CN114646183A - Refrigerator with a door - Google Patents

Abstract

The purpose is to provide a refrigerator which can improve the function of inhibiting viruses or bacteria and can easily realize the large capacity of a storage chamber. The refrigerator of the embodiment has a cabinet, a duct member, and a light irradiation section. The box body is provided with a storage chamber which can be used as a vegetable chamber. The duct member is provided in the case, and the cold air flows through the duct member. The light irradiation unit is provided inside the duct member and irradiates light having an effect of suppressing viruses or bacteria into the storage chamber.

Description

Refrigerator with a door

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator.

Background

A refrigerator having an ultraviolet light source in a freezer (chilled) room is proposed. The refrigerator is expected to further improve the sterilization function.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2020-112295

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The invention provides a refrigerator which improves the inhibiting function of virus or bacteria and is easy to realize the large capacity of a storage room.

Means for solving the problems

The refrigerator of the technical scheme is provided with a refrigerator body, a pipeline part and a light irradiation part. The box body is provided with a storage chamber which can be used as a vegetable chamber. The duct member is provided in the case, and the cold air flows through the duct member. The light irradiation unit is provided inside the duct member and irradiates light having an effect of suppressing viruses or bacteria into the storage chamber.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the capacity of a storage room easily while improving the virus and bacteria inhibiting function of a refrigerator.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the refrigerator shown in fig. 1 taken along the line F2-F2.

Fig. 3 is a perspective sectional view of the refrigerator shown in fig. 1 taken along line F3-F3.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the duct member for cold storage according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing an area surrounded by a line F5 of the refrigerator shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing an area surrounded by a line F6 of the refrigerator shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing the center of irradiation with ultraviolet rays of the light irradiation section of embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the light irradiation unit shown in fig. 6 as viewed from the direction of arrow F8.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing the light irradiation unit according to embodiment 1 with a part broken away.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the limited irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays in embodiment 1.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing a refrigerator according to modification 1 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view showing a refrigerator according to modification 2 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view showing a refrigerator according to modification 3 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view showing a refrigerator according to a 4 th modification of embodiment 1.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view showing the refrigerator of reference mode 1.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of a refrigerator according to modification 1 of reference mode 1.

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of a refrigerator according to a2 nd modification example of the 1 st reference mode.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view showing the refrigerator of reference form 2.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view of the refrigerator shown in fig. 18 taken along the line F19-F19.

Fig. 20 is a sectional view of a refrigerator showing a modification of the reference example 2.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to structures having the same or similar functions. Moreover, a repetitive description of these configurations may be omitted. In this specification, the left and right sides are defined with reference to a direction in which a user standing from the front of the refrigerator views the refrigerator. Further, a closer side from a user standing on the front side of the refrigerator when viewed from the refrigerator is defined as "front", and a farther side is defined as "rear". The "left-right direction of the refrigerator" has the same meaning as the "width direction of the refrigerator". The "front-rear direction of the refrigerator" has the same meaning as the "depth direction of the refrigerator".

In the present specification, "sterilization" is a term used for convenience of description, and is used as a broad term meaning inhibition of viruses or bacteria (for example, reduction or inactivation of infectivity of viruses, inhibition of growth of bacteria). That is, the term "sterilization" in the present specification is not limited to the removal (reduction) of bacteria, but is used in the sense of inhibiting the increase of bacteria and/or the spread of viruses and the like other than bacteria. The "inhibition of the spread of the virus or the like" is not limited to the inhibition of the spread of the virus in the refrigerator, and may be a case where the infectivity of the virus is weakened and the spread of the virus to the outside of the refrigerator is inhibited.

(embodiment 1)

[1. integral Structure of refrigerator ]

A refrigerator 1 according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 10. First, the overall structure of the refrigerator 1 will be explained.

Fig. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator 1. The refrigerator 1 includes, for example, a cabinet 10 and a plurality of doors 20.

The casing 10 includes an upper wall 10a, a lower wall 10b, left and right side walls 10c, 10d, and a rear wall 10e (see fig. 2). The upper wall 10a and the lower wall 10b are spread out in the horizontal direction. The left and right side walls 10c, 10d rise upward from left and right end portions of the lower wall 10b and are connected to left and right end portions of the upper wall 10 a. The left side wall 10c includes a left side wall portion S1 exposed in a vegetable compartment 11B described later and forming a left side surface of the vegetable compartment 11B. The right side wall 10d includes a right side wall portion S2 exposed in the vegetable compartment 11B and forming a right side surface of the vegetable compartment 11B. The rear wall 10e rises upward from the rear end of the lower wall 10b and is continuous with the rear end of the upper wall 10 a. The casing 10 includes an inner casing 10i forming an inner surface of the casing 10, an outer casing 10j positioned outside the inner casing 10i and forming an outer surface of the casing 10, and a foamed heat insulating material 10k (see fig. 2) such as foamed polyurethane provided between the inner casing 10i and the outer casing 10j, and has heat insulation properties.

Inside the cabinet 10, a plurality of storage chambers 11 are provided. The plurality of storage compartments 11 include, for example, a refrigerating compartment 11A, a freezing compartment 11Aa, a vegetable compartment 11B, an ice-making compartment 11C, a small freezing compartment 11D, and a main freezing compartment 11E. The refrigerating compartment 11A is cooled to a refrigerating temperature zone of about 2 to 6 ℃. The freezing chamber 11Aa is cooled to a freezing temperature range of about-1 ℃ to +1 ℃, for example. The vegetable compartment 11B is cooled to a vegetable compartment temperature zone of about 3 to 7 ℃. Ice making compartment 11C, small freezing compartment 11D, and main freezing compartment 11E are cooled to a freezing temperature zone of, for example, about-20 ℃ to-18 ℃.

In the present embodiment, refrigerating room 11A is disposed at the uppermost portion, vegetable room 11B is disposed below refrigerating room 11A, ice making room 11C and small freezing room 11D are disposed below vegetable room 11B, and main freezing room 11E is disposed below ice making room 11C and small freezing room 11D. However, the arrangement of the storage chamber 11 is not limited to the above example. The box 10 has openings on the front surface side of each storage chamber 11, through which food can be taken in and out of each storage chamber 11.

Vegetable room 11B is an example of a "storage room usable as a vegetable room", and is an example of "1 st storage room". The "storage room usable as a vegetable room" in the present specification is not limited to the storage room 11 provided exclusively for a vegetable room, and may be a switching room whose temperature range can be switched according to a plurality of applications (for example, a refrigerating room, a freezing room, or a vegetable room), or may be the storage room 11 whose temperature range can be switched at least to a vegetable room. The "vegetable compartment" is a storage compartment having a higher temperature zone than the refrigerating compartment.

The freezing chamber 11Aa is provided in a lower partition of the refrigerating chamber 11A. The micro freezing chamber 11Aa is an example of a "special storage chamber", and is an example of a "2 nd storage chamber". The term "special storage room" as used herein refers to a storage room having a temperature zone lower than that of the refrigerating room and higher than that of the freezing room. The "special storage room" is not limited to the micro freezing room 11Aa, and may be a partial freezing room cooled to a partial freezing temperature range (about-4 ℃ to-2 ℃), or the like. Therefore, "the micro-freezing chamber 11 Aa" in the following description may be referred to as "special storage chamber" or "local freezing chamber" instead.

The case 10 has the 1 st and 2 nd partitions 15 and 16 (see fig. 2). The 1 st and 2 nd partitions 15 and 16 are, for example, partition walls extending in a substantially horizontal direction. The 1 st partition 15 is located between the refrigerating chamber 11A and the freezing chamber 11Aa and the vegetable chamber 11B, and partitions the refrigerating chamber 11A and the freezing chamber 11Aa and the vegetable chamber 11B. For example, the 1 st partition 15 is a partition wall having no heat insulation property. The 1 st partition 15 may be provided integrally with the casing 10, or may be provided separately from the casing 10 and attached to the inside of the casing 10. The 1 st partition 15 has a vent hole for guiding cold air having passed through the refrigerating compartment 11A or the freezer compartment 11Aa to the vegetable compartment 11B. On the other hand, the 2 nd partition 16 is located between the vegetable compartment 11B and the ice making compartment 11C and the small freezing compartment 11D, and partitions the vegetable compartment 11B and the ice making compartment 11C and the small freezing compartment 11D. The 2 nd partition 16 is provided integrally with the casing 10, for example, and has heat insulation properties.

