Refrigerator and control method thereof

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of refrigerators, in particular to a refrigerator and a control method thereof. The refrigerator comprises a cabinet, a water supply assembly and an ice making tray. An ultrasonic generator is arranged on a fresh-keeping drawer. An ozone generator is connected with a water outlet end of the water supply assembly, and is used for generating ozone based on water. The ozone is dissolved in the water to form a disinfectant. The ozone generator has switchable opening and closing states. The refrigerator is configured to: when in a first state, the ozone generator is switched to the opening state, and the water supply assembly is in communication with the fresh-keeping drawer; when in a second state, the ozone generator is switched to the closing state, and the water supply assembly is in communication with the ice making tray; and when in a third state, the ozone generator is switched to the opening state, and the water supply assembly is in communication with the ice making tray. The application realizes the integration of three functions of fruit and vegetable cleaning and disinfection, conventional ice making and ice making pipeline sterilization, saves kitchen space and improves user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of refrigerator technology, and more particularly to a refrigerator and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] Modern families have an increasing demand for healthy eating, and their functional requirements for refrigerators are becoming more diverse. On the one hand, consumers want refrigerators to have efficient preservation capabilities, especially for fruits and vegetables; on the other hand, ice-making functions have become a standard feature in mid-to-high-end refrigerators.

[0003] In conceiving and implementing this application, the applicant discovered at least the following problems: Most refrigerators on the market currently have independent functions, and the preservation of fruits and vegetables relies on a low-temperature environment. They cannot effectively deal with pesticide residues and bacteria on the surface, requiring users to manually clean them, which is cumbersome and time-consuming. In addition, the water supply pipes used for ice making are in a damp environment for a long time, which easily breeds bacteria and produces odors, affecting the hygiene of ice making and the health of users.

[0004] The preceding description is intended to provide general background information and does not necessarily constitute prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main purpose of this application is to provide a refrigerator that integrates three major functions: fruit and vegetable cleaning and disinfection, conventional ice making, and sterilization of the ice making pipeline, which greatly saves kitchen space and improves the user experience.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a refrigerator, comprising:

[0007] The enclosure, water supply components, and ice tray;

[0008] The food storage drawer is designed to be pulled out from the main body of the cabinet, and an ultrasonic generator is installed on the food storage drawer.

[0009] An ozone generator has its inlet connected to the outlet of a water supply unit. It is used to generate ozone from water. The ozone is mixed and dissolved in water to form a disinfectant. The ozone generator has a switchable on and off state.

[0010] The refrigerator has switchable first, second, and third states, and is configured as follows:

[0011] In the first state, the ozone generator switches to the on state, and the water supply component is connected to the food storage drawer;

[0012] In the second state, the ozone generator switches to the off state, and the water supply component is connected to the ice grid.

[0013] In the third state, the ozone generator switches to the on state, and the water supply component is connected to the ice grid.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this application are: by structurally linking the ozone generator, water supply components, and fresh food drawer and ice tray, a single refrigerator system integrates three major functions: fruit and vegetable cleaning and disinfection, regular ice making, and ice pipe sterilization, which greatly saves kitchen space and improves the user experience.

[0015] Based on the above technical solution, the following improvements can be made to this application.

[0016] In some alternative implementations, the refrigerator further includes:

[0017] The liquid distributor includes an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The inlet is connected to the outlet of the ozone generator, the first outlet is connected to the refrigerator drawer, and the second outlet is connected to the ice tray.

[0018] The fluid distributor has a switchable first operating position and a second operating position, and the fluid distributor is configured as follows:

[0019] When in the first working position, connect the water inlet and the first outlet to put the refrigerator in the first state;

[0020] When in the second working position, connect the water inlet and the second outlet to put the refrigerator in the second or third state.

[0021] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: Using a liquid distributor as the core switching mechanism provides a water path switching scheme with a simple mechanical structure and reliable control. It ensures the uniqueness of the water flow path; that is, in the first working position, disinfectant or clean water can only flow to the crisper drawer, and in the second working position, it can only flow to the ice tray. This effectively prevents residual wastewater after cleaning from accidentally flowing into the ice tray, or ozone water from entering the crisper drawer at an undesirable time, thus avoiding the risk of cross-contamination.

[0022] In some alternative implementations, the water supply assembly includes:

[0023] The water tank is connected to the water outlet of the ozone generator.

[0024] The first pipeline connects the water outlet of the ozone generator to the food storage drawer;

[0025] The second pipeline connects the water outlet of the ozone generator to the ice grid.

[0026] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: the water storage tank delivers water to the ozone generator, the ozone generator converts the water into ozone water, and then delivers it to the fresh-keeping drawer through the first pipeline to sterilize and clean fruits and vegetables. Through the setting of the second pipeline, the ozone water can be used to sterilize the ice-making flow path or to make ice.

[0027] In some alternative implementations, the water supply assembly further includes:

[0028] A spray head, connected to the outlet of the first pipe, is located inside the refrigerated drawer to spray disinfectant onto the drawer; and / or,

[0029] The water supply components also include:

[0030] A water pump, located in the water storage tank, is used to pump water from the storage tank into the refrigerated drawer.

[0031] The above-mentioned technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: By setting up the spray heads, ozone water can be evenly covered on the surface of fruits and vegetables, solving the problem of insufficient cleaning in existing technologies. The optimized layout of the spray heads improves the distribution of ozone water, and combined with the cavitation effect of ultrasound, enhances the cleaning effect on complex structural areas such as leaf veins and folds.

