Heat conduction piece, heating assembly and refrigerator
By designing a heat-conducting component that connects to the heating element in the refrigerator, the problem of clogged drain outlets in the drip tray is solved, achieving effective defrosting and ice removal as well as stable heat transfer, ensuring normal drainage of the refrigerator.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422784299.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-14
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-28
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-11-14
AI Technical Summary
The drain outlet of the water tray of an existing refrigerator is easily clogged by residual ice, causing water to overflow.
Design a heat-conducting component, including a main body and a bent part. The bent part is connected to the heating pipe and transfers heat, directly heating the drain outlet and its surroundings to prevent ice buildup. The component is also easy to install or remove via a handle.
It effectively prevents the drain outlet from becoming clogged, ensuring the normal drainage function of the water tray, while also improving the connection strength between the heat-conducting component and the heating pipe and the heat transfer efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN223484639U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application belongs to the field of refrigerator technology, and particularly relates to a heat-conducting component, a heating assembly, and a refrigerator. Background Technology
[0002] Modern refrigerators typically have heating elements around the evaporator to heat the frost layer and defrost it. A drip tray is usually located at the bottom of the evaporator to collect the liquid water formed by the melting frost. The drip tray has a drain outlet through which the water drains out.
[0003] However, if there is residual ice in the drip tray, it can cause blockage of the drain, leading to problems such as water overflowing from the drip tray. Utility Model Content
[0004] This application provides a heat-conducting component, a heating assembly, and a refrigerator to solve the problem of ice blockage at the drain outlet of the drip tray in existing refrigerators.
[0005] This application provides a heat-conducting component for use in a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes an evaporator, a heating element, and a drip tray. The heating element is disposed around the periphery of the evaporator, and the drip tray is located at the bottom of the evaporator along the direction of gravity. The drip tray has a drain outlet. The heat-conducting component includes:
[0006] The main body has one end extending into the drain outlet;
[0007] The bent portion includes a connecting end and a free end. The connecting end is bent and connected to the other end of the main body. The free end has a first state in which it deforms closer to the main body so that the bent portion and the other end of the main body are engaged with the heating tube, and a second state in which it deforms away from the main body so that the bent portion and the other end of the main body are separated from the heating tube.
[0008] The free end is provided with a hand grip.
[0009] Optionally, the bent portion is elastic.
[0010] Optionally, both the main body and the bent portion are made of metal.
[0011] This application embodiment also provides a heating component applied to a refrigerator, the refrigerator including an evaporator and a drip tray, the drip tray being located at the bottom of the evaporator along the direction of gravity, the drip tray having a drain outlet, the heating component including:
[0012] A heating element is disposed around the periphery of the evaporator for heating the evaporator;
[0013] As described above, the heat-conducting component includes:
[0014] The main body has one end extending into the drain outlet;
[0015] The bent portion includes a connecting end and a free end. The connecting end is bent and connected to the other end of the main body. The free end has a first state in which it deforms closer to the main body so that the bent portion and the other end of the main body are engaged with the heating tube, and a second state in which it deforms away from the main body so that the bent portion and the other end of the main body are separated from the heating tube.
[0016] The free end is provided with a hand grip.
[0017] Optionally, when the free end is in the first state, the free end, the connecting end, and the other end of the main body are clamped together to form a limiting groove, and the bent part and the other end of the main body are engaged with the heating tube through the limiting groove;
[0018] In the direction of gravity, the free end is at least partially located below the heating tube.
[0019] Optionally, the limiting groove is conformally matched with the corresponding heating tube.
[0020] Optionally, the heating tube includes a rectangular tube segment, and the limiting groove corresponds to a rectangular groove.
[0021] Optionally, the gripper includes a flange that extends from the free end toward the side opposite to the limiting groove.
[0022] Optionally, the heating tube includes a first tube body near the water receiving tray, and the other end of the bent portion and the main body portion are jointly engaged with the first tube body.
