Up and down door opening device and refrigerator

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for opening and closing doors up and down, and a refrigerator. These devices relate to the field of refrigerator technology and address the technical issue in existing refrigerators where left-opening doors can cause the door to collide with a cabinet or wall, resulting in damage and deformation. The device includes a drive structure and a connecting structure connecting a refrigerator body and a door. The connecting structure is rotationally connected to the refrigerator body and slidably connected to the door. The drive structure is connected to the door and, driven by the drive structure, enables the door to rotate relative to the refrigerator body and slide upward until it is positioned horizontally at the top of the refrigerator body. This invention enables the refrigerator door to open upward, breaking the traditional mindset of left-opening doors.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of refrigerators, and in particular to an upper and lower door opening and closing device and a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] As people's living standards improve, their demands for refrigerators are also increasing. Currently, traditional refrigerators rely primarily on manual door opening. When the doors are opened, they occupy most of the front and side areas, limiting the user's available space in front of the refrigerator and creating a poor user experience. Furthermore, opening the doors left or right can cause the doors to collide with cabinets or walls, resulting in damage and deformation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to provide a door opening and closing device and refrigerator, which solves the technical problem in existing refrigerators with left-opening doors, which can cause the door to collide with cabinets or walls, resulting in damage and deformation. The various technical effects of the preferred technical solutions provided by the present invention are detailed below.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0005] The present invention provides an upper and lower door opening and closing device, including a connecting structure connecting a box body and a box door, wherein the connecting structure is rotatably connected to the box body and slidably connected to the box door, and the box door can rotate relative to the box body and slide upward until the box door is horizontally located at the top of the box body.

[0006] Furthermore, a notch is provided on a side of the box body facing the box door, the notch is close to the top of the box body, and the connecting structure is provided at the notch.

[0007] Furthermore, a rotating shaft is provided in the notch groove, and the connecting structure passes through the rotating shaft and is rotationally connected to the rotating shaft.

[0008] Furthermore, a guide rail extending along the height direction of the box door is provided on the inner side surface, a slide groove is formed on the connecting structure, and the guide rail passes through the slide groove; or, a slide groove extending along the height direction of the box door is provided on the inner side surface, and a slider located in the box door slide groove is formed on the connecting structure.

[0009] Furthermore, the cross section of the guide rail on the box door is T-shaped.

[0010] Furthermore, the upper and lower door opening and closing device also includes a driving structure, which is connected to the box door and is used to drive the lower box body to open and close.

[0011] Furthermore, the driving structure includes a driving motor, a transmission structure and a connecting rod. The driving motor is arranged on the box body. The connecting rod is connected to the driving motor through the transmission structure. The connecting rod is hingedly connected to the box body.

[0012] Furthermore, the transmission structure is a gear transmission structure, and the output shaft of the transmission structure is connected to the connecting rod in a V-shaped structure.

[0013] Furthermore, an elastic pad for supporting the box door is provided on the top of the box body.

[0014] Furthermore, a pressure sensor is provided on the elastic pad, and the pressure sensor is connected to a controller of the upper and lower door opening and closing device.

[0015] Furthermore, a position sensor is provided on the box body, and the position sensor is connected to the controller of the upper and lower door opening and closing device. The position sensor is used to detect the position of the box door when it is in a closed state.

[0016] The present invention provides a refrigerator, comprising a box body, a box door and an upper and lower door opening and closing device, wherein the upper and lower door opening and closing device connects the box body and the box door.

[0017] The present invention can produce the following technical effects: the upper and lower door opening device provided by the present invention can be applied to a refrigerator, so that the refrigerator door can be opened upward, breaking the traditional way of thinking of opening the door left and right, and thus solving the technical problem in the prior art that when opening the door left and right, the door body may hit the cabinet or wall, thereby causing the door body to be damaged and deformed. The structure of the upper and lower door opening device is as follows: since the connecting structure of the upper and lower door opening device is rotatably connected to the cabinet, the door and the cabinet can be rotatably connected, and since the connecting structure is slidably connected to the door, the door can slide upward or downward relative to the cabinet, thereby realizing that the vertical door can be opened and moved to the top of the door. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] 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 only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0019] Figure 1 1 is a simplified structural diagram of a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of the present invention (only one refrigerator door is shown and the door is in a closed state);

[0020] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A schematic diagram of a refrigerator from above (only one refrigerator door is shown and is closed);

