Refrigerator

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model relates to the technical field of refrigeration, in particular to a refrigerator. According to the refrigerator, the memory metal spring is arranged to sense the air temperature change of the evaporation cavity to deform, and the bias elastic piece is arranged to provide additional acting force for opening of the air door. The air door is driven to move through the resultant force of the bias elastic piece and the memory metal spring, and the air inlet is shielded and opened. When the evaporator defrosts, the air door shields the air inlet, defrosting heat is prevented from entering the storage chamber, and the temperature of the storage chamber can be kept stable. And the top of the evaporation cavity is closed by shielding the air inlet, so that defrosting heat is favorably converged in the evaporation cavity and acts on the evaporator, and the defrosting efficiency is improved. When the air door shields the air inlet, the bias elastic piece is located in the closed cavity defined by the air door and the air duct rear cover plate of the air door component, the bias elastic piece can be prevented from being isolated from the evaporation cavity during defrosting, and then the bias elastic piece can be prevented from making contact with wet and hot air to condense water drops.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of refrigeration, and in particular, to a refrigerator. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the use of the refrigerator, the air in the storage compartment contains moisture, and the air will freeze when passing through the evaporator. When the frost condenses to a certain thickness, it will affect the smoothness of the air flowing through the evaporator, and further affect the refrigeration effect. Therefore, defrosting needs to be performed regularly.

[0003] In the related art, a heater is usually arranged below the evaporator, and the heat generated by the heater melts the frost. However, since the chamber where the evaporator is located is in communication with the storage compartment, the heat generated by the defrosting enters the storage compartment through the air duct, which causes the temperature in the storage compartment to rise, affecting the storage quality. UTILITARIAN CONTENT

[0004] Embodiments of the present application provide a refrigerator that can reduce the amount of defrosting heat entering the storage compartment.

[0005] Embodiments of the present application provide a refrigerator, which comprises:

[0006] a cabinet, wherein a storage compartment and an evaporation chamber are arranged in the cabinet; an evaporator and a heater for defrosting the evaporator are arranged in the evaporation chamber; an air duct component is arranged between the evaporation chamber and the storage compartment, and the air duct component forms an air duct for cold air in the evaporation chamber to flow into the storage compartment;

[0007] an air inlet of the air duct is arranged in the evaporation chamber; and a damper is arranged at the air inlet;

[0008] a memory metal spring and a biasing elastic member are further arranged at the air inlet; the memory metal spring is configured to deform when heated due to the rising temperature in the evaporation chamber, and the memory metal spring and the biasing elastic member jointly drive the damper to move and shield the air inlet;

[0009] wherein, when the damper shields the air inlet, the biasing elastic member is located in a closed cavity formed by the damper and the air duct component.

[0010] The refrigerator of the embodiments of the present application is provided with a memory metal spring which senses the temperature change of the evaporating cavity and deforms, and a biasing elastic member, so as to provide additional force for opening the air door. The biasing elastic member and the memory metal spring are used to drive the air door to move, so as to shield and open the air inlet. When the evaporator defrosts, the air door shields the air inlet, so as to block the defrosting heat from entering the storage compartment, which helps to keep the temperature of the storage compartment stable. Shielding the air inlet makes the top of the evaporating cavity closed, so as to help the defrosting heat to gather in the evaporating cavity and act on the evaporator, thereby improving the defrosting efficiency. When the air door shields the air inlet, the biasing elastic member is located in the closed cavity formed by the air door and the air duct rear cover plate of the air duct component. In this way, the biasing elastic member can be isolated from the evaporating cavity and not exposed to the evaporating cavity, so as to avoid the biasing elastic member from being contacted with the humid and hot air to condense water droplets, ensure the smoothness of the elastic deformation of the biasing elastic member, and help to improve the reliability and stability of the air door mechanism.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present application, the biasing elastic member is a spiral spring.

[0012] The biasing elastic member of the embodiments of the present application is a spiral spring, which has a simple structure, a stable elastic deformation direction, and a compact structure.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present application, the memory metal spring is a spiral spring.

[0014] In the embodiments of the present application, the memory metal spring can be a spiral spring, which has a simple structure, is easy to process, and can be deformed along the axial direction.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present application, the air duct component is configured to form a containing groove, and an opening of the containing groove faces the air door.

[0016] The biasing elastic member has a first end and a second end in the axial direction; the first end of the biasing elastic member is connected with the groove wall of the containing groove, and the second end of the biasing elastic member is connected with the side of the air door facing the air duct component;

[0017] When the air door shields the air inlet, the air door abuts against the air duct component to close the containing groove and form the closed cavity.

[0018] In the embodiments of the present application, the containing groove is formed on the air duct component, and the closed cavity is formed by the abutment of the air door, so as to accommodate the biasing elastic member. This not only isolates the biasing elastic member when the air door shields the air inlet, but also extends the installation space of the air door mechanism forward, so that the air door mechanism can be installed in the limited space behind the air duct component.

[0019] In some embodiments of this application, the first end of the biasing elastic member abuts against the bottom wall of the receiving groove; the second end of the biasing elastic member abuts against the side of the damper facing the air duct component.

[0020] This configuration eliminates the need for additional connection structures for the bias elastic element, enabling connection between the bias elastic element and the duct back cover and damper, thus simplifying the structure of the damper mechanism.

[0021] In some embodiments of this application, the edge of the damper is configured to form a first connecting seat, and the first connecting seat is provided with a first mating hole;

[0022] A first guide post is provided on the bottom wall of the receiving groove, and a portion of the first guide post extends out of the receiving groove and passes through the first mating hole;

[0023] The biasing elastic element is sleeved on the outside of the first guide post;

[0024] The diameter of the first mating hole is smaller than the outer diameter of the biasing elastic element, so that the second end of the biasing elastic element abuts against the first connecting seat.

[0025] In this embodiment, the damper is provided with a first connecting seat and a first mating hole. The first mating hole mates with a first guide post within a receiving groove, guiding and restricting the movement direction of the damper. A biasing elastic element is sleeved on the outside of the first guide post, restricting the elastic deformation direction of the biasing elastic element. The diameter of the first mating hole is smaller than the outer diameter of the biasing elastic element, so that the second end of the biasing elastic element abuts against the first connecting seat, preventing the second end of the biasing elastic element from dislodging from the first mating hole.

[0026] In some embodiments of this application, when the damper blocks the air inlet, the first connecting seat abuts against the air duct component to seal the receiving groove and form the closed cavity.

[0027] The damper passage in this embodiment of the application is provided with a first connecting seat, which can not only connect with the bias elastic member to realize the connection between the bias elastic member and the damper, but also use the first connecting seat to close the receiving groove to form a closed cavity.

[0028] In some embodiments of this application, the first connecting seat is configured to form an abutment surface, which is used to abut against the air duct component.

[0029] The side of the first connecting seat facing the air duct component forms an abutment surface, which abuts against the air duct rear cover plate of the air duct component, so that the first connecting seat and the air duct rear cover plate around the receiving groove form a surface contact, which helps to improve the sealing of the closed cavity.

[0030] In some embodiments of this application, the memory metal spring is sleeved on the first guide post and located on the side of the first connecting seat away from the air duct component;

[0031] One end of the memory metal spring is connected to the end of the first guide post that is away from the air duct component, and the other end of the memory metal spring is connected to the first connecting seat.

[0032] Thus, the shape memory metal spring and the bias elastic element are located on opposite sides of the first connecting seat along the axial direction of the air inlet. The first guide post provides constraint and guidance for the axial deformation of the shape memory metal spring.

