JPH06332A - Deodorizing heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the deterioration of defrosting performance of a refrigerator due to addition of a deodorizing function and to provide a deodorizing heater capable of efficiently removing malodorous components generated in the refrigerator. CONSTITUTION:This heater consists of a deodorizing heater 33 having a catalyst coating layer applied on the surface of a ceramics heating element, combinedly serving as a defrosting heater and a water dropping preventive member 34 above the heater 33.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heater having a function of removing malodorous components.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in the case of a refrigerator, various foods such as vegetables, meat, fish, etc. generate odors in a refrigerator, and the odors are circulated in a closed system in the refrigerator. This odor adhered to the and deteriorated the quality of food.

In order to solve these problems, there is a deodorizing heater for a refrigerator as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-194816.

A conventional deodorizing heater for a refrigerator will be described below. FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the upper part of the refrigerator showing a state in which a conventional deodorizing heater is arranged in the refrigerator, FIG. 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main part, and FIG. 10 is an enlarged cutaway front view.

First, in FIG. 8, 1 is a refrigerator main body, 2 and 3 are freezer compartments and refrigerating compartments formed therein, and 4 and 5 are doors, respectively. Reference numeral 6 denotes a cooler arranged in the cooler room 7 at the back of the freezing room 2, and 8 denotes a fan arranged above the cooler 6. When the fan is driven, a part of the air cooled by the cooler 6 is supplied into the freezer compartment 2 from the supply port 9, and the air in the freezer compartment 2 is supplied to the cooler compartment 7 via the return duct 10. The inside of the freezer compartment 2 is cooled by being circulated so that the inside of the freezer compartment 2 is cooled.

Further, a part of the air cooled by the cooler 6 is supplied into the refrigerating compartment 3 via the supply duct 11, and the air in the refrigerating compartment 3 is housed in the cooler compartment 7 via the return duct 12. It is circulated so that it is returned to the refrigerator room 3
The inside is cooled. In this case, the cooler chamber 7, the freezing chamber 2 and the return duct 10 form a circulation path through which the air in the freezing chamber 2 circulates.

Further, the cooler chamber 7, the supply duct 11, the refrigerating chamber 3 and the return duct 12 constitute a circulation path through which the air in the refrigerating chamber 3 circulates.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a defrosting heater disposed below the cooler 6 in the lower part of the cooler chamber 7, which is a glass having a structure in which a heater wire 13b is provided in a glass tube 13a as shown in FIG. It is composed of a tube heater, and energization is controlled only when defrosting the cooler 6 and electricity is cut off otherwise.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a water drop prevention member provided on the defrosting heater 13 so as to cover the defrosting heater 13 from above, which is made of a metal plate such as aluminum stainless having heat resistance and water resistance. As also shown, the lower side is formed into a shallow container shape that prevents defrost water from splashing on the defrost heater 13 when the cooler 6 is defrosted.

Reference numeral 15 is a deodorant, which is an adsorbent layer 15 made of an adsorbent such as activated carbon or silica (silicon dioxide).
and a catalyst layer 15b made of platinum or nickel provided on the surface of the adsorbent layer 15a has a two-layer structure.

Here, the deodorant body 15 forms a plate-shaped adsorbent layer 15a by sintering an adsorbent, and after the adsorbent layer 15a is dipped in a catalyst solution to adhere the catalyst to the surface. The catalyst layer 15b is formed on the surface of the adsorbent layer 15a by heat treatment.

Further, each of the adsorbent layer 15a and the catalyst layer 15b is made of a porous material so that air can flow inside. The deodorizing body 15 is supported and fixed to the inner surface of the water drop prevention member 14 by a supporting member 17 via a heat insulating material 16 made of glass fiber or the like, and is provided near the defrosting heater 13.

Reference numeral 18 is a cover member, for example, a wire mesh formed of a material having a high thermal conductivity so as to have a large number of through holes.
It is provided so as to cover the surface of the deodorant body 15.

A deodorizing heater for a refrigerator constructed as described above.
The operation of the data will be described below.

