Duct mask assembly, food storage equipment, and defrost control method

Abstract

The present application relates to an air duct mask assembly, a food storage device, and a defrost control method. The air duct mask assembly comprises: a mask body, the mask body being provided with a drain port and at least one air outlet, both of which penetrate the mask body in the thickness direction, a front face of the mask body being provided with a guide rib, the drain port and the guide rib being both located below the air outlet, and the drain port being located above the guide rib; and a cleaning assembly being swingably disposed on one side of the front face of the mask body, the cleaning assembly comprising a scraping brush capable of contacting the front face of the mask body. The air duct mask assembly according to the present invention can scrape off dew or frost on the mask body by swinging the scraping brush. The scraped dew or frost will fall on the guide rib, be collected by the guide rib, and be discharged into the drain port, thereby reducing the accumulation of frost on the mask body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of refrigerator defrosting, and in particular to an air duct mask assembly, a food storage device, and a defrosting control method. Background Art

[0002] During normal refrigerator operation, the freezer compartment temperature can drop to -18°C. The moment the freezer door is opened, hot air from outside easily enters the freezer compartment and adheres to the air duct visor, forming moisture. Over time, frost forms on the freezer duct visor, creating slag that is difficult to clean. In severe cases, it can block the freezer duct outlet, affecting the refrigerator's normal operation. To address this issue, most refrigerators on the market incorporate deflector ribs on the duct panel. However, these ribs themselves lack an active defrosting function, and moisture condensing on them can also cause freezing. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention provides an air duct mask assembly that can scrape dew or frost off the mask body through a swinging scraping brush member and collect it through a drainage outlet through a guide rib, thereby reducing the accumulation of frost on the mask body.

[0004] The present invention also provides a food storage device comprising the above-mentioned air duct mask assembly.

[0005] The present invention also provides a defrosting control method for controlling the above-mentioned food storage device.

[0006] According to the present invention, the air duct mask assembly includes: a mask body, a drain port and at least one air outlet are provided on the mask body, the drain port and the air outlet both penetrate the mask body in the thickness direction, a guide rib is provided on the front of the mask body, the drain port and the guide rib are both located below the air outlet, and the drain port is located above the guide rib; a cleaning assembly, the cleaning assembly is swingably arranged on the front side of the mask body, the cleaning assembly includes a scraping brush member, and the scraping brush member can contact the front of the mask body.

[0007] According to the air duct mask assembly of the present invention, the dew or frost on the mask body can be scraped off by swinging the scraping brush. The scraped dew or frost will fall on the guide ribs and be discharged to the drain outlet through the guide ribs, thereby reducing the accumulation of frost on the mask body.

[0008] According to the air duct mask assembly of the present invention, the cleaning assembly includes a rocker and a scraping brush member arranged on the rocker. The scraping brush member and the rocker are connected by a first elastic member. The scraping brush member maintains contact with the front of the mask body when swinging.

[0009] Optionally, the cleaning assembly further includes a driving portion, which is in transmission connection with the rocker to drive the rocker to swing.

[0010] Optionally, the mask body is provided with a limiting rib opposite to the guide rib, the cleaning component is arranged between the guide rib and the limiting rib, and the end of the scraping brush away from the rocker is against the guide rib or the limiting rib.

[0011] According to the air duct mask assembly of the present invention, a movable air guide is provided in the air outlet, and the air guide has an extended state and an avoidance state. In the extended state, the air guide protrudes from the front of the mask body. In the avoidance state, the end of the air guide facing the front of the mask body is at least flush with the front of the mask body.

[0012] Optionally, a support member is provided on the back of the mask body, and a second elastic member connected to the air guide member is provided on the support member. An electromagnet is also provided on the back of the mask body, and the electromagnet can adsorb the air guide member.

[0013] Optionally, the air guide is made of magnets.

[0014] Optionally, a guide groove is provided on one of the inner wall of the air outlet and the air guide member, and a guide strip is provided on the other, and the guide strip is embedded in the guide groove.

[0015] According to the air duct mask assembly of the present invention, a heating net is further provided on the front of the mask body, and the heating net is provided between the guide ribs and the air outlet.

