Air door device for refrigerator and refrigerator having the same

Abstract

The present disclosure proposes a damper device for a refrigerator, comprising: a frame including an opening; a baffle rotatably mounted on the frame and capable of rotating between a closed position for completely closing the opening and an open position for completely opening the opening; a driving module for driving the baffle to rotate between the open position and the closed position. The driving module comprises: a stepping motor; a toothless gear connected to the stepping motor; a sector gear meshing with the toothless gear; an output shaft connected to the sector gear and connected to the baffle; wherein the stepping motor can drive the baffle to rotate via the toothless gear, the sector gear and the output shaft. In addition, the present disclosure also proposes a refrigerator comprising the damper device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a damper device for a refrigerator and a refrigerator having the damper device. Background Art

[0002] As a common household appliance, the refrigerator has the main functions of storage and preservation. The refrigerator may have more than one storage chamber to store different types of food or other items. Usually, different storage chambers need to be kept at different temperature levels. To this end, the refrigerator is provided with cold air passages leading to each storage chamber, and the cold air adjusts the temperature level of the different storage chambers through the cold air passages. Each cold air passage may be provided with a damper device to change the amount of cold air by changing the opening and closing of each cold air passage, thereby realizing dynamic adjustment of the temperature of each storage chamber. However, there are several problems with the current damper device.

[0003] First, the existing refrigerator damper solution is unstable in operation. There is a situation where the refrigerator issues a command to open or close the damper but the damper is not actually opened or closed. This will result in the inability to continuously and dynamically adjust the cold air flowing into each storage chamber as needed, and the food will not reach the appropriate temperature, greatly shortening the freshness period.

[0004] Secondly, in the existing refrigerator damper solutions, most of them use a multi-stage gear transmission mechanism. When the damper is in the closed position, the teeth of adjacent gears abut against each other. In order to eliminate the error of gear transmission, the number of pulses of the stepper motor for closing the door is usually designed to be greater than the number of pulses for opening the door, so that multiple gears are blocked when closing the door, thereby improving the accuracy of closing the door. For the multi-stage gear transmission mechanism of the prior art, the blocking time is too long, and the gear strength is insufficient, which easily leads to broken teeth; moreover, there is significant noise during the blocking process. The solutions in the prior art are difficult to solve both the noise and broken teeth problems. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the problems and needs mentioned above, this solution proposes a new type of damper device and a refrigerator having the damper device, which solves the above problems and brings other technical effects by adopting the following technical features.

[0006] In a first aspect of the present invention, a damper device for a refrigerator is proposed, wherein the damper device comprises: a frame having an end plate provided with an opening portion, and a baffle assembly rotatably mounted to the end plate, the baffle assembly being capable of rotating between a closed position in which the opening portion is completely closed and an open position in which the opening portion is completely opened; a shell that engages the frame and forms a drive chamber between the shell and the frame; and a drive module that is at least partially retained in the drive chamber and drives the baffle assembly to rotate.

[0007] Optionally, the frame has a shell engaging portion located at a side edge of the end plate and extending substantially perpendicularly to the end plate, and the shell is connected to the shell engaging portion of the frame.

[0008] Optionally, the baffle assembly includes a baffle mounted to the end plate and an elastic component disposed on the baffle, and when the baffle assembly is in a closed position, the elastic component abuts against the frame and elastically deforms to seal the opening.

[0009] Optionally, the end plate of the frame has a sealing plate portion which is arranged around the opening portion and protrudes from the end plate, and when the baffle assembly is in the closed position, the elastic component abuts against the sealing plate portion of the frame.

[0010] Optionally, a reinforcing rib is provided on a side of the baffle facing away from the elastic component.

[0011] Optionally, the baffle assembly includes a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion arranged at both ends of the baffle, and the baffle assembly is installed to the frame through the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, wherein a clamping structure is arranged inside the first shaft portion, and the driving module drives the baffle assembly to rotate through the clamping structure.

[0012] Optionally, the damper device further comprises a heater, which is mounted to the end plate and at least partially surrounds the opening.

[0013] Optionally, the frame further comprises an edge plate extending from an outer edge of the end plate, the edge plate surrounding the heater.

[0014] Optionally, the shape of the heater at least partially matches the shape of the end plate.

[0015] Optionally, the damper device is configured to generate an electrical signal when the baffle assembly is in the closed position or the open position, and not generate an electrical signal or generate another electrical signal when the baffle assembly is in an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position; and the damper device is configured to start the heater if the disappearance of the electrical signal or the change from the electrical signal to the other electrical signal is not detected within a predetermined time after receiving a command to rotate the baffle assembly.

[0016] Optionally, the damper device also includes a microswitch, and one of the transmission gears of the drive module includes two contacts protruding outward from the transmission gear in a radial direction, wherein the microswitch and the transmission gear are configured such that: when the baffle assembly is in the closed position, one of the two contacts triggers a static contact of the microswitch, so that the microswitch generates an electrical signal; when the baffle assembly is in the open position, the other of the two contacts triggers the static contact of the microswitch, so that the microswitch generates an electrical signal; when the baffle assembly is in an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position, neither of the two contacts triggers the static contact of the microswitch, so that the microswitch generates no electrical signal or generates another electrical signal.

[0017] Optionally, the predetermined time is 3 seconds to 8 seconds.

[0018] Optionally, the damper device further comprises a circuit board, wherein the circuit board comprises: a first connection portion for connecting to the micro switch; a second connection portion for connecting to the driving module; and a third connection portion for connecting to the heater.

[0019] Optionally, the driving module includes: a stepper motor; a toothless gear connected to the stepper motor; a sector gear meshing with the toothless gear; an output shaft connected to the sector gear and to the baffle; wherein the stepper motor can drive the baffle to rotate via the toothless gear, the sector gear and the output shaft.

[0020] Optionally, the sector gear includes a sector gear portion, a cylindrical portion and a sector gear output portion sequentially arranged along the axial direction; the toothless gear includes a shaft portion and a circular gear portion, the circular gear portion includes a gear tooth segment with gear teeth and an arc segment without gear teeth, the gear teeth on the gear tooth segment mesh with the gear teeth on the sector gear portion. The sector gear output portion may be in the form of a rotating shaft, for connecting to a slot-shaped snap-fit ​​structure at the first shaft portion of the baffle; the sector gear output portion may also be in the form of a slot, for connecting to a protrusion-shaped snap-fit ​​structure at the first shaft portion of the baffle.

[0021] Optionally, the frame has a bottom plate portion extending perpendicular to the plane where the opening portion is located, and the bottom plate portion includes: a first cylinder portion for rotatably supporting the cylindrical portion of the sector gear therein; and a second cylinder portion for rotatably supporting the shaft portion of the toothless gear therein.

[0022] Optionally, the bottom plate portion has a through hole on the inner side of the first cylindrical portion, for allowing the sector gear output portion as the output shaft to pass therethrough and extend to the baffle.

[0023] Optionally, the second cylinder has an arc groove, which is recessed away from the end surface of the second cylinder, the center of the arc groove coincides with the axis of the second cylinder, and the arc groove extends between the two limiting surfaces. The toothless gear has an arc-shaped protrusion, which extends from the side of the gear tooth portion of the toothless gear and is configured to be able to extend into the arc groove and move along the arc groove as the toothless gear rotates, and either of the two limiting surfaces is used to abut the arc-shaped protrusion to limit the rotation range of the toothless gear.