The storage chambers 11 are openably and closably closed by the doors 20. The plurality of doors 20 include, for example, left and right refrigerating compartment doors 20Aa and 20Ab that close an opening of the refrigerating compartment 11A, a vegetable compartment door 20B that closes an opening of the vegetable compartment 11B, an ice making compartment door 20C that closes an opening of the ice making compartment 11C, a freezer compartment door 20D that closes an opening of the freezer compartment 11D, and a main freezer compartment door 20E that closes an opening of the main freezer compartment 11E. The left and right refrigerating compartment doors 20Aa and 20Ab constitute, for example, french doors (side-by-side doors). The vegetable compartment door 20B, ice making compartment door 20C, freezer compartment door 20D, and main freezer compartment door 20E are respectively pull-out doors that can be pulled out to the front side of the refrigerator 1.

Here, vegetable compartment door 20B will be described in detail. The vegetable compartment door 20B includes, for example, a door main body 21 and a rail member 22. The door main body 21 is located outside the cabinet 10, and faces an opening of the vegetable compartment 11B from the front side of the refrigerator 1. The door main body 21 has an outer shape larger than the opening of the vegetable compartment 11B, and closes the opening of the vegetable compartment 11B to be openable and closable. At the upper end of the door main body 21, a handle to be held by a user's hand when the vegetable compartment door 20B is opened is provided. The rail member 22 is attached to an inner surface (rear surface) of the door main body 21 and extends rearward from the door main body 21. The rail member 22 is supported by rail receiving portions provided on the left side wall portion S1 and the right side wall portion S2 of the case 10. Thereby, the vegetable compartment door 20B can be slidably moved in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1 with respect to the cabinet 10.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the refrigerator 1 shown in fig. 1 taken along the line F2-F2. The refrigerator 1 includes, for example, a plurality of shelves 30, a plurality of containers 40, a flow path forming member 50, a cooling unit 60, a light irradiation unit 70, and a control device 80. A plurality of shelves 30 are arranged in the refrigerating compartment 11A.

The plurality of containers 40 include 1 st and 2 nd freezer containers 41 and 42 housed in the freezer compartment 11Aa, 1 st and 2 nd vegetable compartment containers 43 and 44 housed in the vegetable compartment 11B, an ice making compartment container (not shown) housed in the ice making compartment 11C, a small freezer compartment container 46 housed in the small freezer compartment 11D, and 1 st and 2 nd main freezer compartments 47 and 48 housed in the main freezer compartment 11E.

First, the 1 st and 2 nd freezing chamber containers 41 and 42 will be described. The 1 st micro-freezing chamber container 41 is a lower container of the two-layer micro-freezing chamber containers 41 and 42. The 2 nd freezing chamber container 42 is a container positioned on the upper side of the two-layer freezing chamber containers 41 and 42. The 2 nd micro-freezing chamber container 42 is located above the 1 st micro-freezing chamber container 41. The 1 st and 2 nd freezing chamber containers 41 and 42 can be independently pulled out forward. In addition, the number of the freezing chamber containers arranged in the freezing chamber 11Aa may be only 1.

Next, the 1 st and 2 nd vegetable room containers 43 and 44 will be described. The 1 st vegetable room container 43 is a lower container of the two-layer type vegetable room containers 43 and 44. The 1 st vegetable chamber container 43 is supported by the vegetable chamber door 20B and can be drawn out to the front side of the refrigerator 1 integrally with the vegetable chamber door 20B. A front end portion 43a of the 1 st vegetable compartment container 43 is positioned near the door main body 21 of the vegetable compartment door 20B. Inside the 1 st vegetable chamber container 43, a partition 43p is provided. Between the front end portion 42a of the 1 st vegetable room container 43 and the partition portion 43p, a housing area CR is formed in which the plastic bottle can be housed in an upright state. The storage region CR is a storage region adjacent to the front end portion 43a of the 1 st vegetable room container 43 in the interior of the 1 st vegetable room container 43. On the other hand, the rear end portion 43B of the 1 st vegetable room container 43 is positioned near the rear wall 10e of the box body 10 in a state where the 1 st vegetable room container 43 is housed in the vegetable room 11B. The 1 st vegetable room container 43 is an example of the "1 st container".

The 2 nd vegetable room container 44 is a container positioned on the upper side of the two-layer vegetable room containers 43 and 44. The 2 nd vegetable compartment container 44 is disposed above the 1 st vegetable compartment container 43. The size of the 2 nd vegetable room container 44 in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1 is smaller than the size of the 1 st vegetable room container 43 in the same direction. The front end 44a of the 2 nd vegetable chamber container 44 is positioned directly above the partition 43p of the 1 st vegetable chamber container 43 or is positioned on the rear side of the partition 43 p. That is, the front end 44a of the 2 nd vegetable room container 44 is located on the rear side of the front end 43a of the 1 st vegetable room container 43. A grip H for gripping by a user's hand when the 2 nd vegetable compartment container 44 is pulled out to the front side is provided at the front end portion 44a of the 2 nd vegetable compartment container 44. Rear end 44b of vegetable room 2 container 44 is located at the front side of rear end 43b of vegetable room 1 container 43. The 2 nd vegetable room container 44 is an example of the "2 nd container".

In the present embodiment, the 2 nd vegetable room container 44 is an example of "the container located at the uppermost layer among at least 1 container stored in a certain storage room (vegetable room 11B)". However, the number of vegetable room containers disposed in the vegetable room 11B may be 1. In this case, the 1 vegetable room container disposed in the vegetable room 11B corresponds to an example of "the container located at the uppermost level among at least 1 containers stored in a certain storage room (vegetable room 11B)".

The flow path forming member 50 includes a refrigerating duct member 51 and a freezing duct member 52. The duct member 51 for cooling is provided in the cabinet 10 and extends in the vertical direction along the rear wall 10 e. The duct member 51 for refrigeration has a duct space D1 as a passage through which cold air (air) flows, formed near the rear wall 10e of the casing 10. The "duct member" in the present specification is not limited to a tubular member, and may include a member that defines at least a part of a passage of cold air in cooperation with another member (for example, the rear wall 10e of the casing 10). For example, the duct member 51 for cooling in the present embodiment is a cover attached to the rear wall 10e of the casing 10 and forming a duct space D1 with the rear wall 10e of the casing 10.

The cold storage duct member 51 has cold air outlets 51a, 51b and cold air return ports 51c, 51 d. Cold air outlet 51A opens in refrigerating room 11A, and supplies cold air cooled by a refrigerating cooler 62 described later to refrigerating room 11A. The cold air outlet 51b opens in the freezer compartment 11Aa, and supplies cold air cooled by a cooler 62 for refrigeration described later to the freezer compartment 11 Aa. The cold air return port 51c opens in the freezing chamber 11Aa, and guides the cold air heated by passing through the freezing chamber 11Aa to the duct space D1. Cold air return port 51D opens in vegetable compartment 11B, and guides cold air warmed by passing through refrigerating compartment 11A, vegetable compartment 11B, or the like to duct space D1. The duct member for cooling 51 will be described in detail later.

The refrigeration duct member 52 is provided in the casing 10 and extends in the vertical direction along the rear wall 10 e. Duct space D2, which is a passage through which cold air (air) flows, is formed in the vicinity of rear wall 10e of casing 10 in duct member for refrigeration 52. The refrigerating duct member 52 has a cold air outlet 52a and a cold air return opening 52 b. The cold air outlet 52a is open to the ice making chamber 11C, the small freezing chamber 11D, or the main freezing chamber 11E, and supplies cold air cooled by a later-described freezing cooler 64 to the ice making chamber 11C, the small freezing chamber 11D, or the main freezing chamber 11E. The cold air return port 52b is open at the lower portion of the main freezer compartment 11E, and guides cold air warmed by passing through 1 or more of the ice making compartment 11C, the small freezer compartment 11D, and the main freezer compartment 11E to the duct space D2.

The cooling unit 60 includes, for example, a compressor 61, a cooler 62 for cold storage, a refrigerating chamber fan 63, a cooler 64 for freezing, and a freezing chamber fan 65. The refrigerating cooler 62 and the refrigerating compartment fan 63 are disposed in the duct space D1. The refrigerating cooler 62 is supplied with the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 61, and cools the cold air flowing through the duct space D1. When refrigerating room fan 63 is driven, the cold air cooled by refrigerating cooler 62 is supplied from cold air outlets 51A, 51b to refrigerating room 11A and freezer room 11 Aa. Part of the cold air having passed through refrigerating room 11A or freezing room 11Aa flows into vegetable room 11B. Then, the cold air heated in 1 or more of refrigerating room 11A, freezer room 11Aa, and vegetable room 11B is returned from cold air return ports 51c and 51D to duct space D1.

