Multi-temperature zone refrigerator

Abstract

This application relates to a multi-temperature zone refrigerator, specifically within the field of refrigerator technology. It addresses the problems of limited temperature zone space and a small temperature adjustment range in the variable-temperature compartment of refrigerators. The multi-temperature zone refrigerator includes a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, a soft-freeze compartment, a variable-temperature compartment, a refrigerator evaporator, a freezer evaporator, a variable-temperature evaporator, a condenser, and a compressor. The refrigerator evaporator, freezer evaporator, and variable-temperature evaporator are connected to the condenser and compressor to form a refrigeration circuit. The refrigerator evaporator cools the refrigerator compartment, the freezer evaporator cools the freezer compartment, either the refrigerator evaporator or the freezer evaporator cools the soft-freeze compartment, and the variable-temperature evaporator cools the variable-temperature compartment. This multi-temperature zone refrigerator has four temperature zones to meet users' storage needs for different temperature spaces, and the temperature range of the variable-temperature compartment can be independently adjusted, providing a large temperature adjustment range.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of refrigerator technology, and more particularly to a multi-temperature zone refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] Refrigerators are common household appliances. Compared to refrigerators that only have freezer and refrigerator compartments, refrigerators with more temperature zones can meet specific low-temperature storage requirements and are becoming increasingly popular with users.

[0003] Currently, because refrigerators with variable temperature compartments share an evaporator with the freezer or refrigerator compartments during the cooling process, the temperature adjustment range of the variable temperature compartment is relatively small and cannot meet user needs. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a multi-temperature zone refrigerator to solve the problems of limited temperature zone space and small temperature regulation range of the variable temperature compartment.

[0005] This application provides a multi-temperature zone refrigerator, including a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, a soft-freeze compartment, a variable-temperature compartment, a refrigerator evaporator, a freezer evaporator, a variable-temperature evaporator, a condenser, and a compressor. The refrigerator evaporator, freezer evaporator, and variable-temperature evaporator are connected to the condenser and compressor to form a refrigeration circuit. The refrigerator evaporator is used to cool the refrigerator compartment, the freezer evaporator is used to cool the freezer compartment, either the refrigerator evaporator or the freezer evaporator is used to cool the soft-freeze compartment, and the variable-temperature evaporator is used to cool the variable-temperature compartment.

[0006] Optionally, the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment are arranged sequentially from top to bottom. The variable temperature compartment is located below the refrigerator compartment and is spaced apart from the freezer compartment along a first direction, which forms an angle with the vertical direction. The soft-freeze compartment is located inside the refrigerator compartment.

[0007] Optionally, the multi-temperature zone refrigerator also includes a refrigerator air duct assembly, which includes a refrigerator air duct, at least two refrigerator air outlets, at least one refrigerator air return vent, and a refrigerator fan. The refrigerator air duct is located on the outside of the refrigerator compartment, and the refrigerator evaporator is located inside the refrigerator air duct. The refrigerator air outlets connect the refrigerator air duct and the refrigerator compartment, and the refrigerator air return vent also connects the refrigerator air duct and the refrigerator compartment. The refrigerator fan, located inside the refrigerator air duct, is used to circulate air between the refrigerator evaporator and the refrigerator compartment.

[0008] Optionally, the cold storage compartment includes a first cold storage compartment and a second cold storage compartment. The second cold storage compartment and the variable temperature compartment are located on the side of the first cold storage compartment near the freezer compartment, and the second cold storage compartment and the soft freezer compartment are distributed at intervals along a first direction.

[0009] Optionally, the evaporator is used to cool the soft-freeze compartment. The refrigerator compartment also includes a return air chamber, the side wall of which has a refrigerator return air vent. Along the second direction, the second refrigerator compartment and the soft-freeze compartment have a return air chamber on the side facing the refrigerator air duct. The return air chamber is connected to the first and second refrigerator compartments, and is isolated from the soft-freeze compartment. The second direction, the first direction, and the vertical direction form an angle with each other.

[0010] Optionally, the multi-temperature zone refrigerator also includes a freezer air duct assembly, which includes a first air duct, at least two first air outlets, at least one first return air outlet, and a freezer fan. The first air duct is located outside the freezer compartment, the freezer evaporator is located inside the first air duct, the first air outlets connect the first air duct and the freezer compartment, and the first return air outlet connects the first air duct and the freezer compartment. The freezer fan is located inside the first air duct and is used to drive air circulation between the freezer evaporator and the freezer compartment.

[0011] Optionally, the refrigeration evaporator is used to cool the soft-freeze compartment, and the refrigeration air duct assembly further includes a second air outlet, a second air duct, a damper, and a third air duct. The second air outlet is located at the end of the first air duct facing the soft-freeze compartment. One end of the second air duct is connected to the first air duct through the second air outlet, and the other end of the second air duct is used to connect to the soft-freeze compartment. The damper is disposed between the second air outlet and the soft-freeze compartment to control whether the second air duct is in an open or closed state. One end of the third air duct is used to connect to the soft-freeze compartment, and the other end of the third air duct is disposed near the first return air inlet and connects to the first air duct. When the damper is in the open state, the refrigeration fan drives a portion of the air to circulate among the soft-freeze compartment, the third air duct, the refrigeration evaporator, the second air duct, and the soft-freeze compartment.

[0012] Optionally, the refrigeration duct assembly also includes a fourth duct, a portion of which is located within and extends into the soft-freezing chamber. The fourth duct has multiple third air outlets that connect to the soft-freezing chamber, and another portion of the fourth duct connects to the first duct.

