Air duct device for refrigerator, refrigerator and refrigerator control method

Abstract

The present invention provides an air duct device for a refrigerator, a refrigerator and a control method for a refrigerator. The air duct device includes an air duct, which also includes: a memory alloy damper, the memory alloy damper has a heat conducting part and a blocking part connected to the heat conducting part, the heat conducting part is arranged on the outside of the air duct, the blocking part is located inside the air duct, and the blocking part is configured to connect or disconnect the air duct; and a heating device, which is installed on the outside of the air duct and is thermally connected to the heat conducting part, and the heating device is configured to at least heat the heat conducting part so that the blocking part is actuated to connect the air duct. With a memory alloy damper, its shape can be controlled by temperature, so that the memory alloy damper has two working states, presenting one state at a specific temperature and presenting another state at other temperatures, which are respectively a state of disconnecting the air duct and a state of conducting the air duct, and can control the on-off of a smaller air duct.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of refrigeration storage, and in particular to an air duct device for a refrigerator, a refrigerator and a control method for the refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] At present, the cold air transmission method between the freezer and the cold storage room of the refrigerator is basically to connect each room through the air duct or air pipe for transmission. The temperature in the cold storage room (temperature change room) is usually set in the range of 5 to -5 degrees Celsius, and the temperature in the freezer is usually set at about minus 18 degrees Celsius. When the refrigerator stops working, in order to avoid the mutual influence between the freezer and the cold storage room, causing quality problems such as ice / frost, a damper is provided inside the air duct. When the refrigerator is running, the damper is opened under specific working conditions and closed when not needed. At the same time, in order to avoid the temperature difference causing frost / ice freezing of the damper, a heating wire is specially provided on the damper to solve the problem. At present, the damper is basically mechanically moved by a micro motor. Taking the above into consideration, the existing damper structure is complex and occupies a large space, which is basically unsuitable for some smaller air ducts. Summary of the invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to overcome at least one defect of the existing refrigerators and to provide an air duct device for a refrigerator, a refrigerator and a control method for a refrigerator, which can perform on-off control on smaller air ducts.

[0004] In one aspect, the present invention provides an air duct device for a refrigerator, comprising an air duct, which further comprises:

[0005] A memory alloy damper, the memory alloy damper having a heat conducting portion and a blocking portion connected to the heat conducting portion, the heat conducting portion being arranged outside the air duct, the blocking portion being located inside the air duct, and the blocking portion being configured to open or close the air duct; and

[0006] The heating device is installed outside the air duct and is thermally connected to the heat conducting part. The heating device is configured to at least heat the heat conducting part so as to activate the blocking part to make the air duct conductive.

[0007] Optionally, the blocking portion has a first end connected to the heat conducting portion and a second end away from the heat conducting portion;

[0008] A protrusion that matches with the second end of the blocking portion is arranged on the inner peripheral wall of the air duct, and the blocking portion contacts and abuts against the protrusion when disconnecting the air duct.

[0009] Optionally, the air duct is arranged vertically, the blocking portion is arranged obliquely when disconnecting the air duct, and the first end is located above the second end;

[0010] The upper surface of the protrusion is a water-conducting inclined surface, and the upper edge of the water-conducting inclined surface is located on the inner peripheral wall of the air duct;

[0011] The lower surface of the protrusion is a matching inclined surface, and the blocking portion contacts and abuts against the matching inclined surface when disconnecting the air duct.

[0012] Optionally, the peripheral wall of the air duct includes an alloy mounting wall for mounting the heat conducting part, and the heat conducting part is arranged on the outer side of the alloy mounting wall.

[0013] Optionally, the air duct is arranged vertically, and the alloy installation wall comprises:

[0014] an upper wall, wherein the heat conducting portion is disposed on an outer side of the upper wall;

[0015] a lower wall, the lower wall comprising a first wall and a second wall located below the first wall, the upper end of the first wall being located outside the lower end of the upper wall, the second wall being located on the same plane as the first wall, or the second wall being located inside the first wall; the first end of the blocking portion being located between the upper end of the first wall and the lower end of the upper wall; and

[0016] A clamping and positioning device comprises an upper stop protrusion arranged on the upper wall, and two clamping plates arranged on the upper wall and connected to the first wall; the upper stop protrusion is located on the upper side of the upper end of the heat conducting part, and the two clamping plates cooperate with the upper wall to clamp the two vertical edges of the heat conducting part respectively.

