Refrigerator and ultrasonic treatment device thereof

Abstract

The application provides a refrigerator and an ultrasonic treatment device thereof. The ultrasonic treatment device comprises a container for containing food to be treated; at least one ultrasonic transducer arranged at the outer periphery of the container and configured to apply ultrasonic action to the food in the container; and a heat transfer member partially abutting to the outer wall of the container and configured to transfer part of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer away from the end of the container during the application of ultrasonic action by the ultrasonic transducer. The application has the advantages of being capable of guiding away most of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer, slowing down the temperature rising speed of the container, prolonging the single starting time of the ultrasonic transducer, and shortening the total time required for pickling the food.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of refrigeration and freezing technology, and in particular to a refrigerator and its ultrasonic processing device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, ultrasonic marinating equipment is gaining popularity among users due to its fast marinating speed and good marinating effect. Existing ultrasonic marinating equipment typically has its transducer directly fixed to the bottom of the container. During operation, the transducer generates considerable heat. To prevent heat concentration at the bottom of the container and subsequent surface cooking of the food, the transducer needs to be alternately started and stopped according to a set on / off ratio to cool it down promptly. However, this also results in a longer total marinating time, which requires further improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One objective of the first aspect of this invention is to dissipate most of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer, slow down the heating rate of the container, and increase the single start-up time of the ultrasonic transducer.

[0004] A further objective of the first aspect of the invention is to prevent deformation of the heat transfer element and ensure that most of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer is transferred to the heat sink of the base.

[0005] The second aspect of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator.

[0006] In particular, according to a first aspect of the present invention, an ultrasonic processing apparatus is provided, comprising:

[0007] A container used to hold ingredients that are to be processed;

[0008] At least one ultrasonic transducer, disposed on the outer periphery of the container, configured to apply ultrasonic action to the food inside the container; and

[0009] The heat transfer element is partially in contact with the outer wall of the container and is configured to transfer a portion of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer to the end away from the container during the ultrasonic action applied by the ultrasonic transducer.

[0010] Optionally, the heat transfer element includes a first heat transfer plate, a second heat transfer plate, and a connecting plate. The first heat transfer plate abuts against the outer side of the bottom wall of the container, the second heat transfer plate is located below the first heat transfer plate, and the connecting plate connects the first heat transfer plate and the second heat transfer plate.

[0011] Optionally, each ultrasonic transducer is fixed to the lower surface of the first heat transfer plate.

[0012] Optionally, the ultrasonic processing device further includes:

[0013] The base has an upward opening through which the container can be placed. A space is formed between the bottom wall of the container and the bottom wall of the base to accommodate the heat transfer element.

[0014] Optionally, a heat dissipation vent is provided on the bottom wall of the base below the second heat transfer plate.

[0015] Optionally, a heat dissipation plate is provided at the heat dissipation port, and the second heat transfer fin abuts against the heat dissipation plate.

[0016] Optionally, the connecting piece is connected between the ends of the first heat transfer plate and the second heat transfer plate, so that the heat transfer element composed of the first heat transfer plate, the second heat transfer plate and the connecting piece has a U-shaped structure.

[0017] Optionally, an installation frame is also provided in the interlayer space. The installation frame is configured such that when inserted between the first heat transfer plate and the second heat transfer plate, the first heat transfer plate abuts against the bottom wall of the container and the second heat transfer plate abuts against the bottom wall of the base.

[0018] Optionally, a mounting plate is provided inside the mounting frame, and the mounting plate has mounting holes for accommodating each ultrasonic transducer in the area corresponding to each ultrasonic transducer.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator is provided, including a cabinet that defines a storage compartment therein, wherein any of the above-described ultrasonic processing devices are disposed in the storage compartment.

[0020] In the ultrasonic processing device of this invention, a heat transfer element is abutted against the outer wall of the container. The heat transfer element has good heat transfer performance. After the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer is transferred to the container, most of the heat will be preferentially transferred from the container to the heat transfer element and carried away. This avoids the heat from concentrating in a local area of ​​the container (specifically, at the fixed position of the ultrasonic transducer on the container), and slows down the heating rate of the local area. This allows the user to appropriately increase the operating ratio of the ultrasonic transducer, thereby significantly shortening the total time required for marinating the food.

