Refrigerator drainage piping system and refrigerator

Abstract

This invention provides a refrigerator drainage pipe system and a refrigerator. The refrigerator drainage pipe system includes a defrost water pipe and a drain pipe. The defrost water pipe has a defrost inlet at its top and a defrost drain outlet at its bottom. The drain pipe has a drain inlet at its top, and the defrost drain outlet is connected to the drain inlet. The drain pipe has a drain outlet at its bottom. When the drain outlet is closed, it has a corrugated structure with gradually narrowing pipe shape. A defrost air inlet is located on the side of the defrost water pipe near the drain pipe, and an air inlet valve is located on the side of the drain pipe near the defrost air inlet, covering the defrost air inlet. By setting up a defrost air inlet, an air inlet valve, and a corrugated structure, the system effectively prevents external hot and humid air from entering the compartment or evaporator compartment through the drain pipe, thus solving the problem of increased refrigerator energy consumption due to the poor drainage pipe system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of refrigerator technology, and in particular to a refrigerator drainage pipe system and a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] A refrigerator is a refrigeration device that maintains a constant low temperature. It is a common household appliance used to preserve food or other items at low temperatures. A frost-free refrigerator is a type of refrigerator that works by using a built-in fan to evenly distribute cold air inside the refrigerator, thus achieving an overall cooling effect.

[0003] Frost-free refrigerators often have an automatic defrost function. A defrost heater heats the evaporator to defrost, and the defrost water drains into a drip tray through a drain pipe. In this design, the drain pipe is directly connected to the warm, humid air near the drip tray. When the refrigerator is not defrosting, this warm, humid air enters the evaporator chamber through the drain pipe, exchanging heat with the cold air inside, increasing energy consumption. Furthermore, the warm, humid air entering the evaporator chamber directly encounters the cold evaporator, easily causing frost and ice to form on its surface, increasing the reliability of the defrosting process and further increasing energy consumption during defrosting.

[0004] To eliminate the impact of the drain pipe on energy consumption, related technologies incorporate a water seal structure at the drain outlet. However, when the user opens and closes the door again, the hot and humid outside air enters the refrigerator and cools rapidly, causing a sudden increase in negative pressure between the inside and outside, making it very difficult to open the door again. Furthermore, if water remains in the water seal structure, it can easily produce abnormal noises when opening the door, affecting the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a refrigerator drainage pipe system and a refrigerator to solve the problem of increased refrigerator energy consumption due to the refrigerator drainage pipe.

[0006] This application provides a refrigerator drainage pipe system, including: a defrost water pipe and a drain pipe; the defrost water pipe has a defrost inlet at its top and a defrost drain outlet at its bottom; the drain pipe has a drain inlet at its top and the defrost drain outlet is connected to the drain inlet; the drain pipe has a drain outlet at its bottom; when the drain outlet is closed, the drain outlet has a corrugated structure with gradually narrowing pipe; the defrost water pipe has a defrost air inlet on the side near the drain pipe, and the drain pipe has an air inlet valve on the side near the defrost air inlet, the air inlet valve covering the defrost air inlet.

[0007] The refrigerator drainage piping system separates drainage and ventilation functions by setting the drain outlet and the defrost air inlet. This allows for quick rebalancing of the air pressure inside and outside the refrigerator after the door has been opened and closed, reducing the force required to open the door. The air inlet valve can open and close the defrost air inlet using its own weight and elasticity. The drain outlet adopts a corrugated structure, which can open and close using its own elasticity, preventing hot air from entering the refrigerator during normal cooling and increasing energy consumption. This solves the problem of increased refrigerator energy consumption due to the drainage piping.

[0008] Optionally, the defrosting water pipe is a rigid pipe, the drain pipe is a flexible hose, and the top of the drain pipe is fitted onto the bottom of the defrosting water pipe.

