JP6793557B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a food storage device for storing food.

Fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables stored in refrigerators are rapidly spoiled by the growth of bacteria such as molds. Therefore, various techniques for long-term storage of fresh foods by sterilizing and antibacterial treatment in the storage room where foods are stored. Has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a refrigerator that sprays hydrogen peroxide solution, which is treated water having a bactericidal action and an antibacterial action, into a storage chamber.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-77955

However, the hydrogen peroxide solution is not a safe treated water for the following reasons (a) to (d).
(A) Has strong corrosiveness.
(B) May cause painful vitiligo on human skin.
(C) When mixed with combustibles, peroxide is generated and it becomes easy to ignite.
(D) It is toxic to aquatic organisms when dissolved in water.

In addition, hydrogen peroxide solution changes into hydroxyl radicals with strong oxidizing power, oxidizes lipids, proteins, sugars, nucleic acids, etc., and may damage organelles, cell membranes, and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). .. Therefore, the supply of hydrogen peroxide solution may accelerate the deterioration of freshness of fruits and vegetables (that is, aging of fruits and vegetables), which is a fresh food.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to provide a refrigerator and a food storage device capable of delaying the deterioration of freshness of food stored in a storage room by highly safe hydrogen water. The purpose.

The refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention includes a storage chamber for storing food, a hydrogen water supply means for supplying hydrogen water to the storage chamber, and a control device for controlling the supply of hydrogen water by the hydrogen water supply means. The control device has a humidity detector for detecting the humidity in the storage chamber, and the control device is said to generate hydrogen when the humidity change measured by the humidity detector is a humidity rise equal to or higher than a predetermined reference humidity. The hydrogen water is supplied by the water supply means .

According to the present invention, it is possible to delay the deterioration of freshness of food stored in the storage chamber by using highly safe hydrogen water.

It is a front view which shows schematic appearance of the refrigerator which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the entire structure of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment (cross section taken along line II-II in FIG. 1). FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment (cross section taken along line III-III in FIG. 1). It is a functional block diagram which shows schematic the structure (the opening / closing detector is provided) of the control system of the refrigerator which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure (providing a water-absorbing material) of the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator which concerns on 1st modification of Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration (including a time measuring unit) of a refrigerator control system according to a second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration (including a humidity detector) of a refrigerator control system according to a fourth modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration (including a weight measuring unit) of a refrigerator control system according to a fifth modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration (including a camera) of a refrigerator control system according to a sixth modification of the first embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the structure (hydrogen water container is set) of the hydrogen water supply part of the refrigerator which concerns on 7th modification of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the structure (hydrogen water is generated by bubbling hydrogen gas) of the hydrogen water supply part of the refrigerator which concerns on 9th modification of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the structure of the hydrogen water supply part (performing electrolysis) of the refrigerator which concerns on 11th modification of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the structure of the hydrogen water supply part (provided with a magnesium stick) of the refrigerator which concerns on 11th modification of Embodiment 1. FIG.

The refrigerator and the food storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. The following embodiments and accompanying drawings are merely examples of refrigerators and food storage devices to which the present invention is applied, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. Further, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, the shape of the member shown in the attached drawing, the dimensional ratio of the member, other structures, and the like. Further, the positional relationship between the members shown in the embodiment and the attached drawing (for example, the vertical positional relationship) is when the refrigerator and the food storage device are installed in a usable state. A refrigerator will be described in the first embodiment, and a food storage device will be described in the second embodiment. Although the food storage device includes a refrigerator, it does not have to have a cooling function and is suitable for storing food that can be stored at room temperature.

<< 1 >> Embodiment 1.
<< 1-1 >> Hydrogen water The refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a storage chamber for storing food (for example, a vegetable compartment) and hydrogen water supply as a hydrogen water supply means for supplying hydrogen water to the storage chamber. It is provided with a unit and a control device for controlling the supply of hydrogen water by the hydrogen water supply unit.

Hydrogen water is water containing hydrogen molecules, generally water in which 1 ppm or more of hydrogen molecules (hydrogen gas) are dissolved. Hydrogen water has a high antioxidant power and has an effect of removing active oxygen generated in the body by being taken into the body of animals and plants (that is, an active oxygen removing effect).

Active oxygen is generated in the body of animals and plants, and a typical example thereof is hydroxyl radical. Hydroxyl radical has a strong oxidizing power and is known to oxidize lipids, proteins, sugars, nucleic acids and the like in the body to damage organelles, cell membranes and DNA. For this reason, hydroxyl radicals have the property of accelerating the aging of animals and plants and making them more likely to cause diseases. Hydrogen gas contained in hydrogen water has the property of detoxifying hydroxyl radicals by being converted into water by combining with hydroxyl radicals.

