Damper, drawer assembly and refrigeration equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a damper, a drawer assembly and refrigeration equipment, and belongs to the technical field of damping devices.The damper comprises a shell, a sealing piece, a piston and a piston rod, the piston rod penetrates through the sealing piece to be connected with the piston, and the piston can be driven to slide along a cavity through the piston rod; the piston comprises a first end part and a second end part which are arranged at an interval, an annular groove is formed between the first end part and the second end part, a first sealing ring is arranged in the annular groove, the first end part is provided with at least two oil passing holes which are distributed along the circumferential direction of the piston, the outer circumferential wall of the first end part is provided with an oil passing groove, and the second end part is provided with a through groove; due to the fact that the number of the oil passing holes is two or more, the oil passing amount can be increased, the oil passing holes are distributed in the first end of the piston, an oily medium can be evenly distributed to the oil passing holes, the effect of even stress is achieved when the piston is pressed downwards, inclined stress is prevented, the stability of the damper is improved, and the damper is suitable for refrigeration equipment with the cryogenic function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of damping device technology, and in particular to a damper, drawer assembly and refrigeration equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, dampers include a piston rod, a housing, and a piston. A through-hole is provided on the piston, allowing the medium to flow from one side to the other through the through-hole when the piston rod moves the piston, thus providing a buffering and damping effect. However, in the cryogenic environment of refrigeration equipment, the medium in these dampers experiences thermal expansion and contraction, which can easily lead to uneven force on the piston, reducing the stability of the damper and affecting its damping effect. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a damper that can improve the stability of the damper and is suitable for the cryogenic environment of refrigeration equipment.

[0004] The present invention also provides a drawer assembly and a refrigeration device that utilizes the above-described exhaust structure.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a damper includes a housing, a seal, a piston, and a piston rod. The housing has a cavity for containing an oily medium, and one end of the housing has an opening communicating with the cavity. The seal is fixed in the cavity to close the opening. The piston is disposed in the cavity and is slidable along the cavity. One end of the piston rod is connected to the piston, and the other end passes through the seal and extends out of the opening. Along the axial direction of the piston rod, the piston includes a first end and a second end spaced apart. The first end is connected to the piston rod, and an annular groove is formed between the first end and the second end. A first sealing ring is provided in the annular groove. The first end has an oil passage groove and at least two oil passage holes. The oil passage groove is located on the outer peripheral wall of the first end, and the at least two oil passage holes are distributed circumferentially along the first end and penetrate the first end. The second end has a through groove. The oil passage holes, the oil passage groove, and the through groove are respectively connected to the annular groove. The first sealing ring is configured to close the oil passage groove when the piston rod pushes the piston to move away from the cavity opening, and the oil passage hole is connected to the through groove. And when the piston rod pulls the piston to move towards the cavity opening, the oil passage groove is opened, and the oil passage hole and the oil passage groove are respectively connected to the through groove.

[0006] The damper according to embodiments of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: The cavity inside the outer casing is used to contain oily media. A seal is fixed within the cavity to close the opening. A piston is disposed within the cavity, and a piston rod passes through the seal and connects to the piston, allowing the piston to slide along the cavity. An annular groove is formed between the first and second ends of the piston, and a first sealing ring is disposed within the groove. The first end has at least two oil passage holes distributed circumferentially along the piston, and an oil groove is formed on the outer peripheral wall of the first end. The second end has a through groove. When the piston rod pushes the piston away from the cavity opening, the first sealing ring closes the oil groove, and the oil passage holes connect with the through groove, allowing the oily media to pass through the through groove sequentially. The oil flows from one side of the piston to the other through the oil passage, and the damper provides damping. When the piston rod pulls the piston toward the cavity, the first sealing ring opens the oil passage groove, and the oil passage and oil passage groove are connected to the through groove. At this time, the oily medium can flow back along the oil passage groove and oil passage, with a large flow rate, and the damper greatly reduces the resistance. Since there are more than two oil passages, the oil flow rate can be increased. And since the oil passages are distributed at the first end of the piston, the oily medium can be evenly distributed to each oil passage, so that the piston can achieve a uniform force when it is pressed down, preventing tilting force and improving the stability of the damper. It is suitable for refrigeration equipment with deep cooling function.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the inner wall surface of the first sealing ring is spaced apart from the bottom wall of the annular groove along the radial direction of the piston, and the inner radius of the first sealing ring is greater than or equal to the maximum distance between the oil passage hole and the central axis of the piston rod.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, along the axial direction of the piston rod, the first sealing ring has a first end face and a second end face facing away from each other. The first end face and the second end face are respectively connected between the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface of the first sealing ring. The cross-sections of the inner wall surface, the first end face and the second end face are all planar, and the cross-section of the outer wall surface is an arc surface.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, at least two drainage grooves are provided on the end face of the first end facing the cavity, and the at least two drainage grooves are connected to at least two oil passage holes in a one-to-one correspondence, and the drainage grooves are provided to extend radially toward the outer periphery of the first end along the piston.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of through slots are provided, and the plurality of through slots are arranged at circumferential intervals along the second end.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the damper further includes a spring and a second sealing ring, the spring and the second sealing ring being arranged sequentially along the direction of the sealing member toward the piston, one end of the spring being connected to the sealing member and the other end being connected to the second sealing ring, the second sealing ring being sleeved on the piston rod and sealingly engaging with the piston rod and the inner peripheral wall of the cavity.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the second sealing ring is provided with a through hole for the piston rod to pass through, one end of the second sealing ring is provided with a connecting part that is sleeved with the spring, and the other end is provided with a first lip and a second lip in an annular shape. The first lip is arranged around the through hole and abuts against the piston rod, and the second lip abuts against the inner peripheral wall of the cavity.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the sealing element, the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring are all made of nitrile rubber, the outer shell is made of 316 stainless steel, and the oily medium is silicone oil.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the damper further includes a guide member fixed to the cavity and located on the side of the seal opposite to the piston, the guide member having a guide hole through which the piston rod passes.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, both the guide and the piston are made of polyketimide.

