Refrigerator

Abstract

The application provides a refrigerator, which comprises a cabinet, a storage device; the storage device comprises a shell, a storage unit which can be pulled out or pushed into the shell, and a locking unit; the locking unit comprises a first matching part and a retaining part arranged on the shell, and a second matching part and an unlocking part arranged on the storage unit; the second matching part is used for contacting the first matching part in the unlocking position when the storage unit is pushed into the shell; with the storage unit continuing to be pushed into the shell, the second matching part drives the first matching part to move, and the second matching part and the first matching part are locked; the unlocking part is used for driving the second matching part to move when the storage unit is pulled out, so that the second matching part and the first matching part are unlocked, the first matching part is matched with the retaining part, and the first matching part is in the unlocking position. The arrangement of the locking unit makes the first matching part on the shell and the second matching part on the storage unit be locked under the action of the pushing force when the storage unit is pushed into the shell, and the operation is convenient.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] A refrigerator is an essential household appliance, and its storage containers are an important part of the refrigerator.

[0003] Storage containers can preserve food, preventing spoilage and waste, and bringing great convenience to people's lives. Currently, locking mechanisms are used on storage containers to achieve sealing or low-pressure performance. One common locking mechanism involves using a lever to lock or unlock. To open the storage container, the user lifts the lever to unlock it. To close the container, the user presses down the lever to lock it.

[0004] In everyday life, it often happens that the refrigerator door is closed directly without the storage container being fully closed. In this case, the refrigerator door is closed directly without the lever being locked and reset, causing the refrigerator door to collide with the storage container and resulting in damage to the refrigerator door or the storage container. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a refrigerator in which the locking unit is configured such that the first mating part on the shell and the second mating part on the storage unit automatically lock under the action of the pushing force that pushes the storage unit into the shell. The action of pushing the door completes both the pushing and locking operations, making it convenient to operate.

[0006] In a first aspect, a refrigerator is provided, comprising: The enclosure defines the storage space; A storage device, which is housed within the storage chamber; The storage device includes: case; The storage unit can be pulled out or pushed into the housing; Locking unit, comprising: The first mating part is provided on the housing; A retainer, which is disposed on the housing, is used to mate with the first mating part; The second assembly is located on the storage unit; An unlocking part is provided on the storage unit and is connected to the second mating part; When the storage unit is pulled out, the unlocking part drives the second engaging part to move, the second engaging part unlocks the first engaging part, the first engaging part engages with the retaining member, and the first engaging part is in the unlocked position; When the storage unit is pushed into the housing, the second mating part contacts the first mating part in the unlocked position; as the storage unit continues to be pushed into the housing, the second mating part drives the first mating part to move, and the second mating part and the first mating part lock together.

[0007] The above technical solution allows the storage unit to automatically lock itself when pushed into the housing, driven by the second mating part to move the first mating part, requiring no additional operation. This achieves a seamless, push-in-and-lock operation, greatly improving ease of use. It avoids the problem of users forgetting to manually lock, ensuring the storage unit is always locked after being pushed back in. When the refrigerator is moved, transported, or subjected to impact or tilting, it reliably prevents the storage unit from accidentally sliding out due to inertia, avoiding the risk of items scattering and damage, and potential personal injury.

[0008] In addition, after the storage unit is pulled out and the second mating part is unlocked from the first mating part, the first mating part remains in the unlocked position under the action of the retaining member. This avoids the uncertainty of the position of the first mating part in the unlocked state due to its own weight or inertia, so that when the storage unit is pushed into the housing, the second mating part cannot accurately act on the first mating part, resulting in the second mating part being unable to effectively drive the first mating part to move in order to complete the locking of the first and second mating parts.

[0009] After the first mating part and the second mating part are unlocked, the limiting part engages with the retaining member on the housing to keep the first mating part in a fixed position. This effectively prevents the first mating part from shaking or shifting due to gravity, vibration, or inertia after unlocking, creating a definite and stable condition for the subsequent placement unit to be smoothly pushed in and contact the locking part, fundamentally ensuring the repeatability and consistency of the locking action during pushing in.

[0010] In some embodiments of this application, the first mating part includes: A limiting part is used to cooperate with the retaining member so that the first cooperating part is in the unlocked position after the first cooperating part and the second cooperating part are unlocked; The locking part is used to interact with the second mating part so that the first mating part moves under the action of the second mating part.

[0011] In the above technical solution, the first mating part includes two functional parts: one is a limiting part that cooperates with the retaining member to keep the first mating part in the unlocked position, and the other is a locking part that interacts with the second mating part to move the first mating part. The locking part contacts and is driven by the second mating part, bearing the main mechanical force; the limiting part cooperates with the retaining member to bear the positioning and holding force. By separating the two functions, the wear of each component becomes predictable and targeted, avoiding the potential for motion interference or concentrated wear caused by a single component simultaneously performing multiple roles, and ensuring more precise and reliable operation for each action.

[0012] In some embodiments of this application, the housing includes a first housing sidewall, and the first mating part is disposed on the first housing sidewall; The locking part is located on the side of the limiting part away from the first shell sidewall, and on the side of the retaining member away from the first shell sidewall.

[0013] The above technical solution, with the locking part located on the side of the limiting part away from the first shell sidewall and on the side of the retaining part away from the first shell sidewall, makes full use of the plane of the first shell sidewall and the space outside it, integrating the main components of the locking unit into a local area instead of scattering them. This helps reduce the space occupied by the locking mechanism inside the storage device, achieving a more compact design and making higher utilization of the internal space of the shell.

