Drawer assembly and refrigerator

Abstract

The application provides a drawer assembly and a refrigerator. The drawer assembly comprises: a drawer body, which defines a maturing area inside for placing meat to be matured; an upper air duct formed in an upper portion of the drawer body, the upper air duct being provided with an upper air port communicating with the maturing area; a lower air duct formed in a lower portion of the drawer body, the lower air duct being provided with a lower air port communicating with the maturing area; and a supply fan arranged between the upper air duct and the lower air duct, for promoting air flow among the upper air port, the maturing area and the lower air port. The drawer assembly of the application can adjust the flow direction of the air flow in the maturing area by adjusting the deflection of the supply fan, so that the maturing environment can be finely adjusted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of refrigeration and freezing equipment, and in particular to a drawer assembly and a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] Aging involves placing aged meat, after it has been de-acidified, in an aging room with controlled temperature, humidity, and airflow for slow, natural fermentation. This process ultimately produces a deeper flavor profile and enhances the meat's tenderness, flavor, and juiciness. Currently, aged meat faces the challenge of easy microbial growth and reproduction during the aging process, leading to a high risk of spoilage. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One object of the present invention is to provide a drawer assembly with an adjustable air supply mode.

[0004] A further objective of this invention is to reduce the risk of spoilage in aged meat.

[0005] In particular, the present invention provides a drawer assembly comprising:

[0006] The drawer body has a defined aging area for placing meat to be aged.

[0007] An air duct is formed at the top of the drawer body, and an air vent connecting to the ripening area is provided on the air duct.

[0008] A downdraft duct, formed at the bottom of the drawer body, has an opening connecting to the ripening area; and

[0009] The air supply fan is installed between the upwind and downwind ducts to promote airflow between the upwind inlet, the maturation area, and the downwind inlet.

[0010] Optionally, the drawer assembly is configured such that when meat to be aged is detected being placed inside, the blower is reversed to move the airflow upward from the downwind vent through the aging area to the upwind vent.

[0011] Optionally, the drawer assembly is also configured such that after the air supply fan reverses for a period of time, it controls the air supply fan to rotate forward so that the airflow moves downward from the upper vent through the maturation area to the lower vent.

[0012] Optionally, the drawer assembly also includes a humidity sensor, located within the curing area, for detecting humidity levels within the curing area.

[0013] Optionally, the drawer assembly is configured to control the direction of the air supply fan after the real-time humidity value detected by the humidity sensor decreases by a preset percentage compared to the initial humidity value when the meat to be cooked is placed in.

[0014] Optionally, the preset percentage is 10%-15%.

[0015] Optionally, the drawer assembly also includes a shelf, located within the drawer body and near the lower air passage, for holding meat to be aged.

[0016] Optionally, the air supply fan is an axial flow fan, located on the rear wall of the drawer body.

[0017] The present invention also provides a refrigerator having the aforementioned drawer assembly.

[0018] Optionally, the refrigerator includes:

[0019] The container has a defined refrigerated space inside;

[0020] The drawer assembly is located within the refrigerated compartment.

[0021] The drawer assembly of the present invention includes a drawer body, which defines a curing area. An upper air duct is formed at the upper part of the drawer body and a lower air duct is formed at the lower part of the drawer body. A blower is disposed between the upper and lower air ducts, so that the airflow direction in the curing area can be adjusted by adjusting the direction of the blower, thereby enabling fine control of the curing environment.

[0022] Furthermore, the drawer assembly of the present invention is configured to control the air supply fan to reverse when the meat to be aged is detected to be placed in, so that the airflow moves upward from the downwind vent through the aging area to the upwind vent. This allows the air supply to be mainly from the bottom in the early stage of aging, increasing the evaporation of moisture from the bottom of the meat to be aged and reducing the risk of the bottom of the meat rotting and spoiling.

[0023] The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The following sections will describe some specific embodiments of the invention in detail by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts or portions. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the refrigerator's drawer assembly.

[0027] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The diagram shows the airflow when the blower of the refrigerator's drawer assembly reverses direction.

[0028] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 The diagram shows the airflow when the blower of the refrigerator's drawer assembly is rotating in the forward direction.

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the component composition of the refrigerator's drawer assembly.

[0030] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the control flow of the refrigerator's drawer assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a refrigerator 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the drawer assembly 200 of the refrigerator 100.