[0016] A drawer assembly according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a drawer body and a damper as described in the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the piston rod is connected to the drawer body.

[0017] The drawer assembly according to embodiments of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: The drawer assembly uses the damper described in the above embodiment. The piston rod is connected to the drawer body. When the drawer body is closed, the piston rod pushes the piston towards the bottom of the cavity, and the first sealing ring closes the oil groove. The oil passage hole is connected to the through groove. At this time, the oily medium can flow from one side of the piston to the other side through the through groove and the oil passage hole. The damper provides damping to the drawer body. When the drawer is opened, the piston rod pulls the piston towards the cavity opening. The first sealing ring opens the oil groove, and the oil passage hole and the oil groove are connected to the through groove. At this time, the oily medium can flow back along the oil groove and the oil passage hole. The flow rate is large, and the damper greatly reduces the resistance. Since there are two or more oil passage holes, the oil flow rate can be increased. The oil passage holes are distributed at the first end of the piston, and the oily medium can be evenly distributed to each oil passage hole. This allows the piston to achieve a uniform force when pressed down, preventing tilting force and improving the stability of the drawer assembly. It is suitable for refrigeration equipment with deep cooling function.

[0018] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a refrigeration device includes a compartment and a drawer assembly as described in the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the temperature range of the compartment is greater than or equal to -50°C and less than or equal to -30°C, the damper is disposed in the compartment, and the drawer body is removably mounted in the compartment.

[0019] Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a damper according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is an exploded structural diagram of a damper according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along the AA direction; Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged structural diagram at point B; Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure with the first sealing ring in the closed oil groove state; Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the piston in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the piston from another perspective in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the front structure of the first sealing ring in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 yes Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure in the middle BB direction; Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the second sealing ring in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the second sealing ring from another perspective in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure label: Damper 10; Outer shell 100; cavity opening 110; cavity body 120; upper cavity 121; lower cavity 122; Piston rod 200; Piston 300; Ring groove 301; First end 310; Oil passage hole 311; Oil passage groove 312; Drainage groove 313; Connecting hole 314; Second end 320; Through groove 321; Connecting post 330; Seal 400; Second boss 410; First sealing ring 500; channel 510; inner wall surface 520; outer wall surface 530; first end face 540; second end face 550; Second sealing ring 600; through hole 610; first boss 620; first lip 630; second lip 640; Spring 700; Guide component 800; guide hole 810. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0023] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "axial", "radial", "circumferential", "upper", "lower", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0024] In the description of this invention, the use of "first" and "second" is for the purpose of distinguishing technical features only, and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated or the order of the technical features indicated.

[0025] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that terms such as "set up," "install," and "connect" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0026] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described below are some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments.

[0027] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the damper 10 provided in the embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 100, a piston rod 200, a piston 300, and a seal 400. The housing 100 is tubular and has a cavity 120 inside. One end of the housing 100 is provided with an opening 110 communicating with the cavity 120, and the other end is a closed structure. The seal 400 and the piston 300 are both installed in the cavity 120. The seal 400 is located in the cavity 120 near the opening 110. One end of the piston rod 200 is connected to the piston 300, and the other end passes through the seal 400 and extends out of the opening 110. The piston rod 200 can drive the piston 300 to move along the cavity 120. The cavity 120 is used to load an oily medium, and the seal 400 is used to seal the opening 110 to prevent leakage of the oily medium.

[0028] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the piston 300 includes a first end 310 and a second end 320, which are spaced apart along the axial direction of the piston rod 200 and are generally cylindrical. The first end 310 faces the cavity opening 110, and the second end 320 faces the bottom of the cavity 120. An annular groove 301 is provided between the first end 310 and the second end 320, and a first sealing ring 500 is provided in the annular groove 301.