[0014] Furthermore, the locking part is positioned on the outer side (away from the sidewall of the first housing), making the upper part of the lock the first protruding part that the second mating part contacts and applies force when the storage unit is pushed in. This positioning ensures that the second mating part can directly contact and push the locking part during the pushing process, resulting in a short and direct force transmission path. This reduces the possibility of action failure due to unclear contact points or slippage, improving the reliability and consistency of the locking action.

[0015] In some embodiments of this application, the limiting part and the locking part are both located at the end of the first mating part away from the rear wall of the housing.

[0016] In the above technical solution, the core components of the locking unit (the limiting part and the locking part) are concentrated at the front end of the first mating part (the end furthest from the rear wall). This makes the connection point or fixing point of the first mating part located on the rear side relative to the core components, while the point of force application (locking part) and the holding point (limiting part) are concentrated at the front end. This arrangement creates a more reasonable lever force structure. The pushing force acts on the front end of the first mating part and is transmitted to the fixing point near the rear through the first mating component. The lever arm is relatively long, making the action less strenuous.

[0017] In some embodiments of this application, the housing includes a reinforcing plate disposed on the side wall of the first housing; The retaining member includes a retaining plate disposed on the side wall of the first housing; The retaining plate is used to support the limiting part after the first mating part and the second mating part are unlocked, so that the first mating part is in the unlocked position; The reinforcing plate is wound around the retaining plate on the side near the top wall of the housing, the side near the rear wall of the housing, and the side near the bottom wall of the housing; In the direction perpendicular to the sidewall of the first shell, the size of the reinforcing plate disposed on the sidewall of the first shell is denoted as the first size C1, and the maximum size of the retaining plate is denoted as the second size C2; ​​wherein, C1 > C2.

[0018] The above technical solution involves a reinforcing plate wrapped around the retaining plate on the side near the top, rear, and bottom walls, forming a layout that wraps around the retaining plate from three directions (upper, lower, and rear). This arrangement allows the reinforcing plate to provide reinforcement not only from the direction perpendicular to the first side wall (through dimensions C1>C2), but also to structurally reinforce the local area where the retaining plate is located from multiple planar directions. This greatly enhances the overall rigidity of the area where the retaining plate is located, effectively resisting complex loads from different directions (such as the torsional force when the drawer is pulled out and the impact force when it is closed), and preventing the retaining plate from failing due to multidimensional deformation.

[0019] In some embodiments of this application, the first mating part is rotatably disposed on the housing; the second mating part is rotatably disposed on the storage unit.

[0020] In the above technical solution, since both the first and second mating parts are rotatable, the first mating part rotates when it is in contact with the second mating part (locking process); and the second mating part rotates when they separate (unlocking process). This rotational motion (especially when there is a pivot for positioning) is smoother and more controllable.

[0021] Furthermore, the rotatable arrangement of the first and second mating parts indicates that their movement trajectories are constrained by their respective axes of rotation, making their movements predictable and repeatable. This precise movement trajectory ensures that each time the drawer is pushed in, the first and second mating parts accurately repeat the same locking action, greatly reducing the risk of locking failure due to incomplete action.

[0022] Furthermore, when two rotatable parts come into contact, the force is mainly along the tangential direction, causing them to rotate rather than generating a huge radial compressive force. This prevents the mechanism from jamming and avoids situations where parts deform or seize due to excessive lateral force, rendering them unable to move.

[0023] In some embodiments of this application, the first mating part includes: A swing connection end, which is connected to the housing; The swinging free end is located on the side of the swinging connecting end away from the rear wall of the housing; in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the first mating part, the line connecting the swinging free end and the swinging connecting end is denoted as the first straight line; The first swinging part extends from the swinging connection end toward the swinging free end and away from the first straight line to the first turning position; The second swinging part extends from the first turning position toward the swinging connection end and toward the first straight line to the swinging free end; The first turning position is located on the side of the first straight line near the top of the housing; The limiting part and the locking part are located at the swing free end.

[0024] In the above technical solution, when the storage unit is closed, the second mating part first contacts the limiting part of the swinging free end, and pushes the first mating part to rotate, forming a buffer phase at the beginning of their interaction. This converts the direct impact into the rotational kinetic energy of the first mating part, consuming some of the impact force and making the closing action smoother and quieter. In addition, the rotational buffer absorbs most of the energy, reducing hard collisions and wear between components and extending the service life of the locking unit.

[0025] In some embodiments of this application, the second mating part includes: The movable part is rotatably connected to the storage unit; A locking part is provided on the movable part; A guide portion is provided on the side of the locking portion near the rear wall of the housing; During the process of the storage unit being pushed into the housing, the guide portion acts on the locking portion, and the limiting portion separates from the retaining member, so that the first mating portion rotates along the first direction toward the side closer to the top wall of the housing; After the swinging free end rotates to the first position, the second mating part continues to approach the rear wall of the housing, the guide part separates from the limiting part, the first mating part rotates in a direction opposite to the first direction, and the locking part locks with the locking part.

