JPH10306974A - Humidifying refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress drying of stored food to a low level by collecting condensate water adhering on a surface of a cooling means and storing the condensate in a storing means, allowing water to overflow to be discharged out of a refrigerator and evaporating the water to perform humidification. SOLUTION: Condensate water adhering on a wall face within a refrigerator flows downward gravitationally to be collected at a collecting port 21 and is accumulated in a storage tray 22. The storage tray is partitioned excepting a humidification tray 24 and a lower part by a partition wall 23 and water accumulated in a space of the lower part flows from the storage tray 22 into the humidification tray 24. The humidification tray 24 is located in a vicinity of a radiant tube 3 and a sponge formed body 10 is disposed in an interior of the humidification tray 24 in such a manner that part of the body is immersed in the water in the humidification tray 24. Interior air taken in through an inlet 12 of an upper case 25 absorbs moisture when passing through the sponge formed body 10 and becomes humidified air, which is discharged through a discharge port 13 by an exhaust fan 11 to humidify the interior air.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a humidifying refrigerator capable of suppressing the drying of food by keeping the humidity in the refrigerator high when storing food that does not like to dry.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional refrigerator, as shown in FIG. 4, a cooling means 04 for absorbing heat from air in a refrigerator as the refrigerant evaporates, and compresses the refrigerant having absorbed the heat to a high temperature and a high pressure. The radiator means 03 for cooling the compressor-06 as the heat transfer means and the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, and the drain pipe 08 for discharging water condensed in the storage to the outside of the storage, and the water from the drain pipe is heated by the heat of the compressor 06. It has an evaporation tray-05 that evaporates into the air, and when the inside of the refrigerator in which food is stored is cooled, the moisture contained in the air in the refrigerator contacts the surface of the low-temperature cooling means 03 to form dew. As a result, the humidity of the air in the refrigerator decreases, and the moisture in the refrigerator with the reduced humidity deprives the moisture of the food, and the food dries, and the moisture deprived from these foods is further reduced due to the condensation. The air inside Stolen, these condensed water has been treated by evaporation in compartment outside air by the heat of the compressor -06 such a collected and heat transfer means to the refrigerator outside the evaporating tray 05 as excess water.

[0003]

As described above, when dewed water is evaporated and treated outside the refrigerator, the moisture in the air in the refrigerator remains reduced due to dew condensation, so that water is deprived of food. As a result, there is a problem that freshness of food is further advanced, and particularly in vegetables and the like which do not like drying, freshness is remarkably reduced and taste is reduced.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and by maintaining the humidity of the air in the refrigerator high by returning the moisture condensed in the refrigerator to the air in the refrigerator again. It is another object of the present invention to provide a humidifying refrigerator capable of suppressing drying of stored food.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, a humidifying refrigerator according to the present invention comprises a cooling means for cooling air in a refrigerator, a radiating means for radiating heat outside the refrigerator, and a cooling means. In a refrigerator having a heat transfer means for transferring absorbed heat to a heat radiating means and dissipating the heat, a collecting means for collecting dew water adhering to the surface of the cooling means, and a storage for storing the water collected by the collecting means. Means, overflow means for overflowing the excess water when a certain amount or more of water is stored in the storage means, discharge means for discharging the overflowed water out of the refrigerator, and evaporating the stored water. It is characterized by comprising humidifying means for performing humidification. According to this feature, by providing the storage means that comes into contact with the air in the storage, the dew condensation water stored in the storage means is evaporated, and the water in the storage is circulated and used for humidification. It is not necessary to use a supply means, and the drying of the food can be suppressed low.

[0006] In the humidifying refrigerator of the present invention, the humidifying means includes:
It is preferable that a part of the porous material is immersed in water in the storage means. By doing so, the surface area of the porous resin is extremely large, and the area where the dew condensation water stored in the storage means comes into contact with the air in the storage is also extremely large, so that water can be efficiently evaporated. As a result, the humidity of the air in the refrigerator can be kept higher, so that the drying of the food can be suppressed low.

[0007] In the humidifying refrigerator of the present invention, the humidifying means includes:
It is preferable to have a mechanism for heating the water in the storage means using the heat of the heat radiating means or the heat transfer means. By doing so, the evaporation rate and vapor pressure of water can be increased by appropriately increasing the temperature of the water in the storage means rather than the temperature in the refrigerator, thereby increasing the humidity of the air in the refrigerator. In addition to being able to maintain, it is possible to prevent the stored water from being frozen by cold air or heat of evaporation in the refrigerator.

