A refrigerator

Abstract

The application discloses a refrigerator, and belongs to the technical field of refrigeration equipment, and aims to solve the technical problem of a high frosting rate on the surface of an ice-making grid and a refrigeration pipe in an ice maker of a related refrigerator. The refrigerator comprises a cabinet, an evaporator, an ice maker and an ice-making air duct assembly. The ice maker comprises a box body, an ice-making grid and a refrigeration pipe arranged in the box body. The ice-making air duct assembly is configured with an ice-making air supply duct and an ice-making air return duct. Cold air in a heat exchange bin flows to an ice-making chamber through the ice-making air supply duct, and returns to the heat exchange bin from the ice-making air return duct, so as to form a circulating air flow in the ice-making chamber, and part of the moisture in the air in the ice-making chamber is taken away to the evaporator to condense, so as to reduce the moisture in the air in the ice-making chamber, and the adhesion rate of the frost layer on the surface of the ice-making grid and the refrigeration pipe is reduced, thereby reducing the frosting rate on the surface of the ice-making grid and the refrigeration pipe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of refrigeration equipment technology, and more particularly to a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] A refrigerator with an ice-making function is a refrigeration device that integrates an automatic ice-making system on top of the core functions of traditional refrigerators in refrigerating and freezing food. It can provide clean ice cubes for keeping beverages and food fresh at any time, greatly improving the convenience of using ice.

[0003] In related technologies, a refrigerator with an ice-making function includes a cabinet and an ice maker. The ice maker includes a box, an ice tray, and cooling pipes. The box defines an ice-making chamber, and the ice tray and cooling pipes are respectively disposed within the ice-making chamber, with the cooling pipes in contact with the ice tray. The ice maker transfers cold energy directly to the ice tray through independent cooling pipes, eliminating the need for intermediate media such as air. This results in low cold energy loss and allows for rapid cooling of the water in the ice tray to below freezing point, thus improving ice-making efficiency.

[0004] However, the refrigeration pipes of the ice maker are directly exposed in the ice-making chamber. During the ice-making process, the moisture generated by water evaporation comes into direct contact with the low-temperature refrigeration pipes, easily condensing into frost on the pipes and ice trays. Over time, the frost layer gradually thickens, not only covering the ice trays but also hindering the transfer of cold air. Therefore, users need to manually stop the machine periodically to defrost, making the maintenance process relatively cumbersome. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides a refrigerator that can solve the technical problem of rapid frost formation on the ice tray and cooling pipe surfaces in the ice maker of related refrigerators.

[0006] This application provides a refrigerator, including:

[0007] The enclosure is limited to a refrigeration compartment and a heat exchange chamber;

[0008] The evaporator is located inside the heat exchange chamber;

[0009] An ice maker, located in the refrigeration room, includes:

[0010] The box contains an ice-making chamber.

[0011] Ice trays are installed inside the ice-making chamber;

[0012] The refrigeration pipe is installed inside the ice-making chamber and located outside the ice grid.

[0013] The ice-making air duct assembly has the following structure:

[0014] The ice-making air supply duct is connected to the heat exchange chamber and the ice-making chamber respectively. The air in the heat exchange chamber flows to the ice-making chamber through the ice-making air supply duct.

[0015] The ice-making return air duct is connected to both the ice-making chamber and the heat exchange chamber. Air from the ice-making chamber flows to the heat exchange chamber through the ice-making return air duct.

[0016] In the refrigerator of this embodiment, cold air in the heat exchange compartment flows into the ice-making chamber through the ice-making air supply duct and returns to the heat exchange compartment through the ice-making return air duct. This cycle is repeated to form a circulating airflow in the ice-making chamber, which carries away some of the moisture in the air in the ice-making chamber to the evaporator for condensation. This reduces the moisture in the air in the ice-making chamber and lowers the adhesion rate of frost on the surface of the ice-making grid and the cooling pipes, thus reducing the frost formation rate on the surface of the ice-making grid and the cooling pipes.

[0017] In some embodiments of this application, the box body is also configured with an ice-making air supply vent and an ice-making air return vent;

[0018] The ice-making air outlet is connected to the ice-making air duct, and the ice-making air outlet is positioned facing the ice grid.

[0019] The ice-making return air inlet is connected to the ice-making return air duct, and the ice-making return air inlet is located above the ice-making supply air inlet.

[0020] With this configuration, the cold air blown from the ice-making air supply vent to the ice grid flows downwards and returns to the heat exchange chamber from the ice-making return air vent through the ice-making return air duct.

[0021] In some embodiments of this application, the ice maker further includes an extension tube located inside the ice-making chamber and connected to the housing.

[0022] The extension tube has the following structure:

[0023] Lumen;

[0024] The air inlet is connected to both the ice-making air outlet and the duct cavity.

[0025] The air outlet is connected to the duct cavity and is oriented towards the ice grid. The distance between the air outlet and the ice grid is less than the distance between the ice grid air supply outlet and the ice grid.

[0026] This design concentrates the air blowing from the ice-making air outlet onto the ice tray, increases the air velocity from the extension tube, and improves the rate at which moisture in the air at the ice tray is blown away. This allows the moisture in the air at the ice tray to decrease quickly, making it less likely for moisture to frost over and reducing the frost formation rate of the ice tray.

[0027] In some embodiments of this application, the extension tube includes:

[0028] The first pipe section is connected to the box body and is constructed with an air inlet and a first cavity, with the air inlet communicating with the first cavity;

[0029] The second pipe section is connected to the end of the first pipe section away from the ice-making air outlet, and is constructed with an air outlet and a second cavity; the second cavity is connected to the first cavity and forms a pipe cavity; the second cavity extends along the length of the ice grid.

