JP5037663B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator (1) configured in such a manner that an ion discharge unit (20) is disposed at the rear part of the top surface of a storage compartment (2) and that air taken into the ion discharge unit (20) from the inside of the storage compartment (2)is discharged together with ions by the ion discharge unit (20), the ion discharge unit (20) being formed by disposing both an air blower (40) and an ion generation device (50) in an air path (30) within a housing (21). The air path (30) has first and second branch paths (35, 36) which can be selectively switched between each other by a damper (60). An ozone catalyst (70) is provided in the second branch path (36). The refrigerator (1) is provided with: a sterilization mode in which ions generated by the ion generation device (50) are discharged through the first branch path (35) and a deodorization mode in which air deodorized by ozone generated by the ion generation device (50) is discharged through the second branch path (36). The first branch path (35) has a blowing opening (30b) in the front surface thereof, is disposed above the second branch path (36), and is formed so as to be aligned with the rear part of the air path (30) in a substantially rectilinear manner. The second branch path (36) is bent downward relative to the rear part of the air path (30).

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator provided with an ion delivery unit for delivering ions.

  A conventional refrigerator is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This refrigerator is provided with an ion delivery unit for delivering ions to the rear of the top of the storage room. The ion delivery unit is covered by a housing that forms an air passage. A suction port is opened in the lower surface of the rear end of the housing, and a first air outlet and a second air outlet are opened in the front lower surface and the front surface, respectively.

  The air passage extending from the suction port branches through a damper, and has a first branch passage communicating with the first air outlet and a second branch passage communicating with the second air outlet. The airflow flowing into the air passage from the suction port is alternatively guided to the first outlet and the second outlet by switching the damper. An ozone catalyst is provided in the second branch passage.

  A blower comprising an axial fan is disposed at the rear of the air passage. The blower is arranged vertically in the axial direction, and has an intake port on the lower surface and an exhaust port on the upper surface. The intake port is arranged facing the intake port of the housing, and the air passage is formed to bend and extend forward above the exhaust port.

  An ion generator is disposed between the blower and the damper. In the ion generator, an electrode is provided on an ion generation surface forming a wall surface of the air passage. The electrode is discharged by applying a predetermined voltage, and positive ions and negative ions are released from the ion generation surface. Further, when the voltage applied to the electrode is further increased, ions and ozone are released from the ion generation surface by the discharge.

  In the refrigerator configured as described above, when the blower and the ion generator are driven, the air in the storage chamber flows into the air passage of the ion delivery unit from the suction port on the lower surface of the casing. The air that has flowed into the air passage of the ion delivery unit passes upward through the blower via the intake port. The air that has passed through the blower flows from the upper side of the exhaust port toward the front side and passes over the ion generation surface of the ion generator.

When the second branch passage is closed by the damper and the first branch passage is opened, a predetermined voltage is applied to the electrode of the ion generator, and ions are included in the airflow. Air containing ions flows through the first branch passage and is sent from the first outlet into the storage chamber. The storage chamber is sterilized by [.OH] (hydroxyl radical) or H ₂ O ₂ (hydrogen peroxide) generated from positive ions and negative ions sent to the storage chamber.

When the first branch passage is closed by the damper and the second branch passage is opened, a high voltage is applied to the electrode of the ion generator, and ions and ozone are included in the airflow. The odor component of the airflow flowing through the air passage is decomposed by [.OH] generated from ions, H ₂ O ₂ and ozone. Ozone is adsorbed by an ozone catalyst disposed in the second branch passage, and an air stream from which ozone has been removed is sent out from the second outlet. Thereby, deodorization in a storage chamber can be performed.

JP 2007-170781 (pages 5 to 13 and FIG. 5)

  However, according to the conventional refrigerator, the first air outlet from which air containing ions is sent is arranged on the lower surface of the front portion of the casing, and the first branch passage is bent with respect to the rear portion of the air passage. For this reason, there is a problem that ions are sent downward from the first outlet and the sterilization performance in the refrigerator compartment is deteriorated because the ions cannot reach the front part of the refrigerator compartment. Moreover, since the pressure loss of the first branch passage is increased, the ion reachable distance is further reduced.

