartment to maintain the freshness of vegetables. (See, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, such a mist generating means 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

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a clean and safe refrigerator capable of generating mist and supplying it to a storage chamber by using an atomizing device as a mist generating means. To do.

The refrigerator of the embodiment is a refrigerator having a storage chamber in a refrigerating temperature zone, and includes an electrostatic atomizer having a mist emitting portion for discharging mist, and the electrostatic atomizer is located above the storage chamber. It is installed on the partition plate, a passage for flowing cold air is provided along the lower surface of the partition plate, and there is a member below the discharge port of the electrostatic atomizer, and a position corresponding to the lower side of the discharge port in the member. Is closed, while a mist discharge port is provided on the member so as to be located below the discharge port and communicate with the discharge port, and the mist discharged from the mist discharge portion passes through the mist discharge port from the discharge port. It is supplied to the storage room through the passage and circulates.

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 vicinity 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. Longitudinal front view of an electrostatic atomizer portion showing a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 equivalent diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 equivalent Schematic perspective view of an electrostatic atomizer shown with the lid closed Schematic perspective view of the electrostatic atomizer shown with the lid open Longitudinal front view of electrostatic atomizer FIG. 4 equivalent diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Longitudinal side view of an electrostatic atomizer installation portion showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown, and is a front view of the R EVA cover portion of the refrigerating cooler with the chilled case and the like removed. Longitudinal side view along line X1-X1 of FIG. FIG. 16 corresponding diagram showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention Longitudinal side view along line X2-X2 of FIG. Longitudinal side view of an electrostatic atomizer installation portion showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention. Longitudinal side view of the power supply part of the electrostatic atomizer FIG. 1 corresponding diagram showing a ninth 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 an effervescent 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 at 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 water supply tank 20 for ice making 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 atomizer 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 atomizer 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 retention 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.

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 (− several kV) of the power supply device 56 is applied to the mist discharging unit 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 unit 49, the water on the surface of each mist discharging unit 49 is split and discharged as fine mist. In the electrostatic atomizer 36, the counter electrode to the mist emitting unit 49 is not installed in the vicinity of the mist emitting 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. Further, the inner surface of the water storage tank 43 is coated with a photocatalyst 69 made of, for example, titanium oxide. 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.

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. In addition, 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. 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 chamber 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, it is possible to suppress the generation of harmful gases such as ozone, which is one of the problems, and improve the safety.

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. Therefore, while using an electrostatic atomizer as a mist generating means, mist containing hydroxyl radicals having a sterilizing action can be generated and supplied to the storage chamber, and a clean and safe refrigerator can be provided. ..

Since the atomizing unit 38 of the electrostatic atomizing device 36 is installed on 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 freezer room, freezer 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, and different parts will be described. FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional front view of a portion of the electrostatic atomizing device 77 in which the atomizing unit 78 is installed, as viewed from the front side. In FIG. 8, the unit accommodating portion 79 accommodating the atomizing unit 78 is integrally provided with the partition plate 8. The position of the unit accommodating portion 79 is substantially the same as the position of the unit accommodating portion 41 in the first embodiment. The atomization unit 78 is detachably set in the unit accommodating portion 79.

The upper surface opening 80 of the unit accommodating portion 79 is opened and closed by a lid 81 slidable in the front-rear direction. The upper surface opening 80 is provided with a lid switch 82 for detecting the opening and closing of the lid 81.

The unit case 84 of the atomization unit 78 has a rectangular container shape with an open upper surface, and a water storage tank 85 (corresponding to a water storage unit) is provided inside. Water W for atomization is stored in the water storage tank 85. A container-shaped filtration filter 86 is detachably housed in the water storage tank 85, and an ion exchange resin 87 is housed in the filtration filter 86.

A unit lid 88 is detachably attached to the upper surface of the unit case 84 so as to cover the water storage tank 85 from above. A water injection lid 90 that opens and closes the water injection port 89 is detachably attached to the unit lid 88 so as to be located above the filtration filter 86. Here, when replenishing water to the water storage tank 85, water is supplied from the water injection port 89 into the filtration filter 86 with the water injection lid 90 removed. At this time, the replenished water W is filtered in the process of passing through the filtration filter 86. Further, since the ion exchange resin 87 is housed in the filtration filter 86, the mineral component contained in the water W is adsorbed by the ion exchange resin 87 and removed. Therefore, the water W contained in the water storage tank 85 is purified in the water storage tank 85, and the purified water W is supplied to the water absorption pin 91 described later.

