Refrigerator

By designing an automatic lifting shelf system, the problem of unadjustable height of the existing refrigerator shelf is solved, and flexible adjustment and efficient storage of the shelf is achieved, reducing costs.

WO2025087275A1PCT designated stage expired Publication Date: 2025-05-01SHENYANG HAIER REFRIGERATOR +2

Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/CN2024/126684
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-10-24
Filing Date
2024-10-23
Publication Date
2025-05-01

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The height of the existing refrigerator shelves cannot be flexibly adjusted, resulting in limited storage space, affecting the user experience, and the items need to be cleaned during the adjustment process, which is inconvenient to use.

Method used

A refrigerator is designed including a box, shelf, lifting mechanism and drive mechanism. The lifting mechanism consists of sliders and pulleys that can slide up and down, and the shelf is fixed to the slider; the driving mechanism consists of a motor, a winding wheel and a pull rope. The motor drives the winding wheel to wrap or release the pull rope, which drives the pulleys and sliders to move, realizing automatic lifting and adjustment of the shelf.

Benefits of technology

It realizes automatic and flexible up and down adjustment of the shelves, and can adjust without cleaning up items, improving the utilization rate of storage space and user experience, while reducing the driving force of the motor, reducing costs.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN2024126684_01052025_PF_FP_ABST
    Figure CN2024126684_01052025_PF_FP_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The present application discloses a refrigerator, comprising: a refrigerator body; a shelf; a raising / lowering mechanism, comprising sliding blocks and pulleys, the shelf being fixed on the sliding blocks; and a driving mechanism, comprising a motor, a reel, and pull cords, the motor driving the reel to rotate so as to wind or release the pull cords. The pulleys are suspended on the pull cords, and when the pull cords are wound around the reel, the pull cords drive the pulleys to move upwards. The present application can automatically and flexibly implement height adjustment of shelves.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

refrigerator

[0001] This application is based on and claims the priority of Chinese patent applications with application number CN202311390623.X and application date October 24, 2023, and application number CN202322868683.X and application date October 24, 2023. The entire contents of the above patent applications are hereby introduced into this application as a reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to a refrigeration device, in particular to a refrigerator. Background Art

[0003] With the continuous improvement of living standards, the market share of multi-door refrigerators with features such as large capacity, multiple functions and classified storage is increasing, and people's requirements for the intelligence of refrigerator products are also getting higher and higher.

[0004] In the related art, refrigerator shelves are mostly fixed in position, usually with ribs formed on opposite sides of the refrigerator liner, and the shelves are placed on the ribs. To facilitate user adjustment, several ribs are usually reserved in the refrigerator design to adjust the shelf position.

[0005] However, the height between shelves cannot be flexibly adjusted, the storage space is limited, the space utilization rate inside the refrigerator is low, and many large foods cannot be placed, which affects the user experience. In addition, during the adjustment process, the items placed on the shelves must be cleaned before adjusting, which causes inconvenience.

[0006] The reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgement or suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction, or that it could reasonably be expected that the person skilled in the art would understand, consider relevant and / or combine with other prior art.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this application is to provide a refrigerator to solve the deficiencies in the related art, which can automatically and flexibly adjust the shelves up and down.

[0009] To achieve one of the above-mentioned purposes, an embodiment of the present application provides a refrigerator, comprising:

[0010] Box,

[0011] A shelf is arranged in the box;

[0012] A lifting mechanism comprising a slider that can slide up and down and a pulley provided on the slider, wherein the shelf is fixed on the slider;

[0013] The driving mechanism includes a motor, a winding wheel and a pull rope, wherein the motor is fixed to the box, the first end of the pull rope is fixed to the winding wheel, and the second end of the pull rope is fixed to the box; the motor drives the winding wheel to rotate to wind or release the pull rope;

[0014] The pulley is suspended on the pull rope, and when the pull rope is wound around the winding wheel, the pull rope drives the pulley to move upward.

[0015] As an embodiment of the present application, the lifting mechanism includes a pair of sliders arranged opposite to each other, the two sides of the shelf are respectively fixed to the corresponding sliders, and each slider is provided with the pulley;

[0016] The driving mechanism is provided with two pull ropes, which are respectively used to hang corresponding pulleys, and the winding wheel controls the winding or release of the two pull ropes at the same time.

[0017] As one embodiment of the present application, the winding wheel has a wheel body, and a rope groove is arranged on the circumferential side wall of the wheel body. When the winding wheel winds the pull rope, the pull rope is accommodated in the rope groove; there are two rope grooves, and the two rope grooves are arranged along the axial direction of the wheel body, and the two rope grooves are respectively adapted to the two pull ropes.

[0018] As an embodiment of the present application, the winding wheel is provided with rope positioning holes on two opposite sides along the axial direction of the wheel body, and the first end of the rope is fixed in the rope positioning hole; the rope positioning hole is connected to the rope groove;

[0019] The two pull rope positioning holes are arranged in a central symmetrical manner with the center of the wheel body as the center.

[0020] As an embodiment of the present application, the lifting mechanism further includes a guide member provided on the box body, and a line connecting the guide member and the pulley extends approximately in a vertical direction.

[0021] As an embodiment of the present application, the guide member includes a fixed pulley; a line connecting the center of the fixed pulley and the center of the winding wheel extends approximately in a horizontal direction.

