JP2008145008A - Sterilizing device and refrigerator with sterilizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify supplying the tap water to a water supply tank of a sterilizing device, cleaning a water area and improving maintenance in a refrigerator where electrolyzed water mist including hypochlorous acid is produced by decomposing the tap water by electric current, and further to improve sterilizing effect by supplying the electrolyzed water mist of small particle size to a cold air flow channel by removing the electrolyzed water mist of large particle size. <P>SOLUTION: A cassette base comprising a loading portion for the water supply tank storing the tap water, an electrolysis tank producing the electrolyzed water including hypochlorous acid by decomposing the tap water supplied from the water supply tank by electric current, and a mist producing portion producing the electrolyzed water mist by applying ultrasonic vibration to the produced electrolyzed water, is integrally constituted, and an electrode unit faced to the electrolysis tank of the cassette base is disposed in a refrigerator main body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention electrolyzes tap water to produce electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid, sterilizes this electrolyzed water and circulates it in a refrigerator with a stirring fan. The present invention also relates to a refrigerator provided with this sterilization apparatus.

  It is well known that the electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid has a sterilizing action. The electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid is misted and the electrolyzed water mist is put into a vegetable room in the refrigerator with a stirring fan. The present applicant has proposed a technique for circulating and sterilizing vegetables (Patent Document 1).

In the configuration of the refrigerator described above, a cold air flow path for circulating cold air to the vegetable room so that the vegetable room reaches a predetermined temperature, an electrolytic cell for generating electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid, and this electrolytic cell An atomizer that mists the generated electrolyzed water, and a delivery path that sends the electrolyzed water mist generated by the atomizer to the cold air channel on the windward side of the vegetable compartment.
JP 2003-214758 A

  By the way, in order to obtain electrolyzed water mist by electrolyzing tap water in this way, an atomizer including a voltage applied electrode, an ultrasonic vibrator, and a water supply tank are main components. However, when the electrode repeats electrolysis in the tap water of the electrolytic cell, calcium and the like contained in the tap water gradually adhere to become a scale, and the electrolysis capability decreases. Therefore, the polarity of the voltage applied to the electrode can be periodically reversed to remove the attached scale from the electrode, but the removed scale must be further removed from the electrolytic cell.

  In addition, when an ultrasonic vibrator is used in the atomizer, the diaphragm serving as the vibration source is always exposed to the electrolyzed water, so that dust adheres to and accumulates on this portion, leading to a decrease in performance. . Above all, since misted electrolyzed water is sprayed on food, it is important that the electrolyzer and the atomizer are kept in high hygiene at all times. Don't be. In such a sterilization device that electrolyzes tap water into mist, it must be able to supply tap water easily, and a water supply tank without forming a complicated water supply channel It should be possible to easily check the remaining amount of tap water.

  In addition, when an ultrasonic vibrator is employed in the atomizer in the above configuration, it is desirable that the electrolyzed water mist generated thereby has as small a particle size as possible. That is, the smaller the particle size of the electrolyzed water mist, the higher the probability that it is contained in the cold air and carried far away, and a large sterilization effect can be expected. However, the electrolyzed water mist with a large particle size is naturally large in mass, so it cannot sufficiently ride the cold air flow and cannot reach the required location in the refrigerator, and adheres to the inner wall of the cold air flow path, etc. Can no longer be fulfilled.

  As described above, when the tap water is electrolyzed by the electrode in the electrolytic cell, when all the tap water is supplied from the water supply tank and the tap water is drained to the electrolytic cell, the electrode is exposed to the air, and in this state, the water is empty. If the operation is performed, the electrodes will be damaged. Therefore, the presence or absence of tap water in the electrolytic cell must be constantly monitored. In addition, since a voltage is applied to the electrodes, it is desirable that a fingertip of a person is not touched during maintenance and cleaning.

  Furthermore, it is not limited to the purpose of directly spraying the electrolyzed water mist onto the food in the refrigerator. For example, when the door is opened, the electrolyzed water mist is applied to the air curtain that is blown out to block the entry of outside air containing germs. High sterilization effect will be acquired by making it contain. In such a case, it is important to drive the functions related to the sterilization apparatus and the cold air circulation at an appropriate timing.