A pin holding case 92 is detachably set on the right side of the unit case 84. The pin holding case 92 is provided with a water absorbing pin 91, a conductive sheet 93, a water retaining material 94, a plurality of pin-shaped mist discharging portions 95, and a feeding pin 96. Here, the water absorption pin 91, the conductive sheet 93, the water retention material 94, and the mist discharge portion 95 are made of the same materials as the water absorption pin 48, the conductive sheet 46, the water retention material 47, and the mist discharge portion 49 in the first embodiment, respectively. Is formed by.

The conductive sheet 93 is arranged at the uppermost part in the pin holding case 92. The water retention material 94 is arranged so that the upper surface is in contact with the lower surface of the conductive sheet 93. The water retention material 94 is formed thicker than the conductive sheet 93. The upper end of each mist discharging portion 95 penetrates the water retaining material 94 and is in contact with the conductive sheet 93. Further, the lower end of each mist discharging portion 95 penetrates the pin holding case 92 and projects in a state of hanging into the unit case 84. On the bottom wall portion of the unit case 84, a discharge port 97 composed of a large number of holes is formed so as to be located below the mist discharge portion 95. The upper end of the water absorption pin 91 is in contact with the water retention material 94, and the lower end thereof penetrates the pin holding case 92 and is inserted into the water W in the water storage tank 85.

Here, the water absorption pin 91 sucks up the water in the water storage tank 85 and supplies it to the water retention material 94. The water retention material 94 holds the water supplied from the water absorption pin 91, and supplies the water to the conductive sheet 93 and each mist discharge unit 95. In this case, the water absorption pin 91, the water retention material 94, and the conductive sheet 93 form a water supply unit that supplies water to the mist discharge unit 95.

The upper end of the power feeding pin 96 penetrates the water retaining material 94 and is in contact with the conductive sheet 93. The lower end of the power feeding pin 96 penetrates the pin holding case 92 and projects downward, and the tip of the power supply pin 96 projects rearward. Therefore, the power feeding pin 96 has an L-shape when viewed from the side, and after accommodating the atomizing unit 78 in the unit accommodating portion 79, the rear end portion is inserted into the connector 98 as it slides backward. It is designed to be connected. The negative electrode of the power supply device 56 (see FIG. 6) is connected to the connector 98. In this case, when a negative high voltage of the power supply device 56 is applied to the feeding pin 96, the voltage is also applied to each mist discharging unit 95 via the conductive sheet 93 and the moisture. Based on this, the water on the surface of each mist discharging portion 95 is divided and released as fine mist. Also in this electrostatic atomizer 77, the counter electrode to the mist emitting unit 95 is not installed in the vicinity of the mist emitting unit 95.

A mist discharge port 99 is formed on the bottom wall portion of the unit accommodating portion 79 so as to be located below the discharge port 97, and the mist discharged from each mist discharge portion 95 passes through the mist discharge port 99. , Will be supplied to the lower vegetable compartment 4. The mist supplied into the vegetable compartment 4 will be supplied from above to both the upper container 73 and the lower container 72, as in the first embodiment.
Also in this second embodiment, a photocatalyst may be provided on the bottom surface of the water storage tank 85, and a light source for radiating ultraviolet rays may be provided on the unit housing portion 79 side.
Even in the second embodiment having such a configuration, the same action and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. 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.

As shown in FIG. 9, the atomizing unit 102 of the electrostatic atomizing device 101 in the third embodiment is on the upper surface of the partition plate 8 behind the accessory case 103, and is the ice making water tank 20 and the water receiver. It is installed at a position on the right side of the container 28. The accessory case 103 is formed to have a shorter length in the front-rear direction than the accessory case 21 in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the atomizing unit 102 has a unit base 104 fixed to the partition plate 8 side and a unit case 105 that is detachably set on the unit base 104 by sliding from the front. And have. The unit base 104 has a substantially rectangular box shape with an open upper surface and a front surface, and is provided with a lid 106 having an L shape when viewed from the side at the front portion. The lid 106 is rotatable in the front-rear direction with the lower end as a fulcrum. In the lid 106, a notch 107 having an open rear end is formed in a portion which is an upper portion in a closed state shown in FIG. 11, and a pressing piece 108 is provided in a right side portion. The notch 107 is for avoiding interference with the water supply pipe 109 described later. A lid switch 110 operated by the pressing piece 108 is provided on the upper part of the right side wall of the unit base 104. The lid switch 110 detects the opening and closing of the lid 106.