[0013] Optionally, the side wall of the refrigerator compartment is provided with a fourth air outlet and a second return air outlet. A portion of the fourth air duct located outside the soft freezer compartment is connected to the fourth air outlet to communicate with the second air duct. The freezer air duct assembly also includes a connecting air duct. The soft freezer compartment is provided with a third return air outlet corresponding to the second return air outlet. The connecting air duct is located inside the refrigerator compartment and connects between the second and third return air outlets. The third air duct is connected to the connecting air duct through the second return air outlet.

[0014] Optionally, the multi-temperature zone refrigerator also includes a variable-temperature air duct assembly, which includes a variable-temperature air duct, at least two variable-temperature air outlets, at least one variable-temperature air return vent, and a variable-temperature fan. The variable-temperature air duct is located outside the variable-temperature compartment, the variable-temperature evaporator is located inside the variable-temperature air duct, the variable-temperature air outlets connect the variable-temperature air duct and the variable-temperature compartment, and the variable-temperature air return vent connects the variable-temperature air duct and the variable-temperature compartment. The variable-temperature fan is located inside the variable-temperature air duct and is used to drive the air to circulate between the variable-temperature evaporator and the variable-temperature compartment.

[0015] The technical solutions provided in this application have the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0016] The multi-temperature zone refrigerator provided in this application includes three different temperature zones: a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, and a soft-freeze compartment. The refrigerator compartment is cooled by a refrigerator evaporator, the freezer compartment is cooled by a freezer evaporator, and the soft-freeze compartment is cooled by either a refrigerator evaporator or a freezer evaporator. This allows users to flexibly store items in the corresponding temperature zones according to their different temperature requirements. Items requiring low-temperature refrigeration can be placed in the refrigerator compartment, items requiring low-temperature freezing can be placed in the freezer compartment, and the soft-freeze compartment can store items with higher preservation requirements that are not suitable for freezing to harden, thereby improving the preservation effect of stored items.

[0017] Because multi-temperature zone refrigerators also include a variable-temperature compartment, and the variable-temperature evaporator is used to cool this compartment, meaning the variable-temperature compartment is independently cooled by the variable-temperature evaporator, the temperature inside the variable-temperature compartment can be flexibly controlled by adjusting the cooling capacity of the variable-temperature evaporator without affecting the refrigerator, freezer, and soft-freeze compartments. This allows the temperature range of the variable-temperature compartment to switch between refrigerator, freezer, and soft-freeze modes to meet users' storage needs for different temperature spaces, thereby improving the preservation effect of stored items.

[0018] In this application, the four temperature zones of the multi-temperature zone refrigerator can be cooled and controlled by only three evaporators, and the variable temperature compartment can be flexibly adjusted within a large temperature range between refrigeration and freezing, thereby reducing the overall cost of the machine and providing users with a better user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference numerals in the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0022] Figure 1 A top view of a multi-temperature zone refrigerator provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A front view of the box shown in the image;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a structural schematic of the internal space at the rear of a multi-temperature zone refrigerator.

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Sectional view of line AA in the middle;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a variable temperature air duct provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a refrigerated air duct provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 7 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a structure of the cold storage compartment on the rear side wall;

[0029] Figure 8 A top view of the second cold storage compartment and the soft freezer compartment in a cold storage room;

[0030] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration air duct provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0032] 10. Cabinet body; 11. Refrigerator compartment; 111. First refrigerator compartment; 112. Second refrigerator compartment; 113. Return air chamber; 12. Freezer compartment; 13. Soft freezer compartment; 14. Variable temperature compartment;

[0033] 20. Door body;

[0034] 31. Refrigerated evaporator; 32. Freezing evaporator; 33. Variable temperature evaporator; 34. Condenser; 35. Compressor;

[0035] 40. Variable temperature air duct assembly; 41. Variable temperature air duct; 42. Variable temperature fan; 43. Variable temperature air outlet; 44. Variable temperature air return outlet;

[0036] 50. Refrigerated air duct assembly; 51. Refrigerated air duct; 52. Refrigerated fan; 53. Refrigerated air outlet; 54. Refrigerated air return outlet;

[0037] 60. Refrigeration air duct assembly; 61. First air duct; 62. Refrigeration fan; 63. First air outlet; 64. First return air outlet; 65. Second air outlet; 661. Second air duct; 662. Air damper; 663. Third air duct; 664. Fourth air duct; 665. Third air outlet; 666. Connecting air duct; 671. Fourth air outlet; 672. Second return air outlet;

[0038] Z represents the up / down direction; X represents the first direction; and Y represents the second direction. Detailed Implementation

[0039] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, 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, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0040] The following disclosure provides numerous different embodiments or examples for implementing various structures of this application. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. These are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples. Such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed.

[0041] For ease of description, spatial relative terms may be used in the text to describe the relative position or movement of one element or feature relative to another element or feature, as shown in the figure. These relative terms include, for example, "inside," "outside," "middle," "outer," "below," "below," "above," "front," "back," etc. Such spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation, other than those depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure undergoes a positional flip, orientation change, or change of motion, these directional indications will change accordingly. For instance, an element described as "below other elements or features" or "below other elements or features" will subsequently be oriented "above other elements or features" or "above other elements or features." Therefore, the example term "below" can include both upper and lower orientations. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or in other directions), and the spatial relative descriptors used in the text will be interpreted accordingly.

[0042] Figure 1 This is a top view of a multi-temperature zone refrigerator provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 for Figure 1 A front view of the box shown. Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a structural schematic of the internal space at the rear of a multi-temperature zone refrigerator. Figure 4 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along line AA in the middle. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a variable temperature air duct provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a refrigerated air duct provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 7 for Figure 2 The diagram shows a structural schematic of the cold storage compartment on the rear side wall. Figure 8 This is a top view of the second cold storage compartment and the soft freezer compartment in a cold storage room. Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration air duct provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0043] Please see Figures 1 to 9 This application provides a multi-temperature zone refrigerator to solve the problems of limited temperature zone space and small temperature regulation range of the variable temperature compartment.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the multi-temperature zone refrigerator includes a cabinet 10 and a door 20. The door 20 is hinged to the cabinet 10 and is used to open or close the storage compartment inside the cabinet 10.

