Refrigerator

Abstract

The refrigerator is characterized in that an ethylene sensor and a humidity sensor are arranged in a fresh-keeping chamber, a fan is arranged in an air inlet duct and used for accelerating gas circulation of the fresh-keeping chamber, a first valve is arranged at an air inlet of a first air outlet duct, and a second valve is arranged at an air inlet of a second air outlet duct; the first valve is closed, the second valve is opened, gas in the second air outlet duct is dehumidified through the dehumidification module, and the humidity in the fresh-keeping chamber is reduced; the first valve is opened, the second valve is closed, ethylene in the gas is removed through the ethylene removal module in the first air outlet duct, and the ethylene concentration in the fresh-keeping chamber is reduced; the ethylene removal module is arranged in the first air outlet duct, the first valve is closed, gas with high humidity is prevented from entering the first air outlet duct to affect the ethylene removal module, the dehumidification module is used for reducing the humidity in the fresh-keeping chamber, then the first valve is opened, and ethylene is removed through the ethylene removal module. The refrigerator solves the technical problem of poor ethylene removal effect in the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of refrigeration, and specifically relates to a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of living standards, refrigerators have become indispensable household appliances in people's lives. However, in the process of preserving fruits and vegetables, traditional refrigerators often fail to effectively remove the ethylene released by fruits and vegetables, resulting in accelerated food spoilage and shortened preservation periods.

[0003] To keep fruits and vegetables fresh, they need to be stored in a relatively humid environment. However, fruits and vegetables release ethylene during storage, which accelerates their own ripening and shortens the storage period. Therefore, removing ethylene can further increase the storage time of fruits and vegetables. However, in a high-humidity environment, humidity may greatly affect the ethylene removal effect, resulting in ineffective ethylene removal. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The utility model provides a refrigerator, which solves the technical problem of poor ethylene removal effect in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above technical purpose, the utility model is realized by the following technical solutions:

[0006] A refrigerator, comprising:

[0007] A box body, which has a fresh-keeping chamber inside; an ethylene sensor and a humidity sensor are arranged in the fresh-keeping chamber;

[0008] An air duct assembly, which includes an air inlet duct, a first air outlet duct, and a second air outlet duct; the air inlet of the air inlet duct is communicated with the air outlet of the fresh-keeping chamber; the air outlet of the air inlet duct is respectively communicated with the air inlets of the first air outlet duct and the second air outlet duct; the air outlet of the first air outlet duct is communicated with the first air inlet of the fresh-keeping chamber; the air outlet of the second air outlet duct is communicated with the second air inlet of the fresh-keeping chamber; a fan is arranged in the air inlet duct, a first valve is arranged at the air inlet of the first air outlet duct, and a second valve is arranged at the air inlet of the second air outlet duct;

[0009] An ethylene removal module, which is arranged in the first air outlet duct and removes ethylene from the gas in the first air outlet duct;

[0010] A dehumidification module, which is used to dehumidify the gas in the second air outlet duct;

[0011] A control module, which receives the ethylene concentration signal detected by the ethylene sensor and the humidity signal detected by the humidity sensor, and controls the opening and closing of the first valve and the second valve.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present application, the ethylene removal module includes a first adsorption layer, a catalytic layer, and a second adsorption layer arranged in a stacked manner.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present application, the first adsorption layer and the second adsorption layer are made of activated carbon fibers or nanocomposites.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present application, the catalytic layer is made of a noble metal catalyst or a transition metal oxide.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present application, the catalytic layer is made of titanium dioxide, and an ultraviolet lamp is provided inside the catalytic layer.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present application, the ethylene removal module further includes a columnar housing with a hollow interior and openings at both ends; the outer peripheral surface of the columnar housing abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the first air outlet duct;

[0017] The first adsorption layer, the catalytic layer, and the second adsorption layer are arranged in a stacked manner along the axial direction of the columnar housing inside the columnar housing;

[0018] The outer peripheral surfaces of the first adsorption layer, the catalytic layer, and the second adsorption layer abut against the inner peripheral surface of the columnar housing.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present application, the ethylene sensor is installed at the top of the fresh-keeping chamber.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present application, the refrigerator further includes a humidifying module, and the humidifying pipeline of the humidifying module is communicated with the third air inlet of the fresh-keeping chamber;

[0021] The control module controls the operation of the humidifying module according to the humidity signal sent by the received humidity sensor.