[0030] With this configuration, the second cavity extends along the length of the ice tray to blow the air from the first cavity roughly horizontally toward the ice tray, so that the air covers the ice tray more evenly, increases the coverage area of ​​the ice tray by the air blown out of the cavity, reduces the possibility that some parts of the ice tray will not be covered by the air, and thus reduces the possibility that the ice tray will have excessively thick frost in some areas.

[0031] In some embodiments of this application, the flow diameter of the first pipe section decreases from the end closer to the ice-making air outlet to the end farther away from the ice-making air outlet.

[0032] This design increases the airflow velocity from the first cavity, improving the rate at which moisture in the air at the ice tray is blown away. This allows the moisture in the air at the ice tray to decrease quickly, making it less likely for moisture to frost over at the ice tray and reducing the frost formation rate of the ice tray.

[0033] In some embodiments of this application, the refrigerator further includes:

[0034] The refrigeration air duct assembly forms an air cavity, which is connected to the heat exchange chamber and the refrigeration compartment respectively.

[0035] A refrigeration fan is installed inside the air cavity. The refrigeration fan is used to direct the air in the heat exchange chamber to the refrigeration room through the air cavity; the refrigeration fan is located above the evaporator.

[0036] The end of the ice-making return air duct that is away from the ice-making chamber is located below the evaporator; the end of the ice-making supply air duct that is away from the ice-making chamber is located above the evaporator.

[0037] This design allows air with a high moisture content returning from the ice-making return air duct to the heat exchange chamber to flow upwards within the chamber. As it flows through the evaporator, it exchanges heat with the evaporator, lowering its temperature. Simultaneously, the moisture in the air condenses at the evaporator, reducing both the air temperature and moisture content. This low-temperature, low-humidity air then flows upwards into the ice-making supply air duct and subsequently into the ice-making chamber.

[0038] In some embodiments of this application, the refrigerator further includes an ice-making fan, which is disposed within a heat exchange chamber; the ice-making fan includes:

[0039] The volute has a fan inlet and a fan outlet; the fan inlet is connected to the heat exchange chamber; the fan outlet is connected to the ice-making air supply duct.

[0040] The fan body is located inside the volute and is used to direct the air inside the volute from the fan inlet to the fan outlet.

[0041] With this configuration, the ice-making fan can increase the airflow rate between the heat exchange chamber and the ice-making chamber, thereby improving the efficiency of removing moisture from the air in the ice-making chamber, further reducing the frost adhesion rate on the ice grid and the surface of the refrigeration pipes, and reducing the frosting rate on the surface of the ice grid and the refrigeration pipes.

[0042] In some embodiments of this application, the ice-making air duct assembly includes an ice-making air supply duct and an ice-making air return duct; the ice-making air supply duct is configured to form an ice-making air supply duct; and the ice-making air return duct is configured to form an ice-making air return duct.

[0043] This design simplifies the structure of the ice-making air duct assembly, which consists of an ice-making supply air duct and an ice-making return air duct, reducing the difficulty of assembling the ice-making air duct assembly.

[0044] In some embodiments of this application, the cooling pipe is disposed below the ice tray.

[0045] With this configuration, since the top of the refrigeration pipe is blocked by the ice grid, the cold air around the refrigeration pipe is transported upward along the outer wall of the ice grid, enveloping the ice grid and lowering the temperature of the bottom and side walls of the ice grid, thus increasing the ice-making rate.

[0046] In some embodiments of this application, the ice maker further includes a heater disposed below the ice tray.

[0047] With this setup, after the ice cube tray has finished making ice, the heater heats the ice cube tray to separate the ice cube from the tray, making it easier to remove the ice cube from the tray. Attached Figure Description

[0048] To more clearly illustrate the implementation methods in the embodiments of this application or related technologies, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0049] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of this application is shown;

[0050] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator after the door has been removed;

[0051] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator after the outer shell has been removed;

[0052] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 Sectional view along the middle AA direction;

[0053] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 A magnified view of a portion of point P1 in the middle;

[0054] Figure 6 It shows Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a Chinese ice maker;

[0055] Figure 7 It shows Figure 6 Sectional view along the BB direction;

[0056] Figure 8 It shows Figure 7 Exploded structural diagram of the central ice tray, refrigeration pipes and ice-turning rod;

[0057] Figure 9 It shows Figure 3 A cross-sectional view along the CC direction;

[0058] Figure 10 It shows Figure 9 A magnified view of a portion of point P2.

[0059] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0060] 10-Box;

[0061] 101 - Refrigeration Room; 1011 - First Refrigeration Room;

[0062] 1012 - Second refrigeration compartment; 102 - Heat exchange chamber;

[0063] 110 - Tank liner; 120 - First tank liner;

[0064] 111 - Posterior wall of the first gallbladder; 112 - Superior wall of the first gallbladder;

[0065] 113 - First gallbladder floor wall; 114 - First gallbladder lateral wall;

[0066] 115 - First air vent; 116 - Second air vent;

[0067] 130 - Second chamber liner; 131 - Rear wall of the second chamber liner;

[0068] 132 - Second gallbladder top wall; 133 - Second gallbladder bottom wall;

[0069] 134 - Second gallbladder sidewall; 135 - Third air vent;

[0070] 136 - Fourth wind vent; 137 - Fifth wind vent;

[0071] 138 - Sixth air vent; 140 - Casing;

[0072] 20-Gate body;

[0073] 30 - Evaporator;

[0074] 40 - Ice maker;

[0075] 410 - Box body; 411 - Ice making chamber;

