Automatic door opening device and refrigerator

By adopting a combined structure of a special-shaped rack and drive assembly in the automatic door opening device and using the clutch assembly to provide damping force, the problem of inconsistent movement speed of the refrigerator door is solved and the user experience is improved.

CN222528079UActive Publication Date: 2025-02-25NINGBO FOTILE KITCHEN WARE CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202421335987.8
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-06-12
Publication Date
2025-02-25
Estimated Expiration
2034-06-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing automatic door opening device is inconsistent when opening or closing the refrigerator door, which reduces the user experience.

Method used

An automatic door opening device is designed, using a structure that combines a special-shaped rack and a drive assembly, and provides damping force through the clutch assembly to adjust the movement speed of the push rod to keep it consistent during the telescopic process.

Benefits of technology

By adjusting the movement speed of the push rod, the movement speed of the refrigerator door is maintained consistently, which improves the user's experience of using the automatic door opening device.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

According to the automatic door opening device and the refrigerator, the automatic door opening device comprises a machine shell, a special-shaped rack, a driving assembly and a clutch assembly, the special-shaped rack is installed in the machine shell in a sliding mode, a push rod is connected to the special-shaped rack, and the push rod can be driven by the special-shaped rack to do telescopic motion relative to the machine shell; the driving assembly is installed in the machine shell and is in transmission connection with the special-shaped rack, and the driving assembly is used for driving the special-shaped rack to slide in the machine shell; the clutch assembly is installed in the machine shell and is in transmission connection with the special-shaped rack, and the clutch assembly can provide damping force for the special-shaped rack when the special-shaped rack slides. The automatic door opening device can adjust the movement speed of the push rod when the automatic door opening device works by utilizing the damping force provided by the clutch assembly for the sliding of the special-shaped rack, so that the automatic door opening device is applied to the refrigerator, the movement speed of a refrigerator door can be kept consistent, and the service life of the refrigerator is prolonged. In this way, the user experience can be improved when the user uses the automatic door opening device.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field related to refrigerators, and particularly relates to an automatic door opening device and a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] The automatic door opening device is applied to a refrigerator and is used to push up the refrigerator door to realize the automatic door opening function of the refrigerator.

[0003] At present, the existing automatic door opening device usually uses a push rod to push the refrigerator door to realize the automatic opening of the refrigerator door, wherein the movement speed of the push rod remains consistent when the automatic door opening device is working. However, due to the holding force and rebound force of the door hinge on the refrigerator door and the door sealing resistance when the refrigerator is closed, the movement speed of the refrigerator door will vary when the existing automatic door opening device is used to open or close the refrigerator door, which will reduce the user experience. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, it is necessary to provide an automatic door opening device and a refrigerator for solving the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] An automatic door opening device, the automatic door opening device comprising:

[0006] chassis;

[0007] A special-shaped rack is slidably mounted in the housing, a push rod is connected to the special-shaped rack, and the push rod can perform telescopic movement relative to the housing under the drive of the special-shaped rack;

[0008] A driving assembly is installed in the housing and is in driving connection with the special-shaped rack, and the driving assembly is used to drive the special-shaped rack to slide in the housing;

[0009] A clutch assembly is installed in the housing and is drivingly connected to the special-shaped rack, and the clutch assembly can provide a damping force to the special-shaped rack when the special-shaped rack slides.

[0010] It can be understood that the damping force provided by the clutch assembly when the special-shaped rack slides is used to adjust the movement speed of the push rod when the automatic door opening device is working. In this way, when the automatic door opening device is used in a refrigerator, the movement speed of the refrigerator door can be kept consistent, which can improve the user experience when the user uses the automatic door opening device.

[0011] In one embodiment, the clutch assembly includes a first clutch. When the special-shaped rack drives the push rod to be pushed out of the housing, the first clutch can work and provide a damping force for the sliding of the special-shaped rack. Otherwise, the first clutch does not work.

[0012] It is understandable that the first clutch is used to provide a damping force to the sliding of the special-shaped rack, so that the movement speed of the push rod when it is extended can be adjusted to keep the movement speed of the push rod consistent when it is extended from the housing.

[0013] In one embodiment, the stroke when the special-shaped rack drives the push rod to be pushed out from the housing is divided into a first stroke and a second stroke. In the first stroke, the first clutch does not work; in the second stroke, the first clutch works.

