Refrigerator

Abstract

The utility model relates to a refrigerator in the field of refrigeration, the refrigerator internally comprises an ice-making chamber and an ice maker arranged in the ice-making chamber, the ice maker comprises an ice-making tray, an air inlet is formed in the side wall of the ice-making chamber, and the air inlet is formed in one side of the ice-making tray; at least one air guide block which is located on the air inlet path and guides air to the ice-making disc is arranged in the ice-making chamber, the air guide block occupies a small space, the space in the ice-making chamber is saved, and cold air at the air inlet is blown to the ice-making disc, so that the cold air is distributed more uniformly, and the cooling capacity of the cold air is utilized to the maximum extent during ice making.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of refrigeration, and in particular to a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] To enhance ice-making capabilities, refrigerators typically place the ice-making module in the freezer compartment. However, due to the limited layout of refrigerator compartments, the freezer compartment is usually located at the bottom of the refrigerator, making it inconvenient to retrieve the ice. To ensure user convenience, the ice-making module can be placed in the refrigerator compartment or on the refrigerator door, making it easier for users to retrieve the ice.

[0003] To improve ice-making efficiency, for example, when using a torque-type ice maker, since ice is removed by twisting, most of the ice mold material is PP. This results in a lower ice-making rate compared to aluminum-type ice makers. Although torque-type ice makers are cheaper, their ice-making rate is relatively low. Usually, an additional air guide structure is needed to improve the ice-making rate and cold air utilization. However, the additional air guide structure results in high costs and large space occupation. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the issues of excessive cost and space occupation caused by adding an extra air guide structure to the ice-making chamber of the refrigerator, this application provides a refrigerator including an ice-making chamber and an ice maker disposed in the ice-making chamber. The ice maker includes an ice-making tray, and an air inlet is provided on the side wall of the ice-making chamber, with the air inlet located on one side of the ice-making tray. At least one air guide block is provided in the ice-making chamber, located in the air inlet path and guiding the air to the ice-making tray.

[0005] Furthermore, the air guide block includes an air guide slope, which is at least partially lower than the bottom of the ice-making tray.

[0006] Furthermore, the ice-making chamber includes a rear sidewall, and the air guide slope extends along the direction from the top of the ice-making tray to the bottom of the ice-making tray and forms an acute angle with the rear sidewall.

[0007] Furthermore, the air guide block includes a first air guide block and a second air guide block disposed on the rear side wall. The first air guide block is closer to the air inlet than the second air guide block and is perpendicular to the rear side wall. The highest point of the first air guide block has a first height, and the highest point of the second air guide block has a second height. The first height is less than the second height.

[0008] Furthermore, the first air guide block is disposed on the rear side wall, and is integrally formed with the rear side wall or formed separately.

[0009] Furthermore, the ice maker includes a terminal box disposed on the rear side wall, and the second air guide block is disposed on the terminal box, and is integrally formed with the terminal box or separately formed.

[0010] Furthermore, at least one air guide plate is provided inside the air inlet.

[0011] Furthermore, the air guide plate includes a first air guide plate and a second air guide plate. The first air guide plate has a first axis along its length direction, and the second air guide plate has a second axis along its length direction. The first axis is perpendicular to the second axis.

[0012] Furthermore, the ice maker also includes a bracket for fixing the ice-making tray, and a vent is provided on the side wall of the bracket near the air inlet.

[0013] Furthermore, the ice maker is a torque-type ice maker.

