JP6738931B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator configured to supply mist generated by an atomizing device to a storage chamber.

Conventionally, in a refrigerator, a configuration has been considered in which the mist generating means is provided in the vegetable compartment of the storage compartment and the freshness of the vegetables is maintained by supplying the mist generated from the mist generator to the vegetable compartment. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Further, such a mist generating means is used for removing harmful substances such as pesticides attached to vegetables and the like (for example, refer to Patent Document 2), or for sterilization and deodorization (for example, refer to Patent Document 3). ) Is also considered.

Japanese Patent No. 4179398 JP, 2008-116198, A JP, 2003-79714, A

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a clean and safe refrigerator that uses an atomizing device as mist generating means and can generate mist and supply it to a storage chamber. To do.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a refrigerator having a storage compartment in a refrigerating temperature zone, which is provided with an atomizing device having a mist discharge part for discharging mist, and the atomizing device is located above the storage chamber. It is installed on a partition plate, and a passage is provided below the partition plate for flowing cool air along the lower surface of the partition plate.The mist discharge part is directed downward, and the discharge port of the atomizer is below the mist discharge part. Is placed downwards and has a member below the discharge port, and the position corresponding to the lower part of the discharge port of the member is closed, while the position of the member is below the discharge port. Is provided with a mist discharge port that communicates with the discharge port, and the water on the surface of the mist discharge part is split and the mist discharged from the mist discharge part circulates through the passage from the discharge port through the mist discharge port. ..

The vertical side view of the whole refrigerator which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention. Schematic perspective view around the electrostatic atomizer installed Schematic plan view of the vicinity where the electrostatic atomizer is installed Vertical side view of water supply mechanism Schematic perspective view showing the positional relationship between the vegetable container and the electrostatic atomizer. Vertical side view of the electrostatic atomizer installation part 6 is a vertical sectional side view of the electrostatic atomizer at a position different from FIG. The vertical front view of the electrostatic atomizer part which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure equivalent to FIG. 3 which shows the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. Figure 5 equivalent Schematic perspective view of the electrostatic atomizer shown with the lid closed Schematic perspective view of the electrostatic atomizer shown with the lid open Vertical front view of electrostatic atomizer A view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The vertical side view of the electrostatic atomizer installation part which shows the 5th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the 6th Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: The state which removed the chilled case etc. and which looked at the R evaporation cover part of the refrigerator for refrigeration from the front 16 is a vertical sectional side view taken along line X1-X1 of FIG. 16 corresponding to FIG. 16 showing the seventh embodiment of the present invention. A vertical sectional side view taken along line X2-X2 in FIG. A vertical side view of an electrostatic atomizer installation portion showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention. Vertical side view of the power supply unit of the electrostatic atomizer The figure equivalent to FIG. 1 which shows the 9th Embodiment of this invention.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. First, in FIG. 1, the heat insulating box body 2 of the refrigerator main body 1 is formed by filling a foam heat insulating material between an outer box and an inner box. Inside the refrigerator body 1, a refrigerating compartment 3, a vegetable compartment 4, an ice making compartment 5 and a small freezing compartment (not shown) are juxtaposed on the left and right, and a freezing compartment 7 is arranged at the bottom. .. Of these, the refrigerating compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 4 are refrigerating temperature spaces whose interior temperatures are controlled at 1 to 4° C., and both constitute a refrigerating temperature zone storage compartment. Since the refrigerating compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 4 are storage compartments in the same refrigerating temperature zone, they are basically divided into upper and lower parts by a partition plate 8 formed of synthetic resin. The ice making chamber 5, the small freezing chamber and the freezing chamber 7 of the other storage chambers constitute a storage chamber in the freezing temperature zone. The small freezer compartment may be a temperature switching compartment in which the user can switch the set temperature. A heat insulating partition wall 9 separates the vegetable compartment 4 below the refrigerating temperature zone from the ice-making compartment 5 and the small freezing compartment in the freezing temperature zone located immediately below the vegetable compartment 4.

The refrigerator compartment 3 is opened and closed by a laterally openable rotatable door 3a, and the other vegetable compartment 4, ice making compartment 5, small freezer compartment and freezer compartment 7 are opened and closed by drawer-type doors 4a, 5a, 7a, respectively. It is supposed to be done. Each storage room (refrigerator room 3, vegetable room 4, ice making room 5, small freezing room, freezing room 7) has a door switch (not shown) that detects opening/closing of the corresponding door 3a, 4a, 5a, 7a. ) Is provided. The ice making chamber 5 is provided with an automatic ice making device 12 (ice making device) including an ice making tray 11.

A cooler 13 for refrigeration is arranged at the back of the lower part of the refrigerating compartment 3, and cool air cooled by the cooler 13 for refrigerating is provided at the back of the vegetable compartment 4 which is a storage compartment in a refrigerating temperature zone. Also, a refrigeration fan 14 is provided to supply and circulate in the vegetable compartment 4. A cold air duct 15 is provided on the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment 3. The cold air duct 15 is formed with a plurality of cold air outlets 15a, and the cold air passing through the cold air duct 15 is blown into the cold storage chamber 3 through the cold air outlets 15a.

Further, a freezing cooler 16 is arranged at the back of the freezing compartment 7, and cold air cooled by the freezing cooler 16 is a freezing temperature zone storage room at the back of the ice making compartment 5 and the small freezing compartment. A freezing fan 17 for supplying and circulating the ice making chamber 5, the small freezing chamber and the freezing chamber 7 is provided. A machine room 18 is formed in the rear bottom portion of the refrigerator main body 1, and a compressor 19 of the refrigeration cycle is arranged therein. The compressor 19 is shared by the refrigerating cooler 13 and the freezing cooler 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, an ice-making water supply tank 20 is detachably set at the left end in the lower part of the refrigerating compartment 3 above the partition plate 8, and next to the ice-making water supply tank 20 on the right side. A drawer-type accessory case 21 and an egg case 22 are provided in upper and lower two stages, and a chilled chamber 23 is provided on the right side. A chilled case 24 is provided in the chilled chamber 23. In this case, the front ends of the ice making water supply tank 20, the accessory case 21, the egg case 22, and the chilled chamber 23 are located rearward of the front end of the partition plate 8, and there is a space above the front portion 8 a of the partition plate 8. Parts are formed. This space is a space for a door pocket 25 (see FIG. 1) provided on the inner surface of the door 3a in the refrigerating compartment 3.

A water receiving container 28 is installed behind the ice making water supply tank 20 as shown in FIG. A water supply mechanism 29 for supplying water from the ice making water supply tank 20 to the water receiving container 28 side is provided between the ice making water supply tank 20 and the water receiving container 28. The water supply mechanism 29 has the following configuration. As shown in FIG. 4, a pump motor 30 is provided below the water receiving container 28, and a pump 31 is provided in the ice making water supply tank 20. It is configured to drive.