[0026] In the above technical solution, during the process of pushing the storage unit in, at the initial contact between the second mating part and the first mating part, the guide part of the second mating part actively acts on the swinging free end of the first mating part, forcibly driving it to rotate in the first direction. This is an active guiding stage, which effectively converts the linear kinetic energy of the storage unit being pushed in into the kinetic energy of the rotation of the first mating part through the inclined or curved surface (guide part), reserving potential energy for subsequent locking. This setup, by initiating the locking process through forced guidance rather than hard impact, makes the initial contact very smooth, requiring only a small force from the user to initiate the process, and avoids impact noise.

[0027] In some embodiments of this application, when the first mating part and the second mating part are unlocked, the maximum distance between the guide part and the top wall of the housing along the direction from the top wall of the housing to the bottom wall of the housing is denoted as the first distance J1, and the maximum distance between the locking part and the top wall of the housing is denoted as the second distance J2; wherein, J1 > J2.

[0028] In the initial stage of the above technical solution during the insertion of the storage unit, the guide part (its maximum distance J1 from the top wall) will contact the locking part (its maximum distance J2 from the top wall) before the locking part. Since J1>J2, the guide part is lower than the locking part in the direction perpendicular to the bottom wall of the housing (i.e., the guide part is closer to the bottom wall of the housing). The fact that the first distance J1 is greater than the second distance J2 ensures that when insertion begins, the lower guide part will first abut against or catch the locking part from below, thereby ensuring a smooth and impact-free initial contact between the two moving parts and ensuring the smoothness and certainty of the start of the action.

[0029] After the guide part contacts the locking part, as the storage unit continues to be pushed in, the locking part and the guide part interact, converting the horizontal thrust of the storage unit into a component force that causes the first mating part to rotate upwards (towards the top wall). In this process, the initial contact with the locking part is made by the guide part, rather than directly by the locking part responsible for final locking, making the force conversion process between the initial second mating part and the first mating part smoother and more controllable. This technical solution separates the guiding and locking functions, reducing noise, wear, and impact from rigid collisions, and improving user experience and component lifespan.

[0030] Secondly, a refrigerator is provided, comprising: The enclosure defines the storage space; A storage device, which is housed within the storage chamber; The storage device includes: case; The storage unit can be pulled out or pushed into the housing; Locking unit, comprising: The first mating part is provided on the housing; The second mating part is provided on the storage unit and is used to cooperate with the first mating part when the storage unit is pushed into the housing, so as to drive the first mating part to move and lock the second mating part and the first mating part. An unlocking part is provided on the storage unit and is used to drive the second mating part to move when the storage unit is pulled out, so that the second mating part is unlocked from the first mating part; A retainer, disposed on the housing, is used to engage with the first mating part to place the first mating part in the unlocked position after the first mating part is unlocked from the second mating part.

[0031] The above technical solution allows the storage unit to automatically lock itself when pushed into the housing, driven by the second mating part to move the first mating part, requiring no additional operation. This achieves a seamless, push-in-and-lock operation, greatly improving ease of use. It avoids the problem of users forgetting to manually lock, ensuring the storage unit is always locked after being pushed back in. When the refrigerator is moved, transported, or subjected to impact or tilting, it reliably prevents the storage unit from accidentally sliding out due to inertia, avoiding the risk of items scattering and damage, and potential personal injury.

[0032] After the first mating part and the second mating part are unlocked, the limiting part engages with the retaining member on the housing to keep the first mating part in a fixed position. This effectively prevents the first mating part from shaking or shifting due to gravity, vibration, or inertia after unlocking, creating a definite and stable condition for the subsequent placement unit to be smoothly pushed in and contact the locking part, fundamentally ensuring the repeatability and consistency of the locking action during pushing in. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 An exemplary schematic diagram of the overall structure of a refrigerator according to some embodiments is shown; Figure 2 An exemplary schematic diagram of a storage device in a closed state according to some embodiments is shown; Figure 3 An example is shown Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of region A in the middle; Figure 4 An exemplary schematic diagram of a storage device in the process of being opened, according to some embodiments, is shown; Figure 5 A partial structural schematic diagram of a storage device according to some embodiments is shown as an example; Figure 6 Another partial structural schematic diagram of a storage device according to some embodiments is shown as an example; Figure 7An exemplary schematic diagram of the structure of the first mating part of the storage device according to some embodiments is shown; Figure 8 Another partial schematic diagram of a storage device according to some embodiments is shown as an example; Figure 9 An exemplary schematic diagram of the storage device according to some embodiments is shown when the first mating part and the second mating part initially come into contact during the pushing process; Figure 10 An exemplary schematic diagram is shown of the structure of the storage device according to some embodiments when the first mating part moves to the first position under the action of the second mating part during the pushing process; Figure 11 An exemplary schematic diagram of the storage device according to some embodiments is shown when the first and second mating parts are locked during the insertion process.

[0034] Among them, refrigerator 100; cabinet 101; cabinet door 102; Storage device 1; Shell 2; storage chamber 21; storage port 22; first shell sidewall 23; reinforcing plate 24; Storage unit 3; Locking unit 4; First mating part 5; swing connecting end 5a; swing free end 5b; first swing part 51; second swing part 52; first turning position 53; limiting part 54; locking part 55; Second mating part 6; movable part 61; locking part 62; guide part 63; Unlocking part 7; 8. Detailed Implementation

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] Please refer to Figures 1-11 As shown, the refrigerator 100 includes a cabinet 101 having a storage compartment, a door 102 connected to the cabinet 101 for opening and closing the storage compartment, and a refrigeration device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment. The cabinet 101 includes an inner liner defining the storage compartment, an outer shell connected to the outside of the inner liner to form the appearance of the refrigerator 100, and a heat insulation layer disposed between the inner liner and the outer shell to insulate the storage compartment.

