Odor purification and sterilization device and household appliance

Abstract

The utility model discloses an odor removing and sterilizing device and a household appliance. The odor purification and sterilization device is used for the household appliance and comprises a shell, a fan, an ion generator, an electrode and a catalyst module, the shell comprises a volute part and a containing part communicated with the volute part, the fan is contained in the volute part, the ion generator, the electrode and the catalyst module are all arranged in the containing part, and the volute part is communicated with the containing part. Therefore, the fan, the ion generator, the electrode and the catalyst module are integrated in the shell, so that the odor removing and sterilizing device is compact in structure, the size of the odor removing and sterilizing device can be reduced, and the space utilization rate of the household appliance is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of household appliances, and in particular to a deodorizing and sterilizing device and a household appliance. Background Technology

[0002] Refrigerators are primarily cold-keeping devices that preserve food. However, with prolonged use, refrigerators accumulate a large amount of odors and bacteria. These odors mainly originate from the food and items inside, including the original smell of food, the off-flavors of food before and after spoilage, cross-contamination of odors, ethylene gas released from fruits and vegetables, volatile substances produced by bacterial metabolism and decay, and odors released from plastic parts, stored items, and residual detergents used for cleaning refrigerators. To remove odors and bacteria from the air, refrigerators are typically equipped with deodorizing and sterilizing devices. These devices are often quite large. Utility Model Content

[0003] This utility model provides an odor-eliminating and sterilizing device and a household appliance.

[0004] The odor-eliminating and sterilizing device of this application is used in household appliances. The odor-eliminating and sterilizing device includes a housing, a fan, an ion generator, electrodes, and a catalyst module. The housing includes a volute and a receiving portion that communicates with the volute. The fan is housed in the volute. The ion generator, electrodes, and catalyst module are all disposed in the receiving portion. The volute and the receiving portion are in communication.

[0005] In this way, by integrating the fan, ion generator, electrodes and catalyst module into the housing, the deodorizing and sterilizing device has a compact structure, which can reduce the size of the device and thus improve the space utilization of household appliances.

[0006] In some embodiments, the housing includes a first housing and a second housing detachably connected to the first housing, the volute portion includes a volute cavity formed in the second housing, the receiving portion includes a receiving cavity formed in the second housing, the fan is housed in the volute cavity, and the ion generator, electrode and catalyst module are all housed in the receiving cavity, with the volute cavity communicating with the receiving cavity.

[0007] In some embodiments, the volute and the receiving portion are arranged along a first direction, and the receiving portion has an air inlet communicating with the receiving cavity on the side away from the volute, and the volute has an air outlet communicating with the volute cavity on the side away from the receiving portion.

[0008] In some embodiments, an air duct is formed inside the housing, which connects the air inlet and the air outlet. The fan, ion generator, electrode and catalyst module are disposed inside the air duct. The air duct includes a receiving cavity and a volute cavity, and the direction of the air duct is the length direction of the housing.

[0009] In some embodiments, the fan discharges gas to the outlet in a first direction and draws in gas in a second direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the second direction.

[0010] In some embodiments, the catalyst module has a through hole that extends through the catalyst module along a first direction.

[0011] In some implementations, there are multiple through holes, which are arranged at intervals.

[0012] In some embodiments, there are multiple electrodes, which are respectively disposed on both sides of the catalyst module along the first direction.

[0013] In some implementations, the ion generator is located on one side of the catalyst module along a third direction and is electrically connected to the electrodes.

[0014] The household appliances described in this application include odor-eliminating and sterilizing devices.

[0015] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the deodorizing and sterilizing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the deodorizing and sterilizing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the deodorizing and sterilizing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 This is an exploded schematic diagram of the odor-removing and sterilizing device according to an embodiment of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the deodorizing and sterilizing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 100, Odor-eliminating and sterilizing device; 10, Housing; 11, Volute; 12, Receiving part; 13, First housing; 14, Second housing; 15, Volute cavity; 16, Receiving cavity; 17, Air inlet; 18, Air outlet; 19, Air duct; 20, Fan; 30, Ion generator; 40, Electrode; 50, Catalyst module; 51, Through hole; D1, First direction; D2, Second direction; D3, Third direction. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0024] In the description of this utility model, 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 the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description. They 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 utility model. 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 utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0025] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" 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 for communication; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0026] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly 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 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 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.

