JP5298503B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a refrigerator, generating mist safe to the human body and having multi-function with particles having microsized and an ionized nanosized diameter to thereby maintain freshness of food, improve nutrient, and perform disinfection and removal of agricultural chemicals. <P>SOLUTION: In this refrigerator, a vegetable room 107 is provided with an electrostatic atomizer 115 including a water supply means for supplying a liquid, and a voltage applying part 135 for applying to an applied electrode 120 and a counter electrode 121, and a water recovery part 116 for supplying water to the electrostatic atomizer, whereby mist having microsized diameter and mist having ionized and nanosized particle diameter is generated in one atomizer, so that moisture amount enough for keeping the freshness of food can be supplied as microsized mist, and the nutrient of food can be improved, and disinfection in a storage and removal of agricultural chemicals can be performed by the ionized and nanosized mist to miniaturize the device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator that maintains the freshness of food and improves nutrients, disinfects, and removes agricultural chemicals by maintaining high humidity.

  Factors that influence the decline in freshness of vegetables include temperature, humidity, environmental gas, microorganisms, and light. Vegetables are living creatures that are breathing and transpiration, and in order to maintain freshness, it is necessary to suppress respiration and transpiration. Except for some vegetables, such as those that cause low temperature damage, respiration is suppressed at low temperatures, and transpiration can be prevented by high humidity.

  In recent years, refrigerators for home use have been provided with hermetically sealed vegetable containers for the purpose of preserving vegetables, cooling vegetables to an appropriate temperature, and controlling the humidity of the interior to prevent transpiration of vegetables. ing. In addition, as a means for increasing the humidity in the cabinet, there is also a means that uses a means for spraying mist.

  Conventionally, a refrigerator equipped with this type of mist spraying function is one that suppresses the transpiration of vegetables by generating and spraying mist and humidifying the vegetable compartment with an ultrasonic atomizer when the vegetable compartment is low in humidity ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 12 shows a refrigerator provided with a conventional ultrasonic atomizer described in Patent Document 1. FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the conventional ultrasonic atomizer.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the vegetable compartment 31 is provided in the lower part of the main body case 36 of the refrigerator main body 30, and the opening of the whole surface is closed by the drawer door 32 drawn out so that opening and closing is possible. Moreover, the vegetable compartment 31 is partitioned off from the upper refrigerator compartment (not shown) by the partition plate 2.

  A fixed hanger 33 is fixed to the inner surface of the drawer door 32, and a vegetable case 1 for storing food such as vegetables is mounted on the fixed hanger 33. The top opening of the vegetable case 1 is sealed with a lid 3. A thawing chamber 4 is provided inside the vegetable case 1, and an ultrasonic atomizer 5 is provided in the thawing chamber 4.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the ultrasonic atomizer 5 includes a mist outlet 6, a water storage container 7, a humidity sensor 8, and a hose receiver 9. The water storage container 7 is connected to a defrost water hose 10 by a hose receiver 9. The defrost water hose 10 is provided with a purification filter 11 for purifying the defrost water at a part thereof.

  The operation of the refrigerator configured as described above will be described below.

  The cooling air cooled by the heat exchange cooler (not shown) flows through the outer surface of the vegetable case 1 and the lid 3 so that the vegetable case 1 is cooled and the food stored inside is cooled. Further, the defrost water generated from the cooler during the refrigerator operation is purified by the purification filter 11 when passing through the defrost water hose 10 and supplied to the water storage container 7 of the ultrasonic atomizer 5.

  Next, when the humidity sensor 8 detects that the internal humidity is 90% or less, the ultrasonic atomizing device 5 starts humidification, so that the humidity in the vegetable case 1 is kept at a suitable level. Humidity can be adjusted.

  On the other hand, when the humidity sensor 8 detects that the inside humidity is 90% or more, the ultrasonic atomizer 5 stops excessive humidification. As a result, the ultrasonic atomizer 5 can quickly humidify the vegetable compartment, the humidity in the vegetable compartment is always high, the transpiration action of the vegetable or the like is suppressed, and the freshness of the vegetable or the like can be maintained.

  Moreover, as a humidification method, there is one configured in another form (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of a conventional refrigerator described in Patent Document 2, and FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of a humidifier in the conventional refrigerator.

  In FIG. 14, 51 is a refrigerator. 52 is a refrigerating room (one of refrigerating temperature zone rooms). 53 is a revolving door of this refrigerator compartment. Reference numeral 54 denotes a vegetable room (one of refrigerated temperature zones). 55 is a drawer door. 56 is a freezer compartment. Reference numeral 57 denotes a drawer door. 58 is a partition plate, and the partition plate 58 partitions the refrigerator compartment 52 and the vegetable compartment 54. 59 is a hole for allowing cold air from the refrigerator compartment 52 to flow into the vegetable compartment 54. Reference numeral 60 denotes a vegetable container. The vegetable container 60 is pulled out together with the drawer door 57. Reference numeral 61 denotes a vegetable container lid, which is fixed to the refrigerator body side. The vegetable container lid 61 covers the vegetable container 60 when the drawer door 57 is closed. 62 is an ultrasonic humidification means. The ultrasonic humidifying means 62 evaporates moisture inside the vegetable container 60. 63 is a cooler. This cooler is a cooler for the refrigeration temperature zone chamber, and cools the refrigeration chamber 52 and the vegetable compartment 54.

  Although not shown, the refrigerator also includes a cooler for a freezing temperature zone and cools the freezing chamber 56. Reference numeral 64 denotes a cold air circulation fan for a refrigeration temperature zone chamber. By operating the fan 64, the cold air from the cooler 63 circulates in the refrigerator compartment 52 and the vegetable compartment 54. The humidifying means 62 is provided in the hole 65 of the vegetable container lid 61 and includes a water absorbing material 66 and an ultrasonic oscillator 67.

  About the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated below.

  When the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 52 and the vegetable compartment 54 rises, the refrigerant flows through the cooler 63 and the cold air circulation fan 64 is driven. Thereby, the surrounding cold air of the cooler 63 returns to the cooler 63 through the refrigerator compartment 52, the hole 59, and the vegetable compartment 54 as shown by the arrow in FIG. Thereby, the refrigerator compartment 52 and the vegetable compartment 64 are cooled. This state is called a cooling mode.

  Next, when the refrigerator compartment 52 and the vegetable compartment 54 are substantially cooled, the supply of the refrigerant to the cooler 63 is stopped. However, the fan 64 continues to operate. Thereby, the refrigerator compartment 52 and the vegetable compartment 54 are humidified by melting of the frost attached to the cooler 63. This state is referred to as a humidification mode (so-called “humidity operation”).

  After the humidification mode is continued for a predetermined time (several minutes), the fan 64 is stopped and the operation stop mode is set. Thereafter, when the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 52 and the vegetable compartment 54 is increased, the cooling mode is set again.

  Next, the ultrasonic humidifying means 62 shown in FIG. 15 will be described.

  The water absorbing material 66 is made of a water absorbing material such as silica gel, zeolite, or activated carbon. Therefore, moisture in the flowing air is adsorbed in the humidification mode described above. In the latter half of the cooling mode, the ultrasonic oscillator 67 is driven. Thereby, the water | moisture content in the water absorption material 66 is discharged | emitted outside. Thereby, the inside of a vegetable container is humidified. The purpose of driving the ultrasonic oscillator 67 in the latter half of the cooling mode is to prevent drying of the vegetable compartment 54 due to a decrease in humidity.