  Moreover, the 2nd blower outlet from which the air deodorized by ozone is sent out is distribute | arranged to the front surface of a housing | casing, and a 2nd branch passage is formed in a substantially straight line with respect to the rear part of an air passage. For this reason, the airflow flowing through the second branch passage is in a substantially laminar state, and the air taken in from the refrigerator compartment and ozone are not sufficiently in contact with each other. Accordingly, there is a problem that the deodorization performance by ozone is lowered.

  An object of this invention is to provide the refrigerator which can improve disinfection performance and deodorizing performance.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a housing that forms an air passage that opens a suction port at a rear portion thereof and guides an air flow forward, a blower disposed in the air passage, and a downstream of the blower. In the refrigerator which installs an ion sending unit having an ion generator which generates ions by discharge and is installed at the rear of the top surface of the storage room, takes in the air in the storage room and sends out air containing ions, the air passage Has a first branch passage and a second branch passage that are selectively switched by a damper downstream of the ion generator, and an ozone catalyst that adsorbs ozone is disposed in the second branch passage. The sterilization mode in which the generated ions are sent out through the first branch passage, and the air deodorized by ozone generated by increasing the discharge amount of the ion generator than in the sterilization mode A deodorizing mode delivered through a two-branch passage, the first branch passage having a blow-out port on the front surface of the housing and disposed above the second branch passage and with respect to the rear portion of the air passage The second branch passage is bent downward with respect to the rear portion of the air passage.

  According to this configuration, the ion delivery unit is arranged at the rear of the top surface of the storage chamber, and when the blower is driven, the air in the storage chamber flows into the air passage from the suction port provided at the rear of the housing. In the sterilization mode, the first branch passage is opened by the damper and the second branch passage is closed. The air that has flowed into the air passage flows forward through the air passage and includes ions generated by the discharge generated by driving the ion generator. Air containing ions flows forward through a first branch passage provided substantially in a straight line with respect to the rear portion of the air passage, and is sent to the storage chamber from a blowout port provided on the front surface of the housing.

  In the deodorizing mode, the second branch passage is opened by the damper, and the first branch passage is closed. The air flowing into the air passage flows forward through the air passage, and contains ozone generated by increasing the discharge amount as compared with the sterilization mode by driving the ion generator. The air containing ions and ozone flows through the second branch passage bent downward with respect to the rear portion of the air passage, and the odor components in the air are decomposed by the ions and ozone. The ozone in the air is adsorbed by the ozone catalyst, and the air from which the ozone has been removed is sent to the storage chamber.

  In the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the shaft portion that pivotally supports the damper is arranged forward of the opening end of the first branch passage that is opened and closed by the damper, and the inclined portion that rises forward on the upper surface of the damper It is characterized by providing.

  According to this configuration, the damper pivotally supported by the shaft portion rotates to selectively close the opening end of the first branch passage and the opening end of the second branch passage. Since the shaft portion is arranged in front of the opening end of the first branch passage, a gap is formed between the opening end of the first branch passage and the damper when the opening end of the second branch passage is closed. The airflow flowing through the air passage flows along an inclined portion provided on the upper surface of the damper, and the airflow is smoothly guided to the first branch passage by preventing inflow into the gap.

  In the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the damper is formed by sticking a packing made of an elastic body on a thin plate-like support plate, and the diameter of the shaft portion sticks the packing of the support plate. It is characterized by being larger than the thickness of the part. According to this configuration, the support plate can be formed thin to save space, and the strength of the shaft portion can be improved.

  In the refrigerator configured as described above, the second branch passage is bent downward with respect to the rear portion of the air passage, and is further bent and extends forward. According to this configuration, the path of the second branch passage is formed long, and more odor components in the air come into contact with ozone.

