JP5789781B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator capable of power saving operation.

  When the light sensor that detects the brightness that is one of the surroundings of the refrigerator detects a brightness that exceeds the specified illuminance, the normal operation is performed. Refrigerators that perform power-saving operations that operate refrigerators with less electric power have been commercialized. The reason for changing the operation mode according to the brightness around the refrigerator is that it is considered that the user of the refrigerator will hardly go to bed and open the refrigerator door. As a result, this power-saving operation increased the set temperature of the freezer room by several degrees Celsius.

  Moreover, even when the user goes to bed with some of the lights turned on, the power saving operation is performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 12 is a front view of the refrigerator, FIG. 13 is an example of an electric circuit diagram, and FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an operating state of the refrigerator using the electric circuit.

  In these drawings, a refrigerator room door 2, a vegetable room door 3, an ice making room door 4, a switching room door 5, and a freezer room door 6, which are doors provided in the refrigerator 1. The operation unit 7 includes various operation switches (not shown), a liquid crystal display unit 8, and an optical sensor storage unit 9.

  The optical sensor 10 for detecting the illuminance around the refrigerator shown in these figures, the resistor 11, the AD converter 12 for converting the input analog voltage value into a digital signal, and the signal from the AD converter 12 are stored. And a microcomputer 14 (control device, control means) for inputting signals from the AD converter 12 and controlling the operation of a compressor (not shown). The operation of the compressor is mainly ON / OFF controlled by a freezer sensor (not shown).

  The microcomputer operates as described below (see FIG. 14).

  When a switch (not shown) for enabling power saving operation is pressed, the optical sensor detects the illuminance around the front side of the refrigerator (S1). Then, the change rate of illuminance is calculated (S2). The change rate of illuminance is calculated by dividing the change in illuminance by the time of change, and is, for example, 150 lux / second when there is a change of 150 lux per second. 150 lux / second is set as the predetermined change rate. However, it is considered that this set value may be set in the range of 100 to 200 lux / second.

  The rate of change is calculated, and it is determined whether this rate of change is equal to or greater than the set value, that is, 150 lux / second (S3). If the rate of change is equal to or greater than the set value, normal operation is performed (S4). If not, it is determined whether the decrease rate is equal to or greater than a set value (S5). If the decrease rate is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, power saving operation is performed (S6), and if the decrease rate is not equal to or greater than the set value, the illuminance detection in S1 is performed again.

  The operation for controlling the set temperature of the freezer (usually −20 ° C., the set temperature can be changed) to the set temperature is the normal operation, and the freezer compartment temperature is set to the set temperature (−20 ° C.). The power-saving operation is controlled to be a temperature close to 2 ° C. room temperature (−18 ° C.). For this reason, in this power saving operation, the operation time of the compressor becomes shorter than that in the normal operation, and the operation stop time becomes longer, so that power can be saved as compared with the normal operation.

JP 2002-107025 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, when the power saving operation is performed, the temperature is controlled to a temperature close to 2 ° C. room temperature from the set temperature. Therefore, when this is applied to a refrigerator room or a vegetable room, When the temperature rises, microorganisms such as molds, bacterial yeasts, and viruses attached to the inside of the cabinet or the vegetable surface increase, and there is a problem that the food is deteriorated and the freshness is lowered.

  Means for Solving the Problems The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and suppresses the increase of microorganisms such as mold, bacterial yeast, and viruses attached to the inside of the cabinet or the vegetable surface even when the temperature in the cabinet is increased by power saving operation. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having an electrostatic atomizer, an ionizer, and an ozonizer for supplying components containing ozone and OH radicals, and capable of maintaining or improving freshness when the refrigerator body performs automatic power saving operation. .

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the present invention provides a refrigerator main body having a storage room for storing a stored product, and a freshening component generating means for supplying the storage chamber and generating a freshening component for maintaining the freshness of the stored product. And a detecting means capable of detecting the usage state of the refrigerator, and a control means for performing a power saving operation for suppressing or stopping the operation of the electric load component of the refrigerator by an output signal detected by the detecting means, and performing the power saving operation. In this case, the freshening component to be supplied to the storage chamber is generated from the freshening component generating means.

  As a result, even if the temperature in the cabinet rises due to power saving operation, it suppresses the increase of microorganisms such as mold, bacteria yeast and viruses attached to the cabinet and the vegetable surface due to freshening components such as OH radicals and ozone components. The refrigerator which can maintain the freshness of stored goods, such as vegetables, can be provided.

  Since the refrigerator of the present invention can perform automatic power saving operation while maintaining freshness, it is possible to provide a refrigerator capable of realizing energy saving while maintaining freshness in actual operation.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the refrigerator in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view of the operation board of the refrigerator in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a front view of another type of operation board according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the bacteria disinfection effect in the BOX assuming the refrigerator in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the mold sterilization effect in the BOX assuming the refrigerator in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the antiviral effect in the BOX assuming the refrigerator in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the freshness and ozone concentration of vegetables in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the freshness and radical amount of vegetables in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a control block diagram according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a front view of a conventional refrigerator. FIG. 13 is an electric circuit diagram of a main part of a conventional refrigerator. FIG. 14 is a typical flowchart of a conventional refrigerator.

