Electrochromic intelligent refrigerator door, control system, packaging method and refrigerator

Abstract

The invention discloses an electrochromic intelligent refrigerator door, a control system, a packaging method and a refrigerator, the electrochromic intelligent refrigerator door comprises a door body frame and further comprises an electrochromic glass assembly arranged in a sealed hollow space formed in the door body frame, the light transmittance of the electrochromic glass assembly is driven by a control signal to reversibly change, and the light transmittance adjusting range is 5-60%; the electrochromic glass assembly is connected with the door body frame in a sealed mode, and the sealed connection structure can be used for isolating low-temperature temperature permeation from-20 DEG C to 60 DEG C; the control system is arranged in the door body frame, electrically connected with the electrochromic glass assembly and used for generating the control signal according to the environment illumination signal and / or the user instruction so as to drive the light transmittance of the electrochromic glass assembly to be changed. The light transmittance of the electrochromic glass assembly is adjusted through the control system, incident light is actively blocked to prolong the fresh-keeping period of food, extra heat loads are reduced, privacy is guaranteed, and the problems of fresh keeping, privacy and energy consumption caused by fixed light transmittance of a traditional refrigerator door are systematically solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of refrigerator technology, specifically to an electrochromic smart refrigerator door, a control system, a packaging method, and a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional household refrigerator doors are usually made of opaque corrugated steel sheets or ordinary transparent glass. This static optical property is fundamentally contradictory to the dynamic needs of use and the environment.

[0003] Firstly, regarding food preservation, while transparent glass doors allow users to easily observe the food inside, they cannot block direct external light (especially ultraviolet and high-energy visible light from sunlight and strong indoor light). This light can penetrate the door, catalyzing photo-oxidation reactions in the food inside, leading to chlorophyll decomposition, vitamin loss, and rancidity of fatty acids. This accelerates the fading, spoilage, and flavor loss of fruits and vegetables, affecting the storage quality and shelf life of the food.

[0004] Secondly, in terms of user experience, users often face the dilemma of not being able to have both privacy and convenience. A transparent door makes the contents of the refrigerator completely visible, making it impossible to hide the contents when entertaining guests or keeping the kitchen clean and beautiful; while using opaque solutions such as film or frosted glass completely eliminates the convenience of directly observing the contents, forcing users to open the door frequently to search, which increases cold air loss and affects usage efficiency.

[0005] Furthermore, in terms of energy efficiency, the translucent glass door becomes a weak link in the refrigerator's insulation system. External light radiation (especially solar radiation) enters the refrigerator through the glass, converting into heat load and causing temperature fluctuations inside. To maintain the set temperature, the compressor needs to start more frequently, resulting in unnecessary additional energy consumption.

[0006] Therefore, it is necessary to propose an electrochromic smart refrigerator door, control system, preparation method and refrigerator to solve the above defects. At the same time, it is also necessary to meet the special working environment of the refrigerator door, which is long-term low temperature and high humidity, and needs to withstand the mechanical stress of frequent opening and closing of the door, as well as the stringent requirements of the refrigerator's standby power consumption, which usually requires the refrigerator's standby power consumption to be less than 0.5W. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrochromic smart refrigerator door, a control system, a packaging method, and a refrigerator.

[0008] The technical solution of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: In a first aspect, the present invention provides an electrochromic smart refrigerator door, including a door frame, and further comprising: An electrochromic glass assembly is disposed in a sealed hollow space formed within the door frame. Its light transmittance changes reversibly under the control signal, and the light transmittance adjustment range is 5-60%. The electrochromic glass assembly is sealed to the door frame, and the sealed connection structure can be used to prevent the penetration of low temperature from -20℃ to 60℃. A control system, located within the door frame and electrically connected to the electrochromic glass assembly, is used to generate the control signal based on ambient light signals and / or user instructions to drive the light transmittance of the electrochromic glass assembly to change.

[0009] The beneficial effects of this invention are: by using an electrochromic glass component with dynamically adjustable light transmittance and its control system, dynamic dimming can be achieved, harmful light can be actively blocked to extend the shelf life of food, and transparent and opaque states can be switched at any time to balance privacy and observation convenience. Furthermore, by controlling the amount of incident light, additional heat load can be reduced, thus systematically solving the problems of preservation, privacy and energy consumption caused by the fixed light transmittance of traditional refrigerator doors.

[0010] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows.

[0011] Furthermore, the electrochromic glass assembly is a multi-layer composite structure, comprising at least a first transparent conductive layer, an ion storage layer, an electrolyte layer, an electrochromic layer, and a second transparent conductive layer in sequence. The layers are bonded together by an adhesive layer, and each edge is sealed to the door frame by a sealant.

[0012] The beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further solution are as follows: by designing the electrochromic glass assembly as a multi-layer composite structure consisting of a first transparent conductive layer, an ion storage layer, an electrolyte layer, an electrochromic layer, and a second transparent conductive layer, and by using adhesive layers to connect the layers and sealant between the edges of each layer and the door frame, the space inside and outside the refrigerator door can be effectively isolated, ensuring that the electrochromic glass assembly and control system can work stably and reliably for a long time in the harsh environment of low temperature and high humidity inside the refrigerator, thus avoiding functional failure.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a partition glass, which is disposed inside the electrochromic glass assembly, and the edge of the partition glass is sealed to the door frame; The glass partition is coated with a heat-reflecting film, which is used to reflect radiant heat from outside the refrigerator.

