JPH07260332A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To decompose growth promoting component of a plant and to suppress growth promotion, i.e., aging progress of food, etc., by disposing a gas removing unit having a gas decomposing member and a lamp for emitting an ultraviolet ray in a storage chamber for the food, etc. CONSTITUTION:A partition wall 5 for forming, for example, a ceiling of a vegetable chamber in a refrigerator is formed by filling heat insulator 4 in an inner box 3. In this case, a recess 20 is formed on a lower surface of the wall 5, i.e., a ceiling of the chamber, and a gas removing unit 19 is disposed in the recess 20. The unit 19 is composed of a gas decomposing member 22 and an ultraviolet lamp 23 in a case 21. On the other hand, leads 27 extended from a lamp socket 24 are connected to a lamp circuit 28 through the wall 5, the circuit 28 is connected to a power source 30 through a relay switch 29, and a relay switch 29 is turned ON, OFF at a predetermined time interval by an ON/OFF timer 31.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator capable of long-term storage of vegetables and fruits.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for example, household refrigerators have been provided with a dedicated vegetable compartment for storing fresh vegetables and fruits. In this one, a so-called pull-out type storage container is provided in the vegetable chamber so that it can be put in and out, and cold air is circulated between the storage container and the chamber wall of the vegetable chamber, and the storage container is kept in a constant sealed state, The vegetables can be stored at a temperature (3 to 5 ° C.) and a humidity (90 to 95%) suitable for storage. According to this, vegetables and fruits can be stored in a fresh state for a certain period (for example, one week).

[0003]

By the way, as a major factor in accelerating the aging of vegetables and fruits, a component (ethylene,
Acetaldehyde etc.). Therefore, if the plant growth promoting components such as ethylene and acetaldehyde can be effectively removed from the vegetable compartment (storage container), the vegetables and fruits can be stored for a longer period of time.

However, conventionally, a technique for effectively removing a growth promoting component of a plant such as ethylene gas has not been sufficiently established, and even in a refrigerator, a measure for removing the growth promoting component of a plant. Was not taken at all.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to effectively remove growth-promoting components released from vegetables and fruits and to preserve vegetables and fruits for a long period of time. And to provide a refrigerator.

[0006]

A refrigerator of the present invention comprises a storage room for storing foods and the like in a main body,
A gas decomposing member comprising a photocatalyst that is activated by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays and decomposes a plant growth promoting component, and a lamp that irradiates the gas decomposing member with ultraviolet rays, in the storage chamber or a communication passage communicating with the storage chamber. The present invention is characterized in that a gas removing device including the above is provided and an energization control unit that controls the on / off of the lamp by a time function is provided (the invention of claim 1).

Further, in this case, an opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of the door of the storage chamber is provided, and the energization control means is arranged to turn off the lamp for a predetermined time when the opening / closing detection means detects the opening of the door. It can be configured to do so (the invention of claim 2).

[0008]

The present inventor conducted experiments and research while focusing on photocatalyst technology in order to develop a technology for effectively removing plant growth promoting components such as ethylene and acetaldehyde released from vegetables and fruits in a refrigerator. As a result of repeated experiments, it was found that the combination of a photocatalyst represented by a metal oxide such as titanium oxide or zinc oxide with ultraviolet rays was extremely effective in decomposing the growth promoting component, and completed the present invention. It was.

That is, when the photocatalyst is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, active species are generated on the surface of the photocatalyst, which causes various chemical reactions. In particular, it has a strong ability to oxidize and decompose organic compounds,
Plant growth promoting components (ethylene, acetaldehyde, etc.)
Alternatively, malodorous components (ammonia, trimethylamine, methyl mercaptan, hydrogen sulfide, etc.) can be decomposed into water, carbon dioxide, etc. The principle of the photo-oxidative decomposition is as follows.

[0010]

[Chemical 1]

Therefore, according to the refrigerator of the present invention, the gas removing device is provided with the gas decomposition member made of a photocatalyst and the lamp for irradiating the gas decomposition member with ultraviolet rays in the storage chamber or the communication passage communicating with the storage chamber. Since, since the growth promoting components of the plant such as ethylene and acetaldehyde released from the stored vegetables and fruits are decomposed and removed by the gas removing device in the storage chamber or the communication passage, The growth (aging) of vegetables and fruits can be suppressed.