  1st invention is the refrigerator main body provided with the storage room which stores a store thing, the freshness component generation | occurrence | production means to generate | occur | produce the freshness component which supplies the said store room and keeps the freshness of a store thing, and the use condition of a refrigerator A detection means capable of detecting; and a control means for performing a power saving operation for suppressing or stopping an operation of an electric load component of the refrigerator by an output signal detected by the detection means, and when the power saving operation is performed, A freshening component to be supplied to the storage chamber is generated from the component generating means.

  As a result, even if the temperature in the cabinet rises due to power saving operation, it is possible to suppress the increase of microorganisms such as mold, bacterial yeast, and viruses attached to the cabinet and the vegetable surface due to freshening components such as OH radicals and ozone components. The freshness can be maintained.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the freshening component generating means generates a freshening component even during normal operation when power saving operation is not performed, and when the power saving operation is performed, the freshening component generating means is operated during normal operation. It is characterized in that the amount of the freshening component is increased as compared with when it occurs.

  This increases the amount of freshening ingredients that are supplied when the temperature rises from normal cooling, further suppresses the increase of mold, bacteria yeast, viruses, and other microorganisms adhering to the inside of the cabinet and the vegetable surface. Further energy-saving operation is possible while maintaining it.

  According to a third invention, the freshening component generating means is an electrostatic atomizer.

  As a result, the freshening component is a mist composed of water particles, and the components such as OH radicals wrapped in the water particles are maintained in the space for a long time, making it even cleaner and improving the freshness than being spread to every corner of the warehouse. In addition, the moisturizing effect has the effect of maintaining the freshness of vegetables.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the freshening component generating means is an ion generator utilizing a discharge phenomenon, and the freshening component is a gas containing ozone, OH radicals, etc. And negative ions can be generated, and mist can be supplied with further energy saving while maintaining freshness.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the means for increasing the amount of the freshening component extends the operation time of the freshening component generating means, thereby supplying the amount of the freshening component supplied to the storage room during normal operation and the preservation of the storage room during power saving. Ingredients can be varied to maintain the freshness according to the temperature range.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the means for increasing the amount of the freshening component can adjust the amount of the freshening component depending on the discharge energy, since the amount of electrical energy such as voltage and current of the freshening component generating means is increased. Therefore, it is possible to maintain freshness by supplying a small amount during normal cooling and increasing the amount of supply during power saving to improve cleanliness.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an operation board of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an operation board of another form of the refrigerator in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the AA ′ portion of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the bacteria disinfection effect in the BOX assuming the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which showed the fungicidal effect of the mold in BOX which assumed the refrigerator in form 1, FIG. 8 is the figure which showed the antiviral effect in BOX which assumed the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention, FIG. The figure which showed the freshness of vegetables and ozone concentration in Embodiment 1 of invention, FIG. 10 is the figure which showed the freshness of vegetables in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the amount of radicals, FIG. 11 is a control block diagram .

  In FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, a heat insulating box body 101 which is a refrigerator main body of the refrigerator 100 is an outer box mainly using a steel plate, an inner box molded with a resin such as ABS, and an outer box and an inner box. It is comprised with foam insulation materials, such as hard foaming urethane, which is foam-filled in this space. The heat insulation box 101 is insulated from the surroundings, and is thermally insulated into a plurality of storage rooms by partition walls. A refrigeration chamber 104 is provided at the top of the plurality of storage chambers, a switching chamber 105 or an ice making chamber 106 is provided side by side below the refrigeration chamber 104, and a freezing chamber 107 is provided below the switching chamber 105 and the ice making chamber 106. Yes. At the bottom, a vegetable room 108 is disposed as a storage room. A door is provided in front of each storage room to separate it from the outside air. The door is configured to cover the front opening of the heat insulating box 101, which is a refrigerator body, so as to be freely opened and closed.

  An operation unit 27 is disposed near the center of the refrigerator compartment door 22a of the refrigerator compartment 104 that is the uppermost storage compartment. An operation board 27 a is configured inside the operation unit 27. An illuminance sensor 36 that detects illuminance is provided as a detection means that can detect a change in the installation environment of the refrigerator on the vertical axis extension line of the operation board 27a and above. The illuminance sensor 36 is an optical sensor using, for example, a photodiode or a phototransistor as a base element.

  The operation board 27a has an operation switch 37 for setting the internal temperature of each room, ice making, quick cooling, and the like, an indicator lamp 38 for displaying a state set by the operation switch 37, and detection of the illuminance sensor 36. Thus, the notifying means 39 using an LED or the like for notifying the variable operating state of the refrigerator is configured.

  Furthermore, you may provide the human sensitive sensor 40 which detects the change of the quantity of the heat ray radiated | emitted from a person as a detection means. In the case of the present embodiment, a human sensor 40 is provided. The human sensor 40 is disposed below the center of the operation board 27a. This enables effective sensing even when the user is short.

  In front of the illuminance sensor 36, an illuminance sensor cover 41 in which a part of the operation unit cover is substantially transparent is arranged in order to detect light in the installation environment of the refrigerator by illuminance. In addition, an LED cover 42 for transmitting light emission is disposed on the front surface of the LED which is the notification means 39. These covers constitute an operation unit cover 43.

  Although not shown, a human sensor cover is also arranged on the front surface of the human sensor.

  Furthermore, the layout of the door is representative and is not limited to this layout.