[0021] Furthermore, in the ultrasonic processing device of this embodiment, a mounting frame is provided between the first heat transfer plate and the second heat transfer plate of the heat transfer component. The mounting frame abuts the first heat transfer plate against the bottom wall of the container and abuts the second heat transfer plate against the heat dissipation plate, thereby preventing the heat transfer component from deforming. In turn, the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer can be stably transferred to the heat dissipation plate through the first heat transfer plate for heat dissipation.

[0022] 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

[0023] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ultrasonic processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the positional relationship between a container, an ultrasonic transducer, and a heat transfer element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a base according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of a heat transfer element, an ultrasonic transducer, and a mounting frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0031] The present invention first provides a refrigerator 10, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 1 Refrigerator 10 generally includes a cabinet 100, within which one or more storage compartments 110 are formed. The storage compartments 110 can be configured as refrigerated storage compartments 110, frozen storage compartments 110, or variable temperature storage compartments 110 according to the cooling temperature. Specifically, the number, function, and layout of the storage compartments 110 can be configured according to actual needs.

[0032] An ultrasonic processing device 200 is installed in the storage compartment 110. The ultrasonic processing device 200 is mainly used for marinating food, improving the marinating speed and effect. The storage compartment 110 where it is located can be the refrigerated storage compartment 110 of the refrigerator 10. The compartment temperature can be configured to 0℃~10℃ to provide a low temperature environment for marinating food, inhibiting the growth and reproduction of bacteria, and preventing food from spoiling during the marinating process.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ultrasonic processing device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a positional relationship diagram of the container 210, ultrasonic transducer 220, and heat transfer element 230 according to an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The ultrasonic processing device 200 may include a container 210, at least one ultrasonic transducer 220, and a heat transfer element 230. The container 210 is used to hold the food to be processed. The ultrasonic transducer 220 is disposed on the outer periphery of the container 210 and configured to apply ultrasonic action to the food inside the container 210. The heat transfer element 230 is partially abutted against the outer wall of the container 210 and configured to transfer part of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer 220 to the end away from the container 210 during the ultrasonic action applied by the ultrasonic transducer 220.

[0034] In the ultrasonic processing device 200 of this embodiment, a heat transfer element 230 is abutted against the outer wall of the container 210. The heat transfer element 230 has good heat transfer performance. After the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer 220 is transferred to the container 210, most of the heat will be preferentially transferred from the container 210 to the heat transfer element 230 and carried away. This avoids the heat from concentrating in a local area of ​​the container 210 (specifically at the fixed position of the ultrasonic transducer 220 on the container 210), and slows down the heating rate of the local area. This allows the user to appropriately increase the operating ratio of the ultrasonic transducer 220, thereby significantly shortening the total time required for marinating the food.

[0035] It is understood that the start-up ratio mentioned in this embodiment refers to the ratio of the start-up time to the shutdown time of the ultrasonic transducer 220. When the ultrasonic transducer 220 is working, the temperature of each part of the container 210 must not exceed the temperature threshold, which is generally 35°C; otherwise, the surface of the food will be overcooked. By setting the heat transfer element 230, most of the heat can be preferentially conducted away, thereby slowing down the heating rate of the container 210. This extends the single start-up time of the ultrasonic transducer 220, increases the start-up ratio, and shortens the total marinating time required for the food.

[0036] In an optional embodiment, the heat transfer element 230 may include a first heat transfer plate 231, a second heat transfer plate 232, and a connecting piece 233. The first heat transfer plate 231 abuts against the outer side of the bottom wall of the container 210, the second heat transfer plate 232 is located below the first heat transfer plate 231, and the connecting piece 233 connects the first heat transfer plate 231 and the second heat transfer plate 232 to transfer heat from the first heat transfer plate 231 to the second heat transfer plate 232, thereby preventing heat from concentrating on the outer wall of the container 210.

