WO2012039125A1

WO2012039125A1 - Method for controlling atomizing device, method for controlling discharging device, and refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2012039125A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/005276
Authority: WO
Inventors: 久美子鈴木; 橋田　卓; 山田　宗登
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2010-09-21
Filing date: 2011-09-20
Publication date: 2012-03-29
Also published as: EP2620728A4; CN103119384B; CN103119384A; EP2620728A1; EP2620728B1; JP2012088032A

Abstract

A control means (146) determines the atomized state at an atomizing electrode (135) and, based on the determination result, controls a voltage applying unit (202) and a heating unit (154), thereby controlling the difference between a dew point and an atomizing electrode temperature to have a value suitable for atomization.

Description

Atomization device control method, discharge device control method and refrigerator

The present invention relates to a method for controlling an atomization device or a discharge device installed in a storage room space for storing vegetables and the like, and a refrigerator equipped with at least one of these devices.

∙ Factors affecting the freshness of vegetables include temperature, humidity, environmental gas, microorganisms, and light. Vegetables are living things, and breathing and transpiration are performed on the vegetable surface. In order to maintain the freshness of vegetables, it is necessary to suppress the respiration of vegetables and the transpiration of moisture from the vegetables. Except for some vegetables that cause chilling injury, respiration is suppressed at low temperatures, and transpiration can be reduced by high humidity.

Recently, in order to preserve vegetables in home refrigerators, sealed vegetable containers are provided. In the vegetable container, the vegetable is cooled to an appropriate temperature, and the inside of the cabinet is humidified to control the respiration and transpiration of the vegetable. Here, there exists what sprays mist as a humidification means in a store | warehouse | chamber.

As a conventional refrigerator having this kind of mist spraying function, when the inside of the vegetable container is low in humidity, the mist is generated and sprayed by an ultrasonic atomizer, and the inside of the vegetable container is humidified to evaporate from the vegetable. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing a vertical cross section obtained by cutting a vegetable container of a conventional refrigerator disclosed in Patent Document 1 into left and right. FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the ultrasonic atomizer provided in the vegetable container of the conventional refrigerator.

As shown in FIG. 15, the vegetable compartment 21 is provided in the lower part of the main body case 26 of the refrigerator main body 20, and 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.

The 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.

Also, as shown in FIG. 16, the ultrasonic atomizer 5 is provided with 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) circulates on the outer surfaces of the vegetable container 1 and the lid 3, thereby cooling the vegetable container 1 and cooling the food stored inside. 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 in the vegetable container 1 is detected by the humidity sensor 8 to be 90% or less, the ultrasonic atomizer 5 starts humidification, so that the vegetables in the vegetable container 1 are kept fresh. The humidity can be adjusted to a certain level.

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 inside of the vegetable container 1 can be quickly humidified by the ultrasonic atomizing device 5, the inside of the vegetable container 1 is always at a high humidity, the transpiration action of the vegetables etc. is suppressed, and the freshness of the vegetables etc. is maintained. Can do.

Patent Document 2 discloses a refrigerator provided with an ozone water mist device.

The refrigerator disclosed in Patent Document 2 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 room. 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.

In the above configuration, ozone generated by the ozone generator is brought into contact with water to form 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 operation and stop of the atomizer are generally controlled by the humidity inside the cabinet detected by the humidity sensor. In this control, the atomization state in the actual atomizer cannot be determined, and therefore there is a part in which the performance of accuracy and responsiveness is somewhat lacking. In particular, in a substantially sealed and low-temperature space such as a refrigerator storage room, if the amount of spray becomes excessive, there is a problem that vegetables and the like cause water rot and the inside of the cabinet is condensed. Further, when the spray amount is small, there is a problem that sufficient humidification cannot be performed in the storage chamber, and the freshness of vegetables and the like cannot be maintained.

In addition, it is required from the viewpoint of ensuring food safety to appropriately deodorize odorous components generated from foods and to suppress the increase of microorganisms adhering to foods and the like.

This invention aims at providing the refrigerator which can be atomized efficiently with a more suitable spray amount in the refrigerator which improves the freshness retention power by spraying mist by providing an atomization part. Moreover, it aims at providing the refrigerator provided with the discharge device which generate | occur | produces more suitable ozone efficiently in the refrigerator provided with the disinfection and deodorizing function with ozone.

In order to solve the above conventional problems, an atomization electrode, a voltage application unit that applies a voltage to the atomization electrode, a control unit that controls the voltage application unit, and an atomization state of the atomization electrode are detected. A method for controlling an atomizing device for a refrigerator having an atomizing state detecting means for performing the above-mentioned control in the next predetermined cycle based on the atomization state determination of the atomizing state detecting means in a predetermined cycle. The atomization at the atomization electrode is controlled.

This makes it possible to realize appropriate atomization by controlling the operation of the atomization unit after accurately grasping the atomization state of the atomization unit.

Also, a discharge of a refrigerator having a discharge electrode, a voltage application unit that applies a voltage to the discharge electrode, a control unit that controls the voltage application unit, and a discharge state detection unit that detects a discharge state of the discharge electrode In the apparatus control method, the control means controls discharge at the discharge electrode in a next predetermined period based on a discharge state determination of the discharge state detection means in a predetermined period.

This makes it possible to realize appropriate discharge by controlling the operation of the discharge section after accurately grasping the ozone release state.

The atomization device or the discharge device of the present invention can realize appropriate atomization or discharge, thereby further improving the quality of the refrigerator equipped with the atomization device or the discharge device.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the electrostatic atomizer in the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the dew point and the atomization electrode temperature in the electrostatic atomizer for a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of a control method of the electrostatic atomizer in the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a control flowchart of the electrostatic atomizer in the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a control time chart of the electrostatic atomizer in the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the refrigerator in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a main part of the refrigerator in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of the refrigerator discharge device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the temperature dependence of the discharge current of the refrigerator discharge device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a graph showing the humidity dependence of the discharge current of the refrigerator discharge device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the discharge current of the refrigerator discharge device and the ozone concentration in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator discharge device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a control time chart of the refrigerator discharge device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 15: is principal part sectional drawing of the atomization apparatus in the conventional refrigerator. FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part of an ultrasonic atomizer provided in a vegetable room of a conventional refrigerator.

1st invention is an atomization state which detects the atomization state of the atomization electrode, the voltage application part which applies a voltage to the said atomization electrode, the control means which controls the said voltage application part, and the said atomization electrode A control method for an atomizing device of a refrigerator having a detecting means, wherein the control means is based on the atomization state determination of the atomization state detecting means in a predetermined cycle, with the atomizing electrode in the next predetermined cycle. It controls the atomization.

This makes it possible to appropriately feed back the atomization state, efficiently form an appropriate amount of dew condensation on the atomization electrode, and stably supply fine mist to the storage chamber.

Also, by applying feedback control, it is possible to suppress useless energy and to obtain an energy saving effect.

In addition, excess water vapor in the storage chamber can be easily and reliably condensed on the tip of the atomization. Moreover, the supplied mist is a nano-level fine mist, and when this fine mist is sprayed, it adheres uniformly to the surface of fruits and vegetables, such as vegetables, and can improve the freshness of food.

In addition, the generated fine mist contains ozone, OH radicals, etc., and these oxidizing powers can be used to deodorize and sterilize the vegetable surface, as well as pesticides and wax that adhere to the vegetable surface. It is possible to oxidatively decompose and remove harmful substances.

According to a second invention, in the first invention, the atomization state detection means is a current value in the voltage application unit. Thereby, the atomization state of the atomization electrode can be detected appropriately with simple means.

A third invention further includes a cooling unit that cools the atomizing electrode and a heating unit that heats the atomizing electrode in the first or second invention, and the control unit includes the fog in a predetermined cycle. On the basis of the atomization state determination of the atomization state detection means, the amount of heating by the heating means is controlled, and the atomization at the atomization electrode in the next predetermined cycle is controlled. Thereby, the atomization in an atomization electrode can be efficiently generated using the water | moisture content in air effectively.

According to a fourth aspect, in the third aspect, when the atomization state detecting means determines that the atomization rate is reduced and the atomization is not substantially performed, the water attached to the atomization electrode is frozen. The control means increases the heating amount of the heating means in the next predetermined cycle. As a result, the accuracy of freezing determination is not high, and even if it is frozen, it can be restored to a normal atomized state in a short time.