  On the other hand, a cooling room 110 for generating cold air is provided on the back of the vegetable room 108 and the freezing room 107 set in the highest temperature range. The cooling chamber 110 and each storage chamber are provided with a discharge air passage 141 for conveying cold air and a suction air passage 142 for returning the cold air from each storage chamber to the cooling chamber. The vegetable room discharge air passage 141 a discharges cold air to the vegetable room, and the vegetable room suction air passage 142 a is provided in the vegetable room 108.

  In the cooling chamber 110, a cooler 112 is disposed. In the upper space of the cooler 112, the cold air cooled by the cooler 112 is stored in the refrigerator 104, the switching chamber 105, the ice making chamber 106, the vegetable chamber 108, the freezer. A cooling fan 113 that forcibly blows air is disposed in the chamber 107.

  The cool air cooled by the cooler 112 in the cooling chamber 110 is provided in the middle of the discharge air passage 141, and a damper 130 for controlling the air volume is provided.

  In the vegetable compartment 108, a lower storage container 119 placed on a frame attached to the drawer door 118 of the vegetable compartment 108 and an upper storage container 120 placed on the lower storage container 119 are arranged.

  Further, in the lower part of the back of the vegetable compartment 108, the cold air cooled by the cooler 112 passes through the vegetable compartment discharge air passage 141 a and is discharged, and the discharged cold air is discharged to the cooling chamber 110. A vegetable room suction port 142a for returning and a vegetable room suction port 144 are provided as the suction port.

  A mist spraying exclusive space 150 is formed in the vegetable room suction air passage 142a. Furthermore, an electrostatic atomizer 131 that is a freshening component generator is provided in the mist spray dedicated space 150. The electrostatic atomizer 131 is a device that can generate mist containing OH radicals, and the mist generated by the electrostatic atomizer 131 is stored in a high concentration state in the mist spray dedicated space 150. It has become.

  The mist spray exclusive space 150 is a space provided in the storage chamber of the refrigerator 100, and is formed by partitioning with a cover having a structure that can ventilate but cannot store food. The mist spray dedicated space 150 has a structure for storing mist that is a freshening component supplied from the electrostatic atomizer 131.

  It should be noted that the matters relating to the main part of the invention described below in the present embodiment may be applied to a refrigerator that is opened and closed by a frame attached to a door and a rail provided in an inner box, which has been conventionally common. I do not care.

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

  In conventional refrigerators, temperature control is performed to meet the set temperature regardless of day or night, but at night, the ambient temperature of the refrigerator decreases, the heat load decreases, and food is removed or replaced. Since the heat load generated when doing so becomes extremely small, the refrigerator internal temperature becomes a slightly supercooled temperature setting. In addition, energy-saving means using conventional optical sensors cannot achieve energy-saving effects unless the function is activated by the user deliberately pressing a dedicated button such as “Power Saving Mode”. Even if the user intentionally activates the power saving mode function, the user must intentionally operate the button when canceling the power saving mode. There was a possibility that the temperature would remain high and the storage state of the food would be poor.

  The present invention proposes a refrigerator that does not press a dedicated button, that is, an automatic function, that is, automatically saves energy. That is, the illuminance sensor 36 attached to the front surface of the refrigerator 100 detects the illuminance level around the refrigerator due to solar radiation or irradiation of indoor lighting equipment.

  The detected illuminance level is input to the control means, and if it is continuously smaller than the predetermined value, it is determined that there is no nighttime or human activity, and the cooling performance of the refrigerator is automatically reduced slightly. Switch to mode.

  Then, the operation is returned to the normal mode when the illuminance level becomes higher than the specified value or before a certain time before the first door opening / closing can be predicted. However, in order to prevent sudden light emission from the outdoors, such as detection by lighting of automobiles, etc., in order to prevent the power saving mode from returning due to disturbance, power saving is performed only when the illuminance level continues for a certain period of time as a disturbance prevention means. Providing a function such as canceling the mode is also effective for further energy saving in actual use.

  As described above, when the illuminance sensor 36 is used as a detection means capable of detecting a change in the installation environment of the refrigerator, it is possible to detect whether the periphery where the refrigerator is installed is bright or dark. It is possible to tell whether it is daytime or nighttime that is likely to be done.

  Also, if the kitchen where the refrigerator is installed is a space without windows, it is considered that the user's activity time zone and the illumination of the interior lighting equipment are almost linked, so energy can be saved more efficiently. Can be planned.

  Therefore, during the user's activity time, the power saving mode is canceled and cooling is performed in the normal cooling mode, and it is detected that the door is likely to open and close, so that sufficient cooling is performed. Even when the door is opened and closed, the freshness of the food can be maintained.

  Compared to conventional refrigerators that manually set the power-saving mode, the power-saving mode that is not released unless the user deliberately presses the button keeps the set temperature high and the door is not sufficiently cooled. In particular, when the open / close state occurs, the food temperature rises due to a sudden rise in the internal temperature, and the storage state deteriorates.In the present invention, the user's activity time has a power saving mode. Since it is released and cooling in the normal cooling mode is performed, it is indirectly detected that door opening and closing is likely to occur, and sufficient cooling is performed in advance, so even if there is door opening and closing, food Can maintain its freshness.

  In addition, for example, when the kitchen is located in a place with many windows and where it is sunny, or when the interior lighting equipment is irradiated for some reason even at night, etc., to enter the energy saving mode In addition to the illuminance sensor 36, it is desirable to provide a usage status detection unit capable of indirectly detecting the actual usage status of the refrigerator as a detection unit capable of detecting a change in the installation environment of the refrigerator.

