Refrigerator

Abstract

The application discloses a refrigerator, which comprises a cabinet, an air duct and a drawer assembly. The cabinet comprises an inner container, the inner container has a first space, the air duct is formed between the inner container and the air duct, the air duct has a second space, the first space and the second space are arranged along a first direction, a third space is arranged in the inner container and is communicated with the first space, and a guide rail is extended to the inside of the third space along the first direction, thereby directly extending the overall layout length of the guide rail, expanding the sliding stroke of the drawer body, enabling the drawer body to be pulled out along the guide rail for a longer distance, facilitating the taking of articles in the deep part of the first space and improving the use convenience of the storage space. The third space at least partially overlaps with the second space of the air duct in the first direction, the space inside the cabinet can be fully utilized, the layout of the inner container and the air duct is optimized, the space utilization rate inside the cabinet is improved, and the long-stroke layout of the guide rail can be realized without expanding the overall volume of the cabinet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of refrigeration equipment, and more specifically, relates to a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] As consumers increasingly demand higher utilization rates of kitchen space, refrigerator products are generally trending towards slimmer designs. For example, built-in refrigerators typically require their overall depth to match standard kitchen cabinets, often resulting in a significant reduction in depth.

[0003] The reduction in refrigerator depth leads to a significant reduction in usable internal space, limiting the movement of drawers. Even after a drawer is pulled out, a large portion of it remains inside the refrigerator, making it inconvenient for users to retrieve or place items. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a refrigerator that solves the technical problem in the prior art where drawers remain inside the refrigerator, causing inconvenience for users to retrieve and put away items.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted in this application is: to provide a refrigerator, the refrigerator comprising: The enclosure includes an inner liner, which has a primary space. Air duct component; the air duct component is set inside the inner liner, and an air duct is formed between the air duct component and the inner liner. The air duct has a second space, and the first space and the second space are arranged along a first direction. Drawer assembly; the drawer assembly includes a drawer body and a guide rail, the guide rail is disposed in a first space and extends along a first direction, and the drawer body is movablely engaged with the guide rail in the first direction; The inner liner has a third space, which is connected to the first space, and the guide rail extends to the third space along the first direction; The third space overlaps at least partially with the second space in the first direction, and the third space is isolated from the second space.

[0006] Optionally, the drawer body includes a movable member that is movably engaged with a guide rail in a first direction, and the movable member can move along the guide rail to a third space.

[0007] Optionally, movable parts are provided on both sides of the drawer body, and a connecting rod is provided between the movable parts on both sides, with the connecting rod located at the end closer to the third space.

[0008] Optionally, a first opening is provided between the air duct component and the inner liner at the position corresponding to the guide rail. The drawer assembly also includes a support component, which is disposed within the first opening. The support component and the inner liner form a third space, and the guide rail is connected to the support component.

[0009] Optionally, the refrigerator also includes an evaporator and a drip tray disposed in the air duct, with the drip tray located below the evaporator; The guide rail includes a first guide rail located at the bottom of the inner liner, and the support includes a first support connected to the first guide rail, the first support abutting against the water receiving tray.

[0010] Optionally, the first support member has a fourth space on the side near the water receiving tray, and a heat insulation element is installed in the fourth space.

[0011] Optionally, the inner liner has a stepped portion corresponding to the position of the air duct component, and the air duct component is connected to the stepped portion; The step portion has a first groove corresponding to the position of the guide rail, and the air duct component has a first protrusion corresponding to the position of the first groove. The first protrusion and the first groove form a third space.

[0012] Optionally, the first protrusion has a first sealing surface on the side facing the bottom of the first groove, the bottom of the first groove has a second sealing surface, and a first sealing element is disposed between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface.

[0013] Optionally, a third sealing surface is provided on the side of the air duct component facing the step portion, the step portion has a corresponding fourth sealing surface, and a second sealing element is provided between the third sealing surface and the fourth sealing surface; The first sealing surface is connected to the third sealing surface, and the second sealing surface is connected to the fourth sealing surface. The first sealing element and the second sealing element are an integral structure.

[0014] Optionally, the first protrusion has a second groove on the side facing the first groove, and the first groove and the second groove form a third space.

