Phase-change fresh-locking refrigerator

Abstract

A phase change fresh-keeping refrigerator comprises a freezing chamber and a refrigerating system, phase change layers, metal phase change unit cells and a drainage mechanism are arranged in the freezing chamber, the phase change layers are of a plate-shaped structure and are arranged at the bottom and the side wall of the freezing chamber, and the metal phase change unit cells are of a polyhedral structure, are placed in the freezing chamber, are stacked above food needing to be frozen and kept fresh and are in close contact with the food. The phase change layer and the metal phase change unit cells each comprise a metal shell and a low-temperature phase change material, the low-temperature phase change materials are sealed in the metal shells, cold energy is stored through phase change, the low-temperature phase change materials conduct phase change latent heat to food through the metal shells, fast cooling of the food is achieved, and the drainage mechanism can be arranged at the top or the side wall or the bottom of the freezing chamber and can be used for cooling food. Air circulation is accelerated, and the food cooling speed is further increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of high-quality food preservation in refrigerators and freezers, and specifically relates to a phase-change fresh-keeping refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] Refrigerators and freezers are the most commonly used household appliances for food preservation in people's lives. With the diversification of user needs and the improvement of living standards, people have higher and higher requirements for food preservation. The faster the food cools down during the preservation process, the better the preservation effect. At present, refrigerators mainly use air cooling for freezing and preservation. The freezing speed is slow, and the large ice crystals formed inside the food pierce the cell wall. After thawing, the food tissue fluid is lost and the flavor is reduced. In order to maintain the internal low temperature environment, refrigerators generally use fixed-frequency compressors for refrigeration. The temperature control accuracy in the refrigerator is low and the temperature fluctuates greatly, which easily leads to repeated freezing and thawing of food during the freezing process, further affecting the quality of food. Utility Model Content

[0003] In this regard, we propose a phase-change fresh-keeping refrigerator to solve the problems existing in the existing technology. The low-temperature phase-change material is encapsulated in a high-thermal-conductivity metal shell to directly contact the food for heat conduction to quickly reduce the food temperature, and the fan is used to enhance the air convection heat transfer capacity. The solid phase-change cooling and air-cooling cooling technologies are coupled to further improve the food cooling speed, and the metal phase-change unit cell flip mechanism is used to ensure the uniformity of the phase-change material cooling. At the same time, the phase-change constant temperature effect of the phase-change material can significantly reduce the temperature fluctuation of the freezer and avoid secondary crystallization of food caused by temperature fluctuations.

[0004] In order to achieve the above purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] A phase-change fresh-keeping refrigerator comprises a freezing chamber and a refrigeration system, wherein a phase-change layer, a metal phase-change unit cell and a drainage mechanism are arranged in the freezing chamber, wherein the phase-change layer is a plate-like structure and is arranged at the bottom and side walls of the freezing chamber, wherein the metal phase-change unit cell is a polyhedral structure, wherein the metal phase-change unit cell is placed in the freezing chamber, piled up around food that needs to be frozen and preserved, and in close contact with the food, wherein the phase-change layer and the metal phase-change unit cell both comprise a metal shell and a low-temperature phase-change material, wherein the low-temperature phase-change material is sealed in the metal shell, wherein the low-temperature phase-change material conducts the phase-change latent heat to the food through the metal shell, thereby realizing rapid cooling of the food, wherein the drainage mechanism can be arranged at the top, side and bottom of the freezing chamber, wherein the drainage mechanism comprises a flap, a drainage chamber and a circulating fan, wherein an air outlet and an air inlet are provided on the lower surface of the flap, wherein the drainage chamber is arranged behind the flap, wherein a circulating fan is arranged in the drainage chamber, wherein the circulating fan accelerates air circulation, thereby further improving the cooling speed of the food, and wherein the refrigeration system provides coldness for the freezing chamber in a fixed frequency or variable frequency manner.