In the above-mentioned structure, during the cooling operation, the air in the refrigerator is blown by the blowing action of the fan 8 to cool the cooler chamber 7 and the freezer chamber 2.
And is circulated through the return duct 10, and is circulated through the cooler chamber 7, the supply duct 11, the refrigerating chamber 3, and the return duct 12. At this time, the air passing through the cooler chamber 7 comes into contact with the deodorant body 15 through the through holes of the wire net 18, and the odorous component contained in the air is adsorbent layer 15 of the deodorant body 15.
Adsorbed by a and removed.

On the other hand, when the defrosting operation is started, the cooler 6
And the operation of the fan 8 is stopped, while the defrost heater 13
Is energized to generate heat. Due to the heat generated by the defrosting heater 13, the cooler 6 is heated to perform defrosting, and the deodorant body 15 is also heated. At this time, since the surface of the deodorizer 15 is covered with the wire net 18, the heat transfer of the wire net 18 allows the deodorizer 15 to be heated as uniformly as possible. In the heated deodorizer 15, the odor component adsorbed by the adsorbent of the adsorbent layer 15a is desorbed, and at the same time, the odor component is oxidatively decomposed and removed in the catalyst layer 15b.

The deodorizing body 15 is heated in this way, so that the adsorption function, that is, the deodorizing function is reproduced. At this time, the water drop prevention member 14 plays a role of efficiently confining the heat from the defrosting heater 13 to heat the deodorizing body 15 efficiently, and at the same time, deodorizing body 15 and the defrosting heater 1
It is prevented that the defrosting water from the cooler 6 is applied to the water cooler 3.

The heat insulating material 16 suppresses the heat of the deodorizing body 15 from being dissipated from the water drop prevention member 14, and also deodorizes when the defrost water falls on the water drop prevention member 14 and the water drop prevention member 14 is rapidly cooled. The heat shock of the body 15 is prevented.

Further, the wire netting 18 prevents the deodorizing body 15 from falling and scattering if the deodorizing body 15 is damaged.

When the defrosting operation is finished and the cooling operation is restarted and the temperature of the deodorizing body 15 is lowered, the odorous components contained in the air in the refrigerator are adsorbed and removed by the deodorizing body 15 as described above. Will be done.

[0021]

However, in the above-mentioned structure, the deodorizing body 15, the heat insulating material 16, and the support 17 are provided between the defrosting heater 13 and the cooler 6 as inclusions other than the water drop prevention member 14. The wire mesh 18 is present, and the structure becomes complicated.

Further, as a result, it is necessary to increase the plate thickness of the water drop prevention member 14 in order to hold the deodorant body 15, and to increase the temperature of the deodorant body 15, the defrost heater 13 and the water drop prevention member. It is necessary to make the distances 14 closer to each other.
It will be in the state of entering the shallow bottom part of. For these reasons, there is a drawback in that the rise of convective heat to the cooler 6 of the defrost heater 13 is hindered, the defrost time becomes longer, and the defrost performance of the refrigerator deteriorates.

Further, since one surface of the deodorizing body 15 is in contact with the heat insulating material 16, the surface of the deodorizing body 15 is covered with the metal net 18, and the water drop prevention member 14 needs to be large, However, it has a drawback that the air circulated in the storage is bad and the deodorizing effect is low.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a deodorizing heater that efficiently adsorbs odorous components and decomposes and deodorizes them.

[0025]

To achieve this object, the deodorizing heater of the present invention comprises a ceramic heating element and at least activated alumina, silica, and a platinum group metal on all or part of the surface of the ceramic heating element. It has a catalyst coating layer made of metal.

[0026]

According to this structure, there is no component other than the water drop prevention member and the deodorizing heater, and the structure is simple because the deodorizing body is the catalyst coating layer. The catalyst coating layer of the deodorizing heater is well blown with air and the odor is efficiently adsorbed.

Further, the catalyst coating layer on the surface of the deodorizing heater is coated so as to cover the outer periphery of the ceramic heating element, and the heat of the ceramic heating element is transmitted to all the catalyst coating layers to decompose and deodorize the adsorbed odorous components. To do.