[0015] The refrigerator in this embodiment has a third space connected to the first space within the inner liner, and the guide rails extend into the third space along the first direction, directly extending the overall length of the guide rails and thus increasing the sliding range of the drawer body. This allows the drawer body to be pulled out a longer distance along the guide rails, facilitating the retrieval of items deep within the first space and improving the usability of the storage space. The third space at least partially overlaps with the second space of the air duct in the first direction, making full use of the internal space of the refrigerator, optimizing the layout of the inner liner and air duct components, and improving the utilization rate of the internal space of the refrigerator. The long travel distance of the guide rails can be achieved without increasing the overall volume of the refrigerator. At the same time, the third space and the second space of the air duct are isolated from each other. While extending the guide rail travel and expanding the drawer sliding range, the airtightness of the air duct is not compromised, nor is the normal airflow within the air duct disturbed. This ensures the stable operation of the air duct's cooling function, balancing ease of use and cooling reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of the refrigerator in the embodiments of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the drawer and inner liner in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the separation of the drawer and inner liner in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the separation of the air duct and the inner liner in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 for Figure 2 Side view; Figure 6 for Figure 5 AA section view in the middle; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the guide rail and moving parts in the embodiments of this application; Figure 8 This is an assembly diagram of the inner liner and air duct components in one embodiment of this application; Figure 9 for Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the embodiment; Figure 10 for Figure 9 Enlarged view of point I in the middle; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the inner liner in another embodiment of this application; Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the air duct component in another embodiment of this application; Figure 13 This is an enlarged view of the first protrusion in another embodiment of this application; Figure 14 This is an enlarged view of the first groove in another embodiment of this application; Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram showing the separation of the air duct component and the sealing component in this application.

[0018] Figure label: Box body 10; Inner liner 1; First space 101; Second space 102; Third space 103; First opening 104; Fourth space 105; Step 11; First groove 12; Second sealing surface 121; Fourth sealing surface 122; Drawer assembly 20; Drawer body 2; Moving part 21; Connecting rod 22; Guide rail 3; First guide rail 301; Support 31; First support 311; Heat insulation 32; Air duct 4; Evaporator 41; Drain tray 42; First protrusion 43; First sealing surface 431; Third sealing surface 432; Second groove 433; First seal 51; Second seal 52; First direction a. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial effects to be solved by this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0020] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other component.

[0021] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0022] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0023] Refrigerators utilize a vapor compression refrigeration cycle to achieve their cooling function. This cycle transfers heat from the interior of the refrigerator to the external environment, maintaining a low-temperature storage environment in both the refrigerator and freezer compartments – this is the core working principle of a refrigerator. The refrigeration system mainly consists of four core components: a compressor, a condenser, a throttling device, and an evaporator. It is also equipped with auxiliary components such as air ducts and drip trays. All components work together to ensure stable operation of the refrigeration process. The refrigeration cycle is as follows: The compressor draws in a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant, which is compressed to form a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. This high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows through the condenser, releasing heat to the external environment and condensing into a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. After being depressurized and cooled by the throttling device, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator, where it rapidly vaporizes and absorbs a large amount of heat from the surrounding area of ​​the inner liner, thus cooling the interior. The heat-absorbing gaseous refrigerant returns to the compressor, completing one cycle. This cycle repeats continuously, maintaining a constant low temperature inside the refrigerator.

[0024] To achieve uniform cooling and efficient insulation within the refrigerator, evaporators, air ducts, drip trays, and piping, among other refrigeration-related components, need to be centrally located at the rear of the refrigerator's inner liner. These components are essential for the refrigerator's cooling function, ensuring overall cooling performance and operational stability. However, they also occupy a significant amount of space at the rear of the inner liner, directly impacting the layout and effective volume of the internal storage areas, thus imposing objective limitations on the internal structural design.

[0025] Some refrigerators feature drawer structures. French-style refrigerators, for example, are currently the mainstream high-end household refrigerator category. Their neat appearance and practical spatial layout make them suitable for modern kitchen designs and are widely used. French-style refrigerators have a fixed structural feature, typically using a double-door refrigerator compartment at the top and a drawer-style freezer compartment at the bottom. Some models add a variable-temperature drawer between the refrigerator and freezer compartments, enabling multiple storage modes such as refrigeration, freezing, and soft freezing to meet diverse food storage needs. The storage performance of French-style refrigerators mainly relies on the drawer structure. Whether it's the large drawer in the freezer compartment or the subdivided functional drawers in the refrigerator compartment, they must have smooth sliding travel and sufficient depth to fully utilize the internal storage space. Ideally, the greater the drawer pull-out distance, the higher the internal space utilization rate, and the more convenient it is for users to access items.

[0026] As modern kitchen designs increasingly prioritize space utilization and aesthetics, refrigerators are trending towards slimmer designs. For example, some built-in refrigerators, to match the depth of standard cabinets, often have their overall depth reduced to around 600 millimeters. However, this reduction in depth directly leads to a significant decrease in usable internal space. The rear of the refrigerator interior needs to house evaporators, air ducts, drip trays, and other refrigeration system components, which occupy a considerable portion of the rear space, further compressing the drawer's usable area.

[0027] In traditional refrigerator structures, drawer assemblies typically consist of a drawer body and guide rails positioned on either side of the inner liner. The drawer body engages with the guide rails via a moving part to achieve push-pull movement. The installation position and extension length of the guide rails directly determine the drawer's pull-out distance. Typically, the rear end of the guide rails is limited by the installation position of the inner liner's rear wall or the air duct assembly, preventing it from extending further into the space occupied by the refrigeration components. This structural limitation results in the physical length of the guide rails being less than the usable depth of the inner liner.

