DESCRIPTION
REFRIGERATOR, AND ELECTRIC DEVICE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to refrigerators which employ a mist
maker in a storage compartment that stores vegetables, and it also relates to
electric appliances using the same mist maker.
BACKGROUND ART
Vegetables lose their freshness due to temperature, humidity,
environmental gasses, microbes, and light. The vegetable is alive, so that it
breathes and transpires on its surface. To maintain the freshness, it is
necessary to control the breath and the transpiration. Numbers of
vegetables, except the ones that fall in disorder due to a low temperature,
can be controlled the breath by a low temperature and can be prevented from
the transpiration by a high humidity. In recent years, a home-use
refrigerator has employed a closed vegetable crisper for keeping the
vegetable fresh. The vegetable stored in this crisper can be cooled at an
appropriate temperature, and yet a high humidity is kept in the crisper in
order to prevent the vegetable from transpiring. Some of these
high-humidity keeping devices use a mist atomizer.
A conventional refrigerator having this kind of mist atomizer produces
mist with an ultrasonic mist device for humidifying the inside of a vegetable
compartment when the inside of the compartment stays at a low humidity,
thereby preventing the vegetable from transpiring. This is disclosed in, e.g.
Patent Document 1.
Fig. 51 shows a refrigerator having a conventional ultrasonic mist
device disclosed in Patent Document 1. Fig. 52 shows a perspective view
enlarging an essential part of the ultrasonic mist device. As shown in Fig.
51, vegetable compartment 21 is placed at a lower part of main housing 26 of
refrigerator 20, and its open front can be closed by door 22 of a drawer, which
a user can slide-out. Partition board 2 separates vegetable compartment 21
from a refrigerator compartment (not shown) placed over compartment 21.
Door 22 of the drawer equipped with hanger 23 fixed to the inside of
door 22, and vegetable crisper 1 which accommodates foods, e.g. vegetables,
is mounted to this hanger 23. The upper opening of vegetable crisper 1 can
be sealed with lid 3. Defrosting chamber 4 is placed inside vegetable crisper
1, and chamber 4 is equipped with ultrasonic mist device 5.
As shown in Fig. 52, ultrasonic mist device 5 includes mist atomizing
port 6, water storage tank 7, humidity sensor 8, and hose receptacle 9.
Tank 7 is connected to defrosted water hose 10 via receptacle 9, and hose 10
includes purifying filter 11 which purifies the defrosting water.
The operation of the foregoing refrigerator is described hereinafter. A
heat exchanging evaporator (not shown) cools the air, which then flows along
the outer face of vegetable crisper 1 and lid 3, thereby cooling crisper 1 and
the foods accommodated inside thereof. The defrosted water produced by a
evaporator during the operation flows through defrosted water hose 10,
where the water is purified by purifying filter 11, and is supplied to water
storage tank 7 of ultrasonic mist device 5.
Then when humidity sensor 8 senses that the humidity in the storage
compartment is not higher than 90%, mist maker 5 starts humidifying, so
that the humidity can be adjusted at an appropriate level for the vegetables
stored in vegetable crisper 1 to be kept fresh.
When humidity sensor 8 senses that he humidity in the storage
compartment is higher than 90%, mist maker 5 stops excessive humidifying.
Mist maker 5 thus can quickly humidify the inside of vegetable crisper 1
and keep the inside always at a high humidity, which then allows controlling
the transpiration of the vegetables, thereby keeping the vegetables fresh.
Another refrigerator equipped with an ozone-water mist maker is also
known in the market; this refrigerator is disclosed in, e.g. Patent Document
2, and includes an ozone generator, an exhaust port, a water supply path
directly connected to a water pipe, and an ozone water supply path, which
connects to the vegetable compartment. The ozone generator connects to a
water supplier directly connected to the water pipe, and the exhaust port
connects to the ozone water supply path. An ultrasonic element is placed in
the vegetable crisper. The ozone generated in the ozone generator contacts
with water, and is turned into ozone-water which works as processing water.
The ozone water is supplied to the vegetable compartment, where the water
is turned into mist by the ultrasonic oscillator, and the mist is atomized in
the compartment.
Although it is not shown in the drawings, a refrigerator is known as
employing a negative-ion generator, a centrifugal force and Coriolis force
generator, and a gas-liquid separator combined together for maintaining the
freshness of vegetables. This refrigerator is disclosed in, e.g. Patent
Document 3.
The centrifugal force and Coriolis force generator carries out an
ion-dissociation process, a drop-activation process, and a gas-molecule
ionization process, thereby generating aduct negative ions of water
molecules in the air. The gas-liquid separator separates the air containing
the negative ions from the drops, thereby supplying the air to storage room 8,
which is then kept at a temperature lower than an ordinary temperature and
at a humidity over 80%, and the air therein contains over 1,000 negative
ions/cc for storing foods.
Storage room 8 filled with this highly humid air allows cleaning up the
inside of room 8 and maintaining the inside of room 8 germfree, so that the
foods can be kept fresh thanks to a germ-removing function and a
deodorizing function of the negative ions contained in the air. These
functions have an anabiotic advantage for animals and plants.
However, the foregoing conventional structure vibrates the water or
ozone water with the ultrasonic oscillator, thereby making mist. The
misted water particles or misted ozone water particles cannot become fine
particles, so that the mist cannot be atomized uniformly in storage room 8.
The mist thus attaches to the surface of the food at a low ratio. If an
atomizing amount is increased or the atomizing is lasted for a long time in
order to increase the attachment ratio, the vegetable is spoiled by the water,
or dew is formed in storage room 8.
The conventional structure discussed above supplies water to the mist
maker by using the defrosted water stored in the tank or the running water,
so that the structure needs the hose for the defrosted water, the purifying
filter, or the water supply path directly connected to the water pipe. This
structure is thus obliged to be complicated.
The mechanism that ionizes the drops in the storage room becomes
bulky, so that it does not fit for the home-use refrigerator. A simple
ionization will give the drops so poor oxidizing force that a little advantage
can be expected.
An atomizing of the mist in the refrigerator compartment, which is
roughly sealed and is kept at a low temperature, needs some care in order to
carry out a uniform and stable mist atomizing for avoiding such problems as
excessive dew formation due to excessive atomizing amount or an
inconvenience due to the mist atomizing in a drought status. However, the
conventional structures discussed above cannot adjust the amount of mist
produced although the mist is atomized in order to keep the storage room at
a high humidity. It is thus possible that an excessive mist atomizing will
form puddles in the room, or spoil the vegetables stored in the room with the
water.
Patent Document l: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. H06 -
257933
Patent Document 2- Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000 -
220949
Patent Document 3: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. H07 -
135945
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention addressed the problems discussed above, and
aims to provide a refrigerator including a storage compartment defined such
that the compartment is insulated from heat, and a mist generation
department for atomizing mist in the storage compartment. The mist
generation department is formed of a tip of the department mist, a voltage
applicator for applying a voltage to the tip, and a heat conducting pin
coupled to the tip. A evaporator cools the tip of the department mist down
to not higher than the dew point, thereby condensing the water in the air
into dew, which is then atomized as mist in the storage compartment.
This structure allows cooling the heat conducting pin, thereby cooling
indirectly a atomizing electrode without cooling directly the tip of the
department mist. The heat conducting pin has a greater heat capacity than
the tip of the department mist, so that a direct effect of a temperature
change in the evaporator to the tip of the department mist can be eased.
The tip of the department mist is thus cooled, so that a change in load of the
tip can be suppressed. As a result, the mist can be atomized in a steady
amount.
The present invention thus condenses the excessive water vapor in the
storage compartment, where fruit and vegetables are stored, into dew, and
applies a voltage to the dewed water, thereby generating fine mist that tends
to attach to the food surface. This fine mist is atomized in the storage
compartment for the fruit and vegetables to be kept fresh.
The present invention does not need a complicated structure including
a defrosted water hose which supplies the water to be used for atomizing
mist, a purifying filter, or a water-supply path directly connected to the
water pipe. The present invention efficiently uses a cooling source produced
in a freezing cycle of the refrigerator, thereby supplying fine mist to the
storage compartment with a simple construction.
The present invention allows forming dew without fail and with ease
at the tip of the department mist by using excessive water vapor in the
storage compartment, so that the tip of the department mist can make fine
mist on the order of nanometer. This fine mist is atomized over the fruit
and vegetables, and the fine mist attaches uniformly to the surface thereof,
so that the fruit and vegetables can be kept fresh for a longer time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a refrigerator in accordance with a
first embodiment of the present invention, where the refrigerator is cut
vertically and parted to right and left.
Fig. 2 shows a front view illustrating an essential part of a rear* end
face of a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator in accordance with the
first embodiment.
Fig. 3 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view illustrates an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery
provided to the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator in accordance with
the first embodiment.
Fig. 4 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view illustrates an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery
provided to a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator in accordance with a
second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 shows a sectional view illustrating an essential part of a
periphery of a door-side partition placed over a vegetable compartment of a
refrigerator in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention,
where the periphery is cut vertically and parted to right and left.
Fig. 6 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view illustrates an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery
provided to a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator in accordance with a
fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view illustrates an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery
provided to a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator in accordance with a
fifth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 8 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view illustrates an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery
provided to a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator in accordance with a
sixth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 9 shows a sectional view illustrating a periphery of a vegetable
compartment and its upper partition of a refrigerator in accordance with a
seventh embodiment of the present invention, where the vegetable
compartment and its periphery are cut vertically and parted to right and left.
Fig. 10 shows a sectional view of a refrigerator cut along line B - B in
Fig. 9 in accordance with the seventh embodiment.
Fig. 11 shows a sectional view cut along line C - C in Fig. 10, and the
sectional view illustrates an upper partition of a vegetable compartment of
the refrigerator in accordance with the seventh embodiment, where the
upper partition is cut vertically and parted to right and left.
Fig. 12 shows a sectional view detailing an ultrasonic mist device and
its periphery in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 13 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view illustrates an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery
provided to a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator in accordance with a
ninth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 14 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view illustrates an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery
provided to a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator in accordance with a
tenth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 15 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view details an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery in
accordance with an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 16 shows the performance of an atomizing electrode depending on
temperatures and voltage values which monitor a discharge current, where
the voltage values indicate a misted status in accordance with the eleventh
embodiment.
Fig. 17 shows an experiment result indicating a proper range of dew
formation, where the proper range is found based on the correlation between
the temperature of the atomizing electrode and the humidity around the
atomizing electrode in accordance with the eleventh embodiment.
Fig. 18 shows an instance of a functional diagram in accordance with
the eleventh embodiment.
Fig. 19 shows an instance of a control flowchart in accordance with the
eleventh embodiment.
Fig. 20 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view details an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery in
accordance with a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 21 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view details an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery in
accordance with a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 22 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view details an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery in
accordance with a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 23 shows a sectional view detailing an electrostatic atomizing
device and its periphery in accordance with a fifteenth embodiment of the
present invention.
