refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator which enables stored objects to be stored preferably.SOLUTION: A refrigerator includes a housing and a storage box. A storage chamber is formed at the housing. The storage box is disposed within the storage chamber. The storage box has an opening and an opening / closing mechanism. The opening allows the interior and the exterior of the storage box to be connected. The opening / closing mechanism opens or closes the opening according to change of a relative humidity in the storage box.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to refrigerator Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, refrigerators having a vegetable compartment are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The refrigerator described in Patent Document 1 is equipped with an ultrasonic humidifier for humidifying the vegetable compartment. Patent Document 1 describes that the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1 humidifies the vegetable compartment with spray from the ultrasonic humidifier, and maintains an atmosphere that can prevent evaporation of moisture from fruits and vegetables stored in the vegetable compartment, thereby enabling freshness to be maintained for a long period of time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-257933 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1, the vegetable compartment is humidified, so that evaporation of moisture from vegetables stored in the vegetable compartment can be suppressed. However, if the vegetable compartment is over-humidified, the vegetables stored in the vegetable compartment may be damaged.

[0005] A main object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator capable of suitably storing items. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A refrigerator according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing in which a storage chamber is formed, a storage box arranged within the storage chamber, and a cooling mechanism that supplies cooled air to the storage chamber. The storage box has a first opening to which cooled air from the cooling mechanism is supplied, a second opening to return cold air to the outside of the storage box, and an opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes at least one of the first opening and the second opening in response to a change in humidity within the storage box. The opening / closing mechanism includes a detection unit whose physical quantity changes depending on the humidity within the storage box, and an opening / closing unit that is displaced by the change in the physical quantity of the detection unit to open and close the opening. The detection unit is disposed in a flow path of cooled air that flows from the first opening through the inside of the storage box to the second opening when the opening is opened by the opening / closing unit, and the detection unit is disposed between the first opening and the second opening and along a surface of the opening / closing unit when the opening is opened. The physical quantity is weight or volume. . [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment with the vegetable compartment pulled out. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a storage box according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a storage box with an opening in an open state by an opening / closing mechanism. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a storage box according to a first modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a storage box with an opening opened by an opening / closing mechanism in a first modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a weight-increasing portion in the first embodiment. [Figure 10]11 is a schematic enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a schematic enlarged oblique view of a portion of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view for explaining a weight-increasing portion 52 of the third embodiment (closed state). [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view for explaining a weight-increasing portion 52 of the third embodiment (open state). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, the following embodiment is merely an example. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. In each drawing referred to in the embodiment, components having substantially the same functions are referred to by the same reference numerals.

[0009] In the following description, the directions of front, back, left, right, width, height, depth, and top and bottom are directions when a person facing the installed refrigerator looks at the refrigerator.

[0010] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of refrigerator 1 with the vegetable compartment pulled out.

[0011] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the refrigerator 1 includes a housing 10. As shown in Fig. 2, at least one storage chamber 11 is formed in the housing 10. Specifically, a plurality of storage chambers 11 are formed in the housing 10. More specifically, the storage chambers 11 are a refrigerator chamber 11a, a freezer chamber 11b, and a vegetable chamber 11c. In this embodiment, of the plurality of storage chambers 11, the refrigerator chamber 11a is disposed at the top. The vegetable chamber 11c is disposed at the bottom. The freezer chamber 11b is disposed between the refrigerator chamber 11a and the vegetable chamber 11c in the vertical direction.

[0012] The housing 10 includes a main body 21 and a plurality of doors 22, 23, and 24. A plurality of storage compartments 11 (refrigerating compartment 11a, freezing compartment 11b, and vegetable compartment 11c) are formed in the main body 21. The refrigerating compartment 11a, the freezing compartment 11b, and the vegetable compartment 11c each have an opening at the front of the main body 21. The opening of the refrigerating compartment 11a can be opened and closed by a door 22. The opening of the freezing compartment 11b can be opened and closed by a door 23. The opening of the vegetable compartment 11c can be opened and closed by a door 24.

[0013] The refrigerator compartment 11a is a storage compartment that is maintained at a temperature of, for example, about 3° C. to 6° C. The refrigerator compartment 11a is a room for cooling and storing food and other stored items within a temperature range higher than the freezing point.