[0033] In some embodiments of this application, the edge of the damper is further configured to form a second connecting seat, the second connecting seat being spaced apart from the first connecting seat along the circumference of the damper;

[0034] One of the second connecting seat and the air duct component is provided with a guide structure, and the other is provided with a mating structure that cooperates with the guide structure; the memory metal spring is sleeved on the outside of the guide structure, or the memory metal spring is located in the guide cavity of the guide structure.

[0035] In this embodiment, the damper constructs a second connecting seat and sets a guide structure between the second connecting seat and the air duct component to guide and restrict the elastic deformation of the shape memory metal spring. By utilizing the cooperation of the guide structure and the mating structure, the movement direction of the damper is restricted, improving the smoothness of the damper's movement.

[0036] In some embodiments of this application, the groove wall of the receiving groove forms a protrusion in the air duct, and the dimension of the protrusion along the depth direction of the refrigerator is smaller than the dimension of the air duct along the depth direction of the refrigerator.

[0037] The protrusion's dimension along the depth direction of the refrigerator is smaller than the dimension of the air duct along the depth direction of the refrigerator, so that the protrusion is located inside the air duct and does not affect the front cover of the air duct. Attached Figure Description

[0038] To more clearly illustrate the implementation methods in the embodiments of this application or related technologies, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0039] Figure 1 This application provides structural schematic diagrams of refrigerators for some embodiments.

[0040] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the box liner provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0041] Figure 3 This application provides schematic diagrams of the structure of a damper mechanism for opening the air inlet in some embodiments;

[0042] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the damper mechanism for closing the air inlet provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0043] Figure 5 A rear view of a damper mechanism closing the air inlet, provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0044] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Sectional view of AA;

[0045] Figure 7 This application provides schematic diagrams of the structure of a damper mechanism for opening the air inlet in some embodiments;

[0046] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Sectional view of BB;

[0047] Figure 9 A rear view of a damper mechanism closing the air inlet, provided for other embodiments of this application;

[0048] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A sectional view of CC in the diagram;

[0049] Figure 11 A rear view of the damper mechanism with the air inlet open, provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0050] Figure 12 for Figure 11 A sectional view of DD in the diagram;

[0051] Figure 13 This is a rear view of a damper according to some embodiments of this application;

[0052] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the air duct rear cover plate provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0053] Figure 15 for Figure 14 The sectional view of EE in the image.

[0054] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0055] 10: Cabinet body; 11: Cabinet liner; 12: Rear side wall; 13: Receiving cavity; 14: Storage compartment; 15: Evaporation chamber; 20: Door; 30: Damper mechanism; 40: Evaporator; 41: Heater; 50: Flexible drive assembly;

[0056] 100: Duct component; 101: Duct; 102: Return air inlet; 110: Duct rear cover; 111: Air inlet; 112: Protrusion; 113: Receiving groove; 1131: Enclosed cavity; 1132: Protrusion; 114: Fixing base; 1141: Limiting structure; 115: Limiting component; 116: First guide post; 120: Duct front cover; 121: Air outlet; 130: Refrigeration fan;

[0057] 200: Damper; 210: Plate body; 211: Mating surface; 220: First connecting seat; 221: First mating hole; 230: Guide structure; 231: Mating structure; 250: Second connecting seat;

[0058] 300: Memory metal spring;

[0059] 400: Offset elastic element. Detailed Implementation

[0060] To make the objectives, implementation methods and advantages of this application clearer, the exemplary implementation methods of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the exemplary embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described exemplary embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0061] It should be noted that the brief descriptions of terms in this application are only for the convenience of understanding the embodiments described below, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. Unless otherwise stated, these terms should be understood in their ordinary and common meaning.

[0062] Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover but not exclusively include, for example, a product or device that includes a series of components is not necessarily limited to those that are explicitly listed, but may include other components that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such product or device.

[0063] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0064] 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 technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0065] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0066] In related technologies, a heater is typically installed below the evaporator to melt frost. However, because the evaporator chamber is connected to the storage chamber, the heat generated during defrosting enters the storage chamber through the air duct, causing the temperature inside the storage chamber to rise and affecting the quality of the stored goods.

[0067] The structure is relatively simple, using shape memory metal parts to sense temperature changes in the evaporator chamber and deform accordingly. The deformation of the shape memory metal parts alone drives the damper to move relative to the air inlet.

[0068] The phase transformation process of shape memory metal components, from austenite to martensite and vice versa, both have specific phase transformation temperature zones. In other words, shape memory metal components require deformation time, which means that the opening and closing of the air inlet of the damper requires a certain amount of time.

[0069] When the evaporator is cooling, if the air inlet is not opened in time, it will not only affect cooling efficiency and increase energy consumption, but also easily lead to frost buildup in the evaporator chamber; it may even damage refrigerator components. During evaporator defrosting, even if the air inlet is blocked by the damper for a certain period, defrosting heat may enter the storage compartment, but its impact on the storage compartment temperature is negligible. Therefore, improving the sensitivity of the damper in opening the air inlet is more important.

[0070] To address this, the researchers added an offset elastic element to the shape memory metal component to provide an auxiliary force for the damper to open the air inlet, thereby improving the sensitivity of the damper in opening the air inlet.

[0071] However, the researchers of this application discovered that during the defrosting process, when exposed to air with high temperature and humidity, the bias elastic element is prone to condensation, forming water droplets. Upon entering the cooling stage, these water droplets freeze, hindering the elastic change of the bias elastic element and affecting the opening and closing of the damper.

[0072] In view of this, the embodiments of this application provide a structure between the damper and the air duct components, so that the bias elastic member is in a closed cavity when the damper blocks the air inlet, so that the bias elastic member is not exposed to the evaporation cavity, avoiding contact between the bias elastic member and the humid and hot air generated by defrosting, thereby avoiding the possibility of water droplets forming and frost forming on the bias elastic member, and ensuring the reliability of the damper mechanism.

[0073] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0074] This application provides a refrigerator, which includes:

[0075] The cabinet contains a storage chamber and an evaporation chamber. The evaporation chamber contains an evaporator and a heater for defrosting the evaporator. An air duct is provided between the evaporation chamber and the storage chamber to allow cold air from the evaporation chamber to flow into the storage chamber.

[0076] The air inlet of the air duct is located inside the evaporation chamber; thus, the cold air in the evaporation chamber enters the air duct through the air inlet and then enters the storage compartment through the air duct. An air damper is installed at the air inlet.

[0077] The air inlet is also equipped with a memory metal spring and an offset elastic element. The memory metal spring is designed to sense the temperature change of the evaporation chamber.

[0078] When the evaporator is cooling, the combined force of the memory metal spring and the biased elastic element moves away from the air inlet, driving the damper to open the air inlet so that cold air can enter the storage compartment through the air inlet and duct. When the heater defrosts the evaporator, the combined force of the memory metal spring and the biased elastic element moves towards the air inlet, driving the damper to block the air inlet.

[0079] The shape memory spring is designed to deform when heated by rising temperatures within the evaporation chamber. This deformation, in turn, causes the bias elastic element to deform elastically. The combined force of both elements drives the damper to block the air inlet. At this point, the direction of the shape memory spring's elastic force is opposite to that of the bias elastic element, and the shape memory spring's force is greater than that of the bias elastic element. The shape memory spring's force points towards the air inlet, and the combined force of the shape memory spring and the bias elastic element also points towards the air inlet.

[0080] When the temperature inside the evaporator chamber decreases, the expansion force of the shape memory metal spring decreases, and the bias elastic element recovers its deformation. The combined force of the two drives the damper to open the air inlet. At this time, the elastic force of the shape memory metal spring is less than the elastic force of the bias elastic element, and the combined force of the shape memory metal spring and the bias elastic element moves away from the air inlet.

