Pressure equalizing valve and refrigerator having the same

Abstract

This invention discloses a pressure balancing valve and a refrigerator having the pressure balancing valve. The pressure balancing valve includes a composite pipe, which includes a central pipe and an outer pipe sleeved outside the central pipe. A first gas passage is formed within the central pipe, and a second gas passage that is kept open is formed between the central pipe and the outer pipe. The pressure balancing valve also has a conduction control mechanism for controlling the opening or closing of the first gas passage. Based on the structure of the pressure balancing valve of this invention, when applied to a refrigerator, it can better adapt to scenarios with different pressure relief requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of freezer design, and more particularly to a pressure balancing valve and a freezer having the pressure balancing valve. Background Technology

[0002] Existing freezers generally exhibit negative pressure, which occurs roughly as follows: When the door is opened, gas exchange occurs between the freezer compartment and the outside, with warm outside air entering the compartment; when the door is closed, the warm air inside gradually cools down due to the cooling effect, reducing the pressure inside and creating a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the freezer. This results in users needing considerable force to open the door.

[0003] Existing technologies have designed several solutions for relieving pressure and balancing the internal and external pressure of freezers to address this technical problem. However, in pursuit of so-called automation, the pressure balancing structures in these technologies generally employ active pressure relief. This means that the pressure balancing structure automatically activates only when the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the freezer reaches a set critical value, thus achieving pressure balancing. These solutions have the following problems: external air can only enter the freezer when the pressure difference reaches the set critical value. Therefore, if the user needs to open the door when the pressure difference is less than the set critical value, a significant amount of force is still required, preventing the pressure balancing structure from achieving optimal results.

[0004] In view of this, it is necessary to provide an improved technical solution to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the present invention provides a pressure balancing valve, the specific design of which is as follows.

[0006] A pressure balancing valve includes a composite pipe, the composite pipe including a central pipe and an outer pipe sleeved outside the central pipe, a first gas passage is formed in the central pipe, and a second gas passage that is kept open is formed between the central pipe and the outer pipe; the pressure balancing valve also has a conduction control mechanism for controlling the opening or closing of the first gas passage.

[0007] The composite pipe also has a top plate disposed on one side of its air inlet end. The central pipe and the outer pipe are both fixedly connected to the top plate. The top plate has a first air inlet hole for gas to enter the first gas channel and a second air inlet hole for gas to enter the second gas channel. The composite pipe also has a bottom cover disposed on one side of its air outlet end. The bottom cover has a first exhaust hole for gas to be discharged from the first gas channel and a second exhaust hole for gas to be discharged from the second gas channel. The pressure balancing valve also has a molecular sieve disposed inside the second gas channel. The molecular sieve is used to absorb water vapor in the air.

[0008] Furthermore, the conduction control mechanism includes a valve plate located inside the central tube, a spring that drives the valve plate to abut against the top plate to close the first air inlet, and a button fixedly connected to the valve plate. The button has a connecting part located inside the central tube and connected to the spring, and a pressing part that extends out of the top plate to drive the valve plate to open the first air inlet when pressed.

[0009] Furthermore, the bottom cover is detachably connected to the composite pipe.

[0010] Furthermore, the edge of the bottom cover extends toward the composite pipe to form a first mating wall, which is connected to the outer pipe body of the composite pipe by a threaded connection. The bottom cover also protrudes toward the composite pipe to form a second mating wall that seals with the central pipe body.

[0011] Furthermore, when the first gas channel is open, the gas flow rate of the first gas channel is greater than the gas flow rate of the second gas channel.

[0012] Furthermore, the pressure balancing valve also includes an intake pipe detachably connected to one side of the inlet end of the composite pipe for guiding gas into the first gas channel and the second gas channel. The end of the intake pipe away from the composite pipe is covered with an intake end cover, and the intake end cover has an intake hole for gas to enter.

[0013] Furthermore, the pressure balancing valve also includes an exhaust pipe that is detachably connected to the outlet side of the composite pipe to guide the gas in the first gas channel and the second gas channel out of the outlet.

[0014] The present invention also provides a freezer, which includes a cabinet body and a door body installed on the cabinet body, wherein the pressure balancing valve described above is installed on the cabinet body or the door body.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: Based on the structure of the pressure balancing valve involved in this invention, when specifically applied to a freezer, it can better adapt to scenarios with different pressure relief requirements; when the negative pressure inside the freezer is weak, the gas outside the freezer can enter the freezer through the second gas channel to achieve pressure relief; while when the negative pressure inside the freezer is severe, the user can open the first gas channel through the conduction control mechanism to assist the second gas channel in pressure relief, thus shortening the pressure relief time of the freezer and achieving rapid pressure relief of the freezer. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 The diagram shown is an overall structural schematic of the freezer of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 As shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the freezer door shown;

[0019] Figure 3 As shown Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the cross-section of the door at position AA';

[0020] Figure 4 As shown Figure 3 Enlarged diagram of part a;

[0021] Figure 5 As shown Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the state of the button after it is pressed in the structure shown.