[0023] This application embodiment also provides a refrigerator, including:
[0024] Such as the heat-conducting components mentioned above;
[0025] Or, as described above, a heating component.
[0026] The heat-conducting component provided in this embodiment deforms by pressing the free end so that the bent portion and the other end of the main body are jointly engaged with the heating pipe, and one end of the main body extends into the drain outlet of the water receiving tray. This transfers heat from the heating pipe to the drain outlet, heating the drain outlet and the surrounding water receiving tray. When residual ice flows to or around the drain outlet, the heat-conducting component heats the ice, causing it to melt into water, thus preventing ice buildup and blockage, and ensuring the drainage function of the water receiving tray. Simultaneously, the free end has a handle, providing a point of leverage for deformation and facilitating the installation or removal of the heat-conducting component. Furthermore, the free end deforms so that the other end of the bent part and the main body are jointly engaged with the heating tube, that is, the heat-conducting component exerts a certain pressure on the heating tube, so the connection strength between the heat-conducting component and the heating tube is relatively large. Even if the heating tube vibrates to a certain extent during use, the heat-conducting component will not move relative to the heating tube, ensuring the heat transfer between the heat-conducting component and the heating tube, as well as the heating effect of the heat-conducting component on the drain outlet or the area around the drain outlet. Attached Figure Description
[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0028] To gain a more complete understanding of this application and its beneficial effects, the following description will be provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals denote the same parts.
[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the heat-conducting component provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the heat-conducting component provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the heating tube of the heating assembly provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0034] 1. Evaporator;
[0035] 2. Heating element; 21. First tube body; 211. Rectangular tube segment;
[0036] 3. Water tray; 31. Drain outlet;
[0037] 4. Heat-conducting component; 41. Main body; 42. Bending part; 421. Connecting end; 422. Free end; 423. Hand grip; 43. Limiting groove. Detailed Implementation
[0038] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0039] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0040] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.
[0041] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0042] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different structures of this application. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. Of course, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples; such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed. In addition, various specific examples of processes and materials are provided in this application, but those skilled in the art will recognize the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.
[0043] This application provides a heat-conducting component, a heating assembly, and a refrigerator to solve the problem of ice blockage at the drain outlet of the drip tray in existing refrigerators. The following description is in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0044] The heat-conducting component 4 provided in this embodiment is applied to a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes an evaporator 1, a heating element 2, and a drip tray 3. The heating element 2 is disposed around the periphery of the evaporator 1, and the drip tray 3 is located at the bottom of the evaporator 1 along the direction of gravity. The drip tray 3 is provided with a drain outlet 31. The heat-conducting component 4 includes a main body 41 and a bent portion 42. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the heat-conducting component provided in an embodiment of this application. One end of the main body 41 extends into the drain outlet 31. The bent portion 42 includes a connecting end 421 and a free end 422. The connecting end 421 is bent and connected to the other end of the main body 41. The free end 422 has a first state in which it deforms closer to the main body 41 so that the other end of the bent portion 42 and the main body 41 are engaged with the heating tube 2, and a second state in which it deforms away from the main body 41 so that the other end of the bent portion 42 and the main body 41 are separated from the heating tube 2. The free end 422 is provided with a handle 423. Specifically, the bent portion 42 and the main body 41 are integrally formed.