Although not shown in detail, the driving principle will be briefly described. A permanent magnet 32 that is rotationally driven by the pump motor 30 is provided at the tip of the pump motor 30, and the rotation of the permanent magnet 32 causes the pump blades of the pump 31 in the ice making water supply tank 20 to rotate. , The pump operation is performed. When the pump operation is performed, the water in the ice making water supply tank 20 is pumped up and supplied to the water receiving container 28 via the water supply pipe 33. The water supplied to the water receiving container 28 is supplied to the ice tray 11 of the automatic ice making device 12 via the water supply pipe 34.

By the way, an electrostatic atomizer 36 is installed on the front portion 8a of the partition plate 8 that partitions the refrigerating compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 4. Below, the configuration of the electrostatic atomizer 36 will be described. 6 and FIG. 7 as well. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the electrostatic atomizer 36 is arranged in the front portion 8a of the partition plate 8 at a substantially central portion in the left-right direction. A base plate 37 for installing the electrostatic atomizer 36 is attached to the lower surface of the partition plate 8, and an opening for inserting and removing the atomization unit 38 of the electrostatic atomizer 36 is provided in the partition plate 8. 39 is formed. The partition plate 8 is provided with a lid 40 that opens and closes the opening 39 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. A unit housing portion 41 for housing the atomizing unit 38 is provided between the partition plate 8 and the base plate 37.

The atomization unit 38 includes a water storage tank 43 (corresponding to a water storage portion) that stores the water W, an upper case 44 assembled to the upper portion of the water storage tank 43, and a unit lid 45 that covers the upper case 44 from above. Have The upper case 44 is provided with a conductive sheet 46, a water retaining material 47, a water absorbing pin 48, and a plurality of mist discharging portions 49.

Of these, the conductive sheet 46 is formed into a felt shape (nonwoven fabric shape) by mixing, for example, polyester fibers and carbon fibers as a conductive substance, and has water retention, water absorption characteristics, and conductivity. The upper case 44 is arranged in the upper part.

The water-retaining material 47 is made of, for example, urethane sponge, has excellent water-retaining properties and moisture absorption characteristics, and is arranged such that the upper surface thereof contacts the lower surface of the conductive sheet 46. The water retaining material 47 is formed thicker than the conductive sheet 46.

The water absorbing pin 48 is formed by twisting polyester fibers into a pin shape, for example, and is excellent in water retention and moisture absorption characteristics. An upper end portion of the water absorbing pin 48 penetrates the water retaining material 47 and is in contact with the conductive sheet 46. Further, the lower end portion of the water absorbing pin 48 is in a state of being inserted into the water W in the water storage tank 43 through the tubular portion 44 a of the upper case 44.

The mist releasing part 49 is formed by, for example, mixing polyester fibers and carbon fibers as a conductive substance and twisting them together into a pin shape, and has water retaining and water absorbing properties similar to the water absorbing pin 48. Like the conductive sheet 46, it has conductivity. A platinum nanocolloid is supported on each mist emitting part 49. The platinum nanocolloid can be supported by, for example, immersing the mist emission part 49 in a treatment liquid containing the platinum nanocolloid and firing it. The upper end portion of each of the mist emission portions 49 is in contact with the conductive sheet 46.

Further, the lower end portion of each mist discharge portion 49 penetrates the upper case 44 and protrudes downward from the upper case 44. A discharge portion cover 50 is detachably provided on the upper case 44 so as to cover the mist discharge portions 49. A discharge port 51 is formed in the discharge part cover 50 below the mist discharge part 49. A mist discharge port 52 is formed in the base plate 37 so as to be located behind the discharge port 51. The mist discharge port 52 communicates with the upper portion of the vegetable compartment 4. The discharge port 51 and the mist discharge port 52 are in communication with each other, and when the mist is discharged from the mist discharge portion 49, the mist is discharged from the discharge port 51 to the mist discharge port 52 as shown by an arrow A in FIG. Through the vegetable compartment 4.

Here, the water absorbing pin 48 sucks up the water W in the water storage tank 43 and supplies the water W to the water retaining material 47 and the conductive sheet 46. The water retaining material 47 retains the water supplied from the water absorbing pin 48 and supplies the water to the conductive sheet 46. The conductive sheet 46 supplies the water supplied from the water absorbing pin 48 and the water retaining material 47 to the mist discharging part 49. In this case, the water absorbing pin 48, the water retaining material 47, and the conductive sheet 46 form a water supply unit that supplies water to the mist discharging unit 49.

When the atomizing unit 38 is set in the unit accommodating portion 41, with the lid 40 opened, as shown by an arrow B1 in FIG. 6, after being inserted into the unit accommodating portion 41 from the opening 39, Set it to the regular setting position by sliding it backward. Further, when the atomizing unit 38 is taken out from the unit accommodating portion 41, as shown by an arrow B2 in FIG. 6, after being slid to the front, the atomizing unit 38 is lifted and taken out from the opening 39.

As shown in FIG. 7, the atomizing unit 38 is provided with a power feeding pin 54 so as to project rearward. The power supply pin 54 has a base end connected to the conductive sheet 46 via a conductive member 55. When the atomizing unit 38 is set at the regular position in the unit housing portion 41, the tip end portion of the power feeding pin 54 is inserted and connected to the connector 58 provided on the base plate 37 side. The connector 58 is connected to one end of a high voltage transformer 57 on the secondary side of the power supply device 56. Here, a negative high voltage (-several kV) of the power supply device 56 is applied to the mist emission part 49 via the conductive sheet 46, the power feeding pin 54, and the connector 58. When the negative high voltage of the power supply device 56 is applied to each mist emission part 49, the water|moisture content of the surface of each mist emission part 49 will be divided|segmented and it will come out as a fine mist. In the electrostatic atomizer 36, the counter electrode for the mist emission part 49 is not installed near the mist emission part 49.

A positioning protrusion 60 for positioning the atomizing unit 38 is provided at the bottom of the unit housing portion 41, and a unit detection switch 61 for detecting the set state of the atomizing unit 38 is provided. A lid switch 62 and a lever 63 are provided on the front portion of the base plate 37. When the lid 40 is closed, the lid switch 62 is pressed based on the lever 63 being rotated via the pressing portion 64 of the lid 40, and when the lid 40 is opened, the lid switch 62 is pressed. Is released. Accordingly, the opening/closing of the lid 40 is detected by the lid switch 62.

As shown in FIG. 7, a container-shaped filtration filter 65 is provided in the water storage tank 43, and an ion exchange resin 66 is accommodated in the filtration filter 65. The unit lid 45 is provided with a cylindrical water inlet 67 extending downward corresponding to the filtration filter 65. A water injection lid 68 for opening and closing the water injection port 67 is detachably attached to the unit lid 45. Water can be replenished into the water storage tank 43 through the water injection port 67 with the water injection lid 68 removed. A photocatalyst 69 made of, for example, titanium oxide is applied to the inner surface of the water storage tank 43. A light source (for example, an ultraviolet LED) 70 that emits ultraviolet rays is provided at the bottom of the unit housing portion 41. The light source 70 irradiates the water storage tank 43 with ultraviolet rays when turned on. The photocatalyst 69 is activated by receiving the ultraviolet rays and exhibits a bactericidal action.

