JP2009180448A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve freshness retention by condensing water vapor existing in an interior preserving greens such as vegetables, using the condensed water to produce the fine mist of an even stable spray amount, and spraying it in a refrigerator spraying mist by using an atomizing device. <P>SOLUTION: The refrigerator is equipped with the atomizing device 131 spraying mist into a storage compartment 107, a cooling chamber 110 producing cold air in a back face of the storage compartment 107, a partition wall 111 heat-insulating and partitioning the atomizing device 131 from the cooling chamber 110, and a partition wall heater 154 equipped with the atomizing device 131 on the partition wall 111 and preventing dew condensation in the storage compartment, and an atomizing device heater 158 carrying out the temperature control of the atomizing device 131. The partition wall heater 154 and the atomizing device heater 158 are equipped with separate heater wires, and individually controlled to perform stable mist spray. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator in which an atomizing device is installed in a storage room space for storing vegetables and the like.

  Factors that affect the decline in freshness of vegetables include temperature, humidity, environmental gas, microorganisms, and light. Vegetables are living things, and respiration and transpiration are performed on the surface of the vegetables. To maintain freshness, it is necessary to suppress respiration and transpiration. Except for some vegetables that cause low-temperature injury, many vegetables have low respiration at low temperatures and can prevent transpiration due to high humidity. In recent years, refrigerators for home use have a sealed vegetable container for the purpose of preserving vegetables, cooling the vegetables to an appropriate temperature, and controlling the transpiration of the vegetables, such as increasing the humidity in the cabinet. ing. Here, there exists what sprays mist as a humidification means in a store | warehouse | chamber.

  Conventionally, refrigerators equipped with this kind of mist spraying function are those that produce and spray mist with an ultrasonic atomizer when the vegetable compartment is low in humidity, humidify the vegetable compartment, and suppress transpiration of vegetables (for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 5 shows a refrigerator provided with a conventional ultrasonic atomizer described in Patent Document 1. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the ultrasonic atomizer.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the vegetable compartment 21 is provided in the lower part of the main body case 26 of the refrigerator main body 20, The front opening is closed by the drawer door 22 with which it can be opened and closed freely. Moreover, the vegetable compartment 21 is partitioned off from the upper refrigerator compartment (not shown) by the partition plate 2.

  A fixed hanger 23 is fixed to the inner surface of the drawer door 22, and the vegetable container 1 for storing food such as vegetables is mounted on the fixed hanger 23. The top opening of the vegetable container 1 is sealed with a lid 3. A thawing chamber 4 is provided inside the vegetable container 1, and an ultrasonic atomizer 5 is provided in the thawing chamber 4.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the ultrasonic atomizer 5 includes a mist outlet 6, a water storage container 7, a humidity sensor 8, and a hose receiver 9. The water storage container 7 is connected to a defrost water hose 10 by a hose receiver 9. The defrost water hose 10 is provided with a purification filter 11 for purifying the defrost water at a part thereof.

  The operation of the refrigerator configured as described above will be described below.

  Cooling air cooled by a heat exchange cooler (not shown) flows through the outer surfaces of the vegetable container 1 and the lid 3, whereby the vegetable container 1 is cooled and the food stored therein is cooled. Further, the defrost water generated from the cooler during the refrigerator operation is purified by the purification filter 11 when passing through the defrost water hose 10 and supplied to the water storage container 7 of the ultrasonic atomizer 5.

  Next, when the humidity sensor 8 detects that the internal humidity is 90% or less, the ultrasonic atomizing device 5 starts humidification, so that the humidity in the vegetable container 1 is kept at a suitable level. Humidity can be adjusted.

  On the other hand, when the humidity sensor 8 detects that the internal humidity is 90% or more, the ultrasonic atomizer 5 stops excessive humidification. As a result, the ultrasonic atomizer 5 can quickly humidify the vegetable compartment, the humidity in the vegetable compartment is always high, the transpiration action of the vegetable or the like is suppressed, and the freshness of the vegetable or the like can be maintained.

  Moreover, the refrigerator provided with the ozone water mist apparatus is shown (for example, refer patent document 2).

The refrigerator has an ozone generator, an exhaust port, a water supply path directly connected to a water supply, and an ozone water supply path in the vicinity of the vegetable compartment. The ozone water supply route is led to the vegetable room. The ozone generator is connected to a water supply unit directly connected to the water supply. Further, the exhaust port is configured to be connected to the ozone water supply path. In addition, an ultrasonic element is provided in the vegetable compartment. Ozone generated by the ozone generator is brought into contact with water to become ozone water as treated water. The generated ozone water is guided to the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator, atomized by an ultrasonic vibrator, and sprayed to the vegetable compartment.
JP-A-6-257933 JP 2000-220949 A

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the water supply to the atomizer uses water from a water storage container in which defrost water is stored or tap water, so a defrost water hose, a purification filter, or a water supply directly connected to the water supply is used. Configurations such as a water supply path and a freezing prevention heater are required, and the configuration is complicated.

  In addition, in the above conventional configuration, when spraying mist to the refrigerator storage room, which is a substantially sealed low temperature space, in order to prevent problems caused by excessive condensation in the storage room due to excessive spray amount or spraying in a drought condition. In addition, it is necessary to realize a stable spray without unevenness, but no suggestion or disclosure has been made on the problem.