The fifth invention is the fourth invention, wherein the heating amount of the heating means in the next predetermined cycle is set to a predetermined specific heating amount. As a result, the temperature of the atomizing electrode is high after the freeze release, and it may be difficult to atomize. Even in such a case, the heater output after the freeze release should be set weakly regardless of the atomization state determination. Thus, the temperature reduction of the atomization electrode is accelerated, and re-atomization is realized early. In addition, an energy saving effect can be obtained by reducing unnecessary heater heating.

The sixth invention is such that, in the fourth invention, the heating amount of the heating means in the next predetermined period after the release of freezing is substantially equal to the heating amount before freezing. As a result, even when the heater output is far away from the heater output that finally performs stable spraying after freezing, when the temperature of the atomizing electrode after freezing decreases to some extent, the heater during stable spraying before freezing By using the output, it is possible to quickly return to the stable atomization state and avoid unnecessary heating of the heater.

The seventh invention includes a discharge electrode, a voltage application unit that applies a voltage to the discharge electrode, a control unit that controls the voltage application unit, and a discharge state detection unit that detects a discharge state of the discharge electrode. A control method for the discharge device of the refrigerator, wherein the control means controls the discharge at the discharge electrode in the next predetermined period based on the discharge state determination of the discharge state detection means in the predetermined period. As a result, the discharge state can be appropriately fed back, predetermined ozone can be generated efficiently and stably on the discharge electrode, and the ozone can be supplied to the storage chamber.

In an eighth aspect based on the seventh aspect, the discharge state detection means is a discharge current flowing from the discharge electrode to the counter electrode. Thereby, the discharge state of the discharge electrode can be detected appropriately with simple means.

According to a ninth invention, in the seventh or eighth invention, the discharge control at the discharge electrode is an application time to the voltage application unit. Thereby, the discharge amount (ozone generation amount) can be appropriately controlled by simple means.

10th invention is a refrigerator provided with the control means which performs the control method of the atomization apparatus as described in any one of 1st-9 or the control method of a discharge device. Thereby, the freshness in a storage chamber can be improved. Moreover, the disinfection and deodorizing performance in the storage chamber can be enhanced.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the conventional example or the embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the atomizing device in the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a heat insulating box body 101 that is a refrigerator main body of a refrigerator 100 includes an outer box 102 mainly using a steel plate, an inner box 103 molded of a resin such as ABS, an outer box 102, and an inner box 103. It is comprised with foam insulation materials, such as hard foaming urethane, which is foam-filled in the space between. The heat insulation box 101 is insulated from the surroundings, and is thermally insulated into a plurality of storage rooms by partition walls. The inner side of the heat insulating box 101 is a refrigeration room 104 as a first storage room at the top, a switching room 105 as a fourth storage room and an ice making room as a fifth storage room at the lower part of the refrigeration room 104. 106 are provided side by side, a freezing room 107 as a second storage room is provided below the switching room 105 and the ice making room 106, and a vegetable room 108 as a third storage room is provided at the bottom.

The refrigerated room 104 is set in a refrigerated temperature zone that is a temperature that does not freeze for refrigerated storage, and is usually set in the range of 1 ° C to 5 ° C. The vegetable compartment 108 is set to a refrigeration temperature range equivalent to the refrigeration room 104 or a slightly higher temperature range, and is set in a range of 2 ° C. to 7 ° C., which is a normal vegetable temperature range. The freezer compartment 107 is set in a freezing temperature zone, and is usually set at −22 ° C. to −15 ° C. for frozen storage. In order to improve the frozen storage state, it may be set at a low temperature such as −30 ° C. or −25 ° C.

The switching chamber 105 can be switched to a preset temperature zone between the refrigeration temperature zone and the freezing temperature zone in addition to the refrigeration temperature zone, vegetable temperature zone, and freezing temperature zone. 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 the present 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 108, and the freezing is performed by the freezing room 107. 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, and a machine room 101a is formed in the stepped recess. The machine room 101a accommodates high-pressure components of the refrigeration cycle such as the compressor 109 and a dryer (not shown) for removing moisture. 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.

Thus, by providing the machine room 101a in the rear region of the uppermost storage room of the heat insulation box 101 that has become a dead space that is difficult to reach, the compressor 109 is disposed in the conventional refrigerator. The space in the machine room at the bottom of the easy-to-use heat insulation box 101 can be effectively converted as the storage room capacity, and the storage performance and usability can be greatly improved.

The refrigeration cycle is formed of a series of refrigerant flow paths sequentially including a compressor 109, a condenser, a capillary as a decompressor, and a cooler 112, and a hydrocarbon-based refrigerant such as isobutane is enclosed as a refrigerant. Yes.

Compressor 109 is a reciprocating compressor that compresses refrigerant by reciprocating a piston in a cylinder. In the case of a refrigeration cycle using a three-way valve or a switching valve for the heat insulation box 101, those functional parts may be disposed in the machine room 101a.

In the present embodiment, the decompressor constituting the refrigeration cycle is a capillary, but an electronic expansion valve that can freely control the flow rate of the refrigerant driven by the pulse motor may be used.

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 for generating cold air is provided on the back of the freezing chamber 107. A rear partition wall 111 having a heat insulating property is provided between the air passage and each storage chamber so as to thermally insulate the cold air conveying air passage (not shown) to each chamber and each storage chamber. It has been. In addition, a partition plate (not shown) for separating the freezing chamber discharge air passage (not shown) and the cooling chamber 110 is provided. A cooler 112 is disposed in the cooling chamber 110. A cooling fan 113 is disposed in the upper space of the cooler 112 to blow the cold air cooled by the cooler 112 by a forced convection method to the refrigerating room 104, the switching room 105, the ice making room 106, the vegetable room 108, and the freezing room 107.

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. Further, a drain pan 115 for receiving defrost water generated at the time of defrosting is provided below the radiant heater 114. A drain tube 116 penetrating outside the warehouse is connected to the deepest portion of the drain pan 115. An evaporating dish 117 is disposed on the downstream side of the drain tube 116. The evaporating dish 117 is arranged outside the warehouse.

The second partition wall 125 is a member that separates the freezer compartment 107 and the vegetable compartment 108, and is made of a heat insulating material such as polystyrene foam in order to ensure the heat insulation of each storage room.

Next, the electrostatic atomizer will be described with reference to FIG. The electrostatic atomizer 131 is installed in a recess 125 a that is an attachment portion provided on a part of the wall surface of the second partition wall 125 on the storage chamber side. The recess 125a is a portion provided in a part of the wall surface in the form of a recess or a through-hole so as to be cooler than other portions.

The electrostatic atomizer 131 is mainly composed of an atomization unit 139, a voltage application unit 133, and an outer case 137. A spray port 132 and a humidity supply port 138 are provided in a part of the outer case 137. An atomization electrode 135 that is an atomization tip is installed in the atomization unit 139. The atomizing electrode 135 is disposed adjacent to a cooling pin 134 which is a heat transfer cooling unit made of a good heat conducting member such as aluminum or stainless steel and a dew condensation preventing member 140 which will be described later.

The atomization unit 139 is provided with an atomization 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. The atomizing electrode 135 is fixed to substantially the center of one end of the cooling pin 134.

The material of the cooling pin 134 is preferably a high heat conductive member such as aluminum or copper. In order to efficiently conduct cold heat from one end of the cooling pin 134 to the other end by heat conduction, the periphery of the cooling pin 134 is covered with a heat insulating material 152. A dew condensation preventing member 140 is disposed on the surface of the portion exposed to the atomizing electrode 135 side of the cooling pin 134.

The dew condensation preventing member 140 is made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than that of the cooling pin 134 made of metal, for example, resin, ceramic, or the like. Among them, a resin having a low thermal conductivity, and more preferably a heat insulating material made of a porous material such as a foamed resin as long as the strength allows is suitably used. Moreover, the composite_body | complex which affixed the resin sheet or board which is not foamed on the surface of the heat insulating material consisting of a porous body is also used suitably.

Since the cooling pin 134 is in the space in the heat insulating material 152, the diffusion of cold heat from the cooling pin 134 to the periphery is avoided, and the atomizing electrode 135 can be efficiently cooled. Further, the cooling pin 134 is covered by the condensation preventing member 140 having a lower thermal conductivity so as to cover the exposed portion on the atomizing electrode 135 side, so that the temperature drop of the corresponding surface is suppressed, and condensation on the portion is prevented. Avoided. For this reason, the dew point around the atomizing electrode 135 is prevented from lowering, and condensation efficiently proceeds to the cooled atomizing electrode 135, and fine mist is stably stored even in a low humidity atmosphere of about 0 ° C. and 50%. The chamber can be supplied.

Further, as can be seen from FIG. 2, the dew condensation preventing member 140 has a larger surface exposed portion area than the area in contact with the cooling pin (heat transfer cooling portion) 134.