[0032] In some alternative implementations, the refrigerator also includes a lifting assembly, comprising:

[0033] Support frame, fitted inside the food storage drawer;

[0034] The driving component is used to drive the support frame to move up and down along the height of the housing.

[0035] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: by linking the driving component of the lifting assembly with the support frame, the automatic lifting of the cleaning container is realized, reducing user intervention, optimizing the convenience of the cleaning process, and ensuring uniform drainage of the washed vegetables.

[0036] In addition, this application also provides a refrigerator control method for controlling the aforementioned refrigerator, the method comprising:

[0037] When the refrigerator is confirmed to be in the first state, control both the ozone generator and the ultrasonic generator to switch to the on state, and control the water supply component to connect to the fresh food drawer.

[0038] When the refrigerator is confirmed to be in the second state, control the ozone generator to switch to the off state and control the water supply component to connect to the ice tray;

[0039] When the refrigerator is confirmed to be in the third state, control the ozone generator to switch to the on state and control the water supply component to connect to the ice tray.

[0040] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: This method realizes the reuse of the ozone generator, a core sterilization resource. The second and third states share the same water supply path to the ice grid, but by controlling the opening and closing of the ozone generator, the two purposes of daily ice making and pipeline sterilization are distinguished, thus proactively embedding a hygiene management mechanism at the control level.

[0041] In some optional implementations, both the ozone generator and the ultrasonic generator are switched to the on state, and the water supply assembly is connected to the food storage drawer, specifically including:

[0042] The ozone generator produces disinfectant, which is then sprayed onto the items to be sterilized in the food storage drawer through a spray nozzle.

[0043] High-frequency vibrations are generated during the spraying of disinfectant using an ultrasonic generator to sterilize the substances to be disinfected, thus forming the substances to be cleaned.

[0044] The above-mentioned technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: ozone water (disinfectant) and ultrasound act simultaneously on fruits and vegetables. The strong oxidizing property of ozone can decompose pesticides, while the cavitation and mechanical effects of ultrasound can remove dirt. The synergistic effect of the two significantly improves the cleaning and sterilization efficiency, achieving ideal results without relying on deionized water, thus reducing the threshold and cost of use.

[0045] In some alternative embodiments, the substance to be sterilized is sterilized to form a substance to be cleaned, and the process further includes:

[0046] The items to be cleaned are rinsed with clean water and then lifted and drained by controlling the lifting component.

[0047] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: it integrates the three key steps of sterilization, rinsing and draining, reducing the time for material turnover, waiting and manual intervention between processes.

[0048] In some optional embodiments, sterilization of the substance to be sterilized is further performed prior to:

[0049] The type of substance to be sterilized is detected by the identification module;

[0050] Adjust the spray flow rate of the spray head according to the type of substance to be sterilized.

[0051] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: by adjusting the spray flow rate to suit the type of fruit and vegetable, water waste caused by excessive spraying is reduced, while avoiding damage to the fruit and vegetable tissues due to excessive water flow impact.

[0052] In some alternative embodiments, after rinsing the object to be cleaned with water, the process further includes:

[0053] The impurity content in the rinsing wastewater is detected by a turbidity sensor;

[0054] When the impurity content is detected to exceed the preset threshold, the refrigerator repeats the steps of being in the first state.

[0055] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: by detecting cleaning residue in real time and triggering secondary cleaning, the residue problem caused by insufficient cleaning in a single cleaning is avoided.

[0056] The refrigerator and its control method provided in this application include: a refrigerator body, a water supply component, and an ice tray; a fresh-keeping drawer, which is pulled out relative to the refrigerator body, and an ultrasonic generator is provided on the fresh-keeping drawer; an ozone generator, the water inlet of which is connected to the water outlet of the water supply component, for generating ozone based on water, the ozone being mixed and dissolved in water to form a disinfectant, the ozone generator having a switchable open state and a closed state; the refrigerator has switchable first state, second state, and third state, the refrigerator being configured such that: in the first state, the ozone generator is switched to the open state, and the water supply component is connected to the fresh-keeping drawer; in the second state, the ozone generator is switched to the closed state, and the water supply component is connected to the ice tray; in the third state, the ozone generator is switched to the open state, and the water supply component is connected to the ice tray.

[0057] By structurally linking the ozone generator, water supply components, and crisper drawers and ice trays, a single refrigerator system integrates three major functions: fruit and vegetable cleaning and disinfection, regular ice making, and sterilization of the ice-making pipeline. This greatly saves kitchen space and enhances the user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0058] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0059] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 2 This is an assembly diagram of the refrigerator's crisper drawer, water supply assembly, and ice maker provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0061] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the refrigerator control method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 ;

[0062] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the refrigerator control method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 ;

[0063] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the refrigerator control method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 3 ;

[0064] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the refrigerator control method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 4 .

[0065] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0066] 100 - Refrigerator;

[0067] 110 - Enclosure;

[0068] 120-Gate Body;

[0069] 130 - Food storage drawer;

[0070] 140 - Ultrasonic generator;

[0071] 150 - Water supply components;

[0072] 151 - First pipeline;

[0073] 152 - Second pipeline;

[0074] 153 - Water storage tank;

[0075] 154 - Spray head;

[0076] 155 - Water pump;

[0077] 160-Ozone Generator;

[0078] 170 - Lifting assembly;

[0079] 171-Support frame;

[0080] 172-Driver;

[0081] 180-Ice tray;

[0082] 190-Liquid distributor. Detailed Implementation

[0083] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application. All other obtained embodiments are within the scope of protection of this application. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0084] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0085] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0086] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0087] Modern families have an increasing demand for healthy eating, and their functional requirements for refrigerators are becoming more diverse. On the one hand, consumers want refrigerators to have efficient preservation capabilities, especially for fruits and vegetables; on the other hand, ice-making functions have become a standard feature in mid-to-high-end refrigerators.

