Cabinet opening condensation flow guide structure and refrigerator comprising same
By installing guide channels and water-blocking strips at the refrigerator opening, the condensation discharge path is optimized, solving the problem of condensation seepage into the smart refrigerator opening and improving refrigeration efficiency and equipment reliability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- QINGDAO HIRON COMML COLD CHAIN
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-17
AI Technical Summary
Condensation at the opening of the smart freezer causes condensation to flow along the side of the slide rail into the interior of the freezer, forming frost and affecting cooling efficiency. Furthermore, condensation accumulation on the camera causes lens blurring and circuit corrosion, reducing equipment reliability.
A guide channel and a water-blocking strip are installed at the opening of the freezer. The guide channel guides the condensation to drain out, and the water-blocking strip prevents the condensation from flowing into the freezer. Combined with the design of the inclined guide surface and the high-efficiency drainage channel, the condensation is ensured to drain smoothly.
It effectively prevents condensation from seeping into the cabinet, reduces frost problems, improves cooling efficiency, reduces the risk of condensation buildup on cameras, and extends the service life of the equipment.
Smart Images
Figure CN224136191U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of refrigerator technology, and in particular relates to a condensation guide structure at the refrigerator opening and a refrigerator including the same. Background Technology
[0002] Smart refrigerators are widely welcomed by merchants in convenience stores, community supermarkets and other scenarios due to their unmanned sales characteristics.
[0003] In existing technologies, such as Figure 1 As shown, the smart freezer has an existing slide rail 101 at the door opening for easy door sliding. When users frequently open and close the door, hot and humid air from outside comes into contact with the low-temperature surface inside the freezer, causing condensation to easily form on the door and the edge of the door opening. Some of this condensation flows along the existing slide rails 101 on both sides of the door into the existing drain channel 102 and is discharged through the existing drain outlet 103 at the end of the drain channel 102. However, some condensation still flows down from the side of the existing slide rails 101, enters the freezer body, and frosts, affecting cooling efficiency. Furthermore, to achieve product recognition and consumer behavior monitoring, smart freezers typically have a camera installed above the door opening. However, since the door opening is a high-risk area for condensation, the condensation easily flows downwards and adheres to the camera. Long-term accumulation can lead to blurred lenses, decreased image quality, and even circuit corrosion due to moisture, seriously affecting the stability and lifespan of the camera, thereby reducing the reliability of the smart freezer for unmanned vending.
[0004] Therefore, how to solve the condensation problem at the opening of current smart freezers is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved. Utility Model Content
[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a condensation diversion structure at the cabinet opening and a refrigerator including the structure. By setting up a diversion channel and a water-blocking strip, it can effectively prevent condensation from flowing into the cabinet body along the side of the diversion channel, thereby reducing the problem of frost caused by condensation seeping into the cabinet.
[0006] This utility model provides a cabinet opening condensation diversion structure. The cabinet opening is located at the top of the cabinet body, which is higher at the front and lower at the back. The top of the cabinet body has a cabinet door that opens from front to back. The cabinet opening condensation diversion structure includes:
[0007] The condensation channel is installed on the side of the refrigerator door opening and is located below the door to guide the condensation generated at the door opening to drain out. A water baffle is provided on the side of the condensation channel opposite to the refrigerator door opening. The water baffle is higher than the condensation channel to prevent condensation from flowing into the refrigerator along the side of the condensation channel.
[0008] The drain trough is located inside the front side of the freezer opening. The height of the drain trough is lower than that of the guide trough. It is used to collect and drain the condensation diverted by the guide trough.
[0009] This technical solution, through the setting of the guide channel and the water-blocking strip, can effectively prevent condensation from flowing into the cabinet along the side of the guide channel, thereby reducing the problem of frost caused by condensation seeping into the cabinet.
[0010] In some embodiments, the end of the guide channel extends above the drain channel. This technical solution ensures that condensation can flow smoothly into the drain channel, preventing condensation from dripping or lingering at the end of the guide channel.
[0011] In some embodiments, the bottom of the guide channel is provided with an inclined guide surface, with the end of the guide surface near the drainage channel being lower than the end of the guide surface away from the drainage channel. This technical solution, through the design of the inclined guide surface, allows condensation to flow naturally towards the drainage channel under gravity, reducing condensation residue.
