US20070271945A1 - Refrigerator having a vegetable box - Google Patents
Refrigerator having a vegetable box Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070271945A1 US20070271945A1 US11/716,631 US71663107A US2007271945A1 US 20070271945 A1 US20070271945 A1 US 20070271945A1 US 71663107 A US71663107 A US 71663107A US 2007271945 A1 US2007271945 A1 US 2007271945A1
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- Prior art keywords
- unit
- refrigerator
- light
- photosynthesis
- storing unit
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D27/00—Lighting arrangements
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
- A23B7/00—Preservation or chemical ripening of fruit or vegetables
- A23B7/015—Preserving by irradiation or electric treatment without heating effect
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
- A23B7/00—Preservation or chemical ripening of fruit or vegetables
- A23B7/04—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
- F25D25/02—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
- F25D25/024—Slidable shelves
- F25D25/025—Drawers
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
- F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
- F25D17/042—Air treating means within refrigerated spaces
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
- F25D25/005—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled using containers
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
- F25D2700/02—Sensors detecting door opening
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a refrigerator having a vegetable box capable of promoting photosynthesis of vegetables; and, more particularly, to a refrigerator with a vegetable box capable of promoting photosynthesis of vegetables by providing light required for photosynthesis of vegetables stored in the vegetable box, thereby maintaining the freshness of the vegetables stored therein.
- the refrigerator includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator to perform a cooling cycle, and thus keeps the freshness of food items for a long period of time by cooled air generated through such a cooling cycle.
- a freezer compartment for preserving food items in a frozen state and a refrigerator compartment for preserving the food items in a refrigerated state are partitioned inside a main body forming external appearance thereof, so that the food items can be stored in either the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment according to the storage temperature of the food items.
- FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a conventional refrigerator 10 whose refrigerator compartment is provided with a plurality of shelves 11 and a vegetable room 12 to separately store a large amount of food items such as vegetables or fruits therein.
- Such a refrigerator keeps the vegetables stored therein at a low temperature by simply controlling the cooled air, whereby the freshness of the vegetables can be maintained for a certain period of time.
- the freshness of the vegetables may not be maintained.
- the vegetables which belong to the plant kingdom, respire and transpire even while they are stored in a refrigerator. Therefore, in order to maintain the freshness of the vegetables stored in the refrigerator, it is necessary to suppress the respiration and the transpiration.
- the conventional refrigerator can maintain a certain degree of freshness by keeping the vegetables at a low temperature to suppress the respiration and in a high humidity to prevent the transpiration.
- the chlorophyll contained in the vegetables cannot be prevented from being decomposed, the freshness of the vegetables cannot be maintained due to a decrease in the concentration of chlorophyll contained in the vegetables with the lapse of a certain period of time.
- an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator having a vegetable box capable of promoting photosynthesis of vegetables stored therein to maintain the freshness of the vegetables by suppressing decomposition of chlorophyll contained in the vegetables.
- a refrigerator including a main body having a door sensor for detecting an opened state and a closed state of a door of the refrigerator; a vegetable box disposed in the main body to provide a space for receiving therein vegetables; and a control unit, wherein the vegetable box includes a storing unit for storing therein the vegetables; and a photosynthesis promotion unit for emitting light required for photosynthesis of the vegetables to an inside of the storing unit; and wherein the control unit outputs a control signal for operating the photosynthesis promotion unit according to a detected result of the door sensor.
- a vegetable box used for a refrigerator capable of promoting photosynthesis of vegetables, including a storing unit whose upper portion is opened to provide a space to receive therein the vegetables; and a photosynthesis promotion unit, installed on a top surface of a sidewall of the storing unit, for emitting light required for photosynthesis of the vegetables to an inside of the storing unit by using the storing unit as a medium for light propagation.
- a vegetable box of a refrigerator capable of promoting photosynthesis of vegetables, including a storing unit whose upper portion is opened for providing a space to receive therein vegetables; a cover unit rotatably connected to the upper portion of the storing unit for opening and closing the upper portion of the storing unit; and a photosynthesis promotion unit, installed on a bottom surface of the cover unit, for emitting light required for photosynthesis of the vegetables to the storing unit.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view for showing a configuration of a conventional refrigerator
- FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view for showing a configuration of a refrigerator having a vegetable box in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view for illustrating a configuration of a vegetable box in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 4 is a side cross sectional view for showing the vegetable box in accordance with the first embodiment in an unassembled state
- FIG. 5 is a side cross sectional view for showing the vegetable box in accordance with a modified example of the first embodiment in an unassembled state
- FIG. 6 is a front cross sectional view for showing the vegetable box in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention in an unassembled state
- FIG. 7 is a block diagram for illustrating a configuration to control the photosynthesis of the vegetables in accordance with the first embodiment
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view for showing light emitting units of the vegetable box in accordance with the modified example of the first embodiment
- FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view for illustrating a configuration of a vegetable box in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a side cross sectional view for showing the vegetable box in accordance with the second embodiment in an assembled state
- FIG. 11 is a front cross sectional view for showing the vegetable box in accordance with the second embodiment in an assembled state
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view for illustrating a configuration of a vegetable box in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view for illustrating a configuration of a photosynthesis promotion unit installed in the vegetable box in accordance with the third embodiment
- FIG. 14 is a side cross sectional view for showing the vegetable box in accordance with the third embodiment in an assembled state.
- FIG. 15 is a side cross sectional view for showing a vegetable box in accordance with a modified example of the third embodiment in an assembled state.
- FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a refrigerator having a vegetable box in accordance with the present invention
- FIGS. 3 to 7 depict a vegetable box in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
- the refrigerator of the present invention includes a vegetable box 100 , installed at an inner lower part of a main body 200 , to provide a space for storing therein vegetables, fruits, or the like; and the vegetable box 100 is provided with a wiring (not shown) for supplying therefor an electric power required for emitting light that serves to promote photosynthesis of vegetables.
- the vegetable box 100 further includes a control unit 220 (shown in FIG. 7 ) for outputting a signal to control the light emission of the vegetable box 100 according to an output signal of a door sensor 211 which detects whether opening/closing of a refrigerator door 210 is opened.
- the vegetable box 100 includes a photosynthesis promotion unit 110 for emitting light required for photosynthesis onto the vegetables; a lens unit 120 for dispersing the light emitted from the photosynthesis promotion unit 110 ; storing unit 130 , having a shape of rectangular parallelepiped, whose upper portion is opened to receive the vegetables; and a reflection unit 140 for reflecting the light from the photosynthesis promotion unit 110 toward an inside of the storing unit 130 .
