A door opening assisting device and a refrigerator

Abstract

The application discloses a door opening assisting device and a refrigerator, and relates to the technical field of the refrigerator. Specifically, the device comprises a detection unit arranged on a door body and used for detecting a user's holding position; and an assisting component which can be paused or abutted on the door body to reduce the opening resistance according to the detection result of the detection unit. The assisting component comprises a top block which can abut on the door body; a driving member which drives the top block to move out or pause according to the detection result of the detection unit; and a reset member which is used for driving the top block to move away from the door body when the driving member pauses. The application aims to remove the stroke limitation of the door body assisting device and improve the user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of refrigerator technology, and in particular to a door opening assist device and a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] As people's living standards improve, small-capacity refrigerators are gradually failing to meet their daily needs, and users tend to choose larger-capacity refrigerators when making their selections.

[0003] Large-capacity refrigerators often have larger doors. Due to the negative pressure inside the refrigerator, the increased door size leads to greater resistance when opening the door, affecting the user experience. To facilitate opening the refrigerator door, mechanical assistance devices are usually installed to help users open the door. However, existing mechanical assistance devices require the user to provide a certain amount of travel to the door handle to achieve the desired effect, which is not conducive to opening the refrigerator door and reduces the user experience.

[0004] Therefore, how to remove the travel limitations of the door assist device and improve the user experience has become an urgent technical problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide a door opening assist device and a refrigerator, which aims to remove the travel limitations of the door assist device and improve the user experience.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a door opening assistance device, comprising:

[0007] The detection unit, located on the door, is used to detect the user's gripping position; and

[0008] The assist component can pause operation or abut against the door body to reduce opening resistance based on the detection results of the detection unit.

[0009] The assist component includes:

[0010] The top block can be abutted against the door body;

[0011] The driving component, based on the detection result of the detection unit, pushes the top block out or pauses its movement; and

[0012] A reset component is used to drive the top block away from the door body when the drive component stops moving.

[0013] In one embodiment of this application, the assistive component further includes:

[0014] Support plate;

[0015] Support block, disposed on the support plate; and

[0016] A lever is connected to one end of the support block away from the support plate and can rotate around the support block;

[0017] The top block is connected to the lever, and the axis of the top block is not parallel to the axis of the lever, with the apex of the top block facing or away from the support plate; the reset element is a reset spring, one end of which is connected to the end of the lever away from the top block, and the other end of which is connected to the support plate; the driving element is disposed opposite to the reset spring and is used to drive the end of the lever away from the top block away from the support plate.

[0018] In one embodiment of this application, the driving element is an electromagnetic coil capable of generating magnetic attraction.

[0019] In one embodiment of this application, the top block is made of rubber material.

[0020] In one embodiment of this application, the lever is provided with a first groove, and the support block is disposed in the groove and can slide along the length direction of the first groove to adjust the support position of the lever.

[0021] In one embodiment of this application, the support plate is provided with a second slide groove that is opposite to the first slide groove, and the support block extends out of the second slide groove.

[0022] This application also discloses a refrigerator, including the door opening assist device as described in any of the above claims.

[0023] The above technical solution uses a detection unit installed on the door to detect the user's gripping point. When the user's gripping point meets preset conditions, it is determined that the user is attempting to open the door. At this time, the assist component abuts against the door based on the detection unit's result, reducing the resistance to opening the door. When the user's gripping point does not meet the preset conditions, it is determined that the user is not attempting to open the door. In this case, the assist component does not operate based on the detection unit's result, reducing energy consumption. The structure is simple and easy to implement, and it also eliminates the travel limitations of existing door assist devices, improving the user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention applied to a refrigerator;

[0027] 100. Door opening assist device; 10. Top block; 20. Lever; 30. First slide groove; 40. Support block; 50. Driving component; 60. Reset component; 70. Support plate; 80. Second slide groove. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the following specific embodiments are only used to explain the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof.

[0029] like Figures 1 to 2 As shown, in order to achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a door opening assist device 100, comprising:

[0030] The detection unit, located on the door, is used to detect the user's gripping position; and

[0031] The assist component can pause operation or abut against the door body to reduce opening resistance based on the detection results of the detection unit.

[0032] Specifically, a door opening assist device 100 includes a detection unit (not shown in the figure) and an assist component.