As shown in FIG. 13, the unit case 105 is integrally provided with a water storage tank 111 (corresponding to a water storage unit) on the left side, and a filtration filter 86 containing an ion exchange resin in the water storage tank 111. Is housed, and a float member 112 is arranged. The float member 112 includes a float portion 113 that floats on water W, an arm portion 114 having a “he” shape whose one end is connected to the float portion 113, and a permanent magnet fixed to the tip of the arm portion 114. It has 115, and the intermediate portion of the arm portion 114 is rotatably supported by the water storage tank 111 by the shaft 116.

Here, when the water level in the water storage tank 111 is high, the position of the float portion 113 is high, but the position of the permanent magnet 115 is low, as shown by the solid line in FIG. Then, when the water level in the water storage tank 111 becomes low, the position of the float portion 113 becomes low, and the position of the permanent magnet 115 becomes high accordingly, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. Two magnetic sensors 117 and magnetic sensors 118 are provided above and below the left wall of the unit base 104. By using these magnetic sensors 117 and 118 and the float member 112 and detecting the position of the permanent magnet 115 of the float member 112 by the magnetic sensors 117 and 118, the water level in the water storage tank 111 can be detected and permanently. By detecting the presence or absence of magnetic flux in the magnet 115 by the magnetic sensors 117 and 118, it is possible to detect whether or not the unit case 105 is set in the unit base 104.

A unit lid 120 is detachably provided on the upper part of the unit case 105. A water injection port 121 is formed on the unit lid 120 so as to be located above the filtration filter 86. A pin holding case 92 similar to that of the second embodiment is detachably provided on the right side of the unit case 105. The pin holding case 92 is provided with a conductive sheet 93, a water retaining material 94, a plurality of mist discharging portions 95, a water absorbing pin 91, and a feeding pin 96. Also in this case, the lower portion of the feeding pin 96 is bent toward the rear, and the feeding pin 96 has an L shape as a whole. A connector 122 that opens forward is provided at the bottom of the unit base 104, and when the unit case 105 equipped with the pin holding case 92 is inserted into the unit base 104 from the front, the tip of the power feeding pin 96 is inserted. The portion is inserted and connected to the connector 122 from the front. The lower ends of the plurality of mist discharging portions 95 are located outside the unit case 105.

On the bottom wall portion of the unit base 104, a discharge port 123 composed of a plurality of holes is formed so as to be located below the mist discharge portion 95. Further, the partition plate 8 is formed with a mist discharge port 124 (see FIG. 13) at a portion corresponding to the discharge port 123. Therefore, in this case, the mist released from the mist discharge unit 95 is supplied into the lower vegetable compartment 4 through the discharge port 123 and the mist discharge port 124.

In this case, the atomizing unit 102 of the electrostatic atomizing device 101 is located above the left rear portion of the upper container 73 in the vegetable compartment 4, as shown in FIG. Therefore, all the mist discharging portions 95 of the atomization unit 102 face the upper container 73 from above, and the mist discharged from the mist discharging port 124 is supplied only to the upper container 73. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a plurality of slit-shaped ventilation portions 125 are formed at the bottom of the upper container 74. As a result, the mist supplied into the upper container 73 can be supplied to the lower container 72 through the ventilation portion 125.

Next, the automatic water supply structure of the electrostatic atomizer 101 to the atomization unit 102 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. The ice-making water tank 20 is provided with a dedicated water supply mechanism 127 for the electrostatic atomizer 101. Similar to the water supply mechanism 29, the water supply mechanism 127 includes a pump motor 128 provided below the water receiving container 28, a permanent magnet 129 rotated by the pump motor 128, and an ice water supply tank 20. It is composed of a pump 130 provided and rotated by a permanent magnet 129, and a water supply pipe 109 that guides the water pumped by the pump 130 from the water injection port 121 of the atomization unit 102 to the water storage tank 111. The tip of the water supply pipe 109 faces the water injection port 121 from above (see FIGS. 11 and 12). The water supply mechanism 127 automatically supplies the water in the ice making water tank 20 to the atomization unit 102 in a required amount. The pump motor 128 of the water supply mechanism 127 is also configured to be controlled by the control device 75.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
Since the water of the water tank 20 for ice making is automatically supplied to the atomization unit 102 of the electrostatic atomizer 101 by the water supply mechanism 127, the water supply to the electrostatic atomizer 101 can be automated, and the user can use it. It is possible to save the trouble of supplying water to the electrostatic atomizer 101 one by one. In this embodiment, the ice making water supply tank 20 also serves as a water storage unit of the electrostatic atomizer 101.

