JPH063038A - Refrigerator with deodorizer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize deodorizing effective responding to seasons by a method wherein a deodorizing heater is provided in an air circulation path within a storage to close the air circulation path when the inside of the storage is chilled and the air circulation path is opened periodically according to the set time of a timer as set according to seasons. CONSTITUTION:With the operation of a fan 28, air (chilled air) cooled with a cooler 26 in a cooler chamber 27 is blown off into a refrigerating chamber 22 to freeze foods while the chilled air in the freezing chamber 22 is recirculated to the cooler chamber 27 through a return duct 30. A part of the chilled air in the freezing chamber 22 is supplied into a cold storage chamber 23 via a damper opening/closing device 34 from a supply duct 31 and the chilled air in the cold storage chamber 23 is recirculated to the cooler chamber 27 through a return duct 32. A deodorizing heater 33 having a catalytic cover ring 33a is provided below a cooler 26 at the bottom of the cooler chamber 27 and the damper opening/closing device 34 is controlled to open or close according to set time of a timer as set based on outputs of an internal temperature detection means 35 and an outside air temperature detection means 36.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to control of a refrigerator with a deodorizing device, and more particularly to control of a refrigerator with a deodorizing device having a function of removing a malodorous component generated in the refrigerator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a refrigerator, various foods such as vegetables, meat and fish produce odors, which are circulated in a closed system in the refrigerator, causing odors to accumulate, and foods to have this odor. Then the quality of the food was reduced. The smell is especially noticeable in summer. Further, when the inside of the refrigerator is well cooled, the closed state of the damper opening / closing device becomes long, and the time when the inside of the refrigerator is smelled increases.

In order to solve these problems, there are conventionally the following deodorizing devices for refrigerators.

A conventional deodorizing device for a refrigerator will be described below. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the upper part of the refrigerator showing a state in which the conventional deodorizing device is arranged in the refrigerator.

First, in FIG. 4, 1 is a refrigerator main body, 2 and 3 are freezer compartments and refrigerating compartments formed therein, and 4 and 5 are doors, respectively. Reference numeral 6 denotes a cooler arranged in the cooler room 7 at the back of the freezing room 2, and 8 denotes a fan arranged above the cooler 6. When the fan is driven, a part of the air cooled by the cooler 6 is supplied into the freezer compartment 2 from the supply port 9, and the air in the freezer compartment 2 is supplied to the cooler compartment 7 via the return duct 10. The inside of the freezer compartment 2 is cooled by being circulated so that the inside of the freezer compartment 2 is cooled.

A part of the air cooled by the cooler 6 is supplied into the refrigerating compartment 3 via the supply duct 11 and the damper opening / closing device 20, and the air in the refrigerating compartment 3 is passed through the return duct 12. The refrigerating chamber 3 is cooled by being circulated so as to be returned to the cooler chamber 7.

In this case, the cooler chamber 7, the freezing chamber 2 and the return duct 10 constitute a circulation path through which the air in the freezing chamber 2 circulates. Further, the cooler chamber 7, the supply duct 11, the damper opening / closing device 20, the refrigerating chamber 3 and the return duct 12 constitute a circulation path through which air in the refrigerating chamber 3 circulates.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a defrosting heater disposed below the cooler 6 in the lower part of the cooler chamber 7, which is a glass tube heater having a heater wire 13b provided in the glass tube 13a as shown in FIG. And is energized only when the cooler 6 is defrosted,
Other than that, the power is cut off and controlled so that the power is cut off.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a water drop prevention member provided on the defrosting heater 13 so as to cover the defrosting heater 13 from above, which is made of a metal plate such as aluminum having heat resistance and water resistance, as shown in FIG. Thus, it is formed in the shape of a shallow container having an open lower side, and prevents defrost water from splashing on the defrost heater 13 during defrosting of the cooler 6.

Reference numeral 15 is a deodorant, which is an adsorbent layer 15 made of an adsorbent such as activated carbon or silica (silicon dioxide).
and a catalyst layer 15b made of platinum or nickel provided on the surface of the adsorbent layer 15a has a two-layer structure.
Here, the deodorant body 15 forms a plate-shaped adsorbent layer 15a by sintering an adsorbent, and the adsorbent layer 15a is formed.
Of the catalyst layer 1 on the surface of the adsorbent layer 15a by applying heat to the surface of the adsorbent layer 15a
5b is formed.

