Damper structure and refrigeration equipment

Abstract

This invention provides a damper structure and a refrigeration device. The damper structure is applied to a refrigeration device, which includes a cabinet and a return air duct. The return air duct is disposed within the side wall of the cabinet. The damper structure includes a damper and a protective cover. The damper is disposed on the side wall and located at the air inlet of the return air duct, and the damper at least partially protrudes from the side wall. The protective cover is connected to the side wall and covers the damper, and the protective cover has ventilation holes. This helps to reduce the space occupied by the damper within the side wall of the cabinet, avoids the insulation layer filling the side wall being too thin, and also helps to prevent the damper from being blocked by items in the variable temperature room, thus preventing it from being unable to open. The ventilation holes allow air from the variable temperature room to pass through the protective cover and blow towards the second air inlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of refrigeration technology, and more specifically, to a damper structure and a refrigeration device. Background Technology

[0002] The cooling components of a refrigerator occupy a portion of its internal volume. For example, refrigerators typically place the evaporator at the rear, which limits the usable space in the thickness direction. French-style refrigerators, however, improve the usable space in the thickness direction by arranging the evaporator horizontally.

[0003] However, while French-style refrigerators can increase usable space, their insulation issues still need improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a damper structure and a refrigeration device to improve at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] The embodiments of the present invention achieve the above objectives through the following technical solutions.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a damper structure applied to a refrigeration device. The refrigeration device includes a cabinet and a return air duct. The return air duct is disposed within the side wall of the cabinet. The damper structure includes a damper and a protective cover. The damper is disposed on the side wall and located at the air inlet of the return air duct, and the damper at least partially protrudes from the side wall. The protective cover is connected to the side wall and covers the damper, and the protective cover has ventilation holes.

[0007] In some embodiments, the protective cover includes a first side portion, a cover, and a second side portion, with the cover located between the first side portion and the second side portion, the first side portion located above the second side portion, and the first side portion having a slot, through which the protective cover is secured to the side wall.

[0008] In some embodiments, the two ends of the slot extend through the first side along the length of the first side.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first side portion includes a first baffle and a second baffle, which are spaced apart. A slot is located between the first baffle and the second baffle. The first baffle is located inside the side wall, and the second baffle is located outside the side wall. The height of the second baffle is greater than the height of the first baffle.

[0010] In some embodiments, the ventilation opening is located on the side of the cover facing the second side.

[0011] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a refrigeration device, which includes a cabinet, a return air duct, and a damper structure as described in any of the above embodiments. The cabinet includes a side wall. The return air duct is disposed within the side wall. The damper is disposed on the side wall and located at the air inlet of the return air duct. A protective cover is connected to the side wall and covers the damper.

[0012] In some embodiments, the cabinet is divided into an evaporator housing cavity, a freezer compartment, and a variable temperature compartment, with the freezer compartment located between the evaporator housing cavity and the variable temperature compartment. There are multiple return air ducts, designated as a first return air duct and a second return air duct. The first return air duct has a first air inlet and a first air outlet; the first air inlet connects to the variable temperature compartment, and the first air outlet connects to the evaporator housing cavity. The second return air duct has a second air inlet and a second air outlet; the second air inlet connects to the variable temperature compartment, and the second air outlet connects to the freezer compartment. An air damper is located at the second air inlet.

[0013] In some embodiments, the cabinet further includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and a rear side wall, with the first side wall opposite to the second side wall, the rear side wall connected between the first side wall and the second side wall, a first return air duct disposed on the first side wall, a second return air duct disposed on the second side wall, and a protective cover connected to the second side wall.

[0014] In some embodiments, the sidewall includes a sidewall connection portion, and the protective cover is adapted to be snapped into the sidewall connection portion.

[0015] In some embodiments, the refrigeration equipment also includes a vacuum insulation panel disposed within the side wall, located on the side of the return air duct facing the outside of the cabinet.

[0016] In the damper structure and refrigeration equipment provided by the embodiments of the present invention, the damper of the damper structure is disposed on the side wall of the cabinet and located at the air inlet of the return air duct. The damper at least partially protrudes from the side wall, which helps to reduce the space occupied by the damper within the side wall of the cabinet and avoids the insulation layer filling the side wall being too thin. The protective cover of the damper structure is connected to the side wall and covers the damper. The protective cover has ventilation holes. The protective cover can provide a certain degree of protection for the damper and also helps to prevent the damper from being blocked by items in the variable temperature room, thus preventing it from being unable to open. The ventilation holes help the air in the variable temperature room pass through the protective cover and blow towards the second air inlet. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the refrigeration equipment provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0019] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the refrigeration equipment.

[0020] Figure 3It shows Figure 1 Another cross-sectional view of the refrigeration equipment.

[0021] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 A partial structural diagram of the refrigeration equipment.

[0022] Figure 5 It shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional diagram of the refrigeration equipment at the damper.

[0023] Figure 6 It shows Figure 1 Another cross-sectional schematic diagram of the refrigeration equipment.

