Freezer

Abstract

The present invention discloses a refrigerator, which includes a main body with a storage cavity formed therein, a passive air pressure balancing mechanism and an active air pressure balancing mechanism, the passive air pressure balancing mechanism having a first gas pipeline connecting the inside and outside of the storage cavity and a button for a user to press to conduct the first gas pipeline, the active air pressure balancing mechanism having a second gas pipeline connecting the inside and outside of the storage cavity and an automatic conduction valve that automatically conducts the second gas pipeline when the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the storage cavity is greater than a set value; based on the specific structure of the refrigerator provided by the present invention, in specific application scenarios, the active air pressure balancing mechanism can avoid the formation of excessive negative pressure in the refrigerator through active pressure relief, and can also avoid the problem of serious cold leakage caused by the constant connection between the inside and outside of the refrigerator; the passive air pressure balancing mechanism can completely eliminate the negative pressure formed inside the refrigerator when necessary, and its cooperation with the active air pressure balancing mechanism can shorten the time for the user to perform the pressure relief operation.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Negative pressure is a common phenomenon in existing refrigerators. The process is as follows: When the door is opened, air exchanges occur between the interior and exterior of the refrigerator compartment, allowing warm air from the outside to enter. When the door is closed, the warm air inside the compartment gradually cools due to cooling, reducing the pressure inside the compartment and creating a pressure differential between the inside and outside of the refrigerator. This results in the user having to exert considerable force to open the door.

[0003] Several existing solutions for relieving pressure to balance the pressure inside and outside the refrigerator have been designed to address this issue. One common approach is to provide a gas channel connecting the interior and exterior of the refrigerator to achieve pressure balance. However, these existing gas channels suffer from issues such as cold leakage and a lack of user control. Furthermore, the low temperatures of the refrigerator can cause frost to form in the gas channel, which can become clogged over time, compromising the pressure balance.

[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. To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a refrigerator, and its specific design is as follows.

[0006] A refrigerator comprises a main body with a storage cavity formed therein, the refrigerator further comprising a passive air pressure balancing mechanism and an active air pressure balancing mechanism, the passive air pressure balancing mechanism comprising a first gas pipeline connecting the inside and outside of the storage cavity and a button for a user to press to open the first gas pipeline, the active air pressure balancing mechanism comprising a second gas pipeline connecting the inside and outside of the storage cavity and an automatic opening valve which automatically opens the second gas pipeline when the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the storage cavity is greater than a set value.

[0007] Furthermore, the main body includes a cabinet body and a door body connected to the cabinet body. The refrigerator also has a handle arranged on the door body for opening the door body, and the button is arranged on the handle.

[0008] Furthermore, the handle includes a shell, an installation cavity is formed inside the shell, and a button setting hole is formed through the shell for assembling the button; the passive air pressure balance mechanism has a control box fixed in the installation cavity, the control box includes a hollow box body, the first gas pipeline is connected to the internal space of the box body at one end away from the storage cavity, and the box body is provided with an air inlet hole at a position corresponding to the button; the control box also has a valve plate that cooperates with the position of the air inlet hole to control the conduction or closure of the first gas pipeline, and the valve plate is fixedly connected to the button.

[0009] Furthermore, the control box also has a spring arranged in the box body, and the spring is in a compressed state to keep the button having a tendency to move outward.

[0010] Furthermore, the shell of the handle is provided with an air intake matching hole at a position corresponding to the air intake hole; when the button is pressed until the valve plate is separated from the area of ​​the shell where the air intake matching hole is provided, the first gas pipeline is connected; when the button is released until the valve plate is attached to the area of ​​the shell where the air intake matching hole is provided, the first gas pipeline is closed.

[0011] Furthermore, the first gas pipeline includes a first air inlet pipe connected to the internal space of the box body, a first air outlet pipe connected to the storage cavity, and a first connecting pipe arranged in the door body to connect the first air inlet pipe and the first air outlet pipe.

