Refrigerator

Abstract

The application discloses a refrigerator, and relates to a refrigerator provided with a passive pressure relief mechanism on one side wall of a cabinet body, wherein the passive pressure relief mechanism comprises a trigger unit, a driving block, a gear and a top block. According to the setting structure of the passive pressure relief mechanism, in the application scene where the specific refrigerator needs pressure relief, the user can drive the top block to lift the sealing strip through the trigger action of the trigger unit, so that the air gap is formed between the door body and the cabinet body, and the air pressure balance adjustment between the inside and outside of the refrigerator is realized. Correspondingly, when the top block retreats to the initial position, the sealing strip and the matching surface form a seal, the air between the inside and outside of the refrigerator is no longer circulated, and the problem of energy consumption increase caused by the active pressure relief mode in the prior art can be effectively avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of freezer design, and more particularly to a freezer. 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 some solutions for pressure relief to balance the pressure inside and outside the freezer, but in pursuit of so-called automation, the pressure balancing structures in these technologies generally adopt an active pressure relief method. That is, the pressure balancing structure automatically activates when the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the freezer reaches a set critical value, thereby achieving pressure balance regulation. These solutions have the following problems: during use, the freezer may automatically depressurize when no pressure relief is needed, leading to cold leakage and increased energy consumption; outside 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 large 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 freezer, the specific design of which is as follows.

[0006] A refrigerator includes a cabinet body, a door body, and a sealing strip fixed to the door body. The cabinet body has a mating surface that seals with the sealing strip when the door body is closed. The refrigerator also has a passive pressure relief mechanism installed on a side wall of the cabinet body. The passive pressure relief mechanism includes: a triggering unit; a driving block that is triggered by the triggering unit and moves along the thickness direction of the side wall after triggering, and has a first rack portion; a gear that rotates about a pivot and meshes with the first rack portion; and a top block that is movable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the mating surface, has a second rack portion, and meshes with the gear through the second rack portion. When the triggering unit triggers the driving block to move, the gear rotates and causes the top block to at least partially protrude beyond the mating surface to lift the sealing strip and create an air-permeable gap between the sealing strip and the mating surface.

[0007] Furthermore, the triggering unit is a mechanical button fixedly connected to the drive block.

[0008] Furthermore, the triggering unit includes an electronic switch and a motor or cylinder controlled by the electronic switch, and the drive block is connected to the power output terminal of the motor or cylinder.

[0009] Furthermore, the top block has a base disposed on the mating surface opposite to the door body, and the passive pressure relief mechanism also has an elastic element that drives the base away from the door body.

[0010] Furthermore, the passive pressure relief mechanism also has a first limiting part for limiting the extreme position of the drive block in the direction of the cabinet interior and a second limiting part for limiting the extreme position of the top block in the direction away from the door.

[0011] Furthermore, the top block has a top head for supporting the sealing strip and a top rod for fixing the top head, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the top head is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the top rod.

[0012] Furthermore, the top head is made of a flexible material.

[0013] Furthermore, when the top block pushes up the sealing strip, the portion protruding beyond the mating surface is provided with a through hole, and the extension direction of the through hole is consistent with the thickness direction of the side wall.

[0014] Furthermore, the passive pressure relief mechanism also has a guide mechanism that limits the direction of movement of the top block to be perpendicular to the plane on which the door surface is located when the top block moves.

[0015] Furthermore, the passive pressure relief mechanism has a receiving box fixed to the side wall, the receiving box forming a receiving cavity for receiving the drive block, the gear and the top block; the guiding mechanism includes a guide groove extending in the same direction as the lifting direction of the top block and a guide protrusion engaging with the guide groove, one of the guide groove and the guide protrusion being disposed on the top block and the other being disposed on the inner wall of the receiving box.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: The freezer involved in this invention adopts a passive depressurization method. In specific application scenarios where the freezer needs depressurization, based on gear transmission, the user can drive the top block to lift the sealing strip by triggering the triggering action of the triggering unit, forming an air gap between the sealing strip and the mating surface, thereby achieving air pressure balance regulation inside and outside the freezer; correspondingly, when the top block does not protrude beyond the mating surface, a seal is formed between the sealing strip and the mating surface, and air no longer flows between the inside and outside of the freezer, which can effectively avoid the problem of increased energy consumption caused by the active depressurization method in the prior art. Attached Figure Description

[0017] 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.