[0024] Figure 7 It shows Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the air duct components of a refrigeration equipment.

[0025] Figure 8 It shows Figure 7 A structural schematic diagram of the air duct assembly from another perspective.

[0026] Figure 9 It shows Figure 8 An enlarged schematic diagram of point IX of the air duct assembly.

[0027] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating the control method provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0028] Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating a control method provided by another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, 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 a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] See Figures 1 to 3 The present invention provides a refrigeration device 100, which can be a refrigerator, freezer or other similar product.

[0032] The refrigeration equipment 100 includes a cabinet 10 and a refrigeration system. The refrigeration system is assembled in the cabinet 10 and can provide cooling capacity to the cabinet 10. The refrigeration system may include structures such as an evaporator 20, a compressor, a condenser, and a throttling element.

[0033] The cabinet 10 separates the evaporator housing 11 and the storage room. The evaporator housing 11 and the storage room can be stacked, for example, the evaporator housing 11 and the storage room can be distributed along the height of the cabinet 10.

[0034] The evaporator housing 11 can be used to house the evaporator 20. The suction side 21 and the supply side 22 of the evaporator 20 can be opposite to each other. For example, the supply side 22 of the evaporator 20 can face the rear of the cabinet 10, and the suction side 21 of the evaporator 20 can face the cabinet door of the cabinet 10.

[0035] The storage room can be used as a room with different temperatures, for example, the storage room can be used as a freezer room 12, a variable temperature room 13, a refrigerator room 14 or other rooms.

[0036] The temperature range of the freezer compartment 12 can be -24 degrees to -16 degrees, the temperature range of the variable temperature compartment 13 can be -18 degrees to 5 degrees, and the temperature range of the refrigerator compartment 14 can be 2 degrees to 8 degrees. In other embodiments, the temperature range of the storage compartments can also be other ranges.

[0037] In some embodiments, there are multiple storage compartments, which may be distributed along the height of the cabinet 10. In this application, the term "multiple" means two or more, for example, the number of storage compartments may be two, three, four, or other numbers.

[0038] In some embodiments, there are two storage compartments, one of which can be used as a freezer compartment 12 and the other as a variable temperature compartment 13.

[0039] In some embodiments, there are three storage compartments: one storage compartment can be used as a freezer compartment 12, one storage compartment can be used as a variable temperature compartment 13, and the remaining storage compartment can be used as a refrigerator compartment 14.

[0040] In some embodiments, the freezer compartment 12 may be located between the evaporator housing 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13, so that the evaporator 20 does not need to be placed on the rear side of the cabinet 10, thereby reducing the space occupied by the evaporator 20 along the thickness direction of the cabinet 10 and improving the available space in the thickness direction of the cabinet 10.

[0041] In one usage scenario, when the refrigeration equipment 100 is in normal use, the evaporator housing 11 can be located above the freezer compartment 12, and the variable temperature compartment 13 can be located below the freezer compartment 12.

[0042] In some embodiments, when the cabinet 10 includes a refrigerator compartment 14, the evaporator housing 11 may be located between the refrigerator compartment 14 and the freezer compartment 12. For example, when the refrigeration equipment 100 is in normal use, the refrigerator compartment 14 may be located above the evaporator housing 11.

[0043] The evaporator 20 provides cooling to the storage room. In some embodiments, the refrigeration equipment 100 may further include an air duct, with its inlet connected to the evaporator housing 11 and its outlet connected to the storage room. Thus, the cold air blown out by the evaporator 20 can be delivered to the storage room through the air duct.

[0044] In some implementations, there can be multiple air ducts, and the cold air blown out by the evaporator 20 can be delivered to different storage compartments through different air ducts.

[0045] For example, in some embodiments, the refrigeration equipment 100 may further include a refrigeration air duct, the air inlet of which may be connected to the evaporator housing 11, and the air outlet of which may be connected to the freezer compartment 12. In this way, the evaporator 20 can provide cooling to the freezer compartment 12 through the refrigeration air duct.

[0046] For example, in some embodiments, the refrigeration equipment 100 may also include a variable temperature air duct, the air inlet of which may be connected to the evaporator housing 11, and the air outlet of which may be connected to the variable temperature compartment 13. In this way, the evaporator 20 can provide cooling to the variable temperature compartment 13 through the variable temperature air duct.

[0047] For example, in some embodiments, the refrigeration equipment 100 may also include a refrigerated air duct, the air inlet of which may be connected to the evaporator housing 11, and the air outlet of which may be connected to the refrigerated compartment 14. In this way, the evaporator 20 can provide cooling to the refrigerated compartment 14 through the refrigerated air duct.

[0048] In some embodiments, the air duct of the refrigeration device 100 can be arranged on the rear side of the cabinet 10. For example, the cabinet 10 may include a first side wall 15, a second side wall 16, and a rear side wall 17, with the first side wall 15 opposite to the second side wall 16, and the rear side wall 17 connecting the first side wall 15 and the second side wall 16. The air duct can be arranged within the rear side wall 17, which helps to reduce the space occupied by the air duct in the storage room and also helps to improve the utilization rate of the space within the rear side wall 17.