[0012] Furthermore, the automatic conducting valve has an air pressure regulating chamber, an air inlet port for air to enter the air pressure regulating chamber, and an exhaust port for air to be discharged from the air pressure regulating chamber; the air pressure regulating chamber includes an air inlet chamber and an air outlet chamber located on the upper side of the air inlet chamber, the air inlet chamber is connected to the air inlet port, and the air outlet chamber is connected to the exhaust port; the automatic conducting valve also includes a partition plate arranged between the air inlet chamber and the air outlet chamber, a circular hole is provided on the partition plate, and a gravity ball with a diameter larger than the circular hole is placed on the upper side of the circular hole.

[0013] Furthermore, the automatic conduction valve further comprises a connecting cavity provided between the air outlet cavity and the exhaust port, and a water-absorbing molecular sieve is provided in the connecting cavity.

[0014] Furthermore, the automatic conduction valve is arranged inside the door body, and the second gas pipeline includes a second air inlet pipe connected to the outside, a second air outlet pipe connected to the storage cavity, a second connecting pipe connecting the second air inlet pipe and the air inlet port, and a third connecting pipe connecting the second air outlet pipe and the exhaust port.

[0015] Furthermore, the handle includes a shell, an air guide cavity is formed inside the shell, the second air inlet pipe is connected to the air guide cavity, and the air guide cavity has a through hole connected to the outside.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the refrigerator involved in the present invention has a passive air pressure balancing mechanism and an active air pressure balancing mechanism. In specific application scenarios, the active air pressure balancing mechanism can avoid the formation of excessive negative pressure in the refrigerator through active pressure relief, and can also avoid the problem of serious cold leakage caused by constant communication between the inside and outside of the refrigerator; the passive air pressure balancing mechanism can completely eliminate the negative pressure formed inside the refrigerator when necessary, and its cooperation with the active air pressure balancing mechanism can shorten the time for the user to perform the pressure relief operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without paying any creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 Shown is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the door of the refrigerator shown;

[0020] Figure 3 Shown Figure 2 An enlarged schematic diagram of part a;

[0021] Figure 4 Shown Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the middle door body after removing the lining;

[0022] Figure 5 Shown Figure 4 A magnified schematic diagram of part b;

[0023] Figure 6 Shown is a schematic diagram of the coordination between the passive air pressure balancing mechanism, the active air pressure balancing mechanism and the handle;

[0024] Figure 7 Shown is the Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the upper and lower shells of the middle handle after being disassembled;

[0025] Figure 8 Shown is the Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the control box after it is removed from the installation cavity;

[0026] Figure 9Shown is a partial exploded schematic diagram of the cooperation between the first air intake pipe and the control box;

[0027] Figure 10 Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the structure shown after the button is pressed;

[0028] Figure 11 The figure shows a schematic diagram of the cross-section structure when the automatic conducting valve is not conducting;

[0029] Figure 12 The figure shows a schematic diagram of the cross-section structure when the automatic conducting valve is conducting. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] refer to Figure 1 As shown, the refrigerator involved in the present invention includes a body with a storage cavity formed therein, and the refrigerator also has a passive air pressure balancing mechanism and an active air pressure balancing mechanism. Figure 2 、 Figure 3 As shown, the passive air pressure balance mechanism has a first gas pipeline connecting the inside and outside of the storage cavity and a button 31 for the user to press to open the first gas pipeline; further combined with Figure 4 、 Figure 5 As shown, the active air pressure balancing mechanism has a second gas pipeline connecting the inside and outside of the storage chamber and an automatic conduction valve 41 that automatically conducts the second gas pipeline when the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the storage chamber is greater than a set value.

[0032] The refrigerator involved in the present invention has a passive air pressure balancing mechanism and an active air pressure balancing mechanism. In specific application scenarios, the active air pressure balancing mechanism can avoid the formation of excessive negative pressure in the refrigerator through active pressure relief, and can also avoid the problem of serious cold leakage caused by constant communication between the inside and outside of the refrigerator; the passive air pressure balancing mechanism can completely eliminate the negative pressure formed inside the refrigerator when necessary, and its cooperation with the active air pressure balancing mechanism can shorten the time for the user to perform the pressure relief operation.

[0033] Specifically, since the automatic conduction valve 41 in the active air pressure balancing mechanism will automatically conduct the second gas pipeline when the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the storage cavity is greater than the set value, the negative pressure formed inside the refrigerator can be controlled within a certain set value range; in this way, when the user needs to open the refrigerator, the refrigerator pressure relief operation can be quickly realized by pressing the button 31, which can avoid the problem of excessive pressure difference causing the pressure relief time to be too long, thereby affecting the user experience.

