Refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that can improve the accuracy of freshness determination of food using a fluorescent phenomenon of the food.SOLUTION: A refrigerator comprises: a refrigerator body in which a storage chamber internally adjusted in a refrigerating temperature zone is formed; a partition member for partitioning a space in the storage chamber into a first space, and a second space arranged on the lower side of the first space; light application means for applying light of a specific wavelength capable of exciting fluorescence of food in the first space, to the food; light detection means for detecting light of the wavelength of the fluorescence emitted by the food in the first space; a determination unit for determining the freshness of the food in the first space on the basis of a detection result of the light detection means; and light inhibition means 19 for inhibiting the light of the specific wavelength applied from the light application means, from penetrating the partition member and reaching the second space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to refrigerators. [Background technology]

[0002] A known refrigerator includes a vegetable compartment provided in the refrigerator body, a light source that emits ultraviolet or short-wavelength visible light to irradiate vegetables placed in the vegetable compartment, at least a plurality of optical sensors that are placed in the vegetable compartment and measure the amount of autofluorescence generated when the vegetables placed in the vegetable compartment are irradiated by the light source as light intensity, one or more numerical calculation units that calculate the light intensity measured by each optical sensor to quantify the freshness of each vegetable, and a freshness display unit that displays the freshness of each vegetable quantified by the numerical calculation unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-300351 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A typical household refrigerator may have a storage compartment, such as a vegetable compartment, whose interior is divided into multiple storage spaces. The vegetable compartment in this example is divided into two storage spaces, an upper case and a lower case, by providing an upper case and a lower case. The upper case of the vegetable compartment is often made of a transparent material, allowing food in the lower case to be seen through the upper case. In such a case, when light is shone on food in the upper case, the light passes through the upper case and also hits the food in the lower case. Furthermore, since food in the lower case also fluoresces depending on its freshness, it is indistinguishable from the fluorescence emitted by the food in the upper case, which may reduce the accuracy of the freshness assessment due to changes in fluorescence intensity.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve these problems, and its purpose is to provide a refrigerator that can improve the accuracy of determining the freshness of target foods stored in a storage compartment divided into multiple storage spaces by utilizing the fluorescence phenomenon of the target foods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The refrigerator according to the present disclosure comprises a refrigerator body having a storage compartment whose interior is regulated to a refrigeration temperature range; a partition member that divides the space within the storage compartment into a first space and a second space located below the first space; a light irradiation means that irradiates food in the first space with light of a specific wavelength that can excite the fluorescence of the food; a light detection means that detects light of the fluorescent wavelength emitted by the food in the first space; a determination unit that determines the freshness of the food in the first space based on the detection result of the light detection means; and a light inhibition means that prevents the light of the specific wavelength irradiated from the light irradiation means from penetrating the partition member and reaching the second space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The refrigerator according to the present disclosure has the effect of enabling improved accuracy in determining the freshness of target foods stored in a storage compartment whose interior is divided into multiple storage spaces, by utilizing the fluorescence phenomenon of the target foods. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control device included in the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of days of storage in the refrigerator according to the first embodiment and the freshness and fluorescence intensity of food, together with a comparative example. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a modified example of the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Embodiments of a refrigerator according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, identical or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be appropriately simplified or omitted. For convenience, the following description may express the positional relationship of each structure based on the illustrated state. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and the embodiments may be freely combined, any component of each embodiment may be modified, or any component of each embodiment may be omitted, within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0010] Embodiment 1 A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a refrigerator. Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the refrigerator. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control device provided in the refrigerator. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of days a refrigerator can store food and the freshness and fluorescence intensity of food, along with a comparative example. Fig. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a modified vegetable compartment of the refrigerator.

[0011] In this disclosure, in principle, each direction is defined based on the state when refrigerator body 1 is installed in a usable state. FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of refrigerator body 1 according to the present disclosure. That is, the dimensions, positional relationships, shapes, etc. of each member constituting refrigerator body 1 shown in FIG. 1 may not necessarily be completely consistent with the actual ones. Furthermore, the configuration of refrigerator body 1 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, a home refrigerator body 1 according to this embodiment has a plurality of storage compartments with different temperature ranges. These storage compartments are partitioned within an insulated housing made of an insulating material such as urethane foam. Specifically, these storage compartments are a refrigerator compartment 7, a chilled compartment 8, a selectable compartment 9, an ice-making compartment 10, a freezer compartment 11, and a vegetable compartment 12. The storage compartments are arranged in four vertical levels in the refrigerator body 1.