[0022] As an embodiment of the present application, the box body includes an inner liner and a support frame provided on the inner liner, the support frame is provided with a slide rail that slides with the slider, and the slide rail extends in the vertical direction;

[0023] The support frame is further provided with an upper limit block and a lower limit block which are arranged on the slide rail and arranged along the vertical direction, and the sliding block slides between the upper limit block and the lower limit block.

[0024] As an embodiment of the present application, the slide rail includes a slide groove, and opposite side walls of the slide groove are provided with slide rail protrusions arranged opposite to each other, the slide rail protrusions protruding from the side walls of the slide groove into the slide groove, and the slide rail protrusions are extended along the extension direction of the slide groove;

[0025] The slider is provided with a roller, and a roller groove adapted to the slide rail protrusion is formed on the circumferential side wall of the roller;

[0026] The upper limit block and the lower limit block are positioned in the slide groove, and both the upper limit block and the lower limit block are formed with limit block positioning grooves that are adapted to the slide rail protrusions.

[0027] As one embodiment of the present application, the lifting mechanism further has a counterweight block arranged at the bottom of the slider; or the lifting mechanism further has an elastic member, the elastic member having a fixed end fixed to the frame and a movable end fixed to the slider, and the rebound force accumulated by the elastic member drives the movable end to move toward the fixed end.

[0028] As an embodiment of the present application, the driving mechanism further comprises a motor housing and a transmission gear set disposed in the motor housing, the motor is disposed in the motor housing, and the motor drives the winding wheel through the transmission gear set; the motor housing is fixed to the box;

[0029] An avoidance groove arranged away from the shelf is formed on the box body at a position opposite to the motor housing, and the motor housing is positioned in the avoidance groove.

[0030] As an embodiment of the present application, the refrigerator further includes a shock-absorbing pad arranged between the motor housing and the box body.

[0031] As one embodiment of the present application, the transmission gear group includes a worm arranged on the output shaft of the motor and a turbine coordinated with the worm, a first transmission gear arranged on the turbine, a second transmission gear meshed with the first transmission gear, and a transmission member arranged coaxially with the winding wheel, and the transmission member is provided with a ring gear combined with the second transmission gear.

[0032] Compared with the related art, the beneficial effect of the present application is that the present application realizes automatic lifting and lowering adjustment of the shelf through the cooperation of the motor, the winding wheel and the pulley, and through the setting of the pulley, the pulley moves together with the slider that drives the shelf to move synchronously. The pulley is hung on the pull rope and acts as a movable pulley, which can enable the motor to drive the movement of the shelf with a smaller driving force, and can reduce the torque of the motor, thereby reducing costs.

[0033] As one embodiment of the present application, the shelf includes a first end and a second end arranged opposite to the first end; a roller is provided on the slider, and the rotation axis of the pulley and the roller is perpendicular to the distribution direction of the first end and the second end, and the rotation axis of the pulley and the roller is parallel to the shelf.

[0034] As an embodiment of the present application, the support frame includes a first side plate and a second side plate connected to each other, the slide rail includes a first convex plate fixed to the first side plate, a first bent plate fixed to the second side plate, and a second convex plate fixed to the first bent plate, the first convex plate and the second convex plate are parallel to the second side plate, and a gap is left between the first convex plate and the second convex plate for the connecting shaft of the roller to pass through, and the first convex plate, the first side plate, the second side plate, the first bent plate and the second convex plate enclose a space for the roller to roll in the up and down directions.

[0035] As one embodiment of the present application, the slider includes a main plate parallel to the second side plate and a mounting portion arranged on the main plate, the roller is rotatably connected to the side of the main plate facing the slide rail, the pulley is rotatably connected to the mounting portion, and the pulley is arranged on the side away from the slide rail.

[0036] As an embodiment of the present application, the outer peripheral side of the roller extends to the outer edge of the main body plate facing the first side plate.

[0037] As an embodiment of the present application, the mounting portion includes a first connecting ear plate extending upward in the vertical direction of the main body plate, a third bent plate fixed to the first connecting ear plate, and a second connecting ear plate fixed to the third bent plate, the third bent plate extending in a direction away from the slide rail, and the first connecting ear plate and the second connecting ear plate are spaced apart to form a space for installing the pulley.

[0038] As an embodiment of the present application, a third convex plate extending to below the pulley is connected to the second connecting ear plate, and a gap is left between the third convex plate and the pulley for the pull rope to pass through.

[0039] As an embodiment of the present application, the slider also includes a second bent plate fixed to the main body plate and a connecting plate fixed to the second bent plate, the second bent plate extends in a direction away from the second side plate, the connecting plate extends in a direction away from the first side plate, and the first end of the shelf is fixedly connected to the connecting plate.

[0040] Compared with the related art, the beneficial effect of the present application is that: when the shelf moves up and down, the wheel surface of the roller cooperates with the two sides of the slide rail. Even if the shelf tilts when the load on the shelf is heavy, the wheel surface of the roller can play a role of supporting and releasing force, and the shelf is not prone to large tilting. In addition, the shelf is not prone to jamming during the up and down movement.