[0014] The beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further solution are: by setting up a structure with a heat-reflective film coated on the partition glass, heat radiation from outside the refrigerator can be reflected, preventing external heat from entering the refrigerator. At the same time, the structure can also reflect cold radiation inside the refrigerator, greatly reducing heat exchange through radiation, thereby maintaining a stable temperature inside the refrigerator.

[0015] Furthermore, the electrochromic glass assembly has hollow partitions on both the inner and outer sides, and the hollow partitions are filled with inert gas to suppress heat conduction between the inside and outside of the refrigerator.

[0016] The beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further solution are as follows: By setting an inert gas hollow partition on both the inner and outer sides of the electrochromic glass assembly, heat exchange through air conduction and convection can be effectively cut off, thus creating a major physical barrier to prevent external heat from entering the refrigerator and internal cold air from escaping. Combined with the structure of the heat-reflective film on the partition glass, the three modes of heat conduction—conduction, convection, and radiation—can be effectively suppressed, thereby maintaining a stable internal temperature and reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, the structure of the heat-reflective film and the hollow partition significantly reduces the overall heat transfer coefficient of the door frame, effectively compensating for any increased heat loss due to the use of the glass panel, thereby improving the overall insulation performance of the door while achieving intelligent dimming functionality.

[0017] Furthermore, the door frame is filled with a thermal insulation foam layer, which is used to improve the rigidity and deformation resistance of the door frame, as well as to prevent external heat from entering the refrigerator.

[0018] The beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further solution are: through the structural design of the thermal insulation foam layer, it can not only ensure the basic thermal insulation performance, but also buffer the impact of frequent opening and closing of the door frame and vibration on the electrochromic glass component.

[0019] Secondly, the present invention provides a control system for controlling an electrochromic smart refrigerator door, comprising: The sensing unit is used to acquire ambient light signals, door opening / closing status signals, and / or user command signals; A control unit, electrically connected to the sensing unit, is used to generate a transmittance adjustment command based on the signal acquired by the sensing unit. And a driving unit, electrically connected to the control unit and the electrochromic glass assembly, for outputting a corresponding driving voltage to the electrochromic glass assembly according to the light transmittance adjustment command.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: First, by monitoring ambient light intensity in real time through the sensing unit, the control unit can automatically instruct the drive unit to reduce the light transmittance of the electrochromic glass component under strong light, actively blocking harmful light that causes food photo-oxidation and extending the shelf life from the source; at the same time, it reduces light and heat input, helping to reduce the additional cooling energy consumption caused by radiation. Second, based on the door opening / closing status or user instructions, the glass is dynamically controlled to switch between transparent and opaque, eliminating the need for physical film application or frequent door opening, fundamentally unifying the needs for convenient observation and visual privacy. Third, by employing the cooperation of the sensing unit, control unit, and drive unit, combined with the bistable characteristics of the electrochromic glass component, the system's standby power consumption can be strictly controlled below 0.5W, and it has the ability to operate reliably in low temperature, high humidity, and mechanical stress environments.

[0021] Furthermore, the control unit is configured to generate an adjustment command to reduce light transmittance when the signal acquired by the sensing unit indicates that the door frame is in a closed state and the ambient light signal intensity is higher than a first preset threshold.

[0022] The beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further solution are as follows: by obtaining the signal that the refrigerator door is closed and in a strong light environment through the sensing unit, the control unit generates a command to reduce the light transmittance, so that the drive unit can output a DC drive voltage to the electrochromic glass assembly to reduce the light transmittance, thereby providing continuous light protection for the food inside the refrigerator and effectively delaying the quality deterioration caused by photo-oxidation; at the same time, by reducing the light transmittance to block some radiant heat energy, it helps to stabilize the temperature inside the refrigerator, thereby helping to reduce the extra energy consumption of the compressor to offset this heat load.

[0023] Furthermore, the control unit is also configured to: when the signal acquired by the sensing unit indicates that the door opening / closing state changes from closed to open, regardless of the current ambient light signal, the control unit generates an adjustment command to improve the light transmittance, and the driving unit outputs a driving voltage of high light transmittance to the electrochromic glass assembly.

[0024] The beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further solution are: by obtaining the refrigerator door opening signal through the sensing unit, the driving unit can output a DC driving voltage with high light transmittance to the electrochromic glass assembly, so that the user can clearly observe the inside without any manual operation, which directly improves the convenience and efficiency of taking out and putting in items, and avoids the loss of cold air caused by prolonged door opening time or repeated door opening and closing due to unclear vision.

[0025] Thirdly, the present invention provides a method for packaging an electrochromic smart refrigerator door, comprising the following steps: S1: Prepare an electrochromic glass component with electrically adjustable transmittance; S2: Provide a door frame, install the control system and arrange electrical wiring within the door frame; S3: Install the electrochromic glass panel onto the door frame and electrically connect it to the control system; S4: Fill the door frame with a thermal insulation foam layer to complete the refrigerator door assembly.