  Thus, the water absorbing material 66 and the ultrasonic oscillator 67 that vibrates the water absorbing material 66 are provided. Therefore, the water tank and water supply piping for humidification become unnecessary.

  Moreover, in the refrigerator provided with the humidification mode, the ultrasonic humidification means 62 is operated at times other than the humidification mode. Therefore, the fluctuation | variation of the humidity in a store | warehouse | chamber can be suppressed.

  In the refrigerator that cools the interior of the refrigerator by flowing the refrigerant through the cooler 63 and operating the cool air circulation fan 64, the ultrasonic humidifying means 62 is operated during the cooling. Thus, since it humidifies at the time of the cooling which is easy to dry, the fluctuation | variation of the humidity in a store | warehouse | chamber can be suppressed.

  The ultrasonic humidifying means 62 includes a water absorbing material 66 and an ultrasonic oscillator 67 that vibrates the water absorbing material 66. The water absorbing material 66 absorbs moisture from the air above the vegetable container lid 61, and the ultrasonic oscillator 67 vibrates the water absorbing material 66 in order to release moisture contained in the water absorbing material 66 into the vegetable container 61. Therefore, the inside of the vegetable container 60 can be humidified.

  Moreover, as a humidifying means having an effect of sterilization in addition to humidification, ozone water is discharged by a discharge method or an ozone generator of an ultraviolet method, ozone gas generated by decomposing oxygen in the air is mixed with water, There exists what produces | generates ozone water and produces | generates and sprays mist by the ultrasonic spray system (for example, refer patent document 3).

  FIG. 16 shows a refrigerator provided with a conventional ozone water mist device described in Patent Document 3. As shown in FIG. 16, an ozone generator 71, an exhaust port 72, a water supply path directly connected to a water supply, and an ozone water supply path are provided in the vicinity of the vegetable compartment 70, and the ozone water supply path is led to the vegetable compartment 70. ing. The ozone generator 71 is configured to be connected to a water supply unit directly connected to a water supply, and the exhaust port 72 is configured to be connected to an ozone water supply path. The water supply path is provided with an on-off valve V4, and the ozone water supply path is provided with an on-off valve V5. An ultrasonic element 73 is provided in the vegetable compartment 70.

  The operation of the refrigerator configured as described above will be described below.

In a refrigerator that is cooled by forced circulation of cold air, a vegetable room 70 sealed as a high-humidity storage room is cooled to about 5 ° C. at a humidity of 80% or more by indirect cooling from the surroundings. The ozone generator 71 can generate an ozone by a silent discharge method by applying an alternating voltage of 5 to 25 kV, and the ozone is brought into contact with water to form ozone water as treated water. At this time, the ozone not dissolved in the water is exhausted from the exhaust port 72, and a honeycomb-like ozone decomposition catalyst is installed in the exhaust port 10 to render the ozone harmless. Thus, the produced | generated ozone water is guide | induced to the vegetable compartment 70 of a refrigerator. The introduced ozone water is atomized by the ultrasonic vibrator 73 and sprayed onto the vegetable compartment 70. The sprayed ozone water kills bacteria attached to food and prevents them from growing. As a result, food rot can be delayed.
JP-A-6-257933 JP 2004-125179 A JP 2000-220949 A

  However, in the above conventional configuration, mist is sprayed for the purpose of increasing the humidity in the chamber, and therefore, there is a problem that microorganisms such as mold and bacteria are likely to propagate in the chamber and food, resulting in an unsanitary environment. Had.

  In addition, for the sterilization of the inside of the cabinet and food, a mist is generated by an ultrasonic vibration element, ozone generated by an ozone generator is mixed into the mist, and ozone water is atomized. In order to maintain the ozone concentration of the generated mist at a concentration that is safe for the human body and at a concentration that does not cause material deterioration, an ozonolysis catalyst is provided, which further increases the complexity. It had the problem of becoming a configuration.

  Moreover, since the atomized ozone water particles are not fine and are not charged, they cannot be uniformly sprayed in the cabinet, and the adhesion rate of mist to the food surface is low. Moreover, when it sprayed continuously in order to raise an adhesion rate, it had the subject that a vegetable etc. produced water rot or the inside of a warehouse condensed.

  Moreover, although the amount of vitamin C of the vegetable preserve | saved in a vegetable room can also suppress a decrease by high humidity, it had the subject that it would also decrease.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides a refrigerator that generates a mist that is safe for the human body and has multiple functions with a simple configuration, and that keeps food fresh and improves nutrients, sterilization, and removal of agricultural chemicals. The purpose is to do.

In order to solve the above problems, a refrigerator according to the present invention includes a spraying means for generating a mist having a first particle diameter and a mist having a second particle diameter in a storage chamber, A refrigerator having a water supply means for supplying a liquid , wherein the first particle diameter is a micro-size, the second particle diameter is a nano-size ionized mist, and the spraying means applies a voltage to the liquid. An electrostatic fog having an application electrode for applying a voltage, a counter electrode disposed at a position facing the application electrode, and a voltage application unit for applying a high voltage between the application electrode and the counter electrode The electrostatic atomizer has a discharge current detection means, and the discharge current detection means determines a predetermined value based on the relationship data of the discharge current, the atomization amount, and the ozone generation amount that has been grasped in advance.
The output voltage of the voltage application unit is adjusted to be equal to or less than the ozone generation concentration .

  As a result, when the particle size of one mist is micro-sized and the other mist particle size is nano-sized, a sufficient amount of water is supplied by the micro-sized mist to keep food fresh and ionized. With nano-sized mist, it is possible to improve nutrients, disinfect bacteria, and remove pesticides in food and storage.

  The refrigerator of the present invention sprays micro-size mist and ionized nano-size mist, maintains freshness of food with micro-size mist, improves nutrients of food with ionized nano-size mist, It can be used for sterilization and pesticide removal.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided spray means for generating a mist having a first particle diameter and a second particle diameter having different particle diameters in the storage chamber, and water for supplying a liquid to the spray means. In the refrigerator comprising a supply means , the first particle diameter is a microsize, the second particle diameter is a nanosize ionized mist, and the spray means is for applying a voltage to the liquid. An electrostatic atomizer having an application electrode, a counter electrode disposed at a position facing the application electrode, and a voltage application unit that applies a high voltage between the application electrode and the counter electrode; The electrostatic atomizer has a discharge current detection means, and the discharge current detection means lowers the ozone generation concentration to a predetermined level or less based on relational data of the discharge current, the atomization amount, and the ozone generation amount that has been grasped in advance. So that the voltage application section It is intended to adjust the force voltage, the storage compartment, to generate a mist of mist and second particle diameter of the first particle size having different particle diameters from each other, for example, by the mist of the first particle size, food By maintaining the freshness and mist of the second particle size, it is possible to improve the nutrients of the food, and to disinfect the food and the inside of the cabinet and remove the agricultural chemicals.

