Refrigerator having a storage space formed on a door body

Abstract

The application provides a refrigerator with a storage space formed on a door. The refrigerator comprises a cabinet, at least a first storage space is defined in the cabinet, the first storage space has a front opening; an inner door is pivotally arranged at the front of the front opening, and the inner door comprises a storage container defining a second storage space, a side of the storage container facing the front opening is provided with an air supply opening for introducing low-temperature gas of the first storage space into the second storage space; a sterilization module is arranged at the air supply opening and sterilizes the passing gas; an inner door frame is arranged at the outer periphery of the storage container; and an outer door is pivotally arranged at the side of the inner door frame away from the cabinet. The scheme of the application avoids the leakage of cold energy of the first storage space when the second storage space is opened, can sterilize the refrigeration air introduced from the first storage space, avoids the pollution of the second storage chamber by bacteria, and improves the space use flexibility of the intelligent refrigerator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator, in particular to a refrigerator with a storage space formed on a door body. Background Art

[0002] Existing refrigerators typically use a cabinet to create storage space, which is accessed through doors. This traditional structure lacks flexibility in space division, especially for large refrigerators, resulting in inefficient storage space. Furthermore, opening and closing the door to access items can easily cause cooling to leak.

[0003] To fully utilize refrigerator space, a door-within-a-door design has emerged. This design involves an inner door and an outer door within the door body. The inner door encloses the refrigerator compartment and also provides storage space. The outer door encloses the storage space above the inner door. To access items on the inner door, users only need to open the outer door, increasing the flexibility of the storage space layout.

[0004] However, in existing door-in-door refrigerators, the storage space on the inner door is generally still directly connected to the storage space in the refrigerator body. When the outer door is opened, the cold storage space in the refrigerator body is still easily leaked. Furthermore, the inner door storage space and the refrigerator body storage space are prone to odor transfer, and once spoiled food is present, bacteria can spread throughout the refrigerator. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which the door storage space and the cabinet storage space are relatively independent.

[0006] A further object of the present invention is to prevent bacteria from spreading between the door storage space and the box storage space.

[0007] In particular, the present invention provides a refrigerator having a storage space formed on a door body, the refrigerator comprising:

[0008] a box body, defining at least a first storage space therein, the first storage space having a forward opening;

[0009] The inner door is pivotally disposed in front of the forward opening and includes: a storage liner body defining a second storage space, the second storage space having an opening on a side away from the box body, an air supply port being formed on a side of the storage liner body facing the forward opening, and the air supply port is used to introduce low-temperature gas from the first storage space into the second storage space to cool the interior of the second storage space; a sterilization module is disposed at the air supply port and sterilizes the gas passing therethrough;

[0010] The inner door frame is arranged on the outer periphery of the storage chamber;

[0011] The outer door is pivotally arranged on a side of the inner door frame away from the box body and is used for opening and closing the opening of the second storage space.

[0012] Optionally, the inner door further includes: an air supply component, disposed at the air supply port, for promoting the formation of a cooling airflow from the first storage space to the second storage space.

[0013] Optionally, the storage container includes:

[0014] The main body of the tank is used to construct a second storage space, and the side thereof opposite to the box body protrudes toward the front opening;

[0015] The cover is buckled on the protruding part of the gallbladder body, and the cover and the top of the gallbladder body form a mounting cavity; and the air supply port is opened on the top of the cover, and the air supply component is arranged in the mounting cavity and opposite to the air supply port.

[0016] Optionally, the air supply assembly includes: a fan bracket, which is arranged on the top wall of the gallbladder body; an air supply fan, which is installed on the fan bracket, and a connecting port is opened on the top wall of the gallbladder body below the air supply fan.

[0017] Optionally, the sterilization module is installed between the air supply fan and the connecting port.

[0018] Optionally, the sterilization module is a negative ion generator and includes: a plurality of negative ion emission heads located below the air supply fan and arranged at relative intervals.

[0019] Optionally, the storage container further includes: a grille plate, which is arranged at the communication opening.

[0020] Optionally, the box body is also provided with: an air supply duct extending from the refrigeration chamber of the refrigerator to the front of the top wall of the box body, and forming an air duct opening at a position opposite to the air supply port, so that the air flow provided by the air supply duct is at least partially discharged into the air supply port.

[0021] Optionally, the storage body further comprises: at least one partition for dividing the second storage space into a plurality of storage areas.

[0022] Optionally, at least one storage area is configured as a sealed drawer.