[0049] For example, a refrigeration air duct can be arranged inside the rear side wall 17, and the outlet of the refrigeration air duct can connect to the rear of the refrigeration compartment 12. As another example, a variable temperature air duct can be arranged inside the rear side wall 17, and the outlet of the variable temperature air duct can connect to the rear of the variable temperature compartment 13. Similarly, a refrigeration air duct can be arranged inside the rear side wall 17, and the outlet of the refrigeration air duct can connect to the rear of the refrigeration compartment 14.

[0050] In some embodiments, the refrigeration equipment 100 may further include an air supply damper, which may be disposed in the air supply duct. In this way, the air supply damper can adjust the opening and closing degree of the air supply duct, so as to adjust the air volume delivered by the evaporator 20 to the storage compartment, so that the storage compartment can be better maintained at the set temperature.

[0051] For example, in some embodiments, the refrigeration equipment 100 may further include a refrigeration air supply damper, which may be disposed in the refrigeration air supply duct. In this way, the refrigeration air supply damper can adjust the air volume delivered by the evaporator 20 to the refrigeration compartment 12.

[0052] For example, in some embodiments, the refrigeration equipment 100 may also include a variable temperature air supply damper, which may be installed in a variable temperature air supply duct. In this way, the variable temperature air supply damper can adjust the air volume delivered by the evaporator 20 to the variable temperature chamber 13.

[0053] For example, in some embodiments, the refrigeration equipment 100 may also include a refrigeration air supply damper, which may be installed in the refrigeration air supply duct. In this way, the refrigeration air supply damper can adjust the air volume delivered by the evaporator 20 to the refrigeration compartment 14.

[0054] In some embodiments, the refrigeration equipment 100 may further include a return air duct, with its inlet connected to the storage compartment and its outlet connected to the evaporator housing 11. Thus, the return air duct facilitates the return of air from the storage compartment to the evaporator housing 11 for heat exchange via the evaporator 20, thereby enabling the air after heat exchange to be delivered back to the storage compartment via the supply air duct, thus forming a circulation.

[0055] In some embodiments, the return air duct can be located inside the side wall of the cabinet 10, or it can be located between the storage room and the evaporator housing 11. The specific location can be selected according to the actual situation.

[0056] In some embodiments, the refrigeration equipment 100 may further include a damper structure 101, which includes a damper 50 and a protective cover 60. The damper 50 is disposed on a side wall (e.g., the second side wall 16) and located at the air inlet of the return air duct. The damper 50 may at least partially protrude from the side wall of the cabinet 10. This helps to reduce the space occupied by the damper 50 within the side wall of the cabinet 10, avoids the insulation layer filling the side wall being too thin, and the damper 50 located at the air inlet of the return air duct facilitates installation and maintenance.

[0057] See Figure 4 and Figure 5 The protective cover 60 can be connected to a side wall (e.g., the second side wall 16) and cover the damper 50. The protective cover 60 is provided with ventilation holes 61. In this way, the protective cover 60 can provide a certain degree of protection for the damper 50 and also help to prevent the damper 50 from being blocked by items in the storage room and thus unable to open. The ventilation holes 61 help the air in the storage room pass through the protective cover 60 and blow towards the air inlet of the return air duct.

[0058] In some embodiments, the protective cover 60 may include a cover 62, a first side 63 and a second side 64, both of which may be connected to the cover 62, and the cover 62 may be located between the first side 63 and the second side 64.

[0059] The protective cover 60 can be snapped onto the side wall of the cabinet 10. For example, the side wall of the cabinet 10 may include a side wall connecting portion 19, and the protective cover 60 is adapted to be snapped onto the side wall connecting portion 19. The first side portion 63 may be provided with a slot 631, through which the protective cover 60 can be snapped onto the side wall of the cabinet 10. For example, the first side portion 63 can be snapped onto the side wall connecting portion 19 through the slot 631. The side wall connecting portion 19 may be a rib or a protrusion, etc.

[0060] In some embodiments, the first side portion 63 may be located above the second side portion 64, so that the slot 631 of the first side portion 63 can receive liquids such as soup spilled by the user due to accident, making it difficult for spilled liquids to enter the air inlet of the return air duct, and also making it difficult for spilled liquids to enter the damper 50.

[0061] The phrase "the first side 63 is above the second side 64" means that, when the refrigeration equipment 100 is in normal use, the first side 63 is closer to the top of the cabinet 10 than the second side 64, and the second side 64 is closer to the bottom of the cabinet 10 than the first side 63.

[0062] In some embodiments, the two ends of the slot 631 can extend through the first side 63 along the length of the first side 63, so that the slot 631 is a through-slot structure, which helps to guide the liquid falling into the slot 631 to be discharged to both ends.

