Refrigerator

[0036] Hereinafter, a mode for implementing the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described using the drawings.

[0037] figure 1 It is a front view showing the entire refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention. figure 2 Is showing figure 1 A front view of the state where the left side door 7 and the right side door 8 of the refrigerator compartment 2 of the refrigerator 1 are opened.

[0038] figure 1 with figure 2 The illustrated refrigerator 1 has a main body 1A. The main body 1A of the refrigerator 1 has an outer box composed of an outer side plate and an inner box composed of an inner side plate. The outer box and the inner box are formed by a heat-insulating box provided with a heat-insulating material.

[0039] Such as figure 1 As shown, in the main body 1A, a refrigerating compartment 2 as a refrigerating compartment 2 and a vegetable compartment 3 are sequentially provided from the upper side. Below the vegetable compartment 3, an ice making compartment 4 as a freezing compartment and an upper freezing compartment are arranged side by side. 5. A lower freezing compartment 6 as a freezing zone is provided in the lowermost part.

[0040] Such as figure 1 As shown, the left and right doors 7 and 8 for opening and closing the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 2 are provided in the front of the refrigerator compartment 2. The left and right doors 7 and 8 are half-opening doors, and the left end of the left door 7 is rotatably attached to the main body 1A via a hinge not shown. Similarly, the right end of the right side door 8 is rotatably attached to the main body 1A via a hinge not shown. The vegetable compartment 3, the ice making compartment 4, the upper freezer compartment 5, and the lower freezer compartment 6 are each provided with drawer-type doors 9, 10, 11, and 12 that open and close the respective front openings.

[0041] Such as figure 2 As shown, if the left side door 7 and the right side door 8 of the refrigerator compartment 2 are opened, a plurality of shelves 13 and 14 and a storage compartment 20 are arranged in the refrigerator compartment 2.

[0042] The storage room 20 has a transparent or translucent plastic container 20R. The chilled container 20R of the storage room 20 is arranged below the shelf 14 in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2, and the chilled container 20R can be drawn toward the front side from the state of being stored in the shelf 14 ( figure 2 Vertical direction of the paper). In the storage room 20, fresh foods such as meat or fish, dairy products, processed foods, and the like are stored as storage items. For example, the storage items can be rapidly chilled (rapidly refrigerated) and stored.

[0043] Such as figure 2 As shown, the detection device 25, the air pressure detection device 30, and the light source 40 for detecting bacteria or peculiar bacteria or peculiar smell are arranged in the storage room 20, for example. The bacteria or odor detection device 25, the air pressure detection device 30, and the light source 40 are arranged on the top inner surface 15 side of the shelf 14 constituting the storage room 20.

[0044] figure 2 The illustrated bacteria or odor detection device 25 can detect bacteria or odor in the storage room 20. The air pressure detecting device 30 can detect that the vacuum pump as a pressure reducing device is operated and the pressure in the storage chamber 20 is reduced, and the pressure in the storage chamber 20 is reduced compared to the atmospheric pressure.

[0045] image 3 Is showing figure 2 A side view of the refrigerator 1 with a partially cut-away portion of the storage compartment 20 and its peripheral portion shown. in image 3 Here, the structural example of the storage compartment 20 and its peripheral part is shown by cutting away a part of the refrigerator 1.

[0046] Such as image 3 As shown, the light source 40 is, for example, arranged on the rear side of the storage room 20 and is the top inner surface 15 of the shelf 14. A configuration example of the light source 40 will be described later.

[0047] A machine room 22 is provided at the back position of the lower freezer compartment 6 of the main body 1A, and a compressor 23 is arranged in the machine room 22. At the back position of the main body 1A, the cold air circulation fan 31 for refrigeration, the refrigerator compartment, the cooler 32 for the vegetable compartment, and the air duct 33 are arrange|positioned behind the vegetable compartment 3.

[0048] In addition, although not shown, at the back of the main body 1A, and behind the ice making compartment 4, the upper freezer compartment 5, and the lower freezer compartment 6, a cooling air circulation fan for freezing, a cooler for the freezing compartment, Air supply duct. image 3 The illustrated refrigerator compartment, vegetable compartment cooler 32 and freezing cooler are cooled by the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 23. The refrigerating compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 3 are respectively cooled to a predetermined set temperature and maintained by the cold air circulation fan 31 for refrigeration, the refrigerator 32, the cooler for the vegetable compartment 32, and the air duct 33.

