JP7364648B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator.

Refrigerators equipped with an ultraviolet light source in the chilled compartment have been proposed. Refrigerators are expected to further improve their sterilization capabilities.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-112295

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can improve the function of suppressing viruses or bacteria.

The refrigerator of the embodiment includes a housing, a container, a cold air passage section, a cooler, and a light irradiation unit . The housing has a storage compartment that can be used as a vegetable compartment. The container is housed within the storage chamber. The cold air passage section is provided within the housing, and cold air flows therethrough. The cooler is provided in the cold air passage section and cools the cold air. The light irradiation unit is disposed above the upper side of at least a portion of the container, and is located between the rear end of the container and the cooler at a height where the upper side is located when viewed from above. irradiate the storage chamber with light having the effect of suppressing viruses or bacteria. The cold air passage section has a wall section including a light transmitting section. The light irradiation unit includes a light irradiation section that is disposed inside the cold air passage section and irradiates the light into the storage chamber through the light transmission section, and a light irradiation section that is disposed inside the cold air passage section and irradiates the light into the storage chamber through the light transmission section. a cover that covers the light irradiation section from the side opposite to the light transmission section with a gap between at least a portion thereof; and a space between the light transmission section that accommodates the light irradiation section and the cover; and a sealing part that is sealed from other spaces within the cold air passage part.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the refrigerator of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 taken along line F2-F2. FIG. 2 is a perspective sectional view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 taken along line F3-F3. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of the refrigeration duct component of the first embodiment. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the area surrounded by line F5 of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the area surrounded by line F6 of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the center of irradiation of ultraviolet rays by the light irradiation unit of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the light irradiation unit shown in FIG. 6 as seen from the direction of arrow F8. FIG. 1 is a partially exploded sectional view showing the light irradiation unit of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the irradiation range after the ultraviolet rays are limited in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a refrigerator according to a first modification of the first embodiment. A sectional view showing a refrigerator of a second modification of the first embodiment. A sectional view showing a refrigerator of a third modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a refrigerator according to a fourth modification of the first embodiment. A sectional view showing a refrigerator of a second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a refrigerator according to a first modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a refrigerator according to a second modification of the second embodiment. A sectional view showing a refrigerator of a third embodiment. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 18 taken along line F19-F19. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a refrigerator according to a modification of the third embodiment.

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. Further, redundant explanations of these configurations may be omitted. In this specification, left and right are defined based on the direction in which the refrigerator is viewed from a user standing in front of the refrigerator. Furthermore, when viewed from the refrigerator, the side closest to the user standing in front of the refrigerator is defined as the "front", and the side far away from the user is defined as the "back". "The left-right direction of the refrigerator" has the same meaning as the "width direction of the refrigerator." "The front-to-back direction of the refrigerator" has the same meaning as the "depth direction of the refrigerator."

In this specification, "sterilization" is a term for convenience of explanation, and is a broad term that means suppression of viruses or bacteria (e.g., reduction or inactivation of virus infectivity, suppression of bacterial growth). I am using it. That is, in this specification, "sterilization" is not limited to removing (reducing) bacteria, but also suppressing the increase of bacteria and/or suppressing the spread of viruses other than bacteria. It is used in the sense of "Suppressing the spread of viruses, etc." is not limited to suppressing the spread of viruses inside the refrigerator, but also means reducing the infectivity of the virus and suppressing the spread of the virus after it leaves the refrigerator. This may also be the case.

(First embodiment)
[1. Overall configuration of refrigerator]
A refrigerator 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. First, the overall configuration of the refrigerator 1 will be explained.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the refrigerator 1. FIG. The refrigerator 1 includes, for example, a housing 10 and a plurality of doors 20.

The housing 10 has an upper wall 10a, a lower wall 10b, left and right side walls 10c, 10d, and a rear wall 10e (see FIG. 2). The upper wall 10a and the lower wall 10b extend horizontally. The left and right side walls 10c and 10d stand upward from the left and right ends of the lower wall 10b and are connected to the left and right ends of the upper wall 10a. The left side wall 10c includes a left side wall portion S1 that is exposed to a vegetable compartment 11B, which will be described later, and forms a left side surface of the vegetable compartment 11B. The right side wall 10d includes a right side wall portion S2 that is exposed to the vegetable compartment 11B and forms the right side surface of the vegetable compartment 11B. The rear wall 10e stands upward from the rear end of the lower wall 10b and is connected to the rear end of the upper wall 10a. The casing 10 includes an inner box 10i that forms the inner surface of the casing 10, an outer box 10j that is located outside the inner box 10i and forms the outer surface of the casing 10, and a space between the inner box 10i and the outer box 10j. (see FIG. 2), and has heat insulating properties.

A plurality of storage chambers 11 are provided inside the casing 10. The plurality of storage compartments 11 include, for example, a refrigerator compartment 11A, a chilled compartment 11Aa, a vegetable compartment 11B, an ice making compartment 11C, a small freezing compartment 11D, and a main freezing compartment 11E. The refrigerator compartment 11A is cooled to a refrigeration temperature range of about 2° C. to 6° C., for example. The chilled chamber 11Aa is cooled to a chilled temperature range of about -1°C to +1°C, for example. The vegetable compartment 11B is cooled to a vegetable compartment temperature range of approximately 3°C to 7°C, for example. The ice making compartment 11C, the small freezing compartment 11D, and the main freezing compartment 11E are cooled to a freezing temperature range of about -20°C to -18°C, for example.

In this embodiment, a refrigerator compartment 11A is arranged at the top, a vegetable compartment 11B is arranged below the refrigerator compartment 11A, an ice making compartment 11C and a small freezer compartment 11D are arranged below the vegetable compartment 11B, and an ice making compartment 11C and a small freezer compartment 11D are arranged below the vegetable compartment 11B. A main freezer compartment 11E is arranged below the small freezer compartment 11D. However, the arrangement of the storage chamber 11 is not limited to the above example. The housing 10 has an opening on the front side of each storage chamber 11 that allows food to be taken in and out of each storage chamber 11.

The vegetable compartment 11B is an example of a "storage room that can be used as a vegetable compartment" and an example of a "first storage compartment". In this specification, "a storage room that can be used as a vegetable room" is not limited to the storage room 11 provided exclusively for the vegetable room, but can be used for multiple purposes (for example, a refrigerator room, a freezer room, or a vegetable room). The storage chamber 11 may be a switching chamber in which the temperature zone can be switched, and the storage chamber 11 can be switched to at least the temperature zone of the vegetable compartment. A "vegetable room" is a storage room whose temperature range is higher than that of a refrigerator room.

The chilled compartment 11Aa is provided in a lower section of the refrigerator compartment 11A. The chilled room 11Aa is an example of a "special storage room" and an example of a "second storage room." As used herein, the term "special storage room" refers to a storage room whose temperature range is lower than that of a refrigerator room and whose temperature range is higher than that of a freezing room. The "special storage room" is not limited to the chilled room 11Aa, but may also be a partial room cooled to a partial temperature range (approximately -4°C to -2°C). Therefore, "chilled chamber 11Aa" in the following description may be read as "special storage chamber" or "partial chamber".

The housing 10 has first and second partitions 15 and 16 (see FIG. 2). The first and second partitions 15 and 16 are, for example, partition walls that extend substantially horizontally. The first partition part 15 is located between the refrigerator compartment 11A and the chilled compartment 11Aa and the vegetable compartment 11B, and partitions the refrigerator compartment 11A and the chilled compartment 11Aa from the vegetable compartment 11B. For example, the first partition portion 15 is a partition wall that does not have heat insulation properties. The first partition portion 15 may be provided integrally with the casing 10 or may be provided separately from the casing 10 and attached within the casing 10. The first partition part 15 has a ventilation hole that guides cold air that has passed through the refrigerator compartment 11A or the chilled compartment 11Aa to the vegetable compartment 11B. On the other hand, the second partition part 16 is located between the vegetable compartment 11B, the ice making compartment 11C, and the small freezing compartment 11D, and partitions the vegetable compartment 11B from the ice making compartment 11C and the small freezing compartment 11D. . The second partition portion 16 is, for example, provided integrally with the housing 10 and has heat insulating properties.