In addition to the action of removing the growth promoting component of the plant, the gas removing device decomposes the odorous component in the storage chamber,
The effect of removal can be expected, and further, the effect of sterilization and mold prevention in the storage chamber by the ultraviolet rays emitted from the lamp can be expected. Moreover, since the gas removing device does not generate harmful ozone or the like, it is excellent in safety.

By the way, if the lamp in the gas removing device is constantly turned on (energized), decomposition of the growth promoting component,
Although the removal function can be constantly exerted, the life of the lamp is shortened, and it is expected that the lamp needs to be replaced after a relatively short period of use. Therefore, as a result of further experiments and studies, the present inventor has conducted further experiments and studies in order to extend the life of the lamp.
It was confirmed that the effect of suppressing the progress of aging of stored vegetables and fruits can be sufficiently obtained even after repeated power interruptions.

That is, until the growth promoting component of the plant released from vegetables and fruits reaches a predetermined concentration in the storage chamber, it hardly affects the stored materials, and until the concentration reaches the adverse effect. It takes some time. Therefore, if the concentration of the growth promoting component of the plant in the storage chamber is sufficiently low, even if the function of the gas removal device is stopped for some time, the effect of suppressing the progress of aging of vegetables and fruits is not deteriorated. Of.

Therefore, according to the present invention, since the energization control means for controlling the power interruption of the lamp by the time function is provided, the lamp interruption time can be secured while ensuring the effect of suppressing the aging of vegetables and fruits. Therefore, the life of the lamp can be extended as compared with the case of always energizing.

Further, in this case, when the door of the storage room is opened, the growth promoting component of the plant, which is lighter than air, is released to the outside of the storage room. The concentration of the growth promoting component in the storage chamber becomes sufficiently low, and even if the lamp is turned off for a predetermined time thereafter, there is no problem. Therefore, if the opening / closing detection means for detecting the opening / closing of the door of the storage room is provided, and the energization control means is configured to turn off the lamp for a predetermined time when the opening / closing detection means detects the opening of the door. (Invention of Claim 2), the power interruption time of the lamp can be further lengthened.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Some embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a household refrigerator will be described below with reference to the drawings. (1) First Example First, a first example (corresponding to claim 1) of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. FIG. 4 schematically shows the configuration of the main body 1 of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment. The main body 1 formed of a heat insulating box body has an outer box 2 made of, for example, a metal plate and an inner box 3 made of, for example, plastic. They are arranged, and a heat insulating material 4 such as urethane foam is filled between the outer box 2 and the inner box 3. The inside of the main body 1 is divided into a plurality of upper and lower parts by a partition wall 5 having a heat insulating property, so that a plurality of (for example, four upper and lower) storage chambers 6 to 9 are formed. In this case, the four storage chambers 6 to 9 are a refrigerating chamber 6, an upper freezing chamber 7, a lower freezing chamber 8 and a vegetable chamber 9 in order from the top.

A well-known refrigeration cycle as a cooling means is incorporated in the main body 1, of which the cooler 1
0 is arranged in a cooler chamber 11 provided at the back of the main body 1. Although not shown, cold air from the cooler chamber 11 is stored in the main body 1 in the storage chambers 6 to 9 described above.
A cold air circulation passage for circulating and supplying the air to the inside is provided, and a fan device 12 for circulating the cool air is provided in the cooler chamber 11. In addition, on the front surface of the main body 1, the storage chambers 6 are provided.
Doors 13 to 16 having a heat insulating property for opening and closing 9 to 9 are provided, respectively.

Fresh vegetables, fruits and the like are stored exclusively in the vegetable compartment 9 as a storage compartment for vegetables. These vegetables and fruits are stored in a so-called drawer type storage container 17. It is supposed to be housed. The storage container 17 has a container shape with an open upper surface, and is connected to the door 16 so as to be taken in and out integrally with the door 16. In FIG. 4, a door switch 36 for detecting opening / closing of the door 16 is provided on the front surface of the vegetable compartment 9.