[0088] Most refrigerators on the market today have independent functions, and their fruit and vegetable preservation relies on a low-temperature environment. However, they cannot effectively remove pesticide residues and bacteria from the surface, requiring users to manually clean them before storing them in the refrigerator. This process is cumbersome and time-consuming. In addition, the water supply pipes used for ice making are in a damp environment for a long time, which can easily breed bacteria and produce odors, affecting the hygiene of ice making and the health of users.

[0089] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, the refrigerator provided in this application integrates three major functions—fruit and vegetable cleaning and disinfection, conventional ice making, and ice pipe sterilization—by structurally associating the ozone generator, water supply components, fresh-keeping drawer, and ice tray with the refrigerator. This greatly saves kitchen space and enhances the user experience.

[0090] The contents of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can have a clearer and more detailed understanding of the contents of this application.

[0091] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 This is an assembly diagram of the refrigerator's food preservation drawer, water supply component, and ice maker provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0092] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this application provides a refrigerator 100, comprising:

[0093] 110 housing, 150 water supply components, and 180 ice tray;

[0094] The food storage drawer 130 is designed to be pulled out relative to the cabinet body 110, and an ultrasonic generator 140 is installed on the food storage drawer 130.

[0095] Ozone generator 160, the water inlet of ozone generator 160 is connected to the water outlet of water supply assembly 150, and is used to generate ozone based on water. The ozone is mixed and dissolved in water to form a disinfectant. Ozone generator 160 has a switchable on state and off state.

[0096] Refrigerator 100 has switchable first, second, and third states, and refrigerator 100 is configured as follows:

[0097] When in the first state, the ozone generator 160 is switched to the on state, and the water supply component 150 is connected to the food storage drawer 130.

[0098] In the second state, the ozone generator 160 is switched to the off state, and the water supply assembly 150 is connected to the ice grid 180.

[0099] In the third state, the ozone generator 160 switches to the on state, and the water supply assembly 150 is connected to the ice grid 180.

[0100] The refrigerator 100 of this application embodiment may include a cabinet 110 and a door 120. The cabinet 110 may be configured with a refrigeration compartment. The refrigeration compartment has an opening for storing food and other items. There may be one or more refrigeration compartments. When there are multiple refrigeration compartments, the multiple refrigeration compartments may be divided into a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, or a variable temperature compartment, etc.

[0101] For example, the refrigerator body 110 may include an outer shell and an inner liner, the outer shell defining the external boundary of the refrigerator 100. The inner liner may be disposed within and connected to the outer shell. The inner liner may be recessed inward to form a cooling compartment. An insulation layer may be filled between the outer shell and the inner liner, which can insulate the cooling compartment, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the refrigerator 100.

[0102] The box 110 adopts a hollow cuboid structure. It is understood that in other embodiments, the box 110 may also adopt a hollow shell structure of other shapes.

[0103] It should be noted that X represents the depth direction of the box 110, Y represents the width direction of the box 110, and Z represents the height direction of the box 110.

[0104] It should be noted that the refrigerator 100 also includes a refrigeration component, which is used to provide cooling for the interior of the refrigerator 100 in order to maintain a low temperature environment in each refrigeration compartment.

[0105] In some embodiments, the refrigeration assembly includes a compressor, condenser, evaporator, throttling device, etc. The specific structure and connection relationships of the refrigeration assembly can be found in related art, and will not be repeated here. The evaporator provides different amounts of cooling capacity to different types of storage spaces, resulting in different temperatures within these spaces. For example, the temperature inside a refrigerator compartment is generally between 2°C and 10°C, preferably between 4°C and 7°C. The temperature range inside a freezer compartment is generally between -22°C and -14°C.

[0106] Different types of items have different optimal storage temperatures, and consequently, different suitable storage spaces. For example, fruits and vegetables are best stored in the refrigerator or crisper drawer, while meat is best stored in the freezer.

[0107] It should be noted that the door 120 can be connected to the cabinet 110 to open or close the refrigeration compartment.

[0108] A door 120 is disposed on the front surface of the enclosure 110 to enclose the refrigeration compartment. The door 120 is configured to open and close the refrigeration compartment, meaning it can open and close the front opening of the enclosure 110. Doors 120 can be correspondingly assigned to refrigeration compartments; that is, each refrigeration compartment can have one or more doors 120. The number of refrigeration compartments and doors 120, as well as the function of the refrigeration compartments, can be selected based on specific circumstances. One door 120 can be assigned to the same refrigeration compartment. Alternatively, two doors 120 can be assigned to the same refrigeration compartment.

[0109] In some possible implementations of this application, the door 120 can be rotatably connected to the housing 110 about the height direction Z of the housing 110. The door 120 can be pulled or pushed to rotate relative to the housing 110, thereby opening or closing the refrigeration compartment.

[0110] In some embodiments, the door 120 is a rotating door structure. The door 120 is rotatably disposed on the front side of the housing 110, and in this case, the door 120 can be used as a general door structure, such as a refrigerator door, a variable temperature door, etc.