  According to the present invention, the first branch passage having the air outlet at the front surface is arranged above the second branch passage and formed substantially in a straight line with respect to the rear portion of the air passage, and the second branch passage is formed at the rear portion of the air passage. On the other hand, since it bends downward, the airflow smoothly flows from the rear portion of the air passage to the first branch passage in the sterilization mode, and air containing ions is sent out from the outlet on the front surface of the housing. Thereby, ion can be easily made to reach the front part of a store room, and the air current containing ion distribute | circulates the whole store room. Therefore, the sterilization performance of the refrigerator can be improved. Moreover, the air which distribute | circulates an air path in deodorizing mode, and ozone can fully be mixed, and the deodorizing performance of a refrigerator can be improved.

Side surface sectional drawing which shows the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention The top view which shows the ion sending unit of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention Side surface sectional drawing which shows the ion delivery unit of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention The top view which shows the inside of the ion delivery unit of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention The perspective view which shows the damper of the ion delivery unit of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention Side surface sectional drawing which shows the state at the time of the deodorizing mode of the ion delivery unit of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment. The refrigerator 1 is provided with a plurality of storage compartments partitioned by a heat insulating box 10 filled with a foamed resin 10a. A refrigerator compartment 2 that is opened and closed by a door 2a is arranged at the top of the heat insulation box 10. An ice making chamber 3 is disposed below the refrigerator compartment 2, and a freezing chamber 5 communicating with the ice making chamber 3 is disposed below the ice making chamber 3.

  A cool air passage 11 is provided behind the freezer compartment 5, and a cooler 14 and a freezer compartment blower 15 are disposed in the cool air passage 11. The cool air passage 11 is provided with a cool air discharge port (not shown) and a return port (not shown) for returning the cool air to the cooler 14.

  A cold air passage 12 communicating with the cold air passage 11 is provided behind the refrigerator compartment 2 via a cold compartment damper (not shown). On both sides of the cold air passage 12, a cold air discharge port (not shown) is opened, and a communication passage (not shown) for returning the cold air in the refrigerator compartment 2 to the upstream side of the cooler 14 is provided.

  A circulation duct 13 is disposed on the back side of the cold air passage 12. The circulation duct 13 opens on both side surfaces an inflow port (not shown) through which air in the refrigerator compartment 2 flows. An ion sending unit 20 for sending ions is arranged at the rear of the top surface of the refrigerator compartment 2, and the upper surface of the circulation duct 13 is opened and connected to the ion sending unit 20.

  2 and 3 show a top view and a side sectional view of the ion delivery unit 20. The ion delivery unit 20 includes a casing 21 of a resin molded product that houses each component and forms an air passage 30 therein. The casing 21 is composed of a main body portion 21a having an upper surface opened and an upper surface cover 21b covering a part of the upper surface of the main body portion 21a. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the top cover 21b is removed.

2 to 4, an airflow inlet 30 a is opened on the lower surface of the rear end of the housing 21. The suction port 30a is connected to the circulation duct 13 (see FIG. 3), and the air flowing through the circulation duct 13 flows into the ion delivery unit 20 through the suction port 30a. A first air outlet 30b is opened at the upper front of the housing 21, and a second air outlet 30c is opened at the lower front.

  The air passage 30 includes first and second branch passages 35 and 36 that branch through a damper 60 described later. The inlet 30a and the first outlet 30b communicate with each other through the first branch passage 35, and the inlet 30a and the second outlet 30c communicate with each other through the second branch passage 36. The air flowing through the air passage 30 is sent out from one of the first air outlet 30b and the second air outlet 30c.

  At the upper end of the main body portion 21a of the housing 21, a support portion 22 extending to both sides is formed. The support portion 22 is provided with a screw insertion hole 22a. The first air outlet 30b is provided with a protrusion 23 that protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the air passage 30. The protrusion 23 is provided with a screw insertion hole 23a.

  A sponge-like cushioning material 25 extending in the front-rear direction is attached to both support portions 22. Screws (not shown) inserted through the insertion holes 22a and 23a are screwed into the ceiling surface 2b (see FIG. 1) of the refrigerator compartment 2, and the ion delivery unit 20 is attached to the ceiling surface 2b with the buffer material 25 interposed therebetween. Thereby, a part of the upper wall of the air passage 30 is formed by the ceiling surface 2 b of the refrigerator compartment 2.

