JPH07260331A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To enable long-term storage of vegetables and fruits. [Structure] A storage container for storing fresh vegetables is provided in a vegetable compartment formed inside the main body, and the storage container has a temperature (3 to 5 ° C) and a humidity (90 to 95) suitable for storing vegetables.
%). The gas removing device 19 is provided in the recess 20 formed in the ceiling of the vegetable compartment. The gas removing device 19 is configured by providing a gas decomposition member 22 made of a photocatalyst such as titanium oxide or zinc oxide and a lamp 23 serving as an ultraviolet light source in a case 21 made of a metal plate. A protective cover 26 having a large number of slits 26 a is provided on the lower surface of the gas removing device 19. When the photocatalyst is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, active species are generated on the surface of the photocatalyst, and plant growth promoting components such as ethylene and acetaldehyde and malodorous components such as ammonia and trimethylamine can be decomposed and removed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator capable of long-term storage of vegetables and fruits.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for example, household refrigerators have been provided with a dedicated vegetable compartment for storing fresh vegetables and fruits. In this one, a so-called pull-out type storage container is provided in the vegetable chamber so that it can be put in and out, and cold air is circulated between the storage container and the chamber wall of the vegetable chamber, and the storage container is kept in a constant sealed state, The vegetables can be stored at a temperature (3 to 5 ° C.) and a humidity (90 to 95%) suitable for storage. According to this, vegetables and fruits can be stored in a fresh state for a certain period (for example, one week).

[0003]

By the way, as a major factor in accelerating the aging of vegetables and fruits, a component (ethylene,
Acetaldehyde etc.). Therefore, if the plant growth promoting components such as ethylene and acetaldehyde can be effectively removed from the vegetable compartment (storage container), the vegetables and fruits can be stored for a longer period of time.

However, conventionally, a technique for effectively removing a growth promoting component of a plant such as ethylene gas has not been sufficiently established, and even in a refrigerator, a measure for removing the growth promoting component of a plant. Was not taken at all.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to effectively remove growth-promoting components released from vegetables and fruits and to preserve vegetables and fruits for a long period of time. And to provide a refrigerator.

[0006]

A refrigerator of the present invention comprises a storage room for storing foods and the like in a main body,
A gas decomposing member comprising a photocatalyst that is activated by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays and decomposes a plant growth promoting component, and a lamp that irradiates the gas decomposing member with ultraviolet rays, in the storage chamber or a communication passage communicating with the storage chamber. The present invention is characterized in that a gas removing device including the above is provided (the invention of claim 1).

In this case, in the case where the main body is provided with a vegetable storage chamber for storing vegetables and fruits, a gas removing device may be provided above the vegetable storage chamber. It is effective (the invention of claim 2). Also,
In the case where the main body is provided with the cold air circulation path for circulating and supplying the cold air to the storage chamber, the gas removing device may be provided in the cold air circulation path (the invention of claim 3).

Further, the gas removing device can be constructed by providing the gas decomposing member and the lamp in a separated state (the invention of claim 4), and at this time, the gas decomposing member has a concave shape below the lamp. Alternatively, the gas decomposing member may be provided so as to surround the lamp (invention of claim 6). Furthermore, the gas removing device may be configured to have the gas decomposition member and the lamp in close contact with each other (the invention of claim 7).

[0009]

The present inventor conducted experiments and research while focusing on photocatalyst technology in order to develop a technology for effectively removing plant growth promoting components such as ethylene and acetaldehyde released from vegetables and fruits in a refrigerator. As a result of repeated experiments, it was found that the combination of a photocatalyst represented by a metal oxide such as titanium oxide or zinc oxide with ultraviolet rays was extremely effective in decomposing the growth promoting component, and completed the present invention. It was.

That is, when the photocatalyst is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, active species are generated on the surface of the photocatalyst, which causes various chemical reactions. In particular, it has a strong ability to oxidize and decompose organic compounds,
Plant growth promoting components (ethylene, acetaldehyde, etc.)
Alternatively, malodorous components (ammonia, trimethylamine, methyl mercaptan, hydrogen sulfide, etc.) can be decomposed into water, carbon dioxide, etc. The principle of the photo-oxidative decomposition is as follows.