[0041] As used herein, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprises," "comprised," "comprising," "including," and "containing" do not exclude other features, components, elements, or steps unless the context clearly requires otherwise. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator disclosed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of a drive mechanism and a shelf in a refrigerator disclosed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIG3 is a first assembly exploded view of the driving mechanism and the lifting structure of the refrigerator disclosed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] FIG4 is a second assembly exploded view of the driving mechanism and the lifting structure of the refrigerator disclosed in the embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG5 is an exploded view of a drive mechanism in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of a winding wheel in a refrigerator disclosed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of a support frame in a refrigerator disclosed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of a drive mechanism and a shelf in a refrigerator disclosed in another embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG9 is a side view of the structure of a support frame and a shelf in a refrigerator disclosed in another embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG10 is a top view of the structure of a support frame and a slider in a refrigerator disclosed in another embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG11 is an axonometric view of a support frame and a slider in a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG12 is a schematic structural diagram of a support frame in a refrigerator disclosed in another embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of a slider, a roller, and a pulley in a refrigerator disclosed in another embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG14 is a schematic structural diagram of a slider in a refrigerator disclosed in another embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG15 is a schematic structural diagram of a lower limit block in a refrigerator disclosed in another embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Description of the accompanying figures: 1-box, 10-storage compartment, 11-support frame, 110-limit block positioning groove, 111-upper limit block, 112-lower limit block, 1121-clamping portion, 113-slide groove, 114-slide rail protrusion, 115-first side plate, 116-second side plate, 117-first mounting hole, 118-first convex plate, 119-first bending plate, 120-second convex plate, 12-avoidance groove, 2-shelf, 3-lifting mechanism, 31-slider, 312-main body plate, 313-second bending plate, 314-connecting plate, 315-second mounting hole, 316-first connecting ear plate, 317-third bending plate, 3 18-second connecting ear plate, 319-third convex plate, 311-roller, 3110-roller slide groove, 32-pulley, 33-guide member, 331-fixed pulley, 332-guide bracket, 34-counterweight block, 35-elastic member, 351-fixed end, 352-movable end, 4-driving mechanism, 41-motor, 42-winding wheel, 421-wheel body, 422-rope groove, 423-pull rope positioning hole, 43-pull rope, 44-motor housing, 45-transmission gear set, 451-worm, 452-turbine, 453-first transmission gear, 454-second transmission gear, 455-transmission member, 456-gear ring, 5-shock absorber pad. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present application, and should not be construed as limiting the present application.

[0059] For the convenience of description, taking the practical scenario of the shelf assembly in the refrigerator as a reference, it is defined as follows: the height direction of the refrigerator is the up and down direction, the side where the refrigerator body is connected to the door body is the front, the rear wall opposite to the refrigerator body is the rear, and the width direction of the refrigerator is the left and right direction.

[0060] An embodiment of the present application discloses a refrigerator, comprising a body 1 and a door body arranged on the body 1, the body 1 having a storage compartment 10, the door body being used to close the storage compartment 10, a shelf 2 being provided in the storage compartment 10, the shelf 2 being used to store items, and in order to more flexibly store items in the related art, the shelf 2 is generally arranged to be adjustable, so that the user can adjust the position of the shelf 2 according to their own needs and thereby adjust the space in the storage compartment 10.

[0061] In the related art, the shelf 2 generally needs to be cleaned during adjustment, which is inconvenient. The refrigerator disclosed in the embodiment of the present application can electrically adjust the position of the shelf when the shelf is loaded with items, thereby better meeting the needs of users.

[0062] The refrigerator of this embodiment is shown in Figures 1-7 and further includes a lifting mechanism 3 and a driving mechanism 4. The lifting mechanism 3 includes a slider 31 that can slide up and down and a pulley 32 arranged on the slider 31. The shelf 2 is fixed on the slider 31; the shelf 2 moves up and down synchronously with the slider 31.

[0063] The driving mechanism 4 includes a motor 41, a winding wheel 42, and a pull rope 43. The motor 41 is fixed to the box body 1. The first end of the pull rope 43 is fixed to the winding wheel 42, and the second end of the pull rope 43 is fixed to the box body 1. The motor 41 drives the winding wheel 42 to rotate to wind or unwind the pull rope 43. The motor 41 drives the winding wheel 42 to rotate. When the winding wheel 42 rotates, it winds or unwinds the pull rope 43, thereby tightening or loosening the pull rope 43. When the pull rope 43 is tightened, it causes the slider 31 to slide upward. The upward sliding of the slider 31 drives the shelf 2 to lift.

[0064] It is easier to understand that winding the pull rope 43 by the winding wheel 42 means that the pull rope 43 is wound around the outer periphery of the winding wheel 42 to reduce the length of the suspended portion between the first end and the second end of the pull rope 43; unwinding (releasing) the pull rope 43 by the winding wheel 42 means that the pull rope 43 is detached from the outer periphery of the winding wheel 42, and the length of the suspended portion between the first end and the second end of the pull rope 43 is increased.

[0065] The pulley 32 is suspended from the pull cord 43. When the pull cord 43 is wound around the reel 42, the pull cord 43 drives the pulley 32 upward. Since the pulley 32 is fixed to the slider 31, it can drive the slider 31 upward. The shelf 2 moves synchronously with the slider 31, allowing the pull cord 43 to pull the shelf 2 upward. When the motor 41 controls the reel 42 to release, the shelf 2 is freed from the upward tension of the pull cord 43 and moves downward under its own weight, thereby achieving downward movement adjustment of the shelf 2.