[0028] More importantly, in actual design, the rear end of the drawer slides often needs to have a certain margin, rather than using the end of the slide as the stopping point for the moving parts. This is because the refrigerator's seal is achieved through a sealing strip between the front door and the refrigerator body. If the moving parts are pressed against the rear end of the drawer slides when the drawer is closed, a reliable clamping fit may not be formed between the front door and the refrigerator body, thus affecting the refrigerator's insulation performance. Therefore, the design stroke of the moving parts usually does not completely cover the physical length of the drawer slides, but rather leaves a rear margin to ensure that the front door can close properly and maintain a seal. This structural requirement further shortens the actual range of motion of the moving parts, resulting in the effective pull-out distance of the drawer being much smaller than the physical length of the drawer slides.

[0029] Therefore, in slim refrigerators, the space occupied by refrigeration components such as air ducts and evaporators at the rear prevents the drawer rails from extending further back. Additionally, the need to allow for a certain amount of sealing at the rear of the drawer rails further limits the effective pull-out distance of the drawers. In this situation, a significant portion of the drawer remains inside the refrigerator after being pulled out, making it inconvenient for users to retrieve and place items.

[0030] To address the aforementioned problems, this application provides a refrigerator; please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 1 to 6 In some embodiments of this application, the refrigerator includes: Box 10; Box 10 includes inner liner 1, inner liner 1 having a first space 101; Air duct component 4; Air duct component 4 is disposed inside the inner liner 1, and an air duct is formed between air duct component 4 and inner liner 1. The air duct has a second space 102. The first space 101 and the second space 102 are arranged along the first direction a. Drawer assembly 20; Drawer assembly 20 includes drawer body 2 and guide rail 3, the guide rail 3 is disposed in the first space 101 and extends along the first direction a, and the drawer body 2 is movably engaged with the guide rail 3 in the first direction a. The inner liner 1 has a third space 103, which is connected to the first space 101, and the guide rail 3 extends to the third space 103 along the first direction a. The third space 103 overlaps at least partially with the second space 102 in the first direction a, and the third space 103 is isolated from the second space 102.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the cabinet 10, as the outer main body of the refrigerator, serves to support, protect, and insulate against heat and cold. Figure 2 As shown, the cabinet 10 has an inner liner 1 inside, which encloses the inner cavity of the refrigerator. The inner liner 1 has a first space 101 defined inside, which is a storage chamber for storing food, forming a sealed storage space.

[0032] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the air duct component 4 is installed inside the inner liner 1, located in the rear area of ​​the inner liner 1. It is mainly used to separate the cooling air duct from the storage space, prevent cold air from leaking out, and regulate the flow direction of the cooling air. The air duct component 4 cooperates with the rear wall and inner side wall of the inner liner 1 to form a sealed air duct. The air duct forms a second space 102 for the flow of cooling air. The first space 101 and the second space 102 are arranged sequentially along the first direction a. In this embodiment, the first direction a specifically refers to the front-to-back depth direction of the refrigerator, that is, the direction from the refrigerator door towards the rear wall of the inner liner 1.

[0033] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the drawer assembly 20 is located within the first space 101 and is used to hold food items and to allow for pushing and pulling to retrieve them. The drawer assembly 20 specifically includes a drawer body 2 and a guide rail 3. The guide rail 3 is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the first space 101 and extends longitudinally along the first direction a. The guide rail 3 provides sliding support and guidance for the drawer body 2. The drawer body 2 and the guide rail 3 are slidably engaged, allowing the drawer to reciprocate along the extension direction of the guide rail 3, thereby opening and closing the drawer and completing the food item retrieval operation.

[0034] The inner liner 1 also has a third space 103 inside, which is interconnected with the first space 101 to form a continuous cavity structure. The guide rail 3 extends backward along the first direction a until it enters the interior of the third space 103. The third space 103 and the second space 102 at least partially overlap in the first direction a, making full use of the space at the rear of the inner liner 1 to achieve a staggered spatial layout. At the same time, the third space 103 and the second space 102 are isolated from each other and do not communicate with each other, avoiding airflow interference and ensuring the cooling efficiency of the air duct. The sliding part of the guide rail 3 or the idle section reserved at the rear end of the guide rail 3 can be installed inside the third space 103.

[0035] This embodiment breaks through the installation limitations of traditional refrigerator guide rails 3 by adding a third space 103 inside the inner liner 1, which is connected to the first space 101 and isolated from the second space 102 of the air duct. In traditional slim refrigerators, components such as the air duct and evaporator 41 occupy the rear space of the inner liner 1. The guide rail 3 is blocked by the air duct structure and cannot extend backward. In addition, the rear end of the guide rail 3 needs to reserve a sealing margin, which further shortens the effective travel of the drawer.