Fig. 24 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view details an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery in
accordance with a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 25 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view details an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery in
accordance with a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 26 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view details an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery in
accordance with a eighteenth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 27 shows a sectional view of a vegetable compartment and its
periphery of a refrigerator in accordance with a nineteenth embodiment of
the present invention.
Fig. 28 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view details an ultrasonic mist device and its periphery in
accordance with a 20th embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 29 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view details an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery in
accordance with a 21st embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 30 shows a timing chart in accordance with the 21st embodiment.
Fig. 31 shows a timing chart in accordance with the 21st embodiment.
Fig. 32 shows a timing chart in accordance with the 21st embodiment.
Fig. 33 shows a timing chart in accordance with the 21st embodiment.
Fig. 34 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view details an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery in
accordance with a 22nd embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 35 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view details an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery of a
refrigerator in accordance with a 23rd embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 36 shows a sectional view cut along line D - D in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view details an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery of a
refrigerator in accordance with a 24th embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 37 shows a vertical sectional view of a vegetable compartment
and its periphery of a refrigerator in accordance with a 25th embodiment of
the present invention.
Fig. 38 shows a sectional view of a vegetable compartment and its
periphery of a refrigerator in accordance with a 26th embodiment of the
present invention.
Fig. 39 shows a vertical sectional view of another vegetable
compartment and its periphery of a refrigerator in accordance with the 26th
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 40 shows a plan view, cut along line E - E in Fig. 39. The plan
view details the vegetable compartment and its periphery of the refrigerator
in accordance with the 26th embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 41 shows a sectional view of a vegetable compartment and its
periphery of a refrigerator in accordance with a 27th embodiment of the
present invention.
Fig. 42 shows a sectional view of a refrigerator in accordance with a
28th embodiment of the present invention, where the refrigerator is cut
vertically and parted to right and left.
Fig. 43 shows schematically a cooling cycle of the refrigerator in
accordance with the 28th embodiment.
Fig. 44 shows a sectional view of an electrostatic atomizing device and
its periphery provided to a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator in
accordance with the 28th embodiment.
Fig. 45 shows a sectional view of a vegetable compartment and its
periphery of a refrigerator in accordance with a 29th embodiment.
Fig. 46 shows a sectional view of an electrostatic atomizing device and
its periphery provided to the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator in
accordance with the 29th embodiment.
Fig. 47 shows a sectional view of a vegetable compartment and its
periphery of a refrigerator in accordance with a 30th embodiment.
Fig. 48 shows a sectional view cut along line A - A in Fig. 2, and the
sectional view details an electrostatic atomizing device and its periphery of a
refrigerator in accordance with a 31st embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 49 shows a perspective view of which part is cut away, and the
perspective view illustrates an indoor unit of an air-conditioner employing
an electrostatic atomizing device in accordance with a 32nd embodiment of
the present invention.
Fig. 50 shows a sectional view illustrating a structure of the air
conditioner shown in Fig. 49.
Fig. 51 shows a vertical sectional view of a vegetable compartment of a
conventional refrigerator.
Fig. 52 shows a perspective view enlarging an essential part of an
ultrasonic mist device provided to a vegetable compartment of a conventional
refrigerator.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE MARKS
100 refrigerator
101 thermally insulated cabinet
102 shell
103 inner wall
104 refrigerator compartment
105 switchable temperature compartment
106 icemaker
107 vegetable compartment
108 freezer compartment
109 compressor
110 cooling compartment
111 rear-end partition
110a recess
111c through-section
112 evaporator
113 cooling fan
114 radiant heater
115 drain pan
116 drain tube
117 evaporation tray
118 door
119 lower basket
120 upper basket
122 lid
123 first partition
124 outlet for vegetable compartment
125 second partition
126 inlet for vegetable compartment
131 electrostatic atomizing device
132, 209 atomizing port
133 voltage applier
134, 205, 501 heat conducting pin
134a, 191 protrusion
135 atomizing electrode
136 opposite electrode
137 outlet wall
138 humidity supplying port
139, 211 mist generation department
140 inlet air-duct for storage compartment
141 outlet air-duct for freezer compartment
146 controller
151 surface of rear partition
152 heat insulator
154, 178 heater
155 recess on heat insulator
156 low temperature air duct
158 heat conducting pin heater
161, 401 partition board
162 protrusion
165 through section
166 heat conducting pin cover
167 opening
171 heat insulator
172 partition on freezer side
173 partition on vegetable compartment side
174 partition
176 mist discharging port
177 mist air-duct
181 inlet air-duct for vegetable compartment
182 outlet air-duct for vegetable compartment
183 mist sucking port
192 atomizing port
193 humidity supplying port
194 tape (cool air shutout member)
196 void
197a, 197b, 197c, 197d void burying member
200 ultrasonic mist device
201 horn-shaped section
202 electrode
202a fixing part on mist-making electrode side
203 piezoelectric element
204 electrode
207 outlet wall
208 horn-shaped ultrasonic oscillator
222 Peltier module
222a heat conduction part on air-duct side
222b heat exchanging part
251 partition
252 outlet air-duct for vegetable compartment
253 inlet air-duct for vegetable compartment
254 vent hole
255 cooling air-duct for mist device
301 temperature changing chamber
302 damper
303 lower temperature side evaporator
304 higher temperature side evaporator
305 first partition
306 second partition
307 condenser
308 three-way valve
309 capillary on lower temperature side
310 capillary on higher temperature side
311 cooling air-duct on temperature changing chamber
312 cooling air-duct on freezer compartment
313 rear-end partition of temperature changing chamber
314 rear-end partition of freezer compartment
321 partition board
322 fan for refrigerator compartment
323 partition in refrigerator compartment
324 air-duct in refrigerator compartment
325 discharge port from temperature changing chamber
326 sucking port to temperature changing chamber
502 tip of the department mist
503 water collector
504 - 508 channel
509 waterway
510 pump
512 water
602a front sucking port
602b top sucking port
604 front panel
605 pre-filter
606 heat exchanger
608 indoor fan
610 blowout port
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described
specifically below while referring to the accompanying drawings. It must be
noted, however, that the present invention is not limited by these preferred
embodiments alone.
Preferred embodiment 1
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a section where a
refrigerator in preferred embodiment 1 of the present invention is cut and
parted into right and left sections. Fig. 2 is a front view of essential parts of
a rear end face of a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator in preferred
embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a
peripheral part of an electrostatic atomizing device provided in the vegetable
compartment of the refrigerator in preferred embodiment 1 of the present
invention, as seen from an arrow direction of a cut section along line A-A in
Fig. 2.
In the drawings, thermally insulated cabinet 101, which is a
refrigerator main body of refrigerator 100, includes outer case 102 mainly
composed of steel plate, inner case 103 formed of a resin such as ABS, and a
foamed thermally insulating material such as rigid foamed urethane foamed
and filled in a space between outer case 102 and inner case 103. The inside
of refrigerator 100 is insulated from the surrounding, and is thermally
insulated and divided into a plurality of storage compartments by partitions.
In the highest part of refrigerator 100, refrigerator compartment 104 is
arranged as a first storage compartment, and in the lower part of
refrigerator compartment 104, switchable temperature compartment 105 as
a fourth storage compartment and icemaker 106 as a fifth storage
compartment are disposed side by side, in the lower part of switchable
temperature compartment 105 and icemaker 106, vegetable compartment
107 is disposed as a second storage compartment, and in the lowest part,
freezer compartment 108 is disposed as a third storage compartment.
Refrigerator compartment 104 is always controlled at a lower limit of
1°C to 5°C so as not to be frozen for cold storage, and vegetable compartment
107 is controlled same as in refrigerator compartment 104, or a slightly
higher temperature setting of 2°C to 7°C. Freezer compartment 108 is set
in a freezing temperature zone, always at -22°C to -15°C for frozen storage,
or at a lower temperature of -30°C to _25°C for enhancing the frozen storage
state.
Switchable temperature compartment 105 can be changed over in
various preset temperature zones from cold storage temperature zone to
frozen storage temperature zone, in addition to the refrigerator zone of 1°C
to 5°C, the vegetable zone of 2°C to 7°C, the freezer zone of -22°C to -15°C.
Switchable temperature compartment 105 is a storage compartment having
an independent door disposed along with icemaker 106, often provided with
a drawer type door.
In this preferred embodiment, switchable temperature compartment
105 is a storage compartment including the temperature zones from cold
storage to frozen storage, but may be used as a specialized storage
compartment only in intermediate temperature zones between the
refrigerator and the freezer, by limiting the cold storage to refrigerator
compartment 104 and vegetable compartment 107 only, and the frozen
storage to freezer compartment 108 only. Or it may be also used as a
storage compartment fixed in a specific temperature zone.
Icemaker 106 makes ice in an automatic ice making machine (not
shown) provided in the upper part of the compartment from the water sent
from a water tank (not shown) in refrigerator compartment 104, and stores
the ice in an ice container (not shown) disposed in the lower part of the
compartment.
The ceiling part of thermally insulated cabinet 101 has a recessed
section like stairs toward the rear side of the refrigerator, and machine room
101a is formed in the stair-like recess, and machine room 101a
accommodates compressor 109, dryer (not shown) for removing moisture,
and other high pressure component parts of the freezing cycle. That is,
machine room 101a having compressor 109 is disposed by invading into a
rear region of the highest part in refrigerator compartment 104.
In other words, in the dead space hardly accessible, machine room
101a having compressor 109 is disposed in the rear region in the storage
compartment of the highest part of thermally insulated cabinet 101. As a
result, the space of the machine room provided lowest part of thermally
insulated cabinet 101 accessible by the user in a conventional refrigerator
can be effectively used converted to a storage compartment space, and the
storage efficiency and the convenience of use can be notably improved.
In the preferred embodiment, matters about essential parts of the
present invention mentioned below may be applied to a conventional
refrigerator of general type in which a machine room is provided in the rear
region of the storage compartment in the lowest part of thermally insulated
cabinet 101 and compressor 109 is disposed therein.
At the back side of vegetable compartment 107 and freezer
compartment 108, cooling compartment 110 for generating cold air is
provided to be partitioned from outlet air-duct 141 for freezer compartment.
Between vegetable compartment 107, freezer compartment 108, and cooling
compartment 110, outlet air-duct 141 for freezer compartment for sending
cold air to the thermally insulated compartments, and rear partition 111 for
thermally partitioning from the storage compartments are disposed. Or, as
shown in Fig. 3, partition board 161 is provided for isolating outlet air-duct
141 for freezer compartment and cooling compartment 110. Evaporator 112
is disposed in cooling compartment 110, and the upper space of evaporator
112 includes cooling fan 113 for sending the cold air cooled by evaporator 112
to refrigerator compartment 104, switchable temperature compartment 105,
icemaker 106, vegetable compartment 107, and freezer compartment 108 by
forced convection system.