The adsorbent layer 15a and the catalyst layer 15b are each porous so that air can flow through them. The deodorizing body 15 is supported and fixed to the inner surface of the water drop prevention member 14 by a supporting member 17 via a heat insulating material 16 made of glass fiber or the like, and is provided near the defrosting heater 13.

Reference numeral 18 is a cover member, for example, a wire mesh formed of a material having a high thermal conductivity so as to have a large number of through holes.
It is provided so as to cover the surface of the deodorant body 15.

The operation of the deodorizing device for a refrigerator constructed as above will be described below.

In the above structure, during the cooling operation, the air in the refrigerator is blown by the air blowing action of the fan 8 to cool the cooler chamber 7 and the freezer chamber 2.
And is circulated through the return duct 10, and is circulated through the cooler chamber 7, the supply duct 11, the damper opening / closing device 20, the refrigerating chamber 3, and the return duct 12. At this time, the air passing through the cooler chamber 7 contacts the deodorant body 15 through the through holes of the wire net 18, and the odorous component contained in the air is adsorbed by the adsorbent layer 15a of the deodorant body 15 and removed.

On the other hand, when the defrosting operation is started, the cooler 6
The operation of the fan and the fan 8 is stopped, and the damper opening / closing device 20
Is closed, the defrost heater 13 is energized to generate heat. Due to the heat generated by the defrosting heater 13, the cooler 6 is heated to perform defrosting, and the deodorant body 15 is also heated.

At this time, since the surface of the deodorant body 15 is covered with the metal net 18, the deodorant body 15 is heated as uniformly as possible by the heat conduction of the metal net 18. In the heated deodorizer 15, the odorous components adsorbed by the adsorbent of the adsorbent layer 15a are desorbed, and at the same time, the catalyst layer 15b
At, the odorous components are oxidatively decomposed and are removed.

The deodorizing body 15 is heated in this way, so that the adsorption function, that is, the deodorizing function is reproduced. At this time, the water drop prevention member 14 plays a role of efficiently confining the heat from the defrosting heater 13 to heat the deodorizing body 15 efficiently, and at the same time, deodorizing body 15 and the defrosting heater 1
The defrosting water dripping from the cooler 6 is prevented from splashing on the nozzle 3.

The heat insulating material 16 suppresses the heat of the deodorizing body 15 from being dissipated from the water drop prevention member 14, and also deodorizes when the defrost water falls on the water drop prevention member 14 and the water drop prevention member 14 is rapidly cooled. The heat shock of the body 15 is prevented.

Further, the wire netting 18 prevents the deodorizing body 15 from falling and scattering if the deodorizing body 15 is damaged.

When the defrosting operation is finished and the cooling operation is restarted and the temperature of the deodorizing body 15 is lowered, the odorous components contained in the air in the refrigerator are adsorbed and removed by the deodorizing body 15 as described above. Will be done.

[0021]

However, in the above-mentioned structure, when the inside of the refrigerator is sufficiently cooled, the damper opening / closing device remains closed and a circulation path through which air circulates for a long time is provided. Since it is closed, the air containing the odorous components in the refrigerator does not reach the deodorizing body and is not deodorized. In addition, if the air circulation route is forcibly opened frequently, the temperature in the refrigerator will drop below the set temperature in winter, resulting in overcooling.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems by avoiding closing a circulation path for circulating air for a long time, reducing odor in summer and preventing overcooling of a refrigerator in winter. An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator with a deodorizing device that maintains a stable deodorizing effect.

[0023]

In order to achieve this object, a refrigerator with a deodorizing device of the present invention comprises a deodorizing heater having a catalyst coating layer provided in an air circulation passage in the refrigerator, and a refrigerator. A damper opening / closing device that is provided in the air circulation path of the refrigerator and that puts or stops cold air in the refrigerator, a first detecting unit that detects the temperature inside the refrigerator, and a second detecting unit that detects the ambient temperature of the refrigerator. Detecting means, determining means for determining the temperature by inputting the signal from the second detecting means, a timer for counting time, and a timer for receiving the signal from the first detecting means and the signal from the determining means. And a first drive means for driving the damper opening / closing device by a signal from the control means, and a second drive means for energizing the deodorizing heater by a signal from the control means during defrosting. With control device A.

