Refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that can improve sterilization performance in a storage chamber without degrading illumination performance in the storage chamber.SOLUTION: A refrigerator comprises: a storage chamber; a visible light source for irradiating the storage chamber with first light; a light irradiation light source for irradiating the inside of the storage chamber with second light having the effect of reducing viruses or bacteria; a board comprising the visible light source and the light irradiation light source, and provided on a wall surface part of the storage chamber; and a diffusion part provided in front of the visible light source and the light irradiation light source, and for diffusing at least one of the first light and the second light. The light irradiation light source is arranged at a center in a left-right direction of the storage chamber. The visible light source is arranged at a position shifted to at least one of both sides in the left-right direction and both sides in an up-down direction with respect to the light irradiation light source.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator.

Background Art

[0002] Refrigerators have been proposed that have an ultraviolet light source on the back side inside a chilled compartment or the like and irradiate ultraviolet light from the back side toward the front to sterilize the inside of the compartment. In such a refrigerator, a visible light source is arranged near the ultraviolet light source, and when the user opens the door, the inside of the compartment is irradiated with the visible light source, and when the door is closed, the inside of the compartment is sterilized with the ultraviolet light source. In this case, there is a demand for a refrigerator that can uniformly sterilize the entire interior while maintaining the lighting function inside the compartment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can improve the sterilization performance inside the storage compartment without degrading the lighting performance inside the storage compartment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The refrigerator according to the embodiment includes a storage compartment, a visible light source that irradiates the storage compartment with first light, a light irradiation source that irradiates the storage compartment with second light having an effect of suppressing viruses or bacteria, a substrate provided on a wall surface portion of the storage compartment, a diffusion portion provided in front of the visible light source and the light irradiation source and diffusing at least one of the first light and the second light, and a substrate storage portion that houses the substrate. The light irradiation source is It includes an upper-side light irradiation light source and a lower-side light irradiation light source provided below the upper-side light irradiation light source. It is disposed at the center in the left-right direction of the storage chamber, on the front side of the substrate storage section, and includes a light transmission section facing the visible light source and the light irradiation source, and a frame section located at least above the light transmission section and having a lower light transmission ability than the light transmission section. The visible light source is located at a position biased toward the frame section in the vertical direction and at the Upper side light irradiation source Close to position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 5

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Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

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Figure 14

Figure 15

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, the refrigerator of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to configurations having the same or similar functions. And the overlapping descriptions of those configurations may be omitted.

[0008] In this specification, the left and right are defined based on the direction in which the refrigerator is viewed from the user standing in front of the refrigerator. Also, the side closer to the user standing in front of the refrigerator as viewed from the refrigerator is defined as "front", and the side farther away is defined as "rear". In this specification, the "width direction" means the left-right direction in the above definition. In this specification, the "depth direction" means the front-rear direction in the above definition. In this specification, the "width direction" means the left-right direction in the above definition. In this specification, the "vertical direction" means the height direction of the refrigerator.

[0009] In this specification, "sterilization" is a term for convenience of explanation and is used as a broad term meaning the suppression of viruses or bacteria (for example, the reduction or inactivation of the infectivity of viruses, the suppression of the growth of bacteria). That is, in this specification, "sterilization" is not limited to removing (reducing) bacteria, but also means suppressing the increase of bacteria and / or suppressing the spread of viruses and the like other than bacteria. "Suppressing the spread of viruses and the like" is not limited to suppressing the spread of viruses inside the refrigerator, but may also apply to the case where the infectivity of the virus is weakened and the spread of the virus after it comes out of the refrigerator is suppressed.

[0010] (First Embodiment) [Overall Configuration of Refrigerator] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the refrigerator 1 of the embodiment will be described. First, the overall configuration of the refrigerator 1 will be described. However, the refrigerator 1 does not necessarily have all the configurations described below, and some configurations may be appropriately omitted.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator 1 includes, for example, a housing 10 and a plurality of doors 20.

[0012] The housing 10 has an upper wall 10a, a lower wall 10b, left and right side walls 10c, 10d, and a rear wall 10e (see Fig. 2). The upper wall 10a and the lower wall 10b extend in the horizontal direction. The left and right side walls 10c, 10d stand up upward from the left and right ends of the lower wall 10b and are connected to the left and right ends of the upper wall 10a. The left side wall 10c includes a left side wall portion S1 that is exposed to a vegetable chamber 11B described later and forms the left side surface of the vegetable chamber 11B. The right side wall 10d includes a right side wall portion S2 that is exposed to the vegetable chamber 11B and forms the right side surface of the vegetable chamber 11B. The rear wall 10e stands up upward from the rear end of the lower wall 10b and is connected to the rear end of the upper wall 10a. The housing 10 includes an inner box 10i that forms the inner surface of the housing 10, an outer box 10j that is located outside the inner box 10i and forms the outer surface of the housing 10, and a foamed heat insulating material 10k such as urethane foam provided between the inner box 10i and the outer box 10j (see Fig. 2), and has heat insulating properties.

[0013] Inside the housing 10, a plurality of storage chambers 11 are provided. The plurality of storage chambers 11 include, for example, a refrigerating chamber 11A, a chilled chamber 11Aa, a vegetable chamber 11B, an ice making chamber 11C, a small freezing chamber 11D, and a main freezing chamber 11E. The refrigerating chamber 11A is cooled to a refrigerating temperature range of, for example, about 2°C to 6°C. The chilled chamber 11Aa is cooled to a chilled temperature range of, for example, about -1°C to +1°C. The vegetable chamber 11B is cooled to a vegetable chamber temperature range of, for example, about 3°C to 7°C. The ice making chamber 11C, the small freezing chamber 11D, and the main freezing chamber 11E are cooled to a freezing temperature range of, for example, about -20°C to -18°C.

[0014] In this embodiment, the refrigerating chamber 11A is arranged at the uppermost part, the vegetable chamber 11B is arranged below the refrigerating chamber 11A, the ice making chamber 11C and the small freezing chamber 11D are arranged below the vegetable chamber 11B, and the main freezing chamber 11E is arranged below the ice making chamber 11C and the small freezing chamber 11D. However, the arrangement of the storage chambers 11 is not limited to the above example. The housing 10 has an opening on the front side of each storage chamber 11 that enables the entry and exit of foodstuffs with respect to each storage chamber 11. The vegetable chamber 11B is an example of a storage chamber.

[0015] The chill compartment 11Aa is provided in a part of the lower portion of the refrigerator compartment 11A. The chill compartment 11Aa is an example of a "special storage compartment". As used herein, the "special storage compartment" is a storage compartment having a temperature range lower than that of the refrigerator compartment and higher than that of the freezer compartment. The "special storage compartment" is not limited to the chill compartment 11Aa, and may be a partial compartment cooled to a partial temperature range (about -4°C to -2°C), for example. Therefore, the "chill compartment 11Aa" in the following description may be read as a "special storage compartment" or a "partial compartment".

[0016] The housing 10 has first and second partition portions 15, 16 (see FIG. 2). The first and second partition portions 15, 16 are partition walls extending substantially in the horizontal direction, for example. The first partition portion 15 is located between the refrigerator compartment 11A and the chill compartment 11Aa and the vegetable compartment 11B, and partitions between the refrigerator compartment 11A and the chill compartment 11Aa and the vegetable compartment 11B. For example, the first partition portion 15 is a partition wall having no heat insulation property. The first partition portion 15 may be provided integrally with the housing 10, or may be provided separately from the housing 10 and attached inside the housing 10. The first partition portion 15 has ventilation holes for guiding cold air that has passed through the refrigerator compartment 11A or the chill compartment 11Aa to the vegetable compartment 11B. On the other hand, the second partition portion 16 is located between the vegetable compartment 11B and the ice making compartment 11C and the small freezer compartment 11D, and partitions between the vegetable compartment 11B and the ice making compartment 11C and the small freezer compartment 11D. The second partition portion 16 is provided integrally with the housing 10, for example, and has heat insulation property.