[0036] In this embodiment, the third space 103 and the second space 102 of the air duct partially overlap in the depth direction, realizing the staggered utilization of space. Without increasing the overall depth of the machine or occupying the air duct flow space, it provides additional extension space for the guide rail 3. The guide rail 3 extends into the third space 103 in the front-back direction, which can not only avoid the obstruction of the air duct components, but also move the originally unusable sealing margin section and the idle section of the guide rail 3 into the third space 103 without occupying the volume of the first space.

[0037] The third space 103 is completely isolated from the second space 102, which can ensure the airtightness of the air duct and the normal flow of the cooling air, without affecting the refrigeration performance of the refrigerator, and at the same time, without damaging the original structural strength and sealing of the inner liner 1, thus balancing the structural layout and refrigeration function.

[0038] This embodiment adopts the above structure, which can effectively extend the effective extension length of the guide rail 3 and increase the pull-out stroke of the drawer body 2 while maintaining the thin body of the refrigerator, without reducing the volume of the air duct, and without affecting the cooling effect. This solves the problems of traditional thin refrigerators where the drawers cannot be pulled out completely and it is inconvenient to take out food from deep inside.

[0039] The third space 103 is offset from the air duct space, making full use of the unused space at the rear of the inner liner 1, improving the utilization rate of the refrigerator's internal space. It can be adapted to standard built-in cabinets without increasing the overall depth of the unit, balancing aesthetics and practicality. At the same time, this structure does not affect the sealing relationship of the front door, ensuring sufficient drawer travel while maintaining the refrigerator's good sealing and insulation performance, reducing energy consumption, and improving the overall performance and storage experience of the unit.

[0040] Please see Figure 6 and Figure 7 In some embodiments of this application, the drawer body 2 includes a movable member 21, which is movably engaged with the guide rail 3 in the first direction a, and the movable member 21 can move along the guide rail 3 to the third space 103.

[0041] In this embodiment, the movable component 21 is a matching sliding component of the drawer assembly 20, fixedly installed on the drawer body 2, and moves synchronously with the drawer body 2 to achieve a sliding engagement between the drawer body 2 and the guide rail 3. The movable component 21 forms a movable engagement with the guide rail 3 along the first direction a, serving as a transmission and guiding component for the sliding movement of the drawer body 2. The guide rail 3 extends along the first direction a into the interior of the third space 103. Correspondingly, the movable component 21 can reciprocate along the extension path of the guide rail 3, enabling it to enter the interior of the third space 103 from the first space 101, breaking through the travel limitations of traditional structures.

[0042] The movement of the movable part 21 is adapted to the opening and closing state of the drawer. When the drawer is closed, that is, when the drawer slides to the innermost position, the movable part 21 moves synchronously with the drawer body 2 and is stored in the third space 103. When the drawer is pulled out, the movable part 21 can move out of the third space 103 along the guide rail 3, pass through the first space 101 in sequence, and continue to move towards the outside of the refrigerator.

[0043] The range of motion of the movable component 21 has been expanded from sliding only within the first space 101 in the traditional structure to sliding within the entire area formed by the first space 101 and the third space 103, effectively increasing the travel distance. The sliding travel of the movable component 21 directly determines the drawer's pull-out distance. The increased range of motion of the movable component 21 enables the drawer body 2 to achieve a longer pull-out distance, effectively improving the problems of insufficient drawer pull-out travel and inconvenience in accessing items inside the cabinet 10 in thin refrigerators.

[0044] Please continue reading. Figure 7 In some embodiments of this application, movable parts 21 are provided on both sides of the drawer body 2, and a connecting rod 22 is provided between the movable parts 21 on both sides, with the connecting rod 22 located at one end near the third space 103.

[0045] In this embodiment, movable parts 21 are provided on both the left and right sides of the drawer body 2, and a connecting rod 22 is provided between the two movable parts 21. The connecting rod 22 is fixed to the end of the movable part 21 near the third space 103. The connecting rod 22 is located entirely within the first space 101 and does not extend into the third space 103. The movable parts 21 are respectively located on both sides of the drawer body 2 and slide with the guide rails 3 on the corresponding sides. The movable parts 21 can slide along the guide rails 3 into the third space 103. The connecting rod 22 serves as a rigid connecting member, connecting the two movable parts 21 into one unit. In particular, the rear section of the movable part 21 near the third space 103, which is easy to extend into the side area of ​​the air duct, is constrained and fixed.

[0046] The connecting rod 22 is located at the end of the first space 101, close to the third space 103. It can fit the structural layout of the moving part 21 extending backward into the third space 103 without occupying the internal area of ​​the third space 103. It will not hinder the normal sliding of the moving part 21 between the first space 101 and the third space 103, nor will it cause structural interference with the inner wall of the inner liner 1, the air duct isolation part, or other surrounding components. At the same time, it will not encroach on the storage volume of the first space 101 and will not affect the normal use of the internal storage space of the refrigerator.

