JP2005300004A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator controlling an air atmosphere in a food storage container at a low oxygen state to preserve freshness of stored food throughout a long period of time, eliminating a phenomenon of adhesion of generated odor, miniaturizing an oxygen concentration adjusting means to reduce installation space, and having favorable handling by allowing taking out of only the storage container from a body side. <P>SOLUTION: The refrigerator is provided with freezing and refrigerating storage spaces, the storage containers 15 arranged in the storage spaces or an independently provided storage space, a lid 17 provided so as to close an opening of the storage container in a freely openable and closable state, the oxygen concentration adjusting means comprising an electrolytic film element 21 adjusting an oxygen concentration of the storage container interior made into a sealed space by closing of the lid, and a deodorizing device 28 with respect to food stored in a sealed space interior. The oxygen concentration adjusting means and the deodorizing device are arranged in a body side, and they can be removably attached to the storage container. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to a refrigerator provided with oxygen concentration adjusting means for storing food for a long period of time.

  In recent years, refrigerators have a tendency to place importance on long-term food preservation and energy saving, which are the original objective functions of refrigerators, against the backdrop of not only diversification of cooling storage temperature but also environmental concerns and growing interest in economy. is there.

  In general, foods are often discarded without being eaten due to deterioration due to the passage of the storage period, even if they are stored in the refrigerator. Therefore, the function of keeping the taste, nutrients, and freshness of the ingredients over a long period of time when storing food is required.

  Food deterioration factors include drying and oxidation. For drying, storage under conditions of low temperature fluctuation and high humidity is effective, and the evaporating temperature of the cooler provided exclusively for the temperature zone of each room in the refrigerator is increased to reduce the difference from the room air temperature. By reducing the amount, frost adhesion to the cooler is reduced as much as possible, and a method of preventing the food from drying by keeping the storage chamber at a high humidity is widely adopted.

  In addition, for vegetables, freshness can be maintained by removing ethylene gas, an aging hormone that occurs as fruits and vegetables ripen, as well as preventing drying. However, freshness deterioration due to breathing and transpiration due to oxygen in the air. This causes not only a decrease in the nutrient content but also a problem that the quality in terms of appearance such as discoloration deteriorates. In the present invention, attention is paid to a method for adjusting the oxygen concentration in the refrigerator.

  About 20% of oxygen is present in the air, and this oxygen is one of the factors that degrade foods, including the oxidation of fish and meat fats and oils. The preservation | save by interrupting | blocking a foodstuff and oxygen by (Controlled Atmosphere air atmosphere control) is known.

  As a means for adjusting the oxygen concentration, there is a method of separating oxygen and nitrogen in the air. This includes oxygen-permeable membranes that use the property of being difficult to permeate nitrogen, such as polyimide membranes and polyolefin membranes, to selectively permeate oxygen. The oxygen concentration can be changed by adjusting the pressure by sending pressurized air into the membrane formed into a hollow fiber module.

  Also, PSA (Pressure Swing Absorption Pressure Difference Adsorption Method), which uses zeolite or activated carbon, etc., and adjusts the oxygen concentration by separating oxygen and nitrogen in the air using the difference in adsorption characteristics of oxygen and nitrogen, storage space There are methods such as filling the interior with an inert gas such as nitrogen, replacing oxygen in the room with nitrogen, removing it, reducing the oxygen partial pressure by reducing the pressure in the sealed container of the storage chamber, etc. By the method, it is possible to suppress the respiration action of vegetables, suppress the activation of microorganisms and enzymes, suppress the oxidation of fats and oils, etc., and improve the preservation of food freshness.

Among these methods, as described in Patent Document 1 filed by the applicant of the present invention, the method of reducing the oxygen concentration in the decompressed atmosphere by reducing the pressure in the storage chamber is relatively simple. With the configuration, the food stored and stored in the refrigerator and oxygen are blocked, and the stored freshness of the stored product can be maintained for a long time.
JP 2004-20113 A

  However, in the case of the above configuration, since the decompression mechanism that is the oxygen concentration adjusting means in the refrigerator is substantially integrated with the storage container, the storage container loses the low oxygen state when it is pulled out, and is in a normal atmospheric atmosphere. Therefore, the freshness cannot be maintained, and a vacuum pump or the like is required as a decompression mechanism. Therefore, the installation space is increased, and an associated mechanism such as an exhaust pipe is required, and the decompressed state is maintained. For this reason, there is a drawback in that the configuration becomes complicated, such as the need for a lid sealing mechanism and an opening / closing mechanism.