[0027] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing various structures of this invention. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. These are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 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, examples of various specific processes and materials are provided in this invention, but those skilled in the art will recognize the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0028] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The odor-removing and sterilizing device 100 of this application is used in household appliances. The odor-removing and sterilizing device 100 includes a housing 10, a fan 20, an ion generator 30, an electrode 40, and a catalyst module 50. The housing 10 includes a volute portion 11 and a receiving portion 12 communicating with the volute portion 11. The fan 20 is housed in the volute portion 11. The ion generator 30, the electrode 40, and the catalyst module 50 are all disposed in the receiving portion 12. The volute portion 11 and the receiving portion 12 are communicating.

[0029] Thus, by integrating the fan 20, ion generator 30, electrode 40 and catalyst module 50 into the housing 10, the deodorizing and sterilizing device 100 has a compact structure, which can reduce the volume of the deodorizing and sterilizing device 100 and thus improve the space utilization of household appliances.

[0030] Specifically, the household appliances can be refrigerators, air purifiers, sterilizers, air conditioners, etc. The household appliances include an odor-removing and sterilizing device 100, which is detachably installed inside the household appliances to remove odors and sterilize the gases in the household appliances.

[0031] The housing 10 can be the outer shell of the fan 20. The housing 10 can be made of materials such as plastic or metal. The housing 10 is used to house the fan 20, the ion generator 30, the electrode 40, and the catalyst module 50. The volute portion 11 and the housing portion 12 can be integrally molded structures or separate molded structures connected by mechanical means.

[0032] The ion generator 30 can be a plasma generator 30. The ion generator 30 uses a high-voltage transformer to boost the power frequency voltage to the required voltage. Electrodes 40 are used to generate a large amount of plasma. The positive and negative ions in the plasma undergo a momentary neutralization of positive and negative charges in the air, releasing a huge amount of energy. This causes changes in the structure or energy conversion of surrounding bacteria, leading to bacterial death and achieving its bactericidal effect. Because the number of negative ions is greater than the number of positive ions, the excess negative ions remain suspended in the air, which can help eliminate smoke and dust, freshen the air, improve cardiopulmonary function, and promote metabolism, thus benefiting physical and mental health.

[0033] The catalyst module 50 can be made of ceramic and has a catalyst surface coating. Through the effective reaction of the catalyst with VOC molecules in the air, the odor-removing effect is improved. The catalyst can be a honeycomb catalyst made of precious metals and various metal oxides, capable of catalytically decomposing odorous gases such as trimethylamine, methanethiol, ammonia, and formaldehyde at room temperature under a high-voltage electric field.

[0034] The fan 20 is used to accelerate the flow of gas within the housing 10, thereby speeding up the purification rate of the odor-removing and sterilizing device 100. The gas flow rate can be adjusted by regulating the rotation speed of the fan 20.

[0035] Please see Figures 2-4 In some embodiments, the housing 10 includes a first housing 13 and a second housing 14 detachably connected to the first housing 13. The volute portion 11 includes a volute cavity 15 formed in the second housing 14. The receiving portion 12 includes a receiving cavity 16 formed in the second housing 14. The fan 20 is housed in the volute cavity 15. The ion generator 30, the electrode 40, and the catalyst module 50 are all housed in the receiving cavity 16. The volute cavity 15 is in communication with the receiving cavity 16.

[0036] Thus, the first housing 13 and the second housing 14 are detachably connected, which facilitates the disassembly and replacement of the components inside the second housing 14 and reduces the difficulty of maintaining the odor-eliminating and sterilizing device 100.

[0037] Specifically, the first housing 13 and the second housing 14 can be connected by threads or by snap-fit. The first housing 13 and the second housing 14 can be made of the same material. For example, the first housing 13 and the second housing 14 can be injection molded from plastic material or stamped from metal material.

[0038] The volute cavity 15 can be formed during the molding of the second housing 14, or it can be formed by removing part of the material from the surface of the second housing 14 inward. The shape of the volute cavity 15 can be adapted to the shape of the fan 20 so that the fan 20 can be installed in the volute cavity 15. For example, if the shape of the fan 20 is circular, the shape of the volute cavity 15 is also circular, and the radius of the volute cavity 15 is equal to or slightly larger than the radius of the fan 20.

[0039] The receiving cavity 16 can be formed during the molding of the second housing 14, or it can be formed by removing part of the material from the surface of the second housing 14 inward. The volume of the receiving cavity 16 can be equal to or greater than the sum of the volumes of the ion generator 30, the electrode 40, and the catalyst module 50, so that the ion generator 30, the electrode 40, and the catalyst module 50 can be accommodated within the receiving cavity 16. The shape of the receiving cavity 16 can be a regular shape such as a circle or a square, or it can be an irregular shape.