[0037] Preferably, the first heat transfer plate 231, the second heat transfer plate 232, and the connecting plate 233 of the heat transfer element 230 can be an integral structure. The integral structure has a more solid connection, is durable, and is not prone to breakage or damage.

[0038] In this embodiment, each ultrasonic transducer 220 is fixed to the lower surface of the first heat transfer plate 231. During operation, most of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer 220 is directly conducted away through the heat transfer element 230, and only a small portion of the heat is transferred to the container 210, which slows down the heating rate of the container 210 and prolongs the single start-up time of the ultrasonic transducer 220.

[0039] The inner side of the bottom wall of container 210 is provided with several ultrasonic protrusions 211. The ultrasonic protrusions 211 can be formed by protruding upward from the bottom wall of container 210. During the vibration of ultrasonic transducer 220, the ultrasonic protrusions 211 can continuously contact the food, loosen the fibrous structure of the food, thereby accelerating the penetration and diffusion of the marinating liquid. Furthermore, due to the breakage of the fibrous structure of the food, the marinated food has a better taste.

[0040] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a base 240 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic processing apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The ultrasonic processing device 200 may further include a base 240, which is box-shaped and has an upward opening. The container 210 is placed in the base 240 through the opening, and a space is formed between its bottom wall and the bottom wall of the base 240 to accommodate the heat transfer element 230. That is, when the container 210 is placed in the base 240, the upper edge of the container 210 rests on the upper edge of the base 240, thereby preventing the entire weight of the container 210 and the food inside from being applied to the heat transfer element 230 and avoiding deformation of the heat transfer element 230 due to pressure.

[0041] The bottom wall of the base 240 has a heat dissipation vent 241 below the second heat transfer plate 232. The heat dissipation vent 241 allows the cold air in the storage chamber 110 to enter the base 240, thereby dissipating heat to the bottom of the container 210, the ultrasonic transducer 220, and the heat transfer component 230.

[0042] Considering that foreign objects can easily enter the base 240 through the heat dissipation port 241, which may affect the normal vibration of the ultrasonic transducer 220 or cause damage to the ultrasonic transducer 220, in this embodiment, a heat dissipation plate 242 is also provided at the heat dissipation port 241. The heat dissipation plate 242 is a metal plate, and the second heat transfer plate 232 abuts against the heat dissipation plate 242. The second heat transfer plate 232 can transfer heat to the heat dissipation plate 242, and then the heat dissipation plate 242 comes into contact with the cold air inside the storage chamber 110.

[0043] The base 240 surrounding the heat dissipation vent 241 has horizontal slots on its bottom wall. The periphery of the heat dissipation plate 242 is inserted into these slots. This method ensures that the heat dissipation plate 242 is securely fixed to the base 240, preventing it from easily falling off. Of course, the heat dissipation plate 242 can also be fixed in other ways, such as by directly adhesive bonding it to the bottom wall of the base 240 surrounding the heat dissipation vent 241.

[0044] In this embodiment, the connecting piece 233 is connected between the ends of the first heat transfer plate 231 and the second heat transfer plate 232, so that the heat transfer element 230 composed of the first heat transfer plate 231, the second heat transfer plate 232 and the connecting piece 233 has a U-shaped structure. Of course, in some alternative embodiments, multiple connecting pieces 233 can be provided, and each connecting piece 233 can be connected between the first heat transfer plate 231 and the second heat transfer plate 232 at intervals along the length direction of the heat transfer element 230.

[0045] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the heat transfer element 230, the ultrasonic transducer 220, and the mounting frame 250 according to an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 6 When the heat transfer element 230 is the U-shaped structure described above, an installation frame 250 can also be provided in the interlayer space. The installation frame 250 can be a rectangular frame. The installation frame 250 is configured such that when it is inserted between the first heat transfer plate 231 and the second heat transfer plate 232, the first heat transfer plate 231 abuts against the bottom wall of the container 210 and the second heat transfer plate 232 abuts against the bottom wall of the base 240.