[0022] In some embodiments of the present application, a drain port is further provided at the bottom of the second air outlet duct, and the drain port is connected to the water tank of the humidifying module.

[0023] In some embodiments of the present application, the dehumidifying module is an evaporator, which is arranged inside the second air outlet duct or on the outer side wall of the second air outlet duct.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the advantages and positive effects of the present utility model are as follows: In the refrigerator of the present utility model, an ethylene sensor and a humidity sensor are provided in the fresh-keeping chamber to detect the ethylene concentration and humidity in the fresh-keeping chamber; a blower is provided in the air inlet duct to accelerate the gas circulation in the fresh-keeping chamber, a first valve is provided at the air inlet of the first air outlet duct, and a second valve is provided at the air inlet of the second air outlet duct; an ethylene removal module is used to remove ethylene from the gas in the first air outlet duct; a dehumidification module is used to dehumidify the gas in the second air outlet duct; a control module controls the opening and closing of the first valve and the second valve; when the first valve is closed and the second valve is open, the dehumidification module is used to dehumidify the gas in the second air outlet duct, thereby reducing the humidity in the fresh-keeping chamber; when the first valve is open and the second valve is closed, the ethylene removal module in the first air outlet duct is used to remove ethylene from the gas, thereby reducing the ethylene concentration in the fresh-keeping chamber; since the ethylene removal module is provided in the first air outlet duct, the first valve can be closed to prevent gas with a high humidity from entering the first air outlet duct and affecting the ethylene removal module, and then the first valve is opened after the humidity in the fresh-keeping chamber is reduced by the dehumidification module, and the ethylene removal module is used for ethylene removal. Therefore, the control module controls the on-off of the first air outlet duct and the second air outlet duct respectively by controlling the opening and closing of the first valve and the second valve, preventing high-humidity gas from affecting the ethylene removal module and avoiding affecting the ethylene removal effect. Therefore, the refrigerator of the present utility model can not only control the ethylene concentration and humidity in the fresh-keeping chamber, but also prevent high-humidity gas from affecting the ethylene removal module, ensuring the ethylene removal effect and solving the technical problem of poor ethylene removal effect in the prior art.

[0025] After reading the detailed description of the embodiments of the present utility model in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, other features and advantages of the present utility model will become clearer. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present utility model, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and those of ordinary skill in the art can also obtain other accompanying drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0027] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the refrigerator proposed by the present utility model;

[0028] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the fruit and vegetable chamber and the air duct assembly;

[0029] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the ethylene removal module;

[0030] Figure 4It is a circuit structure block diagram of an embodiment of the control module;

[0031] Figure 5 It is a process diagram of an embodiment of ethylene removal.

[0032] Reference numerals:

[0033] 10. Handle;

[0034] 20. Box body; 21. Air inlet duct; 22. First air outlet duct; 23. Second air outlet duct; 24. Humidifying pipeline;

[0035] E. Ethylene removal module; 31. First adsorption layer; 32. Second adsorption layer; 33. Catalytic layer; 34. Ultraviolet lamp;

[0036] V1. First valve; V2. Second valve. Detailed implementation manners

[0037] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present utility model, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0038] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to this application.

[0039] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more.

[0040] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "installation", "connection", and "linkage" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0041] The refrigerator of this embodiment includes a door body, a box body 20, an air duct assembly, a control module, etc., as shown in Figure 1 The door body is provided with a handle 10.

[0042] The box body 20 has a fresh-keeping chamber inside. The fresh-keeping chamber has an air outlet, a first air inlet, and a second air inlet. The fresh-keeping chamber is generally used for storing fruits and vegetables and can also be called a fruit and vegetable chamber.

[0043] An ethylene sensor and a humidity sensor are arranged in the fresh-keeping chamber. The ethylene sensor is used to detect the ethylene concentration signal in the fresh-keeping chamber and send the detected ethylene concentration signal to the control module. The humidity sensor is used to detect the humidity signal in the fresh-keeping chamber and send the detected humidity signal to the control module.

[0044] The air duct assembly includes an air inlet duct 21, a first air outlet duct 22, and a second air outlet duct 23, as shown in Figure 1 、 Figure 2 The air inlet of the air inlet duct 21 is communicated with the air outlet of the fresh-keeping chamber; the air outlet of the air inlet duct 21 is respectively communicated with the air inlets of the first air outlet duct 22 and the second air outlet duct 23; the air outlet of the first air outlet duct 22 is communicated with the first air inlet of the fresh-keeping chamber; the air outlet of the second air outlet duct 23 is communicated with the second air inlet of the fresh-keeping chamber. A blower is arranged in the air inlet duct 21, a first valve V1 is arranged at the air inlet of the first air outlet duct 22, and a second valve V2 is arranged at the air inlet of the second air outlet duct 23.

