JP3706550B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a refrigerator in which a storage chamber and a duct are defined in a heat insulation box, and cold air that has exchanged heat with a cooler disposed in the duct is circulated into the storage chamber by a blower.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Conventionally, this kind of refrigerator is composed of a heat insulating box body in which a foam heat insulating material such as polyurethane foam is filled in an in-situ foaming method between a steel plate outer box and a hard synthetic resin inner box. A storage room such as a freezer room, a refrigerator room, or a vegetable room is formed.
[0003]
  A machine room is defined in, for example, a lower portion of the heat insulation box, and a compressor, a condenser, a condenser blower, and the like constituting the cooling device are placed thereon. A cooler that constitutes a refrigeration cycle together with the cooling device is vertically installed on the back surface of the storage chamber, and a cooler blower is installed above the cooler. A partition plate is provided in front of the cooler and the blower, whereby a cool air duct is formed between the partition plate and the back wall of the heat insulating box.
[0004]
  Then, by operating the compressor and the blower of the cooling device, the cold air cooled in the cold air duct is discharged into the storage chamber, whereby the freezing chamber as the storage chamber is cooled to a freezing temperature such as −20 ° C. At the same time, the refrigerating room as the storage room is maintained at a refrigerating temperature such as + 5 ° C. In the vegetable compartment, foods such as vegetables that are apt to be dried are stored at an appropriate temperature.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  On the other hand, when food or the like is stored in the refrigerator storage chamber, germs such as eggs and fungi attached to the surface, such as mold, are diffused into the storage chamber by the cold air circulating in the storage chamber, and the germs adhere to other foods. There was a problem. In addition, there is a problem that germs adhere to the cooler and the air blower for the cooler in the cool air duct when the cool air containing the germs returns to the cool air duct.
[0006]
  For this reason, various germs propagate in the refrigerator, which causes rapid rot of stored foods and the like, resulting in the generation of off-flavors.
[0007]
  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the conventional technical problems, and a refrigerator capable of preventing the generation of a strange odor while preventing the propagation of germs and fungi in the refrigerator. The purpose is to provide.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The refrigerator of the present invention defines a storage room and a duct in the heat insulating box, and circulates cool air exchanged with a cooler disposed in the duct into the storage room by a blower. A partition plate that divides the chamber and the duct and can irradiate ultraviolet raysA surface and a surface capable of emitting visible lightAn ultraviolet irradiation device comprising a flat lamp, and the ultraviolet irradiation device is disposed on the cold air inflow side of the cooler at a position separated from the cooler and along the partition plate.Mounting opening formed inThe ultraviolet irradiation device attached to theFrom the surface that can be irradiated with ultraviolet raysIrradiate ultraviolet rays into the ductAt the same time, irradiate visible light into the storage room from the surface that can emit visible light.It is characterized by that.
[0009]
  According to the present invention, a storage room and a duct are defined in the heat insulation box, and ultraviolet rays are irradiated in a refrigerator in which cool air exchanged with a cooler disposed in the duct is circulated into the storage room by a blower. An ultraviolet ray irradiating device, and the ultraviolet ray irradiating device is disposed on the cold air inflow side of the cooler at a position separated from the cooler, and the duct is irradiated with ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet ray irradiating device. The inside can be easily sterilized.
[0010]
  In addition, circulating cold air and the inner wall surface of the duct can be sterilized in the duct, and devices provided in the duct can be sterilized. This makes it possible to eliminate the propagation of germs and fungi such as fungi and the generation of off-flavors.
[0011]
  In particular, the ultraviolet irradiation device is a flat lamp having a surface capable of irradiating ultraviolet light and a surface capable of irradiating visible light, and is attached to a mounting opening formed in a partition plate that divides the storage chamber and the duct. Ultraviolet rays are irradiated into the duct from the surface that can be irradiated, and visible light is irradiated into the storage room from the surface that can irradiate visible light. Therefore, in the storage room, it functions as an indicator of illumination and light emission, and circulates in the duct. It becomes possible to sterilize the cold air, the inner wall surface of the duct, and the equipment provided in the duct.
