Horizontal air-cooled refrigerator

Abstract

This application provides a horizontal air-cooled freezer, comprising: a cabinet including a first inner liner and a second inner liner spaced apart, the first inner liner having a first compartment and the second inner liner having a second compartment; the cabinet also including an evaporator compartment, the evaporator compartment being adjacent to the first compartment and away from the second compartment; a cooling assembly disposed within the evaporator compartment; and an air duct assembly including a return air duct, the return air duct including an inclined air duct, the inclined air duct communicating with the evaporator compartment and extending downwards at an angle from one end of the second compartment toward the other end of the evaporator compartment. The horizontal air-cooled freezer provided in this application has an inclined return air duct portion to prevent defrost water from flowing back into the second compartment and causing icing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of refrigeration equipment technology, and in particular to a horizontal air-cooled freezer. Background Technology

[0002] In horizontal air-cooled freezers with dual temperature zones, the evaporator compartment is typically located at the opposite end of one compartment, away from the other, rather than sandwiched between the two compartments. The return air ducts in the compartments furthest from the evaporator compartment are longer; however, even within these return air ducts, a small amount of frost may form. When the evaporator in the evaporator compartment defrosts, heat radiates into the return air ducts, causing defrosting and producing defrost water. Since the ducts are usually horizontal, this defrost water may flow back into the compartments furthest from the evaporator compartment. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a horizontal air-cooled freezer in which the part of the return air duct that connects to the evaporator chamber is tilted downward toward the evaporator chamber, thus solving the problem of defrosting water flowing back into the second chamber in the prior art.

[0004] To achieve one of the above-mentioned objectives, one embodiment of this application provides a horizontal air-cooled freezer, comprising:

[0005] The housing is provided with a first chamber, a second chamber, and an evaporator chamber, wherein the evaporator chamber is located adjacent to the first chamber and away from the second chamber;

[0006] The cooling unit is located inside the evaporator chamber;

[0007] The air duct assembly includes a return air duct, the return air duct including an inclined air duct, the inclined air duct being connected to the evaporator chamber and extending downward at an angle from one end of the second chamber toward the other end of the evaporator chamber.

[0008] In one embodiment of this application, the box includes a first inner liner and a second inner liner arranged at intervals, the first inner liner having a first compartment and the second inner liner having a second compartment.

[0009] In one embodiment of this application, the first compartment is a low-temperature compartment, the second compartment is a high-temperature compartment, and the inclined air duct is spaced apart from the first inner liner.

[0010] In one embodiment of this application, the inclined air duct includes a first section that abuts against the second inner liner and a second section that is spaced apart from the first inner liner.

[0011] In one embodiment of this application, the return air duct further includes a vertical air duct connected to the inclined air duct. The vertical air duct is provided with a return air inlet connected to the second room. At least two return air inlets are provided, and the at least two return air inlets are spaced apart in the vertical direction.

[0012] In one embodiment of this application, at least two return air inlets are located at the lower half height of the second chamber, with the lowest return air inlet located near the bottom of the second chamber.

[0013] In one embodiment of this application, the return air duct further includes a vertical air duct connected to the inclined air duct, the vertical air duct being provided with a return air inlet connected to the second room, the return air inlet extending vertically.

[0014] In one embodiment of this application, the return air inlet is located at the lower half of the height of the second room, and the lowest point of the return air inlet is located near the bottom of the second room.

[0015] In one embodiment of this application, the return air inlet is located at the upper half of the second room, or at the middle of the second room.

[0016] In one embodiment of this application, the air duct assembly is further provided with a first air duct and a second air duct for air outlet. The first air duct and the second air duct are located on opposite sides of the housing with the return air duct. The first air duct includes a first air inlet and a first air outlet. The second air duct includes a second air inlet and a second air outlet. Both the first air inlet and the second air inlet are connected to the evaporator chamber. The first air outlet is connected to the first compartment, and the second air outlet is connected to the second compartment.

[0017] In one embodiment of this application, the second air duct has a first portion located outside the first room and a second portion extending from the first portion to the outside of the second room, the first portion being located below the first air duct.

[0018] In one embodiment of this application, the housing includes a first inner liner having a first compartment, and the air duct assembly includes an air duct shell and an air guide. The air duct shell cooperates with the first inner liner to form an air duct cavity, and the air guide divides a portion of the air duct cavity into a first part of a first air duct and a second air duct.

[0019] In one embodiment of this application, the air duct assembly is further provided with a third air duct, which is located on the same side of the housing as the first and second air ducts, and includes a third air inlet and a third air outlet. The third air inlet is connected to the evaporator chamber, and the third air outlet is connected to the bottom of the first chamber.