[0023] The refrigerator of the present invention forms a storage space on the door body. The inner door uses a storage liner to define a second storage space. The second storage space has an opening only on the side away from the cabinet. Therefore, when the door body is closed, the second storage space on the door body is relatively independent of the first storage space of the cabinet. This prevents the leakage of cold energy from the first storage space when the second storage space is opened, and also prevents odor from crossing between the first and second storage spaces during normal storage. The refrigerator of the present invention also adds a sterilization module at the air supply port to sterilize the refrigerated air introduced from the first storage space, thereby preventing bacterial contamination of food stored in the second storage room.

[0024] Furthermore, the refrigerator of the present invention, which forms a storage space on the door body, is provided with an air supply assembly, which utilizes the air supply assembly to promote the formation of a refrigerated airflow from the first storage space to the second storage space, and by optimizing the installation position and installation structure of the air supply assembly and the sterilization module, the compactness of the structure is improved, and the available volume of the second storage space and the reliability of refrigeration are guaranteed.

[0025] Furthermore, the refrigerator of the present invention that forms storage space on the door body also improves the internal structure of the second storage space, so that the second storage space forms multiple storage areas, and can further construct a sealed drawer, thereby greatly expanding the flexibility of use of the second storage space.

[0026] 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

[0027] 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:

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a refrigerator having a storage space formed on a door according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 1 is a schematic diagram of an angle of a door body of a refrigerator in which a storage space is formed on the door body according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 1 is a schematic diagram of another angle of a door body of a refrigerator in which a storage space is formed on the door body according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an inner door of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 is an exploded view of a component of an inner door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 6 is Figure 5 is a schematic partial enlarged view of a top of a storage container of the inner door shown in FIG. 1; and

[0034] Figure 7 is a schematic view of a refrigerator providing a refrigerating air flow to a door body according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In the description of the present application, it is to be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", and the like, indicate relative positions or orientation relationships based on the positions or orientation relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application. That is, in the embodiments of the present application, there are directional indications (such as upper, lower, front, rear, top, bottom, etc.), which are only used to explain the relative positional relationships between the components in a certain posture (such as shown in the drawings or as the conventional use state of the refrigerator).

[0036] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a refrigerator 10 forming a storage space on a door body 11 according to an embodiment of the present application. The refrigerator 10 forming a storage space on the door body 11 can generally include a cabinet 12, a door body 11.

[0037] The cabinet 12 defines at least a first storage space (blocked by the door body 11, not shown in the figure) having a front opening. Generally, the cabinet 12 defines at least one storage space open on the front side, usually multiple, which can be divided into a refrigeration chamber, a freezer chamber, a variable temperature chamber, etc. according to the refrigeration temperature and function. The number and function of the specific storage compartments can be configured according to the pre-requisites. The above-mentioned first storage space can define one or more of the multiple storage spaces of the cabinet 12.

[0038] The door body 11 is arranged on the front side of the cabinet 12 and is used to open and close the storage compartments. For example, the door body 11 can be arranged on one side of the front of the cabinet 12 by means of a hinge, and can open and close the cabinet 12 by pivoting. The door body 11 can be configured according to the layout of the cabinet 12. The layout structure of the cabinet 12 can be configured according to the function and requirements of the refrigerator, such as being configured in various forms such as a side-by-side door, a T-shaped (crosswise opening) door, a French door (four doors, multiple doors), etc.

[0039] In the refrigerator 10 of this embodiment in which a storage space is formed on the door body 11, a first storage space defined by the cabinet body 12 has a forward opening and is closed by a double door (or door-in-door). Figure 2 1 is a schematic diagram of an angle of the door body 11 of a refrigerator 10 in which a storage space is formed on the door body 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 1 is a schematic diagram showing another angle of the door body 11 of the refrigerator 10 in which a storage space is formed on the door body 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The front structure and the rear structure of the door body 11 are respectively shown when the outer door 110 is in the open state.

[0040] The door body 11 may include: an inner door 200 and an outer door 110. The inner door 200 is pivotally arranged at the front of the forward opening, and a second storage space 210 may be defined therein. The outer door 110 is pivotally arranged on the side of the inner door 200 frame away from the box body 12, and is used to open and close the opening of the second storage space 210. When the outer door 110 is opened alone, the second storage space 210 can be revealed. In addition, the outer door 110 can also be opened simultaneously with the inner door 200, so that the first storage space defined by the box body 12 can be revealed. Since the hinge and rotation structure of the double door itself are well known to those skilled in the art, they will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0041] In the refrigerator 10 of this embodiment, the second storage space 210 is relatively independent from the first storage space. When the outer door 110 is opened alone, this prevents cold air from leaking from the first storage space. This also prevents odor transfer between the first and second storage spaces 210 during normal storage.