[0021] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 AA sectional view in FIG;

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A partial enlarged view of point B in the middle;

[0023] Figure 5 1 is a simplified structural diagram of a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of the present invention (only one refrigerator door is shown and the door is partially open);

[0024] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional view of a refrigerator;

[0025] Figure 7 1 is a simplified structural diagram of a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of the present invention (only one refrigerator door is shown and the door is in a fully open state);

[0026] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view of a refrigerator;

[0027] Figure 9 This is a structural diagram of a connecting structure connecting a box body and a door provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 10 is a structural diagram of a connection structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 11 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a box provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A partial enlarged view of point C in the middle;

[0031] Figure 13 This is a control flow chart of the driving structure provided by the present invention.

[0032] In the figure, 1-box body; 2-box door; 3-notch; 4-rotating shaft; 5-driving motor; 6-connecting rod; 7-elastic pad; 8-driving gear; 9-driven gear; 10-box door guide rail; 11-slide groove; 12-matching hole; 13-cylindrical part; 14-square cylinder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention more apparent, the technical solutions of the present invention will be described in detail below. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other implementations obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] The present invention provides an upper and lower door opening and closing device, which can be applied to a refrigerator to enable the refrigerator door to be opened upward, breaking the traditional way of thinking of opening the door to the left and right, and further, solving the technical problem in the prior art that when opening the door to the left and right, the door body may hit the cabinet or wall, thereby causing the door body to be damaged and deformed. The specific structure of the upper and lower door opening and closing device is as follows: it includes a connecting structure connecting the box body 1 and the box door 2, wherein the connecting structure is rotatably connected to the box body 1 and slidably connected to the box door 2, and the box door 2 can rotate relative to the box body 1 and slide upward until the box door 2 is horizontally located at the top of the box body 1. Since the connecting structure is rotatably connected to the box body 1, the box door 2 can be rotatably connected to the box body 1, and since the connecting structure is slidably connected to the box door 2, the box door 2 can slide upward or downward relative to the box body 1, thereby enabling the vertical box door 2 to move and open to the top of the box door 2.

[0035] Regarding the position of the connection structure on the box body 1, a notch 3 is provided on the side of the box body 1 facing the door 2. The notch 3 is close to the top of the box body 1, and the connection structure is provided in the notch 3. Figure 2 and Figure 4 as well as Figure 6 , indicating the notch groove 3. That is, the top of the door 2 is connected to the box body 1 through a connecting structure.

[0036] Figure 2 In the figure, it is shown that one door 2 corresponds to one connection structure. Of course, one door 2 can also correspond to more than two connection structures, which is conducive to the stable connection between the door 2 and the box body 1.

[0037] For the rotation connection between the box 1 and the connecting structure, see Figure 4 A rotating shaft 4 is provided in the notch groove 3, and the connecting structure passes through the rotating shaft 4 and is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft 4. Figure 10 , schematically shows the matching hole 12 on the connecting structure that matches the rotating shaft 4. Regarding the matching hole 12, Figure 10 In FIG. 1 , the connection structure includes two cylindrical parts 13, and both cylindrical parts 13 are provided with notches, and both cylindrical parts 13 are provided with matching holes 12 that match the rotating shaft 4. Of course, the number of cylindrical parts 13 is not limited to Figure 10 The two shown in FIG, and the notch may not be provided on the cylindrical portion.

[0038] Regarding the sliding connection between the connecting structure and the door 2, a guide rail extending in the height direction is provided on the inner side surface of the door 2, a slide groove is formed on the connecting structure, and the guide rail passes through the slide groove; or a slide groove extending in the height direction is provided on the inner side surface of the door 2, and a slider located in the slide groove of the door 2 is formed on the connecting structure. Figure 9 and Figure 10 , schematically shows that a door guide rail 10 extending in the height direction is provided on the inner side surface of the door 2, and a slide groove 11 is formed on the connecting structure, which adopts a guide rail and slide groove structure with a simple structure.

[0039] When a guide rail is provided on the door 2, the cross section of the guide rail on the door 2 is preferably T-shaped. Figure 9 , schematically shows a T-shaped door guide rail 10, with the connecting structure wrapped around the door guide rail 10. The shape of the door guide rail 10 is not limited to a T-shape, and can be, for example, L-shaped, as long as the connecting structure is constrained on the door guide rail 10 and can move along the length of the door guide rail 10.