  In view of this, the present invention solves the above problems by means described below. That is, in the invention according to claim 1, a water supply tank mounting portion for storing tap water and water supply from the water supply tank. A cassette base comprising an electrolytic cell that electrolyzes water to generate electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid, and a mist generating unit that generates ultrasonic water mist by applying ultrasonic vibration to the generated electrolyzed water An electrode unit facing the cassette-based electrolytic cell is disposed in the refrigerator body.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the electrode unit for electrolyzing tap water is disposed in the compartment space of the refrigerator body, while the cassette unit in which components other than the electrode unit of the sterilization apparatus are integrated is the compartment. Make it removable in the space.

  According to the sterilization apparatus of the first aspect, since the cassette base in which the placement part of the water supply tank, the electrolytic cell, and the mist generation part are integrally configured can be separated from the electrode unit disposed in the refrigerator body. In addition, it is possible to easily supply tap water to the water supply tank of the sterilization apparatus, and clean and maintain the water surrounding portion.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the sterilization apparatus is arranged by forming the partition space in the cabinet, the cassette unit can be easily attached and detached. Moreover, since the compact cassette unit can be attached and detached while the electrode unit is left in the refrigerator main body, it is possible to avoid the danger that a human hand contacts the electrode.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator having an ice making room 7, a vegetable room 8 and a freezing room 9 at the bottom, FIG. 2 is a front view of the inside of the refrigerator compartment, and FIG. 3 is a state in which an air curtain is formed in the refrigerator compartment FIG.

  1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a refrigerator embodying the present invention, and the refrigerator main body 2 is a heat insulating material in which a foam heat insulating material 2c is filled between an outer box (outer wall plate) 2a and an inner box (inner wall plate) 2b. It has a structure, and a refrigerator compartment door 4 is provided in front of the refrigerator compartment 3. In the refrigerating chamber 3, a plurality of shelf boards 5 placed on a shelf receiving flange formed on the side wall are provided, and the inside of the refrigerating chamber 3 is partitioned.

  A heat insulating partition wall 10 partitions the refrigerator compartment 3 located in the upper part of the refrigerator 1 and the side-by-side small freezer compartment 6 and ice making room 7 located in the lower part thereof. Reference numeral 8 denotes a freezing room, and reference numeral 9 denotes a vegetable room. Reference numeral 11 denotes a back wall panel of the refrigerator compartment 3 arranged on the front side of the back wall of the refrigerator body 2 and is composed of a combination of a synthetic resin back plate and a heat insulating material such as polystyrene attached to the back surface thereof. .

  On the back surface of the back wall panel 11, cold air ducts 12 are arranged in the left and right vertical directions, and a cold air outlet 12 a is formed between the shelf boards 5. And the air curtain duct 13 extended in the up-down direction is arrange | positioned between the cold air ducts 12, and the air curtain blower outlet 13a is formed along the ceiling surface by the length covering the horizontal width of the refrigerator main body 2. FIG. In addition, the code | symbol 14 is an illumination lamp, when the refrigerator door 4 opens, this will light, and the inside of the refrigerator compartment 3 will be illuminated via a transparent shade. Reference numeral 15 denotes a deodorizing device disposed in the air curtain passage 13.

  An air curtain blower 16 is disposed in the upper portion of the air curtain duct 13. The air curtain blower 16 rotates a turbo fan 16a that sucks air in the air curtain duct 13 from the axial direction and discharges it in the radial direction by the electric motor 16b. Air for forming the air curtain AC is sucked and circulated from the suction port 18 formed in the back wall panel 11 located in the lowermost tray room 17 of the refrigerator compartment 3.