  Further, when the hermetic container is decompressed, the odorous substance in the food becomes easier to vaporize than the normal pressure state, so that there is a problem that the odor remains on the wall surface of the container after the food is taken out. In particular, when a plurality of foods are stored at a reduced pressure at the same time, different odors are generated, dispersed and adsorbed throughout the container, and the food taken out by odor transfer has a phenomenon of smelling other foods.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and maintains the freshness of stored food over a long period of time by controlling the air atmosphere in the food storage container to a low oxygen state, and the phenomenon of odor transfer that occurs. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator that is easy to use by making the oxygen concentration adjusting means compact, reducing the installation space, and allowing only the storage container to be taken out from the main body side.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a refrigerator according to the present invention includes a freezing and refrigeration storage space, a storage container disposed in the storage space or in a storage space disposed independently, and an opening and closing of the storage container. A lid provided so as to be freely closed, an oxygen concentration adjusting means comprising an electrolytic membrane element for adjusting the oxygen concentration inside the storage container made into a sealed space by closing the lid, and a deodorizing apparatus for food stored in the sealed space And the oxygen concentration adjusting means and the deodorizing device are disposed on the main body side and are installed so as to be detachable from the storage container.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, the stored items stored in the storage space are cooled, and the oxygen concentration in the storage container is reduced to block the stored items and oxygen, thereby suppressing the respiratory action of vegetables, fats and the like, etc. Oxidation inhibition, enzyme activity inhibition, and aerobic microorganism activity inhibition can preserve the freshness of stored products and preserve them for a long time.

  Furthermore, since odorous substances generated in the storage space can be removed, it is possible to prevent odors from being transferred to the walls of the storage space and to foods. It can be simplified and space efficiency is improved, and the storage container can be detached from the main body by means of the oxygen concentration adjusting means and detachment, and the usability can be improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a refrigerator according to the present invention, in which a refrigerator compartment (2) is arranged at the top of a storage space inside a refrigerator main body (1) comprising a heat insulating box, and below the refrigerator compartment. A vegetable room (3) maintained at high temperature and high humidity is provided via a partition plate. Below the vegetable compartment (3), a temperature switching chamber (5), which will also be an oxygen concentration adjustment chamber, which will be described in detail later, and an ice making ice storage chamber (not shown) are placed side by side through a heat insulating partition wall (4). In the lowermost part, a freezer compartment (6) divided into two upper and lower stages is arranged independently.

  Each storage chamber is closed by providing a dedicated opening / closing door at the front opening thereof, and a refrigeration cooler (7), a refrigeration cooler (8), Cooling air is circulated by fans (9) and (10) and ducts provided in the vicinity of each cooler, and cooling is controlled to a temperature set for each storage room.

  A machine room (11) space is formed in the lower rear part of the freezing space arranged at the lowermost part of the refrigerator body (1), and the refrigerant is supplied to the refrigerating and freezing coolers (7) and (8). A compressor (12) is installed.

  In the above configuration, the refrigerator compartment (2) is provided with a shelf (13) for placing food, and the temperature switching chamber (5) is provided with a storage container (15) for storing and storing food. Can be pulled out of the cabinet together with the switching chamber door (16) by holding it between a pair of left and right support frames (not shown) attached to the inner bottom of the switching chamber door (16) and extending on the bottom rail. It is said.

  As shown in FIG. 2, which is a detailed cross-sectional view of the main part in FIG. 1, a lid (17) formed in a size that completely covers the opening is disposed in the upper surface opening of the storage container (15), An annular seal packing (18) formed of silicon rubber or the like is fixed to the lower surface of the lid (17). When the lid (17) covers and contacts the opening of the storage container (15), the seal packing is used. (18) eliminates the gap and seals the inside of the storage container (15).

  Therefore, (21) is an electrolytic membrane element as oxygen concentration adjusting means. The electrolytic membrane element (21) disposed on the front surface of the evaporative cover (20) covering the refrigeration cooler (8) on the back surface of the temperature switching chamber (5) has a polymer electrolyte membrane (22) as an anode (anode) ) And the cathode electrode (cathode) (24) are housed in a case (25) provided with slits (25a) on each electrode surface to form a unit, and the cathode electrode (24) The surface is arranged facing the indoor side of the temperature switching chamber (5).

