Refrigerator

Abstract

The invention provides a box body, an unfreezing cavity is arranged in the box body, the unfreezing cavity is used for placing food materials to be unfrozen, an unfreezing medium for transferring heat to the food materials is arranged in the unfreezing cavity, and the temperature of the unfreezing medium is larger than or equal to-5.5 DEG C and smaller than or equal to 10.5 DEG C. The refrigerator can provide a suitable environment temperature range for unfreezing of food materials.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of refrigerators, and particularly to a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] With the development of science and technology, the living standards of human beings have been continuously improved, and refrigerators have become essential electrical appliances in people's work and life. During the use of a refrigerator, users usually freeze food ingredients (such as meat) so that the ingredients can be stored for a long time. However, for frozen ingredients, thawing and slicing are generally required before cooking.

[0003] Currently, refrigerators in the prior art are provided with a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment. The temperature of the freezer compartment is generally -18°C. When a user needs to use the ingredients stored in the freezer compartment for cooking, the ingredients are taken out from the freezer and placed in the refrigerator compartment or directly placed in the indoor space to wait for the ingredients to thaw. However, for the ingredients to thaw quickly, the temperature of the ingredients needs to be maintained at about 8°C; to keep the ingredients in the critical thawing or freezing state, the temperature of the ingredients also needs to be maintained in the range of -3°C to 0°C. However, the ambient temperature range of the indoor space is 22°C to 26°C, and the outlet air temperature range of the refrigerator compartment is 0°C to 4°C. Above all, the sum of the refrigerator compartment, the freezer compartment, and the indoor space cannot maintain the temperature of the ingredients within the above-mentioned quick-thawing temperature range and the freezing critical temperature, and cannot provide a suitable ambient temperature for the thawing of the ingredients. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can solve at least one defect in the above-mentioned prior art.

[0005] A further object of the present invention is to enable the refrigerator to provide a suitable ambient temperature range for the thawing of ingredients.

[0006] Specifically, the present invention provides a refrigerator, comprising:

[0007] A box body, inside which a thawing chamber is provided. The thawing chamber is used for placing ingredients to be thawed, and a thawing medium for transferring heat to the ingredients is arranged in the thawing chamber. The temperature of the thawing medium is greater than or equal to -5.5°C and less than or equal to 10.5°C.

[0008] Further, when the surface temperature of the ingredients is less than the freezing temperature value, the temperature of the thawing medium is configured to be a first preset temperature value. The first preset temperature value is greater than the freezing temperature value at which the ingredients start to freeze, and the freezing temperature value is greater than or equal to -5°C and less than or equal to 0°C.

[0009] Further, when the surface temperature of the food material is greater than or equal to the freezing temperature value, the temperature of the thawing medium is configured to be the freezing temperature of the food material, and the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to -5°C and less than or equal to 0°C.

[0010] Further, the thawing medium includes one or more of gas, liquid, and solid.

[0011] Further, the thawing medium is a thawing air flow; and

[0012] The refrigerator further includes:

[0013] A cooling mechanism and a first air duct, which are arranged inside the box body;

[0014] A heating mechanism and a second air duct, which are arranged inside the box body;

[0015] A mixing air device, which is connected to the first air duct, the second air duct, and the thawing cavity. The cooling mechanism and the first air duct are used to provide a cold air flow to the mixing air device, the heating mechanism and the second air duct are used to provide a hot air flow to the mixing air device, and the mixing air device is used to output a thawing air flow to the thawing cavity based on the cold air flow and the hot air flow.

[0016] Further, ventilation openings are formed in the wall of the thawing cavity;

[0017] The mixing air device includes:

[0018] A three-way valve, which is internally provided with a mixing air cavity, and is provided with a first air inlet, a second air inlet, and a first air outlet communicating with the mixing air cavity. The first air inlet is communicated with the first air duct, the second air inlet is communicated with the second air duct, and the first air outlet is communicated with the ventilation opening;

[0019] A mixing air fan, which is arranged at the first air outlet, and is used to prompt the cold air flow to flow into the mixing air cavity from the first air inlet, and to prompt the hot air flow to flow into the mixing air cavity from the second air inlet, and to prompt the thawing air flow formed by the mixing of the hot air flow and the cold air flow in the mixing air cavity to be discharged into the thawing cavity through the ventilation opening and the first air outlet.

[0020] Further, a valve core is arranged in the mixing air cavity. The valve core is arranged in the mixing air cavity and is used to adjust the flow rate of the hot air flow flowing into the mixing air cavity from the second air inlet and the flow rate of the cold air flow flowing into the mixing air cavity from the first air inlet.

[0021] Further, the cooling mechanism includes:

[0022] An evaporator and a cooling fan, which are arranged in the first air duct. The cooling fan is used to discharge the air flow flowing through the evaporator to the three-way valve through the first air duct; and

[0023] The heating mechanism includes:

[0024] The electric heating wire is arranged at the second air inlet and is used to heat the air flow conveyed from the second air duct to the three-way valve.

[0025] Furthermore, the cooling mechanism further includes:

[0026] The first semiconductor refrigeration chip, whose refrigeration end is arranged at the first air inlet and is used to lower the temperature of the air flow flowing through the first air inlet from the first air duct.

