refrigerator

Abstract

This application provides a refrigerator comprising a condenser, a ventilation chamber, a defrosting chamber, a defrosting air supply duct, and a defrosting air return duct. The condenser is disposed within the ventilation chamber, which has a first air outlet and a second air outlet, with the condenser located between the first and second air outlets. A first airflow drive component is provided within the ventilation chamber. The defrosting air supply duct connects the ventilation chamber and the defrosting chamber, with the connection point between the defrosting air supply duct and the ventilation chamber located between the condenser and the second air outlet. The defrosting air return duct connects the defrosting chamber and the ventilation chamber, with the connection point between the defrosting air return duct and the ventilation chamber located between the first air outlet and the condenser. A second airflow drive component is provided within either the defrosting air supply duct or the defrosting air return duct. This refrigerator utilizes the heat generated by the condenser in the refrigeration system for defrosting, resulting in good energy-saving performance. The air returning from the defrosting air return duct can lower the ambient temperature of the condenser, positively improving the refrigeration performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application falls under the field of household appliances, and more specifically, relates to a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] As an indispensable home appliance in modern households, refrigerators play an important role in food preservation, refrigeration and freezing. With the development of refrigerators, some refrigerators are equipped with defrosting functions.

[0003] Currently, the defrosting function of refrigerators on the market is mainly achieved through heating elements. That is, the built-in elements are used to defrost frozen food by gently raising the temperature. This type of heating defrosting has the problem of high energy consumption. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a refrigerator to solve the technical problem of high energy consumption for defrosting in existing refrigerators.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted in this application is: to provide a refrigerator, the refrigerator comprising:

[0006] Condenser; a condenser is used in refrigerators to condense and release heat from the refrigerant.

[0007] Ventilation chamber; the condenser is disposed in the ventilation chamber, the ventilation chamber is provided with a first air outlet and a second air outlet, the condenser is located between the first air outlet and the second air outlet, the ventilation chamber is provided with a first airflow driving component, the first airflow driving component is used to drive airflow from the first air outlet to the second air outlet;

[0008] The thawing chamber is used to thaw frozen items.

[0009] Thawing air supply duct; The thawing air supply duct connects the ventilation chamber and the thawing chamber, and the connection between the thawing air supply duct and the ventilation chamber is located between the condenser and the second air outlet;

[0010] The thawing return air duct is connected between the thawing chamber and the ventilation chamber. The connection between the thawing return air duct and the ventilation chamber is located between the first air outlet and the condenser. The thawing supply air duct or the thawing return air duct is equipped with a second airflow drive component, which is used to drive the airflow from the thawing supply air duct through the thawing chamber to the thawing return air duct.

[0011] Optionally, the refrigerator also includes a compressor, and the compressor and condenser are connected via a refrigerant circulation line;

[0012] The compressor is located in the ventilation chamber, between the condenser and the second air vent;

[0013] The connection between the defrosting air supply duct and the ventilation chamber is directly opposite the compressor or located between the compressor and the second air outlet.

[0014] Optionally, the second airflow drive is a duct fan, which is installed in the defrosting air supply duct and located at one end of the defrosting air supply duct near the ventilation chamber.

[0015] Optionally, the first airflow drive is a bidirectional fan, and the refrigerator includes a first state and a second state;

[0016] In the first state, both the second airflow drive and the condenser are in operation, and the first airflow drive drives the airflow from the first air outlet to the second air outlet.

[0017] In the second state, the second airflow drive is in operation, the condenser is in a stopped state, and the first airflow drive drives the airflow from the second air outlet to the first air outlet.

[0018] Optionally, a first valve is provided on the defrosting air supply duct, which is used to control the opening and closing of the defrosting air supply duct.

[0019] Optionally, the first valve includes a first valve plate, and the defrosting air duct has a first port connected to the defrosting chamber, with the end face of the first port inclined upward;

[0020] The first valve plate is hinged to the upper part of the first port. The first valve plate is configured to close the first port under the action of gravity and to open the first port under the action of the air pressure of the defrosting air supply.

[0021] Optionally, a second valve is provided on the thawing return air duct, which is used to control the opening and closing of the thawing return air duct.

[0022] Optionally, the second valve includes a valve cavity and a second valve plate, with the valve cavity located at one end of the thawing return air duct near the thawing chamber;

[0023] The second valve plate is disposed in the valve cavity and is hinged to the inner top of the valve cavity. The second valve plate is configured to block the valve cavity under the action of gravity and to open the valve cavity under the action of the air pressure of the thawing return air.

[0024] Optionally, the refrigerator also includes:

[0025] Evaporator; The evaporator is connected to the condenser through a refrigerant circulation line. The evaporator is used for the refrigerant evaporation and heat absorption in the refrigerator.

[0026] Refrigeration chamber; the evaporator is located inside the refrigeration chamber;

[0027] Refrigeration return air duct; the refrigeration return air duct connects the defrosting chamber and the refrigeration chamber;

[0028] The second valve is configured to close or reduce its opening during evaporator defrosting operation, so that gas in the defrosting chamber can enter the refrigeration chamber through the refrigeration return air duct.

