A refrigerator

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of refrigeration equipment, and discloses a refrigerator which comprises a cabinet, a drawer seat, an air-regulating film assembly and a suction pump, the cabinet is used for forming a low-temperature storage space; the drawer seat is arranged in the low-temperature storage space; the drawer body is internally limited by a storage cavity; the air-regulating film assembly is arranged in a mounting cavity located at the rear side of the drawer seat, the air-regulating film assembly comprises at least one layer of air-regulating film; the air suction port of the suction pump is communicated with the mounting cavity, under the suction of the suction pump, oxygen in air which is allowed to pass through by the air-regulating film is discharged, at least part of nitrogen in the air is blocked in the mounting cavity, the atmosphere of nitrogen-rich and oxygen-poor gas is reserved in the drawer seat, and the purpose of long-term preservation of fruits and vegetables is achieved. The air-regulating film assembly is arranged at the rear end of the drawer body, the oxygen removal effect on the inside of the drawer seat is guaranteed, the mounting space of the drawer seat in the vertical direction is effectively reduced, and the air-regulating preservation system is facilitated to be quickly maintained and replaced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of refrigeration equipment technology, and in particular to a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] A refrigerator is a refrigeration device that maintains a constant low temperature; it is also a household appliance that keeps food or other items at a constant low temperature. As living standards improve, consumers have increasingly higher demands for food preservation, especially regarding the color and taste of food.

[0003] Studies have shown that the respiration of plants and animals, the growth and reproduction of aerobic microorganisms, and oxidation are all closely related to oxygen concentration. As oxygen concentration decreases, plant respiration and metabolic reactions weaken, and plants may even enter a dormant state; the life activities of some pests and microorganisms are inhibited, and their growth and reproduction weaken or even stop; oxidation is reduced. This effectively reduces the consumption of nutrients in fruits and vegetables, delays fruit ripening and aging; reduces the growth and reproduction of pests and microorganisms, inhibiting the occurrence of diseases, pests, and rot; and reduces the oxidative deterioration of some nutrients and the oxidative discoloration of fruits, effectively extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.

[0004] Even after harvesting, fruits and vegetables continue to undergo respiration and metabolism while stored in the refrigerator. By controlling conditions such as temperature and oxygen concentration inside the refrigerator, respiration is inhibited, and the metabolic process is slowed down, thus better maintaining the freshness and marketability of the fruits and vegetables and extending their storage and shelf life. Currently, some refrigerators on the market use a modified atmosphere membrane assembly placed at the top of the modified atmosphere preservation drawer for gas exchange and oxygen removal. This results in a thicker drawer base, occupying more installation space vertically. Furthermore, it requires a long gas supply pipeline to connect to the air pump, which has disadvantages such as difficulty in heat dissipation, difficulty in replacement, and resonance with the compressor. For example, placing the air pump at the top of the refrigerator and in the compressor compartment requires a long gas supply pipeline, reducing system reliability; the compressor compartment also faces problems such as high temperature and difficulty in heat dissipation, and is prone to resonance with the compressor; placing it in the foam layer may affect the refrigerator's insulation performance, make heat dissipation difficult for the air pump, and make it difficult to replace if damaged. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is: how to reduce the installation space of the modified atmosphere preservation drawer assembly in the vertical direction of the refrigerator.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a refrigerator, comprising:

[0007] The enclosure is used to create a low-temperature storage space;

[0008] A drawer base is provided within the low-temperature storage space, and the front end of the drawer base is open and hollow.

[0009] The drawer body has an internal storage cavity, and the drawer body is installed in the drawer base;

[0010] A modified atmosphere film assembly is disposed within a mounting cavity located on the rear side of the drawer seat, the mounting cavity being connected to the storage cavity, and the modified atmosphere film assembly comprising at least one modified atmosphere film; and

[0011] An air pump is located inside the low-temperature storage space and on the outside of the drawer body, and the air intake of the air pump is connected to the mounting cavity.