[0018] Figure 1 The diagram shown is an overall structural schematic of the freezer of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 As shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the first angle from which the cabinet body and door body are separated;

[0020] Figure 3 As shown Figure 2 Enlarged diagram of part a;

[0021] Figure 4 As shown Figure 1 A second-angle schematic diagram showing the separation of the central cabinet and the door;

[0022] Figure 5 As shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cross-section of the structure shown after being cut along the AA' direction;

[0023] Figure 6 As shown Figure 5 Enlarged schematic diagram of part b in the middle;

[0024] Figure 7 As shown Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the top block lifting the sealing strip;

[0025] Figure 8 The diagram shown is a three-dimensional schematic of one implementation structure of a passive pressure relief mechanism;

[0026] Figure 9 As shown Figure 8 The diagram shows the first disassembled state of the passive pressure relief mechanism.

[0027] Figure 10 As shown Figure 8 The diagram shows the second type of disassembly of the passive pressure relief mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0028] 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.

[0029] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, the freezer involved in this invention includes a cabinet body 100, a door body 200, and a sealing strip 300 fixed to the door body 200. Further combined with... Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, the cabinet 100 has a mating surface 10 that seals with the sealing strip 300 when the door 200 is closed. Specifically, in this embodiment, it is easy to understand that the cabinet 100 has a bottom wall and a side wall extending upward from the periphery of the bottom wall. An end shell (not shown in the figure) is provided at the end of the side wall away from the bottom wall (i.e., the end located at the door 200). The side surface of this end facing the door 200 constitutes the mating surface 10.

[0030] The freezer involved in this invention also has a passive pressure relief mechanism installed on one side wall of the cabinet body 100. Specifically, the passive pressure relief mechanism includes: a triggering unit 43; a driving block 430, which is triggered by the triggering unit 43 and moves along the thickness direction of the side wall after triggering, and has a first rack portion 4300; a gear 42, which rotates about a rotating shaft 420 and meshes with the first rack portion 4300; and a top block 41, which is movable in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the mating surface 10 is located, has a second rack portion 410 and meshes with the gear 42 through the second rack portion 410; wherein, when the triggering unit 43 triggers the driving block 430 to move, the gear 42 rotates and drives the top block 41 to at least partially protrude beyond the mating surface 10, so as to lift the seal 300 and form an air-permeable gap between the sealing strip 300 and the mating surface 10.

[0031] Specifically, refer to Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, based on the passive pressure relief mechanism provided by this invention, the movement of the drive block 430 in the side wall thickness direction can be converted into the movement of the top block 41 towards the door 200, thereby realizing the pressure relief action of the freezer. The freezer involved in this invention adopts a passive pressure relief method. In specific application scenarios where the freezer needs pressure relief, based on the transmission of the gear 42, the user can drive the top block 41 to lift the sealing strip 300 by triggering the triggering action of the triggering unit 43, forming an air gap between the sealing strip 300 and the mating surface 10 (i.e., forming an air gap between the door 200 and the cabinet 100), thereby realizing the air pressure balance adjustment inside and outside the freezer; correspondingly, when the top block 41 does not exceed the mating surface, a seal is formed between the sealing strip 300 and the mating surface 10, and the air between the inside and outside of the freezer no longer flows, which can effectively avoid the energy consumption increase problem caused by the active pressure relief method in the prior art.

[0032] In other words, in the freezer structure involved in this invention, when the user needs to open the door 200, the pressure relief action can be achieved by triggering the triggering unit 43 of the passive pressure relief mechanism. The operation is simple and reliable, avoiding the problem that the door 200 needs a lot of force to open. Moreover, the pressure relief action is completely controlled by the user, avoiding the problem of cold leakage when the door is not actively depressurized in the prior art.

[0033] Specifically, in some embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to... Figures 6-10 As shown, the trigger unit 43 is a mechanical button fixedly connected to the drive block 430. When the operator presses the trigger unit 43, it will cause the trigger unit 43 to move, thereby causing the drive block 430 to move synchronously.