[0016] According to the food storage device of the present invention, it includes a box body, which defines at least one chamber, the chamber is configured as a refrigerator or a freezer, the chamber is provided with at least one openable or closable door, and at least one chamber is also provided with the air duct mask assembly as described above.

[0017] According to the food storage device of the present invention, less frost is accumulated on the air duct mask assembly, which can improve the refrigeration efficiency.

[0018] Optionally, a flow channel is defined in the box body, and a water collecting pan is also provided in the box body, and the flow channel connects the drain outlet and the water collecting pan.

[0019] The defrost control method according to the present invention is used to control the above-mentioned food storage equipment, including: real-time detection of whether the door body is in an open state; after sensing that the door body is in an open state, real-time detection of whether the door body is closed; after detecting that the door body is closed, controlling the scraping brush to swing.

[0020] According to the defrost control method of the present invention, the scraping brush can be controlled to swing and scrape off dew or frost on the mask body, thereby reducing the frost layer on the mask body and improving the refrigeration efficiency of the food storage device.

[0021] Optionally, before controlling the scraping and brushing member to swing, the method further includes: controlling the electromagnet to adsorb the air guide member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0023] 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, for ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

[0024] Figure 1 is a front view of an air duct mask assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an air duct mask assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 An enlarged view of a partial structure of an air duct mask assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 A three-dimensional view of an air duct mask assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention from another angle;

[0028] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0029] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a cleaning assembly of an air duct mask assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning assembly of an air duct mask assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 8 A flowchart of a defrost control method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 9 FIG. 4 is another flowchart of a defrost control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Reference numerals:

[0034] Duct mask assembly 1, mask body 10, drain port 11, air outlet 12, guide rib 13, air guide member 14, guide strip 141, support member 15, second elastic member 16, electromagnet 17, heating net 18, limiting rib 19, cleaning assembly 20, scraping member 21, rocker 22, first elastic member 23. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, the air duct mask assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a mask body 10 and a cleaning assembly 20.

[0037] Specifically, the mask body 10 is provided with a drain outlet 11 and at least one air outlet 12. The drain outlet 11 and the air outlet 12 both penetrate the mask body 10 in the thickness direction. The front of the mask body 10 is provided with a guide rib 13. The drain outlet 11 and the guide rib 13 are both located below the air outlet 12, and the drain outlet 11 is located above the guide rib 13; the cleaning component 20 is swingably arranged on the front side of the mask body 10, and the cleaning component 20 includes a scraping brush 21, which can contact the front of the mask body 10.

[0038] To elaborate, when the mask body 10 is used in food storage equipment, the air outlet 12 is used for air flow to flow through, and the scraper 21 can scrape off the dew or frost on the mask body 10 when it swings. The guide rib 13 is used to guide and gather the dew or frost scraped off by the scraper 21, and then discharge it through the drain outlet 11.

[0039] It should be noted that the shape of the air outlet 12 can be set as needed, including but not limited to circular, square, rectangular, rectangular, elliptical, etc. The shape of the drain outlet 11 can be set as needed, including but not limited to circular, square, rectangular, rectangular, elliptical, etc.

[0040] In addition, the central axis of the guide rib 13 can be formed by at least one smooth curve or smooth straight line. In order to simplify the setting, the guide rib 13 can be set to a V-shape that opens toward the drain outlet 11. The drain outlet 11 is located on the symmetrical center line of the guide rib 13, so as to facilitate the dew or frost that finally converges to the bottom of the V-shape of the guide rib 13 and converges to the drain outlet 11.

[0041] According to the air duct mask assembly 1 of an embodiment of the present invention, the dew or frost on the mask body 10 can be scraped off by swinging the scraping brush 21. The scraped dew or frost will fall on the guide rib 13 and be discharged to the drain outlet 11 through the guide rib 13, thereby reducing the accumulation of frost on the mask body 10.

[0042] In some embodiments, a plurality of scraping blades are provided on the side of the scraping member 21 facing the mask body 10 , thereby improving the scraping effect of the scraping member 21 .

[0043] In some embodiments, a plurality of protrusions are provided on the side of the scraping member 21 facing the mask body 10 , thereby improving the scraping effect of the scraping member 21 .

