Automatic door opening and closing mechanism and refrigerator using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic door opening and closing mechanism and a refrigerator using the same, comprising: a power source capable of forward and reverse power output; a telescopic driving assembly suitable for driving a refrigerator door body to open and close relative to a refrigerator body; the telescopic driving assembly comprises a screw rod connected to the power source in a transmission manner, a nut connected to the screw rod in a transmission manner, and a telescopic rod matched with the nut; wherein the telescopic rod is provided with a clutch groove, and the nut is provided with a clutch hook suitable for being embedded in the clutch groove; the clutch groove is provided with a clutch notch; and the clutch notch and the clutch hook are suitable for forming a connection and disengagement state. The present invention can reduce the hidden danger of damage to the automatic door opening and closing mechanism when it is subjected to a sudden impact external force during the driving process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of household appliances, and in particular to an automatic door opening and closing mechanism and a refrigerator using the same. Background Art

[0002] With the popularity of large-capacity refrigerators, the overall size of refrigerators is getting bigger and bigger, and refrigerators have more and more additional functions, such as doors with ice-making functions, doors with large-screen displays for the Internet of Things, doors within doors, etc. The refrigerator door not only has more and more functions, but also becomes heavier. In actual use, many users report that the refrigerator door is becoming more and more inconvenient to open, and every time they pull it open, the refrigerator will be dragged to move or shake. This is not only because the door itself has become heavier, but also because of the negative pressure required for the refrigerator seal. As the door area increases, the resistance caused by the negative pressure also increases.

[0003] In response to the above problems, many brands of refrigerators are equipped with electric power-assisted door opening systems, which can electrically open the door for a certain distance, eliminating most of the door opening resistance caused by negative pressure and magnetic seals, making it much easier for users to open the door. However, conventional door opening assistance systems cannot automatically open the door at a large angle, requiring users to manually open the door to a position that is convenient for storing and accessing items, and cannot automatically close the refrigerator door when it is open.

[0004] In addition, the existing technology has many limitations on the overall technical solution of the automatic door opening and closing system equipped with additional full-range auxiliary door opening and closing bodies, and there are hidden dangers in reliability. This is mainly reflected in the fact that if a sudden external force is encountered during the automatic door opening and closing process, the transmission components of the door opening and closing system are easily damaged, and the cost is relatively high, which is not conducive to the popularization of mid-range refrigerator models. Summary of the invention

[0005] The first object of the present invention is to provide an automatic door opening and closing mechanism to solve the technical problem of reducing the hidden danger of damage to the automatic door opening and closing mechanism when it is subjected to sudden impact external force during the driving process.

[0006] The second object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator to solve the technical problem of reducing the hidden danger of damage to the automatic door opening and closing mechanism when it is subjected to sudden impact external force during the driving process.

[0007] An automatic door opening and closing mechanism of the present invention is realized as follows:

[0008] An automatic door opening and closing mechanism, applicable to a refrigerator, comprising:

[0009] A power source capable of forward and reverse power output;

[0010] A telescopic drive assembly suitable for driving a refrigerator door to open and close relative to a refrigerator body; the telescopic drive assembly comprises a screw rod drivingly connected to a power source, a nut drivingly connected to the screw rod, and a telescopic rod matched with the nut; wherein

[0011] The telescopic rod is provided with a clutch groove, and the nut is provided with a clutch hook suitable for being embedded in the clutch groove; a clutch notch is provided in the clutch groove; and the clutch notch and the clutch hook are suitable for forming a connection and a disconnection state.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the clutch groove is formed on the outer wall surface of the telescopic rod, and the clutch groove is arranged parallel to the axial direction of the telescopic rod; and

[0013] At least one clutch groove is arranged on the outer wall surface of the telescopic rod.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a clutch notch is provided on one of the groove walls of each clutch groove;

[0015] The clutch notch is arranged at the middle position or approximately the middle position of the clutch slot.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the clutch hook comprises a body adapted to be embedded in the clutch groove, and a boss portion and a support portion integrally formed on the body; wherein

[0017] The boss portion is suitable for fitting with the clutch notch;

[0018] The boss portion is provided with a first clutch surface and a second clutch surface.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support portion is an arc-shaped structure; and

[0020] The support portion is provided with a sliding support surface which is suitable for sliding contact with another groove wall in the clutch groove which is opposite to the groove wall provided with the clutch notch.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nut comprises an inner nut hoop, an outer nut hoop, and a nut guide rib provided between the inner nut hoop and the outer nut hoop; wherein

[0022] The inner hoop of the nut is provided with an internal thread suitable for spirally engaging with the screw rod;

[0023] The clutch hook is convexly arranged on one of the axial ends of the nut guide rib;

[0024] The part of the telescopic rod provided with the clutch groove is inserted between the holes formed by the inner hoop of the nut and the outer hoop of the nut.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic drive assembly further comprises a guide tube rotatably connected to the refrigerator body through the shell; and

[0026] The guide tube is sleeved on the outside of the telescopic rod equipped with a nut;