[0024]

According to this structure, by detecting that the inside of the refrigerator is cold, it is detected that the damper opening / closing device is in the closed state, the air circulation path is closed, and the odor is filled in the refrigerator. be able to. Also, by detecting the temperature around the refrigerator, it is possible to detect the summer or winter season.
And you can set the time of the timer in the controller for each season,
It is possible to periodically open the damper opening / closing device at each timer setting time, avoid closing the circulation path for circulating air for a long time, and allow the odor to contact the deodorizing heater.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the upper portion of a refrigerator with a deodorizing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Is a block diagram of the control device, and FIG. 3 is a flow chart of control, showing only the cooling operation.

In FIG. 1, 21 is a refrigerator body,
Reference numerals 22 and 23 denote freezer compartments and refrigerating compartments formed therein, and 24 and 25 doors, respectively. Reference numeral 26 is a cooler installed in the cooler room 27 at the back of the freezing room 22, and 28 is a fan installed above the cooler 26. A damper opening / closing device 34 is provided in the air circulation path from the supply duct 31 to the refrigerating chamber 23. When the fan 28 is driven, a part of the air cooled by the cooler 26 is supplied to the supply port 29.
Is supplied into the freezer compartment 22 from the air and the air in the freezer compartment 22 is returned to the cooler compartment 27 via the return duct 30 to cool the freezer compartment 22.

A part of the air cooled by the cooler 26 is supplied to the refrigerating compartment 23 through the damper opening / closing device 34 via the supply duct 31, and the air in the refrigerating compartment 23 is passed through the return duct 32. The inside of the refrigerating chamber 23 is cooled by the circulation returned to the inside of the cooler chamber 27. In this case, the cooler chamber 27, the freezing chamber 22, and the return duct 30 constitute a circulation path through which the air in the freezing chamber 22 circulates, and the cooler chamber 27, the supply duct 31, the damper opening / closing device 34,
The refrigerating compartment 23 and the return duct 32 constitute a circulation path through which air in the refrigerating compartment 23 circulates.

Reference numeral 33 is a deodorizing heater having a catalyst coating layer 33a disposed below the cooler 26 in the lower part of the cooler chamber 27, and the deodorizing heater 33 also serves as a defrosting heater of a refrigerator and is a cooler. On / off control is performed such that electricity is supplied only during defrosting of 26, and electricity is cut off at other times.

Reference numeral 35 is a first detecting means for detecting the temperature inside the refrigerating compartment 23 and outputs a signal S3 to the control means 37b.

Reference numeral 36 is a second detecting means for detecting the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 21 and outputs the signal S1 to the judging means 37a.

Reference numeral 37a denotes a judging means, which is a second detecting means 36.
The signal S1 from the input terminal is input to the control means 37b
Is output.

37e and 37f are first timers,
The second timer includes the control means 37b and the first timer 37e.
Is the signal S8, S8 ', and the second timer 37f is the signal S
9 and S9 'are input and output.

37c is a first driving means and a control means 37b
The signals S4 and S4 'are input from the damper opening / closing device 34
Open and close.

Reference numeral 37d denotes a second drive means and control means 37b.
The signals S5 and S5 'are input to control the energization of the deodorizing heater 33.

Incidentally, 37 is a control device, which is a judging means 37a,
The control unit 37b, the first driving unit 37c, the second driving unit 37d, the first timer 37e, and the second timer 37f are included.

The operation of the refrigerator with the deodorizing device constructed as described above will be described below with reference to FIG.

During the cooling operation, in STEP 1, the control device 3
The determination means 37a in 7 inputs the signal S1 from the second detection means 36.