[0012] In some embodiments, the condensation channel is also located below the cabinet door at the center beam of the freezer, serving as a sliding track for the door. This technical solution optimizes condensation drainage while reducing the space occupied by additional structures, thus improving the utilization rate of the freezer's internal space.
[0013] In some embodiments, the bottom of the cabinet door is provided with a pulley for sliding, and the guide channel has a positioning groove for positioning the pulley. The water-blocking strip maintains a continuous structure at the positioning groove. This technical solution can prevent condensation from seeping into the cabinet from the positioning groove, maintaining overall airtightness.
[0014] In some embodiments, a drain outlet is provided in the middle of the drainage channel. This technical solution optimizes the position of the drain outlet, allowing condensation to be quickly and centrally discharged, thus preventing water accumulation in the drainage channel.
[0015] In some embodiments, a drain pipe is provided inside the front wall of the cabinet, and the drain pipe is connected to a drain outlet to guide condensation out. This technical solution guides the condensation to the outside of the freezer or a designated collection location through the drain pipe, preventing condensation from accumulating inside the cabinet.
[0016] In some embodiments, the bottom of the cabinet is also equipped with a water collection box for collecting discharged condensation, and the water collection box is detachably connected to the bottom of the cabinet. This technical solution, through the detachable water collection box, facilitates regular cleaning of accumulated condensation and reduces maintenance difficulty.
[0017] In addition, this utility model also provides a freezer, including the condensation diversion structure at the cabinet opening as described above, and a cabinet body. This technical solution can ensure that condensation can be effectively collected and discharged, thereby reducing the risk of condensation seeping into the interior of the cabinet, maintaining the freezer's refrigeration efficiency and internal dry environment, and improving equipment reliability.
[0018] In some embodiments, a camera is also installed inside the cabinet, positioned below a drain trough at the corner of the cabinet opening. This technical solution reduces the likelihood of condensation dripping directly onto the camera by placing the camera below the drain trough, utilizing the drain trough's shielding effect.
[0019] Based on the above solution, the condensation guiding structure at the cabinet opening in this embodiment of the present invention, through the setting of the guiding channel and the water-blocking strip, can effectively prevent condensation from flowing into the cabinet body along the side of the guiding channel, thereby reducing the problem of frost caused by condensation seeping into the cabinet and helping to maintain the refrigeration efficiency of the freezer. At the same time, the guiding channel guides the condensation to the lower drainage channel for centralized discharge, improving drainage efficiency. In summary, the condensation guiding structure at the cabinet opening in this embodiment of the present invention optimizes the condensation drainage path without significantly changing the existing cabinet door sliding structure, and has good practicality and compatibility. Attached Figure Description
[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description thereof, serve to explain the present invention and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. In the drawings:
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the condensation drainage structure at the cabinet opening of a smart refrigerator in the prior art;
[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the condensation guiding structure at the cabinet opening in this embodiment of the present utility model;
[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 2 An enlarged schematic diagram of part A in the middle;
[0024] Figure 4 This is a top view of the freezer in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0025] Figure 5 For along Figure 4 Sectional view of the middle BB line;
[0026] Figure 6 for Figure 5 An enlarged schematic diagram of section C;
[0027] Figure 7 for Figure 5 An enlarged schematic diagram of part D in the middle.
[0028] In the picture:
[0029] 101. Existing slide; 102. Existing drainage ditch; 103. Existing drainage outlet;
[0030] 2. Flow guide channel; 201. Water baffle strip; 202. Positioning groove;
[0031] 3. Drainage channel; 301. Drain outlet; 302. Mounting component; 303. Bolt;
[0032] 4. Drain pipe; 401. Fixing base;
[0033] 5. Water collection box; 501. Snap-fit part; 502. Snap-fit slot;
[0034] 6. Central beam; 7. Camera. Detailed Implementation
[0035] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.
[0036] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "lateral", "longitudinal", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" 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 utility model 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 utility model.
[0037] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.