[0014] It can be understood that when the special-shaped rack slides in the second stroke, it will be subjected to the damping force provided by the first clutch, which can meet the use requirements of the automatic door opening device in the refrigerator for automatically opening the refrigerator door.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first clutch comprises a first clutch gear, a first one-way bearing, a first nest and a first pin shaft, and the first nest, the first one-way bearing and the first clutch gear are sequentially mounted on the first pin shaft;

[0016] In the second stroke, the first clutch gear meshes with the special-shaped rack, the first one-way bearing is locked with the first nest, and the first nest can rotate relative to the first pin shaft and generate sliding friction under the drive of the first clutch gear.

[0017] It can be understood that, by utilizing the structural characteristics of the first one-way bearing, the first clutch can provide damping force to the special-shaped rack by using the sliding friction generated between the first nest and the first pin when the first clutch is working.

[0018] In one embodiment, the sliding distance of the special-shaped rack in the first stroke is equal to the sliding distance of the special-shaped rack in the second stroke.

[0019] In one embodiment, the clutch assembly further includes a second clutch. When the special-shaped rack drives the push rod to retract into the housing, the second clutch can work and provide a damping force for the sliding of the special-shaped rack. Otherwise, the second clutch does not work.

[0020] It is understandable that the second clutch is used to provide a damping force to the sliding of the special-shaped rack, so that the movement speed of the push rod when it retracts can be adjusted to keep the movement speed of the push rod when it retracts consistent.

[0021] In one embodiment, the second clutch comprises a second clutch gear, a second one-way bearing, a second nest and a second pin shaft, and the second nest, the second one-way bearing and the second clutch gear are sequentially mounted on the second pin shaft;

[0022] When the special-shaped rack drives the push rod to retract the housing, the second clutch gear meshes with the special-shaped rack, the second one-way bearing and the second nest are locked, and the second nest can rotate relative to the second pin shaft and generate sliding friction under the drive of the second clutch gear.

[0023] It can be understood that, by utilizing the structural characteristics of the second one-way bearing, the second clutch can provide damping force to the special-shaped rack by using the sliding friction generated between the second nest and the second pin shaft when the second clutch is working.

[0024] In one embodiment, the clutch assembly includes a first clutch and a second clutch, wherein the first clutch can provide a damping force to the special-shaped rack when the special-shaped rack drives the push rod to extend out of the housing, and the second clutch can provide a damping force to the special-shaped rack when the special-shaped rack drives the push rod to retract into the housing;

[0025] Wherein, the volume of the first clutch is smaller than that of the second clutch.

[0026] It can be understood that, through the above-mentioned structural arrangement, the automatic door opening device can provide damping force for the extension and retraction of the push rod respectively when working.

[0027] In one embodiment, the special-shaped rack includes a first rack portion and a second rack portion, the first rack portion is used for transmission connection with the first clutch, and the second rack portion is used for transmission connection with the second clutch;

[0028] Wherein, the width of the first rack portion is greater than the width of the second rack portion.

[0029] In addition, the present application also seeks protection for a refrigerator comprising the automatic door opening device described above.

[0030] Due to the application of the above technical solution, the utility model has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0031] The automatic door opening device and refrigerator for which protection is sought in the present application utilize the damping force provided by the clutch assembly when the special-shaped rack slides to adjust the movement speed of the push rod when the automatic door opening device is working, so that the automatic door opening device is applied to the refrigerator and can keep the movement speed of the refrigerator door consistent, thereby improving the user experience when the user uses the automatic door opening device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the conventional technology, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the conventional technology descriptions are briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an automatic door opening device provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the partial structure of an automatic door opening device provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0035] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the partial structure of another state of the automatic door opening device provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the special-shaped rack in this application.

[0037] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first clutch / second clutch in this application.

[0038] : 100, automatic door opening device; 10, housing; 20, special-shaped rack; 201, first tooth portion; 202, second tooth portion; 203, third tooth portion; 21, first rack portion; 22, second rack portion; 30, driving assembly; 31, flat motor; 32, gear set; 40, clutch assembly; 41, first clutch; 411, first clutch gear; 412, first one-way bearing; 413, first nesting; 414, first pin shaft; 42, second clutch; 421, second clutch gear; 422, second one-way bearing; 423, second nesting; 424, second pin shaft; 50, push rod. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0040] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "provided on" another element, it may be directly provided on the other element or there may be a central element. When an element is considered to be "provided on" another element, it may be directly provided on the other element or there may be a central element at the same time. When an element is considered to be "fixed to" another element, it may be directly fixed to the other element or there may be a central element at the same time.

