JPH06288673A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to inhibit dry and keep vegetables fresh for long time irrespective of the amount of vegetables to be housed by keeping the interior of a vegetable storage chamber at high humidity and onsite-treating the vegetables even when a few amount of vegetables are housed in a vegetable chamber of a refrigerator. CONSTITUTION:A cover 14 having a moisture permeability film is installed in such a fashion that it may cover the top of a vegetable storage vessel 13 whose top is opened. There are installed a pair of needle-shaped electrodes 15, which are vertically opposed and a plane electrode 17 and a high voltage power source 18 and a moisture sensor 24, which controls the high voltage power source 18 around the substantially enclosed type vegetable storage vessel 13.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a substantially sealed vegetable compartment in which vegetables can be stored fresh for a long period of time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as a method of storing vegetables in a refrigerator in a fresh state for a long period of time, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 21179/1990, a moisture permeable sheet and a moisture permeable sheet are provided at the top opening of a vegetable container. A method of attaching a moisturizing sheet made of a non-moisture permeable binder mixed with infrared radiant ceramic powder has been proposed.

A conventionally proposed vegetable storage container for a refrigerator will be described below. FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a conventionally proposed vegetable storage container for a refrigerator, and FIG.
It is an expanded sectional view which showed typically the portion surrounded by the -B line. Reference numeral 1 is a vegetable storage container, and 2 is a moisturizing sheet composed of a moisture permeable sheet 3 and a printed layer 4.
The moisture permeable sheet 3 is a woven fabric having strength and moderate moisture permeability such as polyester taffeta and nylon taffeta, and the print layer 4 is a non-moisture permeable binder layer printed on the surface of the moisture permeable sheet 3. Is.

The print layer 4 is formed so that concave portions having a predetermined shape such as a circle, a triangle and a quadrangle are appropriately distributed.
A rotary screen (not shown) that has a predetermined print area is used, and a dispersion made of a non-moisture permeable binder is injected into the rotary screen (not shown). The binder layer is formed by printing a pattern on the entire moisture-permeable sheet 3 and drying the pattern.

An acrylic binder, a urethane binder, etc. are used as the non-moisture permeable binder, and powdery far infrared radiation type ceramics are mixed. The non-moisture permeable binder is applied onto the moisture permeable sheet 3 to form a low moisture permeable portion on the moisture permeable sheet 3 that reduces moisture permeation.

[0006] The vegetable storage container 1 is detachably arranged in a lower portion of a refrigerator (not shown).
An opening 5 is formed on the upper surface for taking in and out vegetables and the like. In this opening 5, a moisturizing sheet 2 that covers the opening 5 is provided.
A lid 7 consisting of a rubber packing 6 made of vinyl chloride or the like arranged around the outside of the moisturizing sheet 2 is attached, and the vegetable storage container 1 is stored in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator. At this time, the top opening 5 of the vegetable storage container 1 is completely sealed by the lid 7.

The operation of the vegetable storage container of the refrigerator constructed as above will be described below. First,
Since the moisturizing sheet 2 is composed of the moisture permeable sheet 3 and the print layer 4, the moisture permeability of the moisturizing sheet 2 can be changed by appropriately changing the area of the print layer 4 and the design of the print. It is possible to freely change the position where the humidity passes.

If a print layer 4 made by mixing a powdery far-infrared radiation type ceramics with a non-moisture permeable binder is coated on the moisture permeable sheet 3, the moisture retaining sheet 2 will have the above-mentioned structure. In addition to having the function of enabling humidity control as described above, far infrared radiation type ceramics constituting the print layer 4 efficiently radiates far infrared rays at room temperature.

Therefore, when the vegetables are stored in the vegetable storage container 1, the moisture generated by the transpiration action of the vegetables is appropriately controlled, so that the inside of the vegetable storage container 1 has a high humidity suitable for the vegetables. Can be kept. In addition, the far-infrared radiation type ceramic powder emits far-infrared rays at room temperature in the vegetable storage container 1
It was possible to maintain the freshness of the vegetables for a long time by radiating them inside and using the far infrared effect.

[0010]

However, in the above-mentioned structure, since the inside of the vegetable storage container 1 is kept at a high humidity by the water evaporated from the vegetables, the vegetable storage container can be stored when the storage amount of the vegetables is small. It is not possible to keep high humidity inside 1 for a long time. Further, since the vegetable storage container 1 of the refrigerator has a low temperature, far infrared rays emitted from the far infrared ray emitting ceramic powder are extremely weak. Therefore, there has been a problem that vegetables cannot be freshly stored for a long time in the vegetable storage container of the refrigerator proposed hitherto.