[0014] This application relates to refrigerators in the field of refrigeration. The refrigerator includes an ice-making chamber and an ice maker disposed in the ice-making chamber. The ice maker includes an ice-making tray. An air inlet is provided on the side wall of the ice-making chamber and is located on one side of the ice-making tray. At least one air guide block is provided in the ice-making chamber, located in the air inlet path and directing the air to the ice-making tray. The air guide block occupies little space, saving space in the ice-making chamber. At the same time, it blows the cold air from the air inlet to the ice-making tray, making the cold air distribution more uniform and maximizing the use of the cold air for ice making. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a first-person view diagram of the ice-making compartment of the refrigerator in this application;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a first-person view of the ice-making compartment of the refrigerator in this application (with the ice-making tray removed);

[0017] Figure 3 This is a second-view schematic diagram of the ice-making compartment of the refrigerator in this application;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a second-view schematic diagram of the ice-making compartment of the refrigerator in this application (with the ice-making tray removed);

[0019] Figure 5 for Figure 1 Sectional view along line AA;

[0020] Figure 6 This is a third-person perspective schematic diagram of the ice-making compartment of the refrigerator in this application (with the ice-making tray removed);

[0021] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Sectional view along line BB;

[0022] Figure 8 This is a first-view schematic diagram of the air inlet structure of the ice-making chamber in this application;

[0023] Figure 9 This is a second-view schematic diagram of the air inlet structure of the ice-making chamber in this application;

[0024] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A sectional view along CC.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0026] 1. Ice-making chamber; 11. Rear side wall; 2. Ice maker; 21. Ice tray; 22. Support; 3. Air inlet; 31. First air guide plate; 32. Second air guide plate; 4. Air guide block; 41. First air guide block; 42. Second air guide block; 5. Air return outlet; 7. Terminal box. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To gain a more detailed understanding of the features and technical content of the embodiments disclosed herein, the following description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Figure 1-10 The implementation of the embodiments of this disclosure is described in detail. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this disclosure. In the following technical description, for ease of explanation, various details are used to provide a full understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, one or more embodiments may still be implemented without these details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatuses may be simplified in their depiction to simplify the drawings.

[0028] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this disclosure are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate for the embodiments of this disclosure described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0029] In this disclosure, the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "middle," "outer," "front," and "rear," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily used to better describe the embodiments of this disclosure and their implementations, and are not intended to limit the indicated devices, elements, or components to having a specific orientation, or to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in the embodiments of this disclosure according to the specific circumstances.

[0030] Furthermore, the terms "set up," "connect," and "fix" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be an internal connection between two devices, components, or parts. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this disclosure according to the specific circumstances.

[0031] The term "and / or" describes an association between objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B means: A or B, or A and B.

[0032] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the present disclosure can be combined with each other.

[0033] To provide a further understanding of the purpose, structure, features, and functions of this application, the following examples and embodiments are provided. Figures 1-10 The details are as follows.

[0034] To address the issues of excessive cost and space occupation caused by adding an extra air guide structure to the ice-making compartment 1 of current refrigerators, this application provides a refrigerator including an ice-making compartment 1 and an ice maker 2 disposed within the ice-making compartment 1. The ice maker 2 includes an ice-making tray 21. An air inlet 3 and a return air inlet 5 disposed opposite to the air inlet 3 are provided on the side wall of the ice-making compartment 1. The air inlet 3 is located on one side of the ice-making tray 21. At least one air guide block 4 is disposed within the ice-making compartment 1, located in the air intake path and guiding the air to the ice-making tray 21.

[0035] Ice-making chamber 1 is used to store and make ice blocks, ice maker 2 is used to produce ice blocks, and ice tray 21 is where the ice blocks are actually formed. Specifically, the side wall of ice-making chamber 1 is provided with air inlet 3, which is located on one side of ice tray 21. Cold air enters ice-making chamber 1 from the outside through air inlet 3, providing the necessary cooling conditions for the ice-making process.

[0036] At least one air guide block 4 is provided in the ice-making chamber 1. These air guide blocks 4 are located on the air intake path to guide the cold air entering from the air inlet 3 to the ice-making tray 21, ensuring that the ice-making tray 21 can obtain sufficient cooling effect.

[0037] The design of the air guide block 4 does not require complex mechanical structures or additional materials, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. At the same time, the air guide block 4 occupies relatively little space and will not significantly affect the overall capacity and layout of the ice-making chamber 1.