[0012]
  As a result, the lighting effect in the storage chamber can be improved, and the propagation of germs such as bacteria and mold in the storage chamber and the duct and the generation of a strange odor can be eliminated by sterilization of the circulating cold air.
[0013]
  In addition, the ultraviolet irradiation device is a partition plateThe partition plate in the form ofMounting opening formed inTherefore, the installation space of the ultraviolet irradiation device can be further reduced, and the space efficiency can be improved. As a result, the storage capacity of the storage chamber is not reduced, and the cooling efficiency is improved because the cool air circulation in the duct and the storage chamber is not hindered.
[0014]
  The refrigerator of the invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in addition to the invention of claim 1, the blower is disposed in a duct on the cool air outflow side of the cooler.
[0015]
  According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the invention of claim 1, since the blower is disposed in the duct on the cool air outflow side of the cooler, the blower is positioned on the opposite side of the ultraviolet irradiation device with the cooler interposed therebetween. Therefore, the cool air sterilized by the ultraviolet irradiation device can sequentially pass through the cooler and the blower, and adhesion of germs to the cooler and the blower can be avoided in advance. Further, since the ultraviolet irradiation device is provided at a position where the temperature is considered to be highest in the duct, the ultraviolet irradiation efficiency of the ultraviolet irradiation device can be improved.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a partially enlarged longitudinal side view of a refrigerator R of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. The refrigerator R of the present invention includes a heat insulating box 4 formed by filling a polyurethane foam heat insulating material 3 between the outer box 1 made of a steel plate opening forward and the inner box 2 made of synthetic resin such as ABS by an in-situ foaming method. It is configured.
[0017]
  And the inside of the box of this heat insulation box 4 is divided up and down by a partition member (not shown) provided in a substantially central part, and the upper part of this partition member is a refrigeration chamber 5 maintained at a refrigeration temperature (about + 5 ° C.). Yes. In the refrigerator compartment 5, a temperature sensor 17 (only shown in FIG. 3) for detecting the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 5 is provided, and the details are controlled to a predetermined temperature by a microcomputer 18 as a control device to be described later. are doing.
[0018]
  1 and 2, the lower part of the partition member of the refrigerator R is not shown, but the lower part of the partition member is further divided by a heat insulating partition wall (not shown), and between the heat insulating partition wall and the partition member, vegetables A vegetable room (not shown) for storing foods that do not like drying is formed. A freezing chamber (not shown) that is cooled to a freezing temperature (about −20 ° C.) is formed below the heat insulating partition wall.
[0019]
  In addition, a machine room (not shown) is formed at the lower rear of the heat insulating box 4, and a compressor 11 (illustrated only in FIG. 3) constituting a well-known refrigeration cycle together with a cooler 9 to be described later in detail in the machine room. ), A condenser (not shown), a blower for the condenser, and the like are installed.
[0020]
  The front opening of the refrigerator compartment 5 is provided with a heat insulating door 6 that can be opened and closed. A plurality of door pockets 20 of various sizes are formed on the rear surface of the heat insulating door 6, that is, on the refrigerator compartment 5 side. Further, a door switch 12 (shown only in FIG. 3) as a door open / close detection means for detecting the open / closed state of the heat insulating door 6 is provided at the front opening edge of the heat insulating door 6 or the refrigerator compartment 5. . And the other freezer compartment and vegetable compartment are closed so that opening and closing is possible, for example with a drawer-type heat insulation door.
[0021]
  In the refrigerator compartment 5, a plurality of shelf members 13 made of, for example, synthetic resin are installed over the top and bottom, and a special opening that can be opened and closed forward and backward at the front end of the bottom shelf member 13 is provided. A chamber door 14 is provided. A drawer member 15 that can be pulled out forward is provided below the lowermost shelf member 13 and on the lower surface of the refrigerator compartment 5. The drawer member 15, the special chamber door 14, A special chamber 16 is formed in the space surrounded by the shelf member 13 and the partition plate 7.
