Refrigerating appliance and foaming valve thereof

Abstract

The utility model relates to a refrigeration appliance and a foaming valve thereof, the refrigeration appliance comprises a box body used for limiting a storage space and a shell body wrapping the box body, a heat insulation space is arranged between the box body and the shell body, and the shell body is provided with a foaming filling hole for filling a heat insulation material into the heat insulation space. The shell is provided with a foaming valve for opening or closing the foaming filling hole, and the foaming valve comprises a seat part which comprises a first plate part positioned on the shell and a second plate part capable of elastically deforming relative to the first plate part; the cover part is arranged on the second plate part, and the second plate part in the elastic deformation state abuts against the shell so as to seal the foaming filling hole. According to the scheme, reliable sealing of the foaming filling hole of the refrigeration appliance can be achieved through a simpler structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of refrigeration equipment technology, and specifically to a refrigeration equipment and its foaming valve. Background Technology

[0002] Refrigeration appliances such as refrigerators typically have an insulation layer outside the storage compartment to ensure effective cooling and improve the preservation of stored items. This insulation layer is manufactured using a foaming process. Specifically, insulation material (also known as foaming material) is injected into the cabinet or door of the refrigeration appliance through foaming equipment to create an insulated space within the cabinet or door. During the foaming process, the insulation material expands and solidifies after entering the cabinet through the foaming injection holes. This process generates high pressure; therefore, the foaming injection holes should be sealed with foaming valves promptly after the foaming equipment is withdrawn to prevent the foaming liquid from spraying out.

[0003] Existing foam valves require additional elastic components or the utilization of non-planar sealing surfaces to ensure reliable sealing of the foam filling hole by the valve cover. The former increases the number of parts and assembly steps, while the latter cannot meet the sealing requirements of a planar sealing surface. Furthermore, existing foam valves generally require multiple components to work together to achieve a seal, such as mounting a base on the foam filling hole and hinged valve cover to the base, with the seal achieved through the cooperation of the base and valve cover. The installation and operation of this modular foam valve is cumbersome and requires the development of various molds. Utility Model Content

[0004] One object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved refrigeration appliance and a foaming valve for the refrigeration appliance.

[0005] Therefore, this disclosure provides a refrigeration appliance, including a box for defining a storage space and a shell covering the box, with a heat-insulating space between the box and the shell, the shell having a foaming filling hole for filling the heat-insulating space with heat-insulating material, and the shell being provided with a foaming valve to open or close the foaming filling hole. The foaming valve is characterized by comprising: a seat, including a first plate portion positioned on the shell and a second plate portion elastically deformable relative to the first plate portion; and a cover portion disposed on the second plate portion and abutted against the shell by the elastically deformed second plate portion to close the foaming filling hole.

[0006] In this embodiment, the foaming valve presses the cover tightly against the housing via a seat with elastic deformation capability, thus reliably sealing the foaming filling hole without the need for additional elastic elements. This ensures reliable sealing, especially in scenarios where the housing with the foaming filling hole is planar. Specifically, after the seat is assembled to the housing via the first plate, the second plate elastically deforms relative to the first plate. The restoring force generated by this elastic deformation is applied to the cover, pressing it tightly against the housing. Furthermore, except during the injection of insulation material into the insulation space, the cover is continuously subjected to the force applied by the second plate, ensuring a continuous and reliable seal to the foaming filling hole.

[0007] Optionally, the foaming valve includes an initial state and a usage state. In the initial state, the second plate portion has no elastic deformation relative to the first plate portion. In the usage state, the second plate portion has elastic deformation relative to the first plate portion. The foaming valve remains in the usage state after being installed into the housing. After the foaming valve is assembled into the housing, the second plate portion is always in an elastic deformation state to continuously apply force to the cover portion, achieving a stable and reliable seal.

[0008] Optionally, the foaming valve is a single, integrated component. This allows for sealing of the foaming filling hole with a single piece, significantly reducing the number of parts required.

[0009] Optionally, the foaming valve is made of plastic.

[0010] Optionally, in the original state, the first plate portion and the second plate portion are parallel, and the sealing surfaces of the first plate portion and the cover portion used to close the foam filling hole have a non-zero included angle. The included angle design allows the second plate portion to naturally and elastically deform relative to the first plate portion as the foam valve is installed into the housing, thereby simultaneously completing the sealing of the foam filling hole after the foam valve is installed into the housing, greatly simplifying the assembly steps.

