KR20110057770A - A refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A refrigerator is provided to clean vegetables or fruits in a vegetable box by supplying cleaning water to the vegetable box and activating an ultrasonic generator. CONSTITUTION: A refrigerator comprises a main body which is partitioned into a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment and a vegetable box(600) which forms an isolated space on a side of the refrigerator compartment and allows accommodated food to be cleaned. The vegetable box comprises a case(620), a water supply pipe which supplies cleaning water to the case, an ultrasonic generator(640) which is installed on a side of the case, and a drain hole and a drain pipe which are installed on a side of the case to guide the discharge of cleaning water from the main body.

Description

Refrigerator {A refrigerator}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

Generally, a refrigerator is a home appliance that stores food at a low temperature in an interior storage space shielded by a door, and is stored by cooling the inside of the storage space using cold air generated through heat exchange with a refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle. It is configured to keep foods in optimal condition.

Such refrigerators are becoming larger and more versatile as the dietary changes and user's preferences are diversified.

Various foods for refrigeration or freezing storage are suitably stored in shelves, drawers, and baskets provided in the refrigerator's interior, and the drawers, shelves, and baskets divide the interior of the refrigerator and store food having various sizes and storage conditions at low temperature. Make it possible.

On the other hand, in the space partitioned by the accommodating member provided in the interior, a vegetable compartment suitable for storing vegetables or fruits is provided.

The vegetable chamber is usually configured in the form of a drawer that can be easily controlled independently of temperature and humidity, and various developments are made to improve storage of vegetables or foods stored therein.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator having a washing function using an ultrasonic generator in a vegetable room in which vegetables or fruits are stored.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having a variety of water supply paths for supplying vegetables or water to the vegetable compartment.

The present invention forms a space provided by the main compartment is divided into a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment, the compartment is separated from one side of the refrigerating compartment, is provided with a vegetable compartment capable of washing the food contained therein, the vegetable compartment forms a space separated from the refrigerating compartment A case in which the washing water is accommodated together with the food, a water supply pipe connected to a water source so that the washing water is supplied into the case, and an ultrasonic generator provided at one side of the case to generate ultrasonic waves, and one side of the case. It characterized in that it comprises a drainage hole and a drain pipe for guiding the discharge of the washing water to the outside of the body.

In the refrigerator according to the present invention, the user stores foods such as vegetables or fruits in a vegetable room, supplies washing water, and operates an ultrasonic wave generator to wash the food contained in the vegetable room. Therefore, there is an advantage that the user can use the vegetable compartment more conveniently.

In addition, since the food stored in the vegetable room is stored after being washed by the ultrasonic as described above has the advantage that the water consumption is reduced than when the normal cleaning.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described a specific embodiment of the present invention. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented, and those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention can easily suggest other embodiments within the scope of the same idea.

1 is a view showing an embodiment of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the refrigerator 1 according to the present invention has an outer shape formed by a main body 10 forming a storage space and a door mounted to the main body 10 so as to selectively open and close the storage space.

The storage space inside the main body 10 is divided left and right by the barrier 12 to form the freezing chamber 14 and the refrigerating chamber 16, respectively. The door comprises a freezer compartment door 22 which shields the freezer compartment 14 and a refrigerator compartment door 24 which shields the refrigerator compartment 16 and is rotatably mounted by a hinge.

In addition, a plurality of shelves and baskets for storing food are provided inside the freezing compartment 14 and the refrigerating compartment 16, and a plurality of baskets are also provided on the rear surfaces of the freezing compartment door 22 and the refrigerating compartment door 24. And is configured to store food.

An ice making apparatus 100 is provided on the rear surface of the freezer compartment door 22. The ice making apparatus 100 includes an ice maker 110 for freezing water and an ice bank 120 for separating and storing the ice made in the ice maker 110.

In addition, a dispenser 200 is provided on the front surface of the freezer compartment door 22. The dispenser 200 is for taking out ice and / or water iced by the ice making apparatus 100, and is configured to allow extraction of water or ice from the outside by a user's manipulation. In addition, the ice maker 100 and the dispenser 200 are configured to communicate with each other by the ice chute (not shown) to guide the iced ice.

In addition, the refrigerator compartment door 24 is further provided with a home bar 500 so that the user can easily withdraw / take food such as a drink from the outside without opening the refrigerator compartment door 24.