[0076] 412 - Ice-making air supply vent; 413 - Ice-making air return vent;

[0077] 414 - Ice outlet; 420 - Ice tray;

[0078] 430 - Refrigerant pipe; 440 - Ice storage box;

[0079] 450 - Extension tube; 451 - Lumen;

[0080] 452 - First pipe section; 453 - Air inlet;

[0081] 454 - First cavity; 455 - Second pipe section;

[0082] 456 - Air outlet; 457 - Second chamber;

[0083] 460 - Heater; 470 - Ice turner; 50 - Ice-making air duct assembly;

[0084] 510 - Ice-making air supply duct; 511 - Ice-making air supply channel;

[0085] 520 - Ice-making return air duct; 521 - Ice-making return air channel; 601 - Air cavity;

[0086] 611 - First front cover; 612 - Refrigerated air vent;

[0087] 613 - First air duct;

[0088] 614 - Second air duct;

[0089] 620 - Second air duct assembly;

[0090] 621 - Second front cover; 622 - Refrigeration air outlet;

[0091] 623 - Second rear cover; 624 - Air inlet;

[0092] 625 - Refrigeration return air vent;

[0093] 70 - Refrigeration fan;

[0094] 80-Ice maker;

[0095] 810 - Volute; 811 - Fan inlet;

[0096] 820 - Fan body. Detailed Implementation

[0097] To make the objectives and implementation methods of this application clearer, the exemplary implementation methods of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the exemplary embodiments of this application. Obviously, the exemplary embodiments described are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0098] It should be noted that the brief descriptions of terms in this application are only for the convenience of understanding the embodiments described below, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. Unless otherwise stated, these terms should be understood in their ordinary and common meaning.

[0099] The terms "first," "second," "third," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar or related objects or entities, and do not necessarily imply a specific order or sequence, unless otherwise specified. It should be understood that such terms are interchangeable where appropriate.

[0100] The terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover but not exclude inclusion, for example, a product or device that includes a range of components is not necessarily limited to all of the components that are clearly listed, but may include other components that are not clearly listed or that are inherent to such product or device.

[0101] As described in the background art, in refrigerators equipped with ice makers in related technologies, there is a technical problem of rapid frost formation on the surfaces of the ice trays and refrigeration pipes. The inventors have discovered that the reason for this problem is that during the ice-making process, the evaporation of water in the ice trays increases the moisture content of the air in the ice-making chamber. Because the temperature of the refrigeration pipes and ice trays is low, the moisture in the air easily condenses into frost on the low-temperature surfaces of the refrigeration pipes and ice trays, resulting in a rapid frost formation on the surfaces of the ice trays and refrigeration pipes.

[0102] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a refrigerator with an ice-making air supply duct and an ice-making air return duct between the heat exchange chamber and the ice-making chamber. Cold air in the heat exchange chamber flows into the ice-making chamber through the ice-making air supply duct and returns to the heat exchange chamber through the ice-making air return duct. This cycle creates a circulating airflow in the ice-making chamber, carrying away some of the moisture in the air to the evaporator for condensation. This reduces the moisture content in the air in the ice-making chamber, lowers the adhesion rate of frost on the ice grid and the surface of the cooling pipes, and thus reduces the frost formation rate on the ice grid and the surface of the cooling pipes.

[0103] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0104] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The refrigerator provided in this application includes a cabinet 10 having a cooling compartment 101, a door 20 connected to the cabinet 10 to open and close the cooling compartment 101, and a refrigeration device for supplying cold air to the cooling compartment 101.

[0105] refer to Figure 2 The cabinet 10 may include a cabinet liner 110, which may have a cavity. The refrigeration compartment 101 may occupy part of the cavity. A retrieval opening may be formed on the front side of the cavity, which is connected to the refrigeration compartment 101. Items can be retrieved from or placed into the refrigeration compartment 101 through the retrieval opening.

[0106] It is understood that the number of cabinet liners 110 can be one, two, or more than three. One cabinet liner 110 can have one refrigeration compartment 101, or be divided into two or more refrigeration compartments 101. The refrigeration compartments 101 can be configured as refrigerator compartments, freezer compartments, or variable temperature compartments with internal temperature variations.

[0107] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figure 2 There can be two refrigerator compartments 110, namely a first refrigerator compartment 120 and a second refrigerator compartment 130. The first refrigerator compartment 120 can be located above the second refrigerator compartment 130. The first refrigerator compartment 120 can define a first refrigeration compartment 1011, which can be configured as a refrigerator compartment. The second refrigerator compartment 130 can define a second refrigeration compartment 1012, which can be configured as a freezer compartment.

[0108] The following is for reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The structure of the first chamber liner 120 is described.

[0109] The first inner container 120 may include a first inner container rear wall 111, which is located on the rear side of the first inner container 120 and is arranged opposite to the loading and unloading port of the first inner container 120.

[0110] It should be noted that in the description of the embodiments in this application, Figure 2 The positive direction of the depth of the middle box 10 is "front". Figure 2 The negative direction of the depth direction Y of the middle box 10 is "rear".

[0111] The first chamber liner 120 may also include a first chamber top wall 112, which is located at the top of the first chamber liner 120, and the rear end of the first chamber top wall 112 is connected to the top end of the first chamber rear wall 111.

[0112] The first inner container 120 may further include a first inner container bottom wall 113, which is located at the bottom of the first inner container 120. The first inner container bottom wall 113 and the first inner container top wall 112 may be arranged opposite to each other and spaced apart along the height direction Z of the first inner container 120. The rear end of the first inner container bottom wall 113 is connected to the bottom end of the first inner container rear wall 111.

