JP2021116933A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that continues supplying water to an atomizing electrode, which is a discharge electrode, so as to supply mist quickly.SOLUTION: A refrigerator 1 comprises an electrostatic atomization device 29 that is disposed in a refrigerator compartment 14 and atomizes water by applying a high voltage. The electrostatic atomization device 29 has an atomizing electrode 40, a counter electrode 41 that faces the atomizing electrode 40, and a Peltier element 42 that cools the atomizing electrode 40. The electrostatic atomization device 29 has, as operation modes, a freezing mode in which the Peltier element 42 is energized to cool the atomizing electrode 40 and freeze moisture in the air on the atomizing electrode 40, a thawing mode in which the Peltier element 42 is de-energized to thaw the ice frozen on the atomizing electrode 40 and produce water, and an atomization mode in which a high voltage is applied to between the atomizing electrode 40 and the counter electrode 41 and the Peltier element 42 is energized.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator equipped with an atomizer in a storage chamber.

Patent Document 1 describes that the supply means for supplying water to the release electrode is a freezing means for freezing the moisture in the air to the release electrode by cooling the release electrode and the frozen ice is melted so that mist can be generated quickly. An electrostatic atomizer provided with a dissolving means for producing water has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 4625267

The present disclosure provides a refrigerator capable of continuously supplying water to the atomizing electrode, which is a discharge electrode, and quickly supplying mist.

The refrigerator in the present disclosure is a refrigerator provided with an electrostatic atomizer in which a high voltage is applied to atomize water in a refrigerator, and the electrostatic atomizer is opposed to the atomizing electrode and the atomizing electrode. It has an electrode and a Perche element that cools the atomized electrode, and the operation mode of the electrostatic atomizer is freezing, which cools the atomized electrode by energizing the Perche element and freezes the moisture in the air to the atomized electrode. A mode, a melting mode in which the energization of the Perche element is stopped and frozen ice is melted in the atomizing electrode to generate water, and a high voltage is applied between the atomizing electrode and the counter electrode and the Perche element is supplied. It has an atomization mode for energizing.

Since the refrigerator in the present disclosure cools the atomization electrode even in the atomization mode, water can be continuously supplied to the atomization electrode, and mist can be quickly supplied to the room.

Front view of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention Longitudinal section of the refrigerator Cross-sectional view above the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator Partial enlarged view of the refrigerator Perspective view of the atomizing cover member of the refrigerator Time chart in the first operation mode of the electrostatic atomizer of the refrigerator of the present embodiment Time chart in the second operation mode of the electrostatic atomizer of the refrigerator of the present embodiment

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or duplicate explanations for substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a front view of the refrigerator, and FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view. The overall configuration of the refrigerator will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment includes a refrigerator main body 2 having an open front, and the refrigerator main body 2 includes a metal outer plate 3 constituting an outer shell, an inner plate 4 made of hard resin, and the outer plate 3. It is composed of a heat insulating material 5 which is foam-filled between the inner plate 4 and a heat insulating material 5, and a plurality of storage chambers are formed by the heat insulating partition plates 6, 7, and 8. Further, each storage chamber of the refrigerator main body 2 is openable and closable by a rotary door 9 or a drawer type door 10, 11, 12, 13 which adopts the same heat insulating structure as the refrigerator main body 2.

The refrigerator main body 2 has a refrigerating chamber 14 at the uppermost portion, and is divided into upper and lower parts by the refrigerating chamber 14 and the heat insulating partition plate 6, and a temperature zone switchable switching chamber 15 provided below the heat insulating partition plate 6. An ice making chamber 16 provided next to the switching chamber 15 as a heat insulating partition, a vegetable compartment 17 provided above and below the switching chamber 15, the ice making chamber 16 and the heat insulating partition plate 7, and further provided below the heat insulating partition plate 7. It is divided into upper and lower parts by a vegetable compartment 17 and a heat insulating partition plate 8, and has a freezing chamber 18 provided below the heat insulating partition plate 7.

A plurality of shelf boards 19 are provided in the refrigerating chamber 14 in a plurality of upper and lower stages, and a partial chamber 20 having a cooling temperature zone different from that of the refrigerating chamber 14 is formed below the refrigerating chamber 14.

The refrigerating chamber 14 is a storage chamber for refrigerating and storing, and specifically, the temperature is set to about 2 to 3 ° C. and cooled. Further, the partial chamber 20 provided in the refrigerating chamber 14 is set to about -3 ° C, which is suitable for microfreezing storage, and the partial chamber 20 can be set to a temperature in a chilled temperature zone of around 1 ° C.

