JP3837336B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a refrigerator using electrolyzed water.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some refrigerators using electrolyzed water are described in JP-A-10-281632 and JP-A-2000-292052.
[0003]
The refrigerator described in the latter of the above-mentioned publications uses an electrolyzed water generating and spraying device having an electrolyzer that generates electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid and a spray function. Spraying is described.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-mentioned refrigerator, although the electrolyzed water is sprayed, the sprayed particles are sprayed not only small but also large, so that, for example, the one stored in layers like vegetables stored in a vegetable room. On the other hand, the electrolyzed water was sprayed only on the surface, and the disinfecting action of the electrolyzed water did not work on the back side or the back side. For this reason, there existed a fault that electrolysis water was not fully utilized.
[0005]
This invention provides the refrigerator which can function the disinfection effect | action of electrolyzed water also with respect to the store | warehouse | chambered stored.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a vegetable room, a cold air passage for circulating cold air in the vegetable room so that the vegetable room reaches a predetermined temperature, and electrolysis that generates electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid. In a refrigerator comprising a tank and an atomizer for atomizing the electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic cell, a fog delivery path for sending the fog from the atomizer to the cold air passage on the windward side of the vegetable compartment ; A water supply tank for supplying water to the automatic ice making machine and a water supply path for guiding the water in the water supply tank to the electrolyzer are provided.
[0007]
Moreover, in the refrigerator provided with a vegetable room and an electrolytic cell for generating electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid, and circulating the cold air to the vegetable room so that the vegetable room has a predetermined temperature, The cool air that enters into the electrolyzed water is introduced into the electrolyzed water, the cool air passage for sending the cool air that has passed through the electrolyzed water to the vegetable compartment, the water supply tank for supplying water to the automatic ice maker, and the water in the water tank And a water supply channel for guiding the water to the electrolytic cell .
[0008]
Furthermore, a concentration adjuster for adjusting the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the electrolyzed water is provided.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
1 to 5 show a first embodiment, FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state where a door of the refrigerator is removed, and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the refrigerator. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an electrolyzed water generating unit incorporated in the refrigerator, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a flow of cold air in the refrigerator.
[0012]
1 is a refrigerator for home use according to the present invention. This refrigerator has a heat insulating box 2 with a front opening constituting the main body, and doors 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 for closing the opening of the box. It consists of. The door 3 is a revolving door for a refrigerator compartment described later, and the doors 4, 5, 6 and 7 are drawer-type doors. The door 4 is for a vegetable room, the door 5 is for an ice making room, the door 6 is for a temperature switching room, and the door 7 is for a freezer room. Reference numeral 8 denotes a front lower cover called a kick plate.
[0013]
2 shown in FIG. 2 is a refrigerating room and is controlled to about 3 ° C. Reference numeral 10 denotes a chilled room formed in the refrigeration room, which is controlled to about 1 ° C., and is a room that can be adjusted to 1 to 2 ° C. by setting an adjustment knob or the like.
[0014]
Reference numeral 11 denotes a vegetable room, which is arranged below the refrigerated room and is controlled at a temperature suitable for storing vegetables, for example, about 5 ° C.
[0015]
Reference numeral 12 denotes an ice making room controlled at about −18 ° C., where an ice making tray 13 which is a part of an automatic ice making machine, an ice box 14 for storing ice made ice, and the like are arranged. Reference numeral 15 denotes a temperature switching chamber, which can be set to an arbitrary temperature from -18 ° C to 3 ° C. Reference numeral 16 denotes a freezer controlled to about -18 ° C.
[0016]
A water supply tank 17 stores tap water and supplies water to the ice tray 13 through a water supply pipe 18. Further, a vegetable room container 19 is disposed in the vegetable room 11, a switching room container 20 is disposed in the temperature switching room 15, and a freezing room container 21 is disposed in the freezing room 16.
[0017]
22 is an electrolyzed water production | generation unit arrange | positioned at the back of a vegetable container.