[0009] The defrosting water pipe features a rigid design, ensuring its robust and durable structure. The drain pipe utilizes a flexible hose, facilitating installation and adaptability to various environments while reducing vibration and noise, and allowing for easy opening and closing. The top of the drain pipe is fitted over the bottom of the defrosting water pipe, allowing defrosting water to flow smoothly into the drain pipe, preventing water accumulation, and improving the durability and reliability of the entire drainage system.

[0010] Optionally, the drain pipe body and the corrugated structure are integrally formed, and the pipe gap of the corrugated structure is less than 1 mm.

[0011] The drain pipe body and the corrugated structure are integrally formed, which not only reduces the risk of leakage at pipe connection points and improves the reliability and durability of the overall system, but also facilitates maintenance and cleaning, reduces the adhesion of dirt and impurities, and extends the service life of the pipe. The pipe gaps in the corrugated structure are less than 1 mm, and these tiny gaps have a certain sealing performance, preventing the penetration of external air or moisture.

[0012] Optionally, the corrugated structure further includes a first bend and a second bend; the first end of the first bend is located at the bottom centerline of the drain pipe, the second end of the first bend is inclined to one side of the outer surface of the drain pipe, the first end of the second bend is connected to the second end of the first bend, the second end of the second bend is inclined to the bottom centerline of the drain pipe, and the second end of the second bend is parallel to the second end of the first bend.

[0013] The first end of the first bend is located at the bottom centerline of the drain pipe, and the second end of the second bend is inclined to the bottom centerline of the drain pipe. When the corrugated structure needs to drain water, the impact force on the first end of the first bend and the second end of the second bend will be more balanced. The second end of the first bend is inclined to one side of the outer surface of the drain pipe, which can prevent gas from entering while reducing the space occupied. The second end of the second bend is parallel to the second end of the first bend, which makes it easier for the impact force of the water flow to open the corrugated structure.

[0014] Optionally, the air intake valve is located on the wall of the drain pipe, and the air intake valve is cut along a preset cutting trajectory on the drain pipe; the cut gap between the air intake valve and the drain pipe is less than 1 mm, and the outer side of the air intake valve is in contact with the refrigerator door.

[0015] The air intake valve is directly cut into the wall of the drain pipe along a pre-defined cutting trajectory. This design integrates the air intake valve and the drain pipe into a single unit, eliminating the need for additional installation space and complex connection structures. This not only saves space and improves system integration but also reduces energy consumption. The cut gap between the air intake valve and the drain pipe is less than 1 mm. This tiny gap provides a certain degree of sealing, preventing the penetration of outside air or moisture, especially when the refrigerator door is open for extended periods. The air intake valve automatically opens due to the external air pressure the moment the refrigerator door is opened, allowing for easy opening of the door. This prevents the rapid cooling of the air inside the refrigerator due to the influx of warm, humid air, which can cause a sudden increase in negative pressure and make opening the door difficult.

[0016] Optionally, the defrosting water pipe is provided with a guide plate on the inner side near the defrosting air inlet; the guide plate includes a first guide portion and a second guide portion; the first end of the first guide portion is disposed above the defrosting air inlet and is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the defrosting water pipe; the second end of the first guide portion is inclined to the side away from the defrosting air inlet; the second guide portion is vertically disposed inside the defrosting water pipe, the first end of the second guide portion is connected to the second end of the first guide portion, and the second end of the second guide portion is located below the defrosting air inlet.

[0017] The deflector not only helps guide water flow smoothly to the drain outlet, reducing water flow resistance and thus improving drainage efficiency, but also effectively prevents the backflow of odors and bacteria, keeping the inside of the refrigerator clean and hygienic.

[0018] Optionally, the defrost inlet has a fan-shaped cross-section and an arc-shaped top. The refrigerator's drip tray has an arc-shaped groove inside, and the top of the defrost inlet is engaged with the arc-shaped groove to drain the defrost water inside the drip tray into the defrost water pipe.