[0022]
  A partition plate 7 is provided in the refrigerator compartment 5 from the upper surface of the heat insulation box 4 to the top and bottom of the back wall at a predetermined interval from the heat insulation box 4. A cool air duct 8 is formed between the box body 4 and the box body 4. A cooler 9 is provided vertically in the cold air duct 8 located in front of the back wall of the heat insulating box 4. A blower 10 is provided above the cooler 9. In addition, a return cold air duct 25 to which the return cold air from the refrigerator compartment 5 returns is formed inside the partition member (not shown), and this return cold air duct 25 communicates with the lower end of the cold air duct 8.
[0023]
  The blower 10 sucks cold air from below the cold air duct 8 through the return cold air duct 25, raises the cold air along the cold air duct 8, cools the cold air with the cooler 9, and It discharges from the cold air discharge port 23 formed in the front end of the partition plate 7 which comprises a surface, and performs the cold air circulation in the cold air duct 8 and the refrigerator compartment 5 forcibly.
[0024]
  A drain pan 19 for receiving drain water dripped from the cooler 9 is provided below the cooler 9, and the drain pan 19 promotes evaporation of the received drain water. A drain heater 21 is provided. In order to form the drain pan 19, a recess 4 </ b> A is formed on the back surface of the heat insulating box 4, and on the front side of the drain pan 19, the cooler 9 and the blower 10 located on the cold air duct 8 side. A heat insulating material 22 for preventing frost formation and excessive cooling of the partition plate 7 is attached to the cold duct 8 side of the partition plate 7 positioned.
[0025]
  In FIG. 1, an illuminating lamp 24 that illuminates the interior is provided in a recess 7 </ b> A formed in the center of the partition plate 7 located on the top surface.
[0026]
  On the other hand, the partition plate 7 facing the lower side of the drain pan 19, that is, the partition plate 7 on the cold air inflow side of the cooler 9 and corresponding to a position away from the cooler 9 can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays. The ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is attached.
[0027]
  The ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is, for example, a flat lamp as shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, for example, plate glasses 31 and 32 made of synthetic quartz glass capable of transmitting 254 nm ultraviolet rays, and these plate glasses. A glass member 33 is used to form a sealed glass container 31 and 32 with a predetermined interval. Discharge electrodes (not shown) are respectively disposed inside the glass members 33 forming both side portions of the glass container, and electrode leads (not shown) are connected to the discharge electrodes. Further, the inside of the glass container is almost evacuated, and a trace amount of mercury vapor (Hg) or a trace amount of rare gas such as argon (Ar) is enclosed.
[0028]
  When an AC power source is connected to the electrode lead by a wiring (not shown) and the discharge electrodes are discharged, accelerated electrons 34 collide with mercury (Hg) or argon (Ar) molecules, and the energy level is in the ground state. To the excited state. When the excited molecules or atoms return to the ground state, ultraviolet rays peculiar to each molecule are emitted, the ultraviolet rays pass through the plate glasses 31 and 32, and ultraviolet rays are emitted from the surfaces of the plate glasses 31 and 32.
[0029]
  Further, the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is attached to an attachment opening 35 formed in advance at the attachment position of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 of the partition plate 7 as shown in FIGS. That is, a support for supporting the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 and a small amount of protrusion to the cold air duct 8 is provided on the upper, lower, left, and right sides or all around the edge of the cold air duct 8 side of the mounting opening 35 formed in the partition plate 7. A nail 36 is formed. Engaging claws 37 that allow the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 to be attached and detached from the refrigerator compartment 5 side are formed on the top and bottom or the left and right of the edge of the attachment opening 35 on the refrigerator compartment 5 side.
[0030]
  Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the ultraviolet irradiating device 30 attaches, for example, a rubber member 38 that surrounds the outer periphery of the top surface, bottom surface, and both side surfaces of the ultraviolet irradiating device 30, and then attaches a mounting plate 39 that holds the outer periphery of the rubber member 38. In this state, it is inserted into the mounting opening 35 of the partition plate 7. The mounting plate 39 is detachably formed in the mounting opening 35, and an electrode lead (not shown) of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is in a state in which power can be supplied while being attached to the mounting opening 35. It shall be.