  The present invention condenses the water vapor present in the cabinet in the storage of vegetables and other fruits and vegetables, and uses the condensed water to generate and spray a fine mist with a uniform and stable spray amount. The purpose is to improve the freshness.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a refrigerator according to the present invention includes an atomization device that sprays mist into a storage chamber, a cooling chamber that generates cool air on the back of the storage chamber, the atomization device, and the cooling chamber. And a partition wall heater for preventing condensation in the storage chamber and an atomizer heater for controlling the temperature of the atomizer The partition wall heater and the atomizer heater are individually controlled with separate heater wires.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the atomizing section from being too cold, perform stable mist spraying, and improve the freshness of the food.

  Since the refrigerator of the present invention can stably supply mist to the storage room with a simple configuration, the quality of the refrigerator can be improved while further improving the reliability of the refrigerator. In addition, it is possible to realize a rational configuration in which the atomizing device heater can prevent the condensation of the arrangement portion of the atomizing device that is difficult to arrange the partition wall heater and easily causes condensation.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an atomizing device that sprays mist in a storage chamber, a cooling chamber that generates cold air on the back of the storage chamber, and a partition wall that thermally partitions the atomizing device and the cooling chamber. And a partition wall heater for preventing condensation in the storage chamber and an atomizer heater for controlling the temperature of the atomizer, the partition wall having the atomizer on the partition wall, As the heater and the atomizer heater, the atomizer heater is disposed in a region where the partition wall heater is disposed, and is individually controlled.

  As a result, the atomizer heater can be energized independently of the heater that is energized to prevent dew condensation in the storage room, so that the atomizer can be controlled at an appropriate temperature, and stable mist spraying can be performed. The atomizing device heater can prevent the condensation of the arrangement portion of the atomizing device which is difficult to install the wall heater and easily causes condensation.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the back of the atomizing device for spraying mist, in the vicinity of the cooling pin connected to the atomizing electrode and cooled by the cool air in the cooling chamber. An atomizer heater is arranged.

  As a result, a heater is attached in the vicinity of the cooling pin connected to the atomizing electrode that condenses moisture and sprays mist, so that the temperature of the cooling pin can be maintained at an appropriate temperature and the temperature of the atomizing electrode can be adjusted and adhered. Adjust the amount of water to prevent excessive condensation.

  The invention according to claim 3 is further applied to the atomizing device heater from the back surface of the atomizing device for spraying mist to the side surface of the atomizing portion connected to the atomizing electrode. It is a thing.

  Thereby, the space temperature of the atomization part can be raised, the amount of adhering water can be adjusted, and further stable mist spraying can be realized.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the atomizer heater is an aluminum foil heater in which a heater wire is bonded to an aluminum foil.

  Thereby, a heater can be affixed freely along the shape of the atomizer, and more stable mist spray can be ensured.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the conventional example or the embodiments described above, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a cross section when the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of the present invention is cut left and right. FIG. 2 is a front view of a main part showing the back surface of the vegetable room in the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.

  In the figure, a heat insulating box 101 which is a refrigerator main body of the refrigerator 100 includes an outer box 102 mainly using a steel plate, an inner box 103 formed of a resin such as ABS, and the outer box 102 and the inner box 103. It is comprised with foaming heat insulating materials, such as hard foaming urethane etc. which are foam-filled in the space of this, is heat-insulated with the circumference | surroundings, and is thermally insulated by the partition wall in the several storage chamber. A refrigeration chamber 104 as a first storage chamber is provided at the top, and a switching chamber 105 as a fourth storage chamber and an ice making chamber 106 as a fifth storage chamber are provided side by side below the refrigeration chamber 104. A vegetable room 107 as a second storage room is arranged below the chamber 105 and the ice making room 106, and a freezing room 108 as a third storage room is arranged at the bottom.

  The refrigerated room 104 is normally set to 1 ° C. to 5 ° C. at the lower limit of the temperature at which it does not freeze for refrigerated storage, and the vegetable room 107 is set to 2 ° C. to 7 ° C., which is set at a temperature that is the same as or slightly higher than that of the refrigerated room 104. The freezer compartment 108 is set in a freezing temperature zone, and is usually set at −22 ° C. to −15 ° C. for frozen storage, but for example, −30 ° C. or −25 ° C. to improve the frozen storage state. It may be set at a low temperature.

  The switching chamber 105 is not only refrigerated set at 1 ° C to 5 ° C, vegetable set at 2 ° C to 7 ° C, and frozen at a temperature set at -22 ° C to -15 ° C. It is possible to switch to a preset temperature range between the freezing temperature ranges. The switching chamber 105 is a storage chamber provided with an independent door arranged in parallel with the ice making chamber 106, and is often provided with a drawer-type door.

  In this embodiment, the switching chamber 105 is a storage room including the temperature range of refrigeration and freezing. However, the refrigeration is performed by the refrigeration room 104 and the vegetable room 107, and the freezing is performed by the freezing room 108. A storage room specialized for switching only the temperature zone in the middle of freezing may be used. Moreover, the storage room fixed to the specific temperature range may be sufficient.

  The ice making chamber 106 creates ice with an automatic ice maker (not shown) provided in the upper part of the room with water sent from a water storage tank (not shown) in the refrigerated room 104, and an ice storage container ( (Not shown).

  The top surface portion of the heat insulating box 101 has a stepped recess shape toward the back of the refrigerator. A machine chamber 101a is formed in the stepped recess, and the compressor 109, moisture is formed in the machine chamber 101a. Houses high pressure side components of the refrigeration cycle such as a dryer (not shown) for removal. That is, the machine room 101 a in which the compressor 109 is disposed is formed by biting into the uppermost rear region in the refrigerator compartment 104.