[0045] The ethylene removal module E is arranged in the first air outlet duct 22 to remove ethylene from the gas in the first air outlet duct 22. The ethylene removal module E can remove ethylene from the gas.

[0046] The dehumidification module is used to dehumidify the gas in the second air outlet duct 23. The dehumidification module can remove moisture from the gas.

[0047] The control module receives the ethylene concentration signal detected by the ethylene sensor and the humidity signal detected by the humidity sensor, and controls the opening and closing of the first valve V1 and the second valve V2.

[0048] The control module controls the opening and closing of the first valve V1 and the second valve V2 according to the received ethylene concentration signal and humidity signal.

[0049] The control module controls the fan to rotate. Driven by the fan, the gas in the fresh-keeping chamber enters the air inlet duct 21.

[0050] If the first valve V1 is opened, the gas in the air inlet duct 21 enters the first air outlet duct 22 and then enters the fresh-keeping chamber. Since the ethylene removal module E is provided in the first air outlet duct 22, the ethylene in the flowing gas is removed, reducing the ethylene concentration in the gas. Therefore, after the first valve V1 is opened, the ethylene concentration in the fresh-keeping chamber is reduced by using the ethylene removal module E. The path of the air flow is: fresh-keeping chamber → air inlet duct 21 → first air outlet duct 22 → fresh-keeping chamber.

[0051] If the second valve V2 is opened, the gas in the air inlet duct 21 enters the second air outlet duct 23 and then enters the fresh-keeping chamber. Since the dehumidification module can dehumidify the gas in the second air outlet duct 23, reducing the gas humidity. Therefore, after the second valve V2 is opened, the humidity in the fresh-keeping chamber is reduced by using the dehumidification module. The path of the air flow is: fresh-keeping chamber → air inlet duct 21 → second air outlet duct 23 → fresh-keeping chamber.

[0052] When dehumidification is required, the control module controls the first valve V1 to close and the second valve V2 to open, and uses the dehumidification module to reduce the humidity of the gas in the second air outlet duct 23. Since the first valve V1 is closed, the gas will not enter the first air outlet duct 22.

[0053] When ethylene removal is required, the control module controls the first valve V1 to open and the second valve V2 to close, and uses the ethylene removal module in the first air outlet duct 22 to reduce the ethylene concentration. Since the second valve V2 is closed, the gas will not enter the second air outlet duct 23.

[0054] By controlling the opening and closing of the first valve V1 and the second valve V2, the dehumidification function or the ethylene removal function can be switched.

[0055] The control module first closes the first valve V1 and opens the second valve V2, and uses the dehumidification module to reduce the humidity of the fresh-keeping chamber; then, it opens the first valve V1 and closes the second valve V2, and uses the ethylene removal module to remove ethylene, avoiding the influence of high-humidity gas on the operation of the ethylene removal module and ensuring the ethylene removal effect.

[0056] In the refrigerator of this embodiment, an ethylene sensor and a humidity sensor are arranged in the fresh-keeping chamber to detect the ethylene concentration and humidity in the fresh-keeping chamber; a blower is arranged in the air inlet duct 21 to accelerate the gas circulation in the fresh-keeping chamber. A first valve V1 is arranged at the air inlet of the first air outlet duct 22, and a second valve V2 is arranged at the air inlet of the second air outlet duct 23; the ethylene removal module is used to remove ethylene from the gas in the first air outlet duct 22; the dehumidification module is used to dehumidify the gas in the second air outlet duct 23; the control module controls the opening and closing of the first valve V1 and the second valve V2; when the first valve V1 is closed and the second valve V2 is opened, the dehumidification module is used to dehumidify the gas in the second air outlet duct 23, thereby reducing the humidity in the fresh-keeping chamber; when the first valve V1 is opened and the second valve V2 is closed, the ethylene removal module in the first air outlet duct 22 is used to remove ethylene from the gas, thereby reducing the ethylene concentration in the fresh-keeping chamber; since the ethylene removal module is arranged in the first air outlet duct 22, the first valve V1 can be closed to prevent the gas with high humidity from entering the first air outlet duct and affecting the ethylene removal module. After using the dehumidification module to reduce the humidity in the fresh-keeping chamber, the first valve V1 is opened, and the ethylene removal module is used to remove ethylene. Therefore, the control module controls the opening and closing of the first valve V1 and the second valve V2 to respectively control the on-off of the first air outlet duct and the second air outlet duct, preventing the high-humidity gas from affecting the ethylene removal module and avoiding affecting the ethylene removal effect. Therefore, the refrigerator of this embodiment can not only control the ethylene concentration and humidity in the fresh-keeping chamber, but also prevent the high-humidity gas from affecting the ethylene removal module, ensuring the ethylene removal effect and solving the technical problem of poor ethylene removal effect in the prior art.