[0038] like Figures 2-7As shown, in one embodiment of the condensation guiding structure at the cabinet opening of this utility model and the refrigerator including therein, the cabinet opening is located at the top of the cabinet body, the top of the cabinet body is higher in the front and lower in the back, and the top of the cabinet body is provided with a cabinet door that opens from front to back. The condensation guiding structure at the cabinet opening includes a guiding channel 2 and a drain channel 3. The guiding channel 2 is installed on the side of the refrigerator cabinet opening and is located below the cabinet door to guide the condensation generated at the cabinet opening to drain. A water-blocking strip 201 is provided on one side of the guiding channel 2 opposite to the side of the refrigerator cabinet opening. The water-blocking strip 201 is higher than the guiding channel 2 to prevent the condensation from flowing into the refrigerator along the side of the guiding channel 2. The drain channel 3 is located inside the front side of the refrigerator cabinet opening. The height of the drain channel 3 is lower than that of the guiding channel 2 to collect and drain the condensation guided by the guiding channel 2.
[0039] In the above illustrative embodiment, the condensation guiding structure at the cabinet opening, through the setting of the guide channel 2 and the water-blocking strip 201, can effectively prevent condensation from flowing into the cabinet body along the side of the guide channel 2, thereby reducing the problem of frost caused by condensation seeping into the cabinet and helping to maintain the refrigeration efficiency of the freezer. At the same time, the guide channel 2 guides the condensation to the lower drainage channel 3 for centralized discharge, improving drainage efficiency. In summary, the condensation guiding structure at the cabinet opening in this embodiment of the present invention optimizes the condensation drainage path without significantly changing the existing cabinet door sliding structure, and has good practicality and compatibility.
[0040] Furthermore, the water-blocking strip 201 and the flow-guiding channel 2 are integrally formed. This integrated structural design enhances the connection strength between the water-blocking strip 201 and the flow-guiding channel 2, preventing the water-blocking strip 201 from loosening or falling off due to long-term use. This improves the reliability of condensation blocking while simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing production costs.
[0041] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the end of the guide channel 2 extends above the drainage channel 3. This ensures that the end of the guide channel 2 extends directly above the drainage channel 3, allowing condensation to flow smoothly into the drainage channel 3 and preventing condensation from dripping or lingering at the end of the guide channel 2. This further improves drainage efficiency and reduces the risk of condensation overflow.
[0042] Furthermore, the bottom of the guide channel 2 is provided with an inclined guide surface, with the end of the guide surface near the drainage channel 3 being lower than the end of the guide surface away from the drainage channel 3. Through the design of the inclined guide surface, the condensation flows naturally towards the drainage channel 3 under the action of gravity, reducing condensation residue, optimizing the guiding effect, improving drainage smoothness, and preventing water accumulation at the bottom of the channel.
[0043] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the condensation channel 2 is also located below the cabinet door at the center beam 6 of the freezer, serving as a sliding track for the cabinet door. This dual function of the condensation channel 2 and the cabinet door track optimizes condensation drainage while reducing the space occupied by additional structures, improving the utilization rate of the freezer's internal space, and ensuring smooth door sliding.
[0044] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the bottom of the cabinet door is equipped with a pulley for sliding, and the guide channel 2 has a positioning groove 202 for positioning the pulley. The water-blocking strip 201 maintains a continuous structure at the positioning groove 202. Through the precise cooperation between the positioning groove 202 and the pulley, the cabinet door slides stably. At the same time, the water-blocking strip 201 remains continuous at the positioning groove 202 to prevent condensation from seeping into the cabinet from the positioning groove 202 position, thus maintaining overall airtightness.
[0045] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, a drain outlet 301 is provided in the middle of the drainage channel 3. By providing a drain outlet 301 in the middle of the drainage channel 3, and utilizing the natural slope of the cabinet top (higher at the front and lower at the back), condensation can quickly collect at the drain outlet 301 in the middle of the front wall. Compared to corner drainage structures, placing the drain outlet 301 in the drainage channel 3 can significantly shorten the condensation flow path, improve drainage efficiency, and effectively solve the problems of condensation retention and icing caused by corner drainage in the prior art, thereby ensuring the normal use of the freezer.