[0018]
3 is a refrigerator for a refrigerator compartment, 24 is a fan for a refrigerator compartment for sending cold air cooled by the evaporator 23, 25 is a cold air duct for the refrigerator compartment, and this duct is an evaporator 23. This is for supplying the cooled cold air to the refrigerating chamber 13 and the chilled chamber 10.
[0019]
26 is a control device for controlling the blower 24 and the like, 27 is a freezer compartment evaporator, 28 is a freezer compartment blower for sending cold air cooled by this evaporator, 29 is a refrigerant compressor, and a heat insulation box It is arranged in a machine room formed in the lower part of the rear side of the body 2.
[0020]
A dew tray 30 is disposed below the evaporator 23, and a defrosting heater (not shown) such as a quartz glass tube heater or a Vycor tube heater is disposed between the dew tray 30 and the evaporator 23. ) Is arranged. A platinum-based ceramic deodorizing catalyst is laminated and fired on the surface of the glass tube of the defrosting heater.
[0021]
For this reason, the defrosting heater adsorbs the cool odor component including the odor component returning to the lower side of the evaporator 23 during the operation of the refrigerant compressor 29 (that is, during the cooling operation), and clean cool air. Heat exchange with the evaporator, and when the defrosting heater is energized (that is, during the defrosting operation), the adsorbed odor component is oxidized and decomposed with a platinum-based catalyst to activate the catalyst layer. Is.
[0022]
Reference numeral 31 denotes a dew tray, and a defrost heater having the same function as the defrost heater is disposed above the dew tray and below the evaporator 27 (not shown). Reference numeral 32 denotes an evaporating dish for spontaneously evaporating defrost water.
[0023]
The refrigerator 1 is embedded in a refrigerant compressor 29 and a condenser (for example, a heat insulating material in a heat insulating box) for condensing the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the refrigerant compressor. (Not shown), a decompressor (not shown) such as a capillary tube, evaporators 23 and 27, and an accumulator (not shown) are connected in a ring shape with a refrigerant pipe, and a refrigerant circuit is provided. Yes. And as a refrigerant | coolant with which this refrigerant circuit is filled, HFC refrigerant | coolants, such as R-134a, are filled, for example.
[0024]
4 is an electrolytic cell for electrolyzing tap water from the water supply tank 17 to generate electrolyzed water 34 containing hypochlorous acid, and 35 is an electrode for electrolyzing this tap water. The concentration adjusting machine that does not control the voltage application direction and time to adjust the concentration of the electrolyzed water. 36 is an exhaust passage for discharging the hydrogen gas generated by electrolysis out of the refrigerator 1, 37 is an atomizer for atomizing the electrolyzed water, and uses, for example, an ultrasonic vibrator and the operation thereof. Are synchronized with the blower 24.
[0025]
Reference numeral 38 denotes a mist delivery path for sending atomized electrolyzed water to the cool air passage, and 39 is a water supply path for guiding water from the water supply tank 17 to replenish the water reduced by the atomization. Although not shown in the figure, it overlaps with the water supply passage 39, and a duct for guiding a part of the cool air from the blower 24 is also connected to the electrolytic bath 33. For this reason, the electrolyzed water atomized by the atomizer 37 is sent to the refrigerator compartment 9, the chilled room 10, and the vegetable compartment 11 from the fog delivery path 38 through the blower immediately together with the cold air.
[0026]
At this time, relatively large mist particles are dripped in the electrolytic cell 33 due to their own weight, but very fine mist particles are sent to the cold air passage together with the cold air. For this reason, it is prevented that the particle | grains of a big mist adhere too much to storage things, such as vegetables, and give a bad influence. Reference numeral 40 denotes a drain valve and 41 denotes a drain pipe.
[0027]
The operation of the refrigerator 1 configured as described above will be described mainly on the flow of cold air.
[0028]
The cool air cooled by the refrigerator 23 for refrigerator compartment in the refrigerator 1 flows as shown in FIG. That is, the cold air sucked from the vegetable room 11 and cooled by the refrigerator 23 for the refrigerator compartment is sucked into the refrigerator fan 24 together with the electrolyzed water atomized by the atomizer 37 of the electrolyzed water generation unit 22. It is sent to each room 9, 10, 11. The cold air to the vegetable compartment 11 flows not only the cold air from the blower 24 but also cold air that has passed through the refrigerator compartment 9 and the chilled compartment 10.