[0049] Such as image 3 As shown, the deodorizing and sterilizing component generation unit 50 is arranged on the side of the air duct 33. The deodorizing and sterilizing component generating unit 50 is arranged at a position between the refrigerator compartment, the cooler 32 for the vegetable compartment, and the storage compartment 20 on the rear side of the storage compartment 20.

[0050] The deodorization and sterilization component generation unit 50 is an example of a box environment changing unit that changes the environment in the storage room 20.

[0051] As the deodorizing and sterilizing component generation unit 50, for example, an electrostatic atomization device capable of deodorizing and sterilizing can be used. Alternatively, as the deodorizing and sterilizing component generating unit 50, for example, a visible light-responsive photocatalyst provided with a photocatalyst, and when the photocatalyst receives visible light from the light source 40, strongly decomposes and removes bacteria and odor components in the air. The deodorization and sterilization component generation unit 50 suppresses the proliferation of bacteria in the box and the movement of peculiar smells, thereby exhibiting antibacterial and deodorizing functions in the storage compartment 20, and can keep the box clean.

[0052] Figure 4 show figure 2 with image 3 A preferred configuration example of the light source 40 is shown.

[0053] Figure 4 (A) is the front view of the light source 40, Figure 4 (B) is a cross-sectional view of the light source 40. Such as Figure 4 As shown, the light source 40 includes, for example, a substrate 40A and light-emitting elements 41, 42 and 43 arranged at intervals on the substrate 40A. The light emitting elements 41, 42, 43 preferably use LED (light emitting diode) elements, for example, the light emitting elements 41, 43 generate white light, and the light emitting element 42 generates blue light.

[0054] but, Figure 4 The structure of the light source 40 shown is only an example, and the number of light-emitting elements or the light-emitting color can be arbitrarily selected. For example, in other light source 40 examples, such as Figure 4 As shown in (C), it can also be formed as: the light emitting elements 41A, 42A, 43A preferably use LED (light emitting diode) elements, for example, the light emitting element 41A generates red light (R), the light emitting element 42A generates green light (G), and emits light. The element 43A generates blue light (B).

[0055] In this way, the light-emitting elements 41, 42, 43 (41A, 42A, 43A) of the light source 40 have different tones (luminous colors). Therefore, the user passes through the light-emitting elements 41, 42, 43 (41A, 42A, 42A, 43A) Whether to emit light or not to change the color tone emitted by the light source 40, so that it can be visually recognized in an easy-to-understand manner figure 2 with image 3 The change in the environment generated in the storage room 20 is shown. Furthermore, by setting the order of the light emission of the light-emitting elements 41, 42, 43 (41A, 42A, 43A) of the light source 40, a predetermined lighting pattern can be realized.

[0056] Figure 5 Yes figure 1 The horizontal cross-sectional view at the NN line of the refrigerator 1 shown.

[0057] Figure 5 The state where the left door 7 and the right door 8 are opened is shown. A light source 60 is arranged inside the left door 7, and another light source 61 is arranged inside the right door 8. The light sources 60 and 61 described above use LEDs as light-emitting elements, but are not particularly limited. As the light sources 60 and 61, for example, the same as Figure 4 The illustrated light source 40 has the same configuration.

[0058] Such as Figure 5 As illustrated, when the left door 7 and the right door 8 are opened, the light source 60 generates the illumination light L1, and the light source 61 generates the illumination light L2. The above-mentioned illumination lights L1 and L2 both irradiate the storage room 20 in the main body 1A.

[0059] In a state where the refrigerator 1 is placed in a store and displayed, in order to promote sales, the refrigerator 1 can be operated in an in-store display mode for customers. In the in-store display action of the refrigerator 1 based on the in-store display mode, such as Figure 5 As shown, if the left and right doors 7 and 8 are opened, the illuminating lights L1 and L2 generated by the light sources 60 and 61 illuminate the storage room 20. At this time, the color tone or lighting pattern of the light sources 60 and 61 is switched.

[0060] Image 6 Is showing figure 1 A block diagram of a connection example of the control unit 100 of the refrigerator 1 and the electrical components connected to the control unit 100 is shown.