[0011] Optionally, in the usage state, the sealing surfaces of the first plate and the cover are parallel, and the first plate and the second plate have a non-zero included angle. Thus, during normal use of the refrigeration appliance, the second plate remains in a state of elastic deformation relative to the first plate, thereby continuously applying force to the cover to tightly press the sealing surface against the foam filling hole, ensuring a continuous and reliable seal to the foam filling hole.

[0012] Optionally, the included angle is taken from [30°, 40°]. This ensures that after the foaming equipment withdraws the foaming filling hole, the second plate, which was originally pushed open by the foaming equipment, can quickly return to the position where the cover adheres to the shell to reliably seal the foaming filling hole.

[0013] Optionally, the size of the included angle is related to the material of the seat. The greater the hardness, the smaller the included angle, to ensure that after the foaming equipment withdraws the foaming filling hole, the second plate can return to the position where the sealing surface seals the foaming filling hole before the insulation material reaches it.

[0014] Optionally, the cover includes: a seal having a sealing surface for closing the foam filling hole and an opposing back surface, the sealing surface and the second plate having a non-zero angle; and a connector extending from the back surface to the second plate, wherein the distance the connector extends from the back surface toward the second plate gradually increases along the direction in which the sealing surface and the second plate are away from each other. Thus, the sealing surface and the second plate are maintained in a relative position with a non-zero angle by the connector, so that after the foam valve is installed in the housing, the second plate is naturally held in an elastically deformable state as the cover closes the foam filling hole, without the need for additional components.

[0015] Optionally, the seal includes an elastic flash surrounding the sealing surface, the elastic flash protruding from the sealing surface in a direction away from the back side. Due to manufacturing limitations, the housing may not be perfectly flat, and the wall of the foam filling hole between the sealing surface and the housing may have gaps due to surface-to-surface contact. Therefore, an elastic flash is added around the sealing surface. After filling, the pressure of the expansion of the insulation material causes the elastic flash to deform to a certain extent so as to contact the housing surface, further enhancing the sealing effect.

[0016] Optionally, the diameter of the sealing surface is larger than the diameter of the foam filling hole. Thus, the sealing surface and the elastic flash work together to achieve a double seal, further enhancing the sealing effect.

[0017] Optionally, the housing has an irregularly shaped assembly hole, and the first plate has a snap-fit ​​structure on the side facing the housing. The snap-fit ​​structure includes a body and a pair of rotors symmetrically arranged on both sides of the body. After the snap-fit ​​structure passes through the assembly hole, the foaming valve rotates around the center of the assembly hole until the pair of rotors overlap with the wall forming the assembly hole. Thus, the foaming valve can be reliably positioned on the housing without additional fixing components, and the rotational fixing installation method is convenient to operate.

[0018] Optionally, for each of the pair of rotors, there is a non-zero gap between the rotor and the first plate, and the snap-fit ​​structure further includes a protrusion extending from the rotor toward the first plate. Different refrigeration appliances use shells with varying sheet thicknesses. The protrusion improves the compatibility of the foaming valve. For thin shells, the protrusion ensures the snap-fit ​​structure fits tightly without gaps, while for thick shells, the protrusion provides an interference fit between the snap-fit ​​structure and the shell, enhancing the connection. Furthermore, the protrusion also helps ensure the snap-fit ​​structure fits tightly against shells of various thicknesses, preventing foam leakage at the assembly holes.

[0019] Optionally, the housing also has a limiting hole, and the first plate has a limiting part protruding towards the housing. The limiting part is used to insert into the limiting hole to restrict the relative position of the foaming valve and the housing to the state where the rotor overlaps with the wall forming the assembly hole. This helps to prevent mistake-proofing, ensures that the foaming valve is quickly installed, and also avoids the foaming valve from falling off the housing due to the decoupling of the snap-fit ​​structure and the assembly hole caused by handling and bumps during production line manufacturing.

[0020] Therefore, this disclosure provides a foaming valve for a refrigeration appliance, comprising: a seat, including an adjacent first plate and a second plate; and a cover disposed on the second plate; wherein the second plate can elastically deform relative to the first plate to switch from a first position parallel to the first plate to a second position having a non-zero angle with the first plate, and the cover located in the second position is parallel to the first plate.

