Refrigeration equipment
By incorporating an independent ice-making compartment and a retractable drainage system within the refrigerator's storage compartment, the problem of ice contamination is solved, achieving clean cooling and convenient installation while ensuring the cleanliness of the ice.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202410484945.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-22
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-24
AI Technical Summary
The existing refrigerator ice maker and ice storage box are connected to the storage compartment, which makes the ice cubes easily contaminated by odors and bacteria in the storage compartment, resulting in unclean ice cubes.
An independent ice-making chamber is set up in the storage room, and a retractable drain is installed at the water tray to form an independent cooling ice-making chamber. Combined with the design of guide grooves and elastic components, the drain is designed to ensure smooth expansion and contraction, avoid interference with the ice-making chamber wall, and facilitate installation.
It achieves clean isolation of the ice-making chamber, avoids ice contamination, simplifies the installation process of the water tray, and improves the cleanliness and convenience of the ice-making chamber.
Smart Images
Figure CN120830985A_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to the field of household appliances, and in particular to a refrigeration device. BACKGROUND
[0002] With the continuous improvement of living standards, the refrigerator has become a necessary household appliance and entered thousands of households. Moreover, the functions of the refrigerator are becoming more and more complete. In order to meet the daily ice needs of users, devices such as ice makers and ice storage boxes need to be provided in the refrigerator. At present, the space where the ice maker and the ice storage box of the refrigerator are generally communicated with the storage compartment of the refrigerator. In addition, in order to provide cooling, the refrigerator needs to be provided with a refrigeration system, which generally includes an evaporator, a compressor, a refrigerant pipe connecting the evaporator and the compressor, etc. The evaporator is generally arranged outside the storage compartment and is communicated with the storage compartment through an air duct. However, this design has the following defects: the ice blocks produced by the ice maker are easily contaminated by the odor and bacteria in the storage compartment, resulting in unclean ice blocks. SUMMARY
[0003] The present application aims to provide a refrigeration device, which can form an independent cooling ice-making chamber in the storage compartment by providing an ice-making chamber with an ice-making refrigeration system in the storage chamber and a retractable drain element at the water pan, thereby ensuring the cleanliness of the ice-making chamber and facilitating the installation of the water pan.
[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose of the application, one embodiment of the present application provides a refrigeration device, which includes a cabinet and a storage compartment formed in the cabinet. The refrigeration device further includes an ice-making chamber arranged in the storage compartment and an ice-making refrigeration system arranged in the ice-making chamber. The ice-making refrigeration system includes an evaporator, a water pan for receiving defrosting water of the evaporator, and a retractable drain element arranged in the water pan. The wall of the ice-making chamber is formed with a drain opening matched with the drain element, and when the drain element is extended, the drain element extends into the drain opening.
[0005] As one of the embodiments of the present application, the ice-making refrigeration system includes a shell, and the water pan is arranged in the shell. When the drain element is completely retracted, the drain element does not exceed the shell.
[0006] As one of the embodiments of the present application, an elastic element is arranged between the drain element and the water pan. When the drain element is pressed by the wall of the ice-making chamber, the drain element is retracted into the shell and presses the elastic element. When the drain element is opposite to the drain opening, the drain element is extended out of the shell and into the drain opening under the action of the elastic element.
[0007] As one of the embodiments of the present application, the water pan is provided with a drain nozzle, the drain nozzle is arranged in the drain passage of the drain device at least at the water outlet end, and the outer wall of the drain nozzle at least at the water outlet end is attached to the inner wall of the drain passage.
[0008] As one of the embodiments of the present application, the housing is provided with a guide groove, and the drain device is slidably arranged in the guide groove.
[0009] As one of the embodiments of the present application, the lower wall of the drain device and the two side walls at both ends of the lower wall are attached to the inner wall of the guide groove.
[0010] As one of the embodiments of the present application, the drain device comprises a first limiting flange protruding outwardly, the guide groove is provided with a limiting wall protruding into the groove, and the limiting wall is arranged at the drain opening side of the first limiting flange to prevent the drain device from being separated from the guide groove.
[0011] As one of the embodiments of the present application, the elastic member is arranged between the first limiting flange and the side wall of the water pan, and the elastic member is in a compressed state when the drain device is extended to abut against the limiting wall of the first limiting flange.
[0012] As one of the embodiments of the present application, the refrigeration system comprises a housing integrated module, the housing integrated module comprises the housing, an ice-making evaporator, the water pan, and the drain device mounted on the housing, the left wall or the right wall of the ice-making chamber forms the drain opening, the drain device is arranged at the drain opening side of the water pan, and during installation, the water outlet end of the drain device abuts against the left wall or the right wall of the ice-making chamber, and the housing integrated module is moved up and down along the left wall or the right wall of the ice-making chamber until the drain device is opposite to the drain opening.