The lower space of evaporator 112 includes radiant heater 114 made
of glass tubes for removing frost and ice depositing on evaporator 112 and its
peripheral parts in the cooling mode. Further in the lower part, drain pan
115 is provided for receiving the water from the defrosting mode, together
with drain tube 116 penetrating from the deepest part to outside of the
refrigerator, and evaporation tray 117 is provided outside of the refrigerator,
at its downstream side.
Vegetable compartment 107 includes lower basket 119 mounted on a
frame attached to door 118 of vegetable compartment 107, and upper basket
120 mounted on lower basket 119.
In the closed state of door 118, mainly, lid 122 for nearly closing
upper basket 120 is held in first partition 123 and inner case 103 in the
upper part of the vegetable compartment. In the closed state of door 118, lid
122 tightly contacts with the right and left sides and the inner side of the
upper surface of upper basket 120, and the front side of the upper surface is
contacting almost tightly. The boundary area of right, left and lower sides
of the back side of upper basket 120 and lower basket 119 is narrowed the
gap so as not to allow escape of humidity in the food storage area as far as
not interfering the move of upper basket 120.
Between lid 122 and first partition 123, as shown in Fig. 2, there is a
passage for cold air discharged from outlet 124 for vegetable compartment
disposed in rear partition 111. A space is also provided between lower
basket 119 and second partition 125, and a cold air passage is composed.
The lower part of rear partition 111 at the back side of vegetable
compartment 107 is provided with inlet 126 for vegetable compartment
returning the cold air into evaporator 112 after heat exchange by cooling in
vegetable compartment 107.
In the preferred embodiment, matters about essential parts of the
present invention mentioned below may be applied to a conventional
refrigerator of general type to be opened and closed by rails provided in the
frame attached to the door and the inner wall. Meanwhile, lid 122, outlet
124 for vegetable compartment, inlet 126 for vegetable compartment, and
the air passage construction may be optimized by the mode of the storage
container.
Rear partition 111 is composed, as shown in Fig. 3, of surface of
rear-end partition 151 composed of ABS or other resin, and heat insulator
152 composed of foamed styrol or the like for thermally insulating the
storage compartments by isolating outlet air-duct 141 for freezer
compartment and cooling compartment 110. Herein, recess Ilia is formed
in part of the wall surface of the inside of the storage compartment of rear
partition 111 so as to be lower in temperature than other parts, and
electrostatic atomizing device 131 is disposed therein.
Electrostatic atomizing device 131 is mainly composed of mist
generation department 139 and outlet wall 137, and atomizing port 132 and
humidity supplying port 138 are provided in a part of outlet wall 137. Mist
generation department 139 is mainly composed of atomizing electrode 135 as
a tip of the department mist, cooling pin 134 made of heat conduction
material such as aluminum, stainless steel, or brass, and voltage applicator
133 for applying a voltage to atomizing electrode 135.
Atomizing electrode 135 is fixed nearly in the center at one end of
cooling pin 134, and is electrically connected to one end of a wiring from
voltage applicator 133.
By such configuration, cooling pin 134 is cooled, for example, by the
cold air flowing in outlet air-duct 141 for freezer compartment in the cooling
section, and atomizing electrode 135 is cooled at the same time.
Cooling pin 134 is a heat conduction material, which is formed in a
columnar shape, measuring, for example, about 10 mm in diameter, and
about 15 mm in length. As compared with atomizing electrode 135,
measuring about 1 mm in diameter and about 5 mm in length, the thermal
capacity is larger by 50 times or more to 1000 times or less, preferably 100
times or more to 500 times or less. Thus, the thermal capacity of cooling pin
134 is larger than the thermal capacity of atomizing electrode 135 by 50
times or more, or preferably 100 times or more. As a result, the direct
effects of temperature changes in the cooling section on the atomizing
electrode can be substantially lessened, and the mist can be atomized stably
at smaller load fluctuations.
As the upper limit of the thermal capacity, meanwhile, the thermal
capacity of cooling pin 134 is desired to be 500 times or less or preferably
1000 times or less of the thermal capacity of atomizing electrode 135. This
upper limit is defined because a greater energy is needed for cooling if the
thermal capacity of cooling fin 134 is too large, and cooling of cooling pin is
difficult while saving energy. By controlling within the specified upper limit,
if thermal fluctuation loads from the cooling unit are varied, large effects on
atomizing electrode 135 can be alleviated, and atomizing electrode 135 can
be cooled stably by a small energy.
Further, by controlling within the specified upper limit, the time lag
required for cooling atomizing electrode 135 by way of cooling pin 134 can be
settled within an appropriate range. It is therefore effective to prevent
delay of cooling of atomizing electrode 135, that is, start of supply of moisture
to electrostatic atomizing device 131, and atomizing electrode 135 can be
cooled stably and appropriately.
The material of cooling pin 134 is preferably a heat conduction
material such as aluminum or copper as mentioned above, and in order to
transmit cold heat efficiently from one end to other end of cooling pin 134,
the surrounding is desired to be covered with heat insulator 152.
From a long-range view, it is also necessary to maintain heat
conduction of atomizing electrode 135 and cooling pin 134, and an epoxy
member is poured in for preventing invasion of humidity into the connection
area to suppress thermal resistance, and further atomizing electrode 135
and cooling pin 134 are fixed. Or, to lower the thermal resistance,
atomizing electrode 135 may be press-fitted and fixed into cooling pin 134.
Moreover, cooling pin 134 is required to transmit cold heat within
heat insulator 152 in order to insulate thermally vegetable compartment 107
as storage compartment from evaporator 112 or outlet air-duct 141 for
freezer compartment, and its length is preferred to be 5 mm or more,
preferably 10 mm or more. However, if the length is more than 30 mm, its
effect is lowered.
Besides, since electrostatic atomizing device 131 installed in
vegetable compartment 107 is exposed to an environment of high humidity,
and its humidity may influence cooling pin 134, cooling pin 134 is preferably
made of a metal material having corrosion-preventive and rust-preventive
properties, or a material processed by alumite surface treatment or other
coating.
In the preferred embodiment, the shape of cooling pin 134 is a
circular column. Therefore, when fitting into recess Ilia of heat insulator
152, if the fitting dimension is slightly tight, electrostatic atomizing device
131 can be rotated, and press-fitted and installed in place. Hence, cooling
pin 134 can be installed without allowing gap. The shape of cooling pin 134
may be a box or a regular polygon. In the case of a polygon, as compared
with a circular column, it is easier to position, and electrostatic atomizing
device 131 can be disposed at a correct position.
Further, by mounting atomizing electrode 135 on the central axis of
cooling pin 134, if rotated when fitting cooling pin 134, the distance between
opposite electrode 136 and atomizing electrode 135 can be kept constantly,
and a stable discharging distance can be assured.
Cooling pin 134 is fixed on outlet wall 137, and cooling pin 134 itself
has protrusion 134a projecting from outlet wall 137. This cooling pin 134
has protrusion 134 at a reverse side of atomizing electrode 135, and
protrusion 134a is fitted into deepest recess 111b deeper than recess Ilia of
rear partition 111.
Hence, at the back side of cooling pin 134, there is deepest recess
111b deeper than recess Ilia. That is, the side of cooling compartment 110
of heat insulator 152 in deepest recess lib, that is, the side of outlet air-duct
141 for freezer compartment is thinner in heat insulator 152 than in other
parts of rear partition 111 at the back side of vegetable compartment 107.
This thin heat insulator 152 is used as a heat cushioning member, and is
installed so that cooling pin 134 may be cooled by the cold air of cooling
compartment 110 from the back side by way of heat insulator 152.
In the preferred embodiment, as mentioned above, cooling pin 134 as
heat conduction material is cooled by the cold air generated in cooling
compartment 110. That is, the cooling source of freezing cycle is utilized.
Since cooling pin 134 is made of a conductive metal piece, the cooling section
is enough to cool for dew condensation in atomizing electrode 135, only by
heat conduction from outlet air-duct 141 for freezer compartment as air
passage for flow of cold air generated in evaporator 112, so that the dew
condensation can be formed.
Since the cooling section can be composed in such a simple structure,
mist-making of low trouble rate and high reliability is realized. In addition,
since cooling pin 134 and atomizing electrode 135 can be cooled by making
use of the cooling source of the freezing cycle, mist-making at low energy is
realized.
At this time, since cooling pin 134 in the preferred embodiment has
protrusion 134a at a reverse side of atomizing electrode 135, within mist
generation department 139, end portion 134b at the protrusion 134a side is
closest to the cooling section. Hence, cooling by cold air of the cooling
section is started from the end portion 134b side remotest from atomizing
electrode 135 in cooling pin 134.
At a position opposite to atomizing electrode 135, doughnut-like
circular opposite electrode 136 is provided at the storage compartment
(vegetable compartment 107) side, at a specific distance from the leading end
of atomizing electrode 135, and atomizing port 132 formed on its extension.
Near mist generation department 139, moreover, voltage applicator
133 is composed, and the negative potential side of voltage applicator 133 for
generating a high voltage is connected to atomizing electrode 135, and the
positive potential side is connected to opposite electrode 136, electrically.
Near atomizing electrode 135, for atomizing mist, discharge is always
occurring. Hence, at the leading end of atomizing electrode 135, there is a
possibility of occurrence of abrasion. Refrigerator 100 is generally operated
continuously for a long period of more than 10 years, and the surface of
atomizing electrode 135 requires a tough surface treatment, and should be
preferably processed by, for example, nickel plating, gold plating, or
platinum plating.
Opposite electrode 136 is made of, for example, stainless steel, and
its long-term reliability must be assured. In particular, to prevent sticking
of foreign matter or to prevent contamination, it is preferred to treat the
surface by platinum plating or the like.
Voltage applicator 133 is controlled to communicate with controller
146 of the refrigerator main body, and turns on or off the high voltage by an
input signal from refrigerator 100 or electrostatic atomizing device 131.
In this preferred embodiment, voltage applicator 133 is installed in
electrostatic atomizing device 131, and since the atmosphere in vegetable
compartment 107 is low in temperature and high in humidity, the circuit
board surface of voltage applicator 133 is coated with molding material or
coating material for resisting the moisture.
However, such coating is not necessary if voltage applicator 133 is
installed in a place of high temperature outside of storage compartment.
Surface of rear-end partition 151 for fixing of electrostatic atomizing
device 131 is provided with heater 154 or other heating element for
regulating the temperature of vegetable compartment 107 or preventing dew
condensation on the surface, between surface of rear-end partition 151 and
heat insulator 152.
In refrigerator 100 of the preferred embodiment having such
configuration, the operations and actions are explained below.
First, the operation of the freezing cycle is explained. Depending on
the temperature determined in the refrigerator, the freezing cycle is started
by a signal from the control board (not shown), and the cooling operation
starts. The refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure discharged
by operation of compressor 109 condensed and liquefied somewhat in a
condenser (not shown). Further, by way of refrigerant pipes (not shown)
installed on the side face and back face of thermally insulated cabinet 101 of
the refrigerator main body, and at the front opening of thermally insulated
cabinet 101, the refrigerant is condensed and liquefied while preventing dew
condensation in thermally insulated cabinet 101, and is sent into capillary
tubes (not shown). In the capillary tubes, the refrigerant is decompressed
while exchanging heat with a suction tube (not shown) into compressor 109,
and becomes a liquid refrigerant at low temperature and low pressure, and is
sent into evaporator 112.