  As the usage status detection means capable of indirectly detecting the usage status of the refrigerator, the door opening / closing status detection device (door SW) of the refrigerator and the internal temperature for detecting the internal temperature for detecting the temperature of each storage room of the refrigerator An internal temperature sensor 53 that is a detection device, a set temperature detection device that detects the set temperature of the refrigerator, and an outside air temperature sensor 52 that detects the outside temperature of the refrigerator can be considered.

  When the door opening / closing status detection device (door SW) of the refrigerator is used as the usage status detection means, the detection result of the door opening / closing status detection device, which is the usage status detection means, is input to the control means, and is determined in advance. If the door does not open or close in time, it is determined that there is no human activity, and the mode is automatically switched to the power saving mode in which the cooling performance of the refrigerator is slightly reduced.

  Moreover, when the internal temperature sensor 53 which is the internal temperature detection apparatus which detects the internal temperature which detects the temperature of each storage room of a refrigerator is used as a usage condition detection means, the internal condition which is a usage condition detection means If the detection result of the temperature detection device is input to the control means and does not rise to the internal temperature above a predetermined value, it can be indirectly detected that there is no intrusion of warm air due to door opening and closing, It judges that there is no human activity, and automatically switches to a power saving mode that slightly reduces the cooling performance of the refrigerator.

  In addition, when the internal temperature detection device that detects the internal temperature that detects the temperature of each storage room of the refrigerator is used as the usage status detection means, there is no human activity if there is no temperature fluctuation over a certain range. In addition, it is judged to be a stable normal state with little temperature change in the surrounding environment of the refrigerator and no temperature fluctuation due to defrost or the like, and automatically switches to a power saving mode in which the cooling performance of the refrigerator is slightly reduced.

  In addition, when a set temperature detection device that detects the set temperature of the refrigerator is used as a use status detection means that can indirectly detect the use status of the refrigerator, for example, the user intends to actively cool the storage room In the case of the “strong” cooling mode that is the set temperature, the power saving mode is entered even when, for example, the illuminance sensor 36 or the human sensor 40 that is the first detecting means enters the power saving mode. By performing such control, it is possible to realize cooling that conforms to the user's intention.

  In this way, by using both the illuminance sensor 36 and the usage status detection means as the detection means, and confirming the installation environment and usage status of the refrigerator and entering the power saving mode, the usability of the user is impaired in actual use. Therefore, it is possible to provide a refrigerator that achieves more effective energy saving.

  Moreover, in addition to performing such an automatic power saving mode, it is further provided with a storage means for storing output signals of the illuminance sensor 36 and the usage status detection means as a detection means, so that it is further customized to the usage state of each home. The invention for performing the power saving mode will be described.

  The storage means 55 that stores the output signals of the illuminance sensor 36 and the usage status detection means as the detection means determines the power-saving operation of a certain pattern by accumulating information for a certain period, and the compressor 109, which is an electrical load component, and the cooling fan 113, a power-saving operation for automatically suppressing or stopping the operation of the temperature compensation heater 56, the interior lighting 57, and the like.

  That is, by accumulating information detected by the storage means 55 for a certain period, by predicting the lifestyle pattern of the home from the information, when the activity of the home is predicted to go to sleep or absent, It is possible to optimize the rotation speed of the compressor and the operation of other electric load parts such as a heater for the household, and further realize energy saving.

  Specifically, when storing information on changes in the refrigerator installation environment by the detection means, the past illuminance level and the detection level of the human sensor 40 are stored in the delimiter storage means in a unit of time, and the pattern is stored in the pattern. In the time zone in which the human activity is determined not to be a certain time in the activity time of the day, even if the actual illumination level or the detection level of the human sensor 40 is high, the refrigerator automatically It switches to the power saving mode with a little cooling performance.

  However, regarding the detection means that can detect the change in the installation environment of the refrigerator, even when the power saving mode is entered by the determination of the storage means, the actual illuminance level or the detection level of the human sensor 40 is high for a certain period of time thereafter. It is desirable for the control means to have a correction function that cancels the power saving mode and returns to normal operation, and this correction function enables the cooling performance of the refrigerator even when living outside the normal lifestyle pattern Can be maintained.

  Moreover, it can be said that storing the detection result (information) of the usage status detecting means capable of indirectly detecting the usage status of the refrigerator is a more direct and effective means for predicting the lifestyle pattern of the household.

  Specifically, when the door opening / closing status detection device (door SW) of the refrigerator is used as the usage status detection means, the detection result of the door opening / closing status detection device which is the usage status detection means is input to the control means, Is stored in the delimiter storage means in a certain time unit, and it is determined that there is no or less door opening / closing in the activity time of the day, that is, for a time zone determined to be smaller than a predetermined specified value, Then, it automatically switches to the power saving mode that slightly reduces the cooling performance of the refrigerator.

  Similarly, when the internal temperature sensor 53, which is an internal temperature detection device that detects the internal temperature for detecting the temperature of each storage room of the refrigerator, is used as the usage status detection means, the internal temperature sensor 53 Detects the temperature of each storage room, stores in the storage means whether it is cooled below the specified temperature in a certain time unit, and determines that the storage room is sufficiently cooled during the day's activity time The band is automatically switched to the power saving mode in which the cooling performance of the refrigerator is slightly reduced at that time.