[0019] The defrost inlet features a fan-shaped design, allowing water to flow more smoothly into the defrost pipe, reducing water flow resistance, thereby improving drainage efficiency and reducing internal dampness and odor problems caused by poor drainage. The tight connection between the defrost inlet and the drip tray effectively prevents outside air from entering the refrigerator through the defrost pipe, avoiding the backflow of odors and bacteria, and maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of the refrigerator interior. Furthermore, the defrost inlet's simple structure and easy disassembly allow users to conveniently perform routine maintenance and cleaning, extending the refrigerator's lifespan, helping to maintain a hygienic internal environment, and reducing the likelihood of malfunctions.

[0020] Optionally, the refrigerator drainage pipe system further includes a drainage branch pipe; a branch pipe connection port is provided on the side wall of the drainage pipe, and the drainage branch pipe is connected to the drainage pipe through the branch pipe connection port; the drainage branch pipe is used to drain the condensate generated inside the refrigerator into the drainage pipe.

[0021] The drain branch pipe, connected to the main drain pipe, provides an additional drainage path for condensate generated inside the refrigerator, helping to accelerate the drainage process, especially when a large amount of condensate is generated inside the refrigerator, such as in summer or high humidity environments, effectively preventing water accumulation. The design of the drain branch pipe also makes the refrigerator's drainage system more compact and flexible, ensuring smooth drainage of condensate and improving the overall reliability and stability of the refrigerator's drainage system.

[0022] Optionally, the top of the drain pipe is provided with a connecting clamp, which clamps the defrosting water pipe and the drain pipe, and the connecting clamp is used to fix the defrosting water pipe and the drain pipe.

[0023] The design of the connecting clamp makes the connection between the defrosting water pipe and the drain pipe tighter and more stable, which not only reduces the resistance of water flow at the connection to improve drainage efficiency, but also reduces the occurrence of loosening of the connection between the defrosting water pipe and the drain pipe due to water flow impact.

[0024] A second aspect of this application provides a refrigerator, including the refrigerator drainage piping system described in the first aspect.

[0025] Since the refrigerator has all the beneficial effects of the refrigerator drainage pipe system described in any of the first aspects above, it will not be described in detail here.

[0026] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, this application provides a refrigerator drainage pipe system and a refrigerator. The refrigerator drainage pipe system includes a defrost water pipe and a drain pipe. The top of the defrost water pipe is provided with a defrost inlet, and the bottom of the defrost water pipe is provided with a defrost drain outlet. The top of the drain pipe is provided with a drain inlet, and the defrost drain outlet is connected to the drain inlet. The bottom of the drain pipe is provided with a drain outlet. When the drain outlet is in a closed state, the drain outlet has a corrugated structure with the pipe gradually narrowing. The defrost water pipe is provided with a defrost air inlet on the side near the drain pipe, and the drain pipe is provided with an air inlet valve on the side near the defrost air inlet, and the air inlet valve covers the defrost air inlet. By setting a defrost air inlet, an air inlet valve, and a corrugated structure on the refrigerator drainage pipe system, the external humid and hot air is effectively blocked from entering the compartment or evaporator compartment through the drain pipe, improving the reliability of the drain pipe and reducing the refrigerator's operating energy consumption, thus solving the problem of increased refrigerator energy consumption due to the refrigerator drainage pipe. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the refrigerator drainage pipe system described in an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a front view of the refrigerator drainage pipe system described in this application embodiment, showing that both the drainage air inlet and the drainage air outlet are in a closed state.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of section AA in the refrigerator drainage pipe system described in this embodiment, where both the drainage inlet and the drainage air inlet are in a closed state.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a front view of the refrigerator drainage pipe system described in this application, with the drainage air inlet in the open state.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the BB section in the refrigerator drainage pipe system described in this application embodiment, with the drainage air inlet in the open state.

[0033] Figure 6 This is a front view of the refrigerator drainage pipe system described in this application, with the drain outlet in the open state.

