Refrigerator and storage device and oxygen control device thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a refrigerator and a storage device and an oxygen control device thereof. The refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body; the storage device is arranged in the box body and comprises a storage part and an oxygen control device, a storage space is formed in the storage part, the oxygen control device comprises a first shell and a nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane, a membrane cavity is formed in the first shell and communicates with the storage space, and the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane is arranged in the membrane cavity; and the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane is used for separating oxygen and nitrogen in gas entering the membrane cavity from the storage space, so that the separated oxygen is discharged, the concentration of the oxygen in the storage space is reduced, and the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane is tubular. Therefore, the fresh-keeping performance of the refrigerator can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of refrigerators, and in particular to a refrigerator and a storage device and an oxygen control device thereof. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous improvement of living standards and dietary structure, people's requirements for the freshness-keeping function of refrigerators are increasing.

[0003] In order to improve the preservation performance, some refrigerators are equipped with oxygen control devices. The oxygen control device uses a nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane to separate nitrogen and oxygen in the gas in the storage space, reducing the oxygen concentration in the storage space to provide a low-oxygen and low-pressure preservation environment, thereby improving the freshness of the stored items (such as fruits and vegetables, medicinal materials, skin care products or maternal and child products, etc.) and improving the preservation performance of the refrigerator.

[0004] However, it has been found in practice that the nitrogen oxygen separation membrane used in refrigerators in related technologies is in sheet form, which restricts further improvement of the refrigerator's freshness preservation performance. Summary of the invention

[0005] A technical problem to be solved by the present application is to improve the freshness-keeping performance of a refrigerator.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a refrigerator, which includes:

[0007] Cabinet; and

[0008] The storage device is arranged in a box body and includes a storage component and an oxygen control device. The storage component is provided with a storage space. The oxygen control device includes a first shell and a nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane. A membrane cavity is provided in the first shell. The membrane cavity is connected with the storage space. The nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane is arranged in the membrane cavity to separate oxygen and nitrogen in the gas entering the membrane cavity from the storage space so as to discharge the separated oxygen and reduce the oxygen concentration in the storage space. The nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane is tubular.

[0009] In some embodiments, the oxygen control device is configured as at least one of the following:

[0010] The cross section of the nitrogen and oxygen separation membrane is circular;

[0011] The first end of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane is open to allow the gas in the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane to flow out, and the second end of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane opposite to the first end is blocked;

[0012] The oxygen control device includes a plurality of nitrogen and oxygen separation membranes.

[0013] In some embodiments, among multiple nitrogen oxygen separation membranes, the gap between adjacent nitrogen oxygen separation membranes is less than or equal to 0.5 mm; and / or, among multiple nitrogen oxygen separation membranes, the gap between the ends of adjacent nitrogen oxygen separation membranes through which the gas in the nitrogen oxygen separation membrane flows out is blocked.

[0014] In some embodiments, a vent is provided on the first shell, and the vent connects the storage space and the membrane cavity to allow gas to flow between the storage space and the membrane cavity; and / or the nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane flows back to the storage space.

[0015] In some embodiments, the vent allows the gas in the storage space to flow into the membrane cavity, and allows the nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane to flow back from the membrane cavity to the storage space.

[0016] In some embodiments, the oxygen and nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane are respectively located inside and outside the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane, wherein: the oxygen control device also includes a fan, which drives the nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane to flow from the membrane cavity back to the storage space; and / or, an oxygen-enriched cavity is also provided in the first shell, and the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane is connected to the oxygen-enriched cavity so that the oxygen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane is discharged through the oxygen-enriched cavity.

[0017] In some embodiments, the oxygen control device further includes a second shell, a receiving cavity is provided in the second shell, the receiving cavity is communicated with the membrane cavity, and the fan is disposed in the receiving cavity.

[0018] In some embodiments, the second housing is detachably connected to the first housing.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first shell and the second shell are connected by a snap, a threaded connection, a pin or a hinge.

[0020] In some embodiments, the oxygen control device further includes a vibration damper, which is disposed between the fan and the inner wall of the accommodating chamber to reduce vibration; and / or at least one positioning groove is provided on the inner wall of the accommodating chamber, and at least one positioning groove is located on at least one side of the axial direction of the fan to position the fan.

[0021] In some embodiments, vibration damping members are disposed between both axial ends of the fan and the inner wall of the accommodating cavity.

[0022] In some embodiments, an air inlet is provided on the second shell, and the air inlet is communicated with the storage space, so that the gas in the storage space can flow into the accommodating cavity through the air inlet.