- the photosynthesis promotion unit 110 powered by a power supply of the refrigerator 200 and controlled by a control signal of the control unit 220 , is preferably configured with a print circuit board and light emitting units 111 for emitting light required for photosynthesis of vegetables.
- the light emitting units 111 are arranged in one or more lines on the print circuit board.
- light emitting devices such as light emitting diodes, chip LEDs, white fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps and/or the like can be used as the light emitting units 111 .
- the chip LED is the most preferable.
- the light emitting units 121 emit the light whose wavelength falls within a range from 450 to 700 nm. In this range of wavelength, biological or chemical processes that cause to deteriorate the freshness of vegetables can be suppressed.
- the decomposition of chlorophyll contained in leaves of vegetables is suppressed.
- the decrease in the chlorophyll concentration is also suppressed to keep vegetables green in color.
- the decrease in the amount of vitamin C contained in vegetables is also suppressed.
- vegetables can be kept fresh for a longer period of time, while maintaining the nutrients therein to be intact.
- the photosynthesis promotion unit 110 is disposed on a bottom surface of an upper portion of the vegetable box 100 , and preferably, light emitted from the light emitting units 11 is irradiated onto a top surface of a sidewall 131 of the storing unit 130 .
- the light is emitted from the light emitting units 111 and then transferred to an inside of the storing unit 130 by transmitting through the storing unit 130 as a medium for light propagation.
- the photosynthesis promotion unit 110 is formed to have the same thickness as that of the sidewall 131 of the storing unit 130 of a rectangular parallelepiped shape whose upper portion is opened. Further, the light emitting units 111 , arranged in one or more lines on the photosynthesis promotion unit 110 , are installed in a manner corresponding to top surface 131 a of the sidewall of the storing unit 130 .
- FIG. 8 shows a modified example of a photosynthesis promotion unit 110 a .
- the photosynthesis promotion unit 110 a disposed on the bottom surface of the upper portion of the vegetable box 100 , is configured with a rectangular print circuit board (not shown) on the bottom surface of the upper portion of the vegetable box 100 and light emitting units 111 a arranged in a matrix form at specific intervals on the print circuit board.
- the vegetable box 100 may be configured such that the light is irradiated via an opened top area of the storing unit 130 .
- the lens unit 120 is installed between the photosynthesis promotion unit 110 and the storing unit 130 to refract and disperse the light irradiated from the photosynthesis promotion unit 110 , whereby the light emitted from the light emitting units 111 reaches the sidewall top surface 131 a of the storing unit 130 in a sufficiently dispersed state.
- a lens unit 120 is provided with one or more concave lenses 121 disposed at a location corresponding to the light emitting units 111 .
- the lens unit 120 may be disposed such that it is in contact with the photosynthesis promotion unit 110 disposed on the bottom surface of the upper portion of the vegetable box 100 ; and, the lens unit 120 may also be disposed on the sidewall top surface 131 a of the storing unit 130 .
- the storing unit 130 which is disposed in the vegetable box 100 , is of a rectangular parallelepiped shape whose upper portion is opened to store therein various kinds of vegetables, fruits or the like. Further, the storing unit 130 is made of transparent material such as acryl, reinforced plastic or the like, through which light is easily transmitted; and preferably, is made of an acrylic material.
- the vegetable box 100 By configuring the vegetable box 100 such that the light emitted from the light emitting units 111 is transferred to the storing unit 130 through the upper surface of the storing unit 130 , the light can be transferred to an entire surface of the storing unit 130 by transmitting the transparent material of the storing unit 130 as a medium for light propagation. Thus, light required for photosynthesis can be evenly supplied to vegetables stored in the storing unit 130 .
- this problem can be overcome by using the storing box 130 as a medium for light propagation.
- the reflection unit 140 is disposed on an outer surface of the storing unit 130 to reflect the light, transmitted through the storing unit 130 as a medium for light propagation, toward an inside of the storing unit 130 .
- the reflection unit 140 prevents the light emitted from the light emitting units 111 from being spread outside the storing unit 130 , and therefore, more light can be transferred to an inside of the storing unit 130 .
- the reflection unit 140 includes one or more convex mirrors, so that more light can be refracted toward the inside of the storing unit 130 .
- the door sensor 211 which is installed between the refrigerator 200 and the door 210 as shown FIG. 2 , detects an opened state and a closed state of the door 210 and sends a door open signal and door close signal, respectively, to the control unit 220 .
- a conventional door sensor may be used as the door sensor 211 .
- control unit 220 If the control unit 220 receives the door open signal from the door sensor 211 , it outputs a control signal, for stopping the operation of the photosynthesis promotion unit 110 , to the photosynthesis promotion unit 110 to stop the operation thereof. However, if the control unit 220 receives the door close signal from the door sensor 211 , it outputs a control signal, for maintaining or resuming the operation of the photosynthesis promotion unit 110 , to the photosynthesis promotion unit 110 to allow the light to be emitted therefrom.
- the photosynthesis promotion unit 110 has been described to be disposed on the bottom surface of the upper portion of the vegetable box 100 of the refrigerator. However, it is also possible to install the photosynthesis promotion unit 110 on a top surface of the lower portion of the vegetable box 100 such that the light emitted upward from the lower portion of the vegetable box 100 comes into the sidewall bottom surface of the storing unit 130 to be transferred to an inside of the storing unit 130 .
- the reflection unit 140 provided on an outer surface of the storing unit 130 is installed throughout every outer surface of the storing unit 140 except for a bottom surface thereof.
- vegetables stored in the vegetable box 100 can be kept fresh.
- FIGS. 9 to 11 show a vegetable box 300 used for a refrigerator capable of promoting photosynthesis of vegetables in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, and the second embodiment will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- the vegetable box 300 includes a photosynthesis promotion unit 320 for emitting light required for photosynthesis onto vegetables stored in the vegetable box 300 ; and a storing unit 330 of rectangular parallelepiped shape for storing therein the vegetables.
- the photosynthesis promotion unit 320 includes a print circuit board (not shown) having a shape that fits an upper surface of the peripheral portion of the storing unit 330 ; light emitting units 321 arranged in one or more lines on the print circuit board for emitting light required for photosynthesis of vegetables; and a connection part 322 for electrically coupling an external device thereto in order to supply an electric power for the operation of the light emitting units 321 .
- light emitting devices such as light emitting diodes, chip LEDs, white fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps and/or the like can be used as the light emitting units 321 .
