Air duct module and refrigerator

Abstract

The application provides a wind channel module and a refrigerator, and relates to the technical field of the refrigerator. The wind channel module is arranged in an inner container of the refrigerator. The wind channel module comprises a shell, an evaporator, a defrosting heater and a heat conducting piece. The shell has a refrigeration cavity and a return air cavity. An outer wall of the shell is provided with a return air inlet. A communication port is formed in the shell and communicates the refrigeration cavity and the return air cavity. The return air cavity communicates with the return air inlet. A first heat preservation body is arranged on a section of the return air cavity close to the return air inlet. An air inlet channel is formed in the first heat preservation body and communicates with the return air inlet. Another section of the return air cavity is an air outlet channel which communicates the air inlet channel and the communication port. The evaporator is arranged in the refrigeration cavity. The defrosting heater is arranged in the refrigeration cavity and is used for heating and defrosting the evaporator. The heat conducting piece is arranged in the air outlet channel and is connected with the defrosting heater. Through the cooperation of the first heat preservation body and the heat conducting piece, an additional heating component does not need to be arranged in the air inlet channel, and efficient and reliable defrosting in the return air cavity can be realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of refrigerator technology, and in particular to an air duct module and a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] The refrigeration system located within the refrigerator's cooling compartment primarily comprises core refrigeration components such as the evaporator, compressor, and condenser. In this vertically oriented duct system, the refrigerator return air duct extends from the bottom of the refrigerator compartment to the bottom of the evaporator below the freezer compartment, forming a refrigeration circulation path. Due to the significant temperature difference between the refrigerator compartment and the evaporator, air entering the return air duct from the refrigerator compartment rapidly condenses at the freezer compartment inlet. As moisture accumulates, frost forms on the inner wall of the return air duct, causing blockage and affecting the refrigerator's normal operation.

[0003] To address this issue, related technologies employ the method of adding heat-conducting strips to the bottom heater to transfer heat to the return air duct for defrosting. However, because the heat-conducting strips fail to cover all critical areas of the return air duct, uneven heat distribution results in poor defrosting performance in the target area. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main purpose of this invention is to propose an air duct module and a refrigerator, which aims to improve the defrosting effect of the return air duct.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model proposes an air duct module, which is installed inside the refrigerator liner. The air duct module includes: The housing has a cooling chamber and a return air chamber inside. The outer wall of the housing is provided with a return air inlet. A connecting port is formed inside the housing, which connects the cooling chamber and the return air chamber. The return air chamber is connected to the return air inlet. A first heat insulation body is provided in a section of the return air chamber near the return air inlet. An air inlet channel is formed inside the first heat insulation body, which is connected to the return air inlet. The other section of the return air chamber is an air outlet channel that connects the air inlet channel and the connecting port. An evaporator is disposed in the refrigeration chamber; A defrosting heater, located in the refrigeration chamber, is used to heat and defrost the evaporator; and A heat-conducting component is provided in the air outlet channel and connected to the defrosting heater.

[0006] In one embodiment, the first insulation body includes: The main body has a groove extending through both ends on one side. A side cover covers the side of the main body where the groove is provided, so as to define the air inlet channel together with the main body.

[0007] In one embodiment, the main body is provided with a slot around the periphery of the groove; The side cover has a protrusion at the position corresponding to the slot that mates with the slot.

[0008] In one embodiment, the housing includes: The housing defines the cooling chamber and the return air chamber; and The cover is detachably connected to the outer shell and covers the cooling cavity and the return air cavity; The side cover is fixedly disposed on the outer shell, and the main body is disposed on the side of the side cover facing the cover body.

[0009] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the first insulation body is disposed between the refrigeration chamber and the return air chamber to separate the air inlet channel and the refrigeration chamber; The air duct module further includes a partition, which is connected to the first insulation body and is disposed between the air outlet channel and the cooling chamber to separate the air outlet channel and the cooling chamber.

[0010] In one embodiment, the air duct module further includes: The second insulation body is disposed on the side of the air outlet channel facing the cover and covers at least part of the air outlet channel.

