Refrigeration appliance

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance (100) comprises a storage compartment (101) and a lighting device (2) located within the storage compartment. The lighting device comprises a surface light source assembly (3) having a through hole (35). A bezel (5) is arranged along the through hole and comprises a front frame portion (51) which is accessible from the storage compartment, the front frame portion covering a front surface (38) of the surface light source assembly.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, particularly a household refrigeration appliance. [Background Technology]

[0002] US77,736,010 B2 discloses a refrigeration appliance with a lighting device, the lighting device including a multi-pipe cover, a light source fixed to the multi-pipe cover, and the latter having a through-hole to accommodate a lampshade. The multi-pipe cover also has an vent located in an area outside the lampshade.

[0003] CN110388782A discloses a refrigeration appliance with a lighting device, the lighting device having an opening corresponding to an air passage.

[0004] CN109959198A discloses a refrigerator with a surface light source assembly. A through hole is opened in the middle of the surface light source assembly, and a through hole fastener is provided on the rear wall of the refrigeration compartment at the position corresponding to the through hole to connect a cantilever shelf. [Summary of the Invention]

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide an improved refrigeration appliance.

[0006] One aspect of this invention relates to a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance includes a storage compartment and a lighting device located within the storage compartment. The lighting device includes: a surface light source assembly, the surface light source assembly including a light guide plate, the surface light source assembly having a through hole; and a hole frame, the hole frame being disposed along the through hole and including a front frame portion accessible from the storage compartment, the front frame portion covering the front surface of the surface light source assembly.

[0007] By setting a border around the through-hole of the surface light source assembly and covering the front surface of the assembly along the through-hole, adverse factors such as light leakage or uneven lighting near the through-hole can be mitigated by the border. Consequently, the light leakage prevention requirements of the surface light source assembly itself at the inner surface of the through-hole are expected to be reduced. Furthermore, the appearance of the lighting assembly exposed to the storage room can be enhanced by the border; for example, by selecting the color / material of the border, it is possible to make the border a decorative element surrounding the through-hole.

[0008] In a possible embodiment, the front frame overlaps with the through-hole in the front-rear direction. This overlap allows the inner surface of the through-hole to be shielded by the front frame, thereby helping to further improve the light leakage problem of the surface light source assembly near the through-hole.

[0009] In a possible embodiment, the hole frame includes legs extending into the through-hole, and the surface light source assembly includes an end face facing the legs. The hole frame extending into the through-hole and being opposite to the inner surface of the surface light source assembly exposed in the through-hole facilitates the relative positioning of the hole frame and the surface light source assembly, and also helps to reduce the light leakage prevention requirements of the surface light source assembly at the through-hole.

[0010] In a possible embodiment, the feature is the inclusion of a first sealing portion sandwiched between the front frame and the front surface of the surface light source assembly. This significantly reduces the likelihood of light leakage from between the front frame and the front surface of the surface light source assembly due to the through-hole. Furthermore, it significantly reduces the possibility that high-humidity air or liquid may enter through the through-hole between the front frame and the front surface of the surface light source assembly and come into contact with components of the surface light source assembly not exposed to the storage compartment (e.g., light guide plates or light-emitting elements), thereby affecting the performance of the surface light source assembly.

[0011] In a possible embodiment, a cover plate is included behind the surface light source assembly, with the surface light source assembly clamped between the front frame and the cover plate along the edge of the through-hole. By clamping the surface light source assembly between the front frame and the cover plate, the possibility of warping of the surface light source is significantly reduced, and the flatness of the lighting device can be maintained even after long-term use.

[0012] In a possible embodiment, the cover plate extends into the through-hole and includes a second sealing portion sandwiched between the hole frame and the cover plate. This significantly reduces the likelihood that high-humidity air or liquid may enter the through-hole from between the hole frame and the cover plate, and subsequently come into contact with components of the surface light source assembly that are not exposed to the storage compartment (e.g., light guide plates or light-emitting elements), thus affecting the performance of the surface light source assembly.

[0013] In a possible embodiment, the cover plate includes a rib having at least one rib protruding towards the front frame surrounding the through-hole and an elastic sheet located on the back side of the surface light source assembly, the elastic sheet being positioned between the rib and the surface light source assembly. This helps to further prevent moisture or liquid from coming into contact with the surface light source assembly.