[0046] A mounting plate 251 is provided inside the mounting frame 250. The mounting plate 251 is horizontally placed inside the mounting frame 250. The mounting plate 251 has mounting holes 252 corresponding to the areas of each ultrasonic transducer 220 to accommodate each ultrasonic transducer 220. The mounting frame 250 can be a plastic part. The mounting plate 251 is mainly used to improve the structural strength of the mounting frame 250 and prevent the mounting frame 250 from deforming due to heat. The mounting holes 252 are mainly used to avoid obstructing the normal vibration of the ultrasonic transducers 220.

[0047] In this embodiment, the heat transfer element 230 can be a copper heat transfer element or an aluminum heat transfer element. Copper has a thermal conductivity of 401 W / (m·K) and aluminum has a thermal conductivity of 237 W / (m·K). Both have good thermal conductivity and are inexpensive, making them suitable for widespread use in the ultrasonic processing device 200.

[0048] According to any one or a combination of the above optional embodiments, the embodiments of the present invention can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0049] In the ultrasonic processing device 200 of this embodiment, a heat transfer element 230 is abutted against the outer wall of the container 210. The heat transfer element 230 has good heat transfer performance. After the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer 220 is transferred to the container 210, most of the heat will be preferentially transferred from the container 210 to the heat transfer element 230 and carried away. This avoids the heat from concentrating in a local area of ​​the container 210 (specifically at the fixed position of the ultrasonic transducer 220 on the container 210), and slows down the heating rate of the local area. This allows the user to appropriately increase the operating ratio of the ultrasonic transducer 220, thereby significantly shortening the total time required for marinating the food.

[0050] Furthermore, in the ultrasonic processing device 200 of this embodiment, a mounting frame 250 is provided between the first heat transfer plate 231 and the second heat transfer plate 232 of the heat transfer element 230. The mounting frame 250 abuts the first heat transfer plate 231 against the bottom wall of the container 210 and abuts the second heat transfer plate 232 against the heat dissipation plate 242, thereby preventing the heat transfer element 230 from deforming. In this way, the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer 220 can be stably transferred to the heat dissipation plate 242 through the first heat transfer plate 231 for heat dissipation.

[0051] 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. An ultrasonic processing device, comprising: A container used to hold ingredients that are to be processed; At least one ultrasonic transducer is disposed on the outer periphery of the container and configured to apply ultrasonic action to the food inside the container; A base having an upward opening through which the container is removably placed, and a space for accommodating a heat transfer element is formed between its bottom wall and the bottom wall of the base. as well as The heat transfer element is partially in contact with the outer wall of the container and is configured to transfer a portion of the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer to the end away from the container during the ultrasonic action applied by the ultrasonic transducer. The heat transfer element includes a first heat transfer plate, a second heat transfer plate, and a connecting plate. The first heat transfer plate abuts against the outer side of the bottom wall of the container, the second heat transfer plate is located below the first heat transfer plate, and the connecting plate connects the first heat transfer plate and the second heat transfer plate. An installation frame is also provided within the interlayer space. The installation frame is configured such that when inserted between the first heat transfer plate and the second heat transfer plate, the first heat transfer plate abuts against the bottom wall of the container, and the second heat transfer plate abuts against the bottom wall of the base.

2. The ultrasonic processing device according to claim 1, wherein... Each of the ultrasonic transducers is fixed to the lower surface of the first heat transfer plate.

3. The ultrasonic processing device according to claim 1, wherein... The base has a heat dissipation vent on its bottom wall below the second heat transfer plate.

4. The ultrasonic processing device according to claim 3, wherein... A heat dissipation plate is provided at the heat dissipation port, and the second heat transfer fin abuts against the heat dissipation plate.

5. The ultrasonic processing device according to claim 1, wherein... The connecting piece is connected between the ends of the first heat transfer plate and the second heat transfer plate, so that the heat transfer element composed of the first heat transfer plate, the second heat transfer plate and the connecting piece has a U-shaped structure.

6. The ultrasonic processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The mounting frame is provided with a mounting plate, and the mounting plate has mounting holes for accommodating each ultrasonic transducer in the area corresponding to each ultrasonic transducer.

7. A refrigerator, comprising a cabinet defining a storage compartment therein, wherein the storage compartment is provided with an ultrasonic processing device according to any one of claims 1-6.

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