[0011]

[Chemical 1]

Therefore, according to the refrigerator of claim 1 of the present invention, the gas decomposing member comprising the photocatalyst and the lamp for irradiating the gas decomposing member with ultraviolet rays are provided in the storage chamber or the communication passage communicating with the storage chamber. Since the gas removal device provided is provided, the plant growth promoting components such as ethylene and acetaldehyde released from the stored vegetables and fruits are decomposed and removed by the gas removal device in the storage chamber or the communication passage. Therefore, the progress of the growth (aging) of vegetables and fruits can be suppressed.

In addition to the action of removing the growth promoting component of the plant, the gas removing device decomposes the odorous component in the storage chamber,
The effect of removal can be expected, and further, the effect of sterilization and mold prevention in the storage chamber by the ultraviolet rays emitted from the lamp can be expected. In addition, the gas removing device does not generate harmful ozone or the like, and thus is excellent in safety.

In this case, the growth promoting component of the plant is lighter than air and tends to rise. Therefore, in the main body provided with a vegetable storage chamber for storing vegetables and fruits, If the removing device is provided in the upper part of the vegetable storage chamber (the invention of claim 2), the plant growth promoting component can be efficiently decomposed and removed. In addition, in the case where a cold air circulation path for circulating and supplying cold air to the storage chamber is provided, the growth promoting component of the plant also passes through the cold air circulation path, so that the gas removal device can If it is provided in the circulation path (invention of claim 3), the plant growth promoting component can be decomposed and removed uniformly and in a large amount.

If the gas removing device is constructed by providing the gas decomposing member and the lamp in a separated state (invention of claim 4), the plant growth promoting component is separated from the gas decomposing member and the lamp. By passing the gap, it is possible to efficiently decompose and remove. At this time, if the gas decomposing member is provided below the lamp in a concave shape (invention of claim 5), the gas decomposing member can be effectively irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and the glass or Can receive mercury drops. Further, if the gas decomposing member is provided so as to surround the lamp (invention of claim 6), the gas decomposing member can be extremely effectively irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and the glass and the glass when the lamp is damaged are also provided. It can catch the fall of mercury.

Further, if the gas removing device is constructed so that the gas decomposing member and the lamp are provided in close contact with each other (the invention of claim 7), the gas removing device can be made compact and can be handled easily. Assembling becomes good.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Some embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a household refrigerator will be described below with reference to the drawings. (1) First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present invention (corresponding to claims 1, 2, 4, and 5) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG. 4 schematically shows the configuration of the main body 1 of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment. The main body 1 made of a heat-insulating box body has a plastic inner box 3 arranged inside a metal plate outer box 2 for example. , A heat insulating material 4 such as urethane foam between the outer box 2 and the inner box 3
It is configured by filling. The inside of the main body 1 is divided into a plurality of upper and lower parts by a partition wall 5 having a heat insulating property, so that a plurality of (for example, four upper and lower) storage chambers 6 to 9 are formed. In this case, the four storage chambers 6 to 9 are, in order from the top,
A refrigerating room 6, an upper freezing room 7, a lower freezing room 8 and a vegetable room 9 are provided.

A well-known refrigeration cycle as a cooling means is incorporated in the main body 1, of which the cooler 1
0 is arranged in a cooler chamber 11 provided at the back of the main body 1. Although not shown, cold air from the cooler chamber 11 is stored in the main body 1 in the storage chambers 6 to 9 described above.
A cold air circulation passage for circulating and supplying the air to the inside is provided, and a fan device 12 for circulating the cool air is provided in the cooler chamber 11. In addition, on the front surface of the main body 1, the storage chambers 6 are provided.
Doors 13 to 16 having a heat insulating property for opening and closing 9 to 9 are provided, respectively.

In the vegetable compartment 9 serving as a vegetable storage compartment, fresh vegetables and fruits are stored.
These vegetables and fruits are so-called drawer type storage containers 17
It is supposed to be housed inside. This storage container 17
Has a container shape with an open upper surface, is connected to the door 16 and can be taken in and out integrally with the door 16.