As shown in FIG. 1, a lower container 72 and an upper container 73 arranged above the lower container 72 are provided in the vegetable compartment 4. The upper container 73 is formed to have a length in the front-rear direction smaller than that of the lower container 72, and is arranged on the rear side of the lower container 72. The front end portion of the upper container 73 is located below the mist discharge port 52 of the base plate 37. Then, in this state, when the mist is discharged from the mist discharge port 52 into the vegetable compartment 4, the mist is supplied to both the lower container 72 and the upper container 73.

A controller 75 (see FIG. 1) including a microcomputer is provided on the back of the refrigerator body 1. The control device 75 includes the compressor 19 of the refrigeration cycle, the refrigeration fan 14, the freezing fan 17, the automatic ice making device 12, the pump motor 30 of the water supply mechanism 29, the electrostatic atomizer 36, the light source 70, and the refrigerator body 1 It has a function of controlling the entire operation of the control unit and constitutes a control means. Especially for the electrostatic atomizer 36, the control device 75 detects that the door switch of each storage chamber detects the closing of the door, and the lid switch 62 detects the closing of the lid 40. Only when the detection switch 61 detects the set state of the atomization unit 38, the electrostatic atomization device 36 is allowed to be energized, but the door of one of the storage chambers is opened or the lid 40 is opened. Alternatively, when it is detected that the atomizing unit 38 is not set, the power supply to the electrostatic atomizing device 36 is cut off. Further, the control device 75 controls the lighting of the light source 70 for a predetermined time every predetermined time.

The operation of the above configuration will be described.
When the atomization unit 38 is set in the unit housing portion 41, the lid 40 of the unit housing portion 41 is closed, and the door of each storage chamber is closed, the electrostatic atomization device 36 is driven. A fine mist is discharged from each mist discharge part 49, and the mist is supplied from the mist discharge port 52 into the upper container 73 and the lower container 72 of the vegetable compartment 4. The mist contains hydroxy radicals having a strong oxidizing action, and the mist containing the hydroxy radicals is supplied to the upper container 73 and the lower container 72 of the vegetable compartment 4 to enable sterilization and deodorization thereof. Become. Further, the mist can be expected to maintain the freshness of the vegetables and the like contained in the upper container 73 and the lower container 72. Further, by controlling the lighting of the light source 70 for a certain period of time every predetermined time, the photocatalyst 69 in the water storage tank 43 is activated, and the sterilization action in the water storage tank 43 can be expected.

By the way, the electrostatic atomizer 36 cannot generate the mist when the water is used up, so it is necessary to replenish the water periodically. Also, if dirt such as slime adheres to the surface of the mist discharge part 49 due to use and clogging occurs, the mist discharge performance deteriorates. For example, the mist discharge part 49 is cleaned about once a year. Preferably.

In such a case, after opening the door 3a of the refrigerator compartment 3, the lid 40 of the front portion 8a of the partition plate 8 is slid to open the opening 39 of the unit housing portion 41. Then, the user inserts his/her hand into the unit accommodating portion 41, holds the atomizing unit 38 of the electrostatic atomizing device 36, slides it forward, lifts it, and takes it out from the unit accommodating portion 41. At this time, the power supply pin 54 is disconnected from the connector 58. Then, when only replenishing water, water is replenished from the water injection port 67 with the water injection lid 68 removed. When the mist discharge part 49 is also cleaned, the upper case 44 is removed from the water storage tank 43, the discharge part cover 50 is removed from the upper case 44, and the mist discharge part 49 is exposed. It should be noted that, in the case of simply replenishing water, it can also be performed by removing only the water injection lid 68 with the atomization unit 38 set in the unit housing portion 41.

After replenishing and cleaning the water, the atomizing unit 38 is assembled as before, and then the atomizing unit 38 is housed in the unit housing portion 41 and set at the proper position. At this time, the power supply pin 54 is inserted and connected to the connector 58. After that, the lid 40 is slid forward to close the opening 39, and the door 3a of the refrigerating chamber 3 is closed.

According to the above-described first embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained.
The electrostatic atomizer 36 is installed on the partition plate 8 between the refrigerator compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 4, and the mist emitted from the mist emission part 49 of the electrostatic atomizer 36 is mainly supplied to the vegetable compartment 4. It was configured to do. As a result, the mist containing hydroxy radicals having a strong oxidizing action is supplied to the vegetable compartment 4 to enable sterilization and deodorization in the vegetable compartment 4. Also, the mist can be expected to maintain the freshness of vegetables and the like.

As the electrostatic atomizer 36, since the counter electrode for the mist emission part 49 is not installed in the vicinity of the mist emission part 49, a corona discharge is generated between the mist emission part and the counter electrode. Unlike the above, it is possible to suppress the generation of harmful gas such as ozone, which is one of the problems, and improve the safety.

The electrostatic atomizer 36 has a water storage tank 43 that stores water W, and the water W stored in the water storage tank 43 is passed through the water absorbing pin 48, the water retaining material 47, and the conductive sheet 46 to each mist emission unit. It is configured to be supplied to 49. As a result, water can be stably supplied to the mist discharger 49, and the amount of mist generated from the mist discharger 49 can also be stabilized.

Further, since the water storage tank 43 can be attached to and detached from the unit housing portion 41 together with the atomization unit 38, it is possible to easily supply water to the water storage tank 43. Since the mist discharging part 49 can also be attached and detached according to the water storage tank 43, the mist discharging part 49 can be easily cleaned.

Since the filtration filter 65 is provided in the water storage tank 43, the water replenished in the water storage tank 43 can be purified and clean water can be supplied to the mist discharge part 49. As a result, it is possible to prevent clogging of the mist discharge part 49 and the like as much as possible, and prevent a decrease in the amount of mist discharged. Further, since the ion exchange resin 66 is provided in the filtration filter 65, the mineral components contained in the water W stored in the water storage tank 43 can be removed by adsorbing the minerals in the water W. .. As a result, it is possible to prevent the scale from accumulating in the mist discharge part 49 and the like as much as possible, it is possible to further prevent the occurrence of clogging, and it is possible to further prevent a decrease in the mist discharge amount. As a result, the service life of the mist emission part 49 can be extended.

In addition, the photocatalyst 69 in the water storage tank 43 is activated by controlling the lighting of the light source 70 for a predetermined time every predetermined time, and the sterilization action in the water storage tank 43 can be expected. Also by this, clean water can be supplied to the mist discharge part 49. Therefore, while using the electrostatic atomizer as the mist generating means, it is possible to generate a mist containing hydroxy radicals having a bactericidal action and supply it to the storage room, and it is possible to provide a clean and safe refrigerator. ..