[0040] Please see Figures 2-4 In some embodiments, the volute portion 11 and the receiving portion 12 are arranged along the first direction D1. The receiving portion 12 is provided with an air inlet 17 communicating with the receiving cavity 16 on the side away from the volute portion 11, and the volute portion 11 is provided with an air outlet 18 communicating with the volute cavity 15 on the side away from the receiving portion 12.

[0041] In this way, the gas can enter the interior of the housing 10 from the air inlet 17, and after being deodorized and sterilized by the deodorizing and sterilizing device 100, it is discharged from the air outlet 18.

[0042] Specifically, the volute 11 and the receiving portion 12 can be arranged along the length of the housing 10, that is, the air inlet 17 and the air outlet 18 are arranged along the length of the housing 10. The ion generator 30, the electrode 40, and the catalyst module 50 can be located on the side of the receiving cavity 16 away from the volute cavity 15, that is, the ion generator 30, the electrode 40, and the catalyst module 50 are located in the receiving cavity 16 near the air inlet 17, so that the gas can be gathered at the air inlet 17 and can be purified and sterilized, reducing the degree of gas dispersion in the receiving cavity 16, thereby improving the air purification effect.

[0043] The shape of the air inlet 17 can be the same as the shape of the catalyst module 50 along the first direction D1, and the size of the air inlet 17 can be equal to or smaller than the size of the catalyst module 50 along the first direction D1. The shape and size of the air outlet 18 can be designed according to the shape and size of the fan 20.

[0044] The positions of the air inlet 17 and the air outlet 18 are interchangeable. That is, the air outlet 18, which communicates with the receiving cavity 16, can be provided on the side of the receiving portion 12 away from the volute portion 11, and the air inlet 17, which communicates with the volute cavity 15, can be provided on the side of the volute portion 11 away from the receiving portion 12. The fan 20 can operate by blowing or drawing air; that is, the fan 20 can be an axial flow fan 20 or a centrifugal fan 20. In one embodiment, the air inlet direction of the air inlet 17 is perpendicular to the air outlet direction of the air outlet 18.

[0045] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, an air duct 19 is formed inside the housing 10, the air duct 19 connects the air inlet 17 and the air outlet 18, the fan 20, the ion generator 30, the electrode 40 and the catalyst module 50 are disposed inside the air duct 19, the air duct 19 includes a receiving cavity 16 and a volute cavity 15, and the direction of the air duct 19 is the length direction of the housing 10.

[0046] Thus, the air duct 19 connects the air inlet 17 and the air outlet 18. The air duct 19 includes a receiving cavity 16 and a volute cavity 15, so that gas can enter the air duct 19 from the air inlet 17, be purified and sterilized by the components in the air duct 19, and then be discharged from the air outlet 18 to achieve the purpose of deodorization and sterilization.

[0047] Specifically, the air duct 19 can be formed by the bottom wall and side wall of the first housing 13 and the top wall and side wall of the second housing 14. The air duct 19 can be straight, curved, bent, or other shapes. The cross-sectional area of ​​the air duct 19 at different locations can be different. For example, the cross-sectional area of ​​the air duct 19 used to form the receiving cavity 16 and the volute cavity 15 is larger, while the cross-sectional area of ​​the location used to connect the receiving cavity 16 and the volute cavity 15 is smaller.

[0048] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, the fan 20 discharges gas to the air outlet 18 along the first direction D1 and the fan 20 draws in gas along the second direction D2, wherein the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are perpendicular.

[0049] Specifically, the fan 20 can be a centrifugal fan 20. The centrifugal fan 20 drives air to enter the housing 10 through the air inlet 17 and throws it out from the periphery of the centrifugal fan 20. The first direction D1 can be the length direction of the housing 10, and the second direction D2 can be the thickness direction of the housing 10. In this way, the gas can be discharged from the air outlet 18 under the action of centrifugal force, which helps to reduce the energy consumption of the fan 20 and improve the gas flow efficiency.

[0050] Please see Figure 2 In some embodiments, the catalyst module 50 is formed with a through hole 51, which penetrates the catalyst module 50 along the first direction D1.

[0051] Thus, the through hole 51 can increase the contact area between the gas and the catalyst module 50, enabling the catalyst to react effectively with VOC molecules and improving the odor removal effect.

[0052] Specifically, the through-hole 51 can be formed during the molding of the catalyst module 50, or it can be formed by removing part of the material from the catalyst module 50 along the first direction D1. The through-hole 51 can be a regular shape such as round or square, or it can be an irregular shape. The larger the size of the through-hole 51 along the first direction D1, the larger the contact area between the gas and the catalyst module 50, and therefore the better the deodorizing effect of the deodorizing and sterilizing device 100.

[0053] Please see Figure 2 In some embodiments, there are multiple through holes 51, which are arranged at intervals.