[0023] In some embodiments, the storage device further includes an oxygen concentration sensor, which detects the oxygen concentration in the storage space, and the oxygen control device operates according to the detection result of the oxygen concentration sensor.

[0024] In addition, the present application also provides a storage device for a refrigerator of any embodiment.

[0025] In addition, the present application also provides an oxygen control device for a refrigerator of any embodiment.

[0026] By making the nitrogen oxygen separation membrane for nitrogen oxygen separation no longer in sheet form but in tubular form, the nitrogen oxygen separation efficiency can be improved, the nitrogen oxygen separation effect can be improved, and a better oxygen reduction effect can be achieved, providing a better low-oxygen environment for the storage space of the refrigerator. Therefore, the freshness preservation performance of the refrigerator can be effectively improved.

[0027] Other features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a simplified structural diagram of the refrigerator in an embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the storage device in the embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the oxygen control device in the embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view of the oxygen control device in the embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A is a partial enlarged schematic diagram of .

[0034] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the operation flow of the storage device in the embodiment of the present application.

[0035] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the change of oxygen concentration in the storage space in the embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Description of reference numerals:

[0037] 100. Refrigerator;

[0038] 10. storage device; 20. box;

[0039] 1. Storage component; 11. Outer frame; 12. Drawer; 13. Storage space;

[0040] 2. Oxygen concentration sensor;

[0041] 3. Oxygen control device;

[0042] 4. first module; 41. first housing; 42. first end cover; 43. first shell; 44. vent hole; 45. separator; 46. membrane cavity; 47. oxygen-enriched cavity; 48. exhaust port; 49. nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane;

[0043] 5. Second module; 51. Second housing; 52. Second end cover; 53. Second housing; 54. Air inlet; 55. Accommodating cavity; 56. Fan; 57. Vibration damping member; 58. Buckle;

[0044] 6. Sealing material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and is by no means intended to limit the present application and its application or use. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without carrying out creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0046] Technologies, methods, and equipment known to ordinary technicians in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, the technologies, methods, and equipment should be considered as part of the specification.

[0047] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the directions or positional relationships indicated by directional words such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "lateral, vertical, perpendicular, horizontal" and "top, bottom" are usually based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise specified, these directional words do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction or be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present application; the directional words "inside and outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the contours of each component itself.

[0048] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to limit components is only for the convenience of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present application.

[0049] In the present application, unless otherwise specified, “plurality” means at least two, that is, including cases of two and at least three.

[0050] In addition, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0051] In order to improve the freshness-keeping performance of a refrigerator, the present application provides a refrigerator and a storage device and an oxygen control device thereof.

[0052] Figure 1-Figure 7 The structure and working process of the refrigerator, storage device and oxygen control device in the present application are exemplarily shown.

[0053] See also Figure 1-Figure 7 In the present application, the refrigerator 100 includes a box body 20 and a storage device 10. The storage device 10 is arranged in the box body 20, and includes a storage component 1 and an oxygen control device 3. The storage component 1 is provided with a storage space 13. The oxygen control device 3 includes a first shell 41 and a nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49. A membrane cavity 46 is provided in the first shell 41. The membrane cavity 46 is connected to the storage space 13. The nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is arranged in the membrane cavity 46 to separate oxygen and nitrogen in the gas entering the membrane cavity 46 from the storage space 13, so as to discharge the separated oxygen and reduce the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13. Among them, the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is tubular.

[0054] The nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane is a membrane that selectively allows nitrogen or oxygen to pass through to separate nitrogen and oxygen. In the related art, the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane in the oxygen control device of the refrigerator is usually in the form of a sheet. However, in the above scheme, the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is no longer in the form of a sheet, but in the form of a tube. Compared with the sheet-shaped nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, the tubular nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 has a faster flow rate, which can improve the nitrogen-oxygen separation efficiency, improve the nitrogen-oxygen separation effect, achieve a better oxygen reduction effect, and provide a better low-oxygen environment for the storage space 13 of the refrigerator 100. Therefore, the freshness preservation performance of the refrigerator 100 can be effectively improved.

[0055] In addition, compared with the sheet-shaped nitrogen oxygen separation membrane 49, the tubular nitrogen oxygen separation membrane 49 with the same surface area occupies a smaller space, so it is convenient to arrange more nitrogen oxygen separation membranes 49 in the same size of space, increase the nitrogen oxygen separation area of ​​the oxygen control device 3, improve the nitrogen oxygen separation efficiency, improve the nitrogen oxygen separation effect, achieve a better oxygen reduction effect, and provide a better low-oxygen environment for the storage space 13. From this perspective, designing the nitrogen oxygen separation membrane 49 into a tubular shape is also beneficial to improving the freshness preservation performance of the refrigerator 100.