  As described above, the past illuminance, door opening / closing, and internal temperature are stored in the storage means in a unit of time, and the operation of the refrigerator is controlled by determining the pattern.

  As described above, when the mode is switched to the power saving mode in which the power saving operation is performed, the cooling performance of the refrigerator is automatically reduced slightly, that is, the rotational speed of the compressor is decreased, or the rotational speed of the cooling fan 113 is decreased. The amount of cooling is reduced, and annealing is performed at the same time as increasing the internal temperature by several degrees Celsius (for example, 1 degree Celsius).

  When such a power saving operation is performed, the mist generated by the electrostatic atomizer 131 provided in the vegetable compartment 108 set to the highest temperature zone is supplied to the mist spraying dedicated space 150 as a high concentration mist.

  The vegetable compartment 108 provided with the mist spray dedicated space 150 is cooled by the cold air cooled by the cooler 112. The cool air that cools the vegetable compartment 108 is blown by the cooling fan 113, passes through the discharge air passage 141, reaches the damper 130, and is diverted from the middle of the discharge air passage 141 when the damper 130 is open. It flows into the vegetable compartment 108 from the vegetable compartment outlet 143 through the vegetable compartment discharge air passage 141a. The cool air flowing into the vegetable compartment 108 circulates around the outer periphery of the lower storage container 119 and cools the lower storage container 119. And it passes through the vegetable room suction air path 142a, returns to the cooling room 110 again through the mist spraying exclusive space 150 provided in the vegetable room suction air path 142a.

  The electrostatic atomizer 131 is controlled to store a high concentration mist in the mist spray dedicated space 150 when the power saving operation is being performed, and during the power saving operation, the mist spray dedicated space 150 has a high concentration in the mist spray dedicated space 150. The mist is stored. For this reason, when the cold air that has cooled the vegetable compartment 108 passes through the mist spray dedicated space 150, it returns to the cooling chamber 110 simultaneously with the stored high-concentration mist. Since the space of the cooling chamber is larger than the space dedicated for mist spraying, the mist is in a thinned state (a state in which the concentration of mist is lowered). Further, when the cool air cooled by the cooler 112 is circulated again to each storage chamber by the cooling fan 113 by the cooling cycle, the thinned mist is simultaneously cooled in the refrigerator 104, the switching chamber 105, the ice making chamber 106, the freezer compartment. It will circulate to 107. Further, since the mist spraying exclusive space 150 is provided with an opening to the vegetable compartment 108, the mist can be directly supplied to the vegetable compartment 108.

  In this way, it can be sterilized by positively supplying mist containing correction components generated for growth such as various germs that are concerned by the rise in the refrigerator's internal temperature, and the cooling chamber Since the mist diluted in 110 can be supplied to the refrigerator compartment 104, there is no problem with the smell such as ozone odor or material deterioration. Thereby, it becomes possible to supply mist with energy saving.

  At this time, as a result of actually measuring the ozone concentration in the refrigerator compartment 104 and the vegetable compartment 108, the ozone concentration in the vegetable compartment 108 is about 20 ppb on average, and the ozone concentration in the refrigerator compartment 104 is about 10 ppb on average. Was confirmed. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the ozone concentration in the cooling chamber 110 was about 100 ppb on average.

  The ozone concentration is 10ppb or more, 99% sterilization rate, 30ppb is the odor tolerance limit value, and it is confirmed in the previous BOX test that 80ppb gives general damage to vegetables Therefore, since the ozone concentration in the refrigerator compartment 104 and the vegetable compartment 108 is 10 ppb to 20 ppb, in the first embodiment, the refrigeration compartment 104 has a sterilization effect, and the vegetable compartment 108 It was found that it is possible to obtain a sterilizing effect without damaging vegetables.

  Furthermore, it was found that the ozone concentration in the cooling chamber 110 is about 100 ppb, which is a sufficient ozone concentration to obtain a sterilizing effect, so that not only the refrigerator compartment 104 and the vegetable compartment 108 but also the freezer compartment 107 and the ice making compartment 106. Since the cool air discharged through the discharge air passage 141 to the switching chamber 105 is sufficiently sterilized, it was found that all the chambers can be sterilized.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, a refrigerator main body including a plurality of storage rooms insulated by partition walls, and mist that is a freshening component containing OH radicals and ozone components are generated in the storage room. Detecting means capable of detecting the usage state of the refrigerator, and control means for performing power saving operation for suppressing or stopping the operation of the electric load component of the refrigerator by the output signal detected by the detecting means. In the case where the power saving operation is performed, the freshening component is supplied from the freshening component generating means to the storage chamber, so that the electrostatic atomizer 131 can be used even when the internal temperature is increased during the power saving operation. The generated mist is efficiently sucked into the cooling chamber by the refrigeration cycle and can be diffused from there to each storage chamber. Of suppressing the microorganisms such as mold and bacteria yeast, and viruses adhering to increase the wall or air or vegetable surfaces, it is possible to decompose the malodorous component can maintain freshness.

  In addition, in this Embodiment 1, although the mist spraying exclusive space 150 was installed in the vegetable room suction | inhalation air path 142a, it is not limited to this, Even if it equips with the vegetable room suction inlet 144 vicinity, the same effect | action It is something to do.