Further, since the deodorizing body is the catalyst coating layer on the surface of the ceramic heating element, it is not necessary to hold the deodorizing body on the water drop preventing member, and the size of the water drop preventing member can be reduced and the deodorizing heater and the water drop preventing member can be used. It is possible to increase the distance between the members, and the inhibition of the rise of convective heat to the cooler of the deodorizing heater is reduced.

[0029]

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

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the upper part of the refrigerator showing a state in which the deodorizing heater according to the first embodiment of the present invention is installed in the refrigerator, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of an essential part, FIG. 3 is an enlarged cutaway front view.

In FIG. 1, 21 is a refrigerator body,
Reference numerals 22 and 23 denote freezer compartments and refrigerating compartments formed therein, and 24 and 25 doors, respectively. Reference numeral 26 is a cooler installed in the cooler room 27 at the back of the freezing room 22, and 28 is a fan installed above the cooler 26. When the fan 28 is driven, a part of the air cooled by the cooler 26 is supplied into the freezer compartment 22 from the supply port 29, and the air in the freezer compartment 22 is returned to the cooler compartment 27 via the return duct 30. The freezing chamber 22 is cooled by the circulation.

Part of the air cooled by the cooler 26 is supplied to the refrigerating compartment 23 via the supply duct 31, and the air in the refrigerating compartment 23 is returned to the cooler compartment 27 via the return duct 32. The inside of the refrigerator compartment 23 is cooled by the circulation. In this case, the cooler chamber 27, the freezing chamber 22 and the return duct 30 constitute a circulation path through which the air in the freezing chamber 22 circulates, and the cooler chamber 27 and the supply duct 3 are provided.
1, the refrigerating room 2 by the refrigerating room 23 and the return duct 32
A circulation path through which the air in 3 circulates is configured.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a deodorizing heater disposed below the cooler 26 in the lower part of the cooler chamber 27. This is a catalyst coating on the surface of the effective heat generating portion of the ceramic heat generating body 33b as shown in FIGS. It has a layer 33a.

Further, the ceramic heating element 33b also serves as a defrosting heater of the refrigerator and is energized only when defrosting the cooler 26, and the rest of the time is cut off.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, reference numeral 34 is a water drop prevention member which is provided on the deodorization heater 33 so as to cover the deodorization heater 33 from above, and which prevents defrost water from splashing on the deodorization heater, for example, heat resistance and water resistance. And a metal 34b such as aluminum or stainless steel.

A deodorizing heater for a refrigerator constructed as described above.
The operation of the data will be described below.

During the cooling operation, the air in the refrigerator is circulated through the cooler chamber 27, the freezing chamber 22 and the return duct 30 by the blowing action of the fan 28, and the cooler chamber 27, the supply duct 31, the refrigerating chamber 23 and the return are performed. It is circulated through the duct 32.

At this time, the air containing the odorous component passing through the inside of the cooler chamber 27 comes into contact with the deodorizing heater 33, and the odorous component is adsorbed on the catalyst coating layer 33a and removed.

Next, when the defrosting operation is started, the cooler 2
6 and the fan 28 are stopped, the deodorizing heater 33 is energized to generate heat. Since the catalyst coating layer 33a of the deodorization heater 33 is installed so as to cover the outer circumference of the ceramic heating element 33b, the deodorization heater is heated in the entire circumferential direction from the ceramic heating element 33b, and the deodorization heater is heated to the activation temperature in a short time. Can be

At this time, the catalyst coating layer 33 of the deodorizing heater 33
When the catalyst coating layer 33a is heated to the activation temperature, the odorous components adsorbed by a are released, and at the same time, they are oxidatively decomposed and deodorized by the chemical action of the catalyst substance, and the adsorption ability of the catalyst coating layer 33a. Is played.

On the other hand, the water drop prevention member 34 and the deodorizing heater 33
Since there is no inclusion between the and, there is no need for the water drop prevention member 34 to hold the inclusion, and the size can be reduced.

Further, the deodorizing heater 33 and the water drop prevention member 34
Since there is no inclusion between them, the circulating air in the chamber containing the odorous component can easily hit the catalyst coating layer 33a, so that the odorous component can be efficiently adsorbed.