  The anode electrode (23) is formed from the outside from a current collector, a porous support layer, a carbon electrode, a platinum catalyst, and the like, and the cathode electrode (24) is formed in the same manner as the anode.

  A transmission window (15a) is provided on the back surface of the storage container (15) in the temperature switching chamber (5), and a lower transmission window (15a) is provided on the surface on the cathode electrode (28) side. When the sealing material (26) is disposed around the cover and facing, the switching chamber door (16) is closed and the storage container (15) is stored in a predetermined position in the room, the sealing material (26) The peripheral edge of the transmission window (15a) is in contact with the gap and seals the gap with the electrolytic membrane element (21).

  Then, on the anode (23) side by applying a DC voltage, the moisture in the air is consumed and reacts to generate oxygen. At the same time, the generated electrons pass through the electric wire and the hydrogen ions pass through the polymer electrolyte membrane (22). Move to the cathode electrode (24). On the cathode (24) side, oxygen in the storage container (15) is combined with electrons and hydrogen ions that have moved from the anode (23) side and converted into water. As a result, the storage container ( 15) Oxygen in the storage container (15) is removed by consuming oxygen in the container to generate water, and the storage container (15) in the temperature switching chamber (5) is about 5% of the normal atmospheric condition. Since the atmosphere can have a low oxygen concentration, the progress of oxidation of food and the respiration of fruits and vegetables can be effectively suppressed.

  Thus, the front surface of the evaporation cover (20) behind the electrolytic membrane element (21) disposed on the back surface of the temperature switching chamber (5) has a deodorizing unit comprising a photocatalyst module (29) and an ozone decomposition catalyst filter (30). A device (28) is provided. The deodorizing device (28) is opposed to the permeation window (15a) of the storage container (15) together with the electrolytic membrane element (21), and is externally provided by a seal packing (32) provided on the periphery of the electrolytic membrane element (21). It is isolated from the space and communicates with the inside of the storage container (15) through the transmission window (15a) through the communication pipe (31), and circulates the air in the storage container to adsorb odorous molecules and deodorize it. To do.

  The photocatalyst module (29) is a photocatalyst filter (33) (33) which is fixed by applying a photocatalyst material typified by titanium oxide on the surface of a substrate made of a porous ceramic such as alumina or silica and drying or sintering the substrate. ) Are adjacent to each other, and a discharge electrode (34) formed by etching a thin plate of stainless steel or the like between the photocatalytic filters is provided upright, and the upwind of the two photocatalytic filters (33) On the leeward side, counter electrodes (35) and (35) formed in the same manner as the discharge electrodes are respectively arranged.

  (36) is a power supply circuit for applying a positive pulsed DC high voltage between the discharge electrode (34) and each counter electrode (35) by means of a high voltage generating transformer (37). The mesh size of the electrode (34) is larger than the mesh size of the counter electrode (35). With this configuration, the discharge electrode (34) and the counter electrode (35) function as a discharge means for generating ultraviolet rays. Then, discharge occurs between both electrodes, and ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 380 nm or less are generated.

  When the discharge electrode (34) and the counter electrode (35) are discharged, ozone is generated together with ultraviolet rays. Therefore, the photocatalyst module (29) has a function of completely decomposing harmful gas components by generation of active oxygen due to ultraviolet rays. The ozone-decomposing catalyst filter (30) for absorbing ozone installed at a predetermined distance from the photocatalyst module (29) to the leeward side is mainly composed of manganese dioxide. It is formed from a honeycomb-shaped sintered body.

  When operating the deodorizing apparatus (28) of the said structure, it carries out as follows. That is, when energizing the power supply circuit (36), driving the blower fan (38) to circulate the air in the container (15) and applying a voltage between the discharge electrode (34) and the counter electrode (35) Then, discharge occurs between the electrodes and ultraviolet rays are generated.

  By irradiating the photocatalyst filter (33) (33) with ultraviolet rays, the active oxygen generated by activating the photocatalyst flows down, and the photocatalytic filter (33) ( 33) Deodorize by decomposing bonds of odorous gas components and organic compounds adhering to the surface and making them odorless or reducing odor.