At this time, the cold air supplied into the vegetable compartment 9 through the cold air circulation passage is mainly circulated between the storage container 17 and the inner wall of the vegetable compartment 9. Further, when the storage container 17 is housed in the vegetable compartment 9, the storage container 17 is kept in a fixed sealed state by the sealing packing 18 and the like so that moisture (steam) in the storage container 17 does not escape. Thus, the storage container 17 can store vegetables at a temperature (3 to 5 ° C.) and humidity (90 to 95%) suitable for storage.

In the present embodiment, a gas removing device 19 for removing plant growth promoting components such as ethylene and acetaldehyde released from vegetables and fruits is provided above the vegetable compartment 9. Hereinafter, this gas removal device 1
9 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

First, the partition wall 5 forming the ceiling of the vegetable compartment 9 is integrally provided on the main body 1 and is constructed by filling the inside of the inner box 3 with the heat insulating material 4. On the lower surface of the partition wall 5, that is, on the ceiling surface of the vegetable compartment 9, there is provided a rectangular recess 20 that is long in the lateral direction. Then, this recess 20
A unitized gas removing device 19 is attached to the portion.

The gas removing device 19 has a case 21 in which a gas decomposing member 22 and a lamp 23 as an ultraviolet light source are provided.
(Hereinafter referred to as an ultraviolet lamp 23). Of these, the case 21 is formed of a material such as a metal plate that does not transmit ultraviolet rays, and is formed into a rectangular box shape with an open lower surface that fits into the recess 20. Also,
Both ends of the ultraviolet lamp 23 are supported by a pair of lamp sockets 24, 24 mounted on the bottom surface of the case 21, so that the ultraviolet lamp 23 is mounted in the case 21 so as to extend left and right. It should be noted that the case 21 may be made of glass, a plastic plate plated with metal, or the like as long as it is a material that does not transmit ultraviolet rays, so that the inner box 3 can be protected from ultraviolet rays.

The gas decomposing member 22 is formed by molding a photocatalyst made of a metal oxide such as titanium oxide or zinc oxide into a plate shape having a concave side surface extending in the left-right direction in this case. There is. The gas decomposition member 22 is
Two left and right end portions are attached to the bottom surface of the case 21 by two U-shaped attachment fittings 25, 25 so as to be prevented from pulling out downward.

At this time, the gas decomposing member 22 is separated from the ultraviolet lamp 23 and is arranged below and in front of and behind the ultraviolet lamp 23. In addition, a gap is formed between the upper end of the gas decomposition member 22 and the bottom surface of the case 21. As will be described later in detail, the gas decomposing member 22 is activated by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays and has a function of decomposing plant growth promoting components and the like.

The gas removing device 19 thus constructed
Is attached to the upper portion of the vegetable compartment 9 by fitting the case 21 into the recess 20 and screwing the case 21, for example. Furthermore, the lower surface of the gas removing device 19 (case 2
The lower surface opening 1) is covered with a protective cover 26 so that the user does not touch the gas decomposition member 22 and the like. The protective cover 26 is configured, for example, with a large number of slits 26a, and has claw portions 26b at both ends.
It is attached to the partition wall 5 by 26b. The slit 26a may be, for example, a large number of circular holes or the like.

Further, the lead wire 27 led out from the lamp socket 24 is connected to a power feeding path (not shown) through the inside of the partition wall 5 (heat insulating material 4), and the ultraviolet lamp 2
3 is always energized or intermittently energized. As a result, the ultraviolet lamp 23 is turned on, and the gas decomposing member 22 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. Various foods and the like are stored and stored in the storage chambers 6 to 9 depending on the type. Among them, fresh vegetables and fruits are in the vegetable room 9
It is accommodated in the storage container 17 of. At this time, vegetables and fruits should be stored at a temperature (3 to 5 ° C) and humidity (90 to 9 ° C) suitable for storage.
It will be stored at 5%).