[0027] Furthermore, a refrigerating chamber is arranged in the box body. The refrigerating chamber is communicated with the first air duct. The cooling fan is also used to discharge the air flow flowing through the evaporator into the refrigerating chamber through the first air duct. The second air duct is communicated with the refrigerating chamber, and the second air duct is used to convey the air flow in the refrigerating chamber to flow through the second air inlet.

[0028] In the refrigerator of the present invention, since a thawing chamber is arranged in the box body and a thawing medium with a temperature range of -5.5°C to 10.5°C can be arranged in the thawing chamber, the temperature of the food ingredients can be maintained within the temperature range of rapid thawing and the freezing critical temperature. Therefore, the refrigerator of the present invention can provide a suitable ambient temperature range for thawing the food ingredients.

[0029] Furthermore, in the refrigerator of the present invention, when the surface temperature of the food ingredient is less than the freezing temperature value, the temperature of the thawing medium can be configured as the first preset temperature value, and the first preset temperature value is greater than the freezing temperature value at which the food ingredient starts to freeze. The freezing temperature value is greater than or equal to -5°C and less than or equal to 0°C. Thus, the outer surface of the food ingredient can be quickly thawed. And when the surface temperature of the food ingredient is greater than or equal to the freezing temperature value, the temperature of the thawing medium can be configured as the freezing temperature of the food ingredient. Thus, the food ingredient can be maintained in the frozen state of critical thawing. In this state, the formation of the phase change layer can be effectively avoided, and the temperature transferred from the thawing medium to the food ingredient can continuously and quickly transfer to the center of the food ingredient, enabling the food ingredient to quickly thaw towards the center in the frozen state. And in this frozen state, the food ingredient can be easily cut, and there will be no loss of nutrients and flavors caused by the loss of juice. Moreover, the reproduction of microorganisms in it can be effectively inhibited. Therefore, the refrigerator of the present invention can ensure a fast thawing speed of the food ingredient, and also ensure the nutrients and flavors of the food ingredient after thawing, and ensure the health of the users who consume the food ingredient.

[0030] From the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will more clearly understand the above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in an exemplary but non-limiting manner. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar components or parts. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic structural view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 is a schematic internal structural view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 is a schematic structural view of a thawing chamber in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 4 is one of the schematic structural views of a mixing air device in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 5 is another schematic structural view of a mixing air device in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 6 is a schematic connection structural view of a thawing chamber, a cooling mechanism, a heating mechanism, a first circulation pipe, and a second circulation pipe in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 7 is a schematic connection structural view of a thawing chamber, a cooling mechanism, a heating mechanism, a first thawing plate, and a second thawing plate in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiment

[0039] In the description of this embodiment, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

[0040] The terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features, that is, including one or more of such features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "a plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined. When a certain feature "includes or contains" a certain or certain features it covers, unless otherwise specifically described, this indicates that other features are not excluded and other features may be further included.

[0041] Unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, terms such as "installation", "setting", "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two components or the interaction relationship between two components, unless otherwise clearly limited. Those of ordinary skill in the art should be able to understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention according to specific circumstances.

[0042] In addition, in the description of this embodiment, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the direct contact between the first and second features, or may include the situation where the first and second features are not in direct contact but in contact through other features between them. That is, in the description of this embodiment, the first feature being "above", "over", and "on top of" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature being "under", "beneath", or "below" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the horizontal height of the first feature is less than that of the second feature.

[0043] Unless otherwise limited, all terms (including technical terms and scientific terms) used in the description of this embodiment have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this application belongs.

[0044] In the description of this embodiment, the description referring to terms such as "embodiment", "implementation manner", etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with this embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0045] The following combines Figures 1 to 7 to describe the refrigerator of this embodiment in detail. Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic internal structural diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the solid arrows in the figure represent the flow path and direction of the cold air flow in the first air duct, the dashed arrows represent the flow path and direction of the air flow in the second and third air ducts, and the dotted-dashed arrows represent the flow path and direction of the thawing air flow in the thawing cavity; Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the thawing cavity in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is one of the schematic structural diagrams of the air mixing device in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5It is the second structural schematic diagram of the air mixing device in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 It is the connection structural schematic diagram of the thawing chamber, the cooling mechanism, the heating mechanism, the first circulation pipe and the second circulation pipe in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. The solid arrows in the figure indicate the flowing direction and flowing path of the thawing liquid; Figure 7 It is the connection structural schematic diagram of the thawing chamber, the cooling mechanism, the heating mechanism, the first thawing plate and the second thawing plate in the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Referring to Figure 1 , in this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 includes a box body 110. A thawing chamber 111 is arranged inside the box body 110. The thawing chamber 111 is used for placing the food materials 1112 to be thawed, and a thawing medium for transferring heat to the food materials 1112 is arranged inside the thawing chamber 111. The temperature of the thawing medium is greater than or equal to -5.5°C and less than or equal to 10.5°C.

[0047] Since the refrigerator 100 in this embodiment has a thawing chamber 111 arranged inside its box body 110, and a thawing medium with a temperature range of -5.5°C to 10.5°C can be arranged inside the thawing chamber 111, the temperature of the food materials 1112 can be maintained within the temperature range of rapid thawing and the freezing critical temperature. Therefore, the refrigerator 100 in this embodiment can provide a suitable ambient temperature range for thawing the food materials 1112.