[0045] For example, such as Figure 1As shown, a multi-temperature zone refrigerator can have two doors 20, which are spaced apart along a first direction X (e.g., left-right direction). Thus, during the opening and rotation of the doors 20, the door 20 has a smaller space occupation area and a simpler structure. The door 20 is defined as... Figure 1 In the closed state shown, it is located on the front side of the box 10 along the second direction Y.

[0046] Alternatively, a multi-temperature zone refrigerator can also be equipped with four doors 20, i.e., a French door refrigerator. For example, on the front side of the cabinet 10, two doors 20 are located in the upper half of the cabinet 10 and are spaced apart along the left and right directions. The other two doors 20 are located in the lower half of the cabinet 10 and are also spaced apart along the left and right directions. This allows each door 20 to independently control the opening and closing of its corresponding storage compartment, thus avoiding the loss of cold air caused by opening multiple storage compartments at once.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the multi-temperature zone refrigerator includes a refrigerator compartment 11, a freezer compartment 12, a soft-freeze compartment 13, and a variable temperature compartment 14. For example, the interior of the cabinet 10 is provided with storage compartments such as the refrigerator compartment 11, the freezer compartment 12, the soft-freeze compartment 13, and the variable temperature compartment 14.

[0048] Combination Figure 3 and Figure 4 The multi-temperature zone refrigerator also includes a refrigerator evaporator 31, a freezer evaporator 32, a variable-temperature evaporator 33, a condenser 34, and a compressor 35. The refrigerator evaporator 31, freezer evaporator 32, and variable-temperature evaporator 33 are connected to the condenser 34 and compressor 35 to form a refrigeration circuit. This allows the refrigerant to flow to the condenser after being compressed by the compressor 35. The compressed refrigerant liquefies and releases heat within the condenser 34. The liquefied refrigerant then flows through a throttling device to at least one of the refrigerator evaporator 31, freezer evaporator 32, and variable-temperature evaporator 33, where it vaporizes to absorb heat, thereby cooling the air near the evaporator.

[0049] For example, the refrigerated evaporator 31, the frozen evaporator 32, and the variable-temperature evaporator 33 can be connected in parallel first, and then connected between the condenser 34 and the compressor 35. At this time, the flow rate of refrigerant in the refrigerated evaporator 31, the frozen evaporator 32, and the variable-temperature evaporator 33 can be adjusted by a throttling device or a valve, thereby controlling the temperature range of the corresponding storage room.

[0050] Alternatively, the refrigeration evaporator 31, the freezing evaporator 32, and the variable temperature evaporator 33 can be set in series and in parallel, and then connected as a whole between the condenser 34 and the compressor 35. There is no limitation on this.

[0051] Based on this, a refrigeration evaporator 31 is configured to cool the refrigeration compartment 11, a freezing evaporator 32 is configured to cool the freezing compartment 12, a refrigeration evaporator 31 or a freezing evaporator 32 is configured to cool the soft-freeze compartment 13, and a variable-temperature evaporator 33 is configured to cool the variable-temperature compartment 14.

[0052] The multi-temperature zone refrigerator provided in this application includes three different temperature zones: a refrigerator compartment 11, a freezer compartment 12, and a soft-freeze compartment 13. The refrigerator compartment 11 is cooled by a refrigerator evaporator 31, the freezer compartment 12 is cooled by a freezer evaporator 32, and the soft-freeze compartment 13 is cooled by either the refrigerator evaporator 31 or the freezer evaporator 32. This allows users to flexibly store items in the corresponding temperature zone according to their different temperature requirements. Items requiring low-temperature refrigeration can be placed in the refrigerator compartment 11, items requiring low-temperature freezing can be placed in the freezer compartment 12, and the soft-freeze compartment 13 can store items with high preservation requirements that are not suitable for freezing hardening, thereby improving the preservation effect of stored items.

[0053] Based on this, since the multi-temperature zone refrigerator also includes a variable temperature compartment 14, and the variable temperature evaporator 33 is used to cool the variable temperature compartment 14, that is, the variable temperature compartment 14 is independently cooled by the variable temperature evaporator 33. In this way, without affecting the refrigerator compartment 11, the freezer compartment 12, and the soft-freeze compartment 13, the temperature in the variable temperature compartment 14 can be flexibly controlled by adjusting the cooling capacity of the variable temperature evaporator 33, so that the temperature range of the variable temperature compartment 14 can be switched between refrigerator mode, freezer mode, or soft-freeze mode to meet the user's storage needs for different temperature spaces, thereby improving the preservation effect of stored items.

[0054] In this application, the four temperature zones of the multi-temperature zone refrigerator can be cooled and controlled by only three evaporators, and the variable temperature compartment 14 can be flexibly adjusted within a large temperature range between refrigeration and freezing, thereby reducing the overall cost of the machine and providing users with a better user experience.

[0055] In some implementations, the multi-temperature zone refrigerator can be a side-by-side door or a cross-door structure. However, the refrigerator body 10 has multiple independent storage compartments.

[0056] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the refrigerator compartment 11 and the freezer compartment 12 are distributed sequentially from top to bottom, that is, the refrigerator compartment 11 and the freezer compartment 12 are distributed at intervals along the vertical direction Z. In the lower half of the cabinet 10, the variable temperature compartment 14 is located below the refrigerator compartment 11 and is distributed at intervals with the freezer compartment 12 along the first direction X, thereby avoiding the temperature between the refrigerator compartment 11 and the freezer compartment 12 from affecting the temperature control in the variable temperature compartment 14.