[0042] Figure 4 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an inner door 200 of a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the inner door 200 of the refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A schematic partial enlarged view of the top of the storage container 220 in the inner door 200 is shown. Figure 4 、 5 In order to show the internal structure of the inner door 200 in FIG. 6 , the inner door frame 240 is hidden.

[0043] The inner door 200 may include: a storage liner 220, a sterilization module 230, and an inner door frame 240. The storage liner 220 defines a second storage space 210. The second storage space 210 has an opening on the side away from the housing 12. The storage liner 220 is provided with an air outlet 223 on the side facing the forward opening. The air outlet 223 is used to introduce low-temperature gas from the first storage space into the second storage space 210 to cool the interior of the second storage space 210. The sterilization module 230 is arranged at the air outlet 223 and sterilizes the gas passing through. The inner door frame 240 is arranged on the outer periphery of the storage liner 220. Both sides of the inner door frame 240 have sealing structures with the outer door 110 and the housing 12 respectively. The hinge structure of the door body 11 is also arranged on one side of the inner door frame.

[0044] Compared to conventional double-door refrigerators, where the rear side of the storage space of inner door 200 is directly connected to cabinet 12, in this embodiment, second storage space 210 receives refrigerated airflow solely through air vents 223 provided in storage liner 220, eliminating direct communication between second storage space 210 and the first storage space. Furthermore, the addition of a sterilization module 230 at air vent 223 sterilizes and inhibits bacteria in the refrigerated air introduced from the first storage space, preventing bacterial contamination of food stored in the second storage compartment.

[0045] The storage liner 220 may further include a liner body 221 and a cover 222. The liner body 221 is used to define the second storage space 210, with its side opposite the housing 12 protruding toward the forward opening. The cover 222 snaps onto the protruding portion of the liner body 221. To increase the capacity of the second storage space 210, the liner body 221 protrudes toward the housing 12. The cover 222 serves as the rear wall of the storage liner 220, thereby separating the first storage space 210 from the second storage space 210.

[0046] At least a portion of the cover 222 may be made of a material with good thermal conductivity, such as metal, so that the first storage space can transfer cold energy to the second storage space 210 .

[0047] In order to further meet the cooling requirements of the second storage space 210 , the inner door 200 further includes an air supply assembly 250 . The air supply assembly 250 is disposed at the air supply port 223 to facilitate the formation of a cooling airflow from the first storage space to the second storage space 210 .

[0048] The housing 222 and the top of the main body 221 form a mounting cavity. An air outlet 223 is provided at the top of the housing 222. The air supply assembly 250 is positioned within the mounting cavity and faces the air outlet 223. This mounting structure reduces the space occupied by the air supply assembly 250 and improves the utilization of the second storage space 210.

[0049] The air supply assembly 250 may include a fan bracket 251 and an air supply fan 252. The fan bracket 251 is arranged on the top wall of the gallbladder body 221 and extends upward. The air supply fan 252 is installed on the fan bracket 251, and the top wall of the gallbladder body 221 is provided with a connecting port below the air supply fan 252. The air supply fan 252 can be opened and closed under control. After being opened, it can inhale air from the air supply port 223 and send it to the second storage space 210 through the connecting port. The air supply fan 252 can preferably use an axial flow fan, whose axis is parallel to the extension direction of the connecting port and the air supply port 223, thereby saving the space it occupies. Those skilled in the art can select other types of fans as needed.

[0050] In order to prevent the user from seeing the internal structure of the air supply assembly 250 through the connecting port from the front of the inner door 200 and to improve the aesthetics of the door body 11, the storage liner 220 can also be provided with a grille plate (not shown in the figure), which is arranged at the connecting port to visually block the air supply assembly 250.

[0051] The fan bracket 251 creates a certain gap between the air supply fan 252 and the top wall of the gallbladder body 221. The sterilization module 230 can be installed in this gap, that is, the sterilization module 230 is installed between the air supply fan 252 and the connecting port, so that the air flow performs a sterilization operation before passing through the connecting port.

[0052] The sterilization module 230 may optionally use a negative ion generator, and may utilize UV ​​sterilization, mucous membrane filtration, and other technologies to achieve similar sterilization effects. In an embodiment using a negative ion generator, the sterilization module 230 may include a plurality of negative ion emission heads located below the air supply blower 252 and spaced relatively apart.

[0053] The sterilization module 230 can be turned on and off following the air supply fan 252 , for example, the sterilization module 230 is pre-started before the air supply fan 252 is turned on, and the sterilization module 230 is delayed to be turned off after the air supply fan 252 is turned off, to ensure the cleanliness of the second storage space 210 .