[0029] Optionally, the ventilation chamber is located at the bottom of the refrigerator, and the defrosting chamber is located above the ventilation chamber;

[0030] The defrosting return air duct includes a first connecting section, an intermediate extension section, and a second connecting section connected in sequence. The first connecting section is connected to the defrosting chamber, the second connecting section is connected to the ventilation chamber, and the refrigeration return air duct is located between the first connecting section and the second connecting section. The intermediate extension section is offset relative to the first connecting section and the second connecting section so that the intermediate extension section and the refrigeration return air duct are staggered.

[0031] The beneficial effects of the refrigerator provided in this application are as follows: Compared with the prior art, the refrigerator in this application embodiment includes a defrosting air supply duct and a defrosting return air duct, connecting the ventilation chamber and the defrosting chamber. The air heated downstream of the condenser in the ventilation chamber is transported to the defrosting chamber through the defrosting air supply duct, and the defrosted and cooled air is transported upstream of the condenser. This refrigerator uses the heat generated by the condenser in the refrigeration system for defrosting, without the need to consume a large amount of additional energy to generate the heat required for defrosting, thereby reducing energy consumption to a certain extent and having a better energy-saving effect. The air returning from the defrosting return air duct to the ventilation chamber can reduce the ambient temperature of the condenser, positively improving the refrigeration performance and further improving the energy-saving effect. Attached Figure Description

[0032] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigerator's appearance in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the interior of the refrigerator in an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 3 This is an independent schematic diagram of the defrosting air supply duct in the embodiments of this application;

[0036] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of airflow in the first state in the embodiments of this application;

[0037] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of airflow in the second state in the embodiments of this application;

[0038] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the defrosting air supply duct layout in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the first valve in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the defrosting return air duct and the cooling return air duct in the embodiments of this application;

[0041] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the second valve in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing that the defrosting return air duct and the cooling return air duct are staggered in an embodiment of this application.

[0043] The following are the labeling elements in the figure:

[0044] Refrigerator 100; condenser 11; compressor 12; evaporator 13; ventilation chamber 2; first air outlet 21; second air outlet 22; first airflow drive 23; defrost chamber 3; defrost supply air duct 31; first port 311; defrost return air duct 32; first connecting section 321; intermediate extension section 322; second connecting section 323; second airflow drive 33; first valve 34; first valve plate 341; second valve 35; valve cavity 351; second valve plate 352; refrigeration chamber 4; refrigeration return air duct 41. Detailed Implementation

[0045] To make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial effects to be solved by this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0046] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other component.

[0047] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0048] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0049] Currently, most refrigerators on the market use independent electric heating for defrosting. This method uses a built-in electric heating element to defrost food. During operation, the heating element converts electrical energy into heat energy, which is then transferred to the frozen food through conduction and natural convection. However, this defrosting method has significant drawbacks. Firstly, due to the limitations of conduction and natural convection, heat is difficult to distribute evenly during the transfer process, easily leading to localized overheating or insufficient defrosting, affecting food quality. For example, the surface of meat may be ready for processing, but the inside may remain frozen. Secondly, the continuous operation of the heating element consumes a large amount of electrical energy, and the heat generated during defrosting significantly raises the internal temperature of the refrigerator. To maintain the set temperatures in the refrigerator and freezer compartments, the refrigerator's refrigeration system needs to start frequently and run for extended periods. This not only leads to a significant increase in overall energy consumption but also increases the workload of critical components such as the compressor, reducing refrigeration efficiency and even affecting the refrigerator's lifespan.

[0050] Besides independent heating and defrosting, some refrigerators use natural defrosting in a non-cooling state. This method is equivalent to placing frozen food in an external environment to defrost, relying mainly on ambient temperature for natural defrosting. Its drawback is that the defrosting process depends entirely on the slow transfer of external heat, and the defrosting speed is greatly affected by factors such as ambient temperature, food volume, and type. In low-temperature environments or when defrosting large ingredients, the defrosting time will be significantly extended, resulting in low efficiency.

[0051] To address the aforementioned problems, this application provides a refrigerator, and the refrigerator provided in the embodiments of this application will now be described. Please refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The refrigerator 100 includes:

[0052] Condenser 11; Condenser 11 is used for refrigerant condensation and heat release in refrigerator 100;

[0053] Ventilation chamber 2; condenser 11 is disposed in ventilation chamber 2, ventilation chamber 2 is provided with first air outlet 21 and second air outlet 22, condenser 11 is located between first air outlet 21 and second air outlet 22, ventilation chamber 2 is provided with first airflow drive 23, first airflow drive 23 is used to drive airflow from first air outlet 21 to second air outlet 22;

[0054] Thawing chamber 3; Thawing chamber 3 is used to thaw frozen items;

[0055] Thawing air supply duct 31; Thawing air supply duct 31 is connected between ventilation chamber 2 and thawing chamber 3, and the connection between thawing air supply duct 31 and ventilation chamber 2 is located between condenser 11 and second air outlet 22;

[0056] The thawing return air duct 32 is connected between the thawing chamber 3 and the ventilation chamber 2. The connection between the thawing return air duct 32 and the ventilation chamber 2 is located between the first air outlet 21 and the condenser 11. The thawing supply air duct 31 or the thawing return air duct 32 is provided with a second airflow drive component 33. The second airflow drive component 33 is used to drive the airflow from the thawing supply air duct 31 through the thawing chamber 3 to the thawing return air duct 32.