[0013] The refrigerator compartment 7 and the chilled compartment 8 are located at the top of the refrigerator body 1. A door that can be opened and closed is provided on the front of the refrigerator compartment 7. The bottom level inside the refrigerator compartment 7 is partitioned off, and chilled compartment 8 is provided therein. Chilled compartment 8 is equipped with a drawer-type container. Although chilled compartment 8 is located inside the refrigerator compartment 7, it is a storage compartment that can maintain a lower temperature than the refrigerator compartment 7.

[0014] Switchable compartment 9 and ice-making compartment 10 are located one level below refrigeration compartment 7, i.e., on the second level from the top of refrigerator body 1. These switchable compartment 9 and ice-making compartment 10 are arranged side by side on the second level from the top of refrigerator body 1. For this reason, in FIG. 1, these switchable compartment 9 and ice-making compartment 10 are stacked in the depth direction as you look into the drawing. By operating operation panel 5, the user can select a desired temperature from a plurality of predetermined set temperatures for switchable compartment 9 and switch the temperature inside the compartment.

[0015] Vegetable compartment 12 is located one level below switchable compartment 9 and ice-making compartment 10, i.e., the third level from the top of refrigerator body 1. Vegetable compartment 12 is primarily for storing fruits and vegetables such as fruit vegetables, leafy vegetables, and root vegetables. Freezer compartment 11 is located one level below vegetable compartment 12, i.e., on the lowest level of refrigerator body 1. Freezer compartment 11 is primarily used for storing items in a frozen state for a relatively long period of time.

[0016] A refrigerator compartment door 7a for opening and closing the refrigerator compartment 7 is provided on the front portion of the refrigerator compartment 7. The refrigerator compartment door 7a is, for example, a double-door revolving door. The double-door refrigerator compartment door 7a is composed of a right door and a left door. An operation panel 5 is provided on the outer surface of the refrigerator compartment door 7a.

[0017] Switchable compartment 9, ice making compartment 10, freezer compartment 11, and vegetable compartment 12 are each opened and closed by, for example, a drawer-type door. These drawer-type doors can slide in the depth direction of refrigerator body 1 along rails formed horizontally on the left and right inner wall surfaces of each storage compartment. The user of the refrigerator opens and closes switchable compartment 9, ice making compartment 10, freezer compartment 11, and vegetable compartment 12 by sliding the drawer-type door.

[0018] Specifically, vegetable compartment 12 is opened and closed by vegetable compartment door 12a. Refrigerator body 1 is equipped with door open / close detection sensor 13. Door open / close detection sensor 13 is for detecting the open / close state of vegetable compartment door 12a. Door open / close detection sensor 13 is provided at a position facing vegetable compartment door 12a on the edge of the front opening of vegetable compartment 12. Door open / close detection sensor 13 is, for example, a general magnetic switch. That is, door open / close detection sensor 13 in this example detects the proximity of a magnet embedded in vegetable compartment door 12a by a reed switch installed in insulating box 90 on the main body side of refrigerator body 1.

[0019] A vegetable compartment storage case capable of storing food and the like may be provided in vegetable compartment 12. The vegetable compartment storage case is, for example, stored in vegetable compartment 12 so that it can be freely pulled out. In this case, the vegetable compartment storage case is supported by a frame provided on vegetable compartment door 12a. The vegetable compartment storage case is pulled out in conjunction with vegetable compartment door 12a.

[0020] The number of storage compartments provided in refrigerator body 1, the arrangement of the storage compartments, the configuration of the doors for opening and closing the storage compartments, etc. are not limited to the examples described above. For example, the door for opening and closing refrigerator compartment 7 may be a sliding door. Also, the doors for opening and closing switchable compartment 9, ice-making compartment 10, freezer compartment 11, and vegetable compartment 12 may be rotating doors.

[0021] Refrigerator body 1 includes a compressor 2, a cooler 3, a blower 4, and an air duct 20 as a refrigeration mechanism for cooling air to be supplied to each storage compartment. Compressor 2 and cooler 3, together with a condenser and a throttling device (not shown), constitute a refrigeration cycle. Compressor 2 compresses and discharges the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle. The condenser condenses the refrigerant discharged from compressor 2. The throttling device expands the refrigerant flowing out from the condenser. Cooler 3 cools the air to be supplied to each storage compartment using the refrigerant expanded by the throttling device. Compressor 2 is located, for example, at the bottom of the rear side of refrigerator body 1, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] Air passage 20 is for supplying air cooled by the refrigeration cycle to each storage compartment. Air passage 20 is arranged, for example, on the rear side of refrigerator body 1. Cooler 3, which constitutes the refrigeration cycle, is installed in air passage 20. Also installed in air passage 20 is blower 4 for sending the air cooled by cooler 3 to each storage compartment.