[0057] The soft-freezing compartment 13 is located inside the refrigerator compartment 11. Because the temperature range of the soft-freezing compartment 13 is closer to that of the refrigerator compartment than that of the freezer compartment 12, the temperature of the soft-freezing compartment 13 located inside the refrigerator compartment 11 will not be too high or too low.

[0058] Because cold air has a higher density and sinks, and the temperature of the soft-freeze compartment 13 is lower than that of the refrigerator compartment 11, the soft-freeze compartment 13 can be positioned below the refrigerator compartment 11. This allows the soft-freeze compartment 13 to maintain a lower temperature than the refrigerator compartment 11 while minimizing its impact and interference on the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 11.

[0059] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, there is an angle between the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the up-down direction. For example, the first direction X can be the left-right direction, and the second direction Y can be the front-back direction; there is no limitation on this.

[0060] In some implementations, such as Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the multi-temperature zone refrigerator also includes a variable temperature air duct assembly 40. The variable temperature air duct assembly 40 includes a variable temperature air duct 41 and a variable temperature fan 42. The variable temperature air duct 41 is disposed in the variable temperature compartment 14 (e.g., Figure 2 The variable temperature evaporator 33 is located inside the variable temperature air duct 41 on the outside of the housing 10 (as shown). The variable temperature air duct assembly 40 is located on the rear side of the housing 10, that is, on the rear side of the variable temperature chamber 14.

[0061] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 The variable temperature air duct assembly 40 also includes at least two variable temperature air outlets 43 and at least one variable temperature return air outlet 44. The variable temperature air outlets 43 connect the variable temperature air duct 41 and the variable temperature chamber 14. Multiple variable temperature air outlets 43 are spaced apart on the side wall (e.g., the rear side wall) of the variable temperature chamber 14 so that air in the variable temperature air duct 41 can flow from the variable temperature air outlets 43 to the variable temperature chamber 14. The variable temperature air outlets 43 can be located on the rear side wall of the variable temperature chamber 14 to connect to the variable temperature air duct 41.

[0062] Correspondingly, the variable temperature return air inlet 44 connects the variable temperature air duct 41 and the variable temperature chamber 14. If one or more variable temperature return air inlets 44 are provided on the side wall of the variable temperature chamber 14, the variable temperature return air inlet 44 can be provided near the lower part of the variable temperature chamber 14 so that the air in the variable temperature chamber 14 can flow from the variable temperature return air inlet 44 to the variable temperature air duct 41.

[0063] Based on this, since the variable temperature fan 42 is located inside the variable temperature air duct 41, starting the variable temperature fan 42 can drive air to circulate between the variable temperature evaporator 33 and the variable temperature chamber 14. This allows air to circulate between the variable temperature evaporator 33, the variable temperature air outlet 43, the variable temperature chamber 14, the variable temperature air return outlet 44, and the variable temperature evaporator 33, meaning that the variable temperature evaporator 33 can cool the variable temperature chamber 14 through the circulating air.

[0064] In this way, by adjusting the speed of the variable temperature fan 42 or the flow rate of the refrigerant in the variable temperature evaporator 33, the cooling capacity of the variable temperature evaporator 33 to the variable temperature chamber 14 can be adjusted accordingly, thereby flexibly controlling the temperature range of the variable temperature chamber 14, so that the temperature in the variable temperature chamber 14 can be switched and adjusted between refrigeration mode, soft freezing mode and freezing mode, with a large temperature range adjustment range.

[0065] Thus, by configuring the variable temperature air duct component 40, the temperature range within the variable temperature chamber 14 can be flexibly controlled and adjusted using air cooling, thereby preventing low-temperature frost formation within the variable temperature chamber 14 from affecting the user experience.

[0066] In some other embodiments, the variable-temperature evaporator 33 can also be configured as an evaporation coil. By installing a coil-structured variable-temperature evaporator 33 inside and on the side wall of the variable-temperature chamber 14, the variable-temperature chamber 14 can also be cooled and regulated by direct cooling. In this case, the temperature range of the variable-temperature chamber 14 needs to be controlled by adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant inside the variable-temperature evaporator 33.

[0067] Within the cold storage compartment 11, movable shelves can divide the compartment into three, four, or five layers of space along the vertical direction.

[0068] Based on this, such as Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the multi-temperature zone refrigerator also includes a refrigerator air duct assembly 50, which includes a refrigerator air duct 51 and a refrigerator fan 52. The refrigerator air duct 51 is located in the refrigerator compartment 11 (e.g., Figure 2 The refrigeration evaporator 31 is located inside the refrigeration air duct 51 on the outside of the cabinet 10 (as shown). The refrigeration air duct assembly 50 is located on the rear side of the cabinet 10, that is, on the rear side of the refrigeration compartment 11.

[0069] like Figure 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the refrigerated air duct assembly 50 also includes at least two refrigerated air outlets 53 and at least one refrigerated air return outlet 54. The refrigerated air outlets 53 connect the refrigerated air duct 51 and the refrigerated compartment 11. For example, multiple refrigerated air outlets 53 are provided at intervals on the side wall of the refrigerated compartment 11 so that air in the refrigerated air duct 51 can flow from the refrigerated air outlets 53 to the refrigerated compartment 11.

