Ion release cartridge and refrigerator adapted thereto

Abstract

This invention provides an ion release box and a refrigerator adapted to the ion release box, which is mounted on the air duct of the refrigerator and contains charged water ions. The ion release box has a generally rectangular main structure with a first, second, and third mutually orthogonal faces. A notch is formed at the corner formed by the first, second, and third faces. The notch has a fourth face parallel to the first face, a fifth face parallel to the second face, and a sixth face parallel to the third face. Diffusers are formed on the first, second, and sixth faces, respectively, near the corner formed by the first, second, and sixth faces. Charged water ions are released into the refrigerator through the diffusers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of refrigerators, and more specifically, to an ion release box installed inside a refrigerator and a refrigerator adapted to the ion release box. Background Technology

[0002] NANOE is a weakly acidic health ion technology developed based on Panasonic's technology. NANOE technology converts moisture in the air into nano-sized charged water ions (NANOE ions) through condensation. These ions contain a large number of OH free radicals, which can decompose or deactivate organic matter such as odors, bacteria, and allergens by removing hydrogen (H) from them. Refrigerators, air conditioners, and other electrical appliances are equipped with ion release boxes (hereinafter referred to as NANOE boxes) for purifying the air and inhibiting bacteria and viruses. By creating openings in the NANOE box, nano-sized NANOE ions are released, thereby achieving the effects of removing bacteria, mold, and odors. Utility Model Content

[0003] Problems to be solved by utility models

[0004] With the pursuit of miniaturization in refrigerators, the design of the air duct back panel has become increasingly thinner, necessitating a corresponding change in the placement of the ion release box within the refrigerator. However, using the ion release box from previous models within the air ducts of newer refrigerators may result in poor sterilization performance. To accommodate newly developed refrigerator models, the design of the ion release box needs to be modified.

[0005] Technical means for solving problems

[0006] This utility model is based on the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an ion release box, which is mounted on the refrigeration air duct of a refrigerator and contains charged water ions. The ion release box has a generally rectangular main body structure with a first, second, and third mutually orthogonal faces. A notch is formed at the corner formed by the first, second, and third faces. The notch has a fourth face parallel to the first face, a fifth face parallel to the second face, and a sixth face parallel to the third face. A diffusion port is formed on the first, second, and sixth faces, respectively. The diffusion port is formed near the corner formed by the first, second, and sixth faces, and the charged water ions are released into the refrigerator through the diffusion port.

[0007] Optionally, in the ion release box according to the present invention, the diffuser port includes a grid member.

[0008] In the ion release box according to the present invention, optionally, a first diffusion port is formed on the first surface, a second diffusion port is formed on the second surface, and a third diffusion port is formed on the sixth surface.

[0009] Optionally, in the ion release box according to the present invention, the first diffusion port and the second diffusion port each include two grid members, and the third diffusion port includes one grid member.

[0010] In the ion release cell according to this invention, optionally, the total diffusion area of ​​the first diffusion port and the second diffusion port is 400 mm². 2 The preferred size is 426mm. 2 The total diffusion area of ​​the first diffusion port, the second diffusion port, and the third diffusion port is 600 mm². 2 The preferred size is 635mm. 2 .

[0011] Optionally, in the ion release box according to the present invention, claws are formed on the second surface and the surface opposite to the second surface, and the ion release box is fixed to the refrigerated air duct by the claws.

[0012] This utility model also provides a refrigerator adapted to an ion release box, which includes: a refrigeration air duct having a side wall facing the second surface of the ion release box, the side wall being arranged at a certain distance from the second surface.

[0013] In the refrigerator according to the present invention, optionally, the side wall is spaced 8-12 mm from the second surface, preferably 10 mm.

[0014] Optionally, in the refrigerator according to the present invention, the refrigeration air duct further comprises: a back plate facing each other on the opposite side of the first surface, an open space being formed between the back plate and the notch, through which the charged water ions released from the diffuser formed on the sixth surface escape into the refrigerator.