[0023] When blower 4 operates, the air cooled by cooler 3, i.e., cold air, is sent through air duct 20 to freezer compartment 11, switchable compartment 9, ice-making compartment 10, and refrigerator compartment 7. This cools the interiors of each of the storage compartments: freezer compartment 11, switchable compartment 9, ice-making compartment 10, and refrigerator compartment 7. Furthermore, cold air returning from refrigerator compartment 7 is introduced into vegetable compartment 12 via a return air duct (not shown). This cools the interior of vegetable compartment 12. The air that has passed through vegetable compartment 12 is returned into air duct 20 in which cooler 3 is installed. The air returned into air duct 20 is cooled again by cooler 3 and circulates within refrigerator body 1.

[0024] Dampers are provided at locations along the path from air passage 20 to each storage compartment. These dampers are not shown in FIG. 1. The volume of cool air supplied to each storage compartment is adjusted by changing the open / close state of each damper. The volume of cool air supplied to each storage compartment is also adjusted by controlling the operation of blower 4. The temperature of the air supplied to each storage compartment is adjusted by controlling the operation of compressor 2.

[0025] A thermistor is installed in each storage compartment to detect the temperature inside. The damper, blower 4, and compressor 2 described above are controlled based on the detection results of the thermistor. The damper, blower 4, and compressor 2 are controlled so that the temperature inside each storage compartment reaches a preset temperature. In this embodiment, the refrigeration cycle circuit including the compressor 2 and cooler 3, the blower 4, the air duct 20, and the damper provided as described above are an example of a cooling means for cooling the inside of the storage compartment.

[0026] The interior of the vegetable compartment 12 is adjusted to a refrigerated temperature range of, for example, approximately 3°C to 7°C. The vegetable compartment 12 is an example of a storage compartment whose interior is adjusted to a refrigerated temperature range. In the configuration example described here, the vegetable compartment 12 is provided with a vegetable compartment lower case 15 and a vegetable compartment upper case 14 as the vegetable compartment storage cases described above. The vegetable compartment lower case 15 is supported by a frame (not shown) of the vegetable compartment door 12a. The vegetable compartment upper case 14 is placed above the vegetable compartment lower case 15. When the vegetable compartment door 12a is pulled forward, the vegetable compartment lower case 15 and the vegetable compartment upper case 14 are pulled forward together with the vegetable compartment door 12a. When the vegetable compartment door 12a is pulled out and only the vegetable compartment upper case 14 is slid rearward, only the vegetable compartment lower case 15 is pulled out. When only the vegetable compartment lower case 15 is pulled out, food can be put in and taken out of the vegetable compartment lower case 15. The vegetable compartment lower case 15 is suitable for storing large vegetables such as cabbage, Chinese cabbage, and radish.

[0027] The space within the vegetable compartment 12 according to this embodiment is divided into a first space and a second space. The first space is the upper space within the vegetable compartment 12. The second space is the lower space within the vegetable compartment 12. In other words, the second space is located below the first space. The vegetable compartment upper case 14 and the vegetable compartment lower case 15 are both container-shaped, with an open top and closed front, rear, left, right, and bottom sides. The vegetable compartment upper case 14 is an example of a container that is located within the vegetable compartment 12 and stores food within the first space. The space within the vegetable compartment 12 is divided into the first and second spaces by the vegetable compartment upper case 14, more specifically, by the bottom of the vegetable compartment upper case 14. The bottom of the vegetable compartment upper case 14, in particular, is an example of a partition member that divides the space within the vegetable compartment 12 into the first and second spaces. Therefore, in the configuration example described here, the partition member that divides the space inside the vegetable compartment 12 into the first space and the second space is a member that forms the bottom portion of the container that stores food in the first space.

[0028] The refrigerator body 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a freshness detection device 16. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it is attached to a position near the back of the ceiling inside the vegetable compartment 12. However, the installation position of the freshness detection device 16 is not limited to the ceiling inside the vegetable compartment 12. The freshness detection device 16 is equipped with a camera 16b and a light emitting device. The camera 16b is capable of capturing images of the inside of the vegetable compartment 12, particularly the first space. The light emitting device is capable of irradiating light from above into the first space of the vegetable compartment 12.

[0029] The refrigerator main body 1 is equipped with a control device 6. The control device 6 is provided, for example, at the upper part of the rear side of the refrigerator main body 1 as shown in FIG. 1. The control device 6 is equipped with a control circuit and the like for controlling the operation of the refrigerator main body 1. Each function of the control device 6 is realized by this control circuit.