[0057] The condenser 11 is part of the refrigeration system of the refrigerator 100. Besides the condenser 11, the refrigeration system of the refrigerator 100 generally includes a compressor 12, a throttling device, and an evaporator 13. These devices are connected via refrigerant circulation piping. The compressor 12, as the power source of the refrigeration system, draws in low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas from the evaporator 13, and mechanically compresses it to increase its pressure and temperature, forming a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. Subsequently, the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas enters the condenser 11. Inside the condenser 11, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the external environment, releasing heat to the outside while gradually cooling and liquefying, transforming into a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. Next, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant flows through the expansion valve or capillary tube. These two components cause a sudden drop in refrigerant pressure through throttling. During this process, some of the liquid refrigerant vaporizes due to the pressure reduction, absorbing heat from the surroundings, further lowering the refrigerant temperature and forming a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid-gas mixture. Finally, the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant enters the evaporator 13, where it completely vaporizes. This process absorbs heat from the interior of the refrigerator 100, thereby lowering the temperature inside the refrigerator 100 and achieving the purpose of cooling. The vaporized refrigerant gas is then drawn back into the compressor 12, beginning a new round of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation. This cycle repeats continuously, constantly cooling the interior environment of the refrigerator 100.

[0058] The ventilation chamber 2 provides space for the condenser 11 and ensures airflow around it, facilitating heat exchange. The ventilation chamber 2 is equipped with a first air vent 21 and a second air vent 22. Airflow is driven by a first airflow drive component 23 to enter through the first air vent 21, flow through the condenser 11, and exit through the second air vent 22, forming an airflow channel that helps remove the heat released by the condenser 11 and improves its heat dissipation efficiency. The first airflow drive component 23 is typically a fan; in some special cases, an air pump or other similar device may also be used.

[0059] The defrosting chamber 3 is a dedicated space in the refrigerator 100 for defrosting frozen items. Users can place food that needs to be defrosted in it. The defrosting chamber 3 is typically isolated from other storage spaces in the refrigerator 100, especially from the freezer storage space, to minimize the impact of defrosting on the temperature of other storage spaces. The defrosting air supply duct 31 connects the ventilation chamber 2 and the defrosting chamber 3, and its function is to deliver air heated by the condenser 11 in the ventilation chamber 2 to the defrosting chamber 3. Since the connection between the defrosting air supply duct 31 and the ventilation chamber 2 is located between the condenser 11 and the second air vent 22, the delivered air is relatively warm after heat exchange in the condenser 11, providing the necessary heat for defrosting in the defrosting chamber 3. The defrosting return air duct 32 connects the defrosting chamber 3 and the ventilation chamber 2, and its function is to return the air in the defrosting chamber 3 to the ventilation chamber 2, forming an air circulation. The connection between the defrosting return air duct 32 and the ventilation chamber 2 is located between the first air outlet 21 and the condenser 11. The returned air can mix with the fresh air entering from the first air outlet 21 and participate in the heat dissipation process of the condenser 11 again. In this way, on the one hand, the airflow can absorb the heat released by the condenser 11 and be transported back to the defrosting chamber 3 to improve defrosting efficiency. On the other hand, the air returning through the defrosting return air duct 32 has a lower temperature after releasing heat in the defrosting chamber 3, which can lower the ambient temperature of the condenser 11, which is beneficial to the heat dissipation of the condenser 11, positively improving the cooling performance and playing an energy-saving role. The second airflow drive component 33 is set in the defrosting supply air duct 31 or the defrosting return air duct 32. Its function is to drive the airflow from the defrosting supply air duct 31 through the defrosting chamber 3 to the defrosting return air duct 32, forming an air circulation within the defrosting chamber 3. Air circulation delivers heated air (after passing through condenser 11) to defrost chamber 3, providing heat for food defrosting. It also carries the air from defrost chamber 3 back to ventilation chamber 2, achieving heat exchange and recycling. The second airflow drive 33 is typically a fan; in some special cases, an air pump or similar device may also be used.

[0060] When a user needs to place frozen items into the defrosting chamber 3 for defrosting, the refrigerator 100's control system receives a defrosting command. At this time, the second airflow drive 33 is activated, starting to drive airflow to circulate between the defrosting supply air duct 31, the defrosting chamber 3, and the defrosting return air duct 32. Simultaneously, the refrigerator 100's refrigeration system operates normally, and the compressor 12 continues to work, delivering high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant to the condenser 11. After entering the condenser 11, the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant begins to release heat to the surrounding environment, gradually condensing into a liquid state. The first airflow drive 23 simultaneously operates, driving outside air from the first air vent 21 into the ventilation chamber 2, flowing over the surface of the condenser 11, absorbing the heat released by the refrigerant, and raising the air temperature. The heated air continues to flow within the ventilation chamber 2. Since the connection between the defrosting supply air duct 31 and the ventilation chamber 2 is located between the condenser 11 and the second air vent 22, the heated air is drawn into the defrosting supply air duct 31 by the second airflow drive 33 and delivered to the defrosting chamber 3. At this point, the defrosting chamber 3 is filled with relatively warm air, providing a heat source for food defrosting. The hot air entering the defrosting chamber 3 is evenly distributed within the chamber, exchanging heat with the frozen items placed inside. The hot air transfers heat to the frozen items, gradually raising their temperature and thus achieving defrosting. As the second airflow drive 33 continues to operate, new hot air constantly enters the defrosting chamber 3, while the old air is expelled, ensuring the uniformity and stability of the temperature within the chamber and preventing localized overheating or incomplete defrosting of the food. The air temperature decreases after heat exchange with the frozen items, and the humidity may increase. This air is returned to the ventilation chamber 2 through the defrosting return air duct 32. The connection between the defrosting return air duct 32 and the ventilation chamber 2 is located between the first air outlet 21 and the condenser 11. The returned air mixes with the fresh air entering from the first air outlet 21, and the mixed air flows through the condenser 11 again, which can lower the ambient temperature of the condenser 11 and absorb the heat released by the refrigerant, thus being recycled. When the defrosting time reaches the preset value or the temperature sensor in the defrosting chamber 3 detects that the food has reached a suitable defrosting state, the control system will stop the operation of the second airflow drive 33, and the defrosting process will end.