[0015] Optionally, in the refrigerator according to the present invention, a pre-embedded box is provided on the refrigeration air duct, and the ion release box is fixed to the refrigeration air duct by embedding the pre-embedded box.

[0016] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention proposes a new design for the ion release box in older models, while simultaneously optimizing the air duct, so that both the newly developed and older models can use the same ion release box.

[0017] This invention involves creating new openings in the ion release box used in existing models, increasing the diffusion area and allowing charged water ions to diffuse better into the refrigerator compartment.

[0018] Effects of the utility model

[0019] By redesigning the ion release box and adding new openings to the existing box, the diffusion area is increased, allowing charged water ions to diffuse more effectively into the refrigerator's cold storage compartment. This design also makes the box compatible with both new and old refrigerator models. This dual-purpose design significantly speeds up refrigerator design and development, reducing development costs.

[0020] In addition, the refrigerator's air duct was modified to be compatible with the ion release box, further improving the sterilization efficiency of the ion release box. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this utility model will become clearer from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing a current refrigerator equipped with a current NANOE box.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the newly developed refrigerator equipped with the existing NANEE box.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the current mounting method of the NANEE box.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional diagram showing the structure of the air duct, in which, Figure 4 (a) is a three-dimensional view showing the duct before the change. Figure 4 (b) is a three-dimensional view showing the modified air duct.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional diagram showing the structure of the NANOE box, in which... Figure 5 (a) is a perspective view showing the current NANOE box. Figure 5 (b) is a perspective view showing the newly developed NANEE box.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing how the newly developed NANEE box is mounted.

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0029] 1...Refrigerator; 2...Fan; 3...Compressor; 10...Air duct; 11...Side wall; 12...Wind deflector; 13...Back panel; 20...NANOE box; 21...First side; 22...Second side; 23...Third side; 24...Claw; 30...Notch; 31...Fourth side; 32...Fifth side; 33...Sixth side; A...Diffuser A side; B...Diffuser B side; C...Diffuser C side. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The NANOE box according to this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent parts are given the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0031] In this specification, it should be understood that terms such as “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and “comprising” mean the presence of the stated features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0032] In the accompanying drawings, for ease of understanding, the width direction of refrigerator 1 is defined as the X direction. The depth direction of refrigerator 1 is defined as the Y direction. The height direction of refrigerator 1 is defined as the Z direction. The X, Y, and Z directions are approximately orthogonal to each other.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing a current refrigerator equipped with a current NANOE box.

[0034] Refrigerator 1 has a refrigeration compartment and a freezer compartment. In refrigerator 1, cold air cooled by compressor 3 is circulated through air duct 10 by fan 2 to cool refrigerator 1. Fan 2, compressor 3, and air duct 10 are located on the back panel of refrigerator 1. NANOE box 20 is typically located on air duct 10 within the refrigeration compartment of refrigerator 1. Figure 1 The location of the air duct 10 on the back panel of the refrigerator 1 is shown. The NANOE box 20 releases NANOE ions (charged water ions) into the refrigerator 1 through the air duct 10 to sterilize and deodorize the refrigerator 1.

[0035] The current NANOE box 20 is as described below. Figure 5As shown in (a), the main body structure is approximately cuboid. The NANOE box 20 has a first surface 21 extending in the X and Y directions, a second surface 22 extending in the Y and Z directions, and a third surface 23 extending in the X and Z directions. The NANOE box 20 also has three other surfaces opposite to the first surface 21, the second surface 22, and the third surface 23, respectively. The first surface 21, the second surface 22, and the third surface 23 are orthogonal to each other. Furthermore, the NANOE box 20 has claws 24 on the surfaces opposite to the second surface 22. The claws 24 are used to engage and fix the NANOE box 20 to the air duct 10.

[0036] Furthermore, the NANEO box 20 has a notch 30 at the corner formed by the first surface 21, the second surface 22, and the third surface 23. The notch 30 has a fourth surface 31 extending in the X and Y directions, a fifth surface 32 extending in the Y and Z directions, and a sixth surface 33 extending in the X and Z directions. The notch 30 is related to the following... Figure 4 The windbreak block 12 in the existing air duct 10 shown in (a) abuts.