  Furthermore, since the mist spraying exclusive space 150 includes an opening communicating with the storage room (vegetable room 108), the mist can be directly supplied to the vegetable room 108, so that the cooling room 110 and the discharge air passage 141 are provided. Since it can prevent that mist is consumed when passing through, it is more preferable.

  Furthermore, when cooling is stopped by the refrigeration cycle, the amount of mist generated can be suppressed so that mist can be supplied only to the vegetable compartment 108. This is desirable because the fruit is not damaged by OH radicals.

  Mist generated by the electrostatic atomizer 131 holds ozone, OH radicals, and the like, which hold strong oxidizing power. Bacteria are inactivated as a result of oxidative degradation and lysis of a part of bacterial cell membrane protein in the bacterial tissue by these ozone and radicals.

  In this way, when performing antibacterials in the refrigerator cabinet where food is stored, it is desirable to attack only the bacteria while suppressing damage to the vegetables, so that the bacteria themselves are killed instantly. Rather than strong ozone and OH radicals, ozone and OH radicals are preferred so as to promote bacterial inactivation, ie killing, by destroying the bacterial cell membrane. That is, it is effective to inactivate bacteria within a range that does not affect the freshness of vegetables as described above. Therefore, the generated mist can antibacterial, sterilize and sterilize the vegetable room and the vegetable surface, and at the same time oxidatively decompose harmful substances adhering to the vegetable surface.

  Because of this, it is a storage room with relatively high temperature among a plurality of storage rooms, so power saving operation is carried out with a high possibility of increase of microorganisms such as mold, bacteria yeast and viruses attached to the inside of the warehouse or the vegetable surface Even in this case, it is possible to carry out automatic power saving operation while maintaining the freshness by suppressing the increase of microorganisms such as these bacterial yeasts and viruses. Can be realized.

  FIG. 6 shows the result of confirming the sterilization effect of Escherichia coli, which is a typical bacterial species, in a BOX assuming a vegetable room of a refrigerator.

  The test conditions were a BOX capacity of about 70 L, a BOX temperature of about 5 ° C., and a BOX relative humidity of 90% R.D. After setting to H or higher, the electrostatic atomizer 131 of the first form of the actual machine was installed in the BOX and operated at an operation rate of 30 minutes ON and 30 minutes OFF. As a control, a conventional vegetable room was assumed, and the same test was performed using a mist sprayed by an ultrasonic atomizer instead of the electrostatic atomizer 131 based on the BOX condition.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the ultrasonic atomizer has a sterilization rate of less than 30%, whereas when atomized by an electrostatic atomizer, 95% or more in 3 days, 7 It was found to have a high antibacterial effect of 99% or more on the day.

  Molds usually grow by spreading spores and growing mycelia. Since the hyphae germinated by ozone and radicals contained in the mist generated in this manner are removed, the fungi cannot be extended any longer and are inactivated, and as a result, the fungi are inhibited from growing. In this way, the amount of ozone and OH radicals is not strong enough to instantly kill the mold itself, but the amount of ozone and OH radicals that promotes inactivation of bacteria, that is, killing, by destroying mold mycelia. By using, the growth of mold can be suppressed within a range that does not affect the freshness of vegetables as described above.

  Next, the result of having confirmed the disinfection effect of the black mold | fungi which is a mold representative microbe type | mold in BOX which assumed the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator in FIG. 7 is shown.

  The test conditions were a BOX capacity of about 70 L, a BOX temperature of about 5 ° C., and a BOX relative humidity of 90% R.D. After setting to H or higher, the electrostatic atomizer 131 was installed in the BOX. As a control, a conventional vegetable room was assumed, and the same test was performed without the electrostatic atomizer 131. The test mold was sprayed so that the number of the initial floating mold was 1000 or more / 100 L · Air. The number of bacteria was measured by an air sampler suction method.

  As shown in the figure, 99% sterilization effect is obtained with respect to the control condition after the electrostatic atomizer of the present embodiment is operated for 60 minutes, and it floats not only in the vegetables and the inner surface of the refrigerator but also in the refrigerator. The sterilization effect was confirmed also against the bacterium.

  Viruses usually propagate by the presence of a protein called spikes on the surface of viruses that infests nutrients such as saliva. As shown in the figure, the ultra fine mist containing the generated radicals attaches around the virus and decomposes spikes (proteins), so that the virus cannot infest the nutrients and is inactivated to suppress reproduction. In this way, the amount of ozone and OH radicals is not strong enough to kill the virus itself, but the amount of ozone and OH radicals that promotes inactivation of the virus, ie, death, by destroying proteins on the surface of the virus. By using the amount, mold growth can be suppressed within a range that does not affect the freshness of the vegetables as described above.

  Next, in FIG. 8, the result of having confirmed the antiviral effect of the electrostatic atomizer of this Embodiment 1 in the BOX test is shown.

  The test conditions were a BOX capacity of about 30 L, a BOX internal temperature of room temperature, and a BOX relative humidity of 90% R.D. After setting to H or higher, the electrostatic atomizer 131 of the first form of the actual machine was installed in the BOX and operated at an operation rate of 30 minutes ON and 30 minutes OFF. As a control, a conventional vegetable room was assumed, and the same test was performed without the electrostatic atomizer 131. Virus inactivation was compared with the logarithm of 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50). The smaller the logarithmic value of TCID50 is, the higher the virus inactivation rate is. If the LogTCID50 value is 2 or more, it can be said that there is a significant difference.