At this time, the cold air supplied into the vegetable compartment 9 through the cold air circulation passage is mainly circulated between the storage container 17 and the inner wall of the vegetable compartment 9. Further, when the storage container 17 is housed in the vegetable compartment 9, the storage container 17 is kept in a fixed sealed state by the sealing packing 18 and the like so that moisture (steam) in the storage container 17 does not escape. Thus, the storage container 17 can store vegetables at a temperature (3 to 5 ° C.) and humidity (90 to 95%) suitable for storage.

In the present embodiment, a gas removing device 19 for removing plant growth promoting components such as ethylene and acetaldehyde released from vegetables and fruits is provided above the vegetable compartment 9. Hereinafter, this gas removal device 1
9 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

First, the partition wall 5 forming the ceiling of the vegetable compartment 9 is integrally provided on the main body 1 and is constructed by filling the inside of the inner box 3 with the heat insulating material 4. On the lower surface of the partition wall 5, that is, on the ceiling surface of the vegetable compartment 9, there is provided a rectangular recess 20 that is long in the lateral direction. Then, this recess 20
A unitized gas removing device 19 is attached to the portion.

The gas removing device 19 is provided with a gas decomposing member 22 and a cold cathode lamp 23 (hereinafter referred to as an ultraviolet lamp 23) as an ultraviolet light source in a case 21. Of these, the case 21 is formed of a material such as a metal plate that does not transmit ultraviolet rays, and is formed into a rectangular box shape with an open lower surface that fits into the recess 20.
Further, the ultraviolet lamp 23 is mounted in the case 21 so as to extend in the left-right direction by being supported by a pair of lamp sockets 24, 24 mounted on the bottom surface of the case 21. It should be noted that the case 21 may be made of glass, a plastic plate plated with metal, or the like as long as it is a material that does not transmit ultraviolet rays, so that the inner box 3 made of plastic can be protected from ultraviolet rays.

The gas decomposing member 22 is made of, for example, a photocatalyst made of a metal oxide such as titanium oxide or zinc oxide. In this case, the photocatalyst is elongated in the left-right direction and has a concave side surface (excluding the upper wall portion). It is formed into a rectangular tubular shape.
The gas decomposing member 22 is attached with two U-shaped attachment fittings 25, 25 attached to the bottom surface of the case 21 such that both left and right ends thereof are retained downward.

At this time, the gas decomposing member 22 is separated from the ultraviolet lamp 23 and is arranged below and in front of and behind the ultraviolet lamp 23. In addition, a gap is formed between the upper end of the gas decomposition member 22 and the bottom surface of the case 21. As will be described later in detail, the gas decomposing member 22 is activated by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays and has a function of decomposing plant growth promoting components and the like.

The gas removing device 19 thus constructed
Is attached to the upper portion of the vegetable compartment 9 by fitting the case 21 into the recess 20 and screwing the case 21, for example. Furthermore, the lower surface of the gas removing device 19 (case 2
The lower surface opening 1) is covered with a protective cover 26 so that the user does not touch the gas decomposition member 22 and the like. The protective cover 26 is configured, for example, with a large number of slits 26a, and has claw portions 26b at both ends.
It is attached to the partition wall 5 by 26b. The slit 26a may be, for example, a large number of circular holes.

The lead wire 27 led out from the lamp socket 24 passes through the inside of the partition wall 5 (heat insulating material 4) and is connected to a lamp circuit 28 as shown in FIG. The lamp circuit 28 is connected to a power source 30 via a relay switch 29, and the relay switch 2
The ON / OFF timer 31 is repeatedly turned on and off at a predetermined time interval. As will be described later, in this embodiment, for example, 3 hours on and 3 hours off are repeated, and thus the relay switch 29, the ON / OFF timer 31 and the like constitute the energization control means. As a result, when the relay switch 29 is turned on, the ultraviolet lamp 23 is turned on and the gas decomposing member 22 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. Various foods and the like are stored and stored in the storage chambers 6 to 9 depending on the type. Among them, fresh vegetables and fruits are in the vegetable room 9
It is accommodated in the storage container 17 of. At this time, vegetables and fruits should be stored at a temperature (3 to 5 ° C) and humidity (90 to 9 ° C) suitable for storage.
It will be stored at 5%).