[0034] It is understood that in some other embodiments of the present invention not shown, the triggering unit 43 may also include an electronic switch and a motor or cylinder controlled by the electronic switch, and the drive block 430 is connected to the power output terminal of the motor or cylinder.

[0035] refer to Figures 6-10 As shown in the illustration, in this embodiment, the top block 41 has a base 411 disposed on the mating surface 10 away from the door body. The passive pressure relief mechanism also has an elastic element 44 that drives the base 411 away from the door body 200. In this embodiment, the passive pressure relief mechanism has a receiving box 46 fixed to the side wall of the cabinet 100. The receiving cavity 46 forms a receiving cavity for receiving the drive block 430, the gear 42, and the top block 41. The elastic element 44 is a spring that is compressed between the base 411 and the top wall of the receiving box 46. Based on the setting of the elastic element 44, when the user does not release the trigger unit 43, the elastic element 44 can drive the top block 41 back to the initial position.

[0036] Based on the above-mentioned features of this invention, it can be understood that when a user needs to open the door 200, the refrigerator can first be depressurized through the passive pressure relief mechanism, thereby facilitating the opening of the door 200. Combined with... Figure 6 , Figure 7As shown, the specific pressure relief process of the freezer is as follows: When pressure relief is needed, the user triggers the trigger unit 43, causing the drive block 430 to move. The gear 42 rotates under the action of the first rack portion 4300, causing the top block 41 to move towards the door 200 under the cooperation of the second gear portion 410 and the gear 42. A portion of the top block 41 protrudes beyond the mating surface 10, creating a ventilation gap between the sealing strip 300 and the mating surface 100. After pressure relief is completed, the user releases the trigger unit 43, and the elastic element 44 drives the top block 41 to move away from the door 200. The gear 42 rotates in the opposite direction under the action of the second rack portion 410, causing the drive block 430 to return to its initial position under the cooperation of the first rack portion 4300 and the gear 42. During this process, the top block 41 retracts under the action of the elastic element 44 until it does not extend beyond the mating surface 10. It should be understood that the initial position of the drive block 430 refers to the position of the drive block 430 when the user has not triggered the trigger unit 43.

[0037] In some embodiments of the present invention, the passive pressure relief mechanism further includes a first limiting portion 451 for limiting the maximum position of movement of the drive block 430 toward the interior of the cabinet 100, and a second limiting portion 452 for limiting the maximum position of movement of the top block 41 toward the side away from the door 200. In the illustrated embodiment, both the first limiting portion 451 and the second limiting portion 452 are formed on the inner wall of the receiving box 46. Based on the provision of the first limiting portion 451 and the second limiting portion 452, the maximum depth of movement of the drive block 430 toward the interior of the cabinet 100 and the maximum position of retraction of the top block 41 can be limited.

[0038] In this invention, the top block 41 has a top head 413 for lifting the sealing strip 300 and a top rod 412 for fixing the top head 413. Specifically, the top rod 412 is connected between the top head 413 and the base 411. More preferably, the cross-sectional area of ​​the top head 413 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the top rod 412. In this invention, because the cross-sectional area of ​​the top head 413 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the top rod 412, when the top block 41 lifts the sealing strip 300, a sufficiently large air gap is formed between the sealing strip 300 and the mating surface 10, thereby reducing the pressure relief time.

[0039] More preferably, the top head 413 is made of a flexible material. This reduces the damage to the sealing strip 300 caused by the top head 413 when the top block 41 is lifted.

[0040] In some other embodiments of the present invention (not shown), the portion of the top head 413 protruding beyond the mating surface 10 is provided with a through hole, the extension direction of which is consistent with the thickness direction of the side wall for which the passive pressure relief mechanism is installed. In practical implementation, when the top block 41 pushes up the sealing strip 300, it itself obstructs the air permeability of the air gap. The through hole in this embodiment eliminates this obstruction, ensuring the air permeability of the air gap.

[0041] More preferably, the passive pressure relief mechanism of the present invention also has a guide mechanism that limits the moving direction of the top block 41 to be perpendicular to the plane on which the surface of the door body 200 is located when the top block 41 moves.