[0017] Optionally, the heating device is arranged on a side of the heat conducting portion away from the air duct.

[0018] Optionally, the area of ​​the heat conducting portion is 3 to 7 times the area of ​​the blocking portion.

[0019] On the other hand, the present invention further provides a refrigerator, comprising any one of the above-mentioned air duct devices.

[0020] Optionally, the refrigerator also includes a cabinet; a first storage compartment and a cooling compartment for installing an evaporator of the refrigerator are arranged in the cabinet, and the air duct of the air duct device is a return air duct connecting the first storage compartment and the cooling compartment, so that the airflow in the first storage compartment enters the cooling compartment via the air duct.

[0021] Optionally, the air duct is arranged on the outside of the first storage compartment, and the heat conducting portion and the heating device are arranged on a side of the air duct away from the first storage compartment.

[0022] Optionally, a second storage compartment is further provided in the box, the second storage compartment is provided at the lower side of the first storage compartment, and the cooling compartment is provided at the rear side or the lower side of the second storage compartment;

[0023] At least a portion of the air duct is disposed outside the second storage compartment;

[0024] The target temperature inside the first storage room is higher than the target temperature inside the second storage room.

[0025] In another aspect, the present invention further provides a control method for any of the above refrigerators, comprising:

[0026] detecting the temperature in the first storage compartment and determining whether to turn on the compressor of the refrigerator;

[0027] When it is determined that the compressor needs to be turned on, the heating device is first turned on for a first preset time to allow the memory alloy damper to conduct to the air duct, and then the compressor is turned on.

[0028] The present invention also provides another control method for any of the above refrigerators, comprising:

[0029] detecting the temperature inside the first storage room and determining whether to turn off the compressor;

[0030] When it is determined that the compressor needs to be turned off, the heating device is turned off to allow the memory alloy damper to disconnect the air duct and the compressor is turned off at the same time, or the compressor is turned off after the heating device is turned off for a second preset time.

[0031] In the air duct device and refrigerator of the present invention, because there is a memory alloy damper, its shape can be controlled by temperature, so that the memory alloy damper has two working states, presenting one state at a specific temperature and another state at other temperature conditions, namely, a state of disconnecting the air duct and a state of guiding the air duct, so that the on-off control of a smaller air duct can be performed.

[0032] Furthermore, the setting of the heating device can also defrost when the air duct is connected, which can prevent the memory alloy damper from being frozen by frost, and the undesirable phenomena (frost and ice) generated on the memory alloy are all discharged by water. The setting of the protrusion is also convenient for drainage.

[0033] Based on the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will become more aware of the above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Hereinafter, some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in an exemplary and non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings indicate the same or similar components or parts. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the accompanying drawings:

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an air duct device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a partial structure of an air duct device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic enlarged view of location A;

[0038] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein arrows in the figure indicate the direction of air flow;

[0039] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an air duct device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1 Shown and referenced Figures 2 to 3 , an embodiment of the present invention provides an air duct device for a refrigerator. The air duct device 20 includes an air duct 21, a memory alloy damper 22 and a heating device 23. The memory alloy damper 22 has a heat conducting portion 221 and a blocking portion 222 connected to the heat conducting portion 221, the heat conducting portion 221 is arranged on the outside of the air duct 21, the blocking portion 222 is located inside the air duct 21, and the blocking portion 222 is configured to connect or disconnect the air duct 21. The heating device 23 is installed on the outside of the air duct 21, thermally connected to the heat conducting portion 221, and the heating device 23 is configured to at least heat the heat conducting portion 221. The heating device 23 at least heats the heat conducting portion 221 to cause the blocking portion 222 to operate and connect the air duct 21. It is also possible to make the heating device 23 at least heat the heat conducting portion 221 to cause the blocking portion 222 to operate and disconnect the air duct 21 as needed.