[0111] Specifically, the door 120 and the cabinet 110 can be connected by a hinge so that the door 120 of the refrigerator 100 can rotate around the axis of the hinge, thereby opening and closing the door 120 and opening and closing the corresponding refrigeration compartment.

[0112] In some embodiments, the door 120 can also be a sliding door structure. The door 120 is slidably disposed on the front side of the cabinet 110, and in this case, the door 120 can be used as a drawer door. Specifically, guide rails (not shown in the figure) are respectively provided on the left and right inner side walls of the cabinet liner, and the door 120 is connected to the guide rails on both sides, thereby realizing the sliding function of the door 120 and realizing the opening and closing of the refrigeration compartment by extending and retracting the guide rails.

[0113] It should be noted that the 130 drawer is a pull-out storage space used to hold fruits and vegetables and to perform a washing function.

[0114] Water supply assembly 150: A device for conveying water.

[0115] Ozone generator 160: A device that converts water into ozone water.

[0116] For example, a module that generates ozone through high-voltage discharge.

[0117] It should be noted that the ultrasonic generator 140 is a device that generates cavitation effect through high-frequency vibration.

[0118] For example, a piezoelectric ceramic sheet or a magnetostrictive transducer.

[0119] It should be noted that the first state can be the fruit and vegetable cleaning and disinfection mode, which is automatically triggered when the user selects fruit and vegetable cleaning or puts in food and closes the door. The control module executes the following: water from the water supply component 150 flows into the crisper drawer 130, spraying for a preset time T2, and the ozone generator 160 and ultrasonic generator 140 are activated. At this time, the water flowing through the ozone generator 160 becomes ozone disinfectant, which is then sprayed onto the fruits and vegetables in the crisper drawer 130. Simultaneously, the ultrasonic generator 140 operates, causing the liquid to generate high-frequency vibration and cavitation effect, physically rinsing the surface of the fruits and vegetables. This, combined with the chemical sterilization effect of the ozone water, achieves deep cleaning. After the preset spraying time T3, the ozone generator 160 can be turned off, followed by the ozone water generator being turned off and a clean water rinse is performed for a duration of T4.

[0120] The second state is the regular ice-making mode, triggered when the user needs ice. The control module executes: ensuring the ozone generator 160 is off. At this time, ordinary water flows into the ice-making tray 180, freezes, and forms ice cubes.

[0121] The third state can be the ice-making pipeline sterilization mode. This mode can be executed automatically periodically (e.g., once a week), or automatically before each "regular ice-making mode" operation, or it can be manually activated by the user. Specifically, the control module activates the ozone generator 160. At this time, the generated ozone disinfectant is pumped into the ice grid 180 to flush and sterilize the entire ice-making water circuit. After a duration of T1, the ozone generator 160 is turned off. This process effectively removes biofilm and bacteria from the pipeline, ensuring hygienic ice-making.

[0122] Through the above configuration, namely, by structurally associating the ozone generator 160, water supply component 150 with the fresh food drawer 130 and ice tray 180, the single refrigerator 100 system integrates three major functions: fruit and vegetable cleaning and disinfection, regular ice making, and ice pipeline sterilization, which greatly saves kitchen space and improves user experience.

[0123] Furthermore, the ozone generation system originally used for fruit and vegetable disinfection was reused in the ice-making water circuit, enabling regular or on-demand proactive sterilization and disinfection of the ice-making pipeline. This fundamentally prevents the problem of dirty ice caused by bacteria growing due to long-term dampness in the water circuit.

[0124] In addition, the ozone generator 160 and the water supply component 150 are shared core components and are intelligently called in three states, avoiding the need to set up dedicated components for each function, thus achieving efficient reuse of hardware resources, simplification of system structure, and cost optimization.

[0125] The design of this application organically integrates the functions of three independent devices—a fruit and vegetable washing machine, an ice maker, and a pipeline sterilizer—into a single refrigerator 100. This is achieved through a water supply system, an ozone generator 160, and intelligent liquid distribution and control logic, which greatly saves kitchen space and enhances the added value of the product.

[0126] By combining the broad-spectrum bactericidal ability of ozone water with the cavitation physical cleaning ability of ultrasound, the two work synergistically to achieve a better removal effect on bacteria, viruses and pesticide residues on the surface of fruits and vegetables compared to a single cleaning method.

[0127] In some alternative embodiments, the refrigerator 100 further includes:

[0128] The liquid distributor 190 includes an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet. The inlet is connected to the outlet of the ozone generator 160, the first outlet is connected to the food storage drawer 130, and the second outlet is connected to the ice maker 180.

[0129] Liquid distributor 190 has a switchable first operating position and a second operating position, and liquid distributor 190 is configured as follows:

[0130] When in the first working position, the water inlet and the first outlet are connected so that the refrigerator 100 is in the first state;

[0131] When in the second working position, the water inlet and the second outlet are connected so that the refrigerator 100 is in the second or third state.

[0132] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: Using a liquid distributor 190 as the core switching mechanism provides a water path switching scheme with a simple mechanical structure and reliable control. It ensures the uniqueness of the water flow path; that is, in the first working position, disinfectant or clean water can only flow to the refrigerator drawer 130, and in the second working position, it can only flow to the ice maker 180. This effectively prevents residual wastewater after cleaning from accidentally flowing into the ice maker 180, or ozone water from entering the refrigerator drawer 130 at an undesirable time, thus avoiding the risk of cross-contamination.