[0011] In one embodiment, the return air vent is located at the upper end of the housing, and the return air cavity is located on one side of the refrigeration cavity in the horizontal direction; The communication port is located near the lower end of the evaporator.

[0012] In one embodiment, the defrost heater is located on the lower side of the evaporator, and at least a portion of the defrost heater extends from the communication port to the air outlet channel; The heat-conducting component is fixedly installed in the portion of the defrosting heater located within the air outlet channel.

[0013] In one embodiment, the portion of the heat-conducting element located in the air outlet channel is arranged in a sheet-like form extending vertically.

[0014] This utility model proposes a refrigerator, which includes: The inner liner includes multiple cooling chambers, each including a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the temperature of the first chamber is lower than that of the second chamber; and A duct module extends vertically within the first chamber to divide the first chamber into a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber. The return air vent is connected to the second chamber.

[0015] In the technical solution of this application, the air inlet channel, being housed within the first insulation body, is essentially isolated from external cold sources, thus fundamentally avoiding severe frost formation, meaning only slight frost or no frost occurs. Simultaneously, the heat-conducting component located in the air outlet channel can directly remove frost from the outlet channel using the heat from the defrosting heater. Even if slight frost forms in the air inlet channel, the residual heat radiated by the heat-conducting component is sufficient to eliminate it. Therefore, through the synergistic effect of the first insulation component and the heat-conducting component, efficient and reliable defrosting in the return air cavity can be achieved without the need for additional heating components within the air inlet channel. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, 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 utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 An exploded structural diagram of an embodiment of the air duct module provided in this application; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a structural embodiment of the air duct module provided in this application that does not have a cover; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of another perspective of an embodiment of the air duct module provided in this application that does not have a cover; Figure 4 An exploded structural diagram of the first insulation component provided in this application.

[0018] Explanation of icon numbers: 1000. Air duct module; 1. Housing; 101. Outer shell; 102. Cover; 2. Cooling chamber; 3. Return air chamber; 4. Return air inlet; 5. Connecting port; 6. First insulation body; 61. Main body; 62. Side cover; 7. Air inlet channel; 8. Air outlet channel; 9. Evaporator; 10. Defrosting heater; 11. Heat-conducting component; 12. Slot; 13. Separator; 14. Second insulation body; 15. Air outlet; 16. Fan assembly; 17. Protrusion.

[0019] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0021] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0022] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0023] The refrigeration system located within the refrigerator's cooling compartment primarily comprises core refrigeration components such as the evaporator, compressor, and condenser. In this vertically oriented duct system, the refrigerator return air duct extends from the bottom of the refrigerator compartment to the bottom of the evaporator below the freezer compartment, forming a refrigeration circulation path. Due to the significant temperature difference between the refrigerator compartment and the evaporator, air entering the return air duct from the refrigerator compartment rapidly condenses at the freezer compartment inlet. As moisture accumulates, frost forms on the inner wall of the return air duct, causing blockage and affecting the refrigerator's normal operation.

[0024] To address this issue, related technologies employ the method of adding heat-conducting strips to the bottom heater to transfer heat to the return air duct for defrosting. However, because the heat-conducting strips fail to cover all critical areas of the return air duct, uneven heat distribution results in poor defrosting performance in the target area.

[0025] In view of this, this application proposes an air duct module, Figures 1 to 4 These are some embodiments of this application.

[0026] In some embodiments of this application, the air duct module 1000 is disposed in the inner liner of the refrigerator; wherein, the air duct module 1000 being disposed in the inner liner of the refrigerator can effectively reduce the thickness of the refrigerator compared to the installation method in the related art where the refrigeration air duct is disposed at the rear of the refrigerator and outside the inner liner.

[0027] When the air duct module 1000 is installed in the inner liner of the refrigerator, it can divide the inner liner of the refrigerator into multiple compartments, or it can be installed as a whole on the side wall of the inner liner of the refrigerator, serving only the cooling function without dividing the space of the inner liner.

[0028] Specifically, in one embodiment of this application, the air duct module 1000 divides the inner liner into multiple compartments, so that multiple cavities for storing items can be formed inside the inner liner for storing different types of items.