[0041] The embodiment of the present invention operates in a controlled manner through the heating device 23, so that the blocking portion 222 of the memory alloy damper 22 presents one state at a specific temperature and another state at other temperatures, which are respectively a state of disconnecting the air duct 21 and a state of guiding the air duct 21, thereby being able to control the on-off of a smaller air duct.

[0042] In some embodiments of the present invention, the blocking portion 222 has a first end connected to the heat conducting portion 221 and a second end away from the heat conducting portion 221. A protrusion 24 that cooperates with the second end of the blocking portion is provided on the inner peripheral wall of the air duct 21, and the blocking portion 222 contacts and abuts against the protrusion 24 when disconnecting the air duct 21. The cooperation between the protrusion 24 and the blocking portion 222 can well block the air duct 21.

[0043] The setting of the heating device 23 can also prevent the memory alloy damper 22 from being frozen by frost, so that the undesirable phenomena (frost, ice) generated on the memory alloy are discharged by water. In order to facilitate the discharge of water, the air duct 21 is arranged vertically, and the blocking part 222 is arranged obliquely when the air duct 21 is disconnected, and the first end is above the second end. The upper surface of the protrusion 24 is a water-conducting inclined surface, and the upper side edge of the water-conducting inclined surface is located on the inner peripheral wall of the air duct 21. The lower surface of the protrusion 24 is a matching inclined surface, and the blocking part 222 contacts and abuts against the matching inclined surface when the air duct 21 is disconnected. In other words, the protrusion 24 is a small boss with double inclined surfaces, one side is convenient for drainage, and the other side is convenient for sealing. The blocking part 222 is arranged obliquely when the air duct 21 is disconnected, which is also conducive to drainage.

[0044] In some embodiments of the present invention, the peripheral wall of the air duct 21 includes an alloy mounting wall for mounting a heat conducting part, and the heat conducting part is arranged on the outside of the alloy mounting wall. For example, the air duct 21 is arranged vertically, and the alloy mounting wall includes an upper wall portion 211, a lower wall portion and a clamping and positioning device. The heat conducting part 221 is arranged on the outside of the upper wall 211. The lower wall has a first wall 212 and a second wall 213 located on the lower side of the first wall 212. The upper end of the first wall 212 is on the outside of the lower end of the upper wall 211, which is convenient for the installation of the memory alloy damper 22. The second wall 213 is on the same plane as the first wall 212, or the second wall 213 is located on the inner side of the first wall 212. Preferably, the second wall 213 is on the same plane as the upper wall portion 211. The first end of the blocking portion 222 is located between the upper end of the first wall 212 and the lower end of the upper wall 211, that is, the connection between the blocking portion 222 and the heat conducting portion 221 is located between the upper end of the first wall 212 and the lower end of the upper wall 211, and the memory alloy damper 22 is inserted into the air duct through the upper end of the first wall 212 and the lower end of the upper wall 212.

[0045] The clamping and positioning device has an upper stopper 214 arranged on the upper wall 211, and two clamping plates 215 arranged on the upper wall 211 and connected to the first wall 212. The upper stopper 214 is located on the upper side of the upper end of the heat conducting part 221, and the two clamping plates 215 cooperate with the upper wall 211 to clamp the two vertical edges of the heat conducting part 221 respectively. The heating device 23 is arranged on the side of the heat conducting part 221 away from the air duct 21, and the heating device 23 is a heating wire, which can ensure the heating and heat transfer effect. The area of ​​the heat conducting part 221 is 3 times to 7 times the area of ​​the blocking part 222, such as 4 times, 4.5 times, 5 times, etc. The heat conducting part 221 has a larger area and can have a larger heating area, which is convenient for fast heat absorption and heat transfer to the blocking part 222, so that the blocking part 222 is quickly heated up, which is used for the action of the blocking part 222.

[0046] The embodiment of the present invention further provides an air duct device 20 of any of the above embodiments of the refrigerator. The air duct device 20 can be connected between the cooling chamber and the storage compartment, or between two storage compartments.