[0027] The inner wall of the guide tube is provided with a guide groove suitable for cooperating with the nut guide rib.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first clutch surface is provided on the side of the boss portion facing the movable end of the telescopic rod, and the second clutch surface is provided on the side of the boss portion facing the fixed end of the telescopic rod;

[0029] A first clutch angle formed by the first clutch surface and the groove surface of the clutch groove is smaller than a second clutch angle formed by the second clutch surface and the groove surface of the clutch groove, and the second clutch angle is greater than 90°.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a sealing end cap is provided on the end of the telescopic rod away from the movable end of the telescopic rod;

[0031] The sealing end cover is provided with a sealing thread and a sealing outer hoop; the inner tube wall of one end of the telescopic rod away from the movable end of the telescopic rod cover is provided with a locking thread suitable for matching with the sealing thread; and

[0032] A bushing is sleeved on the telescopic rod and located between the nut and the sealing end cover.

[0033] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the automatic door opening and closing mechanism further comprises a transmission clutch assembly provided between the screw rod and the power source;

[0034] The transmission clutch assembly includes a bevel gear sleeved on the screw, a clutch engagement component, and a clutch drive component rotatably sleeved with the clutch engagement component; wherein

[0035] The helical gear is connected to the power source to transmit torque; and the helical gear is axially matched with the clutch combination component to transmit the torque transmitted by the helical gear end to the screw;

[0036] The clutch driving component is connected with an electromagnet suitable for driving the clutch driving component to move axially.

[0037] The refrigerator of the present invention is achieved in this way:

[0038] A refrigerator comprises: the automatic door opening and closing mechanism.

[0039] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: the practical automatic door opening and closing mechanism and the refrigerator using the same, by switching the connection and disengagement states between the clutch hook provided on the nut and the clutch notch in the clutch groove provided on the telescopic rod, can achieve that when the axial force on the telescopic rod exceeds a certain limit, the clutch hook on the nut will disengage from the clutch notch on the telescopic rod, and the refrigerator door body can be opened and closed relatively freely. In this case, when an unexpected external impact force is inevitably caused to the refrigerator door body during the use of the refrigerator, the clutch hook on the nut of the automatic door opening mechanism of the present invention will automatically disengage from the clutch notch on the telescopic rod.

[0040] Furthermore, for the automatic door opening and closing mechanism of the present invention, there are no additional parts, and only the structural optimization of the nut and the telescopic rod itself can achieve the clutch function requirements between the two, which can greatly reduce the cost of parts and reduce the size of the installation space.

[0041] Furthermore, the size of the clutch structure composed of the clutch hook and the clutch notch of the present invention is mainly in the axial extension direction of the telescopic rod movement. The clutch structure does not affect the radial size of the automatic door opening and closing mechanism perpendicular to the movement direction of the telescopic rod, which is beneficial to the height size control of the automatic door opening and closing mechanism installed on the refrigerator.

[0042] In addition, the present invention realizes the switching of the clutch state by relying on the elastic deformation of the clutch hook on the nut, and relies on the support part to increase the anti-deformation strength of the clutch hook part. Such a structure avoids the cost disadvantage and size and space disadvantage of adding auxiliary elastic elements such as springs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0044] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an automatic door opening and closing mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a refrigerator in one implementation manner;

[0045] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing a telescopic drive assembly of an automatic door opening and closing mechanism of an embodiment;

[0046] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the assembly between the automatic door opening and closing mechanism of the embodiment and the refrigerator door body and the refrigerator body;

[0047] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing that the automatic door opening and closing mechanism of the embodiment is assembled with the refrigerator door body and the refrigerator body, and the axis of the main body connecting pin is located inside the axis of the door body connecting pin;

[0048] Figure 5Schematic diagram showing that the main body connecting pin axis after the automatic door opening and closing mechanism of the embodiment is assembled with the refrigerator door body and the refrigerator main body is located at the same position inside and outside the door body connecting pin axis Figure 1 ;

[0049] Figure 6 Schematic diagram showing that the main body connecting pin axis after the automatic door opening and closing mechanism of the embodiment is assembled with the refrigerator door body and the refrigerator main body is located at the same position inside and outside the door body connecting pin axis Figure 2 ;

[0050] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the automatic door opening and closing mechanism of the embodiment in a state of being connected with the refrigerator door body and the refrigerator body;

[0051] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing the connection between the telescopic rod and the nut of the automatic door opening and closing mechanism of the embodiment is shown;

[0052] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram showing a telescopic rod of an automatic door opening and closing mechanism of an embodiment;

[0053] Fig.10 A schematic diagram showing a nut of the automatic door opening and closing mechanism of the embodiment from a first perspective;

[0054] Fig.11 A schematic diagram showing a sealing end cover of an automatic door opening and closing mechanism of an embodiment;

[0055] Fig.12 A schematic diagram showing the matching structure of the nut, the screw rod, the telescopic rod and the guide tube of the automatic door opening and closing mechanism of the embodiment;

[0056] Fig.13 A schematic diagram showing a nut of the automatic door opening and closing mechanism of the embodiment from a second viewing angle;

[0057] Fig.14 A schematic structural diagram showing the matching state of the clutch hook and the clutch notch of the nut of the automatic door opening and closing mechanism of the embodiment;