The freezing cooler 64 and the freezing chamber fan 65 are disposed in the duct space D2. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 61 is supplied to the refrigerating cooler 64, and cools the cold air flowing through the duct space D2. When the freezing room fan 65 is driven, the cold air cooled by the freezing cooler 64 is supplied from the cold air outlet 52a to the freezing room (the ice making room 11C, the small freezing room 11D, and the main freezing room 11E), and the air warmed in the freezing room is returned from the cold air return opening 52b to the duct space D2.

The light irradiation unit 70 is provided inside the case 10. In the present embodiment, the light irradiation unit 70 is disposed behind the vegetable room 11B and irradiates ultraviolet light into the vegetable room 11B. The light irradiation means 70 will be described in detail later.

The control device 80 includes a circuit board and electronic components mounted on the circuit board. The control device 80 collectively controls the entirety of the refrigerator 1. For example, the controller 80 controls the operations of the compressor 61, the refrigerating chamber fan 63, the freezing chamber fan 65, and the like. Further, the control device 80 controls the irradiation of ultraviolet rays by the light irradiation unit 70. In the present embodiment, control device 80 controls light irradiation unit 70 based on the detection result of the door switch that detects the open/closed state of vegetable compartment door 20B. For example, the control device 80 stops the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays by the light irradiation unit 70 when detecting that the vegetable compartment door 20B is opened. On the other hand, when detecting that vegetable compartment door 20B is closed, control device 80 restarts irradiation of ultraviolet rays by light irradiation unit 70.

[2. details of the peripheral structure of the vegetable room ]

Next, the structure around vegetable room 11B will be described in detail.

Fig. 3 is a perspective sectional view of the refrigerator 1 shown in fig. 1 taken along line F3-F3. In fig. 3, the refrigerating cooler 62 and the refrigerating room fan 63 are not shown.

[2.1 part 1 of the partition ]

First, the 1 st partition 15 will be explained. As described above, the 1 st partition 15 is provided between the refrigerating chamber 11A and the micro-freezing chamber 11Aa and the vegetable chamber 11B, and partitions the refrigerating chamber 11A and the micro-freezing chamber 11Aa and the vegetable chamber 11B. The 1 st partition 15 is formed in a relatively thin plate shape. The 1 st partition 15 forms the bottom walls of the refrigerating chamber 11A and the freezing chamber 11Aa, and forms the ceiling of the vegetable chamber 11B. The 1 st partition 15 includes, from the front side, a1 st portion 15a, a2 nd portion 15b, a 3 rd portion 15c, a 4 th portion 15d, and a 5 th portion 15 e. The 1 st to 5 th parts 15a, 15B, 15c, 15d, 15e are respectively provided over the full width of the vegetable compartment 11B in the width direction of the refrigerator 1.

The 1 st section 15a is located on the front side of the 1 st micro-freezing chamber container 41 and forms a part of the bottom wall of the refrigerating chamber 11A. The 1 st portion 15a is a wall portion expanding in the horizontal direction. The 2 nd portion 15b is adjacent to the 1 st portion 15a at the rear end thereof. The 2 nd portion 15b is located below the 1 st freezing chamber container 41 and forms a part of the bottom wall of the freezing chamber 11 Aa. The 2 nd portion 15b is an inclined wall inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The 2 nd portion 15b is inclined so as to be located downward as it goes forward from the rear end of the 1 st portion 15a to the rear (i.e., inclined so as to descend rearward).

The 3 rd portion 15c is adjacent to the rear end of the 2 nd portion 15 b. The 3 rd portion 15c is located below the 1 st freezing chamber container 41 and forms a part of the bottom wall of the freezing chamber 11 Aa. The 3 rd portion 15c is a wall portion spreading out in the horizontal direction from the rear end of the 2 nd portion 15 b. That is, the 3 rd portion 15c is provided at a lower height position than the 1 st portion 15a and a 5 th portion 15d described later. For example, the 3 rd portion 15c forms the lowermost portion of the 1 st partition 15.

The 4 th portion 15d is adjacent to the rear end of the 3 rd portion 15 c. The 4 th portion 15d is located below the 1 st freezing chamber container 41 and forms a part of the bottom wall of the freezing chamber 11 Aa. The 4 th portion 15d is an inclined portion inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The 4 th portion 15d is inclined so as to be upward as going from the rear end of the 3 rd portion 15c to the rear (i.e., inclined so as to rise upward to the rear).

The 5 th portion 15e is adjacent to the rear end of the 4 th portion 15 d. The 5 th part 15e is located below the 1 st freezing chamber container 41 and forms a part of the bottom wall of the freezing chamber 11 Aa. The 5 th portion 15e is a wall portion including a portion expanding in the horizontal direction from the rear end of the 4 th portion 15 d. The 5 th portion 15e forms the rear end portion of the 1 st partition 15. In the present embodiment, the 5 th part 15e (i.e., the rear end of the 1 st partition 15) is located on the front side of the rear end 44b of the 2 nd vegetable compartment container 44.

[2.2 piping parts for refrigeration ]

Next, the duct member for cooling 51 will be explained.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the duct member 51 for cooling (hereinafter, simply referred to as "duct member 51"). Fig. 4 shows the duct member 51 with the exposed portions of the freezing chamber 11Aa and the vegetable chamber 11B drawn out. The duct member 51 has, for example, a1 st front wall 91, an extension 92, a2 nd front wall 93, a left side wall 94, a right side wall 95, and a lower wall 96.

The 1 st front wall portion 91 is a wall portion facing the front side of the refrigerator 1. The 1 st front wall 91 is exposed to the freezing chamber 11Aa, and forms a part of the rear wall of the freezing chamber 11Aa (see fig. 5). The 1 st front wall portion 91 is provided with a plurality of cold air outlets 51 b. The cold air outlet 51b is disposed at a position higher than the upper side of the 2 nd freezer compartment container 42, for example (see fig. 5).

The projecting portion 92 projects forward from the lower end of the 1 st front wall portion 91. The protruding portion 92 is provided over most of the entire width of the duct member 51 in the width direction of the refrigerator 1. The extension portion 92 is provided corresponding to the height position between the freezing chamber 11Aa and the vegetable chamber 11B (see fig. 5). In the present embodiment, the protruding portion 92 is connected to the 5 th portion 15e of the 1 st partition 15. Thus, the extension portion 92 functions as a partition wall for partitioning the freezer compartment 11Aa and the vegetable compartment 11B in cooperation with the 1 st partition portion 15. In the present embodiment, the 5 th part 15e of the 1 st partition 15 is placed on the tip end portion 92e of the extension portion 92 (see fig. 5). Thereby, the projecting portion 92 supports the 5 th part 15e of the 1 st partition 15 from below.

In the present embodiment, the projecting portion 92 is inclined so that the height position becomes lower as going from the lower end of the 1 st front wall portion 91 to the front side (i.e., inclined downward forward). The extension portion 92 is provided with a plurality of cold air return ports 51c (return ports for cold air from the freezing chamber 11 Aa). The plurality of cold air return ports 51c are provided in a row in the width direction of the refrigerator 1. Each of the cold air return ports 51c has a long hole shape extending in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1. A vent hole 41h (see fig. 5) is provided in the rear end portion of the 1 st micro-freezing chamber container 41 located above the projecting portion 92, for allowing the cold air flowing through the inside of the 1 st micro-freezing chamber container 41 to flow toward the cold air return port 51c of the projecting portion 92.

The 2 nd front wall portion 93 is provided below the projecting portion 92. The 2 nd front wall portion 93 is a wall portion facing the front side of the refrigerator 1, and forms at least a part of the front surface of the duct member 51. The 2 nd front wall 93 is exposed in the vegetable compartment 11B, and forms a part of the rear wall of the vegetable compartment 11B (see fig. 5). The 2 nd front wall portion 93 extends downward from an intermediate portion 92m of the extension portion 92 in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1. The halfway portion 92m is a portion adjacent to the front end of the cold air return port 51c in the protruding portion 92. The 2 nd front wall portion 93 is an example of a "front wall". The 2 nd front wall 93 will be described in detail later together with the description of the light irradiation unit 70.