Here, from the vegetables and fruits themselves, ethylene gas, which is a component that promotes plant growth, is released, and if they are not removed, they remain in the vegetable compartment 9 (storage container 17) and If there is a certain concentration in 17 or more (this is referred to as the limit gas concentration), the aging of vegetables and fruits will be accelerated. However, in the present embodiment, the gas removing device 19 is provided above the vegetable compartment 9.
By providing the above, the plant growth promoting component can be effectively removed.

That is, ethylene gas or the like generated from vegetables and fruits is lighter than air and tends to rise, and passes through the slit 26a of the protective cover 26 to remove the gas removing device 19
Invade inside. At this time, the ethylene gas or the like may be passed between the gas decomposition member 22 and the ultraviolet lamp 23 through the gap between the gas decomposition member 22 and the case 21 or the opening of the end surface of the gas decomposition member 22. become. On the other hand, in the gas removing device 19, by turning on the ultraviolet lamp 23, the ultraviolet lamp 2 is attached to the gas decomposition member 22 made of a photocatalyst.
3 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, whereby the gas decomposition member 2 is irradiated.
Active species are generated on the surface of No. 2 and various chemical reactions, particularly oxidative decomposition reactions of organic compounds, are remarkably performed.

Accordingly, plant growth promoting components such as ethylene and acetaldehyde released from stored vegetables and fruits are decomposed and removed by the gas removing device 19 into water, carbon dioxide and the like. , The progress of the growth (aging) of vegetables and fruits due to the growth promoting component can be suppressed.

The gas removing device 19 not only decomposes and removes plant growth promoting components, but also decomposes and removes malodorous components (ammonia, trimethylamine, methylmercaptan, hydrogen sulfide, etc.). Therefore, the deodorizing effect can be obtained. Moreover, sterilization of the vegetable compartment 9 by the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamp 23,
The antifungal effect can be expected, and further, the gas removing device 19
Does not generate harmful ozone, etc., and is therefore highly safe.

Incidentally, FIGS. 6 to 9 show the decomposition ability of each organic compound by the photocatalyst. As time passes, ethylene gas (FIG. 6), acetaldehyde (FIG. 7), ammonia (FIG. 8), The change situation of the concentration of methyl mercaptan (FIG. 9) is shown. In addition, as a reference, the change in concentration when not irradiated with ultraviolet rays (abbreviated as UV) is also shown. As can be understood from FIGS. 6 to 9, a gas removing device 1 combining a photocatalyst and ultraviolet rays
9 is the ability to decompose and remove plant growth promoting components (ethylene, acetaldehyde) and malodorous components (ammonia,
It has an extremely excellent ability to decompose and remove methyl mercaptan).

By the way, in the gas removing device 19, if the ultraviolet lamp 23 is constantly turned on (energized), the decomposition and removal functions of the growth promoting component can be constantly exerted, but the life of the ultraviolet lamp 23 is short. Becomes
It is expected that the ultraviolet lamp 23 will need to be replaced after a relatively short period of use.

However, until the growth-promoting component of the plant released from vegetables and fruits reaches the limit gas concentration in the vegetable compartment 9 (storage container 17), there is almost no adverse effect on the stored materials, and the limit gas concentration is low. It will take some time before it becomes. Therefore, if the indoor concentration of the plant growth promoting component is sufficiently low, the effect of suppressing the progress of aging of vegetables and fruits will not be deteriorated even if the function of the gas removing device 19 is stopped for some time. Of.

In the present embodiment, the ON / OFF timer 31 is used to control the power interruption so that the ultraviolet lamp 23 is repeatedly energized (lighted) for 3 hours and disconnected (extinguished) for 3 hours. While the effect of suppressing the progress of aging of vegetables and fruits can be ensured, the ultraviolet lamp 23 can be cut off for a long time, and the life of the ultraviolet lamp 23 can be extended as compared with the case of continuous energization. .