[0063] In some embodiments, the first side portion 63 may include a first baffle 632 and a second baffle 633, the first baffle 632 and the second baffle 633 being spaced apart, and the slot 631 may be located between the first baffle 632 and the second baffle 633.

[0064] The first baffle 632 can be located inside the side wall, and the second baffle 633 can be located outside the side wall. The height of the second baffle 633 can be greater than the height of the first baffle 632. In this way, the second baffle 633 helps to block some of the liquid spilled onto the slot 631, thus helping to reduce the amount of spilled liquid falling into the slot 631.

[0065] In some embodiments, the vent 61 may be located on the side of the cover 62 facing the second side 64. Since the cover 62 has an arcuate structure, in the direction from the first side 63 to the second side 64, the portion of the cover 62 near the first side 63 can block the portion near the second side 64, so that the portion of the cover 62 near the first side 63 can block some of the spilled liquid, which helps to reduce the amount of spilled liquid that directly enters the protective cover 60 from the vent 61.

[0066] In some implementations, there are multiple return air ducts, and different storage compartments can use different return air ducts to return air to the evaporator housing 11.

[0067] In some embodiments, the refrigeration equipment 100 may further include a refrigeration return air duct, the air inlet of which may connect to the refrigeration compartment 12, and the air outlet of which may connect to the evaporator housing 11. In this way, the air from the refrigeration compartment 12 can return to the evaporator housing 11 via the refrigeration return air duct and undergo heat exchange with the evaporator 20.

[0068] In some embodiments, the refrigeration return air duct may be located between the evaporator housing 11 and the refrigeration compartment 12. See, for example... Figure 2 and Figure 6 The cabinet 10 may include a partition 18 separating the evaporator housing 11 and the freezer compartment 12. The partition 18 may be provided with a return air vent 181. The inlet of the return air vent 181 can be connected to the freezer compartment 12, and the outlet of the return air vent 181 can be connected to the evaporator housing 11. In this way, the return air vent 181 can serve as a freezer return air duct, allowing the air from the freezer compartment 12 to return to the evaporator housing 11 through the return air vent 181.

[0069] Because the return air vent 181 has a simple structure and a short path, it helps to simplify the return air design between the freezer compartment 12 and the evaporator housing 11 and improve the heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator 20.

[0070] In some implementations, the return air vent 181 may be located in front of the evaporator 20, such that the return air vent 181 is closer to the cabinet door of the cabinet 10 than the evaporator 20.

[0071] In some embodiments, the refrigeration equipment 100 may further include a variable temperature return air duct, the air inlet of which may be connected to the variable temperature chamber 13, and the air outlet of which may be connected to the evaporator housing 11. In this way, the air from the variable temperature chamber 13 can return to the evaporator housing 11 via the variable temperature return air duct and undergo heat exchange with the evaporator 20.

[0072] In some embodiments, the refrigeration equipment 100 may include a plurality of variable temperature return air ducts to allow for the use of different numbers of variable temperature return air ducts to return air depending on the set temperature of the variable temperature room 13.

[0073] In some embodiments, the damper 50 of the damper structure 101 may be located in one of a plurality of variable temperature return air ducts. For example, the refrigeration equipment 100 may include two variable temperature return air ducts, which serve as a first return air duct 30 and a second return air duct 40, respectively. The first return air duct 30 has a first air inlet 31 and a first air outlet 32. The first air inlet 31 connects to the variable temperature compartment 13, and the first air outlet 32 ​​connects to the evaporator housing 11. The second return air duct 40 has a second air inlet 41 and a second air outlet 42. The second air inlet 41 connects to the variable temperature compartment 13, and the second air outlet 42 connects to the freezer compartment 12. The damper 50 may be located at the second air inlet 41 of the second return air duct 40.

[0074] When the temperature of the variable temperature compartment 13 is set to a high level, such as when the variable temperature compartment 13 is used as a refrigerator compartment, the variable temperature compartment 13 can return air through a variable temperature return air duct. For example, if the damper 50 is closed, the variable temperature compartment 13 can return air to the evaporator housing cavity 11 through the first return air duct 30. Since the air from the variable temperature compartment 13 cannot return to the evaporator housing cavity 11 through the second return air duct 40 and the freezer compartment 12 via the damper 50, it helps to reduce the frost and condensation caused by the large temperature difference between the variable temperature compartment 13 and the freezer compartment 12.

[0075] When the temperature setting of the variable temperature compartment 13 is low, such as when the variable temperature compartment 13 is used as a freezer compartment, the variable temperature compartment 13 can return air through two variable temperature return air ducts. For example, when the damper 50 is open, the variable temperature compartment 13 can return air to the evaporator housing cavity 11 through the first return air duct 30, and can also return air to the evaporator housing cavity 11 through the second return air duct 40 via the freezer compartment 12, which helps to ensure the return air volume of the variable temperature compartment 13. In addition, since the temperature difference between the variable temperature compartment 13 and the freezer compartment 12 is small, the air entering the freezer compartment 12 from the second return air duct 40 is less likely to cause frost or condensation after mixing with the air in the freezer compartment 12.