[0048] In addition, in the prior art, the food materials 1112 start to melt from the outside during the thawing process. When the user thinks that the food materials 1112 have been thawed and starts to cut them, the center of the food materials 1112 often fails to thaw. Moreover, when the surface of the food materials 1112 has melted into a non-frozen state, a phase change layer will be formed. During the continuous thawing process of the food materials 1112, the phase change layer will absorb a large amount of heat, thus preventing the transfer of heat to the center of the food materials 1112, and instead reducing the thawing speed of the food materials 1112; and, after the food materials 1112 are completely thawed, there will be a situation of loss of nutrition and flavor caused by juice loss, and even the amount of microbial reproduction will increase greatly.

[0049] In this embodiment, when the surface temperature of the food materials 1112 is less than the freezing temperature value, the temperature of the thawing medium is configured to be a first preset temperature value. The first preset temperature value is greater than the freezing temperature value at which the food materials 1112 start to freeze. The freezing temperature value is greater than or equal to -5°C and less than or equal to 0°C.

[0050] In this embodiment, when the surface temperature of the food materials 1112 is greater than or equal to the freezing temperature value, the temperature of the thawing medium is configured to be the freezing temperature of the food materials 1112. The freezing temperature is greater than or equal to -5°C and less than or equal to 0°C.

[0051] Since the refrigerator 100 of this embodiment can configure the temperature of the thawing medium to a first preset temperature value when the surface temperature of the food ingredient 1112 is less than the freezing temperature value, and the first preset temperature value is greater than the freezing temperature value at which the food ingredient 1112 starts to freeze, and the freezing temperature value is greater than or equal to -5°C and less than or equal to 0°C, the outer surface of the food ingredient 1112 can be thawed rapidly. And when the surface temperature of the food ingredient 1112 is greater than or equal to the freezing temperature value, the temperature of the thawing medium can be configured to the freezing temperature of the food ingredient 1112, so that the food ingredient 1112 can be maintained in a critical thawing frozen state. In this state, the formation of the phase change layer can be effectively avoided, and the temperature transferred from the thawing medium to the food ingredient 1112 can continue to be rapidly transferred to the center of the food ingredient 1112, enabling the food ingredient 1112 to be rapidly thawed towards the center in the frozen state. Moreover, in this frozen state, the food ingredient 1112 can be easily sliced, and there will be no loss of nutrients and flavors caused by the loss of juice, and the reproduction of microorganisms therein can be effectively inhibited. Therefore, the refrigerator 100 of this embodiment can ensure a rapid thawing speed of the food ingredient 1112, as well as the nutrients and flavors of the food ingredient 1112 after thawing, and ensure the health of the users who consume the food ingredient 1112.

[0052] Specifically, the relationship between the first preset temperature value and the freezing temperature value can be:

[0053] T = A + (5°C to 10°C)

[0054] wherein, T represents the first preset temperature value, and A represents the freezing temperature value.

[0055] And the second preset relationship between the second predetermined value and the freezing temperature value can be:

[0056] C = A + (0°C to 5°C)

[0057] wherein, C represents the second predetermined value, and A represents the freezing temperature value.

[0058] For example, when the food ingredient 1112 is pork and the freezing temperature of the pork is -1.7°C, then when the surface temperature of the pork is less than the freezing temperature value, the temperature range of the thawing medium can be configured to 3.3°C to 8.3°C to rapidly thaw the surface of the pork, and when the surface temperature of the pork rises and is greater than or equal to -5°C, the temperature range of the thawing medium can be configured to -1.7°C, enabling the pork to be gradually thawed towards the center in the critical thawing frozen state.

[0059] In this embodiment, the thawing medium includes one or more of gas, liquid, and solid.

[0060] In addition, in the prior art, there are also temperature ranges that cannot be reached in the sum of the refrigerating chamber, the freezing chamber, and the indoor space of the refrigerator 100. Further, the refrigerator 100 has an even greater environmental temperature gap that cannot be reached, which may not be able to meet the temperature requirements for thawing the foodstuff 1112, greatly restricting the improvement of the quality of the foodstuff 1112 after thawing.

[0061] Referring Figure 2 , in the first implementation manner of the present embodiment, the thawing medium is a thawing air flow; and the refrigerator 100 further includes a cooling mechanism 210 and a first air duct 310, a heating mechanism 220 and a second air duct 320, and a mixing air device 400. The cooling mechanism 210 and the first air duct 310 are disposed inside the cabinet 110; the heating mechanism 220 and the second air duct 320 are disposed inside the cabinet 110; the mixing air device 400 is connected to the first air duct 310, the second air duct 320, and the thawing chamber 111. The cooling mechanism 210 and the first air duct 310 are used to supply a cold air flow to the mixing air device 400, the heating mechanism 220 and the second air duct 320 are used to supply a hot air flow to the mixing air device 400, and the mixing air device 400 is used to output a thawing air flow into the thawing chamber 111 based on the cold air flow and the hot air flow.

[0062] It can be understood that through the construction of the above components such as the cooling mechanism 210 and the first air duct 310, the heating mechanism 220 and the second air duct 320, and the mixing air device 400, the refrigerator 100 can further provide the above-mentioned thawing medium for transferring heat to the foodstuff 1112.