[0031]
  Thereby, the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 can be easily attached and detached from the refrigerator compartment 5 side. Therefore, it is not necessary to disassemble the refrigerator R and remove the ultraviolet irradiation device 30, and the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 can be easily maintained.
[0032]
  Furthermore, the front surface of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 located on the refrigerator compartment 5 side is detachable with a cover member 40 made of a material that can prevent the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 from being damaged and can transmit ultraviolet rays. Is attached. The detailed mounting state of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is shown only in FIG.
[0033]
  The ultraviolet irradiation device 30 attached to the attachment plate 39 is attached with the glass plates 31 and 32 that emit (irradiate) ultraviolet rays facing the inside of the cold air duct 8 and the refrigerator compartment 5, respectively.
[0034]
  With the above configuration, when the compressor 11 and the blower 10 of the cooling device are operated, the cold air cooled by the cooler 9 is sucked upward by the blower 10 and enters the refrigerator compartment 5 from the cold air discharge port 23. Discharged. Then, after circulating and cooling in the refrigerator compartment 5, the cool air returns to the cool air duct 8 via the return cool air duct 25. At this time, food or the like with bacteria or mold attached may be stored in the refrigerator compartment 5, and the bacteria or mold or the like are peeled off from the food or the like by the circulating cold air, and together with the cold air, the cold air duct 8. Returned inside.
[0035]
  In this case, the cold air that has returned to the cold air duct 8 is discharged from the glass plate 31 of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 when the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 attached to the partition plate 7 is energized. Are irradiated with ultraviolet rays.
[0036]
  Thereby, the cold air containing germs such as bacteria and fungi is sterilized by ultraviolet rays, and is cooled by the cooler 9 in a clean state, and discharged again from the blower 10 into the refrigerator compartment 5. Therefore, cold air circulates in the refrigerator compartment 5 and the cold air duct 8 in a state where the germs are killed, and it is avoided in advance that the germs adhere to the food stored in the refrigerator compartment 5 and the food easily decays. Will be able to.
[0037]
  Moreover, since the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus 30 of a present Example irradiates an ultraviolet-ray directly in the refrigerator compartment 5 from the plate glass 32, the food etc. which are directly accommodated in the refrigerator compartment 5 can be sterilized.
[0038]
  Furthermore, not only the circulating cold air in the cold air duct or the sterilization of the food in the cold room 5 but also the cold air duct 8 and the cold room 5 can be sterilized. It becomes possible to sterilize equipment such as the blower 10 and the drain pan 19 provided in the inside 8.
[0039]
  Thereby, propagation of miscellaneous bacteria such as bacteria and fungi in the refrigerator R can be prevented, and generation of off-flavor can be eliminated.
[0040]
  Moreover, although the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus 30 employ | adopted for the refrigerator R of a present Example is demonstrated about the case where the synthetic quartz glass which can permeate | transmit 254 nm ultraviolet rays is used for the plate glass 31 and 32, ozone is used in addition to this. Synthetic quartz glass that transmits ultraviolet rays having a wavelength to be generated (for example, 185 nm or less) may be used.
[0041]
  In this case, since the ultraviolet rays that generate ozone are emitted from the glass plates 31 and 32, ozone is generated in the cold air duct 8 and the refrigerator compartment 5, so that deodorization and sterilization can be performed. become.
[0042]
  Further, a photocatalyst or the like may be applied to the position where the ultraviolet ray irradiation device 30 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays in the cold air duct 8. With such a photocatalyst, the cold air in the cold air duct 8 can be deodorized, and the bacteria adsorbed on the photocatalyst can be refreshed with ultraviolet rays to continuously deodorize the cold air in the cold air duct 8.
[0043]
  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the blower 10 is attached so as to be located on the opposite side of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 with the cooler 9 interposed therebetween, that is, on the cool air duct 8 on the cool air outflow side of the cooler 9. Therefore, the cool air sterilized by the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 can pass through the cooler 9 and the blower 10 in order, and it is possible to avoid the attachment of various germs to the cooler 9 and the blower 10 in advance.