Here, from the vegetables and fruits themselves, ethylene gas, which is a component that promotes plant growth, is released, and if it is not removed, it remains in the vegetable compartment 9 (storage container 17). This will accelerate the aging of vegetables and fruits. However, in this embodiment,
By providing the gas removing device 19 in the upper part of the vegetable compartment 9, it is possible to effectively remove the growth promoting component of the plant.

That is, ethylene gas or the like generated from vegetables and fruits is lighter than air and tends to rise, and passes through the slit 26a of the protective cover 26 to remove the gas removing device 19
Invade inside. At this time, the ethylene gas or the like may be passed between the gas decomposition member 22 and the ultraviolet lamp 23 through the gap between the gas decomposition member 22 and the case 21 or the opening of the end surface of the gas decomposition member 22. become. On the other hand, in the gas removing device 19, the gas decomposing member 22 made of a photocatalyst is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet lamp 23, whereby active species are generated on the surface of the gas decomposing member 22 and various chemical reactions, especially organic reactions. The oxidative decomposition reaction of the compound is remarkably performed.

Accordingly, plant growth promoting components such as ethylene and acetaldehyde released from stored vegetables and fruits are decomposed and removed by the gas removing device 19 into water, carbon dioxide and the like. , The progress of the growth (aging) of vegetables and fruits due to the growth promoting component can be suppressed.

The gas removing device 19 not only decomposes and removes plant growth promoting components, but also decomposes and removes malodorous components (ammonia, trimethylamine, methylmercaptan, hydrogen sulfide, etc.). Therefore, the deodorizing effect can be obtained. Moreover, sterilization of the vegetable compartment 9 by the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamp 23,
The antifungal effect can be expected, and further, the gas removing device 19
Does not generate harmful ozone, etc., and is therefore highly safe.

Incidentally, FIGS. 5 to 8 show the decomposition ability of each organic compound by the photocatalyst. As time passes, ethylene gas (FIG. 5), acetaldehyde (FIG. 6), ammonia (FIG. 7), The change situation of the concentration of methyl mercaptan (FIG. 8) is shown. In addition, as a reference, the change in concentration when not irradiated with ultraviolet rays (abbreviated as UV) is also shown. As can be understood from FIGS. 5 to 8, a gas removing device 1 combining a photocatalyst and ultraviolet rays
9 is the ability to decompose and remove plant growth promoting components (ethylene, acetaldehyde) and malodorous components (ammonia,
It has an extremely excellent ability to decompose and remove methyl mercaptan).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the gas removing device 19 having the gas decomposition member 22 made of a photocatalyst and the ultraviolet lamp 23 for irradiating the gas decomposition member 22 with ultraviolet rays is provided above the vegetable compartment 9. Since it is provided, it is possible to effectively remove the growth promoting component released from vegetables and fruits. As a result, in combination with the control of temperature and humidity, the progress of growth (aging) of the vegetables and fruits housed in the vegetable compartment 9 can be effectively suppressed, and measures for removing the growth promoting components of the plant can be taken. It was possible to preserve vegetables, fruits, etc. in a fresh state for a sufficiently long period of time, compared to the conventional one which was not taken at all. Moreover, the effect of removing the malodorous component can be obtained.

Further, particularly in this embodiment, the gas removing device 1
9 is provided in the upper part of the vegetable compartment 9, and the gas decomposition member 2
Since the 2 and the ultraviolet lamp 23 are provided in a separated state, the plant growth promoting component can be efficiently decomposed and removed. Further, since the gas decomposing member 22 is provided below the ultraviolet lamp 23 so as to form a concave shape, it is possible to effectively irradiate the gas decomposing member 22 with ultraviolet rays, and in the unlikely event that the ultraviolet lamp 23 is damaged. In addition, it is possible to receive glass and mercury and to prevent the glass and mercury from falling into the vegetable compartment 9 in advance.