The vegetable compartment 17 is a storage chamber whose temperature is set slightly higher than that of the refrigerator compartment 14, and specifically, the temperature is set to 4 to 7 ° C. for cooling. Since the vegetable compartment 17 becomes highly humid due to the moisture emitted from the stored food such as vegetables, dew condensation may occur if it is locally cooled too much. Therefore, by setting the temperature to a relatively high temperature, the amount of cooling is reduced and the occurrence of dew condensation due to local overcooling is suppressed.

The freezing chamber 18 is a storage chamber set in the freezing temperature zone, and is usually set to about -18 ° C. for cooling, but is set to a low temperature such as -30 ° C. or -25 ° C. for improving the frozen storage state. It may be cooled.

The switching chamber 15 is a storage chamber in which the temperature inside the refrigerator can be changed, and can be switched from the refrigerating temperature zone to the freezing temperature zone according to the application.

A cooling chamber 21 is provided on the back surface of the vegetable compartment 17, and a cooler 22 for generating cold air and a cooling fan 23 for supplying cold air to each chamber are installed in the cooling chamber 21. Further below the cooler 22, a defrosting means 24 (hereinafter, referred to as a heater) composed of a glass tube heater or the like is provided.

The cooler 22 includes a compressor 25, a heat exchanger (not shown), a dew-proof pipe (not shown) for preventing dew from dew on the openings of each chamber, and a capillary tube (not shown). The refrigeration cycle is formed by connecting them in a ring shape, and cooling is performed by circulating the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 25.

Further, the cooling fan 23 is provided above the cooler 22, and a part of the cold air cooled by the cooler 22 passes through the refrigerating chamber cold air passage 26 which communicates with the downstream side by forced ventilation by the cooling fan 23. A part of the cold air cooled by the cooler 22 is supplied to the refrigerating chamber 14 through the freezing chamber cold air passage 27 by the forced ventilation of the cooling fan 23, and is also circulated in the refrigerating chamber 14. The cold air or a part of the cold air cooled by the cooler 22 is supplied to the vegetable chamber 17 through the vegetable chamber cold air passage (not shown) to cool each of these chambers.

Further, the heat insulating partition plate 6 that separates the refrigerating chamber 14, the switching chamber 15, and the ice making chamber is provided with a refrigerating chamber damper 39 for adjusting the amount of cold air to the refrigerating chamber 14.

Next, the configuration of the refrigerator compartment 14 will be specifically described.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part above the refrigerating chamber 14. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the atomizing cover member.

An inner plate 4 constituting the inner wall of the refrigerating chamber 14 is provided with an electrostatic atomizer 29 for generating nano-sized negative ion mist in the storage chamber 28 on the top surface portion 28 thereof. The electrostatic atomizer 29 includes an atomizing unit 30 that condenses moisture in the air in the refrigerating chamber 14 and a circuit unit 31 that applies a high voltage to the atomizing unit 30 and allows a current to flow through the Pelche element 42, which will be described later. ing.

The atomizing unit 30 includes an atomizing electrode 40 that generates negative ion mist and a counter electrode 41 that is arranged to face the atomizing electrode 40. A perche element 42 is provided as a supply means for supplying moisture in the air to the atomizing electrode 40. The circuit unit 31 energizes the heat exchange unit Pelche element 42, heat transfer occurs in the Pelche element 42, and the atomizing electrode 40 is cooled via the cooling unit connected to the endothermic side. Specifically, since the humidity of the refrigerating chamber 14 is a low humidity environment of about 20 to 30%, the atomizing electrode 40 is less likely to condense dew.

Therefore, the cooling capacity of the Perche element 42 is increased, and the moisture in the air freezes on the atomizing electrode 40 to generate ice, and then the energization of the Perche element 42 is stopped and the atomizing electrode 40 freezes. The ice was melted to generate water, and finally a high voltage was applied between the atomizing electrode 40 and the counter electrode 41 via the transformer of the circuit unit 31, and the Pelche element 42 was energized. It is configured to atomize and generate mist.

Further, behind the electrostatic atomizer 29, a refrigerating chamber cold air passage 26 is provided on the back surface of the refrigerating chamber 14. The refrigerating chamber cold air passage 26 extends from the lower end of the refrigerating chamber 14 to a position above the uppermost shelf plate 19 and below the top surface portion 28, and is provided at the uppermost portion opened toward the top surface portion 28. A plurality of outlets 26a are provided.

A lighting device 32 composed of LEDs for illuminating the inside of the refrigerating chamber 14 is provided on the top surface portion 28, and the lighting device 32 and the electrostatic atomizing device 29 are arranged in order from the front opening side of the refrigerating chamber 14.