[0014] A freezer compartment 11b is disposed below the refrigerator compartment 11a. The freezer compartment 11b is a storage compartment that is kept at a temperature of, for example, -30°C or higher and -25°C or lower, preferably -25°C or higher and -15°C or lower, and more preferably -20°C or higher and -18°C or lower. The freezer compartment 11b stores food and other items by cooling them to below the freezing point. Usually, items containing water are stored in a frozen state in the freezer compartment 11b.

[0015] Below the freezer compartment 11b, the vegetable compartment 11c is arranged. The vegetable compartment 11c is usually kept at a temperature higher than that of the refrigerator compartment 11a and lower than the outside air temperature. The vegetable compartment 11c is a storage compartment kept at a temperature, for example, between 5°C and 10°C, preferably between 6°C and 8°C. The vegetable compartment 11c is a room for cooling and storing food and other stored items within a temperature range higher than the freezing point.

[0016] The refrigerator 1 includes a cooling mechanism 30. The cooling mechanism 30 is a mechanism that supplies cooled air to the storage chamber 11 provided in the refrigerator 1. In detail, the cooling mechanism 30 is a mechanism that cools air and supplies the cooled air to the storage chamber 11.

[0017] The cooling mechanism 30 has a cooler 31, a blower 32, and a flow path 33. The cooler 31 constitutes a refrigeration cycle together with a compressor and a condenser (not shown), and cools air by heat exchange to generate cooled air. The blower 32 blows the cooled air generated by the cooler 31 to each storage chamber 11. The cooled air is supplied to each storage chamber 11 via a flow path 33 connected to the rear side of each storage chamber 11.

[0018] A storage box 40 is arranged in the storage room 11. Specifically, the storage box 40 is arranged in the vegetable room 11c. The storage box 40 is arranged in substantially the entire vegetable room 11c. Items stored in the vegetable room 11c are stored in the storage box 40. The space in the storage box 40 is kept at a higher relative humidity than the vegetable room 11c. For this reason, the storage box 40 is suitable for storing items that are preferably stored in a low-temperature, high-humidity condition. The storage box 40 is suitable for storing, for example, fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables include at least vegetables and fruits. In this way, the storage box 40 is not limited to being a dedicated storage for vegetables.

[0019] Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the storage box 40. Fig. 5 is a schematic enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the storage box 40 includes a bottom wall 40a, a ceiling wall 40b, and side walls 40c. The side walls 40c include a front side wall 40c1, a rear side wall 40c2, a left side wall 40c3, and a right side wall 40c4. The bottom wall 40a, the ceiling wall 40b, and the four side walls 40c form an internal space (storage space) 40A.

[0020] The storage box 40 has a box body 41 and a lid 42. An opening 41a of the box body 41 opens upward. The opening 41a can be opened and closed by the lid 42 arranged on the top of the box body 41. The opening 41a is closed by the lid 42, whereby the internal space 40A is sealed. Here, "sealed" does not only mean that the flow of air in and out of the internal space 40A is completely blocked. "Sealed" includes a state in which the flow of air in and out is suppressed.

[0021] Of the storage box 40, the box body 41 is fixed to the door 24. Meanwhile, the lid 42 is fixed to the main body 21. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the door 24 is opened (in this embodiment, the door 24 is pulled out), the box body 41 is pulled out from inside the main body 21 together with the door 24. This displaces the lid 42 from an upper position of the box body 41. As a result, the opening 41a is opened, and it becomes possible to put in and take out the stored items from the internal space 40A. In this embodiment, the storage box 40 is detachable from the housing 10. Specifically, the box body 41 is detachable from the door 24. The lid 42 is detachable from the main body 21.

[0022] The storage box 40 has an opening 43. The opening 43 is provided so as to be located near the tip of the flow path 33 to which cooling air is supplied from the cooling mechanism 30. The opening 43 connects the inside and outside of the storage box 40. That is, the opening 43 connects the internal space 40A of the storage box 40 to the outside of the storage box 40. Specifically, in this embodiment, the opening 43 is formed in the side wall 40c, more specifically, the rear side wall 40c2. The opening 43 is substantially rectangular in front view. The opening 43 is formed in the lid 42.