[0047] Since the rear of the movable component 21 extends into the third space 103, this section of the movable component 21 lacks lateral support, making it prone to wobbling, shifting, or even jamming when pushing or pulling the drawer. By placing the connecting rod 22 at the end of the movable component 21 closest to the third space 103, the rear section of the movable component 21 can be specifically reinforced, significantly improving the structural stability of the portion of the movable component 21 extending into the third space 103 and preventing unilateral tilting or shifting of the movable component 21. Simultaneously, the connecting rod 22 can synchronously limit the movement of the movable components 21 on both sides, ensuring that the two movable components 21 slide in unison along the guide rail 3, eliminating tilting or jamming during drawer pushing and pulling, and making the drawer opening and closing action smoother and more stable.

[0048] Furthermore, the connecting rod 22 enhances the overall rigidity of the drawer assembly 20 and strengthens the connection strength of the moving parts 21 on both sides, preventing the moving parts 21 from loosening, deforming, or misaligning due to long-term reciprocating pushing and pulling, thus extending the service life of the drawer assembly 20. This structural design does not interfere with the normal sliding stroke of the moving parts 21, preserving the core design of the moving parts 21 sliding between the first space 101 and the third space 103, maintaining the beneficial effect of the extended drawer pull-out distance, and balancing structural stability and ease of use.

[0049] In some other embodiments of this application, the movable part 21 may not move to the third space 103, but the remaining part of the guide rail 3 may extend to the third space 103, which can also extend the moving distance of the drawer to a certain extent and enable the drawer to be pulled out more.

[0050] Please see Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 In some embodiments of this application, a first opening 104 is provided between the air duct component 4 and the inner liner 1 at the position corresponding to the guide rail 3. The drawer assembly 20 also includes a support component 31, which is disposed in the first opening 104. The support component 31 and the inner liner 1 form a third space 103, and the guide rail 3 is connected to the support component 31.

[0051] In this embodiment, a first opening 104 is formed between the air duct component 4 and the inner liner 1, corresponding to the placement position of the guide rail 3. The drawer assembly 20 is also equipped with a support component 31, which is installed inside the first opening 104. The support component 31 and the inner wall of the inner liner 1 enclose each other to form a closed third space 103. The guide rail 3 is fixedly connected to the support component 31, completing the overall structural assembly. The first opening 104 is formed between the air duct component 4 and the inner liner 1, directly opposite the guide rail 3. The first opening 104 is arranged along the extension direction of the guide rail 3, which not only provides sufficient space for the rear section of the guide rail 3 to extend in and for the support component 31 to be installed, avoiding structural interference caused by the sliding movement of the air duct component 4 and the inner liner 1 on the guide rail 3 and the moving component 21, but also does not damage the overall sealing and isolation effect of the air duct, ensuring normal airflow of the cooling air.

[0052] The support member 31 is located inside the first opening 104, serving both as a sealing and isolation element and a structural support. The support member 31 fits tightly against the inner wall of the inner liner 1, and the two together form an independent and enclosed third space 103. This third space 103 is completely isolated from and does not communicate with the second space 102 inside the air duct. This not only prevents the leakage of the cooling airflow inside the air duct, ensuring the airtightness of the air duct and the overall cooling efficiency, but also provides dedicated space for the rear section of the guide rail 3 and the rear of the moving part 21, avoiding interference between various internal components.

[0053] The guide rail 3 is fixedly connected to the support member 31. The assembly method of the two can be flexibly set according to the production and assembly requirements. It can be made as a whole or assembled separately. The support member 31 acts as the mounting base for the guide rail 3, providing a stable and firm support point for the guide rail 3, so that the guide rail 3 can extend straight along the first direction a into the interior of the third space 103, ensuring that the guide rail 3 is installed stably and neatly. Compared with the traditional installation method in which the guide rail 3 is directly fixed to the inner wall of the liner 1, this structure realizes the rearward extension of the guide rail 3 through the cooperation of the support member 31 and the first opening 104, without occupying the storage volume of the first space 101, and without increasing the overall depth of the refrigerator. It can adapt to the design requirements of thin and built-in refrigerators.

[0054] Please see Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 In some embodiments of this application, the refrigerator further includes an evaporator 41 and a water tray 42 disposed in the air duct, with the water tray 42 disposed below the evaporator 41; the guide rail 3 includes a first guide rail 301 located at the lower part of the inner liner 1, and the support member 31 includes a first support member 311 connected to the first guide rail 301, with the first support member 311 abutting against the water tray 42.

[0055] In this embodiment, the refrigerator also includes an evaporator 41 and a water tray 42. Both the evaporator 41 and the water tray 42 are located inside the air duct. The water tray 42 is located below the evaporator 41 and receives the defrosting water generated during the defrosting process of the evaporator 41.