[0014] In a possible embodiment, a cover plate is included located behind the surface light source assembly, and the hole frame and the cover plate are fixed. By fixing the hole frame and the cover plate, the sealing performance of the surface light source assembly at the through-hole can be significantly improved compared to embodiments where the hole frame is merely attached to the front surface of the surface light source assembly, and it becomes possible for the hole frame and the surface light source assembly to remain flat and without warping for a long time.

[0015] In a possible embodiment, the aperture frame and the cover are fixed such that the aperture frame applies pressure to the surface light source in a direction perpendicular to the surface light source assembly.

[0016] In a possible embodiment, the cover includes a protrusion passing through the through hole, the protrusion having a vent communicating with and communicating with the storage compartment.

[0017] In a possible embodiment, there is a gap between the protrusion and the end face of the surface light source assembly exposed to the through hole, the hole frame including legs extending into the gap, the legs being fixed to the cover plate.

[0018] In a possible embodiment, the hole frame includes a receiving portion that extends into the through hole and opens rearward, with a threaded fastener threaded through the cover plate and the receiving portion.

[0019] In a possible embodiment, the receiving part includes a fixing groove extending along the length direction of the through hole, the fixing groove facing the cover plate, at least one sidewall of the fixing groove having a plurality of teeth extending along the length direction of the through hole, and at least two spaced threaded fasteners for fixing the cover plate and the leg are adapted to enter the fixing groove and deform the teeth to engage with the sidewall of the fixing groove.

[0020] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the hole frame is made of metal.

[0021] The construction of the embodiments of the present invention, as well as its other inventive objectives and beneficial effects, will become more apparent and understandable through the description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Image Description]

[0022] As part of this specification and to provide a further understanding of the invention, the following accompanying drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the invention and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a refrigeration appliance having a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic perspective view of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic partial perspective view of a cover plate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a schematic partial perspective view of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein... Figure 4 The border of the central hole has been removed.

[0027] Figure 6 It is along Figure 2 A schematic partial cross-sectional view of line AA in the middle;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the hole frame according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 8 This is a partial enlarged view of the hole frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Detailed Implementation]

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the refrigeration appliance 100 includes a main body 108, which may have a storage compartment 101 with a front opening. The storage compartment 101 can be selectively opened or closed through a door (not shown) located on the front side of the main body 108.

[0031] The refrigeration appliance 100 includes a lighting device 2 for illuminating the storage compartment 101. The lighting device 2 is accessible from the storage compartment 101.

[0032] The lighting device 2 may be located at the rear of the storage compartment 101. In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting device 2 forms part of the air duct assembly 105. The air duct assembly 105 forms at least a portion of the boundary of an air duct 103 for discharging air into or drawing air from the storage area of ​​the storage compartment 101 into the area where a cold source is located. The lighting device 2 may form at least a portion of the front surface of the air duct assembly 105.

[0033] The air duct 103 has a vent 8 that passes through the lighting device 1. The vent 8 can be an air outlet that exhausts air into the storage area of ​​the storage room 101, or a return air outlet that draws air in from the storage area of ​​the storage room 101.

[0034] like Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the lighting device 2 includes a surface light source assembly 3. The surface light source assembly 3 may include a light-emitting element 30, a light guide plate 31, and a diffuser plate 32, wherein light from the light-emitting element 30 enters the light guide plate 31 and passes through the diffuser plate 32 located in front of the light guide plate 31 before entering the storage chamber 101. A reflective sheet / layer 36 may be provided on the rear side of the light guide plate 31 so that light is emitted from the front side of the light guide plate 31.

[0035] Any one or all of the light guide plate 31, diffuser plate 32, and reflector plate 36 can be pre-fixed together to form a pre-assembled unit, for example, by attaching the light guide plate 31, diffuser plate 32, and reflector plate 36 together around the perimeter. In other embodiments, the light guide plate 31, diffuser plate 32, and reflector plate 36 are also respectively assembled onto other components of the surface light source assembly 3.

[0036] The light-emitting element 30 can be fixed to one end of the light guide plate 31. Alternatively, the light-emitting element 30 can also be installed inside the frame 7 surrounding the outer periphery of the surface light source assembly 3.