Since the atomizing unit 102 of the electrostatic atomizing device 101 is installed at the rear of the partition plate 8, it becomes close to the water supply path for supplying water from the ice making water tank 20 to the water receiving container 28, and automatic water supply is performed. You can do it easily.

The mist discharge portion 95 of the atomization unit 102 is arranged so as to face above the upper container 73 in the vegetable compartment 4, but since the ventilation portion 125 is formed at the bottom of the upper container 73, the mist discharge portion 95 is formed. The mist released from 95 can be supplied to the upper container 73 and also to the lower container 72 via the ventilation portion 125.

The water level in the water storage tank 111 can be detected by the float member 112 having the permanent magnet 115 provided in the water storage tank 111 and the magnetic sensors 117 and 118 provided in the unit base 104. Along with this, when the control device 75 detects that the water W in the water storage tank 111 has run out, it is possible to notify the notification. Further, since it is possible to detect whether or not the unit case 105 is set in the unit base 104, if it is determined that the unit case 105 is not set in the unit base 104, electrostatic atomization is performed. It is possible to prevent the device 101 from being energized.

(Fourth Embodiment)
FIG. 14 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment described above in the following points. That is, a switching valve 132 is provided in the middle of the water supply pipe 33 in the water supply mechanism 29 of the first embodiment, a branch pipe 133 is provided in the switching valve 132, and the tip of the branch pipe 133 is used in the third embodiment. It faces the water injection port 121 of the atomization unit 102 in the form.

In this case, the switching valve 132 enables switching between the case where the water in the ice making water supply tank 20 is supplied to the water receiving container 28 side through the water supply pipe 33 and the case where the water is supplied to the atomization unit 102 side through the branch pipe 133. ing. The switching valve 132 is also configured to be controlled by the control device 75.
Even in the fourth embodiment having such a configuration, the same effects as those in the third embodiment can be obtained.

(Fifth Embodiment)
Next, a fifth 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 atomizer 135 in this embodiment is installed at the rear part in the refrigerating chamber 3 so as to be located above the chilled chamber 23 and in front of the cold air outlet 15a of the cold air duct 15. The unit base 137 accommodating the atomization unit 136 of the electrostatic atomizer 135 is fixed on the lower shelf plate 138 installed above the chilled chamber 23.

The unit base 137 has an opening on the rear surface and a front surface, and a lid 139 for opening and closing the front opening is provided on the front surface. The upper end of the lid 139 is rotatably supported by the unit base 137 by the shaft 140, and the lid 139 is rotatably supported in the front-rear direction with the shaft 140 as a fulcrum. A lid switch 141 for detecting the opening / closing of the lid 139 is provided on the upper portion of the unit base 137. A stopper portion 142 is provided on the lower shelf plate 138. The stopper portion 142 is for restricting the movement of the lid 139 in the opening direction, and when the user opens the lid 139, the restriction can be released. The lid 139 is formed with a mist discharge port 143 for passing the mist.

The atomization unit 136 has an auxiliary tank 144, a plurality of pin-shaped mist discharge portions 145, a conductive sheet 146, a water retention material 147, a water absorption pin 148, and a discharge portion cover 149. , It is designed so that it can be taken in and out from the front with respect to the unit base 137.

The mist discharge portion 145, the conductive sheet 146, the water retention material 147, and the water absorption pin 148 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 145 is in contact with the conductive sheet 146, and the tapered upper end thereof is directed upward. A water retaining material 147 is arranged under the conductive sheet 146. The upper end of the water absorption pin 148 penetrates the water retention material 147 and comes into contact with the conductive sheet 146, and the lower end is inserted into the water W stored in the auxiliary tank 144.

One end of a water absorbing material 150 having excellent water absorption, which is formed of the same material as the water retaining material 147, is connected to the water retaining material 147. The other end of the water absorbing material 150 is inserted into the water receiving portion 151 installed below the refrigerating cooler 13. The water receiving portion 151 is arranged so as to receive the defrosted water at the time of defrosting the refrigerating cooler 13. The water (defrosted water) received by the water receiving portion 151 is supplied to the water retaining material 147 via the water absorbing material 150.