[0021] Using this embodiment, the foam valve achieves its sealing function through its own elastic deformation, eliminating the need for additional elastic components or other auxiliary parts. This maximizes the simplification of the overall structure of the foam valve, reducing mold development and manufacturing costs. Specifically, after the seat is assembled to the sealed component via the first plate, the second plate undergoes elastic deformation relative to the first plate. The restoring force generated by this elastic deformation is applied to the cover, thereby pressing the cover tightly against the sealed component. The sealed component can be, for example, the housing of a refrigeration appliance. Furthermore, except during the injection of insulation material into the insulation space of the refrigeration appliance, the cover is continuously subjected to the force applied by the second plate, ensuring a continuous and reliable seal to the foam filling holes opened in the housing. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of region A in the middle;

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the middle shell;

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of region B in the middle;

[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the foaming valve in its original state;

[0027] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the foaming valve from another perspective;

[0028] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 The side view of the foaming valve shown;

[0029] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A magnified view of a portion of region C in the middle;

[0030] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the filling process in a typical application scenario of this disclosure;

[0031] In the attached image:

[0032] 1-Refrigeration appliance; 10-Housing; 101-Foaming filling hole; 102-Assembly hole; 103-Limiting hole; 11-Door; 2-Foaming valve; 21-Seat; 211-First plate; 212-Second plate; 22-Cover; 221-Seal; 221a-Sealing surface; 221b-Back side; 222-Connector; 223-Elastic flash; 23-Snap-fit ​​structure; 231-Body; 232-Rotor; 233-Protrusion; 24-Limiting part; 3-Foaming equipment; x-Width direction of the refrigeration appliance; y-Depth direction of the refrigeration appliance; z-Height direction of the refrigeration appliance. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration appliance 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of region A in the middle.

[0035] Refrigeration appliance 1 can be a refrigerator, freezer, wine cabinet, etc. In practical applications, this implementation plan can be applied to single-door refrigerators, as well as various types of refrigerators with two doors (left and right), such as French door refrigerators, French door refrigerators, and side-by-side refrigerators, and three-door refrigerators.

[0036] For ease of description, in this embodiment, the width direction of the refrigeration appliance 1 is denoted as the x-direction, the depth direction as the y-direction, and the height direction as the z-direction. In this embodiment, the front-back direction refers to the y-direction and its opposite, where front or front side refers to the direction facing the user when the refrigeration appliance 1 is in use, and rear or rear side refers to the direction away from the user when the refrigeration appliance 1 is in use. In this embodiment, the up-down direction refers to the z-direction and its opposite, where above or upper side or top refers to the direction higher along the direction of gravity when the refrigeration appliance 1 is in use, and below or lower side or bottom refers to the direction in which the refrigeration appliance 1 is in contact with or closest to the ground when in use.

[0037] Specifically, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The refrigeration appliance 1 may include a main body and a door 11. The door 11 is located at the front of the main body to open or close the storage compartment inside the main body. The door 11 may include an insulated space filled with heat insulation material. When the door 11 closes the storage compartment, the heat insulation layer formed by the heat insulation space effectively insulates heat, ensuring that the storage compartment has a better refrigeration / freezing effect. Furthermore, the main body may include a box body for defining the storage space (i.e., the space formed by the storage compartment) and a shell 10 for enclosing the box body. There is a heat insulation space between the box body and the shell 10. The shell 10 has foam filling holes 101 for filling the heat insulation space with heat insulation material.

[0038] For example, the foam filling hole 101 can be opened in the housing 10 located at the top along the z-direction, i.e., the top cover of the refrigeration appliance 1 (e.g. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown), the foaming device 3 (such as) is used during filling. Figure 9 As shown, the foaming filling hole 101 is inserted from top to bottom to fill the insulation space with insulation material. Furthermore, the number of foaming filling holes 101 can be two, respectively arranged on both sides of the top cover along the x-direction. During filling, two foaming devices 3 can be inserted into the two foaming filling holes 101 respectively and filled simultaneously to improve filling efficiency. In this embodiment, the foaming device 3 specifically refers to the foaming head (or filling head) inserted into the foaming filling hole 101.