[0037] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, the cooling appliance 100 may include a cover plate 4 located behind the surface light source assembly 3. The cover plate 4 may include a forward-protruding protrusion 41, and a vent 8 is located within the protrusion 41. The surface light source assembly 3 includes a through hole 35, and the protrusion 41 extends into the through hole 35 to communicate with the air duct 103 and the storage chamber 101. Thus, air can flow between the air duct 103 and the storage chamber 101 through the surface light source assembly 3.

[0038] In one embodiment, the protrusion 41 may extend forward beyond the front surface 38 of the surface light source assembly 3 or be flush with the front surface 38 of the surface light source assembly 3.

[0039] In some embodiments, the cover plate 4 and the surface light source assembly 3 can be installed sequentially inside the storage chamber 101. For example, after the cover plate 4 is fixed to the air duct assembly 105 or the inner wall of the storage chamber 101, the surface light source assembly 3 is then installed in front of the cover plate 4.

[0040] In other embodiments, the cover plate 4 and the surface light source assembly 3 are pre-assembled together and then installed together in the storage chamber 101. For example, the surface light source assembly 3 is supported by the cover plate 4, and the edge of the surface light source assembly 3 is sandwiched between the cover plate 4 and the frame 7. The three are fixed together to form a pre-assembled unit suitable for fixing in the storage chamber 101.

[0041] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, the lighting device 2 includes a perforated frame 5, which is disposed along the through hole 35 and includes a front frame portion 51 accessible from the storage compartment 101. The front frame portion 51 covers the front surface 38 of the light source assembly 3.

[0042] like Figure 7 As shown, the front frame portion 51 can form a closed ring along the vent 8. The hole frame 5 includes an inner hole 53 adapted for the protrusion 41 to pass through and surrounded by the front frame portion 51.

[0043] In other embodiments, the front frame portion 51 may be disposed along one or a pair of edges of the vent 8. For example, the front frame portion 51 may be disposed along the long side of one or a pair of vents 8.

[0044] The front frame portion 51 may overlap with the through hole 8 in the front-rear direction. A gap G exists between the protrusion 41 and the end face 37 of the surface light source assembly 3 exposed to the through hole 35. The hole frame 5 may include a leg 52 extending into the through hole 35. The leg 52 may extend rearward from the rear side of the front frame portion 51. The end face 37 of the surface light source assembly 3 exposed to the through hole 35 and the leg 52 are arranged face-to-face.

[0045] The hole frame 5 can be fixed to the cover plate 4. In an embodiment, the hole frame 5 and the cover plate 4 are fixed such that the hole frame 5 applies pressure to the surface light source assembly 3 in a direction perpendicular to the surface light source assembly 3. The surface light source assembly 3 is clamped between the hole frame 5 and the cover plate 4 along the edge of the through hole 35. The hole frame 5 and the cover plate 4 can be fixed by clips or screws to clamp the surface light source assembly 3 between the hole frame 5 and the cover plate 4.

[0046] Leg 52 extends into the gap G to be secured to cover 4. In one embodiment, leg 52 includes a rearwardly open receiving portion 521, and fastener 9 is adapted to be threaded through mounting hole 42 in cover 4 and receiving portion 521.

[0047] The cover plate 4 may have multiple spaced mounting holes 42 for mounting multiple fasteners 9. In one embodiment, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the receiving portion 521 may include a fixing groove 5211 extending along its length direction, the fixing groove 5211 opening toward the cover plate 4. At least one side wall of the fixing groove 5211 has a plurality of teeth 5212 extending along the length direction of the receiving portion 521. A plurality of fasteners 9 for fixing the cover plate 4 and the hole frame 5 enter the fixing groove 5211 after passing through the cover plate 4 and engage with the side wall having the teeth 5212. Both ends of the fixing groove 5211 may be open.

[0048] When the fastener 9 is screwed into the fixing groove 5211, the sidewall with teeth 5212 is more easily deformed to engage with the fastener 9. The hole frame 5 may include a pair of fixing grooves 5211 extending along the length of the vent 8 and located on opposite sides of the vent 8.

[0049] By providing multiple teeth 5212 on the sidewall of the fixing groove 5211, the sidewall is more easily deformed, which helps to reduce the difficulty of engaging the fixing member 9 and the sidewall of the fixing groove 5211. Thus, the fixing part 52 is provided with a constant cross-section before being fixed to the cover plate 4, and can also be fixed to the cover plate 4 through the fixing groove 5211.