- the chip LED is the most preferable.
- chip LEDs are preferable as the light emitting unit 321 is that the manufacturing time and cost can be efficiently saved by employing surface mount technology, and the photosynthesis promotion unit 320 can be reduced in size.
- the light emitting units 321 emit the light whose wavelength falls within a range from 450 to 700 nm. In this range of wavelength, biological or chemical processes that cause to deteriorate the freshness of vegetables can be suppressed.
- the decomposition of chlorophyll contained in leaves of vegetables is suppressed.
- the decrease in the chlorophyll concentration is also suppressed to keep vegetables green in color.
- the decrease in the amount of vitamin C contained in vegetables is also suppressed.
- vegetables can be kept fresh for a longer period of time, while maintaining the nutrients therein to be intact.
- the photosynthesis promotion unit 320 is installed on the upper peripheral portion of the storing unit 330 , the light emitted from the light emitting units 321 , arranged in one or more line on the photosynthesis promotion unit 320 , is irradiated onto the upper surface of the storing unit 330 .
- the light emitted from the light emitting units 321 is transferred to an entire surface of storing unit 330 by transmitting the storing unit 330 as a medium for light propagation, so the light is irradiated through the inner and the outer surface of the storing unit 330 .
- connection part 322 is installed at one side of the photosynthesis promotion unit 320 to be electrically coupled to the refrigerator or an external power supply.
- the electric power required for the operation of the photosynthesis promotion unit 320 is supplied from the refrigerator or the external power supply.
- the connection part 322 is a connector.
- the storing unit 330 is of a rectangular parallelepiped shape whose upper portion is opened to store various kinds of vegetables, fruits or the like. Further, the storing unit 330 is made of transparent material such as acryl, reinforced plastic or the like, through which light is easily transmitted; and preferably, is made of an acrylic material.
- insertion grooves 331 are formed at the upper surface of the storing unit 330 , so that the light emitting units 321 are attached thereto. With this structure, the light emitted from the light emitting units 321 is transmitted through the storing unit 330 .
- the vegetable box 300 By configuring the vegetable box 300 such that the light emitted from the light emitting units 321 is transferred to the storing unit 330 through the upper surface of the peripheral portion of the storing unit 330 , the light can be transferred to an entire surface of the storing unit 330 by transmitting the transparent material of the storing unit 330 as a medium for light propagation. Thus, light required for photosynthesis can be evenly supplied to vegetables stored in the storing unit 330 .
- this problem can be overcome by using the storing box 330 as a medium for light propagation.
- the reflection unit 340 is disposed on an outer surface of the storing unit 330 to reflect the light, transmitted through the storing unit 330 as a medium, to the inside of the storing unit 330 .
- the reflection unit 340 prevents the light emitted from the light emitting units 321 from being transferred outside the storing unit 330 , and therefore, more light can be irradiated inside the storing unit 330 .
- the reflection unit 340 includes one or more convex mirrors, so that a large quantity of light can be refracted toward the inside of the storing unit 330 .
- a protection cover 310 is provided on top of the photosynthesis promotion unit 320 to couple the storing unit 330 more tightly to the photosynthesis promotion unit 320 and prevent the photosynthesis promotion unit 320 from being exposed to the outside.
- FIGS. 12 to 15 show a vegetable box 500 used for a refrigerator capable of promoting photosynthesis of vegetables in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention. and the third embodiment will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- the vegetable box 500 includes a cover unit 510 , for opening and closing the upper portion of the vegetable box 500 , having a light emitting device that emits light; a storing unit 520 of a rectangular parallelepiped shape for storing therein vegetables; and a rotation axis 530 for rotatably connecting the cover unit 510 with the storing unit 520 ; and a reflection unit 540 for reflecting the light, emitted from the light emitting device of the cover unit 510 , to an inside of the storing unit 510 .
- the reflection unit 540 is disposed on an outer surface of the storing unit 520 .
- the reflection unit 540 prevents the light emitted from the light emitting device from being spread outside the storing unit 520 , whereby more light can be transferred to an inside the storing unit 520 .
- the reflection unit 540 includes a convex mirror, so that a large quantity of light can be refracted toward the inside of the storing unit 520 .
- the cover unit 510 includes a cover frame 511 for covering the upper portion of the storing unit 520 ; a photosynthesis promotion unit 512 provided with a light emitting units 513 for emitting light onto vegetables stored in the storing unit 520 ; a light emitting unit protection cover 514 formed of a transparent material for protecting the photosynthesis promotion unit 512 and the light emitting units 513 ; and a connection part 550 for electrically coupling an external device thereto to supply an electric power for the operation of the light emitting units 513 .
- a groove portion is formed on a bottom surface of the cover frame 511 to accommodate therein the photosynthesis promotion unit 512 ; and one end portion of the cover frame 511 is rotatably connected to the storing unit 520 by means of the rotation axis 530 .
- light emitting devices such as light emitting diodes, chip LEDs, white fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps and/or the like can be used as the light emitting units 513 .
- the chip LED is the most preferable.
- the light emitting units 513 emit the light whose wavelength falls within a range from 450 to 700 nm. In this range of wavelength, biological or chemical processes that cause to deteriorate the freshness of vegetables can be suppressed.
- the light emitting units 513 emit light having a wavelength ranging from 450 to 700 nm.
- the light emitting unit protection cover 514 is formed of a transparent material in a shape that fits the print circuit board of the photosynthesis promotion unit 512 . Further, as shown in FIG. 13 , receiving groove portions 515 are formed at one side of the light emitting unit protection cover 514 to accommodating therein the light emitting units 513 , so that the light emitted from the light emitting units 513 is transmitted therethrough.
- a lens unit 516 may be installed at a front side of the light emitting units 513 to refract and the light emitted from the light emitting units 513 .
- concave lenses 517 are formed at the lens unit 516 correspondingly to the light emitting units 513 such that the light emitted from the light emitting units 513 is refracted to be transferred sufficiently to an entire locations of the inside of the storing unit 520 , especially to such locations that do not confront the light emitting units 513 .
- connection part 550 installed at one side of the photosynthesis promotion unit 512 , is electrically connected to the refrigerator or an external power supply, so that an electric power for the operation of the photosynthesis promotion unit 512 can be provided from the refrigerator or the external device; and preferably, the connection part 550 is a connector.
- the light emitted from the light emitting units 513 installed at the photosynthesis promotion unit 512 in the cover unit 510 , is transferred into the storing unit 520 via the emission unit protection cover 514 .