The invention according to claim 2 is the device according to claim 1 , wherein the spray means is a device that simultaneously generates mist having the first particle diameter and mist having the second particle diameter. The effects of both the mist having the first particle diameter and the mist having the second particle diameter can be obtained simultaneously, and the configuration can be simplified and reduced in size.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 , wherein the spraying means includes a first spraying means for generating a mist having the first particle diameter, and a mist having the second particle diameter. The second spraying means that is generated, and the first spraying means holds the freshness of the food,
The second spraying means can improve the nutrients of the food, disinfect the food and the cabinet, and remove the agricultural chemicals.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the conventional example or the embodiments described above, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention cut into left and right. FIG. 2: is the principal part expanded sectional view which cut | disconnected the vegetable compartment in the refrigerator of the same embodiment right and left. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration related to the electrostatic atomizer in the refrigerator according to the embodiment.

  FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the particle diameter and the number of particles of mist generated by the spraying means in the refrigerator of the same embodiment, and FIG. 5A is an electrostatic atomizer in the refrigerator of the same embodiment. Fig. 5 (b) is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the discharge current value of the ozone amount determination means of the unit and the ozone generation concentration, and Fig. 5 (b) is the atomization amount and ozone concentration / discharge current value of the electrostatic atomizer in the refrigerator of the same embodiment. It is a characteristic view which shows the relationship.

  FIG. 6 (a) is a characteristic diagram showing the restoration effect of the moisture content on the wilted vegetables in the refrigerator of the embodiment, and FIG. 6 (b) is a conventional example of the change in the amount of vitamin C in the refrigerator of the embodiment. Fig. 6 (c) is a characteristic diagram showing the agrochemical removal performance of the electrostatic atomizer in the refrigerator according to the embodiment, and Fig. 6 (d) is an electrostatic atomization in the refrigerator according to the embodiment. It is a characteristic view which shows the disinfection performance of an apparatus.

  1, 2, and 3, a refrigerator 101 includes a box body (heat insulating box) 102, partitions 103 a, 103 b, and 103 c for creating compartments of a storage room, and a space for making these compartments a closed space It is insulated by the door 104, and is a storage space having different temperatures from the top to the refrigerator compartment 105, the switching compartment 106, the vegetable compartment 107, and the freezing compartment 108. Among them, the vegetable compartment 107 has a humidity of about 80% R.D. H or more (during food storage), cooled to 4 to 6 ° C.

  In addition, the refrigeration cycle for cooling the refrigerator 101 includes a compressor 111, a condenser, a decompression device (not shown) such as an expansion valve and a capillary tube, and an evaporator 112, which are sequentially connected in an annular manner by piping. The refrigerant is configured to circulate.

  Furthermore, there are air passages 113 for transporting the low-temperature air generated by the evaporator 112 to each storage room space, or for recovering the air heat-exchanged in the storage room space to the evaporator 112, and the air passage 113 is stored in each storage space. It is insulated by the chamber and the partition 114.

  Furthermore, in the vegetable compartment 107, the electrostatic atomizer 115 which is a 2nd spraying means, the water collection | recovery part 116 for supplying water to this spraying means, and the irradiation for controlling the pores of vegetables Means 117 are configured.

  The electrostatic atomizer 115 includes an atomizing tank 118 for holding water from the water recovery unit 116, a nozzle-like tip 119 for spraying the vegetable compartment 107, and a portion near the tip. An application electrode 120 is formed in contact with water, and a counter electrode 121 and a holding member 122 for holding the counter electrode 121 are attached so as to maintain a certain distance in the vicinity of the opening of the spray tip 119. . Further, the negative electrode side of the voltage application unit 135 that generates a high voltage is electrically connected to the application electrode 120, and the positive electrode side is electrically connected to the counter electrode 121. Moreover, the electrostatic atomizer 115 is attached to the partition 114 or the water collection | recovery cover 128 by the connection part 123 of an attachment member.

  The liquid supplied to and adhering to the nozzle tip 119 is refined by high-voltage electrostatic energy applied between the application electrode 120 and the counter electrode 121, and the droplet is charged. Atomized into several μm fine particles and sprayed onto the vegetable compartment 107.

  The water recovery unit 116 is installed at the bottom of the partition 103b and at the top of the vegetable compartment 108. The cooling plate 125 is made of a highly heat conductive metal or resin such as aluminum or stainless steel. The heating means 126 such as a heater, a planar heating element, or a PTC heater configured in the above is abutted. Then, in order to adjust the temperature of the cooling plate 125, the energization rate of the heating unit 126 is determined based on the detected temperature of the cooling plate temperature detecting unit 127, and the temperature of the cooling plate 125 is controlled. A water recovery cover 128 for receiving water condensed on the cooling plate 125 is installed at the lower part.

  The irradiation means 117 is, for example, a blue LED 133 that irradiates light including blue light having a center wavelength of 470 nm, and includes a diffusion plate 134 for improving light diffusibility and protecting components.

  In FIG. 3, the electrostatic atomizer 115 is applied with a high voltage from the voltage application unit 135 between the application electrode 120 and the counter electrode 121. The discharge current detection means 136 detects the current value at the time of application as a signal S1 and inputs the signal as a signal S2 to the atomizer control circuit 137 which is a control means. And the output voltage of the voltage application unit 135 is adjusted as a signal S3. Further, this control means communicates with the atomizer control circuit 137 and the control circuit 139 of the refrigerator 101 main body, and also determines the operation of the irradiation means 117.

  About the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  First, the vegetables and fruits stored in the vegetable room 107 usually include those that are slightly deflated by transpiration at the time of purchase return or transpiration during storage, and the storage environment is outside air. It fluctuates according to temperature fluctuations, the influence of door opening and closing, and the operating state of the refrigeration cycle. Furthermore, the storage environment is harsh, transpiration is promoted, and it is easy to wither.

  Then, by operating the electrostatic atomizer 115, fine mist is sprayed on the vegetable compartment 107, and the inside of a warehouse is humidified quickly.

  An excess of water vapor in the vegetable compartment 107 is condensed on the cooling plate 125, and water droplets attached to the cooling plate 125 grow, drop onto the water recovery cover 128 by its own weight, flow through the water recovery cover 128, and an electrostatic atomizer 115 is stored in the atomizing tank 118. And dew condensation water is atomized from the front-end | tip part 119 of the electrostatic atomizer 115, and is sprayed on the vegetable compartment 107. FIG.

  At this time, the application electrode 120 in the vicinity of the tip 119 of the electrostatic atomizer 115 is set to the negative voltage side, the counter electrode 121 is set to the positive voltage side, and a high voltage (for example, 10 kV) is applied between the electrodes by the voltage application unit 135. Let At this time, for example, corona discharge occurs between electrodes separated by a distance of 15 mm, and atomized from the tip of the nozzle in the vicinity of the application electrode 120, and a nano-level fine mist having a charge of about 1 μm or less that cannot be visually observed, and an accompanying incident Ozone and OH radicals are generated. The voltage applied between the electrodes is as extremely high as 10 kV, but the discharge current value at that time is μA level, and the input is as low as 1 to 3 W. However, the generated fine mist is about 1 g / h and can be sufficiently atomized and humidified in the vegetable compartment 107.