[0024] Optionally, the damper device further includes a micro switch having a static contact. The toothless gear further includes a contact portion having two contacts. When the baffle is in the open position, one of the two contacts engages the static contact of the micro switch, and the micro switch sends an electrical signal; when the baffle is in the closed position, the other of the two contacts engages the static contact of the micro switch, and the micro switch sends an electrical signal; when the baffle is in a position between the closed position and the fully open position, the contact portion does not engage the static contact of the micro switch, and the micro switch does not send an electrical signal or sends a signal different from the electrical signal.

[0025] Optionally, the contact portion is arranged on the side of the tooth portion of the toothless gear away from the shaft portion, and the contact portion has two arms extending radially outward, a contact point is formed at the end of each arm, and each contact point is located farther from the center of the toothless gear than the rest of the contact portion.

[0026] Optionally, the outer periphery of the toothless gear has an arc segment adjacent to its gear tooth segment. When the baffle is in the closed position, the outer periphery of the arc segment of the toothless gear abuts against the sector gear, thereby preventing the sector gear from rotating in the direction of opening the baffle.

[0027] Optionally, the outer periphery of the sector gear has a concave locking arc adjacent to its gear tooth segment, and the concave locking arc is recessed toward the center of the sector gear; when the baffle is in the closed position, part of the arc segment enters the interior of the concave locking arc, preventing the concave locking arc from rotating relative to the arc segment, thereby, the toothless gear prevents the sector gear from rotating in the direction of opening the baffle.

[0028] Optionally, when the baffle is in the closed position, the distance from any point on the concave locking arc to the center of the toothless gear is greater than the radius of the arc segment, which will not prevent the arc segment from rotating relative to the concave locking arc. As a result, the toothless gear can idle at an idle angle in the direction of closing the damper.

[0029] Optionally, the frame has a second barrel portion rotatably supporting the toothless gear, the second barrel portion having a circular arc groove extending between two limiting surfaces. The toothless gear has a circular arc protrusion configured to be able to extend into the circular arc groove and move along the circular arc groove as the toothless gear rotates until it abuts against any one of the two limiting surfaces. The angle between the two limiting surfaces is a first angle, and the angle through which the toothless gear rotates during the period when the baffle is driven to rotate from the open position to the closed position is a second angle, and the first angle is equal to the sum of the second angle and the idle angle.

[0030] Optionally, the radius of the arc segment of the toothless gear is R1, the distance from the arc endpoint of the concave locking arc of the sector gear to the center of the sector gear is L2, and the center distance between the sector gear and the toothless gear is L, where (R1+L2)-L is the interference amount L1, and the interference amount L1 is greater than zero.

[0031] Optionally, the range of the interference amount L1 is: 0.05mm≤L1≤1mm.

[0032] The driving module includes: a stepper motor; a toothless gear connected to the stepper motor, wherein the toothless gear includes an arc segment without gear teeth; a sector gear meshing with the toothless gear; an output shaft connected to the sector gear and connected to the baffle. The stepper motor can drive the baffle to rotate via the toothless gear, the sector gear and the output shaft. When the baffle is in a closed position, a portion of the arc segment of the toothless gear is located between two teeth of the sector gear, and the toothless gear prevents the sector gear from rotating in a direction to open the baffle.

[0033] Optionally, the sector gear has a first tooth that is the last to be meshed when the baffle is closed and a second tooth that is adjacent to the first tooth, and the end face of the first tooth facing the output shaft is farther away from the output shaft than the end face of the second tooth facing the output shaft. The toothless gear also has an arc-shaped groove, the radius of the outer circumference of the arc-shaped groove is smaller than the radius of the outer circumference of the arc segment, the arc-shaped groove is located on the side of the arc segment away from the output shaft, and the outer circumference of the arc segment and the outer circumference of the arc groove are connected by the inner end face. When the baffle is in the closed position, the arc-shaped groove accommodates the first tooth inside it, and a portion of the outer circumference of the arc segment is located between the first tooth and the second tooth and abuts the second tooth, preventing the second tooth from rotating relative to the arc segment, whereby the toothless gear prevents the sector gear from rotating in the direction of opening the baffle.

[0034] Optionally, when the baffle is in the closed position, the distance between any point on the second tooth and the center of the toothless gear is greater than the radius of the arc segment, which will not prevent the arc segment from rotating relative to the second tooth. As a result, the toothless gear can idle at an idle angle in the direction of closing the damper.

[0035] Optionally, the sector gear further has a third tooth adjacent to the second tooth, and the third tooth and the second tooth are connected via a connecting portion at a side close to the output shaft.

[0036] Optionally, end surfaces of the third tooth and the second tooth on the side close to the output shaft are closer to the output shaft than end surfaces of other teeth on the sector gear on the side close to the output shaft.

[0037] Optionally, the radius of the addendum circle of at least part of the second teeth of the sector gear is smaller than the radius of the addendum circle of the remaining teeth.

[0038] Optionally, a portion of the second tooth away from the end of the output shaft is cut off.

[0039] Optionally, the portion of the second tooth outside the inner end surface of the arc segment is completely cut off.

[0040] Optionally, both ends of the circular arc segment of the toothless gear are immediately connected to the gear tooth segment, and the radius of the circular arc segment of the toothless gear is greater than the radius of the tooth tip circle of the gear tooth segment.

[0041] Optionally, the outer peripheral surface of the circular arc segment of the missing gear and the tooth surface of the first tooth of the gear tooth segment that first engages when the door is opened are connected through an arc-shaped guiding surface.

[0042] In a second aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator is proposed, comprising: one or more storage chambers; one or more cold air passages respectively leading to the one or more storage chambers; one or more damper devices as described above, wherein the opening portion of each damper device is arranged in the corresponding cold air passage, so that the cold air delivery amount in the corresponding cold air passage is controlled by controlling the opening and closing of the opening portion of the corresponding damper device.

[0043] The best embodiments for implementing the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the features and advantages of the present disclosure can be easily understood. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure are briefly introduced below. The drawings are only used to show some embodiments of the present disclosure, but not to limit all embodiments of the present disclosure thereto.