[0066] In this embodiment, the coordination of motor 41, reel 42, and pull cord 43 enables automatic raising and lowering of shelf 2, enabling flexible adjustment based on actual needs. This eliminates the need to clean items during adjustment, making it more convenient to use. Furthermore, the provision of pulley 32 allows it to move in conjunction with slider 31, which drives shelf 2 synchronously. Pulley 32, hooked to pull cord 43, acts as a movable pulley, enabling motor 41 to move shelf 2 with less driving force, reducing the torque of motor 41 and thereby lowering costs.

[0067] In this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 3 includes a pair of opposing sliders 31. The two sides of the shelf 2 are fixed to corresponding sliders 31, and each slider 31 is provided with a pulley 32. The driving mechanism 4 includes two pull ropes 43, each of which is used to suspend a corresponding pulley 32. The winding wheel 42 simultaneously controls the winding or release of the two pull ropes 43.

[0068] In this embodiment, corresponding pull ropes 43 are fixed to both ends of the shelf 2. The two pull ropes 43 are mounted on the same winding wheel 42. When the winding wheel 42 rotates, the two pull ropes 43 can be simultaneously wound or released. This structure can achieve synchronous lifting of the shelf 2 while reducing the use of parts.

[0069] Of course, in other embodiments, two motors 41 may be provided to control the corresponding pull ropes 43 respectively, so as to realize the control of the lifting and lowering of the shelf 2 when the pull ropes 43 are controlled to move.

[0070] In this embodiment, the winding wheel 42 has a wheel body 421, and a rope groove 422 is arranged on the circumferential side wall of the wheel body 421. When the winding wheel 42 winds the pull rope, the pull rope 43 is accommodated in the rope groove 422; there are two rope grooves 422, and the two rope grooves 422 are arranged along the axial direction of the wheel body 421. The two rope grooves 422 are respectively adapted to the two pull ropes 43.

[0071] In order to achieve synchronous winding of the two pull ropes 43 , two independent rope grooves 422 are provided. The two independent rope grooves 422 are arranged along the axial direction of the wheel body 421 , thereby preventing the two pull ropes 43 from interfering with each other during the winding process.

[0072] In this embodiment, the winding wheel 42 is provided with rope positioning holes 423 on two side surfaces opposite to each other along the axial direction of the wheel body 421. The wheel body 421 is cylindrical as a whole and has an axial direction. The two side surfaces opposite to each other in the axial direction are actually the top and bottom surfaces of the cylinder.

[0073] The first end of the pull cord 43 is fixed within the pull cord positioning hole 423; the pull cord positioning hole 423 is connected to the rope groove 422. Fixing the pull cord 43 on two axially opposite sides of the wheel body 421 facilitates the installation and fixation of the pull cord 43. The connection between the pull cord positioning hole 423 and the rope groove 422 facilitates the winding and fixation of the pull cord on the winding reel 42.

[0074] In this embodiment, the two pull rope positioning holes 423 are centrally symmetrically arranged with the center of the wheel body 421 as the center.

[0075] The lifting mechanism 3 further includes a guide member 33 disposed on the housing 1. The line connecting the guide member 33 and the pulley 32 extends approximately vertically. The pull rope 43 is attached to the guide member 33 and is disposed on the transmission path of the pull rope 43 to change the pulling direction of the pull rope 43.

[0076] The connecting line between the guide member 33 and the pulley 32 is approximately in the vertical direction, which can better enable the force exerted by the pull rope 43 on the slider 31 to be as much in the vertical direction as possible, thereby better achieving the control of the upward movement of the slider 31.

[0077] It should be noted that the approximately vertical direction here may allow a certain small range of angle with the vertical direction, and the above setting is only to make the force acting on the slider 31 upward in the vertical direction as much as possible.

[0078] It should be noted that since two sliders 31 are provided on opposite sides of the shelf 2 , correspondingly, two guide members 33 are also provided. The two guide members 33 are used to guide two different pull ropes 43 respectively.

[0079] In this embodiment, the guide member 33 includes a fixed pulley 331 and a guide bracket 332 . The fixed pulley 331 is rotatably mounted on the guide bracket 332 , and the guide bracket 332 is fixed on the box body 1 .

[0080] The line connecting the center of the fixed pulley 331 and the center of the winding wheel 42 extends approximately horizontally. It should be noted that the approximately horizontal extension here can allow a certain small angle with the horizontal direction. The above-mentioned structure can keep the winding wheel 42 and the fixed pulley 331 in the same horizontal direction as much as possible.

[0081] After the lifting mechanism 3 and the drive mechanism 4 are installed and fixed, they are generally covered with an air duct cover. Therefore, during the design process of the air duct cover, it is necessary to consider the avoidance of the drive mechanism 4 and the lifting mechanism 3. In other words, the arrangement of the lifting mechanism 3 and the drive mechanism 4 will affect the spatial design of the air duct cover. Placing the winding wheel 42 horizontally relative to the fixed pulley 331 can reduce the vertical space occupied by the entire equipment, thereby also reducing the space occupied by the air duct cover.

[0082] In this embodiment, the box body 1 includes an inner container and a support frame 11 provided on the inner container. The support frame 11 is provided with a slide rail that slidably cooperates with the slider 31 , and the slide rail extends in the vertical direction.

[0083] The support frame 11 has a connecting plate fixed to the inner wall of the inner container, and the slide rail and the connecting plate are integrally formed. The support frame 11 also has an upper limit block 111 and a lower limit block 112 arranged in the vertical direction on the slide rail, and the slider 31 slides between the upper limit block 111 and the lower limit block 112.