[0033] The detection unit can be a commonly used infrared sensor, touch sensor, or similar device. It is installed on the door to detect the user's gripping position. For example, when the detection unit is an infrared sensor, it is installed on the refrigerator door to detect the position of the user's hand in real time. When the detection unit is a touch sensor, it determines the current position of the user's hand when the user's hand touches the sensor.

[0034] The detection unit and the door can be connected in a fixed manner, such as through integral molding or welding. This fixed connection increases the connection strength and improves the stability of the detection unit during operation. Alternatively, depending on design requirements, the detection unit can be detached from the door. This detachable connection facilitates the installation and removal of the detection unit, making future maintenance easier.

[0035] The door-assisting component can either pause operation and not contact the door body based on the detection results from the detection unit, or operate and contact the door body to reduce opening resistance. The door-assisting component is installed on the housing body corresponding to the door body.

[0036] The above technical solution uses a detection unit installed on the door to detect the user's gripping point. When the user's gripping point meets preset conditions, it is determined that the user is attempting to open the door. At this time, the assist component abuts against the door based on the detection unit's result, reducing the resistance to opening the door. When the user's gripping point does not meet the preset conditions, it is determined that the user is not attempting to open the door. In this case, the assist component does not operate based on the detection unit's result, reducing energy consumption. The structure is simple and easy to implement, and it also eliminates the travel limitations of existing door assist devices, improving the user experience.

[0037] In one embodiment of this application, the assistive component includes:

[0038] Top block 10 can be abutted against the door body;

[0039] The driving component 50, based on the detection result of the detection unit, pushes the top block 10 out or pauses its movement; and

[0040] The reset component 60 is used to drive the top block 10 away from the door body when the drive component 50 stops moving.

[0041] Specifically, the assist components include top block 10, drive component 50, and reset component 60.

[0042] The top block 10 is made of existing plastic material. The elastic potential energy of the plastic top block 10 is used to compress the door body. The part of it in contact with the door body is more easily deformed, thus protecting the door body from damage.

[0043] The drive unit 50 can be a telescopic motor, electromagnetic coil, or other commonly used technology. When a telescopic motor is used, the telescopic shaft of the motor is connected to the top block 10, directly driving the top block 10 to abut against the door body.

[0044] When the driving component 50 uses an electromagnetic coil, it can be equipped with a magnet on the top block 10 that has the same magnetism generated by the electromagnetic coil, pushing the top block 10 out to push the door. It is conceivable that when the driving component 50 is an electromagnetic coil, a reset component 60 is needed to reset the top block 10, thereby enabling the component to operate cyclically.

[0045] The reset element 60 can be a reset spring commonly used in the prior art.

[0046] The above technical solution achieves the pushing of the door body through the cooperation of the top block 10, the driving component 50, and the reset component 60. The structure is simple and easy to implement.

[0047] In one embodiment of this application, the assistive component further includes:

[0048] Support plate 70;

[0049] Support block 40, disposed on support plate 70; and

[0050] Lever 20 is connected to one end of the support block 40 away from the support plate 70 and can rotate around the support block 40;

[0051] The top block 10 is connected to the lever 20. The axis of the top block 10 is not parallel to the axis of the lever 20, and the apex of the top block 10 faces or moves away from the support plate 70. The reset member 60 is a reset spring. One end of the reset spring is connected to the end of the lever 20 away from the top block 10, and the other end of the reset spring is connected to the support plate 70. The driving member 50 is disposed opposite to the reset spring and is used to drive the end of the lever 20 away from the top block 10 away from the support plate 70.

[0052] Specifically, the resistance components also include: support plate 70, support block 40, and lever 20.

[0053] The support plate 70 is made of metal materials, such as aluminum alloy or alloy steel. Support plates made of metal materials have advantages such as strong support capacity and wear resistance. Of course, depending on design requirements, the plate can also be made of plastic materials. Support plates made of plastic materials have advantages such as low cost, ease of manufacture, and light weight.

[0054] The materials used for the support block 40 and lever 20 are the same as those used for the support plate 70, and they have the same advantages, which will not be elaborated here.

[0055] The support block 40 is movably connected to the support plate 70, and the lever 20 is connected to the end of the support block 40 away from the support plate 70. The lever 20 can rotate around the support block 40, thereby realizing the unilateral rise or fall of the lever 20.