[0056] When the oxygen control device 3 includes not only one nitrogen oxygen separation membrane 49 but a plurality of nitrogen oxygen separation membranes 49, the gaps between adjacent nitrogen oxygen separation membranes 49 among the plurality of nitrogen oxygen separation membranes 49 may be smaller. For example, in some embodiments, the gaps between adjacent nitrogen oxygen separation membranes 49 are less than or equal to 0.5 mm. At this time, the plurality of nitrogen oxygen separation membranes 49 form a dense wire-tube membrane structure, with a larger nitrogen oxygen separation area, a higher nitrogen oxygen separation efficiency, and a better nitrogen oxygen separation effect. Therefore, it is more conducive to improving the freshness preservation performance of the refrigerator 100.

[0057] In addition, when the oxygen control device 3 includes not only one nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 but multiple nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49, the gaps between the ends of the adjacent nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 through which the gas in the nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 flows out are blocked. In this way, the gas flowing out of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 can be prevented from escaping from the gaps between the adjacent nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49, and subsequent operations such as collecting and guiding the gas flowing out of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 are facilitated. Quickly guiding away the separated gas is conducive to accelerating the nitrogen-oxygen separation efficiency and improving the nitrogen-oxygen separation effect, and therefore, is also conducive to improving the freshness preservation performance.

[0058] See also Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the first end of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is open to allow the gas in the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 to flow out, while the second end of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 opposite to the first end is blocked. At this time, the gas in the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 cannot flow out from both ends of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, but can only flow out from one end of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, which has better concentration and is more convenient for subsequent operations such as collecting and diverting the corresponding gas, thereby improving the fresh-keeping performance. Moreover, the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is only open at the first end, while the second end is closed, which can also prevent the gas entering the membrane cavity 46 from directly entering the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 from the second end without being separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, and in particular, prevent the gas that flows into the membrane cavity 46 from the accommodating cavity 55 for accommodating the fan 56 mentioned below from directly flowing into the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, thereby affecting the nitrogen-oxygen separation effect. Therefore, from this perspective, it is also beneficial to improve the fresh-keeping performance of the refrigerator 100.

[0059] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is not limited, for example, its cross-sectional shape can be various shapes such as circular, square, polygonal or special-shaped. When the cross-sectional shape of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is circular, not only is the processing and manufacturing easier, but it is also more conducive to increasing the contact area between the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 and the gas, improving the contact sufficiency between the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 and the gas, improving the oxygen reduction effect, and improving the freshness preservation performance of the refrigerator 100.

[0060] The nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 allows one of nitrogen and oxygen to enter the interior of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49. After separation by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, oxygen and nitrogen can be located inside and outside the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, respectively, or the positions of the two can be interchanged, and they can be located outside and inside the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, respectively. When the oxygen and nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 are located inside and outside the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, respectively, it is more conducive to achieving efficient separation of nitrogen and oxygen, because the space outside the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is larger than the internal space, so that nitrogen is located outside the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 and oxygen is located inside the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, which is more suitable for the characteristic that nitrogen accounts for a larger proportion than oxygen in the air, so that nitrogen and oxygen can be separated more efficiently, the oxygen reduction effect is improved, and the freshness preservation performance of the refrigerator 100 is improved.

[0061] As mentioned above, the oxygen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is discharged to the outside of the storage space 13. In the case where the oxygen and nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 are located inside and outside the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, respectively, in order to facilitate the discharge of the separated oxygen, see Figure 4 In some embodiments, an oxygen-enriching chamber 47 is further provided in the first housing 41, and the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is connected to the oxygen-enriching chamber 47, so that the oxygen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is discharged through the oxygen-enriching chamber 47. The oxygen-enriching chamber 47 is provided to enrich the separated oxygen. In particular, when the oxygen control device 3 includes a plurality of nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49, the plurality of nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 can be connected to the oxygen-enriching chamber 47, and the oxygen separated by the plurality of nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 is enriched by the oxygen-enriching chamber 47. In this way, it is only necessary to provide an exhaust device such as a vacuum pump at the oxygen-enriching chamber 47 to discharge oxygen, which is convenient and efficient.