[0063] Moreover, in the refrigerator 100 of the present implementation manner, through the settings of the cooling mechanism 210 and the first air duct 310, the heating mechanism 220 and the second air duct 320, the refrigerator 100 can not only supply a cold air flow to the mixing air device 400, but also supply a hot air flow to the mixing air device 400, and the mixing air device 400 can output the thawing air flow based on the hot air flow and the cold air flow. Thus, compared with the refrigerator 100 in the prior art that can only supply a cold air flow, the thawing air flow can have a larger temperature range, such as the temperature range greater than or equal to -5.5°C and less than or equal to 10.5°C in the above embodiment. Therefore, the present embodiment broadens the range of the environmental temperature that the refrigerator 100 can provide, further narrowing the gap of the environmental temperature that the refrigerator 100 can provide, effectively avoiding the situation where the thawing temperature requirements of the foodstuff 1112 cannot be met, and breaking through the limitation of the refrigerator 100 on the quality of the foodstuff 1112 after thawing.

[0064] Referring Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4, in this embodiment, a ventilation opening 1111 is formed in the wall of the thawing chamber 111; the air mixing device 400 includes a three-way valve 410 and an air mixing fan 420. A mixing chamber 411 is provided inside the three-way valve 410. The three-way valve 410 is provided with a first air inlet 412, a second air inlet 413, and a first air outlet 414 that communicate with the mixing chamber 411. The first air inlet 412 communicates with the first air duct 310, the second air inlet 413 communicates with the second air duct 320, and the first air outlet 414 communicates with the ventilation opening 1111; the air mixing fan 420 is arranged at the first air outlet 414. The air mixing fan 420 is used to cause the cold air flow to flow into the mixing chamber 411 from the first air inlet 412, and to cause the hot air flow to flow into the mixing chamber 411 from the second air inlet 413, and to cause the thawing air flow formed by the mixing of the hot air flow and the cold air flow in the mixing chamber 411 to be discharged into the thawing chamber 111 through the ventilation opening 1111 and the first air outlet 414.

[0065] It can be understood that by setting the three-way valve 410 and the air mixing fan 420 of the air mixing device 400, the thawing air flow can be output in the form of mixing the hot air flow and the cold air flow. And the ventilation opening 1111 can be arranged on the rear wall of the thawing chamber 111, or formed on the top of the thawing chamber 111.

[0066] Refer to Figure 5 , in addition, in some other embodiments, the air mixing device 400 may further include a four-way valve 430. The four-way valve 430 is provided with a first air inlet 412, a second air inlet 413, a first air outlet 414, and a second air outlet 431. A heat exchange plate 432 is arranged inside the four-way valve 430. The heat exchange plate 432 divides the inside of the four-way valve 430 into independent cold air passage 433 and hot air passage 434. The cold air passage 433 communicates with the first air outlet 414 and the first air inlet 412, and the hot air passage 434 communicates with the second air outlet 431 and the second air inlet 413. The first air inlet 412 communicates with the first air duct 310, the second air inlet 413 communicates with the second air duct 320, and the first air outlet 414 and / or the second air outlet 431 communicate with the ventilation opening 1111. Further, the air mixing device 400 can output the thawing air flow by causing the cold air flow and the hot air flow to exchange heat inside the four-way valve 430, and the thawing air flow can be delivered through any air outlet between the first air outlet 414 and the second air outlet 431. And further, the temperature of the thawing air flow flowing out can be controlled by controlling the flow rates flowing through the cold air passage 433 and the hot air passage 434, and / or adjusting the temperature of the hot air flow (cold air flow).

[0067] Refer to Figure 4, in this embodiment, a valve core 415 is disposed in the air mixing chamber 411. The valve core 415 is arranged in the air mixing chamber 411 and can be used to adjust the flow rate of the hot air flowing from the second air inlet 413 to the air mixing chamber 411 and the flow rate of the cold air flowing from the first air inlet 412 to the air mixing chamber 411 according to the temperature of the thawing air flow, the temperature of the hot air flow, and the temperature of the cold air flow, so as to adjust the air mixing ratio of the hot air flow and the cold air flow in the air mixing chamber 411, and further control the temperature of the thawing air flow flowing from the three-way valve 410 to the thawing chamber 111.

[0068] In this embodiment, the valve core 415 can be L-shaped or C-shaped, so as to synchronously adjust the flow rate of the hot air flowing from the second air inlet 413 to the air mixing chamber 411 and the flow rate of the cold air flowing from the first air inlet 412 to the air mixing chamber 411. For example, while increasing the flow rate of the hot air flowing from the second air inlet 413 to the air mixing chamber 411, the flow rate of the cold air flowing from the first air inlet 412 to the air mixing chamber 411 is decreased; or while decreasing the flow rate of the hot air flowing from the second air inlet 413 to the air mixing chamber 411, the flow rate of the cold air flowing from the first air inlet 412 to the air mixing chamber 411 is increased.

[0069] Refer to Figure 2 and Figure 4 , in this embodiment, the cooling mechanism 210 includes an evaporator 211 and a cooling fan 212. The evaporator 211 and the cooling fan 212 are arranged in the first air duct 310, and the cooling fan 212 is used to discharge the air flow flowing through the evaporator 211 to the three-way valve 410 through the first air duct 310; and, the heating mechanism 220 includes an electric heating wire 221, and the electric heating wire 221 is arranged at the second air inlet 413, and the electric heating wire 221 is used to heat the air flow conveyed from the second air duct 320 to the three-way valve 410.