[0034] refer to Figure 1 As shown, in a specific implementation process, the main body involved in the present invention includes a cabinet body 11 and a door body 12 connected to the cabinet body 11. The refrigerator further has a handle 200 provided on the door body 12 for opening the door body 12. The button 31 involved in the present invention is provided on the handle 200. When the user opens the door handle 12, the handle 200 will inevitably be operated. The button 31 is provided on the handle 200 to facilitate the user's operation and avoid the additional action of pressing the button 31 that is different from the traditional door opening process.

[0035] Combine Figure 6 、 Figure 7 、 Figure 8 As shown, the handle 200 includes a shell. Specifically in this embodiment, the shell includes a lower shell 21 and an upper shell that is buckled with the lower shell 21. A mounting cavity 211 is formed inside the shell, and a button setting hole 2111 for assembling the button 31 is formed through the shell. The passive air pressure balance mechanism has a control box fixed in the mounting cavity 211. The control box includes a hollow box body 32. The end of the first gas pipe away from the storage cavity is connected to the internal space of the box body 32. Figure 9 、 Figure 10 As shown, in this specific embodiment, the box body 32 is composed of a bottom plate 321 and a top cover 322 sealed on the bottom plate 321.

[0036] Furthermore, the box body 32 has an air inlet 320 at a position corresponding to the button 31. Specifically, in this embodiment, the air inlet 320 is formed on the bottom plate 321. As shown in the figure, the control box also has a valve plate 33 that cooperates with the air inlet 320 to control the opening or closing of the first gas pipeline. The valve plate 33 is fixedly connected to the button 31. Specifically, the movement of the valve plate 33 is controlled by the button 31. When the button 31 is not pressed, external air cannot enter the first gas pipeline through the air inlet 320. When the button 31 is pressed, the valve plate 33 moves synchronously with the button 31, allowing external air to enter the first gas pipeline through the air inlet 320.

[0037] When implementing it, refer to Figure 9 、 Figure 10 As shown in , the control box also includes a spring 34 disposed within the box body 32. This spring 34 is compressed to maintain the button 33's tendency to move outward. More specifically, in this embodiment, the valve plate 33 is formed with a groove for one end of the spring 34 to fit into (this groove may extend into the button 31). The end of the spring 34, distal from the groove, abuts against the inner wall of the top cover 322. The inner wall of the top cover 322 may also be provided with a groove or protrusion to prevent lateral movement of the spring 34. Because the spring 34 is compressed, the button 31 automatically returns to its original position when it is pressed and released.

[0038] More specifically, in Figure 3 、 Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the shell of the handle 200 is provided with an air intake matching hole 2112 at a position corresponding to the air intake hole 320; when the button 31 is pressed until the valve plate 33 is separated from the area of ​​the shell where the air intake matching hole 2112 is provided, the first gas pipeline is connected; when the button 31 is released until the valve plate 33 is attached to the area of ​​the shell where the air intake matching hole 2112 is provided, the first gas pipeline is closed.

[0039] In this embodiment, an air inlet mating hole 2112 is formed around the button setting hole 2111, and the opening and closing of the first gas pipeline are achieved by the cooperation between the valve plate 33 and the air inlet mating hole 2112. Specifically, after pressing the button 31 to drive the valve plate 33 to move synchronously, external air can enter the interior of the box body 32 through the air inlet mating hole 2112 and the air inlet hole 320 in sequence, and then enter the storage cavity of the refrigerator through the first gas pipeline, thereby achieving balanced regulation of the air pressure inside and outside the refrigerator, thereby opening the first gas pipeline. Correspondingly, when the button 31 is released, causing the valve plate 33 to seal the air inlet mating hole 2112, air cannot enter the storage cavity of the refrigerator through the first gas pipeline, thereby closing the first gas pipeline.

[0040] It should be understood that in this specific embodiment, the inner wall of one side of the handle 200 shell having the air inlet matching hole 2112 is sealed with the bottom plate 321 of the box body 32, that is, there is no gap between the two that connects the internal space of the box body 32 and the installation cavity 211, and the air entering through the air inlet matching hole 2112 will directly enter the first gas pipeline through the air inlet hole 320.