[0037] A diffusion port for diffusing NANoe ions is provided on the NANoe box 20. Specifically, as follows: Figure 5 As shown in (a), a diffusion port A is formed on the first surface 21, and a diffusion port B is formed on the second surface 22. Diffusion port A and diffusion port B are formed near the corner formed by the first surface 21, the second surface 22, and the sixth surface 33. Diffusion port A and diffusion port B may contain grid members. That is, as shown, each of diffusion port A and diffusion port B contains two grid members. By providing grid members, the robustness of the diffusion port is enhanced without affecting the diffusion efficiency of NANOE ions. However, the grid members are not limited to the straight grid members shown in the figure; they can also be grid members in the shape of a grid, a cross grid, an X-shaped grid, or a mesh grid, etc. According to the current design of the NANOE box 20, both surfaces of diffusion port A and diffusion port B can perform diffusion functions.

[0038] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the newly developed refrigerator equipped with the existing NANEE box. Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the current mounting method of the NANEE box.

[0039] Because the air duct back panel of the newly developed refrigerator 1 is thinner, while the existing NANOE box 20 is thicker, it cannot be fixed to the original mounting position. Therefore, the mounting position of the NANOE box 20 needs to be changed accordingly. Figure 2 The mounting position of the NANEE box 20 on the air duct 10 on the back panel of the newly developed refrigerator 1 is shown.

[0040] However, after mounting the NANOE box 20 in its new location, as... Figure 3 As shown, one of the two diffuser ports (diffuser port B side B) is blocked by the side wall 11 of the air duct 10, resulting in only one diffuser port (diffuser port A side A) being able to perform the diffusion function after installation, resulting in poor actual sterilization effect.

[0041] To solve this problem, the inventors of this utility model conceived of modifying the structure of the air duct 10 and redesigning the NANOE box 20 to increase the diffusion port area, thereby improving the diffusion efficiency of NANOE ions.

[0042] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional diagram showing the structure of the air duct, in which, Figure 4 (a) is a three-dimensional view showing the duct before the change. Figure 4 (b) is a three-dimensional view showing the modified air duct.

[0043] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional diagram showing the structure of the NANOE box, in which... Figure 5 (a) is a perspective view showing the current NANOE box. Figure 5 (b) is a perspective view showing the newly developed NANEE box.

[0044] like Figure 4 As shown in (a), the existing air duct 10 has a roughly cubic windbreak block 12 at the air outlet position, and the windbreak block 12 is connected to... Figure 5 The notch 30 of the existing NANEO box 20 shown in (a) abuts against the surface B. Furthermore, since the sidewall 11 of the existing air duct 10 is opposite to and in close contact with the diffuser B surface B, the sidewall 11 of the existing air duct 10 obstructs at least part or all of the diffuser B surface B. Only the diffuser A surface A performs a diffusion function, with a total diffusion area of ​​approximately 219 mm². 2 .

[0045] like Figure 4 As shown in (b), in the newly developed model, the sidewall 11 of the air duct 10 opposite to the diffuser B surface B is moved approximately 10 mm in the negative X direction (i.e., the sidewall 11 of the air duct 10 is thinned). Therefore, by modifying the foam of the air duct 10 in the newly developed model, the sidewall 11 of the air duct 10 is separated from the diffuser B surface B by a certain distance, thereby allowing the blocked diffuser B surface B to perform a diffusion function. Through this modification, both the diffuser A surface A and the diffuser B surface B can perform a diffusion function simultaneously, increasing the total diffusion area to approximately 426 mm². 2 .