(2) Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention (corresponding to claims 1, 2, 4, 6) will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. 9 and 10 show a gas removing device 31 according to the present embodiment, and this gas removing device 31 is similar to the gas removing device 19 of the first embodiment described above in the upper portion (recessed portion) of the vegetable compartment 9. Two
0). Hereinafter, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

The gas removing device 31 includes the gas decomposing member 3
2 and an ultraviolet lamp 33 that serves as an ultraviolet light source. Of these, the ultraviolet lamp 33 is attached to the recess 20 by extending to the left and right by supporting both ends by a pair of lamp sockets 34, 34 whose upper ends are attached to the upper wall of the recess 20 by screwing or the like. There is.

Further, here, the lamp socket 34 is used.
The lead wire 35 derived from is also connected to the power supply path (not shown) through the inside of the partition wall 5 (heat insulating material 4), but in this case, the space where the heat insulating material 4 does not exist in the partition wall 5. A portion 36 is formed, and the lead wire 35 is accommodated in the space portion 36 in a state where a long portion is folded. With this, the lamp socket 34
The lead wire 35 can be drawn out for a long time when the lead wire 35 is removed from the recess 20.

The gas decomposing member 32, which is also composed of a photocatalyst made of a metal oxide such as titanium oxide or zinc oxide, extends in the left-right direction in this case, as shown in FIG. It is formed in a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter larger than that of the ultraviolet lamp 33. Further, notches 32a in which the lamp sockets 34 are arranged are formed on the upper sides of the left and right ends of the gas decomposition member 32.

The gas decomposing member 32 is recessed by supporting both ends of the metal fittings 37, 37, which are formed by combining two metal leaf spring members in a substantially circular shape with their lower ends opened, from below. 20. At this time, the gas decomposition member 32 surrounds the entire circumference of the ultraviolet lamp 33 in a state of being separated from the ultraviolet lamp 33. With this, the ultraviolet rays of the ultraviolet lamp 33 are prevented from leaking to the outside. The gas removing device 31
The lower surface (opening of the recess 20) of the protective cover 2 is
It is covered by 6.

According to this structure, the plant growth promoting component generated from vegetables and fruits penetrates into the gas removing device 31 through the slit 26a of the protective cover 26, and the gas decomposing member 32 and the ultraviolet lamp 33 are connected. Gas is decomposed by the gas decomposition member 32 that is activated by the irradiation of ultraviolet rays.
To be removed. In addition, the gas removing device 31 also decomposes and removes malodorous components.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the progress of the growth (aging) of vegetables and fruits due to the growth promoting component is effectively suppressed, and the growth is sufficiently long. Thus, it is possible to preserve vegetables and fruits in a fresh state, and it is also possible to obtain excellent effects such as removing malodorous components.

In this embodiment, since the gas decomposing member 32 is provided so as to surround the ultraviolet lamp 33, it is possible to prevent leakage of ultraviolet light, and at the same time, the gas decomposing member 32 is extremely effectively irradiated with ultraviolet light. Can be irradiated. Further, in the unlikely event that the ultraviolet lamp 33 is damaged, it is possible to receive glass or mercury and prevent the glass from falling into the vegetable compartment 9 in advance.

(3) Third Embodiment FIGS. 12 and 13 show a third embodiment of the present invention (claim 1,
3), which shows a main body 41 of a so-called fan-cool type refrigerator, which is composed of a heat-insulating box body, and inside of which is partitioned by partition walls 42 and 43. Refrigerator 44 and freezer 45 in this order
And three storage rooms of the vegetable room 46 are formed.

As shown in FIG. 12, a cooler chamber 47 is formed in the back wall of the freezing chamber 45, and a cooler 48 is provided in the cooler chamber 47.
A fan device 49 is provided at the upper part thereof.
Further, the main body 41 is provided with a cold air circulation passage for circulating and supplying cold air to the storage chambers 44, 45, 46 as follows.