  By providing the machine room 101a in the rear region of the uppermost storage room of the heat insulation box 101 that is difficult to reach and is a dead space, the compressor 109 is arranged, so that the user can use the heat insulation box in a conventional refrigerator. The space in the machine room at the bottom of the body 101 can be effectively converted as the storage room capacity, and the storage performance and usability can be greatly improved.

  In the present embodiment, the matter relating to the main part of the invention described below is a type in which a compressor room is provided by providing a machine room in the rear region of the lowermost storage room of the heat insulating box 101, which has been generally used conventionally. It may be applied to other refrigerators.

  A cooling chamber 110 that generates cold air is provided on the back of the vegetable compartment 107 and the freezing chamber 108, and is partitioned from an air passage 141. Between these air passages 141 is a cool air conveying air passage 141 to each chamber having heat insulation properties. A rear partition wall 111 configured to thermally insulate each storage room is configured. In addition, a partition plate 161 for separating the freezing chamber discharge air passage 141 and the cooling chamber 110 is provided. In the cooling chamber 110, a cooler 112 is disposed, and in the upper space of the cooler 112, the cold air cooled by the cooler 112 by a forced convection method is stored in the refrigerator 104, the switching chamber 105, the ice making chamber 106, the vegetables. A cooling fan 113 for blowing air to the chamber 107 and the freezing chamber 108 is disposed.

  Further, a radiant heater 114 made of a glass tube is provided in the lower space of the cooler 112 for defrosting the frost and ice adhering to the cooler 112 and its surroundings during cooling, and further, the lower part is generated during the defrosting. A drain pan 115 for receiving defrosted water, a drain tube 116 penetrating from the deepest part to the outside of the warehouse are configured, and an evaporating dish 117 is configured outside the downstream side of the warehouse.

  In the vegetable compartment 107, a lower storage container 119 placed on a frame attached to the drawer door 118 of the vegetable compartment 107 and an upper storage container 120 placed on the lower storage container 119 are arranged.

  A lid 122 for mainly sealing the upper storage container 120 in a state where the drawer door 118 is closed is held by the first partition wall 123 and the inner box 103 at the top of the vegetable compartment. With the drawer door 118 closed, the left and right sides and the back side of the top surface of the lid body 122 and the upper storage container 120 are in close contact with each other, and the front side of the top surface is in close contact. Furthermore, the left and right lower sides of the back surface of the upper storage container 120 and the boundary between the lower storage container 119 are provided with a gap so that moisture in the food storage section does not escape within a range where the upper storage container 120 is not in contact with the upper storage container 120 in operation.

  Between the lid body 122 and the first partition wall 123, there is provided an air passage for the cold air discharged from the vegetable room discharge port 124 formed in the rear partition wall 111. Further, a space is also provided between the lower storage container 119 and the second partition wall 125 to constitute a cold air passage. In the lower part of the rear partition wall 111 on the back of the vegetable compartment 107, there is provided a vegetable compartment suction port 126 for cooling the inside of the vegetable compartment 107 and returning heat exchanged to the cooler 112.

  It should be noted that the matters relating to the main part of the invention described below in the present embodiment may be applied to a refrigerator that is opened and closed by a frame attached to a door and a rail provided in an inner box, which has been conventionally common. I do not care.

  The rear partition wall 111 is made of foamed polystyrene for isolating the rear partition wall surface 151 made of a resin such as ABS, the air passage 141 and the cooling chamber 110, and ensuring the heat insulation of the storage chamber. The heat insulating material 152 is used. Here, a recess 111a is provided in a part of the wall surface of the back partition wall 111 on the storage chamber side so as to be cooler than other locations, and the electrostatic atomizer 131 is installed at that location.

  The electrostatic atomizer 131 mainly includes an atomizing unit 139, a voltage applying unit 133, and an outer case 137. A spray port 132 and a humidity supply port 138 are configured in part of the outer case 137. The atomizing part 139 is provided with an atomizing electrode 135 that is an atomizing tip, and the atomizing electrode 135 is fixedly connected to a cooling pin 134 that is a heat transfer cooling member made of a good heat conducting member such as aluminum or stainless steel. is doing. Although the humidity supply port 138 is provided on the lower surface of the outer case 137, it also functions as a drain hole for draining water droplets attached to the atomizing electrode 135.

  A communication hole 151a is formed in the rear partition wall surface 151 in communication with the drain hole 138, and water droplets are introduced into the vegetable compartment 107 through the communication hole 151a. At the same time, the periphery of the atomizing electrode 135 is vegetable through the communication hole 151a. The chamber 107 is configured to maintain the atmospheric temperature and humidity.

  The atomizing portion 139 is provided with an atomizing electrode 135, the atomizing electrode 135 is an electrode connecting member made of a good heat conducting member such as aluminum, stainless steel, or brass, and the atomizing electrode 135 is substantially at one end of the cooling pin 134. It is fixed to the center and electrically connected including one end wired from the voltage application unit 133.

  The cooling pin 134 as the electrode connecting member is formed in a cylindrical shape having a diameter of about 10 mm and a length of about 15 mm, and has a diameter of about 1 mm and a length of about 5 mm, compared to the atomizing electrode 135. It has a large heat capacity of 50 times or more, preferably 100 times or more. The material is preferably a high heat conductive member such as aluminum or copper. In order to efficiently transfer cold heat from one end of the cooling pin 134 to the other end, it is desirable that the periphery is covered with a heat insulating material 152.