[0045] Figure 1 A perspective view of a damper device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown with the flapper assembly in an open position;

[0046] Figure 2 A perspective view of a damper device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown with the flapper assembly in a closed position;

[0047] Figure 3The frame of the damper assembly is shown with the baffle assembly of the frame removed;

[0048] Figure 4A A first embodiment of a damper of a damper device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown in two views;

[0049] Figure 4B A second embodiment of a damper of a damper device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown in two views;

[0050] Figure 5 A perspective view of a damper device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown, wherein the frame and the housing are in a separated state;

[0051] Figure 6 A drive chamber of a damper device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0052] Figure 7 A circuit board of a damper device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0053] Figure 8 An illustrative diagram showing a drive module and a frame according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0054] Fig. 9 An illustrative diagram showing a framework according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0055] Fig.10 and Fig.11A An illustrative diagram showing different angles of a sector gear according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0056] Fig. 11B An illustrative diagram showing a sector gear according to another exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0057] Fig.12 and Fig.13 illustrative diagrams showing different angles of a toothless gear according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0058] Fig.14 A plan view of a sector gear and a toothless gear is shown when the damper is closed according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0059] Fig.15 Shown Fig.14 Magnified view of the circular area in ;

[0060] Fig.16 and Fig.17 Perspective and side views showing the damper mechanism when closed;

[0061] Fig.18 and Fig.19 Perspective and side views of the damper mechanism when open are shown;

[0062] Fig. 20 An illustrative diagram showing a sector gear according to another exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0063] Fig.21 An illustrative diagram showing a toothless gear according to another exemplary embodiment;

[0064] Fig. 22 and Fig.23 A plan view and an explanatory diagram showing a sector gear and a toothless gear when the damper device is closed according to another exemplary embodiment;

[0065] Fig.24 An illustrative diagram showing a sector gear according to yet another exemplary embodiment;

[0066] Fig.25 A partial schematic diagram of a sector gear and a toothless gear according to yet another exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0067] Reference numerals list

[0068] 10. Damper

[0069] 100 Frames

[0070] 101 Opening

[0071] 102 Sealing plate

[0072] 103 End plate

[0073] 104 Edge Plate

[0074] 105 Wiring Department

[0075] 106 Bottom plate

[0076] 107 Shell joint

[0077] 200 Shell

[0078] 300 Baffle Assembly

[0079] 301 Baffle

[0080] 302 Elastic parts

[0081] 303 Flat Panel

[0082] 305 First shaft

[0083] 306 Second shaft

[0084] 307 reinforcement

[0085] 400 Driver Module

[0086] 402 Transmission components

[0087] 403 Stepper Motor

[0088] 404 Motor output shaft

[0089] 405, 405' missing tooth gear

[0090] 406, 406' sector gear

[0091] 407 Output shaft

[0092] 408 Circuit Board

[0093] 409 Micro switch

[0094] 410 First barrel

[0095] 411 Second barrel

[0096] 412 First limit surface

[0097] 413 Second limit surface

[0098] 414 Arc slot

[0099] 415 Support

[0100] 416 Card slot

[0101] 417 Through Hole

[0102] 421 first connection part

[0103] 422 second connection part

[0104] 423 Third connection part

[0105] 424 Motor limiter

[0106] 425 Tinned Holes

[0107] H Heater

[0108] X rotation axis

[0109] 431 Shaft

[0110] 432, 432' Gear teeth

[0111] 433 Cylindrical part

[0112] 434, 434' Sector gear output

[0113] 435 Flat part

[0114] 436 Gear tooth segment

[0115] 437 Concave locking arc

[0116] 441 Shaft

[0117] 442 Gear teeth

[0118] 443, 443' Contact part

[0119] 444, 444' gear segment

[0120] 445, 445' arc segment

[0121] 446 Contacts

[0122] 447 Shaft hole

[0123] 448, 448' Arc-shaped protrusion

[0124] 451 First tooth of sector gear

[0125] 452 Second tooth of sector gear

[0126] 453 The third tooth of the sector gear

[0127] 454 Connection

[0128] 455 Arc Groove

[0129] 456 inner end face

[0130] 457 The first tooth of the missing gear

[0131] 458 Curved guide surface DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0132] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the technical solution of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solution of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings of specific embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0133] The same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same components. It should be noted that the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, but not all of the embodiments.

[0134] Based on the described embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0135] 1. Overall structure

[0136] First, refer to Figures 1 to 6 An exemplary embodiment of the damper device 10 proposed by the present disclosure is described. Figure 1 and 2Perspective views of the damper 10 are shown according to an exemplary embodiment, with the flap assembly 300 in an open position and a closed position, respectively. Figure 3 The frame 100 of the damper 10 is illustrated with the baffle assembly 300 of the frame 100 removed. Figure 4A and Figure 4B The baffle 301 of the damper 10 according to the exemplary embodiment is shown in two views. Figure 5 A perspective view of the damper device 10 according to the exemplary embodiment is shown, in which the frame 100 and the housing 200 are in a separated state. Figure 6 A driving chamber of the damper device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0137] The damper device 10 mainly includes a frame 100, a housing 200 and a driving module. The housing 200 is connected to the frame 100, and a driving chamber is formed between the housing 200 and the frame 100. The driving module is at least partially retained in the driving chamber. Figure 6 shown.

[0138] The frame 100 has an end plate 103 provided with an opening 101. The opening 101 may be an opening and closing port of a cold air passage for conveying cold air to the storage chamber of the refrigerator to maintain its temperature. That is, the opening 101 is provided in the corresponding cold air passage of the refrigerator, and the cold air conveying amount in the corresponding cold air passage can be controlled by controlling the opening and closing of the opening 101.

[0139] The frame 100 further includes a baffle assembly 300 rotatably mounted to the end plate 103 , and the baffle assembly 300 is rotatable between a closed position for completely closing the opening 101 and an open position for completely opening the opening 101 . Figure 1 The baffle assembly 300 is shown in a fully open position, wherein the baffle assembly 300 is substantially orthogonal to the end plate 103 of the frame 100 , and the rotation axis X of the baffle assembly 300 is shown. Figure 2 The shutter assembly 300 is shown in a closed position. Although the drawings show that the open position can differ from the closed position by 90 degrees, the solution of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the open position can differ from the closed position by more than 90 degrees.

[0140] The frame 100 also has a shell joint portion 107 located at the side edge of the end plate 103 and extending substantially perpendicularly to the end plate 103. Specifically, the shell joint portion 107 may be a structural portion extending perpendicularly to the end plate 103 of the frame 100 from the side edge of the frame 100 perpendicular to the rotation axis of the baffle 301. In this way, the baffle 301 is generally divided into two parts: the shell joint portion 107, and the remaining part including the end plate 103. Preferably, see Figure 5 , the two parts may be arranged in an L-shape as a whole. Preferably, the housing joint 107 may have a snap-fit ​​structure, and the housing 200 is connected to the housing joint 107 by snap-fitting. However, the connection between the housing and the frame is not limited to snap-fitting connection, and may also be connected by screw fastening or ultrasonic welding.

[0141] Among them, see Figure 3 , which can clearly show the end plate 103 of the frame 100 assembly. The opening 101 is set in the end plate 103, and its shape is not limited, for example, it can be a rectangular opening 101. Preferably, the frame 100 has an edge plate 104 extending from the outer peripheral edge of the end plate 103 to protect the heater H to be introduced below.

