KR20110089533A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A refrigerator is provided to ensure use convenience and durability by enabling a user to easily recharge original materials for generating cyclopropene derative. CONSTITUTION: A refrigerator comprises a body(21), a vegetable chamber and an aging limiting device. The vegetable chamber is installed in the body. The aging limiting device is installed in the body and discharges cyclopropene derative to the vegetable chamber.

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

The present invention relates to a structure for suppressing aging of food stored in a vegetable compartment.

Generally, a refrigerator is a home appliance for storing food at a low temperature. The refrigerator is divided into a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment according to the internal temperature of the refrigerator, and the refrigerating compartment is provided with shelves on which containers containing food for refrigeration are stored, and a vegetable compartment for storing vegetables or fruits.

On the other hand, when vegetables or fruits are stored for a long time, ethylene gas is generated through a aging process. However, ethylene gas has a function of promoting the ripening of food. Therefore, even when stored at a low temperature in a refrigerating storage space such as a vegetable chamber, there is a problem of lowering the freshness of other foods stored together by ethylene gas generated from the food.

In order to solve this problem, many efforts have been made to suppress the ripening of fruits or vegetables in storage. Recently, researches on materials such as cyclopropene and 1-methylcyclopropene, which are known to inhibit the generation and action of ethylene, have been actively conducted. Since these cyclopropenes and 1-methylcyclopropene are present in a gaseous state at room temperature, a separate injection device is not required. However, since they are chemically very unstable, they are chemically reacted through polymerization if they are not stored at very low temperatures. There is a problem that the characteristics are easily lost. A cyclopropene derivative generating apparatus has been developed to solve this problem and suppress the action of ethylene (see Korean Patent No. 10-0823872).

However, there are various problems in applying the same structure as the cyclopropene derivative generating device disclosed in the patent to a refrigerator. For example, there is a problem that mounting is not easy because the volume of the cyclopropene derivative generating device released in comparison with the volume of the refrigerator compartment, especially the vegetable compartment, is relatively large.

In addition, the vegetable box accommodated in the vegetable compartment is installed to be withdrawn in the front and rear direction. Therefore, there is a need for a structure that allows the cyclopropene material to be safely injected into a movable vegetable box.

In addition, there has been a problem in that a refrigerator user can easily perform a task of periodically resupplying raw materials for generating the cyclopropene derivative.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, the aging suppression device for suppressing the generation and action of ethylene to promote the ripening of fruit, provides a refrigerator applied to the vegetable chamber in which vegetables or fruits that generate ethylene It aims to do it.

In addition, it is an object of the refrigerator user to easily recharge the raw material for the production of the cyclonepropene derivative, it is an object to provide a refrigerator equipped with a suppression device to ensure ease of use and durability.

Refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the main body; A vegetable compartment installed inside the main body; It is installed inside the main body, and includes a aging inhibitor for releasing a cyclopropene derivative into the vegetable chamber.

According to the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object has the following advantages and effects.

First, by miniaturizing the structure of the maturation suppression apparatus used in the commercial commercially it can be applied to the refrigerator, there is an effect that can be easily used at home.

Second, since the filling of the precursor, which is a raw material for generating the cyclopropene derivative that inhibits the action of ethylene, is easily performed, there is an advantage that the semi-permanent use of the aging inhibitor can be enabled.

Third, when the aging inhibiting device is mounted in the refrigerator, it is designed to minimize the decrease in the high volume of the refrigerator and to simply charge the precursor, there is an advantage that the ease of use and the high utilization of the refrigerator in the refrigerator.

1 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a aging inhibiting device mounted to the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the aging inhibitor is installed in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a partial perspective view showing the internal structure of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator equipped with a aging inhibitor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along II of FIG. 4.
Figure 6 is a partial perspective view showing the internal structure of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator equipped with a aging inhibitor according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the first container constituting the aging inhibitor according to another embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 6.
Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a cover placed on the upper side of the vegetable compartment and the vegetable compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. As an example, a side-by-side type refrigerator is provided, but is not limited thereto, and it is apparent that the embodiment of the present invention is applicable to all types of refrigerators provided with a vegetable compartment.

