Refrigerator

Abstract

The present invention provides a refrigerator, which includes a box body defining a heat-insulated storage compartment, a low-pressure storage unit accommodated in the storage compartment, a drain pipe provided on the box body, and a vacuum pump fixed in the storage compartment; one end of the vacuum pump is communicated with the low-pressure storage unit, and the other end is communicated with the drain pipe of the refrigerator; when the vacuum pump operates, the air in the low-pressure storage unit is pumped out and conveyed to the drain pipe, and finally discharged from the refrigerator through the drain pipe; the arrangement of the present invention can avoid directly discharging the gas pumped out from the low-pressure storage unit into the interior of the refrigerator, so as to prevent the food in other areas of the refrigerating chamber from having a flavor cross-talk with each other and affecting the fresh-keeping effect of the food.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of refrigerators, and particularly relates to a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] As an indispensable household appliance product, the refrigerator occupies an important share in the market. With the improvement of consumers' requirements for the quality of fresh food, the requirements for refrigerators are also getting higher and higher. It is required that the refrigerator has higher configuration and more powerful functions. In particular, it is hoped that the stored fresh food can have a longer storage period, so as to ensure the freshness of the food ingredients and prevent the loss of nutrients.

[0003] In order to store food better, a vacuum chamber has been developed in the refrigerator, and the vacuum chamber is evacuated by a vacuum pumping device. The main function of evacuation is to remove oxygen from the vacuum chamber to prevent food from spoiling. This is because the spoilage of food mainly results from the activities of microorganisms, and most microorganisms need oxygen to survive. Since there is no oxygen in the vacuum chamber, microorganisms lose their living environment, thus achieving the effect of food preservation. Through vacuum technology, the storage time of food can be extended to 20 - 30 days, which can greatly improve the storage time of food compared with the traditional refrigerator's refrigerating chamber. However, currently, the gas pumped out is directly discharged into the refrigerator interior, causing air flow in the refrigerator interior and easily leading to cross-taste among other foods in the same space as the vacuum chamber inside the refrigerator.

[0004] In view of this, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims at the above technical problems and proposes a refrigerator.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A refrigerator, comprising:

[0008] A box body defining a heat-insulated storage compartment;

[0009] A low-pressure storage unit accommodated in the storage compartment, in which air can be evacuated to form an air pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure outside the box body;

[0010] A drain pipe provided on the box body;

[0011] A vacuum pump fixed in the storage compartment; it has an air extraction pipe communicating with the low-pressure storage unit and an exhaust pipe communicating with the drain pipe;

[0012] When the vacuum pump works, the air in the low-pressure storage unit is sequentially transported to the drain pipe through the air extraction pipe, the vacuum pump and the drain pipe, and finally discharged from the box body through the drain pipe.

[0013] Preferably, an air extraction port connected to the air extraction pipe is provided at a position near the rear end of the top of the low-pressure storage unit.

[0014] Preferably, an exhaust port communicating with the exhaust pipe is provided on the drain pipe; the air extraction pipe and the air extraction port are communicated through a first pipeline, and the exhaust pipe and the exhaust port are communicated through a second pipeline.

[0015] Preferably, after being fixed to the air extraction port on the low-pressure storage unit, the first pipeline is bent and turned multiple times and then communicated with the air extraction pipe.

[0016] Preferably, the vacuum pump is provided on the rear wall of the storage room and near the bottom of the low-pressure storage unit.

[0017] Preferably, after being fixed to the air extraction port on the low-pressure storage unit, the first pipeline extends along the top edge of the rear end of the low-pressure storage unit, and then bends and turns at a first turning position and extends to a second turning position; at the second turning position, it turns again and extends downward to a third turning position; at the third turning position, it turns again and is communicated with the air extraction pipe; wherein, on the projection on the plane where the bottom wall of the low-pressure storage unit is located, the projections of the second turning position and the third turning position are both on the extension line of the projection of the air extraction pipe.

[0018] Preferably, on the projection on the plane where the bottom wall of the low-pressure storage unit is located, the projections of the second turning position and the third turning position coincide.

[0019] Preferably, on the projection on the plane where the bottom wall of the low-pressure storage unit is located, the connection line of the projections of the first turning position and the second turning position is perpendicular to the projection of the rear wall of the low-pressure storage unit.

[0020] Preferably, on the projection on the plane where the bottom wall of the low-pressure storage unit is located, the projection of the first turning position is on the projection of the low-pressure storage unit, and the projection of the second turning position is between the projection of the rear wall of the storage room and the projection of the rear wall of the low-pressure storage unit.

[0021] Preferably, the air extraction pipe and the exhaust pipe of the vacuum pump are arranged side by side vertically and are located at the same end of the vacuum pump.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the advantages and positive effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0023] The present invention provides a refrigerator, which includes a box body defining a heat-insulated storage compartment, a low-pressure storage unit accommodated in the storage compartment, a drain pipe provided on the box body, and a vacuum pump fixed in the storage compartment; one end of the vacuum pump is communicated with the low-pressure storage unit, and the other end is communicated with the drain pipe of the refrigerator; when the vacuum pump operates, the air in the low-pressure storage unit is pumped out and conveyed to the drain pipe, and finally discharged from the refrigerator; the arrangement of the present invention can avoid directly discharging the gas pumped out from the low-pressure storage unit into the interior of the refrigerator, so that the food in other areas of the refrigerating chamber is flavored with each other, affecting the fresh-keeping effect of the food. Description of the Drawings

[0024] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 It is an exploded view of the low-pressure storage unit of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional view of the housing of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional view of the housing of the refrigerator of the present invention from another angle;

[0028] Figure 5 It is an exploded view of the door body of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the low-pressure storage unit when the door body and the housing of the refrigerator of the present invention are in the closed position but not locked;

[0030] Figure 7 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the schematic diagram of the low-pressure storage unit when the door body and the housing of the refrigerator of the present invention are in the closed position but not locked;

[0031] Figure 8 It is a partial cross-sectional view of another position of the low-pressure storage unit when the door body and the housing of the refrigerator of the present invention are in the closed position but not locked;

[0032] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the low-pressure storage unit when the door body and the housing of the refrigerator of the present invention are locked;

[0033] Figure 10 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the schematic diagram of the low-pressure storage unit when the door body and the housing of the refrigerator of the present invention are locked;

[0034] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the low-pressure storage unit when the door body and the housing of the refrigerator of the present invention are unlocked and in a separated state;

[0035] Figure 12Schematic diagram of the relative position structure of the air extraction device, low-pressure storage unit and drain pipe of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 13 Relative position structure of the air extraction device, low-pressure storage unit and drain pipe of the refrigerator of the present invention from another angle;

[0037] Figure 14 Schematic diagram of the relative position structure of the drain pipe and the inner liner of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 15 Schematic diagram of the overall structure of the air extraction device of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 16 Schematic diagram of the structure of the elastomer of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 17 Exploded view of the air extraction device of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 18 Cross-sectional view of the air extraction device of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 19 Stereogram of the housing of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 20 is Figure 19 Enlarged structure diagram of area A in;

[0044] Figure 21 Schematic diagram of the relative position structure of the inner liner and the housing of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 22 is Figure 21 Enlarged structure diagram of area B in;

[0046] Figure 23 Cross-sectional view of the refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 24 is Figure 23 Enlarged structure diagram of area C in;

[0048] Figure 25 Stereogram of the refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 26 is Figure 25 Enlarged structure diagram of area D in;

[0050] Figure 27 Stereogram of the disassembled pressure detection unit of the low-pressure storage unit of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 28 is Figure 27Schematic enlarged structure diagram of the E region;

[0052] Figure 29 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the schematic diagram of the low-pressure storage unit of the refrigerator of the present invention.