[0040] See also Figure 10 When the door guide rail 10 is T-shaped, the specific shape of the connection structure can be as follows: the connection structure includes a square tube 14, and one side surface of the square tube 14 is provided with a notch that runs through the square tube and connects the inside and outside.

[0041] Preferably, the upper and lower door opening and closing device further includes a drive structure connected to the box door 2, and the drive structure is used to drive the opening and closing of the lower box body 1. By setting the drive structure, the box door can be automatically opened and closed, and automatic control can be achieved, which is convenient for users.

[0042] Regarding the driving structure, the structure is preferably as follows: the driving structure includes a driving motor 5, a transmission structure and a connecting rod 6. The driving motor 5 is arranged on the box body 1. The connecting rod 6 is connected to the driving motor 5 through the transmission structure. The connecting rod 6 is hingedly connected to the box body 1. Figure 3 , schematically illustrating the drive motor 5 and connecting rod 6. The drive motor 5 is mounted on the side wall of the enclosure 1. The hinged connection between the connecting rod 6 and the door 2 is preferably located near the bottom of the door 2. The specific connection structure between the connecting rod and the door 2 can be adapted from existing technologies and will not be elaborated upon here. When the drive motor 5 is activated, the connecting rod 6 rotates via the transmission structure, thereby opening and closing the door 2.

[0043] The transmission structure is specifically as follows: the transmission structure is a gear transmission structure, and the output shaft of the transmission structure is connected to the connecting rod 6 in a V-shaped structure. Figure 3The transmission structure includes a driving gear 8 and a driven gear 9. The driving gear 8 is a small gear connected to the drive motor 5. The operation of the drive motor 5 can drive the driving gear 8 to rotate. The driven gear 9 is a large gear that meshes with the driving gear 8. The rotation of the driving gear 8 drives the driven gear 9 to rotate. The driving gear 8 and the driven gear 9 act as a reducer. The output shaft of the driven gear 9 is connected to the connecting rod 6. The rotation of the driven gear 9 drives the connecting rod 6 to rotate, and then drives the door 2 to move.

[0044] Preferably, an elastic pad 7 is provided on the top of the box body 1 for supporting the door 2. Figure 1 , schematically shows the elastic pad 7, by setting the elastic pad 7, a buffering effect can be achieved. For the position of the elastic pad 7, see Figure 1 , indicating that the elastic pad 7 is arranged on the top side of the box body 1 near the back, about the number of elastic pads 7, Figure 1 Two are shown in FIG. 1 , but of course, the number of elastic pads 7 is not limited to two.

[0045] In addition, a pressure sensor is provided on the elastic pad 7, which is connected to the controller of the upper and lower door opening and closing device. When the door 2 needs to be opened, the drive motor 5 is started, and the drive motor 5 drives the door 2 upward under the action of the transmission structure and the connecting rod 6. When the door 2 reaches the top of the box body 1 and presses against the elastic pad 7, the pressure sensor detects a signal and transmits it to the controller. The controller controls the drive motor 5 to stop according to the pressure signal.

[0046] A position sensor is installed on the cabinet 1 and is connected to the controller of the upper and lower door opening and closing device. The position sensor is used to detect the position of the cabinet door 2 when it is in the closed state. When the cabinet door 2 needs to be closed, the drive motor 5 is started, and the drive motor 5 drives the cabinet door 2 downward under the action of the transmission structure and the connecting rod 6. When the cabinet door 2 moves to the position that closes the cabinet 1, the position sensor detects a signal and transmits it to the controller. The controller controls the drive motor 5 to stop according to the position signal.