[0054] The storage chamber 220 may further include at least one divider 211. The divider 211 is used to divide the second storage space 210 into multiple storage areas. The number and structure of the storage areas can be configured based on storage needs. In some embodiments, at least one storage area may be configured as a sealed drawer 212, which can be used for dry storage, fresh food storage, etc. There may be one or more sealed drawers 212, and the specific number can be configured based on storage needs.

[0055] By improving the internal structure of the second storage space 210 , the second storage space 210 forms multiple storage areas, and a sealed drawer 212 can be further constructed, thereby greatly expanding the flexibility of use of the second storage space 210 .

[0056] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of a refrigerator 10 providing refrigerated airflow to the door 11 according to one embodiment of the present invention. A dedicated air supply duct 260 may also be provided within the housing 12. The air supply duct 260 extends from the refrigeration chamber 121 of the refrigerator 10 to the front of the top wall of the housing 12, and forms an air duct opening 261 at a position opposite the air supply port 223, so that at least a portion of the airflow provided by the air supply duct 260 is discharged into the air supply port 223. A portion of the airflow discharged from the air duct opening 261 can be discharged into the second storage space 210 to cool the second storage space 210. Additionally, a portion of the airflow discharged from the air duct opening 261 can be discharged into the front of the first storage space, thereby equalizing the temperature of the first storage space. A door return air vent may also be provided at the bottom of the second storage space 210, so that air from the second storage space 210 returns to the first storage space through the door return air vent, forming an air circulation system.

[0057] In this embodiment, the second storage space 210 and the first storage space at the rear side can both be configured as refrigerated storage spaces. By partitioning, the storage needs of different items can be met.

[0058] The refrigerator 10 in the above embodiment, in which a storage space is formed on the door body, improves the internal structure of the second storage space 210 so that the second storage space 210 forms multiple storage areas and can further construct a sealed drawer 212, thereby greatly expanding the flexibility of use of the second storage space 210.

[0059] At this point, those skilled in the art will recognize that, although a number of exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications consistent with the principles of the present invention may be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of 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 deemed to cover all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A refrigerator with a storage space formed on a door, comprising: a box body, defining at least a first storage space therein, wherein the first storage space has a forward opening; The first storage space is configured as a refrigerated storage space; an inner door pivotally disposed at a front portion of the forward opening, and comprising: a storage liner defining a second storage space, the second storage space having an opening on a side away from the box body, and an air supply port on a side of the storage liner facing the forward opening, and the air supply port is used to introduce low-temperature gas from the first storage space into the second storage space to cool the interior of the second storage space; A sterilization module is provided at the air outlet and sterilizes the passing gas; An inner door frame is arranged on the outer periphery of the storage chamber; an outer door, pivotally disposed on a side of the inner door frame away from the box body, and used for opening and closing the opening of the second storage space; an air supply component, disposed at the air supply port, for promoting the formation of a cooling airflow from the first storage space to the second storage space; The storage body comprises: A main body of the tank, used to construct the second storage space, with a side thereof opposite to the box body protruding toward the front opening; A cover shell is buckled on the protruding portion of the gallbladder body, and the cover shell and the top of the gallbladder body form a mounting cavity; and The air supply port is opened at the top of the housing, and the air supply assembly is arranged in the installation cavity and opposite to the air supply port; The box is also provided with: An air supply duct extends from the refrigeration chamber of the refrigerator to the front of the top wall of the box body, and forms an air duct opening at a position opposite to the air supply port, so that the air flow provided by the air supply duct is at least partially discharged into the air supply port.

2. The refrigerator with a storage space formed on the door according to claim 1, wherein the air supply assembly comprises: A fan bracket is arranged on the top wall of the main body of the bladder; An air supply fan is installed on the fan bracket, and A communication opening is provided on the top wall of the gallbladder body below the air supply fan.

3. The refrigerator with storage space formed on the door according to claim 2, wherein The sterilization module is installed between the air supply fan and the communication port.

4. The refrigerator with a storage space formed on the door according to claim 3, wherein The sterilization module is a negative ion generator and includes: A plurality of negative ion emission heads are located below the air supply fan and are arranged at relatively intervals.

5. The refrigerator with a storage space formed on a door according to claim 2, wherein the storage chamber further comprises: A grid plate is arranged at the communication opening.

6. The refrigerator with a storage space formed on a door according to claim 1, wherein the storage chamber further comprises: At least one partition is used to divide the second storage space into a plurality of storage areas.

7. The refrigerator with a storage space formed on the door according to claim 6, wherein At least one of the storage areas is configured as a sealed drawer.

Images