[0022] Figure 6 The diagram shown is an exploded schematic of a pressure balancing valve.

[0023] Figure 7 The diagram shown is a schematic of the composite pipeline and the flow control mechanism before assembly.

[0024] Figure 8 The image shown is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a composite pipeline;

[0025] Figure 9 The diagram shown is a schematic of the composite pipeline and the flow control mechanism after assembly.

[0026] Figure 10 The diagram shows the overall structure of the air pressure balancing valve assembled before it is installed on the door. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] This invention relates to a pressure balancing valve 100, which can be used in a freezer. (See reference...) Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown in this specific embodiment, the freezer includes a cabinet body 200 and a door 300 installed on the cabinet body 200, and a pressure balancing valve 100 is installed on the door 300. In other embodiments of the present invention, although not shown, it is readily understood that the pressure balancing valve 100 may also be provided on the cabinet body 200.

[0029] The following combination Figures 3-10 The specific implementation structure of the pressure balancing valve 100 involved in this invention will be described in detail below:

[0030] The pneumatic pressure balancing valve 100 involved in this invention includes a composite pipeline. Wherein, combined with... Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 8 As shown, the composite pipeline includes a central pipe body 11 and an outer pipe body 12 sleeved outside the central pipe body 11. A first gas passage 110 is formed inside the central pipe body 11, and a second gas passage 120 that maintains continuity is formed between the central pipe body 11 and the outer pipe body 12. The pressure balancing valve 100 of the present invention also has a conduction control mechanism for controlling the opening or closing of the first gas passage 110.

[0031] In this invention, the second gas channel 120 is normally open, while the opening and closing of the first gas channel 110 is controlled by a control mechanism. Therefore, when applied to a freezer, it can better adapt to scenarios with different pressure relief requirements. Specifically, when the negative pressure inside the freezer is weak, gas from outside the freezer can simply enter through the second gas channel 120 to relieve pressure; however, when the negative pressure inside the freezer is severe, the user can open the first gas channel 110 through the control mechanism to assist the second gas channel 120 in relieving pressure, thus shortening the pressure relief time and achieving rapid pressure relief.

[0032] Further integration Figure 7As shown, the composite pipeline also has a top plate 13 disposed on one side of its air inlet end, and both the central pipe body 11 and the outer pipe body 12 are fixedly connected to the top plate 13. Based on the arrangement of the top plate 13, the relative positional relationship between the central pipe body 11 and the outer pipe body 12 can be fixed. In a specific implementation, the top plate 13 has a first air inlet 131 for gas to enter the first gas channel 110 and a second air inlet 132 for gas to enter the second gas channel 120.

[0033] In some embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, the conduction control mechanism includes a valve plate 141 located inside the central tube 11, a spring 142 that drives the valve plate 141 to abut against the top plate 13 to close the first air inlet 131, and a button 143 fixedly connected to the valve plate 141. The button 143 has a connecting portion 1431 located inside the central tube 11 and connected to the spring 142, and a pressing portion 1432 extending outside the top plate 13 to open the first air inlet 131 when pressed.

[0034] As further shown in the figure, the valve plate 141 is sleeved and fixed on the button 143. The connecting part 1431 of the button 143 has a receiving cavity for the spring 142 to be inserted at the end facing the spring 142. The spring 142 is kept compressed to provide the button 143 with an elastic force to move towards the top plate 13. The top plate 13 has a mounting hole 130 for the pressing part 1432 of the button 143 to extend outward. When the button 143 is not pressed, the valve plate 141 abuts against the top plate 13 under the elastic force of the spring 142 to close the first air inlet 131, thereby closing the first gas passage 110. When the button 143 is pressed, the button 143 overcomes the elastic force of the spring 142 to drive the gasket 141 to separate from the top plate 13, the first air inlet 131 opens, thereby opening the first gas passage 110, and gas can flow through the first gas passage 110.

[0035] As shown in the figure, the composite pipe involved in this specific embodiment also has a bottom cover 15 disposed on one side of its air outlet. The bottom cover 15 has a first exhaust hole 151 for gas to be discharged from the first gas channel 110 and a second exhaust hole 152 for gas to be discharged from the second gas channel 120. The spring 142 is compressed and disposed between the connecting part 1431 of the button 143 and the bottom cover 15. In the specific implementation, a limiting protrusion 150 is formed on the bottom cover 15 for the spring 142 to be fitted in to limit the lateral movement of the spring 142.