[0041] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art in the technical field of the present invention. The terms used in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the automatic door opening device 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application includes a housing 10, a special-shaped rack 20, a drive assembly 30 and a clutch assembly 40. The special-shaped rack 20 is slidably installed in the housing 10, and a push rod 50 is connected to the special-shaped rack 20, and the push rod 50 can perform telescopic movement relative to the housing 10 under the drive of the special-shaped rack 20; the drive assembly 30 is installed in the housing 10 and is transmission-connected to the special-shaped rack 20, and the drive assembly 30 is used to drive the special-shaped rack 20 to slide in the housing 10; the clutch assembly 40 is installed in the housing 10 and is transmission-connected to the special-shaped rack 20, and the clutch assembly 40 can provide a damping force to the special-shaped rack 20 when the special-shaped rack 20 slides.

[0043] It can be understood that the damping force provided by the clutch assembly 40 when the special-shaped rack 20 slides is used to adjust the movement speed of the push rod 50 when the automatic door opening device 100 is working, so that the automatic door opening device 100 is applied to a refrigerator (not shown) and the movement speed of the refrigerator door can be kept consistent, which can improve the user experience when the user uses the automatic door opening device 100.

[0044] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the driving assembly 30 includes a flat motor 31 and a gear set 32. The flat motor 31 is connected to the special-shaped rack 20 through the gear set 32, so that when the automatic door opening device 100 is working, the flat motor 31 can drive the special-shaped rack 20 to slide back and forth in the casing 10 through the gear set 32 ​​after being started, and achieve the purpose of controlling the telescopic movement of the push rod 50.

[0045] like Figure 3As shown, the clutch assembly 40 includes a first clutch 41. When the special-shaped rack 20 drives the push rod 50 to be pushed out of the housing 10, the first clutch 41 can work and provide a damping force for the sliding of the special-shaped rack 20. Otherwise, the first clutch 41 does not work. In other words, the first clutch 41 can provide a damping force for the special-shaped rack 20 when the special-shaped rack 20 drives the push rod 50 to extend out of the housing 10, so that the first clutch 41 can be used to adjust the movement speed of the special-shaped rack 20 when the push rod 50 is driven to extend out of the housing 10, so that the movement speed of the push rod 50 when it is extended from the housing 10 remains consistent. Here, when the first clutch 41 is working, it can consume power for the movement of the special-shaped rack 20, so as to achieve the purpose of adjusting the movement speed of the special-shaped rack 20 when the push rod 50 is driven to extend out of the housing 10.

[0046] It should be noted that when the automatic door opening device 100 is applied to a refrigerator and the push rod 50 is used to push the refrigerator door, since the refrigerator door is initially in a closed state, there is door sealing resistance, and the holding force of the hinge on the refrigerator door is also large at this time, so the load pushed by the push rod 50 in the automatic door opening device 100 is large in the initial stage; when the refrigerator door is slightly opened, the door sealing resistance disappears, the hinge holding force is also reduced, and the load will be greatly reduced; in order to make the push rod 50 push the refrigerator door to open with consistent speed, the push rod 50 is required to have consistent movement when it is extended from the casing 10. For this purpose, the first clutch 41 is required to provide damping force to the special-shaped rack 20 after a certain stroke when the push rod 50 is extended from the casing 10, so as to meet the use requirements of the automatic door opening device 100 in the refrigerator for automatically opening the refrigerator door.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the automatic door opening device 100 of the present application divides the stroke when the special-shaped rack 20 drives the push rod 50 to be pushed out of the housing 10 into a first stroke and a second stroke in sequence. In the first stroke, the first clutch 41 does not work; in the second stroke, the first clutch 41 works. Here, the distance that the special-shaped rack 20 slides in the first stroke is equal to the distance that the special-shaped rack 20 slides in the second stroke. It should be noted that the distance that the special-shaped rack 20 slides in the second stroke can be specifically set according to the use requirements of the automatic door opening device 100 for automatically opening the refrigerator door, which will not be elaborated here.