[0023] The storage box 40 further includes an opening / closing mechanism 50. The opening / closing mechanism 50 is capable of opening and closing the opening 43. Specifically, the opening / closing mechanism 50 is configured to open and close the opening 43 in response to a change in the relative humidity in the storage box 40 (the relative humidity in the internal space 40A). In particular, the opening / closing mechanism 50 closes the opening 43 when the relative humidity in the storage box 40 (the relative humidity in the internal space 40A) is low, and is configured to increase the opening degree of the opening 43 as the relative humidity in the storage box 40 (the relative humidity in the internal space 40A) increases.

[0024] A specific configuration of the opening / closing mechanism 50 in the first embodiment will be described in detail below, mainly with reference to Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the opening / closing mechanism 50 has a rotating shaft 51, a weight-increasing portion 52, and a weight 53. As shown in Fig. 4, the rotating shaft 51 extends in the left-right direction (width direction). Both ends of the rotating shaft 51 are supported by the lid 42.

[0025] 4 and 5, the weight-increased portion 52 is generally plate-shaped, more specifically, generally rectangular plate-shaped. The weight-increased portion 52 is openable and closable relative to the opening 43. A front end of the weight-increased portion 52 is connected to the rotating shaft 51. As shown in FIG. 5, when the opening / closing mechanism 50 closes the opening 43, the weight-increased portion 52 extends obliquely upward and rearward from the rotating shaft 51.

[0026] The weight 53 is a part that functions as a counterweight for the weight augmentation section 52. The weight 53 is connected to the rotation shaft 51. The direction in which the weight 53 extends from the rotation shaft 51 is different from the direction in which the weight augmentation section 52 extends from the rotation shaft 51. Specifically, the weight 53 extends vertically downward from the rotation shaft 51 when the opening / closing mechanism 50 closes the opening 43. The weight 53 and the weight augmentation section 52 are rotatable about the rotation shaft 51. The opening 43 is opened and closed by the rotation of the weight 53 and the weight augmentation section 52 about the rotation shaft 51.

[0027] The weight-increased portion 52 is configured so that its weight increases with an increase in the relative humidity inside the storage box 40. When the weight of the weight-increased portion 52 increases, the weight balance between the weight-increased portion 52 and the weight 53 changes. This causes the opening / closing mechanism 50 to rotate about the rotation shaft 51. This changes the opening degree of the opening 43. Specifically, the opening degree of the opening 43 increases.

[0028] Specifically, the weight-increased portion 52 has a surface 52a on which condensed water adheres. More specifically, the weight-increased portion 52 is made of a material having a high thermal conductivity. For example, the weight-increased portion 52 is preferably made of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the surface layer of the weight 53 and the box body 41 and the lid 42. For example, the surface layer of the weight 53, the box body 41, and the lid 42 are preferably made of resin (e.g., plastic, etc.), whereas the weight-increased portion 52 is preferably made of metal. As described above, the weight-increased portion 52 is arranged to be able to open and close the opening 43 located near the tip of the flow path 33 to which the cooling air from the cooling mechanism 30 is supplied. Therefore, the weight-increased portion 52 is in a state in which the cooling air from the tip of the flow path 33 is blown onto it, and the temperature of the weight-increased portion 52 is likely to be lower than that of the wall surfaces constituting the storage box 40. For this reason, as shown in Fig. 6, when the relative humidity inside the storage box 40 increases, condensed water 54 adheres to the surface 52a of the weight-increased portion 52 before the surfaces of the weight sinker 53, the box body 41, and the lid 42. As a result, the weight of the weight-increased portion 52 increases. When the weight of the weight-increased portion 52 increases, the opening / closing mechanism 50 rotates about the rotation axis 51, and the opening degree of the opening 43 increases. In the present invention, "the weight of the weight-increased portion increases" includes both a case where the weight increases due to the adhesion of water or the like to the weight-increased portion, and a case where the weight of the weight-increased portion itself increases due to the adsorption of water or the like.