In this case, the water retention material 147 is configured such that the water in the water receiving portion 151 is supplied via the water absorbing material 150 and the water in the auxiliary tank 144 is supplied via the water absorbing pin 148. Therefore, the mist discharge unit 145 is configured to be able to supply both the water in the water receiving unit 151 and the water in the auxiliary tank 144. In this case, the water absorption pin 148, the water absorption material 150, the water retention material 147, and the conductive sheet 146 form a water supply unit that supplies water to the mist discharge unit 145.

The discharge portion cover 149 is arranged so as to cover the mist discharge portion 145, and has a large number of holes through which the mist passes. The atomization unit 136 is provided with a power feeding pin 154 that projects rearward. As the atomization unit 136 is set in the regular position, the power supply pin 154 is inserted and connected to the connector 155 provided on the unit base 137 side. The connector 155 is connected to one end of the high voltage transformer 157 of the power supply device 156.

Also in this case, the negative high voltage of the power supply device 156 is applied to the mist discharging unit 145 via the conductive sheet 146, the feeding pin 154, and the connector 155. When a negative high voltage of the power supply device 156 is applied to each mist discharging unit 145, the water on the surface of each mist discharging unit 145 is split and discharged as fine mist. In the electrostatic atomizer 135, the counter electrode to the mist discharging unit 145 is not installed in the vicinity of the mist discharging unit 145.

In the above configuration, when the electrostatic atomizer 135 is driven, fine mist containing hydroxyl radicals is discharged from each mist discharge unit 145. The mist is supplied toward the front of the refrigerating chamber 3 through the mist discharge port 143 of the lid 139 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 (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 135 is arranged in the refrigerating chamber 3 in front of the cold air outlet 15a, the mist discharged from the mist discharging unit 145 can also be supplied to the refrigerating chamber 3 and the vegetable compartment 4. 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.

Since the defrosted water received by the water receiving unit 151 is also used as the water used in the electrostatic atomizer 135, the water supply to the electrostatic atomizer 135 can be automated, and the user can perform electrostatic atomization. The trouble of supplying water to the device 135 can be saved as much as possible. Water can be auxiliaryly stored in the auxiliary tank 144.

(Sixth Embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. 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.

An R EVA cover 161 made of synthetic resin is provided in the front part of the refrigerating cooler 13 in the lower rear part of the refrigerating chamber 3 via a heat insulating material cover 160 made of a heat insulating material. The R EVA cover 161 is fixed to the rear portion of the refrigerator compartment 3 by screws 162 (see the broken line in FIG. 16). The mounting portion of the screw 162 is covered with a seal 162a from the front. The heat insulating material cover 160 is formed with an opening 163 located at a portion corresponding to the front surface of the refrigerating cooler 13. On the front surface of the R EVA cover 161, a dew receiving gutter 164 is integrally provided with the R EVA cover 161. As is well known, the refrigerating cooler 13 is configured to include a refrigerant pipe 13a through which a refrigerant passes and a large number of cooling plates 13b, and the refrigerant pipes 13a are arranged in a meandering shape.

As shown in FIG. 16, the dew receiving gutter 164 includes a vertical gutter 165 provided in a portion corresponding to the rear portion of the electrostatic atomizing device 36, and a vertical gutter 165 extending in the vertical direction from the vertical gutter 165 in the left and right directions. It is equipped with an inclined gutter 166 that extends ascendingly. The left and right inclined gutters 166 are formed by L-shaped ribs when viewed from the side surface, and have a shape that is susceptible to dew condensation on the front surface of the R EVA cover 161. The left and right inclined gutters 166 are in a form of descending and inclined toward the vertical gutter 165, and the dew condensation water received by these inclined gutters 166 is flowed toward the vertical gutter 165.

The partition plate 8 forming the bottom of the refrigerating chamber 3 is provided with a dew condensation water guide gutter 167 (see FIG. 17). The rear end of the dew condensation water guide gutter 167 is connected to the lower end of the downspout 165. The front portion of the dew condensation water guide gutter 167 is inserted between the unit lid 45 and the lid 40 of the electrostatic atomizer 36 so as to slip under the lid 40 that can slide in the front-rear direction in the partition plate 8. It extends forward so as to. In this case, a gap is formed between the unit lid 45 and the lid 40 into which the dew condensation water guide gutter 167 can be inserted. The outlet 167a at the tip of the dew condensation water guide gutter 167 is arranged so as to face the water injection opening 168 formed in the unit lid 45 from above.