[0044] like Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, a cloth layer or a silicone layer having multiple protrusions is provided on the side of the scraping member 21 facing the mask body 10, thereby improving the scraping effect of the scraping member 21 while preventing the mask body 10 from being scratched.

[0045] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, according to the air duct mask assembly 1 of an embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning assembly 20 includes a rocker 22 and a scraper 21 provided on the rocker 22. The scraper 21 and the rocker 22 are connected by a first elastic member 23. The scraper 21 maintains contact with the front of the mask body 10 when swinging.

[0046] That is to say, the scraping member 21 includes a first end and a second end, and the rocker 22 includes a third end and a fourth end. The first end is away from the rocker 22, the second end is close to the rocker 22, the third end is close to the scraping member 21, and the fourth end is away from the scraping member 21. The scraping member 21 and the rocker 22 are connected by the first elastic member 23, so that when the first end of the scraping member 21 encounters an obstacle, the distances between the first end and the second end and the fourth end respectively will change, and the first elastic member 23 will be compressed. When the obstacle disappears, the first elastic member 23 will rebound and reset, driving the first end to move in a direction away from the fourth end. The first elastic member 23 is compressed when the mask body 10 is small, and the first elastic member 23 is reset to drive the scraping member 21 to move in the direction away from the rocker 22, so that the scraping member 21 can scrape the position far away from the swing fulcrum of the rocker 22, so that the scraping member 21 can adapt to mask bodies 10 of different shapes, thereby improving the adaptability and cleaning effect.

[0047] It should be noted that the rocker 22 may be manually moved to drive the scraper 21 to clean the mask body 10, or the rocker 22 may be driven by a driving unit to swing automatically.

[0048] In addition, the first elastic member 23 may be configured as a spring.

[0049] In some embodiments, the cleaning assembly 20 further includes a driving portion, which is in transmission connection with the rocking arm 22 to drive the rocking arm 22 to swing.

[0050] The driving part provides power for the swing of the rocker 22, so that the rocker 22 can automatically swing according to a set program to achieve self-cleaning.

[0051] It should be noted that the driving part can be a cylinder or an electric motor.

[0052] In some embodiments, the mask body 10 is provided with a limiting rib 19 opposite to the guide rib 13, the cleaning assembly 20 is provided between the guide rib 13 and the limiting rib 19, and the end of the scraping member 21 away from the rocker 22 abuts against the guide rib 13 or the limiting rib 19. In other words, the swing fulcrum of the rocker 22 can be provided on the side close to the guide rib 13, so that the end of the scraping member 21 away from the rocker 22 abuts against the limiting rib 19, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 the swing fulcrum of the rocker 22 may also be provided on one side close to the limiting rib 19 , so that the end of the scraping member 21 away from the rocker 22 rests on the guide rib 13 .

[0053] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the air duct mask assembly 1 is provided with a movable air guide 14 in the air outlet 12. The air guide 14 has an extended state and a circumvented state. In the extended state, the air guide 14 protrudes from the front of the mask body 10. In the circumvented state, the end of the air guide 14 facing the front of the mask body 10 is at least flush with the front of the mask body 10. The air guide 14 guides the airflow, thereby preventing the loss of air volume. When the scraping brush 21 is not swinging, the air guide 14 protrudes from the front of the mask body 10 to guide the airflow. Before the scraping brush 21 needs to swing, the state of the air guide 14 is adjusted to the circumvented state. In this way, when the scraping brush 21 swings against the front of the mask body 10, the air guide 14 avoids the scraping brush 21, so that the scraping brush 21 is not blocked by the air guide 14 and can swing normally.

[0054] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, a support member 15 is provided on the back of the mask body 10, and a second elastic member 16 connected to the air guide member 14 is provided on the support member 15. An electromagnet 17 is also provided on the back of the mask body 10, and the electromagnet 17 can adsorb the air guide member 14. The support member 15 is used to support the second elastic member 16. When the electromagnet 17 adsorbs the air guide member 14, the air guide member 14 is in an avoidance state, and the air guide member 14 compresses the second elastic member 16. When the electromagnet 17 stops adsorbing the air guide member 14, the second elastic member 16 is reset, driving the air guide member 14 to reset, thereby driving the air guide member 14 to be in an extended state.