  Since the opened first blower outlet 30b is screwed through the projecting portion 23, the first blower outlet 30b is not expanded vertically even when a test finger is pushed in from the first blower outlet 30b. Thereby, since a test finger does not reach the ion generator 50 to which a high voltage described later is applied, the safety standard based on the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law (Japan) can be satisfied.

  A blower 40 is disposed at the rear of the air passage 30. The blower 40 is composed of a centrifugal fan such as a sirocco fan, and has an intake port 40a on the lower surface of the housing and an exhaust port 40b on the front surface. Since the centrifugal fan exhausts in the circumferential tangential direction, the exhaust port 40b is provided to be biased to one side in the left-right direction.

  The air passage 30 is provided with an inflow portion 31 having a predetermined height (for example, 10 mm) below the blower 40. By driving the blower 40, air flows into the air passage 30 from the suction port 30 a, and the airflow is guided to the blower 40 through the inflow portion 31.

  A throttle portion 32 is provided in the air passage 30 on the downstream side of the blower 40. The restricting portion 32 has an inclined surface 32a that is inclined to face the exhaust port 40b of the blower 40, and the flow path of the air passage 30 is restricted in the vertical direction. The throttle part 32 can increase the wind speed of the airflow.

  The casing 21 is provided with a concave portion 26 having an upper surface opened and accommodating the ion generator 50 in front of the inclined surface 32a. Since the inner surface of the main body 21a of the housing 21 is formed by pulling the mold upward, the recess 26 has a rear wall 26a that is substantially orthogonal to the inclined surface 32a and a substantially vertical front wall 26b. Yes.

  In the ion generator 50, a positive ion generator 51 and a negative ion generator 52 are arranged side by side on the ion generation surface 50a. The positive ion generator 51 and the negative ion generator 52 have electrodes (not shown) that generate ions when a high voltage is applied.

The electrodes of the ion generator 50 are discharged by applying a voltage having an AC waveform or impulse waveform. A positive voltage is applied to the electrode of the positive ion generator 51. As a result, ions generated by ionization combine with moisture in the air, and positively-charged cluster ions mainly composed of H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m are emitted from the ion generation surface 50a. A negative voltage is applied to the electrode of the negative ion generator 52. Thereby, ions generated by ionization are combined with moisture in the air, and negatively-charged cluster ions mainly composed of O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n are emitted from the ion generation surface 50a. Here, m and n are arbitrary natural numbers.

H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m and O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n aggregate on the surface of airborne bacteria and odorous components and surround them. Then, as shown in the formulas (1) to (3), [.OH] (hydroxyl radical) and H ₂ O ₂ (hydrogen peroxide) which are active species are collided on the surface of floating bacteria, odorous components, etc. Aggregate to break them. Here, m ′ and n ′ are arbitrary natural numbers. Accordingly, by sending an air stream containing positive ions and negative ions to the refrigerator compartment 2, sterilization and odor removal in the refrigerator compartment 2 can be performed.

_{^{H + (H 2 O) m}} + O 2 - (H 2 O) n → · OH + 1 / 2O 2 + (m + n) H 2 O ··· (1)
_{^{H + (H 2 O) m}} + H + (H 2 O) m '+ O 2 - (H 2 O) n + O 2 - (H 2 O) n'
→ 2 · OH + O ₂ + (m + m ′ + n + n ′) H ₂ O (2)
_{^{H + (H 2 O) m}} + H + (H 2 O) m '+ O 2 - (H 2 O) n + O 2 - (H 2 O) n'
→ H ₂ O ₂ + O ₂ + (m + m ′ + n + n ′) H ₂ O (3)

  Further, when the voltage applied to the electrode of the ion generator 50 is increased to increase the discharge amount, ozone is generated in addition to the ions. Thereby, odor components such as hydrogen sulfide and methylamine contained in the air taken into the ion delivery unit 20 can be decomposed by ozone. Therefore, stronger deodorization than deodorization by ions can be performed. At this time, ozone is adsorbed by an ozone catalyst 70 described later in order to prevent ozone from leaking into the refrigerator compartment 2.