[0142] in, Figure 4A and Figure 4B The baffle 301 of the baffle assembly 300 is shown. The main function of the baffle 301 is to control the amount of air passing through the opening 101. The size and shape of the baffle 301 are set to facilitate closing the opening 101, for example, it is also set to a long rectangle as shown in the figure, and the size is slightly larger than the opening 101. The baffle 301 may include a first shaft portion 305 and a second shaft portion 306 arranged at both ends thereof, and the baffle 301 is installed to the frame 100 through the first shaft portion 305 and the second shaft portion 306, so that the baffle 301 can rotate relative to the frame 100 around the first and second shaft portions 306. A snap-fit ​​structure is arranged inside the first shaft portion 305, and the driving module can engage the snap-fit ​​structure, for example, through the corresponding features of its output shaft, so as to drive the baffle 301 to rotate through the snap-fit ​​structure. For example, as Figure 4A As shown, a slot is provided inside the first shaft portion 305, and the output shaft of the driving module is provided with a flat portion engaged in the slot. The output shaft of the driving module is connected to the slot of the first shaft portion 305 by snapping its flat portion, so that it can drive the first shaft portion to rotate. Alternatively, a slot can be provided inside the output shaft of the driving module, and a flat portion can be provided at the end of the first shaft portion, such as Figure 4B Preferably, one side of the baffle 301 is a flat plate portion 303 for placing the elastic component 302, and the other side, that is, the side away from the elastic component 302, is provided with a reinforcing rib 307. The provision of the reinforcing rib 307 can improve the strength of the baffle 301, prevent the baffle assembly 300 from shrinking, and improve the surface appearance quality.

[0143] The elastic component 302 can be attached to the flat plate portion 303 of the flat baffle 301, and the shape of the elastic component 302 can match the shape of the flat plate portion 303 of the baffle 301, for example, a sheet-like rectangular shape. The elastic member can be made of materials such as foam polyurethane. When the baffle assembly 300 is in the closed position, the elastic component 302 abuts against the frame 100 and elastically deforms to seal the opening portion 101. More preferably, the end plate 103 of the frame 100 has a sealing plate portion 102 arranged around the opening portion 101 and protruding from the end plate 103, and when the baffle assembly 300 is in the closed position, the elastic component 302 abuts against the sealing plate portion 102 of the frame 100. The elastic component 302 abuts against the sealing plate portion 102, which effectively increases the sealing performance of the baffle 301 to the opening portion 101.

[0144] According to a preferred embodiment, the housing 200 is connected to the frame 100 by snap-fitting. Figure 5 The frame 100 and the housing 200 are shown in a separated state.

[0145] The driving module drives the baffle assembly 300 to rotate. The driving module may include a motor and a transmission assembly. The motor is preferably a stepping motor. The transmission assembly transmits power from the motor to the baffle assembly 300 to drive the baffle assembly 300 to rotate, thereby controlling the opening and closing degree of the opening 101, and further controlling the amount of cold air in the cold air channel. The driving module is located in the driving room, for example Figure 6 shown.

[0146] 2. Heater H

[0147] The damper device 10 may further include a heater H. According to the solution of the present disclosure, the heater H is mounted to the end plate 103 of the frame 100 and at least partially surrounds the opening 101. Preferably, the shape of the heater H may at least partially match the shape of the end plate 103. For example Figure 1 The heater H is shown installed in the frame 100 . Since the opening 101 shown in the figure is rectangular and the end plate 103 is also rectangular, the heater H is in the shape of a rectangular frame arranged around the opening 101 .

[0148] According to a preferred embodiment, the frame 100 further includes an edge plate 104 extending from the outer edge of the end plate 103 and partially surrounding the heater H. The extending direction of the edge plate 104 is the same as the extending direction of the shell joint 107, and both extend from the side of the opening 101 where the baffle assembly 300 is installed away from the opening, for example, see Figure 1In the embodiment shown, the heater H is surrounded by the edge plate 104 at three edges and is engaged by the shell engaging portion 107 of the frame 100 at the other edge, so that the heater H is limited and protected at the four edges. This structural arrangement of the frame 100 can prevent external parts from crushing the heater H, thereby protecting the heater H. At the same time, the heater H can be easily operated and compactly installed.

[0149] Although the drawings show that the heater is arranged on the side of the end plate close to the opening direction of the baffle assembly, according to another preferred solution, the heater is arranged on the back side of the end plate, that is, the side of the end plate away from the opening direction of the baffle assembly. For the solution in which the heater is arranged on the back side of the end plate, preferably, a groove surrounding the opening is formed in the back side of the end plate, and the heater is arranged in the groove. With such a solution, a compact space arrangement is achieved, and the heater can be protected.

[0150] Wherein, the damper device 10 is configured to generate an electrical signal when the baffle assembly 300 is in the closed position or the open position; when the baffle assembly 300 is in the intermediate position between the closed position and the open position, no electrical signal is generated, or another electrical signal is generated. The damper device 10 is configured to monitor the signal, and if the damper device 10 does not detect the disappearance of the signal or the change of the electrical signal to another electrical signal within a predetermined time after receiving the command to rotate the baffle assembly 300, the heater H is started. Preferably, the predetermined time may be 3 to 8 seconds. In an exemplary embodiment, when the baffle assembly 300 is in the closed position or the open position, an electrical signal 1 is generated; when the baffle assembly 300 is in the intermediate position between the closed position and the open position, an electrical signal 0 is generated. The damper device 10 is configured to monitor the signal, and if the damper device 10 does not detect the signal change within a predetermined time after receiving the command to rotate the baffle assembly 300, the heater H is started.

[0151] Through such control settings, when the stepper motor is driven to open the damper, if the change of the electrical signal can be detected, it indicates that the damper is not frozen and is normally opened; if the change of the electrical signal cannot be detected, it indicates that the damper may be frozen due to frost. At this time, the heater H is started to melt the frost so that the baffle 301 resumes normal opening. In this way, the situation where the damper is frozen in the fully open or fully closed position and does not work due to frost or ice is avoided.

[0152] The above heating scheme can be specifically implemented by using a micro switch 409. The micro switch 409 can be arranged in the driving chamber, for example, on a circuit board in the driving chamber. In cooperation, one of the transmission components of the driving module, such as the toothless gear described in detail below, may include two contacts 446 protruding in the radial direction. By setting the installation position of the toothless gear, when the baffle assembly 300 is in the closed position, one contact 446 triggers the static contact of the micro switch 409, so that the micro switch 409 generates an electrical signal; when the baffle assembly 300 is in the open position, another contact 446 triggers the static contact of the micro switch 409, so that the micro switch 409 also generates an electrical signal; when the baffle assembly 300 is in the middle position between the closed position and the open position, no contact 446 contacts the static contact of the micro switch 409, and the micro switch 409 does not generate an electrical signal or generates another electrical signal.

[0153] The heater H may be electrically connected to the circuit board. More details about the circuit board will be described below. Preferably, the frame 100 includes a wiring portion 105, which is in the form of a groove formed in the frame 100 and may extend from a position of the housing joint portion 107 of the frame 100 near the end plate 103 to a position near the circuit board mounting position of the frame 100. For example Figure 1-3 The arrangement of the wiring portion 105 in the housing joint portion 107 of the frame 100 is shown. A cable of the heater H for connecting to a circuit board is arranged along the wiring portion 105.

[0154] 3. Circuit board

[0155] As mentioned above, the damper device 10 may further include a circuit board. Figure 7 The preferred embodiment of the circuit board is shown. The circuit board can be used to control the motor, the heater H, and the micro switch 409.