[0034] Figure 7This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the CC section of the refrigerator drainage pipe system described in this application embodiment, with the drain outlet in the open state.

[0035] Illustration:

[0036] Among them, 1-defrost water pipe; 11-defrost water inlet; 12-defrost drain outlet; 13-guide plate; 14-defrost air inlet; 2-drain pipe; 21-air inlet valve; 22-drain pipe air inlet; 23-corrugated structure. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described below do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. They are merely examples of systems and methods consistent with some aspects of this application.

[0038] A refrigerator is a refrigeration device that maintains a constant low temperature. It is a common household appliance used to preserve food or other items at low temperatures. A frost-free refrigerator is a type of refrigerator that works by using a built-in fan to evenly distribute cold air inside the refrigerator, thus achieving an overall cooling effect.

[0039] Frost-free refrigerators often have an automatic defrost function. A defrost heater heats the evaporator to defrost, and the defrost water drains into a drip tray through a drain pipe. In this design, the drain pipe is directly connected to the warm, humid air near the drip tray. When the refrigerator is not defrosting, this warm, humid air enters the evaporator chamber through the drain pipe, exchanging heat with the cold air inside, increasing energy consumption. Furthermore, the warm, humid air entering the evaporator chamber directly encounters the cold evaporator, easily causing frost and ice to form on its surface, increasing the reliability of the defrosting process and further increasing energy consumption during defrosting.

[0040] To eliminate the impact of the drain pipe on energy consumption, a water seal structure is installed at the drain outlet in some embodiments. However, when the user opens and closes the door again, the hot and humid outside air enters the refrigerator and cools down rapidly, causing a sudden increase in negative pressure between the inside and outside, making it very difficult to open the door again. In addition, if water remains in the water seal structure, it can easily produce abnormal noise when opening the door, affecting the user experience.

[0041] To address the issue of increased refrigerator energy consumption due to improper drain pipe installation, see [link / reference]. Figures 1-3This application provides a refrigerator drainage pipe system in some embodiments, including: a defrost water pipe 1 and a drain pipe 2; the defrost water pipe 1 has a defrost inlet 11 at its top and a defrost drain outlet 12 at its bottom; the drain pipe 2 has a drain inlet at its top and the defrost drain outlet 12 is connected to the drain inlet; the drain pipe 2 has a drain outlet at its bottom; when the drain outlet is closed, the drain outlet has a corrugated structure 23 that gradually narrows; the defrost water pipe 1 has a defrost air inlet 14 on the side near the drain pipe 2, and the drain pipe 2 has an air inlet valve 21 on the side near the defrost air inlet 14, the air inlet valve 21 covering the defrost air inlet 14.

[0042] It should be understood that the defrosting water pipe 1 may have a cylindrical structure, and the drain pipe 2 may also have a cylindrical structure. When there is no water flow, the corrugated structure 23 is in a closed state; when water flow is discharged, the corrugated structure 23 is in an open state; and after the water flow in the corrugated structure 23 is discharged, the corrugated structure 23 returns to its original position.

[0043] The refrigerator drainage system separates drainage and ventilation functions by setting the drain outlet and the defrost air inlet 14. This allows for rapid pressure equalization between the inside and outside of the refrigerator after opening and closing the door, reducing the force required to open it. The system consists of only two components: the defrost water pipe 1 and the drain pipe 2, resulting in a simple structure and reduced costs. The air inlet valve 21 opens and closes the defrost air inlet 14 using its own weight and elasticity. The drain outlet uses a corrugated structure 23, which opens and closes using its own elasticity, preventing hot air from entering the refrigerator during normal cooling and increasing energy consumption. This addresses the issue of increased energy consumption due to the refrigerator drainage system.

[0044] In some embodiments, the defrosting water pipe 1 is a rigid pipe, the drain pipe 2 is a flexible hose, and the top of the drain pipe 2 is fitted onto the bottom of the defrosting water pipe 1.