Rear end partition 313 of temperature changing chamber in which
electrostatic atomizing device 131 is installed has a recess, and electrostatic
atomizing device 131 is disposed in this place.
Cooling pin 134 of electrostatic atomizing device 131 is covered with
heat conducting pin cover 166 of heat resistant and waterproof material such
as PS, PP other resin so as to surround the outer circumference, and is fitted
into through-section 165 of heat insulator 152 in this state.
At this time, heat conducting pin cover 166 fitted tightly with heat
insulator 152 in the surrounding, and when water deposits on cooling pin
134, heat insulator 152 sticks, and invasion of water into the inside of the
heat insulator, and freezing and breaking can be prevented.
End portion 134b of cooling pin 134 is formed in a cylindrical shape
in heat conducting pin cover 166 to assure the cooling capacity from the back
side, and only end portion 134b of cooling pin 134 is opened, and opening 167
of through-section 165 is sealed with aluminum tape or other tape 194
adhered to heat insulator 152 to shut off cold air.
End portion 134b of cooling pin 134 is adhered with tape 194, and the
heat conduction is guaranteed.
Heat conducting pin cover 166 may be an adiabatic insulation tape.
However, considering a certain dimensional error, certain void 196 is present
between cooling pin 134 and heat conducting pin cover 166, and this void 196
is filled up with void burying member 197d such as butyl, heat diffusion
compound or heat conduction holding material relatively excellent in heat
conductivity and capable of filling the void, and such material is buried
between cooling pin 134 and heat conducting pin cover 166.
Temperature changing chamber 301 can be changed from the
freezing temperature to wine storage temperature, and if necessary, for
example, a heater (not shown) for temperature regulation may be installed
in the peripheral area.
In the refrigerator having such configuration, the operation ad its
effects are described. First, the operation of the freezing cycle is explained.
Depending on a preset compartment temperature, a signal is sent from the
control circuit board (not shown), and the freezing cycle is operated, and the
cooling operation is started. By the operation of compressor 109, the
refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure is discharged, and is
somewhat condensed and liquefied in condenser 307, and passes through a
refrigerant piping (not shown) laid down in the lateral side and back side of
the refrigerator main body (thermally insulated cabinet 101), or the front
opening of the refrigerator main body (thermally insulated cabinet 101), and
is further condensed and liquefied while preventing dew condensation on the
refrigerator main body (thermally insulated cabinet 101), and reaches up to
three-way valve 308. Herein, the path of three-way valve 308 is determined
by the operation signal from the control circuit board of refrigerator 100, and
the refrigerant is passed into either capillary on lower temperature side 309
or capillary on higher temperature side, or into both. When the path of
three-way valve 308 is opened to the capillary on higher temperature side, a
liquid refrigerant of low temperature and low pressure is formed in capillary
on higher temperature side 310, and flows into higher temperature side
evaporator 304.
Herein, the liquid refrigerant of low temperature and low pressure in
higher temperature side evaporator 304 is at a temperature of about -10°C to
-20°C, and it is directly or indirectly exchanged in heat with the air in
refrigerator compartment 104, and a part of the refrigerant in higher
temperature side evaporator 304 is evaporated. Further, it flows through
the refrigerant piping, and reaches lower temperature side evaporator 303.
It further flows through the accumulator (not shown) and returns to
compressor 109 in the cooling cycle operation.
On the hand, when the path of three-way valve 308 is opened to the
capillary on lower temperature side 309, a liquid refrigerant of low
temperature and low pressure is formed in capillary on lower temperature
side 309, and flows into lower temperature side evaporator 303.
Herein, the liquid refrigerant of low temperature and low pressure is
at a temperature of about -20°C to -30°C, and the air in the cooling
compartment is exchanged in heat by convection by cooling fan 113, and
almost all refrigerant in lower temperature side evaporator 303 is
evaporated. This cold air is blown into freezer compartment 108 or
temperature changing chamber 301 by cooling fan 113. The heat-exchanged
refrigerant flows through the accumulator and returns to compressor 109.
On the other hand, in lower temperature side evaporator 303 in
cooling compartment 110, a cold air is discharged by cooling fan 113, and
passes through cooling air duct 312 on freezer compartment in rear en
partition 314 of freezer compartment, and is discharged into freezer
compartment 108 from a discharging port. The discharged cold air
exchanges in heat with the freezer compartment case, and is sucked into the
lower part of rear end partition 314 of freezer compartment, and returns to
cooing chamber 110 having lower temperature side evaporator 303.
A part of the cold air discharged by cooling fan 113 flows into cooling
air duct 311 on temperature changing chamber in rear end partition 313 of
temperature changing chamber. The cold air flowing into cooling air duct
311 on temperature changing chamber passes through damper 302, and is
discharged into temperature changing chamber 301 from a discharging port,
and is exchanged in heat in temperature changing chamber 301, and sucked
into a duct at the back side, and is returned to cooling compartment 110. At
this time, by the temperature detector installed in temperature changing
chamber 301, damper 302 is determined in its opening or closing operation,
and the volume of cold air passing through the damper is controlled, so that
the temperature is controlled constantly in temperature changing chamber
301.
Herein, temperature changing chamber 301 is a chamber in which an
arbitrary temperature can be set, practically from freezing temperature zone
of about -20°C to about 5°C of vegetable compartment, or about 12°C of wine
cellar. Hence it may be also used as vegetable compartment for storing
vegetables and fruit.
Accordingly, when the temperature setting of temperature changing
chamber 301 is about vegetable storing temperature, for example , 2°C or
higher, electrostatic atomizing device 131 is put in operation, and the
freshness of the contents is enhanced.
Herein, in temperature changing chamber 301, in a part of the
location of relatively high humidity environment of rear end partition 313 of
temperature changing chamber, the heat insulator is thinner in wall
thickness than in other parts, and deepest recess 111b is formed behind
cooling pin 134 in particular. Hence, recess Ilia is formed in rear end
partition 313 of temperature changing chamber, and in deepest recess 111b
at the rearmost side of recess Ilia, electrostatic atomizing device 131 in a
shape having projecting protrusion 134a of cooling pin 134 is fitted and fixed.
In cooling air duct 311 on temperature changing chamber at the back
side of cooling pin 134, a cold air of about -15°C to -25°C generated at the
side of evaporation tray 303 on lower temperature side by operation of
cooling system, and blown by cooling fan 113 is flowing, and by heat
conduction from air duct surface, cooling pin 134 of heat conduction material
is cooled to, for example, about 0 to 10°C. At this time, since cooling pin
134 is a heat conduction material, the cold heat is conveyed quickly, and
atomizing electrode 135 at the tip of the department mist is cooled indirectly
to about 0 to '10°C by way of cooling pin 134.
In this case, when damper 302 is opened, the cold air directly flows
into temperature changing chamber 301, and the temperature changing
chamber is set in low humidity state. When damper 302 is closed, dry air
does not flow into the temperature changing chamber, and the temperature
changing chamber is relatively at high humidity, and the temperature in the
cooling air duct in the temperature changing chamber at the back side of
cooling pin 134 is maintained at a relatively low temperature.
Herein, when the temperature setting of temperature changing
chamber 301 is the setting of vegetable compartment, the temperature is 2°C
to 7°C, and the humidity is relatively high due to transpiration from
vegetables, and if atomizing electrode 135 at the tip of the department mist
of electrostatic atomizing device 131 becomes lower than the temperature of
' dew point, water is generated and water drops deposit on atomizing
electrode 135 including its peripheral parts.
A negative voltage is applied to atomizing electrode 135 of a tip of the
department mist having water drops, and a positive voltage to opposite
electrode 136, and a high voltage (for example, 4 to 10 kV) is applied between
these electrodes from voltage applicator 133. At this time, a corona
discharge occurs between these electrodes, and water drops at the tip of
atomizing electrode 135 are pulverized by an electrostatic energy, and since
the water drops are charged electrically, by Rayleigh scattering, a very fine
mist of changed nano level having an invisible particle size at the level of
several nanometers is generated, accompanying ozone and OH radicals.
The voltage applied between the electrodes is very high, about 4 to 10 kV, but
the discharge current value at this time is several uA levels, and the input is
very low, about 0.5 to 1.5 W.
More specifically, supposing atomizing electrode 135 at reference
potential side (0 V) and opposite electrode 136 at high voltage side (+7 kV),
the dew condensation water deposits on the leading end of atomizing
electrode 135, and an air insulation layer between atomizing electrode 135
and opposite electrode 136 is destroyed, and discharge is caused by an
electrostatic force. At this time, the dew condensation water is electrically
charged, and fine particles are formed. Further, since opposite electrode
136 is at a positive side, the charged fine mist is attracted, and liquid drops
are further pulverized, and a fine mist of invisible nano level having an
electric charge of several nm level containing radicals is attracted to opposite
electrode 136, and its inertial force causes the fine mist to be atomized
toward the storage compartment (temperature changing chamber 301).
Herein, cooling pin 134 is cooled from cooing air duct 311 on
temperature changing chamber by way of tape 194 or void burying member
197d, or cooled from the heat insulator at the cooling pin lateral side. When
cooled indirectly by a dual structure by way of tape 194, void 196 may be
formed between heat conducting pin cover 166 and tape 194 due to
processing precision, and if void 196 is formed, the heat conductivity becomes
poor in this space, and cooling pin 134 may not be cooled sufficiently, and the
temperature of cooling pin 134 or the temperature of atomizing electrode 135
may fluctuate, and dew condensation may be disturbed at the atomizing
electrode tip depending on the circumstance.
To prevent these troubles, at the time of assembling, tight contacting
of tape 194 and cooling pin 134 should be checked, or if possibility of forming
of void is suspected, void 196 is filled with void burying member 197d such as
butyl, heat diffusion compound or heat conduction holding material, and the
heat conduction from tape 194 to cooling pin 134 is assured, and the cooling
capacity on atomizing electrode 135 is guaranteed.
Further, there is no gap between heat conducting pin cover 166 and
through-section 165, and opening 167 of through-section 165 shuts off
invasion of cold air from the cooling air duct adjacent from tape 194, and low
temperature cold air does not leak into the compartment, and dew
condensation or low temperature troubles will not occur in storage
compartment (temperature changing chamber 301) or its peripheral parts.
To prevent heat conduction deterioration by forming of voids between
heat conducting pin cover 166 and cooling pin 134 due to inevitable error in
processing precision or assembling precision, voids 196 can be filled up with
butyl or other heat conduction material, and the heat conductivity is assured,
and the cooling capacity is guaranteed. Voids 196 formed between tape
194 and cooling pin 134 can be filled up by filling voids 196 with butyl or
other heat conduction material, and the heat conductivity can be assured.