In STEP 2, the determination means 37a is the refrigerator 21.
A determination signal S2 indicating whether the ambient temperature is above or below a predetermined temperature is sent to the control means 37b in the control device 37, and the control means 37b inputs the signal S2 of the determination means 37a, and there is the ambient temperature of the refrigerator 21. If the temperature is equal to or higher than the determined temperature (when the temperature is high), the process proceeds to STEP 3, and if not (when the temperature around the refrigerator 21 is low), the process proceeds to STEP 4.

In STEP 3, the control means 37b sets the timer time T1 to be short, and the operation proceeds to STEP 5.

In STEP 4, the control means 37b sets the timer time T1 to be long, and the process proceeds to STEP 5 (STEP 3).
T1 in << T1 in STEP4).

In STEP 5, the control means 3 in the control device 37
7b inputs the signal S3 from the first detecting means 35.

In STEP 6, if the temperature inside the refrigerator is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (when the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 23 is high), STEP
Proceed to 7 and if not (when the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 23 is low)
If so, proceed to STEP8.

In STEP 7, the control means 37b outputs a signal S4 for opening the damper opening / closing device 34 to the first driving means 37c, and the first driving means 37c causes the damper opening / closing device 34 to open the damper opening / closing device 34. A signal S5 to output is output. Due to this signal, the damper opening / closing device 34 is opened, and the air in the refrigerator is blown by the air blowing action of the fan 28, so that the cooler chamber 27, the supply duct 31, the damper opening / closing device 34,
It is circulated through the refrigerator compartment 23 and the return duct 32. At this time, the air containing the odorous component passing through the inside of the cooler chamber 27 comes into contact with the deodorizing heater 33, and the odorous component is added to the catalyst coating layer 3.
Adsorbed on 3a and removed.

In STEP 8, the control means 37b outputs a signal S4 'for closing the damper opening / closing device 34 to the first driving means 37c, and the first driving means 37c causes the damper opening / closing device 34 to close the damper opening / closing device 34. A signal S5 'for making the state is output. At this time, the damper opening / closing device 34 is closed, the air circulation path is closed, the refrigerating compartment 23 is not cooled, and the air containing the odorous component in the refrigerating compartment 23 does not come into contact with the deodorizing heater. 33
It will not be adsorbed by a.

In STEP 9, a signal S8 'for operating the first timer 37e is output from the control means 37b.

In STEP 10, the signal S8 from the first timer 37e is output to the control means 37b.

In STEP 11, the control means 37b is the STE.
Compare with the time T1 determined in P3 or STEP4,
When S8 is shorter than T1, the process returns to STEP5. Then, when S8 is longer than T1, that is, the refrigerating compartment 23 is sufficiently cooled, the refrigerating compartment 23 is in a closed state for a long time, and the time when it can be determined that the odorous component is full in the refrigerating compartment 23 has elapsed. Then, proceed to STEP 12.

In STEP 12, the control means 37b outputs the signal S4 for opening the damper opening / closing device 34 to the first driving means 37c, and the first driving means 37c outputs the signal S5 for opening the damper opening / closing device 34. Output. At this time, the damper opening / closing device 34 is in an open state, and the air in the refrigerator is blown by the air blowing action of the fan 28 to cool the chamber 27 and the supply duct 3.
1, the damper opening / closing device 34, the refrigerator compartment 23, and the return duct 32 are circulated. At this time, the air containing the odorous component passing through the inside of the cooler chamber 27 comes into contact with the deodorizing heater 33, and the odorous component is adsorbed to the catalyst coating layer 33a and removed.

In STEP 13, a signal S9 'for operating the second timer 37f is output from the control means 37b.

In STEP 14, the signal S9 from the second timer 37f is output to the control means 37b.

In STEP 15, the control means 37b compares the time T2 determined in advance, and when S8 is shorter than T2,
Return to STEP5. And when S9 is longer than T2,
That is, when the time when it can be determined that the odorous components have been deodorized from the refrigerating chamber 23 has elapsed, the process proceeds to STEP 16.

In STEP 16, the control means 37b outputs a signal S4 'for closing the damper opening / closing device 34 to the first driving means 37c, and the first driving means 37c outputs a signal S5 for closing the damper opening / closing device 34. 'Is output. At this time, the damper opening / closing device 34 is closed, the air circulation path is closed, and the process returns to STEP 5. At this time, the signal S8 from the first timer 37e and the signal S9 from the second timer 37f are cleared.