[0084] The arrangement of the upper limit block 111 and the lower limit block 112 limits the distance that the slider 31 slides on the support frame 11 . The distance that the slider 31 slides on the support frame 11 also affects the size of the space for adjusting the shelf 2 up and down.

[0085] Therefore, in order to have better adaptability, the positions of the upper limit block 111 and the lower limit block 112 on the support frame 111 are adjustable.

[0086] In this embodiment, one end of the pull rope 43 fixed to the box body 1 can be fixed to the upper limit block 111, and the position of the pull rope 43 on the upper limit block 111 is also adjustable, so that the entire tension state of the pull rope 43 can be changed.

[0087] In this embodiment, the slider 31 is extended in the up-down direction as a whole, and the pulley 32 is arranged on the top of the slider 31 .

[0088] The slide rail includes a slide groove 113, and the slider 31 is slidably set in the slide groove 113. Oppositely set slide rail protrusions 114 are provided on the opposite side walls of the slide groove 113. The slide rail protrusions 114 protrude from the side walls of the slide groove 113 into the slide groove 113, and the slide rail protrusions 114 are extended along the extension direction of the slide groove 113.

[0089] A roller 311 is provided on the slider 31, and a roller groove 3110 adapted to the slide rail protrusion 114 is formed on the circumferential side wall of the roller 311; two groups of rollers 311 are provided, each group has a plurality of rollers 311 arranged along the vertical direction, and the two groups of rollers are respectively used to slide with the two slide rail protrusions 114 on the opposite sides of the groove 113.

[0090] In order to facilitate the adjustment of the upper limit block 111 and the lower limit block 112, the upper limit block 111 and the lower limit block 112 are positioned in the slide groove 113, and the upper limit block 111 and the lower limit block 112 are both formed with a limit block positioning groove 110 that is compatible with the slide rail protrusion 114.

[0091] During actual use, in order to better control the downward movement adjustment of the shelf 2, the lifting mechanism 3 also has a counterweight block 34 arranged at the bottom of the slider 31; the setting of the counterweight block 34 can increase the load of the shelf 2, so that the shelf 2 can have sufficient force to move downward even when there is no load, so that the pull rope is always in a taut state, thereby better realizing the control of the lifting and lowering of the shelf 2.

[0092] As shown in Figure 8, in another embodiment, the lifting mechanism further has an elastic member 35, which has a fixed end 351 fixed on the box body 1 and a movable end 352 fixed to the slider 31. The rebound force accumulated in the elastic member 35 drives the movable end 352 to move toward the fixed end 351.

[0093] In one embodiment, the fixed end 351 can be fixed to the support frame 11. The elastic member 35 can be a coiled belt comprising a housing fixed to the support frame 11 and a spring coil disposed within the housing. One end of the spring coil is fixed to the housing, and the other end of the spring coil is fixed to the slider 31. When the pull cord 43 pulls the slider 31 upward, the spring coil is pulled by the cord and accumulates a rebound force. After the force of the pull cord 43 pulling the slider 31 weakens, the slider 31 can move downward under the action of the accumulated rebound force of the spring coil.

[0094] As shown in Figure 5, the driving mechanism 4 also has a motor housing 44 and a transmission gear set 45 arranged in the motor housing 44. The motor 41 is arranged in the motor housing 44, and the motor 41 drives the winding wheel 42 through the transmission gear set 45; the motor housing 44 is fixed on the box body 1.

[0095] The housing 1 is provided with a relief groove 12 facing away from the shelf 2 at a position opposite to the motor housing 44, and the motor housing 44 is positioned within the relief groove 12. The provision of the relief groove 12 can prevent the drive mechanism 4 from protruding excessively outward after installation and fixation, thereby avoiding occupying the space of the air duct cover.

[0096] The refrigerator further comprises a shock-absorbing pad 5 provided between the motor housing 44 and the housing 1. The shock-absorbing pad 5 can effectively prevent the vibration generated during the use of the motor 41 from being transmitted to the housing 1, and the shock-absorbing pad 5 can be a rubber member.

[0097] The transmission gear set 45 includes a worm 451 arranged on the motor output shaft and a turbine 452 cooperating with the worm 451, a first transmission gear 453 arranged on the turbine 452, a second transmission gear 454 meshing with the first transmission gear 453 and a transmission member 455 coaxially arranged with the winding wheel 42, and a ring gear 456 combined with the second transmission gear 454 is provided on the transmission member 455.

[0098] In this embodiment, the transmission member 455 is coaxially arranged with the winding wheel 42, and a positioning structure is provided between the two to restrict relative rotation of the two in the circumferential direction of the winding wheel 42. In this embodiment, the rotation of the motor 41 is restricted by the cooperation between the worm 451 and the worm gear 452. The transmission can only be transmitted from the output shaft of the motor to the worm 451, and then from the worm 451 to the worm gear 452, but not from the worm gear 452 to the worm 451 in the opposite direction. The self-locking function of the worm gear 452 and the worm gear 451 is used to lock the shelf 2 after adjustment. Of course, in other embodiments, the motor 41 can also be controlled by a brake.

[0099] It is easy to understand that in an optional embodiment, the driving mechanism 4 can be implemented using other transmission structures.

