JP3698776B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a high voltage processing function for improving the storage quality of foods, particularly fresh meat and fishery products.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, as a method for maintaining the freshness of fresh meat, fishery products and other foods in household refrigerators, a new temperature range of +1 to -3 ° C such as chilled temperature range, ice temperature range, and partial temperature range has been developed. There are increasing opportunities for temperature chambers to be proposed and stored.
[0003]
Furthermore, it is said that if the food is stored in a temperature zone just before freezing as the term “ice aging at ice temperature”, the taste will be improved. For example, as described in JP-A-7-115595, Preserving the living body of breathing foods such as fruits, cereals, nuts, live fish, shellfish, etc. in a low temperature zone of 0 ° C or less, and stress due to drying, hydration, pressure, light, snow, sound waves, etc. Proposing a method to improve the umami taste by giving and processing various umami-related components in the living body of foods, giving immature ones ripe, and non-seasonal ones to seasonal tastes, when treatments are given alone or in combination. Has been.
[0004]
It is well known that foods such as fresh food and aquatic fish and shellfish can be kept fresh if the temperature is lowered, so that the freshness is maintained. Is required. However, when the temperature falls below the freezing point, the food freezes, and when the food freezes, there is a problem that the cell membrane is destroyed and the taste is lowered.
[0005]
Therefore, in the case of freezing treatment, it is necessary to try rapid freezing so that it passes through −1 ° C. to −5 ° C. of the maximum ice crystal formation zone where water in the food becomes ice and enlarges crystals as soon as possible. However, in a domestic refrigerator, there is a limit to quick freezing, and it is difficult to completely eliminate cell destruction. Therefore, if it is eaten after 2 to 3 days, it is appropriate to store it in the new temperature zone room. In the new temperature zone storage, there is no need for thawing and no freezing, so there is no crystal growth and cell destruction. It can be said that it is preferable as a method for preserving fresh food.
[0006]
Moreover, although it is disclosed by Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2-257867 as a refrigerator which has a high voltage processing function, a negative voltage is applied to frozen food by the high voltage | pressure induction electrostatic method within the temperature of 3 to -3 degreeC. A method of thawing has been proposed.
[0007]
Hereinafter, a method for thawing food in a refrigerator disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-257867 will be described.
[0008]
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventionally proposed refrigerator, in which 1 is a high-voltage power source, 2 is a refrigerator, 3 is an inner box, 4 is a heat insulating material, 5 is a frozen product, and 6 is an interior. One pole on the secondary side of the high-voltage power supply 1 is insulated and only the other pole is connected to an electrically conductive inner box 3 such as stainless steel so that negative electrons due to electrostatic induction can be applied. At that time, the interior 6 and the shelf are connected by a clasp and are in a conductive state. The secondary voltage of the high-voltage power supply 1 is designed to be 5 kV to 20 kV.
[0009]
In the refrigerator configured as described above, a thawing method will be described below.
First, the temperature of the inside 6 is set to a predetermined temperature of 3 ° C. to −3 ° C., the frozen product 5 to be thawed is placed on the shelf, and a switch (not shown) of the high voltage power source 1 is turned on to start thawing. . The frozen product 5 can be thawed quickly and evenly by receiving negative electrons due to electrostatic induction. In addition, the sterilizing effect is excellent and the amount of drip can be reduced.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in an actual refrigerator, it is very difficult to stably cool within ± 0.5 ° C. in the temperature range in the new temperature zone. The surface of the food is heated above the set temperature or cooled below the set temperature due to temperature rise due to opening / closing of the door and the introduction of cooling air for pull-down, and at least the target set temperature varies about ± 2 ° C. End up.
[0011]
In other words, even if food such as fresh meat and fishery products are in a chilled or ice temperature range where they are not frozen, or in a partial temperature range aimed at partial freezing where ice crystals do not grow, the freezing point It is very difficult to uniformly control the temperature before and after. Especially, there is a possibility that the temperature change of the surface of the food is remarkably frozen and the crystal grows.
[0012]
Moreover, in the structure of the refrigerator which added the above high electric fields, it is necessary to make the inner box 3 of a refrigerator into metal materials, such as stainless steel, and cost becomes high. Further, since the effect is lost unless negative electrons are directly applied to the frozen product 5, it is necessary to bring the frozen product 5 into contact with the inner box 3 in order to obtain the effect, and it is necessary to continuously energize during thawing. Yes, it consumes power and is not easy to deal with safety.