[0076] In some implementations, the damper 50 can be an electric damper, which can be controlled to open and close by the control panel of the refrigeration equipment 100.

[0077] In some embodiments, at least one of the first return air duct 30 and the second return air duct 40 may be disposed within the side wall of the cabinet 10.

[0078] For example, the first return air duct 30 can be set inside the side wall of the cabinet 10. This helps to reduce the space occupied by the first return air duct 30 in the variable temperature chamber 13 and the evaporator housing 11, and also helps to improve the utilization rate of the space inside the side wall of the cabinet 10.

[0079] For example, the second return air duct 40 can be set inside the side wall of the cabinet 10. This helps to reduce the space occupied by the second return air duct 40 in the variable temperature compartment 13 and the freezer compartment 12, and also helps to improve the utilization rate of the space inside the side wall of the cabinet 10.

[0080] For example, the first return air duct 30 and the second return air duct 40 are both located inside the side wall of the cabinet 10, which also helps to reduce the space occupied in the storage room and the evaporator housing 11, and also helps to improve the utilization rate of the space inside the side wall of the cabinet 10.

[0081] In some embodiments, the first return air duct 30 and the second return air duct 40 can be respectively located in different side walls of the cabinet 10. This helps to avoid the first return air duct 30 and the second return air duct 40 being located on the same side wall, which would restrict their respective layout, and helps to distribute the first return air duct 30 and the second return air duct 40 in different locations.

[0082] For example, in some embodiments, the first return air duct 30 may be disposed within the first side wall 15, and the second return air duct 40 may be disposed within the second side wall 16. In this way, by distributing the first return air duct 30 and the second return air duct 40 in two opposite side walls, the return air of the variable temperature chamber 13 can be better realized.

[0083] In some embodiments, the first air outlet 32 ​​may be located away from the rear sidewall 17, which helps to adapt to the layout in which the air intake side 21 of the evaporator 20 faces away from the rear sidewall 17.

[0084] In some embodiments, the second air outlet 42 may be located close to the partition 18 between the evaporator housing 11 and the freezer compartment 12, which helps the return air of the variable temperature compartment 13 to enter the return air vent 181 from the second air outlet 42 with a shorter distance.

[0085] In some embodiments, the refrigeration equipment 100 may further include a refrigerated return air duct 70, the air inlet 71 of which may connect to the refrigerated compartment 14, and the air outlet 72 of which may connect to the evaporator housing 11. In this way, the air from the refrigerated compartment 14 can return to the evaporator housing 11 via the refrigerated return air duct 70 and undergo heat exchange with the evaporator 20.

[0086] In some embodiments, the refrigerated return air duct 70 can be located inside the side wall of the cabinet 10. This helps to reduce the space occupied by the refrigerated return air duct 70 in the refrigerated compartment 14 and the evaporator housing 11, and also helps to improve the utilization rate of the space inside the side wall of the cabinet 10.

[0087] In some embodiments, the refrigerated return air duct 70 can be disposed within the first side wall 15. Since the evaporator housing 11 is located between the refrigerated compartment 14 and the variable temperature compartment 13, and the refrigerated compartment 14 and the variable temperature compartment 13 are distributed along the height direction of the cabinet 10, the refrigerated return air duct 70 and the first return air duct 30 are also distributed along the height direction of the cabinet 10 within the first side wall 15. This results in the refrigerated return air duct 70 and the first return air duct 30 being arranged at different heights, and the interference between them within the space-constrained first side wall 15 is minimal.

[0088] In some implementations, see Figure 3 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The refrigeration equipment 100 may also include a confluence structure 80, through which the refrigerated return air duct 70 and the first return air duct 30 are connected to the evaporator housing cavity 11. For example, the confluence structure 80 may be located at the intersection of the air outlet 72 and the first air outlet 32 ​​of the refrigerated return air duct 70. The air outlet 72 and the first air outlet 32 ​​of the refrigerated return air duct 70 are connected to the evaporator housing cavity 11 via the confluence structure 80, which helps to discharge the condensate generated when the air from the refrigerated return air duct 70 and the first return air duct 30 converges at the confluence structure 80 to the evaporator housing cavity 11.

[0089] In some embodiments, the refrigerated return air duct 70, the first return air duct 30, and the confluence structure 80 can be an integral structure, which can serve as an air duct assembly. For example, the air duct assembly can be a one-piece molded structure, which helps to reduce the number of parts.

[0090] In some implementations, the first return air duct 30 may be located below the refrigeration return air duct 70, so that condensate will not flow back up into the refrigeration return air duct 70 under the influence of gravity.

[0091] In some embodiments, the first air outlet 32 ​​may be located on the side of the manifold structure 80, so that the condensate at the bottom of the manifold structure 80 is not easily backflowed from the side to the first return air duct 30.

[0092] The side portion of the duct structure 80 can be a side wall of the duct structure 80. When the duct assembly 101 is in normal use, the portion of the duct structure 80 located on the left, right, front, and rear sides can all serve as the side portion of the duct structure 80.

