Linear rotating integrated drawer and refrigerator

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of household appliance technology, and specifically relates to a linear rotation integrated drawer and refrigerator. The drawer includes a drawer body and a panel provided on the outer side of the drawer body; the lower edge of the panel is hinged to the drawer body; and also includes an actuator capable of driving the drawer body to translate and the panel to flip in an integrated manner. Among them, it includes a driving shaft, a gear, a rack, a driving wheel, a synchronous belt, a driven wheel, a driven shaft, and a driving device; it has a manual and automatic integrated rotation linear synchronous drive function. The refrigerator includes a cabinet body and the above-mentioned convenient drawer. The convenient drawer provided by the present invention has a reasonable and compact overall structure, and is particularly suitable for taking and placing large objects. It realizes the entry and exit of the drawer body and the opening and closing functions of the panel in a very simple structure, and also has both manual and automatic operation functions. On this basis, the present invention further provides refrigerators of various forms that are convenient for taking and placing large objects, including the above-mentioned convenient drawers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of household appliances, and in particular relates to a linear rotation integrated drawer and a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] With rising living standards, French-style refrigerators are becoming increasingly popular with consumers due to their large internal capacity and stylish appearance. However, the freezer compartment of a French-style refrigerator is connected to the door. As refrigerator capacity increases and the number of items in the freezer increases, the resistance required to open the door increases, causing some inconvenience to the user.

[0003] Currently, a small number of drawer-type refrigerators with automatic opening and closing functions have appeared on the market, which can solve the above problems. However, the door opening and closing mechanisms are complex, with high process and manufacturing costs. Moreover, they only realize the automatic entry and exit function of the drawer and are not compatible with manual operation. Similarly, the technical solutions provided by related patents with application numbers 201810119382.8, 201720589702.7, and 201910807100.8 only realize the automatic entry and exit function of the refrigerator drawer.

[0004] On the other hand, when larger items need to be taken out and placed in the refrigerator, even if the drawer door is fully opened, there will be interference between the items and the door. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a linear rotation integrated drawer and refrigerator to overcome the above-mentioned various problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solutions: a convenient drawer, which is a bottom-flip drawer, including a drawer body and a panel arranged on the outer side of the drawer body; the lower edge of the panel is hinged to the drawer body; and it also includes an actuator that can drive the drawer body to translate and the panel to flip in an integrated manner.

[0007] The actuator includes a driving shaft, a gear, a rack, a driving wheel, a synchronous belt, a driven wheel, a driven shaft, and a driving device; the gear and the driving wheel are coaxially fixed on the driving shaft; the rack is engaged with the gear; the driven shaft is arranged parallel to the driving shaft; the driven wheel is fixed on the driven shaft; the synchronous belt is connected between the driving wheel and the driven wheel; the driving device is powered by the driving shaft and drives the driving shaft to rotate; the synchronous belt includes a tooth surface segment and a plane segment; during the rotation of the driving shaft, the driving wheel always contacts the tooth surface segment, and the driven wheel can contact both the tooth surface segment and the plane segment; when the driven wheel contacts the plane segment, slippage occurs between the two and power cannot be transmitted.

[0008] The driving device is fixed to the drawer body; the driven shaft is coaxially arranged with the rotation axis of the panel rotating relative to the drawer body; and the rack is arranged along the translation direction of the drawer body.

[0009] The aforementioned convenient flip-down drawer can be installed in various cabinets, including refrigerators, to achieve automatic opening and closing functions. The drawer body is slidably mounted within the cabinet, while the rack is fixedly mounted within the cabinet. The main operating principle is as follows: When the drawer automatically opens, a drive mechanism drives the gear and driving wheel to rotate synchronously. The gear rotation acts on the rack, pushing the drawer body outward. The driving wheel rotates on the timing belt and driven wheel, causing the panel to flip downward. When the panel flips downward to its limit (preferably 60-90°), the drive shaft continues to rotate, driving the drawer body to slide further out. At this point, the driven wheel contacts the flat section of the timing belt, causing it to slip until the drawer body slides completely out. When the drawer automatically closes, the drive mechanism rotates in the opposite direction, causing the driven wheel to contact the flat section of the timing belt, causing it to slip. The timing belt continues to rotate, and the toothed section of the timing belt contacts the driven wheel, driving the panel upward until it closes. During these two stages, the gear and rack remain in power connection, driving the drawer body to slide back until it returns to its original position.