In the above configuration, since the heat insulating material cover 160 covering the refrigerating cooler 13 has an opening 163, the cold air cooled by the refrigerating cooler 13 easily comes into contact with the R EVA cover 161 through the opening 163. , R EVA cover 161 is easily cooled. Along with this, dew condensation is likely to occur on the front surface of the R EVA cover 161. The dew condensation becomes water droplets and hangs down on the front surface of the R EVA cover 161. The dripping dew condensation water is received by the inclined gutter 166 of the dew receiving gutter 164. The dew condensation water received by the inclined gutter 166 flows toward the downspout 165, passes through the downspout 165 and the dew condensation water guide gutter 167, and is an electrostatic atomizer 36 from the outlet 167a of the dew condensation water guide gutter 167. It will be supplied onto the conductive sheet 46 through the opening 168 of the. The water (condensed water) supplied to the conductive sheet 46 is also supplied to the mist discharging section 49, and is discharged as mist from the mist discharging section 49.
In this case, the R EVA cover 161, the dew receiving gutter 164, and the dew condensation water guiding gutter 167 also form a water supply unit that supplies water to the mist discharging unit 49.

According to the above-described embodiment, in particular, as the water used in the electrostatic atomizing device 36, the dew condensation water received in the dew receiving gutter 164 of the R EVA cover 161 is also used, so that the electrostatic atomizing device 36 is used. The water supply can be automated, and the time and effort required for the user to supply water to the electrostatic atomizer 36 can be minimized.

(7th Embodiment)
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. The same parts as those in the sixth embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, the description thereof will be omitted, and different parts will be described.

In this case, the attachment location of the screw 162 for fixing the R EVA cover 161 is set to the vicinity of the refrigerant pipe 13a of the refrigerating cooler 13. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, the R EVA cover 161 is integrally provided with a tubular screw mounting portion 170 that is positioned in the vicinity of the left and right inclined gutters 166 in the dew receiving gutter 164 and projects rearward. The screw mounting portion 170 is provided, penetrates the opening 171 formed in the heat insulating material cover 160, and reaches the rear portion of the refrigerating chamber 3 through the vicinity of the refrigerant pipe 13a. Then, the screw 162 attached to the screw attachment portion 170 is attached to the inner box 172 at the rear of the refrigerator compartment 3. A sticker 162a is attached to the front surface of the screw mounting portion 170, and the seal 162a covers the front opening of the screw mounting portion 170.

In the above configuration, the screw mounting portion 170 for fixing the R EVA cover 161 is arranged in the vicinity of the refrigerant pipe 13a of the refrigerating cooler 13, so that the R EVA cover 161 can be provided via the screw 162 and the screw mounting portion 170. It is easy to be cooled, which makes it easy for dew condensation to occur on the front surface of the R EVA cover 161.

Also in the above-described embodiment, similarly to the sixth embodiment, the dew condensation water condensing on the front surface of the R EVA cover 161 can be supplied to the electrostatic atomizer 36 through the dew receiving gutter 164 and the dew condensation water guide gutter 167. it can. Therefore, as the water used in the electrostatic atomizing device 36, the dew condensation water received by the dew receiving gutter 164 of the R EVA cover 161 can also be used, so that the water supply to the electrostatic atomizing device 36 can be automated and the user can be quiet. It is possible to minimize the time and effort required to supply water to the atomizing device 36.

(8th Embodiment)
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21. 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.

A water tank lid 181 is detachably provided on the upper portion of the ice making water tank 180 installed on the partition plate 8. The water tank 180 for ice making stores water to be supplied to the ice tray 11 of the automatic ice making device (ice making device) 12 (see FIG. 1), and is detachably set in the refrigerating chamber 3 on the partition plate 8. To. A water supply mechanism 29 similar to that of the first embodiment is provided between the water tank 180 for ice making and the water receiving container 28 for the automatic ice making device 12.

An atomization unit 183 of the electrostatic atomizer 182 is installed on the upper surface of the rear portion (right portion in FIG. 20) of the water tank lid 181. The atomization unit 183 includes a unit case 184, a conductive sheet 185 and a water retention material 186 arranged in the unit case 184, a water absorption pin 187 constituting a water absorption unit, and a plurality of mist discharge units 188. ing. Of these, the conductive sheet 185, the water-retaining material 186, the water-absorbing pin 187, and the mist-releasing portion 188 are the same materials as the conductive sheet 46, the water-retaining material 47, and the water-absorbing pin 48 in the first embodiment. Is formed by.