[0081] When the damper blocks the air inlet, the bias elastic element is located in the closed cavity formed by the damper and the air duct components, which allows the bias elastic element to be isolated from the evaporation cavity, preventing the hot and humid air in the evaporation cavity from contacting the bias elastic element, thereby avoiding the possibility of water droplets and ice forming on the bias elastic element.

[0082] The damper and the duct rear cover plate of the duct component enclose a closed cavity, wherein at least one of the damper and the duct rear cover plate forms a recessed structure to provide space for the formation of the closed cavity.

[0083] The following is combined Figures 1 to 15 This application describes in detail the specific structure and function of the refrigerator in the embodiment.

[0084] Combination Figure 1 Some embodiments of this application provide a refrigerator, which includes a cabinet 10, the cabinet 10 being configured to form a storage compartment 14 with an access opening for storing items.

[0085] Multiple storage compartments 14 can be provided to expand storage space. Depending on the storage temperature of the storage compartments 14, the storage compartments 14 may include at least one refrigerated compartment and at least one frozen compartment. The internal temperature of the refrigerated compartment can be maintained between approximately 0°C and 5°C for storing items in refrigeration mode; the internal temperature of the frozen compartment can be maintained between approximately -30°C and 0°C for storing items in freezing mode.

[0086] In some possible implementations, at least one of the storage chambers 14 may also be configured as a vacuum chamber or a variable temperature chamber, etc., which will not be described in detail in the embodiments of this application.

[0087] For example, two storage compartments 14 can be provided, which can be stacked vertically or arranged side by side horizontally. One of them can be a refrigerator compartment and the other can be a freezer compartment.

[0088] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 1 and Figure 2 The refrigerator body 10 may include a refrigerator liner 11 and a refrigerator shell. The refrigerator liner 11 may be configured to form a storage compartment 14 with a front opening, which serves as an access port. The refrigerator shell may be attached to the outside of the refrigerator liner 11 to form the appearance of the refrigerator.

[0089] The cabinet 10 may also include a cabinet insulation layer, which can be disposed between the cabinet liner 11 and the cabinet shell. The cabinet insulation layer can insulate the storage compartment 14 to minimize heat exchange between the storage compartment 14 and the outside of the refrigerator, which is beneficial to ensuring the cooling effect of the refrigerator.

[0090] The refrigerator in this embodiment may further include a refrigeration system for reducing the air temperature in the storage compartment 14. Exemplarily, the refrigeration system may be housed within the cabinet 10. The refrigeration system may include a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator 40 connected in a cycle.

[0091] During refrigeration system operation, the compressor compresses refrigerant vapor to generate high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant vapor, which is then transported to the condenser. The condenser liquefies the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant vapor, generating high-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant liquid, which is then transported to the expansion valve. The expansion valve reduces the pressure of the refrigerant liquid, transforming the high-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant liquid into a low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant liquid, which is then transported to the evaporator 40. The evaporator 40 receives the low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant liquid and boils it under isobaric conditions, absorbing heat and vaporizing to form refrigerant vapor, thereby lowering the temperature inside the storage compartment 14.

[0092] Continue to refer to Figure 1 The refrigerator in this embodiment may further include a door 20, which is rotatably connected to the cabinet 10 to open or close the access port. Exemplarily, the door 20 is hinged to the cabinet 10.

[0093] Each storage room 14 may be provided with one door 20; or, each storage room 14 may be provided with two doors 20, which may rotate in opposite directions to open or close the storage room 14.

[0094] Of course, in some possible implementations, the storage compartment 14 is equipped with drawers, the outer ends of which are constructed to form a door 20.

[0095] In some embodiments, the door 20 may include an inner door liner. When the door 20 is closed to the refrigerator compartment, the inner door liner faces the refrigerator compartment.

[0096] The door 20 may include a door outer shell; the door outer shell may be attached to the outside of the door inner liner to form the appearance of the door 20. The door outer shell may be rotatably connected to the cabinet 10 to allow the door 20 to open or close the refrigerator compartment.

[0097] The door body 20 may also include a door insulation component, which can be disposed within the gap between the inner door liner and the outer door shell. The door insulation component can insulate the storage compartment 14 to minimize heat exchange between the storage compartment 14 and the outside of the refrigerator, thus helping to ensure the refrigerator's cooling effect. The door insulation component can be a foam layer.

[0098] In some embodiments, a door shelf is provided on the side of the door 20 facing the refrigerator compartment to increase the storage space of the refrigerator. The door shelf has an upward-opening storage cavity for storing items.

[0099] Reference Figure 2 In some embodiments of this application, the inner liner 11 of the cabinet 10 is configured to form a receiving cavity 13 with an opening for taking out and putting in. The receiving cavity 13 can not only form a storage room 14, but also provide installation space for other components of the refrigerator.

[0100] In some embodiments of this application, the refrigerator may also include an air duct component 100, which is used to construct a channel for forming a flow of cold air to guide the cold air cooled by the evaporator 40 into the storage compartment 14.

[0101] The air duct component 100 is installed inside the receiving cavity 13. This can be understood as the air duct component 100 being installed inside the box liner 11. The air duct component 100 is positioned near the rear side wall 12 of the box liner 11, allowing a large storage compartment 14 to be formed on the front side of the box liner 11.

[0102] The air duct component 100 directs the accommodating cavity 13 of the refrigerator liner 11 along the depth direction of the refrigerator (corresponding to...). Figure 2 The space is divided into an evaporation chamber 15 and a storage chamber 14 along the Y-axis. Figure 2 There is a gap between the air duct component 100 and the rear side wall 12 of the box liner 11 to form an evaporation chamber 15, and the side of the air duct component 100 facing the access port forms a storage compartment 14.

[0103] The evaporator 40 of the refrigeration system is installed inside the evaporation chamber 15, and the evaporator 40 is located at the lower part of the evaporation chamber 15. A heater 41 is provided below the evaporator 40 to provide defrosting heat for defrosting the evaporator 40. Of course, this is not a limitation on the location of the heater 41, and the heater 41 can also be located at other positions on the evaporator 40.

[0104] Continue to refer to Figure 2 The air duct component 100 is constructed to form an air duct 101 and an air inlet 111. The air inlet 111 connects the air duct 101 and the evaporation chamber 15, and the air inlet 111 is located on the side of the air duct component 100 facing the evaporation chamber 15. Along the height direction of the refrigerator (corresponding to...) Figure 2 (in the Z-axis direction), the air inlet 111 is located above the evaporator 40, so that the air inlet 111 is connected to the top of the evaporation chamber 15. In this way, the cold air after heat exchange in the evaporator 40 can enter the air duct 101 through the air inlet 111.

[0105] The air duct 101 is connected to the storage compartment 14 to guide the cool air after heat exchange in the evaporator 40 into the storage compartment 14, thereby reducing the temperature of the storage compartment 14. An air outlet 121 is provided on the side of the air duct component 100 facing the storage compartment 14, and the air outlet 121 connects the air duct 101 and the storage compartment 14. Multiple air outlets 121 can be provided; some air outlets 121 can be spaced apart along the width of the refrigerator, and some air outlets 121 can be spaced apart along the height of the refrigerator to improve the temperature uniformity within the storage compartment 14.

[0106] In some embodiments, the bottom end of the air duct component 100 is spaced from the inner chamber 11 to form a return air vent 102. The return air vent 102 is located below all the air supply vents 121. The return air vent 102 connects the bottom of the storage compartment 14 and the evaporation chamber 15, and the connection point between the return air vent 102 and the evaporation chamber 15 is located below the evaporator 40, so that the cold air from the return air vent 102 can pass through the evaporator 40 and exchange heat.