[0013]
Furthermore, even if the frozen product 5 is put in a plastic container having no electrical conductivity and thawed, the effect cannot be exhibited. Therefore, the conventionally proposed thawing method in a refrigerator having a high voltage processing function has various problems and has a problem of poor usability.
[0014]
In view of the above problems, the present invention does not apply negative electrons directly to a frozen product, but applies a high voltage to a high voltage electrode, a flat plate counter electrode disposed opposite to the high voltage electrode, and the high voltage electrode and the flat plate counter electrode. It has a high-voltage power supply. By energizing the high-voltage power supply during the time period from when the food is stored to when the electric field treatment chamber is cooled to 0 ° C or less, water in the food is temporarily oriented, and free water is combined with bound water. It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator that does not freeze even when the food temperature temporarily becomes -5 ° C.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, the refrigerator of the present invention has a part or the whole of a low temperature chamber whose temperature changes to 0 to -5 ° C. as an electric field processing chamber, and is provided with a high voltage electrode and facing this in the processing chamber. A flat plate counter electrode and a high voltage power source for applying a high voltage to the high voltage electrode and the flat plate counter electrode, and the electric field processing chamber is kept at 0 ° C. or lower from the time of food storage by the food storage detection means and the temperature detection means in the electric field processing chamber. Only the high-voltage power supply is energized during the time period until it is cooled.
[0016]
In addition, a switch that interlocks with the opening and closing of the door of the electric field processing chamber is provided, and the driving of this switch is used as a food storage detection means. The high voltage range is 1 KV or more, and the high voltage electrode and the wall of the electric field treatment chamber are insulated so that the electric capacity does not exceed 1 mW / cm @ 2 even when the electric field treatment chamber is fully loaded with the conductive material.
[0017]
The high-voltage power source has a commercial frequency (50/60 Hz) and is grounded with the high-voltage electrode on the top and the plate counter electrode on the bottom. The high-voltage electrode is flat and protrudes toward the counter electrode. It has a plurality of needle-like parts.
[0018]
If the temperature detecting means in the electric field processing chamber is a fluorescent optical fiber thermometer or a thermocouple thermometer is used, the time from when the food is stored until the electric field processing chamber is cooled to 0 ° C. or lower. The high-voltage power supply in the belt is intermittently operated, and the temperature detection means in the electric field processing chamber is performed only when the energization is stopped.
[0019]
With the above configuration, the food temperature is -5 ° C by temporarily orienting the water in the food by high electric field treatment from the free water to the bound water without being restricted by the packaging state of the food and the type of container. Provide a refrigerator that will not freeze even if it becomes temporary. As a result, there is no destruction of cells, maintenance of freshness by low-temperature storage and non-frozen storage that does not impair the taste of food can be achieved, and quality can be improved.
[0020]
Also, by providing a switch that is linked to the opening and closing of the door of the electric field processing chamber and energizing the high-voltage power supply only when food storage is detected, the electric field processing can be performed automatically, which is convenient. Furthermore, control means is provided so that the high-voltage power supply is not energized when the door of the electric field processing chamber is open. Furthermore, even if the electric field processing chamber is fully loaded with a conductive material, the electric field processing chamber is fully charged. The high-voltage electrode is insulated from the wall surface of the electric field treatment chamber so that the capacity does not exceed 1 mW / cm 2, and water or foreign substances fall by placing the ground with the high-voltage electrode side on the top and the plate counter electrode on the bottom. Electric shock can be prevented, and safety can be secured in double and triple.
[0021]
And the frequency of a high voltage power supply can be made into a small-sized and low-cost power supply by using n times the commercial frequency (50/60 Hz). In addition, the electric field density in the electric field treatment chamber can be stably obtained on average by making the high-voltage electrode flat and having a plurality of needle-like portions protruding toward the counter electrode.
[0022]
Moreover, the malfunction by an electric field can be eliminated by making the temperature detection means in an electric field processing chamber into a fluorescence type optical fiber thermometer. In addition, the energization of the high-voltage power supply in the time period from when the food is stored until the electric field processing chamber is cooled to 0 ° C. or less is operated intermittently, and the temperature detection means in the electric field processing chamber is operated only when the energization is stopped. With a thermocouple or resistance thermometer, you can eliminate malfunctions caused by electric fields.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a part or the whole of the low temperature chamber whose temperature is adjusted to 0 to -5 ° C. is an electric field processing chamber, and the high pressure electrode is disposed opposite to the electric field processing chamber. A flat plate counter electrode and a high voltage power supply for applying a high voltage to the high voltage electrode and the flat plate counter electrode, and the electric field processing chamber is cooled to 0 ° C. or lower from the time of food storage by the food storage detection means and the temperature detection means in the electric field processing chamber. The high-voltage power supply is energized only during the time period until it is released, and the food temperature is temporarily reduced to -5 ° C by temporarily orienting the water in the food by high electric field treatment and changing from free water to bound water. Even if it becomes, it has the effect | action that it does not freeze.