Since there is no gap between heat conducting pin cover 166 and
through-section 165, invasion of water into the heat insulator formed of
foamed styrol can be prevented, and it is effective to prevent permeation of
water into the heat insulator, freezing of the permeation area, and
application of stress in the area by expansion of volume of water, and
accompanying cracking and breaking, and the quality is assured more
securely.
Besides, opening 167 of through-section 165 shuts off invasion of cold
air from the cooling air duct adjacent from tape 194, and cold air does not
leak into the compartment, and dew condensation or low temperature
troubles will not occur in storage compartment (temperature changing
chamber 301) or its peripheral parts.
By these cooling effects, dew condensate on atomizing electrode 135,
and a high voltage discharge occurs between opposite electrode 136 and
atomizing electrode 135, and the generated fine mist passes through
atomizing port 132 formed in outlet wall 137 of electrostatic atomizing device
131, and is atomized into temperature changing chamber 301, but since the
particle size is very small, the diffusion power is strong, and the fine mist
reaches all parts of temperature changing chamber 301. Since the atomized
fine mist is generated by high voltage discharge, it is charged negatively,
while temperature changing chamber 301 contains positively charged
vegetables and fruit, and the atomized mist is likely to gather on the surface
of vegetables and the freshness is enhanced.
As far as possible to atomize, the temperature is not particularly
specified. For example, if the temperature changing chamber is set at
partial temperature of about -2°C, freezing temperature of about 0°C, or
chilled temperature zone of about 1°C, as far as it is judged that the mist can
be atomized from electrostatic atomizing device 131, only by atomizing, a
fine mist deposits on the surface of fresh food, and the bactericidal property
is enhanced, and storage for a long period may be realized.
If temperature changing chamber 301 is set at wine storing
temperature, damper 302 is almost closed, and the humidity is relatively
high in the storage compartment, and growth of mold may be possible, but it
can be prevented by atomizing a mist having strong oxidizing radicals.
If temperature changing chamber 301 is set in temperature zone
judged to be impossible to atomize such as freezing setting, or if the
operation of electrostatic atomizing device 131 can be freely stopped by
manual button or the like, the electrostatic atomizing device can be stopped.
By judging the operation of electrostatic atomizing device 131 by the
damper opening and closing operation, electrostatic atomizing device 131 can
be operated efficiently.
Further, by disposing a heater for regulating the temperature near
cooling pin 134 of electrostatic atomizing device 131, the temperature of the
atomizing electrode can be regulated, and the water volume at the atomizing
electrode tip can be regulated, and a more stable mist making state can be
realized.
Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the refrigerator having a
plurality of evaporators is provided with a partition for separating a
temperature changing chamber for varying the temperature and its storage
compartment, and has a cooling air duct on temperature changing chamber
for cooling the temperature changing chamber, and the electrostatic
atomizing device is installed on the rear partition for separating the air duct
and the storage compartment. Hence, when the temperature setting in the
temperature changing chamber is the temperature setting in the vegetable
compartment, the atomizing electrode can be cooled by heat conduction from
the air duct flowing into the temperature changing chamber, and the dew
can be condensed, and stable atomizing is realized. Since it is installed at
the inner side, it is hardly accessed by the user's hand, and the safety is
enhanced.
In the preferred embodiment, if the damper is closed, the
temperature of the air duct at the back side of the temperature changing
chamber is at the upstream side of the damper, and a relatively low
temperature is maintained, and the atomizing electrode can be cooled
sufficiently, and dew can be condensed at the tip of the atomizing electrode,
and the mist can be generated.
The mist generation department of the preferred embodiment is
designed to generate mist by electrostatic mist-making system, and water
drops are broken and pulverized by using an electric energy of high voltage,
and a fine mist is generated. Since the generated mist is charged
electrically, by charging the mist in reverse polarity of the desired vegetables
and fruit, for example, by atomizing a mist of negative charge to the
vegetables of positive charge, the bonding force on the vegetables and fruit is
enhanced, and the mist can be more uniformly bonded on the vegetable
surface, and as compared with the mist of the type not charged, the mist
bonding rate is substantially improved. The atomized mist can be directly
applied on the food in the vegetable crisper, and a fine mist can be applied on
the vegetable surface by making use of the potential of the fine mist and the
vegetables, and the freshness may be further enhanced.
The damper of the preferred embodiment is a motor-driven damper,
and there is no limitation of the temperature setting (operating temperature)
due to limitation of the mechanical damper, and the temperature changing
chamber can be controlled at a desired temperature, and the temperature
suited to various foods can be determined.
Although impossible in mechanical damper, force closing is possible,
and when the temperature changing chamber is not used, it is not required
to circulate the cold air in the temperature changing chamber, and by closing
the motor-driven damper by force, useless cooling is prevented, and the
power consumption can be suppressed. When defrosting the lower
temperature side evaporator in the cooling compartment, by closing the
motor-driven damper by force, invasion of warm humidity into the
temperature changing chamber can be prevented, and the frosting is
prevented and defrosting efficiency is enhanced, and the power consumption
can be suppressed, and the atomizing electrode can be heated at the same
time, and it serves as a drying unit of the atomizing electrode, and the
reliability is enhanced.
Moreover, the damper of the preferred embodiment is a temperature
controlling chamber fan capable of varying the rotating speed, and the cold
air volume to the temperature changing chamber can be adjusted, and it is
free from restriction of the temperature setting (operating temperature)
required in the mechanical damper, and temperature changing chamber 301
can be controlled at a desired temperature, and the temperature suited to
each food can be created. In addition, cooling speed can be controlled, such
as quick cooling or slow cooling and the freshness of the food is further
enhanced.
In the preferred embodiment, the temperature changing chamber is
the storage compartment having the electrostatic atomizing device, but it
may be realized by a vegetable compartment limited in the temperature zone
more strictly. As a result, the temperature fluctuation range is smaller, and
a simpler control specification is realized.
Preferred embodiment 29
Fig. 45 is a sectional view of the refrigerator in preferred embodiment
29 of the present invention. Fig. 46 is a sectional view near the electrostatic
atomizing device in preferred embodiment 29 of the present invention.
In this preferred embodiment, only the portions different from the
configuration specifically described in the foregoing preferred embodiments
are explained, and the portions similar to the configuration specifically
described in the foregoing preferred embodiments or applicable to the same
technical concept are omitted in explanation.
As shown in the drawing, in the preferred embodiment, in the
highest part of refrigerator 100, refrigerator compartment 104 is composed
as a first storage compartment, and in the lower part of refrigerator
compartment 104, temperature changing chamber 301 changeable to
vegetable compartment temperature of about 5°C is composed, and freezer
compartment 108 is formed in the lower of temperature changing chamber
301. Temperature changing chamber 301 is composed of partition 321 for
thermally insulating between the temperature zones of refrigerator
compartment 104 and temperature changing chamber 301, a second
partition for thermally insulating the temperature zone of temperature
changing chamber 301, inner case 103 at the inner side of temperature
changing chamber 301, and door 118.
Refrigerator compartment 104 and temperature changing chamber
301 utilize higher temperature side evaporator 304 disposed in the inner
wall at the inner side of the refrigerator compartment and at the inner side
of the temperature changing chamber as the cooling source, and freezer
compartment 108 utilizes lower temperature side evaporator 303 provided in
cooling compartment disposed at the inner side of freezer compartment 108
as the cooling source, and cooling fan 113 is provided in the upper part of
lower temperature side evaporator 303 for blowing the cold air generated in
lower temperature side evaporator 303.
At the inner side of temperature changing chamber 301, electrostatic
atomizing device 131 is composed for atomizing a mist into temperature
changing chamber 301.
The cooling cycle of the present invention discharges the refrigerant
from compressor 109, condenses in condenser 307, and changes over a
plurality of channels by three-way valve 308. A part of the refrigerant is
decompressed by capillary on higher temperature side 310, is exchanged in
heat in higher temperature side evaporator 304, and passes through lower
temperature side evaporator 303 and an accumulator, and returns to
compressor 109, and the simultaneous cooling cycle of refrigerator
compartment and freezer compartment is formed, and other part is
decompressed in capillary on lower temperature side 309, is exchanged in
heat in lower temperature side evaporator 303, and passes through an
accumulator, and returns to compressor 109, and the independent cooling
cycle of freezer compartment is formed.
Therefore, temperature changing chamber 301 makes use of higher
temperature side evaporator 304, and the temperature is properly regulated
by a refrigerator compartment temperature detector (not shown) or a
temperature changing compartment temperature detector (not shown),
compressor 109, and three-way valve 308.
Inner case 103 at the rear side of temperature changing chamber 301
is mainly made of ABS or other resin, and electrostatic atomizing device 131
as the mist maker is installed in a part of this inner case.
Inner case 103 for fixing electrostatic atomizing device 131 is
provided with heat conducting pin heater 158 near mist generation
department 139 for the purposes of regulating the temperature of cooling pin
134 of heat conduction material provided in electrostatic atomizing device
131, and preventing excessive dew condensation in the peripheral parts
including atomizing electrode 135 at the tip of the department mist.
Cooling pin 134 of heat conduction material is fixed to outlet wall 137,
and cooling pin 134 has protrusion 134a projecting from the outlet wall.
Cooling pin 134 has protrusion 134a at the reverse side of atomizing
electrode 135, and protrusion 134a is fitted into a recess formed in a part of
inner case 103.
It is hence disposed closer to higher temperature side evaporator 304
at the back side of cooling pin 134 of heat conduction material.
In the refrigerator having such configuration, the operation ad its
effects are described. First, the operation of the freezing cycle is explained.
Depending on a preset compartment temperature, a signal is sent
from the control circuit board (not shown), and the freezing cycle is operated,
and the cooling operation is started. By the operation of compressor 109,
the refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure is discharged, and is
somewhat condensed and liquefied in condenser 307, and passes through a
refrigerant piping (not shown) laid down in the lateral side and back side of
the refrigerator main body (thermally insulated cabinet 101), or the front
opening of the refrigerator main body (thermally insulated cabinet 101), and
is further condensed and liquefied while preventing dew condensation on the
refrigerator main body (thermally insulated cabinet 101), and reaches up to
three-way valve 308. Herein, the channel of three-way valve 308 is
determined by the operation signal from the control circuit board of
refrigerator 100, and the refrigerant is passed into either capillary on lower
temperature side 309 or capillary on higher temperature side, or into both.
When the channel of three-way valve 308 is opened to the capillary on higher
temperature side, a liquid refrigerant of low temperature and low pressure is
formed in capillary on higher temperature side 310, and flows into higher
temperature side evaporator 304.
Herein, the liquid refrigerant of low temperature and low pressure in
higher temperature side evaporator 304 is at a temperature of about - 10°C to
-20°C, and it is directly or indirectly exchanged in heat with the air in
refrigerator compartment 104 or temperature changing chamber, and a part
of the refrigerant in higher temperature side evaporator 304 is evaporated.
Further, it flows through the refrigerant piping, and reaches lower
temperature side evaporator 303.
It further the refrigerant flows through the accumulator (not shown)
and returns to compressor 109 in the cooling cycle operation.