There is a space 33 between the electrostatic atomizer 29 and the outlet 26a of the refrigerating chamber cold air passage 26, and the electrostatic atomizer 29 is arranged closer to the lighting device 32 than the refrigerating chamber cold air passage 26. ing.

A control board storage portion 35 for storing a control board 34 for controlling the operation of the refrigerator is formed on the outer plate 2 constituting the top wall of the refrigerator, and the control board storage portion 35 is a control board in a recess provided on the top wall. A storage unit 35 is arranged to store the control board 34.

The electrostatic atomizer 29 is arranged below the control board 34 whose wall thickness is thinner than the opening of the refrigerating chamber 14.

Further, the atomized cover member 37 is formed so as to project from the top surface portion 28 toward the uppermost shelf plate 19, and a plurality of stages of mist discharge ports 37e are formed in the vertical direction on the side surface portion 37d of the atomized cover member 37. It is configured to release mist. Further, the mist discharge port 37e is formed in a stepped shape so as to approach the atomization section 30 or the circuit section 31 toward the lower stage, and a guide rib 37f is formed between the adjacent mist discharge ports 37e in the vertical direction to atomize. The mist discharge port 37e is not blocked even if food or the like is placed in front of the cover member 37.

Therefore, even if food or the like is packed, the mist can be released from the mist discharge port 37e, and the OH radicals contained in the mist decompose various odorous components to disinfect and deodorize the refrigerating chamber 14. Can be maintained.

Further, by arranging the bottom surface portion of the atomizing cover member 37 so as to be inclined upward toward the front opening of the refrigerating chamber 14, it is possible to further prevent the mist discharge port 37e from being blocked by food or the like.

Further, since the side surface portion 37d of the atomizing cover member 37 is formed so as to protrude into the refrigerator and the mist discharge port 37e is formed so as to protrude into the interior space, the air in the refrigerator is formed into the atomizing cover member 37. Easy to capture.

Therefore, since the mist discharge port 37e functions as an action port for taking in the moisture contained in the air together with the air inside the refrigerator, the moisture in the air in the atomization cover member 37 when water is generated by the atomizing unit 30. However, this mist discharge port 37e functions as an air intake hole in the refrigerator cover member 37, and it is easy to continuously send the air in the refrigerator to replace the air, and the mist is continuously appropriate. Can be generated, and the OH radical contained in the mist can decompose various odorous components to enhance sterilization and deodorization.

Further, the opening area of the opening 37g formed on the side of the atomizing cover member 37 facing the outlet 26a is smaller than the opening area of the opening 37h formed on the side not facing the outlet 26a. Therefore, cold air with low humidity in the vicinity of the outlet 26a is prevented from actively entering.

Further, in the case of the embodiment, two outlets 26a are formed in the left-right width direction of the refrigerating chamber cold air passage 26, and the atomizing portion 30 is formed between the two outlets 26a so as to be between the extension lines of the two outlets 26a. Has openings on both the left and right sides. Therefore, the atomizing portion 30 is configured so that the low-humidity cold air blown out from the outlet 26a does not directly hit the atomizing portion 30.

The operation of the electrostatic atomizer 29 arranged in the refrigerator compartment 14 as described above will be described.

FIG. 6 is a time chart for operating the electrostatic atomizer 29, and is a first operation of the electrostatic atomizer 29 when the temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor (not shown) installed in the refrigerator 1 is 15 ° C. or higher. The mode.

The operation mode is a freezing mode in which the moisture in the air is frozen on the atomizing electrode 40, a melting mode in which the frozen ice is thawed to generate water, and an atomization mode in which the generated water is atomized. Mist is sprayed on the ice, and each mode will be described in detail.

From FIG. 6, the refrigerating chamber damper 39 is opened while the compressor 25 is operating in the ON state, and cold air is blown from the outlet 26a to the refrigerating chamber 14 through the refrigerating chamber cold air passage 26.

Then, at a certain point, when the indoor temperature sensor (not shown) of the refrigerating chamber 14 reaches a predetermined temperature, a closing signal is input so that the refrigerating chamber damper 39 changes from the open state to the closed state.

Starting from the opening and closing of the refrigerating chamber damper 39, the perche element 42 of the electrostatic atomizing device 29 is started to be energized to operate in the freezing mode. In the freezing mode, the perche element 42 is energized for a predetermined time to cool the atomizing electrode 40. At this time, a high current of 1.5 A is applied to the Pelche element 42 to increase the cooling capacity, and the moisture in the air in the refrigerating chamber 14 is frozen in the atomizing electrode 40.