Thus, the cold heat from the cooling pins 134 is diffused to a wider area of the dew condensation preventing member 140, and the local decrease in surface temperature just above the dew condensation preventing member 140 is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to more reliably avoid that the corresponding surface is below the dew point. Since unnecessary dew condensation is avoided in this way, a decrease in dew point in the vicinity of the atomizing electrode is also avoided, and dew condensation proceeds efficiently to the cooled atomizing electrode 135. As a result, it is possible to supply a stable fine mist to the storage room even in a low humidity environment.

In addition, since the area of the dew condensation preventing member 140 is increased, the dew condensation preventing member 140 can have a flange function. That is, by bringing the outer case 137 and the dew condensation preventing member 140 into surface contact, it is possible to efficiently seal cold air leakage from the freezer compartment 107 side. Thereby, unnecessary dew condensation is avoided more completely.

As a method for fixing the dew condensation prevention member 140 in surface contact with the outer case 137, specifically, an adhesive, a screw, or the like can be used.

Further, the counter electrode 136 is fixed to the dew condensation preventing member 140, and the cooling pin 134 and the atomizing electrode 135 are also fixed to the dew condensation preventing member 140. For this reason, it is also preferable that these are collectively assembled and fixed to the outer case with screws or the like. In this case, replacement of members at the time of maintenance becomes very easy. In addition, since the counter electrode is fixed to the dew condensation prevention member, the distance between the tip of the atomizing electrode 135 and the counter electrode 136 is the distance between the electrodes due to the thermal expansion of the refrigerator casing or the outer case 137. It becomes difficult to be affected by fluctuations in the frequency and control can be performed with higher accuracy. As a result, the effect of being able to more stably supply ozone and OH radicals in addition to the amount of fine mist is obtained. Moreover, since an electrostatic atomizer is formed more compactly, the effect that the space of a storage room can be used more effectively is also acquired.

The cooling pin 134 which is a heat transfer cooling unit is formed in a cylindrical shape having a diameter of about 10 mm and a length of about 20 mm, for example, and is 50 times as large as the atomizing electrode 135 having a diameter of about 1 mm and a length of about 5 mm. It has a large heat capacity of not less than 1000 times, preferably not less than 100 times and not more than 500 times. As described above, the heat capacity of the cooling pin 134 has a heat capacity of 50 times or more, preferably 100 times or more that of the atomization electrode 135, so that the temperature change of the cooling means directly affects the atomization electrode. It is possible to further ease the application and to realize a stable mist spray with a smaller variable load.

Further, as an upper limit value of the heat capacity, the heat capacity of the cooling pin 134 is 500 times or less, preferably 1000 times or less that of the atomizing electrode 135. If the heat capacity is too large, a large amount of energy is required to cool the cooling pin 134, and it is difficult to cool the cooling pin with energy saving. However, by suppressing to the above range of values that satisfy this condition, the atomization electrode can be stably and energy-saving after alleviating the large effect on the atomization electrode when the heat fluctuation load from the cooling means changes. It becomes possible to perform cooling. Furthermore, the time lag required for cooling the atomization electrode via the cooling pin 134 can be kept within an appropriate range by suppressing the pressure within the above range. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the rising of the atomizing electrode from being delayed, that is, to delay the rise when supplying water to the atomizing device, and to perform stable and appropriate cooling of the atomizing electrode.

In the present embodiment, since the shape of the cooling pin 134 that is the heat transfer cooling portion is a cylinder, the electrostatic atomizer is used even when the fitting size is slightly tight when fitting into the recess 125a of the heat insulating material 152. Since it can be press-fitted and attached while rotating 131, 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.

A cooling pin 134 as a heat transfer cooling unit 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 in the deepest concave portion 125 b deeper than the concave portion 125 a of the second partition wall 125.

Therefore, the deepest concave portion 125b deeper than the concave portion 125a is provided on the back side of the cooling pin 134 which is a heat transfer cooling portion. On the freezing chamber 107 side of the heat insulating material 152, the heat insulating material 152 is thinner than the other portions of the second partition wall 125 on the top surface side of the vegetable chamber 108. The thin heat insulating material 152 is used as a heat relaxation member, and the cooling air from the freezer compartment 107 is cooled from the back through the thin portion of the heat insulating material 152 as the heat relaxation member.

In addition, the cooling pin 134 that is the heat transfer cooling portion of the present embodiment has a shape having a convex portion 134a on the opposite side to the atomizing electrode 135 that is the atomizing tip portion, and is convex in the atomizing portion 139. The cooling pin (heat transfer cooling unit) end 134b on the side of the part 134a is closest to the cooling means, so that the cooling pin 134 is cooled by the cooling air that is the cooling means from the cooling pin end 134b side farthest from the atomizing electrode 135. Will be.

Further, a cooling pin heat shielding region 153 is provided between the cooling pin 134 and the outer case 137. The cooling pin heat shield region 153 has an action of insulating between a heating unit 154 and a cooling pin 134, which will be described later, and is formed of a cavity or a heat insulating material. Further, the heating unit 154 is disposed in the vicinity of the dew condensation preventing member 140. Specifically, it is disposed in contact with the dew condensation preventing member 140 or in contact with the adjacent outer case.

Because of these configurations, the dew condensation prevention member 140 is heated by heat conduction from the heating unit 154, and it becomes easy to keep the surface temperature above the dew point. Furthermore, the heat conduction from the dew condensation preventing member 140 can efficiently increase the temperature of the atomizing electrode 135.

On the other hand, the heat conduction from the heating unit 154 is suppressed to the cooling pin 134 through the outer case 137 by the action of the cooling pin heat shielding region 153. Since wasteful heat conduction is suppressed in this way, the heating of the atomizing electrode 135 indirectly by the heating unit 154 via the dew condensation preventing member 140 proceeds more efficiently. For this reason, temperature adjustment of the atomization electrode 135 becomes easy.

In this way, it is possible to prevent unnecessary condensation on the surface of the condensation prevention member 140 and avoid a decrease in the dew point in the vicinity of the atomization electrode 135, and to efficiently adjust the temperature of the atomization electrode 135. . As a result, it is possible to efficiently advance the condensation on the atomizing electrode 135 and to supply fine mist to the storage room (vegetable room 108).

In addition, a donut disc-shaped counter electrode 136 is attached to the storage chamber (vegetable chamber 108) side at a position facing the atomizing electrode 135 so as to maintain a certain distance from the tip of the atomizing electrode 135. 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 mist spraying. This discharge may cause wear at the tip of the atomizing electrode 135. Since the refrigerator 100 is generally operated for a long period of 10 years or longer, the surface of the atomizing electrode 135 needs to have a tough surface treatment. As the surface treatment of the atomizing electrode 135, for example, nickel plating, gold plating, or platinum plating is preferably used.

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

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

In the present embodiment, the voltage application unit 133 is installed in the electrostatic atomizer 131. Since the inside of the storage room (vegetable room 108) is in a low temperature and high humidity atmosphere, a bold material or a coating material for moisture prevention is applied on the substrate surface of the voltage application unit 133.

However, when the voltage application unit 133 is installed in a high temperature part outside the storage room, the coating may not be performed.

The operation of the refrigerator 100 and the electrostatic atomizer 131 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described 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 surface and the rear surface of the heat insulating box body 101 which is the refrigerator body, and the front surface of the heat insulating box body 101. It is condensed and liquefied while preventing condensation of the heat insulating box 101 via a refrigerant pipe (not shown) disposed at the frontage, 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 is heat-exchanged with air in each storage chamber such as a freezing chamber discharge air passage (not shown) conveyed by the operation of the cooling fan 113, and the refrigerant in the cooler 112 is evaporated. . At this time, cool air for cooling each storage chamber in the cooling chamber 110 is generated. The low-temperature cold air is sent from the cooling fan 113 to the refrigerator compartment 104, the switching chamber 105, the ice making chamber 106, the vegetable compartment 108, and the freezer compartment 107. Each storage room is cooled to a target temperature zone by diverting cold air using an air passage or a damper. In particular, the vegetable compartment 108 is adjusted to 2 ° C. to 7 ° C. by distributing cold air by opening / closing dampers (not shown) in the air passage for supplying cold air or by ON / OFF operation of heaters (not shown). Is done. In many cases, the vegetable compartment 108 generally does not have the internal temperature detection means.