[0061] Image 6 The control unit 100 shown is preferably configured in figure 1 Main body 1A shown. The control unit 100 and the cold air circulation fan 31 for refrigeration (hereinafter referred to as fan 31), the light source 40, the light source 60 for illuminating the left door 7 and the light source 61 for illuminating the right door 8, and the bacteria or odor detection device 25 The air pressure detecting device 30, the color tone specifying unit 70, the tone switching presence specifying unit 80, and the vacuum pump 77 as a pressure reducing device are electrically connected. The light source 40, the light source 60 for illuminating the left door 7, and the light source 61 for illuminating the right door 8 are lit, so that the storage section 20 can be illuminated.

[0062] In the in-store display mode in which the refrigerator 1 operates in the state of being placed in the store, for example, the deodorizing and sterilizing component generation unit 50, which is the in-box environment changing unit, performs the functions of deodorizing and sterilizing, or the in-box environment changing unit That is, 77 pairs of vacuum pumps as decompression devices figure 2 When the illustrated storage chamber 20 is depressurized and the air pressure in the storage chamber 20 is lower than the atmospheric pressure, the operation of changing the environment in the storage chamber 20 is performed. In the in-store display mode in which the refrigerator 1 operates in the state of being placed in the store, the control unit 100 can analogically switch the color tone or lighting pattern of the light emitting elements 41, 42, 43 of the light source 40 according to the instruction of the control unit .

[0063] And, 77 pairs of vacuum pumps figure 2 When pressure is reduced in the storage room 20 shown, it is preferable to provide a lid opening and closing sensor on the lid of the withdrawable container of the storage room 20 or the vegetable compartment 3. When the lid is opened and the lid opening and closing sensor is turned on, it may also be: The light-emitting elements 41, 42, and 43 of the light source 40 can switch the color tone or lighting pattern of light in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 100. Furthermore, when the lid is closed, the lid opening/closing sensor is turned off, and the light emitting elements 41, 42, and 43 return to their original states.

[0064] Or, as another example, when the user uses the refrigerator 1 in the kitchen instead of the in-store display mode in which the refrigerator 1 is operating in the state of being placed in the store, the deodorization and sterilization component generation unit 50 performs deodorization and deodorization. In the case of the function of bacteria, or the vacuum pump 77 as a pressure reducing device figure 2 When the pressure in the storage chamber 20 is shown to be reduced and the pressure in the storage chamber 20 is lower than the atmospheric pressure, Figure 4 The light-emitting elements 41, 42, and 43 of the light source 40 shown can switch the color tone or the lighting pattern of the light according to the instruction of the control unit 100. That is, the control unit 100 can change the color tone of the light by selectively illuminating one or more of the light emitting elements 41, 42, 43, or by changing the point of one or more of the light emitting elements 41, 42, 43. Lights up in a predetermined pattern at the timing of light.

[0065] and, Image 6 The illustrated light source 40, the light source 60 for illuminating the left door 7, and the light source 61 for illuminating the right door 8 are controlled in accordance with instructions from the control unit 100, and the refrigerator 1 is placed in the store and displayed In order to promote sales, the refrigerator 1 can be operated in an in-store display mode with respect to customers.

[0066] During the in-store display operation of the refrigerator 1 based on the in-store display mode, the control unit 100 can selectively turn on one or more of the LEDs 40, 41, and 42 of the light source 40 to change the color tone or change the LEDs 40, 41 , 42 lighting style. In addition, by changing the timing of turning on the light sources 60 and 61, it is possible to light up in a predetermined lighting pattern. As the types of the light sources 60 and 61 of the left and right doors 7 and 8, LEDs or light-emitting elements of other structures can be used as the light-emitting elements.

[0067] Image 6 The shown bacteria or odor detection device 25 detects bacteria or odor in the storage compartment 20 as described above. When the bacteria or odor in the storage compartment 20 is below a predetermined reference value, the detection device 25 sends a detection signal R to Control unit 100. In this way, the control unit 100 can switch the color tone or the lighting pattern of the light source 40.

[0068] and, Image 6 The illustrated vacuum pump 77 as a decompression device can form the refrigerator compartment 2 and the storage compartment 20 into a decompression environment in accordance with an instruction of the control unit 100. If the air pressure detecting device 30 detects that the pressure in the storage room 20 is reduced by the pressure reducing device and the air pressure in the refrigerating room 2 and the storage room 20 are reduced compared to the atmospheric pressure as described above, the air pressure detecting device 30 will detect the signal G Send to the control unit 100. In this way, the control unit 100 can switch the color tone or the lighting pattern of the light source 40.