[0039] Further, refer to Figures 1 to 4 The housing 10 may be equipped with a foaming valve 2 to open or close the foaming filling hole 101. The foaming valve 2 is generally located within the insulation space to open or close the foaming filling hole 101 from inside the refrigeration appliance 1. After being installed in the housing 10, the foaming valve 2 remains in the closed state of the foaming filling hole 101. During filling, the foaming device 3 passes through the foaming filling hole 101 and opens at least part of the structure of the foaming valve 2 (such as...) towards the top of the housing. Figure 9 As shown, the foaming device 3 extends into the insulation space and injects insulation material into it. After filling, the foaming device 3 exits through the original foaming filling hole 101, and the foaming valve 2 re-closes the foaming filling hole 101.

[0040] In an example where the housing 10 has multiple (e.g., two) foam filling holes 101, a foaming valve 2 may be provided at each foam filling hole 101. Figure 1 and Figure 3 An example is shown of the interaction between one of the two foaming filling holes 101 and the foaming valve 2, while the corresponding foaming valve 2 for the other is not shown to more clearly demonstrate the structure such as the foaming filling hole 101 on the housing 10.

[0041] Further reference Figures 1 to 4 and Figure 9 The foaming valve 2 may include a seat 21, comprising a first plate 211 positioned on the housing 10 and a second plate 212 elastically deformable relative to the first plate 211. For example, both the first plate 211 and the second plate 212 are sheet-like and adjacent to each other. The first plate 211 is disposed against the side of the housing 10 facing the heat-insulating space and fixed to the housing. The second plate 212 can be bent around its connection with the first plate 211 to elastically deform in a direction away from or towards the housing 10. In its elastically deformed state, the second plate 212 bends towards the first plate 211 so that the seat 21 generally forms a V-shaped structure. It should be noted that... Figure 2 and Figure 4 The two dividing lines between the first plate portion 211 and the second plate portion 212 are only to more clearly show that the second plate portion 212 bends towards the first plate portion 211 to form a non-zero angle; this does not mean that a crease has been created between the second plate portion 212 and the first plate portion 211. The actual product's foaming valve 2... Figure 2 and Figure 4 In the usage state shown, the first plate portion 211 and the second plate portion 212 still have a smooth transition.

[0042] Further reference Figures 1 to 4 The foaming valve 2 may also include a cover 22 disposed on the second plate 212 and pressed against the housing 10 by the second plate 212 in an elastically deformed state to close the foaming filling hole 101. For example, the second plate 212 may be bent toward the first plate 211 to generate a restoring force toward the housing 10, and the cover 22 may be disposed in front of the second plate 212 along the direction of the restoring force, so that the second plate 212 presses the cover 22 tightly against the housing 10 under the action of the restoring force, and the foaming filling hole 101 is located in the contact area between the cover 22 and the housing 10.

[0043] Therefore, the foaming valve 2, through the seat 21 with elastic deformation capability, tightly presses the cover 22 onto the housing 10, thereby reliably sealing the foaming filling hole 101 without the need for additional elastic elements. This ensures reliable sealing, especially in scenarios where the housing 10 with the foaming filling hole 101 is planar. Specifically, after the seat 21 is assembled onto the housing 10 via the first plate 211, the second plate 212 elastically deforms relative to the first plate 211. The restoring force generated by this elastic deformation is applied to the cover 22, thereby tightly pressing the cover 22 against the housing 10. Furthermore, except during the injection of insulation material into the insulation space, the cover 22 is continuously subjected to the force applied by the second plate 212, ensuring a continuous and reliable seal of the foaming filling hole 101.

[0044] In one specific implementation, the foaming valve 2 may include, for example: Figures 5 to 7 The original state shown, and as Figure 3 and Figure 4 The usage state is shown. The original state can be the factory state of the foaming valve 2, that is, the state before it is installed into the housing 10; the usage state can be the state after the foaming valve 2 is installed into the housing 10, also known as the pre-deformation state. During the foaming and charging period and during the daily use of the refrigeration appliance 1, the foaming valve 2 remains in the usage state.