[0029] Of course, the duct module 1000 can also isolate the temperature transfer between different rooms, so that different rooms have different temperature ranges, thereby improving the convenience of use for users.

[0030] The overall structure of the air duct module 1000 is not restricted.

[0031] In one embodiment, the air duct module 1000 extends horizontally as a whole, which can divide the inner liner into two compartments spaced vertically apart.

[0032] In another embodiment, if the air duct module 1000 extends vertically, the inner liner can be divided into two compartments spaced horizontally.

[0033] In addition, the air duct module 1000 can also be configured with an irregular structure, such as multiple plate-like structures arranged at an angle to each other spliced ​​together, to divide the inner liner into two or more compartments.

[0034] Please see Figures 1 to 3 In some embodiments of this application, the air duct module 1000 includes a housing 1, which has a cooling cavity 2 and a return air cavity 3. The outer wall of the housing 1 is provided with a return air inlet 4. A connecting port 5 is formed inside the housing 1, which connects the cooling cavity 2 and the return air cavity 3. The return air cavity 3 is connected to the return air inlet 4. A first heat insulation body 6 is provided in a section of the return air cavity 3 near the return air inlet 4. An air inlet channel 7 is formed inside the first heat insulation body 6, which is connected to the return air inlet 4. The other section of the return air cavity 3 is an air outlet channel 8, which connects the air inlet channel 7 and the connecting port 5. The air flow path in the air duct module 1000 is as follows: return air inlet 4 - air inlet channel 7 - air outlet channel 8 - connecting port 5 - cooling cavity 2. The cold air cooled by the cooling cavity 2 can flow out from the air duct module 1000 to realize the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator.

[0035] In the above embodiments, since the air inlet channel 7 is formed inside the first insulation body 6, the first insulation body 6 can block the heat exchange between the air inlet channel 7 and other chambers, so that only slight frost or no frost occurs in the air inlet channel 7.

[0036] In some embodiments of this application, the air duct module 1000 further includes an evaporator 9 and a defrost heater 10. The evaporator 9 is disposed in the refrigeration chamber 2; the defrost heater 10 is disposed in the refrigeration chamber 2 and is used to heat and defrost the evaporator 9. The evaporator 9 is used to refrigerate the refrigerator, and the defrost heater 10 is used to remove the frost on the evaporator 9.

[0037] When the refrigerator is cooling, the evaporator 9, as the core cooling component, absorbs heat and moisture from the air on its low-temperature surface. This causes the water vapor in the air to condense and freeze into frost. The frost layer obstructs airflow and reduces cooling efficiency. At this time, the defrosting heater 10 starts working. It starts according to a preset cycle or is triggered by a sensor to briefly heat the evaporator 9, melting the accumulated frost layer into water and draining it away. After defrosting is completed, the heater stops working, the cooling system restarts, and the evaporator 9 returns to a low-temperature cooling state. This ensures both the continuous cooling effect of the refrigerator and the long-term, efficient, and stable operation of the air duct module 1000.

[0038] In some embodiments of this application, the heat-conducting element 11 is disposed in the air outlet channel 8 and connected to the defrosting heater 10; when the defrosting heater 10 starts to work, the heat of the defrosting heater 10 can be transferred to the heat-conducting element 11, so that the heat-conducting element 11 defrosts the air outlet channel 8.

[0039] Of course, since the air outlet duct 8 is connected to the air inlet duct 7, the heat from the heat conductor 11 will also radiate to the air inlet duct 7; if the air inlet duct 7 is slightly frosted, the heat conductor 11 can also defrost the air inlet duct 7.

[0040] Furthermore, since the defrost heater 10 is fixedly installed on the evaporator 9 and the heat-conducting element 11 is installed in the air outlet duct 8, in order to connect the defrost heater 10 and the heat-conducting element 11, in one embodiment of this application, the defrost heater 10 and the heat-conducting element 11 are connected at the communication port 5; in another embodiment of this application, at least a portion of the defrost heater 10 extends to the air outlet duct 8 and is connected to the heat-conducting element 11; in yet another embodiment of this application, at least a portion of the heat-conducting element 11 extends to the refrigeration chamber 2 and is connected to the defrost heater 10.