The left side wall portion 94 extends rearward from the left end of the 1 st front wall portion 91 and the left end of the 2 nd front wall portion 93. On the other hand, the right side wall portion 95 extends rearward from the right end of the 1 st front wall portion 91 and the right end of the 2 nd front wall portion 93. The left side wall portion 94 and the right side wall portion 95 close the left and right sides of the duct space D1. The lower wall 96 extends rearward from the lower end of the 2 nd front wall portion 93. The lower wall 96 closes off the underside of the duct space D1. In the present embodiment, the lower wall 96 is provided with a plurality of cold air return ports 51d (return ports for cold air from the vegetable compartment 11B) (see fig. 5).

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing a region surrounded by a line F5 of the refrigerator 1 shown in fig. 2. The arrows in the figure indicate the flow of air (cold air). A heat insulating member 55 is provided inside the duct member 51. The heat insulating member 55 is a foamed heat insulating material such as Expanded Poly-Styrene (EPS), and has high heat insulating properties. The heat insulating member 55 is a heat insulating member having better heat insulation per unit thickness than the duct member 51.

The heat insulating member 55 is provided along the inner surface (rear surface) of the 1 st front wall 91. The heat insulating member 55 is located between the 1 st front wall 91 and the duct space D1 in the duct member 51, and defines a part of the front surface of the duct space D1. In other words, the heat insulating member 55 is positioned between the 1 st front wall portion 91 and the cooler 62 for cold storage. The heat insulating member 55 extends along the front surface of the cooler 62 for cold storage to below the 1 st front wall 91.

In the present embodiment, the heat insulating member 55 is located between the extension portion 92 and the cooler 62 for cold storage, and between at least a part of the 2 nd front wall portion 93 and the cooler 62 for cold storage. The 2 nd front wall 93 is located apart from the heat insulating member 55. A cold air passage a1 through which air (cold air) flowing from the freezing chamber 11Aa to the cold air return port 51c flows downward is formed between the 2 nd front wall portion 93 and the heat insulating member 55.

The air flowing into the duct member 51 from the cold air return port 51c is guided through the cold air passage a1 between the second front wall portion 93 and the heat insulating member 55 to the space a2 (hereinafter referred to as "merged space a 2" for convenience of description) located behind the vegetable compartment 11B and below the cooler 62 for cold storage. The air flowing into the merge space a2 from the cold air return port 51c merges with the air flowing into the merge space a2 from the vegetable compartment 11B through the cold air return port 51d, and flows from the merge space a2 toward the cooler 62 for refrigeration.

[3. light irradiation Unit ]

[3.1 Structure of light irradiation Unit ]

Next, the structure of the light irradiation unit 70 will be described in detail.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a region surrounded by a line F6 of the refrigerator 1 shown in fig. 5. In the present embodiment, the light irradiation unit 70 is provided inside the duct member 51 (for example, a space surrounded by the 2 nd front wall portion 93, the left side wall portion 94, and the right side wall portion 95 from 3 directions). That is, the light irradiation unit 70 is exposed to the cold air passage a1 inside the duct member 51, and is exposed to cold air (so-called return cold air) that flows from the cold air return port 51c toward the cooler 62 for refrigeration via the merge space a 2. In other words, the cold air passage a1 is formed between the light irradiation unit 70 and the heat insulating member 55. In the present embodiment, the light irradiation unit 70 has a light irradiation section 71, a cartridge 72, and a closing member 73.

[3.1.1 light irradiation part ]

The light irradiation section 71 includes a circuit board 101 and an ultraviolet LED 102. The circuit board 101 is disposed parallel to the inner surface (rear surface) of the 2 nd front wall 93. The circuit board 101 has a1 st surface 101a facing the 2 nd front wall 93 and a2 nd surface 101b located on the opposite side of the 1 st surface 101 a. The ultraviolet LED102 is mounted on the 1 st surface 101a of the circuit board 101, and irradiates ultraviolet light toward the front of the refrigerator 1. The ultraviolet LED102 is an example of an "ultraviolet light source". The ultraviolet light source is not limited to the ultraviolet LED102, and may be an ultraviolet lamp or the like.

Ultraviolet rays are an example of "light having an effect of inhibiting viruses or bacteria". The term "ultraviolet ray" as used herein means an electromagnetic wave having a central wavelength in the range of 100nm to 400 nm. That is, the "ultraviolet rays" may be electromagnetic waves having a central wavelength of UVA (wavelength of 320nm to 400nm), UVB (wavelength of 280nm to 320nm), or UVC (wavelength of 100nm to 280 nm). The "ultraviolet light" may have a central wavelength in the range of 100nm to 400nm, and the wavelength of a part of the electromagnetic waves emitted from the ultraviolet LED102 may be 400nm or more (that is, may be a wavelength in the visible light region). The ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet LED102 may or may not include light visible to humans. The "light having the effect of inhibiting viruses or bacteria" is not limited to ultraviolet light, and may be light of other wavelengths.

In the present embodiment, the ultraviolet LED102 irradiates electromagnetic waves having a central wavelength of UVA. By using electromagnetic waves of such a wavelength, it is possible to suppress viruses and bacteria while suppressing deterioration of the 1 st and 2 nd vegetable room containers 43 and 44 made of plastic, for example, as compared with UVC electromagnetic waves, for example.

As shown in fig. 6, the 2 nd front wall portion 93 has a window portion (light transmission portion) 103 through which ultraviolet rays pass, at a portion facing the ultraviolet LED 102. The window 103 is formed of a light-transmitting member such as acrylic resin or glass through which ultraviolet rays pass. The ultraviolet LED102 irradiates ultraviolet rays into the vegetable room 11B through the window 103. Thereby, at least a part of the inside of the vegetable room 11B is within the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays irradiated by the light irradiation section 71.

In the present embodiment, the light irradiation unit 71 is provided in the rear of the vegetable room 11B with respect to the 2 nd vegetable room container 44. The light irradiation section 71 is disposed above an upper side 44u of at least a part of the 2 nd vegetable room container 44 (for example, an upper side 44u of the rear end 44b of the 2 nd vegetable room container 44).

Specifically, the 2 nd vegetable compartment container 44 is formed in a box shape with an upper side opened. The 2 nd vegetable compartment container 44 has a left end portion and a right end portion in addition to the front end portion 44a and the rear end portion 44b described above. In the present embodiment, the light irradiation section 71 is disposed above the upper side 44u of all the end portions of the 2 nd vegetable room container 44 (i.e., the upper sides 44u of the front end portion 44a, the rear end portion 44b, and the left and right end portions). In the present specification, the phrase "the light irradiation portion is located above the upper side of the container" means that the ultraviolet LED102 included in the light irradiation portion 71 is located above the upper side of the container, and may include a case where a part of the circuit board 101 included in the light irradiation portion 71 is located below the upper side of the container.

In the present embodiment, the light irradiation unit 71 is disposed behind the 2 nd vegetable room container 44 and irradiates ultraviolet light obliquely downward with respect to the horizontal direction. For example, the light irradiation section 71 irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the inside of the 2 nd vegetable room container 44. Accordingly, at least a part of the inside of the 2 nd vegetable room container 44 is within the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays irradiated by the light irradiation section 71.

Fig. 7 is a view showing the center C of irradiation of ultraviolet rays by the light irradiation section 71. The light irradiation section 71 irradiates ultraviolet light in a direction at a relatively small angle with respect to the horizontal direction. For example, the light irradiation section 71 is disposed obliquely with respect to the horizontal direction so that the irradiation center C of the ultraviolet rays (i.e., the optical axis CA corresponding to the irradiation center) is oriented at an angle smaller than 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, the light irradiation section 71 is provided obliquely so that the irradiation center C of the ultraviolet light is oriented in a direction inclined at 25 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. By thus obliquely disposing the light irradiation section 71, the ultraviolet light can be irradiated over a wider range in the vegetable room 11B by the light irradiation section 71.

In the present embodiment, the irradiation center C of the ultraviolet light of the light irradiation section 71 is set in the region FR on the front side of the center of the bottom surface of the 2 nd vegetable room container 44 in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1 in the state where the 2 nd vegetable room container 44 is housed in the vegetable room 11B.

