Cold storage mechanism, constant temperature refrigerator and defrosting control method of refrigerator

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of cold storage technology and provides a cold storage mechanism, including a coil box with two ports, one connected to an inlet pipe and the other to an outlet pipe. The inlet pipe has one port connected to the coil box and the other to the evaporator chamber, used to draw gas from the evaporator chamber and send it into the coil box. The outlet pipe has one port connected to the coil box and the other to the evaporator chamber, used to return gas from the coil box to the evaporator chamber. A cold storage element, disposed within the coil box, is used to exchange heat with the gas entering the coil box. Thus, this invention, by having the cold storage mechanism independently located within the evaporator chamber, does not affect the defrosting process. After defrosting, the dry, cold gas is returned to the evaporator chamber, causing a rapid decrease in temperature within the chamber and reducing temperature fluctuations. It also significantly extends the defrosting cycle and reduces the frequency of defrosting. This invention also provides a constant-temperature refrigerator based on this cold storage mechanism and a defrosting control method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of cold storage technology, and particularly relates to a cold storage mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Existing refrigerators require periodic defrosting of the evaporator to ensure its heat exchange efficiency. During defrosting, the temperature in the evaporator chamber rises, which in turn raises the temperature in the freezer compartment, resulting in significant temperature fluctuations in the freezer and hindering the preservation of stored food.

[0003] Currently, technologies have emerged to reduce temperature fluctuations during defrosting, such as the solution disclosed in Chinese Patent 202123400800.7. This involves placing a cold storage device in the refrigerator compartment of a constant-temperature refrigerator, utilizing the density difference between hot and cold gases to achieve convective heat exchange and reduce temperature fluctuations during defrosting. In this patent, the cold storage device is positioned close to the evaporator, reducing the temperature fluctuation range during defrosting; however, the lower defrosting temperature prolongs the defrosting time and reduces defrosting efficiency. Relying on natural convection heat exchange between hot and cold gases results in low heat exchange efficiency, and the cold storage device uses liquid refrigerant, leading to a large overall volume and inevitably occupying space in the refrigerator compartment.

[0004] In conclusion, the existing technology obviously has inconveniences and defects in practical use, so it is necessary to improve it. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem solved by this invention is the low heat exchange efficiency of cold storage devices. By setting the cold storage mechanism independently of the evaporator chamber, it does not affect the defrosting process. After defrosting, dry, cold gas is returned to the evaporator chamber, causing the temperature inside the chamber to drop rapidly and reducing temperature fluctuations. Furthermore, it significantly extends the defrosting cycle and reduces the frequency of defrosting.

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a cold storage mechanism, including a coil box having two ports, the two ports being connected to an air inlet pipe and an air outlet pipe respectively;

[0007] The air inlet pipe has one port connected to the coil box and the other port connected to the evaporator chamber. It is used to draw gas from the evaporator chamber and send it into the coil box.

[0008] The exhaust pipe has one port connected to the coil box and the other port connected to the evaporator chamber, which is used to send the gas in the coil box back to the evaporator chamber.

[0009] The heat storage unit is installed inside the coil box and is used to exchange heat with the gas entering the coil box.

[0010] According to the cold storage mechanism of the present invention, a circulating fan is respectively provided in the port of the air inlet pipe and the air outlet pipe that communicates with the evaporator chamber.

[0011] According to the cold storage mechanism of the present invention, the coil box includes multiple straight sections and bent sections, which are sequentially and crosswise connected to form a "serpentine" structure.

[0012] According to the cold storage mechanism of the present invention, the cold storage element is a plate-shaped structure, and its orientation is consistent with that of the coil box; the cross-sectional shape of the coil box is rectangular, and the coil box has a plurality of parallel plate-shaped cold storage elements.

[0013] According to the cold storage mechanism of the present invention, a plurality of drainage holes are provided on the bottom plate of the coil box, and a drainage trough is provided below the bottom plate; the cold storage mechanism also has a water receiving box communicating with the drainage trough.