[0030] 3 is a block diagram functionally showing the configuration of the main parts of the control system of refrigerator main body 1 according to this embodiment. The control circuit of control device 6 includes, for example, processor 6a and memory 6b. Control device 6 controls refrigerator main body 1 by executing preset processing as a result of processor 6a executing a program stored in memory 6b.

[0031] The processor 6a is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 6b includes, for example, non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM, as well as magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, minidisks, and DVDs.

[0032] The control circuit of the control device 6 may be formed as dedicated hardware, for example. A part of the control circuit of the control device 6 may be formed as dedicated hardware, and the control circuit may be provided with a processor 6a and a memory 6b. Examples of a control circuit partially formed as dedicated hardware include a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination of these.

[0033] The control device 6 also includes a communication unit 6c. The communication unit 6c is a circuit that enables the control device 6 of the refrigerator main body 1 to communicate with external devices. An example of an external device that communicates with the refrigerator main body 1 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. For example, it is conceivable that the user can operate the mobile terminal to instruct a change in the set temperature of the refrigerator main body 1 or check the status inside the refrigerator.

[0034] The operation panel 5 includes an input unit 5a and a notification unit 5b. The input unit 5a includes operation switches and the like for setting the refrigeration temperature of each storage compartment. The notification unit 5b includes a liquid crystal display unit, an indicator lamp, a speaker, and the like for displaying various information such as the temperature of each storage compartment. The operation panel 5 may include a touch panel that serves as the liquid crystal display unit for both the input unit 5a and the notification unit 5b. The input unit 5a outputs a signal to the control device 6 in response to an operation of the input unit 5a by the user. The control device 6 then receives a signal from the input unit 5a of the operation panel 5. The control device 6 also outputs a notification control signal to the notification unit 5b of the operation panel 5 to control the operation of the notification unit 5b.

[0035] Although not shown in Fig. 3, a signal is input to the control device 6 from a thermistor that detects the temperature inside each storage compartment. A signal is also input to the control device 6 from a door open / close detection sensor 13. Based on the input signal, the control device 6 executes processing to control the operation of the compressor 2, the cooler 3, and the blower 4, as well as the opening degree of each damper, so that the temperature inside each storage compartment is maintained at a set temperature. Note that the dampers are not shown in Fig. 3.

[0036] As described above, vegetables, fruits, etc. are stored in the vegetable compartment 12. When light of a specific wavelength is irradiated onto vegetables, fruits, etc., chlorophyll, flavonoids, etc. contained in these foods absorb the light and emit fluorescence. Vegetables, fruits, etc. are examples of foods that absorb light of a specific wavelength and emit fluorescence. Foods that absorb light of a specific wavelength and emit fluorescence are stored in the first space described above.

[0037] Light of this specific wavelength is included in the light emitted by the light emitting device of freshness detection device 16. That is, the light emitting device of freshness detection device 16 in the configuration example described here is a light irradiating means that irradiates food in the first space of vegetable compartment 12 with light of a specific wavelength that can excite fluorescence in the food. For most foods, the wavelength of light that can excite fluorescence is in the wavelength range from ultraviolet light to blue light, specifically 500 nm or less, and more preferably, in the wavelength range called UV-A (ultraviolet A rays) to the short wavelength range of blue light, specifically 315 nm or more and 500 nm or less.

[0038] In the configuration example described here, a UV-LED is used as the light source. That is, as shown in Fig. 3, the light emitting device of the freshness detection device 16 includes a UV-LED 16a as a light source. The peak wavelength of the light emitted by the UV-LED 16a belongs to the UV-A region, specifically, between 315 nm and 400 nm.

[0039] In this embodiment, the light emitting device of the freshness detection device 16, which is the light emitting means, is provided with a UV-LED 16a as a light source, and is therefore capable of emitting light having a peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm or less as the light of the specific wavelength described above. The peak wavelength of the light of the specific wavelength irradiated by the light emitting device, which is the light irradiating means, is preferably 315 nm or more and 400 nm or less.

[0040] The amount of light emitted by the UV-LED 16a is 0.01 W / m^2 or more and 10,000 W / m^2 or less. The amount of light emitted by the UV-LED 16a is preferably 0.01 W / m^2 or more and 500 W / m^2 or less, and more preferably 0.1 W / m^2 or more and 100 W / m^2 or less.

[0041] When vegetables, fruits, or other foods are irradiated with ultraviolet light of the specific wavelength described above, components contained in the vegetables absorb the light and emit fluorescence. Vegetables and other foods contain a wide variety of components that emit fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet light. Camera 16b senses visible light, including light of this fluorescent wavelength, and outputs it as an image. That is, camera 16b in the configuration example described here is a light detection means that detects light of the fluorescent wavelength emitted by the food in the first space described above.