[0017] The plurality of storage compartments 11 are closable in an openable manner by a plurality of doors 20. The plurality of doors 20 include, for example, left and right refrigerator compartment doors 20Aa, 20Ab that close the opening of the refrigerator compartment 11A, a vegetable compartment door 20B that closes the opening of the vegetable compartment 11B, an ice making compartment door 20C that closes the opening of the ice making compartment 11C, a small freezer compartment door 20D that closes the opening of the small freezer compartment 11D, and a main freezer compartment door 20E that closes the opening of the main freezer compartment 11E. The left and right refrigerator compartment doors 20Aa, 20Ab constitute, for example, French doors (butterfly doors). Each of the vegetable compartment door 20B, the ice making compartment door 20C, the small freezer compartment door 20D, and the main freezer compartment door 20E is a pull-out door that can be pulled out to the front side of the refrigerator 1.

[0018] Here, the vegetable compartment door 20B will be described in detail. The vegetable compartment door 20B includes, for example, a door body 21 and a rail member 22. The door body 21 is located outside the housing 10 and faces the opening of the vegetable compartment 11B from the front side of the refrigerator 1. The door body 21 has an outer shape larger than the opening of the vegetable compartment 11B and can open and close the opening of the vegetable compartment 11B. At the upper end of the door body 21, a handle is provided for the user to hold when opening the vegetable compartment door 20B. The rail member 22 is attached to the inner surface (rear surface) of the door body 21 and extends rearward from the door body 21. The rail member 22 is supported by rail receiving portions provided on the left side wall portion S1 and the right side wall portion S2 of the housing 10. Thereby, the vegetable compartment door 20B can slide in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1 with respect to the housing 10.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F2-F2 of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1. The refrigerator 1 includes, for example, a plurality of shelves 30, a plurality of containers 40, a flow path forming component 50, a cooling unit 60, a sterilization unit 70 (70A, 70B), and a control device 80. The plurality of shelves 30 are arranged in the refrigerating compartment 11A.

[0020] The plurality of containers 40 include a first and a second chilled compartment container 41, 42 housed in the chilled compartment 11Aa, a first and a second vegetable compartment container 43, 44 housed in the vegetable compartment 11B, an ice making compartment container (not shown) housed in the ice making compartment 11C, a small freezer compartment container 46 housed in the small freezer compartment 11D, and a first and a second main freezer compartment container 47, 48 housed in the main freezer compartment 11E.

[0021] Here, first, the first and second chilled compartment containers 41, 42 will be described. The first chilled compartment container 41 is the container located on the lower side among the two-stage chilled compartment containers 41, 42. The second chilled compartment container 42 is the container located on the upper side among the two-stage chilled compartment containers 41, 42. The second chilled compartment container 42 is located above the first chilled compartment container 41. The first and second chilled compartment containers 41, 42 can each be independently pulled forward. Note that only one chilled compartment container may be arranged in the chilled compartment 11Aa.

[0022] Next, the first and second vegetable compartment containers 43 and 44 will be described. The first vegetable compartment container 43 is the container located on the lower side among the two-stage vegetable compartment containers 43 and 44. The first vegetable compartment container 43 is supported by the vegetable compartment door 20B and can be pulled out to the front side of the refrigerator 1 integrally with the vegetable compartment door 20B. The front end portion 43a of the first vegetable compartment container 43 is located near the door main body 21 of the vegetable compartment door 20B. A partition 43p is provided inside the first vegetable compartment container 43. A storage area CR capable of standing and storing a plastic bottle is formed between the front end portion 43a of the first vegetable compartment container 43 and the partition 43p. The storage area CR is a storage area adjacent to the front end portion 43a of the first vegetable compartment container 43 inside the first vegetable compartment container 43. On the other hand, the rear end portion 43b of the first vegetable compartment container 43 is located near the rear wall 10e of the housing 10 when the first vegetable compartment container 43 is housed in the vegetable compartment 11B.

[0023] The second vegetable compartment container 44 is the container located on the upper side among the two-stage vegetable compartment containers 43 and 44. The second vegetable compartment container 44 is disposed above the first vegetable compartment container 43. The dimension of the second vegetable compartment container 44 in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1 is smaller than the dimension of the first vegetable compartment container 43 in the same direction. The front end portion 44a of the second vegetable compartment container 44 is located directly above the partition 43p of the first vegetable compartment container 43 or on the rear side of the partition 43p. That is, the front end portion 44a of the second vegetable compartment container 44 is located on the rear side compared to the front end portion 43a of the first vegetable compartment container 43. A handle H for the user to grip when pulling out the second vegetable compartment container 44 to the front side is provided at the front end portion 44a of the second vegetable compartment container 44. The rear end portion 44b (see FIG. 4) of the second vegetable compartment container 44 is located on the front side compared to the rear end portion 43b of the first vegetable compartment container 43.

[0024] The flow path forming component 50 includes a refrigerating duct component 51 and a freezing duct component 52. The refrigerating duct component 51 is provided inside the housing 10 and extends vertically along the rear wall 10e. The refrigerating duct component 51 forms a duct space D1, which is a passage through which cold air (air) flows, near the rear wall 10e of the housing 10. In this specification, the "duct component" is not limited to a cylindrical component, and may include a component that defines at least a part of the cold air passage in cooperation with other components (for example, the rear wall 10e of the housing 10). For example, the refrigerating duct component 51 of the present embodiment is a cover attached to the rear wall 10e of the housing 10 and forms a duct space D1 between the refrigerating duct component 51 and the rear wall 10e of the housing 10.

[0025] The refrigerating duct component 51 has cold air outlets 51a, 51b and cold air inlets 51c, 51d. The cold air outlet 51a opens into the refrigerating compartment 11A and supplies the cold air cooled by the refrigerating cooler 62 described later to the refrigerating compartment 11A. The cold air outlet 51b opens into the chiller compartment 11Aa and supplies the cold air cooled by the refrigerating cooler 62 described later to the chiller compartment 11Aa. The cold air inlet 51c opens into the chiller compartment 11Aa and guides the cold air heated by passing through the chiller compartment 11Aa toward the duct space D1. The cold air inlet 51d opens into the vegetable compartment 11B and guides the cold air heated by passing through the refrigerating compartment 11A, the vegetable compartment 11B, etc. to the duct space D1. The refrigerating duct component 51 will be described in detail later.

[0026] The freezing duct component 52 is provided inside the housing 10 and extends vertically along the rear wall 10e. The freezing duct component 52 forms a duct space D2, which is a passage through which cold air (air) flows, near the rear wall 10e of the housing 10. The freezing duct component 52 has a cold air outlet 52a and a cold air inlet 52b. The cold air outlet 52a opens into the ice making compartment 11C, the small freezing compartment 11D, or the main freezing compartment 11E and supplies the cold air cooled by the freezing cooler 64 described later to the ice making compartment 11C, the small freezing compartment 11D, or the main freezing compartment 11E. The cold air inlet 52b opens at the lower part of the main freezing compartment 11E and guides the cold air heated by passing through one or more of the ice making compartment 11C, the small freezing compartment 11D, and the main freezing compartment 11E to the duct space D2.