[0062] The nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 can be discharged to the outside of the storage space 13, or can also flow back into the storage space 13. When the nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 flows back into the storage space 13, the nitrogen concentration in the storage space 13 can be increased, so that the storage space 13 has not only a low oxygen concentration but also a high nitrogen concentration, which is more conducive to inhibiting the oxidation of the items in the storage space 13, improving the freshness of the items in the storage space 13, and improving the freshness-keeping performance of the refrigerator 100.

[0063] In the case where the oxygen and nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 are located inside and outside the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, respectively, in order to facilitate the return of the separated nitrogen to the storage space 13, see Figure 4 In some embodiments, the oxygen control device 3 further includes a fan 56 , which drives the nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 to flow from the membrane cavity 46 back to the storage space 13 .

[0064] In the case where the oxygen and nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 are located inside and outside the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, respectively, the separated nitrogen will gather in the space outside the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, causing the pressure in the membrane cavity 46 to gradually increase. When the pressure in the membrane cavity 46 increases to a level higher than the pressure in the storage space 13, the nitrogen can flow from the vent 44 on the side wall of the membrane cavity 46 that connects the membrane cavity 46 with the storage space 13 to the storage space 13. Further setting up a fan 56 can further disperse the nitrogen gathered near the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, prompting the nitrogen to flow back to the storage space 13 more quickly, thereby facilitating the nitrogen reflux speed and improving the preservation effect. Moreover, the fan 56 prompts the nitrogen to flow back to the storage space 13, thereby reducing the pressure in the membrane cavity 46, prompting the air in the storage space 13 to further flow into the membrane cavity 46, and introducing new oxygen, thereby facilitating a more efficient and continuous nitrogen-oxygen separation process and improving the preservation performance.

[0065] In the case where the oxygen control device 3 includes a fan 56, see Figure 4 In some embodiments, the oxygen control device 3 further includes a second housing 51, a receiving chamber 55 is provided in the second housing 51, the receiving chamber 55 is communicated with the membrane chamber 46, and a fan 56 is disposed in the receiving chamber 55. In this way, the second housing 51 can protect the fan 56, reduce the risk of damage to the fan 56, and improve the structural reliability.

[0066] Further, see Figure 3 In some embodiments, the second housing 51 is detachably connected to the first housing 41. In this way, the fan 56 and the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 can form two independent modules, namely, the first module 4 including the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 and the first housing 41, and the second module 5 including the fan 56 and the second housing 51. Since the first module 4 and the second module 5 can be detachably connected through the detachable connection between the first housing 41 and the second housing 51, when any of the modules fails, it can be disassembled and maintained separately, which is conducive to reducing the difficulty of maintenance and reducing maintenance costs. Moreover, the modular design of the first module 4 and the second module 5 also facilitates the flexible replacement of nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 and fans 56 of different specifications for storage spaces 13 of different specifications, effectively meeting different oxygen control requirements and achieving better preservation effects.

[0067] The detachable connection between the first shell 41 and the second shell 51 can be realized in a variety of ways. For example, in some embodiments, the first shell 41 and the second shell 51 are connected by a buckle 58, a threaded connector, a pin or a hinge, etc., which can conveniently realize the detachable connection between the first shell 41 and the second shell 51. In particular, when the first shell 41 and the second shell 51 are connected by the buckle 58, not only can the detachable connection between the first shell 41 and the second shell 51 be realized, but also the structure is simple and the operation is convenient.

[0068] In addition, when the oxygen control device 3 includes a fan 56 and a second housing 51, see Figure 4 In some embodiments, the oxygen control device 3 further includes a vibration reducing member 57, which is disposed between the fan 56 and the inner wall of the accommodating chamber 55 to reduce vibration. In this way, the vibration of the fan 56 can be reduced, and the noise generated by the operation of the fan 56 can be reduced, so that the refrigerator 100 can operate with lower vibration and noise, thereby improving the performance of the refrigerator 100.

[0069] Specifically, see Figure 4 In some embodiments, vibration damping members 57 are provided between the axial ends of the fan 56 and the inner wall of the accommodating chamber 55. At this time, the oxygen control device 3 includes at least two vibration damping members 57, which can reduce vibration and noise at both axial ends of the fan 56, so that the vibration and noise reduction effect is better.

[0070] In addition, when the oxygen control device 3 includes the fan 56 and the second housing 51, in some embodiments, at least one positioning groove (not shown) is provided on the inner wall of the accommodating chamber 55, and the at least one positioning groove is located on at least one side of the axial direction of the fan 56 to position the fan 56. In this way, the displacement or shaking of the fan 56 can be reduced, and the fan 56 can be arranged more stably and firmly in the accommodating chamber 55, which is not only conducive to improving the structural reliability, but also conducive to vibration reduction and noise reduction.