  In the embodiment, the surface of the cooling pin is covered with a resin cooling pin cover 166 (also referred to as a cap).

  In addition, since it is necessary to maintain the heat conduction of the atomizing electrode 135 and the cooling pin 134 in the long term, an epoxy member or the like is poured into the connecting portion to prevent intrusion of humidity or the like, and the thermal resistance is suppressed. The atomization electrode 135 and the cooling pin 134 are fixed. Further, the atomizing electrode 135 may be fixed to the cooling pin 134 by press fitting or the like in order to reduce the thermal resistance.

  Further, since the cooling pin 134 needs to conduct heat in the heat in the heat insulating material 152 for insulating the storage chamber and the cooler 112 or the air passage, the length of the cooling pin 134 should be 5 mm or more, preferably 10 mm or more. desirable. However, it is desirable that the length of the cooling pin 134 is 5 mm or more, preferably 10 mm or more. However, when the length is 30 mm or more, the effect is reduced.

  In addition, since the electrostatic atomizer 131 installed in the storage room (vegetable room 107) is in a high humidity environment and the humidity may affect the cooling pin 134, the cooling pin 134 is corrosion resistant, It is preferable to select a metal material having rust resistance performance or a material subjected to surface treatment or coating such as alumite treatment.

  In this embodiment, since the shape of the cooling pin 134 that is a heat transfer cooling member is a cylinder, the electrostatic atomizer 131 is fitted even if the fitting size is slightly tight when fitting into the recess 111a of the heat insulating material 152. Since it can be press-fitted and attached while rotating, the cooling pin 134 can be attached without any gap. The shape of the cooling pin 134 may be a rectangular parallelepiped or a regular polygon, and in the case of these polygons, positioning is easier than a cylinder, and the electrostatic atomizer 131 can be provided at an accurate position.

  Furthermore, by attaching the atomizing electrode 135 as the atomizing tip on the central axis of the cooling pin 134, when the cooling pin 134 is attached, the distance between the counter electrode 136 and the atomizing electrode 135 is kept constant even if it is rotated. And a stable discharge distance can be secured.

  A cooling pin 134, which is a heat transfer cooling member, is fixed to the outer case 137, and the cooling pin 134 itself has a convex portion 134a protruding from the outer shell. The cooling pin 134 has a shape having a convex portion 134 a on the opposite side of the atomizing electrode 135, and the convex portion 134 a is fitted into the deepest concave portion 111 b deeper than the concave portion 111 a of the back partition wall 111.

  Therefore, the deepest recess 111b deeper than the recess 111a is provided on the back side of the cooling pin 134, which is a heat transfer cooling member, and the heat insulating material 152 is provided on the cooling chamber 110 side of the heat insulating material 152, that is, on the air passage 141 side. It is thinner than the other part of the rear partition wall 111 on the back side of the vegetable compartment 107, and this thin heat insulating material 152 is used as a heat relaxation member, and the cool air in the cooling chamber 110 from the back is a heat insulation material 152 as a heat relaxation member. The cooling pin 134 is installed to be cooled via

  In addition, the cooling pins 134 that are heat transfer cooling members are cooled by using the cool air generated in the cooling chamber 110, and the cooling pins 134 are formed of metal pieces having good thermal conductivity. The cooling necessary for the condensation of the atomizing electrode 135, which is the atomizing tip, can be performed only by heat conduction from the air path (cooling chamber discharge air path 141) through which the cold air generated in 112 flows, and the condensation is generated. It becomes possible.

  Since the cooling means can be configured with such a simple structure, atomization with few failures and high reliability can be realized. Moreover, since the cooling pin 134 which is a heat transfer cooling member and the atomization electrode 135 which is an atomization front-end | tip part can be cooled using the cooling source of a refrigerating cycle, atomization can be performed with energy saving.

  At this time, the cooling pin 134 that is the heat transfer cooling member of the present embodiment has a shape having the convex portion 134a on the opposite side to the atomizing electrode 135 that is the atomizing tip, and thus the atomizing portion 139. Among them, the end 134b on the convex portion 134a side is closest to the cooling means, so that the cooling pin 134 is cooled by the cold air that is the cooling means from the end 134b farthest from the atomizing electrode 135.

  Specifically, when the through-hole 165 provided with the cooling pin 134 as the heat transfer cooling member is provided with a through-hole as in the present embodiment in molding of foamed polystyrene or the like, the rigidity of the heat insulating wall is reduced, There is a high possibility that defects such as cracks due to insufficient strength or defective molding, and perforations will occur, and there may be concerns about quality deterioration.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the protrusion 162 protruding to the freezer compartment discharge air passage 141 is provided on the heat insulating material 152 of the rear partition wall 111 in the vicinity of the through-hole 165 provided with the cooling pin 134 that is a heat transfer cooling member. As a result, compared with the case where the surface on the cooling pin 134 side in the freezing chamber discharge air passage 141 is made flat, the rigidity around the penetration portion 165 is increased, and the wall thickness of the heat insulating material 152 is secured to further increase the rigidity. The shape was raised. In addition, the protrusion 162 can cool the cooling pin 134 from the back side.

  Furthermore, in order to suppress an increase in air path resistance, the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 162 is formed as a conical slope that becomes thinner toward the tip.

  At this time, if the cooling pin 134 is installed directly in the air passage (freezer compartment discharge air passage 141), there is a possibility of excessive cooling and excessive condensation of the atomizing electrode 135 or freezing.