The plurality of storage rooms 11 are openably and closably closed by the plurality of doors 20. The plurality of doors 20 include, for example, left and right refrigerator doors 20Aa and 20Ab that close the opening of the refrigerator compartment 11A, a vegetable compartment door 20B that closes the opening of the vegetable compartment 11B, an ice-making compartment door 20C that closes the opening of the ice-making compartment 11C, and a small freezer. It includes a small freezer compartment door 20D that closes the opening of the chamber 11D, and a main freezer compartment door 20E that closes the opening of the main freezer compartment 11E. The left and right refrigerator compartment doors 20Aa and 20Ab constitute, for example, a French door (a double door). Each of the vegetable compartment door 20B, the ice making compartment door 20C, the small freezer compartment door 20D, and the main freezer compartment door 20E is a drawer door that can be pulled out to the front side of the refrigerator 1.

Here, the vegetable compartment door 20B will be explained in detail. The vegetable compartment door 20B includes, for example, a door body 21 and a rail member 22. The door body 21 is located outside the housing 10 and faces the opening of the vegetable compartment 11B from the front side of the refrigerator 1. The door main body 21 has an outer shape larger than the opening of the vegetable compartment 11B, and closes the opening of the vegetable compartment 11B so that it can be opened and closed. The upper end of the door main body 21 is provided with a handle on which the user hangs his/her hand when opening the vegetable compartment door 20B. The rail member 22 is attached to the inner surface (rear surface) of the door body 21 and extends rearward from the door body 21. The rail member 22 is supported by rail receivers provided on the left side wall S1 and the right side wall S2 of the housing 10. Thereby, the vegetable compartment door 20B can be slid in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1 with respect to the housing 10.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the refrigerator 1 taken along line F2-F2 shown in FIG. The refrigerator 1 includes, for example, a plurality of shelves 30, a plurality of containers 40, a channel forming component 50, a cooling unit 60, a light irradiation unit 70, and a control device 80. A plurality of shelves 30 are arranged in the refrigerator compartment 11A.

The plurality of containers 40 are first and second chilled compartment containers 41 and 42 accommodated in the chilled compartment 11Aa, first and second vegetable compartment containers 43 and 44 accommodated in the vegetable compartment 11B, and ice making compartment 11C. It includes an ice making compartment container (not shown) accommodated therein, a small freezing compartment container 46 accommodated in the small freezing compartment 11D, and first and second main freezing compartment containers 47 and 48 accommodated in the main freezing compartment 11E.

First, the first and second chilled chamber containers 41 and 42 will be described. The first chilled chamber container 41 is a container located at the lower side of the two-stage chilled chamber containers 41 and 42. The second chilled chamber container 42 is a container located at the upper side of the two-stage chilled chamber containers 41 and 42. The second chilled chamber container 42 is located above the first chilled chamber container 41. The first and second chilled chamber containers 41 and 42 can be independently pulled out forward. Note that only one chilled chamber container may be arranged in the chilled chamber 11Aa.

Next, the first and second vegetable compartment containers 43 and 44 will be explained. The first crisper container 43 is a container located on the lower side of the two-tiered crisper containers 43 and 44. The first vegetable compartment container 43 is supported by the vegetable compartment door 20B, and can be pulled out to the front side of the refrigerator 1 together with the vegetable compartment door 20B. The front end portion 43a of the first crisper container 43 is located near the door body 21 of the crisper door 20B. A partition 43p is provided inside the first crisper container 43. Between the front end 42a of the first crisper container 43 and the partition 43p, a storage area CR is formed in which a PET bottle can be stored upright. The storage area CR is a storage area adjacent to the front end 43a of the first crisper container 43 inside the first crisper container 43. On the other hand, the rear end portion 43b of the first crisper container 43 is located near the rear wall 10e of the housing 10 when the first crisper container 43 is accommodated in the crisper 11B. The first crisper container 43 is an example of a "first container."

The second crisper container 44 is a container located at the upper side of the two-tiered crisper containers 43 and 44. The second crisper container 44 is arranged above the first crisper container 43. The size of the second crisper container 44 in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1 is smaller than the size of the first crisper container 43 in the same direction. The front end portion 44a of the second crisper container 44 is located directly above the partition 43p of the first crisper container 43, or located on the rear side of the partition 43p. That is, the front end 44a of the second crisper container 44 is located on the rear side compared to the front end 43a of the first crisper container 43. The front end portion 44a of the second crisper container 44 is provided with a handle H on which the user holds his/her hand when pulling out the second crisper container 44 to the front. The rear end portion 44b of the second crisper container 44 is located on the front side compared to the rear end portion 43b of the first crisper container 43. The second crisper container 44 is an example of a "second container."

In this embodiment, the second vegetable compartment container 44 is an example of "a container located at the top of at least one container accommodated in a certain storage compartment (vegetable compartment 11B)". However, the number of vegetable compartment containers arranged in the vegetable compartment 11B may be one. In this case, the one vegetable compartment container placed in the vegetable compartment 11B corresponds to an example of "a container located at the top of at least one container accommodated in a certain storage compartment (vegetable compartment 11B)".

The flow path forming component 50 includes a refrigeration duct component 51 and a freezing duct component 52. The refrigeration duct component 51 is provided within the housing 10 and extends vertically along the rear wall 10e. The refrigeration duct component 51 forms a duct space D1 near the rear wall 10e of the housing 10, which is a passage through which cold air (air) flows. In this specification, a "duct component" is not limited to a cylindrical component, but is a component that defines at least a portion of a cold air passage by cooperating with other components (for example, the rear wall 10e of the housing 10). may include. For example, the refrigeration duct component 51 of this embodiment is a cover that is attached to the rear wall 10e of the housing 10 and forms a duct space D1 between it and the rear wall 10e of the housing 10.

The refrigeration duct component 51 has cold air outlets 51a, 51b and cold air return ports 51c, 51d. The cold air outlet 51a opens to the refrigerator compartment 11A, and supplies cold air cooled by a refrigeration cooler 62, which will be described later, to the refrigerator compartment 11A. The cold air outlet 51b opens to the chilled chamber 11Aa, and supplies cold air cooled by a refrigerating cooler 62, which will be described later, to the chilled chamber 11Aa. The cold air return port 51c opens to the chilled chamber 11Aa, and guides the cold air warmed by passing through the chilled chamber 11Aa toward the duct space D1. The cold air return port 51d opens into the vegetable compartment 11B and guides the cold air warmed by passing through the refrigerator compartment 11A, the vegetable compartment 11B, etc. to the duct space D1. The refrigeration duct component 51 will be described in detail later.

The refrigeration duct component 52 is provided within the housing 10 and extends vertically along the rear wall 10e. The refrigeration duct component 52 forms a duct space D2 near the rear wall 10e of the housing 10, which is a passage through which cold air (air) flows. The refrigeration duct component 52 has a cold air outlet 52a and a cold air return opening 52b. The cold air outlet 52a opens to the ice making compartment 11C, the small freezing compartment 11D, or the main freezing compartment 11E, and supplies cold air cooled by a freezing cooler 64, which will be described later, to the ice making compartment 11C, the small freezing compartment 11D, or the main freezing compartment. It is supplied to chamber 11E. The cold air return port 52b opens at the bottom of the main freezing compartment 11E, and guides the cold air warmed by passing through one or more of the ice making compartment 11C, the small freezing compartment 11D, and the main freezing compartment 11E to the duct space D2. .

The cooling unit 60 includes, for example, a compressor 61, a refrigerator cooler 62, a refrigerator fan 63, a freezing cooler 64, and a freezer fan 65. The refrigerator cooler 62 and the refrigerator fan 63 are arranged in the duct space D1. The refrigerating cooler 62 is supplied with refrigerant compressed by the compressor 61 and cools the cold air flowing through the duct space D1. When the refrigerator fan 63 is driven, cold air cooled by the refrigerator cooler 62 is supplied to the refrigerator compartment 11A and the chilled compartment 11Aa from the cold air outlets 51a and 51b. A part of the cold air that has passed through the refrigerator compartment 11A or the chilled compartment 11Aa flows into the vegetable compartment 11B. The cold air warmed in one or more of the refrigerator compartment 11A, the chilled compartment 11Aa, and the vegetable compartment 11B returns to the duct space D1 from the cold air return ports 51c and 51d.

The freezing cooler 64 and the freezer compartment fan 65 are arranged in the duct space D2. The freezing cooler 64 is supplied with refrigerant compressed by the compressor 61 and cools the cold air flowing through the duct space D2. When the freezer compartment fan 65 is driven, cold air cooled by the freezing cooler 64 is supplied from the cold air outlet 52a to the freezer compartments (ice making compartment 11C, small freezer compartment 11D, main freezer compartment 11E), and The warmed air returns to the duct space D2 from the cold air return port 52b.

The light irradiation unit 70 is provided within the housing 10. In this embodiment, the light irradiation unit 70 is arranged at the rear of the vegetable compartment 11B, and irradiates the inside of the vegetable compartment 11B with ultraviolet rays. The light irradiation unit 70 will be described in detail later.