  Further, when the discharge current value is input to the discharge current detection unit 136 as the signal S1, the current value is converted into a digital or analog voltage signal S2 that can be easily calculated by a CPU or the like and output to the ozone amount determination unit 138. Next, the ozone amount determination means 138 converts the discharge current value into an ozone concentration (experimentally found that the discharge current and the ozone generation are positively proportional), and controls the discharge current value to be equal to or lower than the predetermined ozone generation concentration. The signal S3 is output to the voltage application unit 135. Finally, the voltage application unit 135 changes the voltage value to be applied to generate a high voltage. Thereafter, feedback control is performed while looking at the discharge current value.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the mist sprayed from the nozzle tip 119 is a mist having two peaks of about several tens of nanometers and several μm, and the nano-level fine mist adhering to the vegetable surface contains OH radicals and the like. It contains a lot and is effective for sterilization, antibacterial, sterilization, etc. In addition, it promotes the increase of nutrients such as vitamin C amount by removing agricultural chemicals and antioxidants by oxidative degradation. Although the amount is small, it adheres to the vegetable surface and can keep moisture around the vegetable surface.

  At this time, fine water droplets adhere to the vegetable surface, but there is also a surface in contact with the air, so there is no obstruction of breathing and no water rot occurs. Therefore, at the same time as the humidity in the vegetable compartment 107 becomes high, the humidity on the vegetable surface and the humidity in the storage chamber 107 are in an equilibrium state, and transpiration can be prevented from the vegetable surface, and the attached mist is a cell on the surface of the vegetable or fruit. The water penetrates into the tissue through the gap, and water is supplied again to the deflated cells, and the deflation is eliminated by the bulging pressure of the cells, resulting in a state of chatter.

When the electrostatic atomizer 115 is operating, the irradiation means 117 is turned on to irradiate the vegetables and fruits stored in the vegetable compartment 107. The irradiating means 117 irradiates light including blue light having a central wavelength of 470 nm, for example, a blue LED 133 or a lamp covered with a material that transmits only blue light. The photon of the blue light irradiated at this time is about 1 μmol / It is faint light of (m ² · s).

  In vegetables and fruits irradiated with weak blue light, the pores present on the surface of the epidermis increase the opening of the pores compared to the normal state due to light stimulation of blue light. As a result, the space in the pores is expanded, the apparent relative humidity in the space is reduced, the equilibrium state is broken, and moisture is easily absorbed. Therefore, the mist adhering to the surface of the vegetables and fruits penetrates into the tissues from the surface of the open pores of the vegetables and fruits, and the moisture is evaporated to supply the moisture to the deflated cells, so that the vegetables are shaken. The state is restored and freshness is restored.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the discharge current value is large, the amount of ozone generated increases. Ozone has effects of sterilization and sterilization at low concentrations, and can be expected to increase nutrients such as vitamin C due to degradation of agricultural chemicals and antioxidants by oxidative degradation, but from odor at concentrations exceeding 30 ppb It is unpleasant for humans and has an effect of promoting deterioration of resin parts constituting the storage room, and its concentration adjustment is important. Therefore, the concentration is controlled by the discharge current value.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the atomization amount increases, the current value increases, so that the ozone generation amount increases as the air discharge amount increases. Further, when there is no water in the vicinity of the application electrode 120, this also increases the ozone concentration by increasing the air discharge amount. For this reason, it is important to adjust the amount of water in the atomizing tank 118 and the amount of atomization in the same manner as the ozone concentration.

  FIG. 6A is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the restoring effect of the water content and the mist spray amount on the wilted vegetable, and the relationship between the appearance sensory evaluation value of the vegetable and the mist spray amount. Since this experiment was conducted in a 70-liter vegetable room, the following spray amounts all indicate the spray amount per 70 liters.

  From FIG. 6 (a), the range in which the moisture content recovery effect of vegetables is 50% or more in the case of light irradiation is 0.05 to 10 g / h (per liter = 0.007 to 0.14 g / h · l). ).

  If the amount of mist sprayed is too small, the amount of water released from the pores to the outside of the vegetation falls below, making it impossible to supply moisture to the inside of the vegetable. In addition, it is considered that the contact frequency between the mist and the open pores decreases, and it becomes difficult for water to penetrate into the vegetables.

  In the experiment, it was found that the lower limit value of the spray amount was 0.05 g / h.

  On the other hand, if the amount of mist sprayed is too large, it will exceed the allowable moisture content inside the vegetable, and the moisture that is not taken into the vegetable will adhere to the outside of the vegetable. The phenomenon that rot will occur and vegetables will hurt occurs.

  Excess moisture adhered to the surface of such vegetables, and the range in which the vegetables cause quality deterioration such as water rot is 10 g / h or more, which is unsuitable for experiments. Therefore, the experimental result of 10 g / h (per liter = 0.15 g / h · l) or more cannot be adopted due to the deterioration of the quality of the vegetables, and will be omitted.

  The range in which the moisture content restoring effect of vegetables is 70% or more in the case of light irradiation was 0.1 to 10 g / h (= 0.015 to 0.14 g / h · l per liter). Thus, when the lower limit of the spray amount of mist is increased to about 0.1 g / h or more, the contact frequency with the open pores is sufficiently increased, and the penetration of the mist into the vegetables is actively performed. Conceivable.

  In the case of no light irradiation, there is no range in which the moisture content restoration effect of vegetables is 50% or more, and the moisture content restoration rate is less than 10% for all spray amounts. As shown in the figure, in the case of no light irradiation, since the pores are not sufficiently opened, it is considered that moisture does not penetrate into the vegetables unless the particle diameter is sufficiently small.

  FIG. 6B is a characteristic diagram showing changes in the amount of vitamin C when the concentration of vitamin C at the time of injection when the fine mist of the present invention is sprayed is 100. In this experiment, an average amount of vegetables (about 6 kg, 15 types) was stored in a 70-liter vegetable room, stored for 3 days, and the change in the amount of vitamin C in broccoli when sprayed with about 0.5 g / h of fine mist. The amount is compared with the existing refrigerator.

  In general, in a vegetable room environment of a refrigerator, the amount of vitamin C can be reduced by increasing the humidity and temperature, but the amount of vitamin C decreases in proportion to the number of days elapsed. Usually, to maintain or increase the amount of vitamin C, the photosynthetic reaction in the vegetable body is promoted by stimulating the production of vitamin C or stimulating a small amount of oxidant or light. There is a method of increasing the amount of vitamin C using an antioxidant action which is one of the above.

  In the former case, in order to perform photosynthesis, a large amount of water and a strong light amount comparable to sunlight are necessary, so it is impossible to realize it in a refrigerator. Since the growth is promoted, there is no problem with the vegetables in the growth stage before harvesting, but aging is promoted with the vegetables after harvesting, so it is unsuitable for the refrigerator.

  Therefore, the latter method is suitable for maintaining or increasing the amount of vitamin C in the refrigerator.

  Therefore, in the present invention, vegetables were stimulated by OH radicals generated by electrostatic atomization and low-concentration ozone, and the amount of vitamin C was increased.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (b), in the conventional product, the amount of vitamin C was reduced by about 6% after 3 days from the time of introduction, but in the present product, broccoli was about 4% after 3 days. Vitamin C concentration is rising. This shows that the amount of vitamin C in vegetables is increased by stimulation with OH radicals and ozone.