[0045] It should be understood that the rigid pipe can be made of high-strength rigid plastic, such as polyurethane (PU), polystyrene (PS), or polypropylene (PP). This high-strength rigid plastic can withstand the high temperature and pressure during the defrosting process, ensuring that the defrosting water pipe 1 is not easily deformed or damaged during long-term use. The flexible hose can be made of rubber or silicone, such as highly elastic silicone material. This rubber or silicone has good elasticity and flexibility, which not only reduces noise during drainage but also has high sealing performance and is easy to open and close.

[0046] The defrost water pipe 1 is designed as a rigid pipe, ensuring its robust and durable structure. The drain pipe 2 is made of flexible tubing, facilitating installation and adaptability to different environments while reducing vibration and noise, and allowing for easy opening and closing. The top of the drain pipe 2 is fitted onto the bottom of the defrost water pipe 1, allowing defrost water to flow smoothly into the drain pipe 2, preventing water accumulation, and improving the durability and reliability of the entire drainage system.

[0047] In some embodiments, the body of the drain pipe 2 and the corrugated structure 23 are integrally formed, and the pipe gap of the corrugated structure 23 is less than 1 mm.

[0048] It should be understood that, see Figures 6-7 During the narrowing process, the inner sides of the pipes on both sides of the corrugated structure 23 are folded. When a large amount of water needs to be discharged from the drain pipe 2, the corrugated structure 23 will open due to the impact force of the water flow. The maximum opening size is the same as the pipe body size of the drain pipe 2. That is, the inner and outer circumference of the corrugated structure 23 pipe are equal to the unnarrowed part of the drain pipe 2.

[0049] The drain pipe 2 and the corrugated structure 23 are integrally formed, which not only reduces the risk of leakage at pipe connection points and improves the reliability and durability of the overall system, but also facilitates maintenance and cleaning, reduces the adhesion of dirt and impurities, and extends the service life of the pipe. The gaps in the corrugated structure 23 are less than 1 mm, and these tiny gaps have a certain sealing performance, preventing the penetration of external air or moisture. When water needs to be discharged from the drain pipe 2, the corrugated structure 23 will automatically open due to the impact force of the water flow. This automatic adjustment function ensures the efficient operation of the refrigerator drain pipe system under different flow rates without manual intervention, saving energy.

[0050] In some embodiments, the corrugated structure 23 further includes a first bend and a second bend; the first end of the first bend is located at the bottom centerline of the drain pipe 2, the second end of the first bend is inclined to one side of the outer surface of the drain pipe 2, the first end of the second bend is connected to the second end of the first bend, the second end of the second bend is inclined to the bottom centerline of the drain pipe 2, and the second end of the second bend is parallel to the second end of the first bend.

[0051] The first end of the first bend is located at the bottom centerline of the drain pipe 2, and the second end of the second bend is inclined to the bottom centerline of the drain pipe 2. When the corrugated structure 23 needs to drain water, the impact force on the first end of the first bend and the second end of the second bend will be more balanced. The second end of the first bend is inclined to one side of the outer surface of the drain pipe 2, which can prevent gas from entering while reducing the space occupied. The second end of the second bend is parallel to the second end of the first bend, which makes it easier for the impact force of the water flow to open the corrugated structure 23.

[0052] In some embodiments, the air intake valve 21 is formed on the wall of the drain pipe 2, and the air intake valve 21 is cut along a preset cutting trajectory on the drain pipe 2; the cutting gap between the air intake valve 21 and the drain pipe 2 is less than 1 mm, and the outer side of the air intake valve 21 is in contact with the refrigerator door.

[0053] It should be understood that the preset cutting trajectory can be determined according to the shape of the defrost air inlet 14, and has strong adaptability, which can meet the needs of refrigerators of different models and specifications. For example, when the defrost air inlet 14 is circular, the preset cutting trajectory is an arc-shaped trajectory, and the arc-shaped trajectory corresponds to the edge of the defrost air inlet 14.