[3.1.2 boxes ]

Referring back to fig. 6, the cartridge 72 will be described. The case 72 is formed in a rectangular flat box shape with the front side open. The light irradiation section 71 is housed in the interior of the case 72. The case 72 is attached to the inner surface (rear surface) of the 2 nd front wall portion 93 with the closing member 73 interposed between the 2 nd front wall portion 93 and the case 72. By mounting the cartridge 72 on the inner surface of the 2 nd front wall portion 93, the periphery of the light irradiation portion 71 is closed. This suppresses the flow of cold air around the light irradiation portion 71, and suppresses the occurrence of condensation in the light irradiation portion 71. The cartridge 72 is an example of a "cover".

Specifically, the cartridge 72 includes a back wall portion 72a, a peripheral wall portion 72b, and a pressing portion 72 c. The back wall portion 72a covers the light irradiation portion 71 from the side opposite to the 2 nd front wall portion 93. The peripheral wall portion 72b extends from the peripheral end portion of the back wall portion 72a toward the inner surface of the 2 nd front wall portion 93. The peripheral wall portion 72b is formed in a rectangular ring shape (cylindrical shape) surrounding the light irradiation portion 71 in the vertical and horizontal directions. The peripheral wall portion 72b is mounted on the inner surface of the 2 nd front wall portion 93 independently of the light irradiation portion 71. This will be described later. The pressing portion 72c is provided on the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall portion 72 b. The pressing portion 72c contacts the closing member 73, and presses the closing member 73 toward the inner surface of the 2 nd front wall portion 93. The back wall portion 72a is an example of "part 1". The peripheral wall portion 72b is an example of "part 2". The pressing portion 72c is an example of "part 3". However, the peripheral wall portion 72b and the pressing portion 72c may be integrally provided.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the light irradiation unit 70 shown in fig. 6 as viewed from the direction of an arrow F8.

The closing member 73 is an elastic member such as a soft band. The closing member 73 is formed in a ring shape along the entire circumference of the peripheral wall portion 72 b. By attaching the peripheral wall portion 72b of the cartridge 72 to the inner surface of the 2 nd front wall portion 93, the closing member 73 is sandwiched between the inner surface of the 2 nd front wall portion 93 and the pressing portion 72c of the cartridge 72, and closes the space between the inner surface of the 2 nd front wall portion 93 and the peripheral wall portion 72b of the cartridge 72. This more reliably suppresses the flow of cold air around the light irradiation portion 71.

In the present embodiment, the cartridge 72 is a general plastic member. The thermal insulation per unit thickness of the case 72 is lower than that of the thermal insulation member 55. The thickness of each of the back wall portion 72a and the peripheral wall portion 72b of the case 72 is smaller than the thickness of the heat insulating member 55. However, the cold air flowing through the cold air passage a1 in the duct member 51 is the cold air heated by flowing through the freezer compartment 11Aa, and has a higher temperature than the cold air immediately after being cooled by the cooler 62 for cold storage. Therefore, the above-described case 72 can also suppress the occurrence of condensation on the light irradiation section 71. Further, the cartridge 72 as described above can be manufactured relatively inexpensively, and even if it is provided inside the duct member 51, it is possible to suppress the duct member 51 from becoming large.

[3.2 arrangement Structure of light irradiation units ]

Next, referring back to fig. 6, the arrangement structure of the light irradiation unit 70 will be described. In the present embodiment, at least a part of the light irradiation unit 70 (for example, at least a part of the cartridge 72) is disposed above the lowermost portion (for example, the 3 rd portion 15c) of the 1 st partition 15. Further, at least a part of the light irradiation section 71 (for example, at least a part of the circuit board 110) is arranged above the lowermost portion (for example, the 3 rd portion 15c) of the 1 st partition 15. That is, the light irradiation section 71 irradiates ultraviolet light obliquely downward with at least a part of the light irradiation section 71 being disposed above the lowermost portion of the 1 st partition 15.

In other words, the light irradiation unit 70 of the present embodiment uses the space of the freezing chamber 11Aa to dispose a part of the mounting structure for mounting the ultraviolet LED102 that irradiates the vegetable chamber 11B with ultraviolet light. Thus, when ultraviolet LEDs 102 for irradiating ultraviolet rays to vegetable room 11B are provided, the internal volume of vegetable room 11B can be suppressed from decreasing.

In the present embodiment, the rear end portion of the 2 nd freezing chamber container 42 has an inclined portion 41i inclined upward. The inclined portion 41i is inclined so as to be upward as it goes rearward (i.e., inclined so as to rise rearward). At least a part of the cassette 72 of the light irradiation unit 70 is disposed at a position overlapping the inclined portion 41i of the rear end portion of the 2 nd micro-freezing chamber container 42 in the vertical direction. In this respect, the light irradiation unit 70 of the present embodiment also uses the space of the freezing chamber 11Aa to dispose a part of the mounting structure for mounting the ultraviolet LED102 for irradiating ultraviolet rays to the vegetable chamber 11B. Thus, when ultraviolet LEDs 102 for irradiating ultraviolet rays to vegetable room 11B are provided, the internal volume of vegetable room 11B can be suppressed from decreasing.

In the present embodiment, the light irradiation unit 71 is disposed in the duct member 51 at a position vertically overlapping at least a part of the cold air return port 51 c. In the present embodiment, the light irradiation portion 71 overlaps the plurality of cold air return ports 51c in the vertical direction.

In the present embodiment, at least a part of the duct member 51 extends above the lowermost portion (for example, the 3 rd portion 15c) of the 1 st partition 15. At least a part of the light irradiation unit 71 is disposed above the lowermost portion of the 1 st partition 15 in the duct member 51, and irradiates ultraviolet light obliquely downward with respect to the horizontal direction.

[3.3 mounting Structure of light irradiation Unit ]

Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing the light irradiation unit 70 partially exploded. Here, first, the 2 nd front wall portion 93 of the duct member 51 will be described in detail. The 2 nd front wall portion 93 has a1 st portion 93a and a2 nd portion 93 b. The 1 st portion 93a is connected to the middle portion 92m of the extension portion 92 in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1, and extends downward from the middle portion 92m of the extension portion 92. The 1 st part 93a is inclined with respect to the vertical direction at the same inclination angle as the inclination angle of the light irradiation part 71 with respect to the vertical direction. That is, the 1 st portion 93a is provided to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and the light irradiation section 71 is provided to be inclined. The 2 nd portion 93b extends downward from the lower end of the 1 st portion 93 a. The 2 nd portion 93b is connected to the lower wall 96 of the duct member 51.

In the present embodiment, the 1 st portion 93a of the 2 nd front wall portion 93 is provided with a1 st fixing portion 93c and a2 nd fixing portion 93 d. The 1 st fixing portion 93c is, for example, a claw portion provided on the inner surface of the 1 st portion 93 a. The 1 st fixing portion 93c protrudes rearward in the horizontal direction from the inner surface of the 2 nd front wall portion 93. The circuit board 101 of the light irradiation section 71 is engaged with the 1 st fixing section 93c and fixed to the 2 nd front wall section 93. That is, the light irradiation section 71 is not fixed to the 2 nd front wall section 93 via the box 72, but is directly fixed to the 2 nd front wall section 93.

The 2 nd fixing portion 93d is, for example, an engaging hole provided in the 1 st portion 93a of the 2 nd front wall portion 93. In the present embodiment, the peripheral wall portion 72b of the case 72 has a claw portion 72d that engages with the 2 nd fixing portion 93d as an engagement hole. The hook portion 72d provided on the peripheral wall portion 72b engages with the 1 st portion 93a of the 2 nd front wall portion 93, whereby the cartridge 72 is fixed to the 2 nd front wall portion 93. That is, the cartridge 72 is directly fixed to the 2 nd front wall portion 93, not together with the light irradiation portion 71. In other words, the light irradiation section 71 and the cassette 72 are independently fixed to the 2 nd front wall section 93 without being directly contacted to each other.

[3.4 Shielding parts against ultraviolet rays ]

Next, referring back to fig. 6, the shielding portion 111 provided for the ultraviolet rays will be described. In the present embodiment, the refrigerator 1 is provided with a shielding portion 111 that shields a part of the ultraviolet radiation range SR of the light radiation portion 71 in the cabinet 10.

Specifically, the ultraviolet LED102 has an irradiation range of approximately 180 degrees in the upper, lower, left, and right directions as an irradiation range of ultraviolet rays. Therefore, the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet LED102 into the vegetable compartment 11B through the window 103 is emitted in a relatively large direction. The shielding portion 111 shields a part of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet LED102 into the vegetable room 11B, for example, so that the ultraviolet rays do not enter the eyes of the user or for other purposes.