<< 1-2 >> Refrigerator 1
FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing the appearance of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the entire structure of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional structure in which the refrigerator 1 of FIG. 1 is cut along the line II-II.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator 1 has a heat-insulating box 2 in which the front surface (front surface) is opened and a storage space is formed inside. The box body 2 has, for example, a steel outer box, a resin inner box, and a heat insulating material filled in the space between the outer box and the inner box. The storage space formed inside the box 2 is divided into a plurality of storage chambers for storing food by one or a plurality of partition members. The refrigerator 1 has a refrigerating chamber 10 arranged at the uppermost stage, a switching chamber 20 arranged below the refrigerating chamber 10, and a switching chamber 20 adjacent to the side of the switching chamber 20 as a plurality of storage chambers. It is provided with an ice making chamber 30 arranged in, a freezing chamber 40 arranged below the switching chamber 20 and the ice making chamber 30, and a vegetable compartment 50 at the bottom arranged below the freezing chamber 40. The switching chamber 20 is a storage chamber capable of switching the cold storage temperature zone to any one of a plurality of preset temperature zones. The user sets the cold insulation temperature zone of the switching chamber 20 to the freezing temperature zone (set temperature of about -18 ° C), the refrigerating temperature zone (set temperature of about 3 ° C), the chilled temperature zone (set temperature of about 0 ° C), and the soft freezing temperature. It is possible to switch to one of the bands (set temperature of about -7 ° C). The type, number, and set temperature of the switching temperature zone of the switching chamber 20 are not limited to the above example.

The front opening formed on the front surface of the box body 2 of the refrigerating chamber 10 (the left side of the box body 2 in FIG. 2) is provided with a refrigerating room door 11 that rotates around a support shaft to open and close the front opening. ing. The refrigerating room door 11 is, for example, a double door type (double door type), and has a right door 11a and a left door 11b. An operation panel 4 is provided on the outer surface of the refrigerator compartment door 11 (for example, the left door 11b), which is the front portion of the refrigerator 1. The operation panel 4 is an operation switch 4a which is an operation unit for setting the cold insulation temperature of each of the plurality of storage chambers, and a liquid crystal display device 4b which is a display unit which displays the internal temperature of each of the plurality of storage chambers. And have. Further, the operation panel 4 may be a touch panel in which the operation unit 4a and the display unit 4b are arranged so as to overlap each other.

The front opening of the switching chamber 20, the front opening of the ice making chamber 30, the front opening of the freezing chamber 40, and the front opening of the vegetable compartment 50 are each a drawer type switching chamber door 21 that can be pulled out to the front side and ice making. It is configured to be openable and closable by a room door 31, a freezing room door 41, and a vegetable room door 51. The switching room door 21, the ice making room door 31, the freezing room door 41, and the vegetable room door 51 are framed fixed to the switching room door 21, the ice making room door 31, the freezing room door 41, and the vegetable room door 51. Is moved in the depth direction (front-back direction) of the refrigerator 1 by sliding along the rails provided horizontally on the left and right inner wall surfaces of the switching chamber 20, the ice making chamber 30, the freezing chamber 40, and the vegetable compartment 50. It is configured so that the front opening can be opened and closed. Further, the storage case 42 is retractably stored in the freezing chamber 40. The storage case 42 is supported by the frame of the door 41, and is configured to slide in the front-rear direction in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door 41. Further, in the switching chamber 20, a storage case 22 capable of storing food or the like inside is retractably stored. Further, in the vegetable compartment 50, the lower storage case 52a and the upper storage case 52b are each retractably stored. The structure of the refrigerator 1 described above is merely an example, and the number, arrangement, and structure of storage chambers, the size of storage chambers, the number and structure of doors, and the number and structure of storage cases can be changed. is there.

The refrigerator 1 is provided with a compressor 5, a cooler 6, a blower fan 7, and an air passage 8 as a cooling mechanism for cooling a plurality of storage chambers on the back side thereof. The operation of the refrigerator 1 including the cooling mechanism is controlled by the control device 91. The control device 91 includes, for example, a storage unit 91a such as a semiconductor memory in which an operation program is stored, and an information processing unit such as a CPU (central processing unit) that executes the operation program stored in the storage unit 91a. It is composed of parts. The control device 91 may be configured by a control circuit, or may be configured by a combination of the control circuit and the program execution unit. Further, the storage unit 91a may be provided outside the control device 91.