[0041] The connection method between the defrosting heater 10 and the heat-conducting component 11 is not limited; it can be welding, screwing, etc.

[0042] In some embodiments of this application, the heat-conducting element 11 is connected to the defrosting heater 10 through a connecting structure, that is, the heat-conducting element 11 and the defrosting heater 10 are detachably connected, so as to facilitate the operator to maintain and replace the heat-conducting element 11.

[0043] The material of the heat-conducting component 11 is not limited. Any material that can conduct heat can be used in the embodiments of this application, such as metal materials, ceramic materials, carbon materials, etc. In a specific embodiment of this application, the heat-conducting component 11 is an aluminum heat-conducting component.

[0044] In summary, in the technical solution of this application, the air inlet channel 7, being located within the first insulation body 6, is essentially isolated from external cold sources, thus fundamentally avoiding severe frost formation, i.e., only slight frost or no frost at all. Simultaneously, the heat-conducting element 11 located in the air outlet channel 8 can directly remove the frost layer from the air outlet channel 8 using the heat from the defrosting heater 10. Even if slight frost forms in the air inlet channel 7, the residual heat radiated by the heat-conducting element 11 is sufficient to eliminate it. Therefore, through the synergistic effect of the first insulation body and the heat-conducting element 11, efficient and reliable defrosting within the return air cavity 3 can be achieved without the need for additional heating components within the air inlet channel 7.

[0045] Furthermore, since the air inlet channel 7 is formed within the first insulation body 6, the heat conducted by the heat conductor 11 to the air inlet channel 7 is not easily dissipated, thus making it easier to remove the frost layer within the air inlet channel 7.

[0046] Understandably, if the heat-conducting component 11 extends into the air inlet channel 7, the length of the heat-conducting component 11 will increase, which will increase the manufacturing cost of the heat-conducting component 11 and make it difficult to install. At the same time, the power consumption of the defrosting heater 10 will increase, which will also increase the power consumption of the refrigerator.

[0047] Furthermore, if the length of the heat-conducting element 11 is long, the weight of the heat-conducting element 11 will increase. Since it only has one connection point with the defrosting heater 10, the heat-conducting element 11 will be easy to fall off during the transmission process.

[0048] The first insulation body 6 has an air inlet channel 7. The first insulation body has a through hole, which forms the air inlet channel 7. That is, the air inlet channel 7 has only one air inlet end and one air outlet end. The air inlet end of the air inlet channel 7 is connected to the return air port 4, and the air outlet end of the air inlet channel 7 is connected to the air outlet channel 8. This restricts the heat exchange between the air inlet channel 7 and other chambers.

[0049] Please see Figure 4In some embodiments of this application, the first insulation body 6 includes a main body 61 and a side cover 62. A groove is provided on one side of the main body 61, which extends through both ends of the main body 61. The side cover 62 covers the side of the main body 61 with the groove, so as to define the air inlet channel 7 together with the main body 61. That is, the first insulation body 6 is assembled to form the air inlet channel 7 in a detachable connection manner, which facilitates the molding and processing of the first insulation body 6 and reduces the processing difficulty of the first insulation body 6 in the air inlet channel 7.

[0050] Specifically, a groove is provided on one side of the main body 61, extending through its length. The groove passes through the opposite ends of the main body 61. The side cover 62 is assembled to cover one side of the main body 61 where the groove is located, and together with the main body 61, they form a complete air intake channel 7.

[0051] The assembly method between the main body 61 and the side cover 62 is not limited; it can be snap-fit, glued, etc.

[0052] In some embodiments of this application, the main body 61 is provided with a slot 12 around the periphery of the groove; the side cover 62 is provided with a protrusion 17 corresponding to the slot 12 and cooperating with the slot 12; in this embodiment, the relative position between the main body 61 and the side cover 62 can be limited by the cooperation of the slot 12 and the protrusion 17.

[0053] The slot 12 and the protrusion 17 can form a snap-fit ​​structure, and the number of snap-fit ​​structures between the main body 61 and the side cover 62 is not limited. There can be one or more, and the design can be adapted to the actual production situation.