[0042] Fluorescence has a longer wavelength than excitation light, and fluorescence related to food freshness in particular is in the visible light region. For this reason, it is desirable for the light detection means to be a means that can receive light in the entire visible light region excluding the wavelength of the excitation light. In the configuration example described here, camera 16b is used as such light detection means, but other devices such as an RGB sensor may also be used as light detection means.

[0043] 4, the control device 6 includes an illumination control unit 61, a camera control unit 62, a food freshness determination unit 64, and a notification control unit 65. The illumination control unit 61 controls the light emitting operation of the light emitting device of the freshness detection device 16. The camera control unit 62 controls the shooting operation of the camera 16b.

[0044] When the door open / close detection sensor 13 detects that the vegetable compartment door 12a, which was open, has been closed, the irradiation control unit 61 turns on the UV-LED 16a. Then, the camera control unit 62 causes the camera 16b to take an image while the UV-LED 16a is turned on. When the image taking by the camera 16b is finished, the irradiation control unit 61 turns off the UV-LED 16a. In this way, the fluorescence emitted by the food in the first space that has been exposed to the light irradiated by the UV-LED 16a is photographed.

[0045] The food freshness determination unit 64 is a determination unit that determines the freshness of food in the first space based on the detection results of the camera 16b, which is a light detection means. The freshness of food refers to the degree of freshness of the food. Freshness decreases over time. The freshness of food may also include the degree of ripeness and deterioration of the food. The food freshness determination unit 64 determines the freshness of food based on the fluorescence captured by the camera 16b.

[0046] The food freshness determination unit 64 determines the freshness of food using, for example, freshness evaluation data. The freshness evaluation data is data for evaluating the freshness of food based on the intensity of fluorescence emitted from the food. The freshness evaluation data is made up of data showing the relationship between the intensity of fluorescence emitted from the food and the freshness of the food. To give a more detailed example, the freshness evaluation data may be data in the form of an equation representing a function with fluorescence intensity as the explanatory variable and freshness as the objective variable, or may be data in a table consisting of pairs of fluorescence intensity values ​​and corresponding freshness values.

[0047] The freshness of food can be indexed using one or more of physical quantities that change depending on the freshness, specifically, the weight, moisture content, shelf life, appearance, and content of ascorbic acid and / or polyphenols, etc., of the food. The relationship between the freshness determined by such indexing and the fluorescence intensity is identified through experiments or the like, thereby preparing freshness evaluation data in advance. The freshness evaluation data is, for example, pre-stored in the storage device of the control device 6 of the refrigerator main body 1. Alternatively, the freshness evaluation data may be pre-stored in an external server, such as a cloud server, and the control device 6 may acquire and use the freshness evaluation data by communicating with the external server via the communication unit 6c.

[0048] When a substance is irradiated with light containing an excitation wavelength, the substance enters an excited state corresponding to the irradiated energy. Because this excited state is unstable, excess energy is released when the substance returns from the unstable excited state to a stable ground state. Fluorescence is one form of excess energy released when the substance returns from the unstable excited state to a stable ground state. Generally, when short-wavelength light is irradiated onto fresh produce such as vegetables and fruits, they emit fluorescence. Fluorescent substances are primarily present on the surface of fresh produce. Fluorescence in fresh produce is caused by chemical changes in various substances, such as the production of flavonoids, lignin production, fatty acid oxidation, changes in starch properties, and chlorophyll decomposition. The types and amounts of substances that cause such fluorescence vary depending on the type of fresh produce. Therefore, the intensity of fluorescence and the tendency for fluorescence to increase or decrease during storage vary depending on the type of fresh produce.

[0049] Therefore, the freshness evaluation data may include data indicating the relationship between fluorescence intensity and freshness for each type of food. In this case, it is necessary to specify the type of food to be subjected to freshness detection. For example, the user operates the input unit 5a of the operation panel 5 to input the type of food to be subjected to freshness detection. Alternatively, the user operates a mobile terminal such as a smartphone to input the type of food to be subjected to freshness detection. The control device 6 then communicates with the mobile terminal via the communication unit 6c and acquires the type of food to be subjected to freshness detection input by the user.

[0050] Alternatively, for example, the type of food to be detected for freshness may be identified using an image captured by camera 16b. In this case, the type of food shown in the captured image can be identified by applying a known image recognition technique to the image captured by camera 16b. In this case, it is preferable to further provide a white LED that illuminates the inside of vegetable compartment 12 when capturing an image with camera 16b. The white LED may be provided in the light-emitting device of freshness detection device 16, or may be provided in a location separate from the light-emitting device.