[0045] In its initial state, the second plate portion 212 is located in a first position parallel to the first plate portion 211, and the sealing surfaces 221a of the first plate portion 211 and the cover portion 22 used to close the foam filling hole 101 have a non-zero included angle. At this time, the second plate portion 212 has no elastic deformation relative to the first plate portion 211. The included angle design allows the second plate portion 212 to naturally elastically deform relative to the first plate portion 211 as the foam valve 2 is installed into the housing 10, thereby simultaneously sealing the foam filling hole 101 after the foam valve 2 is installed into the housing 10, greatly simplifying the assembly steps.

[0046] In use, the second plate portion 212 is located at a second position with a non-zero angle to the first plate portion 211, and the sealing surface 221a of the cover portion 22 is parallel to the first plate portion 211. At this time, the second plate portion 212 exhibits elastic deformation relative to the first plate portion 211. As the foaming valve 2 is installed onto the housing 10, the second plate portion 212 switches from the first position to the second position.

[0047] Therefore, after the foaming valve 2 is assembled into the housing 10, the second plate 212 is always in an elastic deformation state, so as to continuously apply force to the cover 22 and achieve a stable and reliable seal.

[0048] During assembly, the worker can manually bend the second plate 212 to pre-deform the seat 21. After positioning the first plate 211 in the pre-deformed state onto the housing 10, the worker releases the hand. At this time, the second plate 212 returns to its first position under the restoring force generated by the pre-deformation. When it returns to the second position, with the sealing surface 221a of the cover 22 against the housing 10, the second plate 212 is blocked by the housing 10 and held in the second position.

[0049] Therefore, during normal use of the refrigeration appliance 1, the second plate portion 212 remains in a state of elastic deformation relative to the first plate portion 211, thereby continuously applying force to the cover portion 22 to tightly press the sealing surface 221a against the foam filling hole 101, ensuring a continuous and reliable seal to the foam filling hole 101.

[0050] In some embodiments, the angle between the first plate portion 211 and the sealing surface 221a in the original state can be equal to the angle between the second plate portion 212 and the sealing surface 221a in the use state.

[0051] In some embodiments, the included angle can be taken from [30°, 40°]. Preferably, the included angle can be 35°. This ensures that after the foaming device 3 withdraws the foaming filling hole 101, the second plate portion 212, which was originally pushed open by the foaming device 3, can quickly return to the position where the cover portion 22 adheres to the housing 10 to reliably seal the foaming filling hole 101.

[0052] In some embodiments, the angle can be related to the material of the seat 21. For example, the harder the material used for the seat 21, the smaller the angle, to ensure that after the foaming device 3 withdraws from the foaming filling hole 101, the second plate 212 can return to the position where the sealing surface 221a seals the foaming filling hole 101 before the insulation material reaches the foaming filling hole 101. For example, the seat 21 can be made of polypropylene (PP). Assuming the reaction time of the insulation material is 10 seconds, that is, it takes about 10 seconds for the insulation material to reach the foaming filling hole 101 after the foaming device 3 is withdrawn, the material selection and angle of the seat 21 are suitable to ensure that the second plate 212 can quickly rebound to the position where the sealing surface 221a seals the foaming filling hole 101 within 10 seconds after the foaming device 3 is withdrawn. Figure 4 The second position shown.

[0053] In a specific implementation, refer to Figure 2 , Figures 4 to 7 The cover portion 22 may include a seal 221 having a sealing surface 221a for closing the foam filling hole 101 and an opposing back surface 221b. Specifically, the seal 221 may be generally in the shape of a circular sheet, with the sealing surface 221a and the back surface 221b formed on both sides of the sheet, respectively.

[0054] Furthermore, the sealing surface 221a and the second plate portion 212 may have a non-zero included angle. This included angle is always present between the sealing surface 221a and the second plate portion 212, whether in the original state or in the use state.

[0055] Furthermore, the cover portion 22 may also include a connector 222 extending from the back side 221b to the second plate portion 212 to secure the seal 221 to the second plate portion 212.

[0056] Furthermore, along the direction in which the sealing surface 221a and the second plate portion 212 are far apart, the distance by which the connector 222 extends from the back surface 221b toward the second plate portion 212 gradually increases. For example, refer to Figure 7 A circular, thin-film seal 221 can extend from one end near the second plate portion 212 along the included angle beyond the second plate portion 212. At least the portion of the seal 221 that does not extend beyond the second plate portion 212 has a connecting member 222 between its back surface 221b and the second plate portion 212. The distance from the back surface 221b to the second plate portion 212 increases with the inclined extension direction of the seal 221. Thus, the sealing surface 221a and the second plate portion 212 are maintained in a relative position with a non-zero included angle by the connecting member 222. Therefore, after the foam valve 2 is installed in the housing 10, as the cover 22 closes the foam filling hole 101, the second plate portion 212 is naturally held in an elastically deformable state, without the need for additional components.