In the freezing mode, since it starts when the refrigerating chamber damper 39 is closed, the low-temperature, low-humidity cold air exchanged by the cooler 22 is not discharged from the outlet 26a, and circulates in the refrigerating chamber 14 to exchange heat. Moisture in the air having a relatively high humidity can be continuously frozen in the atomizing electrode 40 by increasing the cooling capacity by energizing a high current while suppressing the decrease in the moisture content.

Further, the operation time of the freeze mode is continued for 10 minutes in the case of the example. This operating time can be changed and may be changed depending on the load conditions. For example, when there are many stored items in the refrigerator compartment 14, the inside of the refrigerator tends to have high humidity, so that the predetermined time may be shortened.

After the freezing mode is performed for a predetermined time, the operation of the thawing mode is then started. The operating time of the melting mode is continued for 30 seconds in the case of the example. In the melting mode, the energization of the Pelche element 42 is stopped for a predetermined time, and the frozen ice is melted in the atomizing electrode 40 to generate water. It is better to carry out the operation with the refrigerating chamber damper 39 closed so that the generated water does not dry out.

After the melting mode elapses for a predetermined time, the operation of the atomization mode is then started. The operating time of the atomization mode is continued for 15 minutes in the case of the embodiment. In the atomization mode, a high voltage is applied between the atomization electrode 40 and the counter electrode 41, and the perche element 42 is also energized. At this time, by energizing a low current of 0.5 A, which has a lower current value than in the freezing mode, the atomizing electrode 40 can be cooled while atomizing, and moisture in the air can be condensed. During the conversion mode, nano-sized negative ion mist can be continuously and quickly sprayed onto the refrigerating chamber 14.

When the Pelche element 42 is not energized during the atomization mode, the heat on the heat dissipation side of the atomization unit 30 is transferred to the endothermic side, the temperature of the atomization electrode 40 rises, and the environment of the refrigerating chamber 14 with low humidity is further increased. Depending on the bottom, the evaporation of the water generated in the melting mode is promoted, the water cannot be retained in the atomizing electrode 40, and the mist may not be supplied quickly.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the person who starts the freeze mode operation of the electrostatic atomizer 29 and performs the operation in the state where the refrigerating chamber damper 39 is closed until the next thaw mode operation and the start of the final atomization mode. However, it is easy to collect water from the air in the refrigerator compartment 14 and it is possible to continuously and quickly generate mist, but even if the refrigerator compartment damper 39 is opened in the middle depending on the usage situation of the user, the electrostatic atomizer The first operation mode of 29 performs each mode operation without interruption.

Further, the first operation mode may be performed at each cycle in conjunction with the opening / closing cycle of the refrigerator compartment damper 39, but the first operation mode may be operated at each predetermined cycle. In the case of the embodiment, the operation of the first operation mode is performed every two cycles of opening and closing the refrigerator damper 39, and mist is sprayed into the refrigerator chamber 14 to sterilize and deodorize the refrigerator chamber 14.

Further, FIG. 7 is a time chart for operating the electrostatic atomizer 29, which is the second electrostatic atomizer 29 when the temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor (not shown) installed in the refrigerator 1 is 15 ° C. or less. The operation mode.

From FIG. 7, when the outside air temperature is 15 ° C. or lower, the operating rate of the compressor 25 is low, the opening rate of the refrigerator damper 39 is also low due to the low load, and the operation of the compressor 25 is ON. Even so, the refrigerating chamber damper 39 may not be opened and may continue to be closed, and the opening / closing operation of the refrigerating chamber damper 39 may not be linked to the operation cycle of the compressor 25.

Therefore, when the outside temperature is low, the Pelche element 42 of the electrostatic atomizer 29 is energized starting from the fact that the compressor 25 is turned on from off regardless of the opening / closing operation of the refrigerator damper 39. And perform the freeze mode. In the freezing mode, the Perche element 42 is energized to cool the atomizing electrode 40. At this time, a high current having a current value of 1.5 A is applied to the Pelche element 42 to increase the cooling capacity, and the moisture in the air in the refrigerating chamber 14 is frozen in the atomizing electrode 40.

In the freezing mode, the opening rate of the refrigerating chamber damper 39 decreases, and the closed state often continues. Since the air circulates in the refrigerating chamber 14 and exchanges heat, a high current is applied to the Pelche element 42. The cooling capacity can be increased to freeze the moisture in the air having a relatively high humidity on the atomizing electrode 40. As a result, freezing can be continuously performed while suppressing the decrease in water content in the refrigerating chamber 14.