[0051] The food freshness determination unit 64 obtains the freshness evaluation data corresponding to the type of food input or identified as described above from the storage device of the control device 6 or an external server, and uses it to determine the freshness of the food. In this way, the food freshness determination unit 64 selects the freshness evaluation data to use for determining the freshness of the food. Then, the food freshness determination unit 64 refers to the freshness evaluation data corresponding to the type of food whose freshness is to be detected, identifies the freshness corresponding to the fluorescence intensity detected by the camera 16b, and uses this identified freshness as the result of the determination of the freshness of the food.

[0052] The notification control unit 65 controls the operation of the notification unit 5b of the operation panel 5 to notify the result of the food freshness determination made by the food freshness determination unit 64. For example, the notification control unit 65 causes the liquid crystal display unit of the operation panel 5 to display a message indicating whether the freshness of the food has decreased to its "usage limit" in accordance with the result of the food freshness determination made by the food freshness determination unit 64. The freshness level that becomes the "usage limit" is set in advance, for example, for each type of food. When the food freshness determination unit 64 determines that the freshness of the food has decreased to its "usage limit," the notification control unit 65 may cause the liquid crystal display unit of the operation panel 5 to display a message encouraging the user to consume the food.

[0053] Furthermore, the notification control unit 65 may notify the food freshness determination result from an external device such as a mobile terminal, such as a smartphone, instead of the operation panel 5. In this case, data on the food freshness determination result by the food freshness determination unit 64 is transmitted from the communication unit 6c of the control device 6 to the external device, such as the mobile terminal. Then, the external device that receives this data displays the food freshness determination result on, for example, a display provided on the external device.

[0054] In the refrigerator according to this embodiment, a light-blocking means 19 is provided in the vegetable compartment 12. The light-blocking means 19 blocks the light of the specific wavelength irradiated from the UV-LED 16a of the light-emitting device, which is the light-irradiating means, from penetrating the partition member and reaching the second space. The light-blocking means 19 is provided, for example, in the partition member. In the configuration example described here, the partition member is the bottom portion of the vegetable compartment upper case 14. Therefore, in this example, the light-blocking means 19 is provided in at least the bottom portion of the vegetable compartment upper case 14. In this case, at least the bottom portion of the vegetable compartment upper case 14 is made of a material that does not transmit light of the specific wavelength, such as opaque plastic or a metal such as stainless steel.

[0055] The refrigerator configured as described above includes light-blocking means 19, which prevents light of a specific wavelength emitted from UV-LED 16a of the light-emitting device (light-emitting means) from penetrating the partition member and reaching the second space. This prevents light of the specific wavelength from UV-LED 16a from irradiating non-target foods 18 (foods not subject to freshness detection) stored in the second space (crisper compartment lower case 15) and suppresses fluorescence emission from the non-target foods 18 in the second space. Therefore, only target foods 17 (foods subject to freshness detection) stored in the first space (crisper compartment upper case 14) are irradiated with light of the specific wavelength from UV-LED 16a, exciting them and causing them to emit fluorescence. This suppresses fluorescence from non-target foods 18 and enables fluorescence detection of target foods 17, improving the accuracy of freshness determination of target foods 17 stored in a storage compartment divided into multiple storage spaces.

[0056] Next, the effects obtained by the refrigerator according to this embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 5. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in Fig. 5 represents the number of days of storage. The upper half of the graph shows the relationship between the number of days of storage and the freshness of food. As shown here, the freshness of food decreases as the number of days of storage increases. Then, at the number of days of storage D1, the freshness of the food reaches a preset "usage limit."

[0057] The lower half of the graph in the figure shows the relationship between the number of storage days and the fluorescence intensity of the food detected by camera 16b when irradiated with light from UV-LED 16a of freshness detection device 16. Note that the detection of fluorescence intensity by camera 16b was performed in a state where target foods 17, which are foods subject to freshness detection, were stored in upper crisper case 14, and non-target foods 18, which are foods not subject to freshness detection, were stored in lower crisper case 15, as shown in Figure 4. In this graph, (a) is a comparative example that does not include light-blocking means 19 according to the present disclosure, and (b) is the fluorescence intensity of the food detected by camera 16b when light-blocking means 19 according to the present disclosure was included.