That is, a part of the cool air blown from the fan device 49 is blown by the blower port 5 provided on the upper portion of the back wall of the freezer compartment 45.
0 is supplied directly into the freezer compartment 45, and the cool air is
It is returned to the lower part of the cooler chamber 47 through the freezer return path 51 (see FIG. 13) formed in the partition wall 43. On the other hand, the remaining part of the cool air blown from the fan device 49 is supplied into the refrigerating compartment 44 through the refrigerating compartment air duct 52 extending upward through the back wall portion of the refrigerating compartment 44, and Cold air
It is supplied into the vegetable compartment 46 through the refrigerating compartment return path 53. Then, the cold air supplied into the vegetable compartment 46 is returned to the lower part of the cooler compartment 47 through the vegetable compartment return path 54.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the refrigerating compartment return path 53 which is a part of the cold air circulation path.
Further, a gas removing device 55 is provided. Although not shown in detail, the gas removing device 55 also includes a gas decomposing member made of a photocatalyst as in the first and second embodiments.
The gas decomposing member is provided with a lamp for irradiating ultraviolet rays. In this case, the surface area of the gas decomposing member and the ultraviolet ray output of the lamp correspond to the internal volume of the entire refrigerator, and are set to be larger than those of the above-mentioned embodiments.

In such a configuration, the air in each of the storage chambers 44, 45, 46 circulates in the cold air circulation path by the forced convection by the fan device 49, so that the growth promoting components of the plant generated from the stored food or the like can be eliminated. The malodorous component is always passed through the gas removing device 55 provided in the refrigerating room return path 53, and is decomposed and removed here. In this case, since the gas removing device 55 is forcedly passed through, the plant growth promoting component and malodorous component can be decomposed and removed uniformly and in large quantities.

Therefore, in the vegetable compartment 46, the progress of the growth (aging) of vegetables and fruits caused by the growth promoting components is effectively suppressed, and the vegetables and fruits are stored in a fresh state for a sufficiently long period of time. It becomes possible. The effect of removing the growth-promoting component and the bad odor extends not only to the vegetable compartment 46 but also to all the storage compartments, so that there is an advantage that a separate deodorizing device can be eliminated.

(4) Fourth Embodiment Finally, FIG. 14 shows a gas removing device 61 according to a fourth embodiment (corresponding to claim 7) of the present invention. The gas removing device 61 is different from the gas removing devices in the above-described embodiments in that the gas decomposing member 63 is made of a photocatalyst around the ultraviolet lamp 62 serving as an ultraviolet light source, and has gas permeability by being formed into, for example, a porous shape. Is in close contact. In this case, the gas removing device 61 can be obtained by providing a gas decomposing member 63 on the surface of the ultraviolet lamp 62 by coating or the like, or by fitting a gas decomposing member 63 formed in a cylindrical shape in advance to the ultraviolet lamp 62. .

With this structure, the gas removing device 61 itself can be made compact, and it can be installed in a narrow space. In addition, the case where the lamp and the gas decomposing member are separately assembled in the main body is also possible. In comparison, the handleability and the assembling property can be improved.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and for example, a dedicated vegetable storage room (vegetable room) is used.
In the case of a refrigerator that does not have a refrigerator, a gas removing device may be provided in a storage room (refrigerating room) in which vegetables and fruits are mainly stored. Further, a gas removing device may be provided in a communication passage that is different from the cold air circulation passage and communicates with the storage chamber. At this time, when both ends of the communication passage communicate with the storage chamber. Is more effective if a fan device or the like is configured to forcibly convect the inside of the communication passage.

When a gas removing device is provided in the cold air circulation path, if there is a possibility that freezing or dew condensation may occur on the surface of the gas decomposing member, a heater may be arranged in the vicinity of the gas decomposing member to heat the gas if necessary. Is also good. In this case, the heating timing can be matched with the defrosting operation timing of the cooler, and the heater can also be used as the defrosting heater.

Besides, the present invention can be applied not only to a refrigerator for home use but also to a refrigerator for business use, a storage for exclusive use of fresh vegetables and the like, and further, various modifications can be made to the shape and structure of the gas decomposition member and the lamp. The present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention such as possible examples.

[0055]

As is clear from the above description, the refrigerator of the present invention can obtain the following excellent effects. That is, according to the refrigerator of claim 1, a gas decomposing member comprising a photocatalyst that is activated by the irradiation of ultraviolet rays in a storage chamber or a communication path communicating with the storage chamber and is decomposed to decompose a plant growth promoting component, A gas removal device equipped with a lamp that irradiates ultraviolet rays is provided on the gas decomposition member, so growth-promoting components released from vegetables and fruits can be effectively removed, enabling long-term storage of vegetables and fruits. Can be.