[0107] In some embodiments, a cooling fan 130 is also installed in the air duct 101 to provide power for the circulation of cold air between the storage compartment 14 and the evaporation chamber 15. The cooling fan 130 is opposite to the air inlet 111, so that a negative pressure can be formed at the air inlet 111, improving the efficiency of cold air entering the storage compartment 14 from the evaporation chamber 15.

[0108] For example, the air inlet 111 is a circular opening, thus matching the shape of the cooling fan 130.

[0109] With the above configuration, under the action of the cooling fan 130, the cold air in the evaporator 15, after heat exchange with the evaporator 40, enters the air duct 101 through the air inlet 111, and then enters the storage chamber 14 through the air outlet 121; the air in the storage chamber 14 returns to the evaporator 15 through the return air outlet 102 and exchanges heat with the evaporator 40. This cycle repeats, lowering the temperature of the storage chamber 14.

[0110] In some embodiments, Figure 2 The storage compartment 14 shown is a freezer compartment. A refrigerated air duct is connected to the top of the air duct component 100, and the refrigerated air duct is connected to the refrigerated compartment to provide cold air to the refrigerated compartment.

[0111] Continue to refer to Figure 2In some embodiments, the air duct component 100 includes a rear cover plate 110 and a front cover plate 120, which are fixedly connected and enclose an air duct 101. The rear cover plate 110 is located behind the front cover plate 120, so that the rear cover plate 110 faces the evaporation chamber 15 and the front cover plate 120 faces the storage chamber 14. An air inlet 111 is located on the rear cover plate 110, and an air outlet 121 is located on the front cover plate 120.

[0112] Continue to refer to Figure 2 In some embodiments of this application, the refrigerator further includes a damper mechanism 30, which is located within the evaporation chamber 15. The damper mechanism 30 is located at the upper part of the evaporation chamber 15 and above the evaporator 40. The damper mechanism 30 and the air inlet 111 are aligned along the depth direction (corresponding to...) Figure 2 (in the Y-axis direction) relative to each other. The damper mechanism 30 is configured to open the air inlet 111 when the evaporator 40 is cooling and close the air inlet 111 when the evaporator 40 is defrosting.

[0113] Combination Figure 3 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, the damper mechanism 30 may include a damper 200 configured to either shield or open the air inlet 111.

[0114] The damper 200 can be generally plate-shaped to reduce the space occupied by the damper mechanism 30 along the depth direction of the refrigerator. In some embodiments, the main body of the damper 200 can be circular, and a connecting structure can be provided at the edge of the damper 200 to install a shape memory metal component.

[0115] Continue to refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 In some embodiments of this application, the damper mechanism 30 may further include a shape memory metal element configured to deform in response to changes in the air temperature of the evaporation chamber 15, thereby driving the damper 200 to move and open or close the air inlet 111.

[0116] Shape memory metal parts can be shape memory alloy parts, such as nickel-titanium alloys.

[0117] In some embodiments, the shape memory metal element is configured to deform axially along the air inlet 111 in response to changes in the air temperature of the evaporation chamber 15, thereby driving the damper 200 to move axially along the air inlet 111 to open or close the air inlet 111.

[0118] When the air inlet 111 is arranged in the vertical plane of the refrigerator, the axis of the air inlet 111 is parallel to the depth direction of the refrigerator. The width direction and the height direction of the refrigerator determine the vertical plane of the refrigerator.

[0119] In other embodiments, the shape memory metal element is configured to deform in a vertical plane in response to changes in the air temperature of the evaporation chamber 15, thereby driving the damper 200 to move in the vertical plane of the refrigerator, such that the damper 200 is opposite to the air inlet 111 and blocks the air inlet 111, or that the damper 200 is offset from the air inlet 111 and opens the air inlet 111.

[0120] Of course, the damper 200 can move in a straight line or a curve within the vertical plane of the refrigerator.

[0121] In some other embodiments, the shape memory metal element can be configured to deform in response to changes in the air temperature of the evaporation chamber 15, with the deformation direction of the shape memory metal element forming a certain angle relative to the axial direction of the air inlet 111. Thus, the damper 200 moves along the deformation direction of the shape memory metal element to open or close the air inlet 111. As the shape memory metal element drives the damper 200 to move, the distance between the damper 200 and the air duct component 100 along the axial direction of the air inlet 111 changes; furthermore, the relative positions of the damper 200 and the air inlet 111 in the vertical plane of the refrigerator also change.

[0122] In some possible implementations of this application, the memory metal component is a memory metal spring 300, which is configured to deform along the depth direction of the refrigerator in response to changes in the air temperature of the evaporation chamber 15.

[0123] In some embodiments of this application, the memory metal spring 300 can be a helical spring, such as a cylindrical helical spring, which has a simple structure, is easy to process, and the spring can stretch and deform along its axial direction.

[0124] In this embodiment, the memory metal spring 300 is a cylindrical helical spring, with the same diameter at the spring coil, and the axial direction of the memory metal spring 300 is parallel to the horizontal plane, so that the memory metal spring 300 is at the same horizontal height along its axial direction, which further improves the consistency of the temperature sensed by the memory metal spring 300.

[0125] In some embodiments, during evaporator 40 cooling, the temperature inside evaporator cavity 15 can reach -18°C to -20°C, causing the shape memory spring 300 to undergo an austenitic-to-martensite phase transformation and elongate along the depth direction of the refrigerator. During evaporator 40 defrosting, the temperature inside evaporator cavity 15 can reach 2°C to 5°C, causing the shape memory spring 300 to undergo a martensite-to-austenite phase transformation and contract along the depth direction of the refrigerator.

[0126] In some implementations, the material of the memory metal spring 300 is designed so that the memory metal spring 300 contracts along the depth direction of the refrigerator when the evaporator 40 is cooling, and extends along the depth direction of the refrigerator when the evaporator 40 is defrosting.

[0127] Since the shape memory spring 300 needs to deform in response to changes in the air temperature of the evaporation chamber 15, at least a portion of the shape memory spring 300 is exposed outside the evaporation chamber 15, thereby increasing the sensitivity of the shape memory spring 300 in sensing temperature changes.

[0128] In some embodiments of this application, the shape memory metal spring 300 is connected to the damper 200 and the duct component 100, respectively. Specifically, the shape memory metal spring 300 is connected to both the damper 200 and the duct rear cover plate 110.

[0129] Thus, during the defrosting of the evaporator, combined with Figure 5 and Figure 6 The shape memory metal spring 300 is configured to drive the damper 200 to shield the air inlet 111. This prevents defrosting heat from entering the storage compartment via the air inlet 111 and the air duct 101, thus avoiding its impact on the storage compartment temperature. Furthermore, shielding the air inlet 111 closes the top of the evaporator chamber, facilitating the accumulation of defrosting heat within the evaporator chamber and directing it to the evaporator, thereby improving defrosting efficiency. During evaporator cooling, combined with… Figure 7 and Figure 8 The damper 200 is driven by at least the memory metal spring 300 to move away from the air duct component 100 to open the air inlet 111. In this way, the cold air after heat exchange in the evaporator enters the air duct 101 through the air inlet 111 and enters the storage compartment through the air outlet to lower the temperature of the stored items and ensure the normal operation of the refrigerator's cooling function.

[0130] In some embodiments of this application, the memory metal spring 300 is made of one-way shape memory alloy. One-way shape memory alloy can "remember" a shape at a specific temperature. For example, when a one-way shape memory alloy is cooled below its phase transition temperature, it can be plastically deformed; when the temperature rises to the phase transition temperature, the one-way shape memory alloy returns to a pre-set shape.

