Support assembly, refrigerator door device and refrigerator

Abstract

The utility model relates to a support assembly, a refrigerator door device and a refrigerator. The support assembly comprises a first support and a second support, the first support is used for installing the refrigerator door, the second support is used for being connected with the guide rail support, the first support and the second support are rotationally connected to have a first position and a second position, and in the first position, the refrigerator door can seal the refrigerator body; in the second position, the refrigerator door and the refrigerator body are provided with openings communicating with the internal environment and the external environment. By means of the technical scheme, before the refrigerator door is pulled out of the refrigerator body, the refrigerator door is rotated to the second position from the closed first position, the refrigerator door and the refrigerator body are provided with the openings communicating the internal environment and the external environment at the second position, negative pressure in the refrigerator body is released through the openings, and therefore the refrigerator door can be pulled out in a labor-saving mode, and the refrigerator door is prevented from being damaged. And the use experience of the user is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of household appliance technology, and in particular to a bracket assembly, a refrigerator door device, and a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] Due to diverse needs, refrigerators equipped with drawer-style doors, such as French door refrigerators, are becoming increasingly popular. The characteristic of this type of drawer-style door is that pulling out the door also pulls out the storage space inside the refrigerator. Because the cooling process creates negative pressure inside the refrigerator, more force is required to open this type of drawer-style door, affecting the user experience. Utility Model Content

[0003] To overcome the problems existing in the related technologies, this disclosure provides a bracket assembly, a refrigerator door device, and a refrigerator.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a bracket assembly is provided, suitable for mounting a drawer-type refrigerator door to a refrigerator body. The bracket assembly includes a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket is used to mount the refrigerator door, and the second bracket is used to connect to a guide rail bracket. The first bracket and the second bracket are rotatably connected to have a first position and a second position, wherein: in the first position, the refrigerator door is capable of closing the refrigerator body; and in the second position, the refrigerator door and the refrigerator body have an opening communicating with the internal and external environments.

[0005] Optionally, the first bracket includes a connecting part and a rotating part, wherein: the connecting part is connected to the second bracket via a rotating shaft, and the rotating part is a free end and is rotatably connected to the second bracket around the rotating shaft.

[0006] Optionally, the first bracket is constructed with an L-shaped cross-section, including a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate, wherein the first mounting plate is used for rotatable connection with the second bracket, and the second mounting plate is used for mounting the refrigerator door.

[0007] Optionally, the bracket assembly further includes a first limiting structure for limiting the rotation angle of the first bracket in the first position, and / or a second limiting structure for limiting the rotation angle of the first bracket in the second position.

[0008] Optionally, the first limiting structure includes a first stop portion disposed on the first bracket and a second stop portion disposed on the second bracket or the guide rail bracket, wherein in the first position, the first stop portion abuts against the second stop portion.

[0009] Optionally, the second limiting structure comprises a third stop arranged on the first bracket and a fourth stop arranged on the second bracket or the rail bracket, and the third stop abuts against the fourth stop in the second position.

[0010] Optionally, the bracket assembly further comprises a reset structure configured to provide a force for maintaining the first bracket in the first position.

[0011] Optionally, the reset structure comprises an elastic body in a compressed state by the first bracket when the first bracket is in the second position, or the reset structure comprises a magnetic body configured to provide a magnetic force for attracting the first bracket and the second bracket.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a refrigerator door device is provided, comprising a refrigerator door, a bracket assembly and a rail bracket, the rail bracket is slidably arranged on a refrigerator cabinet, and the bracket assembly is any of the bracket assemblies described above.

[0013] According to a third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a refrigerator is provided, comprising any of the refrigerator door devices described above.

[0014] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can have the following beneficial effects: the bracket assembly provided by the present disclosure is suitable for installing a drawer-type refrigerator door on a refrigerator cabinet. Specifically, the bracket assembly comprises a first bracket and a second bracket, the first bracket is rotationally connected with the second bracket to have a first position and a second position, and the refrigerator door is installed on the first bracket. Before pulling the refrigerator door out of the refrigerator cabinet, the refrigerator door is first rotated from the first position for closing the refrigerator cabinet to the second position, in which the refrigerator door and the refrigerator cabinet have an opening for communicating the inside and outside environments. The negative pressure inside the refrigerator cabinet is released through the opening, and the refrigerator door can be pulled out more easily, which is beneficial to improving the user experience.

[0015] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 1 is a structural schematic view of a bracket assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a structural schematic view of the bracket assembly from another perspective.

[0019] Figure 3 is Figure 2 A structural exploded view of the bracket assembly is shown.