[0029] Next, the operation of the opening / closing mechanism 50 will be described. The storage box 40 having the opening / closing mechanism 50 constitutes a room for storing food and the like while maintaining its freshness. For this reason, the space in the storage box 40 is required to be highly humid. On the other hand, the air cooled by the cooling mechanism 30 is at a low temperature. For this reason, the cooled air supplied from the cooling mechanism 30 has a low moisture content. Therefore, from the viewpoint of maintaining the space in the storage box 40 at a high humidity, it is preferable that the cooled air is not supplied into the storage box 40. Therefore, the opening / closing mechanism 50 is designed so that the opening 43 is closed by the opening / closing mechanism 50 when the relative humidity of the space in the storage box 40 is low and no condensed water is attached to the weight-increasing portion 52. For this reason, the cooled air is not supplied into the storage box 40, and the relative humidity of the space in the storage box 40 is suppressed from decreasing. Therefore, in the refrigerator 1, fruits and vegetables can be stored in the storage box 40 while maintaining their freshness.

[0030] From the viewpoint of suppressing a decrease in the relative humidity of the space within the storage box 40, it is also possible to prevent cooling air from being constantly supplied to the storage box 40. However, if the relative humidity of the space within the storage box 40 becomes too high, condensation may occur within the storage box 40. When condensation occurs, there is a risk that the water generated by the condensation may come into contact with, for example, fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are damaged when they come into contact with water. For this reason, if cooling air with a low temperature and low moisture content is not constantly supplied to the space within the storage box 40, although drying of the fruits and vegetables can be prevented, the fruits and vegetables may be damaged.

[0031] In the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, the opening / closing mechanism 50 opens and closes the opening 43 in response to a change in the relative humidity inside the storage box 40. This makes it possible to suppress, for example, a decrease in the relative humidity of the space inside the storage box 40 while suppressing the occurrence of condensation inside the storage box 40. This makes it possible to prevent fruits and vegetables from drying out while suppressing spoilage of the fruits and vegetables due to contact with water.

[0032] Specifically, the opening / closing mechanism 50 increases the opening degree of the opening 43 as the relative humidity in the storage box 40 increases. Therefore, when the relative humidity in the storage box 40 is low, the opening 43 is closed by the opening / closing mechanism 50. Thus, a decrease in the relative humidity in the storage box 40 is suppressed. For example, when the relative humidity in the storage box 40 increases to a level where condensation occurs due to moisture generated from fruits and vegetables, the opening / closing mechanism 50 rotates and increases the opening degree of the opening 43. Therefore, cold air that is low in temperature and has a low moisture content is supplied from the opening 43 into the storage box 40. As a result, condensation is suppressed in the storage box 40. As the relative humidity in the storage box 40 decreases due to the supply of cold air into the storage box 40, the water attached to the surface 52a of the weight-increased portion 52 evaporates. As shown in FIG. 6, the cold air supplied from the opening 43 flows near the surface 52a of the weight-increased portion 52. Thus, the water attached to the surface 52a of the weight-increased portion 52 can be quickly evaporated. Therefore, the weight of the weight-increasing portion 52 decreases before the relative humidity in the storage box 40 becomes too low. Therefore, the opening / closing mechanism 50 rotates in a direction in which the opening degree of the opening 43 decreases. As a result, the amount of cooling air supplied from the opening 43 decreases. When the opening 43 is closed by the opening / closing mechanism 50, the supply of cooling air from the opening 43 stops. Therefore, the decrease in the relative humidity in the storage box 40 is suppressed. Thus, in this embodiment, the opening / closing mechanism 50 is configured so that the opening degree of the opening 43 increases with an increase in the relative humidity in the storage box 40, while the opening degree of the opening 43 decreases with a decrease in the relative humidity in the storage box 40. The opening / closing mechanism 50 is arranged at a position where condensation is likely to occur in the storage box 40 and where the condensation is likely to evaporate due to the cool air from the opening 43. Therefore, the relative humidity in the storage box 40 can be maintained within a suitable range in which the freshness of fruits and vegetables is not lost and condensation does not occur. Therefore, the freshness of the fruits and vegetables can be more appropriately maintained while more effectively preventing damage to the fruits and vegetables that occurs when they come into contact with water. Also, by configuring the opening 43 to change in accordance with changes in the relative humidity inside the storage box 40, a storage box 40 can be realized that maintains an appropriate humidity level according to the type of item being stored.