In the part of the second partition wall 125 where the humidity is relatively high, the heat insulating material 152 is thinner than the other part, and in particular, the cooling pin 134 has a deepest recess. The thickness of the heat insulating material is, for example, about 0 mm to 10 mm at the thin portion. In the refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment, such a thickness is appropriate as a heat relaxation member positioned between the cooling pin 134 and the cooling means. Accordingly, the second partition wall 125 has a concave portion 125a, 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 125b on the rearmost surface of the concave portion 125a. Is attached.

Also, when the second partition wall 125 is thick or the cooling pin 134 is thin, the cooling of the cooling pin 134 may be insufficient. In this case, in order to cool the cooling pin 134 more efficiently by the cold air in the freezer compartment 107, it is preferable that the deepest recess 125b has a shape protruding toward the freezer compartment 107 having a lower temperature. Specifically, in the thinnest part of the heat insulating material 152, the thickness of the heat insulating material 152 becomes 0, and the cooling pin (heat transfer cooling portion) end portion 134b is the rear partition wall surface 151 which is the second partition wall surface. The rear partition wall surface 151 that is in direct contact with the second partition wall surface has a shape that protrudes toward the freezer compartment. The length protruding toward the freezer compartment is preferably equal to or longer than the length corresponding to about 20% of the entire cooling pin 134 volume. For example, if the total length of the cooling pin 134 is 20 mm, it is about 4 mm or more.

When the cooling pin 134 is in direct contact with the rear partition wall surface 151 as the second partition wall surface as described above, for example, when the cooling pin 134 is inserted slightly inclined, or the cooling pin 134 When the surface flatness of the tip of 134 is poor, the contact area between the two becomes small, the conduction of cold heat becomes poor, and the cooling pin 134 may not be sufficiently cooled.

In such a case, it is preferable to install a good heat conductor having flexibility between the two. As a result, the contact area becomes large and the conduction of cold heat is improved, so that the cooling pin 134 is sufficiently cooled. Specifically, a rubber in which a conductor such as carbon is dispersed, a sheet made of an elastomer material, and the like are preferable. It is also effective to apply grease or grease with a good thermal conductor dispersed between the two. In addition to increasing the contact area and promoting heat conduction, rubber, elastomer, and grease are effective for stable spraying because the rapid temperature change is suppressed by indirectly promoting heat conduction. .

The freezing room cold air that is a cooling means on the back surface of the cooling pin 134 is, for example, −17 to −20 ° C., and the cooling pin 134 that is the heat transfer cooling section is, for example, about −5 to −10 ° C. through the heat insulating material 152. To be cooled.

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 which is the atomization tip via the cooling pin 134 is also about −3 ° C. to −8 ° C. Indirectly cooled.

At this time, a portion of the cooling pin 134 exposed in the space on the atomizing electrode 135 side is covered with the dew condensation prevention member 140. Since the heat conductivity of the condensation prevention member 140 is lower than that of the cooling pin, the conduction of cold heat from the cooling pin 134 to the condensation prevention member 140 is suppressed, and the surface temperature of the condensation prevention member 140 is higher than the temperature of the cooling pin 134. Become. For example, it is about 3 ° C. to −2 ° C.

Further, since the dew condensation preventing member 140 is spread over a region wider than the contact portion with the cooling pin 134, the cold heat is also conducted through the dew condensation preventing member 140 and diffused to the periphery. For this reason, the minimum temperature on the surface of the dew condensation prevention member 140 increases by, for example, 1 to 2 ° C. Further, the dew condensation preventing member 140 extends over a region wider than a region in contact with the cooling pin 134, and is in surface contact with the outer case in the expanded region. Further, the dew condensation preventing member 140 completely seals the cool air from the freezer compartment 107 side by surface contact with the outer case 137.

Here, since the temperature of the vegetable compartment 108 is 2 ° C. to 7 ° C. and is in a relatively high humidity state due to transpiration from vegetables or the like, if the atomization electrode 135 that is the atomization tip is below the dew point temperature, Water is generated on the atomizing electrode 135 including the tip, and water droplets adhere to it.

A high voltage (for example, 4 to 10 kV) is applied to the atomizing electrode 135, which is the atomizing tip portion to which water droplets have adhered, by the voltage applying unit 133. At this time, corona discharge occurs, and the water droplets at the tip of the atomization electrode 135, which is the atomization tip, are refined by electrostatic energy. Furthermore, since the droplet is charged, it becomes a nano-level fine mist having an invisible charge of several nm level due to Rayleigh splitting. Ozone and OH radicals are generated along with the generation of fine mist. The voltage applied between the electrodes is a very high voltage of 4 to 10 kV, but the discharge current value at that time is several μA level, and the input is a very low input of 0.5 to 1.5 W. .

Specifically, when the atomizing electrode 135 is set to the reference potential side (0 V) and the counter electrode 136 is set to the high voltage side (+7 kV), the condensed water adhering to the tip of the atomizing electrode 135 becomes the atomizing electrode 135 and the counter electrode 136. The air insulation layer in between is destroyed and discharge occurs by electrostatic force. At this time, the dew condensation water is charged and becomes fine particles. Further, since the counter electrode 136 is on the positive side, the charged fine mist is attracted, the droplets are further atomized, and the nano-level fine mist containing radicals and invisible charges of several nm level is attracted to the counter electrode 136. Due to the inertial force, fine mist is sprayed toward the storage room (vegetable room 108).

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.

Although the operation and action of the electrostatic atomizer are roughly described above, the configuration, operation, and effect of the control method of the present invention using the electrostatic atomizer will be described in detail below.

First, using FIG. 3, the atomization proceeds only in a specific temperature range and the necessity of a method for controlling the temperature range will be described.

3 is the temperature difference obtained by subtracting the atomization electrode temperature from the dew point near the atomization electrode. The larger this value (the higher the dew point and the lower the atomization electrode temperature), the easier the condensation on the atomization electrode proceeds, and the atomization state changes depending on the amount of condensation. This will be described in order from the smallest temperature difference for each temperature difference.

In the region where the temperature difference is small (lower part of FIG. 3), there is little condensed water and atomization does not proceed even when a high voltage is applied. Since the amount of condensed water is small and atomization does not proceed, the value of the corresponding discharge current is almost zero.

When the temperature difference becomes large (the central part in FIG. 3), the amount of condensed water increases, and the atomization of condensed water proceeds by applying a high voltage. At this time, the amount of condensed water is moderate, and the corresponding discharge current is also at a medium level.

However, when the temperature difference is further increased (upper part of FIG. 3), the amount of condensed water increases too much, and even when a high voltage is applied to the atomizing electrode, the force due to the surface charge induced by the voltage Atomization due to splitting does not progress. This state is referred to as excessive condensation. In this case, the amount of condensation is large and the corresponding discharge current is also large. The reason why the discharge current becomes large even though the atomization does not proceed is that the leak current other than the atomization increases.

Here, it has been described that the discharge current varies depending on the state of atomization, but a change corresponding to the voltage during discharge (discharge voltage) also occurs. As will be described later, the dew point-atomizing electrode temperature can be controlled based on the current value or the corresponding voltage.

As described above, the atomization does not proceed regardless of whether the “dew point-atomization electrode temperature” is large or small, and the atomization proceeds only within a certain temperature range. Actually, this temperature difference ΔT is about 2 to 3 ° C., which is a fairly narrow temperature range.

This means that, particularly when the dew point near the atomization electrode fluctuates, the atomization that has progressed well even when the dew point variation is at a level of 2 to 3 ° C. stops almost completely. The change in the dew point of 2 to 3 ° C. corresponds to about 10% relative humidity. For example, when the door is opened or closed or the electrostatic atomizer is installed in the vegetable compartment, the amount of the vegetable It is a change that occurs easily due to a change in. In particular, when an electrostatic atomizer is installed in a vegetable room, a humidity increase of about 10% due to an increase in the amount of vegetables can occur from a small amount of vegetables. A control method to maintain is required.

Next, the control configuration of the present invention for ensuring stable spraying against the above-described humidity change (dew point change) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the present invention, the control means determines the atomization state by looking at the state of the atomization electrode, and controls the voltage application unit and the heating unit based on this to determine “dew point− The “atomization electrode temperature” is controlled to a value suitable for atomization.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the above operation, and the procedure will be described using this flowchart.

Before starting the explanation of FIG. 5, the words used in FIG. 6 will be explained.

First, the atomization state control cycle is a cycle corresponding to a time region for determining the atomization state. For example, in synchronization with opening / closing of a damper that introduces cold air into a storage room such as a vegetable room, the period from opening of the damper to opening of the next damper can be set as the atomization state control cycle. For each cycle, a cycle such as “the first cycle: the period from the first damper opening to the first damper opening”, “the second cycle: the period from the first damper opening to the third damper opening” It is also possible to change the length.