[0047] The working process of the upper and lower door opening and closing device is as follows. Figure 13(002 in the figure represents the door closing command, 001 represents the door opening command, N represents no, and Y represents yes): When the user issues a door opening or closing command (this command can be a door opening button or a door closing button), the system will transmit the door opening and closing command to the drive motor 5, and the drive motor 5 will transmit the power to the gear connecting rod mechanism (transmission structure and connecting rod 6), so that it drives the box door 2 to rotate and realize the flipping movement, thereby achieving the effect of automatically opening and closing the door up and down. Specifically, if the door opening command is issued, the driving motor 5 rotates forward, and the driving motor 5 drives the driving gear 8 to rotate. The driving gear 8 is engaged with the driven gear 9 to transmit power to the driven gear. The driven gear is fixedly connected to the connecting rod 6, thereby transmitting power to the connecting rod 6. The connecting rod 6 is hingedly connected to the box door 2. A box door guide rail 10 is provided on the box door 2. The box door guide rail 10 cooperates with the connecting structure so that the box door guide rail 10 can move in the slide groove of the connecting structure. During the movement, the box door 2 rotates counterclockwise through the connecting rod 6 and moves upward in the slide groove, so that the box door 2 is changed from a vertical closed state to a horizontal state. In the open state, when the box door 2 touches the rubber pad (elastic pad 7) on the top of the box body 1, the drive motor 5 is powered off and the automatic door opening movement is completed. Similarly, if the door closing command is issued, the drive motor 5 is reversed, and the drive motor 5 drives the driving gear 8 to rotate. The driving gear 8 is engaged with the driven gear 9 to transmit power to the driven gear 9, and the driven gear 9 transmits power to the connecting rod 6. The box door 2 rotates clockwise through the connecting rod 6 and moves downward in the slide groove to change the box door 2 from a horizontally open state to a vertically closed state. When the door body is in contact with the box body, the motor is powered off. At this time, the automatic door closing movement is completed.

[0048] See also Figure 1 and Figure 3 , indicating that the door 2 is in the closed state; see Figure 5 and Figure 6 , indicating that the door 2 is in a partially open state; see Figure 7 and Figure 8 , indicating that the door 2 is horizontal to the top of the box body 1 and the door 2 is in a fully open state.

[0049] A refrigerator comprises a housing 1, a door 2 and an upper and lower door opening and closing device, wherein the upper and lower door opening and closing device connects the housing 1 and the door 2. The door 2 is a refrigeration door of the refrigerator, and one or two refrigeration doors can be provided. Figure 1 In the figure, a refrigerator with two refrigerator doors is shown. Figure 1 Only one door 2 is shown. The door 2 is connected to the housing 1 through an upper and lower door opening device, so that the refrigerator door 2 can be opened upward. The upper and lower door opening device has been specifically described above and will not be described in detail here.

[0050] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any modifications or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A door opening and closing device, characterized in that: It comprises a connection structure connecting a box body (1) and a box door (2), wherein: The connecting structure is rotatably connected to the box body (1) and slidably connected to the box door (2), and the box door (2) can rotate relative to the box body (1) and slide upward until the box door (2) is laterally located at the top of the box body (1); A guide rail extending in the height direction of the box door (2) is provided on the inner side surface thereof, a slide groove is formed on the connecting structure, and the guide rail passes through the slide groove; or a slide groove extending in the height direction of the box door (2) is provided on the inner side surface thereof, and a slider located in the slide groove of the box door (2) is formed on the connecting structure.

2. The door opening and closing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A notch groove (3) is provided on one side of the box body (1) facing the box door (2), the notch groove (3) is close to the top of the box body (1), and the connection structure is provided at the notch groove (3).

3. The door opening and closing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A rotating shaft (4) is provided in the notch groove (3), and the connecting structure passes through the rotating shaft (4) and is rotationally connected to the rotating shaft (4).

4. The door opening and closing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide rail on the box door (2) has a T-shaped cross section.

5. The door opening and closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The upper and lower door opening and closing device further comprises a driving structure, wherein the driving structure is connected to the box door (2), and the driving structure is used to drive the lower box body (1) to open and close.

6. The door opening and closing device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The driving structure comprises a driving motor (5), a transmission structure, and a connecting rod (6); the driving motor (5) is arranged on the box (1); the connecting rod (6) is connected to the driving motor (5) via the transmission structure; and the connecting rod (6) is hingedly connected to the box (1).

7. The door opening and closing device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The transmission structure is a gear transmission structure, and the output shaft of the transmission structure is connected to the connecting rod (6) in a V-shaped structure.

8. The door opening and closing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An elastic pad (7) for supporting the box door (2) is provided on the top of the box body (1).

9. The door opening and closing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: A pressure sensor is provided on the elastic pad (7), and the pressure sensor is connected to a controller of the upper and lower door opening and closing device.

10. The door opening and closing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A position sensor is provided on the box body (1), the position sensor is connected to the controller of the upper and lower door opening and closing device, and the position sensor is used to detect the position of the box door (2) when it is in a closed state.

11. A refrigerator comprising the upper and lower door opening and closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: It comprises a box body (1) and a box door (2), wherein the upper and lower door opening and closing devices connect the box body (1) and the box door (2).

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