  The air curtain blower 16 is stopped when the refrigerator door 4 is closed and the refrigerator compartment 3 is cooled to a predetermined temperature by the cooling operation mode. When the refrigerator door 4 is opened, the refrigerator door switch S detects this, and the operation of the air curtain blower 16 is started by the control signal output from the control circuit unit 300 shown in FIG. When the operation of the air curtain blower 16 is started, the air in the refrigerating chamber 3 is sucked from the suction port 18, passes through the air curtain duct 13, and passes through the air curtain blower outlet 13 a to substantially the entire front opening of the refrigerating chamber 3. Since the air curtain AC that flows downward is formed, the air curtain AC can prevent outside air from entering the refrigerating chamber 3 as much as possible when the refrigerator door 4 is opened.

  In the refrigerator 1 configured as described above, a motor damper is provided in the cold air passage 24 penetrating the heat insulating partition wall 10 so that the cold air cooled by the cooler (evaporator) installed at the bottom of the refrigerator main body 2 is supplied to the refrigerator compartment 3. 25, the control circuit unit 300 operates the motor damper 25 based on the output signal of the sensor that detects the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 to open and close the cool air passage 24, and cool air is supplied to the cool air duct 12.

  Here, the mode of the cooling operation in the normal cooling operation mode of the refrigerator 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 14, when all the doors are closed, the air curtain blower 16 is stopped, and when the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 exceeds a predetermined upper limit set temperature, the opening / closing plate of the motor damper 25 The (damper) opens the cold air passage 24. When the temperature of the freezer compartment 8 detected by the temperature sensor Q exceeds a predetermined upper limit set temperature, the control circuit unit 300 starts the cooling operation, and the compressor 60 and the cool air circulation blower 61 are driven.

  The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 60 is radiated by a radiator (not shown) to evaporate defrost water in the evaporating dish. The refrigerant that has passed through the radiator is depressurized through a capillary tube that is a depressurizer, the temperature is lowered, and flows into the cooler 62. The liquid refrigerant flowing into the cooler 62 evaporates here and cools the surrounding air. The gas refrigerant evaporated in the cooler 62 flows into the suction side of the compressor 60 and is compressed to perform the above-described refrigerant circulation.

  The cold air cooled by the cooler 62 is supplied from the cold air outlet 38a to the ice making chamber 7 by the cold air circulation blower 61, and is supplied from the cold air outlet 38b to the freezer compartment 8. Further, the cool air cooled by the cooler 62 is supplied to the cool air duct 12 through the cool air passage 24 by the cool air circulation fan 61, and is supplied to the refrigerating chamber 3 from the cool air outlet 12a. The cold air supplied to the ice making chamber 7 cools the ice tray 7 a and then is supplied from the cold air holes 63 a of the partition plate 63 to the lower freezing chamber 8. The cool air supplied to the freezer compartment 8 cools the containers 64a and 64b in the freezer 8 and then returns to the cooler 62 from the suction port 38c formed in the lower part of the back wall of the freezer compartment 8.

  The cold air supplied to the refrigerating room 3 cools the refrigerating room 3, and then is sucked from a suction port 39 a formed in the lower part of the back wall panel 11, and flows out to the vegetable room 9 through the cooling passage 39 b. The cold air that has flowed into the vegetable compartment 9 flows into the vegetable compartment 9 from the suction port 38d formed in the back wall close to the ceiling wall of the vegetable compartment 9, passes through the cold air return passage 65, and enters the suction side below the cooler 62. The circulation that flows in and is cooled by the cooler 62 is repeated. When the refrigerator compartment 3 is lowered to a predetermined lower limit temperature by this normal cooling operation mode, this is detected by the temperature sensor R of the refrigerator compartment 3, and the control circuit 300 causes the open / close plate (damper) of the motor damper 25 to pass through the cold air passage 24. close.

  The air curtain blower 16 is stopped when the refrigerator door 4 is closed as described above and the refrigerator compartment 3 is cooled to a predetermined temperature in the normal cooling operation mode. When the refrigerator door 4 is opened, the control circuit unit 300 starts the operation of the air curtain blower 16 and turns on the illumination lamp 14. When the operation of the air curtain blower 16 is started, the air in the refrigerator compartment 3 is sucked from the suction port 18, passes through the air curtain duct 13, and the air curtain AC blows out from the air curtain outlet 13 a.