The air (cold air) cooled by the compressor 5 and the cooler 6 is blown by the blower fan 7, passes through the air passage 8 on the back surface, and enters the freezing chamber 40, the switching chamber 20, the ice making chamber 30, and the refrigerating chamber 10. Sent to cool the food in each storage room. In the vegetable compartment 50, the return cold air of the refrigerator compartment 10 is circulated from the return air passage (not shown) for the refrigerator compartment. Then, the cold air cooled in the vegetable compartment 50 from the return air passage (not shown) for the vegetable compartment is returned to the cooler 6. The temperature of the storage chamber is measured by a thermistor as a temperature detector installed in the storage chamber (thermistors other than the thermistor 54 in the vegetable compartment 50 are not shown), and each storage chamber is measured based on the measured temperature of the thermistor. It is controlled by adjusting the opening degree of a damper (not shown) installed in the air passage 8, the output of the compressor 5, and the amount of air blown by the blower fan 7 so as to reach a preset temperature.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the vegetable compartment 50 as the storage chamber of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional structure of the refrigerator 1 of FIG. 1 cut along the line III-III. A vegetable compartment door 51 is provided at the front opening of the vegetable compartment 50. Inside the vegetable compartment 50, the lower storage case 52a is supported by a frame (not shown) of the vegetable compartment door 51. An upper storage case 52b having an upper opening is placed on the upper of the lower storage case 52a. When the vegetable compartment door 51 is pulled forward (to the left in FIG. 3), the lower storage case 52a and the upper storage case 52b are integrally pulled forward. When the upper storage case 52b is slid backward with the vegetable compartment door 51 pulled out, only the lower storage case 52a is pulled out, and food can be taken in and out through the upper opening of the lower storage case 52a. Become. The vegetable compartment 50 is provided with an open / close detector 53 as a door open / close detection switch for detecting the open / closed state of the vegetable compartment door 51, and a thermistor 54 for measuring the temperature of the vegetable compartment 50. The open / close detector 53 is, for example, a sensor provided with a switch that turns ON or OFF according to the opening / closing of the vegetable compartment door 51.

The hydrogen water supply unit 60 that supplies hydrogen water into the vegetable compartment 50 is a water storage unit 63 that is a water storage container for storing hydrogen water installed in the refrigerating chamber 10 and a water channel that is a pipe connected to the water storage unit 63. It has 62 and a hydrogen water supply port 61 connected to the water channel 62. The hydrogen water is sent from the water storage unit 63 to the hydrogen water supply port 61 through the water channel 62, and is supplied from the hydrogen water supply port 61 into the vegetable compartment 50 through the opening 57 of the lower storage case 52a. The water storage unit 63 and the water channel 62 may be installed in any place in the refrigerator 1 as long as the hydrogen water does not freeze and has a structure.

The start and stop of the supply of hydrogen water is performed, for example, by the opening / closing operation of a supply valve (not shown) provided in the hydrogen water supply port 61 and whose opening / closing is controlled by the control device 91. When this supply valve is in the open state, hydrogen water in the water storage section 63 located higher than the vegetable compartment 50 is supplied from the hydrogen water supply port 61 through the opening 57 into the lower storage case 52a of the vegetable compartment 50 by gravity. Will be done. An electric pump (not shown) for supplying hydrogen water may be provided in the middle of the water channel 62. In this case, the water storage unit 63 can be installed at a place lower than the vegetable compartment 50.

As an example of the method of supplying hydrogen water from the hydrogen water supply unit 60 into the lower storage case 52a, there is a method of atomizing the hydrogen water and injecting the hydrogen water into the lower storage case 52a through the opening 57. According to the supply method of atomizing and spraying, hydrogen water can be evenly supplied to the fruits and vegetables stored in the vegetable compartment 50, and it is also possible to prevent the inside of the vegetable compartment 50 from drying out. Therefore, it is possible to slow down the decrease in freshness of fruits and vegetables.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the control system of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are designated by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 91 acquires information indicating the temperature detected by the thermistor 54 in the vegetable compartment 50, and inside the control device 91 so that the inside of the vegetable compartment 50 is maintained at the set temperature. The operating state of the compressor 5 and the blower fan 7 is controlled according to the operation program stored in advance in the storage unit 91a of the above. Further, the control device 91 receives the operation signal input by the user from the operation unit 4a of the operation panel 4, and outputs the display signal to the display unit 4b of the operation panel 4.

Further, the control device 91 detects the opening / closing of the vegetable compartment door 51 by the open / close detector 53, and controls the operation of the hydrogen water supply unit 60. When the control device 91 detects that the vegetable chamber door 51 has been opened and then closes, the control device 91 opens the supply valve of the hydrogen water supply port 61 of the hydrogen water supply unit 60 and uses hydrogen water as a vegetable. The hydrogen water is supplied into the chamber 50, and then the supply valve is closed to stop the supply of hydrogen water. The hydrogen water supply time (time for opening the supply valve) is, for example, a preset time. The amount of hydrogen water supplied at one time may be controlled to be a preset constant amount. Further, the supply of hydrogen water may be started after a certain period of time has elapsed after detecting that the vegetable compartment door 51 has been opened and then detecting that the door 51 has been closed.

<< 1-3 >> Effect As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment is a hydrogen water supply that injects hydrogen water into the vegetable compartment 50, which is a storage chamber for storing fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables. Since the portion 60 is provided, the decrease in freshness of the stored fresh food can be delayed by the active oxygen removing effect of hydrogen water.

In addition, hydrogen water is highly safe because it does not have problems such as strong corrosiveness and adverse effects on the skin unlike hydrogen peroxide water.

In addition, since hydrogen water is sprayed in the form of mist, hydrogen water can be supplied to all the stored vegetables, and the deterioration of freshness of fruits and vegetables can be delayed by sterilizing and antibacterial treatment of the whole fruits and vegetables. it can.