[0070] It can be understood that the cold air flow can be formed by the cooling fan 212 causing the air flow to pass through the evaporator 211 in the first air duct 310; the hot air flow can be formed by causing the air flow in the second air duct 320 to pass through the electric heating wire 221. And, when the flow rate of the hot air flow flowing from the second air inlet 413 to the air mixing chamber 411 and the flow rate of the cold air flow flowing from the first air inlet 412 to the air mixing chamber 411 are certain, the electric heating power of the electric heating wire 221 can be adjusted to adjust the temperature of the hot air flow flowing from the second air inlet 413 to the air mixing chamber 411, and further adjust the temperature of the thawing air flow mixed by the hot air flow and the cold air flow in the air mixing chamber 411 and then input into the thawing chamber 111.

[0071] In addition, the evaporator 211 and the cooling fan 212 can be a refrigeration system of the refrigerator 100 itself for providing cold air flow to the freezer compartment 113 and the refrigerating compartment 112, or can also be a refrigeration system that separately provides cold air flow to the air mixing device 400.

[0072] Referring to Figure 4 , in this embodiment, the cooling mechanism 210 further includes a first thermoelectric cooler 213. The cooling end of the first thermoelectric cooler 213 is disposed at the first air inlet 412, and the first thermoelectric cooler 213 is configured to reduce the temperature of the air flow flowing through the first air inlet 412 by the first air duct 310.

[0073] It can be understood that when the evaporator 211 and the cooling fan 212 are a refrigeration system for providing cold air flow to the freezer compartment 113 and the refrigerating compartment 112 of the refrigerator 100 itself, in order to avoid the situation where the cold air flow (flow rate and / or cooling capacity) provided to the air mixing device 400 is insufficient at the same time, the cooling end of the first thermoelectric cooler 213 can be disposed at the first air inlet 412 to supplement the cooling capacity of the cold air flow flowing from the first air inlet 412 to the air mixing chamber 411, so as to ensure that the thawing air flow can have a larger temperature range.

[0074] In addition, in some other embodiments, the cooling capacity of the cold air flow provided to the air mixing device 400 can be provided solely by the first thermoelectric cooler 213.

[0075] In this embodiment, for the control or adjustment of the temperature of the thawing air flow, it can be a single adjustment of the method described in the above embodiment, or it can be a combined adjustment of components such as the first thermoelectric cooler 213, the evaporator 211, the electric heating wire 221, and the valve core 415 in each embodiment.

[0076] Referring to Figure 4 , in this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 further includes a first temperature sensor 510, a second temperature sensor 520, and a third temperature sensor 530. The first temperature sensor 510 is disposed at the first air inlet 412, and in the flow direction of the air flow in the first air duct 310, the first temperature sensor 510 is located before the first thermoelectric cooler 213. The first temperature sensor 510 is configured to obtain the temperature of the air flow flowing through the first air inlet 412 by the first air duct 310, that is, the first temperature sensor 510 is configured to obtain the temperature of the air flow flowing through the evaporator 211 and then before the first thermoelectric cooler 213; the second temperature sensor 520 is disposed at the second air inlet 413, and in the flow direction of the air flow in the second air duct 320, the second temperature sensor 520 is located before the electric heating wire 221. The second temperature sensor 520 is configured to obtain the temperature of the air flow flowing through the second air inlet 413 by the second air duct 320, that is, the second temperature sensor 520 is configured to obtain the temperature of the air flow before flowing through the heating wire; the third temperature sensor 530 is disposed at the first air outlet 414, and the third temperature sensor 530 is configured to obtain the temperature of the thawing air flow flowing out of the first air outlet 414.

[0077] It can be understood that to obtain the temperature of the cold air flow from the first air inlet 412 to the air mixing chamber 411, it can be determined according to the temperature obtained by the first temperature sensor 510 and the refrigeration power of the refrigeration end of the first semiconductor refrigeration sheet 213; to obtain the temperature of the hot air flow from the second air inlet 413 to the air mixing chamber 411, it can be determined according to the temperature obtained by the second temperature sensor 520 and the heating power of the electric heating wire 221.

[0078] In addition, in order to directly obtain the temperature of the cold air flow from the first air inlet 412 to the air mixing chamber 411, the position where the first temperature sensor 510 is set can be in the air flow direction in the first air duct 310, behind the first semiconductor refrigeration sheet 213; and to directly obtain the temperature of the hot air flow from the second air inlet 413 to the air mixing chamber 411, the position where the second temperature sensor 520 is set can be in the air flow direction in the second air duct 320, behind the electric heating wire 221.

[0079] Refer to Figure 4 , in this embodiment, when thawing air with a first preset temperature value is required; the three-way valve 410 is adjusted to supply air mainly from the heating mechanism 220 and the second air duct 320. When the temperature of the hot air flow from the second air inlet 413 to the air mixing chamber 411 is greater than the first preset temperature value, the electric heating wire 221 does not work, and the cold air flow is made to enter the air mixing chamber 411 by adjusting the three-way valve 410; when the temperature of the hot air flow from the second air inlet 413 to the air mixing chamber 411 is less than the first preset temperature value, the heating resistance wire works, and the temperature of the thawing air flow flowing into the thawing chamber 111 is controlled within the required range by adjusting the mixing ratio of the cold and hot air flows in the air mixing chamber 411 and the power of the electric heating wire 221.