[0058] Fig.15 A schematic structural diagram showing a disengaged state of a clutch hook and a clutch notch of a nut of an automatic door opening and closing mechanism of an embodiment;

[0059] Fig.16 A schematic diagram showing the change in the matching state of the telescopic rod and the nut during the process of opening the refrigerator door body of the embodiment, in which the door body is first opened by an external force and then closed by the automatic door opening and closing mechanism;

[0060] Fig.17A schematic diagram showing the change in the matching state of the telescopic rod and the nut during the process of opening the refrigerator door of the embodiment, in which the refrigerator door is first opened by the automatic door opening and closing mechanism, then closed by external force, and finally closed by the automatic door opening and closing mechanism;

[0061] Fig.18 A schematic diagram showing a transmission clutch assembly of an automatic door opening and closing mechanism of an embodiment;

[0062] Fig.19 A schematic diagram showing a state in which the clutch engaging component of the transmission clutch assembly of the automatic door opening and closing mechanism of the embodiment is disengaged from the helical gear;

[0063] Fig. 20 A schematic diagram showing a clutch combination component and a bevel gear of a transmission clutch assembly of an automatic door opening and closing mechanism of an embodiment in a state of being engaged;

[0064] Fig.21 A schematic diagram of a clutch engaging component of a transmission clutch assembly of an automatic door opening and closing mechanism of an embodiment is shown.

[0065] In the figure: refrigerator body 1, refrigerator door body 2, refrigerator cover shell 3, motor 5, telescopic rod 6, clutch groove 61, clutch notch 62, locking thread 63, guide tube 7, nut 8, nut outer hoop 81, nut inner hoop 82, nut guide rib 83, body 84, boss portion 85, support portion 86, first clutch surface 87, second clutch surface 88, sliding support surface 89, screw 9, connecting hole 11, pressure plate 12, door body connecting pin 13, door body hinge axis 15, main body connecting pin 16, worm 17, bevel gear 18, bushing 19, sealing end cover 20, sealing thread 201, sealing outer hoop 203, transmission pin 21, fixing plate 22, electromagnet 23, clutch engagement component 24, outer profiling portion 241, inner profiling portion 242, clutch drive component 25. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are simplified schematic diagrams, which only illustrate the basic structure of the present invention in a schematic manner, and therefore only show the components related to the present invention.

[0067] Embodiment 1:

[0068] See also Figures 1 to 17 As shown, this embodiment provides an automatic door opening and closing mechanism, which is suitable for refrigerators, including: a power source capable of forward and reverse power output and a telescopic drive assembly suitable for driving the refrigerator door body 2 to open and close relative to the refrigerator body. The power source is a motor 5, and a cover is provided outside the motor 5. The specific implementation principle of the automatic door opening and closing mechanism of this embodiment is to convert the rotational motion of the motor 5 into the linear telescopic motion of the telescopic rod 6 to realize the opening and closing of the refrigerator door body 2.

[0069] It should be noted that the automatic door opening and closing mechanism of this embodiment can be specifically set at the top of the refrigerator. Of course, according to the application requirements of different types of refrigerator door bodies 2, it can also be set at the interlayer between the upper and lower door bodies, or at the bottom of the refrigerator and other positions near the door body rotating shaft hinge. The automatic door opening and closing mechanism is electrically connected to the door opening and closing control component. If it is installed on the top of the refrigerator, the refrigerator cover 3 is used to cover the automatic door opening and closing mechanism 100, the door opening and closing control component 200 and part of the door body hinge. According to the door opening and closing requirements of the refrigerator, the corresponding automatic door opening and closing mechanism is set at the door body hinge of the refrigerator door body 2 that requires the automatic opening and closing function.

[0070] Next, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the telescopic drive assembly includes a screw rod 9 that is transmission-connected to the power source, a nut 8 that is transmission-connected to the screw rod 9, and a telescopic rod 6 that is matched with the nut 8; the movable end and the fixed end of the telescopic rod 6 are respectively provided with a connecting hole 11, and the connecting hole 11 here can be directly or indirectly set on the movable end and the fixed end of the telescopic rod 6, and the indirect here means that the connecting hole 11 can be set on other components assembled at the movable end and the fixed end of the telescopic rod 6. Here, the movable end of the telescopic rod 6 is connected to the refrigerator door body 2 through the connecting hole 11 to perform the opening and closing of the refrigerator door body 2 relative to the refrigerator body 1, and the fixed end of the telescopic rod 6 is connected to the refrigerator body.

[0071] Specifically, a connecting pin is provided on the refrigerator door 2 for mating with the connecting hole 11 at the movable end of the telescopic rod 6. A pressure plate 12 with a planar structure is provided on the refrigerator door 2 and the refrigerator body 1, respectively, so as to bear the huge stress caused by the telescopic drive assembly when it is extended and retracted and disperse it to the door body top plate of the refrigerator body 1 and the refrigerator door 2, so as to avoid cracking caused by excessive stress. The connecting pin is fixedly connected to the pressure plate 12 on the refrigerator door 2.