Further, when the supply of hydrogen water is started after a certain period of time has elapsed after detecting that the vegetable room door 51 has been opened and then closed, the vegetable room door 51 may be supplied a plurality of times in a short time. Even when the opening and closing of 51 is performed, hydrogen water can be supplied after the final opening and closing, and an excessive supply of hydrogen water can be avoided.

<< 1-4 >> First Modified Example FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the vegetable compartment 50a portion of the refrigerator according to the first modified example of the first embodiment. In FIG. 5, components that are the same as or correspond to the components shown in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. In the vegetable compartment 50a of the refrigerator according to the first modification, the water-absorbent material 64 is arranged on the bottom surface of the lower storage case 52a of the vegetable compartment 50a, and the hydrogen water supply port 65 passes through the opening 58 of the lower storage case 52a. It differs from the vegetable compartment 50 shown in FIG. 3 in that it is arranged at a position facing the water-absorbent material 64. Except for this point, the refrigerator according to the first modification is the same as the refrigerator shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

When supplying hydrogen water from the hydrogen water supply unit 60 to the lower storage case 52a, hydrogen water is injected from the hydrogen water supply port 65 through the opening 58 of the lower storage case 52a, and the water-absorbent material 64 absorbs water. The water-absorbent material 64 is, for example, a fiber material having high water absorption and excellent durability, but other materials can also be used. According to the first modification, the hydrogen water comes into contact with the fruits and vegetables stored in the lower storage case 52a of the vegetable compartment 50a via the water-absorbent material 64, so that the hydrogen water is evenly distributed over the entire area of the lower storage case 52a. Since it can be supplied, the decrease in freshness of fruits and vegetables can be delayed, and the drying in the vegetable compartment 50 can be prevented.

<< 1-5 >> Second Modified Example FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a refrigerator control system according to the second modified example of the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, the same or corresponding components as those shown in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. The refrigerator according to the second modification has a time measuring unit 56 having a function as a clock, and the hydrogen water supply by the hydrogen water supply unit 60 has a constant time preset by the time measuring unit 56. It differs from the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 4) in that it is repeated every time it is measured (that is, at regular time intervals). Except for this point, the refrigerator according to the second modification is the same as the refrigerator shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

Further, the refrigerator according to the second modification may be controlled to supply a predetermined amount of hydrogen water at regular intervals. When hydrogen water is supplied in this way, the hydrogen water is intermittently supplied to the fruits and vegetables housed in the vegetable compartment 50 at regular intervals in a fixed amount, so that it is appropriate without adding a special detection device. A large amount of hydrogen water can be supplied to the vegetable room.

When hydrogen water is repeatedly supplied at regular time intervals, a control method may be used in which hydrogen water is not supplied when the opening / closing of the vegetable compartment door 51 is detected.

Further, the hydrogen water may be supplied in combination with the control of repeatedly supplying hydrogen water at regular time intervals and the control of other hydrogen water supply (first, third to eleventh modified examples). For example, the supply of hydrogen water at regular time intervals in the second modification may be performed so as to supply hydrogen water when a certain time has elapsed from the latest supply of hydrogen water. With this control, it is possible to prevent the supply of an excessive amount of hydrogen water, and it is possible to supply an appropriate amount of hydrogen water.

<< 1-6 >> Third Modified Example The refrigerator according to the third modified example of the first embodiment is measured by a thermistor 71, which is a temperature detector in which the control device 91 detects the temperature of the air in the vegetable compartment 50. It differs from other examples in that hydrogen water is supplied by the hydrogen water supply unit 60 when the temperature change is a temperature rise above a predetermined reference temperature (for example, a sudden temperature rise). It can be estimated that the temperature detected by the thermistor 71 shows a temperature rise above the reference temperature when a certain amount of time has passed since the vegetable compartment door 51 was opened. Therefore, when the temperature detected by the thermistor 71 shows a temperature rise equal to or higher than the reference temperature, it is highly possible that fruits and vegetables have been taken in and out of the vegetable compartment 50. In this case, by supplying hydrogen water into the vegetable compartment 50, the same effect as in the case of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 4) can be obtained. Further, hydrogen water may be controlled to be supplied into the vegetable compartment 50 after a certain period of time has elapsed after the temperature detected by the thermistor 71 shows a temperature rise above the reference temperature. In this case, even if the food is added a plurality of times within a certain period of time, the hydrogen water can be supplied once, and the supply of hydrogen water more than necessary can be avoided.

Further, if the control is performed as in the third modification, it is possible to supply an appropriate amount of hydrogen water at an appropriate timing without adding a special detection device. For example, in the case of the third modification, when the temperature of the vegetable compartment 50 rises sharply, the opening of the vegetable compartment door 51 can be detected, and then when the temperature of the vegetable compartment 50 drops, Since the closing of the vegetable compartment door 51 can be detected, the open / close detector 53 can be omitted. Further, when the temperature detected by the thermistor 71 shows a temperature rise above the reference temperature and then the temperature of the vegetable compartment 50 drops to a predetermined temperature, hydrogen water is controlled to be supplied into the vegetable compartment 50. May be good.