In this case, since the growth promoting component of the plant is lighter than air and tends to rise, in the case where the main body is provided with a vegetable storage room for storing vegetables and fruits, If the removing device is provided above the vegetable storage chamber (refrigerator of claim 2), the plant growth promoting component can be efficiently decomposed and removed. In addition, in the case where the main body is provided with a cold air circulation path for circulating and supplying cold air to the storage room, the plant growth promoting component also comes to pass through the cold air circulation path, so a gas removal device should be installed. If it is provided in the cold air circulation path (refrigerator of claim 3),
A plant growth promoting component can be decomposed and removed uniformly and in a large amount.

When the gas removing device is configured to have the gas decomposing member and the lamp in a separated state (refrigerator of claim 4), the plant growth promoting component is separated from the gas decomposing member and the lamp. By passing the gap, it is possible to efficiently decompose and remove. At this time, if the gas decomposing member is provided in a concave shape below the lamp (refrigerator of claim 5), the gas decomposing member can be effectively irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and the glass or Can receive mercury drops. Further, if the gas decomposing member is provided so as to surround the circumference of the lamp (refrigerator of claim 6), the gas decomposing member can be extremely effectively irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and the glass and the glass when the lamp is broken are It can catch the fall of mercury.

Furthermore, if the gas removing device is constructed so that the gas decomposing member and the lamp are in close contact with each other (refrigerator of claim 7), the gas removing device can be made compact, and the handling and Assembling becomes good.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention and is a vertical cross-sectional side view of a gas removing device portion.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional front view of a gas removing device portion.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the gas removing device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical sectional side view of a refrigerator.

FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing the decomposition ability of ethylene gas by a photocatalyst.

FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing the ability of acetaldehyde to be decomposed by a photocatalyst.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing the ability of a photocatalyst to decompose ammonia.

FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram showing the decomposition ability of methyl mercaptan by a photocatalyst.

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a gas decomposition member.

FIG. 12 is a schematic vertical sectional side view of a refrigerator main body showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic vertical sectional side view in a cross section different from FIG.

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional side view of a main part of a gas removing apparatus showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawing, 1,41 is a main body, 5,42,43 are partition walls,
6,44 is a refrigerating room, 7,8,45 is a freezing room, 9,46 is a vegetable room (vegetable storage room), 10,48 is a cooler, 11,
47 is a cooler room, 12 and 49 are fan devices, 17 is a storage container, 18 is packing, 19, 31, 55 and 61 are gas removing devices, 20 is a recess, 21 is a case, 22, 32, 6
3 is a gas decomposition member, 23, 33, 62 are lamps, 24,
34 is a lamp socket, 25 and 37 are fittings, 52 is a freezer compartment return path, 53 is a refrigerating room return path, and 54 is a vegetable compartment return path.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A body comprising a storage room for storing foods, etc., wherein the storage room or a communication path communicating with the storage room is activated by irradiation of ultraviolet rays to activate a plant growth promoting component. A refrigerator comprising a gas decomposing member comprising a photocatalyst for decomposing and a gas removing device provided with a lamp for irradiating the gas decomposing member with ultraviolet rays. 2. A vegetable storage chamber for storing vegetables and fruits is provided in the main body, and a gas removing device is provided at an upper portion of the vegetable storage chamber. The refrigerator according to claim 1. 3. The main body is provided with a cold air circulation passage for circulating and supplying cold air to the storage chamber, and the gas removing device is provided in the cold air circulation passage. Refrigerator according to 1. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the gas removing device includes a gas decomposing member and a lamp in a separated state. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the gas decomposing member is provided below the lamp so as to form a concave shape. 6. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the gas decomposing member is provided so as to surround the periphery of the lamp. 7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the gas removing device is provided with the gas decomposing member and the lamp in close contact with each other.