[0100] For example, a rack and pinion structure can be used to pull and release the drawstring. In one embodiment, the drive mechanism includes a motor, a gear connected to the motor, and a rack meshing with the gear. The drawstring is fixedly connected to the rack, and a limiting guide structure can be provided in the refrigerator body to provide linear displacement for the rack. The motor drives the gear to rotate, which meshes with the rack. The movement of the rack drives the drawstring to adjust the shelf height. Accordingly, the rack is provided with two corresponding drawstrings.

[0101] Another example is the use of a lead screw and nut structure to achieve the pulling and releasing of the pull rope. In one embodiment, the drive mechanism includes a motor and two sets of transmission parts, the transmission parts include a lead screw connected to the motor, a nut mated with the lead screw thread, and a traction block connected to the nut. The pull rope is fixedly connected to the traction block, and a limiting structure for limiting the movement of the nut and the traction block in the linear direction can be provided in the refrigerator body. The motor drives the lead screw to rotate, and under the action of the limiting structure, the nut drives the traction block to move in the linear direction, thereby driving the pull rope to move to achieve the height adjustment of the shelf. Of course, the motor can use a mechanical transmission structure to drive two gears to rotate at the same time, or two motors can be provided accordingly.

[0102] In an optional embodiment, the lifting mechanism 3 and the support frame 11 may adopt other structures to achieve the support and guidance function of the shelf 2. The following is a detailed description of the lifting mechanism 3 and the support frame 11 scheme that are different from the above embodiment (other structural schemes are the same as the above embodiment).

[0103] 9 and 10 , the support frame 11 includes a first side panel 115 and a second side panel 116 connected to each other, with the first side panel 115 and the second side panel 116 being perpendicular to each other. A first mounting hole 117 for a first fastener (not shown) to pass through is provided on the first side panel 115. The first side panel 115 is connected to the rear wall of the refrigerator liner via the first fastener, and the second side panel 116 is connected to the side wall of the refrigerator liner.

[0104] 10 and 11 , the support frame 11 is provided with a slide rail extending in a vertical direction. A first protruding plate 118 is perpendicularly connected to the side wall of the first side plate 115. The first protruding plate 118 is parallel to the second side plate 116 and spaced apart from the second side plate 116. A first bent plate 119 is perpendicularly connected to one end of the second side plate 116 away from the first side plate 115. The first bent plate 119 extends toward one side of the slider 31 and is parallel to the first side plate 115.

[0105] A second protruding plate 120 is perpendicularly connected to the end of the first bent plate 119 away from the second side plate 116. The second protruding plate 120 extends toward the first side plate 115 and is parallel to the second side plate 116. The second protruding plate 120 corresponds to the position of the first protruding plate 118. A gap is provided on the facing side of the first and second protruding plates 118, through which the connecting shaft of the roller 311 passes. Thus, the first protruding plate 118, the first side plate 115, the second side plate 116, the first bent plate 119, and the second protruding plate 120 together form the aforementioned slide rail structure.

[0106] 9 , the shelf 2 is fixedly connected to the slider 31 . With the support of the slider 31 , the shelf 2 can move up and down along the vertical direction of the support frame 11 . The user can flexibly adjust the position of the shelf 2 in the height direction of the refrigerator storage compartment.

[0107] 11 and 13 , the slider 31 includes a main body plate 312 parallel to the second side plate 116, a second bent plate 313 vertically connected to the main body plate 312, and a connecting plate 314 vertically connected to the second bent plate 313 away from the main body plate 312. The second bent plate 313 extends in a direction away from the second side edge. Both the main body plate 312 and the connecting plate 314 are parallel to the second side plate 116. A second mounting hole 315 is provided on the connecting plate 314 for a second fastener (not shown) to pass through.

[0108] Shelf 2 has a first end facing the rear of the refrigerator and a second end opposite the first end. The first and second ends are arranged in the front-to-back direction of the refrigerator. The first end of shelf 2 is fixedly connected to connecting plate 314 via a second fastener. The rotation axes of pulley 32 and roller 311 are perpendicular to the direction in which the first and second ends are arranged, and the rotation axes of pulley 32 and roller 311 are parallel to shelf 2. That is, the rotation axes of pulley 32 and roller 311 extend in the left-right direction, and the extension plane (i.e., the rotation plane) of pulley 32 and roller 311 extends in the front-to-back, up-to-down, and up-to-down directions.

[0109] It is easier to understand that being parallel to shelf 2 means being roughly consistent with the extension direction of shelf 2; for example, if shelf 2 is a plane, the rotation axes of pulley 32 and roller 311 are parallel to the plane; if it is a slightly curved surface, they are parallel to a plane that is approximately the same as the curved surface.

[0110] The roller 311 is rotatably connected to the side of the main plate 312 facing the second side plate 116. The roller 311 rolls within the slide rail, and the diameter of the roller 311 matches the width of the slide rail. The interaction between the roller 311 and the slide rail limits the slider 31 in the horizontal direction, preventing it from moving horizontally and only in the vertical direction. The width of the slide rail is the length of the slide rail extending in the front-to-back direction. In other words, the extended plane of the pulley 32 and roller 311 is parallel to the width of the slide rail.

[0111] Since the slide rail limits the roller 311 in the front and rear directions, even if the second end of the shelf 2 tilts downward due to a heavy load, the force generated by the tilt extends along the cross-sectional direction of the wheel surface of the roller 311, and the wheel surface of the roller 311 can cooperate with the slide rail to play a supporting role, thereby ensuring that the slider 31 drives the shelf 2 to move smoothly in the vertical direction, and the shelf 2 will not experience adjustment jams when the load is heavy.