[0061] In summary, the refrigerator 100 of this embodiment utilizes the heat generated by the condenser 11 to deliver heated air to the defrosting chamber 3 via the defrosting air supply duct 31, providing heat for food defrosting. The air is then returned to the ventilation chamber 2 via the defrosting return air duct 32, forming an air circulation. On one hand, the refrigerator 100 utilizes the heat generated by the condenser 11 in the refrigeration system for defrosting, eliminating the need for additional energy consumption to generate the heat required for defrosting, thus reducing energy consumption to a certain extent and achieving good energy-saving effects. On the other hand, the air returning from the defrosting return air duct 32 to the ventilation chamber 2 can lower the ambient temperature of the condenser 11, positively improving refrigeration performance and further contributing to energy saving. Furthermore, it ensures uniform airflow and temperature distribution within the defrosting chamber 3, enabling food to defrost quickly and evenly, improving the quality and efficiency of food defrosting.

[0062] Please continue reading. Figure 2 In some embodiments of this application, the refrigerator 100 further includes a compressor 12, which is connected to the condenser 11 via a refrigerant circulation pipeline; the compressor 12 is disposed in the ventilation chamber 2 and is located between the condenser 11 and the second air outlet 22; the connection between the defrosting air duct 31 and the ventilation chamber 2 is directly opposite the compressor 12 or located between the compressor 12 and the second air outlet 22.

[0063] As mentioned above, the compressor 12, as the power source of the refrigeration system, is the core component of the refrigerator 100's refrigeration system. During the refrigeration process, the compressor 12 draws in low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant, compresses it into high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, and then delivers it to the condenser 11 for heat dissipation and condensation. The compressor 12 is located in the ventilation chamber 2 and between the condenser 11 and the second air vent 22. The heat generated during operation can be effectively carried away by the airflow in the ventilation chamber 2, ensuring that the compressor 12 operates in a suitable temperature environment and maintaining the stability and reliability of the refrigeration system.

[0064] The connection between the defrosting air duct 31 and the ventilation chamber 2 is directly opposite the compressor 12 or located between the compressor 12 and the second air outlet 22, which allows the heat generated by the compressor 12 to also be included in the heat source of the defrosting system. The heat dissipated by the compressor 12 during operation, together with the heat dissipated by the condenser 11, is transported to the defrosting chamber 3 through the defrosting air duct 31, providing additional heat for the defrosting process, further improving the heat utilization efficiency, and at the same time, further improving the heat dissipation of the compressor 12, ensuring the proper operation of the compressor 12.

[0065] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3In some embodiments of this application, the second airflow drive 33 is a duct fan, which is disposed in the defrosting air supply duct 31 and located at one end of the defrosting air supply duct 31 near the ventilation chamber 2.

[0066] As the second airflow driving component 33, the core function of the induced draft fan is to drive the airflow, providing power for the airflow within the defrosting air supply duct 31. This ensures that air can be transported from the ventilation chamber 2 to the defrosting chamber 3 along the designed path, and return to the ventilation chamber 2 from the defrosting return air duct 32, forming a stable airflow circulation. The induced draft fan typically operates based on the principle of axial force, using the rotation of the impeller to make air flow along the axial direction, thus achieving air delivery.

[0067] In this embodiment, the airflow fan is installed inside the defrosting air supply duct 31, achieving an integrated design of the fan and the duct. This design makes full use of the space inside the duct, avoiding the need to set up separate fan installation space outside or inside the refrigerator 100, thereby saving valuable space resources and facilitating the layout and installation of other components inside the refrigerator 100.

[0068] The induced draft fan is located at one end of the defrosting air supply duct 31 near the ventilation chamber 2, which can make full use of the airflow in the ventilation chamber 2. In the ventilation chamber 2, the air heated by the condenser 11 and the compressor 12 has a certain temperature and pressure. The induced draft fan can take advantage of these initial conditions to more easily draw the hot air into the defrosting air supply duct 31, reduce energy consumption, and improve the operating efficiency of the system.

[0069] Please see Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments of this application, the first airflow drive 23 is a bidirectional fan, and the refrigerator 100 includes a first state and a second state.