[0032] This invention provides a drawer assembly 200, including: a drawer body 201, an upper air duct 202, a lower air duct 203, and a blower 204. The drawer body 201 defines a maturation area 210 for holding meat to be maturated. The upper air duct 202 is formed in the upper part of the drawer body 201, and has an upper air opening 220 communicating with the maturation area 210. The lower air duct 203 is formed in the lower part of the drawer body 201, and has a lower air opening 230 communicating with the maturation area 210. The blower 204 is disposed between the upper air duct 202 and the lower air duct 203 to promote airflow between the upper air opening 220, the maturation area 210, and the lower air opening 230. The drawer assembly 200 of this embodiment includes a drawer body 201, within which a curing area 210 is defined. An upper air duct 202 is formed at the upper part of the drawer body 201, and a lower air duct 203 is formed at the lower part of the drawer body 201. A blower 204 is disposed between the upper air duct 202 and the lower air duct 203, so that the direction of airflow in the curing area 210 can be adjusted by changing the direction of the blower 204, thereby achieving switching air supply between the upper air duct 202 and the lower air duct 203, and thus enabling fine control of the curing environment.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment of the invention also provides a refrigerator 100 having the aforementioned drawer assembly 200. A refrigerator compartment 102 is defined within the refrigerator compartment 101, and the drawer assembly 200 is disposed within the refrigerator compartment 102. The storage temperature of the refrigerator compartment 102 can be 2–9°C, or 4–7°C. The refrigeration system of the refrigerator 100 of this embodiment of the invention can be a compression refrigeration cycle system composed of a compressor, condenser, throttling device, and evaporator.

[0034] like Figure 2As shown, the drawer assembly 200 of this embodiment of the invention further includes a shelf 206, which is disposed inside the drawer body 201 and near the downdraft duct 203, for placing meat to be cooked.

[0035] The air supply fan 204 is an axial flow fan, located on the rear wall of the drawer body 201. (Continue to refer to...) Figure 2 A central air duct is formed on the rear wall of the drawer body 201. The upper part of the central air duct connects to the upper air duct 202, and the lower part connects to the lower air duct 203. The air supply fan 204 is installed inside the central air duct. Multiple upper air vents 220, connecting to the maturation area 210, are evenly spaced on the upper air duct 202. Multiple lower air vents 230, connecting to the maturation area 210, are evenly spaced on the lower air duct 203. During the maturation process, the air velocity is controlled between 0.5-2.5 m / s. If the air velocity is too low, the surface moisture of the food will evaporate slowly, resulting in high humidity, which easily promotes the growth and reproduction of microorganisms, leading to spoilage.

[0036] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The diagram shows the airflow when the blower 204 of the drawer assembly 200 of the refrigerator 100 is reversed. In some embodiments, the drawer assembly 200 of this invention is configured such that when meat to be aged is detected being placed inside, the blower 204 is reversed to move the airflow upward from the lower air vent 230 through the aging zone 210 to the upper air vent 220. The bottom of the meat to be aged has high humidity and is in contact with the shelf 206; therefore, insufficient airflow at the bottom can easily lead to the growth and reproduction of microorganisms due to excessive humidity. By configuring the drawer assembly 200 of this invention to reverse the blower 204 when meat to be aged is detected being placed inside, the airflow can be moved upward from the lower air vent 230 through the aging zone 210 to the upper air vent 220, ensuring that airflow is primarily directed from the bottom during the early stages of aging, increasing the evaporation of moisture from the bottom of the meat and reducing the risk of spoilage. A food detection device 207 can also be provided inside the drawer body 201 to detect whether meat to be aged has been placed inside the drawer assembly 200. The food detection device 207 can be, for example, a weight sensor installed under the shelf 206. When the weight value detected by the weight sensor increases, it indicates that meat to be aged is to be placed in.

[0037] Figure 4 yes Figure 2The diagram shows the airflow of the drawer assembly 200 of the refrigerator 100 when the blower 204 rotates forward. In some embodiments, the drawer assembly 200 of this invention is further configured such that after the blower 204 rotates in reverse for a period of time, it is controlled to rotate forward so that the airflow moves downward from the upper air outlet 220 through the aging zone 210 to the lower air outlet 230. By controlling the blower 204 to rotate forward after rotating in reverse for a period of time, the drawer assembly 200 of this invention allows for drying of the meat at the bottom for a period of time before using upper airflow, which reduces energy consumption and noise, and achieves a better aging effect.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, the drawer assembly 200 of this embodiment further includes a humidity sensor 205, disposed within the aging region 210, for detecting the humidity value within the aging region 210. The drawer assembly 200 of this embodiment is configured such that when the real-time humidity value detected by the humidity sensor 205 decreases by a preset percentage compared to the initial humidity value when the meat to be aged is placed inside, the air blower 204 is controlled to rotate. The preset percentage can be 10%-15%, for example, 10%, 12%, or 15%.