[0057] Furthermore, the connector 222 can extend all the way to the back side 221b of the seal 221 that extends beyond the second plate portion 212, which helps maintain the integrity of the overall structure of the foam valve 2. Furthermore, the closer to the end of the seal 221 that is away from the second plate portion 212, the smaller the distance the connector 222 extends outward from the back side 221b, which helps save material and facilitates demolding.

[0058] In a specific implementation, continue to refer to Figures 4 to 9 The seal 221 may include an elastic flash 223 disposed around the sealing surface 221a, the elastic flash 223 protruding from the sealing surface 221a in a direction away from the back surface 221b. That is, the elastic flash 223 is disposed around the sealing surface 221a and forms a step with the sealing surface 221a.

[0059] Furthermore, the height difference between the elastic flash 223 and the sealing surface 221a can be approximately 0.1-0.4 mm. Due to manufacturing limitations, the housing 10 may not be perfectly flat, and the wall of the foam filling hole 101 forming the sealing surface 221a and the housing 10 may have gaps due to surface-to-surface contact. Therefore, an elastic flash 223 is added outside the sealing surface 221a. After filling, the pressure of the expansion of the insulation material causes the elastic flash 223 to deform to a certain extent so as to make contact with the housing 10, further enhancing the sealing effect.

[0060] In some embodiments, the diameter of the sealing surface 221a can be larger than the diameter of the foam filling hole 101. In other words, when the foam valve 2 is in use, the sealing surface 221a and the wall of the housing 10 forming the foam filling hole 101 form surface-to-surface contact. Furthermore, an elastic flash 223 forms a line-to-surface contact with the wall outside this surface-to-surface contact. Thus, the sealing surface 221a and the elastic flash 223 cooperate to achieve a double seal, further enhancing the sealing effect.

[0061] In a specific implementation, refer to Figures 1 to 3 The housing 10 may have irregularly shaped mounting holes 102. Specifically, the mounting holes 102 may be generally circular and extend outward on opposite sides to form wings.

[0062] Further, refer to Figure 2 , Figures 6 to 8 The first plate 211 is provided with a snap-fit ​​structure 23 on the side facing the housing 10. The snap-fit ​​structure 23 includes a body 231 and a pair of rotors 232 symmetrically arranged on both sides of the body 231.

[0063] During assembly, after the snap-fit ​​structure 23 passes through the assembly hole 102, the foaming valve 2 rotates around the center of the assembly hole 102 until a pair of rotors 232 overlap with the wall forming the assembly hole 102, thereby completing the positioning of the first plate 211 and the housing 100.

[0064] Therefore, the foaming valve 2 can be reliably positioned on the housing 10 without the need for additional fixing parts, and the rotation-fixed installation method is convenient to operate.

[0065] In some embodiments, reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 For each of the pair of rotors 232, there may be a non-zero gap between the rotor 232 and the first plate portion 211. Specifically, the gap is suitable for the wall of the forming assembly hole 102 of the housing 10 to enter, after the foaming valve 2 is installed and positioned on the housing 10, the wall of the forming assembly hole 102 of the housing 10 is sandwiched between the rotor 232 and the first plate portion 211.

[0066] Furthermore, the snap-fit ​​structure 23 may also include a protrusion 233 extending from the rotor 232 toward the first plate portion 211. In other words, the gap between the region of the rotor 232 without the protrusion 233 and the first plate portion 211 is larger than the gap between the region of the rotor 232 with the protrusion 233 and the first plate portion 211 (i.e., the gap between the protrusion 233 and the first plate portion 211).