[0112] 13 , the outer peripheral side of the roller 311 extends to the outer edge of the main plate 312 toward the first side plate 115 , so that the main plate 312 is spaced apart from the first side plate 115 . Even if the shelf 2 is tilted, the main plate 312 will not collide with the first side plate 115 , allowing the user to smoothly adjust the position of the shelf 2 .

[0113] 14 , the slider 31 further includes a mounting portion disposed on the main plate 312 for mounting the pulley 32. The mounting portion includes a first connecting lug 316 connected to the upper end of the main plate 312, a third bent plate 317 perpendicularly connected to the first connecting lug 316, and a second connecting lug 318 perpendicularly connected to the third bent plate 317. The first connecting lug 316 and the second connecting lug 318 are parallel and spaced apart from each other to form a mounting space for mounting the pulley 32.

[0114] The first and second connecting lugs 316, 318 each have a third mounting hole (not shown). The two third mounting holes are positioned opposite each other, and the pulley 32 is connected between the first and second connecting lugs 316, 314 via the two third mounting holes. The pulley 32 is located on the side of the main plate 312 facing away from the rails. When the shelf 2 tilts under a heavy load, the first and second connecting lugs 316, 318 supporting the pulley 32 will not collide with the support frame 11, preventing the shelf 2 from jamming during movement.

[0115] Because the pulley 32 is located on the side of the main plate 312 facing away from the slide rail, it is not connected to the support frame 11. Even if the shelf 2 tilts due to a heavy load, the pulley 32 will not interfere with the support frame 11 or the slide rail, so the height adjustment of the shelf will not cause any problems such as jamming. Furthermore, the pull cord 43 is unlikely to interfere with the main plate 312 and the slider 31 during movement, ensuring smooth height adjustment of the shelf 2.

[0116] The slider 31 also includes a third protrusion 319 vertically connected to the second connecting ear plate 318. The third protrusion 319 extends toward the first connecting ear plate 316. The third protrusion 319 is located below the pulley 32, and a gap is left between the third protrusion 319 and the pulley 32 for the pull rope 43 to pass through. The third protrusion 319 can limit the pull rope 43 to prevent the pull rope 43 from detaching from the pulley 32, so as to ensure smooth adjustment of the shelf 2.

[0117] The support frame 11 and slider 31 are both integrally formed. Depending on the material of the support frame 11 and slider 31, different production methods can be used. If the support frame 11 and slider 31 are made of metal, casting or bending is typically used. If the support frame 11 and slider 31 are made of PVE, injection molding is typically used. The integrally formed support frame 11 and slider 31 structure reduces processing difficulty and production costs, and the number of components is reduced, making assembly simpler and faster.

[0118] Referring to Figure 11, the support frame 11 also has an upper limit block 111 and a lower limit block 112 set on the slide rail and arranged along the vertical direction. The slider 31 slides between the upper limit block 111 and the lower limit block 112. The upper limit block 111 and the lower limit block 112 can be fixed to the second side plate 116 by screws, bolts, etc.

[0119] Referring again to Figure 15 , both the upper and lower stoppers 111 and 112 have engaging portions 1121 that match the shape and size of the cross-section of the rail. These engaging portions 1121 are embedded in the ends of the rail. These engaging portions 1121 block and limit the upper and lower ends of the rail, restricting the slider 31 within the rail. The side of the engaging portion 1121 facing the slider 31 is formed as an arcuate surface corresponding to the shape and size of the roller 311. When the slider 31 drives the roller 311 up and down and contacts the stoppers, the engaging portion 1121 more closely conforms to the shape of the roller 311, thereby providing a better positional limit for the slider 31.

[0120] The number of the above-mentioned support frame 11 and slider 31 can be one or more, and can be designed according to the actual size and shape of the refrigerator inner container. This embodiment does not limit the installation position and number of the support frame 11 and slider 31.