[0054] Of course, the card slot 12 can also be provided on the side cover 62, and the card protrusion 17 can also be provided on the main body 61. Just make sure that the card protrusion 17 and the card slot 12 cooperate with each other.

[0055] It should be noted that the main body 61 and the side cover 62 can be fixed by the mutual cooperation of the protrusion 17 and the slot 12, or they can be fixed by gluing or other methods after the protrusion 17 and the slot 12 are in cooperation. There are no restrictions here.

[0056] In some embodiments of this application, the housing 1 includes an outer shell 101 and a cover 102. The outer shell 101 defines the refrigeration chamber 2 and the return air chamber 3. The cover 102 is detachably connected to the outer shell 101 and covers the refrigeration chamber 2 and the return air chamber 3. The split-type structural design of the housing 1 facilitates the assembly of components by operators or operating tools within the housing 1, such as assembling an evaporator 9 and a fan assembly 16 within the refrigeration chamber 2, and assembling a first insulation body 6 within the return air chamber 3.

[0057] The assembly method between the outer shell 101 and the cover 102 is not limited; it can be snap-fit, screw-fit, or welding, or a combination of multiple assembly methods.

[0058] In this embodiment, the side cover 62 is fixedly disposed on the outer shell 101, and the main body 61 is disposed on the side of the side cover 62 facing the cover body 102. By fixing the side cover 62 to the outer shell 101 and disposing the main body 61 between the side cover 62 and the detachable cover body 102, this structure allows the operator or tooling to form a clear assembly hierarchy during assembly. The side cover 62 can be firmly installed on the outer shell 101 first, and then the main body 61 can be accurately positioned using the side cover 62 as the mounting base. Finally, the first insulation body 6 can be encapsulated from one side by covering the cover body 102.

[0059] Of course, the first insulation body can also be assembled onto the outer shell 101 after the main body 61 and the side cover 62 are assembled.

[0060] In some embodiments of this application, at least a portion of the first insulation body 6 is disposed between the cooling cavity 2 and the return air cavity 3 to separate the air inlet channel 7 and the cooling cavity 2; that is, while the first insulation body 6 serves to block the air inlet channel 7 from heat transfer with other chambers, it can also serve as part of the internal chamber division structure of the shell 1, i.e., it plays a partitioning function. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a separate partition structure between the first insulation body 6 and the cooling cavity 2 in the return air cavity 3 to separate the return air cavity 3 and the cooling cavity 2.

[0061] In some embodiments of this application, the air duct module 1000 further includes a partition 13, which is connected to the first insulation body 6 and disposed between the air outlet duct 8 and the cooling chamber 2 to separate the air outlet duct 8 and the cooling chamber 2. In this embodiment, by providing the partition 13 to separate the air outlet duct 8 and the cooling chamber 2, it is ensured that the air outlet duct 8 and the cooling chamber 2 can only be connected through the connecting port 5.

[0062] The core function of the partition 13 is to physically separate the chambers, and it does not require insulation material. This is because, although the air outlet duct 8 will frost up during cooling, the defrost heater 10 will be activated in the defrost mode of the refrigerator. Its heat is efficiently transferred to the air outlet duct 8 through the heat conductor 11, thereby completely removing the frost layer in the air outlet duct 8. This design simplifies the structure and material requirements of the partition 13.

[0063] In some embodiments of this application, the air duct module 1000 further includes a second insulation body 14, which is disposed on the side of the air outlet channel 8 facing the cover 102 and covers at least part of the air outlet channel 8; wherein, the function of the second insulation body 14 is to isolate the heat exchange between the air outlet channel 8 and the external environment where the air duct module 1000 is located, thereby effectively ensuring the overall cooling efficiency and effect of the air duct module 1000.

[0064] In some embodiments of this application, the air outlet duct 8 is open on the side near the cover 102, and the open position of the air outlet duct 8 is covered by the second insulation body 14. With this arrangement, on the one hand, the second insulation body 14 can be used to block the heat exchange between the air outlet duct 8 and the external environment, and on the other hand, it saves the material of building a complete wall separately for this side of the air outlet duct 8, thus achieving the purpose of saving materials.