[0024]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a switch interlocking with the opening / closing of the door of the electric field processing chamber, and the driving of this switch is used as food storage detection means. And has the effect of automatically detecting the start of electric field processing very easily.
[0025]
The invention according to claim 3 is provided with a control means so as not to energize the high-voltage power supply when the door of the electric field processing chamber is in an open state, and uses a switch interlocked with opening and closing of the door of the electric field processing chamber. By doing so, a control means can be provided, and it has the effect | action which can ensure safety | security easily.
[0026]
In the invention according to claim 4, the high voltage range is set to 1 KV or more, and even if the conductive material is fully loaded in the electric field processing chamber, the high voltage electrode and the wall surface of the electric field processing chamber are arranged so that the electric capacity does not exceed 1 mW / cm 2. The safety mechanism shown in claim 3 does not work, and even if a part of the body touches the electric field processing chamber, it works so as not to affect the human body.
[0027]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the frequency of the high-voltage power supply is n times the commercial frequency (50/60 Hz), so that the control circuit is simplified and the power supply is made small and low-cost.
[0028]
The invention according to claim 6 is the one in which the high-voltage electrode side is the upper surface, the flat plate counter electrode is the lower surface, and the flat plate counter electrode is grounded, and acts so that there is no short circuit of high voltage due to falling water or food. .
[0029]
The invention according to claim 7 has a plurality of needle-like portions projecting toward the counter electrode while making the high-voltage electrode into a plate shape, and even if there is a gap between the surfaces of both plate electrodes. It acts to achieve a relatively stable voltage density.
[0030]
The invention described in claim 8 is a fluorescent optical fiber-thermometer as the temperature detecting means in the electric field processing chamber, and is a structure when a side resistor thermometer or a thermocouple thermometer is used. Since the metal is significantly affected by the high electric field, it is difficult to measure the temperature correctly. If the fluorescent optical fiber thermometer is used, the metal is not used and the electric field is not affected by the high electric field.
[0031]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the energization of the high-voltage power source in the time zone from when the food is stored until the electric field processing chamber is cooled to 0 ° C. or lower is intermittently operated, and the temperature detecting means in the electric field processing chamber is connected to the power source. This is done only when the power supply is stopped. Temporarily stop the generation of a high electric field and measure the temperature during that time, so even a relatively versatile thermometer can be measured without being affected by the high electric field. It has a function.
[0032]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electric field processing chamber provided in a part of a low temperature chamber which is a new temperature zone showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an overall cross-sectional view of a household refrigerator having a cold room. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fluorescence type optical fiber thermometer of the embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the resistance thermometer and thermocouple thermometer of the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the high electric field processing device taken out.
[0033]
Reference numeral 7 denotes a refrigerator showing an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a freezer compartment 8, a refrigerator compartment 9, a vegetable compartment 10, and an electric field treatment room 12 provided in a part of a low temperature room 11 in a new temperature zone. Each chamber has doors 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and forms a sealed space 19 surrounded by a heat insulating box 18 of the main body. 20 is a ventilation path, 21 is a heat exchanger, 22 is a fan for sending cold air to each chamber, and 23 is a compressor.
[0034]
In the electric field processing chamber 12, a high voltage electrode 24 is disposed on the top surface, and a flat plate counter electrode 25 made of metal such as copper, aluminum, stainless steel or the like is disposed on the bottom surface. A high voltage power supply 26 of about 10 kV is provided at the back, and the high voltage power supply 26 is connected to the high voltage electrode 24 and the flat plate counter electrode 25 by a high voltage electric wire 27. Only when the door 17 of the electric field processing chamber 12 is closed, a switch 28 that contacts the door 17 is arranged on the side wall of the electric field processing chamber 12 so that the high-voltage power supply 26 can be energized. Has been established. A fluorescent optical fiber-thermometer 29 is disposed on the side wall of the electric field processing chamber 12.