[0038] The air guide block 4 includes an air guide slope, which is at least partially lower than the bottom of the ice-making tray 21.

[0039] The air guide block 4 guides the cold air from the air inlet 3 and changes the direction of the cold air flow. This is mainly achieved by the air guide slope, which ensures that the cold air can be blown efficiently onto the ice-making tray 21.

[0040] The air guide slope is at least partially lower than the bottom of the ice-making tray 21. When cold air enters the ice-making chamber 1 through the air inlet 3, the cold air will first come into contact with the air guide slope and flow upward along the air guide slope, blowing towards the ice-making tray 21.

[0041] The inclined air guide ensures that the cold air blows towards the ice-making tray 21, avoiding the disorderly flow of cold air in the ice-making chamber 1, thereby improving the ice-making efficiency and achieving a uniform distribution of cold air on the surface of the ice-making tray 21, ensuring that the ice blocks can freeze evenly and quickly.

[0042] The ice-making chamber 1 includes a rear sidewall 11, and the air guide slope extends along the direction from the top of the ice-making tray 21 to the bottom of the ice-making tray 21 and forms an acute angle with the rear sidewall 11.

[0043] The air guide slope extends from the top of the ice-making tray 21 to the bottom of the ice-making tray 21 and forms an acute angle with the rear side wall 11 of the ice-making chamber 1.

[0044] The acute-angled guide slope allows cold air to flow more smoothly along the guide slope to the ice-making tray 21 after entering the ice-making chamber 1 through the air inlet 3. This reduces the resistance of the cold air and improves the flow efficiency. At the same time, the acute-angled guide slope of the guide block 4 makes the space occupied by the guide block 4 in the ice-making chamber 1 more compact, improving the space utilization rate of the ice-making chamber 1.

[0045] In one embodiment, the air guide block 4 includes a first air guide block 41 and a second air guide block 42 disposed on the rear sidewall 11. The first air guide block 41 is closer to the air inlet 3 than the second air guide block 42. Along the direction perpendicular to the rear sidewall 11, the highest point of the first air guide block 41 has a first height, and the highest point of the second air guide block 42 has a second height. The first height is less than the second height.

[0046] The first air guide block 41 is closer to the air inlet 3 than the second air guide block 42. When cold air enters the ice-making chamber 1 from the air inlet 3, it first contacts the first air guide block 41 and then flows to the second air guide block 42. Along the direction perpendicular to the rear sidewall 11, the highest point of the first air guide block 41 has a first height, and the highest point of the second air guide block 42 has a second height, with the first height being less than the second height. This height difference between the first and second heights helps to create a gradual cold air guiding effect. The first air guide block 41, as the first contact point after the cold air enters the ice-making chamber 1, can initially change the flow direction of the cold air, deflecting it towards the ice-making tray 21. The second air guide block 42 further adjusts the flow direction of the cold air and ensures that the cold air can be blown evenly towards the ice-making tray 21.

[0047] The first air guide block 41 and the second air guide block 42 guide the cold air to the ice-making tray 21 in stages, which helps to improve the utilization rate of the cold air, ensure that the ice blocks can be frozen evenly and quickly, improve the quality and efficiency of ice making, and reduce the waste and disorderly flow of cold air.

[0048] In one embodiment, the first air guide block 41 is disposed on the rear sidewall 11 and is integrally formed with or separately formed from the rear sidewall 11.

[0049] If the first air guide block 41 and the rear side wall 11 are integrally formed, they will be molded as a whole during the manufacturing process. Integral molding helps to enhance the integrity and stability of the structure, reduce shaking or displacement caused by loose connections, and may also simplify the manufacturing process and reduce manufacturing costs.