Since the atomization unit 38 of the electrostatic atomization device 36 is installed on the front portion 8a of the partition plate 8, it is possible to easily replenish the atomization unit 38 with water or attach and detach the atomization unit 38. Since the mist discharged from the mist discharge part 49 of the atomization unit 38 is supplied from above to both the upper container 73 and the lower container 72 in the vegetable compartment 4, neither the upper container 73 nor the lower container 72 is covered. A mist can be supplied.

By supporting the platinum nanocolloid on the mist releasing part 49, hydroxy radicals are more easily generated in the mist emitted from the mist releasing part 49, and the disinfecting function and the deodorizing function can be further improved. In addition, since the mist emission part 49 contains a conductive material (carbon), the conductivity of the mist emission part 49 can be favorably maintained.

When any of the doors 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a of the storage rooms (refrigerator room 3, vegetable room 4, ice making room 5, small freezer room, freezer room 7) is opened, the electrostatic atomizer 36 of the electrostatic atomizer 36 is opened. Since the power supply is cut off, it is possible to prevent the user from touching the high-voltage portion and improve the safety. In this case, at least when the door 3a of the refrigerating chamber 3 is opened, the electrostatic atomizer 36 may be de-energized. Further, in the present embodiment, a lid switch 62 that detects opening/closing of the lid 40 of the unit housing portion 41 that houses the electrostatic atomizer 36 is provided, and the electrostatic atomizer is also opened when the lid 40 is opened. Since the energization of 36 is cut off, the safety can be further improved. Further, the unit detection switch 61 is provided in the unit accommodating portion 41 so that the electricity supply to the electrostatic atomizer 36 is cut off even when the atomization unit 38 is not set, so that the safety can be further improved. ..

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and different parts will be described. FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional front view of the portion of the electrostatic atomizer 77 in which the atomizing unit 78 is installed as seen from the front side. In FIG. 8, a unit accommodating portion 79 for accommodating the atomizing unit 78 is provided integrally with the partition plate 8. The position of the unit accommodating portion 79 is substantially the same as the position of the unit accommodating portion 41 in the first embodiment. The atomizing unit 78 is detachably set in the unit housing portion 79.

The upper surface opening 80 of the unit accommodating portion 79 is opened and closed by a lid 81 slidably provided in the front-rear direction. A lid switch 82 for detecting opening/closing of the lid 81 is provided in the upper opening 80.

The unit case 84 of the atomization unit 78 is in the shape of a rectangular container having an open top surface, and a water storage tank 85 (corresponding to a water storage portion) is provided inside. The water W for atomization is stored in the water storage tank 85. A container-shaped filtration filter 86 is detachably accommodated in the water storage tank 85, and an ion exchange resin 87 is accommodated in the filtration filter 86.

A unit lid 88 is detachably attached to the upper surface of the unit case 84 so as to cover the water storage tank 85 from above. The unit cover 88 is detachably attached with a water injection lid 90 which is located above the filtration filter 86 and opens and closes the water injection port 89. Here, when supplying water to the water storage tank 85, water is supplied from the water injection port 89 into the filtration filter 86 with the water injection lid 90 removed. At this time, the replenished water W is filtered in the process of passing through the filtration filter 86. Further, since the ion exchange resin 87 is housed in the filtration filter 86, the mineral content contained in the water W is adsorbed by the ion exchange resin 87 and removed. Therefore, the water W stored in the water storage tank 85 is purified in the water storage tank 85, and the purified water W is supplied to the water absorbing pin 91 described later.

A pin holding case 92 is detachably set on the right side of the unit case 84. The pin holding case 92 is provided with a water absorbing pin 91, a conductive sheet 93, a water retaining material 94, a plurality of pin-shaped mist emitting portions 95, and a power feeding pin 96. Here, the water absorbing pin 91, the conductive sheet 93, the water retaining material 94, and the mist emitting portion 95 are similar to the water absorbing pin 48, the conductive sheet 46, the water retaining material 47, and the mist emitting portion 49 in the first embodiment, respectively. It is formed by.

The conductive sheet 93 is arranged at the top of the pin holding case 92. The water retaining material 94 is arranged with its upper surface in contact with the lower surface of the conductive sheet 93. The water retaining material 94 is formed thicker than the conductive sheet 93. The upper end of each mist discharge part 95 penetrates the water retention material 94 and is in contact with the conductive sheet 93. Further, the lower end portion of each mist emitting portion 95 penetrates the pin holding case 92 and projects in a state of hanging down inside the unit case 84. The bottom wall of the unit case 84 is formed with a discharge port 97 composed of a large number of holes located below the mist discharge parts 95. The water absorbing pin 91 has an upper end contacting the water retaining material 94, and a lower end penetrating the pin holding case 92 and being inserted into the water W in the water storage tank 85.

Here, the water absorbing pin 91 sucks up the water in the water storage tank 85 and supplies it to the water retaining material 94. The water retaining material 94 retains the water supplied from the water absorbing pin 91, and supplies the water to the conductive sheet 93 and each mist emitting portion 95. In this case, the water absorbing pin 91, the water retaining material 94, and the conductive sheet 93 form a water supply unit that supplies water to the mist discharging unit 95.

An upper end portion of the power supply pin 96 penetrates the water retaining material 94 and is in contact with the conductive sheet 93. The lower end portion of the power supply pin 96 penetrates the pin holding case 92 and projects downward, and the tip end portion projects rearward. Therefore, the power supply pin 96 has an L-shape when viewed from the side, and the rear end portion is inserted into the connector 98 as the atomizing unit 78 is housed in the unit housing portion 79 and then slid backward. It is supposed to be connected. The negative electrode of the power supply device 56 (see FIG. 6) is connected to the connector 98. In this case, when the negative high voltage of the power supply device 56 is applied to the power supply pin 96, the voltage is also applied to each mist emission part 95 via the conductive sheet 93 and moisture. Based on this, the water on the surface of each mist emitting portion 95 is split and released as fine mist. Also in this electrostatic atomizer 77, the counter electrode for the mist emission part 95 is not installed in the vicinity of the mist emission part 95.

A mist discharge port 99 is formed on the bottom wall of the unit accommodating part 79 below the discharge port 97, and the mist discharged from each mist discharge part 95 passes through the mist discharge port 99. , Will be supplied to the lower vegetable compartment 4. The mist supplied into the vegetable compartment 4 is supplied from above to both the upper container 73 and the lower container 72, as in the first embodiment.
Also in this second embodiment, a photocatalyst may be provided on the bottom surface inside the water storage tank 85, and a light source that emits ultraviolet rays may be provided on the unit accommodating portion 79 side.
Also in the second embodiment having such a configuration, the same operational effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. The same parts as those of the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only different parts will be described.