  Moreover, FIG.6 (c) is a characteristic view which shows the relationship between the agrochemical removal effect when spraying fine mist, and the amount of mist spraying. In this experiment, ten cherry tomatoes to which about 3 ppm of malathion is attached are used, and the fine mist of the present invention is sprayed at about 0.5 g / h for 12 hours for removal treatment. And the removal rate is computed by measuring the residual malathion density | concentration after a process by gas chromatography (GC).

  As is clear from FIG. 6 (c), in order to make the malathion removal rate about 50%, the spray amount needs to be 0.0007 g / h · L or more, and the effect of removing agricultural chemicals increases with the increase of the spray amount. It has improved.

  Moreover, when the spray amount exceeds 0.07 g / h · L, the ozone concentration generated is more than 0.03 ppm although there is an effect of removing agricultural chemicals, it is difficult to apply to a household refrigerator from the viewpoint of human safety. The ozone concentration of 0.03 ppm is a level that does not cause an ozone odor, and is an upper limit value of the ozone concentration that has an agrochemical decomposition effect without causing adverse effects such as tissue damage to vegetables. Thus, the appropriate range of the spray amount is 0.0007 g / h · L or more and 0.07 g / h · L or less.

  Furthermore, FIG.6 (d) is a characteristic view which shows the microbe elimination effect when spraying fine mist. In this experiment, a petri dish in which a certain initial number of E. coli was cultured was placed in a 70 L container at 5 ° C. in advance, and the fine mist of the present invention was sprayed at 1 g / h, and the progress of the rate of decrease in the number of E. coli was measured. Is.

  In addition, the result at the time of spraying the same quantity with an ultrasonic atomizer is shown for the comparison object.

  From this figure, it is apparent that the sterilization rate of the present invention is higher, and 99.8% of sterilization is achieved after 7 days. This is considered to be a sterilization effect by ozone contained in the mist.

  Thereby, vegetables and containers can be kept clean.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, in the storage room (vegetable room 107), electrostatic mist that generates mist having a micro-size particle diameter and nano-size particle diameter having different particle diameters from each other. And a water supply means (water recovery unit 116) for supplying a liquid to the electrostatic atomizer (spray means) 115. The electrostatic atomizer (spray means) 115 is a liquid. And a counter electrode 121 disposed at a position opposite to the counter electrode 120, and a voltage applying unit 135 that applies a high voltage between the counter electrode 121 and the counter electrode 121. Therefore, it is possible to generate a mist with a micro-size particle size and a mist with a nano-size particle size at the same time, so that the spray size necessary for maintaining the freshness of food is ensured with the micro-size mist, and The particle size mist ionized nano-sized uniformly sprayed into the refrigerator, also penetrate fine irregularities in food and refrigerator, it is possible to perform sterilization, pesticides removal.

  In Embodiment 1, it is possible to maintain and increase the amount of vitamin C by the antioxidant action of vegetables by ozone and radicals generated by electrostatic atomization.

  Also, the amount of ozone generated at the nozzle tip 119, which is an atomizing section, is grasped by the current value, and the amount of ozone generated can be optimized by controlling the current value, so that the mist sprayed in the storage room (vegetable room 107) Stabilization of vegetables, improvement of vegetable freshness, sterilization of storage room (vegetable room 107) and vegetables, decomposition of agricultural chemicals on the surface of vegetables, increase of nutrients such as vitamin C, etc. Since it is not used, it can be made smaller and less expensive.

  In the first embodiment, when the current value detected by the discharge current detecting unit 136 is larger than the predetermined first value, the voltage applied between the application electrode 120 and the counter electrode 121 is forcibly reduced. Therefore, the amount of ozone generated can be reduced, and safety can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, since dew condensation water is used, minerals mixed in tap water and the like are minute, and the cause of clogging of the nozzle tip 119 has been removed, and life reliability is improved. Improves.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7: is a principal part expanded sectional view which cut | disconnected the vegetable room of the refrigerator in Embodiment 2 of this invention right and left. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control configuration related to the electrostatic atomizer of the refrigerator according to the embodiment.

  In FIG. 7, the electrostatic atomizer 115 has an atomization tank 118, and the water collection cover 128 and the atomization tank 118 which are a part of the water collection unit 116 are supplied to the atomization tank 118. A pipe-shaped flow path 155 made of resin or the like is connected via an on-off valve 154 such as an electromagnetic valve for adjusting the pressure.

  In FIG. 8, a high voltage is applied from the voltage application unit 135 between the application electrode 120 and the counter electrode 121. The discharge current detecting means 136 detects the current value at the time of application as a signal S1, and the signal is input as a signal S2 to an atomizer control circuit 137 which is a control means. And the output voltage of the voltage application unit 135 is adjusted as a signal S3. Further, this control means communicates with the atomizer control circuit 137 and the control circuit 139 of the refrigerator 101 main body, and also determines the operation of the irradiation means 117 and the on-off valve 154.

  About the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement / effect | action is demonstrated below.

  Water droplets collected by the water collection cover 128 gradually grow, flow along the inner surface of the water collection cover 128, and flow to the flow path 155. When the on-off valve 154 is open, the water stored in the water recovery cover 128 flows into the atomizing tank 118, and a high voltage is applied between the application electrode 120 and the counter electrode 121 in the vicinity of the nozzle tip 119, which is an atomization unit. Is applied, and the water droplets are further charged. Therefore, the particles are further atomized by Rayleigh splitting, and a fine mist having extremely fine nano-level particles is sprayed on the vegetable compartment 107. At this time, the on-off valve 154 can adjust the amount of water at intervals of the on-off time, so that the supply amount can be adjusted and the amount of ozone generated can be adjusted.

  Among the vegetables that are fruits and vegetables, green vegetable leaves and fruits are also stored in the vegetable room 107, and these fruits and vegetables are more susceptible to wilt due to transpiration. The vegetables and fruits stored in the vegetable room 107 usually include those that are slightly deflated by transpiration at the time of purchase return or transpiration during storage, and atomized fine mist This moisturizes the vegetable surface.

  The sprayed fine mist causes the inside of the vegetable compartment 107 to become highly humid again and at the same time adheres to the surface of the vegetables and fruits in the state of pores in the vegetable compartment 107, penetrates into the tissue from the pores, and the moisture evaporates. Water is supplied again into the deflated cells, and the deflation is eliminated by the swelling pressure of the cells, and it returns to a crispy state. In particular, the fine mist is negatively charged due to electrostatic atomization, and usually the vegetables are positively charged, so the fine mist is likely to adhere to the surface. In addition, since nano-level particles exist, moisture can be absorbed even from the cell space. Furthermore, it is very light because it is a particle of 1 μm or less. By improving the diffusibility, the fine mist spreads throughout the vegetable compartment, improving the freshness, and does not stand out even if it adheres to the container, so the quality is not impaired. .