[0069] When the refrigerator 1 is displayed in the store, in order to promote to customers in a way that can easily understand its function, Image 6 The illustrated control unit 100 can operate the light source 40 and the light sources 60 and 61 in the store display mode.

[0070] In this store display mode, the user (person in charge of store display) in the color designation unit 70 presses the color designation unit 70 to designate the color tones, and the control unit 100 can arbitrarily designate the color of the light source 40. Thereby, the user sets the color tone of the light source 40 to a color that is easily recognized by the customer himself and the user (the person in charge of display in the store), thereby improving the recognition effect.

[0071] In addition, in the store display mode, the user can specify the necessity of switching the hue of the light source 40 by pressing the hue switching presence/absence command portion 80, thereby specifying the necessity of switching the hue of the light source 40 to the control portion 100 . Thus, when a customer or a user (person in charge of a store display) feels troublesome to switch the color tone of the light source 40, the color tone switching presence/absence specifying unit 80 can cause the control unit 100 to stop (prohibit) the color tone switching operation of the light source 40.

[0072] Next, the operation example of the above-mentioned refrigerator 1 is demonstrated.

[0073]

[0074] Figure 7 It is a flow showing an example of operating the refrigerator 1 in the store display mode when the user (in-store display person in charge) promotes the characteristics of the refrigerator 1 to customers in a state where the refrigerator 1 is placed in the store for display. Figure.

[0075] In reference Figure 7 In the example of the store display mode described in the flowchart shown, the control unit 100 of the refrigerator 1 placed in the store can perform, for example, the storage room 20 as an in-box environment changing unit that changes the environment in the storage room 20. The rotation and stop of the fan 31 perform a demonstration of "rapid chilling". Performing this “rapid chilling” demonstration is an example of performing an operation to change the environment in the storage room 20. Therefore, the control unit 100 can switch the color tone or lighting pattern of the light of the light source 40 in a simulated manner.

[0076] Figure 7 The illustrated steps S1 to S4 show an example of a demonstration demonstration of "rapid chilling" in the storage room 20. This "rapid chilling" is also called chilled freshness, and it is a mode in which sub-zero air that does not freeze the food is forced to cool it, and the food is quickly cooled while avoiding freezing or drying to maintain the freshness.

[0077] Such as Figure 7 As shown in steps S1 to S4, the operation of rotating the fan 31 at the maximum speed and stopping the rotation of the fan 31 when the storage compartment 20 is rapidly chilled are equivalent to the inside of the box that changes the environment in the storage compartment 20 Environmental change unit.

[0078] In step S1 in the demonstration example of "Quick Chilling", if the customer is figure 2 As shown, at least one of the left side door 7 and the right side door 8 of the refrigerator 1 displayed in the store is opened, then Image 6 The illustrated control unit 100 rotates the fan 31 at the maximum speed for a predetermined time for the storage compartment 20 and the refrigerating compartment 2. The range of the predetermined time for rotating the fan 31 at the maximum speed is, for example, 3 seconds to 11 seconds, and 11 seconds as an example. at this time, Image 6 The light-emitting elements 41, 43 of the light source 40 emit white light and perform white lighting (continuous lighting), but the light-emitting element 42 emits blue light and blinks blue lighting. The light emitting element 42 that emits blue light repeatedly performs an operation of turning on for 1 second and then turning off for 1 second.

[0079] Secondly, in step S2 following step S1, Image 6 The illustrated control unit 100 stops the rotation of the fan 31. The range of the predetermined time for stopping the fan 31 is, for example, 2 seconds to 5 seconds, and for example, 5 seconds. at this time, Image 6 The light-emitting elements 41 and 43 of the light source 40 emit white light for white illumination, and the light-emitting element 42 emits blue light for blue illumination.

[0080] Next, in step S3, use Image 6 The illustrated control unit 100 rotates the fan 31 at the maximum speed for a predetermined time again for the storage compartment 20 and the refrigerating compartment 2. The range of the predetermined time for rotating the fan 31 at the maximum speed is, for example, 3 seconds to 11 seconds, and 11 seconds as an example. at this time, Image 6 The light-emitting elements 41 and 43 of the light source 40 emit white light and perform white lighting, but the light-emitting element 42 emits blue light and blinks blue lighting. The light-emitting element 42 illuminated in blue, for example, repeats the operation of turning on for 1 second and then turning off for 1 second.