[0012] Under the suction of the air pump, oxygen in the air that is allowed to pass through the controlled atmosphere membrane is discharged, so that at least a portion of the nitrogen in the air is blocked in the mounting cavity.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, the air pump is located behind the drawer seat and is disposed adjacent to the drawer seat.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment, the controlled atmosphere membrane assembly includes:

[0015] The mounting frame is connected to the drawer base; and

[0016] Two modified atmosphere membranes are respectively connected to the front and rear sides of the mounting frame, and the two modified atmosphere membranes and the mounting frame define an oxygen-enriched gas receiving cavity. The suction port of the air pump is connected to the oxygen-enriched gas receiving cavity.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment, each of the modified atmosphere membranes is provided with a perforated support plate on both sides, and the modified atmosphere membrane is connected to the mounting frame through the support plates provided on both sides.

[0018] As a preferred option, it also includes:

[0019] A fixing plate is connected to the drawer seat to divide the mounting cavity into a front cavity and a rear cavity. The fixing plate has a mounting opening, and the mounting frame is installed in the mounting opening.

[0020] As a preferred embodiment, the fixing plate has a first vent, the drawer body has a second vent on the rear side opposite to the first vent, and the fixing plate has a fan located at the first vent.

[0021] As a preferred embodiment, the fan is provided with a protective shell, which is connected to the fixing plate.

[0022] As a preferred embodiment, the front end of the drawer body is provided with a sealing ring that matches the front opening of the drawer seat.

[0023] As a preferred embodiment, a guide structure for cooperating and guiding is provided between the drawer body and the drawer seat, and a locking mechanism for cooperating and locking is provided between the drawer body and the drawer seat.

[0024] As a preferred embodiment, a cooling air duct is provided on the top wall of the drawer seat.

[0025] The refrigerator provided by this invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0026] This invention utilizes a modified atmosphere membrane that allows oxygen from the air to pass through while blocking at least a portion of nitrogen. An air pump extracts the oxygen and traps the nitrogen within the mounting cavity, maintaining a nitrogen-rich, oxygen-deficient atmosphere inside the drawer. This reduces the intensity of aerobic respiration in fruits and vegetables, thus achieving long-term preservation. Positioning the modified atmosphere membrane assembly at the rear of the drawer body ensures effective deoxygenation inside the drawer while minimizing the vertical space occupied by the drawer, and facilitates rapid maintenance and replacement of the modified atmosphere preservation system. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the drawer assembly and modified atmosphere film assembly in a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the drawer assembly and the controlled atmosphere film assembly in a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the drawer seat in a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the drawer body in a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 This is an exploded structural diagram of the fixing plate and fan in a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 6 This is an exploded structural diagram of the fixed plate, modified atmosphere film, mounting frame and support plate in a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] In the diagram: 1. Cabinet; 2. Drawer base; 3. Drawer body; 4. Storage cavity; 5. Mounting cavity; 6. Oxygen-enriched gas receiving cavity; 7. Air pump; 8. Air intake; 9. Air exhaust; 10. Mounting frame; 11. Modified atmosphere membrane; 12. Pipe; 13. Support plate; 14. Fixing plate; 15. Mounting port; 16. First vent; 17. Second vent; 18. Fan; 19. Protective shell; 20. Notch; 21. Sealing ring; 22. U-shaped groove; 23. Air duct cover; 24. Guide structure; 25. Locking structure. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0036] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0037] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed," etc., used in this invention should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or a welded connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly defined. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 7As shown, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigerator, including a cabinet 1, a drawer seat 2, a drawer body 3, a controlled atmosphere membrane assembly, and a vacuum pump 7. The cabinet 1 forms a low-temperature storage space; the drawer seat 2 is disposed within the low-temperature storage space, with an open front end and a hollow shape; the drawer body 3 defines a storage cavity 4; the controlled atmosphere membrane assembly is disposed in a mounting cavity 5 located behind the drawer seat 2, and the mounting cavity 5 communicates with the storage cavity 4; the controlled atmosphere membrane assembly includes at least one layer of controlled atmosphere membrane 11; the vacuum pump 7 is disposed within the low-temperature storage space and located outside the drawer body 3, and the suction port 8 of the vacuum pump 7 communicates with the mounting cavity 5; under the suction of the vacuum pump 7, oxygen in the air that is allowed to pass through the controlled atmosphere membrane 11 is discharged, so that at least a portion of nitrogen in the air is blocked within the mounting cavity 5.