[0040] In some embodiments of this application, a retrieval opening is formed at the front end of the storage compartment to allow for placing stored items into or retrieving stored items from the storage compartment. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the door 102 is connected to the box body 101 to open or close the access port of the storage room.

[0041] The refrigerator 100 is provided with a storage device 1. The storage device 1 is housed within a storage compartment. The storage device 1 defines and provides a storage space for storing items. The storage device 1 includes a housing 2 defining a storage compartment 21 and having a storage opening 22, and a storage unit 3 that can be pushed into or pulled out of the storage compartment 21 defined by the housing 2. When the storage unit 3 is pushed into the storage compartment 21, the storage opening 22 is closed.

[0042] In some embodiments of this application, the storage space of the storage device 1 is connected to the storage room in which it is located, that is, the air pressure of the storage space of the storage device 1 is balanced with the air pressure of the storage room in which it is located.

[0043] In some embodiments of this application, the storage device 1 can be maintained in a low-pressure state. Specifically, the storage device 1 can be isolated from the storage compartment so that the air pressure inside the storage device 1 is lower than the atmospheric pressure of its surrounding environment. The refrigerator 100 includes a vacuum device (not shown) for extracting gas from the storage device 1 to create a low-pressure state inside the storage device 1. The aforementioned low-pressure state is when the air pressure inside the storage device 1 is lower than the atmospheric pressure outside the cabinet 101.

[0044] Please refer to some embodiments of this application. Figures 2-4As shown, the storage device 1 includes a locking unit 4. The locking unit 4 includes a first engaging portion 5, which is disposed on the housing 2. The locking unit 4 also includes a second engaging portion 6, which is disposed on the storage unit 3 and engages with the first engaging portion 5 when the storage unit 3 is pushed into the housing 2, thereby moving the first engaging portion 5 to lock the second engaging portion 6 and the first engaging portion 5 together. The locking unit 4 also includes an unlocking portion 7, which is disposed on the storage unit 3 and engages with the second engaging portion 6 when the storage unit 3 is pulled out, thereby unlocking the second engaging portion 6 from the first engaging portion 5. The locking unit 4 further includes a retaining member 8, which is disposed on the housing 2 and engages with the first engaging portion 5 to place the first engaging portion 5 in the unlocked position after the first engaging portion 5 is unlocked from the second engaging portion 6.

[0045] When the storage unit 3 is pulled out, the unlocking part 7 drives the second mating part 6 to move, the second mating part 6 unlocks the first mating part 5, the first mating part 5 engages with the retaining member 8, and the first mating part 5 is in the unlocked position.

[0046] When the storage unit 3 is pushed into the housing 2, the second mating part 6 comes into contact with the first mating part 5, which is in the unlocked position, under the pushing force of pushing the storage unit 3; as the storage unit 3 continues to be pushed into the housing 2, the second mating part 6 drives the first mating part 5 to move, so that the second mating part 6 and the first mating part 5 lock when the storage port 22 is closed by the storage unit 3, thus completing the locking of the storage unit 3 and the housing 2.

[0047] The above technical solution allows the storage unit 3 to automatically lock when pushed into the housing 2, via the second mating part 6 driving the first mating part 5, without any additional operation. This achieves a seamless, push-in-and-lock operation, greatly improving ease of use. It avoids the problem of users forgetting to manually lock, ensuring that the storage unit 3 is always locked after being pushed back in. When the refrigerator 100 is moved, transported, or subjected to impact or tilting, it reliably prevents the storage unit 3 from accidentally sliding out due to inertia, avoiding the risk of items scattering and being damaged, as well as potential personal injury.

[0048] Furthermore, after the storage unit 3 is pulled out and the second mating part 6 unlocks from the first mating part 5, the first mating part 5 remains in the unlocked position under the action of the retaining member 8. This prevents the position of the first mating part 5 from being uncertain in the unlocked state due to its own weight or inertia, which could cause the second mating part 6 to not accurately act on the first mating part 5 during the process of pushing the storage unit 3 into the housing 2, thus preventing the second mating part 6 from effectively driving the first mating part 5 to complete the locking of the first mating part 5 and the second mating part 6. In the above technical solution, after the first mating part 5 and the second mating part 6 are unlocked, the limiting part 54 cooperates with the retaining member 8 on the housing 2 to keep the first mating part 5 in a fixed position. It can effectively prevent the first mating part 5 from shaking or shifting due to gravity, vibration or inertia after unlocking, creating a definite and stable condition for the subsequent placement unit 3 to be smoothly pushed in and contact the locking part 55. This ensures that when the placement unit 3 is pushed into the housing 2, the second mating part 6 can accurately act on the first mating part 5 and drive the first mating part 5 to move and complete the locking of the two, fundamentally guaranteeing the repeatability and consistency of the locking action when pushing in.