As shown in FIG. 9, the atomizing unit 102 of the electrostatic atomizer 101 according to the third exemplary embodiment is, on the upper surface of the partition plate 8, behind the small item case 103 and at the ice making water supply tank 20 and the water receiver. It is installed on the right side of the container 28. The accessory case 103 is formed to have a shorter length in the front-rear direction than the accessory case 21 in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the atomizing unit 102 includes a unit base 104 fixed to the partition plate 8 side, and a unit case 105 detachably set to the unit base 104 by sliding from the front. It has and. The unit base 104 has a substantially rectangular box shape with an open upper surface and a front surface, and an L-shaped lid 106 when viewed from the side is provided on the front portion. The lid 106 is rotatable in the front-rear direction with the lower end as a fulcrum. In this lid 106, a notch 107 having an open rear end is formed in the upper portion in the closed state shown in FIG. 11, and a pressing piece 108 is provided on the right side. The notch 107 is for avoiding interference with a water supply pipe 109 described later. A lid switch 110 operated by the pressing piece 108 is provided on the upper portion of the right side wall of the unit base 104. The lid switch 110 detects opening/closing of the lid 106.

As shown in FIG. 13, a water storage tank 111 (corresponding to a water storage portion) is integrally provided on the left side of the unit case 105, and a filtration filter 86 containing an ion exchange resin is stored in the water storage tank 111. Is accommodated and the float member 112 is disposed. The float member 112 includes a float portion 113 that floats on the water W, an arm portion 114 that has a “V” shape, one end of which is connected to the float portion 113, and a permanent magnet that is fixed to the tip portion of the arm portion 114. 115, and an intermediate portion of the arm portion 114 is rotatably supported by the water storage tank 111 by a shaft 116.

Here, when the water level in the water storage tank 111 is high, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 13, the position of the float 113 is high, but the position of the permanent magnet 115 is low. When the water level in the water storage tank 111 is lowered, the position of the float portion 113 is lowered and the position of the permanent magnet 115 is raised accordingly, as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. Two magnetic sensors 117 and 118 are vertically provided in the left side wall of the unit base 104. By using the magnetic sensors 117 and 118 and the float member 112 and detecting the position of the permanent magnet 115 of the float member 112 with the magnetic sensors 117 and 118, the water level in the water storage tank 111 can be detected, and By detecting the presence or absence of the magnetic flux of the magnet 115 with the magnetic sensors 117 and 118, it is possible to detect whether or not the unit case 105 is set on the unit base 104.

A unit lid 120 is detachably provided on the upper part of the unit case 105. A water injection port 121 is formed in the unit lid 120 so as to be located above the filtration filter 86. A pin holding case 92 similar to that of the second embodiment is detachably provided on the right side of the unit case 105. The pin holding case 92 is provided with a conductive sheet 93, a water retaining material 94, a plurality of mist discharging portions 95, a water absorbing pin 91, and a power feeding pin 96. Also in this case, the feeding pin 96 has a lower portion bent rearward, and has an L shape as a whole. A connector 122 having a front opening is provided at the bottom of the unit base 104. When the unit case 105 with the pin holding case 92 is inserted into the unit base 104 from the front, the tip of the power supply pin 96 is provided. The part is configured to be inserted and connected to the connector 122 from the front. The lower end portions of the plurality of mist discharge portions 95 are located outside the unit case 105.

In the bottom wall portion of the unit base 104, a discharge port 123 including a plurality of holes is formed below the mist discharge portion 95. Further, the partition plate 8 is formed with a mist discharge port 124 (see FIG. 13) at a portion corresponding to the discharge port 123. Therefore, in this case, the mist discharged from the mist discharge part 95 is supplied into the vegetable compartment 4 below through the discharge port 123 and the mist discharge port 124.

In this case, the atomization unit 102 of the electrostatic atomization device 101 is located above the left rear part of the upper container 73 in the vegetable compartment 4, as shown in FIG. Therefore, all of the mist discharge parts 95 of the atomization unit 102 face the upper container 73 from above, and the mist discharged from the mist discharge port 124 is supplied only to the upper container 73. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a plurality of slit-shaped ventilation portions 125 are formed in the bottom portion of the upper container 74. Thereby, the mist supplied into the upper container 73 can also be supplied into the lower container 72 through the ventilation part 125.

Next, an automatic water supply structure for the atomizing unit 102 of the electrostatic atomizer 101 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 9. The ice-making water supply tank 20 is provided with a dedicated water supply mechanism 127 for the electrostatic atomizer 101. Like the water supply mechanism 29, the water supply mechanism 127 includes a pump motor 128 provided below the water receiving container 28, a permanent magnet 129 rotated by the pump motor 128, and an ice making water supply tank 20. It is composed of a pump 130 provided and rotated by a permanent magnet 129, and a water supply pipe 109 for guiding the water drawn by the pump 130 from a water injection port 121 of the atomizing unit 102 to a water storage tank 111. The tip of the water supply pipe 109 faces the water inlet 121 from above (see FIGS. 11 and 12). The water supply mechanism 127 is configured to automatically supply the water in the ice making water supply tank 20 to the atomization unit 102 by a necessary amount. The pump motor 128 of the water supply mechanism 127 is also controlled by the controller 75.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained.
Since the water in the ice making water supply tank 20 is automatically supplied to the atomization unit 102 of the electrostatic atomizer 101 by the water supply mechanism 127, the water supply to the electrostatic atomizer 101 can be automated and the user can It is possible to save the trouble of supplying water to the electrostatic atomizer 101 one by one. In this embodiment, the ice making water supply tank 20 also serves as a water storage portion of the electrostatic atomizer 101.

Since the atomization unit 102 of the electrostatic atomizer 101 is installed at the rear part of the partition plate 8, it becomes close to the water supply path for supplying water from the ice making water supply tank 20 to the water receiving container 28, and automatic water supply is realized. You can easily.

The mist emission part 95 of the atomization unit 102 is arranged so as to face above the upper container 73 in the vegetable compartment 4, but since the ventilation part 125 is formed at the bottom of the upper container 73, the mist emission part 95. The mist discharged from 95 can be supplied to the upper container 73 and also to the lower container 72 via the ventilation part 125.

The float member 112 having the permanent magnet 115 provided in the water storage tank 111 and the magnetic sensors 117 and 118 provided in the unit base 104 can detect the water level in the water storage tank 111. Along with this, when the control device 75 detects that the water W in the water storage tank 111 has been exhausted, it is possible to notify the fact. Further, since it is possible to detect whether or not the unit case 105 is set on the unit base 104, when it is determined that the unit case 105 is not set on the unit base 104, electrostatic atomization is performed. It is possible not to energize the device 101.

(Fourth Embodiment)
FIG. 14 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is different from the above-described third embodiment in the following points. That is, the switching valve 132 is provided in the middle of the water supply pipe 33 in the water supply mechanism 29 of the first embodiment, the branch pipe 133 is provided in the switching valve 132, and the tip end of the branch pipe 133 is provided in the third embodiment. It faces the water injection port 121 of the atomization unit 102 in the form.