[0036] Preferably, in this specific embodiment, the bottom cover 15 is detachably connected to the composite pipe. More specifically, refer to... Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8As shown, the edge of the bottom cover 15 extends towards the composite pipe to form a first mating wall 153, which is threadedly connected to the outer pipe body 12 of the composite pipe. The structure of the bottom cover 15 after assembly into the composite pipe can be seen in the following diagram. Figure 9 As shown. To avoid direct connection between the first gas channel 110 and the second gas channel 120 inside the composite pipeline, refer to... Figure 7 As shown, the bottom cover 15 also has a second mating wall 154 protruding from the side facing the composite pipe, which is sealed and fitted with the central pipe body 11.

[0037] In this embodiment, since the bottom cover 15 is detachably connected to the composite pipe, it facilitates the assembly of the air pressure balance valve 100. When the components constituting the conduction control mechanism are damaged, it is also relatively easy to replace and repair the corresponding components.

[0038] It should be understood that, in this invention, the inlet end of the composite pipe refers to the end where gas enters the interior of the composite pipe, and the outlet end of the composite pipe refers to the end where gas exits from the interior of the composite pipe.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pressure balancing valve 100 further includes a molecular sieve (not shown) disposed inside the second gas channel 120. Specifically, the molecular sieve can be loaded into a container that is detachable from the composite pipe and has a shape that matches the second gas channel 120. In specific freezer applications, the molecular sieve can absorb moisture from the air. In this embodiment, the second gas channel 120, which remains open, can be effectively prevented from becoming clogged due to frost; moreover, since the container is detachable from the composite pipe, the user can replace the molecular sieve in the container as needed, thereby ensuring optimal water absorption by the molecular sieve.

[0040] In a specific implementation of this invention, preferably, when the first gas channel 110 is open, the gas flow rate of the first gas channel 110 is greater than the gas flow rate of the second gas channel 120. In other words, when the pressure difference across the pressure balancing valve 100 is constant, the second gas channel 120 has a relatively slow gas exchange rate, while the open first gas channel 110 has a relatively fast gas exchange rate. Thus, in a specific application scenario to a freezer, it can prevent a large amount of cold air inside the freezer from leaking to the outside through the open first gas channel 110; and when the second gas channel 120 is open, rapid depressurization of the freezer can be achieved.

[0041] In practice, the gas flow rate of the first gas channel 110 and the gas flow rate of the second gas channel 120 can be adjusted according to their specific application scenarios. For example, in the application scenario of a freezer, the gas flow rate of the first gas channel 110 and the gas flow rate of the second gas channel 120 should take into account parameters such as the volume of the freezer and the cooling rate.

[0042] It should be understood that, in specific implementation, the gas flow rate of the first gas channel 110 can be adjusted by changing the number and area of ​​the first air inlet 131 and / or the first exhaust 151; correspondingly, the gas flow rate of the second gas channel 120 can be adjusted by changing the number and area of ​​the second air inlet 132 and / or the second exhaust 152.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to Figure 6 As shown, the air pressure balancing valve 100 also includes an air inlet pipe 16 that is detachably connected to the air inlet end of the composite pipe to guide gas into the first gas channel 110 and the second gas channel 120. The end of the air inlet pipe 16 away from the composite pipe is covered with an air inlet end cover 17, and the air inlet end cover 17 has an air inlet hole 171 for gas to enter.

[0044] In practical implementation, the intake pipe 16 and the composite pipe can be fixed together by means of spiral connection or snap-fit ​​connection. In the illustrated embodiment, the intake pipe 16 and the composite pipe are fixed together by snap-fit ​​connection. Specifically, the intake pipe 16 has a sleeve portion (not shown in the figure) that is sleeved on the outside of the composite pipe, and the sleeve portion is provided with a groove 161. The outer wall of the composite pipe protrudes to form a protrusion 121 that engages with the groove 161. It should be understood that in other embodiments of the present invention, the positions of the groove 161 and the protrusion 121 can be interchanged, and the sleeve portion can also be provided on the composite pipe.

[0045] In this embodiment, the intake end cap 17 is also fixed to the intake pipe 16 by a snap-fit ​​mechanism. Specifically, a fixing hole 162 is formed on the side wall of the intake pipe 16, and an elastic protrusion 173 is formed on the side of the intake end cap 17 to cooperate with the fixing hole 162 to fix the intake end cap 17 to the intake pipe 16. In other embodiments of the present invention, the connection method between the intake end cap 17 and the intake pipe 16 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

[0046] It should be understood that, Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, the air intake end cover 17 also has a through hole 172 for the pressing part 1432 of the button 14 to extend outward.

[0047] Further integration Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 6As shown, the freezer door 300 includes an outer shell 31, an inner shell 32, and an insulation layer (not shown) filled between the outer shell 31 and the inner shell 32. The door 300 has mounting holes that penetrate the outer shell 31, the inner shell 32, and the insulation layer for installing the pressure balancing valve 100.