[0080] When thawing air with a freezing temperature is required; the three-way valve 410 is adjusted to supply air mainly from the cooling mechanism 210 and the first air duct 310. When the temperature of the cold air flow from the first air inlet 412 to the air mixing chamber 411 is lower than the freezing temperature, the three-way valve 410 appropriately increases the supply of hot air flow; when the temperature of the cold air flow from the first air inlet 412 to the air mixing chamber 411 is higher than the freezing temperature, the flow rate of the cold air flow from the first air inlet 412 to the air mixing chamber 411 is adjusted to be the largest and the supply of hot air flow to the air mixing device 400 is stopped, and the semiconductor refrigeration works, and the temperature of the thawing air flow flowing into the thawing chamber 111 is controlled within the required range.

[0081] Refer to Figure 2, in this embodiment, a refrigerating chamber 112 is provided inside the box body 110. The refrigerating chamber 112 communicates with the first air duct 310. The cold air supply fan 212 is also used to discharge the air flow passing through the evaporator 211 into the refrigerating chamber 112 through the first air duct 310. The second air duct 320 communicates with the refrigerating chamber 112, and the second air duct 320 is used to convey the air flow in the refrigerating chamber 112 to flow through the second air inlet 413, and this air flow passes through the electric heating wire 221 in the above-mentioned embodiment. Furthermore, the heating mechanism 220 and the second air duct 320 can supply hot air flow to the air mixing device 400.

[0082] Referring to Figure 2 , in this embodiment, the second air duct 320 also communicates with the first air duct 310, and the connection between the second air duct 320 and the first air duct 310 is arranged adjacent to the evaporator 211. The second air duct 320 is also used to cause the air flow in the refrigerating chamber 112 to flow back to the position of the evaporator 211 in the first air duct 310; and, the thawing chamber 111 communicates with the second air duct 320, and the position of the second air duct 320 connecting to the second air inlet 413 is located before the connection between the second air duct 320 and the thawing chamber 111 in the air flow direction of the second air duct 320. Furthermore, the circulation supply of the thawing air flow for the thawing chamber 111 and the circulation supply of the cold air flow for the refrigerating chamber 112 can be completed to ensure the normal operation of the refrigerator 100 in this embodiment.

[0083] Referring to Figure 2 , in this embodiment, a freezing chamber 113 is provided inside the box body 110. The first air duct 310 communicates with the freezing chamber 113 to supply cold air flow into the freezing chamber 113 through the cold air supply fan 212. The refrigerator 100 further includes a third air duct 330. One end of the third air duct 330 communicates with the freezing chamber 113, and the other end of the third air duct 330 communicates with the position where the evaporator 211 is arranged in the first air duct 310. Furthermore, the refrigerator 100 can realize the circulation supply of the cold air flow in the freezing chamber 113 to ensure the normal operation of the refrigerator 100 in this embodiment.

[0084] Referring to Figure 2 , in some embodiments, the second air inlet 413 can also communicate with the third air duct 330, and the thawing chamber 111 communicates with the second air duct 320. The position of the third air duct 330 connecting to the second air inlet 413 is located before the connection between the third air duct 330 and the thawing chamber 111 in the air flow direction of the third air duct 330. Similarly, the circulation supply of the thawing air flow for the thawing chamber 111 and the circulation supply of the cold air flow for the freezing chamber 113 can be completed to ensure the normal operation of the refrigerator 100 in this embodiment.

[0085] Referring to Figure 2, in this embodiment, the thawing chamber 111 can be provided independently of the freezing chamber 113 and the refrigerating chamber 112, or can be an independent chamber within the refrigerating chamber 112, or can also be an independent enclosed chamber within the freezing chamber 113.

[0086] Referring to Figure 3 , in this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 further includes a convection fan 1113. The convection fan 1113 is disposed within the thawing chamber 111, and the convection fan 1113 is used to promote the flow of the thawing air within the thawing chamber 111 towards the foodstuff 1112. So that the thawing air uniformly contacts the foodstuff 1112, ensuring the uniformity of the heat exchange between the whole of the foodstuff 1112 and the thawing air.

[0087] Referring to Figure 6 , in the second embodiment of this example, the thawing medium is a thawing liquid; and, the refrigerator 100 further includes a cooling mechanism 210 and a first circulation pipe 340, a heating mechanism 220 and a second circulation pipe 350, and both ends of the first circulation pipe 340 are connected to the thawing chamber 111, and both ends of the second circulation pipe 350 are also connected to the thawing chamber 111. A thawing liquid flows within the thawing chamber 111, the first circulation pipe 340, and the second circulation pipe 350. The cooling mechanism 210 is disposed on the first circulation pipe 340, and the cooling mechanism 210 is used to cool the thawing liquid flowing through the first circulation pipe 340, and the heating mechanism 220 is used to heat the thawing liquid flowing through the second circulation pipe 350.

[0088] It can be understood that through the settings of the above-mentioned cooling mechanism 210 and the first circulation pipe 340, the heating mechanism 220 and the second circulation pipe 350, the refrigerator 100 can further provide a thawing medium for transferring heat to the foodstuff 1112; and it can be known that on the basis that the cooled thawing liquid can flow into the thawing chamber 111 through the first circulation pipe 340, the heated thawing liquid can flow into the thawing chamber 111 through the second circulation pipe 350 to be mixed with the cooled thawing liquid. Thus, compared with the refrigerator 100 that can only provide cold air flow in the prior art, the thawing liquid within the thawing chamber 111 can have a larger temperature range, such as the temperature range greater than or equal to -5.5 °C and less than or equal to 10.5 °C in the above-mentioned example. Therefore, this example broadens the interval of the ambient temperature that the refrigerator 100 can provide, further narrowing the gap of the ambient temperature that the refrigerator 100 can provide, effectively avoiding the situation where the thawing temperature requirement of the foodstuff 1112 cannot be met, and breaking through the limitation of the quality of the foodstuff 1112 after thawing by the refrigerator 100.