[0033] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the opening 43 is opened and closed only by the weight increasing portion 52. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the opening / closing mechanism 50 may be configured so that the opening 43 is opened and closed by the weight increasing portion 52 and the weight 53, for example, substantially the entire opening / closing mechanism 50.

[0034] 7 and 8 show a storage box 40 in a first modified example of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, in the first modified example, the opening / closing mechanism 50 is configured so that the opening 43 is opened and closed by substantially the entire opening / closing mechanism 50. Specifically, the rotation shaft 51 of the opening / closing mechanism 50 is located at the middle position of the opening 43 in the depth direction. In the opening / closing mechanism 50, both the weight-increased portion 52 and the weight-increased portion 53 are located in the area where the opening 43 is provided. In the first modified example, when condensed water adheres to the weight-increased portion 52, the weight of the weight-increased portion 52 increases and the weight-increased portion 52 is displaced downward, the weight-increased portion 53 is displaced upward. As a result, the opening 43 is in an open state. Therefore, for example, in the opening 43, the part closed by the weight-increased portion 52 becomes a supply port for cold air, and the part closed by the weight-increased portion 53 becomes a return port for cold air. Therefore, cool air can be efficiently supplied to the space inside the storage box 40, and the humid air remaining inside the storage box 40 can be quickly discharged from the return port. Therefore, the occurrence of condensation inside the storage box 40 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0035] In the first modified example, the opening / closing mechanism 50 including the weight 53 is housed inside the lid 42. Therefore, the opening / closing mechanism 50 and the box body 41 do not interfere with each other, and the volume of the storage box 40 can be increased.

[0036] As a method for controlling the relative humidity in the storage box, it is possible to provide an electrically controlled opening and closing mechanism. However, in that case, it is necessary to run a power line to the opening and closing mechanism. This makes the configuration of the refrigerator complicated. Also, it is necessary to install a humidity sensor in the storage box, and in that case, it is difficult to remove the storage box from the housing in order to wire the humidity sensor. Therefore, maintenance such as cleaning of the storage box becomes difficult.

[0037] In contrast, the refrigerator 1 is provided with a mechanical opening / closing mechanism 50, and therefore electricity is not necessarily required to control the opening / closing mechanism 50. Therefore, there is no need to lay or fix a power line. This prevents the configuration of the refrigerator 1 from becoming complicated, and the storage box 40 can be easily removed, realizing excellent maintainability of the storage box 40.

[0038] In the refrigerator 1, the opening / closing mechanism 50 is a so-called balance mechanism that opens and closes as the weight balance between the weight-increased part 52 and the weight 53 changes with the adhesion of condensed water. Therefore, a large rotational force is generated by the adhesion of a small amount of water due to the principle of leverage. Therefore, the opening / closing mechanism 50 is driven by the adhesion of a small amount of water. Therefore, the surface 52a of the weight-increased part 52 can be made small. Therefore, the area of ​​the weight-increased part 52 can be made small, and as a result, the opening / closing mechanism 50 can be made compact.

[0039] The opening / closing mechanism 50 is not limited to the balance mechanism. For example, the opening / closing mechanism may be a mechanism having a spring instead of the weight 53. In this case, the opening / closing mechanism may be configured so that the increased weight of the weight-increasing portion 52 resists the elastic force of the spring to increase the opening degree of the opening 43.

[0040] In the case of the opening / closing mechanism 50 employing a balance mechanism, the inertial force of the opening / closing mechanism 50 itself can suppress rotation of the opening / closing mechanism 50 due to, for example, vibration components acting on the opening / closing mechanism 50. Therefore, for example, malfunction of the opening / closing mechanism 50 due to high frequency components caused by the pump of the refrigerator 1 can be suppressed.

[0041] 9, at least one unevenness 52a1 is formed on the surface 52a of the weight-increasing portion 52. Specifically, a plurality of unevennesses 52a1 are provided on the surface 52a. Each of the plurality of unevennesses 52a1 is formed of a linear protrusion extending substantially parallel to the rotation shaft 51. Each of the plurality of unevennesses 52a1 is provided from one end to the other end of the surface 52a in the extension direction of the rotation shaft 51.

