JPH07260333A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To decompose growth promoting component of a plant, to suppress growth promotion, i.e., aging progress of food, etc., and to illuminate in a storage chamber with part of an ultraviolet lamp by disposing a gas removing unit having a gas decomposing member the lamp in the 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. Thus, growth promoting component of a plant dissipated from stored vegetable, etc., is decomposed to water, carbon dioxide, etc., and removed. On the other hand, an opening 25 is formed at a bottom wall of the member 22 thereby to transmit a visible light ray emitted from the lamp 23 to illuminate in the chamber.

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,
In the storage chamber, a gas decomposing device including a gas decomposing member comprising a photocatalyst that is activated by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays and decomposes a growth promoting component of a plant, and a lamp that emits visible light including ultraviolet rays are provided. It is characterized in that the inside of the storage chamber is illuminated by a part of the light emitted from the storage chamber (the invention of claim 1).

In this case, it is effective to provide an ultraviolet ray blocking member for blocking the ultraviolet rays emitted from the lamp and transmitting the visible rays toward the storing chamber in the storage chamber (the invention of claim 2). Further, it is possible to provide an irradiation direction regulation means for regulating the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the lamp so as not to exceed the storage chamber in the storage chamber (the invention of claim 3).

Further, a protective cover made of glass for covering the indoor side portion of the gas removing device is provided, and a ventilation hole is formed in the protective cover in a portion excluding the irradiation range of ultraviolet rays. Good (invention of claim 4), or to provide a protective cover having a ventilation hole that covers the indoor side portion of the gas removing device, and to provide the glass in the protective cover in the ultraviolet irradiation range. It is also possible (the invention of claim 5).

[0009]

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.

[0011]

[Chemical 1]

Therefore, according to the refrigerator of claim 1 of the present invention, the gas removing device provided with the gas decomposing member made of a photocatalyst and the lamp emitting visible light including ultraviolet rays is provided in the storage chamber, and thus the refrigerator is stored. Plant growth-promoting components such as ethylene and acetaldehyde released from vegetables and fruits are decomposed and removed by the gas removal device, and thus the growth (aging) of vegetables and fruits can be suppressed. it can.

Since the interior of the storage room is illuminated by a part of the light emitted from the lamp, it is possible to effectively use the lamp, such as eliminating the need for a separate interior lamp. In addition to the action of removing the growth promoting component of the plant by the gas removing device, the effect of decomposing and removing the odorous component in the storage chamber by the gas removing device can be expected. Moreover, since the gas removing device does not generate harmful ozone or the like, it is excellent in safety.

In this case, an ultraviolet blocking member for blocking ultraviolet rays emitted from the lamp and transmitting visible light toward the storing chamber is provided in the storage chamber (invention of claim 2). Illumination of the storage chamber is performed by the transmitted visible light, and at this time, the ultraviolet rays are blocked by the ultraviolet blocking member, so that it is possible to prevent the ultraviolet rays from being radiated to the stored material or the user.
Further, if the irradiation direction regulating means for regulating the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the lamp so as not to exceed the storage chamber is provided in the storage chamber (invention of claim 3), the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays is within the storage chamber. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user or the like from being irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

Furthermore, if a glass-made protective cover is provided to cover the indoor side portion of the gas removing device, and a ventilation hole is formed in the protective cover in a portion excluding the ultraviolet irradiation range. (Invention of Claim 4) The gas removing device can be protected by the protective cover, and at this time, the ventilation hole ensures the ventilation to the gas decomposition member portion. Further, since the protective cover is made of glass that does not transmit ultraviolet rays, and the ventilation hole is located in a portion excluding the irradiation range of ultraviolet rays, the ultraviolet rays are blocked while securing the illumination of the storage chamber with visible light. be able to.

Further, a protective cover having a ventilation hole for covering the indoor side portion of the gas removing device is provided, and the protective cover is provided with glass located in the irradiation range of ultraviolet rays (the invention of claim 5). ), The gas removing device can be protected by the protective cover, and at this time, the ventilation hole ensures the ventilation to the gas decomposition member portion. Further, since the protective cover is provided with a glass that does not transmit the ultraviolet rays and is located in the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays, it is possible to block the ultraviolet rays while ensuring the illumination of the storage chamber with visible light.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Several embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a household refrigerator will be described below with reference to the drawings. (1) First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present invention (corresponding to claims 1 and 3) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG. 3 schematically shows the configuration of the main body 1 of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment. The main body 1 made 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 plastic arranged therein. , Those outer boxes 2
A heat insulating material 4 such as urethane foam is filled between the inner box 3 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 in the vegetable compartment 9 as a dedicated storage compartment for vegetables and fruits. 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 has the door 16
The door 16 is connected to and taken out of the door 16 integrally.