Control device 80 includes a circuit board and electronic components mounted on the circuit board. The control device 80 controls the entire refrigerator 1 in an integrated manner. For example, the control device 80 controls the operations of the compressor 61, the refrigerator compartment fan 63, and the freezer compartment fan 65 described above. Further, the control device 80 controls irradiation of ultraviolet rays by the light irradiation unit 70. In this embodiment, the control device 80 controls the light irradiation unit 70 based on the detection result of the door switch that detects the open/closed state of the vegetable compartment door 20B. For example, when it is detected that the vegetable compartment door 20B has been opened, the control device 80 causes the light irradiation unit 70 to stop irradiating ultraviolet rays. On the other hand, when it is detected that the vegetable compartment door 20B is closed, the control device 80 causes the light irradiation unit 70 to resume irradiation of ultraviolet rays.

[2. Details of the surrounding structure of the vegetable compartment]
Next, the surrounding structure of the vegetable compartment 11B will be explained in detail.
FIG. 3 is a perspective sectional view of the refrigerator 1 taken along line F3-F3 shown in FIG. In addition, in FIG. 3, illustration of the refrigerator cooler 62 and the refrigerator compartment fan 63 is omitted.

[2.1 First partition]
First, the first partition section 15 will be explained. As described above, the first partition part 15 is provided between the refrigerator compartment 11A and the chilled compartment 11Aa and the vegetable compartment 11B, and partitions the refrigerator compartment 11A and the chilled compartment 11Aa from the vegetable compartment 11B. The first partition portion 15 is formed into a relatively thin plate shape. The first partition 15 forms the bottom walls of the refrigerator compartment 11A and the chilled compartment 11Aa, and also forms the ceiling of the vegetable compartment 11B. The first partition portion 15 includes, from the front side, a first portion 15a, a second portion 15b, a third portion 15c, a fourth portion 15d, and a fifth portion 15e. Each of the first to fifth portions 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, and 15e is provided across the entire width of the vegetable compartment 11B in the width direction of the refrigerator 1.

The first portion 15a is located in front of the first chilled chamber container 41 and forms a part of the bottom wall of the refrigerator chamber 11A. The first portion 15a is a wall portion that extends in the horizontal direction. The second portion 15b is adjacent to the rear end of the first portion 15a. The second portion 15b is located below the first chilled chamber container 41 and forms a part of the bottom wall of the chilled chamber 11Aa. The second portion 15b is an inclined wall inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The second portion 15b is inclined so as to be positioned downward as it goes rearward from the rear end of the first portion 15a (that is, it is inclined backwardly).

The third portion 15c is adjacent to the rear end of the second portion 15b. The third portion 15c is located below the first chilled chamber container 41 and forms a part of the bottom wall of the chilled chamber 11Aa. The third portion 15c is a wall extending horizontally from the rear end of the second portion 15b. That is, the third portion 15c is provided at a lower height position than the first portion 15a and the fifth portion 15d, which will be described later. For example, the third portion 15c forms the lowest portion of the first partition portion 15.

The fourth portion 15d is adjacent to the rear end of the third portion 15c. The fourth portion 15d is located below the first chilled chamber container 41 and forms a part of the bottom wall of the chilled chamber 11Aa. The fourth portion 15d is an inclined portion inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The fourth portion 15d is inclined so as to be located upward as it goes rearward from the rear end of the third portion 15c (that is, it is inclined upward toward the rear).

The fifth portion 15e is adjacent to the rear end of the fourth portion 15d. The fifth portion 15e is located below the first chilled chamber container 41 and forms a part of the bottom wall of the chilled chamber 11Aa. The fifth portion 15e is a wall portion including a portion extending horizontally from the rear end of the fourth portion 15d. The fifth portion 15e forms the rear end portion of the first partition portion 15. In this embodiment, the fifth portion 15e (that is, the rear end portion of the first partition portion 15) is located on the front side compared to the rear end portion 44b of the second crisper container 44.

[2.2 Refrigeration duct parts]
Next, the refrigeration duct component 51 will be explained.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the refrigeration duct component 51 (hereinafter simply referred to as "duct component 51"). FIG. 4 shows a portion of the duct component 51 that is exposed to the chilled compartment 11Aa and the vegetable compartment 11B. The duct component 51 has, for example, a first front wall part 91, a projecting part 92, a second front wall part 93, a left side wall part 94, a right side wall part 95, and a bottom wall 96.

The first front wall portion 91 is a wall portion facing the front side of the refrigerator 1. The first front wall portion 91 is exposed to the chilled chamber 11Aa and forms a part of the rear wall portion of the chilled chamber 11Aa (see FIG. 5). The first front wall portion 91 is provided with a plurality of cold air outlets 51b. The cold air outlet 51b is arranged, for example, at a position higher than the upper side of the second chilled chamber container 42 (see FIG. 5).

The projecting portion 92 projects forward from the lower end of the first front wall portion 91 . The projecting portion 92 is provided over most of the entire width of the duct component 51 in the width direction of the refrigerator 1. The projecting portion 92 is provided at a height between the chilled compartment 11Aa and the vegetable compartment 11B (see FIG. 5). In this embodiment, the projecting portion 92 is connected to the fifth portion 15e of the first partition portion 15. Thereby, the overhang part 92 cooperates with the 1st partition part 15 and functions as a partition wall which partitions off between the chilled compartment 11Aa and the vegetable compartment 11B. In this embodiment, the fifth portion 15e of the first partition portion 15 is placed on the tip portion 92e of the overhang portion 92 (see FIG. 5). Thereby, the projecting portion 92 supports the fifth portion 15e of the first partition portion 15 from below.

In this embodiment, the projecting portion 92 is inclined so that its height decreases as it advances forward from the lower end of the first front wall portion 91 (that is, it is inclined downward toward the front). The projecting portion 92 is provided with a plurality of cold air return ports 51c (return ports for cold air from the chilled chamber 11Aa). The plurality of cold air return ports 51c are arranged side by side in the width direction of the refrigerator 1. Each of the plurality of cold air return ports 51c has an elongated hole shape extending in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1. A vent hole is provided at the rear end of the first chilled chamber container 41 located above the projecting portion 92 to allow the cold air flowing inside the first chilled chamber container 41 to pass toward the cold air return port 51c of the projecting portion 92. 41h (see FIG. 5).

The second front wall portion 93 is provided below the overhang portion 92 . The second front wall portion 93 is a wall portion facing the front side of the refrigerator 1 and forms at least a portion of the front surface of the duct component 51. The second front wall portion 93 is exposed to the vegetable compartment 11B and forms a part of the rear wall portion of the vegetable compartment 11B (see FIG. 5). The second front wall portion 93 extends downward from a midway portion 92m of the overhang portion 92 in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1. The middle portion 92m is a portion of the overhang portion 92 adjacent to the front end of the cold air return port 51c. The second front wall portion 93 is an example of a "front wall." The second front wall portion 93 will be described in detail later along with the description of the light irradiation unit 70.

The left side wall 94 extends rearward from the left end of the first front wall 91 and the left end of the second front wall 93. On the other hand, the right side wall 95 extends rearward from the right end of the first front wall 91 and the right end of the second front wall 93. The left side wall part 94 and the right side wall part 95 close the left and right sides of the duct space D1. The lower wall 96 extends rearward from the lower end of the second front wall portion 93. The lower wall 96 closes off the lower part of the duct space D1. In this embodiment, the lower wall 96 is provided with a plurality of cold air return ports 51d (return ports for cold air from the vegetable compartment 11B) (see FIG. 5).

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 2, showing an area surrounded by line F5. Arrows in the figure indicate the flow of air (cold air). A heat insulating member 55 is provided inside the duct component 51. The heat insulating member 55 is, for example, a foamed heat insulating material such as expanded polystyrene foam (EPS), and has high heat insulating properties. The heat insulating member 55 has better heat insulating properties per unit thickness than the duct component 51.

The heat insulating member 55 is provided along the inner surface (rear surface) of the first front wall portion 91 . The heat insulating member 55 is located inside the duct component 51 between the first front wall portion 91 and the duct space D1, and defines a part of the front surface of the duct space D1. In other words, the heat insulating member 55 is located between the first front wall portion 91 and the refrigerator cooler 62. The heat insulating member 55 extends below the first front wall portion 91 along the front surface of the refrigerating cooler 62 .