[0133] It should be noted that the ozone water generator converts the cleaning water into ozone water, whose strong oxidizing properties can efficiently decompose pesticide residues and kill bacteria; the ultrasonic generator 140 generates high-frequency vibrations in the liquid, which physically removes mud and dirt from the surface of fruits and vegetables through cavitation effect. The synergistic effect of the two significantly improves cleaning efficiency.

[0134] The liquid distributor 190 dynamically distributes washing water and ice-making water by switching working positions, eliminating the need for manual water changes by the user. Simultaneously, the interaction between the spray head 154 and the preservation drawer 130 enables integrated storage after washing. This design eliminates the need for manual operation, reduces maintenance costs, and optimizes resource consumption (such as reducing water and energy consumption) through a phased processing flow. Ultimately, the washed fruits and vegetables are stored in a low-temperature, high-humidity environment, effectively extending their shelf life while avoiding the risk of secondary contamination, achieving efficient, convenient, and safe integrated washing and preservation.

[0135] Furthermore, the switching function of the liquid distributor 190 enables multi-functional integration of cleaning, ice making, and sterilization, solving the problem of redundant structures in existing technologies. The intelligent control of the liquid distributor 190 optimizes space utilization and enhances the overall functionality and user convenience of the refrigerator 100.

[0136] It should be noted that the liquid distributor 190 is a valve device used to switch the on / off state of different pipelines.

[0137] For example, a three-way valve or a solenoid valve is switched by mechanical or electrical signals.

[0138] The liquid distributor 190 controls the first pipeline 151 and the second pipeline 152 respectively by switching between the first working position and the second working position.

[0139] When the liquid distributor 190 is in the first working position, it delivers ozone water to the food storage drawer 130, and the spray head 154 sprays ozone water into the drawer. At the same time, the ultrasonic generator 140 is activated to generate high-frequency vibrations in the liquid to enhance the cleaning effect.

[0140] When the liquid distributor 190 switches to the second working position, the ozone generator 160 switches to the off state, and ordinary water flows into the ice-making grid 180, freezes and makes ice blocks to form a regular ice-making mode.

[0141] Alternatively, when the liquid distributor 190 switches to the second operating position, the ozone generator 160 switches to the open state, and ozone water is delivered to the ice grid 180 to achieve pipeline sterilization or ice making functions. The connection between the ozone water generator and the water supply assembly 150 ensures a continuous supply of cleaning water.

[0142] In some alternative implementations, the water supply assembly 150 includes:

[0143] The water inlet of the ozone generator 160 is connected to the water outlet of the water storage tank 153.

[0144] The first pipe 151 connects the water outlet of the ozone generator 160 and the food preservation drawer 130.

[0145] The second pipe 152 connects the water outlet of the ozone generator 160 and the ice grid 180.

[0146] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: the water storage tank 153 delivers water to the ozone generator 160, the ozone generator 160 converts the water into ozone water, and then delivers it to the fresh-keeping drawer 130 through the first pipeline 151 to sterilize and clean fruits and vegetables. Through the setting of the second pipeline 152, the ozone water can be used to sterilize the ice-making flow path or to make ice.

[0147] It should be noted that the interconnection design of the first pipeline 151 ensures that ozone water can be stably delivered to the cleaning area and work synchronously with the ultrasonic generator 140 to achieve efficient cleaning of fruits and vegetables.

[0148] By setting up the second pipe 152, the ozone water can be used to sterilize the ice-making flow path or make ice normally. The sterilization effect of the ozone water is extended to the ice-making process, improving the overall hygiene level of the refrigerator 100.

[0149] It should be noted that water storage tank 153 is a container used to store water.

[0150] For example, the housing 110 is made of plastic or metal and has a water level sensor inside.

[0151] First pipe 151: Pipe connecting ozone generator 160 and food storage drawer 130.

[0152] For example, corrosion-resistant hoses or rigid pipes have smooth inner walls to reduce water residue.

[0153] It should be noted that the second pipe 152 is the pipe connecting the ice tray 180 and the water tank 153.

[0154] For example, the second conduit 152 is a low-temperature resistant hose or rigid pipe used to deliver ozone water.

[0155] In some alternative implementations, the water supply assembly 150 further includes:

[0156] A spray head 154 is connected to the water outlet of the first pipe 151. The spray head 154 is located inside the refrigerator drawer 130 to spray disinfectant into the refrigerator drawer 130; and / or,

[0157] Water supply component 150 also includes:

[0158] A water pump 155 is installed in a water storage tank 153. The water pump 155 is used to pump water from the water storage tank 153 into the food preservation drawer 130.

[0159] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: The spray head 154 achieves uniform coverage of ozone water on the surface of fruits and vegetables, solving the problem of insufficient cleaning in existing technologies. The optimized layout of the spray head 154 improves the distribution of ozone water, and combined with the cavitation effect of ultrasound, enhances the cleaning effect on complex structural areas such as leaf veins and folds.

[0160] Furthermore, the spray head 154 is connected to the water outlet of the first pipe 151 and is located inside the crisper drawer 130. It evenly sprays ozone water to cover the surface of fruits and vegetables. The layout design of the spray head 154 ensures that the disinfectant can fully contact all parts of the fruits and vegetables, and works synergistically with the cavitation effect of the ultrasonic generator 140 to enhance the cleaning effect.

[0161] It should be noted that spray head 154 is a device used for spraying disinfectant.

[0162] For example, the spray head 154 can be a multi-hole nozzle or a fan-shaped nozzle, with an adjustable spray range.