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 11 having a freezing compartment 111 and a refrigerating compartment 112 therein, and a freezing compartment 111 and a refrigerating compartment 112. And a freezer compartment door 12 and a refrigerating compartment door 13 to selectively open and close. In detail, the freezing compartment 111 and the refrigerating compartment 112 are partitioned by the mullion 113, and the refrigerating compartment 112 or the freezing compartment 111 is provided with a shelf 14 on which food or other containers are placed. In addition, the refrigerating chamber 112 is provided with a vegetable chamber 30 in which vegetables or fruits are stored in a fresh state.

2 is a perspective view showing a aging inhibiting device mounted to a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Aging inhibiting device presented below may be the same as the principle of the device disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent No. 10-0823872. That is, the aging inhibiting device 20 includes a first container 22 for storing a precursor of a cyclopropene derivative, and a second storage for storing a base or a fluorine ion substance as a reaction reagent reacting with the precursor. A vessel 23, a reaction vessel 24 in which the cyclopropene precursor and a reaction reagent react, a blowing unit 25 and the reaction vessel optionally provided for injecting air into the reaction vessel 23 ( Injection unit 26 for adverging the cyclopropene derivative produced in 23). However, in the present invention, the reaction vessel 24 and the second storage vessel 23 are accommodated in the main body 21 and provided in a module form. Optionally, the blower unit 25 includes the main body ( 21), it is said that there is a difference from the registered patent.

The precursor stored in the first storage container 22 may be an allyl halide or an equivalent thereof, and the reaction reagent stored in the second storage container 23 may be a basic or fluorine ion material. The blower unit 25 may be a blower fan, a pump, or a compressor.

In addition, the injection unit 26 may include a housing 261 and a filter 263 enclosed by a heating coil in the housing 261, and a nozzle 262 is provided at one side of the housing 261. Is formed.

In addition, the first storage container 22 is connected to the inlet side of the reaction vessel 24 of the main body 21 by a tube or the like, and the injection unit 26 is the outlet of the reaction vessel 24 by a tube or the like. Is connected to the side. The second storage container 23 is also in fluid communication with the inlet side of the reaction container 24. In addition, a valve may be mounted at one side of the tube connected to the first storage container 22 and the second storage container 23 so that the supply of the precursor and the reaction reagent is controlled by a controller.

3 is an exploded perspective view showing the ripening suppression device is installed in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a vegetable compartment 30 of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a vegetable box 32 in which vegetables or fruits are stored, and a case 31 in which the vegetable box 32 is retractably received forward. ). In addition, a front cover 33 is provided on the front surface of the vegetable box 32, and the front cover 23 is injection molded in one body with the vegetable box 32, or rotated or separated by a separate member. Can be provided.

In addition, rails 321 may be mounted on outer side surfaces of both side portions of the vegetable box 32, and rail guides 322 may be mounted on both sides of the case 31 to slidably couple the rails 321. have. The vegetable box 32 may be smoothly drawn forward from the case 31 by the rail structure.

In addition, the main body 21 and the injection unit 26 of the aging inhibitor 20 is placed on the rear side of the case 31. In addition, a depression 322 is formed at a rear edge portion of the vegetable box 32 corresponding to a portion where the aging inhibiting device 20 is placed. Therefore, when the vegetable box 32 is introduced into the case 31, a phenomenon in which the rear surface of the vegetable box 32 and the ripening inhibiting device 20 are prevented from interfering with each other is prevented. In addition, a nozzle hole 323 through which the nozzle 262 of the injection unit 26 is inserted is formed on the rear wall surface of the vegetable box 32 forming the depression 322. In addition, the first storage container 22 is separated from the main body 21 and mounted on an inner side of the refrigerating chamber 112 to replace the first storage container 22 or the precursor to the first storage container 22. Enables charging. This will be described in detail with reference to the drawings below.