  In addition, the vegetable pores irradiated with the weak blue light by the irradiating means 117 have a larger opening of the pores than the normal state due to the light stimulation of the blue light. This allows fine mist adhering to the surface of vegetables and fruits to permeate into the tissue from the surface of the open pores of vegetables and fruits, transpiration of water, and supply moisture to the deflated cells, shaky state It returns to the freshness.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, electrostatic mist that generates mist having a micro-sized particle diameter and mist having a nano-sized particle diameter are generated in the storage room (vegetable room 107). The amount of water sent to the water supply means (water recovery unit 116) and the water supply means (water recovery unit 116) for supplying the liquid to the atomizing device (spraying means) 115, the electrostatic atomizer (spraying means) 115 An opening / closing valve 154, an electrostatic atomizer (spraying means) 115, an application electrode 120 for applying a voltage to the liquid, a counter electrode 121 disposed at a position facing the application electrode 120, and an application electrode A voltage application unit 135 that applies a high voltage between 120 and the counter electrode 121, a discharge current detection unit 136 that detects a current when the voltage application unit 135 applies a high voltage, and an atomizer that controls them Control circuit 1 7 and the ozone amount determination means 138 for determining the ozone generation amount from the current value detected by the discharge current detection means 136, the ozone generation amount is grasped by the current value, the water amount is optimized by the on-off valve 154, Since the amount of ozone generated can be controlled, it is possible to improve the freshness of vegetables, improve antibacterial properties, improve nutrients such as vitamin C, and prevent water rot due to condensation in the vegetable compartment.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment 2, since micro size particle size mist and nano size particle size mist can be generated simultaneously with one device, it is necessary for maintaining the freshness of food with micro size mist. The spray amount is secured, and ionized nano-sized particle size mist sprays uniformly into the cabinet, and also penetrates into food and fine irregularities in the cabinet to disinfect bacteria and remove agricultural chemicals. it can.

  In the second embodiment, the amount of vitamin C can be maintained and increased by the antioxidant action of vegetables by ozone and radicals generated by electrostatic atomization.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment 2, since it is a very fine mist with a particle diameter of 1 micrometer or less, a diffusibility can be improved, the dew condensation in a vegetable room can be reduced, and it also leads to the cost reduction by reduction of a member.

  In the second embodiment, the spraying direction of the electrostatic atomizer (spraying means) 115 is installed in the horizontal direction, but the electrostatic atomizer (spraying means) 115 may be installed in the downward direction. Is possible. In this case, since it is sprayed from above, the fine mist can be diffused uniformly. Moreover, since fine mist can be sprayed on the whole storage space, the inside of the storage space can be cooled by the latent heat of mist (moisture). Thereby, since the cooler capability for refrigeration temperature zones can be reduced, downsizing and cost reduction are possible.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the refrigerator compartment according to the third embodiment of the present invention cut from the water supply tank periphery to the vegetable compartment in the left and right directions, and FIG. 10 is an electrostatic atomizer for the refrigerator according to the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure relevant to.

  9 and 10, the vegetable compartment 107 stores food such as vegetables and fruits in a vegetable case 160, and the upper part thereof is a storage box for suppressing transpiration from the food stored in the vegetable case 160. A lid 161 for maintaining the internal humidity is configured, and a nozzle tip 119 that is an atomizing portion of the electrostatic atomizer 115 that is a spraying means is directed toward the inside of the gap between the vegetable case 160 and the lid 161. Configured.

  An irradiation means 117 is attached to the partition 103b, and a part of the lid 161 is cut out or made of a transparent material so that the food in the case can be irradiated.

  In order to supply water from the electrostatic atomizer 115, a water supply tank 162 is configured in the refrigerator compartment 105, and an atomization tank 118 provided in the water supply tank 162 and the electrostatic atomizer 115 is provided with a filter 164. A flow path 163a and a narrow pipe flow path 163b are formed before and after the water feed pump 165 via a water feed pump 165 using any one of a stepping motor, a gear, a tube, and piezoelectric, and the narrow pipe flow path 163b and the atomizing tank are passed through. The nozzle tip 119 is supplied with water, and a part thereof is embedded in the partitions 103a, 103b, 114 and the refrigerator box 102.

  The electrostatic atomizer 115 detects the discharge current value at the applied electrode 120 by the discharge current detector 136 and communicates the output of the ozone amount determination unit 138 of the atomizer control circuit 137 to the refrigerator control circuit 139 of the refrigerator body. Then, the operation of the water pump 165 and the irradiation means 117 is determined. The atomizer control circuit 137 and the refrigerator control circuit 139 may be configured on the same substrate.

  About the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement / effect | action is demonstrated below.

  The water stored in the water supply tank 162 determines whether to supply water from the flow path 163 to the electrostatic atomizer 115 by the operation of the water supply pump 165. When the water supply pump 165 is ON, water supplied in advance by the user flows toward the electrostatic atomizer 115. At this time, the water flowing through the flow path flows into the filter 164 installed in advance, thereby removing impurities such as dust and foreign matters, and the capillary flow path 163b is hermetically sealed. In addition to preventing clogging of the nozzle tip 119 of the device 115, it is possible to prevent dust and bacteria from entering and to ensure hygiene.

  The narrow tube channel 163b is embedded in a heat insulating material such as the partition 114 and flows while preventing freezing. Although not shown here, a heater for ensuring temperature may be in close contact with the flow path at the outer periphery of the flow path. Then, water is supplied from the flow path 163b to the atomizing tank 118 of the electrostatic atomizer 115, and a high voltage is applied between the application electrode 120 and the counter electrode 121 in the vicinity of the nozzle tip 119 which is an atomization unit. As a result, the water droplets are further charged, so that they are further atomized by Rayleigh splitting, and a fine mist having extremely fine nano-level particles is sprayed onto the vegetable compartment 107.

  At this time, the fine tube flow path 163b is thinner than the flow path 163a, so that trace water can be easily controlled, and the accuracy of the amount of spray in the vegetable compartment 107 can be improved. Further, by using the water pump 165, adjustment of the number of steps, the number of rotations of the motor, and the like can be easily performed. For example, the amount of water supplied can be controlled by the voltage applied to the water pump 165, and the accuracy of the spray amount in the vegetable compartment 107 is improved. And the amount of ozone generated can be controlled.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, since the water supply means is the water supply pump 165, the amount of water can be easily adjusted, and the water supply tank 162 and the like can pump water. Since the position of the water source can be arranged below the electrostatic atomizer 115, the degree of design freedom increases.

  Further, in the third embodiment, since the channel cross-sectional area from the water supply pump 165 to the atomizing tank 118 is made thinner than the channel cross-sectional area from the water supply tank 162 to the water supply pump 165, the trace water is controlled. It is easy to improve the accuracy of the amount of spray in the vegetable compartment 107. Further, by using the water pump 165, adjustment of the number of steps, the number of rotations of the motor and the like can be easily performed. For example, the amount of water supplied can be controlled by the voltage applied to the water pump 165, and the accuracy of the spray amount in the vegetable compartment 107 is improved Is possible.

  Further, in the third embodiment, by using the water supply pump 165, it is possible to adjust the amount of water by changing the amount of water supplied linearly according to the rotation speed or the like, so that it is possible to adjust the spray amount with high accuracy.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment 3, since the water supply tank 162 can be arrange | positioned also outside the vegetable compartment 107, the capacity | capacitance of the vegetable compartment 107 can be ensured and a foodstuff can fully be accommodated.

  Further, in the third embodiment, since the water supply tank 162 is installed in the refrigerator compartment 105, there is no fear of freezing and a heater for temperature compensation is not necessary. Furthermore, since it can also be used as an ice making tank, the storage capacity of the refrigerator is not reduced.

  In the third embodiment, by providing the counter electrode 121 above the nozzle tip 119, the mist is drawn upward, the spraying distance is extended, and at the same time, the mist is sprayed while avoiding the food at the nozzle tip 119. can do.

