MXPA05008269A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator having a vegetable storage chamber for maintaining freshness of vegetables stored therein for a long time and minimizing nutrient degradation of the vegetables. When a large quantity of vegetables are stacked and stored in the vegetable storage chamber, sufficient light reaches the vegetables located at inner and lower parts of the vegetable storage chamber, thereby facilitating photosynthesis of the vegetables. The refrigerator includes the vegetable storage chamber to store vegetables, light emitting diodes (LEDs) to irradiate light onto the vegetables stored in the vegetable storage chamber so that the vegetables photosynthesize, and a control unit to receive data corresponding to types of the stored vegetables and to control the LEDs so that the LEDs emit light, having characteristics corresponding to the types of the stored vegetables, onto the vegetables.

Description

FRIDGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to a refrigerator which includes a separate storage chamber for vegetables, for storing vegetables. 2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional refrigerator having at least two storage chambers, the storage chambers are divided by an intermediate wall and are respectively opened and closed by doors. In each of the storage chambers an evaporator is installed to generate cold air and a fan to drive the cold air generated inside one of the corresponding storage chambers. The storage chambers are cooled independently by the action of the corresponding evaporators and fans. This method is called an independent cooling method. In a conventional refrigerator having a freezing chamber and a cooling chamber, the freezing chamber serves to store frozen food, and has a temperature of about -18 ° C. On the other hand, the cooling chamber serves to store food, which does not require freezing, at a normal temperature of more than 0 ° C, particularly at a temperature of about 3 ° C. When vegetables are stored at a comparatively low temperature, vegetables can maintain their freshness with a prolonged time compared to vegetables stored at normal temperature. Although low temperature storage allows vegetables to maintain their freshness for a long time, many plant nutrients are destroyed, which are stored at a low temperature, and the time to maintain the freshness of the vegetables is comparatively short.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that includes a storage chamber for vegetables, to maintain the freshness of the vegetables for a prolonged period and to minimize the degradation of plant nutrients. The additional aspects or advantages of the invention will be established, in part, in the description that follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description or can be learned by carrying out the invention. This and other aspects and advantages of the present invention are obtained by providing a refrigerator that includes a storage chamber for vegetables, for storing vegetables, light emitting diodes (LED) that irradiate light on the vegetables stored in the vegetable storage chamber so that the plants carry out photosynthesis, and a control unit to receive data corresponding to the types of stored vegetables and to control the LEDs so that the LEDs emit light, which has characteristics that correspond to the types of stored vegetables, about vegetables. In one embodiment of the present invention, the light emitted by the LEDs is green light, and the green light includes a wavelength of approximately 480 ~ 660 nm. In addition, the light emitted from the LEDs is red light, and the red light includes a wavelength of approximately 720 nm. The light emitted from the LEDs includes different colors according to the types of vegetables stored in the vegetable storage chamber. The control unit controls the LEDs so that the LEDs emit light having a wavelength, a light intensity and an irradiation time corresponding to the types of stored vegetables, on the vegetables. The refrigerator further includes a moisture supply device for supplying moisture to the vegetables stored in the storage chamber for vegetables. The refrigerator further includes a light detection unit that receives data regarding the kinds of vegetables stored by the user. The LEDs are distributed on internal surfaces of the vegetable storage chamber to emit light. further, the vegetable storage chamber is divided into at least two spaces, and lights of different wavelengths are emitted over the divided spaces. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that includes a storage chamber for vegetables, for storing vegetables, a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of a single color, different to irradiate light on the vegetables stacked and stored in the storage chamber for vegetables so that all stored vegetables perform photosynthesis, a light adjustment unit to receive data corresponding to the types of vegetables stored by the user, and a control unit to receive the data corresponding to the types of vegetables stored through the lighting adjustment unit and to control the LEDs so that the LEDs emit light that has characteristics that correspond to the types of vegetables stored, on the vegetables. Each of the LEDs is selected from a group consisting of a green LED to irradiate green light, and a red LED to irradiate red light, green light includes a wavelength of approximately 480 ~ 660 nm and the Red light includes a wavelength of approximately 720 nm. In addition, the control unit selectively controls at least one type of the LEDs, the light intensities emitted from the LEDs and the irradiation times of the LEDs, according to the types of stored vegetables. The refrigerator further includes a moisture supply device for