[0058] In both (a) and (b), the fluorescence intensity detected by camera 16b decreases as the storage period progresses, i.e., as the food's freshness decreases. However, as can be seen from the graph, the fluorescence intensity in (a) Comparative Example is greater than that in (b) with photoinhibiting means 19. That is, in (a) Comparative Example, the target food 17 is erroneously detected as being fresher than it actually is. This is thought to be because, in (a) Comparative Example, camera 16b detects not only the fluorescence emitted from the target food 17 in the upper crisper case 14 but also the fluorescence emitted from the non-target food 18 in the lower crisper case 15, whereas in (b) with photoinhibiting means 19, the fluorescence from the non-target food 18 in the lower crisper case 15 is suppressed, and camera 16b detects only the fluorescence emitted from the target food 17 in the upper crisper case 14.

[0059] The determination reference intensity FL_b shown in FIG. 5 is the reference value of the fluorescence intensity at which the food freshness determination unit 64 determines that the freshness of a food item is at its "usage limit." As described above, in the (a) comparative example, the target food item 17 is erroneously detected as being fresher than it actually is. Therefore, at the storage period D1 at which the food item's actual freshness reaches its "usage limit," the fluorescence intensity in the (a) comparative example has not yet reached the determination reference intensity FL_b. In contrast, the fluorescence intensity at the storage period D1 when the (b) photo-inhibiting means 19 is provided is the determination reference intensity FL_b. In this way, a refrigerator equipped with the (b) photo-inhibiting means 19 according to the present disclosure can suppress disturbances caused by fluorescence emitted by foods not subject to freshness detection, thereby improving the accuracy of determining the freshness of the foods by utilizing the fluorescence phenomenon of the foods.

[0060] The light-blocking means 19 may be provided on the entire crisper upper case 14, which is a container for storing food in the first space. That is, the entire crisper upper case 14 may be made of a material that does not transmit light of the specific wavelengths described above.

[0061] If the light-blocking means 19 were made of a material opaque to all visible light, the crisper upper case 14 equipped with the light-blocking means 19 would impair visibility inside the crisper lower case 15, i.e., the second space. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, if the UV-LEDs 16a irradiate only a portion of the bottom surface of the crisper upper case 14, rather than the entire bottom surface, the light-blocking means 19 may be provided only in the portion of the bottom surface of the crisper upper case 14 that receives the UV-LEDs 16a, and the remaining portion of the bottom surface of the crisper upper case 14 may be made of transparent plastic. This suppresses disturbances caused by fluorescence emitted by foods not subject to freshness detection without impairing visibility inside the crisper lower case 15. This also has the expected effect of making it easier for users to understand that they should place the food they want to test for freshness in the area equipped with the light-blocking means 19.

[0062] Alternatively, it is even more preferable to use a material that is opaque to light of the specific wavelength described above and transparent to visible light other than the specific wavelength as the light-blocking means 19. As described above, the specific wavelength here is at least 500 nm or less, so simply put, a material that does not transmit light of short wavelengths of 500 nm or less and transmits light of wavelengths longer than 500 nm may be used. Specific examples of such materials include transparent plastic materials to which an ultraviolet absorber, broadly classified as benzophenone derivatives, salicylic acid ester derivatives, triazole derivatives, acrylonitrile derivatives, etc., has been added.

[0063] When providing light-blocking means 19 in crisper upper case 14, a substance that absorbs light of a specific wavelength may be kneaded into the resin that makes up crisper upper case 14, or paint containing a substance that absorbs light of a specific wavelength may be applied to the surface of crisper upper case 14. Alternatively, resin into which a substance that reflects light of a specific wavelength has been kneaded may be used, or paint containing a substance that reflects light of a specific wavelength may be applied. Alternatively, light of a specific wavelength may be diffused by forming irregularities on the surface of crisper upper case 14.

[0064] The light-blocking means 19 may be switchable between a first state in which the function of blocking light of a specific wavelength irradiated from the light-irradiating means from penetrating the partition member and reaching the second space (hereinafter also referred to as the "light-blocking function") is realized, and a second state in which the light-blocking function is not realized. In this case, for example, an electric shutter, a liquid crystal shutter, or the like may be used as the light-blocking means 19. When such a shutter is used as the light-blocking means 19, the closed state of the shutter corresponds to the first state in which the light-blocking function is realized, and the open state of the shutter corresponds to the second state in which the light-blocking function is not realized. That is, in the first state in which the shutter is closed, the bottom portion of, for example, the crisper upper case 14 in which the light-blocking means 19 is provided becomes opaque, thereby achieving the light-blocking function. On the other hand, in the second state in which the shutter is open, the bottom portion of, for example, the crisper upper case 14 in which the light-blocking means 19 is provided becomes transparent, thereby not achieving the light-blocking function.