[0048] like Figure 5As shown, the first clutch 41 includes a first clutch gear 411, a first one-way bearing 412, a first nest 413 and a first pin 414. The first nest 413, the first one-way bearing 412 and the first clutch gear 411 are sequentially mounted on the first pin 414. In the second stroke, the first clutch gear 411 meshes with the special-shaped rack 20, the first one-way bearing 412 and the first nest 413 are locked, and the first nest 413 can rotate relative to the first pin 414 and generate sliding friction under the drive of the first clutch gear 411. In other words, the first clutch 41 utilizes the structural characteristics of the first one-way bearing 412, so that when the first clutch 41 is working, the sliding friction generated after the first nest 413 and the first pin 414 are locked can be used to provide damping force to the special-shaped rack 20. Here, the first one-way bearing 412 is locked with the first nest 413, specifically, the first one-way bearing 412 is circumferentially limited relative to the first nest 413, the first pin 414 is fixedly connected to the housing 10, and the first clutch 41 is assembled and connected in the housing 10, wherein the first nest 413 is configured as a plastic sleeve.

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown, the clutch assembly 40 further includes a second clutch 42. When the profiled rack 20 drives the push rod 50 to retract into the housing 10, the second clutch 42 can work and provide a damping force for the sliding of the profiled rack 20. Otherwise, the second clutch 42 does not work. In other words, the second clutch 42 can provide a damping force for the profiled rack 20 when the profiled rack 20 drives the push rod 50 to retract into the housing 10, so that the second clutch 42 can be used to adjust the movement speed of the profiled rack 20 when the push rod 50 is driven to retract into the housing 10, so that the movement speed of the push rod 50 when retracting is kept consistent. Here, when the second clutch 42 is working, it can consume power for the movement of the profiled rack 20, so as to achieve the purpose of adjusting the movement speed of the profiled rack 20 when the push rod 50 is driven to retract.

[0050] It should be noted that, when the automatic door opening device 100 is applied to a refrigerator and the refrigerator door is pushed open, if the user does not open the refrigerator door, the push rod 50 in the automatic door opening device 100 automatically retracts, and the refrigerator door automatically closes under the rebound force of the hinge. In this process, the rebound force of the hinge causes the refrigerator door to support the extended push rod 50, and the direction of the force is consistent with the direction of the extended push rod 50 when it retracts, which causes the push rod 50 to retract faster. In order to ensure the consistency of the speed of the push rod 50 when it retracts, the push rod 50 is required to have consistent movement when it retracts into the casing 10. For this purpose, the second clutch 42 is required to be able to provide damping force for the entire stroke of the push rod 50 driven by the special-shaped rack 20 to retract.

[0051] like Figure 5As shown, the second clutch 42 includes a second clutch gear 421, a second one-way bearing 422, a second nest 423 and a second pin 424. The second nest 423, the second one-way bearing 422 and the second clutch gear 421 are sequentially mounted on the second pin 424. In the second stroke, the second clutch gear 421 meshes with the special-shaped rack 20, the second one-way bearing 422 and the second nest 423 are locked, and the second nest 423 can rotate relative to the second pin 424 under the drive of the second clutch gear 421 and generate sliding friction. Here, the second clutch 42 and the first clutch 41 are configured with the same structure.

[0052] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the volume of the first clutch 41 is smaller than that of the second clutch 42; accordingly, the special-shaped rack 20 includes a first rack portion 21 and a second rack portion 22, the first rack portion 21 is used for transmission connection with the first clutch 41, and the second rack portion 22 is used for transmission connection with the second clutch 42; wherein, the width of the first rack portion 21 is greater than the width of the second rack portion 22 to meet the use requirements of transmission connection between the first clutch 41 and the first rack portion 21, and the second clutch 42 and the second rack portion 22.

[0053] like Figure 4 As shown, the special-shaped rack 20 of the present application has three tooth portions, which are respectively defined as a first tooth portion 201, a second tooth portion 202 and a third tooth portion 203. The first tooth portion 201 is arranged on one side of the special-shaped rack 20 in the width direction, and the second tooth portion 202 and the third tooth portion 203 are arranged on the other side of the special-shaped rack 20 in the width direction. Among them, the first tooth portion 201 is used to mesh with the gear set 32 ​​of the driving component 30, so that the driving component 30 can drive the special-shaped rack 20 to slide back and forth in the housing 10 through the gear set 32; the second tooth portion 202 is used to mesh with the first clutch gear 411 of the first clutch 41, so that when the special-shaped rack 20 drives the push rod 50 to extend out of the housing 10, it can be subjected to the damping force provided by the first clutch 41 in the second stroke; the third tooth portion 203 is used to mesh with the second clutch gear 421 of the second clutch 42, so that the full stroke of the special-shaped rack 20 driving the push rod 50 to retract can be subjected to the damping force provided by the second clutch 42.