[0057] In some embodiments of the present application, the control module controls the opening and closing of the first valve according to the received ethylene concentration signal. When the ethylene concentration signal received by the control module is higher than the set concentration threshold signal, the control module controls the first valve to open, and the ethylene removal module is used to reduce the ethylene concentration in the first air outlet duct. When the ethylene concentration signal received by the control module is lower than the set concentration threshold signal, the control module controls the first valve to close. The control module can use a comparator to compare the magnitude of the received ethylene concentration signal and the set concentration threshold signal.

[0058] In some embodiments of the present application, the control module controls the opening and closing of the second valve according to the received humidity signal. When the humidity signal received by the control module is higher than the set humidity threshold signal, the control module controls the second valve to open, and the dehumidification module is used to reduce the humidity of the gas in the second air outlet duct. When the humidity signal received by the control module is lower than the set humidity threshold signal, the control module controls the second valve to close. The control module can use a comparator to compare the magnitude of the received humidity signal and the set humidity threshold signal.

[0059] In some other embodiments of the present application, when the ethylene concentration signal received by the control module is higher than the first set concentration threshold signal, the control module controls the first valve to open, and the ethylene removal module is used to reduce the ethylene concentration. When the ethylene concentration signal received by the control module is lower than the second set concentration threshold signal, the control module controls the first valve to close. The first set concentration threshold signal is greater than the second set concentration threshold signal. The comparison between the ethylene concentration signal and the first and second set concentration threshold signals can be achieved by two comparators in the control module. The control module controls the opening and closing of the first valve according to the output signals of the two comparators.

[0060] In some other embodiments of the present application, when the humidity signal received by the control module is higher than the first set humidity threshold signal, the control module controls the second valve to open, and the dehumidification module is used to reduce the gas humidity. When the humidity signal received by the control module is lower than the second set humidity threshold signal, the control module controls the second valve to close. The first set humidity threshold signal is greater than the second set humidity threshold signal. The comparison between the humidity signal and the first and second set humidity threshold signals can be achieved by two comparators in the control module. The control module controls the opening and closing of the second valve according to the output signals of the two comparators.

[0061] For example, referring to Figure 4 as shown, the control module includes an MCU, a first analog-to-digital converter, a second analog-to-digital converter, a first comparator U1, a second comparator U2, a third comparator U3, and a fourth comparator U4.

[0062] The non-inverting inputs of the first comparator U1 and the second comparator U2 are both connected to the output of the ethylene sensor through the first analog-to-digital converter. The inverting input of the first comparator U1 is connected to the first reference voltage Ref1 (i.e., the first set concentration threshold signal). The inverting input of the second comparator U2 is connected to the second reference voltage Ref2 (i.e., the second set concentration threshold signal). The output terminals of the first comparator U1 and the second comparator U2 are respectively connected to the MCU.

[0063] The MCU controls the on / off of the first valve according to the output signals of the first comparator U1 and the second comparator U2 received. When both the first comparator U1 and the second comparator U2 output high-level signals, the MCU controls the first valve to open. When both the first comparator U1 and the second comparator U2 output low-level signals, the MCU controls the first valve to close. When the first comparator U1 outputs a low-level signal and the second comparator U2 outputs a high-level signal, the first valve maintains its current open / closed state.

[0064] The non-inverting inputs of the third comparator U3 and the non-inverting input of the fourth comparator U4 are both connected to the output of the humidity sensor through a second analog-to-digital converter. The inverting input of the third comparator U3 is connected to the third reference voltage Ref3 (i.e., the first set humidity threshold signal); the inverting input of the fourth comparator U4 is connected to the fourth reference voltage Ref4 (i.e., the second set humidity threshold signal). The output terminals of the third comparator U3 and the fourth comparator U4 are respectively connected to the MCU.