supplying moisture to the vegetables stored in the vegetable storage chamber. The LEDs are distributed over at least parts of the circumferential surfaces of the vegetable storage chamber. In addition, the vegetable storage chamber is divided into at least two spaces, and the single color LEDs for irradiating different lights are respectively installed in the divided spaces. In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a refrigerator that includes a storage chamber for vegetables, for storing vegetables under a condition wherein the vegetables are stacked, a plurality of light emitting diodes of green and red color (LED) to irradiate light on the vegetables stored in the storage chamber for vegetables so that nutrients are properly formed in all stored vegetables, a light adjustment unit to receive data corresponding to the types of vegetables stored by the user, and a control unit to receive the data corresponding to the types of vegetables stored through a lighting adjustment unit, and to control the LEDs so that the LEDs emit light at the wavelengths corresponding to the types of vegetables stored, on vegetables.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This and other aspects and advantages of the invention will become evident and will be more easily appreciated from the following description of the modalities, when taken together with the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system for controlling the refrigerator of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a storage chamber for vegetables of the refrigerator of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the storage chamber for vegetables of the refrigerator of Figure 1; Fig. 5A is a graph illustrating the moisture variation contained in a lettuce, which is obtained by a vegetable storage test using the storage chamber for vegetables of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 5B is a graph illustrating the variation of moisture contained in cucumbers, which is obtained by a vegetable storage test using the storage chamber for vegetables of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 5C is a graph illustrating the variation of moisture contained in a fla velina velutipes, which is obtained by a vegetable storage test using the storage chamber for vegetables of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6A is a graph illustrating the variation of raw protein contained in a lettuce, which is obtained by the vegetable storage test using the refrigerator storage chamber for vegetables according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6B is a graphs illustrating the variation of crude protein contained in cucumbers, which is obtained by the vegetable storage test using the storage chamber for vegetables of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6C is a graph illustrating the variation of crude protein contained in a flammulin velutipes, which is obtained by the vegetable storage test using the refrigerator storage chamber for vegetables according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7A is a graph illustrating the variation of the raw fiber contained in a lettuce, which is obtained by the vegetable storage test using the storage chamber for vegetables of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7B is a graph illustrating the variation of raw fiber contained in a cucumber, which is obtained by the vegetable storage test using the storage chamber for vegetables of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7C is a graph illustrating the variation of the raw fiber contained in a flammulina velutipes, which is obtained by the vegetable storage test using the storage chamber for vegetables of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8A is a graph illustrating the variation of vitamin C contained in a lettuce, which is obtained by the vegetable storage test using the vegetable storage chamber of the refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8B is a graph illustrating the variation of vitamin C contained in a cucumber, which is obtained by the vegetable storage test using the vegetable storage chamber of the refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 8C is a graph illustrating the variation of vitamin C contained in a flammulin velutipes, which is obtained by the vegetable storage test using the vegetable storage chamber of the refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the present invention. .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiment of the present invention, the examples of which are illustrated in the appended drawings, in which similar reference numerals refer to similar elements therethrough. The embodiments are described below to explain the present invention with reference to the figures. Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the evaporator 106 of the cooling chamber, a cooling chamber fan motor 106a, a cooling chamber fan 106b and a defrost heater 104a are installed in a cooling chamber 110. A freezer chamber evaporator 108, a freezing chamber fan motor 108a, a freezing chamber fan 108b and a defrost heater 104b are installed in the freezing chamber 120. The defrosting heaters 104a and 104b serve to defrost respectively the surfaces of the evaporators 106 and 108 of the refrigeration and freezing chambers. The cold air generated from the evaporator 106 of the cooling chamber is driven into the cooling chamber 110 by the fan 106b of the cooling chamber. The cold air generated from the evaporator 108 of the freezing chamber is driven into the freezing chamber 120 by the fan 108b of the freezing chamber. The expansion devices (not shown) for decompressing and expanding the refrigerant are respectively installed in the inlets of the evaporators 106 and 108 of the