The atomization rate described below is, for example, atomization rate = (atomization time) / (time of atomization state control cycle), atomization rate = (atomization time) / (atomization state control cycle) It is defined as a value proportional to the atomization time and the time during which a high voltage is applied to the atomization electrode. However, any parameter having a strong correlation with these parameters can be replaced with this. Further, in the above two definitions, the latter is more sensitive to the atomization rate with respect to the change in the atomization time because the time when the high voltage is not applied to the atomization electrode is excluded in the denominator of the calculation formula. It is preferable because it improves.

Also, the above atomization time is a time during which a constant discharge current or discharge voltage flowing between the atomization electrode and the counter electrode is observed. In general, an atomization time is defined for a discharge current and a discharge voltage that exceed a certain threshold value.

Here, it should be noted that the discharge current observed at the time of excessive dew condensation in FIG. 3 is larger than that at the time of atomization although it is not actually atomized. This is due to an increase in leakage current.

Here, returning to FIG. 5, the procedure of the control method will be described. First, in the Nth atomization state control cycle N, the atomization state determination by the control means is made (STEP 1). As a result, if “atomization rate> atomization target”, the heating amount of the heating unit is increased by the control means in the next atomization state control cycle (atomization body control cycle N + 1) (STEP 2). . This raises the temperature of the atomizing electrode. As a result, the atomization rate decreases and the atomization rate approaches the target value.

If the atomization state determination is “atomization rate = atomization target” (STEP 1), the heating amount of the heating unit is maintained in the next atomization state control cycle. (STEP2). Thereby, the temperature of the atomization electrode does not change, and the atomization rate is also maintained.

Furthermore, if the atomization state determination is “atomization rate <atomization target” (STEP 1), the heating amount of the heating unit is reduced by the control means in the next atomization state control cycle. (STEP3). Thus, the temperature of the atomization electrode is lowered. As a result, the atomization rate increases and the atomization rate approaches the target value.

The above atomization target may be a value having no width. For example, it may be a value having a width such as 40% or more and 70% or less. Specifically, the specific atomization rate or the specific atomization rate range is set. Or it is also possible to set an atomization target regarding the representative value of the appropriate discharge current and discharge voltage within the atomization state control cycle. For example, the atomization target can be set such that the average discharge current value within the atomization state control cycle is 2 to 3 μA, and the average discharge voltage is 1.5 to 2.8 kV. The atomization target is set based on a lower limit concentration determined from keeping, sanitizing, deodorizing performance, and the like, and an upper limit concentration determined from ozone odor.

The atomization rate is set to the target value by repeating “Atomization state judgment (STEP 1)” and “Changing heating amount of heating part (increase, no change, reduction)” (STEPs 2 to 4) as described above. It becomes possible to approach.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, which is a time chart, a temporal operation and a temperature change realized as a result will be described with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and FIG.

In FIG. 6, the vertical axis indicates the dew point (dew point near the electrode), the temperature of the atomizing electrode, the temperature of the atomizing electrode, the temperature of the cooling means (freezer room), and the wind for supplying cold air to the vegetable room in order from the top. Corresponding to the opening / closing of a damper provided in a path (not shown) and the input of the heating unit, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the time change of the variable.

As shown in the upper part of FIG. 6, the time axis is roughly divided into two atomization state control cycles, which are an atomization state control cycle N and an atomization state control cycle N + 1 in this order. One atomization state control cycle is divided into two regions. For example, in the atomization state control cycle N, it is divided into two regions tN, close to tN, open, tN, open to tN + 1, and close. . In the region of tN, close to tN, open, the damper is closed, so air with a low temperature and low dew point does not flow in, so the dew point rises. Conversely, in tN, open to tN + 1, close, the damper is Since it opens, air with a low temperature and a low dew point flows in, so the dew point decreases.

On the other hand, the temperature of the cooling means (freezer compartment) decreases when the damper is closed, because cold air is not supplied to the other storage compartments, and the temperature is lowered. Since it is supplied, there is not enough cold air in the freezer compartment, and the temperature rises. Correspondingly, the temperature of the atomizing electrode 135 that is indirectly cooled by the cooling pin 134 in addition to the cooling pin 134 that is cooled by the cooling means also exhibits the same temperature change as the cooling means.

Next, “dew point−atomization electrode temperature” will be described.

In the atomization state control cycle N, the “dew point−atomization electrode temperature” is located above the atomization temperature range in which atomization is possible (high temperature region).

Here, although not shown in the figure, the atomization rate defined by (atomization time / atomization state control cycle time) × 100 is calculated by the control means 146, and the value is 100%. Met. Assuming that the atomization target set here is an atomization rate of 20%, based on this, in step 1 of FIG. 5, the control means makes an atomization state determination that atomization rate> atomization target.

In response, in the atomization state control cycle N + 1, the heating amount of the heating unit 154 is increased. Correspondingly, the heating unit input of FIG. 6 increases and becomes a constant value after tN + 1, close. By the input to the heating unit 154, the temperature of the dew condensation preventing member 140 adjacent to the heating unit 154 increases, and the temperature of the atomization electrode 135 adjacent to the dew condensation preventing member 140 also increases. At this time, since there is the cooling pin heat shielding region 153, the movement of heat from the heating unit 154 to the cooling pin 134 is suppressed, and the temperature increase of the dew condensation preventing member 140 and the atomizing electrode 135 is efficiently realized. Is possible.

Further, the temperature change can be confirmed by an increase in atomization electrode temperature after tN + 1, close in FIG. As a result of the increase in the atomization electrode temperature, the “dew point−atomization electrode temperature” decreases and enters the atomization temperature range. Although not shown here, the atomization rate in the atomization state control cycle N + 1 is 15%, which is closer to the atomization target 20% than the atomization rate in the previous cycle.

Thereafter, by repeating this, it is possible to maintain the atomization state close to the atomization target in a short time while efficiently using the heating of the heating unit.

In addition, here, the case where the atomization target is realized by raising the temperature of the atomization electrode from the state of excessive dew condensation having a high “dew point-atomization electrode temperature” has been described. In the case of a low value, conversely, it is possible to approach the atomization target by reducing the heating unit input.

In addition, if the magnitude of the change in the input of the heating unit is large, the atomization target can be achieved in a short time, but conversely, the atomization target may be passed. Adjustment is possible, but it takes time to adjust. Actually, the amount of change in the heating unit is determined in consideration of the adjustment accuracy and time, but if the distance from the atomization target is large, the change width is increased and the difference from the atomization target is In the case of being small, it is preferable to set the change width to be small from the viewpoint of adjustment accuracy and time required for adjustment.

Next, a method for canceling the atomization stop by freezing according to the present invention will be described.

Condensation at the atomizing electrode in the refrigerator often proceeds in a supercooled state, and thus it is inevitable that freezing will occur over time.

In order to solve this problem, the atomization electrode is frozen when the atomization rate suddenly decreases and the atomization rate becomes almost zero from one atomization state control cycle to the next atomization state control cycle. Judge that Based on this determination, the heating amount by the heating unit is increased and the temperature of the atomizing electrode 135 is increased in the next atomization state control cycle.

凍結 Freezing occurs suddenly and the atomization rate decreases rapidly, so that it is possible to determine the occurrence of freezing with a high probability. Further, as described above, the atomization electrode 135 can be efficiently heated by the action of the cooling pin 134 and the cooling pin heat shield region 153. In this way, freezing can be released in a short time without using wasted energy.

Also, after freezing, the temperature of the atomization electrode is high, so it may be difficult to atomize even if the dew point is high. Even in such a case, it is preferable to accelerate the temperature drop of the atomization electrode by setting the input of the heating unit after the release of freeze to be weak regardless of the determination of the atomization state. By doing so, re-atomization is realized at an early stage. In addition, an energy saving effect can be obtained by reducing unnecessary heater heating.

It is also effective to set the heating amount of the heating unit to be approximately the same as the heating amount before freezing in a constant atomization state control cycle after the release of freezing.

As a result, even when the heating amount of the heating unit is far away from the final stable spraying amount after freezing, for example, when the temperature of the atomizing electrode after freezing decreases to some extent, for example, freezing is released. After that, in the atomization state control cycle after one or two cycles, the heating amount of the heating unit at the time of stable atomization before freezing is used to quickly return to the stable atomization state and avoid unnecessary heater heating. be able to.