  The ion generator 50 is installed on the bottom surface of the recess 26 and the rear wall 26a, protrudes downward from the upper surface cover 21b, and a rib 21c having an L-shaped lower surface abuts on the ion generation surface 50a. Thereby, the ion generator 50 is pinched | interposed and fixed between the recessed part 26 and the rib 21c. The rib 21 c is disposed between the positive ion generation part 51 and the negative ion generation part 52.

  In addition, the ion generation surface 50 a is arranged along the inclined surface 32 a of the throttle unit 32, and forms a wall surface of the throttle unit 32. Thereby, the ion generating surface 50a opposes the exhaust port 40b of the blower 40. For this reason, the air which flowed out from the exhaust port 40b contacts the inclined surface 32a and the ion generating surface 50a which oppose, and distribute | circulates along the inclined surface 32a and the ion generating surface 50a.

  Therefore, the ions generated on the ion generation surface 50a can be sufficiently included in the airflow flowing through the throttle portion 32. Moreover, since the wind speed of the airflow is increased by the throttle portion 32, ions generated on the ion generation surface 50a can be sequentially sent out to reduce annihilation due to ion collision. At this time, since the centrifugal fan has a small decrease in the air volume with respect to the increase in pressure loss, even if the inclined surface 32a and the ion generation surface 50a face the exhaust port 40b, it is possible to send air with a desired air volume.

  Since the concave portion 26 is provided in front of the inclined surface 32 a, the ion generation surface 50 a is disposed at the front portion of the throttle portion 32. The front portion of the throttle portion 32 has a narrower flow path width in the vertical direction than the rear portion due to the inclined surface 32a. Since the ion generator 50 is disposed in the portion of the throttle portion 32 where the flow path width in the vertical direction is small, the amount of protrusion downward of the recess 26 can be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the size of the ion delivery unit 20 by forming the ion delivery unit 20 low in height.

  A V-shaped gap 54 is formed between the substantially vertical front wall 26 b of the recess 26 and the front surface of the ion generator 50. The upper part of the gap 54 is covered with a flexible shielding member 55 such as sponge-like resin. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the vortex by the clearance gap 54 can be prevented and the airflow which passed on the ion generating surface 50a can be guide | induced smoothly ahead.

  In front of the recessed portion 26, left and right restricting portions 33 that project both side walls of the air passage 30 toward each other and restrict the flow path in the left and right directions are provided. The air flow including the positive ions generated in the positive ion generation unit 51 and the air flow including the negative ions generated in the negative ion generation unit 52 are mixed close to each other by the left and right restricting unit 33. Thereby, the airflow which mixed the positive ion and the negative ion can be sent out. At this time, the ribs 21 c that block between the positive ion generating part 51 and the negative ion generating part 52 are arranged behind the left and right restricting part 33. Thereby, positive ions and negative ions can be sufficiently mixed.

  A damper chamber 34 in which a damper 60 is disposed is provided in front of the left and right throttle portions 33 in the air passage 30. FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the damper 60. The damper 60 includes a thin plate-like support plate 61 and packings 62 and 63 (see FIG. 3 for 63) attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the support plate 61, respectively. The packings 62 and 63 are made of an elastic body such as silicon rubber.

  Since the support plate 61 is made of a resin molded product and is formed in a thin plate shape, space can be saved. On the upper surface of the support plate 61, an inclined portion 61b is provided so that the front portion is inclined upward. The packing 62 is formed in an annular shape and is disposed around the inclined portion 61b.

  A shaft portion 61 a extending in the left-right direction is formed at one end of the support plate 61. The shaft portion 61 a is fitted in a fitting hole (not shown) provided in the side wall of the damper chamber 34 and pivotally supports the damper 60. A stepping motor (not shown) disposed between the side wall of the casing 21 and the side wall of the damper chamber 34 is connected to the shaft portion 61a. The damper 60 is rotated by driving the stepping motor.