[0014] According to the cold storage mechanism of the present invention, the water receiving box is connected to a plurality of water guiding branch pipes, and the water guiding branch pipes are also connected to a drainage trough; a drainage bucket is respectively provided at two port positions of the coil box, and the drainage bucket is connected to the drainage trough and the water receiving box.

[0015] According to the cold storage mechanism of the present invention, a heating tube is further provided on the lower surface of the bottom plate of the coil box.

[0016] According to the cold storage mechanism of the present invention, an insulation plate is provided on the upper and lower sides of the coil box; the insulation plate is a VIP insulation plate.

[0017] A constant temperature refrigerator includes an inner liner, with an evaporator chamber at the rear of the inner liner; a coil box as described above for a cold storage mechanism is provided on the outer bottom of the inner liner, and the air inlet pipe and air outlet pipe of the cold storage mechanism are respectively connected to the evaporator chamber from both sides.

[0018] A refrigerator defrosting control method includes the aforementioned cold storage mechanism; specifically,

[0019] Evaporator defrosting stage:

[0020] The intake and exhaust pipes of the cold storage mechanism stop drawing in and supplying air;

[0021] After the evaporator defrosts:

[0022] The gas inlet pipe of the cold storage mechanism draws the gas in the evaporator chamber into the coil box, and the exhaust pipe sends the gas in the coil box back to the evaporator chamber; until the temperature of the gas in the exhaust pipe is not lower than the temperature in the evaporator chamber.

[0023] Evaporator normal cooling phase:

[0024] Determine whether the temperature T1 inside the evaporator chamber and the temperature T2 inside the refrigerator chamber are stable;

[0025] When both T1 and T2 are stable: the inlet pipe of the cold storage mechanism draws the gas in the evaporator chamber into the coil box, and the exhaust pipe sends the gas in the coil box back to the evaporator chamber; until the gas temperature in the coil box reaches or falls below the preset value.

[0026] When either T1 or T2 is unstable: the intake and exhaust pipes of the cold storage mechanism stop sucking and blowing air.

[0027] In summary, the cold storage mechanism of this invention can be installed independently of the evaporator chamber without affecting the defrosting process. During normal cooling, it stores cold energy. After defrosting, the hot, humid gas in the chamber is drawn in for treatment, its temperature is lowered, and moisture is removed before the dry, cold gas is returned to the evaporator chamber, causing the temperature inside the chamber to drop rapidly and reducing temperature fluctuations. Simultaneously, the dehydrated gas reduces the amount of frost on the evaporator, significantly extending the defrosting cycle and reducing the frequency of defrosting. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the working principle of the cold storage mechanism of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cold storage mechanism;

[0030] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the coil box in the middle;

[0031] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of region A in the middle;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the constant temperature refrigerator of the present invention;

[0033] In the diagram: 1-coil box, 11-insulation board, 12-air inlet pipe, 13-exhaust pipe, 14-circulating fan, 15-water collection box, 151-drain hopper, 152-water branch pipe; 16-cold storage component, 17-drain hole, 18-drain trough, 19-heating pipe; 100-cold storage mechanism, 200-evaporator, 300-inner liner. Detailed Implementation

[0034] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 The present invention provides a cold storage mechanism, including

[0035] The coil box 1 has two ports, which are connected to the intake pipe 12 and the exhaust pipe 13 respectively.

[0036] The air inlet pipe 12 has one port connected to the coil box 1 and the other port connected to the evaporator chamber, and is used to draw gas from the evaporator chamber and send it into the coil box 1.

[0037] The exhaust pipe 13 has one port connected to the coil box 1 and the other port connected to the evaporator chamber, which is used to send the gas in the coil box 1 back to the evaporator chamber.

[0038] Combination Figure 4 The cold storage element 16 is installed inside the coil box 1 and is used to exchange heat with the gas entering the coil box 1.

[0039] When the evaporator is cooling, the cold air enters the coil box 1 and exchanges heat with the cold storage unit 16 to store the cold energy;

[0040] When the evaporator is defrosting, the air inlet pipe 12 and the exhaust pipe 13 stop operating to ensure the defrosting effect and efficiency.