A humidifying refrigerator according to the present invention is provided with a temperature detecting means and a humidity detecting means in a refrigerator, and a humidifying control means for controlling an amount of air passing between the humidifying means and a storage for storing food in the refrigerator. In a situation where the internal temperature does not reach the predetermined set temperature range, the humidification adjusting means reduces the amount of air passing to limit humidification, and when the internal temperature reaches the predetermined set temperature range, It is preferable to provide control means for performing humidification by increasing the amount of air passing by the humidification adjusting means. In this way, when the refrigerator is opened and the food is taken out, the temperature inside the refrigerator rises rapidly, so it is necessary to quickly bring the inside of the refrigerator to a predetermined set temperature. Even in such a case, by controlling the humidification state, it is possible to prevent the moisture due to the humidification from being excessively condensed on the cooling means, and to carry out the cooling efficiently even in a rapid temperature change.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a humidifying refrigerator of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a humidifying means 7, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a conventional general refrigerator. 2 shows a configuration.

As shown in FIG. 1, the humidifying refrigerator of the present invention has a cooling means 4 for absorbing heat from the air in the refrigerator as the refrigerant evaporates, and a heat carrier for compressing the heat-absorbed refrigerant to a high temperature and a high pressure. The compressor 6 and the heat radiating means 3 for cooling the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, the drainage pipe 8 for discharging water condensed in the storage to the outside of the storage, and the water from the drainage pipe to the air by the heat of the compressor-6. Evaporating tray-5
In that it has the same configuration as a conventional general refrigerator.

The feature of the structure of the present invention is that the humidifying means 7
The humidifying means 7 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. First, when the dew condensation water adheres to the wall surface inside the refrigerator where the cooling means 4 is installed, the dew condensation water adheres. Due to gravity, the water flows down the wall surface, collects at the collection port 21 of the dew condensation water, and is accumulated in the storage tray 22 as storage means.

As shown in FIG. 2, the storage tray is partitioned by a partition wall 23 except for the humidifying tray 24 and the lower part thereof. Water accumulated in the lower part of the humidifying tray 24 is removed from the storing tray 22 by the humidifying tray. The storage tray 22 and the humidification tray 24 have the same water level.

At both ends of the humidifying tray 24, weirs 9 having a predetermined height are provided.
Are connected to each other, and when the accumulated water level exceeds the weir 9, the water is discharged to the evaporation tray 5 outside the refrigerator through the drain pipe 8. ing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the humidifying tray 24 is disposed close to a heat radiating tube 3 which is a heat radiating means provided in the outer casing 2 of the refrigerator main body.

As shown in FIG. 2, a sponge molded body 10 made of polyurethane foam as a porous material is arranged inside the humidifying tray 24 so that a part thereof is immersed in the water of the humidifying tray 24.

The humidifying tray 24 is structured so as to be covered by an upper case 25. The upper case 25 has a suction port 12 for sucking air in the refrigerator and an exhaust gas for forcibly discharging air. A fan 11 and a discharge port 13 for discharging the humidified air are provided, and the exhaust fan 11 is driven by an exhaust fan drive motor 18.

Further, a temperature sensor 14 as a temperature detecting means and a humidity sensor 15 as a humidity detecting means are provided on the upper surface of the upper case 25.

In the above manner, the water in the humidifying tray 24 is sucked up by the sponge molded body 10 by capillary action, so that the sponge molded body 10 contains moisture and allows air to pass therethrough. The inside air taken in from the suction port 12 provided in the upper case 25 absorbs moisture when passing through the wet sponge molded body 10, and becomes humidified air. The air in the refrigerator can be humidified by being discharged from the discharge port 13 by the exhaust fan 11.

Further, the water in the humidifying tray 24 is heated by the radiating pipe 3 of the radiating means, so that it has a higher steam pressure than the water in the normal storage. Since the rate of evaporation from the sponge molded body 10 can be increased and the evaporation from the water surface in the humidifying tray 24 can be increased,
The humidifying capacity can be increased, and the water in the humidifying tray 24 can be prevented from freezing.