[0071] In the aforementioned embodiments, in order to achieve communication between the membrane cavity 46 and the storage space 13, a vent hole 44 may be provided on the first shell 41, and the vent hole 44 connects the storage space 13 and the membrane cavity 46, so that gas can flow between the storage space 13 and the membrane cavity 46. In this way, the communication between the storage space 13 and the membrane cavity 46 can be easily achieved, so that when it is necessary to reduce the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13, the gas in the storage space 13 can flow into the membrane cavity 46 through the vent hole 44, and the nitrogen and oxygen separation membrane 49 in the membrane cavity 46 is used to separate nitrogen and oxygen, thereby reducing the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13. In addition, see Figure 4In some embodiments, the vent 44 not only allows the gas in the storage space 13 to flow into the membrane cavity 46, but also allows the nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 to flow back from the membrane cavity 46 to the storage space 13, so as to increase the nitrogen concentration in the storage space 13. At this time, the vent 44 has multiple uses, and the overall structure of the oxygen control device 3 is simpler. Of course, the gas in the storage space 13 flows into the membrane cavity 46 via the vent 44, and the nitrogen in the membrane cavity 46 flows back to the storage space 13 via the vent 44 do not occur at the same time. That is to say, at the same time, the vent 44 either allows the gas in the storage space 13 to flow into the membrane cavity 46, or allows nitrogen to flow back to the storage space 13 from the membrane cavity 46.

[0072] Also, see Figure 4 In some embodiments, the second housing 51 is provided with an air inlet 54, which is in communication with the storage space 13, so that the gas in the storage space 13 can flow into the accommodating chamber 55 through the air inlet 54. In this way, the membrane cavity 46 can be in communication with the storage space 13 through the accommodating chamber 55 and the air inlet 54, so that the gas in the storage space 13 can flow into the membrane cavity 46 through the air inlet 54 and the accommodating chamber 55 to separate nitrogen and oxygen. Since the accommodating chamber 55 is provided with a fan 56, the fan 56 can promote the gas in the storage space 13 to flow to the membrane cavity 46 through the air inlet 54 and the accommodating chamber 55, so as to improve the air intake efficiency, thereby improving the nitrogen and oxygen separation efficiency, improving the nitrogen and oxygen separation effect, and enhancing the freshness preservation ability. In particular, when the air vent 44 is provided on the first shell 41, the air inlet 54 is provided on the second shell 51, so that the gas in the storage space 13 can enter the membrane cavity 46 through the air vent 44, and can also enter the membrane cavity 46 through the air inlet 54, thereby effectively increasing the air intake area, improving the air intake efficiency, improving the nitrogen and oxygen separation efficiency, improving the nitrogen and oxygen separation effect, and improving the preservation ability. Moreover, when the air vent 44 supplies nitrogen to flow back to the storage space 13, the gas in the storage space 13 can still enter the membrane cavity 46 through the air inlet 54, so that the entire nitrogen and oxygen separation process can be carried out more continuously, which is also conducive to accelerating the nitrogen and oxygen separation process, improving the nitrogen and oxygen separation efficiency, improving the nitrogen and oxygen separation effect, and improving the preservation ability.

[0073] As a further improvement to the above embodiments, see Figure 2The storage device 10 further includes an oxygen concentration sensor 2, which detects the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13, and the oxygen control device 3 works according to the detection result of the oxygen concentration sensor 2. In this way, it is convenient for the oxygen control device 3 to more accurately control the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13 and achieve a better preservation effect. For example, in some embodiments, the oxygen control device 3 starts working and reduces the oxygen in the storage space 13 only when the oxygen concentration sensor 2 detects that the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13 exceeds the upper threshold, and stops reducing the oxygen when the oxygen concentration sensor 2 detects that the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13 reaches or is lower than the lower threshold. In this way, the oxygen control device 3 can accurately control the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13 between the upper threshold and the lower threshold, so that the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13 is more suitable, thereby achieving a better preservation effect.

[0074] Next, combine Figure 1-Figure 7 The embodiments shown are used to further illustrate the present application.

[0075] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 includes a housing 20 and a storage device 10. Various storage compartments such as a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment and a temperature-changing compartment are arranged in the housing 20. The storage device 10 is arranged in at least one of the refrigerating compartment and the temperature-changing compartment to store items and keep the stored items fresh.

[0076] Understandable, although Figure 1 Only one storage device 10 is shown, but this does not constitute the only limitation. In fact, the number of storage devices 10 in the refrigerator 100 is not limited to one, but may also be two, three or more.