[0053] In the above figures: refrigerator 1; box body 2; outer shell 2a; inner liner 2b; pit 30; refrigerating chamber 12; low-pressure storage chamber 14; access opening 14a; sealing element 16; guide rail unit 17; inflation channel 18; pressure relief member 19; rod body 20; rotating plate 59; fresh-keeping container 44; avoidance hole 39; low-pressure storage unit 15; housing 4; reinforcing rib 40; upper housing 41; top wall 41a; upper rear wall 41b; first upper side wall 41c; second upper side wall 41d; lower housing 42; bottom wall 42a; lower rear wall 42b; first lower side wall 42c; second lower side wall 42d; front end wall 42e; docking surface 43; door body 5; front surface 5a; lower end surface 5b; side end surface 5c; receiving cavity 52; convex column 53; storage container 54; first fitting portion 6; first enclosing plate 60a; second enclosing plate 60b; lock catch receiving portion 61; locking portion 62; locking wall 62a; guiding wall 62b; travel switch 63; travel push rod 63a; through port 64; opening 65; second fitting portion 7; first slat 71a; second slat 71b; third slat 71c; fourth slat 71d; convex block 72; handle 81; accommodating space 82; connecting member 83; decorative cover 8; drain pipe 21; vacuum pump 22; first pipeline 23; second pipeline 24; air extraction pipe 22a; exhaust pipe 22b; positioning block 22c; pump housing 27; connecting plate 27a; first housing 27b; second housing 27c; elastic body 28; main body portion 74; installation cavity 74a; perforation 75; end cover 76; positioning hole 76a; protrusion 77; notch 77a; first fixing portion 3; first side plate 31; second side plate 32; third side plate 33; first bottom plate 34; fixing hole 32a; limiting channel 35; limiting channel opening 35a; guiding channel 36; guiding channel opening 36a; second fixing portion 11; second bottom plate 11a; fixing hook 11b; fixing column 11c; first air duct 10; first air outlet 10a; second air outlet 10b; pressure detection unit 9; column 91; first through hole 91a; second through hole 91b; rubber seal 92; abutting column 92a; pressure switch 93; spring 94; floating block 95; floating plate 95a; floating column 95b; recessed portion 95c; mounting block 45; mounting table 46; fixing table 47; pressure cover 55; groove 56; fixing plate 57; accommodating cavity 58; third through hole 58a; elastic hook 58b. Detailed implementation manners

[0054] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can better understand the present invention and be able to implement it. However, the scope of protection required by the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the specific embodiments. It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other arbitrarily.

[0055] It should be noted that all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back...) in the embodiments of the present invention are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement conditions between components in a specific posture (as shown in the drawings). If this specific posture changes, then the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0056] In addition, the descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the present invention are only for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features.

[0057] In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the ability of those of ordinary skill in the art to implement. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0058] Figures 1 - 11 Schematic structural view of the locking mechanism for the low-pressure storage unit of a refrigerator; please refer to Figures 1 - 11 , a refrigerator 1, the refrigerator 1 includes a heat-insulated box body 2, the box body 2 includes an outer shell 2a, an inner liner 2b, and a thermal insulation layer (not shown) located therebetween. The box body 2 defines a plurality of heat-insulated storage compartments for storing items such as food. In this embodiment, these storage compartments are respectively a refrigerating compartment 12 located in the upper part and a freezing compartment located at the bottom. The storage compartments can be closed by their respective corresponding doors. In the present invention, the refrigerating compartment 12 is provided with a refrigerating double-door, and the freezing compartment is provided with a freezing double-door.

[0059] It should be understood that the present invention should not be limited to the specific distribution form of the storage compartments of the refrigerator 1. The present invention can also be applied to other forms of refrigerators 1, such as a refrigerator 1 with a drawer-type door, etc.

[0060] The refrigerator 1 has an evaporative refrigeration system forming a closed loop. The refrigeration system at least includes a compressor (not shown), a condenser (not shown), a throttling device (not shown), and an evaporator (not shown). In view of the fact that such a refrigeration system is well-known in the prior art, further description thereof is omitted. Of course, the refrigerator 1 can also use other forms of refrigeration systems (such as an absorption refrigeration system, a thermoelectric refrigeration system) as well.

[0061] The refrigerator 1 is provided with a low-pressure storage unit 15 that can be maintained in a low-pressure state and an air extraction device for extracting gas from the low-pressure storage unit 15. The air extraction device may include a vacuum pump 22 and a pipeline connected between the vacuum pump 22 and the low-pressure storage unit 15.

[0062] The refrigerator 1 is provided with a control unit that controls the air extraction device to evacuate the low-pressure storage unit 15, so as to achieve automatic control of evacuating the low-pressure storage unit 15.

[0063] In this embodiment, the low-pressure storage unit 15 is arranged in the refrigerating chamber 12. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the low-pressure storage unit 15 may also be arranged in other storage compartments, such as a variable temperature compartment whose temperature range can be switched between the refrigerating temperature zone and the freezing temperature zone.

[0064] The low-pressure storage unit 15 is located at the bottom of the refrigerating chamber 12 and is supported on the bottom wall of the refrigerating chamber 12. A fresh-keeping container 44 with a relatively high humidity and suitable for storing foods such as vegetables may be provided at an adjacent position of the low-pressure storage unit 15; the low-pressure storage unit 15 and the fresh-keeping container 44 are arranged side by side at the bottom of the refrigerating chamber 12.

[0065] The low-pressure storage unit 15 can be independently constructed and then assembled into the cabinet 2. Please refer to Figures 2 - 4 , in this embodiment, the low-pressure storage unit 15 has a generally flat cuboid shape, and the sum of the width of the low-pressure storage unit 15 and the width of the fresh-keeping container 44 is slightly smaller than the width of the refrigerating chamber 12, so as to effectively allocate the bottom space of the refrigerating chamber 12, so that both the fresh-keeping container 44 and the low-pressure storage unit 15 can be inserted into or pulled out from the refrigerating chamber 12.

[0066] The low-pressure storage unit 15 includes a housing 4 fixed in the refrigerating chamber 12 and a door body 5 connected to the housing 4 and capable of being pushed into or withdrawn from the refrigerating chamber 12.