[0020] In one embodiment of this application, the cooling assembly includes a volute and an evaporator fan disposed within the volute. The line connecting the end of the air guide near the evaporator fan to the center point of the evaporator fan is l1, and the line connecting the volute tongue of the volute to the center point of the evaporator fan is l2. The smaller angle formed between l1 and l2 is α, and the larger angle formed between l1 and l2 is β. α and β satisfy: 2.3≤β / α≤9.

[0021] One or more technical solutions provided in this application have at least the following technical effects or advantages:

[0022] In the horizontal air-cooled freezer provided in this application, the return air duct connecting the evaporator chamber and the second chamber away from the evaporator chamber has a lower height at the end of the inclined air duct connected to the evaporator chamber, so that the defrosting water in the return air duct can flow into the evaporator chamber instead of flowing back into the second chamber, thus preventing ice formation in the second chamber. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the rear structure of the horizontal air-cooled freezer in the embodiments of this application after the outer shell is removed.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the front structure of the horizontal air-cooled freezer in the embodiments of this application after the shell is removed.

[0025] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Top view of the box after the outer shell has been removed.

[0026] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Schematic diagram of cross section along line AA.

[0027] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the first inner liner.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the integrated air duct shell and volute.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the return air inlet in this application.

[0030] Figures 8-10 These are three other implementations of the first air duct and the first part of the second air duct sharing an air duct cavity in this application.

[0031] Figures 11-16 This application presents six implementations in which the first part of the first air duct and the first part of the second air duct do not share the same air duct cavity.

[0032] Figure 17This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the relative positional relationship between the damper and the evaporator fan in this application.

[0033] 100. Box body;

[0034] 1. First inner liner; 10. First compartment; 11. Evaporator compartment; 12. Protrusion; 121. Opening; 2. Second inner liner; 20. Second compartment;

[0035] 3. First air duct; 31. First air inlet; 32. First air outlet; 33. Vertical air duct; 341. First horizontal air duct; 342. Second horizontal air duct;

[0036] 4. Second air duct; 41. Second air inlet; 42. Second air outlet; 43. First section; 44. Second section;

[0037] 5. Third air duct; 51. Third air inlet; 52. Third air outlet; 53. Horizontal section; 54. Inclined section; 541. Inclined air outlet;

[0038] 6. Return air duct; 61. Vertical air duct; 611. Return air inlet; 62. Slanted air duct; 621. First section; 622. Second section; 623. Middle section; 63. Return air section;

[0039] 71. Air duct shell; 711. Raised rib; 7111. First C-shaped groove; 72. Air guide; 721. Second C-shaped groove; 73. Extension; 731. Edge banding strip;

[0040] 81. Evaporator fan; 82. Volute; 821. Air intake;

[0041] 9. Air damper. Detailed Implementation

[0042] 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 of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0043] The terms used in this document, such as “center,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” and “outer,” indicating spatial relative positions, are used for illustrative purposes to describe the relationship of one unit or feature relative to another unit or feature as shown in the accompanying drawings. The terms “spatial relative positions” may be intended to include different orientations of the equipment in use or operation other than those shown in the figures.

[0044] For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, a unit described as being "below" or "under" other units or features will be "above" other units or features. Therefore, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or otherwise) and the spatially related descriptive terms used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0045] 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.

[0046] Furthermore, it should be understood that although the terms "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe various elements or structures, the objects being described should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish these objects from one another. For example, a first compartment may be referred to as a second compartment, and similarly, a second compartment may be referred to as a first compartment, without departing from the scope of protection of this application.

[0047] This application provides a horizontal air-cooled freezer, including a cabinet 100, a cooling assembly, and an air duct assembly. For example... Figure 1 The middle part is the cabinet 100 of the horizontal air-cooled freezer in this application. For easier observation, the outer shell of the cabinet 100 has been removed.

[0048] The housing 100 is provided with a first chamber 10, a second chamber 20 and an evaporator chamber 11, with the evaporator chamber 11 located adjacent to the first chamber 10 and away from the second chamber 20.

[0049] The cooling components are located inside the evaporator chamber 11.

[0050] The air duct assembly includes a return air duct 6, which includes an inclined air duct 62. The inclined air duct 62 is connected to the evaporator chamber 11 and extends downward at an angle from one end of the second chamber 20 toward the other end of the evaporator chamber 11.