[0042] In this manner, in refrigerator 1, unevenness 52a1 is provided on surface 52a. Unevenness 52a1 functions as a stopper for water adhering to surface 52a. Therefore, water adhering to surface 52a is suitably held on surface 52a. Water adhering to surface 52a is inhibited from dropping off from surface 52a. Therefore, the weight of weight-increased portion 52 is likely to increase with condensation.

[0043] The means for preventing the water adhering to the surface 52a from falling off is not limited to the unevenness 52a1. For example, the surface 52a may be a rough surface such as a blasted surface. For example, the surface 52a may be provided with a porous body having continuous bubbles.

[0044] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described. In the following description, members having substantially the same functions as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0045] Second embodiment Fig. 10 is a schematic enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a part of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 10, the refrigerator according to the second embodiment differs from the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment only in the configuration of the weight increased section 52. Therefore, in the second embodiment, only the configuration of the weight increased section 52 will be described, and other descriptions will be taken from the first embodiment.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 10, the weight-increasing portion 52 has a moisture absorbent 52b located in the internal space 40A. The moisture absorbent 52b is a member that absorbs water vapor in the internal space 40A. The amount of water vapor absorbed by the moisture absorbent 52b increases as the relative humidity in the storage box 40 increases. Therefore, the weight of the moisture absorbent 52b increases as the relative humidity in the storage box 40 increases. Therefore, by providing the moisture absorbent 52b as in this embodiment, it is possible to configure the weight-increasing portion 52 whose weight increases with an increase in the relative humidity in the storage box 40.

[0047] The moisture absorbent 52b may be made of a material that absorbs water by at least one of physical and chemical adsorption, such as silica gel, zeolite, and molecular sieves.

[0048] When the moisture absorbent 52b is used, the weight of the weight increasing portion 52 can be increased even under conditions where the space inside the storage box 40 does not condense. Therefore, the opening and closing mechanism 50 operates even under conditions where the space inside the storage box 40 does not condense. Therefore, this is suitable for cases where it is desired to operate the opening and closing mechanism 50 under relative humidity conditions that are not related to the condensation conditions inside the storage box 40, for example.

[0049] Moreover, the weight-increasing portion 52 may have a surface 52a to which condensed water adheres, and may also have a moisture absorbent 52b.

[0050] Third embodiment Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view of an enlarged portion of the refrigerator according to the third embodiment. Figs. 12 and 13 are schematic plan views for explaining the weight-increased portion 52 of the third embodiment. Fig. 12 shows a state in which the weight-increased portion 52 opens the opening 43. Fig. 13 shows a state in which the weight-increased portion 52 closes the opening 43.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, in this embodiment, the opening 43 includes a first opening 43a and a second opening 43b. That is, the first opening 43a and the second opening 43b are formed in the lid 42. The first opening 43a and the second opening 43b are formed in a substantially horizontal position. The first opening 43a and the second opening 43b are formed at an interval from each other in the width direction. The first opening 43a is provided near the tip of the flow path 33 to which the cooling air from the cooling mechanism 30 is supplied.

[0052] The opening / closing mechanism 50 has a shaft 55, a weight-increasing portion 52, and a weight 53. The shaft 55 is attached to the box body 41 so as to be rotatable about a central axis A1 located between the first opening 43a and the second opening 43b. The shaft 55 is substantially linear. The weight-increasing portion 52 is connected to one end of the shaft 55, while the weight 53 is connected to the other end. The weight 53 is set to a weight such that the weight-increasing portion 52 and the weight 53 are substantially balanced when the weight of the weight-increasing portion 52 is not increased. The opening / closing mechanism 50 is configured such that, when the shaft 55 is in a horizontal state, the weight-increasing portion 52 closes the first opening 43a, and the weight 53 closes the second opening 43b. In this state, the weight 53 abuts against a first stopper 56a provided below the weight 53. This positions the weight 53. The first stopper 56a restricts the opening / closing mechanism 50 from rotating further clockwise.

[0053] In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the weight-increased portion 52 is made of a material having a high thermal conductivity. The weight-increased portion 52 may have a storage portion for storing condensation water below it. The weight-increased portion 52 may also have a moisture absorbent material as in the second embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the weight 53 is preferably made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the weight-increased portion 52.