[0163] Furthermore, the water pump 155 ensures a stable supply of cleaning water. The flow control of the water pump 155 optimizes the concentration and distribution of ozone water, ensuring the continuity and uniformity of the cleaning process and improving the reliability of the cleaning effect.

[0164] Specifically, the water pump 155 is installed inside the water storage tank 153 and is electrically driven to deliver water to the ozone generator 160, and then to the refrigerator drawer 130 through the first pipeline 151 and the spray head 154. The flow control function of the water pump 155 ensures a stable supply of ozone water and avoids water pressure fluctuations from affecting the cleaning effect.

[0165] It should be noted that water pump 155 is a mechanical device used to transport water.

[0166] For example, the water pump 155 can be a miniature centrifugal pump or a diaphragm pump with low noise characteristics.

[0167] In some alternative embodiments, the refrigerator 100 also includes a lifting assembly 170, comprising:

[0168] The support frame 171 is fitted inside the food storage drawer 130;

[0169] The drive unit 172 is used to drive the support frame 171 to move up and down along the height direction of the housing 110.

[0170] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: by linking the driving component 172 of the lifting component 170 with the support frame 171, the automatic lifting of the cleaning container is realized, reducing user intervention, optimizing the convenience of the cleaning process, and ensuring uniform drainage of the washed fruits and vegetables.

[0171] In some embodiments, the drive unit 172 drives the support frame 171 to move along the height direction of the box 110 via a lead screw or gear transmission, so that the cleaning container in the fresh food drawer 130 is immersed in or detached from ozone water.

[0172] It should be noted that the support frame 171 is a movable mechanical component used to control the lifting and lowering of the cleaning container.

[0173] It should be noted that the driving component 172 is a power device that drives the support frame 171 to move.

[0174] For example, an electric motor or pneumatic device is driven by a lead screw or gear.

[0175] In some embodiments, the drive unit 172 includes a driver and a lead screw, which is threadedly connected to the support frame 171. The lead screw rotates under the drive of the driver to move the support frame 171.

[0176] The actuator + lead screw mechanism can be designed to be very compact, arranged along the height of the cabinet 110, occupying very little of the valuable lateral space inside the refrigerator 100. At the same time, the lead screw drive can provide a large axial thrust, sufficient to smoothly raise and lower the lifting frame that carries fruits, vegetables and some water.

[0177] It should be noted that when the user activates the first state (fruit and vegetable cleaning and disinfection mode), the water pump 155 delivers water from the water tank 153 to the ozone water generator. After ozone water is generated, it is delivered through the first pipeline 151 to the spray head 154 of the fruit and vegetable compartment to spray and clean the fruits and vegetables in the support frame 171. Simultaneously, the ultrasonic generator 140 is activated, and the cavitation effect generated by the high-frequency vibration accelerates the removal of dirt, pesticide residues, and microorganisms from the surface of the fruits and vegetables by the ozone water. During the cleaning process, the drive component 172 of the lifting assembly 170 lowers the support frame 171, completely immersing the container in the ozone water to ensure even cleaning. After cleaning, the drive component 172 reverses and drives the support frame 171 upward, lifting the container out of the water, and draining residual water droplets through the drain hole. Finally, the cleaned fruits and vegetables are stored in a refrigerated environment to achieve a preservation function.

[0178] When the user activates the second state (regular ice-making mode): This is triggered when the user needs to make ice. The control module controls the liquid distributor 190 to switch to the second working position, connecting the inlet and the second outlet; it starts the water pump 155; and ensures that the ozone generator 160 is off. At this time, ordinary water flows into the ice grid 180 through the second pipe 152, freezes, and is made into ice cubes. After ice making is complete, the water pump 155 and the liquid distributor 190 are turned off.

[0179] When the user activates the third state (ice-making pipeline sterilization mode): This mode can be executed automatically periodically (e.g., once a week), or automatically before each "regular ice-making mode" operation, or it can be manually activated by the user. The control module controls the liquid distributor 190 to switch to the second working position; starts the water pump 155; and starts the ozone generator 160. At this time, the generated ozone disinfectant is pumped into the second pipeline 152 and the ice grid 180 to flush and sterilize the entire ice-making water circuit. After a duration of T1, the water pump 155 and the ozone generator 160 are turned off. This process effectively removes biofilm and bacteria from the pipeline, ensuring ice-making hygiene.

[0180] The refrigerator provided in this application includes a cabinet, a water supply component, and an ice tray; a crisper drawer, which is pulled out relative to the cabinet and equipped with an ultrasonic generator; an ozone generator, the inlet of which is connected to the outlet of the water supply component, for generating ozone based on water, the ozone being mixed and dissolved in water to form a disinfectant, the ozone generator having a switchable open state and a closed state; the refrigerator has switchable first state, second state, and third state, the refrigerator being configured such that: in the first state, the ozone generator is switched to the open state and the water supply component is connected to the crisper drawer; in the second state, the ozone generator is switched to the closed state and the water supply component is connected to the ice tray; in the third state, the ozone generator is switched to the open state and the water supply component is connected to the ice tray.

[0181] By structurally linking the ozone generator, water supply components, and crisper drawers and ice trays, a single refrigerator system integrates three major functions: fruit and vegetable cleaning and disinfection, regular ice making, and sterilization of the ice-making pipeline. This greatly saves kitchen space and enhances the user experience.

[0182] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the refrigerator control method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 .

[0183] like Figure 3 As shown in the figure, this application embodiment also provides a refrigerator control method for controlling the refrigerator 100 described above. The method includes:

[0184] S101: When the refrigerator is confirmed to be in the first state, control both the ozone generator and the ultrasonic generator to switch to the open state, and control the water supply component to connect with the fresh food drawer.