[0020] Figure 4 A schematic view of the bracket assembly with the first bracket in different positions is shown according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0021] Figure 5 A structural view of a refrigerator is shown according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] 100 - bracket assembly, 200 - refrigerator door, 300 - refrigerator body, 1 - first bracket, 11 - first mounting plate, 111 - connecting portion, 112 - rotating portion, 113 - bar-shaped hole, 12 - second mounting plate, 2 - second bracket, 3 - guide rail bracket, 4 - rotating shaft, 5 - first limiting structure, 51 - first stop portion, 52 - second stop portion, 6 - second limiting structure, 61 - third stop portion, 62 - fourth stop portion, 7 - reset structure, 71 - elastic body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the description. The following exemplary embodiments are not representative of all embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of the present disclosure, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0025] As Figures 1 to 5 shown, the present disclosure exemplarily provides a bracket assembly 100 adapted to mount a drawer-type refrigerator door 200 to a refrigerator body 300. The drawer-type refrigerator door is characterized in that it can bring the storage space in the refrigerator body 300 out together while the refrigerator door 200 is pulled out. The refrigerator body 300 is usually provided with a guide rail bracket 3, and the refrigerator door 200 is mounted on the guide rail bracket 3 through a bracket. The bracket in the related art is usually fixed with the guide rail bracket 3. However, considering that the internal space of the refrigerator generates negative pressure during refrigeration, more force is required to open such a drawer-type refrigerator door.

[0026] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the bracket assembly 100 provided in this disclosure includes a first bracket 1 and a second bracket. The first bracket 1 is used to mount the refrigerator door 200, and the second bracket 2 is used to connect with the guide rail bracket 3. The first bracket 1 and the second bracket 2 are rotatably connected to have a first position and a second position. In the first position, the refrigerator door 200 can close the refrigerator body 300; in the second position, the refrigerator door and the refrigerator body 300 have an opening that communicates with the internal and external environments.

[0027] Specifically, the bracket assembly 100 provided in this disclosure can be viewed as a bracket in the related art divided into two parts: a movable first bracket 1 and a fixed second bracket 2. Alternatively, it can be viewed as an additional movable bracket added to the bracket in the related art. The refrigerator door 200 is mounted on the first bracket 1, which allows the refrigerator door 200 to rotate. It should be noted that the above-mentioned whether the refrigerator door 200 is closed to the refrigerator body 300 in the first and second positions refers to the state when the refrigerator door 200 has not been pulled out of the refrigerator body 300. As the refrigerator door 200 is pulled out of the refrigerator body 300, the first bracket 1 can still switch between the first and second positions, but whether the refrigerator door 200 and the refrigerator body 300 are closed is no longer discussed.

[0028] Taking the first support 1 in the first position as the initial state, and the refrigerator door 200 closing the refrigerator body 300 as an example, before pulling the refrigerator 200 out of the refrigerator body 300, the refrigerator door 200 is first rotated from the first position of closing the refrigerator body 300 to the second position, that is, from... Figure 4 When the refrigerator door 200 rotates from position 1 to position 1', in the second position, the refrigerator door 200 and the refrigerator body 300 form an opening connecting the internal and external environments. This opening releases the negative pressure inside the refrigerator body 300. Since the negative pressure environment is disrupted before the refrigerator door 200 is pulled out, it can be pulled out more easily, improving the user experience. Furthermore, the bracket assembly 100 provided in this disclosure allows for relatively simple design modifications to the existing refrigerator door 200 and guide rail bracket 3 when installed on existing drawer-type refrigerator doors, demonstrating high versatility.

[0029] In some implementations, such as Figure 2As shown, the first bracket 1 comprises a connecting portion 111 and a rotating portion 112, wherein the connecting portion 111 is connected with the second bracket 2 through the rotating shaft 4, and the rotating portion 112 is a free end and is rotatably connected with the second bracket 2 around the rotating shaft 4. For example, the first bracket 1 is an integral member, and two ends thereof are respectively configured as the connecting portion 111 and the rotating portion 112. In this way, the first bracket 1 is formed as a rotating mechanism through the rotating shaft 4, which is simple in structure and reliable in connection, and is suitable for use in a relatively compact design space. The second bracket 2 is fixedly connected with the guide rail bracket 3 through bolts, and the first bracket 1 can be provided with bolt-avoiding holes, for example, a strip-shaped hole 113 is provided at the rotating portion 112.

[0030] In other embodiments, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3 , the first bracket 1 is configured as an L-shaped structure in cross section, comprising a first mounting plate 11 and a second mounting plate 12, wherein the first mounting plate 11 is used for rotatably connecting with the second bracket 2, and the second mounting plate 12 is used for mounting the refrigerator door 200. The first bracket 1 can be an integral member, which is conducive to improving the connection strength of the bracket assembly, thereby enhancing the reliability of the connection between the refrigerator door 200 and the refrigerator cabinet 300. By configuring the first bracket 1 as an L-shaped structure in cross section, that is, the plate surface of the first bracket 1 for connecting with the refrigerator door 200 and the plate surface for connecting with the second bracket 2 are in two mutually perpendicular planes, which makes the axes of the bolts for mounting the refrigerator door 200 and the bolts for mounting the first bracket 1 on the second bracket 2 in two mutually perpendicular planes, thereby avoiding mutual interference during installation.