[0065] The MCU controls the opening and closing of the second valve according to the output signals of the third comparator U3 and the fourth comparator U4 received. When both the third comparator U3 and the fourth comparator U4 output high-level signals, the MCU controls the second valve to open. When both the third comparator U3 and the fourth comparator U4 output low-level signals, the MCU controls the second valve to close. When the third comparator U3 outputs a low-level signal and the fourth comparator U4 outputs a high-level signal, the second valve maintains its current open / closed state.

[0066] In some embodiments of the present application, the ethylene removal module includes a first adsorption layer 31, a catalytic layer 33, and a second adsorption layer 32 arranged in a stacked manner. See Figure 3 as shown.

[0067] The first adsorption layer 31 and the second adsorption layer 32 are used to adsorb ethylene, and the catalytic layer 33 is used to decompose ethylene. When the adsorption layer reaches saturation, ethylene molecules will be released to the catalytic layer for catalytic decomposition.

[0068] The first adsorption layer 31, the catalytic layer 33, and the second adsorption layer 32 are arranged in a stacked manner along the direction of the air flow. The air flow passes through the first adsorption layer 31, the catalytic layer 33, and the second adsorption layer 32 in sequence. By providing two adsorption layers, the adsorption efficiency of ethylene is improved.

[0069] By designing the ethylene removal module with the above structure, the efficiency of ethylene removal can be improved.

[0070] In some embodiments of the present application, in order to improve the adsorption efficiency of ethylene, the first adsorption layer and the second adsorption layer are made of activated carbon fibers or nanocomposites.

[0071] Activated carbon fibers or nanocomposites are efficient ethylene adsorption materials to ensure efficient adsorption of ethylene.

[0072] In some embodiments of the present application, in order to improve the catalytic efficiency of ethylene, the catalytic layer is made of noble metal catalysts or transition metal oxides.

[0073] Noble metal catalysts or transition metal oxides are efficient and stable catalysts to ensure complete decomposition of ethylene.

[0074] In some embodiments of the present application, the catalytic layer 33 is made of titanium dioxide, and an ultraviolet lamp 34 is provided inside the catalytic layer 33. The ultraviolet lamp 34 emits ultraviolet rays. Under the action of titanium dioxide and ultraviolet rays, ethylene decomposes rapidly.

[0075] Titanium dioxide is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula TiO2. In combination with ultraviolet rays, titanium dioxide can decompose ethylene efficiently and rapidly. Titanium dioxide is a transition metal oxide with stable performance and low cost.

[0076] Therefore, in addition to the ethylene removal module adopting the design of a double-sided adsorption layer and an intermediate catalytic layer, an ultraviolet lamp is provided inside the catalytic layer.

[0077] In some embodiments of the present application, the ethylene removal module further includes a columnar housing with a hollow interior and openings at both ends. The outer peripheral surface of the columnar housing abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the first air outlet duct 22; the first adsorption layer 31, the catalytic layer 33, and the second adsorption layer 32 are arranged in a stacked manner along the axial direction of the columnar housing inside the columnar housing; the outer peripheral surfaces of the first adsorption layer 31, the catalytic layer 33, and the second adsorption layer 32 abut against the inner peripheral surface of the columnar housing.

[0078] There are openings at both ends of the columnar housing. The air flow in the first air outlet duct 22 enters the columnar housing through one of the openings, and the air flow sequentially passes through the first adsorption layer 31, the catalytic layer 33, and the second adsorption layer 32, and then flows out of the columnar housing through the other opening. Since the outer peripheral surface of the columnar housing abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the first air outlet duct 22; the inner peripheral surface of the columnar housing abuts against the outer peripheral surfaces of the first adsorption layer 31, the catalytic layer 33, and the second adsorption layer 32, it is possible to prevent the air flow that has not undergone ethylene removal from entering the fresh-keeping chamber, and the ethylene adsorption efficiency can be maximized, and the ethylene concentration in the fresh-keeping chamber can be reduced as soon as possible.

[0079] The first adsorption layer 31, the catalytic layer 33, and the second adsorption layer 32 are all columnar and coaxial with the columnar housing.

[0080] The first adsorption layer 31 and the second adsorption layer 32 are in full contact with the air to maximize the ethylene adsorption efficiency.