[0039] Based on the aforementioned technical features, the refrigerator utilizes the modified atmosphere membrane 11 to allow oxygen from the air to pass through while blocking at least a portion of nitrogen. The vacuum pump 7 extracts the oxygen and traps the nitrogen within the mounting cavity 5, maintaining a nitrogen-rich, oxygen-deficient atmosphere inside the drawer seat 2. This reduces the intensity of aerobic respiration in fruits and vegetables, thereby achieving long-term preservation. Positioning the modified atmosphere membrane assembly at the rear end of the drawer body 3 ensures effective deoxygenation inside the drawer seat 2 while effectively reducing the vertical space occupied by the drawer seat 2, resulting in a more compact and reliable overall structure and facilitating rapid maintenance and replacement of the system.

[0040] Among them, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the exhaust port 9 of the vacuum pump 7 leads to the outside of the drawer seat 2, and the oxygen in the mounting cavity 5 is discharged from the drawer seat 2, so that the interior of the drawer seat 2 retains an atmosphere rich in nitrogen and poor in oxygen.

[0041] In this embodiment, the vacuum pump 7 is located behind and adjacent to the drawer seat 2, which allows the vacuum pump 7 to be installed as an accessory of the modified atmosphere membrane assembly. This greatly shortens the gas supply pipeline, making the overall structure more compact and reliable. It also avoids the impact of installing the vacuum pump 7 in other parts on the refrigerator's heat preservation and heat dissipation performance, and facilitates the quick maintenance and replacement of the entire system. Furthermore, it provides an isolation effect when the drawer body 3 is closed and then started, effectively isolating the noise generated by the vacuum pump 7 during operation.

[0042] In this embodiment, combined with Figure 6As shown, the modified atmosphere membrane assembly includes a mounting frame 10 and two modified atmosphere membranes 11. The mounting frame 10 is connected to the drawer seat 2. The two modified atmosphere membranes 11 are respectively connected to the front and rear sides of the mounting frame 10, and the two modified atmosphere membranes 11 and the mounting frame 10 define an oxygen-enriched gas receiving cavity 6. The suction port 8 of the vacuum pump 7 is connected to the oxygen-enriched gas receiving cavity 6. The mounting frame 10 has an air outlet leading to the oxygen-enriched gas receiving cavity 6. The suction port 8 of the vacuum pump 7 is connected to the air outlet through a pipe 12. Under the guidance of the suction port 8, the air in the mounting cavity 5 passes through the two modified atmosphere membranes 11, and the oxygen-enriched gas enters the oxygen-enriched gas receiving cavity 6. It is discharged to the outside of the drawer seat 2 through the exhaust port 9 of the vacuum pump 7, thereby achieving the deoxygenation effect, blocking nitrogen-enriched gas and causing it to flow back from the mounting cavity 5 to the storage cavity 4. The outer contour of the mounting frame 10 is preferably rectangular. It is understood that the mounting frame 10 can also be circular, triangular or other geometric shapes. This invention does not limit this.

[0043] Furthermore, each of the modified atmosphere membranes 11 has a perforated support plate 13 on both sides. The modified atmosphere membrane 11 is connected to the mounting frame 10 through the support plates 13 on both sides. The support plates 13 are close to the modified atmosphere membrane 11. The two support plates 13 form a clamping and supporting effect on the modified atmosphere membrane 11, ensuring the oxygen removal efficiency of the modified atmosphere membrane 11 and avoiding deformation of the modified atmosphere membrane 11 caused by the force generated by the gas flow.

[0044] Furthermore, in combination Figures 3 to 5 The device further includes a fixing plate 14, which is connected to the drawer seat 2 to divide the mounting cavity 5 into a front cavity and a rear cavity. The fixing plate 14 has a mounting opening 15, and the mounting frame 10 is installed in the mounting opening 15 to realize the installation of the modified atmosphere membrane assembly in the mounting cavity 5, while facilitating the overall disassembly and maintenance of the modified atmosphere membrane assembly. The mounting opening 15 is rectangular.