[0046] In addition, to further increase the total diffusion area of ​​the diffuser opening, such as Figure 4As shown in (b), the newly developed air duct structure removes the wind deflector 12, and as... Figure 5 As shown in (b), a diffuser C-face C is formed on the sixth surface 33 of the notch 30 of the NANOOE box 20. The diffuser C-face C may also include a grille member, similar to diffuser A-face A and diffuser B-face B. That is, as shown, the diffuser C-face C includes a single grille member. Furthermore, since the wind deflector 12 is removed, diffuser A-face A, diffuser B-face B, and diffuser C-face C can simultaneously perform a diffusion function, further increasing the total diffusion area to approximately 635 mm². 2 .

[0047] Because the wind deflector 12 is removed, an open space is formed between the notch 30 of the NANEE box and the back plate 13 of the air duct 10. NANEE ions released from the diffuser C-side C escape into the air duct 10 through this open space.

[0048] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing how the newly developed NANEE box is mounted.

[0049] like Figure 6 As shown, by redesigning the NANOE box 20, the diffuser port B-side B is no longer obstructed, and a new diffuser port C-side C is added, further increasing the total diffusion area. Furthermore, to accommodate the NANOE box 20, the air duct 10 is modified so that the side wall 11 does not obstruct the diffuser port B-side B, and the baffle block 12 is removed to create an open space, further improving the sterilization efficiency of the NANOE box 20. The newly developed NANOE box 20 and air duct 10 work well together, significantly improving the overall sterilization effect of the machine.

[0050] Furthermore, since the newly developed models and the old models can use the same NANOE box at the same time, which is a dual-use design, it can greatly improve the speed of refrigerator design and development and reduce development costs.

[0051] Furthermore, while the above embodiments illustrate the use of clips 24 to engage and secure the NANEE box 20 to the air duct 10, this is not a limitation. Alternatively, clips 24 may not be used; instead, a pre-embedded box for securing the NANEE box may be provided on the back panel of the refrigerator 1, thereby securing the NANEE box to the air duct 10.

[0052] Although the present invention has been specifically described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments, it is to be understood that the above description does not limit the present invention in any way. Those skilled in the art can make modifications and variations to the present invention as needed without departing from the essential spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ion release box, characterized in that, It is installed on the refrigerator's cooling duct and contains charged water ions. The ion release box has a generally rectangular parallelepiped main structure, and the main structure has a first, second, and third face that are orthogonal to each other. A notch is formed at the corner formed by the first surface, the second surface, and the third surface. The notch portion has a fourth surface parallel to the first surface, a fifth surface parallel to the second surface, and a sixth surface parallel to the third surface. Diffuser openings are formed on the first surface, the second surface, and the sixth surface, respectively. The diffuser opening is formed near the corner formed by the first surface, the second surface, and the sixth surface. The charged water ions are released into the refrigerator through the diffuser.

2. The ion release box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diffuser includes a grid component.

3. The ion release box according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A first diffusion port is formed on the first surface, a second diffusion port is formed on the second surface, and a third diffusion port is formed on the sixth surface. The first diffuser and the second diffuser each contain two grid strips. The third diffuser includes a grid strip.

4. The ion release chamber according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A first diffusion port is formed on the first surface, a second diffusion port is formed on the second surface, and a third diffusion port is formed on the sixth surface. The total diffusion area of the first diffusion port and the second diffusion port is 400mm 2 The above, The total diffusion area of the first diffusion port, the second diffusion port and the third diffusion port is 600mm 2 The above.

5. The ion release chamber according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Claws are formed on the second surface and on the surface opposite to the second surface. The ion release box is fixed to the refrigerated air duct by the claws.

6. A refrigerator, characterized in that, comprising: A refrigerated air duct having a sidewall that faces the second surface of the ion release chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The sidewall is arranged at a certain distance from the second surface.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, characterized in that, The sidewall is spaced 8-12 mm from the second surface.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The refrigerated air duct also includes a back panel, which faces the opposite side of the first surface. An open space is formed between the back plate and the notch. The charged water ions released from the diffuser formed on the sixth surface escape into the refrigerator via the open space.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, A pre-embedded box is installed on the refrigerated air duct. The ion release box is fixed to the refrigerated air duct by being embedded in the pre-embedded box.

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