[0156] According to a preferred solution, the circuit board has a connection portion for the heater H, the drive module (specifically, the motor of the drive module), etc. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the circuit board includes a first connection portion 421 for connecting the micro switch 409, a second connection portion 422 for connecting the drive module, and a third connection portion 423 for connecting the heater H. In addition, the circuit board has a motor limit portion 424 for limiting the stepping motor, which is in the form of a hole formed in the circuit board.

[0157] In order to facilitate the installation of the circuit board, the frame 100 is preferably provided with a slot portion 416, and the circuit board is plugged into the slot portion 416. The slot portion 416 can be provided on the side of the housing joint portion 107 of the frame 100 facing the drive chamber, so that the circuit board is arranged in the drive chamber. Figure 6 As shown, it shows the layout of the circuit board in the drive room.

[0158] According to a preferred embodiment, the circuit board is provided with tin-plated holes penetrating the circuit board, so that when one side of the circuit board fails to work, the other side can work to ensure the power supply function of the circuit.

[0159] 4. Driver Module

[0160] The driving module 400 of the damper device 10 is used to drive the baffle 301 to Figure 1 Shown in fully open position and Figure 2 The components of the driving module 400 are accommodated in a driving chamber surrounded by the housing 200 and the frame 100 .

[0161] Figure 8 The housing 200 is removed to show the components of the drive module 400. The drive module 400 includes a transmission assembly 402 and a stepper motor 403. The transmission assembly 402 includes a toothless gear 405 directly connected to a motor output shaft 404 of the stepper motor 403, a sector gear 406 meshing with the toothless gear 405, and the sector gear 406 can be directly connected to an output shaft 407, and the output shaft 407 is connected to the baffle 301. By driving the stepper motor forward and reverse, the baffle 301 can be driven to rotate forward and reverse, thereby realizing the opening and closing actions of the damper.

[0162] Fig. 9 1 shows an explanatory diagram of the frame 100. The frame 100 has a bottom plate portion 106 facing the housing 200, on which structures for mounting and supporting various components of the driving module 400 are provided. The bottom plate portion 106 is a component of a housing joint portion 107 constituting the frame.

[0163] See also Fig. 9 The bottom plate 106 has a first cylinder 410 for rotatably supporting the sector gear 406. The first cylinder 410 protrudes from the plane of the bottom plate 106 toward the housing 200. The inner periphery of the first cylinder 410 defines a rotation support surface. On the inner side of the first cylinder 410, a through hole 417 is formed through the bottom plate 106 for passing the output shaft 407 therethrough.

[0164] According to an exemplary embodiment, the structure of the sector gear 406 is as follows: Fig.10 and Fig.11A Along the axial direction, the sector gear 406 includes a shaft portion 431, a gear tooth portion 432, a cylindrical portion 433 and a sector gear output portion 434 in sequence. The sector gear output portion 434 can be in the form of a rotating shaft, and is used as the output shaft 407 of the driving module 400, and is used to be inserted into the card slot-shaped card connection structure located at the first shaft portion 305 of the baffle 301, as shown in FIG. Figure 4A In another embodiment, as shown. Fig. 11B As shown, the sector gear output portion 434 may also be in the form of a slot for accommodating and engaging a rotating shaft-shaped clamping structure located at the first shaft portion 305 of the baffle 301, such as Figure 4B As shown. The shaft portion 431 can be mounted on a corresponding supporting structure (not shown) on the inner side of the housing 200. The gear tooth portion 432 is sector-shaped, and has a plurality of gear teeth on its outer peripheral side for engaging with the corresponding plurality of gear teeth of the upstream toothless gear 405. The cylindrical portion 433 can be coaxially inserted into the first barrel portion 410, so that the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 433 can be rotatably supported on the rotating supporting surface of the inner periphery of the first barrel portion 410. At the same time, the sector gear output portion 434 in the form of a rotating shaft can pass through the through hole 417 and partially extend to the other side of the bottom plate portion 106. The sector gear output portion 434 has a keying structure, such as Fig.11A The two flat portions 435 are shown to be engaged with the engaging holes at the first shaft portion 305 of the baffle 301 .

[0165] Continue to see Fig. 9 The bottom plate portion 106 has a second barrel portion 411 for rotatably supporting the toothless gear 405. The second barrel portion 411 protrudes from the plane of the bottom plate portion 106 toward the housing 200, and the inner circumference of the second barrel portion 411 defines a rotation support surface. In addition, an arc groove 414 is provided on the outer circumferential side of the second barrel portion 411, and the arc groove 414 is recessed away from the end surface of the second barrel portion 411. The center of the arc groove 414 coincides with the axis of the second barrel portion 411, and is used to guide the rotation of the toothless gear 405 and limit the angular range of its rotation. The arc groove 414 has two end surfaces, namely a first limiting surface 412 corresponding to the open position of the damper and a second limiting surface 413 corresponding to the closed position of the damper, and the arc groove 414 extends between the two limiting surfaces 412, 413.

[0166] According to an exemplary embodiment, the structure of the toothless gear 405 is as follows: Fig.12 and Fig.13As shown. Along the axial direction, the toothless gear 405 includes a shaft portion 441, a gear portion 442 and a contact portion 443 in sequence. The shaft portion 441 can be coaxially inserted into the second barrel portion 411, so that the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 441 can be rotatably supported on the rotating support surface of the inner periphery of the second barrel portion 411. The outer periphery of the gear tooth portion 442 is divided into two different sections, the first section has gear teeth, which is a gear tooth section 444; the second section does not have gear teeth, which is a circular arc section 445. The multiple gear teeth on the gear tooth section 444 are used to mesh with the corresponding multiple gear teeth on the downstream sector gear 406. The contact portion 443 has two arms extending away from the axis, and the end of each arm forms a contact 446 for actuating the micro switch 409. Each contact 446 forms the part of the contact portion 443 that is farthest from the axis. Therefore, during the rotation of the toothless gear 405, only the contact 446 will touch the static contact on the micro switch 409; in addition, during the rotation of the toothless gear 405, except for the contact 446 touching the static contact on the micro switch 409, the sector gear 405 will not interfere with any other structure. At the position near the axis of the contact portion 443, an axial hole 447 is formed, and the axial hole 447 can be fastened to the motor output shaft 404.

[0167] like Fig.13 As shown, an arc-shaped protrusion 448 is provided on the surface of the gear tooth portion 442 facing the shaft portion 441. When the shaft portion 441 is inserted into the second barrel portion 411, the arc-shaped protrusion 448 will be inserted into the arc groove 414 outside the second barrel portion 411. Therefore, when the stepping motor 403 drives the toothless gear 405 to rotate, the arc-shaped protrusion 448 will move along the arc groove 414 until the two limiting surfaces 412 and 413 of the arc groove 414 abut against the arc-shaped protrusion 448, preventing the toothless gear 405 from rotating, thereby playing a limiting role.

[0168] Continue to see Fig. 9 The bottom plate 106 also has a support portion 415, which is used to be fixedly connected to the mounting structure on the stepper motor 403 by screws, so as to mount the stepper motor 403 to the frame 100. The bottom plate 106 also has a slot portion 416, which is used to clamp and fix the circuit board 408.