[0006] Specifically, a movable traction mechanism is provided in the freezing chamber, and the multiple metal phase change crystal cells are placed in a mesh bag, and the mesh bag is connected to the traction mechanism. The traction mechanism includes two sets of winding and unwinding motors, and the output shafts of the two sets of winding and unwinding motors are both transmission-connected to the long axis in the drainage chamber. Winding and unwinding rollers are provided in the middle of the outer sides of the two sets of long axis, and a traction rope is wound around the winding and unwinding rollers. The positions of the multiple metal phase change crystal cells in the mesh bag are flipped by the winding and releasing of the traction rope, thereby ensuring that the phase change crystal cells provide coldness for the food evenly.

[0007] Specifically, the freezer compartment is provided with a movable flipping mechanism, including a metal plate, a flipping axis and a movable track. The multiple metal phase change crystal cells are placed in a net bag. A metal plate is provided inside the net bag. The metal plate is fixedly connected to the flipping axis. The flipping axis is connected to a track that can be moved up and down. The movable track is provided on the side wall of the freezer compartment. The metal plate splits the multiple metal phase change crystal cells into two upper and lower crystal cell clusters. The metal plate is driven to flip up and down by the flipping axis to achieve the flipping of the positions of the two crystal cell clusters.

[0008] Specifically, a movable transmission mechanism is provided in the freezer compartment, including a fresh-keeping carrier, a conveying device and a movable track. The fresh-keeping carrier is a mesh structure composed of multiple metal phase change crystal cells connected in pairs by elastic materials. The fresh-keeping carrier is connected end to end and partially placed on the conveying device. The conveying device is provided with a protrusion for fixing the metal phase change crystal cells. The conveying device is connected to a track that can move up and down. When the transmission device is moved upward as a whole, transmission can drive the position of the metal phase change crystal cells to change.

[0009] Specifically, the phase change temperature of the low-temperature phase change material is 2-5°C higher than the temperature of the refrigerator freezer.

[0010] Specifically, a groove is arranged on the surface of the phase change layer arranged on the side wall of the freezing chamber.

[0011] Specifically, the phase-change fresh-keeping refrigerator is provided with function buttons for poultry preservation, vegetable and fruit preservation, and aquatic product preservation according to different types of fresh-keeping food, and is provided with a quality input button according to different qualities of fresh-keeping food.

[0012] A phase change fresh-keeping refrigerator fresh-keeping control method, wherein the freezing chamber is provided with an ambient temperature sensor T 1 , the freezing layer temperature setting value is T set A temperature sensor T is provided on the surface of the phase change layer at the bottom of the freezing chamber. 2 The circulating fan return air outlet is provided with a temperature sensor T 3 The fresh-keeping operation control is divided into three operation modes: quick cooling mode, cold charging mode, and cold supplement mode. The specific operation modes are as follows:

[0013] 1) When there is no food in the freezer, the refrigerator door has been opened, and T2 >T set When the cooling mode is turned on, the compressor is turned on, and the circulation fan is not turned on until T 1 =T 2 =T 3 =T set ;

[0014] 2) When putting food that needs to be kept fresh into the freezer, turn on the quick cooling mode. At this time, the compressor is turned on and the circulation fan is also turned on. The specific operating steps are as follows:

[0015] S1, placing food that needs to be frozen and fresh-keeping on the upper surface of the bottom phase change layer of the freezing layer, and moving the metal phase change unit cells to make them accumulate on the upper surface of the food, at this time, the refrigerator compressor is turned on, and the circulation fan is also turned on;

[0016] S2, determining the type and quality of the food, and calculating the cooling amount Q and the estimated cooling time t required to cool the food to the set temperature of the freezing layer according to the type and quality of the food input by the user;

[0017] S3, when the cooling time reaches 1 / 2t and T 2 >T set , moving the metal phase change unit cells by flipping, so that a portion of the metal phase change unit cells that originally did not contact the food directly contact the food;