  In addition, it embrittles the fungus cell membrane and performs antibacterial action, and also suppresses the growth of microorganisms on the surface of the photocatalytic filters (33) and (33) by oxidative degradation, so that the walls of the deodorizer (28) and storage container (15) Decompose and remove surface dirt.

  In addition, when an odor substance is oxidized, carbon contained in an organic substance is oxidized to generate carbon dioxide. In general, leafy vegetables are known to absorb oxygen and reduce freshness by breathing air, but carbon dioxide has the effect of suppressing the respiration of leafy vegetables and maintains freshness. In particular, since the photocatalyst has a strong oxidizing power, it greatly contributes to the generation of carbon dioxide by oxidative decomposition.

  Furthermore, the deodorizing apparatus (28) using the above photocatalyst has not only a deodorizing action by oxidative decomposition of odorous substances but also an action of decomposing ethylene, which is a hormone that is generated from fruits and matures, that is, aged. Further, it is possible to obtain a food freshness retaining effect by this ethylene decomposition action.

  Furthermore, if the photocatalyst is a discharge-type photocatalytic mechanism as described above, the ultraviolet rays that activate the photocatalyst are generated by the discharge, so that the same amount of ultraviolet rays can be supplied as long as the power supply continues. Compared with methods using UV lamps or LEDs as light sources, there is no problem with the life of the light source, and there is no decrease in deodorization performance or ethylene degradation performance. It is effective for equipment without requiring maintenance such as parts replacement.

  With the above configuration, when the storage container (15) is installed at a predetermined position in the temperature switching chamber (5) by closing the temperature switching chamber door (16), as shown in FIG. The transmission window (15a) of (15) is covered with the electrolytic membrane element (21) and the deodorizing device (28).

  Then, when the temperature switching chamber (5) is closed by a pressing instruction to the operation panel provided on the door surface (not shown), a DC voltage of several volts is applied between the electrodes (23) and (24), and the polymer electrolyte By operating the membrane (22), the oxygen concentration in the storage container (15) is lowered through the permeation window (15a) and maintained in a low oxygen state, and the deodorizing device (28) is used to remove odorous gas components and organic compounds. It is deodorized by breaking the bond.

  In addition, the growth of microorganisms can be suppressed, the respiration of leafy vegetables can be suppressed by the generation of carbon dioxide, and the freshness of food can be maintained by the action of ethylene decomposition.

  The temperature switching chamber (5) has a small storage capacity of 20-30L, which can be arbitrarily switched from -20 ° C freezing temperature to chilled, refrigerated, vegetable storage temperature, and wine storage temperature of about + 8 ° C. It is a room, and cool air from the refrigeration cooler (8) is introduced by damper control by operation of an operation panel provided on the surface of the refrigerator compartment door, and is cooled to a predetermined set temperature.

  Therefore, when the temperature switching chamber (5) is used as a normal cooling temperature switching chamber in which the oxygen concentration is not adjusted, the electrolytic membrane element (21) is not operated and the lid (17) is always opened and stored. Cooling may be performed by introducing cold air into the container (15), and the inside of the container is kept at high humidity by closing the opening with the lid (17) and indirectly cooling from around the storage container (15). You may do it.

  Thus, when the temperature switching chamber (5) is set as a storage chamber capable of adjusting the oxygen concentration, the upper surface opening of the storage container (15) in the room is sealed with a lid (17), and the container (15 ) Shows the antioxidation effect of fish fat and oil equivalent to conventional frozen storage at -20 ° C. even if the temperature in the container is -7 ° C., depending on the atmosphere of low oxygen concentration by the operation of the electrolytic membrane element (21). In the temperature range for vegetables, the respiration of the fruits and vegetables can be suppressed, and the food can be stored for a long time in each set temperature range.

  According to the above method, a member such as a vacuum pump is not required as compared with the decompression method, the related configuration is simplified and the space efficiency is improved, and since there is no sound source, noise reduction can be achieved. In addition, since the inside of the storage container (15) is not depressurized, it is not necessary to set the sealing degree so tightly that handling is simplified and a pressure-resistant configuration is not required, so there is no need to increase the rigidity of the storage container. Can lighten the weight and reduce the price.