On the other hand, the refrigerating chamber 16 is provided with an independent storage space for storing mainly foods such as vegetables or fruits, and is provided with a vegetable chamber 600 that can be washed using the ultrasonic food is stored.

In detail, Figure 2 is a view showing the appearance of an embodiment of the vegetable room provided in the refrigerator according to the present invention, Figure 3 is a view for showing the water supply and drainage structure of the vegetable room shown in FIG.

Referring to these drawings, the vegetable compartment 600 according to the present invention is provided with a box-shaped case 620 having an open top surface to be distinguished from other storage spaces in the refrigerating compartment 16. The front side is equipped with a front assembly 630 configured to include a color or material that is distinguished from the case 620 to form an exterior design.

In addition, the front assembly 630 is further provided with an operation means 680 for operating the ultrasonic generator 640 to be described below, the description thereof will be accompanied when explaining the ultrasonic generator 640 Shall be.

On the other hand, the case 620 is provided with a water supply pipe connection part 622 protruding rearward from the rear of the upper end so that water for washing the food stored in the case ie, the washing water can be supplied. The water supply pipe connecting portion 622 may be supplied with washing water into the case 620 through various water supply paths, which will be described in detail below.

In addition, a drain hole 624 is provided on the bottom of the case 620.

The drain hole 624 is connected to the drain pipe 700 drawn out to the outside of the main body 10 through the drain pipe connecting portion 628 to allow the washing water to be discharged to the outside.

In addition, the case 620 is provided with a discharge pipe 660 for evenly spraying the washing water supplied and connected to the water supply pipe 800 introduced through the water supply pipe connecting portion 622 into the case 620.

To this end, the water outlet pipe 660 is formed along the inner top edge of the case 620, and the plurality of water outlet holes 662 are arranged to be spaced apart at a predetermined interval.

In addition, the bottom surface of the case 620 propagates the ultrasonic wave to the wash water contained therein, and generates a large amount of fine bubbles due to the tension generated as the cohesive force between the water molecules is destroyed, thereby causing cavitation to be repeated. The ultrasonic generator 640 is provided.

In addition, when the cavitation is generated by the ultrasonic generator 640, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), nitric acid (NHO₃), nitrous acid (HNO₂), etc. are generated in the washing water, resulting in the effect of sterilization and disinfection. Residual pesticides or dirt can be decomposed and removed.

On the other hand, the ultrasonic generator 640 having the same function is composed of a plurality of vibration elements spaced apart at regular intervals on the bottom surface of the case 620, the vibration element is connected to the operation means 680 is operated Controlled.

In detail, the operation means 680 has a water supply button 682 for supplying the washing water into the case 620, and the ultrasonic cleaning button 684 for operating the ultrasonic generator 640 after the water supply of the washing water. And a drainage button 686 for discharging the washing water to the outside after the ultrasonic cleaning, an automatic button 689 for automatically performing a process from water supply to drainage, and an operation means PCC 688 for controlling them. Included.

That is, the water supply button 682 generates a control signal transmitted to the water supply solenoid 810 provided at one side of the water supply pipe 800 to open and close the water supply solenoid 810 according to the operation of the water supply button 682. Allow for selective watering.

In addition, the ultrasonic cleaning button 684 generates a control signal transmitted to the ultrasonic generator 640 so that the ultrasonic generator 640 generates ultrasonic waves to perform cleaning.

In addition, the drain button 686 generates a control signal transmitted to the drain solenoid 720 provided on one side of the drain pipe 700 to open and close the drain solenoid 720 while opening the drain hole 624 and the drain pipe 700. Allow selective drainage of the wash water.

On the other hand, Figure 4 is a view showing the appearance of the vegetable room which is another embodiment provided in the refrigerator according to the present invention, Figure 5 and Figure 6 is a view showing a process of mounting the basket in the vegetable room shown in FIG. 7 is a view for showing the water supply and drainage structure of the vegetable chamber shown in FIG.

Since the embodiments shown in these drawings have the same configuration as most of the above-described embodiments, detailed descriptions of the same configuration will be omitted.

