Freshness Preservation Device

Abstract

To provide a freshness keeping device for keeping the freshness of an object by disinfecting the object itself while disinfecting the air.SOLUTION: Provided is a freshness keeping device 100 that is provided with: a case 101 that stores an object; a first light 130 that is placed within the case 101 and that irradiates the inside of the case 101 with ultraviolet radiation; and a photocatalyst 121 placed within the case 101.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for maintaining the freshness of food and the like by sterilizing and deodorizing the air. [Background technology]

[0002] Devices for sterilizing and deodorizing air have been known for some time. For example, JP 2014-219130 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a refrigerator that uses a photocatalyst. According to JP 2014-219130 A (Patent Document 1), a catalyst base carrying a photocatalyst is attached so that the photocatalyst is exposed on the storage compartment side of the rear panel that constitutes the cold air passage, and a light-emitting diode is provided on the inner surface of the inner box that constitutes the cold air passage so that light is irradiated toward the catalyst base. Since the catalyst base is provided on a part of the rear panel and the photocatalyst is excited by the light-emitting diode provided on the inner box, the size of the catalyst base can be set arbitrarily and a sufficient catalyst area can be secured. This makes it possible to effectively deodorize and sterilize odorous components in a storage compartment with a large volume. Furthermore, the oxygen concentration in the storage compartment can be reduced by carbon dioxide generated by the catalytic action of the photocatalyst, which has the effect of suppressing the respiration of vegetables and allowing them to be stored in a fresh state for a long time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-219130 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a freshness preservation device for preserving the freshness of an object by sterilizing the air while also sterilizing the object itself. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a freshness preservation device comprising a case for storing an object, a first light disposed inside the case for irradiating the inside of the case with ultraviolet light, and a photocatalyst disposed inside the case. Effect of the Invention

[0006] As described above, according to the present invention, a freshness preservation device is provided for preserving the freshness of an object by sterilizing the air while also sterilizing the object itself. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a freshness preservation device according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a front cross-sectional view of a freshness preservation device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a side cross-sectional view of a freshness preservation device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the freshness preservation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a diagram showing ON / OFF control of a deep ultraviolet-LED and a photocatalytic LED according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing a control process of the freshness preservation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing ON / OFF control of a deep ultraviolet-LED and a photocatalytic LED according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing ON / OFF control of a deep ultraviolet-LED and a photocatalytic LED according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a first photocatalyst unit according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a second photocatalyst unit according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a second photocatalyst unit according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a rear view of the second photocatalyst unit according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a side cross-sectional view of a freshness preservation device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a side cross-sectional view of a freshness preservation device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a side cross-sectional view of a freshness preservation device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a photocatalyst unit according to a sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their names and functions are also the same, so detailed description thereof will not be repeated. [First embodiment]

[0009] The overall configuration of freshness preservation device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In the following, the upper side in Figure 1 will be referred to as the upper side of freshness preservation device 100, the lower side in Figure 1 will be referred to as the lower side of freshness preservation device 100, the front side in Figure 1 will be referred to as the front side of freshness preservation device 100, the back side of the page in Figure 1 will be referred to as the rear side of freshness preservation device 100, the right side in Figure 1 will be referred to as the right side of freshness preservation device 100, and the left side in Figure 1 will be referred to as the left side of freshness preservation device 100.

[0010] Freshness preservation device 100 according to the present embodiment is mainly composed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped case 101. In the storage space inside case 101, objects to be sterilized 200 such as food and sanitary items are placed.

[0011] A door 102 is provided on the front of the case 101. In this embodiment, the door 102 is configured so that a user can grasp a handle 103 and rotate the door 102 forward to open a storage space inside the case 101. A door opening / closing sensor (see FIG. 4) is disposed behind the door 102 for detecting whether the door 102 is open or closed.

[0012] In this embodiment, a semi-transparent glass window 102A is provided on the door 102. This allows the user to check the situation inside the case 101.

[0013] A plurality of deep ultraviolet LEDs 130, 130... are provided inside the case 101. For example, a plurality of deep ultraviolet LEDs 130, 130... are attached to each of the ceiling surface, the right side surface, the left side surface, the back surface, etc. As a result, bacteria, viruses, etc. attached to the surface of the sterilization target 200 placed inside the case 101 are inactivated, thereby sterilizing the object. The deep ultraviolet LEDs 130, 130... are controlled by the control unit 140 (see FIG. 4) and driven by power supplied via the power cord 127A, the USB cable 127B, etc.