[0121] The above describes in detail the structure, features and effects of the present application based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present application, but the present application does not limit the scope of implementation to what is shown in the drawings. Any changes made in accordance with the concept of the present application, or modifications to equivalent embodiments with equivalent changes, which still do not exceed the spirit covered by the description and drawings, should be within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that ,include: Box, A shelf is disposed in the box; A lifting mechanism, comprising a sliding block that can slide up and down and a pulley arranged on the sliding block, and the shelf is fixed on the sliding block; The driving mechanism comprises a motor, a winding wheel and a pull rope, wherein the motor is fixed on the box, the first end of the pull rope is fixed on the winding wheel, and the second end of the pull rope is fixed on the box; the motor drives the winding wheel to rotate to wind or release the pull rope; The pulley is suspended on the pull rope, and when the winding wheel winds the pull rope, the pull rope drives the pulley to move upward.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism comprises a pair of sliders arranged opposite to each other, the two sides of the shelf are respectively fixed on the corresponding sliders, and each slider is provided with the pulley; The driving mechanism is provided with two pull ropes in total, and the two pull ropes are used to hang corresponding pulleys respectively, and the winding wheel controls the winding or release of the two pull ropes at the same time.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The winding wheel comprises a wheel body and a rope groove arranged on the circumferential side wall of the wheel body. When the winding wheel winds the pull rope, the pull rope is accommodated in the rope groove. Two rope grooves are provided, and the two rope grooves are arranged along the axial direction of the wheel body, and the two rope grooves are respectively adapted to the two pull ropes.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, characterized in that: The two side surfaces of the winding wheel which are arranged opposite to each other along the axial direction of the wheel body are respectively provided with pull rope positioning holes, and the first end of the pull rope is fixed in the pull rope positioning hole; the pull rope positioning hole is communicated with the rope groove; The two pull rope positioning holes are centrally symmetrically arranged with the center of the wheel body as the center.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism further comprises a guide member arranged on the box body, and a connecting line between the guide member and the pulley is approximately extended along the vertical direction.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, characterized in that: The guide member comprises a fixed pulley; a line connecting the center of the fixed pulley and the center of the winding wheel is approximately extended in the horizontal direction.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The box body comprises an inner liner and a support frame arranged on the inner liner, the support frame is provided with a slide rail slidably matched with the slider, and the slide rail is extended in the vertical direction; The support frame also has an upper limit block and a lower limit block which are arranged on the slide rail and arranged in the vertical direction, and the sliding block slides between the upper limit block and the lower limit block.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, characterized in that: The slide rail comprises a slide groove, and slide rail protrusions arranged opposite to each other are arranged on opposite side walls of the slide groove, the slide rail protrusions protrude from the side walls of the slide groove toward the inside of the slide groove, and the slide rail protrusions extend along the extension direction of the slide groove; The slider is provided with a roller, and a roller groove matching with the protrusion of the slide rail is formed on the circumferential side wall of the roller; The upper limit block and the lower limit block are positioned in the slide groove, and both the upper limit block and the lower limit block are formed with limit block positioning grooves that are matched with the slide rail protrusions.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism also has a counterweight block arranged at the bottom of the sliding block; Or the lifting mechanism further comprises an elastic member, wherein the elastic member comprises a fixed end fixed to the box body and a movable end fixed to the slider, and the elastic force accumulated by the elastic member drives the movable end to move toward the fixed end.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving mechanism also has a motor housing and a transmission gear set arranged in the motor housing, the motor is arranged in the motor housing, and the motor drives the winding wheel through the transmission gear set; the motor housing is fixed on the box body; An escape groove arranged away from the shelf is formed on the box body at a position opposite to the motor housing, and the motor housing is positioned in the escape groove.

11. The refrigerator according to claim 10, characterized in that: The refrigerator also has a shock-absorbing pad arranged between the motor housing and the box body.

12. The refrigerator according to claim 10, characterized in that: The transmission gear set includes a worm arranged on the output shaft of the motor and a turbine matched with the worm, a first transmission gear arranged on the turbine, a second transmission gear meshing with the first transmission gear, and a transmission member arranged coaxially with the winding wheel, and the transmission member is provided with a ring gear combined with the second transmission gear.

13. The refrigerator according to claim 7, characterized in that: The shelf comprises a first end and a second end disposed opposite to the first end; The slider is provided with rollers, the rotation axes of the pulleys and the rollers are perpendicular to the distribution direction of the first end and the second end, and the rotation axes of the pulleys and the rollers are parallel to the shelf.

14. The refrigerator according to claim 13, characterized in that: The support frame includes a first side plate and a second side plate connected to each other, the slide rail includes a first convex plate fixed to the first side plate, a first bent plate fixed to the second side plate, and a second convex plate fixed to the first bent plate, the first convex plate and the second convex plate are parallel to the second side plate, a gap is left between the first convex plate and the second convex plate for the connecting shaft of the roller to pass through, the first convex plate, the first side plate, the second side plate, the first bent plate and the second convex plate enclose a space for the roller to roll in the up and down directions.

15. The refrigerator according to claim 14, characterized in that: The slider includes a main plate parallel to the second side plate and a mounting portion arranged on the main plate, the roller is rotatably connected to the side of the main plate facing the slide rail, the pulley is rotatably connected to the mounting portion, and the pulley is arranged on the side away from the slide rail.

16. The refrigerator according to claim 15, characterized in that: The outer peripheral side of the roller extends to the outer edge of the main body plate toward the first side plate.

17. The refrigerator according to claim 15, characterized in that: The mounting portion includes a first connecting ear plate extending upward in the vertical direction of the main body plate, a third bending plate fixed to the first connecting ear plate, and a second connecting ear plate fixed to the third bending plate. The third bending plate extends in a direction away from the slide rail, and the first connecting ear plate is spaced from the second connecting ear plate to form a space for installing the pulley.

18. The refrigerator according to claim 17, characterized in that: The second connecting ear plate is connected to a third convex plate extending below the pulley, and a gap is left between the third convex plate and the pulley for the pull rope to pass through.

19. The refrigerator according to claim 15, characterized in that: The slider also includes a second bent plate fixed to the main body plate and a connecting plate fixed to the second bent plate, the second bent plate extends in a direction away from the second side plate, the connecting plate extends in a direction away from the first side plate, and the first end of the shelf is fixedly connected to the connecting plate.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Refrigerator and shelf component thereof

    CN103375963A

  • Lifting device for refrigerator shelf and refrigerator

    CN106642961A

  • Refrigerator with lifting shelf

    CN112432416A

  • A remove rack structure for refrigerator

    CN206531351U

  • Lifting shelf and household equipment

    CN212081772U

Cited By

  • Transformer coil winding machine

    CN120977772A

  • Shelf assembly and refrigerator

    WO2026086272A1