[0010] Similar to the aforementioned convenient flip-down drawer, the present invention also provides another type of drawer. This convenient drawer is a flip-up drawer, comprising a drawer body and a panel disposed on the outer side of the drawer body; the upper edge of the panel is hingedly connected to the drawer body; and an actuator capable of integrally driving the drawer body to translate and the panel to flip.

[0011] The actuator includes a driving shaft, a gear, a rack, a driving wheel, a synchronous belt, a driven wheel, a driven shaft, and a driving device; the gear and the driving wheel are coaxially fixed on the driving shaft; the rack is engaged with the gear; the driven shaft is arranged parallel to the driving shaft; the driven wheel is fixed on the driven shaft; the synchronous belt is connected between the driving wheel and the driven wheel; the driving device is powered by the driving shaft and drives the driving shaft to rotate; the synchronous belt includes a tooth surface segment and a plane segment; during the rotation of the driving shaft, the driving wheel always contacts the tooth surface segment, and the driven wheel can contact both the tooth surface segment and the plane segment; when the driven wheel contacts the plane segment, slippage occurs between the two and power cannot be transmitted.

[0012] The driving device is fixed to the drawer body; the driven shaft is coaxially arranged with the rotation axis of the panel rotating relative to the drawer body; and the rack is arranged along the translation direction of the drawer body.

[0013] The main structural difference between the aforementioned portable top-flip drawer and the aforementioned portable bottom-flip drawer is that the panel opens in the opposite direction, and the actuator is mounted in a mirror-symmetrical manner. The operating principle of the actuator of the portable top-flip drawer is the same as that of the portable bottom-flip drawer.

[0014] Furthermore, the driving device may use an electric motor.

[0015] Furthermore, the above-mentioned convenient flip-down drawer or flip-up drawer also includes an elastic damping device arranged between the drawer body and the panel; the elastic damping device provides a damping effect when the panel rotates relative to the drawer body. After the elastic damping device is provided, the damping effect of the panel rotation is increased, thereby improving the stability and reliability during automatic closing. Not only that, the provision of the elastic damping device also enables the above-mentioned drawer to have manual opening and closing functions on the basis of the original automatic opening and automatic closing. Take the following flip-up drawer as an example to illustrate, when manually opening, directly pull the panel, and while the panel flips down, the drawer body slides outward until it slides out completely; when manually closing, push the panel, and under the action of damping, the drawer body first slides inward until the tooth surface segment of the synchronous belt contacts the synchronous wheel, and then continues to push the panel. At this time, the panel rotates synchronously with the sliding of the drawer body until it is fully reset.

[0016] Furthermore, in the aforementioned portable drawer, the elastic damping device includes a slot and an elastic protrusion that can engage with each other; the fixing method is either of the following two fixing methods: first, the slot is fixed to the panel, and the elastic protrusion is fixed to the drawer body; second, the slot is fixed to the drawer body, and the elastic protrusion is fixed to the panel; and when the panel rotates relative to the drawer body, the elastic protrusion and the slot do not completely disengage. In addition to the above structure, the elastic damping device may also use other elastic damping devices known in the art, such as elastic damping connecting rods and elastic damping hinges.

[0017] Furthermore, for the above-mentioned convenient drawer, the motor preferably uses a reduction motor with a reduction gear set.

[0018] Furthermore, the aforementioned portable drawer has circular stoppers integrated on both sides of the driving and driven wheels; the synchronous belt is confined between the circular stoppers; the width of the teeth in the toothed section is smaller than the width of the synchronous belt; and the driving and driven wheels are provided with teeth along the axial portion of their surfaces, which mate with the synchronous belt. The circular stoppers prevent the synchronous belt from deviating. The teeth along the axial portion of the driving and driven wheels ensure both reliable engagement with the toothed section and smooth slippage with the flat section.