[0051] The return air duct 6 also includes a vertical air duct 61, which is used to connect with the second chamber 20, and an inclined air duct 62, which is used to connect with the evaporator chamber 11. The inclined air duct 62 extends downward at an angle from one end connected to the vertical air duct 61 to connect with the evaporator chamber 11.

[0052] When the evaporator in the evaporator chamber 11 defrosts, heat is transferred to the inclined air duct 62 for defrosting. The defrosting water generated can flow to the evaporator chamber 11 and be discharged through the water collection pan in the evaporator chamber 11, without backflowing into the second chamber 20 and causing the second chamber 20 to freeze.

[0053] In one embodiment of this application, the box body 100 includes a first inner liner 1 and a second inner liner 2 spaced apart. The first inner liner 1 is provided with a first compartment 10, and the second inner liner 2 is provided with a second compartment 20. Of course, the box body 100 may also include only one inner liner, with a partition provided inside the inner liner to divide the space inside the inner liner into the first compartment 10 and the second compartment 20. The first inner liner 1 and the second inner liner 2 may also be integrally formed.

[0054] In one embodiment of this application, the first compartment 10 is a low-temperature compartment, such as a freezer, and the second compartment 20 is a high-temperature compartment, such as a refrigerator / temperature-controlled compartment. The inclined air duct 62 is spaced apart from the first inner liner 1.

[0055] The inclined air duct 62 needs to pass through the first compartment 10 to enter the evaporator compartment 11. The first compartment 10 is a low-temperature freezer compartment, so the temperature inside the first compartment 10 is very low. The inclined air duct 62 is separated from the first inner liner 1 to prevent the ultra-low temperature inside the freezer compartment from causing more frost to form on the inclined air duct 62.

[0056] In one embodiment of this application, the inclined air duct 62 includes a first section 621 abutting against the second inner liner 2 and a second section 622 spaced apart from the first inner liner 1. The first section 621 and the second section 622 are connected by an intermediate section 623, which extends according to the gaps between the first section 621 and the second section 622 and the outer shell of the housing 100, such as... Figure 1 In the middle, the middle segment 623 extends outward at an angle from the first segment 621 to the second segment 622.

[0057] The first compartment 10 is a freezer compartment. Therefore, the insulation layer on the outside of the first inner liner 1 is thicker than the insulation layer on the second inner liner 2. The first section 621 of the inclined air duct 62 is close to the second inner liner 2. In order to stay as far away from the first inner liner 1 as possible, the middle section 623 extends outward at an angle, increasing the distance between the second section 622 and the first inner liner 1.

[0058] The return air duct 6 also includes a return air section 63 that connects the inclined air duct 62 and the evaporator chamber 11. The return air section 63 extends from the inclined air duct toward the second inner liner 2 and connects with the second inner liner 2 to communicate with the evaporator chamber 11.

[0059] In one embodiment of this application, the vertical air duct 61 is provided with a return air inlet 611 communicating with the second room 20. At least two return air inlets 611 are provided, and the at least two return air inlets 611 are spaced apart in the vertical direction.

[0060] At least two return air inlets 611 are provided, and the two return air inlets 611 are spaced apart in the vertical direction to avoid the return air inlet 611 below being blocked by items in the second room 20, which would prevent the return air from being blocked.

[0061] In one embodiment of this application, at least two return air inlets 611 are located at the lower half height of the second chamber 20, and the lowest return air inlet 611 is located near the bottom of the second chamber 20.

[0062] The cold air generated in the evaporator chamber 11 has a high density and tends to sink. The cold air outlet is usually located high. In order to ensure the uniformity of cold air in the chamber, the return air inlet (i.e., the return air inlet 611 in this application) is usually set low. The lowest return air inlet 611 is set close to the bottom of the second chamber 20, which can prevent the cold air from returning through the return air inlet 611 without flowing through the bottom, so that the items at the bottom cannot obtain enough cold air.

[0063] Of course, only one return air inlet 611 can be set up. A single return air inlet 611 can be set up in a vertical direction, which can also avoid the situation where some parts are blocked by objects and cannot return air.

[0064] Similarly, the return air inlet 611 is located at the lower half of the height of the second chamber 20, and the lowest point of the return air inlet 611 is close to the bottom of the second chamber 20, which can also make the cold air diffuse better and more evenly in the second chamber 20, and prevent items at the bottom from not getting enough cold air.

[0065] The return air inlet 611 is positioned at the lower half of the height of the second chamber 20, which is a good match for the air outlet being located at the upper half of the height of the second chamber 20.