In the present embodiment, by providing a temperature sensor 14 and a humidity sensor 15 and controlling the humidity, it is possible to obtain a desired humidity in the refrigerator and to cope with a sudden temperature change. As shown in FIG. 3, the humidity control is realized by an electronic circuit, and the configuration is made up of the temperature sensor -14, the humidity sensor -15, and the temperature from these sensors. Based on the information and the humidity information, an MPU (micro processing unit) 16 as a control circuit calculates the humidity by calculation, and when the current humidity in the refrigerator is higher than a desired humidity, the motor control circuit 17 Exhaust fan drive motor-18
, The discharge of the humidified air is suppressed, and when the humidity in the refrigerator is lower than the desired humidity, the motor control circuit 17 instructs the motor control circuit 17 to drive the exhaust fan. -By instructing to increase the rotation speed of the heater 18, the discharge of the humidified air is increased so that the desired humidity in the refrigerator can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, the humidification control is performed according to the temperature change in the same manner as described above. For example, when the stored food is taken out of the refrigerator, the humidification control is performed. It is necessary to return the temperature to the set temperature as soon as the temperature in the inside rises rapidly, but when humidification is performed in such a state, extra dew condensation occurs in the cooling means Because there is a risk that the time to return to the predetermined temperature may be long,
In the case of these sudden temperature changes, the MPU 16 recognizes the temperature change by the temperature sensor 14, and at the same time, the motor control circuit 17 reduces or stops the rotation speed of the exhaust fan drive motor 18. By instructing them to
By keeping the humidification almost stopped, the temperature in the refrigerator can be quickly returned to the set temperature.

The above-mentioned control program for controlling the humidity and the like are stored in an internal ROM 19 mounted on the MPU 16, and the MPU 16 has an internal RO.
By reading and executing the program of M19,
Various controls can be performed.

In this embodiment, the exhaust fan 1
Although the method of humidification control using 1 was used, the humidification control method of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
For example, it may be realized by adjusting the amount of passing air by opening and closing the opening.

[0025]

The present invention has the following effects.

(A) According to the first aspect of the present invention, by providing the storage means which comes into contact with the air in the storage, the dew condensation water stored in the storage is evaporated, and the water in the storage is circulated. Since it is used for humidification, it is not necessary to use a separate water supply means, and the drying of the food can be suppressed low.

(B) According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the porous resin has a remarkably large surface area, the area in which the dew water stored in the storage means comes into contact with the air in the storage is also significantly increased. Since the water can be efficiently evaporated and the humidity of the air in the refrigerator can be kept higher, the drying of the food can be suppressed low.

(C) According to the third aspect of the present invention, the evaporation rate and vapor pressure of water can be increased by appropriately increasing the temperature of the water in the storage means rather than the temperature in the refrigerator. It is possible to keep the humidity of the air in the refrigerator higher, and to prevent the stored water from freezing due to cold air or heat of evaporation in the refrigerator.

(D) According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the refrigerator is opened and the food is taken out, the temperature in the refrigerator rises rapidly, so it is necessary to quickly bring the inside of the refrigerator to the predetermined set temperature. However, even when the temperature is to be rapidly lowered, the humidifying condition is controlled to prevent moisture from being humidified from condensing on the cooling means, and the efficiency is improved even when the temperature changes rapidly. Cooling can be carried out well.

[0030]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional structural view of a humidifying refrigerator showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a humidifying unit in the humidifying refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional structural view of a conventional refrigerator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body door 2 External housing 3 Heat radiating means 4 Cooling means 5 Evaporation tray 6 Compressor 7 Humidifying means 8 Drain pipe 9 Storage means 10 Porous resin 11 Exhaust fan 12 Suction port 13 Outlet port 14 Temperature sensor 15 Humidity sensor 16 MPU (microprocessing unit) 17 Motor control circuit 18 Exhaust fan drive motor 19 Internal ROM 20 Internal RAM 21 Collection port 22 Storage tray 23 Partition wall 24 Humidifying tray 25 Upper case

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A cooling means for cooling air in a refrigerator, a heat dissipating means for dissipating heat outside the refrigerator, and a heat transfer means for dissipating the heat absorbed by the cooling means to the heat dissipating means and dissipating the heat. In the refrigerator, collecting means for collecting dew water adhering to the surface of the cooling means, storing means for storing the water collected by the collecting means, and when a certain amount or more of water is stored in the storing means, A humidifying refrigerator comprising: overflow means for overflowing water; discharge means for discharging overflowed water out of the refrigerator; and humidifying means for humidifying the stored water by evaporating the stored water. 2. The humidifying refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the humidifying unit is obtained by immersing a part of a porous material in water in a storage unit. 3. The humidifying refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the humidifying unit has a mechanism for heating water in the storage unit using heat of the heat radiating unit or the heat transfer unit. 4. A humidification control means for providing a temperature detection means and a humidity detection means in a refrigerator, and controlling an amount of air passing between said humidification means and a storage for storing foods in a refrigerator; In a situation where the temperature does not reach the predetermined set temperature range, the humidification adjustment means reduces the amount of air passing through to limit humidification, and when the internal temperature reaches the predetermined set temperature range, the humidification adjustment is performed. The humidifying refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising control means for performing humidification by increasing the amount of air passing by the means.