[0054] When the refrigerator door is not opened or has been open for a long time, the air inlet valve 21 is in a closed state. When the refrigerator door is opened, the air inlet valve 21 will deform inward under the external air pressure, thereby opening the defrost air inlet 14, allowing external air to enter the refrigerator, so that the refrigerator door can be opened easily. After the external air pressure disappears, the air inlet valve 21 will return to a closed state by gravity and elasticity.

[0055] The air intake valve 21 is directly cut into the wall of the drain pipe 2 along a preset cutting trajectory. This design makes the air intake valve 21 and the drain pipe 2 a single unit, eliminating the need for additional installation space and complex connection structures. This not only saves space and improves system integration but also reduces energy consumption. The cut gap between the air intake valve 21 and the drain pipe 2 is less than 1 mm. This tiny gap provides a certain degree of sealing performance, preventing the penetration of outside air or moisture, especially when the refrigerator door is open for an extended period. The air intake valve 21 automatically opens due to the external air pressure when the refrigerator door is opened, allowing for easy opening of the refrigerator door. This solves the problem of difficulty in opening the door caused by the rapid cooling of the air inside the refrigerator due to the influx of hot and humid outside air, which creates a sudden increase in negative pressure between the inside and outside.

[0056] See Figures 4-5The opening cut along the preset cutting trajectory on the drain pipe 2 is the drain pipe air inlet 22. The size of the drain pipe air inlet 22 is the same as the size of the defrost air inlet 14. When the refrigerator door is opened, the air inlet valve 21 will bend inward toward the defrost air inlet 14 under the external air pressure, exposing the drain pipe air inlet 22, so that the external air can enter the defrost water pipe 1 by passing through the drain pipe air inlet 22 and the defrost air inlet 14 in sequence.

[0057] In some embodiments, the length of the arc-shaped trajectory is greater than 1 / 2 of the edge length of the defrost air inlet 14 and less than 4 / 5 of the edge length of the defrost air inlet 14, so that the air inlet valve 21 can deform and open the defrost air inlet 14 under a large suction force, but the connection of the air inlet valve 21 will not be damaged due to a large suction force.

[0058] In some embodiments, a guide plate 13 is provided on the inner side of the defrost water pipe 1 near the defrost air inlet 14; the guide plate 13 includes a first guide portion and a second guide portion; the first end of the first guide portion is disposed above the defrost air inlet 14 and is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the defrost water pipe 1; the second end of the first guide portion is inclined to the side away from the defrost air inlet 14; the second guide portion is vertically disposed inside the defrost water pipe 1, the first end of the second guide portion is connected to the second end of the first guide portion, and the second end of the second guide portion is located below the defrost air inlet 14.

[0059] It should be understood that the surfaces of the first guide portion and the second guide portion are smooth structures, and the downward tilt angle of the first guide portion is greater than or equal to 45 degrees.

[0060] The deflector plate 13 not only helps guide the water flow smoothly to the drain outlet, reducing water flow resistance and thus improving drainage efficiency, but also effectively prevents the backflow of odors and bacteria, keeping the inside of the refrigerator clean and hygienic.

[0061] In some embodiments, the defrost inlet 11 has a fan-shaped cross-section and an arc-shaped top. The refrigerator's drip tray has an arc-shaped groove inside, and the top of the defrost inlet 11 is engaged with the arc-shaped groove to drain the defrost water inside the drip tray into the defrost water pipe 1.

[0062] It should be understood that the bottom of the arc-shaped groove is provided with a water pipe opening, which facilitates the installation of the defrosting water pipe 1 into the water receiving tray.