[0081] Next, in step S4, Image 6 The illustrated control unit 100 stops the rotation of the fan 31 again. The range of the predetermined time for stopping the fan 31 is, for example, 2 seconds to 5 seconds, for example, 5 seconds. at this time, Image 6 The light-emitting elements 41 and 43 of the light source 40 emit white light for white illumination, and the light-emitting element 42 emits blue light for blue illumination.

[0082] Secondly, Figure 7 The illustrated steps S5 to S8 show an exemplary demonstration of front bright illumination of the storage section 20 by the light sources 60 and 61 of the doors 7 and 8. Such as Figure 5 As shown, when the left and right doors 7, 8 are opened, Image 6 The illustrated control unit 100 flashes the illumination lights L1 and L2 of the light sources 60 and 61 that are door illuminations in a predetermined pattern. As a result, the storage room 20 is illuminated from the front from the front, so that the effect of demonstration for customers who purchase the refrigerator 1 can be further improved.

[0083] in Figure 7 In step S5, Image 6 The illustrated control unit 100 turns off the light sources 60 and 61 for, for example, 2 seconds, and in step S6, turns on the light sources 60 and 61 for, for example, 5 seconds. Furthermore, in step S7, the control unit 100 turns off the light sources 60 and 61 again for, for example, 2 seconds, and in step S8, turns on the light sources 60 and 61 again for, for example, 5 seconds.

[0084] As explained above, if you use Figure 5 The door lighting shown, that is, the lighting lights L1 and L2 generated by the light sources 60 and 61 flashes to the storage room 20 in a predetermined pattern from the front side to perform a demonstration demonstration for illuminating the front of the storage room 20. The customer closes the left and right doors. 7, 8, the control unit 100 turns off the light source 40 and the light sources 60 and 61.

[0085] In addition, when the demonstration demonstration in steps S1 to S8 is performed, if the customer closes the left and right doors 7, 8 in the middle of the demonstration demonstration, the control unit 100 stops the demonstration demonstration and the light sources 40, 60, and 61 are turned off.

[0086] In addition, even if the customer opens at least one of the left and right doors 7, 8 at the beginning, the control unit 100 will inevitably start the demonstration from the first step S1. In addition, when the customer closes the left and right doors 7, 8 in the middle of the demonstration, and the customer opens at least one of the left and right doors 7, 8 again, the control unit 100 must also start the demonstration from the first step S1. .

[0087] If the above-mentioned demonstration of steps S1 to S8 ends, the refrigerator 1 transitions to the normal operation.

[0088] however, Image 6 The light source 40 shown has a plurality of tones, that is, the light-emitting elements 41, 43 that emit light in white and the light-emitting element 42 that emits blue light, which can be used by the user (the person in charge of the store display) Image 6 The illustrated hue specifying unit 70 specifies the hue of the light source 40 to the control unit 100. Therefore, by selecting the color tone of the light source to be easily recognized by the customer or the user (the person in charge of the display in the store), the effect of the demonstration can be improved.

[0089] And, the user (the person in charge of the store display) can use Image 6 The illustrated hue switching presence/absence specifying section 80 specifies the necessity of switching the hue of the light source to the control section 100. Thus, a customer or user (person in charge of store display) who feels troublesome in switching the hue of the light-emitting elements 41, 42, 43 of the light source 40 can stop the color switching operation by the control unit 100 so that the color switching operation does not occur .

[0090] In the in-store display mode in which the refrigerator operates in a state in which it is placed in the store, the color tone or lighting pattern of the light source 40 and the lighting patterns of the light sources 60 and 61 are switched by the control unit 100. Therefore, when the customer opens any one of the left and right doors 7, 8, the customer knows that the demonstration is being performed in the in-store display mode, and there is a problem if the color tone or lighting pattern of the light source 40 is switched or the light source 60, 61 The switching of the lighting pattern can attract the customer's attention to the advantage of the storage room 20, which is the switched irradiation part.