  In the third embodiment, the counter electrode 121 is attached to the electrostatic atomizer 115, but may be provided on a part of the top cover or part of the container. In this case, useless protrusions are eliminated and the storage capacity increases.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 11: is a principal part expanded sectional view which cut | disconnected the water supply tank periphery part of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator in Embodiment 4 of this invention from the vegetable room to right and left.

  In FIG. 11, the vegetable compartment 107 stores food such as vegetables and fruits in a vegetable case 160, and in the upper part thereof, in order to suppress transpiration from the food stored in the vegetable case 160, the humidity in the cabinet is set. A lid 161 for maintenance is configured, and a horn type ultrasonic atomizing device 167 as a first spraying means is provided in a gap between the vegetable case 160 and the lid 161, and the horn of the ultrasonic atomizing device 167 is provided. A substantially linear fine hole 168c is formed from the bottom surface portion 168a of the 168 toward the tip end portion 168b.

  Further, in order to supply water to the ultrasonic atomizer 167, a water supply tank 162 is configured in the refrigerator compartment 105, and a horn is connected via a water supply pump 165 that connects the water supply tank 162 and the ultrasonic atomizer 167. The tip portion 168b is supplied, and the horn tip portion 168b, which is an atomizing portion, is configured toward the interior.

  The horn 168 is made of a material having high thermal conductivity, and examples thereof include metals such as aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel. In particular, it is preferable to select a material mainly composed of aluminum from the viewpoint of light weight, high thermal conductivity, and amplitude amplification performance during ultrasonic transmission. In order to extend the life, it is desirable to select a material mainly composed of stainless steel.

  Also, the amplitude of the ultrasonic vibration is such that the flange portion (not shown) has an amplitude node, the tip of the horn 168 has an abdominal amplitude, and the flange portion (not shown) and the tip of the horn 168 It is set to vibrate at a quarter wavelength. The length of the horn 168 is determined by the atomized particle diameter of the generated mist, the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric element 169, and the material of the horn 168. For example, when the atomized particle diameter is about 10 μm, the length B of the horn 168 is about 6 mm when the material of the horn 168 is aluminum and the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric element 34 is about 270 kHz. When the atomized particle diameter is about 15 μm, the length B of the horn 168 is about 11 mm when the material of the horn 33 is aluminum and the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric element 169 is about 146 kHz. A summary of these theoretical calculation values is shown in (Table 1).

  In addition, the water flows around the water supply pump 165 via the filter 164 provided in the path between the water supply tank 162 and the ultrasonic atomizer 167 and the water supply pump 165 using any one of a stepping motor, a gear, a tube, and a piezoelectric element. A path 163a and a narrow tube flow path 163b are configured, and water is supplied to the horn tip 168b through the fine holes formed in the narrow tube flow path 163b and the horn portion 168, and part of the water is supplied to the partition 114 and the refrigerator. It is embedded in the box 102.

  Accordingly, water droplets are attached to the horn tip 168b, and the attached water is generated as mist, and the mist is sprayed on the vegetable compartment 107. The mist thus sprayed causes the vegetable compartment 107 to become highly humid and at the same time adheres to the surface of vegetables and fruits in the state of the pores in the vegetable compartment 107, penetrates into the tissue through the pores, and moisture evaporates and dries. However, the water is supplied again into the cells, the deflation is eliminated by the swelling pressure of the cells, and it returns to a crisp state.

  On the other hand, the partition 103b is provided with an irradiation means 117 for irradiating food at all times or at the time of spraying ultrasonic mist and an electrostatic atomizer 115 as a second spraying means. A part of the lid 161 is cut off or made of a transparent material so that it can be irradiated. Further, a part of the lid 161 is cut off by the electrostatic atomizer 115 so that mist can be sprayed on the food in the case.

  The electrostatic atomizer 115 has a cooling plate 125 provided with a superheating means 126 on the back surface, a needle-like application electrode 120 having a spherical tip, and a counter electrode 121 formed below the application electrode.

  About the refrigerator comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement / effect | action is demonstrated below.

  The water stored in the water supply tank 162 determines whether to supply water from the flow path 163 to the ultrasonic atomizer 167 by the operation of the water supply pump 165. When the water feed pump 165 is ON, water supplied in advance by the user flows toward the ultrasonic atomizer 167. At this time, the water flowing through the flow channel flows into a filter 164 installed in advance, thereby removing impurities such as dust and foreign matters, and the narrow tube flow channel 163b is hermetically sealed, so that the ultrasonic atomizer is used. In addition to preventing clogging of the 167 horn tip 168b, dust and bacteria can be prevented from entering, and hygiene can be ensured. The narrow tube channel 163b is embedded in a heat insulating material such as the partition 114 and flows while preventing freezing. Although not shown here, a heater for ensuring temperature may be in close contact with the flow path at the outer periphery of the flow path. Then, water is supplied from the flow path 163b to the horn 168 of the ultrasonic atomizer 167, and the atomized micro-size mist is sprayed onto the vegetable compartment 107 from the horn tip 168b which is an atomization unit.

  At this time, the fine tube flow path 163b is thinner than the flow path 163a, so that it is easy to control trace water, and the accuracy of spray amount in the vegetable compartment can be improved. In addition, by using the water pump 165, the number of steps and the number of motor rotations can be easily adjusted. For example, the amount of water supplied can be controlled by the voltage applied to the water pump, and the accuracy of the amount of spray in the vegetable compartment can be improved. become.

  On the other hand, water of mist sprayed from the electrostatic atomizer 115 is collected as follows. In the case of the normal refrigerator 101, the cold air heat-exchanged by the evaporator is refrigerated chamber 105, switching chamber 106, vegetable chamber 107, freezer room (not shown), ice making room (not shown) by a stirring fan (not shown). ) And the like are generally operated so as to perform ON / OFF operation so as to maintain a predetermined temperature. The vegetables 107 are adjusted to be 4 ° C. to 6 ° C. by ON / OFF operation such as cold air distribution and heating means, and generally, there are many vegetables that do not have an internal temperature detection means. In addition, the vegetable compartment 107 is highly humid due to the evaporation of moisture from food and the invasion of water vapor by opening and closing the door. The thickness of the internal partition 103b is configured to be thinner than other portions because a certain amount of cooling capacity is required. Here, if the surface temperature of the cooling plate 125 is set to the dew point temperature or less, the water vapor in the vicinity of the cooling plate 125 is condensed on the cooling plate 125, and water droplets are reliably generated. Specifically, the temperature state of the surface is grasped by a temperature detecting means (not shown) installed on the cooling plate 125, the heating means 126 is subjected to ON / OFF control or Duty control by the control means, and the cooling plate 125 is detected. The surface temperature is adjusted to be equal to or lower than the dew point temperature, and moisture contained in the high-humidity air in the refrigerator is condensed on the cooling plate 125.

  Water droplets condensed on the surface of the cooling plate 125 gradually grow, flow downward without using power such as a pump due to its own weight, and collect at the tip of the application electrode 120 of the electrostatic atomizer 115. The collected condensed water becomes ionized nano-sized mist by applying a high voltage between the application electrode 120 and the counter electrode, and is sprayed into the vegetable compartment 107 together with a small amount of ozone generated at the same time.