[0066] Of course, the return air inlet 611 can also be located at the upper half of the second room 20 (e.g. Figure 7 ), or, located in the middle of the second room. Among them, Figure 7 The green line represents the return air duct 6, which is located outside the first inner liner 1 and the second inner liner 2.

[0067] When the return air inlet 611 is located at the upper half of the height of the second chamber 20, it matches the lower half of the height of the air outlet in the second chamber 20, as shown in the figure. When the return air inlet 611 is located in the middle of the second chamber 20, the air outlet can also be located in the middle of the second chamber 10.

[0068] The inclined air duct 62 is provided with a return air outlet that connects to the evaporator chamber 11. The air in the second chamber 20 enters the return air duct 6 through the return air inlet 611, and then enters the evaporator chamber 11 through the return air outlet. After being cooled by the evaporator, it enters the second chamber 20 again through the second air duct 4 to complete the cycle.

[0069] In one embodiment of this application, the air duct assembly is further provided with a first air duct 3 and a second air duct 4 for air outlet, and the first air duct 3 and the second air duct 4 are located on opposite sides of the housing 100 with the return air duct 6.

[0070] The first air duct 3 includes a first air inlet 31 and a first air outlet 32, and the second air duct 4 includes a second air inlet 41 and a second air outlet 42. The first air inlet 31 and the second air inlet 41 are both connected to the evaporator chamber 11, the first air outlet 32 ​​is connected to the first compartment 10, and the second air outlet 42 is connected to the second compartment 20.

[0071] The first chamber 10 and the second chamber 20 are arranged along the first direction, such as Figure 2 In the first direction, the horizontal direction refers to the length of the horizontal air-cooled freezer, or the left-right direction. Arranging the two compartments along the length allows for better allocation of their volume, preventing the compartments from being too narrow and difficult to access.

[0072] The return air duct 6 is located on the rear side of the housing 100, and the first air duct 3 and the second air duct 4 are located on the front side of the housing 100.

[0073] The return air inlet 611 is located on the rear side of the housing 100, and the first air outlet 32 ​​and the second air outlet 42 are located on the front side of the housing 100. That is, the first air outlet 32 ​​and the second air outlet 42 both discharge air from front to back, and the return air inlet 611 returns air from front to back, so that the cooling capacity in the housing 100 is evenly distributed.

[0074] Of course, the return air duct 6 can also be set on the front side of the box 100, and the first air duct 3 and the second air duct 4 can be set on the rear side of the box 100. Then the first air outlet 32 ​​and the second air outlet 42 will discharge air from back to front, and the return air inlet 611 will return air from back to front.

[0075] In one embodiment of this application, the second air duct 4 has a first portion 43 located outside the first chamber 10 and a second portion 44 extending from the first portion 43 to communicate with the second chamber 20. The first portion 43 is located below the first air duct 3.

[0076] Since the evaporator chamber 11 is located on one side of the first chamber 10, the second air duct 4 is longer than the first air duct 3, that is, it has an additional second part 44 extending into the second chamber 20. Figure 2 , 4 In the middle, the second part 44 of the second air duct 4 is connected to the first part 43 and is located on the same side of the housing 100 as the first air duct 3.

[0077] Of course, the second part 44 can also extend into the partition between the first chamber 10 and the second chamber 20, and exhaust air from the partition into the second chamber 20, such as... Figure 1 The middle part means the airflow is directed to the left.

[0078] It should be noted that, Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view; the label 44 only refers to a portion of the second part 44 after it has been cut along the sectional line. See also the second part 44 of the second air duct 4. Figure 2 The number 73 is the first part, which forms the second part 44.

[0079] Since the evaporator chamber 11 is located far from the second chamber 20, the length of the second air duct 4 connecting the second chamber 20 is relatively long. The first part 43 of the second air duct 4 is set below the first air duct 3 to avoid the second air duct 4 taking a long detour from above the first air duct 3, which would result in air volume loss.

[0080] remove Figure 1 , 3 In addition to the air duct structure in which the first air inlet 31 and the second air inlet 41 are arranged side by side and connected to the evaporator chamber 11, such as Figures 8-10 In addition, the second air inlet 41 can be connected to the first air duct 31 or directly to the evaporator chamber 11. The first air duct 3 includes a vertical air duct 33 and a first horizontal air duct 341. The second air inlet 41 is connected to the side of the vertical air duct 33 near the second chamber 20 or directly to the evaporator chamber 11.

[0081] The first air duct 3 may also include a second horizontal air duct 342, the height of which may be located near the top of the housing 100. Figure 8 ), the middle position of the box body 100 ( Figure 9 ) and the box 100 near the bottom position ( Figure 10 ).