[0027] The cooling unit 60 includes, for example, a compressor 61, a refrigerating cooler 62, a refrigerating chamber fan 63, a freezing cooler 64, and a freezing chamber fan 65. The refrigerating cooler 62 and the refrigerating chamber fan 63 are disposed in the duct space D1. The refrigerating cooler 62 is supplied with the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 61 and cools the cold air flowing through the duct space D1. When the refrigerating chamber fan 63 is driven, the cold air cooled by the refrigerating cooler 62 is supplied from the cold air outlets 51a and 51b to the refrigerating chamber 11A and the chilled chamber 11Aa. A part of the cold air that has passed through the refrigerating chamber 11A or the chilled chamber 11Aa flows into the vegetable chamber 11B. Then, the cold air heated in one or more of the refrigerating chamber 11A, the chilled chamber 11Aa, and the vegetable chamber 11B returns to the duct space D1 from the cold air return ports 51c and 51d.

[0028] The freezing cooler 64 and the freezing chamber fan 65 are disposed in the duct space D2. The freezing cooler 64 is supplied with the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 61 and cools the cold air flowing through the duct space D2. When the freezing chamber fan 65 is driven, the cold air cooled by the freezing cooler 64 is supplied from the cold air outlet 52a to the freezing chamber (the ice-making chamber 11C, the small freezing chamber 11D, and the main freezing chamber 11E), and the air heated in the freezing chamber returns to the duct space D2 from the cold air return port 52b.

[0029] The sterilization units 70 (70A, 70B) are provided in the housing 10. In the present embodiment, the first sterilization unit 70A is disposed behind the vegetable chamber 11B and irradiates ultraviolet light S (second light) and visible light K (first light) inside the vegetable chamber 11B. The second sterilization unit 70B is disposed behind the chilled chamber 11Aa and irradiates ultraviolet light S and visible light K inside the chilled chamber 11Aa. The first sterilization unit 70A and the second sterilization unit 70B will be described in detail later.

[0030] The control device 80 includes a circuit board and electronic components mounted on the circuit board. The control device 80 comprehensively controls the entire refrigerator 1. For example, the control device 80 controls the operations of the compressor 61, the refrigerator compartment fan 63, and the freezer compartment fan 65 described above. Further, the control device 80 controls the irradiation of ultraviolet rays S by the sterilization units 70A and 70B. In the present embodiment, the control device 80 controls the sterilization units 70A and 70B based on the detection results of a door switch that detects the open / closed states of the vegetable compartment door 20B and the door of the chilled compartment 11Aa. For example, when it is detected that the vegetable compartment door 20B or the door of the chilled compartment 11Aa is opened, the control device 80 stops the irradiation of ultraviolet rays S by the sterilization units 70A and 70B. On the other hand, when it is detected that the vegetable compartment door 20B or the door of the chilled compartment 11Aa is closed, the control device 80 resumes the irradiation of ultraviolet rays S by the sterilization unit 70.

[0031] [Details of the Chilled Compartment and Vegetable Compartment] Next, the structures of the refrigerator compartment 11A, the chilled compartment 11Aa, and the vegetable compartment 11B will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a view taken along the F3-F3 line of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 2, and is a view of the refrigerator 1 seen from the front. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the region surrounded by the F5 line of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 2. The arrows in the figure indicate the flow of air (cool air).

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the refrigerator 1 is provided with a first partition portion 15 that partitions between the refrigerator compartment 11A and the chilled compartment 11Aa and the vegetable compartment 11B. The first partition portion 15 is formed in a relatively thin plate shape. The first partition portion 15 forms the bottom wall of the refrigerator compartment 11A and the chilled compartment 11Aa and also forms the ceiling of the vegetable compartment 11B. The first partition portion 15 includes a first portion 15a, a second portion 15b, and a third portion 15c from the front. Each of the first to third portions 15a, 15b, and 15c is provided so as to extend across the entire width of the vegetable compartment 11B in the width direction of the refrigerator 1.

[0033] The first part 15a is located below the first chilled chamber container 41, forms a part of the bottom wall of the chilled chamber 11Aa, and extends forward of the first chilled chamber container 41. As shown in FIG. 2, the first part 15a is a wall portion whose front side extends substantially horizontally, and the rear side is a wall portion that extends horizontally rearward from the rear end of the horizontal direction of the front side via an inclined portion that is located downward as it proceeds rearward. That is, the first part 15a is provided at a lower height position compared to the front side and the second part 15b described later.

[0034] The second part 15b is adjacent to the rear end of the first part 15a. The second part 15b is located below the first chilled chamber container 41 and forms a part of the bottom wall of the chilled chamber 11Aa. The second part 15b is an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The second part 15b is inclined so as to be located upward as it proceeds rearward from the rear end of the first part 15a (that is, it is inclined upward to the rear).

[0035] The third part 15c is adjacent to the rear end of the second part 15b. The third part 15c is located below the first chilled chamber container 41 and forms a part of the bottom wall of the chilled chamber 11Aa. The third part 15c is a wall portion including a portion that extends horizontally from the rear end of the second part 15b. The third part 15c forms the rear end portion of the first partition portion 15. In the present embodiment, the third part 15c (that is, the rear end portion of the first partition portion 15) is located forward of the rear end portion 44b of the second vegetable chamber container 44.

[0036] Next, the refrigeration duct component 51 (hereinafter simply referred to as "duct component 51") will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The duct component 51 has, for example, a first front wall portion 91, an overhanging portion 92, a second front wall portion 93, a left side wall portion 94 (see FIG. 3), a right side wall portion 95 (see FIG. 3), and a bottom wall 96.

[0037] The first front wall portion 91 is a wall portion facing the front side of the refrigerator 1. The first front wall portion 91 is exposed to the chilled chamber 11Aa and forms a part of the rear wall portion of the chilled chamber 11Aa. A plurality of cold air outlets 51b are provided in the first front wall portion 91. The cold air outlets 51b are arranged, for example, at a position higher than the upper side of the second chilled chamber container 42.

[0038] The overhanging portion 92 projects forward from the lower end of the first front wall portion 91. The overhanging portion 92 is provided over most of the entire width of the duct component 51 in the width direction of the refrigerator 1. The overhanging portion 92 is provided corresponding to the height position between the chilled chamber 11Aa and the vegetable chamber 11B. In the present embodiment, the overhanging portion 92 is connected to the third portion 15c of the first partition portion 15. Thereby, the overhanging portion 92 functions as a partition wall that partitions between the chilled chamber 11Aa and the vegetable chamber 11B in cooperation with the first partition portion 15. In the present embodiment, the third portion 15c of the first partition portion 15 is placed on the tip portion 92e of the overhanging portion 92. Thereby, the overhanging portion 92 supports the third portion 15c of the first partition portion 15 from below.

[0039] In the present embodiment, the overhanging portion 92 is inclined such that the height position becomes lower as it advances forward from the lower end of the first front wall portion 91 (that is, it is inclined downward to the front). A plurality of cold air return ports 51c (ports for the cold air to return from the chilled chamber 11Aa) are provided in the overhanging portion 92. The plurality of cold air return ports 51c are arranged side by side in the width direction of the refrigerator 1. Each of the plurality of cold air return ports 51c has an elongated hole shape along the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1. A ventilation hole 41h is provided at the rear end portion of the first chilled chamber container 41 located above the overhanging portion 92 to direct the cold air flowing inside the first chilled chamber container 41 toward the cold air return port 51c of the overhanging portion 92.