- the lens unit 516 having the concave lenses 517 may be installed in place of the emission unit protection cover 514 .
- the light emitted from the light emitting units 513 can be more widely dispersed and transferred into the inside of the storing unit 520 .
- the storing unit 520 is of a rectangular parallelepiped shape whose upper portion is opened to store therein various kinds of vegetables, fruits or the like. Further, the storing unit 520 is made of transparent material such as acryl, reinforced plastic or the like, through which light is easily transmitted; and preferably, is made of an acrylic material.
- the reflection unit 540 is provided on an outer surface of the storing unit 520 to reflect the light, emitted from the upper part of the storing unit 520 , to the inside of the storing unit 520 .
- the reflection unit 540 prevents the light emitted from the light emitting units 513 from being spread outside the storing unit 520 , whereby more light can be transferred into the storing unit 520 .
- the reflection unit 540 includes one or more convex mirrors, so that more light can be refracted toward the inside of the storing unit 130 .
- the vegetable box can also be used to promote photosynthesis of vegetables stored therein independently of the refrigerator, as long as a sufficient electric power is supplied to the light emitting units 513 via, e.g., the connection part 550 .
- the light required for photosynthesis of the vegetables stored in the vegetable box of the refrigerator can be supplied sufficiently. Therefore, decomposition of chlorophyll contained in the vegetables is suppressed, so that the vegetables can be kept fresh in the vegetable box.
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Abstract
A refrigerator includes a main body having a door sensor that detects an opened state and a closed state of a door of the refrigerator; a vegetable box disposed in the main body to provide a space for receiving therein vegetables; and a control unit. The vegetable box includes a storing unit for storing therein the vegetables; and a photosynthesis promotion unit for emitting light required for photosynthesis of the vegetables to an inside of the storing unit. The control unit outputs a control signal for operating the photosynthesis promotion unit according to a detected result of the door sensor.
Description
- The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a vegetable box capable of promoting photosynthesis of vegetables; and, more particularly, to a refrigerator with a vegetable box capable of promoting photosynthesis of vegetables by providing light required for photosynthesis of vegetables stored in the vegetable box, thereby maintaining the freshness of the vegetables stored therein.
- In general, the refrigerator includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator to perform a cooling cycle, and thus keeps the freshness of food items for a long period of time by cooled air generated through such a cooling cycle.
- In such a refrigerator, a freezer compartment for preserving food items in a frozen state and a refrigerator compartment for preserving the food items in a refrigerated state are partitioned inside a main body forming external appearance thereof, so that the food items can be stored in either the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment according to the storage temperature of the food items.
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FIG. 1 shows a configuration of aconventional refrigerator 10 whose refrigerator compartment is provided with a plurality ofshelves 11 and avegetable room 12 to separately store a large amount of food items such as vegetables or fruits therein. - Such a refrigerator keeps the vegetables stored therein at a low temperature by simply controlling the cooled air, whereby the freshness of the vegetables can be maintained for a certain period of time. However, in case of preserving them for a long time, the freshness of the vegetables may not be maintained.
- The vegetables, which belong to the plant kingdom, respire and transpire even while they are stored in a refrigerator. Therefore, in order to maintain the freshness of the vegetables stored in the refrigerator, it is necessary to suppress the respiration and the transpiration.
- Accordingly, the conventional refrigerator can maintain a certain degree of freshness by keeping the vegetables at a low temperature to suppress the respiration and in a high humidity to prevent the transpiration. However, since the chlorophyll contained in the vegetables cannot be prevented from being decomposed, the freshness of the vegetables cannot be maintained due to a decrease in the concentration of chlorophyll contained in the vegetables with the lapse of a certain period of time.
- It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator having a vegetable box capable of promoting photosynthesis of vegetables stored therein to maintain the freshness of the vegetables by suppressing decomposition of chlorophyll contained in the vegetables.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator having a vegetable box capable of evenly and efficiently providing vegetables stored therein with light required for photosynthesis.
- It is still another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator having a vegetable box that emits light for promoting photosynthesis of vegetables stored therein according to whether a door of the refrigerator is opened or closed.
- In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator including a main body having a door sensor for detecting an opened state and a closed state of a door of the refrigerator; a vegetable box disposed in the main body to provide a space for receiving therein vegetables; and a control unit, wherein the vegetable box includes a storing unit for storing therein the vegetables; and a photosynthesis promotion unit for emitting light required for photosynthesis of the vegetables to an inside of the storing unit; and wherein the control unit outputs a control signal for operating the photosynthesis promotion unit according to a detected result of the door sensor.
- In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vegetable box used for a refrigerator capable of promoting photosynthesis of vegetables, including a storing unit whose upper portion is opened to provide a space to receive therein the vegetables; and a photosynthesis promotion unit, installed on a top surface of a sidewall of the storing unit, for emitting light required for photosynthesis of the vegetables to an inside of the storing unit by using the storing unit as a medium for light propagation.
- In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vegetable box of a refrigerator capable of promoting photosynthesis of vegetables, including a storing unit whose upper portion is opened for providing a space to receive therein vegetables; a cover unit rotatably connected to the upper portion of the storing unit for opening and closing the upper portion of the storing unit; and a photosynthesis promotion unit, installed on a bottom surface of the cover unit, for emitting light required for photosynthesis of the vegetables to the storing unit.
- The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view for showing a configuration of a conventional refrigerator; -
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view for showing a configuration of a refrigerator having a vegetable box in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view for illustrating a configuration of a vegetable box in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is a side cross sectional view for showing the vegetable box in accordance with the first embodiment in an unassembled state; -
FIG. 5 is a side cross sectional view for showing the vegetable box in accordance with a modified example of the first embodiment in an unassembled state; -
FIG. 6 is a front cross sectional view for showing the vegetable box in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention in an unassembled state; -
FIG. 7 is a block diagram for illustrating a configuration to control the photosynthesis of the vegetables in accordance with the first embodiment; -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view for showing light emitting units of the vegetable box in accordance with the modified example of the first embodiment; -
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view for illustrating a configuration of a vegetable box in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 10 is a side cross sectional view for showing the vegetable box in accordance with the second embodiment in an assembled state; -
FIG. 11 is a front cross sectional view for showing the vegetable box in accordance with the second embodiment in an assembled state; -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view for illustrating a configuration of a vegetable box in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view for illustrating a configuration of a photosynthesis promotion unit installed in the vegetable box in accordance with the third embodiment; -
FIG. 14 is a side cross sectional view for showing the vegetable box in accordance with the third embodiment in an assembled state; and -
FIG. 15 is a side cross sectional view for showing a vegetable box in accordance with a modified example of the third embodiment in an assembled state. - Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that they can be readily implemented by those skilled in the art.