In this embodiment, the heat insulating member 55 is located between the projecting portion 92 and the refrigerating cooler 62 and between at least a portion of the second front wall portion 93 and the refrigerating cooler 62. The second front wall portion 93 is located apart from the heat insulating member 55. A cold air passage A1 is formed between the second front wall portion 93 and the heat insulating member 55, through which air (cold air) flowing from the chilled chamber 11Aa to the cold air return port 51c flows downward.

The air flowing into the duct component 51 from the cold air return port 51c passes through the cold air passage A1 between the second front wall portion 93 and the heat insulating member 55, and passes through the cold air passage A1 between the second front wall portion 93 and the heat insulating member 55, and is located behind the vegetable compartment 11B and in the refrigerator cooler 62. It is guided to a space A2 located below (hereinafter referred to as "merging space A2" for convenience of explanation). The air flowing into the merging space A2 from the cold air return port 51c merges with the air flowing into the merging space A2 from the vegetable compartment 11B through the cold air return port 51d, and flows from the merging space A2 toward the refrigerator cooler 62.

[3. Light irradiation unit]
[3.1 Configuration of light irradiation unit]
Next, the configuration of the light irradiation unit 70 will be explained in detail.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 5, showing an area surrounded by line F6. In this embodiment, the light irradiation unit 70 is provided inside the duct component 51 (for example, in a space surrounded from three directions by the second front wall part 93, the left side wall part 94, and the right side wall part 95). That is, the light irradiation unit 70 is exposed to the cold air passage A1 inside the duct component 51, and is exposed to cold air (so-called return cold air) heading from the cold air return port 51c to the refrigeration cooler 62 via the confluence space A2. In other words, the cold air passage A1 is formed between the light irradiation unit 70 and the heat insulating member 55. In this embodiment, the light irradiation unit 70 includes a light irradiation section 71, a case 72, and a sealing member 73.

[3.1.1 Light irradiation part]
The light irradiation unit 71 includes a circuit board 101 and an ultraviolet LED 102. The circuit board 101 is arranged parallel to the inner surface (rear surface) of the second front wall portion 93. The circuit board 101 has a first surface 101a facing the second front wall portion 93, and a second surface 101101b located on the opposite side to the first surface 101a. The ultraviolet LED 102 is mounted on the first surface 101a of the circuit board 101 and emits ultraviolet light toward the front of the refrigerator 1. The ultraviolet LED 102 is an example of an "ultraviolet light source." Note that the ultraviolet light source is not limited to the ultraviolet LED 102, but may be an ultraviolet lamp or the like.

Ultraviolet light is an example of "light that has the effect of suppressing viruses or bacteria." As used herein, "ultraviolet light" refers to electromagnetic waves having a center wavelength within the range of 10 nm to 400 nm. That is, "ultraviolet light" may be an electromagnetic wave whose center wavelength is UVA (wavelength 320 nm to 400 nm), UVB (wavelength 280 nm to 320 nm), or UVC (wavelength 100 nm to 280 nm). Further, "ultraviolet light" may have a center wavelength within the range of 10 nm to 400 nm, and the wavelength of a part of the electromagnetic waves emitted from the ultraviolet LED 102 may be 400 nm or more (that is, the wavelength may be in the visible light region). The ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet LED 102 may include light visible to humans, or may not include light visible to humans. Note that "light having the effect of suppressing viruses or bacteria" is not limited to ultraviolet light, and may be light of other wavelengths.

In this embodiment, the ultraviolet LED 102 emits electromagnetic waves whose center wavelength is UVA. According to electromagnetic waves having such wavelengths, compared to, for example, UVC electromagnetic waves, viruses or bacteria can be suppressed while suppressing deterioration of the first and second crisper containers 43 and 44 made of plastic, for example.

As shown in FIG. 6, a window portion (light transmitting portion) 103 through which ultraviolet light passes is provided in a portion of the second front wall portion 93 facing the ultraviolet LED 102. As shown in FIG. The window portion 103 is made of a light-transmissive member such as acrylic or glass that transmits ultraviolet rays. The ultraviolet LED 102 irradiates the interior of the vegetable compartment 11B with ultraviolet light through the window 103. Thereby, at least a portion of the inside of the vegetable compartment 11B is within the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays irradiated by the light irradiation section 71.

In this embodiment, the light irradiation unit 71 is provided in the back of the vegetable compartment 11B, which is behind the second vegetable compartment container 44. The light irradiation part 71 is arranged above the upper side 44u of at least a portion of the second crisper container 44 (for example, the upper side 44u of the rear end 44b of the second crisper container 44).

To be more specific, the second crisper container 44 is formed into a box shape with an open top. The second crisper container 44 has a left end and a right end in addition to the above-mentioned front end 44a and rear end 44b. In this embodiment, the light irradiation unit 71 is emitted from the upper sides 44u of all ends of the second crisper container 44 (that is, the upper sides 44u of each of the front end 44a, the rear end 44b, the left end, and the right end). is also placed above. In this specification, "the light irradiation part is located above the top side of the container" means that the ultraviolet LED 102 included in the light irradiation part 71 is located above the top side of the container, and the light irradiation part 71 is located above the top side of the container. This may also include a case where a part of the circuit board 101 included in the portion 71 is located below the upper side of the container.

In this embodiment, the light irradiation unit 71 is arranged behind the second crisper container 44 and irradiates ultraviolet rays diagonally downward with respect to the horizontal direction. For example, the light irradiation unit 71 irradiates the inside of the second crisper container 44 with ultraviolet rays. As a result, at least a portion of the inside of the second crisper container 44 is within the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays irradiated by the light irradiation section 71.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the irradiation center C of ultraviolet rays by the light irradiation section 71. The light irradiation unit 71 irradiates ultraviolet light in a direction at a relatively small angle with respect to the horizontal direction. For example, the light irradiation unit 71 is provided at an angle with respect to the horizontal direction so that the ultraviolet ray irradiation center C (that is, the optical axis CA corresponding to the irradiation center) faces in a direction at an angle smaller than 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. It is being In this embodiment, the light irradiation unit 71 is provided so as to be inclined so that the ultraviolet irradiation center C faces in a direction inclined by 25 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. By tilting and providing the light irradiation section 71 in this way, the light irradiation section 71 can irradiate ultraviolet rays to a wider range in the vegetable compartment 11B.

In this embodiment, the irradiation center C of the ultraviolet rays by the light irradiation unit 71 is the center of the bottom surface of the second crisper container 44 in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1 when the second crisper container 44 is accommodated in the vegetable compartment 11B. It is set in a region FR on the front side.

[3.1.2 Case]
Returning to FIG. 6, the case 72 will be explained. The case 72 is formed in the shape of a rectangular flat box with an open front side. The light irradiation unit 71 is housed inside the case 72. The case 72 is attached to the inner surface (rear surface) of the second front wall 93 with the sealing member 73 interposed between the second front wall 93 and the case 72 . By attaching the case 72 to the inner surface of the second front wall section 93, the periphery of the light irradiation section 71 is sealed. This suppresses cold air from flowing around the light irradiation section 71 and suppresses dew condensation from forming on the light irradiation section 71. Case 72 is an example of a "cover."

Specifically, the case 72 includes a back wall portion 72a, a peripheral wall portion 72b, and a pressing portion 72c. The back wall portion 72a covers the light irradiation portion 71 from the side opposite to the second front wall portion 93. The peripheral wall portion 72b extends from the peripheral end of the back wall portion 72a toward the inner surface of the second front wall portion 93. The peripheral wall portion 72b is formed in a rectangular ring shape (cylindrical shape) that surrounds the light irradiation portion 71 at the top, bottom, right and left. The peripheral wall portion 72b is attached to the inner surface of the second front wall portion 93 separately from the light irradiation portion 71. This will be discussed later. The holding portion 72c is provided on the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall portion 72b. The pressing portion 72c contacts the sealing member 73 and presses the sealing member 73 toward the inner surface of the second front wall portion 93. The back wall portion 72a is an example of a "first portion." The peripheral wall portion 72b is an example of a "second portion." The holding portion 72c is an example of a “third portion”. However, the peripheral wall portion 72b and the pressing portion 72c may be provided integrally.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the light irradiation unit 70 shown in FIG. 6 as viewed from the direction of arrow F8.
The sealing member 73 is, for example, an elastic member such as soft tape. The sealing member 73 is formed in an annular shape along the entire circumference of the peripheral wall portion 72b. The sealing member 73 is sandwiched between the inner surface of the second front wall section 93 and the pressing section 72c of the case 72 by attaching the peripheral wall section 72b of the case 72 to the inner surface of the second front wall section 93. The space between the inner surface of the second front wall portion 93 and the peripheral wall portion 72b of the case 72 is sealed. Thereby, the flow of cold air around the light irradiation section 71 is more reliably suppressed.