  Therefore, a hole (through portion 165) is provided in the heat insulating material in the vicinity of the back surface of the cooling pin 134, and the cooling pin 134 is inserted there, and a material such as PS or PP, which is a heat insulating and highly waterproof material around it. By installing a cooling pin cover 166 formed of resin, heat insulation is ensured.

  Further, instead of the cooling pin cover 166, a heat insulating insulating tape or urethane foam may be used.

  Although not shown, if a cushioning material such as an insulating tape or urethane foam is provided between the hole (penetrating portion 165) and the cooling pin cover 166 to ensure sealing performance, the cool air from the freezer compartment discharge air passage 141 can be further cooled. Can be more effectively prevented from entering the periphery of the cooling pin 134.

  Further, although not shown in the figure, the cold air is more effectively blocked by applying a tape or the like to the opening 167 of the penetrating portion 165.

  Further, a donut disk-shaped counter electrode 136 is attached to the storage chamber (vegetable chamber 107) side at a position facing the atomizing electrode 135 so as to maintain a certain distance from the tip of the atomizing electrode 135, and the extension A spray port 132 is formed.

  Further, a voltage application unit 133 is configured in the vicinity of the atomization unit 139, and the negative potential side of the voltage application unit 133 that generates a high voltage is electrically connected to the atomization electrode 135 and the positive potential side is electrically connected to the counter electrode 136, respectively. Yes.

  In the vicinity of the atomizing electrode 135, discharge always occurs due to the mist spraying, and therefore, there is a possibility that the tip of the atomizing electrode 135 is worn. Since the refrigerator 100 generally operates for a long period of 10 years or longer, the surface of the atomizing electrode 135 needs to have a tough surface treatment. For example, nickel plating, gold plating, or platinum plating is used. It is desirable.

  The counter electrode 136 is made of, for example, stainless steel, and it is necessary to ensure its long-term reliability. In particular, in order to prevent foreign matter adhesion and contamination, it is desirable to perform surface treatment such as platinum plating.

  The voltage application unit 133 communicates with and is controlled by the control means 146 of the refrigerator main body, and performs high voltage ON / OFF by an input signal from the refrigerator 100 or the electrostatic atomizer 131.

  In this embodiment, since the voltage application unit 133 is installed in the electrostatic atomizer 131 and becomes a low temperature and high humidity atmosphere in the storage room (vegetable room 107), on the substrate surface of the voltage application unit 133, Applying bold material and coating material for moisture prevention.

  However, when the voltage application part 133 is installed in the high temperature part outside a storage room, it is not necessary to perform coating.

  Further, a wire heater is provided between the rear partition wall surface 151 fixing the electrostatic atomizer 131 and the heat insulating material 152 in order to adjust the temperature of the storage room or prevent condensation on the surface. A partition wall heater 154 is installed as an aluminum foil heater welded to the aluminum foil.

  Further, the temperature adjustment of the cooling pin 134 which is a heat transfer connecting member provided in the electrostatic atomizer 131 and the atomization for preventing excessive dew condensation in the peripheral portion including the atomization electrode 135 which is the atomization tip. An apparatus heater (also referred to as a cooling pin heater) 158 is installed in the vicinity of the atomizing section 139.

  Specifically, the electrostatic atomizer 131 mainly includes an atomizing unit 139, a voltage applying unit 133, and an outer case 137, and a spray port 132 and a humidity supply port 138 are provided in a part of the outer case 137. The outer case 137 of the electrostatic atomizer 131 is housed in a recess 111 a formed in the heat insulating material 152, and the front surface of the outer case 137 is covered with a partition wall surface 151.

  The cooling pin heater 158 is affixed as an aluminum foil heater in which a wire heater is welded to the aluminum foil between the outer case 137 and the recess 111a on the surface of the outer case 137 housed in the recess 111a.

  The aluminum foil 158 a of the cooling pin heater 158 is attached from the peripheral portion of the cooling pin 134 to the side surface of the outer case 137 that covers the atomizing portion 139, and the cooling pin heater 158 is disposed around the cooling pin 134. The cooling pin heater 158 is disposed in a region where the partition wall heater 154 is disposed. That is, since the concave portion 111a formed in the heat insulating material 152 in which the electrostatic atomizer 131 is provided is in the area where the partition wall heater 154 is disposed, prevention of dew condensation on the partition wall of the electrostatic atomizer 131 storage unit. Should be considered as a defense range of the partition wall heater 154, but it is difficult to dispose the partition wall heater 154 because of the structure.

  About the refrigerator 100 of this Embodiment comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  First, the operation of the refrigeration cycle will be described. The refrigeration cycle is operated by a signal from a control board (not shown) according to the set temperature in the cabinet, and the cooling operation is performed. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged by the operation of the compressor 109 is condensed to some extent by a condenser (not shown), and further, the side or back of the refrigerator main body (heat insulating box 101), or the refrigerator main body (heat insulating box 101). ) Is condensed and liquefied while preventing condensation of the refrigerator main body (heat insulating box body 101) through a refrigerant pipe (not shown) disposed in the front opening of the) and reaches a capillary tube (not shown). After that, the capillary tube is depressurized while exchanging heat with a suction pipe (not shown) to the compressor 109 to become a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant and reaches the cooler 112.