[0014] In addition, a photocatalyst unit 120 is provided inside the case 101. In this embodiment, the photocatalyst unit 120 is provided on the back side of the inner wall surface of the case 101. The photocatalyst unit 120 mainly includes a photocatalyst 121, an LED 122, a fan 125, and the like. The photocatalyst 121 is activated by light from the LED 122. The fan 125 causes the air inside the case 101 to flow over the surface of the photocatalyst 121. The photocatalyst 121 decomposes ethylene gas contained in the air passing over its surface and inactivates viruses. The LED 122 and the fan 125 are controlled by the control unit 140 (see FIG. 4) and driven by power supplied via a power cord 127A, a USB cable 127B, or the like.

[0015] 4 shows the control configuration of freshness preservation device 100 according to the present embodiment. Freshness preservation device 100 according to the present embodiment mainly includes control unit 140, LED 122, fan 125, deep ultraviolet LED 130, and door opening / closing sensor 105.

[0016] The control unit 140 is disposed, for example, near the photocatalyst unit 120, on the back surface of the case 101, or on an operation panel provided near the door 102. The control unit 140 includes a processor 141, a memory 142, a timer 143, etc., and controls each part of the freshness preservation device 100 via a communication line. For example, the control unit 140 controls the LED 122 to be turned on / off, the fan 125 to be turned on / off, and the deep ultraviolet-LED 130 to be turned on / off in accordance with a signal from the door opening / closing sensor 105.

[0017] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 140 turns off the LED 122, turns off the fan 125, and turns off the deep ultraviolet LED 130 while the door 102 is open. When the door 102 is closed, the control unit 140 turns on the LED 122 and turns on the fan 125. At this time, the deep ultraviolet LED 130 remains turned off. When a first predetermined time, for example, 3 minutes, has elapsed, the control unit 110 turns on the deep ultraviolet LED 130. After that, when a second predetermined time, for example, 30 minutes, has elapsed, the control unit 110 turns off the deep ultraviolet LED 130.

[0018] More specifically, the processor 141 of the control unit 140 executes the following process in accordance with the program in the memory 142. As shown in Fig. 6, the control unit 140 determines whether the door 102 is open or not based on a signal from the door opening / closing sensor 105 (step S102).

[0019] When the control unit 140 detects that the door 102 is opened (YES in step S102), it turns off the deep ultraviolet-LED 130 (step S104) and turns off the LED 122 of the photocatalyst 121 and the fan 125 (step S106). The LED 122 of the photocatalyst 121 and the fan 125 may remain ON.

[0020] The control unit 140 determines whether the door 102 is closed or not based on a signal from the door open / close sensor 105 (step S108).

[0021] When the control unit 140 detects that the door 102 is closed (YES in step S108), it turns on the LED 122 of the photocatalyst 121 and the fan 125 (step S110).

[0022] The control unit 140 turns on the far ultraviolet LEDs 130 (step S114). The control unit 140 may use the timer 143 to turn on the far ultraviolet LEDs 130 after a first predetermined time, for example, 3 minutes, has elapsed since the door 102 was closed.

[0023] The control unit 140 uses the timer 143 to determine whether or not a second predetermined time, for example, 30 minutes, has elapsed since the deep ultraviolet ray LED 130 was turned on (step S116).

[0024] When the second predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S116), the control unit 140 turns off the deep ultraviolet LEDs 130 (step S118). The control unit 104 repeats the process from step S102.

[0025] As configured in this manner, with regard to freshness preservation device 100 of this embodiment, the deep ultraviolet light inactivates bacteria, viruses, etc. attached to the surface of the object to be sterilized, such as food, so that the object to be sterilized is less likely to spoil, and the photocatalyst 121 decomposes the ethylene gas contained in the air inside case 101 and inactivates viruses contained in the air, so that the object to be sterilized is less likely to spoil. [Second embodiment]

[0026] In the above embodiment, when the second predetermined time has elapsed since the deep ultraviolet LED 130 was turned on, the deep ultraviolet LED 130 is turned off. In addition to this configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 140 may intermittently operate the deep ultraviolet LED 130 while the door 102 is closed. For example, the control unit 140 may turn on the deep ultraviolet LED 130 for only a second predetermined time each time a third predetermined time, for example, 2 hours, elapses while the door 102 is closed. It is also possible to turn on the deep ultraviolet LED 130 by turning on a dedicated switch.

[0027] In addition to this configuration, the control unit 140 may intermittently operate the LED 122 and the fan 125 of the photocatalyst 121 as shown in Fig. 8. For example, the control unit 140 may turn on the LED 122 and the fan 125 of the photocatalyst 121 for only a fifth predetermined time, such as one hour, each time a fourth predetermined time, such as three hours, has elapsed while the door 102 is closed or regardless of whether the door 102 is open or closed. [Third embodiment]

[0028] 9, the photocatalyst 121 may be disposed perpendicular to the wind direction. The photocatalyst 121 is configured such that a plurality of holes are formed in the direction of wind flow or formed in a mesh shape, so that the air to be sterilized passes through the plurality of holes. The LED 130 is disposed downstream or upstream of the photocatalyst 121 and illuminates the inside of the plurality of holes of the photocatalyst 121.