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 and 2.

First, the partition wall 5 forming the ceiling of the vegetable compartment 9 is integrally provided in the main body (insulating box) 1, and is constructed by filling the inside of the inner box 3 with the insulating material 4. There is. A rectangular recess 20 that is long in the lateral direction is provided on the lower surface of the partition wall 5, that is, on the front side of the ceiling surface of the vegetable compartment 9. The unitized gas removing device 19 is attached to the recess 20.

The gas removing device 19 has a case 21 in which a gas decomposing member 22 and a lamp 23 as an ultraviolet light source are provided.
And is configured. 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. The lamp 23 is, for example, a mercury lamp that emits visible light including ultraviolet rays, and has a pair of lamp sockets 24 attached to the bottom surface of the case 21.
Since both ends are supported by 24, the case 24 is attached so as to extend left and right in the case 21. The case 21 is
Any material that does not transmit ultraviolet rays may be used, such as glass or a plastic plate plated with metal, and 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 addition to being formed into a rectangular tubular shape, a flange portion 22a is integrally provided on the upper end portion thereof. Furthermore, on the bottom wall of the gas decomposition member 22,
A horizontally long rectangular opening 25 is formed. The opening 25 allows the light from the lamp 23 to illuminate the inside of the vegetable compartment 9, and the opening 25 functions as an irradiation direction regulating means.

The gas decomposing member 22 is attached to the bottom surface of the case 21 by being screwed to the flange portion 22a, for example. At this time, the gas decomposition member 22 is arranged so as to surround the space below and in front of and behind the lamp 23 with a space. In addition, the opening 25
Is located directly under the lamp 23. 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 made of, for example, plastic so that the user does not touch the gas decomposition member 22 or the like. The protective cover 26 has a plurality of slits 26a as ventilation holes, for example.
With the claw portions 26b, 26b at both ends,
It is attached to the partition wall 5. The slit 26a may be a large number of circular holes or the like.

Further, the lead wire 27 led out from the lamp socket 24 is connected to a power supply path (not shown) through the inside of the partition wall 5 (heat insulating material 4), and is intermittently provided to the lamp 23 at predetermined time intervals. It is designed to be energized. As a result, the lamp 23 is turned on and the gas decomposing member 22 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a door switch 28 for detecting opening / closing of the door 16 is provided on the front surface of the vegetable compartment 9, and even while the door switch 28 detects the opening of the door 16. ,
The lamp 23 is configured to be energized.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. Various foods and the like are stored and stored in the storage qualities 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 it is not removed, it remains in the vegetable compartment 9 (storage container 17). This will accelerate the aging of vegetables and fruits. However, in this embodiment,
By providing the gas removing device 19 in the upper part of the vegetable compartment 9, it is possible to effectively remove the growth promoting component of the plant.

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 and the like are allowed to pass between the gas decomposition member 22 and the lamp 23 through the opening 25 and the end face opening of the gas decomposition member 22. On the other hand, in the gas removing device 19, the gas decomposing member 22 made of a photocatalyst is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the lamp 23, whereby active species are generated on the surface of the gas decomposing member 22, and various chemical reactions, particularly organic compounds. The oxidative decomposition reaction of is markedly 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, the lamp 23
The effect of sterilization and mold prevention in the vegetable compartment 9 by the ultraviolet rays emitted from the can be expected, and further, the gas removing device 19 does not generate harmful ozone or the like, and is therefore excellent in safety.

Incidentally, FIGS. 4 to 7 show the decomposition ability of each organic compound by the photocatalyst. As time passes, ethylene gas (FIG. 4), acetaldehyde (FIG. 5), ammonia (FIG. 6), The change situation of the concentration of methyl mercaptan (FIG. 7) is shown. In addition, as a reference, the change in concentration when not irradiated with ultraviolet rays (abbreviated as UV in the figure) is also shown. As can be understood from these FIG. 4 to FIG. 7, the gas removing device 19 that combines the photocatalyst and ultraviolet rays decomposes and removes the growth promoting components (ethylene, acetaldehyde, etc.) of the plant, and the malodorous component (ammonia). , Methyl mercaptan, etc.) is extremely excellent in decomposing and removing ability.