[0041] When implementing it, refer to Figure 5-Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the first gas conduit includes a first air inlet pipe 301 connected to the interior space of the box body, a first air outlet pipe 302 connected to the storage cavity, and a first connecting pipe (not shown) disposed in the door body 12 to connect the first air inlet pipe 301 and the first air outlet pipe 302. It will be understood that the first connecting pipe is generally formed of a hose, so that when the positions of the first air inlet pipe 301 and the first air outlet pipe 302 are determined, the connection and assembly between the two can be relatively easy.

[0042] In the present invention, the automatic conduction valve 41 has an air pressure regulating chamber, an air inlet port 411 for air to enter the air pressure regulating chamber, and an air outlet port 412 for air to be discharged from the air pressure regulating chamber. Figure 11 、 Figure 12As shown, in some specific embodiments, the air pressure regulating chamber includes an air inlet chamber 413 and an air outlet chamber 414 located above the air inlet chamber 413. The air inlet chamber 413 is connected to the air inlet port 411, and the air outlet chamber 414 is connected to the air outlet port 412. As shown in the figure, the automatic conduction valve 41 also includes a partition plate 415 disposed between the air inlet chamber 413 and the air outlet chamber 413. The partition plate 415 is provided with a circular hole 4150. A gravity ball 416 having a larger diameter than the circular hole 4150 is placed above the circular hole 4150.

[0043] Specifically, based on the above setting structure of the automatic opening valve 41, when the pressure difference between the air inlet port 411 side and the exhaust port 412 side of the automatic opening valve 41 is small, the gravity ball 416 falls at the position of the circular hole 4150 and forms a seal with the side wall of the circular hole 4150, thereby realizing the active closure of the second gas pipeline; when the pressure on the air inlet port 411 side of the automatic opening valve 41 is greater than the pressure on the exhaust port 412 side, and the pressure difference formed by the two is not less than the gravity of the gravity ball 416, the gravity ball 416 will float up under the action of the pressure difference, and form a gap with the circular hole 4150 for air flow, thereby realizing the active conduction of the second gas pipeline.

[0044] During the specific implementation process, in order to ensure good sealing between the gravity ball 416 and the circular hole 4150 when they are matched, the side wall of the circular hole 4150 is formed with a curved surface that matches the surface of the gravity ball 416.

[0045] Preferably, refer to Figure 11 、 Figure 12 As shown in the figure, the automatic conduction valve 41 also has a connecting chamber 417 disposed between the air outlet chamber 414 and the exhaust port 412. A water-absorbing molecular sieve (not shown) is disposed within the connecting chamber 417. In specific refrigerator applications, the water-absorbing molecular sieve can absorb moisture from the air, thereby effectively preventing the automatic conduction valve 41 from clogging due to frost. Typically, partitions are provided at both ends of the connecting chamber 417, and the connecting chamber 417 communicates with the air outlet chamber 414 and the exhaust port 412 through small holes provided in the partitions.

[0046] In specific implementation, further Figure 5-Figure 9As shown, the automatic conduction valve 41 in this specific embodiment is disposed inside the door body 12, and the second gas pipeline includes a second air inlet pipe 401 communicating with the outside, a second air outlet pipe 402 communicating with the storage chamber, a second connecting pipe (not shown) connecting the second air inlet pipe 401 and the air inlet port 411, and a third connecting pipe (not shown) connecting the second air outlet pipe 402 and the exhaust port 412. It will be understood that the second connecting pipe and the third connecting pipe are generally formed by flexible pipes. In this way, when the positions of the second air inlet pipe 401, the second air outlet pipe 402, and the automatic conduction valve 41 are determined, the connection and assembly of the various components can be relatively easy to achieve.

[0047] refer to Figure 7 、 Figure 8 As shown in , in a specific implementation, an air guide cavity 212 is further formed inside the shell of the handle 200, the second air inlet pipe 401 is connected to the air guide cavity 212, and the air guide cavity 212 has a through hole 2120 connected to the outside.