In addition, the catalyst coating layer 33a is a thin porous coating layer applied by a spray method, for example, and can be easily raised to the activation temperature.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cutaway front view of the essential parts of the deodorizing heater according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 4, 33b is a ceramic heating element, and 33c is a ceramic heating element 3.
It is an electrical insulator provided on the outer periphery of 3b. A catalyst coating layer 33a is applied to the surface of the electric insulator 33c by, for example, a spray method.

The operation of the deodorizing heater having the above structure will be described below. Fan 2 during cooling operation
The air in the refrigerator is circulated by the blowing action of 8, and the air containing the odorous component contacts the deodorizing heater 33, and the odorous component is adsorbed and removed by the catalyst coating layer 33a.

Next, when the defrosting operation is started, the cooler 2
6 and the fan 28 are stopped, the deodorizing heater 33 is energized to generate heat.

At this time, the catalyst coating layer 33 of the deodorizing heater 33
When the catalyst coating layer 33a is heated to the activation temperature, the odorous components adsorbed by a are released, and at the same time, they are oxidatively decomposed and deodorized by the chemical action of the catalyst substance, and the adsorption ability of the catalyst coating layer 33a. Is played.

At this time, since the electric insulator 33C is provided on the outer periphery of the ceramic heating element 33b, even if water droplets are applied during defrosting, the electric insulator 33c is insulated, so there is concern about leakage of electricity. There is no need to improve safety.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cutaway front view of the essential parts of the deodorizing heater according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 5, 33b
Is a ceramic heating element, and a fin 33d made of a material having relatively good thermal conductivity such as aluminum is spirally wound around the circumferential surface of the heating element. 33a is a fin 33d
And a contact coating layer applied to the surface of the ceramic heating element 33b corresponding to the effective heating portion by, for example, a spray method.

The operation of the deodorizing heater constructed as described above will be described below. Fan 2 during cooling operation
The air in the refrigerator is circulated by the blowing action of 8, and the air containing the odorous component contacts the deodorizing heater 33, and the odorous component is adsorbed and removed by the catalyst coating layer 33a.

Next, when the defrosting operation is started, the cooler 2
6 and the fan 28 are stopped, the deodorizing heater 33 is energized to generate heat.

At this time, the catalyst coating layer 33 of the deodorizing heater 33
When the catalyst coating layer 33a is heated to the activation temperature, the odorous components adsorbed by a are released, and at the same time, they are oxidatively decomposed and deodorized by the chemical action of the catalyst substance, and the adsorption ability of the catalyst coating layer 33a. Is played.

At this time, since the fins 33d are spirally wound around the surface of the ceramic heating element 33b, the surface area of the catalyst coating layer 33a is increased to improve the adsorption capacity and the fins 33d are made of a relatively heat conductive material such as aluminum. Since it is a good material, the catalyst-covered frost 33a can rise to the activation temperature in a short time to further enhance the deodorizing effect.

Further, in this embodiment, the fins 33d are spirally formed.
Although it is wound, a metal wire or the like may be used.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the deodorizing heater according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the main part thereof.

The deodorizer 36 has a catalyst coating layer 36a coated by, for example, a dip coating method on the surface of a base material 36b made of a material having a relatively high thermal conductivity such as aluminum, and is attached in a shape that can be freely fitted. It is attached to the ceramic heating element 33b by the portion 36c.

The operation of the deodorizing heater configured as described above will be described below. During the cooling operation, the air in the refrigerator is circulated by the blowing action of the fan 28, and the air containing the odor component contacts the deodorizing body 36, and the odor component is adsorbed to the catalyst coating layer 36a and removed.

Next, when the defrosting operation is started, the cooler 2
6 and the fan 28 are stopped, the ceramic heating element 33b is energized to generate heat and the temperature of the deodorizing element 36 rises.

The odorous components adsorbed on the catalyst coating layer 36a of the deodorizer 36 are released by the catalyst coating layer 36a being heated to the activation temperature, and at the same time oxidatively decomposed by the chemical action of the catalyst substance. It is deodorized, and the adsorption ability of the catalyst coating layer 36a is regenerated.