[0050] The lighting device 2 may include a first sealing portion 61 sandwiched between the aperture frame 2 and the front surface 38 of the surface light source assembly 3. This prevents liquid or highly humid air from entering the through hole 35 through the gap between the aperture frame 2 and the front surface 38 of the surface light source assembly 3 and affecting related components of the surface light source assembly 3, such as the light guide plate 31.

[0051] The cover plate 4 may include a rib 45 having at least one protruding around the through hole 35 and toward the front frame portion 51, so that the surface light source assembly 3 and the first sealing portion 61 and the cover plate 4 and the hole frame 5 can be clamped more tightly around the through hole 35. The back side of the surface light source assembly 3 may be provided with an elastically deformable sheet 34 to further reduce the contact between high humidity air or liquid through the through hole 35 and the back side of the surface light source assembly 3.

[0052] The lighting device 1 may include a second sealing part 62 sandwiched between the hole frame 5 and the protrusion 41 to prevent liquid or highly humid air from entering between the hole frame 5 and the protrusion 41 and coming into contact with the surface light source assembly 3.

[0053] The frame 5 may include a pair of legs 52 symmetrically arranged opposite each other vent 8. Each leg 52 is fixed to the cover plate 4 by a fastener 9. Each leg 52 is located between the first sealing part 61 and the second sealing part 62.

[0054] The cover plate 4 may include a groove 44 located between the protrusion 41 and a first rib 43 disposed around the protrusion 41, and the root of the second sealing part 62 is fixed in the groove 44.

[0055] Combination Figures 1 to 8 The various embodiments described can be combined with each other in any given manner to achieve the advantages of the invention. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments; other means besides those shown can generally be used, as long as they achieve the same effect.

Claims

1. A refrigeration appliance (100), characterized in that, Includes a storage room (101) and a lighting device (2) located within the storage room, the lighting device comprising: A surface light source assembly (3), the surface light source assembly having a through hole (35); A hole frame (5) is provided along the through hole and includes a front frame portion (51) accessible from the storage compartment, the front frame portion covering the front surface (38) of the surface light source assembly; The cooling appliance also includes a cover plate (4) located behind the surface light source assembly, the cover plate including a protrusion (41) passing through the through hole (35); the protrusion (41) is provided with a vent (8).

2. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front frame overlaps with the through hole in the front-to-back direction.

3. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The hole frame includes a leg (52) extending into the through hole, and the surface light source assembly includes an end face (37) facing the leg.

4. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2 above, characterized in that, Includes a first sealing portion (61) sandwiched between the front frame portion and the front surface of the surface light source assembly.

5. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2 above, characterized in that, Includes a cover plate (4) located behind the surface light source assembly, with the edge of the surface light source assembly along the through hole clamped between the front frame and the cover plate.

6. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The cover plate extends into the through hole and includes a second sealing portion (62) sandwiched between the hole frame and the cover plate.

7. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The cover plate includes a rib (45) having at least one rib (45) surrounding the through hole and protruding toward the front frame portion, and an elastic sheet (34) located on the back side of the surface light source assembly, the elastic sheet being located between the rib and the surface light source assembly.

8. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2 above, characterized in that, Includes a cover plate (4) located behind the surface light source assembly, and the hole frame and the cover plate are fixed.

9. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The hole frame and the cover plate are fixed so that the hole frame applies pressure to the surface light source in a direction perpendicular to the surface light source assembly.

10. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The protrusion has a ventilation opening (8) that connects the ventilation duct and the storage room.

11. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The protrusion and the end face (37) of the surface light source assembly exposed to the through hole are spaced (G), and the hole frame includes a leg (52) extending into the space, the leg and the cover plate being fixed.

12. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The hole frame includes a receiving part (521) that extends into the through hole and opens rearward, and a threaded fastener (9) passes through the cover plate and is threadedly connected to the receiving part.

13. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The hole frame includes a receiving portion (521) that extends into the through hole and opens rearward. The receiving portion includes a fixing groove (5211) that extends along the length direction of the through hole and faces the cover plate. At least one side wall of the fixing groove has a plurality of teeth (5212) that extend along the length direction of the through hole. At least two spaced threaded fasteners (9) for fixing the cover plate and the leg are adapted to enter the fixing groove and deform the teeth to engage with the side wall of the fixing groove.

Images