[0070] The refrigerated air outlet 53 can be located on the rear wall of the refrigerator compartment 11 to connect to the refrigerated air duct 51. For example, the refrigerated air duct 51 includes two refrigerated branch air ducts located on the outer side of the rear wall of the refrigerator compartment 11. These two branch air ducts extend upwards and are distributed near the left and right sides of the refrigerator compartment 11. Each branch air duct has three refrigerated air outlets 53 connecting to the refrigerator compartment 11. The three refrigerated air outlets 53 are spaced apart in the vertical direction, with one refrigerated air outlet 53 located at the top of the refrigerator compartment 11. Since cold air flows downwards spontaneously, this helps improve the uniformity of temperature distribution in the refrigerator compartment 11.

[0071] Correspondingly, the refrigerated return air vent 54 connects the refrigerated air duct 51 and the refrigerated compartment 11. If one or more refrigerated return air vents 54 are provided on the side wall of the refrigerated compartment 11, the refrigerated return air vent 54 can be located near the lower part of the refrigerated compartment 11 so that the air in the refrigerated compartment 11 can flow from the refrigerated return air vent 54 to the refrigerated air duct 51.

[0072] Therefore, since the refrigeration fan 52 is located inside the refrigeration air duct 51, starting the refrigeration fan 52 can drive air to circulate between the refrigeration evaporator 31 and the refrigeration compartment 11. This allows air to circulate between the refrigeration evaporator 31, the refrigeration air outlet 53, the refrigeration compartment 11, the refrigeration air return outlet 54, and the refrigeration evaporator 31, meaning the refrigeration evaporator 31 can cool the refrigeration compartment 11 through the circulating air.

[0073] In this way, by adjusting the speed of the refrigeration fan 52 or adjusting the flow of refrigerant in the refrigeration evaporator 31, the cooling capacity of the refrigeration evaporator 31 to the refrigeration compartment 11 can be adjusted accordingly, thereby flexibly controlling the temperature range of the refrigeration compartment 11 and avoiding large fluctuations in the temperature inside the refrigeration compartment 11.

[0074] Thus, by configuring the refrigeration air duct component 50, the temperature range inside the refrigerator compartment 11 can be precisely controlled using air cooling, thereby preventing low-temperature frost from forming inside the refrigerator compartment 11 and affecting the user experience.

[0075] In some other embodiments, the refrigeration evaporator 31 can also be configured as an evaporation coil. By installing the refrigeration evaporator 31 with a coil structure inside and on the side wall of the refrigerator compartment 11, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 can be controlled by direct cooling. In this case, the flow rate of the refrigerant in the refrigeration evaporator 31 needs to be adjusted to control the temperature range of the refrigerator compartment 11.

[0076] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2As shown, the cold storage compartment 11 includes a first cold storage compartment 111 and a second cold storage compartment 112. The second cold storage compartment 112 and the variable temperature compartment 14 are located on the side of the first cold storage compartment 111 near the freezer compartment 12 (as shown below). The second cold storage compartment 112 and the soft freezer compartment 13 are distributed at intervals along the first direction X.

[0077] Due to the presence of the variable temperature compartment 14, the soft freezer compartment 13 has a smaller space requirement. Thus, by placing the soft freezer compartment 13 at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment 11 and separating this layer structure from the second refrigerator compartment 112, the refrigerator compartment 11 can maintain a larger space, thereby meeting the user's larger refrigeration needs.

[0078] For example, the soft-freeze compartment 13 and the second refrigerator compartment 112 can be configured as drawers. The drawer-structured soft-freeze compartment 13 facilitates isolation from the refrigerator compartment 11, preventing the lower temperature in the soft-freeze compartment 13 from affecting the uniformity of temperature distribution within the refrigerator compartment 11. The drawer-structured second refrigerator compartment 112 can be semi-open, allowing some air from the refrigerator compartment 11 to circulate within it, and the drawer-structured second refrigerator compartment 112 can store items that are not suitable for storage.

[0079] Correspondingly, such as Figure 4 and Figure 8 As shown, the refrigerator compartment 11 also includes a return air chamber 113, and the side wall of the return air chamber 113 is provided with a refrigerator return air vent 54. Along the second direction, the second refrigerator compartment 112 and the soft freezer compartment 13 are provided with a return air chamber 113 on the side (i.e., the rear side) facing the refrigerator air duct 51. The return air chamber 113 is connected to the first refrigerator compartment 111 and the second refrigerator compartment 112, and is isolated from the soft freezer compartment 13.

[0080] For example, the rear or lower side wall of the return air chamber 113 is provided with a refrigerated return air inlet 54 that connects to the refrigerated air duct 51. This allows air to circulate between the refrigerated evaporator 31, the refrigerated air outlet 53, the first refrigerated compartment 111 (second refrigerated compartment 112), the return air chamber 113, the refrigerated return air inlet 54, and the refrigerated evaporator 31.

[0081] However, since the return air chamber 113 is isolated from the soft freezer compartment 13, the air flowing through the refrigerator evaporator 31 will not flow through the soft freezer compartment 13, or only a very small portion will flow through the soft freezer compartment 13, so the impact is minimal.

[0082] Correspondingly, in the soft freezer compartment 13, the air used for refrigeration will not flow through the refrigerator compartment 11, or only a small portion will flow into the refrigerator compartment 11, with minimal impact. In other words, in this structure, the soft freezer compartment 13 is not refrigerated through the refrigerator evaporator 31; instead, it can be refrigerated through the freezer evaporator 32.

[0083] In some implementations, such as Figure 3 and Figure 9 As shown, the multi-temperature zone refrigerator also includes a freezer air duct assembly 60, which includes a first air duct 61 and a freezer fan 62. The freezer air duct assembly 60 is disposed in the freezer compartment 12 (e.g., Figure 2 (As shown) On the outside, the freezer evaporator 32 is located inside the first air duct 61. For example, the freezer air duct assembly 60 is located on the rear side of the housing 10, that is, on the rear side of the freezer compartment 12.