The water absorption pin 187 is formed long in the vertical direction, and the upper end portion thereof penetrates the water retention material 186 and contacts the conductive sheet 185 in the unit case 184, and the lower end portion penetrates the water supply tank lid 181. It is inserted into the water tank 180 for ice making from above. The lower end of the water absorption pin 187 reaches the vicinity of the bottom of the ice water supply tank 180. The water absorption pin 187 is particularly excellent in water absorption characteristics, and sucks up the water in the ice making water supply tank 180 and supplies it to the mist discharge unit 188 via the water retention material 186 and the conductive sheet 185. In this case, the water absorption pin 187, the water retention material 186, and the conductive sheet 185 form a water supply unit that supplies water to the mist discharge unit 188. Further, the ice water supply tank 180 constitutes a water storage unit for storing water to be supplied to the mist discharge unit 188.

As shown in FIG. 21, a bifurcated power supply pin 190 is provided at the rear of the atomization unit 183 toward the rear. The power feeding pin 190 is electrically connected to the conductive sheet 185 by unraveling a conductive member (not shown). A transformer case 191 is provided in the cold air duct 15 located behind the water supply tank 180 for ice making, and the high voltage transformer 192 is housed in the transformer case 191 and one end thereof is in the high voltage transformer 192. The connected electrode pin 193 is provided facing forward. The electrode pin 193 is connected to the negative electrode of the high voltage transformer 192. A protective cylinder portion 194 is provided on the front portion of the transformer case 191 so as to surround the electrode pin 193.

In this case, with the atomization unit 183 installed on the water supply tank lid 181, the ice water supply tank 180 is slid on the partition plate 8 from the front to the rear (from left to right in FIG. 20). By setting the atomization unit 183 in the proper position, the power supply pin 190 of the atomization unit 183 was inserted into the protective cylinder portion 194 and electrically and mechanically connected to the electrode pin 193 on the high voltage transformer 192 side. It becomes a state. In this connected state, a negative high voltage (-several kV) from the high voltage transformer 192 is applied to the mist emission section 188 of the atomization unit 183 by the electrode pin 193, the feeding pin 190, the conductive member (not shown), and the conductive sheet 185. The fine mist is discharged from the mist discharge unit 188 based on the application. A discharge port 195 is formed in the unit case 184 so as to be located below the mist discharge part 188 so that the mist discharged from the mist discharge part 188 is supplied from the discharge port 195 into the refrigerator compartment 3. become. When the water tank 180 for ice making is slid forward to remove it from the set position, the connection between the power supply pin 190 and the electrode pin 193 is released.
According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

The atomization unit 183 of the electrostatic atomizer 182 is installed on the water tank lid 181 of the water tank 180 for ice making, the water absorption pin 187 of the atomization unit 183 is inserted into the water tank 180 for ice making, and the water absorption pin 187 is inserted. The water in the water tank 180 for ice making sucked up by the water tank 180 is supplied to the mist discharge unit 188. As a result, the water tank 180 for ice making can also be used as a water storage unit of the electrostatic atomizer 182, and the automatic ice making device 12 and the electrostatic atomizer 182 can be used in one water supply operation to the water tank 180 for ice making. Water can be supplied to the two systems, and the workability of the water supply work can be improved. Further, as the electrostatic atomizer 182, since the water supply tank 180 for ice making can be used as a water storage unit, it is not necessary to separately provide a water storage unit, and there is an advantage that the installation space can be reduced.

(9th embodiment)
Next, a ninth 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.

In the vegetable compartment 4, a cover 200 is provided below the partition plate 8 (below the base plate 37 for installing the electrostatic atomizing device 36) along the lower surface of the partition plate 8. The space between the cover 20, the partition plate 8 and the base plate 37 is a cold air passage 201. As shown by the arrow D in FIG. 22, the cold air passage 201 sends the cold air blown from the rear part of the vegetable compartment 4 toward the front to a PET bottle 202 or the like stored in the front portion of the vegetable compartment 4 to deliver the cold air. It is for cooling.

The base plate 37 is provided with a mist discharge port 203 located below the atomization unit 38. The mist discharge port 203 is provided below the mist discharge portion 49 (see FIG. 6) in the atomization unit 38, substantially directly below in this case, and at a position facing the cold air passage 201 from above.

In the above configuration, when mist is discharged from the mist discharge unit 49 in the atomization unit 38, the mist is discharged from the mist discharge port 203 of the base plate 37 into the cold air passage 201, and the cold air passage 201 is directed from the rear to the front. It is flowed toward the front part of the vegetable compartment 4 along the cold air (see arrow D), and is supplied into the vegetable compartment 4.