  When the temperature switching chamber door (16) is opened and the storage container (15) is pulled out, as shown in FIG. 4, the permeation window (15a) is opened from the electrolytic membrane element (21) installed on the main body side. Are separated and only the storage container (15) is pulled out together with the lid (17).

  At this time, the lid (17) is divided into a front part and a rear part, and the rear part is locked and fixed to the storage container (15) side by a plurality of hook claws provided on the lid, and the front part is located between the rear part and the rear part. The spring (not shown) provided together with the hinge part (17a) provided on the door may be opened simultaneously with the drawer as shown in the figure, but the storage container (15) is sealed with the lid (17). In this case, the container can be removed from the main body while keeping the low oxygen concentration in the container.

  Furthermore, if the storage container (15) is made as small as a lunch box, the removed container can be stored and stored in another storage space such as the mounting shelf (13) of the refrigerator compartment (2), If a new storage container is separately installed in the temperature switching chamber (5), the low oxygen holding space can be further increased.

  In addition, the storage container (15) that has been taken out can be transported to a remote location while maintaining a low oxygen concentration state, and can be used for transporting fresh food when returning home or traveling. Since (15) can be removed from the door (16) and the support frame (17), the container can be easily cleaned and washed.

  Note that the deodorizing device is not based on the above-mentioned photocatalyst, but may be one that irradiates ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength of 350 to 380 nm, and the ultraviolet light source is not particularly illustrated, A light emitting diode or electroluminescent device that is installed outside the storage container (15 ') or lid (17') made of a transparent material. The stored food may be deodorized and antibacterial.

  At this time, as a material of the storage container (15 ′) and the lid (17 ′), there is a synthetic resin such as an acrylic resin or glass, but it is particularly desirable to have a UV resistance and excellent weather resistance. An ultraviolet light source can be attached at any position on the side wall surface of the temperature switching chamber (5) to perform deodorizing antibacterial action, and an effective irradiation position can be selected.

  Further, as another embodiment related to the above embodiment, the photocatalyst material such as titanium oxide described above may be applied to the inner wall surface of the storage container (15) on the food storage side. And a method of directly coating a base material with a thickness of 2 to 5 μm by coating or dipping a suspension of fine particles, or a method of pasting a photocatalyst material pre-coated with a film with an adhesive on the inner surface of a container is there.

  Then, the photocatalyst is activated by irradiating the photocatalyst applied to the inner surface of the container through the container wall made of a transparent material or the internal installation member with the ultraviolet light from the light source disposed on the outer surface of the storage container. The active oxygen flows down to the food stored in the container, deodorizes with a strong oxidizing action, and is antibacterial.

  Furthermore, as another example, when molding the storage container or lid, the antibacterial material was kneaded into the molding material, or the antibacterial treatment was performed by pasting the antibacterial material sheet on the mold and integrating it with the container. By forming a container or lid and irradiating it with ultraviolet rays, it is anaerobic as well as suppressing the respiratory action of vegetables due to hypoxia by the oxygen concentration adjusting means described above, suppressing the activity of microorganisms, enzymes, and oxidizing oils and fats. The effect which can also suppress reproduction of a sexual bacteria can be show | played.

  Note that the deodorizing apparatus is not a photocatalyst as described above, but an ozone generator (40) and a catalyst (41) as shown in FIG. 5 which is the same part as FIG. 3 and FIG. The deodorizing device (39) is arranged in a deodorizing container (50) in which each part is defined, and is provided on the front surface of the electrolytic membrane element (21) arranged on the back surface of the temperature switching chamber (5). May be.

  The catalyst (41) consists of an alumina ceramic honeycomb-shaped compact supporting manganese oxide, facing the transmission window (15a) of the storage container (15) and receiving ozone released from the ozone generator (40). It is configured as follows.

  The ozone generator (40) includes a transformer part (42) for generating a high voltage, and an electrode plate (43) for generating ozone by corona discharge, as shown in FIG. These are formed in an umbrella shape and supported in a case (45) which covers and supports the transformer part (42), the electrode plate (43) and the input terminal (44) and opens the lower part. In the center wall of the case (45), a transformer (42) consisting of a high-voltage coil and core and a substrate (47) with an oscillation circuit component (46) for setting the discharge waveform are attached with epoxy resin. It is buried with a mold (48).