[0077] Figure 2-Figure 5 The structure of the storage device 10 is further shown. Figure 2-Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the storage device 10 includes a storage component 1, an oxygen concentration sensor 2, an oxygen control device 3 and an air extraction device (not shown).

[0078] The storage component 1 is used to store items. Figure 2 It can be seen that in this embodiment, the storage component 1 includes an outer frame 11 and a drawer 12. The drawer 12 is slidably connected to the inner part of the outer frame 11 through a slide rail, etc., so that the drawer 12 can be pushed and pulled. A storage space 13 is formed between the drawer 12 and the outer frame 11 for storing items. When the drawer 12 is closed, the drawer 12 can be sealed with the outer frame 11 through a sealing strip and a magnet, etc., so that the storage space 13 is basically sealed.

[0079] The oxygen concentration sensor 2 is disposed on the storage component 1 and is used to detect the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13 .

[0080] The oxygen control device 3 is used to control the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13. Figure 2-Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the oxygen control device 3 is arranged in the outer frame 11, between the outer frame 11 and the drawer 12, and includes a first module 4 and a second module 5. The first module 4 includes a first shell 41 and a plurality of nitrogen and oxygen separation membranes 49. The second module 5 is detachably connected to one end of the first module 4 by a buckle 58, and includes a second shell 51, a fan 56 and two vibration damping members 57.

[0081] Among them, the first shell 41 includes a first end cover 42 and a first shell 43. The first end cover 42 faces the drawer 12, and is detachably connected to the first shell 43, enclosing the internal space of the first shell 41. A partition 45 (for example, cast by glue) is provided inside the first shell 41, and the partition 45 divides the internal space of the first shell 41 into a membrane cavity 46 and an oxygen-enriched cavity 47. The membrane cavity 46 is located between the first end cover 42, the first shell 43 and the partition 45. The oxygen-enriched cavity 47 is located between the first shell 43 and the partition 45, and is located on the side of the membrane cavity 46 away from the second module 5. A plurality of vents 44 are provided on the first end cover 42 and on the portion of the first shell 43 corresponding to the membrane cavity 46, and these vents 44 connect the membrane cavity 46 with the storage space 13, so that the air in the storage space 13 can flow into the membrane cavity 46 through the vents 44, and the nitrogen obtained by subsequent separation can flow back into the storage space 13 through the vents 44. By Figure 3 It can be seen that in this embodiment, the vent hole 44 on the first end cover 42 is a circular hole, and the vent hole 44 on the first shell 43 is an oblong hole, but this does not constitute the only limitation. The shapes of the vent holes 44 on the first end cover 42 and the first shell 43 can be changed. For example, the vent holes 44 on the first end cover 42 and the first shell 43 can also be oblong holes, circular holes or holes of other shapes. For another example, the shapes of the vent holes 44 on the first end cover 42 and the first shell 43 can be the same or different. An exhaust port 48 is provided on the portion of the first shell 43 corresponding to the oxygen-enriched chamber 47. The exhaust port 48 connects the oxygen-enriched chamber 47 with the exhaust device, so that the exhaust device can exhaust the gas in the oxygen-enriched chamber 47.

[0082] Multiple nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 are disposed in the membrane chamber 46 to separate nitrogen and oxygen from the air entering the membrane chamber 46 from the storage space 13, and to deliver the separated oxygen to the oxygen-enriched chamber 47. Figure 4 and Figure 5 It can be seen that in this embodiment, all the nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 are tubular and densely stacked in the membrane cavity 46, with a gap less than or equal to 0.5 mm, and these nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 only allow oxygen to pass through, but do not allow nitrogen to pass through, so that nitrogen and oxygen can be separated by allowing oxygen to enter the tubular cavity of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, while nitrogen remains outside the tubular cavity of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49.

[0083] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the cross-sections of all nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 are circular, and the first ends are supported by the partition 45, and are open and connected to the oxygen-enriched chamber 47, while the second ends are blocked by the blocking material 6 (such as glue). Since the first ends of all nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 are supported by the partition 45, the gaps between the open first ends of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 can be blocked by the partition 45. At the same time, since the second ends of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 are blocked, the separated oxygen can flow in the nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 along the direction from the second end to the first end, and finally flow from the first end to the oxygen-enriched chamber 47, and be sucked away by the exhaust device and discharged to the outside of the storage space 13, effectively reducing the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13, reducing the oxidation of the items in the storage space 13, and improving the freshness.