Moreover, it is preferable to match the heating timing of the heating section with the timing when the temperature of the atomizing electrode and the heat transfer cooling section is lowered. As described with reference to FIG. 6, the temperature of the heat transfer cooling unit is cooled by the cooling means (freezer compartment), and thus changes in temperature similar to that of the cooling means (freezer compartment). Therefore, in the atomization state control cycle N, a minimum value is obtained at tN and open. However, since the temperature difference from the dew point increases due to such an atomizing electrode temperature, the dew point−the atomizing electrode temperature becomes a large value, resulting in excessive dew condensation.

However, in tN, close to tN, open where the temperature of the atomization electrode and the heat transfer cooling section decreases, if the input of the heating section is increased, the heating amount of the heating section from tN, open to tN + 1, close is reduced. For example, the temperature of the atomizing electrode rises at tN, close to tN, open and decreases at tN, open to tN + 1, close, which is the same as the temperature change of the dew point. In this case, the difference between the dew point and the atomization electrode temperature is reduced, and the dew point-atomization electrode temperature is also reduced, so that the atomization temperature range is entered. Thus, excessive dew condensation is avoided.

Also, when the temperature of the atomizing electrode and the heat transfer cooling unit is decreased, the heating amount of the heating unit is increased, so that the minimum temperature of the atomizing electrode is increased and freezing can be avoided.

Further, in the refrigerator, when frost is formed on the cooler 112, the temperature is temporarily raised and defrosting is performed, but also in this case, the temperature of the freezer compartment as a cooling means rises, so that the cooling pin 134 And the temperature of the atomization electrode 135 rises. For this reason, the amount of heating of the heating unit is not dependent on the result of the atomization state determination in a certain atomization state control cycle (specifically, after one or two cycles) after the freeze release, as after the freeze release. It is effective to keep it at a low level. Similarly, in the atomization state control cycle one or two cycles after the release of freezing, the amount of heating of the heating unit at the time of stable atomization before freezing is restored to the stable atomization state at an early stage. Unnecessary heater heating can also be avoided.

Further, if the deepest concave portion 125b of the cooling pin 134 has a shape protruding toward the freezer compartment 107 having a lower temperature, the cooling pin 134 is moved to a low temperature necessary for condensation in a low humidity atmosphere. Cooling can be easily performed, and a stable fine mist can be supplied. At this time, by inserting grease, rubber, or elastomer between the surface of the rear partition wall surface 151 and the cooling pin (heat transfer cooling portion) end portion 134b, a contact area is ensured and cooling of the cooling pin 134 is efficient. The effect which advances automatically is acquired. In addition, by combining a conductive material with grease, rubber, or elastomer, the above effect can be further improved.

In addition, since the electrostatic atomizer 131 in this Embodiment applies a high voltage between the atomization electrode 135 which is an atomization front-end | tip part, and the counter electrode 136, although ozone is also generated at the time of fine mist generation, By the ON / OFF operation of the electrostatic atomizer 131, the ozone concentration in the storage room (vegetable room 108) can be adjusted. By adjusting the ozone concentration appropriately, deterioration such as yellowing of vegetables due to excessive ozone can be prevented, and the sterilization and antibacterial action of the vegetable surface can be enhanced.

In this embodiment, the atomization electrode 135 is set to the reference potential side (0 V), and a positive potential (+7 kV) is applied to the counter electrode 136 to generate a high-voltage potential difference between the two electrodes. May be set to the reference potential side (0 V), and a negative potential (−7 kV) may be applied to the atomizing electrode 135 to generate a high voltage potential difference between the two electrodes. In this case, since the counter electrode 136 close to the storage room (vegetable room 108) is on the reference potential side, an electric shock or the like does not occur even if the hand of the refrigerator user approaches the counter electrode 136. When the atomizing electrode 135 is set to a negative potential of −7 kV, the counter electrode 136 may not be provided if the storage chamber (vegetable chamber 108) side is set to the reference potential side.

In this case, for example, a conductive storage container is provided in an insulated storage room (vegetable room 108), and the conductive storage container is electrically connected to a holding member (conductive) of the storage container. In addition, the holding member can be attached to and detached from the holding member, and the holding member is connected to the reference potential portion to be grounded (0 V).

As a result, the atomizing unit 139 and the storage container and the holding member always maintain a potential difference, so that a stable electric field is formed, so that the atomization unit 139 can stably spray, and the entire storage container is at the reference potential. Thus, the sprayed mist can be diffused throughout the storage container. Further, charging to surrounding objects can be prevented.

In this way, even if the counter electrode 136 is not particularly provided, a grounding holding member is provided on a part of the storage chamber (vegetable chamber 108) side, thereby generating a potential difference with the atomizing electrode 135 and performing mist spraying. It can be performed, and it can spray stably from an atomization part by comprising a stable electric field by simpler composition.

In the present embodiment, the cooling means for cooling the cooling pin 134 that is the heat transfer cooling unit is the cold air in the freezer compartment 107, but is cooled using the cooling source generated in the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator 100. Heat transfer from a cooling pipe using cold air, cold air from the cooling source of the refrigerator 100, or cold temperature may be used. Thereby, by adjusting the temperature of this cooling pipe, the cooling pin 134 which is a heat-transfer cooling part can be cooled to arbitrary temperature, and it becomes easy to perform temperature management at the time of cooling the atomization electrode 135. FIG. Further, as the cooling means, cold air from a low temperature air passage such as a discharge air passage of the ice making chamber 106 or a freezing chamber return air passage may be used. Thereby, the installation place of the electrostatic atomizer 131 is expanded.

In this embodiment, the storage room in which the mist is sprayed by the electrostatic atomizer 131 (the atomizing unit 139) is the vegetable room 108, but other temperature zones such as the refrigerator room 104 and the switching room 105 are used. In this case, it can be deployed for various purposes.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a perspective sectional view of a main part of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a discharge of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the temperature dependency of the discharge current of the refrigerator discharge device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a graph showing the discharge current of the refrigerator discharge device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a graph showing the humidity dependence, FIG. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the discharge current of the refrigerator discharge device and the ozone concentration in Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is the graph of the refrigerator discharge device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a control time chart of the refrigerator discharge device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

In addition, although description is abbreviate | omitted about the part which can apply the structure similar to Embodiment 1, and the same technical idea, unless there is a malfunction by combining this Embodiment with the structure of Embodiment 1, and implementing it. , Can be applied in combination.

The refrigerator in this Embodiment 2 is demonstrated using FIG.7, FIG.8, FIG.9.

A cooling room 110 for generating cold air is provided on the back of the vegetable room 108 and the freezing room 107. The cooling chamber 110 and each storage chamber are provided with a discharge air passage 141 for conveying cold air and a suction air passage 142 for returning the cold air from each storage chamber to the cooling chamber. The vegetable room discharge air passage 141 a discharges cold air to the vegetable room, and the vegetable room suction air passage 142 is provided in the vegetable room 108.

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 108 and the freezing chamber 107 is disposed.

Further, the cold air cooled by the cooler 112 in the cooling chamber 110 passes through the vegetable chamber discharge air passage 141a and is sent to the vegetable chamber 108 by the cooling fan 113, and a damper 130 is provided in the middle of the vegetable chamber discharge air passage 141a. Is provided.

In the vegetable compartment 108, a lower storage container 119 placed on a frame attached to a drawer door 118 of the vegetable compartment 108 and an upper storage container 120 placed on the lower storage container 119 are arranged.

Further, in the lower part of the back of the vegetable compartment 108, the cold air cooled by the cooler 112 passes through the vegetable compartment discharge air passage 141 a and is discharged, and the discharged cold air is discharged to the cooling chamber 110. A vegetable room suction port 142a for returning and a vegetable room suction port 144 are provided as the suction port.

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.

In addition, a discharge device 200 is provided on the top of the vegetable compartment 108. The vegetable compartment 108 has a structure in which ozone is directly emitted from the discharge device 200.

The discharge device 200 includes a discharge unit 201, a voltage application unit 202, a discharge state detection unit 203, and an outer case 204. An ozone discharge port 205 is provided in a part of the outer case 204. The discharge unit 201 includes a needle-like discharge electrode 206 to which a negative high voltage is applied, a donut disk-like counter electrode 207 at a position facing the discharge electrode 206, and the counter electrode 207 is constant with the tip of the discharge electrode 206. The resin fixing member 208 is arranged so as to keep the distance. The discharge unit 201 is disposed in the outer case 204.

Furthermore, a voltage application unit 202 is provided in the vicinity of the discharge unit 201. For example, a high voltage of about −5 kV is applied to the discharge electrode 206, and a ground (0 V) that is a reference potential is applied to the counter electrode 207 by the voltage application unit 202.