[0019] Based on the provided convenient flip-down drawer and convenient flip-up drawer, the present invention further provides a refrigerator comprising the above drawers.

[0020] First, a refrigerator comprises a cabinet and at least one convenient flip-down drawer as described above; the drawer body is slidably mounted within the cabinet, with a rack secured to the cabinet. This refrigerator is suitable for low-lying locations, with the cabinet body generally no higher than the shoulder height of a normal adult. This makes accessing and placing items more convenient and ergonomically designed, particularly when removing large items.

[0021] Second, a refrigerator comprises a cabinet body and at least the above-mentioned convenient flip-up drawer; the drawer body is slidably arranged in the cabinet body, and the rack is fixed to the cabinet body. The refrigerator is suitable for being placed in a high position, such as overhead or hanging, so as to make full use of space and take out large items.

[0022] Third, a refrigerator comprising a cabinet body and at least one of the aforementioned convenient flip-down drawers; also comprising at least one of the aforementioned convenient flip-up drawers; the drawer body being slidably disposed within the cabinet body, with a rack secured to the cabinet body. The flip-down drawer is positioned below 1.35 meters above the ground, while the flip-up drawer is positioned above 1.35 meters above the ground. This refrigerator is large, tall, and has a large capacity. Different drawer types are positioned at different heights, making it easy to access items, particularly large items.

[0023] Beneficial Effects: The above technical solution demonstrates that the convenient drawer provided by the present invention has a compact overall structure, making it particularly suitable for accessing and placing large items. This compact structure simultaneously achieves both manual and automatic operation of the drawer body and the panel opening and closing functions, while also providing both manual and automatic operation. Furthermore, the present invention further provides various refrigerators incorporating the convenient drawer, which facilitate access to and placement of large items. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of Example 1;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of Example 2;

[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A partial enlarged view of

[0027] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the coordination of the driving wheel, synchronous belt, and driven wheel in Example 2;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram of Example 3;

[0029] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A partial enlarged view of

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Example 4;

[0031] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Example 5;

[0032] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Example 6.

[0033] In the figure, the drawer body 1, the panel 2, the driving shaft 31, the gear 32, the rack 33, the driving wheel 34, the synchronous belt 35, the driven wheel 36, the driven shaft 37, the driving device 38, the tooth surface segment 351, the plane segment 352, the slot 41, and the elastic protrusion 42. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The present invention is further illustrated below through specific examples, which are only for illustration and are not intended to be limiting.

[0035] Example 1

[0036] A convenient drawer, which is a bottom-folding drawer, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes a drawer body 1 and a panel 2 arranged on the outer side of the drawer body 1; the lower edge of the panel 2 is hinged to the drawer body 1; and it also includes an actuator that can drive the drawer body 1 to translate and the panel 2 to flip in an integrated manner.

[0037] The actuator includes a driving shaft 31, a gear 32, a rack 33, a driving wheel 34, a synchronous belt 35, a driven wheel 36, a driven shaft 37, and a driving device 38; the gear 32 and the driving wheel 34 are coaxially fixed on the driving shaft 31; the rack 33 is engaged with the gear 32; the driven shaft 37 is arranged parallel to the driving shaft 31; the driven wheel 36 is fixed on the driven shaft 37; the synchronous belt 35 is connected between the driving wheel 34 and the driven wheel 36; the driving device 38 is dynamically connected to the driving shaft 31 and drives the driving shaft 31 to rotate; the synchronous belt 35 includes a tooth surface segment 351 and a plane segment 352; during the rotation of the driving shaft 31, the driving wheel 34 always contacts the tooth surface segment 351, and the driven wheel 36 can contact both the tooth surface segment 351 and the plane segment 352; when the driven wheel 36 contacts the plane segment 352, slippage occurs between the two and power cannot be transmitted.