[0029] Specifically, Figure 3 The vertical direction shown is consistent with the axial direction of the piston rod 200. The first end 310 is the upper end of the piston 300, and the second end 320 is the lower end of the piston 300. The first end 310 and the second end 320 are connected by a connecting post 330. The first end 310, the second end 320, and the connecting post 330 together define the annular groove 301. The first sealing ring 500 is sleeved on the connecting post 330 and abuts against the inner peripheral wall of the cavity 120. During the movement of the piston 300 along the cavity 120, the first sealing ring 500 can move with the piston 300 and maintain the sealing between itself and the inner wall of the cavity 120.

[0030] In this embodiment, the first end 310, the second end 320, and the connecting post 330 are integrally formed, which effectively solves the problem of material shrinkage affecting structural stability in a cryogenic environment compared to a split structure. A connecting hole 314 is formed on the end face of the first end 310 facing the cavity 110. The connecting hole 314 is arranged along the axial direction of the piston rod 200 and is connected to the piston rod 200.

[0031] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 6As shown, in some embodiments, the first end 310 is provided with an oil passage groove 312 and an oil passage hole 311. Three oil passage holes 311 are provided, spaced apart circumferentially along the first end 310, and all three penetrate the first end 310 and communicate with the annular groove 301. Multiple oil passage grooves 312 are provided, distributed on the outer peripheral wall of the first end 310, and are arranged axially along the piston rod 200 and communicate with the annular groove 301. The second end 320 is provided with a through groove 321, which penetrates the second end 320 and communicates with the annular groove 301. The diameter of the through groove 321 is larger than the diameter of the oil passage hole 311.

[0032] It should be noted that, in the embodiment, the inner diameter of the first sealing ring 500 is larger than the outer diameter of the connecting post 330, so that the first sealing ring 500 and the connecting post 330 are separated by a certain gap. The oil passage hole 311 and the oil passage groove 312 can both communicate with the through groove 321 through the above gap, thereby ensuring that the oily medium can flow between the oil passage hole 311 and the oil passage groove 312 and the through groove 321.

[0033] In addition, the width of the annular groove 301 is greater than the width of the first sealing ring 500, so that the first sealing ring 500 can move in the vertical direction within the annular groove 301, that is, the upper end face of the first sealing ring 500 can abut against the lower end face of the first end 310, or the lower end face of the first sealing ring 500 can abut against the upper end face of the second end 320.

[0034] It is understandable that the outer peripheral wall of the first sealing ring 500 abuts against the inner peripheral wall of the cavity 120 to form a seal. Since the oil passage groove 312 is distributed on the outer peripheral wall of the first end 310, and the lower port of the oil passage groove 312 is located at the outer peripheral edge of the lower end face of the first end 310, when the upper end face of the first sealing ring 500 abuts against the lower end face of the first end 310, the first sealing ring 500 can close the lower port of the oil passage groove 312; when the first sealing ring 500 is separated from the first end 310, the lower port of the oil passage groove 312 is opened. That is to say, the first sealing ring 500 is configured to have the function of closing or opening the oil passage groove 312.

[0035] Reference Figure 3 As shown, it can be understood that the piston 300 divides the cavity 120 into an upper cavity 121 and a lower cavity 122. As the piston 300 moves in the vertical direction, the volumes of the upper cavity 121 and the lower cavity 122 will change. The oily medium in the cavity 120 can pass through the oil hole 311, the oil groove 312 and the through groove 321 to flow between the upper cavity 121 and the lower cavity 122.

[0036] Specifically, with Figure 3To illustrate the direction of the example shown, when the piston rod 200 pushes the piston 300 downward, the piston 300 presses down, and the space of the lower cavity 122 gradually decreases. The first sealing ring 500 moves towards the first end 310, and the upper end face of the first sealing ring 500 abuts against the lower end of the first end 310 and seals the lower port of the oil groove 312. At this time, the oil passage 311 is connected to the through groove 321. Under pressure, the oily medium passes through the lower cavity 122, through the through groove 321 and the oil passage 311 in sequence, and enters the upper cavity 121. Since the diameter of the oil passage 311 is smaller than that of the through groove 321, it can slow down the flow rate of the oily medium, play a buffering and damping role, and provide a damping feel. Figure 5 The figure shows the state of the first sealing ring 500 when the piston 300 is pressed down. The arrows in the figure indicate the flow direction of the oily medium.

[0037] When the piston rod 200 pulls the piston 300 upward, the space in the upper cavity 121 gradually decreases, and the first sealing ring 500 moves towards the second end 320 and away from the first end 310. At this time, the lower port of the oil passage groove 312 is opened, and the oil passage hole 311 and the oil passage groove 312 are respectively connected to the through groove 321, allowing the oily medium to flow back from the upper cavity 121 to the lower cavity 122 through the oil passage hole 311 and the oil passage groove 312 simultaneously. The return flow rate increases, generating small resistance or negligible resistance. The damper 10 is suitable for drawer assemblies. When the drawer body is closed, the damper 10 can provide damping sensation to avoid noise caused by impact when the drawer body is closed. When the drawer body is opened, the damper 10 generates small resistance or no resistance. Figure 4 The figure shows the state of the first sealing ring 500 when the piston 300 moves upward. The arrows in the figure indicate the flow direction of the oily medium.