When the door 16 of the vegetable compartment 9 is opened, the lamp 23 is always turned on, so that a part of the light (visible light and ultraviolet light) leaks from the opening 25 of the gas decomposition member 22. Further, by irradiating the inside of the vegetable compartment 9 (storage container 17) through the slit 26a of the protective cover 26, it functions as an interior light. At this time, the illumination by the lamp 23 includes ultraviolet rays, but since the irradiation range is limited to the inside of the vegetable compartment 9 by the opening 25 of the gas decomposition member 22, the ultraviolet rays directly reach the eyes of the user. It is possible to prevent inconvenience such as hitting.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the gas removing device 19 including the gas decomposition member 22 made of a photocatalyst and the lamp 23 for irradiating the gas decomposition member 22 with ultraviolet rays is provided above the vegetable compartment 9. Therefore, the growth promoting components released from vegetables and fruits can be effectively removed.
As a result, combined with the control of temperature and humidity, it is possible to effectively suppress the progress of growth (aging) of the vegetables and fruits housed in the vegetable compartment 9, and to remove the growth promoting component of the plant. It was possible to preserve vegetables, fruits, etc. in a fresh state for a sufficiently long period of time, compared with the conventional method in which no measures were taken. Moreover, the effect of removing the malodorous component can be obtained.

Since the interior of the vegetable compartment 9 is illuminated by a part of the light emitted from the lamp 23, a separate interior lamp can be dispensed with.
3 can be effectively used. Further, particularly in the present embodiment, since the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the lamp 23 is limited to the inside of the vegetable compartment 9 by the opening 25 of the gas decomposition member 22, there is a problem that the ultraviolet rays hit the eyes of the user. It is also possible to obtain the effect that it can be prevented.

(2) Second Embodiment FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment (corresponding to claims 1, 2 and 3) of the present invention. Gas removal device 3 according to the present embodiment
1 differs from the gas removing device 19 of the first embodiment described above in that it blocks ultraviolet rays emitted from the lamp 23 below the protective cover 26 and blocks ultraviolet rays which transmits visible light into the vegetable compartment 9. The transparent glass plate 32 is provided as a member. Both ends of the glass plate 32 are supported by a supporting member 33 attached to the partition wall 5, and the glass plate 32 is provided below the protective cover 26 with a gap.

According to this structure, as in the first embodiment, the gas removing device 31 effectively suppresses the progress of the growth (aging) of vegetables and fruits due to the growth promoting component, and the gas removing device 31 has a sufficiently long length. It is possible to preserve vegetables, fruits and the like in a fresh state over a period of time, and it is also possible to obtain excellent effects such as removing malodorous components. At this time, of course, the gap between the glass plate 32 and the protective cover 26 ensures the air permeability to the gas decomposition member 22 portion.

Also, since the inside of the vegetable compartment 9 is illuminated by a part of the light emitted from the lamp 23, a separate internal lamp can be eliminated and the lamp 23 can be effectively used. . Further, in this embodiment, the visible light transmitted through the glass plate 32 illuminates the inside of the vegetable compartment 9, and the ultraviolet light is blocked by the glass plate 32 at this time. Can more surely prevent the user's eyes from being hit.

(3) Third Embodiment FIG. 9 shows a protective cover 41 of a gas removing apparatus according to a third embodiment (corresponding to claim 4) of the present invention. The protective cover 41 is provided so as to cover the indoor side (lower surface portion) of a gas removing device (not shown) including a gas decomposing member and a lamp. The protective cover 41 is made of a transparent glass plate. , Is formed in the shape of a thin rectangular box whose upper surface is opened as a whole. Further, a flange portion 42 having a screw insertion hole 42a for attaching to the wall portion (ceiling portion) of the storage chamber is provided at the upper end portion thereof.

Also in this case, light emitted from the lamp (visible light and ultraviolet rays) is emitted from the opening provided in the central portion of the gas decomposing member, similarly to the first embodiment.
Part of the radiation is directed downward (in the storage chamber) in a predetermined irradiation range, but the protective cover 41 is positioned in a portion excluding the ultraviolet irradiation range (the center of the bottom wall). Thus, a large number of ventilation holes 43 are formed.