[0070] In the first state, both the second airflow drive 33 and the condenser 11 are in operation, and the first airflow drive 23 drives the airflow to flow from the first air outlet 21 to the second air outlet 22.

[0071] In the second state, the second airflow drive 33 is in operation, the condenser 11 is in a stopped state, and the first airflow drive 23 drives the airflow from the second air outlet 22 to the first air outlet 21.

[0072] The first airflow drive component 23 is a bidirectional fan, which allows it to switch the direction of airflow in the ventilation cavity. In addition to driving the airflow from the first air outlet 21 to the second air outlet 22, it can also drive the airflow from the second air outlet 22 to the first air outlet 21. The bidirectional fan usually uses a motor that can switch between forward and reverse rotation. By switching the forward and reverse rotation of the motor, the driving direction of the fan for the airflow is switched.

[0073] Please see Figure 4 The arrows in the diagram indicate the airflow direction. In the first state, both the second airflow drive unit 33 and the condenser 11 are in operation, meaning the refrigerator 100 is defrosting while simultaneously cooling normally. At this time, the bidirectional fan drives the airflow from the first air vent 21 to the second air vent 22. The connection between the defrosting air supply duct 31 and the ventilation chamber 2 is located between the condenser 11 and the second air vent 22. The condenser 11 generates heat, raising the air temperature inside the ventilation chamber 2. This heat is delivered to the defrosting chamber 3 through the defrosting air supply duct 31, providing heat for the defrosting process and gradually increasing the temperature inside the defrosting chamber 3, thus accelerating the defrosting of food. The connection between the defrosting return air duct 32 and the ventilation chamber 2 is located between the first air outlet 21 and the condenser 11. The air in the defrosting chamber 3 flows back to the ventilation chamber 2 through the defrosting return air duct 32, is heated again by the condenser 11, and is then drawn back into the downstream defrosting supply air duct 31, forming a circulation loop. This ensures that the heat of the condenser 11 is well utilized and improves the heat dissipation efficiency of the condenser 11, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the refrigerator 100.

[0074] Please see Figure 5 The arrows in the diagram indicate the airflow direction. In the second state, the second airflow drive 33 is running, and the condenser 11 is stopped, meaning defrosting occurs when the refrigerator 100 has stopped cooling. Since the condenser 11 is not running, there is no hot air heated by the condenser 11 available in the ventilation chamber 2. If the airflow in the ventilation chamber 2 continues to flow from the first air vent 21 to the second air vent 22, the air that has participated in defrosting and cooled will be drawn back into the defrosting chamber 3 without being heated, affecting the defrosting efficiency. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the second state, the bidirectional fan drives the airflow from the second air vent 22 to the first air vent 21. The bidirectional fan draws outside air into the ventilation chamber 2 and delivers it to the defrosting chamber 3 through the defrosting air supply duct 31, providing heat for the defrosting process. Although the outside air temperature is relatively low, under the action of the airflow fan, it can still provide a certain amount of heat to the defrosting chamber 3, achieving the defrosting of the food. The thawed air is sent back to the ventilation chamber 2 through the thaw return air duct 32 and then directly discharged from the ventilation chamber 2 through the first air outlet 21, without referring to the thaw airflow circulation, thus not affecting the thaw efficiency.

[0075] Please see Figure 6 In some embodiments of this application, a first valve 34 is provided on the defrosting air supply duct 31, and the first valve 34 is used to control the opening and closing of the defrosting air supply duct 31.

[0076] In addition to thawing food, the defrosting chamber 3 typically also serves as a temporary storage area, such as for short-term storage of ingredients awaiting cooking. When not defrosting, it is necessary to maintain a low-temperature environment inside to prevent external heat intrusion that could lead to food spoilage or increased energy consumption. By installing a first valve 34 on the defrosting air duct 31, the connection between the defrosting air duct 31 and the outside is cut off, preventing outside air from entering the defrosting chamber 3 through the defrosting air duct 31 and thus avoiding a rise in the temperature of the defrosting chamber 3. At this time, the defrosting chamber 3 forms a relatively independent low-temperature zone, maintaining the temperature conditions required for food storage, reducing the extra work of the refrigeration system caused by heat leakage from the air duct, and lowering energy consumption; at the same time, it avoids temperature fluctuations in the defrosting chamber 3, extending the shelf life of food. When food needs to be defrosted, the first valve 34 is opened again, allowing heated air or outside air to enter the defrosting chamber 3 through the air duct, ensuring normal airflow during the defrosting process.

[0077] Please see Figure 7 In some embodiments of this application, the first valve 34 includes a first valve plate 341, the defrosting air supply duct 31 has a first port 311 connected to the defrosting chamber 3, and the end face of the first port 311 is inclined upward; the first valve plate 341 is hinged to the upper part of the first port 311, and the first valve plate 341 is configured to close the first port 311 under the action of gravity, and to open the first port 311 under the action of the air pressure of the defrosting air supply.

[0078] The first valve 34 can be an active valve or a passive valve. The active valve has a relatively complex structure and needs to be connected to a control system. In this embodiment, a passive valve is used, and the opening and closing of the first valve 34 is directly controlled by air pressure.