[0063] The defrost inlet 11 features a fan-shaped design, allowing water to flow more smoothly into the defrost pipe 1, reducing water flow resistance, thereby improving drainage efficiency and reducing internal dampness and odor problems caused by poor drainage. The tight connection between the defrost inlet 11 and the drip tray effectively prevents outside air from entering the refrigerator through the defrost pipe 1, avoiding the backflow of odors and bacteria, and maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of the refrigerator interior. Furthermore, the defrost inlet 11 has a simple structure and is easy to disassemble, allowing users to conveniently perform daily maintenance and cleaning, extending the refrigerator's lifespan, helping to maintain a hygienic internal environment, and reducing the likelihood of malfunctions.

[0064] In some embodiments, the refrigerator drainage piping system further includes a drainage branch pipe; a branch pipe connection port is provided on the side wall of the drainage pipe 2, and the drainage branch pipe is connected to the drainage pipe 2 through the branch pipe connection port; the drainage branch pipe is used to drain the condensate generated inside the refrigerator into the drainage pipe 2.

[0065] It should be understood that one end of the drain branch pipe is connected to the drain holes on the inner walls of each compartment of the refrigerator to collect condensate generated inside the refrigerator, and the other end of the drain branch pipe is connected to the drain pipe 2 through the branch pipe connector to discharge the condensate through the drain pipe 2. In some embodiments, the drain branch pipe can be customized according to the specific layout of the refrigerator, which not only saves space but also improves the overall aesthetics and practicality of the refrigerator.

[0066] The drain branch pipe, connected to drain pipe 2, provides an additional drainage path for condensate generated inside the refrigerator, helping to accelerate the drainage speed, especially when a large amount of condensate is generated inside the refrigerator, such as in summer or high humidity environments, effectively preventing water accumulation. The design of the drain branch pipe also makes the refrigerator drainage system more compact and flexible, ensuring smooth drainage of condensate and improving the overall reliability and stability of the refrigerator drainage system.

[0067] In some embodiments, the top of the drain pipe 2 is provided with a connecting clamp, which clamps the defrosting water pipe 1 and the drain pipe 2, and the connecting clamp is used to fix the defrosting water pipe 1 and the drain pipe 2.

[0068] It should be understood that the defrosting water pipe 1 is provided with an annular flange, the connecting clamp is fitted at the connection between the defrosting water pipe 1 and the drain pipe 2, and the inner flange of the connecting clamp is engaged and secured with the annular flange.

[0069] The design of the connecting clamp makes the connection between the defrosting water pipe 1 and the drain pipe 2 tighter and more stable. This not only reduces the resistance of water flow at the connection point to improve drainage efficiency, but also reduces the possibility of the connection between the defrosting water pipe 1 and the drain pipe 2 becoming loose due to water flow impact.

[0070] This application also provides a refrigerator in some embodiments, including the refrigerator drainage pipe system described in the above embodiments.

[0071] Since the refrigerator has all the beneficial effects of the refrigerator drainage pipe system described in the above embodiments, it will not be repeated here.

[0072] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, the present application provides a refrigerator drainage pipe system and a refrigerator. The refrigerator drainage pipe system includes a defrost water pipe 1 and a drain pipe 2. The top of the defrost water pipe 1 is provided with a defrost inlet 11, and the bottom of the defrost water pipe 1 is provided with a defrost drain outlet 12. The top of the drain pipe 2 is provided with a drain inlet, and the defrost drain outlet 12 is connected to the drain inlet. The bottom of the drain pipe 2 is provided with a drain outlet. When the drain outlet is in a closed state, the drain outlet is a corrugated structure 23 with the pipe gradually narrowing. The defrost water pipe 1 is provided with a defrost air inlet 14 on the side near the drain pipe 2, and the drain pipe 2 is provided with an air inlet valve 21 on the side near the defrost air inlet 14, and the air inlet valve 21 covers the defrost air inlet 14. By installing a defrost air inlet 14, an air inlet valve 21, and a corrugated structure 23 on the refrigerator's drain pipe system, external humid and hot air is effectively blocked from entering the compartment or evaporator chamber through the drain pipe 2, thereby improving the reliability of the drain pipe and reducing the refrigerator's operating energy consumption, thus solving the problem of increased refrigerator energy consumption due to the drain pipe.