[0055] Among them, when the electromagnet 17 is energized, the electromagnet 17 absorbs the air guide part 14, and when the electromagnet 17 is de-energized, the electromagnet 17 stops absorbing the air guide part 14. It can also be that when the electromagnet 17 is energized with a forward current, the electromagnet 17 absorbs the air guide part 14, and when the electromagnet 17 is energized with a reverse current, the electromagnet 17 repels the air guide part 14.

[0056] It is understandable that the air guide 14 can be adsorbed, which means that the air guide 14 can be made of a magnetic adsorption material or a magnet with magnetic force.

[0057] In some embodiments, the air guide 14 is made of a magnet, which can increase the magnetic force when the electromagnet 17 and the air guide 14 are adsorbed, preventing the air guide 14 from popping out and causing jamming when the scraping member 21 swings.

[0058] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments, a guide groove is provided on the inner wall of the air outlet 12 and one of the air guide members 14, and a guide bar 141 is provided on the other. The guide bar 141 is embedded in the guide groove, so that the movement of the air guide member 14 is guided by the cooperation of the guide groove and the guide bar 141, thereby preventing the guide bar 141 from getting stuck in the guide groove when moving, thereby avoiding the air guide member 14 from getting stuck at the air outlet 12.

[0059] That is to say, in some embodiments, a guide groove is provided on the inner wall of the air outlet 12, and a guide strip 141 is provided on the air guide member 14. In other embodiments, a guide strip 141 is provided on the inner wall of the air outlet 12, and a guide groove is provided on the air guide member 14.

[0060] like Figure 1 As shown, according to the air duct mask assembly 1 of an embodiment of the present invention, a heating net 18 is further provided on the front of the mask body 10. The heating net 18 is provided between the guide rib 13 and the air outlet 12. When the heating net 18 is energized, it can heat the dew and frost swept into the bottom of the mask body 10, allowing them to flow out smoothly along the outlet, thereby preventing the accumulation of frost and blocking the drain outlet 11. It is possible that when the scraping brush 21 is about to start to swing, the electromagnet 17 attracts the air guide 14, and at the same time, the heating net 18 is energized. When the scraping brush 21 stops swinging and resets, the electromagnet 17 stops attracting the air guide 14, and at the same time, the heating net 18 is de-energized.

[0061] The food storage device according to the present invention includes a box body, which defines at least one chamber, the chamber is configured as a refrigerator or a freezer, the chamber is provided with at least one door that can be opened or closed, and at least one chamber is also provided with the air duct mask assembly 1 as described above.

[0062] Among them, when the box body defines one chamber, the chamber can be a refrigerator or a freezer; when the box body defines two chambers, both chambers can be refrigerators, or both chambers can be freezers, or one chamber can be a refrigerator and the other chamber can be a freezer; when the box body defines three chambers, all three chambers can be refrigerators, or all chambers can be freezers, or one chamber can be a refrigerator and the other two chambers can be freezers. The above is only an example and is not limited to this application. In addition, when the box body defines one chamber, an air duct mask assembly 1 is provided in the chamber; when the box body defines two chambers, one chamber can be provided with an air duct mask assembly 1, for example, one chamber can be a refrigerator and the other chamber can be a freezer, wherein the freezer can be provided with an air duct mask assembly 1 or the refrigerator can be provided with an air duct mask assembly 1; or both chambers can be provided with an air duct mask assembly 1.

[0063] It should be noted that food storage equipment can be refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerators with refrigeration and freezing functions.

[0064] According to the food storage device of the embodiment of the present invention, the air duct mask assembly 1 has less frost accumulated, which can improve the refrigeration efficiency.

[0065] In some embodiments, a flow channel is defined in the box body, and a water collecting pan is also provided in the box body, and the flow channel connects the drain port 11 and the water collecting pan.

[0066] like Figure 8 As shown, the defrost control method according to an embodiment of the present invention is used to control the above-mentioned food storage equipment, including:

[0067] S1: Real-time detection of whether the door is in the open state;

[0068] S2: After sensing that the door is open, detect whether the door is closed in real time;

[0069] S3: After detecting that the door is closed, the scraping member 21 is controlled to swing.