[0029] 10, 11, and 12, the fan 125 may be attached to a surface facing the back surface of the freshness preservation device 100, and the rotation axis of the fan 125 may be configured to be perpendicular to the back surface of the freshness preservation device 100. The fan 125 may be configured to suck in air from the front and to blow the air to the side of the fan 125, i.e., to the outside of the photocatalyst unit 120. [Fourth embodiment]

[0030] In the above embodiment, the fan 125 for the photocatalyst 121 is mounted, but the fan 125 may not be provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, a photocatalyst unit 120 is provided on the rear side inside the case 101. The photocatalyst unit 120 includes the photocatalyst 121 and an LED 122. In this embodiment, the temperature in the vicinity of the photocatalyst 121 is increased by the LED 122, so that the air around the photocatalyst 121 expands and rises, and as a result, the air inside the case 102 can be gently circulated. [Fifth embodiment]

[0031] In the above embodiment, the LED 122 for the photocatalyst 121 is mounted, but the LED 122 for the photocatalyst 121 may not be provided. In other words, the photocatalyst 121 may be activated by light from the deep ultraviolet LED 130.

[0032] For example, as shown in Fig. 14, in this embodiment, the photocatalyst 121 is disposed on the back surface of the case 101 as a position where the light from the deep ultraviolet LED 130 is likely to strike. In order to receive a large amount of light from the deep ultraviolet LED 130, the photocatalyst 121 is preferably configured in a wide sheet shape.

[0033] Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 15, the photocatalyst 121 may be arranged parallel to the ceiling as a position where the light from the deep ultraviolet LEDs 130 is likely to hit. That is, the photocatalyst 121 may be arranged parallel to the arrangement of the deep ultraviolet LEDs 130, 130. Note that the photocatalyst 121 is preferably configured in a wide sheet shape, configured in a mesh shape so that the deep ultraviolet ray reaches the target object, or has a large number of punched holes.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, it is preferable to provide a fan 125 so that air can easily flow over the surface of the photocatalyst 121. [Sixth embodiment]

[0035] Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 16, it is preferable that the photocatalyst 121 can be removed from the photocatalyst unit 120 or the freshness preservation device 100 and washed. For example, in this embodiment, the photocatalyst unit 120 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped unit having rectangular intake and exhaust ports at the top and bottom. The photocatalyst unit 120 is configured to be detachable from the inner wall surface of the freshness preservation device 100. The photocatalyst 121 can be removed from the bottom surface of the case of the photocatalyst unit 120 (the rear side of the freshness preservation device 100), or can be detachable from other parts of the photocatalyst unit 120. The power of the fan 125 and the LED 130 is obtained from the freshness preservation device 100 via the electrodes on the rear side of the photocatalyst unit 120. [summary]

[0036] In the above embodiment, a freshness preservation device is provided that includes a case for storing an object, a first light disposed inside the case for irradiating the inside of the case with ultraviolet light, and a photocatalyst disposed inside the case.

[0037] Preferably, the freshness preservation device further includes a fan for blowing air within the case over the surface of the photocatalyst.

[0038] Preferably, the device further comprises a second light for irradiating the photocatalyst with light.

[0039] Preferably, the case includes a door. The freshness preservation device further includes a sensor that detects opening and closing of the door, and a control unit for controlling the first light and the second light. The control unit turns off the first light and the second light while the door is open, turns on the first light when the door is closed, and turns on the second light after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0040] Preferably, the case includes a door. The freshness preservation device further includes a sensor that detects opening and closing of the door, and a control unit for controlling the first light and the second light. The control unit turns off the first light and the second light while the door is open, turns on the first light and turns on the second light when the door is closed, and turns off the second light after a predetermined time, but keeps the first light on.

[0041] The freshness preservation device further includes a controller for controlling the first light and the second light, the controller causing the second light to be continuously lit and the first light to be intermittently lit.

[0042] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 100: Freshness preservation device 101: Case 102: Door 103: Toride 105: Door opening / closing sensor 110: Control unit 120: Photocatalyst unit 121: Photocatalyst 122: LED for photocatalysis 125: Fan 127A: Power cord 127B: USB cable 130: Deep UV LED 140: Control section 141: Processor 142: Memory 143: Timer

Claims

[Claim 1] A case having a door for storing an object; a first light disposed inside the case for irradiating the inside of the case with ultraviolet light; A photocatalyst disposed inside the case; A second light for irradiating the photocatalyst with light; A sensor for detecting whether the door is open or closed; a control unit for controlling the first light and the second light, The control unit turns off the first light and the second light while the door is open, and when the door is closed, turns on the first light and turns on the second light, and turns off the second light after a predetermined time but keeps the first light on.

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