[0131] In some embodiments, the shape memory metal spring 300 has a first state and a second state, and the expansion force of the shape memory metal spring 300 in the first state is greater than the expansion force in the second state. For example, the expansion force of the shape memory metal spring 300 in the first state is more than three times the expansion force of the shape memory metal spring 300 in the second state. Taking a helical spring as an example, the first state of the shape memory metal spring 300 is an extended state, and the second state of the shape memory metal spring 300 is a contracted state.

[0132] For example, during evaporator defrosting, the memory metal spring 300 senses the increase in air temperature in the evaporator chamber and extends to its first state. During evaporator cooling, the memory metal spring 300 senses the decrease in air temperature in the evaporator chamber, the expansion force of the memory metal spring 300 decreases, and it contracts to its second state under the action of other forces.

[0133] Combination Figure 3 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, the damper mechanism 30 may further include a biasing elastic member 400 configured to elastically deform along a first direction parallel to the axial direction of the air inlet 111. The biasing elastic member 400 is connected to the damper 200 and the duct rear cover plate 110 of the duct component 100, respectively.

[0134] The biasing elastic element 400 is configured to elastically deform when the shape memory metal spring 300 is deformed to a first state, and is configured to recover its deformation when the shape memory metal spring 300 is deformed to a second state. Taking a helical spring as an example, the biasing elastic element 400 is configured to be compressed during the deformation of the shape memory metal spring 300 to the first state; and to recover its deformation when the shape memory metal spring 300 is deformed to the second state.

[0135] In some embodiments, the biasing elastic element 400 is a helical spring. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In this example, the biasing elastic element 400 is shown as a cylindrical helical spring, but this is not limiting. The biasing elastic element 400 can also be a conical helical spring, or other elastic elements that can stretch or contract in the first direction.

[0136] For example, the biasing elastic element 400 is a metal helical spring, such as a stainless steel helical spring, which has a stable structure and low cost.

[0137] The biasing elastic element 400 in this embodiment is a helical spring, which is not only simple in structure and stable in elastic deformation direction, but also compact in structure.

[0138] The combined force of the memory metal spring 300 and the biased elastic element 400 drives the damper 200 to move axially along the air inlet 111. At this time, the damper 200 is subjected to the combined force of the memory metal spring 300 and the biased elastic element 400.

[0139] In some possible implementations, the combined force of the memory metal spring 300 and the biasing elastic element 400 drives the damper 200 to move axially along the air inlet 111. This arrangement allows the damper 200 to open and close the air inlet 111 with a small stroke. In particular, when opening the air inlet 111, the damper 200 only needs to move a small distance axially along the air inlet 111 to open it.

[0140] In this embodiment, the elastic force of the memory metal spring 300 and the bias elastic element 400 are both along the axial direction of the air inlet 111. The combined force of the two drives the damper 200 to move along the axial direction of the air inlet 111, so that the combined force of the memory metal spring 300 and the bias elastic element 400 acts on the damper 200 without any force loss in other directions, which helps to improve the smoothness of the movement of the damper 200.

[0141] In some embodiments of this application, the shape memory metal spring 300 and the biasing elastic element 400 are arranged side by side along the axial direction of the air inlet 111. This arrangement ensures that the projections of the shape memory metal spring 300 and the biasing elastic element 400 onto the plane of the air inlet 111 coincide. Consequently, the force exerted by the shape memory metal spring 300 on the damper 200 and the force exerted by the shielding element on the damper 200 are relatively close in position on the plane of the air inlet 111, or even coincide. This concentrates the forces of the shape memory metal spring 300 and the biasing elastic element 400, reducing the torque caused by the interval between the two forces, decreasing the possibility of deformation or tilting of the damper 200, and improving the smoothness of the damper 200's movement.

[0142] Combination Figure 5 and Figure 6 During evaporator defrosting, the shape memory metal spring 300 is configured to deform the bias elastic element 400 and drive the damper 200 to move toward the air inlet 111 to block the air inlet 111. Exemplarily, during evaporator defrosting, the air temperature inside the evaporation chamber rises under the action of the heater, and the hot air rises. The shape memory metal spring 300 senses the increase in air temperature in the evaporation chamber, undergoes a phase change, and elongates. The shape memory metal spring 300 causes the bias elastic element 400 to elastically deform, driving the damper 200 to move toward the air duct component and abut against the air duct rear cover 110 of the air duct component to block the air inlet 111.

[0143] At this time, the elastic force of the memory metal spring 300 is greater than the elastic force of the bias elastic element 400, causing the bias elastic element 400 to deform elastically. The elastic force of the memory metal spring 300 and the elastic force of the bias elastic element 400 are in opposite directions. The resultant force F1 of the elastic force of the memory metal spring 300 and the elastic force of the bias elastic element 400 is directed towards the rear cover plate 110 of the air duct, and this resultant force F1 overcomes the friction of the damper 200, driving the damper 200 to move towards the rear cover plate 110 of the air duct to block the air inlet 111.

[0144] Combination Figure 7 and Figure 8 When the evaporator 40 is cooling, the biased elastic element 400 is configured to recover its deformation, causing the shape memory metal spring 300 to contract and drive the damper 200 to move away from the air inlet 111, thereby opening the air inlet 111. Exemplarily, when the evaporator is cooling, the air temperature inside the evaporation chamber decreases under the action of the evaporator. The shape memory metal spring 300 senses the decrease in air temperature in the evaporation chamber and undergoes a phase change. The elastic force of the shape memory metal spring 300 decreases, and it contracts under the action of the biased elastic element 400, driving the damper 200 to move away from the air duct component, creating a gap between the damper 200 and the air duct rear cover 110, thus opening the air inlet 111. In this way, the cold air inside the evaporation chamber can enter the storage compartment through the air duct 101 and the air outlet under the action of the cooling fan.

[0145] At this time, the elastic force of the memory metal spring 300 is less than the elastic force of the bias elastic element 400, and the bias elastic element 400 recovers its deformation. The elastic force of the memory metal spring 300 and the elastic force of the bias elastic element 400 are in opposite directions. The resultant force F2 of the elastic force of the memory metal spring 300 and the elastic force of the bias elastic element 400 is away from the rear cover plate 110 of the air duct and toward the rear side wall 12 of the box liner 11. This resultant force F2 overcomes the friction of the damper 200 and drives the damper 200 to move toward the rear side wall 12 of the box liner 11 to open the air inlet 111.

[0146] In some possible implementations of this application, when the damper 200 opens the air inlet 111, the biased elastic member 400 is in an elastically deformed state, rather than a free state. Thus, under the action of the elastic force of the biased elastic member 400, the damper 200 is kept open by force, preventing the damper 200 from moving relative to the air duct rear cover 110 due to the action of cold air, which would affect the entry of cold air into the storage compartment.

[0147] In some embodiments of this application, the damper mechanism 30 is equipped with a bias elastic element 400, and the damper 200 is moved by the combined force of the bias elastic element 400 and the memory metal spring 300, thereby achieving the shielding and opening of the air inlet 111. The bias elastic element 400 provides additional force for the opening of the damper 200, which helps to increase the opening speed of the component and makes the damper 200 more sensitive to movement.

[0148] Reference Figures 5 to 8 In some embodiments of this application, both the biasing elastic element 400 and the memory metal spring 300 are helical springs, and the biasing elastic element 400 and the memory metal spring 300 are arranged coaxially. This can be understood as the biasing elastic element 400 and the memory metal spring 300 being arranged side-by-side along the axial direction of the memory metal spring 300.