[0067] Please refer to Figures 2 - 4 , the housing 4 has a box-shaped structure, which defines a flat low-pressure storage chamber 14 with a food access opening 14a. In this embodiment, the access opening 14a is located at the front end of the housing 4 facing the user.

[0068] Grid-shaped reinforcing ribs 40 are provided on the outer side of the box wall of the housing 4 to increase the strength of the box wall of the housing 4 and prevent the housing 4 from deforming due to the internal and external air pressure difference after evacuation.

[0069] The housing 4 includes an upper housing 41 and a lower housing 42 which are connected to form a low-pressure storage chamber 14. The upper housing 41 and the lower housing 42 are integrally formed by ultrasonic welding. Specifically, the lower housing 42 includes a bottom wall 42a, a first lower side wall 42c, a lower rear wall 42b, a second lower side wall 42d which are sequentially connected and arranged at the edge of the bottom wall 42a, and a front wall 42e located at the front end of the lower housing 42 and formed with a pick-up and placement opening 14a. The bottom wall 42a of the lower housing is the bottom wall of the low-pressure storage unit 15. In this embodiment, the front wall 42e may have a flat docking surface 43 that is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane and is used to dock with the door body 5.

[0070] The upper housing 41 includes a top wall 41a, an upper rear wall 41b, a first upper side wall 41c, and a second upper side wall 41d which are sequentially connected and arranged at the edge of the top wall 41a. The distances from the lower wall surfaces of the first upper side wall 41c and the second upper side wall 41d of the upper housing 41 to the top wall 41a both decrease linearly from the rear to the front, and decrease to 0 at the front edge of the top wall 41a. That is, the projections of the first upper side wall 41c and the second upper side wall 41d on a plane perpendicular to the top surface are triangular.

[0071] Among them, the upper rear wall 41b cooperates with the lower rear wall 42b, the first lower side wall 42c cooperates with the first upper side wall 41c, and the second lower side wall 42d cooperates with the second upper side wall 41d. The front end of the top wall 41a cooperates with the front wall 42e of the lower housing 42, and the above docking positions are welded and fixed by ultrasonic welding to fixedly connect the upper housing 41 and the lower housing 42 to form a low-pressure storage chamber 14. The above ultrasonic welding effectively improves the connection strength between the upper housing 41 and the lower housing 42 and ensures the airtightness of the overall housing 4. In addition, the pick-up and placement opening 14a of the housing 4 is formed on the front wall 42e of the lower housing 42, making the pick-up and placement opening 14a of the housing 4 integral and effectively ensuring the airtightness of the housing 4. Moreover, the distances from the lower wall surfaces of the first upper side wall 41c and the second upper side wall 41d to the top wall 41a both decrease linearly from the rear to the front and decrease to 0 at the front edge of the top wall 41a, which reduces the number of docking surfaces for the cooperation between the upper housing 41 and the lower housing 42 and improves the overall airtightness of the housing 4, especially the airtightness of the housing 4 at the pick-up and placement opening 14a. On the other hand, the housing 4 is provided as a split structure of the upper housing 41 and the lower housing 42, which is convenient for processing the grid-shaped reinforcing ribs 40.

[0072] The door body 5 can be provided with an annular sealing element 16 so that when the door body 5 is in the closed position, an airtight joint is formed between the housing 4 and the door body 5 to prevent gas from entering the low-pressure storage chamber 14 from the joint between the housing 4 and the door body 5. The sealing element 16 can also be provided at the front end of the housing 4, for example, connected to the front wall 42e.

[0073] When the low-pressure storage chamber 14 is closed by the door body 5 and the air extraction device is started, the gas in the low-pressure storage chamber 14 is evacuated, and the low-pressure storage chamber 14 is in a low-pressure state. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at the end of the evacuation process, the pressure in the low-pressure storage chamber 14 is between one standard atmospheric pressure and absolute vacuum. Since the air pressure in the low-pressure storage chamber 14 is lower than the standard atmospheric pressure, those skilled in the art also commonly refer to it as a "vacuum chamber".

[0074] The door body 5 is a drawer-type door. The door body 5 can be pushed towards the housing 4 to close the access opening 14a of the low-pressure storage chamber 14, or pulled out to open the low-pressure storage chamber 14. A tray-shaped storage container 54 is connected to the rear side of the door body 5 for placing items. The user obtains the items located in the low-pressure storage unit 15 or stores the items in the low-pressure storage unit 15 by pushing or pulling the storage container 54 into or out of the low-pressure storage chamber 14. The door body 5 and the storage container 54 together form a drawer unit that can be pushed into and pulled out of the housing 4.

[0075] A telescopic guide rail unit 17 can be provided between the storage container 54 and the housing 4, so that the door body 5 and the storage container 54 can be smoothly pulled out of or pushed into the housing 4.

[0076] The low-pressure storage unit 15 includes a pair of locking mechanisms for locking the door body 5 and the housing 4 in the closed position. As Figures 2 - 11 shown, each locking mechanism includes a first mating portion 6 provided on the housing 4 and a second mating portion 7 rotatably provided at both ends of the door body 5 around the rotation axis X for mating with the corresponding first mating portion 6 on the corresponding side to achieve locking and unlocking of the door body 5. Through the combination of the second mating portion 7 and the first mating portion 6, the door body 5 is locked in the closed position, and the sealing element 16 between the housing 4 and the door body 5 is fully deformed under the locking force generated by the locking mechanism, thereby improving the airtightness between the door body 5 and the housing 4.

[0077] On the first lower side wall 42c and the second lower side wall 42d of the housing 4 near the pick-and-place opening 14a, there are both latch receiving portions 61 and a first mating portion 6 located within the latch receiving portions 61; on the housing 4, there is a first surrounding plate 60a parallel to the bottom wall 42a of the housing 4, and a second surrounding plate 60b that is connected to the rear end of the first surrounding plate 60a away from the pick-and-place opening 14a and extends forward and downward to the foremost end of the housing 4. The first surrounding plate 60a and the second surrounding plate 60b are connected to form the latch receiving portion 61. The latch receiving portion 61 forms a through-opening 64 at the foremost end of the housing 4, and the through-opening 64 is used to insert or withdraw the second mating portion 7. In this embodiment, the end faces of the first surrounding plate 60a and the second surrounding plate 60b away from the box wall of the housing 4 are coplanar with the end faces of the reinforcing rib 40 away from the box wall of the housing 4. The end face of the first mating portion 6 away from the box wall of the housing 4 is coplanar with the end face of the reinforcing rib 40 away from the box wall of the housing 4. The above settings can ensure that the occupied space of the low-pressure storage unit 15 is not increased, so as to make full use of the space.

[0078] The first mating portion 6 includes a locking portion 62; within the latch receiving portion 61, the locking portion 62 is fixed to the first surrounding plate 60a; the locking portion 62 includes a locking wall 62a perpendicular to the first surrounding plate 60a and a guiding wall 62b that is inclined; one end of the guiding wall 62b is connected to the end of the locking wall 62a away from the first surrounding plate 60a, and the other end is connected to the end of the first surrounding plate 60a near the pick-and-place opening 14a.