[0038] In related technologies, refrigeration equipment such as refrigerators and freezers requires dampers 10 to address the noise generated by the impact when drawers close, while also providing a damping feel when closing the drawers and ensuring no resistance when opening them. However, for refrigeration equipment with deep-cold functions, in deep-cold environments where temperatures reach -30°C or lower, liquid / gas media will experience thermal expansion and contraction, leading to oil / gas leakage in the internal space. The damping components may contract, causing uneven force distribution when the piston 300 is pressed down, reducing the stability of the damper 10, and even causing the damper 10 to fail.

[0039] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown in the embodiment of the present invention, in order to make the force on the piston 300 more uniform when it is pressed down, three oil passage holes 311 are provided at the first end 310 of the piston 300. The three oil passage holes 311 are evenly distributed on the end face of the piston 300. Compared with the method of a single oil passage hole 311, the oil passage volume can be increased. When the piston 300 is pressed down, the oil medium can be evenly distributed to each oil passage hole 311, achieving the effect of uniform force, preventing the piston 300 from tilting under force, and effectively improving the stability of the damper 10.

[0040] In this embodiment, an oily medium is used instead of a gaseous medium or other liquid medium. For example, it can be silicone oil, mineral oil or other synthetic oil. Taking silicone oil as an example, it has a certain viscosity, good low temperature resistance, and is not easy to solidify. It provides a stable damping force, making the damper 10 more stable. It is suitable for refrigeration equipment with deep cryogenic function, ensuring that the damper 10 can work normally in a deep cryogenic environment.

[0041] In some preferred embodiments, the silicone oil used is modified silicone oil. Compared with conventional silicone oil, modified silicone oil can maintain the stability of its physical and chemical properties over a wider temperature range. Modified silicone oil has a better pour point, which refers to the lowest temperature at which silicone oil can maintain fluidity during cooling. According to experimental tests, the inventors know that the pour point of modified silicone oil reaches -45℃. As the concentration of modified silicone oil increases, its pour point increases accordingly, resulting in better low-temperature resistance. This allows the modified silicone oil to maintain fluidity in cryogenic environments, making it more suitable as a medium for damper 10 in cryogenic environments, ensuring stable operation of damper 10 in cryogenic environments.

[0042] In addition, in the embodiment, the outer shell 100 and the piston rod 200 are made of stainless steel, specifically 316 stainless steel. Due to the addition of molybdenum (Mo) to 316 stainless steel, it has good corrosion resistance, atmospheric corrosion resistance and high temperature strength, and the cold-rolled product has a good gloss and can be used in cryogenic environments.

[0043] Reference Figure 6 As shown, it can be understood that when the piston 300 is pushed down by the piston rod 200, due to the viscosity of the silicone oil, and because the silicone oil can simultaneously pass through the three oil passages 311, it enters the upper cavity 121 from the lower cavity 122. Since the line connecting the distribution positions of the three oil passages 311 is approximately triangular, the distribution of the squeezing force generated by the silicone oil when flowing through the oil passages 311 is more uniform. This increases the oil flow rate and achieves the purpose of uniform force distribution on the piston 300 during downward pressure, effectively preventing uneven force distribution on the piston 300 and causing tilting. This makes the damper 10 more stable and ensures greater stability of the drawer assembly of the refrigeration equipment.

[0044] Of course, the number of oil passage holes 311 is not limited to three. The first end 310 can be provided with two or more oil passage holes 311. For example, two oil passage holes 311 are symmetrically distributed, which can satisfy the effect of uniform force distribution when the piston 300 is pressed down. In some embodiments, the number of oil passage holes 311 is not less than three, preferably three or four. For example, the piston 300 has four oil passage holes 311, which are evenly distributed along the circumference of the first end 310. The line connecting the distribution positions is roughly square, which makes the force distribution when the piston 300 is pressed down more uniform and effectively improves the stability of the damper 10. The specific number of oil passage holes 311 can be selected according to the actual application requirements such as the medium and damping force of the damper 10.

[0045] Reference Figure 6 As shown, it can be understood that since the inner diameter of the first sealing ring 500 is larger than the outer diameter of the connecting post 330, the inner wall surface 520 of the first sealing ring 500 and the bottom wall of the annular groove 301 are spaced apart, and this gap forms a channel 510. When the piston 300 is pressed down, the silicone oil can pass through the channel 510 through the through groove 321 and flow to the oil passage hole 311; when the piston 300 moves up, the silicone oil can pass through the channel 510 through the oil passage hole 311 and the oil passage groove 312 and flow to the through groove 321.