[0079] When there is no airflow through the defrosting air supply duct 31 or the air pressure is insufficient to overcome the gravity of the first valve plate 341, the first valve plate 341 is in a naturally drooping state. Because the end face of the first port 311 is inclined upwards, the first valve plate 341 will tightly adhere to the port under the action of gravity, preventing airflow from entering the defrosting chamber 3. This effectively prevents outside air from entering the defrosting chamber 3, maintaining the low-temperature environment inside the defrosting chamber 3 and ensuring the storage quality of food. The first valve plate 341 is located at the first port 311 connecting to the defrosting chamber 3, which can block heat exchange between the air in the air supply duct and the defrosting chamber 3, preventing the dispersion of cold air in the defrosting chamber 3.

[0080] When thawing is required, the thawing air duct 31 generates a certain positive air pressure, or the thawing chamber 3 generates a negative pressure. When the air pressure is high enough, it can overcome the weight of the first valve plate 341, causing the first valve plate 341 to rotate upward around the hinge point, thereby opening the first port 311. At this time, the airflow in the ventilation chamber 2 can enter the thawing chamber 3 through the thawing air duct 31, providing suitable temperature and airflow conditions for food thawing.

[0081] The first valve 34 mainly consists of a first valve plate 341 and a hinged structure. Its structure is relatively simple and does not require complex mechanical transmission devices or electronic control systems. This not only reduces the manufacturing cost of the valve but also reduces the probability of failure and improves its reliability.

[0082] Please see Figure 8 In some embodiments of this application, a second valve 35 is provided on the thawing return air duct 32, and the second valve 35 is used to control the opening and closing of the thawing return air duct 32.

[0083] Similar to the first valve 34 in the aforementioned embodiment, a second valve 35 is installed on the defrosting return air duct 32. When defrosting is not required, the connection between the defrosting return air duct 32 and the outside is cut off, preventing outside air from entering the defrosting chamber 3 through the defrosting return air duct 32 and avoiding a rise in the temperature of the defrosting chamber 3. At this time, the defrosting chamber 3 forms a relatively independent low-temperature zone, maintaining the temperature conditions required for food storage, reducing the extra work of the refrigeration system caused by heat leakage from the air duct, and reducing energy consumption; at the same time, it avoids temperature fluctuations in the defrosting chamber 3, extending the shelf life of food. When food needs to be defrosted, the second valve 35 is opened again, allowing the cooled air after defrosting to be discharged through the defrosting return air duct 32, which facilitates the entry of hot air from the defrosting supply air duct 31 into the defrosting chamber 3, ensuring normal airflow during the defrosting process.

[0084] Please see Figure 9 In some embodiments of this application, the second valve 35 includes a valve cavity 351 and a second valve plate 352. The valve cavity 351 is disposed at one end of the thawing return air duct 32 near the thawing chamber 3. The second valve plate 352 is disposed inside the valve cavity 351 and is hinged to the inner top of the valve cavity 351. The second valve plate 352 is configured to block the valve cavity 351 under the action of gravity and to open the valve cavity 351 under the action of the air pressure of the thawing return air.

[0085] The second valve 35 in this embodiment includes a valve cavity 351 and a second valve plate 352, allowing the valve plate to hang naturally under gravity, effectively blocking the valve cavity 351. When there is no thawing return air pressure, the valve plate relies on its own weight to tightly adhere to the bottom of the valve cavity 351, preventing airflow and providing a good seal. When thawing is required, the operation of the second airflow drive 33 will generate thawing return air pressure. When there is thawing return air pressure, the valve plate can rotate upward around the hinge point, opening the valve cavity 351 and allowing airflow. The structure of the second valve 35 is relatively simple, mainly composed of the valve cavity 351 and the second valve plate 352, reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs.

[0086] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 8In some embodiments of this application, the refrigerator 100 further includes:

[0087] Evaporator 13; Evaporator 13 is connected to condenser 11 through refrigerant circulation pipeline, and evaporator 13 is used for refrigerant evaporation and heat absorption in refrigerator 100;

[0088] Refrigeration chamber 4; Evaporator 13 is disposed inside refrigeration chamber 4;

[0089] Refrigeration return air duct 41; Refrigeration return air duct 41 connects the defrosting chamber 3 and the refrigeration chamber 4;

[0090] The second valve 35 is configured to close or reduce its opening during the defrosting operation of the evaporator 13, so that the gas in the defrosting chamber 3 can enter the refrigeration chamber 4 through the refrigeration return air duct 41.

[0091] The evaporator 13 is connected to the condenser 11 via a refrigerant circulation pipeline, forming the core part of the refrigeration system. In normal refrigeration mode, the refrigerant evaporates and absorbs heat in the evaporator 13, absorbing heat from the refrigeration chamber 4, thereby lowering the temperature of the refrigeration chamber 4 and providing a low-temperature storage environment for food inside the refrigerator 100.

[0092] The refrigeration return air duct 41 connects the defrosting chamber 3 and the refrigeration chamber 4, serving as a channel for gas exchange between the two chambers. It should be noted that, in addition to the refrigeration return air duct 41, the defrosting chamber 3 itself is connected to a refrigeration supply air duct. When the defrosting chamber 3 needs to be refrigerated, the airflow between the defrosting chamber 3 and the refrigeration chamber 4 is formed through the refrigeration supply air duct and the refrigeration return air duct 41, transporting the cold air generated by the evaporator 13 from the refrigeration chamber 4 to the defrosting chamber 3 to refrigerate the defrosting chamber 3.