[0041] After the evaporator defrosts, the hot and humid gas is drawn into the coil box 1 to exchange heat with the cold storage element 16, releasing cold energy and lowering the gas temperature; at the same time, the water vapor in the gas cools down and condenses into water droplets or frost on the surface of the cold storage element 16, reducing the humidity of the gas.

[0042] Even better, a circulating fan 14 is installed in the inlet of the air inlet pipe 12 and the outlet of the exhaust pipe 13, which connect to the evaporator chamber, to achieve gas circulation between the evaporator chamber and the coil box 1. The inlets of the air inlet pipe 12 and the outlet of the exhaust pipe 13 are open, allowing external wires to be introduced to connect to the circulating fan 14 and supply power to it. Those skilled in the art can lay out the wires according to the specific application scenario.

[0043] See Figure 3 Preferably, the coil box 1 includes multiple straight sections and bent sections, which are sequentially connected to form a "serpentine" structure; this extends the contact time between the gas and the cold storage element 16, thus achieving sufficient heat exchange.

[0044] Preferably, the cold storage component 16 of the present invention is made of metal, such as copper alloy or aluminum alloy.

[0045] As one embodiment, the cold storage element 16 of the present invention has a plate-like structure, and its orientation is consistent with that of the coil box 1; more preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the coil box 1 is rectangular, which facilitates installation. The coil box 1 has multiple parallel plate-like cold storage elements 16; the multiple cold storage elements 16 divide the coil box 1 into multiple ventilation channels, increasing the contact area with the gas and improving the cold storage capacity.

[0046] Furthermore, the bottom plate of the coil box 1 is provided with multiple drain holes 17, and a drain trough 18 is provided below the bottom plate; condensate can enter the drain trough 18 through the drain holes 17. The cold storage mechanism 100 also has a water receiving box 15 connected to the drain trough 18; condensate enters the water receiving box 15 for centralized treatment.

[0047] Even better, the water receiving box 15 is connected to multiple water guide branches 152, and the water guide branches 152 are also connected to the drainage trough 18; the multiple water guide branches 152 are connected to different positions in the drainage trough 18 to increase the drainage path and facilitate the rapid discharge of condensate.

[0048] Furthermore, a drain hopper 151 is provided at each of the two ports of the coil box 1, and the drain hopper 151 is connected to the drain trough 18 and the water receiving box 15. This facilitates the drainage of condensate at the ports.

[0049] Even better, a heating tube 19 is also connected to the lower surface of the bottom plate of the coil box 1. When there is a lot of frost on the cold storage component 16 or the inner wall of the coil box 1, the heating tube 19 will start defrosting.

[0050] The heating tube 19 of the present invention is preferably an electric heating tube. Those skilled in the art can open a through hole in the wall of the drainage trough 18 to insert a wire to connect the heating tube 19, and seal the gap between the wire and the through hole.

[0051] Even better, an insulation plate 11 is provided on the upper and lower sides of the coil box 1 to prevent heat loss. The insulation plate 11 is preferably a VIP insulation plate.

[0052] The cold storage mechanism of this invention can be installed independently of the evaporator chamber, without occupying space within the chamber. During stable evaporator cooling, it draws cold air from the chamber to store cold energy. During defrosting of the evaporator, gas circulation is not performed to ensure defrosting efficiency. After defrosting, the hot, humid gas in the chamber is drawn into the coil box 1, cooled and dehydrated, and then returned to the evaporator chamber as dry, cool gas, causing a rapid decrease in temperature within the chamber and reducing temperature fluctuations. Simultaneously, the dehydrated gas reduces the amount of frost on the evaporator, significantly extending the defrosting cycle and reducing the frequency of defrosting.

[0053] See Figure 5 The present invention also provides a constant temperature refrigerator, including an inner liner 300, an evaporator chamber at the rear of the inner liner 300; a coil box 1 of a cold storage mechanism 100 is provided on the outer side of the bottom of the inner liner 300, and the air inlet pipe 12 and the exhaust pipe 13 of the cold storage mechanism 100 are respectively connected to the evaporator chamber from both sides.