[0048] In addition, combined Figure 2 、 Figure 4 As shown, the door 300 of the refrigerator generally includes an outer shell 31, an inner lining 32, and an insulation layer (not shown) filled between the outer shell 31 and the inner lining 32. In a specific implementation, the first and second air outlet pipes 302 and 402 are generally fixed to the inner lining 32, and the automatic conduction valve 41 is disposed between the outer shell 31 and the inner lining 32.

[0049] In the above embodiments of the present invention, the passive air pressure balancing mechanism and the active air pressure balancing mechanism are both associated with the handle, which has a reasonable structure. While optimizing the refrigerator door opening operation, it can also extend the length of the corresponding ventilation duct (including the first gas duct and the second gas duct), thereby reducing the cooling loss during the non-ventilation process.

[0050] It should be understood that although this specification is described in terms of implementation methods, not every implementation method contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each implementation method can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0051] The series of detailed descriptions listed above are only specific descriptions of feasible implementation methods of the present invention. They are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any equivalent implementation methods or changes that do not deviate from the technical spirit of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising a body with a storage cavity formed therein, characterized in that: The refrigerator further comprises a passive air pressure balancing mechanism and an active air pressure balancing mechanism. The passive air pressure balancing mechanism comprises a first air pipeline connecting the inside and outside of the storage cavity and a button for a user to press to open the first air pipeline. The active air pressure balancing mechanism comprises a second air pipeline connecting the inside and outside of the storage cavity and an automatic opening valve that automatically opens the second air pipeline when the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the storage cavity is greater than a set value. The main body includes a cabinet body and a door body connected to the cabinet body, the refrigerator further has a handle provided on the door body for opening the door body, and the button is provided on the handle; The handle includes a shell, an installation cavity is formed inside the shell, and a button setting hole is formed through the shell for assembling the button; the passive air pressure balance mechanism has a control box fixed in the installation cavity, the control box includes a hollow box body, the first gas pipeline is connected to the internal space of the box body at one end away from the storage cavity, and the box body is provided with an air inlet hole at a position corresponding to the button; the control box also has a valve plate that cooperates with the position of the air inlet hole to control the conduction or closure of the first gas pipeline, and the valve plate is fixedly connected to the button.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control box further comprises a spring arranged in the box body, wherein the spring is in a compressed state to keep the button having a tendency to move outward.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The shell of the handle is provided with an air intake matching hole at a position corresponding to the air intake hole; when the button is pressed until the valve plate is separated from the area of ​​the shell provided with the air intake matching hole, the first gas pipeline is connected; when the button is released until the valve plate is attached to the area of ​​the shell provided with the air intake matching hole, the first gas pipeline is closed.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first gas pipeline includes a first air inlet pipe connected to the inner space of the box body, a first air outlet pipe connected to the storage cavity, and a first connecting pipe arranged in the door body to connect the first air inlet pipe and the first air outlet pipe.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The automatic conducting valve has an air pressure regulating chamber, an air inlet port for air to enter the air pressure regulating chamber, and an exhaust port for air to be discharged from the air pressure regulating chamber; the air pressure regulating chamber includes an air inlet chamber and an air outlet chamber located on the upper side of the air inlet chamber, the air inlet chamber is connected to the air inlet port, and the air outlet chamber is connected to the exhaust port; the automatic conducting valve also includes a partition plate arranged between the air inlet chamber and the air outlet chamber, a circular hole is provided on the partition plate, and a gravity ball with a diameter larger than the circular hole is placed on the upper side of the circular hole.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, characterized in that: The automatic conduction valve further comprises a connecting cavity arranged between the air outlet cavity and the exhaust port, wherein a water-absorbing molecular sieve is arranged in the connecting cavity.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 5, characterized in that: The automatic conduction valve is arranged inside the door body, and the second gas pipeline includes a second air inlet pipe connected to the outside, a second air outlet pipe connected to the storage cavity, a second connecting pipe connecting the second air inlet pipe and the air inlet port, and a third connecting pipe connecting the second air outlet pipe and the exhaust port.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, characterized in that: The handle includes a shell, an air guide cavity is formed inside the shell, the second air inlet pipe is connected to the air guide cavity, and the air guide cavity has a through hole connected to the outside.

Images