  Here, the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant exchanges heat with the air in each storage chamber such as the freezer discharge air passage 141 conveyed by the operation of the cooling fan 113, and the refrigerant in the cooler 112 evaporates. At this time, cool air for cooling each storage chamber in the cooling chamber 110 is generated. The low-temperature cold air is diverted from the cooling fan 113 to the refrigerating room 104, the switching room 105, the ice making room 106, the vegetable room 107, and the freezing room 108 using an air passage or a damper, and cooled to the respective target temperature zones. In particular, the vegetable compartment 107 is adjusted to be 2 ° C. to 7 ° C. by cold air distribution and the ON / OFF operation of the partition wall heater 154, and generally has no internal temperature detection means.

  The vegetable compartment 107 cools the refrigerator compartment 104 and then discharges the air from the vegetable compartment outlet 124 formed in the middle of the refrigerator compartment return air passage 140 for circulating the air to the cooler 112 to the vegetable compartment 107. It flows to the outer periphery of the upper storage container 120 and the lower storage container 119 and cools indirectly, and then returns to the cooler 112 again from the vegetable room suction port 126.

  About the location where the electrostatic atomizer 131 of the back surface partition wall 111 is accommodated, the heat insulating material 152 has a thinner wall thickness than the other locations, and in particular, the back of the cooling pin 134 has the deepest recess 111b. The thickness is, for example, about 2 mm to 10 mm. In the refrigerator 100 of the present embodiment, such a thickness is appropriate as a heat relaxation member (heat insulating material) positioned between the cooling pin 134 and the cooling means. Thereby, the rear surface partition wall 111 is formed with a concave portion 111a, and the electrostatic atomizer 131 having a shape in which the convex portion 134a of the cooling pin 134 protrudes into the deepest concave portion 111b on the rearmost surface of the concave portion 111a. It is attached.

  In the freezer compartment discharge air passage 141 on the back surface of the cooling pin 134, the cooler 112 is generated by the operation of the cooling system, and cool air of about −15 to −25 ° C. flows by the cooling fan 113 to conduct heat from the air passage surface Then, the cooling pin 134 as the heat transfer cooling member is cooled to about 0 to -10 ° C, for example. At this time, since the cooling pin 134 is a good heat conduction member, it is very easy to transmit cold heat, and the atomization electrode 135 that is the atomization tip portion is indirectly in the range of about 0 to −10 ° C. via the cooling pin 134. To be cooled.

  Here, since the temperature of the vegetable compartment 107 is 2 ° C. to 7 ° C. and is in a relatively high humidity state due to transpiration from vegetables, the atomizing electrode 135 that is the atomizing tip is at or below the dew point temperature. Water is generated on the atomizing electrode 135 including the tip, water droplets adhere to it, and fine mist is sprayed toward the storage room (vegetable room 107).

  When there is no water in the atomizing electrode 135, the discharge distance is increased, the air insulating layer cannot be destroyed, and the discharge phenomenon does not occur. As a result, no current flows between the atomizing electrode 135 and the counter electrode 136.

  Moreover, the atomization electrode 135 can be indirectly cooled by cooling the cooling pin 134 which is a heat transfer cooling member, without directly cooling the atomization electrode 135 which is an atomization front-end | tip part, and heat transfer cooling By making the cooling pin 134 as a member have a larger heat capacity than the atomizing electrode 135, it is possible to reduce the direct influence on the atomizing electrode 135 as the atomizing tip, and the atomizing electrode 135. In addition, by playing the role of cold storage, rapid temperature fluctuation of the atomizing electrode 135 can be suppressed, and stable mist spraying can be realized.

  In addition, the cooling pin 134 is cooled, and the temperature inside the atomizing portion 139 is lowered through the outer case 137, the temperature of the atomizing electrode 135 is rapidly increased, and the mist spray amount is reduced. In order not to be stiff, the aluminum foil 158a of the cooling pin heater 158 is attached to the side surface portion of the outer case 137 which is the outer shell of the atomizing portion 139, so that the temperature in the atomizing portion 139 is increased to cause temperature fluctuation. By suppressing, a stable mist spray amount can be realized.

  Therefore, the partition wall heater 154 and the cooling pin heater 158 are separately disposed on the same rear surface partition wall 111, the temperature of the vegetable compartment 107 is adjusted by the partition wall heater 154, and the atomization unit 139 of the atomization device 131 by the cooling pin heater 158. Therefore, the vegetable room 107 can be maintained at an appropriate temperature, and stable mist spraying can be realized.

  Further, it is rational that the partition wall heater 154 is difficult to dispose and the condensation pin heater 158 serving as the atomizing device heater can prevent the condensation of the arrangement portion of the atomizing device 131 embedded in the heat insulating material that tends to cause condensation. There is an advantage that a simple configuration can be realized.

  Further, the counter electrode 136 is provided at a position facing the atomizing electrode 135, and the voltage application unit 133 that generates a high-voltage potential difference between the atomizing electrode 135 and the counter electrode 136 has a stable electric field in the vicinity of the atomizing electrode 135. The atomization phenomenon and the spraying direction are determined, the accuracy of the fine mist sprayed in the storage containers (lower storage container 119, upper storage container 120) can be further increased, and the accuracy of the atomization unit 139 is improved. The electrostatic atomizer 131 with high reliability can be provided.

  Furthermore, since the cooling pin 134 which is a heat transfer cooling member is cooled via the heat relaxation member (heat insulating material 152), in addition to the one that cools the atomizing electrode 135 indirectly with the cooling pin 134 as described above, The energization of the cooling pin heater 158 can prevent the atomization electrode 135 as the atomization tip from being extremely cooled.