[0046] Specifically, along the radial direction of the piston 300, the inner radius of the first sealing ring 500 is greater than or equal to the maximum distance between the oil passage hole 311 and the central axis of the piston rod 200. The maximum distance between the oil passage hole 311 and the central axis of the piston rod 200 can be understood as the maximum radius of the circumscribed circle of the oil passage hole 311. Under these conditions, when the first sealing ring 500 abuts against the first end 310, it will not obstruct the oil passage hole 311, allowing silicone oil to smoothly enter the oil passage hole 311 along the channel 510. It is understandable that when the inner radius of the first sealing ring 500 is less than the maximum distance between the oil passage hole 311 and the central axis of the piston rod 200, the first sealing ring 500 will obstruct part or all of the oil passage hole 311, affecting the oil flow and hindering the uniform distribution of force on the piston 300.

[0047] Reference Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the first sealing ring 500 has an inner wall surface 520, an outer wall surface 530, a first end surface 540, and a second end surface 550. The first end surface 540 and the second end surface 550 are respectively located at both ends of the first sealing ring 500 along the axial direction of the piston rod 200. The first end surface 540 faces the first end 310, and the second end surface 550 faces the second end 320. The first end surface 540 and the second end surface 550 are respectively connected between the outer wall surface 530 and the inner wall surface 520 of the first sealing ring 500.

[0048] Reference Figure 9As shown, the cross-sections of the inner wall surface 520, the first end face 540, and the second end face 550 are all planar. The planar shape of the inner wall surface 520 helps to increase the gap between the first sealing ring 500 and the piston rod 200, reducing the resistance to silicone oil and allowing the silicone oil to pass smoothly through the first sealing ring 500. The cross-section of the outer wall surface 530 is arc-shaped. During the movement of the piston 300 along the cavity 120, the arc-shaped outer wall surface 530 can maintain a sealing state with the inner peripheral wall of the cavity 120. Furthermore, when the first sealing ring 500 is deformed by compression, the larger the contact area between the outer wall surface 530 and the inner peripheral wall of the cavity 120, the better the sealing effect.

[0049] In related technologies, O-rings are used for sealing. The cross-section of an O-ring is circular, meaning its surface is curved in all directions. However, O-rings are prone to twisting and deformation when subjected to uneven force. In contrast to O-rings, the surfaces of the first sealing ring 500 in this embodiment of the invention that contact the first end 310 and the second end 320 are both flat. When the piston 300 is pressed down, the first end face 540 contacts the lower end face of the first end 310, resulting in a larger contact area and better sealing effect. This effectively seals the oil groove 312, reducing the likelihood of oil leakage. When the piston 300 moves upward, the second end face 550 contacts the upper end face of the second end 320, also with a larger contact area. This allows the first sealing ring 500 to remain in a stable state, providing better impact resistance and preventing twisting and deformation.

[0050] It should be noted that, along the radial direction of the first sealing ring 500, the width of the first end face 540 needs to be greater than the depth of the oil groove 312 to ensure that the first end face 540 can effectively seal the oil groove 312. Figure 9 In the illustrated embodiment, the widths of the first end face 540 and the second end face 550 are equal. In some embodiments, the widths of the first end face 540 and the second end face 550 may also be unequal; for example, the width of the first end face 540 may be less than the width of the second end face 550. The specific dimensions of the first end face 540 and the second end face 550 are set according to factors such as sealing performance, the size requirements of the oil passage groove 312 and the through groove 321.

[0051] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments, the second end 320 is provided with three through slots 321, which are distributed circumferentially around the second end 320 and penetrate the second end 320 respectively. It can be understood that each through slot 321 is an open structure, with the open end being approximately oblong. Compared to a circular hole, an oblong hole can provide a larger diameter, effectively increasing the oil flow rate. The specific size and number of through slots 321 can be selected according to the viscosity, flow rate, and other requirements of the actual oily medium to meet the requirement of low resistance for the oily medium.

[0052] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the damper 10 also includes a spring 700 and a second sealing ring 600. The spring 700 and the second sealing ring 600 are arranged sequentially along the direction of the sealing member 400 toward the piston 300. The spring 700 is located between the sealing member 400 and the second sealing ring 600. One end of the spring 700 is connected to the sealing member 400, and the other end is connected to the second sealing ring 600. The second sealing ring 600 is sleeved on the piston rod 200.

[0053] Reference Figure 3 As shown, the piston rod 200 passes through the seal 400, spring 700, and second sealing ring 600 sequentially from top to bottom before connecting to the piston 300. The second sealing ring 600 has a through hole 610 at its center and is annular in shape; the piston rod 200 passes through the through hole 610. The inner circumferential wall of the second sealing ring 600 seals against the piston rod 200, and the outer circumferential wall of the second sealing ring 600 seals against the inner circumferential wall of the cavity 120. During assembly, an appropriate amount of silicone oil is poured into the outer shell 100, and the piston 300 and the second sealing ring 600 are sequentially installed for vacuum assembly. By adding the second sealing ring 600, the fit between the second sealing ring 600 and the seal 400 ensures that the silicone oil does not flow into the cavity 110, further improving the sealing performance of the damper 10.