[0047] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein arrows in the figure indicate the direction of air flow. Figure 4 As shown, and refer to Figure 5 The refrigerator further includes a box body 30. A first storage compartment 31 and a cooling compartment for installing an evaporator of the refrigerator are provided in the box body 30. The air duct 21 of the air duct device 20 is a return air duct connecting the first storage compartment 31 and the cooling compartment, so that the airflow in the first storage compartment 31 enters the cooling compartment via the air duct 21. Further, the air duct 21 is provided on the outside of the first storage compartment 31, and the heat conducting portion 221 and the heating device 23 are provided on the side of the air duct 21 away from the first storage compartment 31. For example, the first storage compartment 31 can be defined by an inner liner, and the air duct 21 is provided on the outside of the inner liner. A foaming layer is also provided on the outside of the inner liner. An air supply fan is also provided in the cooling compartment, and the refrigerator also has an air supply duct 40 connecting the cooling compartment and the first storage compartment, and a damper installed on the air supply duct 40.

[0048] When the first storage compartment 31 does not need cooling, the low temperature in the air duct 21 can make the memory alloy damper 22 in a state of disconnecting the air duct 21. When the first storage compartment 31 needs cooling, the heating device 23 works to heat the memory alloy damper 22, which can make the memory alloy damper 22 move and guide the air duct 21. Of course, in some embodiments, when the first storage compartment 31 does not need cooling, the heating device 23 works to heat the memory alloy damper 22, which can make the memory alloy damper 22 move and make the memory alloy damper 22 in a state of disconnecting the air duct 21. When the first storage compartment 31 needs cooling, the heating device 23 stops working, and the heating memory alloy damper 22 can guide the air duct 21 under the action of the airflow from the first storage compartment 31.

[0049] In some embodiments of the present invention, a second storage compartment 32 is further provided in the box, the second storage compartment 32 is provided at the lower side of the first storage compartment 31, and the cooling compartment is provided at the rear side or the lower side of the second storage compartment 32. At least part of the air duct 21 is provided at the outer side of the second storage compartment 32. The target temperature in the first storage compartment 31 is higher than the target temperature in the second storage compartment 32. The first storage compartment 31 may be a freezer compartment, and the second storage compartment 32 may be a refrigerator compartment. The memory alloy damper is closed to prevent the upper cold air from moving downward to affect the storage temperature of the refrigerator compartment, that is, to prevent the local temperature of the refrigerator compartment from being too low to freeze the food.

[0050] The embodiment of the present invention also provides a refrigerator control method, which can be used in the refrigerator of one or more of the above embodiments. The refrigerator control method includes: detecting the temperature in the first storage compartment 31, and determining whether to turn on the compressor of the refrigerator. When it is determined that the compressor needs to be turned on, the heating device 23 is first turned on for a first preset time to increase the temperature of the memory alloy damper 22, the blocking part 222 operates to guide the air duct 21, and then the compressor is turned on. The first preset time can be 20s to 40s, for example 30s. Further, the air supply fan can be turned on after the compressor is turned on.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present invention, the control method of the refrigerator includes: detecting the temperature in the first storage compartment 31, and determining whether to turn off the compressor of the refrigerator. When it is determined that the compressor needs to be turned off, the compressor, the heating device 23, the air supply fan, etc. can be turned off at the same time, and the memory alloy damper 22 is restored to disconnect the air duct 21, which can prevent the upper cold air from moving downward. In some optional embodiments, when it is determined that the compressor needs to be turned off, the heating device 23 can be turned off first, and then the compressor and the air supply fan can be turned off after the second preset time. The second preset time can be 20s to 40s, for example, 30s. Turning off the compressor after the second preset time can accelerate the cooling of the memory alloy damper 22 and speed up the disconnection of the air duct 21.

[0052] In this embodiment, when the heating wire is turned on and the temperature is greater than 5°, the memory alloy damper 21 is in the open state. At this time, the storage compartment of the refrigerator operates normally, and the adverse phenomena (frost and ice) generated on the memory alloy damper 21 are discharged by water. When the heating wire is turned off, as the temperature returns to normal inside the refrigerator, the memory alloy damper 21 is in the closed state.

