Refrigerator and ultrasonic treatment device thereof

Abstract

The application provides a refrigerator and an ultrasonic treatment device thereof, which comprises a container for containing food to be treated, at least one ultrasonic transducer fixed to the outside of the bottom wall of the container, a base defining an upward opening for placing the container therein, and a sandwich space for accommodating the ultrasonic transducer being formed between the bottom wall of the container and the bottom wall of the base when the container is placed in the base, at least one heat transfer member being arranged on the inner side of the bottom wall of the base, the upper surface of the heat transfer member being coated with a flexible heat conductive material, and the bottom wall of the container pressing against the flexible heat conductive material. The application has the advantages of dispersing the heat transferred from the ultrasonic transducer to the container, preventing the heat from being concentrated in the local area of the container, delaying the temperature rising speed of the container, prolonging the single starting time of the ultrasonic transducer, and shortening the total time required for curing 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 the present invention is to disperse the heat transferred from the ultrasonic transducer to the container, prevent the heat from concentrating in a local area of ​​the container, and slow down the heating rate of the container.

[0004] A further objective of the first aspect of the present invention is to improve the heat dissipation capacity of the heat transfer element.

[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 is fixed to the outer side of the bottom wall of the container;

[0009] A base, which has an upward opening for placing a container inside;

[0010] When the container is placed inside the base, a space is formed between the bottom wall of the container and the bottom wall of the base to accommodate the ultrasonic transducer.

[0011] At least one heat transfer element is provided on the inner side of the bottom wall of the base. The upper surface of the heat transfer element is coated with a flexible thermally conductive material, and the bottom wall of the container presses against the flexible thermally conductive material.

[0012] Optionally, the bottom wall of the base has through-holes for heat dissipation in the corresponding area of ​​the heat transfer component.

[0013] Optionally, the heat transfer element is a plate-shaped structural component.

[0014] Optionally, the heat transfer element includes a first heat transfer plate, at least a portion of which is raised upward to form a protrusion, the upper surface of which is a continuous horizontal surface, and a flexible thermally conductive material is coated on the upper surface of the protrusion.

[0015] Optionally, the heat transfer element includes a second heat transfer plate, with downwardly extending side plates formed at both ends of the second heat transfer plate, and a horizontally outwardly extending bottom plate formed at the lower end of each side plate.

[0016] The upper surface of the second heat transfer plate is a continuous horizontal surface, and a flexible thermally conductive material is coated on the upper surface of the second heat transfer plate.

[0017] Optionally, the heat transfer element further includes heat transfer fins, which are corrugated and fixed to the lower surface of the second heat transfer plate along the length of the second heat transfer plate.

[0018] Optionally, three ultrasonic transducers are provided, and the three ultrasonic transducers are fixed at equal intervals along the length of the container to the outer side of the bottom wall of the container.

[0019] There are two heat transfer elements. The two heat transfer elements are fixed to the bottom wall of the base relative to each other along the length of the base, and are symmetrically distributed about the straight line connecting the centers of each ultrasonic transducer.

[0020] Optionally, the heat transfer element is made of copper or aluminum.

[0021] Optionally, the flexible thermally conductive material is thermally conductive silicone grease.

[0022] 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.

[0023] The ultrasonic processing device of the present invention has an ultrasonic transducer fixed to the bottom wall of a container. The bottom wall of the container is indirectly connected to a heat transfer element through a flexible heat-conducting material. The lower end of the heat transfer element is connected to a base. When the ultrasonic transducer is working, it causes the container to vibrate. The flexible heat-conducting material does not hinder the normal vibration of the container, and can quickly transfer the heat of the container to the base through the heat transfer element. This avoids the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer from concentrating in the container, slows down the heating rate of the local area of ​​the container, and allows the user to appropriately increase the operating ratio of the ultrasonic transducer, thereby significantly shortening the total time required for marinating food.

[0024] Furthermore, in the ultrasonic processing apparatus of the present invention, the heat transfer element may further include heat transfer fins, which are corrugated and fixed to the lower surface of the second heat transfer plate along its length. The heat transfer fins can slow down the overall heating rate of the heat transfer element, thereby enabling it to receive more heat from the container. In addition, the heat transfer fins also increase the contact area between the heat transfer element and the cold air, improving the heat dissipation capacity of the heat transfer element.