In this embodiment, the case 72 is a general plastic member. The case 72 has lower heat insulating properties per unit thickness than the heat insulating member 55. The thickness of each of the back wall portion 72a and the peripheral wall portion 72b of the case 72 is thinner than the thickness of the heat insulating member 55. However, the cold air flowing through the cold air passage A1 in the duct component 51 is the cold air that has been warmed by flowing through the chilled chamber 11Aa, and has a higher temperature than the cold air that has just been cooled by the refrigerator cooler 62. Therefore, the case 72 as described above can also prevent dew condensation from forming on the light irradiation section 71. Further, the case 72 as described above can be manufactured at a relatively low cost, and even if it is provided inside the duct component 51, it is possible to prevent the duct component 51 from increasing in size.

[3.2 Arrangement structure of light irradiation unit]
Next, returning to FIG. 6, the arrangement structure of the light irradiation unit 70 will be described. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the light irradiation unit 70 (for example, at least a portion of the case 72) is arranged above the lowest part (for example, the third portion 15c) of the first partition portion 15. Furthermore, at least a part of the light irradiation part 71 (for example, at least a part of the circuit board 110) is arranged above the lowest part (for example, the third part 15c) of the first partition part 15. That is, the light irradiation section 71 irradiates the ultraviolet rays diagonally downward with at least a portion of the light irradiation section 71 disposed above the lowest part of the first partition section 15 .

In other words, in the light irradiation unit 70 of this embodiment, a part of the mounting structure for mounting the ultraviolet LED 102 that irradiates the vegetable compartment 11B with ultraviolet rays is arranged using the space of the chilled compartment 11Aa. Thereby, when the ultraviolet LED102 which irradiates ultraviolet rays is provided in the vegetable compartment 11B, it is possible to suppress the internal volume of the vegetable compartment 11B from becoming small.

In this embodiment, the rear end portion of the second chilled chamber container 42 has an inclined portion 41i that is inclined upward. The inclined portion 41i is inclined so as to be located upward as it goes rearward (that is, it is inclined upward toward the rear). At least a portion of the case 72 of the light irradiation unit 70 is arranged at a position that overlaps the inclined portion 41i at the rear end of the second chilled chamber container 42 in the vertical direction. Also from this point of view, in the light irradiation unit 70 of this embodiment, a part of the mounting structure in which the ultraviolet LED 102 that irradiates the vegetable compartment 11B with ultraviolet rays is mounted is arranged using the space of the chilled compartment 11Aa. Thereby, when the ultraviolet LED102 which irradiates ultraviolet rays is provided in the vegetable compartment 11B, it is possible to suppress the internal volume of the vegetable compartment 11B from becoming small.

In this embodiment, the light irradiation unit 71 is arranged inside the duct component 51 at a position that overlaps at least a portion of the cold air return port 51c in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the light irradiation section 71 overlaps with the plurality of cold air return ports 51c in the vertical direction.

In this embodiment, at least a portion of the duct component 51 extends above the lowest part (for example, the third portion 15c) of the first partition portion 15. At least a portion of the light irradiation section 71 is disposed inside the duct component 51 above the lowest part of the first partition section 15 and irradiates ultraviolet rays diagonally downward with respect to the horizontal direction.

[3.3 Installation structure of light irradiation unit]
FIG. 9 is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of the light irradiation unit 70. First, the second front wall portion 93 of the duct component 51 will be described in detail. The second front wall portion 93 has a first portion 93a and a second portion 93b. The first portion 93a is connected to a midway portion 92m of the overhang portion 92 in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1, and extends downward from the midway portion 92m of the overhang portion 92. The first portion 93a is inclined with respect to the vertical direction at the same inclination angle as the inclination angle of the light irradiation section 71 with respect to the vertical direction. That is, by providing the first portion 93a at an angle with respect to the vertical direction, the light irradiation section 71 is provided at an angle. The second portion 93b extends downward from the lower end of the first portion 93a. The second portion 93b is connected to the lower wall 96 of the duct component 51.

In this embodiment, the first portion 93a of the second front wall portion 93 is provided with a first fixing portion 93c and a second fixing portion 93d. The first fixing portion 93c is, for example, a claw portion provided on the inner surface of the first portion 93a. The first fixing portion 93c projects rearward from the inner surface of the second front wall portion 93 along the horizontal direction. The circuit board 101 of the light irradiation section 71 is fixed to the second front wall section 93 by engaging with the first fixing section 93c. That is, the light irradiation section 71 is not fixed to the second front wall section 93 via the case 72, but directly fixed to the second front wall section 93.

The second fixing portion 93d is, for example, an engagement hole provided in the first portion 93a of the second front wall portion 93. In this embodiment, the peripheral wall portion 72b of the case 72 has a claw portion 72d that engages with the second fixing portion 93d, which is an engagement hole. The case 72 is fixed to the second front wall part 93 by the claw parts 72d provided on the peripheral wall part 72b engaging with the first part 93a of the second front wall part 93. That is, the case 72 is directly fixed to the second front wall part 93 without the light irradiation part 71. In other words, the light irradiation part 71 and the case 72 are not in direct contact with each other, but are each independently fixed to the second front wall part 93.

[3.4 Shielding part against ultraviolet rays]
Next, returning to FIG. 6, the shielding part 111 provided against ultraviolet rays will be described. In this embodiment, the refrigerator 1 is provided with a shielding part 111 that shields a part of the ultraviolet ray irradiation range SR by the light irradiation part 71 within the housing 10.

Specifically, the ultraviolet LED 102 has an ultraviolet irradiation range of nearly 180 degrees vertically and horizontally. Therefore, the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet LED 102 into the vegetable compartment 11B through the window portion 103 is emitted over a relatively wide direction. The shielding part 111 shields a part of the ultraviolet rays irradiated into the vegetable compartment 11B from the ultraviolet LED 102, for example, in order to prevent the ultraviolet rays from entering the user's eyes or for another purpose.

In the present embodiment, the projecting portion 92 of the duct component 51 includes a front portion 92a located in front of the middle portion 92m to which the second front wall portion 93 is connected, and a rear portion located behind the middle portion 92m. 92b. In the present embodiment, the front portion 92a of the projecting portion 92 of the duct component 51 and the third to fifth portions 15c, 15d, and 15e of the first partition portion 15 provide at least the upper portion of the ultraviolet ray irradiation range SR. A shielding portion 111 is formed to partially shield a portion. In this specification, the term "upper portion" refers to an irradiation range located above the virtual optical axis CA corresponding to the irradiation center C of ultraviolet rays. As shown in FIG. 6, the shielding part 111 limits the ultraviolet ray irradiation range SR to the ultraviolet irradiation range SR' by blocking a part of the upper part of the ultraviolet ray irradiation range SR. As a result, in the irradiation range SR', the upper irradiation range (irradiation angle SRa') and the lower irradiation range (irradiation angle SRb') with respect to the optical axis CA are different.

In this embodiment, the shielding part 111 is provided at a position away from the second front wall part 93 (that is, the window part 103) of the duct component 51. For example, the shielding part 111 is provided above the second crisper container 44.

In this embodiment, the lowest part of the shielding part 111 (for example, the third part 15c of the first partition part 15) is located below a part of the light irradiation unit 70 (for example, a part of the case 72). Furthermore, the lowest part of the shielding part 111 is located below a part of the circuit board 101 of the light irradiation part 71.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the irradiation range SR' after the ultraviolet rays are limited. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the vegetable compartment door 20B is pulled forward to the maximum extent. In the shielding part 111 of this embodiment, when the vegetable compartment door 20B is pulled out to the maximum extent with respect to the vegetable compartment 11B, the upper end SRe' of the ultraviolet ray irradiation range SR' on the door body 21 of the vegetable compartment door 20B is the vegetable compartment door 20B. The upper part of the ultraviolet irradiation range SR is shielded so as to be lower than the upper end 21e of the door body 21 of the room door 20B. Therefore, unless the user looks in with his/her face lower than the upper end 21e of the door body 21 of the vegetable compartment door 20B, there is little possibility that ultraviolet rays will directly enter the user's eyes.

[4. advantage]
In the present embodiment, the light irradiation unit 71 is disposed above the upper side of at least a portion of the second vegetable compartment container 44, which is the topmost container accommodated in the vegetable compartment 11B, and irradiates ultraviolet rays into the vegetable compartment 11B. irradiate. According to such a configuration, the inside of the vegetable compartment 11B can be efficiently irradiated with ultraviolet rays without being disturbed by one or more containers accommodated in the vegetable compartment 11B. Thereby, the virus or bacteria suppressing function can be improved.