[0084] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 9 As shown, the refrigeration duct assembly 60 also includes at least two first air outlets 63 and at least one first return air outlet 64. The first air outlets 63 connect the first air duct and the freezer chamber 12. A plurality of first air outlets 63 are provided at intervals on the side wall (such as the rear side wall) of the freezer chamber 12 so that air in the first air duct can flow from the first air outlets 63 to the freezer chamber 12.

[0085] Correspondingly, the first return air vent 64 connects the first air duct and the freezer compartment 12. If one or more first return air vents 64 are provided on the side wall of the freezer compartment 12, the first return air vent 64 can be provided near the lower part of the freezer compartment 12 so that the air in the freezer compartment 12 can flow from the first return air vent 64 to the first air duct.

[0086] Based on this, since the refrigeration fan 62 is located in the first air duct, starting the refrigeration fan 62 can drive air to circulate between the refrigeration evaporator 32 and the freezer compartment 12. This allows air to circulate between the refrigeration evaporator 32, the first air outlet 63, the freezer compartment 12, the first return air outlet 64, and the refrigeration evaporator 32, meaning that the refrigeration evaporator 32 can cool the freezer compartment 12 through the circulating air.

[0087] In this way, by adjusting the speed of the refrigeration fan 62 or adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant in the refrigeration evaporator 32, the cooling capacity of the refrigeration evaporator 32 to the freezer compartment 12 can be adjusted accordingly, thereby flexibly controlling the temperature range of the freezer compartment 12 and avoiding large-scale temperature fluctuations in the freezer compartment 12.

[0088] Thus, by configuring the refrigeration air duct assembly 60, the temperature range inside the freezer compartment 12 can be precisely controlled using air cooling, thereby preventing low-temperature frost buildup inside the freezer compartment 12 from affecting the user experience.

[0089] In some other embodiments, the evaporator 32 can also be configured as an evaporator coil. By installing the evaporator 32 with a coil structure inside and on the side wall of the freezer compartment 12, the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 can be controlled by direct cooling. In this case, the temperature range of the freezer compartment 12 needs to be controlled by adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant in the evaporator 32.

[0090] The refrigeration air duct assembly 60 also cools the soft freezer compartment 13. That is, the refrigeration evaporator 32 is used to cool the soft freezer compartment 13.

[0091] For example, such as Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 9 As shown, the refrigeration air duct assembly 60 also includes a second air outlet 65, a second air duct 661, an air damper 662, and a third air duct 663. The second air outlet 65 is located at the end of the first air duct 61 facing the soft-freezing compartment 13, such as at the upper end of the first air duct 61. One end of the second air duct 661 is connected to the first air duct 61 through the second air outlet 65, and the other end of the second air duct 661 is used to connect to the soft-freezing compartment 13. The air damper 662 is disposed between the second air outlet 65 and the soft-freezing compartment 13, and is used to control whether the second air duct 661 is in an open or closed state. One end of the third air duct 663 is used to connect to the soft-freezing compartment 13, and the other end of the third air duct 663 is disposed near the first return air inlet 64 and connects to the first air duct 61.

[0092] Thus, when the damper 662 is in the open state, the refrigeration fan 62 drives a portion of the air to circulate between the soft freezer compartment 13, the third air duct 663, the refrigeration evaporator 32, the second air outlet 65, the second air duct 661 and the soft freezer compartment 13, so as to cool the soft freezer compartment 13 through the refrigeration evaporator 32.

[0093] If the temperature in the soft freezer compartment 13 reaches the preset temperature, the second air duct 661 is closed by controlling the damper 662 to prevent the air cooled by the freezer evaporator 32 from flowing to the soft freezer compartment 13 through the second air duct 661, so as to avoid the temperature in the soft freezer compartment 13 from continuing to drop to an overcooled state.

[0094] In addition, the amount of cold air flowing into the soft freezer compartment 13 can be increased or decreased by controlling the opening of the damper 662.

[0095] In this way, while the soft freezer compartment 13 is cooled by the evaporator 32, the flow rate of cold air to the soft freezer compartment 13 can be easily controlled by the damper 662, thereby precisely controlling the temperature range of the soft freezer compartment 13.

[0096] Within the first air duct 61, along the airflow direction, the refrigeration fan 62 is located downstream of the refrigeration evaporator 32, and the first return air vent 64 is located upstream of the refrigeration evaporator 32, so that the refrigeration fan 62 can drive the air returning from the freezer compartment 12 to be cooled as it flows through the refrigeration evaporator 32. For example, the refrigeration fan 62 is located above the refrigeration evaporator 32, and the first return air vent 64 is located below the refrigeration evaporator 32.

[0097] Because the soft freezer compartment 13 has a small internal space due to its drawer structure. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the refrigeration air duct assembly 60 also includes a fourth air duct 664, a portion of which is located within and extends into the soft-freezing compartment 13. The fourth air duct 664 has multiple third air outlets 665 that connect to the soft-freezing compartment 13. Another portion of the fourth air duct 664 connects to the first air duct 61.

[0098] Thus, the cold air flowing through the evaporator 32 enters the fourth air duct 664 through the first air duct 61, and then passes through the fourth air duct 664 extending inside the soft freezer 13 and multiple third air outlets 665 connected to the soft freezer 13, so that the cold air can quickly fill the internal space of the soft freezer 13, thereby achieving rapid cooling and improving the uniformity of temperature distribution.

[0099] For example, the fourth air duct 664 can be disposed on the top wall of the soft freezer compartment 13, and the third air outlet 665 is disposed on the lower side wall of the fourth air duct 664 to connect the fourth air duct 664 and the soft freezer compartment 13. Within the soft freezer compartment 13, the fourth air duct 664 may include one, two, or three branch air ducts, and each branch air duct is provided with multiple spaced third air outlets 665 to improve the uniformity of the distribution of the third air outlets 665 within the soft freezer compartment 13.