refrigeration and freezing chambers and a condenser (not shown) is installed in the outlet of a compressor 102 A vegetable storage chamber 124 is installed in the lower part of the cooling chamber 110 and a plurality of light sources 128 are installed on each of the surfaces of the vegetable storage chamber 124. Light emitting diodes (LED) are used as the light sources 128 so as to adjust the frequency and amount of the light emitted. Generally, moisture is not supplied from the outside to the interior of the vegetable storage chamber of the cooling chamber, ie, of the vegetable chamber of a refrigeration chamber. In order to carry out photosynthesis to produce nutrients and thus grow, vegetables use the moisture contained in it. As a result, as time passes, the humidity contained in vegetables decreases. In this case, when similar photosynthesis conditions are provided in the refrigerator, which make the vegetables grow in the soil, outside the refrigerator, these conditions dry the vegetables stored in the storage chamber for vegetables and this way they deteriorate the freshness of vegetables. The colors of light absorbed at wavelengths to cause photosynthesis of green vegetables are usually blue and red, and small amounts of remaining wavelengths shorter than blue and red wavelengths are also absorbed by green vegetables. . Consequently, to make green vegetables grow on bare ground, mainly blue and red wavelength bands are used. However, when blue and red wavelength bands are used in a closed environment in which vegetables are stacked and stored, such as the refrigerator storage chamber, it only leaves the outermost vegetables in the stack and the vegetables stored in the refrigerator. a process of vigorous photosynthesis, and internal plants can not perform photosynthesis. In consecuense, "light sources that radiate light that is transmitted and reflected by the stacked vegetables and that produce an adequate amount of nutrients to maintain the freshness of the vegetables are needed." The green light is adequate to meet the requirements indicated above. In the same way, the yellow light is transmitted and reflected by the yellow vegetables, such as the carrots In the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, the light sources 128 emit a green or red light on the storage chamber 124 for vegetables, or emit green light on one portion of the storage chamber 124 for vegetables and a red light on the other portion of the storage chamber 124 for vegetables, according to the types of stored vegetables (i.e., green vegetables or reds.) When the light sources 128 are controlled such that the light sources 128 emit light at a wavelength of 480-660, the light sources 128 z generate green light, and when the light sources 128 are controlled such that the light sources 128 emit light at a wavelength of approximately 720 nm, the light sources 128 generate red light. The light emitted from the light sources 128 causes the vegetables 126 stored in the storage chamber 124 for vegetables to carry out chemical reactions (for example photosynthesis) In the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, the vegetables 126, which are stored in the storage chamber 124 for vegetables, obtain nutrients by means of the chemical reaction induced by the light emitted from the light sources 128 and in this way are able to remain in a fresh state with a prolonged time and minimizing nutrient degradation When a large amount of green light at a wavelength of 480 ~ 660 nm is transmitted or reflected by green vegetables 126, a part of the green light is absorbed by the 126 vegetables. , although a large amount of vegetables 126 are stacked in the vegetable storage chamber 124, the green light emitted from the light sources 128 arrives at the getals 126 which are located in the interior, and also to the vegetables 126, which are located on the outer surface and induce the photosynthesis of the vegetables 126. That is, the green light allows all the vegetables 126 stored in the chamber 124 storage for vegetables carry out the chemical reaction (photosynthesis). In order to induce photosynthesis of the vegetables 126 stored in the plant storage chamber 124, light and moisture are required. Since no other moisture is provided except for the moisture contained in the vegetables 126, cold air containing moisture, which is generated by defrosting the surface of the evaporator 106 of the refrigeration chamber, can be supplied to the storage chamber 124 of the refrigeration chamber. plants by means of a moisture supply tube 150 when the fan 106b of the cooling chamber is driven, or the necessary humidity can be supplied from a separate moisture supply unit to the storage chamber 124 for vegetables. Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system for controlling the refrigerator of Fig. 1, as shown in Fig. 2, a light adjusting unit 204, a temperature detection unit 206 of the freezing chamber and a temperature sensing unit 208 of the cooling chamber are connected to an input port of a control unit 202. The light adjustment unit 204 allows the user to enter data corresponding to the types of vegetables 126 stored in the vegetable storage chamber 124 and in this way cause the user to establish characteristics (wavelength, light intensity and time of irradiation) of the light emitted from the light sources 128 to correspond with the types of the plants 126, based on the data. The temperature detection unit 206 of the freezing chamber as well as the temperature detection unit 208 of the cooling chamber respectively detect the temperatures in the freezing chamber 120 and in the cooling chamber 110 and thus supply the detected temperatures to the control unit 202. A compressor activating unit 212, a freezing chamber fan drive unit 214, a cooling chamber