[0013] As one of the embodiments of the present application, the housing comprises an upper housing and a lower housing arranged oppositely, the ice-making evaporator is mounted on the upper housing, the water pan is mounted on the lower housing, a partition is arranged in the storage compartment, the partition, together with the left and right side walls and the rear wall of the storage compartment, encloses the ice-making chamber, the ice-making chamber is arranged at the top of the storage compartment, and the storage compartment is a freezer.
[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the beneficial effects that an ice-making chamber with an ice-making refrigeration system is arranged in the storage compartment, and a telescopic drain device is arranged in the water pan, so that an ice-making chamber with independent cooling can be formed in the storage compartment, the cleanliness of the ice-making chamber is ensured, and the installation of the water pan is facilitated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0015] The specific embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0016] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present application;
[0017] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is an exploded view of the shell integrated module of the ice-making and refrigeration system shown in
[0018] Figure 3 is Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the inner liner and related structures shown in
[0019] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the inner liner and related structures shown in Figure 1
[0020] Figure 5 is Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the rear side structure of the cabinet shown in
[0021] Figure 6 is Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of the shell integrated module of the ice-making and refrigeration system shown in DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The present patent will be described in detail below with reference to the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, these embodiments do not limit the present patent, and the structural, method, or functional changes made by those of ordinary skill in the art based on these embodiments are included in the protection scope of the present patent.
[0023] The refrigeration device of the present application can be a refrigerator, a freezer, or a commercial display cabinet, etc. The specific embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to a refrigerator as an example.
[0024] Referring to Figure 1 , the refrigerator 100 includes a cabinet 1 and a storage compartment 13 formed in the cabinet 1. The refrigerator 100 further includes an ice-making compartment 14 disposed in the storage compartment 13 and an ice-making and refrigeration system 20 disposed in the ice-making compartment 14. An opening can be formed in the front side of the ice-making compartment 14. The ice-making and refrigeration system 20 can be installed in the ice-making compartment 14 through the opening of the ice-making compartment 14.
[0025] Referring to Figure 1 In the embodiment, the ice-making compartment 14 can be formed by the partition 15 and the side walls of the storage compartment 13. An opening can be formed on the front side of the storage compartment 13. The partition 15 can be installed in the storage compartment 13 through the opening. Preferably, the partition 15 can form the ice-making compartment 14 together with the left and right side walls and the back wall of the storage compartment 13. The ice-making compartment 14 can be arranged on the top of the storage compartment 13. The partition 15 can be opposite to the top wall of the storage compartment 13. The partition 15 can form the ice-making compartment 14 together with the top wall, the left and right side walls and the back wall of the storage compartment 13. In other embodiments, the ice-making compartment 14 can be arranged on the bottom of the storage compartment 13. The partition 15 can form the ice-making compartment 14 together with the bottom wall, the left and right side walls and the back wall of the storage compartment 13. An ice maker 16 for making ice and an ice storage box for storing ice can be arranged in the ice-making compartment 14. The ice storage box can be arranged below the ice maker 16.
[0026] With reference to Figure 2 In the embodiment, the ice-making refrigeration system 20 is used to supply cold air to the ice-making compartment 14. The ice-making refrigeration system 20 includes an evaporator 21 and a water pan 22 for receiving defrost water of the evaporator 21. The ice-making refrigeration system 20 can include a heating element for heating the evaporator 21. The heating element can be a heating wire or other element for heating. The water pan 22 can be arranged below the evaporator 21. The upper end of the water pan 22 can be open. When the evaporator 21 stops working, the heating element can be started to heat the evaporator 21. The water pan 22 can receive the defrost water of the evaporator 21. By arranging the ice-making compartment 14 in the storage compartment 13, the ice made by the ice maker 16 in the ice-making compartment 14 can be prevented from being polluted by odor and bacteria in the storage compartment 13. The cleanliness of the ice-making compartment 14 can be ensured.
[0027] With reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the embodiment, the ice-making refrigeration system 20 can further include a drain 24 arranged in the water pan 22 in a retractable manner. The wall of the ice-making compartment 14 can be formed with a drain opening 141 matched with the drain 24. When the drain 24 is extended, the drain 24 can extend into the drain opening 141. In this way, the drain 24 can be prevented from interfering with the structure of the wall of the ice-making compartment 14 by retracting the drain 24. The water pan 22 can be conveniently installed in the ice-making compartment 14 from various directions, such as from front to back or from bottom to top.