According to this structure, the protective cover 41 is made of glass that does not transmit ultraviolet rays, and the ventilation holes 43 are formed in the portion excluding the irradiation range of ultraviolet rays, so that ventilation to the gas decomposition member portion is ensured. At the same time, it is possible to reliably prevent the ultraviolet rays from hitting the stored items or the eyes of the user while ensuring the illumination of the storage room with visible light.

(4) Fourth to Seventh Embodiments FIGS. 10 and 11 show a protective cover 51 of a gas removing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention (corresponding to claim 5). The protective cover 51 is also provided so as to cover the interior side (lower surface) of the gas removing device (not shown). For example, the protective cover 51 is configured by attaching a plate-shaped glass 53 to a cover main body 52 made of a metal plate. It has become.

Of these, the cover main body 52 is formed in a thin rectangular box shape whose upper surface is opened as a whole, and the rectangular opening 52 is formed in the central portion of the bottom wall thereof, that is, in the ultraviolet irradiation range.
In addition to having a, a large number of vent holes 54 are provided at other portions. Further, a claw portion 55 for attachment to the storage chamber is provided at the upper end portion thereof. And FIG.
As shown in FIG.
A concave portion 52b is formed so as to surround the peripheral portion of the rectangular glass 53 and is fitted into the concave portion 52b.
Are attached, for example, by adhesion.

According to this structure, the glass 53 which does not transmit ultraviolet rays is provided in the ultraviolet irradiation range of the protective cover 51 in a state where the ventilation hole 54 ensures the ventilation to the gas decomposition member portion. Therefore, it is possible to block the ultraviolet rays while ensuring the illumination of the storage room with visible light, and it is possible to reliably prevent the ultraviolet rays from hitting the stored items or the eyes of the user. still,
The cover body 52 may be made of plastic.

12 to 14 show protective covers 61, 62 and 63 according to the fifth to seventh embodiments of the present invention, respectively. These are, so to speak, modifications of the protective cover 51 of the fourth embodiment, and the mounting structure of the glass 53 on the cover body 52 is different from that of the fourth embodiment.

That is, in the protective cover 61 shown in FIG. 12, a rectangular frame-shaped glass fixture 64 is arranged on the upper surface of the glass 53 fitted in the recess 52b of the cover body 52, and the glass fixture 64 is provided. Claw 64a at the end of the cover body 5
By locking the glass 53 to the peripheral portion of the glass 53, the peripheral portion of the glass 53 is sandwiched between the cover main body 52 and the glass fixture 64 and fixed.

The protective cover 62 shown in FIG. 13 has a glass fixing plate 65 in the shape of a rectangular frame disposed on the upper surface of the glass 53 fitted in the recess 52b of the cover body 52.
The glass fixing plate 65 is fixed to a fixture 66 such as a screw or a fastener.
By attaching to the cover main body 52 by means of, the peripheral portion of the glass 53 is fixed so as to be sandwiched between the cover main body 52 and the glass fixing plate 65. 12 and 13, the glass 53 can be easily attached.

The protective cover 63 shown in FIG. 14 is provided with a packing 67 made of rubber, for example, between the opening 52a of the cover body 52 and the glass 53. According to this
The glass 53 can be securely fixed without rattling.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned respective embodiments, and can be applied to, for example, a vegetable room (storage room) in which the storage container 17 is not used. In the case of a refrigerator that does not have a storage room (vegetable room) for storage, a gas removing device may be provided in the storage room (refrigerating room) in which vegetables and fruits are mainly stored. Further, it is possible to dispose the gas removing device on the back wall portion, the side wall portion or the like instead of the upper portion of the storage chamber. Further, the protective cover may be made of glass having ventilation holes as a whole.

Besides, the present invention can be applied not only to household refrigerators but also to commercial refrigerators and dedicated storages for fresh vegetables and the like, and by making the lamp larger than the gas decomposition member, Various modifications are conceivable for the shape and structure of the gas decomposing member and the lamp, such as utilizing a part of the lamp for illumination, and the lamp may be configured to be constantly turned on. The invention can be appropriately modified and implemented within a range that does not deviate.

[0052]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following excellent effects.
That is, according to the refrigerator of claim 1, 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 emits visible light containing ultraviolet rays are provided in the refrigerator. With the provision of a gas removal device equipped with, part of the light emitted from the lamp,
Since it is configured to illuminate the inside of the storage chamber, it is possible to effectively remove growth promoting components released from vegetables and fruits, and to enable long-term storage of vegetables and fruits, and further. Therefore, the lamp can be effectively used.