  From this test result, when the electrostatic atomizer 131 according to the first embodiment is operated for 2 hours, there is a difference of 2 or more in LogTCID 50 / ml with respect to the initial value and the control (blank). It was confirmed that there is.

  Although not shown, the same sterilizing effect as that of Escherichia coli is obtained against Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to drying and inhabits the refrigerator cabinet through human hands. In addition, since high sterilization effects are obtained for pathogens such as O-157, MRSA, and influenza virus, it is clear that they have high sterilization effects against a wide range of bacterial species such as bacteria, molds, and viruses. became.

  Next, the appropriate values of the ozone concentration and radical amount in the vegetable compartment 108 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the freshness of vegetables and the ozone concentration. It represents the antibacterial activity value and the sensory evaluation value of the appearance at each ozone concentration. The ozone concentration is 10 ppb or more and the target antibacterial activity value is 2.0 or more (the number of bacteria relative to the control is 1/100 or less). Moreover, the ozone concentration is 10-80 ppb that the appearance state of vegetables is 2.5 or more of the edible tolerance limit. When the ozone concentration is 10 ppb or less, the rot of the vegetables progresses due to the influence of the bacteria grown on the vegetable surface, and the state deteriorates. In addition, when stored under an ozone concentration of 80 ppb or higher, ozone-sensitive spinach, tomatoes, leeks, lettuce, etc. are destroyed by ozone, resulting in deterioration of quality due to leaf whitening, etc. Not suitable.

  On the other hand, in terms of odor, if the ozone concentration is 30 ppb or more in a household refrigerator, it is necessary to control the refrigeration to 30 ppb or less because a person feels uncomfortable feeling the ozone odor.

  From the above, the ozone concentration suitable for the preservation of vegetables is 10 to 80 ppb, and this concentration is effective in suppressing microbial growth in the vegetable room, but does not damage the vegetable tissue. Furthermore, vegetables detect trace amounts of ozone as a harmful substance, activate the biological defense reaction of vegetables, promote the production of antioxidant substances such as carotene and vitamins, and increase the nutrients. However, in a household refrigerator, it is desirable to set the ozone concentration to 30 ppb or less so as not to give the user an unpleasant feeling of ozone odor. Therefore, an appropriate ozone concentration in the household refrigerator is in the range of 10 to 30 ppb.

  On the other hand, the amount of radicals generated simultaneously with ozone is controlled to be 10 to 50 μmol / L. Radicals, like ozone, are harmful substances for living organisms in large quantities, but in small quantities, they activate biological defense reactions and produce a large amount of antioxidants such as carotene and vitamins, contributing to resistance enhancement. At a concentration of 10 to 50 μmol / L, it is a concentration that causes cell destruction for microorganisms, but it is not a concentration that adversely affects vegetables, but rather an increase in nutrients due to a biological defense reaction can be expected.

  In experiments, it has been confirmed that when the amount of radicals is 100 μmol / L or more, cell damage of lettuce occurs and the quality deteriorates. In addition, it has been confirmed that the antibacterial activity is 2.0 or more at 10 μmol / L or more for microbial control. Therefore, it can be said that the radical amount is preferably about 10 to 50 μmol / L, judging from both the antibacterial effect and the freshness of vegetables.

  In addition, the result shown in FIG. 10 is an appropriate amount of radicals calculated based on the result of confirmation with relatively sensitive lettuce, and the appropriate range is expected to vary depending on the type of vegetable, but is not necessarily limited. By setting the range using the results of lettuce with the highest sensitivity to cell damage in the storage of household refrigerators, ensure sufficient safety to ensure the preservation of vegetables while increasing the antibacterial effect Is possible.

  In this way, the mist sprayed in the vegetable compartment 108 is electrically attached to the surface of the vegetable and fruit that is positively charged in the vegetable compartment 108 and the inner wall surface of the vegetable compartment 108, and becomes a minute recess on the surface of the vegetable and fruit. Mold, bacteria, yeast, and viruses that invade the recesses and peel off by the internal pressure energy of fine mist are removed by oxidative degradation by the oxidative degradation action of ozone and radicals. On the other hand, it penetrates into fine holes in the wall surface, and similarly, dirt and harmful substances inside the holes are lifted and decomposed and removed by ozone oxidation decomposition.

  In addition, by electrostatically adding to the mist, water molecules in the mist are radicalized to generate OH radicals. In addition to the oxidizing power of ozone, the oxidizing power of OH radicals can cause bacteria, mold, yeast, viruses, etc. The ability of decomposing microorganisms can be improved. Therefore, even if the internal temperature is raised during the power saving operation, it is possible to save energy while maintaining the freshness of fruits and vegetables.

  In the above experiment, the inside of the vegetable room 108 having the highest temperature range has been described as a representative. However, since the effect is exhibited at the highest temperature range, the refrigerator compartment having a temperature range lower than that of the vegetable room 108. The same effect can be obtained in the storage room.

  Next, description will be made with reference to the control block diagram of FIG.