  The control circuit unit 300 integrates the time when the refrigerator door 4 is open, and when the refrigerator door 4 is closed, the air curtain fan 16 is driven and stopped for the same time as the integrated time. Thereby, when the refrigerator door 4 is closed, the temperature rise and the temperature unevenness in the refrigerator 3 generated when the refrigerator door 4 is open can be quickly reduced and uniformized.

  The time for which the air curtain blower 16 is driven when the refrigerator door 4 is closed is not limited to the same time as the accumulated time, but may be a time proportion proportional to the accumulated time. The proportional aspect in this case may be increased stepwise as the integration time becomes longer, or may be linearly proportional to the length of the integration time. Alternatively, the air curtain blower 16 may be driven for a predetermined time each time if the refrigerator door 4 is opened and closed without integrating the time during which the refrigerator door 4 is open.

  Further, for example, when the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 3 exceeds a predetermined upper limit temperature because food or the like having a large heat load is stored, the control circuit unit 300 closes the refrigerator door 4 and further performs the integration. The driving of the air curtain blower 16 may be continued even after the operation of time has elapsed. As a result, the temperature rise and temperature unevenness in the refrigerator compartment 3 can be quickly reduced and made uniform when the refrigerator door 4 is closed, thereby speeding up the temperature recovery, and in particular, the temperature of the pocket inside the refrigerator door 4. Recovery can be speeded up.

  Various foods and drinks are stored on the shelf board 5 of the refrigerator compartment 3 of the refrigerator 1 configured as described above, and various trays having a storage function are stored in the lowermost tray room 17. In the case of the present embodiment, the low temperature tray 19, the small refrigeration tray 20, and the ice making water supply tank 21 are arranged as shown in FIG. 2, and from the back of the refrigeration chamber 3 between the low temperature tray and the small refrigeration tray 20. A pair of partition walls 22 and 23 were erected in parallel toward the front surface, a partition space G was formed, and the sterilization apparatus E of the present invention was disposed.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the sterilization apparatus E of the present invention, a water supply tank for supplying tap water W1, an electrolytic tank for electrolyzing the tap water W1 to generate electrolyzed water W2, and the generated electrolysis A cassette unit E1 that integrates a mist generating section that generates ultrasonic water mist m by applying ultrasonic vibration to the water W2, and an electrode unit E2 that is disposed in the refrigerator main body 2 facing the tap water W1 of the electrolytic bath. It is configured by a combination.

  The cassette unit E1 is configured on a cassette base 30 that is integrally formed of synthetic resin or the like, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, from the front, a water supply tank mounting part 30A, a mist generating part 30B, and an electrolytic cell 30C. Is formed. The water supply tank 40 is mounted on the water supply tank mounting portion 30A. At this time, the spindle 41a that is interlocked with the valve of the stopper cap 41 is pushed up by the protrusion 30c to open the valve. Tap water W <b> 1 flows into the cassette base 30. The water supply tank 40 is provided with a decorative panel 42 having a see-through window 42a, either integrally or separately.

  The tap water W1 supplied to the cassette base 30 flows down the flow path 30d formed between the surrounding wall 30a and the side wall 30b of the mist generating unit 30B and flows into the electrolytic basin 30e. The electrolytic basin 30e has a bottom that is one step lower so that the tap water W1 required for electrolysis can be sufficiently retained. At the rear end of the cassette base 30, there is disposed a manipulator 31 that operates a limit switch LS1, which will be described later, and a connector 32 that enables electrical connection with the electrode unit E2.

  The opening 30a-1 of the surrounding wall 30a of the mist generating part 30B is in communication with the electrolytic basin 30e, whereby the electrolyzed water W2 electrolyzed in the electrolytic basin 30e flows into the interior surrounded by the surrounding wall 30a. , Will stay. An ultrasonic transducer 33 is disposed on the back surface of the inner bottom surface surrounded by the surrounding wall 30a, and the diaphragm 33a of the ultrasonic transducer 33 faces the bottom surface inside the surrounding wall 30a.