[0053] At this point, those skilled in the art should recognize that, although multiple exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications that conform to the principles of the present invention can still be directly determined or derived based on the content disclosed in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and recognized as covering all these other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. An air duct device for a refrigerator, comprising an air duct, characterized in that: Also includes: A memory alloy damper, the memory alloy damper having a heat conducting portion and a blocking portion connected to the heat conducting portion, the heat conducting portion being arranged outside the air duct, the blocking portion being located inside the air duct, and the blocking portion being configured to open or close the air duct; and A heating device is installed outside the air duct and is thermally connected to the heat conducting part, wherein the heating device is configured to heat at least the heat conducting part, and the heat conducting part transfers heat to the blocking part to increase the temperature of the blocking part so as to activate the blocking part; The blocking portion has a first end connected to the heat conducting portion and a second end away from the heat conducting portion; The inner peripheral wall of the air duct is provided with a protrusion matched with the second end of the blocking portion, and the blocking portion contacts and abuts against the protrusion when disconnecting the air duct; The air duct is arranged vertically, the blocking portion is arranged obliquely when disconnecting the air duct, and the first end is located above the second end; The upper surface of the protrusion is a water-conducting inclined surface, and the upper edge of the water-conducting inclined surface is located on the inner peripheral wall of the air duct; The lower surface of the protrusion is a matching inclined surface, and the blocking portion contacts and abuts against the matching inclined surface when disconnecting the air duct.

2. The air duct device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The peripheral wall of the air duct comprises an alloy installation wall for installing the heat conducting part, and the heat conducting part is arranged on the outer side of the alloy installation wall.

3. The air duct device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The air duct is arranged vertically, and the alloy installation wall comprises: an upper wall, the heat conducting portion being arranged on the outer side of the upper wall; a lower wall, the lower wall comprising a first wall and a second wall located below the first wall, the upper end of the first wall being located outside the lower end of the upper wall, the second wall being located on the same plane as the first wall, or the second wall being located inside the first wall; the first end of the blocking portion being located between the upper end of the first wall and the lower end of the upper wall; and A clamping and positioning device comprises an upper stop protrusion arranged on the upper wall, and two clamping plates arranged on the upper wall and connected to the first wall; the upper stop protrusion is located on the upper side of the upper end of the heat conducting part, and the two clamping plates cooperate with the upper wall to clamp the two vertical edges of the heat conducting part respectively.

4. The air duct device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating device is arranged on a side of the heat conducting portion away from the air duct.

5. The air duct device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The area of ​​the heat conducting portion is 3 to 7 times the area of ​​the blocking portion.

6. A refrigerator, characterized in that: The invention comprises the air duct device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, characterized in that: Also includes a box; The box body is provided with a first storage compartment and a cooling compartment for installing the evaporator of the refrigerator, and the air duct of the air duct device is a return air duct connecting the first storage compartment and the cooling compartment, so that the airflow in the first storage compartment enters the cooling compartment through the air duct.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, characterized in that: The air duct is arranged outside the first storage compartment, and the heat conducting part and the heating device are arranged on a side of the air duct away from the first storage compartment.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 7, characterized in that: A second storage compartment is also provided in the box body, the second storage compartment is provided at the lower side of the first storage compartment, and the cooling compartment is provided at the rear side or the lower side of the second storage compartment; At least a portion of the air duct is disposed outside the second storage compartment; The target temperature inside the first storage room is higher than the target temperature inside the second storage room.

10. A control method for a refrigerator according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: include: detecting the temperature in the first storage compartment and determining whether to turn on the compressor of the refrigerator; When it is determined that the compressor needs to be turned on, the heating device is first turned on for a first preset time to allow the memory alloy damper to conduct to the air duct, and then the compressor is turned on.

11. A control method for a refrigerator according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: include: detecting the temperature in the first storage compartment and determining whether to turn off the compressor of the refrigerator; When it is determined that the compressor needs to be turned off, the heating device is turned off to allow the memory alloy damper to disconnect the air duct and the compressor is turned off at the same time, or the compressor is turned off after the heating device is turned off for a second preset time.

Images