On the hand, when the channel of three-way valve 308 is opened to
the capillary on lower temperature side 309, a liquid refrigerant of low
temperature and low pressure is formed in capillary on lower temperature
side 309, and flows into lower temperature side evaporator 303.
Herein, the liquid refrigerant of low temperature and low pressure is
at a temperature of about -20°C to -30°C, and the air in the cooling
compartment is exchanged in heat by convection by cooling fan 113, and
almost all refrigerant in lower temperature side evaporator 303 is
evaporated. This cold air is blown into freezer compartment 108 by way of
cooling fan 113. The heat-exchanged refrigerant flows through the
accumulator and returns to compressor 109.
On the other hand, in lower temperature side evaporator 303 in
cooling compartment 110, a cold air is discharged by cooling fan 113, and
passes through cooling air duct 312 on freezer compartment in rear end
partition 314 of freezer compartment, and is discharged into freezer
compartment 108 from a discharging port. The discharged cold air
exchanges in heat with the freezer compartment case, and is sucked into the
lower part of rear end partition 314 of freezer compartment, and returns to
cooing chamber 110 having lower temperature side evaporator 303.
The channel to capillary on higher temperature side 310 is opened by
the three-way valve, and refrigerator compartment 104 and temperature
changing chamber 301 are cooled. At this time, by the temperature detector
installed in refrigerator compartment 104 or temperature changing chamber
301, opening or closing of the three-way valve is determined, so that the
temperature is controlled constantly in refrigerator compartment 104 or
temperature changing chamber 301.
Herein, temperature changing chamber 301 is a chamber in which an
arbitrary temperature can be set, practically from about -2°C in partial
chilling temperature zone, or about 5°C of vegetable compartment, to about
12°C of wine cellar. Hence it may be also used as vegetable compartment
for storing vegetables and fruit.
Accordingly, when the temperature setting of temperature changing
chamber 301 is about vegetable storing temperature, for example, 2°C or
higher, electrostatic atomizing device 131 is put in operation, and the
freshness of the contents is enhanced.
Herein, in temperature changing chamber 301, in a part of the
location of relatively high humidity environment of inner case 103 at the
inner side, electrostatic atomizing device 131 is disposed, and the rear part of
cooling pin 134 is close to higher temperature side evaporator 304.
In higher temperature side evaporator 304 at the back side of cooling
pin 134, by the operation of the cooling system, the refrigerant tube or fin or
heat transfer material is cooled to a temperature of about -15 to -25°C, and
by the heat conduction from them, cooling pin 134 of heat conduction
material is cooled to about 0 to -10°C. At this time, since cooling pin 134 is
a heat conduction material, the cold heat is conveyed quickly, and atomizing
electrode 135 at the tip of the department mist is cooled indirectly to about 0
to -10°C by way of cooling pin 134.
In this way, cooling pin 134 is cooled by direct heat conduction from
the evaporation tray.
Therefore, the cooling section for cooling of cooling pin 134 is not low
temperature air from the air duct, but is the direct heat conduction from the
evaporation tray kept at nearly constant evaporation temperature, and the
cooling pin can be cooled more stably, and the thermal capacity is increased
by the evaporation tray and the refrigerant, and a stable temperature is
realized.
Herein, when three-way valve 308 is set to open the channel for the
capillary on higher temperature side, refrigerator compartment 104 and
temperature changing chamber 301 are set in the cooling mode, and the
temperature changing chamber is in low humidity state. On the other hand,
three-way valve 308 is set to close the cahnnel for the capillary on higher
temperature side, the temperature changing chamber 301 is in a relatively
high humidity state, and a certain low temperature is maintained in higher
temperature side evaporator 304 at the back side of cooling pin 134.
If the temperature setting in temperature changing chamber 301 is
the vegetable compartment setting, the temperature is 2°to 7°C, and the
humidity is relatively high due to transpiration from vegetables, and
atomizing electrode 135 at the tip of the department mist of electrostatic
atomizing device 131 is below the temperature of dew point, water is
generated in atomizing electrode 135 including its tip, and water drops
deposit, and a fine mist having radicals is generated by application of high
voltage.
This fine mist passes through atomizing port 132 formed outlet wall
137 of electrostatic: atomizing device 131, and is atomized into temperature
changing chamber 301, and since the particle size is very small, the diffusion
is very strong, and the fine mist reaches all parts in temperature changing
chamber 301. Since the fine mist being atomized is generated by high
voltage discharge, and is negatively charged, while temperature charging
chamber 301 contains vegetables and fruit being charged positively, and the
atomized mist is likely to gather on the surface of vegetables and the
freshness is enhanced.
As far as atomizing is possible, the temperature is not specified. For
example, if the temperature changing chamber is set at about -2°C of partial
temperature, about 0°C of icing, or about 1°C of chilling, as far as it is judged
possible to atomize from electrostatic atomizing device 131, by atomizing,
fine mist deposits on the surface of fresh food, and the sterilizing effect is
enhanced, and the food can be stored for a long period.
A more efficient mist atomizing is realizing by interlocking the
operation of three-way valve 308 and the operation of electrostatic atomizing
device 131.
Near cooling pin 134 of electrostatic atomizing device 131, a heater
may be disposed for the purpose of regulating the temperature, and the
temperature control of the atomizing electrode and the water volume
adjustment at the tip of the department mist may be enabled, and a further
stable mist-making state is realized.
Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the refrigerator having a
plurality of evaporator trays, a temperature changing chamber for varying
the temperature, and an evaporation tray for cooling the temperature
changing chamber are provided, are the temperature changing chamber is
cooled by utilizing the evaporation tray for cooling the refrigerator
compartment, and the electrostatic atomizing device is provided in a part of
the inner case at the inner side of the temperature changing chamber, and
when the temperature setting in the temperature changing chamber is the
temperature setting in the vegetable compartment, the atomizing electrode
can be cooled by heat conduction from the higher temperature side
evaporator, and dew can be condensed, and stable atomizing is possible, and
since it is installed at the inner side, it is hardly accessed by the user's hand,
and safety is enhanced, and moreover the number of parts can be saved, and
the structure is more inexpensive.
In the preferred embodiment, the cooling pin is cooled direct heat
conductor from the evaporation tray, but as far as the temperature of the
mist generation department is appropriate, it may be cooled indirectly by
disposing a resin or a heat insulator. As a result, the electrostatic
atomizing device can be assembled near the evaporation tray, and the
number of processes and the management for guarantee heat conduction can
be saved.
Preferred embodiment 30
Fig. 47 is a sectional view of the refrigerator in preferred embodiment
30 of the present invention. In this preferred embodiment, only the
portions different from the configuration specifically described in preferred
embodiments 1 to 29 are explained, and the portions similar to the
configuration specifically described in preferred embodiments 1 to 29 or
applicable to the same technical concept are omitted in explanation.
As shown in the drawing, in the preferred embodiment, in the
highest part of refrigerator 100, refrigerator compartment 104 is composed
as a first storage compartment, and in the lower part of refrigerator
compartment 104, temperature changing chamber 301 changeable to
vegetable compartment temperature of about 5°C is composed, and freezer
compartment 108 is formed in the lower of temperature changing chamber
301.
Temperature changing chamber 301 is composed of partition board
321 for partitioning between the temperature zones of refrigerator
compartment 104 and temperature changing chamber 301, a second
partition for thermally insulating the temperature zone of temperature
changing chamber 301, partition board 321 at inner side of temperature
changing chamber 301, and door 118, and discharge port 325 from
temperature changing chamber is provided in a part of partition board 321.
Partition 323 in refrigerator compartment is provided at the inner
side of refrigerator compartment 104 and temperature changing chamber
301, and this partition is formed up to the inner side of temperature
changing chamber 301, and air duct 324 in refrigerator compartment is
disposed across a spacing, and sucking port 326 to temperature changing
chamber is composed at one end thereof. Higher temperature side
evaporator 304 is formed in the inside, and fan 322 for refrigerator
compartment is installed in the upper part of higher temperature side
evaporator 304, and a cold air is blown into the refrigerator compartment.
In a part of partition board 321 at the inner side of temperature
changing chamber 301, electrostatic atomizing device 131 for atomizing a
mist into temperature changing chamber 301 is composed.
Partition board 321 at the back side of temperature changing
chamber 301 is composed mainly of ABS or other resin and foamed styrol or
other heat insulator, and electrostatic atomizing device 131 as mist maker is
disposed in a part of its inner case.
Partition board 321 for fixing electrostatic atomizing device 131 is
provided with heat conducting pin heater 158 disposed near mist generation
department 139, for the purposes of regulating the temperature of cooling
pin 134 of heat conduction material disposed in electrostatic atomizing
device 131, and preventing excessive dew condensation in the peripheral
parts including atomizing electrode 135 at the tip of the department mist.
Cooling pin 134 of heat conduction material is fixed to outlet wall 137,
and cooling pin 134 has protrusion 134a projecting from the outlet wall.
Cooling pin 134 has protrusion 134a at the reverse side of atomizing
electrode 135, and protrusion 134a is fitted into a recess formed in a part of
partition board 321.
The back side of cooling pin 134 of heat conduction material is hence
disposed closer to higher temperature side evaporator 304.
In the refrigerator having such configuration, the operation ad its
effects are described. When the channel of three-way valve 308 is opened to
capillary on higher temperature side 310, refrigerator compartment 104 and
temperature changing chamber 301 are cooled. At this time, by the
temperature detector installed in refrigerator compartment 104 or
temperature changing chamber 301, the opening or closing of the three-way
valve and the operation of fan 322 for refrigerator compartment are
determined, and the temperature of refrigerator compartment 104 and
temperature changing chamber 301 is kept constant.
Herein, temperature changing chamber 301 is a chamber in which an
arbitrary temperature can be set, practically from about -2°C in partial
temperature zone, or about 5°C of vegetable compartment, to about 12°C of
wine cellar. Hence it may be also used as vegetable compartment for
storing vegetables and fruit.
Accordingly, when the temperature setting of temperature changing
chamber 301 is about vegetable storing temperature, for example, 2°C or
higher, electrostatic atomizing device 131 is put in operation, and the
freshness of the contents is enhanced.
Herein, in temperature changing chamber 301, in a part of the
location of relatively high humidity environment of partition board 321 at
the inner side, electrostatic atomizing device 131 is disposed, and the rear
part of cooling pin 134 is close to higher temperature side evaporator 304.
In higher temperature side evaporator 304 at the back side of cooling
pin 134, by the operation of the cooling system, the refrigerant tube or fin or
heat transfer material is cooled to a temperature of about -15 to -25°C, and
by the heat conduction from them, cooling pin 134 of heat conduction
material is cooled to about 0 to -10°C. At this time, since cooling pin 134 is
a heat conduction material, the cold heat is conveyed quickly, and atomizing
electrode 135 at the tip of the department mist is cooled indirectly to about 0
to -10°C by way of cooling pin 134.