[0054] Understandably, the second sealing ring 600 is supported axially along the piston rod 200 by the spring 700. When the piston rod 200 pushes the piston 300 down, the piston rod 200 occupies the space in the cavity 120, which reduces the space for the silicone oil. At this time, the silicone oil squeezes the second sealing ring 600 upward. The second sealing ring 600 pushes the spring 700 upward, compressing the spring 700, thus achieving a smooth and quiet release effect. Especially in a cryogenic environment, the space for the silicone oil will be further reduced due to thermal expansion and contraction. The spring 700 can support the second sealing ring 600 to contact the oil surface, thereby keeping the damper 10 in a full oil state for quiet operation and preventing the oil shortage phenomenon that occurs when the silicone oil contracts.

[0055] Reference Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, in some embodiments, one end of the second sealing ring 600 is provided with a connecting portion, and the other end is provided with a first lip 630 and a second lip 640. Specifically, the connecting portion is a first boss 620 protruding from the end face of the second sealing ring 600. A through hole 610 is provided through the first boss 620. The diameter of the first boss 620 matches the size of the spring 700, so that the spring 700 can be sleeved on the outer periphery of the first boss 620.

[0056] Furthermore, a second boss 410 is provided at the end of the seal 400 facing the second sealing ring 600. The diameter of the second boss 410 matches the size of the spring 700, allowing the end of the spring 700 away from the second sealing ring 600 to be fitted onto the outer periphery of the second boss 410. This ensures that the spring 700 is stably confined between the seal 400 and the second sealing ring 600, ensuring more uniform force distribution on the second sealing ring 600 and maintaining stable sliding of the second sealing ring 600 along the cavity 120. In this embodiment, the first boss 620 and the second boss 410 are fixed to the spring 700 by an interference fit. In this embodiment, the first lip 630 and the second lip 640 protrude from the end face of the second sealing ring 600 away from the connecting portion. Both the first lip 630 and the second lip 640 are annular. The first lip 630 is located inside the second lip 640. The first lip 630 surrounds the through hole 610 and abuts against the piston rod 200. The second lip 640 abuts against the inner peripheral wall of the cavity 120. The inner diameter of the first lip 630 is larger than the diameter of the piston rod 200, so that the first lip 630 and the piston rod 200 can fit tightly together to form a sealing structure. The outer diameter of the second lip 640 is larger than the inner diameter of the cavity 120, so that the second lip 640 and the inner peripheral wall of the cavity 120 can fit tightly together to form a sealing structure.

[0057] Reference Figure 3 As shown, it can be understood that on the cross-section of the second sealing ring 600, the first lip 630 is inclined towards the center of the through hole 610, and the second lip 640 is inclined towards the inner wall of the cavity 120, with the first lip 630 and the second lip 640 forming an angle with each other. When the spring 700 pushes the second sealing ring 600 to move, the first lip 630 maintains a sealing state with the piston rod 200, and the second lip 640 maintains a sealing state with the inner peripheral wall of the cavity 120. This ensures that the second sealing ring 600 has strong sealing performance and can remain in a state perpendicular to the axial direction of the piston rod 200, making the generated damping force value more stable. It can maintain the stability of sealing performance in a cryogenic environment and effectively prevent oil leakage.

[0058] Considering that the port of the oil passage 311 is located on the upper end face of the first end 310, when the piston 300 moves upward and approaches the second sealing ring 600, the port of the oil passage 311 is easily blocked by the second sealing ring 600, affecting the oil outlet of the oil passage 311. When the second sealing ring 600 blocks the oil passage 311 and the first sealing ring 500 closes the oil passage groove 312, it is difficult for the silicone oil to enter the lower cavity 122 from the upper cavity 121, resulting in uneven force on the piston 300 and increased resistance generated by the damper 10.

[0059] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, in this embodiment, the end face of the first end 310 facing the cavity 110 is provided with three drainage grooves 313. The three drainage grooves 313 are connected to the three oil passage holes 311 one by one. Specifically, the drainage grooves 313 are roughly elongated. One end of the drainage groove 313 is connected to the oil passage hole 311, and the other end extends radially towards the outer periphery of the first end 310 along the piston 300. When the upper end face of the piston 300 is close to the second sealing ring 600, the silicone oil can still enter the oil passage hole 311 from the outer periphery of the first end 310 along the drainage groove 313, ensuring that the silicone oil smoothly enters the upper cavity 121 from the upper cavity 121. Therefore, by increasing the drainage grooves 313, the situation of the second sealing ring 600 blocking the flow hole can be effectively reduced.

[0060] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the first sealing ring 500, the second sealing ring 600, and the sealing element 400 are all made of modified nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR). The modified NBR material can be made by improving the original or existing properties of NBR through physical, chemical, or mechanical means, making it more suitable for the final product. Compared with other rubbers, modified NBR material has excellent low-temperature resistance, with a minimum glass transition temperature of -45°C, making it suitable for use in cryogenic environments and helping to improve the stability of the damper 10.