[0028] With reference to Figure 1 , Figures 3 to 5In the embodiment, the cabinet 1 can include a cabinet shell 11, an inner container 12, and a foaming space formed between the cabinet shell 11 and the inner container 12. A storage compartment 13 can be formed inside the inner container 12. A drain pre-embedded part 31 can be arranged in the foaming space and cooperates with the drain opening 141. The drain part 24 can extend into the drain pre-embedded part 31 through the drain opening 141. The drain pre-embedded part 31 can be foamed and fixed to the inner container 12 through the cabinet 1. A mechanical chamber 17 can be formed at the bottom of the cabinet 1, and a compressor, an evaporating pan, or the like can be arranged in the mechanical chamber 17. A drain pipe 32 can be arranged between the drain pre-embedded part 31 and the evaporating pan. The defrosting water of the water collecting tray 22 can flow into the drain pre-embedded part 31 through the drain part 24, flow into the drain pipe 32 from the drain pre-embedded part 31, and then flow into the evaporating pan from the drain pipe 32. The upper end of the evaporating pan can be open, and the water in the evaporating pan can be heated and evaporated by the heat of the compressor or evaporated naturally.
[0029] In the embodiment, the refrigerator 100 can further include a storage refrigerating system arranged in the cabinet 1 and supplying cold air to the storage compartment 13. Preferably, the storage compartment 13 is a freezing compartment. In other embodiments, the storage compartment 13 can also be a refrigerating compartment or a temperature-variable compartment, or the like.
[0030] Referring to Figure 2 In an embodiment of the present application, the ice-making refrigerating system 20 includes a housing 23, and the water collecting tray 22 is arranged in the housing 23. When the drain part 24 is completely retracted, the drain part 24 does not exceed the housing 23. In this way, the drain part 24 can be prevented from interfering with the wall of the ice-making compartment 14 or other structures by retracting the drain part 24, and the housing 23 can be conveniently installed in the ice-making compartment 14 from various directions, such as from front to back or from bottom to top.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present application, an elastic part is arranged between the drain part 24 and the water collecting tray 22. When the drain part 24 is pressed by the wall of the ice-making compartment 14, the drain part 24 is retracted into the housing 23 and presses the elastic part. When the drain part 24 is opposite to the drain opening 141, the drain part 24 is extended out of the housing 23 and into the drain opening 141 under the action of the elastic part. Preferably, the elastic part is a spring.
[0032] Referring to Figure 2 In an embodiment of the present application, the water collecting tray 22 is provided with a drain nozzle 221. At least the water outlet end of the drain nozzle 221 is arranged in the drain passage 240 of the drain part 24. The outer wall of at least the water outlet end of the drain nozzle 221 is in contact with the inner wall of the drain passage 240. In this way, the water in the water collecting tray 22 can be smoothly introduced into the drain part 24, and water leakage can be avoided. In other embodiments, the drain nozzle 221 can be sleeved outside the drain part 24, and the outer wall of the drain part 24 can be in contact with the inner wall of the drain nozzle 221, so that the water in the water collecting tray 22 can be introduced into the drain passage 240 of the drain part 24 through the drain nozzle 221.
[0033] With reference to Figure 2 In an embodiment of the present application, the bottom wall of the water pan 22 can be downwardly inclined from front to back. In this way, the defrosting water in the water pan 22 can be naturally gathered to the back of the water pan 22 under the action of gravity.
[0034] With reference to Figure 2 In an embodiment of the present application, a plurality of water guide ribs 222 can be arranged in the water pan 22, and the water guide ribs 222 can be arranged in the middle front part of the water pan 22 and extend along the bottom wall of the water pan 22 from front to back. In this way, the defrosting water falling into the water pan 22 from the evaporator 21 can first flow into the space between the water guide ribs 222, and then flow backward along the water guide ribs 222, so as to be gathered to the back of the water pan 22.
[0035] With reference to Figure 2 And Figure 4 In an embodiment of the present application, the back part of the bottom wall of the water pan 22 can be downwardly inclined toward the drain nozzle 221. The drain nozzle 221 and the bottom wall of the drain member 24 can also be downwardly inclined. In this way, the defrosting water gathered to the back of the water pan 22 can flow to the drain nozzle 221 under the action of gravity, and then be drained into the embedded drain member 31 through the drain passage 240 of the drain member 24.
[0036] With reference to Figure 2 And Figure 3 In an embodiment of the present application, the housing 23 is provided with a guide groove 233, and the drain member 24 is slidably arranged in the guide groove 233. The guide groove 233 can be opposite to the drain opening 141, and the drain member 24 can slide in the guide groove 233 toward or away from the drain opening 141. By arranging the guide groove 233, the extension direction of the drain member 24 can be limited, so as to ensure the extension direction of the drain member 24.