[0054] In addition, the present application provides a refrigerator, comprising the automatic door opening device 100 described above.

[0055] The technical features of the above embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0056] Those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. As long as they are within the spirit of the present invention, appropriate changes and modifications to the above embodiments are within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic door opening device, characterized in that: The automatic door opening device (100) comprises: Housing (10); A special-shaped rack (20) is slidably mounted in the housing (10); a push rod (50) is connected to the special-shaped rack (20), and the push rod (50) can perform telescopic movement relative to the housing (10) under the drive of the special-shaped rack (20); A driving assembly (30) is installed in the housing (10) and is drivingly connected to the special-shaped rack (20), and the driving assembly (30) is used to drive the special-shaped rack (20) to slide in the housing (10); A clutch assembly (40) is installed in the housing (10) and is drivingly connected to the special-shaped rack (20), and the clutch assembly (40) can provide a damping force to the special-shaped rack (20) when the special-shaped rack (20) slides.

2. The automatic door opening device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clutch assembly (40) comprises a first clutch (41). When the special-shaped rack (20) drives the push rod (50) to be pushed out from the housing (10), the first clutch (41) can work and provide a damping force for the sliding of the special-shaped rack (20); otherwise, the first clutch (41) does not work.

3. The automatic door opening device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The stroke when the special-shaped rack (20) drives the push rod (50) to be pushed out from the housing (10) is divided into a first stroke and a second stroke. In the first stroke, the first clutch (41) does not work; in the second stroke, the first clutch (41) works.

4. The automatic door opening device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first clutch (41) comprises a first clutch gear (411), a first one-way bearing (412), a first nest (413) and a first pin shaft (414); the first nest (413), the first one-way bearing (412) and the first clutch gear (411) are sequentially mounted on the first pin shaft (414); In the second stroke, the first clutch gear (411) meshes with the special-shaped rack (20), the first one-way bearing (412) and the first nest (413) are locked, and the first nest (413) can rotate relative to the first pin shaft (414) and generate sliding friction under the drive of the first clutch gear (411).

5. The automatic door opening device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sliding distance of the special-shaped rack (20) in the first stroke is equal to the sliding distance of the special-shaped rack (20) in the second stroke.

6. The automatic door opening device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clutch assembly (40) further comprises a second clutch (42). When the special-shaped rack (20) drives the push rod (50) to retract into the housing (10), the second clutch (42) can work and provide a damping force for the sliding of the special-shaped rack (20); otherwise, the second clutch (42) does not work.

7. The automatic door opening device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second clutch (42) comprises a second clutch gear (421), a second one-way bearing (422), a second nest (423) and a second pin shaft (424), wherein the second nest (423), the second one-way bearing (422) and the second clutch gear (421) are sequentially mounted on the second pin shaft (424); When the special-shaped rack (20) drives the push rod (50) to retract the housing (10), the second clutch gear (421) meshes with the special-shaped rack (20), the second one-way bearing (422) and the second nest (423) are locked, and the second nest (423) can rotate relative to the second pin shaft (424) and generate sliding friction under the drive of the second clutch gear (421).

8. The automatic door opening device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clutch assembly (40) comprises a first clutch (41) and a second clutch (42), wherein the first clutch (41) is capable of providing a damping force to the special-shaped rack (20) when the special-shaped rack (20) drives the push rod (50) to extend out of the housing (10), and the second clutch (42) is capable of providing a damping force to the special-shaped rack (20) when the special-shaped rack (20) drives the push rod (50) to retract into the housing (10); Wherein, the volume of the first clutch (41) is smaller than the volume of the second clutch (42).

9. The automatic door opening device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The special-shaped rack (20) comprises a first rack portion (21) and a second rack portion (22), wherein the first rack portion (21) is used for transmission connection with the first clutch (41), and the second rack portion (22) is used for transmission connection with the second clutch (42); Wherein, the width of the first rack portion (21) is greater than the width of the second rack portion (22).

10. A refrigerator, characterized in that: An automatic door opening device (100) comprising any one of claims 1 to 9.