Here, when the light irradiation unit 71 is mounted on the ceiling of the vegetable compartment 11B or the rear wall of the vegetable compartment 11B, inside a container (for example, the second vegetable compartment container 44) accommodated in the vegetable compartment 11B, The variation in the illuminance of ultraviolet rays increases between a region close to the light irradiation section 71 and a region far from the light irradiation section 71. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the light irradiation unit 71 is arranged behind the second crisper container 44 and irradiates ultraviolet rays while being inclined diagonally downward with respect to the horizontal direction. According to such a configuration, ultraviolet rays can be irradiated over a wide range inside the container (for example, the second vegetable compartment container 44) accommodated in the vegetable compartment 11B, and variations in illuminance can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the light irradiation unit 71 is provided so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so that the light irradiation center C faces in a direction at an angle smaller than 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. According to such a configuration, ultraviolet rays can be irradiated over a wider range of the inside of the container (for example, the second vegetable compartment container 44) accommodated in the vegetable compartment 11B.

In this embodiment, the irradiation center C of the ultraviolet rays by the light irradiation unit 71 is the center of the bottom surface of the second crisper container 44 in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1 when the second crisper container 44 is accommodated in the vegetable compartment 11B. It is set further forward than the According to such a configuration, in the second crisper container 44 where stored items such as foodstuffs and containers are likely to be placed in the area in front of the center, the stored items can be more efficiently irradiated with ultraviolet rays. .

In this embodiment, at least a portion of the light irradiation section 71 is arranged above the lowest part of the first partition section 15 . That is, at least a part of the light irradiation unit 71 that irradiates the vegetable compartment 11B with ultraviolet rays is arranged using the space (for example, dead space) of the chilled compartment 11Aa. According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the internal volume of the vegetable compartment 11B due to the provision of the light irradiation section 71.

In this embodiment, the rear end portion of the first chilled chamber container 41 has an upwardly inclined inclined portion 41i. At least a portion of the case 72 of the light irradiation unit 70 is arranged at a position overlapping the first chilled chamber container 41 and the inclined portion 41i in the vertical direction. That is, at least a part of the light irradiation unit 71 that irradiates the vegetable compartment 11B with ultraviolet rays is arranged using the dead space created by the sloped portion 41i at the rear end of the chilled compartment container 41. According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the internal volume of the vegetable compartment 11B due to the provision of the light irradiation section 71.

In this embodiment, the refrigerator 1 includes a shielding part 111 that shields a part of the ultraviolet ray irradiation range SR by the light irradiation part 71 within the housing 10 . According to such a configuration, the possibility that ultraviolet rays enter the user's eyes can be more reliably reduced. Thereby, it is possible to provide the user with a sense of security.

In this embodiment, the shielding part 111 shields at least a portion of the upper part of the ultraviolet ray irradiation range SR. According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress irradiation of ultraviolet rays upward from the front.

In this embodiment, the shielding part 111 is configured such that when the vegetable compartment door 20B is pulled out to the maximum extent with respect to the vegetable compartment 11B, the upper end SRe' of the ultraviolet irradiation range SR' for the door body 21 of the vegetable compartment door 20B is At least a portion of the upper part of the ultraviolet ray irradiation range SR is shielded so as to be lower than the upper end 21e of the door body 21 of the vegetable compartment door 20B. According to such a configuration, unless the user looks in with his or her face lower than the upper end 21e of the door body 21 of the vegetable compartment door 20B, there is little possibility that ultraviolet rays will directly enter the user's eyes. Thereby, a higher sense of security can be provided to the user.

In this embodiment, the shielding part 111 is provided above the second crisper container 44. According to such a configuration, the shielding part 111 is provided using the dead space existing above the second crisper container 44. Thereby, a decrease in the internal volume of the vegetable compartment 11B can be suppressed.

When the light irradiation unit 71 that irradiates ultraviolet rays is installed in the vegetable compartment 11B, the capacity of the first and second vegetable compartment containers 43, 44 and the internal volume of the vegetable compartment 11B may vary depending on the structure that holds the light irradiation unit 71. is likely to decrease. However, in this embodiment, the light irradiation section 71 is provided inside the duct component 51. According to such a configuration, the light irradiation unit 71 that irradiates ultraviolet rays to the vegetable compartment 11B is installed while suppressing a decrease in the capacity of the first and second vegetable compartment containers 43 and 44 and the internal volume of the vegetable compartment 11B. can do.

In this embodiment, the duct component 51 is a duct component that guides cold air warmed in the chilled room 11Aa toward the refrigerator cooler 62. According to such a configuration, the light irradiation unit 71 that irradiates ultraviolet rays to the vegetable compartment 11B can be provided using a duct component that forms a return duct for cold air from the chilled compartment 11Aa, which is another storage compartment. I can do it. Thereby, reduction in the internal volume of the vegetable compartment 11B can be further suppressed.

In this embodiment, the duct component 51 has a cold air return port 51c that opens into the chilled chamber 11Aa. The light irradiation unit 71 is arranged inside the duct component 51 at a position that overlaps at least a portion of the cold air return port 51c in the vertical direction. Generally, no components are mounted inside the duct component 51 in a region that overlaps with the cold air return port 51c. However, in this embodiment, the light irradiation section 71 is provided by effectively utilizing such a region. According to such a configuration, a decrease in the internal volume of the vegetable compartment 11B can be further suppressed.

In this embodiment, a case 72 is provided that is attached to the inner surface of the duct component 51 and covers the light irradiation section 71 inside the duct component 51. According to such a configuration, the cold air flowing through the duct component 51 is difficult to flow around the light irradiation section 71, which is a heat generating component, and it is possible to suppress the formation of dew condensation on the light irradiation section 71.

In this embodiment, the duct component 51 includes a second front wall section 93 that forms at least a part of the front surface of the duct component 51 and is provided with a window section 103 that transmits ultraviolet rays, and It has a first fixing part 93c that fixes the light irradiation part 71. The case 72 has a back wall part 72a that covers the light irradiation part 71 from the side opposite to the second front wall part 93, and a peripheral wall part 72b that is attached to the second front wall part 93 separately from the light irradiation part 71. According to such a configuration, the light irradiation unit 71 is not held in the case 72, which is exposed to cold air and has a low temperature. Therefore, the temperature of the light irradiation section 71 does not easily decrease, and it is possible to further suppress dew condensation from occurring in the light irradiation section 71.

In this embodiment, a sealing member 73 is provided which is sandwiched between the inner surface of the second front wall section 93 and the case 72 and seals between the inner surface of the second front wall section 93 and the case 72. . According to such a configuration, it is possible to more reliably suppress cold air from flowing into the vicinity of the light irradiation section 71. Thereby, it is possible to further suppress dew condensation from occurring in the light irradiation section 71.

In this embodiment, the cold air passage A1 through which cold air warmed by passing through the chilled chamber 11Aa flows is formed between the light irradiation part 71 and the refrigerating cooler 62 inside the duct component 51. According to such a configuration, since relatively warm cold air flows through the cold air passage A1, it is possible to suppress the cold temperature of the refrigeration cooler 62 from being transmitted to the light irradiation part 71 due to heat transfer. Thereby, it is possible to further suppress dew condensation from occurring in the light irradiation section 71.

In this embodiment, a heat insulating member 55 provided between the light irradiation unit 71 and the refrigerator cooler 62 is further provided. The cold air passage A1 is formed between the light irradiation section 71 and the heat insulating member 55. According to such a configuration, since cold air flows around the light irradiation section 71 (around the light irradiation unit 70), the temperature of the light irradiation section 71 is unlikely to drop excessively. Thereby, it is possible to further suppress dew condensation from occurring in the light irradiation section 71.

Hereinafter, some modified examples of the first embodiment will be described. Note that the configurations other than those described in each modification are the same as the configuration of the first embodiment.

(First modification of the first embodiment)
FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the refrigerator 1 of the first modification of the first embodiment. In this modification, at least a portion of the shielding part 111 is located below the ultraviolet LED 102 of the light irradiation part 71. In the first modification, a part of the front part 92a of the overhang part 92 of the duct component 51 and a part of the fourth part 15d of the first partition part 15 are located below the ultraviolet LED 102 of the light irradiation part 71. do.

According to such a configuration, the irradiation range SR' of the ultraviolet rays after being limited can be limited to a downward direction rather than the horizontal direction. Thereby, the amount of ultraviolet rays irradiated to the outside of the vegetable compartment 11B can be reduced. Moreover, compared to the first embodiment, unless the user lowers his/her face and looks into the vegetable compartment 11B, there is less possibility that ultraviolet rays will directly enter the eyes. Thereby, it is possible to provide the user with an even higher sense of security.