[0040] The second front wall portion 93 is provided below the overhanging portion 92. The second front wall portion 93 is a wall portion facing the front side of the refrigerator 1 and forms at least a part of the front surface of the duct component 51. The second front wall portion 93 is exposed to the vegetable compartment 11B and forms a part of the rear wall portion of the vegetable compartment 11B. The second front wall portion 93 extends downward from the middle portion 92m of the overhanging portion 92 in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1. The middle portion 92m is a portion of the overhanging portion 92 adjacent to the front end of the cold air return port 51c. The second front wall portion 93 will be described in detail later in conjunction with the description of the sterilization unit 70.

[0041] The left side wall portion 94 extends rearward from the left end of the first front wall portion 91 and the left end of the second front wall portion 93. On the other hand, the right side wall portion 95 extends rearward from the right end of the first front wall portion 91 and the right end of the second front wall portion 93. The left side wall portion 94 and the right side wall portion 95 block the left and right sides of the duct space D1. The lower wall 96 extends rearward from the lower end of the second front wall portion 93. The lower wall 96 blocks the lower part of the duct space D1. In the present embodiment, a plurality of cold air return ports 51d (cold air return ports from the vegetable compartment 11B) are provided in the lower wall 96.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, a heat insulating member 55 is provided inside the duct component 51. The heat insulating member 55 is, for example, a foamed heat insulating material such as bead method polystyrene foam (EPS: Expanded Poly-Styrene) and has high heat insulating properties. The heat insulating member 55 is a heat insulating member having better heat insulating properties per unit thickness than the duct component 51.

[0043] The heat insulating member 55 is provided along the inner surface (rear surface) of the first front wall portion 91. The heat insulating member 55 is located between the first front wall portion 91 and the duct space D1 inside the duct component 51 and defines a part of the front surface of the duct space D1. In other words, the heat insulating member 55 is located between the first front wall portion 91 and the refrigerating cooler 62. The heat insulating member 55 extends downward from the first front wall portion 91 along the front surface of the refrigerating cooler 62.

[0044] In this embodiment, the heat insulation member 55 is located between the overhanging portion 92 and the refrigerator cooler 62, and between at least a part of the second front wall portion 93 and the refrigerator cooler 62. The second front wall portion 93 is located away from the heat insulation member 55. A cold air passage A1 is formed between the second front wall portion 93 and the heat insulation member 55, through which air (cold air) flowing from the chilled chamber 11Aa into the cold air return port 51c flows downward.

[0045] The air flowing into the interior of the duct component 51 from the cold air return port 51c passes through the cold air passage A1 between the second front wall portion 93 and the heat insulation member 55, and is guided to a space A2 (hereinafter referred to as "confluence space A2" for convenience of explanation) located behind the vegetable chamber 11B and below the refrigerator cooler 62. The air flowing into the confluence space A2 from the cold air return port 51c merges with the air flowing into the confluence space A2 from the vegetable chamber 11B through the cold air return port 51d, and then flows from the confluence space A2 toward the refrigerator cooler 62.

[0046] [Sterilization Unit] [Configuration of the First Sterilization Unit] Next, the configuration of the sterilization unit 70 (70A, 70B) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. The sterilization unit 70 includes a first sterilization unit 70A disposed in the vegetable chamber 11B and a second sterilization unit 70B disposed in the chilled chamber 11Aa. Each of the sterilization units 70A and 70B includes a visible light source having a lighting function and a light irradiation source having a sterilization function. First, the first sterilization unit 70A disposed in the vegetable chamber 11B will be specifically described. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the region surrounded by the F6 line of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 4.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the first sterilization unit 70A is provided inside the duct component 51 (for example, a space surrounded from three directions by the second front wall portion 93, the left side wall portion 94, and the right side wall portion 95). The first sterilization unit 70A is exposed to the cold air passage A1 inside the duct component 51 and is exposed to the cold air (so-called return cold air) that travels from the cold air return port 51c through the merging space A2 toward the refrigeration cooler 62. That is, the cold air passage A1 is formed between the first sterilization unit 70A and the heat insulating member 55. In the present embodiment, the first sterilization unit 70A includes a light irradiation unit 71, a case 72, and a sealing member 73.

[0048] [Configuration of the light irradiation unit] FIG. 6 is a front view showing the configuration of the light irradiation unit 71 of the first sterilization unit 70A. The light irradiation unit 71 includes a circuit board 101, an ultraviolet LED 102, and a visible light LED 103. The circuit board 101 is arranged in parallel with the inner surface (rear surface) of the second front wall portion 93. The circuit board 101 has a first surface 101a facing the second front wall portion 93 and a second surface 101b located on the side opposite to the first surface 101a. The ultraviolet LED 102 and the visible light LED 103 are mounted on the first surface 101a of the circuit board 101 and irradiate ultraviolet light S and visible light K toward the front of the refrigerator 1, respectively.

[0049] The circuit board 101 is a rectangular plate-shaped substrate (printed circuit board) in which wiring (not shown) is formed on a base material made of an electrically insulating material. The ultraviolet LED 102 and the visible light LED 103 are mounted on the circuit board 101, and electronic components such as a connector 110 and a plurality of resistor elements 116 are also mounted thereon. A circuit (control circuit) is formed by the wiring and the electronic components.

[0050] Connector 110 is connected to a cable (not shown) from the control device 80 and electrically relays between the control device 80 and the circuits on the circuit board 101. Connector 110 is provided at the lower left corner of the circuit board 101. The plurality of resistance elements 116 are circuit elements connected to the ultraviolet LED 102 and the visible light LED 103. The plurality (here, three) of resistance elements 116 are provided at a position near the right edge of the circuit board 101. And the ultraviolet LED 102 and the visible light LED 103 are provided at positions between the connector 110 and the plurality of resistance elements 116. In the first sterilization unit 70A, one visible light LED 103 is arranged at the center in the left - right direction, and ultraviolet LEDs 102 are arranged on both the left and right sides of this visible light LED 103.

[0051] Here, in FIG. 6, the center line in the left - right direction of the circuit board 101 is represented as C1, the center line in the up - down direction is represented as C2, and the intersection of these center lines C1 and C2 is represented as C0. The center point 103a of the visible light LED 103 is arranged on the center line C1 of the circuit board 101 and is arranged at a position shifted downward from the center line C2. Also, the center points 102a of the pair of ultraviolet LEDs 102 on both the left and right sides are arranged at positions shifted in the left - right direction from the center line C1 and at positions shifted upward from the center line C2, respectively.

[0052] The circuit board 101 is arranged such that the center C0 of the circuit board 101 coincides with the center in the left - right direction of the vegetable compartment 11B. Thereby, the visible light LED 103 mounted on the circuit board 101 is arranged at the center in the left - right direction of the vegetable compartment 11B.

[0053] Note that the above - mentioned "shift" means movement to a position away from the reference object, that is, displacement from the center lines C1, C2, the center C0, or the objects of the ultraviolet LED 102 and the visible light LED 103.

[0054] The ultraviolet LED 102 is an example of a "light - irradiation light source". Note that the light - irradiation light source is not limited to the ultraviolet LED 102 and may be an ultraviolet lamp or the like. The visible light LED 103 is an example of a "visible light source" and is composed of, for example, visible light LEDs that emit light of a light blue color.

[0055] Ultraviolet light S is an example of "light having an effect of suppressing viruses or bacteria". In this specification, "ultraviolet light" means an electromagnetic wave having a central wavelength in the range of 10 nm to 400 nm. That is, "ultraviolet light" may be an electromagnetic wave of UVA (wavelength 320 nm to 400 nm), UVB (wavelength 280 nm to 320 nm), or UVC (wavelength 100 nm to 280 nm). Also, "ultraviolet light" only needs to have a central wavelength in the range of 10 nm to 400 nm, and the wavelength of some electromagnetic waves irradiated from the ultraviolet LED 102 may be 400 nm or more (that is, it may be a wavelength in the visible light region). The ultraviolet light irradiated by the ultraviolet LED 102 may or may not include light visible to humans.