[0029]
Thus, since the atomized atomized electrolyzed water circulates in the vegetable compartment 11 together with the cold air, unlike conventional ones in which the electrolyzed water is sprinkled, there is a gap between stored items such as stacked vegetables. In addition, the supply can be facilitated, and the sterilization action of the electrolyzed water can be made to function even for the stored material stored in layers. Moreover, since this electrolyzed water decomposes | disassembles the ethylene gas discharge | released from vegetables, it can make vegetables last longer. Moreover, since the electrolyzed water is supplied to the vegetable compartment 11 as a fine mist, the vegetables can be stored in a high humidity state by supplying an appropriate amount of humidity.
[0030]
Moreover, since not only the vegetable compartment 11 but also the refrigerator compartment 9 and the chilled compartment 10 are supplied with the atomized electrolyzed water atomized together with the cold air, these chambers 9 and 10 are also sterilized. Can function.
[0031]
In addition, since the atomized electrolyzed water circulates in the cabinet together with the cold air, it is possible to sterilize the cold air passage that is usually hardly cleaned.
[0032]
In the refrigerator 1, the electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzed water generating unit 22 is atomized and circulated together with cold air, so that some of the water adheres to the evaporator 23 as frost or opens the doors 3 and 4. At this time, the water level of the electrolyzed water 34 gradually decreases because it flows out of the chamber. For this reason, you may comprise so that water can be replenished manually or automatically from the water supply path 39 which guides water from the water supply tank 17 to the electrolytic cell 33. FIG. When comprised in this way, the maintenance of the electrolytic cell 33 becomes easy.
[0033]
The cold air cooled by the freezing evaporator 27 is supplied to the ice making chamber 12, the temperature switching chamber 15, and the freezing chamber 16 by the freezing fan 28, and the cold air passing through the temperature switching chamber 15 flows to the freezing chamber 16. The cold air that has passed through the freezer compartment 16 flows again to the freezing evaporator 27, but is not shown in the block diagram as shown in FIG.
[0034]
In addition, although it demonstrated by the example comprised so that the atomized electrolyzed water might be supplied to the cold air | gas channel | path of the suction side of a blower like this 1st Embodiment, the atomized electrolyzed water is blower 24. You may make it supply the cold air | gas from a cold air path which sends to a vegetable room (refer the block of the dotted line of FIG. 5). In this case, since the atomized electrolyzed water is supplied only to the vegetable compartment 11, a small electrolyzed water generating unit 22 can be used, and the storage space in the cabinet can be made difficult to narrow.
[0035]
Next, different embodiments will be described. This embodiment is an example of the refrigerator according to claim 2, and only the parts different from those shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 described above will be described, and the description of the same configuration or a substantially equivalent configuration will be omitted. To do.
[0036]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an electrolyzed water generating unit used in different embodiments, FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a flow of cold air in a refrigerator incorporating this electrolyzed water generating unit, and 51 shown in FIG. The electrolyzed water generating unit is mainly different from the electrolyzed water generating unit 22 in that it does not include an atomizer and has a configuration for forcing cold air to pass through the electrolyzed water. .
[0037]
52 is an air pump for forcibly sending the cold air that has passed through the evaporator 23 into the electrolyzed water 34 of the electrolytic cell 33. 53 is a cold air passage for sending cold air into the electrolyzed water 34, and is opened in the electrolyzed water 34. Reference numeral 54 denotes a cold air passage for sending the cold air forcibly passed through the electrolyzed water 34 to the vegetable compartment 11. Further, similarly to the electrolyzed water generating unit 22, an electrode 35, an exhaust path 36, a drain valve 40, a drain pipe 41, a concentration controller (not shown), and a water supply path (not shown) are provided.
[0038]
In the refrigerator 1 configured as described above, the cold air cooled by the refrigeration evaporator 23 flows as described below. The flow of cool air cooled by the freezing evaporator 27 is exactly the same as that described with reference to FIGS.