  Depending on the installation environment of the refrigerator and its use, the refrigerator of the present invention detects the light and darkness around the front surface of the refrigerator by the illuminance sensor 36 as detection means, outputs it to the control means 54, and further stores the data in the storage means 55. Similarly, the number of doors open / closed, the door opening / closing time, the refrigerator open / close time based on the output signal of the door SW51 as a door open / close detection device, which is a detection means capable of detecting the use status of the refrigerator by detecting the open / close state of the refrigerator door 22a and other doors The temperature data detected by the outside air temperature sensor provided in the outer shell and the inside sensor for detecting the inside temperature are also input to the storage means.

  This data is taken out at regular intervals, and an operation pattern is set by the control means 54, and the temperature setting of the compressor 109, the cooling fan 113, the temperature compensation heater 56, and each storage chamber, which are electric load components, is automatically varied. Here, if it is detected by the illuminance sensor 36 that it is 5 Lx or less, and the state has passed for a certain period of time and further cooled to a predetermined temperature or less, power saving such as suppression of compressor rotation speed and overcooling prevention operation is performed. Automatically enters operation, turns on or blinks the LED 39 as a notification means, operates the electrostatic atomizer 131, generates mist containing ozone and OH radicals, and sprays in the storage room (or dedicated to mist spraying) Outflow from the space 150), circulation, cleanliness, sterilization, and deodorization.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the power saving operation is performed, the control means controls the temperature of the storage chamber to be raised, and the electrostatic atomizer functions so that it is supplied from the electrostatic atomizer. Mist can be supplied from the space dedicated to mist spraying, where high-concentration mist is stored, to the storage room where the temperature has risen, and even if the temperature in the cabinet rises due to power-saving operation, it adheres to the inside of the cabinet or the vegetable surface. A refrigerator capable of performing automatic power-saving operation by supplying ozone and OH radical-containing mist that can suppress the increase of microorganisms such as mold, bacteria yeast and viruses and maintain freshness be able to.

  In addition, in the case of providing a function addition device that generates OH radicals and an electrostatic atomization device that sprays mist containing OH radicals, the function addition device is provided in the storage chamber as much as possible because the durability time of OH radicals is short. It is desirable that the antibacterial effect can be surely achieved.

  Thus, in order to further save energy, when performing automatic power saving operation that sets the time of power saving operation to be longer, it is a storage room that has a relatively high temperature, especially in the storage room. There is a high possibility that microorganisms such as molds, bacterial yeasts, and viruses attached to the vegetable surface will increase. By providing the function addition device as described in the first embodiment, the number of microorganisms such as bacterial yeasts and viruses increases. It is possible to perform an automatic power saving operation while suppressing freshness and maintaining freshness, and in actual operation, it is possible to realize energy saving while maintaining freshness.

  In this embodiment, the electrostatic atomizer is operated during the power saving operation. However, the electrostatic atomizer is operated during the normal operation, and the time during which the electrostatic atomizer operates during the power saving operation is set. The ozone concentration or the amount of OH radicals may be increased from the normal concentration by extending the discharge energy (for example, voltage or current) of the electrostatic atomizer. Thereby, the sterilization ability can be improved, the freshness maintenance can be enhanced, and the energy saving effect can be obtained by raising the internal temperature.

  In the present embodiment, the freshening component generator is an electrostatic atomizer, but the freshening component generator may be an ozonizer or an ion generator. As a result, it is possible to easily generate a freshening ingredient, to enhance the maintenance of freshness, and to obtain an energy saving effect by raising the internal temperature.

  The refrigerator according to the present invention can be applied to a home or business refrigerator provided with a learning function and an environment detecting means, and using the result to control the operation mode to be switched to a power saving operation or the like and to maintain the freshness. Is.

22a Refrigeration room door 27 Operation part 36 Illuminance sensor 27a Operation board 37 Operation switch 38 Indicator light 39 Notification means 40 Human sensor 41 Illuminance sensor cover 42 LED cover 43 Operation part cover 54 Control means 100 Refrigerator 101 Heat insulation box 104 Refrigeration room 105 Switching chamber 106 Ice making chamber 107 Freezer chamber 108 Vegetable chamber 109 Compressor 110 Cooling chamber 112 Cooler 113 Cooling fan 118 Door 119 Lower storage container 120 Upper storage container 130 Damper 131 Electrostatic atomizer 141 Discharge air passage 141a Vegetable chamber discharge air Path 142 Suction air path 142a Vegetable room suction air path 143 Vegetable room discharge port 144 Vegetable room suction port 150 Dedicated space for mist spraying

Claims (4)

A refrigerator body provided with a storage room for storing stored items;
An electrostatic atomizer for supplying the storage chamber and generating a freshening component containing ozone or OH radicals to maintain the freshness of the stored product;
Detection means that can detect the usage status of the refrigerator;
Control means for performing power saving operation to suppress or stop the operation of the electric load components of the refrigerator by the output signal detected by the detection means,
When the power saving operation is performed, by generating a freshening component to be supplied to the storage chamber from the electrostatic atomizer , it is possible to maintain the freshness even when the internal temperature rises due to the power saving operation. Refrigerator. The electrostatic atomizer generates a freshening component even during normal operation when power saving operation is not performed,
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein when the power saving operation is performed, the amount of the freshening component is increased as compared with a case where the electrostatic atomizer is generated during a normal operation. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2 to increase the coercive鮮成amount by extending the operating time of the electrostatic atomizing device during the power saving operation. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2 to increase the coercive鮮成amount by increasing the electrical energy to be introduced into the electrostatic atomizing device during the power saving operation.

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