Herein, when three-way valve 308 is set to open the channel for the
capillary on higher temperature side, refrigerator compartment 104 and
temperature changing chamber 301 are set in the cooling mode, and the
temperature changing chamber is in low humidity state. On the other hand,
three-way valve 308 is set to close the channel for the capillary on higher
temperature side, the temperature changing chamber is in a relatively high
humidity state, and fan 322 for refrigerator compartment is put in operation,
and the frost deposited on the higher temperature side evaporator is thawed
and removed, and at this time, temperature changing chamber 301 is in a
relatively high humidity space. Therefore, mist-making is realized if the
temperature elevated in higher temperature side evaporator 304 at the back
side of cooling pin 134.
If the temperature setting in temperature changing chamber 301 is
the vegetable compartment setting, the temperature is 2°to 7°C, and the
humidity is relatively high due to transpiration from vegetables, and
atomizing electrode 135 at the tip of the department mist of electrostatic
atomizing device 131 is below the temperature of dew point, water is
generated in atomizing electrode 135 including its tip, and water drops
deposit, and a fine mist having radicals is generated by application of high
voltage.
This fine mist passes through atomizing port 132 formed in outlet
wall 137 of electrostatic atomizing device 131, and is atomized into
temperature changing chamber 301, and since the particle size is very small,
the diffusion is very strong, and the fine mist reaches all parts in
temperature changing chamber 301. Since the fine mist being atomized is
generated by high voltage discharge, and is negatively charged, while
temperature changing chamber 301 contains vegetables and fruit being
charged positively, the atomized mist is likely to gather on the surface of
vegetables and the freshness is enhanced.
As far as spaying is possible, the temperature is not specified. For
example, if the temperature changing chamber is set at about -2°C of partial
temperature, about 0°C of icing, or about 1°C of chilling, as far as it is judged
possible to atomize from electrostatic atomizing device 131, by atomizing, a
fine mist deposits on the surface of fresh food, and the sterilizing effect is
enhanced, and the food can be stored for a long period.
A more efficient mist atomizing is realizing by interlocking the
operation of fan 322 for refrigerator compartment and the operation of
electrostatic atomizing device 131.
Near cooling pin 134 of electrostatic atomizing device 131, a heater
may be disposed for the purpose of regulating the temperature, and the
temperature control of the atomizing electrode and the water volume
adjustment at the tip of the department mist may be enabled, and a further
stable mist-making state is realized.
Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the refrigerator having a
plurality of evaporator trays, a temperature changing chamber for varying
the temperature, and an evaporation tray for cooling the temperature
changing chamber are provided, and the temperature changing chamber is
cooled by utilizing the evaporation tray for cooling the refrigerator
compartment, and when composed to convey the cold heat generated herein
by the fan for refrigerator chamber, and the electrostatic atomizing device is
provided in a part of the partition at the inner side of the temperature
changing chamber, and when the temperature setting in the temperature
changing chamber is the temperature setting in the vegetable compartment,
the atomizing electrode can be cooled by heat conduction from the higher
temperature side evaporator, and dew can be condensed, and stable
atomizing is possible, and since it is installed at the inner side, it is hardly
accessed by the user's hand, and the safety is enhanced, and moreover the
number of parts can be saved, and the structure is more inexpensive.
Preferred embodiment 31
Fig. 48 is a sectional view near the vegetable compartment of the
refrigerator in preferred embodiment 31 of the present invention,
illustrating a detailed sectional view near the electrostatic atomizing device
cut alone line A-A in Fig. 2.
In this preferred embodiment, only the portions different from the
configuration specifically described in preferred embodiments 1 to 30 are
explained, and the portions similar to the configuration specifically described
in preferred embodiments 1 to 30 or applicable to the same technical concept
are omitted in explanation.
In the drawing, rear partition 111 is composed of surface of rear end
portion 151 made of ABS or other resin, and heat insulator 152 made of
foamed styrol or the like for thermally insulating between vegetable
compartment 107 and outlet air-duct 141 for freezer compartment.
Recess Ilia is formed in a part of the vegetable compartment 107
side in rear partition 111 so as to be at lower temperature than in other parts,
and cooling pin 509 of heat conduction material is disposed in this place.
Cooling pin 509 is cooled mainly by heat conduction from outlet
air-duct 141 for freezer compartment at the back side, and tip of the
department mist 502 is composed of a resin. Channels 504, 505, 506, 507,
508 are formed in cooling pin 501 and tip of the department mist 502. That
is, tip of the department mist 502 provided with channel 504 of a narrow
diameter formed at the atomizing port 132 side, and channel 505 of a wider
diameter communicating with channel 504. Insulator 152 has pump 510 of
a small size disposed in the lower part of cooling pin 501, and channel 507 is
formed having one end thereof being opened to the vegetable compartment
107 side, and other end being connected to pump 510. Upward from pump
510, channel 508 is formed to communicate between heat insulator 152 and
cooling pin 501. Cooling pin 501 also has channel 506 for communicating
between the end portion in cooling pin 501 of channel 508 and channel 505 of
tip of the department mist 502. As a result, a passage is formed from
vegetable compartment 107 by way of channel 507, pump 510, channel 508,
channel 506, channel 505, and channel 504 of a narrower diameter.
In the upper part of the vegetable compartment 107 side of cooling
pin 501, water collector 503 for collecting water in vegetable compartment
107 is formed. Water collector 503 is composed of a metal plate formed on
the perpendicular plane in recess 511 formed in the upper part of the
vegetable compartment 107 side of cooling pin 501 of heat insulator 152, and
the metal plate of water collector 503 is thermally connected to cooling pin
509.
From the upper part surface of the vegetable compartment 107 side
of cooling pin 501 exposed through recess 511, waterway 509 communicating
with channel 506 is formed in cooling pin 501.
The cooling compartment 110 side end portion of cooling pin 509 is
coupled with partition 161 by way of tape 194 as cool air shutout member
same as in preferred embodiment 10 shown in Fig. 14. The surrounding of
cooling pin 501 is enclosed by heat insulator 152, and the void between
recess Ilia and cooling pin 501 is filled up with void burying member (not
shown).
In the refrigerator having such configuration, the operation and its
effects are described. Cooling pin 501 of heat conduction material is cooled
by way of heat insulator 152 of buffer material, and high humidity air in
vegetable compartment 107 condenses dew on water collector 503 thermally
connected to cooling pin 501, and water 512 is generated. This water 512 is
guided into waterway 509, and flows into channel 505.
On the other hand, when pump 510 is put in operation, air from
vegetable compartment 107 is sucked in, and flows from channel 505 to
channel 504 at a relatively high speed by way of channels 507, 508, 506. In
channel 505, as mentioned above, since water 512 is supplied from waterway
509, it is mixed with a fast air flow from channel 506, and a mist of fluid is
atomized from atomizing port 132 of tip of the department mist 502.
The generated mist is atomized into vegetable compartment 107, and
the contained food is moistened, and the freshness is enhanced.
Thus, in the preferred embodiment, cooling pin 501 of heat
conduction material is cooled in outlet air-duct 141 for freezer compartment,
and water is generated in water collector 503. The generated water is
poured into channel 505 formed inside of cooling pin 501, and air is passed in
by the pump from other channels 506, 507, 508, and is mixed with water to
generate a mist. By the generated mist, vegetable compartment 107 can be
humidified, and the freshness of vegetables may be enhanced.
Preferred embodiment 32
In the foregoing preferred embodiments, the electrostatic atomizing
device is applied in the refrigerator. However, the electrostatic atomizing
device for atomizing a mist explained in the foregoing preferred
embodiments may be applied not only in the refrigerator, but also in other
apparatuses such as the air conditioner as the cooling device having a cooling
source. Not limited to the cooling device, it may be similarly applied in
other electric appliances having a large temperature difference between a
space for atomizing a mist, and a space having a cooling pin, including, for
example, dish washer, washing machine, rice cooker, vacuum cleaner, and
other electric appliances.
This preferred embodiment relates to an example of using an
electrostatic atomizing device in an air conditioner. The air conditioner is
generally composed of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit mutually
connected by a refrigerant piping, and in this preferred embodiment, the
indoor unit of the air conditioner is mainly explained.
Fig. 49 is a partially cut-away perspective view showing the indoor
unit of the air conditioner using the electrostatic atomizing device in
preferred embodiment 32 of the present invention. Fig. 50 is a sectional
view configuration of the air conditioner shown in Fig. 49.
In this preferred embodiment, only the portions different from the
configuration specifically described in preferred embodiments 1 to 31 are
explained, and the portions similar to the configuration specifically described
in preferred embodiments 1 to 31 or applicable to the same technical concept
are omitted in explanation.
The indoor unit has sucking ports for sucking the indoor air into
main body 602, that is, front sucking port 602a and top sucking port 602b,
and front sucking port 602a has a front movable panel to be freely opened
and closed (called front panel) 604, and when the air conditioner is stoped,
front panel 604 is contacting with main body 602 to close front sucking port
602a, but when the air conditioner is operating, front panel 604 moves in a
direction to depart from main body 602, and front sucking panel 602a is
opened.
The inside of main body 602 includes pre-filter 605 for removing dust
contained in the air provided at the downstream side of front sucking port
602a and top sucking port 602b, heat exchanger 606 for exchanging heat
with the indoor air sucked in from front sucking port 602a and top sucking
port 602b provided at the downstream side of this pre-filter 605, indoor fan
608 for conveying the air exchanged in heat in heat exchanger 606, vertical
blade 612 for opening and closing blowout port 610 for blowing out the air
sent from indoor fan 608 into the room and changing the air blowout
direction vertically, and lateral blade 614 for changing the air blowout
direction laterally. The upper part of front panel 604 is coupled to the upper
part of main body 602 by way of a plurality of arms (not shown) provided at
its both end portions, and by driving and controlling a drive motor (not
shown) coupled to one of the plurality of arms, during operation of the air
conditioner, front panel 604 moves forward from the position when the air
conditioner is stopped (the closed position of front sucking port 602a).
Vertical blade 612 is similarly coupled to the lower part of main body 602 by
way of a plurality of arms (not shown) provided at its both end portions.
A part of heat exchanger 606 is provided with electrostatic atomizing
device 131 having an air purifying function of purifying the indoor air by
generating an electrostatic mist.
In this way, Fig. 49 shows a removed state of main body cover (not
shown) for covering front panel 604 and main body 602, and Fig. 50 shows
the connection position of indoor unit main body 602 and electrostatic
atomizing device 131.
As shown in Fig. 50, electrostatic atomizing device 131 is installed at
the downstream side of heat exchanged with the suction air by heat
exchanger 606.
Electrostatic atomizing device 131 is mainly composed of mist
generation department 139, and outlet wall 137 molded by ABS or other
resin. Outlet wall 137 is provided with atomizing port 132 and a humidity
supplying port (not shown). Mist generation department 139 is composed of
atomizing electrode 135 as the tip of the department mist, cooling pin 134 for
fixing atomizing electrode 135 nearly in the center of one end portion, and a
voltage applicator (not shown) for applying a voltage to atomizing electrode
135. Cooling pin 134 is made of an electrode connection member of heat
conduction material such as aluminum, stainless steel, or brass.