At this time, the deodorizing body 36 is attached to the mounting portion 36c.
Since it is in contact with the ceramic heating element 33b, heat is transferred from the ceramic heating element 33b not only by convection but also by conduction, and heating of the catalyst coating layer 36a can be made very effective.

As a result, the volume of the catalyst coating layer 36a can be increased, and the deodorizing effect can be further enhanced.

Further, since the deodorizing body 36 is fitted, dip coating is possible and the assembling can be performed easily.

Further, the catalyst coating layers 33a and 36a of the present invention
Is formed by using a manganese dioxide, a metal oxide such as a perovskite type metal oxide, a hexaaluminate or the like and a catalyst material such as an alumina-supported platinum group metal together with a suitable binder such as alumina hydroxide, alumina sol or silica gel. Is. Of these, it is most desirable to use an alumina platinum group metal as a catalyst coating material from the viewpoint of heat resistance and poisoning resistance.

Further, the catalyst coating layers 33a and 36a of the present invention
It is desirable to include silica in. By including silica, the catalyst coating layers 33a and 3a on the exterior of the heating element such as a glass tube
The adhesion of 6a can be strengthened.

Further, by using the PTC ceramic heating element as the ceramic heating element 33b of the present invention, the temperature control of the deodorizing heater can be facilitated, and efficient deodorization can be performed without raising the temperature more than necessary.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention, for example, in the case of a refrigerator, at least activated alumina is provided in the whole or a part of the effective heat generating portion provided on the surface of the ceramic heat generating element provided in the air circulation path in the refrigerator. By providing a deodorizing heater having a catalyst coating layer made of silica and a platinum group metal and a water drop prevention member located above the deodorizing heater, it is possible to provide a deodorizing heater that efficiently adsorbs odorous components and decomposes and deodorizes them. It is a thing.

Further, by providing an electric insulator on the outer periphery of the ceramic heating element and having the catalyst coating layer on the whole or a part of the surface of the electric insulator, safety can be improved.

Further, a fin made of a material having relatively good heat conduction is spirally wound around the ceramic heating element, and a catalyst coating layer is provided on the surface corresponding to the effective heating portion of the fin and the ceramic heating element to remove deodorization. The effect can be enhanced.

Further, by attaching a deodorizing body having a catalyst coating layer on the surface of a base material of a material having relatively good heat conduction and a mounting portion having a shape capable of being fitted freely to the ceramic heating element, a deodorizing effect can be obtained. And the assembly can be easily performed.

By using a PTC ceramic heating element as the ceramic heating element, efficient deodorization can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an upper part of a refrigerator showing a state in which a deodorizing heater according to an embodiment of claim 1 of the present invention is installed in a refrigerator.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main part of the deodorizing heater shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cutaway front view of the main part of the deodorizing heater shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cutaway front view of the essential parts of the deodorizing heater according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cutaway front view of the essential parts of the deodorizing heater according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a deodorizing heater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the deodorizing heater shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the upper part of the refrigerator showing a state in which a conventional deodorizing heater is installed in the refrigerator.

9 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the main part of the deodorizing heater shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cutaway front view of the main part of the deodorizing heater shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 33 deodorizing heater 33a catalyst-covered frost 33b ceramic heating element 33c electric insulator 33d fin 36 deodorizing element

Front page continued (72) Inventor Yoshihide Nakajima 3-22 Takaidahondori, Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Refrigerating Machinery Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A deodorizing heater comprising a ceramic heating element and a catalyst coating layer made of at least activated alumina, silica and a platinum group metal on all or part of the surface of the ceramic heating element. 2. The deodorizing heater according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst coating layer is provided on all or part of an electric insulator provided on the outer periphery of the ceramic heating element. 3. A catalyst coating layer is provided on all or a part of fins made of a metal material having a higher thermal conductivity than ceramics arranged spirally around the outer periphery of a ceramic heating element. The deodorizing heater described. 4. A ceramic heating element, and a deodorizing element having a shape capable of being fitted in contact with the surface of the ceramic heating element and having a catalyst coating layer made of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than ceramics. Deodorizing heater. 5. The deodorizing heater according to claim 1, wherein the ceramic heating element is a PTC ceramic heating element.