[0072] At the same time, between the axis of the door body connecting pin shaft 13, the axis of the main body connecting pin shaft 16, and the door body hinge axis 15, there is a Figure 4 The position relationship is shown. Define the left and right sides of the refrigerator body 1 as the outside, and the center of the refrigerator body 1 as the inside. Then the axis of the door body connecting pin 13 and the axis of the main body connecting pin 16 are located inside the door body hinge axis 15, and the axis of the main body connecting pin 16 is located inside the axis of the door body connecting pin 13, forming an angle α as shown in the figure below. It is easy to understand that the door body hinge axis 15 is on the outermost side. Because the product layout is beautiful and conducive to space utilization, the hinge of the refrigerator door 2 is usually set at the edge of the refrigerator as much as possible. Then the axis of the main body connecting pin 16 is closer to the inside than the axis of the door body connecting pin 13.

[0073] Since the axis of the main body connecting pin 16 and the door hinge axis 15 are fixed, and the axis of the door connecting pin 13 rotates around the door hinge axis 15, it can be judged from the relationship between the lengths of the three sides of the triangle that when these three axes form a straight line, it is the maximum length that the telescopic drive assembly can extend. However, when we design, we will make the telescopic limit length of the telescopic drive assembly less than the length when these three axes form a straight line. Because once this limit is reached, when the telescopic drive assembly starts to retract and close the door, it is unclear whether the refrigerator door will be retracted inward or continue to open. Figure 4 The axis of the main body connecting pin 16 is located inside the axis of the door body connecting pin 13, forming an angle α. Figure 5 The two are at equal positions inside and outside, and no angle α is formed (the angle is zero). Both of the illustrated states are close to the limit position of the three axes being in a straight line. It can be clearly seen that the setting of forming the angle α can open the refrigerator door 2 at a larger angle. It can also be judged that when the axis of the main body connecting pin 16 is located outside the axis of the door body connecting pin 13, the opening angle of the door body will be further reduced. When the angle α is large enough, the opening angle of the door body will gradually approach 180°. However, in actual application, the angle is generally not set too large, because the larger the angle α, the wider the part of the refrigerator cover 3 that needs to extend out of the refrigerator body 1 needs to be to cover the telescopic rod 6 of the door opening and closing assembly, which affects the appearance of the refrigerator. At the same time, if the angle α is too large, the force arm formed between the push-door force of the telescopic drive assembly and the door hinge axis 15 will be smaller, and a larger push-door force will be required to open the refrigerator door 2. We generally set it to meet the door opening angle of more than 90°. Whether it is necessary to increase it can be adjusted separately according to the needs of the refrigerator model.

[0074] Furthermore, since the connecting holes 11 at the movable end and the fixed end of the telescopic rod 6 are fixedly connected to the connecting pin shaft on the refrigerator, an unexpected impact force on the refrigerator door body 2 will inevitably occur during the use of the refrigerator. This is a problem that all refrigerator automatic door opening and closing systems should overcome, but most existing solutions do not reflect how to overcome this unexpected problem, that is, during the normal door opening and closing operation, the refrigerator door body 2 is subjected to a sudden impact force, and the existing system cannot switch the meshing state in a timely and effective manner. That is, the automatic door opening and closing system in the prior art only solves the technical problem of how to realize the opening and closing of the refrigerator door body 2. The "impact" problem that occurs during the period is either unsolvable or an electromagnetic clutch technical solution is adopted, and the electromagnetic drive is used to make a certain part in the transmission system engage and disengage to realize the switching of the clutch state, but the electromagnetic clutch technology is an "active" clutch technical solution. Due to the limitation of response time, the two problems of "sudden" and "impact" cannot be completely avoided. This "active" clutch technology is generally aimed at the state switching before the door opening and closing assembly works, that is, the state switching between manual door opening and closing or electric door opening and closing, but it cannot switch for the sudden state during the movement.

[0075] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the telescopic drive assembly adopted in this embodiment is designed with a "passive" clutch structure between the telescopic rod 6 and the nut 8 to achieve the purpose of automatically disengaging from the connection state when impacted.

[0076] In detail, the "passive" clutch structure of the present embodiment includes a clutch groove 61 provided on the telescopic rod 6 and a clutch hook provided on the nut 8 and suitable for being embedded in the clutch groove 61; a clutch notch 62 is provided in the clutch groove 61; and the clutch notch 62 and the clutch hook are suitable for forming a connected and disconnected state, that is, the connection between the nut 8 and the telescopic rod 6 is achieved through the connected state between the clutch notch 62 and the clutch hook, and the disconnection between the nut 8 and the telescopic rod 6 is achieved through the disconnected state between the clutch notch 62 and the clutch hook.

[0077] When the axial force on the telescopic rod 6 exceeds a certain limit, the clutch hook on the nut 8 will be disengaged from the clutch notch 62 on the telescopic rod 6, and the door body can be opened and closed relatively freely. This process is "passive", and the speed of the entire disengagement process changes with the speed of the external force. If the external force on the telescopic rod 6 is applied slowly, the disengagement process will be slow, and if the external force is applied instantly, the disengagement process will be instantaneous.