Further, the hydrogen water supply in the third modification is when the temperature detected by the thermistor 71 shows a temperature rise equal to or higher than the reference temperature, and when a certain time or more has passed from the latest supply of hydrogen water, hydrogen is supplied. It may be a control method for supplying water. For example, even if it is determined from the temperature detected by the thermista 71 that fruits and vegetables have been added, if a certain period of time (for example, 1 hour) has not passed since the latest supply of hydrogen water, hydrogen water is used. Hydrogen water supply may not be provided to prevent excessive supply.

Further, even if the control of the supply of hydrogen water in the third modification and the control of the supply of other hydrogen water (first, second, fourth to eleventh modifications) are combined to supply hydrogen water. Good.

<< 1-7 >> Fourth Modified Example FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a refrigerator control system according to the fourth modified example of the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same or corresponding components as those shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 are designated by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 4 and 6.

In the refrigerator according to the fourth modification of the first embodiment, the humidity change measured by the humidity detector 72 in which the control device 91 detects the humidity of the air in the vegetable compartment 50 is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference humidity. The difference from the above example is that the hydrogen water supply unit 60 executes the supply of hydrogen water when the humidity rises (for example, a sudden rise in humidity). It can be estimated that the humidity detected by the humidity detector 72 shows a humidity increase equal to or higher than the reference humidity when a certain amount of time has passed since the vegetable compartment door 51 was opened. Therefore, when the humidity detected by the humidity detector 72 shows a humidity increase equal to or higher than the reference humidity, it is highly possible that fruits and vegetables have been taken in and out of the vegetable compartment 50. In this case, by supplying hydrogen water into the vegetable compartment 50, the same effect as in the case of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 4) can be obtained. Further, hydrogen water may be controlled to be supplied into the vegetable compartment 50 after a certain period of time has elapsed after the humidity detected by the humidity detector 72 shows a humidity increase equal to or higher than the reference humidity.

Further, if the control is performed as in the fourth modification, it is possible to supply an appropriate amount of hydrogen water at an appropriate timing without adding a special detection device. For example, in the case of the fourth modification, when the humidity of the vegetable compartment 50 rises sharply, the opening of the vegetable compartment door 51 can be detected, and then when the humidity of the vegetable compartment 50 drops, Since the closing of the vegetable compartment door 51 can be detected, the open / close detector 53 can be omitted.

Further, after the humidity detected by the humidity detector 72 shows a humidity increase equal to or higher than the reference humidity, and after a predetermined fixed time has elapsed (for example, after several minutes to several tens of minutes have passed), hydrogen water is placed in the vegetable compartment 50. It may be controlled to supply. In this case, even if the food is added a plurality of times within a certain period of time, the hydrogen water can be supplied once, and the supply of hydrogen water more than necessary can be avoided.

The hydrogen water supply in the fourth modification is when the humidity detected by the humidity detector 72 shows a humidity increase equal to or higher than the reference humidity, and when a certain time or more has passed from the latest supply of hydrogen water. , The control method of supplying hydrogen water may be used. For example, even if it is determined that fruits and vegetables have been added due to an increase in the detected humidity, if a certain period of time (for example, 1 hour) has not passed since the latest supply of hydrogen water, the hydrogen water is excessive. Hydrogen water can not be supplied in order to prevent the supply of hydrogen water. By controlling in this way, it is possible to prevent the supply of an excessive amount of hydrogen water and to make the supply amount of hydrogen water an appropriate amount.

Further, even if the control of the supply of hydrogen water in the fourth modification and the control of the supply of other hydrogen water (the first to third and the fifth to eleventh modifications) are combined to supply hydrogen water. Good.

<< 1-8 >> 5th Modified Example FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a refrigerator control system according to a fifth modified example of the first embodiment. In FIG. 8, the same or corresponding components as those shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 are designated by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7.

The refrigerator according to the fifth modification further has a weight measuring unit 73 for measuring the weight of food as a stored object stored in the vegetable compartment 50, and the control device 91 is measured by the weight measuring unit 73. It differs from other examples in that hydrogen water is supplied by the hydrogen water supply unit 60 when the weight change is a weight increase equal to or greater than a predetermined reference weight. It can be estimated that the weight increase of the reference weight or more is when the vegetable compartment door 51 is opened and food (for example, fruits and vegetables) is added. Therefore, by supplying hydrogen water into the vegetable compartment 50 when the weight is increased by more than the reference weight, the same effect as in the case of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 4) can be obtained.

Further, after the weight increase of the reference weight or more is measured, hydrogen water is controlled to be supplied into the vegetable compartment 50 after a predetermined fixed time has elapsed (for example, after several minutes to several tens of minutes have elapsed). May be good. In this case, even if the food is added a plurality of times within a certain period of time, the hydrogen water can be supplied once, and the supply of hydrogen water more than necessary can be avoided.