[0026] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: Through this method, the refrigerator door can change the light transmittance of the electrochromic glass assembly according to the control system, thereby matching different usage scenarios. Combined with the thermal insulation foam layer formed in the door frame, it can build a highly efficient heat insulation body, enabling the refrigerator door to resist external environmental heat and compensate for potential heat loss in the glass area. Moreover, the internal stress generated by the thermal insulation foam layer during the foaming process can make the components combine into a solid and sealed whole, improving the structural reliability of the door frame under frequent opening and closing and vibration, and ensuring the long-term stable operation of the electrochromic glass assembly in harsh environments such as low temperature and high humidity.

[0027] Fourthly, the present invention also provides a refrigerator, including a cabinet and an electrochromic smart refrigerator door, wherein the refrigerator door is hinged to the cabinet, and the control system of the refrigerator door is communicatively connected to the main control board of the cabinet.

[0028] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: Firstly, the structural design, which hinges the refrigerator door to the refrigerator body and electrically connects it to the refrigerator door's control system, allows the refrigerator to create an optimized light-proof storage environment for food through the dynamic dimming capability of the refrigerator door, thereby improving the overall active preservation quality of the refrigerator. Secondly, the one-button switching between transparent and privacy modes significantly improves the overall user experience of interacting with the refrigerator and reduces unnecessary door opening losses. Thirdly, by adjusting the light transmittance of the electrochromic glass component, and thus regulating the light and heat input, it helps stabilize the internal temperature field, thereby contributing to the overall energy efficiency improvement at the system level. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigerator door structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the refrigerator door of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrochromic glass assembly for the refrigerator door in this invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigerator door control system in this invention; Figure 5 Here is another schematic diagram of the refrigerator door control system in this invention: Figure 6 Flowchart of the refrigerator door sealing method of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigerator door and refrigerator structure of the present invention.

[0031] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows: 100. Cabinet body; 200. Refrigerator door; 10. Door frame; 11. Thermal insulation foam layer; 12. Magnetic sealing strip; 20. Electrochromic glass assembly; 21. First transparent conductive layer; 22. Ion storage layer; 23. Electrolyte layer; 24. Electrochromic layer; 25. Second transparent conductive layer; 30. Control system; 31. Sensing unit; 32. Control unit; 33. Drive unit; 40. Partition glass; 50. Hollow partition. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The following will clearly and completely describe the concept, specific structure, and technical effects of the present invention in conjunction with embodiments and accompanying drawings, so as to fully understand the purpose, features, and effects of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are all within the scope of protection of the present invention. Furthermore, all connections / linkages involved in the patent do not simply refer to direct contact between components, but rather to the ability to form a better connection structure by adding or reducing connecting accessories according to specific implementation conditions. The various technical features in this invention can be combined interactively without contradicting each other.

[0033] Example 1 refer to Figure 1-7 This invention provides an electrochromic smart refrigerator door, including a door frame 10, and further including: an electrochromic glass assembly 20, disposed in a sealed hollow space formed within the door frame 10, the light transmittance of which is reversibly changed by a control signal, and the light transmittance adjustment range is 5-60%; wherein, the electrochromic glass assembly 20 is sealed to the door frame 10, and the sealed connection structure can be used to prevent the penetration of low temperature from -20℃ to 60℃; a control system 30, disposed within the door frame 10 and electrically connected to the electrochromic glass assembly 20, is used to generate the control signal according to the ambient light signal and / or user instructions to drive the change of light transmittance of the electrochromic glass assembly 20.

[0034] In this embodiment, reference Figure 1-2 , Figure 4The door frame 10 is made of aluminum alloy profile, forming the main skeleton of the door. A viewing window is formed in the middle of the door frame 10, and both the outer and inner sides of the viewing window are fitted with double-layered glass 40, creating a hollow space between them. Specifically, the outer double-layered glass 40 is made of transparent tempered protective glass, while the inner double-layered glass 40, which contacts the interior of the refrigerator, is made of transparent, low-temperature resistant tempered glass. This low-temperature resistant tempered glass can insulate against temperatures ranging from -20℃ to 60℃. This allows users to view the items stored inside the refrigerator. Furthermore, the tempered glass better absorbs the shock and vibration generated when the refrigerator door 200 is opened and closed. Additionally, the use of low-temperature resistant tempered glass on the inner side effectively prevents the low temperature and high humidity inside the refrigerator from penetrating into the hollow space. The electrochromic glass assembly 20 is located in the hollow space formed by the inner and outer partition glass 40 of the door frame 10. Specifically, the electrochromic glass assembly 20 serves as the middle panel of the viewing window of the door frame 10 and is fixedly installed in the mounting groove of the door frame 10 by means of clips and adhesive. The light transmittance of the electrochromic glass assembly 20 can be reversibly and continuously controlled by an externally applied low-voltage DC signal. When no power is applied or a specific voltage is applied, its light transmittance can be as high as 60%, making it transparent; when a reverse voltage is applied, its light transmittance can be reduced to 5%, making it opaque. The control system 30 is a separate module, specifically installed in a sealed compartment at the top of the door frame 10. It is electrically connected to the electrodes on the edge of the electrochromic glass assembly 20 through a set of flexible wires hidden in the wire grooves inside the door frame 10. The control system 30 can receive signals from the ambient light sensor and the user button, and generate a control signal (a DC voltage of specific magnitude and polarity) to drive the electrochromic glass assembly 20 to change its light transmittance.