[0045] The heat-conducting component 4 provided in this embodiment deforms by pressing the free end 422 so that the bent part 42 and the other end of the main body 41 are jointly engaged with the heating pipe 2, and one end of the main body 41 extends into the drain outlet 31 of the water receiving tray 3, thereby transferring the heat of the heating pipe 2 to the drain outlet 31. The heat-conducting component 4 heats the drain outlet 31 and the water receiving tray 3 around the drain outlet 31. When residual ice flows to the drain outlet 31 or the area around the drain outlet 31, the heat-conducting component 4 heats the residual ice, causing it to melt into water, thereby preventing residual ice from accumulating in the drain outlet 31 and causing blockage, and ensuring the drainage function of the water receiving tray 3. At the same time, since the free end 422 is provided with a handle 423, it provides a point of force when the free end 422 is deformed, making it easy to install or remove the heat-conducting component 4. Furthermore, the free end 422 deforms so that the other end of the bent part 42 and the main body part 41 are jointly engaged with the heating tube 2, that is, the heat-conducting element 4 exerts a certain pressure on the heating tube 2. Therefore, the connection strength between the heat-conducting element 4 and the heating tube 2 is relatively large. Even if the heating tube 2 vibrates to a certain extent during use, the heat-conducting element 4 will not move relative to the heating tube 2, ensuring the heat transfer between the heat-conducting element 4 and the heating tube 2, as well as the heating effect of the heat-conducting element 4 on the drain outlet 31 or the area around the drain outlet 31.
[0046] As an alternative implementation, the bent portion 42 includes a connecting end 421 and a free end 422. The connecting end 421 is bent and connected to the other end of the main body portion 41. The free end 422 has a first state in which it deforms closer to the main body portion 41 so that the other end of the bent portion 42 and the main body portion 41 are engaged with the heat transfer tube of the evaporator 1, and a second state in which it deforms away from the main body portion 41 so that the other end of the bent portion 42 and the main body portion 41 are separated from the heat transfer tube of the evaporator 1. The free end 422 is provided with a latch 423. That is, the heat-conducting element 4 directly transfers the heat on the sensing tube of the evaporator 1 to the drain outlet 31 of the water receiving pan 3. This solution is also applicable to refrigeration systems without heating tube 2.
[0047] Optionally, the bending portion 42 is elastic, thereby improving the deformation capacity of the free end 422 and meeting the requirement of reusing the heat-conducting component 4. That is, the heat-conducting component 4 can be installed or removed multiple times without easily deforming or being damaged, thus improving the utilization rate of the heat-conducting component 4. Furthermore, the elasticity of the bending portion 42 can be relatively large. The specific elastic force value of the bending portion 42 is not limited here. Due to the large elasticity of the bending portion 42, the user can use a small force to compress the free end 422 to achieve installation or removal, and can even install or remove it by hand.
[0048] Optionally, both the main body 41 and the bent portion 42 are made of metal. This further ensures the heat conduction effect of the heat-conducting component 4. Furthermore, both the main body 41 and the bent portion 42 are made of corrosion-resistant material, thereby improving the service life of the heat-conducting component 4.
[0049] This application embodiment also provides a heating assembly applied to a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes an evaporator 1 and a drip tray 3. The drip tray 3 is located at the bottom of the evaporator 1 along the direction of gravity and has a drain outlet 31. The heating assembly includes a heating tube 2 and a heat-conducting component 4 as described above. The heating tube 2 is disposed around the periphery of the evaporator 1 and is used to heat the evaporator 1. The heat-conducting component 4 includes a main body 41 and a bent portion 42. One end of the main body 41 extends into the drain outlet 31; the bent portion 42 includes a connecting end 421 and a free end 422. The connecting end 421 is bent and connected to the other end of the main body 41. The free end 422 has a first state in which it deforms closer to the main body 41 so that the other end of the bent portion 42 and the main body 41 are engaged with the heating tube 2, and a second state in which it deforms away from the main body 41 so that the other end of the bent portion 42 and the main body 41 are separated from the heating tube 2; the free end 422 has a handle 423.
[0050] The heat from the heating tube 2 is directed to the drain outlet 31 of the water receiving pan 3 by the heat-conducting component 4. There is no need to set up an additional heat source to defrost or defrost the drain outlet 31 of the water receiving pan 3. The heat-conducting component 4 has a simple structure and low manufacturing cost, which can solve the problem of ice blockage at the drain outlet 31 of the water receiving pan 3 at a low cost. In addition, the heat-conducting component 4 can be reused and has a long service life.