In the present embodiment, the projecting portion 92 of the duct member 51 includes a front portion 92a located forward of the intermediate portion 92m connected to the 2 nd front wall portion 93 and a rear portion 92b located rearward of the intermediate portion 92 m. In the present embodiment, the shielding portion 111 is formed by the front portion 92a of the protruding portion 92 of the duct member 51 and the 3 rd to 5 th portions 15c, 15d, and 15e of the 1 st partition 15, and shields at least a part of the upper portion of the ultraviolet radiation range SR. The "upper portion" in the present specification refers to an irradiation range located above a virtual optical axis CA corresponding to an irradiation center C of ultraviolet rays. As shown in fig. 6, the shielding unit 111 shields a part of the upper portion of the ultraviolet irradiation range SR, thereby limiting the ultraviolet irradiation range SR to the ultraviolet irradiation range SR'. As a result, in the irradiation range SR ', the irradiation range (irradiation angle SRa ') on the upper side and the irradiation range (irradiation angle SRb ') on the lower side with respect to the optical axis CA are different.

In the present embodiment, the shielding portion 111 is provided at a position apart from the 2 nd front wall portion 93 (i.e., the window portion 103) of the duct member 51. For example, the shielding part 111 is provided above the 2 nd vegetable room container 44.

In the present embodiment, the lowermost portion of the shielding portion 111 (e.g., the 3 rd portion 15c of the 1 st partition 15) is located below a portion of the light irradiation unit 70 (e.g., a portion of the cassette 72). Further, the lowermost portion of the shielding portion 111 is located below a portion of the circuit board 101 of the light irradiation portion 71.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the limited irradiation range SR' of the ultraviolet rays. Fig. 10 shows a state where vegetable compartment door 20B is maximally pulled out forward. The shielding part 111 of the present embodiment shields the upper portion of the irradiation range SR of the ultraviolet ray in a state where the vegetable compartment door 20B is maximally drawn out with respect to the vegetable compartment 11B, so that the upper end SRe 'of the irradiation range SR' of the ultraviolet ray with respect to the door main body 21 of the vegetable compartment door 20B is lower than the upper end 21e of the door main body 21 of the vegetable compartment door 20B. Therefore, the user is less likely to directly enter the ultraviolet rays into the eyes as long as the user does not look inward with the face lower than the upper end 21e of the door main body 21 of the vegetable compartment door 20B.

[4. advantage ]

In the present embodiment, the light irradiation section 71 is disposed above at least a part of the 2 nd vegetable room container 44, which is the uppermost container stored in the vegetable room 11B, and irradiates ultraviolet rays into the vegetable room 11B. With this configuration, the inside of the vegetable room 11B can be efficiently irradiated with ultraviolet rays without being obstructed by 1 or more containers accommodated in the vegetable room 11B. This can improve the inhibitory function against viruses and bacteria.

Here, if the light irradiation section 71 is mounted on the ceiling portion of the vegetable room 11B or the rear wall portion in the vegetable room 11B, the variation in the illuminance of ultraviolet rays becomes large between a portion closer to the light irradiation section 71 and a portion farther from the light irradiation section 71 in the interior of a container (for example, the 2 nd vegetable room container 44) housed in the vegetable room 11B. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the light irradiation unit 71 is disposed behind the 2 nd vegetable room container 44, and irradiates ultraviolet light while being inclined obliquely downward with respect to the horizontal direction. With this configuration, ultraviolet light can be irradiated over a wide range inside the container (for example, the 2 nd vegetable room container 44) housed in the vegetable room 11B, and variations in illuminance can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the light irradiation section 71 is provided so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction such that the irradiation center C of light is directed at an angle smaller than 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. With this configuration, ultraviolet rays can be applied to a wider range to the inside of the container (for example, the 2 nd vegetable room container 44) housed in the vegetable room 11B.

In the present embodiment, the irradiation center C of the ultraviolet light of the light irradiation section 71 is set on the front side of the center of the bottom surface of the 2 nd vegetable room container 44 in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1 in the state where the 2 nd vegetable room container 44 is accommodated in the vegetable room 11B. According to such a configuration, in the 2 nd vegetable room container 44 in which the stored articles such as food and containers are easily placed in the front side region of the center, the ultraviolet rays can be more efficiently irradiated to the stored articles.

In the present embodiment, at least a part of the light irradiation section 71 is disposed above the lowermost portion of the 1 st partition 15. That is, at least a part of the light irradiation section 71 for irradiating ultraviolet rays to the vegetable compartment 11B is disposed by utilizing a space (e.g., dead space) of the freezing compartment 11 Aa. With this configuration, the reduction in the internal volume of the vegetable room 11B due to the provision of the light irradiation unit 71 can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the rear end portion of the 1 st micro-freezing chamber container 41 has an inclined portion 41i inclined upward. At least a part of the cassette 72 of the light irradiation unit 70 is disposed at a position overlapping the 1 st micro-freezing chamber container 41 and the inclined portion 41i in the vertical direction. That is, at least a part of the light irradiation section 71 for irradiating ultraviolet rays to the vegetable compartment 11B is disposed by utilizing the dead space by the inclined section 41i at the rear end of the micro-freezing chamber container 41. With this configuration, the reduction in the internal volume of the vegetable room 11B due to the provision of the light irradiation unit 71 can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the refrigerator 1 includes a shielding portion 111 that shields a part of the ultraviolet radiation range SR of the light radiation portion 71 in the cabinet 10. With this configuration, the possibility of the ultraviolet light entering the eyes of the user can be reduced more reliably. This can provide a feeling of reassurance to the user.

In the present embodiment, the shielding portion 111 shields at least a part of the upper portion of the irradiation range SR of the ultraviolet rays. With this configuration, the irradiation of ultraviolet rays upward from the front can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, in a state where the vegetable compartment door 20B is maximally pulled out with respect to the vegetable compartment 11B, the shielding part 111 shields at least a part of an upper portion of the irradiation range SR of the ultraviolet rays such that an upper end SRe 'of the irradiation range SR' of the ultraviolet rays with respect to the door main body 21 of the vegetable compartment door 20B is lower than an upper end 21e of the door main body 21 of the vegetable compartment door 20B. With this configuration, the user is less likely to directly enter the ultraviolet rays into the eyes as long as the user does not look inward with the face lower than the upper end 21e of the door main body 21 of the vegetable compartment door 20B. This can provide a user with a higher feeling of security.

In the present embodiment, the shielding part 111 is provided above the 2 nd vegetable room container 44. With this configuration, the shielding portion 111 is provided by utilizing the dead space existing above the 2 nd vegetable room container 44. This can suppress a decrease in the internal volume of vegetable compartment 11B.

When the light irradiation unit 71 for irradiating ultraviolet rays into the vegetable room 11B is mounted, it is conceivable that the capacity of the 1 st and 2 nd vegetable room containers 43 and 44 or the internal volume of the vegetable room 11B is reduced due to a structure or the like holding the light irradiation unit 71. However, in the present embodiment, the light irradiation section 71 is provided inside the duct member 51. With this configuration, the light irradiation unit 71 for irradiating the vegetable room 11B with ultraviolet light can be mounted while suppressing a decrease in the capacity of the 1 st and 2 nd vegetable room containers 43 and 44 or the internal volume of the vegetable room 11B.

In the present embodiment, the duct member 51 guides the cold air heated in the freezing chamber 11Aa to the refrigerating cooler 62. With this configuration, the light irradiation unit 71 for irradiating the vegetable compartment 11B with ultraviolet light can be provided by a duct member forming a return duct for cold air from the freezer compartment 11Aa, which is another storage compartment. This can suppress a decrease in the internal volume of vegetable compartment 11B.

In the present embodiment, the duct member 51 has a cold air return port 51c that opens in the freezing chamber 11 Aa. The light irradiation portion 71 is disposed inside the duct member 51 at a position overlapping at least a part of the cold air return port 51c in the vertical direction. Normally, no component is attached to the inside of the duct member 51 in the region overlapping the cold air return port 51 c. However, in the present embodiment, the light irradiation section 71 is provided by effectively utilizing such a region. With this configuration, the reduction in the internal volume of the vegetable compartment 11B can be further suppressed.