[0061] In addition, the spring 700 used in the embodiment is a piano wire spring. Piano wire springs perform better than conventional springs in terms of corrosion resistance, strength and elasticity, have a longer lifespan, and are more suitable for working in cryogenic environments.

[0062] It is understandable that water vapor exists in a cryogenic environment and frost will form on the piston rod 200. The seal 400 can isolate the cavity 120 from the external environment, and the second sealing ring 600 further seals the cavity, effectively isolating water vapor and frost on the piston rod 200, preventing water vapor and frost from entering the damper 10, thereby avoiding the mixing of oil and water and the generation of noise.

[0063] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the damper 10 also includes a guide member 800, which is fixedly disposed at the cavity opening 110. The guide member 800 is located on the side of the seal 400 facing away from the piston 300. The guide member 800 is provided with a guide hole 810 for the piston rod 200 to pass through. The piston rod 200 passes through the guide member 800, the seal 400, the spring 700, and the second sealing ring 600 in sequence before connecting to the piston 300. The guide member 800 fixes and guides the piston rod 200, thereby enabling the piston rod 200 to drive the piston 300 to move stably. Specifically, the guide member 800 can be fixedly connected to the inner wall of the housing 100 by adhesive bonding. In some embodiments, the guide member 800 can also be connected to the housing by an interference fit.

[0064] In this embodiment, both the guide 800 and the piston 300 are plastic parts, specifically made of modified polyketimide (POK). POK is an engineering plastic with outstanding wear resistance. Compared with other plastics, such as polyoxymethylene (POM), POK plastic parts have 14 times the wear resistance of POM plastic parts, extremely low wear, high dimensional stability over long-term use, and are less affected by temperature changes. They also have outstanding low noise performance. Due to the material's excellent low-temperature toughness, it still has good impact resistance under operating conditions of -50℃ to -30℃, which can ensure the stable operation of the damper 10 in a cryogenic environment.

[0065] It is understood that the damper 10 of this embodiment of the invention, by designing three oil passage holes 311 on the piston 300, makes the silicone oil flow more stable and the force value more stable. When the piston 300 is pressed down, the first sealing ring 500 contacts the lower end face of the first end 310, sealing the oil passage groove 312, so that the silicone oil can only pass through the three oil passage holes 311, thereby generating a damping force; when the piston 300 is pulled up, the first sealing ring 500 changes the sealing direction, opens the oil passage groove 312, and connects the oil passage groove 312 with the three through grooves 321, greatly increasing the flow rate, so that no damping force is generated during the upward pulling process.

[0066] Furthermore, by optimizing the materials of the damper 10 components, the guide 800 and piston 300 are made of modified POK material, while the first sealing ring 500, second sealing ring 600, and sealing element 400 are made of modified NBR material. Sealing element 400 effectively blocks water vapor from the inside and outside of the damper 10. The dimensions of sealing element 400, the first sealing ring 500, and the second sealing ring 600 are unaffected by cryogenic environments, providing strong sealing performance. Modified silicone oil is used as the oily medium, which does not freeze in cryogenic environments and maintains a certain degree of fluidity. The outer shell 100 and piston rod 200 are made of 316 stainless steel. The outer shell 100 is a one-piece molded metal tube, providing strong sealing and being unaffected by thermal expansion and contraction at low temperatures, ensuring that the tube will not burst during impact testing.

[0067] It should be noted that the damper 10 is assembled at room temperature, but operates in a cryogenic environment. There is a large temperature difference between the room temperature environment and the cryogenic environment. Compared with conventional dampers under room temperature conditions, the above-mentioned components of the damper 10 in this embodiment of the invention can effectively avoid problems such as component shrinkage, medium solidification, and unstable damping force in the cryogenic environment due to the excellent low-temperature toughness of the materials. It still has good impact resistance under operating conditions of -50℃ to -30℃, ensuring that the damper 10 can operate normally.

[0068] The present invention also provides a drawer assembly suitable for refrigeration equipment with a compartment, the temperature range of which is greater than or equal to -50°C and less than or equal to -30°C. The drawer assembly includes a drawer body and a damper, the damper being the damper 10 of the above embodiment, the damper 10 being installed in the compartment, and the drawer body being removably installed in the compartment.

[0069] During assembly, the damper 10 is placed horizontally, that is, the piston rod 200 is axially arranged in the horizontal direction. The outer shell 100 of the damper 10 can be fixedly installed in the compartment. For example, the drawer body can be pulled out and installed in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator, the outer shell 100 is fixed in the freezer compartment, and the piston rod 200 is connected to the drawer body.

[0070] When the drawer body is closed, the piston rod 200 pushes the piston 300 toward the bottom of the cavity 120. This can be understood as the piston 300 pressing down. The first sealing ring 500 seals the oil groove 312. The silicone oil passes through the three oil holes 311 on the piston 300, generating a damping force, thereby providing a damping feel and solving the problem of noise caused by impact when the drawer body is closed.