[0035]
Reference numeral 30 denotes food storage detection means, which is determined by the opening / closing operation of the door 17 of the electric field processing chamber 12 according to the signal of the switch 28. 31 is a temperature detection means in the electric field processing chamber, which accurately determines the temperature in the electric field processing chamber in accordance with the signal from the fluorescent optical fiber thermometer 29. Reference numeral 32 denotes a CPU as time control means, which is operated by a program stored in a memory circuit (not shown) as is well known, and output signals from the food storage detection means 30, the temperature detection means 31, and the time control means 33. Thus, energization of the high-voltage power supply 26 is controlled.
[0036]
The high-voltage electrode 24 uses a flat plate made of metal such as copper, aluminum, and stainless steel like the flat plate counter electrode 25, and is provided with a needle-like protrusion 34 in order to stabilize the electric field density on the plane. Further, the electric capacity Q when the electric field processing chamber 12 is fully loaded with a conductive substance is adjusted by the insulating material 35 on the surface of the high-voltage electrode 24 so as to be 10 mW or less per square centimeter.
[0037]
In the electric field treatment chamber 12, the cold air flowing through the ventilation path 20 is sent to the electric field treatment chamber 12 by the opening / closing control of the electromagnetic damper 36, and the room temperature is controlled to -3 ° C on average, but the surface temperature of the food is 0 ° C to Fluctuates to -5 ° C.
[0038]
About the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated using FIGS. 1-5.
[0039]
First, when the purchased food (such as meat and fishery products) 37 is stored in the electric field processing chamber 12 by opening the door 17 of the electric field processing chamber 12, the signal from the switch 28 is read and the open / closed state of the door 17 is determined. Determine (step S1). If the door 17 is in the open state, the CPU 32 keeps the relay (not shown) of the high-voltage power supply 26 in the open state, and keeps the high-voltage power supply 26 OFF (step S2).
[0040]
When the door 17 is closed, it is determined that the food 37 has been stored, and the food storage detection means 30 is activated (step S3). Next, a signal from the fluorescent optical fiber-thermometer 29 is read and 0 ° C. or higher. If so, the temperature detection means 31 turns on the high-voltage power supply 26 (step S4). If the door 17 is closed again for some reason after the door 17 is opened, the CPU 32 keeps the high voltage power supply 26 in the OFF state as long as the internal temperature does not rise to 0 ° C. or higher. (Step S4).
[0041]
When the temperature is 0 ° C. or higher, the electric field process is continued until 20 minutes is detected by the time control means 33 (step S7) or until the temperature detection means 31 detects 0 ° C. or lower (step S6).
[0042]
When a new food 37 is stored, the temperature of the electric field processing chamber 12 rises, so that the temperature detection means 31 is determined to be 0 ° C. or higher, and the CPU 32 turns on a relay (not shown) of the high-voltage power supply 26 and turns on the high-voltage electrode 24. A high voltage of 10 kV is applied for a predetermined time, a high electric field is formed in the space between the high-voltage electrode 24 and the flat plate electrode 25, and the food 37 is subjected to an electric field treatment. 1984, July issue, etc.).
[0043]
For confirmation of freezing point depression by electric field treatment, 2% agar and cut fish were put into 48 small plastic cells and about 5 mW / cm 2 between the high voltage electrode 24 and the flat plate electrode 25 with a high voltage power supply 26 of 10 KV. The electric field treatment chamber 12 is formed, the 48 cells are placed on the bottom of the electric field treatment chamber 12 corresponding to the upper portion of the flat plate counter electrode 25, the electric field treatment is performed for 20 minutes, and then the temperature in the electric field treatment chamber 12 is −3 ° C. It was allowed to stand for about 2 to 3 days until it became stable, and the presence or absence of freezing of the food in the cell was confirmed. Those subjected to the electric field treatment did not freeze, while those not subjected to the electric field treatment exhibited several freezes centering on the cold air outlet.
[0044]
An electric field treatment time of 10 to 20 minutes is sufficient, but electric field treatment at 0 ° C. or lower results in faster freezing. Although the proof of principle for this result has not been elucidated, the polarization of water molecules increases due to the electric field treatment, and the water molecules in free food bind to food tissues such as cells and nutrients in food and become bound water, making it difficult to freeze. It is interpreted that it became. In addition, if it is 0 ° C. or lower in the electric field treatment, freezing may occur to accelerate ice nucleation, and treatment at 0 ° C. or lower is not appropriate.
[0045]
Therefore, since the electric field-treated food 37 does not freeze when the temperature changes at 0 to -5 ° C., it is possible to maintain the freshness at a low temperature and to prevent the savory taste from coming from cell destruction due to freezing.