  At this time, if a negative charge is applied to the marking electrode 120, the mist scatters toward the positively charged vegetables and the inner wall surface of the container, and adheres uniformly to the vegetables and the container.

  In this way, the micro-sized mist sprayed from the ultrasonic atomizer 167 makes the vegetable compartment 107 humid again, and at the same time, attaches to the surface of the vegetables and fruits in the vegetable compartment 107 in the open state. Invading into the tissue, the water evaporates, the water is supplied again into the deflated cells, the deflation is eliminated by the bulging pressure of the cells, and it returns to a crispy state. The atomized particle diameter is preferably 4 μm to 20 μm, and the average pore size of general vegetables is about 15 μm. Therefore, a mist having a particle diameter of 15 μm or less is more preferable in order to revive the wilted vegetables. .

  On the other hand, the nano-sized mist sprayed from the electrostatic atomizer 115 contains radicals and ozone that are generated simultaneously when mist is generated, and the radicals and ozone are used to disinfect foods and foods in the warehouse and to remain in vegetables. Removed.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the horn-type ultrasonic atomizer 167 and the electrostatic atomizer 115 are arranged in the storage room (vegetable room 107), so that the microscopic function can be used. Since each of the size mist and the nano-size mist can be sprayed, the spray device can be operated efficiently, and the life of the spray device is prolonged.

  Further, by arranging the horn type ultrasonic atomizer 167 and the electrostatic atomizer 115 in the storage room (vegetable room 107), the ultrasonic atomizer 167 and the electrostatic atomizer 115 are alternately arranged. Since it is also possible to drive, it is possible to prevent the micro-size mist from absorbing the nano-size mist and reducing the effect of the nano-size mist.

  Moreover, since the particle diameter atomized by the ultrasonic atomizer 167 is 4 μm to 20 μm, moisture can be forcibly supplied to the inside of the food, so that the moisture content of the food can be improved.

  Moreover, since the particle diameter atomized by the electrostatic atomizer 115 is a nano size of 1 μm or less, the diffusibility is improved, the condensation in the vegetable compartment 107 can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of members. Is also connected.

  In addition, since the water supply tank 162 for supplying water to the ultrasonic atomizer 167 is provided, moisture is efficiently and stably supplied to the horn tip 168b, so that the ultrasonic atomizer 167 is always stable. Sprayed to maintain the storage room (vegetable room 107) at high humidity. In addition, by stably supplying moisture to the horn tip 168b, water loss at the horn tip 168b can be prevented, so that the life of the ultrasonic atomizer 167 is prolonged and reliability is improved.

  In addition, the ultrasonic atomizer 167 has a structure in which the length of the horn tip 168b and the flange is vibrated in a quarter wavelength mode, so that the tip of the horn 168 serving as an atomization surface becomes a connection part. Since there is no single abdomen and multiple nodes between the flange formed on the horn 168, the horn 168 can be miniaturized, and energy dispersion and attenuation can be reduced, improving efficiency. It becomes. Moreover, since it can be reduced in size, there are few installation restrictions, a design freedom can be given, and a storage space can be enlarged.

  Moreover, since the horn 168 becomes small when the length of the horn 168 is 1 mm to 20 mm, the refrigerator design can have a degree of freedom, and the storage space can be increased.

  Further, by providing a cover member around the ultrasonic atomizing device 167, it becomes impossible to directly touch, so that safety can be improved.

  Moreover, the electrostatic atomizer 115 sprays the condensed water collected by condensing the moisture in the air in the storage room (vegetable room 107) with the cooling plate 125, so that no water storage means is required. Storage space can be kept wide.

  The electrostatic atomizer 115 also removes moisture from the air in the storage room (vegetable room 107) including moisture that enters the storage room (vegetable room 107) by the evaporation of vegetables and opening and closing of the door 104 by the cooling plate 125. Condensation in the storage can be suppressed because the collected and collected material is used.

  As described above, the refrigerator according to the present invention can be applied not only to household or commercial refrigerators or vegetable storage, but also to applications such as low-temperature distribution of food such as vegetables and warehouses.

The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention The principal part expanded sectional view of the vegetable compartment in the refrigerator of the embodiment The block diagram which shows the control structure relevant to the electrostatic atomizer in the refrigerator of the embodiment The characteristic view which shows the relationship between the particle diameter of the mist generated by the spraying means in the refrigerator of the embodiment, and the number of particles (A) The characteristic view which shows the relationship between the discharge current value of the ozone amount determination means of the electrostatic atomizer apparatus part in the refrigerator of the embodiment, and ozone generation density (b) The electrostatic atomizer in the refrigerator of the embodiment Chart showing the relationship between the amount of atomization of ozone and the ozone concentration / discharge current value (A) The characteristic view which shows the restoration | restoration effect of the water content with respect to the wilted vegetables in the refrigerator of the same embodiment (b) The characteristic figure which compared the change of the amount of vitamin C in the refrigerator of the same embodiment with the conventional example (c) ) Characteristic diagram showing the pesticide removal performance of the electrostatic atomizer in the refrigerator of the embodiment (d) Characteristic diagram showing the disinfection performance of the electrostatic atomizer in the refrigerator of the embodiment The principal part expanded sectional view of the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the control structure relevant to the electrostatic atomizer of the refrigerator of the embodiment The principal part expanded sectional view of the refrigerator in Embodiment 3 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the control structure relevant to the electrostatic atomizer of the refrigerator of the embodiment The principal part expanded sectional view of the refrigerator in Embodiment 4 of this invention. The principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view of the conventional refrigerator described in patent document 1 The expanded perspective view which shows the principal part of the ultrasonic atomizer in the conventional refrigerator The principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view of the conventional refrigerator described in patent document 2 The principal part expanded sectional view of the humidification means in the conventional refrigerator Schematic diagram of essential parts of a refrigerator provided with a conventional ozone water mist device described in Patent Document 3.

Explanation of symbols

101 Refrigerator 102 Box body 107 Vegetable room (storage room)
115 Electrostatic atomizer (second spraying means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 120 Application electrode 121 Counter electrode 135 Voltage application part 167 Ultrasonic atomization apparatus (1st spraying means)
A Micro-sized particle size (first particle size)
B Nano-sized particle size (second particle size)

Claims (3)

In a refrigerator comprising spray means for generating a mist having a first particle diameter and a mist having a second particle diameter, which are different from each other in a storage chamber, and a water supply means for supplying a liquid to the spray means , The first particle size is a micro size, the second particle size is a nano size ionized mist, and the spray means is an application electrode for applying a voltage to the liquid, and is opposed to the application electrode An electrostatic atomizer having a counter electrode arranged at a position to be applied, and a voltage application unit that applies a high voltage between the application electrode and the counter electrode, the electrostatic atomizer having a discharge current An output voltage of the voltage application unit having a detection means, based on the relational data of the discharge current, the atomization amount, and the ozone generation amount grasped in advance, so that the discharge current detection means falls below a predetermined ozone generation concentration; refrigerator to adjust the   The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the spraying unit is a device that simultaneously generates a mist having the first particle diameter and a mist having the second particle diameter. It said spray means includes a first spray means for generating a mist of the first particle diameter refrigerator according to claim 1 comprising a second spray means for generating a mist of the second particle diameter.