[0079] On the upper part of the latch receiving portion 61 on at least one side of the housing 4, there is a position detection device that is electrically connected to the air extraction device and is used to cooperate with the second mating portion 7 to detect the locked and unlocked states of the door body 5. The position detection device includes a travel switch 63 fixedly installed on the housing and a travel push rod 63a slidably connected to the housing; the travel switch 63 has a trigger portion; one end of the travel push rod 63a cooperates with the trigger portion, and the other end cooperates with the second mating portion 7; when the second mating portion 7 slides along the locking wall 62a, it pushes the travel push rod 63a to move, thereby triggering the travel switch 63. The first surrounding plate 60a is provided with an opening 65 on both sides of the locking wall 62a separated from the guiding wall 62b; the opening 65 is adjacent to the locking wall 62a. The travel push rod 63a of the travel switch 63 extends into the latch receiving portion 61 through the opening 65 and is located adjacent to the locking wall 62a.

[0080] As Figure 2 、 Figures 5 - 11 shown, a decorative cover 8 is connected to the door body 5. At two opposite ends of the door body 5, there are connecting members 83, and the second mating portion 7 is rotatably arranged on the connecting members 83. The second mating portion 7 rotates around its rotation axis X and drives the handle 81 fixed thereto to rotate.

[0081] A second engaging portion 7 is fixed to each end of the handle 81. In this embodiment, after the second engaging portion 7 is fixed to the corresponding end of the handle 81, it is immovably fixed to the handle 81 by a fixing device such as a screw. Thus, when the handle 81 rotates and moves, the second engaging portion 7 also rotates around the rotation axis X.

[0082] In this embodiment, the second engaging portion 7 includes a locking plate that is rotatable about the rotation axis X. The axis of the rotation axis X is horizontally arranged and has a set distance from the handle 81. A convex block 72 is provided on one side of the locking plate facing the side wall of the housing 4. When the locking plate rotates around the rotation axis X driven by the handle 81, the convex block 72 slides along the guiding wall 62b to the rear side of the locking wall 62a to lock the door body 5 and the housing 4.

[0083] The locking plate is in the shape of a flat plate and includes a first plate strip 71a, a second plate strip 71b, and a third plate strip 71c that are connected end to end in sequence. A fourth plate strip 71d is formed by extending at the connection between the first plate strip 71a and the second plate strip 71b. The fourth plate strip 71d is on the same side of the third plate strip 71c as the first plate strip 71a and forms an acute angle with the first plate strip 71a.

[0084] The middle position of the second plate strip 71b is rotatably fixed to the connecting member 83 at the end of the door body 5; the convex block 72 is provided at the connection between the second plate strip 71b and the third plate strip 71c. The end of the fourth plate strip 71d away from the third plate strip 71c is fixed to the corresponding end of the handle 81. When the handle 81 rotates and moves, the handle 81 drives the second engaging portion 7 to rotate as a whole around the rotation axis X at the middle position of the second plate strip 71b through the fourth plate strip 71d.

[0085] On the front side of the door body 5, there may be provided a pressure relief device for closing or opening an inflation passage 18 provided on the door body 5 and used to communicate the inside and outside of the low-pressure storage unit 15 (as Figure 5 shown). The pressure relief device includes a rod body 20 linked with the second engaging portion 7, a rotating plate 59 fixedly connected to the rod body 20, and a pressure relief member 19 fixed to the rotating plate 59 for closing or opening the inflation passage 18. The two ends of the rod body 20 are respectively fixed to the locking plates on the corresponding sides. The rod body 20 and the convex block 72 are respectively located on both sides of the rotation axis X; the rotation axis of the rotating plate 59 coincides with the rotation axis X of the second engaging portion 7; when the second engaging portion 7 rotates around the rotation axis X driven by the handle 81, it drives the rod body 20 and the rotating plate 59 to rotate coaxially, and the pressure relief member 19 closes the inflation passage 18. Among them, the two ends of the rod body 20 penetrate through the decorative cover 8, and the first plate strip 71a of the second engaging portion 7 is immovably fixed to the corresponding end of the rod body 20. Avoidance holes 39 consistent with the rotation movement track of the rod body 20 are provided on both sides of the decorative cover 8, and there is a gap for the rotation movement of the rod body 20 between the door body 5 and the decorative cover 8.

[0086] Please refer to Figure 2 and refer to Figure 5 , the door body 5 has a receiving cavity 52 that recesses backward from its front surface 5a to receive at least a part of the pressure relief device. The inflation passage 18 is provided on the cavity wall of the receiving cavity 52 away from the decorative cover 8 and communicates with the low-pressure storage chamber 14 and the receiving cavity 52; a convex post 53 centered on the rotation axis X is provided in the receiving cavity 52; one end of the rotating plate 59 is fixed to the rod body 20 and the other end is rotatably fixed in the receiving cavity 52 around the convex post 53; the pressure relief member 19 is provided on the inner side of the rotating plate 59; a torsion spring is provided between the rotating plate 59 and the cavity wall of the receiving cavity 52 away from the decorative cover 8, with the torsion spring and the pressure relief member 19 on opposite sides of the rotating plate 59. When the door body 5 is locked with the housing 4, the first engaging portion 6 is locked with the second engaging portion 7, and the torsion spring presses the rotating plate 59, so that the pressure relief member 19 presses the inflation passage 18. When the door body 5 is in the closed position but not yet locked, after the applied external force is released, under the action of the torsion spring, the rotating plate 59 presses inward and downward, and the rotating plate 59 drives the second engaging portion 7 and the handle 81 to rotate inward and downward; thus, when the user closes the door body, it can reduce the user effort and simplify the closing operation; in addition, the torsion spring can limit the extreme position of the handle 81 rotating upward and forward, which can prevent the user's hand from being squeezed by the handle 81 and the door body 5 when the upper end of the handle 81 approaches the front surface 5a of the door body 5 due to the continuous rotation of the handle 81.

[0087] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the end of the rotating plate 59 is provided with a fixing channel for installing the rod body 20 and having a polygonal cross-section, and the cross-sectional shape of the rod body 20 is consistent with the cross-sectional shape of the fixing channel. The setting of the polygonal cross-section makes the rod body 20 and the rotating plate 59 unable to produce relative rotational movement.

[0088] As Figures 6 - 8 shown, the state when the door body 5 is in the closed position but not yet locked, at this time the handle 81 is in the first position. When the user presses the handle 81 downward and backward, the handle 81 rotates inward around the rotation axis X of the second engaging portion 7, and at the same time the handle 81 drives the second engaging portion 7 and the rod body 20 to rotate inward. The convex block 72 of the second engaging portion 7 gradually approaches the side of the locking portion 62 away from the access opening 14a, and at the same time gradually approaches the travel push rod 63a of the travel switch 63; the rod body 20 drives the rotating plate 59 to rotate inward, and the rotating plate 59 drives the pressure relief member 19 to gradually approach the inflation passage 18.