In view of the above problems, the present invention is a refrigerator capable of keeping vegetables fresh for a long period of time by treating the vegetables with an electric field when the amount of vegetables stored is small and the inside of the vegetable storage container cannot be kept at high humidity. The purpose is to provide.

[0012]

In order to achieve this object, a refrigerator of the present invention is a refrigerator for a vegetable storage container in which a lid having a moisture permeable membrane is provided on the open top surface of the vegetable storage container. Around the periphery, a needle electrode, a flat plate electrode facing the needle electrode, a high-voltage power source, a means for detecting the amount of stored vegetables, and a means for controlling the high-voltage power source according to the detected information are provided.

As a detecting means, a limit switch is provided below the bottom of the vegetable storage container.

Alternatively, the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion are arranged so as to face each other in the side inner box of the vegetable compartment so that when the vegetable container is stored in the vegetable compartment, light is transmitted through the window provided in the vegetable container. An optical sensor consisting of and is provided.

Alternatively, a humidity sensor is provided in the vegetable storage container.

[0016]

According to the refrigerator of the present invention, when the vegetable is stored in the vegetable storage container of the refrigerator, the excess water vapor evaporated from the vegetable is appropriately permeated to the outside by the moisture permeable film of the lid. The inside of the vegetable storage container can be kept at an appropriate high humidity. In addition, if the amount of vegetables stored is small and it is not possible to maintain high humidity in the vegetable storage container for a long period of time, it is detected that the amount of vegetables stored is low and the vegetables are dried in an electric field for a predetermined time to dry them. Can be suppressed and vegetables can be stored fresh for a long period of time.

Further, when a limit switch is used as the detecting means, when more than a preset amount of vegetables is stored in the vegetable storage container, the limit switch is closed and electric field treatment is performed according to the weight of the stored vegetables. You can do it.

Alternatively, when an optical sensor is used, when a large amount of vegetables is stored in the vegetable storage container, the light is blocked by the stored vegetables, and it is detected that the storage amount is sufficient, and the stored vegetables are stored. The electric field can be processed according to the capacity of the.

Alternatively, when a humidity sensor is used, it is possible to sense that the inside of the vegetable storage container is at a preset humidity or higher and perform an electric field treatment according to the dry state of the vegetables.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the vegetable compartment 8 of the refrigerator according to the present invention, which is provided below the refrigerating compartment 9 and includes the vegetable compartment 8
The refrigerator compartment 9 is partitioned by a partition plate 10. The partition plate 10 is provided with vent holes 10a and 10b at the front and rear,
Cold air from the refrigerator is circulated to the vegetable compartment 8.
The vegetable compartment 8 is mounted on rails 12 horizontally attached to the left and right sides of the vegetable compartment door 11, and the vegetable storage container 13 is opened and closed integrally with the door 11, and the vegetable compartment 8 is opened when the door 11 is closed. The lid 14 is provided so as to closely cover the top opening of the vegetable storage container 13. The lid 14 is partially made of a moisture permeable film 14a made of polyolefin or silicon.

The partition plate 1 above the moisture permeable membrane 14a.
No. 1 or a plurality of needle-like electrodes 15 are arranged at 0, and a metal plate electrode 17 made of copper, aluminum, stainless steel or the like is arranged in an inner box 16 below the bottom of the vegetable storage container 13. Further, a high voltage power source 18 is provided in the back inner box 16 of the vegetable storage container 13, and the high voltage power source 18 and the needle electrode 15 are provided.
And the plate electrode 17 are connected by a high voltage wire 19.

Further, at least four supports 20 and limit switches 21 are installed in the inner box 16 below the bottom surface of the vegetable storage container 13. The support 20 is composed of a coil spring 20a and a support portion 20b as shown in FIG.

Regarding the refrigerator configured as described above,
The operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

First, when vegetables are stored in the vegetable storage container 13, the humidity in the substantially closed vegetable storage container 13 becomes high due to the water discharged from the vegetables by the evaporation action. Then, due to the action of the moisture permeable film 14a of the lid body 14, the excess water vapor has a low humidity.
Since it is permeated to, it is maintained at about 85 to 95%, which is suitable for vegetables, and drying is suppressed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, more than a preset amount of vegetables are stored in the vegetable storage container 13,
The support 20 is compressed by the weight and the limit switch 21
When is closed, the high voltage power supply 18 is not energized. On the other hand, when the limit switch 21 is opened when the amount of stored vegetables is less than a certain amount, the high-voltage power supply 18 is energized for a predetermined time, and a voltage of several kV is applied to the needle-shaped electrode 15 to cause the needle-shaped electrode 15 to move. A high electric field is formed in the space between the electrode 15 and the plate electrode 17.