[0084] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the second shell 51 is connected to the end of the first shell 41 away from the oxygen-rich chamber 47 by a buckle 58, and includes a second end cover 52 and a second shell 53. The second end cover 52 faces the drawer 12 and is detachably connected to the second shell 53, enclosing a receiving chamber 55 located inside the second shell 51. The end of the receiving chamber 55 facing the membrane chamber 46 is at least partially open, so that the receiving chamber 55 is connected to the membrane chamber 46 to ventilate the membrane chamber 46. And a plurality of air inlet holes 54 are provided on the second end cover 52, and these air inlet holes 54 are all circular, and the receiving chamber 55 is connected to the storage space 13, so that the air in the storage space 13 can enter the receiving chamber 55 through the air inlet holes 54, so as to flow into the membrane chamber 46 through the receiving chamber 55, and be separated by nitrogen and oxygen by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49.

[0085] The fan 56 is disposed in the accommodating chamber 55, and its two axial ends are embedded in two positioning grooves (not shown) on the inner wall of the accommodating chamber 55, and vibration damping members 57 (such as vibration damping sponges) are provided on both axial ends to reduce vibration and noise. The main function of the fan 56 is to blow away the nitrogen gathered near the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, so that the nitrogen returns to the storage space 13, and introduce new air into the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 to accelerate the nitrogen-oxygen separation process.

[0086] The working process of the oxygen control device 3 of this embodiment is roughly as follows:

[0087] Under the action of the vacuum device and the fan 56, the gas in the membrane cavity storage space 13 enters the membrane cavity 46 through the vent 44 and the air inlet 54, and contacts the nitrogen oxygen separation membrane 49 in the membrane cavity 46. The oxygen in the gas passes through the nitrogen oxygen separation membrane 49, enters the interior of the nitrogen oxygen separation membrane 49, and flows from the first end of the nitrogen oxygen separation membrane 49 to the oxygen-rich chamber 47, and is extracted by the vacuum device and discharged to the outside of the storage space 13, while the nitrogen remains around the nitrogen oxygen separation membrane 49. The corresponding nitrogen is blown away by the fan 56 and returns to the storage space 13 through the vent 44, and the fan 56 introduces new gas to realize a continuous nitrogen oxygen separation process, so that the interior of the storage space 13 can maintain a low-oxygen and high-nitrogen environment, effectively improving the preservation performance.

[0088] The working process of the oxygen control device 3 is adjusted according to the opening and closing conditions of the drawer 12 and the detection result of the oxygen concentration sensor 2 .

[0089] Specifically, Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, when in the oa time period, the drawer 12 is not closed and the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13 is 21.9%.

[0090] When in the ab time period, the drawer 12 is closed, and the distance between the drawer 12 and the outer frame 11 is gradually shortened. When the proximity switch (not shown) detects that the drawer 12 is closed, the magnet (not shown) in the outer frame 11 is attracted to the drawer 12, and the sealing strip on the outer frame 11 cooperates to form a closed environment between the drawer 12 and the outer frame 11. In the corresponding process, the oxygen concentration sensor 2 works to detect the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13. When it is detected that the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13 exceeds the upper limit threshold, a signal is sent to the controller. The controller receives the signal and starts the exhaust device to extract the gas in the storage space 13, so that the pressure inside the storage space 13 is lower than the atmospheric pressure. , forming a low-pressure environment, allowing air to flow from the storage space 13 to the first end cover 42, and enter the membrane cavity 46 through the vent hole 44 on the first end cover 42, and then start the oxygen control device 3 to make the fan 56 run at high speed. The air entering the membrane cavity 46 passes through the nitrogen and oxygen separation membrane 49 to achieve nitrogen and oxygen separation. Oxygen enters the lumen of the nitrogen and oxygen separation membrane 49 and flows into the oxygen-enriched cavity 47 along the lumen, and then is discharged from the oxygen control device 3 through the exhaust port 48, while nitrogen remains on the surface of the nitrogen and oxygen separation membrane 49, and is affected by the wind force of the fan 56 and returns to the storage space 13 from the vent hole 44, so that the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13 drops to 10.5%, forming a low-oxygen environment in the storage space 13.

[0091] If the drawer 12 is opened during the normal operation of the oxygen control device 3 in the oxygen reduction mode, the operation of the air extraction device and the oxygen control device 3 will be stopped.

[0092] When the oxygen concentration sensor 2 detects that the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13 drops to the lower limit threshold, it feeds back to the controller, and the controller controls the exhaust device to stop, maintains the low pressure value in the drawer 12, and the air pressure in the drawer 12 is lower than the atmospheric pressure, and the airtightness is good. Then the oxygen control device 3 is controlled to stop running, and the fan 56 is stopped, so that in the bc stage, the oxygen concentration is 10.5%, which remains basically unchanged.