[0089] As Figures 9 - 10As shown, the door body 5 and the housing 4 are in the locked state, and at this time, the handle 81 is in the second position. When the handle 81 rotates to the second position, the second engaging portion 7 rotates into the latch receiving portion 61, and the protrusion 72 on the second engaging portion 7 moves to the adjacent position behind the locking wall 62a, and pushes the stroke push rod 63a upward to trigger the stroke switch 63. The stroke switch 63 sends a control signal indicating that the door is closed to the control unit, and the control unit controls the air extraction device to start air extraction according to the control signal; at this time, the pressure relief member 19 is in close contact with the inflation passage 18 to block the inflation passage 18, and the low-pressure storage chamber 14 forms a closed space. The above settings of the first engaging portion 6, the second engaging portion 7, and the stroke switch 63 electrically connected to the air extraction device can timely monitor the locked state of the door body 5 and the housing 4, and when the door body 5 and the housing 4 are locked, send a vacuum pumping signal to the air extraction device in time to ensure the vacuum degree of the low-pressure storage unit 15 and ensure the fresh-keeping effect of the food.

[0090] As Figure 11 shown, when the door body 5 and the housing 4 are in the unlocked and separated open state, push the door body 5 to close; as a way of closing the door, the user can lift the handle 81 upward and push it towards the housing 4. When the door body 5 is in the closed position but not yet in the locked state, press the handle 81 downward and backward to complete the locking, and at the same time, the pressure relief member 19 is in close contact with the inflation passage 18 to block the inflation passage 18. As another way of closing the door, the user can directly push the decorative cover 8. Driven by the decorative cover 8, the second engaging portion 7 moves parallel to the latch receiving portion 61, and the protrusion 72 on the second engaging portion 7 contacts the guiding wall 62b of the locking portion 62. Under the action of the horizontal thrust and the guiding wall 62b, the protrusion 72 moves downward along the guiding wall 62b and drives the second engaging portion 7 to rotate downward around the rotation axis X; the protrusion 72 moves downward and gradually approaches the connection between the guiding wall 62b and the locking wall 62a; continue to push the door body 5 towards the housing 4, the protrusion 72 moves to the adjacent position behind the locking wall 62a, and the door body 5 and the housing 4 are locked; at the same time, the pressure relief member 19 is in close contact with the inflation passage 18 to block the inflation passage 18. In the present invention, the way of closing the door by directly pushing the decorative cover 8 on the front side of the door body 5 does not require the use of the handle 81, which is convenient and fast, and reduces the user's energy input in placing the force application point on the door handle 81; at the same time, under the action of the guiding wall 62b, the locking process is smooth and stable, avoiding impact.

[0091] The door body 5 and the housing 4 are in a locked state. When the user wants to open the door body 5, they can hold the lower end of the handle 81 and lift it upward and outward. The handle 81 rotates around the rotation axis X, and the second engaging portion 7 fixed on the connecting member 83 rotates upward. During this process, the rod body 20 rotates upward and drives the rotating plate 59 to rotate upward around the rotation axis X. The pressure relief member 19 also releases the closure of the inflation passage 18, and external gas enters the low-pressure storage chamber 14 through the inflation passage 18 to balance the internal and external pressures. After that, the user can hold the handle 81 and pull it forward to open the door body 5.

[0092] The above-mentioned second engaging portion 7 and the first engaging portion 6 complete the locking without increasing the occupied space of the low-pressure storage unit 15, with a compact structure and stable cooperation.

[0093] The engagement of the second engaging portion 7 and the first engaging portion 6 at the locking position provides a locking force between the door body 5 and the housing 4, causing the sealing element 16 to deform sufficiently, thereby improving the airtightness between the door body 5 and the housing 4.

[0094] When the handle 81 is in the position as shown in Figure 9 and Figure 10 , the inflation passage 18 is tightly closed by the pressure relief member 19; when the handle 81 is in the position as shown in Figures 6 - 8 , the inflation passage 18 has been opened, and external gas can enter the low-pressure storage chamber 14 through the inflation passage 18 to release the low-pressure state of the low-pressure storage chamber 14. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the inflation passage 18 and the pressure relief member 19 can also be provided independently of the handle 81. For example, a button is provided on the door body 5, and by pressing the button, the inflation passage 18 is opened, and then the user operates the handle 81 to open the door body 5.

[0095] An accommodation space 82 for accommodating the handle 81 is formed by the area of the door body 5 near its lower end surface 5b recessing backward from its front surface 5a; in this embodiment, the lower end of the accommodation space 82 extends to the lower end surface 5b of the door body 5, and the left and right ends extend to the side end surfaces 5c of the door body 5. When the door body 5 is in the locked state, the handle 81 is located within the accommodation space 82, and the front surface of the handle 81 is flush with the front surface 5a of the door body 5 at the upper part of the accommodation space 82 of the door body 5 to reduce the occupied volume of the low-pressure storage unit 15. Particularly preferably, the handle 81 in the second position is completely accommodated within the accommodation space 82 of the door body 5 and does not protrude beyond the front surface of the door body 5. When the door body 5 is in the closed position but not yet locked, the handle 81 is in the first position, the handle 81 moves out of the accommodation space 82 and is located in front of the front surface 5a of the door body 5; the handle 81 is in the first position when the user opens the low-pressure storage unit 15. At this time, the door of the refrigerator 1 is opened, without affecting the setting of the internal space of the refrigerator 1 occupied by the low-pressure storage unit 15.

[0096] When the door of the refrigerator 1 is in the closed state and the door body 5 of the low-pressure storage unit 15 is in the closed position but the handle 81 is in the second position (retracted position), there is a certain distance between the inner side of the refrigerator door and the handle 81 to prevent damage to the low-pressure storage unit 15 when closing the refrigerator door. Therefore, by arranging the handle 81 in the accommodation space 82, the distance between the low-pressure storage unit 15 and the inner side of the refrigerator door can be reduced, thereby increasing the space utilization rate of the refrigerator 1.

[0097] The decorative cover 8 is connected to the door body 5 to shield the pressure relief device from the front of the door body 5. In this way, the entire rod body 20 is located inside the door body 5.

[0098] After being fixed to the door body 5, the handle 81 is rotatably connected to the door body 5. When the handle 81 is rotated, the second engaging portion 7 rotates, and both the rod body 20 and the rotating plate 59 rotate around the rotation axis X.

[0099] The handle 81 can rotate around the rotation axis X between the first position and the second position. In the first position, the included angle formed between the handle 81 and the wall surface of the accommodation space 82 of the door body 5 close to the housing 4 is the largest, and the minimum distance is formed between the lower end of the handle 81 and the wall surface of the accommodation space 82 of the door body 5 close to the housing 4. Therefore, the first position can also be called the extended position. In the second position, the included angle formed between the handle 81 and the wall surface of the accommodation space 82 of the door body 5 close to the housing 4 is the smallest, and the minimum distance is formed between the lower end of the handle 81 and the wall surface of the accommodation space 82 close to the housing 4. Therefore, the second position can also be called the retracted position. Correspondingly, the second engaging portion 7 linked to the handle 81 and the rod body 20 linked to the second engaging portion 7 are also restricted to rotate between the first extreme position and the second extreme position. Among them, when the handle 81 is in the first position, both the second engaging portion 7 and the rod body 20 are in the first extreme position (as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 8 ), when the handle 81 is in the second position, both the second engaging portion 7 and the rod body 20 are in the second extreme position (as shown in Figure 9 ).