  The electrode plate (43) is made of alumina ceramic as a base and made of a tungsten electrode, and the discharge surface faces the outside of the case (45). It corresponds to the reservoir part (49).

  The input terminal (44) protrudes outward from the case (45) from the board (47) on which the oscillation circuit component (46) is placed. When voltage is applied to the input terminal (44), epoxy mold (48 ) Built-in oscillation circuit (46) and step-up transformer (42) so that an impulse waveform of 4.5 KV is generated, and this voltage is applied to the electrode plate (43) via a high-voltage pin. Then, the electric field concentrates on the protruding electrode portion to cause corona discharge, and oxygen passing through the vicinity becomes an excited plasma state by energy, and ozone is generated at the time of recombination.

  The ozone in this plasma deodorization apparatus (39) has the effect of decomposing odor molecules and disinfecting, and if the amount of ozone generated is large, the ability to decompose odor molecules increases and the deodorization effect can be improved.

  The deodorizing device (39) configured as described above is an electrolytic membrane element that is an oxygen concentration adjusting means so as to face the transmission window (15a) of the storage container (15) in the temperature switching chamber (5) shown in FIG. It is attached to the front of (21), and when a voltage is applied, the ozone generator (40) moves from the discharge surface of the electrode plate (43) to the space of the ozone reservoir (49) in the case (45). The ozone that is heavier than the air flows out from the through hole (49a) drilled in the bottom surface of the reservoir (49) and falls onto the catalyst (41).

  The catalyst (41) faces the transmission window (15a) and takes in odorous molecules generated in the storage container (15) and adsorbs them on the surface to remove the odor, so the adsorption capacity is saturated over time. However, since the falling ozone effectively decomposes the odorous molecules, the surface of the catalyst is restored and regenerated, so that a deodorizing apparatus that does not require maintenance such as catalyst replacement can be obtained.

  Further, as the deodorizing means, an electrolytic membrane element (21) which is the oxygen concentration adjusting device may be used. In other words, the electrolytic membrane element (21) has a configuration in which the polymer electrolyte membrane (22) is sandwiched between the electrodes (23) and (24), and normally, the current flows in the positive direction toward the storage container (15). It works to remove oxygen in the storage container (15) by generating hydrogen by combining with oxygen inside the container to generate water, but the polarity of the voltage is reversed under certain conditions Is.

  For example, by adjusting the oxygen concentration, when the oxygen concentration in the storage container (15) reaches 5%, the ozone is normally generated on the anode (23) side by applying a reverse current for several minutes with the polarity reversed. It is generated on the cathode (24) side and flows into the storage container (15), and the odor in the container can be removed by this ozone.

  As still another embodiment of the present invention, a negative ion generator (51) may be arranged in place of the deodorizing apparatus (39) in the example described with reference to FIG. That is, the negative ion generator (51) is placed on the front surface of the electrolytic membrane element (21) as the oxygen concentration adjusting means so as to face the transmission window (15a) of the storage container (15) in the temperature switching chamber (5). Attached.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the negative ion generator (51) emits negative ions by discharge by applying a negative high voltage to the tip of the needle electrode (55a) of the negative electrode (55) as shown in FIG. This is a needle discharge type generator. A negative electrode (55) and a positive electrode (56) of a round terminal screw (56a) arranged opposite to the needle electrode (55a) are accommodated in an electrode case (57). The electrode unit (52) and a high voltage transformer (53) for applying a negative high voltage between the positive and negative electrodes (56) (55). The electrode unit (52) and the high voltage transformer (53) Are connected by a high voltage cable (58) to constitute an ion unit, and these are covered and integrated by a unit cover (54).

  When a direct current is supplied to the power source of the high-voltage transformer (53), a high voltage of -3.6 kV is applied to the tip of the needle electrode (55a) of the negative electrode (55), so that the needle electrode (55a) and the round shape are Negative ions are generated by corona discharge (silent discharge) between the positive electrodes of the terminal screw part (56a), and the generated negative ions are transferred from the opening of the electrode case (57) through the transmission window (15a) to the storage container (15). Is released inside.

  The released negative ions bind to the stored food in the storage container (15), the microorganisms such as bacteria that adhere to the wall of the container or float in the space and become positive ions, and turn them into negative ions. By preventing the growth of food, the cleanliness of the storage container and food can be maintained for a long time.