[0046]
Further, only when the door 17 of the electric field processing chamber 12 is closed, the switch 28 is closed, and only in this state, the high-voltage power supply 26 can be energized so that safety is high.
[0047]
The high-voltage power supply 26 may be a direct current or an alternating current, but by setting the frequency of the high-voltage power supply 26 to n times the commercial frequency (50/60 Hz), the number of parts can be reduced and the power supply can be made small and low cost. I can do it.
[0048]
Further, the food storage detection means 30 and the temperature detection means 31 in the electric field processing chamber can automatically process the electric field of the food 37 for a predetermined time just by putting the food in the electric field processing chamber 12, which is convenient.
[0049]
In addition, unlike the conventional method, there is no restriction on the packaging state of the food 37 or the type of container, so that the electric field treatment as described above is possible even when stored while placed on a non-electrically conductive plastic or ceramic dish. The effect of appears. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to make all the inner walls of the electric field treatment chamber 11 a metallic material such as stainless steel, the cost is lower than that of the conventional method.
[0050]
In the above description, the voltage of the high-voltage power supply 26 is 10 kV and the electric capacity is 5 mW / cm 2. However, the voltage of the high-voltage power supply 26 is 1 kV or more and the electric capacity is 0.1 mW / cm 2 or more. If there is an antifreeze effect.
[0051]
However, judging from the safety of radio waves, it is necessary to keep it to 10 mW / cm 2 or less. For this purpose, an insulating material 29 is formed on the surface of the high voltage electrode 24, and the food 37 is placed in the electric field treatment chamber 12. Even if it is fully loaded, it is set to 10 mW / cm 2 or less.
[0052]
The same effect can be obtained if the top and bottom of the high-voltage electrode 24 and the plate counter electrode 25 are reversed so that the food 37 is placed on the high-voltage electrode 24 and subjected to an electric field treatment. By being positioned on the side, and by having an earth, the influence on the human body due to a short circuit due to the intrusion of water or food into the planar counter electrode 25 can be avoided, and more safety can be secured.
[0053]
FIG. 4 shows a control flow chart when a thermometer affected by an electric field such as a resistance thermometer or a thermocouple thermometer is used as the temperature sensor of the temperature detecting means 31.
[0054]
The process up to step S4 is the same as when the fluorescent optical fiber-thermometer shown in FIG. 3 is used, but the time control means 33 operates to stop the high-voltage power supply 26 at intervals of 2 minutes (step S7). Thereafter, when the temperature detection means 31 determines that the temperature is 0 ° C. or higher, the high voltage power supply 26 is turned on again and the process is repeated from step S5. When the temperature detection means 31 determines 0 ° C. or less, or when the repetition cycle from step S5 reaches ten times, the high-voltage power supply is stopped.
[0055]
In the embodiment, the high-voltage power supply 26 is stopped at intervals of 2 minutes, and is completed by repeating 10 times. However, the numerical value is not limited, and the high voltage is stopped at intervals of 1 minute. The effect is the same if the total electric field treatment time is about 10 to 20 minutes or longer, such as 20 repetitions.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the refrigerator of the present invention, a part or the whole of the low-temperature chamber whose temperature is adjusted to 0 to -5 ° C is an electric field processing chamber, and the high-pressure electrode is disposed in the processing chamber and a flat plate disposed opposite to the high-voltage electrode. A counter electrode and a high voltage power source for applying a high voltage to the high voltage electrode and the flat plate counter electrode are provided, and the electric field processing chamber is cooled to 0 ° C. or less from the time of food storage by the food storage detection means and the temperature detection means in the electric field processing chamber. The high voltage power supply is energized only during the time period up to.
[0057]
In addition, a switch that interlocks with the opening and closing of the door of the electric field processing chamber is provided, and the driving of this switch is used as a food storage detection means. The high voltage range is set to 1 KV or more, and the high voltage electrode and the wall of the electric field treatment chamber are insulated so that the electric capacity does not exceed 10 mW / cm @ 2 even when the electric field treatment chamber is fully loaded with the conductive material.
[0058]
The frequency of the high-voltage power supply is n times the commercial frequency (50/60 Hz), and the high-voltage electrode side is the top surface and the flat plate counter electrode is the bottom surface. The high-voltage electrode is flat and protrudes toward the counter electrode. It has a plurality of needle-like parts.
[0059]
If the temperature detecting means in the electric field processing chamber is a fluorescent optical fiber thermometer or a thermocouple thermometer is used, the time from when the food is stored until the electric field processing chamber is cooled to 0 ° C. or lower. The high-voltage power supply in the belt is intermittently operated, and the temperature detection means in the electric field processing chamber is performed only when the energization is stopped.