  In addition, the shape of the cooling pin 134 that is a heat transfer cooling member is preferably a cylindrical shape in consideration of assemblability. To be precise, a rectangular parallelepiped or a regular polygon may be used, but when the column is fitted into the recess 111a of the heat insulating material 152, the electrostatic atomizer 131 can be attached while being inclined. Conversely, in the case of a polygon, positioning is easier than a cylinder.

  Furthermore, by attaching the atomizing electrode 135 on the central axis of the cooling pin 134, when the cooling pin 134 is attached, the distance between the counter electrode 136 and the atomizing electrode 135 can be kept constant even when rotated. A discharge distance can be secured.

  The cooling of the cooling pin 134, which is a heat transfer cooling member, uses the cold air generated in the cooling chamber 110, and the cooling pin 134 is formed of a metal piece with good thermal conductivity. Necessary cooling can be performed only by heat conduction from the air passage (freezer compartment discharge air passage 141) through which the cool air generated in 112 flows.

  Since the cooling means can be configured with such a simple structure, it is possible to realize the atomizing section 139 with few failures and high reliability. Moreover, since the cooling pin 134 which is a heat transfer cooling member and the atomization electrode 135 which is an atomization front-end | tip part can be cooled using the cooling source of a refrigerating cycle, atomization can be performed with energy saving.

  About the structure of the cooling pin 134 which is the convex part 134a of the atomization part 139, the penetration part 165 which is a through-hole is provided in the heat insulating material 152, the cooling pin 134 is inserted in the location, and the cooling pin cover 166 is provided in the circumference | surroundings. Thus, the heat insulating material 152 can be easily molded while ensuring the cooling ability to the cooling pins 134 that are heat transfer cooling members.

  Further, by covering the side surface and the back surface portion of the cooling pin 134 as a heat transfer cooling member with the integrally formed cooling pin cover 166, the cool air from the freezer compartment discharge air passage 141 disposed on the back surface portion is provided. Is more effectively prevented from entering the periphery of the cooling pin 134.

  Further, there is no gap between the cooling pin cover 166 and the penetrating portion 165, and the opening of the penetrating portion 165 blocks intrusion of cold air from an adjacent section by tape or the like, and further energizes the cooling pin heater 158. Further, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of dew condensation or abnormal low temperature in the storage room (vegetable room 107) and its peripheral parts without leaking low-temperature cold air into the cabinet.

  In this way, when cooling by the cooling means, the cooling pin 134 is made larger by cooling from the end 134b side that is the farthest part from the atomizing electrode 135 of the cooling pin 134 that is a heat transfer cooling member. After the heat capacity is cooled, the atomization electrode 135 as the atomization tip is cooled by the cooling pin 134 as the heat transfer cooling member, so that the temperature change of the cooling means is the atomization electrode 135 as the atomization tip. It is possible to further reduce the direct large influence on the mist, and to realize a stable mist spray with a smaller fluctuation load.

  Further, the rear partition wall 111 to which the atomizing portion 139 is attached has a concave portion 111a in a part on the storage chamber (vegetable chamber 107) side, and the atomizing portion 139 having the convex portion 134a in the concave portion 111a is provided. By being inserted, the heat insulating material 152 constituting the rear partition wall 111 of the storage room (vegetable room 107) can be used as a heat relaxation member, and further, the mist that is the atomization tip is energized by the cooling pin heater 158. The atomizing electrode 135 can be appropriately cooled, and the atomizing portion 139 can be configured more simply.

  In addition, since there is a recess 111a in a part of the vegetable compartment 107 and the atomizing portion 139 is inserted there, there is no effect on the storage amount for storing fruits and vegetables, and the heat transfer cooling member The cooling pin 134 can be reliably cooled, and the wall thickness that can ensure heat insulation can be secured for the other portions, so that condensation in the outer case 137 can be prevented and reliability can be improved. it can.

  Further, since the storage room (vegetable room 107) is in a high humidity environment and the humidity may affect the cooling pin 134 which is a heat transfer cooling member, the cooling pin 134 is resistant to corrosion and rust. Since surface treatment and coating such as a high performance metal material or alumite treatment are performed, rust and the like are not generated, an increase in surface thermal resistance is suppressed, and stable heat conduction can be secured.

  When fine mist is sprayed from the atomizing electrode 135, an ion wind is generated. At this time, since highly humid air newly flows into the atomizing electrode 135 in the outer case 137 from the humidity supply port 138 provided in the outer case 137, it can be continuously sprayed.

  The fine mist generated in the atomizing electrode 135 is mainly sprayed into the lower storage container 119, but is very diffusible due to very small particles, and the fine mist reaches the upper storage container 120. Since the fine mist to be sprayed is generated by high-pressure discharge, it has a negative charge. On the other hand, among the vegetables which are fruits and vegetables, green vegetable leaves and fruits are also stored in the vegetable room 107, and these fruits and vegetables are more susceptible to wilt due to transpiration or transpiration during storage. Some vegetables and fruits stored in the vegetable compartment usually have a slight charge due to transpiration at the time of purchase return or transpiration during storage, and have a positive charge. Therefore, the atomized mist is easy to gather on the surface of vegetables, and this improves the freshness.

  Further, defrosting hoses and purification filters for supplying water for mist spraying by causing the atomization electrode 135 to condense excessive water vapor in the storage room (vegetable room 107), attach water droplets, and spray mist. In addition, a water supply path directly connected to a water supply, a water storage tank, etc. are not required, and no water supply means such as a pump is used. ) Can be supplied.

  Since the fine mist can be stably supplied to the storage room (vegetable room 107) with such a simple structure, the possibility of failure of the refrigerator 100 can be greatly reduced, and the reliability is further improved. The quality of the refrigerator 100 can be improved above.