Figure 4 is a partial perspective view showing the internal structure of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator equipped with a aging inhibitor according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG.

4 and 5, the first storage container 22 is detachably mounted to one side of an inner wall of the refrigerating chamber 112.

In detail, as an example, the first storage container 22 may be mounted on a side wall of the refrigerating chamber 112, in detail, on one side of the mullion 113. For example, a receiver 40 for receiving the first storage container 22 is mounted on the side of the mullion 113, and the first storage container 22 is detachably attached to the receiver 40. Can be inserted.

In addition, a tube 41 connecting the reaction vessel 24 of the main body 21 may be connected to the rear surface of the receiver 40. In addition, a connector 43 and a valve 42 may be connected to an end portion of the tube 41, and the connector 43 may protrude through the rear surface of the receiver 40. In addition, a discharge hole 221 into which the female connector 43 is inserted may be formed at a rear surface of the first storage container 22.

With this structure, when the first storage container 22 is completely inserted into the receiver 40, the connector 43 is fitted into the discharge hole 221. The precursor stored in the first storage vessel 22 then flows into the reaction vessel 24 along the connector 43 and the tube 41. However, the precursor stored in the first storage container 22 may be selectively discharged according to whether the valve 42 is opened or closed. In addition, the opening and closing of the valve 42 may be automatically controlled by the controller.

As another example, as shown in FIG. 4, the receiver 40 may be mounted to the rear wall of the refrigerating chamber 112. In addition, the tube extending from the receiver 40 to the main body portion 21 of the maturation inhibiting device 20 is embedded in the wall surface of the refrigerating compartment 112, so that it is not exposed when the refrigerating compartment door 13 is opened. can do.

As such, when the first storage container 22 is opened when the refrigerating compartment door 13 is opened, the first storage container 22 is mounted at a position easily accessible and detachably mounted so that the user can open the first storage container 22. It is easy to replace or to charge the precursor.

Here, another embodiment of the replaceable first storage container 22 may be in the form of a thermal ink jet cartridge. The thermal ink jet cartridge, in brief, has a structure in which the ink outlet portion is heated to discharge the ink through the ink outlet while changing the ink into a bubble. As such, the first storage container 22 may be formed in the form of the thermal inkjet cartridge, and the precursor may be present in the liquid phase in the first storage container 22. In addition, the outlet portion of the first storage container 22 may be heated to discharge the precursor in a gaseous state.

Figure 6 is a partial perspective view showing the internal structure of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator equipped with a aging inhibitor according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7 is a perspective view of a first container constituting the aging inhibitor according to another embodiment of the present invention 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 6.

6 to 8, the aging inhibiting device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention is the same in construction and operation as the aging inhibiting device 20 described above. However, it is characterized in that the first storage container 50 in which the precursor is stored is detachably accommodated in a separate accommodation space provided on the side of the vegetable chamber 30.

In detail, the width of the vegetable compartment 30 is formed to be narrower than the width of the refrigerating compartment 112, and the space between the side of the vegetable compartment 30 and the refrigerating compartment 112 is to accommodate the first storage container 50. Used as a space. The first storage container 50 may be provided in a form similar to a cylindrical filter used in a refrigerator equipped with a drinking water extraction function or a water direct deicing device.

 In more detail, the first storage container 50 is provided with a cylindrical container 51 having a predetermined diameter and length, and one end of the container 51, as shown in FIG. And a knob 52 to enable gripping. A discharge hole 51 is formed at the other end of the container 51. The discharge hole 51 has the same configuration as the discharge hole 221 described previously. A spiral fastening rib 521 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the container 51. In addition, a recess or a rib having the same shape as the fastening rib 521 may be formed on an inner circumferential surface of the container accommodating part into which the container 51 is inserted.

