Refrigerator

Abstract

The present invention discloses a refrigerator comprising a refrigerator body, a door, and a hinge. The door is connected to the refrigerator body via the hinge. The refrigerator further comprises an auxiliary component connected to the hinge; a connecting rod, a first end of which is pivotally connected to the auxiliary component, the pivot axis of the first end of the connecting rod being eccentrically disposed with respect to the rotation axis of the door; and an elastic force storage member disposed within the door, the second end of the connecting rod being connected to the elastic force storage member. The refrigerator of the present invention effectively solves the problem in the prior art of refrigerator doors opening and closing too quickly and failing to open and close at a uniform speed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of refrigeration equipment, and in particular to a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] As refrigerators continue to evolve and become increasingly intelligent, automatic door opening and closing technology is now commonplace. However, existing refrigerators with automatic door opening technology often open and close too quickly, failing to achieve a uniform speed, resulting in a poor user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A refrigerator is provided in an embodiment of the present invention to solve the problem in the prior art that the door of the refrigerator is opened and closed too quickly and cannot be opened and closed at a uniform speed.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides a refrigerator, comprising a body, a door and a hinge, wherein the door is connected to the body by a hinge, and the refrigerator also includes: an auxiliary component connected to the hinge; a connecting rod, wherein the first end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to the auxiliary component, and the pivot axis of the first end of the connecting rod is eccentrically arranged to the rotation axis of the door; an elastic force storage member is arranged in the door, and the second end of the connecting rod is connected to the elastic force storage member.

[0005] Furthermore, the auxiliary component includes: a fixing member fixedly connected to the hinge;

[0006] The rotating disk is rotatably connected to the fixing member and can rotate on the fixing member at a preset angle; the second end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to the rotating disk.

[0007] Furthermore, the rotation axis of the rotating disk is colinear with the rotation axis of the door.

[0008] Furthermore, the preset angle ranges from 3° to 10°.

[0009] Furthermore, the rotating disk is sleeved on the fixing member and can rotate relative to the fixing member; a locking protrusion is provided on the fixing member, and the rotating disk is provided with a mounting groove, and the locking protrusion is located in the mounting groove. When the rotating disk rotates to a preset angle, the locking protrusion abuts against the inner wall of the mounting groove.

[0010] Furthermore, a slide groove is provided on the box door, and the second end of the connecting rod is slidably provided in the slide groove; the elastic force storage member is installed in the slide groove.

[0011] Furthermore, the elastic force storage member is a spring, one end of the spring is connected to the second end of the connecting rod, and the other end is connected to the bottom of the sliding groove.

[0012] The structure provided in the refrigerator provided by the present invention can provide a deceleration and adjustment function during the opening and closing of the refrigerator door, while also achieving a more uniform opening and closing speed. This not only ensures greater user safety and enhances the user experience, but also prevents excessive force when opening the door, which could damage the door and door seal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structural assembly of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 is a partial structural diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 3 1 is a schematic diagram of the structural assembly of a refrigerator door according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 4 is a partial structural exploded schematic diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of a refrigerator in a closed state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 6 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention with the door open at 45°;

[0019] Figure 7 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention with the door opened at 90°. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but they are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0021] See also Figures 1 to 7 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator is provided, which includes a housing 11, a door 12 and a hinge 13. The door 12 is connected to the housing 11 via the hinge 13. The refrigerator also includes an auxiliary component 20, a connecting rod 30 and an elastic force storage member 40. The auxiliary component 20 is connected to the hinge 13, and the first end of the connecting rod 30 is pivotally connected to the auxiliary component 20. The pivot axis of the first end of the connecting rod 30 is eccentrically arranged with respect to the rotation axis of the door 12. An elastic force storage member 40 is arranged in the door 12, and the second end of the connecting rod 30 is connected to the elastic force storage member 40. The pivot axis of the first end of the connecting rod 30 is parallel to the rotation axis of the door 12 but not colinear, which is the above-mentioned eccentric arrangement.

[0022] During the first half of the refrigerator door opening, the door opens and drives the connecting rod to rotate. Since the pivot axis of the connecting rod and the rotation axis of the door are eccentrically arranged, the rotation of the connecting rod is not synchronized with the rotation of the door. Moreover, the first end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to an auxiliary component that does not move, and the second end of the connecting rod continuously compresses the elastic force storage member, so that the elastic force storage member continuously stores force (accumulates elastic potential energy) during the first half of the door opening. While absorbing the kinetic energy of door opening, the elastic force storage member plays a decelerating and regulating role in the opening of the door, preventing the door from being opened too hard or too fast.