  The air passage 30 branches from the damper chamber 34 into a first branch passage 35 and a second branch passage 36. The flow path of the air passage 30 is switched alternatively to the first branch passage 35 and the second branch passage 36 by the damper 60. As will be described in detail later, the air flowing through the first branch passage 35 includes ions sent to the refrigerator compartment 2, and the ozone adsorbed by the ozone catalyst 70 is contained in the air flow flowing through the second branch passage 36. included.

  For this reason, the first branch passage 35 is arranged in a substantially straight line with respect to the rear portion of the air passage 30. Thereby, the pressure loss of the airflow passing through the first branch passage 35 can be reduced and ions can be sent to the refrigerator compartment 2. The second branch passage 36 is formed to extend downward from the damper chamber 34, bend and extend forward. Thereby, a turbulent flow can be generated in the airflow passing through the second branch passage 36, and ozone can be sufficiently brought into contact with the air.

  A connection port 35 a facing the damper chamber 34 is provided on the inclined surface at the upstream end of the first branch passage 35. A connection port 36 a facing the damper chamber 34 is provided on the horizontal plane at the upstream end of the second branch passage 36. As shown in FIG. 3, when the packing 63 of the damper 60 is in close contact with the periphery of the connection port 36a, the first branch passage 35 is opened and the second branch passage 36 is closed. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the packing 62 of the damper 60 is in close contact with the peripheral edge of the connection port 35a, the second branch passage 36 is opened and the first branch passage 35 is closed.

  In order to seal the connection ports 35a and 36a, the peripheral edges of the packings 62 and 63 are arranged outside the peripheral edges of the connection ports 35a and 36a. Further, since the shaft portion 61a of the damper 60 is driven by being connected to a stepping motor, it is necessary to ensure strength. For this reason, the shaft portion 61a is formed to have a diameter larger than the thickness of the portion of the support plate 61 where the packings 62 and 63 are attached. Accordingly, the shaft portion 61a is provided on the outer side of the peripheral edges of the packings 62 and 63, and is disposed in front of the front ends of the connection ports 35a and 36a.

  Since the shaft portion 61a is disposed in front of the front end of the connection port 35a, a gap 64 is formed between the upper surface of the packing 62 and the front end of the connection port 35a when the connection port 35a is opened. Since the inclined portion 61b is provided on the upper surface of the support plate 61, the airflow can be guided to the first branch passage 35 along the inclined portion 61b and the inflow of the airflow into the gap 64 can be prevented. Therefore, the pressure loss can be further reduced and the air flow can be smoothly circulated through the first branch passage 35.

  The distance between the opposing side walls 35b of the first branch passage 35 increases as it goes forward. Thereby, the airflow which distribute | circulates the 1st branch channel | path 35 spreads in the left-right direction, and is sent to the refrigerator compartment 2 from the 1st blower outlet 30b. Therefore, ions can be diffused over a wide range of the refrigerator compartment 2.

  At this time, the planar shape of the protrusion 23 provided in the first outlet 30b is formed in a triangle with the apex arranged rearward. The side surface 23b of the protrusion 23 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction, and the airflow can be smoothly spread to the left and right by the guide of the side surface 23b. Thereby, the guide part which guides an airflow is comprised by the protrusion part 23 provided in order to fix the ion sending unit 20, and a number of parts can be reduced.

In addition, the protrusion part 23 is distribute | arranged to the center vicinity of the left-right direction of the eccentric exhaust port 40b of the air blower 40 which consists of a centrifugal fan. Thereby, the airflow which distribute | circulates the air path 30 can be reliably guided to right and left. The side surface 23b of the protrusion 23 may be formed by a curved surface inclined with respect to the front-rear direction.

  The ozone catalyst 70 disposed in the second branch passage 36 is formed in a corrugated honeycomb shape mainly composed of manganese dioxide, aluminum oxide, and silicon oxide. As a result, ozone contained in the air passing through the ozone catalyst 70 is adsorbed.