  Next, the configuration of the dome 35 and the exhaust pipe 36 disposed in the mist generating unit 30B will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the dome 35 is a cylindrical body (cylindrical in the embodiment) whose top is closed (closed in a dome shape in the embodiment) and whose bottom is opened, and an inlet for the electrolyzed water W2 is formed in the lower part thereof. 35a is formed, and an outlet 35b for the electrolyzed water mist m is formed at the top.

  The electrolyzed water W <b> 2 that has flowed into the dome 35 formed in this way stays on the diaphragm 33 a of the ultrasonic transducer 33. When the ultrasonic transducer 33 is driven in this state and ultrasonic vibration is applied to the electrolyzed water W2 by the diaphragm 33a, finely atomized electrolyzed water mist m is generated. However, the electrolyzed water W2 in the dome 35 is also generated by a factor such as that the electrolyzed water W2 is not uniformly excited, and is contained in the electrolyzed water mist m having a small particle size.

  Electrolyzed water mist M with a large particle size that is not atomized is not transported far away by cold airflow, and adheres to the wall surface of the channel in the middle of the cold air circulation process, or stays at a specific site and leaks water. There is concern that it will be a factor. Therefore, in order to maintain a high sterilization effect, it is desirable that most of the generated electrolyzed water mist m is finely atomized.

  The dome 35 is arranged based on such a requirement, and the generated electrolyzed water mist m is carried by the air current in the dome 35 and discharged from the outlet 35b. However, since the electrolyzed water mist M having a large particle size has a large mass, it has a large inertia when it jumps out due to ultrasonic vibrations. Therefore, the electrolyzed water mist M rises directly against the air current in the dome 35 and hits the blocked ceiling surface. Touch. Then, the electrolyzed water mist M having a large particle size adheres to the ceiling surface and eventually drops to return to the electrolyzed water W2. In this way, the electrolyzed water mist M having a large particle size is removed, and only the finely atomized electrolyzed water mist m is passed through the air pipe 37 fixed to the exhaust pipe 36 and the refrigerator body 2 through the air curtain duct 13. Will be supplied.

  Next, the exhaust cylinder 36 is for collecting the electrolyzed water mist m generated as described above and sending it to the air supply pipe 37. A dome 35 is provided on the bottom plate of the cylindrical body as shown in FIG. An opening 36a that fits in is formed. Further, the fitting cylinder portion 36b extended from the bottom plate is adapted to be fitted to the inner peripheral wall of the surrounding wall 30a of the cassette base 30, and airtightness is maintained by the disposed seal packing 38. Thus, a stable fitting state can be obtained. A discharge port 36c having a taper formed on the inner surface is formed at the top so that connection to the air supply pipe 37 is possible. The exhaust tube 36 is formed of a transparent material, so that the electrolyzed water mist m flowing inside is illuminated by an external light emission source described later and can be visually recognized.

  The cassette unit E1 configured as described above is assembled to the cassette base 30 as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the cassette unit E1 is taken out from the partition space G formed by the partition walls 22 and 23 in this state, each component can be separated, so that the tap water is supplied to the water supply tank 40, the dome 35 and the exhaust pipe. 36, the diaphragm 33a of the ultrasonic transducer 33, and the water around the cassette base 30 can be cleaned.

  Next, the configuration of the electrode unit E2 facing the tap water retained in the electrolytic basin 30e of the electrolytic tank 30C of the cassette base 30 will be described. As described above, in the present invention, the electrode for electrolysis of the tap water W1 is arranged in the refrigerator main body 2 so that the cassette unit E1 can be taken out from the partition space G. In addition, this electrode must not interfere with the attachment / detachment of the cassette unit E1. Therefore, in the present invention, when the cassette unit E1 is mounted, the electrodes are unitized so that the electrodes descend to the electrolytic basin 30e of the cassette base 30 and the electrodes rise as the cassette unit E1 is removed. It became possible to engage and disengage.

  FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams showing the configuration of the electrode unit E2. The electrodes 45a and 45b are fixed to the substrate 46, and positive and negative DC voltages are applied to the electrodes 45a and 45b, respectively. The Reference numeral 47 is a water level detection sensor, which is also fixed to the wiring board 46, and detects the water level in the electrolytic basin 30e by an output signal obtained by a photo sensor or the like as the float 47a rises and falls.

  The electrodes 45a and 45b and the water level detection sensor 47 are accommodated in a holder 48 formed of an insulating material, and window holes 48a and 48b are formed so that the tap water W1 flows into the holder 48. Thereby, since the electrodes 45a and 45b are surrounded by the holder 48, safety against electric shock and the like can be improved. Also, calcium and the like are gradually deposited on the electrodes 45a and 45b to form a scale, which can be removed by reversing the direction in which the DC voltage is applied. In this case, the removed scale falls from the window hole 48 b formed in the bottom of the holder 48, and can be collected in the electrolytic basin 30 e of the cassette base 30.

  The electrode unit E2 configured in this way must be in a state where the main portion is immersed in the electrolytic basin 30e as shown in FIG. 4, but if the state shown in FIG. Since the side wall contacts the holder 48, the cassette unit E1 cannot be taken out. Therefore, in the present invention, the electrode unit E2 is rotated so that the main part of the electrode unit E2 can be immersed and removed from the electrolytic basin 30e.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a mechanism for rotating the electrode unit E2. A shaft 49 is fixed to a bearing block 48b formed on the holder 48, and a wheel 50 that rotates coaxially with the shaft 49 is connected to a stepping motor 52. It is made to rotate with the worm gear 51 which rotates by. As shown in FIG. 11, the shaft 49 is pivotally supported by a pair of stems 53a extending in parallel from the electrode housing 53 fixed to the refrigerator main body 2, and the stepping motor 52 is fixed to the stem 53a. Yes.

  Since it is configured as described above, the main unit can be lowered by rolling the electrode unit E2 to the position shown in FIG. 4 by rotating the stepping motor 52 at a preset rotational speed. The main body can be rotated to the position shown in FIG. 12 and raised by reversing the electrode unit E2 in the position by the rotation of the set number of rotations of the stepping motor 52.

  The operation control of the electrode unit E2 is performed based on ON / OFF of the limit switch LS1 disposed in the electrode housing 53. That is, when the cassette unit E1 is mounted from the state shown in FIG. 12, the limit switch LS1 is turned ON by the operator 31 immediately before the mounting of the cassette unit E1 is completed. When receiving the ON signal from the limit switch LS1, the control circuit of the circuit board 54 incorporated in the electrode housing 53 immediately drives the stepping motor 52 to rotate the electrode unit E2 to the position shown in FIG. Descent.

On the other hand, when the cassette base 30 is pulled out from the state shown in FIG. 4, the limit switch LS1 is turned OFF, and the control circuit receiving this OFF signal immediately reverses the stepping motor 52 and rotates the electrode unit E2 as shown in FIG. The main body rises to the position and enters a standby state.
Although the electrode unit E2 is rotated by the electric mechanism as described above, the electrode unit E2 can be rotated by the urging mechanism in synchronization with the attaching / detaching operation of the cassette unit E1. .

  FIG. 13 shows a configuration in which the electrode unit E2 is rotated by an urging mechanism, in which a torsion coil spring 58 is attached to the shaft 49. FIG. Since the movable end 58a of the torsion coil spring 58 is latched to the holder 48 and the fixed end 58b is latched to the electrode housing 53, the main portion of the holder 48 is always moved upward in the direction of tension generated by the movable end 58a. Will be energized.