[0169] The working mechanism of the driving module 400 disclosed in the present invention is as follows:

[0170] - When the damper device is opened, the stepper motor 403 rotates counterclockwise ( Figure 8The toothless gear 405 is rotated, and then the baffle 301 is driven to rotate clockwise via the fan gear 406; when the arc-shaped protrusion 448 of the toothless gear 405 abuts against the first limit surface 412, the baffle 301 stops rotating, and the open position is reached at this time, and the opening portion 101 of the frame 100 is opened to allow cooling air flow to flow therethrough; at this time, a contact 446 of the toothless gear 405 touches the static contact on the micro switch 409, and the micro switch 409 outputs a corresponding electrical signal to indicate that the damper device is fully open.

[0171] -When closing the damper device, the stepper motor 403 rotates the toothless gear 405 clockwise, and then drives the baffle 301 to rotate counterclockwise via the fan gear 406; when the elastic component 302 on the baffle 301 abuts against the sealing plate portion 102 on the frame 100, the baffle 301 stops rotating and reaches the closed position, sealing the opening portion 101 of the frame 100 and blocking the cooling air flow from flowing therethrough; at this time, the other contact 446 of the toothless gear 405 touches the static contact on the micro switch 409, and the micro switch 409 outputs a corresponding electrical signal to indicate that the damper device is completely closed.

[0172] The contact 446 cooperates with the static contact on the micro switch 409 to form a signal feedback method. In an exemplary embodiment, when the baffle 301 is fully opened or fully closed, an electrical signal is output (e.g., a signal "1" is shown); during the rotation of the baffle 301, no electrical signal is output (e.g., an output signal "0"). When the stepper motor is driven to open the damper, if the change of the electrical signal can be detected, it indicates that the damper is not frozen and is opened normally; if the change of the electrical signal cannot be detected, it indicates that the damper may be frozen due to frost. At this time, the heating function can be activated to melt the frost so that the damper 301 can be restored to normal opening.

[0173] 5. Locking mechanism

[0174] In order to prevent the baffle 301 from rotating in the opening direction due to factors such as the rebound of the elastic component 302, airflow push, vibration, etc. after reaching the closed position, the drive module 400 can be provided with a locking mechanism. The present disclosure proposes the following two different locking structures, namely, an arc locking structure ( Figure 10 to Figure 13 ) and toothed locking structure ( Figures 14 to 25 ).

[0175] 5.1 Arc locking structure

[0176] In the first embodiment, the locking mechanism is composed of the concave locking arc 437 of the sector gear 406 and the circular arc segment 445 of the toothless gear 405. Fig.10 and Fig.11AAs shown, the outer periphery of the gear tooth portion 432 of the sector gear 406 has a gear tooth segment 436 including a plurality of gear teeth, and two concave locking arcs 437 located at both ends of the gear tooth segment 436 in the circumferential direction. Each concave locking arc 437 is recessed toward the center of the sector gear 406 and is in the shape of a circular arc. During the rotation of the driving baffle 301, the gear segment 436 of the sector gear 406 and the gear segment 444 of the toothless gear 405 are meshed.

[0177] During the period when the baffle 301 is in the closed position, Fig.14 As shown, the concave locking arc 437 engages part of the arc segment 445 to form a concave-convex arc locking structure. The curvature of the concave locking arc 437 is set to match the curvature of the arc segment 445. In this structure, if the toothless gear 405 remains fixed, the concave locking arc 437 will not rotate freely relative to the arc segment 445, because part of the arc segment 445 extends into the interior of the concave locking arc 437, which will provide resistance to prevent the concave locking arc 437 from rotating over the arc segment 445. It is precisely because of the locking effect of the concave locking arc 437 and the arc segment 445 that the sector gear 406 and the baffle 301 linked thereto will be stably in the closed position and will not be easily displaced, and the rebound effect of the elastic component 302, the driving force of the airflow on the baffle 301, vibration and other factors will not cause the baffle 301 to move toward the open position, which improves the airtightness of the damper closure and reduces the noise problem caused by the shaking of the baffle 301.

[0178] Fig.14 And its local enlargement Fig.15 The structure of the toothless gear 405 and the sector gear 406 in the locked state is shown. The radius of the arc segment 445 of the toothless gear 405 is R1, the distance from the arc end point of the concave locking arc 437 of the sector gear 406 to the center of the sector gear 406 is L2, and the center distance between the sector gear 406 and the toothless gear 405 is L. To achieve the above locking effect, L is less than R1+L2, and the difference between the two (R1+L2)-L is the interference amount L1. The interference amount L1 is preferably 0.05mm≤L1≤1mm. When the interference amount L1 is greater than 1mm, there will be interference between the gears due to space design problems; due to factors such as part manufacturing errors, the interference amount L1 is greater than or equal to 0.05mm. When the interference amount L1 is less than 0.05mm, the locking mechanism does not work. In addition, the size constraints of the shaft must also be considered. The radius of the shaft 441 of the toothless gear 405 is r1, the radius of the shaft 431 of the sector gear is r2, and the radius of the arc segment 445 of the toothless gear 305 is R1, which must satisfy r1≤R1≤L-r2; the distance from the arc endpoint of the concave locking arc 437 of the sector gear 306 to the center of the sector gear 306 is L2, which must satisfy r1≤L2≤L-r2.

[0179] In addition to the locking function, this locking structure also allows the toothless gear to idle and shortens the stepper motor stall time when closing the door.

[0180] In this solution, after the baffle 301 is closed and in place, that is, after the elastic component 302 abuts against the sealing plate portion 102 of the frame 100 and elastically deforms, the second limiting surface 413 of the arc groove 414 of the housing 200 has not yet abutted against the arc-shaped protrusion 448 of the toothless gear 405; thereafter, the arc segment 445 of the toothless gear 405 has entered the concave locking arc 437 of the sector gear 406, but can still continue to rotate forward relative to the concave locking arc 437 (at this time, the stepper motor 403 idles, that is, the baffle 301 is not driven to rotate further), until the second limiting surface 413 abuts against the arc-shaped protrusion 448, and finally stops the stepper motor 403 from rotating. The angle at which the toothless gear 405 can continue to rotate is the idle angle α.

[0181] Fig.16 The baffle 301 is completely closed (eg Fig.17 Schematic diagram of the sector gear 406 and the toothless gear 405). Fig.18 When the baffle 301 is fully opened (eg Fig.19 As shown in the figure, θ is the total angle of rotation of the toothless gear 405 driven by the stepping motor 403 (i.e., the angle from the first limit surface 412 to the second limit surface 413), α is the idling angle, and β is the angle rotated by the toothless gear 405 during the rotation of the damper baffle 301 from the open position to the closed position, and the relationship between them is: θ=α+β.

[0182] In the process of closing the door, it is necessary to design the stepper motor 403 to stall. The purpose of stalling is to return the gear of the stepper motor 403 to zero, so that the damper baffle 301 can return to the same position when closing the door in the next round, avoiding the error of gear rotation, making the damper closing more accurate, and allowing the opening 101 to be more reliably closed by the baffle 301. If the number of door opening rotation pulses of the stepper motor 403 set by the client is M, and the number of door closing pulses is N, then NM=W, W is the minimum number of pulses of the stepper motor stalling, and A is the number of idling pulses of the stepper motor. The inventor found that if the overall angle θ driven by the stepper motor 403 to rotate is equal to the rotation angle β of the toothless gear 406 required for the baffle 301 to close in place, when the damper baffle is closed in place, if the pulse step value N set by the motor needs to be completed, the pulse step value of the stepper motor 403 that needs to be stalled is W+A, and the stalling time is too long, which will lead to risks such as gear tooth breakage. To this end, in the solution disclosed in the present invention, the idling angle α is increased by the above-mentioned locking mechanism, so that the arc-shaped protrusion 448 of the toothless gear 405 reaches the second limit surface 413 only after idling for a certain number of pulse steps, thereby shortening the blocking time and reducing the risk of broken teeth.