In this case, the switching valve 132 enables switching between the case where the water in the ice making water supply tank 20 is supplied to the water receiving container 28 side through the water supply pipe 33 and the case where it is supplied to the atomization unit 102 side through the branch pipe 133. ing. The switching valve 132 is also controlled by the control device 75.
Also in the fourth embodiment having such a configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the third embodiment.

(Fifth Embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Different parts will be described.

The electrostatic atomizer 135 in this embodiment is installed in the rear part of the refrigerating compartment 3 above the chilled compartment 23 and in front of the cool air outlet 15a of the cool air duct 15. A unit base 137 accommodating the atomizing unit 136 of the electrostatic atomizer 135 is fixed on a lower shelf plate 138 installed above the chilled chamber 23.

The unit base 137 has a rear surface and a front surface that are open, and a lid 139 that opens and closes the front opening is provided on the front surface. An upper end of the lid 139 is rotatably supported by a unit base 137 by a shaft 140, and is rotatable in the front-rear direction about the shaft 140 as a fulcrum. A lid switch 141 that detects opening/closing of the lid 139 is provided on the upper portion of the unit base 137. The lower shelf 138 is provided with a stopper 142. The stopper portion 142 is for restricting the movement of the lid 139 in the opening direction, and when the user opens the lid 139, the restriction can be released. The lid 139 is formed with a mist discharge port 143 for passing the mist.

The atomization unit 136 includes an auxiliary tank 144, a plurality of pin-shaped mist discharge parts 145, a conductive sheet 146, a water retaining material 147, a water absorbing pin 148, and a discharge part cover 149. The unit base 137 can be stored in and taken out from the front.

The mist releasing part 145, the conductive sheet 146, the water retaining material 147, and the water absorbing pin 148 are formed of the same kind of material as the mist emitting portion 49, the conductive sheet 46, the water retaining material 47, and the water absorbing pin 48 in the first embodiment. There is. Each mist discharger 145 has a lower end in contact with the conductive sheet 146 and a tapered upper end directed upward. A water retaining material 147 is arranged below the conductive sheet 146. The water absorbing pin 148 has an upper end that penetrates the water retaining material 147 and contacts the conductive sheet 146, and a lower end that is inserted into the water W stored in the auxiliary tank 144.

To the water retaining material 147, one end of a water absorbing material 150 formed of the same material as the water retaining material 147 and having excellent water absorption is connected. The other end of the water absorbent material 150 is inserted into a water receiving portion 151 installed below the refrigerating cooler 13. The water receiving portion 151 is arranged to receive defrost water when the refrigerating cooler 13 is defrosted. The water (defrost water) received by the water receiving portion 151 is supplied to the water retaining material 147 via the water absorbing material 150.

In this case, the water retaining member 147 is supplied with the water in the water receiving portion 151 via the water absorbing member 150 and the water in the auxiliary tank 144 via the water absorbing pin 148. Therefore, both the water in the water receiving portion 151 and the water in the auxiliary tank 144 can be supplied to the mist discharging portion 145. In this case, the water absorbing pin 148, the water absorbing material 150, the water retaining material 147, and the conductive sheet 146 form a water supply unit that supplies water to the mist discharging unit 145.

The discharge part cover 149 is arranged so as to cover the mist discharge part 145, and has a large number of holes through which the mist passes. The atomizing unit 136 is provided with a power feeding pin 154 that projects rearward. When the atomizing unit 136 is set to the regular position, its power feeding pin 154 is inserted and connected to the connector 155 provided on the unit base 137 side. The connector 155 is connected to one end of a high voltage transformer 157 of the power supply device 156.

Also in this case, the negative high voltage of the power supply device 156 is applied to the mist emission part 145 via the conductive sheet 146, the power supply pin 154, and the connector 155. When the negative high voltage of the power supply device 156 is applied to each mist emission part 145, the water content on the surface of each mist emission part 145 is split and released as fine mist. In the electrostatic atomizer 135, the counter electrode for the mist emission part 145 is not installed near the mist emission part 145.

In the above configuration, when the electrostatic atomizer 135 is driven, fine mist containing hydroxy radicals is emitted from each mist emission part 145. The mist is supplied to the front of the refrigerating chamber 3 through the mist discharge port 143 of the lid 139 together with the flow of the cool air blown into the refrigerating chamber 3 from the cool air blowing port 15a of the cold air duct 15 (see arrow C) ). The mist supplied into the refrigerating compartment 3 is also supplied to the lower vegetable compartment 4 together with the cool air.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained.
Since the electrostatic atomizer 135 is arranged in the refrigerating compartment 3 in front of the cold air outlet 15a, the mist emitted from the mist ejecting section 145 can be supplied also to the refrigerating compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 4. Therefore, it is possible to expect the effects of disinfection and deodorization thereof. Also, the mist can be expected to maintain the freshness of vegetables and the like.

Since the defrosting water received by the water receiver 151 is also used as the water used in the electrostatic atomizer 135, the water supply to the electrostatic atomizer 135 can be automated, and the user can electrostatically atomize. It is possible to save the trouble of supplying water to the device 135 as much as possible. Water can be stored in the auxiliary tank 144 in an auxiliary manner.

(Sixth Embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Different parts will be described.

At the front part of the cooler 13 for refrigeration in the lower rear part of the refrigerating chamber 3, an R-eva cover 161 made of synthetic resin is provided via a heat insulating material cover 160 made of a heat insulating material. The R-evaporator cover 161 is fixed to the rear part of the refrigerating compartment 3 with a screw 162 (see the broken line in FIG. 16). The mounting portion of the screw 162 is covered with a seal 162a from the front. An opening 163 is formed in the heat insulating material cover 160 at a position corresponding to the front surface of the refrigerating cooler 13. A dew receiving gutter 164 is integrally provided on the front surface of the R cover 161 to the R cover 161. As well known, the refrigerating cooler 13 includes a refrigerant pipe 13a through which a refrigerant passes and a large number of cooling plates 13b, and the refrigerant pipes 13a are arranged in a meandering shape.

As shown in FIG. 16, the dew receiving gutter 164 is provided with a vertical gutter 165 provided in a portion corresponding to the rear part of the electrostatic atomizer 36 and extending in the vertical direction, and from the vertical gutter 165 to the left and the right. And an inclined gutter 166 extending upwardly. The left and right slanted gutters 166 are formed by L-shaped ribs when viewed from the side, and have a shape that easily receives dew that has condensed on the front surface of the R evaporation cover 161. The left and right slant gutters 166 are inclined downward toward the down gutter 165, and the condensed water received by these slant gutters 166 is flowed toward the down gutter 165.

A dew condensation water guide gutter 167 (see FIG. 17) is provided on the partition plate 8 forming the bottom of the refrigerating compartment 3. A rear end portion of the condensed water guide gutter 167 is connected to a lower end portion of the vertical gutter 165. The front part of the dew condensation water guide gutter 167 is inserted between the unit lid 45 and the lid 40 of the electrostatic atomizer 36 so that the front portion of the dew condensation water guide trough 167 is also inserted under the lid 40 that is slidable in the front-back direction. To extend forward. In this case, a gap is formed between the unit lid 45 and the lid 40 so that the condensed water guide gutter 167 can be inserted therein. The outlet 167a at the tip of the condensed water guide gutter 167 is arranged so as to face the water injection opening 168 formed in the unit lid 45 from above.