[0035] It should be explained that by introducing an electrochromic glass assembly 20 with dynamically adjustable light transmittance and a matching control system 30, the static optical properties of the refrigerator door 200 are fundamentally changed. Users or the system can actively darken the glass as needed (such as protecting food under strong light or protecting privacy when guests arrive), or restore it to transparency when observation is required, thus systematically solving the inherent contradictions between preservation, privacy, and convenience in traditional fixed light transmittance doors. Understandably, this invention provides a viewing window on the refrigerator door 200 for observing the stored items inside the refrigerator, and an electrochromic glass assembly 20 is installed at the viewing window. Combined with the electrical connection between the control system 30 and the electrochromic glass assembly 20, the control system 30 can input a specific driving voltage to the electrochromic glass assembly 20 based on detected and received signals, thereby changing the transparency of the viewing window of the refrigerator door 200. This allows for intelligent adjustment of the light transmittance of the viewing window. Consequently, the refrigerator door 200 with the viewing window can reduce light transmittance when user privacy needs to be protected, when strong external light shines directly on the stored items inside the refrigerator causing spoilage, oxidation, or fading, or when strong external light causes temperature fluctuations inside the refrigerator, leading to frequent compressor operation. This adjustment can suppress internal temperature fluctuations and prevent frequent compressor operation, thus reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, the light transmittance of the viewing window of the refrigerator door 200 can be adjusted according to user preferences.

[0036] The beneficial effects of this invention are: by using an electrochromic glass assembly 20 with dynamically adjustable light transmittance and its control system 30, dynamic dimming can be achieved, actively blocking harmful light to extend the shelf life of food. At the same time, the transparent and opaque states can be switched at any time to balance privacy and observation convenience. Furthermore, by controlling the amount of incident light, additional heat load can be reduced. This systematically solves the problems of preservation, privacy, and energy consumption caused by the fixed light transmittance of traditional refrigerator doors 200.

[0037] In some embodiments, reference Figure 1 The door frame 10 is also equipped with a magnetic sealing strip 12 on the inner side near the refrigerator. The magnetic sealing strip is bonded and fixed to the door frame 10. Through the structure of the magnetic sealing strip, the sealing between the refrigerator door 200 and the refrigerator can be improved, thereby effectively preventing the exchange of temperature between the inside and outside of the refrigerator and increasing the extra heat load of the refrigerator.

[0038] Preferred, Reference Figure 2-3 The electrochromic glass assembly 20 is a multi-layer composite structure, comprising at least a first transparent conductive layer 21, an ion storage layer 22, an electrolyte layer 23, an electrochromic layer 24, and a second transparent conductive layer 25 in sequence. The layers are bonded together by an adhesive layer, and each edge is sealed to the door frame 10 by a sealant.

[0039] In this embodiment, the electrochromic glass assembly 20 is a multi-layered composite structure disposed in a hollow space. Specifically, the electrochromic glass assembly 20 is a "sandwich" type sandwich structure. From the outside to the inside, it consists of: a first transparent conductive layer 21, an ion storage layer 22, an electrolyte layer 23, an electrochromic layer 24, and a second transparent conductive layer 25. The first transparent conductive layer 21 and the second transparent conductive layer 25 are both made of ITO material with a thickness of 150 nm. The ion storage layer 22 is made of nickel oxide material with a thickness of 200 nm. The electrolyte layer 23 is made of lithium salt gel electrolyte with a thickness of 50 μm. The electrochromic layer 24 is made of amorphous tungsten trioxide material with a thickness of 300 nm.

[0040] It should be explained that the layers are bonded together using PVB (polyvinyl butyral) film as an adhesive layer, forming a strong bond under a high-temperature vacuum lamination process. After lamination, epoxy resin structural adhesive is used to completely encapsulate the edges of the entire component, ensuring that each functional layer is completely isolated from the external environment, especially the high-humidity air inside the refrigerator. Simultaneously, the multi-layer film structure is the material basis for achieving the reversible electrochemical color-changing reaction. The adhesive bonding and epoxy resin edge sealing solution can isolate the low-temperature and high-humidity environment inside the cabinet 100. Specifically, the connection structure between the electrochromic glass component 20 and the refrigerator door 200 in this invention can resist and isolate temperatures ranging from -20℃ to 60℃ generated inside the cabinet 100, and also resist and isolate humidity levels exceeding 80% inside the cabinet 100. This allows for targeted design for the special environment of the cabinet 100, effectively preventing electrolyte drying, electrode corrosion, or interlayer delamination, ensuring the long-term reliability and lifespan of the electrochromic glass component 20 under harsh conditions.

[0041] It should be understood that the working principle of electrochromic glass is existing technology and will not be elaborated here.

[0042] By designing the electrochromic glass assembly 20 as a multi-layered composite structure consisting of a first transparent conductive layer 21, an ion storage layer 22, an electrolyte layer 23, an electrochromic layer 24, and a second transparent conductive layer 25, and by using adhesive layers to connect the layers and sealant between the edges of each layer and the door frame 10, the internal and external spaces of the refrigerator door 200 can be effectively isolated. This ensures that the electrochromic glass assembly 20 and the control system 30 can operate stably and reliably for a long time in the harsh environment of low temperature and high humidity inside the refrigerator, thus avoiding functional failure.

[0043] Preferred, Reference Figure 1-3It also includes a partition glass 40, which is disposed inside the electrochromic glass assembly 20, and the edge of the partition glass 40 is sealed to the door frame 10; the partition glass 40 is coated with a heat-reflecting film, which is used to reflect radiant heat from outside the refrigerator.