[0078] Furthermore, the clutch groove 61 is opened on the outer wall surface of the telescopic rod 6, and the clutch groove 61 is arranged parallel to the axial direction of the telescopic rod 6; regarding the clutch groove 61 of the present embodiment, the axial opening of the clutch groove 61 is arranged on the fixed end of the telescopic rod 6, so that when the nut 8 is assembled with the telescopic rod 6, the nut 8 slowly fits with the telescopic rod 6 along the axial direction of the telescopic rod 6 from the fixed end of the telescopic rod 6.

[0079] It should be noted that at least one clutch groove 61 is provided on the outer wall surface of the telescopic rod 6. In conjunction with the drawings of this embodiment, a pair of symmetrical clutch grooves 61 are provided on the outer wall surface of the telescopic rod 6. A clutch notch 62 is provided on one of the groove walls of each clutch groove 61; and the clutch notch 62 is provided in the middle position or approximately in the middle position of the clutch groove 61. Here, only one clutch notch 62 is provided on each clutch groove 61, because the width of the clutch groove 61 on the telescopic rod 6 is limited. If clutch notches 62 are provided on both sides of the clutch groove 61, the clutch hook on the nut 8 does not have enough deformation and clearance space.

[0080] It should be noted that when the telescopic rod 6 is subjected to axial force, the clutch hook on the nut 8 tends to disengage from the clutch notch 62 on the telescopic rod 6. Since the clutch slot 61 is required to be longer due to design requirements and the clutch notch 62 is arranged in the approximate middle position of the clutch slot 61, the physical structures on both sides of the clutch slot 61 on the telescopic rod 6 are easier to open outward, thereby affecting the upper limit setting of the clutch force threshold, making it very easy for the nut 8 and the telescopic rod 6 to disengage, and losing the driving force for opening the refrigerator door.

[0081] In view of the above problems, the present embodiment adopts a nut 8 with the following structure:

[0082] Specifically, the nut 8 includes a nut inner hoop 82, a nut outer hoop 81, and a nut guide rib 83 provided between the nut inner hoop 82 and the nut outer hoop 81; wherein the nut inner hoop 82 is provided with an internal thread suitable for spirally matching with the screw rod 9; the clutch hook is convexly provided on one of the axial ends of the nut guide rib 83; and the part of the telescopic rod 6 provided with the clutch groove 61 is inserted between the hole formed by the nut inner hoop 82 and the nut outer hoop 81. In this way, the telescopic rod 6 close to the clutch hook is covered by the nut outer hoop 81. When the telescopic rod 6 is subjected to axial force, the relative disengagement tendency between the clutch hook on the nut 8 and the clutch notch 62 on the telescopic rod 6 causes the outward expansion tendency of the slotted part of the telescopic rod 6 to be restricted, and the disengagement and engagement of the clutch can only be achieved by the deformation of the clutch hook. In this way, it can be ensured that the upper threshold limit of the clutch structure can be designed to be high enough to meet the driving force requirements for opening the refrigerator door.

[0083] In summary, for the nut 8 used in this embodiment, the nut inner hoop 82, the nut outer hoop 81, and the hole structure between the nut inner hoop 82 and the nut outer hoop 81 suitable for the telescopic rod 6 to pass through, enable the nut 8 to be assembled with the telescopic rod 6 and the screw rod 9 at the same time, so that there is no need to adopt other additional assembly structures, and the overall structure is simplified, which can not only reduce the production cost, but also reduce the difficulty of assembly and disassembly. In addition, for the nut guide rib 83 that connects the nut inner hoop 82 and the nut outer hoop 81 in the present embodiment, the nut guide rib 83 also plays a role in fixing the clutch hook, and the nut guide rib 83 also plays an auxiliary alignment role between the clutch hook and the clutch groove 61 after the nut 8 and the telescopic rod 6 are assembled, that is, during the assembly of the nut 8 and the telescopic rod 6, the nut guide rib 83 just enters the clutch groove 61. In this case, the clutch hook fixedly connected to the nut guide rib 83 will naturally enter the clutch groove 61, which makes the overall assembly process convenient and efficient.

[0084] On the basis of the above structure, it is also necessary to explain that the clutch hook used in this embodiment includes a body 84 suitable for being embedded in the clutch groove 61, and a boss portion 85 and a support portion 86 integrally formed on the body 84; wherein the boss portion 85 is suitable for fitting with the clutch notch 62. More specifically, the boss portion 85 is provided with a first clutch surface 87 and a second clutch surface 88. Since the ability of the single-sided clutch hook used in this embodiment to resist deformation can only rely on the strength of the material itself, the clutch hook of this embodiment includes a support portion 86 provided, for example, an optional implementation, the support portion 86 is an arc-shaped structure; and the support portion 86 has a sliding support surface 89 suitable for sliding contact with another groove wall in the clutch groove 61 opposite to the groove wall provided with the clutch notch 62. When the telescopic rod 6 is subjected to external force and the boss portion 85 of the nut 8 is separated from the clutch notch 62 of the telescopic rod 6, the support portion 86 can play an additional role in resisting deformation. In summary, through the coordinated cooperation of the boss portion 85 and the support 86, the clutch hook of this embodiment can not only meet the connection and disengagement between the clutch notch 62 in the clutch groove 61 through deformation, but also prevent the problem of excessive deformation affecting the service life, thereby improving the overall performance of the clutch hook.