[0056] In this embodiment, the ultraviolet LED 102 irradiates an electromagnetic wave having a central wavelength of UVA. According to an electromagnetic wave of such a wavelength, for example, compared with an electromagnetic wave of UVC, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the first and second vegetable room containers 43 and 44 made of plastic, for example, while suppressing viruses or bacteria.

[0057] [Case] As shown in FIG. 5, the case 72 is made of a general plastic member and is formed in a rectangular flat box shape with the front side open. The light irradiation unit 71 is housed inside the case 72. The case 72 is attached to the inner surface (rear surface) of the second front wall portion 93 with a sealing member 73 sandwiched between the second front wall portion 93 and the case 72. By attaching the case 72 to the inner surface of the second front wall portion 93, the periphery of the light irradiation unit 71 is sealed. Thereby, the flow of cold air around the light irradiation unit 71 is suppressed, and the occurrence of dew condensation on the light irradiation unit 71 is suppressed.

[0058] Specifically, the case 72 has a back wall portion 72a, a peripheral wall portion 72b, and a pressing portion 72c. The back wall portion 72a covers the light irradiation portion 71 from the side opposite to the second front wall portion 93. The peripheral wall portion 72b extends from the peripheral end portion of the back wall portion 72a toward the inner surface of the second front wall portion 93. The peripheral wall portion 72b is formed in a rectangular annular (tubular) shape surrounding the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the light irradiation portion 71. The peripheral wall portion 72b is attached to the inner surface of the second front wall portion 93 separately from the light irradiation portion 71. This will be described later. The pressing portion 72c is provided on the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall portion 72b. The pressing portion 72c contacts the sealing member 73 and presses the sealing member 73 toward the inner surface of the second front wall portion 93.

[0059] The sealing member 73 is an elastic member such as a soft tape, for example. The sealing member 73 is formed in an annular shape along the entire circumference of the peripheral wall portion 72b. The sealing member 73 is sandwiched between the inner surface of the second front wall portion 93 and the pressing portion 72c of the case 72 when the peripheral wall portion 72b of the case 72 is attached to the inner surface of the second front wall portion 93, and seals the space between the inner surface of the second front wall portion 93 and the peripheral wall portion 72b of the case 72. As a result, the flow of cold air around the light irradiation portion 71 is more reliably suppressed.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 5, a window portion 104 for passing ultraviolet rays S and visible light K is provided in the portion of the second front wall portion 93 facing the ultraviolet LED 102 and the visible light LED 103. The ultraviolet LED 102 irradiates ultraviolet rays into the vegetable compartment 11B through the window portion 104. As a result, at least a part of the inside of the vegetable compartment 11B is within the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays S irradiated by the light irradiation portion 71.

[0061] The window part 104 includes a window member 104A that closes a rectangular opening 93c provided in the second front wall part 93, and a diffusion part 104B provided at a position corresponding to the opening 93c on the back surface of the window member 104A. The window member 104A is located at a position that becomes the front surface of the circuit board 101. The light transmission surface, which is the main surface of the window member 104A, is arranged to be parallel to the circuit board 101. The window member 104A is made of, for example, an acrylic plate or a glass plate as a light transmission member that passes visible light K and ultraviolet light S, and is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The diffusion part 104B is unevenness that diffuses visible light K and ultraviolet light S, and is formed by, for example, a plurality of concave parts extending in the vertical direction and arranged in the horizontal direction. Thereby, the window member 104A can diffuse the visible light K irradiated from the visible light LED 103 and the ultraviolet light S irradiated from the ultraviolet light LED 102 at the diffusion part 104B and irradiate them into the chilled chamber 11Aa.

[0062] [Arrangement Structure of the First Sterilization Unit] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the arrangement structure of the first sterilization unit 70A will be described. In the present embodiment, at least a part of the first sterilization unit 70A (for example, at least a part of the case 72) is arranged above the lowermost part of the first partition part 15. The light irradiation part 71 irradiates ultraviolet light S obliquely downward in a state where at least a part of the light irradiation part 71 is arranged above the lowermost part of the first partition part 15.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the light irradiation part 71 is provided at the inner part of the vegetable chamber 11B, which is behind the second vegetable chamber container 44. The light irradiation part 71 is arranged above at least a part of the upper side 44u of the second vegetable chamber container 44 (for example, the upper side 44u of the rear end part 44b of the second vegetable chamber container 44).

[0064] Specifically, the second vegetable compartment container 44 is formed in a box shape with an open top. The second vegetable compartment container 44 has a left end and a right end in addition to the front end portion 44a and the rear end portion 44b described above. In the present embodiment, the light irradiation unit 71 is disposed above the upper sides 44u of all the ends of the second vegetable compartment container 44 (that is, the upper sides 44u of the front end portion 44a, the rear end portion 44b, the left end, and the right end). In this specification, "the light irradiation unit is positioned above the upper side of the container" means that the ultraviolet LEDs 102 and the visible light LEDs 103 included in the light irradiation unit 71 are positioned above the upper side of the container, and a part of the circuit board 101 included in the light irradiation unit 71 may be positioned below the upper side of the container.

[0065] In the present embodiment, the light irradiation unit 71 is disposed behind the second vegetable compartment container 44 and irradiates the ultraviolet rays S and the visible light K obliquely downward with respect to the horizontal direction. For example, the light irradiation unit 71 irradiates the ultraviolet rays S and the visible light K toward the inside of the second vegetable compartment container 44. Thereby, at least a part of the inside of the second vegetable compartment container 44 is within the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays S and the visible light K irradiated by the light irradiation unit 71.

[0066] The light irradiation unit 71 is provided so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction such that the irradiation center of the ultraviolet rays S (that is, the optical axis CA corresponding to the irradiation center) faces in a direction at an angle smaller than 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. By providing the light irradiation unit 71 in this inclined manner, the ultraviolet rays can be irradiated over a wider range in the vegetable compartment 11B by the light irradiation unit 71.

[0067] In the present embodiment, the irradiation center (optical axis CA) of the ultraviolet rays S by the light irradiation unit 71 is set in a region in front of the center of the bottom surface of the second vegetable compartment container 44 in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1 in a state where the second vegetable compartment container 44 is housed in the vegetable compartment 11B.

[0068] In the present embodiment, the light irradiation unit 71 is disposed inside the duct component 51 at a position overlapping at least a part of the cold air return port 51c in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the light irradiation unit 71 overlaps a plurality of cold air return ports 51c in the vertical direction.

[0069] In this embodiment, at least a part of the duct component 51 extends above the lowermost part of the first partition part 15 (for example, the third part 15c). And at least a part of the light irradiation part 71 is arranged above the lowermost part of the first partition part 15 inside the duct component 51, and irradiates the ultraviolet ray S obliquely downward with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0070] [Irradiation ranges of ultraviolet rays and visible light] Next, the irradiation range of the ultraviolet ray S and the irradiation range of the visible light K by the light irradiation part 71 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. 7 is a front view showing the irradiation range of the first sterilization unit 70A. FIG. 8 shows a state where the vegetable chamber door 20B is closed in the vegetable chamber 11B. FIG. 9 shows a state where the vegetable chamber door 20B is pulled out forward to the maximum extent in the vegetable chamber 11B.