-
FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a refrigerator having a vegetable box in accordance with the present invention; and,FIGS. 3 to 7 depict a vegetable box in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , the refrigerator of the present invention includes avegetable box 100, installed at an inner lower part of amain body 200, to provide a space for storing therein vegetables, fruits, or the like; and thevegetable box 100 is provided with a wiring (not shown) for supplying therefor an electric power required for emitting light that serves to promote photosynthesis of vegetables. In addition, thevegetable box 100 further includes a control unit 220 (shown inFIG. 7 ) for outputting a signal to control the light emission of thevegetable box 100 according to an output signal of adoor sensor 211 which detects whether opening/closing of arefrigerator door 210 is opened. - Further, as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4 , thevegetable box 100 includes aphotosynthesis promotion unit 110 for emitting light required for photosynthesis onto the vegetables; alens unit 120 for dispersing the light emitted from thephotosynthesis promotion unit 110; storingunit 130, having a shape of rectangular parallelepiped, whose upper portion is opened to receive the vegetables; and areflection unit 140 for reflecting the light from thephotosynthesis promotion unit 110 toward an inside of thestoring unit 130. - The
photosynthesis promotion unit 110, powered by a power supply of therefrigerator 200 and controlled by a control signal of thecontrol unit 220, is preferably configured with a print circuit board andlight emitting units 111 for emitting light required for photosynthesis of vegetables. Thelight emitting units 111 are arranged in one or more lines on the print circuit board. - Here, light emitting devices such as light emitting diodes, chip LEDs, white fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps and/or the like can be used as the
light emitting units 111. Among these, the chip LED is the most preferable. - Further, it is preferable that the
light emitting units 121 emit the light whose wavelength falls within a range from 450 to 700 nm. In this range of wavelength, biological or chemical processes that cause to deteriorate the freshness of vegetables can be suppressed. - To be specific, the decomposition of chlorophyll contained in leaves of vegetables is suppressed. Thus, the decrease in the chlorophyll concentration is also suppressed to keep vegetables green in color. Further, the decrease in the amount of vitamin C contained in vegetables is also suppressed. Thus, vegetables can be kept fresh for a longer period of time, while maintaining the nutrients therein to be intact.
- Meanwhile, the
photosynthesis promotion unit 110 is disposed on a bottom surface of an upper portion of thevegetable box 100, and preferably, light emitted from thelight emitting units 11 is irradiated onto a top surface of asidewall 131 of thestoring unit 130. Thus, the light is emitted from thelight emitting units 111 and then transferred to an inside of the storingunit 130 by transmitting through the storingunit 130 as a medium for light propagation. - The
photosynthesis promotion unit 110 is formed to have the same thickness as that of thesidewall 131 of thestoring unit 130 of a rectangular parallelepiped shape whose upper portion is opened. Further, thelight emitting units 111, arranged in one or more lines on thephotosynthesis promotion unit 110, are installed in a manner corresponding totop surface 131 a of the sidewall of thestoring unit 130. -
FIG. 8 shows a modified example of aphotosynthesis promotion unit 110 a. Here, thephotosynthesis promotion unit 110 a, disposed on the bottom surface of the upper portion of thevegetable box 100, is configured with a rectangular print circuit board (not shown) on the bottom surface of the upper portion of thevegetable box 100 andlight emitting units 111 a arranged in a matrix form at specific intervals on the print circuit board. Further, thevegetable box 100 may be configured such that the light is irradiated via an opened top area of thestoring unit 130. - Referring to
FIGS. 4 to 6 , thelens unit 120 is installed between thephotosynthesis promotion unit 110 and thestoring unit 130 to refract and disperse the light irradiated from thephotosynthesis promotion unit 110, whereby the light emitted from thelight emitting units 111 reaches the sidewalltop surface 131 a of the storingunit 130 in a sufficiently dispersed state. - Furthermore, in order to sufficiently disperse the light emitted from the
light emitting units 111, alens unit 120 is provided with one or moreconcave lenses 121 disposed at a location corresponding to thelight emitting units 111. - In addition, the
lens unit 120 may be disposed such that it is in contact with thephotosynthesis promotion unit 110 disposed on the bottom surface of the upper portion of thevegetable box 100; and, thelens unit 120 may also be disposed on the sidewalltop surface 131 a of thestoring unit 130. - The
storing unit 130, which is disposed in thevegetable box 100, is of a rectangular parallelepiped shape whose upper portion is opened to store therein various kinds of vegetables, fruits or the like. Further, thestoring unit 130 is made of transparent material such as acryl, reinforced plastic or the like, through which light is easily transmitted; and preferably, is made of an acrylic material. - By configuring the
vegetable box 100 such that the light emitted from thelight emitting units 111 is transferred to thestoring unit 130 through the upper surface of thestoring unit 130, the light can be transferred to an entire surface of thestoring unit 130 by transmitting the transparent material of thestoring unit 130 as a medium for light propagation. Thus, light required for photosynthesis can be evenly supplied to vegetables stored in thestoring unit 130. - If light required for photosynthesis of vegetables is transferred to vegetables only through air as a medium for light propagation, the light is likely not to be transferred to the vegetables located far from the light source or hidden by other vegetables. In accordance with the present embodiment, this problem can be overcome by using the
storing box 130 as a medium for light propagation. - Furthermore, as shown in
FIGS. 4 to 6 , thereflection unit 140 is disposed on an outer surface of thestoring unit 130 to reflect the light, transmitted through thestoring unit 130 as a medium for light propagation, toward an inside of thestoring unit 130. - With this structure, the
reflection unit 140 prevents the light emitted from thelight emitting units 111 from being spread outside the storingunit 130, and therefore, more light can be transferred to an inside of thestoring unit 130. - To this end, it is preferable that the
reflection unit 140 includes one or more convex mirrors, so that more light can be refracted toward the inside of thestoring unit 130. - The
door sensor 211, which is installed between therefrigerator 200 and thedoor 210 as shownFIG. 2 , detects an opened state and a closed state of thedoor 210 and sends a door open signal and door close signal, respectively, to thecontrol unit 220. As thedoor sensor 211, a conventional door sensor may be used. - If the
control unit 220 receives the door open signal from thedoor sensor 211, it outputs a control signal, for stopping the operation of thephotosynthesis promotion unit 110, to thephotosynthesis promotion unit 110 to stop the operation thereof. However, if thecontrol unit 220 receives the door close signal from thedoor sensor 211, it outputs a control signal, for maintaining or resuming the operation of thephotosynthesis promotion unit 110, to thephotosynthesis promotion unit 110 to allow the light to be emitted therefrom. - In the first embodiment of the present invention, the