[0048] In this invention, the air intake end cap 17 is assembled from the outer casing 31 to the air intake pipe 16. Figure 10 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the pneumatic pressure balancing valve 100 before it is assembled onto the door body 300. Further reference... Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, after the intake end cap 17 is assembled from the outer shell 31 to the intake pipe 16, the outer shell 31 is sandwiched between the intake end cap 17 and the intake pipe 16. Preferably, the end of the intake pipe 16 away from the composite pipe extends outward to form an extension 160 for abutting against the inner surface of the outer shell 31. This extension 160 can reduce the probability of cold leakage between the pressure balance valve 100 and the door body 300 when the pressure balance valve 100 is installed.

[0049] Furthermore, the pressure balancing valve involved in this embodiment also includes an exhaust pipe 18 that is detachably connected to the outlet side of the composite pipe to guide the gas in the first gas channel 110 and the second gas channel 120 to be discharged.

[0050] refer to Figure 6 As shown, the exhaust pipe 18 has a fitting portion 180 at one end facing the composite pipe, which is used to fit onto the end of the composite pipe and conform to the outer peripheral wall of the composite pipe. In this specific embodiment, the exhaust pipe 18 also extends in the peripheral direction at the end away from the composite pipe, forming an abutment wall for abutting against the inner shell 32.

[0051] As shown in the figure, the pressure balancing valve 100 may also have a bottom cover 19 located at the end of the exhaust pipe 18 away from the composite pipe, and an exhaust hole 190 for air to be discharged is formed on the bottom cover 19. In a specific application scenario of a freezer, the bottom cover 19 can be snapped into the corresponding slot (not shown in the figure) on the inner shell 32 by means of a hook 191.

[0052] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, a molecular sieve may also be provided inside the exhaust pipe 18. The molecular sieve at this location can absorb not only the water vapor in the air discharged into the exhaust pipe 18 from the second gas channel 120, but also the water vapor in the air discharged into the exhaust pipe 18 from the first gas channel 110.

[0053] It should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This way of describing the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0054] The detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions of feasible embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent embodiments or modifications made without departing from the spirit of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pneumatic pressure balancing valve, characterized in that, The system includes a composite pipe comprising a central pipe and an outer pipe sleeved outside the central pipe. A first gas passage is formed within the central pipe, and a second gas passage that is kept open is formed between the central pipe and the outer pipe. The pressure balancing valve also has a conduction control mechanism for controlling the opening or closing of the first gas passage. The composite pipe also has a top plate disposed on one side of its air inlet end. The central pipe and the outer pipe are both fixedly connected to the top plate. The top plate has a first air inlet hole for gas to enter the first gas channel and a second air inlet hole for gas to enter the second gas channel. The composite pipe also has a bottom cover disposed on one side of its air outlet end. The bottom cover has a first exhaust hole for gas to be discharged from the first gas channel and a second exhaust hole for gas to be discharged from the second gas channel. The pressure balancing valve also has a molecular sieve disposed inside the second gas channel. The molecular sieve is used to absorb water vapor in the air.

2. The pneumatic pressure balancing valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conduction control mechanism includes a valve plate located inside the central tube, a spring that drives the valve plate to abut against the top plate to close the first air inlet, and a button fixedly connected to the valve plate. The button has a connecting part located inside the central tube and connected to the spring, and a pressing part extending outside the top plate to drive the valve plate to open the first air inlet when pressed.

3. The pneumatic pressure balancing valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bottom cover is detachably connected to the composite pipe.

4. The pneumatic pressure balancing valve according to any one of claims 3, characterized in that, The edge of the bottom cover extends toward the composite pipe to form a first mating wall, which is connected to the outer pipe body of the composite pipe by a threaded connection. The bottom cover also protrudes to the side facing the composite pipe to form a second mating wall that seals with the central pipe body.

5. The pneumatic pressure balancing valve according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, When the first gas channel is open, the gas flow rate of the first gas channel is greater than the gas flow rate of the second gas channel.

6. The pneumatic pressure balancing valve according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The pressure balancing valve also includes an intake pipe detachably connected to one side of the inlet end of the composite pipe for guiding gas into the first gas channel and the second gas channel. The end of the intake pipe away from the composite pipe is covered with an intake end cover, and the intake end cover has an intake hole for gas to enter.

7. The pneumatic pressure balancing valve according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The pressure balancing valve also includes an exhaust pipe that is detachably connected to the outlet side of the composite pipe to guide the gas in the first gas channel and the second gas channel out of the outlet.

8. A freezer, comprising a cabinet body and a door mounted on the cabinet body, characterized in that, The cabinet or the door is equipped with a pressure balancing valve as described in any one of claims 1-7.

Images