In this case, the on time of the ultraviolet lamp 23,
The off time is set to 3 hours because of the simulation under the following conditions. That is, in the vegetable compartment 9 having a volume of 70 liters, the amount of ethylene gas generated from the accommodated vegetables is 1.0 microliter / Kg · h, whereas the limit gas concentration in the vegetable compartment 9 is 0. It is 5 ppm. Furthermore, the surface area of the gas decomposition member 22 of the gas removal device 19 is 336 mm 2, and the ultraviolet lamp 23
The effective ultraviolet ray output of (diameter 15.5 mm, length 210 mm) is 0.2 W.

When checked under these conditions, the ultraviolet lamp 23
In the power-off state, the ethylene gas concentration in the vegetable compartment 9 reaches the limit gas concentration in about 3 hours. Then, when the ultraviolet lamp 23 is turned on from the limit gas concentration, the vegetable compartment 9
It was possible to remove 92% of the ethylene gas therein. Therefore, by controlling the ultraviolet lamp 23 so that it is turned on for 3 hours and turned off for 3 hours, it is possible to ensure a sufficient function of the gas removing device 19.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the gas removing device 19 including the gas decomposition member 22 made of a photocatalyst and the ultraviolet lamp 23 for irradiating the gas decomposition member 22 with ultraviolet rays is provided above the vegetable compartment 9. Since it is provided, it is possible to effectively remove the growth promoting component released from vegetables and fruits. As a result, in combination with the control of temperature and humidity, the progress of aging of the vegetables and fruits housed in the vegetable compartment 9 can be effectively suppressed, and measures for removing the growth promoting components of the plant can be taken. Compared to the conventional one that was not taken at all,
It has become possible to store vegetables and fruits in a fresh state for a sufficiently long period of time. Moreover, the effect of removing the malodorous component can be obtained.

Further, particularly in this embodiment, the gas removing device 1
9 is provided in the upper part of the vegetable compartment 9, and the gas decomposition member 2
Since the 2 and the ultraviolet lamp 23 are provided in a separated state, the plant growth promoting component can be efficiently decomposed and removed. Further, since the gas decomposing member 22 is provided below the ultraviolet lamp 23 so as to form a concave shape, it is possible to effectively irradiate the gas decomposing member 22 with ultraviolet rays, and in the unlikely event that the ultraviolet lamp 23 is damaged. In addition, it is possible to receive glass and mercury and to prevent the glass and mercury from falling into the vegetable compartment 9 in advance.

Then, the ultraviolet lamp 23 is turned on and off.
Since it is controlled by the / OFF timer 31, while securing the effect of suppressing the progress of aging of vegetables and fruits,
The service life of the ultraviolet lamp 23 can be extended, and the replacement of the ultraviolet lamp 23 can be eliminated.

(2) Second Embodiment FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment (corresponding to claim 2) of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the ON / OFF timer 31 is replaced by a control circuit 35 as an energization control means. This control circuit 35 is also for turning on / off the relay switch 29 for energizing the ultraviolet lamp 23, has a built-in ON / OFF timer function, and opens / closes the door 16 of the vegetable compartment 9. A detection signal is provided from a door switch 36 (see FIG. 4) as an opening / closing detection means for detecting the.

Thus, when the door 16 is in the closed state based on the detection signal from the door switch 36, the control circuit 35 uses the ON / OFF timer function to turn on the relay switch 29 for, for example, 3 hours. The control is performed so as to repeat off for 3 hours. When the door switch 36 detects the opening of the door 16, the relay switch 29 starts from that point in time regardless of the on / off control by the ON / OFF timer function.
The off time is started and the same control (3 hours off, 3 hours on) is performed.

Here, since the growth promoting component of the plant such as ethylene gas is lighter than air as described above, when the door 16 of the vegetable compartment 9 is opened, it is released to the outside of the vegetable compartment 9. . Therefore, when the door 16 is opened,
The indoor concentration of plant growth promoting components becomes sufficiently low,
After that, there is no problem even if the ultraviolet lamp 23 is cut off for a predetermined time.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the effect of suppressing the progress of aging of vegetables and fruits is ensured by repeatedly controlling the energization (lighting) for 3 hours and the power interruption (lighting off) for 3 hours, while the ultraviolet lamp 23 is operated. The disconnection time can be secured, and further, the disconnection time of the ultraviolet lamp 23 can be further lengthened by the control based on the door switch 36. As a result, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the life of the ultraviolet lamp 23 can be further extended.