[0025] 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

[0026] 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:

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ultrasonic processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of an ultrasonic processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a heat transfer element according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a heat transfer element according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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 an exploded view of an ultrasonic processing apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a heat transfer element 240 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Reference Figures 2 to 4 The ultrasonic processing device 200 may include a container 210, at least one ultrasonic transducer 220, and a base 230. The container 210 is used to hold the food to be processed. The ultrasonic transducer 220 is fixed to the outer side of the bottom wall of the container 210 for applying ultrasonic action to the food inside the container 210. The base 230 defines an upward opening for placing the container 210 therein. When the container 210 is placed inside the base 230, a space is formed between the bottom wall of the container 210 and the bottom wall of the base 230 to accommodate the ultrasonic transducer 220. At least one heat transfer element 240 is provided on the inner side of the bottom wall of the base 230. The upper surface of the heat transfer element 240 is coated with a flexible thermally conductive material 250, and the bottom wall of the container 210 presses against the flexible thermally conductive material 250.

[0037] In the ultrasonic processing device 200 of this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer 220 is fixed to the bottom wall of the container 210. The bottom wall of the container 210 is indirectly connected to the heat transfer element 240 through a flexible heat-conducting material 250. The lower end of the heat transfer element 240 is connected to the base 230. When the ultrasonic transducer 220 is working, it causes the container 210 to vibrate. The flexible heat-conducting material 250 will not hinder the normal vibration of the container 210, and can quickly transfer the heat of the container 210 to the base 230 through the heat transfer element 240. This avoids the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer 220 from concentrating in the container 210, slows down the heating rate of the local area of ​​the container 210, and 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.

[0038] 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 240, most of the heat can be preferentially transferred to the base 230, 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.

[0039] The bottom wall of the base 230 and the corresponding area of ​​the heat transfer component 240 are provided with through heat dissipation vents 231. The heat dissipation vents 231 allow the cold air inside the storage chamber 110 to enter the base 230 and dissipate heat from the bottom wall of the container 210, the ultrasonic transducer 220 and the heat transfer component 240.

[0040] 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.

[0041] In this embodiment, the heat transfer element 240 can be a plate-shaped structure. Plate-shaped structures are inexpensive, easy to process and form, and can be widely used in the ultrasonic treatment device 200.

[0042] Reference Figure 4 In one optional embodiment, the heat transfer element 240 may include a first heat transfer plate 241, at least a portion of which protrudes upward to form a protrusion 242. The upper surface of the protrusion 242 is a continuous horizontal surface, and a flexible thermally conductive material 250 is coated on the upper surface of the protrusion 242. The height of the protrusion 242 can be set according to the interlayer space and the thickness of the flexible thermally conductive material 250, so that the bottom wall of the container 210 can continuously press against the flexible thermally conductive material 250 during vibration. The lower surface of the protrusion 242 can increase the heat dissipation area, so that the heat transferred to the heat transfer element 240 can be dissipated more quickly.

[0043] Reference Figure 5In another optional embodiment, the heat transfer element 240 may include a second heat transfer plate 243, with downwardly extending side plates 244 formed at both ends of the second heat transfer plate 243, and a horizontally outwardly extending bottom plate 245 formed at the lower end of each side plate 244. The upper surface of the second heat transfer plate 243 is a continuous horizontal surface, and a flexible thermally conductive material 250 is coated on the upper surface of the second heat transfer plate 243. The height of the side plates 244 can be adjusted according to the actual height of the interlayer space, so that the bottom wall of the container 210 can continuously press against the flexible thermally conductive material 250 during vibration.

[0044] Furthermore, the heat transfer element 240 may also include heat transfer fins 246, which are corrugated and fixed to the lower surface of the second heat transfer plate 243 along its length. The arrangement of the heat transfer fins 246 can slow down the overall heating rate of the heat transfer element 240, thereby enabling it to receive more heat from the container 210. In addition, the arrangement of the heat transfer fins 246 also increases the contact area between the heat transfer element 240 and the cold air, improving the heat dissipation capacity of the heat transfer element 240.

[0045] It should be noted that the bottom wall of the base 230 has horizontal slots around the heat dissipation vent 231. When the heat transfer component 240 is in the first structural form described above, the periphery of the first heat transfer plate 241 of the heat transfer component 240 can be inserted into the slots for fixation. When the heat transfer component 240 is in the second structural form described above, the bottom plates 245 at both ends of the heat transfer component 240 can be correspondingly inserted into the slots for fixation. Of course, the heat transfer component 240 can also have other fixing methods. For example, in the first structural form, the first heat transfer plate 241 of the heat transfer component 240 is directly fixed to the bottom wall of the base 230, and in the second structural form, the bottom plates 245 of the heat transfer component 240 are directly fixed to the bottom wall of the base 230.