[0044]
  Further, since the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is provided in the cold air duct 8 at a position where the temperature is considered to be the highest, the temperature of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is not easily lowered, and the ultraviolet irradiation efficiency can be improved. .
[0045]
  Since the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 in the present embodiment is configured by a flat lamp that can save installation space in a limited space in the cold air duct 8, the space in the cold air duct 8 is effectively reduced. Can be used.
[0046]
  On the other hand, since the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 constituted by this flat lamp is attached to the mounting opening 35 formed in the partition plate 7, the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is attached in a form along the partition plate 7. The installation space of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 can be further reduced, and the space efficiency of the cold air duct 8 can be improved. Thereby, while not causing the malfunction that the accommodation volume of the refrigerator compartment 5 is narrowed, and the cold air circulation in the cold air duct 8 or the refrigerator compartment 5 is not inhibited, cooling efficiency can be improved.
[0047]
  The ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is energized and controlled by the microcomputer 18 as the control device. That is, the door switch 12 and the temperature sensor 17 are connected to the input side of the microcomputer 18 as shown in FIG. 3, and the compressor 11, the blower 10, and the ultraviolet irradiation device are connected to the output side of the microcomputer 18. 30 is connected. Although not shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the internal temperature setting means, the internal lamp 24, and the like may be connected to the microcomputer 18.
[0048]
  As a result, when the microcomputer 18 detects that the heat insulating door 6 is closing the opening of the refrigerator compartment 5 by the door switch 12, the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is energized, and the inside of the refrigerator compartment 5 and the cold air duct are energized. 8 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Moreover, when detecting the state in which the heat insulating door 6 opens the opening of the refrigerator compartment 5, the energization of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is cut off, and the ultraviolet irradiation from the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is stopped.
[0049]
  Therefore, when the user of the refrigerator R opens the heat insulation door 6, since the ultraviolet ray is not irradiated into the refrigerator compartment 5 from the ultraviolet irradiation device 30, the danger that the user is directly irradiated with the ultraviolet ray is avoided. Can improve safety.
[0050]
  The door switch 12 also controls the operation of the blower 10. That is, when the door switch 12 detects that the heat insulating door 6 is closing the opening of the refrigerator compartment 5, the fan 10 is operated, and the door switch 12 and the heat insulating door 6 opens the refrigerator compartment 5. Is detected, the operation of the blower 10 is stopped. However, when the open state of the door is detected, the operation of the blower 10 is preferentially stopped, but other than this, the blower 10 is synchronized with the operation of the compressor 11 by temperature control based on the temperature sensor 17. The operation control is performed.
[0051]
  Further, in the place where the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 irradiates the ultraviolet light, that is, in the cold air duct 8, the position opposite to the position where the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is attached in the partition plate 7 or the heat insulating wall 4 in the vicinity thereof. A metal material 41 made of aluminum foil, stainless steel plate, or the like is attached to the front surface of the box 2 or the entire surface of the refrigerator compartment 5.
[0052]
  This makes it possible to avoid damage to the inner box 2 made of synthetic resin such as ABS, which is particularly deteriorated by ultraviolet rays. Further, when the partition plate 7 is made of resin, the same effect can be obtained even in the partition plate 7 at the position where the ultraviolet rays are irradiated even if a metal material is applied.
[0053]
  In addition, the shelf member 13 that is directly irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the inner plate or the door pocket 20 that constitutes the refrigerator compartment 5 side of the heat insulating door 6, etc. in the refrigerator compartment 5 that is irradiated with ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 Even in the case of being made of a resin that deteriorates when irradiated with ultraviolet rays, a metal material may be attached as described above.
[0054]
  The ultraviolet irradiation device 30 used in this embodiment is attached to a partition plate 7 located on the rear surface of the special chamber 16 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the special chamber 16 may be a sterilization chamber. And The mounting opening 35 is formed on the partition plate 7 located on the rear surface of the sterilization chamber 16 and can be easily attached / detached by the mounting plate 39.