[0093] For example in Figure 8 In this embodiment, the first air outlet 32 ​​can be understood as being located on the right side of the confluence structure 80, and connecting to the interior of the confluence structure 80 from the right side. The first air outlet 32 ​​can also be understood as being located on the rear side of the confluence structure 80, and connecting to the interior of the confluence structure 80 from the rear side.

[0094] In some embodiments, both the refrigerated return air duct 70 and the first return air duct 30 can be located within the first side wall 15. This helps to reduce the space occupied by the refrigerated return air duct 70 in the refrigerated compartment 14 and the evaporator housing 11, and also helps to reduce the space occupied by the first return air duct 30 in the variable temperature compartment 13 and the evaporator housing 11. It also helps to improve the utilization rate of the space within the first side wall 15.

[0095] Furthermore, since the evaporator housing 11 is located between the refrigeration compartment 14 and the variable temperature compartment 13, and the refrigeration compartment 14 and the variable temperature compartment 13 are distributed along the height direction of the cabinet 10, the refrigeration return air duct 70 and the first return air duct 30 are also distributed along the height direction of the cabinet 10 within the first side wall 15. This results in the refrigeration return air duct 70 and the first return air duct 30 being arranged at different heights, and the two have less interference with each other within the space-constrained first side wall 15.

[0096] In some embodiments, the manifold structure 80 may be located on the side of the first sidewall 15 away from the rear sidewall 17, which helps the manifold structure 80 to adapt to the layout of the air intake side 21 of the evaporator 20 facing away from the rear sidewall 17, so that the return air of the refrigerated return air duct 70 and the first return air duct 30 can be better drawn into the evaporator 20, which helps to improve the heat exchange efficiency.

[0097] In some embodiments, the air outlet 72 of the refrigerated return air duct 70 and the first air outlet 32 ​​can be located on the same side of the confluence structure 80, which helps the refrigerated return air duct 70 and the first return air duct 30 to enter the confluence structure 80 from the same side, facilitating the confluence structure 80 to deliver the converging air to the evaporator housing cavity 11. For example, in Figure 8 In this embodiment, the air outlet 72 of the refrigerated return air duct 70 and the first air outlet 32 ​​are located on the right or rear side of the confluence structure 80.

[0098] In some embodiments, the air outlet 72 of the refrigerated return air duct 70 and the first air outlet 32 ​​can be located on the side of the confluence structure 80 facing the rear side wall 17. This helps to reduce the space occupied on the side of the confluence structure 80 away from the rear side wall 17, so that the distance between the confluence structure 80 and the rear side wall 17 is as far as possible. This is more conducive to the confluence structure 80 being adapted to the layout of the evaporator 20 with the suction side 21 facing away from the rear side wall 17.

[0099] In some embodiments, the first air inlet 31 of the first return air duct 30 may be located on the side of the first sidewall 15 away from the rear sidewall 17, so that the first air inlet 31 of the first return air duct 30 is spaced a certain distance from the air outlet of the variable temperature chamber 13, which helps to reduce the situation where the cooling capacity supplied to the variable temperature chamber 13 is not cooled by the variable temperature chamber 13 and is directly returned to the evaporator housing cavity 11 through the first return air duct 30.

[0100] In some embodiments, a water tank 81 may be provided inside the manifold 80, and the water tank 81 may be located at the bottom of the manifold 80. In this way, the water tank 81 can hold condensate, making it less likely for the condensate to flow back to the first return air duct 30.

[0101] In some implementations, see Figure 9 The manifold structure 80 may be provided with a guide section 82, which has a first end 821 and a second end 822. The first end 821 may be located at the junction of the manifold structure 80 and the first return air duct 30, and the second end 822 may face the water tank 81 and be located below the first end 821. In this way, the guide section 82 can guide the condensate to the water tank 81, making it less likely for the condensate to flow back into the first return air duct 30.

[0102] In some embodiments, the guide section 82 has a guide surface 823, and the angle α between the guide surface 823 and the horizontal plane can be greater than or equal to 3 degrees. For example, α can be 3 degrees, 4 degrees, 5 degrees, 6 degrees, 7 degrees, 8 degrees, 9 degrees, 10 degrees, or other values. In this way, α is not too small, so as to better ensure that condensate does not easily flow back to the first return air duct 30.

[0103] In some embodiments, the refrigerated return air duct 70 and the first return air duct 30 may form a connecting end 84 at their intersection. The connecting end 84 may be located above the guide portion 82, and the projection of the connecting end 84 onto the guide surface 823 is located between the first end 821 and the second end 822. This helps the condensate generated in the refrigerated return air duct 70 to drip onto the guide surface 823 under the action of gravity, thereby reducing the amount of condensate dripping from the refrigerated return air duct 70 entering the first return air duct 30.

[0104] In some embodiments, the horizontal distance L between the connecting end 84 and the first end 821 can be greater than or equal to 3 mm. For example, L can be 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, or other values. In this way, L is not too small, which can better ensure that condensate does not drip into the first return air duct 30.