[0089] Moreover, in the present embodiment, when the flow rates of the thawing liquid flowing through the first circulation pipe 340 and the second circulation pipe 350 are constant, by adjusting the temperature of the thawing liquid flowing through the first circulation pipe 340 and the temperature of the thawing liquid flowing through the second circulation pipe 350, the temperature of the thawing liquid in the thawing chamber 111 can be adjusted accordingly.

[0090] Refer to Figure 6 , in the present embodiment, a first flow valve 341 is provided on the first circulation pipe 340, and the first flow valve 341 is used to adjust the flow rate of the thawing liquid flowing through the first circulation pipe 340. A second flow valve 351 is provided on the second circulation pipe 350, and the second flow valve 351 is used to adjust the flow rate of the thawing liquid flowing through the second circulation pipe 350. Thus, when the temperature of the thawing liquid flowing through the first circulation pipe 340 and the temperature of the thawing liquid flowing through the second circulation pipe 350 are constant, the first flow valve 341 and the second flow valve 351 can be adjusted to adjust the temperature of the thawing liquid in the thawing chamber 111; and in order to adjust the temperature of the thawing liquid in the thawing chamber 111, the first flow valve 341, the second flow valve 351, the cooling mechanism 210, and the heating mechanism 220 can be adjusted simultaneously.

[0091] Refer to Figure 6 , in the present embodiment, the refrigerator 100 further includes a third temperature sensor 530, and the third temperature sensor 530 is disposed in the thawing chamber 111 to obtain the temperature of the thawing liquid in the thawing chamber 111.

[0092] Refer to Figure 6 , in the present embodiment, the first circulation pipe 340 and the second circulation pipe 350 can be connected to the thawing chamber 111 in a parallel manner.

[0093] Refer to Figure 6 , in the present embodiment, the cooling mechanism 210 can be the cooling end of the second thermoelectric cooler 214, or can also be the evaporator 211 connected to the compressor; the heating mechanism 220 can be the heating end of the third thermoelectric cooler 222, or can also be the condenser connected to the compressor.

[0094] Refer to Figure 7, in the third implementation manner of this embodiment, the thawing medium is the relatively arranged first thawing plate 610 and second thawing plate 620, and the food 1112 can be in contact between the first thawing plate 610 and the second thawing plate 620, that is, the thawing medium in this embodiment can be a solid; moreover, the refrigerator 100 further includes a cooling mechanism 210 and a heating mechanism 220. The cooling mechanism 210 and the heating mechanism 220 are arranged on the first thawing plate 610, and the cooling mechanism 210 and the heating mechanism 220 are arranged on the second thawing plate 620. The cooling mechanism 210 is used to transfer cold to the first thawing plate 610 and the second thawing plate 620, and the heating mechanism 220 is used to transfer heat to the first thawing plate 610 and the second thawing plate 620, and the heating mechanism 220 and the cooling mechanism 210 are used to adjust the temperatures of the first thawing plate 610 and the second thawing plate 620.

[0095] It can be understood that through the settings of the foregoing cooling mechanism 210, heating mechanism 220, first thawing plate 610 and second thawing plate 620, the refrigerator 100 can thus provide the above-mentioned thawing medium for transferring heat to the food 1112, and it can be known that the temperatures on the first thawing plate 610 and the second thawing plate are jointly determined by the heat of the heating mechanism 220 and the cold of the cooling mechanism 210. Therefore, compared with the refrigerator 100 that can only provide cold air flow in the prior art, the first thawing plate 610 and the second thawing plate can have a larger temperature range, such as the temperature range greater than or equal to -5.5°C and less than or equal to 10.5°C in the above embodiment. Therefore, this embodiment broadens the interval of the ambient temperature that the refrigerator 100 can provide, further narrows the gap of the ambient temperature that the refrigerator 100 can provide, effectively avoids the situation where the thawing temperature requirement of the food 1112 cannot be met, and breaks through the limitation of the refrigerator 100 on the quality of the thawed food 1112.

[0096] Refer to Figure 7 , in this implementation manner, the cooling mechanism 210 can be the cooling ends of multiple fourth semiconductor refrigeration chips 215, and the heating mechanism 220 can be the heating ends of multiple fifth semiconductor refrigeration chips 223. Moreover, the way the cooling mechanism 210 and the heating mechanism 220 are arranged on the first thawing plate 610 and the second thawing plate 620 can be that the cooling ends of the fourth semiconductor refrigeration chips 215 and the heating ends of the fifth semiconductor refrigeration chips 223 are alternately laid along the plane where the first thawing plate 610 and the second thawing plate 620 are located, so as to achieve the provision of heat and cold and the temperature uniformity on the first thawing plate 610 and the second thawing plate 620.

[0097] In some embodiments, the cooling mechanism 210 may be the fins of multiple evaporators 211, the heating mechanism 220 may be the fins of multiple condensers, and the way the cooling mechanism 210 and the heating mechanism 220 are arranged on the first thawing plate 610 and the second thawing plate 620 may be that the fins of the evaporators 211 and the fins of the condensers are alternately laid along the plane where the first thawing plate 610 and the second thawing plate 620 are located, so as to achieve the provision of heat and cold and the uniformity of the temperature on the first thawing plate 610 and the second thawing plate 620.