fan 216 drive unit, a light source drive unit 218 and a unit 220 of display are connected to an output port of the control unit 202. The compressor drive unit 212, the freezer chamber fan drive 214, the cooling chamber fan 216 drive unit and the drive unit 218. of light source respectively drive the compressor 102, the fan motor 108a of the freezing chamber, and The motor 106a of the cooling chamber fan and the light sources 128. The light source driving unit 218 drives the light sources 128 so that the light sources 128 emit light having characteristics (frequency, brightness and irradiation time) that correspond to the values set by the user through the unit. 204 of light adjustment. The presentation unit 220 presents the operating states of the refrigerator and various predetermined values and temperatures according to the data corresponding to the types of vegetables 126 stored in the vegetable storage chamber 126, and particularly presents the characteristics (frequency, brightness and irradiation time) of the light emitted from the light sources 128, according to the values established by the user through the light adjustment unit 204. Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the vegetable storage chamber of the refrigerator of Figure 1. Although not shown in the drawings, the light sources 128 are electrically connected to the control unit 202 through the the light source driving unit 218 and receiving the control signals and energy from the control unit 202. As shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of -l is installed light sources 128 on each of the surfaces of the vegetable storage chamber 124 so that a large amount of light can be emitted onto all the surfaces of the vegetables 126 stored in the vegetable storage chamber 124. However, the light sources 128 can be installed on a side surface of the storage chamber 124 for vegetables, according to the characteristics of the light sources 128. Guides 302 are installed on both lateral surfaces of the vegetable storage chamber 124 so that the vegetable storage chamber 124 slides back and forth in the refrigerator. Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the vegetable storage chamber of the refrigerator of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 4, a division 450 divides the internal space of the refrigerator. 424 storage chamber for vegetables in at least two spaces, said division is installed in the storage chamber 424 for vegetables. Vegetables with different colors (for example green vegetables such as lettuce and red vegetables such as carrots) are stored respectively in the two spaces and the wavelengths (or frequencies) of the light emitted from the light sources 428 are controlled in a manner that green light is emitted in the space that stores green vegetables and emits red light in the space that stores red vegetables). As described in the above, lights of different colors are emitted on the spaces according to the colors of the vegetables stored in the spaces, and in this way the freshness of the vegetables is maintained for a prolonged period and the degradation of the plants is minimized. nutrients from vegetables even when vegetables are stored with different colors in the spaces. Figures 5A to 8C are graphs illustrating the results of a vegetable storage test using the vegetable storage chamber of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention. The previous test is performed under the following conditions.

Table 1: Test Materials Table 2: Test Conditions Table 3: Division of Light Intensities Figures 5A to 8C are graphs illustrating variations of moisture contained in vegetables (Figures 5A to 5C), variations of crude protein contained in vegetables (Figures 6A to 6C), variations of crude fiber contained in vegetables (Figures 7A to 7C) and variations of vitamin C contained in vegetables (Figures 8A to 8C) that are obtained by the vegetable storage test using the storage chamber for vegetables of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention. The test conditions are as described in the tables above. For example, as shown in Figures 5A to 8C, lettuce (with reference to Figures 5A, 6A, 7A, and 8A), cucumber (with reference to Figures 5B, 6B, 7B and 8B) and Flammulina velutipes is stored. (with reference to Figures 5C 6C, 7C and 8C) in the storage chamber 214 for vegetables, according to the embodiment of the present invention, and their change of state is observed. Although the previous vegetables have different values according to the vegetable classes, when green light is emitted on the vegetables so that the plants carry out chemical reactions (photosynthesis), the average values of the main components of the vegetables, such as humidity, crude protein, crude fiber and vitamin C are still high even after the proof. Accordingly, it is known that vegetables maintain their freshness for a prolonged period and the degradation of plant nutrients is minimized when vegetables are stored in the storage chamber for vegetables of the refrigerator of the present invention. As is evident from the above description, the present invention provides a refrigerator comprising a storage chamber for vegetables to maintain the freshness of the vegetables stored therein for a long time and minimizes the degradation of plant nutrients. Particularly, in a state in which a large amount of vegetables are stacked and stored in the storage chamber for vegetables, a sufficient amount of light reaches the vegetables that are located in the interior and bottom parts of the storage chamber for vegetables. and in this way the photosynthesis of vegetables is facilitated. Although some embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes can be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and its equivalents.