[0185] S102: When the refrigerator is confirmed to be in the second state, control the ozone generator to switch to the off state and control the water supply component to connect with the ice tray;

[0186] S103: When the refrigerator is confirmed to be in the third state, control the ozone generator to switch to the on state and control the water supply component to connect with the ice tray.

[0187] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: This method realizes the reuse of the core sterilization resource, ozone generator 160. The second and third states share the same water supply path to the ice grid 180, but by controlling the opening and closing of the ozone generator 160, the two purposes of daily ice making and pipeline sterilization are distinguished, and a hygiene management mechanism is proactively implanted at the control level.

[0188] It should be noted that the refrigerator 100 can be switched between multiple working states, including a first state for deep cleaning and disinfection of fruits and vegetables, a second state for preparing clean ice cubes, and a third state for maintaining the hygiene of the ice-making pipeline.

[0189] When it is confirmed that the refrigerator 100 is in the first state, the first control logic is executed: the ozone generator 160 and the ultrasonic generator 140 are both switched to the open state, and the water supply component 150 is connected to the fresh food drawer 130.

[0190] When it is confirmed that the refrigerator 100 is in the second state, the second control logic is executed: the ozone generator 160 is switched to the off state, and the water supply component 150 is connected to the ice grid 180.

[0191] When it is confirmed that the refrigerator 100 is in the third state, the third control logic is executed: the ozone generator 160 is switched to the open state, and the water supply component 150 is connected to the ice grid 180.

[0192] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the refrigerator control method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 .

[0193] like Figure 4 As shown, in some optional embodiments, both the ozone generator and the ultrasonic generator are switched to the on state, and the water supply assembly is connected to the food storage drawer, specifically including:

[0194] S201: Disinfectant is generated by an ozone generator and sprayed onto the items to be sterilized in the crisper drawer through a spray nozzle;

[0195] S202: High-frequency vibrations are generated during the spraying of disinfectant using an ultrasonic generator to sterilize the objects to be disinfected, thus forming objects to be cleaned.

[0196] The above-mentioned technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: ozone water (disinfectant) and ultrasound act simultaneously on fruits and vegetables. The strong oxidizing property of ozone can decompose pesticides, while the cavitation and mechanical effects of ultrasound can remove dirt. The synergistic effect of the two significantly improves the cleaning and sterilization efficiency, achieving ideal results without relying on deionized water, thus reducing the threshold and cost of use.

[0197] It should be noted that the ultrasonic generator 140 is embedded in the bottom of the food storage drawer 130. Through high-frequency vibration, it generates a cavitation effect in the cleaning solution, forming microjet streams and causing bubble bursts, physically removing dirt and microorganisms from the surface of fruits and vegetables. The vibration frequency of the ultrasonic waves is synchronized with the spraying action of the spray head 154 to avoid water flow impact interfering with the cavitation effect.

[0198] The high-frequency vibration of the ultrasonic generator 140 creates a cavitation effect, enhancing the cleaning effect and solving the problem of incomplete cleaning in existing technologies. The micro-jet action of the cavitation effect can effectively remove stubborn dirt and pesticide residues from the surface of fruits and vegetables, and works synergistically with the strong oxidizing properties of ozone water to improve overall cleaning efficiency.

[0199] In some alternative embodiments, the substance to be sterilized is sterilized to form a substance to be cleaned, and the process further includes:

[0200] The items to be cleaned are rinsed with clean water and then raised by the lifting assembly 170° to drain.

[0201] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: it integrates the three key steps of sterilization, rinsing and draining, reducing the time for material turnover, waiting and manual intervention between processes.

[0202] First, thoroughly sterilize the materials to be sterilized to eliminate microorganisms at the source and prevent contamination from spreading in subsequent stages. Then, rinse the items to be cleaned (i.e., the sterilized fruits and vegetables) with clean water to remove any residual chemical disinfectants or detached contaminants that may have been present during the sterilization process, ensuring the final cleanliness of the fruits and vegetables.

[0203] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the refrigerator control method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 3 .

[0204] like Figure 5 As shown, in some optional embodiments, sterilization of the substance to be sterilized further includes:

[0205] S301: The type of substance to be sterilized is detected by the identification module;

[0206] S302: Adjust the spray flow rate of the spray head according to the type of substance to be sterilized.

[0207] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: by adjusting the spray flow rate to suit the type of fruit and vegetable, water waste caused by excessive spraying is reduced, while avoiding damage to the fruit and vegetable tissues due to excessive water flow impact.

[0208] Specifically, before the initial cleaning, the fruit and vegetable type identification module analyzes the physical characteristics of the fruits and vegetables to be cleaned through image recognition or weight sensors, and dynamically adjusts the spray flow rate of the spray device based on the identification results. For example, leafy vegetables are sprayed at a low flow rate to avoid physical damage, while root vegetables are sprayed at a high flow rate to improve dust removal efficiency.

[0209] It should be noted that the identification module refers to the device used to identify the types of fruits and vegetables, such as an image recognition sensor or a weight sensor.

[0210] For example, using a camera to identify the surface area and texture features of fruits and vegetables.

[0211] It should be noted that the spray flow rate refers to the amount of water sprayed through the spray device per unit time.

[0212] For example, leafy vegetables should be sprayed at a low flow rate, while root vegetables should be sprayed at a high flow rate.

[0213] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the refrigerator control method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 4 .