[0023] When the refrigerator door is in the second half of opening, the eccentrically rotating connecting rod rotates through the maximum stroke (the maximum stroke of the compressed elastic force storage member), and the elastic force storage member begins to release elastic potential energy at this time. Since the auxiliary component at the first end of the connecting rod is stationary, the elastic potential energy released by the elastic force storage member will give the door a reaction force, pushing the door to open automatically.

[0024] During the closing process of the refrigerator door, the process is opposite to the opening process, but the principle is the same. The elastic force storage part is first compressed to adjust the deceleration, and then the elastic potential energy is released in the second half of closing the door to push the door closed.

[0025] As can be seen, the structure provided in the refrigerator provided by the present invention can provide a deceleration and adjustment function during the opening and closing of the refrigerator door, while also achieving a more uniform opening and closing speed. This not only ensures greater user safety and enhances the user experience, but also prevents excessive force when opening the door, which could damage the door and door seal.

[0026] Preferably, see Figures 2 to 4 The auxiliary component 20 includes a fixed member 21 and a rotating disk 22. The fixed member 21 is fixedly connected to the hinge 13. The rotating disk 22 is rotatably connected to the fixed member 21 and can rotate on the fixed member 21 by a preset angle A (i.e., there is a certain rotation gap between the rotating disk 22 and the fixed member 21). The second end of the connecting rod 30 is pivotally connected to the rotating disk 22.

[0027] There are many ways to mount the fixing member 21 on the hinge 13. In this embodiment, the upper portion of the fixing member 21 is clamped on the hinge 13. The lower portion of the fixing member 21 is assembled with the rotating disk 22. The rotating disk 22 is provided with a pivot shaft, and the second end of the connecting rod 30 is rotatably mounted on the pivot shaft to complete the pivotal connection.

[0028] The rotating disk 22 can only rotate a certain preset angle A on the fixing part 21, rather than being able to rotate freely on the fixing part 21. Such a structure allows the rotation of the door to drive the connecting rod 30 to move a certain distance. The connecting rod 30 moves and pushes the rotating disk 22 to rotate a certain angle first, and then the rotating disk 22 is relatively fixed with the fixing part 21, and then the elastic force storage part begins to be compressed when the door is opened again. This setting is to ensure that the rotation of the door will not compress the elastic force storage part during the initial opening process of the door to overcome the adsorption force of the seal, so as to reduce the resistance of the door at the moment of opening. Whether the user opens the door himself or the mechanical component pushes the door open, the elastic force storage part will not produce any resistance to this, thereby further improving the user experience. When the door is opened to a certain angle, the rotation of the door will begin to compress the elastic force storage part.

[0029] Preferably, the rotation axis of the rotating disk 22 is colinear with the rotation axis of the door 12. In other words, the rotation angle of the rotating disk 22 and the rotation angle of the door 12 are synchronized, and the preset angle A is the initial opening angle of the door. This can be adjusted by setting the value of the preset angle A. For example, if the preset angle A is 5°, the elastic force accumulator will not begin to be compressed until the door is opened 5°, and the deceleration adjustment will begin after the door is opened 5°.

[0030] In order to ensure user safety and improve user experience, the preset angle A is set in the range of 3°-10°, which is in line with the use conditions of the refrigerator and human dynamics (taking into account the situation where the user opens the door by himself, or the refrigerator can only be opened by the user first). The best effect is achieved when the preset angle A is 5°.

[0031] Combine Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in a more preferred structure of this embodiment, the rotating disk 22 is sleeved on the fixing member 21 and can rotate relative to the fixing member 21. The fixing member 21 is provided with a locking protrusion 21a, and the rotating disk 22 is provided with a mounting groove 22a. The locking protrusion 21a is located in the mounting groove 22a. When the rotating disk 22 rotates to a preset angle A, the locking protrusion 21a abuts against the inner wall of the mounting groove 22a.