  Especially when the storage container (15) is kept in a low oxygen state, the container is sealed and in a high humidity state, and there is a possibility that anaerobic bacteria will grow due to condensation, but negative ions Can exert an antibacterial action against anaerobic bacteria, and can improve the preservation of food.

  As described above, when the oxygen in the storage container (15) is in a low concentration state, the stored food and oxygen are cut off. In addition, it has a low-temperature atmosphere state, has the effects of suppressing the respiration of vegetables, suppressing oxidation of oils and fats, suppressing enzyme activity, suppressing the activity of aerobic microorganisms, and can improve the preservation of freshness and reduce the pressure Compared to the above, a vacuum pump or the like is not required, and the related configuration such as piping can be simplified, the space efficiency is improved, and the noise is reduced without pump noise.

  In addition, since the inside of the storage container is not depressurized, it is not necessary to tighten the tightness, and handling and configuration are simplified, and a pressure-resistant configuration is not required, so there is no need to increase the rigidity of the storage container and light weight. As a result, the price can be reduced and the inside of the container can be deodorized or the activity of the bacteria can be suppressed, whereby the growth of anaerobic bacteria can be suppressed and the odorous substance can be removed.

  In the above embodiment, the storage container and the oxygen concentration adjusting means have been described as being arranged in the temperature switching chamber. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same may be applied to a refrigerator room, a freezer room, or another storage space. Needless to say, it is possible to select various forms for the size of the storage container including the size that can be installed on the mounting shelf in the refrigerator compartment.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a refrigerator provided with an oxygen concentration adjusting means for long-term storage of food.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the refrigerator which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the low oxygen atmosphere storage chamber in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a closed state of the low oxygen atmosphere storage chamber of FIG. 2. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which pulled out the storage container in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the same part as FIG. 3 which shows the other Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing from the front which shows schematic structure of the plasma deodorizing apparatus in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the detail of the ozone generator in FIG. It is a top view which shows the negative ion generator which is further another Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Refrigerator body 2 Refrigerated room 5 Temperature switching room 6 Freezer room 15 Storage container 15a Permeation window
16 Switching room door 17 Lid 17a Hinge part
18 Seal packing 20 Eva cover
21 Electrolytic membrane element 22 Polymer electrolyte membrane 23 Anode electrode
24 Cathode electrode 25 Case 25a Slit
26 Sealing material
28 Deodorizer 29 Photocatalyst module 30 Ozone decomposition catalyst filter
31 Communication pipe 32 Seal packing 33 Photocatalytic filter
34 Discharge electrode 35 Counter electrode 36 Power supply circuit
37 High voltage transformer 38 Blower fan
40 Ozone generator 41 Catalyst 42 Transformer
43 Electrode plate 44 Input terminal 45 Case
46 Oscillator circuit components 47 Substrate 48 Epoxy mold
49 Ozone reservoir 49a Through hole 50 Deodorization container
51 Negative ion generator 52 Electrode unit 53 High voltage transformer
54 Unit cover 55 Negative electrode 55a Needle electrode
56 Positive electrode 56a Round terminal screw 57 Electrode case

Claims (8)

  Refrigerated and refrigerated storage spaces, storage containers disposed inside or independently of these storage spaces, a lid provided to open and close the opening of the storage container, and the lid Comprising an oxygen concentration adjusting means comprising an electrolytic membrane element for adjusting the oxygen concentration inside the storage container that has been sealed as a closed space, and a deodorizing device for food stored in the sealed space, wherein the oxygen concentration adjusting means and the deodorizing device are on the main body side. And a refrigerator that is detachable from the storage container.   The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the deodorizing device is formed of an ozone generator.   The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the deodorizing device is formed of a negative ion generator.   The refrigerator according to claim 1, comprising a device for decomposing odor caused by a photocatalyst as the deodorizing device.   The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the polarity of the voltage with respect to the electrolytic membrane element having the polymer electrolyte membrane sandwiched between the electrodes is reversed under a predetermined condition.   2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the storage container and the lid is made of a transparent material and is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the outside.   The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a photocatalyst is applied to the inner surface of the storage container. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the storage container and the lid is formed of a resin kneaded with an antibacterial material.

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