[0056] The evaporator 41 is a core refrigeration component of the refrigerator. It is located inside the air duct and works with the airflow to achieve heat exchange, reduce the temperature of the airflow in the air duct, and thus provide cold air to the refrigerator storage space to maintain a low-temperature storage environment. The drip tray 42 is located below the evaporator 41 and can collect the defrost water generated during the defrosting process of the evaporator 41. It collects and guides the defrost water to prevent it from leaking into the storage space or other components, avoids water accumulation that may affect the normal operation of the refrigerator, and ensures that the internal components are dry and clean.

[0057] In this embodiment, the guide rail 3 includes a first guide rail 301, which is fixedly disposed at the lower part of the inner liner 1 to accommodate the sliding requirements of the lower drawer assembly 20; the support member 31 includes a first support member 311, which is fixedly connected to the first guide rail 301, and the side end face of the first support member 311 facing away from the first guide rail 301 abuts against the water receiving tray 42 to achieve fitting and limiting between the components.

[0058] The first support member 311 abuts against the water receiving tray 42, which can make full use of the structural space of the existing components inside the air duct. With the help of the structural strength of the water receiving tray 42, it plays an auxiliary support and limiting and fixing role for the first support member 311 and the first guide rail 301. There is no need to add a special fixing bracket, which simplifies the structural layout of the lower part of the inner liner 1 and improves the compactness of the internal structure of the whole machine.

[0059] This mating fit effectively reinforces the installation stability of the first guide rail 301, preventing problems such as loosening, skewing, or settling of the first guide rail 301 during long-term reciprocating pushing and pulling of the drawer. It ensures that the first guide rail 301 is laid straight along the first direction a, guaranteeing smooth and unobstructed drawer sliding. Simultaneously, this mating structure does not interfere with the evaporator 41's refrigeration and heat exchange operations, nor does it affect the basic function of the drip tray 42 in receiving defrost water. It does not damage the air duct's seal, does not obstruct normal airflow circulation within the air duct, and does not affect the overall refrigeration efficiency.

[0060] In this embodiment, a fourth space 105 is formed on the side of the first support member 311 near the water tray 42, and a heat insulation member 32 is disposed inside the fourth space 105. The fourth space 105 is formed by the structure of the first support member 311 itself and is located in the area adjacent to the first support member 311 and the water tray 42. It is used for the installation and accommodation of the heat insulation member 32. This space does not interfere with the first space 101, the second space 102, and the third space 103, and will not encroach on the refrigerator storage space or the air duct circulation space.

[0061] When the refrigerator defrosts, the temperature inside the air duct rises, and the frost layer on the surface of the evaporator 41 melts. The first space 101, serving as the refrigerator's storage space, maintains a low-temperature cooling state. The first guide rail 301 is connected to the first support member 311, forming a pathway for cold air conduction. Without a heat insulation barrier, the cold air in the first space 101 will continuously transfer along the guide rail 301 and the first support member 311 to the water tray 42 in the air duct, causing cold air loss. This cold air conduction has two drawbacks: firstly, the loss of cold air inside the first space 101 causes the storage space temperature to rise, disrupting the constant temperature environment required for food storage; secondly, the lost cold air neutralizes the defrosting heat in the air duct, lowering the internal temperature of the air duct, resulting in insufficient defrosting heat. Consequently, the frost layer on the surface of the evaporator 41 cannot completely melt, ultimately leading to incomplete defrosting. The remaining frost layer will affect the subsequent cooling and heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator 41.

[0062] The heat insulation component 32 installed in the fourth space 105 can block the cold air conduction path from the first space 101 to the water tray 42, thus isolating heat transfer. Through the blocking effect of the heat insulation component 32, the cold air in the first space 101 can be prevented from being transferred to the water tray 42 via the guide rail 3 and the first support component 311, reducing cold air loss in the first space 101, maintaining a stable temperature in the first space 101, and preventing abnormal temperature rise in the storage space. At the same time, the heat insulation component 32 can reduce the loss of defrosting heat in the air duct, ensuring sufficient defrosting heat inside the air duct, allowing the frost layer on the evaporator 41 to be fully heated and completely defrosted, eliminating the problem of incomplete defrosting, and ensuring the subsequent normal operation of the evaporator 41.

[0063] Please see Figure 11 and Figure 12 In some embodiments of this application, the inner liner 1 has a stepped portion 11 at the position corresponding to the air duct component 4, and the air duct component 4 is connected to the stepped portion 11; the stepped portion 11 has a first groove 12 at the position corresponding to the guide rail 3, and the air duct component 4 has a first protrusion 43 at the position corresponding to the first groove 12, and the first protrusion 43 and the first groove 12 form a third space 103.

[0064] In this embodiment, the inner liner 1 has a stepped portion 11 at the corresponding position where the air duct component 4 is assembled. The air duct component 4 is fitted and connected to the stepped portion 11, completing the assembly and fixation between the inner liner 1 and the air duct component 4. The stepped portion 11 is usually integrally formed by the inner liner 1 and has a stepped structure. It is mainly used to adapt to the installation position of the air duct component 4. It can not only play a positioning and limiting role for the air duct component 4, making the assembly of the air duct component 4 more regular and tighter, but also separate the storage area from the air duct area, maintain the structural strength and airtightness of the inner liner 1, and ensure the overall heat preservation effect of the refrigerator.