By this structure, a user inserts the said 1st storage container 50 into the container accommodating part provided in the side of the said vegetable compartment 30. As shown in FIG. At this time, the user pushes while holding the knob 52 by hand while rotating. Then, the fastening ribs 521 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the container 51 are inserted into the grooves formed on the inner circumferential surface of the container receiving groove or rotated in engagement with the ribs to be inserted into the container receiving portion. When the first storage container 50 is removed, the knob 52 may be pulled while rotating in the opposite direction.

 The main body 21 of the aging inhibitor 20 is located at the rear end of the container accommodating portion of the container 51. Therefore, when the first storage container 22 is inserted into the container receiving portion, the connector (described above) formed in the inlet portion of the reaction vessel 24 of the main body 21 has a discharge hole of the container 51. 522 is inserted. In addition, the nozzle 262 of the injection unit 26 may have a structure inserted through the rear surface of the vegetable box 32.

9 is an exploded perspective view showing the vegetable chamber and the cover placed on the upper side of the vegetable chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, an inner side of the vegetable box 32 constituting the vegetable compartment 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a temperature sensor 62 for sensing a temperature inside the vegetable box 32 and a vegetable box ( 32) The ethylene concentration sensor 63 for detecting the ethylene concentration therein may be mounted.

In detail, ethylene is generated while the vegetable or fruit is ripening in the vegetable box 32, and at the same time the temperature inside the vegetable box 32 is increased. Therefore, according to the change in temperature detected by the temperature sensor 62 or the change in ethylene concentration detected by the ethylene concentration sensor 63, a cyclopropene derivative such as 1-MCP is properly sprayed into the vegetable box 32. You can do that.

In addition, a transparent glass cover 311 may be placed on the upper side of the case 31 accommodating the vegetable box 32. By allowing the cover 311 to be placed above the case 31, the case 31 may be prevented from being damaged or bent due to the load of food or a container stored in the refrigerator.

Meanwhile, a display 60 and an input button 61 may be formed in front of the cover 311. In detail, the display 60 includes a temperature display unit 601 displaying the temperature inside the vegetable box detected by the temperature sensor 62 and a concentration displaying the ethylene concentration detected by the ethylene concentration sensor 63. The display unit 602 may be formed.

In addition, the input button 61 may include an input button for allowing a user to manually input a cyclopropene derivative injection command.

By the above configuration, a refrigerator user directly operates the aging inhibiting device 20 or the aging inhibiting device 20 based on a detected value transmitted from the temperature sensor 62 or the concentration sensor 63 from a control unit. ) Can be controlled.

10 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, a control system of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a control unit 100, an input unit 101 connected to the control unit 100, and configured to input an operation command by a user. The display unit 102 displays various information, the ethylene concentration sensor 103 for detecting the concentration of ethylene, the temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the vegetable chamber, and the sensed value and control transmitted from the various sensors. It may include a memory for storing the comparison table data and the like and a timer 106 for determining the operation cycle of the aging inhibitor 20.

The input unit 101 may be an input button 61 for inputting an operation command of the aging inhibitor 20, and the display unit 102 displays a temperature and ethylene concentration inside the vegetable chamber. Can be. In addition, the ethylene concentration detecting unit 10 may be an ethylene concentration sensor 63 mounted in the vegetable box 32. In addition, the vegetable room temperature sensing unit 104 may be a temperature sensor 62 mounted in the vegetable box 32.

According to the refrigerator having the system configuration as described above, the operation of the aging inhibitor 20 can be controlled by the following method.

First, the control using the ethylene concentration detecting unit 103 may be mentioned.

In detail, the ethylene concentration detected by the ethylene concentration detecting unit 103 is transmitted to the control unit 100, and the control unit 100 compares the transmitted concentration value with the table stored in the memory 105. And, if it is determined that the detected ethylene concentration value is more than the set value can be controlled to operate the aging inhibitor 20. That is, the valves connected to the first storage container 22 and the second storage container 23 may be opened to allow the cyclopropene derivative to be generated and injected.

Second, the control using the temperature change value transmitted from the vegetable room temperature sensor 104 may be mentioned.