[0044] In this embodiment, the outer layer of the partition glass 40 is made of transparent protective tempered glass with a thickness of 5mm. The inner layer of the partition glass 40 is a transparent 3mm thick low-temperature resistant tempered glass, located inside the electrochromic glass assembly 20 (i.e., the side facing the inside of the refrigerator). Its edge is sealed to the door frame 10 by a silicone sealing strip. Specifically, the inner surface of the partition glass 40 (i.e., the side facing the inside of the refrigerator) is coated with a silver-based Low-E (low-emissivity) film by magnetron sputtering, forming the heat-reflective film. The heat-reflective film allows the partition glass 40 to have high transmittance to visible light, but a reflectivity of over 85% for far-infrared rays with wavelengths greater than 2.5μm (i.e., the heat energy radiated by an object at room temperature).

[0045] It's important to explain that by introducing an inner glass layer coated with a Low-E film, the insulation performance of the refrigerator door 200 is significantly improved. This film efficiently reflects heat radiated from the external environment (such as kitchen room temperature) back into the refrigerator, while also reflecting "cold radiation" generated by the cold walls inside the refrigerator back into the interior, thus greatly reducing heat exchange through radiation. This solves the problem of traditional translucent glass doors being a weak point in insulation, compensates for the increased radiative heat loss that might occur due to the use of large areas of glass, and helps stabilize the internal temperature and reduce energy consumption.

[0046] By coating the partition glass 40 with a heat-reflective film, heat radiation from outside the refrigerator can be reflected, preventing external heat from entering the refrigerator. At the same time, the structure can also reflect cold radiation from inside the refrigerator, greatly reducing heat exchange through radiation and thus maintaining a stable temperature inside the refrigerator.

[0047] Preferred, Reference Figure 1-3 The electrochromic glass assembly 20 has hollow partitions 50 on both the inner and outer sides. The hollow partitions 50 are filled with inert gas and are used to suppress heat conduction between the inside and outside of the refrigerator.

[0048] In this embodiment, a 12mm wide sealed hollow spacer 50 is provided between the electrochromic glass assembly 20 and the outer insulating glass, and between the electrochromic glass assembly 20 and the inner insulating glass. These two hollow spacers 50 are formed by double sealing during assembly using spacer aluminum strips and butyl rubber and polysulfide sealant. Specifically, before final sealing, the air inside the hollow spacer 50 is evacuated through a pre-reserved vent hole, and argon gas with a purity greater than 99% is injected, then the vent hole is completely sealed. Argon is an inert gas with a thermal conductivity approximately 30% lower than air and a larger molecular weight, which more effectively suppresses gas convection.

[0049] It needs to be explained that by setting up a hollow partition 50 and injecting inert gas into it, a comprehensive heat insulation barrier of "radiation + convection + conduction" is constructed. Among them, the heat-reflective film (Low-E film) mainly deals with radiative heat transfer; the argon-filled hollow partition 50 utilizes the low thermal conductivity and convection suppression properties of inert gas to effectively block heat conduction and convection through the air; and the glass substrate, adhesive layer, and other solid materials themselves also have a certain thermal resistance. This composite structure works synergistically to reduce the overall heat transfer coefficient of the door to below 1.2 W / (m²·K), achieving the newly added function of intelligent dimming while ensuring excellent thermal insulation performance of the entire door, even better than some traditional opaque doors, completely resolving the contradiction between light transmission and high energy consumption.

[0050] By setting inert gas hollow partitions 50 on both the inner and outer sides of the electrochromic glass assembly 20, heat exchange through air conduction and convection can be effectively cut off, thus creating a major physical barrier to prevent external heat from entering the refrigerator and internal cold air from escaping. Combined with the heat-reflective film structure on the partition glass 40, heat conduction, convection, and radiation can be effectively suppressed, thereby maintaining a stable internal temperature and reducing energy consumption. Through the structure of the heat-reflective film and the hollow partition 50, the overall heat transfer coefficient of the door frame 10 can be significantly reduced, effectively compensating for any increased heat loss due to the use of the glass panel, thus improving the overall door's insulation performance while achieving intelligent dimming functionality.

[0051] Preferred, Reference Figure 1-2 The door frame 10 is filled with a thermal insulation foam layer 11, which is used to improve the rigidity and deformation resistance of the door frame 10 and to prevent external heat from entering the refrigerator.

[0052] In this embodiment, the door frame 10 has a complex internal design with reinforcing ribs and cavities. After the installation and wiring of the electrochromic glass assembly 20 and the internal components of the control system 30 are completed, the empty spaces inside the door frame 10 are filled with a thermal insulation foam layer 11. Specifically, a polyurethane black and white mixture composed of polyol and isocyanate is injected into the cavity of the door frame 10 using a high-pressure foaming machine. The mixture rapidly undergoes a chemical reaction, expands, and solidifies to form the thermal insulation foam layer 11. The thermal insulation foam layer 11 has a density of approximately 35 kg / m³, and is filled with closed micropores containing cyclopentane gas, giving it an extremely low thermal conductivity. Optionally, the thermal conductivity of the thermal insulation foam layer 11 is 0.022 W / (m·K).