[0054] The cold storage mechanism 100 of the present invention can be set in the installation space of the refrigerator compressor, making full use of the clearance space reserved by the inner liner 300 for the installation of the compressor, avoiding encroachment on the space of the inner liner 300 or the evaporator chamber, and optimizing the structure of the refrigerator.

[0055] The constant temperature refrigerator of the present invention has a cold storage mechanism 100 to reduce temperature fluctuations after defrosting the evaporator. The cold storage mechanism 100 is located on the bottom outer side of the inner liner 300, without occupying the space of the inner liner 300 and the evaporator chamber, making full use of the refrigerator space and optimizing the structure.

[0056] Furthermore, a temperature sensor can be installed inside the coil box 1 of the present invention to monitor its temperature in real time, which facilitates the control of the start and stop of the cold storage program.

[0057] Even better, the exhaust pipe 13 of the cold storage mechanism 100 is equipped with a wind speed detection component to detect the wind speed when the circulating fan 14 is working, so as to determine whether to turn on the heating tube 19 for defrosting. If the exhaust wind speed of the exhaust pipe 13 is less than the preset value, the heating tube 19 is activated, and the air inlet pipe 12 and the exhaust pipe 13 stop working.

[0058] Those skilled in the art can, based on known technologies, install temperature sensors and wind speed detection components in the evaporator chamber of a refrigerator to control whether the defrosting process of the evaporator is started.

[0059] The present invention also provides a refrigerator defrosting control method, including the aforementioned cold storage mechanism 100; specifically,

[0060] Evaporator defrosting stage:

[0061] The intake pipe 12 and exhaust pipe 13 of the cold storage mechanism 100 stop suction and air supply; ensuring that defrosting is fully carried out in the evaporator chamber.

[0062] After the evaporator defrosts:

[0063] The gas inlet pipe 12 of the cold storage mechanism 100 draws the gas in the evaporator chamber into the coil box 1, and the exhaust pipe 13 sends the gas in the coil box 1 back to the evaporator chamber; until the temperature of the gas in the exhaust pipe 13 is not lower than the temperature in the evaporator chamber.

[0064] After defrosting, the hot, humid gas in the chamber is drawn into coil box 1, cooled and dehydrated, and then returned to the evaporator chamber. This causes the temperature in the chamber to drop rapidly, reducing temperature fluctuations. Simultaneously, the dehydrated gas reduces the amount of frost on the evaporator, significantly extending the defrosting cycle and reducing the frequency of defrosting.

[0065] Normal cooling phase:

[0066] Determine whether the temperature T1 inside the evaporator chamber and the temperature T2 inside the refrigerator chamber are stable;

[0067] When both T1 and T2 are stable: the inlet pipe 12 of the cold storage mechanism 100 draws the gas in the evaporator chamber into the coil box 1, and the exhaust pipe 13 sends the gas in the coil box 1 back to the evaporator chamber; until the gas temperature in the coil box 1 reaches or falls below the preset value.

[0068] When either T1 or T2 is unstable: the intake pipe 12 and exhaust pipe 13 of the cold storage mechanism 100 stop sucking and blowing air.

[0069] When the refrigerator is cooling normally, excess cold energy is stored in the cold storage mechanism 100 for adjustment after defrosting.

[0070] Furthermore,

[0071] A wind speed detection component is installed in the exhaust pipe 13 of the cold storage mechanism 100 to detect the wind speed when the circulating fan 14 is working, so as to determine whether to turn on the heating tube 19 for defrosting. If the air velocity at the outlet of the exhaust pipe 13 is less than the preset value, the heating tube 19 is started and heated for a predetermined time; during the heating process of the heating tube 19, the intake pipe 12 and the exhaust pipe 13 stop suction and air supply.

[0072] The cold storage mechanism 100 of the present invention participates in the defrosting control process of the refrigerator evaporator, while ensuring defrosting efficiency, accelerating the temperature drop in the evaporator cavity after defrosting, removing water vapor from the gas, extending the defrosting cycle, and reducing the defrosting frequency.