[0105] In some implementations, see Figure 3 The refrigeration equipment 100 may also include an evaporator drip tray 90, which may be disposed within the evaporator housing cavity 11 and located below the manifold structure 80. This facilitates the drainage of condensate from the manifold structure 80 to the evaporator drip tray 90, allowing the evaporator drip tray 90 to simultaneously collect defrost water generated by the evaporator 20 and condensate from the manifold structure 80.

[0106] In some embodiments, the refrigeration equipment 100 may further include a vacuum insulation panel (VIP), which may be disposed within the side wall of the cabinet 10. The vacuum insulation panel may be located on the side of the return air duct facing away from the cabinet 10. For example, the vacuum insulation panel may be located on the side of the variable temperature return air duct away from the variable temperature compartment 13, or on the side of the refrigeration return air duct 70 away from the refrigeration compartment 14. This helps to insulate the air in the variable temperature return air duct and helps to prevent condensation from easily occurring on the outer surface of the corresponding side wall of the variable temperature return air duct.

[0107] For example, in some implementations, see Figure 2 The refrigeration equipment 100 may further include a first vacuum insulation plate 91, which may be disposed within the first side wall 15 and located on the side of the first return air duct 30 away from the variable temperature chamber 13. This helps to keep the air in the first return air duct 30 warm and helps to prevent condensation from easily occurring on the outer surface of the first side wall 15.

[0108] Furthermore, the first vacuum insulation panel 91 can also be located on the side of the refrigerated return air duct 70 away from the refrigerated compartment 14, so that the first vacuum insulation panel 91 can also insulate the air inside the refrigerated return air duct 70. The height of the first vacuum insulation panel 91 can be greater than the sum of the heights of the first return air duct 30 and the refrigerated return air duct 70.

[0109] For example, in some embodiments, the refrigeration device 100 may further include a second vacuum insulation plate 92, which may be disposed within the second sidewall 16 and located on the side of the second return air duct 40 away from the variable temperature chamber 13. This helps to keep the air in the second return air duct 40 warm and helps to prevent condensation from easily occurring on the outer surface of the second sidewall 16.

[0110] This invention also provides a control method, which is applied to the refrigeration device 100 of any of the above embodiments. (See attached document.) Figure 10 The control method includes steps 010 and 020.

[0111] Step 010: Obtain the controlled temperature of the variable temperature chamber.

[0112] The temperature can be set by the user for the variable temperature compartment 13. For example, if the user sets a higher temperature for the variable temperature compartment 13, such as setting it to 3 degrees Celsius for use as a refrigerator compartment, then the controlled temperature of the variable temperature compartment 13 will be 3 degrees Celsius. Alternatively, if the user sets a lower temperature for the variable temperature compartment 13, such as setting it to -15 degrees Celsius for use as a freezer compartment, then the controlled temperature of the variable temperature compartment 13 will be -15 degrees Celsius. In other embodiments, the controlled temperature can also be other temperature values.

[0113] Step 020: Control the opening and closing of the damper according to the temperature control.

[0114] When the temperature is high, the damper 50 can be closed, and the variable temperature chamber 13 can return air to the evaporator housing 11 through the first return air duct 30. Since the air in the variable temperature chamber 13 cannot return to the evaporator housing 11 through the second return air duct 40 and the freezer chamber 12 via the damper 50, it helps to reduce the frost and condensation caused by the large temperature difference between the variable temperature chamber 13 and the freezer chamber 12.

[0115] When the controlled temperature is low, the damper 50 can be opened, allowing the variable temperature compartment 13 to return air to the evaporator housing 11 via the first return air duct 30 and also via the second return air duct 40 through the freezer compartment 12, thus ensuring sufficient return air volume in the variable temperature compartment 13. Furthermore, because the temperature difference between the variable temperature compartment 13 and the freezer compartment 12 is small, the air entering the freezer compartment 12 from the second return air duct 40 is less likely to cause frost or condensation after mixing with the air in the freezer compartment 12.

[0116] See Figure 11 In some implementations, step 020 may include step 021.

[0117] Step 021: If the temperature difference between the controlled temperature and the freezer compartment is greater than the preset temperature, close the air damper.

[0118] The temperature of freezer compartment 12 can be set by the user. For example, if the user sets the temperature of freezer compartment 12 to -24 degrees Celsius, then the temperature of freezer compartment 12 will be -24 degrees Celsius. Or, for example, if the user sets the temperature of freezer compartment 12 to -20 degrees Celsius, then the temperature of freezer compartment 12 will be -20 degrees Celsius.

[0119] The temperature of the freezer compartment 12 can also be detected by a temperature sensor, which helps to reduce the error in obtaining the temperature of the freezer compartment 12.

[0120] The preset temperature can be set according to the actual product type and specifications. The preset temperature can be the factory default temperature value or a temperature set by the user.