[0100] For example, the fourth air duct 664 includes two branch air ducts with an angle between them to form a Y-shaped structure. Each branch air duct has multiple spaced third air outlets 665. In this way, the branch air duct arrangement allows the fourth air duct 664, located above the soft-freezing compartment 13, to cover a larger area of ​​the soft-freezing compartment 13. This ensures that the cold air flowing from the multiple third air outlets 665 is evenly distributed within the soft-freezing compartment 13, promoting rapid cooling and improving the uniformity of temperature distribution within the soft-freezing compartment 13.

[0101] In some implementations, such as Figure 3 and Figure 7 As shown, the side wall of the refrigerator compartment 11 (return air chamber 113) is provided with a fourth air outlet 671 and a second return air outlet 672. Combined with... Figure 8The fourth air duct 664, located outside the soft freezer compartment 13, is connected to the fourth air outlet 671 to communicate with the second air duct 661. The freezer air duct assembly 60 also includes a connecting air duct 666. The soft freezer compartment 13 has a third return air outlet (not shown in the figure) corresponding to the second return air outlet 672. The connecting air duct 666 is located in the return air cavity 113 (refrigeration compartment 11) and connects between the second return air outlet 672 and the third return air outlet. The third air duct 663 communicates with the connecting air duct 666 through the second return air outlet 672.

[0102] During operation, the refrigeration fan 62 can drive a portion of the air to circulate sequentially between the refrigeration evaporator 32, the second air outlet 65, the second air duct 661, the fourth air outlet 671, the fourth air duct 664, the third air outlet 665, the soft freezer compartment 13, the third return air outlet, the connecting air duct 666, the second return air outlet 672, the third air duct 663 and the refrigeration evaporator 32, and will not flow into the first cold storage compartment 111 and the second cold storage compartment 112.

[0103] Since the rear of the soft-freezing compartment 13 is the return air cavity 113 of the refrigerator compartment 11, the soft-freezing compartment 13 is connected to the second air cavity 661 and the third air cavity 663 via the fourth air duct 664 and the connecting air duct 666. This allows some of the air flowing through the evaporator 32 to circulate within the soft-freezing compartment 13 via the fourth air duct 664 and the connecting air duct 666. This prevents the low-temperature air flowing through the soft-freezing compartment 13 from affecting the temperature distribution within the refrigerator compartment 11.

[0104] In some embodiments, the variable temperature air duct assembly 40 and the variable temperature evaporator 33 are located along the second direction Y on the side of the variable temperature compartment 14 away from the opening (or door), i.e., the rear side. Correspondingly, the refrigeration air duct assembly 60 and the refrigeration evaporator 32 are located along the second direction Y on the side of the refrigeration compartment 12 away from the opening (or door), i.e., the rear side.

[0105] On the rear side of the freezer compartment 12, the first air duct 61 and the third air duct 663 are sequentially distributed along the first direction X. Along the first direction, the soft-freezing compartment 13 is located on the same side of the multi-temperature zone refrigerator as the freezer compartment 12, such as the soft-freezing compartment 13 being located directly above the freezer compartment 12, to facilitate the arrangement of the circulating air duct of the soft-freezing compartment 13.

[0106] Among them, such as Figure 8 As shown, the damper 662 can be located within the return air chamber 113 and is disposed at the fourth air outlet 671 (e.g. Figure 3 (As shown) Between the fourth air duct 664 and the second air duct 661, to control the conduction and closure states between the fourth air duct 664 and the second air duct 661, without limitation.

[0107] In some other embodiments, the damper 662 may also be disposed at the second air outlet 65 to control whether the first air duct 61 and the second air duct 661 are in a conductive state. Alternatively, the damper 662 may also be disposed between the second air duct 661 and the fourth air outlet 671 to control whether the fourth air outlet 671 is in a normally open state, thereby controlling the circulation flow of cold air in the soft freezer compartment 13 to increase or decrease the temperature of the soft freezer compartment 13.

[0108] For example, the third return air vent is located on the rear side wall of the soft freezer compartment 13, and is located on the lower left side.

[0109] It should be noted that for refrigerators with a frost-free cooling structure, the variable-temperature air duct 41, the refrigerator air duct 51, and the first air duct 61 are generally a double-layer air duct structure. The corresponding variable-temperature fan 42, refrigerator fan 52, and freezer fan 62 are located at the connection point of the double-layer air duct to blow air from the outer air duct to the inner air duct. The return air vent structure and the evaporator are located in the outer air duct so that air in the corresponding compartment flows through the evaporator and is cooled. The air outlet structure is located in the inner air duct to pump cooled air into the corresponding compartment. Thus, the multiple air outlets in the inner air duct can be flexibly arranged as needed.

[0110] It should be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “” used herein may also indicate the inclusion of the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and “having” are inclusive and therefore indicate the presence of the stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not construed as requiring them to be performed in a particular order described or illustrated, unless the order of performance is explicitly indicated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be used.

[0111] Although terms such as first, second, third, etc., may be used in this document to describe multiple elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or segment from another. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms used herein do not imply order or sequence. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer, or segment discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or segment without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0112] The above are merely specific embodiments of this application, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. A multi-temperature zone refrigerator, characterized by, The multi-temperature zone refrigerator includes a refrigerator compartment (11), a freezer compartment (12), a soft-freeze compartment (13), a variable temperature compartment (14), a refrigerator evaporator (31), a freezer evaporator (32), a variable temperature evaporator (33), a condenser (34), and a compressor (35). The refrigerated evaporator (31), the frozen evaporator (32), and the variable temperature evaporator (33) are connected to the condenser (34) and the compressor (35) to form a refrigeration circuit; The refrigeration evaporator (31) is used to cool the refrigeration compartment (11), the freezing evaporator (32) is used to cool the freezing compartment (12), the refrigeration evaporator (31) or the freezing evaporator (32) is used to cool the soft-freeze compartment (13), and the variable temperature evaporator (33) is used to cool the variable temperature compartment (14).