[0050] If the first air guide block 41 and the rear sidewall 11 are molded separately, the first air guide block 41 and the rear sidewall 11 are manufactured independently and then joined by bonding, screws, or some other method. Separate connection offers greater flexibility. In this case, the first air guide block 41 and the rear sidewall 11 can use different materials or manufacturing processes. In addition, separate molding also facilitates maintenance and replacement. If the first air guide block 41 is damaged, it can be more easily removed and replaced without replacing the entire rear sidewall 11.

[0051] The ice maker 2 includes a terminal box 7 disposed on the rear side wall 11, and the second air guide block 42 is disposed on the terminal box 7, and is integrally formed with the terminal box 7 or separately formed.

[0052] Terminal box 7 is used to connect wires, cables and other electrical equipment. Therefore, terminal box 7 is located on the rear side wall 11 and extends to a certain extent to provide sufficient internal space to accommodate more terminals, cables and other components. The extension length and shape of terminal box 7 are set according to specific electrical connection requirements, and this application does not impose specific limitations.

[0053] If the second air guide block 42 and the terminal box 7 adopt an integral molding design, they will be molded as a whole during the manufacturing process. Integral molding helps to enhance the integrity and stability of the structure, reduce shaking or displacement caused by unreliable connection, and may also simplify the manufacturing process and reduce manufacturing costs.

[0054] If the second air guide block 42 and the terminal box 7 are molded separately, the second air guide block 42 and the terminal box 7 are manufactured independently and then joined by bonding, screws, or some other method. Separate connection offers greater flexibility; in this case, the second air guide block 42 and the terminal box 7 can use different materials or manufacturing processes. Furthermore, separate molding facilitates maintenance and replacement; if the second air guide block 42 is damaged, it can be more easily removed and replaced without replacing the entire terminal box 7.

[0055] Of course, in another embodiment, the first air guide block 41 is disposed on the terminal box 7 and is integrally formed or separately formed with the terminal box 7; the second air guide block 42 is disposed on the rear side wall 11 and is integrally formed or separately formed with the rear side wall 11.

[0056] In an optional embodiment, the first air guide block 41 and the second air guide block 42 may be simultaneously disposed on the rear side wall 11. In other optional embodiments, the first air guide block 41 and the second air guide block 42 may be simultaneously disposed on the terminal box 7.

[0057] At least one air guide plate is provided inside the air inlet 3.

[0058] The air guide plate is set inside the air inlet 3 so that the cold air entering the ice chamber 1 can be directly guided. In addition, setting the air guide plate inside the air inlet 3 instead of inside the ice chamber 1 avoids taking up extra space inside the ice chamber 1 and significantly saves space in the ice chamber 1.

[0059] The air guide plate includes a first air guide plate 31 and a second air guide plate 32. The first air guide plate 31 has a first axis along its length direction, and the second air guide plate 32 has a second axis along its length direction. The first axis is perpendicular to the second axis.

[0060] Since the first axis is perpendicular to the second axis, the first air guide plate 31 and the second air guide plate 32 guide the cold air entering the air inlet 3 from two different directions, which helps to control the flow direction of the cold air more precisely and ensures that the cold air can be blown evenly onto the ice making tray 21.

[0061] In addition, since the first axis is perpendicular to the second axis, it helps to enhance the stability of the first air guide plate 31 and the second air guide plate 32 in the entire air inlet 3, and reduces the shaking or displacement caused by the impact of cold air.

[0062] The ice maker 2 also includes a bracket 22 for fixing the ice maker plate 21, and the bracket 22 has a ventilation opening on its side wall near the air inlet 3.

[0063] The bracket 22 inside the ice maker 2 is used to fix the ice-making tray 21, ensuring its stability during ice making. The vent is located on the side wall of the bracket 22 near the air inlet 3, allowing cold air to enter the ice-making chamber 1 from the air inlet 3 and then blow directly onto the ice-making tray 21 through the vent, thereby improving ice-making efficiency. The vent design on the bracket 22 makes full use of the bracket 22's own structure without occupying additional space in the ice-making chamber 1, thus optimizing space utilization.