Claims (17)

1. CLAIMS 1. A refrigerator, comprising: a storage chamber for vegetables to store vegetables; light emitting diodes (LEDs) to irradiate light on the vegetables stored in the storage chamber for vegetables so that the plants carry out photosynthesis; and a control unit to receive data corresponding to the types of stored vegetables and to control the LEDs so that the LEDs emit light, which has characteristics corresponding to the types of stored vegetables, on said vegetables. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, wherein the light emitted from the LEDs is green light; and the green light has a wavelength of approximately 480 ~ 660 nm. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, wherein: the light emitted from the LEDs is red light; and the red light has a wavelength of about 720 nm. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, wherein the light emitted from the LEDs comprises different colors according to the types of vegetables stored in the vegetable storage chamber. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the LEDs so that the LEDs emit light having a wavelength, a light intensity and an irradiation time corresponding to the types of stored vegetables. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, further comprising a moisture supply device for supplying moisture to the vegetables stored in the storage chamber for vegetables. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, further comprising a light adjustment unit for receiving data corresponding to the types of vegetables stored by the user. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, wherein the LEDs are distributed over internal surfaces of the vegetable storage chamber to emit light. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, wherein the storage chamber for vegetables is divided into at least two spaces, and the lights of different wavelengths are emitted respectively over the divided spaces. 10. A refrigerator, comprising: a storage chamber for vegetables, for storing vegetables; a plurality of different light-emitting diodes of a single color (LED) to irradiate light on the vegetables stacked and stored in the storage chamber for vegetables so that all the stored vegetables perform photosynthesis; a light adjustment unit for receiving data corresponding to the types of vegetables stored by the user; and a control unit for receiving the data corresponding to the types of vegetables stored through the light adjustment and control unit of the LEDs so that the LEDs emit lights having characteristics corresponding to the types of stored vegetables , on vegetables. The refrigerator as described in claim 10, wherein: each of the LEDs is selected from the group consisting of a green LED to irradiate green light and a red LED to irradiate red light; the green light has a wavelength of approximately 480 ~ 660 nm; and the red light has a wavelength of about 720 nm. The refrigerator as described in claim 10, wherein the control unit selectively controls at least one type of the LEDs, light intensities emitted from the LEDs and irradiation times of the LEDs, according to the types of stored vegetables. 13. The refrigerator as described in claim 10, further comprising: a moisture supply device for supplying moisture to the vegetables stored in the vegetable storage chamber. 14. The refrigerator as described in claim 10, wherein the LEDs are distributed over at least part of the circumferential surfaces of the vegetable storage chamber. The refrigerator as described in claim 10, wherein the storage chamber for vegetables is divided into at least two spaces, and the single-color LEDs for irradiating different lights are respectively installed in the divided spaces. 16. The refrigerator comprising: a storage chamber for vegetables, for storing vegetables under a condition where the vegetables are stacked; a plurality of green and red colored light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to irradiate light on the vegetables stored in the vegetable storage chamber so that nutrients are properly formed in all stored vegetables; a light detection unit for receiving data corresponding to the types of vegetables stored by the user; and a control unit to receive the data corresponding to the types of vegetables stored through the light adjustment unit and to control the LEDs so that the LEDs emit light at wavelengths corresponding to the types of vegetables stored, on vegetables. 17. A refrigerator comprising: a food chamber for storing food therein; light sources to irradiate light on the food stored in the food chamber; and a control unit for receiving data corresponding to the types of food stored and for controlling the light sources to emit light having characteristics corresponding to the types of food stored, on the food.