[0049] Furthermore, when it is necessary to open the storage unit 3, an operational force is applied to the unlocking part 7 to drive its movement. The unlocking part 7 then drives the second engaging part 6 to move, causing the second engaging part 6 to disengage from the first engaging part 5, thereby unlocking the storage unit 3 from the housing 2. The storage unit 3 is then pulled out. In the above technical solution, the unlocking part 7 is located on the storage unit 3, and its function (driving the second engaging part 6 to move for unlocking) is triggered when the storage unit 3 is pulled out. The user's natural action of pulling out the storage unit 3 is itself the trigger condition for unlocking. The unlocking and opening are a continuous action; the user's operation to open the storage unit 3 directly completes the unlocking, resulting in high interaction efficiency between the user and the storage unit. By binding the unlocking trigger mechanism with the user's pulling-out operation, one action completes two operations, simplifying the user's operation steps.

[0050] Please refer to some embodiments of this application. Figures 5-7 As shown, the first mating part 5 includes a limiting part 54; the limiting part 54 is used to cooperate with the retaining member 8 so that the first mating part 5 is in the unlocked position after the first mating part 5 is unlocked from the second mating part 6. The first mating part 5 includes a locking part 55. The locking part 55 is used to interact with the second mating part 6 so that the first mating part 5 moves under the action of the second mating part 6.

[0051] In the above technical solution, the first mating part 5 includes two functional parts: one is a limiting part 54 that cooperates with the retaining member 8 to keep the first mating part 5 in the unlocked position; the other is a locking part 55 that interacts with the second mating part 6 to move the first mating part 5. The locking part 55 contacts and is driven by the second mating part 6, bearing the main mechanical force; the limiting part 54 cooperates with the retaining member 8 to bear the positioning and holding force. By separating the two functions, the wear of each component becomes predictable and targeted, avoiding the potential for motion interference or concentrated wear caused by a single component simultaneously performing multiple roles, and ensuring that each action is more precise and reliable.

[0052] When the first mating part 5 and the second mating part 6 are unlocked, the limiting part 54 engages with the retaining member 8 on the housing 2 to keep the first mating part 5 in a fixed position, so that the storage unit 3 is pushed into the housing 2 and contacts the locking part 55, creating a definite and stable condition. The second mating part 6 can accurately act on the first mating part 5 and drive the first mating part 5 to move to complete the locking of the two.

[0053] When the storage unit 3 is pushed in, the second mating part 6 first contacts the locking part 55 of the first mating part 5, which is in the unlocked position, and directly drives the first mating part 5 to move through this part. In the above process, the locking part 55 serves as the force receiving point and action trigger point, and the force transmission path is clear and direct, avoiding energy loss or action jamming caused by structural misalignment or sliding in the initial contact stage, making the pushing and locking process smoother and less strenuous.

[0054] In some embodiments of this application, the housing 2 includes a first housing sidewall 23, and a first mating part 5 is disposed on the first housing sidewall 23. A locking part 55 is located on the side of the limiting part 54 and the retaining member 8 away from the first housing sidewall 23. The locking part 55 is located on the side of the retaining member 8 away from the first housing sidewall 23. In the above technical solution, the locking part 55 is located on the side of the limiting part 54 away from the first housing sidewall 23, and on the side of the retaining member 8 away from the first housing sidewall 23. This fully utilizes the plane of the first housing sidewall 23 and the space outside it, integrating the main components of the locking unit 4 into a local area instead of dispersing them. This helps reduce the occupation of the internal storage space of the storage device 1 by the locking mechanism, achieving a more compact design and making the internal space utilization of the housing 2 higher.

[0055] Furthermore, the locking part 55 is positioned on the outer side (away from the first housing sidewall 23), making the upper part of the lock the protruding part that the second mating part 6 first contacts and applies force when the storage unit 3 is pushed in. This positioning ensures that the second mating part 6 can directly contact and push the locking part 55 during the pushing process, resulting in a short and direct force transmission path. This reduces the possibility of action failure due to unclear contact points or slippage, and improves the reliability and consistency of the locking action.

[0056] In some embodiments of this application, both the limiting part 54 and the locking part 55 are located at the end of the first mating part 5 away from the rear wall of the housing 2. In the above technical solution, the core components of the locking unit 4 (the limiting part 54 and the locking part 55) are concentrated at the front end of the first mating part 5 (the end away from the rear wall), so that the connection point or fixing point of the first mating part 5 is located on the rear side relative to the core components, while the point of force application (locking part 55) and the holding point (limiting part 54) are concentrated at the front end. This arrangement forms a more reasonable lever force structure. The pushing force acts on the front end of the first mating part 5 and is transmitted to the fixing point near the rear side through the first mating member. The lever arm is relatively long, making the action less strenuous.

[0057] In addition, by placing the main locking part 55 and the limiting part 54 near the front end of the opening, users or maintenance personnel can directly observe the working status of the locking mechanism. In case of malfunction or when lubrication is required, it is also easier to perform manual operation or maintenance, thus improving the maintainability of the product.

[0058] Please refer to some embodiments of this application. Figure 6 As shown, the housing 2 includes a reinforcing plate 24 disposed on the first housing sidewall 23. The retaining member 8 includes a retaining plate disposed on the first housing sidewall 23, the retaining plate being used to support the limiting part 54 after the first mating part 5 and the second mating part 6 are unlocked, so that the first mating part 5 is in the unlocked position.

[0059] Among them, the reinforcing plate 24 is wrapped around the retaining plate on the side near the top wall of the shell 2, the side near the rear wall of the shell 2, and the side near the bottom wall of the shell 2.

[0060] In the direction perpendicular to the first shell sidewall 23, the size of the reinforcing plate 24 provided on the first shell sidewall 23 is denoted as the first size C1, and the maximum size of the retaining plate is denoted as the second size C2; ​​wherein, C1 > C2.