[0042] Specifically, refer to Figure 9 , Figure 10 As shown, the guiding mechanism includes a guide groove 461 extending in the same direction as the lifting direction of the top block 41, and a guide protrusion 414 that engages with the guide groove 461. The guide protrusion 414 is disposed on the top block 41, and the guide groove 461 is disposed on the inner wall of the receiving box 46. In other embodiments of the invention, the positions of the guide protrusion 414 and the guide groove 461 can be interchanged; that is, the guide protrusion 414 is disposed on the inner wall of the receiving box 46, while the guide groove 461 is disposed on the top block 41.

[0043] It is understood that the interior of the freezer cabinet 200 in this invention needs to be filled with foam material. In this embodiment, the receiving box 46 provides an independent space to prevent the foam material from entering, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the passive pressure relief mechanism. Typically, refer to... Figure 8 , Figure 9 As shown, one side of the housing 46 has an opening for assembling various components, and the passive pressure relief mechanism also has a cover plate (not shown in the figure) to close the opening.

[0044] In this invention, the freezer door 200 is rotatably connected to the cabinet body 100, specifically via a hinge. As a preferred embodiment of this invention, see reference... Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the passive pressure relief mechanism is fixed to the side of the cabinet 100 away from the hinge. When users take items out of the freezer, they usually stand on the side of the cabinet 100 away from the hinge. Based on the arrangement of this embodiment, it is convenient for users to operate.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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 refrigerator, comprising a cabinet body, a door body, and a sealing strip fixed to the door body, wherein the cabinet body has a mating surface that seals with the sealing strip when the door body is closed; characterized in that, The freezer also has a passive pressure relief mechanism installed on one side wall of the freezer body, the passive pressure relief mechanism comprising: Trigger unit; The driving block, triggered by the triggering unit and moving along the thickness direction of the sidewall after triggering, has a first rack portion; A gear rotates about a pivot and meshes with the first rack portion; The top block is movable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the mating surface, and has a second rack portion that meshes with the gear. The top block has a base disposed on the side of the mating surface away from the door body. The passive pressure relief mechanism also has an elastic element that drives the base away from the door body. When the trigger unit is not released, the elastic element can drive the top block back to the initial position. When the trigger unit is released, the elastic element drives the top block to move away from the door body. The gear rotates in the opposite direction under the action of the second rack portion, and the drive block returns to the initial position under the cooperation of the first rack portion and the gear. When the triggering unit triggers the drive block to move, the gear rotates to cause the top block to at least partially protrude beyond the mating surface to lift the sealing strip and create an air-permeable gap between the sealing strip and the mating surface.

2. The freezer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The triggering unit is a mechanical button that is fixedly connected to the drive block.

3. The freezer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The triggering unit includes an electronic switch and a motor or cylinder controlled by the electronic switch, and the drive block is connected to the power output terminal of the motor or cylinder.

4. The freezer according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The passive pressure relief mechanism also has a first limiting part for limiting the extreme position of the drive block in the direction of the cabinet interior and a second limiting part for limiting the extreme position of the top block in the direction away from the door.

5. The freezer according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The top block has a top head for supporting the sealing strip and a top rod for fixing the top head, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the top head is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the top rod.

6. The freezer according to claim 5, characterized in that, The top head is made of a flexible material.

7. The freezer according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, When the top block pushes up the sealing strip, the portion protruding beyond the mating surface has a through hole, and the extension direction of the through hole is consistent with the thickness direction of the side wall.

8. The freezer according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The passive pressure relief mechanism also has a guide mechanism that limits the direction of movement of the top block to be perpendicular to the plane on which the door surface is located when the top block moves.

9. The freezer according to claim 8, characterized in that, The passive pressure relief mechanism has a receiving box fixed to the side wall, the receiving box forming a receiving cavity for receiving the drive block, the gear and the top block; the guiding mechanism includes a guide groove extending in the same direction as the lifting direction of the top block and a guide protrusion cooperating with the guide groove, one of the guide groove and the guide protrusion being disposed on the top block and the other being disposed on the inner wall of the receiving box.

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