When the door switch 36 detects the opening of the door 16, the off time of the relay switch 29 may start at the time when the door switch 36 detects the closing of the door 16. Further, the off time when the door 16 is opened may be set separately from the on / off control time when the door 16 is closed (for example, one hour).

(3) Third Embodiment FIGS. 11 and 12 show a main body 41 of a so-called fan-cool type refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. This main body 41 is an adiabatic box body. It is made up of, and is partitioned by the partition walls 42 and 43 inside,
3 of refrigerating room 44, freezing room 45 and vegetable room 46 in order from the top
Individual storage rooms are formed.

As shown in FIG. 11, a cooler chamber 47 is formed on the back wall of the freezing chamber 45, and a cooler 48 is provided in the cooler chamber 47.
A fan device 49 is provided at the upper part thereof.
Further, the main body 41 is provided with a cold air circulation passage for circulating and supplying cold air to the storage chambers 44, 45, 46 as follows.

That is, a part of the cool air blown from the fan device 49 is provided in the upper part of the back wall of the freezer compartment 45.
0 is supplied directly into the freezer compartment 45, and the cool air is
It is returned to the lower part of the cooler chamber 47 through the freezer return path 51 (see FIG. 12) formed in the partition wall 43. On the other hand, the remaining part of the cool air blown from the fan device 49 is supplied into the refrigerating compartment 44 through the refrigerating compartment air duct 52 extending upward through the back wall portion of the refrigerating compartment 44, and Cold air
It is supplied into the vegetable compartment 46 through the refrigerating compartment return path 53. Then, the cold air supplied into the vegetable compartment 46 is returned to the lower part of the cooler compartment 47 through the vegetable compartment return path 54.

Now, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a refrigerating compartment return path 53 which is a part of the cold air circulation path.
Further, a gas removing device 55 is provided. Although not shown in detail, the gas removing device 55 also includes a gas decomposing member made of a photocatalyst as in the first and second embodiments.
The gas decomposing member is provided with an ultraviolet lamp for irradiating ultraviolet rays. Further, the ultraviolet lamp is controlled to be turned on and off so that, for example, energization (lighting) for 3 hours and power interruption (extinguishing) for 3 hours are repeated. still,
In this case, the surface area of the gas decomposing member and the ultraviolet light output of the ultraviolet lamp correspond to the internal volume of the entire refrigerator, and are set larger than those of the first embodiment.

In such a configuration, the air in each of the storage chambers 44, 45, and 46 circulates through the cold air circulation path by the forced convection by the fan device 49, so that the growth promoting components of the plants generated from the stored foods and the like The malodorous component is always passed through the gas removing device 55 provided in the refrigerating room return path 53, and is decomposed and removed here. In this case, since the gas removing device 55 is forcedly passed through, the plant growth promoting component and malodorous component can be decomposed and removed uniformly and in large quantities.

Therefore, in the vegetable compartment 46, the progress of the growth (aging) of vegetables and fruits due to the growth promoting component is effectively suppressed, and the vegetables and fruits are stored in a fresh state for a sufficiently long period of time. It becomes possible. The effect of removing the growth-promoting component and the bad odor extends not only to the vegetable compartment 46 but also to all the storage compartments, so that there is an advantage that a separate deodorizing device can be eliminated.

Since the interruption of electricity of the ultraviolet lamp is controlled by the time function, the life of the ultraviolet lamp can be extended while securing the effect of suppressing the aging of vegetables and fruits. Therefore, it becomes possible to eliminate the need to replace the ultraviolet lamp.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the on / off control is carried out so that the ultraviolet lamp is repeatedly energized (lighted) for 3 hours and electrically disconnected (extinguished) for 3 hours. Can be set arbitrarily according to the capacity of the storage chamber and the capacity of the gas removal device, etc., and can be changed according to, for example, the amount of stored material or the frequency of opening and closing the door without fixing the time. You can choose to let them do it.