[0054] When the relative humidity in the storage box 40 increases and the weight of the weight-increased portion 52 increases, the weight-increased portion 52 moves downward and the weight 53 moves upward. As a result, the first opening 43a and the second opening 43b are opened as shown in FIG. 13. In this state, the weight 53 abuts against a second stopper 56b provided on the upper side of the weight 53. This positions the weight 53. The second stopper 56b restricts the opening / closing mechanism 50 from rotating further counterclockwise.

[0055] Thereafter, when the relative humidity in the storage box 40 decreases and the weight of the weight-increased portion 52 decreases, the weight-increased portion 52 moves upward and the weight 53 moves downward. As a result, the first opening 43a is closed by the weight-increased portion 52 and the second opening 43b is closed by the weight 53.

[0056] In this embodiment, the opening / closing mechanism 50 increases the opening degree of the opening 43 as the relative humidity in the storage box 40 increases. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent damage to the fruits and vegetables while maintaining the freshness of the fruits and vegetables.

[0057] The opening / closing mechanism 50 may be provided with a biasing mechanism such as a spring.

[0058] (Fourth embodiment) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a weight increasing section 52 whose weight changes in response to a change in the relative humidity inside the storage box 40 is provided, and an opening / closing mechanism 50 is provided that drives the weight increasing section 52 using a change in potential energy of the weight increasing section 52 as a driving force. However, the opening / closing mechanism 50 is not particularly limited as long as it can open and close the opening 43 in response to a change in the relative humidity inside the storage box 40.

[0059] For example, an opening / closing mechanism 50 may be provided that uses the deformation of the expansive material that expands with an increase in the relative humidity in the storage box 40 as a driving force. Specifically, for example, an opening / closing plate for opening and closing the opening 43 may be connected to the expansive material, and the opening / closing plate may be displaced with the expansion and contraction of the expansive material. Even in this case, the opening 43 is opened and closed according to the change in the relative humidity in the storage box 40, so that the same effect as in the above embodiment is achieved.

[0060] (Modification) In the above embodiment, an example in which the storage box 40 is arranged in the vegetable compartment 11c has been described. However, in the present invention, the storage compartment in which the storage box is arranged is not particularly limited. For example, the storage box 40 may be arranged in a refrigerator compartment. In this case, the storage box 40 may be configured to have temperature and humidity conditions that are favorable for storing fruits and vegetables, or may be a box for storing food and other stored items in a so-called chilled state.

[0061] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the storage box 40 is opened and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the storage box 40 may have a door that is not linked to the door that opens and closes the storage chamber.

[0062] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the storage box 40 is placed inside the storage compartment 11 of the refrigerator 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The storage box 40 may be, for example, a box that can be placed outside the refrigerator. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1. Refrigerator 10. Chassis 11 Storage Room 40 Storage Box 41 Box body 42 Lid 43 Opening 43a 1st opening 43b 2nd opening 50 Opening and closing mechanism 52 Weight Increase Section 52b Moisture absorbent 53 Weight

Claims

1. A housing in which a storage chamber is formed; A storage box disposed within the storage chamber; a cooling mechanism for supplying cooled air to the storage chamber; Equipped with The storage box includes: A first opening through which cooled air is supplied from the cooling mechanism, and a second opening through which the cooled air is returned to the outside of the storage box; an opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes at least one of the first opening and the second opening in response to a change in humidity in the storage box; having The opening / closing mechanism includes a detection unit whose physical quantity changes depending on the humidity in the storage box, and an opening / closing unit that is displaced by the change in the physical quantity of the detection unit to open and close the opening, the detection unit is disposed in a flow passage of cooling air that flows from the first opening through the inside of the storage box to the second opening when the opening / closing unit opens the opening, the detection unit is disposed between the first opening and the second opening and along a surface of the opening / closing unit when the opening is opened, The physical quantity is weight or volume.

2. The storage box has a box body and a lid, the first opening, the second opening, and the opening / closing mechanism are provided in the lid, The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the detection unit is disposed opposite to a top surface of the lid.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening / closing mechanism has the detection unit disposed on an upper surface of the opening / closing part.

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