Cooling pin 134 of heat conduction material is preferably covered
with a heat insulator (not shown) in its surrounding in order to transmit the
cold heat from one end to other end efficiently by heat conduction.
From a viewpoint of a long range, it is important to maintain the
heat conduction between atomizing electrode 135 and cooling pin 134, and to
prevent invasion of humidity or the like into the connection part, an epoxy
material or the like is poured in, and the heat resistance is suppressed, and
atomizing electrode 135 and cooling pin 134 are fixed. To lower the heat
resistance, atomizing electrode 135 may be fixed by press-fitting into cooling
pin 134.
Cooling pin 134 of heat conduction material is fixed in outlet wall 137,
and cooling pin 134 has a protrusion projecting from the outlet wall. This
cooling pin 134 has a protrusion at the reverse side of atomizing electrode
135, and the protrusion is fitted or fixed into a part of piping of flow of
refrigerant inside of heat exchanger 606.
Cooling pin 134 is cooled by utilizing the cooling amount generated in
heat exchanger 606. Since cooling pin 134 is made of a metal piece of
excellent heat conduction, and the cooling section is capable of cooling by a
sufficient capacity necessary for dew condensation in atomizing electrode
135 only by the heat conduction from the piping from heat exchanger 606,
and the dew condensation can be formed at the tip of the department mist.
Since the cooling section can be formed in such a simple structure,
mist making of low trouble rate and high reliability is realized. Moreover,
by utilizing the cooling source of the freezing cycle, cooling pin 134 of heat
conduction material or atomizing electrode 135 at the tip of the department
mist can be cooled, and mist-making at low energy is realized.
The voltage applicator is formed near mist generation department
139, and the negative potential side of the voltage applicator for generating a
high voltage is connected to atomizing electrode 135, and the positive
potential side is connected electrically to opposite electrode 136, respectively.
Near atomizing electrode 135, discharge is always occurring for
atomizing the mist, and abrasion may occur at the leading end of atomizing
electrode 135. Like the refrigerator, the air conditioner is also operated for
a long period of more than 10 years. Therefore, the surface of atomizing
electrode 135 requires a tough surface treatment, and, for example, nickel
plating, gold plating, or platinum plating may be preferred.
Opposite electrode 136 is composed of, for example, stainless steel,
and its long-term reliability is required, and surface treatment by platinum
plating or the like is desired for the purpose of preventing sticking of foreign
matter or preventing contamination.
The voltage applicator communicates with and is controlled by the
controller of the air conditioner main body, and turns on or off the high
voltage by the input signal from the air conditioner main body or
electrostatic atomizing device 131.
In the preferred embodiment having such configuration, the
operation and its effects are explained. In heat exchanger 606, electrostatic
atomizing device 131 is fixed, and cooling pin 134 is cooled by heat
conduction or heat transfer from its cooling source, and thermally connected
atomizing electrode 135 is also cooled, and water drops are generated on the
tip. By applying a high voltage to the water drops at the leading end of
atomizing electrode 135, a fine mist is generated. The mist generated in
electrostatic atomizing device 131 has an electrical charge, and so as not to
be attracted to heat exchanger 606, after generation of mist, it is released
into the room to be air-conditioned by way of an exclusive air duct
functioning also as a silencer formed of ABS or other resin.
The released fine mist flows and diffuses by convection in the room to
be air-conditioned. The diffusing mist deposits on the clothes and furniture
in the room to be air-conditioned. At this time, by the radicals contained in
the mist, the room can be deodorized and sterilized, and a comfortable space
is created in the room.
In the case of the air conditioner, in cooling operation, the air of low
temperature passing through heat exchanger 606 of the indoor unit is high
in relative humidity, and atomizing electrode 135 of electrostatic atomizing
device 131 requires a very small amount of electric power for mist making
because dew condenses on atomizing electrode 135 only when the
temperature is slightly lower than the ambient temperature.
A heating unit may be installed near electrostatic atomizing device
131, and the temperature of atomizing electrode 135 can be regulated, and
stable mist-making is possible.
Without using such heating unit, by stopping the cooling operation
for a while and operating only the fan, the atomizing electrode can be dried
by a dry air in the room to be air-conditioned, and excessive dew
condensation can be prevented, and the reliability is heightened, and further
stable mist-making is realized.
Thus, according to the preferred embodiment, by installing
electrostatic atomizing device 131 in heat exchanger 606 of the air
conditioner, the mist can be securely applied on the clothes and furniture in
the room to be air-conditioned. At this time, by the radicals contained in
the mist, the room can be deodorized and sterilized, and a comfortable space
is created in the room.
In this manner, the electrostatic atomizing device can be applied in
the dish washer, washing machine, rice cooker, vacuum cleaner, and other
electric appliances, and the sterilizing, bactericidal, and deodorant effects
are obtained by mist atomizing in a simple structure and at low energy.
Industrial Applicability
The present invention is characterized by supplying fine mist stably
in a simple structure, and is widely applicable in household and professional
refrigerators, vegetable stock, washing machine, dish washer, and other
machines where sterilizing and deodorizing effects are expected.
We-Claim
1. A refrigerator comprising storage compartments thermally
insulated by partitions, and a mist generation department for atomizing a
mist into the storage compartments, wherein the mist generation
department includes a tip of the department mist for atomizing the mist into
the storage compartments, a voltage applicator for applying a voltage to the
tip of the department mist, a heat conduction material coupled to the tip of
the department mist, and the tip of the department mist is cooled by a
cooling section to a temperature lower than the dew point, and the moisture
in the air is cooled to condense dew on the tip of the department mist, and
the mist is atomized into the storage compartments.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the heat
conduction material is cooled by the cooling section by way of a heat
cushioning material.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the heat
conduction material is cooled by the cooling section from the end portion side
positioned at the opposite side of the tip of the department mist by way of the
heat cushioning material.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a
cooling compartment containing a evaporator for cooling the storage
compartments, wherein the mist generation department is installed in the
partition at the cooling compartment side of the storage compartments.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a low temperature
storage compartment kept at a lower temperature than in the storage
compartment having the mist generation department is provided at the
ceiling side of the storage compartment having the mist generation
department, and the mist generation department is installed in the partition
at the ceiling side of the storage compartment having the mist generation
department.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a recess is formed
at the storage compartment side of the partition, and the heat conduction
material is inserted in this recess.
7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator
main body has an air duct for conveying a cold air, and the cooling section
makes use of the cold air conveyed in the air duct.
8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the heat
conduction material is formed of a metal piece of heat conductive property.
9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the heat
conduction material has a protrusion at the reverse side of the tip of the
department mist, and the end portion at the protrusion side of the mist
generation department is closest to the cooling section.
10. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the heat
conduction material has a protrusion at the reverse side of the tip of the
department mist, and this protrusion is fitted into the recess of the partition.
11. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the cooling
section utilizes the heat transfer from a cooling tube cooled by using the
cooling source generated in the freezing cycle of the refrigerator main body.
12. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the
department mist is composed of a atomizing electrode, the mist generation
department has a opposite electrode disposed at a position opposite to the
atomizing electrode, and the voltage applicator generates a potential
difference between the atomizing electrode and the opposite electrode.
13. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the storage
compartments have a holding member grounded at the reference potential
part, and the voltage applicator generates a potential difference between the
tip of the department mist and the holding member.
14. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a
regulating section for regulating the amount of water depositing on the tip of
the department mist.
15. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the regulating
section regulates the temperature of the tip of the department mist
indirectly by cooling or heating the heat conduction material.
16. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the regulating
section includes a cooling unit and a heating unit.
17. The refrigerator according to claim 16, wherein the cooling unit
provided in the regulating section is a cooling source generated in the
freezing cycle of the refrigerator main body, and the heating unit provided in
the regulating section is a heater disposed in the refrigerator main body.
18. The refrigerator according to claim 16, wherein the refrigerator
main body has air ducts for conveying the cold air, and the cooling unit
provided in the regulating section utilizes the cold air conveyed through the
air ducts.
19. The refrigerator according to claim 16, wherein the heating unit
provided in the regulating section is a heater disposed in the freezing cycle of
the refrigerator main body.
20. The refrigerator according to claim 16, wherein the heating unit
provided in the regulating section is a heater for thawing the frost in the
cooling unit.
21. The refrigerator according to claim 16, wherein the heating unit
provided in the regulating section is a heater for storage compartment
disposed at the back side of the storage compartment having the mist
generation department.
22. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the regulating
section is a temperature regulating section utilizing a Peltier element.
23. The refrigerator according to claim 16, wherein the heating unit
provided in the regulating section makes use of the heat of the heat
exchanger.
24. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising an
outlet wall for containing the tip of the department mist, wherein the outlet
wall is provided with an atomizing port for passing the mist, and a cold air
supplying port for passing the cold air aside from the atomizing port.
25. The refrigerator according to claim 24, wherein the cold air
supplying port provided in the outlet wall is positioned lower than the tip of
the department mist contained in the outlet wall.
26. The refrigerator according to claim 24, wherein an opening is
provided in the lower portion of the outlet wall.
27. The refrigerator according to claim 24, wherein the mist
generation department atomizes the mist by using dew condensation water
condensed from the moisture in the air in the storage compartments.
28. The refrigerator according to claim 24, wherein the upper of the
tip of the department mist is closed.
29. An electric appliance comprising a tip of the department mist
for atomizing a mist, a voltage applicator for applying a voltage to the tip of
the department mist, and a heat conduction material coupled to the tip of the
department mist, wherein the tip of the department mist is cooled by a
cooling section to a temperature lower than the dew point, dew is condensed
from the moisture in the air at the tip of the department mist, and is
atomized as the mist.
30. The electric appliance according to claim 29, further comprising
an outlet wall for containing the tip of the department mist, wherein the
outlet wall is provided with an atomizing port for passing the mist, and a
cold air supplying port for passing the cold air aside from the atomizing port.
31. The electric appliance according to claim 29, further comprising
a regulating section for regulating the amount of water depositing on the tip
of the department mist.
32. The electric appliance according to claim 29, wherein the cooling
section is a heat exchanger provided in the appliance main body.

The refrigerator includes a vegetable compartment (107) thermally
insulated by a rear partition (111), and a mist generation department (139)
for atomizing a mist into the vegetable compartment (107), and the mist
generation department. (139) includes a atomizing electrode (135) for
atomizing the mist into the vegetable compartment (107), a voltage
applicator (133) for applying a voltage to the atomizing electrode (135), and a
cooling pin (134) coupled to the atomizing electrode (135), in which the
atomizing electrode (135) is cooled to a temperature lower than the dew point
by a outlet air-duct for freezer compartment (141), and the moisture in the
air is cooled to condense dew on the atomizing electrode (135), and is
atomized as a mist into the vegetable compartment (107), and dew can be
condensed from moisture onto the atomizing electrode (135) stably and in a
simple configuration, and the freshness of the food is enhanced while the
reliability of the refrigerator is enhanced.