[0031] The rotating angle of the first bracket 1 can be limited by setting a limiting structure. As shown in Figure 2 , the bracket assembly 100 can further comprise a first limiting structure 5 for limiting the rotating angle of the first bracket 1 at the first position, and / or a second limiting structure 6 for limiting the rotating angle of the first bracket 1 at the second position. Specifically, the bracket assembly 100 can comprise the first limiting structure 5, or the second limiting structure 6, or both the first limiting structure 5 and the second limiting structure 6.

[0032] , the first limiting structure 5 comprises a first stop portion 51 provided on the first bracket 1 and a second stop portion 52 provided on the second bracket 2 or the guide rail bracket 3, and in the first position, the first stop portion 51 abuts against the second stop portion 52. In the second position, the second stop portion 52 abuts against the first stop portion 51. Figure 3In the illustrated embodiment, the second stop 52 is a baffle provided on the guide rail bracket 3. In other embodiments, the second stop 52 may also be formed by flanging the second bracket 2, and the first stop 51 may directly utilize the structure of the first bracket 1 itself. That is, the second stop 52 on the guide rail bracket 3 stops and limits the side edge of the first bracket 1 along the path of the first bracket 1 moving towards the first position. Alternatively, in other embodiments, a stop structure such as a flanged edge may be provided on the first bracket 1, which will not be described in detail here.

[0033] The second limiting structure 6 includes a third stop 61 disposed on the first bracket 1 and a fourth stop 62 disposed on the second bracket 2 or the guide rail bracket 3. In the second position, the third stop 61 abuts against the fourth stop 62. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the third stop 61 is a hook mounted on the first bracket 1, while the fourth stop 62 can directly utilize the structure of the guide rail bracket 3 itself. That is, the guide rail bracket 3 stops and limits the hook structure along the path of the first bracket 1 moving to the second position. Thus, when the refrigerator door 200 is opened, pulling the refrigerator door 200 will first cause the refrigerator door 200 to rotate and release the negative pressure. Then, if the refrigerator door 200 is pulled further, due to the presence of the second limiting structure 6, the force of continuing to pull the refrigerator door 200 will be able to pull the refrigerator door 200 out of the refrigerator body 300.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, the bracket assembly 100 may further include a reset structure 7, which provides a force to hold the first bracket 1 in a first position, that is, to maintain the refrigerator door 200 in the closed refrigerator body 300 position without the application of external force. In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the reset structure 7 includes an elastic body 71, which is compressed by the first support 1 when the first support 1 is in the second position. The elastic body 71 can be, for example, elastic rubber or a spring. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the elastic body 71 is an elastic rubber sleeved on the third stop portion 61. In this case, the elastic body 71 serves both as a reset structure and as a vibration damping mechanism. In other embodiments, the reset structure 7 includes a magnetic body (not shown in the figure), which provides a magnetic force that attracts the first support 1 and the second support 2 to each other. The force applied to open the refrigerator door 200 overcomes the magnetic force, allowing the first support 1 to rotate. When the external force is removed, the first support 1 returns to its first position under the action of the magnetic force.

[0035] According to a second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a refrigerator door device is also provided, comprising: a refrigerator door 200, a bracket assembly 100, and a guide rail bracket 3, the guide rail bracket 3 is slidably arranged on a refrigerator body 300, and a storage box is arranged on the guide rail bracket 3, wherein the bracket assembly 100 is the bracket assembly in any one of the above-mentioned embodiments and has all the beneficial effects thereof, which will not be repeated here.

[0036] According to a third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a refrigerator is also provided, comprising the refrigerator door device in any one of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0037] In the above detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of illustration, specific aspects in which the disclosure can be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “central,” “longitudinal,” “lateral,” “length,” “width,” “thickness,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” “outer,” “clockwise,” “counterclockwise,” “axial,” “radial,” “circumferential,” and like terms (if any), is used herein for the purpose of explanation only rather than to limit or impose a specific orientation or layout. Since components of the described devices can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology can be used for explanatory purposes to aid in understanding the description, but is not limiting in any way. It is to be understood that other aspects can be utilized and structural or logical changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0038] It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing certain aspects of various embodiments of the present disclosure only and is not intended to be limiting. It must be understood that the use of the terms “and / or” among others used herein is intended to include “one or the other or both” of the elements or items so conjoined. Similarly, it is to be understood that the use of the term “at least one” is intended to mean “one or more” of the elements or items so conjoined.