The voltage application unit 202 communicates with the control unit 210, is controlled by the control unit 210, and performs ON / OFF according to the voltage application time (application rate) of the high voltage.

The discharge state detection unit 203 is connected to the voltage application unit 202, detects a current (discharge current) flowing between the discharge electrode 206 and the counter electrode 207, and outputs an analog signal or a digital signal to the control unit 210 as a monitor voltage. .

Furthermore, the vegetable room 108 stores the cold air cooled in the cooling room so that the ozone supplied from the discharge device 200 can be indirectly supplied to the refrigerating room 104, the switching room 105, the ice making room 106, and the freezing room 107. A discharge air passage 141 for conveying to the chamber is provided.

Due to the strong oxidizing power of ozone generated from the discharge device 200, the structural material of the refrigerator 100 that has come into contact with ozone and the microorganisms such as mold, yeast, and viruses attached to the surface of food and food containers stored in each storage room It has a function to suppress the increase.

Furthermore, since the odor component is oxidized and decomposed by contact of the ozone containing the odor generated from the food stored in the refrigerator 100 with ozone, it has a function of obtaining a deodorizing effect by the odor decomposition.

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

The vegetable compartment 108 is cooled by the cold air cooled by the cooler 112, but the cold air that cools the vegetable compartment 108 is blown by the cooling fan 113, passes through the discharge air passage 141, and is separated from the middle of the discharge air passage 141. It passes through the vegetable room damper 130a through the retained vegetable room discharge air passage 141a and flows into the vegetable room 108 from the vegetable room discharge port 143. The cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 108 circulates around the outer periphery of the lower storage container 119, cools the lower storage container 119, is sucked in through the vegetable compartment suction port 144, passes through the vegetable compartment suction air passage 142a, and then enters the cooling chamber. Return to 110 again. Although the vegetable compartment 108 is cooled by the circulation of cold air, when a temperature sensor (not shown) installed in the vegetable compartment 108 detects a temperature below the target temperature zone, the vegetable compartment 108a is closed to close the vegetable compartment 108a. It is controlled so that the inflow of cold air to 108 stops.

At this time, the discharge device 200 is controlled to spray ozone directly onto the vegetable compartment 108. Furthermore, the ozone generated from the discharge device 200 is sucked into the vegetable room suction air passage 142a, and indirectly sprayed from the mist discharge ports of the refrigerator compartment 104, the switching chamber 105, the ice making chamber 106, and the freezer compartment 107 to the respective storage chambers. . As a result, the refrigerator 100 is supplied to the refrigerator compartment 104, the switching room 105, the ice making room 106, the vegetable room 108, and the freezing room 107. In this way, ozone is supplied to all the storage rooms of the refrigerator.

In addition, since ozone has a strong oxidizing power, the one with as high ozone concentration as possible has an advantageous effect on bactericidal action against microorganisms such as mold, bacteria and viruses, and the decomposing power of odorous components is increased. Although it works for the effect, on the other hand, since the refrigerator user is disgusted by the unique ozone odor and is harmful to the human body, from the viewpoint of the refrigerator user, the concentration should be as low as possible.

Therefore, when the relationship between the antibacterial effect of ozone concentration and the ozone odor was confirmed in advance, the ozone concentration had a sterilization rate of 99% at a concentration of 5 ppb or higher, and on the other hand, when the concentration reached 30 ppb, It turned out that it is the odor tolerance limit value of the refrigerator user. Furthermore, it was confirmed by a prior BOX test that ozone would damage the appearance of vegetables when the ozone concentration was 80 ppb or more. From the above confirmation results, the ozone farming degree supplied to each storage room is controlled by the discharge device to control the amount of ozone generated by the control means 210, and the ozone concentration in each storage room compartment of the refrigerator is 5 ppb or more and 30 ppb or less. It's in control. For this reason, the ozone which reached | attained each store room is not worried about an ozone smell with respect to a refrigerator user, exhibiting a microbe elimination effect.

In the above, the operation and action of the discharge device have been roughly described. In the following, the configuration, operation, and effect of the control method of the present invention using the discharge device will be described in detail.

First, the characteristics of the discharge current of the discharge device will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show the results of measuring the current flowing through the discharge electrode and the counter electrode, that is, the discharge current in a 100 liter box when a constant voltage is applied to the discharge electrode and the counter electrode. FIG. 11 shows the results when the temperature is varied with the humidity being fixed at 99% Rh, and FIG. 12 is the results when the humidity is varied with the temperature being fixed at 5 degrees. As can be seen from these results, the discharge current increases as the temperature and humidity decrease.

On the other hand, FIG. 11 shows the result of measuring the ozone concentration of ozone generated by the discharge current and the discharge by installing the discharge device in the same manner in a 100 liter box, applying a voltage to the discharge electrode and the counter electrode, and discharging. As can be seen from this result, the ozone concentration increases as the discharge current increases, because the amount of ozone generated per unit time increases.

From the above results, it can be seen that the discharge current of the discharge device increases as the temperature and humidity decrease, that is, the amount of ozone generated increases.

This means that the amount of ozone generated differs depending on the temperature and humidity conditions in the vicinity of the discharge device installed in the refrigerator. Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the change in the discharge current becomes large even when the temperature is in the range of 1 to 5 ° C. and the humidity is 40 to 99% Rh. Also in the refrigerator, for example, the amount of change is simply caused by opening / closing the door or changing the amount of vegetables stored in the vegetable room.

Therefore, even if the temperature and humidity fluctuations as described above occur, it is necessary to control the inside of the refrigerator to maintain the target ozone concentration (5 ppb or more and 30 ppb or less).

On the other hand, in order to diffuse ozone generated from the discharge device to each storage room of the refrigerator, a discharge device is installed in the vicinity of the suction inlet of the vegetable room and diffused to all rooms using the discharge air passage of the refrigerator as described above. Since it is effective to make it, it is installed at that position.

However, on the other hand, fluctuations in temperature and humidity near the discharge device are larger than those near the center of the storage room. Therefore, as described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12, the discharge current of the discharge device is not stable, and accordingly, the amount of ozone generation is not stable.

Furthermore, since it has been known in advance that a small amount of negative ions in addition to ozone are emitted from the discharge device, there is a problem that the discharge current is reduced by charging the vicinity of the discharge device with negative ions. ing.

Therefore, the control for solving the above-described problems and maintaining the ozone concentration within the refrigerator as a target against the above-described temperature and humidity changes will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9, FIG. 13, and FIG.

The control means in FIG. 9 determines the amount of ozone generated from the discharge device by looking at the discharge current and the voltage application time by the discharge state detection means, and controls the voltage application unit based on this to determine the discharge device. The amount of ozone generated from the ozone is controlled to the ozone target concentration (5 ppb or more and 30 ppb or less).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the above operation, and FIG. 14 is a control time chart of the above operation. However, the terms used in FIGS. 13 and 14 are as follows.

First, the discharge state control cycle is a cycle corresponding to a time region for determining the discharge state. For example, the next damper is opened from the opening of the damper 130a in synchronization with the opening / closing of the damper 130a that introduces cool air into a storage room such as a vegetable room. A period until 130a is opened can be a discharge state control cycle. For each cycle, the length of the cycle is changed, such as “the period from the first cycle to the first damper opening” and “the second cycle: the period from the first damper opening to the third damper opening”. It is also possible.

Also, the voltage application rate is voltage application rate = (time during which voltage is applied) / (time of discharge state control cycle). The discharge charge is discharge charge = (discharge current) × (time during which voltage is applied).

As can be seen from the relationship between the discharge charge, it is the integrated value of the discharge current (amount of ozone generated per unit time) and the time during which the voltage is applied (the time during which ozone is generated). The amount of ozone generated from the discharge device during this time. On the other hand, the one-cycle discharge charge is the total amount of discharge electrification generated by actually applying a voltage to the discharge device during one cycle of the discharge current state control cycle. Since this one-cycle discharge electrification can be converted into the total amount of ozone generated during the one-cycle discharge state control cycle, it can be further converted as the ozone concentration in the storage chamber. Therefore, one cycle discharge charge is made to correspond to the ozone target concentration (5 ppb or more and 30 ppb or less) in the refrigerator, the lowest ozone target concentration is shown as the lowest discharge charge (Qmin), and the highest ozone target concentration is shown as the highest discharge charge (Qmax).

Here, returning to FIG. 13, the procedure of the control method will be described. First, in the Nth discharge state control cycle N, the discharge state is determined by the control means (STEP 1). As a result, if “discharge amount (discharge charge) <discharge target”, the voltage application time (voltage application rate) is increased by the control means in the next discharge state control cycle (discharge state control cycle N + 1) (STEP 2 ). As a result, the discharge amount (discharge charge) increases in the discharge state control cycle N + 1, and the discharge amount (discharge charge) approaches the discharge target.