[0149] With the above settings, the elastic force of the bias elastic element 400 and the elastic force of the memory metal spring 300 are in the same direction, and there is no torque between the two forces. This helps to reduce the deformation of the damper 200, making the movement of the damper 200 smoother and further improving the sensitivity of the damper 200 in opening and blocking the air inlet 111.

[0150] In some embodiments, the coaxially arranged biased elastic element 400 and memory metal spring 300 form an elastic drive assembly 50. Multiple elastic drive assemblies 50 can be provided, and these multiple elastic drive assemblies 50 can be evenly spaced along the circumference of the damper 200. This provides sufficient power for the movement of the damper 200 and also ensures balanced force distribution on the damper 200, reducing the possibility of deformation.

[0151] For example, combined Figure 5 and Figure 6 There are two flexible drive components 50, which can provide sufficient driving force for the damper 200 and avoid increasing costs by setting too many flexible drive components 50.

[0152] In some embodiments, the multiple elastic drive components 50 are at the same height from the bottom surface of the housing 10 in the vertical direction. This improves the consistency of the multiple shape memory metal springs 300 in sensing the air temperature of the evaporation chamber, thereby improving the consistency of the deformation of the multiple elastic drive components 50 and helping to improve the smoothness of the movement of the damper 200.

[0153] For example, two elastic drive components 50 are arranged at uniform intervals along the circumference of the damper 200, and the two elastic drive components 50 are at the same horizontal height, for example... Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown.

[0154] Reference Figure 9 and Figure 10 In other embodiments of this application, the biasing elastic element 400 and the shape memory metal spring 300 are not coaxially arranged. This can be understood as the biasing elastic element 400 and the shape memory metal spring 300 being spaced apart along the circumference of the damper 200. Along the circumference of the damper 200, the angle A between adjacent biasing elastic elements 400 and shape memory metal springs 300 satisfies 0° < A < 180°. Figure 9 In the orientation, the angle A between the adjacent bias elastic element 400 and the memory metal spring 300 is 90°.

[0155] In some embodiments, multiple biasing elastic elements 400 and shape memory metal springs 300 may be provided, with each pair of biasing elastic elements 400 and shape memory metal springs 300 spaced apart along the same circumferential direction of the damper 200, the center of which coincides with the center O of the damper 200. This ensures that the elastic force of the biasing elastic element 400 and the elastic force of the shape memory metal spring 300 act on the damper 200 at the same circumference, which helps improve the balance of forces on the damper 200 and improves the smoothness of its movement. Furthermore, it facilitates the formation of identical connection structures on the damper 200, connecting to the biasing elastic elements 400 and shape memory metal springs 300 respectively, improving the symmetry of the damper 200 structure and facilitating processing and installation.

[0156] For example, two biasing elastic elements 400 and two shape memory metal springs 300 are respectively provided. The two shape memory metal springs 300 are arranged at intervals along the horizontal centerline H of the damper 200 and symmetrically about the vertical centerline V. The two biasing elastic elements 400 are arranged at intervals along the vertical centerline V of the damper 200 and symmetrically about the horizontal centerline H. In this way, the damper 200 is subjected to balanced forces along the horizontal centerline H and the vertical centerline V; and the damper mechanism 30 is avoided from being complex and costly due to the use of too many biasing elastic elements 400 and shape memory metal springs 300.

[0157] Reference Figure 11 and Figure 12 In some embodiments of this application, the biasing elastic element 400 is located on the side of the shape memory metal spring 300 away from the center O of the damper 200.

[0158] The number of biased elastic elements 400 is the same as the number of memory metal springs 300. This arrangement helps to improve the uniformity of force distribution on the damper 200.

[0159] In this embodiment, the bias elastic member 400 and the memory metal spring 300 are arranged at circumferential intervals along the damper 200. The bias elastic member 400 is located on the side of the memory metal spring 300 away from the center O of the damper 200. This allows the spacing between the bias elastic member 400 and the memory metal spring 300 in the plane of the air inlet 111 to be smaller, which can reduce the shear force between the bias elastic member 400 and the memory metal spring 300 and reduce the possibility of deformation of the damper 200.

[0160] Continue to refer to Figure 6 , Figure 8 as well as Figure 10Along the depth direction of the refrigerator, the memory metal spring 300 is closer to the evaporation chamber than the bias elastic member 400, placing the memory metal spring 300 behind the bias elastic member 400. This arrangement allows for a simpler structure and provides a larger exposed area of ​​the memory metal spring 300 within the evaporation chamber, improving its sensitivity to changes in air temperature within the evaporation chamber. Furthermore, the bias elastic member 400's proximity to the rear cover plate 110 of the air duct facilitates a structure that isolates the bias elastic member 400 from the evaporation chamber when the air inlet 111 is blocked by the damper 200.

[0161] Combination Figure 6 and Figure 10 In some embodiments of this application, when the damper 200 blocks the air inlet 111, the biasing elastic member 400 is located within the closed cavity 1131 formed by the damper 200 and the air duct rear cover plate 110 of the damper 200 component. This arrangement prevents the biasing elastic member 400 from being isolated from the evaporation cavity 15 during defrosting, thus preventing condensation on the biasing elastic member 400 due to contact with humid and hot air. This ensures the smooth elastic deformation of the biasing elastic member 400 and helps improve the reliability and stability of the damper mechanism 30.

[0162] Furthermore, the closed cavity 1131 can also restrict and guide the elastic deformation direction of the biased elastic element 400, reduce the possibility of radial deformation of the biased elastic element 400, and allow the axial elastic force of the biased elastic element 400 to act on the damper 200 as much as possible.

[0163] In some embodiments, the edge of the damper 200 is configured to form a recessed portion, the opening of which faces the rear cover plate 110 of the air duct. When the damper 200 covers the air inlet 111, the recessed portion is located outside the air inlet 111, so that the recessed portion on the edge of the damper 200 does not affect the covering function of the damper 200. When the damper 200 covers the air inlet 111, the recessed portion and the rear cover plate 110 of the air duct form a closed cavity 1131 to accommodate the biased elastic member 400.

[0164] In other embodiments, combined with Figure 14 and Figure 15 The rear cover plate 110 of the air duct component 100 is configured to form a receiving groove 113, the opening of which faces the damper 200; the receiving groove 113 extends axially along the air inlet 111. The receiving groove 113 provides receiving space for the biased elastic member 400.

[0165] Continue to refer to Figure 15In some embodiments, a portion of the rear cover plate 110 of the air duct is recessed toward the back of the air duct 101 to form a receiving groove 113. The groove wall of the receiving groove 113 forms a protrusion 1132 within the air duct 101. Thus, the receiving groove 113 is not in communication with the air duct 101, avoiding affecting the relative airtightness of the air duct 101.

[0166] The protrusion 1132 is smaller in the depth direction of the refrigerator than the air duct 101, so that the protrusion 1132 is located inside the air duct 101 without affecting the front cover plate 120 of the air duct 101.

[0167] When the protrusion 1132 extends along the axial direction of the air inlet 111, the extension length of the protrusion 1132 is less than the dimension of the air duct 101 along the depth direction of the refrigerator.

[0168] Combination Figure 6 and Figure 8 When the damper 200 blocks the air inlet 111, the damper 200 abuts against the duct component 100 to close the receiving groove 113, forming a closed cavity 1131. This arrangement simplifies the structure of the damper 200, and the receiving groove 113 is formed when the duct rear cover plate 110 is integrally molded, without the need for additional processing.