[0037] With reference to Figure 2 And Figure 3 In an embodiment of the present application, the lower wall of the drain member 24 and the two side walls at both ends of the lower wall are in contact with the inner wall of the guide groove 233. The upper wall of the drain member 24 can also be in contact with the top wall of the guide groove 233. By arranging at least three walls in contact with the inner wall of the guide groove 233, the extension direction of the drain member 24 can be better limited, so as to avoid shaking of the drain member 24 during extension and retraction.
[0038] With reference to Figure 2 And Figure 3In an embodiment of the present application, the drain 24 comprises a first limiting flange 241 protruding outwardly, and the guide groove 233 is provided with a limiting wall 234 protruding inwardly into the groove, the limiting wall 234 is arranged at the side of the drain opening 141 of the first limiting flange 241, so as to avoid the drain 24 from being separated from the guide groove 233. When the drain 24 protrudes outwardly to abut against the first limiting flange 241 and the limiting wall 234, the limiting wall 234 can limit the drain 24 from further moving outwardly, so as to avoid the drain 24 from falling off the guide groove 233.
[0039] With reference to Figure 2 And Figure 3 In an embodiment of the present application, the first limiting flange 241 is located at the bottom of the drain 24. The drain 24 further comprises a second limiting flange 242 and a third limiting flange 243 protruding outwardly. The second limiting flange 242 is located at the front of the drain 24. The third limiting flange 243 is located at the rear of the drain 24. The second limiting flange 242 and the third limiting flange 243 can both abut against the end of the first limiting flange. The first limiting flange 241, the second limiting flange 242 and the third limiting flange 243 can all be arranged close to the water tray 22 end of the drain 24. The first limiting flange 241, the second limiting flange 242 and the third limiting flange 243 all abut against the inner wall of the guide groove 233, so as to avoid the drain 24 from shaking during sliding in the guide groove 233.
[0040] With reference to Figure 2 In an embodiment of the present application, the elastic member is arranged between the first limiting flange 241 and the side wall of the water tray 22. A support column 25 can be arranged between the first limiting flange 241 and the side wall of the water tray 22, preferably, the support column 25 can be fixed to the first limiting flange 241, and the elastic member such as a spring can be sleeved outside the support column 25. When the drain 24 protrudes to abut against the first limiting flange 241 and the limiting wall 234, the elastic member is in a compressed state. Preferably, when the drain 24 protrudes to abut against the first limiting flange 241 and the limiting wall 234, the elastic member is pre-compressed by 10% of the stroke. In this way, the elastic member has a certain pre-compression force, which ensures that the elastic member can provide sufficient elastic force to make the drain 24 protrude when the drain 24 is retracted.
[0041] With reference to Figure 2 And Figure 6 In an embodiment of the present application, the refrigeration system comprises a shell integrated module 230, the shell integrated module 230 comprises the shell 23 and the ice-making evaporator 21, the water tray 22 and the drain 24 mounted on the shell 23. By integrating the evaporator 21, the water tray 22 and the drain 24 on the shell 23 to form the shell integrated module 230, it is beneficial to realize the modularization of the ice-making refrigeration system 20, and it is more convenient to operate and install.
[0042] Referring to Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 6 In an embodiment of the present application, the left wall or the right wall of the ice-making chamber 14 forms the water drainage opening 141, and the water drainage member 24 is arranged on the side of the water drainage opening 141 of the water pan 22. During installation, the water outlet end of the water drainage member 24 is abutted against the left wall or the right wall of the ice-making chamber 14, and the shell integrated module 230 is moved up and down along the left wall or the right wall of the ice-making chamber 14 until the water drainage member 24 is opposite to the water drainage opening 141. In this way, the shell integrated module 230 can be installed from bottom to top in the ice-making chamber 14.
[0043] Preferably, the left wall of the ice-making chamber 14 forms the water drainage opening 141, and the water drainage member 24 is arranged on the left side of the water pan 22 in a telescopic manner. The left wall of the water pan 22 protrudes to form a water drainage nozzle 221 extending into the water drainage member 24, and the left wall of the shell 23 protrudes to form a guide groove 233. The water drainage member 24 is slidably arranged in the guide groove 233.
[0044] Referring to Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 6 In an embodiment of the present application, the shell 23 includes an upper shell 231 and a lower shell 232 arranged opposite to each other. The ice-making evaporator 21 is installed on the upper shell 231, and the water pan 22 and the water drainage member 24 are installed on the lower shell 232. During installation, the water pan 22, the water drainage member 24 and the evaporator 21 can be fixed on the lower shell 232 and the upper shell 231 respectively, and then the upper shell 231 and the lower shell 232 are connected and fixed to each other. In this way, the modularization of the ice-making and refrigeration system 20 can be facilitated.