Further, if the control is performed as in the fifth modification, it is possible to supply an appropriate amount of hydrogen water at an appropriate timing without adding a special detection device. For example, in the case of the fifth modification, the opening of the vegetable compartment door 51 can be detected when the weight of the fruits and vegetables in the vegetable compartment 50 changes significantly, and then when a certain period of time elapses, the vegetables Since it can be estimated that the chamber door 51 is closed, the open / close detector 53 can be omitted.

The hydrogen water is supplied in the fifth modification when the weight detected by the weight measuring unit 73 changes significantly and when a certain time or more has passed from the latest supply of hydrogen water. It may be performed by a control method. For example, even if it is determined that the detected weight is large and has increased to a certain weight or more, if a certain time (for example, 1 hour) or more has not passed since the latest supply of hydrogen water, the hydrogen water is excessive. Hydrogen water supply can be omitted in order to prevent the supply of hydrogen water. By controlling in this way, it is possible to prevent the supply of an excessive amount of hydrogen water and to make the supply amount of hydrogen water an appropriate amount.

Further, even if the control of the supply of hydrogen water in the fifth modification and the control of the supply of other hydrogen water (the first to fourth and the sixth to eleventh modifications) are combined to supply hydrogen water. Good.

<< 1-9 >> 6th Modified Example FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a refrigerator control system according to a sixth modified example of the first embodiment. In FIG. 9, the same or corresponding components as those shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 to 8 are designated by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 to 8.

The refrigerator according to the sixth modification further has a camera 74 for photographing the inside of the vegetable compartment 50, and the control device 91 further has a food as a stored object in the vegetable compartment 50 based on the image data acquired by the camera 74. It is different from other examples in that the hydrogen water supply unit 60 executes the supply of hydrogen water when it is determined that the hydrogen water has been input. Therefore, by supplying hydrogen water into the vegetable compartment 50 when the food is added, the same effect as in the case of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 4) can be obtained.

Further, after it is determined that the food has been added based on the image data, hydrogen water is supplied into the vegetable compartment 50 after a predetermined fixed time has elapsed (for example, after several minutes to several tens of minutes have passed). It may be controlled to. In this case, even if the food is added a plurality of times within a certain period of time, the hydrogen water can be supplied once, and the supply of hydrogen water more than necessary can be avoided.

Further, the control device 91 has a function of identifying whether the input food is a fruit or vegetable that requires the supply of hydrogen water or a fruit or vegetable that does not require the supply of hydrogen water by analyzing the image data. , Hydrogen water may be controlled to be supplied when fruits and vegetables that require supply of hydrogen water are added or stored.

Further, if controlled as in the sixth modification, it is possible to supply an appropriate amount of hydrogen water at an appropriate timing without adding a special detection device. For example, in the case of the sixth modification, since the loading and unloading of fruits and vegetables in the vegetable compartment 50 can be detected by analyzing the image data, it is also possible to detect the opening and closing of the vegetable compartment door 51 based on the image data. Therefore, in the sixth modification, the open / close detector 53 can be omitted.

The supply of hydrogen water in the sixth modification is when the fruits and vegetables are added according to the analysis of the image data, and when a predetermined certain time or more has passed from the latest supply of hydrogen water, hydrogen is supplied. It may be carried out by a control method of supplying water. For example, even if it is determined by analysis of image data that fruits and vegetables have been input, if a certain period of time (for example, 1 hour) has not passed since the latest supply of hydrogen water, the hydrogen water is excessive. Hydrogen water can not be supplied in order to prevent the supply of hydrogen water.

Further, even if the control of the supply of hydrogen water in the sixth modification and the control of the supply of other hydrogen water (the first to fifth and the seventh to eleventh modifications) are combined to supply hydrogen water. Good.

<< 1-10 >> 7th Modified Example FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the hydrogen water supply unit (hydrogen water container 81 is set) of the refrigerator according to the 7th modified example of the first embodiment. is there. In FIG. 10, components that are the same as or correspond to the components shown in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. In the refrigerator of FIG. 2, the water storage unit 63, which is a container for accommodating hydrogen water, was a part of the structure of the refrigerator. On the other hand, in the refrigerator according to the seventh modification shown in FIG. 10, the opening of the hydrogen water container 81 in which hydrogen water is stored and the connection portion (installation portion) 66 provided at the end of the water channel 62 By connecting the above, hydrogen water can be supplied from the hydrogen water container 81 to the water channel 62. The hydrogen water is supplied from the hydrogen water container 81 to the water channel 62 through the connection portion 66, and is supplied into the vegetable compartment 50 in the same manner as in FIG. 3 or FIG. According to the seventh modification, since the refrigerator does not have a hydrogen water generation mechanism, there is an advantage that a complicated mechanism is not required.