For example, in the case of a refrigerator which does not have a dedicated vegetable storage room (vegetable room), a gas removing device may be provided in the storage room (refrigerating room) in which vegetables and fruits are mainly stored. good. Furthermore, a gas removing device may be provided in another communication passage different from the cold air circulation passage, which communicates with the storage chamber. At this time, in the case where both ends of the communication passage communicate with the storage chamber. It is more effective if the internal air is forced to convection in the communication passage by a fan device or the like.

Further, when a gas removing device is provided in the cold air circulation path, if there is a risk of freezing or dew condensation on the surface of the gas decomposing member, a heater is arranged in the vicinity of the gas decomposing member to heat the gas if necessary. Is also good. In this case, the heating timing can be matched with the defrosting operation timing of the cooler, and the heater can also be used as the defrosting heater.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and is not limited to, for example, a home refrigerator, but can be applied to a commercial refrigerator, a dedicated storage room for fresh vegetables, and the like. The present invention can be carried out by appropriately changing the present invention within the scope not departing from the gist, such as various modifications of the shape and structure of the gas decomposing member and the lamp.

[0058]

As is clear from the above description, according to the refrigerator of claim 1 of the present invention, the plant which is activated by irradiating with ultraviolet rays to the storage chamber or the communication passage communicating with the storage chamber is activated. A gas decomposing member comprising a photocatalytic member for decomposing the growth promoting component of the above, and a lamp for irradiating the gas decomposing member with ultraviolet rays, and energization control means for controlling the on / off of the lamp by a time function. Since it has been provided, it is possible to effectively remove the growth promoting components released from vegetables and fruits and the like, and it is possible to preserve vegetables and fruits and the like for a long period of time, and also to extend the life of the lamp. It has an excellent practical effect of being able to.

Further, in this case, the opening / closing detection means for detecting the opening / closing of the door of the storage chamber is provided, and the energization control means is arranged to turn off the lamp for a predetermined time when the opening / closing detection means detects the opening of the door. With this configuration (the invention of claim 2), the lamp can be cut off for a longer time, and the life of the lamp can be further extended.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention and is a vertical cross-sectional side view of a gas removing device portion.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional front view of a gas removing device portion.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the gas removing device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical sectional side view of a refrigerator.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an energizing circuit of an ultraviolet lamp.

FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing the decomposition ability of ethylene gas by a photocatalyst.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing the ability of acetaldehyde to be decomposed by a photocatalyst.

FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram showing the decomposition ability of ammonia by a photocatalyst.

FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram showing the decomposition ability of methyl mercaptan by a photocatalyst.

FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic vertical sectional side view of a refrigerator main body showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic vertical sectional side view in a cross section different from FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawing, 1,41 is a main body, 5,42,43 are partition walls,
6,44 is a refrigerating room, 7,8,45 is a freezing room, 9,46 is a vegetable room, 10,48 is a cooler, 11,47 is a cooler room,
12, 49 is a fan device, 17 is a storage container, 18 is packing, 19 and 55 are gas removing devices, 20 is a recess, 21 is a case, 22 is a gas decomposition member, 23 is an ultraviolet lamp,
4 is a lamp socket, 25 is a mounting bracket, 26 is a protective cover, 27 is a lead wire, 28 is a lamp circuit, 29 is a relay switch, 30 is a power supply, 31 is an ON / OFF timer (energization control means), and 35 is control. Circuit (energization control means),
36 is a door switch (opening / closing detection means), 52 is a freezer compartment return path, 53 is a refrigerating room return path, and 54 is a vegetable compartment return path.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display H05B 39/04

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A body comprising a storage room for storing foods, etc., wherein the storage room or a communication path communicating with the storage room is activated by irradiation of ultraviolet rays to activate a plant growth promoting component. A gas decomposing member comprising a photocatalyst for decomposing and a gas removing device provided with a lamp for irradiating the gas decomposing member with ultraviolet rays are provided, and an energization control means for controlling the on / off of the lamp by a time function is provided. Characteristic refrigerator. 2. An opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of a door of the storage chamber is provided, and the energization control means is configured to turn off the lamp for a predetermined time when the opening / closing detection means detects opening of the door. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator is configured as follows.