[0045] In summary, the refrigeration equipment of the present application can solve the problem that the ice cubes produced by the ice maker 16 are easily contaminated by the odor and bacteria in the storage compartment 13, resulting in unclean ice cubes.
[0046] By using the technical solution of the present application, the ice-making chamber 14 with independent cooling can be arranged in the storage compartment 13. The ice cubes produced by the ice maker 16 in the ice-making chamber 14 can be prevented from being contaminated by the odor and bacteria in the storage compartment 13, and the cleanliness of the ice-making chamber 14 is ensured. By retracting the water drainage member 24, the water drainage member 24 and the wall of the ice-making chamber 14 and other structures can be prevented from interfering with each other. The ice-making and refrigeration system 20 can be installed in the ice-making chamber 14 from multiple directions, such as from front to back or from bottom to top. By arranging the guide groove 233 on the shell 23, the water drainage member 24 can be effectively prevented from shaking or falling off during the extension and retraction process.
[0047] It should be understood that although the present specification describes only a single embodiment, the description herein of the embodiment by no means limits the scope of the patent, which is only limited by the claims. The specification is merely provided for the purpose of clarity and convenience, and those skilled in the art should understand that the specification as a whole, the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be properly combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.
[0048] The above detailed description of a series of specific embodiments is merely for the feasibility of the patent, and is not intended to limit the scope of the patent. Any equivalent embodiments or changes made without departing from the spirit of the patent should be included in the scope of the patent.
Claims
1. A refrigeration appliance comprising a cabinet and a storage compartment formed within the cabinet, characterized in that, The refrigeration equipment further comprises an ice-making chamber arranged in the storage compartment and an ice-making refrigeration system arranged in the ice-making chamber, the ice-making refrigeration system comprising an evaporator, a water pan for receiving defrosting water of the evaporator, and a retractable drain arranged in the water pan, and a drain opening is formed in the ice-making chamber wall and cooperates with the drain, and when the drain is extended, the drain extends into the drain opening.
2. The refrigeration appliance of claim 1, wherein, The ice-making refrigeration system comprises a shell, and the water pan is arranged in the shell, and when the drain is fully retracted, the drain does not exceed the shell.
3. The refrigeration appliance of claim 2, wherein, An elastic member is arranged between the drain and the water pan, and when the drain is pressed by the ice-making chamber wall, the drain is retracted into the shell and presses the elastic member, and when the drain is opposite to the drain opening, the drain is extended out of the shell and into the drain opening under the action of the elastic member.
4. The refrigeration appliance of claim 3, wherein, The water pan is provided with a drain nozzle, and at least the water outlet end of the drain nozzle is arranged in the drain passage of the drain, and the outer wall of at least the water outlet end of the drain nozzle is in contact with the inner wall of the drain passage.
5. The refrigeration appliance of claim 3, wherein, The shell is provided with a guide groove, and the drain is slidably arranged in the guide groove.
6. The refrigeration equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that The lower wall of the drain and the two side walls at both ends of the lower wall are in contact with the inner wall of the guide groove.
7. The refrigeration appliance of claim 5, wherein, The drain comprises a first limiting flange protruding outward, and the guide groove is provided with a limiting wall protruding into the guide groove, and the limiting wall is arranged on the side of the drain opening of the first limiting flange to prevent the drain from separating from the guide groove.
8. The refrigeration equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that The elastic member is arranged between the first limiting flange and the side wall of the water pan, and when the drain is extended to the position where the first limiting flange abuts against the limiting wall, the elastic member is in a compressed state.
9. The refrigeration appliance of claim 3, wherein, The refrigeration system comprises a shell integrated module, the shell integrated module comprising the shell, an ice-making evaporator mounted on the shell, the water pan, and the drain, the drain opening is formed in the ice-making chamber wall, and the drain is arranged on the side of the water pan facing the drain opening, and during installation, the water outlet end of the drain abuts against the ice-making chamber wall, and the shell integrated module is moved along the ice-making chamber wall until the drain is opposite to the drain opening.
10. The refrigeration appliance of claim 9, wherein, The shell comprises oppositely arranged upper and lower shells, the ice-making evaporator is mounted on the upper shell, the water pan is mounted on the lower shell, a partition is arranged in the storage compartment, the partition and the side wall of the storage compartment enclose the ice-making chamber, the ice-making chamber is arranged at the top of the storage compartment, and the storage compartment is a freezer.