[0082] When the height of the second air duct 4 is near the top of the housing 100, the second air duct 4 is located below the first horizontal air duct 341. When the height of the second air duct 4 is in the middle of the housing 100 or near the bottom of the housing 100, the second horizontal air duct 342 is adjacent to the second air duct 4 and located above the second air duct 4. When the height of the second air duct 4 is near the bottom of the housing 100, the second air duct 4 is directly connected to the evaporator chamber 11.

[0083] It should be noted here that the crosswind passages (first crosswind passage 341 and second crosswind passage 342) described in this article are not only as shown... Figures 8-16 The horizontal arrangement is shown, but the cold air in the horizontal duct has a greater (e.g., >50%) horizontal component. Similarly, the vertical duct 33 is not only vertically arranged, but the cold air in the vertical duct 33 has a greater (e.g., >50%) vertical component.

[0084] In one embodiment of this application, the second air outlet 42 connects the second part 44 and the second compartment 20. At least a portion of the second part 44 is at the same height as the first air duct 3, so that the first air outlet 32 ​​and the second air outlet 42 are at the same height, so that the user has a better appearance when opening the freezer.

[0085] In one embodiment of this application, the horizontal air-cooled freezer provided in this application also includes a door (not shown) for opening or closing the cabinet 100. The first air outlet 32 ​​and the second air outlet 42 are both located close to the door. The door is provided with an airflow guide groove for guiding the airflow of the cold air blown out of the first air outlet 32 ​​and the second air outlet 42. The airflow guide groove extends along the front and rear direction of the cabinet 100.

[0086] Cold air is dense and tends to sink. By placing the first air outlet 32 ​​and the second air outlet 42 close to the door, that is, close to the top, the cold air can provide maximum cooling for the items stored in the first compartment 10 and the second compartment 20.

[0087] An airflow guide channel is provided on the door to prevent the cold air blown out of the first air outlet 32 ​​and the second air outlet 42 from being affected when there are many items in the first compartment 10 and / or the second compartment 20. The airflow guide channel can provide cold air guidance and direct the cold air to the other side of the box 100.

[0088] In one embodiment of this application, the air outlets 32 and 42 are tilted upwards to blow the cold air upwards into the airflow guide channel, further preventing the cold air from being blocked by objects.

[0089] In one embodiment of this application, the first air duct 3 and the first portion 43 of the second air duct 4 are arranged adjacent to each other, so that the first air duct 3 and the first portion 43 of the second air duct 4 are integrated.

[0090] In one embodiment of this application, the housing 100 includes a first inner liner 1 having a first compartment 10, and the air duct assembly includes an air duct shell 71 and an air guide 72. The air duct shell 71 cooperates with the first inner liner 1 to form an air duct cavity, and the air guide 72 divides a portion of the air duct cavity to form a first portion 43 of a first air duct 3 and a second air duct 4.

[0091] like Figures 8-10 In the first air duct 3 and the first part 43 of the second air duct 4 are both in the same air duct cavity and are separated by the air guide 72.

[0092] The air duct shell 71 and the air guide 72 can be designed as a single unit, so that the first air duct 3 and the first part 43 of the second air duct 4 are formed as a single structure, without the need to be separated into two parts to be connected to the inner liner in the cabinet 100, which simplifies the installation steps of the horizontal air-cooled freezer.

[0093] Of course, the air guide 72 can also be formed by protruding from the first inner liner 1, or other structures such as foam can be set in the air duct cavity to separate the first air duct 3 and the second air duct 4.

[0094] In other embodiments, the first portion 43 of the first air duct 3 and the second air duct 4 are not formed within the same air duct cavity, such as... Figures 11-16 In the first air duct 3, there is a vertical air duct 33. The first part 43 is connected to the side of the first air duct 3 near the second chamber 20, or directly connected to the evaporator chamber 11.

[0095] The second air duct 4 can be installed near the top of the housing 100. Figure 11 , 12 ), the middle position of the box body 100 ( Figure 13 , 14 ) and near the bottom of the box 100 ( Figure 15 , 16 ).

[0096] The first air duct 3 may further include a first horizontal air duct 341, which is connected to the top of the vertical air duct 33 and can extend to both sides of the vertical air duct 33. Figure 13 , 15 Alternatively, when the second air duct 4 is located near the top of the housing 100, it may extend only towards the side away from the second compartment 20. Figure 11 This makes way for the second air duct 4.

[0097] It should be noted here that, Figures 8-16 In the middle, the blue line represents the second air duct, number 4.