  A hanging piece 48c-1 is integrally formed on the bearing block 48c of the holder 48. When the cassette base 30 is mounted, the hanging piece 48c-1 is pressed by the rear end portion of the cassette base 30. As a result, the bearing block 48c is rotated accordingly, and the main portion of the holder 48 is lowered.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining such a state. As shown in FIG. 14A, the cassette base 30 advances toward the holder 48 waiting at the top dead position, as shown in FIG. When the rear end portion of the cassette base 30 presses the hanging piece 48c-1, the holder 48 starts to rotate in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. When the mounting of the cassette base 30 is completed, as shown in FIG. 14C, the holder 48 reaches the bottom dead position, and the main body is in a state of being submerged at a fixed position of the electrolytic cell 30C. At this time, the drooping piece 48c-1 faces a clearance groove 53c formed in the electrode housing 53 so that the stroke width is secured.

  On the other hand, when the cassette base 30 is retracted from the state shown in FIG. 14C, the hanging piece 48c-1 of the bearing block 48c biased by the torsion coil spring 58 follows the rear end portion of the cassette base 30. When the holder 48 rotates in the clockwise direction in the figure and the rear end of the cassette base 30 is detached from the hanging piece 48c-1, the holder 48 reaches the top dead position, and the standby shown in FIG. It becomes a state.

  As described above, the electrode housing 53 supports the electrode unit E2, but is provided with a connector 55 joined to the connector 32 of the cassette unit E1 at the lower portion so that power supply to the ultrasonic transducer 33 and drive control can be performed. I have to. In addition, one or a plurality of light emitting elements (LEDs) 56 are disposed at the tip of the upper overhanging portion, and the emitted light is emitted from the transmission window 53b to illuminate the electrolyzed water mist m flowing in the exhaust pipe 36. . Since the illuminated electrolyzed water mist m can be viewed from the see-through window 42a of the decorative panel 42, the generation state of the electrolyzed water mist m can be confirmed and a display effect can be obtained.

  As described above, the sterilization apparatus E according to the present invention is arranged in the partition space G formed by the partition walls 22 and 23, so that a design configuration having a sense of unity with the juxtaposed trays is possible. It becomes. Further, by forming the recessed portions 22a and 22b and the recessed portions 23a and 23b in the partition walls 22 and 23, the cassette unit E1 can be easily attached and detached. That is, the cassette unit E1 can be taken out with the components being integrated as shown in FIG. 12 by holding and pulling out the recessed portions 22b and 23b of the cassette base 30 with the fingertips. Further, when only the water supply tank 40 is taken out for replenishing the tap water W1, the portions of the recessed portions 22a and 23a of the water supply tank 40 can be held and taken out with the fingertips.

  Next, an example of a state in which the generated electrolyzed water mist m is supplied into the refrigerator in the refrigerator 1 in a state where the sterilization apparatus E of the present invention is installed will be described below. As described above, when the cassette unit E1 is mounted in the partition space G, the main part of the electrode unit E2 is immersed in the electrolytic basin 30e of the cassette base 30 based on the ON signal of the limit switch LS1. At the same time, the exhaust pipe 36 and the air supply pipe 37 are connected, and the electrolytic water mist m can be supplied.

  The other end of the air supply pipe 37 faces the air curtain duct 13 as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the air curtain blower 16 is driven and a circulating air flow is generated as shown by the arrows in the figure for generating the air curtain AC as shown in the figure, the inside of the air supply pipe 37 becomes negative pressure and the exhaust pipe 36 In addition, the air inside the air supply pipe 37 is sucked into the air curtain duct 13, whereby the generated electrolyzed water mist m flows into the air curtain duct 13.

  As described above, when the refrigerator door 4 is opened, an air curtain is generated at the same time to try to prevent the entry of outside air containing germs as much as possible, but it is difficult to completely prevent this. is there. Therefore, in the present invention, the air curtain blower 16 is driven on the basis of a signal detected that the refrigerator door 4 is opened, and the operation of the sterilization apparatus E is also started.

  As a result, the electrolyzed water mist m is supplied and mixed in the circulating airflow that generates the air curtain AC. Therefore, the air curtain AC generated when the refrigerator door 4 is opened contains the electrolyzed water mist m. become. Therefore, even if outside air enters into the cabinet as the refrigerator door 4 is opened and closed, the outside air is mixed with the air curtain AC containing the electrolyzed water mist m, and a sterilizing effect can be obtained. In addition, although the present Example demonstrated the case where the produced | generated electrolyzed water mist m was supplied to the air curtain AC, the air supply pipe 37 was extended also to other parts, for example, the vegetable compartment 9, etc., and electrolyzed water mist. It is easily possible to supply m.