[0045] Furthermore, a first vent 16 is provided on the fixing plate 14, and a second vent 17 is provided on the rear side of the drawer body 3 relative to the first vent 16. A fan 18 is provided on the fixing plate 14 at the first vent 16, which drives the air in the storage cavity 4 to flow quickly to the mounting cavity 5 and enter the air inlet of the modified atmosphere membrane assembly for gas exchange. This allows the storage cavity 4 to quickly form a low-oxygen preservation space, inhibiting the aerobic respiration and metabolic reactions of fruits and vegetables stored in the storage cavity 4 of the drawer body 3, thereby extending the preservation time. The fan 18 and the air pump 7 work together to form a gas circulation system between the storage cavity 4 and the mounting cavity 5, realizing the modified atmosphere preservation effect. The fan 18 and the modified atmosphere membrane assembly are staggered. Air in the storage cavity 4 flows through the second vent 17 and the first vent 16 to the surface of the modified atmosphere membrane 11 located in the rear cavity, achieving rapid airflow within the storage cavity 4. Both the first vent 16 and the second vent 17 have multiple arrayed small holes. The fan 18 is fixedly mounted on the fixing plate 14 via a protective shell 19. The top of the fixing plate 14 has a notch 20 or a through hole for the nitrogen-rich gas behind the modified atmosphere membrane 11 to flow back into the storage cavity 4.

[0046] In this embodiment, as Figure 4 As shown, the front end of the drawer body 3 is provided with a sealing ring 21 that matches the front opening of the drawer seat 2, thereby achieving a sealing effect on the drawer seat 2. Moreover, when the vacuum pump 7 continuously extracts oxygen-rich gas from the outside, a negative pressure phenomenon is generated inside the drawer seat 2. When the negative pressure reaches a certain level, the sealing ring 21 allows external gas to enter the drawer seat 2, achieving the effect of isolating and communicating with the outside air. This ensures the acquisition of nitrogen-rich and oxygen-poor gas atmosphere conducive to the preservation of fruits and vegetables, reduces the oxygen content in the fruit and vegetable storage space, reduces the intensity of aerobic respiration of fruits and vegetables, and at the same time ensures the basic respiration of fruits and vegetables, preventing fruits and vegetables from undergoing anaerobic respiration.

[0047] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, a cooling air duct connected to the cooling air vent is formed on the top wall of the drawer seat 2, achieving indirect cooling of the storage cavity 4. Specifically, the top wall of the drawer seat 2 has a U-shaped groove 22, which is covered with an air duct cover plate 23 to form the cooling air duct. The U-shaped cooling air duct can increase the cooling area and ensure cooling efficiency. The air duct cover plate 23 can be embedded in the top wall of the drawer seat 2 without affecting the vertical installation space. The modified atmosphere membrane assembly is set at the rear end of the drawer seat 2, so that a cooling air duct can be set at the top of the drawer seat 2 for indirect cooling. Figure 7As shown, the drawer assembly can be installed in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment. There is a cooling vent on the back of the refrigerator compartment that is connected to the cooling duct. Due to the high sealing performance of the drawer assembly, it adopts an indirect cooling method to reduce temperature, which can effectively prevent fruits and vegetables from wilting and drying out due to direct cold air blowing, thus preserving their crisp taste and texture. In addition, the low temperature environment formed by the cooling duct protects the air pump 7, which is conducive to the efficient operation of the air pump 7 and extends its service life.

[0048] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, a guide structure 24 is provided between the drawer body 3 and the drawer seat 2 for cooperating guidance. The guide structure 24 is located on the left and right sides of the drawer body 3 to realize the pull-out function of the drawer body 3. A locking mechanism is provided between the drawer body 3 and the drawer seat 2 for fixed engagement, so that the drawer body 3 and the drawer seat 2 are fastened together. After the drawer body 3 is closed, it is fastened to the drawer seat 2 to maintain a relatively sealed state.