[0055]
  In this case, the drawing member 15 installed in the sterilization chamber 16 is made of a material that does not deteriorate due to ultraviolet rays, that is, a metal material such as stainless steel.
[0056]
  With the above configuration, when the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is energized, ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the plate glass 32 facing the sterilization chamber 16, and the ultraviolet rays are reflected and diffused into the sterilization chamber 16 to irradiate the ultraviolet rays intensively. be able to. Therefore, in particular, by storing bread, fresh food, eggs, or the like in the sterilization chamber 16, it becomes possible to effectively sterilize foods that particularly require sterilization or food that is stored in an exposed state. .
[0057]
  Moreover, the vitamin component contained in a mushroom can be increased by irradiating a mushroom etc. with an ultraviolet-ray. When the fruit is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the sweetness of the fruit can be increased.
[0058]
  Even in this case, since the glass plate 31 of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 faces the cold air duct 8, the cold air circulating in the cold air duct 8 can be sterilized. Also in such a case, aluminum foil is provided at a location where the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 irradiates ultraviolet rays, that is, in the cold air duct 8, at a position facing the partition plate 7 where the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is attached. It is assumed that a metal material 41 made of stainless steel plate or the like is attached.
[0059]
  Furthermore, the refrigerator S as another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. In the refrigerator S according to the embodiment, in addition to the above-described embodiment, the special chamber 16 is formed in two stages up and down. That is, two drawer members 43 and 46 are provided above and below the lowermost shelf member 13 in the refrigerator compartment 5, both of which are open on the upper surface and attached to the front so that they can be pulled out. Thus, for example, an ice greenhouse formed in the drawer member 43 and a sterilization chamber formed in the drawer member 46 are formed in the special chamber 16.
[0060]
  The drawing members 43 and 46 are made of a metal material such as stainless steel which is not easily deteriorated by ultraviolet rays, and the upper opening of the drawing member 46 located on the lower side is arranged on the drawing member 43 located on the upper side. It is assumed that it can be closed at the lower surface of the. Further, an opening 42 for irradiating ultraviolet rays from an ultraviolet irradiation device 30 described later into the extraction member 46 is formed on the rear surface of the extraction member 46 located on the lower side.
[0061]
  And the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus 30 similar to the said Example is attached to the partition plate 7 located in the rear surface of this extraction | drawer member 46. FIG. The mounting opening 35 is formed on the partition plate 7 located on the rear surface of the sterilization chamber 16 and can be easily attached / detached by the mounting plate 39.
[0062]
  Accordingly, ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 into the extraction member 46, and the ultraviolet rays can be intensively irradiated by reflecting and diffusing the ultraviolet rays in the extraction member 46. Therefore, in particular, by storing bread, fresh food, eggs, or the like in the drawer member 46, it is possible to effectively sterilize foods that particularly require sterilization or food that is stored in an exposed state. .
[0063]
  Further, the article can be sterilized in the drawing member 46 while the drawing member 43 cools the low-temperature article. Therefore, even in the case of meat that is easily altered by ultraviolet rays such as meat composed of protein, the inside of the drawer member 46 while cooling the meat with the drawer member 43 partitioned by the partition member 42 that does not transmit ultraviolet rays. Can sterilize vegetables.
[0064]
  In such an embodiment, the upper surface opening of the drawer member 46 constituting the other sterilization chamber is closed by the lower surface of the drawer member 43 constituting one ice greenhouse provided in the special chamber 16, so that the drawer member 46 is specially covered with the lid. Since it is not necessary to provide a member, the structure can be simplified. In addition, although the present Example demonstrates the case where the extraction members 43 and 46 are provided up and down, the ice greenhouse as one special room and the sterilization room as the other special room adjoin other than this. It is sufficient that it is formed.
[0065]
  Even in this case, since the glass plate 31 of the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 faces the cold air duct 8, the cold air circulating in the cold air duct 8 can be sterilized. Further, in a place where the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 irradiates the ultraviolet light, that is, in the cold air duct 8, the position opposite to the position where the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 is mounted in the partition plate 7 is made of aluminum foil or stainless steel plate. It is assumed that the metal material 41 to be configured is attached.