Referring to the drawings, in another embodiment according to the present invention, a pair of basket mounting portions 626 are formed in the left and right or front and rear sidewalls of the case 620 forming the vegetable compartment 600, and the basket mounting portions 626. ) Is equipped with a basket 690 in which a plurality of beams are connected to form a predetermined space therein.

In detail, the basket mounting portion 626 is formed with a guide groove 621 recessed vertically in the side wall of the case 620 and formed to be bent to one side from the upper end of the guide groove 621, the end portion is The upper fixing groove 623 is formed in a circular shape having a diameter larger than the width of the guide groove 626 and the lower fixing groove 625 formed in the same size bent in a direction opposite to the upper fixing groove 623 It is formed to include. Here, the lower fixing groove 625 may not be formed, or may be formed to be bent in the same direction as the upper fixing groove 623.

Although not shown, a lower end of the basket 690 is provided with a locking protrusion fitted to the basket mounting unit 626, and the locking protrusion slides along the guide groove 621 to allow the upper fixing groove 623. Alternatively, the position is fixed in the lower fixing groove 625 and is formed to be mounted or removed.

That is, when the basket 690 is mounted to the case 620 as shown in FIG. 5, the locking protrusion protruding outward from the bottom of the basket 690 corresponds to the upper fixing groove 623. Will be inserted. In addition, the basket 690 is moved in the direction of the guide groove 621 so that the locking protrusion moves along the guide groove 621 in the above state, and the basket moved to the lower end of the guide groove 621 ( By moving the 690 back to the lower fixing groove 625 to maintain the basket 690 in a stable position.

In addition, the basket 690 may be further provided with a basket handle 692 for holding by the user so that the basket 690 can be easily mounted and detached.

When the basket 690 is mounted as described above, the bottom surface of the basket 690 is positioned at a predetermined height on the bottom surface of the case 620 as shown in FIG. 7 when the food is washed or stored. It may be stored spaced apart from the bottom of the 620, it can be prevented from soaking due to moisture.

On the other hand, the vegetable compartment 600 having the configuration and the water supply and drainage path as described above may be provided with various water supply paths as described above.

FIG. 8 is a view for showing various supply paths of the washing water provided in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a view showing an embodiment of the washing water supply path shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a view showing another embodiment of the washing water supply path shown in FIG. 8.

First, referring to FIG. 8, a structure in which the water provided from the water supply source 90, that is, the washing water is directly supplied to the vegetable room 600 may be adopted in the vegetable room 600 according to the present invention.

That is, the water supply may be directly connected to the water supply pipe connecting portion 622 to supply the washing water.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 9 may be configured to receive the washing water from the water storage tank 900 for supplying water to the ice making device 100 or the dispenser 200 to the water supply pipe connection 622.

In detail, the water storage tank 900 is provided with a water supply source side water supply pipe 820 connected to the water supply source 90 on one side to receive water.

In addition, the other side of the water storage tank 900 in which water is accommodated as described above, the vegetable compartment side water supply pipe 840 for supplying the washing water to the vegetable compartment 600 and the freezing compartment side water supply pipe for supplying the water accommodated in the freezing compartment 14 direction. 860 is provided and the freezing compartment side water supply pipe 860 is connected to the switching valve 890.

That is, the vegetable chamber side water supply pipe 840 is connected to the water supply pipe connection part 622, and the water supply solenoid 810 is provided at one side to allow the selective supply of the washing water to the case 620.

In addition, the switching valve 890 is to receive the water supply signal generated from the ice maker 100 or the dispenser 200 to supply water by dividing it into the ice maker 100 or the dispenser 200. An apparatus side water supply pipe 870 and a dispenser side water supply pipe 880 are connected to allow water to be supplied to the ice maker 100 or the dispenser 200 according to the opening direction of the switching valve 890.

On the other hand, the cavitation through the ultrasonic generator 640 is most effectively generated when the temperature of the water around 40 ℃.

Therefore, in another water supply path for supplying the washing water to the vegetable chamber 600, a hot water tank 920 for heating and supplying the washing water provided to the vegetable chamber 600 is further provided.

The hot water tank 920 may be directly connected to the water supply source 90, and is connected to the water storage tank 900 for supplying water to the ice making apparatus 100 or the dispenser 200 as shown in FIG. You may be able to get water.

In addition, when the hot water tank 920 is provided as described above, by forming an insulating structure in the case 620, it is possible to block the transfer of warmth into the refrigerator.