[0085] In addition, it should be noted that, generally speaking, for refrigerators with automatic door opening and closing functions, the probability of users manually intervening in the automatic door opening and closing process is not high, but it is not small either. Especially in the door opening stage, because the refrigerator manufacturer needs to ensure the smoothness and stability of the door opening and closing action, the door opening action time is generally set at about 5 seconds, so that the entire action is relatively smooth, which not only avoids the impact caused by the door opening speed being too fast, causing the objects placed on the door body to shake, but also avoids the safety risk of the door body hitting the user too fast, and at the same time can reduce the overall power demand of the door opening and closing components. However, in the door opening stage, the user gives the refrigerator door opening instruction to the refrigerator door is completely opened and stops, and the 5 seconds give people a feeling of slow response. Some users may be able to wait, but some users may be more impatient and manually accelerate to open the refrigerator door 2. At this time, it is necessary to be able to make the clutch system effective more easily. In another case, when the refrigerator door 2 is automatically closed, the user suddenly remembers that there is something that needs to be taken and put. The first reaction is definitely to open the refrigerator door again. At this time, the clutch system also needs to be able to take effect more easily. In another situation, the user's hand is caught and needs to be prevented from being caught, which also requires the clutch system to be able to take effect relatively easily. In summary, the clutch system here needs to have a characteristic, that is, when the refrigerator door is driven to open by external force (not the built-in switch door system), the clutch system needs to be able to take effect relatively easily. Therefore, the first clutch surface 87 and the second clutch surface 88 on the boss portion 85 set on the clutch hook of the nut 8 have the following characteristics: the first clutch surface 87 is set on the side of the boss portion 85 facing the movable end of the telescopic rod 6, and the second clutch surface 88 is set on the side of the boss portion 85 facing the fixed end of the telescopic rod 6; the first clutch angle M formed by the first clutch surface 87 and the groove surface of the clutch groove 61 is smaller than the second clutch angle N formed by the second clutch surface 88 and the groove surface of the clutch groove 61, and the second clutch angle N is greater than 90°.

[0086] It should also be noted that in this embodiment, the clutch notch 62 on the telescopic rod 6 is arranged approximately in the middle of the clutch groove 61, so that the telescopic rod 6 can automatically engage and reset within one movement cycle of the nut 8 when the telescopic rod 6 is pushed and pulled in both directions.

[0087] See also Fig.16As shown, in the initial state of the refrigerator being closed, when the refrigerator door 2 is forcibly opened by external force, the position of the nut 8 remains unchanged while the telescopic rod 6 is pulled outward, and the boss portion 85 of the nut 8 disengages from the clutch notch 62 of the telescopic rod 6, and the door is now in an external force opening state (the external force opening state in the figure belongs to the door at the extreme door opening angle). When it is detected through technical means such as position detection that the refrigerator door 2 is open, but the automatic door opening and closing mechanism is not running, and the refrigerator door 2 is still not closed after a period of time, the automatic door opening and closing mechanism starts to start, and the nut 8 moves forward. When the nut 8 runs to the extreme length, since the refrigerator door 2 has an extreme angle limit, no matter what opening angle the refrigerator door 2 was at before, it will eventually become Fig.16 The nut 8 in the refrigerator is in the forward state, and then the nut 8 retreats backward. At this time, the boss portion 85 of the nut 8 has re-engaged with the clutch notch 62 of the telescopic rod 6, and the refrigerator door body 2 is brought back from the open state to the closed state, reaching the retreat state of the nut 8. Even if the user reopens the refrigerator while the refrigerator door body 2 is closing, or a foreign object is stuck between the refrigerator door body 2 and the refrigerator body 1, the refrigerator will re-enter the external force door opening state, and then the control logic of the refrigerator manufacturer can perform actions such as closing again or alarm prompting.

[0088] See also Fig.17 As shown, in the initial state of the refrigerator being closed, the refrigerator receives an opening instruction, and the nut 8 drives the telescopic rod 6 to move forward to open the refrigerator door 2. When the refrigerator door 2 is opened to the limit angle, it enters the door opening state. When the refrigerator door 2 is opened, or after the door has been opened to the limit angle, the refrigerator door 2 is forcibly closed by external force, and the boss portion 85 on the nut 8 is disengaged from the clutch notch 62 of the telescopic rod 6, and finally enters the external force closing state, that is, the telescopic rod 6 is in the original position, and the nut 8 is in the normal door opening state position. Then, the automatic door opening and closing mechanism will drive the nut 8 to start retreating, entering the second half of a normal working cycle of the refrigerator door opening and closing system, until the nut 8 enters the retreat state. Assuming that in the door opening state, the external force does not completely close the refrigerator door 2, then in the process of the nut 8 retreating, either the telescopic rod 6 first reaches the closed state under the friction of the nut 8, and then the nut 8 returns to the original position and re-engages with the telescopic rod 6, or the nut 8 first engages with the telescopic rod 6 and then returns to the initial state under the drive of the nut 8.