[0066]
  In this embodiment, the refrigerator compartment 5 is sterilized by storing kitchen utensils such as cutting boards and kitchen knives in the refrigerator compartment 5 by utilizing the ultraviolet rays irradiated by the ultraviolet irradiation device. It may be used for
[0067]
  Next, the ultraviolet irradiation device 45 of the refrigerator R as still another embodiment will be described. The ultraviolet irradiation device 45 includes, for example, a plate glass 31 made of synthetic quartz glass capable of transmitting ultraviolet light of 254 nm, a plate glass 44 made of soda glass capable of transmitting visible light of 290 nm or more, and these plate glasses. It is comprised from the glass member 33 for forming the sealed glass container at predetermined intervals. Then, it is assumed that the discharge electrode and the electrode lead are connected in the same manner as the ultraviolet irradiation device 30 of the above embodiment, and mercury vapor, argon, or the like is enclosed in the glass container.
[0068]
  When an AC power supply is connected to the electrode lead by a wiring (not shown) and the discharge electrodes are discharged, the accelerated electrons 34 collide with mercury (Hg) or argon (Ar) molecules in the same manner as described above, and the energy level is reduced. The level changes from the ground state to the excited state. When the excited molecules or atoms return to the ground state, ultraviolet rays peculiar to each molecule are emitted, and on the plate glass 31 side, the ultraviolet rays pass through the glass plate 31 and are emitted from the surface of the plate glass 31. The On the other hand, on the plate glass 44 side, the ultraviolet rays are emitted from the surface of the plate glass 44 as visible light when hitting the plate glass 44.
[0069]
  And when attaching this ultraviolet irradiation device 45 to the partition plate 7, it is on the cold air inflow side of the cooler 9 via the rubber member 38 and the mounting plate 39 as in the above embodiment, and from the cooler 9 It is detachably attached to the attachment opening 35 of the partition plate 7 at a position corresponding to the separated position. At this time, the ultraviolet irradiation device 45 is set so that the plate glass 31 that emits (irradiates) ultraviolet rays faces the cold air duct 8 and the plate glass 44 faces the inside of the refrigerator compartment 5.
[0070]
  Thus, on the cold air duct 8 side, the cold air circulating in the cold air duct 8 and the devices in the cold air duct 8 can be sterilized by the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the plate glass 31 of the ultraviolet irradiation device 45 as in the above embodiment. become able to.
[0071]
  On the other hand, on the refrigerator compartment 5 side, the ultraviolet light irradiation device 45 can be used as an auxiliary light or a main illumination light for the interior lamp 24 by irradiating visible light from the plate glass 44 of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 45, and ultraviolet light. It becomes possible to function as an indicator of the light emission state of the irradiation device 45. Moreover, the design as an interior in the refrigerator compartment 5 can be improved.
[0072]
  Further, the ultraviolet irradiation device 45 is attached to the mounting opening 35 of the partition plate 7 so that the surface that can be easily irradiated with ultraviolet rays, that is, the plate glass 31 faces the cold air duct 8 and can irradiate visible light. Since the surface, that is, the plate glass 44 faces the refrigerator compartment 5, it is possible to irradiate visible light and ultraviolet rays in the refrigerator compartment 5 and in the cold air duct 8 with a simple configuration and with a single ultraviolet irradiation device 45. . For this reason, the cost can be reduced with the simplification of the structure.
[0073]
  Further, at this time, a phosphor (not shown) may be provided on the surface of the ultraviolet irradiation device 45 that can irradiate visible light, that is, on the plate glass 44 side. In this case, a stronger visible light can be emitted from the surface of the plate glass 44 when the ultraviolet rays generated in the glass container hit the phosphor of the plate glass 44, and the illumination effect in the refrigerator compartment 5 can be improved. It becomes like this.