[0049] In summary, this invention provides a refrigerator in which the modified atmosphere film assembly is applied to the rear end of a drawer assembly. The drawer assembly forms a sealed space through the sealing ring 21 and the locking structure 25. The fan 18 blows internal air onto the surface of the modified atmosphere film 11, and the suction of the air pump 7 allows air to pass through the modified atmosphere film 11, extracting oxygen and creating a sealed, low-oxygen preservation space inside the drawer. This inhibits the respiration of fruits and vegetables, slows down their metabolic process, better maintains the freshness and marketability of fruits and vegetables, and extends their storage and shelf life.

[0050] The vacuum pump 7 can be directly installed on the outer back of the vacuum chamber, without needing to be installed in the compressor compartment, foam layer, or top of the housing 1. This avoids problems such as heat dissipation difficulties, resonance with the compressor, excessively long pipelines, and impact on refrigeration. The present invention achieves a compact installation between the vacuum pump 7 and the controlled atmosphere membrane 11, which has the advantages of reducing pipeline length, preventing overheating of the vacuum pump 7, effectively isolating noise after the door is closed, and facilitating installation and replacement.

[0051] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and substitutions can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and substitutions should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that, include: The enclosure is used to create a low-temperature storage space; A drawer base is provided within the low-temperature storage space, and the front end of the drawer base is open and hollow. The drawer body has an internal storage cavity, and the drawer body is installed in the drawer base; A modified atmosphere film assembly is disposed in a mounting cavity located on the rear side of the drawer seat, the mounting cavity being connected to the storage cavity, and the modified atmosphere film assembly comprising at least one layer of modified atmosphere film; and An air pump is located inside the low-temperature storage space and on the outside of the drawer body, and the air intake of the air pump is connected to the mounting cavity. Under the suction of the air pump, oxygen in the air that is allowed to pass through the controlled atmosphere membrane is discharged, so that at least a portion of the nitrogen in the air is blocked in the mounting cavity. The front end of the drawer body is provided with a sealing ring that matches the front opening of the drawer seat. When the air pump continuously draws out oxygen-rich gas, a negative pressure phenomenon will be generated inside the drawer seat. When the negative pressure reaches a certain level, the sealing ring allows external gas to enter the drawer seat, achieving the effect of isolating and communicating with the outside air, while ensuring the basic respiration of fruits and vegetables and preventing fruits and vegetables from undergoing anaerobic respiration. The controlled atmosphere membrane assembly includes a mounting frame; The refrigerator also includes a fixing plate, which is connected to the drawer seat to divide the mounting cavity into a front cavity and a rear cavity. The fixing plate has an installation opening, and the mounting frame is installed in the installation opening. The fixed plate has a first vent, and the drawer body has a second vent on its rear side relative to the first vent. A fan is provided on the fixed plate at the first vent. The air in the storage cavity flows through the second vent and the first vent to the surface of the modified atmosphere membrane located in the rear cavity. The top of the fixing plate is provided with a notch or through hole for the nitrogen-rich gas behind the modified atmosphere membrane to flow back into the storage cavity. The top wall of the drawer seat is provided with a cooling air duct, and the top wall of the drawer seat is provided with a U-shaped groove. The U-shaped groove is covered with an air duct cover plate to form the cooling air duct. The air duct cover plate is embedded in the top wall of the drawer seat.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air pump is located behind the drawer seat and is disposed adjacent to the drawer seat.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The modified atmosphere membrane assembly further includes: Two modified atmosphere membranes are respectively connected to the front and rear sides of the mounting frame, and the two modified atmosphere membranes and the mounting frame define an oxygen-enriched gas receiving cavity. The suction port of the air pump is connected to the oxygen-enriched gas receiving cavity.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each of the modified atmosphere membranes has a perforated support plate on both sides, and the modified atmosphere membrane is connected to the mounting frame through the support plates on both sides.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fan is covered by a protective shell, which is connected to the mounting plate.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drawer body and the drawer seat are provided with a guide structure for mutual guidance, and the drawer body and the drawer seat are provided with a locking mechanism for mutual locking.

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