  In the refrigerator 1 having the above configuration, the cold air generated by the cooler 14 is circulated through the cold air passage 11 by driving the freezer compartment blower 15 and is sent to the ice making chamber 3 and the freezer compartment 5. The cold air flows through the ice making chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 5 and returns to the cooler 14 through the return port. As a result, the ice making chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 5 are cooled, and the stored items and ice are stored frozen.

  A part of the cold air flowing through the cold air passage 11 is led to the cold air passage 12 by the opening of the cold room damper (not shown) and sent to the cold room 2. Thereby, the refrigerator compartment 2 is cooled and the stored item is stored in a refrigerator. The cold air flowing through the refrigerator compartment 2 returns to the cooler 14 via a communication path (not shown).

  The ion delivery unit 20 is driven by a circulation mode, a sterilization mode, and a deodorization mode selected by the user. In the circulation mode, the blower 40 is driven and the ion generator 50 is stopped. Further, for example, the damper 60 opens the first branch passage 35 and closes the second branch passage 36.

  The air in the refrigerator compartment 2 flows through the circulation duct 13 and flows into the air passage 30 of the ion delivery unit 20. The air flowing through the air passage 30 flows through the first branch passage 35 as shown by an arrow B1 (see FIG. 3), and is sent out from the first outlet 30b. Thereby, the cold air in the refrigerator compartment 2 is circulated. The second branch passage 36 may be opened by the damper 60 and the first branch passage 35 may be closed.

In the sterilization mode, the blower 40 and the ion generator 50 are driven. Further, the damper 60 opens the first branch passage 35 and closes the second branch passage 36. The air in the refrigerator compartment 2 flows through the circulation duct 13 and flows into the air passage 30 of the ion delivery unit 20. The air flowing through the air passage 30 includes ions generated by the ion generator 50, and is sent from the first outlet 30b through the first branch passage 35 as shown by an arrow B1 (see FIG. 3). The sterilization and deodorization in the refrigerator compartment 2 are performed by [.OH] and H ₂ O ₂ generated from the ions.

  In the deodorization mode, the blower 40 and the ion generator 50 are driven. Further, the damper 60 opens the second branch passage 36 and closes the first branch passage 35. The air in the refrigerator compartment 2 flows through the circulation duct 13 and flows into the air passage 30 of the ion delivery unit 20. The air flowing through the air passage 30 includes ions and ozone generated by the ion generator 50.

Odor components contained in the air current are decomposed by [.OH], H ₂ O ₂ and ozone generated from the ions. The air containing ozone flows through the second branch passage 36 as indicated by arrows B 2 and B 3 (see FIG. 6), and ozone is adsorbed by the ozone catalyst 70. And the air from which ozone was removed is sent out from the 2nd blower outlet 30c. Thereby, the deodorizing in the refrigerator compartment 2 is performed and the deodorizing effect higher than a disinfection mode is acquired.

  According to the present embodiment, the first branch passage 35 having the first air outlet 30b on the front surface is disposed above the second branch passage 36 and is formed in a substantially straight line with respect to the rear portion of the air passage 30. Since the passage 36 bends downward with respect to the rear portion of the air passage 30, the airflow smoothly flows from the rear portion of the air passage 30 to the first branch passage 35 in the sterilization mode, and ions are supplied from the first outlet 30 b on the front surface. Contained air is delivered. Thereby, ion can be easily made to reach the front part of the refrigerator compartment 2, and the airflow containing ion distribute | circulates the refrigerator compartment 2 whole. Therefore, the sterilization performance of the refrigerator 1 can be improved. Moreover, the air which distribute | circulates the air channel | path 30 in the deodorizing mode, and ozone can be mixed sufficiently, and the deodorizing performance of the refrigerator 1 can be improved.