[0074]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a storage chamber and a duct are defined in the heat insulation box, and the cool air exchanged with the cooler disposed in the duct is circulated into the storage chamber by a blower. In this case, an ultraviolet irradiation device capable of irradiating ultraviolet rays is provided, and the ultraviolet irradiation device is disposed on the cold air inflow side of the cooler and at a position separated from the cooler, and the ultraviolet irradiation device emits ultraviolet rays into the duct. Irradiation allows the inside of the duct to be easily sterilized.
[0075]
  In addition, circulating cold air and the inner wall surface of the duct can be sterilized in the duct, and devices provided in the duct can be sterilized. This makes it possible to eliminate the propagation of germs and fungi such as fungi and the generation of off-flavors.
[0076]
  In particular, the ultraviolet irradiation device is a flat lamp having a surface capable of irradiating ultraviolet light and a surface capable of irradiating visible light, and is attached to a mounting opening formed in a partition plate that divides the storage chamber and the duct. Ultraviolet rays are irradiated into the duct from the surface that can be irradiated, and visible light is irradiated into the storage room from the surface that can irradiate visible light. Therefore, in the storage room, it functions as an indicator of illumination and light emission, and circulates in the duct. It becomes possible to sterilize the cold air, the inner wall surface of the duct, and the equipment provided in the duct.
[0077]
  As a result, the lighting effect in the storage chamber can be improved, and the propagation of germs such as bacteria and mold in the storage chamber and the duct and the generation of a strange odor can be eliminated by sterilization of the circulating cold air.
[0078]
  In addition, the ultraviolet irradiation device is a partition plateThe partition plate in the form ofMounting opening formed inTherefore, the installation space of the ultraviolet irradiation device can be further reduced, and the space efficiency can be improved. As a result, the storage capacity of the storage chamber is not reduced, and the cooling efficiency is improved because the cool air circulation in the duct and the storage chamber is not hindered.
[0079]
  According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the invention of claim 1, since the blower is disposed in the duct on the cool air outflow side of the cooler, the blower is positioned on the opposite side of the ultraviolet irradiation device with the cooler interposed therebetween. Therefore, the cool air sterilized by the ultraviolet irradiation device can sequentially pass through the cooler and the blower, and adhesion of germs to the cooler and the blower can be avoided in advance. Further, since the ultraviolet irradiation device is provided at a position where the temperature is considered to be highest in the duct, the ultraviolet irradiation efficiency of the ultraviolet irradiation device can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged vertical side view of a refrigerator according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged vertical side view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an electric circuit block diagram of a refrigerator cooling device.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an ultraviolet irradiation device.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the ultraviolet irradiation device.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view when an ultraviolet irradiation device is attached to a partition plate.
FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged vertical side view of the refrigerator of the present invention.
8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged vertical side view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment.
10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 9. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
  R refrigerator
  4 Insulated box
  5 Cold room
  6 Insulated door
  7 Partition plate
  8 Cold air duct
  9 Cooler
  10 Blower
  11 Compressor
  12 Door switch
  16 Special room (sterilization room)
  30, 45 UV irradiation equipment
  31, 32, 44 Flat glass
  33 Glass members
  34 electrons
  35 Mounting opening
  36 Supporting nails
  37 engaging claw
  38 Rubber member
  39 Mounting plate
  40 Cover member
  41 Metal materials
  43, 46 drawer member

Claims (2)

In the refrigerator formed by defining a storage chamber and a duct in the heat insulation box, and circulating the cool air exchanged with the cooler disposed in the duct into the storage chamber by a blower,
A partition plate for partitioning the storage chamber and the duct; and an ultraviolet irradiation device comprising a flat lamp having a surface capable of irradiating ultraviolet light and a surface capable of irradiating visible light; The side of the ultraviolet irradiating device that can be irradiated with the ultraviolet rays, disposed at a position spaced apart from the cooler, and attached to an attachment opening formed in the partition plate along the partition plate The refrigerator further irradiates the duct with ultraviolet rays and irradiates visible light into the storage chamber from a surface capable of irradiating the visible light .   The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the blower is disposed in the duct on the cool air outflow side of the cooler.

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