[0081] An ultraviolet lamp 34 is provided inside the catalytic layer 33. The ultraviolet lamp 34 is strip-shaped and coaxial with the columnar housing.

[0082] The ethylene sensor is used to detect the real-time ethylene concentration in the fresh-keeping chamber. Since the density of ethylene is lower than that of air, in some embodiments of the present application, in order to improve the detection accuracy of the ethylene concentration, the ethylene sensor is installed at the top of the fresh-keeping chamber.

[0083] In some embodiments of the present application, in order to increase the humidity of the fresh-keeping chamber, the refrigerator further includes a humidifying module. The humidifying pipeline 24 of the humidifying module is communicated with the third air inlet of the fresh-keeping chamber; the control module controls the operation of the humidifying module according to the humidity signal sent by the received humidity sensor.

[0084] When the humidifying module operates, water mist is generated. The water mist enters the fresh-keeping chamber through the humidifying pipeline 24 to increase the humidity of the fresh-keeping chamber.

[0085] When the humidity signal received by the control module is lower than the second set humidity threshold signal, the control module controls the humidifying module to operate to increase the humidity of the fresh-keeping chamber.

[0086] In some embodiments of the present application, the humidifying module is an ultrasonic humidifier. The ultrasonic humidifier generates water mist through ultrasonic waves to increase the humidity of the fresh-keeping chamber.

[0087] The ultrasonic humidifier is internally provided with an atomizing sheet. The atomizing sheet throws the water in the water tank away from the water surface through high-frequency vibration to generate water mist, achieving the purpose of humidification.

[0088] In some embodiments of the present application, a drain port is further provided at the bottom of the second air outlet duct 23. The drain port is connected to the water tank of the humidifying module through a drain pipe. When water droplets are generated in the second air outlet duct 23 due to dehumidification, the water can flow to the water tank of the humidifying module through the drain port for reuse, so as to reduce the humidification cost.

[0089] In some embodiments of the present application, the dehumidifying module is an evaporator, and the evaporator is arranged inside the second air outlet duct 23 or on the outer side wall of the second air outlet duct 23.

[0090] When the evaporator is directly arranged inside the second air outlet duct 23, the air flow in the second air outlet duct 23 can directly pass through the evaporator, and the dehumidification effect is better.

[0091] When the evaporator is arranged on the outer side wall of the second air outlet duct 23, it does not occupy the internal space of the second air outlet duct 23, and can also reduce the humidity of the air flow in the second air outlet duct 23.

[0092] There is low-temperature refrigerant in the evaporator, and the temperature is relatively low. The evaporator can reduce the gas temperature, so that the moisture in the gas liquefies into small water droplets, thereby reducing the gas humidity. The condensed water falls to the bottom of the second air outlet duct and flows to the water tank of the humidifying module through the drain port, realizing the utilization of the condensed water.

[0093] The compressor, condenser, throttling element, and evaporator form the refrigeration system of the refrigerator.

[0094] Therefore, using an evaporator for dehumidification can achieve the dehumidification function without additional devices, reducing space occupancy and cost. The condensed water flows to the water tank of the humidification module, and the humidification module uses the condensed water to achieve the humidification function, reducing the humidification cost.

[0095] In the refrigerator of this embodiment, by setting an ethylene removal module, a dehumidification module, and a humidification module, and combining humidity control and photocatalytic technology, high-efficiency ethylene removal can be achieved without affecting the high-humidity fresh-keeping function, which has important practical value and market demand.

[0096] Since too high humidity will reduce the reaction rate of the catalytic layer and the effect of ethylene removal will be reduced. Therefore, the refrigerator of this embodiment combines humidity control technology and photocatalytic technology to solve such problems, and it is a refrigerator with low cost and can efficiently remove ethylene in a high-humidity fresh-keeping environment.

[0097] In some embodiments of this application, the air outlet, the third air inlet, the first air inlet, and the second air inlet of the fresh-keeping chamber are arranged from top to bottom.

[0098] A temperature sensor is also provided in the fresh-keeping chamber to detect the real-time temperature in the fresh-keeping chamber.

[0099] Next, in combination with Figure 5 , the working process of the refrigerator will be specifically described.

[0100] The refrigerator body is provided with a refrigerating chamber, a fresh-keeping chamber (fruit and vegetable chamber), and a freezing chamber.