[0093] During the cooling process of refrigerator 100, frost will form on evaporator 13, and the frost layer will gradually thicken over time. The presence of frost will hinder heat exchange between evaporator 13 and air, reduce cooling efficiency, and increase energy consumption. Therefore, defrosting is required to remove the frost. Defrosting is usually performed by installing an electric heating element on evaporator 13. However, in this embodiment, defrosting can be assisted by the return air during the defrosting process.

[0094] Specifically, the air temperature in the defrosting cycle is higher than the air temperature in the refrigeration chamber 4. When defrosting and defrosting occur simultaneously, closing or reducing the opening of the second valve 35 forces more of the warmer air from the defrosting cycle into the refrigeration chamber 4 through the refrigeration return air duct 41, raising the temperature inside the refrigeration chamber 4 and thus assisting and accelerating defrosting. It's important to note that during this process, the built-in fan of the refrigeration duct can typically be used to enhance airflow circulation between the refrigeration chamber 4 and the defrosting chamber 3, thereby improving the defrosting effect. Conversely, if defrosting is already in its later stages and the temperature in the refrigeration chamber 4 is relatively high, the heat from the defrosting heating element in the refrigeration chamber 4 can be used to accelerate the defrosting process.

[0095] Since the second valve 35 in this embodiment needs to be actively closed or its opening degree controlled, the second valve 35 can usually be a valve that can be actively controlled, such as a solenoid valve. However, it can also be a valve mainly composed of a valve cavity 351 and a second valve plate 352 as described in the previous embodiment. By setting a clutch structure between the control component and the main body of the second valve 35, the second valve 35 can be switched between actively controlled opening and closing and passive opening and closing.

[0096] Please see Figure 10 In some embodiments of this application, the ventilation chamber 2 is located at the bottom of the refrigerator 100, and the defrosting chamber 3 is located above the ventilation chamber 2; the defrosting return air duct 32 includes a first connecting section 321, an intermediate extension section 322, and a second connecting section 323 connected in sequence. The first connecting section 321 is connected to the defrosting chamber 3, and the second connecting section 323 is connected to the ventilation chamber 2. The refrigeration return air duct 41 is located between the first connecting section 321 and the second connecting section 323. The intermediate extension section 322 is offset relative to the first connecting section 321 and the second connecting section 323 so that the intermediate extension section 322 and the refrigeration return air duct 41 are staggered.

[0097] The ventilation chamber 2 of the refrigerator 100 is located at the bottom of the refrigerator 100. The bottom usually has enough space to accommodate the condenser 11, compressor 12 and other related structures. Correspondingly, the defrosting chamber 3 is located above the ventilation chamber 2. There is usually a distance between the defrosting chamber 3 and the ventilation chamber 2. Accordingly, the defrosting air supply duct and the defrosting return air duct 32 need to have a certain length. This inevitably causes some positional conflict with the original cooling air duct of the refrigerator 100.

[0098] Specifically, in this embodiment, the positions of the refrigeration return air duct 41 and the defrost return air duct 32 conflict. Therefore, the defrost return air duct 32 in this embodiment includes a first connecting section 321, an intermediate extension section 322, and a second connecting section 323 connected in sequence. The first connecting section 321 is connected to the defrost chamber 3, allowing direct extraction of gas from the defrost chamber 3; the second connecting section 323 is connected to the ventilation chamber 2, guiding gas into the ventilation chamber 2 to achieve airflow circulation. The intermediate extension section 322 is offset relative to the first connecting section 321 and the second connecting section 323, thus staggering the intermediate extension section 322 and the refrigeration return air duct 41, avoiding spatial conflict between the defrost return air duct 32 and the refrigeration return air duct 41, making the air duct layout inside the refrigerator 100 more compact and reasonable, saving space. Secondly, it reduces mutual interference between airflows in different air ducts, ensuring the stability and independence of airflow in each air duct, which is beneficial to improving the performance of the defrost and refrigeration systems.

[0099] Based on the refrigerator 100 described in the above embodiments, the defrosting control process of the refrigerator 100 will be further explained here. The refrigerator 100 typically includes a cooling state, a stop state, and a defrosting state.

[0100] When the refrigerator 100 is in cooling mode, the defrosting program is running. If the compressor 12 is running at high speed or the first airflow drive 23 is running at high speed, the second airflow drive 33 starts running at low speed. If the compressor 12 is running at low speed or the first airflow drive 23 is running at low speed, the second airflow drive 33 starts running at high speed. The first airflow drive 23 runs in the forward direction, that is, it drives the airflow from the first air outlet 21 to the second air outlet 22. The first valve 34 and the second valve 35 are opened, and the airflow in the ventilation chamber 2 is delivered to the defrosting chamber 3 through the defrosting air supply duct 31. At the same time, the airflow in the defrosting chamber 3 can also pass through the defrosting chamber 3. The temperature sensor detects the thawing temperature. After running for a period of time, such as 3 minutes, if the temperature is between -25℃ and -5℃, it indicates that the thawing food is in the ice crystal phase transition zone. If the temperature rise rate is greater than 3℃ / min, the rotation speed of the second airflow drive 33 can be adjusted to the first preset speed. When the temperature rises to between -4℃ and 0℃, it indicates that the thawing food is in the cell repair zone. At this time, the rotation speed of the second airflow drive 33 can be adjusted to the second preset speed. When the temperature reaches above 0℃, the food has reached the safe thawing zone, and the operation of the second airflow drive 33 can be stopped to end the thawing and intelligently remind the user that thawing is complete.