[0018] S4. When the cooling time reaches t, determine whether T is satisfied. 3 =T set If yes, the circulation fan will be turned off after 5 minutes. Otherwise, it will be re-judged after 30 seconds to see if T is met. 3 =T set , until the requirements are met;

[0019] 3) When there is no food in the freezer, the surface temperature of the phase change layer is T 2 >T set , start the cooling mode, the compressor is turned on, and the circulation fan is also turned on until the surface temperature of the phase change layer reaches T 2 =T set After that, the compressor and circulation fan are turned off after a delay of m minutes (the latent heat of the phase change layer is related to the refrigeration capacity of the compressor and needs to be calculated).

[0020] The phase-change fresh-keeping refrigerator proposed in the utility model has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0021] 1. The metal phase change unit cell is a polyhedral particle with strong thermal conductivity. It can wrap the food tightly and contains low-temperature phase change material. It changes phase immediately after contacting the food, quickly absorbs the heat of the food, and combines with air convection heat exchange to make it quickly cross the maximum ice crystal formation zone and form fine ice crystals inside the food without piercing the cell wall, which is conducive to ensuring the integrity and flavor of the food;

[0022] 2. The metal phase change unit cell can be automatically moved or flipped through the mechanical structure, which can ensure the uniformity of heat exchange between the upper and lower surfaces of the stacked metal phase change unit cells and provide uniform cooling for food;

[0023] 3. Metal phase change cells can be reused for a long time, reducing the cost of food preservation and having good environmental protection characteristics;

[0024] 4. The phase change layer set on the side wall and bottom of the freezer compartment is conducive to maintaining a stable low-temperature environment in the freezer compartment and reducing the impact of the start and stop of the refrigerator compressor on the freezer compartment temperature;

[0025] 5. Targeted control can be performed on food of different types and qualities to improve the food temperature control effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 This is a front structural diagram of the freezer compartment of the utility model;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the freezer compartment of the utility model;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the drainage mechanism structure of the utility model;

[0029] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the transmission mechanism structure of the utility model;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the traction mechanism structure of the utility model;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the flipping mechanism of the utility model;

[0032] Figure 7 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the freezing chamber of the present utility model.

[0033] In the figure: 1. Freezer; 2. Phase change layer; 3. Drainage mechanism; 31. Flip cover; 32. Drainage chamber; 33. Circulation fan; 4. Traction mechanism; 41. Winding and unwinding motor; 42. Long shaft; 43. Winding and unwinding roller; 44. Traction rope; 5. Turning mechanism; 51. Metal plate; 52. Turning shaft; 53. Net bag; 6. Transmission mechanism; 61. Conveying device; 62. Fresh-keeping carrier. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] 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. The specific embodiments described here are only used to explain the utility model and are not used to limit the utility model. Based on the embodiments in the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0035] Example 1

[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, a phase change fresh-keeping refrigerator comprises a freezing chamber 1 and a refrigeration system. A phase change layer 2, a metal phase change unit cell and a drainage mechanism 3 are arranged in the freezing chamber 1. The phase change layer 2 is a plate-like structure and is arranged at the bottom and side walls of the freezing chamber 1. The metal phase change unit cell is a polyhedral structure. The metal phase change unit cell is placed in the freezing chamber 1 and is stacked around the food that needs to be frozen and kept fresh, and is in close contact with the food. The phase change layer 2 and the metal phase change unit cell both comprise a metal shell and a low-temperature phase change material. The low-temperature phase change material is sealed in the metal shell. The low-temperature phase change material conducts the phase change latent heat to the food through the metal shell to achieve rapid cooling of the food. The drainage mechanism 3 can be arranged on the top, side or bottom of the freezing chamber 1, and includes a flip cover 31, a drainage chamber 32 and a circulation fan 33. The lower surface of the flip cover 31 is provided with an air outlet and an air inlet. The drainage chamber 32 is arranged behind the flip cover 31. A circulation fan 33 is arranged in the drainage chamber 32. The circulation fan 33 accelerates air circulation and further improves the cooling speed of the food. The refrigeration system adopts a fixed frequency or variable frequency mode to provide coldness for the freezing chamber.

[0037] The metal phase change crystal cells are placed in a mesh bag and then piled on top of the food in the freezer 1, so that the metal phase change crystal cells can directly contact the food, conveniently and quickly cover the food, so that the metal phase change crystal cells transfer the temperature to the food, thereby improving the rapid freezing of the food, and accelerating the flow of air through the drainage mechanism 3 to improve the cooling speed of the food.

[0038] Example 2

[0039] like Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 7As shown, a movable traction mechanism 4 is provided in the freezing chamber 1, and the plurality of metal phase change cells are placed in a mesh bag, and the mesh bag is connected to the traction mechanism 4, and the traction mechanism 4 includes two sets of retractable winding motors 41, and the output shafts of the two sets of retractable winding motors 41 are both drivingly connected to the long shaft 42 in the drainage chamber 32, and the middle part of the outer side of the two sets of long shafts 42 is provided with a retractable winding roller 43, and a traction rope 44 is wound around the retractable winding roller 43, and the positions of the plurality of metal phase change cells in the mesh bag 53 are flipped by the retraction and extension of the traction rope 44, so as to ensure that the metal phase change cells can evenly provide coldness for the food;

[0040] The metal phase change crystal cells in the mesh bag are lifted and lowered by the traction mechanism 4. At the beginning, the metal phase change crystal cells are put down together and contact with the food. After a period of time, the rewinding and unwinding motor 41 on the left drives the rewinding and unwinding roller 43 to rewind the traction rope 44, and the rewinding and unwinding motor 41 on the right drives the rewinding and unwinding roller 43 to unwind the traction rope 44, so that it appears to be suspended on the left side, and then the above operation is reversed to make it appear to be suspended on the right side. This can change the position of the metal phase change crystal cells, so that the side of the metal phase change crystal cells that was not in contact with the food can be in contact with the food, and the operation is simple and convenient.

[0041] Example 3

[0042] like Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the freezer compartment 1 is provided with a movable flip mechanism 5, including a metal plate 51, a flip shaft 52 and a moving track. The multiple metal phase change cells are placed in a net bag 53. The net bag 53 is provided with a metal plate 51. The metal plate 51 is fixedly connected to the flip shaft 52. The flip shaft 52 is connected to a track that can be moved up and down. The moving track is provided on the side wall of the freezer compartment 1. The metal plate 51 splits the multiple metal phase change cells into two upper and lower cell clusters. The metal plate 51 is driven to flip up and down by the flip shaft 52, thereby realizing the position flipping of the two cell clusters.

[0043] The metal phase change crystal cells are wrapped by two net bags 53 and fixed on both sides of the metal plate 51, and then the two ends of the metal plate 51 are lifted and lowered by the traction mechanism 4. At the same time, the metal plate 51 is composed of an outer rectangular frame and an inner plate, and a magnet that is magnetically attracted to the inner plate is arranged on the inner side of the outer metal frame, or the metal phase change crystal cells are wrapped in a net bag 53, and the lower end of the traction rope 44 of the traction mechanism 4 is fixed on the net bag, and the metal plate 51 in the net bag 53 divides the metal phase change crystal cells into two upper and lower clusters. The metal plate 51 is connected to the traction mechanism 4 through a flip shaft 52, and then lifted and lowered by traction, and can be flipped by rotating the metal plate 51, so that the metal phase change crystal cells that have not contacted the food at the beginning can contact the food.

[0044] Example 4

[0045] like Figure 4As shown, a movable transmission mechanism 6 is provided in the freezing chamber 1, including a fresh-keeping carrier 62, a conveying device 61 and a moving track. The fresh-keeping carrier 62 is a mesh structure composed of a plurality of metal phase change cells connected in pairs by elastic materials. The fresh-keeping carrier 62 is connected end to end and partially placed on the conveying device 61. The conveying device 61 is provided with a protrusion for fixing the metal phase change cells. The conveying device 61 is connected to a track that can move up and down. When the transmission device as a whole moves to the upper side, the transmission can drive the position change of the metal phase change cells.

[0046] The metal phase change crystal cells are transported by the mesh mechanism formed by the elastic structure through the conveying device 61, so that the closed loop of the mesh mechanism changes position, and the contact range between the metal phase change crystal cells and the food changes, so as to quickly cool the food.

[0047] The phase change temperature of the low-temperature phase change material is 2-5° C. higher than the temperature of the freezer compartment 1 of the refrigerator.

[0048] The surface of the phase change layer 2 arranged on the side wall of the freezing chamber 1 is provided with grooves to increase the heat exchange area and provide a flow channel for air when there are many items in the freezing chamber.

[0049] The phase-change fresh-keeping refrigerator is provided with function buttons for preserving poultry, vegetables and fruits, and aquatic products according to the types of fresh-keeping foods, and is provided with a quality input button according to the quality of the fresh-keeping foods.

[0050] Based on the above-described phase-change fresh-keeping refrigerator, the utility model also provides a fresh-keeping control method for the phase-change fresh-keeping refrigerator. The freezing chamber 1 is provided with an ambient temperature sensor T1, the freezing layer temperature setting value is Tset, the surface of the phase-change layer 2 at the bottom of the freezing chamber 1 is provided with a temperature sensor T2, and the return air outlet of the circulation fan 33 is provided with a temperature sensor T3. The fresh-keeping operation control is divided into three operation modes: fast cooling mode, cold charging mode, and cold supplement mode. The specific mode operation is as follows:

[0051] 1) When there is no food in the freezer compartment 1, the refrigerator door has been opened, and T2>Tset, the supplementary cooling mode is turned on, the compressor is turned on, and the circulation fan 33 is not turned on until T1=T2=T3=Tset;

[0052] 2) When food that needs to be kept fresh is placed in the freezer 1, the quick cooling mode is turned on. At this time, the compressor is turned on and the circulation fan 33 is also turned on. The specific operating steps are as follows:

[0053] S1, putting the food to be frozen and fresh-keeping into the upper surface of the bottom phase change layer 2 of the freezing layer, and moving the metal phase change unit cells to make them accumulate on the upper surface of the food. At this time, the refrigerator compressor is turned on, and the circulation fan 33 is also turned on;

[0054] S2, determining the type and quality of the food, and calculating the cooling amount Q and the estimated cooling time t required to cool the food to the set temperature of the freezing layer according to the type and quality of the food input by the user;

[0055] S3, when the cooling time reaches 1 / 2t and T2>Tset, the metal phase change unit cell is moved by flipping, so that the part of the metal phase change unit cell that originally did not contact the food is in direct contact with the food;

[0056] S4, when the cooling time reaches t, determine whether T3=Tset is satisfied, if so, shut down the circulation fan 33 after 5 minutes, otherwise, delay 30 seconds and re-determine whether T3=Tset is satisfied until the requirement is met;

[0057] 3) When there is no food in the freezer compartment 1, the surface temperature of the phase change layer 2 T2>Tset, and the cold charging mode is turned on. At this time, the compressor is turned on, and the circulation fan 33 is also turned on. After the surface temperature of the phase change layer 2 T2=Tset, the compressor and the circulation fan 33 are turned off after a delay of m minutes (which is related to the latent heat of the phase change layer 2 and the refrigeration capacity of the compressor and needs to be calculated).