[0183] 5.2 Tooth locking structure

[0184] In the second embodiment, the locking mechanism is composed of the first teeth 451 and the second teeth 452 at the ends of the sector gear 406 ′ and the arc segment 445 ′ of the toothless gear 405 ′.

[0185] See also Fig. 20 The structure of the sector gear 406' in the second embodiment is basically the same as that of the sector gear 406 in the first embodiment, and only the difference between the two is described below. The gear teeth 432' of the sector gear 406' do not have concave locking arcs on both sides. Instead, the gear teeth 432' has a first tooth 451, a second tooth 452 and a third tooth 453 on one side (the side that is engaged last when the damper is closed and the side that is engaged first when the damper is opened), and the first tooth 451 is located at the edge. Fig. 20 As shown, the width of the first tooth 451 in the axial direction is shorter than that of other teeth, so that the end surface of the first tooth 451 facing the side of the sector gear output part 434' is farther away from the output shaft than other teeth. In addition, the second gear 452 and the third tooth 453 are connected by a connecting portion 454 near the side of the sector gear output part 434'.

[0186] See also Fig.21 The structure of the toothless gear 405' in the second embodiment is basically the same as the structure of the toothless gear 405 in the first embodiment, and only the difference between the two is described below. An arc groove 455 is formed between the arc segment 445' and the contact portion 443' of the toothless gear 405', which is located between the inner end surface 456 of the arc segment 445' and the side surface of the contact portion 443'. The two ends of the arc groove 455 extend to the outer surfaces of the two outermost teeth of the gear tooth segment 444' respectively. The radial depth of the arc groove 455 is greater than the radial height of the first tooth 451, and the axial width of the arc groove 455 is greater than the axial width of the first tooth 415. Therefore, the first tooth 451 can be accommodated in the arc groove 455 and slide along the arc groove 455.

[0187] During the period when the baffle 301 is in the closed position, Fig. 22 and Fig.23 As shown, part of the outer surface of the arc segment 445' of the toothless gear 405' enters between the first tooth 451 and the second tooth 452 of the sector gear 406'. The second tooth 452 abuts against the outer surface of the arc segment 445'. Since the first tooth 451 is staggered from the arc segment 445' in the axial direction, the first tooth 451 will not block the arc segment 445' from entering the space between the first tooth 451 and the second tooth 452, and the first tooth 451 is accommodated by the arc groove 455.

[0188] In this structure, on the one hand, the arc segment 445' of the toothless gear 405' can continue to rotate a certain angle relative to the second tooth 452 of the sector gear 406' after the baffle 301 reaches the closed position, that is, the idling of the toothless gear 405' and the stepper motor 403 is achieved until the arc-shaped protrusion 448' on the toothless gear 405' abuts the corresponding second limiting surface 413, which helps to shorten the stall time of the stepper motor.

[0189] On the other hand, since the outer surface of the circular arc segment 445' abuts against the second tooth 452, the fan gear 406' can be prevented from rotating in the direction of opening the damper, which can prevent the damper from opening due to the rebound effect of the elastic component 302 on the baffle 301, the impact or vibration of the airflow, etc. after the damper is closed, thereby improving the airtightness of the closed damper. In addition, the top of the second tooth 452 and the third tooth 453 of the fan gear 406' are connected together through the connecting portion 454. This structure can increase the strength of the gear and increase the abutment area of ​​the second tooth 452, thereby effectively avoiding the impact of the circular arc segment 445' of the toothless gear 405' abutting against the second tooth 452 of the fan gear 406' causing broken teeth.

[0190] The above configuration may cause noise problems when the damper is opened and closed. For example, see Fig. 22 When the damper is opened, the stepper motor 403 drives the toothless gear 405' to rotate counterclockwise, and the first tooth 457 in the toothless gear 405' will pass over the second tooth 452 of the fan gear 406' and mesh between the first tooth 451 and the second tooth 452. At this time, due to the force acting on the fan gear 406' from the damper baffle side, manufacturing tolerances and other factors, the rotation center axis of the fan gear 406' may be tilted. In this case, the second tooth 452 of the fan gear 406' is likely to interfere with the inner end surface 456 of the circular arc segment 445' of the toothless gear 405', the first tooth 457 and other parts, thereby causing noise. A similar situation occurs when the damper is closed.

[0191] In order to reduce the noise phenomenon, the structure of the present disclosure may be improved in any of the following ways:

[0192] - The radius of the tooth tip circle of the second tooth 452 of the sector gear 406' is set to be smaller than the tooth tip circle radius of the normal tooth, for example Fig. 22 and 23 As shown, a portion of the second tooth 452 away from the connecting portion 454 can be partially cut off. In this case, when the rotation center axis of the sector gear 406' is tilted, the second tooth 452 of the sector gear 406' does not have a portion protruding toward the inner end surface 456 of the arc segment 445' of the toothless gear 405', and there is no interference, and no noise is generated.

[0193] - The end surface of the second tooth 452 of the sector gear 406' away from the connecting portion 454 is arranged to be on the same plane as the inner end surface 456 of the arc segment 445' of the toothless gear 405', that is, the portion of the second tooth 452 below the inner end surface 456 of the arc segment 445' is completely removed, such as Fig.24 In this case, when the rotation center axis of the sector gear 406' is tilted, the second tooth 452 of the sector gear 406' does not have a portion protruding toward the inner end surface 456 of the arc segment 445' of the toothless gear 405', and there is no interference and no noise.

[0194] - The radius of the arc segment 445' of the toothless gear 405' is set to be larger than the radius of the tooth tip circle of the gear tooth segment 444', such as Fig.25 As shown, the dotted line is the tooth top circle trajectory of the gear tooth segment 444'. In this case, when the rotation center axis of the sector gear 406' is tilted, and the arc segment 445' abuts against the second tooth 452 of the sector gear 406', the tooth top position of the second tooth 452 will also be located outside the tooth top circle of the toothless gear 405'. Therefore, when the toothless gear 405' and the sector gear 406' begin to mesh, there will be no interference between the first tooth 457 of the toothless gear 405' and the second tooth 452 of the sector gear 406' to generate noise. In addition, in this example, as Fig.25 As shown, the outer peripheral surface of the arc segment 445' of the toothless gear 405' is connected to the tooth surface of the first tooth 457 of the gear tooth segment 444' via an arc-shaped guide surface 458. Therefore, when the second tooth 452 of the sector gear 406' contacts the tooth surface of the first tooth 457 of the toothless gear 405', the second tooth 452 does not collide with the step, thereby preventing or suppressing the generation of noise.