<< 1-11 >> Eighth Modified Example The refrigerator according to the eighth modified example of the first embodiment has a water supply port with a lid 63a for supplying hydrogen water to the water storage unit 63, as shown in FIG. It is equipped. By opening the lid 63a and injecting hydrogen water into the water storage unit 63 from the water supply port, the hydrogen water used in the hydrogen water supply unit 60 can be replenished. According to the eighth modification, since the refrigerator does not have a hydrogen water generation mechanism, there is an advantage that a complicated mechanism is not required. Further, the hydrogen water container 81 of the 7th modification needs to have a specified opening size and container size, but in the case of the 8th modification, the shape allows water to be supplied from the water supply port. And the size, there is no limitation on the shape of the hydrogen water container for replenishment.

<< 1-12 >> 9th Modified Example FIG. 11 schematically shows the structure of the hydrogen water supply unit of the refrigerator (generating hydrogen water by bubbling hydrogen gas) according to the 9th modified example of the first embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows. In FIG. 11, components that are the same as or correspond to the components shown in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. In the refrigerator of FIG. 2, the water storage unit 63, which is a container for accommodating hydrogen water, is a part of the structure of the refrigerator, and a structure for supplying hydrogen water to the water storage unit 63 has been adopted. On the other hand, in the refrigerator according to the ninth modification shown in FIG. 11, hydrogen water is stored in the water storage unit 63, and the hydrogen gas is bubbled by opening the valve 67 from the hydrogen container 82 in the hydrogen water. The concentration of hydrogen dissolved in hydrogen water can be increased, and the hydrogen concentration of hydrogen water can be maintained at an appropriate concentration (1 ppm or more).

<< 1-13 >> 10th Modified Example FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the hydrogen water supply unit (generating hydrogen water by electrolysis) of the refrigerator according to the 10th modified example of the first embodiment. is there. In FIG. 12, the same or corresponding components as those shown in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. In the refrigerator of FIG. 2, the water storage unit 63, which is a container for accommodating hydrogen water, is a part of the structure of the refrigerator, and a structure for supplying hydrogen water to the water storage unit 63 has been adopted. On the other hand, in the refrigerator according to the tenth modification shown in FIG. 12, the negative electrode 69a provided inside the water storage unit 63 and the other water storage unit connected to the water storage unit 63 via the ion exchange membrane 69c are interposed. A current is passed through the positive electrode 69b provided, and water is electrolyzed to generate hydrogen gas around the negative electrode 69a of the water storage unit 63 to generate hydrogen water. With such a structure, the hydrogen concentration of hydrogen water can be adjusted to an appropriate concentration (1 ppm or more).

<< 1-14 >> 11th Modified Example FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the hydrogen water supply unit of the refrigerator according to the 11th modified example of the first embodiment (hydrogen water is generated by the water-magnesium reaction). Is. In FIG. 13, the same or corresponding components as those shown in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. In the refrigerator of FIG. 2, the water storage unit 63, which is a container for accommodating hydrogen water, is a part of the structure of the refrigerator, and a structure for supplying hydrogen water to the water storage unit 63 has been adopted. On the other hand, in the refrigerator according to the eleventh modification shown in FIG. 13, hydrogen water is stored in the water storage unit 63, and a magnesium stick (magnesium member) is provided therein, and the chemical reaction 2H between water and magnesium is provided. ₂ O + Mg → Mg (OH) ₂ + H ₂
As a result, hydrogen gas is generated to increase the concentration of hydrogen dissolved in hydrogen water. With such a structure, the hydrogen concentration of hydrogen water can be adjusted to an appropriate concentration (1 ppm or more).

<< 2 >> Embodiment 2.
The vegetable storage which is the food storage device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The vegetable storage according to the second embodiment is a vegetable storage room which is a storage room for storing food, a hydrogen water supply unit as a hydrogen water supply means for supplying hydrogen water to the vegetable storage room, and hydrogen by a hydrogen water supply unit. It is equipped with a control device that controls the supply of water. The vegetable storage according to the second embodiment is a device for storing fruits and vegetables such as vegetables suitable for storage at room temperature (about 25 ° C), which does not need to be stored at low temperature in a refrigerator (0 to 10 ° C). is there.

The structure of the vegetable storage chamber can be the same as that of the vegetable compartment 50 of the refrigerator shown in the first embodiment (FIG. 2). However, since the vegetable storage according to the second embodiment does not have a cooling function, the box body 2 according to the first embodiment may be formed of a non-airtight basket or the like.

The structure of the hydrogen water supply unit that supplies hydrogen water to the vegetable storage chamber is the same as that of the hydrogen water supply unit 60 of the refrigerator shown in the first embodiment (FIGS. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 5, FIGS. 10 to 13). Can be a structure. A drainage structure may be provided at the bottom of the vegetable storage chamber.

The timing of supplying hydrogen water to the vegetable storage room can be the same as that of the first embodiment (including the second, fourth to sixth modified examples). As the control device, for example, a method of intermittently supplying a fixed amount of hydrogen water at regular intervals, or a method of supplying hydrogen water when an increase in the weight of stored food is detected can be adopted. Further, the control device is, for example, a method of supplying hydrogen water when a decrease in humidity is detected by a humidity detector installed around the vegetable storage or after a certain period of time has passed after detecting the decrease in humidity, around the storage. It is possible to adopt a method of supplying hydrogen water when the input of vegetables into the vegetable storage room is detected by image recognition by the installed camera or after a certain period of time has elapsed after the detection.