Next, when the defrosting operation is started (not shown in FIG. 3), the operation of the cooler 26 and the fan 28 is stopped, and the control means 37b transfers the damper opening / closing device to the first drive means 37c. A signal S4 'for closing 34 is output, and a first drive means 37c outputs a signal S5' for closing the damper opening / closing device 34 to close the damper opening / closing device 34, while the control means 37c is output. Is the second drive means 37d
To output a signal S6 for turning on the deodorizing heater 33,
The second driving means 37d outputs a signal S7 for turning on the deodorizing heater 33.

At this time, the deodorization heater 33 generates heat, and when the odorous components adsorbed on the catalyst coating layer 33a of the deodorization heater 33 are released by heating the catalyst coating layer 33a to the activation temperature. At the same time, it is oxidatively decomposed and deodorized by the chemical action of the catalyst substance, and the catalyst coating layer 3
The adsorption capacity of 3a is regenerated.

As described above, the deodorizing heater 33 having the catalyst coating layer provided in the air circulation path inside the refrigerator,
A damper opening / closing device 34 that is provided in the air circulation path in the refrigerator to put or stop cold air in the refrigerator, a first detecting means 35 for detecting the temperature in the refrigerator, and a temperature around the refrigerator 21. From the second detection means 36, the determination means for determining the temperature by inputting the signal from the second detection means 36, the first timer 37e for counting the time, and the first detection means 35. The control means 37 for controlling the first timer 37e by inputting the signal and the signal from the judging means 37a.
b, a first drive means 37c for driving the damper opening / closing device 34 in response to a signal from the control means 37b, and a second drive means 37d for energizing the deodorizing heater 33 during defrosting by a signal from the control means 37b. With this configuration, it is effective to avoid closing the circulation path that circulates air for a long time, maintain a stable deodorizing effect, adjust the damper opening / closing time, and prevent overcooling of the interior. .

[0057]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, according to the present invention, a deodorizing heater having a catalyst coating layer provided in an air circulation passage in a refrigerator and a cool air provided in an air circulation passage in the refrigerator are provided. A signal from the damper opening / closing device for putting in or stopping in the refrigerator, the first detecting means for detecting the temperature inside the refrigerator, the second detecting means for detecting the ambient temperature of the refrigerator, and the second detecting means. A determination means for determining the temperature by inputting, a first timer for counting time, a control means for controlling the first timer by inputting a signal from the first detection means and a signal from the determination means, By providing first driving means for driving the damper opening / closing device in response to a signal from the control means, and second driving means for energizing the deodorizing heater at the time of defrosting by the signal from the control means, a damper is provided at regular intervals. Open and close the switchgear, air A refrigerator with an excellent deodorizing device that avoids closing the circulating circulation path for a long time, maintains a stable deodorizing effect, adjusts the damper open / close time according to the outside temperature, and prevents overcooling of the refrigerator It can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an upper portion of a refrigerator with a deodorizing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control device shown in FIG.

3 is a flowchart of control of the control device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the upper part of the refrigerator showing a state in which a conventional deodorizing device is installed in the refrigerator.

5 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the main part of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cutaway front view of a main part of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 33 Deodorizing heater 34 Damper opening / closing device 35 First detecting means 36 Second detecting means 37 Control device 37a Judging means 37b Control means 37c First driving means 37d Second driving means 37e First timer

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Toshio Mamiya 3-22, Takaidahondori, Higashiosaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Refrigerating Machinery Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A deodorizing heater having a catalyst coating layer provided in an air circulation passage in a refrigerator, and a damper provided in the air circulation passage in the refrigerator to put cold air into or out of the refrigerator. An opening / closing device, a first detecting means for detecting the temperature inside the refrigerator, a second detecting means for detecting the temperature around the refrigerator, and a judging means for judging the temperature by inputting a signal from the second detecting means. A timer for counting time, a control means for controlling the timer by inputting a signal from the first detection means and a signal from the determination means, and a first for driving the damper opening / closing device by the signal from the control means And a second drive means for energizing the deodorization heater during defrosting according to a signal from the control means.