In the present embodiment, a cassette 72 is provided which is attached to the inner surface of the duct member 51 and covers the light irradiation section 71 inside the duct member 51. With this configuration, the cold air flowing through the duct member 51 is less likely to flow around the light irradiation portion 71, which is a heat generating member, and condensation in the light irradiation portion 71 can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the duct member 51 includes the 2 nd front wall portion 93 that forms at least a part of the front surface of the duct member 51 and is provided with the window portion 103 through which ultraviolet rays pass, and the 1 st fixing portion 93c that is provided on the 2 nd front wall portion 93 and fixes the light irradiation portion 71. The case 72 includes a back wall portion 72a covering the light irradiation portion 71 from the opposite side to the 2 nd front wall portion 93, and a peripheral wall portion 72b attached to the 2 nd front wall portion 93 independently of the light irradiation portion 71. With this configuration, the light irradiation section 71 is not held by the case 72 that is exposed to cold air and has a low temperature. Therefore, the temperature of the light irradiation section 71 is less likely to decrease, and the occurrence of condensation in the light irradiation section 71 can be further suppressed.

In the present embodiment, a closing member 73 is provided which is interposed between the inner surface of the 2 nd front wall portion 93 and the case 72 and closes the gap between the inner surface of the 2 nd front wall portion 93 and the case 72. With this configuration, the cold air can be more reliably prevented from flowing into the periphery of the light irradiation portion 71. This can further suppress the occurrence of condensation in the light irradiation section 71.

In the present embodiment, a cold air passage a1 through which cold air heated by passing through the freezing chamber 11Aa flows is formed between the light irradiation portion 71 and the cooler 62 for cold storage in the interior of the duct member 51. With this configuration, since relatively warm cold air flows through the cold air passage a1, it is possible to suppress the conduction of the relatively cold temperature of the refrigerating cooler 62 to the light irradiation section 71 by heat conduction. This can further suppress the occurrence of condensation in the light irradiation section 71.

In the present embodiment, a heat insulating member 55 provided between the light irradiation section 71 and the refrigerating cooler 62 is further provided. The cold air passage a1 is formed between the light irradiation section 71 and the heat insulating member 55. According to such a configuration, since cold air flows around the light irradiation section 71 (around the light irradiation unit 70), the temperature of the light irradiation section 71 is less likely to decrease excessively. This can further suppress the occurrence of condensation in the light irradiation section 71.

Several modifications of embodiment 1 will be described below. The configuration other than that described in the respective modifications is the same as that of embodiment 1.

(1 st modification of embodiment 1)

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a refrigerator 1 according to modification 1 of embodiment 1. In the present modification, at least a part of the shielding portion 111 is located below the ultraviolet LED102 of the light irradiation portion 71. In the modification 1, a part of the front portion 92a of the protruding portion 92 of the duct member 51 and a part of the 4 th portion 15d of the 1 st partition 15 are located below the ultraviolet LED102 of the light irradiation portion 71.

With this configuration, the limited irradiation range SR' of the ultraviolet rays can be limited to a direction lower than the horizontal direction. This can reduce the amount of ultraviolet light radiated to the outside of vegetable room 11B. Further, as compared with embodiment 1, the ultraviolet rays are less likely to directly enter the eyes as long as the user looks into the vegetable room 11B without lowering the face. This can provide a user with a higher feeling of security.

(modification 2 of embodiment 1)

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the refrigerator 1 showing a2 nd modification of embodiment 1. In the present modification, a part of the front portion 92a of the projecting portion 92 of the duct member 51 is located below the lowermost portion (for example, the 3 rd portion 15c) of the 1 st partition 15. For example, in the present modification, the front portion 92a of the projecting portion 92 of the duct member 51 includes a wall portion 92w projecting downward from the front portion 92 a. The wall portion 92w protrudes below the lowermost portion of the 1 st partition 15. In the present modification, at least a part of the protruding portion 92 of the duct member 51 (for example, the lower end portion of the wall portion 92 w) is located below the ultraviolet LED102 of the light irradiation section 71.

With this configuration, the limited irradiation range SR' of the ultraviolet rays can be limited to a downward direction. This can further reduce the possibility that the ultraviolet light enters the eyes of the user directly.

(modification 3 of embodiment 1)

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the refrigerator 1 according to modification 3 of embodiment 1. In the present modification, the projecting portion 92 of the duct member 51 is not formed with a portion corresponding to the front portion 92a, but is formed with a portion corresponding to the rear portion 92 b. In the present modification, the 5 th portion 15e of the 1 st partition 15 extends in the duct member 51 to the vicinity of the 2 nd front wall portion 93. In the present modification, the shielding portion 111 is constituted by the 1 st partition portion 15. With such a configuration, the same effects as those of embodiment 1 can be obtained.

(4 th modification of embodiment 1)

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of the refrigerator 1 according to the 4 th modification of embodiment 1. In the present modification, the shielding portion 111 includes a reflecting member 115 that reflects at least a part of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the light irradiation portion 71 toward the inside of a container (for example, the 2 nd vegetable room container 44) housed in the vegetable room 11B.

Specifically, the reflecting member 115 is attached to, for example, the lower surface of the front portion 92a of the protruding portion 92 of the duct member 51 (or the 4 th portion 15d of the 1 st partition 15). The reflecting member 115 is formed of a material capable of reflecting at least a part of ultraviolet rays, such as a glass film or an aluminum foil. In the present embodiment, the reflecting member 115 is disposed so as to be inclined downward (i.e., inclined downward toward the front) as it advances forward, for example, and reflects at least a part of the ultraviolet light reaching the reflecting member 115 from the light irradiation section 71 toward the rear region (back region) of the 2 nd vegetable room container 44.

With this configuration, the ultraviolet rays can be irradiated also to the rear region (inner region) of the 2 nd vegetable room container 44 to which the ultraviolet rays are hardly irradiated. This can further improve the inhibitory function of viruses or bacteria.

(reference form 1)

Next, reference mode 1 will be explained. The reference mode 1 differs from the embodiment 1 in that the light irradiation section 71 is provided in the ceiling section S3 of the vegetable room 11B instead of the inside of the duct member 51, or the light irradiation section 71 is provided in the ceiling section S3 of the vegetable room 11B in addition to the inside of the duct member 51. The configuration other than the following description is the same as that of embodiment 1.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view showing the refrigerator 1 of reference mode 1. The 1 st partition 15 includes a ceiling portion S3 forming a ceiling of the vegetable room 11B. In the present embodiment, the light irradiation section 71 includes, for example, a plurality of light source modules 121, 122, and 123. Each of the light source modules 121, 122, and 123 includes a circuit board 101 and an ultraviolet LED 102. The plurality of light source modules 121, 122, 123 are provided in the ceiling portion S3. For example, the plurality of light source modules 121, 122, 123 are disposed at different positions from each other in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1. In the present embodiment, each of the plurality of light source modules 121, 122, and 123 is positioned above an upper side 44u of at least a part of the 2 nd vegetable compartment container 44.

In the present embodiment, the light source module 121 is disposed on the front side of the front end portion 44a of the 2 nd vegetable room container 44 housed in the vegetable room 11B. That is, the light source module 121 is disposed above the housing area CR of the 1 st vegetable room container 43. The light source module 121 irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the storage region CR of the ceiling portion S3 to the 1 st vegetable room container 43. Thereby, at least a part of the housing region CR is within the irradiation range of ultraviolet rays. In the present embodiment, at least a part of the handle H provided at the distal end portion 44a of the 2 nd vegetable room container 44 is within the ultraviolet irradiation range of the light source module 121.

The light source module 122 is provided on, for example, the 1 st section 15a of the 1 st partition 15. On the other hand, the light source module 123 is provided on, for example, the 5 th part 15e of the 1 st partition 15. In other words, the light source modules 122 and 123 are provided in regions apart from the 3 rd portion 15c, which is the lowermost portion of the 1 st partition 15, and the 2 nd and 4 th portions 15b and 15d, which are inclined portions. The light source modules 122 and 123 irradiate ultraviolet rays toward the ceiling portion S3 to the inside of the 2 nd vegetable room container 44.

With this configuration, ultraviolet rays can be irradiated into the vegetable room 11B. This can improve the inhibitory function of viruses or bacteria.

Several modifications of reference example 1 will be described below. The configurations other than those described in the respective modifications are the same as those of reference mode 1.

(1 st modification of reference mode 1.)

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of the refrigerator 1 according to the 1 st modification example of the 1 st reference mode. In the present modification, the light source modules 121 and 122 are each provided to be inclined rearward with respect to the vertical direction (that is, inclined in a direction toward the rear side of the vegetable room 11B and irradiated with ultraviolet light rearward with respect to the vertical direction). according to this configuration, the ultraviolet light from the light source modules 121 and 122 is not easily irradiated to the front side (user side) of the refrigerator 1.