At this time, since the mist discharge port 203 is located substantially directly below the mist discharge portion 49 and faces the cold air passage 201 from above, the mist discharged from the mist discharge portion 49 is placed on the inner bottom surface of the base plate 37 or the like. Collision is suppressed as much as possible, and it is possible to prevent mist from adhering to the inner bottom surface of the base plate 37 and decreasing as much as possible. Moreover, the mist released from the mist discharging portion 49 is drawn into the cold air flowing from the rear to the front in the cold air passage 201, so that it easily flows out to the cold air passage 201 side, and the mist is inside the base plate 37. There is an advantage that it is possible to further suppress the decrease due to collision with the bottom surface and the like, and it is possible to supply a larger amount of mist into the vegetable compartment 4.

According to the present specification, in the case where the ultrasonic atomizing device is used as the mist generator, the particle size of the mist is large, and the dirt component contained in the stored water of the mist generator is also blown off as mist. There is a risk that it will be supplied to the storage room. On the other hand, in the case of using an electrostatic atomizer, the particle size of the mist can be made finer (for example, several nm to several tens of nm level). The purpose is to provide a clean and safe refrigerator that can generate mist and supply it to the storage chamber by using an atomizer as a mist generating means.

In the drawing, 3 is a cold storage room (storage room), 4 is a vegetable room (storage room), 8 is a partition plate, 12 is an automatic ice making device (ice making device), 13 is a cooling cooler (cooler), and 15a is cold air. Outlet, 20 is a water tank for ice making (water storage), 29 is a water supply mechanism, 36 is an electrostatic atomizer (atomizer), 37 is a base plate (plate), 38 is an atomization unit, 40 is a lid, 43 is a water storage tank (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, 51 is a discharge port, 52 is. Mist discharge port, 54 is a power supply pin, 56 is a power supply device, 62 is a lid switch, 65 is a filtration filter, 66 is an ion exchange resin, 72 is a lower container, 73 is an upper container, 75 is a control device, and 77 is an electrostatic mist. Atomizer (atomizer), 78 is an atomization unit, 81 is a lid, 82 is a lid switch, 85 is a water storage tank (water storage unit), 86 is a filtration filter, 87 is an ion exchange resin, 91 is a water absorption pin (water supply unit). ), 93 is a conductive sheet (water supply part), 94 is a water retention material (water supply part), 95 is a mist discharge part, 96 is a power supply pin, 101 is an electrostatic atomizer (atomizer), 102 is an atomization unit. , 106 is a lid, 111 is a water storage tank (water storage unit), 125 is a ventilation unit, 127 is a water supply mechanism, 132 is a switching valve, 135 is an electrostatic atomizer (atomicizer), 136 is an atomization unit, and 139 is an atomization unit. The lid, 141 is a lid switch, 144 is an auxiliary tank (water storage part), 145 is a mist discharge part, 146 is a conductive sheet (water supply part), 147 is a water retention material (water supply part), and 148 is a water absorption pin (water supply part). 150 is a water absorbing material (water supply unit), 151 is a water receiving unit (water storage unit), 154 is a power supply pin, 156 is a power supply device, 161 is an R EVA cover (water supply unit), 164 is a dew receiving trough (water supply unit), and 167 is. Condensation water guide gutter (water supply section), 180 is a water tank for ice making (water storage section), 182 is an electrostatic atomizer (atomizer), 183 is an atomization unit, 185 is a conductive sheet (water supply section), 186 Is a water retention material (water supply unit), 187 is a water absorption pin (water absorption unit, water supply unit), 188 is a mist discharge unit, 201 is a cold air passage, and 203 is a mist discharge port.

Claims (1)

In a refrigerator with a storage room in the refrigerated temperature range
Equipped with an electrostatic atomizer having a mist emitting part that emits mist,
The electrostatic atomizer is installed on a partition plate located above the storage chamber, and a passage for flowing cold air is provided along the lower surface of the partition plate, and below the discharge port of the electrostatic atomizer. Has a member, and the position of the member corresponding to the lower part of the discharge port is closed, while the mist discharge port of the member located below the discharge port and communicating with the discharge port is provided. Provided,
A refrigerator in which the mist released from the mist discharge portion is supplied to the storage chamber from the discharge port through the mist discharge port, passes through the passage, and circulates.

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