[0051] Optionally, when the free end 422 is in the first state, the free end 422, the connecting end 421 and the other end of the main body 41 are clamped together to form a limiting groove 43, and the other end of the bent part 42 and the main body 41 are engaged with the heating tube 2 through the limiting groove 43; in the direction of gravity, the free end 422 is at least partially located below the heating tube 2.
[0052] When the heat-conducting component 4 needs to be installed on the heating tube 2, the free end 422 is deformed by pressing it so that the free end 422, the connecting end 421 and the other end of the main body 41 are clamped together to form a limiting groove 43. This satisfies the clamping and limiting effect between the heat-conducting component 4 and the heating tube 2. At the same time, it is not necessary to abut the free end 422 against the main body 41. That is, the free end 422 can be deformed to achieve the connection effect between the heat-conducting component 4 and the heating tube 2. There is no need to further press the free end 422 against the main body 41, which reduces the installation requirements of the heat-conducting component 4 and saves the time of pressing the free end 422 against the main body 41. Meanwhile, the free end 422 is at least partially located below the heating tube 2. That is, the free end 422 limits the movement of the heat-conducting component 4 in the vertical direction, preventing the heat-conducting component 4 from vibrating with the heating tube 2 and thus detaching from the top of the heating tube 2 when the heating tube 2 vibrates. Since the free end 422 is at least partially located below the heating tube 2, when the heat-conducting component 4 moves upward with the heating tube 2, the free end 422 abuts against the heating tube 2, further limiting the heat-conducting component 4 from continuing to move upward, thereby preventing the heat-conducting component 4 from detaching from the top of the heating tube 2 and ensuring the connection and limiting effect between the heat-conducting component 4 and the heating tube 2.
[0053] Of course, in other examples, when the free end 422 is in the first state, the free end 422, the connecting end 421 and the other end of the main body 41 can be clamped together to form a limiting hole, that is, the free end 422 and the main body 41 abut against each other to form a closed hole, thereby achieving a better connection effect between the heat-conducting component 4 and the heating tube 2.
[0054] Optionally, the limiting groove 43 is conformally matched with the corresponding heating tube 2, thereby further improving the connection strength between the heat-conducting component 4 and the heating tube 2, preventing the existence of a gap between the heating tube 2 and the heat-conducting component 4, and preventing the relative movement of the heating tube 2 and the heat-conducting component 4 when the heating tube 2 shakes or vibrates, thus ensuring the connection and limiting effect of the heat-conducting component 4 and the heating tube 2.
[0055] For one specific implementation method, please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the heating tube structure of the heating assembly provided in this application embodiment. The heating tube 2 includes a rectangular tube segment 211, and the limiting groove 43 is a corresponding rectangular groove. Specifically, other tube segments of the heating tube 2 can be cylindrical. Since the rectangular tube segment 211 has a different shape from the other cylindrical tube segments, even if there is a tendency for relative movement between the rectangular groove matching the cylindrical tube segment and the cylindrical tube segment, it will be difficult to move further due to the mismatch in shape with the cylindrical tube segment, thus further ensuring the connection strength between the heat-conducting component 4 and the corresponding part of the heating tube 2.
[0056] In another specific implementation, the heating tube 2 includes irregularly shaped tube segments, and the limiting groove 43 corresponds to an irregularly shaped groove. Specifically, other tube segments of the heating tube 2 can be cylindrical. Since the shape difference between the cylindrical tube segments and the irregularly shaped tube segments is greater, the power required for the heat-conducting component 4 to transition the cylindrical tube segments is further increased, thereby ensuring the connection strength between the heat-conducting component 4 and the corresponding part of the heating tube 2.
[0057] Optionally, the gripper 423 includes a flange that extends from the free end 422 toward the side opposite to the limiting groove 43. In one specific embodiment, the flange extends away from the main body 41 along the direction of gravity, and when the flange is pressed to deform the free end 422 toward the main body 41, the folding direction of the flange is more conducive to force application. In one specific embodiment, the flange extends along the direction of gravity.