[0056] The top block 10 is connected to the lever 20, and the connection between the top block 10 and the lever 20 is fixed, such as by welding or integral molding. This fixed connection improves the connection strength between the top block 10 and the lever 20, enhancing the stability of the top block 10 during operation. Alternatively, depending on design requirements, the top block 10 and the lever 20 can be connected in a detachable manner, such as by screws or bolts. This detachable connection facilitates the installation and removal of the top block 10, making future maintenance easier.

[0057] The axis of the top block 10 is not parallel to the axis of the lever 20. At the same time, the apex of the top block 10 faces or moves away from the support plate 70, so as to ensure that the top block 10 can follow the movement of the lever 20 and thus the top block 10 can abut against the door.

[0058] The reset element 60 is a reset spring. One end of the reset spring is connected to the end of the lever 20 away from the top block 10, and the other end of the reset spring is connected to the support plate 70. When the lever 20 is raised, the drive spring returns to its original state. The drive element 50 is arranged opposite to the reset spring, and the drive element 50 drives the lever 20 to rise.

[0059] The above technical solution has a simple structure and is easy to implement.

[0060] In one embodiment of this application, the driving element 50 is an electromagnetic coil capable of generating magnetic attraction.

[0061] Specifically, the driving component 50 is an electromagnetic coil that can generate magnetic attraction, and the corresponding support block 40 is made of a metal material that can interact with magnetic attraction, thereby realizing the driving of the lever 20. The structure is simple and easy to implement.

[0062] In one embodiment of this application, the top block 10 is made of rubber material.

[0063] In one embodiment of this application, the lever 20 is provided with a first groove 30, and the support block 40 is disposed in the groove and can slide along the length direction of the first groove 30 to adjust the support position of the lever 20.

[0064] Specifically, the lever 20 is provided with a first groove 30, and the support block 40 is installed in the groove. The support block 40 can slide along the length of the groove to support the lever 20 and adjust the lifting height of the lever 20. The structure is simple and easy to implement.

[0065] In one embodiment of this application, the support plate 70 is provided with a second slide groove 80 which is disposed opposite to the first slide groove 30, and the support block 40 extends out of the second slide groove 80.

[0066] Specifically, the support plate 70 is provided with a second sliding groove 80, and the first sliding groove 30 and the second sliding groove 80 are arranged opposite to each other. The support block 40 extends out of the second sliding groove 80, which facilitates the adjustment of the position of the support block 40 through the second sliding groove 80. This further facilitates the adjustment of the position of the support block 40. The structure is simple and easy to implement.

[0067] This application also discloses a refrigerator, including the door opening assist device 100 as described in any of the above claims.

[0068] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention's specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An open door assist device, characterized by, The application relates to an opening door assisting device. The application comprises: a detecting unit arranged on the door body for detecting the user's gripping position; and a assisting component which can be temporarily stopped or abuts on the door body to reduce the opening door resistance according to the detecting result of the detecting unit; the assisting component comprises: a top block which can abut on the door body; a driving member which drives the top block to move out or stop moving according to the detecting result of the detecting unit; and a reset member which drives the top block to move away from the door body when the driving member stops moving; a support plate; a support block arranged on the support plate; and a lever connected to one end of the support block away from the support plate and rotatable around the support block; the top block is connected to the lever, the axis of the top block is not parallel to the axis of the lever, and the vertex of the top block faces or is away from the support plate; one end of the reset member is connected to one end of the lever away from the top block, and the other end of the reset member is connected to the support plate; the driving member is arranged opposite to the reset member and drives one end of the lever away from the top block to lift away from the support plate; the reset member is a reset spring; the lever is provided with a first sliding groove, the support block is arranged in the first sliding groove and can slide along the length direction of the first sliding groove to adjust the supporting position of the lever; 2. The door opening assist device according to claim 1, characterized by the support plate is provided with a second sliding groove arranged opposite to the first sliding groove, and the support block partially extends out of the second sliding groove.

3. The door opening assist device as recited in claim 1, characterized by the driving member is an electromagnetic coil which can generate magnetic attraction force.

4. A refrigerator characterized by comprising: the top block is made of rubber material. The application further relates to an opening door assisting device comprising any one of the opening door assisting devices as claimed in claims 1 to 3.

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