  When the electrolyzed water mist is generated and supplied in this way, the tap water in the water supply tank gradually decreases. However, since the electrode unit E2 of the present invention includes the water level detection sensor 47, the electrolysis of the cassette base 30 is performed. When the tap water W1 in the pond 30e becomes a predetermined water level or lower, the indicator provided on the refrigerator door 4 is turned on based on the signal of the water level detection sensor 47 output as the float 47a descends, and the water supply tank The supply of the tap water W1 to 40 can be urged.

It is a front view which shows the external appearance of the refrigerator which implements this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure inside a refrigerator main body. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure inside a refrigerator main body. It is a figure explaining the structure of the bacteria elimination apparatus of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the cassette base of the microbe elimination apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the cassette base of the microbe elimination apparatus of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows a dome and an exhaust pipe. It is a figure which shows the cassette unit of the microbe elimination apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the electrode unit of the microbe elimination apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the electrode unit of the microbe elimination apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning state of the bacteria elimination apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which removed the cassette unit of the microbe elimination apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the rotation mechanism of an electrode unit. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the rotation mechanism of FIG. It is a figure explaining the attachment or detachment state of the water supply tank of the microbe elimination apparatus of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the whole refrigerator which implemented this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the control circuit part of the refrigerator of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

E ···· Sterilizer 1 ···················································································································・ ・ ・ Shelves 6 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Small freezer 7 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Ice-making room 8 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Freezer 9 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Vegetable room 10 ・ Insulated partition Wall 11 ... Back wall panel 12 ... Cold air duct 13 ... Air curtain duct 13a ... Air curtain outlet 14 ... Illumination lamp 15 ... Deodorizing device 16 ... Air curtain blower 17 ... Tray room 18 ... Suction port 19 ... Low temperature tray 20 ... Small refrigerated tray 21 ...・ Water supply tank for ice making 22 ... Partition wall 23 ... Partition wall 24 ... Cold air passage 25 ... Motor damper DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cassette unit 30 ... Cassette base 30A ... Water supply tank mounting part 30B ... Mist production part 30C ... Electrolyzer 30a ... Enclosure wall 30b- ... Side wall 30c ... Projection 30d ... Flow path 30e ... Electrolytic pond 30A ... Water supply tank mounting part 30B ... Mist generating part 30C ... Electrolytic tank 31 ... Operator 32 ... Connector 33 ... Ultrasonic transducer 33a ... Diaphragm 35 ... Dome 36 ... Exhaust tube 37 ...・ Air pipe 40 ... Water supply tank E2 ... Electrode unit 45a ... Electrode 45b ... Electrode 47 ... Water level detection sensor 47a ... Float 48 ... .... Holder 48a ... Window hole 48b ... Window hole 49 ... Shaft 50 ... Wheel 51 ... Worm gear 52 ... Stepping motor 53 ... Electrode housing 53a ... Stem 55 ...・ Connector 56... Light emitting element 60... Compressor 61 .. Cooling air circulation fan 62 .. Cooler (evaporator)
AC ... Air curtain G ... Division space S ... Refrigerator door switch

Claims (2)

A mounting portion of a water supply tank for storing tap water, an electrolysis tank for electrolyzing tap water supplied from the water supply tank to generate electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid, and the generated electrolyzed water A cassette base including a mist generating unit that generates electrolyzed water mist by applying sonic vibration is integrally configured,
A disinfection apparatus characterized in that an electrode unit facing the cassette-based electrolytic cell is disposed in the refrigerator body.   An electrode unit for electrolyzing tap water is disposed in the compartment space of the refrigerator body, while a cassette unit in which components other than the electrode unit of the sterilization apparatus are integrated is detachable from the compartment space. A refrigerator characterized by that.

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