[0169] Reference Figure 6 When the damper 200 blocks the air inlet 111, the bias elastic member 400 is elastically compressed and housed in the closed cavity 1131, isolating the bias elastic member 400 from the evaporation cavity 15, thereby preventing the bias elastic member 400 from contacting the humid and hot air in the evaporation cavity 15.

[0170] Reference Figure 8 When the damper 200 opens the air inlet 111, the bias elastic member 400 returns to its original shape. Part of the bias elastic member 400 is located in the receiving groove 113, and the other part of the bias elastic member 400 extends out of the receiving groove 113.

[0171] In some embodiments of this application, the biasing elastic member 400 has a first end and a second end extending along its axial direction. The first end of the biasing elastic member 400 is connected to the groove wall of the receiving groove 113, such that the first end of the biasing elastic member 400 is fixed in the receiving groove 113, thereby fixing the first end of the biasing elastic member 400 relative to the air duct component 100.

[0172] The second end of the biasing elastic member 400 is connected to the side of the damper 200 facing the air duct component 100, thus connecting the second end of the biasing elastic member 400 to the damper 200. When the biasing elastic member 400 deforms, it can drive the damper 200 to move.

[0173] In some possible implementations, the first end of the biasing elastic member 400 abuts against the bottom wall of the receiving groove 113; the second end of the biasing elastic member 400 abuts against the side of the damper 200 facing the duct component 100. With this configuration, the connection between the biasing elastic member 400 and the duct rear cover plate 110 and the damper 200 can be achieved without the need for an additional connection structure for the biasing elastic member 400, which helps to simplify the structure of the damper mechanism 30.

[0174] In this embodiment of the application, by constructing a receiving groove 113 on the air duct component 100, which abuts against the damper 200 to form a closed cavity 1131 to accommodate the bias elastic member 400, not only can the bias elastic member 400 be isolated when the damper 200 blocks the air inlet 111, but the installation space of the damper mechanism 30 can also be extended forward, so that the damper mechanism 30 can be installed in the limited space behind the air duct component 100.

[0175] Combination Figure 13 and Figure 6 In some embodiments of this application, the damper 200 may include a plate body 210, which is axially opposite to the air inlet 111. The plate body 210 is configured to open or block the air inlet 111.

[0176] The plate body 210 can be circular to match the shape of the air inlet 111. This ensures the reliability of shielding the air inlet 111 and avoids increasing the weight due to an excessively large plate body 210, which would affect the smooth movement of the damper 200.

[0177] Combination Figure 6 and Figure 8 In some embodiments, the damper 200 forms an annular mating surface 211 on the side facing the air inlet 111. Specifically, the plate body 210 forms a mating surface 211 on the side facing the air inlet 111. During defrosting of the evaporator 40, the mating surface 211 abuts against the rear cover plate 110 of the air duct at the edge of the air inlet 111 to shield the air inlet 111. Thus, the damper 200 and the rear cover plate 110 of the air duct form a curved abutment surface, which helps to improve the reliability of the damper 200 in shielding the air inlet 111.

[0178] In some embodiments of this application, the rear cover plate 110 of the air duct faces the damper 200, or the rear cover plate 110 faces away from the front cover plate 120 of the air duct, forming an annular protrusion 112, with the air inlet 111 located inside the annular protrusion 112. By providing the protrusion 112, the structural strength and stability around the air inlet 111 are improved, reducing the possibility of deformation at the edge of the air inlet 111.

[0179] A recessed mating surface 211 is formed on the plate body 210. The mating surface 211 and the protrusion 112 are mated together, so that a curved contact surface is formed between the damper 200 and the rear cover plate 110 of the air duct, which helps to improve the airtightness of the damper 200 in shielding the air inlet 111.

[0180] Continue to refer to Figure 13 The damper 200 may also include a first connecting seat 220, which is disposed on the edge of the plate body 210. The first connecting seat 220 is provided with a first mating hole 221.

[0181] For example, the first connecting seat 220 and the plate body 210 are integrally formed. This arrangement helps to improve the structural strength and stability of the damper 200 and also simplifies the structure of the damper 200.

[0182] Combination Figure 12 and Figure 15 A first guide post 116 is provided on the bottom wall of the receiving groove 113. A portion of the first guide post 116 extends out of the receiving groove 113 and passes through the first mating hole 221. The first guide post 116 extends axially along the air inlet 111. The first guide post 116 can be cylindrical, matching the shape of the helical spring.

[0183] The biasing elastic element 400 is sleeved on the outside of the first guide post 116, and the biasing elastic element 400 is located on the side of the first connecting seat 220 away from the air duct component 100.

[0184] In some embodiments, the diameter of the first mating hole 221 is smaller than the outer diameter of the bias elastic member 400, so that the second end of the bias elastic member 400 abuts against the first connecting seat 220, thereby preventing the second end of the bias elastic member 400 from coming out of the first mating hole 221.

[0185] In this embodiment, the damper 200 is provided with a first connecting seat 220, and a first mating hole 221 is provided on the first connecting seat 220. The first mating hole 221 engages with the first guide post 116 in the receiving groove 113, thereby guiding and restricting the movement direction of the damper 200. The biasing elastic member 400 is sleeved on the outside of the first guide post 116 to restrict the elastic deformation direction of the biasing elastic member 400.

[0186] In some embodiments of this application, when the damper 200 blocks the air inlet 111, the first connecting seat 220 abuts against the duct component 100 to close the receiving groove 113, forming a closed cavity 1131. The first connecting seat 220 also abuts against the duct rear cover plate 110 of the duct component 100 to close the receiving groove 113, forming a closed cavity 1131. This eliminates the need for an additional structure to close the receiving groove 113 in the damper 200, simplifying its structure. Thus, by providing the first connecting seat 220, the damper 200 in this embodiment can not only connect to the biasing elastic member 400, achieving the connection between the biasing elastic member 400 and the damper 200, but also close the receiving groove 113 to form a closed cavity 1131.

[0187] Reference Figure 6 In some embodiments of this application, the first connecting seat 220 is configured to form an abutment surface, which abuts against the air duct component 100.

[0188] The first connecting seat 220 forms an abutment surface on the side facing the air duct component 100. The abutment surface abuts against the air duct rear cover plate 110 of the air duct component 100, so that the first connecting seat 220 and the air duct rear cover plate 110 around the receiving groove 113 form a surface contact, which helps to improve the sealing of the closed cavity 1131.

[0189] Continue to combine Figure 6 and Figure 8 In some implementations of this application, the shape memory metal spring 300 is sleeved on the first guide post 116 and located on the side of the first connecting seat 220 away from the air duct component 100. Thus, the shape memory metal spring 300 and the bias elastic element 400 are respectively located on both sides of the first connecting seat 220 along the axial direction of the air inlet 111.

[0190] One end of the shape memory metal spring 300 is connected to the end of the first guide post 116 away from the air duct component 100, and the other end of the shape memory metal spring 300 is connected to the first connecting seat 220. When the shape memory metal spring 300 senses the change in air temperature in the evaporation chamber 15 and extends or contracts, the end of the shape memory metal spring 300 connected to the first connecting seat 220 moves relative to the air duct component 100, thereby driving the damper 200 to move relative to the air duct component 100.

[0191] The shape memory metal spring 300 abuts against the first connecting seat 220, and the connection method is simple and reliable. The shape memory metal spring 300 extends along its axial direction and its projection toward the first connecting seat 220 protrudes from the first mating hole 221, so that the shape memory metal spring 300 abuts against the first connecting seat 220.