[0065] The stepped portion 11 has a first groove 12 at a position corresponding to the guide rail 3; the air duct component 4 has a first protrusion 43 at a position corresponding to the first groove 12. After assembly, the first protrusion 43 extends into the first groove 12, and the two fit together to form a closed third space 103. This third space 103 is isolated from the second space 102 inside the air duct and is not connected to it, preventing airflow interference and hot / cold flow; at the same time, the third space 103 is connected to the first space 101, providing sufficient space for the extension of the guide rail 3 and the sliding of the moving component 21.

[0066] In this embodiment, the third space 103 is formed by the self-structure of the inner liner 1 and the air duct component 4. No additional openings are required, nor are separate support components needed. This reduces the number of parts in the whole machine, simplifies the assembly process, and lowers the difficulty of production and assembly. The first groove 12 and the first protrusion 43 adopt a concave-convex interlocking form, which fits tightly and provides a stable sealing effect. This effectively blocks the cold energy transfer path and prevents the cold energy in the first space 101 from being transferred to the air duct side along the inner liner 1 and the guide rail 3.

[0067] This structural layout not only makes full use of the unused space around the inner liner 1 without encroaching on the storage volume of the first space 101, but also provides a stable installation base for the guide rail 3, ensuring that the guide rail 3 can extend smoothly backward, expanding the sliding range of the moving part 21, and thus lengthening the drawer's pull-out distance. In addition, the good sealing and heat insulation effect can prevent abnormal temperature drops on the air duct side, ensure sufficient heat during the defrosting process, ensure thorough defrosting, reduce the risk of water accumulation and ice formation, and maintain stable refrigerator operation.

[0068] Please see Figure 13 , Figure 14 and Figure 5 In some embodiments of this application, the first protrusion 43 has a first sealing surface 431 on the side facing the bottom of the first groove 12, the bottom of the first groove 12 has a second sealing surface 121, and a first sealing member 51 is provided between the first sealing surface 431 and the second sealing surface 121.

[0069] In this embodiment, a first sealing surface 431 is provided on the side of the first protrusion 43 facing the bottom of the first groove 12, and a second sealing surface 121 is provided at the corresponding position at the bottom of the first groove 12. A first sealing element 51 is provided between the first sealing surface 431 and the second sealing surface 121.

[0070] The first sealing surface 431 and the second sealing surface 121 are flat contact surfaces that align and fit together. They mainly serve to accurately connect and support the sealing components. The two fit together and match each other, which can standardize the assembly position of the first protrusion 43 and the first groove 12, reduce the fit deviation, make the splicing of the inner liner 1 and the air duct component 4 more neat and compliant, and maintain the stability of the overall structure.

[0071] The first sealing element 51 is pressed between the two sets of sealing surfaces, which can fill the tiny gaps between the sealing surfaces and play a core role in sealing and blocking. This sealing structure can further enhance the sealing effect of the third space 103, block the heat transfer channel between the first space 101 and the air duct, and prevent the cold energy in the first space 101 from flowing into the air duct through the gaps.

[0072] The above-mentioned sealing design can reduce the loss of cold energy in the first space 101, maintain a constant temperature in the storage area, and ensure a stable food storage environment. It can also prevent the cold energy from entering the air duct and neutralizing the defrosting heat, ensuring sufficient heat in the air duct during defrosting, so that the frost layer on the surface of the evaporator 41 can be fully melted, eliminating the problem of incomplete defrosting and preventing residual frost layer from affecting subsequent cooling efficiency.

[0073] Please see Figure 13 , Figure 14 and Figure 15 In some embodiments of this application, the air duct component 4 is provided with a third sealing surface 432 on the side facing the step portion 11, the step portion 11 has a corresponding fourth sealing surface 122, and a second sealing element 52 is provided between the third sealing surface 432 and the fourth sealing surface 122; the first sealing surface 431 and the third sealing surface 432 are connected, the second sealing surface 121 and the fourth sealing surface 122 are connected, and the first sealing element 51 and the second sealing element 52 are an integral structure.

[0074] In this embodiment, the air duct component 4 has a third sealing surface 432 on the side facing the step portion 11, and the step portion 11 has a fourth sealing surface 122 that corresponds to and matches the third sealing surface 432. A second sealing element 52 is disposed between the third sealing surface 432 and the fourth sealing surface 122. The first sealing surface 431 is connected to the third sealing surface 432, and the second sealing surface 121 is connected to the fourth sealing surface 122. The first sealing element 51 and the second sealing element 52 are an integral structure.