If the discharge state determination is “discharge amount = discharge target” (STEP 1), the voltage application time (voltage application rate) is maintained by the control means in the next discharge control cycle (STEP 3).

Further, if the discharge state judgment is “discharge amount (discharge charge)> discharge target”, the voltage application time (voltage application rate) is reduced by the control means in the next discharge state control cycle (discharge state control cycle N + 1). (STEP 2). As a result, in the discharge state control cycle N + 1, the discharge amount (discharge charge) decreases, and the discharge amount (discharge charge) approaches the discharge target.

By repeating the above-described control, “discharge state determination (STEP 1)” and “voltage application time change (STEP 2 to 4)” are repeated, so that the voltage application time (application rate) is optimized and approaches the discharge target. Can do.

Next, a time operation and a one-cycle discharge charge realized as a result will be described with reference to FIG. 14 which is a time chart.

In FIG. 14, the horizontal axis is the time axis. The vertical axis indicates the discharge target (discharge charge target values: Qmin, Qmax), one period discharge charge, discharge current, temperature and humidity in the vicinity of the discharge device, and a damper provided to keep the vegetable room at a constant temperature. Open / closed state.

Here, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 14, the time axis is roughly divided into two discharge state control cycles, which are a discharge state control cycle N and a discharge state control cycle N + 1 in this order. One discharge state control cycle is further divided into two regions. For example, in the discharge state control cycle N, it is divided into two regions: a region from tN, close to tN, open, and a region from tN, open to tN + 1, close. ing.

In the region from tN, close to tN, open, since the damper is closed, the inflow of cold air through the air passage is stopped, so the temperature rises with time. Furthermore, since the damper is in a state in which the damper is closed, the humidity also rises with time due to the transpiration of moisture of vegetables and the like stored in the vegetable room. On the other hand, since the damper opens in the region from tN, open to tN + 1, close, cold air with low temperature and humidity flowing in the cooler flows in, so the temperature and humidity in the vicinity of the discharge device decrease with time. To do.

Therefore, in the region from tN, close to tN, open, as the temperature and humidity increase, as shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 12, it gradually decreases as shown by the discharge current on the vertical axis. On the other hand, in the region from tN, open to tN + 1, close, the discharge current gradually increases as the temperature and humidity decrease.

Through the above operation, in the region of the discharge current control period N, the discharge charge (discharge current × voltage application time (application rate)) gradually increases with the passage of time, while the discharge current varies, and tN + 1, The value of the one-cycle discharge charge can be seen by the control means during the close.

Here, the determination of STEP 1 of the discharge state in the discharge state control cycle N is made by the control means, and the process proceeds from the next STEP 2 to 3.

Taking FIG. 14 as an example, it is determined in STEP 1 that the discharge amount (discharge charge) <discharge target, and in response to this, the process proceeds to STEP 2 to increase the voltage application time (voltage application rate), and in the discharge state control cycle N + 1 The voltage application time (application rate) of the discharge device increases.

Thereafter, by repeating this operation, the discharge target can be effectively maintained.

As another means for stably releasing ozone from the discharge device, a means for reading the discharge current by the discharge state detecting means and making the discharge current constant (for example, 10 microamperes) is conceivable. The same amount of ozone is generated whether the damper is open or closed. Therefore, considering the case of diffusing ozone into all the rooms, it is desirable to increase the amount of ozone generated when the damper is closed, but there is a problem that a method for making the discharge current constant cannot be achieved. Further, the control by the time of the discharge state control cycle is an effective means because it can take advantage of the increase in the discharge current with the damper opened.

In this embodiment, the counter electrode 207 is set to the reference potential side (0 V) and the discharge electrode 206 is negatively applied (−7 kV) to generate a high-voltage potential difference between the two electrodes. A high potential difference may be generated between both electrodes by applying a negative potential (−7 kV) to the counter electrode 207 on the reference potential side (0 V). In addition, when the discharge electrode 206 is set to a negative potential of −7 kV, the counter electrode 207 may not be particularly provided if the storage chamber (vegetable chamber 108) side is set to the reference potential side.

In this case, for example, a conductive storage container is provided in an insulated storage room (vegetable room 108), and the conductive storage container is electrically connected to a holding member (conductive) of the storage container, In addition, the holding member can be attached to and detached from the holding member, and the holding member is connected to the reference potential portion to be grounded (0 V).

As a result, a stable electric field is formed in order to maintain a potential difference between the discharge unit 201 and the storage container and the holding member, so that ozone can be stably released from the discharge unit 201, and the entire storage container is at the reference potential. Therefore, the released ozone can be diffused throughout the storage container. Further, charging to surrounding objects can be prevented.

Thus, even if the counter electrode 207 is not particularly provided, a grounded holding member is provided on a part of the storage chamber (vegetable chamber 108) side, thereby generating a potential difference from the discharge electrode 206 and performing ozone diffusion. It is possible to stably spray from the atomizing section by forming a stable electric field with a simpler configuration.

As described above, the refrigerator according to the present invention can realize appropriate atomization in the storage room by applying the control method using the electrostatic atomizer of the present invention. It can be applied not only to the vegetable storage, but also to applications such as low-temperature distribution of foods such as vegetables and warehouses.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Refrigerator 101 Heat insulation box 102 Outer box 103 Inner box 104 Refrigeration room 105 Switching room 106 Ice making room 107 Freezing room 108 Vegetable room 109 Compressor 110 Cooling room 111 Back surface partition wall 112 Cooler 113 Cooling fan 114 Radiant heater 115 Drain pan 116 Drain tube 117 Evaporating dish 125 Second partition wall 125a Recess 125b Deepest recess 131 Electrostatic atomizer 132 Spraying port 133 Voltage application unit 134 Cooling pin (heat transfer cooling unit)
134a Protruding part 134b Cooling pin (heat transfer cooling part) end part 135 Atomizing electrode 136 Counter electrode 137 Outer case 138 Humidity supply port 139 Atomizing part 140 Condensation preventing member 146 Control means 151 Back surface partition wall surface 152 Heat insulating material 153 Cooling Pin heat shield region 154 Heating unit 200 Discharge device 201 Discharge unit 202 Voltage application unit 203 Discharge state detection means 204 Outer case 205 Ozone outlet 206 Discharge electrode 207 Counter electrode 208 Fixing member 210 Control means

Claims

An atomizing electrode;
A voltage application unit for applying a voltage to the atomizing electrode;
Control means for controlling the voltage application unit;
A control method for an atomizing device of a refrigerator having an atomizing state detecting means for detecting an atomizing state of the atomizing electrode,
The control method of the atomizer which the said control means controls the atomization in the said atomization electrode in the next predetermined period based on the atomization state judgment of the said atomization state detection means in a predetermined period.
The control method of the atomization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the atomization state detection means uses a current value at the voltage application unit.
Cooling means for cooling the atomizing electrode;
Heating means for heating the atomizing electrode;
The said control means controls the amount of heating by the said heating means based on the atomization state judgment of the said atomization state detection means in a predetermined period, and controls the atomization in the said atomization electrode in the next predetermined period. The control method of the atomization apparatus of 1 or 2.
When the atomization rate is reduced by the atomization state detection means and it is determined that the atomization is not substantially performed, it is determined that the water adhering to the atomization electrode is frozen, and the control means performs the next predetermined cycle. The method for controlling an atomizing device according to claim 3, wherein the heating amount of the heating means is increased.
The control method of the atomization apparatus of Claim 4 which sets the heating amount of the heating means in the next predetermined period to the predetermined specific heating amount.
The control method of the atomization apparatus of Claim 4 which sets so that the heating amount of the heating means in the next predetermined period after freezing cancellation may become substantially equivalent to the heating amount before freezing.
A discharge electrode;
A voltage application unit for applying a voltage to the discharge electrode;
Control means for controlling the voltage application unit;
A control method for a discharge device of a refrigerator having a discharge state detection means for detecting a discharge state of the discharge electrode,
A control method for a discharge device, wherein the control means controls discharge at the discharge electrode in a next predetermined period based on a discharge state determination of the discharge state detection means in a predetermined period.
The discharge device control method according to claim 7, wherein the discharge state detection means uses a discharge current flowing from the discharge electrode to the counter electrode.
The discharge device control method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the discharge control at the discharge electrode is an application time to the voltage application unit.
A refrigerator comprising control means for executing the control method for an atomization device or the control method for a discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.