[0053] It needs to be explained that, through the structural design of the thermal insulation foam layer 11, it becomes the most important and effective heat insulation body of the refrigerator door 200, blocking most of the heat conducted through the door frame 10; secondly, the internal stress generated during the expansion and curing process of the foam material bonds all components such as the door frame 10, the inner liner, and the glass assembly into a solid whole, significantly improving the structural rigidity and resistance to torsional deformation of the door; finally, the soft foam can also absorb and buffer the mechanical vibration and impact generated during daily opening and closing of the door and during transportation, providing protection for the delicate and fragile electrochromic glass assembly 20 and circuitry inside.

[0054] The structure of the thermal insulation foam layer 11 not only ensures basic thermal insulation performance, but also buffers the impact of frequent opening and closing and vibration of the door frame 10 on the electrochromic glass assembly 20.

[0055] Example 2 Based on Example 1, and referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5 This invention provides a control system for controlling an electrochromic smart refrigerator door, comprising: Sensing unit 31 is used to acquire ambient light signals, door opening / closing status signals and / or user command signals; The control unit 32 is electrically connected to the sensing unit 31 and is used to generate a transmittance adjustment command based on the signal acquired by the sensing unit 31. And a drive unit 33, which is electrically connected to the control unit 32 and the electrochromic glass assembly 20, is used to output a corresponding drive voltage to the electrochromic glass assembly 20 according to the light transmittance adjustment command.

[0056] In this embodiment, the sensing unit 31 includes an ambient light sensor mounted on the door trim strip (optionally, the ambient light sensor is an APDS-9301), and a Hall effect switch-type door status sensor mounted on the door frame. Specifically, the ambient light sensor continuously detects the light intensity of the external environment of the refrigerator door 200, and the door status sensor cooperates with a magnet on the cabinet 100 to detect whether the door is in an "open" or "closed" state. In addition, the sensing unit 31 can also receive user command signals from a manual button on the door handle or a mobile app. The control unit 32 is based on an ultra-low-power microcontroller (optionally, an STM32L0 series microcontroller). Specifically, the control unit 32 reads data from the ambient light sensor via the I2C bus, detects the level of the door status sensor via the GPIO port, and runs a preset control algorithm internally. It comprehensively analyzes all input signals and generates a "transmittance adjustment command" containing the target transmittance and the rate of change. Furthermore, the driving unit 33 is a precision programmable linear voltage source. Specifically, the drive unit 33 receives instructions from the control unit 32 and converts them into precise DC voltages applied to the two electrodes of the electrochromic glass assembly 20. In this embodiment, the drive unit 33 can output a 1.5V voltage to bleach the glass to a transparent state, specifically, with a light transmittance >55%. The drive unit 33 can also output a -2.5V voltage to color the glass to a dark state, specifically, with a light transmittance <20%. Stepless dimming can be achieved by controlling the voltage amplitude and duration.

[0057] It needs to be explained that the control system 30 integrates environmental perception, user interaction, and precise actuation, transforming the refrigerator door 200 from a passive component into an intelligent terminal capable of actively responding to the environment (automatic shading), understanding user intentions (manual / remote control), and executing precise actions (dimming). This transforms the dynamic dimming potential of electrochromic technology into intelligent capabilities that address practical issues such as food preservation, privacy, and energy saving.

[0058] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: First, by monitoring the ambient light intensity in real time through the sensing unit 31, the control unit 32 can automatically instruct the drive unit 33 to reduce the light transmittance of the electrochromic glass assembly 20 under strong light, actively blocking harmful light that causes food photo-oxidation and extending the shelf life from the source; at the same time, it reduces light and heat input, helping to reduce the additional cooling energy consumption caused by radiation. Second, according to the door opening / closing status or user instructions, the glass is dynamically controlled to switch between transparent and opaque, eliminating the need for physical film application or frequent door opening, fundamentally unifying the needs for observation convenience and visual privacy. Third, by employing the cooperation of the sensing unit 31, control unit 32, and drive unit 33, combined with the bistable characteristics of the electrochromic glass assembly 20, the system's standby power consumption can be strictly controlled below 0.5W, and it has the ability to operate reliably in low temperature, high humidity, and mechanical stress environments.

[0059] Preferred, Reference Figure 4-5 The control unit 32 is configured to generate an adjustment command to reduce light transmittance when the signal obtained by the sensing unit 31 indicates that the door frame 10 is in a closed state and the ambient light signal intensity is higher than a first preset threshold.

[0060] In this embodiment, the microcontroller of the control unit 32 presets a first light intensity threshold, optionally 500 Lux. The control algorithm is configured to continuously monitor the signals of the door status sensor and the ambient light sensor. Specifically, the microcontroller determines that the current situation is "the door is closed and the environment is in strong light" only when the door status signal is "closed" and the ambient light sensor's value exceeds 500 Lux for 5 consecutive samplings (with a 1-second interval). At this time, the control unit 32 immediately generates an adjustment command to "reduce light transmittance" and sends it to the drive unit 33. The drive unit 33 then outputs a DC voltage of -2.2V for 40 seconds to the electrochromic glass assembly 20, driving the glass to gradually color and eventually stabilize the light transmittance at a semi-transparent state of about 30%.

[0061] It needs to be explained that, through logic, the refrigerator door 200 automatically provides continuous light-blocking protection for the food inside without user intervention, actively extending the shelf life of photosensitive ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products from a physical perspective. At the same time, reducing light transmittance also reduces the amount of heat radiated by light entering the refrigerator, indirectly contributing to temperature stability and energy saving.