[0058] As an alternative implementation, the gripper 423 may also include a handle, which may be ring-shaped, allowing the user to insert their fingers into the ring-shaped handle and cause the free end 422 to deform toward or away from the main body 41.
[0059] Optionally, please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the heat-conducting component provided in this application embodiment. The heating tube 2 includes a first tube body 21 near the water receiving pan 3, and the other end of the bent portion 42 and the main body 41 are jointly snapped into the first tube body 21. That is, a portion of the heating tube 2, such as the first tube body 21, can be positioned near the water receiving pan 3 to heat and defrost or defrost the water receiving pan 3 in the extension direction of the first tube body 21. At the same time, since the first tube body 21 is close to the water receiving pan 3, the length of the heat-conducting component 4 can be shortened, reducing heat loss of the heat-conducting component 4 during the heat transfer process and improving the heat conduction effect of the heat-conducting component 4.
[0060] Furthermore, the first tube 21 can be located between the evaporator 1 and the water receiving pan 3, close to the water receiving pan 3, so that the first tube 21 can heat the water receiving pan 3 and the evaporator 1 simultaneously.
[0061] Optionally, the drip tray 3 can be made of aluminum.
[0062] This application also provides a refrigerator; please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of this application. The refrigerator includes the heat-conducting component 4 as described above or the heating component as described above.
[0063] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.
[0064] The above provides a detailed description of the heat-conducting component, heating assembly, and refrigerator provided in the embodiments of this application. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the ideas of this application. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.
Claims
1. A heat-conducting component, used in a refrigerator, characterized in that, The refrigerator includes an evaporator, a heating element, and a drip tray. The heating element is disposed around the periphery of the evaporator, and the drip tray is located at the bottom of the evaporator along the direction of gravity. The drip tray has a drain outlet. The heat-conducting component includes: The main body has one end extending into the drain outlet; The bent portion includes a connecting end and a free end. The connecting end is bent and connected to the other end of the main body. The free end has a first state in which it deforms closer to the main body so that the bent portion and the other end of the main body are engaged with the heating tube, and a second state in which it deforms away from the main body so that the bent portion and the other end of the main body are separated from the heating tube. The free end is provided with a hand grip.
2. The heat-conducting component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bent portion is elastic.
3. The heat-conducting component according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the main body and the bent part are made of metal.
4. A heating component for use in a refrigerator, characterized in that, The refrigerator includes an evaporator and a drip tray, the drip tray being located at the bottom of the evaporator along the direction of gravity, and the drip tray having a drain outlet. The heating assembly includes: A heating element is disposed around the periphery of the evaporator for heating the evaporator; The heat-conducting element as described in any one of claims 1-3, wherein the heat-conducting element comprises: The main body has one end extending into the drain outlet; The bent portion includes a connecting end and a free end. The connecting end is bent and connected to the other end of the main body. The free end has a first state in which it deforms closer to the main body so that the bent portion and the other end of the main body are engaged with the heating tube, and a second state in which it deforms away from the main body so that the bent portion and the other end of the main body are separated from the heating tube. The free end is provided with a hand grip.
5. The heating assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the free end is in the first state, the free end, the connecting end, and the other end of the main body are clamped together to form a limiting groove, and the bent part and the other end of the main body are connected to the heating tube through the limiting groove; In the direction of gravity, the free end is at least partially located below the heating tube.
6. The heating assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The limiting groove is conformally matched with the corresponding heating tube.
7. The heating assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The heating tube includes a rectangular tube segment, and the limiting groove is a corresponding rectangular groove.
8. The heating assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The gripping position includes a flange that extends from the free end toward the side opposite to the limiting groove.
9. The heating assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The heating tube includes a first tube body near the water receiving tray, and the other end of the bent portion and the main body portion are jointly engaged with the first tube body.
10. A refrigerator, characterized in that, include: The heat-conducting component as described in any one of claims 1-3; Or, the heating assembly as described in any one of claims 4-9.