A duct system and freezing method suitable for American refrigerator

Abstract

The application provides a wind channel system and a freezing method suitable for an American refrigerator. The wind channel system suitable for the American refrigerator comprises a variable-temperature air supply channel and an evaporator in a freezing chamber. The variable-temperature air supply channel and the evaporator are placed side by side in the rear wall of the freezing chamber. The upper part of the variable-temperature air supply channel is connected with a freezing chamber air supply channel. The freezing chamber air supply channel is provided with a wind volume / pressure concentration area. The wind volume / pressure concentration area adopts a fan and an Archimedes spiral line-shaped volute structure to send air into the variable-temperature air supply channel. The freezing method comprises the steps of adopting the fan and the Archimedes spiral line-shaped volute structure to send air into the variable-temperature air supply channel. According to the application, the depth of the freezing chamber drawer can be increased. Meanwhile, in combination with the fan characteristics, the downward wind volume / pressure concentration area can be efficiently formed, the air supply efficiency of the variable-temperature chamber is improved, and the air supply volume of the freezing / cold storage chamber is not affected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of refrigerator technology, specifically relating to an air duct system and freezing method suitable for American-style refrigerators. Background Technology

[0002] American-style refrigerators feature a side-by-side layout with a freezer compartment on one side and a refrigerator compartment on the other. The lower part has a variable temperature compartment with a full width and temperature range, which effectively solves the shortcomings of traditional side-by-side refrigerators, such as fixed volume and narrow compartment width.

[0003] like Figure 1 As shown, in existing technology, the variable temperature air supply duct 1, which supplies air to the variable temperature compartment in American-style refrigerators, is typically located between the rear wall of the freezer compartment and the variable temperature compartment. The evaporator 2 is located in the freezer compartment, and the variable temperature air supply duct 1 is positioned before the evaporator 2. A fan 3 at the top of the variable temperature air supply duct 1 blows cold air into the variable temperature compartment to meet cooling requirements. The drawback of this technical solution is that the variable temperature air supply duct 1 and the evaporator 2, positioned before and after the freezer compartment, occupy the depth space of the freezer compartment, resulting in low volume utilization. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide an air duct system that can improve the volume utilization of the freezer compartment without affecting the cooling effect of the variable temperature compartment.

[0005] The present invention also provides a refrigeration method for achieving variable temperature compartment cooling using the above-mentioned air duct system suitable for American refrigerators.

[0006] The first aspect of the present invention provides an air duct system suitable for American refrigerators, including a variable temperature air supply duct and an evaporator located in the freezer compartment; the variable temperature air supply duct and the evaporator are placed side by side in the rear wall of the freezer compartment, the upper part of the variable temperature air supply duct is connected to the freezer compartment air supply duct, and the freezer compartment air supply duct is provided with an air volume / pressure concentration zone, the air volume / pressure concentration zone adopts a fan in combination with an Archimedean spiral-shaped volute structure to deliver air into the variable temperature air supply duct.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention provides a freezing method for use with an air duct system suitable for American-style refrigerators, comprising the following steps: S1. Open the air supply channel in the freezer compartment; S2. The air volume / pressure concentration zone uses a fan in conjunction with an Archimedes spiral-shaped volute structure to deliver air into the variable temperature air supply channel. The damper guides the air entering from the variable temperature connecting air duct at a 90° angle before delivering it to the top of the variable temperature compartment through the air supply guide channel, thus supplying air to the entire variable temperature compartment. At the same time, the air volume / pressure concentration zone uses a fan in conjunction with the freezer compartment air supply guide slot to deliver air into the freezer compartment and into the refrigerator compartment through the air supply connector located between the top of the side wall of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment. S3. The variable temperature compartment returns air to the freezer compartment through the variable temperature return air duct, and the refrigerator compartment returns air to the freezer compartment through the refrigerator compartment return air vent at the bottom of the side wall.

[0008] This invention places the variable temperature air supply channel and the evaporator side by side in the rear wall of the freezer compartment. This not only avoids occupying the depth space of the freezer compartment, allowing the drawers to be deeper and increasing the volume, but also, combined with the characteristics of the fan, the air duct structure design can efficiently form a downward airflow / pressure concentration zone, improving the air supply efficiency of the variable temperature compartment without affecting the air supply volume of the freezer / refrigeration compartment.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 The diagram below illustrates the air duct system of a US-style refrigerator, which is part of the background technology. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the air duct system of the American-style refrigerator in Embodiment 1. Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A; Figure 4 This is an exploded structural diagram of the air supply guide channel in Embodiment 3; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the air supply guide groove in the freezer compartment in embodiment 4. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the refrigeration air supply connector and the refrigeration compartment return air vent in Embodiments 4-5. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the return air in the freezer compartment and the return air in the variable temperature compartment in this embodiment 6. Detailed Implementation Example

[0011] See Figure 2 This embodiment provides an air duct system suitable for American-style refrigerators, including a variable temperature air supply duct 1 and an evaporator 2 located in the freezer compartment a. In order to solve the technical problems mentioned in the background art, the technical solution of this embodiment is that the variable temperature air supply duct 1 and the evaporator 2 are placed side by side in the rear wall of the freezer compartment a. The upper part of the variable temperature air supply duct 1 is connected to the freezer compartment air supply duct 4. The freezer compartment air supply duct 4 is provided with an air volume / pressure concentration zone 5. The air volume / pressure concentration zone 5 adopts a fan 3 in combination with an Archimedes spiral-shaped volute structure to send air into the variable temperature air supply duct 1.