[0067] Therefore, considering the different thicknesses of the sheet metal used in the housing 10 of different refrigeration appliances 1, the protrusion 233 improves the compatibility of the foaming valve 2. For thinner housings 10, the protrusion 233 ensures that the snap-fit ​​structure 23 tightly locks the housing 10 without gaps. For thicker housings 10, the protrusion 233 allows the snap-fit ​​structure 23 and the housing 10 to have an interference fit, strengthening the connection effect. Furthermore, the protrusion 233 also helps to ensure that the snap-fit ​​structure 23 fits tightly against housings 10 of various thicknesses, preventing foam leakage at the assembly hole 102.

[0068] In a specific implementation, refer to Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The housing 10 may also have a limiting hole 103, and the first plate portion 211 may be provided with a limiting portion 24 protruding toward the housing 10. The limiting portion 24 is used to insert into the limiting hole 103 to restrict the relative position of the foaming valve 2 and the housing 10 to a state where the rotor 232 overlaps with the wall forming the mounting hole 102. Specifically, the limiting portion 24 and the snap-fit ​​structure 23 are provided on the same side of the first plate portion 211, and the two can be provided adjacent to each other. Furthermore, the relative position of the limiting portion 24 and the snap-fit ​​structure 23, especially the relative position of the limiting portion 24 and the pair of rotor portions 232, is adapted to allow the snap-fit ​​structure 23 to pass through the mounting hole 102 from the side of the housing 10 toward the heat insulation space, and then rotate 90° until the pair of rotor portions 232 are in a position as shown in the figure. Figure 2 As shown, the limiting part 24 is rotated to the position where the limiting hole 103 is opened on the housing 10. At this time, by passing the limiting part 24 through the limiting hole 103, the snap-fit ​​structure 23 can be locked in place as shown. Figure 2 The location shown.

[0069] Therefore, the setting of the limiting hole 103 and the limiting part 24 is conducive to preventing fooling, ensuring that the foaming valve 2 is quickly installed in place, and also preventing the foaming valve 2 from falling off the housing 10 due to the decoupling of the buckling structure 23 and the assembly hole 102 caused by handling and bumps during the production line manufacturing process.

[0070] In some embodiments, the extension length of a pair of rotors 232 on the plane of the first plate portion 211 can be designed as needed to adjust the angle of rotation required for the foam valve 2 to be rotated relative to the housing 10 for positioning. For example, when the space in the insulation space for installing the foam valve 2 is relatively compact, the buckle structure 23 can be fitted into place by adjusting the extension length of the rotors 232 after passing through the mounting hole 102 and rotating by a small angle (e.g., 45°).

[0071] In one specific implementation, the foaming valve 2 can be a single integrated piece. This allows for sealing of the foaming filling hole 101 with a single component, significantly reducing the number of parts required.

[0072] In one specific implementation, the foam valve 2 can be made of plastic. For example, the foam valve 2 can be integrally injection molded from PP material to obtain superior toughness and hardness.

[0073] In a typical application scenario, during the manufacturing of refrigeration appliance 1 on a production line, a housing 10 with a foaming filling hole 101 and a foaming valve 2 in its original state can be obtained. The second plate portion 212 is bent to form a pre-deformed foaming valve 2. The snap-fit ​​structure 23 of the pre-deformed foaming valve 2 is rotated and positioned onto the housing 10. The second plate portion 212 is then released, resulting in... Figure 2 The housing 10 shown is pre-installed with the foaming valve 2. At this time, the sealing surface 221a and the elastic flash 223 abut against the housing 10 under the elastic deformation of the second plate portion 212 to seal the foaming filling hole 101.

[0074] Furthermore, the shell 10 is installed around the periphery of the enclosure to form a hollow, heat-insulating space. Then, the foaming device 3 is inserted into the foaming filling hole 101. As the foaming device 3 is inserted, the second plate portion 212 is pushed open to open the foaming filling hole 101, and the second plate portion 212 further undergoes elastic deformation relative to the first plate portion 211, such as... Figure 9 As shown.

[0075] Then, the foaming equipment 3 fills the insulation space with insulation material. After filling is complete, the foaming equipment 3 withdraws the foaming filling hole 101. As the external force applied by the foaming equipment 3 is removed, the second plate 212 quickly recovers to its original state under the restoring force generated by elastic deformation. Figure 4 The usage state is shown. At this time, under the elastic deformation of the second plate portion 212 and the expansion of the heat insulation material, the sealing surface 221a and the elastic flash 223 are once again tightly pressed against the shell 10 to seal the foam filling hole 101.