  In addition, since the shaft portion 61a that pivotally supports the damper 60 is disposed in front of the connection port 35a (opening end) of the first branch passage 35 and the inclined portion 61b that rises forward is provided on the upper surface of the damper 60, the connection port The airflow is prevented from flowing into the gap 64 formed between the damper 60 and the connection port 35a when the opening 35a is opened, and the airflow is guided to the first branch passage 35 along the inclined portion 61b. Therefore, the pressure loss can be further reduced and the air flow can be smoothly circulated through the first branch passage 35.

  In addition, since the diameter of the shaft portion 61a of the damper 60 is larger than the thickness of the portion where the packings 62 and 63 of the thin plate-like support plate 61 are attached, the support plate 61 is formed thin to save space, and the shaft The strength of the part 61a can be improved.

  Further, since the second branch passage 36 bends downward with respect to the rear portion of the air passage 30 and further bends and extends forward, the path of the second branch passage 36 is formed long and more odors in the air Ingredients come into contact with ozone. Therefore, the deodorizing performance of the refrigerator 1 can be further improved.

  In the present embodiment, a corrugated honeycomb-shaped low temperature deodorization catalyst mainly composed of manganese dioxide, cupric oxide and zeolite may be disposed in the air passage 30. Thereby, odor components such as dimethyl disulfite, trimethylamine, and methyl mercaptan contained in the air passing through the low-temperature deodorization catalyst can be adsorbed. Therefore, the deodorizing effect can be further improved by adsorbing odor components that cannot be decomposed by ozone.

  According to this invention, it can utilize for the refrigerator provided with the ion sending unit which sends out ion.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Refrigeration room 3 Ice making room 5 Freezing room 10 Heat insulation box 10a Foamed resin 11, 12 Cold air passage 13 Circulation duct 14 Cooler 15 Freezer room blower 20 Ion sending unit 21 Housing 21a Main body part 21b Top cover 21c Rib 22 Support Part 23 Projection part 25 Buffer material 26 Recess 30 Air passage 30a Suction port 30b First air outlet 30c Second air outlet 31 Inlet part 32 Restriction part 32a Inclined surface 33 Left and right restrictor part 34 Damper chamber 35 First branch passages 35a, 36a Communication Port 36 Second branch passage 40 Blower 40a Inlet port 40b Exhaust port 50 Ion generator 50a Ion generator surface 51 Positive ion generator 52 Negative ion generator 54 Gap 55 Shielding member 60 Damper 61 Support plate 61a Shaft 61b Inclined part 62, 63 Packing 70 Ozone catalyst

Claims (4)

A housing that forms an air passage that opens a suction port at the rear and guides an airflow forward, a blower that is arranged in the air passage, and an ion generator that is arranged downstream of the blower and generates ions by discharge In a refrigerator that installs an ion delivery unit having a back of the top of the storage room, takes in the air in the storage room and sends out air containing ions,
The air passage has a first branch passage and a second branch passage that are selectively switched by a damper downstream of the ion generator, and an ozone catalyst that adsorbs ozone is disposed in the second branch passage, and the ion The sterilization mode in which ions generated in the generator are sent through the first branch passage, and the air deodorized by ozone generated by increasing the discharge amount of the ion generator than in the sterilization mode is second. With a deodorizing mode sent through the branch passage,
The first branch passage has a first outlet at the upper front of the housing and is disposed above the second branch passage and is formed in a substantially straight line with respect to the rear portion of the air passage.
The second branch passage has a second outlet in the lower front portion of the housing and is bent downward with respect to the rear portion of the air passage ;
The 1st blower outlet is arranged ahead of the 2nd blower outlet, The refrigerator characterized by things.   The shaft portion that pivotally supports the damper is disposed in front of the opening end of the first branch passage that is opened and closed by the damper, and an inclined portion that rises forward is provided on the upper surface of the damper. Refrigerator.   The damper is formed by sticking an elastic packing on a thin plate-like support plate, and the diameter of the shaft portion is larger than the thickness of the portion of the support plate on which the packing is attached. The refrigerator according to claim 2.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second branch passage is bent downward with respect to the rear portion of the air passage, and further bent and extends forward.

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