(Second modification of the first embodiment)
FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the refrigerator 1 of a second modification of the first embodiment. In this modification, a part of the front part 92a of the overhang part 92 of the duct component 51 is located below the lowest part (for example, the third part 15c) of the first partition part 15. For example, in this modification, the front portion 92a of the projecting portion 92 of the duct component 51 includes a wall portion 92w that projects downward from the front portion 92a. The wall portion 92w protrudes below the lowest part of the first partition portion 15. In this modification, at least a portion of the projecting portion 92 of the duct component 51 (for example, the lower end portion of the wall portion 92w) is located below the ultraviolet LED 102 of the light irradiation unit 71.

According to such a configuration, the irradiation range SR' after the ultraviolet rays are limited can be limited to a more downward direction. This can further reduce the possibility that ultraviolet rays will directly enter the user's eyes.

(Third modification of the first embodiment)
FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing the refrigerator 1 of the third modification of the first embodiment. In this modification, the projecting portion 92 of the duct component 51 does not have a portion corresponding to the front portion 92a, but includes a portion corresponding to the rear portion 92b. In this modification, the fifth portion 15e of the first partition portion 15 extends to the vicinity of the second front wall portion 93 in the duct component 51. In this modification, a shielding section 111 is configured by the first partition section 15 . Even with such a configuration, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved.

(Fourth modification of the first embodiment)
FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing the refrigerator 1 according to a fourth modification of the first embodiment. In this modification, the shielding part 111 is a reflective member that reflects at least a part of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the light irradiation part 71 toward the inside of a container (for example, the second crisper container 44) accommodated in the vegetable compartment 11B. It has 115.

Specifically, the reflecting member 115 is attached to, for example, the lower surface of the front portion 92a of the projecting portion 92 of the duct component 51 (or the lower surface of the fourth portion 15d of the first partition portion 15). The reflective member 115 is made of a material that can reflect at least a portion of ultraviolet rays, such as a glass film or aluminum foil. In this embodiment, the reflecting member 115 is arranged so as to be positioned downward as it advances forward (that is, it is inclined forwardly), and the ultraviolet rays that reach the reflecting member 115 from the light irradiation part 71 is reflected toward the rear region (inner region) of the second crisper container 44.

According to such a configuration, ultraviolet rays can also be irradiated to the rear region (back region) of the second vegetable compartment container 44, which is difficult to be irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Thereby, the virus or bacteria suppressing function can be further improved.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a light irradiation section 71 is provided on the ceiling S3 of the vegetable compartment 11B instead of/in addition to the inside of the duct component 51. Note that the configuration other than those described below is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing the refrigerator 1 of the second embodiment. The first partition section 15 includes a ceiling section S3 that forms the ceiling of the vegetable compartment 11B. In this embodiment, the light irradiation unit 71 includes, for example, a plurality of light source modules 121, 122, and 123. Each of the plurality of light source modules 121, 122, 123 includes a circuit board 101 and an ultraviolet LED 102. The plurality of light source modules 121, 122, 123 are provided on the ceiling portion S3. For example, the plurality of light source modules 121, 122, 123 are arranged at different positions in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of light source modules 121, 122, 123 is located above at least a portion of the upper side 44u of the second crisper container 44.

In this embodiment, the light source module 121 is arranged in front of the front end 44a of the second vegetable compartment container 44 accommodated in the vegetable compartment 11B. That is, the light source module 121 is arranged above the storage area CR of the first crisper container 43. The light source module 121 irradiates ultraviolet rays from the ceiling S3 toward the accommodation area CR of the first crisper container 43. Thereby, at least a portion of the accommodation area CR is within the ultraviolet irradiation range. Further, in this embodiment, at least a portion of the handle H provided on the front end portion 44a of the second crisper container 44 is within the range of ultraviolet rays irradiated by the light source module 121.

The light source module 122 is provided, for example, in the first portion 15a of the first partition 15. On the other hand, the light source module 123 is provided, for example, in the fifth portion 15e of the first partition 15. In other words, the light source modules 122 and 123 are provided in areas outside the third portion 15c, which is the lowest part of the first partition portion 15, and the second and fourth portions 15b, 15d, which are sloped portions. The light source modules 122 and 123 irradiate ultraviolet rays toward the inside of the second crisper container 44 from the ceiling portion S3.

According to such a configuration, the inside of the vegetable compartment 11B can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Thereby, the virus or bacteria suppressing function can be improved.

Some modifications of the second embodiment will be described below. Note that the configuration other than those described in each modification is the same as the configuration of the second embodiment.

(First modification of the second embodiment)
FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing the refrigerator 1 of the first modification of the second embodiment. In this modification, each of the light source modules 121 and 122 is provided tilting backward with respect to the vertical direction (that is, provided tilting toward the back side of the vegetable compartment 11B), and is provided tilting backward with respect to the vertical direction. irradiate ultraviolet light towards. According to such a configuration, the front side (user side) of the refrigerator 1 is less likely to be irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the light source modules 121 and 122. Thereby, the possibility that ultraviolet rays enter the user's eyes can be more reliably reduced, and the user can be provided with a sense of security.

(Second modification of second embodiment)
FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing a refrigerator 1 according to a second modification of the second embodiment. In this modification, each of the light source modules 121 and 122 is provided tilting backward with respect to the vertical direction, and irradiates ultraviolet rays backward with respect to the vertical direction, similarly to the first modification. In this modification, the light source module 123 is provided to be inclined forward with respect to the vertical direction, and irradiates ultraviolet rays forward with respect to the vertical direction. According to such a configuration, the inside of the vegetable compartment 11B can be more efficiently irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a light irradiation unit 71 is provided on the left side wall S1 or the right side wall S2 of the vegetable compartment 11B instead of/in addition to the inside of the duct component 51. . Note that the configuration other than those described below is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing the refrigerator 1 of the third embodiment. FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the refrigerator 1 taken along line F19-F19 shown in FIG. 18. In this embodiment, the light irradiation unit 71 includes, for example, a plurality of light source modules 131, 132, and 133. Each of the plurality of light source modules 131, 132, 133 includes a circuit board 101 and an ultraviolet LED 102. The plurality of light source modules 131, 132, 133 are provided on the left side wall S1 or the right side wall S2. For example, the light source modules 131, 132, and 133 are arranged at different positions in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1. In this embodiment, each of the light source modules 131, 132, 133 is located above the upper side of at least a portion of the second crisper container 44.

In this embodiment, the light source module 131 is arranged in front of the front end 44a of the second vegetable compartment container 44 accommodated in the vegetable compartment 11B. That is, the light source module 131 is arranged at a position corresponding to the accommodation area CR of the first crisper container 43. The light source module 131 irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the storage area CR of the first crisper container 43 from the left side wall S1 or the right side wall S2.

The light source module 132 is provided, for example, at a position corresponding to the first portion 15a of the first partition portion 15. On the other hand, the light source module 133 is provided, for example, at a position corresponding to the fifth portion 15e of the first partition portion 15. In other words, the second and third light source modules 132 and 133 correspond to different areas from the third part 15c, which is the lowest part of the first partition part 15, and the second and fourth parts 15b, 15d, which are inclined parts. It is located in a position where The second and third light source modules 132 and 133 irradiate ultraviolet rays toward the inside of the second crisper container 44 from the left side wall S1 or the right side wall S.

According to such a configuration, the inside of the vegetable compartment 11B can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Thereby, the virus or bacteria suppressing function can be improved.

(Modification of third embodiment)
FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing a refrigerator 1 according to a modification of the third embodiment. Note that the configuration other than that described in this modification is the same as the configuration of the third embodiment. In this modification, each of the light source modules 131 and 132 is provided to be inclined backward with respect to the width direction of the refrigerator 1, and irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the rear with respect to the width direction of the refrigerator 1. According to such a configuration, the front side (user side) of the refrigerator 1 is less likely to be irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the light source modules 131 and 132. Thereby, the possibility that ultraviolet rays enter the user's eyes can be more reliably reduced, and the user can be provided with a sense of security.

Note that the third light source module 133 of the third embodiment is provided to be inclined forward with respect to the width direction of the refrigerator 1, similarly to the light source module 123 of the second modification of the second embodiment, and The ultraviolet rays may be irradiated forward in the direction.