[0101] The fresh-keeping chamber has an air outlet, a first air inlet, a second air inlet, and a third air inlet.

[0102] A damper A is provided at the air inlet of the air inlet duct 21; a first valve V1 is provided at the air inlet of the first air outlet duct 22, and a damper D is provided at the air outlet; a second valve V2 is provided at the air inlet of the second air outlet duct 23, and a damper C is provided at the air outlet. A damper B is provided at the air outlet of the humidifying duct 24. A drain valve G is provided at the drain outlet. The control module controls the opening and closing of dampers A, B, C, D, drain valve G, first valve V1, and second valve V2 respectively.

[0103] Dampers A, C, and D mainly control the air circulation in the fresh-keeping chamber. Damper B mainly cooperates with the ultrasonic humidification module to increase the humidity in the fruit and vegetable chamber. When the drain valve G is opened, water droplets can be discharged through the drain outlet into the water tank of the ultrasonic humidification module.

[0104] The first valve V1 and the second valve V2 are solenoid valves. The control module controls the opening and closing of the first valve V1 and the second valve V2. When the second valve V2 is opened and the first valve V1 is closed, the air flow will flow from A to C. When the first valve V1 is opened and the second valve V2 is closed, the air flow will flow from A to D.

[0105] An ethylene removal module E is used to remove ethylene in the room. An ultraviolet lamp is installed in the ethylene removal module, and ethylene can only be removed when the ultraviolet lamp is turned on.

[0106] The fan is installed inside the air inlet duct 21. In cooperation with the dehumidification module, humidification module, and humidity sensor, indoor humidity control is achieved.

[0107] The process of ethylene removal is as follows: detecting ethylene, dehumidifying, removing ethylene, and humidifying for preservation.

[0108] The specific working process is as follows:

[0109] (1) Power-on initialization: Close dampers A, B, C, D, and drain valve G; turn off all loads (including the fan, ultrasonic humidification module, ultraviolet lamp, first valve, second valve).

[0110] (2) Ethylene concentration detection stage: Detect the ethylene concentration value in the preservation room through the ethylene sensor. The control module determines whether the concentration value is higher than threshold 1 (the first set concentration threshold signal). If it is higher than threshold 1, enter the dehumidification stage; otherwise, enter the humidification and preservation stage.

[0111] (3) Dehumidification stage: Close dampers B, D, and ultrasonic humidification module; open dampers A, C, and drain valve G, open second valve V2, close first valve V1; start the fan to accelerate the indoor air circulation, let the air flow from A to C, and start the compressor for 10 minutes. The water vapor in the air flow will liquefy into small water droplets after passing through the evaporator and flow back into the water tank of the ultrasonic humidification module from the drain port, achieving rapid humidity reduction.

[0112] Detect the humidity value of the preservation room. The control module determines whether the humidity is lower than the threshold. If so, enter the ethylene removal stage.

[0113] (4) Ethylene removal stage: Detect the ethylene concentration value; turn on the ultraviolet lamp. Close B, C, G, and second valve V2; open dampers A, D, first valve V1, start the fan, and let the indoor air flow from A to D. When ethylene enters the ethylene removal module E, the ethylene concentration can be reduced due to catalytic oxidation.

[0114] Detect the indoor ethylene concentration value. The control module determines whether the concentration value is lower than threshold 2 (the second set concentration threshold signal). If it is, enter the humidification and preservation stage.

[0115] (5) Humidification and preservation stage: Close dampers A, C, D, turn off the fan and ultraviolet lamp; if the humidity in the preservation room is lower than the threshold, open damper B; after turning on the ultrasonic humidification module for 15 minutes, return to the ethylene concentration detection stage.