2. The multi-zone refrigerator of claim 1, wherein, The refrigerator compartment (11) and the freezer compartment (12) are distributed from top to bottom; The variable temperature chamber (14) is located below the cold storage chamber (11) and is distributed at intervals with the freezer chamber (12) along a first direction, the first direction having an angle with the up and down direction; The soft-freezing compartment (13) is located inside the refrigerator compartment (11).

3. The multi-zone refrigerator of claim 2, wherein, The multi-temperature zone refrigerator also includes a refrigeration air duct assembly (50), which includes: A refrigerated air duct (51) is provided on the outside of the refrigerated compartment (11), and the refrigerated evaporator (31) is located inside the refrigerated air duct (51); At least two refrigerated air outlets (53) are connected to the refrigerated air duct (51) and the refrigerated compartment (11); At least one refrigerated return air vent (54) connects the refrigerated air duct (51) and the refrigerated compartment (11); And a refrigeration fan (52), which is located in the refrigeration duct (51) and is used to drive air to circulate between the refrigeration evaporator (31) and the refrigeration chamber (11).

4. The multi-temperature zone refrigerator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cold storage compartment (11) includes a first cold storage compartment (111) and a second cold storage compartment (112); The second cold storage compartment (112) and the variable temperature compartment (14) are located on the side of the first cold storage compartment (111) near the freezer compartment (12), and the second cold storage compartment (112) and the soft freezer compartment (13) are spaced apart along the first direction.

5. The multi-zone refrigerator of claim 4, wherein, The evaporator (32) is used to cool the soft-freeze compartment (13); The cold storage compartment (11) also includes a return air chamber (113), and the side wall of the return air chamber (113) is provided with the cold storage return air vent (54); Along the second direction, the second cold storage compartment (112) and the soft freezer compartment (13) are provided with the return air cavity (113) on the side facing the cold storage air duct (51). The return air cavity (113) is connected to the first cold storage compartment (111) and the second cold storage compartment (112), and the return air cavity (113) is isolated from the soft freezer compartment (13). The second direction, the first direction, and the up and down directions form an angle with each other.

6. The multi-zone refrigerator according to any one of claims 2-5, wherein, The multi-temperature zone refrigerator also includes a freezer air duct assembly (60), which includes: The first air duct (61) is located outside the freezer chamber (12), and the freezer evaporator (32) is located inside the first air duct (61); At least two first air outlets (63) are connected to the first air duct (61) and the freezer compartment (12); At least one first return air vent (64) connects the first air duct (61) and the freezer compartment (12); And a refrigeration fan (62), which is located in the first air duct (61) and is used to drive air to circulate between the refrigeration evaporator (32) and the freezer chamber (12).

7. The multi-zone refrigerator of claim 6, wherein, The refrigeration evaporator (32) is used to cool the soft-freeze compartment (13), and the refrigeration duct assembly (60) further includes: The second air outlet (65) is located at one end of the first air duct (61) facing the soft-freezing chamber (13); The second air duct (661) has one end connected to the first air duct (61) through the second air outlet (65), and the other end of the second air duct (661) is used to connect to the soft freezer compartment (13). A damper (662) is disposed between the second air outlet (65) and the soft-freezing chamber (13) to control the second air duct (661) to be in a conducting state or a closed state; And a third air duct (663), one end of which is used to connect to the soft freezer compartment (13), and the other end of which is located near the first return air inlet (64) and connected to the first air duct (61); When the damper (662) is in the open state, the refrigeration fan (62) drives a portion of the air to circulate between the soft freezing chamber (13), the third air duct (663), the refrigeration evaporator (32), the second air duct (661), and the soft freezing chamber (13).

8. The multi-zone refrigerator of claim 7, wherein, The refrigeration duct assembly (60) also includes: A fourth air duct (664) is located in the soft freezer compartment (13) and extends therein. The fourth air duct (664) has multiple third air outlets that connect to the soft freezer compartment (13). Another part of the fourth air duct (664) connects to the first air duct (61).

9. The multi-temperature zone refrigerator according to claim 8, characterized in that, The side wall of the refrigerator compartment (11) is provided with a fourth air outlet (671) and a second air return outlet (672). A portion of the fourth air duct (664) located outside the soft freezer compartment (13) is connected to the fourth air outlet (671) to communicate with the second air duct (661). The refrigeration air duct assembly (60) also includes a connecting air duct (666). The soft freezer compartment (13) is provided with a third return air vent corresponding to the second return air vent (672). The connecting air duct (666) is located in the refrigerator compartment (11) and connected between the second return air vent (672) and the third return air vent. The third air duct (663) is connected to the connecting air duct (666) through the second return air vent (672).

10. The multi-zone refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The multi-temperature zone refrigerator also includes a variable temperature air duct assembly (40), which includes: A variable temperature air duct (41) is provided on the outside of the variable temperature chamber (14), and the variable temperature evaporator (33) is located inside the variable temperature air duct (41); At least two variable temperature air outlets (43) are connected to the variable temperature air duct (41) and the variable temperature chamber (14); At least one variable temperature return air inlet (44) connects the variable temperature air duct (41) and the variable temperature chamber (14); And a variable temperature fan (42), which is located in the variable temperature air duct (41) and is used to drive air to circulate between the variable temperature evaporator (33) and the variable temperature chamber (14).

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