[0113] The first inner container 120 may further include two first inner container side walls 114, which are arranged opposite to each other and spaced apart along the width direction X of the first inner container 120. The top ends of the two first inner container side walls 114 are respectively connected to the two ends of the first inner container top wall 112 along the width direction X of the first inner container 120. The bottom ends of the two first inner container side walls 114 are respectively connected to the two ends of the first inner container bottom wall 113 along the width direction X of the first inner container 120. The rear ends of the two first inner container side walls 114 are respectively connected to the two ends of the first inner container rear wall 111 along the width direction X of the first inner container 120.

[0114] The first liner's rear wall 111, first liner's top wall 112, first liner's bottom wall 113, and two first liner's side walls 114 constitute the exterior of the first liner 120. The first liner's rear wall 111, first liner's top wall 112, first liner's bottom wall 113, and two first liner's side walls 114 enclose and form the liner cavity of the first liner 120.

[0115] The following is for reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The structure of the second chamber liner 130 is described.

[0116] The second inner container 130 may include a rear wall 131, which is located on the rear side of the second inner container 130 and is positioned opposite to the loading and unloading port of the second inner container 130.

[0117] The second chamber liner 130 may also include a second chamber top wall 132, which is located at the top of the second chamber liner 130, and the rear end of the second chamber top wall 132 is connected to the top end of the second chamber rear wall 131.

[0118] The second inner container 130 may further include a second inner container bottom wall 133, which is located at the bottom of the second inner container 130. The second inner container bottom wall 133 and the second inner container top wall 132 may be arranged opposite to each other and spaced apart along the height direction Z of the second inner container 130. The rear end of the second inner container bottom wall 133 is connected to the bottom end of the second inner container rear wall 131.

[0119] The second inner container 130 may further include two second inner container side walls 134, which are arranged opposite to each other and spaced apart along the width direction X of the second inner container 130. The top ends of the two second inner container side walls 134 are respectively connected to the two ends of the second inner container top wall 132 along the width direction X of the second inner container 130. The bottom ends of the two second inner container side walls 134 are respectively connected to the two ends of the second inner container bottom wall 133 along the width direction X of the second inner container 130. The rear ends of the two second inner container side walls 134 are respectively connected to the two ends of the second inner container rear wall 131 along the width direction X of the second inner container 130.

[0120] The second liner's posterior wall 131, top wall 132, bottom wall 133, and two side walls 134 constitute the exterior of the second liner 130. The second liner's posterior wall 131, top wall 132, bottom wall 133, and two side walls 134 enclose and form the liner cavity of the second liner 130.

[0121] refer to Figure 2 The housing 10 may also include a housing shell 140. The housing shell 140 is attached to the outside of the housing liner 110 to form the appearance of the housing 10.

[0122] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, the door 20 can be rotatably connected to the box 10 to open and close the loading and unloading port.

[0123] The door 20 can have an open state and a closed state.

[0124] When the door 20 is in the open state, the door 20 opens the access port, through which items can be taken from or placed into the refrigeration room 101.

[0125] When the door 20 is closed, the door 20 closes the access port to reduce the leakage of cold air from the access port in the refrigeration compartment 101, thereby improving the refrigeration effect of the refrigerator on the items in the refrigeration compartment 101.

[0126] Each refrigeration room 101 may be equipped with at least one door 20.

[0127] It is understood that each refrigeration room 101 may also be provided with two double doors 20, which will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0128] A refrigeration unit can be installed inside the enclosure 10. The refrigeration unit can be any refrigeration unit in the related art. The refrigeration unit is used to provide cold air to the refrigerated compartment 101 to reduce the temperature inside the refrigerated compartment 101.

[0129] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4The refrigeration unit may include a compressor, a condenser, a throttling element, and an evaporator 30. The compressor, condenser, throttling element, and evaporator 30 may be connected in series via pipes, through which refrigerant may flow. The throttling element may be a capillary tube or an electronic expansion valve, etc.

[0130] When the refrigerator cools the cooling compartment 101, the refrigerant circulates within the compressor, condenser, throttling element, and evaporator 30. As it flows through the evaporator 30, it absorbs heat and lowers the temperature of the evaporator 30 and the surrounding air. The air flowing through the evaporator 30 is then delivered into the cooling compartment 101 to reduce the temperature inside the cooling compartment 101.

[0131] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, the refrigerator may also include a cooling duct assembly, which is used to guide cold air from the evaporator 30 into the cooling compartment 101 to reduce the temperature inside the cooling compartment 101.

[0132] The following embodiments use the housing 10, which includes a first liner 120 and a second liner 130, as an example to describe the structure of the cooling air duct assembly.

[0133] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The refrigeration duct assembly may include a second duct assembly 620, which is disposed within the second chamber 130. Along the depth direction Y of the second chamber 130, the rear side of the second duct assembly 620 is spaced apart from the rear wall 131 of the second chamber. The second duct assembly 620 divides the chamber cavity of the second chamber 130 into a second refrigeration chamber 1012 located in front of the second duct assembly 620 and a heat exchange chamber 102 located behind the second duct assembly 620.

[0134] The evaporator 30 can be installed inside the heat exchange chamber 102 and can be connected to the second compartment 130. When the refrigerator cools the second cooling compartment 1012, the refrigerant absorbs heat as it flows through the evaporator 30, thereby lowering the temperature of the evaporator 30 and the heat exchange chamber 102.

[0135] refer to Figure 5 The second air duct assembly 620 may include a second front cover plate 621 and a second rear cover plate 623. The second front cover plate 621 and the second rear cover plate 623 together form an air cavity 601.