In this case, an ultraviolet blocking member for blocking the ultraviolet rays emitted from the lamp and transmitting visible light toward the storing chamber is provided in the storage chamber (refrigerator of claim 2). Illumination in the storage chamber is performed by the transmitted visible light, and at this time, the ultraviolet rays are blocked by the ultraviolet blocking member, so that it is possible to prevent the ultraviolet rays from being radiated to the stored material or the user.

Further, if the irradiation direction regulating means for regulating the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the lamp so as not to exceed the inside of the storage chamber is provided in the storage chamber (refrigerator of claim 3), the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays is obtained. Since it is limited to the storage chamber, it is possible to prevent the user or the like from being irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

Further, a protective cover made of glass for covering the indoor side portion of the gas removing device is provided, and a ventilation hole is formed in the protective cover in a portion excluding the irradiation range of ultraviolet rays. (Refrigerator according to claim 4), the protective cover can protect the gas removing device, and at this time, the ventilation hole ensures ventilation to the gas decomposition member portion. Further, since the protective cover is made of glass that does not transmit ultraviolet rays, and the ventilation hole is located in a portion excluding the irradiation range of ultraviolet rays, it blocks ultraviolet rays while ensuring illumination of the storage chamber with visible light. be able to.

Further, a protective cover having a vent hole for covering the indoor side portion of the gas removing device is provided, and the protective cover is provided with glass in the irradiation range of ultraviolet rays (refrigerator of claim 5). ), The gas removing device can be protected by the protective cover, and at this time, the ventilation hole ensures the ventilation to the gas decomposition member portion. And
Since the glass that does not transmit ultraviolet rays is provided in the protective cover in the ultraviolet irradiation range, it is possible to block the ultraviolet rays while ensuring the illumination of the storage chamber with visible light.

[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 schematic vertical sectional side view of a refrigerator.

FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing the decomposition ability of ethylene gas by a photocatalyst.

FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing the decomposition ability of acetaldehyde by a photocatalyst.

FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing the ability of the photocatalyst to decompose ammonia.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing the decomposition ability of methyl mercaptan by a photocatalyst.

FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a protective cover showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 9 showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a vertical side view of the protective cover.

FIG. 12 is a view corresponding to FIG. 11 showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view corresponding to FIG. 11 showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view corresponding to FIG. 11 showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawings, 1 is a main body, 5 is a partition wall, 6 is a refrigerating room, 7 and 8 are freezing rooms, 9 is a vegetable room, 10 is a cooler, 11 is a cooler room,
12 is a fan device, 17 is a storage container, 18 is packing,
Reference numerals 19 and 31 are gas removing devices, 20 is a concave portion, 21 is a case, 22 is a gas decomposing member, 23 is a lamp, 24 is a lamp socket, 25 is an opening (irradiation direction regulating means), 26,
41, 51, 61, 62, 63 are protective covers, 26a is a slit, 28 is a door switch, 32 is a glass plate (ultraviolet ray blocking member), 43 and 54 are ventilation holes, 52 is a cover body, 52a is an opening, 53 Is glass, 64 is a glass fixing tool, 65 is a glass fixing plate, and 67 is packing.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location C09K 3/00 104 F21V 9/06

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A gas decomposing member comprising a storage chamber for storing foods and the like in the main body, comprising a photocatalyst which is activated by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays and decomposes a plant growth promoting component in the storage chamber. A gas removing device provided with a lamp that emits visible light including ultraviolet rays,
The refrigerator configured to illuminate the inside of the storage room with a part of the light emitted from the lamp. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising an ultraviolet blocking member for blocking the ultraviolet rays emitted from the lamp and transmitting the visible rays toward the storage chamber in the storage chamber. 3. The irradiation direction regulating means for regulating the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the lamp so as not to exceed the inside of the storage chamber, in the storage chamber. Refrigerator. 4. The gas removing device has an indoor side portion covered with a protective cover made of glass, and a ventilation hole is formed in the protective cover in a portion excluding an irradiation range of ultraviolet rays. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator is a refrigerator. 5. The gas removing apparatus has an indoor side portion covered with a protective cover having a ventilation hole, and the protective cover is provided with glass located in an irradiation range of ultraviolet rays. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator is a refrigerator.