photosynthesis promotion unit 110 has been described to be disposed on the bottom surface of the upper portion of thevegetable box 100 of the refrigerator. However, it is also possible to install thephotosynthesis promotion unit 110 on a top surface of the lower portion of thevegetable box 100 such that the light emitted upward from the lower portion of thevegetable box 100 comes into the sidewall bottom surface of thestoring unit 130 to be transferred to an inside of thestoring unit 130. - In this case, the
reflection unit 140 provided on an outer surface of thestoring unit 130 is installed throughout every outer surface of thestoring unit 140 except for a bottom surface thereof. - In this manner, vegetables stored in the
vegetable box 100 can be kept fresh. -
FIGS. 9 to 11 show avegetable box 300 used for a refrigerator capable of promoting photosynthesis of vegetables in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, and the second embodiment will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. - As shown in
FIG. 9 , thevegetable box 300 includes aphotosynthesis promotion unit 320 for emitting light required for photosynthesis onto vegetables stored in thevegetable box 300; and astoring unit 330 of rectangular parallelepiped shape for storing therein the vegetables. - Further, the
photosynthesis promotion unit 320 includes a print circuit board (not shown) having a shape that fits an upper surface of the peripheral portion of thestoring unit 330; light emittingunits 321 arranged in one or more lines on the print circuit board for emitting light required for photosynthesis of vegetables; and aconnection part 322 for electrically coupling an external device thereto in order to supply an electric power for the operation of thelight emitting units 321. - Here, light emitting devices such as light emitting diodes, chip LEDs, white fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps and/or the like can be used as the
light emitting units 321. Among these, the chip LED is the most preferable. - The reason why chip LEDs are preferable as the
light emitting unit 321 is that the manufacturing time and cost can be efficiently saved by employing surface mount technology, and thephotosynthesis promotion unit 320 can be reduced in size. - Further, it is preferable that the
light emitting units 321 emit the light whose wavelength falls within a range from 450 to 700 nm. In this range of wavelength, biological or chemical processes that cause to deteriorate the freshness of vegetables can be suppressed. - To be specific, the decomposition of chlorophyll contained in leaves of vegetables is suppressed. Thus, the decrease in the chlorophyll concentration is also suppressed to keep vegetables green in color. Further, the decrease in the amount of vitamin C contained in vegetables is also suppressed. Thus, vegetables can be kept fresh for a longer period of time, while maintaining the nutrients therein to be intact.
- Meanwhile, since the
photosynthesis promotion unit 320 is installed on the upper peripheral portion of thestoring unit 330, the light emitted from thelight emitting units 321, arranged in one or more line on thephotosynthesis promotion unit 320, is irradiated onto the upper surface of thestoring unit 330. - At this time, the light emitted from the
light emitting units 321 is transferred to an entire surface of storingunit 330 by transmitting thestoring unit 330 as a medium for light propagation, so the light is irradiated through the inner and the outer surface of thestoring unit 330. - The
connection part 322 is installed at one side of thephotosynthesis promotion unit 320 to be electrically coupled to the refrigerator or an external power supply. Thus, the electric power required for the operation of thephotosynthesis promotion unit 320 is supplied from the refrigerator or the external power supply. Preferably, theconnection part 322 is a connector. - The storing
unit 330 is of a rectangular parallelepiped shape whose upper portion is opened to store various kinds of vegetables, fruits or the like. Further, the storingunit 330 is made of transparent material such as acryl, reinforced plastic or the like, through which light is easily transmitted; and preferably, is made of an acrylic material. - Further,
insertion grooves 331 are formed at the upper surface of thestoring unit 330, so that thelight emitting units 321 are attached thereto. With this structure, the light emitted from thelight emitting units 321 is transmitted through thestoring unit 330. - By configuring the
vegetable box 300 such that the light emitted from thelight emitting units 321 is transferred to thestoring unit 330 through the upper surface of the peripheral portion of thestoring unit 330, the light can be transferred to an entire surface of thestoring unit 330 by transmitting the transparent material of thestoring unit 330 as a medium for light propagation. Thus, light required for photosynthesis can be evenly supplied to vegetables stored in thestoring unit 330. - If light required for photosynthesis of vegetables transferred to vegetables only by transmitting through air as a medium for light propagation, the light is likely not to be transferred to the vegetables located far from the light source or hidden by other vegetables. In accordance with the present embodiment, this problem can be overcome by using the
storing box 330 as a medium for light propagation. - Furthermore, the
reflection unit 340 is disposed on an outer surface of thestoring unit 330 to reflect the light, transmitted through thestoring unit 330 as a medium, to the inside of thestoring unit 330. - With this structure, the
reflection unit 340 prevents the light emitted from thelight emitting units 321 from being transferred outside the storingunit 330, and therefore, more light can be irradiated inside the storingunit 330. - To this end, it is preferable to the
reflection unit 340 includes one or more convex mirrors, so that a large quantity of light can be refracted toward the inside of thestoring unit 330. - Further, a
protection cover 310 is provided on top of thephotosynthesis promotion unit 320 to couple thestoring unit 330 more tightly to thephotosynthesis promotion unit 320 and prevent thephotosynthesis promotion unit 320 from being exposed to the outside. -
FIGS. 12 to 15 show avegetable box 500 used for a refrigerator capable of promoting photosynthesis of vegetables in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention; and the third embodiment will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. - As shown in
FIG. 12 , thevegetable box 500 includes acover unit 510, for opening and closing the upper portion of thevegetable box 500, having a light emitting device that emits light; astoring unit 520 of a rectangular parallelepiped shape for storing therein vegetables; and arotation axis 530 for rotatably connecting thecover unit 510 with thestoring unit 520; and areflection unit 540 for reflecting the light, emitted from the light emitting device of thecover unit 510, to an inside of thestoring unit 510. Thereflection unit 540 is disposed on an outer surface of thestoring unit 520. - With this structure, the
reflection unit 540 prevents the light emitted from the light emitting device from being spread outside the storingunit 520, whereby more light can be transferred to an inside the storingunit 520. - To this end, it is preferable that the
reflection unit 540 includes a convex mirror, so that a large quantity of light can be refracted toward the inside of thestoring unit 520. - As shown in
FIGS. 13 and 14 , thecover unit 510 includes acover frame 511 for covering the upper portion of thestoring unit 520; aphotosynthesis promotion unit 512 provided with alight emitting units 513 for emitting light onto vegetables stored in thestoring unit 520; a light emittingunit protection cover 514 formed of a transparent material for protecting thephotosynthesis promotion unit 512 and thelight emitting units 513; and aconnection part 550 for electrically coupling an external device thereto to supply an electric power for the operation of thelight emitting units 513. - A groove portion is formed on a bottom surface of the