[0214] like Figure 6 As shown, in some optional embodiments, after rinsing the object to be cleaned with water, the process further includes:

[0215] S401: The impurity content in the rinsing wastewater is detected by a turbidity sensor;

[0216] S402: When the impurity content is detected to exceed the preset threshold, repeat the steps of the refrigerator being in the first state.

[0217] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: by detecting cleaning residue in real time and triggering secondary cleaning, the residue problem caused by insufficient cleaning in a single cleaning is avoided.

[0218] It should be noted that after the rinsing stage, the turbidity sensor detects the impurity content in the drainage and feeds the data back to the control module. When the detected impurity content exceeds a preset threshold, the system automatically triggers a secondary ozone ultrasonic cleaning process, extending the rinsing time to ensure the fruit and vegetable surfaces are thoroughly cleaned.

[0219] For example, for stubborn stains (such as fruits and vegetables in mud), the system can automatically extend the cleaning time or increase the ozone concentration to improve the stability and reliability of the cleaning effect.

[0220] It should be noted that a turbidity sensor is a sensor used to detect the content of suspended impurities in a liquid.

[0221] For example, optical principles can be used to detect sediment or pesticide residues in drainage.

[0222] Preset threshold: refers to the upper limit of impurity content set by the system, used to determine whether secondary cleaning is required.

[0223] For example, when the turbidity of the wastewater exceeds the threshold, a secondary cleaning process is triggered.

[0224] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0225] 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 at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0226] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that, include: The cabinet (110), water supply components (150), and ice tray (180); A food storage drawer (130) is designed to be pulled out relative to the box body (110), and an ultrasonic generator (140) is provided on the food storage drawer (130). An ozone generator (160) is provided, the inlet of which is connected to the outlet of the water supply assembly (150), for generating ozone based on water, wherein the ozone is mixed and dissolved in water to form a disinfectant, and the ozone generator (160) has a switchable on state and an off state. The refrigerator has switchable first, second, and third states, and is configured as follows: When in the first state, the ozone generator (160) switches to the open state, and the water supply assembly (150) is connected to the food storage drawer (130); When in the second state, the ozone generator (160) switches to the off state, and the water supply assembly (150) is connected to the ice grid (180); When in the third state, the ozone generator (160) switches to the open state, and the water supply assembly (150) is connected to the ice grid (180).

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigerator also includes: The liquid distributor (190) includes an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet. The inlet is connected to the outlet of the ozone generator (160), the first outlet is connected to the food storage drawer (130), and the second outlet is connected to the ice maker (180). The liquid distributor (190) has a switchable first operating position and a second operating position, and the liquid distributor (190) is configured to: When in the first working position, the water inlet is connected to the first outlet so that the refrigerator is in the first state; When in the second working position, the water inlet is connected to the second outlet so that the refrigerator is in the second state or the third state.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The water supply component (150) includes: The water storage tank (153) is connected to the water outlet of the ozone generator (160). The first pipeline (151) connects the water outlet of the ozone generator (160) and the food preservation drawer (130). The second pipeline (152) connects the water outlet of the ozone generator (160) and the ice grid (180).

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The water supply assembly (150) also includes: A spray head, connected to the outlet of the first pipe (151), is located inside the food storage drawer (130) to spray the disinfectant solution into the food storage drawer (130); and / or, The water supply assembly (150) also includes: A water pump (155) is provided in the water storage tank (153), and the water pump (155) is used to pump water from the water storage tank (153) into the food preservation drawer (130).

5. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The refrigerator also includes a lifting assembly (170), comprising: A support frame (171) is fitted inside the food storage drawer (130); A drive unit (172) is used to drive the support frame (171) to move up and down along the height direction of the box (110).

6. A refrigerator control method, characterized in that, The method for controlling the refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-5 includes: When the refrigerator is confirmed to be in the first state, the ozone generator (160) and the ultrasonic generator (140) are both switched to the open state, and the water supply assembly (150) is connected to the fresh food drawer (130). When the refrigerator is confirmed to be in the second state, the ozone generator (160) is controlled to switch to the off state, and the water supply assembly (150) is controlled to connect to the ice tray (180); When the refrigerator is confirmed to be in the third state, the ozone generator (160) is controlled to switch to the open state, and the water supply assembly (150) is controlled to connect to the ice tray (180).

7. The refrigerator control method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The ozone generator (160) and ultrasonic generator (140) are both switched to the open state, and the water supply assembly (150) is connected to the food storage drawer (130), specifically including: The ozone generator (160) generates a disinfectant solution, which is then sprayed onto the contents of the food storage drawer (130) through a spray nozzle. The ultrasonic generator (140) generates high-frequency vibrations during the spraying of the disinfectant to sterilize the object to be sterilized, thereby forming an object to be cleaned.

8. The refrigerator control method according to claim 7, characterized in that, After the object to be cleaned is formed, the process further includes: The object to be cleaned is rinsed with clean water and then raised and drained by controlling the lifting assembly (170).

9. The refrigerator control method according to claim 8, characterized in that, Before sterilizing the substance to be sterilized, the method further includes: The type of the substance to be sterilized is detected by the identification module; Adjust the spray flow rate of the spray head according to the type of substance to be sterilized.

10. The refrigerator control method according to claim 9, characterized in that, After rinsing the object to be cleaned with clean water, the process further includes: The impurity content in the rinsing wastewater is detected by a turbidity sensor; When the impurity content is detected to exceed a preset threshold, the steps of the refrigerator being in the first state are repeated.

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