[0091] And, for example, when figure 1 When the refrigerator 1 is in the in-store display mode operating in the state of being placed in the store, when the in-box environment changing unit, namely the deodorizing and sterilizing component generation unit 50, performs the functions of deodorizing and sterilizing, or the in-box environment changing unit That is, 77 pairs of vacuum pumps as decompression devices figure 2 In the illustrated case where the pressure in the storage room 20 is reduced and the air pressure in the storage room 20 is lower than the atmospheric pressure, it is when the operation of changing the environment in the storage room 20 is performed. Therefore, in the in-store display mode in which the deodorizing and sterilizing component generation unit 50 or the vacuum pump 77 is operated in the state where the refrigerator 1 is placed, the control unit 100 can analogically switch the light emitting elements 41, 41 of the light source 40 according to the instruction of the control unit 100 42, 43 light color tone or lighting style.

[0092]

[0093] Next, a case where the refrigerator 1 is actually used by the user is not in the store display mode in which the refrigerator 1 is placed in the store will be described.

[0094] In the actual use of refrigerator 1, image 3 If the deodorization and sterilization component generation unit 50, which is the illustrated cabinet environment changing unit, performs deodorization and sterilization functions, it will strongly decompose and remove bacteria and odor components in the air. The detection device 25 for bacteria or odor in the storage room 20 turns when the bacteria or odor in the storage room 20 is less than a predetermined reference value Image 6 The illustrated control unit 100 transmits a detection signal R, and the control unit 100 switches the color tone or lighting pattern of the light source 40. Thereby, the user can visually recognize the deodorizing and deodorizing action and effect of the deodorizing and sterilizing component generating unit 50 in an easy-to-understand manner according to the switching of the color tone or lighting pattern of the light source 40.

[0095] The switching of the color tone of the light source 40 refers to, for example, switching the white light emission of the light-emitting elements 41 and 43 to the blue light emission of the light-emitting element 42, or the switching of the blue light emission of the light-emitting element 42 to the white light emission of the light-emitting elements 41 and 43. Glow. In addition, the switching of the lighting pattern of the light source 40 refers to, for example, changing the lighting order or the number of lighting of the light-emitting elements 41, 42, 43.

[0096] In this way, the deodorizing and sterilizing component generation unit 50 suppresses the proliferation of bacteria and the movement of odors in the box of the storage room 20, and thus can exhibit antibacterial and deodorizing functions in the storage room 20 to keep the box clean.

[0097] When the user opens at least one of the left side door 7 and the right side door 8, in order to light up the antibacterial and deodorizing functions, for the light source 40, it is most preferable to cause the light emitting element 42 that preferably generates blue light to generate blue light. The color light allows the user to recognize the antibacterial and deodorizing function by visually viewing the blue light.

[0098] And yes Image 6 The illustrated case where the vacuum pump 77 operates and the air pressure detection device 30 detects that the pressure in the storage chamber 20 is reduced from the atmospheric pressure will be described. When the air pressure in the storage chamber 20 is reduced from the atmospheric pressure, the vacuum pump 77 that is a pressure reducing device performs an operation to change the environment in the storage chamber 20. In this case, Image 6 The air pressure detecting device 30 sends the detection signal G to the control unit 100. Therefore, the control unit 100 switches the color tone or lighting pattern of the light source 40 by selecting one or more of the light-emitting elements 41, 42, 43 of the light source 40 .

[0099] Thus, when the user opens at least one of the left side door 7 and the right side door 8, it is possible to visually recognize whether the storage room 20 is the same by switching the color tone or lighting pattern of the light source 40. Decompression is lower than atmospheric pressure. In order to illuminate the decompression operation, for example, for the light source 40, it is preferable that, for example, the light emitting elements 41 and 43 that generate white light generate white light, thereby enabling the user to visually recognize the decompression function in an easy-to-understand manner.

[0100] Such as Image 6 As shown, the light source 40 has a plurality of light-emitting elements 41, 42, 43, but the plurality of light-emitting elements 41, 42, 43 can also be lit in different patterns according to the operation of the control unit 100 to change the environment in the storage room 20 . That is, when the deodorization and sterilization component generation unit 50 changes the environment in the storage room 20, that is, when it exerts antibacterial and deodorization functions, and the operation to change the environment in the storage room 20 is storage by the vacuum pump 77. In the case of pressure reduction in the chamber 20, the light emitting elements 41, 42, 43 can be lit in different patterns. For example, as a key to lighting the light-emitting elements 41, 42, and 43 in different patterns, the light-emitting elements 41, 42, and 43 are turned on in a predetermined order and the operation of lighting in that order is repeated. Accordingly, the user can visually recognize the type of environmental change in the storage room 20 in an easy-to-understand manner based on the difference in the lighting patterns of the light emitting elements 41, 42, 43 of the light source 40.