[0046] In this embodiment, three ultrasonic transducers 220 are provided. These three transducers are fixed at equal intervals along the length of the container 210 on the outer side of its bottom wall, and are connected in series via pipelines. Two heat transfer elements 240 are provided. These two heat transfer elements 240 are fixed opposite to each other on the bottom wall of the base 230 along its length, and are symmetrically distributed about the line connecting the centers of the ultrasonic transducers 220. The two heat transfer elements 240 can quickly disperse and conduct the heat transferred from the ultrasonic transducers 220 to the container 210 to both sides, avoiding heat concentration in localized areas of the container 210.

[0047] In this embodiment, the heat transfer element 240 can be made of copper or aluminum. 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] In this embodiment, the flexible thermally conductive material 250 can be thermally conductive silicone grease. Thermally conductive silicone grease is a high thermal conductivity insulating silicone material that can maintain its grease-like state for a long time at temperatures ranging from -50℃ to +230℃. It is resistant to high and low temperatures, water, ozone, and weathering, and has a wide operating temperature range and good stability.

[0049] According to any one or a combination of the above optional embodiments, the embodiments of the present invention can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0050] In the ultrasonic processing device 200 of this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer 220 is fixed to the bottom wall of the container 210. The bottom wall of the container 210 is indirectly connected to the heat transfer element 240 through a flexible heat-conducting material 250. The lower end of the heat transfer element 240 is connected to the base 230. When the ultrasonic transducer 220 is working, it causes the container 210 to vibrate. The flexible heat-conducting material 250 will not hinder the normal vibration of the container 210, and can quickly transfer the heat of the container 210 to the base 230 through the heat transfer element 240. This avoids the heat generated by the ultrasonic transducer 220 from concentrating in the container 210, slows down the heating rate of the local area of ​​the container 210, and 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.

[0051] Furthermore, in the ultrasonic processing apparatus 200 of this embodiment, the heat transfer element 240 may further include heat transfer fins 246. The heat transfer fins 246 are corrugated and fixed to the lower surface of the second heat transfer plate 243 along its length. The arrangement of the heat transfer fins 246 can slow down the overall heating rate of the heat transfer element 240, thereby enabling it to receive more heat from the container 210. In addition, the arrangement of the heat transfer fins 246 also increases the contact area between the heat transfer element 240 and the cold air, improving the heat dissipation capacity of the heat transfer element 240.

[0052] 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 fixed to the outer side of the bottom wall of the container; A base having an upward opening for placing the container therein; When the container is placed inside the base, a space is formed between the bottom wall of the container and the bottom wall of the base to accommodate the ultrasonic transducer. At least one heat transfer element is provided on the inner side of the bottom wall of the base, and the upper surface of the heat transfer element is coated with a flexible thermally conductive material. The bottom wall of the container presses against the flexible thermally conductive material.

2. The ultrasonic processing device according to claim 1, wherein... The bottom wall of the base has a through-hole for heat dissipation in the corresponding area of ​​the heat transfer component.

3. The ultrasonic processing device according to claim 1, wherein... The heat transfer element is a plate-shaped structure.

4. The ultrasonic processing device according to claim 3, wherein... The heat transfer element includes a first heat transfer plate, at least a portion of which protrudes upward to form a protrusion, the upper surface of which is a continuous horizontal surface, and the flexible thermally conductive material is coated on the upper surface of the protrusion.

5. The ultrasonic processing device according to claim 3, wherein... The heat transfer element includes a second heat transfer plate, with downwardly extending side plates formed at both ends of the second heat transfer plate, and a horizontally outwardly extending bottom plate formed at the lower end of each side plate. The upper surface of the second heat transfer plate is a continuous horizontal surface, and the flexible thermally conductive material is coated on the upper surface of the second heat transfer plate.

6. The ultrasonic processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein... The heat transfer element further includes heat transfer fins, which are corrugated and fixed to the lower surface of the second heat transfer plate along the length of the second heat transfer plate.

7. The ultrasonic processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein... The ultrasonic transducer is provided in three parts, and the three ultrasonic transducers are fixed at equal intervals along the length of the container on the outer side of the bottom wall of the container. Two heat transfer elements are provided, and the two heat transfer elements are fixed to the bottom wall of the base relative to each other along the length direction of the base, and are symmetrically distributed about the straight line connecting the centers of each ultrasonic transducer.

8. The ultrasonic processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein... The heat transfer element is a copper heat transfer element or an aluminum heat transfer element.

9. The ultrasonic processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein... The flexible thermally conductive material is thermally conductive silicone grease.

10. 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 1-9.

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