[0098] In one embodiment of this application, the first inner liner 1 is provided with a protrusion 12 corresponding to the shape of the air duct shell 71. The protrusion 12 protrudes outward and forms a cavity with an inward opening. The air duct shell 71 is disposed at the opening of the cavity, so that the cavity is closed to form an air duct cavity.

[0099] It should be noted here that "outside" refers to the direction from the first room 10 toward the outside of the first room 10, while "inside" refers to the direction toward the first room 10.

[0100] The air duct housing 71 is also provided with the aforementioned first air outlet 32, such as Figure 4 In the first air duct 3, the first air outlet 32 ​​at the end furthest from the second chamber 20 has a smaller opening, while the first air outlet 32 ​​at the middle and the end closer to the second chamber 20 has a larger opening.

[0101] On the one hand, such as Figure 4 In the first chamber 10, the evaporator chamber 11 is located below the end of the first chamber 10 that is away from the second chamber 20, occupying part of the height space. The space required for cooling capacity in the first chamber 10 that is away from the second chamber 20 is relatively small.

[0102] On the other hand, the end of the first air duct 3 that is far from the second room 20 is closer to the first air inlet 31, resulting in less air loss. Therefore, the opening of the first air outlet 32 ​​at this end does not need to be very large.

[0103] In one embodiment of this application, the housing 100 includes a second inner liner 2 having a second compartment 20, and a protrusion 12 having an opening 121; the air duct assembly also includes an extension 73 connected to the second inner liner 2, the extension 73 being hollow inside, forming a second part 44 of the second air duct 4, and communicating with the first part 43 through the opening 121 of the protrusion 12.

[0104] Opening 121 can be made in, for example Figure 4 The protrusion 12 is located near the end of the second inner liner 2 corresponding to the position of the first part 43. It can also be opened on the side wall parallel to the outer shell of the box 100, or at the top or bottom of the protrusion 12.

[0105] The first part 43 of the second air duct 4 is located in the internal space formed by the first inner liner 1, while the second air duct 4 is located outside the second inner liner 2 and communicates with the second compartment 20. Therefore, an opening 121 is made in the protrusion 12 to allow cold air to pass through.

[0106] The extension 73 is connected to the first inner liner 1 and extends outward to form a edging strip 731, which surrounds part of the protrusion 12 around the opening 121 and part of the first inner liner 1 to prevent cold air leakage.

[0107] After the extension 73 is connected to the protrusion 12, it extends upward at an angle and then is set horizontally, so that the height of the second air outlet 42 of the second air duct 4 can be the same as the height of the first air outlet 32 ​​of the first air duct 3.

[0108] Both the first air outlet 32 ​​and the second air outlet 42 are grille-shaped, and the horizontal baffles are tilted upwards, making the air outlet direction tilt upwards.

[0109] In one embodiment of this application, the air duct shell 71 is further provided with a third air duct 5, which is located on the same side of the housing 100 as the first air duct 3 and the second air duct 4, and includes a third air inlet 51 and a third air outlet 52. The third air inlet 51 is connected to the evaporator chamber 11, and the third air outlet 52 is connected to the bottom of the first chamber 10.

[0110] Since the first compartment 10 is a freezer and the second compartment 20 is a refrigerator, the freezer requires more cooling capacity. Adding an extra air duct can lower the temperature of the freezer more quickly.

[0111] like Figure 4In the middle, the third air duct 5 includes a horizontal section 53 and an inclined section 54. The horizontal section 53 is connected to the first chamber 10 and is set horizontally, while the inclined section 54 is connected to the horizontal section 53 and the evaporator chamber 11.

[0112] The third air outlet 52 is located in the horizontal section 53, and the inclined section 54 is also provided with an inclined air outlet 541 for air outlet, so that the cooling capacity in the freezer chamber is more uniform in the vertical direction.

[0113] In one embodiment of this application, the cooling assembly includes a volute 82 and an evaporator fan 81 disposed within the volute 82, such as... Figure 4 In the middle, the line connecting the end of the air guide 72 near the evaporator 81 to the center point of the evaporator 81 is l1, the line connecting the volute tongue of the volute 82 to the center point of the evaporator 81 is l2, the smaller angle formed between l1 and l2 is α, and the larger angle formed between l1 and l2 is β. α and β satisfy: 2.3≤β / α≤9.