[0039] It should be understood that, unless otherwise specifically stated and limited, the terms “joined,” “attached,” “connected,” “coupled,” “fixed,” and the like, as used in the embodiments of the present disclosure, are to be construed broadly, for example, as either fixed connections or detachable connections, or as integral; as either mechanical connections, electrical connections, or communicable with each other; as either direct connections or indirect connections via intermediate media; as internal connections or interaction between two elements, unless otherwise specifically limited. The specific meaning of the above terms in this context can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art according to the specific circumstances.

[0040] Further, the word "over" used in the context of a component, an element, or a material layer "over" another component, an element, or a material layer means that the component, element, or material layer is positioned, for example, placed, formed, deposited, etc. "indirectly" over the other component, element, or material layer such that one or more additional components, elements, or layers are arranged between the component, element, or material layer and the other component, element, or material layer. However, the word "over" used in the context of a component, an element, or a material layer "over" another component, an element, or a material layer also can optionally mean that the component, element, or material layer is positioned, for example, placed, formed, deposited, etc. "directly" over the other component, element, or material layer, for example, in direct contact with the other component, element, or material layer.

[0041] Although terms such as "first," "second," and "third" can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers or sections should not be limited to the terms. Instead, these terms are used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, the first element, component, region, layer or section mentioned in the examples described herein can also be called the second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the examples. In addition, the terms "first," "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or an indicated number of the technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first," "second" can explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description herein, the meaning of "a plurality of" is at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specifically limited.

[0042] It will be understood that the spatially relative terms, such as "above," "upper," "below," and "lower," are intended to be interpreted as the relative positions of one element to another element as shown in the figures. Such spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientations depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is turned over, elements described as above other elements would then be oriented below the other elements. Accordingly, the term "above" encompasses both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative terms used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0043] Furthermore, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. As used in this application, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, "X employs A or B" is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then "X employs A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. Thus, use of the articles in this application and the following claims is not limiting.

[0044] Also, although the disclosure has been described and illustrated with respect to one or more implementations, the features of the disclosure are broadly applicable to other implementations. Any measure of the disclosure that isn't specifically and explicitly excluded will be assumed to be within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, any selectivity of the disclosure that isn't specifically and explicitly included will be assumed to be outside the scope of the disclosure. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize a variety of non-specified applications that the disclosure teaches and that can be made by applying the knowledge in the art in conjunction with the teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be restricted except in light of the claims that follow.

[0045] Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the features of the disclosure disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

[0046] It is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise construction disclosed and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and that various modifications and changes can be effected therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is limited only by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A bracket assembly adapted to mount a drawer-type refrigerator door to a refrigerator cabinet, characterized in that, The bracket assembly comprises a first bracket and a second bracket, the first bracket is used for mounting a refrigerator door, the second bracket is used for connecting with a guide rail bracket, the first bracket is rotationally connected with the second bracket to have a first position and a second position, wherein: in the first position, the refrigerator door can close the refrigerator cabinet; in the second position, the refrigerator door and the refrigerator cabinet have an opening for communicating with the inside and outside environment.

2. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein, The first bracket comprises a connecting portion and a rotating portion, wherein: the connecting portion is connected with the second bracket through a rotating shaft, and the rotating portion is a free end and is rotationally connected with the second bracket around the rotating shaft.

3. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein, The first bracket is configured in an L-shaped structure in cross section, comprising a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate, wherein: the first mounting plate is used for rotationally connecting with the second bracket, and the second mounting plate is used for mounting the refrigerator door.

4. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein, The bracket assembly further comprises a first limiting structure for limiting the rotation angle of the first bracket in the first position, and / or a second limiting structure for limiting the rotation angle of the first bracket in the second position.

5. The support assembly of claim 4, wherein, The first limiting structure comprises a first stop portion arranged on the first bracket and a second stop portion arranged on the second bracket or the guide rail bracket, and in the first position, the first stop portion abuts against the second stop portion.

6. The support assembly of claim 4, wherein, The second limiting structure comprises a third stop portion arranged on the first bracket and a fourth stop portion arranged on the second bracket or the guide rail bracket, and in the second position, the third stop portion abuts against the fourth stop portion.

7. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein, The bracket assembly further comprises a reset structure for providing a force for maintaining the first bracket in the first position.

8. The support assembly of claim 7, wherein, The reset structure comprises an elastic body, and when the first bracket is in the second position, the elastic body is in a state of being compressed by the first bracket; or the reset structure comprises a magnetic body, and the magnetic body provides a magnetic force for attracting the first bracket and the second bracket to each other.

9. A refrigerator door arrangement, characterized in that The refrigerator door, the bracket assembly and the guide rail bracket, the guide rail bracket is slidably arranged on a refrigerator cabinet, and the bracket assembly is the bracket assembly according to any one of claims 1-8. The refrigerator door device according to claim 9.

10. A refrigerator characterized by comprising: ​

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