[0012] Because the variable temperature air supply channel 1 is located on the lower side of the fan 3, this position, combined with the characteristics of the fan 3, forms a downward airflow / pressure concentration zone 5, which improves the air supply efficiency of the variable temperature air supply channel 1 without affecting the air supply volume of other compartments. In addition, because the variable temperature air supply channel 1 is designed on the side of the evaporator 2, it does not occupy the depth space of the freezer compartment a. While increasing the volume, the depth of the drawers can be increased, thereby improving the volume utilization efficiency. Example

[0013] See Figure 3 Based on Example 1, the variable temperature air supply channel 1 is located on the left side of the evaporator 2 and close to the left rear wall of the freezer compartment a. The variable temperature chamber b is provided with a variable temperature connecting air duct 6 that is on the same longitudinal axis as the variable temperature air supply channel 1 and is connected to the air supply guide channel 7. The air inlet of the air supply guide channel 7 and the air outlet of the variable temperature connecting air duct 6 form a 90-degree angle, and a damper 8 is provided at this angle. The damper 8 guides the air entering from the variable temperature connecting air duct 7 by 90° and then sends it into the top of the variable temperature chamber b through the air supply guide channel 7 to supply air to the entire variable temperature chamber b.

[0014] By directing the airflow 90° before it enters the damper 8, the risk of damper 8 icing and other failures can be effectively avoided. The airflow is then guided by the air supply channel 7, thereby achieving air outlet at the top of the entire variable temperature chamber b, further ensuring the overall cooling effect of the variable temperature chamber b. Example

[0015] See Figure 4 The air supply guide channel 7 includes a bottom groove 71 and a cover plate 72. The bottom groove 71 is provided with a first guide channel 73 that slopes upward from the air inlet to the center of the top of the bottom groove 71, a second guide channel 74 that slopes downward from the air inlet to the left side of the bottom of the bottom groove 71, and a third guide channel 75 that slopes downward from the rear end of the first guide channel 73 to the right side of the bottom of the bottom groove 71. The cover plate 72 is provided with openings 76 that communicate with the first to third channels.

[0016] By utilizing the air supply guide channel formed with the first to third channels, and with the variable temperature connecting air duct 7 being guided 90° before air supply, the variable temperature chamber b can be supplied with air more comprehensively, making the cooling faster and more uniform. Example

[0017] See Figure 5 The upper part of the freezer compartment air supply duct 4 is provided with a freezer compartment air supply guide groove 41 that communicates with the air volume / pressure concentration area 5, combined with Figure 2 The air volume / pressure concentration zone 5 uses a fan 3 in conjunction with the freezer compartment air supply guide duct 41 to send air into the freezer compartment a and into the refrigerator compartment c through the refrigerator air supply connector 9 located between the top of the side wall of the freezer compartment a and the refrigerator compartment c.

[0018] Installing refrigeration air supply connectors 9 at the top of the freezer compartment a and the refrigerator compartment c not only increases the reliability of the seal, but also has the advantage of low manufacturing cost. Example

[0019] See Figure 6 The bottom of the side wall of the refrigerator compartment c is provided with a return air vent 10 facing the freezer compartment a. Based on embodiment 4 above, the air supply and return vents of the refrigerator compartment are respectively set at the top and bottom of the refrigerator compartment, which has the advantage of rapid and uniform cooling. Example

[0020] See Figure 7 The lower part of the evaporator 2 in the freezer compartment a is provided with a freezer compartment return air hole 21 on the same longitudinal axis as it. The lower part of the air supply guide channel 7 in the variable temperature compartment b is provided with a variable temperature compartment return air hole 71 on the same longitudinal axis as it. The freezer compartment return air hole 21 and the variable temperature compartment return air hole 71 are connected by a variable temperature return air channel 11 located between the back of the freezer compartment a and the variable temperature compartment b.