[0054] Thus, multiple through holes 51 can increase the contact area between the gas and the catalyst module 50, enabling the catalyst to react effectively with VOC molecules and improving the odor removal effect.

[0055] Specifically, the number of through holes 51 can be 10, 50, 100, 150, 200 or more. The more through holes 51 there are, the larger the contact area between the gas and the catalyst module 50, and therefore the better the deodorizing effect of the deodorizing and sterilizing device 100.

[0056] The arrangement of the multiple through holes 51 can be adapted to the shape of the catalyst module 50. For example, if the catalyst module 50 is square, the multiple through holes 51 are arranged in a square interval; or if the catalyst module 50 is circular, the multiple through holes 51 are arranged in a circular interval.

[0057] Please see Figure 5 In some embodiments, there are multiple electrodes 40, which are respectively disposed on both sides of the catalyst module 50 along the first direction D1.

[0058] In this way, an alternating electric field can be formed between multiple electrodes 40, which facilitates the deodorization and sterilization of the gas through the alternating electric field. The catalyst module 50 can catalyze the deodorization and sterilization of the gas, thereby improving the deodorization and sterilization efficiency.

[0059] Specifically, there can be two electrodes 40, which can be either aperture electrodes 40 or needle electrodes 40. For example, one electrode 40 can be an aperture electrode 40 and the other can be a needle electrode 40, or both electrodes 40 can be aperture electrodes 40, or both electrodes 40 can be needle electrodes 40.

[0060] Please see Figure 5In some embodiments, the ion generator 30 is disposed on one side of the catalyst module 50 along the third direction D3 and is electrically connected to the electrode 40.

[0061] Thus, the ion generator 30 is positioned on one side of the catalyst module 50 along the third direction D3, which can reduce the resistance of the gas in the first direction D1. The ion generator 30 is electrically connected to the electrode 40, so that the ion generator 30 can provide high voltage to the electrode 40.

[0062] Specifically, the third direction D3 can be the width direction of the housing 10, and multiple electrodes 40 extend along the third direction D3 and are arranged at intervals on both sides of the catalyst module 50 along the first direction D1.

[0063] In one embodiment, the ion generator 30 can be disposed on one side of the catalyst module 50 along the second direction D2, that is, the ion generator 30 is disposed on the side of the catalyst module 50 close to the first housing 13, and multiple electrodes 40 extend along the second direction D2 and are arranged at intervals on both sides of the catalyst module 50 along the first direction D1.

[0064] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this utility model. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do 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 one or more embodiments or examples.

[0065] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A deodorizing and sterilizing device for use in household appliances, characterized in that, The odor-eliminating and sterilizing device includes: A housing, the housing comprising a volute portion and a receiving portion communicating with the volute portion; The device includes a fan, an ion generator, electrodes, and a catalyst module. The fan is housed in the volute, and the ion generator, electrodes, and catalyst module are all disposed in the receiving portion. The volute is connected to the receiving portion.

2. The odor-removing and sterilizing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes a first housing and a second housing detachably connected to the first housing. The volute portion includes a volute cavity formed in the second housing. The receiving portion includes a receiving cavity formed in the second housing. The fan is housed in the volute cavity. The ion generator, the electrode, and the catalyst module are all housed in the receiving cavity. The volute cavity communicates with the receiving cavity.

3. The odor-removing and sterilizing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The volute and the receiving portion are arranged along a first direction. The receiving portion has an air inlet communicating with the receiving cavity on the side away from the volute, and the volute has an air outlet communicating with the volute cavity on the side away from the receiving portion.

4. The odor-removing and sterilizing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, An air duct is formed inside the housing, the air duct connects the air inlet and the air outlet, the fan, the ion generator, the electrode and the catalyst module are disposed in the air duct, the air duct includes the receiving cavity and the volute cavity, and the direction of the air duct is the length direction of the housing.

5. The odor-removing and sterilizing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The fan discharges gas into the air outlet along the first direction and draws in gas along the second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

6. The odor-removing and sterilizing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The catalyst module has a through hole that extends through the catalyst module along a first direction.

7. The odor-removing and sterilizing device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The number of through holes is multiple, and the multiple through holes are arranged at intervals.

8. The odor-removing and sterilizing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of electrodes is multiple, and the multiple electrodes are respectively disposed on both sides of the catalyst module along the first direction.

9. The odor-removing and sterilizing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ion generator is disposed on one side of the catalyst module along a third direction and is electrically connected to the electrode.

10. A household appliance, characterized in that, Includes the odor-neutralizing and sterilizing device according to any one of claims 1-9.

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