[0114] Figure 4 In the first room 20, there is only one air duct, the second air duct 4, within the included angle α. In other embodiments, there may be multiple air ducts connected to the second room 20. In the included angle β, there are two air ducts, the first air duct 3 and the third air duct 5. Similarly, in other embodiments, there may be multiple air ducts connected to the first room 10 within the included angle β.

[0115] In one embodiment of this application, the cooling assembly further includes an evaporator (not shown). The evaporator and an evaporation fan 81 are disposed in an evaporator chamber 11, which extends from the front side to the rear side of the housing 100. The evaporation fan 81 is disposed on the front side of the evaporator chamber 11.

[0116] The volute 82 and the air duct shell 71 are integrally formed. The aforementioned protrusion 12 is formed by the air duct shell 71 and the volute 82, which are integrally formed by the first air duct 3, the second air duct 4 and the third air duct 5, and protrudes outward.

[0117] The volute 82 has an air intake 821 that draws in the cold air generated by the evaporator. The first air inlet 31, the second air inlet 41, and the third air inlet 51 are all in the air outlet direction of the evaporator fan 81, and the evaporator fan 81 blows the cold air out of the volute 82 from the first air inlet 31, the second air inlet 41, and the third air inlet 51.

[0118] In one embodiment of this application, a damper 9 is provided at the second air inlet 41. The damper 9 connects to or disconnects the second air duct 4, thereby enabling the cooling capacity provided to the second chamber 20 to be controlled according to the set temperature of the second chamber 20.

[0119] The minimum distance between the projection of the damper 9 on the horizontal plane and the projection of the center point of the evaporator fan 81 on the horizontal plane is not zero. In other words, the damper 9 is located on the side of the vertical line where the center point of the evaporator fan 81 is located, close to the second chamber 20. That is, the damper 9 is deviated from directly above the evaporator fan 81.

[0120] The damper 9 is located at the second air inlet 41, which is close to the evaporator fan 81. The cold air blown out by the evaporator fan 81 is too cold, which makes the damper 9 easy to frost and freeze, affecting the opening or closing of the damper 9.

[0121] On the one hand, the damper 9 is located at the second air inlet 41, so even if it freezes, it can be defrosted using the heat from the evaporator. On the other hand, by moving the damper 9 away from the evaporator fan 81, the defrosting water droplets from the damper 9 can be prevented from falling into the evaporator fan 81.

[0122] In one embodiment of this application, the damper 9 is inclined downward in the direction from the first chamber 10 toward the second chamber 20, and the projection of the damper 9 on the horizontal plane overlaps with the projection of the evaporator fan 81 on the horizontal plane.

[0123] The first air outlet 32 ​​and the second air outlet 42 are both located near the top of the housing 100, while the evaporator chamber 11 is located roughly in the middle of the housing 100.

[0124] like Figure 4 In order to ensure smooth airflow in the first air duct 3 and the second air duct 4, both the first air duct 3 and the second air duct 4 have curved sides. This makes the airflow direction of the second air inlet 41 of the second air duct 4 not vertical, but tilted upward towards the second room 20.

[0125] The damper 9 is usually set in a direction that is roughly perpendicular to the air inlet direction, so the damper 9 is also set at an angle.

[0126] On the horizontal plane, the projection of the damper 9 only partially overlaps with the projection of the evaporator fan 81. That is, the end of the damper 9 near the second chamber 20 is not within the vertical range of the evaporator fan 81, and the damper 9 is inclined downward toward the second chamber 20. When the defrosting water flows downward to the lowest point of the damper 9, it will not drip onto the evaporator fan 81.

[0127] In another embodiment of this application, such as Figure 17 As shown in the example, in the vertical direction, the projection of the damper 9 does not overlap with the projection of the centrifugal fan 81, so the defrosting water generated by the damper 9 during defrosting will not drip onto the centrifugal fan 81.

[0128] In one embodiment of this application, a fixing structure is provided between the air duct shell 71 and the protrusion 12, and the air damper 9 is fixed by the fixing structure.

[0129] like Figure 6 In the middle, the air duct shell 71 has protruding ribs 711 along its boundary. The ribs 711 overlap with the side wall of the air duct cavity to prevent cold air from directly dissipating into the first chamber 10. The air guide 72 divides the upper air duct into the first air duct 3 and the second air duct 4.

[0130] A first C-shaped groove 7111 and a second C-shaped groove 721 are formed at the positions of the rib 711 and the air guide 72 at the second air inlet 41, respectively. That is, a fixed structure is formed by placing the damper 9 in the first C-shaped groove 7111 and the second C-shaped groove 721, so that the damper 9 is fixed at the position of the second air inlet 41. The damper 9 is fixed to the air duct shell 71 before the air duct shell 71 is installed on the first inner liner 1, and then the air duct shell 71 is installed on the first inner liner 1. The first C-shaped groove 7111 and the second C-shaped groove 721 are fastened together by the protrusion 12 of the first inner liner 1.