[0100] Figures 12 - 14 Schematic structural diagram for the exhaust of the low-pressure storage unit of the refrigerator; as shown in Figures 12 - 14 , the refrigerator 1 has a drain pipe 21 for discharging the condensed water inside the refrigerator 1. One end of the air extraction device is connected to the low-pressure storage unit 15, and the other end is connected to the drain pipe 21 of the refrigerator 1. When the air extraction device operates, the air in the low-pressure storage unit 15 is extracted and conveyed to the drain pipe 21, and finally discharged from the refrigerator 1 through the drain pipe 21. This is to prevent the gas extracted from the low-pressure storage unit 15 from being directly discharged into the refrigerator 1, causing the food in other areas of the refrigerating chamber 12 to have a cross-taste and affecting the fresh-keeping effect of the food.

[0101] The air extraction device includes a vacuum pump 22, a first pipeline 23 connecting the vacuum pump 22 and the low-pressure storage unit 15, and a second pipeline 24 connecting the vacuum pump 22 and the drain pipe 21. The vacuum pump 22 is provided on the inner liner 2b of the refrigerating chamber 12 and is close to the bottom of the low-pressure storage unit 15.

[0102] An air extraction port connected to the first pipeline 23 is provided at a position near the rear end of the top of the low-pressure storage unit 15, and an exhaust port connected to the second pipeline 24 is provided on the drain pipe 21;

[0103] The vacuum pump 22 has a pump body, an air extraction pipe 22a communicating with the first pipeline 23, and an exhaust pipe 22b communicating with the second pipeline 24. The air extraction pipe 22a and the exhaust pipe 22b of the vacuum pump 22 are arranged in parallel and are located at the same end of the vacuum pump 22; after the first pipeline 23 is fixed to the air extraction port on the low-pressure storage unit 15, it bends and turns, then extends along the top edge of the rear end of the low-pressure storage unit 15, and then bends 90 degrees at the first turning position A1 to turn towards the rear wall of the inner liner 2b and extends parallel to the top wall 41a of the low-pressure storage unit 15 to the second turning position B1; it turns 90 degrees downward again at the second turning position B1 to extend to the third turning position C1; it turns again at the third turning position C1 to communicate with the air extraction pipe 22a; wherein, in the projection on the plane where the bottom wall 42a of the storage unit is located, the projections of the second turning position B1 and the third turning position C1 are both located on the extension line of the projection of the air extraction pipe 22a; in addition, the projection of the first turning position A1 falls on the projection of the low-pressure storage unit 15, and the projection of the second turning position B1 is located between the projection of the rear wall of the inner liner 2b and the projection of the rear wall of the low-pressure storage unit 15. Among them, the projections of the second turning position B1 and the third turning position C1 coincide. The second pipeline 24 communicates with the exhaust pipe 22b of the vacuum pump 22 and passes through the inner liner 2b to communicate with the exhaust port on the drain pipe 21. The above-mentioned multiple turning settings of the first pipeline 23 make the path of the pipeline neat and reduce the space occupied by the pipeline in the direction perpendicular to the rear wall of the inner liner 2b, so as to increase the available space of the low-pressure storage unit 15.

[0104] It should be understood that the present invention should not be limited to the turning form of the first air extraction pipe 22a described above, and other turning forms can also be applied to the present invention to reduce the space occupied by the pipeline.

[0105] Figures 15 - 18 It is a schematic structural diagram of the air extraction device for a refrigerator; as Figures 15 - 18 shown, the air extraction device includes a pump housing 27 and an elastomer 28 sleeved between the pump body and the pump housing 27. A connecting plate 27a fixed to the rear wall of the inner liner 2b is provided on the pump housing 27; in this embodiment, screw holes are provided on the connecting plate 27a, and the pump housing 27 is fixedly connected to the rear wall of the inner liner 2b through screws.

[0106] The elastomer 28 has a main body portion 74 for mounting the vacuum pump 22, and an installation cavity 74a conforming to the shape of the vacuum pump 22 is provided on the main body portion 74; the radial dimension of the installation cavity 74a of the main body portion 74 is smaller than the radial dimension of the corresponding position of the vacuum pump 22, so that the elastomer 28 is closely attached to the vacuum pump 22 to absorb the vibration on the vacuum pump 22 in a timely manner.

[0107] A positioning block 22c is provided at one end of the vacuum pump 22 opposite to the position where the air suction pipe 22a and the exhaust pipe 22b are provided; a through hole 75 for the air suction pipe 22a and the exhaust pipe 22b to pass through is provided at one end of the installation cavity 74a of the main body portion 74, and an end cover 76 cooperating with the end of the vacuum pump 22 is provided at the other end, and a positioning hole 76a cooperating with the positioning block 22c is provided on the end cover 76; to protect the end of the vacuum pump 22.

[0108] A plurality of protrusions 77 are provided on the periphery of the main body portion 74, which are arranged in parallel along the central axis of the main body portion 74 and surround the main body portion 74. The outer diameter dimension of the main body portion 74 of the elastomer 28 is smaller than the inner diameter dimension of the pump housing 27, and the outer diameter dimension of the elastomer 28 is larger than the inner diameter dimension of the pump housing 27. When the elastomer 28 is installed inside the pump housing 27, the elastomer 28 is installed between the pump housing 27 and the vacuum pump 22 under extrusion, and an air cavity is formed between the plurality of protrusions 77 to improve the vibration reduction and noise reduction effect of the elastomer 28.

[0109] A notch 77a is provided on the protrusion 77, and the positions of the notches 77a on the plurality of protrusions 77 correspond to each other; the notch 77a reserves space for the deformation of the elastomer 28 to ensure the deformation ability of the elastomer 28 and improve the vibration reduction and noise reduction effect. In this embodiment, the notch 77a is semicircular. The plurality of notches 77a are evenly distributed on the protrusion 77. It should be understood that the present invention should not be limited to the shape and number of the notches 77a described above, and the present invention can also be applied to notches 77a of other shapes, such as 4 arc-shaped notches 77a provided on one protrusion 77.

[0110] The pump housing 27 includes a first housing 27b and a second housing 27c, and the first housing 27b and the second housing 27c are snap-connected to be installed outside the elastomer 28. The above split setting of the pump housing 27 facilitates disassembly and assembly.