As described above, the vegetable storage device, which is the food storage device according to the second embodiment, is provided with a hydrogen water supply unit that supplies hydrogen water to the vegetable storage room for storing fruits and vegetables, and thus hydrogen. Due to the active oxygen removing effect of water, the decrease in freshness of stored fresh food can be delayed.

In addition, hydrogen water is highly safe because it does not have problems such as strong corrosiveness and adverse effects on the skin unlike hydrogen peroxide water.

1 Refrigerator, 2 Box, 4 Operation panel, 5 Compressor, 6 Cooler, 7 Blower fan, 8 Air passage, 10 Refrigerator room (storage room), 11 Refrigerator room door, 20 Ice making room, 21 Ice making room door, 30 Switching room (storage room), 31 switching door, 40 freezer room, 41 freezer room door, 50, 50a vegetable room (storage room), 51 vegetable room door, 52a lower storage case, 52b upper storage case, 53 open / close detector, 56 Hours measurement unit, 57, 58 openings, 60 Hydrogen water supply unit (hydrogen water supply means), 61, 65 Hydrogen water supply port, 62 Water channel (pipe), 63 Water storage unit, 63a lid, 64 Water absorbing material, 67 Valve, 68 magnesium stick (magnesium member), 69a negative electrode, 69b positive electrode, 69c ion exchange membrane, 71 thermista (temperature detector), 72 humidity detector, 73 weight detector, 74 camera, 81 hydrogen water container, 82 Hydrogen container, 91 controller.

Claims (16)

A storage room for storing food and
A hydrogen water supply means for supplying hydrogen water to the storage chamber and
A control device that controls the supply of hydrogen water by the hydrogen water supply means , and
With a humidity detector that detects the humidity in the storage room
Have,
The control device is a refrigerator that executes the supply of hydrogen water by the hydrogen water supply means when the humidity change measured by the humidity detector is a humidity rise equal to or higher than a predetermined reference humidity . It also has an open / close detector that detects the open / close of the door of the storage room.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the control device causes the hydrogen water supply means to supply the hydrogen water when the opening / closing detector detects the opening / closing of the door of the storage room. Further having a temperature detector for detecting the temperature in the storage chamber
The first aspect of the present invention, wherein the control device executes the supply of the hydrogen water by the hydrogen water supply means when the temperature change measured by the temperature detector is a temperature rise equal to or higher than a predetermined reference temperature. Refrigerator. It also has a weight measuring unit that measures the weight of food stored in the storage chamber.
The first aspect of the present invention, wherein the control device executes the supply of the hydrogen water by the hydrogen water supply means when the weight change measured by the weight measuring unit is a weight increase of a predetermined reference weight or more. Refrigerator. Further having a camera for photographing the storage room,
The first aspect of claim 1, wherein the control device executes the supply of hydrogen water by the hydrogen water supply means when it is determined that food has been put into the storage chamber based on the image data acquired by the camera. Refrigerator. It also has a time measurement unit that measures time,
The control device executes the supply of the hydrogen water to the hydrogen water supply means every time the elapsed time from the supply of the hydrogen water immediately before the measurement by the time measuring unit elapses a predetermined reference time. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . The hydrogen water supply means
A hydrogen water supply port that supplies the hydrogen water to the storage chamber,
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , which has a water channel for supplying the hydrogen water to the hydrogen water supply port. The refrigerator according to claim 7 , wherein the hydrogen water supply port is an injection port for injecting the hydrogen water into the storage chamber in the form of mist. Further provided with a water-absorbent material located on the bottom surface of the storage chamber
The refrigerator according to claim 7 , wherein the hydrogen water supply port is arranged at a position facing the water-absorbent material. The hydrogen water supply means further includes a container installation portion in which a container for accommodating the hydrogen water is installed.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 7 to 9 , wherein the hydrogen water contained in the container installed in the container installation portion is supplied to the hydrogen water supply port through the water channel. The hydrogen water supply means further includes a water storage container.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 7 to 9 , wherein the hydrogen water contained in the water storage container is supplied to the hydrogen water supply port through the water channel. The hydrogen water supply means further includes a water storage container and a hydrogen water generation unit that generates hydrogen water by bubbling hydrogen gas into the water in the water storage container.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 7 to 9 , wherein the hydrogen water is supplied to the hydrogen water supply port through the water channel. The hydrogen water supply means further includes a water storage container and a hydrogen water generation unit that generates hydrogen water by electrolyzing the water in the water storage container.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 7 to 9 , wherein the hydrogen water is supplied to the hydrogen water supply port through the water channel. The hydrogen water supply means further comprises a reservoir, and a magnesium member installed in the water in the water storage vessel,
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 7 to 9 , wherein the hydrogen water is supplied to the hydrogen water supply port through the water channel. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 11 to 14 , wherein the water storage container is made of aluminum. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 15 , wherein the concentration of the hydrogen water is 1 ppm or more.

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