[0089] As can be seen from the above process description, the clutch notch 62 on the telescopic rod 6 is arranged approximately in the middle of the clutch groove 61, so that no matter what unexpected situation occurs during the opening and closing of the refrigerator door, the movement process of the automatic door opening and closing mechanism will not be affected, and it can be restored to the initial state within one movement cycle.

[0090] Furthermore, regarding the telescopic drive assembly of this embodiment, it also includes a guide tube 7 that is rotatably connected to the refrigerator body through the housing 27; and the guide tube 7 is sleeved on the outside of the telescopic rod equipped with the nut 8; the inner wall of the guide tube 7 is provided with a guide groove suitable for cooperating with the nut guide rib 83. That is to say, the nut guide rib 83 of this embodiment not only includes a part arranged between the nut outer hoop 81 and the nut inner hoop 82, but also includes an extension corresponding to the nut guide rib 83 arranged on the outer surface of the nut outer hoop 81, so that the guide groove on the guide tube 7 cooperates with the extension of the nut guide rib 83 to solve the assembly positioning problem between the guide tube 7 and the nut 8. Here, the cooperation between the guide groove and the extension of the nut guide rib 83 can also limit the movement trajectory of the nut 8, thereby ensuring that the nut 8 will only reciprocate along the axial direction of the guide tube 7 under the action of the screw 9, and will not produce a rotational movement relative to the guide tube 7. In summary, for the nut 8 of this embodiment, its overall ingenious structure can facilitate the assembly between the telescopic rod 6, the screw rod 9 and the guide tube 7, greatly simplifying the structure of the overall telescopic drive assembly and improving the convenience and efficiency of assembly.

[0091] In addition, a sealing end cap 20 is provided on the end of the telescopic rod away from the movable end of the telescopic rod 6; a sealing thread 201 and a sealing outer hoop 203 are provided on the sealing end cap 20; a locking thread 63 suitable for matching with the sealing thread 201 is provided on the inner tube wall of the end of the telescopic rod 6 away from the movable end of the telescopic rod; and a bushing 19 is sleeved on the telescopic rod 6 and located between the nut 8 and the sealing end cap 20.

[0092] Embodiment 2:

[0093] See also Figures 18 to 21 Based on the automatic door opening and closing mechanism of Example 1, the automatic door opening and closing mechanism provided in this embodiment also includes a transmission clutch assembly provided between the screw rod 9 and the power source, so that the automatic door opening and closing mechanism can switch between transmission engagement and disengagement before starting.

[0094] Taking an optional implementation as an example, the transmission clutch assembly used in this embodiment includes a bevel gear 18 sleeved on the screw 9, a clutch coupling component 24 and a clutch drive component 25 rotatably sleeved with the clutch coupling component 24; wherein the bevel gear 18 is connected to the power source to transmit torque, and the optional power source motor 5 is meshed and connected with the bevel gear 18 through the worm 17 to transmit power; and the bevel gear 18 is axially matched with the clutch coupling component to transmit the torque transmitted by the end of the bevel gear 18 to the screw 9; the clutch drive component 25 is connected to an electromagnet 23 suitable for driving the clutch drive component 25 to move axially.

[0095] More specifically, the axial end surface of the clutch engagement component 24 is provided with a concavo-convex matching portion, and the axial end surface of the helical gear 18 is also provided with a corresponding concavo-convex matching portion. Once the two are axially engaged, they can transmit torque. The clutch engagement component 24 cooperates with the transmission pin 21 provided on the screw 9, and can transmit the torque transmitted from the end of the helical gear 18 to the screw 9. The electromagnet 23 drives the clutch drive component 25 to drive the clutch engagement component 24 to move axially, so that the transmission clutch assembly switches between engagement and disengagement.

[0096] In detail, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the clutch drive component 25 and the clutch engagement component 24 are rotatably sleeved, and the fixed plate 22 and the clutch engagement component 24 are fixedly connected, and a gap is left between the two for the clutch drive component 25 to rotate with each other. One end of the clutch engagement component 24 is suitable for plugging and matching with the helical gear 18, and the fixed plate 22 is sleeved on the part of the clutch engagement component 24 away from the end of the helical gear 18, and the part of the clutch drive component 25 and the clutch engagement component 24 accessories is located between the fixed plate 22 and the part of the clutch engagement component 24 suitable for plugging and matching with the helical gear 18. In this way, the clutch drive component 25 can drive the clutch engagement component 24 to move forward and backward along the axial direction of the screw 9 under the drive of the electromagnet 23. When the electromagnet 23 is energized, it drives the clutch engagement component 24 to be inserted into the helical gear 18. When the electromagnet 23 loses power, a mechanical reset element (such as but not limited to a spring provided between the helical gear 18 and the clutch engagement component) drives the clutch engagement component 24 to disengage from the helical gear 18.

[0097] In this embodiment, the inner contoured portion 242 that passes through the center of the clutch engagement component 24 enables the clutch engagement component 24 to transmit torque to the screw 9 through the transmission pin 21 when the clutch engagement component 24 moves axially within a certain range on the screw 9. The helical gear 18 is provided with a matching hole 181, and when the clutch engagement component 24 is driven and the outer contoured portion 241 is inserted into the matching hole, the torque on the helical gear 18 can be transmitted to the screw 9. At this time, the clutch drive component 25 is provided with a circular inner annular surface, so that when the helical gear 18 rotates, the clutch drive component 25 and the clutch engagement component 24 rotate around the center of the screw 9.