[0136] The second rear cover plate 623 is located on the rear side of the second air duct assembly 620. The second rear cover plate 623 and the second box liner 130 enclose each other to form a heat exchange chamber 102.

[0137] refer to Figure 5The second rear cover plate 623 may be configured with an air inlet 624. The air inlet 624 is connected to the air cavity 601 and the heat exchange chamber 102 respectively. The cold air in the heat exchange chamber 102 can flow into the air cavity 601 through the air inlet 624.

[0138] The second front cover 621 is located on the front side of the second air duct assembly 620, and the second front cover 621 and the second box liner 130 enclose and form a second refrigeration compartment 1012.

[0139] refer to Figure 2 The second front cover plate 621 may be configured with a refrigeration air inlet 622. The refrigeration air inlet 622 is connected to the air cavity 601 and the second refrigeration chamber 1012 respectively. The cold air in the heat exchange chamber 102 flows into the air cavity 601 through the air inlet 624, and then flows into the second refrigeration chamber 1012 through the refrigeration air inlet 622, so as to deliver cold air to the second refrigeration chamber 1012 and thereby reduce the temperature of the second refrigeration chamber 1012.

[0140] refer to Figure 5 The bottom of the second front cover 621 can be enclosed with the second chamber 130 to form a refrigeration return air vent 625, which is connected to the heat exchange chamber 102. Air in the second refrigeration chamber 1012 returns to the heat exchange chamber 102 through the refrigeration return air vent 625 to exchange heat with the evaporator 30 in the heat exchange chamber 102 to lower the temperature. This cycle is repeated to circulate the air in the heat exchange chamber 102 and the second refrigeration chamber 1012, thereby continuously supplying cold air to the second refrigeration chamber 1012 and continuously cooling it.

[0141] The cooling duct assembly may include a first duct assembly. (See reference) Figure 2 The first air duct assembly includes a first front cover plate 611, which is disposed on the rear wall 111 of the first liner and together with the rear wall 111 forms a refrigerated air duct. A refrigerated air outlet 612 is constructed on the first air duct cover plate, which communicates with both the refrigerated air duct and the first refrigeration compartment 1011. Air within the refrigerated air duct can flow into the first refrigeration compartment 1011 through the refrigerated air outlet 612.

[0142] refer to Figure 3 The bottom wall 113 of the first refrigeration chamber may be constructed with a first air vent 115 and a second air vent 116. The first air vent 115 is connected to the refrigeration air supply duct. The second air vent 116 is connected to the first refrigeration compartment 1011.

[0143] refer to Figure 3 The top wall 132 of the second chamber may be constructed with a third air vent 135, which is connected to the heat exchange chamber 102. The rear wall 131 of the second chamber may be constructed with a fourth air vent 136, which is connected to the heat exchange chamber 102.

[0144] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 5 The first air duct assembly may further include a first air guide duct 613, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the bottom wall 113 of the first chamber and the top wall 132 of the second chamber, and the inner cavity of the first air guide duct 613 is connected to the first air outlet 115 and the third air outlet 135. The cold air in the heat exchange chamber 102 flows sequentially through the third air outlet 135, the first air guide duct 613 and the first air outlet 115 to the refrigeration air supply duct, and flows from the refrigeration air supply outlet 612 into the first refrigeration chamber 1011 to reduce the temperature in the first refrigeration chamber 1011.

[0145] refer to Figure 3 The first air duct assembly may further include a second air guide duct 614, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the bottom wall 113 of the first chamber and the rear wall 131 of the second chamber, and the inner cavity of the second air guide duct 614 is connected to the second air outlet 116 and the fourth air outlet 136. The air in the first refrigeration chamber 1011 can sequentially return to the heat exchange chamber 102 through the second air outlet 116, the second air guide duct 614 and the fourth air outlet 136, thus circulating the air in the heat exchange chamber 102 and the first refrigeration chamber 1011, thereby continuously delivering cold air to the first refrigeration chamber 1011 and continuously cooling the first refrigeration chamber 1011.

[0146] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figure 5 The refrigerator may also include a cooling fan 70, which is located within the air cavity 601. The cooling fan 70 may be connected to the second air duct assembly 620. The cooling fan 70 may be connected to the second front cover 621 or the second rear cover 623.

[0147] When the refrigeration fan 70 rotates, the air in the heat exchange chamber 102 enters the air cavity 601 from the air inlet 624 and flows from the air cavity 601 to the second refrigeration chamber 1012 and the first refrigeration chamber 1011, thereby increasing the air circulation rate between the air in the heat exchange chamber 102 and the first refrigeration chamber 1011 and the second refrigeration chamber 1012, thereby improving the refrigeration efficiency of the first refrigeration chamber 1011 and the second refrigeration chamber 1012.

[0148] refer to Figure 2 The refrigerator in this embodiment may further include an ice maker 40, which may be disposed within the first refrigeration compartment 1011. Exemplarily, the ice maker 40 may be disposed at the top of the first refrigeration compartment 1011, and located at one end of the first refrigeration compartment 1011 along the width direction of the first liner 120. The ice maker 40 may be connected to the top wall 112 and the side wall 114 of the first liner.

[0149] refer to Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The ice maker 40 may include a housing 410, an ice tray 420, and a cooling pipe 430. An ice-making chamber 411 may be constructed inside the housing 410. The ice tray 420 and the cooling pipe 430 may be disposed within the ice-making chamber 411. The cooling pipe 430 may be located outside the ice tray 420.