[0062] The sensing unit 31 obtains a signal that the refrigerator door 200 is closed and in a strong light environment. The control unit 32 generates a command to reduce the light transmittance, so that the drive unit 33 can output a DC drive voltage to the electrochromic glass assembly 20 to reduce the light transmittance. This provides continuous light protection for the food inside the refrigerator and effectively delays the quality deterioration caused by photo-oxidation. At the same time, by reducing the light transmittance, some radiant heat energy is blocked, which helps to stabilize the temperature inside the refrigerator and thus helps to reduce the extra energy consumption of the compressor to offset this heat load.

[0063] Preferred, Reference Figure 4-5 The control unit 32 is further configured to: when the signal acquired by the sensing unit 31 indicates that the door opening state changes from closed to open, regardless of the current ambient light signal, the control unit 32 generates an adjustment command to improve the light transmittance, and the driving unit 33 outputs a driving voltage of high light transmittance to the electrochromic glass assembly 20.

[0064] In this embodiment, the algorithm of the control unit 32 is given the highest priority to process door state change events. Regardless of the current light transmission state (transparent, translucent, or opaque) of the electrochromic glass assembly 20, and regardless of the ambient light intensity, as soon as the door state sensor in the sensing unit 31 detects that its signal changes from "closed" to "open" (i.e., the user has opened the refrigerator door 200), the microcontroller will immediately interrupt any ongoing dimming process. Thus, within milliseconds of detecting the door opening action, the control unit 32 forcibly generates a "switch to high light transmission state" command. After receiving the command, the drive unit 33 unconditionally outputs a -1.5V drive voltage to the electrochromic glass assembly 20, causing it to quickly fade within seconds and return to a completely transparent state (light transmittance > 85%).

[0065] It needs to be explained that through this logic setting, users can obtain the best internal view the moment they open the refrigerator door 200, without needing to make any manual adjustments beforehand (such as pressing the light button). This greatly improves the convenience and efficiency of taking out and putting in items, and avoids the large loss of cold air caused by prolonged door opening and searching due to poor visibility, thus also contributing to energy saving. After the door is closed, the system automatically restores the appropriate light-blocking state according to other logic (as described in claim 7).

[0066] The sensor unit 31 obtains the signal that the refrigerator door 200 is open, and the drive unit 33 can output a DC drive voltage with high light transmittance to the electrochromic glass assembly 20, so that the user can clearly observe the inside without any manual operation, which directly improves the convenience and efficiency of taking out and putting in items, and avoids the loss of cold air caused by prolonged door opening time or repeated opening and closing of the door due to unclear vision.

[0067] Example 3 Based on Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, and referring to Figure 1 and Figure 7 This invention provides a method for packaging an electrochromic smart refrigerator door, comprising the following steps: S1: Prepare an electrochromic glass component 20 with electrically adjustable transmittance; Specifically, as described in Example 1, a functional thin film is deposited on two glass plates by magnetron sputtering, then laminated with PVB film and assembled, injected with electrolyte, sealed with epoxy resin edges, and welded out flexible electrodes.

[0068] S2: Provide a door frame 10, install a control system 30 and arrange electrical wiring in the door frame 10; Specifically, the circuit board and sensors of the control system 30 are pre-installed inside the injection-molded door frame 10, and all cables are laid along preset channels to the glass installation area.

[0069] S3: Install the electrochromic glass panel onto the door frame 10 and electrically connect it to the control system 30; Specifically, a cushioning sponge pad is laid in the mounting groove of the door frame 10, and the electrochromic glass assembly 20 prepared in step S1 is carefully embedded and mechanically fixed with a decorative frame. Subsequently, the flexible electrode of the glass assembly is reliably plugged into or soldered to the drive output terminal of the control system 30.

[0070] S4: Fill the door frame 10 to form a thermal insulation foam layer 11, and complete the assembly of the refrigerator door 200.

[0071] Specifically, the aforementioned semi-finished products are placed into a foaming mold, and after the mold is closed, polyurethane foam material is injected under high pressure. The foam material reacts, expands, and solidifies within the cavity, forming an insulating foam layer 11, while simultaneously bonding all components together as a whole. Finally, the door seals and hinges are installed to complete the door assembly.

[0072] This method enables the refrigerator door 200 to change the light transmittance of the electrochromic glass assembly 20 according to the control system 30, thereby matching different usage scenarios. Combined with the thermal insulation foam layer 11 formed inside the door frame 10, it can construct a highly efficient heat insulation body, allowing the refrigerator door 200 to resist external environmental heat and compensate for potential heat loss in the glass area. Moreover, the internal stress generated by the thermal insulation foam layer 11 during the foaming process can make the components combine into a solid and sealed whole, improving the structural reliability of the door frame 10 under frequent opening and closing and vibration, and ensuring the long-term stable operation of the electrochromic glass assembly 20 in harsh environments such as low temperature and high humidity.

[0073] Example 4 Based on Embodiments 1, 2, and 3, the present invention also provides a refrigerator, including a cabinet 100 and an electrochromic smart refrigerator door 200, wherein the refrigerator door 200 is hinged to the cabinet 100, and the control system 30 of the refrigerator door 200 is communicatively connected to the main control board of the cabinet 100.