[0101] In addition, for image 3 When the illustrated fan 31 for delivering cold air is set in the "rapid chill" mode in the storage room 20, the control unit 100 rotates the fan 31 at a higher speed than usual, thereby forming a rapid refrigeration state.

[0102] In will image 3 When the chilled container 20R shown is drawn out, if the on-off switch not shown is turned on, Image 6 The illustrated control unit 100 blinks the blue light-emitting element 42 of the light source 40 in blue, thereby enabling a demonstration to the user.

[0103] As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes: a main body 1A having a storage room 20; a light source 40 arranged in the storage room 20 and irradiating light; for example, an in-box environment changing unit that changes the environment in the storage room 20; And the control unit 100 that switches the color tone or lighting pattern of the light of the light source 40. In the in-store display mode in which the refrigerator 1 operates in the state of being placed in the store, when the fan 31 of the storage room 20, for example, as a means for changing the environment in the box, rotates and stops to perform an operation to change the environment in the storage room 20 The control unit 100 analogously switches the color tone or lighting pattern of the light of the light source 40.

[0104] Thus, the user can switch the color tone or lighting pattern of the light source 40 during the in-store display mode in which the refrigerator 1 is operating in the state of being placed in the store, so as to simulate the display of the storage room 20 as the in-box environment changing unit. Because the fan 31 rotates and stops, the customer can visually and reliably recognize the change of the environment in the box in an easy-to-understand manner.

[0105] Therefore, when the refrigerator 1 is displayed in the store and the characteristics of the refrigerator 1 are advertised to customers, by simulatively switching the color tone or lighting pattern of the light source 40, it is possible to visually indicate the environment in the box in an easy-to-understand manner to the customer. Change the action so that it can be reliably recognized.

[0106] In the in-store mode, functions such as "quick chilling" of the refrigerator 1 are not actually driven, and it is possible to display and notify customers in a simulated manner only by the light emission of the light source 40. In addition, as needed, for the customer (user) who purchased the refrigerator 1, there is a possibility that although the refrigerator 1 should have various functions, they want to know whether the function is actually operating. Therefore, if When the door is opened, the light source 40 emits light that is "rapidly chilled", for example, so that the customer can understand the situation, and can also remind the customer that it is better not to turn on because it is in operation.

[0107] In a demonstration, for example, when displayed in a store, when a specific operation is performed on the operation part, the specific operation instruction is notified to Image 6 When the control unit 100 is used, the refrigerator 1 is set to the teaching mode by the control unit 100. When the teaching mode is turned on, when the door opening/closing sensor detects that the door is open, the normal "quick chilling" function will change image 3 The action of the compressor 23 is stopped so that the refrigerant no longer circulates, and only a specific function, that is, the action of the fan, is turned on, and the light source 40 is additionally turned on, thereby setting the teaching mode as a teaching mode. The operation of the compressor other than the necessary specific functions can save energy.

[0108] And, in the case of teaching mode Image 6 The rotation speed of the fan 31 is set to be the same as the rotation speed of the fan in the "rapid quenching" mode at normal time or exceed the rotation speed of the fan in the "rapid cooling" mode at normal time. And, 77 pairs of vacuum pumps figure 2 In the case of the decompression mode in which the pressure is reduced in the storage room 20 shown, in the normal decompression mode, when the vacuum pump is turned on, the light source is turned off, the compressor is turned on, and the fan is turned on, but it is activated in the teaching mode In this case, by turning on the vacuum pump to turn on only specific functions and turning on the light source, the visibility is improved, and fans and compressors that are not specific functions stop operating.

[0109] In addition, figure 1 The structure of the refrigerator 1 shown is only an example, and any structure can be adopted. For example, the door of the refrigerating compartment 2 of the refrigerator 1 may be a one-sided opening type door.

[0110] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the embodiments are merely presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The new embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The above-mentioned embodiments or their modifications are also included in the scope or spirit of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the technical solution and its equivalent scope.