[0150] One end of the refrigerant pipe 430 can be connected to the pipe between the throttling element and the evaporator 30, and the other end of the refrigerant pipe 430 can be connected to the pipe between the evaporator 30 and the condenser. In other words, the refrigerant pipe 430 and the evaporator 30 are connected in parallel between the throttling element and the condenser. A portion of the refrigerant from the throttling element flows to the evaporator 30, absorbing heat and lowering the temperature of the air inside the evaporator 30 and its heat exchange chamber 102. The other portion of the refrigerant from the throttling element flows to the refrigerant pipe 430, absorbing heat and lowering the temperature of the air at the refrigerant pipe 430 and the ice tray 420.

[0151] refer to Figure 3 The refrigerator in this embodiment may further include an ice-making air duct assembly 50.

[0152] refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10 The ice-making air duct assembly 50 may be constructed with an ice-making air supply duct 511, which is connected to the heat exchange chamber 102 and the ice-making chamber 411 respectively, so that the cold air in the heat exchange chamber 102 flows to the ice-making chamber 411 through the ice-making air supply duct 511.

[0153] refer to Figure 10 The ice-making air duct assembly 50 can also be configured with an ice-making return air duct 521, which is connected to the ice-making chamber 411 and the heat exchange chamber 102 respectively. The air in the ice-making chamber 411 returns to the heat exchange chamber 102 through the ice-making return air duct 521.

[0154] The cold air in the heat exchange chamber 102 flows into the ice chamber 411 through the ice-making air supply duct 511, and then returns to the heat exchange chamber 102 through the ice-making return air duct 521. This cycle creates a circulating airflow in the ice chamber 411, carrying away some of the moisture in the air to the evaporator 30 for condensation. This reduces the moisture in the air in the ice chamber 411, lowers the frost adhesion rate on the ice grid 420 and the refrigeration pipe 430, and thus reduces the frosting rate on the surfaces of the ice grid 420 and the refrigeration pipe 430.

[0155] When the refrigerator defrosts the evaporator 30 periodically, the frost condensed on the evaporator 30 melts into water and is discharged.

[0156] In addition, some of the cold air from the heat exchange chamber 102 is delivered to the ice-making chamber 411 through the ice-making air supply duct 511, which can further reduce the temperature of the ice-making chamber 411 and increase the freezing rate of water in the ice grid 420, thereby improving the ice-making efficiency.

[0157] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figure 7 The box 410 may be constructed with an ice-making air supply vent 412 and an ice-making air return vent 413.

[0158] The ice-making air outlet 412 is connected to the ice-making air duct 511, and the ice-making air outlet 412 is set towards the ice grid 420 so as to blow the cold air in the ice-making air duct 511 toward the ice grid 420.

[0159] The ice-making return air vent 413 is connected to the ice-making return air duct 521, and the ice-making return air vent 413 can be located below the ice-making supply air vent 412. The cold air blown from the ice-making supply air vent 412 toward the ice grid 420 flows downward and returns from the ice-making return air vent 413 to the heat exchange chamber 102 via the ice-making return air duct 521.

[0160] In some possible implementations of this application, part of the ice-making air duct assembly 50 is located between the rear wall of the box 410 and the rear wall 111 of the first liner, and another part of the ice-making air duct assembly 50 is located behind the rear wall 111 of the first liner, so as to reduce the space occupied by the ice-making air duct assembly 50 in the width direction of the box 10. While the dimension of the box 10 in the width direction remains unchanged, the dimension of the first liner 120 in the width direction can be increased, thereby increasing the volume of the first refrigeration chamber 1011.

[0161] The ice-making air supply vent 412 and the ice-making air return vent 413 can be located on the rear side of the housing 410, that is, on the side of the housing 410 facing the rear wall 111 of the first chamber, so as to facilitate connection with the ice-making air duct assembly 50.

[0162] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figure 3 and Figure 10 The top wall 132 of the second chamber can be constructed with a fifth air vent 137, which is connected to the heat exchange chamber 102 and the ice-making air supply duct 511. The cold air in the heat exchange chamber 102 can flow to the ice-making chamber 411 through the fifth air vent 137 and the ice-making air supply duct 511 in sequence.

[0163] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 10 The rear wall 131 of the second chamber can be configured with a sixth air vent 138, which is connected to the heat exchange chamber 102 and the ice-making return air duct 521. The air in the ice-making chamber 411 can return to the heat exchange chamber 102 in sequence through the ice-making return air duct 521 and the sixth air vent 138.

[0164] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figure 3 and Figure 10 The ice-making air duct assembly 50 may include an ice-making air supply pipe 510, the inner cavity of which forms an ice-making air supply duct 511. The ice-making air supply pipe 510 may be connected to the first chamber 120 and the second chamber 130 respectively, and the ice-making air supply duct 511 is connected to the ice-making chamber 411 and the heat exchange chamber 102 respectively, so that the cold air in the heat exchange chamber 102 flows to the ice-making chamber 411 through the ice-making air supply duct 511.

[0165] For example, the rear wall 111 of the first liner may be constructed with a first through hole, one end of the ice-making air supply pipe 510 may be connected to the top wall 132 of the second liner, and the other end of the ice-making air supply pipe 510 may pass through the first through hole and be connected to the box body 410.

[0166] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 10 The ice-making air duct assembly 50 may include an ice-making return air duct 520, the inner cavity of which forms an ice-making return air duct 521. The ice-making return air duct 520 may be connected to the first chamber 120 and the second chamber 130 respectively, and the ice-making return air duct 521 is connected to the ice-making chamber 411 and the heat exchange chamber 102 respectively, so that the cold air in the heat exchange chamber 102 flows to the ice-making chamber 411 through the ice-making return air duct 521.