[0098] Embodiment 3:

[0099] Based on the automatic door opening and closing mechanism of Example 1 or Example 2, this embodiment provides a refrigerator, including the automatic door opening and closing mechanism of Example 1 or Example 2.

[0100] The above specific embodiments further illustrate the purpose, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present invention in detail. It should be understood that the above are only specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0101] In the description of the present invention, it is necessary to understand that the terms indicating orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0102] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0103] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", etc. indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, or the positions or positional relationships in which the product of the invention is usually placed when in use. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific position, be constructed and operated in a specific position, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used to distinguish the description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0104] In addition, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "overhanging" and the like do not mean that the components are required to be absolutely horizontal or overhanging, but can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" only means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical", and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0105] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being above or below a second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features not being in direct contact but being in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being above, above, and above a second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being below, below, and below a second feature includes the first feature being directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

Claims

1. An automatic door opening and closing mechanism, suitable for a refrigerator, characterized in that: include: A power source capable of forward and reverse power output; A telescopic drive assembly adapted to drive the refrigerator door to open and close relative to the refrigerator body; The telescopic drive assembly includes a screw rod drivingly connected to a power source, a nut drivingly connected to the screw rod, and a telescopic rod matched with the nut; in The movable end of the telescopic rod is connected to the refrigerator door to open and close the refrigerator door relative to the refrigerator body, while the fixed end of the telescopic rod is connected to the refrigerator body; The telescopic rod is provided with a clutch groove, and the nut is provided with a clutch hook suitable for being embedded in the clutch groove; the clutch groove has a clutch notch; and the clutch notch and the clutch hook are suitable for forming a connection and disconnection state; the axial opening of the clutch groove is provided on the fixed end of the telescopic rod.

2. The automatic door opening and closing mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clutch groove is formed on the outer wall surface of the telescopic rod, and the clutch groove is arranged parallel to the axial direction of the telescopic rod; and At least one clutch groove is arranged on the outer wall surface of the telescopic rod.

3. The automatic door opening and closing mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: A clutch notch is provided on one of the groove walls of each clutch groove; The clutch notch is arranged at the middle position or approximately the middle position of the clutch slot.

4. The automatic door opening and closing mechanism according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that: The clutch hook comprises a body adapted to be embedded in the clutch slot, and a boss portion and a support portion integrally formed on the body; wherein The boss portion is suitable for fitting with the clutch notch; The boss portion is provided with a first clutch surface and a second clutch surface.

5. The automatic door opening and closing mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The support portion is an arc-shaped structure; and The support portion is provided with a sliding support surface which is suitable for sliding contact with another groove wall in the clutch groove which is opposite to the groove wall provided with the clutch notch.

6. The automatic door opening and closing mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The nut comprises an inner nut hoop, an outer nut hoop, and a nut guide rib provided between the inner nut hoop and the outer nut hoop; The inner hoop of the nut is provided with an internal thread suitable for spirally engaging with the screw rod; The clutch hook is convexly arranged on one of the axial ends of the nut guide rib; The part of the telescopic rod provided with the clutch groove is inserted between the holes formed by the inner hoop of the nut and the outer hoop of the nut.

7. The automatic door opening and closing mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: The telescopic drive assembly also includes a guide tube rotatably connected to the refrigerator body through the shell; and The guide tube is sleeved on the outside of the telescopic rod equipped with a nut; The inner wall of the guide tube is provided with a guide groove suitable for cooperating with the nut guide rib.

8. The automatic door opening and closing mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first clutch surface is provided on the side of the boss portion facing the movable end of the telescopic rod, and the second clutch surface is provided on the side of the boss portion facing the fixed end of the telescopic rod; A first clutch angle formed by the first clutch surface and the groove surface of the clutch groove is smaller than a second clutch angle formed by the second clutch surface and the groove surface of the clutch groove, and the second clutch angle is greater than 90°.

9. The automatic door opening and closing mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end of the telescopic rod away from the movable end of the telescopic rod is provided with a sealing end cap; The sealing end cover is provided with a sealing thread and a sealing outer hoop; the inner tube wall of one end of the telescopic rod away from the movable end of the telescopic rod cover is provided with a locking thread suitable for matching with the sealing thread; and A bushing is sleeved on the telescopic rod and located between the nut and the sealing end cover.

10. The automatic door opening and closing mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The automatic door opening and closing mechanism also includes a transmission clutch assembly provided between the screw and the power source; The transmission clutch assembly comprises a helical gear sleeved on the screw, a clutch engaging component and a clutch driving component rotatably sleeved with the clutch engaging component; in The helical gear is connected to the power source to transmit torque; and the helical gear is axially matched with the clutch combination component to transmit the torque transmitted by the helical gear end to the screw; The clutch driving component is connected with an electromagnet suitable for driving the clutch driving component to move axially.

11. A refrigerator, characterized in that: include: An automatic door opening and closing mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.

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