[0073] In summary, this invention provides a cold storage mechanism that can be installed independently of the evaporator chamber without affecting the defrosting process. During normal cooling, it stores cold energy. After defrosting, the hot, humid gas in the chamber is extracted for treatment, its temperature is lowered, and moisture is removed before the dry, cold gas is returned to the evaporator chamber, causing a rapid temperature drop and reducing temperature fluctuations. Simultaneously, the dehydrated gas reduces the amount of frost on the evaporator, significantly extending the defrosting cycle and reducing the frequency of defrosting.

[0074] Of course, the present invention may have other various embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and modifications according to the present invention, but these corresponding changes and modifications should all fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cold storage mechanism, characterized in that, include The coil box has two ports, which are connected to the intake pipe and the exhaust pipe, respectively. The air inlet pipe has one port connected to the coil box and the other port connected to the evaporator chamber. It is used to draw gas from the evaporator chamber and send it into the coil box. The exhaust pipe has one port connected to the coil box and the other port connected to the evaporator chamber, which is used to send the gas in the coil box back to the evaporator chamber. The heat storage unit is installed inside the coil box and is used to exchange heat with the gas entering the coil box; The gas entry and exit methods of the cold storage mechanism include: When the evaporator is cooling normally, the inlet pipe draws in the gas in the evaporator chamber and sends it into the coil box; after exchanging heat with the cold storage element, the gas is sent back to the evaporator chamber through the exhaust pipe. When the evaporator defrosts, the intake pipe and exhaust pipe stop drawing in and blowing air. After the evaporator defrosts, the air inlet pipe draws in the gas in the evaporator chamber and sends it into the coil box; after the gas exchanges heat with the cold storage element, it is sent back to the evaporator chamber through the exhaust pipe.

2. The cold storage mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A circulating fan is installed in the inlet of the air inlet pipe and the outlet of the air outlet pipe that connect to the evaporator chamber.

3. The cold storage mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The coil box includes multiple straight sections and bent sections, which are sequentially connected to form a "serpentine" structure.

4. The cold storage mechanism as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The cold storage element is a plate-shaped structure, and its orientation is consistent with that of the coil box; the cross-sectional shape of the coil box is rectangular, and the coil box contains multiple parallel plate-shaped cold storage elements.

5. The cold storage mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The base plate of the coil box is provided with multiple drainage holes, and a drainage trough is provided below the base plate; the cold storage mechanism also has a water receiving box that is connected to the drainage trough.

6. The cold storage mechanism as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The water receiving box is connected to multiple water guide branches, which are also connected to the drainage trough; a drainage bucket is set at each of the two ports of the coil box, and the drainage bucket is connected to the drainage trough and the water receiving box.

7. The cold storage mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Heating tubes are also provided on the lower surface of the bottom plate of the coil box.

8. The cold storage mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, An insulation board is installed on the upper and lower sides of the coil box; the insulation board is a VIP insulation board.

9. A constant temperature refrigerator, comprising an inner liner, wherein an evaporator chamber is provided at the rear of the inner liner; characterized in that, The bottom outer side of the inner liner is provided with a coil box of the cold storage mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, and the air inlet pipe and exhaust pipe of the cold storage mechanism are respectively connected to the evaporator chamber from both sides.

10. A method for controlling defrosting in a refrigerator, characterized in that, It has a cold storage mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 8; specifically, Evaporator defrosting stage: The intake and exhaust pipes of the cold storage mechanism stop drawing in and supplying air; After the evaporator defrosts: The gas inlet pipe of the cold storage mechanism draws the gas in the evaporator chamber into the coil box, and the exhaust pipe sends the gas in the coil box back to the evaporator chamber; until the temperature of the gas in the exhaust pipe is not lower than the temperature in the evaporator chamber. Evaporator normal cooling phase: Determine whether the temperature T1 inside the evaporator chamber and the temperature T2 inside the refrigerator chamber are stable; When both T1 and T2 are stable: the inlet pipe of the cold storage mechanism draws the gas in the evaporator chamber into the coil box, and the exhaust pipe sends the gas in the coil box back to the evaporator chamber; until the gas temperature in the coil box reaches or falls below the preset value. When either T1 or T2 is unstable: the intake and exhaust pipes of the cold storage mechanism stop sucking and blowing air.

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