[0192] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 6 and Figure 8The end of the first guide post 116 facing away from the air duct component 100 has a limiting member 115, and the shape memory metal spring 300 abuts against the limiting member 115. The limiting member 115 can be snapped, threaded, or connected to the first guide post 116. The projection of the limiting member 115 in the cross-section protrudes beyond the projection of the shape memory metal spring 300 in the cross-section, so that one end of the shape memory metal spring 300 can abut against the limiting member 115. The cross-section is a plane perpendicular to the extending direction of the first guide post 116.

[0193] In other embodiments, reference is made to Figure 9 and Figure 10 A mounting base 114 is provided on the side of the air duct component facing the damper 200. The mounting base 114 is located on the side of the air duct rear cover 110 facing the damper 200. The shape memory metal spring 300 is connected to the mounting base 114, thereby connecting the shape memory metal spring 300 to the air duct component 100.

[0194] The fixing seat 114 is located outside the first guide post 116. There are various ways to connect the memory metal spring 300 to the fixing seat 114.

[0195] For example, a limiting structure 1141 is provided on the fixed base 114, so that one end of the memory metal spring 300 abuts against the limiting structure 1141, which is simple in structure.

[0196] For example, the damper 200 may also include a snap-fit ​​component that passes through one end of the memory metal spring 300. The snap-fit ​​component is snapped or plugged into the fixing seat 114, making the connection method simple.

[0197] For example, the end riveted connector of the memory metal spring 300 and the damper 200 may also include a fixing member, which is fixedly connected to the fixing seat 114 so that the end riveted connector of the memory metal spring 300 is clamped between the fixing member and the fixing seat 114, and the connection method is stable.

[0198] In some specific implementations, two fixing seats 114 are provided, and the two fixing seats 114 are arranged opposite each other on both sides of the first guide post 116. Each of the two fixing seats 114 is provided with an insertion hole. The damper 200 may also include a strip, which is inserted into the insertion hole and passes through the spring coil of the memory metal spring 300. The connection method is simple and reliable.

[0199] In this embodiment, the shape memory metal spring 300 is sleeved on the first guide post 116, which not only guides and restricts the deformation of the shape memory metal spring 300, but also allows the shape memory metal spring 300 to be exposed in the evaporation chamber 15 to sense temperature, thus helping to improve the sensitivity of the damper mechanism 30. Furthermore, the shape memory metal spring 300 and the bias elastic element 400 are guided by the same first guide post 116, which helps to improve the overlap of their operating positions.

[0200] Continue to refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10 In some implementations, the damper 200 may further include a second connecting seat 250, which is spaced from the first connecting seat 220 along the circumference of the damper 200. The second connecting seat 250 is connected to the edge of the plate body 210.

[0201] The second connecting seat 250, the first connecting seat 220, and the plate body 210 are integrally formed as a single piece, with a stable and reliable structure.

[0202] The shape of the second connecting seat 250 can be consistent with the shape of the first connecting seat 220, which improves the symmetry of the damper mechanism 30 and facilitates processing and installation.

[0203] One of the second connecting seat 250 and the air duct component 100 is provided with a guide structure 230, and the other is provided with a mating structure 231 that mates with the guide structure 230; the shape memory metal spring 300 is sleeved on the outside of the guide structure 230, or the shape memory metal spring 300 is located in the guide cavity of the guide structure 230. Specifically, one of the second connecting seat 250 and the air duct rear cover plate 110 is provided with a guide structure 230, and the other is provided with a mating structure 231 that mates with the guide structure 230.

[0204] In this embodiment, the damper 200 constructs a second connecting seat 250 and provides a guide structure 230 between the second connecting seat 250 and the air duct component 100 to guide and restrict the elastic deformation of the shape memory metal spring 300. The cooperation of the guide structure 230 and the mating structure 231 restricts the movement direction of the damper 200, improving the smoothness of its movement.

[0205] For example, such as Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the second connecting seat 250 is provided with a through-hole-shaped mating structure 231, and the air duct component 100 is provided with a columnar guide structure 230 on the side facing the damper 200. A shape memory metal spring 300 is sleeved on the outside of the guide structure 230. One end of the shape memory metal spring 300 is connected to the guide structure 230; the other end of the shape memory metal spring 300 is connected to the second connecting seat 250.

[0206] For example, a cylindrical guide structure 230 is formed on the second connecting seat 250, and a groove-shaped mating structure 231 is formed on the air duct rear cover plate 110 of the air duct component 100. The memory metal spring 300 is located in the guide cavity of the guide structure 230, with one end of the memory metal spring 300 connected to the guide structure 230 and the other end connected to the air duct rear cover plate 110.

[0207] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

[0208] For ease of explanation, the above description has been provided in conjunction with specific embodiments. However, the above exemplary discussion is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the specific forms disclosed above. Various modifications and variations can be obtained based on the above teachings. The selection and description of the above embodiments are for the purpose of better explaining the principles and practical applications, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better utilize the described embodiments and various different variations of embodiments suitable for specific use considerations.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that, include: The enclosure includes a storage chamber and an evaporation chamber. The evaporation chamber contains an evaporator and a heater for defrosting the evaporator. An air duct component is provided between the evaporation chamber and the storage chamber, forming an air duct for cold air from the evaporation chamber to flow into the storage chamber. The air inlet of the air duct is located inside the evaporation chamber; a damper is provided at the air inlet. The air inlet is also provided with a memory metal spring and a biasing elastic element; the memory metal spring is configured to deform when the temperature rises in the evaporation chamber, and together with the biasing elastic element, drive the damper to move and shield the air inlet; When the damper blocks the air inlet, the biasing elastic element is located within the closed cavity formed by the damper and the air duct component.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The biasing elastic element is a helical spring; and / or, the memory metal spring is a helical spring.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The air duct component is configured to form a receiving groove, the opening of which faces the air damper; The biasing elastic member has a first end and a second end extending along its axial direction; the first end of the biasing elastic member is connected to the groove wall of the receiving groove, and the second end of the biasing elastic member is connected to the side of the damper facing the air duct component. When the damper blocks the air inlet, the damper abuts against the air duct component to seal the receiving groove and form the closed cavity.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first end of the biasing elastic member abuts against the bottom wall of the receiving groove; the second end of the biasing elastic member abuts against the side of the damper facing the air duct component.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, characterized in that, The edge of the damper forms a first connecting seat, and the first connecting seat is provided with a first mating hole; A first guide post is provided on the bottom wall of the receiving groove, and a portion of the first guide post extends out of the receiving groove and passes through the first mating hole; The biasing elastic element is sleeved on the outside of the first guide post; The diameter of the first mating hole is smaller than the outer diameter of the biasing elastic element, so that the second end of the biasing elastic element abuts against the first connecting seat.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, characterized in that, When the damper blocks the air inlet, the first connecting seat abuts against the air duct component to seal the receiving groove and form the closed cavity.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first connecting seat is configured to form an abutment surface, which is used to abut against the air duct component.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 5, characterized in that, The memory metal spring is sleeved on the first guide post and located on the side of the first connecting seat away from the air duct component; One end of the memory metal spring is connected to the end of the first guide post that is away from the air duct component, and the other end of the memory metal spring is connected to the first connecting seat.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 5, characterized in that, The edge of the damper is also configured to form a second connecting seat, which is spaced apart from the first connecting seat along the circumference of the damper; One of the second connecting seat and the air duct component is provided with a guide structure, and the other is provided with a mating structure that cooperates with the guide structure; the memory metal spring is sleeved on the outside of the guide structure, or the memory metal spring is located in the guide cavity of the guide structure.

10. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 3-9, characterized in that, The groove wall that accommodates the recess forms a protrusion within the air duct, and the dimension of the protrusion along the depth direction of the refrigerator is smaller than the dimension of the air duct along the depth direction of the refrigerator.

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