[0032] The door 12 is provided with a chute 12a, within which the second end of the connecting rod 30 is slidably disposed. The elastic force-accumulating member 40 is mounted. The chute 12a defines the trajectory of movement of the second end of the connecting rod 30. Typically, the defined trajectory is a straight line. This facilitates calculation of the material parameters of the elastic force-accumulating member 40, the initial door opening velocity, and the predetermined uniform door opening velocity, in conjunction with parameters such as stiffness.

[0033] Preferably, the elastic force accumulator 40 is a spring, one end of which is connected to the second end of the connecting rod 30 and the other end is connected to the bottom of the chute 12a. The advantage of a spring is that it is easy to install and replace, and it is convenient to adjust the opening speed of the door. The adjustment can be completed simply and quickly by replacing springs of different stiffnesses.

[0034] Combine Figures 5 to 7 The door opening process of the box is described, and the movement process and principle of each component are explained:

[0035] 1. As Figure 5 As shown, when the door is closed, the elastic force storage member 40 is in an uncompressed state.

[0036] Second, when the door needs to be opened, the user pulls it open. Due to the rotation of the door, the connecting rod rotates counterclockwise. The connecting rod now pushes against the spring, while the spring simultaneously reacts against the connecting rod. As the connecting rod rotates, it pushes the rotating disk to begin rotating. After the rotating disk rotates 5°, its mounting slot 22a abuts against the retaining protrusion 21a of the fixing member, stopping the rotating disk from rotating. The door continues to open, and after the rotating disk stops rotating, the connecting rod begins to compress the spring, converting kinetic energy into stored elastic potential energy.

[0037] 3. Figure 6 As shown in the figure, when the door opening angle is 45°, the angle between the straight line of the chute 12a and the straight line of the connecting rod is 0. When the angle exceeds 45°, the rotation of the connecting rod exceeds the maximum distance relative to the spring. At this time, the elastic potential energy of the spring is converted into kinetic energy, pushing the connecting rod. Since the rotating disk pushed by the connecting rod is fixed, it will give the door a reaction force, pushing the door to open automatically until the door opening angle is 90°. Figure 7 shown.

[0038] Fourth, when closing the door, the same principle applies, with the rotating disk moving in reverse. The spring is compressed during the first half of the door closing. Once the door rotates less than 45°, the spring recovers its deformation, allowing the door to close automatically during the second half.

[0039] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, tasks, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0040] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," and the like in the specification and claims of this application and the accompanying drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or precedence. It should be understood that the terms used in this manner are interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein.

[0041] Of course, the above are preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications without departing from the basic principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising a box body (11), a door (12) and a hinge (13), wherein the door (12) is connected to the box body (11) via the hinge (13), characterized in that: The refrigerator further comprises: an auxiliary component (20) connected to the hinge (13); a connecting rod (30), wherein a first end of the connecting rod (30) is pivotally connected to the auxiliary component (20), and a pivot axis of the first end of the connecting rod (30) is eccentrically arranged with respect to a rotation axis of the box door (12); An elastic force storage member (40) is provided in the box door (12), and the second end of the connecting rod (30) is connected to the elastic force storage member (40); The auxiliary component (20) comprises: a fixing member (21), wherein the fixing member (21) is fixedly connected to the hinge (13); a rotating disk (22), the rotating disk (22) being rotatably connected to the fixing member (21), and the rotating disk (22) being capable of rotating on the fixing member (21) by a preset angle (A); The second end of the connecting rod (30) is pivotally connected to the rotating disk (22).

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: The rotation axis of the rotating disk (22) is colinear with the rotation axis of the box door (12).

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: The preset angle (A) ranges from 3° to 10°.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: The rotating disk (22) is sleeved on the fixing member (21) and can rotate relative to the fixing member (21); The fixing member (21) is provided with a locking protrusion (21a), and the rotating disk (22) is provided with a mounting slot (22a). The locking protrusion (21a) is located in the mounting slot (22a). When the rotating disk (22) is rotated to a preset angle (A), the locking protrusion (21a) abuts against the inner wall of the mounting slot (22a).

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The box door (12) is provided with a slide groove (12a), and the second end of the connecting rod (30) is slidably arranged in the slide groove (12a); The elastic force storage member (40) is installed in the sliding groove (12a).

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, characterized in that The elastic force storage member (40) is a spring, one end of which is connected to the second end of the connecting rod (30), and the other end of which is connected to the bottom of the sliding groove (12a).

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