[0195] The damper mechanism proposed in the present disclosure can be used for various types of refrigerators. For example, a refrigerator including one or more storage chambers. The refrigerator has one or more cold air passages leading to the one or more storage chambers respectively. The openings of the damper devices are respectively arranged in the corresponding cold air passages, so that the cold air delivery amount in the corresponding cold air passages is controlled by controlling the opening and closing of the openings of the corresponding damper devices.

[0196] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used herein shall have the usual meanings understood by persons of ordinary skill in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. The words "first", "second" and similar words used in the patent application specification and claims of the present disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, words such as "one" or "one" do not necessarily indicate a quantity restriction. Words such as "include" or "comprise" and similar words mean that the elements or objects appearing before the word include the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Words such as "connect" or "connected" and similar words are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0197] The exemplary implementation of the water pump proposed in the present disclosure is described in detail above with reference to the preferred embodiments. However, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that, without departing from the concept of the present disclosure, various modifications and variations can be made to the above-mentioned specific embodiments, and various technical features and structures proposed in the present disclosure can be combined in various ways without exceeding the protection scope of the present disclosure, which is determined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. A damper device for a refrigerator, comprising: The frame (100) comprises an opening portion (101); a housing engaging the frame and forming a drive chamber between the housing and the frame; a baffle (301) rotatably mounted on the frame (100) and capable of rotating between a closed position for completely closing the opening (101) and an open position for completely opening the opening (101); a driving module (400), arranged in the driving chamber, for driving the baffle (301) to rotate between the open position and the closed position, Characterized in that the driving module comprises: Stepper Motor (403); A toothless gear (405) connected to a stepper motor (403); A sector gear (406) meshing with the toothless gear (405); An output shaft (407) connected to the sector gear (406) and connected to the baffle (301); The stepper motor (403) can drive the baffle (301) to rotate via the toothless gear (405), the sector gear (406) and the output shaft (407); The outer circumference of the toothless gear (405) has an arc segment (445) that is adjacent to the tooth segment (444) of the toothless gear; when the baffle (301) is in the closed position, the outer circumferential surface of the arc segment (445) of the toothless gear (405) abuts against the sector gear (406), thereby preventing the sector gear (406) from rotating in the direction of opening the baffle (301); The outer periphery of the sector gear (406) has a concave locking arc (437) adjacent to the sector gear tooth segment (436), and the concave locking arc (437) is recessed toward the center of the sector gear (406); when the baffle (301) is in the closed position, a portion of the circular arc segment (445) enters the interior of the concave locking arc (437), preventing the concave locking arc (437) from rotating relative to the circular arc segment (445), thereby preventing the toothless gear (405) from rotating the sector gear (406) in the direction of opening the baffle; When the baffle (301) is in the closed position, the distance between any point on the concave locking arc (437) and the center of the toothless gear (405) is greater than the radius of the circular arc segment (445), and the circular arc segment (445) will not be prevented from rotating relative to the concave locking arc (437). As a result, the toothless gear (405) can idle in the direction of closing the damper by an idle rotation angle (α). The frame (100) has a second cylinder (411) rotatably supporting the toothless gear (405), and the second cylinder (411) has a circular arc groove (414), and the circular arc groove (414) extends between the two limiting surfaces (412, 413); The toothless gear (405) has an arc-shaped protrusion (448), and the arc-shaped protrusion (448) is configured to be able to extend into the arc groove (414) and move along the arc groove (414) as the toothless gear (405) rotates until it abuts against any one of the two limiting surfaces (412, 413); The angle between the two limiting surfaces (412, 413) is a first angle (θ), and when the baffle (301) is driven to rotate from an open position to a closed position, the angle through which the toothless gear (405) rotates is a second angle (β), and the first angle (θ) is equal to the sum of the second angle (β) and the idling angle (α).

2. The damper device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sector gear (406) comprises a sector gear tooth portion (432), a cylindrical portion (433) and a sector gear output portion (434) which are sequentially arranged along the axial direction; The toothless gear (405) comprises a shaft portion (441) and a circular gear tooth portion (442); the circular gear tooth portion (442) comprises a gear tooth segment (444) having gear teeth and a circular arc segment (445) without gear teeth; the gear teeth on the gear tooth segment (444) mesh with the gear teeth on the sector-shaped gear tooth portion (432).

3. The damper device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The frame (100) has a bottom plate portion (106) extending perpendicularly to a plane where the opening portion (101) is located; The bottom plate portion (106) comprises: The first cylinder (410) is used to rotatably support the cylindrical portion (433) of the sector gear therein. The second cylindrical portion (411) is used to rotatably support the shaft portion (441) of the toothless gear therein.

4. The damper device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The bottom plate portion (106) has a through hole (417) on the inner side of the first cylindrical portion (410) for allowing a sector gear output portion (434) serving as an output shaft (407) to pass therethrough and extend to the baffle plate (301).

5. The damper device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The arc groove (414) is recessed away from the end surface of the second cylindrical portion (411), the center of the arc groove (414) coincides with the axis of the second cylindrical portion (411), and; The arc-shaped protrusion (448) extends from the side of the circular gear tooth portion (442) of the toothless gear and is configured to be able to extend into the arc groove (414) and move along the arc groove (414) as the toothless gear (405) rotates. Either of the two limiting surfaces (412, 413) is used to abut the arc-shaped protrusion (448) to limit the rotation range of the toothless gear (405).

6. The damper device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The damper device also includes a micro switch (409) having a static contact; The toothless gear (405) further comprises a contact portion (443), wherein the contact portion has two contact points (446); When the baffle (301) is in the open position, one of the two contacts (446) engages the stationary contact of the micro switch (409), and the micro switch (409) sends an electrical signal; When the baffle (301) is in the closed position, the other of the two contacts (446) engages the stationary contact of the micro switch (409), and the micro switch (409) sends an electrical signal; When the baffle (301) is in a position between the closed position and the fully open position, the contact portion (443) does not engage the stationary contact of the micro switch (409), and the micro switch (409) does not send an electrical signal or sends a signal different from the electrical signal.

7. The damper device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The contact portion (443) is arranged on a side of the circular gear tooth portion (442) of the toothless gear (405) that is away from the shaft portion (441), and the contact portion (443) has two arms extending radially outward, and a contact point (446) is formed at the end of each arm, and each contact point (446) is located at a position farther from the center of the toothless gear (405) than the rest of the contact portion (443).

8. The damper device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radius of the arc segment (445) of the toothless gear (405) is R1. The distance between the arc end point of the concave locking arc (437) of the sector gear (406) and the center of the sector gear (406) is L2. The center distance between the sector gear (406) and the toothless gear (405) is L. Among them, (R1+L2)-L is the interference amount L1, and the interference amount L1 is greater than zero.

9. The damper device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The range of the interference amount L1 is: 0.05mm≤L1≤1mm.

10. A refrigerator, characterized in that: include: one or more storage rooms; one or more cold air passages leading to the one or more storage chambers respectively; One or more damper devices as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the opening portion (101) of each damper device is arranged in the corresponding cold air passage, so that the cold air delivery amount in the corresponding cold air passage is controlled by controlling the opening and closing of the opening portion (101) of the corresponding damper device.

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