[0073] It should be noted that in this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, the phrase "comprising an element defined as..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0074] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "setting", "connection", "fixing", "screw connection", etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal connection of two components or the interaction between two components. Unless otherwise expressly limited, those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0075] Similar parts between the embodiments provided in this application can be referred to mutually. The specific implementation methods provided above are only a few examples under the overall concept of this application and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application. For those skilled in the art, any other implementation methods extended from the solution of this application without creative effort shall fall within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A refrigerator drainage pipe system, characterized in that, include: Defrosting pipe (1) and drain pipe (2); The defrosting water pipe (1) has a defrosting inlet (11) at the top and a defrosting drain outlet (12) at the bottom; the drain pipe (2) has a drain inlet at the top and the defrosting drain outlet (12) is connected to the drain inlet. The bottom of the drain pipe (2) is provided with a drain outlet; when the drain outlet is in a closed state, the drain outlet is a corrugated structure (23) with the pipe gradually narrowing. The defrosting water pipe (1) is provided with a defrosting air inlet (14) on the side near the drain pipe (2), and the drain pipe (2) is provided with an air inlet valve (21) on the side near the defrosting air inlet (14), and the air inlet valve (21) covers the defrosting air inlet (14). The defrosting water pipe (1) is provided with a guide plate (13) on the inner side near the defrosting air inlet (14); The guide plate (13) includes a first guide section and a second guide section; the first end of the first guide section is disposed above the defrost air inlet (14) and is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the defrost water pipe (1); the second end of the first guide section is inclined to the side away from the defrost air inlet (14); the second guide section is vertically disposed inside the defrost water pipe (1), the first end of the second guide section is connected to the second end of the first guide section, and the second end of the second guide section is located below the defrost air inlet (14).

2. The refrigerator drainage pipe system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The defrosting water pipe (1) is a rigid pipe, and the drain pipe (2) is a flexible hose. The top of the drain pipe (2) is sleeved on the bottom of the defrosting water pipe (1).

3. The refrigerator drainage pipe system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The body of the drain pipe (2) and the corrugated structure (23) are integrally formed, and the pipe gap of the corrugated structure (23) is less than 1 mm.

4. The refrigerator drainage pipe system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The corrugated structure (23) also includes a first bend and a second bend; The first end of the first bend is located at the bottom center axis of the drain pipe (2), the second end of the first bend is inclined to one side of the outer surface of the drain pipe (2), the first end of the second bend is connected to the second end of the first bend, the second end of the second bend is inclined to the bottom center axis of the drain pipe (2), and the second end of the second bend is parallel to the second end of the first bend.

5. The refrigerator drainage pipe system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The air intake valve (21) is located on the wall of the drain pipe (2) and is cut along a preset cutting trajectory on the drain pipe (2); the gap between the air intake valve (21) and the drain pipe (2) is less than 1 mm, and the outer side of the air intake valve (21) is in contact with the refrigerator door.

6. The refrigerator drainage pipe system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The defrost inlet (11) has a fan-shaped cross-section and an arc-shaped top. The refrigerator's drip tray has an arc-shaped groove inside. The top of the defrost inlet (11) is engaged inside the arc-shaped groove to drain the defrost water inside the drip tray into the defrost water pipe (1).

7. The refrigerator drainage pipe system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a drain branch pipe; a branch pipe connection port is provided on the side wall of the drain pipe (2), and the drain branch pipe is connected to the drain pipe (2) through the branch pipe connection port; the drain branch pipe is used to drain the condensate generated inside the refrigerator into the drain pipe (2).

8. The refrigerator drainage pipe system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the drain pipe (2) is provided with a connecting clamp, which clamps the defrosting water pipe (1) and the drain pipe (2) to fix the defrosting water pipe (1) and the drain pipe (2).

9. A refrigerator, characterized in that, Includes the refrigerator drainage piping system as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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