[0046] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, at least one drain outlet 301 is provided. By providing at least one drain outlet 301, it is ensured that condensation can be effectively discharged, avoiding the problem of blockage or insufficient drainage capacity of a single drain outlet 301, and improving the reliability of the drainage system. As an illustrative embodiment, two drain outlets 301 are provided at the cabinet opening, and the two drain outlets 301 are respectively aligned with the center lines of the two cabinet doors.
[0047] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 As shown, the cabinet opening is provided with a mounting bracket 302 for installing the drain outlet 301. The mounting bracket 302 ensures that the drain outlet 301 is securely fixed to the cabinet opening, preventing the drain outlet 301 from shifting or falling off due to refrigerator vibration or long-term use, thus ensuring the long-term effectiveness of the drainage structure.
[0048] In some embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, the mounting component 302 is fixedly connected to the cabinet opening by bolts 303. The use of bolts 303 makes the mounting component 302 more securely fixed.
[0049] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, a drain pipe 4 is provided inside the front wall of the cabinet, and the drain pipe 4 is connected to the drain outlet 301 to guide condensation out. The drain pipe 4 guides the condensation to the outside of the freezer or a designated collection location, preventing condensation from accumulating inside the cabinet, improving drainage efficiency, reducing the risk of water accumulation inside the cabinet, and minimizing the impact of a humid environment on the internal components of the freezer. As an illustrative embodiment, to simplify the installation of the drain pipe 4, the drain pipe 4 and the drain outlet 301 are connected by a plug-in joint, and the drain outlet 301 and the mounting component 302 are integrally formed.
[0050] In some embodiments, such as Figure 7 As shown, a fixing seat 401 for fixing the drain pipe 4 is provided at the bottom of the cabinet. The fixing seat 401 ensures that the drain pipe 4 remains stable during the operation of the refrigerator and prevents the drain pipe 4 from becoming loose or falling off due to vibration or external force.
[0051] It should also be noted that in this embodiment, the two drain outlets 301 are respectively set at positions aligned with the center lines of the two cabinet doors, and the fixing base 401 is set in the middle of the bottom of the cabinet, so that the drain pipe 4 can form a certain slope. Compared with the existing drain outlets 103 set on both sides of the cabinet opening in the prior art, this embodiment is more conducive to the discharge of condensation.
[0052] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, a water collection box 5 is also provided at the bottom of the cabinet to collect the discharged condensate. The water collection box 5 is detachably connected to the bottom of the cabinet. The detachable water collection box 5 facilitates the regular cleaning of condensate, reduces maintenance difficulty, and avoids environmental problems that may be caused by direct discharge from the drain pipe 4.
[0053] In some embodiments, such as Figure 7 As shown, the bottom of the cabinet is equipped with a slot 502, and the water collection box 5 is engaged with the slot 502. The engagement between the slot 502 and the water collection box 5 makes installation and disassembly quicker and can be completed without additional tools, improving user experience and maintenance efficiency.
[0054] In some embodiments, such as Figure 7 As shown, the water collection box 5 is provided with a snap-fit part 501 that matches the slot 502. The water collection box 5 is detachably connected to the slot 502 through the snap-fit part 501. The snap-fit part 501 enhances the fitting accuracy between the water collection box 5 and the slot 502, ensuring that the water collection box 5 is installed firmly, avoiding leakage or detachment due to loosening, and improving the reliability of the overall structure.
[0055] Based on the aforementioned condensation diversion structure at the cabinet opening, this utility model also provides a freezer, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the freezer includes the aforementioned condensation diversion structure at the cabinet opening, as well as the cabinet body. By integrating the optimized condensation diversion structure at the cabinet opening into the overall design of the freezer, it ensures that condensation can be effectively collected and discharged, thereby reducing the risk of condensation seeping into the interior of the cabinet, maintaining the freezer's refrigeration efficiency and internal dry environment, and improving equipment reliability.
[0056] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2As shown, a camera 7 is also installed inside the cabinet, below the drainage groove 3 at the corner of the cabinet opening. By placing the camera 7 below the drainage groove 3, the shielding effect of the drainage groove 3 reduces the possibility of condensation dripping directly onto the camera 7, thereby reducing the risk of lens blurring and circuit moisture damage, extending the service life of the camera 7, and ensuring the stability of the intelligent recognition function.