[0071] Specifically, the ultraviolet LED 102 has an irradiation range of, for example, 90 degrees or more in the vertical and horizontal directions as the irradiation range of the ultraviolet ray. Therefore, the ultraviolet ray S irradiated from the ultraviolet LED 102 into the vegetable chamber 11B through the window part 104 is irradiated over a relatively wide azimuth. The shielding part 111 shields a part of the ultraviolet ray S irradiated from the ultraviolet LED 102 into the vegetable chamber 11B, for example, so that the ultraviolet ray S is less likely to enter the user's eyes or for another purpose.

[0072] The shielding part 111 of this embodiment shields the upper part of the irradiation range of the ultraviolet ray S so that the upper end Sa of the irradiation range of the ultraviolet ray S with respect to the door body 21 of the vegetable chamber door 20B is lower than the upper end 21e of the door body 21 of the vegetable chamber door 20B when the vegetable chamber door 20B is pulled out to the maximum extent with respect to the vegetable chamber 11B. Therefore, it is less likely that the ultraviolet ray directly enters the eyes of the user unless the user peeks in with the face below the upper end 21e of the door body 21 of the vegetable chamber door 20B.

[0073] The visible light LED 103 illuminates the inside of the vegetable chamber 11B evenly.

[0074] [Configuration of the second sterilization unit] Next, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second sterilization unit 70B provided in the chilled chamber 11Aa is the same as the first sterilization unit 70A in terms of the configuration other than the arrangement of the ultraviolet LED 102 and the visible light LED 103 arranged on the circuit board 101. Therefore, here, the configuration different from that of the first sterilization unit 70A will be mainly described.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 4, the second sterilization unit 70B is provided in a state of being embedded inside the duct component 51 (here, the upper part of the heat insulating member 55) at the upper position of the first front wall portion 91. In the present embodiment, the second sterilization unit 70B has a light irradiation unit 71, a case 72, and a sealing member 73, similar to the first sterilization unit 70A (see FIG. 5). Since the case 72 and the sealing member 73 of the second sterilization unit 70B have the same configuration as those of the first sterilization unit 70A, detailed description thereof will be omitted here. The circuit board 101A of the light irradiation unit 71 will be described.

[0076] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the configuration of the light irradiation unit 71 of the second sterilization unit 70B. FIG. 11 is a front view showing the irradiation range of the second sterilization unit 70B. The connector 110 is provided at the lower left corner of the circuit board 101A. A plurality (here, four) of resistor elements 116 are provided, one at a position above the connector 110, and three are arranged vertically at a position near the right edge of the circuit board 101A. The ultraviolet LED 102 and the visible light LED 103 are provided at a position between the connector 110 and the plurality of resistor elements 116.

[0077] The center points 102a of the upper and lower pair of ultraviolet LEDs 102 are arranged on the center line C1 of the circuit board 101A. Also, the center point 102a of the lower ultraviolet LED 102 is arranged at the center C0 of the circuit board 101. That is, the upper ultraviolet LED 102 is arranged at a position shifted upward from the lower (center C0) ultraviolet LED 102, i.e., at a position shifted upward from the center line C2. In contrast, the center points 103a of the left and right pair of visible light LEDs 103 are arranged at positions shifted in the left - right direction from the center line C1 and at positions shifted upward from the center line C2.

[0078] The circuit board 101A is arranged such that the center C0 of the circuit board 101A coincides with the center in the left - right direction of the storage chamber 11A. As a result, the upper and lower pair of ultraviolet LEDs 102 mounted on the circuit board 101 are respectively arranged at the center in the left - right direction of the storage chamber 11A.

[0079] The irradiation directions of the ultraviolet LED 102 and the visible light LED 103 of the second sterilization unit 70B are both inclined obliquely downward toward the bottom wall side of the second chilled chamber containers 41, 42. The window portion 104 is located at a position shifted downward from the ultraviolet LED 102 and the visible light LED 103 in correspondence with the irradiation direction. Also, the ultraviolet LED 102 and the visible light LED 103 are both arranged at positions above the back wall of the uppermost chilled chamber container 42 in the chilled chamber 11Aa, so that the ultraviolet S and the visible light K are not blocked by the peripheral wall of the chilled chamber container 42.

[0080] The irradiation angles of the ultraviolet S and the visible light K by the ultraviolet LED 102 and the visible light LED 103 are angles at which ultraviolet light can be preferably irradiated from obliquely above.

[0081] Next, the operation and function of the refrigerator 1 will be described.

[0082] According to the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, there are provided a storage chamber (chilled chamber 11Aa), a visible light LED 103 that irradiates the chilled chamber 11Aa with visible light K, an ultraviolet LED 102 that irradiates the chilled chamber 11Aa with ultraviolet light S, a circuit board 101 that includes the visible light LED 103 and the ultraviolet LED 102 and is provided on the back surface of the chilled chamber 11Aa, and a diffusion part 104B that is provided in front of the visible light LED 103 and the ultraviolet LED 102 and diffuses the visible light K and the ultraviolet light S. The ultraviolet LED 102 is arranged at the center in the left-right direction of the storage chamber. The visible light LED 103 is arranged at a position shifted from the ultraviolet LED 102 by at least one of both sides in the left-right direction and both sides in the up-down direction.

[0083] In this embodiment, since the ultraviolet LED 102 is arranged at the center in the left-right direction of the storage chamber (chilled chamber 11Aa), the ultraviolet light S irradiated from this ultraviolet LED 102 can be uniformly irradiated without unevenness over the entire left-right direction of the storage chamber, and the suppression function of viruses or bacteria in the storage chamber can be improved. Moreover, it is possible to diffuse the ultraviolet light S irradiated from the ultraviolet LED 102 by the diffusion part 104B. In this case, the entire left-right direction can be irradiated more uniformly, and the viruses or bacteria in the storage chamber can be efficiently suppressed. Further, since the visible light LED 103 serving as the interior lighting of the refrigerator is arranged at a position shifted from the ultraviolet LED 102 by at least one of both sides in the left-right direction and both sides in the up-down direction, the interior of the storage chamber can be uniformly lit when the storage chamber is opened. In particular, it is possible to diffuse the visible light K irradiated from the visible light LED 103 by the diffusion part 104B, and the interior of the storage chamber can be lit more efficiently and uniformly. Thus, in this embodiment, while having a sufficient function as illumination of the visible light K, the sterilization range by the ultraviolet light S can be expanded, and the sterilization performance in the storage chamber can be improved without degrading the illumination performance in the storage chamber.

[0084] Also, in this embodiment, a plurality of ultraviolet LEDs 102 are provided in the vertical direction, and the visible light LED 103 is disposed at a position shifted to both sides in the left - right direction of one of the pair of ultraviolet LEDs 102. In this case, since a plurality (a pair in this embodiment) of ultraviolet LEDs 102 are provided vertically, the irradiation range of the ultraviolet S in the vertical direction can be widened, and the irradiation area of the ultraviolet can be expanded to a region far from the vicinity of the ultraviolet LED 102. For example, even when the first and second chiller chambers 41 and 42 are arranged in proximity like the chiller chamber 11Aa, the inside of the chiller chamber 11Aa can be uniformly irradiated with the ultraviolet S for disinfection.

[0085] According to the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, the ultraviolet LED 102 is provided at the center in the left - right direction of the circuit board 101. In this case, the circuit board 101 itself can be balancedly arranged at the center in the left - right direction of the storage chamber. And the layout of the ultraviolet LED 102 and the visible light LED 103 on the circuit board 101 can be easily performed.