[0116] In existing refrigerators, physical adsorption is mostly used to remove ethylene. The disadvantage is that the adsorption module is placed in the fresh-keeping chamber, which will occupy a certain space. There is still residual ethylene in the fresh-keeping chamber, and the ethylene removal efficiency is not high, and the action time is relatively short. Especially in a high-humidity environment, it needs to be replaced frequently. In addition, some refrigerators are equipped with a specific ethylene removal module inside the refrigerator, mainly using the metal catalyst catalytic decomposition method. The disadvantage is that the reaction rate of the metal catalyst is relatively slow and requires a certain reaction time; while the noble metal catalyst with good activity selectivity is expensive. There are also some refrigerators that use the supermagnetic ion electrolysis technology to remove ethylene, that is, a continuously discharging supermagnetic discharge field is set. When air enters this supermagnetic discharge field, it will be ionized and a large number of ions will be released. These ions have strong purification ability and can decompose ethylene in the air into harmless small molecules, but the price cost is expensive and regular maintenance is required. The refrigerator of this embodiment uses an ethylene removal module that not only has two adsorption layers, but also uses a catalytic layer and an ultraviolet lamp to decompose ethylene. The photocatalytic control of the ethylene removal module mainly uses the photocatalytic characteristics of the TiO2 catalytic layer to degrade ethylene gas. However, in a high-humidity environment, the photocatalytic control efficiency will be inhibited. Therefore, this application uses an evaporator to dehumidify the gas and maximize the ethylene removal photocatalytic control efficiency. This application combines the humidity control technology (dehumidification module) and the photocatalytic control technology (catalytic layer and ultraviolet lamp) to efficiently remove ethylene in the fresh-keeping chamber of the refrigerator. At the same time, a circulation fan is arranged inside the air outlet duct of this application to accelerate the air flow circulation in the fresh-keeping chamber, so that the ethylene removal efficiency reaches the maximum. The refrigerator of this embodiment combines the dehumidification module and the ethylene removal module, and can efficiently remove ethylene in a high-humidity fresh-keeping environment, and the cost is low.

[0117] The refrigerator of this embodiment has the following advantages:

[0118] (1) Combining technologies such as humidity control technology and photocatalytic control, it can efficiently remove ethylene and keep fresh efficiently in a high-humidity fresh-keeping environment.

[0119] (2) High efficiency utilization rate. Only by turning on the ultraviolet lamp can ethylene be removed for a long time, which greatly reduces the use cost and improves the convenience of use.

[0120] (3) The cost of the ethylene removal module is relatively low, and it is set inside the refrigerator, without occupying too much external space, which is beautiful and practical.

[0121] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements for some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that: include: The box body has a fresh-keeping room inside; an ethylene sensor and a humidity sensor are arranged in the fresh-keeping room; An air duct assembly, comprising an air inlet duct, a first air outlet duct, and a second air outlet duct; the air inlet of the air inlet duct is connected to the air outlet of the fresh-keeping chamber; the air outlet of the air inlet duct is respectively connected to the air inlet of the first air outlet duct and the air inlet of the second air outlet duct; the air outlet of the first air outlet duct is connected to the first air inlet of the fresh-keeping chamber; the air outlet of the second air outlet duct is connected to the second air inlet of the fresh-keeping chamber; a fan is arranged in the air inlet duct, a first valve is arranged at the air inlet of the first air outlet duct, and a second valve is arranged at the air inlet of the second air outlet duct; an ethylene removal module, which is disposed in the first air outlet duct and removes ethylene from the gas in the first air outlet duct; a dehumidification module, used for dehumidifying the gas in the second air outlet duct; A control module receives the ethylene concentration signal detected by the ethylene sensor and the humidity signal detected by the humidity sensor, and controls the opening and closing of the first valve and the second valve.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ethylene removal module comprises a first adsorption layer, a catalytic layer and a second adsorption layer which are stacked.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first adsorption layer and the second adsorption layer are made of activated carbon fibers or nano-composite materials.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The catalytic layer is made of a noble metal catalyst or a transition metal oxide.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The catalytic layer is made of titanium dioxide and has an ultraviolet lamp inside.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ethylene removal module further comprises a columnar shell, the columnar shell is hollow inside and has openings at both ends; the outer circumference of the columnar shell abuts against the inner circumference of the first air outlet duct; The first adsorption layer, the catalytic layer, and the second adsorption layer are stacked and arranged in the columnar shell along the axial direction of the columnar shell; The outer peripheral surfaces of the first adsorption layer, the catalytic layer, and the second adsorption layer abut against the inner peripheral surface of the columnar shell.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ethylene sensor is installed on the top of the fresh-keeping chamber.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigerator further comprises a humidification module, wherein a humidification pipeline of the humidification module is connected to the third air inlet of the fresh-keeping chamber; The control module controls the operation of the humidification module according to the humidity signal received from the humidity sensor.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, characterized in that: A drain port is also provided at the bottom of the second air outlet duct, and the drain port is connected to the water tank of the humidification module.

10. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The dehumidification module is an evaporator, and is disposed inside the second air outlet duct or on an outer side wall of the second air outlet duct.

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