[0101] When the refrigerator 100 is in a stopped cooling state, the defrosting program is activated. The second airflow drive 33 starts running at high speed, while the first airflow drive 23 runs in the opposite direction, driving the airflow from the second air vent 22 to the first air vent 21. The first valve 34 and the second valve 35 open, delivering the airflow from the ventilation chamber 2 to the defrosting chamber 3 through the defrosting air supply duct 31 to defrost the food in the defrosting chamber 3. Since it is not hot air defrosting, the specific process can refer to the aforementioned process, or the second airflow drive 33 can always run at a constant speed.

[0102] When the refrigerator 100 is in defrosting mode, or when defrosting is performed during defrosting, the second airflow drive component 33 runs at high speed, the airflow drive component of the refrigeration duct is opened, the first airflow drive component 23 runs in reverse, the first valve 34 opens first, and the second valve 35 closes first, forcing more airflow into the defrosting chamber 3 to flow into the refrigeration duct to assist the evaporator 13 in defrosting. After a certain period of time, such as after 3 minutes, the second valve 35 can be opened slightly to allow the defrosting airflow to circulate.

[0103] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A refrigerator characterized by comprising: The refrigerator includes: Condenser; the condenser is used for the condensation and heat release of refrigerant in the refrigerator; Ventilation chamber; the condenser is disposed in the ventilation chamber, the ventilation chamber is provided with a first air outlet and a second air outlet, the condenser is located between the first air outlet and the second air outlet, the ventilation chamber is provided with a first airflow driving component, the first airflow driving component is used to drive airflow from the first air outlet to the second air outlet; The thawing chamber is used to thaw frozen items. A thawing air supply duct; the thawing air supply duct is connected between the ventilation chamber and the thawing chamber, and the connection between the thawing air supply duct and the ventilation chamber is located between the condenser and the second air outlet; A thawing return air duct is provided; the thawing return air duct is connected between the thawing chamber and the ventilation chamber; and the connection between the thawing return air duct and the ventilation chamber is located between the first air outlet and the condenser. The thawing supply air duct or the thawing return air duct is provided with a second airflow driving component, which is used to drive airflow from the thawing supply air duct through the thawing chamber to the thawing return air duct.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The refrigerator also includes a compressor, and the compressor and the condenser are connected through a refrigerant circulation pipeline; The compressor is disposed in the ventilation chamber and is located between the condenser and the second air outlet; The connection between the defrosting air duct and the ventilation chamber is directly opposite the compressor or located between the compressor and the second air outlet.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The second airflow driving component is a duct fan, which is installed in the defrosting air supply duct and located at one end of the defrosting air supply duct near the ventilation chamber.

4. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first airflow drive component is a bidirectional fan, and the refrigerator includes a first state and a second state; In the first state, both the second airflow drive and the condenser are in operation, and the first airflow drive drives the airflow from the first air outlet to the second air outlet. In the second state, the second airflow drive is in operation, the condenser is in a stopped state, and the first airflow drive drives the airflow from the second air outlet to the first air outlet.

5. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein A first valve is provided on the thawing air supply duct, which is used to control the opening and closing of the thawing air supply duct.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein The first valve includes a first valve plate, and the defrosting air supply duct has a first port connected to the defrosting chamber, the end face of the first port being inclined upward; The first valve plate is hinged to the upper part of the first port. The first valve plate is configured to close the first port under the action of gravity and to open the first port under the action of the air pressure of the defrosting air supply.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein A second valve is installed on the thawing return air duct, which is used to control the opening and closing of the thawing return air duct.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein The second valve includes a valve cavity and a second valve plate, wherein the valve cavity is disposed at one end of the thawing return air duct near the thawing chamber; The second valve plate is arranged in the valve cavity, and the second valve plate is hinged to the inner top of the valve cavity. The second valve plate is configured to block the valve cavity under the action of gravity and open the valve cavity under the action of air pressure of thawed return air.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The refrigerator further comprises: an evaporator connected to the condenser through a refrigerant circulation pipeline, the evaporator being used for evaporating and absorbing heat of the refrigerator; a refrigeration chamber in which the evaporator is arranged; a refrigeration return air duct connected between the thawing chamber and the refrigeration chamber; wherein the second valve is configured to be closed or to reduce the opening degree in the evaporator defrosting operation state, so that the gas in the thawing chamber enters the refrigeration chamber through the refrigeration return air duct.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein The ventilation chamber is located at the bottom of the refrigerator, and the thawing chamber is located above the ventilation chamber; The thawing return air duct comprises a first connecting section, an intermediate extension section and a second connecting section connected in sequence. The first connecting section is connected to the thawing chamber, and the second connecting section is connected to the ventilation chamber. The refrigeration return air duct is located between the first connecting section and the second connecting section. The intermediate extension section is offset relative to the first connecting section and the second connecting section, so that the intermediate extension section and the refrigeration return air duct are staggered with each other.

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