[0038] The driving device 38 is fixed to the drawer body 1; the driven shaft 37 is coaxially arranged with the rotation axis of the panel 2 relative to the drawer body 1; the rack 33 is arranged along the translation direction of the drawer body 1.

[0039] Example 2

[0040] A convenient drawer, which is a bottom-folding drawer, such as Figure 2 、 3 As shown in , 4 , it includes a drawer body 1 and a panel 2 arranged on the outer side of the drawer body 1; the lower edge of the panel 2 is hinged to the drawer body 1; and it also includes an actuator that can drive the drawer body 1 to translate and the panel 2 to flip in an integrated manner.

[0041] The actuator includes a driving shaft 31, a gear 32, a rack 33, a driving wheel 34, a synchronous belt 35, a driven wheel 36, a driven shaft 37, and a driving device 38; the gear 32 and the driving wheel 34 are coaxially fixed on the driving shaft 31; the rack 33 is engaged with the gear 32; the driven shaft 37 is arranged parallel to the driving shaft 31; the driven wheel 36 is fixed on the driven shaft 37; the synchronous belt 35 is connected between the driving wheel 34 and the driven wheel 36; the driving device 38 is dynamically connected to the driving shaft 31 and drives the driving shaft 31 to rotate; the synchronous belt 35 includes a tooth surface segment 351 and a plane segment 352; during the rotation of the driving shaft 31, the driving wheel 34 always contacts the tooth surface segment 351, and the driven wheel 36 can contact both the tooth surface segment 351 and the plane segment 352; when the driven wheel 36 contacts the plane segment 352, slippage occurs between the two and power cannot be transmitted.

[0042] The driving device 38 is fixed to the drawer body 1; the driven shaft 37 is coaxially arranged with the rotation axis of the panel 2 relative to the drawer body 1; the rack 33 is arranged along the translation direction of the drawer body 1.

[0043] In this embodiment, the driving device 38 is a motor, and the motor is a reduction motor with a reduction gear set.

[0044] In this embodiment, an elastic damping device is further included between the drawer body 1 and the panel 2 ; the elastic damping device provides a damping effect when the panel 2 rotates relative to the drawer body 1 .

[0045] In this embodiment, the elastic damping device includes a slot 41 and an elastic protrusion 42 that can be engaged with each other; the fixing method is: the slot 41 is fixed to the panel 2, and the elastic protrusion 42 is fixed to the drawer body 1; and when the panel 2 rotates relative to the drawer body 1, the elastic protrusion 42 is not completely separated from the slot 41.

[0046] In this embodiment, circular limit plates are integrally provided on both sides of the driving wheel 34 and the driven wheel 36; the synchronous belt 35 is restricted between the circular limit plates; the tooth width of the tooth surface segment 351 is smaller than the width of the synchronous belt 35; the wheel surfaces of the driving wheel 34 and the driven wheel 36 are provided with gear teeth along the axial portion and cooperate with the synchronous belt 35, such as Figure 4 shown.

[0047] Example 3

[0048] A convenient drawer, which is a flip-up drawer, such as Figure 5 、 6 As shown, it includes a drawer body 1 and a panel 2 arranged on the outer side of the drawer body 1; the upper edge of the panel 2 is hinged to the drawer body 1; and it also includes an actuator that can drive the drawer body 1 to translate and the panel 2 to flip in an integrated manner.

[0049] The actuator includes a driving shaft 31, a gear 32, a rack 33, a driving wheel 34, a synchronous belt 35, a driven wheel 36, a driven shaft 37, and a driving device 38; the gear 32 and the driving wheel 34 are coaxially fixed on the driving shaft 31; the rack 33 is engaged with the gear 32; the driven shaft 37 is arranged parallel to the driving shaft 31; the driven wheel 36 is fixed on the driven shaft 37; the synchronous belt 35 is connected between the driving wheel 34 and the driven wheel 36; the driving device 38 is dynamically connected to the driving shaft 31 and drives the driving shaft 31 to rotate; the synchronous belt 35 includes a tooth surface segment 351 and a plane segment 352; during the rotation of the driving shaft 31, the driving wheel 34 always contacts the tooth surface segment 351, and the driven wheel 36 can contact both the tooth surface segment 351 and the plane segment 352; when the driven wheel 36 contacts the plane segment 352, slippage occurs between the two and power cannot be transmitted.