[0086] According to the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, it includes a storage chamber (vegetable chamber 11B), a visible light LED 103 that irradiates the vegetable chamber 11B with visible light K, an ultraviolet LED 102 that irradiates the vegetable chamber 11B with ultraviolet S, a circuit board 101 provided with the visible light LED 103 and the ultraviolet LED 102 and provided on the back surface of the vegetable chamber 11B, and a diffusion part 104B provided on the front surface of the visible light LED 103 and the ultraviolet LED 102 for diffusing the visible light K and the ultraviolet S. The visible light LED 103 is disposed at the center in the left - right direction of the vegetable chamber 11B. The ultraviolet LED 102 is disposed at a position shifted at least to one of both sides in the left - right direction and both sides in the vertical direction with respect to the visible light LED 103.

[0087] In this embodiment, the visible light LED 103 for interior lighting of the storage compartment is disposed at the center in the left-right direction of the storage compartment (the vegetable compartment 11B), and the visible light K emitted from the visible light LED 103 is diffused by the diffusion unit 104B. Therefore, when the storage compartment is opened, the visible light K emitted from the visible light LED 103 can be uniformly irradiated without unevenness throughout the left-right direction of the storage compartment, and the interior of the storage compartment can be evenly lit. Further, the ultraviolet LED 102 is disposed at a position shifted at least on one side of both the left and right sides and both the upper and lower sides of the visible light LED 103, and the ultraviolet light S irradiated by this ultraviolet LED 102 is also diffused by the diffusion unit 104B. Therefore, the interior of the storage compartment can be efficiently sterilized. Thus, in this embodiment, while sufficiently having the function as illumination of the visible light K, the sterilization range by the ultraviolet light S can be expanded, and the sterilization performance in the storage compartment can be improved without degrading the illumination performance in the storage compartment.

[0088] According to the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, the visible light LED 103 is provided at the center in the left-right direction of the circuit board 101. In this case, the circuit board 101 itself can be balancedly disposed at the center in the left-right direction of the storage compartment. And, the layout of the ultraviolet LED 102 and the visible light LED 103 on the circuit board 101 can be easily performed.

[0089] According to the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, the visible light LED 103 and the ultraviolet LED 102 are mounted on one circuit board 101. Thereby, the visible light LED 103 and the ultraviolet LED 102 can be integrally provided on one circuit board 101 to achieve compactification. Therefore, these visible light LED 103 and ultraviolet LED 102 can be accommodated in a small area.

[0090] According to the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, the ultraviolet light S of the ultraviolet LED 102 is irradiated obliquely with respect to the front surface of the circuit board 101. Thereby, the irradiation range of the ultraviolet light S in the up-down direction can be widened, and the irradiation area of the ultraviolet light can be expanded to a region away from the vicinity of the ultraviolet LED 102.

[0091] According to the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, the circuit board 101 is provided on the back surface among the wall surfaces. Thereby, even when the storage compartment is opened, the circuit board 101 is arranged on the back side of the storage compartment, so that the circuit board 101 is difficult for the user to see, and the refrigerator 1 excellent in designability can be provided.

[0092] According to the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, it has at least one container accommodated in the storage compartment, and the circuit board 101 is arranged above the uppermost container among the containers. Thereby, the ultraviolet ray S and the visible light K can be more surely irradiated into all the containers in the storage compartment.

[0093] According to at least one embodiment described above, it is possible to provide a refrigerator capable of improving the sterilization performance in the storage compartment without degrading the lighting performance in the storage compartment (the chilled compartment 11Aa and the vegetable compartment 11B).

[0094] (Second Embodiment) Next, the refrigerator 1A according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 12 will be described. FIG. 12 shows a front view of the sterilization unit 70C of the second embodiment. In FIG. 12, the above-described connector 110 and the plurality of resistance elements 116 (see FIGS. 6 and 10) are omitted. In the sterilization unit 70C, the visible light LED 103 (visible light source) and the ultraviolet light LED 102 (light irradiation source) are respectively arranged at positions shifted from the center in the left-right direction of the storage compartment (for example, the vegetable compartment 11B shown in FIG. 2) to both the left and right sides. Specifically, a pair of left and right visible light LEDs 103 are arranged at target positions on both the left and right sides with the center in the left-right direction of the storage compartment interposed therebetween. A pair of left and right ultraviolet light LEDs 102 are arranged below the pair of visible light LEDs 103 and at target positions on both the left and right sides with the center in the left-right direction of the storage compartment interposed therebetween.

[0095] The center points 103a of the pair of upper visible light LEDs 103 are respectively arranged at positions shifted in the left - right direction from the center line C1 of the circuit board 101B and at positions shifted above the center line C2. On the other hand, the center points 102a of the pair of lower ultraviolet LEDs 102 are respectively arranged at positions shifted in the left - right direction from the center line C1 of the circuit board 101B and at positions shifted below the center line C2. The circuit board 101B is arranged such that the center C0 of the circuit board 101B coincides with the center in the left - right direction of the storage chamber. Thereby, the pair of visible light LEDs 103 and the pair of ultraviolet LEDs 102 mounted on the circuit board 101B are respectively arranged at the center in the left - right direction of the storage chamber 11A.

[0096] In the second embodiment, the visible light K irradiated from the visible light LED 103 can be uniformly irradiated without unevenness over the entire left - right direction of the storage chamber, so that the inside of the storage chamber can be uniformly lit. Further, the ultraviolet light S irradiated from the ultraviolet LED 102 can also be irradiated over the entire left - right direction of the storage chamber, and the function of suppressing viruses or bacteria inside the storage chamber can be improved. Thus, in the second embodiment, while fully having the function as illumination of the visible light K, the sterilization range by the ultraviolet light S can be expanded, and the sterilization performance inside the storage chamber can be improved without degrading the illumination performance inside the storage chamber. Also, in the second embodiment, at least one of the ultraviolet light S irradiated from the ultraviolet LED 102 and the visible light K irradiated from the visible light LED 103 can be diffused by the diffusion part 104B, and at least one of the ultraviolet light S and the visible light K can be irradiated more uniformly in the entire left - right direction to efficiently light the inside of the storage chamber or suppress viruses or bacteria.

[0097] Hereinafter, some modified examples of the above - described embodiments will be described. Regarding the configurations other than those described in each modified example, they are the same as the configurations of the above - described embodiments.

[0098] (First Modified Example) Next, the refrigerator 1B according to the first modification will be described with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 shows a front view of the sterilization unit 70D of the first modification. In the first modification, the visible light LED 103 (visible light source) and the ultraviolet LED 102 (light irradiation source) are respectively arranged at the center in the left - right direction of the storage compartment (for example, the chilled compartment). Specifically, the center point 102a of the ultraviolet LED 102 is arranged at the center C0 of the circuit board 101. The pair of upper and lower visible light LEDs 103 are arranged at positions symmetrically shifted in the up - down direction on both sides of the ultraviolet LED 102. The center point 102a of these ultraviolet LEDs 102 and the center points 103a of the pair of visible light LEDs 103 are arranged on the center line C1.

[0099] According to the refrigerator 1B according to the first modification, the visible light LED 103 is arranged at a position shifted in the up - down direction on both sides of the ultraviolet LED 102. In this case, when the storage compartment is opened, the inside of the storage compartment can be evenly lit in the left - right direction. Thus, in the first modification, while fully having the function as illumination of the visible light K, the sterilization range by the ultraviolet light S can be expanded, and the function of suppressing viruses or bacteria in the storage compartment can be improved without degrading the illumination performance in the storage compartment.