Hereinafter, the operation of the refrigerator 1 according to the present invention will be described.

When the user wants to store food such as vegetables or fruits in the refrigerator 1 according to the present invention, after opening the refrigerating chamber door 24, the case 620 is withdrawn to the front.

When the case 620 is withdrawn to the front, the user receives the food inside the case 620, returns the case 620 to the initial position, and then press the water supply button 682.

When the water supply button 682 is pressed as described above, the washing water is supplied into the case 620. When the supply of the washing water is completed, the user presses the ultrasonic cleaning button 684.

When the ultrasonic cleaning button 684 is pressed, the ultrasonic generator 640 provided on the bottom surface of the case 620 is operated to generate ultrasonic waves to wash the received food while bubbles are formed.

The washing is performed for the time set in the operation means PCB 688, and the operation of the ultrasonic generator 640 is stopped when the set time is completed.

After the operation of the ultrasonic generator 640 is stopped, the user presses the drain button 686 to drain the washing water, or the washing water is automatically drained after the time set in the operation means PCB 688. .

On the other hand, when the user is to operate the above-described process, since the refrigerator compartment door 24 should be kept in an open state, the user presses the automatic button 688 and then shields the refrigerator compartment door 24, In the vegetable chamber 600, the same process as when the user manually operates may be automatically performed by the operation means PCB 688.

1 is a view showing an embodiment of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view showing the appearance of a vegetable room which is an embodiment provided in the refrigerator according to the present invention.

3 is a view for showing the water supply and drainage structure of the vegetable room shown in FIG.

Figure 4 is a view showing the appearance of the vegetable room which is another embodiment provided in the refrigerator according to the present invention.

5 and 6 are views showing the process of mounting the basket in the vegetable chamber shown in FIG.

7 is a view for showing the water supply and drainage structure of the vegetable chamber shown in FIG.

8 is a view for showing a variety of supply paths of the washing water provided in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

9 is a view showing an embodiment of the washing water supply path posted in FIG.

10 is a view showing another embodiment of the washing water supply path posted in FIG.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

1 ....... Refrigerator 10 ...... Main Unit

100 ..... Ice maker 200 ..... Dispenser

600 ..... Vegetable Room 620 ..... Case

640 ..... Ultrasonic generator 660 ..... Water discharge piping

680 ..... means 700 ..... drain pipe

800 ..... Water Supply Line 820 ..... Water Supply Side

840 ..... Vegetable water supply pipe 850 ..... Hot water supply water supply pipe

860 ..... Freezing chamber side water line 870 ..... Ice machine side water line

880 ..... Dispenser side water supply line 890 .....

900 ..... Water Tank 920 ..... Hot Water Tank

Claims (7)

A main body in which a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment are provided; Formed space in one side of the refrigerating compartment, the vegetable compartment capable of washing the food contained therein; is provided, In the vegetable room, A case in which the washing water is accommodated together with the food by forming a separated space in the refrigerator compartment; A water supply pipe connected to the water supply source to supply the washing water into the case; An ultrasonic generator provided at one side of the case to generate ultrasonic waves; And Is provided on one side of the case, the refrigerator comprising a drainage hole and a drain pipe for guiding the discharge of the washing water to the outside of the main body. The method of claim 1, The case is provided with a water supply pipe connection portion, the water supply pipe connection refrigerator. The method of claim 1, The main body is provided with a water storage tank connected to the water supply for supplying water to an ice making device or a dispenser, the washing water provided to the vegetable compartment is introduced through the water storage tank. The method of claim 1, The main body includes a washing water connected to the water supply is provided to the vegetable chamber, the refrigerator is provided with a hot water tank for heating the supplied washing water to the vegetable chamber. The method of claim 1, wherein the case, Refrigerator provided with a control means for inputting a control command for the operation of the ultrasonic wave generator. The method of claim 1, The case has a refrigerator provided with a basket that is fixed to the side of the case so that the food contained therein can be washed or stored in a state spaced apart from the bottom of the case. The method of claim 6, wherein the case One side of the basket is provided with a basket mounting portion to be fitted, the basket mounting portion is formed to be guided for guiding the vertical movement of the basket, and bent in the direction of the guide groove is mounted or removed Refrigerator includes a fixing groove to allow.

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