[0065] In this case, for example, the control device 6 may switch between the first state and the second state of the light-blocking means 19 depending on the light-emitting state of the light-emitting device, i.e., the UV-LED 16a, of the freshness detection device 16. That is, the control device 6 sets the light-blocking means 19 to the first state when the irradiation control unit 61 turns on the UV-LED 16a. On the other hand, when the irradiation control unit 61 turns off the UV-LED 16a, the control device 6 sets the light-blocking means 19 to the second state.

[0066] Alternatively, as another example, the control device 6 may switch between the first state and the second state of the light blocking means 19 depending on whether the vegetable compartment door 12a is open or closed. That is, when the door open / close detection sensor 13 detects that the vegetable compartment door 12a is closed, the control device 6 sets the light blocking means 19 to the first state. When the door open / close detection sensor 13 detects that the vegetable compartment door 12a is open, the control device 6 sets the light blocking means 19 to the second state.

[0067] The refrigerator according to this embodiment may further include a means for preventing light of the fluorescent wavelengths emitted by foods in the second space from penetrating (transmitting) the partition member and reaching the light detection means. Examples of such a means include kneading or applying a substance that selectively absorbs light in the fluorescent wavelength range emitted by foods to at least the bottom surface of upper crisper case 14, or providing irregularities on the lower surface of the bottom of upper crisper case 14 to diffuse the fluorescence. Providing such a means prevents fluorescence emitted from non-target foods 18 in lower crisper case 15 from reaching camera 16b of freshness detection device 16. This suppresses disturbances caused by fluorescence emitted by foods not subject to freshness detection, further improving the accuracy of freshness determination using the fluorescence phenomenon of target foods.

[0068] In the present disclosure, the embodiments and configuration examples may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Examples of various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices. (Appendix 1) a refrigerator body having a storage compartment whose interior is adjusted to a refrigerated temperature range; a partition member that partitions the space within the storage chamber into a first space and a second space disposed below the first space; a light irradiation means for irradiating the food in the first space with light of a specific wavelength capable of exciting fluorescence of the food; a light detection means for detecting light of a wavelength of fluorescence emitted by food in the first space; a determination unit that determines the freshness of food in the first space based on the detection result of the light detection means; a light blocking means for blocking the light of the specific wavelength irradiated from the light irradiating means from penetrating the partition member and reaching the second space. (Appendix 2) The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the light blocking means is provided in the partition member. (Appendix 3) Further, a container is disposed in the storage compartment and stores the food in the first space. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the partition member is a member that constitutes a bottom portion of the container. (Appendix 4) The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the light-blocking means is provided over the entire container. (Appendix 5) The refrigerator according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the light-blocking means is switchable between a first state in which a light-blocking function is exerted that blocks the light of the specific wavelength irradiated from the light-irradiating means from penetrating the partition member and reaching the second space, and a second state in which the light-blocking function is not exerted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1 Refrigerator body 2 Compressor 3 Cooler 4. Blower 5 Operation panel 5a Input section 5b Notification Department 6. Control device 6a processor 6b memory 6c Communications Department 7 Refrigerator 7a Refrigerator door 8 Chilled room 9 Switch Room 10 Ice Maker 11 Freezer 12 Vegetable compartment 12a Vegetable compartment door 13 Door opening / closing detection sensor 14 Vegetable compartment upper case 15 Case under the vegetable compartment 16 Freshness detection device 16a UV-LED 16b Camera 17 Target foods 18. Excluded foods 19 Photoinhibition means 20 Wind path 61 Irradiation control unit 62 Camera control unit 64 Food freshness determination section 65 Notification control section

Claims

1. a refrigerator body having a storage compartment whose interior is adjusted to a refrigerated temperature range; a partition member that partitions the space within the storage chamber into a first space and a second space disposed below the first space; a light irradiation means for irradiating the food in the first space with light of a specific wavelength capable of exciting fluorescence of the food; a light detecting means for detecting light of a wavelength of fluorescence emitted by the food in the first space; a determination unit that determines the freshness of food in the first space based on the detection result of the light detection means; a light blocking means for blocking the light of the specific wavelength irradiated from the light irradiating means from penetrating the partition member and reaching the second space.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the light blocking means is provided in the partition member.

3. Further, a container is provided in the storage compartment to store the food in the first space.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the partition member is a member that constitutes a bottom portion of the container.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the light blocking means is provided over the entire container.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light blocking means is switchable between a first state in which a light blocking function is exerted that blocks the light of the specific wavelength irradiated from the light irradiating means from penetrating the partition member and reaching the second space, and a second state in which the light blocking function is not exerted.

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