In the above configuration, since the opening 163 is formed in the heat insulating material cover 160 that covers the refrigerating cooler 13, the cold air cooled by the refrigerating cooler 13 can easily come into contact with the R evaporation cover 161 through the opening 163. , The R cover 161 is easily cooled. As a result, dew condensation is likely to occur on the front surface of the R cover 161. The dew condensation becomes water drops and droops down the front surface of the R evaporation cover 161, and the drooped dew condensation water is received by the inclined trough 166 of the dew receiving trough 164. The condensed water received by the inclined gutter 166 flows toward the vertical gutter 165, then passes through the vertical gutter 165 and the condensed water guide gutter 167, and from the outlet 167 a of the condensed water guide gutter 167, the electrostatic atomizer 36. Through the openings 168 of the conductive sheet 46. The water (condensation water) supplied to the conductive sheet 46 is also supplied to the mist emission part 49, and is also emitted as mist from the mist emission part 49.
In this case, the R evaporation cover 161, the dew receiving gutter 164, and the dew condensation water guiding gutter 167 also constitute a water supply unit that supplies water to the mist discharge unit 49.

According to the above-described embodiment, since the condensed water received by the dew receiving trough 164 of the R evaporation cover 161 is also used as the water used in the electrostatic atomizer 36, the electrostatic atomizer 36 can be used. The water supply can be automated, and the user can minimize the time and effort of supplying water to the electrostatic atomizer 36.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the sixth embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Different parts will be described.

In this case, the screw 162 for fixing the R-eva cover 161 is attached to the vicinity of the refrigerant pipe 13 a of the refrigerating cooler 13. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, a cylindrical screw mounting portion 170, which is located near the left and right inclined gutters 166 of the dew receiving gutter 164 and projects rearward, is integrally formed with the R cover 161. The screw mounting portion 170, which is provided, penetrates through the opening 171 formed in the heat insulating material cover 160, passes through the vicinity of the refrigerant pipe 13a, and reaches the rear portion of the refrigerating chamber 3. Then, the screw 162 attached to the screw attaching portion 170 is attached to the inner box 172 at the rear of the refrigerating chamber 3. A seal 162a is attached to the front surface of the screw mounting portion 170, and the seal 162a covers the front opening of the screw mounting portion 170.

In the above-described configuration, the screw mounting portion 170 for fixing the R evaporation cover 161 is arranged in the vicinity of the refrigerant pipe 13a of the refrigerating cooler 13, so that the R evaporation cover 161 can be mounted via the screw 162 and the screw mounting portion 170. The cooling is facilitated, and as a result, dew condensation is likely to occur on the front surface of the R cover 161.

Also in the above-described embodiment, similarly to the sixth embodiment, the condensed water condensed on the front surface of the R evaporation cover 161 can be supplied to the electrostatic atomizer 36 through the dew receiving trough 164 and the condensed water guide trough 167. it can. Therefore, as the water used in the electrostatic atomizer 36, the dew condensation water received by the dew receiving gutter 164 of the R evaporation cover 161 can also be used, so that the water supply to the electrostatic atomizer 36 can be automated, and the user can keep quiet. It is possible to reduce the trouble of supplying water to the electric atomization device 36 as much as possible.

(Eighth Embodiment)
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Only different parts will be described.

A water supply tank lid 181 is removably provided on an upper portion of the ice making water supply tank 180 installed on the partition plate 8. This ice making water supply tank 180 stores water to be supplied to the ice tray 11 of the automatic ice making device (ice making device) 12 (see FIG. 1) and is detachably set in the refrigerating chamber 3 on the partition plate 8. It A water supply mechanism 29 similar to that of the first embodiment is provided between the ice making water supply tank 180 and the water receiving container 28 for the automatic ice making device 12.

The atomization unit 183 of the electrostatic atomizer 182 is installed on the upper surface of the rear part (right part in FIG. 20) of the water tank cover 181. The atomizing unit 183 includes a unit case 184, a conductive sheet 185 and a water retaining material 186 arranged in the unit case 184, a water absorbing pin 187 forming a water absorbing portion, and a plurality of mist discharging portions 188. ing. Among these, the conductive sheet 185, the water retaining material 186, the water absorbing pin 187, and the mist releasing portion 188 are the same materials as the conductive sheet 46, the water retaining material 47, the water absorbing pin 48, and the mist releasing portion 49 in the first embodiment. Is formed by.

The water absorbing pin 187 is formed to be long in the vertical direction, the upper end of the water absorbing pin 187 penetrates the water retaining material 186 in the unit case 184 to come into contact with the conductive sheet 185, and the lower end of the water absorbing pin 187 penetrates the water supply tank lid 181. The water tank 180 for ice making is inserted from above. The lower end of the water absorbing pin 187 reaches near the bottom of the ice making water supply tank 180. The water absorbing pin 187 has a particularly excellent moisture absorption characteristic, and absorbs the water in the ice making water supply tank 180 and supplies it to the mist releasing portion 188 via the water retaining material 186 and the conductive sheet 185. In this case, the water absorbing pin 187, the water retaining material 186, and the conductive sheet 185 form a water supply unit that supplies water to the mist discharging unit 188. Further, the ice making water supply tank 180 constitutes a water storage unit that stores water to be supplied to the mist discharge unit 188.

At the rear of the atomizing unit 183, as shown in FIG. 21, a bifurcated power supply pin 190 is provided facing rearward. The power supply pin 190 is electrically connected to the conductive sheet 185 by unraveling a conductive member (not shown). A transformer case 191 is provided in the cold air duct 15 located behind the ice making water supply tank 180, and a high voltage transformer 192 is housed in the transformer case 191, and one end of the transformer case 191 is connected to the high voltage transformer 192. The connected electrode pin 193 is provided facing forward. The electrode pin 193 is connected to the negative electrode of the high voltage transformer 192. At the front part of the transformer case 191, a protective cylinder part 194 is provided so as to surround the electrode pin 193.

In this case, with the atomizing unit 183 installed on the water supply tank lid 181, slide the ice making water supply tank 180 on the partition plate 8 from front to back (from left to right in FIG. 20). The power supply pin 190 of the atomizing unit 183 was inserted into the protective cylinder 194 and was electrically and mechanically connected to the electrode pin 193 on the high voltage transformer 192 side by setting it to the regular position. It becomes a state. In this connection state, a negative high voltage (−several kV) from the high voltage transformer 192 is applied to the mist emission part 188 of the atomization unit 183, the electrode pin 193, the power supply pin 190, a conductive member (not shown), and the conductive sheet 185. And the fine mist is emitted from the mist emission part 188 based on this. A discharge port 195 is formed in the unit case 184 below the mist discharge part 188, and the mist discharged from the mist discharge part 188 is supplied into the refrigerating chamber 3 through the discharge port 195. become. When the ice making water supply tank 180 is slid forward to be removed from the set position, the connection between the power supply pin 190 and the electrode pin 193 is released.
According to the above-described embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained.