[0060]
Therefore, without being restricted by the packaging state of the food or the type of the container, the high-voltage power supply is energized for a short time by energizing the high-voltage power source during the time from when the food is stored until the electric field processing chamber is cooled to 0 ° C or lower. Thus, a refrigerator that does not freeze even when the food temperature reaches −5 ° C. is provided by temporarily orienting the water in the food and converting the free water into the combined water with the food tissue. As a result, even if the food surface temperature fluctuates between 0 ° C and -5 ° C, it does not freeze, there is no destruction of cells, it can be preserved freshly by low temperature storage and can be stored frozen without impairing the taste of food. The quality of food can be improved.
[0061]
In addition, by providing a switch that interlocks with the opening and closing of the door of the electric field processing chamber and energizing the high-voltage power source only when food storage is detected, electric field processing can be performed automatically, which is convenient. In addition, when the electric field processing chamber door is open, it is equipped with a control means so that the high-voltage power supply is not energized. Furthermore, the high voltage range is set to 1 KV or more, and the electric capacity is maintained even if the electric field processing chamber is fully loaded. Is insulated from the wall of the high-voltage electrode and the electric field treatment chamber so that it does not exceed 10 mW / cm 2. Can be prevented, and safety can be ensured in double and triple.
[0062]
And the frequency of a high voltage power supply can be made into a small-sized and low-cost power supply by using n times the commercial frequency (50/60 Hz). In addition, the electric field density in the electric field treatment chamber can be stably obtained on average by making the high-voltage electrode flat and having a plurality of needle-like portions protruding toward the counter electrode.
[0063]
Moreover, the malfunction by an electric field can be eliminated by making the temperature detection means in an electric field processing chamber into a fluorescence type optical fiber thermometer. In addition, the energization of the high-voltage power supply during the time period from when the food is stored until the electric field processing chamber is cooled to 0 ° C. or less is operated intermittently, and the temperature detection means in the electric field processing chamber is operated only when the energization is stopped. With a thermocouple or resistance thermometer, you can eliminate malfunctions caused by electric fields.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electric field processing chamber provided in a part of a low temperature chamber which is a new temperature zone showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an overall cross-sectional view of a household refrigerator having a cold room according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation by temperature control of the fluorescent optical fiber of the same embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing temperature control by a resistance thermometer and a thermocouple thermometer of the same embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the high electric field processing device section taken out of the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional refrigerator.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Low greenhouse 12 Electric field processing chamber 17 Electric field processing chamber door 24 High voltage electrode 25 Flat plate opposite electrode 26 High voltage power supply 28 Switch 29 Fluorescence type optical fiber thermometer 30 Food storage detection means 31 Temperature detection means 34 Needle-shaped part

Claims (9)

A part or the whole of the low-temperature chamber whose temperature is adjusted to 0 to -5 ° C is an electric field processing chamber, the high-pressure electrode in the processing chamber, a flat plate counter electrode disposed opposite thereto, and the high-pressure electrode and the flat plate counter electrode Has a high voltage power supply that applies high voltage to the high voltage power supply only during the time period from when the food is stored to when the electric field processing chamber is cooled to below 0 ° C by the food storage detection means and the temperature detection means in the electric field processing chamber. A refrigerator characterized by being energized. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a switch interlocking with opening and closing of the door of the electric field processing chamber is provided, and driving of the switch is used as food storage detection means. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit so that the high-voltage power supply is not energized when the door of the electric field processing chamber is open. 2. The high voltage electrode and the wall surface of the electric field treatment chamber are insulated so that the electric voltage does not exceed 1 mW / cm @ 2 even if the high voltage range is 1 KV or more and the electric field treatment chamber is fully loaded with a conductive material. refrigerator. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of the high-voltage power source is n times the commercial frequency (50/60 Hz). 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the high-voltage electrode side is the upper surface, the flat plate counter electrode is the lower surface, and the flat plate counter electrode is grounded. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the high-voltage electrode has a flat plate shape and a plurality of needle-like portions protruding toward the counter electrode. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the temperature detecting means in the electric field processing chamber is a fluorescent optical fiber thermometer. 2. The electric power supply to the high-voltage power source in the time zone from when the food is stored until the electric field processing chamber is cooled to 0 ° C. or less is intermittently operated, and the temperature detection means in the electric field processing chamber is performed only when the electric power supply is stopped. refrigerator.

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