[0061] In the above technical solution, the reinforcing plate 24 is wrapped around the retaining plate on the side near the top, rear, and bottom walls, forming a layout that wraps around the retaining plate from three directions (upper, lower, and rear). This arrangement allows the reinforcing plate 24 to provide reinforcement not only from the direction perpendicular to the first side wall (through dimension C1>C2), but also to structurally reinforce the local area where the retaining plate is located from multiple planar directions. This greatly enhances the overall rigidity of the area where the retaining plate is located, effectively resisting complex loads from different directions (such as the torsional force when the drawer is pulled out and the impact force when it is closed), and preventing the retaining plate from failing due to multidimensional deformation.

[0062] When the limiting part 54 presses against the retaining plate, the force is transmitted through the retaining plate to the first shell sidewall 23 and the reinforcing plate 24, and further diffuses to the sidewall area where the top wall, rear wall and bottom wall of the shell 2 are connected. This allows the concentrated force to be transmitted more directly and quickly to a larger area of ​​the main structure of the shell 2, avoiding stress concentration in narrow areas and significantly reducing the risk of local buckling or fatigue of the first shell sidewall 23.

[0063] In addition, in the direction perpendicular to the first shell sidewall 23, the size C1 of the reinforcing plate 24 is larger than the size C2 of the retaining plate, so that the retaining plate is housed in the cavity defined by the reinforcing plate, and the retaining plate can be effectively retained.

[0064] In some embodiments of this application, the reinforcing plate 24 is connected to the retaining plate. With the above technical solution, when the retaining plate is subjected to force, it is directly transmitted to the first shell sidewall 23 on one hand, and to the main structure of the shell 2 on the other hand through the reinforcing plate 24, thus avoiding stress concentration in localized areas where the retaining plate is located.

[0065] In some embodiments of this application, the first mating part 5 is rotatably disposed on the housing 2; the second mating part 6 is rotatably disposed on the storage unit 3.

[0066] In the above technical solution, since both the first mating part 5 and the second mating part 6 are rotatable, the first mating part 5 rotates when it contacts the second mating part 6 (locking process); and the second mating part 6 rotates when it separates from the first mating part 5 and the second mating part 6 (unlocking process). This rotational motion (especially with a pivot for positioning) is smoother and more controllable. On one hand, when the drawer is quickly pushed in or pulled out, the rotatable first and second mating parts 5 and 6 effectively buffer the impact, avoiding the loud clicking noise caused by hard collisions, replacing it with a more muffled and quieter sound, improving the quietness and premium feel of the refrigerator 100. On the other hand, users will feel that the locking and unlocking process of the drawer is smooth and fluid, without any stiffness or sticking, enhancing the user experience.

[0067] Furthermore, the rotatable arrangement of the first mating part 5 and the second mating part 6 indicates that their movement trajectories are constrained by their respective axes of rotation, making their movements predictable and repeatable. This precise movement trajectory ensures that each time the drawer is pushed in, the first mating part 5 and the second mating part 6 accurately repeat the same locking action, greatly reducing the risk of locking failure due to incomplete action.

[0068] Furthermore, when the two rotatable parts come into contact, the force is mainly along the tangential direction, causing them to rotate rather than generating a huge radial compressive force. The fact that both the first mating part 5 and the second mating part 6 can rotate effectively decomposes and transmits the force generated during locking, unlocking, and impact (such as when the storage unit 3 is forcefully closed). This prevents the mechanism from jamming and avoids situations where parts deform or seize due to excessive lateral force, rendering them unable to operate.

[0069] Please refer to some embodiments of this application. Figures 7-8 As shown, the first mating part 5 includes a swing connecting end 5a; the swing connecting end 5a is connected to the housing 2. The first mating part 5 includes a swing free end 5b; the swing free end 5b is located on the side of the swing connecting end 5a away from the rear wall of the housing 2. In a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the first mating part 5, the line connecting the swing free end 5b and the swing connecting end 5a is denoted as the first straight line L.

[0070] The first mating part 5 includes a first swing part 51; the first swing part 51 extends from the swing connecting end 5a toward the swing free end 5b and away from the first straight line L to the first turning position 53.

[0071] The first mating part 5 includes a second swing part 52; the second swing part 52 extends from the first turning position 53 in a direction away from the swing connection end 5a and close to the first straight line L to the swing free end 5b. The first turning position 53 is located on the side of the first straight line L near the top of the housing 2.

[0072] The limiting part 54 and the locking part 55 are located at the swing free end 5b.

[0073] In the above technical solution, when the storage unit 3 is closed, the second mating part 6 first contacts the limiting part 54 of the swing free end 5b, and pushes the first mating part 5 to rotate, forming a buffer phase at the beginning of their interaction. This converts the direct impact into the rotational kinetic energy of the first mating part 5, consuming some of the impact force and making the closing action smoother and quieter. In addition, the rotational buffer absorbs most of the energy, reducing hard collisions and wear between components and extending the service life of the locking unit 4.

[0074] In some embodiments of this application, the swinging free end 5b is an arc surface. That is, when the second mating part 6 interacts with the first mating part 5, the arc surface of the swinging free end 5b mates with the second mating part 6. In a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the first mating part 5, the first straight line L is the straight line between the rotation axis of the first mating part 5 and the center of the arc.