[0050] The driving device 38 is fixed to the drawer body 1; the driven shaft 37 is coaxially arranged with the rotation axis of the panel 2 relative to the drawer body 1; the rack 33 is arranged along the translation direction of the drawer body 1.

[0051] In this embodiment, the driving device 38 is a motor.

[0052] In this embodiment, an elastic damping device is further included between the drawer body 1 and the panel 2 ; the elastic damping device provides a damping effect when the panel 2 rotates relative to the drawer body 1 .

[0053] In this embodiment, the elastic damping device includes a slot 41 and an elastic protrusion 42 that can be engaged with each other; the fixing method is any one of the following two fixing methods: the slot 41 is fixed to the panel 2, and the elastic protrusion 42 is fixed to the drawer body 1; and when the panel 2 rotates relative to the drawer body 1, the elastic protrusion 42 is not completely separated from the slot 41.

[0054] Example 4

[0055] A refrigerator, the overall structure of which is as follows Figure 7 As shown, it includes a cabinet body and four flip-down drawers, and the structure of the flip-down drawers is the same as that of Example 2. Among them, the drawer body 1 is slidably arranged in the cabinet body, and the rack 33 is fixed to the cabinet body. The refrigerator is suitable for being placed in a low position, such as by floor placement.

[0056] Example 5

[0057] A refrigerator, the overall structure of which is as follows Figure 8 As shown, it includes a cabinet body and three flip-up drawers, and the structure of the flip-up drawers is the same as that of Example 3. Among them, the drawer body 1 is slidably arranged in the cabinet body, and the rack 33 is fixed to the cabinet body. The refrigerator is suitable for being placed in a high position, such as an overhead or hanging setting.

[0058] Example 6

[0059] A refrigerator, the overall structure of which is as follows Figure 9 As shown, the cabinet comprises a cabinet body, three bottom-flip drawers, and one top-flip drawer, with the top-flip drawer located at the topmost layer. The bottom-flip drawer has the same structure as in Example 1, and the top-flip drawer has the same structure as in Example 3. For both the bottom-flip and top-flip drawers, the drawer body 1 is slidably disposed within the cabinet body, and the rack 33 is fixed to the cabinet body.

[0060] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements can be made without departing from the principles of the present invention. These improvements should also be regarded as within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A convenient drawer, characterized by: A bottom-turning drawer comprises a drawer body (1) and a panel (2) arranged on the outer side of the drawer body (1); the lower edge of the panel (2) is hinged to the drawer body (1); and further comprises an actuator capable of integrally driving the drawer body (1) to translate and the panel (2) to flip. The actuator comprises a driving shaft (31), a gear (32), a rack (33), a driving wheel (34), a synchronous belt (35), a driven wheel (36), a driven shaft (37), and a driving device (38); the gear (32) and the driving wheel (34) are coaxially fixed on the driving shaft (31); the rack (33) is meshed with the gear (32); the driven shaft (37) is arranged parallel to the driving shaft (31); the driven wheel (36) is fixed on the driven shaft (37); the synchronous belt (35) is connected between the driving wheel (34) and the driven wheel (37); The driving device (38) is connected to the driving shaft (31) by power and drives the driving shaft (31) to rotate; the synchronous belt (35) includes a tooth surface segment (351) and a plane segment (352); during the rotation of the driving shaft (31), the driving wheel (34) always contacts the tooth surface segment (351), and the driven wheel (36) can contact both the tooth surface segment (351) and the plane segment (352); when the driven wheel (36) contacts the plane segment (352), slippage occurs between the two and power cannot be transmitted; The driving device (38) is fixed to the drawer body (1); the driven shaft (37) is coaxially arranged with the rotation axis of the panel (2) relative to the drawer body (1); the rack (33) is arranged along the translation direction of the drawer body (1); The driving device (38) is a motor; the motor is a reduction motor with a reduction gear set; The convenient drawer further comprises an elastic damping device arranged between the drawer body (1) and the panel (2); the elastic damping device provides a damping effect when the panel (2) rotates relative to the drawer body (1).