[0064] In one embodiment, the vents of the bracket 22 are configured as orderly arranged square through holes. The orderly arrangement ensures that cold air can be blown evenly through the vents to the ice tray 21, thereby improving the utilization rate of the cold air blown in by the air inlet 3.

[0065] The ice maker 2 is a torque-type ice maker 2.

[0066] The torque-type ice maker 2 relies on torque to separate the ice cubes from the ice-making tray 21 during the de-icing process. Due to the torque, the material of the ice-making tray 21 needs to have a certain degree of flexibility. For example, the ice-making tray 21 can be made of silicone or special plastic materials with good elasticity and wear resistance so that the ice cubes can be pushed out smoothly during de-icing. However, this flexibility will affect the ice-making rate of the ice-making tray 21, requiring more efficient use of the cold air blown in through the air inlet 3.

[0067] This application relates to refrigerators in the field of refrigeration. The refrigerator includes an ice-making chamber 1 and an ice maker 2 disposed in the ice-making chamber 1. The ice maker 2 includes an ice-making tray 21. An air inlet 3 is provided on the side wall of the ice-making chamber 1 and is located on one side of the ice-making tray 21. At least one air guide block 4 is provided in the ice-making chamber 1, which is located in the air inlet path and directs the air to the ice-making tray 21. The air guide block 4 occupies little space, saving space in the ice-making chamber 1. At the same time, it blows the cold air from the air inlet 3 to the ice-making tray 21, making the cold air distribution more uniform and maximizing the use of the cold air for ice making.

[0068] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. Without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of those different embodiments or examples.

[0069] This application has been described with reference to the above-mentioned embodiments; however, the above embodiments are merely examples for implementing this application. It must be noted that the disclosed embodiments do not limit the scope of this application. On the contrary, any modifications and refinements made without departing from the spirit and scope of this application are within the scope of patent protection of this application.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising an ice-making chamber (1) and an ice maker (2) disposed within the ice-making chamber (1), the ice maker (2) comprising an ice-making tray (21), an air inlet (3) being provided on the side wall of the ice-making chamber (1), the air inlet (3) being located on one side of the ice-making tray (21); characterized in that, The ice-making chamber (1) is provided with at least one air guide block (4) located in the air intake path and directing the air to the ice-making tray (21); The air guide block (4) includes an air guide slope, and the ice making chamber (1) includes a rear side wall (11). The air guide slope extends along the direction from the top of the ice making plate (21) to the bottom of the ice making plate (21) and forms an acute angle with the rear side wall (11). The air guide block (4) includes a first air guide block (41) disposed on the rear side wall (11); the first air guide block (41) is integrally formed or separately formed with the rear side wall (11).

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air guide slope is at least partially lower than the bottom of the ice-making tray (21).

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air guide block (4) further includes a second air guide block (42) disposed on the rear side wall (11). The first air guide block (41) is closer to the air inlet (3) relative to the second air guide block (42) along a direction perpendicular to the rear side wall (11). The highest point of the first air guide block (41) has a first height, and the highest point of the second air guide block (42) has a second height. The first height is less than the second height.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The ice maker (2) includes a terminal box (7) disposed on the rear side wall (11), and the second air guide block (42) is disposed on the terminal box, and is integrally formed or separately formed with the terminal box.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one air guide plate is provided inside the air inlet (3).

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, characterized in that, The air guide plate includes a first air guide plate (31) and a second air guide plate (32). The first air guide plate (31) has a first axis along its length direction, and the second air guide plate (32) has a second axis along its length direction. The first axis is perpendicular to the second axis.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice maker (2) also includes a bracket (22) for fixing the ice maker plate (21), and the bracket (22) has a ventilation opening on the side wall near the air inlet (3).

8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice maker (2) is a torque-type ice maker (2).

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