[0131] It should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This way of describing the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0132] The detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions of feasible implementation methods of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. All equivalent implementation methods or modifications made without departing from the spirit of the art of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A horizontal air-cooled refrigerator, characterized by comprising: include: The housing (100) is provided with a first chamber (10), a second chamber (20) and an evaporator chamber (11), wherein the evaporator chamber (11) is located adjacent to the first chamber (10) and away from the second chamber (20); The cooling unit is located inside the evaporator chamber (11); The air duct assembly includes a return air duct (6), which includes an inclined air duct (62) that communicates with the evaporator chamber (11) and extends downward at an angle from one end of the second chamber (20) toward the other end of the evaporator chamber (11).

2. The horizontal air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The box (100) includes a first inner liner (1) and a second inner liner (2) spaced apart. The first inner liner (1) is provided with a first compartment (10), and the second inner liner (2) is provided with a second compartment (20).

3. The horizontal air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first compartment (10) is a low-temperature compartment, the second compartment (20) is a high-temperature compartment, and the inclined air duct (62) is spaced apart from the first inner liner (1).

4. The horizontal air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inclined air duct (62) includes a first section that is attached to the second inner liner (2) and a second section that is spaced apart from the first inner liner (1).

5. The horizontal air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The return air duct (6) also includes a vertical air duct (61) connected to the inclined air duct (62). The vertical air duct (61) is provided with a return air inlet (611) connected to the second room (20). There are at least two return air inlets (611), and the at least two return air inlets (611) are spaced apart in the vertical direction.

6. The horizontal air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 5, characterized in that, At least two return air inlets (611) are located at the lower half height of the second chamber (20), and the lowest return air inlet (611) is located near the bottom of the second chamber (20).

7. The horizontal air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The return air duct (6) also includes a vertical air duct (61) connected to the inclined air duct (62). The vertical air duct (61) is provided with a return air inlet (611) connected to the second room (20). The return air inlet (611) extends vertically.

8. The horizontal air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 7, characterized in that, The return air inlet (611) is located at the lower half of the height of the second chamber (20), and the lowest point of the return air inlet (611) is located close to the bottom of the second chamber (20).

9. The horizontal air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 5 or 7, characterized in that, The return air inlet (611) is located at the upper half of the second chamber (20) or at the middle of the second chamber (20).

10. The horizontal air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The air duct assembly is also provided with a first air duct (3) and a second air duct (4) for air outlet. The first air duct (3) and the second air duct (4) are located on opposite sides of the housing (100) with the return air duct (6). The first air duct (3) includes a first air inlet (31) and a first air outlet (32). The second air duct (4) includes a second air inlet (41) and a second air outlet (42). The first air inlet (31) and the second air inlet (41) are both connected to the evaporator chamber (11). The first air outlet (32) is connected to the first compartment (10). The second air outlet (42) is connected to the second compartment (20).

11. The horizontal air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second air duct (4) has a first portion (43) located outside the first chamber (10) and a second portion (44) extending from the first portion (43) to the outside of the second chamber (20), the first portion (43) being located below the first air duct (3).

12. The horizontal air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 11, characterized in that, The housing (100) includes a first inner liner (1) having a first compartment (10), and the air duct assembly includes an air duct shell (71) and an air guide (72). The air duct shell (71) cooperates with the first inner liner (1) to form an air duct cavity, and the air guide (72) divides a portion of the air duct cavity to form a first part (43) of a first air duct (3) and a second air duct (4).

13. The horizontal air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein The air duct assembly is also provided with a third air duct (5), which is located on the same side of the housing (100) as the first air duct (3) and the second air duct (4), and includes a third air inlet (51) and a third air outlet (52). The third air inlet (51) is connected to the evaporator chamber (11), and the third air outlet (52) is connected to the bottom of the first chamber (10).

14. The horizontal air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 12, characterized in that, The cooling assembly includes a volute (82) and an evaporator (81) disposed within the volute (82). The line connecting the end of the air guide (72) near the evaporator (81) to the center point of the evaporator (81) is l1. The line connecting the volute tongue of the volute (82) to the center point of the evaporator (81) is l2. The smaller angle formed between l1 and l2 is α, and the larger angle formed between l1 and l2 is β. α and β satisfy: 2.3≤β / α≤9.

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