[0111] Figures 19 - 22 It is a schematic structural diagram of the fixing mechanism for the low-pressure storage unit of the refrigerator; as Figures 19 - 22 shown, the refrigerator 1 includes a plurality of fixing mechanisms for connecting the low-pressure storage unit 15 and the inner liner 2b. Each fixing mechanism includes a first fixing portion 3 provided on the bottom wall 42a of the low-pressure storage unit 15 and a second fixing portion 11 provided on the bottom wall of the inner liner 2b of the refrigerating chamber 12. Through the combination of the first fixing portion 3 and the second fixing portion 11, the low-pressure storage unit 15 is fixed to the refrigerating chamber 12.

[0112] The first fixing portion 3 has a first side plate 31, a second side plate 32 and a third side plate 33 connected in sequence, wherein the first side plate 31 and the third side plate 33 are both perpendicular to the second side plate 32 and are located on the same side of the second side plate 32, so as to form a guide channel 36 between the first side plate 31 and the third side plate 33, and form a guide channel opening 36a at an end away from the second side plate 32. A fixing hole 32a is provided on the second side plate 32. A first bottom plate 34 is provided at an end of the second side plate 32 away from the bottom wall 42a of the housing 4, the first bottom plate 34 connects the second side plate 32 and the third side plate 33, and forms a limiting channel 35 on the first bottom plate 34, the limiting channel 35 extends in a direction away from the second side plate 32, and forms a limiting channel opening 35a at the end of the first bottom plate 34 away from the second side plate 32, that is, the guide channel opening 36a is in the same direction as the limiting channel opening 35a. Among them, along the direction of the second side plate 32 to the limiting channel opening 35a, the limiting channel 35 can be set to a gradually expanding type. A plurality of first fixing portions 3 keep the guide channel openings 36a distributed on the bottom wall 42a of the low-pressure storage unit 15 in a consistent orientation. In this embodiment, the four first fixing portions 3 are arranged in two groups and two rows. The guide channel opening 36a of the guide channel 36 faces the rear side of the shell 4 or is located on the side away from the fresh-keeping container 44, so that the gap between the installed low-pressure storage unit 15 and the inner tank 2b is minimized to make full use of the internal space of the refrigerator 1, avoid reserving installation space for installing the low-pressure storage unit 15, and thus reduce the occupied space of the low-pressure storage unit 15.

[0113] The second fixing part 11 has a second bottom plate 11a fixed on the bottom wall of the inner liner 2b, a fixing hook 11b matched with the fixing hole 32a, and a fixing column 11c connecting the second bottom plate 11a and the fixing hook 11b. The fixing column 11c is installed in the guide channel 36 and the limiting channel 35; the fixing hook 11b is located between the first bottom plate 34 and the bottom wall 42a of the shell 4, and is installed in the fixing hole 32a and is clamped with the second side plate 32. At this time, the fixing column 11c is abutted against the end of the limiting channel 35 close to the second side plate 32; the above matching arrangement limits the three dimensions of the second fixing part 11 to improve the installation stability. Multiple second fixing parts 11 are distributed on the bottom wall of the inner liner 2b in the same orientation. In this embodiment, a pit 30 for fixing the second bottom plate 11a is provided on the bottom wall of the inner liner 2b to fix the second fixing part 11 and reduce the height of the space occupied by the second fixing part 11.

[0114] During assembly, adjust the position of the low-pressure storage unit 15 so that the fixing hook 11b of the second fixing part 11 corresponds to the guiding channel opening 36a of the first fixing part 3, and the fixing post 11c corresponds to the limiting channel opening 35a; then push the low-pressure storage unit 15 so that the first side plate 31 of the first fixing part 3 approaches the second fixing part 11 until the fixing hook 11b is installed in the fixing hole 32a of the first fixing part 3, thus completing the assembly. The above can complete the assembly of the low-pressure storage unit 15 and the inner liner 2b by direct pushing, which is simple, convenient, fast and effective.

[0115] Figures 23 - 26 It is a schematic structural diagram of the air duct mechanism of the low-pressure storage unit of the refrigerator; as Figures 23 - 26 shown, the refrigerator 1 has a first air duct 10 that is connected to the main air duct and is arranged adjacent to the low-pressure storage unit 15; the first air duct 10 extends forward along the top of the low-pressure storage unit 15 to direct low-temperature air to the front end of the low-pressure storage unit 15; at the same time, when the low-temperature air flows through the first air duct 10, it cools the area around the first air duct 10.

[0116] The first air duct 10 is flat. The above setting can increase the overlapping area between the first air duct 10 and the low-pressure storage unit 15 and improve the cooling effect. Along the air outlet direction, the first air duct 10 can be set as a gradually expanding type to increase the overlapping area between the first air duct 10 and the front end of the low-pressure storage unit 15 and reduce the temperature difference between the front and back of the low-pressure storage unit 15.

[0117] The front end of the first air duct 10 is provided with a first air outlet 10a on its front end face and a second air outlet 10b on its lower end face 5b. The first air outlet 10a directs the low-temperature air forward, causing the low-temperature air to spread to the front end of the low-pressure storage unit 15 and reducing the temperature difference between the front and back of the low-pressure storage unit 15. The first air outlet 10a can be in a gradually shrinking type along the air outlet direction to increase the wind speed at the first air outlet 10a and increase the air supply distance. In this embodiment, a plurality of first air outlets 10a are arranged at intervals.

[0118] The second air outlet 10b directs the low-temperature air to the top of the low-pressure storage unit 15 and diffuses around the top of the low-pressure storage unit 15 with the second air outlet 10b as the center to cover the low-pressure storage unit 15. In the direction from the first air duct 10 to the top of the low-pressure storage unit 15, the second air outlet 10b can be set as a gradually expanding type; to relieve the wind speed and make the low-temperature air diffuse around along the gap between the first air duct 10 and the low-pressure storage unit 15 to cover the low-pressure storage unit 15.

[0119] The distance between the foremost end of the first air duct 10 and the foremost end of the low-pressure storage unit 15 is denoted as L1, and the length of the low-pressure storage unit 15 in the front-rear direction is denoted as L2. L1:L2 ∈ [0.2, 0.8]. The above settings can efficiently diffuse the low-temperature air to form a low-temperature environment around the low-pressure storage unit 15, thereby reducing the temperature inside the low-pressure storage unit 15.

[0120] In this way, the first air duct 10 introduces the low-temperature air to the periphery of the low-pressure storage unit 15 to surround the low-pressure storage unit 15, and can maintain a low-temperature environment with a lower temperature than other positions in the refrigerating chamber 12, enhancing the refrigeration and fresh-keeping effect of the low-pressure storage unit 15.

[0121] In this embodiment, a communication port communicating with the main air duct is provided on the rear wall of the inner liner 2b, and the first air duct 10 is fixed to the communication port. It should be understood that the present invention should not be limited to the installation position of the first air duct 10 and the structural form of the first air duct 10. The present invention can also be applied to the first air duct 10 with other positions and other structural forms adjacent to the position of the low-pressure storage unit 15 and guiding the low-temperature air to the front end of the low-pressure storage unit 15, such as being provided on the side surface of the low-pressure storage unit 15 and other positions.