[0093] During operation, since the tubular nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is used for nitrogen-oxygen separation, the oxygen reduction effect can be effectively improved, a stable low-oxygen environment can be provided, and the freshness preservation ability of the refrigerator 100 can be enhanced. In addition, since the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane component and the fan component are modularly designed, any functional module can be efficiently replaced when a fault occurs. Therefore, the maintenance difficulty is relatively small and the maintenance cost is relatively low.

[0094] The above description is only an exemplary embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A refrigerator (100), characterized in that: include: Box (20); and The storage device (10) is arranged in the box (20) and comprises a storage component (1) and an oxygen control device (3), wherein the storage component (1) is provided with a storage space (13), and the oxygen control device (3) comprises a first shell (41) and a nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49), wherein a membrane cavity (46) is provided in the first shell (41), and the membrane cavity (46) is communicated with the storage space (13), and the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) is arranged in the membrane cavity (46) to separate oxygen and nitrogen in the gas entering the membrane cavity (46) from the storage space (13), so as to discharge the separated oxygen and reduce the oxygen concentration in the storage space (133), wherein the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) is tubular.

2. The oxygen control device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The oxygen control device (3) is constructed as at least one of the following: The nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) has a circular cross-section; The first end of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) is open to allow the gas in the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) to flow out, and the second end of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) opposite to the first end is blocked; The oxygen control device (3) comprises a plurality of nitrogen and oxygen separation membranes (49).

3. The oxygen control device (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that: Among the plurality of nitrogen oxygen separation membranes (49), the gap between adjacent nitrogen oxygen separation membranes (49) is less than or equal to 0.5 mm; and / or, among the plurality of nitrogen oxygen separation membranes (49), the gap between ends of adjacent nitrogen oxygen separation membranes (49) through which the gas in the nitrogen oxygen separation membrane (49) flows out is blocked.

4. The refrigerator (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first housing (41) is provided with a vent hole (44), the vent hole (44) communicating with the storage space (13) and the membrane cavity (46) so as to allow gas to flow between the storage space (13) and the membrane cavity (46); and / or the nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) flows back into the storage space (13).

5. The refrigerator (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The vent hole (44) allows the gas in the storage space (13) to flow into the membrane cavity (46), and allows the nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) to flow back from the membrane cavity (46) into the storage space (13).

6. The refrigerator (100) according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: The oxygen and nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) are located inside and outside the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49), respectively, wherein: the oxygen control device (3) further comprises a fan (56), the fan (56) drives the nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) to flow from the membrane cavity (46) back into the storage space (13); and / or, an oxygen-enriched cavity (47) is further provided in the first housing (41), the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) is connected to the oxygen-enriched cavity (47), so that the oxygen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) is discharged through the oxygen-enriched cavity (47).

7. The refrigerator (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The oxygen control device (3) further comprises a second outer shell (51), wherein a receiving chamber (55) is provided in the second outer shell (51), the receiving chamber (55) being in communication with the membrane chamber (46), and the fan (56) being arranged in the receiving chamber (55).

8. The refrigerator (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second housing (51) is detachably connected to the first housing (41).

9. The refrigerator (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first housing (41) and the second housing (51) are connected via a buckle (58), a threaded connection, a pin or a hinge.

10. The refrigerator (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The oxygen control device (3) further comprises a vibration damping member (57), wherein the vibration damping member (57) is arranged between the fan (56) and the inner wall of the accommodating chamber (55) for vibration reduction; and / or at least one positioning groove is arranged on the inner wall of the accommodating chamber (55), wherein the at least one positioning groove is located on at least one side of the axial direction of the fan (56) for positioning the fan (56).

11. The refrigerator (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that: The vibration damping components (57) are provided between the axial ends of the fan (56) and the inner wall of the accommodating cavity (55).

12. The refrigerator (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second shell (51) is provided with an air inlet hole (54), the air inlet hole (54) being in communication with the storage space (13), so that the gas in the storage space (13) can flow into the accommodating cavity (55) via the air inlet hole (54).

13. The refrigerator (100) according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: The storage device (10) further comprises an oxygen concentration sensor (2), wherein the oxygen concentration sensor (2) detects the oxygen concentration in the storage space (13), and the oxygen control device (3) operates according to the detection result of the oxygen concentration sensor (2).

14. A storage device (10) of a refrigerator (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. An oxygen control device (3) of a refrigerator (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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