[0075] Please refer to some embodiments of this application. Figures 9-11 As shown, the second mating part 6 includes a movable part 61; the movable part 61 is rotatably connected to the storage unit 3. The second mating part 6 includes a locking part 62; the locking part 62 is provided on the movable part 61. The second mating part 6 includes a guide part 63, which is provided on the side of the locking part 62 near the rear wall of the housing 2.

[0076] Please refer to Figures 9-11 As shown, during the process of the storage unit 3 being pushed into the housing 2, the guide part 63 acts on the locking part 55, and the limiting part 54 separates from the retaining member 8, so that the first mating part 5 rotates along the first direction toward the side close to the top wall of the housing 2.

[0077] After the swinging free end 5b rotates to the first position, the second mating part 6 continues to approach the rear wall of the housing 2, the guide part 63 separates from the limiting part 54, the first mating part 5 rotates in the opposite direction to the first direction, and the swinging free end 5b locks with the locking part 62.

[0078] In the above technical solution, during the process of pushing in the storage unit 3, at the initial contact between the second mating part 6 and the first mating part 5, the guide part 63 of the second mating part 6 actively acts on the swinging free end 5b of the first mating part 5, forcibly driving it to rotate in the first direction. This is an active guiding stage, which effectively converts the linear kinetic energy of the storage unit 3 being pushed in into the kinetic energy of the rotation of the first mating part 5 through the inclined or curved surface (guide part 63), reserving potential energy for subsequent locking. This setup, by initiating the locking process through forced guidance rather than hard impact, makes the initial contact very smooth, requiring only a small force from the user to initiate the process, and avoids impact noise.

[0079] When the swinging free end 5b of the first mating part 5 rotates to the first position, the guide part 63 separates from the swinging free end 5b. After separation, the first mating part 5 automatically returns to its original state in the opposite direction to the first direction under its own gravity. This return action allows the swinging free end 5b to quickly and forcefully engage with the locking part 62, completing the locking. In this technical solution, the locking action is clear; the separation of the guide part 63 from the swinging free end 5b and the return of the first mating part 5 to its original state are a rapid action, ensuring a clear and tangible click sound and feel at the moment of locking, providing operational feedback to the user. Furthermore, in this technical solution, the effect of returning to its original state comes from previously stored energy, allowing the final locking force to be far greater than the direct pushing force applied by the user, resulting in a very secure locking effect.

[0080] The second mating part 6 is designed with three clearly defined functions: a movable part 61, a guide part 63, and a locking part 62. The movable part 61 provides a rotational connection and is the foundation of the entire component. The guide part 63 guides and drives the locking action. The locking part 62 serves as the final support and lock. Each part can be independently optimized for its specific function, thus achieving optimal overall performance. Furthermore, this clear division of functions avoids a single structure bearing too many conflicting functions, resulting in a more reasonable stress distribution, higher reliability, and reduced risk of wear and failure.

[0081] Furthermore, the locking process between the storage unit 3 and the housing 2 involves the guide part 63 forcibly guiding the locking part 55, followed by the separation of the locking part 55 from the guide part 63, and the automatic restoration of the first mating part 5 to achieve locking. This locking process is a controlled, unidirectional process. The separation of the guide part 63 from the locking part 55 ensures that at the moment of locking completion, the guiding component (guide part 63) has already disengaged, preventing any interference with the components in the final locked state (locking part 62 and locking part 55). In this technical solution, only the locking part 62 and the locking part 55, acting as load-bearing components, are in contact with each other, resulting in a clear force transmission path and structural stability. This setup provides an either-or state: either unlocked (guide part 63 is guiding) or fully locked (guide part 63 has separated), effectively preventing a partially locked state due to insufficient closing force.

[0082] Please refer to some embodiments of this application. Figure 9 As shown, in the unlocked state of the first mating part 5 and the second mating part 6, along the direction from the top wall of the housing 2 to the bottom wall of the housing 2, the maximum distance between the guide part 63 and the top wall of the housing 2 is recorded as the first distance J1, and the maximum distance between the locking part 55 and the top wall of the housing 2 is recorded as the second distance J2; wherein, J1 > J2.

[0083] In the initial stage of the insertion process of the storage unit 3, the guide part 63 (with a maximum distance J1 from the top wall) will contact the locking part 55 (with a maximum distance J2 from the top wall) before the locking part 62. Since J1>J2, the guide part 63 is lower than the locking part 55 in the direction perpendicular to the bottom wall of the housing 2 (i.e., the guide part 63 is closer to the bottom wall of the housing 2). The fact that the first distance J1 is greater than the second distance J2 ensures that when insertion begins, the lower guide part 63 will first abut against or catch the locking part 55 from below, thereby ensuring a smooth and impact-free initial contact between the two moving parts and ensuring the smoothness and certainty of the start of the action.

[0084] After the guide part 63 contacts the locking part 55, as the storage unit 3 continues to be pushed in, the locking part 55 and the guide part 63 interact, converting the horizontal thrust of the storage unit 3 into a component force that causes the first mating part 5 to rotate upward (towards the top wall). In this process, the initial contact with the locking part 55 is made by the guide part 63, rather than directly by the locking part 62 responsible for final locking. This makes the force conversion process between the initial second mating part 6 and the first mating part 5 smoother and more controllable. This technical solution separates the guiding and locking functions, reducing noise, wear, and impact from rigid collisions, and improving user experience and component lifespan.