cover frame 511 to accommodate therein thephotosynthesis promotion unit 512; and one end portion of thecover frame 511 is rotatably connected to thestoring unit 520 by means of therotation axis 530. - Here, light emitting devices such as light emitting diodes, chip LEDs, white fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps and/or the like can be used as the
light emitting units 513. Among these, the chip LED is the most preferable. - Further, it is preferable that the
light emitting units 513 emit the light whose wavelength falls within a range from 450 to 700 nm. In this range of wavelength, biological or chemical processes that cause to deteriorate the freshness of vegetables can be suppressed. - Further, it is preferable that the
light emitting units 513 emit light having a wavelength ranging from 450 to 700 nm. - The light emitting
unit protection cover 514 is formed of a transparent material in a shape that fits the print circuit board of thephotosynthesis promotion unit 512. Further, as shown inFIG. 13 , receivinggroove portions 515 are formed at one side of the light emittingunit protection cover 514 to accommodating therein thelight emitting units 513, so that the light emitted from thelight emitting units 513 is transmitted therethrough. - Instead of the light emitting
unit protection cover 514, as shown inFIG. 15 , alens unit 516 may be installed at a front side of thelight emitting units 513 to refract and the light emitted from thelight emitting units 513. - Since the light emitted from light emitting
units 513 propagates in a forward direction with respect to the light source, most of the light is transferred to vegetables located to confront thelight emitting units 513. Therefore, vegetables at other locations in thestoring unit 520 are not likely to be supplied with a sufficient amount of light. - To avoid such a drawback,
concave lenses 517 are formed at thelens unit 516 correspondingly to thelight emitting units 513 such that the light emitted from thelight emitting units 513 is refracted to be transferred sufficiently to an entire locations of the inside of thestoring unit 520, especially to such locations that do not confront thelight emitting units 513. - The
connection part 550, installed at one side of thephotosynthesis promotion unit 512, is electrically connected to the refrigerator or an external power supply, so that an electric power for the operation of thephotosynthesis promotion unit 512 can be provided from the refrigerator or the external device; and preferably, theconnection part 550 is a connector. - With this structure, the light emitted from the
light emitting units 513, installed at thephotosynthesis promotion unit 512 in thecover unit 510, is transferred into thestoring unit 520 via the emissionunit protection cover 514. - Further, as described above, the
lens unit 516 having theconcave lenses 517 may be installed in place of the emissionunit protection cover 514. In this case, the light emitted from thelight emitting units 513 can be more widely dispersed and transferred into the inside of thestoring unit 520. - The storing
unit 520 is of a rectangular parallelepiped shape whose upper portion is opened to store therein various kinds of vegetables, fruits or the like. Further, the storingunit 520 is made of transparent material such as acryl, reinforced plastic or the like, through which light is easily transmitted; and preferably, is made of an acrylic material. - Further, the
reflection unit 540 is provided on an outer surface of thestoring unit 520 to reflect the light, emitted from the upper part of thestoring unit 520, to the inside of thestoring unit 520. - The
reflection unit 540 prevents the light emitted from thelight emitting units 513 from being spread outside the storingunit 520, whereby more light can be transferred into thestoring unit 520. - To this end, it is preferable that the
reflection unit 540 includes one or more convex mirrors, so that more light can be refracted toward the inside of thestoring unit 130. - Although the embodiments have been described with respect to a vegetable box used for a refrigerator, the vegetable box can also be used to promote photosynthesis of vegetables stored therein independently of the refrigerator, as long as a sufficient electric power is supplied to the
light emitting units 513 via, e.g., theconnection part 550. - As described above, in accordance with the present invention, the light required for photosynthesis of the vegetables stored in the vegetable box of the refrigerator can be supplied sufficiently. Therefore, decomposition of chlorophyll contained in the vegetables is suppressed, so that the vegetables can be kept fresh in the vegetable box.
- While the invention has been shown and described with respect to the embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Claims (20)
1. A refrigerator comprising:
a main body having a door sensor that detects an opened state and a closed state of a door of the refrigerator;
a vegetable box disposed in the main body to provide a space for receiving therein vegetables; and
a control unit,
wherein the vegetable box includes a storing unit for storing therein the vegetables, and a photosynthesis promotion unit for emitting light required for photosynthesis of the vegetables to an inside of the storing unit, and
wherein the control unit outputs a control signal for operating the photosynthesis promotion unit according to a detected result of the door sensor.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the vegetable box further includes a lens unit disposed between the storing unit and the photosynthesis promotion unit to disperse the light emitted from the photosynthesis promotion unit.
3. The refrigerator of claim 2 , wherein the lens unit has one or more concave lenses.
4. The refrigerator of claim 2 , wherein the vegetable box further includes a reflection unit provided on an outer surface of the storing unit that reflects the light emitted from the photosynthesis promotion unit to the inside of the storing unit.
5. The refrigerator of claim 4 , wherein the reflection unit has one or more convex mirrors.
6. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the photosynthesis promotion unit includes one or more light emitting units capable of emitting the light required for the photosynthesis of the vegetables, and
wherein each of the light emitting units has a emitting diode.
7. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the photosynthesis promotion unit includes one or more light emitting units capable of emitting the light required for the photosynthesis of the vegetables, and
wherein each of the light emitting units has a chip LED.
8. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the photosynthesis promotion unit emits the light whose wavelength is within a range from 450 to 700 nm.
9. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the light emitted from the photosynthesis promotion unit propagates toward a top surface of a sidewall of the storing unit, and transferred to the inside of the storing unit by transmitting through the storing unit as a medium of light propagation.
10. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the vegetable box further includes a connection part to be connected to a power supply that supplies an electric power for the photosynthesis promotion unit, and
wherein an upper portion of the storing unit is opened, and the photosynthesis promotion unit is installed on a top surface of a sidewall of the storing unit to emit the light by using the storing unit as a medium for light propagation.
11. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the vegetable box further includes:
a cover unit rotatably connected to an upper portion of the storing unit for opening and closing the upper portion of the storing unit; and
a connection part to be connected to a power supply that supplies an electric power for the photosynthesis promotion unit, and
wherein an upper portion of the storing unit is opened, and the photosynthesis promotion unit is installed on a bottom surface of the cover unit to emit the light by using the storing unit as a medium for light propagation.
12. The refrigerator of claim 11 , wherein the vegetable box further includes a lens unit disposed on a front surface of the photosynthesis promotion unit for reflecting the light emitted from the photosynthesis promotion unit toward the inside of the storing unit.
13. The refrigerator of claim 12 , wherein the lens unit has one or more concave lenses.
14. The refrigerator of claim 12 , wherein the vegetable box further includes a reflection unit provided on an outer surface of the storing unit to reflect the light emitted from the photosynthesis promotion unit to the inside of the storing unit.
15. The refrigerator of claim 14 , wherein the reflection unit has one or more convex mirrors.
16. The refrigerator of claim 10 , wherein the photosynthesis promotion unit has
a print circuit board; and
light emitting units formed on the print circuit board for emitting the light required for photosynthesis of vegetables.
17. The refrigerator of claim 16 , wherein the light emitting units emit the light by using one or more selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode, a chip LED, a white fluorescent lamp and an incandescent lamp.
18. The refrigerator of claim 17 , wherein the light emitting units emit the light whose wavelength is within a range from 450 to 700 nm.
19. A vegetable box used for a refrigerator capable of promoting photosynthesis of vegetables, comprising:
a storing unit whose upper portion is opened to provide a space to receive therein the vegetables; and
a photosynthesis promotion unit, installed on a top surface of a sidewall of the storing unit, for emitting light required for photosynthesis of the vegetables to an inside of the storing unit by using the storing unit as a medium for light propagation.
20. A vegetable box of a refrigerator capable of promoting photosynthesis of vegetables, comprising:
a storing unit whose upper portion is opened for providing a space to receive therein vegetables;
a cover unit rotatably connected to the upper portion of the storing unit for opening and closing the upper portion of the storing unit; and
a photosynthesis promotion unit, installed on a bottom surface of the cover unit, for emitting light required for photosynthesis of the vegetables to the storing unit.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR10-2006-0046779 | 2006-05-24 | ||
KR1020060046779A KR100761356B1 (en) | 2006-05-24 | 2006-05-24 | Vegetable box of refrigerator capable of photosynthesis of vegetable |
KR10-2006-0046778 | 2006-05-24 | ||
KR1020060046778A KR100761355B1 (en) | 2006-05-24 | 2006-05-24 | Refrigerator with vegetable box capable of photosynthesis function of vegetable |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070271945A1 true US20070271945A1 (en) | 2007-11-29 |
Family
ID=38723468
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/716,631 Abandoned US20070271945A1 (en) | 2006-05-24 | 2007-03-12 | Refrigerator having a vegetable box |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070271945A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2019955A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2009537792A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007136171A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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WO2013126961A1 (en) * | 2012-03-02 | 2013-09-06 | Electrolux Home Products Pty Limited | A light treatment apparatus assisting with preservation of food in appliances |
US20150173379A1 (en) * | 2012-06-04 | 2015-06-25 | Seoul Viosys Co., Ltd. | Hormesis inducing device for fruits and vegetables |
WO2021116044A1 (en) * | 2019-12-09 | 2021-06-17 | Novaris Ag | Multilayer cover of a vacuum drawer device |
CN114945784A (en) * | 2019-12-09 | 2022-08-26 | 优利思百隆有限公司 | Drawer cover and method for monitoring inner space of drawer |
Families Citing this family (6)
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ATE544996T1 (en) * | 2008-05-02 | 2012-02-15 | Arcelik As | COOLER |
WO2013137586A1 (en) * | 2012-03-16 | 2013-09-19 | Lee Seung Won | Storage apparatus for improving food preservation |
DE202012012503U1 (en) * | 2012-04-10 | 2013-07-02 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Container for a refrigeration device |
JP2017046618A (en) * | 2015-09-01 | 2017-03-09 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Freshness holding method, freshness holding device, storage, and display device |
CN110234948B (en) * | 2016-12-28 | 2021-12-24 | 突比塔克 | Airtight vegetable box |
JP2023158682A (en) * | 2022-04-19 | 2023-10-31 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | refrigerator |
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JP3718216B2 (en) * | 2004-10-29 | 2005-11-24 | 松下冷機株式会社 | refrigerator |
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2007
- 2007-03-12 US US11/716,631 patent/US20070271945A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2007-03-29 WO PCT/KR2007/001537 patent/WO2007136171A1/en active Application Filing
- 2007-03-29 JP JP2009511936A patent/JP2009537792A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2007-03-29 EP EP07745700A patent/EP2019955A1/en not_active Withdrawn
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US5375043A (en) * | 1992-07-27 | 1994-12-20 | Inoue Denki Co., Inc. | Lighting unit |
US20030005626A1 (en) * | 2001-07-05 | 2003-01-09 | Ccs Inc. | Plant cultivator and control system therefor |
US20030162288A1 (en) * | 2002-02-22 | 2003-08-28 | Biolex, Inc. | Led array for illuminating cell well plates and automated rack system for handling the same |
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WO2013126961A1 (en) * | 2012-03-02 | 2013-09-06 | Electrolux Home Products Pty Limited | A light treatment apparatus assisting with preservation of food in appliances |
US20150173379A1 (en) * | 2012-06-04 | 2015-06-25 | Seoul Viosys Co., Ltd. | Hormesis inducing device for fruits and vegetables |
WO2021116044A1 (en) * | 2019-12-09 | 2021-06-17 | Novaris Ag | Multilayer cover of a vacuum drawer device |
CN114945784A (en) * | 2019-12-09 | 2022-08-26 | 优利思百隆有限公司 | Drawer cover and method for monitoring inner space of drawer |
CN114981601A (en) * | 2019-12-09 | 2022-08-30 | 优利思百隆有限公司 | Multi-layer lid for vacuum drawer device |
US20220357092A1 (en) * | 2019-12-09 | 2022-11-10 | Julius Blum Gmbh | Multilayer cover of a vacuum drawer device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2009537792A (en) | 2009-10-29 |
WO2007136171A1 (en) | 2007-11-29 |
EP2019955A1 (en) | 2009-02-04 |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION, KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:JUNG, JUNG SUK;REEL/FRAME:019086/0251 Effective date: 20070215 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |