Storage drawer and refrigerator with same

Abstract

The utility model provides a storage drawer and a refrigerator with the same. The storage drawer comprises a drawer body, and a storage space with an upward opening is defined by the drawer body. The drawer body comprises two side wall plates located on the two transverse sides of the storage space and a bottom plate located at the bottom of the storage space. The two side wall plates respectively comprise a lower side wall formed by extending upwards from one transverse end of the bottom plate, and a groove with an upward opening is formed in the upper end of the lower side wall; the light guide plate is fixedly arranged on the groove; and the first illuminating lamp strip is arranged in the groove in a manner of being attached to the bottom surface of the light guide plate, and is configured to enable light to penetrate through the light guide plate to illuminate the interior of the drawer body. Light emitted by the first illuminating lamp strip can penetrate through the light guide plate to enable the light guide plate to emit light integrally, so that the interior of the storage space is illuminated from the two sides of the drawer body, and illumination dead angles cannot occur even if the drawer is opened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of household appliances, in particular to a storage drawer and a refrigerator having the same. Background Art

[0002] To expand refrigerator storage capabilities and meet user preferences for storing and retrieving diverse items, some refrigerators feature storage drawers. However, existing refrigerator drawers often lack lighting, making it difficult for users to clearly see the location of items when accessing them in dimly lit environments. While some refrigerators do feature lighting to illuminate the drawers, these lighting settings are often inappropriate, leaving blind spots when the drawers are open, making them difficult to meet user expectations. Utility Model Content

[0003] Based on the above background, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a storage drawer with better lighting effect.

[0004] Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having the above-mentioned storage drawer with better lighting effect.

[0005] In particular, according to a first aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a storage drawer. The storage drawer includes a drawer body, the drawer body defining a storage space with an upward opening;

[0006] The drawer body includes two side wall panels located on both sides of the storage space, and a bottom panel located at the bottom of the storage space;

[0007] The two side panels include:

[0008] A lower side wall is formed by extending upward from one lateral end of the bottom plate, and an upper end of the lower side wall is formed with a groove having an upward opening;

[0009] a light guide plate fixedly disposed on the groove; and

[0010] The first lighting strip is arranged in the groove in contact with the bottom surface of the light guide plate and is configured to allow light to pass through the light guide plate to illuminate the interior of the drawer body.

[0011] Optionally, the upper end of the lower side wall forms a support portion protruding from the outer surface of the lower side wall on the lateral outer side of the drawer body; the upper surface of the support portion forms a groove; and

[0012] The lower side wall and the inner surface of the light guide plate are both vertical planes.

[0013] Optionally, the drawer body further comprises a rear wall panel located at the rear side of the storage space;

[0014] The lower side wall and the light guide plate serve as the lower part and the upper part of the side wall plate respectively;

[0015] The upper ends of the two light guide plates and the upper end of the rear wall plate are located on the same horizontal plane.

[0016] Optionally, the light guide plate is a transparent plate with a laser-processed inner engraving pattern formed therein.

[0017] Optionally, the drawer body further comprises a front panel located at the front side of the storage space;

[0018] The front panel includes a first front panel portion forming a front surface of the front panel, and a second front panel portion located behind the first front panel portion;

[0019] The first front panel portion and the second front panel portion have a gap at at least one side.

[0020] Optionally, the first front panel portion includes:

[0021] a front fascia forming a front surface of the front panel;

[0022] a second lighting strip disposed on at least one side of the front fascia; and

[0023] A metal decorative strip is provided on at least one side of the front decorative panel and located behind the second lighting strip.

[0024] Optionally, the first lighting strip and the second lighting strip are both color-changing light strips.

[0025] Optionally, the first front panel portion and the second front panel portion have a gap at their upper sides; and

[0026] The front panel further comprises a light emitting screen which is arranged at one transverse end of the gap between the first front panel portion and the second front panel portion on the upper side.

[0027] Optionally, the storage drawer further includes a drawer liner, and the drawer body is drawably disposed in the drawer liner; and

[0028] The slide rail includes a fixed portion fixed on the drawer inner shell, and a sliding portion fixed on the drawer body and slidably arranged relative to the fixed portion.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention further provides a refrigerator comprising one or more storage drawers, wherein the storage drawers are any of the storage drawers described above.

[0030] The storage drawer of this utility model is provided with a light guide plate and a first lighting strip attached to the bottom surface of the light guide plate, respectively, above the lower side walls of the two side panels on either side of the drawer body. Light emitted by the first lighting strip can pass through the light guide plate, causing the entire light guide plate to illuminate, thereby illuminating the storage space from both sides of the drawer body, eliminating blind spots even when the drawer is open.

[0031] Based on the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will become more aware of the above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Hereinafter, some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in an exemplary and non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings indicate the same or similar components or parts. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the accompanying drawings:

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a storage drawer according to one embodiment of the present utility model;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a partial schematic diagram of a drawer body according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0035] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The storage drawer is shown as a partially enlarged schematic diagram at position A;

[0036] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a storage drawer according to another embodiment of the present utility model;

[0037] Figure 5 2 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in combination with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments.

[0039] First, those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are merely used to explain the technical principles of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Those skilled in the art may adjust them as needed to suit specific applications.

[0040] Secondly, it should be noted that in the description of this application, terms such as "inside", "outside", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", and "lateral" indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. This is only for the convenience of description and does not indicate or imply that the device or component must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it cannot be understood as a limitation on this application.

[0041] Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "connect," "fixed," "coupled," and the like should be interpreted broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed or detachable connections, or integration; mechanical or electrical connections; direct or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal communication between two elements or interaction between two elements, unless otherwise expressly limited. A person of ordinary skill in the art should be able to understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0042] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical terms and scientific terms) used in the description of this embodiment have the same meaning as commonly understood by ordinary technicians in the technical field to which this application belongs.

[0043] Throughout this specification, reference to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example disclosed herein. In this specification, the illustrative use of the above terms does 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 any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0044] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a storage drawer 20 according to one embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 2 It is a partial schematic diagram of a drawer body 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment provides a storage drawer 20. The storage drawer 20 includes a drawer body 30, which defines a storage space with an upward opening.

[0046] The drawer body 30 includes two sidewall panels 34 located on both sides of the storage space, and a bottom panel 36 located at the bottom of the storage space.

[0047] The two side wall panels 34 respectively include: a lower side wall extending upward from one lateral end of the bottom plate 36, and the upper end of the lower side wall forms a groove with an upward opening; a light guide plate fixedly set on the groove; and a first lighting strip, which is set in the groove in contact with the bottom surface of the light guide plate and is configured to allow light to pass through the light guide plate to illuminate the interior of the drawer body 30.

[0048] The drawer body 30 of this embodiment includes two side wall panels 34 located on both sides of the storage space, a bottom panel 36 located at the bottom of the storage space, a rear wall panel 38 located on the rear side of the storage space and a front panel 32 located on the front side of the storage space. The two side wall panels 34, the bottom panel 36, the rear wall panel 38 and the front panel 32 together define a square storage space with an upward opening.

[0049] It can be understood that the front-to-back direction of the drawer body 30 is the front-to-back direction of the drawer body 30 in the direction of pulling out. When the drawer body 30 is pulled outward to open, the movement direction is toward the front of the drawer body 30, and when the drawer body 30 is pushed in to close, the movement direction is toward the rear of the drawer body 30. In other words, the front side of the drawer body 30 is the front side of the drawer body 30 in the direction of pulling out.

[0050] The side wall plate 34 is composed of a lower side wall 342 and a light guide plate 346 . The lower side wall 342 serves as the lower portion of the side wall plate 34 , and the light guide plate 346 serves as the upper portion of the side wall plate 34 . The light guide plate 346 is detachably mounted relative to the lower side wall 342 .

[0051] The upper end of the lower sidewall 342 is formed with an upwardly opening recess. The first lighting strip 348 is disposed within the recess and thus does not directly illuminate the interior of the drawer body 30. Instead, the first lighting strip 348 abuts against the bottom surface of a light guide plate 346 disposed in the recess. Light emitted by the first lighting strip 348 can pass through the bottom surface of the light guide plate 346 and enter the light guide plate 346. Light guide points are arranged within the light guide plate 346. When light strikes these light guide points, it is scattered, causing the light guide plate 346 to emit light and illuminate the interior of the drawer body 30.

[0052] The light guide plate 346 of this embodiment is vertically inserted and fixed in the groove, so the bottom surface of the light guide plate 346 is actually one of its side edges located on the lower side. The light source of the storage drawer 20 of this embodiment is fixed to the drawer body 30, or in other words, it emits light from the side wall panel 34 of the drawer body 30. Therefore, there is no problem of lighting blind spots when the drawer is opened and away from the light source. In addition, the light guide plate 346 changes the lighting direction. Although the first lighting strip 348 emits light upward, the light is not directly in front of the human eye. Therefore, the storage drawer 20 not only has better lighting coverage, but also has softer light.

[0053] In some optional embodiments, the light guide plate 346 is a transparent plate with an internal laser-engraved pattern. As needed, the interior of the light guide plate 346 can be laser-engraved to form a specific pattern to enhance the aesthetics of the storage drawer 20, such as a product logo or a pattern of fruits, vegetables, or seafood corresponding to the intended storage function of the storage drawer 20.

[0054] In some optional implementations, the light guide plate 346 may be an acrylic plate or a glass plate.

[0055] In some optional embodiments, a reflective film may be provided on the outer surface of the light guide plate 346. The reflective film can reflect light directed toward this side to reduce light leakage outside the drawer body 30 and improve the lighting brightness inside the drawer body 30.

[0056] refer to Figure 2 As shown, in some optional embodiments, the upper end of the lower side wall 342 forms a support portion 344 protruding from the outer surface of the lower side wall 342 on the lateral outer side of the drawer body 30; the upper surface of the support portion 344 forms a groove; and the inner surfaces of the lower side wall 342 and the light guide plate 346 are both vertical planes.

[0057] The thickness of the support portion 344 in the transverse direction is greater than that of other positions of the lower side wall 342. By forming the support portion 344 to fix the light guide plate 346, the light guide plate 346 is better fixed and is not prone to deformation resulting in loose fixation.

[0058] In some optional embodiments, the lower side wall 342 also extends upward at the front and rear ends to form extension portions, and the two extension portions respectively form grooves opposite to each other in the front and rear directions of the opening, so that the light guide plate 346 is also fixed in the grooves in the front and rear directions, that is, the front and rear ends and the bottom of the light guide plate 346 are fixed by the two extension portions and the support portion 344 at the same time.

[0059] In some optional embodiments, the drawer body 30 also includes a rear wall panel 38 located at the rear side of the storage space; the lower side wall 342 and the light guide plate 346 serve as the lower and upper parts of the side wall panel 34, respectively; the upper ends of the two light guide plates 346 and the upper end of the rear wall panel 38 are located on the same horizontal plane.

[0060] In other words, the two light guide plates 346 are flush with the rear wall plate 38. In some optional embodiments, the rear ends of the two light guide plates 346 abut against one lateral end of the rear wall plate 38 respectively.

[0061] In some optional embodiments, the rear wall panel 38 is integrally formed with the lower side walls 342 of the two side wall panels 34 .

[0062] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The storage drawer 20 is shown as a partially enlarged schematic diagram at point A.

[0063] refer to Figure 3As shown, in some optional embodiments, the drawer body 30 further includes a front panel 32 located at the front side of the storage space. The front panel 32 includes a first front panel portion 322 forming the front surface of the front panel 32, and a second front panel portion 324 located at the rear side of the first front panel portion 322, and the first front panel portion 322 and the second front panel portion 324 have a gap at at least one side.

[0064] The gap formed at the side of the first front panel portion 322 and the second front panel portion 324 is used as a handle of the drawer body 30 . The width and depth of the gap may be generally greater than or equal to 20 mm so that the user's fingers can be inserted therein to apply force.

[0065] In some optional embodiments, the storage drawer 20 is provided on the refrigerator 10, and the refrigerator 10 is provided with multiple storage drawers 20. In this case, the position of the gap formed may be different depending on the position of the storage drawer 20 itself. For example, each storage drawer 20 may form a gap at a side that is not adjacent to other storage drawers 20.

[0066] Furthermore, in some optional embodiments, the first front panel portion 322 and the second front panel portion 324 have a gap at the upper side; and the front panel 32 also includes a light-emitting screen 326, which is arranged at a lateral end within the gap between the first front panel portion 322 and the second front panel portion 324 at the upper side.

[0067] If the refrigerator 10 is equipped with multiple storage drawers 20, with two storage drawers 20 arranged side by side horizontally, a light-emitting screen 326 can be positioned at one end of a storage drawer 20, within the gap between drawers 20 and another. The light-emitting screen 326 can illuminate and display a product logo, or images or text of fruits, vegetables, or seafood corresponding to the intended storage function of the drawer 20. The light-emitting screen 326 can also indicate the user's location of the gap, so that the user can reach into the handle.

[0068] In some optional embodiments, the first front panel portion 322 includes a front trim panel 422 forming the front surface of the front panel 32, a second lighting strip 424 arranged on at least one side of the front trim panel 422, and a metal trim strip 426 arranged on at least one side of the front trim panel 422 and located behind the second lighting strip 424.

[0069] The setting position of the second lighting strip 424 can correspond to the gap position on the side of the front panel 32, and the second lighting strip 424 can start to light up when the refrigerator 10 senses that a user is approaching, thereby prompting the user of the handle position of the storage drawer 20, so that the user can accurately open the storage drawer 20 even when approaching the refrigerator 10 in a dark environment.

[0070] The metal trim strip 426 is provided at least on the side corresponding to the second lighting strip 424 and is located behind the second lighting strip 424 in the front-to-back direction. In some optional embodiments, the metal trim strip 426 may be provided on each side of the front trim panel 422, that is, along the perimeter of the front trim panel 422. The metal trim strip 426 not only enhances the aesthetics of the storage drawer 20, but also provides some protection for the second lighting strip 424 from bumps and collisions.

[0071] In some optional embodiments, the metal trim 426 may be an aluminum trim.

[0072] It should be noted that the side edges of the front panel 32 and the first and second front panel portions 322 and 324 thereof refer to the upper and lower sides and the lateral sides thereof, that is, the four peripheral sides of the front surface.

[0073] When the storage drawer 20 is provided on the refrigerator 10 , the material of the front decorative panel 422 may be the same as that of the outer shell of the refrigerator 10 , thereby unifying the appearance of the drawer and the refrigerator 10 .

[0074] In some optional embodiments, the first lighting strip 348 and the second lighting strip 424 are both color-changing light strips.

[0075] The illuminated screen 326 and the second light strip 424 can begin illuminating when the refrigerator 10 senses a user approaching. The first light strip 348 can begin illuminating when the storage drawer 20 is opened. After the storage drawer 20 is opened, the second light strip 424 can illuminate in the same color as the first light strip 348. The illuminated screen 326 can also illuminate in the same color as the second light strip 424, but at a higher brightness. The color of the first light strip 348 can correspond to the intended storage function of the storage drawer 20 or the actual items stored in the storage drawer 20, for example, green for fruits and vegetables, blue for seafood, etc.

[0076] Figure 4 2 is a schematic diagram of a storage drawer 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] refer to Figure 1 and 4 As shown, in some optional embodiments, the storage drawer 20 also includes a drawer liner 22, and the drawer body 30 is pullable and arranged in the drawer liner 22; and a slide rail 24, which includes a fixed part fixed on the drawer liner 22, and a sliding part fixed on the drawer body 30 and slidably arranged relative to the fixed part.

[0078] The storage drawer 20 can be provided with two slide rails 24 respectively located on both sides of the drawer body 30. The sliding portion of each slide rail 24 can be fixed on the lower side wall 342 of the side wall plate 34 of the drawer body 30, and the fixing portion is at least partially located below the support portion 344 in height.

[0079] In other alternative embodiments, the slide rail 24 of the storage drawer 20 comprises only a fixed portion fixed to the drawer liner 22, with multiple rollers fixed to the fixed portion in the front-to-back direction, and the lower surface of the support portion 344 forms a flat surface extending front-to-back. The support portion 344 of the drawer body 30 is mounted above the rollers on the fixed portion. When the drawer body 30 moves in the extension direction, the rollers rotate to reduce friction during the extension process.

[0080] In some optional embodiments, a rechargeable battery is provided within the drawer body 30 to power the light-emitting screen 326, the first light strip 348, and the second light strip 424 when the storage drawer 20 is open. The rechargeable power source can be located within the front panel 32 and charged by the refrigerator 10 when the drawer body 30 is closed. The charging circuit can include two sets of connectors located opposite each other on the rear side of the front panel 32 and the front side of the drawer liner 22. When the drawer body 30 is closed, the two sets of connectors abut, completing the circuit and charging the rechargeable battery. The connectors can also be located behind the rear sidewall of the drawer body 30 or elsewhere.

[0081] In some optional embodiments, the light-emitting screen 326 , the first lighting strip 348 , and the second lighting strip 424 on the drawer body 30 may also be connected to a power source in the refrigerator 10 by wires.

[0082] Figure 5 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] refer to Figure 5 As shown, the present invention further provides a refrigerator 10. The refrigerator 10 includes one or more storage drawers 20, and the storage drawers 20 are the storage drawers 20 of any of the above embodiments.

[0084] At this point, those skilled in the art should recognize that, although multiple exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications consistent with the principles of the present invention can be directly determined or deduced from the contents disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and deemed to cover all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A storage drawer, characterized in that include: A drawer body, wherein the drawer body defines a storage space having an upward opening; The drawer body comprises two side wall panels located on both sides of the storage space in the transverse direction, and a bottom panel located at the bottom of the storage space; The two side wall panels respectively include: A lower side wall extending upward from one lateral end of the bottom plate, wherein an upper end of the lower side wall is formed with a groove opening upward; a light guide plate, fixedly disposed on the groove; and The first lighting strip is arranged in the groove in contact with the bottom surface of the light guide plate and is configured to allow light to pass through the light guide plate to illuminate the interior of the drawer body.

2. The storage drawer according to claim 1, characterized in that The upper end of the lower side wall forms a support portion protruding from the outer surface of the lower side wall on the lateral outer side of the drawer body; the upper surface of the support portion forms the groove; and The lower side wall and the inner surface of the light guide plate are both vertical planes.

3. The storage drawer according to claim 1, characterized in that The drawer body also includes a rear wall plate located at the rear side of the storage space; The lower side wall and the light guide plate serve as the lower part and the upper part of the side wall plate respectively; The upper ends of the two light guide plates and the upper end of the rear wall plate are located on the same horizontal plane.

4. The storage drawer according to claim 1, characterized in that The light guide plate is a transparent plate with a laser-processed inner engraving pattern formed inside.

5. The storage drawer according to claim 1, characterized in that The drawer body also includes a front panel located at the front side of the storage space; The front panel comprises: a first front panel portion forming a front surface of the front panel, and a second front panel portion located at a rear side of the first front panel portion; The first front panel portion and the second front panel portion have a gap at at least one side.

6. The storage drawer according to claim 5, characterized in that The first front panel portion comprises: a front trim plate forming a front surface of the front panel; A second lighting strip disposed on at least one side of the front fascia; and A metal decorative strip arranged on at least one side of the front decorative panel and located at the rear side of the second lighting strip.

7. The storage drawer according to claim 6, characterized in that The first lighting light strip and the second lighting light strip are both color-changing light strips.

8. The storage drawer according to claim 5, characterized in that The first front panel portion and the second front panel portion have a gap at the upper side; and The front panel also includes: The light-emitting screen is arranged at one lateral end of the gap between the first front panel portion and the second front panel portion on the upper side.

9. The storage drawer according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: A drawer liner, wherein the drawer body is drawably disposed in the drawer liner; and The slide rail comprises a fixed portion fixed on the drawer inner shell, and a sliding portion fixed on the drawer body and slidably arranged relative to the fixed portion.

10. A refrigerator, characterized in that include: One or more storage drawers, wherein the storage drawers are storage drawers according to any one of claims 1-9.

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