The atomization unit 183 of the electrostatic atomizer 182 is installed on the water supply tank lid 181 of the ice making water supply tank 180, the water absorption pin 187 of the atomization unit 183 is inserted into the ice making water supply tank 180, and the water absorption pin 187 thereof is inserted. The water in the ice-making water supply tank 180 sucked up by the above is supplied to the mist discharger 188. Thereby, the ice making water supply tank 180 can also be used as a water storage portion of the electrostatic atomizer 182, and the automatic ice making device 12 and the electrostatic atomizer 182 can be operated by a single water supply operation to the ice making water supply tank 180. Water can be supplied to the two systems, and the workability of water supply work can be improved. Further, as the electrostatic atomizer 182, the water supply tank 180 for ice making can be used as a water storage unit, so that there is no need to separately provide a water storage unit, and there is an advantage that the installation space can be reduced.

(Ninth Embodiment)
Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Only different parts will be described.

In the vegetable compartment 4, below the partition plate 8 (below the base plate 37 for installing the electrostatic atomizer 36), a cover 200 is provided along the lower surface of the partition plate 8. A space between the cover 20 and the partition plate 8 and the base plate 37 serves as a cold air passage 201. As shown by an arrow D in FIG. 22, the cold air passage 201 sends cold air blown forward from the rear part of the vegetable compartment 4 to a plastic bottle 202 or the like stored in the front part of the vegetable compartment 4 to supply them. It is for cooling.

The base plate 37 is provided with a mist discharge port 203 located below the atomizing unit 38. The mist discharge port 203 is provided below the mist discharge portion 49 (see FIG. 6) of the atomization unit 38, in this case, substantially directly below, and at a position facing the cold air passage 201 from above.

In the above structure, when mist is discharged from the mist discharge part 49 of the atomization unit 38, the mist is discharged from the mist discharge port 203 of the base plate 37 to the cool air passage 201, and the cool air passage 201 is directed from the rear to the front. It is made to flow toward the front part of the vegetable compartment 4 along with the cold air (see arrow D) flowing therethrough, and is supplied into the vegetable compartment 4.

At this time, since the mist discharge port 203 is located just below the mist discharge part 49 and faces the cold air passage 201 from above, the mist discharged from the mist discharge part 49 is not attached to the inner bottom surface of the base plate 37. Collisions can be suppressed as much as possible, and mist can be prevented as much as possible from adhering to the inner bottom surface of the base plate 37 and decreasing. Moreover, since the mist discharged from the mist discharge part 49 is drawn into the cold air flowing from the rear part to the front part of the cold air passage 201, the mist easily flows out to the cold air passage 201 side, and the mist inside the base plate 37. There is an advantage that it is possible to further suppress the collision with the bottom surface and reduce the amount, and it is possible to supply a larger amount of mist into the vegetable compartment 4.

According to the present specification, in the case where the ultrasonic atomizer is used as the mist generator, the particle size of the mist is large, and the dirt component contained in the stored water of the mist generator is also scattered as the mist. There is a risk that it will be supplied to the storage room. On the other hand, in the case of using the electrostatic atomizer, the particle size of the mist can be made fine (for example, several nm to several tens nm level). An object of the present invention is to provide a clean and safe refrigerator that can generate mist and supply it to a storage chamber by using an atomizing device as mist generating means.

In the drawing, 3 is a refrigerating room (storage room), 4 is a vegetable room (storage room), 8 is a partition plate, 12 is an automatic ice making device (ice making device), 13 is a refrigerating cooler (cooler), and 15a is cold air. An outlet, 20 is a water supply tank (water storage part) for ice making, 29 is a water supply mechanism, 36 is an electrostatic atomizer (atomization device), 37 is a base plate (plate), 38 is an atomization unit, 40 is a lid, 43 is a water storage tank (water storage part), 46 is a conductive sheet (water supply part), 47 is a water retaining material (water supply part), 48 is a water absorption pin (water supply part), 49 is a mist discharge part, 51 is a discharge port, and 52 is a discharge port. Mist discharge port, 54 power supply pin, 56 power supply device, 62 lid switch, 65 filtration filter, 66 ion exchange resin, 72 lower container, 73 upper container, 75 control device, 77 electrostatic fog Atomization device (atomization device), 78 is an atomization unit, 81 is a lid, 82 is a lid switch, 85 is a water storage tank (water storage part), 86 is a filter filter, 87 is an ion exchange resin, and 91 is a water absorption pin (water supply part). ), 93 is a conductive sheet (water supply part), 94 is a water retention material (water supply part), 95 is a mist discharge part, 96 is a power supply pin, 101 is an electrostatic atomizer (atomization device), and 102 is an atomization unit. , 106 is a lid, 111 is a water storage tank (water storage part), 125 is a ventilation part, 127 is a water supply mechanism, 132 is a switching valve, 135 is an electrostatic atomizer (atomization device), 136 is an atomization unit, and 139 is A lid, 141 is a lid switch, 144 is an auxiliary tank (water storage part), 145 is a mist discharge part, 146 is a conductive sheet (water supply part), 147 is a water retaining material (water supply part), 148 is a water absorption pin (water supply part), Reference numeral 150 is a water absorbent material (water supply portion), 151 is a water receiving portion (water storage portion), 154 is a power supply pin, 156 is a power supply device, 161 is an R ever cover (water supply portion), 164 is a dew receiving gutter (water supply portion), and 167 is Dew condensation water guide gutter (water supply part), 180 water supply tank for ice making (water storage part), 182 electrostatic atomization device (atomization device), 183 atomization unit, 185 conductive sheet (water supply part), 186 Is a water retention material (water supply part), 187 is a water absorption pin (water absorption part, water supply part), 188 is a mist discharge part, 201 is a cold air passage, and 203 is a mist discharge port.

Claims (1)

In a refrigerator having a storage room in a refrigeration temperature range,
An electrostatic atomizer having a mist emission part for emitting mist is provided,
The electrostatic atomizer is installed on a partition plate located above the storage chamber, and below the partition plate is provided a passage for flowing cold air along the lower surface of the partition plate,
The mist emission part is directed downwards, and the emission port of the electrostatic atomizer is provided downwardly below the mist emission part, and a member is present below the emission port. While the position corresponding to the lower side of the discharge port is closed, a mist discharge port that is located below the discharge port and communicates with the discharge port is provided in the member,
The refrigerator in which the water on the surface of the mist discharge part is split and the mist discharged from the mist discharge part is supplied from the discharge port through the passage through the mist discharge port into the storage chamber and circulated.

Images