Although several embodiments and modified examples have been described above, the embodiments and modified examples are not limited to the above-mentioned examples. The embodiment described above is an example in which the "second storage chamber" is the chilled chamber 11Aa. However, the "second storage room" is not limited to the "special storage room" and may be the refrigerator compartment 11A. In the embodiment described above, the ceiling portion S3 of the vegetable compartment 11B is configured by the partition portion 15. However, the ceiling portion S3 of the vegetable compartment 11B may be configured by the housing 10.

According to one aspect, in the third embodiment, the light source modules 131, 132, 133 provided on the left side wall S1 and the right side wall S2 are arranged above the upper side of the container accommodated in the storage room. However, the container is not limited to this, and may be arranged below the upper side of the container accommodated in the storage room. For example, if the handle H of the front end portion 44a of the second crisper container 44 is a handle H into which a user can insert his or her hand from below (a handle H having a shape concave upward), the light source module 131 The handle H may be provided at a lower position to irradiate the inside of the handle H with ultraviolet rays.

According to at least one embodiment described above, the refrigerator is arranged above the upper side of at least some of the containers housed in the storage room, and is lower than the rear end of the container at a height where the upper side is located. It also includes a portion located at the rear and irradiates light that has the effect of suppressing viruses or bacteria inside the storage chamber. According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide a refrigerator that can improve the function of suppressing viruses or bacteria.

Below are some additional notes about refrigerators.
<Viewpoint A>
(A1) A housing having a storage compartment that can be used as a vegetable compartment;
at least one container housed within the storage chamber;
a light irradiation unit that is disposed above the upper side of at least a portion of the uppermost container of the at least one container and irradiates light that has the effect of suppressing viruses or bacteria in the storage chamber;
Refrigerator with.
In the refrigerator described in (A2) and (A1),
The light irradiation unit is arranged behind the uppermost container in the longitudinal direction of the refrigerator, and irradiates the light obliquely downward with respect to the horizontal direction.
In the refrigerator described in (A3) and (A1),
The light irradiation section is provided to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so that the center of irradiation of the light faces in a direction at an angle smaller than 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction.
In the refrigerator according to (A4), (A2) or (A3),
The center of irradiation of the light by the light irradiation unit is set to the front side of the center of the bottom surface of the top container in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator when the top container is housed in the storage chamber. There is.
In any one of the refrigerators from (A5), (A1) to (A4),
The casing is located between the first storage room, which is the storage room, a second storage room provided above the first storage room, and the first storage room and the second storage room. It has a partition part,
At least a portion of the light irradiation section is arranged above the lowest part of the partition section.
In the refrigerator described in (A6) and (A5),
The light irradiation section irradiates the light obliquely downward with respect to the horizontal direction, with at least a portion of the light irradiation section being disposed above the lowest part of the partition section.
In the refrigerator according to (A7), (A5) or (A6),
a container housed in the second storage chamber;
further comprising a case that accommodates the light irradiation unit,
The rear end of the container accommodated in the second storage chamber has an upwardly inclined slope,
At least a portion of the case is disposed at a position vertically overlapping the inclined portion, and is disposed above the lowest part of the partition.
In the refrigerator described in (A8) and (A1),
The casing or a partition provided within the casing has a ceiling of the storage room,
The light irradiation section is provided on the ceiling section.
In the refrigerator described in (A9) and (A1),
The casing has a side wall portion of the storage chamber,
The light irradiation section is provided on the side wall section.
In the refrigerator according to (A10), (A8) or (A9),
The light irradiation unit irradiates the light at an angle from the front side to the rear side of the refrigerator with respect to the vertical direction or the width direction of the refrigerator.
In any one of the refrigerators (A11), (A8) to (A10),
The at least one container includes a first container and a second container disposed above the first container, the second container being the uppermost container,
The front end of the second container has a handle,
At least a portion of the handle is within a range of light irradiation by the light irradiation section.
In any one of the refrigerators (A12), (A8) to (A11),
The at least one container includes a first container and a second container disposed above the first container, the second container being the uppermost container,
In the front-rear direction of the refrigerator, with the first container and the second container housed in the storage chamber, the front end of the second container is located rearward than the front end of the first container,
At least a part of the accommodation area adjacent to the front end of the first container inside the first container is within a range of light irradiation by the light irradiation section.

<Viewpoint B>
(B1) A casing having a storage chamber;
a light irradiation unit that irradiates light having the effect of suppressing viruses or bacteria in the storage chamber;
a shielding part that shields a part of the light irradiation range by the light irradiation part within the housing;
Refrigerator with.
In the refrigerator described in (B2) and (B1),
The shielding portion shields at least a portion of an upper portion of the light irradiation range.
In the refrigerator according to (B3), (B1) or (B2),
Further comprising a drawer door including a door body that can open and close the storage chamber,
The shielding part is configured to control the light so that the upper end of the irradiation range of the light to the door body is lower than the upper end of the door body when the drawer door is pulled out to the maximum extent with respect to the storage room. shielding at least a portion of the upper portion of the irradiation range.
In any one of the refrigerators among (B4), (B1) to (B3),
The light irradiation unit includes a light source that irradiates the light, and a substrate on which the light source is mounted,
At least a portion of the shielding portion is located below the light source.
In any one of the refrigerators among (B5), (B1) to (B4),
The casing is located between the first storage room, which is the storage room, a second storage room provided above the first storage room, and the first storage room and the second storage room. It has a partition part,
At least a portion of the shielding section is formed by the partitioning section.
(B6), in any one of the refrigerators from (B1) to (B5),
further comprising a duct component provided within the housing through which cool air flows;
At least a portion of the shielding portion is formed by the duct component.
In any one of the refrigerators among (B7), (B1) to (B6),
further comprising a container housed in the storage chamber,
The shielding portion is provided above the container.
In any one of the refrigerators among (B8), (B1) to (B7),
further comprising a container housed in the storage chamber,
The shielding section includes a reflecting member that reflects at least a portion of the light irradiated from the light irradiation section toward the inside of the container.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Refrigerator, 10... Housing, 11Aa... Chilled room (second storage room), 11B... Vegetable compartment (storage room, first storage room), 20B... Vegetable compartment door, 21... Door body, 43... First vegetable Chamber container (first container), 44... Second vegetable compartment container (second use area), 51... Duct parts, 70... Light irradiation unit, 71... Light irradiation section, 72... Case (cover), 111... Shielding section , H... Toride.

Claims (7)

A housing having a storage room that can be used as a vegetable room;
a container housed in the storage chamber;
a cold air passage section provided within the housing and through which cold air flows;
a cooler provided in the cold air passage section and cooling the cold air;
a portion located above the upper side of at least a portion of the container and located between the rear end of the container and the cooler at a height where the upper side is located when viewed from above; a light irradiation unit that irradiates light having the effect of suppressing viruses or bacteria in the storage chamber;
Equipped with
The cold air passage section has a wall section including a light transmitting section,
The light irradiation unit includes a light irradiation section that is disposed inside the cold air passage section and irradiates the light into the storage chamber through the light transmission section, and a light irradiation section that is disposed inside the cold air passage section and irradiates the light into the storage chamber through the light transmission section. a cover that covers the light irradiation section from the side opposite to the light transmission section with a gap between at least a portion thereof; and a space between the light transmission section that accommodates the light irradiation section and the cover; a sealing portion sealed from other spaces within the cold air passage portion;
refrigerator. The cold air passage section includes a cold air passage through which cold air within the housing flows to return to the cooler;
The light irradiation unit is provided within the cold air passage.
The refrigerator according to claim 1. A casing having a storage chamber capable of storing things;
a first container housed in the storage chamber;
a second container housed within the storage chamber and placed above the first container;
a light irradiation unit that is disposed above the upper side of at least a portion of the second container and irradiates light that has the effect of suppressing viruses or bacteria in the storage chamber;
Equipped with
The rear end of the second container is located further forward than the rear end of the first container,
At least a portion of the light irradiation section is located between the rear end of the first container and the rear end of the second container when viewed from above.
refrigerator. The light irradiation unit irradiates the light diagonally downward with respect to the horizontal direction.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The light irradiation unit is provided at an angle with respect to the horizontal direction so that the center of irradiation of the light faces in a direction at an angle smaller than 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction.
The refrigerator according to claim 4. The casing is located between the first storage room, which is the storage room, a second storage room provided above the first storage room, and the first storage room and the second storage room. It has a partition part,
At least a portion of the light irradiation section is arranged above the lowest part of the partition section.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The light irradiation unit irradiates the light obliquely downward with respect to the horizontal direction with at least a part of the light irradiation unit disposed above the lowest part of the partition unit.
The refrigerator according to claim 6.

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