As a result, the vegetables in the vegetable storage container 13 are appropriately subjected to the electric field treatment, so that respiration is suppressed. This electric field treatment time may be several minutes to several tens of minutes (note that
For keeping the freshness of fruits and vegetables by electric field treatment, food distribution technology vol. 19, no. 2, p62 to p64, 199
0 etc.).

As described above, according to this embodiment, the vegetable compartment 8
Is substantially sealed with a vegetable storage container 13 and a lid 14 having a moisture permeable membrane 14a to maintain high humidity suitable for vegetables, and control by the limit switch 21 even when the amount of vegetables stored is small and high humidity cannot be maintained. Then, by energizing the high-voltage power source 18, a high electric field is formed in the space between the needle electrode 15 and the flat plate electrode 17, and the vegetables in the vegetable storage container 13 are subjected to the high electric field treatment to suppress the transpiration action and the respiration action. And vegetables can be stored for a long time.

When the amount of vegetables to be stored is small, the vegetable storage container 13 is pressed against the lid body 14 by the force of the coil spring 20a of the support body 20 to improve the airtightness. On the contrary, when the storage amount is large, a gap is created between the vegetable storage container 13 and the lid body 14, and the moisture which the moisture permeable membrane 14a does not correspond to escapes, so that an appropriate high humidity can be constantly maintained.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vegetable compartment 8 of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment, and the configuration of the door and the vegetable storage container is the same as that of FIG. The side surface inner box 16 of the vegetable compartment 8 has a pair or a plurality of optical sensors 22 each including a light projecting portion 22a and a light receiving portion 22b which are arranged to face each other. In addition, transparent windows 23 are provided on the left and right sides of the vegetable storage container 13 so that the light from the light projecting portion 22a of the optical sensor 22 can reach the light receiving portion 22b without being blocked by the vegetable storage container 13 in the previous period. .

The operation of the refrigerator configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. First, when vegetables are stored in the vegetable storage container 13, the moisture which is discharged from the vegetables by the evaporation action causes the humidity in the substantially closed vegetable storage container 13 to be high. And the lid 1
Due to the action of the moisture permeable membrane 14a of No. 4, excess water vapor permeates to the refrigerating chamber 9 having low humidity, which is suitable for vegetables.
Since it is maintained at about 5 to 95%, drying is suppressed.

Next, the control by the optical sensor 22 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment.

When an optical sensor 22 is used in place of the limit switch 21 in FIG. 3, when many vegetables are stored in the vegetable storage container 13, the light projecting portion 22a of the optical sensor 22 is used. When the light sensor 22 senses that the amount of stored vegetables is sufficient, the light is blocked by the stored vegetables and does not reach the light receiving portion 22b.
8 is controlled so as not to be energized.

On the other hand, when storing a small amount, the optical sensor-2
When the light sensor 22 detects that the light is not stored enough, the high voltage power source 18 is energized for a predetermined time, and the needle-shaped electrodes 15 are energized. A voltage of kV is applied, and a high electric field is formed in the space between the needle electrode 15 and the plate electrode 17.

As a result, the vegetables in the vegetable storage container 13 are appropriately subjected to the electric field treatment, so that respiration is suppressed. This electric field treatment time may be several minutes to several tens of minutes (note that
For keeping the freshness of fruits and vegetables by electric field treatment, food distribution technology vol. 19, no. 2, p62 to p64, 199
0 etc.).

As described above, unlike the first embodiment, the optical sensor 22 detects the storage amount in the vegetable storage container 13 and controls the high-voltage power supply 18 as appropriate. In particular, it is possible to suppress drying by performing an electric field treatment according to the amount of leafy vegetables whose volume is larger than its weight.

When the door is opened, the high-voltage power supply 18 is not energized because the light from the optical sensor 22 is blocked by the vegetable storage container 13, so that it also operates as a safety device when the door is opened.

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the vegetable compartment 8 of the refrigerator according to the third embodiment, and the configuration of the door and the vegetable storage container is the same as that of FIG. A humidity sensor 24 is provided in the vegetable storage container, for example, in front of the lower surface of the lid 14.
Have.