[0070] To elaborate, when the door is open, the humidity in the air will cause the humidity inside the box to increase rapidly. During the refrigeration process after the door is closed, the air in the box circulates in the box under the action of the fan. Since the temperature on the evaporator is very low, the moisture in the air in the box will condense into frost on the evaporator, which can easily cause the evaporator to be blocked, and the cold energy cannot circulate normally, making the food storage equipment unable to refrigerate. Therefore, after detecting that the door is in an open state, it is detected in real time whether the door is closed. After the door is closed, the scraper 21 is controlled to swing in time to scrape off the dew or frost on the mask body 10 to avoid the evaporator from being blocked, causing the loss of cold energy, and ensuring the normal operation of the food storage equipment.

[0071] According to the defrost control method of the embodiment of the present invention, the scraping brush 21 can be controlled to swing and scrape off dew or frost on the mask body 10, thereby reducing the frost layer on the mask body 10 and improving the refrigeration efficiency of the food storage device.

[0072] like Figure 9 As shown, in some embodiments, before controlling the scraping member 21 to swing, it further includes: controlling the electromagnet 17 to adsorb the air guide member 14.

[0073] According to the defrost control method of an embodiment of the present invention, before the scraper 21 needs to swing, the state of the air guide member 14 is adjusted to be in an avoidance state. In this way, when the scraper 21 swings against the front of the mask body 10, the air guide member 14 avoids the scraper 21, so that the scraper 21 will not be blocked by the air guide member 14 and can swing normally.

[0074] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on the present invention. In addition, features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0075] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed, detachable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; direct or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0076] Throughout this specification, reference to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples" means that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in conjunction with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, illustrative uses of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

Claims

1. An air duct mask assembly, characterized in that: include: A mask body, wherein the mask body is provided with a drain port and at least one air outlet, wherein the drain port and the air outlet both penetrate the mask body in the thickness direction, and a guide rib is provided on the front of the mask body, wherein the drain port and the guide rib are both located below the air outlet, and the drain port is located above the guide rib; A cleaning assembly is swingably disposed on a front side of the mask body, and includes a scraping brush member that can contact the front side of the mask body; A movable air guide is provided in the air outlet, and the air guide has an extended state and a evasive state. In the extended state, the air guide protrudes from the front of the mask body. In the evasive state, the end of the air guide facing the front of the mask body is at least flush with the front of the mask body.

2. The air duct mask assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cleaning assembly includes a rocker and a scraping brush member arranged on the rocker, the scraping brush member and the rocker are connected by a first elastic member, and the scraping brush member maintains contact with the front face of the mask body when swinging.

3. The air duct mask assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cleaning assembly further includes a driving portion, which is transmission-connected to the rocker to drive the rocker to swing.

4. The air duct mask assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The mask body is provided with a limiting rib opposite to the guide rib, the cleaning component is arranged between the guide rib and the limiting rib, and the end of the scraping brush away from the rocker is against the guide rib or the limiting rib.

5. The air duct mask assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A support member is provided on the back of the mask body, and a second elastic member connected to the air guide member is provided on the support member. An electromagnet is also provided on the back of the mask body, and the electromagnet can adsorb the air guide member.

6. The air duct mask assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The air guide is made of magnets.

7. The air duct mask assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: A guide groove is provided on one of the inner wall of the air outlet and the air guide member, and a guide strip is provided on the other one, and the guide strip is embedded in the guide groove.

8. The air duct mask assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A heating net is also provided on the front of the mask body, and the heating net is arranged between the guide rib and the air outlet.

9. A food storage device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a box body, which defines at least one chamber, wherein the chamber is configured as a refrigerator or a freezer, and the chamber is provided with at least one door that can be opened or closed, and at least one of the chambers is further provided with an air duct mask assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The food storage device according to claim 9, wherein A flow channel is defined in the box body, and a water collecting pan is also provided in the box body. The flow channel communicates with the drain port and the water collecting pan.

11. A defrosting control method for controlling the food storage device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: include: Real-time detection of whether the door is in the open state; After sensing that the door body is in an open state, detecting in real time whether the door body is closed; After detecting that the door body is closed, the scraping and wiping member is controlled to swing.

12. The defrost control method according to claim 11, characterized in that: Before the control of the scraping and wiping member to swing, the method further comprises: Control the electromagnet to attract the air guide.

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