[0074] In this embodiment, the refrigerator door 200 is rotatably connected to the cabinet 100 via two hinges. Specifically, the control system 30 inside the refrigerator door 200 establishes a bidirectional communication connection with the main control board inside the cabinet 100 via a set of spiral wiring harnesses or wireless communication modules (such as Bluetooth) passing through the hinge shafts. The main control board can acquire temperature and humidity sensor data for each area of ​​the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment, as well as information from the food identification module.

[0075] First, by placing the refrigerator door 200 on the refrigerator body, the entire refrigerator gains dynamic dimming capabilities, creating customized light storage environments for different food compartments and achieving a leap from "refrigeration" to "freshness." Second, the communication and linkage between the refrigerator door 200 and the refrigerator body 100 unlocks richer intelligent scenarios. Optionally, when the sensors inside the refrigerator detect leafy green vegetables, the corresponding door can be instructed to automatically enter a low-light-transmittance preservation mode.

[0076] The refrigerator door 200 is hinged to the refrigerator body 100 and electrically connected to the control system 30 of the refrigerator door 200. This allows the refrigerator to create an optimized light-proof storage environment for food inside through the dynamic dimming capability of the refrigerator door 200, thereby improving the overall active preservation quality of the refrigerator. Secondly, by switching between transparent and privacy modes with one button, the overall user experience of interacting with the refrigerator is significantly improved, reducing unnecessary losses from opening the door. Furthermore, by adjusting the light transmittance of the electrochromic glass component 20, the light and heat input is adjusted, which helps to stabilize the temperature field inside the refrigerator, thus contributing to the improvement of the overall energy efficiency of the machine at the system level.

[0077] The above is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described. Those skilled in the art can make various equivalent modifications or substitutions without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such equivalent modifications or substitutions are included within the scope defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. An electrochromic smart refrigerator door, comprising a door frame (10), characterized in that, Also includes: An electrochromic glass assembly (20) is disposed in the sealed hollow space formed within the door frame (10). Its light transmittance changes reversibly under the control signal, and the light transmittance adjustment range is 5-60%. The electrochromic glass assembly (20) is sealed to the door frame (10), and the sealed connection structure can be used to isolate the penetration of low temperature from -20℃ to 60℃. The control system (30) is located inside the door frame (10) and electrically connected to the electrochromic glass assembly (20). It is used to generate the control signal according to the ambient light signal and / or user instructions to drive the change of the light transmittance of the electrochromic glass assembly (20).

2. The electrochromic smart refrigerator door according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrochromic glass assembly (20) is a multi-layer composite structure, comprising at least a first transparent conductive layer (21), an ion storage layer (22), an electrolyte layer (23), an electrochromic layer (24), and a second transparent conductive layer (25) in sequence. Each layer is bonded together by an adhesive layer, and each edge is sealed to the door frame (10) by a sealant.

3. The electrochromic smart refrigerator door according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a partition glass (40), which is disposed inside the electrochromic glass assembly (20), and the edge of the partition glass (40) is sealed to the door frame (10); The partition glass (40) is coated with a heat-reflecting film, which is used to reflect radiant heat from outside the refrigerator.

4. The electrochromic smart refrigerator door according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, The electrochromic glass assembly (20) has hollow partitions (50) on both the inner and outer sides. The hollow partitions (50) are filled with inert gas and are used to suppress heat conduction between the inside and outside of the refrigerator.

5. The electrochromic smart refrigerator door according to claim 1, characterized in that, The door frame (10) is filled with a thermal insulation foam layer (11), which is used to improve the rigidity and deformation resistance of the door frame (10) and prevent external heat from entering the refrigerator.

6. A control system for controlling the electrochromic smart refrigerator door according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, include: The sensing unit (31) is used to acquire ambient light signals, door opening and closing status signals and / or user command signals; The control unit (32) is electrically connected to the sensing unit (31) and is used to generate a transmittance adjustment command based on the signal acquired by the sensing unit (31). And a drive unit (33), which is electrically connected to the control unit (32) and the electrochromic glass assembly (20), for outputting a corresponding drive voltage to the electrochromic glass assembly (20) according to the transmittance adjustment command.

7. The control system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The control unit (32) is configured to generate an adjustment command to reduce light transmittance when the signal obtained by the sensing unit (31) indicates that the door frame (10) is in a closed state and the ambient light signal intensity is higher than a first preset threshold.

8. The control system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The control unit (32) is also configured such that when the signal obtained by the sensing unit (31) indicates that the door opening state changes from closed to open, regardless of the current ambient light signal, the control unit (32) generates an adjustment command to improve the light transmittance, and the driving unit (33) outputs a driving voltage of high light transmittance to the electrochromic glass assembly (20).

9. A method for packaging an electrochromic smart refrigerator door, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: Prepare an electrochromic glass component with electrically adjustable transmittance (20); S2: Provide a door frame (10), install a control system (30) and arrange electrical wiring in the door frame (10); S3: Install the electrochromic glass panel onto the door frame (10) and electrically connect it to the control system (30); S4: Fill the door frame (10) to form a thermal insulation foam layer (11) and complete the assembly of the refrigerator door (200).

10. A refrigerator, characterized in that, The refrigerator includes a housing and an electrochromic smart refrigerator door as described in any one of claims 1-5, wherein the refrigerator door (200) is hinged to the housing (100), and the control system (30) of the refrigerator door (200) is communicatively connected to the main control board of the housing (100).

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