(modification 2 of reference example 1)

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of a refrigerator 1 according to a2 nd modification example of the 1 st reference mode. In this modification, the light source modules 121 and 122 are provided to be inclined rearward with respect to the vertical direction and irradiate ultraviolet rays rearward with respect to the vertical direction, as in modification 1. In the present modification, the light source module 123 is provided inclined forward with respect to the vertical direction, and irradiates ultraviolet light forward with respect to the vertical direction. With this configuration, the inside of vegetable room 11B can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays more efficiently.

(reference form 2)

Next, reference mode 2 will be explained. The reference 2 is different from the embodiment 1 in that the light irradiation portion 71 is provided on the left side wall portion S1 or the right side wall portion S2 of the vegetable room 11B instead of the inside of the duct member 51, or the light irradiation portion 71 is provided on the left side wall portion S1 or the right side wall portion S2 of the vegetable room 11B in addition to the inside of the duct member 51. The configuration other than the following description is the same as that of embodiment 1.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view showing the refrigerator 1 of the 2 nd reference mode. Fig. 19 is a sectional view of the refrigerator 1 shown in fig. 18 taken along the line F19-F19. In the present embodiment, the light irradiation section 71 includes, for example, a plurality of light source modules 131, 132, and 133. The plurality of light source modules 131, 132, and 133 include a circuit board 101 and an ultraviolet LED102, respectively. The plurality of light source modules 131, 132, 133 are provided on the left side wall portion S1 or the right side wall portion S2. For example, the light source modules 131, 132, 133 are disposed at different positions from each other in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1. In the present embodiment, the light source modules 131, 132, and 133 are respectively positioned above at least a part of the upper side of the 2 nd vegetable chamber container 44.

In the present embodiment, the light source module 131 is disposed on the front side of the front end portion 44a of the 2 nd vegetable room container 44 housed in the vegetable room 11B. That is, the light source module 131 is disposed at a position corresponding to the storage region CR of the 1 st vegetable room container 43. The light source module 131 irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the left side wall portion S1 or the right side wall portion S2 to the housing area CR of the 1 st vegetable room container 43.

The light source module 132 is provided at a position corresponding to, for example, the 1 st part 15a of the 1 st partition 15. On the other hand, the light source module 133 is provided at a position corresponding to, for example, the 5 th part 15e of the 1 st partition 15. In other words, the 2 nd and 3 rd light source modules 132 and 133 are provided at positions corresponding to regions different from the 3 rd portion 15c which is the lowermost portion of the 1 st partition 15 and the 2 nd and 4 th portions 15b and 15d which are the inclined portions. The 2 nd and 3 rd light source modules 132 and 133 irradiate ultraviolet rays toward the left side wall portion S1 or the right side wall portion S to the inside of the 2 nd vegetable room container 44.

With this configuration, ultraviolet rays can be irradiated into the vegetable room 11B. This can improve the inhibitory function of viruses or bacteria.

(modification of reference example 2)

Fig. 20 is a sectional view of the refrigerator 1 showing a modification of the reference mode 2. The configuration other than that described in the present modification is the same as that of the reference mode 2. In the present modification, the light source modules 131 and 132 are each provided to be inclined rearward with respect to the width direction of the refrigerator 1, and irradiate ultraviolet rays rearward with respect to the width direction of the refrigerator 1. With such a configuration, the ultraviolet rays from the light source modules 131 and 132 are not easily irradiated to the front side (user side) of the refrigerator 1. This can more reliably reduce the possibility of ultraviolet light entering the eyes of the user, and can provide a feeling of reassurance to the user.

In addition, the 3 rd light source module 133 of the 2 nd reference form may be provided to be inclined forward with respect to the width direction of the refrigerator 1 and irradiate ultraviolet rays forward with respect to the width direction of the refrigerator 1, as in the light source module 123 of the 2 nd modification of the 1 st reference form.

Although the embodiments and the modifications have been described above, the embodiments and the modifications are not limited to the above-described examples. In the above embodiment, the "2 nd storage room" is an example of the micro freezing room 11 Aa. However, the "2 nd storage room" is not limited to the "special storage room" and may be the refrigerating room 11A. In the above embodiment, the ceiling portion S3 of the vegetable room 11B is formed by the partition portion 15. However, the ceiling portion S3 of the vegetable room 11B may be constituted by the casing 10.

According to claim 1, in the reference mode 2, the light source modules 131, 132, and 133 provided on the left side wall portion S1 and the right side wall portion S2 are not limited to being arranged above the upper edge of the container stored in the storage room, and may be arranged below the upper edge of the container stored in the storage room. For example, in the case where the handle H of the distal end portion 44a of the 2 nd vegetable compartment container 44 is a type of handle H (handle H having a concave shape on the upper side) into which the user puts his/her hand from below, the light source module 131 may be provided below the handle H and irradiate the inside of the handle H with ultraviolet rays.

According to at least one embodiment described above, the refrigerator includes a light irradiation unit that is disposed above at least a part of the upper side of the uppermost container stored in the storage chamber and irradiates light having an effect of suppressing viruses or bacteria into the storage chamber. According to such a configuration, a refrigerator capable of improving a virus or bacteria inhibiting function can be provided.

Several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments may be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Description of the reference symbols

1 … refrigerator; 10 … a box body; 11Aa … micro freezing chamber (2 nd storage chamber); 11B … vegetable room (stock room; 1 st stock room); 20B … vegetable room door; 21 … door body; 43 … No. 1 vegetable room container (No. 1 container); 44 … nd vegetable room container (2 nd container); 51 … piping components; 70 … light irradiation unit; 71 … a light irradiation section; 72 … box (lid); 111 … shielding part; h … handle.

Claims (11)

1. A refrigerator is characterized in that a refrigerator body is provided with a refrigerator door,

the disclosed device is provided with:

a box body having a storage chamber which can be used as a vegetable chamber;

a duct member provided in the case, the duct member having cool air flowing therein; and

and a light irradiation unit which is provided inside the duct member and irradiates light having an effect of suppressing viruses or bacteria into the storage chamber.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1,

a cooler provided in the case;

the duct member guides the cold air heated in the storage room or another storage room toward the cooler.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2,

a cooler arranged in the box body;

the above-mentioned container body has 1 st storeroom as the above-mentioned storeroom and 2 nd storerooms above the above-mentioned 1 st storeroom;

the duct member is a duct member for guiding the cold air heated in the 2 nd storage chamber toward the cooler through a rear portion of the 1 st storage chamber;

the light irradiation unit irradiates the light into the 1 st storage chamber.

4. The refrigerator of claim 3,

the duct member has a cold air return port opened in the 2 nd storage chamber;

the light irradiation section is disposed inside the duct member at a position vertically overlapping at least a part of the cold air return port.

5. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the box body is provided with a1 st storage chamber as the storage chamber, a2 nd storage chamber arranged above the 1 st storage chamber, and a partition part positioned between the 1 st storage chamber and the 2 nd storage chamber;

at least a part of the duct member extends upward from the lowermost portion of the partition;

at least a part of the light irradiation unit is disposed above a lowermost portion of the partition in the duct member, and irradiates the light obliquely downward with respect to a horizontal direction.

6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

at least 1 container accommodated in the storage chamber;

the light irradiation unit is disposed inside the duct member at a height position above an upper side of at least a part of the uppermost container among the at least 1 container.

7. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the apparatus further includes a cover attached to an inner surface of the duct member and covering the light irradiation section inside the duct member.

8. The refrigerator of claim 7,

the duct member has a front wall forming at least a part of a front surface of the duct member and provided with a light transmission section through which the light passes, and a fixing section provided on the front wall and fixing the light irradiation section;

the cover includes a1 st portion that covers the light irradiation section from the side opposite to the front wall, and a2 nd portion that is attached to the front wall independently of the light irradiation section.

9. The refrigerator of claim 8,

the cover is provided with a closing member that is interposed between the inner surface of the front wall and the cover and closes the space between the inner surface of the front wall and the cover.

10. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

a cooler disposed behind the light irradiation unit in the duct member;

a cold air passage through which cold air heated in the storage room or another storage room flows is formed in the duct member between the light irradiation unit and the cooler.

11. The refrigerator of claim 10,

a heat insulating member provided between the light irradiation section and the cooler;

the heat insulating member is disposed between the cold air passage and the cooler.

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