[0085] In addition, the guide part 63, as the first part of the first mating part 5 to come into contact with the second mating part 6, slides relative to the locking part 55 before the locking part 62 engages. During the relative sliding process between the guide part 63 and the locking part 55, dust, frost or food debris that may accumulate on the contact surface of the locking part 55 can be effectively scraped or squeezed away. This is equivalent to performing an automatic cleaning before each locking action, which greatly reduces the risk of locking failure or action jamming caused by debris and enhances the reliability of the locking unit in the complex environment of the refrigerator 100.

[0086] Furthermore, the first distance J1 is greater than the second distance J2, providing a redundancy in the height direction for the contact between the guide part 63 and the locking part 55. Even if the actual position (J2) of the locking part 55 slightly shifts downward due to manufacturing tolerances or long-term wear, or the position (J1) of the guide part 63 slightly changes, the guide part 63 can still reliably contact the locking part 55 before the locking part 62 because J1 is always greater than J2. This relaxes the requirements for the machining and assembly accuracy of parts, reduces production costs, and improves the product's adaptability to different working conditions.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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 described embodiments and various different variations of embodiments suitable for specific use considerations.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that, include: The enclosure defines the storage space; A storage device, which is housed within the storage chamber; The storage device includes: case; The storage unit can be pulled out or pushed into the housing; Locking unit, comprising: The first mating part is provided on the housing; A retainer, which is disposed on the housing, is used to mate with the first mating part; The second assembly is located on the storage unit; An unlocking part is provided on the storage unit and is connected to the second mating part; When the storage unit is pulled out, the unlocking part drives the second engaging part to move, the second engaging part unlocks the first engaging part, the first engaging part engages with the retaining member, and the first engaging part is in the unlocked position; When the storage unit is pushed into the housing, the second mating part contacts the first mating part in the unlocked position; as the storage unit continues to be pushed into the housing, the second mating part drives the first mating part to move, and the second mating part and the first mating part lock together.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first mating part includes: A limiting part is used to cooperate with the retaining member so that the first cooperating part is in the unlocked position after the first cooperating part and the second cooperating part are unlocked; The locking part is used to interact with the second mating part so that the first mating part moves under the action of the second mating part.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The housing includes a first housing sidewall, and the first mating part is disposed on the first housing sidewall; The locking part is located on the side of the limiting part away from the first shell sidewall, and on the side of the retaining member away from the first shell sidewall.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, characterized in that, Both the limiting part and the locking part are located at the end of the first mating part away from the rear wall of the housing.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, characterized in that, The housing includes a reinforcing plate disposed on the side wall of the first housing; The retaining member includes a retaining plate disposed on the side wall of the first housing; The retaining plate is used to support the limiting part after the first mating part and the second mating part are unlocked, so that the first mating part is in the unlocked position; The reinforcing plate is wound around the retaining plate on the side near the top wall of the housing, the side near the rear wall of the housing, and the side near the bottom wall of the housing; In the direction perpendicular to the sidewall of the first shell, the size of the reinforcing plate disposed on the sidewall of the first shell is denoted as the first size C1, and the maximum size of the retaining plate is denoted as the second size C2; Where C1 > C2.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first mating part is rotatably disposed on the housing; the second mating part is rotatably disposed on the storage unit.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 2, 4, 5, or 6, characterized in that, The first mating part includes: A swing connection end, which is connected to the housing; The swinging free end is located on the side of the swinging connecting end away from the rear wall of the housing; in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the first mating part, the line connecting the swinging free end and the swinging connecting end is denoted as the first straight line; The first swinging part extends from the swinging connection end toward the swinging free end and away from the first straight line to the first turning position; The second swinging part extends from the first turning position toward the swinging connection end and toward the first straight line to the swinging free end; The first turning position is located on the side of the first straight line near the top of the housing; The limiting part and the locking part are located at the swing free end.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second mating part includes: The movable part is rotatably connected to the storage unit; A locking part is provided on the movable part; A guide portion is provided on the side of the locking portion near the rear wall of the housing; During the process of the storage unit being pushed into the housing, the guide portion acts on the locking portion, and the limiting portion separates from the retaining member, so that the first mating portion rotates along the first direction toward the side closer to the top wall of the housing; After the swinging free end rotates to the first position, the second mating part continues to approach the rear wall of the housing, the guide part separates from the limiting part, the first mating part rotates in a direction opposite to the first direction, and the locking part locks with the locking part.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the first mating part and the second mating part are unlocked, the maximum distance between the guide part and the top wall of the housing along the direction from the top wall of the housing to the bottom wall of the housing is denoted as the first distance J1, and the maximum distance between the locking part and the top wall of the housing is denoted as the second distance J2; wherein, J1 > J2.

10. A refrigerator, characterized in that, include: The enclosure defines the storage space; A storage device, which is housed within the storage chamber; The storage device includes: case; The storage unit can be pulled out or pushed into the housing; Locking unit, comprising: The first mating part is provided on the housing; The second mating part is provided on the storage unit and is used to cooperate with the first mating part when the storage unit is pushed into the housing, so as to drive the first mating part to move and lock the second mating part and the first mating part. An unlocking part is provided on the storage unit and is used to drive the second mating part to move when the storage unit is pulled out, so that the second mating part is unlocked from the first mating part; A retainer, disposed on the housing, is used to engage with the first mating part to place the first mating part in the unlocked position after the first mating part is unlocked from the second mating part.

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