[0076] Although specific embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure, even when only a single embodiment is described with respect to a particular feature. The examples of features provided in this disclosure are intended to be illustrative and not limiting, unless otherwise stated. In practice, one or more technical features of the dependent claims may be combined with technical features of the independent claims, and technical features from the respective independent claims may be combined in any suitable manner rather than solely by the specific combinations listed in the claims.

[0077] While the above disclosure is provided, it is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art may make various alterations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure; therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure shall be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A refrigeration appliance, comprising a housing for defining a storage space and a shell (10) enclosing the housing, wherein a heat-insulating space exists between the housing and the shell (10), the shell (10) having a foaming filling hole (101) for filling the heat-insulating space with heat-insulating material, and the shell (10) being provided with a foaming valve (2) to open or close the foaming filling hole (101), characterized in that, The foaming valve (2) includes: The seat (21) includes a first plate (211) positioned on the housing (10) and a second plate (212) elastically deformable relative to the first plate (211). The cover (22) is disposed on the second plate (212) and is abutted against the housing (10) by the second plate (212) in an elastically deformed state to close the foam filling hole (101).

2. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The foaming valve (2) includes an original state and a used state. In the original state, the second plate portion (212) has no elastic deformation relative to the first plate portion (211). In the used state, the second plate portion (212) has elastic deformation relative to the first plate portion (211). The foaming valve (2) remains in the used state after being installed into the housing (10); and / or, The foaming valve (2) is a single piece; and / or, The foaming valve (2) is made of plastic.

3. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that, In their original state, the first plate portion (211) and the second plate portion (212) are parallel, and the sealing surfaces (221a) of the first plate portion (211) and the cover portion (22) for closing the foam filling hole (101) have a non-zero included angle; and / or In use, the sealing surfaces (221a) of the first plate portion (211) and the cover portion (22) are parallel, and the first plate portion (211) and the second plate portion (212) have a non-zero included angle.

4. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 3, characterized in that, The included angle is taken from [30°, 40°]; and / or the size of the included angle is related to the material of the seat (21).

5. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cover (22) includes: The seal (221) has a sealing surface (221a) for closing the foam filling hole (101) and an opposing back surface (221b), and the sealing surface (221a) and the second plate portion (212) have a non-zero included angle. A connector (222) extends from the back side (221b) to the second plate portion (212), wherein the distance the connector (222) extends from the back side (221b) toward the second plate portion (212) gradually increases along the direction in which the sealing surface (221a) and the second plate portion (212) are away from each other.

6. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that, The seal (221) includes an elastic flash (223) disposed around the sealing surface (221a), the elastic flash (223) protruding from the sealing surface (221a) in a direction away from the back surface (221b); and / or, the diameter of the sealing surface (221a) is larger than the diameter of the foam filling hole (101).

7. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (10) has an irregularly shaped assembly hole (102). The first plate (211) is provided with a snap-fit ​​structure (23) on the side facing the housing (10). The snap-fit ​​structure (23) includes a body (231) and a pair of rotors (232) symmetrically arranged on both sides of the body (231). After the snap-fit ​​structure (23) passes through the assembly hole (102), the foaming valve (2) rotates around the center of the assembly hole (102) until the pair of rotors (232) overlap with the wall forming the assembly hole (102).

8. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that, For each of the pair of rotors (232), there is a non-zero gap between the rotor (232) and the first plate portion (211), and the snap-fit ​​structure (23) further includes a protrusion (233) extending from the rotor (232) toward the first plate portion (211).

9. The refrigeration appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that, The housing (10) is also provided with a limiting hole (103), and the first plate portion (211) is provided with a limiting portion (24) protruding toward the housing (10). The limiting portion (24) is used to insert into the limiting hole (103) to restrict the relative position of the foaming valve (2) and the housing (10) to the state where the rotor (232) overlaps with the wall forming the assembly hole (102).

10. A foaming valve for a refrigeration appliance, characterized in that, include: The seat (21) includes an adjacent first plate (211) and second plate (212); A cover (22) is provided on the second plate (212); The second plate portion (212) can elastically deform relative to the first plate portion (211) to switch from a first position parallel to the first plate portion (211) to a second position having a non-zero angle with the first plate portion (211), and the cover portion (22) located in the second position is parallel to the first plate portion (211).

Images