[0039]
The cold air sucked from the vegetable compartment 11 and cooled by the refrigeration evaporator 23 is blown out so that a part thereof is sucked into the air pump 52 and forcibly passes through the electrolytic water 34 in the electrolytic bath 33. At this time, the cold air from the vegetable compartment 11 contains ethylene gas released from the vegetables and various germs that have entered from outside the warehouse. These ethylene gas and germs forcibly pass through the electrolyzed water 34. Therefore, it is decomposed or sterilized and sent to the vegetable compartment 11 as clean cold air. For this reason, the freshness of vegetables is maintained for a long time. Moreover, since germs in the cold air can be extremely reduced, it is possible to prevent spoilage due to germs.
[0040]
In addition, by compulsorily passing cold air through the electrolyzed water 34 in the electrolytic bath 33, gases that could not react with hypochlorous acid such as methyl mercaptan, trimethylamine, and ammonia, which are typical odors in the refrigerator, were compared. Since it is easily dissolved in water, it can be dissolved in water and expected to have a deodorizing effect other than decomposition.
[0041]
In addition, by forcing the cold air to pass through the electrolyzed water 34, the cold air that has passed therethrough contains moderate moisture, so that stored items such as vegetables can be stored at high humidity.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the refrigerator, since the mist from the atomizer is provided with the mist delivery path that sends the mist to the cold air passage on the windward side of the vegetable compartment, the electrolyzed water is mist. However, large mist particles fall into the electrolytic cell under their own weight, and fine mist particles circulate in the vegetable compartment together with cold air and can be supplied to the gaps between the stacked items. The sterilization action of electrolyzed water can be made to function also with respect to the stored thing. Furthermore, since it has a water supply tank for supplying water to the automatic ice making machine and a water supply passage for guiding the water in the water supply tank to the electrolytic cell, it is possible to easily replenish water reduced by atomization or the like. .
[0043]
According to the invention described in claim 2, the refrigerator is provided with a cold air passage for guiding the cold air entering the vegetable compartment into the electrolytic water and sending the cold air that has passed through the electrolytic water to the vegetable compartment. So, you can sterilize the germs in the cold air to be sent to the vegetable room and remove the gas containing ethylene gas and odor with electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid, so you can clean the circulating cold air and store vegetables The freshness of an object can be maintained over a long period of time.
[0044]
Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 3, since the concentration adjuster for adjusting the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the electrolyzed water is provided, hypochlorous acid suitable for storing stored products such as vegetables is provided. Water can be generated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state where a door of the refrigerator is removed.
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the refrigerator.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an electrolyzed water generating unit incorporated in the refrigerator.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of cold air in the refrigerator.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an electrolyzed water generating unit used in different embodiments.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of cold air in refrigerators according to different embodiments.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Refrigerator 11 Vegetable room 12 Ice tray (automatic ice machine)
17 Water supply tank 33 Electrolysis tank 34 Electrolyzed water 37 Atomizer 38 Mist delivery path 39 Water supply path 53, 54 Cold air path

Claims (3)

A vegetable room, a cold air passage that circulates cold air in the vegetable room so that the vegetable room reaches a predetermined temperature, an electrolytic cell that generates electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid, and the electrolytic cell. In a refrigerator provided with an atomizer for atomizing electrolyzed water, for supplying water to an automatic ice maker, a fog delivery path for sending the fog from the atomizer to the cold air passage on the windward side of the vegetable compartment A refrigerator comprising: a water supply tank; and a water supply path for guiding water from the water supply tank to the electrolytic cell . In a refrigerator comprising a vegetable room and an electrolytic cell for producing electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid, and circulating the cold air to the vegetable room so that the vegetable room has a predetermined temperature, the cold air entering the vegetable room In the electrolyzed water, a cold air passage for sending the cold air that has passed through the electrolyzed water to the vegetable compartment, a water supply tank for supplying water to the automatic ice maker, and water in the water supply tank A refrigerator comprising a water supply channel leading to an electrolytic cell .   The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a concentration controller that adjusts the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the electrolyzed water.

Images