[0021] The variable temperature return air method, which returns directly from the back of the variable temperature compartment to the back of the freezer compartment (bottom of the evaporator), not only has the advantages of short return air distance and high return air efficiency, but also can be staggered from the position of the return air vent 10 of the refrigerator compartment c in Example 5 to prevent cross-influence of return air. Example

[0022] See Figure 7 The return air vent 21 in the freezer compartment is grille-shaped. This is to prevent the risk of icing caused by hot air entering during defrosting. Example

[0023] Accordingly, a freezing method applicable to the air duct system of an American-style refrigerator includes the following steps: S1. Open the freezer compartment air supply channel 4; S2. The air volume / pressure concentration zone 5 uses a fan 3 in conjunction with an Archimedes spiral-shaped volute structure to deliver air into the variable temperature air supply channel 1. The damper 8 guides the air entering from the variable temperature connecting air duct 7 at a 90° angle, and then delivers it to the top of the variable temperature chamber b through the air supply guide channel 7 to supply air to the entire variable temperature chamber b. At the same time, the air volume / pressure concentration zone 5 uses a fan 3 in conjunction with the freezer chamber air supply guide slot 41 to deliver air into the freezer chamber a and into the refrigerator chamber c through the air supply connector 9 located between the top of the side wall of the freezer chamber a and the refrigerator chamber c. S3. The variable temperature chamber b returns air to the freezer chamber a through the variable temperature return air channel 11, and the refrigerator chamber c returns air to the freezer chamber a through the refrigerator chamber return air hole 10 at the bottom of the side wall.

[0024] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An air duct system suitable for American-style refrigerators, comprising a variable temperature air supply duct and an evaporator located in the freezer compartment, characterized in that: The variable temperature air supply channel is placed side by side with the evaporator in the rear wall of the freezer chamber. The upper part of the variable temperature air supply channel is connected to the freezer chamber air supply channel. The freezer chamber air supply channel is provided with an air volume / pressure concentration area. The air volume / pressure concentration area adopts a fan in combination with an Archimedes spiral-shaped volute structure to send air into the variable temperature air supply channel.

2. The air duct system for American-style refrigerators according to claim 1, characterized in that: The variable temperature air supply channel is located on the left side of the evaporator and near the left rear wall of the freezer. The variable temperature chamber is equipped with a variable temperature connecting air duct that is on the same longitudinal axis as the variable temperature air supply channel and is connected to the air supply guide channel. The air inlet of the air supply guide channel and the air outlet of the variable temperature connecting air duct form a 90-degree angle, and a damper is provided at this angle. The damper guides the air entering from the variable temperature connecting air duct at a 90-degree angle and then sends it to the top of the variable temperature chamber through the air supply guide channel to supply air to the entire variable temperature chamber.

3. The air duct system for American-style refrigerators according to claim 2, characterized in that: The air supply guide channel includes a bottom trough and a cover plate. The bottom trough is provided with a first guide channel that slopes upward from the air inlet to the center of the top of the bottom trough, a second guide channel that slopes downward from the air inlet to the left side of the bottom of the bottom trough, and a third guide channel that slopes downward from the rear end of the first guide channel to the right side of the bottom of the bottom trough. The cover plate is provided with openings that communicate with the first to third channels.

4. The air duct system for American-style refrigerators according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The upper part of the freezer air supply duct is provided with a freezer air supply guide groove that communicates with the air volume / pressure concentration area. The air volume / pressure concentration area uses a fan in conjunction with the freezer air supply guide groove to send air into the freezer and into the refrigerator through the refrigerator air supply connector located between the top of the side wall of the freezer and the refrigerator.

5. The air duct system for American-style refrigerators according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bottom of the side wall of the refrigerator compartment is provided with a return air vent for the refrigerator compartment facing the freezer compartment.

6. The air duct system for American-style refrigerators according to claim 5, characterized in that: The lower part of the evaporator in the freezer chamber is provided with a freezer chamber return air hole on the same longitudinal axis as it. The lower part of the air supply guide channel in the variable temperature chamber is provided with a variable temperature chamber return air hole on the same longitudinal axis as it. A variable temperature return air channel located between the back of the freezer chamber and the variable temperature chamber is connected between the freezer chamber return air hole and the variable temperature chamber return air hole.

7. The air duct system for American-style refrigerators according to claim 6, characterized in that: The return air vents of the freezer compartment are in the shape of a grille.

8. A freezing method for an American-style refrigerator using an air duct system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the following steps, characterized in that: S1. Open the air supply channel in the freezer compartment; S2. The air volume / pressure concentration zone uses a fan in conjunction with an Archimedes spiral-shaped volute structure to deliver air into the variable temperature air supply channel. The damper guides the air entering from the variable temperature connecting air duct at a 90° angle before delivering it to the top of the variable temperature compartment through the air supply guide channel, thus supplying air to the entire variable temperature compartment. At the same time, the air volume / pressure concentration zone uses a fan in conjunction with the freezer compartment air supply guide slot to deliver air into the freezer compartment and into the refrigerator compartment through the air supply connector located between the top of the side wall of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment. S3. The variable temperature compartment returns air to the freezer compartment through the variable temperature return air duct, and the refrigerator compartment returns air to the freezer compartment through the refrigerator compartment return air vent at the bottom of the side wall.

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