[0065] In some embodiments of this application, the evaporator 9 is located on one side of the air outlet duct 8, and the second insulation body 14 also covers the evaporator 9.

[0066] In some embodiments of this application, the first insulation body 6 and the second insulation body 14 are both made of foam.

[0067] Please see Figure 3 In some embodiments of this application, the air duct module 1000 is installed in the freezer compartment of the lower region of the refrigerator. In order to optimize the air circulation efficiency of the refrigerator compartment in the upper region of the refrigerator, the return air vent 4 is set at the upper end of the housing 1 and connected to the refrigerator compartment to shorten the airflow path and reduce the airflow resistance.

[0068] In some embodiments of this application, the housing 1 is also provided with an air outlet 15 to transmit the cold air in the air duct module 1000 back to the refrigeration chamber from the air outlet 15.

[0069] In some embodiments of this application, since the air duct module 1000 is generally plate-shaped, in order to simplify the air flow path in the return air cavity 3 and the cooling cavity 2 and reduce the flow resistance, while ensuring that the air duct module 1000 has a compact structure, the return air cavity 3 is arranged on one side of the cooling cavity 2 in the horizontal direction.

[0070] Both the refrigeration chamber 2 and the return air chamber 3 extend in the vertical direction.

[0071] In some embodiments of this application, the connection port 5 is located near the lower end of the evaporator 9, which can ensure that the cold air flowing in from the return air cavity 3 can flow fully from bottom to top across the entire heat exchange surface of the evaporator 9, thereby maximizing the heat exchange efficiency and ensuring the best cooling effect of the air duct module 1000.

[0072] Furthermore, since the fan assembly 16 is located on the upper side of the evaporator 9, the cold air flowing in from the return air chamber 3 can be guided by the fan assembly 16 to flow fully from bottom to top across the entire heat exchange surface of the evaporator 9.

[0073] In some embodiments of this application, a communication port 5 is formed between the partition 13 and the outer casing 101.

[0074] In some embodiments of this application, the defrosting heater 10 is located on the lower side of the evaporator 9. This arrangement allows the liquid water and sloughed-off frost generated during defrosting to drip down naturally under gravity, and be directly received by the defrosting heater 10 located directly below, thus accelerating evaporation and removal. This effectively prevents defrosting water from accumulating and remaining at the bottom or in the surrounding cavity of the evaporator 9, reducing the risk of secondary icing, and improving defrosting efficiency and the overall system reliability.

[0075] In some embodiments of this application, at least a portion of the defrosting heater 10 extends from the communication port 5 to the air outlet channel, and the heat-conducting element 11 is fixedly disposed on the portion of the defrosting heater 10 located within the air outlet channel 8; this arrangement allows the defrosting heater 10 to defrost the air outlet channel 8 during operation, thereby cooperating with the heat-conducting element 11 to achieve a better defrosting effect on the return air chamber 3.

[0076] The defrosting heater 10 extends to the air outlet duct 8, making it easier for the heat-conducting component 11 to be assembled on the defrosting heater 10.

[0077] In some embodiments of this application, the portion of the heat-conducting element 11 located in the air outlet channel 8 is arranged in a sheet shape extending vertically; this arrangement makes the plane of the heat-conducting element 11 substantially parallel to the airflow direction within the air outlet channel 8, thereby reducing the resistance to airflow within the air outlet channel 8.

[0078] This application also proposes a refrigerator, which includes an inner liner and an air duct module 1000. The inner liner includes multiple cooling chambers, each including a first chamber and a second chamber. The temperature of the first chamber is lower than that of the second chamber. The air duct module 1000 extends vertically into the first chamber to divide the first chamber into a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber. The return air vent 4 is connected to the second chamber. As described above, the air duct module 1000, since this refrigerator adopts all the technical solutions of the above embodiments, has at least the beneficial effects brought by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, and will not be described in detail here.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the refrigerator includes multiple temperature zones with different temperatures, i.e., refrigeration chambers with different temperatures. The air duct module 1000 is placed in the first chamber, so that when the first chamber is refrigerated, air is transferred to the second chamber. When the air in the second chamber returns to the air duct module 1000 through the return air vent 4, the temperature will be higher than the air temperature inside the air duct module 1000, causing frost to form in the return air cavity 3. Therefore, the heat-conducting component 11 and the first heat-insulating body 6 in the above embodiment are provided to remove the frost layer in the return air cavity 3.