Further, the freezing mode may be continuously operated for a predetermined time as in the first operation mode, and the predetermined time may be changed.

Further, the melting mode and the atomization mode are continuously operated for a predetermined time as in the first operation mode. Further, depending on the usage conditions, even if the compressor 25 is turned off or the refrigerator damper 39 is opened in the middle of the second operation mode, the second operation mode of the electrostatic atomizer 29 is operated in each mode without interruption. I do.

Further, the second operation mode may be performed at each cycle in conjunction with the off / on operation of the compressor 25, but the second operation mode may be operated at each predetermined cycle. In FIG. 7, the operation of the second operation mode is performed every two cycles of the operation of the compressor 25, and mist is sprayed into the refrigerating chamber 14 to sterilize and deodorize the refrigerating chamber 14.

Further, the refrigerating chamber 14 is provided with a humidity detecting means 45 for detecting the humidity in the room, and when the humidity detecting means 45 detects a predetermined humidity or more, the energizing time to the Pelche element 42 in the freezing mode is subtracted. Therefore, the time can be shortened to a predetermined time, and it is possible to prevent the moisture in the air from adhering too much to the atomizing electrode 40 and freezing, and when the atomizing electrode 40 is thawed, it can be prevented from falling as water droplets from the atomizing electrode 40.

Further, when the humidity detected by the humidity detecting means 45 is high humidity, the freezing mode is stopped and only the atomization mode is executed. Therefore, the mist can be quickly supplied to the room.

Further, although the humidity detecting means 45 is installed in the refrigerating chamber 14, it may be installed outside the refrigerator of the main body 2 to subtract or stop the operating time of the freezing mode according to the outside air humidity.

Further, even if the refrigerating chamber door 9 is opened in the freezing mode, the Pelche element 42 is continuously energized and the freezing mode operation is continued. By opening the refrigerator door 9, the humidity of the outside air enters the refrigerator, so that the moisture in the air can be easily collected in the atomizing electrode 40.

Further, when the refrigerating chamber door 9 is opened in the atomization mode, the atomization mode operation is stopped, that is, energization and application of a high voltage to the Pelche element 42 are stopped, and when the refrigerating chamber door 9 is closed, atomization is performed. The mode operation can be restarted, the operation for the remaining time can be performed, and the mist can be sprayed onto the refrigerating chamber 14 to enhance the sterilization and deodorization of the chamber.

Since the atomization electrode is cooled even in the atomization mode, the present disclosure is applicable to a refrigerator in which water can be continuously supplied to the atomization electrode and mist can be quickly supplied indoors. ..

14 Refrigerator room 17 Vegetable room 26 Refrigerator room Cold air passage 26a Outlet 29 Electrostatic atomizer

Claims (8)

In a refrigerator equipped with an electrostatic atomizer for atomizing water by applying a high voltage to the refrigerating chamber, the electrostatic atomizer includes an atomizing electrode, a counter electrode facing the atomizing electrode, and the fog. It has a Perche element that cools the atomized electrode, and the operation mode of the electrostatic atomizer is to cool the atomized electrode by energizing the Perche element and freeze the moisture in the air to the atomized electrode. A high voltage is applied between the atomizing electrode and the counter electrode in the freezing mode, the melting mode in which the energization of the Pelche element is stopped and the frozen ice is melted in the atomizing electrode to generate water. A refrigerator characterized by having an atomization mode for energizing the electrode element together with the electrode. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the energizing current to the Pelche element in the atomization mode is lower than that in the freeze mode. The electrostatic atomizer operates based on a first operation mode that operates based on the opening / closing control of the refrigerating chamber damper that adjusts the amount of cold air to the refrigerating chamber, and a second operating mode that operates based on other than the opening / closing control of the refrigerating chamber damper. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the refrigerator includes an operation mode. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the electrostatic atomizer switches between the operation mode of the first operation mode and the operation mode of the second operation mode according to the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detecting means of the refrigerator. .. The refrigerator according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the freezing mode of the first operation mode is executed for a predetermined time starting from the opening and closing of the refrigerator compartment damper. The freezing mode of the second operation mode is according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the freezing mode is executed for a predetermined time starting from the fact that the compressor for cooling the pre-refrigerating chamber is turned from off to on. refrigerator. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the operation mode operates in the order of the freezing mode, the thawing mode, and the atomization mode, and operates in each mode for a predetermined time. A humidity detecting means for detecting the humidity of the refrigerator is provided, and the electrostatic atomizing device can subtract or stop the operating time of the freezing mode based on the humidity detected by the humidity detecting means. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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