[0121] When the temperature difference between the controlled temperature and the freezer compartment 12 is greater than the preset temperature, it indicates that the controlled temperature is high, the temperature of the variable temperature compartment 13 is high, and the required cold air volume is small. Using the first return air duct 30 to return air can meet the required air volume.

[0122] For example, in one scenario, the preset temperature can be 5 degrees, the adjustable temperature can be 3 degrees, and the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 is -20 degrees. At this time, the temperature difference between the adjustable temperature and the freezer compartment 12 is 24 degrees. Since the temperature difference is greater than the preset temperature, the control damper 50 is closed, and the first return air duct 30 is used for return air.

[0123] In some implementations, step 020 may also include step 022.

[0124] Step 022: If the temperature difference between the controlled temperature and the freezer compartment is less than or equal to the preset temperature, control the air damper to open.

[0125] When the temperature difference between the controlled temperature and the freezer compartment 12 is less than or equal to the preset temperature, it indicates that the controlled temperature is low, the temperature of the variable temperature compartment 13 is low, and the required cold air volume is large. Using the first return air duct 30 and the second return air duct 40 to return air can ensure the return air volume.

[0126] For example, in a scenario, the preset temperature can be 5 degrees, the adjustable temperature can be -15 degrees, and the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 is -18 degrees. At this time, the temperature difference between the adjustable temperature and the freezer compartment 12 is 3 degrees. Since the temperature difference is less than the preset temperature, the control damper 50 is opened, and the first return air duct 30 and the second air duct return air are used.

[0127] In the damper structure 101 and refrigeration equipment 100 provided in this embodiment of the invention, the damper 50 of the damper structure 101 is disposed on the side wall of the cabinet 10 and located at the air inlet of the return air duct. The damper 50 protrudes at least partially from the side wall, which helps to reduce the space occupied by the damper 50 within the side wall of the cabinet 10 and avoids the insulation layer filling the side wall being too thin. The protective cover 60 of the damper structure 101 is connected to the side wall and covers the damper 50. The protective cover 60 is provided with ventilation holes 61. The protective cover 60 can provide a certain degree of protection for the damper 50 and also helps to prevent the damper 50 from being blocked by items in the variable temperature chamber 13, thus preventing it from being unable to open. The ventilation holes 61 help the air in the variable temperature chamber 13 pass through the protective cover 60 and blow towards the second air inlet 41.

[0128] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms "installation," "connection," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can be a mechanical connection; they can be a direct connection or an indirect connection via an intermediate medium; they can be a connection within two components; they can be merely surface contact; or a surface contact connection via an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0129] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only for distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as referring to specific or particular structures. The description of "some embodiments" means that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this invention, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. Furthermore, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate different embodiments or examples described in this invention, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0130] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and should all be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigeration device, characterized in that, The refrigeration equipment includes a cabinet, a return air duct, and an air damper structure, wherein the return air duct is disposed inside the side wall of the cabinet; The damper structure includes: An air damper, wherein the air damper is disposed on the side wall and located at the air inlet of the return air duct, the air damper at least partially protruding from the side wall; and A protective cover, which is connected to the side wall and covers the air door, and the protective cover is provided with ventilation holes; The cabinet is divided into an evaporator housing cavity, a freezer compartment, and a variable temperature compartment. The freezer compartment is located between the evaporator housing cavity and the variable temperature compartment. There are multiple return air ducts, which serve as a first return air duct and a second return air duct, respectively. The first return air duct has a first air inlet and a first air outlet. The first air inlet connects to the variable temperature compartment, and the first air outlet connects to the evaporator housing cavity. The second return air duct has a second air inlet and a second air outlet. The second air inlet connects to the variable temperature compartment, and the second air outlet connects to the freezer compartment. The damper is located at the second air inlet.

2. The refrigeration equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protective cover includes a first side portion, a cover, and a second side portion. The cover is located between the first side portion and the second side portion. The first side portion is located above the second side portion. The first side portion is provided with a slot, and the protective cover is secured to the side wall through the slot.

3. The refrigeration equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The two ends of the card slot extend through the first side along the length of the first side.

4. The refrigeration equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first side portion includes a first baffle and a second baffle, which are spaced apart. The slot is located between the first baffle and the second baffle. The first baffle is located inside the side wall, and the second baffle is located outside the side wall. The height of the second baffle is greater than the height of the first baffle.

5. The refrigeration equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The ventilation hole is located on the side of the cover facing the second side.

6. The refrigeration equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cabinet also includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and a rear side wall. The first side wall is opposite to the second side wall, and the rear side wall is connected between the first side wall and the second side wall. The first return air duct is located on the first side wall, the second return air duct is located on the second side wall, and the protective cover is connected to the second side wall.

7. The refrigeration equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sidewall includes a sidewall connecting portion, and the protective cover is adapted to be snapped into the sidewall connecting portion.

8. The refrigeration equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigeration equipment also includes a vacuum insulation plate, which is disposed inside the side wall and located on the side of the return air duct facing the outside of the cabinet.

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