[0071] When the drawer body is opened, the piston rod 200 pulls the piston 300 toward the cavity 110. This can be understood as the piston 300 moving upward. The first sealing ring 500 opens the oil groove 312, and the silicone oil can flow back through the oil hole 311 and the oil groove 312 at the same time, generating a small resistance or negligible resistance, so that the drawer body can be opened easily.

[0072] Since there are three or more oil passage holes 311, the oil flow rate can be increased. And since the oil passage holes 311 are distributed at the first end 310 of the piston 300, the silicone oil can be evenly distributed to each oil passage hole 311, so that the piston 300 can achieve a uniform force when it is pressed down, preventing tilting force, improving the stability of the damper 10, and ensuring that the damper 10 can operate normally in a cryogenic environment.

[0073] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a refrigeration device, which can be a refrigerator, freezer, or other device with deep-freezing function. The refrigeration device includes the drawer assembly described in the above embodiments. Taking a refrigerator as an example, the refrigerator has a compartment with a temperature range greater than or equal to -50°C and less than or equal to -30°C. A damper 10 is installed inside the compartment, and the drawer body is removably installed within the compartment. Therefore, the refrigeration device of the present invention possesses all the beneficial effects of the aforementioned drawer assembly.

[0074] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A damper, characterized in that, include: The outer casing has a cavity for containing an oily medium, and one end of the outer casing has an opening that communicates with the cavity; A sealing element is fixedly disposed within the cavity to close the cavity opening; A piston is disposed within the cavity and is capable of sliding along the cavity; The piston rod has one end connected to the piston and the other end passing through the seal and extending out of the cavity. Along the axial direction of the piston rod, the piston includes a first end and a second end spaced apart. The first end is connected to the piston rod, and an annular groove is formed between the first end and the second end. A first sealing ring is provided in the annular groove. The first end is provided with an oil passage groove and at least two oil passage holes. The oil passage groove is located on the outer peripheral wall of the first end, and the at least two oil passage holes are distributed circumferentially along the first end and penetrate the first end. The second end is provided with a through groove, and the oil passage holes, the oil passage groove, and the through groove are respectively connected to the annular groove. The first sealing ring is configured to close the oil passage groove when the piston rod pushes the piston to move away from the cavity opening, and the oil passage hole is connected to the through groove; and to open the oil passage groove when the piston rod pulls the piston to move towards the cavity opening, and the oil passage hole and the oil passage groove are respectively connected to the through groove.

2. The damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, Along the radial direction of the piston, the inner wall of the first sealing ring is spaced apart from the bottom wall of the annular groove, and the inner radius of the first sealing ring is greater than or equal to the maximum distance between the oil passage hole and the central axis of the piston rod.

3. The damper according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Along the axial direction of the piston rod, the first sealing ring has a first end face and a second end face facing away from each other. The first end face and the second end face are respectively connected between the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface of the first sealing ring. The cross-sections of the inner wall surface, the first end face and the second end face are all planar, and the cross-section of the outer wall surface is an arc surface.

4. The damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first end face facing the cavity is provided with at least two drainage grooves, and the at least two drainage grooves are connected to at least two oil passage holes in a one-to-one correspondence. The drainage grooves are provided to extend radially toward the outer periphery of the first end face of the piston.

5. The damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The through slots are provided in multiple ways, and the multiple through slots are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the second end.

6. The damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The damper further includes a spring and a second sealing ring, which are arranged sequentially along the direction of the sealing element toward the piston. One end of the spring is connected to the sealing element, and the other end is connected to the second sealing ring. The second sealing ring is sleeved on the piston rod and seals against the piston rod and the inner peripheral wall of the cavity.

7. The damper according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second sealing ring has a through hole for the piston rod to pass through. One end of the second sealing ring has a connecting part that is sleeved with the spring, and the other end has a first lip and a second lip in an annular shape. The first lip is arranged around the through hole and abuts against the piston rod, and the second lip abuts against the inner peripheral wall of the cavity.

8. The damper according to claim 6, characterized in that, The sealing element, the first sealing ring, and the second sealing ring are all made of nitrile rubber, the outer shell is made of 316 stainless steel, and the oily medium is silicone oil.

9. The damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The damper further includes a guide member fixed to the cavity and located on the side of the seal facing away from the piston, the guide member having a guide hole through which the piston rod passes.

10. The damper according to claim 9, characterized in that, Both the guide and the piston are made of polyketimide.

11. A drawer assembly, characterized in that, It includes a drawer body and a damper as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the piston rod is connected to the drawer body.

12. A refrigeration device, characterized in that, The device includes a compartment and the drawer assembly of claim 11, wherein the temperature range of the compartment is greater than or equal to -50°C and less than or equal to -30°C, the damper is disposed in the compartment, and the drawer body is removably mounted in the compartment.

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