2. A convenient drawer, characterized by: A flip-up drawer comprising a drawer body (1) and a panel (2) arranged on the outer side of the drawer body (1); the upper edge of the panel (2) is hinged to the drawer body (1); and further comprising an actuator capable of integrally driving the drawer body (1) to translate and the panel (2) to flip. The actuator comprises a driving shaft (31), a gear (32), a rack (33), a driving wheel (34), a synchronous belt (35), a driven wheel (36), a driven shaft (37), and a driving device (38); the gear (32) and the driving wheel (34) are coaxially fixed on the driving shaft (31); the rack (33) is meshed with the gear (32); the driven shaft (37) is arranged parallel to the driving shaft (31); the driven wheel (36) is fixed on the driven shaft (37); the synchronous belt (35) is connected between the driving wheel (34) and the driven wheel (37); The driving device (38) is connected to the driving shaft (31) by power and drives the driving shaft (31) to rotate; the synchronous belt (35) includes a tooth surface segment (351) and a plane segment (352); during the rotation of the driving shaft (31), the driving wheel (34) always contacts the tooth surface segment (351), and the driven wheel (36) can contact both the tooth surface segment (351) and the plane segment (352); when the driven wheel (36) contacts the plane segment (352), slippage occurs between the two and power cannot be transmitted; The driving device (38) is fixed to the drawer body (1); the driven shaft (37) is coaxially arranged with the rotation axis of the panel (2) relative to the drawer body (1); the rack (33) is arranged along the translation direction of the drawer body (1); The driving device (38) is a motor; the motor is a reduction motor with a reduction gear set; The convenient drawer further comprises an elastic damping device arranged between the drawer body (1) and the panel (2); the elastic damping device provides a damping effect when the panel (2) rotates relative to the drawer body (1).

3. The convenient drawer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The elastic damping device comprises a card slot (41) and an elastic protrusion (42) that can be engaged with each other; the fixing method is any one of the following two fixing methods: first, the card slot (41) is fixed to the panel (2), and the elastic protrusion (42) is fixed to the drawer body (1); second, the card slot (41) is fixed to the drawer body (1), and the elastic protrusion (42) is fixed to the panel (2); and when the panel (2) rotates relative to the drawer body (1), the elastic protrusion (42) is not completely separated from the card slot (41).

4. The convenient drawer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Circular limiting plates are integrally provided on both sides of the driving wheel (34) and the driven wheel (36); the synchronous belt (35) is limited between the circular limiting plates; the belt tooth width of the tooth surface segment (351) is smaller than the width of the synchronous belt (35); the wheel surfaces of the driving wheel (34) and the driven wheel (36) are provided with gear teeth along the axial portion and cooperate with the synchronous belt (35).

5. A refrigerator comprising a cabinet body and at least one convenient drawer according to claim 1; the drawer body (1) is slidably arranged in the cabinet body, and the rack (33) is fixed to the cabinet body.

6. A refrigerator comprising a cabinet and at least one convenient drawer according to claim 2; the drawer body (1) is slidably arranged in the cabinet, and the rack (33) is fixed to the cabinet.

7. A refrigerator, comprising a cabinet body and at least one convenient drawer according to claim 1; further comprising at least one convenient drawer according to claim 2; the drawer body (1) is slidably arranged in the cabinet body, and the rack (33) is fixed to the cabinet body; the convenient drawer according to claim 1 is arranged at a height lower than 1.35m from the ground; the convenient drawer according to claim 2 is arranged at a height higher than 1.35m from the ground.

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