[0039] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the component composition of the drawer assembly 200 of the refrigerator 100. Figure 6 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the control flow of the drawer assembly 200 of the refrigerator 100. The control method for the drawer assembly 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0040] S102: When the meat to be aged is detected to be placed in, the blower 204 is reversed to make the airflow move upward from the downwind vent 230 through the aging area 210 to the upwind vent 220.

[0041] S104: Determine whether the decrease in real-time humidity value compared to the initial humidity value is not less than a preset percentage. If the determination result of step S104 is yes, proceed to step S106.

[0042] S106: Control the air supply fan 204 to rotate forward so that the airflow moves downward from the upwind vent 220 through the maturation area 210 to the downwind vent 230.

[0043] The drawer assembly 200 of this embodiment of the invention further includes a control device 300, including a controller 301 and a memory 302. The memory 302 stores a machine-executable program 320, and when the machine-executable program 320 is run, the controller 301 executes the aforementioned control method.

[0044] In the initial stage of maturation, the blower 204 is reversed, and air is delivered from the downdraft duct 203, then through the downdraft opening 230 into the maturation zone 210. Due to the higher air velocity at the downdraft opening 230, the evaporation of moisture from the bottom of the meat is increased, reducing the risk of spoilage. The air then circulates within the maturation zone 210, returning to the updraft duct 202 via the updraft opening 220, and finally back to the blower 204, completing the entire cycle and meeting the air velocity requirements for maturation. The humidity sensor 205 detects humidity changes in the maturation zone 210. When the real-time humidity value decreases by 10%-15% from the initial humidity value, it is considered that the humidity has decreased, the bottom of the food is basically dried, and the possibility of spoilage is reduced. At this point, the direction of the air supply fan 204 is adjusted from reverse to forward. The air passes through the upper air duct 202, then blows from the upper air outlet 220 to the maturation area 210, and finally returns to the lower air duct 203 through the lower air outlet 230, and finally returns to the air supply fan 204 to complete the entire cycle. This can reduce resistance, thereby reducing energy consumption and noise.

[0045] In the description of this embodiment, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "back," "top," and "bottom," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the appendix. Figure 2 The orientations or positional relationships shown are for the purpose of facilitating and simplifying the description of the present invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0046] Therefore, those skilled in the art should recognize that although numerous exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications conforming to the principles of the present invention can be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should be understood and construed as covering all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A drawer assembly, characterized in that, include: The drawer body has a defined aging area for placing meat to be aged. An upper air duct is formed in the upper part of the drawer body, and an upper air opening connecting the maturation area is provided in the upper air duct; A downdraft is formed at the bottom of the drawer body, and an air vent is provided on the downdraft to connect to the ripening area; and An air supply fan is disposed between the upper air duct and the lower air duct to promote airflow between the upper air outlet, the maturation area, and the lower air outlet; The drawer assembly is configured such that, upon detecting the insertion of meat to be aged, it controls the air supply fan to reverse, causing airflow to move upwards from the lower vent through the aging area to the upper vent; and After the air supply fan reverses for a period of time, it is controlled to rotate forward so that the airflow moves downward from the upwind port through the maturation area to the downwind port.

2. The drawer assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A humidity sensor is installed within the maturation area to detect the humidity value within the maturation area.

3. The drawer assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The drawer assembly is configured such that when the real-time humidity value detected by the humidity sensor decreases by a preset percentage compared to the initial humidity value when the meat to be cooked is placed in, the air blower is controlled to rotate.

4. The drawer assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The preset percentage is 10%-15%.

5. The drawer assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A shelf, located inside the drawer and near the lower air duct, is used to hold meat awaiting aging.

6. The drawer assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air supply fan is an axial flow fan, which is located on the rear wall of the drawer body.

7. A refrigerator, characterized in that, It has a drawer assembly according to any one of claims 1-6.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, characterized in that, include: The container has a defined refrigerated space inside; The drawer assembly is located within the refrigerated space.

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