[0167] For example, the rear wall 111 of the first liner may also be provided with a second through hole, one end of the ice-making return air pipe 520 may be connected to the rear wall 131 of the second liner, and the other end of the ice-making return air pipe 520 may pass through the second through hole and be connected to the box body 410.

[0168] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figure 5 The cooling fan 70 can be located above the evaporator 30, meaning the distance between the cooling fan 70 and the bottom of the housing 10 is greater than the distance between the evaporator 30 and the bottom of the housing 10. When the cooling fan 70 rotates, the air inside the heat exchange chamber 102 flows from bottom to top.

[0169] refer to Figure 10 The end of the ice-making return air duct 521 away from the ice-making chamber 411 can be located below the evaporator 30, and the end of the ice-making supply air duct 511 away from the ice-making chamber 411 can be located above the evaporator 30. This allows the air with a high moisture content returning from the ice-making return air duct 521 to the heat exchange chamber 102 to flow upwards within the heat exchange chamber 102. When it flows through the evaporator 30, it exchanges heat with the evaporator 30 and its temperature decreases. At the same time, the moisture in the air condenses at the evaporator 30, which lowers the air temperature and reduces the moisture content in the air. The low-temperature, low-humidity air flows upwards to the ice-making supply air duct 511 and then into the ice-making chamber 411.

[0170] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figure 10 The refrigerator may also include an ice maker 80, which may be located within the heat exchange chamber 102. The ice maker 80 may be located above the evaporator 30.

[0171] refer to Figure 10 The ice-making fan 80 may include a volute 810 and a fan body 820. The volute 810 may be configured with a fan inlet 811 and a fan outlet; the fan inlet 811 is connected to the heat exchange chamber 102; and the fan outlet is connected to the ice-making air supply duct 511.

[0172] The fan body 820 is located inside the volute 810. The fan body 820 is used to allow the air inside the volute 810 to flow from the fan inlet 811 to the fan outlet.

[0173] The ice-making fan 80 can increase the air circulation rate between the heat exchange chamber 102 and the ice-making chamber 411, thereby improving the removal efficiency of moisture in the air inside the ice-making chamber 411, further reducing the frost adhesion rate on the surface of the ice grid 420 and the refrigeration pipe 430, and reducing the frosting rate on the surface of the ice grid 420 and the refrigeration pipe 430.

[0174] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figure 7 The ice maker 40 may also include an extension tube 450, which is located inside the ice-making chamber 411 and is connected to the housing 410.

[0175] refer to Figure 7 The extension pipe 450 may be constructed with a cavity 451, an air inlet 453, and an air outlet 456. The air inlet 453 and the air outlet 456 are respectively connected to the cavity 451. The air inlet 453 is connected to the ice-making air outlet 412; the air outlet 456 is set towards the ice grid 420.

[0176] The cold air in the heat exchange chamber 102 can flow sequentially through the ice-making air supply duct 511, the ice-making air supply port 412, and the air inlet 453 to the pipe cavity 451, and from the pipe cavity 451 to the air outlet 456, and from the air outlet 456 to the ice grid 420.

[0177] The distance between the air outlet 456 and the ice grid 420 is smaller than the distance between the ice supply air outlet 412 and the ice grid 420. This makes the air blown from the ice supply air outlet 412 to the ice grid 420 more concentrated, increases the wind speed of the air blown from the extension pipe 450 to the ice grid 420, and improves the rate at which moisture in the air at the ice grid 420 is blown away. This allows the moisture in the air at the ice grid 420 to be reduced quickly, making it less likely for moisture to frost at the ice grid 420 and reducing the frost rate of the ice grid 420.

[0178] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figure 7 The extension tube 450 may include a first tube segment 452, which may be connected to the housing 410 and has an air inlet 453 and a first cavity 454, with the air inlet 453 communicating with the first cavity 454.

[0179] refer to Figure 7 The extension pipe 450 may further include a second pipe section 455, which is connected to the end of the first pipe section 452 away from the ice-making air outlet 412, and has an air outlet 456 and a second cavity 457. The second cavity 457 communicates with the first cavity 454 and forms a cavity 451.

[0180] The first cavity 454 can extend at an angle relative to the length of the ice tray 420 to guide the air outlet 412 of the ice making to a height approximately level with the ice tray 420.

[0181] The second cavity 457 extends along the length of the ice tray 420 to blow the wind from the first cavity 454 roughly horizontally toward the ice tray 420, so that the wind covers the ice tray 420 more evenly, increases the coverage area of ​​the wind blown from the cavity 451 on the ice tray 420, reduces the possibility that some parts of the ice tray 420 cannot be blown by the wind, and thus reduces the possibility that the ice tray 420 will have excessively thick frost in some areas.

[0182] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figure 7 The flow diameter of the first pipe section 452 decreases from the end near the ice-making air outlet 412 to the end away from the ice-making air outlet 412, so as to increase the flow velocity of the air flowing out of the first cavity 454, improve the rate at which moisture in the air at the ice grid 420 is blown away, and make the moisture in the air at the ice grid 420 quickly decrease, so that moisture is less likely to frost at the ice grid 420, and reduce the frost rate of the ice grid 420.

[0183] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figure 8 The cooling pipe 430 can be set below the ice tray 420. Since the top of the cooling pipe 430 is blocked by the ice tray 420, the cold air around the cooling pipe 430 is transported upward along the outer wall of the ice tray 420, wrapping the ice tray 420, which lowers the temperature of the bottom and side walls of the ice tray 420 and improves the ice making rate.