[0098] Referring to Figure 7 , in the present embodiment, the first thawing plate 610, the heating mechanism 220, and the cooling mechanism 210 may be arranged as an integral structure, and the second thawing plate 620, the heating mechanism 220, and the cooling mechanism 210 may be arranged as an integral structure.

[0099] In the present embodiment, the first thawing plate 610 and the second thawing plate 620 may be made of metal materials, such as copper and aluminum.

[0100] Referring to Figure 7 , in the present embodiment, the thawing chamber 111 includes a first inner wall and a second inner wall arranged opposite to each other (for example, the inner top wall and the inner bottom wall, the inner left side wall and the inner right side wall), the refrigerator 100 further includes a first telescopic structure 710 and a second telescopic mechanism 720. The first telescopic structure 710 is connected between the first thawing plate 610 and the first inner wall of the thawing chamber 111, and the second telescopic structure is connected between the second thawing plate 620 and the second inner wall of the thawing chamber 111. The first telescopic structure 710 is used to urge the first thawing plate 610 to press against the food 1112, and the second telescopic structure is used to urge the second thawing plate 620 to press against the food 1112, so as to ensure the contact between the first thawing plate 610 and the second thawing plate 620 and the food 1112.

[0101] In addition, both the first telescopic structure 710 and the second telescopic structure may be springs, or may also be a driving structure including a driving motor, a driving gear, and a driving rack.

[0102] Referring to Figure 3 , in the present embodiment, the refrigerator 100 further includes a thawing tray 114. The thawing tray 114 is arranged at the bottom inside the thawing chamber 111, and the thawing tray 114 is used to hold the food 1112.

[0103] In addition, when the thawing medium is the first thawing plate 610 and the second thawing plate 620 in the above embodiment, and the first inner wall is the inner top wall and the second inner wall is the inner bottom wall, the thawing tray 114 may be the second thawing plate 620.

[0104] At this point, 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 that conform to the principles of the present invention can still be directly determined or derived from the disclosed content of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and construed as covering all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising: a cabinet, inside which a thawing chamber is provided for placing food to be thawed, and a thawing medium for transferring heat to the food is provided in the thawing chamber, and the temperature of the thawing medium is greater than or equal to -5.5°C and less than or equal to 10.5°C.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, when the surface temperature of the food is less than the freezing temperature value, the temperature of the thawing medium is configured as a first preset temperature value, the first preset temperature value is greater than the freezing temperature value at which the food starts to freeze, and the freezing temperature value is greater than or equal to -5°C and less than or equal to 0°C.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, when the surface temperature of the food is greater than or equal to the freezing temperature value, the temperature of the thawing medium is configured as the freezing temperature of the food, and the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to -5°C and less than or equal to 0°C.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, the thawing medium includes one or more of gas, liquid, and solid.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, the thawing medium is a thawing air flow; and, the refrigerator further includes: a cooling mechanism and a first air duct, provided inside the cabinet; a heating mechanism and a second air duct, provided inside the cabinet; a mixing air device, communicating with the first air duct, the second air duct, and the thawing chamber, the cooling mechanism and the first air duct are used to provide a cold air flow to the mixing air device, the heating mechanism and the second air duct are used to provide a hot air flow to the mixing air device, and the mixing air device is used to output the thawing air flow to the thawing chamber based on the cold air flow and the hot air flow.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein, ventilation openings are formed on the wall of the thawing chamber; the mixing air device includes: a three-way valve, inside which a mixing air chamber is provided, and a first air inlet, a second air inlet, and a first air outlet communicating with the mixing air chamber are provided on it, and the first air inlet communicates with the first air duct, the second air inlet communicates with the second air duct, and the first air outlet communicates with the ventilation opening; a mixing air fan, provided at the first air outlet, for promoting the cold air flow to flow into the mixing air chamber from the first air inlet, and promoting the hot air flow to flow into the mixing air chamber from the second air inlet, and promoting the thawing air flow formed by the mixing of the hot air flow and the cold air flow in the mixing air chamber to be discharged into the thawing chamber through the ventilation opening and the first air outlet.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein, a valve core is provided in the mixing air chamber, the valve core is provided in the mixing air chamber, and the valve core is used to adjust the flow rate of the hot air flow flowing into the mixing air chamber from the second air inlet and the flow rate of the cold air flow flowing into the mixing air chamber from the first air inlet.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein, the cooling mechanism includes: an evaporator and a cooling fan, provided in the first air duct, the cooling fan is used to discharge the air flow flowing through the evaporator to the three-way valve through the first air duct; and, the heating mechanism includes: An electric heating wire is disposed at the second air inlet for heating the air flow conveyed from the second air duct to the three-way valve.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein, the cooling mechanism further includes: a first semiconductor refrigeration chip, the refrigerating end of which is disposed at the first air inlet for reducing the temperature of the air flow flowing through the first air inlet from the first air duct.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein, a refrigerating chamber is provided in the box body, the refrigerating chamber is communicated with the first air duct, the cooling fan is further configured to discharge the air flow flowing through the evaporator to the refrigerating chamber through the first air duct, the second air duct is communicated with the refrigerating chamber, and the second air duct is configured to convey the air flow in the refrigerating chamber to flow through the second air inlet.

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