[0080] When the air duct module 1000 supplies air to the second chamber, the temperature of the second chamber can be made higher than that of the first chamber by controlling the air supply volume.

[0081] In some embodiments of this application, the first chamber is a freezing chamber.

[0082] In some embodiments of this application, the second chamber may be a refrigeration chamber, a preservation chamber, a temperature-controlled chamber, etc.

[0083] Furthermore, the structure of the air duct module 1000 further subdivides the first chamber into a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber in this embodiment of the application, in order to meet different user needs.

[0084] The air duct module 1000 can supply air to the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment respectively. When no temperature differentiation is required, the air duct module 1000 can control the air volume of the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment to be uniform, thereby ensuring temperature uniformity. When temperature differentiation is required, the air duct module 1000 can control the air volume of the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment to be different, so that the first compartment has storage spaces with multiple different temperature ranges, thereby improving the user's convenience.

[0085] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the technical concept of the present utility model and the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An air duct module, disposed in the inner liner of a refrigerator, characterized in that, include: The housing has a cooling chamber and a return air chamber inside. The outer wall of the housing is provided with a return air inlet. A connecting port is formed inside the housing, which connects the cooling chamber and the return air chamber. The return air chamber is connected to the return air inlet. A first heat insulation body is provided in a section of the return air chamber near the return air inlet. An air inlet channel is formed inside the first heat insulation body, which is connected to the return air inlet. The other section of the return air chamber is an air outlet channel that connects the air inlet channel and the connecting port. An evaporator is disposed in the refrigeration chamber; A defrosting heater is provided in the refrigeration chamber to heat and defrost the evaporator; and A heat-conducting component is provided in the air outlet channel and connected to the defrosting heater.

2. The air duct module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first insulation body includes: The main body has a groove extending through both ends on one side. A side cover covers the side of the main body where the groove is provided, so as to define the air inlet channel together with the main body.

3. The air duct module as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The main body is provided with a slot around the periphery of the groove; The side cover has a protrusion at the position corresponding to the slot that mates with the slot.

4. The air duct module as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The housing includes: The housing defines the cooling chamber and the return air chamber; and The cover is detachably connected to the outer shell and covers the cooling cavity and the return air cavity; The side cover is fixedly disposed on the outer shell, and the main body is disposed on the side of the side cover facing the cover body.

5. The air duct module as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The air duct module also includes: The second insulation body is disposed on the side of the air outlet channel facing the cover and covers at least part of the air outlet channel.

6. The air duct module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, At least a portion of the first insulation body is disposed between the refrigeration chamber and the return air chamber to separate the air inlet channel and the refrigeration chamber; The air duct module further includes a partition, which is connected to the first insulation body and is disposed between the air outlet channel and the cooling chamber to separate the air outlet channel and the cooling chamber.

7. The air duct module as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The return air vent is located at the upper end of the housing, and the return air cavity is located on one side of the refrigeration cavity in the horizontal direction; The communication port is located near the lower end of the evaporator.

8. The air duct module as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The defrosting heater is located on the lower side of the evaporator, and at least a portion of the defrosting heater extends from the communication port to the air outlet channel; The heat-conducting component is fixedly installed in the portion of the defrosting heater located within the air outlet channel.

9. The air duct module as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The heat-conducting component located in the air outlet channel is arranged in a sheet-like shape extending vertically.

10. A refrigerator, characterized in that, include: The inner liner includes multiple cooling chambers, each of which includes a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the temperature of the first chamber is lower than that of the second chamber. and The air duct module as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the air duct module extends vertically in the first chamber to divide the first chamber into a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber; in, The return air vent is connected to the second chamber.

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