  In addition, since a water storage tank is unnecessary, there is no need to provide a water level sensor for the destruction of ultrasonic elements due to lack of water, which is necessary when using a water storage tank. An apparatus can be provided.

  Furthermore, since the portion in which the voltage application unit 133 is housed is also embedded in the rear partition wall 111 and cooled, the temperature rise of the substrate can be suppressed. Thereby, the temperature influence in the storage room (vegetable room 107) can be reduced.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, the cooler 112 for cooling each store room 104,105,106,107,108, the cooling chamber 110 provided with the cooler 112, and a store room (vegetable room 107) are thermally insulated. The rear surface partition wall 111 is provided, and the electrostatic atomizer 131 is attached to the rear surface partition wall 111, thereby reducing the storage volume by installing it in the gap in the storage room (vegetable room 107). Moreover, since it cannot be easily touched by a person by being attached to the back surface, safety is improved.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, the heat-transfer cooling member (cooling pin 134) connected to the atomization electrode 135 which is the atomization front-end | tip part of the electrostatic atomizer 131 is a metal piece with good heat conductivity. The cooling means for cooling the heat transfer cooling member (cooling pin 134) uses heat conduction from the air passage (freezer compartment discharge air passage 141) through which the cool air generated by the cooler 112 flows, and the cooling pin heater 158 is attached. By doing so, the temperature of the cooling pin 134 and the atomization electrode 135 which is an atomization front-end | tip part can be set easily, and the fall of reliability, such as frost formation and dew condensation of the outer case 137, etc., can be prevented.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, the back surface partition wall 111 to which the electrostatic atomizer 131 (the atomization part 139) is attached has the recessed part 111a in a part by the side of the storage room (vegetable room 107), Since the heat transfer cooling member (cooling pin 134) connected to the atomization electrode 135 which is the atomization tip part of the electrostatic atomizer 131 is inserted there, the storage amount for storing fruits and vegetables and the like can be obtained. In addition to cooling the heat transfer cooling member (cooling pin 134) without fail, the outer case of the other portions of the electrostatic atomizer 131 can be secured with sufficient wall thickness to ensure heat insulation. Condensation in 137 can be prevented and reliability can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the air path for cooling the cooling pin 134 that is a heat transfer cooling member is the freezer compartment discharge air path 141, but the discharge air path of the ice making chamber 106 and the freezer compartment return air path A low-temperature air path such as Thereby, the installation place of the electrostatic atomizer 131 is expanded.

  In the present embodiment, the cooling means for cooling the cooling pins 134 that are heat transfer cooling members is cold air that is cooled by using the cooling source generated in the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator 100. Heat transfer from a cooling pipe using cold air or cold temperature from a source may be used. Thereby, by adjusting the temperature of this cooling pipe, the cooling pin 134 which is a heat transfer cooling member can be cooled to an arbitrary temperature, and it becomes easy to perform temperature management when cooling the atomizing electrode 135.

  In the present embodiment, the water retention material is not provided around the atomization electrode 135 of the electrostatic atomizer 131, but a water retention material may be provided. Thereby, since the dew condensation water produced | generated in the vicinity of the atomization electrode 135 can be hold | maintained around the atomization electrode 135, it can supply to the atomization electrode 135 timely.

  In the present embodiment, the storage room in which the mist is sprayed by the electrostatic atomizer 131 (the atomizing unit 139) is the vegetable room 107, but other temperature zones such as the refrigerator room 104 and the switching room 105 are used. It may be a storage room, and in this case, it can be deployed for various purposes.

  As described above, since the refrigerator according to the present invention can stably supply fine mist to the storage room with a simple configuration, it is of course performed for a household or commercial refrigerator or a vegetable storage. It can also be used for low-temperature distribution of foods such as vegetables and warehouses.

The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the cross section at the time of cutting the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 of this invention into right and left The principal part front view which shows the back of the vegetable compartment in the refrigerator of Embodiment 1 of this invention AA sectional view of FIG. BB sectional view of FIG. Vertical section of a vegetable room in a conventional refrigerator The expanded perspective view which shows the principal part of the ultrasonic atomizer provided in the vegetable compartment of the conventional refrigerator

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Refrigerator 110 Cooling chamber 111 Back surface partition wall 111a Concave part 112 Cooler 131 Electrostatic atomizer (atomizer)
132 Spray port 134 Cooling pin (heat transfer cooling member)
137 Outer case 139 Atomizer 154 Partition wall heater 158 Cooling pin heater (Atomizer heater)
161 Partition plate

Claims (4)

  An atomizing device that sprays mist into the storage chamber, a cooling chamber that generates cool air on the back of the storage chamber, a partition wall that thermally insulates the atomizing device and the cooling chamber, and the atomization on the partition wall A partition wall heater that prevents condensation in the storage chamber and an atomizer heater that controls the temperature of the atomizer, the partition wall heater and the atomizer heater The refrigerator characterized by arrange | positioning the said atomizer heater in the area | region where the said partition wall heater is arrange | positioned as a separate heater wire, and controlling individually.   2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein an atomizer heater is disposed in the vicinity of a cooling pin connected to the atomization electrode and cooled by cool air in the cooling chamber on the back surface of the atomizer that sprays mist. .   The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an atomizer heater is affixed from a back surface of an atomizer for spraying mist to a side surface of an atomizer connected to an atomization electrode.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the atomizer heater is an aluminum foil heater in which a heater wire is bonded to an aluminum foil.