[0100] (Second modification) Next, the refrigerator 1C according to the second modification will be described with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 shows a front view of the sterilization unit 70E of the second modification. In the second modification, the visible light LED 103 (visible light source) and the ultraviolet LED 102 (light irradiation source) are respectively arranged at the center in the left - right direction of the storage compartment (for example, the chilled compartment). Specifically, the center point 103a of the visible light LED 103 is arranged at the center C0 of the circuit board 101D. The pair of upper and lower ultraviolet LEDs 102 are arranged at positions symmetrically shifted in the up - down direction on both sides of the visible light LED 103. The center point 102a of these ultraviolet LEDs 102 and the center points 103a of the pair of visible light LEDs 103 are arranged on the center line C1.

[0101] According to the refrigerator 1C according to the second modification example, the ultraviolet LED 102 is disposed at positions shifted to both sides in the vertical direction with respect to the visible light LED 103. In this case, the storage chamber can be uniformly sterilized in the vertical direction. Thus, in the present embodiment, while sufficiently having the function as illumination of the visible light K, the sterilization range by the ultraviolet light S can be expanded, and the function of suppressing viruses or bacteria in the storage chamber can be improved without degrading the illumination performance in the storage chamber.

[0102] (Third Modification Example) Next, the refrigerator 1D according to the third modification example shown in FIG. 15 will be described. FIG. 15 is a front view showing the irradiation range of the second sterilization unit 70B. In the third modification example, in the vegetable compartment 11B, a reflecting plate 105 is disposed on the inner surface of the vegetable compartment door 20B. In a state where the vegetable compartment door 20B is closed, the reflecting surface 105a of the reflecting plate 105 faces the visible light LED 103 and the ultraviolet LED 102 of the light irradiation unit 71 of the first sterilization unit 70A in the front-rear direction.

[0103] In this case, the ultraviolet light S irradiated from the ultraviolet LED 102 is reflected by the reflecting surface 105a of the reflecting plate 105. Then, the reflected ultraviolet light S0 (arrow shown in FIG. 15) irradiates a region (non-irradiation region R) where the ultraviolet light S is not irradiated in a state where the reflecting plate 105 in the vegetable compartment 11B is not present. By providing the reflecting plate 105 at an appropriate position in the storage chamber in this manner, the function of suppressing viruses or bacteria in the storage chamber can be improved.

[0104] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

[0105] In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the sterilization unit 70 is provided on the back surface of the wall surface portion, but it is not limited to this position. For example, it may be arranged on the ceiling surface of the storage chamber or on a wall surface portion other than the back surface, such as a side wall surface.

[0106] Further, in the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment described above, the first sterilization unit 70A is provided in the vegetable compartment 11B, and the second sterilization unit 70B is provided in the chilled compartment 11Aa. However, it is not necessary to provide the sterilization unit 70 in both of these storage compartments, and either one of them may be sufficient. Further, the sterilization unit 70 may be provided in other storage compartments other than the other vegetable compartment 11B and the chilled compartment 11Aa.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0107] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D... refrigerators, 11Aa... chilled compartment (special storage compartment), 11B... vegetable compartment (storage compartment), 20B... vegetable compartment door, 70, 70C, 70D, 70E... sterilization units, 70A... first sterilization unit, 70B... second sterilization unit, 71... light irradiation unit, 72... case, 101... circuit board (board), 102... ultraviolet LED (light irradiation light source), 103... visible light LED (visible light source), 104... window portion, 104A... window member, 104B... diffusion portion, K... visible light (first light), S... ultraviolet light (second light).

Claims

1. A storage room, A visible light source that irradiates the storage room with first light, A light irradiation light source that irradiates the storage room with second light having an effect of suppressing viruses or bacteria, A substrate provided on the wall surface of the storage room, comprising the visible light source and the light irradiation light source, A diffusion part provided in front of the visible light source and the light irradiation light source, which diffuses at least one of the first light and the second light, A substrate storage part that houses the substrate, The light irradiation light source includes an upper side light irradiation light source and a lower side light irradiation light source provided below the upper side light irradiation light source, and is arranged at the center in the left-right direction of the storage room, On the front side of the substrate storage part, a light transmission part is provided so as to face the visible light source and the light irradiation light source, A frame part is provided at least above the light transmission part and has a lower ability to transmit light compared to the light transmission part, A refrigerator in which the visible light source is arranged at a position biased toward the frame part in the vertical direction and close to the upper side light irradiation light source.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the storage room is a special storage room having a lower temperature range than a refrigerating chamber and a higher temperature range than a freezing chamber.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the special storage room is a storage room provided in a part of the lower part of the storage space.

4. A plurality of first light irradiation light sources, which are the light irradiation light sources, are provided in a first storage room that is the storage room, Another second light irradiation light source and a second visible light source are provided in another second storage room below the first storage room, A shielding part that shields the light from the second light irradiation light source and the second visible light source is provided between the first storage room and the second storage room, The number of the first light irradiation light sources and the first visible light sources in the first storage room is the same, and the number of the second visible light sources provided in the second storage room is less than the number of the first visible light sources in the first storage room. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A plurality of the second light irradiation light sources are provided in the second storage room, The number of the first light irradiation light sources and the first visible light sources in the first storage room is the same, and the number of the second visible light sources in the second storage room is less than the number of the second light irradiation light sources in the second storage room. The refrigerator according to claim 4.

6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the visible light sources are arranged symmetrically with the light irradiation light source interposed therebetween.

7. A storage room, A visible light source that irradiates the storage room with first light, A light irradiation light source that irradiates the second light having an effect of suppressing viruses or bacteria in the storage chamber; A substrate provided on the wall surface of the storage chamber, comprising the visible light source and the light irradiation light source; A diffusion part provided in front of the visible light source and the light irradiation light source, for diffusing at least one of the first light and the second light; A substrate storage part for storing the substrate; The visible light source and the light irradiation light source are respectively arranged at positions shifted from the center in the left-right direction of the storage chamber to both the left and right sides; A light transmission part is provided on the front side of the substrate storage part so as to face the visible light source and the light irradiation light source; A refrigerator in which a part of the upper side of the range irradiated with the light emitted from the light irradiation light source passing through the light transmission part is blocked by a shielding part between the light transmission part and the door of the storage chamber.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the storage chamber is a vegetable chamber.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the visible light source and the light irradiation light source are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center in the left-right direction of the storage chamber.

10. A storage chamber; A visible light source that irradiates the first light into the storage chamber; A light irradiation light source that irradiates the second light having an effect of suppressing viruses or bacteria in the storage chamber; A substrate provided on the wall surface of the storage chamber, comprising the visible light source and the light irradiation light source; A diffusion part provided in front of the visible light source and the light irradiation light source, for diffusing at least one of the first light and the second light; A substrate storage part for storing the substrate; The visible light source is arranged at the center in the left-right direction of the storage chamber; The light irradiation light source is arranged at a position shifted from the visible light source to at least one of both the left and right sides and both the upper and lower sides in the left-right direction; A light transmission part is provided on the front side of the substrate storage part so as to face the visible light source and the light irradiation light source; A refrigerator in which a part of the upper side of the range irradiated with the light emitted from the light irradiation light source passing through the light transmission part is blocked by a shielding part between the light transmission part and the door of the storage chamber.

11. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the storage chamber is a vegetable chamber.

12. The refrigerator according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the light irradiation light source is arranged at a position shifted from the visible light source to both the upper and lower sides in the up-down direction.

13. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the visible light source is provided at the center in the left-right direction of the substrate.

14. The light irradiation light source is arranged symmetrically with the visible light source interposed therebetween. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 10 to 13.

15. The visible light source and the light irradiation light source are mounted on one of the substrates. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The second light of the light irradiation light source is irradiated obliquely with respect to the front surface of the substrate. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. The substrate is provided on the back surface of the wall surface portion. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. Having a plurality of containers accommodated in the storage chamber, The substrate is arranged above the uppermost container among the plurality of containers. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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