[0122] Figures 27 - 29 It is a schematic structural diagram of the pressure detection unit of the low-pressure storage unit of the refrigerator; as Figures 27 - 29 shown, the refrigerator 1 has a pressure detection unit 9 provided on the back of the low-pressure storage unit 15 to detect the pressure inside the low-pressure storage unit 15 and electrically connected to the air extraction device to monitor the pressure inside the low-pressure storage unit 15. When the pressure inside the low-pressure storage unit 15 is higher than the preset value and loses the vacuum refrigeration function, the pressure detection unit 9 sends a vacuum extraction signal to the air extraction device, and the air extraction device works to form a "vacuum chamber" to ensure that when the pressure rises to the preset value due to inevitable air leakage after a long time when the low-pressure storage unit 15 has not been opened for a long time, the air extraction device can work in time to ensure the vacuum degree of the low-pressure storage unit 15, thereby ensuring the fresh-keeping effect of the food.

[0123] The pressure detection unit 9 has a column 91 protruding from the back of the low-pressure storage unit 15. The column 91 has a first through hole 91a communicating with the low-pressure storage chamber 14 of the low-pressure storage unit 15. At one end of the column 91 away from the low-pressure storage unit 15, there is a rubber seal 92 for sealing the end of the column 91 and a pressure switch 93 abutted against the rubber seal 92. A spring 94 is provided between the rubber seal 92 and the bottom of the column 91, and a floating block 95 is provided between the spring 94 and the rubber seal 92. When the pressure in the low-pressure storage unit 15 increases to a certain extent, the pressure in the first through hole 91a of the column 91 increases accordingly. The floating block 95 is subjected to a certain air pressure, overcomes the pulling force of the spring 94, and pushes the rubber seal 92 to move. The rubber seal 92 applies pressure to the pressure switch 93 under the action of the floating block 95 to trigger the pressure switch 93. The pressure switch 93 sends a control signal to the control unit, and the control unit controls the air extraction device to evacuate the low-pressure storage unit 15 according to the control signal. As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an installation block 45 fixed to one end of the spring 94 is provided in the back area of the low-pressure storage unit 15 surrounded by the first through hole 91a. The other end of the spring 94 is fixed with a floating block 95. At one end of the column 91 away from the low-pressure storage unit 15, there is a second through hole 91b with a radial dimension larger than that of the first through hole 91a, so as to form an installation table 46 for installing the rubber seal 92 at one end of the column 91 away from the low-pressure storage unit 15. The floating block 95 is T-shaped and includes a floating plate 95a abutted against the rubber seal 92 and having a recess 95c in the central area, and a floating column 95b connected to the spring 94. The radial dimension of the floating plate 95a is larger than that of the floating column 95b. The rubber seal 92 is a frustum shell shape with a butt column 92a provided in the central part and matching the recess 95c on the floating plate 95a. The dimension of the frustum shell-shaped rubber seal 92 at one end away from the installation table 46 is smaller than that at one end close to the installation table 46.

[0124] A fixed table 47 for installing a pressure cover 55 is provided around the column 91. On one side of the pressure cover 55, there is an annular groove 56 matching the column 91, and a fixing plate 57 corresponding to the fixed table 47 is provided outside the groove 56. On the other side of the pressure cover 55, there is a receiving cavity 58 for installing the pressure switch 93. Among them, a third through hole 58a is provided at the bottom of the receiving cavity 58 to enable the rubber seal 92 to abut against the pressure switch 93. In this embodiment, an elastic hook 58b for fixing the pressure switch 93 is provided at the orifice of the receiving cavity 58. The end of the column 91 is installed in the annular groove 56 of the pressure cover 55, and the inner wall of the annular groove 56 presses the rubber seal 92. The fixing plate 57 cooperates with the fixed table 47 and is fixedly connected by screws.

[0125] The pressure detection unit 9 set above is integrated with the low-pressure storage unit 15, improving the detection accuracy of the pressure detection unit 9, enabling the pressure detection unit 9 to monitor the pressure inside the low-pressure storage unit 15 in real time. When the pressure inside the low-pressure storage unit 15 is higher than the preset value and it loses the function of vacuum refrigeration, a vacuum pumping signal is sent to the air extraction device in a timely manner to ensure the vacuum degree of the low-pressure storage unit 15, thereby ensuring the fresh-keeping effect of food.

[0126] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and it is not a limitation of the present invention in other forms. Any person skilled in the art may use the technical content disclosed above to make changes or modifications into equivalent embodiments with equivalent changes and apply them to other fields. However, as long as it does not depart from the technical solution content of the present invention, any simple modification, equivalent change, and modification made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention still fall within the protection scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. Refrigerator, characterized in that: A cabinet body that defines a heat-insulated storage compartment; A low-pressure storage unit housed in the storage compartment, in which air can be evacuated to form a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure outside the cabinet body; A drain pipe provided on the cabinet body for discharging condensed water inside the refrigerator; An air extraction device, which includes a vacuum pump, a first pipeline connecting the vacuum pump and the low-pressure storage unit, and a second pipeline connecting the vacuum pump and the drain pipe; the air extraction device includes a pump housing and an elastic body sleeved between the pump body and the pump housing; A vacuum pump fixed in the storage compartment; it has an air extraction pipe communicating with the low-pressure storage unit and an exhaust pipe communicating with the drain pipe; When the vacuum pump operates, the air in the low-pressure storage unit is sequentially transported through the air extraction pipe, the vacuum pump and the drain pipe to the drain pipe, and finally discharged from the cabinet body through the drain pipe; An air extraction port connected to the air extraction pipe is provided at a position near the rear end of the top of the low-pressure storage unit; the air extraction port faces the side surface of the storage compartment perpendicular to the front-rear direction; An exhaust port communicating with the exhaust pipe is provided on the drain pipe; the air extraction pipe and the air extraction port are connected through a first pipeline, and the exhaust pipe and the exhaust port are connected through a second pipeline; The vacuum pump is provided on the rear wall of the storage compartment and near the bottom of the low-pressure storage unit; After the first pipeline is fixed to the air extraction port on the low-pressure storage unit, it extends along the top edge of the rear end of the low-pressure storage unit, and then bends 90° at the first turning position and extends to the second turning position; it turns 90° again at the second turning position and extends downward to the third turning position; at the third turning position, it turns again and communicates with the air extraction pipe; wherein, on the projection on the plane where the bottom wall of the low-pressure storage unit is located, the projections of the second turning position and the third turning position are both located on the extension line of the projection of the air extraction pipe; the projection of the first turning position is located on the projection of the low-pressure storage unit, and the projection of the second turning position is located between the projection of the rear wall of the storage compartment and the projection of the rear wall of the low-pressure storage unit; the projections of the second turning position and the third turning position coincide.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: On the projection on the plane where the bottom wall of the low-pressure storage unit is located, the connection line between the projection of the first turning position and the projection of the second turning position is perpendicular to the projection of the rear wall of the low-pressure storage unit.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The air extraction pipe and the exhaust pipe of the vacuum pump are arranged in parallel and are located at the same end of the vacuum pump.

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