[0057] Through the description of several embodiments of the condensation guiding structure at the cabinet opening of this utility model and the refrigerator including therein, it can be seen that the condensation guiding structure at the cabinet opening of this utility model and the refrigerator including therein have at least one or more of the following advantages:
[0058] 1. The cabinet opening condensation guiding structure provided by this utility model, through the setting of the guiding groove 2 and the water baffle 201, can effectively prevent condensation from flowing into the cabinet body along the side of the guiding groove 2, thereby reducing the frost problem caused by condensation seeping into the cabinet and helping to maintain the refrigeration efficiency of the freezer.
[0059] 2. The cabinet opening condensation guiding structure provided by this utility model guides the condensation to the lower drainage trough 3 for centralized discharge, thereby improving drainage efficiency.
[0060] 3. The condensation diversion structure at the cabinet opening provided by this utility model, by opening a drain outlet 301 in the middle of the drain groove 3, and utilizing the natural slope of the cabinet top which is higher in the front and lower in the back, allows condensation to quickly collect at the drain outlet 301 in the middle of the front wall. Compared with the corner drainage structure, setting the drain outlet 301 in the drain groove 3 can significantly shorten the condensation flow path, improve drainage efficiency, and effectively solve the problems of condensation retention and icing caused by corner drainage in the prior art, thereby ensuring the normal use of the freezer.
[0061] Finally, it should be noted that the various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.
[0062] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and not to limit it; although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the specific implementation of this utility model or equivalent substitutions can be made to some technical features without departing from the spirit of the technical solution of this utility model, and all such modifications and substitutions should be covered within the scope of the technical solution claimed by this utility model.
Claims
1. A cabinet opening condensation diversion structure, wherein the cabinet opening is located at the top of the cabinet body, the top of the cabinet body is higher at the front and lower at the back, and the top of the cabinet body is provided with a cabinet door that opens from front to back, characterized in that, The condensation diversion structure at the cabinet opening includes: The condensation channel is installed on the side of the refrigerator door opening and is located below the door to guide the condensation generated at the door opening to drain out. A water baffle is provided on the side of the condensation channel opposite to the refrigerator door opening. The water baffle is higher than the condensation channel to prevent condensation from flowing into the refrigerator along the side of the condensation channel. The drain trough is located inside the front side of the freezer opening. The height of the drain trough is lower than that of the guide trough. It is used to collect and drain the condensation diverted by the guide trough.
2. The cabinet door condensation deflector of claim 1, wherein, The end of the guide channel extends above the drainage channel.
3. The cabinet door condensation deflector of claim 2, wherein, The bottom of the guide channel is provided with an inclined guide surface, and the end of the guide surface near the drainage channel is lower than the end of the guide surface away from the drainage channel.
4. The cabinet door condensation deflector of any of claims 1-3, wherein, The flow channel is also located below the cabinet door at the center beam of the freezer, serving as a sliding track for the cabinet door.
5. The condensation guiding structure at the cabinet opening according to claim 4, characterized in that, The bottom of the cabinet door is equipped with a pulley for sliding, and the guide channel has a positioning groove for positioning the pulley. The water-blocking strip maintains a continuous structure at the positioning groove.
6. The cabinet door condensation deflector of claim 1, wherein, A drain outlet is provided in the middle of the drainage channel.
7. The cabinet door condensation deflector of claim 6, wherein, A drain pipe is installed inside the front wall of the cabinet, which is connected to the drain outlet to guide the condensation out.
8. The cabinet door condensation deflector of claim 1, wherein, The bottom of the cabinet is also equipped with a water collection box for collecting the discharged condensation, and the water collection box is detachably connected to the bottom of the cabinet.
9. A refrigerator characterized by It includes the condensation diversion structure at the cabinet opening as described in any one of claims 1-8, and also includes the cabinet body.
10. The freezer according to claim 9, characterized in that, A camera is also installed inside the cabinet, located below the drain trough at the corner of the cabinet opening.