The operation of the refrigerator configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. First, when vegetables are stored in the vegetable storage container 13, the moisture which is discharged from the vegetables by the evaporation action causes the humidity in the substantially closed vegetable storage container 13 to be high. And the lid 1
Due to the action of the moisture permeable film 14a of No. 4, the excess water vapor permeates into the refrigerating chamber 9 having a low humidity, and is maintained at about 85 to 95% suitable for vegetables, so that the drying is suppressed.

Next, the control by the humidity sensor 24 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment.

When a humidity sensor 24 is used instead of the limit switch 21 in FIG. 3, the humidity sensor 24 indicates that the inside of the vegetable storage container 13 has a preset humidity or more and the amount of stored vegetables is sufficient. Is detected, the high voltage power supply 18 is controlled so as not to be energized.

On the other hand, when storing a small amount, the vegetable storage container 13
If the humidity sensor 24 senses that the humidity inside is less than a set value and the stored amount is less than a certain amount, the high voltage power supply 18 is energized for a predetermined time, and a voltage of several kV is applied to the needle electrode 15. When applied, a high electric field is formed in the space between the needle electrode 15 and the plate electrode 17.

As a result, the vegetables in the vegetable storage container 13 are appropriately subjected to the electric field treatment, so that respiration is suppressed. This electric field treatment time may be several minutes to several tens of minutes (note that
For keeping the freshness of fruits and vegetables by electric field treatment, food distribution technology vol. 19, no. 2p62-p64, 1990
Etc.)).

As described above, unlike the first embodiment, the high-voltage power supply 18 is appropriately controlled according to the decrease in the humidity in the vegetable storage container 13 by the humidity sensor-24.
It is possible to suppress the drying by performing an electric field treatment when the drying is intense. This can be dealt with even when a lot of root vegetables having a small transpiration action are stored.

[0045]

As described above, the refrigerator of the present invention has a vegetable storage container having an open top surface, a lid having a moisture permeable membrane provided so as to cover the top surface, and the periphery of the vegetable storage container. One or a plurality of needle-shaped electrodes and a flat plate electrode, a high-voltage power supply for generating a high voltage in the needle-shaped electrodes, a detection means for detecting the amount of vegetables stored in the vegetable storage container, and a vegetable storage When the amount is small, it has a control means for energizing the high-voltage power supply, so that the inside of the vegetable storage container is kept at a high humidity suitable for vegetables, and when the storage amount is small, the vegetables are subjected to electric field treatment for a predetermined time. By doing so, drying can be suppressed, and vegetables can be freshly stored for a long period of time even when the storage amount is large or small.

Further, by using a weight sensor as the detecting means, the coil spring of the support changes the sealing degree of the vegetable storage container and the lid according to the amount of vegetables stored, so that an appropriate high humidity is constantly maintained. be able to.

Further, by using an optical sensor as the detecting means, when the door is opened, light is blocked by the vegetable storage container so that the high-voltage power supply is not energized. Therefore, it also operates as a safety device when the door is opened. .

Further, by using a humidity sensor as the detecting means, root vegetables and the like having a small transpiration effect are mainly stored in the vegetable storage container, and although the storage amount is large, it can be coped with even when the drying is severe.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of a support according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a high voltage generating circuit provided in a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a conventional vegetable storage container of a refrigerator.

7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing a portion surrounded by a line AB in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Vegetable Room Door 13 Vegetable Storage Container 14 Lid 14a Moisture-permeable Membrane 15 Needle-shaped Electrode 17 Flat Plate Electrode 18 High Voltage Power Supply 20 Support 20a Coil Spring 20b Support 21 Limit Switch 22 Optical Sensor-22a Light Emitting 22b Light Receiving 23 Window 24 Humidity sensor

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location // A23B 7/04 9281-4B

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A vegetable storage container having an open top surface, a lid having a moisture permeable membrane provided so as to cover the top surface, and one or a plurality of needles arranged around the vegetable storage container. -Shaped electrodes and flat plate electrodes, a high-voltage power supply that generates a high voltage in the needle-shaped electrodes, a detection unit that detects the amount of vegetables stored in the vegetable storage container, and the high-voltage power supply is energized when the amount of stored vegetables is small. A refrigerator having a control means. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the detection means is a limit switch provided below the bottom of the vegetable storage container. 3. A light projecting device, wherein the detection means is opposed to a side inner box of the vegetable compartment and light is transmitted through a window provided in the vegetable container when the vegetable container is stored in the vegetable compartment. The refrigerator according to claim 1, which is an optical sensor including a light receiving unit and a light receiving unit. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the detection means is a humidity sensor installed in the vegetable storage container.