In detail, the vegetable room temperature sensing unit 104 controls to sense the temperature inside the vegetable box 32 at regular time intervals. In addition, the detected temperature value is transmitted to the controller, and the controller 100 compares and determines the temperature change amount increased during the set time by using the table data stored in the memory 105. And, if it is determined that the rate of change of temperature per unit time, that is, the rate of temperature increase or the rate of temperature increase, which is actually calculated from the sensed temperature value is greater than or equal to the set value, the cyclopropene derivative may be controlled to be generated and injected.

Third, control using the timer 106 is mentioned.

In detail, the aging inhibiting device 20 may be controlled to operate at a predetermined time interval while the timer 106 operates. That is, regardless of the temperature or the ethylene concentration value inside the vegetable box 32, it is possible to control so that the cyclopropene derivative is continuously generated and sprayed at a predetermined time interval.

In addition, the timer 106 may be used to control the operation time of the aging inhibitor 20. In other words, the timer 106 may be controlled to start the operation of the aging suppression device 20 and stop when the time passes.

The above-described ripening inhibiting device 20 is provided in the refrigerator, and the cyclopropene derivative is generated and sprayed from the ripening inhibiting device 20 by the control method as described above, so that the vegetables or fruits stored in the refrigerator are further increased. It has the advantage of being kept fresh for a long time.

In addition, the aging inhibitor 20 is miniaturized to fit the structure of the refrigerator, and the precursor filling and replacement is easily installed, thereby increasing the convenience of use of the refrigerator user.

Claims (12)

main body;
A vegetable compartment installed inside the main body;
And a maturation inhibiting device installed inside the main body and releasing a cyclopropene derivative into the vegetable compartment. The method of claim 1,
The vegetable room,
A vegetable box in which vegetables and / or fruits are stored;
The case includes a case in which the vegetable box is retractable or detachably accommodated,
The aging inhibitor is a refrigerator, characterized in that disposed in the space between the vegetable box and the case. The method of claim 2,
The aging inhibitor,
A first storage container storing a precursor for generating the cyclopropene derivative;
A main body including a second storage container reacting with the precursor and storing a reaction material containing a base or fluorine ions, and a reaction container reacting the precursor and the reaction material; And
And a spraying unit for discharging the cyclopropene derivative generated in the reaction vessel into the vegetable box. The method of claim 3, wherein
The injection unit is provided with a nozzle for releasing the cyclopropene derivative,
And the nozzle is exposed to the inside of the vegetable box through the rear surface of the vegetable box. The method of claim 3, wherein
And the first storage container is detachably mounted to any one of wall surfaces defining a storage space in which the vegetable compartment is installed. The method of claim 3, wherein
The width of the vegetable chamber is formed smaller than the width of the storage space in which the vegetable chamber is installed,
And the first storage container is detachably mounted in a space between the vegetable compartment and a wall surface of the storage space. The method of claim 1,
A temperature sensor mounted inside the vegetable box and detecting a temperature inside the vegetable box; And / or
The refrigerator further comprises an ethylene concentration sensor mounted inside the vegetable box, for detecting the ethylene concentration inside the vegetable box. The method of claim 7, wherein
Further comprising a cover placed on the upper side of the vegetable compartment,
And a display unit configured to display a temperature value detected by the temperature sensor and / or an ethylene concentration value detected by the ethylene concentration sensor on a front surface of the cover. The method of claim 7, wherein
The aging inhibiting device, characterized in that the refrigerator selectively operates according to the change amount or the rate of change of the temperature value detected by the temperature sensor. The method of claim 7, wherein
The aging inhibiting device, characterized in that the refrigerator selectively operates according to the concentration value of ethylene detected by the ethylene concentration sensor. The method of claim 1,
Further includes a timer for detecting passage of time,
The refrigerator characterized in that the operation time and / or operation time of the aging inhibitor by the timer is determined. The method of claim 7, wherein
Refrigerator, characterized in that the front of the cover is further provided with an input button for operating the aging inhibiting device by the user's selection.

Images