[0058] Finally, it should be noted that the above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features therein. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A phase-change fresh-keeping refrigerator, characterized in that: The invention comprises a freezing chamber (1) and a refrigeration system, wherein a phase change layer (2), a metal phase change unit cell and a drainage mechanism (3) are arranged in the freezing chamber (1), wherein the phase change layer (2) is a plate-like structure and is arranged at the bottom and side walls of the freezing chamber (1), wherein the metal phase change unit cell is a polyhedral structure, wherein the metal phase change unit cell is placed in the freezing chamber (1) and is stacked around food that needs to be frozen and preserved, and is in close contact with the food, wherein the phase change layer (2) and the metal phase change unit cell both comprise a metal shell and a low-temperature phase change material, wherein the low-temperature phase change material is sealed in the metal shell and uses phase change to store cold energy, wherein the low-temperature phase The phase change material conducts the phase change latent heat to the food through the metal shell, thereby realizing rapid cooling of the food. The drainage mechanism (3) can be arranged on the top, side or bottom of the freezing chamber (1), and comprises a flip cover (31), a drainage chamber (32) and a circulation fan (33). The lower surface of the flip cover (31) is provided with an air outlet and an air inlet. The drainage chamber (32) is arranged behind the flip cover (31). A circulation fan (33) is arranged in the drainage chamber (32). The circulation fan (33) accelerates air circulation, thereby further improving the cooling speed of the food. The refrigeration system adopts a fixed frequency or variable frequency method to provide cooling capacity for the freezing chamber.

2. A phase-change fresh-keeping refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: A movable traction mechanism (4) is arranged in the freezing chamber (1), the plurality of metal phase change crystal cells are placed in a mesh bag, the mesh bag is connected to the traction mechanism (4), the traction mechanism (4) comprises two sets of retractable winding motors (41), the output shafts of the two sets of retractable winding motors (41) are both drivingly connected to the long shaft (42) in the drainage chamber (32), the middle parts of the outer sides of the two sets of long shafts (42) are both provided with retractable winding rollers (43), a traction rope (44) is wound around the retractable winding rollers (43), and the positions of the plurality of metal phase change crystal cells in the mesh bag (53) are flipped by retracting and releasing the traction rope (44), thereby ensuring that the phase change crystal cells uniformly provide cold air for the food.

3. A phase-change fresh-keeping refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The freezing chamber (1) is provided with a movable flipping mechanism (5), comprising a metal plate (51), a flip shaft (52) and a movable track; the plurality of metal phase change crystal cells are placed in a net bag (53); a metal plate (51) is provided in the net bag (53); the metal plate (51) is fixedly connected to the flip shaft (52); the flip shaft (52) is connected to a track that can be moved up and down; the movable track is provided on a side wall of the freezing chamber (1); the metal plate (51) splits the plurality of metal phase change crystal cells into two upper and lower crystal cell clusters; the flip shaft (52) drives the metal plate (51) to flip up and down, thereby realizing the position flipping of the two crystal cell clusters.

4. A phase-change fresh-keeping refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: A movable transmission mechanism (6) is arranged in the freezing chamber (1), comprising a fresh-keeping carrier (62), a conveying device (61) and a movable track. The fresh-keeping carrier (62) is a mesh structure composed of a plurality of metal phase change crystal cells connected in pairs by elastic material. The fresh-keeping carrier (62) is partially placed on the conveying device (61) after being connected end to end. The conveying device (61) is provided with a protrusion for fixing the metal phase change crystal cells. The conveying device (61) is connected to a track that can be moved up and down. When the transmission device as a whole moves to the upper side, transmission can drive the position of the metal phase change crystal cells to change.

5. A phase-change fresh-keeping refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The phase change temperature of the low-temperature phase change material is 2-5° C. higher than the temperature of the refrigerator freezer compartment (1).

6. A phase-change fresh-keeping refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: A groove is provided on the surface of the phase change layer (2) arranged on the side wall of the freezing chamber (1).

7. A phase-change fresh-keeping refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The phase-change fresh-keeping refrigerator is provided with function buttons for preserving poultry, vegetables and fruits, and aquatic products according to the types of fresh-keeping foods, and is provided with a quality input button according to the quality of the fresh-keeping foods.

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