[0184] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, the refrigerator may also include a water storage device for storing water used for ice making. The water in the water storage device can be transported to the ice grid 420 through a conveying pipe to make ice in the ice grid 420.

[0185] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figure 8 The ice maker 40 may also include a heater 460, which may be located below the ice tray 420. After the ice tray 420 has finished making ice, the heater 460 heats the ice tray 420 to separate the ice from the ice tray 420, so that the ice can be easily removed from the ice tray 420.

[0186] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figure 8 The ice maker 40 may also include an ice storage box 440, which is located below the ice grid 420 and the cooling pipe 430.

[0187] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The ice maker 40 may also include an ice-tumbling rod 470, which is rotatably connected to the housing 410. After the ice tray 420 has finished making ice, the heater 460 heats the ice tray 420, causing the ice to separate from the ice tray 420; then, the ice-tumbling rod 470 flips the ice, pushing it out of the ice tray 420 and causing it to fall into the upper ice storage box 440 for storage. Water is then refilled into the ice tray 420 using a water storage device, and the ice-making cycle is repeated.

[0188] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The box body 410 may be constructed with an ice outlet 414, which is connected to the ice storage box 440. Ice blocks in the ice storage box 440 can be discharged through the ice outlet 414 for user use.

[0189] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

[0190] For ease of explanation, the above description has been provided in conjunction with specific embodiments. However, the above exemplary discussion is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the specific forms disclosed above. Various modifications and variations can be obtained based on the above teachings. The selection and description of the above embodiments are for the purpose of better explaining the principles and practical applications, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better utilize the above embodiments and various different variations of embodiments suitable for specific application considerations.

Claims

1. A refrigerator characterized by comprising: include: The enclosure (10) includes a refrigeration chamber (101) and a heat exchange chamber (102); An evaporator (30) is disposed within the heat exchange chamber (102); An ice maker (40) is disposed within the refrigeration chamber (101), and the ice maker (40) includes: The box (410) is constructed with an ice-making chamber (411); An ice tray (420) is disposed within the ice-making chamber (411); A refrigeration pipe (430) is disposed inside the ice-making chamber (411) and located outside the ice-making grid (420); Ice-making air duct assembly (50), with the following structure: The ice-making air supply duct (511) is connected to the heat exchange chamber (102) and the ice-making chamber (411) respectively. The air in the heat exchange chamber (102) flows to the ice-making chamber (411) through the ice-making air supply duct (511). The ice-making return air duct (521) is connected to the ice-making chamber (411) and the heat exchange chamber (102) respectively. The air in the ice-making chamber (411) flows to the heat exchange chamber (102) through the ice-making return air duct (521).

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The box body (410) is also constructed with an ice-making air supply vent (412) and an ice-making air return vent (413); The ice-making air outlet (412) is connected to the ice-making air duct (511), and the ice-making air outlet (412) is arranged facing the ice grid (420); The ice-making return air inlet (413) is connected to the ice-making return air duct (521), and the ice-making return air inlet (413) is located above the ice-making air outlet (412).

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The ice maker (40) also includes an extension tube (450), which is located inside the ice-making chamber (411) and is connected to the box body (410). The extension tube (450) is constructed as follows: Lumen (451); The air inlet (453) is connected to the ice-making air outlet (412) and the cavity (451) respectively; An air outlet (456) is connected to the cavity (451) and is positioned toward the ice grid (420). The distance between the air outlet (456) and the ice grid (420) is less than the distance between the ice-making air outlet (412) and the ice grid (420).

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The extension tube (450) includes: The first pipe section (452) is connected to the box body (410) and is constructed with the air inlet (453) and the first cavity (454), wherein the air inlet (453) is connected to the first cavity (454); The second pipe section (455) is connected to the end of the first pipe section (452) away from the ice-making air outlet (412), and is constructed with the air outlet (456) and the second cavity (457); the second cavity (457) communicates with the first cavity (454) and forms the pipe cavity (451); the second cavity (457) extends along the length direction of the ice grid (420).

5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, characterized in that, The flow diameter of the first pipe section (452) decreases from the end closer to the ice-making air outlet (412) to the end farther away from the ice-making air outlet (412).

6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The refrigerator also includes: The cooling air duct assembly has an air cavity (601) which is connected to the heat exchange chamber (102) and the cooling chamber (101) respectively. A refrigeration fan (70) is disposed in the air cavity (601). The refrigeration fan (70) is used to make the air in the heat exchange chamber (102) flow through the air cavity (601) to the refrigeration chamber (101); the refrigeration fan (70) is located above the evaporator (30); The end of the ice-making return air duct (521) away from the ice-making chamber (411) is located below the evaporator (30); the end of the ice-making supply air duct (511) away from the ice-making chamber (411) is located above the evaporator (30).

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, characterized in that, The refrigerator also includes an ice-making fan (80), which is disposed within the heat exchange chamber (102); the ice-making fan (80) includes: The volute (810) is configured with a fan inlet (811) and a fan outlet; the fan inlet (811) is connected to the heat exchange chamber (102); the fan outlet is connected to the ice-making air supply duct (511). The fan body (820) is disposed inside the volute (810), and the fan body (820) is used to allow the air inside the volute (810) to flow from the fan inlet (811) to the fan outlet.

8. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The ice-making air duct assembly (50) includes an ice-making air supply duct (510) and an ice-making air return duct (520); the ice-making air supply duct (510) is configured to form the ice-making air supply duct (511); the ice-making air return duct (520) is configured to form the ice-making air return duct (521).

9. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The refrigeration pipe (430) is located below the ice grid (420).

10. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The ice maker (40) also includes a heater (460) disposed below the ice grid (420).

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