[0075] The third sealing surface 432 and the fourth sealing surface 122 are flat mating surfaces at the contact positions between the air duct component 4 and the step portion 11 of the inner liner 1. The two sealing surfaces are connected to the first sealing surface 431 and the second sealing surface 121 mentioned above, forming a continuous and complete sealing contact surface. This not only enables precise alignment and assembly of the air duct component 4 and the step portion 11, reducing component splicing deviations, but also provides a flat and stable mounting base for the sealing components, ensuring tightness of the fit.

[0076] The first seal 51 and the second seal 52 adopt an integrated structure, replacing the separate seal assembly and eliminating the potential for gaps caused by the splicing of separate parts. The integrated seal can be laid out completely along the continuous sealing surface, covering all splicing gaps, without the need for multiple assembly steps. This simplifies the internal assembly process, reduces assembly difficulty, and avoids misalignment and loosening of the seal, thereby improving the overall reliability of the seal.

[0077] This continuous sealing structure can completely block the heat transfer path between the first space 101 and the air duct, preventing cold air in the first space 101 from seeping into the air duct through the gaps between the components. On the one hand, it can reduce the loss of cold air in the storage space, maintain the temperature stability of the first space 101, and ensure a stable food storage environment; on the other hand, it can prevent cold air from entering the air duct and neutralizing the defrosting heat, ensuring sufficient heat in the air duct during defrosting, so that the frost layer on the surface of the evaporator 41 can be fully melted, preventing incomplete defrosting and ensuring the subsequent cooling efficiency of the evaporator 41.

[0078] Please see Figure 13 In some embodiments of this application, the first protrusion 43 has a second groove 433 on the side facing the first groove 12, and the first groove 12 and the second groove 433 form a third space 103.

[0079] In this embodiment, a second groove 433 is provided on the side of the first protrusion 43 facing the first groove 12. The first groove 12 and the second groove 433 are aligned and enclosed to form a closed third space 103. The first protrusion 43 is fixedly mounted on the air duct component 4. After assembly, the first groove 12 facing the step portion 11 of the inner liner 1 has an inwardly recessed second groove 433 on the inner side of the first protrusion 43 facing the first groove 12. After the components are assembled, the first groove 12 on the inner liner 1 and the second groove 433 on the air duct component 4 interlock, forming a complete closed cavity, which is the third space 103. The space can be formed without the need for additional components.

[0080] Compared to the single protrusion embedded in the groove, this structure adopts a two-way groove enclosure method, which can ensure that the third space 103 has sufficient internal volume to accommodate the rear section of the guide rail 3 and the rear area of ​​the moving part 21 without increasing the overall space occupied.

[0081] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that, The refrigerator includes: The box body includes an inner liner, the inner liner having a first space; Air duct component; the air duct component is disposed inside the inner liner, and an air duct is formed between the air duct component and the inner liner, the air duct having a second space, and the first space and the second space being arranged along a first direction; A drawer assembly; the drawer assembly includes a drawer body and a guide rail, the guide rail is disposed in the first space and extends along the first direction, and the drawer body is movably engaged with the guide rail in the first direction; The inner liner has a third space, which is connected to the first space, and the guide rail extends to the third space along the first direction; The third space at least partially overlaps with the second space in the first direction, and the third space is isolated from the second space.

2. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The drawer body includes a movable component, which is movably engaged with the guide rail in the first direction, and the movable component can move along the guide rail to the third space.

3. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Movable parts are provided on both sides of the drawer body, and a connecting rod is provided between the two movable parts, with the connecting rod located at the end closer to the third space.

4. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A first opening is provided between the air duct component and the inner liner, corresponding to the position of the guide rail. The drawer assembly also includes a support component, which is disposed within the first opening. The support component and the inner liner form the third space, and the guide rail is connected to the support component.

5. The refrigerator as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The refrigerator also includes an evaporator and a water collection tray disposed within the air duct, with the water collection tray positioned below the evaporator; The guide rail includes a first guide rail located at the lower part of the inner liner, and the support includes a first support connected to the first guide rail, the first support abutting against the water receiving tray.

6. The refrigerator as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The first support member has a fourth space on the side near the water receiving tray, and a heat insulation member is provided in the fourth space.

7. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner liner has a stepped portion corresponding to the position of the air duct component, and the air duct component is connected to the stepped portion; The stepped portion has a first groove corresponding to the position of the guide rail, and the air duct component has a first protrusion corresponding to the position of the first groove. The first protrusion and the first groove form the third space.

8. The refrigerator as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The first protrusion has a first sealing surface on the side facing the bottom of the first groove, the bottom of the first groove has a second sealing surface, and a first sealing element is provided between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface.

9. The refrigerator as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The air duct component has a third sealing surface on the side facing the step portion, the step portion has a corresponding fourth sealing surface, and a second sealing element is provided between the third sealing surface and the fourth sealing surface; The first sealing surface is connected to the third sealing surface, the second sealing surface is connected to the fourth sealing surface, and the first sealing element and the second sealing element are an integral structure.

10. The refrigerator as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The first protrusion has a second groove on the side facing the first groove, and the first groove and the second groove form the third space.

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